Ouch! Falling off the wagon really hurts!

So- I haven't posted in a while- and the longer time went by the guilter I felt and I realized that this is one of my tendencies that contributes to my unhealthy weight. Avoidance. As much as I don't like to admit it- and as much as I don't see myself this way, I have to admit that I am guilty of .... PERFECTIONISM.
Anyone who has seen my messy room would probably disagree- but at it turns out, the P-word manifests itself in different ways in different people.

In me- it tends to manifest itself as if I can't do it right I get really mad at myself and that can result in a defeatist attitude and then I put myself in a place of avoidance. That is what happened here. No excuses- I knew what I should be doing but didn't- My no-soda goal is still intact- having only had a few accidental sips and one not so accidental incident... but I still feel very proud of myself.

Last Friday, beleaguered by backpain and self depreciating thoughts, I picked myself up off the floor and weighed my sorry self.... 209. Yup. Worse than when I began. And So I set to work, watching episodes of HEAVY on A&E and RUBY to inspire me I started again on my weight loss journey...
This Friday I weigh 205.4- that's a 3.6 pound loss. I am moving in the right direction again and it feels great. I even sat through the McDonald's drive through with my family and I ordered NOTHING. (that takes some effort)

I have 166 (roughly, I hate math so I will have to recount that) days left until I turn 30- that's almost 6 months.  I am convinced that I can do it. Hudson is started Kindergarten in a few days and I am going to go to the gym  with a friend while he's in school.

I am ready to begin again (and I hey at least now I have some better BEFORE pictures.)

still walking- but slower.

I threw out my back last Saturday- although it still wasn't better from last time- this time I threw it out so bad I went to the doctor to get some help with the pain. So I am on vicodin and muscle relaxers- and I feel much better. I am able to accomplish simple household tasks and I have been walking though out- just not as quickly or as much. The doctor also suggested pilates or yoga to help when the pain recedes- does anyone have any suggestions for yoga videos for me? And before you suggest,  I am not fond of Densie Austin- something about her voice is grates on my nerves.

Back Pain :(

My back has been killing me for the last week and a half and I find myself barely able to move- but I remember from the last time my back was so bad what I did to overcome and to muscle through it, and that is walking. Walking helps to loosen the stiffness and it is one of the only low impact workouts that I can do at home or with the kids.

So I have decided until my back is stronger I am going to do what I did last time my back was out and I was trying to lose weight. Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds.

It's easy to follow- she starts with just a mile a day, gives you breaks on days you need it, and slowly over the six week program adds a little more each week.

Last time I did this six week program I lost 17 pounds. It was about 4 years ago. I have some of her DVDs and at first she really annoyed me- HOW could any one be that cheerful? But after a few times of doing the work out with her, I found myself actually smiling, and suddenly that annoying enthusiasm became encouraging support.

The best part is that you don't have to be terribly coordinated. It's just walking, sidesteps, knee lifts and kicks... that's all. (I could wax poetic about the time I tried Jazzercise and wore my street shoes- they were dusty- and I literally wiped out in the first five minutes- flat on my back. The worst part? the entire front wall is a mirror so EVERYONE saw it. I could never keep up with the routines, I was always at least a half a beat off... )This way I just walk in place in my living room, or down the street.

So in addition to the program- I am going to try to post how many steps I do each day and aim to take at least 1 more each day. (I know this will get increasingly difficult- so I won't beat myself up if I don't do it. But until my back starts healing a bit more, this is as challenging as it's going to get, folks. my goal is to get 10,000 a day eventually.)

So yesterday. 4/12/2011  - 5,330 steps

Biggest Loser recap

I am constantly inspired by this show- one of my favorites this season got sent home tonight- For those who haven't seen it yet and are perhaps waiting for it to air on HULU--- beware of spoiler alert!!----

I totally didn't see it coming, but Courtney got sent home and before she went- she looked straight into the camera and said "for you guys at home- you don't need to be on the ranch to lose weight- you just need to believe in yourself, and trust the process"

Trust the process- that struck me. I have defined my goal- set out things to do to be better... (Ok so the Oreo's were a bad idea this week, but I bought Skim Delight milk to drink with them, that has to count for something right?) but do I really BELIEVE that I can do it?

