Hello, September!

Well, I fell off for a couple weeks.  There was a reason, but I am not so open to exposing it here.  However, I am back on track and tracking my food and looking forward to get back to blogging.  I have to admit I am really excited that it is September and the cooler weather is coming.  I can't wait to get back to walking everyday and getting a work out in that way.  I am going to keep doing some Insanity, but not going to hold myself to the strict schedule it has.  I just like to get out and walk also, so incorporating both I think will be my best decision.

Hope everyone is doing well!

A Little Detour

This week has been a bit of a setback - have been making poor choices but starting Monday I am back on the system and double down on my commitment.  I know that I shouldn't have been off my game but I have been.  There is no excuse and I am not going to make any.

Back to the usual next week and I use this as a space to keep me honest so look for an increase in posts next week!

Monday FUNDAY!

1.) Mood:  Pretty good - I am having a good day and always am pretty happy when its a good day!
2.) What was your favorite board game as a kid?  I didn't really play many board games as a kid...  
3.) Do you like your current hairstyle/color?  I do - its at a length I enjoy but I am toying with going blonde.
4.) Current nail polish:  Essie Penny Talk !!LOVE!!
5.) When is the last time you went to a theme park?  Gosh, years.
6.) Current outfit:  Black top, jeans - ran out to store and get a taco w/ Courtney
7.) You're at a movie theatre... what snack do you get?  Popcorn - its my favorite
8.) What is one makeup tip you wish you knew 2 years ago?  Take off your makeup EVERY NIGHT!
9.) What is a really classic/popular movie you have never seen?  Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, stuff like that
10.) Weekly goals:  Just getting this new work project off the ground.

"Perfection is not required for results"

I was on MFP (the website that I log my eating) and sometimes I will see what the featured blog posts are for that day or whatever, and one looked particularly interesting.  It basically said that you need to get over yourself.  Everyone has a bad day, everyone misses a workout but it is how you respond to that which matters.  You have choices in life -- if you are going to eat a "bad" meal or if you aren't or to workout.  You don't always make the right choices, but that doesn't mean that you aren't on track to accomplish what you want.  As humans, we are going to go off course and stumble.  What is important is that we don't stop.  That we keep pushing towards our goals and desires.  We won't get there tomorrow, but guess what?  We will get there eventually.  This hit home to me today because I missed my workout yesterday and I plan to make up for it on Friday (my "rest" day).  But the fact that I don't let missing one day deter me from missing today too is what really matters.  I know that I am one who will give up if I am not perfect.  I don't feel as good about what I accomplish when it isn't 100% perfect.  However - weight loss and getting healthy isn't like that.  I don't know anyone who is perfect at it.  For instance, my sister has lost 100 lbs.  However, she still will slip up and eat fast food or something like that.  She will miss workouts or not give it all 100% in one.  However, she doesn't just give up.  She keeps going and finds it in her to just move forward.  I feel like that is where I am getting.  When I think about my food choices lately, again, I'm pretty proud of myself.  I have eaten what I like and what is healthy.  On my 30th birthday, I went out for Mexican and enjoyed it.  I told myself that you only turn 30 once and if there is something I really want then go for it.  However, the old days that means a ton of cheese covered nachos and chips and a ton of guacamole but this time it was less chips, a hard taco, and a chicken and cheese quesadilla (smaller sized).  I still ate what I wanted, but what I actually wanted had changed.  I even skipped my loved Mr. Pibb/Dr. Pepper for Diet Coke.  Again, it was what I wanted.  

On a similar note, I started doing Insanity as I had mentioned before.  It really kicks my ass and makes you sweat and move and jump and get up and down and its just crazy.  So when I started it I  expected to start seriously dropping weight - I eat around 1200 cals a day and was burning almost that same amount five days a week.  But it didn't happen.  Needless to say, I got rather frustrated but kept going and figured at some point the scale would reflect a loss.  I also noticed some of my clothes fitting differently and I am pretty sure if I keep this up I will need to invest in a belt.  In fact, I might get one this weekend since my jeans are already getting pretty loose.  However, I digress.  Yesterday I stepped on the scale and had over a 3 lb loss.  Then today I did it again (after not working out last night) and had an additional half pound loss.  I figure if I keep up this schedule I should be hitting a big milestone in the next month - 50 lb loss (aka halfway there).  I am already down in my pantsize and I have a goal pair I want to fit in to this fall.  They are probably a month or 6 weeks away from fitting (I guess) but I try them on once a week to see my progress.  I bought them in 2007 and was not able to wear them then - I think I squeezed myself in them once.  My goal is to make them my favorite jeans for this fall/winter.  I mean, I am in shock that I am almost where I was five years ago and plan to get under that.  

Well, hope whoever reads this enjoys - and keeps on pushing!

Monday - Get to Know Me!

1.) Mood:  Pretty good - just starting to get in to a groove.

2.) What did you eat for breakfast this morning? No breakfast, but I had a turkey and cheese sandwich and an apple for lunch.

3.) Name the closest red object to you.  My shower towel?

4.) Current nail polish:  OPI - Designer De Better

5.) If you could have any eye color, what would you choose?  I like my blue eyes - so I'll keep them!

6.) Outfit of the day:  Not dressed yet... whomp whomp

7.) What is the best movie you've seen recently?  Magic Mike???  

8.) Do you like karaoke?  Like??? More like LOVE!!!!

9.) When putting on pants, do you button and then zip, or zip and then button?  Zip then button.

10.) Weekly goals:  New work stuff - laundry and put my clean clothes away!!!

Insanity.

Ok, call me crazy, but I started Insanity last week.  I have to tell you it was the best and worst thing that I have ever done.  I have never worked out so hard in my life.  My heart rate is up there, I get so sweaty and just do things I really didn't think I could do.  I am on day 8 today (six days of workouts last week, one rest day, and on day 2 of this week) and am actually looking forward to today since I like the workout today more than the one I did yesterday.  It's Pure Cardio and I'd say it would be better called "Pure Torture" or "Pure Hell" - either one.

Between doing that work out and eating right I am seeing some big differences!

Thirty. Whoa.

So tomorrow I turn 30.  Yea, it is kind of scary.  I know that it happens and that age isn't anything but a number and all that but I still don't want that number to be higher than 29.  I'd be perfectly comfortable being in my 20s forever.  Looking back over the last year has been really amazing.  I have worked for one of the best people I have ever had the chance to meet, I have watched my best friend get married, my sister finally got her RN and is working, my parents are their usual and I have totally reevaluated myself and put different priorities on things in my life.  I don't take for granted spending time with my family or making sure that I put myself and my health first.  A lot of personal growth.  Its been a big year and I feel more secure in who I am and at the same time I feel like I know less about everything.

