Saturday Session... I know, I know it is Tuesday

I know.  I never seem to get this post on the right date.  Saturday is just always so busy.  I know that it is an excuse, but this weekend was wedding planning madness and we were just very overwhelmed and busy.  Ron and I looked at two venues that we are very interested in and are trying to make a decision between the two of them. 


Is anyone else planning a wedding?  If not, those of you who have planned wedding's what was the best part of the wedding planning?  What was the best part of the wedding?  What did you do that you could have skipped or what do you wish you would have done?  I need some ideas/suggestions from those of you who have been here before or are here now!


Okay, onto the purpose of the post.  Life is moving along quickly.  January used to be a month that I hated because it was so long and dreary.  It is still cold and dreary, but there is so much going on that to me it feels like it is flying by.  This week I did very well with my eating, and okay with my working out.  I need to get more activity in there.  I am down 3 pounds.   Woo hoo, going in the right direction!!


I am going to change the layout of the blog soon because I need a change.  I want something light and refreshing. Maybe this is because I already have Spring fever?  I am counting down the days to my trip to Florida in March with Ron's family.  So excited for another family trip and so thankful that they are being generous enough to take us on a trip!! :)   

Goals...

1. Take two new classes at the gym.

FAIL.  I did go to the gym a lot, but I took classes that I always took mostly because I am scared of change?  What am I so afraid of?  Looking foolish I suppose.  I know this doesn't make a ton of sense, but I just don't want to look like a dummy not knowing what I am doing.  This logic is really stupid because every class I have gone to before I have been new and I have loved it, so I think I need to just suck it up.  I am sure you will all tell me that.  You are all right!

2. Try 3 new healthy recipes.

Done, done and done.  I will be posting some of the pictures along with links to the cookbook sites this week.  They were all super delicious, fiance approved, healthy meals.  We loved them all and can't wait to try more!  I won't post the recipes for the ones in the cookbook, because you should buy the books because they are that good!!!

New Goals...

1. Take a picture of myself sweaty from working out every day this week.

I am using this as my motivation to go to the gym each day this week (hopefully to a new class) and posting it so that you can all see that I am re-committed to this weight loss thing.  I just really want to get back into my workout groove.  I want to commit to going everyday and soemtimes twice a day like I was in October and November.

1. Sign up for my first 5k.

I am very excited about this one, but also nervous!  I am going to sign up for a 5k this week that will be in a few months so that I have enough time to get ready to rock the 5k.  I know for some of you this may seem like no big deal, but for me it is stepping out of my comfort zone to do some new activity!

Hate-Loss Challenge Update Week 2

The first step toward change is acceptance.  Once you accept yourself, you open the door to change.  That’s all you have to do.  Change is not something you do, it’s something you allow. ~Will Garcia; quote taken from The Everything Self-Esteem Book

I found this quote on Ellen's blog post today and I honestly read it like five times because it was so interesting to me and is something that I never really thought of.

When I first told my Mom that I had lost 19 pounds back in October and that I was committing myself to losing the weight for good this time she said, "I always knew that you had to decide that you wanted to change before you would be ready and willing to let yourself change."  This was very powerful to me. 

I have struggled with my weight for pretty much my entire life.  It has been something that I have struggled with personally, but also something that was often a topic of conversation with my mother and I.  She always thouhght that I should be thinner.  She would always come from a good place when she would tell me that I had gained weight but, I never saw it that way at the time.  My relationship with my mom is better when I am losing weight rather than gaining or mainting my heavy weight.  Although I don't agree with the way she handled every interaction or intervention about my weight, I know that she wanted the best for me and was looking out for my well-being.  I know now that when she said the comment to me in October about being open to change that she was right.  She said that there were many times recently that she wanted to talk to me about my weight creeping back up, but she knew that I had to make the decision on my own.

This quote above from Will Garcia resonated with me because it reminded me of my conversation with my mom and it also reminded me that it isn't enough to want to change soemthing like your weight.  You also have to allow yourself to change.  You have to be willing to say that you are allowing all of the things that come with losing weight into your life.  You have to allow mistakes.  You have to allow new eating habits.  Allowing change into my life is just one of the many things that I have learned on this journey. You must first accept yourself and then welcome change into your life with open arms.

Permanent Weight Loss

WARNING: This is a long post, I apologize.  I promise they won't all be this long. :)

This afternoon I was browsing some sites online looking for some inspiration for meals,
workouts and just healthy living tips in general and I found an article that I really like on
  Eating Well website which is about tips for permanent weight loss.  This whole thing
that I am working on is not a diet.  A diet is often times  most of the time a temporary
thing.  This is a lifestyle change and is something that I want to be permanent.  A way of
 life, something that I do daily without even thinking about it because it is as habitual as
 brushing my teeth and taking a shower.  I know that this website often uses the word
diet, which is probably because for some people it is just that, but for me it is something
much different.

