Tired of Being Tired

A big piece of my new get-fit regime for me, is finding the energy that I always seem to lack.  At 32, I am too young be as tired as I always seem to feel.  Yesterday I visited my neuroendocronologist and discussed my feelings of overwhelming fatigue with him.  We discussed the reasons why I might be feeling this way, and he decided to run some tests.  It should take about a week before I get the results.  In the meantime, I am trying my best to continue with my weight loss efforts, although I am finding it difficult to motivate myself to exercise as often as I should be.  It's hard because I know that if I drop some poundage, I will feel more enthusiastic about exercise.  Unfortunately, in order to lose weight, I need to exercise.  So right now, I guess it's about will power - willing myself to get up off my butt and get moving.  My pig-out sessions over Easter weekend are haunting me.  Not much I can do about it now, but make today different. 

Think Before You Eat

For the past several days, I've remained committed to my new routine.  I've not felt overwhelmed, deprived, or cheated.  I've been eating sensibly, and taking 30-minute long brisk walks with my sister.  I've scaled back from running to walking since my 5K attempt, in keeping with the recommendations of "Run Your Butt Off."  As I said in my previous blog, the approach to getting fit outlined in RYBO really makes sense to me. So, I'm gritting my teeth, holding back and taking this step-by-step to build up strength and stamina, as directed.  Easier said than done.  Who knew that forcing yourself not to run could be so tough?  But I know that if I want to run faster and farther than I ever have before, I have to take this slow.

I've been logging my daily intake of food and drink - accounting for every drop and crumb that passes my lips.  This has been very enlightening.  Cognizant of the fact that I must account for everyting I eat, I am thinking before I put anything in my mouth.  With this awareness, I've caught myself nibbling on a slice or two of deli cheese while making my husband's lunch for the following day, eating the pasta that stuck to the bottom of the colonder after I served portions out onto supper dishes, eating a couple of handfuls of cereal as I poured my breakfast bowl of cereal.  Until now, I would wail "It's not fair!  I don't go out and buy candy bars, or snack on chips like other people!  Why can't I lose weight?"  Now I see that all along I have been snacking like other people....consuming all those extra calories in between meals, and not even getting any real enjoyment out of it.

My new motto?  Think before you eat. Make a conscious decision about eating - eat when you are hungry, chew slowly, and taste thoroughly