Well I’m officially 39 now and I lost 33 pounds for my birthday. I was disappointed for a solid minute during my Jenny Craig consultation and then it was all about facing forward. I’ve attached some pictures of myself wearing a size MEDIUM dress and it’s from Target. I never could have worn anything that didn’t have at least one “x” in it 33 pounds ago, so I’m incredibly proud and excited about the next 33 pounds to lose. I spent my consultation focusing on the next short term goal which is still to hit 40 pounds. I’m only 7 pounds away and I know I can do it.
I must admit I had to borrow a little of my consultant’s faith in me. Just hearing her say every week that I CAN do this and that she is 100% convinced, makes me take the leap of faith in myself. I LOVE the one on one attention. Maybe it’s because I’m an only child. I like being the focus. This journey isn’t easy so I don’t miss the days of the other program where I would sit in a large group and have to hear about solutions to problems I didn’t have. I’m glad I found the courage to walk through Jenny’s door and I’m even more proud of the courage I’ve had to stay. So much has happened in my life….loss of a baby, unraveling of a marriage, and the threat of being layed off. But you know, through all of that the skills I’ve learned on this program have taught me that no matter what I belong on the list of people to take care of. As I continue to put myself at the top of my list of priorities I continue to have more to give to others and to my job. I’ve learned you can’t give what you don’t have and because of this program I now have a LOT to give.
39 and 33 pounds lighter!
So that’s my update. It’s knocking on the door of another “first” and I always thought it was crazy to only be excited on January 1st. We have 11 others we could embrace and get pumped up about. So I’m pumped, I’m excited and just too thrilled at the possibility that THIS Christmas I could be weighing ‘1′ something. Only 10pounds away now, so it’s possible. My choices are the only thing stopping me.
I’ve had some stressful and frustrating moments at work over the last couple of days, but you know, I have just decided that feeling frustrated and stressed is fine, but destroying the goals I have for myself is NOT acceptable. At least not because of how someone else is behaving. My consultant gave me a care call last night. Just one of the many reasons I love this program. Lately hump day has been a tough day of the week for me. Remember last week I had a total meltdown with those dangerous 100 calorie snack packs. It doesn’t help that they come seven to a pack! They should call them what they are….700 calories of snacks because you can’t eat just one. THAT would be much more accurate, but I digress. So my consultant reminded me of my goals and reset my focus for the remainder of the week. Did I say I love this program? I mean who else would’ve called me to talk about my weight management goals on a Tuesday night? NO ONE…at least that I wouldn’t have hung up on.
So what did I do to handle my stress and frustration? I made the decision to be even more diligent with my program. Tonight when I got home I listened to a song by Pink called “SO WHAT” and turned it up as loud as my ipod would go as I worked through interval training on my elliptical. So now after 60 minutes of sweat and the “So What” lyrics ringing in my head, all seems well.
There aren’t many guarantees in life, but you know I never regret following my program or the guaranteed feelings of empowerment I feel afterwards. On the other hand I ALWAYS regret deviating…that too is a guarantee. It still comes down to the power of choice, but tonight SO WHAT…I’m feeling like a rock star! I made it over the hump……woohoo!
With summer in full swing, it’s nice to get out of the house to enjoy a nice meal with your family and friends. My three (yes, three!) sisters visited me last week and we enjoyed several picnics, one in Mt. Tabor park (pictured left). Now, you might automatically start thinking about pasta salad and potato chips, but you can really do a lot more for your taste buds when enjoying the outdoors!
Picnic food can be simple or extravagant. I personally enjoy keeping it on the simple side so I can appreciate my surroundings and company. By simple I mean fresh and easy to prepare! I go to the market, preferably a farmers market, and buy in season fruit, a loaf of fresh artisan bread, salad mix, a couple wedges of fancy cheese, and a rotisserie chicken. All of these foods burst with flavor and fill you up more than you might think. Go heavier on the fruit and salad, keep your cheese sampling light, and you have a very balanced and healthy meal! On top of that, you can really take advantage of the location and take a walk or hike in the area for some exercise.
What are your favorite picnic spots and foods? Have you had one yet this year?
