So, obviously I have been putting off writing this post.
I mean, who gains weight while a.) writing a food blog; and b.) training for a huge race, wherein you torch thousands of calories in the training alone?
Me.
Obviously, me.
It’s kind of embarrassing, to be honest.
So, I have not stepped back on the scales yet (eeeekk! the idea freaks me out!) but…as all my pants are noticeably tighter and all my shirts are becoming decidedly uncomfortable, I assume I have gained (a good bit of?) weight.
I can chalk this up to 4 things.
1. While marathon training I assumed it was safe to eat whatever + after the marathon was over I kept the same mentality. And obviously it was not. Not at all okay. Even while marathon training it was not really ok. Because I ate things like ice cream. And cake.
And lots of it.
2. When I start eating sweets, I don’t stop at just one. Christmas goodies. ‘Nuff said.
3. I have become a HUGE slacker in the weight lifting department. HUGE slacker. History has proven that straight cardio does not work for me and I chose to dump weight lifting anyway.
4. Once the weight started coming on a developed a ‘I feel gross, so I shall eat more’ mentality. In hindsight, not the smartest mentality, but I am an emotional eater. I recognize this, but I do not always control this. Sad, but true fact.
What I am going to do about it.
1. Start eating by a meal plan. And immediately. When my eating blossoms out of control the only way to get it back under control is by making a meal plan and sticking to it. My favorite pre-made meal plan is found in ‘Making the Cut’ by the master of fitness herself, Jillian Michaels. There are also some kick butt workouts found the pages of this wondrous book, and I shall be kicking my butt with those 3-4 days a week.
2. As previously stated, kick the weightlifting up a notch. Or a level. Or whatever you want to call it.
3. My new bottle and lunch bag that Mama D. gifted me with this holiday season. I plan to make great use of it. I bring my lunch to work most days, but I have been slacking on the water drinking. My new beautiful bottle gives me many reasons to lift it to my lips. Not the least being it’s sleek curves and lovely designs.
4. Eating at specific times and only then. No feeding my feelings with food. Feeling down? Go to the gym. Not the kitchen.
5. Practicing yoga. I love yoga. I do. I love the wacky poses and the massagy [not a word] feeling it leaves you with. And I haven’t been doing it. So I hereby declare that I shall practice yoga 1-3x a week. I like having a range. I don’t feel guilty if I don’t hit 3, but I have to get in at least one yoga practice. Even just a 20 minute yoga download.
6. I plan to post the amount of weight lost every week in my Friday post. Just down at the bottom. You can skip it if you want. But I think it will help me be accountable.
Now I don’t expect to follow the meal plan exactly. I am not that anal nor scheduled. I do expect however to use it as a guideline which I believe is how it is meant to be used. I also don’t expect to hit all my workout goals every week. They are just that. Goals. Something to strive for. Something to look forward to. I also plan to post all meals, every day. No handfuls of un pictured crackers or slices of un photoed cake. This may seem a bit excessive to some, but it works for me!
I am not doing this because I hate my body. Or because I feel pressured to be thin or a certain number.
I don’t and I certainly don’t.
But I also do not relish the fact that all my pants are too tight. And that I have resorted to wearing imaginative outfits so that I feel comfortable while out. Like scarves and layers. Good thing it’s winter. 
Finally, I just want to say I am doing this for ME. Just for me. So I can be comfortable in my jeans and happy in my tank tops [ya know, when tank top season rolls back around.]
I want these arms again.
But maybe not that blotchy sunburn.
Whit
