Eating less isn't always a good thing, but for people like me who love good food and have been eating too much for too many years, it is a necessary part of getting healthy. There is a lot of information out there about correct portion size and of course the best way to make sure you are eating the right amount is to weigh and measure your food.
But let's be honest, in the midst of a busy mom life and cooking dinner for your family or corralling little ones at lunch do you want to have to measure and weigh everything? No.
So today I am sharing a few things that have worked for me to help control my portions and each more appropriate amounts of food.
1) Downsize your dishes
Unless you are eating a ton of veggies, the reality is that if you fill an average dinner plate you will most likely end up eating too much. Switch to the salad plate for your protein and carbohydrates and fill another plate with your fruits and vegetables. When you pour your morning cereal use a small bowl instead of the large cereal bowl. Downsizing your dishes also has the visual effect of not making you feel so deprived. If I eat the same amount of food on a large plate and it takes up only half the plate it feels like I should eat more, even when I really shouldn't.
2) Drink a glass of water before you eat
First, we often confuse thirst for hunger so if you like you are starving you might actually also be dehydrated. Also, drinking water helps you feel more full and eat less.
3) Borrow your toddler's plate
I don't know about you but if I have a choice between a yummy piece of chicken and lettuce I'm not always going to choose the lettuce. I love fruits and veggies but I love good food in all forms! A former co-worker told me once that she had lost a lot of weight and one of her tricks was using a divided plate. She used a old tv dinner tray. As a mom of toddlers most of my kids dishes are already divided into 3-5 compartments. I found one of their plates with three compartments works great. I use the largest section for veggies and then the carbs and protein go into the smaller sections. This was really helpful for me in the beginning of my weight loss to easily control quantity without having to feel like I needed to measure everything.
4) Buy things you don't like
One of the challenges for many moms trying to lose weight is that we can't just eliminate everything we shouldn't eat from our house. Some foods that tempt us are find for our husband or toddler. Should we inspire and encourage our families to eat healthy - yes. But that doesn't mean my little ones can never have a treat. My solution - buy things I just don't like. If I am buying ice cream, I buy a flavor or brand my family likes but I don't. On a recent road trip I was buying snacks and passed the Twizzlers. Twizzlers are my ultimate road trip food and although they aren't as bad as some treats, I knew I wouldn't stop at the suggested serving size, so instead I bought Red Vines. I can't stand Red Vines but my family all loves them. Easy way for them to not feel deprived and me to not be tempted.
5) Choose already portioned foods, especially for treats
This is hard for me because I try to limit the amount of processed and artificial foods we eat and most portioned foods are processed. I am in no means 100% clean or real food only but it is something I strive for in choosing what we eat. But will power and I are not always friends... Maybe you have great willpower and when the serving size on the brownies says one, you only eat one. For me... well there is a reason I weighed almost 250 lbs, one brownie was never enough. I knew when I started changing my habits that I couldn't cut out treats for life. I have always been a chocolate lover, never having chocolate again just isn't realistic. Instead I knew I would need to learn how to eat a small portion, instead of the king size candy bar. I've learned that buying ice cream bars is better for me than a container of ice cream because the size is already controlled. Its easier to buy individual serving sizes of chips because then the bag is done. Its easier to buy a Twix or Reeses because I can quickly and easily share half and therefore only consume half the calories! It doesn't work for everything but I find it helpful for things that I consider treats and need to learn to eat the serving size and not what my taste buds demand!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Start
It seems simple enough right?
Put one foot in front of the other...
The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step...
Just do it...
Why is it so hard? Every decision to make a change requires a start.
June 12, 2012
The day I decided it was just as hard to be fat, as it was to be healthy.
And so...
I started. Was it perfect? Have I had setbacks, of course. Eight months later I am 50 pounds lighter, happier, and excited for where this journey will take me next.
I started. Was it perfect? Have I had setbacks, of course. Eight months later I am 50 pounds lighter, happier, and excited for where this journey will take me next.
There are lots of ways to get healthy and lose weight, but none of them work unless you START.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
One more Valentine Idea - Teacher Appreciation Treat Printable
I finally decided to do just a little bag of candy - Dove Hearts and Hershey Gold Nuggets and created a little topper that said, "For a teachers with a special heart, you are a treasure". Cheesy I know, but hopefully it made them smile and even if it didn't the chocolate was good! I'm sharing the image I created below. I used it as a treat bag topper and printed my kids names on the back fold over portion. This is just the graphic that could be used as a card or treat topper or any other number of ways.
