Nursing and weight loss

Me: "Grace, what's Libby's favorite thing to do at the beach?"
Grace: "Nurse."

One of the greatest accomplishments that I've achieved in my life has been breastfeeding my children. It may not sound like something to write home about or dangle a medal around your neck for, but my nursing journeys have been anything but smooth and they've given me such confidence and sense of achievement. I battled thrush repeatedly with both of my girls in the beginning, having mastitis at the same time during one bout with Libby. It took five days for my milk to come in after having Grace, which was very emotionally upsetting as a brand new mother, and neither gal had a great latch. I remember screaming in pain during the first few months of nursing - during just about every nursing session. But, I persevered. It was very important to me. I was committed to breastfeeding and also to child-led weaning, so it wasn't a sad day but a joyful, rewarding day when Grace made it to two years two weeks before she weaned herself. Libby will be one year old in a couple of months (really?!) and she's going strong!

Why the run-on about breastfeeding? Because making smart weight loss choices for yourself as a nursing mother isn't just about you - it's about your baby. My lovely friend Katie is one of the coolest moms I know. She's a proud mama of two and recently asked here about my experience with milk supply and losing weight. That's definitely a topic that I wanted to know more about myself when I first began this weight loss journey!

I am very blessed to have never experienced a dip in my supply due to weight loss, and I've lost a lot of weight. I chose to begin eating 2000 calories a day and working out only AFTER Libby turned four weeks old. I didn't want to have any issues with milk supply and wanted to allow it to be established for a full month of nursing (I do on-demand, child-led nursing) before I began shedding the pounds. I used http://www.thedailyplate.com/ to determine how many calories I needed a day to lose weight (their calculator is great because it factors in your activity level) and I added 500 extra for breastfeeding (1500 + 500 for me at that time). After a few months, I noticed that my weight loss had plateaued, so, milk supply being well-established, I dropped my calories down to 1800. I drank some Yogi brand Mother's Milk tea for the first week, but, not noticing any difference in supply, I kept with those calories and continued losing weight and making good milk.

In terms of working out, I was leary of doing too much exercising because of the potential of increased lactic acid in my breastmilk as a result. However, one of my favorite resources - http://www.kellymom.com/ (wish I could take credit, LOL!) - details that it would take an extreme amount of exhaustive exercise for that to happen, and it's not a given that the baby would reject the breast (which is the fear when too much lactic acid is produced). Working out at 50-70% intensity is considering a-okay. I began with doing just two days a week of 20 minute sessions on the elliptical machine in the gym and then increased it to three days a week (I burned 150 cals each time - not very exhaustive), topping out at about 5-6 days of pushing the girls for at least a mile in the stroller during the summer (you can find out more about my work-outs in my other latest post).

Again, with weight loss while nursing, I was conscious of not losing too much weight too quickly. Gradual weight loss is safer for sustaining milk supply than a huge drop in your weight very quickly. I credit my consistent weight loss - it's been a lot, but it's been over time (I should reveal my stats in a new post or something, haha) - with not causing a decrease in my milk supply. Plus, I did it through eating an appropriate number of calories and doing sensible work-outs. Nothing extreme towards one end or another. It's tempting to regard breastfeeding as a weight loss method, but it shouldn't be used as such. Not giving our bodies enough nourishment to provide adequate milk for our children is dangerous. God's given us mamas such an amazing ability to care for our children's bodies through our own, and it's a responsibility as much as a gift.

Here are some tips from http://www.kellymom.com/ about losing weight while breastfeeding. Remember, all of those stories in the media about Hollywood moms losing weight "because they breastfeed" are great attention for making nursing more easily discussed in public and more mainstream, but a mama's body isn't for display: losing weight is fine, but doing it healthily and soundly is more important than being able to have quick results. Besides, pre-preggo pants, schmants. You'll get there whether it's next week or in six months. You'll get there. Cuddle that darling babe while you're having a chocolate banana (instead of the huge hot fudge sundae).

Oh no...did I just mention hot fudge? :o)

P.S. Shameless mommy moment - how cute is Libby in her new jacket? (Grace has one to match - they're the girls' winter "fancy" coats) No amount of weight loss would ever be worth compromising this precious girl's nutrition. Love her!

How to work out the working out

A new kind of resistance from my children

I never liked working out. I used to try my hardest in college to do those Denise Austen videos (how can you not love '80s leotards and paint-splattered tights? - on her, not me), go to the gym, and walk. The walking part was fun, because my girlfriends and I would jog or trek around the neighborhoods and campus. It was more socialization than anything, though, because I remember going to Taco Bell with friends just as much as I remember walking with them. Still, I wouldn't change a thing about those days. :o)

Exercise just wasn't for me. Or so I thought...until I had my second child. I'm very blessed to live in a development with a clubhouse that has a wonderful gym. My HOA dues are totally worth it, because my husband and I use the gym a lot. I waited for a month to begin working out and eating better after Libby was born so that I'd have my milk supply regulated (check out more about preventing milk loss in my other new post), and after my little dear was four weeks old I started going to the gym. Doing just 20 minutes on the elliptical machine two times a week was all that I did, and I didn't find it daunting or excruciating (and there was something great about not having Denise Austen on video telling me to clap for myself after I was done, LOL).

