Weigh In: These are my feet …

… and they aren’t on a scale — they haven’t been on one in a month!

If you missed it last month I decided it was time for me to ditch the scale for good. I’m not going to get all into it again — click here to see the post. 

If I’m being honest, I thought about digging it out of the basement maybe twice. But that’s not too bad for a previous daily weigher! I kind of like this new state I’m in. I have no idea how much I weigh and I don’t care. I’m active! Running when I can, weight training and really enjoying learning Olympic lifts. I’m staying active with the kids. I walk whenever I can. I eat when I’m hungry and try to focus on unprocessed stuff as much as possible. There are times I still struggle with mindless and nighttime snacking but that’s just something I will always have to work on being conscious about.

My biggest lesson learned after this month is: nothing has changed. Nothing. Well, besides the fast that I don’t have some silly number in my head.

The scale was once a powerful tool for me but I think recognizing its irrelevance at this point is a huge step in my maintenance journey.

That’s my story this week. How about you? Excited for Thanksgiving or fearing it?

Just remember it’s one stinking day. Have fun and move on. I’ll be back tomorrow with some photos from our Turkey Trot. PLEASE tag or send me photos if you are joining is. I’d love to see updates. I’ll post on Instagram as well. No idea what I’m talking about? Click here! 

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Wednesday Weigh In: Glimpse of a Scale-Less LIfe

My poor baby was up all last night. Is there anything worse than a sick 2-year-old? Poor little guy didn’t even know what hit him. He was up almost every 2 hours on the dot, 10, midnight, 2, 4, 6. I felt so bad for him.

He’s doing much better now. This stupid stomach virus started with the 8-year-old, then me and now him. I can only guess The Husband is next, but for as uninterested as he is in healthy living, he somehow dodges most bullets. It’s like he has some superhuman immune system.

Anyway, I realized something after all the sick toddler hoopla: I have been truly living in the moment the past 24 hours. You have to with a sick child. You just tend to them and everything else seems pretty insignificant.

When I finally got a moment to sit at my desk to write today’s weigh-in post I realized I didn’t even occur to me to hop on the scale once this week.

Some weeks I look forward to the scale ritual and some I dread. There are times I argue with myself whether I should hop on at all. Is it a good idea to be accountable? Or does it do more harm than good? Does it even matter in the grand scheme of things what the stupid scale says anyway?

You guys know all this because I blog about it. Weekly.

But today was different. Today it didn’t occur to me nor did it matter. I didn’t have time to overanalyze my petty and ridiculous relationship with the scale. Life was happening. Things needed to get done. People needed to be taken care of.

I think I just had a glimpse of a scale-less life and I liked it.

Of course now I’m curious what the stupid thing says, but I think I resist this week. :)

How is everything going with you guys?

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Wednesday Weigh In: Know Yourself

I decided to hop on the scale this morning after a pretty high weigh in at yesterday’s doctors appointment.

 According to my GYN’s scale I’m 159 pounds.

Just another reminder that scales are stupid.

Anyway, that’s not what I really want to blog about today. What I need is a shot of motivation to break out of the current funk cycle I’m in.

Ugh. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel like I’m waking up every day and just going through the motions. I’m distracted. Unmotivated. Overwhelmed. I try to keep my food journal only to abandon it by dinner. I say I’m going to go to bed early and then find myself snacking at midnight watching mindless TV. My house is a mess. I haven’t made the 8-year-old’s lunches in over a week. I’m just feeling blah.

I’m in tread water mode until I find my groove again. And I will. I always do.

I’ve learned to cut myself some slack in times like these. In a way I go on autopilot. I do what I can when I can (#wycwyc HA!) and just keep swimming.

OK, enough being Debbie Downer, how was your week! Updates, please! I want to live vicariously through you. :) 

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Wednesday Weigh In: Calorie Counting

I hopped on the scale this morning because I’ve been experimenting with calories for this week’s weigh in topic and I was curious to see the effect — Click here if you missed yesterday’s 10 Thoughts on Calories post. 

