Dreams

I know I've been writing a lot lately and I'll try to get back to more recipes and less about me!

Last night I had a dream that really struck home for me. As you know if you've been reading me for a while, I love to watch the Biggest Loser. But, I also confess to being really proud that I could make the decision to do this myself while at home amongst all the temptations of real life. Yesterday I dreamed that I had to go to the Biggest Loser and tell all the contestants that I failed and couldn't do it without help.

Well, that was a kick in the rear! First thing today- back to tracking my meals and I did the 30 Day Shred. It's a step in the right direction at least! Now I just have to stick to it.

I know the program works- look at me, I've lost more than 90lbs following it. So all I have to do is keep doing it, and I'll get to my healthy body weight. Thanks for sticking with me through my dry spell of blogging and my being off the wagon. Hopefully you'll stick with me while I get back on track!

Getting Back in the Game

I don't know why I am having so much trouble just getting focused again. I keep getting up in the morning and telling myself the right things and then just not doing it. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself because it's not worth making myself miserable over, but I don't like what's happening and something is going to have to change.

I started doing a new weight loss challenge with a friend of mine that ends October 9 and if I don't start focusing I am definitely going to lose- she lost an amazing 5lbs this week while I only lost 0.8lbs. Maybe a little healthy competition is exactly what I need to kick things back into gear. We'll see how this week goes!

Readers, I'm sorry I haven't been writing as much. I do have some great recipes to share with you and I'll post one tomorrow- I promise. It's a fabulous breakfast entree that is so good, you'll definitely want to have it again for dessert!

Mindset Makeover

I've been thinking about posting for a few days now but haven't gotten around to it. Seeing a little note on the top of my blog that my ticker hadn't been updated for more than 80 days was a real shock and it gave me a kick that I need to start focusing again.

Two nights ago, I had a dream that it didn't matter what I ate anymore because I'd already eaten two days' worth of calories in cookies. I remember feeling so helpless and frustrated, like I had no control anymore.

But that isn't the case. Even if everything else in your life is out of control, you're still the only one who is physically putting food into your mouth. We all make choices; we're never forced to eat anything. I remember when I had been on my journey for a short while and was showing results, that I felt so empowered and strong. I have not been feeling that way lately. I've been making excuses and I'm back on a road of self sabotage (I've updated my ticker, as you can see). But that isn't who I want to be! And the only one who has the power to stop it is me.

When I first got started on Nutrisystem, they had a program called Mindset Makeover to help people get adjusted to the new lifestyle choices they should be making. I feel like I need a new Mindset Makeover for this point in my weight loss journey, to help get me back on track mentally. I think the problems started to stem from the fact that I've come so far and then got complacent with all the compliments and that the size of clothing I'm wearing felt so normal that I felt satisfied where I was and that got me derailed. If I had chosen to stay there, that would have been OK too, but I didn't. I started to get dissatisfied, but instead of making a positive change and getting back on my healthy eating plan, I started to get down on myself and make poor choices again.

So, it's time to do another round of Mindset Makeover. I pledge to you, my readers, to make one post each day and find something positive to help me readjust my attitude. And I'll throw some recipes in there since I owe you some!

This blog isn't going anywhere- it's time to get things moving again!

I'm Still Here...

I haven't disappeared into the void of the blogosphere- I promise! Sorry that I haven't been posting but lately it's just been one thing after the other and I haven't had the time to write. I do have some great recipes to share with you and I'll do my best to get them posted this week.

I've also done some thinking about how I've been doing the past three months and WHY I've been on a plateau. Have I generally been eating well? Yes. Have I had a few days where I blew the bank? Absolutely.

When I think about why I lost my motivation, it makes a lot of sense. For the first time in my life, I was starting to feel good about my body and the way I looked. I was getting a lot of positive feedback from both people I know and from strangers, and so I "relaxed" a little. After all, I had accomplished my original goal- perhaps I would give up and just maintain at this weight? Heck, I even posted pictures of myself on Facebook in a swimsuit this past week- and I didn't feel fat or embarrassed!

When I look at it that way, it's easy to see why I stopped losing weight. However, what delights me the most is that over the past three months, I haven't been gaining any back. I've been plus or minus four pounds of where I stopped the entire time, which makes me feel great. I know now that I've developed the habits that will help me maintain for a lifetime when I do decide to stop losing.

However- that time isn't now. While I'm still thrilled about the improvements I've made in my health and my appearance, I'm still considered overweight by BMI and I know that I can still lose some more weight healthfully and that I will look great when I'm finished. At this point I believe it's going to take more of an effort exercising as well as watching my eating habits, but that's for the best. Exercise is great for our bodies and I need to incorporate it into my routine.

So- I'm back. And I'm ready to get back on track and focus again.