Where was I?

Third week of group weight loss meetings meets tonight. I am hovering around the 191 mark? WTF??? I have been following a weight training schedule for 3 weeks and exercising more, though not as consistently due to illness - both mine and the kids. I have the oil man here this morning for furnace maintenance, but as long as he leaves soonI may be able to get to Spin or at least a long walk with the dog.

I've been writing my food / fat in my journal, but was not as consistent as I would like to be, and not staying within my calories. I don't know what has zapped my mojo, but I really don't want to waste this opportunity. I need to step it up. My mood is surprisingly good, if only I could just shut my mouth...

In the meantime, I have one more word to say - SQUATS - lots of them and I can't walk today...

My goal for the week is to stay within my 1330 calorie allowance for 4 of 7 days... Stay tuned.

Accountability...

The weight loss portion of the study I am involved in began Wednesday night. It was NOT pretty. Since it started at 7:15 p.m., I had the pleasure of weighing in after 3 slices of pizza and 2 mugs of green tea... 194.8 WOW... Haven't seen those numbers in a long time and don't want to ever again.... On the plus side, it could spell a BIG loss next week... We'll see.

My first goal is 7% - so 176.5 pounds.... There is no deadline, but my calories are supposed to live in the range of 1300, fat grams 37 and I should work up to exercising 60 min/5x week.

Day one was a wake up call. I thought I ate well until I added it up - 1750 calories and 45 fat grams.... Today I will do better... For the week, however, I managed to walk the dog every day-2+ miles Mon - Wed and slightly less yesterday and this morning. I did my weights workout three times, elliptical, and a spin class. Exercise is good. I am committed... 2 days in and a lifetime to go...

I LOVE that I will weigh in every week. I LOVE that someone will review my food journal and ask questions. I LOVE that someone will care if I exercise. Accountability is my friend.

So what’s different? What’s new?

I’ve been to spinning. I had my first real lap swim of the year. I’ve made 3 new recipes – minestrone soup, quiche, and a Moroccan grilled chicken (all good). My weight last Monday was officially 192.4 – the result of eating everything I wanted between Christmas and New Years… I purchase the cycling attachments (cadence counter, mount) for my Garmin and the heart rate monitor strap. The only gadget left is a shoe pod (so it will track distance while running indoors), but I hope to just run outside and save the $99 (GO AWAY SNOW).

My mood is not constantly positive, but I am attempting to recognize certain eating cues and steer myself in a different direction. I am trying much harder to not let the moods of other people affect mine as much. It’s a real struggle. This week is really my first training week of the year. I’ve got a training plan – which coupled with group weight loss sessions for the study I’m involved in – should yield some great results. For the next month: Monday is a core class, followed by a 60 minute spin. Tuesday/Thursday - weight training and a long dog run/walk, Friday run or spin, Saturday is swimming. Sunday is my day of rest. After this first 4 week trial, I will increase my running distance to 5 miles at least once a week, and add a 90 minute spin class. My goal is to ease back into it and not get burned out before my Olympic distance race in August. I want to be strong, feel good and not feel burdened by training.

I can do this.