Imperfection is Beauty

Ok, we are heading into our second month of actually doing our diet. In the last month we have learned quite a bit about not just food, but about ourselves.

We have learned what foods are going to help us reach our goals. Foods high in RS are key to helping our bodies flush that fat. We learned that carbs are not a bad thing, as many other "diets" suggest. How many people do you know that have actually followed through on their "New Years Resolution" of losing those extra pounds this year? Not many people can actually follow through because they are being deprived of something. We are rarely hungry, our meals fill us and we rarely feel like we are going without (Girls, when on your period you will want cake, cookies, ice cream and anything chocolate...make sure that you plan your start date well! FYI you can have these things but use moderation and self control. Also know that your weight will fluctuate between 2 and 5 pounds). We don't like to consider this a "diet" even though the name says it is. When changing your eating habits and becoming healthier is labeled as a diet, more times than not you're not as prone to sticking to it. Having this mentality is why we think we've been pretty successful this past month.

What have we learned about ourselves? We've learned that we can, in fact, control our cravings. It hasn't been easy, but we've done it. When all we can think about it eating a cheeseburger, a piece of cake, or drinking coffee/pop we either talk to one another or find something else that we know will be just as satisfying and much healthier for us. We've learned that cheat days are necessary, but having one after just a week of starting all of this was WAY too soon. We have learned that exercise is not necessarily necessary, especially when you don't really like to do it. Will we exercise, yes but we don't want to be body builders and having that pressure off of us has help us stick to this a little better. Conquer one thing at a time. We've learned that we wouldn't be as successful if we were doing this alone. Both of us are so grateful for the other.

This is not easy. We have been told we make it sound that way. We have to sit down, plan a weeks worth of menus and a grocery list, spend two hours at the store (we are getting better at the time thing)and then make the food. Sticking to it when you're tired, frustrated or stressed is hard. However we have found that through  all of that, having our menu planned out and having each other makes this so much easier. If you decide to do something like this make sure that you have a good support system and that you are ready to make this change. Also make sure your support system is with someone that you are willing to spend A LOT of time with! That person, if not already, is going to be your best friend for the next 6 months. Explain to family and friends what  you're doing and ask them to be supportive as well.  Both of our significant others have been super supportive and understanding and we are very appreciative of them.

Here are some inspirational quotes from Carrie's favorite "plus size" role model, Marilyn Monroe...

"To all you girls who think you're fat because you're not a size zero, you're the beautiful one. It's society who's ugly."

"Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. And it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." 

"When it comes down to it, I let them think what they want. If they care enough to bother what I do, I'm already better than them anyway."

*~*Ashley and Carrie*~*