Not surprisingly, it’s down a little and honestly, I feel fantastic. I’ve been focussing on whole, unprocessed, lower calorie dense foods while still keeping an eye on protein because of all the weight training I do. Here’s Monday’s food journal as a sample:

BreakfastCaloriesFatFiberSugarCarbsProteinHormel Real Bacon Bits – Real Bacon Bits – Ready to Serve 7 g, 7 gGeneric – Organic Baby Spinach, 1 cup 42.5 gramsJack Link’s – Premium Cuts Teriyaki Beef Jerky Jumbo, 56 gGeneric – Portabello Mushroom Cap, 1.5 medGeneric – Pork Sirloin Roast Boiled, 4 ouncesNature’s Own Sandwich Roll Whole Wheat – Hamburger Buns, 1 bunBirdseye – Frozen Broccoli Florets – With Potassium Data, 1 cupSquash – Winter, spaghetti, cooked, boiled, drained, or baked, without salt, 150 gLucerne – Greek Non Fat Vanilla Yogurt, 227 gGeneric – Cocoa Nibs, 0.5 oz 28g

Click here to see it on MyFitnessPal.

There’s no doubt in my mind calorie counting works for weight loss. The key is to do it consistently without getting obsessive or (on the other end of the spectrum) feeling defeated by it. Do I believe you can lose weight without calorie counting? SURE! People do it all the time. They are just able to eat fewer calories without the aid of a food journal.

Calorie counting can give you a lot of information, like portion sizes and what makes smarter choices to keep you full without going overboard. On the other hand, calorie counting is work, it’s time consuming and many get obsessive with it.

At the end of the day it’s just another tool — like the scale — and a useful way to give us information.

For this week’s weigh in please share your experience with calorie counting. Have you tried it? Found it useful? Harmful?

Remember there’s no “right” way, there’s only the way that works for you.

Click here to join one of my live meetings today on Yardstick were we’ll discuss this topic live.

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Wednesday Weigh In: Excuses

Happy Weigh In Day!

OK, that’s a little too chipper, isn’t it?

I can’t help it I’m in a good mood today. This morning at the gym I was SO DARN CLOSE to doing an unassisted pull-up. I can’t believe it! I walked out of the gym on cloud nine!

If you’ve been following along for some time, you know this is my current goal. I’m taking a break from the scale now and seriously focusing on weight training and building muscle. I wasn’t lying when I said that competition was a big deal for me. It’s given me a whole new focus and perspective beyond weight loss which, really, someone who has maintained for over 8 years needs. I can’t be chained to the number on the scale forever. It’s not healthy and I’m a completely different person now.

Well, somewhat. I still struggle with some of the same mentality but now instead of it revolving around the scale it pertains to my training.

Yesterday I posted about Weight Loss Excuses. It was easy to write because I have used them all. Excuse mentality comes naturally to me and I’d guess, most people. It’s what we do when things get hard. It’s how we justify walking away from our goals.

I caught myself trying to do it with training.

“I can’t train to compete, I don’t have the time.”

“I’m too old.”

“I’m not athletic enough.”

blah

blah

blah

These are all just excuses not to try. They are a way to give myself permission to walk away.

So if you have’t guessed, this week’s weigh-in topic: Excuses.

Leave a comment below with your weigh-in (if you are sharing numbers) and a list of excuses you have used or maybe, ARE using.

Once we are able to self-identify the excuse, we can break the cycle. 

Click here to join one of my live meetings today on Yardstick were we’ll discuss this topic live. I’m still working out the kinks but last week was so much fun I think I’m ready to add a second meeting for those who can’t do days!

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In: The Scale Has Nothing For Me Today

Sometimes I just don’t know how to start a post and this is one of those times.

I’ve been feeling … dare I say it … fat.

Stop rolling your eyes. I know. I know. But sometimes it’s the only word that captures that uncomfortable, thick, unhappy, self-conscious, blah feeling. I’m trying hard to remove the connection in my brain between “fat” and “feelings,” but it’s pretty deep rooted. We’re talking years of dysfunctional thinking here.

