Here is the excel version. As you can see it has several markers on it, I have set average trends at different weight loss intervals, and set a trendline to help me visualize at what pace my progress is going. I know, I'm a geek! I love it!!
The above chart is from the first 9 weeks beginning on my first day at the Structure House.
I have a Diary that Structure House participants are strongly encouraged to use. It is where I plan my meals each week and write down what I'm supposed to eat each day. I also write in my daily weight at the top of each page. I am also supposed to write any exercises I do during the day and any antecedents I experience during the day as well. All this information helps me identify any "tough times" I have and it provides the data needed to find out why the times were tough. 
Anyways, the diary is a paper notebook. I did really well with the diary the first 9 weeks, but have had a hard time keeping up with diary number 2. I keep the same data (well, most of it) in other places. Although they are not so nicely stored in one little notebook, I do have them on my computer. I plan my meals using a different "form" that I created that provides a bit more nutritional information than the diary has room for. It works for me. I keep a hard copy in the kitchen so I can reference it daily. So, writing the information in my diary seems like twice the work. Especially when I don't ever really look at the diary once I write my meals down each week. I'm also supposed to track my exercises in my diary. I just never have. I do need to start tracking that data, so I'm going to find a way to put it in my excel spreadsheet. So, as you can see, I've managed to work my way out of using the diary. There is just one problem. I'm supposed to send my diary in to my therapist at the Structure House each nine weeks (that's how long a diary will last you). I'm supposed to turn in my weight charts and then a section where I answer about 8-10 questions about my journey, progress, struggles, etc. during the past nine weeks. So, I'll type those up in Word, or before my next nine-weeks is up, I'll probably create an Adobe form or something!!! Who knows.
Anyways, the diary is a paper notebook. I did really well with the diary the first 9 weeks, but have had a hard time keeping up with diary number 2. I keep the same data (well, most of it) in other places. Although they are not so nicely stored in one little notebook, I do have them on my computer. I plan my meals using a different "form" that I created that provides a bit more nutritional information than the diary has room for. It works for me. I keep a hard copy in the kitchen so I can reference it daily. So, writing the information in my diary seems like twice the work. Especially when I don't ever really look at the diary once I write my meals down each week. I'm also supposed to track my exercises in my diary. I just never have. I do need to start tracking that data, so I'm going to find a way to put it in my excel spreadsheet. So, as you can see, I've managed to work my way out of using the diary. There is just one problem. I'm supposed to send my diary in to my therapist at the Structure House each nine weeks (that's how long a diary will last you). I'm supposed to turn in my weight charts and then a section where I answer about 8-10 questions about my journey, progress, struggles, etc. during the past nine weeks. So, I'll type those up in Word, or before my next nine-weeks is up, I'll probably create an Adobe form or something!!! Who knows. Good thing is the Structure House is currently working on an online/electronic version of the diary. I'm hoping that it is revealed soon, so I can do this on the computer where I'm most comfortable.
Well, I got way off track there, but those are some thoughts I want to keep "written down" somewhere for future reference.
Back to my charts.
Do you remember my surprise? The Coach purse I'm so anxiously awaiting to open? Well, I'm still not there. Check out this chart. This is chart #2, so this starts with week 10. I'm just finishing up week 11. You can see that I was going good at the beginning of week 10 and headed straight for my goal line (the red line). Can you see how that blue line and that red line don't seem to like each other. They are like oil and water - they do NOT want to mix. I just need that blue line to cross below that red one.....come on BLUE!!!!
Well, I'm not real surprised at this little blue line these past two weeks. They have been some of the hardest weeks since I've started this journey. I've struggled in many ways, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and nutritionally. I've made some NOT AS GOOD choices when it came to my meals. I ate out more during week 10 than I have since I've been home and I can tell that it REALLY makes a difference. I'd say I chose to eat out more because of the emotional, spiritual and physical struggles that I was having. I have been more stressed these past two weeks than I have been in a long time. Some of it work, but most of it personal. Just one of those "spells" in life. I can tell that stress is one of the biggest hurdles I've got to get over in this journey. I know life will have its stressors, but I've got to learn to separate it from all the other aspects of my life, especially those which I DO have control over - like what I put in my body, and how often I MOVE my body, and to what extent!!! It's all relative!! A series of bad choices (well, not all BAD, but some that weren't as good as they COULD have been) can really begin to pile up on themselves.
But 14 days of struggles is nothing in this journey. In two weeks I won't even remember most of them. That's the joy of this journey. When I look back at the "big picture" and see how far I've already come, I can't fret over 14 days of struggles. It's not worth it.
2 comments:
I really admire you! I have been on my own exercise/weight loss journey -- not doing nearly as well as you. I allowed myself to buy some "real" workout clothes today just because I haven't given up yet. I DO see a difference in my body, but going to the gym and making healthy food choices are difficult. Stress is part of it, fatigue is part of it, discipline (for me) is part of it. The last three weeks have been particularly difficult. But, I am determined to keep moving. Thanks for being such an inspiration!!!
Oh my gosh . . you are a geek! BUT, you are doing great! You have already accomplished so much!
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