Yesterday and today I went walking for exercise. I do that several times per week now, about 3 miles each time. But yesterday the temperature dropped to 36 during the day. I went walking anyway. You get warm as you exercise, right?
I should have prepared better. That was one cold walk, and it was windy too.
Today it was 30 degrees outside and I went walking again: this time with layers, and a hat, and gloves. I still wore shorts, though. The extra gear made a lot of difference, and as long as I kept moving I stayed warm.
When I came home, it was time for taco salad wednesday!
My food intake and calorie count
Breakfast – lentils and rice (75); ham and cheese sandwich (270);
- 345 calories
Lunch – Premio sweet Italian sausages (460); wrap (90);
- 550 calories
Dinner – taco salad with tortillas (140); cheese (150); chili (150); beans (150); sour cream (50);
- 640 calories
Snacking – chocolate (170)
- 170 calories
Total for the day: 1705 calories (limit 1700). Fitbit says 15,000+ steps, 3243 calories burned.
Is it working?
I am trying to concentrate on going to bed on time and getting to sleep, and sacrificing everything else. It’s working, in a way. I am getting to bed earlier, and not plagued with late night binge eating for the last three nights. On the other hand, I’m not getting up as early as I would like and not getting as much done as I have in the past. Have I traded one problem for another? I could just be recovering my balance. We shall see.
Facing up to the things that are causing me stress and worry, is a bit stressful and worrying. But in the long term, there is less to worry about and the load is starting to come under control.
This is all a part of long term weight control. There will be stressful periods in everyone’s life, and you will have to learn to deal with them. When you go to pieces, you learn to pick them back up again. I have learned not to be too stubborn. Trying to force myself back into weight control territory while also keeping up with other demands I was putting on myself, was too much. What is most important to me now? Weight control. So I am sacrificing the other priorities (which I wasn’t doing well with anyway) and focusing my attention on going to bed, and avoiding binge late night eating.
This focus on my body’s weight is not meant to be temporary. I am committing to doing it for the rest of my life. It will take care and attention, and my needs will change over time. I am taking all my current trouble as a chance to learn how to pick up the pieces, rebalance and keep going. That’s the best we can do. It may even be enough.
-The Doctor