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| Current photo of some of my girlfriends and me (anyone else look familiar?) |
My most frequently asked question: How do you stay thin?
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| Me, 9 months prego with #3 |
Everyone knows I have a passion for cooking…and sometimes the meals I make are not the “healthiest” choices. So, quite often I get the question “Janelle, how do you stay thin?!” The truth is, I am NOT stick thin…in my grandma’s words “ I’m a bit fluffy and have some junk in my trunk” , but on the scale I am at a healthy BMI of 22…I praise God for the body that I have because it is healthy, it has given birth to 3 healthy children, and my husband seems to be happy with it (haha). I just do not obsess over my weight, nor do I compare my weight with others…which is why I am not sharing my poundage with you. I have owned many different pant sizes over the years…from a size 2 to a 12. I gained 60 lbs with each child and had to work very hard at losing the weight after the babies were born… I am not very tall, so 60 lbs was always quite a challenge! They say it takes 9 months to gain and 9 months to loose and it was very true in my situation! I ended up losing the weight the old fashioned way by working out and going on my home version of the Weight Watchers diet.
I have been able to maintain a healthy weight because I have made myself “comfy at the YMCA” for 7 years and counting!! I also have 3 very active children to chase after! I eat a light breakfast and lunch (which probably negates the calories I burn from the gym), I do not snack much, but I do enjoy a home- cooked meal most evenings with my family. I keep a mental tally on the calories I expend versus the calories I take in….but, I am not hard on myself….I do not get emotional about my weight…I am good enough….I am able to run, breath, give hugs, swim, jump..my body works, praise God!
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| Some of my work-out buddies and me after our 5k! |
Starting this new year, I would like to encourage you to join a gym and try to find a work -out buddy who will keep you accountable. I have made so many wonderful friends at my local gym….working out has become part of my life and I love it. I would also like to share with you 2 sites that I adore..#1 is www.dottisweightlosszone.com Dotti lets us know what we can eat when we dine out and she shares many wonderful recipes! I did not have to join weight watchers to be on the weight watchers diet all because of her site…thank you Dott! Site #2 is www.3fatchicks.com this site shares many different healthy recipes and their ratings along with difficulty.
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| My cousins, mom , baby, and me “post partum @ a size 12!” |
With your blessing, I will begin sharing with you some of my healthier fare…you all know I have a pretty good palate…..so, no “diet” food from this girl, just better an healthier options to add moderation into our diets. As said in 2 Peter 1:5-6 “For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, against such things there is no such law.
I have said a prayer for all my readers that you will become comfier in your kitchens this year and comfier in your jeans by treating your bodies as holy temples…blessings to every one of you my dear and precious Friends!!!!!
~Janelle
Please share your stories on this topic…I would love for us all to be an encouragement to one another…..
Please share your stories on this topic…I would love for us all to be an encouragement to one another…..
So excited to see what you have in store–I just finished Reshaping it All and Made to Crave both of which have helped me see food in a different way–I'm not into dieting, but happy to choose healthier options in fueling my body and being a role model for my kids: )
I will say that I am SO GLAD to read this post!! After learning how to truly surrender to God in ALL parts of your life and not take back, this year I am ready to put the work in to losing weight. I have been a roller coaster since my last child 8 years ago because of different situation. I am excited to get healthy recipes because your recipe are SO easy and yummy so if the healthy taste anything like other ones we are in for a treat. You have made ME Comfy in the kitchen just in the short time I have found you and I truly looking forward to what you have to bring this year!!! Thoughts and prayers with you!! hugs xoxo
thanks so much for posting this today! this has been a struggle of mine for a long time–and i'm really learning to let God be enough for me…and not food! such a trap. i also worked at the ymca for 8 years, and going back is also difficult–mainly because i like to make excuses! 🙂 thanks for encouraging me to "get back out there!"
I'm looking to be comfy in my jeans again after Christmas so I look forward to some new recipes. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing I too was glad to read this1! I have had seven healthy sized children and have been anywhere from a 0- 14 in my sizes as well thru the years and know the challenges this can be!!! Many women struggle in this area and so I too am one whom does not reveal my weight I AM A SIZE HEALTHY and that is what matters. I worked hard as well for 5 years now to drop from a size 14 to my current size and it is a life change and a discipline of working out 5 days a week so I can eat whatever I want however I too am somewhat calorie conscience but not to the point I am in bondage to it we must come to a point where we are NOT comparing and finding a healthy plan for us so we can be comfy in our own JEANS. Thank you Janelle what an encouraging post!!! BTW we made the biscuits this morning YUMMO !!!:))
Excited to see your new recipes; really enjoying having found your blog 🙂
Janene, that is wonderful you read the book! Yea!!! I love your positive attitude! Sonya, thank you…you are such an encouragement to me! Carr…you can do it! It always makes me feel better having gone to the gym…we all fall short, no condemnation…just determination 🙂 Cindy, we have gone through such similar circumstances!!! So nice to know I am not the only one! Thank you Becky and Lisa for the kind words!
I'm doing weight watchers currently and after 3 babies in 3 yrs I'm a little more than fluffy! I just found your site and this post is refreshing! Eager to look for new recipes!!!
Thank you for this refreshing post. I discovered your blog this month and I am so happy that you share your healthier recipes with us. This year I want to become comfy in my jeans:-)
Hi Janelle, I see this is was written at a much earlier date. I just joined in on your meal planning this fall, and have to tell you I and my family have loved your meals! However, now the doctor has told me to lose weight for my knee health so I was thrilled to see this link.
Thanks so much for taking the time to plan. You have taught me so much. Heres to a year of comfy in my jeans!