I quickly realized something: the gym was the only place where I could be alone.

Not entirely, of course, seeing that there are other residents here using the gym (though it's sometimes completely deserted), but it's never super packed, and I can read, listen to music or watch TV there without being pulled, poked and prodded by (my darling) children. Working out is like taking a breather now. I thank our Lord Jesus for having a place to escape and regroup. The endorphins from the exercise coupled with the sheer bliss from a little mommy alone time makes for one VERY delighted mother when she returns from her work-outs!

Not everyone has a gym one minute's drive down the street, and I totally understand that. I used to live in a one-horse town that didn't even have its own real mayor (our mayor was our electrician and also our water guy). However, in the summertime I didn't even make it to the gym and I much more enjoyed pushing the double stroller (burns 20-30% more calories than walking alone and that's just with a SINGLE stroller) for a mile at our local biking/blading/jogging park. There was nothing so satisfying in my day as pushing the girls, communing with nature, listening to Mat Kearney and Switchfoot on my iTouch and praying while walking. I felt so close to God, breathing in His air and delighting my eyes with His natural world.

It doesn't take a gym to get a work-out in, and a work-out doesn't have to be only about your physical body. Face it, us busy parents have a hard enough time peeing alone or brushing our teeth before 10 am without having to force ourselves to work out and stick with it, too. It's hard. My key to learning to adore working out and actually doing it as a habit was finding another reason, besides the physical health aspect, to enjoy it. For me, it's a time to read, be alone and refresh, perk up my mood (I always feel loads happier and more grounded after getting that activity in), and be in prayerful quietude with God. It's as much for my mental health as it is for bodily.

As for my work-out routine:

• 20 minutes on the elliptical machine at the gym three times a week (I burn 150 calories each time - I'm not big into sweating, LOL, so you won't find me busting it out marathon-style at this point). When I was working on losing weight, I did not eat these calories back. Now that I'm maintaining a weight, I eat an extra 150 calories on the days that I work out.
• a 20 minute routine of toning exercises focused on arms, core, legs and behind twice a eat week (I do these diamond push-ups for my triceps - but on my knees - and they work AWESOME for getting rid of the flabola that likes to lingers on the underside of your upper arms, and the rest of my at-home exercises are all just ones that I've gleaned from magazines and put together into a routine)

Not too bad, huh? See, I don't do a ton of working out or anything, but I do it consistently throughout the week and I fully enjoy it. In the summer, I used to walk a mile pushing the girls in the stroller, sometimes two miles a day (one walk in the morning and one walk in the later part of the day) and I'd do that about 5-6 days a week. Nothing, nothing, nothing compares to the sheer exhilaration and happiness that results mentally from being active in the summer (I'm such a warm weather bird), so being outdoors and exercising during those months is one of my favorite things to do. :o) I think that I have some Seasonal Affective Disorder mood-wise, so I manage through the winter, which exercise really helps with, but I definitely do more intense working out in the summer.

Here's a cool chart of a variety of exercises and activities and the amount of calories burned doing each. It's very comprehensive!

What are you doing to work out? I hear a lot about Gillian Michaels' "30 Day" thing and the P90x (am I getting that right?). Does anyone use these programs? What do you think? Who bundles the kiddos up and walks during the winter? Give me your fearlessness - I want to do that, too, LOL!

Nathania's Fast Food Meals for 500 cals or less

Look what I have! (empty)


Thanks, sister!


What just happened?!

Everyone knows that I could never, ever, ever, refrain from eating out. Granted, most of it's in the form of a Dunkin Donuts iced coffee, but still. I love restaurants. If you can lose weight by cutting that stuff out entirely, then I applaud your fabulosity! My family has cut down on eating out a ton in the name of wiser financial stewardship, but we do indulge occassionally. I don't let that stop my low-calorie crusade, though. Which brings me to...

Nathania Johnson. She is awesome. Like, capital A awesome.

Nathania hasn't blogged since 2008 (Nathania, come back, your posts aren't just encouraging, but witty and fun!) but don't let that stop you from checking out her blogola, Nathania Johnson Fights Fat for Charity. She's compiled a list of 158 fast food meals that clock in at 500 calories or less. That's less, guys...many more lesses than I'd ever thought of before! The list features food from McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, KFC, Chick-fil-a, Quiznos and Taco Bell. Oh Taco Bell, you fiend - you're the reason that I gained so much weight after college (okay, if my lack-of-will-power had to be given an official name). There were three Taco Bells within a 5 mile radius. The horror!

