Amy Writes

After about four weeks, the scale showed virtually no change today. And the tape measure wasn't too generous either. I would've sworn that over the last two weeks, I have lost at least 10 pounds of sweat. I know I worked off at least 4 inches from my hips and butt at spin class on Saturday. I have passed up at least 8 pounds worth of sweets and french fries. But the numbers would say that it's not working. AARRGGGH. I'm surprised at how easy it was to sink into the despair of helpless frustration. I know I'm doing the right things, and I know that in time it will pay off, but right now I want to eat an entire sleeve of Thin Mints, because it just really doesn't seem to matter. May as well enjoy it. Fortunately, I'm focused enough this time to recognize this as the pattern that has kept me in this place for the last several years. I get frustrated, and I decide that God wants me to stay just the way I am. It's a powerful argument when I'm feeling disc...

Well, it hasn't been my best week. Which, I think, means that I have turned a corner. Because this "not so great week" still contained at least 4 days of cardio and the majority of the eating decisions I made were wise. AND we had company in town. So, though I should be feeling pretty good about surviving the week, I'd like to be a little more "in control" this week. Confession time: I didn't enter one thing on sparkpeople. Not one exercise or food. That may seem trivial, but not seeing the calories being counted makes it really easy to throw an extra spoonful of dinner on my plate or an extra handful of snack in my mouth. I also didn't blog consistently, which distanced me a little bit from my plan. That said, this week's results were still okay, if not slightly encouraging. I seem to be down another pound, to 2% gone. I say "seem to be" because I am convinced that my scale needs to be replaced. If that's correct, I'm a little ...

The scale showed no change this week, but the tape measure came through for me! I'm down an inch to an inch & a half in several "key" measurements. Woohoo! Apparently, the exercise is working. Some victories: 1. I ate out an embarrassing 3 times on Friday - but enjoyed an egg white & veggie omelet, dry grits and dry english muffin at Dennys, a grilled chicken salad at McDonalds and then a salad at Outback. No fries anywhere along the way. 2. This morning I Danced with the Stars again, this time with friends! It's more fun with friends. 3. I have a dangerous time of day, which is right around 4 p.m. I gave in a bit - grabbed a few fritos - felt myself starting to lose a little bit of control, stopped and made some hot tea. Making the tea gave me something to do and it is helping to keep me warm, which is a losing battle these days. 4. At a birthday party on Saturday, I had no cookies or chips that were on the snacking table. Instead, I had some orange slices a...