Yes, I did eat carrot cake last night and I am not saying “I’m sorry”.   I’ll just have to double up on my treadmill walking is all.  I’m feeling a little burned out on all this healthy cooking.  I need some new ideas.  Anyone know of any good healthy food cookbooks?  I really like to cook; I’m just low on inspiration.  I had absolutely no problem whipping up a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting though.  Hey, I used low fat cream cheese!  I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so I can vary my exercise a little too.  It’s too crappy and cold to push the stroller and I could use a little sunshine. Fish for dinner again? 

Tightened the Belt one more notch today! Small victories....

Tim’s birthday today!    So yes, we are having cake.  I made a really yummy (I’m assuming, we haven’t eaten it yet) organic carrot cake, one of Tim’s favorites.  We are having a healthy balanced dinner—baked chicken, fingerling potatoes, steamed veggies, and maybe a glass or two of wine.  We’ve done pretty well this month, and a birthday still means cake at our house—oh and wine too. 

 

As for Biggest Loser last nigh, I was sad to see Jenn sent home last night, but she looks like she is doing really well at home.  I’m not so happy with how Bob set up the teams, it just doesn’t seem fair somehow, and I’m just not lovin’ all the twists and turns this season.  So much drama, you feel bad for the people who are there, giving everything to get healthy.  I know, it’s a show, and drama sells, but they’re real people, and it just breaks your heart when they lose 0 pounds, or their best friend gets sent home. 

 

Ok, back to my reality.  I made a yummy soup last night for dinner, which I ate leftover for lunch today.  Chicken stock, with chicken, onions, garlic, black beans, corn, red lentils,  and lots of spices and seasonings, mmmmmmmmm…..I also power cleaned this morning and walked on the treadmill—but it was fast.  Now, if I can only have a very small slice of carrot cake….

Today's weigh in is a milestone for me. My first 10 pounds lost in 2008. My goal is to lose 10 pounds a month and hit my goal weight near the end of this year. I am sure that my weight loss will slow as summer nears. It seams like my body likes to naturally balance itself out as I lose weight. I like to start checking my body fat analysis because even though the weight may not be coming off, I can still see progress as my body fat percentage drops. I think everyone trying to lose weight should do this. It helps get over the hump when you plateau with weight. Two years ago when I was actively lifting, my weight stayed the same for 3 months but, I dropped 12% body fat. That is huge. It kept me from getting discouraged if I was only watching the pounds.

I’m fighting all my natural instincts to not bake cookies today.  I usually make it through the cold days of winter with lots of baking of yummy treats.  Maybe that’s why I’m already longing for spring, even though it’s only January.  I try to justify in my mind, I won’t eat more than one, I’ll do another 30 minutes on the treadmill, we’ve all been doing really well, one treat won’t hurt.  I love excuses!  The thing is, I can justify to myself so well, I’ve justified myself over 200 pounds.  I can remember back when I had my daughter, who is 12 now, that right after she was born I weighed 160 pounds and I felt so big.  Now, 12 years later, I weigh almost 60 pounds more than that!  How did that happen?  It’s not like I drink big gulps or eat Big Macs for every meal.  For me, it’s the excuses, one by one, that have added up to what I am today.  So by writing this down, I’m purging my excuse to make cookies today.  Instead, I’ll cut up some fruit, and pretend I love it as much as cookies.  I’ll keep pretending it until I can actually believe it. 

We’re doing really well this week, food and exercise wise, so I’m feeling pretty good today.  In the whole spirit of a healthy new year, I had a physical last week.  My blood work was all good, except I have HIGH cholesterol.  I guess it runs in my family, even though they are not at all overweight.  Just one more reason for me to make it work this year.  Seeing those numbers in black and white and the little H next to them that means HIGH, is a reality check for me at 32.  In your 20’s you really take your health for granted.  I gave birth to and nursed 3 children for a large part of my 20’s.  My primary focus was on having healthy children.  I really didn’t even think about how being an unhealthy mom might affect them in their lives.  Now that they are all out of their “babyness”, the realization that having overweight parents makes kids more likely to be overweight is real.  I do want to be healthy for myself, but I really want to be healthy for my kids. 

I have lost another 2 pounds since last week. I was on track to lose more but, I had a pretty bad weekend. I drank several beers during the championship games and as I think back on it, I also consumed quite a bit of bread.

 

I have been more diligent about getting in my exercise and with all the snow shoveling in the past two days, I have doubled my exercise goals for the day. It has been easier to stay focused this time even through a couple of lapses. I guess the health threat is finally real to me.

 

I have another pound to lose this month to keep the shirtless pictures of me off the Internet. You want inspiration? Take some not so flattering pictures of yourself, give them to your 12 year old with instructions to post them if you don't hit your monthly goal.

