Another Sunday. Another weekly weight average at 154.something. I think we're going on two months now. This plateau is so different from the one last summer because of the lack of exercise. I know that I can't really attack it with food because I've never been willing to drop my calories below around 1350. I now truly feel my resolve slipping away. Since I don't see an end to my back problem anytime soon, I don't see my weight loss picking up anytime soon. I'm sure if I went back to Jenny Craig I could drop a few pounds, but I'm too committed to the nutrition aspect of my food to do that. I just can't go back to processed foods.
Here's an update on my back problem: My chiropractor says NO exercise because he's trying to "deactivate" the damaged nerves in my back. Apparently, nerve signals will follow the most "worn" or "used" path. If a pathway is not used, it will wither and die, so to speak. The body will then create new nerve pathways. His goal is to get my body to stop using the damaged painful nerve pathways and create new ones. Everytime I exercise and cause pain or tingling in my back, I'm using the "old" pathways and extending their life and postponing my healing. So the less I do now, the sooner I will heal. Unfortunately, there's just no date I can count on. It's just a wait and see.
Just yesterday, I thought to myself that I hadn't really felt any nerve pain in about a week, so I went for a hike. Halfway through, I felt really stiff in my back, so I stopped to do some yoga stretches. Then last night, my back was all tingly. I was so pissed! First, that I had used my damaged nerve pathways, and second that I can't even go for a flippin walk!
This lack of exercise and lack of weight loss has left me feeling like a boat adrift. I have nothing pushing me forward. No results; no incentives. Nothing. I don't even feel like I'm on a "plan" anymore. I have no routine. This lack of mindfulness leads to sloppy eating. It's so much easier to go out for dinner more often when I'm not "in the zone."
I'm not concerned with gaining the weight back. I'm eating pretty "normally" right now and my weight seems to hold steady. I'm just worried that I won't ever lose this last 20 lbs EVER. I'm still not happy with my body--not by a long shot--and I don't want this to be the end. It just feels like the end.
Posted By: ashleyb
Comments to this post:
03/18/2007 15:31
Look at it this way
At least you didn't eat a package of biscuits, half a box of chocolates and most of an entire bag of Doritos over the weekend. I did!
Sorry you can't exercise yet, but at least you know you will soon be able to. Me, I'm exercising like crazy to make up for my complete lack of restraint where eating is concerned. Any ideas as to how t help me rein this in? I am never going to see 133 again if I don't figure out a way to get myself back under control.
Oh, DH has already told me that when my citizenship is confirmed, he intends to throw a party for me, complete with dancing and all.
even though I can at least walk. However, as I'm walking I see people running andI used to be a fierce runner before my knee gave up on me. Also the weight is not shifting - I'm desperate and it's just week 2 - you're on 2 months!!!! It does feel like giving up on everything, doesn't it.
I'm sorry about your back - it must be so damn frustrating for you. I guess we have to accept that there comes a time when life sucks. When I'm in such a time I try and think to myself that this is bad and it will get better. So, I really don't have anything else to offer you today my dear, but the promise and the hope of a better tomorrow.
I hated to read this post. I hate it for you! I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with all this. I really hope that you will be healed soon. I'm sure it's frustrating.
I'm on JC and I know that I am healthier than I was before, however, I hope to one day get to the whole foods. I'll be checking on you!
I have never been as much of an exerciser as you, but having to restrict activity would be very difficult for me, so I can just imagine what you're going through. Maybe if you can look at the road ahead and tell yourself that it won't be forever, that you'll get better and you'll be able to start activity again. I hope that even though you're not exercising that your plateau will break. I know how frustrating that is. It does make you want to throw in the towel and give up, but the not wanting to go back to where you came is the only thing that keeps me going.
I wish that I could say something that would make you feel better. ;) Oh I know... go get that dress!!! It's a real wrap dress! not faux, so it will shrink with you and you'll be able to wear it until wrap dresses aren't en vogue anymore. :) GO, GO, GO!!!! :) It's $40 something dollars... can't beat it! :)
Posted By:
03/20/2007 12:02
I feel ya!
It pisses me off when my hip won't give me a break. But soon I wiil be able to switch to swimming at least. Take care of you. And your right, Your body will maintain a "natural weight" with just the eating changes and what ever activity you do whether it be doing the dishes or vacuuming the rug, it is what is is right now, and that's all you can do.
I'm a firm believe in not killing myself. over pain.
Not that this is easy to do, but can you focus on something else for a while? I know that meal planning and preparation will take a lot of your time whether your mind is set to "lose weight" or just continuing the lifestyle you have set. But is there somewhere else you can focus the mental energy? Maybe if you are working on some freelance writing, or photography, or some other hobby I don't know about or that you haven't taken up yet, the weight won't bother you as much?
