Simmering Summer Challenge Week 2

SSC - Week 2 Weigh- In

Week 2:  -2

Dropping these 2 pounds wasn't easy. I fought cravings everyday.  When I first began this journey ( January 2010 ) I had cravings for 2 -3 months before they subsided to nearly nothing.  They started out strong then slowly dwindled.  I hardly thought about food.  But this week I found myself desiring the taste of foods.  Not really hunger--stomach was fine-- but I wanted the food in my mouth and I wanted to taste it, chew it and finish it off.  I believe this can be attributed to emotional eating - stress, boredom, anxiousness, etc. 

The most difficult time -- my weakest time to give in to the cravings is in the late evening.   I am happy that I lost 2 pounds.  That is my weekly goal, but that still puts me behind for my monthly goal.  I need to try to make up a couple pounds if I want to hit my challenge target. 

Stars for the Week: 

• I went to the gym and worked out 4 out of 5 days this week.  On the 5th day I mowed my yard in 95 degree heat and humidity like a sauna, so I will consider that a good workout as well!  It was well over an hour of cardio.    
• I was more mindful of my food choices.  I didn't sit and just stuff my face.  I knew and made a conscious decision to eat that extra slice of pizza on Wednesday and the brownie on Thursday.  But I also resisted getting ice cream all week.  It was a struggle! 

Steps for next Week:

1. Continue to make mindful healthy choices to help me pass though this cravings stage.
2. Do not weigh myself more than 3 times, so I become number obsessive.
3. Drink more water to help with the cravings and any hunger.

How is your week going? 

Simmering Summer Challenge Week 1

SSC - Week 1 :  Weigh - In

Week 1:  + 4 pounds 
I am pretty disappointed in myself.  I struggled this week to keep to most of my action plans. 

• Some of my sleep was interrupted with insomnia.  My plan is to try and be in bed by midnight, but even as I write this post it is after midnight.  This is an area I will keep working on. 
• I think I was mindful as I ate this week, but I had a difficult time controlling my indulgences. I found myself wanting to snack - usually late at night.   The thing is--I don't think I am hungry.  It is a desire of the mouth, not of the stomach, if that makes sense.  Almost a stress reliever too.  This is something I have to analyze and be more diligent about.  I need to be stronger in this area. 
• I didn't write anything down.  Probably because I knew I wasn't eating right.
• I did not go to the gym even once this week.  They were closed on Monday, the 4th of July, and the other days I just blew it off.  This is another area I need to analyze a bit more.  I have been going with a friend and it seems that it is easier for me not to go when I go with a friend.  The opposite of the whole psychology of having a friend for accountability. 

I had planned to write more often this week and I didn't.  It is almost liked I have rebelled.  From the Friday to Tuesday, July 5  I had gained 7 pounds.  This in part was Independence Day celebration foods and ice cream cravings.   Some had to be water gain or hormonal though. The rest of the week I spent trying to lose the weight.  By Friday, I got down 3 pounds so that I was only 4 pounds up from the previous week.  *sigh*   

This weekend I haven't eaten well either.  But I am cleaning out the refrigerator and cabinets of foods that will sabotage me tomorrow.  I am going to go to the gym at least 3 times this coming week.  Hopefully I can make up the lost ground.

Simmering Summer Challenge 2011

It is time for a Simmering Summer Challenge! 

I am going on a trip in August and I have 5 weeks to work on this challenge before I head off to sunny Greece!

My goal for these 5 weeks is to lose 10 pounds and become more fit & tone.  I will lose some inches since June 27th when I last measured myself.   I will weigh myself on Fridays with the weigh-in dates being:

• Week 1: July 8
• Week 2: July 15
• Week 3: July 22
• Week 4: July 27
• Week 5: Aug. 5

To accomplish this I will do the following:

1. Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night at decent hours. I tend to get off-balanced especially during summer months, so I will try to go to bed by midnight.
2. Do not deny myself any food, but eat mindfully and make healthy choices.  This will mean having a plan to help avoid eating without thinking. For me this will look like few processed foods and little sugar.
3. Be sure to get enough protein.  I found previously that if I did not eat enough, I would not lose weight. Keeping some type of food journal is important. 
4. Stay hydrated.  This means water mostly, coffee and tea.  The more water the better.  Often times we think we are hungry, but really we are thirsty.
5. Incorporate exercise and movement.  Ideally 5 - 6 times a week, but lets be happy with going to the gym at least 3 times a week.  The 6 times can be things done at home - walking, playing, doing wii fit, mowing, etc.  

I will add more tomorrow about my strategies and my story to date.  How do you plan to stay on your weight loss journey this summer?