1) I no longer crave (or really even like) BoJangles for breakfast. I'm really over fried foods in general.
2) Extremes (either good or bad) are not the solution.
Let's back up. Even after writing last night's post, when I had resolved to start trying again, I stopped for BoJangles on the way to work this morning. I can't really even explain why, except that the thought popped into my head, and I wasn't able to put up a good defense against it. I suppose my willpower muscles were weak from all of the bad food choices I had made over the weekend. However, it turned out to be a good thing, because I don't feel like I ever need to do that again. My Kashi cereal with blueberries/strawberries and almond milk is way better.
That's a big deal for me. Before I started this weight loss journey a year and a half ago, I would go through periods where I would eat breakfast out multiple times a week. Even since I've been trying to lose weight, eating breakfast out regularly pops up as a temptation I have to battle.
Aside from the BoJangles start, I had a pretty good day health and fitness-wise. In fact, it was very low key and easy to make the right decisions. I went slightly over my calories for the day, but it was worth it to feel somewhat normal. Not deprived, not on a diet, but just a normal person going throughout my day. Also, I walked outside with coworkers at lunch and went to half a Turbokick class (half because my energy still isn't quite back to normal, but half is better than nothing).
I think part of the reason I have these cycles that I mentioned in yesterday's post (where I'm super motivated some days and all "woe-is-me, I'll never make it" other days) is because I push myself really hard when I am super motivated. I'm always one extreme or the other. I'm either eating 1300-1500 calories and working out twice a day or I'm filling up on junk food. I'm starting to realize (and really, my friend Monica has been trying to tell me this for years) that with this extreme motivation I burn myself out.
I'm still not sure how to deal with this second realization. I've got too much of an all-or-nothing, success or failure mentality. I suppose, though, that the realization is a starting point. I can always figure out what it means later.
Jill, as always, I feel like your blog is talking about weight loss but the principles themselves could be translated to all sorts of topics.
ReplyDeleteThe ups and downs are so normal - whether good or bad. Spiritually, I have these amazing highs of feeling so close to God and then the next week I feel like I haven't felt him for years.
And even in my teaching I experience the same thing. The week after I threw that banging toga party for my kids was the worst week of my year. And just the other day I had the best morning ever with my kids and then that afternoon was HORRIBLE.
I, too, prefer the calm, steady kind of days.
Wow Jill! Diet Pepsi? No thanks, I'll just have water. Bojangles? Nah, I'd rather just have my Kashi. AWESOME! You are miles and pounds away from that early Dunk'n Donuts morning! I wonder what else you'll be freed up from when you make it to your goal! Do not throw away your confidence, you will be richly rewarded! Keep persevering! This is SO encouraging!
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I can totally relate to this post. I also have experienced these extremes in my weight loss journey. I think it's hard to find the middle ground here, and honestly, i haven't figured it out other than making working out a part of my daily life - so even if i don't feel like it, i still have accountability for it (by teaching Turbo every week). That helps me - because no matter what - i still have to lead a class to work out, even if i haven't done a great job the days prior to class, or i don't feel like working out. Maybe creating some sort of accountability like that would help keep you in check!
ReplyDeleteThis is also something that happens to me as well. I wonder what it would be like if I did everything I could to try and minimize the impact of the "bad days" on everything else? Like, do the "bad days" or "bad events" color the days/events of the rest of the week or are they independent of them? If you have a really bad day on Monday for example, then is it assumed that Tuesday is a good day if you don't do what you did poorly on Monday? Just a thought...
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you've inspired me to give up fast food for real, for real. I'm excited about it!