We've just returned from a great weekend getaway in The Big Easy! We had so much fun that I think I might move there! LOL! We parked the truck when we got there and walked everywhere! The next time we saw our vehicle was when we were pulling out of the hotel. It was a great experience and I am already planning the next getaway there! Now.. let's get down to bidness. I'd love nothing more than to tell you how I was well prepared and stayed on target the entire time with only little splurges.. but that's not how it went down. Sure, I tried picking the healthier choices here and there, even split a few meals with my husband, and I'm happy to report that I didn't drink myself to the verge of death as I've done in the past; but the reality of it is that there was some pretty awesome food there! It was also very rich and it didn't take long for me to realize that my appetite isn't the same as it once was. We went to one restaurant where the waitress went on and on about how 'good the food was mainly because of all of the butter that it was cooked in'.. and boy was there some butter! As you can imagine, it was challenging to make healthier choices in a place known for their fine cuisine! I could also tell you how awful I feel and how I hate myself.. but I'm not! ;) Wanna know why? Because I enjoyed myself! I didn't hate it one single bit! I tried to be cautious and not over stuff myself, but I enjoyed my vacation and the food that went along with it. I didn't abandon all that I've learned, but I did live a little.. and that's okay. I don't do this everyday. I don't feel that I "deserved" it either.. food isn't my reward. My reward was having a wonderful vacation and being able to be comfortable in my own skin and loving the new me! That being said.. I am back to reality and it's time to get this mutha back on track!
Complacency is a BEAST!
A few short weeks ago, I had finally broken my plateau. I had a consistent loss for a few weeks in a row. But I see myself becoming complacent again. I know that I'm not yet where I want to be, but the thoughts of "you've come along way" or "you don't need to work SO hard" start to creep in. That is one of the scariest things YET! It's time to shake off those "you deserve a break" thoughts and get to work! I set a goal a looooong time ago to lose 100 pounds.. and even though I'm not there yet, I'm ready to set a new goal. I feel like a new person and should re-evaluate where I am and move forward. No more looking back! I'm gonna drive this baby home! This week I've started a new 'diet' (gawd I despise that word) plan. As I've said before, I thirst for knowledge. To be successful, you have to accept change. What worked for me 9 months ago doesn't work for me now in both my 'diet' and my workouts. If I don't grow how will I ever reach my goal? In this 'diet' I'm learning, not necessarily to change what I'm eating, but more a change in how I eat it. It has a direct effect on the hormones in my body.. a hormone called leptin that sends signals to the brain that there is fat on the body. When your leptin levels are high then your body recognizes that there is fat, but when your leptin levels are low then your body tends to think that there isn't fat to be lost. Needless to say.. after my vacation, my leptin levels are through the ROOF! LOL! But that's okay.. it's all apart of my plan! ;)
Embracing Who I Am
It seems that the closer I get to my goal and the more knowledge I gain, more people have asked me for advice, tips, motivation, etc. While I am far from being an expert on any of this, I do know what's worked for me. I know my own body. I know what my weaknesses are. I know what my strengths are. I know how to motivate myself. I KNOW ME! By being confident in myself, I think it draws people to want that same confidence. Not necessarily to be me.. but they want to know what it takes to know themselves! I'm always ready to give people ideas about what works for me regarding workouts and meal ideas.. but I've honestly always felt silly about it. I felt like "who am I to give anyone advice"... well, I've finally come to accept and embrace who I am. I am a woman who has worked very hard for a long time and over came a huge obstacle that many people find frustrating. I am a woman who works for a living and raises two children who has stopped making excuses for myself. I am a woman who is proud of what's been accomplished and enjoys so much more in life. I am a woman with perseverance and determination to get to the next level. I will no longer be embarrassed about what I've learned along the way. THAT is who I am!
Setting a New Goal
As I've said earlier, it is time to re-evaluate myself and set new goals. This is kinda skeerin' me.. but I have to make it public. I have to be accountable. My new goal is to lose 25 pounds by October 15th. It is a realistic goal.. but rest assured that it will be no easy feat. It will take continued hard work and constant awareness of what I am putting into my body. This will bring me to a 117lb weight loss. That is seriously an entire healthy grown adult. I WILL reach my goal. Wish me luck.. I'm on the road home with a LOAD of knowledge!
