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Balance, Contentment, Motivation

It has been quite a while since Heather Robertson shared this point on the Half Size Me show, but it still rings true and continues to be a type of mantra for me: 
1. Barely made it out of bed./2. Oh well, guess the day is just
going to be "survive."/3. Workout done, kitchen cleaned,
girls napping, ready to tackle the day! 

"Motivation does not cause our actions, 
motivation comes when we take action."

It is quite difficult to balance life when you have such a heavy goal in weight loss (see what I did there?). Anyway... I began this journey on January 9 at 251 pounds. On June 9, when hubby and I took a short vacation, I had hit 187. It is almost August and I am maintaining between 183 and 185. My emotions have been all over the place with this: 

  • Okay, maintenance, this is new
  • Let's up the calories a little bit while we increase movement
  • Let's switch up the food
  • Maybe I'll change my exercise
  • Okay, now I'm a little frustrated
  • Insecurity is setting in
  • You know what? I'm not gaining. That is accomplishment. 
These are daily thoughts, weekly struggles, and constant reminders that I am not perfect and high weight loss is an intense accomplishment. So, what am I working on? 

Balance

Right now, I am taking a maintenance break to see exactly where I am. I will continue to track my calories, reevaluate my calendar, test out workouts to see what I like, and enjoy my kiddos. I am averaging about 2000 calories per day (give or take for error in weight or guessing sauces while at the restaurant). I am also working out 4-6 days per week and need to give my body more of what it needs. 

Consulting the Half Size Me community and one of the Chuze Fitness trainers, I have decided to stop being scared of *carbs. Bread is not the enemy. Fruits and vegetables have not been a problem, but when I am doing as much cardio as I do (because that is what I enjoy), I need to realize carbs are necessary and sometimes that means some Double Fiber, Wheat + Protein, or good old fashioned sourdough bread; even brown rice or quinoa. **It's okay! 
*Everyone reminds me not to be afraid of fats, but its carbs that tend to have me shrinking when I look at my macros.
**That's me reminding myself that bread is okay :) 
Sim Hair, Don't Care! 

Contentment

Last week in the Half Size Me community, we talked about intentional maintenance. That is not "dieting" then bingeing on the weekend and making my body figure it out. It is eating enough calories to energize my body at a resting life pace. ***It is eating when I am hungry and stopping when I am full and tracking my food, knowing what and when I am filling my body. 
***MADNESS!!!!! 

My hubby loves to encourage me because I tend to be very ambitious. I wake up early, go to bed late, prefer to keep our home organized, have a decent schedule for the kiddos, and really enjoy going out with friends and family (with and without our littles). Add these things to weight loss, writing, Bible studies, and serving in our church, it is easy for me to burn out. The best part of hubby's encouragement? Reminding me to take a break. I get my own head spinning thinking of all the long term goals I wish for myself and my family, and then I lose focus. This week, the goal is to BE STILL.
Last week I hit reset and decided to clear the calendar. This week, I will slowly acknowledge what is in the calendar and give myself grace when some desires are not met. This means I will be evaluating some new minimums for our household and my personal health goals. It's exciting to turn to a new blank page. 
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