Being a loser feels great!

I have a love-hate relationship with the scale. I go down a pound or two, I LOVE it. Go up or stay the same, I LOATHE it. I have to make sure that I keep the positive relationship going with my scale because, lets face it, it's not the SCALE'S fault I messed up. 

I really paid attention to my eating this week. I stayed, on average, around 2000 calories a day. It doesn't sound like much to some people, but I weigh 290 - oops, sorry, that's 289 now! That's a LOT of extra weight, and it's going to take baby steps in order to lose it. The 2000 calories is the first baby step for me. The second is drinking water. I haven't quite gotten up to 8 cups yet, but I'm doing better. My third step, which will start next week, will be weighing and measuring my food. I have a scale and a wonderful set of measuring cups for just that purpose. 

I am proud of what I've accomplished. Yes, it's only a pound. But that one pound is HUGE in my book!

Finding What Works for You

There's a old TV theme song that says "What might be right for you, might not be right for some". It's talking about life, and how we're all different. Well, that saying also works for dieting.

Looking back over this blog, I've realized that I have been through every major diet "fad" that's out there. And they haven't stuck. Why? Honestly, I don't know. Maybe it's the attitudes that go along with some of them, maybe it's the negativity that I have experienced with some of the people involved in them. Either way, going from diet to diet is not only ridiculous, but sabotaging. I found something that worked, but instead of sticking with it, I changed to something else. Did it work too? Nope. In fact, it made things worse. I gained weight. So then I went to something else. Didn't work either. Then the next thing. And the next thing. And the next thing.

So, after much prayer and thought, I have decided to go back to the one thing that I know for a fact did work for me.

Calorie counting isn't for everyone. I will never say that it is. Some people just don't do well on it. And that's okay. But, I happen to be one of those people that needs to count calories. I have found that when I am aware of what I am eating and how much, I make it a point to do better. It's like a game or puzzle, and I love it. So I'm back to counting the calories.

Yes. I know I preached against it in an earlier blog. But I have found that in my quest for knowledge and information, there is just too much information. You really can't go by what everyone says - even so-called-"experts". All they want to do is get your money. So, figure out what it is that you need to do for you to lose weight. Low cal? Low carb? Vegetarian? Whatever works for you, find it and STICK WITH IT.

My daily calorie goal is around 2000 right now. That means I can eat 1800-2200 a day. I need to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. I need to drink more water and less diet soda (although one soda with a meal or as an evening snack is okay). I need to focus more on what is important in life - my God, my Family, my Friends.  As my amazing mother-in-law said "Food is not my focus".

This blog is going to evolve into something different. I will continue to chronicle my journey, but in the process I will also do a monthly weigh in, post healthful recipes, and give my calorie counts and exercise logs for the week. But I will no longer be promoting any one style of weight loss. Because I have found that what's right for others, isn't for me. And what's right for me, might not be right for some.

Preventing Obesity in Your Children

Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the American family.  We, as a country, have some of the most overweight adults on the planet.  And our children aren't any healthier than we are.  With diets consiting of fast food and little fruits and vegetables, and with exercise routines that include how fast the your thumbs can go on the action button, it's little wonder that our children are slowing gaining on us in the overweight department.

So, what can we do as parents?  There are several steps that you can take to ensure your children will remain healthy and happy.

1) limit TV and video game time.  Children should watch only two hours of television a day and should play only an hour of video games a day.

2) decrease carbs while increasing whole grains.  According to the food pyramid guide, kids only need 6 oz of grains a day.  If you give them a bowl of cereal in the morning, a sandwich at lunch, and a bowl of pasta or rice a day, they will have plenty.  They also recommend that at least half of those grains be whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice, or flax.

3) increase your fruits and vegetables.  The food guide also says that kids need up to four cups of fruits and vegetables a day.  Let's face it, most adults don't get that much.  Give some juice and a piece of fruit in the morning, carrot sticks at lunch, fruit or raw veggies and dip for snacks, and at least one vegetable at dinner.  Need some help with some picky eaters?  The Sneaky Chef has some great online recipes to help out with that!

4) don't force the issue.  Seriously.  There is an old saying that goes "when he's hungry enough, he'll eat".  Learn this.  Live by this.  Know this is true.  If he's not hungry enough to eat that plate of mashed potatoes, green beans, and turkey meatloaf, then he's not hungry enough. Forcing our kids to "clean your plates" teaches them the wrong idea. Basic idea is: IF YOU'RE NOT HUNGRY DON'T EAT.  Same should go for the children.

5) play with your kids.  Go outside or to the park. Run with them. Climb with them. Show them that exercise can be fun family time for all! They'll love the special time with you, and they'll be getting in a workout to boot!

Remember that YOU are your child's best example.  You want them to live healthy happy lives?  Show them how by living one yourself.