Well so much for that plan!

 GAH!! It's the end of MAY! 

There were a few times that I was going to come in and give an update and had nothing to write about so I just said "f" it! 

But I've decided to get serious again so here we are back at the stuff that worked and tweaking the stuff that no longer works. 

Here's the crunch of it all. I'm now 195.1 (at least that is what the scale said this morning), so I have gained 5 lbs since the start of the year. And actually I would think it's more like 8 lbs because that 190 was on a high end of normal for me. 

I had two weight events in the last 6 months worth mentioning here:

I started a workout plan in january and slowly started trying to up my fibe (as per doc) to help improve my heart health. In February I got sick. Like really really really sick with the flu. I have never felt as bad as I did for that week in my life. Many times I thought I might die. I could not eat, keep anything down etc for 2 days straight and as a result I lost 10 lbs in that week. 

Being sick sucks. The weight loss is amazing. I figured, I could start my journey as soon as I could get the strength and motivation to start working out again. It took me almost 6 weeks to get back on my bike and start doing some sort of movement again. Not due to the sickness, but my motivation. My weight did creep back up but it was slow and I managed to stay in the 180s for some time. 

We had a big family wedding in Scottsdale in April so I worked at trying to hit the 170s for that. Didn't make it. I got down to 185 for that and have to admit that holiday was an eating frenzy. We ate, drank and had almost nothing healthy at all! It was a good time. 

I came back from scottsdale and checked my weight thinking it was going to be back in the 190s. It wasn't! I was still at 185.  And here is where I truly screwed up. 

Instead of knowing that the vacation weight would eventually appear, because it always does with me, up to 1 week after I return. I continued with the vacation at home. Eating and drinking whatever I wanted. 

Within 2 weeks of getting back (end of april), I was up to 195. 

I was so uncomfortable in my body. I was so bloated with gas and just feeling gross.  At the start of May I said, enough is enough and I started stripping the badness from my diet and expecting the drops on the scale to follow 

They have not.  

I'm still struggling with bloating but seem to have a bit of a handle on it now that I am taking a digestive enzyme with each meal. It seems to temper the gassy bloatedness. 

I'm eating better. Less food. Getting great sleep. Working out again moderately. 

The scale is not moving. 

I'm frustrated. I'm 54 now (or will be officially in 2 days) and I have never been in a position where I can't lose weight (even a few lbs) when I try. 

Doing the same old things that used to work, just don't work for me anymore. I know it's possibly my hormones and being in menopause are a huge contributor, so I'm going to give it another month and if it's still nothing, I'm going to see my doctor and see if she has suggestions or ideas. 

I really don't want to go the GLP-1 route. Maybe an HRT? 

Goals for 2026

It's been over 6 months since I last posted. Just crazy and amazing how fast time flies! 

 Figured it was a good time to dust off the old vlog and post an update and also a good time to set some goals for 2026. 

As far as an update, there is really not much to report. Summer was good, quiet but nothing earth shattering occurred which is great.  Fall was fine as well.  No news is good news, right? 

I'm still sitting at the same weight I was 6 months ago, which is not good, but at the same time, I'm at least happy I have not gained anymore. 

So I started this morning at 190.1 on the scale. Much higher than I want it to be, but all in all, not terrible given I was 190 just before the holidays began. I managed to get through all the wine, and cheese and bread and goodies. 

With the start of any year, I try to set up some new goals. I am fully aware that new year's resolutions often die within the first month, but it gives me something to at least start and hopefully with any luck, something will catch and become a new norm. 

1. Lose weight. Always the top goal but I do want to shed 15-20 lbs this year. I know my body is more comfortable in the 170s so I want to get back down there. I'm not pushing myself to get into the 160s as I don't think that is realistic right now, but I'd be beyond joyous to see 170. 

2. Work on blood pressure and cholesterol.  At the start of September we managed to get a new GP, which is great as going 18 months without a family doctor was stressful. Bonus, is that it's a female doctor so I feel good having a female entering this new phase of my life.  To reduce my BP and Cholesterol I am trying to add more protein and fibre to my diet and also a bit more cardio. Cardio will not be my focus this year, but I do want to add more as it helps the heart. 

3. Add more strength training and stretching.  I plan to do 2 to 3 strength training sessions weekly. One may be yoga or Pilates but the focus this year will be on strength and flexibility. 

4. Save some more money and pay off CC bills. I do have some credit card bills that I'm not proud of. I can get rid of them quite quickly and I do plan to do that. With hubby planning his retirement in the summer, I want to be rid of any debt and also have some play money so that we can plan some trips. 

5. Drink more water.  This is the easiest of the goals, but seems to be one that I struggle with. I know it's a habit thing and that once I get into the habit of drinking more water it will be a no brainer, but for now, I'm writing it down cause I suck at it! 

I'm hoping I can check in at least monthly and report how I'm tackling each of the goals. 

So, until February.....