Weight By A Date

In Portland right now it's beautiful and sunny unlike the rest of the country that's covered in snow.  I love Spring preview, as it's called in Portland.  We know it won't last, the rain will return, but enjoy it while it lasts.  That attitude is not always helpful for goal achieving.  On the one hand you can go out and walk around, but on the other hand going to happy hour and general frivolity become even more tempting. 
I'm trying to combine success and fun and I over did on the fun yesterday.  It wasn't that big a hit on the scale, but it didn't feel good this morning.  That's the thing about working towards a goal, it can't always be a step forward sometimes you have to accept the step back.  I have a strict deadline for the goal I am trying to achieve this time.  I think that has really helped me stay on track because I know I want to feel great on vacation.  I've decided that I know I've worked hard and I'm going to enjoy myself no matter what, but it really would be awesome to hit my goal weight.  Even as I type this I'm scolding myself for attaching so much importance to a simple number that can fluctuate with each grain of salt. I can choose to either live and die by the scale or enjoy feeling great, the choice is mine to make. 
I think I'll do this; keep working out as much as possible, log all my calories, drink lots of water and enjoy my friends and family.  No one ever left this world wishing they'd missed seeing friends so they could sit home and obsess about their weight!  So what if I weigh 142 instead of 140 when I leave for vacation!  Is that really the most important thing?  I won't have a scale on vacation, so for all I know that's water weight and I could be at 139 at some point on the trip.  Should I sit in my room and pout or should I go snorkeling and try new foods and activities?!  I will only use the scale for good and not for evil.  So there!

The Swimsuits Are Out For Delivery

They weren't supposed to be here until Thursday, but the tracking says they are on a truck cruising Portland right now!  I had a great weigh in this morning after my hour on the bike, but I'm still feeling intimidated.  I must remember that I haven't seen the sun in several months and be kind to myself.  I also have over 2 weeks to work out and get a spray tan so lets keep it in perspective. 
I am feeling so much better now that I don't have chronic excruciating pain.  There's a crew outside my window right this minute sawing concrete and I couldn't care less.  It's mildly annoying, but who cares.  I hope I'm able to keep my positive outlook and appreciate the little things. 
I'm a little nervous about being social and derailing my diet efforts.  Tomorrow is a tough day food wise because I have a team lunch and my friend is coming over.  I have selected a smaller burger from the lunch menu and I can just get less hot bar for dinner.  Maybe I'll get half a sandwich and a salad instead.  Life happens and I need to be able to be a part of it.  Every day can't be exercise and prescription food. 
Now where the hell is that delivery truck?!

Progress At Last

I have finally seen some movement on the scale!  I am so relieved that all that suffering wasn't for nothing.  The three pound loss was just what I needed to motivate me to work harder.  It doesn't hurt that I ordered some swimsuits that should arrive soon provided the East coast weather doesn't screw things up.  I had forgotten how good it feels to get that first drop on the scale.  I really don't think it was just the illness, I have been working harder and paying more attention.  At least I'd like to think some of that played a part.  Now the trick is not to get cocky and back slide.  I think we've all been there a time or two too many. 
It feels so good to look forward to things and to have positive thoughts.  When I was in pain I couldn't see the bright side of anything.  I couldn't even look forward to vacation.  I realized the other day that it's been over two years since we took a real vacation.  I am so excited!!! 

Small Wins, Small Gains

Last week I set a two level goal for myself, I would be thrilled to not have wine until this coming weekend, or happy with myself for making it to this past Friday.  I made it to Friday and it was a struggle, but I did it!  I turned down at least two invitations for meals and wine out and they were each difficult.  Thursday night I was beside myself with cravings for a patio dinner in the sun of salad and Pinot Gris.  However, I persevered and I felt great about it.  That is until I got on the scale this morning.  WTF?!!  I have put on another two pounds!  I'm freaking out!  I actually cried and considered canceling my trip to Hawaii. 
After I pulled myself together I realized I only have one choice and that is to keep trying.  I will drink a ton of water and see if the bull shit I'm selling myself about water weight is at all true.  I have logged breakfast and I'm going to plan some extra exercise.  I ordered a swim suit online that arrives Wednesday so I need to get a grip.  I also need to talk to my husband about the lead up to weight loss surgery.  There's been a lot of talk about how it will be good for both of us, which is true, but I will still have to diet and exercise to lose my weight and I need to stop this dream talk. 
My goals for this week are simple; exercise, eat light, avoid salt and wine. 

Portland To Coast Week

Let me just start by saying my weight seems to be out of control and I'm taking a week off from obsessing about it.  That said, I had a great week in all my other goals!  I think adding the bike back in to my routine is going to be a positive thing, and not just because it sits in my living room and mocks me when I don't.  The food diary is another tool that I think I need to eventually be successful. 
Here is a recap of my week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days - I made it 5 out of 7 and one day I had over 9,000
• Log food 5 out of 7 days - I completed 4 days and was only over calories on 1
• Plank 6 out of 7 days - 1 day then I hurt my shoulder and took the week off
• Bike 3 times for 30 minutes or more - 3 out of 3!!!! 

Goals for this week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days
• Log food for 4 out of 7 days - I'm going to be out of town and this is more realistic
• Plank - I'm taking this week off I don't want to aggravate my shoulder pre-race
• Bike - 3 times 30 minutes

 This is going to be a crazy week!  I will be walking in the  Portland To Coast relay for the 5th year in a row.  It's part of a running relay called Hood To Coast, which is one of the largest relay races in the world.  This annual event is a fund raiser for cancer and as a cancer survivor it's always a very special weekend.  I am very lucky to have an amazing team and a kick ass group for my van.  As van captain I will be very busy this week getting everything ready, and work is super busy this week too.  I know that eating may be weird this week, so I'm going to try to off set that with consistent exercise.
The scale was starting to bum me out so I have decided to do what I know I need to do and just stop worrying about the number.  It's difficult to behave and see a weight gain on the scale.  My husband keeps reminding me that this is how all my diets start and if I keep with it my body will level out and cooperate.  The problem is I want to have major success after each day of good choices!  I suppose that's not very realistic.  I have to go now, I have to go get some compression pants so my things don't start a forest fire during the race.