Yesterday the girls and I met up with Ed at Burger King for lunch, because we were supposed to have a playdate but couldn't because Libby was a bit boogery in the morning, and I didn't want to expose her to other kids and play Duck, Duck, Goose with germs. It's not good mother ettiquette (plus, she just wanted to snooze, poor lass). Since we wouldn't be dining with friends at Burger King like planned, we went with the Daddy instead. He loves the BK stacker burgers and would much rather go there than my beloved Chick-fil-a, so it was a fine time for him, too. ;o)

Before going, I did what I always do: pre-plan my meal by calculating the calories beforehand. I came across Nathania's list in this process and just had to share it here! Eating out shouldn't be a habit; it's a treat. Gorging your gut too often doesn't just cause said gut to remain, but it also takes away the joy that comes from indulging in those yummy foods. I really appreciate a six nuggets kids meal at Chick-fil-a a lot more now that I rarely have it (does anyone else get a kids' meal, too?).

Presenting..."the list":

Wendy’s

1. Stack Attack Double Cheeseburger + Mandarin Oranges = 460 calories

2. Double Jr. Cheeseburger + Mandarin Oranges = 470 calories

3. Jr. Hamburger + Yogurt with Granola = 480 calories

4. Jr. Hamburger + Side Salad + Mandarin Oranges = 430 calories

5. Jr. Hamburger + Caesar Side Salad = 490 calories

6. Jr. Hamburger + 5-piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets = 460 calories

7. Jr. Hamburger + Chocolate Chip Cookie = 500 calories

8. Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger + Mandarin Oranges =400 calories

9. Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger + Side Salad = 440 calories

10. Jr. Cheeseburger Deluxe + Side Salad + Mandarin Oranges = 500 calories

11. Jr. Cheeseburger + Side Salad + Mandarin Oranges = 470 calories

12. ¼ lb. Double Stack + Mandarin Oranges = 440 calories

13. ¼ lb. Deluxe Double Stack + Mandarin Oranges = 490 calories

14. Crispy Chicken Deluxe + Mandarin Oranges = 490 calories

15. Ultimate Chicken Grill + Side Salad = 440 calories

16. Ultimate Chicken Grill + Mandarin Oranges = 400 calories

17. Crispy Chicken Sandwich + Side Salad = 460 calories

18. Crispy Chicken Sandwich + Mandarin Oranges = 420 calories

19. Chicken Caesar Salad = 490 calories

20. Sour Cream & Chives Potato + Side Salad = 450 calories

21. Sour Cream & Chives Potato + Mandarin Oranges = 400 calories

22. Broccoli & Cheese Potato + Mandarin Oranges = 410 calories

23. Bacon & Cheese Potato = 440 calories


McDonald’s

24. Hamburger + Small Fries = 500 calories

25. Hamburger + Side Salad + Croutons + Ranch Dressing = 500 calories

26. Hamburger + Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad = 460 calories

27. Hamburger + Apple Dippers + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait = 445 calories

28. Hamburger + Apple Dippers + Caramel Dip + Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone = 500 calories

29. Hamburger + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) + Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisin Cookie = 445 calories

30. Cheeseburger + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) + Side Salad + Croutons + Low-Fat Italian Dressing = 475 calories

31. Cheeseburger + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) = 495 calories

32. Cheeseburger + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) + Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone = 485 calories

33. Cheeseburger + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal Raisin Cookie = 495 calories

34. Double Cheeseburger + Apple Dippers = 470 calories

35. Quarter Pounder (no cheese) + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) = 450 calories

36. Big ‘N Tasty (no cheese) + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) = 495 calories

37. Filet-O-Fish + Apple Dippers + Low Fat Caramel Dip = 480 calories

38. Filet-O-Fish + Side Salad + Low Fat Italian Dressing = 450 calories

39. Filet-O-Fish + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait (no granola) = 500 calories

40. McChicken + Side Salad + Low Fat Italian Dressing + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip)= 470 calories

41. McChicken + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait (no granola) = 490 calories

42. Premium Grilled Chicken Sandwich + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) = 455 calories

43. Snack Wrap w/ Ranch + Side Salad + Croutons + Low-Fat Italian Dressing = 470 calories (subtract 10 calories for Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ wrap)

44. Snack Wrap w/ Ranch + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait = 490 calories (subtract 10 calories for Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ wrap)

45. Snack Wrap w/ Ranch + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait (no granola) = 490 calories (subtract 10 calories for Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ wrap)

