I Hate Being on Strike

Yeah, we're on strike and I hate it. It does make it easy to get our exercise in, but damn it is boring.

I won't go into the hows and whys. Basically we want a raise, they want to cut our pay, we'd settle for a small raise, they don't want to settle for anything less than cutting our pay. We won't settle for a pay cut (and why should we).

So ever since Tuesday I've been walking the lines every day! I think I walk about 12 miles a day. Friday I was power walking. Heck, if I have to walk might as well burn some calories! Actually I am so blessed because I'm in shape. This is really hard on some of my coworkers. We are also really blessed that the weather has been beautiful. It's supposed to rain next week, though.

So what does all this have to do with Weight Watchers? Well a lot, actually. It's really interesting. First of all, this whole situation is extremely stressful. It's an ugly strike and it looks like it might go on for a long time. I have had more than one experience of really wanting to give in to emotional eating. I've been good so far.

Second of all, people are wonderful and these wonderful supportive people have been sending food. Rarely is it healthy food. We're getting a lot of pizza, Krispy Kreme, other donuts, cookies, etc. I have not had a single slice of pizza nor did I eat a KK...now that, my friend, is willpower. I love Krispy Kremes! But the thing is, I just don't want to spend those points.

Another issue is activity points. I earned 15 Friday. I'm still exercising in the mornings and afternoon since I didn't want to give up on my newly created good habits. I'm not worrying too much about cardio since most of it impacts my hips and knees. They're taking enough of a beating as it is, so I don't want to hurt them by putting too much extra strain on them.

So what to do about points? If you're earning that many APs you have to eat some, but it's hard to know how many. I could probably afford a slice of pizza and a Krispy Kreme every day, but I'm not positive. I increased my target points from 25 to 30 to compensate. I gained a pound since Monday (up to 113 from 112, which was down 3 from 115 after having the flu). Is that due to the extra food? Making up for the quick loss? Due to the swollen muscles? I don't know. It's never easy knowing exaclty how to handle a situation.

I do know I am starving lately. I really am. I think it's because my metabolism is revved up so high from six hours on the picket line a day. Having those extra points really helps.

Hopefully all this will be over soon. I'm going to challenge myself to be careful with my food intake, bring healthy options to share, and not give in to temptations.