Sixty-Eight Sticks of Butter!

Okay, so I have had it...it's not the fact that I get squeamish when I see pictures of myself or that I dread swim suit season...it's more about that fact that I am a nurse, I know better and I deserve to do better for myself and make some lifestyle changes! It started with a change in jobs with less stress in my life I could not justify the fat laden comfort foods that I had been consuming without a second thought. My 10th wedding anniversary was coming up and I am soon to be the big 40....okay well not too soon, but it's a few months off and what better gift can I give myself than not to have an Myocardial Infarction going up a flight of stairs??!!

So, for my wedding anniversary I asked for jewelry, a bracelet. More specifically I asked for the Nike Fuel Band!! It tracks my steps, calories burned, and fuel (you'll have to read what this is on the Nike website). The bracelet is a visual cue and it it motivating. You can push the button and it light up where you are on fuel for that day and where you need to go to reach your goal. It has encouraged me to go the long way, no more short cuts...let's get those steps in!! Plus you can "win" trophies and get little encouraging banners along the way when sync your band with the app on your phone!

In addition I downloaded the My Fitness Pal app for iPhone/iPad. I use it M-F to help me track what I eat.  On the weekends, I give myself a break from tracking my eating, I am just careful and tell myself I am only hurting myself if I over do it! This app also helps me to see the nutritional content of the foods I am eating and work to get all my vitamins in by looking up different good foods to eat!

Armed with these two resources and a LOT of self motivation I started out 6.5 weeks ago to lose weight. So many diet attempts have failed for me in the past but I was not to be daunted on this endeavour...I have a determination that I have not had in the past. Now, I do not have to be a size 2, I have never been there nor will I ever be...but I do want to be healthy! I want to eat good whole foods and veggies. I want to pay attention to what it is I am putting in my body. As a nurse I want to set an example, how can I talk to my patients about their health when I am neglecting my own? I am determined...I WANT THIS, I am strong and I can do it! Then YOU came alongside me!!

YOU, are my friends and family who are encouraging me along the way, boy do I need that!! Wendy and Tonia cheering me on!! Tara "making me" do 8 thousand flights of steps each day!! The other day when she reached the top she said "you aren't even out of breath!" AWESOME, I wasn't and yet just a few weeks ago I thought I was going to pass out as I gulped for air at the top....trying to look dignified but feeling mortified! My husband for sharing excitement with me for each pound lost we measure weight loss in sticks of butter it's more fun to say "I lost 4 sticks of butter" vs "I lost 1 lb." Thanks Honey!! Thanks Mom and Claudia who promise me a trip to Toys R Us when I reach my goal!! :) Thanks to the many others who are cheering me along on the side lines...don't stop!! PRAYERS and ENCOURAGEMENT APPRECIATED! Although I am motivated I am not naive enough to think this cognitive and lifestyle reframing will be easy!

Week 6 weight loss total: 68 Sticks of Butter!!