Scale Buster

So I've had a busy year. Which makes it hard to notice things. Like how all my jeans feel like they just came out of the dryer, no matter how many times I've worn them. And I certainly haven't had a lot of time for the gym. And who wants to (or even can) diet while they are studying for the bar? Comfort food reigns in times of stress, and It takes me less time to order pizza then it does for me to cook dinner for my family.

So when I got on the scale at my mom's house earlier today, I didn't expect it to be good. But I definitely didn't expect it to be THAT bad. I was shocked. I am not revealing any numbers, but I am currently the heaviest I have ever been. And here I had thought it couldn't get much heavier. Of course I ran to the gym to make sure my mom doesn't have an old wonky scale. Turns out she doesn't. In fact, my mother's scale was a little kinder to me than the scale at the gym.

All this amounts to a resolve to do better. I don't want to have to buy new clothes (and we couldn't afford to, even if I did).  Time to buck up. And get a new plan to help me to feel better about myself.

The way I see it, this plan has three main components:

1. Track my food with Weight Watchers, AND STICK TO IT. I have used Weight Watchers before. The first time was before my wedding. I lost ten pounds in about two months. Not too shabby. So I know the system works for me. And I enjoy eating fruit (zero points) so the diet isn't too restrictive. Except when it comes to cheese and carbs. But hey, stuff doesn't come for free right? And I can still enjoy the occasional slice of pizza, just maybe not five slices every other night. And okay, liquor eats up a lot of points too, but it won't kill me to drink less and drink less often.

My problem is falling off the wagon. No, I don't mean falling off the sobriety wagon. We're not there yet. BUt I start to cheat on my diet, or get lazy about it. And there are no immediate consequences. No one knows, and I don't visibly gain weight. But it all adds up, and before long, I am not tracking at all.  A few months of that and I end up where I am right now. Feeling bad and wearing sweatpants. So this time I will go to the meetings every week. And do the dreaded weigh-in. That way I can track my progress, or lack there of... I will also be accountable to someone other than myself. And my husband, but what can he say about how I look except "great"?

2. Exercise. Duh. But I hate to run. Hate hate hate. I was one of those kids that walked for half of the mile run in elementary school. And I only half-heartedly jogged the other half. My best friend had asthma and she still beat my time. Recently I discovered the C25K app for the iPhone. And I am in love. It turns running rejects like me in to stars! Well maybe not stars, but certainly into someone capable of huffing their way through a 5k without needing a break. And it's not intimidating. I can track my weight and it plays my music through the app, and "pings" when it is time for me to pick up the pace, or slow it back down.

I just have to stick to it. To keep the pressure on, I am planning to run the Anoka Grey Ghost run in late October. Plus I get to dress in a costume. It's a win-win.

3. Cook healthier! I won't have to make my points stretch as far if I use them more wisely. And I love to cook anyway. This will give me an opportunity to try some new recipes.

That's the plan anyway. Here's hoping it works!!