Frustration: 2 weeks of daily workouts, 10 days of Medifast. Only 1 pound lost. I was doing better without either, number wise. I did some research on the Medifast Support Boards as well as talked to some Medifast veterans, and the overwhelming consensus from everyone I spoke to was that I should stop working out.
Um. No.
I really don't think that quitting exercise is the wisest decision as far as my long term health goals. This is the first time in a very long time that I am enjoying exercise and have found the motivation and determination to make it a daily habit. I truly do not think that Medifast is a lifelong way of keeping myself healthy-I think it is a way to lose weight, and a lot of it, relatively quickly.
The notion that exercise is not compatible with Medifast concerns me. How could this possibly be the best thing for me and my body? Obviously, this diet is meant for people who are unable or unwilling to exercise. The calories that it provides (800-1000 daily) is just not enough to sustain my workouts-I burn that much in 90 minutes at the gym. So maybe it's just not the right choice for me? I'm on the fence on what the right thing is to do. I think for the next week I'm going to do a "modified" Medifast-stick with the science behind the diet, which is taking in very low amounts of carbs, high amounts of protein, and a lowish amount of healthy fats, forcing your body to burn fat for energy rather than carbohydrates while the high protein protects your lean muscle, and just increase my overall caloric intake. I found that if I do sugar free yogurts, protein shakes/bars, cottage cheese, etc., I can consume the calories I need to continue the workouts while sticking with the theory of Medifast. I'll give this modification a week or two to work, then if I'm still holding onto the pounds, something's going to have to give.
Vindication: While the stupid stubborn scale is not moving AT ALL, the hours I've spent at the gym are definitely paying off. I let my husband have his way with me yesterday, putting me through "The Circuit of Torture". Since I stuck it out and finished the entire brutal workout, I was rewarded with a shopping trip afterwards for some new exercise clothes. Selecting clothes off the rack, I grabbed a 3X cause that's what I'm used to. I threw it on over the clothes I was wearing-it was gigantic! Mr. Floren threw me a 2X-still way too big! I was able to get 1X in pants and shirt, and while the pants fit perfectly, the shirt is even a little roomy! That totally made my weekend!
My measurements are showing results too-if you are exercising as part of your weight loss plan, I highly recommend taking measurements (waist, hips, bust, arms, thighs, calves) as they are a much truer picture of what's going on. I look in the mirror and really don't see myself as any smaller, but measurements don't lie. Also vindicating? Two weeks in a row of consistent working out-five days the first week, six days this last week. Feels great!
Moderation: One game I used to play with myself while dieting was the concept of a "cheat day". I would work my ass off all week, then when cheat day rolled around, would throw all my hard work down the toilet by consuming lord knows how many calories in a 12 hour period. Not only does it defeat the purpose of working hard, it puts you right back in withdrawals and makes getting back on the horse that much more difficult. The reason for the cheat day, though, is pretty understandable-for a little bit, even one meal, you want to feel like everyone else-order whatever you want off the menu, not count every singular calorie, etc.
We had dinner at Boot Camp Barbie and Army Dude Dunny's house Saturday night, and I made my world famous enchiladas. I did not want to eat a Medifast bar while everyone else had a normal dinner, but I also didn't want to go off the deep end and ruin all the progress I've made. So I practiced moderation like a normal human being: one enchilada, a few bites of spanish rice, a few bites of beans, a couple of margaritas and no dessert. I was full, satisfied, I didn't feel left out, and was very proud of myself for not overdoing it.
Menstruation: If I thought that dieting made me stabby, let me just say that PMS, even with the birth bitch control, makes me even stabbier. And bloats me out two inches (thanks to my handy dandy measurements, I know that for sure). Not cool, Mother Nature, not cool.
So, whether you are dieting or not, what -ation are you practicing this week?
Posts
