Weight Loss Wednesday

Weight Loss Wednesday is back and I am so excited!!

So I just had a baby...10 months ago... and was super proud that I only gained 23 pounds! (thanks to getting the flu once, stomach flu twice, and pregnancy barfing until about 20 weeks). I almost immediately dropped about 15 of that, and the last 8 came off just in time for Christmas. So excited. So proud.

THEN... I started eating more, and eating more, and eating more. Then I started making dessert every other night, then every night, and I craved sugar non stop! I had no desire, no motivation to change my sugary eating habits. Then about 4 weeks ago, I stepped on the scale... drum roll... I had gained 16 pounds!!! Seriously? Who does that? I mean fluctuating 5 pounds, okay, but 16!  You would have thought my "fat" pants being skin tight and my desire to wear flowing dresses every day would be motivation enough. Nope. I had to dig myself into this horrible hole before I found the motivation to change.

Well, now I have the motivation. I joined Weight Watchers (I LOVE WW) 3 weeks ago, and have lost 8.2 pounds. Another 7.8 to get back to my pre-Boston weight, and another 10 or so to be at my ultimate goal weight. I have a 17 week pass, so I should be able to make my goal by then and become a life-time member. (Your membership is free once you reach your goal and maintain your weight for a few weeks).

Here's what I've been doing:

• Saying no. A lot.
• Still giving myself small treats so I don't feel deprived.
• Eating lots of fruits and veggies. (They're 0 points now!)
• Eating more whole grains, and cutting out some carbs.

Here are a few things I love:

• Mission Extra Thin Tortillas. You know I love my mexican food. These are 1 point vs. 2 for a regular corn tortilla. I actually like them better. They have a stronger corn flavor, and crisp up easier for taquitos and such.

• Avocado Sauce. (My families recipe) This is virtually 0 points. It does have avocado in it, but such a small amount per serving, I'm not sure how to calculate it. I guess you could add a point for it if you used a ton. I use it on everything that needs a little spice.

• Weight Watchers 2 point treats. You can buy these at the WW center. I love the dark chocolate turtle, and the peanut butter bliss. Perfect for a sugar craving fix.

• Kellogg's All-Bran Crackers. 18 for 3 points, and they're delicious.

• Fat Free Cream Cheese. 2 TB for 1 point.
• I spoon in 2 TB of cream cheese in a bowl, put about a teaspoon of my favorite jelly (Mixed Pepper from Stephanie Calderon is my favorite right now) and dip my bran crackers in it. So good.

• Laura Scudder's Reduced Fat Natural Peanut Butter. 2 TB for 5 points. Get you some ice cold crisp celery and you have a delicious snack that you can snack on forever.

I have a few recipes that I really like that I'll share in another post.

I am so excited to get healthy. I already feel soooo much better. I have so much more energy, I'm not as tired and my clothes are fitting much better.

I have a weight loss blog if anyone is interested in sharing. It's nodietsallowed.blogspot.com. It's private right now, so leave a comment or email me if you want to be added.

ALSO! WW is having a "Walk-It Challenge". They are encouraging everyone to get out a walk/run a 5K on or before May 22nd. Not like a sign up and pay 5K, just going out and doing it. I WANT TO DO IT! Who's in?  I'm going to pick a day, time and place and let everyone know, and then whoever wants to, we'll do it and then maybe go out for a healthy lunch/dinner afterward. It's 3.1 miles. Totally doable for anyone. I'll be posting when I'm working out too so if anyone wants to join me, that would be great!

Until next week...