Day 11 Eat Your Veggies

I tried something new again for dinner last night.  That seems to be a theme around here these days.  Anyway, I found a recipe for what they called 'Zucchini Tots'.  Now, do not be fooled.  These in no way tasted like tater tots, but the shredded veggie was toasted a light brown and did end up having a nice crunch.  My kids were skeptical, and while they didn't LOVE the zucchini tots, they didn't hate them either.  I found it was nice to have something else to choose from besides broccoli, green beans, and corn.

If you want t check out the recipe, it is posted over on another of my blogs, MenuWishes.  It was really tasty and I plan on adding it to my dinner menu more often.  I will also be looking for more creative ways to keep vegetables on my plate daily.

Day 10 - Caffeine

Starting Weight - 242.8 lbs
Today's Weight - 240.6 lbs (yippee)
Total lost - 2.2 lbs

Today I would hand over my left arm and sell my first born child to get some caffeine in my body. Of course, I'm right-handed and my first born in almost 15, so that's not really saying a whole lot. But really the pain and the withdrawals that I'm going through over no caffeine are killing me. And making me want to eat everything in sight to combat the way I feel. But I won't. I know that caffeine is a harmful substance and not necessary in my life.  I want to be kinder to my body.  It's the only one I have and there is not way to get a replacement one. So if that means I have a few days of headaches and pain, then I will take it, and tough it out so that my body can go back to functioning the way it was supposed to.

Day 9 - Edamame Mama

Life again.  She gets in the way of me trying to do the right thing.  Between work and trying to help my brother get ready to move, somehow taking care of myself (and blogging about it) took a back seat.



But I'm back.  And I'm glad.  Because three days of not blogging and being accountable have made an unpleasant difference.

This week I plan to continue my eggs and veggies for breakfast.  Next week, I think I will try to add some smoothies to the morning. I am more likely to consume more fruit and veggies with a smoothie than I am getting now.

Today's lunch is pretty.  Edamame.  It's protein AND it's green.  That makes it healthy right?  It would make my mother happy.  (Maybe that's why I've been so resistant to veggies.)  Her rule was that we always had to eat something green at dinner.

Thank you to those of you who have added eating tips and recipes in the comments.  Feel free to add links or ideas in the comments.

Day 5 Who's Idea Was This Anyway

 When I came up with this brilliant plan to make some major eating changes, I didn't consult any books or even a calendar.  Now I'm thinking I maybe should've checked both.  Today started with being doubled over with blinding cramps and the welcoming of my favorite monthly visitor.  I guess I should be celebrating the fact that I survived what is typically a very bad eating week for me without even knowing it.  Today, however, all I want to do is lay in bed with the plate full of chocolate chip cookies resting on top of a heating pad.

I need to point out that the week of making better choices has really helped me today.  My niece (who is moving to Michigan on Tuesday) spent the night with us for the last time before she moves (over 1000 miles and 16 hours) away from us.  In her honor, I went and bought some kolaches and doughnuts.  And I couldn't bring myself to eat either.  After making better choices all week, I just couldn't see ruining it for something that probably wouldn't taste all that great in the first place.

Today's breakfast was a sausage, egg, and cheese croissant.  (Hey, at least it wasn't a doughnut.)  Lunch will have to be just yogurt because my mom has a sort of "last family meal" planned tonight for my brother and his family.  Not that I have to eat bad, but that the good choices will be limited there.

Next week I plan on adding some sort of exercise.  I have no clue what to start with at this point, but I am looking forward to making even more progress as I continue to wrestle this body back into submission.

Day 4 - People Suck

I was discussing with a friend how sometimes you are looking for support from certain people and they let you down.  The good news is that often in those times you end up finding support from the most unexpected places.

It's the same with trying to lose weight.  I was hoping for support from my veggie-loving husband.  However, he is also a lazy, midnight-snacker.  So that means when I have to rely on him to make dinner, I get some kind of convenience food loaded with fat and other harmful substances followed with a bowl of ice cream at 10:30 at night.  Then there are my kids who have requested some yogurt of their own.  They see me eating it every day and want to be healthy too.

I want my life to be about finding joy.  Today I found joy in my children.  and the fact that I am carrying around 7 less pounds than I was in December.

Day 3 - Tried Something New

Weight - 241.0 (WIN!)

I have heard that you shouldn't weigh yourself every day.  Of course, I cannot wait a whole week to jump on the scale.  I am of the opinion that if what I am doing isn't working, then I don't want to wait seven days to find this out.  So there I was.  On the scale this morning. With surprising result.  Three Days down and I've lost 1.8 pounds.  Maybe there really is something to this accountability stuff.