To all the amazing teachers out there - Thank you for all you do! I am sincere when I say I don't think I could do it.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Valentine, you deserve a High 5! Sticky hand non-candy Valentine
I love the photo Valentine's we did last year but wanted to do something really simple this year so just created a quick black and white card. It took me less than ten minutes to do the little card and you know what - my kids still loved them.
The boys wrote their names on the back, I left the sticky hands in their individual wrapping and stapled them onto the card. I wish you could see the hand a little better but this way they don't loose their stickiness (is that a word?).
The boys wrote their names on the back, I left the sticky hands in their individual wrapping and stapled them onto the card. I wish you could see the hand a little better but this way they don't loose their stickiness (is that a word?).
*The sticky hands I linked to are a little different then the ones I bought last month, but I couldn't find the exact ones I purchased.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week with Kids
This year our women's group at church has been encouraging us to plan for and celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week. I love Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) because it helps me remember to be better. I'd love to say that I naturally think of others all the time but honestly I let life get in the way too much. I've found that planning to do Random Acts of Kindness, especially around holidays, is a great way to help not only myself, but also my kids focus on being better. Even the best of us can be kinder, more caring and considerate in our daily lives. The best part about kindness, it's contagious! As we are kind to others it helps others pass that along in their lives.
Random Acts of Kindness Weeks is celebrated the week Valentine's Day. In 2013 that means it starts tomorrow, February 11th. Today at church we were given cute little cards and heart stickers to track doing a RAK each day this week.
In the past we have incorporated RAK activities into our Christmas Activity Advent. This past Christmas, we put on our best elf garb and put candy canes on people's cars and taped microwave popcorn to the redbox machines. It was my teenage stepdaughter's idea to dress up and the little kid had so much fun with it (or course the photo below at the redbox my son doesn't look so happy!).
There are so many great ideas about how to do RAK activities out there. A quick search on pinterest led to tons of great ideas. The official website also has great ideas and even printables. If you are an educator they have school based ideas you can implement. I know my boys elementary school participates in the Be Kind program.
A few of the things we will be doing to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week -
Makes cards & a treat for the kids teachers - We are going to include the "specials" teachers like the Art, Music & PE teachers & aides in addition to the classroom teachers. My sister is a Elementary Art Teacher so I try to remember to thank the specials teachers. I know my kids love these other classes and the efforts of those teachers make a difference for my kids. In addition to a card from the kids, I will also write a note. Teachers often say that their favorite gifts are handwritten thank you notes.
Individual Kindness - I will be working with each of the kids to pick something they can do for another member of the family. It will be their choice so I will have to report back on what they choose!
Microwave Popcorn on redbox - This is a repeat from Christmas but it is fast, easy and we are a redbox loving family so my kids think this is extra fun.
Trash Clean Up - Unfortunately we live in a neighborhood with lots of trash around. We are going to go out and pick up trash and help make our neighborhood a little cleaner.
Bubbles on the Playground - A great pinterest find, we will be buying some bubbles at the dollar store, attaching a quick tag and leaving at the playground for kids to enjoy. Don't all kids love bubbles? Plus it's easy to do while also spending some time at the park.
Bring flowers to a friend - Surprise a friend or two with flowers.
Recognize Good Work - One other idea I love, although not necessarily child related, is to find a way to recognize people through their employers. This could be your child's teacher, a co-worker or even a favorite employee at the grocery store or gas station. As a former HR Manager, I know how much employees and volunteers love it when they are recognized for their efforts. My kids school district has a Recognize a Valued Employee Award program and anyone including parents can submit an online recognition for a staff members efforts. I did this for my son's wonderful preK teachers last year and they were so touched by it. Many companies have ways to submit recognition online, you can also post a compliment on Facebook or twitter. I know one I am doing this week is submitting a compliment for an amazing manager at Target who helped me one day when my toddler was throwing the mother of all fits in his store. I've needed to do it for weeks and will be submitting this week!
A few of my favorite ideas I found from other blogs include -
Make them Wonder has a great free printable and lots creative RAK ideas. I found the bubble idea on pinterest and started exploring her site. I love how she incorporates Random Acts of Kindness year round with her kids!
The Good Long Road shared ten ideas that are both free and kids friendly!
