2024 Resolution — How Things Are Going (Month Six!)(Plus, Did I Eat Cake For My Birthday?)
Another month has come and gone, and the month of June happened to be my birthday month. When I came up with my one and only resolution for this year (to go a year without sugar), I initially wanted to give myself 12 cheat days for the year — one per month. But Matt thought that was too many, so then I reduced it to six cheat days for the year.
From January through the end of May, I still hadn’t used a cheat day. So I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do for my birthday. Did I want to stay the course and see if I could go the whole year without using any of my allowed cheat days? Or did I want to give myself some liberty (and perhaps a reward for having lost almost 30 pounds so far this year)? I really did want cake. White sheet cake with buttercream icing from HEB is my absolute favorite dessert. But the thought of eating sugar actually scared me. Would I be like an addict returning to an old vice, thinking I could do it just once and then stop, but reawakening that thing inside me that then wanted more and more and more over the following days?
Honestly, I didn’t make my final decision until the night before. If you had to place a bet, what do you think I did?
I ATE THE CAKE.
Well, would you have won or lost that bet? 😀 I decided to eat the cake. We’re halfway through the year, and I decided that this was a good time to give myself a free day before buckling down, getting back into a workout routine, and getting serious about finishing strong on this health journey for the year.
So on my birthday, I went all out. I had my favorite meal — beef fajitas from Rosa’s Cafe. Then I bought 1/8 sheet cake, a bag of cheese puffs, and a large container of pre-cut mixed fruit. I ate all three fajitas for lunch, followed by a piece of cake. Then I snacked on everything else the rest of the day. What really shocked me was that by bedtime that night, all of the fruit was gone, and most of the cheese puffs were gone, but I still had a whole lot of cake. To be honest, I enjoyed the fruit every bit as much as I enjoyed the cake. That really shocked me.
But at the end of the day, I threw out the rest of the cake. And I didn’t put the plastic shell top back on and throw it away in the kitchen trash can. I know myself enough to know that if I had gotten up the next morning craving sugar, I would have dug that out of the trash can. I would have told myself, “But it’s in a plastic container! And I put a new bag in it often! It’s safe! Nothing could have gotten on it!” And I would have dug it out of the trash, opened up that plastic shell container, and dug in. If you’ve ever been addicted to sugar or anything else, I know you probably know exactly what I mean. It’s really embarrassing and shameful the lengths some of us will go to to get that “fix”.
So I wasn’t going to take that chance. Instead, I took it outside and threw it into the big trash can. No matter how desperate I am, I would never dig something out of that can. 😀 But I was so pleased to wake up the next morning and not have any cravings at all. In fact, I haven’t even given sugar a thought since my birthday. I haven’t craved any sweets at all. The next day, I just got right back to my normal low-ish carb eating, and went about my normal life.
The bummer is that I gained four pounds. I mean, if I’m going to have a cheat day, I’m gonna do it right! 😀 I have since lost those four pounds, but I’m back to where I was at the end of May. In other words, I didn’t lose a single additional pound during the month of June. I really had an overall undisciplined month, and I’m pretty disappointed in myself for wasting that time. Not only was I not disciplined in my eating (even though I only ate sugar on my birthday), but I also got off of my workout schedule. So even though I weigh the same now as I did at the end of May/beginning of June, I feel “fluffier” now, and I feel like my jeans fit me just a little tighter. That’s a real bummer.
I’m really having a hard time figuring out how to fit everything that I need to do into a day. Matt seems to need more care and attention these days, so that’s taking up more of my time. We’re both getting up earlier and going outside in the morning so that we can start our day in the morning sun and with our bare feet on the grass. So getting up that early requires us to go to bed much earlier than we used to. So finding time to fit in a workout has been challenging this last month. But one of my main goals for this next month is to make that a priority. I know that if I don’t take care of myself, that actually puts Matt at greater risk. So making myself and my health a priority is, in turn, the best thing to keep him safe and healthy. So I’m going to make it a priority to get back to a workout schedule this month.
