Early bird...

I have walked almost every morning for the past week or so. My new routine; leap out of bed, take dogs outside to do thier thing. Give them all a treat and leave them snoozing by the woodstove while I walk. My hair is all wild and I am wearing clothes I would not so much love to be seen in public in, but off I go. I started this out by waking 7 1/2 miniutes, then turning around, so that I did a 15 miniute walk. After two days of that I started going one more light pole than I did the day before. This morning I told myself I didn't have to walk very far, because I am going to do strenuous yard work later in the day. But the air was so cold and crisp, and the brooks were singing so sweetly, and the birds were so enjoyable to see that I walked much further than I have been going. Happily.

AND... I have not had any sugar since Tuesday. Except the after dinner mint I popped into my mouth without thinking. Several moments later, while it was still dancing on my tounge I realized what I had done. I am turning into an avid lable reader... do you realize how hard it is to find bread or cereal that does not contain sugar? Yikes.


And I am writing down the following goal, because I read today, "Goals that are not written are still dreams." I want to lose 40 pounds by August. There. I wrote it.
Now I need to make it happen.

Time and spring and such...

In my normal "be fit" pattern, I have SLACKED off. My last post here was in January, and though I have incorporated a bit more physical activity into my life, and have backed off a wee bit on eating, I have not achieved any real measure of success.

This photo was taken yesterday. My face looks thinner, (my mare does, too!) This thinner face looking back at me, combined with the softer days as winter in New England loses its grip, has me flooded with enthusiasm.

I have walked 15 miniutes each morning for 5 days. Today I didn't want to stop at 15 miniutes ! I passed the bushes with the swelling buds, heard the babble of the brook that runs along the road, basked in birdsong. I wanted to keep walking. In just 5 days my breath is less ragged as I stride along, and it feels less like WORK. More pleasurable.

My goal is to be more fit for riding adventures this season. Isn't my fuzzy horse the cutest?

Making choices...

I am not thin yet. Darn. But I am proud of myself for gaining confidence each day in the fact that I can make healthy choices. Today I really wanted a greasy hamburger from the convenience store down the street. Instead I came home and had leftover chicken and rice curry that I made. It was delicious and satisfying. Except... when I was done I wanted something sweet. I scoured the cabinets, pondered whipping up a batch of cookies, then had an apple. It was terrific, and I am so happy with my choice. I feel I am making positive steps and I am confident that soon I will be able to buy new jeans in a smaller size. That will be sweet!

Baked goods...

It has been a week of baked good over loads and dieting lapses. Undetered, I am back on track and hope to report in with better news tomorrow. *deep sigh*

OK! I am down 5 lbs. My rings and my jeans are both feeling loose. This is a good start! (The husband is down 9 lbs. Shooting him is still on my mind.) I definitely need to increase the exercise. That is proving to be challenging with the cold and ice and such, but I am going to try to be more creative.

Meanwhile, I continue to feel quite motivated. GO me!

YES!

YES! After several discouraging days, the scale settled in on 4.8 lbs. lost. It has been a maddening up and down affair, but I feel the difference in my clothes and how my rings fit, so I am claiming those first pounds to be GONE. Buh-bye!

I am finding some coping tricks that seem to be helping me:
1. Hot tea- I like herbal tea, it comes in a zillion flavors, and it takes me a long time to sip a cup. When I am done I feel more satisfied and fuller. Not as satisfied as if I'd eaten a plate of cookies, but not bad!
2. Brushing my teeth immediately after eating. When I was a kid my mom baked a dessert for us most nights. Even then, it was the highlight of my day! Definitely a foreshadowing of things to come. Anyway, as soon as I finish any meal, and yes, I mean breakfast and lunch, too, I want something sweet. I discovered that if I brush right after I eat, that sweet craving dissipates. Very interesting.
3. Indulging in a little harmless fantasy... what would it be like to buy clothes because I LIKE them, and not JUST because they FIT? Oh... I'd like to find out!

I could just shoot him!

 

My husband started dieting a week after I did. He's lost about 6 pounds already. And he CHEATS! My scale wobbles up and down between 3-4 lbs. lost, and yesterday it said I'd gained a pound OVER my starting weight. Now that is just WRONG, on SO many levels. Dieting with a man makes me curse being female! I am not going to be discouraged. In fact, I am going to go for a walk! Right NOW.