Junk Food Challenge

My daily ritual of Internet surfing (yes I have a ritual, don't judge!) includes going to Yahoo and flipping through the scrolling news stories on the front page.  Well today I found an inspiring story, a family who went 100 days without eating junk food.  It was the 100 days of real food challenge.

I thought it sounded pretty easy at first; avoid Twinkies and chocolate cake for 100 days.  But as you dig further, you start to realize that its not just the pre-packaged, sugar filled 'treats' that are on the avoidance list for 100 days.  It includes white flour, white rice, artificial sweeteners (Splenda, Sweet N’ Low, etc), deep fried foods, and nothing with more than 5 ingredients listed on packaged food.  Wow…this just got a lot harder.

I got to thinking, though, this sounds like something that would fit in perfectly with the Weight Watchers plan.  It calls for eating fruits and vegetables (which are virtually point free on Weight Watchers), and whole grains, which are more filling and worth less points as well.  So why not take the challenge?

So that’s what I’m going to do, I’m going to take the 100-day challenge.  Starting tomorrow (since I’ve already failed today), I will start avoiding “junk” food, including all those that are packaged, made with white flour, and those made with artificial sweeteners.  And to hold myself accountable, there will be a new section on the blog that I will continuously update with my process.  Unfortunately, I don’t think I can post day by day through the challenge, but hopefully every few days will be a new post about the process of completely cutting out junk food.  Wish me luck…here I go!

Just a side note…you can find the challenge inspiring my challenge at www.100daysofrealfood.com.   There you will find tips, others who have also taken the challenge, and mini challenges to get you started.  I won’t post stuff directly from that website (i.e. recipes, tips, rules, mini challenges, etc) for copyright purposes.  But please visit that website if you feel inspired to do this or are just curious about what I’m doing!

Time Off

Well hello all in blog land.  I guess its been a while since I've last posted...February to be exact.  I guess its only fair to fess up...I fell of the wagon.

I've figured out (although I probably knew this before but choose to live in blissful denial) that weight loss is hard.  My focus has been to lose x amount of pounds, the amount to get me to my goal weight.  I also decided that eating healthier would assist in this journey..............no matter how painful.  Focusing on one giant goal hasn't been all that helpful.  It had also been very hard to make myself eat healthy when there were so many delicious distractions.

I also learned, and it took me a while, that losing weight by yourself is very hard.  I figured I was a strong willed individual and could do it on my own.  As the weeks slipped into months, I realized that I may be in over my head...no matter how strong my will was.  So I enlisted help.  My mother had suggested Weight Watchers, and I finally broke down and joined Weight Watchers...yes Weight Watchers, and instantly noticed results.  It also didn't hurt that I joined in the middle of summer fruit season!!

While it does costs some moolah to join Weight Watchers, the pay off is justifiable.  They have quick, easy recipes and already made foods, and they all taste good.  It teaches you how to make some of your favorite meals, but with less fat and carbs.  Making something you love healthier without trading the taste.  They also have tips that help you stay on track.

I also decided that since I've changed the diet thing up, I should get back on here and start chronicling my journey once more.  So to all you who have been missing it, I'm terribly sorry.  Hopefully this time I stay on track....with everything! :)