Twelve Pounds in Twelve Months

A wonderful thing happened on December 15. I reached my 2014 goal of losing 12 pounds in 12 months. It was my 2014 New Years resolution, and for at least one day, I made it!  I have accomplished something really important to me, and I'm very happy.  I'm now at a 6 year low (if not longer) and I'm proud of myself. How much of it was due to hormonal changes coming off of breastfeeding Brie - or in spite of it - who knows. It doesn't matter. I did it!!!!!!  

My husband asked me the other day about whether I'm supposed to be stepping on the scale, during this "it's not a diet plan" experiment. He's right, by the letter of the Whole30 law, we're not supposed to do that. I'd originally decided that I'll be fine stepping on the scale during my whole 30, as I was finding it motivational. But ... dear husband is right that it's against the rules. [Has he been researching this on his own?  Hmm]  With that, now my goal is to stay off the scale until December 31 and see what happens when I get there. I am hoping that I'll have shed a little more, but I'm hoping worst case, I've held even. Fingers crossed, and let's get to the gym!!  (I'm blogging from the stationary bike, FWIW.  Yeah multitasking :)  I have a cruise to take in January and gosh darn it, I'm going to look awesome!

Seriously, this has been such an interesting journey to me as I think through all the things that I've been doing differently. I've cut out added sugar (wine), dairy, grains, and legumes. It's had its challenges, especially when there's a really hot melty cheese pizza coming fresh out of the oven. I don't begrudge my family their pizza, and I keep reminding myself that I don't need it.  It's not helping me be healthy - for me or for them.

The road to health is a very interesting one, that certainly wouldn't typically be classified as "fun."  It's starting with breaking very established habits, including deep inactivity and lots of stress eating and often mindless snacking. One of my measures of success has to be that when I walk past the galleys at work, my head does not automatically turn to see if anyone's put out any choice leftovers from catered brunches or lunches.  I do that now almost 100% of the time. It's so Pavlovian. Woof.  According to the research it also entails breaking some physical/physiological habits, including caffeine (nailed that one a while ago) and sugar/sweeteners (the current dragon). 

I am hoping that while the path to health isn't my flavor of fun, the destination and long term journey is a rewarding one. I want to feel good - and I'm already tasting that. I am sleeping better and more solidly, which I measure with my fitbit.  More sublimely, I also feel the ease with which I have been awakening these last several days. My energy dynamic has shifted in unforeseen ways ... Where I was a night owl, I have more morning energy and I am more tired at night. This helps me fall asleep, contributing to a virtuous cycle. Perhaps my circadian rhythms are adjusting, I don't really know. Maybe I've just caught up to the fact that I have 3 kids and kids naturally get up with the sun. Maybe they're onto something. Maybe they go to bed at 8pm too. My next blog entry should be, "Things I can learn from my Preschooler".