Anyways, here is a link to what I am making for dinner tonight.  Looks pretty yum to me.  We have felt the need to eat something different and we already had EVERYTHING here at home.  Spicy Parmesan Shrimp Skillet and I will let you know how it turns out.  I have a few blog post ideas so I might write them now and them set them to go live in the next few days -- among them details about my starting the Insanity work out, how much I have lost to date and then a Monday post that should be pretty fun.

Happy Thursday, all!

Monday - Get to know me!

1.) Mood:  I am kind of in a funk - just not the happiest-go-lucky I usually am.  On day 3 of this - hopefully going to kick that soon!

2.) When making a sandwich, do you care if one of the bread slices is the end of the loaf?  Not something that I prefer, but I will use it.  I just put the crusty side facing in.  I can't even tell the difference, really.

3.) What is the weather like today?   Rainy and stormy now - but pretty nice and sunny earlier.  Typical weather for the area in the summer.  

4.) Current nail polish:   Essie's Sand Tropez - one of my favs!

5.) What ring setting do you keep your cell phone on at night: loud or silent? (Or the phone completely off?)  It depends, usually vibrate because that is what it is usually on.

6.) Current outfit:  Black tank top and teal shorts - totes cash today

7.) What is your favorite Disney movie?  Beauty and the Beast!

8.) Can you whistle using your fingers?  Nope :(

9.) When doing laundry, do you separate loads (lights/darks, delicates, etc.) or throw everything together?  I separate lights/darks but not "delicates".  

10.) Weekly goals:   Job search and to make it through a whole week of Insanity without killing myself or Shaun T!

Last Week

Please pardon my lack of posts last week.  I had not the best week - but not the worst.  I gave in a little more than I was comfortable with but I didn't gain anything.  As expected, its been a little hard to get back on course.  However, I started yesterday and did pretty well and continue to do well today.  I have made some really big decisions in the last week so getting my weight loss in gear is really important to that and I realize that moving and starting a new life is much better than giving in to a piece of pizza or something like that.  I am going to make statements and stuff and start putting them places to be inspirational for me when I see them.  For instance, one in the bathroom on my mirror, on the refrigerator, and other places I feel will work well.

Also, Courtney and I started Insanity last night.  All I have to say is HOLY CRAP.  It kicked my ass.  Like really.  I don't remember ever, ever sweating and working out that hard in my life.  I was cussing out Seaun T on the TV screen and just pushing myself harder than even I thought I could go.  I did a lot of the workout and actually surprised myself.  Well, I'm going to keep it going and see how it goes. Between that and getting on my healthy eating 100% again I think I should see some great results.

So, here's to a new week!

Been a little off track - but getting back

Well, I have been a little off track this week - but no gain.  I have made some poor eating choices and I know that is my weakness.  Once I start eating poorly I have a hard time getting back on track.  So I have to double down on effort to get back on the wagon.  I don't have my sister eating well and my mom has always been pretty spotty but I just need to get myself together.

Also, I have made a big life decision so that makes me excited about getting back on track.  I have a lot of stuff I want to work for and that is enough to push me to figure out a few things I have been slacking on.

Thanks guys!!!

Breakthrough... Kinda?

So today I decided I was going to go walk.  I hadn't done it in awhile.  I had made the decision to really concentrate on the fact that I wanted to get my eating under control and then I'd start the exercise portion.  I felt like last time I put too much pressure on myself to do everything perfectly and when I didn't I totally gave up.  Mix all of that with some serious health issues and it isn't a pretty picture.

Anyways, so I had a less than stellar eating day and really needed to burn some cals.  So I told myself I was going to go walk for 45 minutes with some gusto.  I wasn't trying to walk any certain distance, I just set the goal of walking for a set time.  I didn't have my phone with a timer on it, so I decided that since the average length of a song on my iPod is about 4 minutes I would walk for 11 songs.  That would be roughly 44 minutes.  So I got started and didn't stop.  Not for one second.  I just kept walking and kept up the pace.  I have been watching Extreme Weight Loss show and there was a guy who weighed more than me who ran like 6.2 miles, so I knew that I could walk for 45 minutes.  Well I walked for 50 minutes.  I was so happy with myself.

I know I have done it before.  That it wasn't a huge of a deal, but the difference is I had never done it myself.  I had never done it without people asking me if I was going to walk or wanting to go themselves and basically beg me to do it.  This was me doing it myself and for myself.  It felt good - it was hard, but it felt really good.  I was sweaty and I thought I was going to get sick a couple of times, but I know that my body can do a lot more than my mind thinks it can so I just kept going.  On the show, the trainer kept saying you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and that until that happens you can't make a change.  Well, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with being uncomfortable (in terms of exercise) but I'm getting there.

So walking again tomorrow - I don't care how hot it is.  I can do it.

For Fun - Monday "Get to Know Me"

1.) Mood:  Kind of having a little anxiety but other than that I'm good.
2.) Are there any summer trends you're loving this year? Any you're hating?  I'm loving neon.  But I think everyone is.  I'm not in to maxi dresses.  They just aren't that nice looking on anyone to me.
3.) Do you like to cook?  Yes.  I am getting much, much better at it.  And getting more creative.  Thank you, Pinterest!
4.) Current nail polish: none, but getting ready to paint them with Essie's Sugar Daddy
5.) What is something you are excited about at the moment?  I'm not sure - just getting to the weekend?
6.) Current outfit:  Straight leg jeans, a bright turquoise top.  I like bright colors!
7.) Are you a heavy or light sleeper?  Totally a heavy sleeper.
8.) What size handbag do you prefer?  I used to be a fan of a big handbag - but they are so hard to find your stuff in so I've been going with a medium size one that I can manage.
9.) Do you like karaoke? LOVE!
10.) Weekly goals: Hmmm.  Be happy and healthy.  The rest I'm trying to figure out.  Such a simple but hard question!!!!

Love with Leftovers and a Confession

I think a lot people know what its like to have leftovers.  Not so yummy.  I used to be the type of person who didn't eat leftovers.  They were pretty disgusting.  I wouldn't even think twice about eating something from another meal.  Just not an option.  Well, after realizing that eating fast food for lunch everyday is a bad idea - I have really adopted using leftovers.  For instance, I had a huge chicken breast  for dinner a few nights ago and just could barely eat much of it at all - I had already eaten a cup of broccoli and a serving of brown rice and a salad and was pretty stuffed.  So I saved it and have been able to make two lunches out of it - both days I made a chicken taco with a little cheese and tomato.  Pretty good.  And last night we had the most amazing pork tenderloin - so good.  We had a ton left so hello to a good sandwich today and probably dinner tonight!  It is as if I crave healthy foods.