Ok, so I may have lost 2 pounds last week if I hadn’t had such a food-filled weekend.  I’ll start with the plusses because, well, it makes me feel better about myself.   Starting Friday night we had Tim’s party for work.  The food really wasn’t super, so I had no problems with a nibble here and a nibble there.  I did have 2 glasses of wine, and 3 chocolate covered strawberries, which were super yummy, but not too much else.  I also used the treadmill every day this week!  Yes, even Saturday and Sunday, which I usually cop out on.  So 30 minutes, 7 days a week has been met.  So, now for confession time.  Yesterday we went over to my brother’s house to watch the football game.  My sister in law is pregnant, and oh, such a good cook.  She made a Green Bay Packer’s cake—and being from Wisconsin and all, I just didn’t feel like I should turn it down.   I also ate two pieces of bread with my chili, which I put sour cream and cheese into!  I drank only water, though!  I keep saying no more excuses, but I keep making them.  This week I’m going to really work hard to make sure what’s going in my body is really what it needs.  I’m also going to try to go a little longer on the treadmill.  Or at least try to run more than 2 minutes.  I do walk pretty fast though!  I need some healthy but yummy meal ideas for this week—anyone eating anything that they love—better yet, that their kids will eat too?

Last night, Carli and I went to the annual office holiday party (i know it's a little late). Before we left, we ate dinner. Usually at this type of event, I eat and drink to excess and don't even think about the impact on my body. Last night, I was focused on staying on track but, it I had no intention of cutting out everything. I had a couple glasses of wine. Carli and I split a plate of hors d' oeuvres and another plate of California rolls.

 

Over all it was a success for me even though I did end up slightly over my calorie goal for the day. I knew I was going to exceed my goal before I went but, instead of continuing to indulge I was able to enjoy just being out with my wife.

Ok, my bitching day is over.  It’s hard to accept that I need to eat less food, even healthy food.  I’m only 5’3, so I just don’t need as many calories as Tim.  I have the determination to do this, so I will.  Hopefully, I’ll lose more than a pound a week, eventually.  If not, at least a pound loss is better than a pound gained.  Reading all the other stories of couple’s struggles with weight loss has been really inspiring; it’s nice to feel like you’re not the only one struggling, or having a bad day.  Some people have already lost so much weight.  (Maybe they secretly have Bob stopping by every day.) So thanks to everyone out there and their great stories, you’re helping this stay at home mom make it one day at a time. 

This is what’s frustrating.  I do 30 minutes every day on the treadmill. I do 30 minutes of yoga.  I’ve completely changed what and how much I’m eating.  With a couple of small slip-ups food wise, I have been working pretty hard.  I have lost 2 pounds in 2 weeks—3 if I weigh myself right off of the treadmill, but I don’t really count that pound of sweat.  Tim has lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks.  He’s walked on the treadmill a handful of times and eats way more than I do.  How is this fair?  It seems so easy for him to lose weight, and I know it is easier for guys to lose weight, but it’s still hard to accept.  I’m going to have to work twice as hard as he did to lose 10 pounds.  Just a bit of a rant for the beginning of week 3, but I’m sticking with it. 

After a day to re-hydrate, I weighed in this morning .6 pounds lighter than yesterday. I guess I have been doing better than I thought. I watched biggest loser while walking on the treadmill last night. Maybe it compensated for the beer the night before.

 

I think counting calories is definitely the right way to go. It takes some time to get used to but, once you know the general calorie content of certain foods you can stay away from them or eat more. We have also increase our fish intake. We have gone from 1 or 2 servings a month to 3 to 5 a week. The kids seem to like the fish quite a bit. Tilapia is one of the favorites and can be dressed up many different ways to impart different flavors. One of the simple toppings for fish that Carli uses frequently is soy sauce, ground mustard and garlic. I would say in equal parts and it is fantastic.

 

Our kids too are noticing the benefits of our new eating habits. Our oldest is starting to 'train' for spring soccer now and our middle child is back in Tae Kwon Do. I feel good that we are now leading by example.

We traveled to Iowa this past weekend for a funeral. While spending time with my Mother's huge family there were meals at restaurants and meals provided by friends of the family. Healthy eating this weekend was a challange. The mornings were fairly easy as we were staying with my aunt, had access to the fridge and we bought food for morning meals. I actually did focus on making good choices of meals provided as well; opting for mustard instead of mayo, skipping the sweets and watching portion sizes. I did have two meals that I would have to classify as bad.

