What I do..

I know you are probably sick of hearing about my weight loss junk. Oh well. If you are, skip this blog! (Pretty simple!) I want to put down somewhere all I am doing to lose this weight I have packed on. (I wonder if it is possible that where you LIVE makes you gain weight? I was up to the highest I have ever been except for during pregnancy!) To date, I have lost 16 pounds. I started Weight Watchers January 3rd and going to the gym January 8th. So in about 2 months I have hit and surpassed my 10% goal on Weight Watchers. I am going to list some of the changes I have made.
1. Soda. I have kicked the habit, hopefully, permanently! I hate soda. But I love soda. I hate how terrible it is for me, but that sweet fizz is just sooo yummy. I haven't had one since New Years Eve. Even when we go out to eat. And the truth is, so far, I am not tempted. (Even when Woody brought home 5 Mountain Dews!)
2. Water. I drink SOO much water. I love water.
3. Weight Watchers. I can't tell you all of the things I love about Weight Watchers. I never really realized how MUCH I overate until I saw how much my body really needs. I rarely feel hungry. I get to eat out with my family. I can eat whatever I want, in moderation. *Again: NURSING FRIENDLY!*
4. I have discovered I love oatmeal. I always thought I hated oatmeal, but really, I hated instant oatmeal! Give me the other stuff, and it is pretty dang tasty, especially with a TBSP of peanut butter and half a banana!
5. Fast Food. Hi. I'm Nancy, and I am a fast food addict! NO KIDDING. I LOVE Taco Bell,(Thank goodness there is not one close!) Wendy's and Taco Johns. I have been in "recovery" for this addiction all year. (HEHE! Love saying all year, so much cooler than 2 months!) My family has also abstained! Even on grocery trips to Williston.
6. Switching slowly to whole grains. I am still learning nutrition stuff, so I am still switching, but it is a work in progress!
7. Fruits and veggies. I am sure to have some at every meal. (Clementines are my fave!)
8. Eating several times a day. I eat 3 meals and 2 snacks. (I used to do a third after dinner, but discovered this left me wanting to vomit at my morning workouts!)
9. Speaking of the gym: I am there every weekday morning, getting my cardio in. Which is good. But I feel even better about my weight routine. I reallllly like doing my resistance. I feel so strong, which is super cool. (Also, weights are the key to weight loss! It will make you burn calories much more efficiently!)
10. "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." (Ben Franklin) Most nights I am OUT by 9:30, at the latest. And nowadays 'sleeping in' means sleeping until 7!
11. Pictures. I took some pictures before I started losing weight, and take them every 2 weeks, and WOW! What a great motivator! It shows me results even when the scale doesn't!
12. I don't deny myself ANYTHING, as long as I track it, and keep it within reason. (Sunday night, I had Skittles and sour gummy worms.
13. Plan. Seriously, I couldn't do it without planning. I always have a 2 week menu, and track all of my food at the start of my day. Then I know what to prepare for! (Now, on the occasion that we spontaneously go out to eat, I just figure it out!) Also, I strongly recommend a meal plan, even if you aren't trying to lose weight! It saves us so much money, and makes grocery shopping soo much easier!

These are the changes I have made, and they seem to be working very well. Also, I feel good knowing my family isn't eating McDonald's!! I hope that this time next year, I will still be doing these things, and be 15 (more) pounds lighter!