The official Tough Mudder Photos were released and like last year, my inner mean girl is really letting loose.

She has me focusing on all the wrong things. Again.

I’m so over listening to her yell about my weight and body size. I really am. Especially when I’m doing things like this.

And this.

And this.

(OMG, I’m STILL freaking out about the Plank and I’ve done it 6 damn times!)

I decided a long time ago that my body is and will be a product of my lifestyle. I refuse to starve myself and focus on particular body parts all in the name of sculpting some perfect body. This is me.

I’m a 37-year-old mom who likes CrossFit, running, and ice cream all way too much. If we can figure out how to add more hours in the day, I’d love to take a yoga class here and there. I’m happily married to a junk-food junkie who brought Doritos to bed last night and supports me in all my crazy adventures. I’m almost always smiling and I consciously work on being happy, grateful and content. It’s not always easy but I’ve learned it’s worth it.  I’m also, apparently, out of focus.

This is my favorite photo they captured.

Not because of the way my body looks, but because when I saw it, the first thing I noticed was my smiling face and it immediately brought back the sense of accomplishment I felt when I crossed that finish line.

I’m sorry I hijacked our Wednesday Weigh In post this week, but I needed to get this out of my head. The scale really doesn’t have anything for me today. I didn’t need to weigh in. I needed to write this post.

Inner mean girl  must not have liked it too much. I can barely hear her now.

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In: Thankfully the Scale is Only One Measure …

I won’t say I was excited to get on the scale this morning but I also wasn’t dreading it. I’ve had a great week. #WYCWYC has really motivated me to incorporate more movement throughout the day, I’ve been more in control of my nighttime snack habit, and I’ve stayed true to Operation Breaking Bad Habits getting at least 7 hours a sleep each night (except in Savannah because I was on such a tight schedule.)

Anyway, my point is: I feel GREAT about my week and the scale is not going to tell me otherwise. It’s showing a 0.2 gain but whatever, I rocked it.

Oh, well, this is one of those times I have to remind myself it’s SO MUCH more than what that scale says. It’s how I feel and today I feel FANTASTIC.

So, how was your week? 

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In: Knowing What You Need When You Need It

WHAT a morning! I was hoping to get this post up super early before leaving for the gym but I woke up to the find my little copyrighted photo drama not really over as I thought it was.

I ended up coming home from my workout and writing copyright infringement letters to the owners of a .au domain that’s using my before and after photos to sell some diet pill and colon cleanse.

FABULOUS! Right?

Ugh. To make matters worse, I’ve just been a funk lately, which is why I didn’t get on the scale this morning. I thought about it and consciously decided the number (regardless of what it is/was) would do more harm than good today.

And that’s what I wanted to talk about for this week’s weigh in: Knowing What You Need When You Need It

There are weeks I need to see the number. I need to be held accountable. I need the feedback.

There are other weeks where my mental state doesn’t warrant dealing with the scale. “Good” or “bad” wouldn’t matter, I just don’t want to bother with it and no, it’s not coming from a place of denial. I’m not binging myself to death or eating out my frustration, but the feelings have been there.

No, this is about being true and honest with myself, and for the past couple of days, for whatever reason, I’ve needed to walk away. I eased up on keeping my food journal. I haven’t run. I didn’t even put my Fitbit on this morning!

Maybe it’s hormones or stress or tiredness. Maybe it’s all three. Who knows? To be honest, I don’t want to psychoanalyze myself. I just needed a break, and you know what? I’m already starting to feel better.

Learning how to honestly listen to what I need without guilt or stress or anger is probably the hardest part of this journey. There was a time I would have called myself weak or lazy for admitting I needed a break. There was a time I would have binged to help deal with these feelings.  There was definitely a time (not that long ago) that I would feel an enormous sense of guilt.

Now I simply try to treat myself the way I would a friend, and sometimes you tell your friend, “Hey, take a few days. You deserve it.”