It has made me ponder... and made me make a decision. I will work out once a week at the rec center.... I will buy a punch card- and I will let the day care at the rec center watch my children for an hour or so while I exercise... I will not feel guilty about it.

So- there it is... The rest of the week I will work out at home- but I can give myself one day a week to get healthier right? (and to get away from my kiddos for a brief time...)

April Fool.... and a new day.

I lost 10 pounds this week!!!

April Fools... :(

I don't know why this happens to me- one day I will be all excited about losing weight and doing all I can, and the next I throw out my back and I find myself eating Nutella out of the jar with a spoon. :( Hello? Can you say 160 calories per tablespoon? sigh...

In any case- my sore back has been an excuse long enough, and now I say "NO MORE EXCUSES!"

Today- I recommit myself to losing the weight- I am writing up a new GAME PLAN- I am going to start doing all those things that I know work for me-

1.Walking

2.writing down what I eat

3. drink more water

4. Chew gum instead of mindless snacking

5. Don't bring home the "trigger foods" (you know the ones that you can't just eat one of? Lately, my weakness has been Tapioca pudding- don't ask me why, I used to hate the stuff as a kid and now I can eat a 6 pack of jello brand cups in a sitting... Blah. :(....)

And I am going to have to come up with a SOLID routine- no more of this waffling around everyday, doing things as I feel in the mood for it. From now on- when I get up at 8- the first thing I will do is some light cardio (walking or dancing or wii fit or something)- and I think everyday at 2 we'll head outside and Hudson can play while I walk around the playground with Lincoln in the stroller....

Thank goodness I have this blog- and you my dear, non-judgmental readers to keep me honest or this might have been one of those quietly slip back into my starting weight moments. :)

The good news? I still haven't had soda and the cravings have all but gone away! So there is at least one thing that I can count as an accomplishment! I can DO This!! :) ....yay me.

Discouraged

My wii scale wouldn't work last friday- I think the battery was low or something, so I didn't weigh in again. :(

But this last week I broke not only one but TWO chairs just by sitting on them. :( In my defense they are OLD rickety chairs... but landing on my butt with a chair literally in pieces beneath me is pretty discouraging... And not in the cute Goldie Locks way either.

Chalk it up to a sign- I need to get OFF MY CABOOSE and lose more weight.

Also there is a stain on my NO SODA goal- which makes me mad. I ordered Orange Hi-C (which is super sugary and not a great choice to begin with, but it's not soda) from the Burger King drive-thru the other day and as I was driving home discovered that they gave me Tropicana Twister orange soda instead- I threw it away, but the bubbles burned on my tongue like I had committed a crime.

(Hangs her head in shame)

sigh- The comfortable bubble of time that I have allowed myself grows ever smaller- but I don't.

Walking

SPRING is just around the corner- and man am I feeling it. Now that it isn't so freezing cold outside (even though it may go back at any moment, and I must be prepared) I can get outside more with the kids- Getting outside opens a new door into fitness for me.

Tomorrow is my weigh in- and I will not allow myself to skip it- come what may- but I have a friend whose wii fit was off on her weight, and since that's what I have been using I wonder if I weigh more than I thought. :( Which is a discouraging thought. No- tomorrow I will stand on that scale, square my shoulders, and take it like a grown-up.

In the mean time, I am lacing up my sneakers and hitting the sidewalk. (I will be toting the kids in the little red wagon, should offer some weight resistance, and I won't have to worry about the 5 year old keeping up with me.)

I need to find my pedometer and start counting the miles. :)

Get out of Jail Free Card

I have had a rough week with the back- and I didn't weigh in the morning.

It's not that I think I've gained weight and I don't want to know how much- it's more that I am just not feeling it today. I know that if I weigh in today one of two things will happen...

1. If I GAIN weight- I feel feel super discouraged- I will berate myself for a general lack of effort and because of my back I feel want to give up. (of course I WON'T-)

2. If I LOSE weight I will feel like "Hey! I'm all good" and I won't put in the appropriate level of effort this week.

I know where I need to do better this week, (although I am proud to say that I have NOT had a soda since 12Feb2011- and I have only eaten out once this week again.)

