I have grown tired of living in an unhealthy world, but it’s so hard to change. I hope I can find the inspiration and strength to stay on this journey!

The Beginning!

I started on this journey in July 2009. I was browsing through the “Restaurant” iPhone app, and was shocked at how many calories I was putting away during lunches at Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Burger King. It was a wake up call! Gee, maybe that is why I am overweight!

Then just in the nick of time, a friend posted this quote to her Facebook page. I was inspired!

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it’s me.

It really hit home! I HAD to do something about the way I was treating my body. I decided then to try to make healthier choices!

I don’t know why this time was different than the many other times I tried (for about a minute) to change my eating habits. But the more time went by, the more it just felt “right” – like yeah, I was going to do it this time!

It is a lifestyle change. It has to be. Anything you do, any changes you make, have to be permanent! Yeah, you can lose weight by starving yourself or drinking protein shakes, but once you go back to your old ways, the weight comes back. And it isn’t healthy!

Healthy Choices

I have decided that as long as I am making healthy choices, it doesn’t matter how much I weigh.

  • I have cut back on sugar – I totally removed all products with high fructose corn syrup from our house.
  • I do not buy any products containing partially hydrogenated oil, which in turn removed all trans fat (except that which occurs naturally in foods)
  • I am eating more mono-unsaturated fats like olive oil and almonds
  • I am watching my sodium levels, trying to cut back on processed foods.
  • I read labels on everything
  • I try to eat a good daily portion of fiber – whole grains, yum!
  • I eat a lot of veggies and fruit
  • I take a multi-vitamin, along with calcium tablets. I try to get a good portion of calcium through the food I eat
  • I eat healthy snacks in between meals, and I eat when I get hungry. I learned that once hunger hits, it’s hard to stick to the healthy choices.
  • I drink a lot of water. At least eight 8oz glasses, sometimes more. It helps flush out the extra sodium from any processed food I eat, and keeps me feeling “full”
  • I am trying to be more active and exercise. It’s hard, it’s always been hard for me, but I am trying!

Most importantly, I count my calories! It is the only way for me to be accountable for what I am eating. There are plenty of calorie counting web sites out there, but I found MyFitnessPal.com was the one that worked for me!

Finally

NO, I am not an expert! I didn’t start this blog so I could give advise and preach to everyone else! I needed an outlet so I could remember my journey. Jot down a few of my experiences, recipes and research materials, and maybe add a few photos.

I am not expecting hundreds of visitors at my blog door, hanging on my every word – yeah, right, like that is going to happen. :)

I am doing this for me!!! I can only do the best for my life. Everyone has to do it for themselves or it won’t stick. You have to be ready for the lifestyle change! (remember diet is a dirty word)

I still have bad days when I make bad decisions, but most days are good, and surprise surprise, most days are easy to stay on track! Way too easy and that scares me to death!

I have big doubts looming in my brain, telling me that sure, it’s good now, but eventually, it’s going to kick my butt and bring me right back to my old habits. God, I pray that I won’t go backwards!

I like the way I feel now, and I’ll repeat, as long as I am making good healthy choices, then the weight becomes secondary!

Thank you for visiting! :)