Nutrisystem: November Update

Hello everyone!
I'm sorry that I've been lax at reporting my
Nutrisystem progress.

It has been a good month
and I feel like I finally got my head in the game.
Does that make sense?
I feel like I finally found the fire I've been
searching for the past two years
and I'm ready to go.
That's exciting for me.
I'm starting boot camp with friends this week
and I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Are you nervous about heading into the holidays
and all the food that seems to pop up?
I swear - when I was teaching -
there were treats in the lounge every day.
That can make it hard.

Here are some tips from Nutrisystem to help you stay on track:

Nutrisystem Holiday Survival Smarts

10 Diet-friendly Strategies for Thanksgiving and Beyond

The holiday season is a dreaded time for many people on a weight loss program, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 10 easy ways you can enjoy the celebration days without feeling punished or sacrificing your Nutrisystem progress.

1. Have a plan. Think things through before you get to the actual holiday meals and parties. Maybe your strategy is to take tiny portions of different dishes; that’s okay. If you’re cooking, you might want to have your bottle of water with you in the kitchen, so you’re less tempted to snack. Do what you can to stay away from the appetizer table. Plan to avoid anything that’s not homemade. The point is that if you go in with a plan, you’ll be less likely to get caught off-guard.

• Utilize “The Low GI Cookbook – Nutrisystem Edition,” for cooking up some delicious holiday meals such as the Roasted Pumpkin and Mushroom Lasagna or Pork With Honey Glazed Apples, while staying on track and not depriving yourself of the holiday festivities. The cookbook is available for purchase over the phone or on nutrisystem.com.

2. Stay on track. Holidays are not the time to skip meals in an attempt to “bank” calories. That’s a strategy that can backfire miserably. Instead, eat everything on your meal plan leading up to the holiday event, and make sure you’re drinking all your water. You’ll be less likely to overindulge at the big event.

3. Set a goal. There’s something about holidays that makes people forget what they do the rest of the year. Do you already have weight loss goals set up for November, December and January? If not you can start today. Once you’ve set a short-term goal, decide on a way to reward yourself once the goal has been reached.

4. Drink smart. Face it, overindulging during holiday events—whether it’s an office party, a family gathering or a neighborhood open house—can add a lot of extra calories to your day. In addition, when you’ve had too much to drink, it tends to weaken your previous resolve and derail any strategies and plans you might have had. Besides, you don’t want to end up as that karaoke-singing family member or neighbor everyone will be talking about for the next month.

5. Trim the calories. This tip is especially useful if you happen to be the primary cook for an event. In baked items, replace the fat with an equal amount of applesauce and the sugar with a sugar substitute; substitute a quarter cup of egg substitute for every egg called for in the recipe; replace butter with low fat margarine; replace whole milk with 1% milk and sour cream with yogurt; reduce the amount of nuts called for by half. And don’t forget both veggies and salad.

6. Enlist support. Trying to maintain your Nutrisystem program can be hard at the holidays, but there’s no reason you have to go it alone. Ask for your family’s understanding or even their help, so nobody’s trying to foist “seconds” on you. Nutrisystem counselors can help you strategize, based on your individual circumstances. Or you can go to the Nutrisystem Discussion Boards, where you’ll find people who definitely understand what you’re trying to do. Discuss your concerns; share tips of your own, or join one of the many weight loss challenges. Some of them are specifically geared to the holidays. Introduce yourself well before the event, so you have that support already in place.

7. Keep moving. Instead of just sitting around after dinner, suggest a family walk, or organize a touch-football game. Most people will be grateful for the chance to move around, and it can keep you on-track with your exercise plan.

8. Quality not Quantity. If you do plan to indulge in some of the traditional Thanksgiving favorites, use these portions as a guideline:

• Turkey—3 oz. white meat, no skin (about the size of a deck of cards)
• Mashed potatoes—1/3 cup (about the size of half of a baseball)
• Gravy—1 Tbsp. (just drizzle it)
• Relish made with sugar—1 Tbsp.
• Stuffing—2 Tbsp.
• Dinner Roll—if not homemade, skip it
• Pie—1/12 of a 9” pie

9. Eat Before You Go. Whether you are hosting or just attending a holiday function, be sure to eat your Nutrisystem entrée before the festivities begin -- that way you won’t be tempted to overeat during the meal and will be able to stay on track.

