July 06, 2016

Week 47 Weigh-in

I'm not going to reflect much on my weigh in today, because I wrote it all last week. My "moving average" is up a little more... again. I wish I could say that after last week's confessional about my struggles right now, I pulled myself together and kicked ass this week. But, that's not the case. I am pulling myself along to the best of my ability right now, and that's all I can really do.


Yesterday, I read an email from a reader regarding last week's post, and it really made me stop and think. She said to try to focus on the parts of fitness and food that make me happy rather than looking for that specific area to improve. I really like that idea! I am always so focused on the struggles and how to fix them that I never really think about the parts that I enjoy.

Here are some things about food and fitness that I really enjoy:

  • Watermelon (I'm obsessed with watermelon right now!)
  • Easy runs (the truly easy ones, when I feel like it's a light jog)
  • Home-cooked food
  • La Croix water
  • Running with my kids and Jerry
  • Feeling fit
  • Logging my food on Fat Secret (yes, I'm in the minority, but I love logging my food!)
  • Hitting my step goal on Fitbit (I started wearing it again last week)
  • Looking at my running data (because I'm a numbers nerd)

Okay, that's what I could come up with for now. I just realized how rare it is that I really think about how much I enjoy those things! Lately, I've been stressing about the things I'm doing "wrong"--snacking when I'm not hungry, overindulging in ice cream, etc.--that I haven't thought about the things I'm doing "right"--drinking tons of water, getting in my runs, eating a lot of fresh fruit, etc. I think that simple mind trick might help with my mood and stop me from worrying so much about it.

Anyway, while this week hasn't been great as far as eating goes (I typically have one good day, one bad day, one good day, etc...), I've had an AWESOME week as far as my running goes. I unintentionally started a run streak, and yesterday was actually Day 10. I don't normally do run streaks, because I believe rest days are super important; but like I said, I didn't do this intentionally.

Last Wednesday, I scheduled a rest day, but that morning, I really wanted to run. So I did! I was going to rest on Friday, but it was raining in the morning, so I headed out to get in my "Rainy Run" on my Cookies Summer Running Checklist. Then on Monday, I was scheduled for another rest day, but since I wanted to get in a run for the 4th of July (again, for my Checklist), I ran again.

So, while last week I mentioned that I really need to make a running schedule because I was having a hard time getting motivated to run, now I feel overly motivated--crazy! I really like having a routine, and after a rest day, I always have a hard time pushing myself out the door to run. It's comfortable doing the same thing every day, and for the last 10 days, that's included running.

My mileage hasn't been crazy, though--there were three runs that were just two miles. I never used to think a run was worth it if it wasn't at least three miles long, but I've really enjoyed the two-milers this week. I've liked doing my Summer Running Checklist a lot, too!


Today, I broke the run streak in order to take a rest day. I was tempted to continue the streak, but the last thing I need is to get injured again. Now, if only I could just get overly motivated to work on my diet... ;)

This week, I'd like to focus on getting back into the habit of eating on a schedule. I think that is what was most helpful in not overeating when I was doing really well. Lately, I've been snacking a lot in the afternoon and evening, when I am not even hungry, which is where the problem is.

BUT--like I said above--I am not going to focus on the problem right now. One thing that I enjoy about eating on a schedule is that I actually feel hungry when it's time to eat, and food tastes so much better when I'm hungry. So, instead of stressing about snacking all afternoon, I'm going to try to keep in mind how much I enjoy my snack at night when I'm actually hungry. I think this approach will help with my mood/attitude.

So, thank you, Reader (not sure if you want your name mentioned, so I won't) for the suggestion of focusing on the things I enjoy about food and fitness! It's very refreshing :)

24 comments:

  1. I'm in the same situation regarding weight gain. I did worry initially (it's been a few months now) but not anymore. I believe that when the weight you're at is unnaturally low for you, your body is fighting to get to it's set point.

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    1. Yes. I don't necessarily believe it's because the weight is unnaturally low for your body or that the "set point" is set to the point where it can never be shifted, but I agree. Katie, I think you're struggling with what many of us that have lost a lot of weight in a short period of time run in to. Try as you might, it's really hard to avoid. I hit my low weight for my wedding last December and have been on a rapid climb ever since.

