The problem with writing is that you never can quite tell (at least at these levels of anonymity) whether or not what you write is appreciated and if more is desired.
If you’re looking for my reason for having taken a nearly 5-month hiatus, that’s it. I have decided, though, that I need to stop worrying about how my blog comes across and rather focus on its original intent. This blog was truly meant for me as a way to hold myself accountable to my weight-loss efforts. If you enjoy reading it, great! If you don’t, you can find an “X” at the top right corner of your screen! In all honesty though, I like knowing that there are at least some people reading my words. Makes these efforts feel more than just journal writing (which I have never excelled at). So ignore the part about clicking the “X” please.
I wanted to get back to writing because depending on the date I use, I’m right around one year from the time that I decided to try again. The earliest weight check I have from this go-around is from 02/20/2021. My first post back on here was from 02/27/2021. So I’m in the ballpark and feel keen on writing today.
Generally when I don’t write for awhile, it’s because I have limited updates and feel as though I’d just be spinning my metaphorical wheels and rehashing previous topics. Not today my friends! *Let me insert here that I just went back and re-read my last post. Talk about rehashing the same topics!* Alright, in order to do better with maintaining my consistency and momentum, I’m going to include a poll in my post today. It’ll be down towards the bottom, so keep your eyes out for it and PLEASE vote.
Anyway, during my last post, I mentioned that by the time I wrote (end of September) I had lost about 20 pounds. The progress was slow in coming, but had started to pick up a bit. Looking back on that gives me even more satisfaction in saying that since then (about 5 months) I’ve lost an additional…40 POUNDS! So overall, in the past year I’ve lost about 60 pounds! (I’ll pause while you send out positive thoughts into the universe and towards me)
Now I’ll be honest, there are things that I’m happy with and things that I’m not happy with regarding my weight loss journey so far over the past year. My biggest qualms are that I don’t feel as though my gut looks much different. I KNOW that there’s a difference, but it doesn’t feel like it looks like it. When I’m letting my stomach hang out to it’s fullest without any muscles engaged to do the good ol’ “suck it in to look slightly thinner, but who are you kidding” look, I don’t see much change in the mirror. I can suck it in more now, so there’s that! I have seen some changes on my face:
Have no fear, you shall not be subjected to “the gut” in all of it’s massively pale glory.
There have been some other milestones/perks along the way that. In December, I was finally able to fit back into my suit which I hadn’t been able to do since around when the lockdown began. Even then, it didn’t fit as well as it fits now.
I will state there is an injustice in my family. My teenage boys are both fairly thin. It’s disgustingly unfair how much junk food they’re able to consume and I was never as thin as them. Well, hopefully they won’t have to worry about following my path.
Another perk stems from the limits of some of the workout machines where I go. Using the elliptical or treadmill, they allow you to enter your weight to better calculate your calories burned. When I first started going, I was over 25 pounds over the maximum. So I just always put in the maximum and didn’t think about it. It took me a couple of days to realize when the switch happened and I was able to put in my actual weight. I’m more than 30 pounds below that maximum now!
Speaking of working out, I’ve become much more consistent. I know go to the gym 6 days a week before work, rotating through the muscle groups that I’m working on. I’ve also been toying with adding in cardio using my Oculus on some of the evenings. I enjoy it a lot as long as I’m careful not to over due it (two muscle injuries since September).
Things are generally going well. I have hit a mini plateau over the past couple of weeks, but I’m now able to look at it with the mindset of it being a temporary stopping point. My mental health surrounding my ability to enact changes in my life is greatly improved. And even though I may not be seeing the changes in all the places and in all the ways I would like, I know that they’re gradually changing. I mean, it took me a good 16 years to get to the size I was. While I know it won’t be another 16 to get to where I would like to be, I’m able to have grace for myself and be proud of the strides I’ve made.
So the moral for today’s post goes out to everyone, whether you’re thinking of starting a weight loss journey, stuck in the middle of it somewhere, or battling to achieve any other goal. Be persistent, find and appreciate the small achievements you are making, and allow them to solidify your motivation!
Okay, on to the poll. I think if I had viewer input on how often you would be interested in hearing from me, I would take that as a bit of a “challenge accepted” type motivation and do better with my writing consistency. So please vote! Any choice listed is a choice that I am okay with, so don’t think you’re making more work for me than I’d want!
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