Scales, Camping, NSV ....

I’m stuck – that’s all I can say. I gained 7 lbs when I went to Mazatlan in May and I have worked out hard and diligently every week. But the scale just isn’t moving. I’m running 3 times a week, I’m strength training 3 times a week, I walk to the train 3 x a week (2 miles). I walk the dog, I walk at lunch, I can’t seem to budge that scale. I don’t know what more I can do other than reduce my calories even more but I’m not on a diet I’m on a way of life and if I can’t eat the way I am going to for the rest of my life, then I don’t want to do it. This is a learning process for me and I’m trying to eat as clean as I possibly can. I am learning to eat healthy and make good choices and this is a lifetime plan. I’m keeping my calories to around 1500 on average and I don’t want to go below that. I do still drink my beer twice a week and I suppose if I completely cut that out, I’d lose a bit faster but again, am I going to stop drinking ?? (I know I should but I won’t and that’s just the bald faced truth). It’s summer and we go camping and camping, fires and beer just go together in my world….

So speaking of Camping – I do not eat 100% clean while camping because it isn’t as easy to pack as much fresh produce as I like to eat. We are leaving on Thursday to go out for 10 days in the middle of no-where. Which means no electricity, a fridge that isn’t big enough to hold a bunch of veggies and fruit and only enough ice to keep things cold for awhile.

In the past (last year), I just ate like everyone else – carbs, canned veg & protein. I’m not sure what to do this time. Anyone have any suggestions? My shakes are no good unless they are blended so I can’t bring that stuff, I could eat cereal for breaky but not sure what would be the best kind that doesn’t have a bunch of sugar and stuff I can’t pronounce. I can only eat eggs so many days or I’ll be adding on tons of fat there. I’ll bring lots of apples as I love them and they don’t have to be refrigerated.

And for exercising while I’m away – I’ll be walking the dog a lot but I want to keep up with the strength training so I’m bringing along my bands. A little tough to bring the weights and I think I can adjust what I have been doing and use the bands instead. Might not be as challenging but it will be something. I may not be able to run while away as the campground is pretty isolated and to be totally honest, I’m not sure it is safe for me to venture out alone. Bear country and not that many people around (at least none that I would know anyway). I did pack my skipping rope though so hoping to try out some intervals using it.

NSV - I was at a family gathering on the weekend and there were some folks there that I haven’t seen in over a year. Well man did I get a lot of compliments and it made me feel slightly self conscious. Not sure why but I think it is because I haven’t been feeling like I have been all that successful lately. The other part of me gloried in the comments as it felt good to be recognized for the hard work I have been doing. I am my own worst enemy so it was nice to hear good things from other people. So even though it is going slow and the scale is stupid, my inches have reduced greatly in the last 6 months. I will be posting more on that later (yes another challenge). I’ve gone from a size 18/20 to a 12/14 in the last 6 months and have only lost 23 lbs in weight.

And another thing I have to remember is that I think I am going through the beginnings of menopause (Mr. T hasn’t shown up since April) and that will cause a delay in the scale moving (at least I think it does).

I hope all of you have a fantastic week.

TTYL

S