I still believe I consume too many calories in my liquids- and I consume too much sugar.

CURSE YOU GIRL SCOUTS!

I did cook a new recipe this week (it's a new goal of mine to try a new healthier (this is relative of course to what I NORMALLY eat- so don't judge too harshly if it's higher in calories- it still may have more vegetables or less sodium or something...)) Wow do I use too many parentheses? (probably) I need to be a better cook- I think if I enjoyed it more, I would cook more- eat out less and be healthier.

ANYHOW- I will leave you all in suspense this week- and we'll see how I have done come next friday. (Maybe the cookies will be gone by then..... sigh.)

Fat Tuesday

I have never celebrated it before- but I think it may be a good excuse to explain away a box of girl scout cookies and 4 things of tapioca pudding that I ate today. . . and a large piece of Chocolate cake for the Relief Society birthday dinner. (Happy Birthday- and I am glad to be a member of the largest women's organization in the world!)

My back is on the fritz again- and I am left hobbiling away- pushing through the pain to do even the most basic of things- like changing a diaper, doing the laundry, or standing fully erect. . . As it is- I am slumping through the house like Igor.

I don't do so good with pain. Add to it the broken blood vessels in my eyes from trying to get my 10 month old to sleep in his own crib instead of on the futon mattress on the floor because I'd LIKE to have a place to sit in the living room. (Moving is the pits- and I have decided I like packing a HECK of alot more than unpacking... suddenly all that stuff that I said, "eh, just throw it in a box" is coming back to haunt me- and my back. The worst is the stuff I don't know what to do with because it belongs to the husband. )

Anyway- is it possible to still loose weight when one cannot move and yet consumes more that one's fair share of pudding? I wouldn't bank on it. But- there is always tomorrow- so I forgive myself for today- and will vow to make better food choices tomorrow! :)

New Recipe

Last night I decided to try a recipe from wordofwisdomliving.com- but with my own twist on it.

It was so good. Vegetarian Enchiladas.

Sauce:

2 tblsp. Olive Oil

1 can of diced tomatos with green chilies (pureed)

1/8 cup corn starch

1 can of vegetable broth

1 clove garlic (crushed)

salt and white pepper

Enchiladas:

3 cups of Mexican blend cheese (pepper jack and cheddar) shredded

6 green onions finely chopped

Handful of cilantro leaves (optional- but I ADORE the stuff!)

1 can of corn

1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 carton of chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed)

corn tortillas.

In a medium saucepan heat olive oil and garlic- add salt and pepper and pureed tomato and chilies. whisk for 1 minute. Add cornstarch to a little cold water and whisk until it's smooth- add to sauce. Let simmer until thick. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Combine 2 cups of cheese, spinach, beans, corn, onion and cilantro in a large bowl and mix well. Lightly oil a 9x13 pan- spoon some sauce on the bottom of pan. (I tried to roll the filling into the tortillas but they kept breaking- so I just did layers- like a lasagna.) Over with remaining cheese and bake for 20 minutes.

I topped mine with sliced olives and more green onion.

Husband was skeptical - but liked it. that's my seal of approval. :)

Check out this Website

I was just referred to a website that I find very interesting- it may benefit you to check it out.

There are challenges once a week to change something in your life for the better- you can even print out a reminder card to stick on a bathroom mirror or on the fridge- and these aren't crazy things- just simple little changes (most of them) and they are just plain SMART changes.

For those of you who might not know- the Word of Wisdom - is a very important part of my life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. It is the Lord's law of healthy living as revealed to Joseph Smith. I have a TESTIMONY of it- and of Joseph Smith. (Not that I believe any of my dear readers would belittle that- but I just wanted to you to know that I know it's true- and any attempts to persuade me otherwise will be in vain.)

The blog www.wordofwisdomliving.com does a good job of explaining it- here http://www.wordofwisdomliving.com/wow/- but if you want the word of wisdom in its entirety, you can find it here- http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng if you're interested in learning more- just search www.lds.org for more information- or email me and I could tell you more.

Anyway- I think WordofWisdomliving.com is pretty cool and I will be following it from now on- trying to live a healthier life one week at a time- (which I was already sort of doing, but it's nice to have a little more motivation and guidance along the way.)