This weekend was interesting.  I had some not so healthy food.  On Saturday one of my dearest friends from college was in town and we decided to go to lunch and he wanted a Chinese Buffet.  So I knew that was going to be a disaster.  And it wasn't as bad as it would have been a year ago, but it wasn't pretty.  After that I had a turkey sandwich and carrots for dinner but got weak and had a small french fry and small Frosty from Wendy's that night.  So I have confessed - and I still logged everything.  I didn't go over by a massive amount, or even enough to gain back any weight.  However, I'm sure I ate enough sodium to keep every drop of water I consume from now to eternity.  So I have hopped back on and have been drinking so much water and eating my normal diet.

Hope everyone else survived their weekends!

Water.

I have had a few frustrating scale days.  Basically, despite getting exercise and eating properly, I haven't seen the scale budge at all.  In fact, it went up a couple pounds in one day.  Thank goodness I am pretty rational and knew it was mathematically impossible for me to have gained anything.  Just knowing what I am doing, I can rest assured that there is some strange fluctuation.  Well, I was reading around the internet about different things and saw that one reason people might have issues with the scale is if they don't drink enough water.  Well, I know I don't drink enough water.  In fact, I don't drink much anything.  I usually have one diet soda with dinner -- I just like having the fizzy drink when I eat and diet cola has 0 calories so I go with that.  But this said that when you don't give your body the water it needs it will save every drop it gets because it doesn't know the next time it will get water.  This can account for weight on the scale.  That was enough to get me going!  I downed a huge thing of water.  So this morning I got back on the scale and it reflected that I lost more.  That was more along what I had expected.  That made me decide that my new thing would be making sure I get enough water everyday.  I know people always suggest using flavors and stuff, but I am just not a fan of those kinds of things.  I like water plain.  It's just I don't always think to drink it.  So now, if I have a soda I follow it up with double the water.  And I have been keeping a big thermos of water with me to drink throughout the day.

One thing on my mind is going out to dinner for Mexican soon.  It's been about a month since I had it but I have a goal that I want to accomplish and I have about 3 weeks to do it and I'm worried that if I do indulge that it might make me retain water (like usual due to all the sodium).  I'm thinking maybe pushing it to my birthday (AUG 10!!!) and then having it as a reward.  I don't know.  In the last month I have only went out once (Mexican) and had fast food once (as I detailed earlier).  It is this back and forth that I have going on.  I literally have 3 weeks to lose 7 lbs.  I just don't know.  I'm sure that if I start to pick up my exercising and keep up with the water I will be ok to have it but I keep second guessing myself.

Good luck with ya'lls choices!

It is so hot and other pointless things about the last two days

It is so hot!  Here we have a heat index of like 105-109 degrees today.  I don't know about anyone else, but that is hot.

Ok, I have been frustrated since dinner with the family last night.  My mom decided she wanted to have Mexican food for dinner.  This is no big deal.  I don't mind what it has in it and it is stuff I eat - vegetables, some ground beef, cheese - no big deal.  So my sister and mother went to the store to get everything and basically come back with a load of groceries full of their snacks and stuff for dinner.  They did forget my baby carrots and celery, but that isn't the point.  So they got cheese dip - one of my favorite things.  I have to be honest.  I wanted it bad.  Like a crackhead bad.  On top of it all, my sister tried to lure me to have some.  I stood strong.  I stayed out of the kitchen and when it was time to make dinner I weighed and measured out all of my food.  But I did allow myself to try one chip with the cheese dip.  It wasn't that good so I didn't really mind not eating it.  I at least tried it.  The only fail about yesterday was I didn't have enough calories left to give myself a snack.  Well, I did, but I wanted a deficit on my cals for the day.  Tonight we are having my favorite - spaghetti, which I am making because I am the only one in my house who can make it and it not taste like crap.

Lastly, I hate the scale.  I have been so happy with the rate of loss that I started looking at it every day.  Such a mistake.  I'm going to go back to once to twice a week.  I can't deal with the disappointment or seeing it creep up due when I know it is mathematically impossible to gain so much when I have exercised and eaten well.  The scale can be the devil.

Anyways - stay cool!

For Fun - Monday "Get to Know Me"

1.) Mood:  Kind of blah, but not in a bad way.
2.) Did you do anything fun this weekend?   Not really, hung out with my sister.  Hopefully next weekend we can do something fun!
3.) What is the closest object to you that is pink?  My makeup bag that has my nighttime face stuff in it.  I really like it!
4.) Current nail polish:  Essie's Power Clutch with Shine of the Times on top.  I really like it.
5.) If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?  Not sure.  But somewhere on a beach.  Miami?
6.) Current outfit:  Black tank top and teal shorts.  
7.) What is the last movie you saw in theaters?  Magic Mike :-D  (I was a bit obsessed)
8.) If you could only be one age for the rest of your life, which would you choose, and why? 25 - it just seems like young enough to be taken seriously but not when you start feeling old.
9.) When is the last time you played on a swing set?  Hmmm.  Don't remember.  It's been awhile.
10.) Weekly goals:  Continue with my healthy eating habits, walk everyday, get all of my laundry done,   some personal goals ;)


PS:  I got this from www.amarixe.com - she is one of my favorite YouTube beauty gurus.  Check her out!

Whew!

So last night I went to kick my own ass for the second day in a row.  Well I really did.  I tried to pick up my pace from yesterday and that was successful.  I really kept up some speed and didn't let being a little uncomfortable get in my way.  I mean, it is going to be hard.  I can't expect for it to be super easy.  If I just walked at a slow pace it doesn't hurt anyone other than me.  So I pioneered through the humidity (which was OOC) and bugs that like to fly around where there is a lot of grass and I successfully dodged all 23482 kids that were playing there.  I even did an extra lap for good measure.  More of a cool down lap, really.  I knew that since I had pushed myself for the mile that taking an easy lap would be good.  I mean, its a bonus.  On top of that Courtney and I had brought our soccer ball to kick around for fun when we finished.  Boy, did that kill me worse than the walk did.  I was running after the ball and really freaking moving.  After the walk, all this running really kicked my ass.  But in a good way.  I was glad I did it, but when I was going to leave I really thought I was going to puke.  I felt like I was going to pass out and was sweating like it was going out of style.  Despite feeling so bad, I was kind of proud of how hard I had pushed myself.  Also, I know that every time I do that I will be that much stronger.  I hate that I started doing this again in earnest in the summer, but whatever.  The fall will be here soon enough.  Cooler weather will be welcomed!  But right now, I am trying to get this second 10lbs off by August 10th and each day I really work hard I will be that much closer to that goal.  Starting my thirties (which I don't look forward to) at that point will be the biggest gift I could give myself.  And considering that I have 9.4 lbs to lose until then every time I go to do this I think that I am that more encouraged.  I have faith that I can accomplish my goal and I know I am going to work my ass off at getting there.  These attainable goals are really what keeps me going.  It is exciting to try to reach it.

