Who needs food anyway?? I do! I do!

All right, I'm steppin' out here. There's nothing like posting about one of your biggest struggles and talking about a commitment you're making to form a new habit, right? So here it goes. (deep breath)


EATING


We all do it. It needs to be done. It just needs to be done differently than I've been doing it for the past several (7?) years. Like any struggle, I've gone through highs and lows. After Will was born I lost 25 lbs and should have kept going, but "I" got in the way and then I became pregnant with Emma. And the rest is history. So it's time. I'm done having babies. I'm done making excuses.

I found a great article a few blogs removed: 13 Things to Avoid When Changing Habits So...here's MY plan...

1) I'm not taking on more than 1 habit this time. - In the past, I've said I need to start eating healthier, exercising, etc., etc. all at once and it's just too overwhelming. So for now it's just the one: my eating habit.

2)I'm committing it in writing. - Not just on this blog, but in my home where it's visible to me all the time.

3)I'm fully committed. - That means, my healthy eating is my family's healthy eating. No more "oh, I'll just buy this package of cookies for the kids as a little treat." and then "how many of these did THEY actually eat." And by blogging about it (the craziest thing I've ever done! What was I thinking!) I'm being held accountable because the whole world is watching. Ok, my little world, but still! How embarrassing!

I won't list all the points, but here are a few more.

5) Motivation. - My motivation...I want to be healthy (and lose lots of weight, of course:)) I'm tired of not following through with this commitment. I want to feel confident. I want more energy for my kids. I think it will help my outlook/attitude. I think, for me anyway, it will help me to be a better mom and wife. I'll get to buy some new clothes.:) And I'll be more likely to want to attend my 10 year college reunion coming up this September.:)

6) Obstacles - I recognize that every day will bring obstacles so I need to have a plan. Company, eating out, vacation, going over to other's homes, lack of money for healthy food (this one still gets me!) ...still working on my plans.

7) I'm blogging and logging. - Ok, this is where it gets serious, seriously scary anyway! I'm going to log my daily food intake. AAAHHHH. How's that for accountability???

9) Knowing my triggers. - I've known these for a long time, so for me it's setting my mind to not letting those triggers overtake me. Stress, comfort, boredom.

13) Don't quit! - Sometimes when I've decided to "make the commitment" and I end up falling off the bandwagon, I just end up giving up.


And while the article did not list this last one, I feel it's the most important thing for me to keep in mind.

14) I CAN go to God with this. NOTHING is too small or silly to entrust to our Lord. He WILL help me. I need to stop sinning by going to food in times of stress or worry and start going to Him.

Well, there you have it. And thanks, Amanda, for the spark that got this fire going.
And here's the before picture (hopefully). And for those of you that know me really well, you know I do NOT like full body pictures of myself, so this is a first! Here's to Happy Healthy Eating!!
ok...here I go, I can do it. Hit "publish post". Hit "publish post". Is my mouse working properly?? Cathy, come on. NO MORE EXCUSES. (eyes closed, holding my breath, pushing the button)