Back to Basics

Yep, it's my turn to finally go down this path. As most of you know, the last year has been tough. I lost my job, painted and readied the house in San Antonio to put it on the market, traveled back and forth to Dallas all last summer looking for a job, finally nailed something and moved in the fall, am still making 2 house payments and not loving the job I took up here (although it's better than unemployment and at least I get to live by friends and family now).

The biggest problem for me is not loving my job. I'm used to being on the road more often than not. When I'd travel, I always walked as many places as I could as I was usually in great walking cities like San Francisco, Chicago and NYC. That offset all of my eating and entertaining on the road. And when I was in the office, I was so busy getting caught up on everything I couldn't work on while traveling, I didn't have much time to snack. Now that I'm stuck in an office 8 hours/day, I've let my boredom turn to a grazing habit. And since I'm not walking around going to meetings every other week, I'm not burning all of those extra calories off. After easily maintaining (or trying to gain) for the past 3 years, I now find myself dreading putting on pants because they hurt.

So, today is the day that I went back to sparkpeople. I've got the app loaded on my iPhone (OK, it's been on my phone for over a week, but I'm using it now!!), I'm set up for online access as well. I've set a goal of losing 1.5 lbs/week and that will get me back to where I was and felt comfortable in 10 weeks.

I've tracked everything that's gone in my mouth today and I will continue to do so until I'm back at my goal (I'm still below my surgeon's goal weight for me). I'm going to add a reminder to my calendar to start posting on the Monday Morning Weigh-in until I'm back in control, but will someone please ping me a reminder on Sunday night, too?

I must lose this weight or I'll have to buy new interview clothes if the right opportunity presents itself and I *really* don't want to do that!

 Jennifer.....I am so sorry that this has happened to you of all people.    Stress is not fun at all !!!  I have had lots of stress in my life also.    I will pray that your house in SA will sell quickly to relieve you of some of the stress and that you will find that perfect job here in the Dallas area so you won't have to move again.    Weight regain is the pitts !!!  Especially since it comes on so quickly and comes off so slowly.    I will keep you and Michael in my prayers.    I know soon you will be telling us the weight regain is gone.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

We won't be leaving Dallas. There are lots of opportunities here. It's just finding the right one or deciding to create my own. I just need to find balance again which is a bit of a challenge, but I know I can do it. I needed the accountability of putting it out there for everyone to see.

Honestly, if I can take of 15 lbs. in 10 weeks, I'm perfectly happy with that. My summer wardrobe is mostly dresses. I've got 4 pairs of shorts that fit which is plenty. As long as I'm back in my trousers before fall (which won't be here until mid-November anyway), I'm happy.

 Maybe we can nag each other. I'm right there with you in many respects. 

Nag, nag, poke!

I started a "team" for Michael and I to be able to share our menus and daily progress on sparkpeople. You can join us if it will help you stay motor-vated.

Also, let me know if you guys would like to join us for Indian food one night next week. I'd say this week, but Michael's sister is in town, so we're spending lots of time with them.

Sounds great. I'll download the app today or tonight if i get a minute.
Dinner next week sounds good too.  (are all the Doomz as crazy as uncle Mikey?)

Once you get the app, text me your user ID and I'll send you an invite to our "team". Let me know what night works best for you for dinner.

And I'm not sure what you'd call the rest of the d00mz...crazy isn't quite the word.

Girls,

I'm there with ya.  Clothes still fit but not like I want them. I'm about 5 pounds past my acceptable range. So if I did a good 10 off, or more, I could be comfortable again.  Especially when I start marathon training, and i'm told will see a gain at first. UGH.

Not sure how i'm going to track yet.  Basically my food plan is - if it tastes good, I don't eat it. I am low fat, low carb, low taste eating.  Will tweak it later.

WE can do this. We worked too hard to look so hawt and then blow it, right?

Girl, you've got even more motivation! You're going on the cruise, too.

I'm sure it's more mental than anything today, but I already physically feel better just having eaten the right things for one day. I finished yesterday at 108g of protein and still had calories left (according to what Sparkpeople is telling me I can eat and still lose 1.5 lbs/week). I didn't feel deprived or hungry. I think what I really needed was to start paying attention to what was going into my mouth instead of mindless eating which I was doing a lot of at the office.

Let me know what I can do to support you.

I haven't check in on the TMB in well over a week, glad I decided to read up today.  Jenn, I really do understand where you are and how emotions play into our choices.  I'm struggling myself with grazing BUT I have to say I really am grateful that I haven't gained up, I really do not know how.

I've gotten so far away from the rules that I haven't got it in my mind how to turn myself around and do what is necessary.  I'm really tired all the time and need to refocus.  It does get frustrating to me.

You have my number maybe we can text each other.   I need to get in more protein, LOTS more water and all of my vitamins, especially iron.