Good Monday morning, y’all.  ::yawns & passes around cups of skinny lattes:: I hope everyone had a wonderful week & weekend!

Last week, I made the commitment to be more hard-core about my diet.  It’s slowly, slowly paying off but I discovered Nutrisystem’s app for the iTouch or iPhone or iWhatever through their website & started logging my food on there.  Makes it SO MUCH EASIER because their food is right there & I just plug it all in.  You know how people always say to write down what you eat & it holds you accountable?  So true.

But with weather like this, it’s hard to get outside & work out, or even hop on the elliptical in the room over the garage (where it is also blistering hot):

By the way, that was taken after 5pm.  AFTER 5PM.  Goodbye, evening walk for the day.  Thankfully, it looks like we’ll get a break around Thursday out of the high 90′s & be back outside after work.

I’ve been having a “rough go” of it diet-wise the past few weeks.  Some weight gain, some plateaus, some general “blah” feelings about it & learning to balance happiness while not equating it with food consumption.  As in, being happy does not give me license to pound back a bag of pretzel M&M’s.  For those of us that struggle with weight our entire lives, or even after an event, we know how hard it is.  So many of y’all have told me that you find me inspiring, which is so mind-blowing to me.  But thank you.  Because while I never dream to be inspiring MYSELF, I do dream of McFatty Monday as a whole to be inspiring to others the way it motivates me.

& so I thought I’d do a new segment – other McFatty’s (said with love) that are inspiring.  Others that are changing their lives.  They’ll get a little interview, or maybe do a video.  Before & after pictures.  & without further delay, please meet Alena of Charmingly Chandler, our

Featured McFatty.

1.  What weight loss/get fit program are you following?  Why did you choose it?

I am on Nutrisystem,  closing in on the end of the 2nd month (I’d love to keep doing it through the end the of summer, but funds and such).  Truthfully I chose it after seeing you and how amazing the results were.  It was the best decision for me to lose weight!

2.  Rude Question of the Day.  How much weight have you lost?

18 pounds! Of course I always gain a pound or two on the weekends.  I’m hoping to reach an even 20 by Friday!!

3.  What is your favorite part about weight loss so far?

How I look from the side.  Is that vain or what?!  Like when I walk by a mirror and I glance over I am always excited and happy!  Oh and that most of my skinny jeans go up and button and there’s not (much of) a muffin top!

4.  What is the hardest part about staying motivated?

Making food for Cody and not eating it.  That was SO HARD. I was really really strict the first month, but I’ve been more lax this month because I knew I’d quit if I didn’t.  Thus the cheating on the weekends!  I still don’t eat CRAP on the weekends, but we go out to eat and I’ll eat more/worse than the weekdays. Oh and giving up Milo’s Tea.

5.  If you were stranded on an island, what person object food would you like to be stranded with?

Do I have a way to cook this food? Steak. I’m sure ever vegan/vegetarian reading just cringed. But now more than ever I crave steak.  Forget pizza!!

6.  Cats or Dogs?

Dogs.

7.  Now say something motivational.

You can dooo it!  But seriously.  Life it too short to be sad every time you get dressed or look at family pictures.  You should be happy with how you look.  If you need to push yourself to look at the mirror and like what you see…then that’s what you need to do.  So chop chop!  Get to it!

Alena, you are awesome. So…WHAT IS INSPIRING ABOUT YOU & YOUR JOURNEY?!  Tell me.  BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF.  Tell me what you’ve done that’s amazing, that you have never done before, that you’re proud of.

Mine:  I realized the other day that even for my wedding, this is the most weight I have EVER lost at one time.  Which means I can lose weight.  I’ve said it before, but this is HUGE for my mental makeover on weightloss & getting fit.  Next week?  We talk about working out, running, & tutus.  Oh, indeed.

required disclaimer: i am being supplied with nutrisystem food by nutrisystem, free of cost to me.  sweet, right?  but i assure you, i began nutrisystem on my own in january, spent my own money for 4 months, & fully endorse the program.  i’m just thankful that they’ll be helping me out on my last leg of the journey!  to join me on the Nutrisystem program and to receive a special offer, call 1-877-704-0597 or click here.