When I lost all my weight last year, I was SO motivated. I started a group with a few of my friends. I ate my version of a diet based on the Zone. I worked out mostly before the boys woke up, or at night after bedtime.

I have to be at work at 7am this year. I also have about an hour commute to get there. So, I am already up before 5 just to get ready. So, waking up before that and working out, it just too much. Since I have been doing the Shred this week, I can get it done during bath time for the boys. Or I have done it after they are in bed.

I LOVE bacon. If I can crunch up one piece and add it to a salad, it makes a WORLD of difference to the salad. I JUST found out this weekend you can cook bacon in the oven. So, apparently you can cook bacon on the weekend keep if all week long and use it as you go. I will be doing this. I also eat the same thing all week long for breakfast and lunch. That way I don't have to think about it. I either make hard-boiled eggs or egg bakes (way yummier but, take more time and prep) on Sunday for the work week.

Unfortunately, I am TERRIBLE at prepping dinners for the week. I end up eating quick meals most nights. My husband is not home at night so the boys and I tend to just eat whatever is easy (which used to be frozen, take out, or delievered.... IE the extra 30 LBS). My goal is to start cooking 3-4 times a week, quick easy recipes in the crock pot, tosse in the oven etc. I do not have the time or patience to stand over the stove for an hour making dinner each night. I try and make LARGE recipes that I can eat leftovers of.

I am a SERIOUS emotional eater. If I get stressed or bummed out I eat like crazy. I am trying to NOT go this route. When I am stressed I take time out. I over extend myself OFTEN. I am starting to realize this week, part of my weight gain is me placating my stressed out life. I need to figure out what I can cut out of my life to be able to have more time to focus on me and my family.

Koylefam-- I would love to do a recipe swap. I will start a thread soon. Things I can prep over the weekend seems right up my alley!!

I don't have a lot of motivation to exercise, so I watch my carbs and try to do at home workout videos. I wish I had a treadmill or gym membership though! I'd only be able to go to the gym on Saturdays and Sundays due to no sitter, so I can't justify the cost. My daughter will work out with me at night while I'm doing it. I am not a morning person, so I'm not able to get up earlier and exercise. I try to keep moving when I'm at home; I'm constantly cleaning something or getting something for my daughter. Then there's the endless laundry.. I come home for lunch so I usually think about what I'll have at work then come home and make it quick. I really love being able to eat at home!

something I think that has really helped me this time around is having a heart rate monitor that I wear when i work out. It estimates your calories burned according to your heart rate and it really puts into perspective HOW MUCH you have to work to get the calories off...It makes me think before I eat something.