The Wall

So, it was about to happen, I mean they always say it will happen, but I was being optimistic and I had been doing so well, until finally it happened....I hit the proverbial WALL and did not lose any weight this week....boohoo.

I don't know if one week constitutes a plateau or not, but I am not going to let it get me down. 40 pounds lost is a lot of weight in four months, and I think that is pretty darn good. So let's exam why I didn't lose any weight this week.

1. I haven't really been exercising as much as I should these past two weeks. The winter blahs are starting to get to me and I just haven't felt like exercising at all.

2. I've had a lot of food cravings this past week....not necessarily for bad things like cakes, cookies or candies, but I've been craving salty, crunchy snacks which can only be cured by having a few chips and salsa or laughing cow cheese and crackers. Even though I thought I had these cravings under control, maybe I went a little too overboard one or two days.

3. I didn't have any miracle noodles this past week. I didn't really believe it when I read that they can actually help you to lose weight, but maybe they do. I'm not one to believe all the hype, but they seem to be a decent product and I'm learning to cook with them properly so that we like how they taste.

4. Maybe I didn't calculate some of the foods correctly when I was figuring their points value. There were a couple of meals that I had a hard time finding out just what was in the meal in the way of calories, fat and fiber.

After examining all these options, I think it's most likely the lack of exercise and giving into some of my cravings that are the main culprits. There is no excuse. I won't beat myself up over it though because it's only one week and maybe this coming Sunday I will have a good weigh-in to help make up for it. Heck, at least I didn't gain anything, right?

So Sunday I was feeling sorry for myself and decided to go through my winter clothes and get rid of everything that was too big. I collected a whole 13 gallon trash bag full of clothes and I didn't even get through my jeans yet. Some of the pants I found have never even been worn....still have tags even. I probably could have gotten rid of more, but I kept a few things that still looked decent on me and that didn't seem too big. As I have to buy new clothes, I will have to toss out something old so that I don't overflow my closet. I thought about saving these to sell myself either on eBay or at a yard sale, but I really don't have a place to store them until then, so I think I will just donate them to the Rescue Mission. I always had a hard time finding clothes in my size there, and I know there is a need for them, so I will feel good about donating them.

I went to the mall with my sister and niece last week and got a glimpse of myself in the mirror and finally realized that I just had to break down and buy some smaller clothes. I looked so frumpy. I now have enough shirts to get me through for a while, but I have a hard time finding pants that fit right. I'd like to find a couple of pairs of jeans so I can get rid of the ones I have which are so big and baggy it's ridiculous.

While I was sorting clothes, I came to a realization that I was actually buying clothes that were already bigger than I needed because I was always afraid I would grow out of them in a short amount of time. I hope I never have to feel that way again, whether I realize that is what's happening or not. Even though I didn't drop any weight this week, I still feel in control of my weight and feel more confident in knowing that I can do it.

So my goals this week are to concentrate more on exercising and gaining muscle which I have been very lax about doing. The weight was coming off so easily that I really wasn't pushing myself as much as I should be. Hopefully weather will start to improve in March and it won't be such a chore to take walks outside.

I hope everyone is having a good week!