Welcome to Diet Smoothie.net

Why Diet Smoothie?

I originally planned my diet smoothie blog to post all of my favorite diet smoothie recipes.  However, since I have been struggling with my weight for so long it seemed fitting that I could also blog about my weight loss journey, share recipes and try to come up with as many diet smoothie combinations as I can.

As far as my weight goes, I started back in January 2009 at an unhealthy 215 pounds at 5′ 3″ tall.  To add to that I am your classic apple shape; skinny arms, skinny legs and a very big middle which puts me at risk for all kinds of ailments including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

After some health issues my Dr set me up with a dietician in January of this year (2009). Although I was not diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I was given a type 2 diabetes diet plan to follow as well as prescription for a glucose meter, strips and needles to start monitoring my blood sugar.  This was all too familiar for me since I suffered from gestational diabetes during my pregnancy.  When I was pregnant and scared of complications I did everything right, monitoring my blood sugar and eating the way I was supposed to.  After all I was worried about the health of my baby.  I was also warned that I would always be at an increase risk for type 2 diabetes.

Luckily my blood work came back negative for diabetes although I do suffer from insulin resistance.  Insulin resistance is when your body does not use insulin correctly which of course means type 2 diabetes is still a very strong possibility in the future.  Can I prevent it?  I don’t know.  What I do know is that if I lose weight by watching what I eat and exercise I may be able to avoid or at least delay it.

Now here it is almost 7 years later and sadly, I weigh more than when I was 9 months pregnant.  While I don’t have type 2 diabetes I do suffer from high blood pressure and high triglycerides.  I am on medication for both with sometimes unpleasant side effects.  It took months to get used to the high blood pressure medicine due to constant dizzy spells that left me afraid to drive and I have to have blood tests to make sure the medicine for high triglycerides doesn’t cause liver problems.

I have gone from 215 down to 201 and presently 204.5. I am really struggling to stay on a healthy eating plan.  I guess you can say I am tired.  Tired of counting calories, tired of worrying about my health and tired of feeling lousy all the time.  This isn’t fair to me, my husband and especially my son who deserves a mommy that can keep up with him not to mention be around for a long, long time.

Today, July 26, 2009 is my Anniversary.  Sixteen years ago today my husband and I were married when we both almost 29.  Over nine years later we became parents in our mid thirties.  My family means everything to me and I know that I mean everything to them.  They say that when you try to lose weight you should do it for yourself and only for yourself but I am doing it for them too.  Not because I feel pressured but because I know they worry about me.

Join me on Diet Smoothie.net as I journal about my weight loss.  Although I wont be counting calories I will taking the steps to make the right choices and get more exercise.  I will watch my carb intake although I won’t be as strict as I probably should be.  I will watch my portions and  do my best to choose healthy whole grains and foods low in sugar, low in saturated fat and stay away from unhealthy trans fat altogether.   I know that by trading water and other low sugar beverages for soda and curbing my intense sweet tooth with low calorie fruit and my daily diet smoothie I can lose weight without counting calories.  If however, I find that my weight loss stalls I will start counting calories for a while to get me back on track.

I will weigh in every Sunday and even allow myself an occasional cheat meal.  After all there are 21 meals a week, if I indulge on a few meals a week and get a little more exercise those days I think I will be okay.   I will also allow myself 2 or 3 low calorie snacks each day.  Lunchtime is when I will plan my diet smoothie full of healthy fruit, soy milk or nonfat milk and give it a nice protein boost with whey protein powder.  I will plan the occasional diet  smoothie made with juice instead of milk but since those are higher in carbohydrates with almost no protein that will only be an occasional treat.

Thank you for following me on Diet Smoothie.net.  I hope that my menus and tips can help others who are struggling with weight loss as well.