One Hundred Times

Post ImageHey look, it’s me again. I didn’t actually intend to take this much time off. Like so many things in life, it just happened. May was . . . well, let’s just say May is behind us now and leave it at that. I may fill you in later, but what’s important now is I’m back.

One week ago, June 1, 2010, was a monumental day in my twenty-year career as a professional dieter: Day One #100. Yes, it was bound to happen sooner or later. This number, as some of you die-hard followers may already know, is derived by counting the number of rows in my Excel spreadsheet where the phrase “Day One” appears. I officially started counting out this number in public in this very old post. (Man, I forgot how ugly this site used to be).

It’s a funny number. In some ways I think, “Only one hundred? Sheesh! It feels like I’ve done this a thousand times.” But then I put my propeller hat back on and say, “Wait a minute, that’s one Day One every 2.4 months for twenty years. That’s flippin redonkulous.” I’m then reminded of the popular definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” (For some reason, the internet believes this is an Albert Einstein quote. I think I may submit that one to Mythbusters.)

So a week ago I said (for the 100th time) enough’s enough and decided to not eat something every five minutes of my waking hours (and every forty-five minutes while asleep). And, as usual, my body responded to this change.

Week 1
Start Date June 1, 2010
Change from Last Week -3.1
Start Weight 231.0
Current Weight 227.9
Total Lost 3.1

At the end of week one, I’m down about three pounds. Now, this is where everyone posts a comment along the lines of, “Awesome!”, “Great job!”, “You Rock!” Before you do, though, take a moment and consider: this is how every Week One starts out. And given the fact that this is my one-hundredth Week One, I’m going to say that a good start like this is absolutely no indicator of long-term success. In fact, since I’m still wearing my propeller hat, I can go back, re-examine the data, and conclude that this type of performance is absolutely a predictor of failure. Maybe I need a Week One that ends in a ten pound gain? That would turn things around.

Also, as long as I’m still playing the part of Debbie Downer, I kinda screwed up over the weekend again. Although this is a three pound loss for the week, I was also down three pounds after the first two days. In fact, I was down four pounds after four days. Then the weekend hit and I went up another pound and a half. If anything that’s a predictor of long-term failure.

But, I’ll stick at it. I have my reasons . . . not the least of which is simply because I’m insane. Albert Einstein told me so.



8 Responses to “One Hundred Times”

Helen said
on
June 8, 2010 at 10:05 am

I’m not going to say good job. I’m going to say it pisses me off that you can lose 3.1 pounds in a week just by trying a little bit. Do you have ANY idea how hard I would have to work to get three whole pounds in a week?!!

Now that that is off my chest, it’s about freaking time! And why aren’t you part of your sister’s 101 Days of Summer Challenge?

Now that THAT is off my chest, nice to see you 😉

Shelley B said
on
June 8, 2010 at 11:34 am

I’m just here to laugh at Helen’s comment. 😀

Yeah, why aren’t you doing Biz’s challenge?!?

Jennifer@ knackfornutrition.blogspot.com said
on
June 8, 2010 at 12:16 pm

I sometimes feel like I have also had 100 week ones. Each time, you tell yourself it will be different. I still haven’t figured it all out, but who has really? Anyway, glad your back to posting. I enjoy reading your blog.

Quix said
on
June 8, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Not awesome. Horrible job. You don’t rock.

…what, just trying something different.

Of course I don’t think that but hey, it’s at least being contrary. And I think it not the start that needs to change – it just needs to somehow transition after making that huge downward push into just normal life. I highly suggest picking up an active hobby of some sort – you can really feel it if you screw up for too long and have to move your ass around in regularity.

I will wish you good luck though. I never kept track but I had a lot of day 1s too.

Charlie said
on
June 8, 2010 at 2:21 pm

@Helen & Shelley: Who’s this Biz person?

@Jennifer: I got a “blog not found” trying to follow you to knackfornutrition. [Update: found the typo and corrected.]

@Quix: I think the “not awesome…” line is awesome. That’s just what I need to make this time different.

tuscanystone said
on
June 9, 2010 at 4:21 am

I think its hilarious that you even log your day 1’s….lol

Congrats on reaching 100 of them. That’s a huge achievement for one so young 🙂

Lovely to see you. As usual, you’ve brought a smile to my face

Well done! (for everything)

Tusc 😉

TexasDeb said
on
June 9, 2010 at 8:45 am

So… start over MORE often? Starting out is the fun part – new resolve, optimistic outlook, determination not yet sullied by reality. Maybe EVERY day needs to be day one!

Your prettier sister said
on
June 9, 2010 at 1:18 pm

I still say that each time you come back at least you COME BACK. Otherwise I think that’s how people get to 700 pounds, they quit having another Day One!

And I will say “Awesome #100 week one!!”