Back In The Saddle Again

That's right, I'm back in the saddle again! It sure wasn't easy. After blowing it last week, and indulging in the new Peanut Butter Creme Pies at work (OMG, 400 calories?!), I hopped back on the elliptical and haven't looked back! One thing that has been tough is constantly reminding myself that this is a lifestyle change and not a crash diet. For years I was so used to busting my tail in the gym and watching every bite I eat, so that when the time to weigh in came I would see that I had dropped a minimum of 5 pounds every week. Obviously that doesn't work or you wouldn't be reading this now, would ya? A few of you have asked me what I'm doing for my diet. I'm not doing any kind of program, such as Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem. Again, I'm trying to make a lifestyle change. I do think that Weight Watchers is a fantastic program for steadily getting weight off, but I'm terribly impatient and I know that constantly weighing, measuring, or counting points would drive me bat crap crazy! For me it comes down to common sense. I've cut the soft drinks, fried foods, chips (even the baked!), and sweets. I try to cook dinner most nights. Tonight I made "Skinny" Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas that were quite scrumptious! I work third shift, so my "lunch" is at 11:30PM. I usually take leftovers or low carb whole wheat wrap. I've also been taking fruits to snack on to deter me from the Little Debbies! Fortunately, McKee also manufactures the Sunbelt products so occasionally I'll have an Oats and Honey or Oatmeal Raisin granola bar.  

I was about to throw in the towel on the healthy cooking and subject Matt and myself to multiple nights of baked chicken and green beans. A couple of you have suggested different websites to find recipes. One of those was skinnymom.com. The first time I visited that site I swear I heard Hallelujah Chorus playing from somewhere...Probably the hard partying neighbors downstairs discovering that they had another six pack, but I like to think it was playing just for me. I mentioned before that I'm impatient, so when it comes to cooking, the fewer ingredients and foreign words the better! Skinnymom.com has SO many recipes that are fairly quick and easy! Now about my Fridays...

I'm hoping that by divulging what I eat on my cheat days I will eventually cut my full day of cheats down to a cheat meal. I was able to spend Friday afternoon with my mom and niece. We decided on lunch at Outback, where I indulged in Aussie fries, half of a French dip, and a Caesar salad. NOM NOM NOM, am I right?! After that we went to visit with my great-grandmother and Wendy. And by Wendy I mean Wendy's where mom made a Frosty stop. Now I usually don't cook on Friday, so when I got home Matt ordered Chinese. I had an eggroll and about half of my General Tso Chicken. The leftovers will be consumed by him, I promise!

Brianna may have had one too many Aussie fries...

I woke up this morning and realized it was weigh in day. I really didn't think I would see any positive results, buuuut....DRUM ROLL PLEASE....I weighed in at 261 lbs! 4 lbs down, 62 to go to reach my ultimate goal! Baby steps are working you guys! I'm still so in awe that all of you continue to read my updates and it really does mean the world to me. Each and every "like", comment, and pageview is what keeps me going, so thank you, thank you, thank you!

I loathe photos that are taken in the mirror, but I suppose this is the only way to do it when I'm the only one awake! I also hate unflattering pictures, but I know that someday I'll look back on this and be proud of what I have accomplished.

At least the mirror is clean...