Down and Discouraged

Hi, I'm Audrey and dieting is hard. Everyone keeps asking me how I am staying motivated and how I am doing so well. Truth is, without Ross, I would have given up already. I cried my eyes out for an hour in the truck the other day and wanted to throw in the towel. Ross told me how proud he was of me, and surprised at the motivation that I had to do this. Friday we will have been dating for 6 months so we are still in the learning stages of our relationship. I have learned a lot about him through my diet, as I'm sure he has learned about me as well. I have learned that he is loving, patient, encouraging, funny, and my rock.

Friday night, I decided to share some popcorn with the group I was with while watching my brother play in his first football game as a senior (GO BULLDOGS!). It was pointed out to me that "popcorn is what makes you fat".. It took everything I had to not break down right there and cry. I know that everyone wants the best for me, but when I'm trying to lose weight, don't point out that it's going to make me fat.. Kindly suggest that I will regret that choice later and should choose something healthy. Because people like that are the reason that eating disorders form. ATTENTION, I have a dirty little secret. I battled bulimia on and off for 2 years because of people like this. Pointing out that if I would just give up sweets or if I would eat less, I would be so gorgeous and skinny! To a girl that wants to lose weight, she wants that food out immediately because she feels so guilty, she feels like if she gets it out she can be 'skinny and pretty'. Don't be the person that drives people to eating disorders. Please for the love of pete find a kinder way to suggest a healthier alternative to them. 

I got discouraged that night on the way home but Ross picked me right back up and put me in my place. He told me that if I gave up now I would have to start all over from the beginning when I wanted to jump back on the train again. Starting over gets old. Stick it out and keep going even if you want to beat yourself up for a small cheat. You have to have those cheats, or you will always cheat. Eventually the cravings will leave you and you will only be craving healthy foods. Give it time and don't over do the cheat. A good friend of mine gave me some awesome advice the other day. He told me to PLAN a cheat meal every 7 to 10 days. Reward yourself for all of the healthy eating in the previous days and schedule ONE cheat meal (not a full day).

I have been going to the gym for almost 2 weeks now.. Can you believe that?!? Time has flown faster than ever. I have been eating healthy for almost a month! CRAZY! I took my sister with me to the gym the other day and it was probably my favorite gym session so far just because I love her so much and love getting to do things with her. :)

Kels doesn't do the working out thing. So this was her annual session, and her soreness showed for it. We just lifted weights that day, mostly arms, with some light cardio.

Working on our biceps and learning how to use all of the weight lifting machines that day was the highlight. My gym was having some water leak issues so we got the pleasure of being the only 2 in the gym that day.


Ross's mom is on Weight Watchers so she is VERY supportive of my diet and I couldn't be more thankful for that. Because of her my weekend of eating was healthy and easy. She stocked the house with all healthy foods and gave me no other options. Tomorrow we are trying a new chicken that I would like you to have the recipe for so if you are looking for something new to try on your day off, you can try it to!

Chicken with Lemon-Cucumber Relish (from Midwest Living magazine)
Prep 18 minutes      Grill 12 Minutes
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
2 1/2 cups chopped seedless cucumber
1 large tomato, chopped (1 cup)
1/4 finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon milk

1. Brush chicken with oil; sprinkle with cumin, salt and pepper. Grill chicken on a covered grill directly over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes until done, turning once.
2. Meanwhile, for Lemon-Cucumber Relish: In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, tomato, onion, lemon peel, lemon juice, and garlic. For yogurt sauce, in a bowl, stir together yogurt, honey and milk. Serve chicken with lemon-Cucumber Relish and drizzle with yogurt sauce. '

Per serving:
283 calories
8 g fat
109 mg cholesterol
503 mg sodium
12 g carbohydrates
1 g fiber
40 g protein

I am back to being enthusiastic about my journey and I am ready to tackle this week. My biggest thing that I want to remind you of is be sure to find your support group. Without a support group you may succeed but not hold yourself as accountable. Find the ones around you who are ready to push you to be your best, BUT also understand when you can't be at the top of your game. Find someone you can cry to and ask for guidance, even if that person wants nothing to do with weight loss at all. As I say every week, I can do this! YOU can do this!

Never, never, never give up. -Winston Churchill

xoxo, Audrey