What I changed...

I decided to post the top 5 things that I changed for the better.  There are many more things I can change and will change but these are the top things that made a difference for me in my decision to go on a diet or I should actually say decision to change my health and eating forever.

1.  First, I stopped drinking soda everyday, completely.  I loved Sprite so much that I drank it every single day and up to 104oz on some days.  Can you believe that?? Boy, that is yet another answer to why I am fat.  Soda is simply horrible for your body.  It robs your body of much needed calcium,  adds no nutrition to your body whatsoever, and almost doubles your chances of having kidney problems.  It should be a no brainer but it was very hard to quit.  I did quit though and I am so happy I did.  Right now I drink mostly water and allow myself measured portions of milk so I can count the calories.  Water is healing and your body needs it in so many ways.  I know that drinking water is the best thing I can do to lose weight.

2.  I stopped eating butter.  Ouch, that hurt to give it up but I had to.  I found a no calorie spray called "I can't believe it's not butter" and that works great for a quick spray of buttery taste and especially on popcorn or toast.  It tastes great and does the trick.

3. I don't eat anymore sugary treats at all in any form.  I realize that I could possibly fold it into my daily calories but I have learned that sugar is bad for your body.  Your body doesn't  know how to metabolize it fast enough so it turns to fat.  I do allow myself to have a weight watcher brownie sundae once in a while but not much.  I look for foods that have natural sugar or no sugar.  I don't like fake sugar either so I skip that.  The good thing about it is that you lose the cravings as time goes by.  I don't think I will ever go back to eating them because of what I know.

4. I decided to stick with 1800 calories everyday.  I have read where you should take the weight you want to be at and multiple that by 10.  I hope someday to be back to that but I think it will take a while.  I don't care because I won't give up.  I haven't weaned Tyler yet so I think that 1800 is safe for me to continue nursing.  Years ago when I was on Jenny Craig, I started at 1700 calories per day and I lost 40 pounds.  This time around, I am much fatter so I don't think it will hurt to go with 1800.  I have lost 5 pounds so my body is obviously responding to it.  I will go down in daily calories as I get closer to my goal weight.

5. I eat a lot of salad.  Veggies are so good for us and there are many that you can eat without any guilt.  I found out that one cup of sliced cucumbers is only 8 calories!! lol.  There is also celery, romaine, red bell peppers and carrots that are low in calories among others.  I found a delicious fat free dressing and I just go from there.  I make a delicious salad with all my fav veggies and my dressing measured out and I go to town!  I even add a few calorie counted croutons sometimes and its fantastic.  I don't mind eating salad every day.  It's important to eat fresh fruits and veggies everyday in order to have a healthy weight loss.

These things have really helped me and I am searching everyday for more things I can do.  I have been working out at the gym 4 to 5 days a week and that is yet another big change for me.  I can't wait to get more weight off!  Thanks for reading!