Have a great Monday!

Scale Victory

So the number on the scale has matched pretty much what I have seen with clothes.  It's crazy.  Our scale has been broken for the last week or so and I was unable to weigh myself.  So I did this morning and I broke the number I had wanted and lost 3 lbs in the last week.  So exciting.  I was hoping that I would be where I was, but knew that I might not be there since I only really want to lose about 2 lbs a week.  But I lost more and it was showing on the scale!  Seeing that number really made me feel good about the changes that I have made.  It reinforced to me that I could lose weight and be healthy and not feel like I am losing out.  I feel like my ultimate goal is actually achievable.  Right now my big goal is to lose another 10 lbs by August 10th (my 30th birthday).  That means I need to average about 3lbs a week between now and then.  Since that is basically what I've been doing I am thinking about adding in some more exercise to cut more calories per day.  I know I can do it.  I am very confident that I can lose those 10lbs and be down another size by then.  I know I am going to have to work for it and really push myself, but the best birthday present will be to wake up and be 30 (which scares me a bunch) and be 10lbs lower than I am today.

Hope everyone else is nice and happy and healthy on this beautiful Sunday!

Shout Out to my sister

Today was a big day for my sister.  She officially has lost 100 pounds.  She started about a year and a half ago, but she's done it.  I can't help but be so proud of her - she has worked hard and been so inspiring to me and what I am trying to do.  She has done everything the right way - through a proper diet and exercise.  She is always there if I have questions and she has always been there to encourage me when I might be going through a struggle.  Also, she's been there when I might have been to hard on myself to tell me that I can go out to dinner and have what I want occasionally.  I credit her with teaching me that it is important to weigh your food, use measuring cups and spoons.  That you have to keep up good habits and that its not going to happen overnight.  She has really helped me to realize that I didn't become where I am overnight so its going to take some time to get where I want to be.  She helps me realize that I need to set smaller goals; ones that are attainable.  Also, she helped me to learn to take it one step at a time, that its hard to do everything perfectly.  Master things slowly.  Then add in other things.  For me it was just getting used to eating less, then it was making my own food and not over eating and next its going to be incorporating more exercising in to my day.

In happier news, I tried on a pair of jeans that I previously could fit (but were pretty tight) and they were a tad too loose.  I couldn't wear them all day.  So that's pretty exciting for me!

Soon I will have no clothes

So today I tried on a pair of jeans that were WAYYY too tight for me that I used to be unable to fit.  They are loose.  Not unwearable, but they are a little baggy in the legs and booty.  I am not complaining at all.  The only problem is that they are the jeans I had in reserve to wear as I lost weight.  I didn't expect them to be so loose so soon.  I thought I would be in them for a good month at least.  Now I'm not so sure.  Three weeks I couldn't wear them and now they are loose.  It's crazy.  My old normal jeans are totally unwearable.  Even right after they are washed.  It is just something I didn't expect to see so soon.  Especially without doing really any exercise - only watching what I eat.  So we will see how this continues.

Also, I had chips last night.  Bad idea.  They didn't agree with my tummy.  Another good thing today was I had to go get my parents Hardee's for breakfast.  I had the opportunity to get myself any kind of biscuity-sausagey-eggey goodness but I didn't.  I didn't even want it.  I thought about getting a fountain diet coke, but still I knew I had my trusty Sam's Club Diet Colas in the fridge.  So this has actually been a pretty good day.

Mind over matter

Ok.  Yesterday I had a bit of a breakthrough.  We were out of diet soda and during my meals I like to have a sweet, fizzy drink.  We had full calorie Coke.  It's only 120 cals a can so I figured I could make it work in my day.  I usually have more than that leftover without feeling hungry.  So I had a normal day - but just 240 more calories than normal.  So at night snack time I had about 150 calories in my day (which is 1500).  I was really wanting some Flax Seed Crackers with Laughing Cow Cheese but I knew it would put me like 30 calories or so over.  I didn't think it would be a big deal at all - especially since I typically have a large deficit every day.  I go to make my snack and realize we were out of the Laughing Cow Cheese!  I decided that since that was what I wanted and nothing else really seemed appealing I would just wait until the next day.  So then I relax to watch some TV and then it hit me - I wanted a taco.  However, I really thought about it and realized yea, maybe I didn't.  So I passed.

Total mind over matter.  I wanted it - but I just really thought about it.  Really, I could have had it and it would be okay; but is that what I really want?  I mean it has been 25 days now and I have only had fast food once.  One time.  I'm really happy about that.  Anyways.

Til next time!

I think its official - Fast Food and I broke up

Ok.  So on Saturday night we had a dinner snafu.  So we ended up getting fast food.  I got something smaller than what I used to and it fit in to my calories so I didn't think it was a big deal.  However, I felt so gross after eating it.  It wasn't a "I'm a failure" gross, but more of a "my tummy does not like this" gross.  The meal used to be something that I wouldn't be satisfied with - I'd want more.  Now, that was more than enough.  I felt very, very full.  And then my stomach didn't like the onion rings and I'm pretty sure that it didn't enjoy the burger either.  I'm totally not beating myself up for it either, but I just really have realized it isn't good enough to waste all those calories on.  This is not saying I won't ever have it again - I know there will be times I am in a pinch and it's what is there.  However, its just not good to me.  The food isn't good enough to feel like that.  However, I think Mexican is...  I think my addiction to Mexican food will never die.  To me, this demonstrates that I will make some sacrifices but a burger and fries really isn't one of those any more.  To me, this is huge.  My total weakness used to be fast food.  I could have it anytime, it would be hard to go to get something for someone else with out having something myself.  Now I am pretty confident that I could go pick up something for someone else and just be happy with having something I can find that is just as yummy but better for me at home.

It's amazing what a little time and really listening to your own wants and needs can do!

Counting Calories, Hot Weather, Malaise

So I count calories.  I think it is what is helping me lose weight.  If I start thinking about how many calories I used to eat everyday, I am amazed I hadn't gained more than I already had.  Thinking that I would eat in one meal the same amount of calories I eat in an entire day (sometimes more).  Crazy.  I can't imagine doing that now.  It makes me crazy to think I used to think that eating fast food all the time is okay and just eating because I am bored, or sad, or happy isn't okay.  That there are other things that I can do other than just eat when I'm not hungry.

A second note, it is so hot.  Like today it is literally 100 degrees outside.  I can hardly believe it.  I can't remember the last time it was this hot.  I mean, its been hot before but this is crazy.  I want to start getting out and walking to get some extra exercise.  Luckily, next week its supposed to be in the 80s.  That is a very welcome relief.  I am losing at a pretty good rate - and I'm starting to see a difference so   I think if I add in some extra exercise then I should see a bigger loss.  But also, I would rather just do it to get some time outside and hopefully boost my energy a bit.

