Back to square 1.5

How easy it is to fall back after such a short time.

4 months after the marathon and I’m back up nearly 15 pounds, 3 inches on the waist and 4 inches on the hips.

How did that happen?

It appears eating what you want and drinking and stopping exercise all together is what happened.

I actually ran into someone yesterday that asked where my running photos were. He missed them because they were motivating him. Damn. Someone noticed!

Two things I know about myself…I’m all or nothing and I stop taking care of myself when I’m overwhelmed and stressed.

So something must change.

The problem? Hinging everything on one big goal instead of bringing in small goals and making them a part of my life…forever more.

It’s not about a number on a scale. In a way that’s easy to get. But it’s also easy to lose. I want to change this mentality of mine.

I like eating healthy. I like exercising (I like how I feel after at least). But why do I fluctuate so much?

Work is offering this program called A Quarter is Change. I work with the personal trainers at our gym, with a nutritionist, and they help me adjust my lifestyle. I do a weigh in on Mondays, have to work out 2 times at the gym each week, keep a food diary and come to weekly meetings.

And I, of course, will also blog it.

Yesterday I met with the nutritionist. I’m not “horrible” but I’ve realized I eat out for almost every meal. 10-16 hour days makes that a little too easy. I often don’t eat until I get home so that means I eat lunch between noon and 3 and sometimes don’t eat supper until 9-11 at night.

Not good.

So first I’ll tackle 3 things nutrition wise that seem easy but are big ones for me living in New York.

#1 Drink water: I don’t drink ANY water. Fact. I would die if I lived in a desert. Decaf coffee does not equal water so it’s time to start having water. 8 glasses a day!

#2 Eat snacks between lunch and dinner
This means healthy snacks people. The staff at work are wise to our long hours so we’re not working on “Don’t eat dinner at the time they start going out in Barcelona” but rather, have healthy snacks so I don’t eat all the things from the Thai food restaurant when I go home.

And finally…

#3 Cook three dinners a week at home

I actually enjoy cooking but I’ve fallen woefully out of practice especially since moving to New York.

So I have pledged to eat three dinners a week at home (they don’t have to be complicated) and I have to dedicate 1 hour on a Saturday or Sunday to grocery shop AND prep my food so I can come home in the week and easily throw something together.

This means planning.

The program doesn’t start for two weeks but I’m going to start now. Heading to fill up on water right now…