I’m so frustrated today!  Last week, I didn’t post an update about my weight loss because I actually gained weight instead of losing weight.  It was only .6 lbs, but that’s beside the point.  The fact that it was up was the frustrating part.   Because it was only .6 lbs, though, I got over it quickly.

Today, however, I weighed myself and I’ve gained 1.5 lbs since last Tuesday.  That’s 2.1 lbs in two weeks.  I’m back to where I was four weeks ago! I’m so frustrated.  Even though I splurged a little for my birthday, my weekly average calorie intake was 1532.71, which is still between my 1200-1700 calorie limit.  So, technically, I shouldn’t have gained any weight last week or the week before.

I know weight loss isn’t an exact science and I also know your weight fluctuates.  I also know I may have gained weight because:

• I may be retaining water from eating too much sodium
• I was off my birth control pill for a week since I forgot to renew my prescription (I’m not pregnant)
• I’m counting calories incorrectly
• I’m losing inches rather than weight since muscle weighs more than fat (I doubt this is the reason, though, since I’ve been exercising a little erratically for the last month)
• Even though I stayed within my calorie limit, I may have eaten foods with more fat content (very likely with the eating out last week)
• Or, any number of other reasons (this doesn’t make it any less frustrating, though)

Ever since Daylight Saving Time started, my exercise/sleep schedule has been way off, which I know hasn’t helped. I also think I’ve kind of relaxed a bit on the goals I outlined in January (A New Plan).  So, I’m recommitting because I feel like I’m doing things half-assed again.  I’m also posting new goals, which are basically my old goals with a few tweaks:

1. Each morning, I’m going to get up at 6:00, so I can exercise before I get in the shower and go to work.  Even if I don’t feel well or I’m too tired to get up, I’m still going to do it because I always feel better when I do and have more energy throughout the day.
2. I’m going to go to bed at 9:45 each night, so I can get close to a full 8 hours of sleep.
3. I’ll be on time (8:00) for work each day.  This is especially important because I have to answer the phones from 8:00 – 10:15.
4. I can only eat out once a week.  No ifs, ands, or buts!
5. I’m going to take measurements each week and go off the measurements rather than the scale.  I’ll still weigh myself once a week, but if my measurements are good, then I’ll know I’m still doing okay.

PS–I need to come up with a reward for when I reach my first major benchmark of losing 25 pounds.  I’m not sure what to do, though.  Any ideas?