Monday, August 19, 2013

Pantry Is Empty!

Part of doing this challenge is getting mentally ready.  One of the things I did was clean out my pantry.  I threw out all the garbage.  I am a baker, so I took all my decorating supplies, put it in a bin, and put them away.  I am not giving up making cupcakes and cakes, but I am going to have to be very selective when I make them.

One of the hard things is going to be feeding my kids, and my husband!  They like cereal, pancakes, chips, etc.  I have been working on getting them all to try new things, but like me, it is not going to happen overnight.  Especially with my husband.  In my pantry, I put all of the good things at eye level.  When I open that pantry, I want to see the good things right away.  All of the cereals and chips, are on the high shelf.  I know I can't get rid of all of those things...I would have WWIII on my hands!  But I want my kids to see the healthy stuff first as well.  I put some healthy snacks at their eye level as well, so when they are looking, they can make a better choice as well.

As of today,  I have a little less than 2 weeks to go to day 1.  I have not been eating on plan, but I know I have to be careful.  I gain weight so easily, especially when I eat, and eat, and eat!  (I know...go figure!)  So I am having some pasta, ice-cream, and not so good things now, but not going too crazy.  I am going to be ready for this challenge both mentally and physically.  I am also trying to work in exercise.  I know I need to get something in place, or started before the challenge.  It will be easier if I start now.




Monday, August 12, 2013

Step One: Getting things ready

August 30th, I am starting a challenge.  I am starting the Find Your Fit challenge for Transitions Lifestyle System.  It is not a diet.  It is a lifestyle.  Yes, the ultimate goal is to lose weight, but I want this to be a change that will last my whole life.  I want to eat good foods.....vegetables, fruits, lean protein, non-processed foods.  I will be moving more.  Exercising is going to be a daily event. 

Now this is not something new for me.  I have been on every diet possible, and I have lost a lot of weight.  But I have gone and gained it all back, and then some!  I changed my eating....but nothing else.  I didn't really exercise.  I would take a walk now and then, but nothing that I really stuck to....or even did regularly!  I also did not look at why I was eating what I did.  The emotional part was never dealt with.  I would just push it all down, and not think about it. 

No wonder why it never stuck.

This time is very different.  I have been "doing" this program since March of this year.  Have a lost any weight?  Sure, but not a lot.  Maybe 10 pounds.  But things have been different.

First is that I have a health coach.  She is someone to help me with the program, and to help me to understand why I am eating the way I am eating.  She has been teaching me what to eat, and how to make good choices.  She has even given me many suggestions on how to deal with the why....why I want to lose weight, why I make the choices that I make, why I need to exercise.  Sometimes, I think I must drive her crazy!  I have a hard time talking about myself, and dealing with some emotional things.  I get anxious when I need to call her or even stop by to check in.  Once I talk to her, or see her, I am SO Glad I did, however, it is the whole....I my god I have to get on the scale and it is not going to be good and I need to be accountable for what I did this week, that makes me anxious!  I am getting over this.  I know she truly wants to help me, and that she is good for me! I need to put myself first, and I need to deal with these emotional things, because if I don't, things are not going to change and get better for me.

Now, I am ready.  I am ready to take on this challenge.  The challenge is a 12 week challenge.  I send in before pics as well as beginning weight, etc. then do 1 week of detox, then 11 weeks eating veggies, fruits and lean veggies.  I also drink a TLS shake daily and supplements.  I will be incorporating exercise into my day (which is new for me!).  My coach wants me to try pilates, and I am looking for a good dvd, but I will be going for walks and using my elliptical.

At the end of the 12 weeks, I send in an essay, after pics, and weight data, and then wait to see if I win the challenge.  First prize is $15,000.  Pretty good return on the investment!  I know the chances of me winning any money is slim, but if it keeps me focused and on track, I will do what it takes!

Since the challenge is a few weeks away, I am getting my house ready.  Today I started cleaning out our pantry.  I threw out a ton of stuff, and organized things to make it easy to find good food!  Over the next few days, I will be trying out recipes, looking for a pilates dvd, starting to exercise, and getting mentally ready to start.

This is a start to a new lifestyle for me and my family.  I am looking forward to the weeks ahead!