My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 10 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

After week 10 on my weight loss journey with Nutrisystem I lost another pound!  That brings my total to 15 pounds lost!  I am loving the way I look and feel!  Those size 12 pants I bought a month or so back are starting to get loose!  I love being able to reward myself with clothes in a smaller size.  This year I will need an entirely new summer wardrobe!  As my Nutrisystem journey comes to a close I am so thankful for this opportunity and so glad I did it!

This week I thought I'd tell you all about a couple of Nutrisystem foods that I love!  One of the yummy breakfasts that I get to wake up to is the Breakfast Burrito.  This burrito is delicious and a bit spicy!  It is filled with eggs, beans and red and yellow peppers.  All of this deliciousness is rolled up in a flour tortilla.  The Nutrisystem Breafast Burrito really fills me up and starts my day the right way - fueled and ready to go!  I love the convenience of it since you can just heat it in the microwave and you can take it in the car with you if you are in a rush.  Being on the Nutrisystem plan is just so easy and convenient!

One of the great dinners that I enjoyed this week was the Rotini & Meatballs.  The noodles, meatballs and sauce were delicious!  I just love all of the Italian style sauces that Nutrisystem uses in their meals.  As always this meal is filling!  I usually just add a side salad to my dinner and feel so satisfied!  Nutrisystem makes real foods that you normally enjoy, but just a much healthier version. 

I am so proud of my Nutrisystem results!  I am feeling so great!  The compliments that I have been getting really help to keep me from going astray from my diet.  Nutrisystem really makes losing weight easy!  I would highly recommend the foods and this amazing program to anyone ready to make a change in their life!

Week 10 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 171

Weight Loss to Date: 15 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 9 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

The scale sure is moving!  After my 9th week on Nutrisystem I have lost a total of 14 pounds! My ultimate goal weight is within reach!  I would love to weigh 145 pounds.  I haven't seen that weight since my freshman year of college.  The funny part about that is that I thought I was overweight then!  Even at my size now, I am feeling so much more confident with myself!  I'm enjoying delicious foods on Nutrisystem and am full of energy!  I need it to keep up with my crazy busy life!

This week I continued to eat some delicious foods and thought I'd share a couple with you.  One of my favorite breakfast foods are yummy gooey cinnamon rolls.  My kids love for me to make them on the weekends when we aren't in such a rush.  I always pass them up because I know how fattening they are.  Well with Nutrisystem I have a great alternative!  I can just grab a cinnamon roll from the freezer and microwave it for a few seconds and it tastes wonderful!  It even has some yummy icing!  The best part is that it really fills me up and I can be proud of myself for making another smart choice!

 One of the great dinners that I've had is the Chicken Pasta Parmesan!  It cooks quickly in your microwave and tastes and smells delicious!  My husband thought it looked so good and wanted to try it.  He was amazed by how yummy "diet food" can be!  The sauces in Nutrisystem meals are so fresh tasting.  I loved the noodles the most.  I have always loved Italian food and I can still have it without the guilt on Nutrisystem! 

Week 9 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 172

Weight Loss to Date: 14 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 8 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

I am so behind on posting my weekly journey on Nutrisystem.  Back in week 8, I lost another pound bringing my total weight loss to 13 pounds!  It's amazing how great it feels to get this weight off!  After giving birth to Ava I felt so overwhelmed with the amount of weight I needed to lose and it sure has been a difficult journey!  Nutrisystem has really simplified the process for me and made losing weight so much easier than doing it on my own.  The foods are so delicious and filling!  At the end of my 3 months, I am truly going to miss all of my favorites!

This week I wanted to tell you about one of my favorite meals... Cavatelli with Broccoli Pesto!  I love the steam and serve bag that it comes in.  It's so simple to put in the microwave!  The steam and serve bag really cooks it perfectly!  The sauce in this dish is superb and I really love this meal!  I feel like I am dining at my favorite Italian restaurant! 

