Weekly weigh-in

First things first – I did lose something this week.  So that’s the good news.  It was the smallest amount I could possibly have lost (0.5lb), but as I keep reminding myself – a loss is a loss.

So, I hear you ask, after your super-duper week on track, why only half a lb???

Well …. let me tell you a story.

Somebody (namely me), thought it would be a good great fabulous idea to go out to dinner last night with friends Katherine and Jo, and eat rather more than her points allowed for.

Yup – Genius went and had a heavy dinner the night before weigh-in.  Very clever indeed.

However, gnocchi, garlic bread, amazing ice-cream and chocolate sauce, and a couple of glasses of wine aside (what’s that between friends, huh?), I actually wasn’t too far off where I should have been points wise -  I was 6 points over for the day, and 11 over for the whole week.

Ok, so if I’d kept my head last night, I’d have been none over for the week instead, and probably would have registered a proper loss on the scales, but that’s life. 

Positive things to take away:

• I tracked it all honestly, even though I was annoyed with myself, and it was the last day of the week and therefore has no impact of today at all.
• It is, by hook or by crook, a third loss in a row for me, and therefore proof that even with a few slip-ups along the way, persistence will keep you moving in the right direction.

Persistence Not Perfection

This is what I’m focusing on at the moment.  The concept that you don’t have to be absolutely 100% perfect all the time to get results; you don’t need to make the right decisions every time, you just have to keep trying to make the right decision.

I can’t say that this is my own original thought, because it’s not – it’s something I picked up from the awesome Sheryl at *Bitch Cakes*: A Neurotic Glamour Girl's Weight Watchers Experience and Fitness Adventures.  She is beyond fabulous, and although I’m sure most of you have already heard about her at some point, you really should go and check her out if not.

I could probably credit most of my stubbornness to get through the first wretched (eating-wise at any rate) 6 months of this year to her.  Every time I felt like just throwing in the towel when I wasn’t making any progress I’d read something on her blog that would make me think just maybe I could keep going.  The fact that she was stuck on a weight-loss plateau for two whole years, made me learn a little patience, and she was right – eventually it all just clicked back into place again.

Which isn’t to say that this thing is easy.  I could smack myself for last night and I could look at it as ruining what would otherwise have been a perfect Weightwatchers week.  But surely it’s better to look at it as an enjoyable evening out with friends, and I’ve experienced life, laughter and good times, whilst still losing a little bit?

Patience, my young followers, patience.  I don’t have enough of it.  I’ve been saying to myself all week that I’d be happy just to lose a lb.  Surely, I should be happy to lose anything at all!  Every little step gets me closer to my goal of being healthy and slim, and there’s no time limit for when I get there.  My frustration that I didn’t get back to specifically 4 stone off and my lowest to date, by half a freaking little lb is stupid, because, geez – it’s only half a freaking little lb!!!!!

Onwards!!

Concentration is key, and looking backwards isn’t going to help anyone, unless it’s a quick glance to learn the lessons, and then look forward and apply them.

I’m heading off to Bristol this weekend to see the lovely Hannah and do a belated birthday celebration for her.  I think there’s going to be some combination of wandering round Bristol and seeing what’s on at BrisFest and meandering over to Bath for some soaking in the rooftop baths of the new spa and drinking cocktails.  Or biking.  Some combination of some of that anyway.

As always I shall be trying keeping an eye on my eating, as the weekend is likely to throw up lots of opportunities to eat out, drink, and slide right off track.  Instead, I shall have to make it work for me, and take advantage of all the opportunities it should also throw up for activity and exercise.

Onwards, comrades, to victory! :o)