10. Embrace the holiday spirit. This last tip may just be the most important: You can get so caught up in all the planning and hoopla that you lose the whole meaning of the holiday season—coming together with friends and loved ones. It’s the time that’s really valuable, not the food and drink.

CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2
Week Five: -0
Week Six: -1
Week Seven: -1
Week Eight: -.5
Week Nine: -1
Week Ten: -1.5
Week Eleven: +3
Week Twelve: +2
Week Thirteen: -2
Week Fourteen: -1
Week Fifteen: -0
Week Sixteen: -1
Week Seventeen: -1
Week Eighteen: -0
Week Nineteen: -0
Week Twenty: -.5

TOTAL: 17

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: October Recap

Sorry that I have been a slacker this
month about reporting my progress.
It has been a wild month around here -
crazy, but enjoyable :)

It's been slow, but steady progress
and I'm looking forward to heading into the
the holiday season.
For some strange reason I usually lose the most weight
during November and December.
Weird, huh?

I'm in the process of finding an exercise buddy.
Someone I can walk/jog with in the mornings.
I'm more motivated if I know someone is counting on me,
so hopefully this will help make exercise a more regular habit.

Are you ready for Halloween?
Ready to be strong??

Here are some tips from Nutrisystem
for making it through this SWEET holiday.

Don't have temptation around – Have family members put away any candy that you may be tempted by and have them put out items that you don’t like or put ones out that are part of the program like the Chocolate Rainbow Delights.

On Halloween Night, keep some unlimited veggies on hand at home to snack on instead of the candy that’s for the trick-or-treaters. This way it will help you stay on track better than ever!

-Buy candy you can eat – Make sure to have sugar free candy and gum on hand, so that when you are tempted you can go for them instead or even some of those unlimited veggies too.

-Eat the delicious Nutrisystem desserts - One way that has helped a lot is that when you are really craving something sweet (especially on Halloween), just eat your Nutrisystem dessert...even if it's not dessert time yet. That way you don't have to deny yourself a treat and don't have to feel guilty after you eat it too.

-Keep Busy! - One of the best ways to stay on track is to stay busy. Go for walks, bike rides, out with friends and family etc. The sky is the limit!

CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2
Week Five: -0
Week Six: -1
Week Seven: -1
Week Eight: -.5
Week Nine: -1
Week Ten: -1.5
Week Eleven: +3
Week Twelve: +2
Week Thirteen: -2
Week Fourteen: -1
Week Fifteen: -0
Week Sixteen: -1

TOTAL: 15.5

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK FOURTEEN

So I've been letting this lady kick my booty this past week.
It was awful and wonderful all at the same time.
After our first "session" together,
I didn't think that I would ever walk again,
and I definitely didn't think I could make it through
another "session" with her.
But I did it.
And it was more tolerable.
I won't say easy,
because that would just be untrue :)

I am really enjoying Nutrisystem this week,
because it helps me to make good food choices.
When I exercise I want to stay on track.
This weekend was full of events
and frivolity,
but I appreciated having a little angel
on my shoulder reminding me to keep myself
under control and in check.

CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2
Week Five: -0
Week Six: -1
Week Seven: -1
Week Eight: -.5
Week Nine: -1
Week Ten: -1.5
Week Eleven: +3
Week Twelve: +2
Week Thirteen: -2
Week Fourteen: -1

TOTAL: 14.5

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK THIRTEEN

I thought you might enjoy that photo :)
I got my hair did today and it made me feel like a new woman.
I love when Alyson comes to town and if you are lucky
enough to live in SLC are you need to check her out!

Here's the finished product :)

I am back on track with my Nutrisystem journey,
and feeling fine!
JT and I have been keeping our date with the pool
in the mornings,
and I'm going to start going to Yoga once a week
this week.
Eek.
Yoga.
I'm nervous, but excited for something new!

I am back on fruits and veggies,
and off of grazing all day.
It feels so nice.
I notice that on the days I exercise,
I want to eat healthier,
and on the days that I miss exercising,
I am much more prone to eating "whatever".


CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2
Week Five: -0
Week Six: -1
Week Seven: -1
Week Eight: -.5
Week Nine: -1
Week Ten: -1.5
Week Eleven: +3
Week Twelve: +2
Week Thirteen: -2

TOTAL: 13.5

Were you successful this week?
Share happy stories with me :)

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK ELEVEN & TWELVE

True confessions time.
I fell off the wagon the past two weeks,
and I fell hard.
No joke.
And I honestly didn't blog about it last week
because I was ashamed.
I honestly didn't want to get on here
and tell you all that I had gone backwards.
So I resolved that I was going to
go gangbusters this next week and make up for it.
And then JT started school,
and I started watching the little girl I babysit,
and I became distracted and full of excuses.
And I stayed fallen off the wagon,
splayed out on the side of the road.

I have really enjoyed my Nutrisystem journey,
but these past two weeks I've felt like a failure.
And I'm not telling you this because I
want you to feel sorry for me,
but I just want to be honest.
I haven't wanted to eat veggies or fruits.
I make excuses not to exercise.
I've been choosing diet soda over water.
I know, blasphemy, right?

I am moving in the WRONG direction.
So as I type this post,
I am resolving to MOVE FORWARD.
I am going to stop beating myself up over
my flubs these past two weeks,
and I'm going to MOVE FORWARD.
I am STRONG.
I CAN DO it.
I WILL DO it.
Tomorrow is a NEW day.
And I have the STRENGTH to SUCCEED!

So I am going to stop Pinning desserts and yummy things,
and start pinning motivational fitness posters,
and exercise ideas, and light and yummy veggie ideas.

Thanks for bearing with through my true confessions.
It make me feel better!
I feel lighter.
I feel happier.
I feel hopeful!
Thank you for reading :)


CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2
Week Five: -0
Week Six: -1
Week Seven: -1
Week Eight: -.5
Week Nine: -1
Week Ten: -1.5
Week Eleven: +3
Week Twelve: +2

TOTAL: 11.5

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK NINE & TEN

Well hello there friends!

(on my way to celebrate my 10 year anniversary)



This week I want to share with you some of my

favorite fresh-frozen meals that I've had during my Nutrisystem journey.

While, I do like the pantry meals, the fresh-frozen

meals are my favorite!!



Breakfast Burrito

This one even has my husband asking, "What smells so good?"





Margherita Pizza

I don't even notice it's not delivery :)





Chicken Fajita Melt

This is totally melt in your mouth yummy.

Add some carrots on the side and lunch is ready to go.





Roast Turkey Medallions

Love the tender turkey and the veggies on the side.







CURRENT STATS:

Week One: -6 lbs

Week Two: -3 lbs

Week Three: -.5

Week Four: -2

Week Five: -0

Week Six: -1

Week Seven: -1

Week Eight: -.5

Week Nine: -1

Week Ten: -1.5



TOTAL: 16.5





I'm so close to 20 I can taste it!

Can I do it?

What tips do you have for getting over the hump?

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK EIGHT

(snapped today on the way to swimming lessons :)

Half way!
I can't believe I am half way through my awesome Nutrisystem experience.
I'm feeling good about my progress, because it's progress.
I'm moving forward.
So many times I take two steps forward and one back,
and it gets so dang frustrating.
Honestly, I do wish that I had hit 20 lbs by now.
However, I'm not going to get it get to me,
and I'm going to keep moving forward.

My tip of the week . . . these!!!

+

Have you seen them?
They are tasty and fabulous and a great way to get
fruit to go.
I get them at Costco.
The kids are in love with the apples and pears - not so much the peaches.


CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2
Week Five: -0
Week Six: -1
Week Seven: -1
Week Eight: -.5

TOTAL: 14


Thanks so much for all the tips about exercise.
It looks like a majority of you exercise first thing in the morning.
I agree with you.
When I've been successful, it's because I do it first thing.


Things I need help with this week:

1. What fun books have you read this summer?
   

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK SIX & SEVEN

It was so awesome to be with my family.

We had so much fun!
I did not exercise.
And I did have a little "give" when it came to my eating.
However, I feel good about it.
I was on vacation.
I ate some fun food.
But I didn't go crazy like I have in the past.
If the family had s'mores - I had "a" s'more and not five :)
I felt in control and happy.
It was awesome.
I also love that I had ordered yummy Nutrisystem bars.
They have them for breakfast & lunch and they
make travel a lot easier to stay on track.



My super rad sister, recently shared some fabulous
just being healthy tips with me and I wanted to
share them with you.

