One of the things I did want to do this year was to blog more. As you can see, I haven't really succeeded in that endeavor. I can't seem to get past the feeling that no one wants to read my ramblings. But, I suppose if they don't want to, they don't have to and I can just write for myself...and anyone who does want to read about my journey of life!
So I left you in December bidding farewell to 2013 and welcoming 2014 with open arms. I set some pretty specific and small (but important) goals for 2014.
My first goal was to work on being accountable, but not too hard on myself and the second goal was to lose 50lbs between Jan 1st and Dec. 31st. Well, I didn't really "start" until Jan. 6th. And I decided that as long as the scale is moving down each week I will be happy. I also decided to track my food and it will be what it is; there will be some days that I eat within my calorie range and they'll be days I go over it.
It's only been a little over 3 weeks, but I almost think this might be working. This might be the trick for me to not get totally crazy about losing weight. The first week wasn't great. I tracked my food and stayed within my calorie range for about 3 days. But, I weighed myself the next week and was down .8lbs. It was what it was. I honestly felt pretty indifferent about it. I was happy that the number was down and was determined to just keep going. I recorded my weight and moved on. I was hoping to have a better week than the previous one, but I wasn't stressing myself about it.
Week 2 starts and again I do well for about 3.5 days. My hubby found out on Thursday that he passed a big test he had taken in December so we went out to dinner to celebrate. I thought about staying within my calorie range, but decided that I really wanted the steak and loaded baked potato that I usually get at Longhorn so I made the conscious decision and, again, was fine with it. I didn't really track the rest of the week, but when Monday rolled around I still weighed in and recorded my weight (gain or loss) for the week. I was down .6lbs this time. Again, I did not let this bother me (amazing!) and just kept trucking along. I was happy that the scale was down and not up and decided that I would simply continue to try to do better.
Last week was week 3. This time I tracked all 7 days. I stayed within my calorie range 4 days and went over by about 200 calories each day for 3 days (the weekend...ugh). But what is so great about this is that from that first week up until last week, the way I have FELT hasn't really changed. It is what it is and I'm OK with that. When I got on the scale on Monday I was down 3.4lbs, for a total of 4.8lbs in 3 weeks. I would usually be overly excited about the 3.4lb loss, especially on a week that I went over my calories for 3 days; BUT, I was pretty indifferent. Happy? Yes. Overly excited? No. Over analyzing about how many calories my body must actually need or can handle and still lose weight?? Nope. Just re-started a new week with the same thoughts as the previous 3 - keep going. Track my food, try my best to stay within my calories and move on.
The other goal was to exercise at least 3 days a week. I'm killing this goal! Again, nothing really started until January 6th, but since then I've exercised 16 days. That amounts to 4 days the first and second weeks, 6 days last week and already 2 for 2 this week! The exercising is coming so easily because I'm putting no pressure on myself. Last week I just kept getting on the treadmill or my bike trainer every day because I decided I could burn some calories while watching an episode of Lost on Netflix instead of just sitting on my butt watching it. I even did my first brick workout of the year! I rode on my bike trainer for 30 minutes and then decided to walk on the treadmill for another 30 minutes.
I DO find myself getting a little insane about how many calories I'm burning. There are SO many different calorie burning calculators out there that it's impossible to know what's "right". However, I try to stop myself from over analyzing and I choose a number in between that I think seems "reasonable". I must not be too far off since I AM losing some weight. However, it does tempt me to indulge in something like the Fitbit Flex so "I'll know", but then I realize that it's just another thing and if I don't like the number that gives me perhaps I'll question it too.
Now come on, you didn't really think I could change THAT much in 3 weeks, did you?? But, the good news is that I'm not (yet) totally driving myself crazy over this weight loss. I'm tracking, eating mostly good but still what I want and exercising almost daily.
And the best news of all?? My Crohn's continues to stay at bay. I feel really good and am hopeful it will only continue to get better as I lose this weight and regain my fitness!
