Journeying to a Healthy Life: 2 Month Report

Two months ago I wrote about starting a new diet, well, actually about starting a new lifestyle in regards to forming healthy eating and exercising habits. I’m removing the word “diet” from my new venture because to me there is something that isn’t permanent about a diet – it is just an activity you do for a little while to produce desired effects. I don’t want to only do something for a little while. I want to make a serious lifestyle change that results in a lasting healthy lifestyle.

So, how have I done these past two months? Have I made any progress in the right direction? Overall, I definitely think I am moving in the right direction, but I’m not where I want to be yet.

I’ve lost about 8 lbs, which isn’t a lot, but it is something, especially for me. Most of the times I have tried to lose weight in the past, I’ve never even made it to 8 lbs before reverting back to the old bad habits. Combined with the fact that we’ve had Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s in the time I’ve been working on this new way of life, I’m certainly pleased with an 8 lb weight loss.

I’ve completed 4 weeks of the Couch to 5K program. Although I technically should have completed 7 or 8 weeks at this point (not really wanting to count it up right now), I’m excited that I’ve made it this far. I had a wicked cold/cough during December that prevented me from running (I have terrible asthmatic cough problems at times), but I’m back on track now that I’ve gotten past the cold. On top of completing those workouts, I can actually notice a difference in what I’m physically capable of completing. During the first week, I felt like I was going to die (well, almost) when I had to run for a minute and half. Yesterday, I was able to run for a total of 16 minutes – 2 3-segments, and 2 5-minute segments, which is good progress!

Finally, I feel like I’m slowly developing a better relationship with food. Two months ago, I was at a point where food controlled me. And, although I’m not 100% in control of the food in my life, I’m at a MUCH better place than I was two months ago. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using the My Fitness Pal app, and I highly recommend it! The Couch to 5K app is also great.

No official after picture yet, but hopefully it’ll be coming in the next few months as I continue on my journey.

Drafting Dinner: Weekly Menu Planning

• Chicken and sausage jambalaya (postponed from last week)
• Pot stickers with Asian slaw (if I can find wonton wrappers!)
• Taco salad
• Stuffed chicken or pork  with couscous and a green veggie
• Slow cooker whole chicken (I’m excited to try this for the first time, plus I’ll be able to make some chicken stock!)
• Chicken enchilada casserole (made with extra chicken from the slow cooker chicken)

I Heart Faces: Best Face Photo from 2011

As always for me when choosing a favorite, or even a few favorites, from the past year, I have a very difficult time. However, when it came down to it, I found myself especially gravitating towards a couple of photos I took in December. I ended up choosing the photo of Ella below, but I almost chose the photo of Troy with the bokeh Christmas lights – he was such a poser in that photo!

Oh, and if you are curious, check out the photos I entered from 2010 and 2009.

 

2012 Project 366: Week 1

This is the third year that I’m attempting to complete project 365 (well, project 366 this year!), which is a photo a day, every day of an entire year. Although I didn’t officially complete it last year, I certainly appreciate the photos that I was able to take in order to document our lives, as well as to continue to improve my photography skills.

You can check out my 2010 project 365 here (I was very close to completing 2010, but I failed at documenting it along the way).

Thankful Thursday

I had forgotten that today was Thursday (I lose track of time after the holidays), and was reminded when I was reading today’s Thankful Thursday post by my friend (who inspired me to write these posts in the first place). She also inspired/reminded me that now is a great time to reflect on at least a few of the ways I’m thankful for my husband considering that we just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on Tuesday.

• I’m thankful that my husband always seems to remember to consider me first (even though I often get wrapped up in things, and don’t consider him first as often as I should).
• I’m thankful that my husband knows how to make me smile and make me laugh, even when I’m down.
• I’m thankful that my husband makes me smile and laugh everyday.
• I’m thankful that my husband is a dedicated Christian man, who puts God first in his life, and that he is the spiritual leader in our family.
• I’m thankful that my husband is extremely cute. : )
• I’m thankful that my husband thinks about our future together, when I tend to get caught up in the here and now.
• I’m thankful that my husband is patient with me, especially when I get crazy stressed out for no good reason.
• I’m thankful that my husband is always there for me.

Excuse the poor quality photo (a scanned photo from Facebook). We have been married longer than Facebook has been around, ha!

Drafting Dinner: Weekly Menu Planning

I thoroughly enjoyed the holidays, but I am very thankful to be home, and to get back into a regular routine. On a side note, do you call dinner, “dinner” or “supper”? I’ve always grown up calling it “dinner,” but I know a lot of folks (even who grew up in the same area as me) call it supper. I’m a dork, by the way, when it comes to words. I’ve decided to move away from calling my menu plan posts “Menu Planning Monday” simply for the fact that it always bugs me when I’m a day (or more) late posting the weekly menu.

• Beef fajitas
• Pasta in a light cream sauce with chicken and broccoli
• Chicken (or maybe beef) noodle stir fry
• Ground beef and rice casserole
• Chicken and sausage jambalaya