Hello! Here are some veggie or otherwise yummy recipes. One thing that has helped me in my quest to eat healthier are the throw away aluminum 8X8 cake pans. I hate cleaning up the mess of making a big healthy dinner and those help out. It's horrible for the environment and more expensive than using your Pyrex, but it helps me get over the hump of grabbing something easy because I don't want to clean up the mess. Also, kosher sea salt makes any veggie yummy - and so does minced garlic.

1. This is a spinach Korean dish, it's super fast. We call spinach and broccoli giraffe food, and then our kids love it more. Make sure you use sesame oil and no other kind for this dish - sesame oil is so delicious, I'd recommend you try it anyway and use it in other dishes. I eat this over Korean rice and a white fish like tilapia.

2. Wheat bread (or Naan bread, you can find it at Whole Foods and Super Target) - it's kind of like pita bread, it's unleavened so it doesn't have sugar in it. So, stack wheat bread (or Naan), avocado slices, spinach, Swiss cheese a slice of tomato and sprinkle with garlic salt then stick it under the broiler.

3. Chop up a zucchini and a squash into squares (I like to peel off a bit of the skin) stick them in a tin cake pan. Mix in about 1 T of minced garlic (or more, I like tons). Then cut up some butter into thin slices and place on top, like 9 pieces. Bake at 350 for like 10 minutes, depending on how mushy you like them and then sprinkle on some kosher sea salt.

4. Have you discovered Greek yogurt? It's my new favorite thing, it's so high in protein and low in calories. I get fat free Chobani Greek yogurt, the big tubs. You can also get the little cups at Costco - my kids are yogurt fiends, and it's way better for them than the sugary ones. SO - cut up some berries, put them in a bowl. Sprinkle with Splenda. I like mine kind of warm, so you can nuke them for 15 seconds if you want. Then, dollop some yogurt on there and sprinkle on GROUND flax seed and grape nuts (I like the crunchiness, so I put on a lot). Your body doesn't digest flax seeds - so you've gotta grind them up before you eat them, but they go rancid fast after you do that. So I buy a little bag at super target and then grind up a 1/2 c or so at a time in the food processor and keep them in a little Tupperware and sprinkle them on everything.

5. You can make your own fat free ranch dressing with Greek yogurt instead of mayo and a packet of ranch dressing and then add as much milk as you want to make it thick or thin.

6. Greek yogurt is also good to make any kind of smoothie. We make monkey smoothies. Greek yogurt, 2 T peanut butter and a frozen banana - I also throw in some flax seeds and the kids don't notice.

7. slice up some cucumbers and sprinkle on a packet of ranch dressing mix. It's delicious and fat free.

8. For the pool and beach I like to slice up strawberries and then sprinkle a packet or two of Splenda and put them in a zip lock bag. They warm up and get all syrupy and delicious. And it's ok if you're all sticky, because you just rinse off in the water.

9. For breakfast I like quinoa with some unsweetened almond milk on top. Add some Splenda or Truvia.

10. Also, I like to have oatmeal for breakfast. Just get a bag of frozen blueberries (the wild ones are smaller). Then sprinkle those on top of a steaming bowl, the oatmeal thaws the berries and the berries cool down the oatmeal. Then, you don't have to worry about your fruit going bad before you can eat it.

Well, there are some starters. One tip I loved that I got recently, was to think about healthy things to ADD to your diet instead of things that are being taken away. I don't like things taken away from me. Even if someone was like, you can never eat lima beans ever again (which I hate), I'd go to the store and walk by them and think, "I REALLY want to try lima beans..." :) Then your diet will be full of healthy things you've added and the unhealthy stuff will have been crowded out.

May the force be with you.

Aren't those fabulous tips?
I found them very helpful and encouraging.
I agree with her - if you think about ADDING to your diet
instead of SUBTRACTING things,
you'll feel more successful and less deprived.


CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2
Week Five: -0
Week Six: -1
Week Seven: -1

TOTAL: 13.5


Thanks so much for all the tips about exercise.
It looks like a majority of you exercise first thing in the morning.
I agree with you.
When I've been successful, it's because I do it first thing.


Things I need help with this week:

1. What do you do to stay on track during vacation and traveling?
   

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK FIVE

Look what arrived in the mail this week from my friends at Nutrisystem !!!!
My first Nutribear!
I hit my 10 lb marker and earned my friend Pound.
How awesome is that??

