Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Crap Or Get Off The Pot

Well, crap.

One year ago, I was in really good shape.  I was running, I was starting to train for my first half marathon, I was eating for fuel.  I felt healthy and strong.

In a couple of months, my life would get an overhaul when new responsibilities were added to my plate at work.  It was a major increase in work load and work stress.  And it turned my healthy living upside down.  No more time for lunch- so no more lunch hour trips to the gym or to go for a run.  I would forget to eat a lot of days and would end up ordering food in or grabbing something from the vending machine.  My stress eating came back full force- junk to soothe the stress, night time munching to alleviate my guilt.

I tried to get back on track several times.  And then work would throw me another doozy of a situation and I would easily fall back into working through my lunch break and not going to the gym and relying on stress eating for comfort.

I realized recently that I can't do this alone.  For the first time, I was going to need serious help to get this done.

I attended an informational meeting at work about my company's intentions for Healthy Living opportunities in the coming year.  And I knew I needed to make some changes.

It's time to do something.  Or quit altogether.  I feel like I've done enough quitting over the past months.  I'm tired of the day ending and me realizing that I've skipped any activity, that I've consumed junk, and that I've calmed my stress with food.

It's time to crap.  More than that, it's time to give a crap again.

I am taking a step I've never taken before.  I have to say that it really scared me.  It was the biggest recognition of my fat status...

I joined Weight Watchers.

I'm going to do the online program for 3 months.  My intention is that this will get me back into a routine, even with the not-so-new-anymore changes in my life.

I've already got some great support from friends.  I have friends who have done WW before and are doing it again.  I've got friends who have support groups on Facebook that they have invited me to be part of.

I'm enjoying the refresher in the ease of preparing veggies as a quick snack.  Last night, I made cauliflower poppers as a TV watching snack.





It's another step on the journey.  Another step towards setting a healthy example for my family, towards feeling strong and healthy, towards wanting to set a fitness goal.

In the back of my mind, I keep thinking that the first 5K I ever ran is one that I want to run again this year.  And I'd love to run it better than the first time and better than the second time.

It's time to crap or get off the pot.  I'm not done trying.  I'm not giving up.  Turns out, I'm ready to crap.

Edited to add:  I'm going to dedicate Mondays to my healthy living update.  Monday is the day I weigh in for Weight Watchers.  I have friends dedicating themselves to healthy living- some through WW, some on their own.  I'd love it if we can check in together each Monday and share successes, challenges, and so on as we feel comfortable.  We're all going to crap together!  Wait, that sounds wrong...

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12 comments:

Amy said...

I'm so with you, girl. It's really frustrating to be back here again. Every time I read about someone having success at weight loss, someone asks how they did it and 90% of the time is WW. I know it works. I just need to work it.

Unknown said...

It is super frusturating to be back there again. But I think it's great that you are recognizing it and determined to fight back!

Lola said...

I've been in the same boat for the last year (ever since starting my new job). I've kept up with running- but not at the same intensity- and the strength training I was doing is essentially non existant....eating for fuel? I'm not sure I recognize those words anymore.
I did a full on CUPCAKE RUN yesterday afternoon...Because I had had 2 days of back to back to back meetings while working through lunches and stressed to the max....I SHOULD have taken that 30 mins to take a walk and eat an apple. Instead I stuffed my face with a Cannoli Cupcake (yes, it WAS heaven- but worth it? hardly).
I'm not doing WW- but I am going to recommit with you- here and now. I won't be perfect, I know there will be obstacles- but I'll be keeping tabs on you- and keeping tabs on me in the process.

Eternal Lizdom said...

I'm thinking of doing a weekly update on the blog- my weigh in is Monday so Monday's post might be dedicated to my progress, my struggles, my food choices, my activity. I'd like a detailed journal this time so I can really look back and see how things are going.

Unknown said...

Good for you! I've also fallen off...gained about 25 pounds of those 70 I lost. I can't do huge workouts right now due to my neck, and the medication I'm on (steroids) are making it hard to control my eating. BUT, I'm trying to walk more and more for exercise...been getting up at 6:20 every day to walk with a neighbor before I have to get kids up and start that process. Baby steps, Miss Liz! Good luck to you!

Alison said...

I've only ever heard good things about Weight Watchers--it's reasonable, it's easy, it's a lifestyle change instead of a diet, and the support makes all the difference. I think it's a great move.

I've been keeping a secret: I signed up for yoga classes about three weeks ago. I can only afford to go once a week, but I've also been going to the gym as many days as possible. I don't know what happened, but I finally got my determination back after about 10 years. I even got up early this morning to get my Wal-Mart run in, so I can hit the gym after work even though my parents are arriving at my house today. How's that for determination? (I asked Mom for permission to go to the gym, lol.)

So, since I don't have the support of WW, I like the idea of your Monday-morning check in here. Might help keep me honest over the weekends. (That said, I'll be traveling to Chapel Hill this weekend, not sure how I'll do!)

C. Beth said...

Good for you, Liz!! I've heard such good things about WW through the years, and their formula for points really is based on science.

Alison said...

Oh, and I also meant to say I love your title for this post! LOL!

Karen M. Peterson said...

I had some great success with WW back in the day. I've been thinking about joining again. Like you said, it's helpful for just getting back into those good habits.

Good luck!

Heather said...

Congrats on getting yourself back on track. WW is a great program because it becomes a lifestyle, not a diet. Good luck! Can't wait to track your progress.

Garret said...

Yay... welcome to WW!

Nancy said...

Crapping here with you....