46. Snack Wrap w/ Ranch + Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone = 480 calories (subtract 10 calories for Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ wrap)

47. Grilled Snack Wrap w/ Ranch + Apple Dippers + Low-Fat Caramel Dip + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait (no granola) = 500 calories (subtract 10 calories for Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ wrap)

48. Grilled Snack Wrap w/ Ranch + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait = 455 calories (subtract 10 calories for Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ wrap)

49. Grilled Snack Wrap + Snack Size Fruit ‘N Walnut Salad = 480 calories (subtract 10 calories for Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ wrap)

50. Grilled Snack Wrap + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) + Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone = 445 calories (subtract 10 calories for Honey Mustard or Chipotle BBQ wrap)

51. 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets + Honey, Sweet & Sour or BBQ sauce + Small Fries = 470 calories (add 10 calories for Hot Mustard Sauce)

52. 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets + Honey, Sweet & Sour or BBQ sauce + Snack Size Fruit ‘N Walnut Salad = 430 calories (add 10 calories for Hot Mustard Sauce)

53. 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets + Honey, Sweet & Sour or BBQ sauce + Side Salad + Croutons + Low-Fat Italian Dressing + Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone = 500 calories (add 10 calories for Hot Mustard Sauce)

54. 4 Piece Chicken McNuggets + Honey, Sweet & Sour or BBQ sauce + Apple Dippers + Low-Fat Caramel Dip + Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait = 470 calories (add 10 calories for Hot Mustard Sauce)

55. 3 Piece Chicken Selects + Spicy Buffalo, Southwestern Chipotle BBQ or Tangy Honey Mustard Sauce + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) = 480 calories (Stay away from the Creamy Ranch Sauce. It’s 200 calories!)

56. 3 Piece Chicken Selects + Side Salad + Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette + Apple Dippers (no caramel dip) = 475 calories

57. Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad + Creamy Southwest Dressing + Apple Dippers = 455 calories

58. Southwest Crispy Chicken Salad + Creamy Southwest Dressing = 500 calories

59. Asian Grilled Chicken Salad + Low-Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing + Apple Dippers + Low-Fat Caramel Dip = 490 calories

60. Asian Crispy Chicken Salad + Low-Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing = 470 calories

61. Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad + Ranch Dressing + Apple Dippers (no caramel) = 475 calories

62. Caesar Salad w/ Grilled Chicken + Creamy Caesar Dressing + Apple Dippers (no caramel) = 445 calories


Burger King

63. Whopper Jr. with cheese + Side Salad + Fat Free Ranch Dressing = 480 calories

64. Hamburger + Small Onion Rings = 430 calories

65. Hamburger + Side Salad + Ranch Dressing = 500 calories

66. Cheeseburger + Small Onion Rings = 470 calories

67. Cheeseburger + Side Salad + Fat Free Ranch Dressing = 400 calories

68. Bacon Cheeseburger + Side Salad + Fat Free Ranch Dressing = 440 calories

69. 5 Piece Chicken Tenders + Side Salad + Fat Free Ranch Dressing + Small Onion Rings = 420 calories

70. 5 Piece Chicken Tenders + Small Fries = 440 calories

71. 8 Piece Chicken Tenders + Small Onion Rings = 480 calories

72. 8 Piece Chicken Tenders + Side Salad + Fat Free Ranch Dressing = 410 calories

73. 6 Piece Chicken Fries + Small Onion Rings = 480 calories

74. Tendercrisp Garden Salad + Fat Free Ranch Dressing = 470 calories

75. Tendergrill Chicken Filet + Ranch Dressing = 490 calories

Chick-Fil-A

76. Chicken Sandwich + Small Fruit Cup = 460 calories

77. Chicken Sandwich + Side Salad + Light Italian Dressing = 485 calories

78. Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich + Small Fruit Cup + Carrot & Raisin Salad = 490 calories

79. Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich + Side Salad + Buttermilk Ranch Dressing = 490 calories

80. Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich + Small Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup + Small Fruit Cup= 460 calories

81. Chargrilled Chicken Club Sandwich + Large Fruit Cup = 480 calories

82. Chargrilled Chicken Club Sandwich + Side Salad + Light Italian Dressing = 455 calories

83. Chicken Salad Sandwich + Large Fruit Cup = 450 calories

84. Chicken Salad Sandwich + Side Salad + Reduced Fat Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing = 490 calories

85. Chicken Salad Sandwich + Small Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup = 490 calories

86. 4 Chick-N-Strips + Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce + Large Fruit Cup = 470 calories

87. 4 Chick-N-Strips + Honey Mustard or BBQ Sauce + Side Salad + Reduced Fat Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing = 495 calories

88. 4 Chick-N-Strips + Honey Mustard or BBQ Sauce + Small Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup = 495 calories

