Sunday, August 12, 2012

Magic Numbers

Do you have a magic number?

Not a favorite number or one that brings you luck. Nope, this is the magic number on the bathroom scale. The one you SWORE you would NEVER EVER see unless you are pregnant...at least that's how it works for me.

I've hit that number. The evil number haunts and taunts me. I hear it's maniacal laugh when I step on the scale.

This is not the evil number. I'd love to see this number again.


I could offer up a bazillion different excuses...the stress of moving, solo parenting and commuter marriage-ing did a number on me.

I could say it's stubborn baby weight. Never mind that my baby starts kindergarten in a month...or that I've lost the baby weight numerous times over the last five and a half years.

I could say that I exercised my ass off and it did no good. What did no good is that I walked five days a week for two weeks and rewarded myself with a stack of chocolate chip pancakes slathered in butter and saturated with boysenberry syrup. Of course I had to eat a few slices of peppered bacon fried to crispy perfection.

I could blame it on my coke habit. The one can a day that somehow morped into 3 cans a day. I convince myself that I DESERVE this ice cold can of perfection since I don't drink coffee.

Then there is the wine-the two glass habit that turned into a near nightly routine. And what is wine without cheese? and cracked pepper and olive oil Triscuits? and pepperoni slices?

I could claim I had NO IDEA I had reached that evil number--what with my scale breaking during the move and all. Never mind that my clothes were getting tighter and I felt more and more uncomfortable in my own skin.

It's time to stop making excuses and start making changes. This didn't happen overnight and it won't change overnight. There are no quick fixes. No miracle cures.

I started walking again and measuring my miles. I've tried to drink more water and eat a little less at mealtime. I know myself and making drastic changes won't work for me. I feel horribly deprived and over indulge means the numbers on the scale grow and I give up before I really get started.

I need to make gradual changes that I can live with. I've lost three pounds this week but have many more to shed.

Have you struggled with losing weight/getting fit/living healthier? What has worked for you? How do you stay motivated?






16 comments:

Stacie @ Snaps and Bits said...

I have a nightly wine habit too. I try to limit it to weekends when my pants start to feel tight but it's hard when my husband comes home and opens a good bottle! I also think it's less the wine itself and more how suddenly it seem ok to eat 10 cookies....

Good luck Robbie!

Your Doctor's Wife said...

I think it's one step at a time. I just lost 15 lbs. The last three pounds I lost were just because I switched to all organic foods. I no longer eat any processed or pre-made foods. I learned about GMOs and PIPs and it scared the bejeezus out of me. I only drink coffee, water, iced tea, and I glass of red wine at dinner. I don't think it's worth drinking my calories. The other thing that helped was keeping a food log. Make sure you write it down BEFORE you eat it. Works as a deterrent that way!
I am a weakling and a chocoholic, so I KNOW you can do it!!!!

Treading Water in the Kiddie Pool said...

Hey lady, 3 pounds in one week is awesome!

christina said...

three pounds is AWESOME!!!! you can do it. i'm doing it, too. we can do it together! ;) (i started low carbing again. not for everyone- at all. but it is for me.)

Kimberly said...

Oh girl, I am right here with you. I'm taking those steps toward a healthier lifestyle and losing weight. We can do it together!

Three pounds is amazing!!

The Preppy Girl in Pink said...

Water is my hardest thing! I don't like it but I need it. Not just beverages but actual water. It does make a difference in how much I eat and how I feel but it is so hard to drink it. I've been carrying around one of those insulated cups with a lid and straw and that has made a big difference but I have a way to go too. At least we know we are all in this together, right?!

Larks said...

I'm one of those people where a scale is just like, "Yeah. Whatever. Eff you."

And I know this is totally going to sound weird but: The most significant eating / health change that has ever impacted me was when I tried a "No Spend Month" challenge that some random blog I've since come to love suggested about a year ago. The main thrust of "no spend month" is financial (obviously). But the idea that you spend only on what is absolutely and strictly necessary ends up impacting health and diet significantly.

Potatoes? Yes. Potato chips? No. Water bill? Yes. Soda? No. Broccoli? Yes. Broccoli beef Chinese take out? No.

It was great because it was only for a month so you didn't have the "I will never, ever, ever, again get to experience X so I must cheat!" mentality because the month is only a month but it gave you enough time to break habits that really weren't helping you out in the first place. If you'd like Tweet me and I'll forward you the link to the blog where I found 'no spend month.'

But yeah. Moving is hard. Hang in there, lady!

Bridget said...

Good for you for making changes and losing 3 lbs!! Woot woot!

Robbie K said...

Exactly. It's like drinking a glass of wine gives me permission to go nuts and eat whatever I want to.

Robbie K said...

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I do need to keep a food log b/c I would think twice before eating or drinking something.

Robbie K said...

Thanks. I know I won't lose it overnight but I just feel like I will never see a smaller size or lost inches...

Robbie K said...

Thanks. you've been doing awesome! I think if I could just get to the 10 lb lost mark I'd feel like it's working & making a difference.

Robbie K said...

Thansk! you just had a baby so you have a reason :)

There's an idea..maybe I should have another baby! I was one of those people who weighed less 3 months post baby than I did before I got preggo

Robbie K said...

I like water but it's just so inconvenient if I'm not at home. I need to get one of those cups like you have then I'd have one less excuse.

Robbie K said...

Not a fan of the scale and a number is just a number but I despise how I look and feel at that number, KWIM?

The no spend thing sounds like a great idea and a good way to break bad habits..even if only temporarily.

Robbie K said...

thanks :) Slow and steady wins the race but it sure does suck right now.