Malaise.  The definition is "a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort".  That is what I have been feeling - I can't put my finger on it other than I feel like I lack direction in a bunch of different directions.  It is making me anxious and I just worry about what I am going to do next all the time.  Professionally, I am at a crossroads but I think I will figure it out.  This week my goal is to start really looking for something meaningful.  I have a general idea of what direction I want to go in, but I'm still trying to figure it out.  I feel like things can change.

Clearly, I'm in a funk.  But it hasn't effected my eating habits so I am just going to figure it out.  So yea.  

Stay cool.

Eating enough?

Well, I feel like I am.  However, when I look at how much I am eating I don't think I am.  The big problem is that I feel full.  For instance, all I have had today is an apple, some carrots and dip and an english muffin.  That's it.  I'm full.  Its barely 300 calories but I just don't feel the need to eat.  I ate a big dinner the other night and it made me sick.  It wasn't bad for me - it was just too large.  I had little too much yummy vegetables. So in fact, you CAN get too much of a good thing.  I know they tell you that you need to eat a certain number of calories in order to not to go in to "starvation mode" but I'm not sure how true that is.  My body is still losing weight so I feel like I'm not starving myself by any means.  I just eat things that are lower in calories and enjoy it.  As I have shown, I have also had pizza and went out to mexican but it isn't an every night thing.  So clearly it's not that I have a problem.  I just need to start letting myself eat stuff that is higher in calories (especially during the day).  Maybe I can start getting more creative.  I don't know - maybe I need to have a protein shake or something during the day.  My sister did that for awhile.  I'll have to check on her thoughts on those.  I just hate going to sit down to dinner and knowing that according to my plan I need to eat 1000 calories.  It just is pretty frustrating.  Anyways.  I guess I will see what she thinks I should do.

Hope everyone had an amazing 4th of July!

Eating anything you want - and still losing!

It can be done, friends.  I am pretty much proof.  I have been through a good two weeks again and lost a pretty good deal of weight for that time.  However, I haven't deprived myself at all.  You can't.  It is what I think keeps me going.  I can have anything I want.  In fact, I went out for dinner at a Mexican place on Friday and ate what I wanted.  However, after starting this what I wanted has changed but I would have had anything I wanted regardless and not felt bad.  Why, you ask?  Because I know that I don't do it everyday, that I won't be doing it again soon and that I have eaten the right way all day to allow me to have it.  And the cool thing is, I still lost weight over the period that I had it. One meal will never destroy your progress - unless it is followed by another meal like that and then another.  It's all about moderation and portion control.  I had pizza a couple of Fridays ago, but I fit it in my calories and probably enjoyed it more than I would if I had double what I ate or had just had it a few days before.

I think coming to terms with the fact that you can eat this stuff even if you are making a change is good.  I know that if I had to live my life without ever having pizza again I wouldn't be the happy go lucky person I am.  So go forth, measure and weigh and eat in moderation!

Numbers on the scale

Let's all admit - to those who try to lose weight, it is an obsession.  You see the number on the scale and it does something to your mind.  For me, a good day means I will skip a few days before I weigh again and if I have a bad day (no loss or gain) it means I will start checking my weight obsessively.  Luckily, I've found that I haven't had a bad day and that the good days are more regular.  Since last Friday I have lost about 3 pounds.  I am really proud of that and I am even more happy that it is getting easier each day to stick to eating as healthy as possible.

It's amazing how once you can train yourself not to want a lot of food, that so little food can be filling. For example, today for lunch I had a tuna salad sandwich (with less mayo and more mustard) and 1/2 cup strawberry halves and some whipped topping.  This is a very filling lunch.  I don't do the diet bread either - I have good old wheat bread (with extra fiber) and I measured out two ounces of the tuna (which is less than the suggest 2.6 oz serving).  It was more than enough for my sandwich and my 1/2 cup of strawberries was also half a serving but I didn't feel the need to eat any extra.  In fact, I'm quite full.  Seeing the scale before I ate reflecting the difference these changes are making really encourage me to continue and work hard at being more conscious of what I eat and how much of it I allow myself.

It just goes to show you that hard work does pay off.  These things don't happen overnight.  You can't put limits on yourself you can't stick to and all that other stuff people tell you when you are trying to lose weight.  It's hard to believe I haven't had fast food in almost two weeks or that I haven't had a Dr. Pepper either.  But you know what, I really don't want it (right now).

Enjoy the weather!

Struggles and Small Victories

I have to say, this time is a bit harder than when I started last time.  Last time I was a lot more excited and was less frustrated by others eating.  Maybe it's I am having a bad week - I don't know.  However, yesterday was a rough day for me.  Courtney and I went to a pool with some family and had intended on eating there.  You know - no big deal.  Courtney knew to make my plate and give me the correct sized portions.  Which she did.  There was birthday cake - and I had some.  Not too much, but some.  However, Courtney ate a lot more than I did.  I know she is at a different place and doesn't have the issues that I do.  Yet that doesn't make it easier to see her doing what I want to be doing.  I consider it a small victory that I didn't over eat and that I stuck to my plan.  However, it was just a hard day.  I am really learning that I like foods that have more fiber because they keep me from feeling hungry.

This week I am going to start drinking more water.  I know I don't drink enough and I think if I really boost it then I will feel less hungry and will make my skin look more healthy.  Exactly what I want - an indirect effect from a positive behavior.  Also, I think I am going to start doing some more exercise.  I'd walk if it wasn't so HOT.  I just can't do it because I start to feel sick.  That means I have to find an alternative to going outside and walking.  No big deal - there are all these Tumblrs that have great workout suggestions, I just need to do them.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

Someone Else Has Taken Over

Well, its been a rough road.  I had some solid weight loss, but after some health issues, I had a setback.  Then, in my typical style, I really veered off track and gained weight (but not too much).  So then I realized that I needed to get back on track.  I really thought about where I go wrong and what keeps veering me off track - and its two main things; when my diet is not organized and portions.  Sometimes if it is not strictly laid out to what I need to eat, I veer off course.  The whole concept of not knowing is very hard on me and causes me to really get on edge.  Also, I am not the best at measuring a portion out.  If I get 13 chips and they are not whole, then I have to "guess" to what pieces constitute one chip.  That can often cause me big problems.

So I enlisted my sister to step in.  She makes my meals and measures my portions so that I don't cheat.  I don't know how long its going to last - but it is going to last until I think I can handle it on my own.  It is really working.  I have only been at it since Monday (it's Friday) and I have gotten within a pound of where I was when I stopped earlier this year.  I am happy because I have been able to get back on the diet plan.  It isn't the easiest thing, but I really am having a better time of it this go round.

