Dieting

So it has been a little while since I've posted here.  And I've felt some stagnation in my goals.  So I know it's time to step up.  I need to keep writing out my goals, my vision for the future.  And I need to worry less about HOW I am going to get there. 

Currently I am starting a diet.  I have wanted to lose weight for a while now, but haven't been sure about how/when to start the process.  I've been having a lot of back pain, so exercise is difficult, and some days not possible.  At the same time, I have 4 kids and a spouse all living on my income.  So we can't do expensive diet programs like Weight Watchers or Nutrasystem.  We also can't always afford the fresh vegetables and fruits and meats that are better for you.  Instead we have in the past relied too heavily on processed foods full of carbs and empty calories. 

And now I am starting a high-protein, low-carb diet.  A good friend of mine and my husband's recently lost over 40 pounds using this method.  So that inspired us to try it.  We did our weekly grocery shopping and bought a lot more meat, and a lot less carbs.  We didn't eliminate them completely, since we do have kids who need to stick with a balanced diet. 

We started this yesterday and it was different.  Eating just the meat and cheese for a sandwich, without bread, mayo, and tomatoes was odd.  And it's becoming clear that it requires more changes to your eating habits to accommodate the different types of food we are eating.  And Donny still can't believe that you can eat bacon, and eggs, and sausage, and hamburgers. 

But we both have a goal in mind.  I still have some pants with a 34 inch waist that I am determined to get back into.  I also have an image in my head, and on my vision board of what I should look like.  I don't want a chiseled chest and abs.  But I do want definition.  I want to see some muscle tone.  I want a flat stomach, a 34 in waist, and pecs (not manboobs).  You can check out an image of how I want to look here. 

For me, this is about more than just looking right.  I want a total health experience.  I need to lower my cholesterol and my doctor thinks that I can do it without medication.  I want more energy.  I do want to look good in a bathing suit (or at least without a shirt).  I also want to feel good.  I want to get rid of my back pain.  I want to be able to run or bike with my kids. 

Ideal Dayt

I got to lay in bed for a few minutes picturing my ideal day.

It begins (and ends) in bed, in my king size adjustable tempurpedic bed. I wake feeling rested from a sound sleep to the sounds of a Zen alarm clock. I walk from the master suite to the custom kitchen of our custom built rustic cedar log cabin. I make some coffee and head back to the bathroom where I shower in the hand-tiled mosaic shower. Then I get dressed for work (jeans, T-shirt, boots), grab my iPad, iPhone, and bag and head out to the garage to get into my F250 with off-road suspension, and tool boxes full of medical supplies. I turn on the satellite radio, punch in the first address to the GPS and start off on a day of treating farm animals.

Lunch is with Donny at a cute little cafe near his hospice. Then back to the animals.

In the evening, I come home to have dinner with my family, steaks on the grill. After dinner, and the boys are done their homework, I sit down at the computer and review the invoices for the day, using the electronic scanner to deposit checks and securing the cash until I can get to the bank.

After some TV (and Facebook of course), I get to climb back into that bed and drift off to sleep naturally.