When I wrote Let’s Talk about Fat, I decided I was going to be honest and open with my weight loss journey. I’ve got about 30 pounds to lose, which feels pretty significant to me, so I thought I would document the process. Today I want to talk about the victories and setbacks involved in the process of losing weight.
On Saturday after I got back from The Color Run I decided to step on the scale to see how I was doing. I try not to weigh myself first thing in the morning because I feel like that’s an artificial low. I want to know what I weigh for 98% of the day when I’ve got food in my stomach and am going about my day-to-day activities.
I was a little nervous stepping on the scale because with my busy schedule, I hadn’t gotten to work out with Jess that week. When the numbers came up, they read 168. I was ecstatic. I had lost 2 pounds in a week and a half.
I’ve done this by working out 3-5 times a week and not consuming sweets or alcoholic drinks unless it’s a special occasion. I’m not trying to cut a ton of calories, I’m just trying to be smarter about them, and make sure they’re full of lean protein, healthy fat, and whole grains. I stepped off the scale feeling pretty darn good about myself.
(Photo thanks to Jen.)
Flash forward to the blogger event a few hours later. There was pizza and cupcakes. I had some pizza because I needed lunch and I’m not one to hate on pizza. As I passed by the cupcakes I saw a red velvet cupcake and decided a few bites couldn’t hurt. I was doing good with my progress. I finished my pizza and had a few bites of the cupcake before throwing my plate away. As I walked past the cupcakes again I saw the carrot cake one and decided since I only had a few bites of the red velvet I might as well try the carrot cake too. I found myself eating the carrot cake cupcake and not really liking it. I’m very picky with carrot cake. Before I knew it though I had finished the carrot cake cupcake that I didn’t even like!
I was annoyed with myself but figured, whatever, life is too short to get upset over a cupcake.
Flash forward to the Journey tribute band concert. It was an outdoor concert so I knew there would be drinking. I just wasn’t prepared for all the desserts. I was a few drinks in when the snacks came out. There were (more!) cupcakes, chips, cookies, and popcorn. I ate some of all of them, and then went back for more. (Along with more booze.) It was such a fun night but I was left with such guilt. I had totally over-indulged.
Why can I never seem to enjoy sweets in moderation? Why does it have to be all or nothing?
Alexandra said something that really resonated with me during her presentation at FitBloggin’. She said when you make a less than stellar choice it doesn’t mean you had a bad day, it means you had a bad moment. Accept that moment for what it is, make your next moment a good one, and move on.
When I woke up Sunday, I decided to do just that. I went to Zumba and ate well the rest of the day.
Monday brought a new set of struggles. Junior League had an ice cream social for new members which not only meant being surrounded by desserts but also missing my Monday Zumba class to make the event. (Why can’t fruit and veggie socials be a thing?)
I never had to think this much about what I ate before. I’ve never struggled to maintain my size before. It’s annoying and frustrating and tiring, but it is what it is so I have to accept it. I’m never going to live in a perfect little bubble where I only eat healthy foods and perfectly proportioned meals. I’m blessed to have awesome friends and a fun social calendar. But that doesn’t mean I need to go buck wild every time I’m around sugar and sweets.
I need to practice better self control. And be better about enjoying things in moderation. I need to build healthy habits that stick with me for the long term. That’s the only way this weight loss thing is going to work (And last!).
Josh and I did three sets of Johnson and Johnson’s 7 minute workout after work on Monday, so even though I didn’t go to Zumba, I got a great workout in.
The workout made me feel less bad about having a mini ice cream from eCreamery at the JLO new member meeting. (Side note but seriously, how cute is this?)
I was able to enjoy my ice cream and not reach for the other sweets at the event, and I stuck to water instead of wine. I was proud of my moderate indulgence and hope I’ll be able to strike a better balance like this in the future.
Yelp is having a Friday event at a club with booze and food from local Omaha restaurants. Saturday I’ll be at the lake with a bunch of friends which means lots more food and temptations.
So that’s where I’m at this week. I lost two pounds, gained a whole lot of food guilt, and am struggling (and sometimes succeeding with) finding balance. We’ll see what the next few weeks bring.
Just a side note: please note I’m not sharing any of this to seek attention or ask for compliments. I just want to share my honest journey and figure the Internet can help keep me accountable. 😀
Questions of the Day: Are you trying to lose weight right now? What are some of your victories and setbacks lately? Do you have any tips for enjoying sweets in moderation?