I think few believe few people would argue with the statement that fresh fruits and vegetables should be included in any healthy diet. Even on Jenny Craig, you are taught to volumize your meals with low calorie veggies to help you curb hunger!
But, you hear people complain a lot about prices, these days especially. In general people tend to think that fresh and healthy foods are more expensive than unhealthy options. While this may be true in some situations, many people have access to fresh and local produce that is much cheaper than regular grocery store choices.
Farmer’s Markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA’s) provide you with more options! If you buy in-season produce at farmer’s markets, you will likely find items that are less expensive and tastier. With CSA’s, you typically pay a flat fee up front and receive produce on a weekly basis from one farm. I just signed up for a CSA program with Heavenly Harvest Farm, and for about $16 a week I will get enough fruits and veggies for my husband and I! The program I chose has a “build your own box” option where I get to choose which items I get each week. However, most CSA’s have preselected items based on what was harvested that week. This is a great way to try new fruits and vegetables that you might typically overlook in the store.
The map below shows farms and farm markets across the country. Check out Local Harvest to view the interactive map to see what is available in your area, you might be surprised!
Ya sure, walking is good exercise - that’s a no brainer! But what if you could get even more exercise out of every step you take? Here are three different shoes that claim to make you stronger!
My personal favorite, and for all of you that love to run around barefoot, is Vibram’s FiveFingers Classic. They claim that their shoe is the next best thing to walking barefoot, which makes the muscles in your feet and legs stronger. They are like toe socks, but with a durable, flexible sole!
Ok, maybe you like sandals and all, but you prefer a little more between the ground and your foot! Well, check out the FitFlop, which is available in a variety of styles that all firm your legs and butt. Who wouldn’t want that?
If you’re looking for a regular shoe, take a look at MBT - The Anti Shoe. They make a ton of different styles, from athletic, to casual to professional. MBT claims that their shoes activate neglected muscles and improve posture. Not bad!
So what do you think, would you be willing to give these a try?
Ahhhh, Spring! The days are getting longer and the sun has come out to play. I find that when the temperatures start to rise and blue sky takes over dreary clouds I become extra motivated to work harder on becoming healthy. I’ve kicked up my exercise routine a notch and have been extra careful about what I eat. Although I don’t plan on following in Valerie Bertinelli’s footsteps with a swimsuit splash cover (she looked amazing, by the way), I’m feeling good in my skin knowing that I’m taking care of myself.
How’s the weather out there for you? Do the changing seasons affect your diet motivation?
I’ll tell you what, it’s nice to be able to exercise a bit outside and enjoy the fresh air again! Not to mention the reopening of the local farmers market. Now I can incorporate really fresh and seasonal foods and get a bit of walking in.
As time goes on people seem to walk less and less, when did we become so sedentary? Especially with the age of the Internet, now we can shop, work, and even socialize online! Sometimes you need to break away from your routine and step outside for a good old-fashioned walk.
JC recommends walking 10,000 steps a day to keep you healthy and to help with weight loss. I came across a post on Garden of Egan that mentions her husband’s successful use of a pedometer.
He signed up for Jenny Craig, and so far he’s lost 30 pounds!!! (I’ve been on JC for 13 months and only lost 15, but that is all my fault.) He wears a pedometer every day, and does his best to get his 10,000 steps in.
How close do you think you are in taking 10,000 steps a day? It’s kind of a wakeup call the first time you use a pedometer and you see exactly how much you are or aren’t moving.
JC partitions activity into three categories: natural (household tasks etc), playful (being out and about w/family or friends) and planned (regular exercise).
We all know that staying active helps with weight loss, but it is also important for your overall health. What kind of exercise do you do? Does planning help to motivate you?
If you aren’t currently active, remember that normal activities add up (and count too), whether you vacuumed the house or walked the dog!
With summer in full swing, it’s nice to get out of the house to enjoy a nice meal with your family and friends. My three (yes, three!) sisters visited me last week and we enjoyed several picnics, one in Mt. Tabor park (pictured left). Now, you might automatically start thinking about pasta salad and potato chips, but you can really do a lot more for your taste buds when enjoying the outdoors!
