Get MORE in March!

You have heard the expression less is more? I have a new one...more means less.

Perhaps I should explain...but first my monthly report: I lost 3lbs last month, bringing my total weight loss now at 5lbs. Yeah..big whoop. For two months that is really not much, 5lbs below my goal. I am eating better, have not binged in two months, I average about a mile of waking a day, but at this rate it will take me two years to lose the 60! The plan is working...when I am on it, which is only about 50% of the time. The problem is two fold.

1. Counting calories is a bitch. Just the very act of counting makes me want to eat more and find excuses to put off the "diet", even though I am not on one. I am just trying to cap my calories at a level I need to maintain the weight I want to be. This is a conundrum, a mental twist of habit and not anything related to real physical deprivation. It just seems that way.

2. Activity is lacking in effort. I am basically only walking on average about 4-6 miles a week. I walk 2-3 ever other day. The reason? I could blame Baby B for this, but the real culprit is... I have not been seizing the opportunities to exercise when I get them and I have not been more forceful in demanding time for myself to go to the gym. Also I am usually dead dog tired.

The solution? More. I am going to keep on doing what I have been doing, only I am going to make an effort to do it better, and with just a twist.

This month I am giving myself a challenge; concentrate on getting more of what I need for good health, rather than on being less of what I am right now. I don't even know if that sentence makes sense...but you get the general idea right? When I wake up every morning my first thought (other than peeing) will NOT be, "I can't eat this or that today", It will be "I must eat more SuperFoods"!

I have two goals this March;

1. Try to eat as many SuperFoods as I can each day, at the daily recommendations. They are beans, blueberries, broccoli, oats, oranges, pumpkin, salmon, soy, spinach, tea, tomatoes, turkey, walnuts, yogurt, or their "sidekicks". If  I am still hungry after that, eat more of them. If I am still hungry after that, enjoy a massive amount of healthy popcorn and a diet soda. If I am still hungry after that...eat whatever I feel I need to feed the beast. Hopefully it will be so late that everything will be closed. No counting allowed.

2. Double my exercise effort...do something everyday and try to do it for at least 30 minutes total. If that means walking stairs with the baby for 10, walking the dog for 10 and doing sit-ups for 10, then so be it. Exercise just has not been a priority, it has been an afterthought. I need to make it a priority. Counting is allowed.

My thinking is thus; in with the good, out with the bad? Will filling the gaps first with the good stuff,  while allowing myself the indulgence of the bad stuff if I need it, keep the pressure of perfection and procrastination at bay? Maybe. A little diversion for a month at any rate and we will see what we see.

I would add two more goals here, get more sleep and get more sex, both great for your health...but alas with a 9 month old...lets be realistic. Perhaps that will be my April Challenge?

I am going to keep a journal of sorts atop the blog, so if anyone wants to join me in getting more this March, with whatever YOU need to get more of to improve your health,  you are welcome to come along. As always, I enjoy your company.

What do you think?

think more, not less. think more not less. think more not less. think more not less. think more not less. think more not less. think more not less. this is the mantra for the month of march.

Comments

Hmm... it's Easter and still no update from the Fat One. He's probably pigging out on chocolate and hot cross buns. Then he'll turn up and report on how much weight he's gained and everyone will be all, "No, you're not a failure!"

Sigh... why do some people even start weight loss blogs?

[Faith]

Hi FB

Congrats on the weight loss! Success is success no matter what the amount lost is.

I have also signed up for fitday.com and love it.

You've been blogging about weight loss for 18 months now and have managed to lose five pounds. The diet and exercise thing clearly isn't working for you. Have you ever considered weight loss surgery?

[AlcuinBede]

I counted calories, counted points (along with weighing food), and counted carbs. I hate them all. What seems to be working for me is healthy foods and portion control. Portion control is much easier if I have schedules healthy snacks. Anyhow, 5lbs may seem slow, but it sure beats gaining 5 lbs.

[Michelle]

I think losing five pounds is great. Due to current emotional issues, I think I am probably EATING about five pounds a day. Superfoods? Dark chocolate. You can't say I'm not trying at all...

You go!

[Zoely (Felicity)]

Hey Chuck, it's me Felicity? Listen what was that series of books you referred me to about parenting...I can't for the life of me recall the name of the institute or whatever that put thom out. I know it had to do with development, Hiam Ginott, etc., but i'm at a loss!
Pippy goes to court soon...miss you.

[Natalie]

First time on your blog. Love the blog. Love the goals. Love the attitude. I have the same thing with counting calories/points. I wish I could trick myself into liking it. I'm sure I'll be surfing back here for more comiseration & good ideas for goals.

[Margaret]

I think you are showing great progress, Chuck. You can't do 100% of the great things that you want to. It's just NOT real life. (which can be a pain in the you-know-where)