Why We Weigh Once a Week!

It may seem self explanatory, that weighing once a week builds up the anticipation, gives you a greater loss and therefore motivates you more. It may seem like we are shameless BL followers who will blindly do anything Bob & Jillian do! It may be the OCD and weighing daily comes before coffee and that's all there is to it! No matter! Here's my story...

I used to weigh every day, first thing in the morning, without fail and I swore by it! If it was more than an hour after I had woken up, you couldn't pay me to step on that thing!  In my defense, I was afraid of the weight getting away from me. If I had gained ANYTHING, I knew it and I could get myself back in order... but the fact is, it wasn't really impacting my loss in a positive way, in fact, I think it was hurting it. In my mind, it was like, wow, it's just a day. Do you see how that works? We are much more likely to waste a day, than a week, a month, etc. So if I weigh today and I gained a pound and then I stay on track and the next day that pound is gone.... that was tooooo easy. Then the next time I gain a pound, it's really no big deal, no panic, because I will get to weigh in again in 24 short hours and I am sure it will be gone again. Only sometimes it's more than a pound and sometimes it's not gone the next day, but it's too late. The short term poison has already seeped into my brain.

We are much more likely to hold ourselves more accountable, when there's an entire week on the line and we DON'T know how we're doing! Keeps us on our toes. Should I eat this? Is my weight ok? I DON'T KNOW!! Better not. :)

Also... In any given week, say you weigh 160, you gain one, you're sad, you work harder, the next day, 160 again. You're happy. Then 159, even happier, then 160, sad. Then 161, miserable, then you're back to 160, happy again. You right back where you started!!  The little losses are a false sense of security and the little gains are unecessary hits to your stamina. It's an emotional roller coaster! Get off! :)

Never mind the fact that any doctor will tell you weighing daily is just nuts. :) I have read that today's weight is a result of eating three days ago, so it really isn't about yesterday's food. The body is full of mystery and checking daily for a number that has so many contributing factors, well, I already mentioned... nuts.

So...we weigh once a week. Yes, if you step on the scale and it's up or the same...ugh!!! Don't you wish you knew that three days ago! Now you've wasted a whole week and it's like starting new. But that's good. Holds us accountable, makes us work harder.  Sidenote: I recommend a digital scale. Those others, like in my photo, really all over the map and unreliable. Accuracy is best!

YOU need to control yourself daily and keep yourself on track... no fair making the scale do it!

~

OK, so it's Friday. Three days to weigh in. I feel good. Not fantastic, but good. I'll take it! I drank more water than usual yesterday and I'm happy about that. I am having a little problem with popcorn. I know everyone says popcorn is healthy and maybe it is. I'm just not sure. I make it homemade, not microwave, so the oil concerns me. Research time!!

Today I am craving avocado, so I plan to make that a staple in my meals today. I love good fat! :)

I promise myself to go start our gym membership today. I promise to run or walk or jog to try out my new running shoes. I promise not to eat anything past 7pm. There. Three promises ought to keep me busy!!

If Only We Could All Be Like Mary...

Can I get an amen for my sista Mary!!! This is the motivational message I got from her, today at 7am! (from last night)

Power Mindset: 1. Make Amazon wish list for rewards 2. 10 glasses of water 3. Yoga on Thursday 4. Write out dream page for motivation 5. continue to use mantra, "I'm worth it."

Reciprication: 1. email Cherilyn 2. Text with Kelly who is doing very well with her fitness journey

Three things done well today: 1. Ran 2.5 miles 2. Did 20 push ups, 25 crunches, and 10 extended leg raises while watching movie with Amara 3. Healthy breakfast

One thing I'll do better on Thursday: Plan my meals so that I don't get hungry from waiting too long. Today I had nachos and a baked pretzel with cheese at the pool with the kids after my work out. I was hungry when I started to work out so I made a poor decision.

~

The best part I see in Mary's message is the way she bounces back from a bad decision. We all make them!! How dod we get here after alll??!!! :)  It's the bounce back that matters!

Me? Pffffttttt!!  I am too busy worrying about all the non-health items on my agenda for the day! This is good and bad. Does it get me to the track? No. It actually makes me too busy, BUT it does get me motivated in general, thinking positive, feeling great about myself and that DOES keep me away from the refrigerator! So... everyone is different. I HAVE to exercise more, there's no doubt about that. But on the days I don't make it...at least I am not down on myself or doing more damage.

