Okay, it’s time to get real and get cracking. I want to get off that weight I gained during the house closing stress of last year. I have been sort of muddling around with a few days being really focused on track with my eating, then eating too much chocolate or cereal in the evening. I know a lot of this has to do with the freaking cold and I seem to want to eat and stay under a blanket.
John and I were just talking the other day about how we aren’t outside at all anymore. On Sunday when the temps got into the low 30s and sunny, we were rejoicing outside – albeit while shoveling, but it was enjoyable. Kind of sad that the 30s felt so warm. We actually spend a fair amount of time outside biking, walking, gardening (okay, not John on this one) and just being outside. With temps so bitter cold now it just is impossible to be outside even bundled up, let alone the walks aren’t really clear enough to walk. So, it does make one a bit stir crazy. I know spring will come, but I just feel at that breaking point and so I eat to soothe and entertain myself.
It seems hard to get back into a weight loss mode after a long time. You get used to eating more and knowing there are certain things I have to cut out.
It’s balancing wants and needs. I can have treats, but I just don’t need them every day. When we go out for coffee, I don’t need to have a sweet on the side every time we go. I can just stick with a latte or coffee. In the evening, I can have a snack, but I don’t need to go back for a second helping. It’s just small changes like that. I don’t need to do huge drastic things because I generally eat pretty well, just too much.
It’s time to put on my big girl pants and do it. Sometimes I feel resentful if I want something, but I don’t need it and know the better choice is to not have it (or have less). Seriously, it’s like I am 5 years old or something. I have to retrain myself once again and that is harder to do for me now. But, it must be done. It’s one of those times where I have to say, “Just do it already and quit dinking around”.
I’m with you. I need to pull on my big girl pants so I can fit into my little girl pants.
We can do it!
ugh! the struggle is real. I totally feel your pain and this freezing weather is not helping the cause! I say dont beat yourself up about it and just take it a day at the time. Something that always helps me is taking things back to basics. So, think back to the time when you first started loosing weight (the very first time) what did you start doing differently? and take it from there!
I just need to quit being a baby about it and do it. A better attitude is really what I need.
Lynn, you might get some inspiration from this post by The Sunny Coconut – she’s into paleo but her post is motivation regardless of your approach!
http://thesunnycoconut.com/2015/02/victim-or-using-your-power.html
I gave up ‘baked goods’ for Lent. I found myself getting into the habit of ‘coffee and (fill in the blank)’ every time we went for coffee or breakfast or lunch or I got within a mile of my favorite ‘baked good’! It was out of hand! I’m not even close to my ideal weight and I’m continually frustrated at my lack of progress so I had to put my foot down with myself (or should I say put my cookie down;) Such a struggle…and yes, I’m blaming the weather a little bit too. Peace.
I think it is the little habits that we don’t notice that are the stumbling blocks.
Warmer weather certainly would go a long way to getting out of the funk, too.
HaHa – I love that last line – “quit dining around” because I say that all the time!!
I think it is hard in the winter because the cold just makes me want to eat pasta and heavy dishes – someone my mind thinks that will keep me warmer.
The heavy filling dishes must be some sort of ancestral thing to keep warm and store fat in winter 😉
You know I can so totally relate to you on this one. I also need to get the act completely together.
Quit dinking around…I need to apply that and get myself to the dang gym.
You’ve got this!
You’ve got this as well!
I can totally understand that you don’t go outside in this weather for fun. And I’m glad we don’t have weather like that here because I need to be outside everyday, even if it’s for 10 minutes. The huge advantage of having a dog is that you have to go outside and walk her. I could just let her in the garden to do her thing but I have never done that with my dogs.
As for the weight loss: you can do this. I have been reading your blog long enough to know you can. As for myself I need to start making small changes too to get this weight loss thing going on.
Good luck!
I would go out more in the weather if it wasn’t so cold. Normal winter activities outside are enjoyable, but this bitter cold just isn’t any fun.
ahh here it has gotten more forceful…with myself.
