I've Fallen but I Can Get Up

The holiday treats are upon me. For two weeks I've stayed away from all sugar, white flour, potatoes and rice. I'd lost 5 lbs, but as of today I'd gained one back.

Did I let it bother me? I didn't think so, but I fell prey to the stacks of goodies piling up at the office. In fact, they called my name. I'm sure of it. I tried a lot of different treats, but tomorrow I'll head back to my plan. Weight fluctuates. The desire to try some of these delicacies has been satisfied. I've decided not to beat myself up, but instead to eat the treats in moderation. After the holidays, it's back to the straight and narrow. The trick is not to allow guilt to pull me down into the pit of hopelessness that sends me into a feeding frenzy.

In case I don't find my way to this blog before, have a Merry Christmas.

Fluctuating

I've been told it's not wise to weigh yourself each day. One diet I tried a couple of years ago forbid me to weigh myself for six weeks. Watching the numbers on the scale drop with the pounds exhilarates me, but when they fluctuate to a higher number it's another story.

Yesterday and today, the scale's numbers fluttered from what I weighed Monday to a pound and a half higher. Logically, I tell myself it's water weight, but I'd still feel the let down. I've been "good" and want to see it drop.

I haven't let it discourage me, but if it continued to standstill or jump back and forth by a pound and a half, my tendency would be to run to comfort food?

So, I'm limiting my weigh-ins to each Monday. That should help motivate me to stay true over the weekend.

No Sense Putting it Off

I heard on the news that people expect to gain ten pounds over the holiday season. Kind of sad when I think about it. I've already got 25 lbs to lose. Why would I plan to gain 10?

Last Monday, December 6, I took the step to cut out sugar, white flour, potatoes, rice and bread for two weeks. It's a jump start. As of yesterday, a week to the day, I've lost five lbs.

Now the goodies start flooding the office, and every get together focuses around food. I'm not counting calories or carbs. Instead, I've just cut those things from my diet.

I haven't experienced hunger or cravings, and I thank God for that.

On the writing front, Pumping Your Muse is up for the Eppie Award. I'll find out on the 15th if it makes it to the final cut.

My novel Windwalker is in the editing process.

I have much to be thankful for this holiday season. I think I'll celebrate by losing a couple more pounds.

Stress List

I want to eat when under stress. And boy, I'm treading in a pool of stress right now. Consider the top 10 causes for stress.

1. Serious illness in a family member (excluding death)
2. Serious concern about a family member (excluding illness)
3. Death of a family member
4. Divorce or separation
5. Forced to move (house)
6. Forced to change job
7. Been made redundant
8. Feelings of insecurity at work
9. Serious financial trouble
10. Been legally prosecuted

Looking at this list I shouldn't be feeling stress. A good friend is fighting cancer and losing. Visits to Hospice or more for his wife than for him as he is sleeping much of the time these days.

My daughter and her family are moving to Georgia along with my grandkids. Even though they will be only ten hours away, the fact that we've lived under the same roof for two years is quite an adjustment.

Now that they are leaving, we've decided to list the house and move to Georgia as well. When that happens, I'll be leaving a job after 12 years and wearing my writing hat full time.

Wrap all this up with the editing process for Windwalker while I start a sequel to Pumping Your Muse, writing my column and other freelance work and it might appear to add stress to the mix.

When I stand back and look at it, I realize it's life. All life holds some stress. The key is not to eat my way through it. I'm able to juggle all kinds of writing projects, family obligations and time to relax. I accomplish this by setting priorities. With the holidays fast approaching, a plan is in order.

Instead of waiting for the first of the year, I'm starting now. Maybe I can cross the threshold of 2006 five pounds lighter than today. At least I'd be heading in the right direction.