I Didn’t Do It
One month ago today my husband went out of town on business. At the time, I consoled myself with the fact that his absence would give me the opportunity to “eat like a girl” (read: salads, not steaks) and work out whenever I wanted.
And, for the most part, I did eat like a girl. I’ve had Healthy Choice or Lean Cuisine for lunch and dinner each day, and breakfast has consisted of either a Slim Fast shake or a bagel with that fake-butter spray.
Sure, I’ve had nachos twice and one day I even ate a cheeseburger — man, that was good — but for the most part I’ve been eating just a fraction of what I ordinarily do.
So, ok, I didn’t work out for an hour each day. I didn’t even work out a half hour each day, but I’ve certainly been a bit more active than when he’s home. I’ve had better sleep, too.
But does my scale show it? Does it show any loss at all?
No. No it does not.
My clothes fit the same, so I don’t even get the Fat Girl’s consolation that “Oh, but I’ve gained muscle even if I haven’t lost weight!” (a mantra which conveniently ignores that a pound is a pound the whole world ’round).
This sucks. I suck. I’m so disappointed and so sick of frozen, prepackaged meals! Tomorrow night I’m tucking in to a big, juicy rib eye and a baked potato topped with sour cream. Screw the diet. I am hungry, dammit.
Dieting will resume Monday. Honest.
9 Responses to “I Didn’t Do It”
That sucks – but ENJOY THE STEAK!
I’ve been good for a month and have gained another 5 lbs. I’ve had it with the meds the doctor has me on and the flippant smug way he says “Oh yeah, they usually cause weight gain.”
ugh. ugh. ugh. UGH.
Meds like that DO suck! I don’t even have that excuse, though. But it strikes me as absolutely wrong that I could’ve cut that much fat and calories out of my diet without losing an ounce.
I may just have to make an appointment with my dreaded doctor to get some more tests run.
Sorry to hear about the lack of weight loss. That does indeed suck.
I’m big believer in the occasional break from dieting. I think it helps my health to have a controlled cheat, it’s a my reward for being good the other 90% of the time. I just have to make sure I keep track of them and space them far enough apart that the calories don’t pile up on each other.
I hope you enjoy your steak and potato!
I remember reading somewhere — can’t remember the source — that alternating high- and low-calorie days actually helps weight loss. Something about the body deciding on high calorie days that it’s not going to be starving, so it lets go of the weight.
I hope that’s right.
“Calorie cycling” You figure up your calories for the week and then zigzag the days. The theory is that your body never knows what to expect and it jolts your metabolism.
I’ve never tried it, I’m still trying to figure out my regular diet. No need to add another complication. Yet. LOL!
Oh and this “I think it helps my health to have a controlled cheat” should have said that I think it helps my MENTAL health. Counting every calorie and worrying about every gram of fat every day can grind you down after a while.
It definitely does become wearing, doesn’t it? Not to mention that, after a while, it’s hard not to feel so deprived that binge-eating becomes an uncontrollable temptation which breeds guilt, which produces more binge-eating, which TOTALLY derails a diet.
Or, maybe that’s just me.
No, it’s not just you!
Nope. It’s not just you.
I mentioned before the only success losing I ever had was with the Body for Life program — which incorporates a free day so you can chow on whatever you want.
I think it works in two ways: one that you don’t feel like you’re depriving yourself (although I ate more on that program than ever and got sick of eating) and two in that you feel so much like CRAP after those free days that it acts as an incentive to stay on it so you feel better again. Plus the workouts are 20 minutes. I can manage 20 minutes.
The only reason I stopped was a mild injury and then I got pregnant with our littlest guy which made it difficult to move (he was a big’un – 9lb-13.5 oz, 22″). I just haven’t found my motivation to start again but this stupid medical gain is about to do it!