HELP!!! I've lost momentum

[AnnetteW]

First I had a stomach virus, so only did the program 2 times last week. Then over the weekend when I was going to try to catch up, I had a cold (2 days only....weird....maybe the Zicam really worked.) Then 2 days ago I twisted my ankle.

The diet portion or the plan has flown out the window.

I did make it back to the gym yesterday but didn't follow the plan and did an upper body workout only (kept it heavy) and only did 12 minutes on the elliptical cause I felt my ankle.

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REFOCUS REFOCUS REFOCUS

I thought maybe I'd follow WeightWatchers again for a few weeks to get eating back under control, but when I pulled out my info I just realized there isn't enough protein in that plan, and it is hard to eat enough on that.

I'm so sick of protein.

But I feel my muscles under the layer of "protection." LOL. My muscles have grown, without a doubt.

So why is it that I feel results, I see results, but I still lose track?

Yes, I'm looking for some support, a few kicks in the butt. I'm tired of this darn stage 1 (I'm at the point where I need to move up to 3 sets per exercise.) I really dislike some of the exercises and want to cut them out. I don't like pushups, they hurt my wrist, and same with those darn jackknife things. I think I need to accept my limitations and just do something else. I did db incline presses yesterday and it was such a nice change.

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Since I did upper body yesterday, should I maybe just do lower body today, and then get back on track in 2 days?

Accept that I took a break, and move on?

And yes, I'm opening up Fitday right now and I'm going to track (ugh.)

[Lisa~]

I want to encourage you to stick with the push-ups. They do more than just work your chest muscles like a DB bench press. They are a whole body movement with a big emphasis on core control. They are healthy for your shoulders and set you up to tackle the front squat with push press that's coming in Stage 2.

It might help your motivation to read some of this thread: Your Self Image - don't sabotage yourself

[GinnyLou]

Accept that I took a break, and move on?

Yes!
See, you are making progress on the program, so why ditch it? I am not one to talk, because I have what I refer to as "workout ADD". I read a book, start a program and then ditch it before I can even see any results.

I think I need to accept my limitations and just do something else.

I know you said you had a sprained ankle, is this the limitations you are talking about?

Of course I am going to suggest that you stick with this program. I think you need to give it longer, so you can see even more results. (Just trying to give you that kick in the pants, you asked for. Probably not doing a very good job, though!)

[AnnetteW]

The limitation is nerve damage in my left wrist. It causes lots of problems when lifting. I have recently bought hook/grips and was able to increase by 15 lbs in my seated rows (from 70 to 85 lbs.) I physically can't hold with my left hand over a certain weight (I'm only holding with 2 fingers.) And yes, I whine about it a lot. Plus my wrist doesn't bend properly so things like pushups hurt. I know I just need to suck it up and do my best.

I'm reading through the book again. I just redid my calculations and the 1500 - 1800 calories is right for my weight and age. And I know I can drop weight at 1800. When I was tracking consistently when we first started I could see the weight dropping.

I don't want to take pictures, I know I've gained. I keep telling myself this is about the changes that occur in 6 month, and realistically, if I only drop 10 lbs in that time (plus gain some muscle) that would be fantastic.

Had my egg and eggwhites for breakfast, soymilk and my fitness bread. I should probably hit the gym before I'm hungry again.

I'm just one of those that doesn't focus well, doesn't like lists, and hates to be told what to do. You'd think at my age I'd stop rebelling.

Oh and my plan is this...I'll pretend I didn't do any weights yesterday and just get back on track. I don't think 2 days of weights in a row will hurt me once in my life.

[RedWifey]

Annette,

It really is about what you want. All the posts in the world aren't going to change your decision...it will be yourself that takes you to the weight room, not any of us.

So, what do you want? Are the sacrifices (exploring why your eating is so hard to control) worth the benefit physically (both your overall health and what you see in the mirror) and mentally? These are only choices and answers you can give.

If you choose to really look at the emotional side, may clarity and peace cover you while you explore.

Your friend in the challenge,

Jamie

[Dolly Dagger]

Ok, so you haven't done everything perfectly this month. So what? Anybody who has please raise your hand....I didn't think so.

This is a long haul and it's tough especially for people of our "certain age". You really have to take the long view on this whole thing because you'll be doing it (in one form or another) for the rest of your life.

You need to be focusing on the positive, especially right now when you've been sick and injured. Nothing will throw you into the shits like sickness and injury. I suggest that you put at least three positive things you do into your journal every day. You have to see it, in black and white, and then feel it in your being and know that you are on the right track, even if you take a few detours.

Hang in there. You made a committment to this program and it can work only if you stick with it. Don't rewrite it. Do what you can each day even if it's not perfect. Eventually you'll see progress.

