March 30, 2016

Week 33 Weigh-in

I was really, really tempted not to post today's weigh-in. I had a small gain last week, but I wasn't concerned about it at all. I was thinking I should cut back on calories just a touch (to 2,000 per day or so); but then this week just... happened.

I want to start by saying that I didn't binge! I am very proud of my binge-free streak right now. But we had a couple of days when we went out with friends, when we ate at Jerry's friend's memorial, and when we splurged on dinner and dessert in Detroit on Monday--all of which caused me to consume more calories that I probably should have. Which is why I was really tempted not to post a weigh-in today! However, we all know that's how it starts... a bad week, and then a skipped weigh-in. Maybe one more. Then the weigh-ins are few and far between, as the scale climbs.

So, I'm posting this for accountability. It's hard to post a gain (especially two weeks in a row!), but I don't want to allow this to get out of control. The whole point of my weigh-ins is to keep me accountable, whether I gain or lose weight. Besides, I'm still far under my goal weight, so I am happy about that.


Today's weight was 127.4, which is up 3 whole pounds from last week. Yikes! My average daily calories were high, but not too horrendous, at 2,348. I'm sure that some of this is water weight, so hopefully it'll drop off in the next couple of days. (To have actually gained 3 pounds of fat in a week, I would have had to have consumed an EXCESS of 1,500 calories PER DAY. I'm thinking that the actual fat gain couldn't be more than a pound or so.)

This next week, I'm going to consciously try and cut back my calories to around 1,900 per day. I'm not setting a "limit", for reasons I've explained before, but when I was eating around 1,900 a day, I was maintaining around 123 pounds. I am hoping to be back around 123-124 when I leave for Portland/Seattle in 9 more days(!), and I don't have any major things going on this week that would cause me to overeat, so I think it's do-able. I know that I'm going to be eating some high calorie foods on my trip, and I'd like to come home weighing under 130. (Laurel is going to take me on a cupcake tour in Seattle!)

My runs were good this week:


I only did one day of speed work, so my 80:20 ratio (of easy runs to moderate or hard runs) was actually 88:12, but it's better to have too little speed work than too much. This week is my peak week before tapering for the race, so I plan to get as close to 80/20 as possible.

Anyway, as far as my other goals this week:

(The app is called Momentum)

Getting in 7,000+ steps 6+ days a week: I did it every day except for Tuesday. I had my tooth crowned on Tuesday, so I spent a long time at the dentist (they did a same-day crown). Last night, I got in bed and realized that I only had 6,000 steps, so I actually got out of bed and jogged in place while I chatted with Jerry in the bedroom ;)

Stay binge-free: Still going!! Super psyched that today is day 239 and counting. My record is 365, so I still have a ways to go to beat that, but this is the second-longest streak I've had. I was tempted with Easter candy over the weekend, but after indulging a bit too much, I made my kids promise not to give me any of their candy.

Try one new recipe per week: This week, I tried Sausage, Pepper, and Mushroom Hash. I knew my family probably wouldn't be thrilled with it, because they don't like mushrooms, but I happen to LOVE mushrooms. I figured they could just pick out the mushrooms (and put them in my bowl!).

Please excuse the very unattractive egg on top. Normally, I am the MASTER at cooking picture-perfect eggs, but instead of dirtying another skillet for the eggs, I just cooked it in the same pan, and it didn't work out so well ;)


It sure did taste good, though! The best part about this hash was the potatoes. I make hash pretty frequently, and never knew to try anything other than regular old Idaho potatoes; but this recipe called for Yukon Gold potatoes, and while they were expensive, I thought I'd give them a try. They were amazing! They held a firm texture, instead of getting too soft. And the skin is so thin that you barely notice it (usually, I peel potatoes for hash, but these didn't need to be). I'll be using them whenever I make hash from now on.

Anyway, this was a delicious, healthy low calorie dinner that I'll definitely make again. The rest of the family liked it, too (minus the mushrooms).

Overall, I feel like I had a good week, even though my weight was up. I didn't binge, I hit all my non-scale goals, and I didn't chicken out about posting my weigh-in today ;) Hopefully, I'll have a good weigh-in next week!

37 comments:

  1. That's a bummer about the weigh in, but you know what, shit happens! Just stay on top of it! My weight is up still from my trip to Cuba, (146 today) and I was bummed when I got up this morning, but, you know what, I have to remind myself of how far I have come, and if I am sitting here all day munching on Reese's pieces eggs leftovers then WHAT DO I EXPECT?! Plus I haven't been up for exercise with my depression. So. Sigh. It will be okay. It is not the end of the world. Although I know it feels like a big deflatedballoon moment when I was losing weight so easily not all that long ago. Tomorrow is running club, and I am going to cool down the not so good eating and figure this out again and it will be fine! It will be! This is the longest I have maintained a weight loss and I can do it.

