It’s been a very busy start to the New Year, so I’m sorry for neglecting the blog. But I am proud to say that our priorities have definitely been in the right place– especially when it comes to our healthy lifestyle changes. And as we gain momentum, I’m sure I’ll be able to blog more here.

It’s been 19 days since the New Year started. And as I outlined before, Hubs and I aren’t “dieting,” but rather making healthy changes like more vegetables and making exercise a priority. So far, I’ve lost 9 lbs and he’s lost 12— and that’s just with making small  changes and making a concerted effort to pay attention to how we treat our bodies!

The best part? I’m still allowing myself freedom to enjoy myself. A little slice of cake at coworker’s birthday party? Some snacks at girl’s night?  It’s all in moderation. And I think 9 lbs in 19 days proves that. And when people ask me what diet I’m on, I’m so thrilled to say that I’m not on one. And the truth is, it doesn’t even feel like I am on a diet at all. As it should be!

But honestly, I can’t say the best part is the weight lost, though the number is the easiest way to convey to others what’s going on with us. The best part is honestly how we’re feeling. I used to be super super groggy in the morning and default to a diet soda to get me through the early part of the day. Then by mid-afternoon, I’d be STARVING no matter what I ate for lunch, and either grab another snack or a diet soda to get me through the day. By the time I got home, I’d get right on cooking dinner and then lounge around the house after doing chores or freelancing.

Yeah, not a real way to live. Although, it’s pretty common with a lot of people I know too so I never felt like I was living abnormally.

Now? I get up earlier with less of a problem and am thoroughly awake all morning. By lunch time, maybe I’m hungry, but I’m definitely not starving. And because one of my goals for myself personally was to be more plant based, I’ve been having completely vegetarian/vegan lunches a couple times a week– if not for the majority of the week. And you know what? While the example below may not seem like much, I’m always full and sometimes I don’t even need to finish what I packed. (Pictured below in my nifty Laptop Lunchbox).

Top: Lettuce/tomato salad with balsamic dressing, grapes
Bottom: carrots, roasted red pepper hummus

Before I can even get a slump in the afternoon,  I drink a hot cup of pomegranate green tea for a more natural kick and eat a healthy snack before my work out when I get home. At first, I eased into the working out thing and just focused on making dietary changes (ie. more veggies, etc). But now I am seriously addicted. I love my work out (which is a mix of workout DVDs and our wedding-present elliptical). It’s amazing how even taking at least 30 minutes of your day to break a good sweat changes your whole attitude and overall feeling.

I haven’t drank a soda since the New Year and I don’t even miss it. My husband told me he didn’t want me drinking diet sodas anymore (you know…because of the aspartame ingredient and also the effect of formaldehyde building up in your brain– ECK!) and so I was drinking regular soda before the New Year even started. But man, that sugar is just a killer. I’m so glad I kicked the habit entirely. It’s really amazing how much sugar is hidden in everything.

Also, thanks to the recommendation of my friend over at Newfangled Housewife, I’ve started reading and following the blog 100 Days of Real Food. I had heard about it before, but didn’t think much of it. But now that I’ve read the author’s personal journey and her awesome tips and research, I am even more determined to work toward making better changes for both my life, my husband’s and even our future children’s. It’s very eye opening how bad for you and how much is lacking in the processed foods Americans consume on a daily basis. Everything is laced with sugar! I was really challenged by what I read and started looking into some things, including the labels on my food.

For example, my “lite” balsamic vinegar salad dressing shocked me. Now, I don’t use a lot of dressing anyway but after the reading the blog, I decided to look at the ingredients. Sugar was high up on the list. Why is there sugar in balsamic vinegar dressing? It blew my mind. How hard would it be for me to just mix my own olive oil and balsamic vinegar together? Not hard at all. Even balsamic vinegar tastes great on its own without the oil and it has barely any calories in it. What’s the point of this supposedly “healthy” salad dressing I’ve been buying? Why haven’t I looked before?

We’ve definitely gone through quite a bit of changes, but it hasn’t been too difficult at all. Even Hubs hasn’t complained one bit. I think even he likes the changes. It’ll be interesting to see how our choices progress as we learn more things about our healthy and the food industry.