Nutrisystem-Weekends on My Own

Well I just competed my 6th month on Nutrisystem. That's officially one half year.

I have changed my program to "weekends on my own". That means they send me 20 days worth of food instead of 28. I'm trying to learn to make healthy choices on my own so I can eventually let go of Nutrisystem. Ill admit, I'm scared. I'm afraid of what I may eat. When the foods are right there ready to eat as Nutrisystem is, Its easy to discipline myself. But put me out there where the fried pickles yell my name, and hot dogs are smelling up the air, It makes me nervous. I know I sound silly but its the truth. I do not have much will power but I do not want to get overweight again , so I can do this. By the way. I make the best fried pickles and you can find my recipe HERE.

WARNING: These are dangerous!!!! Stay away if your dieting

The weight is coming off very slow. I only lost a little over 3lbs. during the month of June. I guess that's better than a gain. Ill take every oz. I can get. I think I actually hit a plateau this month. I went 2 weeks with no weight loss then on the third week I lost a few ounces. Then all of a sudden on the 4th week I lost 3 lbs. I just did the same calorie intake and same exercise and finally started loosing again. Those last few lbs. are the hardest and slowest to get rid of.

You can view my whole week by week journey here.

No matter how much or less I loose I have to say that I feel better now. I love going shopping and about everything I grab to try on fits! New York Company has became my favorite store lately as I can fit into all of their size 6s. woohoo!

Some of the changes I have noticed in the six months I've been on this diet are:

• My heartburn and acid reflux have disappeared.
• More energy.
• Better self esteem.
• Sleep better.
• Breathe better.
• I crave healthier foods.
• looser skin (not a fan).
• I'm learning to appreciate water.
• I can curl up in a chair with room left over.
• I do not sweat has much.
• I can easily turn down unhealthy foods.
• I can shop in the Junior department.
• Just all over feel better inside and out.

I absolutely do not have anything to complain about with the Nutrisystem diet.
Whenever I have a question or concern, customer service is always so nice and helpful. I have also made friends with other Nutrisystem users through the website and MyFitnessPal. There is a NS group on there where we all discuss the diet and help each other along. No one talks about politics or world news, Just about the diet and each other. We play goal games and never speak negative about each other. It helps.

MyFitnessPal is a great app to have. You can log all your foods with all the nutritional information you need. If you have a fitbit (as I do) you can sync it with MyFitnessPal. They both are great things to use.

My goal for July is to loose 5 more lbs.. that will put me at my goal weight. I do not mind going under my goal weight for I will be going on vacation in August and would like to enjoy some ice cream without guilt. Maybe even grab me some of those fried pickles.

Sunscreen Changes

Summer is here! Before you head outside be sure you protect yourself from the dangers of the sun.

I'm one of those people that do not burn easily. In fact, to be honest, I don't usually even wear sunscreen even while I'm on the beach.  However, I always made sure my daughter was protected. I just hate the oily sticky feeling and then worry if I miss a spot.
As I've gotten older, I have been using makeup and BB creams with SPF on my face just to keep it for getting that leathery look.

Even though I do not use sunscreen like I should, I highly recommend everyone to wear it. I am in my 40's and I am just noticing the affect of never using the stuff. Not pretty.
Before you buy that Banana Boat or Coppertone, read some of these interesting facts and changes I have learned.

Broad Spectrum:
The FDA has made changes to the labels on sunscreen. You will notice when you purchase a bottle or spray it will have on the label "Broad Spectrum". This means it will protect from both A and B ultraviolet rays and has a protection factor of 15 or more.
If it does not say "Broad Spectrum", then it only protects against sunburn, not sun cancer, according to the FDA.
Products that do not meet those requirements will have an ugly label on them saying "Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert". Wow if that's not enough to make you put back and spend a little more on the good stuff.

Water Proof:
No sunscreen is guaranteed to have endless hours of protection. It is important you reapply every 40 to 80 minutes. New rules now also require manufactures to tell customers how long the sunscreens can stand sweat and swimming. In fact, manufactures are prohibited from even claiming their product is waterproof at all.

SPF Levels:
Choose at least 15 to 20 SPF. Higher levels only filter about one or two more percent. The FDA is still in the process of changing the SPF labels. Some products will have as high as 100 SPF printed on the labels. This is misleading. FDA is considering making manufactures lower the number to 50 and just put "+" after the number (50+).

When I do rarely wear sun protection, I notice I still tan, just slower, and as a matter of fact, the tan will stay longer if I use the sunscreen. Now, lotion down and get out there and enjoy yourselves!