Perspective

Perspective. I gotta remind myself to keep things in perspective.

So I started writing a post today with how frustrated I am that my progress seems so slow. I've lost 16.2 lbs in just over 2 months. I felt that the last time I joined Weight Watchers the weight was melting off, and that this time it feels like it's sneaking off...

And then I went back to my blog of June 2008. I had started WW on April 20, 2008, so June 25th was roughly the same time frame of my blog today.

And you know what...I had lost 16 lbs. And I was so thrilled by it!

I think the biggest difference between then and now, is I was already noticing changes in the way my clothes fit, in the way my body and face looks...I was starting at a much lower weight, so I think those pounds meant more...but still...it's the same 16 pounds.

This really does put a new perspective on where I am and how this process is going.

I do struggle with the fact that I'm not seeing more physical changes...my clothes are a little better fitting, but not everything. My face isn't quite as round, but not noticeably. Some days I feel strong and sexy, and other days I still feel flabby and disappointed. It's these things that get me hung up on my progress. But I also know I'm making major changes to my life that are meant to be permanent.

Perspective.

Here's some positives that I can celebrate.

• I started running again...well run/walking with the #c25k program. For the first time in more than 2 years I feel strong enough to throw in those intervals and keep going.
• I do have more energy overall--I'm not reliant on coffee in the mornings anymore, and I'm not as exhausted at the end of my long days on my feet.
• I have been tracking my food consistently!
• I have been getting a sh*t ton of activity points, often going out of my way to get to a goal
• I joined a gym to have someplace to workout when the weather sucks
• I'm cooking!! I don't cook. This is monumental.
• I'm craving the fresh healthy foods. I'm not even really tempted by the fatty junk food anymore...well at least not often. And when I do eat it, I'm eating less.
• I LOST 16 LBS!!! 
• And I'm still doing it! I haven't successfully stayed on plan since I first started so this is major. Two months later and I'm still going strong! Even if I'm in the turtle club :)

It goes to show what these small changes can really do. Consistency is key. For those of you out there who are struggling, let's do this. Keep it up. Keep going. Don't let little stumbling blocks stop you in your tracks. Just keep swimmin'. 

And keep perspective.

Busy but still working hard

The Fun part of theater 

Working as a stage manager has it's ups & downs. It's exciting, it's colorful and there's something always different.

It is not the easiest profession to try to keep track of your weight. Long and late hours, working nonstop without breaks, and being surrounded by all the crap junk food (and alcohol) can end up being disastrous for losing weight. 

I am in tech week right now-commonly referred to as Hell Week for good reason. This is the week that everything comes together but it means that the production team is Working especially hard to make it all happen. 

As of my last weigh in I was down 3.5 lbs but that was after a weight gain the previous week. However it is still in the downward trend which hasn't happened in a long time. I do try to keep away from all the bad food but I definitely have my weak moments if I'm stressed and haven't eaten. Plus the constant supply of goodies (such as yesterday's apple cider donuts...aka crack donuts) don't help. 

For the first time in the 7 years of my stage managing I am trying to bring healthy food with me to rehearsals so even if I do have a donut or cookie I Also have an apple on hand so I don't eat ALL the cookies. Easy to grab items like apples, carrots, snap peas, etc seem to work best. 

Even if it doesn't always divert me completely, its good to at least put it into practice so it can become more of a habit. 

Reaching out to others with weird schedules: What do you do to help yourself keep on track?