A New Weightloss Journey...

     It's get real time. The facts are, I've never been one of those skinny girls. I've always struggled with my weight. I can remember being in my early teens and my mom being concerned with the numbers. I've done a lot of things to try to manage my weight over the years, but the things I used to do won't work anymore! You can't live off of pineapple, Dr Pepper, and cigarettes! It wasn't a good option when I was twenty and it isn't an option now. Once you are in your thirties, your body isn't as forgiving as it was when you were younger.
     Anyhow, I was doing okay with my weight. Comfortable in a size 12. Some girls would die to be "that big" but I felt good and enjoyed my life. When I met my husband I had gained a little weight... you know that "happiness 10". We got married and I was 170 pounds. A little heavy but still wearing my 12s and the occasional 14. Turns out two pregnancies, one mini-laparotomy, and one c-section later: I'm sitting pretty at 240 pounds. Yes, I put it out there. I have to. The weight is making me miserable. Someone I consider a friend and relative by marriage told me that blogging made it easy for her to be accountable. So I'm taking her idea and using it. I am hoping that by writing about my journey and putting my business out there for whoever wants to read it, I will push myself to do the things I KNOW I need to do. When your pregnant the doctors like to refer to the risk-benefit factor. Let's be real... the benefit here is far greater than any risk. I have to make this weight disappear so that I can love myself again and so that I can be healthy for my son and husband.
     I've tried all of the impossible drink just this, don't eat but this, and starve yourself unrealistically diets. I told my husband that I'd rather smoke again then wear this weight, but I cannot imagine kissing my beautiful son with smoker's breath. I've tried Weight Watchers, which I had some success with but began to fail when it came to tracking. I've been talking to people about the things they do and I decided my attack strategy. I've used bits and pieces of the wisdom shared with me over the last couple of months to decide what it is I want to do. I know the plan has to be sensible with slow and steady weight loss. I'm going to have to take it one meal at a time and not give up on the week if I fail at one meal, and thanks to Hope I know I have to pray about it. I'm going to have to be in constant prayer for strength and courage to say no, get moving, and try some things I haven't tried before.
     If you are reading... I hope you will check back from time to time. I can't promise to update every day, but I hope to update at least once a week.

Steve's Balanced Eating Plan

4 meals a day...

first three get a protein and a carb, 

the fourth is 2 proteins or a protein and 25-30 nuts or 2 tbsp all natural peanut butter 

(ingredients should only be peanuts and salt).

Drink as much water as you can, but atleast a gallon a day 

(should really be all you drink). 

With enough water you won't have to watch sodium at all...

just avoid msg it's awful. 

Also eat all the green veggies, onions, and peppers you want.

Proteins:
6-8oz. Lean chicken, 

beef (96%), 

fish, 

turkey, 

ham. 

4 eggs, or 8 whites (a carton of egg bearers works too), 

12oz. Fat free cottage cheese or Greek yogurt.

Carb:
1 large sweet potato, 

1 medium potato, 

1 cup brown rice, 

1 cup oatmeal, 

3 slices whole wheat bread (only once per day max), 

1 cup of any berries, pineapple, or melon, 

1 piece of fruit ( banana, Orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, red Apple), 

2 green apples, 

1 cup or piece of any non-green vegetable.

You can also have two 140 calorie snacks a day,

 but try to avoid trans fats and high fructose corn syrup at all costs.

 Light cheese sticks natural snack bags work well.


Don't freak out if the first week doesn't give any weight loss...
if you've underate any recently it will take a week or so to get your metabolism going good. 


If you can work in any exercise it will help jumpstart it too....
10 minutes is better than nothing....30 minutes, 5 days a week is ideal.

Beginning Stats:

Weight: 240ish (Will check in the am)

Chest: 46 inches

Arm: 16 inches

Waist:  42 inches

Hips: 53 inches

Thigh: 30 inches

Calf: 20 inches