89. 8 Chicken Nuggets + Polynesian or Buttermilk Ranch Sauce + Large Fruit Cup = 470 calories

90. 8 Chicken Nuggets + Honey Mustard or BBQ Sauce + Carrot & Raisin Salad = 475 calories

91. 8 Chicken Nuggets + Buffalo Sauce + Side Salad + Buttermilk Ranch Dressing = 490 calories

92. 8 Chicken Nuggets + Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce + Small Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup = 460 calories

93. Chicken Deluxe Sandwich + Medium Fruit Cup = 490 calories

94. Chicken Deluxe Sandwich on wheat bun + Large Fruit Cup = 490 calories

95. Chicken Deluxe Sandwich on wheat bun + Side Salad + Light Italian Dressing = 465 calories

96. Spicy Chicken Cool Wrap or Chargrilled Chicken Cool Wrap + Medium Fruit Cup = 480 calories

97. Spicy Chicken Cool Wrap or Chargrilled Chicken Cool Wrap + Side Salad + Light Italian Dressing = 485 calories

98. Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad + Light Italian Dressing +Small Waffle Fries = 465 calories

99. Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad + Light Italian Dressing + Small Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup = 335 calories

100. Chick-N-Strips Salad + Medium Fruit Cup = 485 calories

101. Southwest Chargrilled Chicken Salad + Buttermilk Ranch Dressing + Medium Fruit Cup = 470 calories


Kentucky Fried Chicken

102. Oven Roasted Twister + Green Beans = 470 calories

103. Oven Roasted Twister + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 490 calories

104. Original Chicken Breast + Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy = 500 calories

105. Original Chicken Breast + Green Beans + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 480 calories

106. 2 Original Chicken Drumsticks + Macaroni & Cheese + Green Beans = 490 calories

107. 2 Original Chicken Drumsticks + Baked Beans = 480 calories

108. Individual Popcorn Chicken + Green Beans = 450 calories

109. Individual Popcorn Chicken + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 470 calories

110. 3 Crispy Chicken Strips + Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy = 490 calories

111. 3 Crispy Chicken Strips + Green Beans + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 470 calories

112. 3 Crispy Chicken Strips + Seasoned Rice = 150 calories

114. Honey BBQ Wings + Green Beans = 440 calories

115. Honey BBQ Wings + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 460 calories

116. Boneless Honey BBQ Wings + Green Beans = 500 calories

117. Fiery Buffalo Wings + Green Beans + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 500 calories

118. Boneless Fiery Buffalo Wings + Green Beans = 470 calories

119. Boneless Fiery Buffalo Wings + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 490 calories

120. Sweet & Spicy Wings + Green Beans = 450 calories

121. Sweet & Spicy Wings + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 470 calories

122. Boneless Sweet & Spicy WIngs + Green Beants = 490 calories

123. Hot Wings + Seasoned Rice = 500 calories

124. Hot Wings + Green Beans + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 470 calories

125. Hot Wings + Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy = 490 calories

126. Roasted Caesar Salad + Caesar Dressing = 480 calories

127. Roasted BLT Salad + Ranch Dressing + Croutons = 460 calories

128. Tender Roast Sandwich + Green Beans + 3″ Corn on the Cob = 500 calories


Taco Bell

129. 2 Crunchy Tacos + Pintos & Cheese = 500 calories

130. Crunchy Taco Supreme + Meximelt = 490 calories

131. Steak or Chicken Grilled Taquitos + Crunchy Taco = 480 calories

132. Chicken Fiesta Taco Salad w/o Shell = 430 calories

133. 2 Spicy Chicken Soft Tacos + Pintos & Cheese = 500 calories

134. Double Decker Taco + Spicy Chicken Soft Taco = 490 calories

135. Steak Enchirito + Crunchy Taco = 500 calories

136. Fiesta Taco Salad w/o Shell = 470 calories

137. Zesty Chicken Border Bowl (no dressing) = 440 calories

138. Chicken or Steak Gordita Baja + Crunchy Taco = 490 calories

139. Chicken or Steak Gordita Supreme + Beef Soft Taco = 490 calories


Subway

140. 6″ Ham with Cheese + Baked Lays = 460 calories

141. 6″ Sweet Onion Chicken Teryaki + Baked Lays = 500 calories

142. 6″ Sweet Onion Chicken Teryaki + Dannon Strawberry Yogurt = 480 calories

143. 6″ Turkey Breast + Baked Lays = 410 calories

144. 6″ Turkey Breast + Vegetable Beef Soup + Dannon Strawberry Yogurt = 500 calories

145. 6″ Cold Cut Combo + Tomato Garden Vegetable Soup w/ Rotini = 500 calories

146. 6″ Italian BMT + Apple Slices = 485 calories

147. 6″ Steak & Cheese + Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup = 480 calories

