Odds are by this time next week, I’ll have my first foot in Onederland. That’s what I wrote exactly one week ago, at the end of last week’s post. And I believed it too. After all, things were going according to plan. There was no reason (after losing five pounds over the previous two weeks) that I should have any problem whatsoever dropping that last one and a half.
But I left an important item out of my calculations. I forgot about…
The Barrier
The Barrier is an invisible line that separates 199.9 pounds from 200.0 pounds. Remember how long it took aeronautical engineers to break the sound barrier? Or how long it took Star Fleet to exceed the speed of light? Well, that’s nothing compared to getting back into Onederland.
Take a look. As my weight continued to fall inexorably toward The Barrier, what I didn’t realize is that it was building up massive amounts of friction. This means, just at the point The Barrier would have been breached bam! I skipped right off it instead, like a stone across a still lake:
Even so, Wednesday was an awesome day—seeing two zero zero point zero again. Even if it was just a glimpse, it was still pretty cool, and a moment I will treasure in my memory for upwards of five more days.
So what derailed me? I’m not sure, really. I was still under my BMR calorie point every day until Friday. I even did pretty well Saturday until … until the hot “buttered” movie popcorn incident. (Man, I’m a sucker for that stuff. Oh, and Coraline was good.) But still—that was Saturday. How could that explain what happened three days earlier? No, the only explanation is The Barrier.
But it can be crossed. We’ve broken the speed of sound. We’ve invented warp drive. We can break this one too. In fact, as crazy as this might sound, I’ve done it before. (Otherwise I wouldn’t call this category Return to Onederland.)
Take a look at this five year view:
The last time I hit 200.0 was October 15, 2005, or a span of 1,208 days. The last time I was in Onederland was July 14, 2005. So I know it can be done.
| Day 196 | |
| Starting Weight | 224.0 |
| Current Weight | 202.5 |
| Change from Last Week | +1.5 |
| Lost So Far | 21.5 |
| Pounds To Go | 3.5 |
Even though I only went up 1.5 from last week, it feels like two and a half pounds. And tomorrow will be worse than today, because (eating-wise) today was a lot worse than yesterday. In fact, I think it’s time for my “monthly” twenty-four hour fast again. And I can handle that.
In fact, odds are by this time next week, I’ll have my first foot in Onederland.
on February 9, 2009 at 12:35 am
Good luck! I am glad to see things are paying off. 🙂 Keep up the good work.
on February 9, 2009 at 4:06 am
I know that always does seem to be a huge barrier. Good luck!
on February 9, 2009 at 4:18 am
good luck
on February 9, 2009 at 5:56 am
The realist Charlie again. How about looking at the two40land that you came close to piercing in late 2006? That’s the area that you don’t even want to be in again. You’re doing well Charlie and the warmer months will be the softening of the barrier.
Shameless Plug: Giveaway day over at my blog today.
on February 9, 2009 at 6:37 am
That is a great way to put it! Good luck breaking that barrier!
on February 9, 2009 at 7:18 am
I think there’s a barrier between every single 0 and 9 on the scale, no matter the first two digits. We all feel for you but also know that you can do it Charlie!
on February 9, 2009 at 7:28 am
I’ve been stuck at that very same barrier for 2 years. Up and down 1 or 2 lbs… i’m determined to do it. Maybe I’ll try the fast thing!
on February 9, 2009 at 10:33 am
I know about the barrier! Even at my lowest “adult” weight I could never get below 130 no matter how hard I tried.
Now I am 33 pounds above that – dangit!
My cough is gone, so I am working out today at lunch – of course while watching FoodTV – maybe that’s part of the problem!
on February 9, 2009 at 11:32 am
You know what Charlie, such was my faith in you, as soon as I got here I scrolled down to your chart to hear the good news!!! But alas, your quest has been denied 🙁 AWWWW!!
Never mind. I really have no idea why your weight bounces around so much. You’re worse than a water retentive woman!! (no offence! I am one of those!) But my guess is that you consume too much salt and sugar! Try cutting those out for a week – just till you get to wonderland – please? – I dont think I can stand the suspense otherwise!
Tusc 😉
on February 9, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I hate when that happens…you get sooooo close to that magical number, you want nothing more than to get there, and then you’re denied by weird fluctuations. But at least you are so close – much closer than 240-land! Just don’t lose hope and you’ll get there eventually!
on February 9, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Ahhh, I remember the 199 barrier. It’s a tricky one, that. But persistence will pay off as you know. And the reward will be sweet.
I had a similar popcorn & Coraline “incident” this weekend. I’m trying to forget it. Damn coconut oil.
on February 9, 2009 at 4:43 pm
It seems like there’s a mini-barrier every 10 pound interval. (I’m bouncing off one right now!) So it’s entirely logical that there would be one at 200…especially so, with your goal being residence in Onederland. Hang tough, though, Charlie! You can do it.
on February 9, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I bet you could probably pick any arbitrary number and we’d find our weights dance around it like this. My guess is we don’t ever really notice it until it has some psychological significance.
on February 9, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I think my barrier is made of rubber. Every time I get to 165.5 it kicks me back to 180 !!!
btw: I got the gravy +. When I try it I’ll let you know how we liked it. Thanks again!!!
on February 9, 2009 at 9:53 pm
So strange how there’s those barriers, isn’t it?
I love Coraline! But not going to lie, I jumped a couple times. I would have been so scared as a kid to see that movie. I’m such a wimp.
on February 9, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Hi Charlie,
Here’s a quote that I heard one time, which applies in spades to me: “If you’re not playing a big enough game, you’ll screw up the game you are playing, just to give yourself something to do.”
(She says this after a cookie & ice cream binge.)
Even so, I wonder what comes next, after the achievement of this Onederful Goal.
Sending VERY empathetic thoughts to you.
🙂 shea
on February 10, 2009 at 6:47 am
What comes next, Shea, is the next stop on this trip. Onederland is just a pretty number. It wouldn’t be significant at all if I weighed myself in kilos or stones. As soon as I hit this milestone, I’m still thirty pounds over my 2001 weight. 🙁