One of the good things about having a blog is the ability to look back and see when something happened. You’d think that certain dates would stick in your mind, but I find myself from time to time looking back to see what year something actually happened. For some reason I thought Tony’s colon cancer was in 2010, but low and behold, it was 2011. So then I just started jumping all around at random posts. Sometimes I feel like my day is so routine, nothing happens, but then I read back on some posts and smile at the memories that have been made.
One picture stopped me in my tracks though.
That’s me – exactly one year ago today. I was probably around 158 – had been going strong and keeping consistent for six months strong. I looked back at the food I ate, and realize that I did eat some pretty tasty food, but it was a lot less carbs, and I only indulged in a couple not so healthy meals only once or twice a week at most. I am going to try to find November 2013 Biz again if it kills me. I’ve been emotionally eating lately and it has to stop. I am going to be switching around my meal plans this week to see if I can jump start myself. The one word missing in my vocabulary these last 11 months? CONSISTENCY. Not perfection, CONSISTENCY. I was watching Biggest Loser last night and they had some NFL players who were retired, yet they still kept up with the working out to keep their bodies in shape, well after their playing time was over. One of them said to the group “You don’t have to be good to start, just start to be good.” That’s going to be my motto for next week.
Breakfast was one of my tried and true meals – breakfast tacos! On the side with some fresh cut fruit.
I worked through lunch to go to a doctor appointment with Tony. I had the leftover mac n cheese I made earlier in the week, just tossed some bread crumbs and a bit more cheese on top and reheated it in the toaster oven. The top got this nice crunchy cheesy topping, but underneath was super creamy.
The perfect bite!
I went back to work after Tony’s appointment and on my way home had to pick up a couple things at the store. I felt like a salad, but I wanted to kick it up a bit, so I picked up one cooked chicken tender at my grocery store deli – set me back $1.30. I ended up making a buffalo chicken salad – the best part is the dressing – 1 tablespoon ranch dressing with 1 tablespoon Frank’s hot sauce. I could literally put that shit on everything.
So happy Friday! Question of the Day: What do you do to get your mojo back? Make it a great day!
Clearly, things have been really stressful so emotional eating is completely understandable–just try to adjust one element at a time towards what’s better for you instead of trying to go full tilt all at once. This is why I hate “challenges:” they never seem to be geared towards a sustainable way of eating but instead simply serve as a losing-weight countdown of sorts. You’re 100% right in that consistency is key, so start small (if that helps) and then add as you feel more comfortable.
As I noted in my last comment (which I just realized I am commenting backwards. UGH it’s been a long few weeks) I did that paleo challenge and lost 22 pounds. I did really well in the first few days after the challenge ended but now I already feel like I am slipping! Gotta keep this momentum going the right way, or that 22 is going to come back faster than I lost it!
Oooh, buffalo chicken salad…that looks amazing! What I do when I need to get my mojo back is switch things up a bit…if the gym has gotten stale, I might switch to excercise videos for a while, or swimming, or do some long walks, etc.
If you find MY mojo…please send it my way. It’s lost as well.
I had to lose my own meal plans and strictly follow what someone else built. It broke me of my unintended bad habits.
When I get my MOJO back, I’ll let you know how I did it. 🙂 I actually believe that stress is a huge factor (that and sleep) and right now I just have too much stress which makes it difficult to stay on track. Mornings start out great but by the end of the day, I’ve eaten more than my fair share of chocolate! I can only imagine how much cortisol is running through your body with everything you have going on in your life. So anything you can do to relax and get more sleep is supposed to help. Have a great weekend! (And thanks again for the birthday wish!) 🙂
I don’t think it’s about getting your mojo BACK. I truly believe it’s about figure out what you can do day in and day out – mostly.
It may not be realistic for you to work out two times a day and diet hard (and truly I don’t believe that is doable for anyone). Right now maybe getting a walk in at lunch or after work is all you can mange. It’s OK and it means you haven’t thrown the baby out with the bath water so to speak.
Realizing that life happens, stress crops up and things may change but the change is only temporary and that you’re doing the best you can in the situation you’re in. I think that last part especially applies to you right now.
You’re a smart cookie Helen! This is really helpful. Going to take it one day at a time and so should you Biz. Take a little step everyday instead of trying to do everything different at once, that usually works only for a short time.
Good luck!
Hi Biz!
Found this and thought you would enjoy!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryankincaid/the-spice-is-right
Love reading your blog everyday!
Have a great day!
Sarah
I LOVE having the blog to look back on (though sometimes I cringe at the things I said or pictures I posted – lol). I think it’s easier to keep your mojo when you have a friend to do it with – that’s what helps me!
You know, it’s really hard to get your mojo back, especially when you are under a lot of stress. After I had my baby 2 years 4 months ago, I started trying to lose the baby weight. I was about 168.
I lost 15 pounds, then got sick. Gained it back. I proceeded to lose 15 pounds at least two more times, then gained it back. Sick kids, traveling husband, three reorganizations at the company, two new bosses, two layoffs. So when you were in your awesome state a year ago, I was near 170. I recommitted on December 27.
What I’m trying to learn is how to “hold steady”. We had another big layoff and some work changes this year, and I went from my minimum in May of 149 to about 158. I didn’t go back up to 168! I started hitting it hard again in September – one day at a time, one meal at a time. I’m right now between 148 and 150 (varies up to 2 lbs in a week).
