A Rough Week

Turns out Buster wears a 24 Month size onesie.

Wow, this week has not been easy.  This is my weight in post, so up front, I lost, and that's something.  Especially for this week.  STRESS!  Buster went into the vet on Monday to get his teeth cleaned and a few removed... turns out he has the worst teeth ever.  They removed 7 teeth, but then also found out that his screwed up boy parts are even worse than we thought.  This is something I've known about since he was little, but the vet always said that as long as he could pee, that it wasn't something to worry about.  Now that they did a little poking around, turns out he'll be needing another surgery to fix what's wrong with him.  Unless I drew you a picture or showed you an x-ray, it's an impossible situation to explain, so just trust that it's weird and screwed up, and Buster was born with a VERY unusual anatomy. 

So, he went in on Monday morning, happy as a clam, and when I picked him up Monday evening he looked like death warmed over.  I think that's usual when dogs go under anesthesia.  But Tuesday, he still wasn't eating or drinking, so I had to take him BACK to the vet, and they injected some fluids.  He started pepping up a little Wednesday, and today he's almost back to the Buster we know and love.  He now has no front teeth, and has to wear a baby onesie so he doesn't pick at his stitches on his belly.  He's a mess.  I've been a mess this whole week.  You all know that I'm insanely obsessed with my dog, he's basically my hairy child.

On top of all that, we've been watching my parents' dog, Arnie, a 120-lb Irish Wolfhound.  He's a teddy bear, but caring for a huge dog in your small house while you're worried beyond belief for your own puppy, it's just a lot.  Whew.  Glad to get that off my chest. 

Anyways, the best news of the week is that for right now, Buster is doing way better.  The crappy news is that he'll have to go back under the knife at some point in the near future, for a much riskier, much more unusual surgery.  Boo.

So, I lost a pound this week, which is great, considering I usually just eat ice cream and drink wine when I'm stressed/depressed.  High five, self, for not eating your feelings!  But don't worry, while I was busy NOT stress eating, Buster did get a lot of treats.   Especially Peanut Butter, that's his favorite.

So far, this year is going well in the weight loss department, 8 lbs down in the month of January!

This week: - 1.0 lb
Total 2013: -8.0 lbs

First Goal Met

We've had a bit of snow, lately.  Don't forget- Cleveland!

My weigh in days are Thursdays, but I knew by the weekend that I'd be meeting my first yearly goal of 5 lbs.  First 5 lbs of the year- gone!  I know it'll get harder as there's less weight to lose, but the first five wasn't so bad.  The big things I'm focusing on: veggies, veggies, and more veggies.  Lean protein, eggs, cooking with healthy fats. Fruit, but not too much.  I've been trying to keep my carbohydrate intake below 40% of my daily foods.  Exercise, three times a week.  I feel like I'm re-writing Radiohead's "Fitter Happier" here. 

It's working though.  Something in common between my Cose Wellness Tracks Masters class and Weight Watchers is that both are focusing on small, achievable goals.  Within the past week, both have asked that I set an attainable goal that can be achieved in the upcoming week.  I think this is a wonderful idea, and I plan on making my new, weekly goals part of my weekly weigh in posts.  These will not be weight related goals; rather they will be nutrition/fitness/personal goals that I'd like to become part of every day life.

This week's goal: to be active during television commercials.  I still watch too much TV.  Of this I'm aware.  However, I think if I were to pick a show I want to watch, (not just channel surf until I land on whatever until the next commercial)- I'll watch during the show, and then at commercial breaks, get up and do something productive.  Not stay seated on the couch.  Productive ideas: clearing the kitchen table, putting shoes away, doing dishes, making the bed, cleaning the bathroom a little bit at a time, play with Buster, etc.  This way, I'll get to enjoy my show, AND make the house look better.  Track some more steps for the day.  Staying active is where I need to be.  (Plus it wouldn't hurt Buster to do some extra running around!)

It's nice to have some smaller goals to look forward to, instead of just a high number that seems so far away.  Weight goal #1 met!

Later this week I'll be back with some yummy, filling and healthy breakfast recipes I've been experimenting with!

This week: -3.0 lbs
Total 2013: -7.0 lbs

Making It Work

Why yes, we did visit Chuck Bass' hotel while in NYC

Thursdays are my 'weigh-in' day- I'm still doing Weight Watchers, but I think for right now I'm going to do my weigh ins at home.  It's more consistent (same day, same time, wearing the same thing) and I can almost never skip it, because it is maybe once a year that I'm not actually home on a Thursday morning.  TallBoy can almost always tell how it went by my mood on Thursday mornings- if I'm grumpy, that means I gained, and if I'm jumping around super excited, that means I lost.  This morning, he assumed I lost, because I was, in fact, jumping around, super excited.  However- that was not the case- I neither lost nor gained- but it's a big milestone for me.  I don't think I've EVER traveled and not gained weight.  Usually I travel, eat like crazy, then I'll either take another 3-4 weeks to lose what I put on during a small trip (because I come back with that vacation mentality for another few weeks), or I'll just stop following my plan.  It's alarming how many times just going on vacation has not only knocked me off the wagon, but I'll convince myself that it's not even worth getting back on.  Now- on this trip to New York- I ate some pizza, drank some beer, and even had brunch.  But my breakfasts and lunches?  Healthy!  My evenings may have consisted of pizza, reubens and beer, but it wasn't four slices, it was two.  It wasn't a whole Reuben, it was half of one, with a side of soup.  I feel like I actually got the hang of it this weekend.  I won't lie- part of me was too afraid to show my food journal to the nutritionist at my wellness class so I was kind of intimidated into eating healthy- but still, I did it.  Somewhat.  Either way, I went to New York, ate some stuff I wanted to eat, had a great time, and Didn't. Gain. Weight.  That's huge for me.  I even got back on plan Sunday night.  TallBoy was helpful- one time we were eating hot dogs at Crif Dogs and I told TallBoy at least 3 times that I wanted french fries too.  He told me, 'you said to help you.' I replied, yes, but I WANT FRENCH FRIES.  He said I'd be happier if I didn't have them, and that I'd regret it if I did.  He was right, and I didn't get french fries.

