One More Week

That's what I keep telling myself. One more week and my life gets back to a routine. I really love this time of year. I don't like seeing the summer end, but I love the autumn season. The Indian Summer days, the changing coloring of the leaves. All of the things that come with the fall. And I love getting back to a rhythm. The rhythm that comes from getting up at the same time every day, getting to bed a little earlier at night. Mornings that are centered around heading to the gym or the walking trail or the skating rink.

Oh by the way-- the ice goes back in at the rink this week and I can't WAIT to get in there and skate. Did I mention that I broke down and bought some hockey skates this summer? Getting around in those is going to be a hoot! I got them second-hand, for a great price, and they are in very good condition. In fact, I wish my body was in as good of a condition. Haha. Soon. Very soon!

I saw quite a few pictures of myself over the course of the summer. I'm not looking as awful as I did when I was 225, but I still look pretty chunk-a-dunky. I need to shave off about 50 more pounds. Of course I'm afraid I'll quit. I will get to 150, remember my age, and just try to maintain from then on. It's depressing from time to time to know that 150 satisfies me when it would have horrified my 10 years ago. So for now I will just stand firm in my goals and plow ahead.

My weight is steady as she goes at 186. I need to keep walking and counting, walking and counting. I'm way too lax right now. But again, next week kicks off the school year, and I am ready to roll. I just have to go through my cupboards and fridge and toss all the good stuff. Er, I mean the UNHEALTHY stuff. Yea. The unhealthy stuff.

I'll let you know how my week goes. Just wanted to touch base. You all have a wonderful week! And gear up. We're in this together!

Maintaining

I gave up drinking coffee over the course of the winter. I love the taste. I love it even more when you mix in those ever-so-tasty flavored creams. My favorite is one of the seasonal flavors - Pumpkin Pie Spice. I know, I know. That seems a little much to be drinking. It's actually pretty good though, as are all of the newest flavors.

I started drinking coffee again during my trip to Denver this summer. I quickly learned that I needed artificial assistance in the form of coffee if I wanted to keep up with the teenagers on this trip. There used to be a time I could burn the oil at both ends -- staying up late, getting up early-- and still managing to maintain enough mental stamina that I made sense when I talked. NOT SO when you're in your 40's. So my option was to drag all day or perk up immediately. Ok. Coffee it is.

I have gone from energy tea and a protein bar each morning to coffee with flavored cream. I tell myself that it's just fine, but I'd like to get rid of this little addiction when school starts here in God's country. And while I'm at it, I will get better control of my diet. I won't be tempted with coconut m&m's and cheetos and hot tamales candy. I have another 2 weeks before school starts. I have two rounds of company in between that time, and one back-to-hockey season picnic. The first round of company wants to watch their calories but loves a great meal -- so we'll see how that goes. Since there are 16 of them, it's almost unavoidable that there's going to be extra little treats around. The second group is family for Labor Day Weekend. I can easily work around that. And the picnik, well that's a pot-luck. Unless I eat before hand I am in trouble that day.

The good news is that I am back into a pretty solid walking routine. That doesn't mean every day, it means three days or four days in a row, then off two. I don't have any intention of beating myself up over this. My summer has exceeded temptation in a way that not many people have to experience. I have done OK. Not great, but I have done ok. I am maintaining at about 186. And I know once my normal routine comes back around I will be well on my way to losing again.

Until then, just so you know, the new limited edition coconut m&m's are out of this world! They taste like tiny little Mounds candy bars. Stay away from them if you know what's good for you! :) And I'll be back again soon. Take care and enjoy life this week! Maybe add a little cream to your coffee! :)

Sick & Tired

Greetings friends! I write to you this evening after a long, long day! A long, long summer, for that matter. I have spent the better part of this week getting back on track. Counting calories, out walking. It's been SIX WEEKS of fun and games. Six weeks. And I'm tired. I'm sick. And I'm sick and tired. I'm sick of junky eating. I'm sick of being sedentary. And I'm sick of watching my weight creep, creep, creep back up. And today I was literally sick to my stomach. My mother thinks I'm having withdrawals from sugary, fatty foods. I think she may be right.

Today I was 186.6 pounds. I have gained NINE pounds since the beginning of July. Not good. Not horrible either -- but it would be nice to have kept it off. Not possible this month. Seriously. Not possible. Think I'm exaggerating? Uhh . . . NOT.

Following my trip to the youth conference I was a leader at a camp for cousins that my mother hosts every summer. One morning in the middle of the week I was sitting at the kitchen table. I looked down at my plate of french toast smothered in butter and syrup. I looked up at the platters of bacon and sausage. I glanced to my left at the 5 dozen fried and glazed donuts. I looked to my right and saw a counter top covered with peanut butter, chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies, cream cheese brownies, rice krispie bars, little debbie snacks and 10 different varieties of chips. In the fridge was the leftover chinese wontons, rice and chow mein, as well as the refried beans and enchiladas from the day before. I turned to the other counselors and simply said: "This is a food nightmare!!!" I understood in the flash of an eye what 'gluttony' was about, and I was up to my eyeballs in it. This after a day of circus food that included everything and anything fried. Blahhhhhh!!!!!! And did I mention I started drinking coffee again over the course of the summer? Booooo!

I no sooner ended camp and I was off to my reunion. Wine. An automatic 3 pounds every time I drink it. So I jumped from 184 to 187. Of course the Carbone's pizza, one of my personal faves, didn't help either. And I battled that scale number over the next two weeks, topping off at 189 on Sunday of this week. No, no, no, no, no! I refuse to allow that number to get to the 190's. I was there last April! No, no, no! Not happening.

Sooo, I got back to work. Counting calories. And I need to keep at it. I promised you I wouldn't let you down, and I won't. I promise. I have forty+ pounds left to go and I have every intention of losing it. It's gotta go. And I have to keep exercising. I did plenty of walking, but not as part of a regular exercise time that I set aside each day. That little element dropped off and needs to be added back in. But I'm tired and winded and a fatty again. I'm thinking its going to be a couple of weeks before I'm comfortable with long distances. That's true even when I had between 10,000 and 18,000 steps on my pedometer each day. So for right now it's 40 minutes, or about 3 miles. I'll work back up to 6 miles before too long here.

And tonight I lay down my head - tired and sick. Literally. I'm hoping tomorrow will be better and easier. I'll keep you posted. But please pray for me. I need it big time! Peace and blessings to you all.