Baby got back...Into shape!: Cosmo ain't got nothin to do with my selection

Hi Friends!

I'm back so soon...I've come down with the stomach virus and I'm starting to feel a little better but still stuck in bed so I thought i would do my first real blog post! Originally I was going to give you a yummy recipe that I came up with but I can't think about food right now so I'll save it for later. :)

So first I want to say THANK YOU to all of my supporters and all of the people supporting this blog. The response I received was overwhelming.

Summer is coming!
We all know what that means...
Pressure to fit into a little bikini.
I haven't worn a bikini since I was about 8 years old.

Hello 8 year old me! (I've always been chunky)

Wanna know something funny? I always felt like the big girl. I was always over weight. But when I look back at old pictures I always thought,

"Man I wish I still looked like that."

Ever feel that way about yourself?

The media puts so much pressure on us to look a certain way and when we don't, we take that way too personally. I'm sorry but this is not what my goal is for this weight loss journey:

Miss Universe, Australia

This is too skinny for me.

In no way, shape or form do I think this is okay. Not only is this unrealistic, this is just nasty in my opinion. I would be afraid to fall and break something.

This is more realistic and more of what my goal is:

She still has curves, it looks natural and she's beautiful!

So how do we get to this final goal?

We make smaller goals along the way.

Do it any way you like, weekly goals or monthly goals. Right now I do weekly goals because Weight Watchers has me doing that. I also set long-term goals. For instance, I want to be 180lbs by May 1st because I need to pick out a new dress for a wedding that the boy and I are going to.

Realistic goals with realistic rewards. ;)

Goals are great. Once you make your first goal and realize that you can do it, you can make the next goal. The next goal can be just as crazy because you know you can do it!

Now let's talk about LIFE. Unfortunately life gets in the way of our weight loss goals.

This is when we know we are doing it wrong.

This is something that I am definitely still working on.

Our weight loss journey is our life. Our diet is no longer our diet, it is our lifestyle. It is our nutrition. We can still go out with friends, go on vacation and LOSE or MAINTAIN.

The most courageous thing you can do while embarking on life is to turn down the loaded nachos, wings, pasta dish big enough for 3 people, or sugary cocktails and learn a good substitution for it. Here is a tip for a night out with the girls...

1.) Go to the gym before you go out.

2.) Your favorite drink is a Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri. It's the summer, you want something cold and fruity!

Wrong. This drink is worth 7 WW points in a normal, 5oz glass.

With all of the sugars and PURE sugar added for flavor, this drink has 23g of carbohydrates.

When trying to deny yourself this drink, think about the workout that you just put in. That could be another hour on the treadmill just to burn off that drink! And that's just one! Do you only have one drink when you're out?

The best drinks out there are bloody marys and screwdrivers. These drinks are made with fruit juices and are only 3 WW points.

Don't like either of these drinks? Neither do I...

Did you know that citrus vodka has less carbs than regular vodka? Try pairing this with Sprite, tonic or club. I hate citrus but for some reason I think Absolut Citron is delicious. This combination is roughly 3 WW points, depending on which soda you choose.

You can also choose a light beer. My boyfriend really switched his taste buds to like Bud Light Lime because its one of the lightest beers in nutrition but without sacrificing flavor. I'm not a beer girl, but it's pretty good.

A 5oz. glass of white or red wine is worth 4 points. That is okay, just drink slowly.

Wait till you hear this...a Long Island Iced Tea is 9 WW POINTS! For those of you who don't know how Weight Watchers works, they supply you with a daily points allowance. The idea is to choose food and drinks with the least amount of points. Fruits and veggies are 0 points.

9 WW points is enough for a meal. Most people drink at least 2 LI's. Now we're up to 18 points, more than half my daily intake.

4oz. of White Russian? = 10 WW points.

Pina Colada? = 12 WW points.

Frozen Mudslide, one of my favorites that I won't drink for a VERY long time = ~~27 WW points.~~

27 points is some people's daily allowance! I have 33 WW points a day right now because of my weight and height. Let's just put that into perspective.

3.) Fill up on a garden salad before you get your entree! You can use a vinaigrette or oil and vinegar. Restaurant's portions are usually huge. If you want to get that pasta entree, ask for a box right away so you can put at least half into it. Obviously if you have to pick your sides, don't pick the fries. Eat some yummy veggies. And no, I don't mean potatoes of any kind. Even if they are baked, they are still high in carbs.

4.) If you NEED dessert, don't do it at the restaurant. Go to your local FROYO place, (it's yummier and cheaper anyway). The self serve machines tell you if something is sugar or fat free! But be careful of the toppings. Just because your FROYO is fat free, doesn't mean you can slide on the toppings.

5.) Obviously it's always better to have parties at your house instead of going out. That way you are in control of your environment. You know what snacks are going to be there and what alcohol. Plus you'll probably save a lot of money, too. :)

You can make a delicious fruit and veggie tray, or a WW pizza recipe...(which I'll post later)! You don't have to deny yourself the good stuff, just find a healthier version of it!

Before your party, make a strawberry smoothie and add your favorite liquor into it! Just make sure you are using nonfat greek yogurt and other healthy ingredients. Clear liquors are your best choice to add to this concoction.

Also, Skinny Girl wine is only 100 calories per serving. Try it on for size! I have it in my fridge right now and can't wait to try it for the first time.

I'm going to leave you with a workout routine and just remember:

"Cosmo says you're fat, well I ain't down with that!"

Don't fall for the stereotypical image that society puts on women. Healthy curves are beautiful.