Numbers….getting real.

I stepped on the scale this morning and saw that I have gained 4 pounds.  Before I stepped on the scale I was feeling pretty good.  After I stepped on the scale I felt defeated.  For me, the chain of events that happen after a bump in weight goes as follow:

1. I am a whale
2.  I am PMSing….totally water weight
3. I have been doing a ton of strength training….4 pounds of pure muscle, bitches
4. Get the eating under control. You know you have been eating BREAD and sneaking chocolate (see PMSing above)
5. I need to skip breakfast and run to the nearest spin class
6. WTF are you doing?!

Sound familiar?  I know enough to know weight fluctuations happen normally and the number on the scale is one of the worst measures of health.  Does that stop me….hell no.  I am a woman.  It is my right to be irrational!

This morning’s process got me thinking about numbers.  I read a fantastic article (http://www.curvygirlguide.com/self-body/self/women-getting-real-about-weight/) about what weight looks like on different women/body types.  Scroll through….some really great perspective.  So, in the spirit of full disclosure here are my numbers (because we are all in this together, right).

Weight: 178-174 pounds (238 lbs at my highest)

Height: 5’10”

Size: 10

There it is, there you have it.  Those are my numbers.  I refuse to let these numbers define me. Moving forward my goal is to focus on the numbers that really matter.  

How many times did I kiss my daughter today? 

How many times have I told my husband and family how much I love them and truly appreciate them? 

How many times I have hugged a friend when she really needed it? 

How many times I can say that my body can do something that it previously couldn’t (I am looking at you, pull-up!)?

These are the things that really matter in life.

Be happy and healthy, my friends.

The "D" Word

That’s right, ladies….we are talking about DIET!  I get asked a lot about what “diet” I used to drop the 50 pounds.  The truth is I think that diets are ridiculously lame.  No one can live their entire lives on a “diet”.  An entire life without cake or pizza is not a life worth living.  I have an AA “one meal at a time” view to eating.  I try to make the best decisions I can, but if I have a hamburger (ok, and probably some fries) all is not lost.  I did not fall off a wagon and more importantly I did not fail.  

For argument’s sake, let’s say that you did go on a super-strict paleo diet (no grains, dairy, refined sugar and you have to wear a loin cloth).  You will lose weight, but how long can you keep it up?  If you are anything like me, the minute my goal is in eyesight I start to binge on everything that I have deprived myself of.  Why not take a more realistic approach?  It will take longer to drop the pounds, but I promise that you will be happier and that the changes will stick.  Take themes (i.e. unprocessed food, limited refined carbs and protein) from your favorite diets and apply the 80/20 rule. 

You are not a contestant on the Biggest Loser.  You are building a healthy lifestyle…be happy.