Will-ness Overtime Report - Week 8
I’m guessing one should never attempt a weigh-in the day after they pig out at a birthday party, but I did it anyway. It could be worse, but it isn’t good.
Current Weight: 170 pounds
Weekly Gain: 1.5 pounds
TOTAL LOSS: 17 pounds
Calories Burned: 998 calories (so close!)
Calorie Deficit (including carry-over from 2 weeks ago): 520 calories
I’ve already begun my “penance” by working out this morning, burning 440 calories in one session. I know I overdid it yesterday, but Kevin made a really yummy homemade chili for Maria’s birthday party and I just couldn’t restrain myself. Once I finished off the second bowl, there was no turning back. I also ate birthday cake, jam tartlets, apple slices with caramel, a sloppy joes sandwich, grapes, cheese cubes, “Cheesy Pickle Poofs,” and a glass of cola. Yeah, I know. I’ve never done particularly well at potlucks, especially when the food is really tasty. It’s actually one of the reasons we don’t go to all-you-can-eat salad bars like Sweet Tomatoes anymore. We think we’re eating so healthy by loading up on salad, but in reality every time we go there I overeat like crazy! All of the prepared salads, soups, salad dressings, breads, and other assorted foodstuffs are very high in salt and calories. It doesn’t take much to ratchet up the calorie intake fast. That plate of fresh veggies becomes a diet-killer the minute you put a tablespoon of salad dressing and a piece of focaccia with it. Multiply that by 2 or 3 plates - because veggies don’t have enough fat content to make you feel full, so you have to go back for more - and you’ve managed to eat an entire day’s calories in one sitting. I won’t even come near places like Old Country Buffet or Golden Corral. It’s like handing a heroin addict a box of needles and sending them into a drug den.
In spite of the decided lack of progress on the scale, I’ve had multiple compliments lately about how I’m looking slimmer these days. I guess all the working out is paying off regardless of whether or not the pounds are coming off or not. I know the ultimate goal is to raise my activity level enough to jumpstart my metabolism so I won’t have to starve myself in order to lose the weight, but there have been a few days where I just haven’t had the energy to do anything. Ironically, I think my lack of regular exercise is contributing to the malaise. I just read Nikki’s blog post about Tribal Massive and one of the phrases that struck me was Zoe’s mantra: “Show up and do the work - every day.” I think that needs to be my personal mantra, too. Even if I can only manage enough energy to burn 100 calories, the workout will still be worthwhile because it might help me get out of this physical malaise I’m in and start getting my energy up for the busy weeks ahead. I’d like to be able to come home from Faire this summer and not be so exhausted that I only get half of what I want to accomplish finished the next day. I’ve already cut my participation back to only one day a weekend instead of two; I really can’t justify cutting back any more than that and still consider myself a participant. I need to reclaim my health, and yes, weight loss is a big part of that, but I need to focus on strength and energy as well. Being skinny won’t do me any good if I have no energy and I feel weak and tired all the time. So I’m hoping that tomorrow I will be able to drag my lazy butt out of bed and start exercising even if it’s isn’t a very long session because every little bit helps. And if my jeans fit better because of it - bonus!
Current Weight: 170 pounds
Weekly Gain: 1.5 pounds
TOTAL LOSS: 17 pounds
Calories Burned: 998 calories (so close!)
Calorie Deficit (including carry-over from 2 weeks ago): 520 calories
I’ve already begun my “penance” by working out this morning, burning 440 calories in one session. I know I overdid it yesterday, but Kevin made a really yummy homemade chili for Maria’s birthday party and I just couldn’t restrain myself. Once I finished off the second bowl, there was no turning back. I also ate birthday cake, jam tartlets, apple slices with caramel, a sloppy joes sandwich, grapes, cheese cubes, “Cheesy Pickle Poofs,” and a glass of cola. Yeah, I know. I’ve never done particularly well at potlucks, especially when the food is really tasty. It’s actually one of the reasons we don’t go to all-you-can-eat salad bars like Sweet Tomatoes anymore. We think we’re eating so healthy by loading up on salad, but in reality every time we go there I overeat like crazy! All of the prepared salads, soups, salad dressings, breads, and other assorted foodstuffs are very high in salt and calories. It doesn’t take much to ratchet up the calorie intake fast. That plate of fresh veggies becomes a diet-killer the minute you put a tablespoon of salad dressing and a piece of focaccia with it. Multiply that by 2 or 3 plates - because veggies don’t have enough fat content to make you feel full, so you have to go back for more - and you’ve managed to eat an entire day’s calories in one sitting. I won’t even come near places like Old Country Buffet or Golden Corral. It’s like handing a heroin addict a box of needles and sending them into a drug den.
In spite of the decided lack of progress on the scale, I’ve had multiple compliments lately about how I’m looking slimmer these days. I guess all the working out is paying off regardless of whether or not the pounds are coming off or not. I know the ultimate goal is to raise my activity level enough to jumpstart my metabolism so I won’t have to starve myself in order to lose the weight, but there have been a few days where I just haven’t had the energy to do anything. Ironically, I think my lack of regular exercise is contributing to the malaise. I just read Nikki’s blog post about Tribal Massive and one of the phrases that struck me was Zoe’s mantra: “Show up and do the work - every day.” I think that needs to be my personal mantra, too. Even if I can only manage enough energy to burn 100 calories, the workout will still be worthwhile because it might help me get out of this physical malaise I’m in and start getting my energy up for the busy weeks ahead. I’d like to be able to come home from Faire this summer and not be so exhausted that I only get half of what I want to accomplish finished the next day. I’ve already cut my participation back to only one day a weekend instead of two; I really can’t justify cutting back any more than that and still consider myself a participant. I need to reclaim my health, and yes, weight loss is a big part of that, but I need to focus on strength and energy as well. Being skinny won’t do me any good if I have no energy and I feel weak and tired all the time. So I’m hoping that tomorrow I will be able to drag my lazy butt out of bed and start exercising even if it’s isn’t a very long session because every little bit helps. And if my jeans fit better because of it - bonus!