What?!

This morning, I continued to enjoy my breakfast by eating the two 'Individual Ham, Cheese and Veggie Frittatas'. So far, so good! SIX

I proceeded with my regular Tuesday morning routine. First, we drop off Marley at school. Second, we take Grace to dance and gymnastics class. Finally, it's lunch with our dance class friends. We chose Chili's. I felt really good about it because I know they serve salads with grilled chicken on top. Should be simple, right? I picked the 'Caribbean Chicken Salad' topped with grilled chicken and got the dressing on the side. What can be so bad about a pile of fruits and vegetables? I should only have to account for the chicken and the salad dressing (I used less than half of it).

Wrong.

My phone didn't have a good connection in the restaurant. So, I quickly looked into it when I got home. Sixteen points?! I am horrified. I have six points left for the day and that has to include snack and dinner. I even added it up myself on the recipe builder. Somehow, when you put all those veggies together in a salad they are no longer worth "zero" points. How does this happen? It also doesn't allow me to take into consideration the fact that I had less than half of the dressing. I'm not sure what to do. If I give myself the benefit of the doubt, then I might be a little overly gracious. I might as well account for the full point value and learn from my mistake. SIXTEEN

Our dinner plans have now changed. Instead of the five point hot dog (which I was planning on having two), we're going to try the 'Greek Penne'. It was awesome! I recommend it! We had some popcorn shrimp on the side for a little protein. They're not as bad point-wise as I thought. Twenty are six points. And, unfortunately, I had the "I alread busted it blues" and helped myself! TWELVE

I did go on a 2 mile jog with the intentions of clearing my head. It felt really good to have broken a sweat. I did, however, decide that I needed to get back in the gym and start avoiding the Florida heat and humidity! I was feeling that runner's high! And, I was about to jump in the shower when I heard it. "Are you pregnant?" came a concerned voice.

Needless to say, that shower was closely followed by bedtime.

Total points- 34

That First Day Excitement!

I was actually really looking forward to having breakfast this morning. You just can't complain about a breakfast that has eggs, potatoes, peppers, ham and cheese! In other words, I highly recommend the "Individual Ham, Cheese and Veggie Frittatas" that I found on Weight Watchers on-line. (p.s. I had two. Apparently, that's what my daily allowance of points will allow me.) SIX

I had a pretty nerve-wrecking interview this morning and I was really craving a can of coke. For some reason I thought it would help "bring me down" after the thirty minute grill session. I went back and worked out my points for the day and, lo and behold, I can work one in! Sweet! FOUR

Lunch was from my Hungry Girl cookbook. I tried the "Grilly Girl Cheesy Turkey & Bacon 'Wich". It was good! I felt it odd that when I added up all the ingredients myself that it came out to less than what they had quoted. But, I went ahead and posted the whole 6 points. It can't hurt. SIX

I took a minute to look ahead on my calendar and saw what I can only describe as "a dieters nightmare." Some things coming up for me include: A night out with the girls at a pasta bar (Danger! Danger!), a night helping out at my son's concession stand (nachos and burgers and french fries- oh my!), a Birthday party (is it possible to resist cake?) and a Birthday dinner at Macaroni Grill (that bread!). HELP! I definitely realize that I canNOT just hide at home and become some health hermit. Yet, I believe if I do a little research beforehand that it might save me from eaters remorse. In other words, recommendations are welcome.

What I have noticed today is the amount of little calories I was consuming throughout the day and 1- not realizing it and, 2- I have not been holding myself accountable for them. For example, Grace didn't finish her pasta and vegetables she had for lunch today. Old me would have definitely helped her out with that. New me realizes that there are points there and it's not worth missing a meal or snack later.