148. 6″ Subway Melt + Dannon Strawberry Yogurt = 490 calories

149. 6″ Roast Beef + Golden Broccoli & Cheese Soup = 490 calories

150. 6″ Oven Roasted Chicken Breast + New England Style Clam Chowder Soup = 460 calories

151. 6″ Oven Roasted Chicken Breast + Baked Lays + Apple Slices = 475 calories


Quizno’s

152. Small Honey Bourbon Chicken on Wheat + Cup of Chili = 460 calories

153. Small Turkey Ranch (reduced fat Buttermilk Ranch) & Swiss on Wheat + Baked Lays = 470 calories

154. Small The Traditional (reduced fat Buttermilk Ranch) on Wheat + Side Salad + Dressing (either Reduced Fat Buttermilk Ranch or Fat Free Balsamic Vinaigrette) = 480 calories

155. Black & Bleu Salad (no flat bread) = 380 calories

156. Classic Cobb Salad (w/ reduced fat Buttermilk Ranch/no flatbread) = 400 calories

157. Raspberry Chipotle Salad (no flatbread) = 490 calories


Arby’s

158. Martha’s Vineyard Salad + Raspberry Vinaigrette = 471 calories

A Plan, a Prayer List, and a Picture (or two)

Note to self: Putting all of the Snickers on top of the candy bucket in hopes that trick-or-treaters will rid me of my biggest candy temptation is a solid idea. Only next year remember to get said candy bucket ready only minutes before children arrive (not hours).

Bag of 60 mini-candies bought, 57 mini-candies available to trick-or-treaters :o)

Need prayer?

I'll be posting a prayer list of readers who visit me here at The Barefoot Mama who'd like prayer for motivation, encouragement and help in reaching their health and wellness goals. If you'd like to be included on the prayer list, please leave a comment under this post with your name and need (or goal that you'd like to reach!). If you'd prefer to remain more private, email me at welovemgandlibs(at)gmail.com with your prayer request and a psuedo-name that you'd like it posted under (the list will be public here at the blog).

As time goes by, we can list praises next to the prayers of goals met and needs fulfilled!

February 2008 (before I was pregnant with Libby)


Current - November 2009

As of February 2009 when I first began my weight loss journey, I've now lost five pants sizes! I couldn't have done it without the Lord's motivation, focus and love and the support of friends and family. Every single day I give thanks for my husband who's always told me that I was beautiful and who's always given me such great self-esteem that I felt desirable even at 206 lbs (that's right after Grace was born, yep!). We've been together for 10 years, and Ed's always loved me, supported me and made me feel like the loveliest woman in the world. It's that kind of love that's evidence of how special, gorgeous and remarkable we are in the eyes of God. Amen!

ALERT, ALERT: Halloween candy calorie counts

"Hopefully my mom doesn't try to eat ALL the mini-Snickers this year".

Whether your kids have loaded up your house with oh-so-tempting Halloween candy or your husband came home with bags favorite chocolate goodness (sure, it was your husband... ;o), do not despair this autumn season! About.com's Laura Dolson has unwrapped the calorie counts of tons of Halloween candies, which I've published below. I personally was a victim of several fun-sized Snickers this weekend, but knowing that they're 80 calories a pop keeps me in check. I'll indulge in a regular-sized Snickers bar once a week at 280 calories (mmm...peanuts, nougat, chocolate - you fiends!), so I use the minis as a treat, as well. I won't toss them haphazardly into my mouth, disregarding calories (it's not that I can't - I could go all "Man vs. Food" with those things), but I've learned to enjoy them without going overboard. So, indulge! Don't let your children (or husbands) be the only ones to have fun with all of that candy sitting around the house. Just remember that you can be in control. You don't have to be a slave to the chocolate. Mmm...chocolate. Wait, what was I talking about again?

Our little Dorothy (Grace has a major Judy Garland love) and Glinda (in theory, in actuality a pink princess)

P.S. I have posts planned for this week about exercise (my routine, calories burned during various activities, etc.) and also for curbing those cravings. How nice I am to whet your appetite with this candy-laden post and then say that later I'll be sharing how not to unleash your inner glutton right now. Sorry, gang. The chocolate's gone to my head. What can I say? :o)

P.P.S. What's your favorite candy to "remove from your children's candy pile in the name of parental supervision and nutritional excellence"?

