arewethereyet

I have my first official gain since joining BuddySlim - 1.5 pounds. I’m not happy about it, of course, but I’m keeping it in perspective. I’m sure it’s just a temporary wake-up call from the Wisconsin trip, which was as reported an exercise in portion out-of-control and snacking. Despite the fact that I kept to my gluten free plan, I know I can’t eat anything I want to and not see scale repercussions. So it is what it is… and next week it will be gone. I assure you.

For the rest of my Thanksgiving Walking Challenge, I will commit to the following:

1. No alcohol. This should be easy for me as I rarely drink, except in Wisconsin it seems.

2. Eating at the kitchen table only. I have gotten sloppy on this lately - eating at the computer while I do other things for example. I do best when I make a meal out of it and focus on it. I suspect this leads to mindless eating that by definition I am not even aware of.

3. Rededication to the Food Journal. I did that for a few weeks but I stopped. It seems to help me so I will go back to it. I will also plan my food before hand as well as report it afterwards.

4.  Finish eating for the day by 7pm, which will be a good testament to how well I am planning and executing on my food.

5. Focus on the other aspects of the Eat Right For Your Blood Type diet, beyond the gluten-free, casein-free rules.

I’m happy to have a written plan again!  It helps me so much. I wonder why I forget it so easily? It just seems to happen. I think I get lazy and I have to remember that I need to be fully engaged in this process or else I will not see the success I’m working so hard for. I work out so much, so hard, so well… but it all is for naught if I don’t work a food plan at the same time. And I mean work it, not just do it.

You are all wonderful buddies. Thank you so much for providing me a safe place to be myself and to learn from you all. I am truly blessed to have you in my life.

Ellen

Much to my surprise, the scale was kind this morning. This is not my official weigh-in day, just my “how much damage did you do this weekend” weigh-in. And there was no gain (but no loss) from my weekend in Wisconsin. I did well sticking to the no gluten routine, but had a pumpkin pie latte while I was gone so there was casein for sure. And I definitely ate some crap - chips being the most egregious violation. Luckily, it seems like for the most part, I did okay. I concentrated my meals on protein and veggies, and it appears I offset the other food choices with walking. I got in 16 miles while gone. It wasn’t even that hard to do believe it or not. The first day I hit the treadmill in the hotel for a few miles. The next day I did a 5 mile walk while everyone else was getting their respective days started. Then one day we went to a state park and I got a few miles in there as well. I wore my pedometer all around so I was able to track the miles we were walking that I wouldn’t normally even know about. All in all it was good.

A high point of the weekend - I bought a size Large in the regular ladies section of a boutique. Yes, it’s oversized. No question about that. But it’s still a great nsv. Another odd yet high point… as I think I told you, I was certainly the smallest person on the trip… probably not by a lot with 2 of them but I’m certainly in a lot better shape than anyone else. On Sunday night, we were going to hit the pool/hot tub for a bit. I came down in my swimsuit and  cover-up and one of the ladies said, “I want to tell you something but I don’t want you to be offended.” I was like I won’t be. She said, “Even though you’re a bigger girl, you have a very beautiful body. You’re so proportionate and so strong. And I don’t think you have any cellulite on your legs at all!” The other woman in the room agreed. I wasn’t offended - I was very flattered. It was nice to get some acknowledgment for all my hard work.

Heading outside for a nice long walk. I am at 203 miles and counting. Today is my last day for the week tally and while I’m already over my minimal goal for the week, I’d like to add at least 4 miles to it today. Hugs to all, Ellen

Woo hoo! I am down 2.5 pounds this week! (Actually that’s over the last 2 weeks because technically I never got around to weighing in last week with all the craziness around here!) That puts me at 19 pounds down since the beginning of August when I began the new eating plan and I am just thrilled to pieces with the results.

Spent another 2.5 hours at the gym today. I worked out with Claire again - and we did a god awful lot of back today. I also walked 5 miles on the treadmill at some pretty serious inclines (8-15%) and at a pretty decent clip too. So that was good too. All the way around it’s been a good day. I’m at 187 miles on the 300 mile challenge, which is also fantabulous news.

Now I am preparing for my trip to Wisconsin. I’ve got Ellen-treats and good healthy food too on the menu - so I can stay true to myself and my plan without feeling deprived the entire time. I think total denial would be worse for me in both the long and the short run. My goal is to maintain in Wisconsin; if I end up slightly lighter on Monday morning that would be golden. But if it’s the same, no worries. I will also walk a minimum of 2 miles on the treadmill each day, and whatever else we end up walking I’ll count as well with the help of a pedometer. I will focus on large muscle training - specifically Core and legs which are easy to get to with or without special equipment. And that’s the plan.

Now I have an interesting challenge… it’s time to figure out what the heck I can wear out of my fall clothes. I have no clue how these things are going to fit at all right now.  This oughta be interesting.

See you all on Sunday when I return. Please keep good thoughts and vibes coming my way and I will do the same for each of you! HUGS! Ellen