"Lay Off Me I'm Starving!"

Some of you might recognize the title of this from an SNL skit with Adam Sandler, David Spade and the infamous Chris Farley. The 3 play women who work at The Gap and are on a lunch break sharing french fries. One of the actors tells Chris Farley to slow down on the fries to which, Farley replies the famous line - "LAY OFF ME I'M STARVING!" in a very deep baritone. Classic. But there is a lot of truth in that scenario.

Ever notice that when you go too long and get to the point where you're so hungry you want to order one of everything on the menu, plus dessert. It's sabotage! Weight loss is always hard, and it's a topic I'll frequent because I love health and fitness but I also struggle with my weight. I'm usually pretty upfront about my imperfectness. (Yes I think it's a new word, one of my many. Maybe after this blog I should make my own dictionary.) But since the beginning of the new year, I've been heeding my own awesome words of wisdom and workin the weight loss plan. *Insert self perpetuated pat on the back here! * I actually finally saw my pre-pregnancy weight on the scale the other day, for the first time, since, well I got pregnant! VICTORY IS MINE! I don't care if it IS 2 years overdue. Stop judging me! I said I wasn't perfect! Oh so now you're gonna stop reading my blog. Well fine!

Woah, what happened. Okay so I'm down a few pounds, awesome, but I've got a lot more to go! And one of the greatest things I'm learning this bout, is to not wait until I'm ravenous to eat. I have to eat before I'm hungry. Think of it this way, when you're post op (Post Operation for the lay) you're supposed to take your pain meds (medicine) every so many hours as per doctors instructions. It's not just to help with the current pain you feel, but to help PREVENT the pain. If you eat when you need to before you're hungry, you will eat what you need to, not what you want to.

I mean, we probably have all been there, whether we admit it or not! Goin out to eat and you didn't eat all day and you order apps, entree, dessert then get popcorn at the movie! Ugh, a good day wasted, when you could have eaten steadily all day and had a sensible dinner. Not only will your metabolism thank you, but well your metabolism will thank you. It's much easier to spend an entire day burning calories consumed at breakfast than it is to digest and burn those frosted flakes you had at 10:30 last night. If you wait, you'll eat like a monster.

Now we all have days where we forget to eat ... Oh wait that's just my husband and size-0-at-nine-months-pregnant sister in law. (Yeah my other sister in law and I want to punch her too ... just kiddin, she's beautiful and we love her!) But there are times where we avoid eating to save calories, or "don't have time" or any of the other excuses we tell ourselves. But the truth of the matter is, you need to find a way to eat. Unstable eating patterns tell your body "I don't know when we're getting fuel next pal, so start eating the fat where all the nutrition is." I don't have any clever analogies for this one, even though I thought about it.

But you should know that your body does attack your muscle supply first when you go with out eating. It's where the most nutrients are. So if you think your fat is melting off, it's not that easy. Look at it this way, people who suffer from anorexia tend to have severe heart problems. Why you say? Well your heart is a muscle and it gets very stressed when constantly being worked out with no fuel coming in. It's a matter of fact Jack! (Who's Jack? No one, don't interrupt me I'm on a roll over here!)

So here's my best advice. If you struggle keeping regular meal times, choose things that are easy to eat, any where any time. Suggestion: Nature Valley Protein bars. Oh mama these things are tasty and they do have a a bunch of protein and yes some fat to fuel the fire baby. Pair this with some veggies or fruit and you've got yourself an impromptu meal on the go my friend. Easy Peasy!

So next time you wait until you're stomach feels like it's eating itself, call yourself stupid in my voice, and try not to eat an entire village.

In the mean time, I'll be doing the same. It's really working for me so far. My portion control is MUCH more in balance, and I feel better. Mostly because I don't feel like I'm dieting, I'm just eating better and I'm not hungry!! WOOT ... I get grumpy when I get hungry. Well I'm always grumpy, but yeah you got it, okay.

Stay the course skinny you!!! This year ... Really IS the year!