Battle of the Bulge

Any of you with four children or more know that for MOST women out there, having 4 children in just over 6 years means a constant battle with the bulge.  Well, my 6 weeks of overindulging because I just had a baby and can't go to the gym again yet are now over.  I will be able to hit the gym starting this week (and I am so excited about it.... really I am)!  I am officially kissing this extra weight good-bye!  Hopefully before too long there will be much less of me - a me more suitable for looking the part of my ultimate dream: becoming a personal trainer.  I have wanted to become a personal trainer for a pretty big chunk of my life and am looking forward to the hard work ahead to get myself into shape (and staying that way) so when the time is right, I can finish my schooling and help people (part-time while my children are in school of course). 

Strictly because I need to write this down to remember it and be forced to live it a bit more, I am going to reveal my general plan and hopefully do a much better job at updating my successes (or failures) on an at least bi-monthly (hopefully weekly) basis.  First, I am going to be drinking more water - at least 8 glasses a day and allowing myself a treat a day (until I can control my sweet tooth enough to limit that further to one a week).  I will eat a well balanced diet throughout the day by using portion sizes in what I eat and if I am just too hungry, eat more vegetables and fruits ONLY.  I am trying to experiment with the process a bit by limiting myself to getting my fruit fill in the morning and then fill up on vegetables in the afternoon.  Since I truly believe that sleep is VERY important to successful weight loss, I will be getting a decent nights sleep each night by going to bed early with the goal being 8 hours of rest each night (yes, I am fully aware that I have a one month old under my roof - it's a goal - and definitely something I will be praying for as this process progresses).  My treat will be after dinner in the evenings  - and only be a serving of the treat I choose. My largest meal will be eaten in the middle of the day, alowing my body to digest most of it before I go to bed.  My goal for weight loss each week is 2lbs a week.  Wish me luck!  If any one else out there is doing something similar and needs moral support, I would love to be your cheerleader and it wouldn't hurt for me to have one either!