So, as always, I’ll end my June health journey update with some comparison pictures. I always go back to this picture at the beginning of the year…
And then here are two pictures that I took yesterday…
So here is me in January compared to me yesterday…
And check this out. I was looking through older pictures last night, and I came across this picture of me from July 2022. I was about ten pounds heavier then than I was at the beginning of this year. So this is almost a 40-pound difference. See how I was holding the phone higher to take the picture? That was an attempt to hide my double chin, but I was unsuccessful. Also, my hair was a mess. Clearly, I never meant for that picture to be published online. 😀 But I’m swallowing my pride and showing you because I think the difference is very noticeable.
So we’re halfway through this year. We have six months left to go, and I still want to lose about 75 pounds. It’s time to buckle down again and get serious about my goal.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
You look marvelous and ever forward, sometimes going backwards helps propel us forward even faster. One foot in front of the other, and you’ll get there before you know it.
You’re doing great!!!
Cheers!
You’re beautiful, girl!!
I was a yo-yo dieter for most of my life until 6 years ago at 67 when I decided to get serious about my health. I lost 25 pounds through WW and for the first time ever, I’ve kept it off for 5 years. I credit the Half Size Me podcast and HSM academy for my success. It’s not a diet. It’s a group of similar minded people who are also struggling but supporting each other. Heather Robertson is inspirational. She supports any plan that works for you. Listen to the podcast while you are working. I think you will find it usefull
Kristi dahling, you look marvelous! (said with the Billy Crystal accent.) Keep up the good work.
Congratulations to you too, Martha, for losing the weight and keeping it off. At 64 and recently retired, I’m working on some weight loss myself, hitting the gym, and feeling better all the time. Thanks for the tip on the Half My Size podcast; I’ll give it a listen.
You should be very proud of yourself for losing 30 pounds in six months!
Beautiful. Face is slimmer and less puffy. Hair looks fuller and healthier also. Keep up with healthy goals. Yes, for you and Matt.
Take a bow, Kristi. You look great. You should be proud of yourself for setting goals and adhering so well to your plan for reaching them. Thank you for sharing so much of your life.
I think you have done great job of losing weight and slowly is better than a quick loss. I think your skin and hair look healthier. Good 👍 job. Keep it up.
All anyone can do if they disappoint themselves is to just start now and keep on going. No one gets ahead if they don’t feel they are worthy of going forward. It is hard at times, especially if you are as creative and talented as you are…I love this saying “regret only takes away joy!” You can’t change the past, only your future… Give yourself a break and don’t list a number or time limit on your health journey…as all that does is make you feel like you’re not as good as you are. Remember, weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint… YOU are doing GREAT! Look around your home and see what you’ve accomplished and how long it took you…
you know you are worth more than your home, keep on keeping on.
You Rock!
What an encouragement this is for me. I have lost 14 pounds, but am “stuck.” I may follow your lead and stop eating all sugar.
Thanks again,
Janis
You look beautiful!!
You’re a beauty, regardless.
I think before it’s over you’ll need new glasses. Check out the 40 lb difference pictures and you’ll see what I mean!
Keep on keeping on!
XO
You got this girly! You’re doing fantastic! Both in your weight loss, and the great job in your studio! You’ll make it! You look wonderful!
Congratulations!
Now that my 55 HS reunion has come and gone, my month of travel is over, I too need to get serious. So I greeted July 1 with a morning walk and I’m trying out some meal plans I’ve seen on line. Have you tried any of those? Some say Hello Fresh is a good one.
Kristi, I would say you are doing really good. Losing 30 pounds since you started your weight project is really something to be proud of. Don’t be hard on yourself for not losing weight in June….you’re doing a really good job. Just think of how you have calmly not joined in all of the times when your church night guests bring all of the tempting sweets. You’re before and now photos show how much you have accomplished. You look wonderful.
👏👏👏yay you’re doing great
What a wonderful achievement! You are so right to be taking care of yourself. I am my husband’s sole caregiver, so I understand how important it is to stay healthy. I would love to challenge myself as you did. Oh, where is my will power?
The combo of a smile, more pronounced jawline, and fuller hair falling a bit forward on your face give you a dramatically different look from two years ago. You look friendlier, more confident, and more youthful. Your hard work is paying off.
You look fantastic 🤩. Happy birthday 🎂
im not sure why it works but when i cheat and eat carbs I always eat veggies first. The first thing down the hatch tells your body what is coming and maybe it fools it to treat the carbs differently in some magical way. I did learn early on that your stomach acid changes based on what you eat so proper food combining is a thing I have done all my life.
