Digging In

So, this is where it starts to get a little more difficult. I'm in the middle of Week 4, as many of us who started our plans at the New Year are, and the honeymoon phase is starting to wear off.

I've been really busy with work lately, pulling long hours.  There has been a time or two in the last 5 days that I've wanted to throw in the towel -- for no other reason than I didn't want to think about it anymore. I didn't want to count every Point, I didn't want to write anything down, I didn't want to be the inconvenient one who can only dine out at 2 places.  I didn't want to make a "healthy choice" -- I was tired and I just didn't want have to care.  But every time I thought about giving in, I just reminded myself what I've accomplished thus far and weighed whether or not I wanted to lose that weight all over again. Decidedly, no. So I'd just endure the discomfort I felt until it passed..

It's just a new discipline, which is uncomfortable at first. Any new discipline starts out uncomfortably: waking up at an earlier time, going back to school after a long time, a new job, it's all generally awkward at first until you find your footing. And you'll have moments of doubt, but they pass. They pass.

My go-to for the times when I must snack and no amount of downward dog is going to help, is plain, no-oil, no-nothin' popcorn made using a microwave popcorn bowl(I got mine at Target -- I seriously am in love with mine.)  I sprinkle it with a little Kernel Seasons when it comes out of the bowl and still has a little steam on it, so the seasoning sticks. A few handfuls later, the urge passes and I generally don't even finish it.

Hey, I'm not proud that I have moments  where I stress eat -- but a lot of people do -- skinny or fat. Emotional eating is embarrassing, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it.  That just feeds into it (no pun intended). It just is what it is. I'm not standing over the sink eating sticks of butter, for god's sake!  But some people reach for booze, some reach for chocolate. I reach for both! So I'm choosing to manage my stress differently as best as I can and in those weak moments, popcorn saves the day. And a glass a red wine -- let's not be inhumane.

The plan is still working for me. I lost another 2.4 pounds like week for a total of almost 10 since January 3rd. I'm happy about that. I'd love to drop half a Volkswagen in an hour and a half like the people on TV, but that's just... well, that's just not going to happen. (An aside, is anyone else Jillianed out? I like her, but I'm soaking in it! Have mercy.)

I knew this time would come, though I thought it would be a week or two ago. But I'm sticking with it -- I remind myself that by this time next year, I'll be in great shape and all this will be, for the most part, behind me.