I feel like my weight loss is a little stalled. Okay, if I’m being honest I haven’t stalled but the rapid rate of pounds dropping has slowed down a little over the last 10 days.
Oh how quickly we grow accustomed to losing three to five pounds a week so losing “only” two pounds feels like a stall. I’m telling myself to not be ridiculous. Two pounds are still two pounds and as long as I’m sticking to my food plan and exercising, the weight will continue to come off smoothly and steadily.
The rational adult side of me knows this and is satisfied. The childish side of me that sometimes comes out to whine says, “But I want to lose fasssterrr!” That child is tired of thinking, “I’ve lost almost 95 pounds.” Yes, I admit it. I wanted to lose 100 pounds at the six month mark. It was a secret, seemingly impossible, goal that I set in my head. If I count by number of weeks, then a week from today will be 24 weeks since my surgery. Divide that by the average of four weeks to a month and next week counts as 6 months. I don’t think that I’m going to lose seven pounds in the next seven days.
If I go by the actual calendar date, I can calculate it differently. I had the surgery on January 25th. So, perhaps I should really make July 25th the six month mark instead. I’m positive I can lose the full 100 pounds by then. If the mathematic month manipulation brings me positive reinforcement, why not? That’s my decision and I’m sticking to it!
It’s probably not a good idea to focus so strongly on the numbers and I swear that I’m not completely obsessing. My mood and spirit do not generally fluctuate depending on what I see on the scale. I know that I’m doing the work and progress will be made. The most important thing is for me to remember that every day is another step down the road on the journey. One day at a time I need to stay on track and I’ll get there.
Holy wow. Look what I’ve done just since January! That’s what I need to remember when the whiny side makes an appearance. It should be enough to shut her up.
I was talking to my sister-in-law earlier today and told her that these two pounds were being stubborn. She reminded me to just keep walking. Right now, walking is not the most pleasant activity in Florida. While, ironically, it isn’t as hot here as it is in most of the rest of the country, I don’t love it with the sun baking down on me. I am, however, committed to just keep moving. I’m exercising in the pool multiple evenings a week. I’m faithful to my Tai Chi. I haven’t been back to Zumba, but next week I am determined to try one of the regular classes to see if I can keep up. Today I tried a new workout program that I heard about from my friend Beth. (Hi, B!) It stars Valerie Bertinelli and her personal trainer. I popped in the DVD and picked the 20 minute beginner program. If you’re looking for a program led by friendly, non-intimidating people that actually does deliver some cardio and strength training, this is a good place to start. There were a couple of floor exercises that I couldn’t quite manage all of the way, but when the program was over, I could feel the positive effects. I’d also worked up a sweat and boosted my heart rate.
I’m going to supplement my other efforts with this program for a while and then step up to their 40 minute workout. I also realized mid-way through that I can use several of the exercises in the pool which will increase the effects of that effort.
Is anyone else a Finding Nemo fan? In it Dory the blue tang (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) reminds herself to just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. When it comes to my journey, playing the numbers game, and continuing to exercise, I’m taking Dory as inspiration and will just keep moving. Just keep moving.
Weighty Matters 
It’s not mathematical manipulation… the only month with four weeks in it is February. And February is the shorty month!
Two pounds lost is a pretty good week, but I understand what you mean. I don’t know why these slow downs happen. They seem pretty common, though. Good luck meeting your goal. Glad you’re staying out of the heat. Exercise in the pool seems a better option than walking right now. You’re doing a great job.
You’ve been swimming and now you’re treading water a little, but you’ll get there 🙂
You seem to be right on track with your goals, and you’ll soon have the numbers where you want them to be. I look at goals as guidance markers.
Do you ever get light-headed or do your snacks keep your body humming along?
Susanne
I only get light-headed if I miss a snack and let too many hours go in between eating something or if I don’t drink enough fluids. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen often. I carry protein bars in my handbag and, at work, always have cheese or nuts or something that can tide me over.