The Holiday Season {food, food, and more food}

I am at a weight lose of 17.6 pounds . I have basically stayed the same this month. This holiday season is very nerve racking. The week before thanksgiving I attended not one, but two feasts. I maintained control, and stuck with my basics, protein, veggies, and rice or potatoes. I did not have any desserts at those parties. That has taken me alot of self restraint, if you know me well, you know I look forward to dessert time.  Thanksgiving at my house was a "cheat day" . I went for a long walk before dinner and felt okay to eat whatever I wanted. I ate until I felt sick and then got right back into things the next day. That was hard for me because I always eat a turkey sandwich with everything the day after. I decided that one day was enough. I'm not sure how I'm going to face Christmas month. Its filled with baking cookies, many parties, and visiting people who cook all to well.  I think that will be much more challenging, hope I make it!

Last night I was really hungry and I made the kids mac and cheese bites. They smelled so good I wanted to put all of them in my mouth, so I did. Well not all, I put two in my mouth chewed them, and spit them out. It wasn't the same as swallowing them but at least I got the taste, and I really have gained willpower during these last few months, and didn't attempt to actually eat them. In place of my carb craving, I sliced up potatoes into chips and baked them in the oven. All was good in my world in that moment. Everyday is a challenge, so wish me luck going into the food zone this month.

Major Set Back!

It was a bad week. I didnt have my cheat day on Saturday because my husband said that he was making me a surprise halloween dinner. That through me off because Saturday food is all the leftovers from the week, and that is just boring. I started to think about straying then I decided that only one day to cheat was allowed, and it had to be Wednesday. Especially because I haven't been walking much, and not much other exercise either. Then Monday night the hurricane hits, and its a food party at my house. I tried my best not to eat the chicken cutlet and mashed potatoes, but I couldn't resist. I had my husband bake the chicken instead of frying it, but there was still breadcrumbs. so I ate way more than my portion size. I didn't stop there because you know a bad meal isn't complete without dessert. I had chocolate covered Carmel popcorn .I ate more than half the bag, and then decided I was feeling sick. I didn't stop there, later on in the night I ate the rest of the bag. Tuesday I get back on track, and didn't touch any of the brownies that I made for the kids and their friends. Good thing those kids eat fast, and they didn't leave a drop. At that point I was really hungry. I overdosed on bad food and was craving more. I felt so hungry, and nothing was helping. I made it through the night without totally loosing it. Wednesday was Halloween. Of course we had many goodies at work but I just ate my healthy food and was feeling pretty good until I got home. There was homemade mac and cheese, really crispy, and spider bread. The rat meatloaf was cheese stuffed and tasted awesome , yes I ate it, and plenty of it. Then for dessert pumpkins with butter, sugar and Cinnamon. It was beyond delicious. I didn't stop there because it was Halloween I had to have some candy too.  The next day I felt awful, and new that my Friday weigh in wouldn't be good news. At that point I started thinking well you were close to a 20 pound lose, 2 pounds isn't bad, but then I thought yes it is. That is the same rationalization that always gets me into trouble. I ate bad for 2 days and haven't steadily exercised, and that's why I gained two pounds. Normally I would be angry and say I only ate bad for two days, why me, but honestly I know the answer.

I go into wawa this morning , yes because I live there, and this friendly woman was offering me a free sample. She sang a very nice song about me drinking the carmel salted latte. It was really strange, and I refused. She said but you will really like It. I said yes lady I know I will like it, I will probably LOVE it, so stop taunting me! She smiled at me like, whatever crazy lady, and I happily walked out with my black pumpkin spice coffee.Now to get back on track! Please no one offer me free unhealthy drinks or food, and I should be okay, I think?

I got weighed

On Saturday I went to my aunt Theresa's for her birthday, and there was lots of food, and I ate most of it. It was my "cheat day". Funny thing is I got full much faster than usual and I actually felt sleepy. I asked my sister and brother in law to go for a 2 mile walk with me and they did without hesitation. I asked the rest of the family and they all laughed out loud and continued to eat the homemade butter finger that I made for them.

As always I had a busy week filled with soccer , baseball, and lessons for the kids as well as work, and everyday life. I felt overwhelmed and exhausted, and just wanted to eat.  I was fighting the hunger all week, and its a feeling that I haven't had in awhile, and I felt weak. I was questioning my lifestyle change, and really wanted to give up, so I resorted to obsessing over the scale.

 I got weighed Monday, and I lost .8 ounces, then Tuesday I was a 1pound heavier. Then Wednesday I was .2 ounces lighter, then Thursday I was 1.5 pounds heavier then last Friday. Seriously I almost gave up, but I gave myself one more day, the official weigh in day of Friday.  I got on the scale and lost .6 ounces. It sure was better than being heavier than last week. Note to self: stay off the scale! its discouraging!

I am now at 16.8 pounds total loss. I tried on gap jeans that I haven't worn since 2004, and they fit.I always refused to give them away, and now I'm glad I didn't. Those jeans fitting me outweighed the devastation of my traumatic week with the scale.

16.2 pds gone and Im back!

I got weighed today and only lost 4oz this week. Normally I would be annoyed but I was happy! I'm glad that I'm still losing something. I dropped down  2 sizes, and people are actually noticing the weight loss.In total from July 16th I have lost 16.2 pounds. Its like the size of a 6 month old baby. When I think of the comparison it makes me realize how much is really gone. A close friend is also losing weight, and a few weeks ago she had lost a total of 25pds. I told her it was like losing the size of a small toddler off her body, its nuts when you think of it like that.

