Well, I'm relieved that 'simplifying' seems to be all that's needed right now. I think a few too many slightly splurge-ish dinners (while home cooked) crept in, and in the past I was a regular exerciser - and these still healthy, but slightly more-ish dinners had no negative effect.
Back when I was within sight of my overall weight loss goals, I was going to the gym five mornings a week, plus going on a good hour to two hour walk each day. Weights three times a week, "cardio" the other two mornings, plus the big walk each day. Then, life threw us a curveball - a pretty stressful one, and we moved out of state. Life was pretty topsy turvy, and lots of other things went on as well. So, I never did get my fitness routine going again, and I've been moved for over a year and a half now! A few months without exercise didn't seem to hurt, and I was too busy/stressed (insert a million other excuses). Gradually though, the non-exercise, in combination with getting "fancy" with dinners had me having to fight to just barely stay in place. I must have lost the same three or so (maybe even up to five) pounds umpteen times. I never did make any more real progress, and the latest upset was the additional six or seven mystery pounds on top of this.
If any of you move (a good distance) be sure to find a new gym ASAP - make it as important as getting your utilities set up and your household unpacked. It certainly seems the longer you go without exercise, the harder it is to get started back up again. Oh, and don't go from maintenance eating to more-ish maintenance eating at the same time as you surreptitiously slide out of your exercise routine.
christeanne - way to go! I happen to think the grocery store is an excellent place to get a lunch on the go. Thank you for sharing your experience - it makes me feel good knowing there are others here who are also getting back on track.
ManidipaM - wow - good for you that a move actually worked in your favour! Well done and thanks for pointing out that it's good to talk about this stuff and actually look at what's working and not working. Ignoring it isn't going to help. You're 100% right about this.
jayne - thanks for your post and especially for sharing that you know what this is like. It really does help. The only thing I can suggest (and I'm not always so good at remembering this in times of weight woes) is that motivation and inspiration are brought to life by taking action. Sometimes this is very hard to do, but it's amazing to me how just one day 'on track' can inspire and motivate like crazy. I mean, that first day or three - it's not like there's any noticeable result, and yet - just being back "on" is *the* thing that actually creates the motivation. I know this sounds sappy, but in some ways, you can change your whole life in just one day. It might be that those first days require a major push - it's not like you're feeling motivated or happy or excited - you might even be mad at the situation. It's a chicken and egg thing...not motivated to deal with things, but then it's the not dealing that causes the lack of said motivation. I swear - just one day (even if you have to force yourself) of being back on track is the #1 way to get your motivation back. You are creating it by taking action.
claire - thanks for the boost - so true that there's some actual momentum going, and as I was just saying to jayne, this seems to be the toughest hurdle. It's not yet a huge amount of momentum, but if I just keep going, it will grow and things will get even better as I continue to build on this 'start back.'
fashionista - thank you! I appreciate the good luck wishes
