So, I discussed my stalling weight loss with my trainer, Lauren. She has been taking a look at my meals and we think we nailed the problem…or should I say “problems.” As many of you are aware, I’m a snacker. I eat when I’m bored, sad, happy, relaxed, pretty much any time there is food avail. I have been this way my entire life. It didn’t become a problem until I hit my late twenties. Now, it seems as though I look at a piece of candy and I gain a pound. Such is my burden.

First issue: So, I have had a really bad sweet tooth lately and I maintain a pretty impressive candy dish at work. While this is usually not an issue (I rarely sample my candy dish goods), lately my sweet tooth has become overbearing and I have been partaking in the evil ritual of snacking. Especially when it comes to chocolate & peanut butter. Reese’s Peanut Butter eggs? Forget about it!!!

Second issue: my beer consumption needs to taper off a bit. Now this one will be a little bit difficult for me. You see, I also write a beer blog and part of that blog is trying new beers, new pubs, and new breweries. My consumption is nothing to worry about habit-wise (4-5 beers a week max) but it IS an awful lot of empty calories. I don’t drink at all during the week. On Saturday I will have a beer with lunch and one with dinner. I may have a third later in the evening while relaxing with my hubby. On Sunday I will have one with lunch and maybe one with dinner and that’s about it. Now, that may not sound like a lot but when you break down the calories it really adds up! The average calorie count on a pint of beer is about 180-250 calories. That means I’m drinking 900-1250 calories a weekend. That’s almost about my calorie allotment for an entire day! That needs to change and quick.

Third issue: Not enough fresh food. I do eat, what I consider, a lot of fruit and veggie. But not nearly as much as I should be. I DO eat processed, frozen foods simply out of convenience. After all, I have a full-time job (with the occasional overtime), I write 2 blogs, I’m an amateur photographer, and amateur seamstress. Plus I have a house to keep clean. Time is very precious to me and there is never enough in a day to get everything done. So I don’t always have time to prepare anything and microwave meals are quick and easy. I usually buy Weight Watchers brand or other “healthy” brands. The deal is, these are NOT healthy as a staple. They are OK when you are in a pinch, but one should not live off of these meals. They are processed and chock full of sodium! Lauren feels I need more fresh food, lean proteins, and nuts in my diet and that should kick-start my weight loss again.

You see, I knew before I asked her that I needed to change these issues. The problem was it was easier not to recognize and accept them when I was the only one pointing it out. Having my trainer point this out has made me come to terms with what needs to happen, come to terms with it, and make the necessary changes to be successful. First day on the tweaked diet started today. I will keep you posted.

Liz

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