 

The second night after a long day with family, several of us ordered pizza and I did have a couple of beers. I skipped the deserts again but, I probably should have stayed away from the beer as well. And then last night was bad. Yesterday, we drove home and didn't get back to town until 7pm. We need to get groceries and there was nothing "quick" waiting for us. So we got take out. I did opt for the fish but, it was fried and fairly greasy. The fish had a good flavor but, I used the tartar sauce to help cut through the grease.

 

We do well when I have time to prepare meals and nothing takes us out of our routine. Even eating out is not so bad when it is planned. What really screws up healthy eating is when we are in a hurry and not home to prepare something quick. We are making better choices when we eat out but, the ease of 'fast food' still creates challenges for us.

 

I was 2 pounds lighter this morning. While I would love to believe that my weekend was not as bad as I thought, I am assuming that I was just dehydrated from the long car ride. The truth will be revieled tomorrow.

Yesterday wasn’t such a good food day.  Our daughter had a group of friends over to work on a school project after school and they stayed for dinner.  Our daughter wanted spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and garlic cheese bread.  Rather than make something separate for Tim and I, or even just a have a salad, we ate dinner with the kids.  Oh, and a bottle of red wine.  So, no, not such a good food day.  Today has been better, and I’ve been focused on trying to do a little more exercise today, maybe to counterbalance things.  I still hate to exercise, but can acknowledge that I will never lose weight without it.  In the past I may have given up at this point—oh, I ruined it, I’m done—but I’m really committed this time, I’m not going to give up even if I have a bad food day.  Hopefully as time goes on it won’t even be an issue, I won’t even have the makings of a “bad” food day in my house.  Still a work in progress.

Ok, blogs are better with music, right?  Looking at our page, it’s funny that we’re really into organic and whole foods and love to cook, but we’re so unhealthy.  Portion size is a huge problem for us.  I think about how little I really used to eat before I had kids and was a healthy weight and am astonished by how much I eat now.  Also, I have a super sweet tooth, and plenty of time to bake, which I love to do with my kids.  Organic cookies and cake are just as high in calories as their non-organic versions.  I really liked having homemade cookies waiting for my kids when they got home from school, or to make a yummy dessert for after dinner.  I guess I need to focus on cooking healthier foods.  It’s just harder to get inspired and I’m just not sure how to change what I cook and bake.  I don’t really want to give up cooking and baking great food—I just need to figure out how to make food that is much lower in fat and calories, and to shrink our portion sizes. 

After 1 week, I have lost 3 pounds. Not the double digits seen on The Biggest Loser but definitely respectable for 1 week without a trainer. The hardest thing this week has been the time between 3pm and dinner time. I have been setting aside an apple or some carrots from my lunch and snacking on them instead of hitting vendo-land.

 

I only participated in planned exercise once this week. I hit the treadmill for thirty minutes. I know that I need to step it up considerably. I am not a big fan of the treadmill. I am going to need to find something that works for me. Until then, I will be on my least favorite cardio machine, walking.

The first real test—the weekend.  Usually we go out to eat during the weekend, usually lunch while we’re running errands, usually too much and too unhealthy.  Though Tim was hungry and got pretty crabby, I did convince him to hold out to eat lunch at the Co-op, where we were getting groceries.  They have some fairly healthy choices there, and normal, human sized portion sizes.  It’s organic too, which you have to love.  We had sandwiches on whole grain bread, with lots of veggies.  No chips, no fries.  Still, we did have breakfast pizza this weekend, convincing ourselves that a couple of slices of crumbled bacon couldn’t be that bad.  We did have smaller portions than we might have otherwise, and have included a lot more fruits and vegetables into our diet.  Last night we had fish with rice and broccoli, it turned out really yummy and even the kids ate it, Ok not our 3 year old, but he’s very picky.  So we are making headway, more exercise, and healthier meal choices.  This week we’ll work on fewer excuses, more exercise and trying to integrate these changes into our busy household.

Wow!  Are those not the worst pictures ever?  If that's not motivation I don't know what would be.  Laying on the couch, watching "Biggest Loser" Tim decides that we need to do this and takes pictures and has his laptop out before the show is even over.  Changing your life is hard.  Especially after the holidays, especially when you come from a family where holiday is a synonim for feast.  Yesterday wasn't too bad, whole grain cous-cous, chicken and veggies for dinner.  We've managed to do the treadmill every day, but I  know we will have to step it up as the week goes on.  Getting started is the worst, it's hard to break old habits, and when our daugher and her friend made brownies yesterday, I had one "little bite".  I had to send the brownies home with her friend, we just can't have that stuff in the house.  Having 3 kids makes it even harder.  It's not just a "diet" for the two of us, everyone in our house will have to change what they eat.  Convincing our 3 year old of this is going to take some work.  At least he likes fruit.