Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Weight 118.8, calories 1175. Heading in the right direction... I need to do some work on my weight/calorie log/graph and determine if my metabolism has changed. In other words, am I exceeding my former average maintenance calories a lot of the time or have they changed? My body definitely seems to be consistently holding onto 2-3 pounds more than a year ago. It doesn't matter in my clothes thank goodness, but I'd like to understand it.

The only thing on tap is yoga this morning. I could drive down Cape to the National Seashore with DH and Justice maybe. We will see. But, I should clean my house.

Alcoholic BIL is here visiting SIL. Hasn't expressed interest in seeing anyone else including his brother who is going to start forgetting people at some point. That kind of annoys me. And BIL goes home Friday am and his wife comes to visit Friday pm. Things must not be going well there...

Time to get my act together. Have a wonderous Wednesday!

Liz-good questions. I know my own answer: I'm exceeding my calories. I grow lax with maintenance. More and more treats slide in, wine, snacking, etc. If I log for a few days (because I don't religiously do this all the time) I find out that what I thought was 1400 calories is actually 1800...or something crazy!

I debated on even posting today because I feel like same old song, different verse. But I think that's so true for all of us in maintenance at some point or another. And I know I don't accomplish anything by hiding! I've been quite hungry recently, and that's the scariest part. Like physically stomach aching/growling when I go to bed, need to eat. Wake up hungry, need to eat. Honestly most of the time in this journey my need to eat is actually merely a desire fueled by head hunger.

I've been thinking a lot about my strategy, and ultimately it comes down to that simple phrase we all know and love-hate: JUST DO IT. Nothing works if you don't do it. And in my experience, calories and exercise are not glamorous or "fun" but it ultimately comes down to being able to balance that. Another truism: deficits make you hungry. And it's always hard, especially at the start. There's the promise of tomorrow. I find having less to lose is easier in some respects, and harder in others. It's easier because I know I can look ahead by a couple months and could be back to my goal weight! Can't do that at 277lbs.! Also, at 165ish I notice a 5lb. weighgain whereas at 277lbs. I could gain 15-20 before feeling any effects. On the other hand, there's a complacency to being so close to goal. No rush. Which is probably good because it is harder to lose weight at 165. Which is also bad because you like results...especially when you're hangry.

I was listening to something the other day and they made reference to "going to the ranch"--a reference from the show The Biggest Loser. The ranch was where they'd be super duper strict. It was a way to really jumpstart things. I know some of you have done this after things like a vacation. I'm beginning to wonder if there's something to this. I'm not talking about long term, but I'm talking about enough time to reset. On the other hand, I'm so fearful of anything that looks like unsuccessful diets of old...so I don't know. I know I'm going in the wrong direction. I need to set some parameters. I need to be okay with being hungry. I need to set myself up for success and create habits that will allow mee to drop weight. And I need to be okay with it not being fun :(

For anyone interested, I posted my final recipe for IP cottage cheese on the general forum: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/6035574/Cottage-Chees e-Made-in-Instant-Pot-IP/

Weight: 137.6
Macros: Cals 1,481, Carbs 180, Fats 40, Protein 116, Fiber 41
Sleep hours: 8
Vegetable/Fruit Servings: 6
Exercise: None

I'm back from the family wedding weekend. And although I don't think I'm ready to write this post and all the thoughts I'm roiling with lately, I'll make a start.

I am soooo tired of vacations and holidays and time spent with other people trying too hard to "celebrate." I want to stay home alone and live the life of asceticism for a long while. I want to eat the same things day after day -- veggies, fruit, protein. I want to lose weight and stay there and stop losing/gaining/losing/gaining/losing/gaining during and after all these ******g trips!

And another thing -- lately I've been around so many people who drink massive amounts of alcohol day after day like that was *normal*. Around those people, I drink more than I want to, although not nearly as much as they do. I'm considering the possibility that alcohol sucks and that it truly is a barrier to health for so many people I know. I'm very surprised at my recent thoughts on that front.

