Friday, January 8, 2010

New Year, New Me

Me in 2006 - At Caity's bridal showerUs in 2009 at Candace's wedding

(Warning: This is going to be really cliche, but I embrace the tacky-ness in my life sometimes!)
Every year I set a goal to lose weight, and every year I feel like I need to, but this year there's an urgency about it that I can't ignore. I put on some serious weight with the baby (as you can see above) and I am super jazzed up about losing it this year. Ella is almost 8 months old and I've lost 15 lbs. since she was born, but it's not nearly enough.
So, the temptation is there to jump on some crazy diet bandwagon, and trust me, I've been there before. For example:
-The cabbage soup diet (effective, but stinky... just ask my sisters. That soup REEKS!)
-The Carbohydrate Addict Diet (Thanks for this one, mom. You eat no carbs all day, but one hour a day you can eat whatever you want. It led to some crazy binging... not fun.)
-The Apple Cider Vinegar Diet (Eat whatever you want, but drink two tablespoons of vinegar before every meal or something like that. Sick. Acid down the throat. Not good. Thanks again, Mom. :) )
-Cactus Shakes (I can thank the latinos on my mission for this one. Cactus isn't so bad once you remove the spines, blend it up, strain off the slobber-like foam, and add a tub of crystal light!)
-The Body for Life approach (probably the most balanced, but still pretty restrictive)
-The Ultra-simple Diet (I did this two years ago with Emily, and it wasn't so simple...also involved a stinky soup, but pretty darn effective.)
-South Beach Diet (Uh, no. Not cool.)

There are probably many more. But I am now leveling with myself and realizing that it isn't going to be a six-week cookie diet type of fix. I need to change my life. And now I'm ready.

Here are some of my inspirations:
-Emily - My bestest friend - she is in a wheelchair, but still managed to lose 100 lbs!

Video Courtesy of KSL.com


-Jen - Another teacher friend who posts about her weight loss here : slimandhealthylife.blogspot.com

5 comments:

caitlin said...

Okay, firstly that picture of Ella in that fluffy coat is just about the cutest thing I have ever seen.

second.. way to go Emily, she is seriously awesome.

and third.. you are hot, no matter what, but I admire you for your goals. I have been counting calories and exercising every day, and the thing that sucks most, is that's just what you have to do to get that weight off.

Wouldn't it be great if it was as fun to lose weight as gain it? Good luck, and I'm here for ya if you need some motivation!

Heather said...

your beautiful no matter what you weigh!! I once read Kelly Ripa say it took her THREE years to get back to her pre kids weight. I am all for that plan! Don't stress out about it, do fun things like your class you went to, find food that you enjoy eating that is good for you. And the biggest thing is LIMIT SUGAR (that is my demon!) I am trying to talk myself into going 10 days without sugar, apparently it completely changes your desire for it, and you feel SO much better.... we can do it together, hold each other to it!!
LOVE YA no matter what you weigh, and so does jon and ella....

Tara said...

I completely agree with Caitlin on all accounts :)I am right there with you, Bonnie. This year I am going to the spa once for every 5 lbs I lose. You should join me :). Hopefully it will result in lots of spa visits!

We should all do our own little Biggest Loser :).

Jen said...

Way to go! You look great now, but I'm sure you'll feel great getting in shape. I know I feel SO MUCH BETTER! Thanks for sharing Emily's video. I love that girl!
I hope my blog
really can help someone!

Erin said...

I think that's a great new years resolution! My advice though is to not focus on a weight loss number, but instead on whether or not you feel healthy. We made some serious life changes a couple of years ago with the help of Dave's best friend. He's a nutrition consultant (I can get you in touch with him, or give you the info he gave us). He showed us how to change our eating habits and speed up Dave's metabolism naturally. Dave lost a whopping 90 lbs in 8 months, and we've never looked back. We eat uber healthy over here now and don't feel like we missing out on anything! Good luck Bon!!!