Losing it!

Oh, that title could mean so many things...and depending on the day I probably could mean it in any way you think of. :) But today I am talking about pounds. Extra ones. Ones that cause you to say "Ack!" when you see them in the mirror. Give me an "Amen!" if you know what I'm talking about.   I have always struggled with my weight. I am a big girl with a big frame. I come from (among other things) Norwegian and Dutch people who cannot be called merely "tall." No, with family members who are almost 7 ft tall and solidly built, I think you can imagine I am not dainty.  But really, would you expect a descendant of the Vikings to be small? No way! (Hey, I'm told a mace and a broadsword require alot of heft to wield.) So, I'm 5'11" and carrying around, ahem, a few extra pounds. (and by few I mean a few times a few times a few, etc.)  When I look at my body in the mirror, I am NOT happy with what I see there. Suffice it to say, I look at my post-baby body with it's extra pounds and it Diastasis Recti (split ab muscles) from carrying my ten pounder and I am NOT laughing.  So, I've begun doing something about it.   I realized that I am in control of not only feeding my family, but also making sure they have the proper nutrition and fuel for their bodies. I also realized that I am teaching my girls how they should be eating. If they learn by watching, I was certainly failing them.  DH has been carting around some extra pounds as well. We've been married nearly eight years and the numbers on the scale have only been going up for both of us...until now! I have lost 15 pounds in the last 3 weeks, and DH has lost 8.  Want to know how? Good, because I was going to tell you anyway. :)  There is a tool on http://www.choosemyplate.org/ called the SuperTracker. You can enter in your height and weight and your goal weight and it will tell you how many calories you need as well as how much of each food group you should take in for good nutrition. When we started using this tool, we realized we were eating WAAAAAAAAAAY too much sodium. It's in everything, but when you used canned ingredients or cook with a little salt, it adds up very quickly. I also saw that I wasn't eating enough during the day, so by the time evening came, and the kids went to bed I was ravenous and not making smart choices. I had a lot more holes in my nutrition than I realized. So, using the tracker I have begun to plug those holes, and make better choices. I have begun to see food as fuel and my portions have become more reasonable.  I am actually eating more than I ever did, but the calories aren't empty ones so they are actually helping my body burn the stored energy (ie. my fat!) so that I can trim down.  We really are trying to make this less of a diet and more of a lifestyle change, and so far it's working. We realize that some things we used to eat just aren't worth it, and we make a better choice. I'm pretty excited about it. I like that my clothes are starting to feel loose, and that I am reaching the mini-goals I have set for myself. I also like that I am being a better example for my kids. I don't want them to ever have to struggle with their weight like I have. I want this to be the only lifestyle they remember so they can avoid the health problems that come with poor nutrition and obesity.  The next step to our lifestyle change is to add more exercise. I already keep pretty busy doing the housework and being with my girls, but I am going to need aerobic exercise to get my heart and lungs healthier, and some weights to strengthen some of these crazy viking muscles I've got.  We have an elliptical machine in our bedroom that is currently taunting us from the corner. I am going to get on it and slowly, gradually spend more time exercising.  

And now here is another inspiration for myself. If you have a pinterest account, (and you should!) you have probably seen this pin:

This is really only funny if you have read the Hunger Games series. I have (and liked it!) so this is hillarious to me.  If you are working toward a weight loss or healthy lifestyle goal, leave me a comment. We can do this together. I will update on my progress every once in awhile so you can see how I'm doing.  Be blessed! (and "May the odds ever be in your favor." lol)