I’m making a pretty good dent in my 30 Healthiest Foods Challenge. Check barley off the list! š
Breakfast
For breakfast this morning, I enjoyed Oats In A Jar made with rolled oats, barley, canned pumpkin, soy milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, chia seeds, and an extra scoop of peanut butter.
FYI: Barley rules. I love how chewy it is!
And, as always, I drank a glass of iced coffee with breakfast.
Disclaimer: If you are currently struggling with an eating disorder or in recovery, and weight is a sensitive issue or may trigger you, please skip the rest of this post.
So, I haven’t been totally honest with you guys about my weight. I’ve actually been sort of afraid to talk about it on Carrots āĖN’ Cake. Sometimes, I feel like weight is a touchy subject in the blog world, especially for those of us who are not overweight, which, for the record, I know that I’m not. I’m also not happy with my current weight.
I’ve always tried to be open and honest on my blog, so I realized that I should talk about something that I am struggling with. You probably have noticed some small changes in my daily lifeāāless sugar, more strength trainingāābut you don’t see everything that happens in my life.
Last week, Skinny Runner wrote a post about food blogging that really made me think. In her post, she said: āBlogging’s reality but it’s more like reality TV, which is so true. You only see what the blogger wants you to see. Likewise on CNC, you only see the meals and snacks that I photography and publish. You don’t see my food struggles or every single morsel that goes into my mouth. I’m not trying to hide anything. A lot of the time, I’m just too lazy to snap a photo of my food. Food journaling is A LOT of work and sometimes I just want toĀ eat like a ‘normal’ person and not take a picture of my food before I eat it. I can honestly say that document about 90% of what I eat each day, but there are plenty of times that I don’t bother to snap random eats, which can range from a piece of Swiss cheese to a dozen chocolate chip cookies.
Since last August, when I started training for the marathon, I’ve gained nearly 10 pounds, which is likely from simply overestimating that the amount of calories I could consume during training. Eating calories above and beyond what my body needed likely led to my weight gain, which I wrote about here and here. I know the scale doesn’t tell the whole story, but the fact that my pants don’t fit bothers me. I also realize that it took me five months to put on the weight, so it could take me the same amount of time (or longer) to lose it. I just need to be patient and stick to my healthy habits. (I don’t have a goal weight in mind, I just want my pants to fit again!)
Ok, so, now it’s out there. I feel so much better letting everyone know that I am not at my happy weight and I’m trying to do something about it. I won’t bore you with numbers and stats, like I did for Lose the Dough, but I will use my blog to more honestly document my daily eats to help keep me accountable. I mean,Ā there are days when I don’t want to eat healthily, but knowing I’ll have to post photos makes me think about what I’m eating. Plus, having the support from the blog communityĀ will keep me motivated.Ā
With that saidāĀ¦
Question of the Day
Has social media (blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) helped you lose weight? If so, how?
311 Comments
Tina, I totally hear you. I am struggling with an eating disorder, but I read anyway. It is so so difficult to balance healthy weight, body image, eating, exercising, all of it!!! Just know that you are not alone & that it is a process . . . it doesn’t heal itself overnight. Be gentle with yourself. XO
Thank you for this wonderful post. I can’t imagine having to document every morsal of food and be that exposed…there are some days that I struggle to be honest with myself about what I’ve consumed.
I think that your honesty is part of what is inspirational. As a person who has struggled with my weight on and off again over the years, it is refreshing to hear the stories of struggle just as much as the stories of success. It is motivating and inspiring to know that we are not always perfect in our quest to achieve our goals. What is inspirational is how you work through that struggle and rebound AND how you, at times, need to redefine success for yourself (I mean, you ran a marathon! THAT is amazing!). And selfishly I can say, at times it gets deflating to hear only the success stories…that is not reality for anyone. We all struggle. Finding a “healthy you” is a balance of keeping long term goals in sight while still allowing for those in the moment hedonistic pleasures.
For me weight loss and fitting into my “skinny” pants is not really about weight as much as it is about feeling healthy and strong and like my best self. We all have different motivations for wanting to stay thin and strong and fit…just make sure that your sense of self worth never gets tied to it.
So again I say thank you for your posts and your honesty. Every journey has its ups and downs, but it’s about sticking it through and taking a moment to celebrate all you have accomplished AND to celebrate you!
