Oh. Right. How's it going?

Despite neglecting this blog like I do with all things writing-related, things are going alright! I haven't lost much weight to note at this point, but the scale has been moving in a general downward direction. The past two weeks have been full of good workouts and I'm feeling energized and happy about it. I know I'll hit a slump at some point. They always come! My biggest fear at the moment is the short vacation we are taking mid-March. I have a tendency to come back from vacations and blow off my workouts. Even a few days away can knock me out of a routine.

In terms of tracking workouts, I do a number of things. I used to use Myfitnesspal to track, but now I only use that for food tracking purposes and general inspiration. I use Map My Run to keep track of runs, although this weekend the app told me I ran a 19 minute 5k, which means that sh-t is broken. Even at my fastest, that just would not happen.

I also keep a Google spreadsheet just to keep me honest. I include workouts, food info, and any general thoughts on how I'm feeling. I'm hoping this helps me to see patterns over time. Here is February's worksheet.

I will make March a different color because I'm craaazy like that.

Day 1. No more excuses.

I can't even estimate the number of times I've said the following things:

• It starts TODAY. 
• It starts tomorrow!
• That's it. No more. 
• I can do this. 
• I have to do this. 
• It's for my health!
• It's for my future. 
• I will look amazing for my cousin's wedding. 
• I'm going to look great in workout clothes. 
• Ahhh, fuck it. 

Day 1, no more excuses has come and gone many times. About five years ago, I was at my heaviest. I wasn't obese, but having grown up very thin, my metabolism definitely slowed in my early 20s. I was able to lose about 20 pounds, and I felt amazing. 

I was lucky enough at that point to be moving to London with my partner while he worked on a PhD. I had a job lined up, but was terrified of finding a place to live, making friends, starting a new life, and of losing my fitness routine. I had it down to a science in Philadelphia: I ran three days a week, did the elliptical for 60 minutes three days a week, and went to one strength training class per week. I wasn't extremely strong, but I was fit and I felt amazing. 

We've now been in London 3+ years and I've finally put all of that weight back on. I've worked out regularly on and off. I ran a half marathon, which I hated. Definitely shorter distances are for me! I completed the Insanity program, which I loved and saw amazing (temporary) results from. I briefly tried roller derby and loved it, but had to face facts that my uncoordinated ass was going to bust some bones (mine, not anyone else's). I started lifting weights, finishing much of New Rules of Lifting for Women and switching to Stronglifts. I love, love, love Stronglifts. 

Well, here we are on 4th February 2014 and I am back up to the highest weight. I tracked food for two weeks and was doing well, but I fall off the wagon on the weekends. Hard. Then there was a Yelp event last night and I ate an incredible cinnamon roll from Nordic Bakery. That thing was epic and I am not apologizing. But I do need to get my act together. I want my cardio health back. I want to squat my body weight. I want to feel badass, again. 

I'm going to use this as a journal more than anything else. We'll see how this goes. My food so far is in my MFP diary. Maybe if I publicly shame and celebrate myself, this thing will stick.