25 lbs will make such a difference!

As cliched as this is, 2013 will be my year for weight loss! After struggling my entire life, I’m ready. I lost 20lbs in 8 weeks in 2011 and gained it all back plus 10 more in 2012. I’m only 10 lbs away from my heaviest which was at 15 years old (230lbs). I am 26 and can’t remember ever weighing less than 180 lbs (for my wedding in 2008). I have a wonderful marriage, moved into a beautiful home in May, have four amazing dogs, and want to start a family within the next year or two. My first goal is just to fit into my clothes again (20-25 lbs) – currently I wear three pairs of pants and 2-3 sweaters – nothing else fits, and I have a huge wardrobe that fit and I loved wearing when I weighed 190-195lbs. If I buy clothes now they will be plus sized, and I can't bring myself to do it. I know it’s horrible, but I do truly believe that I’ll be happier when I weigh less. Right now it’s hard for me to leave my house in the mornings and go to work… I feel like a blob and have no self confidence.

I KNOW that weight does not define me, but I’m so consumed by how I feel that it’s all I can focus on.

My husband is supportive and has never indicated that he has a problem with my weight, but he is an enabler of bad habits and isn’t at the point where he wants to change yet alongside me, so I’m doing this on my own.

Good habits I already have, but haven’t lost weight because of, are:
1) I only drink water, black coffee (1 a day), and teas (without milk or sugar).
2) I start my day with warm lemon water then a Vega One smoothie, usually a banana and water or unsweetened almond milk or fresh green juice using my juicer.
3) I have healthy snacks with me at all times, usually a few nuts, a greek yogurt, or fruit.
4) I only eat bread on the weekends (homemade) and always swap out white carbs (pasta, rice) for healthy alternatives like spaghetti squash and quinoa, brown rice, barley.
5) There is no prepackaged food in our home - everything is made from scratch. The few things that I do buy on occassion (to save time) are natural and organic if possible (i.e. salsa, salad dressings).

My downfalls:
1) Portion control. I eat too much at dinner, even if it is healthy food.
2) Getting enough vegetables and protein while keeping carbs and sugars low.
3) Restaurant meals. We eat out about once a week and I always order unhealthy things. Plan to cut out eating out unless its the local vegan restaurant for the next four weeks (minimum).
4) I LOVE to cook and bake, and I’m pretty good at it. However, I cook with full fats (cream, butter, etc) and far too often. I need to focus on healthier meals. When trying to lose weight I think simple will be better – protein, vegetables, healthy carbs.
5) Exercise. I have an elliptical in storage that I hope to move to my home this weekend. I get outside with the dogs most days but it is regularly -20C right now in central Ontario, so it isn’t for long periods of time. I work a desk job from 8-4:30, which is very unhealthy. Going to a gym is not an option for me right now (plus, I never did well with a gym membership).

I hope to continue my good habits and work on addressing the negative aspects immediately. Any motivators or motivation would be great. I’m aiming for 2-4 lbs/week for the next four to eight weeks, then 1-2 lbs after that to an ultimate first goal of 170lbs (50 lbs) by the end of 2013. I hope to be back into my wardrobe by my 27th birthday on March 25th (approx 11 weeks, so 2.3 lbs/week if aiming for 25lb weight loss).

I started my focus on weight loss on Tuesday and so far my weight has dropped 2.5 lbs - I know it might be faster for the next few weeks but then 1-2 lbs a week will be healthy and ideal.

Thank you!