I’m losing steam. Lack of sleep, stress, exhaustion, it’s all taking such a toll on me this week. I’m barely hanging on to my motivation, or my give-a-damn. I don’t feel like moving, much less exercising. I don’t even feel like typing right now… 😛
We all have those days, or weeks even. Sometimes it really drags on, hey? It never lasts though. Like all things, good or bad, it passes in it’s own time.
I keep reminding myself of that and I’m pushing forward, one foot in front of the other. Blah.
I cannot quit now.
Quitting isn’t really an option. Well, I guess it always is. But my habits have changed so much during this particular low carb challenge in the last 50+ days. There’s no way I want to go back to the foods I used to eat, or the weight I used to be. That doesn’t even appeal to me.
Even if it did appeal, like it has in the past, I already know that it’s just a backtrack. And not a fun or positive one, but rather one that would make me miserable. I’ve already done that anyway – over and over, lol. That was NOT the answer. 😛
Finding Your Motivation Again
Where did the heck did it go, anyway?!
I’m so close to being able to KNOW what it feels like to be in amazing shape. I still have quite a ways to go, but I’m closer than I have ever been in my entire adult life.
I’m happy with the progress I’ve made. And encouraged to FINISH this journey. Some days I have to force myself (lol) other days the motivation comes easy.
We talked about that earlier in this challenge, how feelings are fickle and why you should “feel the void” instead of FILL the void. So powering through is definitely the first thing to learn – through stress, cravings, circumstances, whatever.
The other key is to find new comforts, new reasons, fresh motivation. I’ve been thinking on this a lot the last couple of days. I should have been thinking about it on my feet while out walking 🙄 lol. My energy has been low though, so I started by making a list of things that “perk me up.” Things I can do that make me feel happy, energized, inspired, motivated, that give me a sense of accomplishment, etc.
I think that’s a good starting point. A great workout always makes me feel better. Sometimes it can be something as simple as cleaning out a drawer or a closet that drives you bonkers every day when you open it. For me, creative work – or completing a big project – that usually does the trick.
Those are simple things for the “right now” pick-me-up we need sometimes.
Then there’s the big picture, or the forward thinking – something to look forward to, or some reason to work toward. And that’s when I remembered I’m driving to the beach a week from today! 😯 So there you go… a good reason to get off my A## and get back to some serious workouts, lol.
It helps to have something on the calendar that you want to FEEL GOOD for, and do NOT want to look fumpy for. 🙂 haha. Seriously! I think we all need a dangling carrot to keep us going in the right direction. Consider that: what’s coming up in the next few months that motivates you to stay on track??
But yes… I can’t quit now. I’ve come too far, and I’m too close to finally reaching my goal. It’s never about quitting anyway, just about starting over- again and again (and again). Truth, right?! Yup. And honestly, this has taken far too long already, lol. *sigh*
Hmm. I didn’t feel like typing, but I did it anyway. And I DO feel better now, just talking it out (thank you!). I think most things are that way: just do it anyway, you’ll feel better when you do. So I’ll “do a workout anyway” next. 🙂
Here is my Low Carb Food Diary for Day 53 of the “Get Lean For Summer!” 90 Day Low Carb Challenge. It’s NEVER too late to join us if you haven’t already!
Day 53: Thursday’s Low Carb Meals
I had my usual low carb breakfast. I stir it together and call it low carb cereal. 🙂 It’s 1/2 cup pecan pieces, 1/4 cup Daisy brand cottage cheese and 4 small diced strawberries. It comes to 5 net carbs and 85% healthy fats.
For lunch (don’t judge me, lol) I was tired/bored and just grabbed something easy: colby jack cheese, turkey slices & vienna sausages. I needed something quick & easy to snack on while I was working.
I was planning to take myself out to dinner, but plans changed and I had to eat something at home real quick. My refrigerator is getting bare though, lol. I decided to finish off the leftover green beans while I scrambled a couple of eggs…
My eggs were two large eggs with almost an ounce of colby jack cheese.
Very cheesy eggs. 🙂
The green beans and eggs didn’t sit well on my stomach. Go figure. 😛 lol. I was exhausted I think, but I didn’t feel well – so I grabbed a Mozzarella string cheese and a Vanilla Atkins shake just to put something on my stomach so I could sleep.
