Since I’ve been embarking on seriously trying to lose weight this year I’ve tried every tactic known to man. I spent a whole lot of money on trainers, tracked my diet on WeightWatchers.com, did copius amounts of cardio (twice a day for an hour 5 days a week), and walked in excessive heat all with less than stellar results. What gives?? I used to be able to drop whole dress sizes from doing the aforementioned with relative ease. Nothing was working. I know I’m older (don’t ask me…I won’t tell you) and I had a baby (that was almost 2 years ago now) but really I can’t lose weight?

I see seasoned women all the time in fitness magazines that did this or that to knock off the pounds so I know I don’t have to reinvent the wheel to get it done but what in the hell is the secret?

I think I’ve figured it out.

I had to stop working out with my expensive trainers but I did learn very valuable lessons from them before I went on strength training hiatus. First, keeping a food diary is key. I personally find it to be the missing link from my previous weight loss triumphs and fails. I was never good at it. The tedious task of writing down every bite in a notebook just doesn’t seem sexy but with smartphones and apps it is so much easier. Just plan and input the food. The app I use gives me an account balance and everything on my 1200 calorie diet. (I’m REALLY trying to get it off or I’d be at 1400-1500 calories a day)

I’ve also learned what food is and isn’t. I’ve been paying a lot of attention to what has come out about high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, and other food additives that can be found in just about everything in the aisles of your local grocer. Did you know that the way they process high fructose corn syrup is top secret? Scary…you have no idea what’s in the stuff.

For years I’ve known that it’s best to shop on the perimeter of the grocery store where you find the produce, meat, and dairy departments. You know…perishable food items. If it has an expiration date on the bottom of the package, hell if it comes in a package…it is not really food. It’s more of a “food like product for human consumption”. I read that somewhere and when you think about it…how real is that?

This week alone I passed up crackers, bottled ice tea, popcorn oil, lean cuisines, penne pasta with cheese, muscle milk protein shake, cheese-its, and almost (I’m being honest) everything else that didn’t come from the earth in my diet. I’ve lost 4 pounds. I haven’t worked out at all this week because we started a new schedule at home. I had to grab my glasses when I saw the number on the scale. I thought I was trippin. I keep reminding myself that I deserve real food. I plan my meals and I try to keep my meat consumption to a minimum too. I know a guy that became a vegetarian because he said if he’s not man enough to kill it he shouldn’t be eating it. I don’t know about you but I ain’t about to slaughter no cows homie. Just food for thought. I swore off store bought baked goods years ago but now I’m taking it one step further. If I can make it, I will. Be on the lookout for recipes and tips that I’ve tried and been turned on to since I’ve started to change my life. It’s no fad diet. It’s just real food.

You want to know what I’ve been eating?

Breakfast
2 scrambled eggs
1 banana
cup of strawberries

Lunch
grilled salmon (from Schnucks in Frontenac..they have a great hot food assortment)
small salad from salad bar (no croutons, no meat) vegetables, beans, and light italian dressing
peach

snack- cucumber slices with sea salt and chili powder (satifies your craving for bbq chips…I promise)

Dinner
black eyed peas with onions, green peppers, okra and tomatoes
brown rice
bud light platinum
peach

snack-oil popped popcorn with light butter and chili powder