Operation Momentum: Mission Abandoned

Some of you may remember that dammit, I had goals! There were plans to improve my physical health through weight loss and exercise, and to improve my mental health by getting help with my needle phobia and taking a break from fertility treatments.

I lost 28 pounds, restored my relationship with The Husband, found ways to incorporate activity into my everyday life and uncovered some joy in the little things like playing outside with my kid. But now, I have to abandon the mission for a little while. Don't chastise me! I have a very good excuse:

Kidlet 2.0: ETA June 2013

Operation Momentum: Week 6 Update

The universe has been working against me! When I started bootcamp in the park, I came the realization that I loved it because I just don't like exercising indoors. Now I've had rain in my house and the straggling bits of a hurricane to work around. I haven't done so hot with the new goals, but life happens. I'm not letting it knock me off the rails. Let's see how things are going, shall we?

1. Keep up the increased activity: Aquafit was cancelled again this week, but I made it last week. The pool is nearly hot tub temperature. Seriously, it's 90F in there. It's quite pleasant after a long day. I just wish they'd get their shit together on the schedule. Walking most of the way home a couple of times a week works well until pouring rain makes the notion unappealing. Things are clearing up this week and I'm looking forward to the crisp freshness of fall in the air.
2. Lose another 15 lbs by the end of the year: 44% complete. Yes that SHOULD be 50% at this point, and thanks for noticing. I put the blame squarely on the collision of rainy weather and Halloween candy. 
3. Do something fun, as a family, outside, at least once a month: Our plan for a day at Whittamore's Farm was thwarted by rain, inside and out. I'm going to have to investigate more indoor alternatives because this kid has entirely too much pent up energy.

Sure, it's mediocre progress, but it's progress!

Operation Try Again: The Final Recap

As I dug out my sweaters and proper shoes this weekend it became apparent that summer is over. That means Operation: Try Again has come to a close. Let's see how things went:

1. Take the summer off. Done! The Husband and I reconnected over the summer with weekly date nights at home and a lower-stress sex life environment. I think we're all a lot happier for it.
2. Lose 20 pounds by the end of the summer. As of this morning, 100% DONE! The official weigh-in day was on Sunday and I didn't make it all the way to the finish line, but I have confirmed today that missed mark was brought to us by the letters P, M and S. 
3. Acupuncture twice a week. Done. We'll find out soon enough if it has done anything, but I can say the time alone in total silence has been very refreshing.
4. Professional help with the needle phobia. The clinic requires updates of all blood work at least 30 days in advance of a medicated cycle. 9 - NINE - vials. I didn't even gasp when she accidentally moved the needle switching vials. I go back to the dentist on Saturday for two fillings. I am not nervous about it at all. Now I'm kind of mad at myself for waiting so long to call in the pros.

How has Operation: Try Again changed my life? Everything I adopted as part of this process is for the better. I was overeating and overdrinking, so now I measure portions to keep myself in check and have cut back dramatically on the wine. We still go for family ice cream once in a while, I just have a kids' scoop in a cup. I eat a rainbow just about every day. I've incorporated regular exercise into my daily life, but I've also just become more active in general. I take the stairs to and from the subway for a total of an extra 12 flights of stairs a day on weekdays. I leave the office at lunch time to clear my head and get in a walk, even if it's a short one. When my step count is low, I go for a walk after dinner. I'm working up my run pace a little more every week, and I'm making it all the way through bootcamp without gasping for air.

Yes, there's the positive effect of losing weight (20!) but the real benefit is the boost in energy. I'm healthier, I'm fitter and I just generally feel better. I take The Parasite to the park on the way home from daycare more often than not. Dinner can wait a few more minutes, it's more important to me for her to see physical activity as an important part of daily life.

Now I just need to find a time when The Husband and I will be in the same city at the same time at the moment of truth to start another cycle. Oh, and work up the nerve but I really think I'm going to be OK with it, and I haven't felt like I was going to be OK for quite a while. In the meantime, and since there has been so many positives I'm launching Operation: Momentum.

The goals are:

1. Keep up the increased everyday activity and participate in regular exercise (running, aquafit, yoga, strength training, etc.) a minimum of three, but preferably four, times a week.
2. Lose another 15 pounds by the end of the year. I know from experience that things get harder after the initial drop and the holiday season will be a factor, so I want to keep things realistic.
3. Do something fun, as a family, outside, at least once a month. If the weather doesn't hold, find something indoors that promotes an active lifestyle instead.

Why yes, I will be keeping you updated on the progress in my usual sporadic fashion, and thanks for asking!

Life with a Parasite has been nominated for the Circle of Moms Top 25 Canadian Mom Blogs. Please vote for me. You can vote once a day until October 11th. Thank you in advance!