Ive pr0gressed beyond the word DINKING (!).
xo
Excellent post describing exactly how I feel. I think you and I are soul sisters this winter!
This line: “I know spring will come, but I just feel at that breaking point and so I eat to soothe and entertain myself” really hits home with me. Even on days where I know I’m not overeating, I feel like I’m not making the better food choices.
Also, all the stuff you said about not being outside – which is basically what my own post today is about.
I like the approach of small changes but feel so overwhelmed right now I’m not even sure where I’d begin. And that’s the truth.
Helen – I think you would hate winter so much just 4-5 hours north and inland and we don’t get free pavement to walk on for a long time. However, I just love the other seasons. March is coming and then ice creams shops start to open and we know warmer weather is imminent.
I get the overwhelming thing, but I decided what I am going to do first is tackle the extra snacking. That alone will go a long way to helping me out. It seems like a small change, but over time it will make a big difference.
Lori, you know I get this since I write a lot about it & how we can have a treat but we just can’t eat what we want all the time or even every day…. pick the battles & the choice is ours to do or not do… Fact of life & yes, it still sucks in my m,ind to know I Have to do more than others to maintain but it is what it is & I have had it that way since I was young – always had to do more than others to lose & maintain.
HUGS!!!
I hear ya. Facing this dilemma myself. Less is more…less is more. I keep telling myself that everyday. Rooting for you as you begin again.
I was talking to my friend in Chicago about being outside. I had been thinking about that, about how it was literally too cold to spend any amount of time outside. Also, being me, I was wondering how people got their dogs to go outside to go to the bathroom! I don’t really have any concept about how it is to live in continual cold like that. I’ve lived where there was a cold “snap,” but I think a week was the longest it was bitterly cold. Does it stay warm in your house, or are you cozy inside?
And yes, for sure I get the trying to get back into weight loss mode. Its just tiring after so long. But you are right, little changes really do make a difference. I learned that a long time ago at W.W., and it still surprised me now when the little changes add up, and suddenly you’re losing weight.
If my house wasn’t warm, I wouldn’t be living here LOL! It is nice and warm and actually – with the cement walls, it is not drafty like our old house, which is really, really nice, I have to say. I do like the radiator heat as well.
This winter has been worse than most. Normally we can be outside even in the cold, but not the bitter cold. Especially when it is windy and wind chills are in the negatives. That stuff bites through any cold weather gear.
Animals will go out for potty. My parents have a dog and she goes out in this cold for her ‘business’. 😀
I am right there with you – without all the weather problems. I’ve lost the same five pounds many times over the last year.
May the Force be with you Lori! I think perhaps I should graffiti my entire house with “Quit dinking around” right now.
Oh my goodness, you hit it right on the nail. I feel resentful each and every time lately that I see someone just eating junk! Or even watching the abundance of commercials for snack foods. I sit there and think in my mind, but I can’t eat like that or I instantly gain lbs. I have for the first time in 4 yrs gained during this cold winter season. It is very frustrating for me right now. I get about 3 of my desired 5 days in with exercise and then blow it all, with one really bad eating day. UGH the cycle. Hopefully Spring is coming and we can get out of the house and move our bodies!
I hear you Lori!!!! You so have this!!! And mother nature? Bring spring to my friend Lori’s neck of the woods so she and John can get outside on their bikes.
Love this post! I feel the same way. It’s hard to change your thinking to “loser” after so long maintaining and not having to watch every little bite. It’s hard!
I arrived at the same feeling. I’m 3 pounds over the line of acceptable weight. Today I was offered chocolates and rejected it for my own good. Eating veggies instead. Self-love.
Hi Lori, stopped by to catch up. By the amount of comments you’re sure not alone. I’m here with you too. I always find giving myself a challenge helps 🙂 I’m sure wel’ll both make it 🙂 send you a hug today 🙂