Nighttime Noshing - Part Five

Trying to Get Back on Track

January 28, 2009: A friend who is struggling to lose 50 pounds asked me why I am writing this journal and why I am obsessing over losing six measly pounds. Good question.

Six pounds of excess weight gained in one year could become 24 pounds in four years or 48 pounds in eight years. I’ve done the Weight Creep dance once and don’t ever want to do it again!

I had my first slip Sunday and gave a lot of thought as to what caused me to stuff my face with all those carbs.

They’re comfort foods. I started out with a healthy salad, but then decided on eight mini-bagels for a main course!

I know, you’re probably saying, "Eight!? Did she say eight!!?"

Then I polished off the meal with apple pie and ice cream, followed by a slice of Danish with butter.

Clearly, I was stuffing something down – stuffing my emotions. I’ve been worried about a few things and letting them get to me.

I decided it was time for a reality check about what’s really important in my life.

So I’ve been praying for guidance and giving the problem to God. It’s in his hands anyway.

All we really have is this moment. I choose to live it with faith and love … and a bit less nighttime noshing. ;-)

Still three pounds to go; but, hey, I’m halfway to my goal!

February 16, 2009: One of my favorite classic movies is Jean Shepherd’s "A Christmas Story" and a favorite scene is the one where Schwartz accepts a "double-dog dare you" to see if he can touch his tongue to an ice cold metal pole in the schoolyard. Of course it sticks and Schwartz is standing there with his arms flailing like a helicopter yelling,

"Thtuck! "Thtuck! I’m thtuck!!! Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!"

Well that’s me right now. I’m thtuck!!!

At least I don’t need the fire and police departments to rush and un-stick me. I have to do this myself. I need a new plan.

Since my last journal entry three weeks ago, I have not lost another ounce. I’m stuck at three pounds down and three to go.

I’m pleased that I have virtually eliminated my nighttime noshing; but frustrated that the numbers on the scale don’t keep going down.

Obviously, I need to either eat less and/or work out more. By work out more, I actually mean, "Work out again".

I need to overcome my fear of exercise that was triggered by double hamstring tears a year and a half ago.

The excuses are endless. We have repairmen coming. I’ve got too much work to do. I'm too tired. And on and on.

New plan: we leave on a two-week vacation Saturday. I am packing all the new exercise DVDs I purchased last October (and haven’t even opened).

No more excuses! Wish me luck.

March 27, 2009: Well, it’s more than a month since my last journal entry and I still have three pounds to go toward my goal weight.

The good news is that I don’t feel "thtuck" anymore. Au contraire, I have made significant progress toward getting back in shape. How can that be?

While I haven’t lost pounds, my clothes are fitting better and I’m standing a bit straighter. My balance has improved and my knees don’t creak when I bend them.

I can do the splits again (at age 63). Let me rush to say that this is a not normal goal for someone of my age; but if one has always had such flexibility, it seems a clear sign of decline not to be able to.

What is the magic that accomplished this mini-miracle? EXERCISE!!!!!

I really did take all my exercise DVDs on our two-week vacation and I really did use them more days than not. I started writing in my exercise journal again. In the entire year of 2008, I only worked out two days!

In my last entry, September 5, 2008, I wrote: "Boy it’s hard getting back into exercise. I have so little energy. I’m sleeping too much. My hamstrings still bother me some. I’m depressed over this neighborhood and all the crime around us. Judy.’s house was robbed twice last week – while she slept!"

Of course with 20/20 hindsight it’s easy to see why I was unable to get myself moving again – DEPRESSION.

It is such a paradox that EXERCISE is one of the best medicines for DEPRESSION; yet when you are depressed, you are simply unable to EXERCISE!

More Nighttime Noshing Articles

• Nighttime Noshing
• Suggestions to Curb Nighttime Noshing
• In Search of Low Cal Low/No-Carb Snacks for Nighttime Snacking
• In Search of Alternatives to Food

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be taken as medical advice.