So how was everyone else’s week? I hope better than mine! :)

View the original article here

A Birthday Weigh In

I’ve avoided the scale for 2 months now but decided today it was time to take a peek. I couldn’t help myself. My data collecting side took over. I just got REALLY curious what the scale would read on my 37th birthday.

I hopped on first thing this morning.

Closed my eyes.

Counted to 10….

and voila!

Pretty much EXACTLY where I was when I stopped weighing in!!

I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless. I’ve pretty much maintained without food journaling, without weigh in, without “dieting,” without even thinking about it. Actually, “pretty much” is an understatement.

I’ve maintained.

As someone who used to live their life in one of two states, gaining or losing, this. is. HUGE.

I’ve never completely disconnected from everything at once. I went through periods of not food journaling but I’d still check the scale. I’ve also avoided the scale for long periods of time but was still counting points or calories. I’ve pretty much always kept one foot in the I’m-a-recovering-dieter door.

Is it possible I’m a “Recovered Dieter?”

Hmmm, I don’t want to get too cocky. I’m just going to keep taking things one day at a time. :)

OK, I REALLY have to go. I have a flight to Chicago in a few hours. I’m speaking at BlogHer’s Healthminder Day tomorrow!

How did your week go? Did anyone take any leaps out of their comfort zones? Big or small? PLEASE SHARE!

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In: Screw You, Scale

First, thank you for all the birthday wishes! I’m sorry I didn’t reply to everyone, it’s been a crazy week!

I wasn’t going to weigh in this morning. 

Then I was.

Then I wasn’t.

Then I was.

Then I wasn’t.

Then I checked my email and my new, awesome, Fitbit emailed me a report saying this week I …

According to the numbers I should have lost a pound. So I hopped on the scale curious if my weigh in would actually support the numbers.

It didn’t.

Now mind you I haven’t even had the device a full week so I wasn’t really expecting a loss but I also wasn’t expected an almost 4-pound gain!

Now, do I really think I gained 4 lbs?

No I don’t.

There are so many darn variables that go into lowering the number on the scale (notice I didn’t say weight.) It’s not as easy as calories in vs. calories out. Don’t get me wrong, I do think you need to eat less to lose weight. Well, I should say I NEEDED to eat less to lose weight. That is how I did it after all.

But now that I’m in a healthy weight range, training with weights, and maintaining, my scale readings don’t always reward me with a lower number for my efforts and that’s just fine. I know I’ve been rocking it.

I feel GREAT!

Isn’t that what really matters? Why do we let some random scale reading tell us otherwise? It’s so counterproductive!

Anyway, that’s my story this week. I’m not changing a thing, just gonna keep doing what I’m doing.

How are you guys doing? Remember, weigh in with or without numbers below. Can’t wait to read your updates! 

View the original article here

A Weight-less Wednesday Weigh In

After last week’s experience and follow-up discussion (which I still have some awesome comments to reply to!) I’ve decided to take a week off from the scale.

Honestly, it was way easier than I thought it would be, and without the pressure of wondering what the scale was going to show this morning, I made it through my first snack-free evening in weeks!

My plan was to skip this week and then weigh in with you all next, but you know … I’m not going to make that decision right now. I don’t want the stress of wondering what the scale will say to feed any of my self-sabotaging tendencies.

I’m just going to go with the flow and do what I do because I’ve got this.

That’s right, you heard me, GOT THIS. I’m taking the confident route. I’m kicking butt at the gym, grilling like a maniac, having a blast with #RWRunStreak and even getting back to my creative snack roots (inventing light snacks was a huge factor in my initial weight loss.) It’s time I own this lifestyle I’ve worked so hard at creating. I’ve got to let go of those last few remnants of “old Roni” and her old habits.

That being said, I have no plans to end Wednesday Weigh Ins any time soon. I’ve always looked at “weighing in” as more than a scale reading. I still plan on touching base with everyone once a week because I think it’s important. Sharing what the scale said was never a requirement, just an option, as everyone is on their own journey and needs to do what’s right for them.

So how was your week? 

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In!

