30 by 30 Update

This week I'm down about 2 pounds.  I've lost 11 pounds since I went back to work.  I really want to add in some exercise this week and just keep my eating under control with it being Christmas Break and all.  I am really excited about the changes that I've made in my attitude toward food.  I feel like I have a much healthier relationship with it.  I'm not really following any specific diet, and I think that is the best way to go.  I'm just trying to eat in a balanced way.  If I know I'm going to be eating something fatty or high in carbs, I cut back the rest of the day.  For example, I knew I was going to be eating at Olive Garden on Saturday when we went Christmas shopping.  That morning I ate a super light breakfast and also a lighter dinner.  I chose a pretty reasonable lunch but I didn't really drive myself crazy about what I ate.  Yesterday, I knew I was going to have pizza for dinner so I chose healthier options throughout the day.  I also watched how much pizza I ate.  I'll probably have to start watching what I eat more closely as I lose more and more weight.
I've decided on a few rewards for myself as I lose the weight.  I find that I'm more successful if I bribe myself.  My first goal for 20 pounds lost is going to be a new pair of jeans (7 pounds until that goal!).  My goal for 30 pounds lost will be a new dress from Modcloth.  I have wanted to order from them for SO long.  My goal for reaching my first major goal (40 pounds lost) will be family photos with my favorite photographer.  That's as far as I'm looking for right now.  I really don't want to overwhelm myself.
Finally, I had a major NSV this week.  Friday was the last day of school before the break.  Teachers know that this means one thing:lots of junk food.  I took donuts and cookies for my kids as a reward for good behavior and I didn't eat ANY of it.  In years past I would have made myself sick.  This year they just didn't seem to be worth it.  I know that I can have them at any time so it really doesn't make it worth the calories.  At the end of the day I felt so much better than I have in previous years, so that alone made it worth it.
This week I'm just really hoping to keep making good decisions and NOT get crazy about tracking every single thing I eat.

30 by 30

I'm turning 30 next year.  I'm not really sure how that happened.  I'm surprisingly not that sad about it.  I think that my thirties are going to be my best decade.  I spent my early twenties working at a fast food seafood restaurant and going to school full time.  My mid twenties are a blur of margaritas and espresso shots.  My late twenties have definitely been THE BEST.  I got married, had a baby, got a job I love, and bought a house.  The only thing that I really don't love about my life...my weight.  It slowly crept up through my twenties and has been stuck since around 2010.  I don't hate myself because I'm a little fluffy, but I know I'm not healthy.  I've decided that I want to lose 30 pounds by my thirtieth birthday in May.  I have a daughter now and I want her to see me healthy and happy.  It's not just about how I look either; I really want to get healthy and be a good example for her.
Another goal that I have is to lose the weight without buying anything-no shakes, no pills, no energy drinks, no gym membership.  Full disclosure:  I do currently have a 3 month Weight Watchers membership that I signed up for about a month ago.  I don't go to meetings, but I do track online...once in a while.  I think WW is a great program, but I don't think it's really necessary to lose weight.  I will not be renewing once this three months is up.  I am so sick of "diet culture".  I believe that this culture is a major reason why people are overweight.  I want to be an example, to my students, to my family, to my friends, that you don't have to spend a cent to be healthy.  Is it going to be easy?  Heck no.  Is it going to be worth it?  Hell yes.  I want to be able to have energy when I get off work.  I want to be able to FIND MY MOTHERLOVING SIZE IN A STORE.  There's nothing wrong with being plus sized, but I'm just sick of it.
When I reach my goal in May I'm rewarding myself by scheduling family photos with my favorite photographers.  I'm already planning our outfits.  I can not wait.  My other goal is to wear a bikini on the beach in October.  Hashtag: I got this.