Two pounds!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m on a summer mission to lose weight and improve my health while my kids are visiting their Dad.  This is no easy feat considering that I’m in my late 30s and still have a bit of ‘baby belly’ compliments of my now nine-year-old.  However, I am pleased to say that as of this morning I am two pounds lighter than when I started.  Go ME!

It is so true that the older you get, the harder it is to shed pounds.  I wish I’d taken better care of my body when I was younger but hey, can’t turn back the clock now, right?  All I can do is focus on the future, and for me, it will be a healthy one.  Here are the simple things I’m doing to get the body I want:

• I’ve eliminated meat, other than fish, from my diet.  Some days I eat no fish at all, focusing on vegetarian meals such as whole wheat pasta with vegetarian sauce loaded with peppers and mushrooms.  On the days I do eat fish, I’m pairing it with 2-3 veggies including only occasional potatoes or sweet potatoes for a treat.
• I’m eating far more fruits and veggies than I used to.  I actually love all fruits and veggies, with the exception of tomatoes, but never reached for them because they needed to be washed/peeled/cut etc. etc.  It was so much easier just to grab crackers or something for a snack.  Now I’m buying pre-cut/washed veggies which makes it easier to throw together a salad for lunch.  I also am buying small batches of fruit with a goal of eating it all up before it spoils.
• I still let myself have treats now and again so I don’t obsess.  Had a beautiful lemon/cranberry tart after dinner at a friends this weekend.  There was no way I was going to pass on that!
• I’m exercising A LOT more than normal.  This includes 30-45 minutes of cardio in the morning and an hour long Pilates class after work.  On weekends, I’m walking a few miles or doing a light workout with weights.  For me, this is twelve workouts a week which is awesome!

I miss having my kids around this summer but it has been a great opportunity for me to put my health first for a while.  I am well aware that when they come back there isn’t a hope in hell of keeping up with this diet and exercise schedule, but I will try.  At 37, without action, my body and health will only deteriorate from here.  My blood pressure is in pre-hypertension stage.  I have bad knees.  My posture sucks.  I suffer from anxiety attacks and stress. How can all of this be going on inside me when I still feel like a hip-twenty-something-year-old?  I’ve gotta get some control here!

As for any mothers reading this, I hope you feel inspired to take charge of your health and would love to hear what steps you’ve taken to balance your health with the needs of your families.