What you are doing is definitely working for you. Keep up the good work. Dont let anything dim your sparkle.
You look gorgeous Kristi. You are looking younger and more vibrant. Congratulations and well done!!
You are doing great!
Have you ever posted your daily eating plan? If not, could you let us know please?
I have! You can find it in this post: https://www.addicted2decorating.com/2024-resolution-how-things-are-going-month-four.html
You look great! And that’s so true about not liking sugar after going without. I took one bite of a sugary dessert and went “yuck”, but yum to a handful of berries.
I understand too how hard it is to fit in daily workouts when there’s a lot on one’s plate. I’m not “losing” yet I’m not gaining either!
Based on that BodyHealth formula, how do you figure the right macros?
I tried it and it seemed like a rather small amount of food. How do you know when it’s right?
I already eat a lot of whole, natural food and not much sugar. I agree the key is enough protein.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday, you are such a pretty girl, be so proud of all you have accomplished
Happy birthday darling Kristi!
Yay so glad you enjoyed your day off (yes i won that bet 🙂 – and only 1 cheat day the whole year is amazing – so good to test the resolve muscles and see that they are working!
much love xx
You are doing so well! I hope you are feeling very proud of yourself! With all the life events in your everyday world, you are rocking it. Bravo, young lady! And keep up the good work!👏🏻 Your successes are truly showing!🎉
Congratulations, you look fabulous!
I lost 10 #s in May and not an ounce in June. When I get on the scale in the morning and I haven’t lost anymore it is a relief. But on those days that the scale sneaks up a bit I can always trace it back to sugar I had the day before. I am the same on July 1 as I was on Jun 1 so I am going to go back to the mindset I had when I first stepped on the scale to realize I had lost 10 #. I felt invincible then and I need to feel that again so I need to become vigilant again because “ Nothing tastes as good as thin feels”
Thanks for reminding me I have another 50#s to go. We can do it.
Good for you!!! You look wonderful!!! I’ve lost 30 lbs since 2020 by cutting out sugar, pies, cakes, cookies and donuts. You can do it. Do manifestations….your brain is listening.
WOW. It’s not only the weight difference…you are looking so much healthier, skin glowing, and happier. We can see it so clearly, and you should be so proud. Isn’t it amazing that one cheat day can add FOUR pounds. But one great day cannot take off 4 ounces at times. SO much easier to gain than lose! Wishing you great success this year. You are awesome!
“You don’t have to be GREAT to start, but you have to START to be great.” Terri Savelle Foy
You started in January, and you simply need to start again. You have made awesome progress. June was only a Pause in the journey. I won the bet and I’m glad you had the cake.
I wonder though – Did you find that the cake seemed much sweeter than what your tastebuds are accustomed to? I quit most sugar in 2003. Only occasionally would I have a treat; think icecream once or twice a year. Before quitting sugar I could eat an entire pint of rich icecream in one sitting. Now I can only have about 5 bites and that is enough.
I’m so proud of you for the decision you made, the steps you took and the results you have achieved. We are all rooting for you! The best is yet to come! Congratulations!
I think you look fantastic. And I think your success thus far is fantastic. And I think your means of achieving that success is fantastic. I also think we know very little about how weight loss (and gain) work. I watch person after person lose a bunch of weight at great personal cost, and then less than a year later it’s all back. And they have stayed faithful to their plan. My mom is #1 on this list. She is ROCK SOLID faithful! But the weight comes back!
All that to say, I think if you are maintaining even MOST of your loss, you are doing GREAT. And if it’s too hard to “stay on track” or “be really disciplined”, it might be your body taking the time to heal from the changes and really solidify them. I’ve also seen people’s lives saved by “not being able to resist___”, when they are doing really crazy restrictions. There’s so much about our awesome Creator-made bodies that we don’t know yet! Don’t push too hard! And don’t kick yourself when something truly IS too hard!
You are amazing and I wish you all success!
You are doing great and look so good!
Surely you don’t mean 75 more pounds? You are looking really good. I just don’t know how you stay off the sugar. Very proud of you.
Have a good week.