Boy am I glad February is over with. Luckily it was a short month as well. I really am just over the whole winter thing. The rain, the sort-of snow, the darkness. It was also a stressful month personally. I did a lot of stress eating and as a result I am NOT looking forward to this week’s weigh in.
How did I do on my goals for February? Pretty much a Fail all around.
February Goals
1. Try one new restaurant each month. This month: Pata-Negra
NOPE.
2. Continue training for the Portland Century. SORT OF.
3. Try running outside (after 5 months of treadmill running). NOPE.
4. Take a Body Pump class at the gym. NOPE.
5. Pay attention to portion sizes! NOT REALLY.
In retrospect perhaps trying to run outside was not a realistic goal. The weather did not cooperate for any outside activities. Plus being sick for over a week meant that I did not try the Body Pump class and I ate a lot of comfort food.
I didn’t try Pata-Negra but Michael and I did go to Nuestra Cocina for the first time, so in a round-about way I did try one new restaurant.
MARCH GOALS
1. Try one new restaurant each month. This month: Pata-Negra
2. Attempt running outside on the track at least once.
3. Really hunker down on portion sizes.
4. Learn how to use the new Kitchenaid Mixer.
I think those goals are achievable. I think…!
Over the weekend a fellow blogger posted a comment on a post kind of criticizing my food choices. I took offense to the comment because while my blog IS about weight loss–it’s not really about my trying to lose weight right now. Sure I have those “last 4 pounds” I want to lose but I have no problems with where I’m currently at. I’m well below my Goal Weight and my blog is more about maintenance than weight loss.
I feel like I do the right amount of indulging, healthy eating and exercise that proves to people that once they lose the weight they CAN enjoy things in life. It’s not ALWAYS about limitations and “dieting.” I’m not on a diet.
Everyone’s story is different. My story has changed since I first started this journey. At 250 pounds I was limiting my caloric intake in order to lose weight. Now? I’m 144 pounds and trying to maintain it. I eat around 2,000 calories a day and I’ve kept the weight off for 3 years now.
Sure if it was REALLY important to me to lose those 4 pounds I’d go back to restricting my calories like I did in the beginning. I’d cut out sugar, I wouldn’t drink alcohol at all, I’d skip eating out, and I would try to eat less calories than 2,000 a day.
Thank you again Julie for delurking and commenting on my blog. Your comment really made my day. 🙂
Monday I met some friends at Oaks Bottom Pub for happy hour. One friend I hadn’t seen for years–we’d worked together back in the day. It was a nice time. I ordered a side salad (which ended up being pretty large) and a bowl of chili.
Chili is a good pub food choice. Sure it might be a little higher in calories than some foods but when faced with deep fried treats (mozzarella sticks) or nachos chili is a good choice. It’s packed full of protein and fiber from the beans.
For me chili sits heavy in my stomach too. It’s very filling.
Despite it being happy hour I limited my drinks to only one beer. I enjoyed the hoppy Centennial India Pale Ale. It was floral and fruity with a strong after taste. Tasty!
QUESTION: What are your goals for March? How did you do for February?
Runeatrepeat
Don’t let the judge-y comments get to you. Do your own thing and don’t doubt it for a second 🙂
Lisa Eirene
Thanks Monica! 🙂 I have the tendency to overlook the positives and focus on the negatives but the positive comments made me feel a lot better.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
I did quite well in February and have some huge goals for march as you saw – mostly to PR in the National Half Marathon later this month. I can’t wait!
Lisa Eirene
You are so close to goal weight too! I’m impressed with your dedication to the new Weight Watchers program and the fact that it’s been successful.
kalin
This time of year getting out is sucky! I’m trying to get up the motivation to run before work right now-ick (no gym membership = no choice but outside runs!)
Lisa Eirene
The rain this week has just been brutal! I was hoping March would be a bit dry. It can be cold–I just don’t like rain!
Amber from Girl with the Red Hair
Don’t let the judge-y comments bother you – I just went back and read Suzanne’s comment and I’m thinking she didn’t mean it to be as harsh as it came across – maybe?
This is why I don’t post food on my blog. Once when I did I got a “OMG YOU EAT SO MUCH SUGARY FOOD” comment and I was like F you, I eat what I want. Haha. Balance is SO IMPORTANT and enjoying a delicious, fatty turkey burger every once in awhile is NOT a big deal! I’m glad another commenter left a comment to make you feel better 🙂
Lisa Eirene
Hahaha! What a comment! I can only imagine what it would be like if I posted ALL the food I eat. I’d get hate mail left and right I’m sure…but guess what? I’m still within my calorie range each day! I believe what I’m doing is working. I’m okay with that. Normally I wouldn’t let a judge-y comment bother me but since it was from someone I admire I felt the sting.
SMM
I totally agree with Julie. I LOVE seeing that you have accomplished so much, yet you still allow yourself to live a normal life. You are just aware of choices you make and potential consequences. That is why I subscribe. That is why I read what you have to say. You are a regular person (in my area nonetheless!) who has battled the battle I am battling (many battles!) and it is awesome and comforting and reassuring to know that I am not the only one and success CAN happen for me. Thank you!!
Lisa Eirene
Oh that’s so sweet! Thank you so much for the pep-talk. I love hearing that I can inspire people. I’ve so been there, feeling frustrated and like I won’t win the battle. I’m pretty happy with the place I’m at now and I honestly no one can maintain a “dieting” lifestyle forever. At some point maintenance mode and NOT losing mode has to be the focus.
