180 to 360: The (un)Transformation Story

I have thought about writing this post for weeks.  And I struggled and still am struggling getting words to form sentences that will make sense to anyone who is not in my head.  But, It is important that I tell you about my 360* transformation.

In 2012, I made lifestyle changes to lose weight and improve my health.  I weighed 208 pounds.  I worked hard to slowly improve the lifestyle of me and then my family.  I got down to 147 pounds.  I had made a complete 180* transformation with my health and lifestyle.  I was very strategic in making one lifestyle change at a time.  I would work on it for a couple of weeks and incorporate or layer in something else.

Today, I weigh 181 pounds.  Seriously, what the fudge happened?  How did I get back to where I almost started?  (Now, you are questioning my street cred.  Trust me, I have been, too.)

I noticed my scale creeping up.  My clothes weren't fitting anymore.  Seriously, what the fudge happened?  The answer isn't profound.  I don't have an underlying physical health issue causing me to gain weight.  I stopped meal planning and prepping.  I stopped exercising.  I stopped feeling like I had control over my life.  Yes, I know that I do not need to control every single detail of my life. 

The pictures above you thing should be swapped, but they are in chronological order.  The one on the left is 2 years ago...and the one on the right about 3 weeks ago.



 



 Well, let's recap what happened since I hit my goal weight (150#): my marriage came to an end, I had to adjust to single parenting/co-parenting, I gave up my gym membership,  I moved, I started a new job, my divorce was finalized, and I ran into financial issues.  This all caused me to lose focus on my health, physically and mentally.

OK, so I had a lot going on...but that is no excuse.  And, I am very ashamed of myself, because I have always truly had the control my food, drink, and exercise.  You may think I am being hard on myself, but I am not.  I am not, because I am the one to blame for this transformation.  Just like I was responsible for losing 61 pounds.  No one told me what to eat or not eat and what exercises to do when I was losing weight.  That was all me.  No one forced me to stop meal planning and prepping or exercising.  Again, all me. 

About a year ago, I was talking to a friend about how I was gaining late.  She was quick to blame a friend who I had been hanging out with.  We would go out for a bite to eat and drinks about once a week. He never forced me to order fries or cocktails.  That was what I ordered. 

 



Recently, we were talking about it again.  She was quick to say that I am gaining because of my new love.  He has very little to do with the weight I have gained in the past two months.  If anything, he is encouraging and supportive of a healthy lifestyle, because that is his goal too.

So, what am I going to do to turn another 180*?  I am going to take back control.  First, the girls (my daughters) are going to have to suck up and eat what I make for meals.  We need to dial in the convenience foods (going out to eat and kiddie foods).  I need to plan and prep healthful meals for my family and me.  I need to exercise daily.  I have the tools through Beachbody to do this - support, encouragement, and health programs.  Just as I am a coach to others, I have a coach and a network of awesome coaches to help me.

Baked chicken, baby potatoes, and green beans

I was intrigued by this recipe that kept showing up in my newsfeed on Facebook.  I was intrigued because it looked simple and healthy.  As a single mother, two of the most important things regarding mealtime for my daughters and I are that it is simple and healthy.  I would say the most important would be that the kids like it and don't complain.

I did not save, share, bookmark, or pin this recipe.  But, I did remember that it was chicken, potatoes, and green beans in a baking dish.  If I couldn't find it on the interwebs, I couldn't be that hard to try to figure it out.  I trusted my very knowledgeable friend, Google, to point me in the right direction.  Google did not steer me wrong.  I found the recipe in a millisecond.  The original recipe asked for a stick of butter and a few other ingredients that I did not have on hand.  I had to make a few modifications.  Also, I just enough to feed the kiddos and me plus enough for lunch.

What you need:

• Oven
• 9x13 Baking Dish
• Olive Oil Spray
• Olive Oil
• Chicken Breasts (I used 3)
• Washed and Quartered Baby Red Potatoes
• Frozen Green Beans
• Italian Seasoning
• Mozzarella Cheese (optional)
• Foil

What you should or could  do:

1. Preheat oven to 375*F.
2. Spray baking dish with olive oil.
3. Place chicken in middle of baking dish.
4. Assemble potatoes and green beans on either side of the chicken.
5. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
6. Sprinkle cheese on chicken breasts (optional).
7. Cover top of baking dish with aluminum foil.
8. Place in preheated oven.
9. Wait for about an hour.  Check Facebook, read my blog, work out, or help your kids with their homework.
10. Remove from oven.
11. Remove foil.
12. Serve on plates.
13. Enjoy!