I’m here! SO sorry for the late weigh-in post. Things are crazy with the conference and end of the school year. I’m trying to get as much done before heading to the school this afternoon to volunteer for the end-of-year party.

Anyway, I DID NOT GET ON THE SCALE this morning, and you know what, it was easy. I didn’t even think about it! I was too distracted by the kids, making breakfast, packing lunches, getting ready for the gym, etc., etc., etc.

It’s amazing how habits are started and broken. All it took was a few days of consciously not getting on the scale — almost forcing myself not to — and now I just forgot.  Just a few weeks ago I was thinking about weigh-in day for, well, days! Now the scale is the farthest thing from my mind.

Maybe it’s just because I’m busy but that’s OK. There really is a freedom that comes from NOT being distracted by the number. At this point I’m just going to take it week by week.

How was your week? Scale or no scale reading — we want to know! 

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In: Selling Ourselves Short

I was shocked at the scale reading this morning. If you are keeping score the past 4 weeks – pretty much since seeing my “magic number” on the scale —  I’ve shown a gain. So last week I decided to change things up, trust myself a bit more. I wanted to focus on what I was eating, not how much.

I didn’t talk about this last week, but I really think I was/am underestimating my calorie needs for my current activity level, especially with all my CrossFit workouts. Sometimes I still approach the eating/weight-loss thing as I did 8 years ago when I didn’t workout, run, or have 2 kids to tackle. I’m still grappling with lowering my calories because, well, that’s what worked! I was able to consistently drop 2 lbs a week through diet alone back then.

Now things are a bit more complex.

I’m not making excuses, just self observations.

Overall my new approach worked. I immediately felt less pressure to figure out how to enter something in MyFitnessPal or weigh out a serving. I started to get excited by making kale salads and fun ways to add more vegetables to my diet, but as the week went on I started to slowly slip into old habits. Little remnants of the perfection mindset were sneaking in and by last night I found myself binging on cookies because there was no way the scale wasn’t going to show a gain this morning.

I was self-sabotaging before even giving myself a chance.

I sold myself short and I’m going to bet you’ve done it, too.

I hopped on the scale this morning, eyes closed. I waited 30 seconds until the number locked in, and then I saw this…

 Trusting myself may be the hardest part of this journey.

I really felt fantastic all week too. I’m wondering if it may be time for me to step away from scale again, or at least figure out a way to track the data without the unconscious pressure I appear to be putting on myself.

GAH!

Enough about me! How was your week? I have to go anyway, I’m late for CrossFit! 

View the original article here

To Weigh or Not To Weigh: That is the Question

Kelly left a great comment on yesterday’s Weigh In Post and it really got me thinking about my own scale habits.

Been following you for a long time Roni and have almost exact same history with being overweight, losing it, gaining it, the yo yo, the binging, the negative self talk. I too am a Mom in my late *ahem* 30's. : ) Waking away from the scale is the best thing I ever did and it was the last step to true freedom. Making breakthroughs with mentality, serving size, whole food eating, becoming an athlete (yes, that’s you) etc. are awesome and life changing. Continuing to step on the scale week after week is keeping with the old mindset of “measuring up”, what defines success, and the answer to “are we good enough this week” (or insert whatever other self inflicted questions that we have never really said out loud). We try to tell ourselves that the number does not affect us, that we are just “monitoring”, “keeping an eye on it”, and that it is just “one tool” in our approach to health. That is a lie. Not for all, but for those of us that have lived a life being very overweight at one time, had self confidence issues, tried everything, I mean EVERYTHING just to see the number go down on the scale, it is a lie. The number on the scale is bondage to us because no matter how much we change our lifestyle, exercise habits, foods we buy that all reflect our progression to a healthy and fit life, that number speaks to us and continues to define us (to a point, but still). If the number on the scale truly does not matter, then why do we have to step on it? Do our clothes not tell us? The minute we button a shirt or pull up a zipper, do we not intuitively “know” where we are? Learning to trust our new lifestyle without the scale is hard and there is a period of withdrawal and doubt, but true freedom…..true freedom from the old mindset, the old standards, and that nasty inner voice that talks to us when we see the “number”. Walking away from the scale will most likely take you out of your comfort zone, but isn’t that where you thrive? (Crossfit Games, Tough Mudders, Travel, etc). You can do it.

