breakfast – an overflowing bowl of cereal with just as much milk OR 3 eggs and 2 pieces of toast with jelly and a big glass of milk.<\/p>\n
snacking in the morning – goldfish here and there OR peanut butter chips and almonds or walnuts OR whatever else I would nibble on while getting Fitzy a snack.<\/p>\n
lunch – the rest of leftovers from dinner OR a giant helping of pasta from the box OR a big sandwich and fruit.<\/p>\n
snacking in the afternoon – the same as the morning.<\/p>\n
dinner – big helpings of whatever we were having – cus it’s GOOD!<\/p>\n
snacking at night – LOTS of popcorn OR ice cream OR cookies and milk.<\/p>\n
AFTER –<\/strong><\/p>\n breakfast – I split three eggs and an orange with Fitzy OR have a serving size of cereal with fruit.<\/p>\n snacking in the morning – yogurt OR a fruit OR a 100ish calorie something AND vegetables.<\/p>\n lunch – some of the left overs from dinner OR a sandwich with fruit OR some of the pasta Fitzy is sharing AND vegetables.<\/p>\n snacking in the afternoon – the same as the morning.<\/p>\n dinner – reasonable helpings of whatever we are having AND vegetables.<\/p>\n snacking at night – a calorie appropriate ice cream OR fruit OR a portioned amount of popcorn.<\/p>\n SERIOUSLY – mostly what I’ve done is just cut back on what I was eating. I’m aware of what I put in my mouth. I don’t deprive myself of things I would like – I just eat MUCH less of it! When we go out to eat – I order things on the low calorie end and eat only half of it. It makes a GREAT lunch the next day! I don’t eat tons of bread and appetizers before the meal. A piece of bread and usually no appetizer. And water and milk ONLY. I haven’t had soda.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Samm had worked up a spreadsheet with the info she learned from Nutrisystem and shared it with me. I have it as a chart on my fridge – and I reference it often – but I don’t completely adhere to it. I just think about what I’m eating. At this point – I don’t have to put much thought into it anymore – it’s become natural.<\/p>\n When I reach my goal – I’ll bump up my calories enough to maintain. But I can’t go back to BEFORE. You have to understand that this is a LIFESTYLE change. You will have to change the way you think about food. The way you view food. Understand that it doesn’t have to control you. Samm has helped me to change those views. I would LOVE to talk about what those are – but she will cover that tomorrow!<\/p>\n I have to go back a little – you have to understand. I don’t pretend to know what it’s like to have an eating disorder – whether it’s not eating enough or eating too much. My weight gain over time is due to laziness – physically and in my eating choices. While I was a little too fluffy – I’ve never had to struggle with my weight. I don’t LOVE food. Cooking and eating are a chore for me. I would LOVE if I could eat a pill for my meals and get the nutrients I need. That would be fabulous. I can’t eat chocolate and as a woman I think that helps keep sweets under control – but I could be wrong. Please – don’t think – well Danielle – aren’t you lucky then. No. I’m not. While I don’t struggle with food – I struggle with anxiety and OCD tendencies. We all have something. And I write this to encourage you. YOU CAN and WILL do it!<\/p>\n Over the years Samm or Jared would say something about their weight and I would snap back with a – then do something about it! (I’m insanely sympathetic if you remember. Riiiight.) I didn’t understand what was SO hard about losing some weight. Just do it. So it was time to listen to myself since it was SOOOOO easy.<\/p>\n VERY VERY pregnant with Fitzy – by Aszur Photography<\/p>\n RIGHT after having Fitzy – by Bridget Reed Photography<\/p>\n Fitzy’s dedication – a month after his birth!<\/p>\n August of 2011 – oh my – that tiny boy!<\/p>\n January of 2012 – at the BRIDAL EXPO!<\/p>\n March of 2012 – a year ago.<\/p>\n April of 2012 – Fitzy’s birthday!<\/p>\n August of 2012 – by Megan Hampton Photography<\/p>\n January of 2013 – at the BRIDAL EXPO!<\/p>\n February of 2013!<\/p>\n March of 2013!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.bardenphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/2011.4.jpg\" "\\"2011.4\\"")
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