Natalie, Version 5.2

Inspired. Driven. Excited. These are all of the features of Natalie, Version 5.2, in homage to my 5.2 pound weight lost in 7 days. WHAT?! Yes, this is correct. This is not a typo: 5.2 POUNDS, 7 DAYS. I lost nearly a pound a day my first week back on the Weight Watchers plan and this version of myself excites me and challenges me to truly commit to Natalie, Version 30, and then my ultimate goal of Natalie, Version 60!

With that said, was my first week hard? I would say it was a bit of a challenge at times but I prepared myself by stocking my refrigerator and pantry with healthy items (fresh fruit, brown rice, fiber-rich whole grains, vegetables, fat free dairy products, lean meats, beans, etc.) and not denying myself to occasional goodies, which for me is the single serve Twinkie, 100 calorie mini brownies, and Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.  I had at least one (sometimes two) of these delicious goodies a day.  While I am changing my lifestyle/eating habits-I would be kidding (and depriving) myself if I cut out the things I love, like Twinkies and ice cream. lol. Everything in moderation is the key. Who said you can't eat what you love in lose weight? I made delicious meals: chicken burritos (think Chipotle), turkey burgers, southwestern chicken salad, fish (by Mrs. Paul's) with brown rice and veggies. I ate oatmeal (a lot), turkey and cheese sandwiches, and maybe two boxed meal, like Smart Ones Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry, which I added an additional cup of broccoli...it was very filling. I worked out (once)- Zumba on Wii. Umm, I need to workout more this week...every week.

My version of a Chicken Burrito (after one bite)

 Okay, so now I am in the midst of week two, striving to lose at least 1.5 pounds this week. Challenges? Yes. Valentine's day. Ray made me about 30 chocolate covered strawberries and Raina (with my aunt's assistance) made me cupcakes, cookies, a bouquet of heart-shaped lollipops, and a small box of chocolates.

On one hand I was thinking "how sweet," and the other side of me (the I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT side) was like "seriously? I mean seriously!" So I decided to take a page out of my mother-in-laws book and be grateful (which I truly am), eat  maybe one, and give the rest away. I ate the tops of the small cupcakes over the past two days and the heart-shaped lollipops and box of chocs remain closed.

If this was a test, I would pass, which is great...considering I'm sleep deprived. Cole is on his own sleep schedule for now. I don't expect him to be on a good schedule until June. Gotta love the babies. #UpAllNight:)

-Natalie

What is the McCarter Life?

So the question has been asked and the answer is simple (sort of). The McCarter Life is a life of love, laughter, dreams, adventure, passion, honesty, faith, perseverance, and blessings. It is my life and the life of my immediate family. It has been my life for the last four years, since November 11, 2007- my wedding day. That was the day I became a McCarter and started living the life. Since then, Ray (my King) and I, have made two little McCarters, who also live the McCarter Life. I am blessed to live this life! In it I have become a wife, mother, homeowner, graduate of a Master's program (go BSU), author, national recognized researcher, professor, higher education advocate, and so much more...I am truly living the life...the McCarter Life.

The Journey...It Starts

To blog or not to blog? Clearly, I decided the answer was to blog. Today I rejoined Weight Watchers after my one year hiatus, which included nine months of pregnancy and a weight gain of about 50 pounds...grr! So now that my son is 7 weeks old and the OB has cleared me- I am READY!

I need to lose 30 pounds to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and an additional 30 pounds to get to my goal weight- that's right 60 POUNDS...makes the movie 7 pounds sound like a light weight (even though it was really heavy)...if you didn't see it, I highly recommend it...ok...back to this weight "issue." I am SUPER EXCITED...I even had Ray take a BEFORE picture to be used once I reach my goal.

The Weight Watchers plan allotted me extra weekly points because I'm nursing exclusively.  On one hand, that's great because it will allow me to ease back into the plan, on the other hand, I may not lose the weight as fast as I desire. According to WW, a nursing mom should lose no more than one pound a week, Babycenter.com says 1.5 a week. My goal is to lose the first 30 by May 22, 2012- my 30th birthday. So apparently...to be safe...I should only lose 23 pounds maximum by my birthday...UGH! The sacrifice of motherhood. I am going to just focus on the plan and post the weekly weight loss...but "Imma let ya know" that I won't be mad if I lose more than 2 pounds this first week...usually the first week on any weight loss plan (if followed correctly) is the best week because you body goes into a bit of shock. Last time I joined WW, I lost over 5 pounds my first week...hopeful that this time will be the same (or close to it). So maybe I will lose like 3 to 4 pounds this week to jump start things allowing me to at least lose 25 pounds by the big day and allow spanx (thanks Sara) to do the rest...lol! #WishMeLuck

I.AM.READY! 

-Natalie
Lovin' and Livin' the McCarter Life