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Getting Your Drink On – Low Cal Style

May 18, 2012 by · 3 Comments

It is no secret that I like to get my drink on every now and then. One of the biggest challenges for me with my weight is alcohol. It calls to me after a long day at work. It calls to me on a hot summer day.

Beer is my like that enabling friend. Just do it. Just drink me. Luckily I found a chart from fitsugar with beers that are under 100 calories. Too bad my favorite beer of choice, Coors Light, is not on this list. This list is from last year so I am sure that there are some other brands out there that may have come out with other products.

Beer Calories Carbs (g) Alcohol content (%)
Budweiser Select 55 55 1.9 2.4
Miller Genuine Draft 64 64 2.4 2.8
Beck’s Premier Light 64 3.9 2.3
Pabst Pearl Light Beer 68 6 2.1
Michelob Ultra 95 3.2 4.1
Amstel Light 95 5 3.5
Anheuser Busch Natural Light 95 3.2 5.9
Natural Light 95 3.2 4.2
Miller Light 96 3.2 4.2
Budweiser Select 99 3.1 4.3
Heineken Light 99 6.8 3.5

By the way, Coors Light is 104 calories with 5.3 g of carbs and a 4.15% alcohol content. For an extensive beer list with calories, carbs and alcohol content check out beer100.com.

Now if you are not a fan of beer, which not everyone is, I have also included some other alcoholic beverages for you to consider.

Sour Apple Martini

Try this Sour Apple Martini made with 2 1/2 oz. sour mix and 3/4 oz. each vodka and sour apple liqueur, for a 160-calorie treat.

Sangria Sparkler

I would love to wet my whistle with this yummy Sangria drink.

Prep: 10 minutes
Chill: 2 hours
Makes: 12 servings

750-milliliter bottle dry red wine
1 cup light orange juice
1/4 cup brandy or cognac
1/4 cup orange liqueur
2 tablespoons sugar
2 medium oranges, sliced
2 cups club soda, chilled
Crushed ice and/or orange peel curls (optional)

1. In a large pitcher, combine wine, orange juice, brandy, orange liqueur, sugar, and orange slices. Chill at least 2 hours. Add club soda before serving. Serve over crushed ice and/or with orange peel curls, if desired.

Nutrition Information per serving: 100 calories, 0g protein, 9g carbohydrate, 0g fat (0g saturated), 0g fiber.

I also found this great article on Greatist with tips on picking healthier drinks!

Drink it up!

Just remember to drink responsibly. Always make sure to have a Designated Driver.  You know… all that jazz… Just don’t be a dumbass when you drink.

Also make sure to stop by Babe’s Rockin’ Mami and check out who is guest posting about their weight loss journey today!

 

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Flab to Fab – Deanna’s Story

May 11, 2012 by · 2 Comments

Please welcome Deanna today. Deanna has several blogs that she writes but she also has one regarding her personal journey towards weight loss.I am so thankful that she is sharing her story with us today. Please give her some love and encouragement. I know that this is not an easy thing to put out there.

Jayme was awesome enough to let me hijack a post on her blog so that I could share my story about my struggle with weight loss. Unlike most other women trying to lose weight, I’m not trying to just lose baby weight; I was never thin and the pounds piled on before I had kids. In fact, when I was pregnant with my twins, they were worried because I wasn’t gaining weight and I had to actually force myself to eat (me thinks that’s the only time that has ever happened!).

I was a normal sized child up until around the age of 5 or so, yep, 5. That’s when the chubbiness began which eventually turned into fat. I was a very active kid, when I wasn’t at school or sleeping I was running around with my friends riding bikes or walking all over town. My problem was food. My mom was a single mom and worked a lot. We didn’t have much money so we had a lot of meals that consisted of hot dogs, grilled cheese, and mac and cheese or fast food. My mom is overweight and her biological mother was overweight (I say biological because my mom is adopted). I grew up being the fat kid. It’s all I’ve known. I spent my childhood and teenage years being teased and called every fat name that you could think of. I was painfully shy and I let everyone walk all over me and I would never fight back when someone called me those names. Now, at the age of 35 (gasp, did I just say that??), I still battle against the constant paranoia that everyone is staring and laughing at me, even though I haven’t heard a fat comment in years (except from myself). I spent most of life being the sweet funny girl that guys would come to for advice about dating one of my friends. I was always the one left standing in the corner alone.

I’ve suffered from severe depression since I was a teenager although I never told anyone about it until just a few years ago and I was officially diagnosed with major depression in 2006. I was on a few medications since then and I’ve been on Effexor for the last 3 years. It helps a lot and has improved my life significantly but I still have my bad days. I often ask myself if it was my weight and the teasing that made me depressed or was I born with it and the deep seeded depression is what caused me to overeat?

I’ve been off and on diets since I can remember, even when I was a kid. They never lasted. In 2007, I lost 45 pounds and felt great, even though I was still overweight.. but the pounds slowly came back. Luckily, my husband loves me no matter what size I am and my kids tell me all the time how beautiful I am but I can never see it and I don’t know if I ever will.

I got brave and went back to school in 2009 and graduated last year for medical assisting. Ironically enough, my externship was at a weight loss center. I learned a lot about what to eat and what to stay away from. When I stepped on the scale at the center, I almost cried. I’m too embarrassed to even say it here, but it was big.. I’m talking, I could go on the Biggest Loser show big. I was allowed to get free supplements and counseling while I was working there. One of the things they do at the center is take their client’s blood pressure every time they come in. Mine was high. I never had high blood pressure, even when I was pregnant. It remained high and I decided it was time for me to talk to my doctor. I am now on blood pressure medication, just like my mother. I decided that I had to do SOMETHING about this. I ended up losing 15 lbs while I was at the weight loss center and I have now lost a total of 38 lbs. To some it sounds like a lot but to me, it seems like it is just a drop in the bucket because I have so much more to go. It’s a constant struggle. Food is like an addiction to me. I try to watch what I eat and add more fruits and veggies while also working out 5 days a week, but some days I just get tired of worrying about it and I lose control and eat and eat and eat. It’s disgusting. Sometimes I feel like this is a battle that I will never win. It’s true that food addiction is the same, if not worse than drug or alcohol addiction; the bad thing is, we need food to survive. We can’t just throw out all the food in the house; it’s everywhere you look.

I really don’t have much support at home and I feel like I need a support system to help me through this. I need someone cheering me on telling me that I’m doing a good job and to vent to when I’m having a bad day. I would love to find a weight loss buddy that I could help cheer on and vice versa. If anyone is up for this challenge, stop by my blog and leave me a comment. I started this blog when I first lost that 45 lbs a few years ago. I stopped posting completely for awhile but resurrected it a few months ago. My archives have plenty of stories about my weight loss and depression struggles. I love to write and I have a whole crap load of different blogs, I’ve even started writing a book about what it’s like growing up as the fat girl.

If you are looking for support with your weight loss journey, please join us on our private Facebook page, Flab to Fab with The Random Blogette & Babe’s Rockin’ Mami. We are here for you. There is no judgement. We are here to support you, listen to you and offer resources for your health.

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Living A Plant Strong Life

April 27, 2012 by · 3 Comments

I am so happy to have Amanda from Tales of An Amateur Mommy here again today. Amanda has decided to live a plant strong (mostly meat free) life recently and it is so intriguing to me. Even though Dave would never let us go completely meat free in the house (he told me so, so yes I know he won’t let me do it) I am still very curious about it. I asked Amanda to talk about “living a plant strong life” with everyone today. Please welcome Amanda!

To continue with Jayme’s weekly toast to health, I’ve agreed to share with her followers (makes her sound like a goddess doesn’t it? You’re welcome, Jayme) my journey that has led to me eating a plant strong diet. By now, most of you are probably raising your eyebrows at me and wondering what in the world is a plant strong diet. Basically, I don’t eat meat (including fish), eggs, or dairy.

Wait a minute… then don’t I mean that I’m vegan??

No. No I don’t. I’ve learned from many vegan forums that it is pretty unacceptable to peg yourself as a vegan unless you eliminate ALL animal products from your life—that means leather shoes, coats, purses, belts, couches, car seats, etc, wool coats, honey… I could go on and on. Since I’ve become more educated and passionate about this topic, I’ve started working towards eliminating many of these things from my life, but I probably won’t ever be a total vegan for my own personal reasons.

My husband and I started down this path during Lent, when we decided to give up meat. We had started eating mostly vegetarian for health reasons right before I got pregnant with my daughter. When I found out that I was now responsible for the health and nutrition of another little being, I decided to give it up. I just didn’t have enough knowledge about vegetarianism and pregnancy to feel comfortable with it. However, during the brief time that I had eliminated meat, I felt a lot lighter and healthier.

Recalling that time is what made me suggest to my husband that we give up meat again. He agreed, so I decided to do some reading on it. I randomly picked up The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone, not knowing that this a book based on being vegan, not vegetarian. Many of her points made so much sense to me and she presented many examples of people not just feeling better by cutting out animal products but actually reversing disease and becoming stronger as well. I raved about all of the new information that I was learning to my husband, and he backed me up fully.

Now, before you start bashing me for not eating meat, eggs or dairy, hear me out. Not eating these things, especially if you concurrently cut out most sugar, will make you feel AMAZING. I have never, ever changed my eating habits in order to lose weight and not felt tired and headachy for at least the first week. On the other hand, a week after I stopped eating animals/animal products, I cleaned so much around our house that my cousin claimed that I must be pregnant and nesting. And I hate cleaning. But I had so much energy that it overflowed into completing domestic duties that I hate.

Eating plant strong is not a wonder cure to fix all your ills. I’m sure many of you know vegetarians or vegans that eat junk and a diet that is utterly unhealthy. You definitely cannot cut meat out of your meals and then stuff your face full of french fries and beer. It just doesn’t work that way. There are many vegan blogs that can be found with awesome, healthy vegan recipes and it’s important to make sure that you are still getting the right nutrition. Want to see some? Follow me on Pinterest (not all vegan boards, some are crafting and food porn).

Health is not the only reason to cut meat and animal products out of your diet. It’s also better for the environment and of course, better for the animals. While I personally believe that the consumption of animals used to be perfectly healthy and acceptable, many slaughterhouses are terribly inhumane and unsanitary. I would much rather eat a deer that my husband has shot than a chicken breast from our local grocery store because of this—not to mention the steroids and antibiotics that are stuffed into many livestock.

I should probably reiterate here that I’m not entirely 100% meat free. I don’t expect my family to make a vegetarian alternative for our Sunday dinners, and I still love fish and cheese (I never really liked red meat to begin with) so sometimes I do indulge. Often, I totally regret it and feel bloated and disgusting the next day. It’s incredible to me how my body responds now that I have stopped stuffing the wrong things into it.

Interested in learning more? I encourage you to do your own research into the benefits of eating a plant strong diet. Some of my favorite resources are:

Vegucated—a documentary on three New Yorkers that eat a vegan diet for six weeks. A very
comprehensive film on all the reasons to transition to a vegan diet.

Veganomicon by Isa Chandra Moskowitz—a terrific vegan cookbook. She also has a website,
Post Punk Kitchen.

Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine — “Since 1985, PCRM has been influencing advancements in medicine and science. We advocate for preventive medicine, especially good nutrition, conduct clinical research, and advocate for higher ethical standards in research.”

Have questions for me? Please ask in the comments, I’d be happy to answer them!

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Yummy In Everyone’s Tummy – Chicken & Broccoli Noodle Casserole

March 29, 2012 by · 2 Comments

Technically it is my turn to have someone post their weight loss story today, but I had some miscommunication and it didn’t happen. Instead of someone’s story I am sharing another yummy recipe with you! Enjoy!

It is rare night in the Weiden household when everyone enjoys a meal. Usually one of us is not happy with dinner and usually it is my little Peanut. Sometimes I wonder how she survives since she is such a picky little eater.

I really never know what she is going to decide that she likes on any given day so it is trial and error, and it is exhausting. When we finally find a great tasting, healthy meal that we can all agree on it is like the Heavens open up and angels sing.

One day when I was perusing Skinnytaste’s recipes I found a yummy looking recipe for Chicken & Broccoli Noodle Casserole. I knew that Paige would not even want to try this but I was so wrong! She devoured it…after I picked out all of the broccoli, of course.

Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 1/6th • Old Points: 6 pts • Points+: 8 pts
Calories: 313 • Fat: 9.9 g • Protein: 27.2 g • Carb: 31.2 g • Fiber: 4.4 g • Sugar: 2.6 g
Sodium: 256.7 mg (without salt)

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz Ronzoni Smart taste noodles (or no-yolk)
  • 2 tsp oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
  • 12 oz fresh broccoli florets, chopped
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • 3 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1-3/4 cups fat free chicken broth
  • 1 cup 1% milk
  • 12 oz cooked shredded chicken breast
  • 4 oz shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar (Sargento)
  • cooking spray
  • 3 tbsp shredded parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp seasoned breadcrumbs (I used whole wheat)

Directions:

Cook noodles in salted water until al dente, or slightly undercooked by 2 minutes. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook on medium heat until golden, about 1 minute. Add the broccoli and a little salt, sauté and cover the broccoli for about 3 minutes on medium heat until the broccoli begins to soften. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375°. Lightly spray a 9 x 12 casserole dish with cooking spray.

In a large pot, heat butter over medium-low heat, when melted add the shallot and cook until soft, 2-3 minutes. Add the flour and a pinch of salt and stir well, cooking an additional 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat.

Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until well combined over medium heat; whisk well for 30 seconds, then add the milk and bring to a boil. Simmer on medium heat, mixing occasionally until it thickens (about 6-7 minutes). Remove from heat and add reduced fat sharp cheddar and 1 tablespoon of the parmesan cheese; mix well until the cheese melts.

Add the shredded chicken, noodles and broccoli to the sauce and mix well until evenly coated.

Pour into a casserole dish and top with parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Spray a little more cooking spray on top and bake for about 20 – 25 minutes. Place the casserole under the broiler a few minutes to get the crumbs crisp and golden (careful not to burn).

Check out Skinnytaste for some great step-by-step photos!

I really think that this is a fabulous recipe. We have added it to our monthly rotation. I would love for one of you to try it and tell me if you think it is as fab as we do! Here is a quick shortcut. We used canned shredded chicken. I know it sounds gross, but I promise that it is just as good. Also, it cuts down the prep time and that is always a plus in my house!

Do you have any tasty low-cal or low-ish calorie recipes that you would like me to try out, or you just want to share? Join our Flab to Fab group and join in on the conversations!

 

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“Diet” Is A Bad Word

March 22, 2012 by · 6 Comments

I hate the word “diet”. I have always hated that word. Whenever I hear someone talk about their diet it makes me cringe. A diet may help you lose some weight in the long term but if you don’t keep up with it you will gain that weight back. I have been there. I am proof of it.

The only thing that is going to help you sustain your weight loss is a lifestyle change. I feel that the worst thing that a person can do is deprive them self of something. When you deprive yourself of certain types of food, or “diet” it makes you crave it more. At least it makes ME crave it more. It is the same mentality as when you are a child. If someone tells you that you can’t do something you want to do it anyways. You do it and then you get in trouble, or in the case of “dieting” you gain weight back or don’t lose any weight at all.

Image via Skinny Jeans Dreams on Pinterest

We need to stop talking about dieting and start talking about making a lifestyle change. Here are some things that I have been working on…

1. Cutting out the fried foods.

Now I am not going to lie, every once in a while I am going to indulge in some chicken wings, but I understand that it needs to be a treat for me. If I go out and have some wings (or fried food) once a month instead of every other week then it won’t be as bad.

2. Cutting out the late night sweets.

Dave and I have this thing where we like to snack after the kids go to bed. We are working really hard on this. Every once in a while I grab a snack, but it is a healthy snack instead of a bag of chips or a bag of candy.

3. Eating more veggies/fruits/salads.

This is pretty self explanatory. The biggest change is using low calorie dressing. We have also learned that we do not need to drench our veggies in butter just to make them edible. My favorite veggie mix is the California blend (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots).

4. Move 30 minutes a day.

This has been really hard with my stress level lately. I am trying really hard to get back on track with this.

Small changes matter. It takes time to make a lifestyle change, it would be crazy to just go all in. Take your time and start making little changes. You will be amazed at how amazing you start to feel!

I am sure that there are many more ways to make a lifestyle change and I would love to hear how you are doing it!

What are some ways that you are making a lifestyle change?

 

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I’m Tired Of The Flabbage

March 2, 2012 by · 10 Comments

I am so excited to have one of my faves here today, Holly from Holly’s House – NOT A Perfect Mom’s Blog. Holly is no holds-barred and tells it like it is and that is what I love about her. Today she is opening up. Please give Holly some love and support today!

I’m tired of the flabbage….

I’m tired of the 40 extra pounds hanging out on my body…

I’m tired of having to suck in my belly in public because I feel like people are judging me for being fat…

So this bitch? Is doing it this time…for real…

Except for a few years in college and right before my wedding  I’ve always been chunky…and after four babies in 6 ½ years, I’m about 40 pounds overweight, which is my heaviest…

And it sucks, because now my youngest is two, so I can’t even blame it on new mom weight, nope…I’m officially carrying around Lazy as Fuck Mom Weight…

Sigh…

So as of Monday my ass is back on Weight Watchers…I’ve done it after each kid, but every time I would get pregnant before reaching my goal..I guess I was just too damn hot for my husband to resist me…

But now? It’s on*…

And I have big plans to tone up too…

Exercise has been the only thing I’ve been doing right the last nine months, so between Zumba and Body Pump I am so ready to see my body transform…

And it’s going to…because I have faith in myself…I’m ready to see the Holly underneath the fat…I’m ready to be a MILF….

I’ll just have to remember to hand the hubs a condom when it happens though…

Cuz this bitch? Isn’t doing this shit again….

*Like Donkey Kong

Thanks again Holly! If you want to join our awesome support group, let us know! We are always looking for some amazing people that want to get healthy and want to support others that are looking to get healthy. Come join us at Flab to Fab with The Random Blogette and Babe’s Rockin’ Mami.

Make sure to stop over and see Steph at Babe’s Rockin’ Mami where she talks about why it is important to have a buddy during your weight loss journey!

 

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MOTIVATION

February 23, 2012 by · 4 Comments

I have been having a rough time staying on track lately. I admit it. I have not been following my goals like I should be. I really have no excuse. I decided that I really need to start over and find some motivation to help me get my ass moving. What better place to find some motivational quotes than Pinterest!

Do you need a kick in the ass to motivate you to get your ass off of the couch? Here you go!

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These are definitely motivating me, what about you? Do you feel the need to jump off of the couch and start moving?

If you are looking for a great group of motivators, you need to join us! Come check out our private group, Flab To Fab With The Random Blogette & Babe’s Rockin’ Mami! No judgement. No haters. Just motivators!

 

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It’s Been A Week!

February 12, 2012 by · 7 Comments

For those of you that did not know, Dave had hernia surgery last Monday. This is quite an experience for both of us. Usually it is me going into surgery, not him. It was one of the longest mornings of my life.

4:00 am. I can’t sleep anymore knowing I have to be up in 30 minutes. I lay in bed and look at my phone. I know that this is supposed to be a simple surgery but I always think of the worst possible scenario. Dave like to say I am quite the pessimist. It isn’t that, it is just that I have to think of all possible scenarios.

4:30 am. I am up and moving. Packing my bag to keep me busy. Laptop, phone, chargers, paperwork.

5:00 am. Make the kids roll out of bed and head downstairs. We have to leave by 5:30 to drop my kids off at my parents’ house. Poor kiddos. My poor parents!

5:35 am. Already made it to my parents’ house. There is no one on the road this early.

5:50 am. Check in at the hospital. So ridiculously tired. I feel so bad for the chick behind the desk. She looks exhausted.

6:00 am. We take our seats in the surgical waiting room. A few minutes later another family sits down near us. We later become BFFs.

6:30 am. Dave is taken back to get prepped. I am now alone with my new BFFs. Nice people, just a little trashy, but nice. We realize that it is a small world and that they are part owners of a bar where Dave sells wine and beer.

7:00 am. I am finally able to come back and see Dave before he goes into surgery. I unselfishly threw out my half full can of Diet Coke because I am told that Dave is thirsty. You are welcome dear. See, I will do anything for you.

7:05 am. Took this awesome picture of Dave. He is such a good sport.

7:30 am. I am sent back to the waiting room as my love is wheeled off to surgery. The nerves really set in now and we all know what that means… I feel like I am going to poop myself. I distract my stomach by giving it a special treat. There just happens to be a Starbucks right next to the waiting room. The yummy smells are too much for me to deny. I indulge my nerves with a yummy Apple Cinnamon Scone. It’s funny because I didn’t know that scones were supposed to be so soft and heavenly.

8:00 am. I know that his surgery could take at least an hour but I nervously watch the surgery update monitor.I found out later that it was not being updated properly. Oh well.

Shortly after 8:30 am. Dave’s surgeon takes me into a consultation room and explains that the hernia was really bad (as I expected) but everything went perfectly which was so great to hear. He told me that they were waking him up and I should be able to see him very soon.

9:45 am. Finally buzzed back to go see Dave. He is doing surprisingly well. He didn’t understand why his throat hurt so bad. I forgot to tell him how they have to shove a breathing tube down your throat when they put you under. Oops!

10:30 am. We are released to go home.

11:00 am. We are safe and sound at home. I drove about 10 mph through the neighborhood so that the bumps didn’t hurt him too bad. He made fun of me the whole time. Jerk.

After that it was a whole lot of resting. The rest of the week went pretty well. The kids were helping around the house, but Paige just didn’t seem right. She really hasn’t seemed right since her last bout with strep.

She is fabulous even when she is sick.

Well, apparently either she never got over her original case of strep or she magically got it again within 2 short weeks. We had to take her to the doctor again on Friday. Thanks to my mom for picking up Dave and Paige and taking them to the doctor since Dave still can’t drive yet. I owe my mom big time!

So now we have Dave healing up and Paige trying to get healthy. Please forgive me if I seem insane. Lack of sleep can do that to a person.

 

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Flab To Fab – Lyndsey’s Story

February 3, 2012 by · 4 Comments

I am so excited to introduce Lyndsey to you today. Lyndsey and I go way back. And when I say way back, I mean we went to grade school, junior high and high school together. I have known her since 5th grade. Lyndsey’s story is one that I am sure that a lot of you can sympathize with. Many 0f you may even have the same story. Please welcome Lyndsey and give her your support.

