For the past few years, I’ve noticed each year an additional 10 lbs is gained and this year I’ve finally decided to do something about it.  I will still be posting recipes that are straight and to the point, but those will be separate from these posts.  What I have come to realize is that I really can eat what I want in a way – sometimes that needs to be modified though, but if you have the right mindset, change will happen in a positive way.

At the end of February I started a new job and the health insurance is through a company I’d never had before.  About a couple weeks into the new job, I get an email about this program called Omada that is offered through the health insurance.  I figured why not?  It’s no cost and what do I have to lose other than some time.  It is week 7 currently and the mindset I have now is not like it has ever been before – I’m excited.

Even though I’m on week 7, I’m starting this blog post out as Day 1, because this is the day I started the 10 week red carpet program through the  Harley Pasternak Hollywood Workout Xbox Kinect.  I’ve done this before, but something always has me going back to that program.  It’s 25-30 minutes.  The warmups and cooldowns are always the same, but the exercises are different – 3 different ones, 3 different sets and as many reps as you can do with the time allotted.

As soon as I get up out of bed, I use the bathroom and then weigh myself.

Weigh In:  170.4

Woke up a little before 7 a.m. to get that workout in before getting ready for work.

Activity:  3 sets of chest flys, squats and crunches; over 10k steps; writing this blog while on the treadmill.

Breakfast:  1 piece whole grain toast, 1 hard egg, 3 pieces maple Wright bacon, 1 TBSP light mayo

Snack:  3/4 cup chickpea mac & cheese (homemade sauce) with homemade kimchi

Lunch:  1 lavash flatbread with homemade alfredo sauce

Dinner:  1/4 plate of chickpea mac & cheese (homemade sauce, 1/2 Soya bun with homemade black bean burger and mustard, 1/2 plate of green beans with tajin seasoning, 1 small bite of smoked pork tenderloin

Water is very important – especially if you are moving around a lot!  By the time I got done with the workout this morning, I had already drank 32 oz. of ice water.  My goal typically is to have three 32 oz mugs of ice water by the time I go to bed.  If I walk over 12k steps, I’m definitely aiming to drink more water than that.

A few things I’m keeping an eye out on:

• Amount of sugar in a serving – if it’s more than 4g, I am being cautious
• Amount of protein in a serving – I’m aiming for at least 20g of protein per serving each meal
• If I have a sweet tooth craving, I turn on the keurig and add creamer to my cup of coffee

Last week, each day I was losing weight – it wasn’t a lot, but I could see there was progress!  This is why I want to share with everyone what I am doing and I welcome any constructive comments as well.

**I am not a nutritionist or personal trainer by any means and my results can very much vary from anyone else’s.  Please keep that in mind and feel free to share this blog with friends!