Avoid any diet that discourages the use of hot fudge. ~ Don Kardong

It has been awhile since I have chatted about my weight loss adventure. I was getting frustrated for while and decided not to worry about it so much. Then I discovered...This may actually BE my year to get skinny. I have lost a wee bit over 40 pounds the last few months!!

I haven't really been watching what I eat. I am a cook, a baker, and a mommy so personalized green salads aren't happening everyday. :) I still enjoy deliciously, bad for you food but one thing has changed. I have been swimming. I try to go 3-4 times a week for at least an hour. I found a great pool that isn't very crowded so I can do my chubby girl laps. Yeah, there won't be any gold medals for this mama anytime soon. Perhaps swimming is what my body needs right now.

It is weird losing weight. I haven't really been able to see it. When I look in the mirror I notice my face is a bit thinner but my body looks the same. But today at physical therapy while I was doing strength training I saw it. I actually stopped what I was doing to stare at my body. Wow. It was amazing. My legs look thinner, my hips look thinner I couldn't believe it. So, I turned to look at myself sideways. My stomach looks thinner!!! Now, I am still a chubby mama with a long way to go but this has given me some serious incentive.

Speaking of incentives, I have decided when I lose 10 more pounds I can buy some new pants. All of my pants can be slipped on and off without having to unbutton or unzip them. Including the pair I used to refer to as my "skinny jeans"!! Now, that is a good feeling!! I showed this trick to Sean and offered up his ski suspenders! :)

Just to give you an idea of how far I have come here are a few pictures from when I was my heaviest to now. Not too bad! I think I am doing a pretty good job!


This was taken in Tulum, Mexico 2006 - It is strange to think I had gotten so big. Sure, It hadn't even been a year since I had had Agnes but come on! Never again will this happen to me. It makes me sad.

These were taken at a tree farm down the road from our house.



I think I look like a completely different person. I look so much happier.


Well, that is my fat girl update. Pretty exciting wouldn't you say?!?!

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are really good friends

Met with the dietician yesterday. She was great! I felt totally at ease talking to her about my weight and bad eating habits. I was so nervous about giving her my food journal. I thought for sure she would tell me how horrible I am. She didn't say one bad thing about it. What she did say is there is room for improvement but that I don't need to deprive myself of anything. She wants me to practice Mindful Eating. 

Here are the tips she gave me:

1. Make eating purposeful, not mindless. 

2. Whenever you put food in your mouth, peel it, unwrap it, plate it, and sit and eat it. 

3. Engage all of the senses in the pleasure of eating to nourish your body. 

4. See what you eat. Enjoy the presentation, colors, and texture of the food. 

5. Take a few seconds to enjoy the aroma of the food in front of you. 

6. Take a moment before you start eating to relax. Take a few deep breaths. 

7. Slow down! Eat the lower calorie items on your plate first or eat in courses. This may be helpful to decrease the portions of the higher calorie food items because you will begin to feel more satisfied, less hungry. 

8. Remove visual stimulus to eat at home, office, and in your car. 

9. Practice, practice, practice. 

10. MINDFUL EATING IS A BEHAVIOR CHANGE. IT TAKES TIME!!

She gave me a couple of book titles to get. I ordered those off of abebooks.com. Super cheap, used books. There are some items made by Kashi she wants to me to have in the house as well. 

Overall, I think it was a very positive experience and I am hoping this old dog can learn some new tricks!