Oh, boy does she make some great points. Maybe I am lying to myself. I did go through a period of scale independence before I got pregnant again.  Then after baby, when I went back into weight-loss mode, I thought it would be easy to just redo what I did 6 years earlier when I lost the 70 lbs.

It wasn’t.

I struggled with Weight Watchers before having my Weight Loss A-Ha moment.

Yet even after my “moment” I still continued to weigh in.

I told myself I was disconnected from the number, doing it for the blog, that I was strong enough not to let it affect me.

Kelly IS right. I was (am) lying to myself. Part of me still REALLY wants to see 145 on the scale consistently. I want reach that number yet again because it represents “skinny” to me. It’s a weight I never saw in high school. A weight I didn’t think was possible for my frame. It’s that magic number I’ve programed myself to want to be.

When I read Kelly’s comment I didn’t want to respond right away. I really wanted her words to sink in a bit. Then LisaM chimed it with another perspective.

You preach it Kelly! Your comments were so powerful I hope you don’t mind if I respond with my reasons for utilizing the scale. Although I didn’t lose a huge amount of weight, it’s been a struggle all my life. I finally changed my relationship with food, and if old habits didn’t creep in from time to time, I too would have no use for the scale. But as a fickle human, I can play too many mind games if I go just by clothing fit to monitor whether or not those old habits are getting entrenched again. I’d probably be on a 10 lb pendulum if I just went by clothing, and that takes long enough that the bad habits have gotten too ingrained. So I only use the number on the scale as an unbiased monitor of how healthy my habits are. I find that focusing on my habits for the amount of time it takes to lose the extra weight is just about long enough to internalize good habits again. So, I don’t freak out if I’m really concentrating on living the way I know I should, but the number on the scale isn’t where I want it. I just know that means I need to continue concentrating.

Complete opposite perspective yet still valid, and there is a bit of data to back up the idea of consistent weighing.

According to the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) 75% of the members weigh themselves at least once a week. If you are unfamiliar with NWCR, their members are people who’ve lost an average of 66 lbs and maintained that loss for over 5 years on average.

I wonder if all of them feel like a slave to the scale or maybe they’re able to use it as a simple monitoring tool. I have a feeling opinions are going to vary greatly and that’s why I thought I’d make this an old-fashioned question of the week.

So what say you? To weigh or not to weigh: That is the question!

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In: The Daily Cycle

I’m actually writing this portion of the Wednesday Weigh in post on Tuesday because I have some thoughts swimming in my head and I know I’ll lose them tomorrow morning when try I to post really quick before the gym.

Normally I’m an “on the fly” blogger so this feels weird.

Anyway, I’ve been struggling a little. I’m getting caught up in that daily cycle of starting each day off awesomely and then just having it all fall apart by bed time.

I’ll use yesterday as an example.

I made my new smoothie for a quick breakfast after the gym, then pulled together a HUGE cabbage taco salad using leftover taco meat and a half a head of cabbage. It was amazing! As a snack I whipped up a fun daily yogurt using my newest obsession.

Dinner was fish sticks, snow peas, and an experimental quinoa dish that I may end up sharing on GreenLiteBites if I can remember how I made it — I know, weird combo, but fish sticks are a family favorite and quinoa is always hit or miss so it’s my compromise.

Anyway, great day overall and I felt fantastic!

I also felt a little hungry, so I had some Laughing Cow, cucumber and dried cranberries — a favorite of mine.

Then Ryan wanted ice cream, so I had some too. Then The Husband came home from tennis and had Doritos and so did I. Then we had chocolate from the 2-year-old’s day-care fund-raiser. Then I finally said, “UGH, I’m GOING TO BED.” Something I should have 2 done hours earlier.

This has been my pattern every day for the last week.

I’m not beating myself up about it, just honestly expressing the state I’m currently in.

