It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

So, I've been thinking. During the holidays I always pig out on a TON of yummy food. Seriously, rolls, mashed potatoes, dressing, cookies, cakes, pies, and fudge! I love it all and I normally don't get to eat it throughout the year. However, I have lost more weight in the past 4 or so months than I ever have in my life. I don't want to ruin all of my hard work. SO. I've been looking into ways to watch my calories while also enjoying the holiday season. :) I have a found a few helpful links that I thought I might share to other food-lovin souls. :)
Counting calories throughout the holiday seasons
I LOVED THIS ONE. I've been so worried about adding on extra weight more easily since I won't be getting to walk across campus everyday for an entire month. However, none of the alcohol stuff in this link applies to me since I don't drink. But very helpful tip...EAT LIGHTLY since you will be pigging out (at least a little) at dinner.

Good recipe tips
I bake. A lot. Although this website is dedicated to Thanksgiving, it can easily work for Christmas as well. I love the different baking ideas. Who knew that by replacing 1 cup of sugar with splenda will save 750 calories? WOW. When I speak of food, I speak in calories. When someone asks me where I like to get dinner if I have to eat fast food this is what I will reply with: "Well, if you go to Wendy's and get a spicy chicken sandwich (plain) and apples, you're looking at around 510 calories. However, if you grab a McDouble at McDonalds with apples, you only spend $2.20 and eat about 405 calories. You can find fast food items that will not totally kill your calorie count for the day. :)

I hope these sites help someone else out as much as they have helped me! Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!!

Turkey day!

Happy Thanksgiving! (A very amazing holiday for those of us watching our weight and counting calories...it's a free-for-all!) I made sure to weigh myself before turkey day so yesterday, Wednesday November 21, 2012, roughly 4 months after beginning my weight loss journey, I am down 25 pounds. I am halfway to my goal of 50 pounds! I began counting calories in August and started at 209. Yesterday morning I was at 184 which is great news for me. :) I've been getting a little off track with my calorie counting since it's been the holiday season (which, for me, starts November 4th because of my birthday). But I've still lost 4 pounds in 2 1/2-3 weeks or so. Not horrible. :)

I also finally have a picture!

 

This is me after losing 25 pounds. I wish I could post a before picture but I was so embarrassed about how I looked that I never took many pictures from my neck down. :/ Hindsight and what not.

 

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I know that I personally have so much to be thankful for!