I just read through a blog post from four years ago, about gaining weight over Christmas. That was before the neurosis about exercising and eating got the best of me, before I took a break from blog.
It was good to get back in that frame of mind, when I really thought about what I put in my mouth and how much I moved during the day. I'm getting back to that point. I (perhaps foolishly) started an actual diet this week. I hate that word, I hate the negative connotation associated with it. I prefer healthy food choices. Healthy lifestyle changes.
But this week, to get me back into that frame of mind, to get me motivated right off the bat, I started what is called "the four-day diet."
It was restrictive, it was hard. I know I wasn't eating enough calories for how much I was working out, but at the end of the first four days, I'm down six pounds. It was enough to make me aware of when I reached for food when I wasn't hungry, it was enough to help me keep track of portions. It made me make a conscious effort to include vegetables every day.
And the six pounds -- mostly water weight I know -- were enough. I got a new middle number. I will follow the next four days, and after that, I will use the following sets of four days as a guidepost, but I know I need more calories. I know given my typical 45-60 minutes of cardio plus resistance training, I need to eat more.
My vow, after the next four-day cycle, is to only weigh myself once a week. (I've already gotten into the habit of once or twice a day -- bad Ellie!) To work out five days a week -- without fail, even if some days are not as high intensity as others.
I took a picture of myself in my skivvies the other day. And I have pictures from my birthday weekend in Baltimore. Both will serve as guide posts. And just like celebrities who endorse a weight-loss product, I will post the before picture, but only after I have a good "during" picture to go next to it. And that will -- eventually -- go for my actual weight. Once I've lost an amount I feel comfortable with, I will post that too.
If for nothing else, but to keep me honest. To keep me going.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
1 comment:
I just want you to know that I'm reading and supporting you in every way. I know how difficult things have been and how you're hurting. I know everything feels out of control and how you'd give anything to feel powerful and self-actualized. I also know the strong pull of that old comfort zone that we know we shouldn't go into but that feels so good when we are. We think, this time, it will solve my problems and I won't lose control of being in control. Just be careful, my dear friend. Don't shut out the voice that's telling you that you've been down this road before. Let her show you how to go down a new road that works even better... I hope you're picking up the next issue of People. I think the cover story is just for you.
http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/goddess/sandra-bullock-reveals-she-secretly-adopted-baby-boy/391/?nc
Post a Comment