Loved this idea to make homemade coloring books and leave with crayons in hospital waiting rooms.
Toddler Approved's 100 Acts of Kindness series is a great resources with dozens of participating blogs that can help inspire you with ideas. I wish I had discovered this earlier to participate for the whole four week project. I hope to do it next year!
You have to check out the same sites 25 Acts of Kindness as a Mom. This list is fabulous and I hope to incorporate more of these things daily.
Finally, some tips for celebrating Random Acts of Kindness with kids -
Plan - As someone with ADHD, sometimes planning is my nemesis and it does sound a little odd to plan a Random Act of Kindness but I find with busy family schedules that is the only way it will get done.
Be Flexible - Although planning is important you also have to be flexible. All mom's know there is a last minute appointment, a sick kids, an extra errand that needs to be done that can throw off your day. When I make schedules of things like this I try to allow myself the ability to easily switch things out if I need to based on how the day is progressing. I also avoid things that are time sensitive for the reasons I already listed!
Involve the Kids - Depending on the age of your kids you can include them in making cards or crafts, choosing what to do or who to do it for (you would be amazed at the ideas that even my 3 year old has come up with). Kids will get more out of participating if they are involved in multiple parts of the process. My kids are also more excited about doing giving away something they help create, even if its as simple as helping cut out a printable you found on the internet.
Make it Personal - Although I think its good to include opportunities to RAK strangers for kids, especially small ones, including service to people you know can often make it more meaningful. You could do a RAK week that was entirely limited to your family!
In the past we have incorporated RAK activities into our Christmas Activity Advent. This past Christmas, we put on our best elf garb and put candy canes on people's cars and taped microwave popcorn to the redbox machines. It was my teenage stepdaughter's idea to dress up and the little kid had so much fun with it (or course the photo below at the redbox my son doesn't look so happy!).
There are so many great ideas about how to do RAK activities out there. A quick search on pinterest led to tons of great ideas. The official website also has great ideas and even printables. If you are an educator they have school based ideas you can implement. I know my boys elementary school participates in the Be Kind program.
A few of the things we will be doing to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week -
Makes cards & a treat for the kids teachers - We are going to include the "specials" teachers like the Art, Music & PE teachers & aides in addition to the classroom teachers. My sister is a Elementary Art Teacher so I try to remember to thank the specials teachers. I know my kids love these other classes and the efforts of those teachers make a difference for my kids. In addition to a card from the kids, I will also write a note. Teachers often say that their favorite gifts are handwritten thank you notes.
Individual Kindness - I will be working with each of the kids to pick something they can do for another member of the family. It will be their choice so I will have to report back on what they choose!
Microwave Popcorn on redbox - This is a repeat from Christmas but it is fast, easy and we are a redbox loving family so my kids think this is extra fun.
Trash Clean Up - Unfortunately we live in a neighborhood with lots of trash around. We are going to go out and pick up trash and help make our neighborhood a little cleaner.
Bubbles on the Playground - A great pinterest find, we will be buying some bubbles at the dollar store, attaching a quick tag and leaving at the playground for kids to enjoy. Don't all kids love bubbles? Plus it's easy to do while also spending some time at the park.
Bring flowers to a friend - Surprise a friend or two with flowers.
Recognize Good Work - One other idea I love, although not necessarily child related, is to find a way to recognize people through their employers. This could be your child's teacher, a co-worker or even a favorite employee at the grocery store or gas station. As a former HR Manager, I know how much employees and volunteers love it when they are recognized for their efforts. My kids school district has a Recognize a Valued Employee Award program and anyone including parents can submit an online recognition for a staff members efforts. I did this for my son's wonderful preK teachers last year and they were so touched by it. Many companies have ways to submit recognition online, you can also post a compliment on Facebook or twitter. I know one I am doing this week is submitting a compliment for an amazing manager at Target who helped me one day when my toddler was throwing the mother of all fits in his store. I've needed to do it for weeks and will be submitting this week!
A few of my favorite ideas I found from other blogs include -
Make them Wonder has a great free printable and lots creative RAK ideas. I found the bubble idea on pinterest and started exploring her site. I love how she incorporates Random Acts of Kindness year round with her kids!
The Good Long Road shared ten ideas that are both free and kids friendly!
Loved this idea to make homemade coloring books and leave with crayons in hospital waiting rooms.
