Checking in Again

Well, we finally have internet!

Also, this means updates will be a bit more regular.

So, how are things going?

Um. Not horrible?

My head has been in kind of a weird place recently in regards to my weight. Some days I wake up and think I look so much thinner (pictures to come!) and slack off on my diet because I'm hot shit already.

Other days I think that I'm still huge and if 10 bites a day is good, zero bites a day should be better!..but then I get hungry. Then the next day I end up feeling worse, not because I cheated, but because I obviously am fatter.

That doesn't sound very healthy, now does it?

I know this is bad. I know this is an unhealthy mentality. Through all my dieting this past year, I've never really felt that way. This is exactly why people eventually move to intuitive eating. I'm debating recommitting to intuitive eating. This can't be healthy, right?

On the other hand, if I just stick with 5 Bites until I get to a point where I'm at least more comfortable with my body, then I can switch and not hate my body. I can lose the last 10 or 15 pounds with intuitive eating.

The problem is the last 10 or 15 pounds is still 40 pounds away. I'm not sure where I'll be mentally by the time I get there.

Between 5 Bites and Intuitive Eating

I've easily maintained my weight loss while just trying my best to listen to my body, but I can't get myself motivated enough to go back to 5 Bites. Natural portion control is coming along easily, but I'm just not losing.

This morning I was 189.6. I have 4.6 pound to go by the end of January. Seems doable, if only I could focus.

I'm thinking I'm going to try 5 Bites consistently until I get down to my goal weight for the month. Maybe if I simply focus until I get to X-weight, then give myself a reprieve, I'll be able to tackle this weight loss?

A bit over 4 pounds per month and I'll be down to 150. That would be so worth it, wouldn't it?

4 pounds a month would mean 173 by May. 173 is a size 8 -10 for me! I'd be set for bikini season!

Checking In, Resolutions, and January's Goal

I've been unable to log in the past few weeks between house sitting in the middle of nowhere and rebuilding our new home! I may disappear again, but I thought I'd let everyone know how things are going:

5 Bites: Not going well. I'm firmly in the realm of Intuitive Eating right now. Between holiday eating, a bachelorette party, having no kitchen due to the move and construction, and lots of alcohol, I haven't been able to maintain 5 Bites and my happiness. On the other hand, I've done a great job of listening to my body and limiting my portions to the range between what my body needs for fuel and what I want emotionally.

Weight: 189.4! Whoo! Through intuitive eating and happy portion control, I've broken 190. This is a really big deal, as I don't know the last time I was below 190. Perhaps my high school graduation?

Body Fat: 29.6%, At the beginning of November I was at 31.3%. Almost 2% during the biggest eating months of the year isn't too shabby in my book.

Weight-related Resolution: Get down to 150. It's a lot of weight to lose, and if it doesn't happen, I won't be heartbroken, but I like having a goal to work towards. I'll be very angry with myself if I'm not down to 175 by the end of the year.  I spent most of this year gaining weight as I experimented with different diets and have spent the last few months finally losing all that dieting weight. This year will be different. I'll lose weight the whole year, instead of gaining and playing catch up. I simply need to lose 1.3 pounds per month to get below 175. At that rate I could do 5 Bites one weekend a month and just work hard to maintain with Intuitive Eating the remainder of the time and hit my goal.

Blog-related Resolution: I'd like to get back in to posting a bit more often, both on Ditch the Excuses and on Homesteading in the Dust (my blog about homesteading in Southern Arizona). In addition, I think I'd like to start setting monthly weight loss goals. The November Challenge was great and very motivating, though a little stressful.

January's Goal: I want to be at 185 by the end of January. I lost almost 8 pounds in November, so 4.4 pounds in January should be more than reasonable.

As construction (most of which I'm doing myself) is still underway, I probably won't be checking in again until mid January.

Measurement Monday: November 24th, 2014

This week was  once again mostly about Intuitive Eating, but I certainly managed better than last week.

Abdomen: 42.75 (-.15)
Waist: 33.5 (-.3)
Bust: 43 (0)
Chest: 36.2 (-.6)
Hip: 45.25 (-.25)
Left Arm: 14.1 (-.2)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 15.75 (-.25)
Left Thigh: 26.7 (-.1)
Right Arm: 14 (.3)
Right Forearm: 10.5 (0)
Right Calf: 15.8 (-.4)
Right Thigh: 26.5 (-.2)
Neck: 14.2 (0)
Current Weight: 191.8 pounds (-1.2)
Inches lost: -2.15
Running total: -3.45, -4.2 pounds

I finally am at the weight I started dieting at! Whoo!

6.8 pounds down, 13.4 to go! Will I reach my goal by the end of November? Nope. At least I've lost almost 7 pounds this month!

Breakthrough!

I'm almost in the 180s! I woke up this morning, hopped on the scale expecting to be disappointed because I ate nothing but salt yesterday and low and behold I was down to 191.4! I can't remember the last time I weighed that. Possibly at my high school graduation?

7.2 pounds down, 12.8 pounds to go! 12.8 pounds in 11 days may be overly optimistic, but I'll certainly start December in the 180s!

Measurement Monday: November 17th, 2014

This week was more a regression to Intuitive Eating than 5 Bites.

Abdomen: 42.9 (-.1)
Waist: 33.8 (.3)
Bust: 43 (-.5)
Chest: 36.8 (.2)
Hip: 45.5 (-.4)
Left Arm: 14.3 (.3)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 16 (.2)
Left Thigh: 26.8 (0)
Right Arm: 13.7 (-.6)
Right Forearm: 10.5 (0)
Right Calf: 16.2 (.4)
Right Thigh: 26.7 (0)
Neck: 14.2 (-.1)
Current Weight: 193.0 pounds (0)
Inches lost: -.3
Running total: -1.3, -3 pounds

No weight lost. Bummer. At least I lost some inches. Next week will be better!

5.6 pounds down, 14.6 to go!

Measurement Monday: November 10th, 2014

Not a great 5 Bites week, but I tried. Regardless, my weight when down and that's the most important part.

Abdomen: 43.0 (-.6)
Waist: 33.5 (-.25)
Bust: 43.5 (0)
Chest: 36.5 (-.9)
Hip: 45.9 (.2)
Left Arm: 14 (-.5)
Left Forearm: 10.75 (0)
Left Calf: 15.8 (-.2)
Left Thigh: 26.8 (.3)
Right Arm: 14.3 (.3)
Right Forearm: 10.5 (.5)
Right Calf: 15.8 (-.3)
Right Thigh: 26.7 (-.6)
Neck: 14.3 (.1)
Current Weight: 193.0 pounds (-1.4)
Inches lost: -1.95
Running total: -1.6, -3 pounds

I don't have a lot to say about this week. I over ate a few times, and it's obvious what effect that has on my weight loss. At least I lost almost 2 inches this week, and I'm thrilled to be only 1.2 pounds from my starting weight.

5.6 pounds down, 14.6 to go!