Bye bye, wagon (or caveman equivalent)

[Falcon]

So I haven't been on here for a couple of months. The reason? Full-time job and a part-time degree, with exams.

So about six weeks ago I fell off the wagon so hard that by the time I'd dug myself out, said wagon had vanished into the distance...

I'd been revising for the exams that will get me the first part of my degree, so pretty important, and was eating lots of mackerel and blueberries at work (not together) as they're supposed to be good for the memory and I needed all the help I could get. My revision timetable was so extreme that my partner was cooking dinner every night, and apart from the stir frys, the homemade curries and the meatballs, he was cooking non-paleo every time. I was stuck in the study revising, sitting on my butt eating dark chocolate, so I couldn't complain or take over the cooking duties. So potatoes and processed food crept back into my diet pretty quickly. I felt sick, but was so anxious about my exams I couldn't spare the time to cook.

The weeks rolled on and I was trying to revise in the morning and so, running late for work, going into the (please don't shout) bagel shop for a bacon and egg bagel most mornings. Then the stress increased and I just caved big time - McDonalds, beer, chocolate, crisps, bagels...

So the exams are over now and it was just my birthday and I requested bathroom scales. Got some, and have put on 10lbs. I feel disgusting and I feel ill, but I'm still studying for the final part of my degree, my last ever module, and so still haven't got any time off to exercise. I'm back on the cave-food wagon, but genuinely don't have even a spare 10 minutes to exercise. Other than walking to the bus stop and walking around the office, I'm sat in front of a computer from morning to night.

I know just getting back into eating healthily will drop most of those 10lbs, but I'm actually starting to get aching legs and arms because they're always in the same position at a desk and never moving enough. I just can't think what to do to help myself. 

So, long self-pitying and embarrassing ramble over, any advice would be greatly appreciated. A couple of hours' exercise at the weekend is definitely achievable, it's just those other 5 days a week that are foiling me.

A Chubby, sickly Falcon

[sabertec]

Hi Falcon

Sorry about your lapse.

I have been the same in the past I am a chocolate adict so if I fall of the wagon I fall I long way for a long time :/

My advice is to
stay calm (stress is bad as we know)
Maybe catch the bus from the next stop? Bit more of a walk
Standing work station (all good exercise)

Hope you keep smiling
good luck with your degree

Mark

[houmax]

I'm still a chocolate junkie too but I keep it managable.

One 3.3 oz bar lasts me 5 days. I break it into 5 sections and don't go over my daily limit.

[Tony Bondioli]

Hi Falcon,

Good advice from both Sabertec and Houmax.  As for exercise, if you find yourself spending a lot of time stuck in an office or in front of a screen, you can effectively exercise in short 30 to 60 second bursts throughout the day and still make good progress.  Watch the clock... every 30 minutes, drop to the floor and do some press-ups... every time you visit the restroom, do some squats ("deep knee bends")... purchase a "chest expander" (link to a really good one below) and do a variety of exercises with it throughout the day... practice deep breathing and muscle control by tensing and relaxing different parts of your body intermittently.  Carve an extra 30 minutes or so out of your schedule and take a walk after your evening meal... I know it may seem as though you don't have the time, but if you make a committment to yourself to do this, you will find that, in fact, you do, and that you're happier and healthier for it.

Congratulations on all of the hard work you've put into your education.  If you can do that, you can do anything  

http://www.lifelineusa.com/products/chest-expander.html

[Lilnicki]

Always take the stairs instead of the lift, and perhaps get off the bus a stop early.

Don't beat yourself up about the lapses.... i've had several !! 

Nicki

[NelsonNelson]

Anyone who doesn't have a slight relapse or sneaky beer and curry must be a robot?
Unless I'm completely wrong is it not the idea to try and stick to this healthy way of eating/living as much as possible for the obvious benefits but not to beat yourself up for giving in to temptation now and then.   Surely, living the way we/you do even if only in part at times is better than not taking part at all?


Anyone for a beer?

     

[Tony Bondioli]

Anyone who doesn't have a slight relapse or sneaky beer and curry must be a robot?  Unless I'm completely wrong is it not the idea to try and stick to this healthy way of eating/living as much as possible for the obvious benefits but not to beat yourself up for giving in to temptation now and then.   Surely, living the way we/you do even if only in part at times is better than not taking part at all?

I don't know if they're robots, but they're definitely more disciplined than I am... though they probably enjoy life a great deal less than I do, too.  Everyone's mileage varies.  Find the balance between what you need to do to be healthy, while remaining happy.  There is nothing I won't eat... I just try to not eat anything in amounts or at frequencies that will lead to the deterioration of my health.  I also love a pint or two of good beer once in a while, a nice cigar a few times a year... you get the idea.  It isn't the act that causes the problem, it's the habit.

[Sammage]

Its good to read that people fall off the wagon,cart, trail occasionally. If I think i've over indulged then a couple of days of water and light grazing seems to help restore the balance.

Keep going Falcon those extra pounds will fall off before you know it.

 

[Joybug]

The most important thing to do when we fall is to get back up. 

When stress gets too much take a 5 min stress break. Try to think of calming stuff, have a hot cup of tea (they make chocolate tea!), and then try to tackle what it is that is causing the stress.
Exercise is a great stress breaker too, it boosts all kinds of good feelings. I get in a slump now and then just because I find it hard to get off the computer. So I got a dog, and now I get exercise if I want it or not, but it's great having a walking companion.

Good luck!

[SidheDraoi]

I fell off at the end of my pregnancy but now I am back on it, maybe not to the "t" but its very close! I have 20lbs gained from pregnancy that I am having the hardest time losing, Breastfeeding isnt even helping!! *despair*

Don't stress it though, I know how school can be (I am going back soon and I am dreading it) but don't let it get the best of you! Stress is the most common cause of weight gain next to overeating.

I agree with what Tony suggested, doing bursts of exercises throughout the day, I've had to do this ever since man-cub was born. I find that it fits my busy schedule better than one hour long workout like I use to do.

keep your chin up!! 

[Tony Bondioli]

Breastfeeding isnt even helping!! *despair*

Breastfeeding alone, on average, creates a calorie deficit of about 500 calories per day (roughly a pound's worth per week).  If you aren't losing weight quickly, at least it's helping to keep it from creeping up on you 

[SidheDraoi]

Breastfeeding isnt even helping!! *despair*

Breastfeeding alone, on average, creates a calorie deficit of about 500 calories per day (roughly a pound's worth per week).  If you aren't losing weight quickly, at least it's helping to keep it from creeping up on you 

very true! I just read an article today about how a lot of women who don't lose weight while breastfeeding, lose it afterwards. but man am I impatient haha