Snuck a peek at the scale . . .

Okay, so weigh in isn't until Saturday morning, but I snuck a peek this morning to see how I'm doing and I couldn't be happier!! I won't reveal the numbers here, because I really don't want to jinx it, but I am excited and hopeful.

On the WW site there are message boards. Now, let me tell you for some of them you have to have a pretty thick skin and a good sense of humor! Thank God I have both. But there are a few things that people will ask that really even make ME cringe . . . One of these things has to do with something that I have been passionate about for years - children's eating habits. So for today's post, I thought I would delve into a subject that is no stranger to me, and thus shouldn't be a stranger to any of you that are my regular readers . . .

SCHOOL LUNCHES
(enter meancing "dum dum DUUMMMMM" here)

i hate school lunches

Not because they're gross, although I'm sure "fajita chicken enchiladas" is REALLY unappitizing to a seven year old, but because of the nutritional value (or lack thereof) included in these meals.

For the elementary school the menu for the month looks like this. Notice the chicken nuggets, the hot dogs, the pizza, the steak fingers . . . and a lot of which is served with "gravy and a roll". And look at the veggie selections: mashed potatoes, green beans,corn, baked beans . . . Now from a kids perspective, I'm excited about these lunches. Chicken nuggets with mashed potatoes and gravy is still one of my all time favorites. But the fat, the cholesterol, the sodium . . . Really?? You are REALLY giving my kids this??

The Jr. High is even worse. They have the same things on the elementary menu, except they also have the "a la cart" line in which they can chose to have things like chicken strips, popcorn chicken, cheeseburgers, pizza, french fries . . . daily.

Not so long ago celebrity chef Jamie Oliver started a "food revolution" in schools. I think it's time we take matters into our own hands, so to speak.

In a nutshell, don't let your kids buy school lunch.

I don't.
I haven't in over a year (unless it's a special occasion, or I'm running late - my kids have bought their lunch twice in a month).
My kids get in their lunches:

Juice or water
a sandwich made with 100% whole wheat bread, lean ham, 2% cheese and mustard or low-fat salad dressing.
yogurt or applesauce
baked chips
a piece of fruit or a veggie

And they LOVE it.
It's not very creative, I'll admit, but it's a darn sight better than what they'd be eating at school!

If you're a parent with your kids in school, I urge you to try sending them lunches to school. Buy them a really cool lunch bag or box, and let them help chose (would you prefer apple sauce or a tangerine?) what they would like to put in their lunch box. Their health will improve, and you'll have piece of mind about their nutrition!

Here's to being losers in 2011!

Birthday Goals . . . And a New Outlook

I am 35 today.
I blogged about it on my other blog, if you would like to read it here.
Something about 35, is that I never imagined I'd be where I am today.
I never imagined I would have the man of my dreams.
I never imagined I would have these amazing children.
I never thought I would be close to 300 lbs . . .

With my decision to re-join Weight Watchers came a decision to change myself in so many ways.
I have five years until I hit 40.
And as we all know, 40 is the new 30.
So, my goal at 40 is to be a smokin' hot mama.
And I know I can do it.
I have my husband's support.
I have my family's support.
And I have my God.

My first Weigh In is this Saturday, when I will go to my very first face to face meeting. I am so excited because of everyone that I have learned I will be in there with.
My mother in law.
My sister in law.
One of my sweetest friends and her daughter . . .
Not to mention the countless friends of mine that are doing this in other areas not close to me.
I will have one of the largest support systems ever.

If I can't do this NOW . . .
Then I never will.
God is pointing me to this new place in my life.
He is guiding me to be the person He desires me to be.
I will do this.
I CAN do this.
I HAVE TO DO THIS.
I won't be doing this alone.
Here's to being Losers in 2011!!

I'm Going Back on Weight Watchers . . .

I have been listening to friends and family that have started or re-started Weight Watchers.
They are doing so well.
They are all losing, feeling good, and looking GREAT.
I am so proud of each of them.
It was actually my friend, Shannon, that inspired me to go back more than anything else.
Knowing she's had the same struggles as I have and seeing the joy on her face as she shared her weight loss with me.
I am so proud of her.
I am ready to be proud of ME again.

I quit WW because of the message boards online.
They weren't very encouraging or supportive.
In fact, some of the people were quite mean and spiteful and bitter, and hateful.
They sabotaged my efforts.
I spent a lot of time crying over what was said to me on those message boards.

So what made me decide to start it again?
Well, I will be going to face-to-face meetings.
I will be held accountable by someone other than myself.
That's what I need - accountability.

Today I am 285.
I'm ready to see 275. Then 265, 255, and then 245.
I will cry when I hit 250, I just know it.
I'm ready to make that change.