Weigh in 3/4

-0

hmmmm. No movement. But I can honestly say that I am not going to stress about it this week. My back was out and I didn't exercise as much as I should and on Wednesday night I ate at Hardee's and that's probably affecting the weigh in as well. (But- I only ate out once this week and for me that is an improvement.)

So this is a good time for me to evaluate how I did this week and what I need to change. I can't be complacent with a -0. I SHOULD be more upset by it. I think I take that "don't beat yourself up" mantra a little too seriously. I think that by saying "don't beat yourself up" to myself is what got me to this weight in the first place. Maybe I need to beat myself up a little more, eh?

SO- This week-

1.) No Soda (as always, but I need to write it down- I haven't slipped up at all!)

2.) 100 Crunches EVERY DAY - except sunday

3.) Replace juice with Water this week. (I need to drink more water- but water here is nasty so I have to wait for my Pur filter to fill and I am not patient enough I guess...)

4.) WEAR GOOD SHOES- instead of just clunky snow boots- that should help my back.

I'm Back!

So I did my first 100 crunches since Saturday- And .....

They felt wonderful!

I have been a weenie (not a 98% fat free weenie, but still) about trying them again since the Lasagna incident. But- I did them and my body remembered what was going on, even with the brief vacation- and I completed them without pain.

I am just going to have to be more careful. I think getting a pair of good shoes will help too, because one of my legs is longer than the other and my gait can cause my back to slip.

Anyway, there you are.

Just something to think about

Of Baby Showers and Sore Muscles

Saturday I went to an AWESOME baby shower for a very sweet lady- and my friend Amanda made some positively SINFUL goodies- (So so so yummy)... I did pretty good, I thought, at restraining myself- I didn't even try the cheese cake (which I adore)- and limited myself to 3 oreo bon bons- (and when I say limited- It could have been MANY more) and I didn't have any walnut bars (until Sunday when I had like 5 :( ) or lemon cake. They all looked so good but I had to keep my goal in mind. I had a handful of peanut M&Ms and a Mango smoothie.

The previous me (I would say the "old" me, but as I near 30 I have decided to take the word out of my vocabulary) would have gone Hungry Hungry Hippos on that desert table... So I am feeling pretty proud.

Then, yesterday I made my very first Lasagna. (I am not much of a cook- as I have mentioned) But nobody told me how DANG HEAVY the pan is with all those layers of goodness- and I threw out my back putting it into the oven. After the noodle and cheesy goodness was safe inside the oven, I decided to stretch my back right then and there to prevent further soreness and I hear my husband from the the dining room:

"What are you doing???"

"Stretching."

"Oh... because it looks like you're worshiping the Lasagna."

I am still laughing. There I was, bent in a Uttana Shishosana (yoga pose) right in front of the oven.

But my back is already feeling a little better so I am going to try to do my 100 crunches today, it will just take me longer. I may have to inflate the balance ball to help me out. :)

Weigh In 2/25

Weight = 192

-2.6

I guess those crunches really work! (Still haven't been to the gym since my husband got home, but I think what I am doing is working- Also. I wasn't as consistent as I wanted to be on the new thing I am trying, so I will have to give you a review of how I view the results next week- otherwise it wouldn't be fair.)

Muscle burns more fat- I find that interesting. If you build muscle- it works FOR you- to burn the fat. I miss my metabolism, but I think I can get it back if I really try. And I am 3lbs away from getting out of the 190's. That's exciting!

Day 3 of situp Challenge

I am so sore- but these crunches have taught me two things

1.) That I still HAVE abs (good to know since muscle tone down there is not so good after having a baby)

2.) The discomfort actually comes with a good "proud of myself" feeling. And each time I bend or twist and feel that soreness in my abs, I think "Yay for me! I actually did it today!"... So while some people boast that once you get started exercising you'll be addicted and I never believed it- I think I could get addicted to the sense of accomplishment that comes from it, if not the exercise itself.

100 Crunches For 100 Days

I don't know- maybe I am crazy, but when my friend Amanda announced that she would be doing 100 sit-ups for 100 days and competing with her husband to see who could do it and lose the most inches, I wanted to join.

