My 21 Day Fix Journey - DAY 0

I have been needing something to kick me in the butt and get me motivated. My weight has skyrocketed to more than my highest pregnancy weight. I have had many changes over the past two years, exams, promotions, moving, etc. All "good" excuses for not staying on a plan. But, is it really an excuse?

Everyone hears of all of these diets, exercises, etc. But what really works?

After 38 years on this planet and 20 years spent on and off "dieting", the one thing I have learned is that hard work and support are the two things you need to stay motivated.

Find a group, a person, a blog...anything where you can be you and be able to post about your feelings, ask for help, post your accomplishments, your downfalls, etc and feel safe doing so.

Pick any type of getting healthy forum you prefer but just pick one and stick with it. This is all about lifestyle change. I have done Weight Watchers (three times now), different types of apps, ordered DVDs, had a personal trainer etc. This time, I have joined a Beachbody team and am participating in a 21 day challenge as well as order the 21 day fix which includes a daily meal replacement called Shakeology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvgtirGELaY

It tastes good and it does keep you satisfied. I normally do not find that in a shake. Anyone who knows me, especially my husband, knows I am skeptical of everything. He was surprised that I got on board with this program and is fully supportive.

This is not for everyone. It requires a big commitment. You need to really want to change your life. It is not a magic pill. Drinking this shake will not make you lose weight. You need to want it! Exercise, eat right! If you don't, you will fail.

I am a full time working mom of 4 boys. It takes us 45 minutes to get to school in the morning and I am usually not home until 8 or 9 pm. This is a great online support system that I needed. So, when I think of all the money I have spent on meetings, weight loss shakes, pills, programs etc. the price for this honestly is not so bad.

Seeing these pictures below puts many things in to perspective. I know I haven't been happy. I know my doctor says I need to lose weight but nothing was enough to push me over the edge. What finally did? My friend asking if I wanted to join a challenge group with her. Sure, why not?

I didn't expect what I got in the group! Motivational stories, quotes, nutritional tips, exercise tips and most of all support. I found my safe place. And motivation to get my butt in gear.

Day #1....

This was written around 5 pm today:...

...yes, I walked my first mile today. I went as soon as I woke up at 9 am. Though, I did not lay down until 3 am and you know the baby got up at least twice..but I said yesterday: NO EXCUSES!!! I ate a decent breakfast, plain oatmeal with Splenda and non-fat milk and a 1/2 grapefruit. So far, I have downed 3 bottles of water. My goal is to drink a minimum of 64 ozs a day. And yes, I mean water! The only other liquid I have had today is 3/4 c of non-fat milk.

...unfortunately, I am extremely tired so I am VERY happy that my 30 minutes of cardio was completed as soon as I woke up. I know that for myself, if I procrastinate, it will not get done. I did take a nice two-hour nap with the baby this afternoon so I feel a little bit better.


...the eating better is going to take some getting used to. Ever since I had the baby, I have been having a sort of free for all. In my head, I have been trying to calculate all the calories I have eaten...yeah, that's not a pretty number! Currently, I am using sparkpeople.com to track my eating and cardio. It is a nice little website and it is FREE! My favorite word! Right now, as of 4:45pm, I am at 1585 calories consumed (this includes dinner that I have not eaten yet, but have already portioned out for myself) Supposedly I can have up to 2,000 since I am exclusively breastfeeding. I am going to do a little more research to make sure that I am eating enough, because I definitely do not want my milk supply to go down.

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And now it is midnight...how did the rest of my evening go? Food wise, not so good. Went to Sprouts with Tanya, Ronan and Coltan and got some fresh fruits and veggies. But, when we got home around 7:30pm, I started to get hungry. I cut up some watermelon for the kids and had maybe 1/2 cup for myself, not much. Then, we start watching Top Chef: Masters. Probably not the best show to be watching when all you want to do is eat!

So around 8:45pm I make myself 6 Triscuits with cheddar cheese on them. But am I satisfied yet? No....So at 9:30 pm, I almost grabbed my Old Dutch Ketchup Potato Chips that my sister sent me, but I put them back on the shelf and grabbed the cauliflower out of the fridge, cut it up and served it with Kraft Fat Free Ranch. Ethan ate it with me, love that he loves veggies!!!

But one last thing...just before Chris leaves for work at 11pm, the boys would like some of the Honey Roasted Peanuts that have not yet been opened. Man those look good...and yes, they are good! So, needless to say, food wise, not too happy with myself. Goal was to eat between 1,500-2,000 calories. I ate 2,300. Those last 300 calories came from the peanuts! Ah well...

Some positives to take away from today: I drank my goal of 64ozs of water! I completed 30 minutes of cardio and I recorded everything I ate, no matter what!!! I really should not expect my eating habits to change overnight. I know that I need a little leeway. Also, what I can take away from today is that I need to figure out why I get so hungry after 8 pm. I know I do not get much sleep, so it could be that I am just awake so many hours, three meals is not cutting it. Also, guaranteed I was consuming well over 3,000 calories a day for the past six weeks. My body is probably not used to me eating so well after all this time.

Also, yes, I read everyone's comments and we will stretch my weight loss goal through to Christmas. I should be losing 1-2 lbs per week while breastfeeding. That puts me out 20 weeks to reach my goal. I am hoping to at least be a size 8-10 when the Christmas party comes around and back to a size 6 for my next birthday! (Well, maybe that goal will be by Easter! ;-)

These next two weeks are really going to be the test for me. If I can just stick to a schedule for two weeks, then I know I can until I reach my goal. The first two weeks are always the hardest!