Well, sorry I'm not going to tell you....at least today. My weight is a highly guarded secret. Sometimes Jim comes in the bathroom when I'm on the scale. I immediately jump off and hide the number with my foot. I know some people just throw their weight out there all the time, but I don't, especially when the number is no where close to where I want it to be right now.
But, I'm considering telling you. Because I know for me, and many others, weight loss is so much about accountability.
About a month ago I wrote a post about how I was ready to lose weight. I had finally gotten to the point where I knew I had to make a change. I didn't. I lost a few pounds, only to gain it back. Now a month later, I'm still at the same weight.
Here's my problem. I eat healthy and I exercise alot. I eat tons of salads and fresh fruits. I workout 10+ hours per week. But I also eat junk. I love SUGAR. As a matter of fact I think I am truly addicted to it. I want it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So in my mind, when I workout as much as I do I can eat it. But it doesn't work that way. Two workouts a day (some days) does not mean I can eat whatever I want. Lately, I've had a craving for Little Debbie Brownies. You can buy them at the convenience store. They are like 800 calories for one brownie. I also love Cadbury Eggs and Cadbury Mini Eggs this time of year. Delish!
It makes me so mad at myself that I don't have more self control. I can put together a training plan for a half marathon, marathon or triathlon and stick to it. But for some reason I can not stick to eating healthy....all the time. Not just for a day or two, but all the time. Part of the reason is because I'm aging and weight loss is slow. I used to be able to really watch what I ate for a day or two and I could lose 5 pounds, now I'm lucky to see the scale move 1 or 2 pounds in a week. It's easy to lose your motivation this way.
So, I am considering just putting it all out there. Let you in on my little secret and then post weekly about my weight loss. Accountability.
I've seen other bloggers that do this. Have you found it works?
Triathlon season is just around the corner and I'm 15 pounds heavier than I was this time last year. Is that wet suit gonna fit?? How about those tight tri shorts?? It's not gonna be pretty if I don't do something soon.
Thoughts?? Opinions?? Words of Advice??
I feel the same way! I hate that the more I train/ work out the more I want to eat. It's a terrible cycle.
ReplyDeleteDon't beat yourself up about it. Sugar actually IS addicting. It's not just you. Cutting it out is HARD, but just like any addiction, once it's gone you feel better. It's just getting over the addiction that's the hard part. UGH!
Hang in there Michael! I think you look great but I totally get that weight is a totally personal thing and I can tell you how great you look all day long but that doesn't really matter if you yourself don't feel great.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth you might consider giving up sugar for just 2 weeks. After Easter of course. :) I'd be glad to jump in on a challenge like this with you and hold you accountable.
Even at my goal weight (which I am not) I still have a muffin top....those tri shorts are never pretty. Sigh. Hang in there. I know how you feel. Yesterday I went to a meetin and ate 4 pb cookies & chips. No self control.
ReplyDeleteIf you think it will help, you should totally put it out there! I know for me, sharing it makes me think about it more... and it turn I self sabotage and eat even more sugar.
ReplyDeleteSigh. A friend and I keep talking about how we just can't stop with all the snacking of the junk food. It's so hard. That stuff IS purposefully addicting.
I tried sharing my weight/loss after having my son but I slacked off when the weight wasn't coming off the way I wanted.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a sugar fiend. It just snow balls - so if I eat one bad thing, I'll eat a second and then I eat the third thinking I'll start anew the next day. I'm trying to rein it in for racing weight purposes. I started writing daily goals to keep me accountable to ME, and so far so good. But it is day 2.
Ugh. I'm in the same boat. I was at my lowest last spring... and then I slowly tacked it all back on. I'm so bummed out about it. And I'm identical to you... I exercise and eat well... but love my sweets. Can you say peanut butter M&M's?!?! UGH! I'm also pressed on time a lot, so I eat in a hurry or in frustration. The only thing that has really motivated me was when I was part of a "team" at the gym for weight loss. I felt like others were counting on me.
ReplyDeleteI think you need to do what makes you comfortable and also what is effective for you. If you truly think putting it out there will help, then do it. If you think that will be really hard for you, then don't. You'll find your way if it's what you really want. FWIW--I think you're gorgeous and healthy looking!
ReplyDeleteHa! I always worry about that wet suit fitting. I am a bit heavy myself and we could be eating twins. Everyone thinks I eat so healthy because I have a salad every day for lunch but I love me some sugar too. Black jelly beans, yes please. Too full for dessert when we eat out? Of course not. Good luck. You may inspire me yet again.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you have to publish your weight, but maybe your weight loss goal amount and the status and still keep that your little secret!!
ReplyDeleteI have had the same issue as you, I swore in February I would start documenting what I eat so I pay attention and that is when I lose it...and that turned into March....and now April. I am thinking I am just going to start it tomorrow!
I think you should share the number only if it helps you
ReplyDeleteYou might just say I need to loose xx lbs and each week share the progress...
Before loosing 75lbs I would never let anyone know the number not even my husband. I just recently shared my highest with him..he had no clue it was over 200 lbs!
Do what it good for YOU
For me training is a great reason to cut loose the diet strings. I see biggish numbers on my Garmin and that's like an invitation to eat junk.
ReplyDeleteFor me training is a great reason to cut loose the diet strings. I see biggish numbers on my Garmin and that's like an invitation to eat junk.
ReplyDeleteI need some inspiration too. I'm about 20lbs heavier than 2 years ago and I don't like it. I LOVE sweets too. Maybe I need an intervention
ReplyDeleteYou're singing my song sister. I tried to do a month of sugar free with my cousin - I made it three days. This winter I lost 10 lbs. with Diet Bets. I've kept it off, and it was fun.
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone. I, too, am a sugar addict. I eat healthy balanced meals, exercise 5 days a week but stuff my face with sugar. I hate it and I love it. I plain stinks. I could eat ane entire bag of Skittles in one sitting. I just took a peak at DietBet and if you start one, I will totally join in. :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about he weight!! I am a heavy person. I just am - people think I weigh a lot less than I do, and have a constant battle with the muffin top.
ReplyDeleteWhat has helped me most of all was cutting out all sugar. It was amazing. Eat fruit, but not processed sugar.
Try it for a little while - I gave it 2 weeks and it really made me shrink and lose some of the extra weight I gained last year and I haven't turned back. It isn't easy, but it is worth it IMO.
Your post reminded that when I'm on the scale, my wife tries to hold down the back corner with her toe so it looks like I weigh more than I do :-).
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the weight loss. It is tough when training as much as you do since muscle weighs more than fat. Factor in how your clothes fit too. You may lose a couple inches off your waistline and not lose much weight.
I'm headed in the wrong direction in that area. My training is down, weight holding steady, but added an inch or two to the waistline.
Sugar IS addicting. I've been trying to actively make better choices for a week. It's not that hard, it's just that its way too easy to stop and buy junk! (Hello egg shaped m&ms!) You have to put your foot down and own up to your decisions. Yes, you can still have treats but not 900 times a day! This morning I avoided part of the building bc I heard someone had donuts to share and I didn't want to be tempted. So far, so good lol
ReplyDelete