Why does Salt Lake City have to be so dammit delicious!?

Yea, yea, Salt Lake kind of set me back. It's just inevitable, I'm only there a few times a year and when I go there are things that must go in my mouth! I know I'm going all confession blog on you gals, but eating great food is part of my family tradition.....which I'm certain is one of the reasons I have problems over-eating. So one thing I learned is that eating generally good and not too large of portions can help you get through a holiday weekend without too much damage, but one morning of Banbury Cross Doughnuts and you're scene is CO-WRECKED!! As a result of those doughnuts (and maybe a few other various delicious this and that's my Mom always has around) I'm on a bit of an upswing this week coming in around 155-156. I swear for me, if I give myself a free day, it's an instant 3 pounds. So I've been doing better this week and for sure on the ball with working out. I went to the gym twice, and got a great workout both times. In addition to my daily walking and weights I do at home. And I took Afton to the gym with me and dropped her in the 24 hour fitness "kids club" for the first time. Unfortunately I can't say it was a success, she settled down after I left (she is hysterical when I drop her off anywhere anytime) but proceeded to cling onto the woman working there, threatening to cry every time she attempted putting her down. I think I will try again, but obviously Afton is not a fan of that program. So on to exciting new things like this week! I'm seriously determined to get myself back to where I'm feeling cuter. It's really weird how just 5 pounds from where I want to be and I can't fit ANYTHING! For real, I had to bust out 3 maternity items this week, totally NOT COOL because I'm anything but pregnant. I also went to put on a swimsuit and some little surf shorts I bought on my honeymoon. I wore them in Mammoth in November - when I (unknowingly was pregnant) and they fit great, on Friday, I could not fasten them! So not down with that program. And here's the thing. In winter you can always feel better with a sweatshirt on, in summer, there is NO WHERE TO HIDE YOUR CHUB! So I'm seriously motivated to make moves, and get myself back into shape! I read my WW magazine over the last week or so, I thought there was some helpful information I would love to share. As always I want you to share too! How is your weight loss battle going? What's working and what are you struggling with? Let me know!

- To "cleanse" or not to "cleanse" - There was an article in weight watchers magazine about "cleanse" diets and whether or not they can help with weight loss. Bottom line, a cleanse will make you loose loads of weight fast because you drastically cut your calories but the results are not only temporary but most often more weight is gained long term because once you start eating again your body clings to fat stores fearing another period of starvation and people tend to eat larger portions of less good food because of feeling so deprived and entitled. They are a bad idea unless you want to loose weight fast for something and don't mind gaining back more later.

- Don't hate on red meat - No that was not the name of the article, but that was the message I got. They talked about how red meat can be very healthy as long as you choose lean cuts of meat and control your portions. Sometimes a turkey burger has more calories than a normal burger because some ground turkey uses dark meat and skin. It's just nice to know that I don't have to eliminate my favorite meat from my diet in order to stay fit.

- Nature v. Nachos - This was the name of an article about whether or not your weight is determined by your genetics. I found it interesting that there are some links to genetics and obesity but that in almost every case these are more likely inherited lifestyle choices about eating etc. and not something having to do with your actual genes. In other words, you choose to make your life healthier than your parents. It's about your activity level and what you put in your mouth more so than what runs in your family.


My goals this week are to get SERIOUS about tracking my food and sticking to my WW target of 29 points. I worked out so much last week but by starting the week out of town my tracking was pretty non-existent and at the end of the week where I did hours of activity every day and worked up some serious sweat, I am up in weight. It sounds lame but food is EVERYTHING in my weight loss battle. Sometimes working out more works against me, like the more I work out the more hungry I am and the more I feel entitled to little this or that. I am on a mission to get myself back into my clothes so I'm going to have to be serious about my food tracking and make stuff happened.

Let me know how it's going girls - LOVE YOU ALL!!

OUT OF HERE!

Okay girls- I'm going out of town this weekend with the fam so I won't be updating. So here's my little post with the promise of a more legit post next week. This week is a bust anyway because my stupid period came yesterday and that always makes me feel like fat city. In fact the first day always makes me feel insanely entitled to sweet chocolaty baked goods. So I need to give props to Natasha and Jenny because both of you are on the weight loss attack and totally KILLING IT! I talked to Tash yesterday and she has just 5 more pounds to loose until she's feeling super hot (and no pressure that VLV is just two weeks away!). Jenny has lost 12 pounds adding ZERO extra exercise - all she's doing is tracking her food. I swear by this method, it's all about keeping track of EVERYTHING that goes into your mouth, that way you are holding yourself accountable. Jenny just has an app on her phone that helps her keep track and pounds are dropping off - LOVE IT! Farrah sent me some links to pass on. Of course in a classic Farrah fashion, this first one is all about Spinach. Farrah is on a mission to make me less of a vegetable hater, I don't hate all of them, I just will never be convinced that a diet without meat is delicious or totally healthy. I love how in my mind meat and vegetables are mortal enemies. In Farrah's defense I read these and for real some of this stuff could taste good, I totally appreciate you sharing F-dub!

http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2011/03/3-ways-to-sneak-spinach-into-y.html

http://www.self.com/fooddiet/2008/07/foods-for-weight-loss


Love to rest of you beautiful people!

I'm going through changeeaaeas...(think Ozzy but cuter)

Afton is bringing the belt - is yours tighter or looser?


It's happening people! I've got myself on a good schedule now, I know I get low cal snack at 10:30 and around 3:00, I try to be reasonable with my meals and watch my portions in particular. I'm not absolutely killing it yet, but I'm looking better for sure. My weight keeps dancing around 153-154 but for sure I'm looking better. I've been doing more time at the gym and stepping up my work-out game to make sure I sweat more each day. I think my weight hasn't dropped much because my stupid idiot period should be here any day.

I want to share a few tips that have helped me out:

1. Get OUTSIDE! I live in a place where I can do this everyday, but now that it's spring I recommend you do to. I am a weirdo who loves working out at a gym, but doing fast walks out-doors can really make you sweat and there is something cosmic about connecting with the breeze, sun, flowers, trees, grass, ducks and even bugs. I think making a connection with nature, even just in your neighborhood is good for your spirits!

2. Use smaller plates and bowls - I know I know, you've heard this a million times, but seriously, I think it makes a difference. When I'm really loosing weight, I'm very aware of my portions, as in, I put my cereal in the bowl with a measuring cup. And when you do that in a normal bowl it looks like you're breakfast is WEAK SAUCE, but if you use a smaller bowl you can trick yourself into thinking it's more than it is.

3. Buy smaller bread. Sounds dumb, but I buy this bread from Panera that I absolutely LOVE. It's wheat, complex carbs, fiber, YAY! And still somehow light and delicious. I love how it's smaller than a normal wheat loaf so my sandwiches get automatic portion control.














I managed to do pretty well with my goals- tracked my food everyday until yesterday, and I was good about low cal desserts until Saturday- I had some legit ice-cream, but a very small portion. I did get to the gym but not as much as I hoped. I did lots of extra walks etc. and I'm still feeling positive about getting into a swimsuit in a few months.

Where are you at ladies? Do you gals have any tips you want to share? Or go ahead and let me know your confessions - we are here for you!!