Anyways, I guess I'm just writing all this to say that even though I didn't lose this week, I kept off the 4 pounds I lost last week, and that's big time.  That's making it work.

This week: -0.0 lbs
Total 2013: -4.0 lbs

Tackling the Usual Road Blocks

My view flying into LGA

I'm doing my weigh in post a few days late, since we left for NYC on Thursday (my normal weigh in day.)  The first week of the year went incredibly well.  I lost 4 lbs (!!!!) in the first week.  I know the last couple pounds really came on quickly, so I wasn't super suprised when they dropped off quickly too.

Now- how did my traveling experience go?  Better than usual-  I ate well for breakfast and lunch each day, but dinner and drinks were another thing.  BUT- I still wrote everything down.  Which, truly, is a first for me.  Even on Sunday night, I ate a balanced, healthy dinner.  Usually when returning from a trip where I go overboard on the food, I tend to continue the unhealthy eating until at least Monday morning.  Small steps- and ones I'm very proud of.  My weigh in this morning was still higher than expected, but I have until Thursday morning to see where it really got me.

We walked so much- I logged almost 10,000 steps Thursday, almost 15,000 Friday, and over 18,000 on Saturday!  I didn't drink the normal amount of water, so that amount of walking, coupled with increased salt intake probably made me bloat up a little, but I'll spend this week rectifying that.  Getting back on track immediatly might just be my life saver this time.

Overall, it was a great trip, and while I wish I had not indulged quite as much as I did- I still feel like I was in more control than usual when I travel.

The best part of the trip?  Snuggles with TallBoy's new niece- who will soon be my niece as well!

Week 1: -4.0 lbs
Total 2013: -4.0 lbs

Starting the Year Off Right

Last trip to NYC

We're a week into January, 2013.  I'm feeling great- we're progressing really well on wedding planning, (I got THE dress this weekend!!!), I've been eating well and have cut way back on the booze front.  I'm working up to my first real challenge of the year- a weekend trip to NYC.  Last year and this year TallBoy have gotten each other the same gift- a weekend getaway to New York.  This year we're really excited to meet his brand new niece (the big reason we're going); but we're also looking forward to seeing the sights and taking in some nostalgia for him.  TallBoy used to live there, so we go and visit all his old haunts and eat at his favorite places.  It's always a good time, but even with all the walking we do, I never offset the amount of food I take in.  Every single trip I take, it's hard for me to get over the 'vacation' mentality- that I can eat whatever and drink whatever I want because I'm on vacation.  I've been mentally prepping for this trip for a week now.  I know what I want to do- splurge on one or two meals, but don't let every meal be an indulgence.  Have a few drinks but don't go overboard.  Moderation, moderation, moderation.  I don't expect to lose weight this weekend, but I do hope I can at least stay somewhat on track and maybe maintain?  I'm aware that it's just three days, but you can really do a lot of damage over the course of three days.  I have my first session of my Wellness Tracks Masters Class on Wednesday, so I'm hoping that will give me some inspiration to stay on track for the weekend.  Plus, I've got this whole week to really be GOOD to myself.  Here's to facing and defeating hurdles!

So This Is The New Year...

And I don't feel any different.

That being said, I have about a thousand new years resolutions this year.  I always have a lot, and this year is no different.  However.  I do realize that I have got to start approaching things much differently.  The biggest achievement that I can say I made in 2012 is how I've learned to love taking amazing care of my teeth.  My dental health?  Through the roof.  I hated flossing before, and so instead of making myself floss every night and hate it, I bought a Waterpik and love using it every night.  I had a problem, knew I needed a different way to solve it, and did.  Even the dentist was impressed.  Let me tell you, there is almost no better feeling than having your dentist tell you how amazing your teeth and gums look.

Last January, I talked about how I had learned a lot of good new habits in 2011, and 2012 would be the year of continuing good habits.  That happened, for about 7 months.  I could go on and on with excuses, but when all is said and done, very few of those 'habits' actually stuck with me.  Unfortunately, I gained back any of the weight I lost, and am back at square one.  I'm not giving up- I just need to find a better way to go about this.  I know it's still about eating healthy and exercising, so I need to make those habits in the same way that brushing my teeth and putting face lotion on- I need to make them second nature.  I need eating healthy to be a habit in a way that if I choose the wrong thing, I'll immediately feel the need to correct.  Like when you skip brushing your teeth, you feel gross.  I need to feel that way about healthy food. 

TallBoy and I made a long list of New Year's resolutions and I'm hanging it on the cabinet.  I'm scraping my current weight loss log and starting over- making small, incremental goals.  My first goal of the year?  To lose 5 lbs.  Not a lot, but it's a start in the right direction.  2013 should be an amazing year, and I want my weight loss to be a part of that.  Here's to making small changes that can really add up.

Happy New Year!