You look great, so don’t worry too much. The weight will come off in time! I’ve also gained some weight, and it always amazed me how my body changes as I get older. I don’t carry weight the same ways that I used to!
I totally get where you’re coming from. I have honestly only had ONE pair of jeans that fit me comfortably for the past, oh.. 5 months?? No joke. Saturday I was *finally* able to wear my favorite pair of “skinny” jeans, though it took some squats/lunges/stretching and they still were a tiny bit snug. I haven’t been making a huge effort to lose weight, just little tweaks like you’re doing, and it’s finally paying off. We’re human, we eat, our weight fluctuates. I know you’ll get back into those pants in no time. š
I think it’s very brave of you to admit that you aren’t at your happy weight. I recently just lost all the weight that i gained over the past couple years and i feel much better about myself. i think that healthy eating blogs are a good place to look for advice and tips for losing weight and keeping it off. You can use the tips they give you make your own regime. I also like knowing what other people eat every day!
I don’t have too many words to share except to say thank you. I appreciate all the honesty that you give every day and this extra means an extra lot since I too gained weight over the last 5 months (except dwindling exercise and lack of healthy food choices had a piece to play in mine…plus life changes and such) and am now finally finding motivation to get back to what I love doing and how I love feelings.
Again, thank you for sharing your inner thoughts and feelings…we all know it was hard and are all proud of you for doing it! š
Oops. Forgot to answer the question. I think food blogs and have been wonderfully helpful for me because all you wonderful bloggers out there give me ideas for new, yummy recipe’s and new types of foods out there to try. I’ve gotten a TON of different cardio and weight workouts which has been great to breath new life into my exercise regime. I’ve found loads of encouragement from ladies like yourself who bare it all and struggle with similar things that I do.
I think it’s awesome that you admitted this on your blog and you shouldn’t feel guilty about sharing it! I don’t blame you for wanting your jeans to fit. š
It’s true that weight can be a touchy subject in the blog world, but you should be able to talk about your true thoughts without feeling like you’re going to be attacked!
I really appreciate your openness and honesty! I too am currently 10 pounds over my ‘happy weight’ and although I try not to focus all my attention on numbers, I don’t feel like buying new pants š I absolutely love your blog because it really helps to keep me motivated and you are so inspiring! Thank you for all you do š
I think most women would agree that at some point in their lives they are unhappy with their weight, regardless of actual nearness to being “overweight.” I agree with the above comments who say you’re brave to talk about it here. There are so many touchy issues involved in sharing weight online.
I’ve been able to lose weight and achieve my recent fitness goals using social media to help me for sure. Having a whole community of people who are also training for races, and share their own healthy meals to inspire me, and keep me accountable to my goals. š
I’ve gained 10lbs since September! I blamed it on the -35 degree weather (freakin’ North Dakota!) that prevents me from logging long runs outside and my boyfriend who loves burritos and pizza! Then I realized I weighed this much last winter (without my boyfriend’s help) and lost it quickly around May when it got warmer. I still work out twice a day most days during the week (hour swim in the morning/circuits or more cardio in the afternoon) just like in the summer and I still get 100% on my PT test (I’m in the military and can run a 10:14 1.5 mile, thank you very much). Anyway, I’ve sort of accepted that my body gains a few lbs. in the winter time- cold weather prevents me from moving as much and I probably eat heartier food for dinner. Summer I’m moving a walking everywhere and eating small dinners that usually consist of a beer and a light, healthy app. or shared portion. Weird- I eat less and drink more (hello, marg on the patio) and it translates into a flatter tummy. Regardless, I will lose the weight again this spring/summer and I’ve decided not to stress. Instead of signed up for several running and swimming events in the spring and look forward to the leaner me. Not much I can do here in North Dakota when its -35…. besides move to Key West! Get me a transfer!