Way to be honest with yourself! It’s easy to beat ourselves up-I do all the time for food choices especially since I have a sweet tooth and am addicted to sugar. I’ve been trying to think of things in the way that I don’t want to eat something that isn’t amazing or is just a dime a dozen. If it’s a sweet, I want to LOVE it and really enjoy it. I don’t want to eat the whole cupcake and think it was just okay similar to your feelings about the carrot cake cupcake. It’s definitely all about making good, balanced choices. Sugar and carbs always mean lots of sugar to burn in a workout the next day 🙂
Yes! Good, balanced choices is definitely my focus going forward. 😀
sometimes i have a hard time with just taking a few bites and sometimes the all or nothing approach works better for me… .or if i indulge a lot then i try to eat very healthy for a few days that follow – i don’t know, sometimes i feel like moderation is a game, but it can definitely mean different things to different people. you’re conscious of it and that’s what’s important!
I think moderation can be a game too! I’m just trying to do my best. Hopefully persistence pays off. 🙂
Not trying to lost weight, but after baby M comes I DEF will be~
It’s not a fun process but I’m hoping persistence pays off!
You’re doing great, Erin! I understand the struggle with sweets. Once I start, it’s so hard to stop. Instead of beating myself up though, I just try my best to start fresh and make better choices next time.
That is such a healthy attitude Stacie! I’m trying to do the same. 🙂
Summer is always the hardest for me, because people are always brining sweets and booze etc! I do have over indulge moments too, and it is extremely important for you to remember that there will be a learning curve and we all make mistakes or over indulge. Weightloss can be b*tch, but it’s good that you have a healthy mindset about it!
Thanks Kelly! Yes I’m trying to remember that this is a marathon and not a spring. 🙂
Oh I am all to familiar with food guilt. I’ve gotten much better about it over the last year, and as you said you heard at Fitbloggin I now see things as bad moments, not ruined days. I still have a hard time enjoying treats/carby snacks (chips!) in moderation.
I love the bad moment not ruined days mentality. Chips are so hard for me to eat in moderation. They’re SO good!
Such a great post. I love your honesty in this journey!
Aw thanks Maureen! I’m hoping being open will help me stay focused and see results.
I am all on board with healthy eating but also with some moderation! I tried to completely cut out “bad” food a year or so ago which left me feeling guilty anytime I ever splurged (even if it was no big deal) and also left me incredibly unhappy. I truly believe that my 90/10 lifestyle helps me out a lot. I eat home cooked meals any time that I can (so most nights and lunches at work) and then I feel much less guilty when I do splurge a little that other 10% of the time (eating out, get-togethers, etc.). This seems to really work for me, though I definitely still have feelings of guilt sometimes. I think that is something that I will never get away from, but I am much happier “living a little” now. And on a side note… I’m totally up for exploring “healthier” options sometimes when we go out to eat!
Yes! We should definitely do some healthier food options sometime. I love how you are able to balance healthy meals with sweet treats!
i think you have to give yourself a break. maybe if you take a bit of time off from checking the scale and just focus on enjoying life (like you already are), being active and healthy, it will fall into place. i think sometimes when we are strict with ourselves it leads to disappointment, which can lead to us “falling off the wagon.” good luck, erin!
Thanks so much Courtney! Yes, I’m trying not to get disappointed because this is a long term journey I’m on.
I think it’s important for people to realize that the temptations will always be there and we may not always feel good about the decision we make. Either way, we’ll always have a chance to make another decision so it’s important to not be too hard on ourselves. Yes we may want to lose weight, but I personally don’t want to stop living in order to do so.
Exactly this! I want to love the life I live and lose weight at the same time. I’m trying to find that balance.
Great job on the weight loss Erin! You will find that balance girl! I truly believe we should be able to have those little indulgences every now and then. I try to plan for them. If I know I’m going to eat pizza for dinner then I make sure to eat a lighter, healthier lunch.
Thanks Mindy! I’m really hoping to find that balance. It’s something I’ve never been that good with, but now I have to be.
It’s easy to slip back into old habits but recognizing that as soon as possible and trying to reverse it is great. You didn’t fall “off the wagon” entirely!
Thanks Lisa! Yes I’m trying to see slip ups as a blip on the radar, and not a total diversion from my goals.
totally rooting for you and this weightloss journey
Thanks Lindsay! I really appreciate that. 🙂
Every day seems like a set back… I eat pretty decent, I work out 6 days a week.. I never lose a pound. #depressed
thanks for sharing your struggles & journey.
Aww I’m sorry Rebecca! I am not a professional in any way but my stepmom is struggling similarly and found out it’s likely because of her thyroid. I just thought I’d throw that out there in case it’s a possibility.