If you remember, one of my original goals was to eliminate my chronic back pain. I h ave been to chiropractors and physical therapists who have all told me that in order to give my back muscles the support they so badly need, I need to strengthen my core. It's a double edged sword there- my back hurts so I don't WANT to do core exercises like crunches because they HURT- but the weaker my core the more my back hurts- so I guess I will have to endure a little discomfort now to be pain free in the future.

So HERE (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193263524031593) is the Challenge- do 100 sit-ups or crunches for 100 days. We have created a facebook group- and I am pretty sure it's open to the public- and since my following is pretty small at the moment many of you are already facebook friends, just let me know if you want an invite to the group so you can join along! We are skipping Sundays so our bodies can recuperate and because the Sabbath is a day of rest- We start today and end on June 16th!

So there is the Challenge! Are you up for it?

(Update on Soda Challenge: 1 Week down! 51 to go! YAY!)

So I said...

Forget it- I am buying pre-sliced apples- Forget the extra price and the extra packaging that will fill the landfills- I am eating healthier gol darn it! I have admitted here before that I am lazy- and that's part of the reason I have gained the weight in the first place- and I am sad to admit how many fresh fruits and vegetables have rotted in my fridge over the years.

SO I spent $2.99 for a bag of pre-sliced apples- and you know what? 24 hours later they are all gone. :) Instead of reaching for a bag of chips, I could open a bag of apples and snack on their sweet, tart, juicy goodness.

Also- I am not worried about stealing puffystars from Lincoln because there are only 25 calories per serving... Serving Size? 73 pieces (There is no way to capitalize numbers- sometimes I wish there was.)

194.6

-.4

Whopping big numbers eh? (I almost forgot to weigh in today, and weighed myself after lunch- so that might affect the numbers a small way today, but not by enough that it would matter too much.)

But it is a LOSS! That makes me happy. I am not on the Biggest Loser- I am not looking for double digits (I AM looking for SINGLE digits- but hey, what can you do?)

My vow to not drink soda has gone well so far. I find my beverage of choice is Sobe Fugi-Apple Pear- and strawberry lemonade. I may have over indulged in the lemonade this week to assuage my soda temptations. I should really be replacing the soda with water- but I figure baby steps right?

Husband is home!! So I will probably be able to sneak out to work out solo- and I think that will help my weight loss goals this week. Being alone with kids 24/7 does two things to my weight loss goals- 1.) stresses me out and I eat when I am stressed 2.) Saps my energy- I spend so much time making sure I am not trampling them when exercise that I don't accomplish much.

Ok- so here is to a BRAND NEW WEEK!- No Soda, More Water, More movement! (I got something for my birthday that I am excited to try too- Let's see how it affects my #'s next week and I will write a full review... Are you just on pins and needles to know what it is???? Stay Tuned!

98% Fat Free Oscar Mayer Hot dogs

I figured at 40 Calories a dog- only .5 grams of fat - why not? My family are big hot dog fans- it's cheap and easy and ready in a few minutes so the convince factor is HUGE for us...

The verdict?

Not worth it.

Blech- They were pretty bland, but I might be able to get used to it because they are SO low in calories until I saw how much SODIUM is in each wiener... 470 mg!!!! That's 20% of your daily allowance- and recently they have suggested that people should use even less than they originally suggested- so no thank you Mr. Mayer.

(of course I don't know how much sodium are in the other types of Oscar Mayer dogs- which I like- and I don't know if I WANT to know....)

1 Year Left!

It's my birthday- and that means I have one year left to lose the weight (I only started two weeks ago, so that's not so bad)

47 pounds in a year is very doable- it's a little less than a pound a week- which is what I have averaged, so that's not too bad. It will require a lot of work though- and I am looking forward to my NEXT birthday because I will be celebrating not only a HUGE milestone for me, but also my success!

As promised- I have a goal to share with you. I have never been the type to "give up" anything completely, but that's just what I am going to do. For 1 year, I Kelly Moore will not drink any soda pop- not even (or especially) diet sodas. There I said it- it's out there in cyber space. Part of the reason I have never made a resolution to give up certain things is because I have never believed I am capable of doing so. In this case- I am ready. I have heard that by giving up soda you can lose up to a pound a week, depending on how much soda you consume to begin with.