Embrace YOUR way! As long as you have one, you're on the right track!

Have an awesome Thursday women!

Oh Wednesday....

This will be a long blog, since it is days overdue!!!

Let's talk about family, friends, alcohol and debauchery in general!! It CAN be murder on a diet, a fitness plan, any semblance of a normal routine, right? Right.

Wow. Mary and I were together about four days along with her parents, her sister and other friends, etc. There was drinking, eating, sleeping and just distraction in general! Would I trade it? No. That's right, no. You just have to work hard, so that on occasion, you can play hard. There is nothing more important than living and loving. I mean, why do we want to look awesome anyway?? :)

So, after our insane long weekend, we woke up Monday, no lighter. We paid the price but we jumoed RIGHT back on the wagon. Next Monday WILL reflect our hard work. I am sure of it. Getting back on the horse is a serious mantra to live by. You could waste a whole week beating yourself and gain another five pounds in the process...and then what??  The BEST thing about making a change is you can always start RIGHT NOW!!!

So..... now what?  First, I'm going to share some awesome inspiration from Mary and I, stolen in part from Body For Life.

Mary first....

I learned this from Body for Life. Try it everyday!

 

The Power Mindset: Write down 5 things you can do between now and this time tomorrow that will help you move forward in the direction of your 12-week goal.

1. Review my goals and imagine achieving them.
2. Plan my nutrition/eating plan and stick to it for Tuesday.
3. Find a mantra to say to myself when I want to overeat.
4. Drink 10 glasses of water.
5. Do Zumba on Tuesday for cardio.

The Universal Law of Reciprocation: Write down 2 things you can do between now and this time tomorrow to support and encourage others.

1. E-mail Cherilyn for journal.
2. Send a facebook message to Brooke complementing her hard work and dedication.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Write down 3 things you did very well today that helped you move toward the achievement of your 12-week goals.

1. I had a lot of water.
2. I didn't eat the left overs from Amara's mac & cheese.
3. I turned negative talk around about myself when I wanted Pizza because I was tired and didn't want to cook. And I felt great that I didn't have the pizza!!! It was very important that I didn't succumb to the negative talk. I knew it would be easier and AMara would like it. It would taste good. So, I recognized that I was trying to convince myself it was ok to get the pizza.

Write down 1 thing you will do even better tomorrow.

1. I will be more active. I spent a lot of time on the couch today.

Love ya, Mary   :)

 

Now me...

The Power Mindset: Write down 5 things you can do between now and this time tomorrow that will help you move forward in the direction of your 12-week goal.

1. Blog! It makes me accountable... to me, to Mary, to the world!
2. Plan what I'm going to eat that day. I have the food, so I need to eat it!
3. Make a to do list, staying busy keeps me out of the kitchen.
4. Drink 10 glasses of water.
5. Imagine myself thin and remember my personal reasons!!

The Universal Law of Reciprocation: Write down 2 things you can do between now and this time tomorrow to support and encourage others.

1. E-mail/Text Mary!!
2. Remember to pray, especially for two freebies!!! :)

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Write down 3 things you did very well today that helped you move toward the achievement of your 12-week goals.

1. I did very well this morning and afternoon.
2. I spent money on good groceries, investing in myself.
3. I DID eat pizza, but I got over it. Negativity is worse than any food. 

Write down 1 thing you will do even better tomorrow.

1. I will not eat crap at night.

~

So... we're drinking water! I am trying a Mediterrenean injection into my diet.... ALSO, trying an herbal thyroid remedy. We're all over the map!

So there you have it. Four days til weekly weigh in!!  Stay tuned!!!!

 

Day 2...

So here we are again. Sitting around, talking about our weight, our energy, our wants and yes, that little black dress we want to be wearing for New Year's! What makes this time different? Well, nothing. Hopefully, the difference will be the wildly successful end!

We live two hours apart, we live two different lives. Our connection will be our communication, our common desire and a little healthy competition. We will weigh every Monday and record percentages only, BL style!

We have personal and shared rewards when we meet our goals, which are set for about every two weeks.
Keep us on our toes!