Maybe It Isn't About Weight Loss

Hi, my name is Charlotte and I am a sugar addict.

So as I just posted a few days ago, I am for sure trying to lose some more weight. Here's the deal. I eat pretty darn well. I eat fresh fruits and veggies. I don't eat red meat more than 1-2 times per month. I eat very little white flour and dairy. I don't have any milk in my diet (I'm only drinking Almond Milk). I don't eat things like mayonnaise and ketchup. I eat mostly organic veggies and fruits. I walk at least 1.5 miles 5 times per week. But I am utterly, hopelessly addicted to sugar.

Cupcakes, Cookies and Ice Cream are my vices. So, I had my last bite of sugar, other than slight amounts of dark chocolate, for awhile. Now I am not going to cut out sweets from my life forever, because that simply isn't reasonable or realistic. I do, however, need a major detox.

Granted, I will have sugar in my diet because there are tons of foods that have sugar in them, from crackers to bread. I am talking about detoxing from overt sugar. I admit, I had not one but two donuts this morning for breakfast. But, for the next week, no overt sugar. Bye bye cakes, cookies, pies and the like. The only exception I may make is one or two bites of Pecan Pie at Salt Lick when we head to Austin this weekend. Other than that, I can do this for at least one week, right? (Crossing my fingers tight...)

I'm Losing It

No for real this time. I really want to lose some more weight. I lost 10 pounds last year and was fairly happy with myself. Then my weight creeped up a pound, then two pounds. All I can say is I am not going back. I have to lose the couple pounds I have gained back and about 20 of his little friends. From where I am at now, I need to lose another 15-21 pounds. Now I am not in an unhealthy BMI, nor am I considered overweight by most tables and charts out there. But, I need to do this for me.

What I will do: 

• Eat less, move more
• Walk 1.5 miles/5 days per week = 7.5 miles a week minimum
• Try
• Not give up

What I won't do:

• Beat myself up about my weight
• Get mad at myself for not being perfect with my regimen
• Give up all "bad" foods
• Be horribly upset if I don't make my goal

My overall goal? Be down to the top part of my goal weight range by 3/10/12. That's a loss of around 15 pounds in two months. That is a little less than 2 pounds per week. I can do this and that little sidebar tape measure on my blog will hold me accountable.

(PS: This has nothing to do with it being a new year. This is not my resolution. This is my health and my life. Period.)

My 95% Diet

As of recent, I have lost 11 pounds due to what I have been calling my 95% diet.  The fact is, this really isn't a diet at all. I have simply cut a few things out of my diet 95% of the time. These things include processed foods, red meat, soda and white pasta and bread. Now I haven't boycotted these things completely, just 95% of the time. I still eat things like fresh made cupcakes, fresh cut french fries and other things you would think are bad for weight loss. The main thing about all of these foods is that I only eat them if they are made fresh with no artificial preservatives. We almost don't buy anything in the store that comes in a box, so that leaves us buying fresh meat, flash frozen veggies, fresh fruit and other fresh foods. About 5% of what we eat contains preservatives, but no more.

This has been a really easy way to lose weight. This leads me to believe that it is food with artificial preservatives that cause one to gain wait. Now I am not trying to lead anyone to believe that this is the healthiest way to eat, because I am sure it isn't. Like I said, I still eat cupcakes, frosting and some diet sodas and similar things from time to time. All I know is that I have always had a hard time losing weight and with 11 pounds gone in only a few months time, I am hooked on my 95% diet.

I have also noticed that eating this way I am hungry less and smaller amounts of food satiate me. This has also aided in my weight loss to be sure. I only have 6 more pounds to my goal weight, so here's to trying to lose the last little bit. But, as with any diet, I know these last few pounds will be the hardest to lose. Here's to hoping I can do it!