Getting Healthy–The Right way.

This REAL discussion is being sponsored by Dairy Makes Sense.

Over the last several weeks I have been working on my family and our nutrition needs, as they pertain to healthy choices.  I know it’s SO easy to bring ourselves through the drive-through window… but, are my kids getting enough nutrition to develop? Am I making the right choices for my family?

I started this online Diet Bet along with my favorite blogger, Roo – from NeonFresh.com (formerly NiceGirlNotes). and I was downright determined to get this weight off of me.  I sit and hang out around the same weight… Pretty much for the last 6+ years (minus pregnancy where I typically feel great, and lose about 30lbs..) I’ve been the SAME weight. While this is nice for my wardrobe situation, it’s still not good for me.  I’m overweight – and not impressed with photos that I see of myself.  I’m not healthy.  That’s the hardest part.

So with this diet bet, I decided to take on the challenge and lose 8lbs in 4 weeks.  That was scarrrrryyy… I’ve *never* lost 8lbs in 4weeks without being pregnant or otherwise ill! *yes, I lose weight when I’m pregnant – I’m weird.*
I downloaded (at the recommendation of a co-worker) My Fitness Pal – and spent hours looking up the calorie contents for the foods that I typically eat.

Oh! My! Gosh!  I had NO idea that every Tuesday, when I went to Chili’s Restaurant with my mom, enjoying the soup, salad and chips/salsa – that I was consuming over 2000 calories in the one sitting!  I had NO idea! I thought I was being healthy and making the right choices, with a little splurging on the chips.  Nope! those chips are killer calories.  Not to mention the 2-3 times per week where we would get some other great tasting- calorie packed food through the drive-through – or date nights.

When I actually decided to be honest with myself, and look up and document every SINGLE bite of food that went into my mouth – I started making better choices.  I started saying “No”

Within a WEEK.  (A WEEK!!) I noticed the difference.  I went from consuming anywhere from 2000-5000 calories a day, to eating around 1500.

I started searching for healthier meals to prepare at home, looking at protein content and calorie value AND looking at ease of cooking (I *loathe* cooking!).  I knew I couldn’t give up some of my loves, including dairy, carbs, salty, sugary goodness… so many of the “quick fixes” fad-diets just weren’t going to cut it.

I needed to feel like I was eating normally, but really eating LESS calories.

During these searches, I realized I could make some of my families favorites at home – like these amazing chicken nuggets that my kids go wild over, taste great on a salad, and are SO easy to make!  – And  they are so much better than McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets! Click below for the recipe!

I’m happy to report, that in the last 4 weeks, I’ve dropped over 10lbs.  TEN POUNDS.  Not just water weight, either… I dropped two pant sizes – went from a XL/XXL – to a L/XL shirt size – and everything (Even underwear and my bra) is baggy on me.  It feels.. amazing.

This weight chart is from my fitbit scale – it automatically logs my weight, whether I want it to, or not!
(See that BIG drop?  I had the flu and threw up for pretty much 24 hours.. but it went back to normal.) It was shortly after I had the flu that I started calculating with My Fitness Pal, the calorie intakes – and things kept progressing downwards since then.

My husband has noticed in my face and my belly, and my mom saw me a week before and said “WHOA” the next time she saw me.

I went to the gym 3 times during this time period… (oops! I’m always bad at going to the gym..) so I’m sure it wasn’t because I was working out. It was 100% diet related.

While I still have 50lbs more to lose to be at a ‘normal’ weight for my short 5’3” height.. I’m much more confident now than I have ever been that I can do it.  I *can* be healthy, and *can* make the right choices for my family to help them be healthy, too!

I’ve teamed up with the Dairy Makes Sense campaign, to help promote the health benefits of Dairy. I truly believe that dairy is a big part of health, and shouldn’t be avoided when dieting – or trying to remain healthy.

In fact – I read (When I was thinking of going to the gym on a more regular basis) that Chocolate Milk is the *Best* after-workout drink – because of the balance of Protien, Carbohydrates, and Calcium needed for muscle repair after a hard workout. And I love hearing that (although I don’t work out as much as I’d like!) Its just another incentive for me to work out!  Mmmmm… Chocolate Milk…

I love encouraging and being encouraged, and I hope that you can follow along with my ‘get healthy’ journey, (which hopefully includes more weight loss!). I’d love to hear your story!

What are you doing to stay healthy?

Have you been making any major changes in the foods your family eats?

Although this discussion has been sponsored by Dairy Makes Sense, as always, all opinions here are 100% my own. I wouldn’t tell you guys something that I don’t believe, or that isn’t true!