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  2. Love the idea of listing the things you enjoy doing. I am going to so the same. Right now I am with you...one good day two bad, three good, one bad, etc. But we can't give up...no matter what!

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  3. Katie,
    What I find difficult about the summer months is the lack of consistent routine. When I am home for hours in the afternoon I keep reaching for snacks. During the school year we are busy running around in the afternoon. How about working on a puzzle? You loved that! 💪🏻🌈 Michelle

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  4. I love that you are continuing to post your weekly weigh in, and being honest about your struggles. That is what is going to ultimately help you succeed in maintenance. Thanks for your candor!

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  5. I get the struggle. Don't give up! You've done so well. Sometimes I find it helpful to focus on just one (seemingly too easy) thing. Lately just working on not eating after dinner has been enough to help shift my diet. Good luck

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  6. We are so similar, it is almost frightening...although I am 50 and have been continuing the struggle for that much longer than you. I tried to write this after your struggles post, but I was on my phone and it disappeared.

    Unless I had a goal or a plan( I shouldn't use the past tense) I was/am depressed, anxious and wanted/ing to sleep my life away. It wasn't good for me or my family. Sure, I accomplished all of my goals and looked great, but I sacrificed a lot for that.

    Last fall I decided to give it up for good. No more dieting or healthy eating plans, no more tracking, no more running 1/2 marathons with burning calories as the real, underlying goal. So scary, and it took me almost a year to finally even begin to try this approach. It hasn't been easy, AT ALL!! I wanted to see if I could be happy without these coping methods that I thought cured my depression and anxiety, but in retrospect think caused them. You know, the chicken and the egg theory; which came first? Actually, it has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. Am I happy? Sometimes. I am depressed? Sometimes. Have I gained weight? Yes, maybe 10 pounds and a dress size.

    Currently, I'm freaking out about things. I want to go back to my old ways. But, if I do, I know I will be continuing it until I am 85 like my mom who continues it as well. Is that a bad thing? I am not sure. I probably will never know.

    Thank you for your blog. Thank you for being so honest. Thank you for being real. Thank you for letting me comment. I hope I didn't offend you in any way. I get more help online than all of the years of therapy I've gotten.

    Oh, also thank you for the interval post. It has pushed me to increase my speed because I too love going for all easy runs.... :) I will never quit running!

    Jackie
    p.s. If you haven't already read their blogs and podcasts, look into Isabel Foxen Duke, Summer Innanen and bodyposipanda. They have been invaluable resources for me this year.

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  7. Another thing to consider....I am MUCH better hydrated in the summer...When I get up to pee at 3 am, I slug down at least one bottle of water as I simply hate using the park restrooms unless I have to entertaining when a person is walking three dogs plus they are disgustingly humid in the summer...so I want to pee before I leave the house, so that could be part of your weighing more too...I also got 'super low' before our Tracking Dog Excellent test (we passed !) and of course think I now should weigh 128 when 133-135 is really a good weight for me...I too struggle with 'snacking' with the longer days and try to keep my hands busy with crafts :) Kat Farres aka Walks With WOOFS !

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  8. chewing gum in the afternoon or evening when I am feeling snacky but not hungry helps me a ton. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

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  9. Keep up the good work! I think as a runner you probably reached a peak racing weight at that low point. I am not really trying to lose weight at the moment per say but as my training gets more intense I am slowly losing weight, without altering my eating habits much (eating more in fact). I am pretty aware that post racing my weight will probably inch up again - which pro runners gain back some good weight as they recover (feel like I have read 8-10 pounds and more). I know you want to make sure it doesn't spiral out of control but it is natural to gain after a race if you did lose some as intensity decreases.

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  10. Whoever sent you that email is a genius! I had never thought about it like that, but it makes so much sense. I recently took the StrengthFinder 2.0 assessment, and in the report they say that they only give you the top 5 because it takes way more effort to better a weakness than it does to improve a strength. I think the same principle would absolutely apply to health and fitness.

