OKay, Here We go!

I confess......I am a yo-yo dieter. Ever since my first child was born I have used Weight Watchers as my "go-to diet". Over the past few years though WW has not seemed to work for me but I was not ready to do anything else, until now! I started the South Beach diet this past Sunday. I only had one day of cravings that I had to hurdle. But I did it and I survived. I joined a gym near where I work and have been exercising regularly for a little more than a month now. The weight just wasn't moving anywhere and I knew it was my metabolism. The new way of eating as jump started my metabolism big time! For the first time I actually get feelings of hunger. And by the time I feel hungry it is time for a snack anyway. And by snack I mean vegetables with guacamole or hummus or a small handful of almonds and a low fat cheese stick.

I have learned a lot too by just a few (free) personal training sessions. For example, on the scale my body weight is not quite in the "over weight" category but my BMI was wayyyy off. So that was explained to me that my body fat percentage was higher than my muscle mass and that I needed to build more muscle. And when you build more muscle your body naturally burns more calories, even at rest. I also learned what my target heart rate is for optimal fat-burn during exercise. I was going over that target range on a regular basis which is more of a cardio workout/marathon training heart rate. So, now on the treadmill I increase the elevation at which I am walking instead of the pace at which I am walking. Does that make sense?

Anyway, last but not least, I have found that with the South Beach suggestions I can pretty much buy my groceries without even going down the isles. It's pretty cool. I cook way more than I would like to but I meal plan early, even my snacks. And sometimes have to pre-cook a few things the day before.

My goal: I want to improve my over-all health. I want to fit into a certain size of clothing. I want to look younger than I am when I am 53 and RETIRED! I want to make life changes that I can stick to and that are good for me.

Thanks Jennie. I needed an outlet. I am trying to only weigh myself only once a week and I'm not due until Sunday. Then I shall see how much weight I have lost in one week.

~Tara