I’ve been eating poorly for almost two years now. I’ve gained weight. I quit weighing myself regularly. I quit being accountable. I’ve had a couple of false (re-)starts since posting about this in in November.
Much of the loss of momentum was due to the neck issue. The neck issue in currently under control. Moving into town back in 2010 made getting around by bicycle easy, but it also meant easy access to many restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. I have no desire to move back to an area where I would be car-dependent again, so I just need to be better about going out.
I went grocery shopping today so I would have enough stuff around the house to eat without being tempted so strongly to go out to eat. Going out to eat usually means drinking beer for me. Drinking beer means I don’t control my eating. It’s an ugly cycle.
Beer has turned into a problem in my life. Not an alcoholism problem, but a weight gain, depression, and digestive system problem. I’m not planning on becoming a teetotaler, but quitting beer for a few weeks, then giving myself an weekly “allowance” of some reasonable amount thereafter. I haven’t had alcohol since Thursday.
I’m trying to spend less money on excessive food and alcohol not only for health reasons, but so I can save more money toward my next major cycling expense. I want a recumbent trike for touring.
I’m also considering going back to the YMCA in the mornings before work. I haven’t decided if it’s worth the money, as I have trouble getting up in the morning and I’m not even positive what exercise to do. I need some upper-body strength, yet I need to be careful to avoid hurting myself. I have arthritis in my right shoulder and my neck issue to worry about.
For accountability, I need to begin tracking what I eat again. I need to start weighing myself. I still need to organize a bit on that. This site should be about weight loss and bicycling again, instead of just bicycling.
Sounds like you have a rational plan in place, I wish you the best of luck. I got a fitbit back in February and it has definitely helped motivate me to take stairs more and walk more where in the past I may bike 2 or 3 blocks. Hope you get on a ruitine that works, thats the hardest part.
Matt,
Yes, routine is the answer. I had it for a while. I lost 100lbs. I’ve gained about 40 back.
Yeah, I understand about false starts. My issues are carbs, sugar, and travel. It seems like every time I establish a good routine, some kind of exception pops up. Good luck managing those exceptions. Show me the way!.
I am the same, not been eating good and putting weight back on why is such a simple equation of eat less exercise more so hard to do ?