I don’t even like those vanilla shakes. Blech – entirely too sweet! I don’t know why I bought them, but thankfully that was the last one in my fridge 😛
Here’s My MyFitnessPal Diary for Thursday:
What To Track, And How To Track It
How To Get Net Carbs in MyFitnessPal
Calories: 1439
Net Carbs: 19
Total Carbs: 28
Protein: 80 Grams
72% Fat, 23% Protein
Exercise: None 😐
FitBit Steps: 3,048
Water: 32 ounces
I need to figure out a good workout to do today. I’m thinking Focus T25 and 100 reps on my Ab Carver Pro. Ugh, I don’t even feel like moving lol. It’s good weather for a morning walk if I hurry (before it gets too hot for Slim, my great dane) – but I have to make breakfast first, and nothing at all appeals. BLAH…
I’m going to take my own advice above, and just get things in motion and try to break out of the blahs. I’m out of cottage cheese (EEK! lol) so I think I’ll turn on some good music and make the Low Carb Blueberry Crepes real quick.
I’ve been having that thought about an off-plan day again lately. But then nothing off-plan really appeals to me either. 😛 Good grief! lol…
My weight is fluctuating all over the place, by the way. I mentioned yesterday it was up slightly, then another pound up today. So I’m the same weight again today as I was a week ago: 148.4 pounds. The “scale creep” has added 2.6 pounds to my body in the last few days. I feel it too – kinda bloated and fluffy.
I think it’s just muscle recovery, lack of sleep, the blahs… a combination of things I guess. I leave a week from today for a weekend on the beach though, so it’s time to buckle down and break out of this funk!
How are things going with you?
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
LIsten to your body!! You have been pushing yourself really hard of late. If you dont slow down you will get sick. Your body needs a pause to adjust to all those new things you have been doing. Even fun is stress to your body!! Stop and hang out with dog and do some stretching. Try some new foods you have never tried. We all get in ruts with food. I noticed you dont eat salads on a regular basis and also dark greens like kale. You remind me of my daughter… you are so hard on yourself. HUGS
I’m just feeling down this week, over something going on in my life. It’ll pass, but it’s been a hard week – an emotional week, which is exhausting.
I eat tons of salads and greens when I travel. I just don’t feel like cooking lately – or going out.
I share these thoughts because I know everyone has them, and how I deal with them (hopefully) helps others get through the tough days too. I’m already taking my own advice. 😉 *cheers*
Lynn you’ve been doing so great…don’t be so hard on yourself. I look forward to reading your posts every day…they and you are such a positive motivation for so many of us. I myself am having a hard time getting back on track. But seeing your posts everyday has kept me from letting go completely. Thank you for all your positive encouragement even when you’re not feeling it yourself.
All the best Jodi
Thank you Jodi 🙂
I don’t think I’m hard on myself though. You’re the second person to say that (see comment above). I have taken the day off from exercising two days in a row because I didn’t feel like it (easy on myself).
I’m dealing with some major stressors and big decisions in my life. Heavy stuff. It’s weighing on me, and I was simply sharing ways to deal with it – when I no longer have “comfort foods” to turn to like I used to. I’m learning new habits, which is a good thing.
Sure I am committed goal driven, and making huge lifestyle changes, but I think “going easy on myself” is why it took me SO long to get to this point. 🙂 lol
First I wanted to say that seeing your updates defiantly keeps me motivated.
Second I don’t have a problem being active/exercising my problem is my eating habits, so I am on the low carb challenge. As far as finding motivation or getting out of the blahs, talk to a friend and have them take a walk with you or go to a workout class. That helps me when I am in a workout slump or even when I am stressed. It helps me focus on something else for an hour. But according to your post today it seems like you know what you need to do, you just need to do it.
Third I think you need to drink more water.
And thank you for your dedication on posting daily, and allowing us to take this journey with you.
Thank you Shay 🙂 Good ideas! I do wish I had more local friends for things like that. I hardly know anyone here. I really like the lady I met the other day that made that fabulous Gumbo though, so I’m working on connecting with her. She was fun!
