The Ugly D Word

If there is one thing I have learned, it's that my mind doesn't do well with being told it's on a diet. In fact, I'm the type of person who feeds off of being told they can't eat something, can't do something, etc. Don't ever forbid me to do something....it never ends well.

The good news is that I have learned over the past 2-3 months that to succeed, you can't diet. You can't use miracle pills, miracle wraps, food fads, or any of that other crap to lose weight. Will it work? Yes....sometimes. BUT, 90% of people gain the weight back as soon as their "diet" is over. The good thing about Weight Watchers, at least for me, is that it isn't a diet. It's a way of life. I'm not on a diet, I'm changing my lifestyle. I'm teaching myself how to eat and how to still have the foods I love, all while not gaining 50lbs in the process.

For example. My all time favorite thing right now is Buffalo Chicken Cheesy Fries from a local restaurant we used to eat at once, sometimes twice a week. I still have those fries once a week or once every two weeks. BUT.....I only eat half, I always do it right after weigh in, and I eat very light the rest of the day. This way I don't feel deprived when my people are scarfing down their delicious foods, making me turn crazy and causing me to eat everything in sight. Diets do that to me. I just can't be told I can't have something.

And even worse, don't ask me if I can have something while on my "diet". I can have anything I want. In moderation.


 

Workouts can be enjoyable?!?!

I am not a fan of working out. AT ALL. I have never liked running, I've never really enjoyed cardio, and I only hung out in the weight room during high school to have a good view of the boys/football players.

But I'm trying to change that. I'm trying so very hard to teach myself to enjoy my workouts. And I'm excited to say that tonight was a little bit of a breakthrough for me. I came home after a long day at work, I was dog tired, but I knew that I needed to get in a workout. I got my workout clothes on and hopped on the treadmill with the intentions of at least walking a mile and then doing some weights. I got to 1.5 before I stopped, and that was only to get more water. Then, after my first set of weights, I decided to get back on the treadmill. Another mile later and I was pouring with sweat....and I was LOVING it. I loved every single bead of sweat that dripped from my forehead and when I went to do my last rep of weights and my arms started shaking....I loved that even more.

I still have a long way to go, and only time will tell if I can truly transform myself into a workout lover.....but I'm closer than I ever have been before. And that's all that matters!

 

April Goals

April has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start for me because we have been on vacation for Spring Break, but I'm hoping that my increased walking and activity will help counteract some of the crappy foods I ate. Plus, I didn't go completely crazy. I still ordered my morning Starbucks with nonfat milk, tried to drink as much water as possible, and tried to stay away from most of the fattening foods. 

My monthly goals for April are-

Sunday starts a new week and the end of vacation for us. I hope to kick it into gear this month and hit the 20-25lb mark before our 13th anniversary next month. If I do, I'm rewarding myself with a hot new outfit. 

 

NSV's for the Win!

Let me just start this post off by saying that I, like most women, are guilty of stealing my husbands shirts. In fact, about 1/2 of my tshirts were at one point, his. I guess that has always been a perk of us wearing the same size.

A few Christmases ago, Mark got a Comfort Colors Alabama Sweatshirt from his Aunt and as soon as he pulled it out of the bag, I snatched it from him and claimed it forever mine. The very first time I decided to wear it, I put it on, only to find that apparently Comfort Colors doesn't cater to women with a big booty and big hips. It still fit, of course, but it was a little snug around the booty area. Good thing it was a little bigger everywhere else so I just scrunched it up around my hips and butt and went on my merry little way. It quickly became one of my favorites because it's just so comfortable and I will admit, Mark hasn't gotten to wear it one single day.

A few weeks ago I wore it out to eat and noticed it was starting to fit a little more loosely, but figured that was just me being optimistic. Fast forward to today and I'm pleased to say that I put it on this morning, got to work, and noticed that as soon as I start walking, it falls down past my hips. For me, this is huge. I have never liked wearing shirts that go past my midsection because they only enhance the "Mom Pooch". Sweatshirts and leggings....NEVER. Not happening. Not with my butt and thighs. However, I will be proudly sporting that look today because this sweatshirt is now officially "big". And I couldn't be happier. #nsvsforthewin

Along with that NSV, I also noticed the other day that my FitBit Flex keeps getting spun around on my wrist, so I tested it out and I can now officially move up another spot on my band.

