Before Pictures

So, I actually decided to do some "selfie" before pictures.  I have never really enjoyed doing before/after pictures before.  But, for once, I actually don't feel terrible about myself in these photos. I definitely need to drop some weight, but I'm off to a good start.

Start weight 156lbs

I could only work out for about 30 minutes today.  I worked on my legs today.  Ran a little(almost made it through the entire "Material Girl" song), walked some, and did 50% of the leg machines there.  I am taking the day off tomorrow because I was on my feet serving tables 13 hours today.  This momma needs a little break!  Tomorrow is my day off from the gym, but I'll still be getting in some cardio at work.  

I am trying to find a gym buddy.  I feel like I push myself harder if I have someone else there.  The search continues....

As far as what I "grubbed" on today.....had a Cornbread Salad with a little Balsamic Vinagarette around 11:30...and didn't get a chance to eat again until 12 tonight.  And I'll be honest....I may have had some Taco Bell.  Not the BEST choice....but the easiest.  The hubs and I are going to start cranking out a diet plan, which will help. 

 I hope all is well with you!

I'm Back!

(I'm on the right....yes your right...jean shorts)

So I completely abandoned this blog many moons ago....but I'm back now! I actually totally forgot about this blog....but I'm STILL on a crazy weight loss journey.....it's such a roller coaster.  I am currently at 155...and kind of okay with it.  I've started working out some....and haven't really started working on the eating habits yet.  My goal this time is to be HEALTHY.  Focusing on a number on the scale gets in the way of the big picture.  It's about being healthy and taking care of yourself .

As far as food, I'm not going down the Weight Watchers road or anything like that.  I'm going to cut calories, drink more water and less pop, eat more veggies, and stay away from processed foods.  I find that when I do weight watchers or calorie counting, I obsess over it.  I get SO mad at myself if I go a little over and have a little cheat because I didn't "stick to the program."  Getting a healthy mindset towards food is key to improving your health.

 I hit the gym EARLY in the morning tomorrow....it's my arm day!  Pray I'll be able to lift trays of food tomorrow at work after this gruesome workout!  One great perk of being a server....on your feet 10-12 hours a day!  I dig it!  

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Have you shared today?

Oh POOP!

Hey guys! I had a pretty good....but long day! My food choices were MUCH improved and I'm feeling good!  I think I'll start by telling you about the WONDERFUL start to my day....

My son has been going to an occupational therapy camp for the past 2 weeks.  (He is 2 years old...will be 3 next month)  WELL...on the way there I smelled the smell ALL mothers just LOVE...poop.  My son has a lot of sensory issues...so poop is fun...according to him. The smell doesn't bother him and he gets his hands on it any chance he gets.  Often times at the most inconvenient times.   With that being said I prayed that he wouldn't touch it...we were only 2 or 3 minutes away from our destination.  Why did I even think I'd be that lucky?

I looked back and saw every mothers fear.......poop EVERYWHERE!  I could have DIED.  So we get to our destination and get wipes out to at least clean him up a little bit.  I knew that I would have to take him home to bathe him.  I went in and told his teacher that we would be coming back...I was soooo embarrassed to tell her why.  So we got home, cleaned up, and he went back to camp and had some fun.

Anywho...that was the start to my day.  BUT I did get a good start to my day by having a GOOD breakfast.  I had a bowl of Kelloggs All Bran cereal with half a banana in it.  It was SUPER yummy.  It tasted like Total(which I love!).   Only 2 points!  I had water to drink!  P.S....I got the All Bran FREE by signing up for a free sample!  Can't beat FREE healthy cereal! For all of you that know me...you know that I love free! (If you want to find out how to get FREE samples and cheap groceries be sure to check out my other blog...Just a Clip Away!)

For lunch I was at work again..and I had a heaping pile of green beans(YUM), a couple bits of Hungarian Gonaush(YUCK!), and a roll!  My lunch total was 3 points!

For dinner I splurged(because I only had 5 points all day)!  I had some DELICIOUS chicken tortellini!  I also had a roll with it(if you can't tell I'm kind of a carb-o-holic, but I am working on that).  So total it was 10 points!

Night time snack consisted of grapes..my son actually ended up stealing most of them for me.  Oh well!  And I had a little treat...a mini Almond Joy!

Total points for the day:  19

I feel so empowered.  I am not as hungry as I used to be...I don't feel like I want to eat all the time.  You should have heard my internal dialogue at 10 AM....I was having a fight with myself over whether or not I should have a piece of candy....well my GOOD side won!  I call that a success!


Is anyone else dealing with a toddler who plays in poop? What do you do to get them to stop??

Husband Sabotage?

So not a good food day.  

Started the day off with the hubby bringing me a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit from McDonalds (12 points) and a large orange juice (3 points).  So 15 points...just for breakfast.

Lunch was better.  Chicken pot pie for lunch!  I only ate a SMALL portion...yay!
5 points

Dinner was okay too!  I had penne pasta, lots of broccoli, and chicken with alfredo sauce.  It was 7 points and I broke down and had an Ale 8(2 points)  The hubby is currently making blueberry strudel...I think I will pass on this!

