Trim Healthy Mama Adveneture

Back in late 2015 I was introduced to the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle by a friend or two.  I was intrigued by this way of eating and decided to purchase the book and check it out.  I started Trim Healthy Mama (THM) between Christmas and New Years that year and lost 15 pounds by the time I left to run the Glass Slipper Challenge in February 2016.  I’m normally a turtle loser so this was a huge success for me!  What I liked most about it was not having to count calories, which I know works, but was always a huge struggle for me. I have a major sweet tooth so eliminating sugar was a huge help in reducing those cravings and the junk that I was eating.  I loved feeling strong and confident for the race weekend, as much as I loved having to size down in my jeans and SparkSkirts!

Insert many life changes later and I found myself struggling to stay on plan with THM.  I’d hop on and off the wagon, but between time and finances I just couldn’t stay the course.  In reflecting on my struggles with running injuries I know that weight loss will help, as will consistent training.  Additionally, I know that the confidence I’ve been lacking lately, resulting in some struggles with depression, can be found in feeling better about myself and eliminating a lot of the junk and processed foods we rely on in a pinch.  So, I committed this week to getting back on track with Trim Healthy Mama and eating clean.  the keys to this are menu planning and choosing the right snacks for me.

For accountability’s sake, here’s my menu plan for this week:

Sunday:

• Breakfast: Bacon, Eggs & Blueberries (S)
• Lunch: Turkey & Cucumber Sandwich on Joseph’s Pita with Sugar Snap Peas (E)
• Dinner: Ribs with Baked Asparagus and Steamed Squash (zucchini and summer squash) (S)

Monday:

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with banana and a few raisins (E)
• Lunch: Leftover terriyaki chicken and squash (FP)
• Dinner: Egg Roll in a Bowl (S)

Tuesday:

• Breakfast: SweatPants Oatmeal with banana and raisins (E)
• Lunch: Turkey Sandwich on Joseph’s Pita with Sugar Snap Peas and Grapes (E)
• Dinner: Leftover Taco Soup (S) – I had frozen leftovers from a while back and we have a busy night!

Wednesday:

• Breakfast: Bacon & Eggs with Blueberries (S)
• Lunch: Turkey & Cucumber Sandwich on Joseph’s Pita with Sugar Snap Peas (E)
• Dinner: Out to eat for hubby’s birthday – will try to choose an on plan meal

Thursday:

• Breakfast: Bacon & Eggs with Blueberries (S)
• Lunch: Turkey & Cucumber Sandwich on Joseph’s Pita with Sugar Snap Peas (E)
• Dinner: Leftover Egg Roll in a Bowl (S)

Friday:

• Breakfast: Egg White Omelet with Peppers, Spinach and Onion
• Lunch: Turkey & Cucumber Sandwich on Joseph’s Pita with Sugar Snap Peas (E)
• Dinner: Family Pizza Night (I will go off plan tonight for dinner so keeping my day low fat and calorie leading up to it.)

Saturday:

• Breakfast: Quest bar before my run (S)
• Lunch: Leftover pizza
• Dinner: Steaks or burgers with veggies (It’s supposed to be gorgeous and I want to grill!) (S)

As you can see, I made a personal choice to go off plan Friday night for our traditional pizza and movie night.  I won’t always choose this, but I find that sharing in my family’s traditions and events is a priority for me.  In the past I’ve made my own pizza on a Joseph’s Lavash bread and I’m sure I’ll do this again in the future at some point, but for now I’m happy to make an exception.

The struggle, and what I’m going to focus on planning better for next week, is to make sure that I plan out snacks to have on hand.  Cut up peppers, turkey pepperoni, nuts, yogurt with gluten free granola, apples, pickles.  Incorporating protein into my snacks is hard for me since I don’t care for cheese much and that seems to be a common snack inclusion.  I have to research and plan for this.   I also need to take some time to prep desserts and/or snacks for these moments.

There you have it folks!  My plan for success for this week!  Hopefully I’ll feel better, have more energy and see some results!