Part of my reluctance to hit WW lately has been that I need to focus on some other stuff, and since weight loss has not been happening for me (mentally--I know I could physically) it's better to work on that and just try to maintain and eat healthy rather than keep a strict regimen and make myself feel bad by weighing all the time. While I know you have the motivation, maybe redirecting that energy until you can exercise again will get you some satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that weight loss just isn't going to give right now. You aren't giving up--neither am I--but it's not going to help you to eat more processed low-cal food, and expecting to lose weight without exercising is like banging your head against a brick wall. I wish things were different, but until they are it's okay to take a break from the expectations, if not the behavior of weight loss and healthy living.
I hope that made sense. I don't know how to make it better except to send you virtual hugs.
I am actually quite concerned about that, too! I'm still learning about this whole pre-diabetes thing and have an appointment with my doctor, plus I'm going to attend a class at my hospitol. The info I've found online has been all over the board, so I'm confused and just trying to do what I think is right until I get more educated.
Anyway, you are right about the whole carb and running thing, and I appreciate your concern! If I can't do the marathon, then I won't. (I don't really want to do it anyway!)
I'm so sorry to hear you are having such pain still and can't exercise! Not even walking? Swimming? I hate to exercise, but if I was told I coudn't, of course I would want to do it even more! Good luck with your back.
I love both the styles you picked--thank goodness I look okay in that color, though I wouldn't have picked it myself in a million years. My bridesmaids were in celadon or sage (their choice) because my dress had pink and green embroidery and there was no way I was forcing pink on my more olive-complected bridesmaids. Believe it or not, the original color my friend picked was the even more horrifying flat pink! It's odd since she's not much of a girly girl, but it's her day so whatever works for her works for me. I made her wear a tea-length dress for my wedding when I knew she hates her legs, so she can make me wear a full length pink dress if she wants to. At least I get to pick the style.
Oooh pick out some novels for your summer if you need to take your mind off things!
It may be hard to make a temporary switch, but it's just that, a temporarily imposed setback. You are clearly maintaining fine, and you absolutely have the mental strength to start back when you get the go-ahead. I know it's not goal, and it's not progressing towards goal, but you are at least maintaining a new level of good health. Life is far to short to spend unnecessary time in pain. Just take it easy and take the time to look after yourself physically, you're already doing it nutritionally. It might make things a little easier on the psyche f you change your thinking towards maintaining for now, and that it is by no means the end for you and you'll be fiercely back in the hunt as soon as your pain will allow it.
I guess I'm really just echoing what blondeez has already told you. She's a pretty smart cookie that one.
It sucks, no doubt. You have the choice to dwell, or make lemonade from lemons. I know it's easier said than done.
I just wish I had some answers for you. The feeling of utter helplessness is so all-encompassing, and it is difficult to get out from underneath it, esp. when you are not able to turn to your normal outlets for de-stressing. Have you tried any meditation? It seems as though with your yoga background that meditation my help you stay centered. I know that it is hard for me to calm myself to that point though--so I have no real life expertise on if that helps or not.
Try to listen to what the Chiro is telling you--I know it's tough, but it will be better in the long run.
I know how you feel, just keep doing what you are doing and stay stronger and more focused than ever. You can't give up and you just have to push through it. You are going to do it, I have faith in you. Don't give up and know you have a team behind you supporting you! I hope you start feeling better soon and little by little things will fall into place. Have a wonderful Thursday!
Rest now, prevent surgery later. It's a hard pill to swallow, but it's temporary. I understand the temptation to go back to Jenny, I've battled it, too, but you can do this. It's hard to just diet and not exercise, because you wind up with too much time on your hands to think about food, but you're going to get over this hump. I hope your back is feeling better soon so that you're back on your feet. Can you at least do gentle exercises like walking and stretching in the mean time, or does he want you to do absolutely nothing?
Hi, Ashley. I hope maybe you're feeling a little less down this week. Giving your body time to fully heal is so important. It's impossible to move forward when you're not ready. And even though you may be mentally in the right place, if your nerves and muscles are telling you to stop, then you have to follow their lead. Too often we push ourselves when we're in the right mental place but not physical because we want to get to our destination. When you are truly 100% ready to get back on course, you'll have greater success than you've had to this point.
That sucks that you not allowed to exercise.. but it's for the best so your back can get better. Sounds like your metabolism is in a rut. You need to eat MORE then. Vary yourself this week. Eat one day of 1,500 then eat 1,200 then eat 1,300 then eat 1,600. It'll help to rev up your metabolism a bit. Hope that helps. :)
If I can't do the marathon, then I won't. (I don't 
At least I get to pick the style. 