***this is in no means to be offensive, i am just not good with words.
tina, i am not going to lie, i loved this post! i swear, you and i would be best friends when it comes to food and working out. i love reading your blog because you are creative with what you eat and seem to enjoy it. that being said i am often quite envious of you because i would love to eat lots of peanut butter each day and chocolate chips–which many days i do and like you have come to put on a few pounds despite constant working out (which now are gone–see below). in fact, i cant even have peanutbutter, cereal or icecream in the house because i have 0 self-control.
i am a teacher, and recently at my school, we started a biggest loser competion–and it was just the kick in the butt i needed to regain control, count my calories and be honest with myself. i do use a scale and everyday (as i felt my self gaining weight between august-decemenber i let myself weigh myself less frequenty but found that led to an increasing number). i have lost 7 pounds this month and am at a weight that i am much happier with. not sure why i am telling you all this other than I LOVE FOOD, I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND BEER and it sucks skipping out on it sometimes but at the same time i feel better about myself with a little more control. and its definitely hard finding a balance of not being a total nut about it and going out and enjoying life and eating. one day i hope not to obsess over it but until then it is what it is and i love your honesty and your blog!!
You are not alone.
Love
you can log it quick no doubt but counting calories becomes all consuming, all day long, obsessive activity.
Tina, thank you. I’ve been unhappy with my weight-gain and kinda have been in denial- this “woke” me up. It just made me realize I needed to get real like you and be responsible! š
ok my last comment on here–my previous comment, about calorie counting was in response to someone elses comment but somehow ended up after my other comment. i need a life. š
All I have t say is thank you for your honesty. I have stopped reading some of the healthy blogs b/c all they do is make me feel bad if I am not being “good”
And yes all the blogs helped me for the last 2 years (3 babies) I lost a lot of pregnancy weight then some that wasn’t.
Hi Tina. I just wanted to say thanks for all the hard work you put into documenting your eats and sharing it with the public. I love reading about them, although sometimes they make me crave cookies more than I normally do :)! I can only imagine how time-consuming documenting every single morsel of food so please stop being so hard on yourself. While I’m not on a diet per say anymore, I still stay on track by writing everything I eat down- it keeps me accountable if that makes sense. Yesterday, after I ate a cookie I wanted to have a few chocolate chips but I decide not to as writing it down (well typing it into my BB) seemed like too much work ha…so i can only imagine just how stressful taking pics can be!
Anyway even though all your readers (including me) agree that you look fabulous, only you can decide what your healthy weight it. And if you are not feeling too hot right now, be proud that you’ve decided to do something about it rather than fall into a trap of self-pity and self-loathing. You’ve lost the weight before and I have no doubt you will be equally successful this time round. All the best š
Just catching up on your blogs. Thanks for being so upfront and honest. I think we can all relate. This has been a theme for me for over a month. Did a half in November, then the Holiday, the cold, the snow, bla, bla, bla. I think winter seems to be the hardest to maintain the in food area. It really helps to read of someone who struggles also. I always say you can’t change what you won’t acknowledge. Some friends think I’m obsessive, but I’d rather try to lose 5 lbs than 25. I’m 52 years old and I’ve found if you don’t stay on it and make changes from time to time it will get a way from you. Look forward to reading more of your daily journey. Have a great day!
Thank you for being honest, its nice to see that other people go through the same things. I love your blog!!
I’m an avid runner, marathoner and registered dietitian. I experience the same ‘train gain’ every single time I run a marathon and it can be extremely difficult to feel good about my body even though I know I am in good shape. Keep in mind there are several factors at play here that I’m sure you are familiar with: first your appetite explodes, second (if you are like me) you give yourself a little latitude with your food choices, third your body starts adapting to your workouts and you store more glycogen (storage form of blood sugar) which results in increased water retention and finally your body composition changes – you gain muscle mass which weighs more than fat. While I understand your frustration I think you will find once your mileage comes down and you pay closer attention to total daily intake your weight/body shape will normalize. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this post!!!! I can not tell you how much I needed to read this!! You are such an inspiration to me! I absolutely love your blog and look so forward to reading it everyday!! I am not at my happy weight but with your help I am getting there slowly but surely!! You are such a great motivator, thank you for all that you do!! I think you look amazing!! š
Tina, Kudos for speaking about this. I went through a health crisis last year where I was not allowed to exercise at all because of a heart condition, and then because we’d also been waiting for me to get better to have a baby, I immediately got pregnant and haven’t been in running shape. I have to admit I was always jealous reading your blog and others that you could go out there and sweat and I couldn’t. But I will look to you for inspiration when baby comes sometime in April… I definitely think you and other food/exercise bloggers will inspire me. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others when you read blogs – thanks for the reminder that it is sometimes like “reality TV!”