I usually drink 48 ounces of water a day, which is plenty when you are also eating foods high in water content. The rule is to drink for thirst, and to have pale yellow urine (darker means drink more water, lighter or clear is too MUCH water).
See: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/4884/how-much-water-should-i-drink/ for the list of low carb foods high in water content.
How is the challenge and low carb going for you so far? 🙂
Hi Lyn
I hear ya! I am going thru some major stress stuff too and having to make some big decisions too….i thought of eating something different but nothing appeals to me
One of those weight loss reality shows kinda shocked me back to reality. I was watching the stories of a couple of extremely obese people and their struggles with weight loss and how a major life event can cause our weight lods goals to come to a halt in in many cases cause weight gain
I am trying hard to not let this happen
I know that the ‘comfort’ foods will only be instant gratification and will not solve my emotional issues and it will only lead me deeper into depression than before
All things will pass. The mental part of this is much harder than the physical part to conquer
Gosh…..52 days on this straight…..its hard to believe i have survived
Frankly i am getting bored with my usual foods
I am going to try the sausage biscuits and pecan blueberry crepes asap
I am going to an extended stay hotel next Wed so i will be able to actually make food there
I miss my home and my dog
I had a loss at my home that forced me to leave for an unknown amount of time….3-6 months
My insurance is paying but my stress level has been
I plan on going to the pool at the extended stay hotel and maybe the exercise room
I am making lemonade out of the lemons. 🙂
I came too far to go backwards now
Anyway the retrograde is over
Time to move on and leave the past behind
Have fun at the beach next week
I will be swimming in the hotels pool. I cannot wait!
P.s. Akkkk……glad you used that last Atki s shake……..i used ro drink those. Those are only tolorable if you drink it ice cold
I got sooooooo burt out on them. I swear i cannot even look at any shakes after that one. I tried drinking one recently as i had three left in the fridge. I took one drink and then pitched it. I gave the others away
You are right. It is sickening sweet. 😮
You’re doing GREAT Gigi. 🙂 Kudos for sticking this out and challenging yourself even through big life changes and unsettling circumstances! You’re right – it’s the ONE thing you CAN control right now, which is smart. 😉
I’m getting bored with my usual foods lately too. 😛 I need to find something new to eat this weekend… my taste buds need a change lol.
P.S. i think your gain again is water weight and muscle recovery
Remember you said that your weighr always goes up right before it dips down!
There is a scientific reasining for all this. When a person is cutting calories or carbs for a while the body uses fat in its cells. When the far is depleted from the fat cells, it is replaced by water. The body hold on to that water in the empty fat cells for a few days hoping to be replenished with fat. ( our body’s survival mechanism) if the fat is not replinished in a few days then the body will finally have no choice but to release the water from the fat cells and then you will see a bigger weight loss
Si you can still be losing fat even though the scale does not show it yet
I suspect that in a few days your weighr will dip back down to where it was again
But forget that scale. Girl you look great…..seriously! Your transformation is amazing. 🙂 🙂
Thanks, Gigi! 🙂 I’ve read that before and it definitely holds true. I also find when I’m stressed or upset, it’s like I’m holding on to something. As soon as I release it (make a decision, let it go, make a change, whatever that takes)… it seems the weight releases as well.
Our bodies are interesting, complex things!
I’m very discouraged, but not giving up. My scale is not moving. Now I’m sick with a cold and really don’t feel like working out. But I don’t feel like eating either.
Hi Maribeth,
When you’re sick, just take it easy and take care of you. 🙂 Hot chicken broth is great to sip out of a mug. It replaces sodium & electrolytes that you need right now. Keep in mind that anytime you aren’t well your scales will “hold” or fluctuate – it’s just your body taking care of itself.
When you get well, go super simple – 3 ingredients max (3IMAX) for two weeks: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/6064/3-ingredients-rule/ It works like a charm! 🙂
How much weight have you lost in the past 50 days?
Hi Patricia,
Around 8 pounds I think. My weight loss is super slow at this point because I’m within probably 10 pounds of my goal weight. And I’m post-hysterectomy. 😛
But that’s about a pound a week, which at my weight… is GREAT!
I’ve lost around 50 pounds total. See: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/9378/my-weight-loss-journey/ 🙂