And now for something a little bit

You'll be happy to know that I tried something new.  AND... It didn't kill me.  I asked Hubs to grab some vegetables from the grocery store on his way home.  He came home with a bag of frozen brussel sprouts.  I have absolutely no memory of EVER eating a single brussel sprout in my life.  Anyway, I steamed the brussel sprouts, added a little spray butter and salt and ended up liking them.  They tasted a little like broccoli to me.



The moral of this story is that change can be good.  Not all new things are scary.  And I read in a book just last night

"Eighty percent of any achievement is making the decision to achieve."

This was a fiction story and I am not trying to be literal or scientific, it was just a little inspiring.

This morning got away from me.  Between watching a friend's 8 month old, homeschooling my three boys, waking up late, and the puppy that wanted in and then out and then in and then out... yeah.  It was 10:00 before I even had a chance to think about eating breakfast.  I just switched it up and ate my yogurt for breakfast instead of lunch.  Hopefully this won't mess up my day.

What healthy choice is scary for you?

Day 2 - My Motivation

Exercise - Still none

I'm still trying to find the right balance.  Yesterday I got hungry way before lunch time.   By the time I ate I ended up eating more that I should.  Today  I added sausage with the spinach and tomatoes to my morning omelet.  I hoped it would help tide me over until it was time to eat lunch.  It worked.  For lunch I ate Greek yogurt with a side of melons.  Dinner is still gonna be high in calories, but I'm adding some extra vegetables to help fill in the holes.  This is all about small changes for me.  It's about learning to eat in a way that is right for me.  That is good for me.

I have three boys.  Are't they cute?  

They are what keeps me motivated.  They are going to need their mommy to stick around for a long time.  There are so many different health risks to being overweight.  I don't want to cut my life short simply because I didn't control what I put into my body.  I am better than that.  I am stronger than that.

What is your motivation?

Let's Just Call This Day 1

Day 1

Today's change is breakfast.  Instead of sugary cereal or eggs with sausage and a toaster waffle covered in syrup, I chose something a little different.

Breakfast was a 2 egg omelet with grape tomatoes, spinach, and a small sprinkle of shredded cheese with a side of about 1/4 cup of mixed berries.  It was delish and looked really pretty.  Wanna see?

And for real, the tomato and spinach both fell out of the omelet when I was transferring them from the pan to the plate.  It's like they were trying to pose for a picture.  So I took one.

I'm still trying to decide what lunch will be.  I'm a little hungrier than I was yesterday when I only ate yogurt and melons, but I don't want to ruin a good day.  I REALLY need to find time for a trip to the grocery store.

If you came back to read this post, THANK YOU.  If no one did, that's fine too because this is for me.  I figure if I put it out there in the public, then maybe I will have more strength to stick with it and make better choices.

The One Where I Tell You Why

Weight - 242.8
Exercise - Does 4.5 hours of retail work count?

At this time three years ago I weighed 210 pounds.  That was the lowest my weight has been since I started having children 15 years ago.  It was exciting.  Clothes fit well.  My body felt good.  I was walking 4 miles most days.  It was good.  Then , along came life.  You know how it goes, a little stress, less time to walk, and one year later, 2012, and I am up to 225.  Life continues.  Hubs loses his job.  It's 2013, we have moved to a new city, started new jobs and a new life.  The weight. 235 and counting.  Well, it's 2014 and today's weight was 242.8.  And that's down 5 pounds from the beginning of December.  But still it's just too much.  My knees ache and I'm tired all the time.  I have no energy to walk back to my bedroom, much less walk around the block.  I'm fed up and am going to make some changes.  I have a husband and three children who all deserve better from me than what they are getting.  Heck, I  deserve better from me than what I'm getting.  Today is the first day of small changes that will be occurring in my life.

Breakfast was a sausage, egg, and cheese McGriddle from McDonald's (not a great start)
Lunch was 1 6oz Peach Chobani Greek Yogurt and some melons or berries (haven't decided which yet)
Dinner will be a boxed Banquet Homestyle Bakes Lasagna  (probably loaded with calories, but it was purchased and planned before I became fed up and I have to use it) But I'm serving it with Baked Zucchini  seasoned with Parmesan cheese (Low fat) and Italian seasoning.

I know it's now what most people would call a healthy diet, but like I said, small changes.  The biggest obstacle for me will be to stop drinking so much sweet tea.