I am not as hardcore as some of you guys out there who cut out sugar all together- ack! Kill me now!- but I think this goal is significantly challenging enough that I will have to work at it, but it's realistic enough that I can achieve it.

So who is with me? My challenge to you is join me- no soda for one year- and then join me in raising a glass of sparkling cider on Feb 12 2012 to toast our success!

Week 3 weigh in

And the numbers are....

195

-.8

slow and steady right?

Size 12

Ya! I fit into size 12 again! :) First time Jean shopping that hasn't ended in tears for a while! :) (ok just $10 wal mart pants, but still)

In the Meantime...

Saturday is my Birthday and I will announce a big goal of mine on that day. So stay tuned.

I am not skinny mini yet- and part me thinks "when I lose the weight- then I'll wear nice clothes"

But in the meantime, I don't have to sit around in sweats and look sloppy right? So I have been making a little more effort with my appearance lately.

I may not be thin- but I can still look GOOD.

So here is my challenge to you, if you're aren't quite there yet, don't put it off to look good. It's ok to buy some clothes that fit you right, right now. You don't have to spend a fortune, but when you look good, you tend to feel good too. When you feel good- you're more capable of believing in yourself and more likely to reach goals. What makes you feel good about yourself? A clean house? Looking good? Taking time to feel pampered with a long hot bubble bath? Whatever it is- do it.

Weight loss is an arduous journey, but nobody said you've got to feel tired, or look sloppy along the way!

Honesty

This is a difficult post- only two weeks in, but I feel that if this blog is going to work at all I need to be honest- 100%. I wouldn't be doing myself or you any favors by fudging the numbers.... (mmmmmm fudge.)

Week two weight: 195.8

So I went back up 1.8 lbs.

This is not unusual for me, even when I am consistent with my diet and exercise. My weight fluctuates very easily. Some weeks will be better than others

- the difference here is that it's out there for the world to see. I can take this minor set back and use it to motivate myself or I can use it to beat myself up with and convince myself that I CAN'T do it (which is what has happened in the past).

Today- I will not let this pothole in the road stop my entire journey. I will learn from it, suffer the momentary displeasure, then keep moving!

I received a beautiful little note from my brother this morning that really helped me to post this this morning. He has recently made the change to a healthier lifestyle and knows how hard it can be- but knowing that he has faith in me really boosts my confidence! Thanks Jay!

He brought up an interesting point- if you are trying to quit eating or drinking something, don't bring it home and have it sitting in your fridge.

Stay tuned next week for a big goal announcement and challenge!

Use What You Have

Mr. Moore has suddenly been called off on a business trip a few states a way- and I don't have anyone to watch the little 'uns so I can exercise in the exercise room- and I was lamenting the cherry cheesecake that I ate last night thinking there is no way I can burn any calories. (Tomorrow is weigh in #2 and I am not excited about it- I think I may have thrown this weigh in with cheese cake, some brownies, and lack of exercise)

But as I was coming in today, I remembered that we live on the bottom floor of an apartment complex with three floors. That's many stairs- heated indoors- and as long as we tread quietly, the neighbors shouldn't mind if I take the kids (the baby is going to be my resistance weight) up and down the steps a few times tonight.

Necessity is the mother of invention- if you really want to reach your goal, there is a way to do it- you just have to find it.

Below Zero

I am facing some roadblocks this morning- as is expected in any journey. There will be potholes, closed rest-stops when you really need to pee, detours, delays, and setbacks.

Today I am really feeling the strain of anxiety and stress- This insecurity is making me want to eat (again with my emotional eating- you will probably notice this is a trend). I want to eat because I am stressed and food fills that void momentarily. It tastes good and it takes my mind off my worries- but I need to remember that I have a goal- I have an objective.

Another thing that is in my way today is the temperature- it's probably -12 right now outside, and even though I usually spend the day indoors, the colder temps make me want to stay in my pajamas and not do anything.

The point is- I am struggling today- and I am MAD that I am struggling so soon! It's not that I have lost my motivation, but today, and maybe JUST today, I don't want to do it.

