Since I wrote my last blog in April, I’ve checked out many books and websites, watched many TV shows and documentaries, etc, trying to find inspiration, and let’s be honest, “my key” to success. All of these things provided a bit of insight to some degree, which is great.

Also since April 14th, I’ve yo-yo’d within the same 6.2 pound range ABOVE the number I last posted on my SP weight tracker. When I realized what was happening, I stopped entering my weigh–ins. There is no sense in getting kudos for weight loss when it is all just up and down, up and down. (I track my weekly weigh-ins on a spreadsheet as well, so I knew what was going on.) Every time that I’ve thought that I finally have it figured out so I’m losing steadily again, my weight goes right back up the next week. I will be the first to admit that some of this was due to my poor effort and lack of enthusiasm. Obviously it was very tempting to say, “Oh, just give up. You’re never going to be any smaller than you are now, you’ve never been able to lose weight and keep it off, so just stop it.”

I’ve also read many blogs written by my friends over the past two months, and some have had some big-time struggles too. I thank them for sharing and being completely honest about these things. From them I’ve learned that while they face challenges, they never give up. Knowing that I am not alone keeps me from calling myself a failure, and from throwing in the towel. There are others friends who are consistently meeting and surpassing goals and losing weight steadily; from them I am learning motivation and focus. I hope to develop the “laser-like” focus that some have – I truly admire the ability to never lose sight of what you really want, which can be a problem for me.

This week I continued my morning workouts (closing on three consistent months of that), but I also ate mindfully and carefully at dinner. (Breakfast and lunch during the week are pretty much automated, so they are never an issue for me.) Everything to be eaten in the evening was carefully mapped out, always before I got home from work each day, and I stuck to it. I was usually on the lower end of my calorie range (not pressed right against the top or slightly over), and if I was still “hungry” after dinner, I drank more water, knowing that if I REALLY wanted a snack, there was room to spare.

What happened with my weigh-in? I went from the top of this 6.2 yo-yo’ing range above my last weigh-in on SP, down 6.4 pounds to be 0.2 below my last posted SP weigh-in. While that doesn’t trigger a notification to everyone, it triggers a HUGE notification to me. Paying attention and actually putting forth consistent effort works for me. Is that my key? I don’t know. I’m going to continue reading books and blogs, and watching shows and documentaries, in addition to my continuing my own efforts – maybe that combination is the key for me.

Thanks for hanging in there with me, friends. I appreciate all of your kind comments and good vibes – it’s a huge comfort to have your support!

Now to continue this – one day, one week at a time…