Home Again, Home Again

Here it is... the big move. I got my first "real" job and have moved out of my university town and back in with my parents. I know what some of you may be thinking ("Ugh, back in with your parents?!") but I'm actually pretty excited. My living expenses at home are significantly less than out on my own, and this is going to enable me to put away a big chunk of money before I decide to get out on my own for good. I start my job one week from today, so this week is all about moving, purging, and organizing. This got me thinking about challenging myself with regards to food and exercising and since Easter is coming up this week is key to continuing to lose weight (or at the very least, maintain it).

Challenges:
1. Moving: Obtain at least 20 AP this week.
2. Purging: Empty cupboards of any snacks and treats that may lead me astray.
3. Organizing: Organize the fridge and pantry in order to make healthful cooking less stressful and WAY more fun.

If anyone wants to join in and work on these three points with me, comment on the post and write your on your own blog about your Easter Challenge.

Good luck!

It's a New Day

Well, here it is. A NEW DAY. :) I am very proud of myself for leaving yesterday's 40 points behind me and starting afresh today. I had a small bowl of oatmeal and half a grapefruit for breakfast (3.5 pts.) and I ate out for lunch but chose a chicken breast wrap from the menu and DECLINED dessert. It's so nice to know that each day we can take the opportunity to make better decisions. Tonight I am heading to a friend's place... chips, dip and pop will be the challenge of the evening. Hopefully, I exercise my decision making powers to the extent that I am hoping. Wish me luck!

On a side note... I've begun reading The Time Traveler's Wife. Its a fantastic novel so far and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good book. I've also decided that it could be used as a distraction tool when boredom is luring me to food. That's another experiment that may aid in keeping me from losing control. Two revelations in two days... I'm on a roll.

Discipline... or Lack Thereof

Hey all...

Well... After a really great week of staying on points and making healthy choices, I had a whopping 42 point Friday. OUCH. I'm not so much disappointed with the caloric surplus that I accumulated, so much that I am upset with my own lack of ability to have a small treat... and then STOP. I ate two bowls of ice cream, 3 peanut butter cookies, a date square and more potato chips than I was capable of keeping track of. Ugh... I wasn't even binging due to some emotional tragedy that needed to be comforted. It was just a plain old lack of self-control.

For the remainder of the weekend I am going to practice saying no to a least a few dessert and snack choices that are made available to me. I am mostly terrified of allowing this lack of discipline sneak into other areas of my life. I have a choice when it comes to eating or not eating, what I eat, if or when I shall exercise, work, relax or have fun. I want that control to be at the forefront of my mind over the next 48 hours. I'll update on my success or failure after I've given it a reasonable shot. I'm sure with a little practice, I'll be telling that bowl of ice cream that it is no longer desired. Hopefully I find a little success and manage to transfer that skill more and more into every day life.

I'm Not Keira

I personally think Keira Knightly is one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of our day. Some days, I would easily agree to switching bodies with her. You can't deny it, she's stunning. Months ago, prior to my subscription to Weight Watchers, I would have told you I HAD to look like Keira. It was an "all-or-nothing" effort for me. Luckily, with a few life experiences, I have discovered that this isn't what I'm searching for.

I began my teenage years as a highly competitive athlete. I worried about my body shape and size from time to time, but for the most part I was happy with what I looked like and I knew I was in fantastic shape. Some years after ending my career as an athlete, I began to gain weight, my body changed, I was no longer in excellent physical shape and topped out at approximately 150 lbs (overweight for a girl of only 5' 3") and switched very quickly from a size 2, to a 4, to a 6 and finally to an 8. Now, I'm not saying this was completely terrible and I never would have called myself fat. But I wasn't comfortable with my health, mentally or physically, and I definitely wasn't comfortable throwing on a bikini and spending a day at the beach.

This is where my Weight Watcher journey began and the main reason for this blog. I want to be healthy and beautiful, mentally, physically and especially spiritually. I believe that my mental, physical and spiritual health is strongly interconnected. January 19th was my first day with weight watchers. I have lost a little over 10 pounds and would like to lose about 15 more. I have goals of implementing a plan into my life that incorporates exercise and healthy eating and am truly confident that strengthening this part of my life will support other areas as well.

I'm not Keira, and I never will be. It's time to become MY best. Welcome to my journey and my blog!