Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Out of Range

Remember those measly little 5 lbs I had to lose?
Well now it's up to 8 lbs. Eight pounds is OUT of the "maintenance range!" Eight is almost ten. Really close to ten actually.

I can definitely tell the difference in my body. First, running is harder. I know it's only 8 lbs, but I can feel it. Second, Bikram class. Wearing next to nothing and standing in front of a mirror doing poses for 1.5 hours, definitely reflects any thick spots. My thick spot is my stomach. Last night in class, the extra 8 had me feeling bloated and uncomfortable. I was off balance and unfocused.

What the hell is going on? Where is this coming?
Could it be that I am fooling myself that I am eating as healthy as I used to?
Honestly, I don't shy away from that extra glass of wine. I also run with open arms to a chocolate chip cookie in the afternoon.

I guess I have proved to myself over and over again that I must constantly be diligent about what I eat. Obviously running a bajillion miles won't keep my weight where I want it. I know you've heard this many o' times, but I'm saying it again. It's doesn't come easy people. This is an ongoing battle. I know I am winning, but it's not going to ever go away.

I am only 11 days from the Portland marathon.
I am annoyed that this is on my mind right now.

No song of the day because I'm grumpy.

34 comments:

Julianne said...

Wow, 11 days til the Portland marathon? Yikes. Is it taper time, yet?
I also gained about 8 lbs since my wedding... about 8 weeks ago. Maybe 7. Most people can't tell that I've gained the weight. But I can tell with the way my pants are snug and even my running bras are tight! And I've slowed down with my pace. Boo. So, I can totally relate!!

"Honestly, I don't shy away from that extra glass of wine. I also run with open arms to a chocolate chip cookie in the afternoon."

Hilarious. But, again, I can relate!

Amy - the gazelle said...

chocolate chip cookies are my nemesis, as well. I am also up about 5-7 lbs over my comfortable point, which is about 10 lbs over my eventual goal.

I am so excited for your marathon! Almost as excited as I'd be if I were also running it. In a completely NON-creepy way, of course.

M*J*C said...

I can totally relate to your entire post, in 1 week I managed to gain 6 pounds!!! Thankfully I drank soooooooo much water yesterday that I was constantly peeing, and my weight is down 4 pounds. My thoughts on the matter...drink more water!!!!

Nitmos said...

C'mon, POM, stay focused! You are almost there. Eat right but concentrate on all the great training you have accomplished. Happy thoughts....happy thoughts...

Ian said...

Love your battle of the bulge tag... sorry that you had to use it. Eat right, and you'll be fine for Portland.

Lucas said...

I've gained recently too and it's ALL due to wine and carbs. Time to crack that whip again. It IS always a battle and it's one we are not in alone. Keep at it POM. We are winning!

Aron said...

11 days! you've got it! stay focused, eat right, stay strong, stay CONFIDENT!!! you are going to rock this race and WIN over the lbs!!! you hav worked so hard, just keep it up!

Heather said...

Agreed -- stay confident! The carbs and booze always pile it right on for me. I'm so thankful I will be taking these bags of cookies for the nurses tomorrow night. I do not want to keep dipping into them! :)

carrie said...

We must have been separated at birth, I thought I was the only person in the world who could gain weight while running 90+ miles a month. Damned genetics! Just stay in the moment. Don't think 11 days from now. Make good decisions a day at a time... an hour at a time... a minute at a time. You'll be awesome!

the Bag Lady said...

11 days! Wow, time flies!

Know that you are not alone - it isn't easy for any of us. (although, I have to confess, I have lost a little in the past couple weeks...but nowhere near enough!)

You will prevail!

Unknown said...

Don't worry too much. Be grateful for your body and how strong it is for carrying you through and now you're almost to your Marathon.

The other day, I had a one-on-one with my body and now I feel so much better. Instead of berating myself for being a pig at times, my body has carried me through and has been getting stronger!

Jess said...

What you weigh isn't gonna be a factor in how Portland goes for you. You've put in an incredible amount of training and you're strong and healthy. Besides, you'll probably shed a few of those extra lbs in a day or two anyway.

Pokey said...

Definitely an ongoing battle...I hear ya sista!

But you will be GREAT at the Portland Marathon. Get the weight loss out of your mind for now and focus on all the great things ahead in 11 days!!!!

Spicy Latina said...

Whatever girl you look great! You know Kid Rock was on your jock and he only likes skinny strippers! :-) You'll get there, we will stop the afternoon chocolate runs.....for now at least.

Laurel said...

I swear the only reason I never gained any weight when I was pregnant for that time was because I didn't drink...

...which is also why I gained 10lbs afterwards.

I hear you girl. I am still struggling with the last 4-5lbs. I just can't seem to give up that extra glass either.

Maybe it's muscle? I know a lot of people that gain a few back at the end of training from the muscle they've gained. Just a thought...

I can't believe your marathon is so close! You're going to do great. No matter what, you are still strong and healthy. And you look great too!

