Say no-no to yo-yo

After a brief Facebook exchange with Tara yesterday, I was trying to think of a way to motivate her and let her know that no matter what her scale says in the morning, she should be proud of herself (and you should, Tara!) just for getting up and standing on that scale.

I understand what Tara is feeling. Life happens and with it, things change - this often includes diet and waistlines. But it's how we handle that change when things settle into the new routine that matters!

This entire project started when I was called "obese" by a BMI calculator online. But it was also at a time when I was finally settling into a routine after a year of insanity.

A year before I started law school, almost to the day, Kevin moved away and I was devastated. There is no way to sugar-coat it - I lost my zeal for life. And I lost my appetite. I didn't own a scale, but all of my clothes were falling off and I went down at least one size. After a couple of months, things worked themselves out (Kevin and I figured out how to make a long distance relationship "work") and I made a wonderful friend in my neighborhood who got me out of bed every day for a morning run/walk.

Then, in January, I quit my job and moved to Kevin's neck of the country. Without a job, I was sitting at home every day, all day. It was cold outside and I didn't know anyone and I became pretty stationary. I didn't, however, notice that I gained the weight back until almost summer, when I was readying myself to start school.

My weight has yo-yoed many times throughout my adulthood - usually linked to my moods. I haven't actually gone on an official "diet" in my modern memory (Please note that my food choices now are a lifestyle change, not a "diet"), but I completely understand when the body changes without your permission!

I received a daily email from Women's Health today with a great message. Entitled "How to Stop Yo-Yo Dieting," this list of 8 tips was just what I want to pass to myself and my fellow Ladies in Weighting!

The 8 tips are so simple - and are being followed by all of us right now!

1. Be Realistic: None of us is on some crazy crash diet - we are all being sensible about our lifestyles.
2. Be Patient: Can't get much more patient than a pound a week!
3. Be Supported: DUH! That's what this is ALL ABOUT!
4. Be Analytical: These blog posts, at least for me, are all about analyzing my moods, my choices and my changes.
5. Be Vigilant: I know not everyone participates in the weekly weigh-ins, for thier own reasons, but for me they are all about maintaining my vigilance. And they will continue when I hit my goals.
6. Be Flexible: I change my foods with the season. You will see more recipes soon!
7. Be Active: Yeah, I don't think any of us can be described as lazy. Abby and her marathon, me and the 3Day, Jen and her diving, Ne and her 40-mile walk and Tara with her 5k runs. We are super women!
8. Be Optimistic: YAY, GO TEAM!!!

Check it out here.