Chocolate Bars and Kisses

Dove Milk Chocolate Promises or wrapped squares (8g) - 42 calories and 6 g carb
Hershey Kisses - 26 calories and 8 g carb each kiss

Hershey Kisses with Almonds - 23 calories and 2 g carb each kiss

Hershey Kisses filled with Caramel - 21 calories and 3 g carb each kiss

Hershey Candy Corn Kisses - 27 calories and 3 g carb each kiss

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars - Fun size (14 g) - 67 calories and 8 g carb

Hershey's Miniature Bars (mixed) - average of 42 calories and 5 g carb each bar

M&Ms, plain, Fun size (18 g) - 88 calories and 12 g carb

M&Ms, peanut, Fun size (18 g) - 93 calories and 11 g carb

Miniature Bars (Milky Way, Snickers, Twix, 3 Muskateers) - average 38 calories and 5 g carb each bar

Mr. Goodbar Snack size (17 g) - 90 calories and 9 grams carb

Nestle's Crunch Bars, Fun size (10 g) 50 calories and 7 grams carb

Nestle's Crunch Caramel Bars, Fun size - 70 calories and 9 g carb

Palmer Peanut Butter cups, small - 6 g carb

Three Muskateers bar, Fun size (15 g) - 64 calories and 11 g carbs

Three Muskateers mint bar, Fun size (15g) - 64 calories and 11 g carb

Tootsie Rolls, Small bar - 50 calories and 10 g carb

Tootsie Rolls, Midgee - 23 calories and 7 g carb

Tootsie Rolls, Mini-Midgees - 11 calories and 2 g carb

Poor Libby. Being a candy-less baby is really getting to her. Looks like her hat's turned into a candy bar mirage.

Peanut and Peanut Butter Candies

Pay Day - Snack size (19 g) - 90 calories and 10 g carb

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Miniature (about 9 grams each) - 44 calories and 5 g carb per cup

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Snack size (17 g) - 88 calories and 10 g carb

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Snack size (21 g) - 100 calories and 12 g carb

Reese's White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Snack size (21 g) - 100 calories and 11 g carb

Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins (34 g) - 180 calories and 17 g carb

Reese's Crispy Crunchy Bar, Snack size (17 g) - 95 calories and 9 g carb

Reese's Nutrageous Bars, Snack size (17 g) - 88 calories and 9 g carb

Reese's Whipps Bar, Snack size (14 g) - 60 calories and 10 g carb


Mixed Candy Bars

100 Grand Bars, Fun size (11 g) - 50 calories and 8 g carb

100 Grand Bars, Fun size (21 g) - 95 calories and 15 g carb

Almond Joy Snack size (15 g) - 80 calories and 10g carb

Baby Ruth Bar, Fun size (18 g each) - 85 calories and 13 g carb

Butterfinger Bar, Fun size (18 g each) - 85 calories 14 g carb

Butterfinger Crisp Bar, Snack size (20 g) - 100 calories and 13 g carb

Heath Bar, Snack size (13 g) - 74 calories and 9 g carb

Kit Kat, Fun size (14 g) - 73 calories and 9 g carb

Milky Way bar, Fun size (17 g) - 75 calories and 12 g carb

Mounds bars, Snack size (17 g) - 83 calories and 9 g carb

Rocky Road, Snack size (10 g) - 45 calories and 6 g carb

Snickers Bars, Fun size (17 g) - 80 calories and 10 g carb

Snickers Almond Bars, Fun size (17 g) - 80 calories and 11 g carb

Snickers Creme Pumpkin (1 oz) - 150 calories and 16 g carb

Take Five bar, Fun size (15 g) - 10 g carb

Twix, Snack size (10 g) - 50 calories and 7 g carb


Taffy and Caramel

AbbaZabba, small (12 g) 50 calories and 11 g carb

Charleston Chew bar, Fun size (10 g) - 45 calories and 8 g carb

Laffy Taffy, Chocolate, small bars (8 g each) - 32 calories and 7 g carb

Milk Duds Snack size (12 g) - 54 calories and 9 g carb

Milk Maid Caramels, Brach's - 40 calories and 10 g carb per piece


Fruity and Gummy Candies

Jujyfruits - 9 pieces - 60 calories and 16 g carb

Lifesavers Gummies (2 rolls per ounce) - 52 calories and 13 g carb per roll

Mini Dots (2 small boxes per ounce) - 70 calories and 17 g carb per box

Skittles, Original Fruit, Fun size (20 g) - 80 calories and 18 g carb

Skittles, Chocolate Assortment, Fun size (20 g) - 80 calories and 18 g carb

Starburst, Fun size (2 pieces per stick) - 40 calories and 10 g carb

Twizzlers Mini-bars (14 g) - 11 g carb

Twizzlers Strawberry Twists, Short (9 g) - 32 calories and 7 g carb

Twizzlers Cherry Pull-N-Peel (12 g) - 40 calories and 9 g carb

Hard Candies and Pops

Blow Pop, Junior - 50 calories and 14 g carb

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy (6 g) - 23 calories and 6 g carb

Jolly Rancher Lollipops (17 g) - 60 calories and 16 g carb

Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Sticks, Small (11g) - 43 calories and 10 g carb

