The party is over and I’ve regressed….

My vacation is over.

Maternity leave is over and

work resumes tomorrow.  Good golly.    

I actually have much to share and will dole it out in short order, however, I just wanted to drop a quick post documenting my status – for better or for worse.

On a positive note, running an hour is no longer a big deal – I did it three times this week and have more fuel in my tank when I am done.  Thank goodness – I continue to see progress.  

My bad news:  I walked into a time machine and became 15 again.  Seriously, when one vacations/spends extended periods of time with ones parents you regress.  And regress I did.  I relived my childhood habits of not exercising, eating copious amounts of childhood snack foods that my parents purchased (i.e. Teddy Grahams,  crackers, chips) and drinking dark water (i.e. Diet Coke).   Yes, they drink diet coke like it is water.  Recently, my dad walked through my living room and something seemed “wrong.”  Then I realized it – he was holding a glass with some strange, clear exotic liquid in it (yes, water).  Not all was lost – I did have some vegetables, held the mayo on a sandwich, forced my son to give away candy bars he won at Bingo to other kids so we wouldn’t have them at home (mean mom), gave away my french fries, had one piece of pizza, and ….that is it I am afraid.   

So, why do we do it?  Am I alone?  Do we all fall back into old patterns/behaviors when we surround ourselves with specific situations/people?  In retrospect, I feel like I should have prepared myself more – acknowledged that my parents love to snack and I can’t do it this time, I need to bring alternative healthy snacks, etc.  The reality is – is that I am a grown up and have full responsibility for my actions.  In no way do I blame my parents for what I am putting in my mouth – however, spending time with them offers perspective as to why I am the way I am.  It also offers the reality of what may be if I continue to gain weight and live an unhealthy life – diabetes and cancer.

Alas… It is time to put up or shut up.

So, my weight took a turn for the worse at the end of the week and so did my eating.  Although I don’t think I ate enough to gain the two pounds that I lost – the digits say otherwise.  This is leading me to rethink my ” no food journal” approach.  Originally, I had planned on having the same thing everyday for breakfast and lunch. Dinner would be meat and veggies. And while I still want to do this – I need to recognize that there is more variety and my snacking needs to get under control.   I need to get under control.  This also includes working out.  I managed to fit in something most days.  However, it is not enough. I need to start brick workouts (two a day – biking and running, swimming and running).  I only have 3 months until the full triathlon.    If I was a betting woman, the odds aren’t good that I am going to make it.    And the overweight man on his mountain bike who passed me (overweight woman on my coolio Giant racing bike)  would agree.   Yea, that was painful.

Looking ahead for the week:   I will..

keep a food journal, not eat processed food, stop eating at 8, limit my carbs, start some brick workouts, and no alcohol.

My weight goal is simply to see the digit 191.  It can be 191.9 and I will be a happy camper.   Ideally, I would love, love, love to see 180 something by the end of the month (please god, please god).     Maternity leave is soon up – and I will be going back to work full time.  I really wanted to be (at least) at my pre-pregnancy weight by then.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen.  Sigh.