Back in the Saddle Again - Feb wk3

So how did you enjoy you 2 FREE days in a row?!

I hope you earned the free Valentine's Day!

I hope you lost that full size and looked smokin' hot on the date with the hubby. I actually fell asleep at 8:45 with 2 yr old, so my Valentine's Day rocked! (Glad I didn't buy that lingerie I was thinking of - sorry Mom.)

(Just a note because I have had questions. - I tell you what some of you girls are so blasted hard core - anyway, whether you got the free day or not the highest you could earn on Sat is 15 points to keep things fair).

I ate so much stuff this weekend and have felt so heavy and disgusting. It was fun at first then it got gross and then it got to be what the heck I've completely ruined it so what is one more egg roll? (oh what is one more belly roll?) Then I had to pop just a few peanut M&Ms before bed as a parting gesture....soooooo nnnnnnaaaaassssstttttyyyyyy.

In fact, when I got ready for church this morning I put on a skirt that I wore before Christmas and it fit then and it was tight this morning. OH! SO NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT!! (still didn't stop the egg roll intake - but still not happy!)

So tomorrow I'm back on the wagon! I've been nursing this knee for 2 weeks now and that's all it gets! I have got to get trim again! Mangos, bananas, broccoli, turkey sandwiches - oh how I need you!! I need to feel your low cal and low fattiness pumping through my veines. I need to feel fiber and vitamins getting me through the day! I need to not have eaters remorse right after I finish a meal. I need to have that skirt fit me again!

Not to brag - but....ok....to brag - it has been a little while (very little) since I have sat and purposefully put my arm across my gut because it was pouching out too much in my skirt and feeling all self-conscience. I DON'T LIKE IT! I want to wear something and it fit me like it should! I want to walk into the store and have my pick of any style and know it will work out and things will hang (or not hang) like they should! I want to be free to choose. Free to not worry about my side view. Free to move about the cabin. (ok not sure how that slipped in) I WANT TO BE FREE OF WEIGHT WORRIES!

Recently someone asked me about some eating tricks to help get into better habits. We were in aerobics class in the middle of the cardio section, and I starting describing a double cheeseburger dripping with mayo and grease. The cheese melting off the sides and the french fries filling up the brown paper sack with all the grease stains that make the bag practically see through. And saying things like doesn't that sound good right now. Don't you want that pumping through your veines right now fueling this workout, or just sitting like a rock in you stomach while we jump up and down. Oh doesn't that just sound delicious!! Yeah, of course it does NOT!! This triggered her curiosity and these are the tips I offered her that seemed to have worked for me:

Cut down on portion size. Half your plate should be full of healthy cooked fruits or veggies, 1/4 plate lean meat, 1/4 plate carb. Of course the more whole grain the better. I used to be able to rival my husband in my eating (and take him most days) but then I cut down to eating one plate full (no seconds) and then I started trying to lower my portion size that I put on my plate. It takes your body about 15 min to register that it is full and if you give yourself that time and stop eating when you are satisfied and not stuffed then in about a week to two you will want less food (stomach shrinks some)

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN your meals!! Have them include at least 2 servings or either fruit or vegetables. Otherwise, you throw something together quick and it is usually just carbs or way heavy on the carbs and calorie packed!

Start breakfast off healthy! Fruit and fiber one yogurt, high fiber, light English muffins with a little jam (Thomas brand has these are they are just like the original), cereal (not sugary) with fresh fruit or something like that. Then do a morning workout and your body will want healthier food throughout the day.

Cleanse your house of snacks that you like that you shouldn't be eating. I definitely have snacks on hand for my kids but I choose ones that aren't tempting to me. Instead, I try to choose fruit or yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese with tomato or fruit. I'm more of a salty than sweet girl so I like crackers and breads a lot. I get those All Bran crackers or low fat triscuits and take out a serving and then get them out of sight. Or I try to eat my snack in the car that way I can only have what I brought and not the whole box.

Watch your beverages because you can pack calories in that way. Even diet soda that may have no calories will help you gain weight throughout the year. It gives your body that sweet taste and makes it crave sugar and sweets throughout the day, plus you could be drinking water that helps hydrate and flush out toxins or low-fat milk or real juice that offers real vitamins. (Drink lots and lots of water. It is good for you and helps keep you feeling fuller.)

My last bit of advice would be to grocery shop RIGHT after you work out Monday morning but before lunch when you are hungry. I usually don't suggest grocery shopping when you're hungry but if you do it while your still hot and tired from working out your body only wants healthy stuff hitting your belly. (I recently discovered this and it works well). Everything you grab tends to be fresh and low fat.

Do something that is do-able at first. Baby steps in the beginning. I really do eat a lot during the day and the more you up your activity the more you are going to want to eat. Just plan accordingly and be prepared for it. Any time you change your eating you will have "growing pains" but hopefully these are shrinking pains. It takes just a bit to detox your body and get rid of bad cravings and replace them with good cravings. If all else fails picture that food item (cake, chips, sausage biscuit, etc.) pulsing through your veins and pumping your workout energy. Is it is good picture?

Remember in order to lose weight you have to TAKE IN LESS CALORIES THAN YOU USE UP during the day! You can't workout a ton and eat like crap (living off Hamburger Helper or fast food) and expect to lose weight. It just won't happen. You must be conscience of what you eat. Try to eat a lot of things that come in their own self-grown wrappers (aka peels).

Hopefully some of these trick will help you!

Earn 2 points up to 6 for any and all comments you make this week! You guys have gotten quiet, and I don't like it! It makes me nervous! Don't fade out on me ladies!!

We have lost more than 275 pounds together! Can you believe it? Let yours be the next 5!!!!

You can do it!!

Clean
Drink
Sweat
Bond
BURN AND EARN LADIES!! burn and earn!

back flips,
bonnie