Downhill from Here

Waiting out a plateau has to be the hardest thing in the entire world. Generally, over the course of the last 4 years, I've experienced a sturdy plateau after every 20 pounds lost. This last plateau has felt like it has lasted FOREVER. It's definitely lasted all summer. But as I watch my weight daily, I've noticed for the last month that I'm not exhibiting the same weight behaviors that I've been seeing since May. I've had losses... but then I slowly put that weight back on (2-3 lbs total) during the month and then lose it again, and then take it back... you get the idea.

Around this time last month I was 152 lbs. This morning I woke up to 146.1. I actually haven't seen anything in the 150s since the 28^th of July. I'm losing and then, in a couple days, when I get that hormone change, I'm going to lose again. It's what happens. And I'm going to see my goal weight within the next two weeks. I just know it. I can tell. I know my body pretty well.

That's really the main reason why it's been so long for me to make a blog post. I haven't really had anything new to say because all I've been doing is standing strong on the defensive. It's funny, because when I attempt to research what a plateau is and how it happens, I can't really find anything definitive. Weight Watchers talks about how your metabolism shifts, but I think the way they're looking at it is skewed. They talk about a smaller body burning less calories because of less lean muscle, but I think if you're exercising and actively trying, then wouldn't you have at least a small store of lean muscle to burn stuff up?

In my experience with plateaus, I'm more likely to believe it's just your body asking for a change. It could be in your workout. It could be in your choice of meals. I'm one of those people that gets generally bored with doing the same thing every day and I'm sure my body is no exception. That leads me to another reason why I haven't posted so much. Over the last month, I've stopped cooking new things. I gave my body a change. I ate what I knew, for the most part, and I ate more of it. I've started eating even more often. I already had first and second breakfast, but we're talking first and second lunch... and oddly enough later dinners. But I don't think there's any hard and fast rule. It's about knowing your body, knowing when you're REALLY hungry and when you're just bored. Or, as I experience often, just want to taste something good.

1 serv. instant oats, peanut butter and chocolate chips

I'm misleading you saying I haven't been trying ANYTHING new. I did try a couple new things. One of them is flavored seltzer water. That took about 5 cans before I got over the fact that it tastes like syrupless Coke. Now I find it pleasant. I haven't had a soda in the last couple of weeks (not like I drink tons of them; I like water).

I ate oatmeal! I hadn't had instant oats in ages. I put a tablespoon of peanut butter in it and a tablespoon of chocolate chips. It was all melted and delicious.

I tried Amy's Organic Chili. It tasted exactly like I wanted it to.

Amy's Chili over Zucchini

As far as my weight loss, I think I've decided that yes, my goal is 145. I'm going to still actively lose weight until 140 so that I have a nice, comfortable buffer, and then I'll go on maintenance. I'll really try to tone up then. I've heard a lot of people say that cardio is boring. I won't say it's not, but for me, weight training is SO boring. Mainly it's the focus you have to maintain in order to do it. My mind starts wandering and then I start making mistakes thus rendering my workout ineffective.

I can't wait to report that I've made it to goal. When I started Weight Watchers for the first time and read that I needed to be between 115 and 145 to be considered at goal, to attain Lifetime status... I never thought that was possible. I had the mindset that 160 was good enough. Actually 160 was insane. Maybe 170 was okay. Now that I've broken through those past expectations... well I can't really describe the feeling to you. I can't tell you how good it feels to say, “Oh yea, I've lost 70 lbs.”

Hopefully, this time next week, I'll be telling you all about how I've lost 72.