I want to lose 5 lbs.

Maintaining my weight has always been important to me.  I have never had a major weight problem.  I have however been pregnant 5 times and had to work to lose the last 10-20 POUNDS with many of my pregnancies.  For the majority of people (me included) this is not easy!!  I am a very DETERMINED and MOTIVATED individual.  Now that I am DONE having children I have a long-term goal to keep my weight within 5-7 lbs. of my desired weight.  I don’t have a problem throwing numbers out there.  I am 5’7″ and  I really like to weigh 130 or a little under.  My body would rather stay around 132-133.  Therefore, I am eternally trying to lose 5 lbs.  I don’t mind this challenge in life.  It is FUN? for me to try new diets and eating plans and of course EXERCISE to my hearts content.  As much as I love exercise, I know that the biggest influence for a healthy weight is….WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH!!  I have read with slight variations the ratio that exercise, nutrition, and genetics have on health.  Here is a great blog I found at carolinescott.org.   People have asked me what CLEAN eating is.  Once again I refer you to Tosca Reno.  Excellent website.  Here are some basic CLEAN eating tips!

Simple “Do’s and Don’ts” of Healthy Eating

What To Do

• Eat more-5 to 6 small meals a day.
• Eat breakfast everyday, within an hour of waking up.
• Eat a combo of lean protein and complex carbohydrates at each meal.
• Eat enough (2 to 3 servings) of healthy fats everyday.
• Stay hydrated (about 8 glasses of water a day).
• Keep clean, healthy foods close by and on hand at all times!
• Depend on fruits and veggies for vitamins and minerals.
• Try doing most of your shopping on the outside aisles of the grocery store…this is where the clean whole foods are mostly located.

What To Avoid

• Avoid highly processed foods.
• Avoid white flour and sugar.
• Avoid foods containing unnecessary preservatives, additives and chemicals.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners and sugars.
• Avoid artificial foods in general!
• Avoid saturated and trans fats.
• Avoid sugar loaded beverages like soda and high sugar juices.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Step away from the “super-size” menu!

 

I have seen this chart at 70% nutrition, 20% training, and 10% genetics as well.  It’s hard to believe that nutrition plays that big a role.  I believe it 100%.  I have trained and worked out like crazy and the only time I see real results is when I’m eating CLEAN!  By results I mean: pounds lost, clothes looser, mood up, body tight with more muscle definition, more energy and endurance during exercise and throughout the day.  I am far happier when I’m making smart and healthy eating choices.

I don’t have too many pics. of me when I was pregnant.  Here is one about 3 months after having a baby and one of me at the Bahamas 2 years after baby #4.  Next post will be how to stay motivated and determined to keep losing weight!!  Hang in there!

Me, 3 months postpartum

I miss the SUN!!!

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!!

     O.K.  I have some serious talking to do.  Yesterday was my sister’s birthday and the first day of the year I really fell off the HEALTHY WAGON and ate as much sugar as I possibly could.  Normally, I pride myself on being able to eat large amounts of TREATS without getting sick, but yesterday was NOT SO!!!  All I can say is SUGAR is so so so so so BAD for you!!!!!  

     Here is a brief overhaul of my much anticipated TREAT DAY…I started the day out well with a protein shake since I was going to my favorite body combat class!!  It was GREAT and I felt awesome!  Not long after and before lunch I started snacking on candy (cinnamon bears, bridge mix, and taffy).  My normal lunch of a healthy salad did not look good at all and I could barely eat it.  After eating all the candy, it didn’t even taste good.  Good, clean food tastes SOOOO good when you are not eating sugar!!!  I also shared my favorite shake with a friend and ate a brownie.  I really didn’t eat anything else that was healthy the rest of the day.

     Later, I went out to my sister’s.  We wanted to go to the gym together.  It was a GREAT weight and cardio class that I normally would love, but I felt like CRAP!!!  My stomach was in a knot, I started getting a headache, and I had lack of will-power and energy.  It doesn’t get any better either.  

     After the gym we had a party at my sister’s where we had pizza, cake, cookies, and more candy!!!  I stopped eating at 9:00 p.m. I thought that was being GOOD.  On the bright side, I am SOOOOO glad I don’t have many vices.  I do not drink soda pop or alcohol.  I don’t love fast food, fried food, packaged and processed food etc. etc.  I love FOOD that has less than 3 ingredients or that don’t have a label on them at all!!  

     I felt terrible when I got home that night.  I was so tired, my body ached, and I was cranky with everyone.  I slept terrible and seriously woke up a couple of times in the night with acid reflux and almost threw up.  My body was in agony and wondering what the heck I did to it!!!

      On another BRIGHT note, I am now more dedicated than ever to NEVER do that again!!!!  I have given myself 3 TREAT days a month and right now that sounds like TORTURE!!  I think I will do a TREAT meal or a 3 hour block to have a few treats.  I’ll let you know after I get over this HANGOVER!!  So, my plea to ALL is PLEASE EAT HEALTHY AND CUT OUT THE SUGAR!!  IT WILL KILL YOU!  That is a little harsh I know (:  I am going to say for myself however: “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!!!!”  And I am a PIG!!  

 

A GREAT motivator and inspiration to me is TOSCA RENO.  She changed her bad habits at age 40 and is a healthy role model to all.  Check her out at eatcleandiet.com.  Her healthy eating approach is normal!  Her books and ideas are all about healthy eating for LIFE.  No fad crazy diets where you have to cut out whole food groups or only eat blah blah blah….the list is SO long on dieting.  She is all about eating SMART!!   Keep it up all and remember tomorrow is a NEW day with no mistakes in it!!