The struggle is real! I tend to make the best decisions when I’m at home and in control of what’s served. I don’t know what it is about fattening food that makes me lose control. But it’s a live and learn kind of thing and some days are better than others. Way to celebrate the victories and not be too hard on yourself for the indulgences.
Thanks Jenny! Yes, fattening, sugary food calls out to me too!
Similar to the “moment” reference you heard at Fitbloggin, I think of progress on the scale as a graph chart. In the case of weight loss that graph is supposed to be going down but it hardly does so in a straight line. There are peaks and valleys and yes, it sometimes even goes up sometimes but overall, what is the trend of the graph? That’s the important thing. If overall, it goes down (pekas and valleys aside) then you are doing well. Bad moments will come.Guilt ridden moments also. We just have to keep on working on it.
I love this visual!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I love this visual!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
You’re doing awesome girlie and that’s what the internet is for! Like-minded people can help us reach out goals with online support!
Yes! Online support has been so incredible and so helpful!
But seriously, can we make fruit and veggie socials a thing?!
We really need to!! Haha
xoxoxo you’ll get there – and you’ll do it the right way!
Thanks Clare! I’m trying. 🙂
I struggle with my weight, too. But I have forever. Personally, I think it’s smart to get your work-out in and figure you’re doing something about it. I appreciate that you’re not trying to starve yourself or be unrealistic. The older I get, the more I realize that the social calendar you speak of is a lot more important than what I weigh at my funeral! 🙂
That is so true Bolton! I’m trying to find a good balance of being healthy to live for a long long time so I can enjoy and love an awesome life!
The 90/10 thing (as CleanEatingVeggieGirl) mentioned is pretty much how I’ve managed some of my eating habits although I have a huge sweet tooth as well! Thankfully, they aren’t something we keep at home and are mainly something only consumed on the weekends. Even when I first started out in losing weight, I would be really careful about what I ate during the week but then splurge a little on the weekends. You’re staying active so splurging once in awhile isn’t a bad thing. Keep it up though, it will get easier!
PS – I just saw you replied to my comment on your friends post last week too! (I never got any sort of notification from it but I was re-reading your post). I’m down for that, weekends work great! AND.. if you’re looking for some more workouts, you should come to the outdoor boot camp which starts back up on August 4th & it’s free! It’s not really boot camp but probably more like the HIT classes you’ve been doing!
Oh no, I’m sorry you didn’t get a comment back! Did it maybe go to your spam filter? I’m supposed to have an email comment thing installed.
Ohh where is the bootcamp? I would love to try that! And we could go for lunch after!
Well, it’s an evening boot camp at 5:30 on Tuesdays/Thursdays at the Lewis & Clark Landing. I am not sure if that time works for you with traffic/work but it’s a good time & free of course!
I LOVED this post! It’s so relatable! It’s incredibly reassuring to hear someone (especially a girl) be HONEST with the struggles you go through to lose weight. Losing weight is a tough process, especially after college when your metabolism is completely shot! This past year, I’ve gained a bunch of weight and have been working on losing it for the past couple of months. I go see a trainer who has been helping tremendously – Not only because of weight training and cardio, but also with meals. She weighs/measures you, asks about your goals, does all these scientific calculations (your daily protein, carb, fat percentages, etc). It sucks, but the diet has helped me the most. She said your diet is 80% of your weight-loss journey! Crazy, right?! If you ever have any questions or need that type of food structure in your life, I’ll definitely send you over her info. She’s incredible. Okay I’m rambling, but again – GREAT post! Thank you for being so honest about it all!
Side note – You look amazing, girlie 🙂 Just keep doing what you’re doing!
Aww thanks Kelsey! That trainer sounds awesome! I’m so glad she’s working well for you! I’ve been really working on being aware of how much food I’m eating. My problem is if it’s a healthier food It think it’s okay to go all out on it. I’m trying to find healthy portion sizes for all food, good and bad.
Love your honesty! You sound just like one of my health coach clients- everyone goes through ups and downs as they try to find that balance. It’s tricky because as soon as you set your goal on eating less or eating healthier, you pay so much more attention to it and it’s hard not to feel deprived if you’re always telling yourself no. I think it can be helpful to say “yes, I CAN have that- but I’m choosing not to” or “it will be here tomorrow” and shift your perspective to a more positive statement instead of no, I can’t have that cupcake or pizza or whatever it is. You’re off to a great start!!
I love these tips! I’m going to start using more yes words and less no words. Thank you!