Tough Stuff

I don't think my "lifestyle change" challanges are the same as what a lot of other people face. For most people, it's finding time to exercise. That's kind of a non-issue for me because I do it when my boys are sleeping. I'm fortunate that they both go down for afternoon naps at the same time so I can work out then. They are (generally) both in bed by 8:00 so I can get in another little workout after I put them to sleep at night. So exercising isn't an issue. I don't have foods that I just absolutely crave and miss because I'm figuring out new, healthier alternatives. Sure, there are some days when I'd just about saw my arm off for a Strawberry Limeade from Sonic but I know that I'd rather fit into my favorite little black dress on New Years than to have a few moments of taste bud pleasure.

My biggest challange is night time snacking. I've always been a night time eater. I can stick with my menus just fine during the day and not feel any hunger pains. But once 8:00 or 9:00 hits, I feel as though I'm starving (even though I'm really not) and it takes everything in my power to keep from rummaging through the fridge and cabinets.

When I began our new healthy eating, I decided that all our meals would be eaten before 6:00 p.m. No snacks, no nothing after 6:00. This way, we'd have more time to burn off whatever we'd eaten before going to sleep. And it's honestly been tougher than giving up my cokes, my frozen milky ways, my boxes of chocolate covered raisins. And it's especially hard when my baby wakes up during the night. He's gotten better about sleeping in 8-10 hour stretches. But there's still the occasional night every now and then when he wakes me up at 2:00. And all I wanna do while I feed him is feed myself!

I am really trying hard not to give into these night time cravings. I keep thinking that once I get my body used to this new eating schedule then the cravings will be few and far between. I didn't do myself any favors when I was pregnant . . . if I woke up at 3 in the morning and wanted a club sandwhich, then two minutes later I was in the kitchen frying up bacon and toasting bread.

This too shall pass, this too shall pass . . .

I don't have a daily menu for tomorrow because, well, that's my other challange: the hubs is home. He works out of town and - buh-lieve me - it is MUCH easier to stick to eating right when he's not around. He encourages me on my weight loss, but also has been known to leave a kitkat or two laying around. Grr. I manage to do good while he's here, but I also use the time that he's here to use my flex points. I'm not sure WHAT I'll eat tomorrow therefore I can't put it on a menu. We're going to a ballgame tomorrow night so I'm pretty sure I see a lemon chill and hotdog in my future . . .

Since I won't have anytime to get on here tomorrow, I did go ahead and plan for Tuesday. So here is Tuesday's menu:

Breakfast:
1/4 cup egg beaters
1 slice turkey bacon
1 piece wheat toast
1 kiwi fruit
Total: 4 points

Lunch:
Ham and cheese sandwhich
Chips
Total: 5 points

Snack
WW icecream bar
Total: 2 points

Dinner
Grilled chicken breast
Twice baked potato
Green beans
Total: 8 points

Snack:
WW chocolate cake
Total: 1 point

Daily Total: 20