Continuing On the Interstate

Before today, I hadn’t been to the gym in over a month. In fact, I don’t know when I last went to the gym. Before yesterday, I hadn’t tracked for more than a day in one week in months. I didn’t even go to Wednesday Night Happy Hour this week, so I don’t even know what my current weight is.

Although I hadn’t gained any weight in the last month or so, I can definitely feel the difference. Some of my pants are getting a little tight, which means I was starting to feel the effects of the lack of exercise. I was not fulfilling my GHGs (Good Health Guidelines), and I could feel the effects of that as well (my body was yearning for the many fruits and veggies and healthy oil my body has become accustomed to). And overall I just felt blah.

Although I didn’t attend WNHH this week, they have still been with me this week. On Wednesday, the firm I work for ordered pizza for the office. In the past, I would have jumped at the chance to have some pizza, but I remembered what my friend Jonathan always says when he is faced with unplanned food in the office: “I don’t eat unplanned food.” I had brought my lunch that day and ate what I brought instead.

And then yesterday, I tracked all of my food and even tracked my snacks that I didn’t plan for. I then decided to look at my gym’s new class schedule and see where I could plan on taking a class. I then scheduled them in my phone with reminders so I don’t forget. I did that for this morning as well. And I really didn’t want to go this morning, even though I had already packed my gym bag. I contemplated bringing my bag and going later after work, but I knew I would be too tired to go. Besides, I was already up and ready to go, so I went. And no, I don’t regret going. I really missed the post-exercise feeling. 

Last week I signed up for a virtual 5K race that my friend Dani is hosting. I can’t run the race, but I will be walking it. And since it’s not timed, there is no pressure to finish it within a certain period of time like some other races are. And I plan on walking other events this year. I love the whole experience of doing a race. I hope someday I can run in them again, but for now, I will just have to walk them.

Although I hadn't done some of the things that made me successful until now, I knew I would get back to those habits eventually. I knew because I kept at it and didn’t give up. I kept going to meetings. I kept eating better than I had pre-Weight Watchers. It’s like driving across country. I got off the interstate for a while. I took state and county roads, some of which didn't really take me in the direction I wanted to go. But there are always signs that tell you how to get back on the interstate when you're ready. I was ready to get back on the interstate and to continue my journey.