Delay

No weigh-in today for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that I feel so fat that I am afraid to step on the scale.

And while I am being forthright, let me admit that I haven't exercised in over a week. 

I wonder if I really will get it together at some point?  Will a switch turn back on?  Did a switch somewhere turn off?  Do most people have this much trouble adjusting to a big life change?  (My full-time job started in January which coincides with my weight loss troubles.)   Honestly, between mothering my four children, home-schooling two of them and working forty hours from my desk, I am floundering.

But if I want my size 12 shorts to fit properly this summer, I must figure out a solution to these challenges.

And I'll weigh in tomorrow. 

Comments

[ragtopday]

Honestly, my hat is off to you. I don't know how you manage working full time AND home schooling. I work full time and my older child is in first grade (public school) and my younger goes to preschool while I work. Our schedule has me completely stressed out and I've been falling into some bad eating habits again these last few weeks (after modest success). So with all you have on your plate, it wouldn't surprise me one iota if your struggles are a direct result of your life changes and challenges.

I'll wish you a good weigh-in tomorrow, but it is what it is, and you hold the future in your hands (as do I, and I want you to know that my stomach is rumbling in a not-good way from the second helping of ice cream I just "had" to have tonight).

You are awesome - thank you for keeping at it.

[Ceci]

The change in your schedule and your responsibilities could be the reason you're struggling. First of all, remember those psych "life change" calculators??? If I remember, you've had several of those "life-changing" events happen in the last year. The fact that you have only put on a little weight and have maintained for over a year at the weight you were at before that is PHENOMENAL. You are just at a point where what was working isn't, and you haven't had enough time or energy to figure out what will NOW. You're not fat. You're not going back to where you started. I know this because I've read your blog for SO LONG!

Here's to giving yourself the credit you're due. You're a phenomenal woman, wife, mother, and employee, not to mention child of God. Blessings!

[breckgirl]

I feel your pain. I've been screwed up for months now - everything started changing at the beginning of the year and my weight loss stalled. Now, even more things are uncertain (workplace, housing, my health) and damn it, I've gained about 5 pounds.
Shit! And you know, I still want to eat pizza and cookies - screw it. I have to have a gross surgery next week (check my blog if you are wanting the grisly details) and am just dreading things in general lately. I wish I could get myself motivated to start caring about myself a little more.

Well - just wanted to say that I know how you feel. I don't care how much you weigh, I still think you're fabulous.

[pastaswife]

Mel, yes, yes, and yes. (to answer your questions!) You are doing the right thing by never giving up! Hang in there! Don't stop weighing. Quit playing the game. Are you not eating enough (maybe playing the "I won't eat today game to weigh 2 lbs less by tomorrow."?) and then eating too much when the stress of the day hits?

We've all been there. Get right back on. Write out what your going to eat for the day and eat it. We all know you can't lose 2 lbs by tomorrow. However, if you eat well everyday you will be down by next week.

Get an exercise accountability partner. She or he doesn't have to exercise with you...just make sure you are doing it.
Or do something different. Join Curves for 6 months. Hire a personal trainer for a month. You and I both know how much better we feel mentally as well as physically when we exercise. It all goes down hill for me when I don't. I am on a 5 week plateau as my Curves membership ran out and I haven't been consistent with anything else yet.
I am a homeschooling mom of 7. I have 8 in the home now as I am also an emergency foster care house. I will NOT quit!!!!! So you can't either.

I'll commit to exercise 3 times this next week. Wanna join me?

Next week I will post my real life numbers (which I live in fear of doing) if you exercise 3x and the scale moves down.

Alisa

[b]

I'm certain your job has EVERYTHING to do with your woes. Being a SAHM myself, and having to actually STAY HOME this winter, I had the same issues. (I couldn't go to the gym b/c my baby was getting sick all the time, and my husband travels every week.)

I know you can do this. Give yourself a break for the past and gear up for what you want your present to be. You can do this.

[Sandy McCann]

Mel,

Don't forget the real age related "negatives" that happen to a woman's body in relation to how they can affect our metabolism and such. Especially with the changes in schedule and the related demands that has put on your body, you may be feeling them more than you were. They are real. Yes, they can be overcome...but it takes a different type of comittment....something more open minded is how I would describe it...which I find hard to do because I like to make a plan and stick to it and have it work.

[Lynne]

I hardly have time with 2 kids, and a part-time job. I don't know how you do it! I am convinced that change (good or bad) produces stress (whether you feel it or not). This stress causes us to seek comfort (food,excuses not to exercise, weight gain). I don't think there is a switch. I think there is just a lot of hard work. You've come so far! I know you can do it. I am playing the same scale game and I promise PROMISE you that I will step on the scale MONDAY MORNING and I will post my weight every day for at least the next week following. I need a kick in the pants; maybe you do too!

[Dawn]

I agree with everyone else, stress is a huge factor, and holy crap how do you work that much AND homeschool? My hats off to you, so give yourself a break and don't focus on the week you lost, just climb right back in, or on, or up, or you know what I mean and fight for what you want!

[Jen V.]

I'm having the same kind of week. I was dreading going to WW because I knew it was going to be bad news. It was I'm up 2.2 pounds since last week.

I shouldn't complain as I knew I wasn't eating right, but still after months of steady lose it hurts.

But if I really want to lose I can't let this week foul up everything. So I went out and bought some healthy foods to re-stock the fridge with. And I'm making sure to get out this weekend and get some exercise.

[des]

MEL: I have long admired you out here in "LurkLand" and still have nothing but admiration for you and your accomplishments. I only suggest this because I'd like to see you take care of yourself. Is there any way you can cut back/cut out something? I think you are just doing too much and you are frustrated about it and getting so tired!
Des