Totally fell off the blog wagon

but not the weight loss wagon. I've been really working hard. It's slow going, but I'm down 10 lbs since I started this blog. I'd ideally like to lose 15 more lbs, but I'm happy with my progress. Still reference Dr. Beck's book although I can't say I'm doing the program. So much has been happening lately and my life has been a tad stressful so I'm just happy that I haven't resorted to stress eating. That's a huge accomplishment for me. I belong to a SparksTeam on Sparkspeople and we're doing a 12 week challenge. I think we've got about 5 more weeks and it's been really great. I also bought a swimsuit. It wasn't in the size I was hoping I'd be by the summer, but it's getting pretty close and there's always next summer. All in all I feel like I'm moving in the right direction and I'm proud of myself.

Catching up

Week has been crazy with snow and kids off schedule. Just wanted to say that I'm down 4 more lbs and feeling like I could reach goal, ok...at least be close by summer. Doing much better with the carbs and of course the sugar. It's hard, but necessary. Ah well, keep on, keeping on.

Get Real Challenge

So, I've said for a month that at the beginning of Lent I would stop snacking and the other vices that are keeping me from my goal. So...today is Ash Wednesday. For the next forty days I will not have sweets. I will work my program to it's fullest. I can do this!
Progress thus far has been slow but steady, I'm pleased that I've continued to lose and have identified reasons why my progress has been slow from time to time. I've continued to read the Dr. Beck book, rereading some areas that I struggle with again and again, but the bottom line of the whole thing is plan, document and stay focused on your ultimate goal. That's pretty much what she tells you. You need to plan for your eating and exercising, check, check. You need to document what you eat truthfully by keeping a food journal, check. And you need to not let negative thoughts and actions derail you from your goals, check. So...wish me luck, here I go. Sugar free me!

Slacker Posting

I don't mean I haven't been working my program...I mean I haven't been posting. I lost 2.5 lbs this week...but that just brought me back to where I was before my monthly visitor, so I guess it was all fluid. I have noticed that my comfy jeans are getting a bit baggier so I will definitely be moving solidly into the next size down...woo hoo, just one size until I reach my goal size. I just wish that number on the scale were moving the way I want. Ash Wednesday, or as I like to think of it as doomsday, lol is coming up and I'm giving up my vices. The white stuff has to go, flour, simple carbs, sugar. I hope to see a big difference in my progress by making these changes and if I can do it for 40 days...well, I should be able to do it forever, right?

Day off

I'm not feeling the exercise thing today. I'm sort of tired and it's cold outside so I don't feel motivated. I think I'll just stay home and clean (that's exercise, right?) and maybe if I feel like it this afternoon I'll do one of my exercise dvds. I think it's important to take a break to recharge from time to time. I'm realizing that it doesn't have to be all or none. I can do little things that make a difference in my overall health.
Glad to say that I've eaten less sugar this week thus far. I know that my cravings for it will diminish if I avoid it so that's what I'm trying to do.

Sugar!!!

That old demon has been surfacing recently and I'm really struggling. I've even picked up the OA book "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions" and have been reading it. I do feel that my relationship with food at times could be classified as an addiction. It's hard when you're a food addict, because unlike other addiction you still do have to figure out a way to have it in your life. The way you have abstinence when you're a food addict is by not using food in a maladaptive way. Easier said than done. But, I'm taking one day at a time and I'm truly trying. I wish that obtaining a certain number on the scale wasn't an important measure of health and success. I mean if you don't have that number you're deemed unhealthy...or at least less healthy. It's frustrating when I know how hard I've worked. I'm not perfect by any stretch...but I have worked very, very hard.
My weigh in this week was a bust. I gained. Maybe it's water since my friend is visiting me right now...or maybe it's all the snacking I did in the last week. Either way, the scale did not give me the number I was hoping for.
Ah well...tomorrow's another day, right.

Others ways to measure success

AKA Pick me ups. I was feeling a bit defeated because I hadn't done very well with my eating last week. I blame it on being premenstrual, lol. Nonetheless I have recognized that my body has changed. So I tried on 3 pairs of paints that didn't use to fit me and they fit! WooHoo! I've moved down a size. I'm only one size from the size I want to be regardless of what the scale shows. If I can obtain that size I'll be thrilled. I really should take my measurements with a tape measure so during the times when the scale isn't moving I can still see some progress.