Summer 2003 - Kath and I both looking a little plump...
Summer 2007 - Fit and at my ideal weight. Feeling great.
How many times do I have to do this to myself? I have been up and down with my weight my whole life. I've never been "obese" by definition but have gone up and down as much as 50lbs (not including pregnancy...we won't even go there.) However, for the last few years I've been in a groove and since I started running a year and a half ago I have maintained my lowest weight since practically starving myself in grade 11 (NOT recommended for long-term weight loss, btw.) Until now. My knees have been bugging me so I haven't been running much. We went to Mexico where the food and drink and relaxation flowed freely. And then it was Christmas with all the yummy treats the season has to offer.
I don't own a scale (this IS a weight loss tip I would recommend). That way I can't obsess over the numbers. However I do know when I am putting on weight and this holiday season the signs were all there. My ski pants were uncomfortably snug. I was reverting to my Lululemon yoga pants or unbuttoning the top button on my normally comfortable jeans. And I was considering pulling out my long retired Spanx to try and smooth out the lumps. NOT good.
How did this happen? I am so tired of learning this lesson over and over. When will I just get it and figure out that the extra piece of cake or the stuff-myself-silly fondue dinner or the 6 chocolates in one sitting are just not worth it? I delude myslef into thinking that this time it will be different, that I am a "thin person" now and "thin people" don't get fat because then they would be "fat people". The truth is, I am not a "thin person" even at my ideal weight. I will always be tempted. I will always be at risk of gorging myself and gaining back that 10lbs...or more.
So, what to do? Well, what I always do I guess. Get back on that old, tired bandwagon. I've been getting inspired by Kath's Losing It blog and watching X-Weighted, The Last 10 Pounds Boot Camp, and The Biggest Loser to keep me motivated. Plus, I am trying to make smarter, healthier meal choices. I finished off all of the chocolate (barf) so there is no more to eat and I have gone running twice this week. In other words, the cycle starts again. Maybe this time I will learn my lesson once and for all?
I am so there with you Jen. I lost 17 pounds this summer and by New Years day had put 12 of it back on. I am an emotional eater, and just the thought of putting it back on has led me to eating worse instead of working at getting it off. But it's Monday morning and here I go again!
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 14, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Do you want to know my secret? It's a SURE FIRE way to take off weight and keep it off.
1. Have a baby
2. Make that baby sensitive to dairy
3. Go off all dairy
4. Lose 20 lbs almost overnight
Voila!
Seriously though, I totally get where you're coming from as I am struggling with those 10 lbs too. I think if it was 50 lbs or something I would feel more motivated, but with 10 lbs, it's easy to rationalize, "well, it's not like I'm OBESE or anything. I look pretty good compared to SOME people".
My latest tricks are 1)not having junk in the house, because if it's there, I know I'll eat it (all at once), and 2)trying not to snack on something unless I really want it (i.e. not snacking just because I can).
Posted by: Holly | January 11, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Okay, it must be said that in the top picture we were both post-partum...Jen 6 months, me 6 weeks.
That said, it's not like we haven't both struggled all our lives with this weight issue! I have my first meeting with the personal trainer on Monday! Woo hoo :)
Posted by: Kath | January 11, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Did you happen to catch any of The Truth About Food series on Discovery Health? It was excellent and a real motivator to really be more discriminating about what goes into your body.
Posted by: LoriD | January 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
weight has been one of the biggest struggles in my life,and i can totally relate to the angst it causes. sounds like you've got a great system in place that works - running and eating in moderation are a great combo. the holidays are hard on everyone - a couple of weeks ago I sat down and ate 12 chocolate covered cherries just because they were there. and I don't even like them that much! you're back on track and that's what counts! i'm sure you'll be putting those Spanx away very soon!
Posted by: amreen | January 11, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Weight is such a painful battle. I too am finally motivating myself (2.5 years after my youngest was born) to get the weight off. I'm in a fantastic groove with exercising and finally committed myself to the eating side of things. It sure is hard though. I'm not at my final goal yet, but it's hard not to lose steam when I'm already at a lower weight than when I started with my oldest.
Good luck with getting back on the wagon. It's worth it!
Posted by: Kie | January 10, 2008 at 08:57 PM