Still maintaining

Gotta admit, I'm not doing well on getting back on track on the weight loss. I'm losing and gaining the same pound over and over. This is very difficult to maintain in the winter. I think it's because the weather is so dreary and it's cold. I think I crave fat because it's cold. I want cheese, cheeseburgers, dips, and fudge brownies. I have had any, thank goodness. We did break down and have a grilled cheese sandwich last night. I don't know what his secret is, but hubby is phenomenal at making grilled cheese sandwiches.

I have discovered that I seem to be able to tolerate candy coated nuts for a sweet snack. Just a handful. Remember when I told you we received a gift basket, and we ate through them by having one of each. That's only eight. It's harder to discipline yourself to just a handful when it's a big bag or jar of the same ones. Having a variety and limiting oneself to one of each is easier to stick with.

Exercise is another difficulty. I do so much better when I can get out and take a walk. I find though that when it's wet and cold my arthritis acts up. The cold also tends to take my breath away so I'm winded when I get home. We only walk a little bitty mile. I haven't been able to increase to two miles yet. Half the time the weather keeps me indoors anyway. I got up to 15 minutes on the rowing machine. I like the rowing machine, but I have not gotten to the point of tackling it every day or even every other day. I manage to get in at least one set if not more of weightlifting three days a week. I'm keeping muscle tone in my arms. But I'm not disciplined enough to do a ballet barre or knee bends or anything else daily. I think that's due to the gloomy winter.

Do you feel it? When it's gray outside day after day? It doesn't occur to me that I'm getting depressed until the sun finally shines, and I'm shocked at how good I feel. We keep on lots of lights and the fire at night is cozy, but it feels like time to curl up, read a book and drink hot chocolate. Cozy but not conducive to losing weight.

The good news is that I'm not gaining, I'm maintaining so I'm still at the twenty-pound loss. That's something I'm holding on to. We wake up from our gloom and eat a salad. We talk about fudge brownies, but we don't bake any or buy any. We are hanging in there. We are due to go south to a warm beach for a couple of weeks' vacation and we plan to eat lots of seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables. Here's looking forward to walking more than one mile per day on the beach!