Hey sister!

I've decided to create a sister blog, so to speak, to my Medium Food Mama blog. I was inspired by my recent and long overdue decision to add myself back to the priority list. Joining Weight Watchers was my first step, four weeks ago. The last time I did the program was pre-mamahood. In fact, I was doing really well on the program, just 9 pounds away from goal, only quitting after finding out I was pregnant with my first baby in the summer of 2006. Since joining again, I cannot lie, it's been tough but somehow I've managed to lose 3.4 lbs. .8 at my first weigh in, two pounds at my second and .6 at my third.

Being a Medium Food Mama and an ex calorie counter, I have a pretty good handle on how make good food choices and understand portion control but having two babies, going from a corporate manager to a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom, a regular runner to a stressed out non-exerciser for over three years presents its challenges. I've discovered how not making myself a priority has really affected my health and habits. When you don't care about yourself you just don't do things like take note of how much water you've had to drink, how many snacks you've had or if you've eaten any fruit or had any balanced meals. I make sure the boys have healthy and balanced meals and snacks. By the time I organize their food, I try to remember to put something in the bag for me but often come up short or with nothing at all. There have been days I was extra thankful for the fact the kids almost never clean their plates. What's left is what I'd have for lunch. Sad but true.

The first week keeping track of my food was harder than I expected. I've gone so long now just "winging it." That little bite here, little handful there or my infamous Starbucks latte and banana bread quick I'm starving and exhausted sad excuse for a meal really adds up. And with a severely lacking nutritional profile. Again, it comes back to not being on the "list." Having to track what and when I eat demands focus and effort. And time. If you had asked me a few weeks back if I had the time to care, I would have said - nope. Ask me today and I will tell you finding the time is extremely challenging but making the time is getting easier. For food tracking that is. Exercise is another story.

More than blogging about weight loss, I want to share strategies, ideas and recipes for shedding pounds eating medium food style and not all the typical super processed items like packaged meals, fake sugar, fat free cheese and those terrible 100 Calorie packaged "snacks." Whether it's Points or calories you're counting, the bulk of them should provide significant nutritional value. One of the smartest things about the new PointsPlus program is fruit is 0 points. In previous programs you had to use points for fruit and guess what a lot of people did - skipped the fruit. I know I chose a scoop of ice cream over a banana more than a few times. Now though, when you're in need of a snack, it's almost automatic to grab a piece of fruit. At least for me.

Here's to staying motivated and staying on the "list."