So here’s my problem.  OK, here is ONE of my problems.  I really love food.  Yesterday was grocery shopping day.  Lest you fear I filled my cart with cookies and chips and soda, no, that is not one of my problems.  I just buy a lot of food.  I like to buy things that look good.  So I go to the grocery store and fill my cart with staples—milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, bread, eggs, oatmeal, raisons, etc..  Then I go to Whole Foods, because well, the meat and produce there is better than anywhere else, especially in the dead of winter.  So there I fill my cart with spinach and kale, oranges, apples, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, mangoes, kiwi, … and then to the fish and meat counter—lean beef, whole chicken, chicken breasts, salmon fillets.  Oh, and they had these sausage links with blueberries—see here begins my problem.  They also had this really yummy looking cheese with cranberries, and then I had to find some whole grain crackers to eat with my cheese, and bottle of organic wine…and well, you can maybe see where I ran into problems.  I love good food.  A lot. I love to buy food, I love to cook food, I love to eat food.  When they cooked meals on Biggest Loser this week, I was really excited to try to make some of the things they did.  Didn’t that steak with blue cheese look SO good?  Yes, I bought steak and blue cheese crumbles at Whole Foods.  So, ONE of the problems I’m having is to downplay the MAJOR role food has in my life.  Is this even possible?

I’ve come to realize these last few weeks how often I use “treats” as something special with the kids, especially my youngest, who is home with me all day.  After playgroup we’ll stop at Culver’s to get him a shake, or after story hour we’ll walk over to the bakery for a cookie.  At the grocery store “If you behave you can get a treat at the end.” Always food, always sweet.  I think part of this is just how I was raised, the whole treats = reward thing.  So I’m trying to think of better ways to make things “special” or offer a treat.  Because all too frequently a cookie for my son is also a cookie for Mommy.  I’ve stopped buying junk food to bring into the house, but it’s harder when we’re out and about, just one more habit to break. 

Another snow day here in Wisconsin—anyone else tired of winter?  Thankfully, I’ve been working on lowering the fat and upping the veggies in some of my soup recipes, and have quite a few to choose from on a day like this.  Still working on the whole bread thing—but I have started making whole grain breads, whole wheat, oatmeal…I don’t really want to live in a bread free world.  But I can live without white bread.  I like making my own bread as well, which reduces all the added preservatives and chemicals in bread, and I can make sure that they fat is olive oil and the flour is whole grain and the sugar is honey, which I like.  But a snow day would not be complete without hot cocoa, so I made this with fat free milk, real cocoa powder, a little sugar and vanilla—yummy.  I’m not a huge fan of fat free milk.  I just don’t really like the taste, but I am buying it, to cut out some unhealthy fats.  Oh, and I only buy organic milk—who needs the hormones?  A snow day makes it easy to fit in a long walk on the treadmill and a yoga video too.  But, sorry, I’m making Tim shovel.

So, this morning was my weigh in, and I lost 0 pounds.  Yes, zero.  I didn’t gain any, but the scale did not go down.  I did eat unhealthy food yesterday, and a lot of it was salty, some chips, barbecue sauce on a pulled pork sandwich, pasta salad.  I didn’t necessarily over-eat, but I definitely did not eat healthily.  A handful of M&M’s, a small slice of chocolate cake, a handful of Chex mix—oh yeah, I did it all.  So, back to the real world and our healthy diet.  I did exercise on Saturday and Sunday.  I was back on the treadmill this morning, trying to prove that scale wrong.  Oatmeal for breakfast, veggies for lunch with a smoothie of yogurt, fruit and protein powder.  And water. Lots of water.  Back on track for a new week.

Old habbits die hard. My weekend duty is to wake early on Saturday morning start a pot of coffee and make breakfast. Most of the week we have oatmeal or peanut butter toast for before we run out of the house to engage our day. The weekends are meant for big breakfasts with the family gathered around the table. This morning was the same but with a few changes....

 

I made breafast borritos this morning. I used turkey sausage instead of pork and I contained myself from eating sausages as a prepared the eggs. I used water in the scramble instead of milk and I used a much smaller amount of cheese in each serving. I also used tortillas that are smaller than the ones we normally use. I am not sure how big of a difference it is but, there were certainly more sausages left over than there normally would be.

Well, as many of you know, the Super Bowl is this weekend.  We’re going to my brother’s house to watch, because he has a really big TV, and his wife makes the best snacks around.  So I am making no promises.  I will exercise on Saturday and Sunday and do my best to eat healthy the rest of the weekend.  I will be conscious of the fact that I am not following my diet, which will hopefully help me to just have a small taste of the few things I really want to eat and not just use it as an excuse to overeat.  I’ll let you know how it goes. 

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.