Sunday, January 27, 2008

Discouragement

I know, I know. Two posts in one day. I just went back and re-read my post about poor Brynlee. I can tell I was frustrated when I posted that. She really isn't the monster that I portrayed. Yes, she has her "moments". But she can also be a sweet and wonderful girl - and she is most of the time. Right now she and her sissy are having a post-nap popsicle. When I handed her the popsicle, she gratefully said "thank you" and offered me the first lick. She is great at sharing. And she loves to hug and snuggle. I appreciate all of the wonderful advice y'all offered. I think the biggest thing I took from all of it is that I need to remain positive, and to use positive reinforcement to control behavior. As I re-read my post, I was embarassed by how negative it sounded - like all I did was yell and punish. Really, its not like that at my house all the time (sometimes, yes. I'll admit to that). Usually things are happy and calm. I think I've just been extra frustrated lately. Ben's been working about 70 hours per week, and its taking its toll on me.

Anyway - to my intended post. My discouragement regarding my weight loss (or lack thereof). Friday was the week 3 weigh-in for my Biggest Loser contest. The first week I lost 4 pounds - probably due to sugar and soda detox. The second week I lost 2 more pounds, so I was feeling really good about myself. But this past week was really rough. After skiing all day Monday and then shovelling snow for 45 minutes afterwards, I was up 2 pounds that day. Thankfully by Friday I had lost those 2 pounds, but I didn't lose anything else. Thats ok - a week of no weight loss happens every now and then - right?

I allowed myself to cheat a bit on Friday, and I had a really good run. In fact, I ran for 55 minutes without stopping (my personal best thankyouverymuch - I've run much longer before, but never without walking breaks). Saturday I only ate 1500 calories, and ran another 3.5 miles. This morning when I weighed, I was up 2 pounds again. What the heck? This is getting ridiculous.

I feel like I try so hard to eat well and exercise. I haven't cheated on my diet, except my scheduled weekend cheats. And I'm averaging 15 miles per week running. In fact, I think I'm "healthier" (diet and fitness wise) than about 90% of anyone I know. I guess I can chalk it up to genetics, but its still not fair. I guess I just need to vent a bit, because I'm really feeling fat and frumpy lately despite my best efforts to be otherwise.

I need to go intervene - popsicles are gone, and now the girls are fighting in G's room. Time to use some positive reinforcement.

9 comments:

Jan said...

Hang in there with the diet and exercise. I lost a huge amount of weight (a whole person, really) some years ago and I know from experience that there are times when you just plain plateau and it doesn't matter what you do. Just keep on keepin' on and it will start up again. You're doing everything right -- just don't quit. You can do this.

carrie said...

I get so frustrated, too, with dieting/exercise. It's like a roller coaster there for a while. You're doing so great though.....so don't give up. I can't believe how much you run!! I'm jealous.... I'm a bad "jogger". ha ha I'm a champ on my treadmill though. ha ha, again. :o)

janae said...

I totally admire you for being a runner. I've always wanted to run. I'd love to do a half marathon one day, but I'm afraid I'm getting too old. It is so frustrating...I went to meet with a personal trainer yesterday. She made me feel like I'd be wasting my time going to the gym not having a plan and not knowing what I'm doing. She also said I could get injured without help from a p.t. Then she told me the price. For a 3 mo program it's $3000. I just can't do that. So now I'm really discouraged. Don't feel bad about your daughter. Anyone who is a parent can understand. It's really nice to be able to vent and have others relate.

pithydithy said...

Weighing yourself daily is...errr...how do I put this gently... bad. I know, I know, you want to see progress. But weight fluctuates daily (I also always gain a few pounds right before my period in what must be bloating.) All that exercise is going to pay off. You'll see a more consistent picture with a weekly weigh-in at the same time of the day.

This all sounds very sanctimonious. Sorry. I'm also guilty of daily weigh-ins when dieting, but I do know that I was happier when not worrying about daily fluctuations.

pithydithy said...

PS-- Although I have no good advice about toddlers since I haven't gotten there yet, I didn't take your entry about Brynlee to be negative. Just a frustrated vent that any mom would need sometimes and a search for advice. We all know she's a sweetie!

Chelsea said...

You're not the only one Christie! It seems like most of us doing BL3 had a slow-down last week. It can be really frustrating. Just keep doing what you're doing though and you're bound to see results soon!

Oceanchild said...

I totally didn't read your post about Brynlee as negative. I'm probably not the one to check with though since I"m totally a glass-half empty person. I just know your frustration. Last night I had to remove my sweet parasite from my leg and bolt upstairs so I didn't feed him to the wolves. So, so whiney!!

I think it is crazy that you can do everything you do and still have energy to run. I need to get back into actual physical activities.

Megan said...

Sorry your discouraged. You've lost more than me in the BL3, so I don't have any advice to offer! I do have some running questions, but perhaps I'll e-mail you those.
Keep up the good work, as a mommy & a runner!

Lynita said...

Sorry that you are so discouraged but know that we all go through it, and maybe more often than we should. Many doctors suggest that the scale may not be your best friend but the tape measure should be. Muscle weighs more than fat and can cause the gain that your talking about. My suggestion is to take out a tape measure ASAP and measure each thigh, arm, waist, and your hips. Do this each week and you will see the difference. But you are definately onto something, you feel good and are in way better shape than most people you know...that is a huge thing! You are my inspiration and I am making myself exercise more because of you so keep up the good work!