Healthier Living

For more than 5 weeks now I have been on a quest to healthier living. Suffering from frequent headaches and severe plantar fascititis since last fall I had to seriously take a look at my life. I also have been struggling to loose the same 35 pounds from what seems like forever. I was almost 20 pounds still over my pre-pregnancy weight and took up running once again to help shed some of the weight and try to get fit. I would go do good counting WW points for a few days then totally fall off because really, I HATE keeping track of what I'm eating. I was really getting discouraged and thinking I'm going to be doing the same thing my whole life.

Then, I did what I knew I needed to do: eat whole foods and very little processed foods. What processed foods I ate needed to be made from scratch because I knew there would be no sugar and preservatives. I cut out all artificial sweeteners as well and used agave(I am phasing out this as well now!), honey and a little stevia. I paid attention to my stomach and tried to not over eat. The weight was starting to come off slowly and I was starting to feel so much better.

After 3 weeks I thought I was doing so good with my way of eating, then I read Jillian Michael's "How to Master Your Metabolism". I am NOT going to list all the things she suggests in her book because I think EVERY person should read this book entirely themselves. However, this book changed my life forever and it will do the same for you as well. It's time we stop making excuses for the way we are living and make those healthy changes. Really healthy eating does not cost that more if we are not buying all the junk food and processed foods that we consume so much of.

Since those last two weeks I have followed more to Jillian Michael's way of eating. The weight is still coming off slowly because I'm still learning to cut back on the carbs in the evening and re-learning healthy eating habits/portions. Within 1 week of this WOE (way of eating) I saw a huge difference in my hormones (a huge part of her book) that I have not had in years! I also feel so much better and have more energy than I can even remember when. No headaches and my plantar fascitis pain is 99% gone. I have more energy and stamina for my daily workouts. Just this week I transitioned from treadmill to outdoor runs. This is my 4th season to transition from treadmill to outdoor runs and I am blown away of the amount of energy I have during my outdoor runs. When I go from treadmill to outdoor is has ALWAYS set me back, but have not had much trouble at all.

Just today I tried on my pre-pregnancy denim capris because I forgot to wash my capris I have been wearing. I could fit into them! I'm 8 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight, but at least I get them them on and they weren't too tight. I was ecstatic! I have not been counting or keeping track of anything I have been eating either. I'm really trying to listen to my body because this is not a diet, it's a life style change. I know you hear that all the time, but really, it's the only thing that works! I also do not want my kids to see me battle with my weight and constantly "dieting". This is so much more than that. It's about living healthy and making the best choices for my family as well. I'm proud to say that Ethan has not had any ear infections since we have started this WOE and he is less moody as well.

I will let you know that my husband is not with me on this at all. He is an extremely picky eater which of course everything he eats I consider junk food now. When he complains of something hurting or a headache I try not to give him the line "It's because of all the crap you eat!", but it does come out sometimes ;-)

Anyway, I just wanted to share this with everyone. You really need to check out that book! I will be sharing photos as I reach my goals (pre-pregnancy weight and final goal).