    If I see 147 I will crap my pants though. For the record.

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    1. Hahaha, I feel like that about the number 130 right now. Which is crazy, because my goal weight is 133! But after seeing the low 120's for a while, to see 130 would make me upset. ;) Best wishes as you get back on track!

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  2. Thank you for sharing your weigh in this week! I am so grateful when people are real and share both the triumphs and the struggles. That recipe looks so good and I will definitely be adding that to my to-try list.

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    1. Yes, even though I hate posting about a gain, I think it's important to share the ups and downs. I wouldn't want anyone to think that I never have bad days or weeks!

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  3. I love how real and honest you are, thanks for sharing! Good news is you are still below goal and you have all the tools/plan you need to stay on track. You've got this!

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  4. You haven't binged and are under your goal weight, so you are doing great. Weight fluctuates. That's natural.

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    1. Thanks Joy! I'm used to the fluctuations--and as long as I don't have TOO many gains in a row, I'm totally okay with it ;) (It's just posting about it that's hard)

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  5. You already know everything I could say. Life happens. You're good. What I do need to say, though, is to make sure Laurel includes a Cupcake Royale on your tour. I think they're the best! They did use to suck, but my god! That cake. It almost doesn't need frosting it's so velvety. My go-to is the vanilla-vanilla, Dance Party by name. I live dangerously close to one bakery as well as a grocery store that sells 'em by the two-pack. You can get baby cakes, too, but only in chocolate and vanilla.

    Also, for your read question series, I was wondering what some of your favorite books--or even just one good one--for beginners to learn more about different types of running training, nutrition, strength exercises, etc. Or even other web sites with just all-around good, easy-to-understand info. You seem to be the queen of research...I got the Garmin Forerunner 220 based on your reviews and I love it. Just got the heart rate monitor strap today!

    Hope your visit out here is a good one. Hopefully the beautiful weather we've been having will hold out for you. There's nothing like Seattle on a sunny day.

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    1. Thanks for the suggestion Laura! I'll make sure to let Laurel know. I'm super excited for cupcakes :)

      I have to say, Runner's World magazine is a GREAT source of info for beginning runners! That's how I learned a lot of info before I started reading books on it. Now, I read a ton of books about different training methods, but for general info, RW magazine is awesome :)

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    2. And thank YOU for the suggestion! I just recently started following Runner's World on facebook and love the stuff they share there. I'll have to take the plunge and subscribe to the magazine, too.

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  6. You're such an inspiration Katie and there's no reason to beat yourself up over one off week. Quick question... is that an app you're using to track your goals and binge-free streak?

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    1. Thanks Rose! The app is called Momentum :)

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  7. Thank you for being transparent with your weigh ins! I'm sure your weight will settle down without the eating out!

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  8. No big deal - weight fluctuates and eating out always makes me gain too. You'll lose that with an blink of an eye.

    How did your 7 days of real meals challenge go?

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    1. Yes, eating out always causes me to gain some water weight. My calories were high this week, but not terrible, so I think I'll do well next week :) (I'm not sure what challenge you're referring to... maybe you're thinking of someone else?)

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    2. You mentioned on your instagram (under a frosted brownie picture if I remember correctly) that you want to stop eating sweets/dessert as a full meal for 7 days (21 meals).

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  9. I'm impressed with you for posting your weigh-in, even though you were disappointed in it. Your accountability keeps me accountable lol. I started using the Happy Scale app you mentioned, and there are some mornings I don't want to log the weight (esp. after a night out!), but I have to remind myself that even if I don't log it, it's still true and I need it to notice trends if nothing else.

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    1. Yes! I always have to remind myself that not logging something (whether it's food or weight) doesn't mean that it didn't happen. Sometimes, I'm tempted to eat a handful of this or that and not log it, but then I remind myself--who am I kidding?! ;)

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  10. You're a rock star, not because of your weight this week, but because you stayed true to yourself by posting it!! *high five* It'll be gone before you know it. :)

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    1. Posting it was tough! But I would have felt bad all week if I hadn't ;)

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  11. I'm glad you got to enjoy yourself without worrying so much about a slight up-tick on the scale. You know you've got this.....but it was very smart to go ahead and weigh in and post the result. Like you say, one skip leads to more skipping, and if you're like me, that can lead to a 50-lb. gain over a year! YIKES! I am really enjoying the Wednesday Weigh In FB page, it seems to hold me accountable, and I need that. Thanks for thinking of it, and putting it into action. I see there are over 400 members, so you're helping and inspiring so many of us.

