Making healthy eating choices is the story of my life! I struggle so hard to eat right even though I know everything there is to it. I know what has proven to help me lose weight. I know the foods that make me feel bad. I know what foods are high in antioxidants, alkaline, good for my blood type, my particular metabolism, you name it, I know it! But… I STILL struggle to make the right choices that will keep me on a losing weight path whether it be to quickly lose the weight *cough cough* Keto and Quick Weight Loss Centers or simply counting calories- which is the slower route but better in the long run to keep it off.

Here is why I think counting calories is better. I have shared before how I have done Quick Weight Loss Centers program which worked. I lost over 30 pounds. Once I stopped following the plan, the weight quickly came back on. Then, I tried the beloved keto diet. That worked like a charm with intermittent fasting. I lost right at 30 pounds. Went on vacation last summer and got off plan. And…once the school year started, I began stress eating and oh my goodness the weight came back worse. Got on the scale I was up 20 pounds before I knew it. Basically, every time I have tried the quick route, the weight falls off but quickly comes back when I stop following the strict rules. And sometimes, in the case of QWLC I would be hungry. I was eating very little food; of course, I was going to lose weight.

My weight is something I have battled majority of my life. But being a mom now, I need to have an out pour of energy because my toddler is extra busy, and I really want to enjoy her.

Well to help a sista out, I joined Weight Watchers. I have been admiring Oprah eating whatever she wants and staying slim and all these other folks on her commercials. Plus, one of my great friends is a WW success story. So, I figured I paid Quick Weight Loss tons of money, why not try WW which is much less. I went to my first meeting, it went well. Then, I went to the second meeting, lost 5+ pounds my first week. THEN… I stopped tracking my points and eating whatever. That lasted for 2 weeks. The following Monday, I started tracking again, by Wednesday I fell off the wagon. Tried it again the next Monday. Lost 2+ pounds that week. So a total of about 8 pounds lost in a month. Not bad, right?

Yet, I was like this is taking too long. I want results now. I called my sister and told her I am starting Keto the upcoming week. Like that was going to keep me accountable. That lasted all of 5 days, if that. Meanwhile, my friend that has done WW before, she had gained a few pounds during the school year and started when I did in May to lose what she gained. Fast forward to today, she is steadily going down with the program! She may not always lose a pound a week, but she loses at least half a pound (which is what WW indicates, anywhere from .5-2lbs a week). Girl is down over 10 pounds. She is so faithful, and has a beautiful regimen that is so simple that I must get down to doing. However in the meantime, I am going to stick to tracking my points for now. Monday began week 1 for my restart, it’s ok if you are laughing at this point. I have restarted so many times in the past two months. Can’t help but laugh at myself. With that said, I have been on track since Monday. I track everything I eat, even down to butter. My friend doesn’t track that intensely. Perhaps one day I will get there. I did not weigh myself Monday as I refuse to get on the scale anymore. Yet, I will be attending the meeting this upcoming Saturday. Saturdays are my weigh in days. Fingers crossed for some rapid weight loss from a few weeks ago because I know I have probably gained during the time I was not tracking and eating whatever. But even with no weight loss or gain, I am going to press forward, and do better for the week after that.

I am sharing all of this to say that I have started an Instagram account just for this. I figured by putting it out there in a private IG account I may be able to keep myself accountable and on track towards a healthy weight. If you would like to follow along and provide health suggestions please follow me @dmstrivingforhealthy.

To all of you out there that understand this struggle, we are in this together. You can do this! I can do this! It is really just about making up your mind that you are going to cut out bad habits. There are so many people losing weight with WW, keto, counting calories, Whole 30, yoga, drinking a gallon of water a day, the blood type diet. Whichever of these float your boat, do it. The goal is to be healthy. My friend always shares how she wants to look good besides her kids when they take grad, wedding pics, and other milestone moments of their lives, and she is so right. I do not want my little one remembering me obese, out of breath, and looking plump beside her in those future photos. She loves me however I look, but I want to be my best self for her. And weight loss is not a race. With steady consistency in eating habits and incorporating more movement, we’ll get there. Most importantly, it takes loving the version of yourself you are now, and realizing that you will feel so much better as a lighter you. If you truly love thyself, you will do what it takes to heal and be a healthier you. I love being plus size. But this tummy has to go! We can’t be friends anymore. It aint’t cute, for one, and two, it is very unhealthy. I can write a list of reasons why having a midsection is unhealthy, but that is another post.

Lastly, look forward to challenges that I will be doing. Feel free to join in and share how you are doing as we progress. As being week 1, I just wanted to get started again with making better choices. Next week, I will implement a small challenge that will hopefully become a habit. I will share those on the blog as well as Instagram.

Best wishes to you all, Jewels and Gents! And to those of you who are already on a weight loss journey or in maintenance mode, feel free to share your success! I love recipe and workout ideas.

Cheers to healthy habits! Don’t forget to follow @dmstrivingforhealthy!