These days I have more questions than answers regarding my weight loss. In the big picture, I am wondering where I am as a result of the myriad of changes I have made in eating, exercise, and lifestyle. How strong is my commitment? Will these changes last a lifetime? Where am I going, and why am I in this handbasket?
I take one step forward and one step back. I am in neutral. I was away on business last week, and started off very well, exercising three of the five days, and making healthy eating choices. I ended on a very bad note, however, as I waited in Newark airport for a delayed flight home, and chose a cheeseburger and fries (first fries in 15 months) at 9 pm to pacify a physical and emotional need for food.
My main problem continues to be mindless snacking, where in the span of a minute or two (like during a commercial break) I ingest a few hundred calories. This occurs when I walk in the door after coming home from work, and again around 9 as I claim my food reward for making it through another day. I know all the reasons why I shouldn’t do this, and I know every strategy to avoid this pitfall, but I continue to make the same mistake every day. For some people, this must sound like such a simple thing to fix.
I have heard of people who are so depressed they cannot get out of bed in the morning. To me, the answer for their problem is simple: get up! To them, it is nearly impossible. The answer to my problem is also simple: stop mindless snacking! To me, and many other overweight individuals, it would be easier to ride the proverbial camel through the eye of a needle.
I have been working with a terrific trainer, who assures me based on my strength and endurance that I am ready to climb Monadnock. Indeed, I feel stronger than I was this summer when I climbed Cadillac in Maine. But the point is not just to climb, but to lose weight in preparation. I am about 6-8 weeks out right now, and one step forward one step back is no way to climb a mountain.
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March 25, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Ann
Rick,
First, it is great to see you back in Blog Land.I am not sure if you feel that writing the blog helps you, but it is one way to keep your focus.
You did very well in your traveling. Traveling is rough. The choices in restaurants always include some really awful ones, and the fact that you kept the fries at bay for as long as you did is great. Back on the wagon.
You have made a lot of diet and exercise changes over the past year. The fact that you can pinpoint the two times you still have a problem with uncontrolled eating is terrific. It means you have tamed the other myriad times.
Let’s look at the two problem times: 9pm-ish, and Just- in -the -door before dinner-time. As you have done all along, don’t worry about solving the whole problem at once. Take one issue and work on it. For sake of argument, say you choose the just home from work time. Think hard about what it’s about. Hunger, relief that you made it through one more stressful day, or what. Then, think about a strategy to make a better choice. What can you put in place for yourself? Maybe have a salad all made and eat that while you wait for dinner to be ready? A glass of seltzer and a few carrot sticks with hummus? Jumping in and working on something to keep your hands busy (guitar?). All these ideas may be way off the mark, but i know you can find something that works for you, if not all the time, then some of the time. And don’t forget to ask for help.
OK, now that i am done fixing your problem, time to focus on my own: that time between lunch and when the boys come home.