An important thought: It's important to be careful about choosing those with whom I hang out. No wonder human beings compulsively form churches, AA chapters, and cults. They apparently need peer pressure to help control their behavior. Very sad hypothesis.

My companions of late aren't really evil. But lately, the ones I've chosen to hang with are predominantly over-eating, over-drinking unhealthy people who don't get much sleep.

Today's theme: More later. A lot more!

Interesting post Ann. I sort of envied you for having all these fun events to go to. But they can be wearing. Yeah its hard to be around big drinkers and eaters without being one of the above. But I sure don't want to hang around with vegan kombascha drinkers either.

And its interesting that people may hang around with groups to help control their behavior. Other than AA and such, I never thought of groups that way. Just ways to be social. Seems if I go to a bigger event with people I don't know well, I am more likely to eat and drink too much. With closer friends who know my story its easier to control myself. Or maybe I think they are watching......

Diane S

I feel like I could have written this (well probably not as well). I think most everyone seems to eat/drink too much in our age group (at least in my groups). Also it seems like all socializing is centered around food and drink.

And then, a thought from a completely different planet. Yes, and I too think it's important to be careful in choosing who we share our time, mind and soul with. I like to think it's because in those groups of people I will find kindred spirits whom I will not use as a way to control or police my behavior, but rather, fellow travelers on the same road I have choosen as my own that will be my company, teachers, guides, and sharers of the joy to be found in the process of that journey.

Ya know, kind-o-like this here group we have here. (For me, not a sad prospect at all).

Greetings Favorite People

149.5 today still. Dog show weight hanging on. Traveling seems to be a series of small snacks, none of which are horrible but which add up to more food than I need. Plus few veggies.

Last night I ended up slicing up the pork chops and sort of stir frying them in a bit of soy sauce and some herbs. Really pretty good. Soy and ginger are a favorite combo but I need to get ginger. Also fresh garlic. I saw a good recipe on facebook - a whole tomato sliced in wedges except not all the way through. fill the inside with some taco meat and top with lettuce and cheese. Looked great.

Hoping you all get some heat relief soon. And Cecily gets AC soon.

Liz, definitely go to the seashore. Better than visiting with BIL who won't visit anyway. Every family has a few weird-ohs.

Yeah BB, JFDI is the advice we all need. Early on I did everything exactly right and it paid off. The last two or three years I have become complacent - just tired of worrying about calories and such all the time. Its a reason but not an excuse. But I still stick to many good habits like virtually no bread, rice or pasta and skip desserts and baked good. Small pat on back for that.

Our neighbor wants to replace the fence between us. Fine by me and we will pay our half. She is on a tear to fix up her backyard and plant new grass and build a greenhouse. Has a lot of cutesy yard art in the front. Whatever.

Its another cool overcast day here on the north coast and we are grateful for it. Before I am off to the studio I think I will force myself to go through file cabinets and throw out ancient papers so I can put new ones in. and clear them off the desk. Recycle here we come! Diane S

It's a cloudy 79 degrees and raining today. I'm not complaining. We need the rain and the cooler weather is welcome. However, we're going to need a Plan B for the Band Swim Party tonight.

My weight finally dropped a whoppin' whole pound, but i'm taking it gladly. The whole idea of Just Do It would be nice if I would just do it! lol I know exactly what brings results. I'm doing it right now...just for today or sometimes just for this hour.

Yoga is on my agenda, also. That's about it!

I am a social person. I like to travel. It does bring stress for me because I am always not in control like I am at home.

Just a few more days and I'll be back in a school routine...

I just spent an hour writing out a response and Poof it's gone.

Sort of pissed and don't really want to recreate it.

I spent a lot of time writing an essay about the Just Do it mentality. In short my opinion is "Just Do It" or "Just ******g Do It" is a BOAT LOAD OF SELF SABOTAGING CRAP!

Boy, I'm pissed that OH lost my post.

FUCK **** FUCK!!!!!