Willpower and Weight Loss…and Finances?
I’ve decided to take a break from my video this week for the Fatty Friday update and just talk about Willpower and Weight Loss as I know best…through my writing.
It’s been two weeks since my last Fatty Friday update and there is a reason for that. Howard and I didn’t weigh in last week due to finances so I simply didn’t have an update for you. I have mentioned lately that we have had trouble with finances and that we have let it affect our weight loss. I have a close friend (who I met through blogging) who is helping with the financial planning for our family and we are getting back on track with that. It’s going to be a little bit of a rocky road for us (much like our weight loss has been) but I have faith that we can pull this together once and for all. We are on the way to getting our bills caught up, spending a little less on the “luxuries” we’ve become accustomed to, and actually starting to save a little money.
What is all boils down to is Willpower.
We have to decide in our own minds that we have the willpower to eat better, resist the urges and cravings, stop spending carelessly, stop eating carelessly, and basically…grow up!
I had a conversation last night with another blogging friend who is working to lose weight and get healthy and she just threw it out there: What did I do in the past two weeks (in regards to eating) that I haven’t done on the weeks when I lost weight. I started in on the reasons excuses and said that Howard and I have been broke and it’s difficult to be broke and feed the family healthy. Guess what? She totally called my bluff!
What I told her is that when we run out of money to buy the “normal” groceries or go to our “normal” eating places, then we just get pizza. When we get pizza, we feel like we’ve ruined the day for eating and so we just get whatever ice cream is on sale as well. We wallow in our “troubles” and then go to bed feeling like crap. I even feel like worse crap because I’m allergic to dairy, but that’s another story for another day.
Let’s face it. Sometimes getting a frozen pizza for $3.99 is the cheapest way to feed the family. At least it feels that way sometimes. She asked how many pizzas we would buy and I told her usually two. In fact, at times we might get three…if we’re not getting the ice cream, that is. So, $8 for one meal. Sounds decent, right? Wrong! She told me that her family has been struggling a little as well (I hope she doesn’t mind me mentioning that briefly) and when they are broke, they eat eggs and cheese. $8 buys about five dozen eggs at Walmart and there are quite a few meals in that! Take out the cheese (we’re not supposed to eat any dairy on our eating plan, anyway) and we have at the very LEAST five meals for that same $8!
Mind blown.
Seriously, it just never occurred to me.
So, here’s the plan. I’ve got a new budget (thanks to Christy) and now I have a new meal plan inspiration (thanks to Summer) and I’m changing my life as of today.
Now, for this willpower discussion…
Willpower is not just a character trait and a “I know I can because I’ve done it before” <– that was my statement to Summer last night. It’s more of a “I know I can and I will and I’m starting right now”. So, the next time we are low on finances, I won’t be reaching for the frozen pizza, I’ll be reaching for the eggs or the bacon or the pork chops or worst case scenario, the ground beef (and actually, ground turkey is even cheaper and better for me). I’m going to eat like I’m “supposed” to (according to the plan that I’ve committed to) and I’m going to make that vow to myself, my husband, my son, and my family.
Will I have temptations? Heck yeah!
Will I falter? Probably!
Will I beat myself up? Nope!
Will I strengthen my willpower like I strengthen my body? Yep, and I’ll be damn proud of myself when I’m done!
Willpower (according to Wikipedia) –
- Self-discipline, training and control of oneself and one’s conduct, usually for personal improvement
- Self-control, the ability of a person to exert his/her will over the inhibitions of their body or self
Yes! I can and will do this!
Okay, enough cheesiness and “pump ya up” talk for this post. I just needed to get that all out and “come clean” with you all about what is really going on with me right now. I feel a little like I’ve said all of this before, but I have a new motivation – my accountability partner, Summer – and I just have to do this right now. I have to pick myself up by my bootstraps and do this!
Starting now…
Here it is, folks, my #FattyFriday update:
I gained 8.6 lbs in the past two weeks.
I can tell you that is pizza, ice cream, cheeseburgers, chocolate, no water, lots of carbs, and a sedentary lifestyle. I have nothing to hide at this point.
For those of you who don’t remember, I started this journey at 369.8 lbs (this time around) and I’m at 334.8 now. I’ve lost as much as 45 lbs and gained some back. I’m changing that now and next week I will have an update that will blow your mind. Howard has set a goal for himself to lose 12 lbs this week and I want to lose 10 lbs. I don’t know if I should set a goal of 10 lbs, but I can want it and work toward it.
Support me or scoff at me, but I’m doing this for me…and you’ll see. I’ll exert my willpower against all the temptations and I’ll feel wonderful and beautiful again someday soon!
The important thing is to not give up. And, you aren’t. So, GOOD FOR YOU!!!
And, perhaps 10 pounds is unrealistic (and perhaps it’s perfectly realistic…I’m not saying either way), but you can work your tail off to get as close as possible.
Keep looking forward.