I did so GREAT while I was at camp,
but then we came back early because of bed bugs (EEK!)
and my mom was here and we just enjoyed having her here.
Perhaps a little too much.
I didn't lose any this week, but it's honestly because I didn't
stick to my guns and stay on the program.
So I am relieved that I only stayed the same and didn't gain.
This coming week will be a little tougher because
we'll be traveling, but I'm going to get back to PLANNING
each day before it happens and I know I'll be successful.
I'm also excited because my parents have a home gym going
on in the basement and that will make it easier
to keep up with the exercising while I'm gone.


CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2
Week Five: -0

TOTAL: 11.5


Thanks so much for all the tips about exercise.
It looks like a majority of you exercise first thing in the morning.
I agree with you.
When I've been successful, it's because I do it first thing.


Things I need help with this week:

1. What have you been successful with this week? I need some inspiration! :)
   

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK FOUR

(YW Camp 2010)

I am roughing it this week at Young Woman camp
with the teens from church, so this will be a quick post!
But I wanted to share my Nutrisystem success with you.


CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
Week Four: -2

TOTAL: 11.5

Woohoo!!!
I did not hop back on the exercise wagon like I had hoped.
I jumped on one day and fell off again :)
This week will be tough because I'm away from home,
but I'm trying to power through.
I'm taking my pantry fresh meals with me,
and working hard to stick to it.

Fourth of July was awesome and I enjoyed my tasty Nutrisystem turkey hot dog.
I had some veggies and fruit and a snip of Jell-O and
held strong to my plan - I'm feeling happy.

Things I need help with this week:

1. Tips for exercising when there seems to be no time. I know it's all about priorities, so what helps you to put exercise first??
   

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK THREE

Woohoo!
It's the end of week three with Nutrisystem and I really
appreciate all the encouraging words you left me last week
and the fab ideas for veggies.
I was so inspired and fortified to have a GREAT week.

This week I tried some new veggies and loved them.
Well, I loved the mini cucumbers I picked up at Costco.
However, the mini sweet peppers were "heh".
My friend - and former colleague - could just totally munch them for lunch.
They just gave me heartburn and the kids felt tortured
when I made them try one. LOL

The other awesome thing about me eating more veggies
is that my kids are eating more veggies.
Hallelujah!
When the see me eating them and being a better example.
they are totally more inclined to try them.
I am really excited that we are becoming
a healthier family together!

I have failed at exercising this week.
Since Summer Vacation hit I've been staying
up later and been reluctant to get up early and swim.
I keep saying -
"The girls I babysit aren't coming. We can totally do it later."
Um, but "later" never comes.
So I'm jumping back on the wagon this week
and exercising in the wee hours of the morning.

Some of my favorites this week!



CURRENT STATS:
Week One: -6 lbs
Week Two: -3 lbs
Week Three: -.5
(lame, but Aunt Flo is visiting, so I'm glad I didn't gain!)


Things I need help with this week:

1. I'm still searching for a fabulous fat free dressing. I'm particularly interested in a fab honey mustard. I love the Chickfila FF Honey Mustard, but I don't think you can buy it by the bottle :(
2. Strategies you use to distract your mind from wanting to munch. I chew gum sometimes, but because I have jaw issues - I know, I'm falling apart - I can't do it very often. What are some things that help you avoid mindless chowing?
   

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK TWO

Sorry for the semi-creepy photo!
I forgot to snap one with my regular camera
and so I used Snapbucket and added a photo effect.
It came out a little spooky :)

I just hit week two with Nutrisystem and I can say that
week one was definitely a honeymoon and last week was real life.
The food with Nutrisystem last week was AWESOME!
I don't think I had one thing that I didn't like.

However, I had three social engagements and that made it SUPER hard
for me to be part of the social scene and still maintain my program.
The first event I did it - no problem.
I was riding high and feeling great.
The second event was a little bit harder and by the third
my will power and mindset were spent.
I was coming off the overnight retreat, with little to no sleep,
and I just couldn't be strong.
I didn't go crazy, but I definitely ate things that I now regret.

But that's real life.
There are going to be challenges.
Roadblocks.
And even if I fall down, I have to pick myself up,
and keep going.
You can bet that after Sunday's slip-ups,
I was 150% dedicated Monday and Tuesday
to get myself back in the groove.

