February 23, 2012
So in August around the time I shared about losing weight, I realized I had to do something about my eating habits. I did not feel overweight. I probably did not look overweight. I was eating a lot of junk–and needing the sugars, sweets, and potato chips to get through the day. My friend Alyssa has lost sixty pounds in the past year. She did it by counting calories through My Fitness Pal. She inspired me last summer…but apparently not enough.
It started with baking lots of apple cake and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins in early October. Then it turned to Halloween candy and Thanksgiving pumpkin chocolate pie. I went shopping for jeans a few days after I spent a whole day baking Christmas treats. I nearly had a breakdown in the dressing room. The next morning I stepped on the scale and almost had another meltdown–I was at the same weight I was at right after Child #3 was born. Right before I went on Weight Watchers.
I did not want to pay the sixty dollars or however much it costs to restart WW. So I e-mailed Alyssa and asked her about the free program she was using on the Internet where you can keep track of what you eat. Little did I know a few other of my friends are also on My Fitness Pal.
I have lost approximately eight pounds since the meltdown in the dressing room on December 21st. I have a cheap Wal-Mart scale so it might be slightly less–or maybe a little more. My greatest joy is it is easier (and more enjoyable) to run when I am eating healthier. I also have very little craving for sweets. I actually crave fresh vegetables and fruits. I have way more self-control.
My greatest challenge is travel. I had the opportunity to go to a conference in January and a wedding in California last weekend. I am going to two more conferences–one in March and one in April plus a family vacation over Spring Break. It is very, very difficult to eat healthy and find time to exercise when you are at conferences or away from home. Food options are less. I need more willpower. Yet I struggle with whether these times away should be more relaxed with eating. I also don’t want to come home an extra three pounds heavier.
My other challenge is eating at other people’s homes. Which we do enough of. Am I rude if I turn down dessert?
I am grateful for the accomplishments I have made thus far. I hope to run Marathon #3 in June–and maybe be a few more pounds lighter too!
Posted by artoornstra in health and beauty Tags: blogging, friendship, running, travel, weight loss
