So here we are again. Starting another round of healthy living. Or rather, embarking on the idea of living a more healthy lifestyle from now on. Partly because having moved back to Delaware about 2 weeks ago now, I am still in the process of job searching. This gives me much more time than I am used to to devote to non-work things. It's been fabulous to spend time with my family after being away for a year and I'm hoping to get to see all my wonderful friends and their TODDLERS (no longer babies!) very soon. I am not freaking out about not finding a job yet, but hopefully this little break will get me back in the right headspace to figure out and conquer what comes next. I am open to whatever the Universe has in store for me.
So a week into being home, I was eating all kinds of snacky foods, drinking caffeine at night, basically grazing on whatever was around all day. I realized that I was in vacation mode! That Margaritaville, devil-may-care frame of mind where nothing matters and calories don't count anymore. I had to snap out of it. I started walking at a couple local parks and it felt amazing. I knew that I was definitely missing the physical side of getting healthy. I had lost weight, but was still very much "out of shape."
About two years ago, I was at my heaviest weight ever. When the scale went over 190, I was horrified. I had tried tons of weightloss programs and diets. I have had success with plans like The South Beach Diet but the weight always crept back on. I decided to try one more tactic, since my own self-control and motivation just kept failing me. I heard about a meal plan called eDiets, it had been featured on Biggest Loser and I had read a lot of good reviews. Unlike Nutrisystem, whose freeze-dried eggs and chicken in pouches made me want to gag, eDiet's meals came freshly prepared and were delivered in a cooler every week. Now, let me be honest and say this is by no means the cheapest option. It averaged about $99 a week for 5 days of meals. However, I looked at what I was spending on eating out several times a week, stops at Wawa, Starbucks runs and bar nights and FOR ME, as a working, unmarried, no children woman, knocking at the door of my 30s, I decided it was worth it.
Each day consisted of 3 meals and a snack, with you supplementing a couple fruits and a dairy. I usually added grapefruit and 2% string cheese. When you first see the meals, you will think "Um, where is the rest?" The smaller portions were definitely an adjustment but I was able to go on the website and pick the meals that I liked the best. It was idiot-proof. You ate what they sent you. I did the 5 day plan since I figured I would likely need to be flexible for a few meals each week, I would just need to make good choices. And...I did! I did the meal plan for about 6 weeks and I lost around 15 pounds. After that though, was the magic part. I had a completely changed attitude about food. It wasn't about dieting or starving myself, or not eating the things I liked anymore. I craved healthier options. The huge portion sizes and over-indulgence we all have become completely numb to were so obvious to me every where I went. The idea of eating piles of sugar and transfats and processed garbage just grossed me out. I had a mental shift in my relationship with food.
And I can say that 2 years later, that shift has stuck with me. I reached my goal weight of 150 (148 as of today!) and am now ready to get physical again! When I had 40 pounds to lose, it seemed insurmountable. And so many people have much more than that to lose. I want to be healthy. I want my joints to last me forever. I want to be able to breath and sleep better and be active whenever I choose. I want this for all of you too. I want it for my mom and my brother. I want it for my boyfriend. You deserve to feel good in your own skin. I used to tell girls that I counseled at my old office "You only have one body and one brain. You have to take care of them now. You are worth treating yourself well."
I joined a local gym, have scoped out more local walking trails (we are SO lucky to have so many beautiful places here in Delaware, you probably have a County park in your neighborhood) and am getting my tennis racket ready. My goals are pretty simple: Feel stronger, inspire those around me, be brave enough to do new things. Like running (terrified), singing again (my first love) and getting a job I love and can feel passionate about (so ready). Will you join me?? I am going to try and blog regularly and would love to hear stories, tips, challenges about others journeys.
If you are interested in trying eDiets, make sure you search for "eDiets Promo Codes" online. There are currently 25% off and free shipping promotions. And let me know if you have any questions. Until next time: Be healthy, take care of yourself and don't forget to be grateful for something today. Namaste.
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