 I haven't kept up with my blog, and I was pleasantly surprised  that people missed it. Thanks for caring, it really motivates me to keep going with this. Its been about a month since I wrote because my life is so insanely busy. A typical weekday for me is getting up at 5:30am taking care of the dogs, getting ready for work, getting the kids ready for school, getting them breakfast, getting me breakfast, then getting them to the bus by 7:15am. Then I go to work, leave work around 4:45pm get the kids, go to soccer Monday and Wednesday nights, get home from soccer by 7;15pm, make dinner, do homework with the boys, shower the boys, get everyone ready for bed. My job is still going because I have to do laundry, clean up, make lunches for the kids, and pack my food, sharpen pencils etc... the list goes on  and on. Tues &Thurs are about the same but that's when I prepare my food. The weekends are always booked, Soccer all morning on Saturdays, and Fall ball on Sundays. There's always a bunch of other craziness like food shopping,parties and so much more to do. All this insanity always made me want to eat before, and now when I'm stressed I just want to exercise. It really makes me feel better. However, the challenge has been fitting exercise in my everyday life. By the end of the night, honestly all I want to do is sleep lol`

Some people are still saying I'm "dieting" but I'm not. This is not dieting it has been an enormous lifestyle change. I love to eat this way, and I treat myself once a week to whatever I want to eat. Its not even  because I have to have it, its a break from planning like I do the other 6 days a week. I have sat through dinners, and parties touching french fries, and pizza, and cutting cake, and I wont eat it. People look at me like I have three heads, I might, but I can fit into a smaller size pants, so who cares. I have had alot of people ask me to tell them what I'm doing because they want to do it. I tell them and they say they cant. One thing I have learned is if you say you cant, you wont!!! Its up to you to do this for yourself. Its all about mindset, and no one else can make you do this but yourself!

Im Still Losing !!!

This has been such a rough week. Saturday was my uncle Pete's funeral, very sad :-( I decided that was my day that I would eat whatever I wanted to. I was really upset and needed to just indulge. I had over 2000 calories that day.I logged every single thing I ate onto myfitnesspal. I ate meatballs, cookies and cream ice cream,wine, beer, fresh cream donuts, and much more. On Sunday I walked almost 3 miles, and got right back on track. I stuck to my food plan everyday. However, exercising became a challenge. I ran out of time every night, It was so frustrating. Tuesday we had a big birthday party for a few people at work, and there was tons of fantastic food. I still enjoyed the party but ate my own food. I did add some delicious hummus to my salad, but other than that I didn't eat a thing. I got weighed on Thursday this week because I'm impatient, and discovered I lost 2.8 pounds this week. I was so excited!! I have lost a total of 14.8 pounds all together. This is such a huge accomplishment for me. I usually give up by now. I'm so glad I didn't. I have so many people helping me stay motivated , I refuse to give up this time.

A very sweet person that I know is very heavy. She is such a nice person and she has small children. I asked her where she has been because I haven't heard from her, and she said she was in the hospital, due to her being extremely over weight. She took a look at me and complimented me on my weight loss. She said to me that it was inspiring to her, and not much works for her, and shes glad I found something that worked for me. I gave her all the information about what worked for me, and shes going to give it a try. I told her I was still on a mission to lose more weight, and I would help her in any way I can. everyone has to find out which lifestyle works best for them.

I'm hoping to have a less stressful week, and exercise more. Wish me luck :-)

I lost 2oz srsly!

I should be thankful that I lost 12 pounds altogether but really who loses only 2oz for the week??? I guess I should be happy that I lost at least something. I didn't get to exercise much this week, I have been extremely busy, and there has been massive amounts of food around me. My uncle passed away last week, and what my family always does best is eat . On Sunday I drank beer, wine, and ate   brownies, homemade spaghetti, meatballs, and so much more. I actually logged all of my "bad" food into mytfitnesspal. It  helped me stay focused. I got right back on track the next day. Exercise is the key for me but I don't always have the time to do it. Walking , playing tennis, and now I'm getting into the soccer season with the boys. I think these exercises will help me reach my goal.They will also alleviate some high stress levels in dealing with stupid people!

Vaction Week!

I was really frightened at first about vacation. Who fears being off because of food, I guess I'm the only one. I made a lot of really great choices while I was busy with the boys, and it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I packed my food in a cooler and took it with me everyday, and when I did go out to eat I just stuck withlean protein , potato or rice, and lots of vegetables. I did have a small cheat fest on Saturday night with some very delicious chocolate chip cookies. I got right on track the next day. While on vacation I walked a lot on the beach, boardwalk , amusement parks,the zoo, museum's, golf, tennis, and burned a lot of calories. I lost 1.8 pounds this week, and I'm at a total of a 12 pound loss. As some wise people have pointed out to me that the number on the scale is not as important, and they are right. I feel great, and was able to build sand castles with my kids, and jump and run into the ocean with them, and not feel exhausted. I'm the kinda mom that I want to be. As I was jumping waves with my boys I heard a mom saying to her kids that she just couldn't do what I'm doing with her kids because she didn't have the energy. I turned around and smiled at her and said neither did I a few months ago. We started talking, and she was only 32 years old. She had 2 boys 5 and 8, and she was sad that her life came to this point. We had a really great conversation and she seemed motivated to make a change so she could just simply play with her kids. I really have learned we are what we eat. If you put sugar in your car gas tank, your car wont run, same goes with your body. I have always taught my kids to eat well, and they have always made better choices than I have. I really was a hypocrite. Knowing that's not good for you and not giving it to your children, but eating it yourself is not the right way to live. One night when me and the boys went out to dinner I asked them what did they want to drink? They all chose water with their dinner, and said they want to be healthy like me. I'm not saying all other drinks are bad for you, but I only have drank water, and tea since July 15th, and they noticed that. The positives of eating well and exercising have surpassed the "bad" food enticement, at least for this week, that is :-)