I woke up yesterday with a new outlook. I'm not sure where it came from but it was a good feeling. Perhaps the start of spring and the slight warm up outside had something to do with it but I wanted to get out there. I strapped my 2 year old into his jogging stroller and went for a walk.
You never realize how good it feels until you are out there. We have had such a long, cold winter that the brisk 50 degree air felt like heaven. My son is an outdoor kid himself so he is always up for walks and enjoys watching the squirrels and birds as we pass. When we got home I wanted the feeling to stay so I decided that today was the day I start pushing myself to be healthier.
I currently wait tables at night at a bar and grill in the airport. Being a former flight attendant, I have always loved the hustle and bustle of the airport. The people watching is unmatched and the energy is contagious. When I decided to stop flying for a few years to focus on my son, I needed to do something, at least, to keep my family afloat so I fell back into waitressing.
Working at a bar and grill doesn't help in the healthy eating department so I have found it easier on my pocket and waistline to bring my food in. I am limited there as well because I have to go through the same security as passengers, which means no liquids, yogurt, juice pasta sauce, etc. Although some of these items will be on my shopping lists, I need to be creative when it comes to packing food for work.
I have to find food combinations that are both good tasting and good for me for the following reasons.
1. If it is boring or I feel like I am on a diet I will stop and give in to temptation. I just know myself.
2. My husband is tall and thin and can eat whatever he wants. literally, and not gain a pound. I don't want to deprive him of good tasting food. If I don't keep him satisfied with the foods I cook, he will go buy crap and I, in turn, will hear that crap calling my name at 10pm.
3. The childhood obesity epidemic is heartbreaking and I truly believe that it begins in the toddler years. My son isn't old enough to pick out his own food, he trusts me to make his meals and snacks. If I start him off now on the right track, focusing on whole grains and vegetables, he will be able to make healthier decisions in his independent future.
I will start by saying I am not in any means a dietitian, personal trainer or health expert. I am just a 37 year old woman trying to live a healthier life. When I find articles that interest me on this subject, I will link them. The stores I will be primarily shopping at are Kroger, Trader Joe's and the local Farmers Market. I like Kroger because they have great sales and double my coupons up to $0.50. I love Trader Joe's, although it is a bit of a drive, because the food is more natural with less preservatives, original, creative and very reasonably priced. I shop for produce at the local Farmers Market because the food is fresh, inexpensive and supports of local farmers.
Along my journey, I will be tracking my progress by taking weekly photos with my statistics, tracking my daily exercise and calculating the cost of food. I am not proud of the way I look and feel right now. My goal is to lose 40 pounds or drop 3-4 dress sizes. I say "or" because I do not currently own a scale. My starting weight I know only because I was at the doctor last week and I was weighed. On my weekly progress reports I will be noting my measurements and dress sizes. Still debating on the scale purchase.
I will basically be laying it all out there into the blog universe. Not sure if anyone will be listening, but would love any input or partners in this quest. If you have any info on losing weight on a budget or fitting exercise into a busy day or tasty low fat recipes I would love to hear it. This is not a crash diet for me, more of a lifestyle change, I have not set a goal date or a time limit.
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