Health, weight loss and self esteem

I feel like I am continually on the quest for better health, to lose weight and feel good about myself.

I know outward appearances don't matter too much, but I also know that when we feel good about our outward appearance, especially if it coincides with our inner self, we are more confident, which just makes life better.  It makes me happier, not sure about you.

Anyway, so I am always talking about how I eat cleanly, well, most of the time.  No one is perfect, let's be real here.  And I did for a long time.  But my nutrition had gone overboard in the last few months, between cheese, wine, and sugar, I just felt gross.  So I decided to take it into my own hands and change it.

A good friend, if not best friend, found this book and this system.  So I read the book.  It made sense.

The book, "Why Kids Make You Fat and How to Get Your Body Back" by Mark Macdonald, made sense.  I liked what he was saying and I liked what I read about the program.  They, to me, took a real life approach to nutrition.  I do feel like our society is going down a slippery slope.  And I had an unhealthy relationship with food, and wine.  And by the wine part, I mean if I had a trying day, or long day, or the kids acted up, or whatever, I would have a glass or two of wine a night.  I decided I needed to "dry" out.  Don't get me wrong, once I feel better and feel like I am on my way to better health, I will indulge in my favorites, like wine and chocolate.  Sugar was also a big thing for me.  I was eating way too much of it.  So I cut them out... for a week.

So far, it has been a LONG week.  But I have felt better.  My week is up on Sat.

Back to this program.  It is all about eating in 3's... protein, carbs (but good carbs like fruits and veggies) and healthy fats.  Whole foods, good foods, not processed.  So it seemed to fit into what I wanted my nutrition to look like.

One thing I have found, for myself, that I'm not sure it is enough food.  The book says to throw what we all know about calories out the window.  So we aren't counting calories, or macros, but instead eating portion sizes.  This part fits with the 21 Day Fix (affiliate link) that I love so much!  Similarities are that it is recommended to eat every 3 hours, and to eat smaller meals.  Where it differs is that at each meal you are to eat your 3's, but the portion sizes are considerably smaller.

21 Day Fix focuses on eating enough fruits and veggies.  This program says one lean protein (chicken breast, turkey breast, ground chicken breast, ground turkey breast, etc.), one carb (fruit or veggie) and one good fat (nuts, seeds, avocado, etc.).  There are some "free" foods on this program, but they are mostly herbs, and lettuce, spinach, pretty much anything you'd make a salad with.  That's it.  Easy, because meal planning has been easy.  But difficult, because I'm not sure I am getting enough.  Oh and I almost forgot, no caffeine... well if you can do it.  Some people do "detox" off the caffeine.  I personally do not.  But I do miss my morning coffee and all it's horribly delicious chemical goodness.

There are supplements that you are supposed to take.  But you need to read the book to get those and the dosages.

The first two days, I hit the afternoon slump BIG time!  As in falling asleep in my chair, hit the slump.  I am feeling better.

I do not know if I have lost weight, but I definitely feel less bloated, and day by day, I am having less cravings for bad things.

I went out for lunch with my mom yesterday, and had a hard time finding something I would enjoy eating and was on plan.  WOW!  I never really thought about that before.  So I cheated, a bit.  I had whole grain bread.  Oh yeah, did I forget to mention no breads, carbs - like rice, etc, salt or cheese.  All of which I love.

But don't fret, you do slowly add these back in, in the later phases of this nutrition plan.  It is supposed to be an 8 week run for health, which leads you to making a lifestyle change.

So my friend who introduced me to it, lost 12 or 13 lbs in her first week.  Yes, the book acknowledges that this is mostly water weight.  After the first week, you move into the fat burning phase.  You get to add back in other foods, and even a cheat meal, or off plan meal.  And finally the third phase is supposed to be your forever phase, with life happening when it happens.

So she has continued to lose another 2-3 lbs in the last week or two.  She has been on this plan for about 3-4 weeks.  I think it is fantastic that she isn't starving on this plan.  I am... which is why I don't know if it is the exact program for me.  Does this mean I am stopping completely?  No...  I am just modifying it.  And once this first week is over, which is what the book suggests, I will be adding back in exercise.  I have a few races I want to run and am thinking about pursuing a certification for a particular exercise program that I have fallen in love with.

So tell me, what kind of program do you follow?  Do you meal plan?

Motivation

So, since I got back from running the Glass Slipper Challenge, two things have changed about me.  I want to workout, but usually I get the motivation to do so late at night or when I have no time to work out.  And I just can't seem to get myself out the door to run.  I want to run.  I even signed up for a 5K color run, but it still hasn't motivated me to get moving again.

Part of my issue is that I know I can do a 5K with not too much training, and I know that they don't usually time this run.  This is for fun.  And I hope the friends that are joining me will see it as such.

I do want to sign up for more races.  I really do.  But Disney has spoiled me.

It's all about that bling now!  No, seriously... no finisher medal, probably no race for me. 

I mean who wouldn't love to have these around their neck?

Anyway, I also really want to start lifting and doing more cross training.  I want to get faster.  I have goals.

Part of my issue is that I don't really know what I am doing.  Going to the gym intimidates me.

What about you?  How do you keep yourself motivated?

See, I am seeing results, well I have seen some since even the beginning of the year.  I am down 6-7 lbs and I'm not sure about inches.  But my clothes are fitting differently.

It does excited me.  But now, I want to tone.  I want to work on my arms, legs, abs, etc.