Getting Back Into the Swing of Things!

I’m back!  I apologize for the missing posts…I’ve been fighting the crud.  What started off as a nasty cold on April 13 turned into something else that required 2 rounds of antibiotics.  I’m finally feeling human again.  I didn’t realize just how tired I was feeling until I started getting better…go figure!

So, now that I’m better, it’s time to start thinking about my overall health.  I have essentially not done any exercise in the past 2 ½ weeks.  I was a little fearful of the scale this week, but I was past due for a weigh-in.  Yikes! I’m about 3 pounds over my goal weight.  That means it’s time to get serious.  I’m not sure if a “maintenance plateau” is a possibility, but that’s what I feel like I’m facing.

Now, I know what you’re thinking…and you’re probably right:  “Don’t beat yourself up!  You’ve been sick, so you were off your game.  You’ll get back in the swing of things.”  While I know I have the tools I need to lose those 3 pounds, the motivation can be a little hard to find after taking a so-called “break” from the whole weight maintenance thing.  I’m sure many of you can relate. 

We can tend to get in a rut or get too comfortable with our routines.  Next thing you know, we start to slack a little on everything: portions, exercise, food choices.  The result – a scale that won’t budge.  That dreaded plateau!  Research has found that the cause of most plateaus is behavioral.  Our exercise regime becomes a little shorter or a little less intense.  We start eyeballing portions rather than weighing and measuring.  When that happens, it’s time to get back to the basics.  That’s my goal for the week now that I’m feeling better. 

It’s time for me to exercise again and be intentional about my food choices.  Luckily, I have a fun weekend trip to help me get started.  I’m going to Seoraksan National Park for the weekend with some other foreigners.  Two days of hiking and a day on the beach and soaking in hot springs.  Not too shabby for my reset! 

The Dreaded Plateau 

Seoraksan National Park -- Let the "re-set" begin!

Oh, you scale…you fool!

Why are you so cruel.

Just go down a pound or two.

Heck!  An ounce will even do.

But alas, you do not budge.

Might as well grab some fudge.

But, wait just a minute.

Plateau --  that’s how I got in it.

I’ll get back to weighin’--

Now that’s what I’m sayin’.

My portions I’ll be watching.

As my feet do some walking.

Would you look at that!

Scale says I’m not fat.

Oh…you scale, you saint!

No…my enemy you ain’t.