Monday, January 5, 2009

I love South Beach

This picture was taken at Maggie's school fall festival the week before Halloween. I wanted my picture with my adorable Cinderella, but I hid behind her. The shirt was too tight. The pants were not the right size, but I refused to buy a size bigger. I started dieting a few weeks later.

This weekend, my Posse had the BEST girls weekend I could have possibly imagined in San Antonio. When Deb aimed the camera my way and told me to pose, my first instinct was to hid somewhere. Maybe behind the cute blonde or the tall beauty. Deb wouldn't let me. She made me have my picture taken. I slightly unwillingly struck a pose for her

I've lost 17 lbs so far! I think it would be even less, had it not been for a few days off for Christmas Eve and Christmas day yumminess. I've got 4 pounds left to get to my original goal--my pre pregnancy weight with Maggie. I have 15 pounds to go to my bigger goal--a healthy BMI that puts me out of the overweight category (thanks to my Wii Fit for helping me watch it go down in the right direction!).

I've finally found the diet that works for me. South Beach works. It is a diet I can stick to, even on the Riverwalk with friends. With my job, I often have to eat out. Counting points got to be too much for me. With South Beach, I feel like I have more options. I know what I can eat, and know what I need to avoid. I have a wide range of foods to select.

On other diets, I've allowed myself to eat things like 100 Calorie Packs of snacks. While they are low in calories, they aren't healthy for me. They aren't what I need to be putting in my face. Now, I eat no processed foods on South Beach. I never thought I would enjoy it, but I completely LOVE it. Added bonus--I can eat it with my family. We had steak, brown rice, and asparagus last night. Tonight was turkey spaghetti sauce with whole wheat raviolis. Maggie eats it. Andrew eats it. We are able to enjoy a meal together as a family and I don't feel like I have to sacrifice for my diet.

I love South Beach. Other people love South Beach (great blog with fantastic recipes).

Ultimately, my goal is to get down to a weight that I feel comfortable in getting pregnant again. I am setting a doctor's appointment for March (not sure when yet) to begin trying to have another baby. By then, it is my hope that South Beach is engrained in me. I would ideally like to move to Phase 3 of South Beach while pregnant, helping me maintain healthy eating habits while pregnant.

I know I can do this. I need South Beach to help me make it happen, but I know I CAN do it.

48 comments:

Donna said...

Hey, congrats!!! South Beach is a great way to go. Gotta climb back on the wagon this week after two months of pretending that all those extra snack weren't going to add up!

Carolein said...

Congratulations Jenny! You look GREAT!!! From the one photo to the other, you can even see it in your face. You look gorgeous!!! Keep it up! I just started dieting yet again myself and am hoping it sticks this time (crosses fingers).

Keep up the great work!

Hugs,

Carolein

Sherrie said...

Great job Jenny. We're starting our program tomorrow when the Biggest Loser Couples kicks off. Hubby and I have GOT to do something this time...serious!

Anonymous said...

I don't know about tall beauty, but I do know you looked HOT this weekend. Rich said you looked the best in the photos (so not making that up. Of course, in the next breath, he told me I looked the worst. But he said you looked GREAT!)

So excited for 2009 for all of us. :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! You look awesome!!

linda said...

You are amazing! I am so happy that you have been able to lose the weight and get on with your other goals at hand (baby)!
Linda

timi68 said...

Jenny!!!!!

Holy COW! What a difference I see in the pics! You look awesome!
Keep up the great work! I'm following in your footsteps too! I made bets with everyone that I'd lose 15 lbs by Easter and since New Year's Eve, I've she about 4! WOO HOO!

Helen said...

Wow! You look incredible! I'm trying for a thin face like that! Love it!

HAPTeach said...

Congrats-you are doing a great job and look amazing. Yes you can do it!

Kalyn Denny said...

Way to go! You're really doing great. I do love South Beach too. It's the only diet I ever could stick to. And I also love the way I feel when I'm eating this way. (And thanks for the mention, glad you like the recipes.)

Julia D. Photography said...

You look great!!

Kirsten said...

Congrats on all your hard work paying off. South Beach plus Team in Training. It's a good combo for you.

mum1228 said...

Just wanted to stop by and say congrats...you look great!!

Unknown said...

Wow you really look great and I definately see a difference. I have the SB book but lent it to my older brother who read it but didn't like it...he never returned it.

Are you doing the original SB or that SB Super Charged?

I went on antidepressants a few years ago and packed on over 40 pounds and just gave up all hope on losing...I went from size 12 pants to now a whopping 20....I hate it. I'm not even taking meds at the moment and the weight hasn't budged.

Good luck and maybe seeing the results with you that'll get me motivated. My male boss and his wife do SB and he also swears by it, but he never stays on long enough to see the results.

Lyndsay said...

Wow Jenny - you look GREAT!! Look how much slimmer your face is in that 2nd picture!
Congratulations!

Heather said...

Congrats, Jenny! You look great. I agree with previous posters, the weight loss is totally obvious, especially in your face. Keep up the good work!

2boystwingirls said...

