September 11, 2016

Insights

I can't believe what a big difference there has been in my mood and motivation levels this week. I love having my kids home from school during the summer, but being off of a good routine makes me feel so unproductive and unmotivated. I talked to my therapist ("C") about it at my session on Friday, and she pointed out that I'm much busier during the school year, so the summertime is a big change.

I didn't realize it until this week, but it's true--I stay very busy on school days, trying to get as much done as possible while the kids are at school. In the summer, I seem to lose all motivation. That makes me feel unproductive and "useless", which leads to a depressive episode. Anyway, C gave me some ideas for how to prevent that from happening, which will be easier now that I've identified the problem.

I've had no problem staying on track with my eating this week, either. I struggled with it so much in the summer (until I finally accepted that I gain weight during the summer, and it's okay), but now I feel like it's just going how its meant to. I have a smaller appetite, and I'm not craving ice cream any more (it's so odd--in July, I felt like I could eat ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

Instead, I just made very loose "rules" for my calorie counting--six days a week, I'll eat under 2,000 calories; and once a week, I'll eat over 2,000 calories. That's it! I don't feel like I have to drop this summer weight by a certain deadline, so I'll just take it easy and see how it goes. If I need to adjust my calorie intake, then I will.

Side thought: I also realized that when I want to set a running goal, I definitely should do it for springtime rather than fall. Because I am much more productive during the fall and winter, I am able to train my best for a spring race; but if I was to choose a fall goal race, I would have a very hard time with eating well and maintaining my racing weight. My next goal race is the Indy Mini in 2017, so I have all fall and winter to get down to racing weight and train my best. I like that I don't feel pressed for time!

I'm listening to my appetite at each meal, and interestingly, my calorie intake has only been about 1,600 a day. When I was losing weight last year, I found that I had very little appetite in the fall. I had no idea why that was, but I just listened to it and went along with it. In the spring, my appetite picked up a lot, and then it peaked during the summer. I'm curious to see if this is a pattern for me each year. If it is, that will explain so much!

A big test for me was having a high-calorie day on Friday. I ate 3,000 calories, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to go back down under 2,000 the next day. But, yesterday, I ended up finishing the day at around 1,500 because I just wasn't very hungry. My body balanced everything out.

All of these "insights" really aren't new, if I think about it; but I never really looked at the pattern that is created throughout a year's time. I always tend to think in terms of weeks, rather than a whole year, so I'm curious if my appetite and calorie intake will correlate with my summer weight gain and fall weight loss. Just some "food for thought", so to speak! ;)

Lately, it's still been very humid here. It's supposed to cool down this week, thank God. I like running right after I take the kids to school, so I'll probably continue with that and then take the weekends as rest days. My friend Andrea and I also made plans to meet at the rec center a couple of days a week to swim. Each of us has back pain due to different issues, and we'd like to see if swimming will help relieve some of the pressure. I went with my kids and my mom yesterday--I can't say it really helped my back, but it was nice to do something different.

Speaking of doing something different, the Tour de Troit is on Saturday! I registered for it a long time ago, and I kind of wish I hadn't. I'm definitely not prepared, because I've ridden my bike exactly once this year. Ever since the roads around here were repaved with gravel and tar, I haven't been riding. They're terrible to ride on! One of these days, I want to buy a carrier for my car, so that I can take my bike to the Metroparks to ride.

The Tour de Troit is 30 miles, and I'm pretty sure I can do it, but my butt is going to be VERY sore on Sunday ;) It's not a race, so we can just really take our time. Jerry, Noah, and my mom are doing it with me, and I think Nathan may do it as well. I'm going to practice changing the tube in my tire once more before the ride, so I don't wind up with a repeat of last year's disaster (now watch, I won't get a single flat!).

I'm writing this early in the morning, because Jerry is off work today and we have plans to celebrate his birthday (which is on Wednesday). This morning, we're going to church to watch Noah in a church play. Then, we're taking Joey to the Dog Day at the Pool (the wave pool is closing for the season, so they let dogs swim in it before they drain it).

Pics from last year's Dog Day at the Pool

Later, I think we're going to cook out on the grill and make a campfire at home. We're broke after our vacation last week, so we're keeping it low key, but relaxing around a fire is one of our favorite things to do, so it'll be fun.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

12 comments:

  1. What app are you using for calorie counting?

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    1. I use Fat Secret. I used to use My Fitness Pal, but they put ads in the middle of my food log, and it would reload every time I entered an item. It was really annoying! So I switched to Fat Secret, and I like it even better than MFP.

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  2. I'm so happy that you're feeling happier and more balanced! Sounds like things are working out just right for you! Summer is super hard, I agree there seems to be a lack of scheduling so to speak but at the same time it's like I have 5 million things to do. It's like I pack all of our activities into 3 short months! I guess I'm ready for fall too :)

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  3. I've done tour de troit several times- I'd totally recommend picking up your info a day early, so that you're not rushed and flustered in the morning. Don't forget to pack your own snacks and water- sometimes they run out at Belle Isle for the slower riders!

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  4. Reflecting is so important -- because we're constantly changing and adapting. If we don't check in and adjust, we'll miss our targets!

    I was once told by a smart friend that we are all like smart missiles. If you watch how they work, they don't actually fly straight toward their target. They make thousands of tiny adjustments, with their goal in mind, so they look like they're "twitching"...

    I think this perfectly explains me! Twitching to hit my goal!

    pointfivekorean.com

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  5. I get that loss of motivation during the summer when you aren't as busy. In fact, we just decided that Sundays are no-screen days from 11-7 for everyone. We all used to go off and watch Netflix or play video games, just being lazy because it was Sunday. My husband and I have HATED Sundays forever because of the dread of going back to work on Monday, or so we thought.

    But yesterday I was just so busy that entire time, and I got so much accomplished. I didn't overeat like I usually do on Sundays, didn't "need" wine to relax last night, and I actually felt happy heading into work today. What a difference being busy makes!

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    Replies
    1. I LOVE that idea! I think I'll implement the same rule at our house :)

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  6. I get that loss of motivation during the summer when you aren't as busy. In fact, we just decided that Sundays are no-screen days from 11-7 for everyone. We all used to go off and watch Netflix or play video games, just being lazy because it was Sunday. My husband and I have HATED Sundays forever because of the dread of going back to work on Monday, or so we thought.

    But yesterday I was just so busy that entire time, and I got so much accomplished. I didn't overeat like I usually do on Sundays, didn't "need" wine to relax last night, and I actually felt happy heading into work today. What a difference being busy makes!

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  7. Reading just the first two paragraphs I could swear you were talking about me too. The summer is so hard, but it's like as soon as my kids went back to school and the hectic routine started again all my lost motivation came back and it feels so good! I was a little scared at one point wondering if my motivation was gone forever! Lol

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  8. Hi Katie, I can totally relate on the 'routine' thing. I generally feel best mentally on workdays/weekdays. Saturdays are good too, but after 2 or 3 days off, I just don't feel very mentally good, usually. It almost seems like my job is the 'mental exercise' and atmosphere that my mind needs to be in a good place. Just like needing a certain amount of physical exercise each day, for some people.

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  9. <3 Now that Noah is in school we have new routines and Im not used to it. I have to get up earlier to make sure I have enough time to make both of our lunches and get both of us breakfast (he always ate at the baby sitters), make sure his bag is all ready for school etc. Its a little overwhelming for me at the moment lol

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  10. Thanks for sharing your insight. It's funny how it can be easy to lose track of the big picture.

    It's funny because I always eat a lot less in the summer! And lose weight then, but gain it back in the fall and winter, especially, when I am back at work. I envy your pattern!

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