The hard part is getting back to the exercise.  It is really hot here again.  Like 100+ degrees with a heat index.  So I am trying to figure out what it is that I am going to do to get in some physical activity.  All this being said I am looking to find something that I can do to get a little burn in on those hot days.  I think I am going to try to walk for 15 mins a day at least - for me it burns a little over 100 calories.  Then I might try work out something that I can do inside (like a workout video or something) to get an indoor burn.

So at least I am back at it - for real this time!

Falling off the Wagon

So I did it ... I fell off the wagon.  I haven't been writing on here because I haven't been "getting healthy" as much lately.  I have been eating a lot more fast food and more food than I should in general lately.  At least I know why - I was really stressed about some unrelated health issues and a lot of the time I deal with stress by eating.  Everything is okay now - so I think that I am really ready to get back to it.

I started walking again yesterday - walked a mile and I think I'm going to walk two miles today.  I'm going to update my music and just start walking.  I have some things I want to think about, so it will be a good time to get some thinking done.

So, encouragement and prayers are welcome on my strugglish journey.

Worst New Blogger Ever

So you may have noticed I haven't been the best at blogging this week.  Yea, pretty much I suck.  I have had a few eating issues - but I have doubled my resolve.  I know that I need to step it up with my willpower.  As usual, I got really off my game when I noticed that I hadn't lost anything in a week.  I guess it was just so frustrating that I just allowed myself to slip a few times.  That is what happened last year - I noticed the scale wasn't moving so I just figured I should give up.  However, I am glad I saw that pattern starting to emerge and now I am back on the grind making sure that I don't keep up with my bad habits.  Also, I can start my walking again since some health stuff that was preventing it has pretty much cleared up.  Pretty exciting.  I know what I ate didn't do any damage to my weight loss up to now, however, I don't want to keep down the path.  I'm getting up, dusting myself off and getting back on the pony.  I'm going to do my usual routine of looking at inspirational quotes, checking out some weight loss message boards and check out pinterest for recipes that are  healthy and low in calories.

Now Playing: Averi - Empty Pages

Dinner:  Spaghetti

Trying to find balance with working/eating

So there have been a few days recently where I have had a hard time finding a balance where eating is concerned.  When I had a full day of travel (left at 7:30am returned at 11:00pm) I had to eat all meals out of the house.  Boy, I often make wrong decisions.  That is an old habit and one I intend to change.  I am going to work hard to eat healthier "on the go" and learn to pack healthy snacks in my bag so I don't get tempted by the first food that I see.

Bad Day

So I had my first bad day.  I got on the scale today to no movement.  I have been consistently under my calorie goal everyday - some days significantly.  I know that it is impossible for that to have happened.  However, I do see some changes in my clothes -- a looser fit, they look better.  It is frustrating to work hard on eating properly and then see nothing.  So today I fell off the wagon a bit.  I had fast food... twice.  It wasn't my best day; however, I knew I needed a break.  So I am at least being up front and honest - both by logging my food (for the people on my tracking site to see) and telling the three people who check my blog here.  Well, I'm back on the wagon tomorrow and its not like I had a billion extra calories.

Now Playing - watching Homeland on Showtime
Dinner - it was London Broil and a baked potato

Shad Planking - And its NOT a Recipe!

Ok.  So today is one of my favorite days of the year - Shad Planking.  See, professionally, I work in politics.  Here in Virginia, every spring the Wakefield Ruritan Club hosts a "Shad Planking".  Basically, they cook Shad on wooden planks for everyone to eat and socialize.  However, that description does not even begin to describe the event.  For the most part, it is an out and out competition to see who has the best representation for their political campaign that year.  This year, her in the Commonwealth of Virginia we have a US Senate race between two former governors - George Allen (R) and Tim Kaine (D).  Also, we are like electing a President (#teamRomney) and Congresspeople and whatnot.  So basically, the thought is to go and put up large signs and little yard signs on the road leading down to the actual event.  In prior years, we have gone days ahead and gotten locations and permission to put signs up and it is a two-day event for those of us working.  You don't sleep because you have to defend your signs and you spend hours putting up literally THOUSANDS of signs.  It's crazy.  Luckily, that won't happen for me again until next year when my boss will be running for Governor.  This year we are going to have our usual presence - including our famous Hot Dogs. The idea is that different candidates and organizations bring different things to serve -- both food and adult beverages.  You get piled with stickers and get to have a great time and talk politics with people.  So much fun.  Check out this site to see coverage on Sean Hannity's show in 2009.  Oh and my guy won that year :)

Now Playing - People speaking at the Shad Planking (totally a scheduled post)
Dinner  - Not sure - hopefully healthy!

Long days, good decisions

Tonight was rough.  I had a the biggest meeting that I was responsible for working on tonight and I have been doing bunches of stuff for it for a couple of weeks.  It wasn't going to be the best outcome, but we knew that and just wanted to mitigate our losses.  It turned out better than I had hoped (at least so far).  However, it meant another late night and me coming home starving.  I knew what I was going to have (mostly).  It was there and I just for some reason wanted fast food.  I know most of you don't know me, but that is my weakness.  I love a cheeseburger and fries or a chicken sandwich or whatever else you can get by talking to that board.  It was the first time I really considered just eating whatever I wanted in the house and just dealing with it later.  I think I am beginning to be a little put off since some of my medical issues are becoming a bit of a problem and keeping me from my walks, but I just decided today I am just going to still walk but slower and less time.  I miss it.  So at least at the end of the day, I ate my healthy dinner and called it a day.  I didn't have any unhealthy snack and I didn't hightail it to McDonalds or Wendy's.  Little victories like that keep me going - although it may seem like nothing to the normal person, to me its a big deal.

Now Playing:  Taylor Swift - Breathe
Dinner:  Grilled, bone-in pork chop, ear of corn and rice (yum!)

Importance of Logging

So, I guess it can be annoying to some - but I log everything I eat.  By log, I mean I enter it in and track my calories.  It is what keeps me on track.  I am competitive by nature, so I try to make sure I stay below my daily calorie goal of 1500 calories a day.  Surprisingly, it is pretty easy to eat that much and stay full.  Also, you realize that before logging the food you would eat is crazy.  I think back to getting a large Dr. Pepper with a meal.  That would equal a whooping 1,000 calories.  There are days (not many) when I don't eat that many calories a day, much less have a drink containing that many.  Or the fact that my favorite burrito at Taco Bell is about 846 calories.  Pair that with the taco that would come along at 142 calories.  So in one meal I would be eating over 2,000 calories.  Today, that just blows my mind.  I'm sure there will be days where I blow my calorie goal - but it seems crazy to eat like that.  It isn't really even that yummy.  I think my meals are much better tasting and allow me to eat more throughout the day and pretty much always be content.

Now Playing:  nothing - just the sound of my fan :)
Dinner:  I had a salad and chicken breast w/ Carribean Jerk marinade

What exactly are my goals?

