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Sunday, August 19, 2012

Chicken Tikka Masala with a Side Order of Anchor

A few days ago I posted about having a serious case of the IDCs (I Don't Cares). I'm happy to report that this latest bout has passed and I'm even happier to share that I lost .2 pounds at yesterday's Weight Watchers weigh-in.

Sadly, this loss did nothing to get me closer to figuring out my motivation or anchor or mantra or whatever that would get me to my goal weight. Serendipitously, the anchor came to me yesterday after a seemingly unconnected chain of events.

This last Friday, I had lunch with a group of work colleagues and in between bites of chicken tikka masala and garlic naan one person shared that they were going to start working out with a fellow employee. One by one others at the table commented, some with awe and some with respect, on how fit this fellow employee was.

Little did I know how much of an impact that lunch time topic would have on me.

Yesterday, after returning home from my post-Weight Watchers meeting bike ride, it dawned on me that my body shape didn't match my fitness level. I regularly get in 5-7 hours of exercise a week in spin classes, outdoor bike rides, walking and Nike Training Club circuit training workouts. My body shape doesn't reflect all of this activity because of my suspect food choices and lack of sufficient sleep.

Then it clicked and the anchor was born. All of my decisions and actions will be run through the filter of "Is this supporting my goal to have my body shape match my fitness level?"

Thank you, Esther, for planning this lunch. You not only kept us connected, but you also helped me get back my mojo!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Dealing With a Serious Case of the "I Don't Cares"

Today, a co-worker was suffering from a cold. Summer colds are the worst because you want to enjoy the summer instead of dealing with a cold. I wish her a speedy recovery, especially with her summer vacation right around the corner.

I am fortunately not suffering from a cold. I'm suffering from a serious case of the "I don't cares." You see, I am a member of Weight Watchers and after just over 3 years I haven't yet hit my goal weight. I've successfully lost 56.6 pounds and I'm currently 15 pounds away from my goal, this ever elusive goal. Last year, in June, I was 6.6 pounds away. SIX POUNDS people! We are talking single digits here. Since that time, I've gone up and down and up and down and currently up.

Just like a cold, there really isn't a cure for the IDCs. With a cold, you can pick up over-the-counter meds to treat the symptoms but you have to let the cold run its course. Sometimes you can shorten the length of the cold but you still have the cold.

With IDCs, you can't buy anything over the counter to treat the symptoms. Now, some would argue that alcohol might help but a hangover with IDCs is not a pretty combination.

Possible "treatments" for IDCs are:
  • Read inspirational quotes. (Pinterest has loads.)
  • Talk it out with a trusted friend or family member. 
  • Remind yourself of how far you have come.
  • Create a plan of action to get your head back in the game.
  • Go for a hard workout and leave it all on the floor or take it out on the machines.
Sometimes the best treatment to kick IDCs (or a cold) can be the simplest: go to bed and sleep it off.