Post Plateau

It’s almost the Half Year mark since I wrote my New Year’s resolutions for 2014.  There’s nothing unique about them….most have to do with fitness and diet.  Duh….what’s new?  So mundane, the sameness from year to year is nothing short of embarrassing.

Obviously, I haven’t made great progress if I’m still trying to lose the weight from my last pregnancy almost 30 years ago.  Unfortunately, I haven’t given up red meat, French fries, wine and chocolate.  Every year, I rededicate myself to staying on track.  Every year, I swear I’m going to stop eating hot dogs at the Orioles games or confine myself to water at the movies.  But, I cannot remember one time I’ve watched a movie without buttered popcorn!  At least, I gave up cokes.  Of course, what I should give up is wine!

Every now and then, I take a tape measure to check out my waistline and hips.  Before Kids, I was a svelte 33-23-33.  Ten inches between the waist and the hips!  Geez, I salivate thinking about that.  I live in fear of developing an apple-shaped body. Bigger waistline than hips.   All the doctors caution against it.  Not good for the heart.  I took out the tape last week….I’ve added inches everywhere but there’s still five inches between the waist and the hips.

This year, I swore I would not give up.  I got the digital scales, record every morsel of food and drink, every unit of exercise.  LoseIt wants me on 985 calories a day.  Really?  Can anyone live on that?

The one thing I am good at is exercising daily…30, 40, 50, 60 minutes with strength training and core work.  Every morning, I eat the same late morning breakfast:  Plain fat-free yogurt, Kashi Go Lean Crunch, strawberries and blueberries.  I drink a ton of water throughout the day into the night.

The problem is that by 5 in the afternoon, I’m famished!  I’m reaching for the whole grain tortilla chips, the mixed nuts….trying to stay away from BH’s cache of ice cream bars and Cheetos.  This is not easy for a girl who could live on junk food!

But, I am determined!  I’ve working more fish into my diet.  I love fried shrimp but I’m opting for grilled now.  I love baked salmon and grilled swordfish!  But, who can turn down a Costco steak cooked by BH?  Amazing.

I weigh myself daily….first thing when I get up.  It’s so discouraging sometimes.  I feel like I’m not making any progress at all.  Okay, baby steps.  After five months in Florida, I had lost a grand total of 3 pounds.  Three lousy pounds in five months??!!

And, then we arrived in Maryland.  OMG!!  I’ve lost three pounds in two weeks!  Whoa….I’m hoping it’s not due to a life threatening disease.

I’m sure I know exactly what it is….no more daily 2 For 1 Happy Hours and sausage and chess flatbread apps.

I’m down to one glass of wine a week and quinoa and black bean salad pretty much daily.  Eating out is hazardous for my waistline.

I struggled and struggled to get past this plateau….I’m loving getting up at 7:30 a.m and jumping on that scale!  Ten more pounds to go!!!