Why am I getting healthy?  Is there a reason?  What are my goals?

These are questions that I often find me asking myself.  The first two are super easy.  Why am I getting healthy?  Well, after having some medical problems, I realized that I needed to make some big changes.  Did anyone tell me to make these changes?  Nope, not at all.  Maybe they should have - but people can be so PC these days. I figure getting some weight off will help me that's for sure.  Really, more than that I want to feel good about myself.  I am pretty outgoing and I never have a problem making friends or meeting people.  My biggest problem is myself.  I am pretty hard on myself and feel that changing and starting a healthy lifestyle will be something to help me appreciate myself.  It's really amazing how a lot of people can think so highly of you or you can have a bunch of friends, but when it comes down to liking yourself you can fall short.  In fact, I have noticed how it has effected my life.  It also has begun to make some anxiety issues that I have come to the surface more often.  For instance, I don't like crowds or big groups of people.  I know this seems crazy with my job - but its different.  It hasn't really had any effect on that.  However, I can't go to places that have a lot of people.  For instance, we have a Walmart near our house, but this afternoon I wouldn't dream of going there.  Way too many people.  I don't like going to crowded places and will avoid them in fact.  I am hoping that just improving my overall health will start changing this.

The harder question to answer is about my goals.  I don't have a "number" goal or anything like that.  I just want to be more healthy.  It's important to me to reduce my weight - but I try not to set up too big of a goal because I know that will just frustrate me because of my nature to be an overachiever.  However, I have a lot of little goals.  Right now, I want to be able to walk further than I did this week (and will be adding an additional lap to my daily walks), I want to go down a size in my pants (although I am fitting in to a size smaller than I was before already), I want to continue to make healthy food choices (despite having Chipotle for lunch today).  Furthermore, I don't think I ever want to reach a "goal".  I want to make a lifestyle change.  I love the way I feel after a nice, brisk 2 mile walk.  I am so proud that I can make myself do that - I don't need someone to do it with me or make me do it.  My highlight of this week was that I knew I had to be out one night that I needed to make sure I walked so I got up early and did that.  Seriously, I wouldn't normally have done that.  Just getting out there and doing that on my own made me so proud.  I love how it feels to make a healthy food choice instead of falling back on unhealthy food choices.  I know that I will have days where I don't eat right or I over indulge.  It's life.  But what I have learned is that one bad meal doesn't mean the end of trying.  I just log it (like I do everyday) and keep going.  Luckily, I don't usually go over my calorie limit (even if I mess up) so I don't sweat it too much.

So what are your goals?  What spurred your decision to get healthy?

Now Playing - Hey Stephen - Taylor Swift (I'm in a kick!)
Dinner - Probably a salad again.  Or a 1/2 turkey, 1/2 ground beef burger.

Part of the journey: Having a Plan

I have realized that I need to have a plan.  If I have a plan - I stick to it.  If I don't make a point to plan something I am more likely to fall off track.  For example, when I look ahead to what I'm going to eat - I make good decisions.  When I don't, I don't make the best decisions.  That was yesterday.  I knew I had to go on a long trip for a meeting and that I would be late for dinner but I didn't think ahead with a plan.  I stuck to my 3pm snack per the usual, but by the time 8pm rolled around I was starving.  When you are on the road and its late - I found myself having a hamburger.  Eeeks.  The only upside is that it fell within my calorie allowance.  In fact, I was about 100cals under.  Go me.  So that just means I am going to step it up with my walk tonight -- go 3 miles instead of just two and add in more jogging.  Also, makes it so I am going to really watch my eating. I am forgoing the 1/2 Turkey 1/2 beef burgers that everyone is having and having a salad with turkey.  Luckily, I love how the salad tastes and how filling it is for so few cals!

I have an early meeting in Chesapeake tomorrow - so I have to think ahead about that.  Old Brandy would just say, eh I'll have a fast food breakfast on the way there.  This Brandy thinks she might have a turkey bacon and egg on a whole grain english muffin and pack a snack!  Making the right decisions feels so much better than eating a McDonald's cheeseburger tastes.

Now Playing:  Breathe - Taylor Swift
Dinner:  Salad with Avacado and Sliced Turkey!

5 lbs in a week!

Well, this has never happened to me before.  I lost five pounds in one week.  Last Wednesday I went to the doctor for a normal check up and first thing this AM I got on the scale and there was a number 5 lbs lower than last week.  I have to say, this has been the biggest encouragement possible.  I know that I won't lose weight over night, but wow.  This loss is with one trip to McDonalds, a Saturday night at Plaza (that was not as bad as it previously would have been) and two nights eating out (but controlled).  I have been working really hard to stay on both my diet track and my walking/exercise track and have done pretty good.  I need to fit in something today and I am thinking 30 mins this afternoon before I get ready to leave for a meeting on the Eastern Shore.  I need to get my heart rate up and I'd like to burn at least a couple hundred calories.

Things I have learned in this first week have been pretty valuable.  First of all, I don't need the quantity of food I thought I did.  For example, today for lunch I had one of my favorites - an English Muffin Pizza.  Basically, I take a whole grain 100 cal EM, put a Tablespoon of normal bottled spaghetti sauce and a serving of the low fat 2% skim mozz and slap it in the oven.  It gives me some veg (ha!), protein and whole grains.  Believe it or not, it is incredibly filling.  It also clocks in at under 200 cals.  Yes.  I can be full on less than 200 cals.  Its not some huge salad or anything - but it makes me content.  I guess what also helps is that I know at 3pm I'll be having a snack.  I'm not eating something to hold me over to a 6pm dinner - if I were to do that, I'd definitely over eat.  Today, I'm not sure about my dinner - I'm travelling for work until late and my buddy is driving me across the Bay Bridge Tunnel.  Also, our meeting is at an Italian place, so if people eat I might find something that fits in my calorie allowances.  Otherwise, I might just have a big salad.  Those have been SO good.

Now Playing:  Hey Stephen - Taylor Swift
Dinner:  TBD

Time for Test #1

So I have done pretty well since starting this new change.  Hit a bit of a curve on Saturday - but logged my eating and kept up going.  I understand that people are going to have a bad day and the important thing is to not let it knock you off of your mission.  All this being said - tonight I'm going to a restaurant.  I'm not going to lie; I'm nervous.  I'm the type of person who likes to really eat when I'm out.  I'll have the pasta and bread or something fried.   However, I recognize doing that so much got me here.  And here is not somewhere I enjoy being.  So I'm trying to plan out what to have in advance; I've been there before but I know my favorite things there don't fit in to what I now find appropriate food choices.  Right now I've narrowed it down to a half salad and half of a more healthy sandwich.  Also - lots of water.  This will allow me to feel filled and its not going to make me feel guilty.  Most importantly, I'm going to log it and stay in my calorie goals.  I got a little busy first thing this morning and missed breakfast, had a pretty healthy lunch of leftover Veg and Beef soup and a wholegrain 100 calorie english muffin.  That leaves me roughly 1000 calories left for the day.  But I must admit, I'm more excited about the company than the food.  I would be happy just catching up with my friend just over a glass of water - so what I need to do is make a healthy choice and not worry about the food.

