Maintaining

So, you might have read my blog weight loss in August.  I don't think I've commented on my weight since then, but here's where I'm at.  If you take my highest weight from last spring and deducted my lowest from about November I lost about 27 lbs.  I was very, very excited.  Saw a big enough change that I had to buy some new clothes.  A very good problem to have.  I can't believe I actually caught myself complaining about it a couple of times.  But you might have noticed that I said November.  I was headed right into the holiday season.  And I want to say that I didn't tack all of that right back on, but I did definitely let my guard down.  The problem is, you can splurge a little and not see any differences in your clothes or weight... right away anyway : )  I gained about 10 lbs from my lowest between Christmas and March because of my new holiday eating habits, but have been making a major effort in the last week to regain some control.

Having said that, I've never been here before.  The last time I actually liked the weight I was at was in high school and college.  And to be honest, I really had no idea what that weight was.  I was really into fitness and I had a great metabolism and I really just didn't have to worry about it.  Don't get me wrong, I was working my tail off (huh, literally) - I rode my bike to and from classes or walked and I attended kickboxing classes sometimes five days a week.  I even taught from time to time.  I just didn't weigh myself.  Then...  I got a 40 hour a week desk job and had 4 kids (in 6 years).  So here I am.  I've heard about yo-yo dieting and I definitely don't want to do that.  So I'm just going to have to learn to maintain.  I'll be honest I have no idea what that's going to look like for me.  I know what I eat when I'm losing and I know what I eat when I'm gaining : )  So, I guess I'm going to just have to figure out how to splurge from time to time or holiday to holiday without letting it take over for, literally, 3 months!

I wrote this blog planning to share what I eat when I'm losing.  Please don't judge me.  This is what works for me and I believe it's pretty healthy.  I'm learning people.  And this is one of the things I've learned.  If I have a few options that I've planned ahead for and that I can choose between it helps.  Because if I consider something outside of those options I can just say to myself, 'That's a dinner option' and move on.  It's also been good for me to not have too many options.  Less overwhelming and more cost effecient. 
These are my breakfast options:
3 scrambled eggs, sometimes with a little cheese or a slice of ham thrown in (this option is nice when I've had a muscle building morning)
1 egg on toast
1 Greek yogurt with granola or granola cereal sprinkled on top
a slimfast shake (vanilla with banana, avocado, frozen strawberry, frozen blueberry, or frozen pineapple is really good - or chocolate with banana) - I try not to do these 2 days in a row

These are my lunch options:
salad (alllllll different kinds - I got really burnt out on salads and had to come up with other options, but this is how I started losing weight)
slimfast shake (see above)
popcorn with a couple Tbsps of butter and lots of salt : )
tuna and mustard on crackers
Greek yogurt with granola or a piece of fruit

I always allow myself an apple for a snack if I'm hungry.  Sometimes almonds, chocolate yogurt covered raisins (these are dangerous for me) or a mozzarella stick too.  Dinner is whatever we're eating that night, but not in outrageous portions!  Plus, when I've done the work at breakfast and lunch I really don't want to pitch it out the window when I get to dinner!  I'm telling you, my husband is 6 ft 190 lbs and I can keep up with him, no prob.  I'm 5'4''!  Right now dessert is a special occasion only type thing.  And then, we're talking just a few bites.  But I'll let you know as I learn!  Maintaining is my next goal and I have a feeling it may be a lifelong lesson...