Toddler Approved's 100 Acts of Kindness series is a great resources with dozens of participating blogs that can help inspire you with ideas. I wish I had discovered this earlier to participate for the whole four week project. I hope to do it next year!
You have to check out the same sites 25 Acts of Kindness as a Mom. This list is fabulous and I hope to incorporate more of these things daily.
Finally, some tips for celebrating Random Acts of Kindness with kids -
Plan - As someone with ADHD, sometimes planning is my nemesis and it does sound a little odd to plan a Random Act of Kindness but I find with busy family schedules that is the only way it will get done.
Be Flexible - Although planning is important you also have to be flexible. All mom's know there is a last minute appointment, a sick kids, an extra errand that needs to be done that can throw off your day. When I make schedules of things like this I try to allow myself the ability to easily switch things out if I need to based on how the day is progressing. I also avoid things that are time sensitive for the reasons I already listed!
Involve the Kids - Depending on the age of your kids you can include them in making cards or crafts, choosing what to do or who to do it for (you would be amazed at the ideas that even my 3 year old has come up with). Kids will get more out of participating if they are involved in multiple parts of the process. My kids are also more excited about doing giving away something they help create, even if its as simple as helping cut out a printable you found on the internet.
Make it Personal - Although I think its good to include opportunities to RAK strangers for kids, especially small ones, including service to people you know can often make it more meaningful. You could do a RAK week that was entirely limited to your family!
---------
Do you do RAK activities with your kids? Have ideas or a post? I would love to hear or see.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Mini Moments or That's Why God Made Them Cute!
Ever had one of those days where it felt like the kids were crawling the walls or the fighting and whining would never end? One of those moments where if you heard, "Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy" again your head would literally pop off? Lately it's often my very destructive one year old that gets me wanting to tear my hair out. If you hear silence, a scream or a crash you can pretty much be sure she is destroying something or beating on her almost 4 year old brother... again.
It's in the those moments, when let's face it you are really tempted to either A) Walk out the front door or B) follow Bill Cosby's comic wisdom and take them out of this world! Of course reality sets in and you realize you would never do either one of those but for that brief, brief fraction of a second when your last nerve's last nerve has been squashed on one too many times those thoughts do flash through your mind. Or maybe that's just me???
It is in those moments that I always seem to say, "That's why God made them so cute!"
Personally, I think I have some darn cute kids...
Look at those two happy boys. You gotta admit those smiles are pretty darn heart melting! Bonus: my family room doesn't look like a tornado went through it either so I'm guessing company must have been coming over!
Baby girl rocking big brother's sunglasses and playing in her seat while I cleaned out my van one day. Again - how could something so cute ever terrorize her brothers right?
These are the mini moments of motherhood that I cherish. They make up for those gross moments of cleaning carpets & car seats, the sibling fights that seem to never end and the whining that you can hear in your self! These mini moments are what God gives us to remember how precious these little ones are and how lucky I am to be a mom. After a few kids and a realization that one day the fighting, whining and destruction will stop, and my house will be empty, I've started to cherish these a little bit more!
Yesterday I had one of those mini moments. My little man coming home from preK all excited to tell me about Goldilocks & The Three Bears. School was a big transition for my 3 year old but just recently everything seems to be clicking and he is loving learning. But honestly the best part - was his little voice saying the word porridge and explaining that they lived in a cottage, "which is like a whittle house".
I'm hoping to start documenting these moments more and sharing. What have been your mini moments this week? I'd love to hear!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Finding Health in Chaos - My Mission to become a Healthy Mom
Last year I weighed over 200 lbs, really I was on the verge of a quarter ton! Yep, I just said that out loud, or rather will be sending it out to the blogosphere which is actually even more scary... but it was my reality.
Its been my reality for just about as long as I can remember. I have had short periods of being less but never for very long. I was the fat kid from a very early age. Like so many people who struggle with weight I am cursed by both genetics and bad patterns I developed in childhood. Patterns of food serving as both comfort and protection against the challenges and struggles in my life. Being overweight - fat, has been part of me for most of my 33 years.
The last few years whenever I mentioned weight people would say, but you just had kids... Which is true. I've had 3 kids in the last five years. All by cesarean section and two were difficult pregnancies that required bed rest. My children have left their mark (literally) on my body but the reality is that I was overweight well before my beautiful babies arrived. Unlike many women I couldn't use them as an excuse.
