Let's Try This Again

So, somehow I've managed to gain some of my lost weight back. Boo to weight gain!

So, for the last few months (maybe even a year) I've been wanting to try being vegetarian. It's not because I don't like the taste of meat, or even because I'm against people eating meat. I've read a lot of different articles and everything seems to point towards veganism and vegetarianism being a much healthier lifestyle. People who don't eat meat (and animal products) have much better hearts and are much less likely to end up with cancer. If there were a pill someone could take that would guarantee those things then I'm sure people would take it, but it's a little harder to change your diet.

Anyways, I've been wanting to do this for a while, and I've even purchased a couple of great cookbooks. So here's my goal... starting today (Oct. 4) until Nov. 4 I am going to do a no meat or animal products diet and see how I like it. In the past when I've thought about making the transition I end up not doing it because it's a permanent thing, but since I'm just doing a trial period I think it will be easier. And in the end.... if I don't want to do it anymore there's no shame.

The hardest thing for me will be making sure that I include enough protein in my diet, so I definitely have to make a special effort to include plenty of beans and nuts. I'm not necessarily doing this for weight loss, but I wouldn't be disappointed if it helped me along the way. Also, started the gym back up yesterday... so that will help to. My goal for the gym is 3 times/ week. It's not much, but I don't want to set myself up for failure... so it's definitely a start.

For breakfast this morning I made a Banana Cocoa Smoothie for breakfast. It is pretty good, but has too much cocoa for me.... so I think I'll cut that back a bit next time.

Banana Cocoa Smoothie

1/2 c. Silken Tofu (found this in the refrigerated section of the produce area)

1/2 c. Light Soymilk

1 Banana (sliced and then frozen and hour before blending)

2 Tbs. Cocoa Powder - unsweetened (I think I will try 1 Tbs next time)

1 Tbs. Honey

Mix it all together in your blender and breakfast is served. :) 285 Calories.

January Measurements

I have not been too good at keeping this updated... but I really do like keeping track of inches and pounds on here, if nothing else. My current weight is 227. I'm now 5 pounds from weighing what I did when I got pregnant with my daughter in Sept. 2008. I am thrilled to be at this weight, but I am definitely not done yet!

Measurements:

Feb'10/Aug'10/Oct'10/Jan'11(total)

Waist: 50"/48"/46"/41"(-9")

Hips: 54"/53"/52.5"/49"(-5")

Right Thigh: 30"/29"/27"(-3")

Bust: 49"/48"/47.25"/45.25(-3 3/4")

Right Arm: 18"/16.5"/16.5"/15.25"(-2.75")

I've noticed that my thighs and arms are not changing as much as I'd like, and I know the way to change that is to make a better effort of getting to the gym. I really want to start doing some Yoga classes as well as regular gym work outs. I told myself when I started this (40lbs ago) that I would start doing yoga once I had lost 30 pounds... and now I keep telling myself "maybe after I lose 20 more". I need to stop doing that and just go do it. I used to love Yoga and it strengthened my body in places regular work outs didn't seem to.... example: arms, back, and overall flexibility. If I can turn some of my flubber into muscle then I think I will start feeling a lot better about myself. So, my goal this week is to go to the gym 4 times.... and one of those times I want to go to a yoga class!

So I have almost reached my first BIG goal: getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Some future points that I would like to reach are: (1) getting to my wedding day weight (approx. 30 pounds to go) and (2) getting to the weight I was at when I met my husband (approx. 60 pounds to go). It is going to take me a while to get there, but in the end I would rather it come off slow because the weight tends to stay off better that way.