Nutrisystem has some tips for surviving the summer/BBQ season.
I found them to be helpful and wanted to share them with you.

1. Bring your “BBQ-esque” Nutrisystem meal of choice - Nutrisystem’s Hamburgers, Chicken and Hot Dogs are great on the grill! That way you still feel part of the BBQ eating festivities while staying on program.
2. Wheat rolls and buns - this way you give everyone a healthier option.
3. Following the guidelines of your grocery guide – create a garden salad with all your favorite vegetables with various dressings on the side. That way everyone can choose what dressing is best for them, but the salad also allows you to get in your add-in additions while on program. To make a complete meal, top with some grilled chicken.
4. Grill some vegetables on the BBQ. A fun way to do this and to have the kids get involved, make vegetable shish kabobs! Then all that is left to do is toss them on to the BBQ and makes a great side dish (or condiment too!).
5. Try to steer away from items drenched with BBQ sauce as this will only add in extra calories and typically is high in sugar and sodium.
6. Make sure to have iced water on hand. Toss in some slices of citrus fruits (i.e. oranges, lime and lemons) or even cucumbers too. This makes it different and is quite refreshing!
7. For dessert you can have your Nutrisystem Dessert with the group, but also have a healthy option such as fruit salad or fruit kabobs for you and your guests. The kids can even help out with making them.

Some of my favorites this week!




So the stats are:
Week One -6 lbs
Week Two -3 lbs

Woohoo! I'm totally stoked about my progress.

Things I need help with:

1. Your favorite fat free dressing. I'm particularly interested in a fab honey mustard. I love the Chickfila FF Honey Mustard, but I don't think you can buy it by the bottle :(
2. Your favorite veggies that I can try. I love asparagus and broccoli, but if I keep eating them everyday I am going to BURN OUT!

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem: WEEK ONE

(I decided to snap a picture of myself each week.)

So it's been a little less than a week since
I started Nutrisystem and I am down 3lbs.
HOLLA!

My food arrived quickly and on my doorstep in a giant box.
It was like Christmas getting to open it.

It was all neatly organized by meal type.
I love that I got to pick all my pantry meals.
This month I picked a variety of foods,
so I could try as many as sounded good and find out which I liked best.

A day later my frozen foods arrived - I get 10 days of frozen meals.
They are super tasty!

Strengths:

• I'm eating more vegetables than I have in my life! The plan has me eating 2-3 with each meal.
• I'm planning my meals each day. It's awesome to have a plan. I feel like because I have a plan I have a better chance of being successful.
• I'm feeling healthy and exercising 3-5 days a week.
• I'm drinking more water.
• The family is eating better because I'm more conscious of what's going on.
• I love having the support from the other Nutrisystem bloggers via Twitter. I throw out a question and I get an answer. It's fab.
  

Struggles:

• I'm eating more vegetables than I have in my life :) It's been an adjustment and without slathering them in butter, I'm learning how to eat them.
• I have to plan! No more grabbing crap while I'm out running errands. If I'm going to be away from home, I need to bring something with me that keeps me on my plan.
• I'm a grazer and adjusting to not eating all throughout the day has been rough, but it's getting easier as I retrain my brain.

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling tel:1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

I'm Joining the Nutrisystem Nation!!!

I am so excited!!!!

I am joining the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program!
I feel so incredibly blessed to have this opportunity.
I'm ready to change and I'm excited to have Nutrisystem help me on my journey.

For the next four months, Nutrisystem will provide me with their free meal
plan and I will be blogging each week about my successes and struggles
in this weight loss journey.

This truly has been a life long journey,
so I thought I'd share a little bit of it with you.
Well, I guess it's quite a long story :)
But hang in there.
Plus, you'll see more pictures of me in one place
than there have ever been in the history of my blogging life.

I was overweight through high school and into my first year of college.
So not fun to be an overweight teen.
So, I decided my sophomore year of college that I was tired of it.
I wanted to date.
I wanted to be happy with myself.
I wanted a life.

I had a preschool practicum class at 8am every morning,
so I got to campus at 6:00am and the recumbent bike
(and later the stair machine) became my best friend.
45 minutes daily.
I rarely missed a day.
I added in weight training.
I was a machine.
However, I was not eating healthy -
pretty much starving myself on a LOW calorie diet -
so I never really learned portion control to be able to live the rest of my life.
I lost 65 lbs in about 6 months.
Yeah, not so healthy.

