a healthier, happier me: Introducing me!

I've decided to blog about how I jumped on the trail to being a health nut and how stinkin' fun it can be. I hope this post doesn't upset anyone or make you feel badly about where you are on the trail. I've been so inspired and educated by friends posting things that I decided to do this and maybe it would spark something in someone, too.

I've been slightly chubby most of my life. It comes from a lack of information and a love of delicious food, and a love of just plain ole eating! I admit - it's fun! After I had Melissa it took awhile to get back to pretty close the same weight, but I wasn't too uncomfortable. After I had my 2nd child I tried very, very hard to loose weight, but I couldn't break under 178. This post is a bit personal so prep yourself. It was actually quite depressing because we'd just moved to GA, I was having a difficult time making friends and just getting out of the house. Our situation was a busy accountant, one family vehicle, apartment living, and two darling daughters.

I think the last straw was when we attended an informal gathering of Paul's work folk and I was my 178 and all the other wives or girl friends were absolutely TINY! In my defense, I was the only one with children which does a number on all body parts! I decided right then and there that being a healthier weight was definitely what I wanted... I wanted to be comfortable in my skin!

That was during the summer time 2005. I got down to 150 by November 2005. The next summer I started doing Winsor pilates and I got down to 140 and a size 6! Hooray!

The key is to find what works for your personality and body type. If you don't see results tweak things and try other strategies, but don't give up! It feels SO STINKIN' GOOD!
1. The first thing I did was give myself a calorie intake number for the day and keep track as the day progressed of what I was eating and its calorie value. It is really helpful to do because I could see that I needed another serving of fruit and that I'd already had enough dairy, etc .
2. Then I hung up a cute skirt and top that I purposefully bought a few sizes smaller (realistic) in clear view. When I wanted that large bowl of ice cream I would walk into my closet and say, "I want to fit into you!" The moment of ice cream desire would pass and I felt quite happy with my choice.
3. Learn tricks... drinking lots of water has to be a conscious decision. We just aren't as thirsty as the amount of water we need. It's great for your completion, helps your body do all it's jobs, etc. It also can be what your hungry belly needs when it's almost time to eat, but not quite yet.
4. Eating an early dinner and going to bed a tad hungry yielded great results for me. The body has longer to digest that food and burn extra calories while you're sleeping.
5. Find a time to exercise and a type that works for you. I did the gym thing for awhile, but it didn't work as well as I wanted it to. I tried in home videos and loved it! I highly recommend Winsor pilates www.winsorpilates.com.

She has an awesome cardio workout followed by a pilates mat workout. I also LOVE her target videos... especially the buns and thighs! That's the key to those hot legs and size 6 bottom! :) I've tried other pilates and haven't liken them nearly as much as her's. There is a great website collagevideo.com. They sell every workout video ever made and have little clips for you to watch before you buy the video. You can tell alot in those few seconds!
6. I was tough and woke up early to exercise and shower before the girls woke up. Such a great way to start my day! I LOVED IT! It's tough those first few days, but I got to the point where I really looked forward to it! That is a super time to burn calories, too! After awhile my body would wake up on it's own and I'd be awake and ready to rumble.
7. I've figured out the foods that keep you full yet are so good for you that you feel good, too! (Also it helps if you get used to eating foods that aren't super yummy for most of your breakfasts and lunches. They're still good, just not taste bud bustin' good.) My sister says that's crazy, but it's not like we entertain ourselves with a daily trip to Disney land... so why would we dazzle our taste buds at every opportunity. If it's delicious I want to eat MORE of it! That's just my personal opinion. I have found some pretty healthy and tasty things!

Over all I LOVED feeling cute in my skin! When I started eating healthy and exercising I felt so awesome! I stopped having the afternoon slump where I felt like I needed a nap so badly, but if I took one I couldn't sleep at night. I was more cheerful and willing to do crazy adventures with the girls and I got a lot more done each day. I am starting again! Eating right and exercising - soon I'll be able to wear non-maternity clothes again... hooray! Here are some photos from the trail.
Summer 2003 - chubby post 1st child