The Vanity Size

My ability to still fit into traditionally small sizes has been misleading.  And when I find a pair of pants that rates me a desirable size, I stock up on the size which I call the Vanity Size.  So this weekend as I got into a small wet suite for a rafting trip I was not prepared for how my less than slim self was going to look on photographs.  This was not a pretty event.  Increased social activities, dealing with a tragic loss to our family, financial uncertainty, work demands, desire for higher education, the less than ideal gym schedule (a trade off for the sweet price) that occurs during school breaks have all resulted in barriers to meeting my health focused goals.  Addressing obstacles is now more important than focusing on knowledge.  I had to spend a little time today focused on addressing those obstacles.

Obstacles:
1)  Gym not open in the morning (my preferred workout time).
2)  Social activities mean more opportunities to snack on unhealthful foods.
3)  Housework poses a huge distraction when working out at home.

How to address the obstacles includes cognitive restructuring.  While the gym hours are not convenient, this is definitely a short term issue as after the holiday weekend- normal hours will resume.  In the meantime, I do have a treadmill and exercise bike trainer at home that I can utilize.  So while dinner is cooking, I can exercise and watch some TV.  Music would make the workout a higher intensity but with my current lack of motivation, the focus is on the quantity (time and frequency) of my workouts and not on the quality (intensity/pace).  I also set up an exercise date with a friend which is a great way to keep me on track.

I just resisted an ice cream snack at lunch time despite its accessibility and the soaring temperatures outside.  I did that not as a form of self denial but because, having looked at my week in advance I knew that I would have some special treats during an upcoming social activity. 

The final obstacle is a great "food stopper".  A food stopper is an activity that can be used to distract us from grazing/snacking or other eating patterns that do not serve as a response to hunger and our body's nutritional needs.  On evenings that I am more productive a home, I graze less since boredom is one of my identified food triggers.

I might have to look at the picture of myself in a wet suit off and on throughout this process but it is a true reminder that sizes on labels aren't necessarily a good indicator of the physical changes our bodies undergo.