Healthy us...

Well... I'm on a hunt... a hunt for a healthier lifestyle for our family but without the fuss and mess that it seems to take! Yes, weight seems harder to lose at 30 but I'm more determined then ever. Weighing the same as I did 9 months pregnant with Natalie is making me feel UGH! The rolls I see in pictures... makes me feel UGH. SO... the lifestyle change has begun. I can't say that we've been completely UNhealthy. We eat fairly well but... the kids like to snack and mom likes to snack! I was recently rereading a book I have on PCOS... a condition my sister and I both have. It's a condition that besides cysts, makes you insulin resistant. One of the struggles with insulin resistance is the craving of carbs, the feeling of wanting more to eat after you've had a full meal, craving sweets even after eating a dessert, difficulty falling asleep etc... no wonder I'm not losing weight! Please don't get me wrong... I'm not looking to be the next size 0, or even 6... my skirt size doesn't matter... it's a matter of FEELING healthy, and right now I don't.

Wyatt at 3 is a handful! I've found that the age of 3 is definitely worse than the 2's... and I suppose boys have more energy, but I think that sugar and such things really affect Wyatt in a different way. So we've begun the process of, and I wouldn't say completely eliminating, but definitely reducing sugar intake in major way. (glad that you don't know about our S'mores we had tonight for snack!!!) **wink**

I went to high school with a girl who's been a bit of inspiration to me of late. She's putting out a cookbook soon and I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. I know you'll want a copy too. She's started a blog to promote it a bit... take a peak... it may change the way you think too! I love how she tries new things but is very practical with it all and with her kids. http://figandfennel.wordpress.com/ I love how she sweetens with natural products... doesn't that upside down peach cake look FAB!

So our journey begins... and it's a simple journey.

#1 - WATER... Glen loves his ICED TEA... the big can from Costco... ugh... can you spell SUGAR any other way?? ICED TEA in this form for sure! So I'm drinking water, water and more water. Everytime I feel like snacking, I have a glass of water.
#2 - REDUCED CAFFEINE... notice I'm not giving it up completely! Like tonight, the Maui Mocha from Good Earth was just too tempting to pass up... being a mother though, caffeine is a must. But I've gone from drinking coffee and a diet coke every day, to probably 1 cup of coffee a week and a diet coke every few weeks. I feel better already!
#3 - MORE EXERCISE - I hit Curves 3 times a week... or attempt too. It's good and I like it. However, I feel like I need a bit more cardio then it offers. So... I've started to run/walk 2 times a week, and I do 1 hour on the Wii Fit Plus. I'm surprised at the sweat I can break out in on the Wii. The variety is good for my ADD brain!
#4 - FRESH PRODUCE - I buy it and it oftens sit in my fridge and guess what? I end up throwing it out... shame, shame, shame. Glen bought a Magic Bullet (not sure what possessed him, but it's been great!) and it's been a great tool for making Natalie's baby food. She loves the fresh stuff way more than the canned baby food (can you blame her??!), When I get it out for her, I munch too. Even the pureed fruits are pretty tasty... it's hard to share it with Nat!! I am blessed that Wyatt and Mia both LOVE salads, veggies and fruits. They often choose those healthy choices over other snacks. So it's not a problem to get them to eat it, it's just a problem for me to MAKE it!!
I had to laugh at lunch today at Gma's... both the kids ate all their salad first and wanted more, not wanting to eat the lasagne or perogies! So...

There's my simple start... unfortunately summer will be coming to a close and it's harder to enjoy the fresh produce.

I wonder how I'll make do on our cruise in 2 weeks... I think I'll forget about the above for those 4 days!! :-) I'll keep you posted on my journey.