Determined December

Creek Crossing on Cucumber Gap Trail - GSMNP

December 3, 2010

Do you see the other side of that creek?  That's the trail!   And I'm happy to say that I'm looking BACK across the creek I have just finished crossing.  On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, our area had a record breaking rainfall total and several inches of snow in the higher elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Put those two factors together and you have gorgeous water throughout the park, but treacherous creek crossing that are normally simple rockhops.  There were six of us in my little hiking group today and between the time we arrived at the edge of the creek and the time all six of us were safely across, I'd guess 30 minutes passed.  It was slow, it was deliberate, but it was DETERMINED! 

After the group moved on and I hung back to snap this picture, all of a sudden it hit me.  There was never any question in my mind about making the crossing.  I was DETERMINED to do it.  But above all, I was determined to do it step-by-step, safely and slowly.  Sounds familiar, doesn't it?  That's the same determination that has held me all year.  It's the same determination I've written about repeatedly since beginning this blog last May.  It's the same determination that really DOES care and cares a LOT!  And many of you called me out on that statement in my last post that I really didn't care!  I thank you for that!  You know that I do very much care.  I care about my body, I care about my health, I care about my mental and emotional well-being and I care about this blog! 

I am determined to finish this year at a lower weight than I started.  Even it's just a few pounds, I'm determined to record a loss.  I am determined to have made some progress towards lasting weight loss that will serve me well when I begin maintenance.  As subtle as it seems, I'm seeing signs that this is happening.   My moments of overeating are becoming more conscious than unconscious.  In year's past, I'd find myself with an empty box of Triscuits in my hand and have little or no memory of getting them out of the pantry and eating.  I'm finding that doesn't happen so much anymore.  Every step of an overeating episode is clearly recognized and even when I make a poor choice, I'm well aware that I've made that choice.  That may seem overly simplistic, but to me, it signifies a step in the right direction where I become aware of what I'm doing and actually make the choice to head it off before it gets started.  And that too, has happened a few times.  

I have made some great progress both in tangible ways and mentally towards the overcommitment dilemma I wrote about earlier this week.  A few things on the list, I've eliminated.  A couple of them will be behind me after this weekend.  Others I've addressed with the person involved and we've reached a compromise.  I'm feeling much, much better about that whole situation.  

I also mentioned that I haven't been feeling well and after a doctor visit on Monday, I have a better understanding of the underlying issues there.  That's a subject for a whole post on it's own, so I'll let it go at that.  But just knowing what's wrong has relieved a lot of internal pressure because I had identified about four things that could've been going on all of which would have involved a different doctor!  How thankful I am to have gotten some answers from doctor visit #1.  

Today's hike was the crowning jewel for this week.  This was a group of women with whom I've just begun hiking and I dearly love their company.  We have similar hiking philosophies and time with them includes lots of laughter and lots of fun.   Just what I needed!   It also includes lots of food and I'm happy to say I excused myself from this week's "apres hiking" gastro delights!  They were headed to a little diner whose specialty is Fried Macaroni and Cheese.  Thankfully, I had an errand to run in the opposite direction.  Got me off the hook gracefully!

I owe five of my blog friends an apology and a promise!   Five of you have tagged me over the past several weeks and I promise I will get around to answering your questions.  I love reading YOUR answers when you've been tagged and learning more about you, so hopefully, you'll feel the same way.  I've got the questions all saved and answers are forthcoming!

Here is my Hot 100 Challenge Update for this week:

1)  Reach my goal weight of 138 on or before February 28, 2011.  I have changed this goal from December 31 to the end of February.  I hope to show a good loss by December 31, but it is really important to me to reach goal weight by end of February and have a couple of months to settle into maintenance before we leave for Prague in early May.  I am still struggling with losing, but I have not gained any weight in two weeks.  I still showed a gain for the month of November.  Bummer!

2)  I will eat nothing containing white sugar, white flour or trans fats. Not perfect, but o.k. Have been sugar free since Sunday.

 

3)  I will walk 10,000 steps every day or an average of 10,000 steps over seven days.  Done

 

4)  I will not eat between meals or after 7 p.m. Done

 

If you are interested in comparing pictures, take a look at today's picture compared with this one.   Both pictures taken at the same place except on opposite sides of the creek.  If you look at the picture taken one month ago, notice the first tree on the left - the one that's kind of bent.  Today, we had to hold on to that tree to get out of the water and I was standing right next to that tree when I took today's picture.  Pretty neat, isn't it?  

 

What word are you using to describe your December?