So- here is my game plan today: Inflate balance ball. Clean the house (I feel better when I am in control of SOMETHING-) And workout tonight during Biggest Loser)- as for food, I think I will just drink alot of water to keep my mouth busy and my brain distracted.

WISH ME LUCK! I need it today!

Planning a Menu

I am not the greatest cook in the world. While I can follow a recipe - it doesn't mean that I have any creativity or flair in the kitchen- or any desire to be in the kitchen either.

Part of what got me to this weight in the first place was poor planning. I would work all day, get home around 5:30 and think "gee, I wonder what I should make for dinner?" This was bad for a few reasons.

1. I was already SUPER hungry and all the food that required more than a microwave took too long to cook.

2. I was already SUPER tired- and just wanted to sit and relax after a long day.

3. I get REALLY grumpy and confused when I am hungry and tired. (When we were dating, my husband almost left me in Salt Lake City because of my temper tantrums stemming from hunger... but that's a story for another time) When I get grumpy and confused I cannot decide what to cook or even what to eat when I have the options right in front of me.

So- A weekly menu usually cures this quandary. It also helps keep those unwanted fast food calories from sneaking into your week. This is what I am attempting to do right now- The problem I am having is coming up with healthy alternatives to our normal menu. Hot dogs and Mac&Cheese does not a skinny Kelly make. (Yes- it's better than fast food, but only a little...) Anyway, if you google "printable menu plans" or "free weekly menu"- you can find some cute ideas on how to make your own menu planner.

Does anyone have any really SIMPLE yummy dinner ideas for me?

First Weigh In

I have decided to weigh in once a week- Friday Mornings at 8:30. According to my Wii Fit, your change can change up to 2 lbs in the course of a day so it's important to weight yourself at the same time. I chose Friday because it's at the end of the week, gives me a chance to cut loose a little on the weekend- and gives me the whole week to get back into a good routine. It's not realistic for me to be a die-hard crazy-eyed fitness guru right off the bat. I am taking the advice of a friend of mine to be really good Sunday-Friday afternoon, and kick back a little Friday night and Saturday.

So January 28 2011- at 8:30 AM: 194

My first week was a success- although I can't promise you, readers, that each week will look as good. We'll have to see what happens together.

Take a look at my ticker- it moved!!!

Day Four

Had a stare-down match with a Little Debbi Nutty Bar

I won.

(Baby had been screaming at me all day- he's sick AND teething- I had only managed to scrape together 4 hours of sleep last night- and I was about to blow steam out of my ears I was so frustrated. I put him in his crib, closed the door, and somehow found myself self in the kitchen face to face with the cute little girl in a cowboy hat. Que western music.... Finally I decided the 300 calories weren't worth it and that the ONLY reason I was standing there was because I was tired/frustrated/bored/lonely.... And I walked away! Good for me!)

sidebar- Husband HATES it when I steal his Nutty Bars, so he should also be pleased. (NO copyright infringement meant with use of this image- Isn't she cute? Doesn't she make you want to stuff your mouth with swiss cake rolls? RESIST!)

Guilt Free TV

It probably doesn't surprise you that The Biggest Loser has become one of my favorite shows since season 8- but I always feel bad because I have some couch potato (or floor potato as we haven't unpacked our futon yet) guilt because I watch these guys literally SWEAT BUCKETS and I am just sitting there.

Tonight I went to the apartment workout room and did 3 miles on the bike and 15 minutes on the elliptical- and kept my heart rate at about 180.

Now I can watch my show guilt free. :)

YAY me! (See, small celebrations- and two posts in one day, sorry about that I will try to keep my updates brief, even though this blog is more for me than anyone else... so you'll probably have to deal with it....)

What Has Worked

When you are going for a goal it is helpful to look back and recognize past success. What DOES work. You probably already know what doesn't work, but when have you accomplished a weight loss goal? And don't you DARE say never, because even the littlest thing counts. When have you said "no" to a food you knew wasn't good for you? When have you gone to a gym even if you were embarrassed by your appearance? Those are successes- what got you there? How did you do it?

