The Trek

Today was just fine as far as sticking to a good eating plan.  For the first few weeks I'll be eating higher fat and very low carbs as my body adjusts, without worrying about calories. It's strange for me to not worry about calories because I usually try to keep them to about 1400 a day. But that strictness has become increasingly difficult in recent months (everything went to hell when my job got super busy) and I know I just do better and feel better on low carb.

I went to Costco and picked up all the essentials. Eggs, babybell cheeses for snacks, lots of veggies, and a freezer that's a celebration of carnivory. Tomorrow will be prep work for week because work is a veritable minefield when it comes to eating right.

So for breakfast I had two scrambled eggs and three sausage links. Lunch was a big salad with grilled chicken. Dinner was a small ribeye steak and haricot verts. This will be typical for the next few weeks.

I also got to my neighborhood pool and did 30 laps. I love swimming - makes me feel so weightless.

Speaking of exercise, I wanted to share something that happened recently and made me realize that I really do need to focus on losing weight.

I visited family in Seattle last week and one of my relatives, remembering a thinner and more active Rose, planned an 8-mile "moderate" hike for us. Only "moderate" in the Pacific Northwest means "climbing a smallish mountain."  It was straight up a mountain with lots of steep switchbacks.

I am currently in such bad shape that I could barely make it - had to stop and catch my breath at the end of each switchback and was just dying out there. It was miserable and I was miserable for slowing my relative down.

It's the first time I can remember that my weight was more than a vanity issue, and actually affected my ability to do something I should enjoy doing.  I realized that for me, it was like carrying two large suitcases up a mountain - of course I am going to get tired and exhausted easily. I'm carry about 230 pounds on my 5'5" frame!

The other thing I noticed on this trip is that I'm pushing the boundaries of airplane seats. The seatbelt is no problem but I carry so much of my weight in my hips and butt that when I sit it just squishes to the sides and encroaches under the armrest.  I still fit, but I don't want to have to keep my hand on the armrest to keep it down and encroach on a neighbor's space. It makes me uncomfortable and I'm SURE it makes my seat-mate uncomfortable.

That and I just turned 31. I've been dealing with this for too long but I'm too young to have given up.  It's been way too long since I've been on a date and my weight is holding me back from really enjoying my life.

I know you can't lose weight until you're really ready. Well, I'm really ready.