Lori
It definitely goes with the territory when you post what you eat, there will always be someone who takes issue with some portion of it. I *still* get people telling me I am going to get fat on bagels and that they have a lot of carbs. A – I won’t get fat eating them, as I lost weight while doing so, and B – I know they have a lot of carbs and it’s okay.
And then with my lower carb experiments, I am getting comments about how I should be eating more carbs. It’s all good, though. I am happy to have any comment, negative or positive, because they all make me think.
I am outlining my goals for March today. No focus on weight loss, but I will be ramping up the biking (yay!).
I am over winter as well. I would love to see actual ground at some point.
Lisa Eirene
I like your new Gravatar photo. Are you getting on the bike trainer? I can’t imagine your snow storm has disappeared already. I’m looking forward to the Portland rain disappearing so I can bike outside again! I miss it!
Thanks for the encouragement. I love comments–all are welcome if they are constructive and offer a chance for discussion.
Becky
I agree with Julie; I hope that at the end of my journey when I am in the maintenance mode I will be able to have a healthy and balanced relationship with food and not have to meticulously count each calorie I put in my body. The fact that you’ve maintained for 3 years now just shows that you are doing things right. Most importantly, you are happy with how you look and how you feel. That’s what matters!
As for my February…I was sidelined with an injury (very minor compared to yours) and haven’t been able to run. It’s been driving me absolutely insane. I don’t know how you functioned after finding out how long it would be before you could run again! Kudos to you!
Lisa Eirene
Oh no! What injury? I need to catch up on my blog reading. I hope you’re okay.
If I had to spend the rest of my life counting and restricting every single calorie I ate I’d never be successful. At some point Intuitive Eating has to kick in. I still count my calories and I still try to stay within a range but I also eat a little “looser.” Not as anal-retentive. 🙂
Becky
Something is strained in my calf…I keep hoping it will stop hurting but it doesn’t. It’s a really weird type of pain. My friend is a physical therapist and she said to rest it for two weeks. If it doesn’t feel better after that two week period (this Thursday) I’m going to bite the bullet and pay for a specialist. I don’t want to risk it with an injury!
Lisa Eirene
I hope it improves after rest!
DefineDiana
I’m sorry you got a negative comment about what food you eat. This is why I don’t necessarily tell people in real life that I am actively loosing weight. I feel like people can be so judgemental about others food. Either you’re “not eating healthy enough” or “why are are you eating THAT food” I thought you were suppose to be dieting. Ugh, I hate the diet word.
You are living your life, and eating what you want comes along with that. Nobody should judge someone who has lost over 100lbs about what type of food they are eating. Especially if they are maintaining their weight.
By the way, I think you eat somewhat similar to me, so I like to see what you are making!
Lisa Eirene
Thanks Diana. I don’t want to come across as snotty or snobby about my weight loss. But you are so right–I lost 100 pounds by myself, no doctors, no fads, and I’ve kept it off. I think I know how to eat. 🙂
lisa
It works for you and that is all that matters. I appreciate you posting what you eat, because it’s a commitment to photograph the meal before you take a bite. Obviously what you are doing works and seeing pictures of healthy meals and healthy portions is great for me!
Elizabeth@GenuineEfforts
Don’t let the comment get you down. I appreciate your attitude on what I consider to be balanced living.
I believe it was you that said only a week or so ago about seeing those people who had done WW or JCraig or something similar and were terrified of food. Terrified to walk away from the very structured eating because they neither trusted themselves nor their bodies.
I kept that advice in mind only just last night when I was debating whether or not to go to a restaurant with some friends. If I went I knew I would be eating outside of my caloric range, trigger foods, and knew controlling myself would be hard.
I didn’t want to be one of those people who couldn’t trust themselves and lost experiences in lieu of constant control. So I went, I planned on not drinking alcohol and enjoying two tacos (99 cent taco night!). I followed that plan and felt fine- I did not however, anticipate the chips, the incredibly slow service, and the intense hunger after a zumba class. I ate a lot of chips but this is a learning process.
Anyways, don’t let one blogger get you down when there are hundreds that think you’re awesome. Check out my blog sometime- I’d love the support as I train for a 10K.
Joanna
First things first… you lost over 100 pounds and have kept it off for over three years. Amazing! I think it is safe to say you know something how and what to eat, and what works best for you!
Second, you are an example of a real person who eats like a real person, with the occassional beer or slice of pizza. I think this is honest, real, and inspiring. I think it shows you have a healthy outlook towards food and you show that here. I love that you’re not afraid to eat these foods (of course balanced out with other things). It models a healthy relationship with food for others.
Third, I will never understand meanspirited people.
Thanks for all you do!
Lisa Eirene
Thanks Joanna! I love all the positive, encouraging comments people have shared with me today.
I try to show people that losing weight can be hard work but fun too. I may fluctuate up and down 2-6 pounds but I’m pretty happy with my fitness level, the food I eat and how I enjoy my down time. One thing about the Meal Planning this last month or two is that I’m eating a lot of really good REAL food. I’m so happy that I’m eating less processed food!
steena
Hey, about not being able to run outside in the winter, is there a nice nature-y trail you can run on? Or ever consider yak-trax? Just a thought, I’m sure you’re well aware of those options.
I’m with you, February wasn’t that good to me either. So far March is looking good, though it’s only March 2nd!
Laura
People make comments to me all the time about my eating choices. It can be so frustrating sometimes because I want to scream IM HUMAN TOO! Just because I am losing weight doesn’t mean that I can’t eat a mini blizzard! Or pizza! I think the negativitiy comes from their own insecurities. You rock it, no matter what. Life isn’t perfect, so neither should our diets.
Lisa Eirene
Thanks Laura! I AM human and sometimes I want to eat a 93% lean turkey burger. 😀