I’m not going to beat around the bush here. I really want to say that the scale is a fickle bitch. But I don’t usually swear here, so I hesitated to express my true feelings.
When I weighed in this morning and gained a pound and a half instead of losing anything, I shrugged my shoulders and held in my tears. As I’m not a very good actress, my Weight Watchers leader smiled and said, “Oh, I’d love to know what’s going on in your head right now.”
She might have changed her mind if she could’ve heard the whining and swearing that was going on in there.
Here’s the truth, though. The scale wasn’t fickle this week. I was.
Dang it! I hate admitting that!
Two weeks ago, I decided to cut out carbs. Well, for the most part. I ate fruit and a few starchy vegetables (corn, beans – but no potatoes), and my daily cup of yogurt was low calorie but also had some added sugar. And you know what happened? I lost five pounds.
Now, I know that’s not something I could keep up for weeks on end, but going right back to a solid gain the following week was not cool.
I know what happened, though. I saw a little bit of success and got cocky. I thought that after one week, I’d mastered the life of healthy choices and smart habits. And I let myself eat a few carbs.
Listen. I am not saying that carbs are bad. I’m not saying that a high-protein, low-carb diet is smart or right or healthy for everyone. What I’m saying is that, for me, carbs (the fluffy, bread/pasta/potatoes kind) are a trigger. Like that old commercial says (for chips? candy? I don’t know, but it’s definitely a carb.), once I start eating it I just can’t stop.
And I just can’t go there.
So this week’s weigh-in was a . . . wench. It really was. Seeing those ugly numbers on the scale was a slap in the face, and it made me mad. But I can’t really stay mad at the scale. The scale didn’t eat half a basket of tortilla chips – twice. And the scale didn’t perform a magic trick, making an entire bag of chocolate chips disappear.
That was all me.
Back to the low-carb drawing board. And back to the grocery store to buy more fruits and veggies. After all, I ate the asparagus that first week and it wasn’t awful.
[I took a picture of my plate, with my asparagus and grilled chicken, to show you proof of how healthy and awesome I was. But the picture didn’t really turn out. But that day? Well, that meal? I was SO healthy and awesome.]
Do you have a trigger food? Something you can’t stop eating once you start?
Oh that stinks! My trigger food is ice cream. Once I have it, I always want more and feel like I’ve failed in eating healthy so I may as well keep going!
Yes, the all or nothing mindset gets me down. “I’ve already eaten XYZ so I might as well just enjoy myself today and start over tomorrow . . . or next week . . . or next year . . . !”
You hang in there, Mary. You have a lifetime of good choices ahead of you. Don’t beat yourself up for making a few “wrong” choices this week. It’s all about learning and pacing yourself and trying again. I’m so glad you reported back on this because I now know that I need to go write a couple thousand words for you today. :)
That’s right! Get to work on that book! :) (And thank you.)
Hang in there, Mary. Focus on how you can eat today, tomorrow you can do the same. The Big Picture is what usually derails me of making healthier choices.
The big picture can definitely be overwhelming. So…instead…I’m making good choices today. (Please don’t ask about yesterday. But surely I deserved a teeny tiny pity party?) :)
Snack crackers are my no no. They have to be individually packaged or they will be gone in no time.
Hang in there Mary. We are all learning as we go. Admitting to how your week really went is huge!!! You are doing great! Look at the things you have accomplished! :)
Thanks, Maria. :) And isn’t individual packaging a lifesaver???
I can’t give up the sweets. I’m fortunate that I don’t gain a weight too easily, and I do actually like to exercise, so it isn’t wrecking me, but I still need to eat less. Baking is very relaxing to me usually though, so it is a regular struggle. A bad week is a bummer, but you will be successful in the long run. Keep trying!
I do hope to say that someday… (liking to exercise) :)
Cookies are my trigger food…oh man, I just can’t say no! Mary you’re doing awesome! Keep going! One week (or one pound) is not a failure! Just think of those five pounds you lost before that! You’re doing great and making really healthy choices! I’m really proud of you!
Thanks, Nik. And yes…cookies…. ;)
I’m right there with you!
Chips. Cookie Dough! Brownies. French Fries.
Worse yet, the man I’m dating is a runner, like a marathon runner. He eats WHATEVER he wants and because of his exercise regimen is so healthy and fit that it lulls me into believing I can do the same! My problem? I do not run. I gained over ten pounds in the first two months of our friendship before I realized what I was doing – Yikes!
1. Cookie dough!!!! (Way better than cookies, if you ask me!)
2. Oh, my. I feel your pain with the man. For many, many years my husband was super skinny (or active and normal-sized), and I kept up with him at every meal. And, um, YEAH, I’m paying for it now!
Raisins, cheese, peanut butter cookies. Those are all allowed on my diet (the cookies are homemade with honey and almond flour), but I really shouldn’t be eating as MUCH of them as I do. I think I just like to snack on something; I just need to find something better to snack on (but still sweet — I clearly like the sweet stuff!). I agree with everyone else here though: hang in there and keep working. Real, lasting change (which is what you want) doesn’t happen overnight.
And it’s Pringles you were thinking of: once you pop, you can’t stop! :)
Ah yes, Pringles. Well, that is true – I definitely can’t eat just one of those!
Sweets…..all sweets…..:( I’m convinced heaven will have a dessert smorgasbord that will never be empty, will always be good for you, and will make a person fit perfectly into their heavenly robes;)
Until then, I need to practice self-control on the earthly treats;)
Oh, I do love that picture of heaven!!
I know the lies you speak of (I did really good last week a little cheating won’t hurt). It is really hard to think long term with weight loss but keeping think of your mantra from last week. Choose your hard :) also get all the stuff out of your house!!
Way to throw my words back at me. :) And…yeah…it’s all out of my house. Mainly because I ate it.
Definitely ice cream. I can hear that darn Blue Bell calling to me from the freezer right now.
Darn it! That ice cream is so mouthy!
You are STILL healthy and awesome! Just think of all the folks who haven’t joined WW, who aren’t working on their food intake, and are instead sitting on the couch, bitching about being fat. You are waaaaaaaaay ahead.
Hang in there!
Thanks, Cha Cha. I am totally going to think about all those people. (However did you know that feeling better than other people would make me feel better!?) :)
I am on the same journey as you.. I was talking to my doctor yesterday and she assured me I was on the right path and doing the right things to accomplish my goal. I have certainly not been perfect, but I am trying every day. Carbs are my trigger, too, and I just have to stay away from chips and fries, or it’s all over for the day. I am a WW member and go faithfully every week. My leader is awesome and helps me set little goals for myself. The members are all encouraging and I receive a real blessing from each meeting. We can do this, with God’s help.
Jan, thank you for sharing and for the encouraging words!
I’ve so been there like a thousand times! Basically, anything sweet or baked is a trigger food for me. It’s hard but you’re doing well. The good thing is your were wiling to talk about it and move on.
It’s so hard to talk about – but talking about it makes a huge difference! Thanks for your comment!