My first "diet" to be my lifestyle change

MY GOAL IS TO CHANGE MY LIFESTYLE for good, NOT to DIET! BEFORE I had my children I worked out regularly and did both cardio and weight training. I also ran 5-7 miles at a time, 2-3 days per week for endurance purposes. At that time I had 8% body fat and some mean calves on me. Soon I turn 36, I have 24 pounds to get to my preferred weight. I am far from toned, and I don't like to feel my belly or "back fat" jiggle when I walk! My metabolism has most certainly slowed. I have a 3 and 6 year old and can't seem to shake this weight I've gained. Stress these days is a HUGE factor (as it probably is for everyone else out there, too?) Since I've never had to diet a day in my life, could always eat what I wanted and not bother to care about the nutritional or caloric value, I am finding this change difficult. I have to think about EVERYTHING that is going in my mouth. I've found myself hesitating with food halfway to my mouth thinking: Do I really need, or want this really? Sometimes I think I want food more now, just because certain foods are "forbidden." I have found the rule "If you have to have it, just take a bite to satisfy the craving, then move on" to be more harmful than helpful as I have NO WILLPOWER at this time! My husband is losing weight, too, and we've made a wager with each other and another friend of ours to lose aprox. 15% of our weight in 4 months. This is around 20-25# for me. It is only safe to lose 2#/week I know, so it CAN be done, but how to be consistent when I hit the "plateau?" I have stepped up my exercise regime some, by including fast walking and slow jogging (bad feet and knees, but I do it anyway), and mild yoga. But as a nurse on 12 hour shifts, on my feet all day, I can say that on those days I don't do much more that come home to a shower, put the kids and myself to bed. My eating schedule is hard with those 12 hours shifts as I seem to eat too late in the PM due to no breaks at work towards the end of the day (too busy). I've heard people say to try little silly things to add activity at odd moments, like: A large can of soup in your hand (to do exercises for your triceps over your head) while you help the kids with homework or during TV commercials (as if I had time to watch TV!) and to wear ankle weights at work (Whew!) What other "little" things can you think of to do during other daily required activities? Any help is appreciated!


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