Dilemma’s in Dieting - week 1

Well it is official, I finally, after years of discussion, have started a diet and can I tell you, it is the hardest thing I have ever done.

After our third child, Emma, was born, I had a tougher time losing the weight than I did with my other two children, Brendan & Kylie. Was it because I didn’t try or was it because I was older? The latter of the two sounds about right to me.

I always knew I needed to lose weight, but have such a love for food, I found it rather difficult to give anything up. I do enjoy food and am particularly fond of dark chocolate! I also enjoy a glass of wine or even a nice ice cold beer. Calories in those alone would reach my calorie intake for the day, than what do I do? I couldn’t not eat! I also love bread - hello, I am Italian! That won’t be too much of a challenge as I still will eat bread, though will buy more 100% wheat bread products, wraps, thin bagels, etc.

I am not participating in any diet programs and want to be able to try this on my own. Two of my friends and I have decided to do “The Biggest Loser” type diet. We have our spreadsheet and every Monday night we will get together to “weigh in”. We started “The Biggest Loser diet” this past Monday and have our weight listed on our individual spreadsheets. This spreadsheet will calculate our weight loss each week and also our total body weight fat loss. This is how will determine the winner. Though, if we all lose weight, the weight we want to, I feel we all will be winners, don’t you?

I purchased a treadmill last summer, which my husband said was a bad idea as I would never use it and guess what - he was right, until now! It was collecting dust in my basement since my purchase. I felt at times, I walk by and it snickers at me, though now I am finally able to snicker back. In the past 5 days I have actually gotten my money worth on that treadmill of mine, and for the first time in a long time, I actually ran on it! WOW - an achievement.

This diet will take place over 8 weeks and I will write each week to let you know how I am doing. My goal is to lose 20 lbs, and am confident I will do it (at least that is what I am telling myself - always good to think positive)!

Things I am doing to change:
• Eating smaller portions of food
• Eating breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack and dinner
• Walking on my treadmill every single morning
• Cutting back on condiments (this is huge for me as I LOVE condiments).

That’s it for this week. If you are interested in also participating in “The Biggest Loser” diet with us, let me know and I will email you the spreadsheet.

Tracy :)