Good bye Fatty McFatterson!

Okay, so maybe that isn't the nicest thing to say about myself, but hey, I'm ready to shed some pounds!

Tomorrow I'm starting my "new lifestyle"...again **ahem**

I have about 100lbs I'd like to lose. That number is definitely intimidating...but I figure if I celebrate every 10lbs gone, then I could lose that much before I know it.

Last spring (2007) I weighed as much as I do now (which I'm not ready to share), and I started walking 3-4 miles every morning with my mom-in-law (hi C!!). I shed about 20lbs. I was eating pretty good too. Part of my ambition came from SUPER high cholesterol. I believe it was around 313 in June '07 and after my weight loss it dropped to 237ish in October '07. I think it is supposed to be around 150.

Anyway, the holidays came last year and I started packing on the pounds again. Now I am right back at what I was before I started. Ugh.

Although, I know I can lose pretty easy when I get going, it is really hard sticking with it. I learned a trick from a coworker/friend of mine. She lost a lot of weight in college and one of her secrets was chewing gum whenever she felt like munching. I have to admit that helped me a lot. I figured my mouth just wanted something to munch on. Instead of eating more calories I chewed gum.

I go to Costco and buy it by the box so I always have plenty of gum on hand. I keep one in my desk at work and one in my purse.

I really have no excuse to exercise. I have three dogs who love walks, and I pretty much have a gym in my garage. My husband has been faithfully using it for the last two months since we set it up. We have a weight bench, gazelle, treadmill, jump rope, free weights, punching bag...I mean what else could I ask for. Maybe better metabolism - lol

Anywho, my plan for breakfast will stay the same (yogurt and a piece of fruit). Lunch will take some effort since I usually buy fast food. Dinner will need a little work. When I cook for myself it is usually decent food, but most of the time I don't feel like putting out the effort to cook a meal just for myself (hubby works nights), so I end up eating a bowl of cereal or graze on a bunch of crap trying to figure out what to make for dinner and then eventually give up because I am full from snacking.

Another goal is to have smaller portion sizes. Our dinner plates are REALLY big. I think if I start eating off our salad plates, that will help a lot.

I figure if I lose two pounds a week, by the first of the year I could be down 16lbs. Sounds good to me! Since I'm starting on Monday, I'm going to weigh in every Monday.

Anywho, thanks for listening to me ramble. I really wrote this so I have a little accountability. Wish me luck...or actually wish me willpower! :0)