Facing the Scale

Hmmm, that’s actually the completely wrong direction! Of course, these types of (hopefully) temporary fluctuations are why you’re only supposed to weigh yourself once a week.

I played soccer today with the “guys” at lunch. It was a blast! So much more fun than running alone, and even than playing with the ladies on Mondays.

I’m going to blame the jump in weight on the lack of sleep last night. Jake woke us up at least 3 times. It could also be due to the glass of wine and some snacks while waiting for dinner. I’m expecting tomorrow to be the same (or god forbid worse) due to dessert and wine tonight.

Oh well, I’m still not sure that this is a weight loss blog. It’s really more of a get in shape blog. While I’d love that number to be lower, I’d love even more to feel strong and capable of anything. And hopefully getting re-engaged in a sport I used to love will help get me there.

Hmmm. I was hopeful that yesterday’s soccer would have had an impact, but of course it takes more than one day so I’ll just be happy that the number didn’t go up again.

Surprisingly I’m feeling pretty good this week even though I know that this is close to the heaviest I’ve ever been. There’s something about being back in the work routine, packing a healthy lunch and getting some exercise that makes me feel a bit more in control.

There’s co-ed soccer at lunch tomorrow. Haven’t played with the boys yet but I figure I’ll go and I can at least run up and down the field even if I don’t get much ball time.

I still need to get some indoor shoes though – hopefully later this week at this point.

Not what I was expecting this morning, but who knows. I made up for it by thinking about what I ate all day long and playing soccer at lunch. I really enjoyed the game and am beginning to wonder why I went 10 years without playing…

This morning the scale said 156.4 lbs.

Pretty much unchanged from yesterday which seems appropriate since while skiing burned calories, drinking beer and eating ribs did not.

Today was a lazy day of working, chores and cooking. I made a savory pie for dinner that will be lunch for the next couple of days. And there’s bread in the oven to be used for toast and sandwiches this week – smells so so good.

Monday is a soccer day at lunch time, just the girls. Never did get a new pair of shoes, but perhaps I’ll manage that after work tomorrow.

156.4 lbs today.

Today I did a bit of alpine skiing. Mike was supposed to be there, but circumstances got in his way.

It was nice to feel my body working and flexing and stretching, all in relative synchronicity. Of course I’d love it if my ski pants weren’t tight and I felt a bit lighter on my feet. But today I was happy just to be out in the snow making some turns.

Hopefully I burned enough calories to off-set the pint of beer at the end of the day. Oh and the 2 glasses of wine and ribs for dinner. Oh well, I never said I’d be changing my eating habits, just my exercise ones…

157 lbs this morning.

Statistically I know that that’s the same as yesterday. But still, not what you want to see on day 2 of trying to be conscious of your weight and body condition. Oh well.

Today I’m off work just because I want to be. Mike’s off duck hunting and so I’m headed outside to clean up downed limbs onto the brush pile, haul some new straw to the chooks and then head in to town to find a new pair of indoor soccer shoes.

But first, coffee and toast with jam.

For the past few years I’ve spent a lot of time focused on what we’re eating and where it came from, growing our own produce and proteins, making our new house a home and writing about it all. What went by the wayside in all of that was my committment to finding time to take care of my physical health.

Until the past 24 months or so I’ve always been an active person. I’m a skier, mountain biker, road biker, soccer player, walker and occasional runner. But if I’m honest with myself I haven’t really been doing any of those things with any kind of commitment or dedication for a while. And my body and weight are evidence of this.

For 2009 I am recommitting to my body. I already pay careful attention to what I put into it, so this year I’m going to focus on what kind of shape it’s in and what I’m asking it to do. Every day I’m going to face the scale and know where I stand both in terms of weight and an honest assessment of how well I’m doing at taking care of myself.

I haven’t always been honest with myself about what’s happening with my weight and my physical condition – that all changes starting today. I don’t have a specific goal weight in mind other than getting below 140, which is what I weighed just after moving to Seattle. I’m more interested in how I feel and the ability of my body to support me in achieving the things I want to do.

I always do better at reaching my goals when I’ve made a public commitment to them, so here it is, inspired by Joy Manning. Not only will I put myself on the scale every day, I will tell you what the scale says and how I feel about it. I will admit when and what I’m doing well and when I’m doing poorly.

*****

Today the scale says 156.8 pounds.

I’ve been a bit of a slug, hiding inside, since the snow arrived almost 3 weeks ago and it’s showing. I’m not sure that number is really higher than it was before the snow, as I didn’t own a scale until 3 days ago. But, it’s definitely not a number I’m impressed with and I don’t feel very healthy right now.

After sleeping in (it was a late night) Mike and I are headed outside to clean up fallen limbs and do some other upkeep now that the snow is mostly melted. Late this afternoon, we’ll walk to the end of our road and back (2.7 miles RT), just for an excuse to stretch our legs.