Non Scale Victories are great....especially when they come on a Friday. A Friday where when I leave here today, I have 9 days off.

***happy dance***
 

Staying On Track During Vacation

Next week is Spring Break for my kiddos which equals NINE glorious off days for me. (insert squeal)

I'm a little worried though because while I will have more time to workout and make breakfast at home, etc....I'm also going to be out of town and at a hotel for 3 days and will be going through my first big test of counting points while on vacation.

I've already taken a few steps to help me out....like making sure the hotel we are staying at has a gym and trying to research local restaurants for possible places to eat so that I can go ahead and TRY to plan some of my meals. Oh, and I plan to eat my usual breakfast of fruit and protein bar while gone. No hotel waffles for me!

I already know that I will be walking a TON, so that will help as well.  What I would like to know is.....how do YOU deal with staying on track during vacation? I could really use some quick and helpful tips.

Daily Staples

One thing that has been crucial to me in this journey is consistency. I try not to venture away from foods I know that I like and I try to avoid things that I know are triggers for me.

Along the way, I have found some foods/items that are a constant in my day to day life. For instance, my breakfast is almost always the exact same thing, with some change up here and there. I'm sure most of us have our "go-to" items, so I thought it would be nice to share them.

• About 4-5 days a week, my breakfast consists of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Meal Bars from Special K and a banana or some other kind of fruit. (5pp)
  
   
• Right at the start of my journey, I received an Influenster box with these in there and they are SO good. Especially when you are craving something sweet. (4pp)
  
   
• I'm NOT  a fan of Aspertame, so I have a really hard time with "diet" drinks and water flavorings. However, I found this one and I'm not kidding when I say that I buy 3-5 boxes at a time. (0pp)
  
• Since I have cut out almost all soda, I HAVE to have coffee daily. And for me, it's either real sugar or no sugar. Luckily, I found this creamer a while back and I can use it and have to have no sugar. Plus, it's only 2PP for 2 tbsp. 
  

• The last "daily staple" for me is my Bubba. I mostly use my 32oz because I can fill it 3 times a day and feel good about my water intake, but sometimes I use my 24oz. But 99% of the time, if you see me, you see it. 
  

One other thing I'm trying to learn to love is PB2 vs. REAL peanut butter. I haven't bought into the Zoodles vs Pasta yet, I'm completly in love with Boom Chicka Pop, I can totally eat Turkey Hot Dogs vs. Beef Hot Dogs, and there are tons of other things I'm trying to substitute into my diet. Slowly but surely, changes are being made.

What are some things you use/eat daily or almost daily?

8 Weeks In....

When I started this blog, I planned to document more of my journey, but life just got in the way. I started at a super busy time with Valentine's Day and my birthday right on top of each other, but in the 8 weeks I've been on WW, I'm managed to lose right at 11lbs. To do that with two big holidays full of cake and candy, is awesome to me. Could it have been more? Sure....but I know that this is a journey. I'm going to make mistakes and I'm going to learn what works and doesn't work for me.

I have another big test coming up next week....Spring Break and Vacation. Eating right at home is hard and eating right on the road is even tougher.

Throughout this journey I've learned a lot about myself. I've learned that I'm not as "weak" as I thought. I used to struggle with my addiction to soda and I've almost kicked that completely. I have had 3 since I started WW and the last one I had, I got a 1/3 of the way through it and couldn't drink it anymore. I've still got a long ways to go, but my habits are slowly but surely changing. I feel so much better now that I used to and that in itself is payoff enough for me. Losing the lbs is just a bonus.

I made one deal with myself and I have vowed to stay away from "diet" foods as much as possible. No diet drinks, no "low fat" snacks....if I don't have the points for the real thing, I'm not eating/drinking it. And for the most part, I've done pretty well.


I've not noticed a huge difference in my body just yet, but I also didn't take "BEFORE" measurements like I should have. And I do notice some differences, just nothing to write home about. One big difference I have noticed is my leg strength and booty shape. I've been doing 10 squats each time I go to the restroom at work and when you are drinking 100oz. of water a day, that adds up.

When I can learn to balance being a mom and wife, having a full time job, running a business out of my home, and finding time to meal prep and work out.....I will be really happy. But again, I'm only 8 weeks into this and it's a process. For me, this isn't a diet. This is my new way of life.