Learning importance to my routine

I'm going to get on my "you can't lose weight while on vacation" soap-box. Ready?!

Last week - hit the bike several times. And then skipped a day. Haven't been back on since.


Getting out of my routine is just bad.


I'm still on vacation - one more week. And I'm even contemplating waking up at my normal time and trying to ease my way back into a routine. You see, I usually (usually = when not on vacation) only sleep about 5 hours a night. I don't require much sleep. But since I've been on vacation I'm sleeping about 9-10 hours a night. Staying up later at night, getting up later in the morning.

So I'm debating whether or not to put myself back on a routine for this last week of vacation. Set the alarm in the morning. Get up and ride the bike and shower immediately?! Or just do my thing and let this time expire like vacations "should".


And then get back into my routine once I'm back at work?!


I can see the benefit of both.


Hmmm....


I'll report back once I've made a decision...

Haven't weighed in, haven't been consistent...

I'm struggling. Weighed in about a week and a half ago and had gained a few pounds. So have probably gained more since then. Talk about discouraging.

But do not despair. I've been back on the bike the last 3 days. And it's tough.

In comparison to what I've consumed this week - this is nothing. But I've burned over 2000 miles in the last 3 days on that stupid bike. And it's kicked my butt - but I've done it.


Less sitting on the couch. More riding the bike!

Less eating cheese and bread and sugar. More eating fruits and veggies and proteins in the right quantity.

vacations are bad for losing weight...

I've decided... you can't lose weight on vacation.

You see, I'm on vacation for several weeks. It's a working vacation. I'm doing odds and ends around town, projects around the house, coffee with friends and a lunch here or there... and it's not so much that I can't eat healthy (because so far I think I have).

But, for these reasons...
- I don't have a scale at home.
- I am not driving to the gym every day to get on the scale.
- I am not in my normal routine.
- I have so many projects up in the air that I get distracted.
- I am, after all, so used to making excuses for myself... that all of this comes naturally.


I thought for sure I could get my routine going here at home. After all, I do like my bike better at home than the one at the gym I go to in the mornings. And I really do love how the exercise makes me feel and gets me geared up for the day(s).

But I've been on vacation for 1 1/2 weeks now and I've missed several days of workout. Mainly the last 3 workout days - Thur, Fri and Mon. I've been busy with other stuff / projects but it's not the same.

So, today I'm getting back on the bike and I'm going to find a scale somewhere in town (My Dr's office will let me hop on their scale, right?!). And then I'll get back on track. I can't beat myself up over it for too long - there is no productivity in that.

I have another week and a half of vacation. I can do it!

weekly weigh-in: 2-26-10

February 26, 2010

Friday morning weigh-in: ???

I am on vacation.
I do not have a scale at home.

I will post again soon... but my clothes are fitting differently. That's a good sign.

weekly weigh-in: 2-19-10

February 19, 2010

Friday morning weigh-in: 281 pounds

Weight loss/gain since last weigh-in: -2 pounds
Total net weight loss since beginning my journey: -10 pounds

This week I took a few days off (no riding on Thur/Fri)... but still managed to ride over 22 miles on the bike and burned nearly 2000 calories doing so.

Back on the bike today... and thus starts a change in my daily routine. Usually I work out in the mornings at work... and then head off for my day. However, I'm off of work for several weeks - and will instead be using the bike at home more religiously! Time for a bit of a change...

And, how do I feel?! Like I jumped another hurdle this week... with the build of intensity that occurred last weekend I was able to jump up on the resistance level all week. And so it progresses... build more muscle, melt away more fat...

Bring it on, baby!

weekly weigh-in: 2-12-10

February 12, 2010

Friday morning weigh-in: 283 pounds

Weight loss/gain since last weigh-in: 0 pounds
Total net weight loss since beginning my journey: 8 pounds

So I didn't lose any weight this week... and yet I rode over 40 miles on the bike and burned over 5000 calories while doing so. So, hmm...

In fact, according to www.dailymile.com, yesterday's workout was the "most intense workout" since I've been tracking them. There BETTER be some weight lost by next weekend!


But, how do I feel?! Like I kicked butt this week! I can feel more muscle definition in my thighs and calves (which means two things: fat is melting away and muscle is building! And since muscle weighs more than fat, maybe that's why I didn't drop any pounds this week). Clothes are fitting differently! I have more energy to get me through the days. I'm sleeping all the way through the night (instead of waking up 3-4 times and tossing/turning. I've noticed myself smiling more and feeling more self-confident.

And finally this week, someone asked me if I'm losing weight?! It made my whole week! YES! I'm losing weight!!!

fuel...

fu⋅el  /ˈfyuəl/ Spelled Pronunciation [fyoo-uhl] Show IPA noun, verb, -eled, -el⋅ing or (especially British) -elled, -el⋅ling.

1. combustible matter used to maintain fire, as coal, wood, oil, or gas, in order to create heat or power.
2. something that gives nourishment; food.
3. an energy source for engines, power plants, or reactors: "Kerosene is used as jet engine fuel."
4. something that sustains or encourages; stimulant: "Our discussion provided him with fuel for debate."


My translation:
energy = necessary to life


And lack of fuel stopped me in my tracks today... I was so excited to get out of work early and be productive. My hubby was home from work and we had a lot of "to do" items scheduled.

I had a pretty intense workout this morning... so I probably needed MORE fuel than usual. I was so excited to get a move on that I didn't stop for lunch or afternoon snack. I also didn't keep up with my regular water intake. And I just kept going.

Needless to day, at about 3 pm yesterday I dropped like a helium balloon minus the helium.

I dragged myself around for the next 3 or 4 hours until I just couldn't do it anymore. I barely got dinner made and sat down before I crashed.



Lesson learned...

I cannot ride 10 miles on the bike
Work (even if it's only a half-day)
Watch my husband eat a breakfast burrito without eating something myself
Check out homes with a Realtor
Stop by the shoe store
Make a CostCo run
Review plans for the backyard with a landscaper
Walk around our house for staging tips from Realtor
Juggle 3 loads of laundry
Clean the kitchen
and make dinner for 2 ...

I cannot do all of this without the proper fuel...


It goes without saying, I have to eat more than breakfast to get me through the day. Breakfast today? 3 egg whites, 2 Wheatabix and a grapefruit.


Not enough fuel... apparently I am still learning how to take care of myself.