This past week I’ve been busier than a bee. I’ve been working too many hours at the various places I volunteer. I haven’t had a free day this week and I am working tomorrow as well at the thrift store which is part of our local mission.
I got a phone call Thursday night and I start training next Wednesday for 5 days to work on the 2010 census. That’s going to be about 11 hour days by the time I drive there and back home. 
The bad thing is, I’ve been helping others so much….I’ve been neglecting myself. That paper and pencil I put on this page…..well……that is just what my daily journal looks like for the past week. Hurry here…hurry there….grab a quick bite of crap food and off to another job. I was only able to help my husband with the grass service one day this past week.
I feel so drained tonight. I haven’t been able to walk or go to the gym once this week. None of my volunteer jobs consist of any type of physical activity. Delivering meals on wheels, sitting in an office pushing a pencil, and working in the kitchen of the gift shop doesn’t burn many calories.
Maybe after I get a good night’s sleep, I’ll feel better. I have to learn to say “NO” when people call me to work for them. I’ve always been a pushover.
I know not losing any weight this week is my own fault. Tomorrow’s a new day….I’ve got to get my weight loss journey back on track. I’ve decided that going to the gym is going to have to be like a job to me. I never missed work before I retired and have never missed a scheduled volunteer day either. Putting it into that perspective, I shouldn’t miss any more days at the gym. (They are open 24 hours) NO MORE EXCUSES FOR ME!!
Hi there, just read your article. I know what its like. I to am on the go constantly and trying to lose weight. I don’t have time to stop to eat a proper meal so I to eat on the run. However I have a little tip that I use that might help you. I always carry fresh fruit in my car to snack on and granola bars and I love celery with peanut butter on it. None of this stuff spoils and it helps me stay on my diet till I do have time to eat a proper meal. I hope this helps you a little.
Just checking in to say I hope things get a bit easier for you over the coming weeks.
Try not to beat yourself up to much over having a “blip” in your progress – it happens to the best of us
Louise,
Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s kind of dumb…but I’ve never thought about carrying fruit and healthy snacks in the car. I’m going to start that this week. Thanks so much!!!
hi,
i’ve been following your blog for a little while now and have to say whenever i hit a wall i peek at your site.
it’s sounds like you had a crazy week, but i like your attitude, instead of throwing in the towel you’re looking forward to the next week (which is ending now- hope it went well).
plus, i think getting enough sleep is so important, but sometimes it feels like a luxury doesn’t it?
have a good weekend!
It looks like we’re doing the same thing by tracking our weight loss on a blog. I can’t wait to read the rest of your blog.
One week is a long time. You can make your exercise program more flexible. If driving to work takes less than one hour you can decide to walk instead of driving. Walking one hour every day is enough to make you fit for the rest of your life.
Don’t be so hard on yourself! There are only so many hours in a day. You are doing good things. Just try to save some time for yourself. You’ll make it. Hang in there!
Chris
I applaud your efforts. It is so difficult to lose weight. I just joined a group at my gym, called “I lost it at the club.” It’s working, but expensive. I can only afford one session. ANyway, you keep up the good work…
I think it is always easier to make excuses but having a goal and realising your potential is really important – well done.
Ally, Wishing you the best. Sometimes we just need people to show us first hand what to do. Stay committed and you’ll succeed.
Don’t get discouraged! We all have days and weeks where we stray from our routine. The real strength is getting back into it. Sounds like your well on your way.
Hey, If anyone needs a little motivation to help with their weight loss journey, you should check out the WeightMirror application on the iPhone. It is so easy to use. Just take a picture of yourself and the application with instantly show what you can look like up to 50 Lbs lighter.
It is fantastic and I recommend it to everyone!
I have started runing on the treadmill in the gym since a year ago. Normally I ran an hour every time I went to gym. Surprisingly I didn’t lose any weight. Lately I combined Oolong/green leaf tea in my daily drink apart from going to the gym and I’ve found it helpful as the tea just naturally suppresses my appetite. I still eat much when I am hungery but somehow I am not as starving as I used to be. I lost 2kg in 2 weeks.
i wanted to let you know that I admire your honesty and as long as you dont give up and keep trying you are never a failure.Don’t worry about what you did yesterday, what unhealthy food you ate, or whether or not you worked out. Worry about what you can do today- and do it!
Just wanted to let you know that I know how you feel. I have been on a ‘diet’ for 2 years now, and can’t reach my loss goal. I keep at it, though, so at least I’m not getting worse anymore. Anyway, keep it up, I know one day we will both get there!