Jolly Rancher Double Blasts (4 g) - 13 calories and 3 g carb

Tootsie Pops - 60 calories and 15 g carb

Tootsie Caramel Apple Pops - 60 calories and 15 g carb

Wonka Nerds - small box (13 g) - 50 calories and 12 g carb


Other Candies

Candy Corn, Brach's - 11 pieces - 70 calories and 18 g carb

Hot Tamales - small pkg (14 g) - 50 calories and 12 g carb

Jr. Mints, Fun size (10 g) - 50 calories and 12 g carb

Mike and Ike small box (14 g) - 50 calories and 12 g carb

Pop Rocks - small packet (10 g) - 7 g carb

Raisinettes, Fun size (16 g - about 16 pieces) - 56 calories and 11 g carb

Smarties Candy, Roll - 25 calories and 6 g carb

Whoppers - 1 small tube - 30 calories and 5 g carb

Whoppers - 1 small pouch (21 g) - 100 calories and 16 g carb

York Peppermint Patties, Regular small patty (14 g) - 53 calories and 11 g carb

York Peppermint Patties, Pink Peppermint Patties, small (14 g) - 53 calories and 11 g carb

York Peppermint Patties, Peppermint Patty Pumpkins (14 g) - 50 calories and 11 g carb

Remembering moderation in my own life isn't just important for my waistline. After all, Judy Garland isn't the only person my little girl wants to be like. Positive health habits are modeled and learned young.

My Favorite Lunch

I was never that girl who ate salads. Okay, in high school I took one along with a bottled water every day for lunch, but I'm talking as an adult. I was never that woman who sat in front of a bowl of greens and willingly ate it. I actually had a love-hate (just hate, actually, since potatoes aren't really a veggie) relationship with vegetables up until I had children. Mmm, I do love me a sweet potato and peppers a whole bunch. But, I digress.

The salad you see in this post is my True Love Salad. Marry it then, you say! Gladly. :o) It's only about 80 calories and super simple.

• approximately 1.5-2 cups of baby lettuce mix (bagged) from the grocery store


• 1/2 cup of Boca meatless crumbles (faux ground beef cooked up in a few minutes on the stove - it's a nuisance to do this in a stainless steel pan unless you let it heat up and then spray on some organic Pam olive oil non-stick spray otherwise the crumbles get all stuck to the stainless steel, boo)


• 10 sprays of that raspberry viniagrette dressing from the low-cal brand that's a squirt bottle. I know how crystal clear that is. But, I'm posting while nursing a baby, and the salad dressing is downstairs in the fridge. I can clarify later in the comments section, though. :o)

Bon appetite, my 80 calorie salad! (Followed usually by a milk chocolate covered banana. Hey, that's only 210 calories for a delicious and filling lunch...it works!)

P.S. Yeppo, that's a Diet Coke you see in the first picture in this post. I typically avoid all sugar subtitutes (except stevia - I use Truvia in my coffee). However, if you're trying to not lose your mind then moderation is key. I refrain from preservatives 90% of the time (just about completely in our home but not always possible when out) and prefer clean foods. But, I'll definitely have a Diet Coke every once in a while, McDonalds fries every time a blue moon's full, and I've eaten ice cream that's fallen off the cone into the street. Sue me. I love food. ;o)

Stop hatin'

There's one way to feel bad about your body. Pick on someone else's.

When we judge another person, it's always reflected back on ourselves. As sinful human beings who fall short of the splendor of God but who crave His goodness, we certainly can't think rainbow thoughts about everyone all of the time. Does that mean that we just give up and rag on the gal next to us because we're secretly envying her perfect tresses or slam the dude down the street because he has the willpower to go for a run every morning? No way. Disparagement usually begins with either our own jealousy over what another person has or a disgusting distortion of God's beauty on our own part.

As women, we're so much harder on those of our own gender than we should be. There's sisterhood abounding when one of us has been spurned by a long-time boyfriend, rallying cries about women's equality when we're feeling oppressed, and joyful camaraderie when one of us becomes a mother or grandmother for the first time. Why then are we so quick to point out that stray chin hair or those too-tight jeans? On the other hand, women are hares at pointing the finger towards themselves, internalizing self-condoned messages about not being good enough, pretty enough, worthy enough based on what they see in the media. However, the media only goes so far. We ARE the media. The messages - both positive and negative - that we allow to define us are what permeate society. Even without television, the internet, and "Us Magazine", we're still sinful people easily led into covetness, jealousy, anger, despair and hatred.

This week, turn those negative thoughts about others into feelings and words that reflect how God feels about that person - full of love for someone wonderfully made, created to bring Him delight.

Make sure to also point that positivity toward someone else this week.

Yourself.

Image from Country Living