Losing 20 Pounds/Update Week #1
I had a lot of ups and downs last week. Because I don’t have the “all or nothing” mentality anymore, it’s easier for little bits and bobs to find their way into my hands and mouth on the weekend. I generally do pretty well throughout the week but the weekend can get me a little. It’s typically not too bad because I don’t binge anymore. I used to be so restrictive that when I was given the opportunity to eat something I didn’t normally allow myself, I’d go way overboard.
Now, because nothing is “off-limits”, I am usually satisfied with a taste or a small serving.
Last weekend was especially difficult because tomorrow (Tuesday, March 5th), is my son Elias’ fourth birthday in heaven. Yesterday was a weird day for me. I struggled with not wanting to eat at all and then eating some crummy food in the evening.
Food has always been tied to emotions for me. When my emotions are particularly overwhelming, I usually do three things: eat to try and get back to happy, lose my appetite entirely and forget to eat, or feel too physically drained to eat anything at all. I have a difficult time handling heavy feelings. I’m a very upbeat, happy person, who feels uncomfortable with sadness. When heaviness comes, I literally do not feel like myself. I feel like I’m battling the current trying to return to myself.
After years of fighting this, I now realize that this is avoidance. It may work in the intermediate, but not dealing with our heaviness or grief will manifest itself in other areas of our lives. It always comes out one way or another.
Yesterday, I let myself feel heavy. I allowed myself to feel my sadness. I spoke with my husband about it and we spent an hour in bed holding each other as I verbally affirmed what I was feeling. Then I went out for a run, had a shower, did my makeup, and got dressed. I felt a bit more myself after that. Then we all got out of the house. That’s what I felt like I needed to do. We went to Target to walk around.
I say all of this to let you know that we all have our moments, days, weeks, months, and years of dealing with difficult stuff. It’s heavy and it can affect us in unexpected ways. That’s okay. It’s all part of the journey. It’s important to listen and to let yourself have those moments instead of spending your energy fighting them.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert and if you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or a general heaviness, you need to find someone to talk to whether it be a therapist, friend, partner, or stranger. Your feelings are important and valid.
My week wasn’t perfect last week. I snacked a bit too much in the evenings, I had Papa John’s pizza on Saturday, I ate some ice cream on Sunday night, but it’s okay. I ate very well this week and I got a lot of activity and movement in. My body is grateful for it.
This isn’t a race, this is my life. In the midst of trying to reach some fitness goals, I need to enjoy that life or else, what’s the point?
Here’s the recap! Last Monday I weighed 152.2 pounds, this Monday I am 149.8 pounds. There are slight changes in my physical appearance and I am feeling a little less bloated, though I just started my period (sorry, TMI) yesterday, and that always makes me hold a couple pounds of water weight.
- Monday 152.2
- Tuesday 150.6
- Wednesday 148.4
- Thursday 150
- Friday 150
- Saturday 149.6
- Sunday 150
- Monday 149.8
The scale can be a frustrating way to measure progress when you’re within 10 to 20 pounds of your goal. I recommend using measurements and photographs instead, especially if you’re working out and building muscle mass. You can see the difference a week makes in bloating clearly in these photographs. I didn’t see a huge jump on the scale but I feel like going through these photos I can definitely see that I’ve lost some water retention and inflammation.
This week, I focused on nutrition and ate according to the 80/20 rule. I kept my portion sizes generally appropriate even though I had a few splurges. I worked out 5 out of 7 days, drank at least 100 ounces of water a day, and I tried to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.
That’s week 1 for the books! I hope ya’ll are experiencing similar forward momentum and I appreciate all of your encouraging words on last weeks post! I’m so glad that we are all in this together. #betheturtle
Great post! I went up a few lbs so started back to writing down what I eat. I also wrote to myself, “You will want to snack but you are going to make choices–at least for today–to have tea, fruit, read a book, look at Amazon, drink water w a few drops of flavored stevia.” I am just reducing portion size and not eating processed/sugary carbs. I’d fallen off the wagon a bit there. So, day two was good to go. I will go brush and floss soon so the kitchen stays closed for me! One day at a time works for me for now.
Brittany, Thank you so much for your willingness to be so authentic and vulnerable as you are helping so many of us!!! I van see the weight just sliding off of you in those pictures…and it is inspiriting me! I tool lost 10 pounds in the first two months and then have been backsliding du4 to emotions. You have motivated me to “get back on it!” I have your cookbook too. Thank you for being you! XXXXXOOOOO
Brittany, I applaud you for putting this out there and talking about your struggles with keeping the weight off and trying to stay motivated as you continue to move forward! You are so right that the scale is not The Who,e story but it’s a head game trying to believe and keep moving forward when the scale does not reflect your efforts. I am struggling with the same thing. Lost 82 lbs over the last year and a half and have struggled to loose more and fighting to shed the 6 I gained over the holidays. Your updates are keeping me moving forward and not letting this be a setback that takes me off track or off the focus of hitting my goal. Keep positive and know there are many out there supporting you and cheering you on. You give us hope for the successes you have achieved,
I needed to know what the servicing size for the Healthy Hamburger Mac and Cheese that serves 6 . How much can you eat for dinner?
Hi Lesa,
A serving size is going to be completely and totally dependent upon each individual person. You can check out my portion control guidelines, I have them listed in my highlights on Instagram. I also have them expressed in my Instant Loss Cookbook and in my second cookbook Instant Loss Eat Real, Lose Weight I give some more concrete portion size advice. Hope that helps! Wishing you all the best!