weighty concerns

when I stepped on the scale this morning it read around 3 lbs heavier than yesterday and I knew that just wasn't right. I moved the scale a little, and came up with a number that seemed more in line with what I expected. Suspicious of the differing results, I moved the scale to a completely different spot on the bathroom floor and was mortified at the nearly 10 lb increase shown. So tonight after my aerobics class I stood on the big, doctor's office like scale in the weight room. Back home, I tried my scale again in the different floor positions used this morning and compared the results to the gym scale. In a very disheartening moment, I determined that the usual placement of my scale produced a reading that left me thinking I am 9 lbs lighter than I really am. I'm trying to remind myself that I did, in fact, lose two lbs last week. But even so, that still means I did not start the week at 155, but rather 164. I just feel rather deflated and in huge need of some junk food. The higher number actually makes much more sense given my current body appearance. Earlier this week I was thinking how at 150 I could wear a number of pairs of pants that don't currently fit (based on prior pant wearing experience at 150). At the same time, I was trying to figure out how losing 5 more lbs was going to sufficiently take care of the current belly bulge so that such pant wearing would be possible. Well now I know. IT WON'T. Nope, I need to lose 14 more lbs in order to allow that part of my wardrobe to be usable. Ugh. I am just frustrated right now. Lesson learned - when you purchase a new scale at the same time you move into a new place, you just might want to check the accuracy of the reading. I just need to stop thinking/whining about this, go to bed, and regroup tomorrow. Yes, I now realize I won't be able to get to my goal weight in time for the SLC marathon, but the goal is reasonably attainable by Memorial Day. And summer will feel better being slender.

initial success

my first week of structured dieting has resulted in two lbs of weight loss. Crossing my fingers for week two. Seeing how I got out and ran/walked another 7 miles today, I'm thinkin the week's off to a good start.

day three

I think the diet is getting easier. Course I wasn't terribly stressed today and I'm a stress eater. Perhaps, my body is adjusting. Perhaps, I've just become delirious.

day two

ok, I'll admit it. I had a candy bar today. However, despite this egregious departure from the prescribed meal plan, I did otherwise stay within the 'rules'. I sure could use a bacon, cheeseburger about now.

desperation strategy

seeing how I pretty much am hugely lacking in sufficient calendar pages to allow for a thorough preparation for a marathon all of two months away, I am left realizing that the most help I can give myself to increase the odds of surviving 26.2 miles with no more than moderate physical damage is to drop some serious weight. Hence, for the first time in my life, I am, starting today, following a commercial diet plan for the next four weeks. I'm hoping after that time period I can maintain appropriate food control on my own without the aid of prepackaged, metered out food portions. Knowing I was about to embark upon this endeavor, I consumed a soda and candy bar yesterday before my run. Fortunately the candy bar wasn't all that gratifying, but jeepers I enjoy my carbonation. ::shaking head:: Could be a long four weeks.

back to back

unless I'm hallucinating I have engaged in aerobic-like behavior on two consecutive days. whoa. this could get out of hand. Yesterday, I took advantage of a work holiday and went to the same course I've been running this month - only I ran it twice. Actually, I alternated between walking and running, but in the end I covered 7 miles. Yay.
Today, I managed to get in the seemingly rare kick boxing aerobics class.
And after a two-week hiatus (otherwise known as laziness) I returned to doing some push-ups, but predictably could only muster 15.
I think I need to be sedentary for the rest of the week to recover from all this activity. ;)

unusual

I had a candy bar today before my run. That was the only candy bar consumption for the entire week. As much of an accomplishment as that is for me, I actually (and I'm not sure how) pulled off one better - 7 straight days without a single ounce of soda. Wait. Do I have a fever? ;)

three in a row

got out and ran the same path as the past two saturdays. On one hand, I'm kinda pleased that I've been outside running every saturday three weeks in a row. On the other hand, I'm thinkin that running once a week is probably not gonna get me marathon ready.

wonderful ideas

yeah so the kick boxing aerobics class idea....Great idea, but jeepers I can't get any momentum here. Originally the class was suppose to be twice a week, but one of those days got canceled due the instructor having a scheduling conflict. Then a class was canceled due to the instructor's inability to get to the building, another class I get turned away cuz the class is "full", and tonight a winter storm led to everything in the area being closed and/or canceled. In five weeks, since the class started, I've attended twice and not for lack of trying to be there. Two aerobics classes every five weeks is just not gonna help much.

take two

yesterday I went back to the scene of last week's running crime. The morning had produced a couple inches of fresh powder snow. Fortunately the ice was gone and footing was greatly improved. At the start, I fell into a pitter-patter, small, but quick pace that I knew I could never keep up for the duration of the run; however, I figured I'd just go with it as long as I could. That lasted for about a mile. In the end, I finished the 3.5 mile loop 13 minutes quicker than last week. Crazy how much not worrying about falling on your arse helps your time :)

fat tuesday

well I certainly helped today live up to it's name. Let's see, my food consumption included: a hamburger, fries, a candy bar, three sodas, a piece of king cake, a ham & swiss sandwich, and miscellaneous pieces of chocolate.....Good thing I actually got to attend an aerobics class tonight (and did my 20 push-ups this morning).

note to self

since I can never remember from month to month exactly where I'm measuring my waist, starting this month my waist measurement is officially defined as the average between the measurement taken directly over my belly button and the measurement taken over the tire two inches below my belly button. The narrowest part of my torso is just below my rib cage, but that measurement only allows for continued denial of the fat accrual in lower regions. Now that I have a standard measurement, I have less ability to fudge the numbers. On the flip side, any future success can be enjoyed as authentic.

February Assessment

weight: 156.8
waist: 38.5
diet: a mess
push-ups: 20 (the only number I enjoy seeing increase)
running: I'll get back to you on that...

not so helpful

with predicted, partly sunny weather and temps near 40, I figured I'd go out to an old favorite running path of mine - an approximately 3.5 mile, asphalt, access road surrounding a reservoir. The water company kindly allows the public to use the access road for walking and running. Unfortunately the sun never found its way out from behind the clouds and the freezing rain from yesterday had turned the path into an ice rink. I was able to get in some running here and there where the side of the path had not been cleared of snow and allowed for some traction, but the majority of the time I was walking carefully trying to avoid ending up in worse physical condition than when I started due to falling or straining something from trying to avoid a fall. By the time I finished (an hour and 6 minutes later) I was more frustrated than anything. So much for getting in any real exercise this week. ugh.