So not a HUGE difference from last week, just 0.8 lbs but that is still pretty damn good.  I also got out & had a long walk with a good friend yesterday, then took Tuck & Harrison out with The Momma last night, so tons of walking.  It feels nice that my thighs don’t chafe each other anymore.  You know, that I don’t have to shake powder on them before leaving the house to prevent chub-rub (that was a serious issue of mine during pregnancy).

I get a lot of questions from folks, asking what I’ll do when I’m done losing weight.  Will I gain it all back once I’m not eating Nutrisystem?  They tell me that Nutrisystem isn’t teaching me how to make a lifestyle change, but as I go through the process, I beg to differ.

• It’s taught me portion control.  Yes, I eat outside the Nutrisystem plan sometimes – I have to!  Life is too crazy to just stick to it 100%.  But when I eat…let’s say, The Momma’s lasagna…I look at the portion & think, “Okay, if this was Nutrisystem lasagna, how much would there be?”  It’s an excellent way to re-learn how proper portions should look, especially since I am such a visual person.
• It’s taught me dessert is okay.  Which has taught me that dinner doesn’t have to be “then end” of the day.  I used to get STUFFED at dinner because I felt like, “Okay, this is it” which validated second helpings.  Now, as long as I’m not hungry, I stop eating.  Because I know that in a few hours, I can have dessert with a cup of tea to wind down the evening.  (of course, this also goes back to my first point of portion control on dessert!)
• It’s taught me HOW IMPORTANT protein is.  Nutrisystem meals are PACKED with protein, plus you add in protein throughout the day in the form of dairy, meat, etc.  I usually have Nutrisystem granola, which has 4 grams of protein, & also an egg with a piece of fruit.
• It has also taught me that, you know, veggies are not the love language of the devil.
• It has taught me WHEN to eat – I have my breakfast around 7:30am, then a snack around 10pm (protein & fruit!) & then lunch around noon.  A few hours later, I have another snack, then dinner at 7ish, then dessert around 9pm.  So I’m basically eating every couple of hours & I NEVER feel hungry.
• Most importantly, it’s taught me to LET GO of emotional eating.  Stuffing an entire bag of peanut butter M&M’s into my mouth may be incredibly tasty, but it’s not going to solve the problem.  All it will do is create an issue with the buttons on my pants.

So what is your plan for making this long-term?  Will you keep counting calories, points, or will you simply be taking the lessons learned?  Will you be weighing your food, using your hand as a guide for measurements, or simply watching the number on the scale?  What makes you KNOW that you’re making a lifestyle change instead of just a quick fix?

maybe it’s the exercise you’re getting with your baby?