After 8 years of maintaining I can honestly tell you this isn’t the first and it won’t be the last time this type of old habit resurfaces.

I think one of the reasons I’ve been able to maintain for as long as I have is my ability to recognize the pattern and change my approach without letting any type of guilty feelings send me into a tailspin.

OK, just wanted to get that out before I saw the number tomorrow morning. I’m expecting a slight gain with my nighttime eating. Especially the chocolate. Ohh there’s been a LOT of chocolate.

Part of me doesn’t want to even bother getting on the scale tomorrow but I want to be accountable. It is what it is. There’s no walking away. I’m in this for the long haul.

*******

Well good morning everyone! I hopped on the scale and it showed me exactly what I expected.

I’m pretty numb to it, to be honest. I still feel amazing! CrossFit kicks my butt every morning during the week and I love it. I feel like I’m getting stronger every day. I haven’t been able to get back to my hot yoga class, just too busy, but as soon as my schedule opens up a bit I’ll be sneak a session in.

In the food department I making good decisions overall. Frankly my issue is more with bed time than anything else. I’m like a child who doesn’t want to be told they need their sleep.

My plan for this week is to put ZERO pressure on myself because I think that’s what triggers the daily cycle. I’m not even going to keep a food journal. My goal is to trust my instincts and go to bed early even if it means missing Nashville with The Husband tonight. (Totally our guilty pleasure. That Juliette is a hot mess! lol)

I hope you had a great week. Looking forward to your updates and sorry for the novel!

View the original article here

A Post-Vacation Weigh In

I have to admit I felt a little trepidation about getting on the scale this morning. Not because I was worried about seeing a gain, but because I knew I’d see one and then I’d have to figure out how to explain to you why I don’t care.

Every bite, every drink, every relaxing moment on my vacation was worth it. I refuse to live my life in fear of gaining weight so much so it prevents me from enjoying life.I came home and easily slipped right back into my routine. As soon as I post this I’m headed to the gym, I have a date to run lined up this week, and my fridge is full of yummy produce and healthy snacks. My lifestyle supports my weight in a healthy way and I don’t feel any guilt — that’s what used to lead to binges as some sort of twisted self punishment after a gain or “slip up.”I feel freakin’ FANTASTIC! And again, isn’t that the goal? Sure, we want to look good, we want to see a lower number on the scale, but at the end of the day it’s how you feel. That’s what should drive you, not some stupid number on some stupid scale.

Okay, that wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I really do feel good and I really do have to get my butt to the gym or I’m going to be late for class. Life is a little crazy right now with the conference a mere 50 days away. I can’t believe how much still needs to be done and how many conference calls it requires! Not to mention, I have like 3 posts brewing in my head about Vermont for TheUnworldlyTravelers and 3 posts for GreenLiteBites that need to be written.

Breathe, Roni. Breathe.

Did I just refer to myself in the 3rd person? OK, yeah, I’m gonna go.

Hope you had a great week. Looking forward to your updates!

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In: Just 1 Variable

If I was only using the scale to determine my success right now I’d be pissed. Seriously!

Last week I was 145 lbs. My goal weight. The magic number I admitted made me happy because, well it’s what I want to, or think I should, weigh.

This week, according to the scale, I gained 2.8 lbs.

Bull Sh*cough*

Or rather …  I don’t give a crap.

This weekend I ran 22 miles and completed 42 obstacles. I was able to pull up my own body weight, crawled effortlessly in the mud, and faced fears that have made me more confident than ever.

WHY would I let the scale take that accomplishment away from me?

I’m telling you right now, I’m not. I refuse to.

REFUSE.

Last week Julie left this comment on our weigh-in post:

I’m sitting here feeling angry and jealous, because I’ve been working so hard, eating right, tracking my calories, and exercising, but the number on my scale actually went UP 1.5 pounds.
I know this is a journey, and that I probably should reevaluate how I’m doing, but I’m going to try and find motivation in your number and keep moving forward.

It broke my heart. I know that feeling so well. You probably do, too.

