Julie’s Never Say Diet Journey

I did it! 198.8 lbs!!!!! I have worked so hard for this..now…on to my next goal! My next goal is to weigh what my driver’s license says I weigh…170! That is how much I weighed when I was 16…ll years ago!  Going to keep tracking my food, working out on my Wii Fit, and praying! I am starting a weightloss group at my church in 2 weeks.  I am giving all the glory to God because without Him..I could do nothing. Amazing what happens when you allow him in your weightloss plan!!! Thanks all for ur support!!!!

Who needs a gym when you have a Wii Fit balance board and the Biggest Loser Challenge game for the Wii! Bob kicked my butt today in my 1 hr work out. I am tired, sore, and feel like I worked hard. I was sweating and the heartbeat was racing! I burned 500 calories! I feel amazing…I highly recommend it! It was like having my own trainer and gym in my living room. Perfect for a mom who can’t get out to the gym,but can squeeze in a workout between my 10 week old baby’s naps!

Wow..that’s all I can say. I don’t know why I am surprised..but I am! I usually weigh in on Mondays. If you have read my blogs before, you know I am following the 80/20 rule. I eat healthy 80% of the time, and then I have 20% to use how I choose. I also pray a lot!!!! Well, I went out to dinner with my husband at an Italian restaurant for Valentine’s Day. I decided to use my 20% there, and had bread, salad, manicotti, and sliced mushrooms.  I have been tracking my calories on www.sparkpeople.com.. and have stayed in my goals all week. This was my first time eating ” unhealthy” in a week. 

 After all that, I started getting worried this morning. I was thinking about how I had eaten there, and then about how I hadn’t been exercising like I was because of my 2 month old. I haven’t had many opportunities. Anyways….I got on the scale and I LOST 2 more pounds since Monday!!!! Now..2 pounds is great, but normally it wouldn’t excite me this much. I am 4 lbs away from the 100’s!!!! It just hit me hard, and I started bawling like a baby, and thanking God for my victory! The best part is that I realized I can eat like this for the rest of my life and not miss out on anything!  I am so excited and just had to share!!! 

Ok..so I seriously have had a major brain change. I posted about my new strategy a few days ago..not many people read or commented on it..so I would recommend that you read it! It has changed my life. I can eat like this forever!

My first big temptation: My in-laws brought Chinese food over for dinner. I knew I could have it,but I chose to eat a turkey sandwich and a pile of different veggies, cheese stick, and an apple instead! Ok..so I beat it once. The leftovers sat in my fridge. Now the old me would have had more Chinese later that night, and then again for breakfast the next day and lunch. But…I didn’t want it.  I seriously just didn’t want it. I could have if I wanted it, but I want to reach my goals and feel good more! How wierd!!! I had 2 eggs with cheese and a piece of toast for breakfast..I forced myself to eat eggs a few days in a row..now I actually look forward to my eggs. For lunch, turkey sandwich, mushrooms, corn, cucumbers, and cheese. I am so excited about eating veggies and fruit now! I can’t explain it..but I give the glory to God. I feel free for the first time in my whole life!!! I am not just bypassing the food I used to eat because I feel I have to..I want to!!!!

I feel amazing..and I have gotten on my treadmill every day this week! Can’t wait to see the scale on Tuesday!   Love,Jules

Hey Everyone!

Well, after having my baby and gall bladder surgery I pretty much plateaued with what  I was doing. I wasn’t really doing much, just watching portions. Now I am taking a new approach. I had read Chantel Hobb’s Never Say Diet a few yrs ago, and loved it. I got so motivated to exercise and eat right. She just put out a new book called Love Food and Live Well. It was so good, incorporated putting God in your plan first.

Anyways..I have truely learned to Love Food, but good foods. I am at a point, where I will choose vegetables over french fries any day. I have no clue how that happened…but it feels soo amazing. I literally transformed my brain while reading the book!  Now..her biggest advice, which is really helping is to follow the 80/20 rule. I eat good 80% of the time, eating the food groups, and not splurging. But if I want something that isn’t really good for me, I can have it 20% of the time. So…I don’t feel deprived…if I want it..I eat it. This works because I am eating so well the rest of the time.  So if my friend wants to go out to eat, and I want a burger and fries..I can have it….just not every night! I feel soo in control.

I am eating 3 meals, and 2 snacks, sometimes 3 a day! I actually use www.sparkpeople.com, my friend told me about it. I type in my weightloss goals, enter my food for the day, and they calculate all the calories, etc. I play around with it until I find the menu I want. I can see that  I am in my calorie range, and hitting carbs, fat, and protein as well. It is soo fun! They even have a fitness plan specifically for u. You can enter that u have no equipment and they make it so you can do it without. I never thought I’d like it, but I am hooked! I try to write my whole day ahead of time if possible.

Just thought I’d share my new strategy..this is my 3rd day doing this!  Love, Jules

Well, I had my baby( 12/12/10)..and then had my gallbladder out a week ago! I am praying those are the only surgeries I will be having for awhile. I walked all week and today I jogged for a half mile and walked a mile. I am feeling soo good. I also had to buy new jeans..my old ones were falling off of me even after they came out of the dryer:) So…the new jeans I bought look awesome…they just fit. If I gain 5 lbs..they will be too small.. So as I was jogging..I pictured 100$ worth of jeans that I need to stay in! I bought them that way on purpose..I don’t want any excuse to gain anything! Right after my surgery I had gotten up to 212 because of all the things that come with surgery..a week later I am back to 208…I am back to being able to eat normal foods.. and haven’t gained anything!!! I am so proud! I also am super motivated because I am only 8 lbs away from 100’s!!! It has been probably 7 yrs since I’ve seen those numbers..and prolly 5 yrs since I have seen 208!  Just my update..hope t

Just wanted to thank u all for the prayers..they were felt. My surgery went well…and I’m feeling good!

Well,tomorrow is my gall bladder surgery. I am looking forward to being able to eat a little bit better! As soon as I am feeling good, I am hopping back on the treadmill. I always feel so good when I do it. Also, at my church they have walking time in the gym every day for 30 mins! I am going to take the baby, stroller, and walk away with some friends!

I bought this fat free muffin mix from Aldi, orange cranberry. I ate 6 of them today..haha but I haven’t had anything sweet in 3 weeks..so since it was fat free my gall bladder could handle it.  Went a little nuts I know..but I was dying for sweets. I feel a tiny bit guilty..but not too bad!

I wish I could be more active on here..but my 1 month old has me wrapped around her finger..and an incredible sense for when I am on the computer..that means time to wake up and want to be held! So…with that said…Happy 1 month Tessa!

Love u all! Jules

Just throwing up a prayer request: I am going to see the surgeon today to see what is going on with my gall bladder. I had an ultrasound last week, and today I’ll get the results. I am kinda nervous..u never know what’s really going on. Anyways..on a plus..I have really learned how to eat extra healthy because of all this.

I weighed 240 just 1 month ago…well..I was pregnant…had the baby Dec. 12…..and I am down to 208 today. Can’t remember the last time I weighed that. This might just be the headstart I needed. I mean….I haven’t been able to really exercise..and after surgery I am planning on that. Only 8 lbs away from my mini-goal..breaking that 200 mark. I really can do this…might not have been the most predictable way..but I am set up for success for sure!

 Love, Jules

Well.. I am sitting here…really wanting to snack..but not because I am hungry! It just seems like something fun to do. I decided to drink a glass of water and type this instead! VICTORY!!!!