How It Is Happening....You Can Do It Too!

I have gotten a couple requests from friends and family in the last week or so to share how I am taking off the pounds and making my life healthy-and most important HAPPY-so I decided I would do a post on it. Feel free to share ideas with me-or use my ideas to help you.

First I just wanted to tell you that becoming a healthier me has been hard-it isn't an easy task-so don't feel bad or give up if you can't tell the difference right away or if things seem tough! It took about 2 months before I started to see a change in my physical appearance and at first that was really a bummer-but believe me the work and effort you will put into this is WORTH IT 100%! Not only has it affected me but my family as well:

I am no longer sluggish and tired all the time
I like myself! I feel good inside
I no longer complain to Dan about being so fat (he is super happy about this and I find that our relationship is so much better because I like myself)
I am a more positive person and enjoy the company of others a lot more
I am less depressed (it is rare that I have feelings of depression-as most of you know I have been taking meds. for this since my first year in college)
I can be more active with my 2 beautiful children-can enjoy more activities without feeling the strain-hiking, walking, running, etc.
Have found ways to release stress through exercise instead of other unhealthy outlets
Have the confidence to set other goals in my life and know that I can complete them


Don't think of changing as a "Diet" because if you do-it will never work! Think of it as a life change-something that you will adapt to fit into your life everyday-something you like to do-and it will stick.

Here are some of the things I do:
-Eating: the recommended amount of veggies and fruit for my age and height(look this up on the Internet) For me it is about 3 fruits a day and 2 cups veggies a day....
Banana and strawberries in my cereal
Orange with my lunch
Apple (found that it is easier to eat if you use an apple cutter-don't know why but it works:) with my dinner
TONS of veggies on my sandwich
Side veggie for dinner

Eat 3 meals a day and 2 snacks a day=5 meals each day-this helps to keep you metabolism up and helps you from getting super hungry! NO STARVING YOURSELF!-slows metabolism and causes your body to store fat! I do not starve and I am losing weight!

Do Some experimenting and researching -find healthy recipes on the Internet and try them out-develop a set of healthy meals that you LIKE!

Portion Size: I have found this to be really important-read what the portion size is and then measure it out! put it in a baggie-use measuring cups for cereal, etc.

Some things Dan and I like: Dannon light and fit yogurt, dryers smooth and creamy bars( low in calories and fat-great portion size), cottage cheese with sunflower seeds, healthy trail mixes(good snack and you can make these yourself-recipe online) Egg white omelets with veggies, veggies stir fry, Kashi bars and cereal-really good, apples and peanut butter, frozen grapes

Give yourself a break! Take a day or two off every week and don't worry about what you eat-one day will not kill you! And if helps your body not get used to a certain eating pattern.

Drink 3 liters of water a day-yes this is a lot and it has taken me a while to get to the point where I can do this-but it makes me less hungry, keeps me well hydrated! NO POP! and cut down on Juices.

TIP: us water sweeteners that are low in calories such as Crystal light pure and fit, Benefiber drink packets, and Kellogs also has drink packets as well-you can find these in Walmart-all different flavors.

Also-get a jug at Walmart to help keep track of the amount of water you are drinking

Exercise: Dan and I do a combination of things-work out videos(9 dollars at Walmart or 7 bucks shipped on half.com)-Jillian Michael's and P90X, walking, running, and hiking-pick something you like to do! and do it 4 to 5 times a week.
TIP: Having a partner to do it with Really helps! Thank you Dan for being my partner:)

Sleep: try and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night-lack of sleep does add to weight gain
Goals: Set small and reachable goals for yourself! It will happen little by little