Simple Start To Losing Weight

One thing I love about a new year is the feeling of a fresh start, a clean slate. I know I can do that easily each day, but I feel like a new year gives me the chance to step back and look at the big picture and plan from there.

One of my goals for this year is to go to Weight Watchers for free. I've been paying my monthly dues for awhile now and haven't reached my weight loss goal. I'm dedicated for a few weeks, and then I stop being dedicated and gain back what I've lost. It's annoying, and it's my own fault. My weight is a life long battle, and it's kind of stupid to be tangled up in something so ridiculous for so long. Know what I mean? I think last year I gave myself a reprieve after an extremely difficult 2012, but looking back, I pretty much wasted 2013 in terms of getting myself back on track. So, I'm ready to buck up and do this thing...not because it's a new year, not because it's "resolution time," but because I'm continuing the process of what I already started about three months ago. I'm already down several pounds, and I'm working on keeping the number going downwards.

One of the things I love about doing Weight Watchers is there are no restrictions on food, literally. I saw a commercial for another weight loss service on TV and the host said, "Can you have mac and cheese? Ummm...nooooo...of course not, but you can have [this weight loss system's] version and it's good!" With Weight Watchers, I can have the real mac and cheese because it teaches me how to account for indulgences. When I first started with the program, I was a little confused by the points and just wished they had a program that I could follow with recipes to get me going. I'm so excited they've now released a version of the program called Simple Start, complete with recipes.

It's a two week program with an emphasis on what Weight Watchers calls "Power Foods": lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free dairy and dairy substitutes. It's truly a no-brainer way to lose weight for those who are just starting out. It's also a great shot in the arm for those of us who have been doing the program for awhile. As long as you eat Power Foods until you are satisfied, there's no need to count. There are also 7 extra "indulgence" points for items that aren't power foods, like chips, jam, butter, ice cream, etc.

Simple Start has some seriously easy, no-brainer, meal ideas, plus ideas on how to create your own meals. There's also a Simple Start app for the iPhone and Android, so you can easily access the recipes. It really takes the guess work out of what to eat. Since I'm still not doing a lot of gluten or dairy, I'll just follow the alternative ideas the guide provides.

So why am I telling you all of this? Because I've been there. I remember what it was like to start losing weight. It should be easy - "eat less and move more" - but for those of us who battle weight, it feels complicated. I've had great success with Weight Watchers (when I follow the program!) and I love that they've made it even easier for someone to get a jump start on life change. If that's where you are, I just wanted you to know there's something out there that can help you get the ball rolling.

Here's to a great 2014!

Erin


(PS - really, Weight Watchers isn't paying me to talk about them. Everything I said, I said for free and on my own. I'm a middle child like that.)

The Winner of Unglued Is...

And the winner of my copy of Unglued – Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst is...

...Comment #9, AKA Ginger Sampson. Congratulations to Ginger!

So now I'm moving on to my next book, and I've decided it's going to be Pete Wilson's Empty Promises: The Truth About You, Your Desires, and the Lies You're Believing. I loved his first book, Plan B, so I have high hopes for Empty Promises. If you want to give it a little preview yourself, here's the link to Amazon.


-- Erin

Book Challenge #1: Unglued

I love fiction books. They're like candy for my brain. Non-fiction titles? They're basically a plate of plain, raw broccoli to me. Definitely not my favorite thing in the world. But I decided this year, I need to get off the candy and start consuming more things that will nourish my brain, challenge my soul, and help to make a better me. Plus, I have a TON of non-fiction books sitting on my desk and I feel intense guilt each time I look at them. It's like they know that I don't like them as much as my fiction works.

So they stare at me.

And stare.

And stare some more.

I've had it.

This year, I've set a goal to read a minimum of one non-fiction book a month and then give the book away when I'm done. I looked through the stack on my desk and picked up Lysa TerKeurst's Unglued – Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions. It was the perfect book. Definitely not a plate of broccoli in any shape or form.

Lysa's book touches on the raw emotions we women battle, how we handle them, and how we should handle them. Her chapter on jealousy really stood out to me...

as did this part about the lies we believe about ourselves...

Unglued is one of those books that came at the right time. If you want to check out Unglued – Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions a little more, click here. You can even read the first two chapters here. By the way, I'm not being compensated for telling you about this. It's just a great book that I discovered and want to pass along if it will help.

I mentioned that I was planning to give my "challenge" book away when I'm done with it. All you need to do is leave a comment saying "winner, winner, chicken dinner," "I want this book," "Erin, you're so beautiful," "I believe in unicorns," or anything fabulous that you'd like to write in that spot. Make sure to leave your name in the comment. I'm going to randomly choose a winner so I can't be accused of picking the person who tells me I'm fabulous. Entries close Sunday, January 6th, 2013, at 11:59PM. I'll post the winner on Monday, January 7th, by noon est! 

By the way, I can guarantee 3 things when you receive Unglued:

1. It will be dog-eared.
2. It will have underlined passages in purple gel pen.
3. There will NOT be any boogies in it - unlike library books.

You are now free to make your comments. 

- Erin