Mamavation Monday - Week Four

I'm an official Mamavation Sista again and I can't wait to do my part in the Sistahood in motivating the other great ladies while getting my own motivation.  The first time I participated, I was really geared up to get into the healthy lifestyle but had so many things going on in my life that I had to drop out.  Now that I'm in a point to restart, this was a no brainer that and I think BookieBoo is a great leader and an inspiration.  So now I begin my second week with the Mamavation Carnival and this past week was a bit of struggle but I lost a pound.

Since I started my weight loss journey January 1st, I've lost 12 pounds and I'm finally going to do it healthier.  I tried the Atkins, Dukan and then Weight Watchers which I enjoyed since I could eat and figure out the point system with real food not to mention free fruit and vegetables.  I then became desperate in wanting to lose so I went back to Dukan and it works but it's hard on the body and not at all safe.  I'm back to watching calories and I will continue exercising as I have been.  I try to minimally ride my bike for 30 minutes but usually go for around 50 minutes and then I complete a series of leg raises and ab work.  I have been doing this for about four to five weeks now.

I did slip a little today and took my girls out after we took some Easter pictures.  I opted for the chicken snack wrap and I had a one scoop vanilla cone.  A few month's ago, I would have opted for the fat-on-my-butt hamburger, fries and Coke along with a 2000 calories specialty ice cream shake.  This is how I know I'm changing.  It's even rubbing off on my eight year old who has been choosing apple slices and milk for her Happy Meals over french fries and soda.  I'm very proud of her!

I participated in last week's Mamavation TV and really listened to Pete discuss halting the cycle of rewarding with food.  It made so much sense as I not only reward but I treat sadness, frustration or anger by eating.  I'm a carb hound and am completely addicted.  I have confused eating with pleasure or a mechanism for comfort versus survival.  I'm getting it finally.  It's taking awhile but I am getting that it's okay to have some pleasurable food but not constantly.  I know that I need to eat for sustainability and health.  This has been an eye opener for me since it's taken my entire adult life to get it but I did.  I now have the foundation to take the next step.  My next thought ties in with this week's carnival question:

Who in your world deserves a “shout out” this week for pushing you to better yourself?  What did they do?

This is an easy one because it's my oldest daughter who understands how important it is for me to get healthier.  She has been trying to hang in there with me to motivate and inspire me as she tackles her last bit of pregnancy weight post birth.  She gives me encouragement and tries to keep me honest with how I'm eating.  She's a trooper with all the different hair brain ideas I have to join the diet of the moment as well as endure my crabby rages when I'm hungry and deprived.  She is my rock and has been for some time. 

 

Don't forget to watch the men behind the moms on Mamavation TV on Monday at 10:00 pm (EST) on Mingle Media TV.  Also, check out My Trainer Fitness' (MTF) 100-Calorie Workouts here.  Six cards with 100-calorie workouts that can be done in 20 minutes sounds wonderful!  When my time is limited, I don't want to have to ride my bike for 50 minutes to an hour.  This is a great way to get in a good workout in limited time.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Mamavation Blogging Carnival for a chance to win My Trainer Fitness 100 Calorie+ Workout featuring MizFitOnline from Mamavation