JIMSIGHT said...

Oh my, speaking of drama mama..LOL..rock thos knee highs for us and I will gladly chase you up and down the stairs at 9th street in S.Laguna till 8lbs are gone.

Raina said...

Funny how 5 lbs turns into 8 lbs and then somehow becomes 10 lbs. At least that is how it happens to me. Maybe I'm fooling myself by thinking it was only 5 lbs to begin with, haha.

Anyway, you are gonna rock in Portland. Don't sweat it!

jen said...

I think some of the extra weight is a taper thing, don't worry about it. You are still a super runner and will do great in the marathon. :)

Anonymous said...

Hang in there. Make smart choices the next 11 days and try not to stress about the numbers, go more with how you feel.

No matter what, you are going to rock the marathon. You have worked too hard.

Dustie said...

Hi POM -- I have been following your blog but haven't introduced myself yet. I thought today would be the perfect day because I can sooooo relate to what you are going through. To date I have lost 60+ lbs, but if I don't keep right on it they start creepin' right back...it's a scary thought. Altho, when i allow myself to eat out of the healthy range-- i EAT! Any, great to meet you...and BEST OF LUCK on the marathon! that is amazing to me!

Michelle said...

p.o.m. please do not stess out over this!! 8 lbs will come off with the snap of a finger!! I know this because it happens to me!! Although, i certainly run towards the cookies with open arms!!! Seriously, you will do great in Portland!!!

Michelle

Unknown said...

Nope, it ain't easy, but you can do this. You're capable of it all!

Looking forward to that marathon? it's going to be great!

Kelly Olexa said...

Girl, I hear ya. It sucks. There is no getting around it. It's a ton of hard work and dieting to get and stay fit. It's amazing how fast and easy it is to put it ON and how much harder it seems to take it off right?

;-)
K

AddictedToEndorphins said...

OH sunshine, cheer up. I'm sorry this is bugging youu.You ARE winning. Just remember that. and Just give it your bestest shot to lose that extra 8lbs, but focus on the more important things, like what hurts and that silly little 26 mile jaunt you have to do really soon:)

Maybe watch some running movie. Without Limits is a good one. St. Ralph also ROCKS!!

Taper time is carb time. and I'm sure that the 3 lbs you gained is what you're supposed to gain in taper. Women show scale weight more than men.

:)It'll be fine

holly said...

I can seriously relate to everything you wrote! For some of us, maintaining our ideal weight is not easy. What is it with marathons that makes people gain? But the weird thing is I bet you will lose a few pounds over your taper week. Women's bodies are weird.

Crissy Rae said...

Those pounds do creep on quickly when we relax even for a moment, don't they. I swear it all comes down to the little things in life, even with our weight. The extra glass of wine, cookie here and there...mine would be the small bag of chips in the afternoon and the extra 2 cups of cappucino. Sigh.

Screw the sigh girl..you can do it!

C said...

I'm with Nitmos. Stay focused and the rest will fall into place.

Good luck!

Marcy said...

I agree with Jess. You've trained hard, you've been incredibly fast, you WILL rock out ;D ;D Back on the saddle chica!

Anonymous said...

*ugh* don't remind me about the "only 11 days left" ;-).

You'll kick the pre-race bloat! Taper time is horrid for that, what do your runs look like leading up to the race?

Brooke said...

Amen, sister! This happens to me constantly...I weigh myself daily, not to obsess over it, but to keep an eye on these 'trends' before they get out of hand! I too have realized that I will never be one of those people that can eat whatever they want..(like my husband grr!). But I will never give up my wine and hope you don't either. Fitness is great, but not at the cost of having a life! Good luck in the marathon!

Chocolate & Chants said...

I hate my weight and I just can't seem to shake those last ten pounds I want to lose. Your blog is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your struggles!

N.D. said...

gaining weight sucks. I feel like it is so hard to think about it when training since you're always hungry and have to refuel. Get a plan going once the marathon is over and until then, just get ready to rock!

Kristin said...

You're not alone--and I guess, from what I've read, I'm not alone either. For a long time I was a pesky 10 pounds away from my goal weight and then, in the last few months, as I've been running longer distances and faster times, I've gone up 5-10 pounds (the wrong direction) (okay 10). Five pounds I can attribute to water weight and maybe muscle, but the other 5 is just self-indulgence I'm afraid! I certainly have not been immune to temptation (and I'm not talking my vacation, just everyday life). I hate the miniscule difference between your clothes hugging your body, and your body pressing against the clothes begging to get out! (And yet I still have a whoopie pie in my bag!) Anyhow, from your pictures I don't think you need to worry too much about a few pounds, so be kind to yourself! Good luck with the marathon and have fun!

Nancy said...

Oh man, I am so with you. I have to be incredibly diligent all the time or it creeps back up. The worst is when you get on that trend and can't get a hold of it. I know exactly how you feel. It's hard to be so ultramotivated that you don't trip up at all but I know you can do it. I hope you get it back.