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  11. Man Katie!! I love your blog and your honesty!! It is hard to maintain and yes especially in certain months. For me its the holiday season. But we as a family do work and function better on a schedule like when the kids are back to school. Keep a balance and focus on exactly what your other reader said, the things that make you happy about all this. At the end of the day life is life and it goes on. Don't beat yourself up just try to focus on the moment you are in. =)

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  12. I totally get how you feel about rest days and then the struggle with the run after a day off. It’s like a break in the routine if I don’t get up, lace up, and get a good sweat out. So, for the last 5 weeks I’ve challenged myself to not take a “day off”.

    Instead, I have active recovery days – days which used to be rest, but now include a short walk, some light yoga, pilates, or low impact strength training – anything where I get up, lace up, and do something.

    In this way, I’ve done the same thing every day – which feels so GOOD! Falling into a habit makes getting up easier and makes the running days feel like just another day…

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  13. Congratulations on the great running week and for staying within your goal weight. It could be that your goal weight is where your body is happiest and that the lower weight you reached was related to the training that you were doing. I drop pounds when training for a big race and then gain it back when I return to my usual mileage.

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  14. I think you should be really proud of yourself, and all that you've accomplished with respect to running and weight loss. But it seems like a significant source of your challenges - at least as you describe them, and I completely acknowledge that I only know what I read here and that's a very small portion of your life - is not having enough to do/having too much time on your hands. I suspect if you had a job - even just a consistent volunteer gig - you would not have the same struggle.

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  15. AnonymousJuly 08, 2016

    Katie, as someone who has lost weight and is recovering from BED, I urge you to reconsider some of what you've said, such as the fact that you have alternating bad and good days, that you're often snacking/overindulging in the afternoons and evenings, and that you don't sound like you're in a great place overall. Have you considered talking about these behaviors with your therapist and asking why they occur?

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    1. That's one of the main reasons I started therapy--yes, I've talked about it a lot! :)

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  16. Thank you for this post, Katie! I am in the same boat. It's almost like I could have written this post. Just know that you are NOT alone. Maintaining is HARD. Making those good decisions over and over again is HARD. Good for you for putting in the time and energy and work. Your health and your family will be the better for it. Keep it up...you got this. :)

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  17. Are you still binge free? You have made it so far. Be proud of yourself regardless of your current struggles.

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  18. This post made my heart so happy! You have accomplished so many wonderful things, it makes me sad to see focus shift to the "wrong." I recently started bullet journaling (I am COMPLETELY obsessed now) and I make a daily goal tracker. It's a list of things like "Drink 100oz of water" and "Count calories" and my goal is to make sure I have more squares colored in than not by the end of the week. It has done wonders for my psyche. Seeing it black and white (or, in my case, hot pink and black) and knowing that I'm making more good decisions than bad has helped me focus more on making better decisions. I get a weird sense of pleasure out of filling out those boxes.
    Another thing I'm trying is putting a real effort into meal prep. It always seemed so time consuming and boring. Then I realized that I actually LIKE eating the same things over and over again (for a week at a time, not for infinity). Plus, the few hours on Sunday saves me double the time through the week (I work and go to school full-time so that’s super convenient). I was so excited to have all my meals ready for me when I woke up yesterday morning. It took all the stress out of thinking about what I would eat this day or that or under certain circumstances.
    I started seeing a therapist earlier this year and she has been a tremendous help. Not only with my relationship with food and adjust to a 200 pound weight loss, but also in showing me how conditioned our behaviors can become without even realizing it. I think the key to maintenance and weight loss is breaking through those conditions and focusing on what’s best for our bodies and our minds and realizing that those things are going to change over time.
    Keep up the hard work! I know the struggle is real, but you’ve already done the hard part. Practice makes perfect. ;)

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  19. Katie, I'm probably behind but I saw in this post that you are now using Fat Secret to count calories. Do you like this app better than My Fitness Pal and what are the differences? Thanks!

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  20. Katie, I'm probably behind but I saw in this post that you are now using Fat Secret to count calories. Do you like this app better than My Fitness Pal and what are the differences? Thanks!

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    1. Yes, I like it better than MFP! :) http://www.runsforcookies.com/2016/05/fat-secret.html

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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