If you've read some of the most recent posts in my blog, you are already aware that I recently ordered a few pairs of pants in a size smaller to use as both a motivation and to get me through the fall/winter season at the office. The parcel from my online purchase arrived yesterday. I was a bit unsure of what to expect when I put on these pants that I knew wouldn't fit. Even though my current pants are a little bit big, they aren't falling off me (yet). Much of my excess weight lives in my 'pants areas' so I need to lose a lot of weight to go down a full size. Trying to manage my own expectations (hoping for the best: what if they fit already?!; fearing the worst: what if I can't pull them up past my knees?!), I tried on the trouser jeans. I was able to get them up to my waist, but I can't fasten them at all. I'm not that far from it though, so I was pleased to see that another 10 lbs will take me a long way toward getting the button to meet the button hole face to face. Nice!
The rules I have put into place are helping me get to where I want to be (back on track with my two Transformers before they end in October and November). Each week I implement a new change that helps me reach this goal. Here are my existing rules, which may seem innocuous to some, but are super relevant to me:
Rule #1: No more poutine until Christmas
Rule #2: No more tuck shop goodies
I'm doing very well with these rules. I haven't slipped once. But it's time to add another one.
Rule #3: Pack a lunch every day
Oh boy, that's also a biggie for me. That nasty cafeteria downstairs doesn't have anything that I'm happy putting in my body right now. So I'm going to take responsibility for my own lunches and bring food from home. It seems like a no-brainer to pack your own food when you're trying to lose weight, but it's something I've been letting slip an awful lot. No more.
I'm trying to tackle the diet-related habits which will have the biggest impact on my weight loss. My back has been getting better so I have increased my physical activity but until I know that it's better for real, I don't want to commit to exercise rules. But they are coming. Once I feel I have nixed all the really bad food habits, I will jump in on the exercise side. In the meantime, I have checked with my physiotherapist and she indicated that I'm okay to start walking longer distances provided it's on flat roads and I need to stop when I start aching. Not being very good at taking it easy, I've been giving my back a little challenge with some kayaking (bought a kayak and l-o-v-e it!). My trapezius muscles (had to look that up - it's the muscle on top of your shoulder which goes from the back of your neck to a bit past the bottom of what we call the shoulder blade) are working. After a week of my slow and not-so-slow paddling, I can feel that the muscles on the top of my shoulder are harder - maybe not bigger, but definitely harder. Nice NSV, right?
All in all, things are going well. My weight is trending downwards slowly so I just need to stay on this course and I'll get to where I want to be.