Am I Beautiful?

Like I said last night, I was raised in a family where you cleaned your plate THEN got dessert. Most likely 2 helpings of dessert. But I was always taught I am beautiful no matter what. I truly believe that. I really do. And I think that someone who has the confidence to love themselves has no problem accomplishing anything they put their minds to.

I love to exercise. Sometimes I feel guilty when I'm exercising and not doing my Homemaking jobs. Like ironing, cleaning bathrooms, doing dishes, vacuuming...etc. But this is something I have to do, and those things will have to wait for when I have the time.

Weight Loss/Gain

I really do hate my Skinnyr Graph. Mostly because it tells the truth about this journey I've put myself on. But I want to record it all, that's what this is all about. So once a week or more I will record my current weight.

Genetics?

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I come from a very obese family. My Mom is 5' 3" and weighs around 190, my Father is 5' 10" and is probably pushing 250 +, I'm really not sure. My oldest sister is 5' 4" and over 300 lbs. Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins...Everybody!!! Do you get it.

I've never thought that obesity could be genetic, but I do now. I'm not saying it's a disease, no way, what you put in your mouth and what you do with your body has all to do with what you weigh. What I am saying is you metabolism and how easily your body is able to burn calories IS genetic.

I have 3 friends right now who's newborns are all under 1 and they are already at their pre pregnancy weight if not lighter, and this is their 3rd babies...all of them. AUGH!!! My number 4 is 2 1/2 yrs old and I am 12 lbs away to my full term weight with my #1. Do you understand how frustrating that is?

It's all in the genes.

So here's the thing. I know I can get on here and make promises and goals and blah blah blah. But unless I get off my butt, move, and stop putting so much crap in my mouth nothing is going to change.

I know I do not have those easy genes. Obviously. But I do know that when I move, when I exercise I feel better about myself, better about my relationships, I'm a better Mom, I'm more organized, I have confidence in what I do, I make AND accomplish greater goals and everything is just all around better.

It's not just about losing the weight, it's about feeling better about myself and knowing I can do anything I set my mind to.

There is no finally for this Biggest Loser. It's a lifestyle. I want to be happy and healthy. And I know I can't have one with out the other. Oh yes, I can be happy and chubby, but it's not real for me. I know there's always more I can do, there's always progress to be made.

Keep Moving!!!

P90X

I started the Classic Routine with my hubby a few weeks ago, and burned out by Thursday. BLAH!! It's so pathetic. So today I have decided to do the Lean Routine, but not just P90X. I will exercise 45 mins a day either with P90X or with my own routines 5 days a week. So that means Cardio 3 days a week and strength 2 days a week. I really want to see some difference in myself.

The scale is going the wrong direction and there needs to be some change.

Back on Track

I have been a HUGE slacker lately and needed a rev up in my workouts. My hubby and I are working towards starting P90X. I'm scared out of my mind, but I know it'll do wonders for me. So in lew of starting P90X I am eating better. Yesterday was the 1st day in a LONG time that I ate NO, I repeat, NO desserts. I know to some that may seem like nothing, but you would be amazed how many "special occasions" are always creeping up on you.

For example. The day I start my "NO DESSERT DIET" my oldest son has Cub Scout Pack Meeting. Which of course always ends in a treat. This time being huge Rice Crispy Treats. Which I didn't even sneak a bite from my 2 year old.

Oh and add that to the fact my daughter and I got to go out to dinner just the 2 of us, to the Mall Food Court no less. I was strong as iron and walked right past "American Cookie", "Cinnabon" and "Marble Slab Creamery."

Back track a few more hours from that to where I was Pre-School helper. They were served chocolate animal crackers and pure butter microwave popcorn (which I know isn't dessert but still bad for you non the less).

Oh, and let's end the day with my hubby and I's treat for the evening 1-3 bowls of straight sugar cereal, Captain Crunch or Lucky Charms for example. I skipped that too.

I swear dessert is everywhere!! And it's definitely my weakness. But I did it!!! One whole day with NO desserts. It was much harder than I thought it'd be. But I woke up this morning with the scale SMILING at me. I love when those numbers are moving down and not up.

Eating Less Tips

1. Fill up on Low Cal foods First
2. Drink a bottle of water before you start your meal
3. If it's healthy eat lots, if it's not it a TINY bit
4. Focus on what you're eating
5. Wait 10 mins before indulging
6. Fiber rich foods keep you fuller longer
7. Don't eat 3 hours before bed time
8. SLOW DOWN when you eat
9. Become a gum chewer

Exercise or Diet

I was talking with my Hubby last night about my frustrations in the scale not moving. I am exercising 30-45 mins everyday but the scale has not moved in over 2 weeks. He said he thinks weight loss has to do with eating and not exercising. That exercise only strengthens muscle. I'm not entirely sold on that, but I do know plenty of people who have lost more than enough weight by changing their diet alone. Weather it's with Atkins or with Weight Watchers, they've all lost what I need to loose.

So I'm about to embark on some research. Now I'm still going to exercise like I think I need to, but in the mean time I'll be doing some reading. So I'll let you know.

Resolution Update

My Husband and I were talking last night about our New Years Resolutions. After we discussed what he was doing to lose his 15 lbs he had the gall to ask me, "So what are you doing?"

Now in all honesty I would like to lose at least 30 lbs, so his 15 means squat to me right now. When I get to that point I'll have some sympathy for him. But right now I just don't.

So back to the discussion. I rattled of a huge list of what I am doing. For example:

Trying to eat less dessert
Cardio 45 mins a day
Walking the dog at least 40 mins a day (when he's home to watch the kids that is)
Eating more fruits and veggies
Drinking MORE water

I think that list looks pretty good. The annoying part of all that list is, NOTHING'S HAPPENING! I don't know why, I don't understand. But I do feel better on the days I'm consistent. And I really do love to exercise.

Keep MOVING Forward

I've always been a skinny girl. Growing up I ate like a horse and played like one too, I ran all day and all night. So it's no wonder I was so skinny.

I used to look at Fat people, or newer Moms that were starting to get fat and wonder, "Don't they notice what they look like? How do they let themselves look like that? Why don't they do something about it?"

I never knew how hard it was to lose weight, till now. There is a # I keep coming back to 156.2. I am so SICK of seeing that number on the scale. Over the past year I have not been able to even get below 152. I SO want to be back in the 140's and eventually in the 120's. Man! That would be so good.

I'm doing what I can though. I'm exercising as much as I can. I probably could do more, yes, but I am sweating it out every day. I'm not doing the lazy man and just walk around the block. But I'm not always running around the block either.

Keep Moving Forward!

Real Mom

I'm a real Mom with real weight loss issues. I have 4 kids under 9, I don't work, I eat Mac and Cheese for lunch with my kids. I bus my kids all over town for Scouts, Gymnastics, Baseball, Pre-School, Piano...etc. I get up every day at 6:15 and go go go all day till I crash around 11:00. I'm only able to sneak in about 30-60 mins of exercise a day. I do have a free gym membership but money is tight and they don't have free kids room so I don't go. I am able to walk my dog most nights when my hubby is home so there is that.

I could easily say, what's wrong with me. I do all I do but I still don't lose like I want to. So it all comes down to Portion Control and eating the right food. I have to WORST sweet tooth in the world. I LOVE sugar. But I want to replace that sweet desire with a healthy desire. And I don't mean carrots and apples. I mean running, biking, hiking, swimming, in line skating...MOVING! I love to exercise, but I need something different every day.

So that's my goal this week. Try something new everyday, oh! And Ab work, that definitely needs to be in there.