My Six Week Mission -- week two

Two weeks ago, it was time for me to renew my contract for pilates sessions. Instead of opting for the one month, eight session package as I had been doing, I signed up for the twelve session package. To coincide with the start of my current set of sessions, I decided to start a six week mission to lose ten pounds. While losing ten pounds would make a noticeable difference on a shortie such as myself, ten pounds is a mere drop in the bucket in relation to the forty pounds I am aiming to lose. Losing forty pounds would put me into the 'normal' range for acceptable BMI. It would still be the higher end of normal, but it would be a vast improvement. I think I'd be content at my goal weight. When I think of losing forty pounds however, it seems insurmountable -- that's a huge number! But breaking that number up into smaller amounts seems possible and is keeping me motivated.

For this first ten-pound phase, I've been working on embracing the principles of Intuitive Eating. To put it plainly, I like food too damn much to stick to any traditional diet plans that tell you exactly what to eat and that banish certain foods entirely. I like keeping my dining options open. Also, the second someone says I "shouldn't" or "can't" eat something, is the same second I want to binge on the item. With Intuitive Eating, however, making peace with food and rejecting the good vs. bad mentality is a key component to success. I must admit, since starting this approach to eating I haven't had nearly the amount of cravings I usually have for things like sweets, chips or fast food. And when I do eat those types of things, I eat far less of it than I used to.

Diet is only part of the weight loss equation; exercise is key as well. I'm having a tougher time in this area. Currently, I skate for one hour a week and take a hour-long pilates class twice a week. My intention the past two weeks had been to add at least two cardio sessions. I failed miserably with respect to that. I kept up with skating and pilates, but didn't go anywhere near the treadmill or elliptical.

Overall, however, the mission has not been a failure. Wednesdays are my weigh-in day and as of this morning I am five pounds down from my starting weight. Knowing that I am halfway to my immediate goal has psyched me up.

My focus for the next two weeks: getting back on track with the C25K program.