Age and maturity has helped me to accept myself and be comfortable in my skin, but underneath that acceptance my longing to not be overweight never changed. Those dreams of my teenage years to be able to wear normal size clothes and not be dragged down by my weight never went away. I found ways to justify my weight - children, heredity, no time to exercise, no money for a gym, chronic pain. I also took comfort that unlike many overweight people I didn't suffer from any weight related diseases - diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure.
Yet, deep down the longing for something different never went away.
At times it seemed that my determination to learn to love myself made it easier to ignore my weight. If I lost weight it would only confirm that I wasn't as comfortable as I said, that I wasn't as sure of myself as I let everyone around me think... But then I had two defining moments that made me realize that I was not where I should be and those slowly led me to know that change was needed. I began to see that I could love myself AND change. I could be strong and confident and say - being fat is not who I am, it is NOT a part of me and I can shed that for something better.
I'll go into those moment in a different post but they brought me to the realization that becoming healthy was truly the only way to finally show that I did love and accept myself. Accepting the fat me as OK was what was fake, not letting it go for something healthier.
On June 12, 2012 I decided it was time for a change, not a diet (although I have nothing in particular against them) but a decision to find a way to become a healthy mom in the middle of my crazy chaotic life. Time to put away the excuses and become a healthy Mom my family deserves.
Almost eight months later I am within reach of losing 50 pounds. I still have more to go and I hope to share more of my journey to becoming a healthy Mom here. I want to share because I have found strength in other's choices to leave their fat behind for something better. I've been inspired, encouraged and uplifted as I have seen others who put themselves out there in the public forum and shared both triumphs and failures. As I've lost weight I have had so many ask how I did it {I'll give you a preview - I don't have any fancy tricks} and shared their struggles with me.
So here are my before and current pictures. I'm not done yet!
As of today I have lost 48 lbs and am excited to see where this journey ends up!
Its been my reality for just about as long as I can remember. I have had short periods of being less but never for very long. I was the fat kid from a very early age. Like so many people who struggle with weight I am cursed by both genetics and bad patterns I developed in childhood. Patterns of food serving as both comfort and protection against the challenges and struggles in my life. Being overweight - fat, has been part of me for most of my 33 years.
The last few years whenever I mentioned weight people would say, but you just had kids... Which is true. I've had 3 kids in the last five years. All by cesarean section and two were difficult pregnancies that required bed rest. My children have left their mark (literally) on my body but the reality is that I was overweight well before my beautiful babies arrived. Unlike many women I couldn't use them as an excuse.
Age and maturity has helped me to accept myself and be comfortable in my skin, but underneath that acceptance my longing to not be overweight never changed. Those dreams of my teenage years to be able to wear normal size clothes and not be dragged down by my weight never went away. I found ways to justify my weight - children, heredity, no time to exercise, no money for a gym, chronic pain. I also took comfort that unlike many overweight people I didn't suffer from any weight related diseases - diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure.
Yet, deep down the longing for something different never went away.
At times it seemed that my determination to learn to love myself made it easier to ignore my weight. If I lost weight it would only confirm that I wasn't as comfortable as I said, that I wasn't as sure of myself as I let everyone around me think... But then I had two defining moments that made me realize that I was not where I should be and those slowly led me to know that change was needed. I began to see that I could love myself AND change. I could be strong and confident and say - being fat is not who I am, it is NOT a part of me and I can shed that for something better.
I'll go into those moment in a different post but they brought me to the realization that becoming healthy was truly the only way to finally show that I did love and accept myself. Accepting the fat me as OK was what was fake, not letting it go for something healthier.
On June 12, 2012 I decided it was time for a change, not a diet (although I have nothing in particular against them) but a decision to find a way to become a healthy mom in the middle of my crazy chaotic life. Time to put away the excuses and become a healthy Mom my family deserves.
Almost eight months later I am within reach of losing 50 pounds. I still have more to go and I hope to share more of my journey to becoming a healthy Mom here. I want to share because I have found strength in other's choices to leave their fat behind for something better. I've been inspired, encouraged and uplifted as I have seen others who put themselves out there in the public forum and shared both triumphs and failures. As I've lost weight I have had so many ask how I did it {I'll give you a preview - I don't have any fancy tricks} and shared their struggles with me.
So here are my before and current pictures. I'm not done yet!
As of today I have lost 48 lbs and am excited to see where this journey ends up!
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