Healthy Feels Good

In February, I made it my goal to go to workout at least 3 days a week. It's not a ton...but it's something. It was sometimes difficult to get my 3 days in....just because of my busy schedule, but it's something I'm going to try to continue to do. It's apparently been paying off. I've been tracking my weight online http://www.blogger.com/www.weightchart.com. In the month of February, I lost 5 pounds.

Also, in February, I went to a cooking class with my friend Diane. It was something our school district did. The focus of the class was how to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. This is something I've always struggled with. I'm not sure I learned all that much from the class, but it got me "in the mood" for veggies. For the past 3 weeks, I've been visiting Hen House and stocking up on lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. At any given time you can find oranges, bananas, grapefruit, blueberries, fresh spinach, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and red peppers in my kitchen. I've been much more satisfied with what I've brought in my lunches.

My new favorite (healthy) thing to bring in my lunch...veggie pita. I get the whole wheat flat bread pitas from Hen House. In it, I put a thin layer of Philadelphia Spinach Artichoke cream cheese (you should try it...SO yummy). Then I stuff it with spinach, grape tomatoes, red peppers, cucumbers, and goat cheese (YUM!) with just a tiny little drizzle of low-fat caesar dressing. It's to die for!

Tonight James and I made an awesome salad. It just looked pretty and tasted delicious. It had shrimp, roasted red peppers, cucumber, grape tomatoes, avocado, and goat cheese. I also decided to experiment with making my own dressing. So I made an olive oil/balsamic vinegar concoction with a little bit of honey, garlic, basic, rosemary, and tarragon. It wasn't too bad. We also toasted some pita in the oven that was lightly brushed with the dressing. SO GOOD!

Hide my scale, please

This time last year my friends and I were competing in a "Biggest Loser" competition. It was a very healthy time for James and me. We were eating really well and working out almost everyday. During the 12 weeks of competition, I lost 15 lbs (11% of my body weight). I was very happy with my weight and my body when we finished the competition and I told myself I would continue to live healthily, even after it was all over.

We managed to do this for quite a while. The "Biggest Loser" ended February 8th and come April, I was still at my finishing weight. During the summer I actually lost a couple more lbs due to wedding stress. In July 09 I was exactly 20 lbs less than I was in July 08. Things were good.

Now, however...the weight is starting to creep back. The holidays, as always, were difficult and I ended up gaining a few lbs. I had a certain number that I told myself I would never see again on my scale (until I was pregnant). Today...I saw that number and it devastated me. Granted, it's not the best time of the month to be stepping on the scale....but I'm not going to allow myself to use that as an excuse. I'm really disappointed in myself and I've decided I need to REALLY kick things into gear.

So James and I went to the gym this afternoon. We usually go to the Gold's in Olathe, but we decided today to go to the bigger one in Merriam. It's actually further away, but takes less time to get to because you can take the highway. Typically at the gym, I just hop on the elliptical or treadmill and do cardio the whole time. Today James made me do a leg workout with him. By the time I was done, I could hardly walk. My legs shook the whole ride home. But, I'm feeling good. Nothing like a good workout!

I kind of think seeing "that number" on the scale gave me a reality check. I've decided I'm going to quit making excuses when it comes to going to the gym. I'm going to start documenting my weight every Sunday like we did when we were doing the Biggest Loser. I need to start eating better. These are all things I know I can do. I've done it before....and it's time to do it all again.

I'll keep you updated, Internet.