2017 Spring 5% Challenge: I didn't lose, so does that make me a loser?

I have had so much success, in my eyes, with past 5% Challenges. In the past, I have lost less than one pound per week of the challenge. I was thrilled with the results. However, on the 2017 Spring 5% Challenge, I lost basically 1/4 of a pound. Through the Challenge, I actually gained 4#, then slowly lost those 4#. I was under so much stress at work I struggled with the Challenge. I am an emotional eater and I had a hard time controlling my eating habits. I also am dealing with tendonitis in my left knee. So, I have stopped walking to allow my knee to heal. I went through about 4 weeks of lower back pain. I could barely stand up straight. I am thinking the back pain was due to the stress I was under and not due to an actual injury.

In spite of all this, am I a loser because I didn't reach the weight loss goal I had set for myself? No way! I maintained my weight. That is huge for me. The Challenge kept me focused on my healthy path. I don't think of myself as being competitive, but I sure enjoy adding my input to the weekly challenges that we participate in throughout the 8 weeks of the Challenge. I really like to post my successes to the threads. I hate it when I feel like I didn't accomplish the task we were working on. It motivates me to be a better person and I like the way it makes me feel so say, "I did it!"

There were times on this Challenge, when I felt like giving up. But, I kept pressing on. I am able to say, "I maintained." This Challenge has really made it sink into my little brain, that this is not going to be easy. My weight will always be a battle with me. I know that I cannot diet any more. It is lifestyle changes I need to make. I was going back to old eating habits in between Challenges, but now I realize that I need to continue with my healthy choices all the time. It's scary that I feel like I am on my own without a Challenge being in progress. I feel like I need the structure that the Challenges present. I know that the leaders need a break, so I need to come up with a plan that will carry me through the next few weeks the Challenge is on break.

My Plan
Get up at 5:30 AM
5:45 AM - 6:15 AM Start a DVD exercise video and do as much as I am able
6:15 AM Start getting ready for work
7 AM Pack my bag and head out the door for work
8 AM Eat the healthy breakfast I have packed for myself
12:30 PM Eat the healthy lunch I have packed for myself
5 PM Walk out the door and head home
6:30 PM Eat the healthy dinner I have planned
7 PM Declutter for 10 minutes
7:15 PM Do something fun or creative to help me relax
8:30 PM Begin bedtime ritual
9:30 PM Lights out

So now I have a plan and I need to follow through with it. The only obstacle will be when I am working on Sundays, how do I find time to cook healthy meals for the week? I am getting tired of frozen Lean Cuisine and Weight Watcher meals. But at this time, it is the only option available to me, unless I hire a personal chef. Oh how I wish I had Oprah's purse! But, I will live with what I have and be satisfied with that. This plan is doable for me. I can live with it. I can be successful with it.


As Dory says in "Finding Nemo", "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming."