Goals

Like many people, I have struggled with my weight my whole life.  I grew up a chubby kid - partly because I was put on steriods when I was just 4 years old to help my body fight off a rare disease - and it took me 2 1/2 years to ween myself off of the steroids, and partly because my parents owned a business and often dinner would consist of take out, or pizza because they just didn't have the time or energy to make a meal.  Then in grade 7 I had a doctor put me back on steriods to help with my Eczema, and I gained 40 lbs in a year - managed to get it off in Grade 11, and found it again in my first year of University.  Etc.

I'm no stranger to diet plans, I did Suzzane Summer's "Summersize"  plan with my mom, went on Herbal Magic, and meticulously counted every calorie I ate.  They all worked at the time, but soon enough I found the weight again.  Herbal Magic was probably my most successful weight loss, as the weight was off for over 6 months, and I was eating smaller portions - but then my car accident happened, and with not being able to work, I wasn't able to buy groceries - which meant I lived out of my pantry, and no one ever lost weight on the cereal and pasta diet. 

Last year Ben and I managed to lose 20 lbs each before our wedding, and went to Mexico looking thin and fit - but found it again in the summer following our return with all the BBQ's, and family gatherings every weekend.

I'm sick of it.  I'm done with the Yo-Yo.  I want to be able to throw out my "fat clothes" and not look back.  Every year I sort through my wardrobe and put the size I'm currently wearing at the front, and the clothing I'm no longer comfortable in at the back - and I hate it.

My biggest frustration is me.  I KNOW how to lose weight - I've done it many times in my lifetime.  Long story short - calculate your daily calorie needs to maintain your weight - and then eat less than that.  It's not rocket science, there's no magic drug I'm waiting for - it's not something I need a professional to help me with...  It's all me.  No less than 4 times this year did I decide I had had enough of it, started recording my food intake, upped my water and lost 10 lbs, and then got lazy, stopped writing it down, and stopped being so strict with myself, and gave myself a couple more allowances ("I've been so good - lets go out for dinner!") and the number on the scale went back up.  I need to stop rewarding myself with food for losing weight - it's stupid, it's like an alcoholic having a cocktail to celebrate sobriety!

I know what I want - I know how to do it - so why can't I stick to it?  Am I destined to repeat this same stupid cycle for the rest of my life?  Every year I wear three different sizes?  No.

Losing weight isn't a phase, it's not a trial run, or a fad.  Eating healthy isn't something I'm going to do this week so I look good for the weekend.  It's a lifestyle, and I need to start seeing it like that. 

Healthy food is awesome!  I love how I feel when I eat light foods, my body works better, my skin looks better - I just feel better, and yet I crave the bad stuff. 

I found what worked best for me when I was on Herbal Magic was planning my meals.  My room mate and I would make up several program acceptable meals, and freeze them in proper portion sizes, and then just stick to our set menu for the week.  It worked, it was good food, and we didn't end up rushed for time and just "grabbing something" because it was already made and waiting for us.  I have some friends that are implementing the "monthly meal cook off" system for their families - tripling recipes and then rotating the meals of the month so they don't eat the same thing every day, but also so they don't have to worry about figuring something out at the end of the day either.  I think it's a good plan.  As it is Ben and I make large batches of soup, and freeze them into two serving portions, so we have a hot home made lunch every day - but I think we need to do the same thing for dinners too - supper time is our weakest link. 

Plus if I freeze meals in proper portion sizes, then we can't go back for seconds - once we are finished, we are finished. 

So I'm currently collecting recipies, and planning my own monthly cooking, to go in effect on Monday.  And hopefully as a result both our waist lines go down, and our bank balances go up a bit. 

And to keep me accountable - I'll check in here on my blog now and then to let my readers know how I'm doing (all three of you!). 

Also, if anyone has any awesome healthy recipes please let me know!