Bit late checking in as it's now Saturday evening but yesterday ended up being different to my plan in a good way. There was a group from work going out last night however it was limited to 15 places and 16 people wanted to go so I dropped out to let the younger ones go. Yesterday morning 2 people dropped out so suddenly there was a n opportunity for me to go but I'd cycled to work and hadn't organised home life for a night out but with a bit of juggling I managed to get out. I missed the drink beforehand but got there in time for beercycling beercycle.co.nz/gallery. It was great fun, some exercise (although the beer, or ginger beer in my case as I was driving, probably negates that) and involved lots of laughter. The fact that I was the only one whose age started with a 4 rather than a 2 or 3 didn't seem to matter, so glad I managed to go.
Tracking and calories also good. Calories came in thanks to the fact l didn't have time to eat a proper tea which I'm paying for today - been hungry all day. Missed my protein goal too due to that, good job it's not part of the UAC.

scubachick67 wrote: »

late check in for me too, as its Saturday morning.

Yesterday was my third strike.
We have a family tradition of pizza and chips (fries, if you are west if the Atlantic). I had prepared to make a spinach and salmon frittata, but caved in once the pizza was cooked.
Also, it was pelting rain all day so I got no exercises done. I'm lying on the couch now and trying to convince myself to go out for a run. Zero motivation and I feel like a failure.

I dont mind taking yesterday as a holiday, but the day I had avocado on toast with spinach still makes me mad!

@scubachick67.

1) You are anything but a failure. You checked in and you where honest about what happened. This makes you a winner in my books.

2) You are not "out" yet. You are allowed 3 pass days and can still make circle. Even if you have one more pass day, stay checking in. We are here to listen and support. Weight management is a marathon, not a sprint. It is damn tough. We are in this together.

If you know the day is pizza and chips day, then plan your other meals (and activities) to make allowance for it. Save yourself up for the pizza and fries (smaller/no breakfast, smaller/no snacks, get activities done before pizza and chips). Portion out the amount of pizza and chips you are going to have and have only that portion. Let the family know what you are doing. I think you find they will support you in it (ie. not try offer you seconds or leftovers).

The worst thing to do is try set yourself apart (ie. the spinach and salmon frittata). Be part of the family and the traditions. They are part of who you are.

UAC (and MFP) do not try to restrict what you can have, just the amount of it. It is here to make you aware of what you are doing and support you in making healthy, maintainable changes.

For example, In the last 2 months I have not had a separate meal from the rest of my family. I have had ice cream, cake, cheesecake, pizza, fries, chocolate, wine, liqueur, pasta, soda, etc.. (everything most diets will tell you are off limits). All when the family has had such. If we have a large celebration lunch, I may skip dinner. I have still remained inside my daily totals (currently 1540 kcal) without eating exercise calories (almost 600 kcal from walking today and this excludes strength training). I do this by portion control and not eating snacks (or drinking calories between meals). My diet is largely high protein and high fat which keeps me full. Seldom do I feel the need for more food.

It's OK to have days when you cannot be arsed getting out. Try find an activities that you enjoy then getting off the couch becomes less of a chore. Also "motion creates emotion", ie. once you get moving you find that it is easier to continue. Any activity that gets you moving will do (walking, gardening, housework, dancing, skating, etc...)

I do walking as I like the view, I can listen to audiobooks, my knees won't take running and I can do it anywhere. My strength work is all indoors and uses no equipment, bodyweight only, no impact, can be done completely in a small room with a flat clear floor (like a bathroom)). This way if I travel for work I can still do my strength work.

What you do must fit into your lifestyle. It must not set you apart from people or events. It must be enjoyable (or over time you will cease to maintain it). Weight/health maintenance is something that you need to continue for life. It must become an automatic habit, not a chore. People cannot doing what they do not like long term.

You can do this.