Operation Goodbye Winter Coat

I tried on a pair of my "skinny" jeans (not actually skinny jeans, but my smaller sized jeans) this morning. YIKES... could barely get them buttoned and then when I finally did there was this big roll falling over the top. Oh  no. I wanted to cry. C was in the room. He smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. You know how to get rid of it. You will shed your winter coat by spring." Oh sweet man. Thank you for being so supportive and honest... I think it was just the little wake-up call I needed. So, as of January 24, Operation Goodbye Winter Coat is underway. 

I honestly can't pin point the feelings I am having about this right now. I am disappointed that I let myself slack and gain some of the weight back. I am encouraged that I caught it before it got to 10 lbs. I am relieved that I know the steps I need to take to get it back under control. 

I just really didn't think I would be here this year. This time last year, I was about half way through my journey of getting back in to shape/losing my post college/marriage weight. In April, I reached my goal - 120 lbs. I felt great... and I think I looked pretty darn good too!! My stomach felt flat and my confidence felt just a little different. I even ran in a sports bra a couple of times (BIG step for me). I was able to maintain my goal weight during my half marathon training with a few minor fluctuations.  But, then the half was over, my knee was feeling funky, and my weekly mileage plummeted. I thought I had learned enough about portion control and managing what I eat to maintain my weight without counting every little thing that goes in to my mouth... 

8 lbs later... I am not feeling so confident, I wouldn't run in a sports bra, and apparently I am eating a little too much. I know that it is not a solid 8 lbs of fat as I have built some muscle from my added yoga/strength training sessions. However, I am 100% confident that there is not 8 lbs of new muscle on my body. 

I noticed my clothes starting to fit a little different during December. I blamed it on the traveling and not being able to eat as healthy as I would have liked. And then came the holidays, lots of delicious food, drinks, sweets, and more food, drinks, sweets. I knew I needed to readjust some things in January, but didn't want to go back to a strict counting. So, for the first 23 days of January, I tried a more conscious approach to watching what I eat. And...I am not doing so well. 

So, it is time to make the jump. My Fitness Pal, we are about to become buddies again. You, me, the measuring cups, and calories. It is time to kick these 8 lbs off. Operation Goodbye Winter Coat has arrived.

It always helps me to have some accountability. I really hate letting people down. So, I would like to ask you, will you be my accountability partners? 

So, accountability partners, here is my plan... 

EXERCISE: I haven't had any knee pain in about 3 weeks!! Such a relief. I am going to start increase my weekly mileage... slowly. Staying injured is still #1 priority, sorry skinny jeans. I will also add an additional strength training session to work on my muscles for when the top layer of fat is gone.... 

FOOD: I am going back the MyFitnessPal app. It is such a great resource for calorie counting and helped me so much over the past year. I have still been eating healthy foods, but I think my portions have slowly increased. With residency interviewing, we spent a lot of time away from home which means lots of eating out. This won't be as hard to adjust since we will be home... And, the last one. That evening glass of wine/beer/cocktail. I really do enjoy my evening beverage. It is a time to sit, relax, and reflect on the day. But... it is also an empty 100-200 calories a day. So, goodbye every evening cocktail... hello portion/self-control! 

Thanks for listening. You have no idea how much better I feel getting this out. I know I am not fat, but I would like to catch the first 5-10 lbs before it spirals... 

Happy Thursday... eating... and exercising!!