 

I have been writing this post in my head ever since I volunteered to do it. Going over the past six years trying to figure out how I got to this point. All along I thought I had pretty valid reasons but when I really took a good, hard look all I came up with were a lot of excuses. It’s time to stop making excuses and make a change. Thanks to the Random Blogette and Babe’s Rockin’ Mami starting the group Flab to Fab, I finally am able to face all of those excuses and have the support to make it happen. So, here I am, facing it head on.
I was always pretty content with my weight. Yes, I had days where I would look in the mirror and think I was fat or wish my thighs were smaller. Looking back on those days makes me laugh. And then want to cry. What I wouldn’t give to be that size. I would never complain about my weight ever again. When I met my husband I was the absolute happiest with my weight. I was eating pretty well, not drinking soda, and using my treadmill on a regular basis. I was also bartending and waiting tables so I was always on the move. Ours was a whirlwind romance. We met, we fell in love, we moved in together all in 3 months. That’s when the trouble began. Justin is a fantastic baker. I went from buying ice cream and letting it sit until it was freezer burned to brownies and cake and ice cream just because. I blame him for contributing to my weight gain. Blaming him makes me feel better. Sadly, it makes me feel better like a hot fudge brownie sundae makes me feel better. At first it makes everything okay but then I just feel worse.

 

 

 

 

Fast forward a year, we’re getting married and still eating dessert. I also had a new job working at a mortgage company, sitting on my butt 50 hours a week with my treadmill being stored in the basement for safe keeping. I had already gained some weight but was enjoying my newly married status so I didn’t mind. Then I got pregnant. I made the excuse that I was eating for two. I ended up having a miscarriage and that was really hard to deal with so my eating habits didn’t change. I was up 30lbs. In 2008 I got pregnant again and this time it stuck. Even though I had morning sickness the entire time I still managed to pack on the pounds. At my heaviest I was 240…100lbs up from what I weighed in 2006 when I met my husband. After Austin was born in 09 I was a little more active and, somehow, had gotten used to my weight. I was at 220 but had a beautiful baby boy and a fantastic husband who told me I was beautiful and not at all fat. I guess I also figured we were going to have another baby eventually so why worry about it? I would just get fat again. (Worst excuse ever!) We had stopped eating dessert as often at least but then I got pregnant again. This time I was not sick at all and craved sugar all the time so we went back to desserts. I had another miscarriage, though, and my weight stayed about the same. By the time I got pregnant with Grant I was at 217. Even though I felt like I was eating all of the time while I was pregnant I actually ended up losing weight for awhile and then not gaining too much. When Grant was born in Sept. I’m not sure what I weighed. I hadn’t really been paying attention to the number just if I had gained or lost. I do know that I was up though. I even had a nurse in the hospital tell me the day that I delivered that my stomach didn’t look like it could stretch any further.

When I went to the doctor in December I weighed 205. It was just what I needed to hear. I had lost the pregnancy weight plus 12lbs. I was so close to being under 200 that I was motivated to make a change. I need to make the change for my sons. Austin is such a crazy nut with so much energy and I’m sure Grant will be the same. I’m going to have to have as much energy as possible to keep up with them and that’s not going to happen at 205. I also need to do this for Justin. Well, not for him exactly. He still says I’m not fat and that I just had a baby so it’s to be expected. I need to do it for him in the sense that I will feel better about myself and that will make things better for us. Above all else, I need to make this change for me. I’m tired of being embarrassed and ashamed. I’m tired of how it makes me feel. The majority of the time I am so happy. I know I should be. My husband is great. My boys are the best. I am fortunate enough to get to stay at home with them. Every now and then though, I remember what I really look like and it’s like a black cloud settles in over our whole house. It’s not good for any of us. So, with the help of this group and My Fitness Pal I am working on it. I’ll be doing my first 5k in April and plan to do more. I want to set a good example for my family and be able to fit a pair of tall boots over my calves while I’m doing it.

Thank you so much for sharing your story Lyndsey!  If anyone is interested in joining Flab to Fab with The Random Blogette and Babe’s Rockin’ Mami please join! We welcome anyone! If you are interested in sharing your story please let us know. We are here to support you.

Filed Under: Flab to Fab, Health · Tagged With: , , , ,

All My Life I Have Struggled

January 20, 2012 by · 15 Comments

My whole life I have struggled. I have struggled with my weight. I have struggled with my body image. I have just struggled.

