My journey to weight loss and cleaning up how I eat

I know everyone starts their weight loss journey in Jan. I have been on a weight loss journey for over a year. Doing small changes here and there because for me I feel that small changes help me to not revert back as easy to my unhealthy ways. Since it’s March I want to talk about what has worked, what hasn’t, some of the online spots I’m trying out, and what I really want to achieve. Let’s get into how I am cleaning up how I eat first.

Nothing was sponsored by the way this is straight up my opinion which I give y’all anyway lol 

Cleaning up how I eat

Let me start off by saying I have pre-diabetes. Not the real thing (and I don’t want it either) but I am on that borderline. My son is also on that borderline with me. So in an effort to change our eating habits I am getting rid of all white stuff. White sugar, white flour, and white bread. The sugar has been the easiest to get rid of surprisingly. Now I’m not saying I don’t eat it in stuff but I do not buy it in the home..period poo. I use raw sugar only for all the recipes that I make at home. The white flour has been hard because what am I supposed to fry my chicken with? I found this on Amazon (thanks Yaya who is my healthy plug) for telling me about this flour to use. I used it on my chicken last week and I didn’t taste a difference at all. I don’t eat a lot of bread so I had no problem chucking that. If I do eat bread it’s wheat bread out and about and that’s it. Here are some other things I am doing when it comes to food and drinks.

• one meatless day a week
• Break the fast….(breakfast) I eat smaller healthier things in the morning like smoothes or an egg white omelet. Something light!
• No soda in the home. I still drink it but it’s rare these days
• At least a half-gallon of water per day

Let’s talk smoothies! I tried Daily Harvest to help out with my smoothie intake. Number 1 I live in an area where the fruits and veggies are horrible (the country) 2nd I am tired of not having time to fix the smoothies because life comes up. I decided to try this easy fix. Here is what I liked…it came frozen and was well packaged. What I didn’t like was the system. You have to do a subscription plan. I don’t like that. Allow me to try it before I commit to something long term. You can cancel anytime but I wish they had the option to just try what flavors you want. I got 3 flavors and soup. I bought the Acai + Berry, Strawberry + Peach, and Banana + Green. I only liked the Strawberry and Peach one. The rest didn’t taste as good. I also had to add in some of my own fruits and extra stuff to give it a boost. It’s like when someone cooks a dish but it’s not seasoned enough. It’s cooked good but it needs something else. I had to Dr it up. The soup was good but again I had to add something to it.

I also ordered some Jus By Julie. Now, this was a bit better as far as taste-wise. I just don’t like the cost to ship. Whole foods sell some pressed juices that are even better but again I don’t live near whole foods and because of that, there is no delivery for me. I love the Lemonade and all of the green ones. The rest is a no for me lol. So I say try this out if you don’t mind paying for the shipping. The one in the pic is bomb!

My ultimate goal is to be under 200 pounds by June 1st. I don’t know if I will get there and there is no pressure whatsoever if I do or I don’t but my goal is to aim for that. I won’t say how much I really weigh it’s embarrassing but let’s say I gotta lose at least my age in weight (lol yep you gotta guess it). Also, I’m 5’2 which is not very helpful. I’m supposed to be no more than 140 for my height. I am eating better by cooking at home most nights which is hard to do when the kids don’t want what I eat. They refuse to even try my foods so its hard cooking for them and myself every night. Here are some items I’m cooking for a quick meal for myself

• Sweet potatoes in the crock pot. Easy wrap em in foil paper and put some water in the pot and let em cook. I usually do 3 and put it on the night before so it’s ready for lunch the next day.
• Salads. I love them and I order this dressing to put on it no more Kraft ( I miss you Kraft) I buy the organic salads and make salad once a week in a big bowl which lasts me for two days. It can be lunch or dinner. I add in some chicken that I buy from Publix. The rotisserie, yep I ain’t cooking shat.
• Tuna and Avocado is my favorite! Can of tuna (I use the tuna in oil sorry water doesn’t give me the umph I need) and then add in one avocado. Mix it together and season with some salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and squeeze some lemon juice over it. Mix that together and boom great dinner or lunch. It lasts for a day but I don’t keep mine over that
• Oh, I use Apple Vinaigrette Dressing that I make myself for my salads also. To see the recipe check this post out.
• Saute some mushroom and zucchini for tacos, side dish, or for omelets

Now let’s talk exercising

I got a coach! One because I know I can’t do this on my own. Two I thought having a coach would help me stay on track. If you are a person who doesn’t like people telling you what to do with your body don’t hire a coach. If you feel that you can find the answers on Pinterest don’t hire a coach. If you need someone to hold you accountable…hire a coach. If you want someone who will get you in shape by giving you visuals…hire a coach. What to look for in a coach? Well y’all know a lot of people claim their coaches but they aren’t really coaches. They have a nice body but they have no idea what they are talking about. Make sure you find someone who has real clients. Make sure it’s someone who is healthy all the time, not someone who eats a burger and sweet tea. Some say men coaches work you harder than women. I say they all work you as hard as YOU want to be worked. No one can tell you what to do and no one walks in your shoes. There were times when my coach wanted me to exercise and I knew that I had to work. I know that health is important but so is money and these bills. It sounds like an excuse but I truly do work when these kids go to bed so exercising is hard for me. Summertime is better to exercise because kids aren’t in school and I am not dealing with homework or afterschool stuff.

Hiring a coach keeps you on track but if you feel you can keep you on track or get with a group of friends then do whatever you need to do.

Now let’s get to how much weight I have lost since getting with my coach (mid-Jan) and eating better…..drumroll, please…..

17 pounds

Let’s pause for a second. It’s not a lot but it’s a good start! I am proud of myself. I still eat my girl scout cookies, I still eat my Krispy Kreme but moderation and making sure I balance that out has helped me. I love tacos but changing to wheat tortillas and getting those veggies help. I love burgers but that burger tastes just as good on lettuce. I still eat out but I only eat from certain places that have healthy foods and I watch what I eat. Smaller steps win the race don’t get rid of the foods you love overnight because you will revert back to them because life happens. Gradually get rid of stuff so that you don’t crave them as much.

So any tips?

BTW I hired a chef but she was way too much money and I save by just cooking myself. Again my time constraints are hard but making small changes and cooking quick things in the weekdays help a lot.

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own!