Remember this post in which I complain about my weight? And this post and this one in which I declare my intention to do something about it? Yeah, all that bitching didn’t do anything for me. But now, I’m really tired of it. Mister’s surgery last winter has been successful so far – he’s down over 80lbs. Me? I think I gained a couple pounds.

I don’t know what happened to me in the weeks after his surgery, or what kind of insensitive bitch I unwittingly become, but I ate a lot more than usual in those first few weeks. I remember making meatloaf and piling my plate high with meatloaf and mashed potatoes – and ate it all, far more than I would ordinarily eat in a sitting. I wasn’t any hungrier than usual, either. I just ate, and ate some more. And I felt awful about it, but with a normal sized stomach, I required food.

I don’t think it helps at all that I’m an emotional eater. I get pretty bad PMS, so after pissing my husband off and getting into stupid arguments with him because I’m in the bitch phase of my cycle, I run to the sweets – ice cream and chocolate cupcakes being my favorites, but chocolate in nearly any form will do, so long as it’s not trying to be healthy (so a small serving of dark chocolate covered almonds is out). When I’ve had a tough day, I want a big plate of macaroni and cheese or some similar comfort food. Little to no effort cooking said comfort food is a bonus.

Cold weather doesn’t help much either. Granted, we don’t get cold here in Las Vegas like those in other parts of the country, but the cool weather lasted longer than usual this year, I think – at least it seemed that way to me. We all know what kinds of food we crave when it gets cold out. As soon as the temperature drops, it’s screw the salad and gimmee that heavy, calorie-laden dish. About the only reason I’m looking forward to summer (no one looks forward to 110 temps) is that I crave salads when it’s that hot out. Since I tend to like my salads with very few accoutrements and not a lot of dressing, it’s a pretty healthy meal. It’s just starting to get warm enough for me to want lighter foods.

So now we move on to exercise. I’ll admit it – I’m a couch potato. I spend my spare time either in front of the tv or sitting at my computer, like now. But again, my workplace steps in and provides me a bit of a motivational tool. See, there’s this thing called Corporate Challenge that my company is participating in. Along with a coworker, I signed up for the Biggest Winner (a Biggest Loser style weight loss challenge), a 11-12 mile bicycle race, and the Mayor’s walk. We also both signed up at Curves – her first time, my third. So where am I at with all this? Well, the Biggest Winner only allows 5 participants from each company, and I’m not one of them. BUT the company is also holding a company-wide challenge, so all of us who were interested could participate. I’m working on that one. The bicycle race is going to kick my ass. Mister and I met my coworker at the Equestrian Park, which has a great path for biking or walking. It’s a slight uphill to the far end of it, and I had to stop more than a few times so I could demonstrate to everyone exactly how out of shape I am. I know I won’t be in any shape to come in anywhere close to first in the bike race, but I would like to finish. It’s at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, so it shouldn’t be as difficult a terrain as, say, the Tour de France. I just want to finish. I guess that means I should ride more – we’re riding at the park again this weekend.

I’m making an effort to eat healthier. Actually, right now I’m aiming for not eating so much junk. Phase down the junk, and reach for a 100-calorie pack of cupcakes if I really feel like I need them. And try not to eat out so much. That goal is easier since Mister’s surgery. When we cook at home, we eat fairly healthy. I just need to resist the junk and get my butt moving. With some motivation in the form of my coworkers, Corporate Challenge, and my loving husband, I might even be able to do it this time.