Now Playing:  I'll Be by Edwin McCain (Pandora <3)
Dinner:  Something at Baker's Crust in Williamsburg

Motivation... Things that motivate me.

Ok - when it gets down to it, I have already told ya'll I hate to exercise.  It just isn't fun for me; I hate getting all red and sweaty.  But like I mentioned, it does wonderful things for my body (like helping me fit in to jeans that I was unable to before).  So here are some things I use to motivate me:

• I read this online:  "You will never regret a workout, but you will regret not working out."  SO TRUE.
• The more you work out the sooner you will reach your goal.
• The fact that everyday I do better than I did the day before.
• Each day I walk I am a day closer to running and then a day closer to completing my first half marathon in November.
• Action brings results.
• Also - I look at people's successes and get inspired.  It helps me know that I will be that one day.

What is your inspiration?

Now Playing:  Dave Matthews Band - Tripping Billies

For Dinner:  Beef and Veg Stew.  Homemade.  Yum.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

Well today is Easter.  For a lot of my life this meant CANDY.  This year it totally doesn't.  I have gotten to the age where I don't get an Easter Basket and I'm really okay with that.  It's usually filled with incredibly unhealthy snacks.  But, let's be honest - I'm not big on sweets.  I can take or leave them.  And I usually leave them for chips.  But also, it means a big, calorie filled dinner.

Not this year - I'm going to celebrate by making a big Mexican flavored salad for dinner.  Something that I can eat a lot of and not be upset for falling off the boat (like I did yesterday).  So instead of the big dinner - I'm going to do something a little different and maybe start a new tradition for myself.

Now Playing - Promiscuous Girl by Timbaland and Nelly Furtado
Dinner - Mexican Salad w/ Chicken!

Exercising - Love/Hate Relationship

I'll be the first to admit it - I'm not the biggest fan of exercise.  I would rather not do it most of the time - in fact, I'd rather eat less than exercise more some days.  However, I am a HUGE fan of how it makes me feel after I get off my rear and do it.  Right now I have decided that I am going to work out 3-5 days a week of walking for an hour.  It's what is right for me.  I usually get a few miles logged and I try to keep a pace that keeps my heart rate up and I think this is what I'm going to work on for the month.  My short term goals are just to keep up the pace and pushing myself.  Some days that push might be to actually get a walk in and some days it might be to try to run some of the time (found a app that might be helpful).  Either way, I look forward to being able to walk, run or skip further and faster as the days progress.

Now Playing:  Run This Town - Jay Z, Rihanna and Kanye West
For Dinner:  Spaghetti (using ground turkey and whole wheat penne pasta)

*Side note - dinner last night was awesome.  Ranch Turkey Burger - I found the recipe on Pintrest.  I think Pintrest is the best site on the internet right now.  So many yummy recipes!

I admit, I'm a picky eater!

I don't know if you are a picky eater - but I am.  At the drop of a hat I can start naming off what I don't like.  However, if you ask me what I do like I ramble off the most unhealthy food possible.  With the changes I am trying to implement, you have to be the opposite of picky.  Sometimes you have to eat what you aren't familiar with or find a way to make what you don't like yummy.

One of my biggest struggles is with figuring out what I want for lunch.  Since I work at home I have the great luxury of being able to cook anything out of the kitchen.  The problem is I never know what to do.  So the answer is get inventive.  Yesterday, I approached the refrigerator and had the same dilemma.  However, this was one fight I was going to win.  After looking through what I had going on, I settled on re-purposing some leftovers from a couple nights before.  My dad had made yummy, cheesey, saucey enchiladas.  However, I decided to measure out some meat, cheese and was pretty generous with some chopped up veggies and made myself a filling and delicious meal of tacos!  All of the below picture was under 400 calories!

So now instead of tackling making lunch as something I don't want to do - I see it as an opportunity to do something different, push myself to make something yummy and healthy.  I know that when I take a look at the refrigerator today at lunch time I won't see an obstacle, but a chance for some healthy food fun.

Now Playing:  A Woman Like You - Lee Brice
Dinner:  Hmmm... not sure.  Need to browse Pinterest!

Getting Back on Track

Starting a blog about a personal journey is a little scary, but I feel like it will give me some accountability and will be a place that I can look back on when I'm needing some extra encouragement and new ideas.

Let me start with what really got me on board with reinventing myself.  First of all, I have a younger sister, Courtney, and over the last year she has lost about 70 lbs and is incredibly fit.  I have watched her change and adapt to a different lifestyle and she has been very inspiring and encouraging.  Also, over the last few months I have had some health issues that were not preventable, but I realized that I needed to make some changes.

So, I'm starting off pretty easily - I'm going to maintain a 1500 calorie/day goal and going to walk for an hour 3-5 times per week.  Also, I'm going to TRY to blog about what I have done everyday.  Since we moved to the country, the hour walk is really pretty and if I want to walk laps, then I have a good set up to do that in our neighborhood as well.  Also, something that worked for me before was logging my food.  This made a HUGE difference.  You don't realize how much things add up when you don't keep track -- a soda here and a piece of candy there really make a big difference.  I use the website MyFitnessPal to help keep me on track with what I'm eating and logging my exercise as well.  They have a lot of caloric values for pre-entered food so you can pretty much search the website and find what you are eating.  Also, they have an app on the Droid and Apple Store that will allow you to scan the barcode of something and automatically enter it for you.  So cool! 

Also, I'm going to make the effort to eat as cleanly as possible.  As someone who's lifestyle at some points requires eating on the go, I'm going to have to really think ahead.  Instead of getting some fries at McDonalds, I need to pack some baby carrots or grapes or something like that.  If I do eat out, I got the Eat This, Not That fast food book so I can make healthy decisions.  

Additionally, I'm doing this with my family.  I find that this change is easiest when you have people on the journey with you.  As I mentioned, my sister is already well on her way and my mom has decided to join in the fun.  We can plan meals together, walk together, get encouragement from each other and just have someone to talk to about it.

Every post is going to end with the song I am listening to as I blog and what I am having for dinner.  Also, from time to time I may add in things about politics and beauty -- my two real loves.  Please feel free to send me healthy recipes and ideas on how to keep it going.  Or share your journey - I like getting ideas from others!

Current Song:  Over You - Miranda Lambert

Dinner: Something with grilled chicken (subject to change)