Sunday, January 23, 2011

Ten pounds down, many more to go!

Well, I know that it has been 2 weeks since my last post.  The truth be told I have actually suffered from writer's block.  The good thing is that I am down 10 pounds since I started this.  I am very excited even though I know I have much more to go.  I am not looking at what I am doing as a diet but a lifestyle change.  I have really improved the way we eat at my house.  I am very lucky not to be doing this alone.  My husband is also working to lower the numbers on the scale.  We have been eating well without a ton of fat and calories.  The thing that I am really excited about is the food still tastes good.  We are eating more protein with fruits and vegetables than carbs.  When I talk about protein, I mean lean.  I remember when the Atkins diet became popular and some people I know thought you could live off of greasy burgers and bacon.  In a perfect world, sure, but in this one that will send you to a cardiac unit! 

As I said earlier, this is a lifestyle change for me and my family.  I want us eating healthier.  So far this hasn't been to much of a struggle.  We are not just eating salads!  We have made it a priority to plan shopping trips before or after meals, not during.  We make sure we come home to eat.  Before, we would have made poor choices by eating out.  I am very proud of us so far. 

I have also been doing a lot of reading and reflecting of my life.  I truly believe God gave us our bodies as our temporary housing here on earth.  The Bible tells us that our bodies are temples.  For the past ten years, I haven't been taking care of mine.  Now that I am over 30, I can really feel the damage I have done to mine. 

I think I have the nutrition part of my transformation in check.  Now, I must bgin the exercise.  I am not thrilled about it.  I know it will be painful but the weight I have but on will come off faster with exercise.  I know some of you out there may think I am doing this a bit slow.  That may be but I am looking at a long term change.  Sure I want be in shape for swimsuit season but I also want to get to the point where I am maintaining this body.  I want to loose the weight for good and keep it off by sticking to this lifestyle.  I know I will get to a point were I can enjoy some of my favorite home cooking, in moderation.  But that time is not now. Well, I think I am going to call it a day.  I have two boys who need to think about going to bed.
Monday morning will be here soon enough!!

Until next Monday, hope you have a blessed week!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Curve in My First Week!!

Well, my first week didn't go exactly as planned.  I woke up Monday morning with a stomach bug so I was definitely not feeling like exercising!!  On the positive side, I didn't want to eat anything either!!  I was feeling lousy for the better part of the week, so things did not go the way I wanted them to.  Oh well, that is life. 

I did manage to loose 3 pounds without a lot of effort.  Thank you stomach bug.  On another note, my kitchen is stocked full of fruits, veggies, and lean meats.  I have said goodbye to bad snacks and hello to healthy ones.  Tomorrow, I will be making homemade hummus for the first time.  I fell in love with it over New Year's weekend when we went to a Middle Eastern restaurant.  It was delicious!  I will be using this as a healthy veggie dip.

My big challenge in these first few weeks will be giving up liquid weight gain.  Yes, everyone, I am addicted to Coke.  I can do without the caffeine but I think what I am really addicted to is the carbonation.  I do not like diet products.  The artificial sweeteners give me a migraine and I really hate the after taste.  I did some research on alternatives for carbonated drinks.  I think I am going to pick up some club soda and sweeten it with a little fruit juice.  I know I can't live off of this but it will give me a little pick-me-up when I need one.

I know this is a short post but I don't have much to report!!  Until next time, God's blessings on your week!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

'Twas the night before...

This is my first official try in the blogging world.  This will be a work in process, so please bear with me.  I wanted to write this blog to give myself some accountability.  You see, I have some big curves in my life.  I have had to go through curves before but these curves are going to take a lot of hard work, dedication, and some big life changes to get through.  The curves I am talking about are the ones presently residing on my five foot ten frame. 
I don't mind being curvaceous, actually my husband prefers it.  Lately, the curves have gotten out of control!  This blog will serve as my "weigh in" so to speak.  I thought blogging about a problem that many people in this country have would be very cathartic for me.  I don't care if anyone reads it.  Don't get me wrong,  followers will be great but I am doing this for my health.    You see,  I weigh the most I have ever weighed in my life.  This is a new thing to me.  I was very fortunate,  I did not struggle with my weight as a child.  I was able to eat anything without regret.  I was very active and had a high metabolism.  But the last ten years of my life have been up and down, on the scale I mean.  This is were my curves will begin. 

Tomorrow, I will be getting up, sending the kids off to school, and then going into the workout room.  I have to confess, exercise and I don't get along.  I am not one of those people who get "high" from working out.  But I am tired of my size and tired of , well, being tired so I must change my lifestyle.  This is going to be a struggle and it is going to be painful!  I am looking forward to seeing myself shrink and not being in shock when I see myself in a photo!

Until the next post, wish me good luck on my first day of the  new Dana!