Old Blog

 I decided to give my old blog a facelift and experiment with blogging over there for a bit:

https://isweatandsparkle.home.blog

One Tenth

I worked out each day last week, even though I can think of a million (probably more) things that I would rather do than work out. I weighed in on Saturday morning...to see that I had lost one tenth of a pound.

One tenth of a damn pound.

It's hard not to be discouraged by that. Even with a fairly large loss last week, I still expected at least a pound this week.  

My office was closed for a few days for the 4th of July, but it didn't really throw me off until yesterday.  It still felt like the weekend to me, and I ease up on weekends and give myself a cheat day, then get back on track on Sunday (or at least, that is the plan).  I found myself snacking more yesterday than I really should have.

I ended up not having time to work out yesterday because my husband and I babysat our 3-year-old grandson, then we had dinner with our older stepson and his family.  I loved seeing all of them, but it made the day go by so fast because we were having a good time and chasing after very active, very curious boys.  The grandbabies are growing so, so fast.  Slow down, already!  I look at them and am startled by how big they are just since I saw them last.  They won't be little long.  I want to enjoy every moment while they are.

July Goals

 

Holy crap, how are we officially halfway through this year already?

I just took a look at my weight history on LoseIt.  I started this year with gains, steadily creeping up each week until I hit my highest weight of this year in April, then apparently had enough.  My weight fluctuations since then were much smaller, until they finally leveled off and then started to dip instead of rise.

So, basically, I have spent the entire first half of this year getting back to where I started the year.

Disappointing?  Sure.  Is it going to stop me?  Hell no.

I have six months in front of me to turn this around and make positive progress.  I have a little over three months before a visit with my brothers, and while I can't possibly be anywhere near my goal weight by then, I sure would like to drop a significant bit of this extra weight by then.

I am going to set goals for each month to keep me focused.  I will post them here at the beginning of each month, then wrap up each month with a progress summary for each goal before posting the list for the following month.

MY JULY GOALS

1. Lose at least 10 pounds.

2. Go running at least twice.

3. Cut way back on soda/drink more water (these two go hand in hand).

4. Incorporate at least one self-care activity into most days.

There we go!  I have 31 days to make something happen and have something good to report at the end of the month.

Repair

It's been over a week since my last post, and usually that means I have fallen so far off the wagon that GPS and a search-and-rescue team couldn't help me find my way back.  I am happy that that is not the case this time.  I have just been swamped at work and overwhelmed in general, but through it all, I have been working out and improving my eating habits.

I was so stressed out last week that I barely ate, so without even meaning to, I got back onto an intermittent fasting schedule.  I like to work out as soon as I get home from work, so eating a very light dinner, or just no dinner at all, works so well for me.  I prefer to work out before I eat, and if I eat late, my stomach complains, so fasting during the evening and overnight just makes sense for me.

I am down 20 pounds, with a lot to go, but I am trying very hard to adjust and repair my mindset along the way this time, to make sure it stays off.  In the past, a stressful week would have inevitably led to overeating, not working out, and gaining weight.  I stopped myself and asked myself why I would want to repeat a mistake I have made over and over, that only hurts me, that gives me even more to be unhappy about and more to worry about!

Tomorrow is the last day of June, and we will be halfway through this year already.  I can't wrap my head around that.  I would like to set some goals for July and for the second half of this year.  I need to put some thought into that and write another post soon.

Happy Monday!

Sick!

 

I didn't intend to create a new blog and then drop off the face of the Earth.  About a week and a half ago, I felt that telltale, ominous scratchiness in my throat, and my heart sank. Sure enough, not long after that, my nose was running.  I have been popping decongestants like candy and walking around with a stash of tissues at all times.

At first, I was hopeful that it was just a touch of a cold and would pass quickly.  Nearly two weeks later, it's obvious that is not the case.

Thing is, work is absolutely crazy right now.  I have worked late almost every day. I want to stay home and use a sick day or two, but the thought of the mountain of work that will be waiting for me when I come back is enough to push me out the door every morning.  I just really don't have time for a sick day right now. It's the worst timing in the world to be sick!

My voice sounds horrible, even though I haven't actually been coughing all that much.  And the fatigue is unreal.  Through it all, though, I have actually been keeping up with my workouts, relying on low-impact, short workouts like indoor walking, but last night I had to admit defeat.  I needed rest.  I worked late, came home, and wanted nothing but my pajamas, a snack, and to curl up under a blanket next to my husband, so that's exactly what I did.

I actually forgot to post about Saturday's weigh-in!  I had expected a gain, but I was surprised with a 1.5 pound loss.  I'm not sure what to expect this week.  Being sick has really wrecked my plans.  Hopefully I can breathe again soon!