Is there a right or wrong way to lose weight?  I guess it depends on who you ask.  In my opinion, if you lose it too quick and drastic and are unable to keep it off, then it probably was the wrong way.

It is like when I tell my patients, that if they are not mentally ready to stop smoking, then they will not stop smoking.  You have to be mentally prepared to start exercising, and eating right.

Not just eating right, but eating less.  You have to be mentally prepared to rid yourself of your old habits, and start new healthy ones. In the end, it is about being healthy.

Starting a 100 day challenge through my job is what got me off of my butt.  I set a goal, and I have 100 days to achieve it.  I do not do well with failure, so this challenge is what got me mentally prepared to get healthy.

My goal is to lose 10 pounds by May 1, 2012.  In the end, I would like to lose 15, but my focus is on losing 10 for this challenge.

I new right away that I did not want to do anything like Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem simply because I could not afford them, and I am trying to remove processed food from my families diet.  Now, that does not mean that I think they are bad.  I have seem amazing people lose weight, get back on track, and they feel wonderful.  They just are not for me.

So, this left me with the old stand by of cutting calories and increasing my physical activity.  I used my My Fitness Pal app on my iphone, and typed in all the needed info. My goal was to lose a pound a week.  I typed in my height, weight, age, etc and it calculated that to lose a pound a week, I should eat 124o calories a day.  This may seem like too little to some, but it is perfect for me.  I am not hungry if I do it right.  It also lets me know how much fat, carbs, protein,etc. I am eating compared to what I am allowed to eat.  When I see these numbers, I adjust my diet accordingly.

For my diet, the first thing I did was cut out soda and juice.  I drink water, decaf coffee, or decaf green tea.  I can already tell a difference in my skin from all the water I am drinking.  I try to drink two liters a day.  The water also curbs my hunger.

For meals, I just started to eat fresh.  Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.  I am a picky eater, so this has been very difficult for me.  I have had to step away from the little kid in me and try things like brussel sprouts, and you know what, it is fun!  Brussel sprouts are awesome!  I am eating cucumbers and tomatoes, which are two things I used to detest.  I say no to cookies and sweets (most of the time).  I put spinach in everything I make.  I absolutely love to cook.  I do not make myself a separate meal from my family.  I just watch the proportions I am putting on my plate.  I add a cup of quinoa to whatever I am eating for dinner.  I use organic butter.  I choose not to drink milk, but most certainly eat cheese.  I will never give up cheese.  I no longer eat fast food.  To be honest, if I try to eat fast food now, I get sick to my stomach.  My family has never been real big on going out to dinner, so that is not an issue with me.  I still eat meat.  I will always eat meat, and my family just does it in moderation now.  The husband has been supportive, but has informed me that this will not be a no meat home.  That is perfectly fine with me.  I love a good steak.

What do I do if I want to stray from my diet?  I stray.  Straying for me is usually a burger, fries, and a coke.  Or maybe pizza.  If I want a root beer or a coke, I will drink one. I just will not drink the whole 20 oz. bottle anymore.  It is girl scout cookie time, and I will eat one thin mint to curb my chocolate craving.  Last year, I would eat a box in a day.  The point is, I am human, and if I am going to stay on track, I have to let myself be human and eat or drink something that may not be on my eating plan, but will make me feel great when I have them.

Now, I have the strength to just have one.  I am mentally prepared to conquer my challenge!

It really helps to have support.  The husband has been awesome!  Really awesome!  He sees how happy it is making me, and he encourages me all the time.  Some friends and I have a “Get Healthy” group on Facebook which is awesome.  I highly recommend starting a group, or getting back on track with a friend.  It makes you accountable.  I write something everyday on our groups wall.  I write what I am eating, if I exercised, etc.  It makes you accountable.  This group has made me so happy!

I have three girls, and I do not use the word diet in front of them.  I choose to use the words getting healthy.  I tell my girls that mommy is trying to get healthy, and that is why I exercise, and that is why we have more fruits and vegetables, and less chips and snacks. They love it.  I let them exercise with me every day.  They will put on leggings and tank tops just like their mommy, and exercise.  They have even showed me some exercises that they do at school.  We have so much fun!  They also help me cook dinner.  I want to be a good example to my girls.  I want them to know that God gave us this one body, and it is out duty to respect it and take care of it.

My goal is to get the husband off of his tookis.  Baby steps……

Alright, what do I cook, and what kind of exercises do I do?

Well, I find recipes everywhere.  With the internet at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless.

I just discovered this blog, and am in love.

Are you into a whole food diet?  Try here.

I like to look through this, this , and this website for diet and exercise tips.

As for exercise, I do walking videos by Leslie Sansone.  To say I love her videos, is an understatement.  One mile takes 12-15 minutes. That is it.  She breaks up her videos into mile segments.  You never feel like you have to do the whole video.  A mile here one day, maybe two miles the next.  Do whatever your schedule allows.

With the awesomeness of Pinterest, I have found great mini workouts to do in addition to my walking.

You can check out my weight loss board here.

Ok, that is it.  I will get off of my soap box.

I have been on this journey for 4 weeks now and have lost 4 pounds and who knows how many inches.  My jeans are not tight anymore, and my mommy belly is shrinking.  It may never go away completely, but I do not mind having a reminder that my body was used to carry three beautiful little girls.  Anyways, isn’t that what spanxs is for?

So, start a Facebook group with some friends, create a 100 day challenge for yourself.  Do something!

You will feel great!

P.S.  These are the steps that I have chosen to lose weight, and exercise, and they may not be for everyone.  I am not you mother, doctor,  nor your conscious.  You know what your body can do and you know what your doctor says your body can do.  Not to mention you know what you can and cannot eat.  You are an adult.  Also, Leslie Sansone does not know me from Adam and talking about her videos was not an advertisement.  I do not have a gym membership, and this is how I choose as a responsible adult to exercise.