Highs and Lows

Getting out of the 250's has been a struggle. The last month and a half since my last post has been a continual cycle of ups and downs every few days to the point that it didn't feel like I was making any progress at all. It was a really frustrating feeling. I know weight fluctuations are normal, but this felt personal!

For a period of time I was struggling with getting down to the mid 250's and the skyrocketing back to the upper 250's, just as I thought I was about to get a handle on things. 

Goal: 172 lbs

Current Weight: 250.4 lbs

Difference: 78.4 lbs.

Loss to date: 21.8 lbs

Feeling a little down about my progress, I actually did the math, and despite my weight spikes I am back on track for losing 1.5 lbs a week. My average is currently around 1.6 lbs. 

I've still been working through my Pyramid Challenge and have successfully completed Phase 3 of the nutrition aspect of the challenge. I'll be starting phase 4 on Monday. This means I'm cutting out all Carbonated Beverages. We've got into the habit of having sparkling water in the fridge and since sick with the stomach flu this week I was sipping on that and 7 up. Just those few days of 7-up made me crave that cold burning sensation you get as it slides down your throat all the time and I found myself going to the work cafeteria for our 1 dollar pop "Happy Hour" too many times last week. I just have to realize that it's empty calories and even diet soda can wreck havoc on your body in other ways. 

 For me, this challenge is all about gradually getting back to eating a vegetarian diet. I know this is the right move for me, since I have always felt better physically and mentally while eating vegetarian and it's time to get back. A trip to the rheumatologist this week confirmed a diagnosis of Systemic Lupus erythematosus , and auto-immune disease in which your body attacks its own cells in various organ systems. The road toward this diagnosis has been a long one, and while it's been suspected for several years, I haven't been taking care of myself like I should have.  I'm ready to get back to a healthier, plant-based diet and hopefully that will help with the inflammation that is often associated and worsened by lupus flares. 

I was doing very well with exercise until this week. Besides doctors appointment, we had broken pipe in the apartment, and I had a run-in with the stomach flu so my awesome gym streak has been ruined, but I am ready to get back out there. I am getting ready to start Phase 3 of my exercise challenge, but since making my pyramid I have changed some of  my phases. Phase 3  is getting to the gym 3 times a week for cardio, and doing strength training 2 times a week.  For Cardio, I have been working through the Couch to 5K program. It's been exhilarating. I have successfully finished my second go-around of Week 2, and I think I will finally try to move on to week 3. I am apprehensive about the 3 minutes straight jogging that comes with this next week, but I have to keep moving forward!

I'm going to start listing reasons I am trying to lose weight each blog post. 

So my random reason for this week is: Skydiving and Bungee Jumping in New Zealand.  Dann is obsessed with New Zealand and Bungee Jumping is a huge thing there.  I want to be able to say that I didn't go with him because I was scared shitless, not because I'm too fat. =D