Monday, January 16, 2017

Choices, Choices, Choices

It's been a week since I began numbers 33 (dropping two pants sizes) and 34 (working out at least three times a week for 90 days straight) and while it has been difficult, I've been very successful. I worked out four out of the seven days...what can I say, I'm an overachiever and I've lost four pounds. I really attribute my first successful week to all the amazing encouragement I received from so many. Encouragement that I will need moving forward.

The first few days weren't so bad. It was kind of like my kids' first days of preschool. Different and fun until days two and three when you start to cry because you realize this is an every day thing. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are easy because I only have to worry about me. Dinner is a whole different story. I have four other people to worry about feeding. My husband will eat anything and actually prefers when I cook healthy...strange but true. My daughter will take a little of the healthy food and then snack later. My middle son loves food. He will try new things but doesn't like any vegetables except salad so that makes it difficult and my youngest only eats breaded chicken, macaroni and cheese, pasta, rice, meatballs in red sauce and my meatloaf. If I had the time and energy to make myself something different I would but instead I've just been slowly changing things like making brown rice instead of white rice and using ground turkey more instead of red meat. With these changes came three great moments.

The first was when my family decided to get Subway for dinner because we were at work late andmy  middle son had a soccer game. While I stood in line thinking about the Parmesan herb bread I normally get toasted with meatballs and provolone, I decided I didn't want that and walked out deciding to find a better choice at home. This was HUGE for me. The next moment came on Saturday when we had spent the morning at the soccer field, the afternoon visiting with family from out of town and then had an hour and half at home before meeting up with family again. Guess what I did while I was home? I worked out. This is unheard of. I usually need hours just to prepare myself to want to change into workout clothes, let alone take the only time I could have relaxing to work out. The third came later that night when I was at my brother's house and he offered me dessert. For those of you that know me dessert is my weakness especially ice cream. He had bought ice cream sandwiches and M&M cookie ice cream sandwiches. The only thing better than ice cream is when you add a baked good and candy to it but I had watermelon and pineapple instead. Yes, you read that correctly. I chose fruit instead of ice cream. Gold star for me.

I know it's only going to get tougher because I looked at the calendar and there are so many after school and evening activities coming up the next few weeks. On top of that I'm beginning to feel like PMS is right around the corner. That's why I wanted the Snickers when I went grocery shopping today (I walked right by it) and I feel fatter today despite losing four pounds. Hormones suck. It's also hard to get through my workouts because I'm sore and my knees and joints sound like someone is popping bubble wrap but I am determined to work through it because I'm doing this for me. So if you see me eyeing up chips or ice cream, make sure you give me the mom look. I know I'll hate it and appreciate it at the same time.

Monday, January 9, 2017

Shedding Some Baggage

So I am a little more than a month into my journey and something unexpected has occurred. People, good friends; family; people I haven't talked to in years and acquaintances, have all encouraged me and seem to be encouraged by my journey. It's really cool. My friend Jen bought me a tomato plant to begin my garden. Some friends from work want to learn to make jewelry with me. Close friends want to go zip lining, snorkeling and more. Today a reading specialist that I only know in passing offered to take MMA classes (which I'm considering doing instead of the dance lessons) with me. It's kind of amazing how this journey is bringing people together. 

Speaking of coming together, my sister-in-law invited me to go backstage in July for a New Kids on the Block concert. It's a middle school dream come true. While I was screaming like a middle school girl that I would finally get to meet Donnie Whalberg to my husband, two emotions swept through me. The first was excitement, because I instantly thought I might be able to check some items off my list but then when I though of the photo opportunity, I became depressed. Meeting Donnie is a moment worth capturing in a photograph and that's what depressed me...me in a photograph. I have gained so much weight and am not so pleased with myself. My husband joked with me and told me to lose the weight creating a funny saying, Do it for Donnie. While that was cute, I just didn't feel motivated. I realized I don't want to lose weight for Donnie, my husband or anyone else. I want to lose weight for myself.

So today I began numbers 33 and 34 on my list. I'm hoping to drop two pants sizes and work out at least three times a week for 90 days straight. I began today eating healthier. It wasn't horrible. I also worked out. That was horrible. First, let me say one of the biggest hurdles, besides time and energy, to working out is changing your clothes. I kept thinking, I'm going to change out of work clothes to work out for 30 mins then shower and put pajamas on. That's a lot of laundry for someone who has limited time to begin with. But I did it and I felt accomplished. I also had an epiphany in the shower after my workout. I realized I am an emotional stress eater and the reason why I am unhappy when I look in the mirror is because I see all the negative emotions and stress piled up on me. I don't want to carry that around. I want to shed all of those negative things, so when I look in the mirror I see me. So I'm posting my before picture, which takes a lot of guts to do, hoping that soon I will be happy to post the next one.

Wish me luck!