Defeating the weekend!

Week seven is complete! I had several goals this week but my biggest goal was to see a difference on the scale and to not be derailed by the weekend! My primary purpose of applying to be a Better U Challenge participant was to lose weight and develop healthier habits for myself and my family. Those things are happening but last week I was disappointed by the lack of weight loss and was sure it was impacted by my weekend eating habits.

This week, I’m thrilled to report that I’ve lost 5.2 pounds for a total of 12+ pounds in the 7 weeks of the program! I also lost another ½ inch from my waist and hips. Now, before anyone panics and thinks that I starved myself, I can reassure you that’s not the case. I talked to a trainer at the Refinery and met with Deb D’Angelo, our nutrition mentor from Christie. Turns out I wasn’t using My Fitness Pal correctly. I figured out how to use it more effectively this week and it made a huge difference. I didn’t consume the additional calories that I burned off in my workouts and the pounds came off. I also think that the lack of weight loss last week actually showed up early in the week after my weigh in. J

In addition, for the second week straight I gave up all candy and desserts. My dad emailed this week to say he was giving up sweets, bread and potatoes for three days in honor of my effort. I told him I would do the same. Then at the end of the three days, he challenged me to continue it through the weekend with him…and added in no pizza or pasta. I skipped birthday cake at my sister-in-laws party and I skipped my mother-in-laws homemade mashed potatoes and chicken and noodles…it was hard for me but it paid off! Thanks to my dad for challenging me to work a little harder! I’m looking forward to pasta tonight with my family but it will be in moderation and will be a recipe from my Cooking Light cookbook. J

This next week is all about stress management. We just got some great tips from our stress management mentor, Jennifer Carson, and I am ready to try them out this week! Good luck to the rest of the participants, we are in the home stretch and hopefully they are all experiencing success as well!