12 pounds!!

I weighed myself this morning and I have now lost 12 pounds!!  I'm so excited!  Last night I really wanted to eat more than I should.  It was actually really hard to resist but I did and I am so happy this morning that I did so well!

There are a couple things I do to help me in times like those.  The first is what I mentioned in my last post, Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper!  I feel like I'm cheating when I'm really not.  I know, it's not great for me, but right now it's really helping my fight my temptations to eat stuff I'm not supposed to.

The second is Ice Breakers Ice Cubes gum.  My favorite are the Kiwi Watermelon and Raspberry Sorbet Flavors.  Any time I'm tempted I have one of those and it really does help.  I keep them in my kitchen cupboard so when I'm doing dishes or making dinner and feeling tempted to snack, I pop one of those in and feel better.  They're so yummy so I kinda feel like I'm getting a treat.

I'm so excited I'm still losing!  YEA!

How I do it

I've been asked a lot how I've lost my 10 pounds in such little time.  First of all, I have a lot to lose so the first little bit is coming off faster than I'm sure it will later.  I know I need to eat lots of vegetables cooked the right way and not dipped in fatty stuff, eat the right kind of fruits (not the too sugary ones), exercise 30-60 minutes a day and don't eat super fatty stuff.  Ideal, right?  Of course.  But to make that kind of change in a day is very overwhelming to me, so I'm starting off small.  

I'm cutting down my portions considerably. I've stopped snacking on cookies and candy.  I spoil myself with diet cherry Dr. Pepper!!  YUM!  I know it's not the best for me, but it helps me get through days I want to majorly cheat.  If I feel like a snack, I'll have an ounce of Almonds (Blue Ribbon Almonds with sea salt are my favorite).  Since I get tempted to overeat, I'll put what I'm going to eat on a plate or bowl and put the food somewhere else.  Out of sight, out of mind.  I love Slim Fast and I know that this is a lifestyle change and I'm not going to have Slim Fast for my whole life but it's been my friend lately.  If I wasn't great that day, I'll have one for dinner.  If I know I'm going out and want to eat just a little more, I'll have one for lunch.  I also have one first thing in the morning.  I know you're supposed to eat within an hour of waking up so since I have to get up to feed my baby, it's a perfect time.  I then eat a piece of wheat toast with peanut butter on it when my girls have their breakfast.  I also make sure I have healthy snacks in between meals.  

Well folks, that's how I'm doing it.  I hope to gradually get healthier and eat better, but as of right now, I'm taking baby steps.  This is really helping me to not get discouraged.  I can do this!!  

And so it begins...

Just over 4 and a half years ago I decided that I needed to get serious about losing weight.  It was June 19th and by the time I found out I was pregnant with my first child 7 months later I had lost 40 pounds.  I promised myself I would never be as heavy as I had once been, and here I am, 4 years and 3 amazing kids later, even heavier than I was then.  I'm frustrated with myself for letting me get this way but motivated to get skinnier and healthier!!  I finally got serious about it last month and have already lost 10 pounds.  Thanks to everybody for their motivation and positive messages.  You have no idea how much that helps.  I'm excited and motivated to lose more and feel better.  

 April 2006

 Me wearing those same pants in January 2007

 So proud!  

January 2011

And so it begins...