Trying Jenny this time

Mr. Shrinking T was the motivator here.  He wanted to try something easier . . . something where he didn't need to think so hard about what to eat.  I have to say, I'm really impressed with Jenny Craig so far.  With my work schedule, it's so much easier to have someone else do the planning for me.  I'm slightly freaked out about not learning how to do this on my own but I've lost 9 lbs since I started the program the last week of October.  It's actually gotten me to start working out a little more regularly.  My consultant calls me on Sundays to talk about my week.  I like the one on one conversations but, with the exception of a little nugget of wisdom about discipline (I wasn't giving myself enough credit), I'm not getting a lot out of our conversations.  She isn't giving me much in the way of tips or guidance on balanced living.  Still, all in all, anything that gets me to A) shed some pounds and B) start working out again is a good thing.  My energy level is way better because I'm eating throughout the day.  Mr. ST hasn't been committed and so I'm frustrated with him.  I'm trying not to nag but it's taking every ounce of self control. If I let it go and have some results, maybe he'll start to try again.

This new way of eating makes me wonder if it might just be good to do batch cooking so that we could have very easy meals in very little time.  Researching that this week.

Also, I've hit a good rhythm with working out.  Found this great "full body" work out on weightwatchers.com which kind of kicked my ass on Saturday.  I'm alternating days w/ cardio.  I've been pushing the intervals a little on the treadmill and have actually been able to get up to 3 minutes of jogging w/ 1 1/2 - 2 minutes of fast walking.  I've noticed my mood is much better and, if I'm careful about stretching, I'm not overly sore.  This week my goal is to do at least 2 days of weight lifting (go Mr. ST for having a home gym set up!) and 3 days of cardio.

Recipe Audition - Rosemary Chicken

Thanks to Glorious One Pot Meals, I had a really easy and healthful meal last night.  The green beans came out crispy, the potatoes tender, the acorn squash not-mushy.  I was a little ambitious with the rosemary and would proabably add Garlic Salt instead of regular salt next time.  But at 339 cal, 3 g fat and 8 g fiber?  Totally worth it.  Plus, my 3 quart dutch oven made enough food for me and Mr. ShrinkingT with enough leftover for one large (veggie heavy) meal.  He said he liked it but didn't go for seconds.  Still success.

I was really impressed with Yarnell's story.  The way she has used nutritional healing is admirable and her attitude is worth emulating.


Plus, it's really fun to see how uncomfortable the hosts are cooking!

The Incredible Yo-Yo

Six months before my 30th birthday I resolved to lose a significant amount of weight (somewhere in the vicinity of 30 pounds).  It was by no means a spur of the moment decision.  I had tried and failed several times to lose weight, coming to the conclusion that my body was not meant to be smaller and that I was destined to be the fat sister, the chubby (and funny) friend and the slightly frumpy coworker.  Then came the health problems.  To say I was always a sickly kid is to put things mildly; to name a few of my afflictions: allergies, asthma, ITP, endometriosis, Hashimotos disease.  One day I woke up and thought "if I don't straighten up, I'm going to have a stroke and diabetes to boot" . . . that's the great thing about family history . . . it tells you what you have to look forward to.  So, I joined the Weight Watchers and lost a little over 25 pounds in a little over six months.  And, as I lost, I gained a self confidence and sense of control I had never before felt.  A good friend started calling me "The Incredible Shrinking Tessa".

It's been almost exactly 5 years since I took a look at myself and made that momentous decision to change.  And, as of this morning, I weigh almost exactly what I did when I made that decision.  I am certainly more stable and successful in other areas of my life . . . I suppose that is what made focusing on my health so hard to do.  But it is time for me to be honest with myself and start taking control again.  And if I can get the hubby to join me we will both be the better for it.  Over the next few months, I will chronicle my struggles with the scale.  I will share my tricks for better balance (i.e. how to expend more energy than I consume).  As an avid reader, I will review books I read, letting you know what (if anything) is helpful.  I will provide you with links to articles and tools.  If I find a good recipe, I will post that here.  Most importantly, I will share the ups and downs of my experience.

Your Chubby Friend,
Tessa