Well, I weighed in to find that I have lost 4 pounds in my first week! That is pretty exciting and motivating for me, considering I haven't added exercise to my repertoire yet. I have been sick for about half of the week with a cold, so that may have contributed to the increased liquid consumption and not being hungry for as many solid foods, but I do feel proud of myself for the smart decisions that I have made, which include the following:
-I've been eating a large heeping Spinach Salad for dinner nearly every night and they have become a dear friend of mine. I have been adding a little bit of salad dressing, 3-4 crushed saltines crackers, a dollop of cottage cheese and whatever other fruits or veggies have been around. They have been surprisingly very filling, and since they're overflowing on my large plate, psychologically they've been making me feel like I'm not neglecting myself of eating a large plate of food. All of these ingredients have added up to a very filling less than 400 calorie dinner. I have eaten 1-2 for lunch as well, and added some grilled chicken on top.
-Before every meal, I have been drinking 1-2 large glasses of lemon water and waiting a few minutes before actually eating. This has helped me to feel more full.
-I LOVE LOVE LOVE eating sweets, and this has been probably the most challenging piece of this whole lifestyle change. I'm used to eating a donut or at least something unhealthy and sweet per day. This week, I have been seeking out healthy alternatives to feed into my sweet tooth. A couple of these have included, "indulging" in 1/2 of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat bread. I'm still getting my sweet tooth fix, but I'm also getting the nutrients of protein, and whole grains as well, and not completely ruining my successful attempts throughout the day. I am also a big tea drinker, and have replaced the overabundance of sugar that I usually add in with a little bit of honey (a healthy sugar.)
Looking ahead to next week, it's going to be a bit more challenging. My husband's birthday is next week and we're going out for dinner 3 times. I'm hoping to add a little bit of exercise into my routine, as well as be proactive to search the websites of restaurants that I will be going to find healthy items on the menu. I have also heard that by eating a healthy snack before going out to eat, it helps to curb the out of a control feeling I get when I'm super-hungry, so that my stomach doesn't get to dictate what I eat, I do. Wish me luck! I am looking forward to facing the challenge.