Your blog helped me a year ago lose 30 pounds! It really helped to follow you (and other healthy eating blogs) while I was trying to change lifelong bad habits into good, healthy habits! Thank you! and as my husband says… “Head High, Never Quit!” š
I know they’ve certainly helped me *gain* weight from wanting to try so many of the good eats, lol. After getting that in check, I think a lot of times that they do indeed help tilt my decisions toward eating healthier foods or trying out new dishes I wouldn’t have otherwise (which are often more nutritious).
I know some people who lost weight by using SparkPeople. One didn’t even use the trackers, but relied solely on the community there, reading the blogs, making connections with others who were struggling, too. I think the internet can be an amazing source of support.
I’m struggling with a similar situation. I’ve gained a little weight; not enough to be unhealthy but enough to feel uncomfortable. Food blogs can be a great tool to find tasty, healthy recipes, but they can also lead to temptation. I find that I get hungry just reading recipes when I know that I’m not really hungry!
This post is refreshing and I’m going to keep it in mind as I try to lose those extra pounds. I’m looking forward to reading how you do it. Lots of luck!
thank you for your honesty. after being sick and gaining 30 lbs because antibiotics made my stomach unable to process things correctly (or something along those lines) – I felt out of control. I didn’t like my body and it affected how I ate and the decisions I made, to no avail. I finally got better and am back to my “happy” weight, but it was horrible before.
I think it’s good to have things out in the open. you’d admitted it. now you can take the steps to help yourself, with the support of your readers! I look forward to seeing your process and journey continue.
i realized the same thing about blogs, which is why sometimes, if someone is just so dang cheery all of the time, i feel the need to stop reading. i know that some lives are great…i think mine is. but i also know that everyone struggles with things on a daily basis. i’m so glad you shared this with us.
Tina, I appreciate how honest you are in this post! I’ve been there. In the Spring of 2009 I began training for a marathon. I thought I could eat whatever I wanted! Be free from concern and diet! I also at that time was undergoing considerable stress at my job and went through a career change toward the tail end of my training. I gained 12 pounds throughout training as I resorted to my old habits of using food to console me. I’m still struggling with this extra weight gain and am incredibly frustrated with myself to this day. No seriously, I had a cupcake and banana pudding at the office today. I am making the attempts to get out of my comfort zone and take new opportunities to exercise (Taking advantage of gym classes to break out of my rut.) I’m really looking forward to tackling your 30 day food challenge and hope that restarts my appreciation for health, fitness and well being.
I don’t know how food bloggers manage their blogs and lives at the same time. I’ve tried it and I’ve abandoned it due to exhaustion. Kudos for being so honest and for having the stamina to maintain C&C. It’s always been a great resource and cheerleader.
I do follow a lot of blogs and feel like I live my life based on (some of) what I read. It’s really refreshing to know that others are having troubles like myself. I haven’t been feeling 100% and I need that push to get back into the shape I used to be.
Thank you for your honesty. Honestly, pun not intended but I’ll leave it, I am recovering from an ED, and I read your blog, because it is honest, and helps me be honest and follow my recovery plan, even when ever fiber of my being tells me not to. I don’t think anyone is satisfied with their weight 100% of the time, and I know that no one I know is. I think you are a healthy example of a person dealing with life insecurities, and I hope that you blog more about yours in the future. I will continue to read your blog, because you are NOT what the Hunger Diaries made you out to be, and are in fact a healthy refeshing blog that is both encouraging and heart warming.
You are a healthy, fit, smart chick- the weight will come off! You’re taking action at a 10-pound gain, and I think that’s part of normal weight maintenance. Giving yourself a weight window and making small adjustments to your workouts and eating habits when you start to step outside that window is what it’s all about! Thanks for posting about this. I think a lot of people are under the impression that we “fit bloggers” have it all together and effortlessly maintain our healthy weight. I find weight maintenance to be pretty easy, but it definitely takes some paying attention!
Thanks for your honesty! Social media def does play a big role! For example your blog is very inspiring and motivational to those like me who are struggling with getting into the shape that they would like to be in!