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    1. Thanks Pam! I know you've been struggling, but you are doing really well. With my 27-pound gain in 2014, I know just how slippery the slope is. I'm glad you're enjoying the FB group! There is SO much support there--I love it :)

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  12. Katie, make sure you try Trophy Cupcakes while you are here! They are the best, and I prefer them over Cupcake Royale.

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    1. I will let Laurel know :) I'm soooo looking forward to cupcakes!

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  13. It's so hard putting yourself out there with a gain, but I really appreciate it. Your blog is one of the major reasons that I've been able to get back on track after gaining 35 lbs. over my goal weight. I've been slowly chipping away at it, but I'll never be someone who loses consistently without any gains. That's just not the way my body works. :) It's nice to see someone (you) have a good positive attitude about a gain.

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    1. Thanks so much! That's exactly what Jerry told me when I told him I really didn't want to post about the gain. But I know that gains happen--and this certainly won't be the last time--so I just have to post it and move on :)I'm so happy you've gotten back on track! Good for you.

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  14. As you say, a lot of the gain is likely water weight. Especially since eating out and processed foods have more sodium, which helps you retain the water. I can have one 6-in sub from Subway and go up 2 lbs the next day from water weight! The key is to get back on track. You've been doing such a great job that I'm sure you will.

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    1. There are certain foods that make me put on several pounds overnight, too! I absolutely love soup for dinner, and I know that the morning after having soup my weight will be up a couple of pounds. It's just a bummer when it happens the day before weigh in, haha ;)

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  15. Don't be hard on yourself! Weight goes up and down..that is normal!! You are living!! And not binging! Some weeks are that way, we are busier, eat a little more or work out a little less or whatever, and then we gain a little. So what? When we are able, we start to eat a little less or move a little more and the weight comes off. We are not good or bad if we lose or gain weight. We just are. And you are a great person, so please don't be hard on yourself! You have made great strides!

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    1. Oh, I don't think I'm being hard on myself! It's kind of funny, actually--it wasn't the gain that I was worried about, but POSTING the gain is what I was dreading ;) I have gotten very used to fluctuations over the years, and I know when a fluctuation turns into a problem. Thankfully, I haven't gotten to that point! Thank you Julie :)

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  16. You're doing great, still so well below your goal! I "gained" 3 pounds in the past few days too - 3 parties this weekend (Easter, son's bday, friend) so I ate whatever I wanted, but I did workout and am drinking water like no one's business so I expect to really be up about 1 pound at my weekly weigh in on Saturday. It's all good! We are living life!

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    1. Agreed! I had fun going out with friends and trying some great food this week, so I don't have regrets. I just need to reel it in a little now that I have a "down" week before heading to Portland/Seattle! ;)

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  17. I really admire your honesty and totally agree that it's impossible that you gained three pounds of fat in one week. I think if you eat well until your race you will feel strong and confident! And then can enjoy your cupcake tour!

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  18. Good morning! Long time reader (well for the last year) and first time posting. I have to say you and the blog are very inspiring to me! I am new to running (with just a few 5ks under my belt that I ran/walked). Through the run/walk method and my fitness pal I've lost 33 pounds in the last 6 months. I also do yoga few times a week as it is a passion of mine. I am starting to train for my fist 10k in 13 weeks; my goal is just finish. I was curious about your calories. How did you find a good number to work with? I am sorry if this was asked before! We are the same height (I am a tad over 5ft3in) and I am a little older 38; female. My goal is 120 and I am at 146 and the scale is just staying right around that mark for the last 3 weeks. I am diligent with eating, I gave up alcohol and log everything. However, I am using the 1200 calorie suggestion by MFP. Any help or links you could point me to!?!

    Again, I come to you blog and read through while on my treadmill or when I need inspiration to not give up. Because at times I still don't feel like I am or ever can be a runner!

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    1. Hi there Flo--thanks for commenting! Congrats on your weight loss and your 5Ks! I didn't really pick a calorie "cap" for the day. I just ate what felt to be a "normal" amount of food for three meals and one snack. Here is a post where I wrote more about it: http://www.runsforcookies.com/2015/11/how-i-calorie-counted-my-way-back-to-my.html
      Hopefully that helps!

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