plenty of effort, no reward

[floatingleaf]

I was really focused on doing the right thing this past week. I cooked a lot, and exercised even more - including a VERY brisk 60-minute walk last Saturday that I can STILL feel in my thigh muscles. So when I stepped onto the scale this morning, I was probably more confident and eager to see the result than ever before.

And guess what? I didn't lose an ounce.

It was like a slap in the face, let me tell you. I almost felt like crying. Took me a moment to realize this might have something to do with the fact that I'm supposed to get my period any minute. At least that's the only rational explanation. Unless there are really no rules and it ultimately doesn't matter what I do - or don't.:|

But yeah... water retention would have that effect. It sucks to be a woman sometimes. *sigh*

The reason why I didn't realize my period was practically starting already (a few days early this time) is that I haven't had any PMS to speak of. I could sort of feel it coming - an occasional little twinge here and there, you know - but all the most annoying psychosomatic symptoms (like emotional anxiety, overall tension or increased irritability) were completely absent. Which reminds me how I once read somewhere that eating right - especially consuming a lot of fiber - makes your periods much more endurable. Well, yeah... looks like it's true. I just wish I had taken it more seriously before, instead of choosing bread & cheese over veggies and acting like a classic physiological martyr every month.:(

Other than that, I don't have much to say. I finished reading The Charioteer last weekend, and I still can't believe the emotional impact this book has made on me. I mean, it doesn't take a lot to make me cry; but the kind of violent sobbing - and then shouting out loud at the characters' stupidity - that was going on here while I went through the last few pages isn't really my typical reaction.;) I swear that if I hadn't gotten the ending I was hoping for, I would have cried all night.;D On second thoughts, maybe I was PMS-ing after all.:P

Comments

[crowdaughter.livejournal.com]

Do not give up. I found myself teetering around one weight for three weeks for a time before the scales were friendly enough to show lower sums again in the fiollowing weeks. So, you may just have reached a plateau fior a while, and weight loss will start again later.

*holds thumbs*

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

you may just have reached a plateau for a while, and weight loss will start again later

I hope so. Thanks for the moral support.;) *hugs*

[romi.livejournal.com]

don't give up... you are going through every dieter's dilemma. there is never a straight symmetry between eating-excercising-weight. in fact, if you drop the weight part you'll find the other symmetries - eating-excercise-sleep-less physical pain-less anxiety-higher general well being. as you seem to have done already? keeping track of the weight can be so encouraging, and it can be so devastating if nothing happens (or worse, you gain!). the other benefits are not as rewarding but more sustainable.

well that was a lengthy reply.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

you'll find the other symmetries - eating-excercise-sleep-less physical pain-less anxiety-higher general well being. as you seem to have done already?

Yes. I know weight itself is not the most important part of the whole process; just the most noticeable one - at least from the outside - and therefore most rewarding, especially for a vain and self-conscious creature like me.;) I just wanted the results of my efforts to be easily visible to the people around me, I guess... to be patted on the back and told: "wow, you're doing great". That would have given me the energy and determination I need to keep going. But I am not giving up - not after all the time and effort I had put into this already. I just needed to get the frustration off my chest, so to speak...

the other benefits are not as rewarding but more sustainable

Words of pure wisdom, my friend.;) *hugs*

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

Try not to get discouraged, it's not uncommon to plateau for a bit and then start losing again. Remember you're doing this for more reasons than just weight loss.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know that weight loss is just the icing on the cake.;D But I was trying to lose as much as I could before the trip to San Francisco, so I can feel less guilty about all the indulgence that's going to happen there.:P But I guess that's not meant to be. I'll just have to start over in November... to make myself look all slim & trim just in time for Thanksgiving. *sigh*

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

I've given up trying to diet during the holidays, it's just setting myself up to fail because there are too many people whose feelings get hurt if you don't try everything they've made at least twice.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

Tell me about it. It's my mother you're speaking of here.;) She offers dessert before you're done with half of your humongous dinner plate. *sigh*

[oceansecrets2.livejournal.com]

My mother's Italian - she alwqys cooks three times more food than everyone can eat and considers it a mortal sin if you don't clear your plate at least twice.

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

Heh. Seems like Italian mothers and Polish mothers have an awful lot in common.:|

Though my mom isn't as bad as my grandma was; she used to serve us soup, main course AND dessert every single day (and her dessert portions were about the size of my whole lunch or dinner right now, lol). As for holidays and other special occasions, they were positively scary (think of stomach pain from overeating and long hours of suffering on the toilet seat... *shudder*). All in the name of tradition, of course. *massive headshake*

[stormatdusk.livejournal.com]

and you might be gaining some muscle, too - possible?

[floatingleaf.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't bet on it. Me and muscle don't go well together.;P

And when I say that I exercise a lot, it only means it's a lot for me - compared to what I was doing before (which was absolutely nothing). From an active person's point of view, it's still very little - certainly not enough to gain any detectable muscle weight.:D