For me- I first tried to lose weight after my oldest son was born. At the time I was maybe 20 pounds lighter than I am now. I went to Weight Watchers and IT WORKED!

I lost 20 lbs with weight watchers and then something happened... or actually it'd be more correct to say- "Didn't Happen".... Apathy. Big time.

I wasn't doing my part- I got over confident, started cutting corners, stopped trying... and it ended up turning into an expensive weekly guilt trip where I got to celebrate everyone else's success. I got tired of making excuses- I got tired of the +.5 / -.2 game. I quit.

and slowly but surely those 20 pounds came back- and they brought friends.

But I know that writing down what I eat WORKS- even if I ate 4,000 calories (I exaggerate- but you get the idea) I would lose weight because I KNEW how much I had consumed. Also- my inherent laziness helped me avoid snacking because I "didn't want to have to write it down"- score one for laziness, right?

I also know that weekly accountablity works- Once a week no matter what- I'd step on that scale and take what was coming to me. It really helped me gauge how my behavior affects my weight.

Celebrating victories NO MATTER HOW small- works for me. I am a validation junkie- I NEED a pat on the back, and a well done. (Which is why you all should COMMENT! ;) wink wink nudge nudge)- I know it's terribly co-dependent of me, but what are you going to do? I am the way I am.

To recap:

Write it down

Weekly weigh in

Celebrate

Where my Weight Loss story begins...

It's important to know where you come from before heading out on a journey because you might end up back where you started and not realize it. I'd hate to be running in a hampster wheel (although I hear that's excellent cardio) working so hard but getting nowhere.

So where does my trouble with weight begin? I can trace it back 10 years ago to a cinder-block dorm. #319 and a couple of guys named Ben & Jerry. No- I didn't really gain the dreaded Freshman 15- It was really more about establishing good eating habits. No longer was I the wide eyed teenager who thought she could eat anything she wanted. I took for granted that my mom made healthy meals each night- and that when I lived with my parents I wasn't free to graze all day on unhealthy snacks because I had someone who'd say "Hey! What are you doing? Wait until dinner!"

When teenagers leave the nest- they often experience a rebellious period of freedom. Some drink to excess- some become sexually promiscuous- some rack up HUGE credit card debt- some become entrenched in drugs or worse- and .... some eat whatever they want and gain weight.... I was the last one. Did I leave home and instantly balloon? No- I just set myself up on a diet that wasn't very healthy and gave myself permission to eat whenever and whatever I wanted.

My REAL weight gain started after I got married- but it wasn't BECAUSE I got married. It was a combination of hormonal birth control that really messed up my body, and depression that stemmed from two lost pregnancies. I've never been really active- so when my metabolism slowed and my emotional eating took over- the pounds started creeping on. Then I had two wonderful little boys, one five years ago and the other just nine months ago- and they each changed my body a little more.

I have already listed my REASONS for losing weight- but not HOW I plan to do it- well I am still working on that. I am still nursing by youngest so I am not going to be "Cutting calories" - at least not by much- I will be cutting out the bad calories. It's more about changing how I eat and how much I move.

So, dear reader, if you are still with me. here is my general game plan:

Eat more nutritious food + Move more = weight loss.

I will have to get back to you with the details, but here is a before picture that motivates me- please take in mind that I had a baby three months before the photo was taken and I had been camping for several days.

Making less of Moore (Kelly Moore that is....)

The Goal: To Lose 50 pounds before my 30th Birthday 2/12/2012

Why: 1. To look and feel as good as - wait no- BETTER than when I turned 20

2. To have more energy to keep up with the kiddos-

3. To lower my risk for diabetes (which runs in the family)

4. To heal my lower back- and live WITHOUT PAIN!

5. To set a good example for my family by living a healthy lifestyle

6. To stop having to put "lose weight" as a New Year resolution. :)

BUT WHY POST THIS ONLINE?

1. To keep myself accountable

2. To inspire others

3. To have something to look back on to see how much I've learned.

So there you have it- me- warts and all (I really don't have warts) for the whole world to see... but don't worry- no awkward half naked photos on this blog- unless it's me in a bikini enjoying a cruise in the Bahamas circa Dec 2012. (Did I forget to mention my reward? tee hee hee)