Day 5 (January 12)

Today's Emotion: tempted

Breakfast

French toast

bacon 

pear

Morning Snack

pita chips

Lunch

quinoa burger with avocado, tomarto and lemon garlic aioli 

Afternoon Snack

pita chips 

sesame bars

stuffed grape leaf

Dinner

quinoa burger with avocado, tomarto and lemon garlic aioli

broccoli

sweet potato fries 

 Treat

Godiva Key Lime Gem

Day 4 (January 11)

Today's Emotion: Stressed

Breakfast

Green Goddess Smoothie (Avocado & Pear)

Ezekiel Toast

sausages

Snack

2 sesame bars

Lunch

grape leaves stuffed with rice, peppers and tomatoes

roasted marinated vegetables

Afternoon Snack

sauteed cauliflower

Dinner

quinoa burgers (only ate 1)

nectarine

Day 3 (January 10)

Today's Emotions: calm

Breakfast

 Ezekiel toast

sausage links

strawberry sunrise smoothie

Morning Snack

Sesame bar (mine and part of Max's)

Lunch

Homemade sweet potato fries (they were so delicious, I ate them all! I did wait 15 minutes in between to make sure I was still hungry)

Afternoon Snack

Apple nectarine smoothie

Dinner

Whole wheat bagel with bacon, avocado and homemade garlic aoili with homemade fries

Day 2 (January 9)

Today's Emotions: Tired but empowered

(Late)Breakfast

Fruit salad

Ezekieltoast with peanut butter

Morning Snack

2 sesame bars

Pita chips

1/2 Banana

Lunch

roasted veggie pizza

zucchini

Snack

Spanikopita

Fruit Salad

Dinner

Pasta Alfredo with roasted red peppers and diced chick patty

Day 1 (January 8)

Beginning Statistics

Height: 5' 4"

Weight: 181.4 lbs

BMI: 31.1

Bust: 43"

Wasit: 36"

Bust: 43"

Calf: 16"

Thigh: 25"

Arm: 14"

Today's Emotions: Motivated and excited

It's hard to look at these photos...in my head I'm not this heavy, which is good and bad. I feel confident and attractive most days, but seeing these makes me feel embarrassed. It was good for me to take these, because it shows me what I really look like and motivates me to be healthier.

Breakfast

whole wheat pancakes

natural peanut butter

applesauce

Snack

1 tbsp pistachios

2 spanakopita

1 small fruit smoothie

Lunch

Smart Ones Vodka Pasta and steamed Brussels sprouts

Treat
One piece of toffee candy

Afternoon Snack

Date-almond bar

Spanakopita

Dinner

Tostada 

(whole wheat tortilla, fat free refried beans, cheese, sour cream, salsa, olives, red peppers and onions)

The Beginning

In the past 2 years, my life has changed dramatically! I've been pregnant twice with the result being two precious baby boys, Max (04.24.10)  and Liam (10.08.11). I decided to leave my busy, but wonderful job as an assistant and nanny, to stay at home to raise them. I took one year off and I now work from home, part-time, as an internet search consultant as well as doing some photography on the side. I say all of this to reassure you that my life is very full.

After Liam was born, I lost 20 pounds, right away, as I did after I had Max. My weight has slowly started to creep up a few pounds and it's definitely not the direction I want the scale to go. I've been thinking about starting a diet for a while, but wasn't sure how I would fit it into my busy, unpredictable life. The other factor is that I am nursing Liam. I certainly don't want to deprive him of essential nutrients, so I wasn't sure how I would do it. The solution I came up with is not really a "diet" at all. My goal for 2012 is to be more like my boys. I will do this by:

1. Moving more every day-I will strive to walk, dance, swim and play more
2. Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal
3. Eat more slowly
4. Listen to my body and stop eating when full
5. Drink more water
6. Sleep more


Kids listen to their bodies. Kids move, even if they're standing still. Kids go to sleep when they are tired. I want to get back to the way I behaved as a child. I won't be counting calories. Instead, I will eat healthy food, when I feel hungry, and will stop when I'm full, even if there is food left on the plate. I will move more and sit less. I will keep a picture record of my daily food and a record of my exercise and will weigh and  measure myself, weekly, to monitor my progress. I will post weekly pictures of me to show my progress, as well. I will use this information to adjust my eating and activity for the next week, if need be. I hope you will follow my progress as I get healthier in 2012!

Here are my starting measurements:
Height: 5' 4"
Weight: 181.4 lbs
Bust: 43"
Wasit: 36"
Bust: 43"
Calf: 16"
Thigh: 25"
Arm: 14"