Me and my two chins
How do you like that title, eh? Despite what you may have assumed, this is not going to be an entry of self portraits. In fact, it is a title that I was thinking of using for a weight loss blog. However, after thinking about this for about a month now, I have finally come to the decision that I’m not going to add another half assed blog to my list of things to do. I’m the kind of person who likes to start new things (new weight loss blog, new work out clothes, new kind of weight loss food) and then never follow through. As if simply by doing part of the work everything else would kind of magically work itself out. This never gets me anywhere. So I have kaboshed that plan (You’re welcome internets) and decided just to read from the thousands of great weight loss blogs that are on the internet already to help me change my diet.
I have been on a diet for most of my life. I have been up and down in weight so many times you’d think i’de be an expert on this stuff by now but sadly I am not. But you know what? I’m getting there. I’ve said I wanted to change the way my husband André and I eat so many times but have never followed through. It’s partially due to my issues/love for food and partially having to get André serious about it. I knew I couldn’t do it if he wasn’t involved and this is usually part of what ends up being our downfall. We both have a bad combination of loving to eat and being too lazy to make food so we end up eating out or shopping in a hurry and getting whatever we want at the time. I’m not sure what has finally made a new routine stick this time around but I’m happy things are finally changing.
I’ve been making meal plans and we’ve been doing proper shopping trips only for what we need for about a month now. I know this is just normal for most people but it is a big change for us. I’m doing kind of a bastardised version of free weight watchers to help me get an idea of what i should eat every day. It wasn’t easy at first making dinner every night as it’s not something i have a lot of energy for but after I did it for a few weeks it became habit. So far I’ve lost about 10 pounds give or take (of course about 5 of that is probably water loss) but i’m just glad i haven’t gained. As far as exercise goes we both still have to work a lot on this aspect but it will come. I’ve started getting off the bus home from school early so that i have about a 20-30 minute walk. It’s not much but it’s something. Anyways i’m pretty excited that we’re following through and i hope that there are more results in the future. I have about 45 pounds to go to my first goal (Which is really the most realistic) and then 30 from there if i plan to keep going.
I’m not trying for some sort of unrealistic goal. I don’t want or need to be a stick figure, just a healthy weight. I’ve found I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately due to my weight and I had no energy due to the food I had been eating (a.k.a. No veggies amoungst other things). I have nothing against any body type and there are so many full figured girls out there who are healthy and super confident babes who I have a lot of respect for, but for me, I’m ready to be a size that works better for me and I think that this is the year that it will happen. Exciting right? It would be great to get the hubby and I in better shape so that we can hopefully stay away from potential health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.
In the mean time I’m chugging along in school and looking forward to my future career and my next big goal which will be investing in a permanent place for us to live. I’m still photographing now and then but it’s taking a side role to things such as the veggie garden i have started (cross your fingers that things grow as i’m notoriously bad at gardening) and studying. I use a program called evernote (it’s amazing!) to collect the weight watchers and other various recipes that i have been using in my meal plans, so if you ever want ideas for delicious, healthy, easy to make meals then let me know and i’ll post the links. Anywho, that’s probably the most i’ve ever written on this blog so if you make it through to the end, I salute you!
Is anyone reading this making a change to be healthier? Or have you in the past? Do you have any tips for me? I’m always happy for advice.
Good for you Erin!!! I have been doing Atkins for the past 3-ish weeks, and am loving being back in control of what I am eating! I’m fitting into a size smaller shirt already, and my old jeans which I was packed into (and bulging out of) are now LOOSE! Hooray!!! Anyways, congrats on the cooking at home, the shopping, and the early-getting-off-the-bus-walks!! Way to go!
Erika that’s amazing! I totally can’t tell other than by a scale that i’ve lost weight. My clothes fit exactly the same. I love that you are already into a smaller shirt! That’s amazing! I hear nothing but success from atkins. Do you know how long you intend to do it? Was it a new years inspired thing? So cool! Way to go you too miss!
Way to go Erin, good for you for sticking with it. It’s tough at first but after a little while you get used to it and it becomes habit. The only advice I’d give you is pretty much what you’re already doing. Plan ahead for shopping and meals and it’s easier to make healthier choices. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Kelly! The reason why i tried this time is because you are doing so well!
Hey Erin, it’s awesome that you are doing this for yourself. You’re right it is all about changing habits. I think you will do it this time. Being healthy is important and yes having Andre alongside for the ride will make all the difference. I salute you my dear! Darn there’s no salute button on this thing! hee hee! All the best to you and Andre in whatever you may be doing. Kyle and I are looking for a place too, well sort of.
take care
-Amber xo