So Proud!

So you know when I when I threw up my hands and wrote this post: “Go on…call me fat” and this post: “Come on pants…work with me here.”  Well, one of the questions to myself within those posts was “what now?”

And I’m happy to report that Bears and I have made a 180 degree change these past two weeks with our eating habits! And Oh.My.GOD. has it been hard!

It all started with a mental breakdown I had a couple of weeks ago. There I was trying to fit into pants that just didn’t want to cooperate. I almost tore them to pieces for being so defiant, but alas I wasn’t strong enough to shred a decent pair of jeans, especially with the hopes that I would fit in them again one day. Ha! So as I stood there in my room pantless, I took a real good look at myself in the mirror and said – ENOUGH. Things need to change.

You see, my eating habits had gotten totally out of control. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but there were days where I was so crazy for junk food, that I for breakfast I would go to Taco Cabana and order 3 bean and cheese breakfast tacos with a side of 6 flour tortillas; for lunch I would go to McDonald’s and order 2 small hamburgers, a large french fry, large Dr. Pepper, and an M&M McFlurry; and for dinner I’d top that off with a Panormous pizza, chicken wings, and bread sticks from Pizza Hut. And it doesn’t stop there, in between meals I would snack on candy, Little Debbie snacks, and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.

Junk. Food. Whore.

 I don’t know where this mentality comes from? I’d like to say it’s because I was hardly ever allowed junk food as a kid, and I never ate junk food while in college because of running. I’d like to point the finger, but I know all to well that I need to take 100% responsiblity for my lack of self-control. And I think that’s the hardest part. I eat poorly because I choose to – not because of any other reason.

Back to two weeks ago, I knew things had to change but I had forgotten how to do it correctly. So I sought out help from Sparkpeople.com. The website is a diamond in the rough – and it’s completely free. What this website did for me was help me identify foods I should eat to stay healthy, and shed a few pounds (safely) at the same time. The website allows you to track your calories, develop fitness plans, and best of all…meal plans! Sparkpeople takes into account what you like and don’t like, and will create a weekly meal plan for you based on your goals. Amazing!

So Bears and I told ourselves that we were going to suck it up and give it a try – veggies – fruit – beans – nuts – you name it, we were going to try it. And to tell you the truth, it hasn’t been that bad!  Just the other day Bears sent me a picture of his lunch which was a potato with black beans, salsa, and cilantro and green tea on the side. Bears…eating a potato and green tea instead of pizza and pop? Do you know what that means people!? Now… there are a few “menu” items that we (Bears and I) know we don’t like, and when those items pop up, Sparkpeople allows you to substitute them for similar foods. It’s all in the plan! I think the best part of this, is that we’re learning what we should eat..and realizing that we can eat healthy and not starve to death (our worst fear with dieting). And to add to all of this, we’re incorporating recipes from Hungry Girl, a website/recipe book that I have been following since pre-wedding. The recipes and tips/tricks for eating healthy without giving up taste is quite amazing. We love Hungry Girl so much, that we’ve now nick-named those recipes “Hungry Bear” recipes, because if Bears likes it – then you know it’s good!

Now – let’s get real for a moment. It’s only been two weeks..right? I mean, what’s the big deal about dieting and eating right for just two weeks? Well people – it’s a big deal. Because all of this (eating right, exercising, etc.) takes time, preparation, effort, and dedication. And I would like to celebrate my 2 week mark, especially because I’m not the only one that is doing it – Bears is too, and he’s doing awesome.

So have we seen any changes? Physically to the naked eye – no – I haven’t seen anything yet. But we all know the mirror is a deadly way to promote negative thoughts – so I’m staying away from that for a while. But I can report that Bears has officially lost 6 lbs. and I’ve lost 4 lbs. And that – to me – is something to celebrate! Just wait until we add in regular exercise and strength training…something that we’re starting this next week.

I hardly recognize my thought patterns anymore. Eating healthy? Exercising? Planning meals? Eating at home? Buying fresh foods? Who is this girl? I’ll tell you who she is – she’s the girl who doesn’t want to tempt fate and bring on diabetes, and heart disease. She’s the girl who doesn’t want to feel out of breath when I climb a flight of stairs. She’s the girl who wants to kick some ass out on the pavement. And she’s the girl who wants to feel right in her own skin. Here’s to a lasting change – something long overdue for my household.