I hate Dieting

So, over the past month or so, I've been on a little quest.  Totally unhappy with my "perimenopausal" body, I am determined to get healthy, find some energy, and stop feeling like I am also pre-Alzheimer's.  I'm tired of being moody, cranky, fat, tired, and unenergetic.  I am far too young for this.

I had my thyroid numbers checked because seriously - something is not right with my body.  I am truly miserable.  I keep GAINING weight despite increasing my workouts.  True, I have not been focused food wise and I know I must combine both - but gaining?  Yeah - uh - no.

While awaiting the thyroid results, I am researching.  If I was as good at losing weight as I am at researching - I would be so thin, you'd be able to see through me.  But, unfortunately, I'm not.

So.  I've been watching documentaries, reading websites, checking out new diets.  I've looked at the 6-week body makeover, The Dukan Diet (lasted 1/2 a day), Eat-Clean (done before and loved but it costs a lot) and now I'm checking out the new Weight Watchers Program.  I'm currently checking out Weight Watchers online for free - 7 day trial thingy.  If I have good results, I might apply this one to my life.  I like it because I don't feel as restricted as I do with everything else.

Anywho - this is the conclusion I have drawn.  I hate dieting.  I also hate being overweight.  I hate feeling like crap.  I hate that there are SOOOOO many opinions (and most of the time - they are opinions and not facts - and the facts are all skewed to match the opinions) out there!  One book will tell you to eat carbs, the next, no carbs.  Don't eat processed, but please buy our bars.  Eat lots of proteins, ignore fruits and veggies.  It all sounds like screaming in my head after a while.

Here's the thing.  We were not all made alike.  Maybe the key is finding what works for YOU.  Make The Dukan diet works for someone.  Maybe the 6-week works for someone else.  Maybe we just all need to do SOMETHING instead of NOTHING.  I've been doing a lot of nothing, a lot of spinning in the dark, a lot of research and not a lot of - well - losing.

I'm lacking motivation.  Seriously.  But I have to do something - 'cause it ain't gonna get any better or change if I do nothing.  I think we should all share what works for us.  And remember different things work for different people - 'cause I get tired of reading all the reviews and people going off the deep end on each other just because what works for them doesn't work for someone else.  There is truly no reason to be so angry people.

Off topic.  I hate dieting.  What about you?

We did it!

Isn't there a song by Dora the Explorer that says that?  We did it?  I don't know, she's going through my head but my kids were past that stage when Dora came out.

ANYWAY!  GUESS WHAT PEOPLE????  Today - yes - this very day - is Day 60 of being pop FREE!!  I can NOT believe I did it!  Literally can not believe it.  No Mountain Dew since February 28.  Kind of makes me wonder what else I am capable of that I didn't think I was.  Like being sugar free for 60 days.

Naw.  Anyway - the first 25 days - stunk.  Yes, 25 days.  The worst cravings were days 20-25 and then poof - wa-la - suddenly - gone - just like that.  I haven't craved one since then - not even today knowing I can have one tomorrow.

Everyone is encouraging me to stay off it.  I'm tempted to make a Dr.'s appointment for Monday just to get blood work done to see if it really has made any difference.  Lord knows it didn't make a bit of difference weight wise which just makes me angry.  Turning 40 stinks on the weight side of things - but that, my friends, is another story for another blog post.

On another note, just a little teaser, we have made a big decision as a family.  Nope, I'm not prego, nope, I'm not planning on becoming prego.  Nope, we're not moving anywhere and nope, we're not headed to Africa (how how I wish) - but it's a big decision for our family.  I'm afraid I can't share for a bit - but I promise my blogging friends - as soon as I possibly can - I'll be putting up a post about it.  Oh how I have waited to write that post.  You have no idea how excited I am about this little announcement.

Anywho - that's that!  60 days pop free!  Marty is cleaning out the shed tonight which will check off yet another 40 in 40 goal.  I highly doubt I'm going to lose the 40 pounds by September - but hey - you never know.

All righty my faithful blogger friends - thanks for those of you who continue to come back despite my little writing dry spells.  Love you guys!

FitBlogger Challenge - Health and Fitness

My friend Jacque posted a blog challenge on her blog tonight and I think I'll join.  I'm already in the midst of getting healthier - counting calories and no longer drinking pop - so this is right up my alley.

You can see in my sidebar, my main health and fitness goal is to lose 40 pounds by the time I turn 41.  In the past week, I have lost about 7 - maybe 8.  I'm well on my way.  I started the week strong, but by the end, had stopped counting calories.

The past is past - so lets move on to the future.  For this week, I need to focus on combining the counting calories and exercise.  Week 1, I focused on exercise and didn't lose any weight.  Week 2, I focused on counting calories and lost weight.  So, for week 3, lets bring it all together and see what happens.  My goal for the week is to exercise at least 3 days for 30 minutes each day.  I know, it's not much - but we all have to start somewhere.  Why not start with something that seems attainable?  I also want to continue tracking my calories and keeping that food journal.  I need to be a bit more disciplined in this area this week.

If you'd like to join the challenge - click HERE.  You can also click on the button matching the picture in this post at the bottom of the blog.  It seems there is a sweet prize to be won.  You know I love a good challenge and who doesn't love prizes?

Thanks again Jacque for sharing a unique challenge!!