But you know, my husband has been traveling and the kids have been sick, and the 2 year old is waking up every night around 12:30 or 2 am, and keeping us up. It’s hard to keep your “mojo”. So in these times, I’m okay with just holding steady.
At 44, the weight just doesn’t come off like it used to, that’s okay. When things are all going well, my diet is ON POINT and my exercise is great, I lose about 0.5 lbs a week. I’m trying to keep things simple AND mix it up. Makes sense? Probably not.
For example, I did 4 weeks in Sept-Oct with carb cycling per Chris Powell. I lost about 4 pounds. This meant my diet was VERY repetitive. Low carb days alternating with high carb days, same meals over and over. Sunday off. I needed the Sunday off so I could have wine, or bread, or pizza.
Then my husband was gone for a week and I gained 1.5 lbs back.
After that, I switched to 21-day fix. This is more balanced – some carbs and some fat every day. It’s still fairly low-carb – 2 cups of fruit, and one cup of grain/beans/potatoes/carbs per day. This one DOESN’T have Sundays off. I am combining this with NOvember (no alcohol, bread/pasta, sugar, or fried food). So far I’m back to where I was before I gained the 1.5 lbs, but haven’t lost any more.
I have a nice long list of other plans that I can try and switch out. So, I pick a plan, stick to it for 4-5 weeks, and when I get bored, switch. The sticking to a plan means I don’t have to think about it much on a day to day basis, it’s repetitive. The switching it up keeps me from getting bored long term.
Good luck, you can do it!!
sorry for posting twice – just wanted to come back and add one more thought. I frequently read or see this phrase come up on blogs, instagram, etc: you have to find what works for you. I have been at this since 2003. That’s the year I decided I would do something good for myself, lose weight, get healthy, get fit. 11 years later — and I’m still trying to figure that out! It never seems to get easier. If anything it’s gotten way way harder. I honestly don’t know what is the best way to lose and maintain for me and my body. I feel like I have tried almost everything available and am suffering from information overload. Whew – anyway – sorry to hijack the thread and not have good advice on getting back the mojo.
That’s the never-ending question for sure! Struggling with finding my mojo again too. Really don’t like this edge I’m teetering on right now. I was hoping your readers/commenters would have some great ideas too. seriously! 😉 We all need some great ideas for getting that elusive mojo and sticking with it. Like the other person said – I do great for a day. maybe even a week and then one misstep and it somehow turns into a string of bad choices, no time to workout and then bam — 5-10 pounds back up again. UGH!
I feel like I say this all the time, but your breakfasts always make me wish I put more effort into mine haha. I do love having a blog so I can look back…tomorrow…my blog will disappear! So crazy, but definitely time for me. That mac and cheese? gah! What do I do to get my mojo back…honestly…just starting working towards whatever it is I want. I heard a quote…I want to say from Jillian Michaels that you won’t change until staying the same is more painful than changing…so true!
As a fellow emotional eater I sympathize but I also know if you keep doing the same thing it will just keep happening. Be sad —> eat all the carbs drink all the wine—> be sad. I do the exact same thing.
It seems like you might be in a bit of a funk, maybe? You seem a bit sadder to me in general. When you were working out and eating a little better you seemed happier. I know some sh*t happened and life gets in the way and it’s hard.
In terms of getting mojo back…all I did was one day was have a nice little chat with myself. “Self…just stop. Not every meal is your last meal and it doesn’t have to be carby and cheesy deliciousness. Eat more salads, workout harder and get over yourself. This self-loathing cycle is stupid and is helping no one. In fact, it is harming your relationships with people. So get it together and be happy about the good things in life So there.”This works 75% of the time. And really that’s good enough.
“Not every meal is your last meal”
When I first lost weight in 2002, before both babies, that was the big “aha” moment for me! I was treating my favorite meals as my last. I love pizza! But I don’t need 4 slices. I can eat one. And you know, save one for tomorrow! I can have it whenever I want, just not ALL the pizza. (or burritos, or whatever)
I just start right where I am that day. I try not to beat myself up just do the workout that day, eat right to the best of my ability. Nothing fancy but it has worked for the last 15 years I’ve never regained the 40 lbs I lost. I think my secret is I always get back to my workouts:)
Have a great weekend. I know you can do this just START today:)
How is Tony feeling today? Hopefully he got some rest after the doctor’s appointment. I remember that flashback photo. When I saw it I was WOW!!!! You were kicking some fitness but. I also love to mix Frank’s hot sauce or Buffalo sauce with ranch. I just need to make a homemade version of ranch.(One that is healthier) I have been mixing it with plain Chobani lately and that too is really good and better for me 🙂 I’m still trying figure out how to get my mojo back. Reading your blog helps a lot. I’m not completely off track just a little wobbly. I think my body is secretly helping me out because I find I just can’t eat the same stuff I use to crave.
I have the same problem – can’t keep my MOJO for more than a couple days. I keep doing the same wrong things over and over…1 step forward, 1 step back…constantly!(I don’t like to blame the monthly cycle for anything, but I’ve definitely noticed that some of these patterns are directly related to where I’m at in that lovely time. Of course, perimenopause means things are changing by the hour. EEK!) OK, OK, TMI! I’m looking forward to everyone’s responses to get some new ideas for a jump-start! Have a great day and weekend! Snow on Monday/Tuesday – F@#% – oops, I meant YUCK!