Being at the house most of today is kind of hard. All the food that I normally might walk by and swipe (a chip or two, a cookie, etc.) is all still there. I am just choosing to have something else. While waiting in the car line, Grace and I snacked on 2/3 of a bag of popcorn and saved the last 1/3 for Marley. Popcorn just might save my life when it comes to weight loss. When we got home I made a little sugar-free jello, strawberry and fat-free cool whip dessert for Grace and I because we were hankering for a little something sweet. I also think I'm even eating more today than usual for fear that I will "starve", then feel like I'm dieting and quit out of frustration. I, Karen, worry about crazy things. ONE

I had to have dinner ready by 5:30 so we could eat before Marley's baseball game. We had the Hungry Girl meal 'Balsamic BBQ Chicken Skillet' over a salad with tomatoes and chopped onion. It was only five points. Pretty good deal! I even rewarded myself with another coke because I had enough points left! NINE

Day one is done and I'm ready to tackle day two! What challenges will it bring?

Total points- 26

The Last Supper

I feel like I just had my last meal. It consisted of elbow macaroni with a hamburger and mushroom sauce. Dessert? A can of coke. I feel bloated.

I have spent the last three days building a list Weight Watchers favorite recipes on-line. I had received a "Hungry Girl: 300 under 300" cookbook from my sister for my Birthday this past January. So, I figured out the point value for some recipes that looked yummy and wrote them down. (Was getting that book a hint or what?)

So, today I had Tracy pick out some recipes that sounded good to him from the list I had made. I figured that he wouldn't feel left out that way! Then, I made my grocery list. $122.11 later, I'm ready! I don't feel like the total is all that bad. I mean, that's dinner, breakfast and lunch for the next four days. I also got a few staple items that will go well beyond those four days.

Tonight I'm making "Individual Ham, Cheese and Veggie Frittatas". Apparently this is a good breakfast to reheat in the morning. And, I think I'm going to have two if I've figured out my points correctly. 

I'm really excited for tomorrow! Nervous, too. I can't wait to feel better in clothes. Better yet- in my own skin! But, will I be hungry all day? Will I feel like I'm dieting? 

Here goes nothin'! What is there to lose, anyway? Oh, yeah! Twenty-four pounds! 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. A couple of years later he created me. And, I'm pretty sure He is saying, "What have you done with your creation!"

I am 29 years old, 5'8" and 169 pounds. (Rounding is not important when it comes to pounds. Especially my pounds.) I have been married to my high school sweetheart for seven years and we have a son, Marley, who is six and a daughter, Grace, who is four. In all actuality, we have it pretty good. A lot of it has to do with the fact that we live around our families who offer us tons of help. I honestly don't know how parents raise kids without the help of their families. My prayers go out to you! Anyway, we both have jobs and are able to pay our bills. What more could I ask for?

Somewhere in there I have lost control of my body. I have high blood pressure and anxiety which I currently take medication for. I also have an umbilical hernia. The weight I carry around my mid-section is not helping these three areas in which I'm struggling. My doctor has continually been telling me to lose weight for three years and I've been trying off and on. I don't even think I'm that bad off. Am I?  I feel like I am someone who knows how to make smart food choices. Therefore, the only thing I was missing was some exercise, right? Voila! Skinny town!

Not so much.

I spent a little time beating myself up and wondering, "Why can't you do this on your own?" And asking, "What is wrong with you?" I think that only made me eat more and give up on exercise altogher. So, this past Thursday, I decided to sign up for Weight Watchers. I know several friends and family members that have found success with the program. The only thing that was holding me back was my pride. I had to finally confess that I could not do this alone. I need outside help.

I'm so tired of not wanting to go to the pool or beach with my family. I'm so tired of tight clothes that aren't supposed to be tight. I'm tired of guessing, "Is that person staring at my fat rolls? Do I look ridiculous?" I am embarassed to say that sometimes I wear an outfit that I don't want to sit down in because my stomach sticks out. Does Tracy even find me sexy anymore? Are my kids going to adopt my bad habits? And, before I start hating all of my skinny friends, I deserve to give it a good effort!

I thought blogging about this journey would be a good way to stay motivated, give me someone other than myself to answer to and maybe help motivate someone else!

I am going to try to be honest here. I'm going to blog what I've eaten for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner and be open with my thoughts.

Then, when it comes to The Final Fit, we're going to celebrate! Are you on board?