New Year, New Me!

Instead of giving myself a "resolution" for the new year, I give myself goals.  I'm the gal who just can't resist a challenge.  Dangle a carrot in front of my nose, and I'll find a way to move a mountain to get to it.  Goals motivate me.  I get excited when I can check one off my "list".  Among the usual "be a better wife, mother, friend, etc.." betterment goals I set for myself, two found their way onto my list that I know will challenge me to the very core of my being.  Two things that I've never accomplished before... in my life. 

My first undertaking is to "run" a race.  An "entire" race.  The second is to drop 20 lbs and get in shape.  Coming from the "anti-running" "foodie" who has been known to reward myself with 500 calorie jelly donuts for walking a mile... I knew this would be a feat to accomplish! 

So, I signed up for a 10K, a 5K, and a Half Marathon races, and joined the Biggest Loser contest in my neighborhood.  The dates are on the calendar and the registration fees are paid- there's no turning back, I need to DO this!

I initially set my weight loss goal at 10lbs for the 10 week contest, and my long-term target at 20 lbs... which would put me back to the weight that I was at before I became pregnant with my fourth child.  I had never dieted in my life.  I didn't have the foggiest idea of "how" to do it!  So, I cut back my portion sizes and started cutting out the junk.  A friend of mine introduced me to "Clean Eating".  By cutting back and beginning to exercise, I dropped 5 lbs in the first week!  It's now week 6 and I've lost about 14 lbs! 

Upon my introduction to the "Clean Eating" world, I've been learning SO much.  I had to learn how to cook all over again... and how to grocery shop!  My whole family has been appreciating the changes I've been making in the foods we've been eating.  In fact, one of my five year-old twins asked me if I can cook "healthy" food EVERY night! 

I've been getting some comments from friends about the foods I've been eating.  Let's get one thing straight, if I'm going to stick something in my mouth, I want it to taste delicious!  So, I decided to post one of my favorite "Clean Eating" breakfasts.  One slice of high-fiber bread with flax, covered with a bed of spinach and one over-medium egg (yes, I eat the yolks- they're a great source of choline, an essential nutrient that supports brain function and protects the liver from accumulating fat), and topped with cascading sliced grape tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts.  I'll be posting more pictures and great recipes while on my path to "skinny", so be on the lookout!