Weekly Weigh-in

Well, believe it or not, I am HAPPY to report no weight loss this week. I had a hold this week. Yes, I am happy about that, in a sense, because it should have been a gain with how the week went. I didn't get exercise in every day, and I ate just horribly. :( I think the only thing that saved me from a gain, is that I did exercise portion control. I can't stress how important that is. If you are going to allow yourself a treat, DON'T OVERINDULDGE!!! That way, you are left without the regrets afterward.

This week was a real challenge, mentally. As much as we focus on the right foods, and exercises, it's amazing how much of weight loss is actually mental. Half way through the week, when I was a pound heavier than last Thursday, I just wanted to give up in that moment and eat the whole box of donuts that we had in the house. I was so focused on the fact that I was now almost 5 pounds from where I wanted to be at that point, that I felt all was lost, and hopeless. I kept thinking of how hard it was going to be to reach my birthday goal now that I had fallen so far behind. I didn't eat the whole box, but I allowed myself one. The next morning, I got up and was making hubby's lunch to send him off with, when I had an overwhelming realization.... I weigh 190 pounds. I haven't weighed that in 3-4 years, and I didn't even stay there for very long then. For the majority of the last 8 years, I have been well over 200 pounds. Why am I not happy that I am where I am? Being 190 pounds is a great thing for me, and should be celebrated! So, I decided to focus on how far I've come, instead of where I wish I were. Will I make my birthday goal or not?! I don't know. What I do know though, is that I have lost 32.7 pounds and feel better than I have in years! I know that my journey isn't over, and that if I keep my positive attitude, I will one day see the numbers that I want to see! It wasn't food or exercise that made or broke me this week, it was my own mind.

So, this morning is a great morning! I haven't done any damage to what I have accomplished, I haven't taken away from the weight I have lost. This morning I push forward, and expect a super fantastic week! I knew that the kids had already planned on having donuts for breakfast and pizza for lunch. (We treat them once a month, whatever they want for a day...within reason.) Knowing full well, that I wasn't going to turn down pizza, I made sure I got the long workout in, and I walked right past the donuts to the bananas!! ;) I also did my secret trick. The worst hinderance to a healthy eating routine, is hunger. Once we get hungry, we make the WORST food choices, because we are starving (we think) and so we grab the most convienient filling food, and we all know it's junk. So my trick is to always have healthy snacks on hand ready to go. Depending on where you are, and what you are doing, decides which snacks are best.  Some of my favorites are, yogurt (portable and great for the digestive system) nuts (full of protein and very filling, but watch your portion size) multigrain granolla bars (without artificial ingredients and esp without artificial sweetners) string cheese (mozz. made with at lest partial skim milk..Weight Wathers are my favorite..sold at Walmart.) trail mix (homemade without cereal and m&ms.) and my FAVORITE, a veggie tray. Veggies are best for you raw, and in their natural state. Once you cook them, you instantly lose vitamins and change the makeup of the nutrients in them. They can actually turn toxic to the body once cooked. It takes time to cut up raw veggies though, and when we are hungry, let's face it, it's not what we are going to go for. So, I like to cut up mine first thing in the morning when I am making breakfast. Then, I have them all ready to go in the fridge for when I get hungry, or have a craving. The best thing about chosing raw veggies for a snack, is that they don't have sugars in them, so they will stabolize your blood sugar, and keep further cravings from coming on. Here's my tray...

You'll notice there isn't any veggie dip in the middle. NOT a good idea to have that. There's no quicker way to ruin a healthy veggie snack than to load up on all the calories and artificial ingredients in dip. If you absolutely can't eat them plain, which I used to not be able to, then use a yogurt ranch dressing, or a vinaigrette. My favorite is Kraft Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette, and I've never liked any dressing but ranch my whole life. Barely use any though, or you are adding up calories quick. If you work outside the home, you can take these and put them in a small cooler to have on hand, or in a shared fridge if available. Nuts, trailmix, and granolla bars can go just about anywhere. I always have some in my purse. I don't ever like getting caught out somewhere, and being hungry. I will make awful choices, or if I make it home, I will overeat during the next meal.

This was me just a few days before Chrismas. I am celebrating how far I've come, and keeping hope for how far I will go! :)