Finally.... Progress!

Ok, so it's not exactly what I'm looking for.... it's measured in such small increments for what I feel is the effort, the output, but finally, FINALLY, there was some progress this week. A loss of three pounds, and a gain of tremendous accomplishment! It isn't easy trying to stay motivated to work out, eat right, and hope for successes. Based on the scale, the goals are not as measurable as I seem to need. I'm a numbers kind of gal, so I decided to set some concrete goals that are measurable, and quit depending on the scale so much. (Because of the amount of water we drink here in the Valley of the Sun, 100 ounces can pack on what seems to be pounds from day to day.) Here's what I've determined will be my goals each week for the next two weeks:

1. Drink 100 ounces of water a day
2. Log 300 minutes of cardio between the elliptical and treadmill
3. Lift 20,000 pounds (remember, 10 reps of 10 lbs = 100! )
4. Log all foods using SparkPeople page
5. Log all gym activities in Excel
6. Only weigh in twice a week (every day without progress can be depressing!)

I'm hoping for better results than I had the first four weeks of gym time. I've been told that not eating enough puts the body in starvation mode, and maybe that's why I wasn't losing weight? Personally, I'm attributing a lot of it to just being more aware, and taking my vitamins on a daily basis. And knowing that no matter how much I'm working out, or cutting back in some areas, I cannot eat tortilla chips AT ALL. Even ""one serving"" does terrible things to me on the scale. Of course, back to the paleo style diet means not having any of that processed food stuffs -- but I'm finding that I do better if I have an intake of carbs -- whole wheats, oatmeal (I can wholly recommend Clif Bar Oatmeal Walnut Bars ... they're chewy, tasty, and stick to the ribs!)

It's not an easy thing to make changes ... but it took me 50 years to get to this point, so what if it takes years to get back to where I really want to be. :)

Happy, Progressive HUGSSS to everyone!!

Coping....

How do you cope with disappointment?
Are there any tried and true cure-alls that work for you?
I thought about it today, and seem to think there are
different cope mechanisms based on the disappointment.

Right now, I currently have two different disappointments. (Neither of them are earth shattering ... just normal stuff!) First... all my hard work at the gym hasn't paid off in the expected results (weight loss, of course). My first cure-all coping device is usually chocolate related! but... this time, it defeats the purpose, and I've not given in. Yet!! And I haven't given up going to the gym either ... I"m still plodding along. I changed a few notes to myself, and reset some goals (like 300 minutes a week of cardio--- which means I have 80 minutes to do on Friday-- 10 mins more than I normally do!)

The second is a trip I'd planned that fell thru (mostly) because of changes in my work schedule. I was really looking forward to it! So, I'm rescheduling it for May or June, depending on how things pan out in the next couple of weeks. My work schedule changed abruptly because the gal who works for me went off for some surgery. Which left me with no coverage, no one trained to do what she does. Which left me to cover her shifts, AND to train someone all at the same time. This disappointment has been harder to cope with. And I don't feel like I've found a successful way to do it, other than to keep overly busy to keep from dwelling on it. (It's Thursday night right now, and I should have been packing, anticipating, and getting excited about leaving in the morning!)

In the meantime, I've been training a nice fellow to take over. And I'm impressed with how methodical he is, and his desire to get the claims correct. He also has a knack (ok, for me, its my OCD! hahaha) of putting things into the claims box all neat and orderly. (ever noticed how some people have a knack for being able to fit shapes into a box? any Tetris fans out there??) Well, he has those skills, and for me, it fits perfectly. The only issue he and I have? I don't speak Spanish, and his English is limited. We do OK getting our messages across, but every once in a while... it gets all discombobulated! hehehehe

Disappointment is part of life... and it can shake our confidence and ability to deal with life if we don't develop effective and healthy strategies to deal with it. Keeping busy is definitely a productive way to cope with disappointments. I have moments where I let myself wallow in some of the bigger disappointments in life (we all have them, right?) but I don't let it hang around for long. I get up, get out, get moving. Take a walk, take a few pictures, change my focus, my routine, my habits.

And it helps to remember: "This too shall pass"

HUGGGS to everyone!