So total I had 29 points today.  7 more than I am alloted BUT I do have 35 "flex" points through weight watchers for the week.  I will do better tomorrow.  I have a plan for tomorrow...a meal plan that is!  This is what I need to ensure my success!  I will share my plan with you tomorrow!!!

So what do you think?  Do you think that the hubby is trying to sabotage my diet....Mickey D's biscuit and blueberry strudel?  I think so!

Work was SOOOO busy!  I don't normally work during the week...but they needed me today and they will need me tomorrow as well.  I barely had a chance to THINK today at work.  SHEW...11 hour shifts blow!  I am WORN out!

It was SO nice to come home to my kiddos.  Check out our cute family picture! They are what I live for!  Thought you might enjoy seeing a little part of my life! :)

I am looking forward to my weigh in this week!  I hope to have lost AT LEAST 5 lbs this week.  Tomorrow morning I am going to take my first jog  Wish me luck!

Well...it is late and "The Time Traveler's Wife" is calling my name!  Night folks!


Do you ever feel like your significant other is trying to sabotage you when you go on a diet? Does it seem like those sweet treats just start popping up out of nowhere once you have committed to a diet? Do tell in the comments! I LOVE comments! ;)

Chow Confessions...Day 2

Today was a pretty good day!  It was a VERY busy day at work...I was running around like a mad woman half the day.  But, I got a lot of things achcomplished!  It's been day 2 without a real pop(I had a diet pop yesterday...and NO pop today!) and I'm doing good.  No real caffeine headache today or extreme exhaustion!    Here's what I chowed down on today:

For the record, my intentions for breakfast this morning were a bowl of oatmeal and half a banana...but once again I was running late (if you haven't figured it out yet...I am in no way a morning person).  I ate a peach instead.  So the plan tomorrow....I'm going to BRING the oatmeal with me and fix it at work.  No excuses!

1 point

Lunch

Chef Art made baked penne with a roll.  I had a very small portion of that and the peaches out of peach cobbler(see a pattern here?).  It was really yummy!  I kind of had to guesstimate points for this one...and I'm thinking around 7 points!

Dinner

Tuna with 2 Tsp of mayonaise and 1 piece of bread
Glass of Milk
Peach

7 points

Snack:
Mini Almond Joy (yum!)
2 points

Total points for the day: 17



Not too shabby.  I'm going to eat a small bowl of Cheerios(2.5 points) to get more points in.  On Weight Watchers going below your points is not a good thing.  I'm supposed to consume 23 points....and I'm actually having a hard time doing it!


What is your FAVORITE form of exercise??? Do tell in the comments!

"Weighing in" on some Inspiration

"The rest of the world lives to eat, while I eat to live."

-Socrates

This quote got me thinking....do I live to eat, or eat to live?  Being honest......I fall into the live to eat category.  How did I get here?  God intended for food to be used for survival.  Heck, overeating falls in the same verse as alcoholics in the Bible(Proverbs 23:20-21)! Ouch! 

So why do I live to eat?  Getting to the root of my problem is the only way I can stop the cycle.  I find myself craving food because it tastes good.  Just because it tastes good does not mean that it is good for me.  I used overeat when I was lonely(my husband works 2nd shift, 10-12 hour shifts, 6-7 days a week) but now I do it even when he IS home. 

I am going to stop this living to eat cycle today!  My life does not have to revolve around food.  I will eat until I am no longer full...and no more.  There is no sense in it!  The proof lies in my body......all that extra "food" is now attached to my hips, stomach, and thighs!

On this same note, I am not going to stop eating things I enjoy all together.  It is all about moderation and eating the RIGHT foods.  A piece of watermelon is JUST as good as a piece of chocolate...no really, it is! Next time I crave something sweet, instead of reaching for that oh so yummy cookie, I'll reach for a piece of fruit instead. 

So what is this eating to live all about?  I see it as eating the foods are bodies were intended to consume(fruit, vegetables, meats..etc.)  Processed food isn't exactly on this list.  I need to start making more homemade meals(instead of frozen or box dinners).  It may seem more convenient...but when you think about it, eating this junk might take your life earlier, so how much time are you actually losing consuming these foods?

My goal challenge this week.......I am going to MAKE 4 of our dinners COMPLETELY from scratch!  No boxes, cans, or frozen products.  I am going to prepare FRESH veggies(which are really the best), meat, and maybe try my hand at making some fresh bread!  I'm really excited about it!  I will share some of my recipes with you as the week goes on!  I know one recipe I am going to try is grilled veggie pizza!  It is SUPER easy...and even the dough is made from scratch!

Sorry for my crazy ramblings...but I feel much better after sharing that!  Maybe you struggle with the same thing?  Writing out how I feel really helps me understand why I do things and will help me break the cycle!  I can't wait to share my cooking stories with you this week(this could get interesting)!  Thanks for reading!

What is YOUR alternative to that oh so yummy, but not so good food?  Do tell in the comments!!