You look beautiful - before AND after! Congrats to you on all your hard work. I've done WW on and off many times. I'm finally at a point where I'm pretty happy with my weight and when I see the scale creeping back up I know it's time to kick back into action. You've motivated me to get back to work!
Michele

Anonymous said...

Woohoo! Way to go Jenny! You look super hot! You inspired me to try SB out, I started a few days ago, it's hard right now as I miss bread and snacks LOL but from what you've said it gets easier! :) We also just gort a Wii Fit! It's so fun!! I'm really proud of you for sticking to this and I'm so happy you've found what works for you! :0 Hooray Jenny!

Karen said...

Wow!
What a difference.
You definitely don't need to hide.
Your face is slim and your body.
I am on a diet too but maybe I will check out the South Beach diet too now.

Tammy said...

Jenny, you look fabulous!! You can really see the difference in your face, keep up the great job, its working! Hugs from Fort Worth!

Robin said...

You look fantastic! Congratulations.

Vino Mommy said...

You rock girl! I just started South Beach and have done it before, just really hoping I can stick with it. You look amazing and your pictures are inspiring!!! Keep it up :)

mama2one said...

Hot! Hot! Hot!
Great Job! You're an inspiration.
2009 is going to be a great year for you and your family.

Stacy said...

You look wonderful! Great job!

Hillary Adams said...

You look fabulous and good luck on getting pregnant!!! You've inspired me to get back on the diet plan:)

Sarah said...

Best of luck with your continued weight loss! Making healthy choices can be so very hard. It does get easier! You look very pretty!

Humor me girl said...

Wow Jenny you look fabulous. You can definately tell the change in weight especially in your face. Keep up the good work.

HollyH said...

wow.....my jaw is hanging open! You looked great at the Cook Christmas party, but this is inSANE! You can just see that you feel great! Congratulations on continuing to reach your goals! I got a Wii Fit for xmas, and LOVE it. (except for the part where it weighs me)...

Shannon (SLBB) said...

Jenny you look fabulous. I hope you are proud of your work towards your health goal.

I am inspired by your determination and spirit to work through all the "stuff" that some of us face as we try to be HEALTHY.

Keep going girl!

Stephanie said...

I am inspired to do the South Beach diet. I have about 60 lbs to lose and nothing has worked for me that I can stick with.

Thanks for sharing your progress!

Angie said...

That's awesome, Jenny! How long have you been doing SB? I'm STILL on the WW wagon. I got on about the end of July and lost 22 lbs. by the end of Oct. but then I fell off (HARD) and just got back on last Friday. Fortunately, I only gained 6 lbs. back, so I am grateful for that.

I know what you mean about counting points and how frustrating it can be - with South Beach, I am afraid I'd feel limited but you say you feel like you have more options. TELL ME MORE :)

Congrats on your weight loss - you look amazing. Debbie took a great picture :)

Melody said...

Congrats, Jenny! You look great! Keep up the good work!

Liz Elvir said...

YEAH for you! you look FABULOUS! Congrats!

Amy said...

You look amazing Jenny!! Way to go girl, keep up the good work.

Rhonda said...

OMG - You look FANTASTIC!!!! I am sooooo proud of you - and YES, you can do it!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow Jenny you look amazing!!!! You look like you have lost way more than 17 pounds. I just an in awe. Tomorrow I am going to check out South Beach.. the diet not the beach ;) although I am thinking that would be way more fun...
You go girl!!!

Ryan, Jennifer, Riley and Peyton said...

AMAZING!! That is exactly how you look. I can tell a huge difference in the pictures. You are a beautiful woman inside and out. God has blessed you in so many ways. I am looking forward to hearing the BFP announcement!!

God Bless

kmm0305 said...

You look awesome!! You are an inspiration and I hope you have a wonderful year!!

Kristyn

The Morgan Family said...

Wow! You do look fantastic! Keep up the good work!!!! I have a feeling pretty soon you are going to be a hot, healthy, pregnant momma!

Jenn @ Casa de Castro said...

Congratulations, Jenny! You look marvelous. Keep up the good work!

One crazed mommy said...

Jini - I can tell from the photo that you have lost weight...you look terrific! Way to go on the 17lbs. and good luck on your ultimate goal. :)

Crys said...

wow! you look fantastic! see you in the skinnier flesh saturday.

Ashley H. said...

You look great! In fact, after the birth of my 4th and FINAL child in March, I might just jump on the South Beach wagon. I've been looking at a few different diets, but I love to eat, so none of them have seemed to great. Maybe it will work for me!

Rachel said...

You look AMAZING!!!!!

Graycesmomma said...

You look AMAZING! You should be very proud of yourself!

I wish I had your drive...maybe I will have to try South Beach. I have the same problem you talked about with the annoying point counting.

Susan P said...

You look awesome!!

Tonya said...

Dang girl, you look great! And great job sticking w/it through the holidays.

Lyndsay said...

I just had to come look at your pictures for some inspiration. I'm on Day 3... and I'm hungry... and I'm so tired of eggs already...