Throughout my younger years I was not a heavy child, but I wasn’t a tiny child. I danced from the time I was 5 years old until I graduated from high school but I never really had a typical “dancer’s body”. I have just never been built that way. ( I wish I had pictures but they are all in storage. =p )

I started developing when I was in the 4th grade and it was pretty much all down hill from there. I never really felt comfortable in my body, until about my junior year. That is when I noticed my curves.

I started to embrace them and noticed how great I looked when I was thinner. I liked the way that I looked when I was thinner. I mean, who doesn’t.

Then I realized that it wasn’t easy to be thin. I realized that I actually had to think about it. I even danced several hours a week and I still had to be careful what I ate. I still had to pay attention. And I looked like this.

Then there was college. I had boyfriends and what not. Ahem. And my weight went up and down. When you are happy and comfortable the weight goes up.

When I met Dave I was actually a little heavier than normal, but he didn’t seem to mind too much.

As our relationship progressed and then the engagement happened, I realized that I needed to get my ass in shape. So I did, but I didn’t do it the right way.

I barely ate and smoked a pack a day. It was not the best way to lose weight but it worked, so I kept doing it. I got down to 110lbs, but it wasn’t a healthy 110 lbs.

Then, 4 months later, I got pregnant. I felt like death for the first 3 months. I lost 10 lbs off of my already very thin frame. When I got married I weighed 110. During the first trimester I got down to 100 lbs. I was so sickly looking.

As soon as 12 weeks hit it was like I was a new person and all that I wanted to do was shove food in my face. I gained 50 lbs.

I lost a decent amount of weight after I had Paige, or I just hid it well.

And then I put it back on and I wasn’t able to get it back off.

One day I looked at some pictures that my mom had posted on Facebook from Easter 2010. I knew that I had become pretty heavy but I just didn’t realize how big had become.

I just knew that I couldn’t be at this weight anymore. I was up to 165 lbs which was the most that I had ever weighed. I was tired, sluggish, and just didn’t want to do anything. I had 2 young kids that needed me and I wanted to be healthy for them. So I started Weight Watchers online.

Through Weight Watchers I was able to lose 20 lbs. After those 20 lbs. I was feeling much better. I exercised at least 3 times a week but it wasn’t consistent. The biggest change that I made was keeping track of what I ate. It is so amazing what happens when you start looking at what you are taking into your body every day. It can be quite scary.

Through minimal exercise, keeping a diary of my food and changing my eating habits I was able to lose a total of 30 lbs in a little over a year. It was quite a lengthy process but I didn’t give up. Now don’t get me wrong, I slipped up every once in a while and indulged, but I never beat myself up about it. I didn’t want it to be about guilt. When it becomes about guilt you just give up. At least that is what I do.

I eventually decided that I didn’t want to pay for Weight Watchers anymore and decided to try My Fitness Pal.  It helped me take another 10 lbs off! If you are interested in losing weight I suggest trying My Fitness Pal. It is free and it is a great resource for anyone trying to lose weight and get healthy.

I lost 30 lbs. overall. I am still not finished with my weight loss journey. I would like to get at least another 10 lbs off. If I can get 20 more off that is great too. If I don’t I am not going to beat myself up about it. I just know that my journey is never going to be over. I am going to have to work at it for the rest of my life.

I want to be clear though. I do love my body and I embrace my body and my curves. I just want to be healthy. I want to be able to run around and play with my kids and even, one day, play with my grandkids.

It is not all about weight for me. It is about being healthy and fit. But, of course, the weight loss does help!

If you want to join me and Steph from Babes Rockin’ Mami on our weight loss journeys and join in our weight loss challenge, we have a private Facebook group full of supportive members that are all looking into losing weight and getting in better shape. Even if you just want to follow along and get some tips for healthier living we also have a fan page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Flab to Fab, Food, Health · Tagged With: , , ,
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