A couple of weeks ago I was ambitious. I decided I was going to eat no sweets for the 3 weeks before our trip to Hawaii and no eating after 8. And basically diet on top of that.
Day 1: Went well, honeymoon stage.
Day 2: If you can be fully depressed for a day, I was. I didn't realize that was what was wrong until that night/next day, but I was so miserable dieting and apparently going through severe withdrawal from sweets and eating all the time that it totally affected my mood. I was tired, depressed, irritable and completely wiped out. It was a Friday night and I read in bed from 7-8 while Josh watched a movie with the girls and then went to sleep until 8 the next morning.
It was the first time since having kids I think that I've slept 12 hours and it was heavenly.
Day 3: Having had so much sleep and a realization of my problem, I had a very energetic day and the first day, probably also since having kids, that I wasn't tired, all day, even at 2pm my usual begging-for-sleep hour.
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I went another week and a half without sweets, but then I realized I wasn't making any progress because I was eating so many other things trying to fill that craving that I added a pound or two. I decided to just have a treat a day instead so I wouldn't feel so deprived.
Then there were two ward parties and well, people brought baked goods and I haven't seen those in a while so I justified and went all out enjoying the fattening goodness of all the varieties of sweets.
We leave on Friday for Hawaii and I'm not thrilled with how things have gone, so I'm making a renewed effort for my crunch week. No food after 7pm, minimal sweets, hopefully lots of broth-y soups and water to fill up before porking out. And more sleep. I eat so much better when I'm rested.
Josh was "dieting" too, although if he reads this he'll wish I hadn't said that. Men don't "diet," that sounds too girly, at least in my opinion. But anyway, we were both a little moody that first week and realized it was probably because we were both sick of dieting and being hungry. Nuts how it affects us!
We're happily more balanced now, but are gearing up for our last ditch effort before swimsuits. We're generally pretty happy with where we are healthy-wise, but this is like a honeymoon for us and we'd like to look great for each other and this is just a fun motivation, like getting married:).
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In general, I'd say since moving to CA I've become a lot more laid back when it comes to appearance/getting dressed up/whatever, a little more au natural. I wondered if I'd become more that way since a lot of people are, but doubted it. And then I noticed I stopped blow drying my hair most days--at least on the days I washed it, which has become less (don't worry, I can't smell myself yet). I rarely find myself putting make-up on during the week--why bother if I'm just going to have to wash it off at night?
But because of our trip, we're trying to get ourselves back into the dating pool (with each other) and act like we would if we were getting married. Nutshell: Impress and woo our mate:).
Other efforts include:
-Working out 6 days a week (granted 3 of those for me is just a 25 min workout video, but it's by Jillian, the slave driver from Biggest Loser, so I feel pretty great to just survive it). Josh got a gym membership--and no, not just for this, he's been wanting one, this just gave us the push to finally get one for him.
-Whitening our teeth with those little crest stripes, I forgot how sensitive your teeth get from them, but they work!
-I've been going tanning. Part so I won't burn, which I always do, and part because honestly, tanning makes everyone look better in a swimsuit. And btw, tanning makes me itch, so I've been attacking my skin non-stop. This is making me sound stupider and stupider, but it's kind of fun, I really feel like I'm getting ready for my honeymoon.
-Got my hair cut for the first time in 11 months. SOOO much better, it's amazing to see what a difference style can do!
-Lastly, I'm going to dye my hair tomorrow or the next day. I haven't dyed it in 4 years and haven't highlighted it myself in more, so we'll see how great that goes.
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After all this prep, you'd expect to see someone entirely new, like a result from Extreme Makeover, but so far, the results have been underwhelming. Hopefully we'll just be so proud of our minimal improvements that we'll have a small high from that.
Q: How fun is dieting for you? :)
Q: Have you ever prepped like this for a trip or event?
6 comments:
Whoa! This sounds awesome! After all this preparation, I know you and Josh are going to have the time of your lives. It will be unforgettable!
About dieting, I hate it and I do almost exactly what you do. I basically can't diet, but I just watch what I eat and then workout like crazy (I love Jillian's videos and running too). I'm currently trying to lose my last 20 pounds of baby fat from Spencer and I know I'll get there eventually, but it's challenging to think how many times I've worked to get down to my own honeymoon weight. But, I'm always glad I do it...
About preparing for a trip, no, we haven't done those things since our marriage. I really think Bob and I should do the same thing at some point. We would both love it! I can't wait to hear your follow-up.
Also, are you buying new clothes? New swimsuit?
oh afton, you crack me up. i seriously loathe dieting, but its the only way to lose weight when i need to... sadly, i'm not one of those lucky girls who nurse their way to thinness after delivering a baby. but just so you know, you always look amazing to me.
hmm, I don't think I've ever dieted. I'd rather ramp up the exercise...but then again, I'm pretty careful about what I eat anyway. No dairy, no meat, no trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup--there's not much left to cut out!!
I have to say, I think it is so cute that you guys are getting "honeymoon ready." I love that! Not that I think everyone automatically lets themselves go when they get married, but to a certain extent, most of us just don't try as hard when we're not trying to attract a spouse 24/7. And I include myself in that category!
yes, those crest strips DO work! i love them! how fun, i'd love to be "getting ready" for a trip like this...but seriously, YOU? on a diet? you always look incredible, afton! i guess i'm pretty lucky in that i've never had to cut back on eating, i just start exercising more to successfully lose weight here and there. but it'll be hard to exercise with 3 kids...we'll see how that goes this next year. :) have fun in hawaii!!!
I like your efforts, Afton!
I hate dieting. I vowed I wouldn't ever do it, just eat right and exercise, but it got to the point that a good diet and exercise regime wasn't working anymore, so I had to start a diet. I went low carb, high protein to try and jump start the fat burn again, and same as you, I was cranky and tired ALL the time. I also slipped out of that one after a couple of weeks, and now I am definitely seeing the lack of good discipline.
I have never prepped for such an event or occasion, but I'd like to. One day we'll take our honeymoon to Brazil, and heaven knows I need to look good there! :)
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