I read this article several times today to soak it all in and that is when I decided I wanted
 to blog about it and to discuss out loud where I think I fall for each of these steps.  My
 comments follow each step in the purple font.  Make sure you check out the full article
 on the website that is linked above.

Step 1. Make Sure You’re Ready for Change

Of course you want to lose weight—that’s why you are reading this—but in order to make a
 life plan you can stick with, you must be ready—truly ready—to make the commitment.
Losing weight will take some time and effort, and it will require you to make some sacrifices.
(If it were easy, everyone would be thin!) The first step is to make sure you’re ready to get
started. Read more.

The first thing that popped into my head when I read this was, "is anyone ever ready
 for this?"  I know that seems awfully pessimistic, but it is not supposed to sound that 
way.  What I mean is making changes in your life is hard, having willpower is hard, 
working out is hard, BUT being fat is really hard, so what it comes down to is 
choosing your "hard".  I have chosen the "hard" that is committing to change my 
eating habits and lifestyle (not being a lazy blob) to benefit my health. 

Step 2. Set Goals

The next step on your weight-loss journey is to decide what kind of weight loss makes
sense for you. Weigh in, assess your eating habits and make a game plan. That will
 include long-term goals and more immediate goals too. Read more.

When I read this step I was very encouraged because this is one of the first things
 that I did.  When I sat down and made a list of my goals I became even more
 committed to this and even more driven to lose this weight that weighs me down.  
I have made some personal goals that I have not shared and I have made some
 goals that are outlined on the pages of this blog so that others can see what I am
 working towards. I do need to make some smaller goals and also some NON FOOD
 rewards that I can look forward to along this journey.  

Step 3. Track Yourself

Self-awareness is self-motivation: by keeping track of your behavior, you motivate
yourself to change because you become more accountable. Track yourself with a food
diary and exercise log—some of the most powerful tools for managing your weight.
Read more.

I am tracking my every step and every morsel that goes into my mouth.  I have
an exercise/weight lifting log as well as the wonderful resources at The Daily Plate
to help me track my calories and keep my sodium, fat and carbohydrate levels 
consistent.   

Step 4. Eat Mindfully

Healthy eating means getting a variety of foods in moderation—not making any food
forbidden, but not going overboard on those rich foods that were once
special-occasion indulgences. Eat mindfully by knowing the foods that make weight
loss easier, and understanding key healthy-eating principles. Read more.

I remember when I started a weight loss journey 4 years ago that I reward 
weight loss with food that I missed.  I am not doing that.  I am allowing myself 
anything that I want in moderation.  If I say NO fries all I will want is fries, fries, 
fries, BUT on that same note it is important to watch my daily intakes and still 
stay on track with my calories, fat, sodium and carbohydrates.  I can't justify 
french fries today, a little bit of chinese tomorrow, mexican food this weekend.  
It is moderation AND frequency that matter. 

Step 5. Commit to Move More

Exercise makes weight loss much easier—but more important, people who move
more are more likely to keep the pounds off. No matter where you’re at now, you
can become “an exercise person.” Read more.

I can honestly say that this is the hardest part for me.  I have all the willpower
in the world to avoid cakes, fried food, etc, but when it comes to working out
I just plain don't LOVE it.  I have come to the realization that I LIKE working out, 
which is actually a huge step for me. As my brother in law Mike said today you 
will eventually love it once you see some more results and get used to working
out often.  I am sure he is right, but for now I LIKE the thought of doing it, but
I must say I LOVE how I feel afterwards. 

Step 6. Get Support

Losing weight is challenging—we can’t expect to do it alone. As you make your way
through losing weight, you’ll need to cultivate a network of friends, family, co-workers,
professionals and like-minded dieters.Read more.

I have told pretty much everyone I know about my plans (except for my Mom, but 
that will come as soon as results start to show up).  I have sent my sisters
subscriptions to my blog, I have told my co-workers, my boyfriend, other family
members, etc.  I want people to know that I am working towards something and
I want them to see how committed I am.  I also have paid for six personal training
and six nutrition classes with a registered dietician.

Step 7. Have a Long-Term Plan

As you reach your weight-loss goals, you’re ready for the final step: creating a long-term
strategy that will help your successes stick for good. Read more.

This one is definitely still a work in progress.  I am attending a conference this
weekend and have plans to tap into all of the resources that I can to make this 
a PERMANENT lifestyle and not something that will find me back at this same
terrible spot in years to come. I'm heading to the gym in building to get some
cardio in and then calling it a night.

The EatingWell Diet. Copyright 2007 by Eating Well, Inc. Published by The
Countryman Press, P.O. Box 748, Woodstock, VT 05091.