I maintained an "ideal weight" for about six years.
During the first four years after the initial weight loss,
exercising was a HIGH priority.
I had no kids.
It was a lot simpler.
I still didn't have the healthiest eating habits,
but I wasn't as strict as I was with myself during the initial 6 months.
My weight fluctuated 15 lbs here and there,
but I was able to keep within the recommended weight for my height.

August 2001

I got married.
Started teaching school.
Moved States.

July 2003 - pre State move

Added a 30-45 minute commute.
It started getting harder and harder to maintain the "ideal" weight.


July 2004

Then I got pregnant.
After trying for a year - with one miscarriage -
that was all I cared about - that new life inside me.
I was too paranoid to exercise.
I started eating whatever the heck I wanted.
I gained 65 lbs by the end of my pregnancy.


November 2005


January 2006


Summer 2006

When my son turned a year old, and I realized I couldn't
blame the baby for the weight anymore, I got serious.
I started attending an exercise group at church 3 days a week,
and walking with a friend the other 2 days.


May 2007

I started counting points,
and for the first time in my life,
I was eating fairly healthy and actually conscious of my portions.
I learned some things.
I lost 45 lbs in a year.
I worked hard and felt good.





We moved cities.
I lost the support of the exercise group.
I lost my walking partner.
It got hard again.

October 2007 - Post move

I let exercise become an every once and a while thing,
but kept up with the points system for a little while.
I maintained my 45 lbs of weight loss,
but couldn't get over the hump to lose that last 20 lbs.


April 2008


Then I got pregnant again.
Hooray!
After only 6 months of trying this time,
I was pregnant.
I still had the irrational fear of exercising,
so of course, I didn't make it a priority.


July 2008


August 2008

This time I was determined not to gain 65 lbs,
so I gained 45 lbs instead,
but starting 20 lbs heavier than before my first baby,
I ended up at the same post-pregnancy weight.
::sigh::




December 2008


March 2009


May 2009

Now I had less time because I have two kids,
plus the one kid I babysit full time.
But I was determined not to wait until Isabella's 1st birthday
to get serious about losing the baby weight.
By her first birthday I was on the right track.
I had lost 20 lbs - not phenomenal, but not terrible.




October 2009

I was running - a lot - training for a 1/2 marathon.
I still wasn't as far along as I wanted to be, but I was
at least on track.
I was meeting a friend at the gym 3-5 days a week.
I was running outside on Saturdays for long runs,
but I was always STARVING!!!
The running and nursing a baby left me always hungry,
so my caloric intake increased with my activity level
and I just couldn't pull it together.

So, I joined a weight loss group at church in the Fall of 2009,
so I was weighing in every week at someone's house.
It helped me to be careful with my food intake.
I lost 10 lbs in 12 weeks, and felt pretty good about it.
I was running, eating okay, and losing weight.


December 2009

Then I started having problems with my feet,
so I gave up the running in December 2009,
and pretty much exercising all together.
After that I found the world of crafting and blogging,
and that, my friends, is where the story goes all wrong :)


March 2010

I was still careful with my food in the spring of 2010,
because I was in a musical production at church,
and was hypersensitive about my appearance.


April 2010 - The Errand Musical Production

But after the show ended,
the summer came.
Lazy days on the beach.
Free cupcakes.
Free chicken, waffle fries, and diet lemonade.
No exercise.
Lots of crafting.
Lots of blogging.


June 2010


October 2010

And now here we are.

May 2011 - Queen Bee Market

Except for the two gorgeous ladies in the picture with me,
I really hate that picture.
Ugh.
But I'm posting it because it is where my journey begins.
I am excited.
I am hopeful.
I am grateful to have this BIG PUSH from Nutrisystem to get me started.
I ordered my first month of meals two days ago - and they should be here next week!!
I've started exercising and my exercise buddy is totally awesome.
He reminds me every night before he goes to bed to get up and swim in the morning.
So every morning I rouse my buddy from sleep,
help him into his swimming suit, find his goggles (again), and head to the pool.
We went every day this week.
Holla!

I hope you'll join me each Monday for my journey.
I'd love for you to share you journeys with me.
Let's do this thing!

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog

Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. The opinions above are my own.