Hi Chris,
Very honest post. Don’t let off days get you down though. I admire your dedication to helping others and also commiting to a lifestyle change at the same time. Karma will reward you! Sometime’s it is good to say no and look out for number one. One way to look at it is – If you’re not in top condition, the people you’re helping can’t get the best out of you either! Best of luck, Eliza.
Hey Chris,
You should never beat your self up. It never works!
No body is perfect, we all miss workouts sometimes. Anyway, my guess is why don’t you try some calisthenics and other simple exercises (few squats, push-ups, calf raises, crunches etc) that can be performed anywhere if you cannot make it to the gym. You might also do as Louise suggested, carry some fruit, veggies, maybe some brown toast with peanut butter. Some non fat cheese and yogurt. also some healthy nuts, a quality meal replacement etc. I mean the choices are endless. I hope this was helpful. Thanks
Just keep your head up high and don’t think about it too much. Take it one step at a time. I’m sure that with regards to everyone who posted already, you have tons of ideas on how to do it. Good luck with everything at hand.
Hi Chris,
Congrats on your action and the realizations you’ve come to.
Like you, I’ve had challenges over the years with sticking to an exercise routine. Distractions and ‘life’ always seemed to get in the way!
Mark
Hey Chris,
Learning to say “no” to people is a massive step, seriously. If lots of people are used to you saying yes then a sudden change in attitude my get people questioning you but remember its your life and your time and good friends will always respect that.
I find being more relaxed means I actually eat less, you have more time to think about things such as what you have and haven’t eaten that day.
Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t lose weight at a steady pace. Most people will have ups and downs due to things that happen in their lives. Sometimes you don’t have time to workout…sometimes fast food may be the only thing you can get hold of. The main thing is to just stay focused on your goals.
I have my own weight loss blog and I post pictures and measurements for the whole world to see. I think it really helps to know that people are peeking over your shoulder and watching you. They also are a great source of encouragement.
My advice…keep up what you can keep up and always pick up where you can pick up. The golden rule to getting fit is simply stay at it and you will get there. Good Luck
Yes excuses are always the root of all failure when it comes to getting into shape and losing weight. It is not always necessary to get to the gym if all other factors are being taken care of. If the insulin levels can be kept down by using low glycemic carbohydrates and the right portion that will go a long way. Keep you carbs to a bare minimum for brain function and energy and that will help. If fats and proteins are controlled on a daily basis this will aid by the thermic effect those foods have. These food actually burn fat by the digestion of the body.
As far as activity goes. Certain exercises can be done throughout the day without ever touching a gym. Military up down, parking farther and moving at an accelerated pace will increase the heart rate and aid in fat loss. Be creative on ways to move and move more.
Finally when you do have days you can train make the most of them and then get some good sleep.
Good luck.
Alex Semenik
You need to be focused if you want to lose some weight and try not to miss the things you ought to do. Consider also eating more of the “right fats”. This could be of great help if you’re trying to lose weight and get healthy.
Hi Chris,
Salute for you..
It’s not an easy job to do working to help many people. Keep it up (i wished i could be like you helping many people). I’m surely believe that you have a great heart. But you have respect and appreciate your body in a way, by having your meal at the right time, doing simple exercise while doing your job like .You don’t want to get sick coz you’re late to have your meal, right? I believe that enjoying a job can make the person doing it happily. And I believe you do. Good luck..
Sorry to hear you had a stressfull week last week. I am not trying to rub it in but I had the opposite of your week. We just got back from a weeks vacation in Florida at the beach. Want to hear a heartening story that may help. I worked my but off for weeks trying to get to where I would’nt be totally embarased to wear a bathing suit and never lost a pound, in the last 4 weeks.
This morning after a week of vacation and no trips to the gym for 10 days I decided my work clothes felt a little loose, so I got on the scale…I lost 5 pounds while on vacation? The opposite of what should happen.
The only thing I can figure ( and believe me I’m going to analyze this mystery) is what I was eating. I had little tiny snacks all day long and only 1 sit down dinner in a restaurant since we had a kitchen in our condo. We completely skipped the traditional 3 sit down meals of the day. We didn’t do it on purpose, it just happened with my husband and I and my 2 girls running in and out to the pool and beach all day. I also drank a ton of water since it was like 100 degrees all week in south Florida. Anyway, I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, I just think that sometimes we make too big of a deal out of the gym. I am really starting to believe that the running around that we do and what and when we eat is more important than stressing about making it to the gym. Besides isn’t stress suposed to cause weight gain?