She presses on despite stalling on weight loss
I'm stuck!
Even though I've expected all along this would happen, it's still hard to look the needle in the eye. I'm talking about the needle on the scale. I registered ZERO weight loss this week.
Disappointed? You bet I am.
Frustrated? That, too. Giving up? Not a chance!
Quitting I know how to do. Hanging in there when things get tough, Tony is teaching me.
I was well into beating myself up over the big goose egg on the scale when I received a text from Tony. “Same weight, no big deal. Drink more water, do an hour of cardio and make sure you stretch.”
In the drama playing out in my head, I had Tony firing me on the spot. Drink, exercise, stretch ... that's it? Hardly the punishment I thought I deserved.
One thing I know for sure, this entire journey has been wrapped in highs and lows of emotion.
I was somewhat aware of my emotional attachment to food before the Fittest Loser Challenge began. But as I've progressed on this weight-loss road, it's become increasingly clear how long, and to what depth, that emotional connection has controlled me.
For many years, I maintained a fairly steady weight. Then a couple of years ago, I was faced with some very hurtful truths about myself and my relationship with several very important people in my life. I made some hard, and according to the wise counsel I sought, some very good choices. But, as much as I thought I had dealt with the all the difficult emotions around that situation, my need for comfort and reassurance was great. I found that in food.
Of course, I didn't realize what was happening at the time, but it hit me just a few weeks into the challenge ... that's where that 20 pounds came from!
Over the last couple of years, I went from sharing a pizza with my husband to ordering one for each of us. If a little bit of pizza made me happy, wouldn't more pizza make me more happy? Same goes for late-night snacks. Often I'm out of the house in the evening and it was so relaxing to come home and unwind over a bowl of popcorn or chips and dip. Then there was wine. A glass of red goes so nicely with, well, lots of different foods. The problem is that glass of wine made me want to eat more.
As unhealthy as it was for me physically, eating my favorite foods brought comfort, which somehow made me feel loved.
Crazy, huh?
On some level I knew my food choices and my connection to all things edible wasn't good, but I just kept pushing through the fast pace of my life and ignoring the truth.
That all changed the first day I met Tony and he handed me a food journal. As part of the program, I write down every morsel that crosses my lips. I record every calorie and gram of fat, protein and carbohydrates. My daily calorie limit is 1,400 spread over three meals and two snacks. Most days I peak a few calories north of 1,200. At first glance, the Push Fitness diet plan is restrictive, but considering where I'd come from diet-wise, anything short of a 24-hour, all-you-can eat buffet would look restrictive.
I'm staying well within my calorie limit, working out six days a week and following Tony's instructions to the letter. I'm learning discipline, staying focused and finding great satisfaction in taking good care of myself.
So, I may not have lost a single pound this week, but I've gained tons of knowledge. That's more than worth it.
Ÿ Gerry Alger, editor of the Daily Herald's Niche Publications, has been sitting at a desk for 25 years.
Status report
Status report
Current weight: 161 pounds
Weight lost this week: 0 pounds
Total weight loss: 27 pounds, 14.3 percent