It’s summertime! Which means that life is a lot easier – my schedule is free, healthy fruits and veggies are plentiful, and I have nothing but time to work on this goal. Success is practically guaranteed – all I need to do is follow through with my actions. My re-assessment meeting with my surgeon was on Friday, June 8th, which just so happened to also be my last day of school before summer vacation, making Fridays the perfect day to weigh-in. So throughout the summer, I’ll be giving Friday progress updates called Successful Summer Weigh-Ins.
This morning I got back on the scale, after skipping it last week. That in and of itself was an important step, because avoiding the scale can lead to denial, which can lead to loss of momentum and weight gain. If you recall, Tuesday evening I went to a girls’ night out event that my high school was holding for its alumnae. It was held at a local restaurant that is know for its Swirls – a potent drink that combines frozen margarita and sangria. I loved hanging out with these girls who I’ve been friends with since high school, and since it’s a fundraiser for the current students who are on scholarship, all those swirls go for a good cause.
I know what you might be thinking, “why would you go to a high-caloric event like this one when you didn’t do anything special for your birthday?” And my answer is that’s exactly why I went. We’d all been planning on going for months, and this was part of the reason why I didn’t want to make a big deal about my birthday. It’s the only event in the next several months, and frankly, I needed to live a little. Moderation.
I’m glad that I went because it was a really fun night, as I knew it would be. I logged my food and drinks for the evening, and worked hard throughout the week to burn off the extra calories. I had an especially fun time at the SharQui Belly Dance class I took on Wednesday evening.
{Okay, Bella, that’s all good and well, but what we really want to know is how you did on the scale}. Right?!
Today I weighed in at 303.6, which means I am up 1 pound from when I unofficially weighed myself on Sunday (after skipping the weigh in on Friday), but I’m down 0.8 from the gain I had in Week 4. Either way, I have 22.6 lbs to go to reach my pre-surgery goal. I’m actually feeling good about today’s weigh in because it means that even though I had an indulgent night on Tuesday, my eating and exercise throughout the week were enough to help me keep it in check.
What I don’t want to do is lose steam at this stage of the summer. I have 4 more summer weigh-ins. Actually, the 4th weigh in will occur on August 17th, the day I have to go back for our “Teacher Workday.” Which indicates the end of summer, because school starts back up the following Monday. I want to take advantage of this last month of summer to get in all of the exercise that is going to be more difficult to fit in once my schedule changes. I’m not sure that I’ll be able to make the goal weight by August 17th, because that would be 5.65 lbs/week which seems like a reach, but I am sure that I can get darn close. And I am very confident that I can achieve my goal by August 31st, which is 6 weeks from now (a rate of 3.76 lbs/week).
My food has been great, if somewhat routine, so I’m going to look for a few new recipes to keep things interesting. I’m going to keep up the good work on this front.
Now that I’ve joined the community center, I have access to those other classes I was looking forward to taking: beginner’s mat Pilates, Zumba with my favorite instructor, SharQui Belly Dance, and Hot Hula (once the teacher returns from vacay). This coming week I plan to take those classes, continue with yoga, add in swimming and bike riding, along with Sofi’s walks, of course. Working out is the key to my success – it keeps me busy: avoiding the boredom which can lead to overeating, burns calories, helps me feel great physically, gives me a strong sense of accomplishment, amps up my water intake, and makes the summer fun.
Until next week, my friends. I hope the scale treats you well, and that you have a wonderful weekend!
Bella on the Beach 
Any way that you spin it, it is still a gain.
I empathize with you but every day that you continue to be this heavy it is putting more and more stress on your heart and health overall. I assure you it is no fun doing insulin shots, taking multiple meds, or sleeping with a CPAP machine. If you don’t do something soon, this is where you will be headed.
I don’t want to sound harsh but you are doing the dance with the same pounds since I started reading your blog.
Are you kidding me? I’m not spinning anything. This will be the one and only time I address you on my blog, because this is a place for positivity, not negative comments veiled in “empathy.”
I’m not spinning anything. I am up 1 pound from Sunday, but down 0.8 from two weeks ago. It’s not great, but it is what it is. I’m not denying anything, nor am I becoming complacent.
Your last few comments on my blog have been very negative, and I’m not sure why you feel the need to target me, but I won’t have it. You will not be allowed to write any further comments on my blog. PERIOD. I have many very supportive readers, and I don’t need your bitchy bullshit.
Spend your time worrying about yourself and your own journey. And maybe take a look at why you are so bitter and vile.
It’s very interesting to me that you come on my blog and bash me for “dancing around the same pounds for years,” yet you yourself have done the exact same thing. I just checked on your blog: In January 2010 you weighed 260. And now, in July 2012, you weigh 253. So it took you 2 1/2 years to lose 7 lbs. Why, you’re just the model of weight loss, aren’t you?
Don’t disparage someone else until you look at yourself. I’m utterly disgusted by your hypocrisy.
I wish I lived in a bigger city so I could try all those classes too! I know you can do it, Bella! Your blog is one of my favorites to read! You alway have a great attitude and you are such an inspiration to me!
Thanks so much! My response to the previous comment notwithstanding, I try to keep a positive outlook on life because it does no good to wallow in negativity.
If you have OnDemand or Netflix, I bet you can find some of these classes, or ones very similar, to try out. I’ve found a great bellydancing class on my Comcast OnDemand. And I bet a Hot Hula DVD is just around the corner. You might check with dance studios in your area, too. I know that the dance studio in my neighborhood offers both Hot Hula and belly dancing.
1-I cant not believe Katie J’s comment. Unacceptable. Your response was absolutely perfect and 100% correct, so I am not going to give her anymore airspace via comment.
2-You are seriously my inspiration for trying new things at the gym. You are so amazing in all that you try. Youre the poster child for JUST DO IT. Seriously. I’m in awe of you 🙂 Thank you!
I can’t tell you how much your comment means. Thank you.