Cravings

In the pursuit of health, David and I are giving up a lot when it comes to our food selection. No steaming, greasy, pepperoni-covered pizzas; no Clucks and Fries from Red Robin; and certainly no Moose Track ice cream. 

Because of our food revamp, we have been craving a lot of what has been replaced with salad and lean meat. I can't even tell you how many times we've turned to each other and said we have wanted Taco Bell, popcorn, or David's special request, Big Macs.

Are you starting to get an idea of how we were eating before we started eating better? It is no wonder we are unhappy about our weight. Open any cupboard in my kitchen or the refrigerator and you'd see foods such as those listed above. When that is present in your life, especially as often as it was in ours, it is not a mystery where those extra pounds are coming from.

David and I recently evaluated our grocery budget and I was horrifed to see how much we were spending. I actually felt sick to my stomach over it. Here I thought we were doing well and sticking to the budget we had given ourselves. Little did I know, all those quick stops to the store on my way home from work or those late night drive thru's would add up SO quickly. I challenge you to evaluate your grocery budget more closely. Are you spending your money wisely? We use Mint. If you haven't tried it, I highly suggest you do. It's eye-opening. Really.

So, we made a change. We cut all of that out. We've had one cheat day based off an interesting 13-hour workday I had last week, but we regretted it immediately. I have had nearly 23 years, and David has had 27 years to eat and enjoy all of that bad food. Cutting bad food out is the consequence of our indulgences over our entire lives. 

We aren't planning on having kids for a few years, but when we do, we want to be good examples. I want to be the mom who is outside playing with her kids. Some of my favorite memories from growing up were playing basketball in the driveway or volleyball in the yard with my parents until it was so dark we either had to turn on the headlights of the car or bring out a light. They coached my YMCA volleyball teams for years. Dad taught me how to dribble a basketball through the trashcans lined up in the garage. Mom and Dad would be in the bleachers watching my games, even if I didn't get to play.

I do not want to be the parents watching and not able to participate. I want to be as involved in my kids' life as my parents were in mine. It all starts now. I can keep eating bad, keep gaining weight, and restrict myself to being an onlooker in my own family's life. Or, I can ignore those stupid cravings, get off the couch, and make this change in my life now so I can enjoy my life to the fullest everyday from here on out (with or without kiddos running around). The choice is simple.

Support

Wow, what an interesting couple days it has been! David and I, as promised, have completely revolutionized the way we eat, and boy, oh boy, it is not easy!

I never realized how dependent he and I were to those unhealthy, quick, convenient, inexpensive foods. We love(d) pizza, Taco Bell, Panda, Subway... the list could go on and on. For so long, our excuses were that we have too crazy of a work schedule (both working retail), we can't afford healthy food, we don't have time to prepare it, blah blah blah.

Although those statements are true, we do work weird schedules and rarely have time to sit and eat dinner together because of it. But! I think for a long time those were excuses we hid behind and used to justify ordering food or running through somewhere that was fast. 

How many of you fall in this category? How many of you also love the easy, instant foods that are so readily available for us? One thing I have already learned about this "diet" (more like, lifestyle change) is that our busy lives shouldn't dictate our health.

We decided to cut everything out that isn't healthy, nutritious, and protein packed from here on out. It has not been easy, but we are already seeing the difference it makes. David and I have both lost weight and are feeling better knowing we haven't ingested those "fake" foods. 

Last night I think was the toughest for both of us though. I kept joking how I wanted breadsticks with ranch (my favorite!) and he kept saying how bad he wanted a Big Mac. Instead of giving each other a silent nod and grabbing the car keys, we made ourselves busy and struggled together, laughing the entire time.

I think that's another thing I've learned so far in this process. It is SO important to have a good support system around you. Not only for those nights where you are dreaming of all the food you can't have, but to celebrate, encourage, and struggle with you every step of the way. I know that if I were going through this lifestyle change alone, I would not be successful and would probably give in to temptation all the time.

Having friends, family, a spouse/significant other to make these health changes with you is, in my opinion, is one of the most important parts of being healthy.

I encourage you, if you are wanting to, or in the process of, making a healthy change in your life, find someone to do it with. I am here too, if you ever need encouragement or someone to talk to. 

It all starts with you. You're the only one that can make or break your lifestyle change. But having people around you to help you on the hard and easy days, will make your journey so much easier and who knows, maybe you can inspire those around you to do the same?

Starting Fresh For Real.

Hey everyone! I can't believe it has been such a long time since I have written on here! I get in the habit of blogging in waves. I'll do really well and then fall of the wagon. I am determined to keep blogging though and use this as a way to keep you all posted on what is going on with David and I!

Right now... the biggest thing I want to talk about is our weight loss!

How it Began:

David and I decided to start a weight loss journey after we returned home from a family vacation to Shady Cove in July (July 17 to be exact). We decided the next day, we would start making better decisions when it came to exercising and eating right.

We have been doing okay. David and I have had really great streaks and have watched the weight just fall off, but I know we have gotten lazy lately. I want to use this blog right now to track MY journey (including updates on David's weight loss), hold myself accountable, and maybe encourage and inspire those reading to reach their goal weight too!

Currently, I have lost about 12 pounds. I am going to start doing "official" weigh ins on Monday mornings, and update my progress on here then. I do have a MyFitnessPal I will update daily and would love some extra friends to help me through the journey I am on. Nothing like a little encouragement, right? MFP name: davidjenny)

Why I am SO Determined to Lose Weight:


On November 27, I weighed myself and saw a number I was devastated by. When did I, an athlete since I was in kindergarten, gain so much weight? That number I saw staring back at me from the scale was terrifying. I knew that I had to make a change then and there. It has been, and continues to be, a journey. Lot's of ups and downs, lots of "starting over" but NEVER, EVER giving up. 

Since that day in November, I have struggled with my body image. For me, getting to my goal weight would be the BEST thing I can do for MYSELF. I can't wait to look in the mirror and be satisfied with what I see. I am not depressed with how I look or anything like that, please don't misunderstand. I just know that I am not in the shape I could be. 

That being said, I have set a pretty lofty goal for myself. I am not going to tell you what I weighed at my heaviest, or what my goal is, but I do plan on blogging to let you know how I am doing with my weight loss! Maybe when I get to that point, I'll be a little more number specific. Until then, you'll just get to see what I lose! :)

Feel free to check back in. I'll be posting weight loss updates, any tips/tricks I learn, successes and failures, and eventually before and after pictures.

I need your encouragement, support, and accountability. Ask me how I am doing. If I am getting lazy or quiet on here, call me out. I need that community behind me and I am asking you to be that for me.

I am not telling myself it's going to be easy, I'm telling myself it will be worth it.