When I realized it was time to shed a few pounds (read when none of my pants would fit without me resembling a stereotypical plumber), I had one simple goal: Do better than I was at that point. Translation: Eat better, exercise more and drink less soda and more water.
On days like today when I wake up unable to give a damn, grab McDonald’s hashbrowns on my way to work and eat a coney and mozzarrella sticks for lunch, I have to remind myself of my goal (which I’m only five pounds from at this point).
But I also have to remember that just a few months ago I would’ve had the massive McD’s platter for breakfast complete with pancakes and syrup and the hashbrowns. Just a couple months ago I would’ve had the coney, mozz sticks, tator tots and a ginormous soda to wash it all down. Then I would’ve followed all that up with a Bojangles dinner instead of coming home and making dinner, even if it wasn’t the healthiest thing I could’ve made.
Some days are shit, to put it bluntly. And some days, like the days you were expecting to see someone you haven’t seen in what seems like forever and know that isn’t going to happen, simply require comfort food.
And the biggest difference between now and a few months ago: then I would’ve ate all that, washed it down with a Mountain Dew because I’m not a fan of water, not exercised and gone straight into bum mode. Tonight I put a leash on my energetic husky and went on a 2.5 mile walk.
The end result: I’m in a better mood than I was this morning and this afternoon and I’m under my calorie goal for the day despite having ate more (and worse) than I should have.
I’ve come a long way from where I was a few months ago, something my mother reminds of me each time she looks at me and says “I can’t believe how much weight you’ve lost,” and while days like today may be a temporary set back, I’m still doing a hell of a lot better than I was.
Tomorrow’s a brand new day and my Slimfast shake, water bottle and apple slices are waiting in the fridge together for me to take them to work in the morning. My Lean Pockets are in the freezer for lunch time. And I’m sure I can scrounge up something for dinner.
I’m only five pounds away and that’s way too close to my goal to throw it away now.
