Stubbornly Plump

The clinking crystal, black eyed peas, collared greens and other New Year festivities always preclude the New years day of guilt. Guilt over the eggnog, rum, champagne, cheese dip and not doing those weekly runs because "hey it is the Christmas season, I deserve a break". The guilt magnifies as the muffin top begins to rise over my normal pants like those magnificent buttery rolls in their tray on Christmas day and when my stamina staggers while walking the dogs. I hang my head in shame as I realize, that I did in fact gain weight at Christmas despite my will and determination to not. The guilt is inevitably followed by the resolution. Yup, that one, the lose weight in (insert year here) by exercising more and watching what I eat. Ooo maybe this year I will try the new (insert diet here) because that worked for (insert friend who lost 20 pounds here).

Frankly, I am tired of that resolution. I did increase my exercise greatly in 2011. I ran my first 5k and several more after that. I spent the last year going through phases of intense regular exercise activity (running 3 plus times a week and lifting weights) without losing a single pound. The stagnant scale would create an amount of frustration that would lead me to simply give up for a week or two before starting again. I would accompany this exercise with a food journal and log my calories measuring everything out with cups, tablespoons and teaspoons to ensure I was eating the true serving size. Still the scale stayed the same. I bought a new scale. That one read heavier yet still did not budge. The entire process is maddening. When I hear people say, I am so proud of you for running and working out, but it's really strange that you look exactly the same, I want to make their heads explode..Yes I know that is is strange, and also incredibly frustrating for me, thanks for pointing it out that you have noticed too.

This year I am taking a different approach. I am not going to make that resolution. Details to come, but for now. I am going to bed.