I really think we need to remember sometimes the scale is not going to show us the result of our efforts in the short term. It’s just not.

We have to learn not to solely depend on the scale to determine our success. 

How many times have you walked away because of what the scale told you despite giving it your best?

Remember, it’s just one variable, one small slice of the “healthy living” pie, and we have to decide that all our work is worth it regardless of what the stupid scale shows us.

Because it is.

Right?

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A Pre-Vacation Wednesday Weigh In

Super quick this morning! I’m on my way out the door. It’ vacation time!

The husband and I are heading to Vermont for a 5-day anniversary getaway. I’m ecstatic! And so is he. We haven’t taken an old-fashioned road trip without kids for years and it’s one of our favorite things to do.

Anyway, I hopped on the scale and wasn’t too surprised by what it showed me.

I’ve been eating out too much, not drinking my water and snacking a little more than normal. It’s all good though. I FEEL fantastic and that has always been my ultimate goal. Not to mention, I had a HUGE NSV (Non-scale victory this week.)

I bought this bathing suit on a whim without trying it on.

I fell in love with it and it was pretty cheap, but I had the kids with me and getting everyone in the dressing room was just not going to happen.

So I tried it on yesterday and I LOVE it!

As someone who agonized over bathing suit purchases since her preteen years, I can’t almost believe this myself and I’m the one who bought the darn thing!

Anyway, I thought I’d share before heading out. The suit is packed and I’m ready to go!

Hope your week went well. Looking forward to your updates!

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Wednesday Weigh In: Cycles

So many things I want to tell you in today’s weigh-in post and just not enough time. Normally Wednesdays are one of my childless days to focus on work, but this winter mess…

Has left me home with both kids. We were supposed to get quite a few inches, but the storm seems to be more snow mixed with rain mixed with ice. No fun on any level. :(

Anyway, this morning’s weigh-in was what I expected and not because of my cookie indiscretions last night (although I’m sure it didn’t help,) but because,  umm, it’s that time when, well, I start to retain water.

I answered this question recently on Facebook by posting this…

Side note: I know I’ve been slacking in the podcast department. I’m gearing up to record one soon. In the meantime, I’ve been answering Ask Roni questions on my Facebook page. Click here to follow along by liking or subscribing.

So my weigh-in is my weigh-in this week and I know I’ll be out of this funktastic mood in a few days.

In other news, my second DietBet was another smashing success! 431 players lost 2,311 lbs (and the winners more than doubled their money!) And We raised $430 for The Alliance for a Healthier Generation!

Pretty AWESOME if you ask me!

A few folks have asked if I’ll do another one but I’ve decided not to.

Have no fear though. If you didn’t notice, DietBet has saturated the blogosphere. I’m sure you can find a game to participate in if it’s giving you that external push you need to stay motivated. Or start your own with a group of friends!

OK, I think I covered everything and The Toddler is STILL sleeping! Can you believe it? The 7-year-old is entertaining himself playing the Wii. I plan on making some breakfast and then putting them to work. We’ve got some cleaning to do!

I hope you had a great week. Check in with us in the comments. I’m looking forward to your updates.

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Wednesday Weigh In: Chipping Away

Hey guys! I’m going to be real quick this morning as I’m trying to get this posted before I head out to the gym. Amazingly enough, both kids are still sleeping! Of course I have to make lunches, but I thought I’d sneak this post in.

I hopped on a scale for another small loss of .6 and I’m ecstatic!

That’s 4 weeks of consistent loss. My longest run in well over a year. I really do feel like tracking my food more closely has given me the small nudge I needed. I haven’t been stressing over what I should eat either. I just try to make smart choices, journal it and then use the constraint of calories to cap my eating by the end of the day. It feels SO like the good old Weight Watchers Flex plan. Apparently all I need is a simple way to track and a daily goal. I never really thought about it in that context before, but that seems to be what works best for me.

At this point I’m not going to question it. I’ll just keep chipping away. I feel great!

Okay, your turn! How’d your week go? Anything to celebrate? Any problems you want to unload on us? Comment away!

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