[SpacecityPaula]

Also be willing to look at why you might be afraid to make the changes (no matter how silly it may sound).

For a long time I was really afraid that somehow I would change into a less nice person if I got healthy. It wasn't until I started talking with Bob about it that I was able to let it go.

Interestingly enough, when I was at Barnes and Noble the other day, I almost picked up a book called the Writers Diet by Julie Cameron (she wrote The Artist's Way). The book is a series of exercises that help you explore different aspects of what may be holding you back from losing weight. Since I'm one that seems to do well when I write things down and explore them, I might still go and get the book

[LWilson212]

Hi Annette-

Although I have for the most part stayed with my plan for the last month, there have definitely been times when I'm not "feeling it". I too am sick of eating multiple cans of tuna per day to get my protein up and having my body feel like someone beat the crap out of me a lot of days.

I think the thing that gets me through is that when I am in the gym lifting, I really enjoy that. I am elated every time I can do something that I once thought I would never be able to. Do you have a moment like that when you just felt like you were on top of the world that you can focus on when things get tough?

If you are feeling too structured in your food and exercise life can you let up on self-discipline a little in some other area? Can you buy yourself a non-food treat, sleep in a little later one day, or take a day off work to do something you've been wanting to do?

If you hate tracking your diet, can you try TNT? I know you said you are sick of protein, but I bet it would feel pretty freeing to not count everything you are eating.

Was going to write more but I've been called to a meeting.

[missjane]

OK, you said you were looking for a few kicks in the butt! And, like Julie said at the beginning of this challenge -- no coddling!

So, with that being said, how badly do you want this? I truly believe that you must want something badly enough to want to put forth the effort to change. That may mean going outside of your comfort zone or challenging yourself in ways you've never done before. BUT, YOU need to want this for yourself.

Anything really worth achieving isn't going to be EASY! Those exercises we hate? Well, that's probably because they are REALLY good for us! I despise BSS's, but I know that they are a necessary evil and I suck it up. Yep, it's hard, but this is a challenge, and it won't stop at the end of our little six months. This is a lifetime of change and challenge, and it's up to you to put your plan into action and make it work for you.

[gymell]

Something simple to try, maybe you have already done it - reread the book again. I find for me that it helps remind me why I want to do this and for me that's good motivation. I also usually pick up something I've missed or forgotten. I'm getting kind of tired of stage 1 myself, so looking ahead to stage 2 and reading about those exercises can be another motivation.

[sidhe]

Annette--I also have issues with one of my wrists. Mine was broken in a car accident, and I can't flex it backward to put it flat on the floor. The nerves are also very sensitive to touch and pressure. What I have done is this: I do my pushups on a mat, and I put my hands at the very edge so that my fingers are over the edge and I'm resting my weight on my thenar emminences. Try to work around your body's little peculiarities, I'm sure there's an answer.

[riverbender]

I lose motivation real fast when I'm sick. So, I'd cut myself some mental slack.

Accept that I took a break, and move on?

That or don't accept it and take a few more steps backwards. You choose!

Where do you want to be six months from now? How are you going to get there? Do you truly believe you can get there? Or are you just hoping you can? I have perfectionist tendencies and find I can't do anything I don't fully believe I can be successful at.

What are your motivations? Why are you doing this? Is this something you are doing for you or for someone else?

[AnnetteW]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and gentle kicks.

I had been avoiding the forums for a few days, but this morning I said that reading and posting is what helps to stay at it. And it did help. I admitted my weakness and got my butt into the gym.

And I worked damn hard, and now I'm exhausted. I drank my protein shake when I got home, and crawling back into bed sounds tempting.

I know where I want to be physically, and honestly, it's not that extreme. I want to be under 140 lbs, I don't want my body to hurt, and I want to stay healthy as I get older. I want to look cute in my jeans and tank top when I go out two-stepping, and I want to look better in my belly dance outfits. And I know what I have to do.

We're expecting a snowstorm tonight, so chances are I'm stuck in the house tomorrow. So today it's off to the store to stock up on healthy food. I definitely falter when the supply starts to slack.

Track track track and I can do it.

[shari3boys]

What is Fitness bread?

[AnnetteW]

"Fitness Bread" is basically a heavy German pumpernickel that you can buy at Whole Foods, and World Market carries it too.

Here's an Amazon Link, so you can see the picture
Amazon.com: Mestemacher Fitnessbread with Whole Rye, Oat Kernels and Wheat Germ, 17.6-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12): Grocery

[Fitwit]

Yay Annette!! Sounds like you have your determination back! You can do this!!

[RedWifey]

Annette, I am lovin' your avatar! You guys are too cute!

GREAT job getting back into the gym! It's fun to work hard and it leaves a great taste in your mouth when you weren't totally into going. Way to go!