Weight Issues

Disclaimer: I understand that weight issues can be touchy. This is my own personal struggle with my weight.

A few months ago, I told you that my wedding dress just barely fit. I was upset with myself for a number of reasons; for one, I knew I had ordered a size that would be a close fit, and yet I continued to eat garbage and refused to exercise. More importantly, though, I had been promising myself for years that I would get my act together and live a healthier life, and I was clearly failing at it. My wedding dress just barely fitting was my wake up call that I was making poor decisions, and I was heading down a dangerous path. Sure, I was still technically at a healthy weight, but I was dangling mighty close to the edge and I was tipping in the wrong direction.

My weight issues stem back to high school. In 10th grade I joined weight watchers for the first time and went from 134 pounds to 124 pounds. I quickly gained the weight back, and spent the majority of my young adult life in the low 130's....until college. I found myself at 145 pounds and miserable. I went back on weight watchers and got back down to my typical 133-135. I wasn't thrilled, but had resigned myself to the fact that my body just wasn't built to weigh in the 120's.

And in the mid 130's I stayed, until last year. Working long hours in a hospital and being too lazy to prepare food or exercise didn't do me any favors. I found myself creeping back up, until finally, after Thanksgiving I was back in the 140's- at 141.5. And that is precisely when I found myself in a bridal salon, with a consultant heaving and hawing trying to zip up my beautiful dress.

And so, I decided to make a change. I took a step back and analyzed my typical food consumption, and realized that my downfall was always overeating. I wasn't making horrible decisions, but I didn't seem to be controlling my portions. My addiction to carbs didn't help- once I started eating bread, chips, or anything of the likes, it seemed my ability to stop when full was completely lost. I started poking around the weddingbee fitness board, and realized the perfect tool for me was free to use and waiting for me to join!

Myfitnesspal.com has become my savior. (if you are on, and want a friend, I'm Misselk there too!) Tracking my food has made me 100% accountable for the decisions I make. I have come to see calories as currency. Are french fries worth eating less during the day or exercising more to make up for them? The answer is sometimes, but on the whole, no. And if you are curious to know what I'm eating on a typical day, I took some pictures for you!

Breakfast: 3 egg white omelet with 1 tablespoon low fat cheese, 2 slices turkey bacon and a banana

Lunch: caprese salad (2 ounces reduced fat mozz cheese with 1 plum tomato over a bed of arugula), 2-3 tablespoons of hummus with rice cakes, and a cup of strawberries

Dinner: Panko crusted tilapia, broccoli and jasmine rice (cooked with 2 tablespoons olive oil)

Dessert- I always give myself something for dessert, but it changes very frequently. Currently I'm on a 2 cups of frozen blueberries kick. They are yummy!

As for an exercise plan, I've found that Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and Ripped In 30 are magical. Less than 30 minute workouts with intervals, where you aren't doing a single move for more than 1 minute at a time. It is perfect for someone like me who is not only busy, but gets bored easily during exercise!

Since I made a change 4 months ago, I have lost a total of 12 pounds. Sure its been a slow process, but I feel like the change is more real the slower I go at it. My current weight is 129.5, a place I never ever thought I would see again. More importantly, I've lost 3.5 inches off my bust, 4 inches off my waist, and 2 inches off my hips.

I can't wait to try on my dress now! I know that I can be proud of myself for making changes towards a healthier life!

Has your approaching wedding had an effect on your lifestyle decisions?