Losing Weight.

I've had a lot of comments lately about the weight I've lost.  Yes, I have.  And, thank you!  I have worked my tail off, and it feels good for the work to be noticed.

While I say I've worked my tail off, there is not a single thing I have given up.  Not sugar, not grains, not dairy.  Nothing.  I can't do that forever.  I could do it for a time, sure.  But, I need something I can do long term.

Speaking of long term, all this weight I've lost has been a work in progress since September.  September.  It has been slow and steady.  Some weeks I gain.  This is life, and life happens.

I've done a fine job losing weight a lot of times.  Sigh.  It will always be something I have to deal with, but I've decided that if this is my worst cross to carry, I am a-ok.  Every baby I don't want to gain so much weight, but I do.  So, it's rolling around Ruby's first birthday, and alas, I'm getting back there.

The thing I am so grateful for is the long line of women before me and beside me, and my husband.  We are not a small family.  Period.  But, I hear constantly how beautiful we all are.  What makes us that way?  Our confidence.  My mom and sisters have never once made me feel like what we are, even at our heaviest, is not good enough.  We are all thrilled with a size 10.  Not many women can say that.  I am so thankful.  Our beauty isn't our size, because we aren't small.  Yet I think my sisters and mom absolutely radiate in a way that is not defined by the scale.

And my hubby?  He loves me (and my body) more than I can fathom.  I am really grateful he isn't even a fan of "skinny," but I do love to make his long eyelashes twitch a bit.  He doesn't show more, or withhold, a bit of love and affection no matter my size.  He is the best.

All this to say, it's nice to feel good about myself and be able to be active with my children.  I like putting on an outfit and walking out the door, instead of trying on five different pair of pants and still hating what I end up with.  A healthy lifestyle is good.  Really good.  We have one body, it is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and I want to honor God with it.  My issue all along hasn't really been the number, but my self control and discipline.  Denying myself chocolate cake after a long day with the kids?  I think not.  This is where I am wrong.  That is not what food was made for.  Food was certainly made for enjoyment, but also for fuel.  I want to enjoy food, because I enjoy it.  No more mindless eating just because.  It is sinful to not deny myself.  I do it so many other areas of my life, and it's time to attack this stupid area too.

So, practically speaking, what have I done?  Weight Watchers works for me.  You can eat anything, you don't have to take anything special, and I confess I am a repeat offender.  Because, it works.  I am also having accountability with a friend.  This is key.  I can lie to myself all I want, but to weigh in front of my friend?  That brings it up a level.  I'm not tracking like I should be, and I don't always stay within my limit.  But, for the most part, I am putting points to my food.  It all has a value, and I decide if that value is worth it.

Some changes, food ideas, and go to's....
1. Rice cakes.  They are crunchy, and only one point.  They probably won't be the highlight of your day, but they are good.  If you need more, add Nutella to a caramel rice cake, or peanut butter to an apple rice cake.  You'll be surprised.  It's not so bad.
2. Joseph's brand Lavash bread.  It's 2 points, but can easily be cut in half for 1 point.  Get a Weight Watchers cheese stick (1 pt), roll it in 1/4 of the lavash wrap, nook it for 20 seconds, and dip it in some spaghetti or pizza sauce.  I have two of these, and it's 4 points total.  Really good!
3. Smucker's sugar free jam is NO points.  I take Sara Lee 45 calorie bread (1 pt.), toast it with 1 T. WHIPPED Peter Pan peanut butter (2 pts.), and some of the 0 pt. jelly.  That's 3 points.  Want a sandwich?  Put another piece of 1 pt. bread on it.
4. Veggie Wraps.  My friend got me hooked on these.  I use either the Lavash Bread or the bread.  Get some 1/3 less fat vegetable cream cheese, spread it on, sprinkle on some sunflower seeds if you want, then load on the veggies (carrot shreds, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers).  This is seriously SO good.
5. Turkey hot dogs.  Oscar Meyer 95% fat free I believe.  They are 2 points.  Add an 80 calorie Sara Lee bun for 2 points, and you have a 4 point hot dog.  Sometimes a person just has to have a hot dog, and this is the way to do it.
6. Smoothies.  I put together smoothie packets in the freezer.  A baggie of spinach, half a banana, and frozen fruit.  It makes smoothies more convenient and easy to just pull out, instead of having to get everything out.  Dump the bag in, add some almond milk or orange juice, yogurt if you want, I always add more water, and voila.

I can't think of any more things off the top of my head, but plan to add more as I think of them.  Losing weight doesn't have to be miserable.  I have to be realistic about it, eat a Scratch cupcake with a friend from time to time, and be content in who I am, no matter the size.  I am worth more than how the scale defines me.

But, I have a plan (and plan ahead) and do control what I eat when I can.  Situations come up daily I can't control, and I will not feel guilty about those.  I eat whatever the family eats every night.  I don't want them to think I can't have what they have, because I can.  Thankfully, my kids are in sanely good eaters, but we have pizza too.  It is all about balance.

So, there you have it.  I'm still a work in progress.  I've done this before, and I'll do it again.  It feels good to feel good.