Ed. Note: This in an ongoing series about one 40-something woman trying to eat more healthfully and exercise more often. It is not about the numbers on the scale, though they can be indicative of a growing problem. Ha. Get it? That was a little joke. More than anything, I do not want you to feel diminished by the numbers on my scale. It may not seem like I have a weight problem, but I know—I know—the bad eating habits that my children are learning…especially my girls who are home all day with me. This is as much for them as it is for me—for them and for those skinny jeans in my dresser. 😉
So I’ve been watching my weight for the past two days and this is how I feel.
(Not really.)
(In truth, I feel good. Really really good!)
(It’s an accountability thing.)
I cannot emphasize enough how good it feels to be in control of one’s eating. I know, because I haven’t been—not for the past several months anyway.
So, my friends, it’s boot camp time! I’m going back to one of my favorite programs: Dr. Agaston’s South Beach Diet.
For two weeks, then, I’ll be on Phase I. Lots of restrictions to cut the cravings, of which I have many many many. (Um…can you say Sun Chips? Snyder’s Pretzelz? Snickers?)
This is the face of Phase I:
This is not, unfortunately, the face of Phase I:
Sigh. I do love me a nice White Russian now & then, but all alcohol is forbidden throughout Phase I.
I have also, as mentioned on Monday, started doing Jillian Michaels’ 30-Day Shred.
I can handle 20 minutes! Though eventually I’d like to add some treadmill time.
(Our basement equipment misses me.)
(It’s like, hey! You there by the freezer! Put down that ice cream and come say hi!)
And there you have it. Are you ready for today’s graphic photo?
I’m down four pounds since the photo on Sunday, though granted, there’s water weight involved and the fact that I was wearing more clothes in that picture than this one. (Not to be indiscreet or anything. Just being honest here!) Still, the best part of all is that I feel really good. My body hasn’t really changed, but my habits have and that makes a difference.
Now let’s see if I last the whole two weeks. 🙂
All for the greater glory of God,
yeah!! Progress is progress and if it keeps you motivated, yeah!!! Keep up the great work!
yay maggie!!! Great for you!!!
Keep it up, you can keep going!!
It's the perfect Advent thing to do!
Who's shredding?! YOU are!!
That's what I was thinking, Jamie–the fast before the feast!
Way to go!!
The most interesting little fact I found in the Wheat Belly book was that it is the only food we eat that causes an opium-like high. No wonder it's so hard to give up and we fell so free when we do!
Great job! Keep up the good work. I would also like to recommend an easy read book. It is called Reshaping It All. It is by Candace Cameron (the actress who played D.J. on Full House) Also, Kirk Cameron's sister. She talks a lot about the relationship to food, and God. It has me looking at food in a different way. Keep moving forward:)
Ann
Way to go Margaret! You're doing great. I'm so impressed. I've been thinking about your post from Monday and how brave you are to take this on just before the holidays. You go MN Mom! I'll be following along watching your progress…while I eat my way through the remainder of this pregnancy 🙂
Kidding. I'm eating as healthy as I can and keeping up my exercise, right along with you. I'm sure you won't mind me not sharing any of my numbers on the scale. lol.
Keep up the good work!!
Thank you for the encouragement, everyone! The plan is to keep a journal throughout the rest of Advent which I'll share online when I return to blogging at Christmas.
Keep me in your prayers and I will do the same for you!
Hang in! You can do it! Trust me, if I can so can you! (Feeling very smug here because I just had to throw out every pair of jeans I own and buy new ones in a smaller size.)