Large but in Charge

Obesity is, well, kind of an epidemic in my family.
Obviously it is in a majority of American families.
It's sad and it's one of the biggest contributors to the wide-range of health issues so prevalent today.

Now that I know I am done having kids, and I am finally done nursing...FOREVER...I've decided to make food a priority in my life. I am hoping that losing weight and keeping it off is one byproduct, along with a healthy nuclear family unit with a healthy relationship and understanding of food.

My dad was an "all or nothing" kind of guy. Excess was kind of the norm. I can remember when my mom would work nights and I'd be in charge of making lunch for everyone the next morning I'd often make tuna sandwiches. Dad used to tease me all the time that I never put enough mayo in it. Right now I'm mixing an entire can with just one tablespoon of light mayo -  and think of him each time I do!

Or I'd spend the night at a friend's house and be starving because for supper their food portions were much smaller than at our house - and a lot different. Fresh green beans from the garden and a salad took up the largest part of the plate,with meat and a starch coming in at a distant second.

I've learned that my friends had a much better understanding of the food pyramid than I did. That what I used to think was "eating like birds" is actually how we humans are meant to eat.

I've started a program that one of my friends was really successful with. It has me measuring all of the foods I eat, eating mostly everything fresh and cutting out all the "extras." I don't expect to be able to eat like this every day of the rest of my life, but I hope in the end I have a realistic idea of portions, I learn to eat less more often throughout the day, and I put more time and energy into whole and fresh foods for myself and my family.
I've been doing it for a week now and here's what I've learned:
1 - Being healthy is not just about tracking calories or fat. It's about the right food, in the right combinations and in the right amounts.
2 - I miss my indiscriminate amount of liquid creamer in my coffee.
3- Measuring is a huge pain in the butt. I hope to be able to be able to guesstimate the right amounts sooner rather than later, but for right now I am wayyyyy off.
4 - It's good to do this with my husband so we both gain skills and can commiserate about our unhealthy cravings.
5- I am sick of all the bathroom breaks you take when you drink the right amount of water per day.
6 - Eating healthier is harder on the family budget.

6- Between the better weather and eating better foods, I have way more energy and feel better!

And with the weather improving and baby getting bigger, more walks and outside play makes it even better.
With the right amount of education, time and attention, I hope obesity is something my family and I don't have to continually battle.
We shall see...