Nutrisystem foods are really delicious!  I am still shocked by how good everything is!  The best part is that I am never hungry!  The weight is coming off so effortlessly because unlike other "diets" I don't feel like I am sacrificing flavor and I'm not hungry!  Nutrisystem really works and I am proof!

Week 8 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 173

Weight Loss to Date: 13 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 7 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

Last week was week seven on Nutrisystem and I lost another pound!  That brings my total weight loss to 12 pounds!  The compliments that I have been getting are so motivational!  They help to keep me going and keep on making good choices for my body!  It isn't always easy as we all know.  If it was I would have done this long ago!  This time around, I have really made an effort in putting my health as a priority.  I want to be around for a long time for my kids.  I use to think it was selfish for me to work out because I wasn't spending as much time with my kids, but now I know that thinking was all wrong.  I need to put my health as a priority FOR my kids.  I also try to incorporate them into my new healthy habits!  With the nice weather we've been having, my family and I have been getting outside and being more active.  The kids love it and I love that we are all spending time together and getting some much needed exercise in the process!

I just love seeing that scale move!  It's so satisfying to see that my hard work is paying off!  As I've said before, it's not just all about the scale.  I'm seeing changes in other areas of my life as well.  Nutrisystem has really made a difference in my life.  The convenience of my meals is amazing!  I am fueling my body with the right foods and I have so much more energy now!  This week I wanted to share one of my favorite dinners with you.  Nutrisystem's Thick Crust Pizza is so delicious!  I am a  pizza lover so I love that I'm getting one of my favorite foods!  The other day my sister was over and we ordered pizza for all of the kids.  I was tempted to eat some, but instead I just made my Thick Crust Pizza and it was very satisfying!  It has lots of cheese and lots of sauce.  Since you assemble it yourself from the package, you could also add some fresh veggies, like peppers to add some more flavor.  I love the flavor of the sauce! 

I'm loving my life and the changes I see every day in my body. Nutrisystem has made all the difference! I love all of the support that I can find online on the program website. If you are wanting to make a change in your life and wondering if Nutrisystem works, I am proof that it does! I can't wait to show all of you my "After" photo in 5 more weeks!

Week 7 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 174

Weight Loss to Date: 12 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 6 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

After my sixth week on Nutrisystem, I am down 11 pounds and feeling great!  It's so satisfying to see results on the scale, but I'm seeing results elsewhere as well.  Eating well is giving me more energy to get through my super busy days as a mom and childcare provider.  Kids require ALOT of attention and energy and I find that now I am still going strong by the end of my work day.  Before Nutrisystem, I would crash by 3:00 and barely have enough energy to make dinner for my family.  Now I have energy to spare!  I have even been able to do a workout a few nights a week (depending on my kids' extracurricular activities).

I couldn't do this without the ease of Nutrisystem.  It is so easy to figure out what to have for the next meal.  I can simply look in my pantry or freezer and find the perfect meal to meet my nutritional needs!  I absolutely LOVE that I can take my meals and snacks on the go with me.  The Breakfast  and Lunch bars have been a lifesaver!  On weekends I can just throw them in my bag and bring a snack bag of carrots and lunch is served!  No more making a quick run to the fast food drive through!  

I thought that I could post my thoughts on a meal each week so that you, my readers, can see what the food is really like!  This week I LOVED the Chef's Table™ Ginger Cashew Chicken!  It comes in this cool steam and serve bag and cooks so perfectly in your microwave. It's really a satisfying meal and was a large portion for me!  I love the flavors of the ginger, chicken and rice.  There are also some yummy cashews that I loved biting into.  Every bite was amazing!  I felt like I was out at a nice restaurant with this meal.  I'm not joking!  It was a little spicy and somewhat sweet too with the carrots.  The only problem with this meal was that I only received one!  I hope it will be in my shipment again next month!

I cannot say enough good things about Nutrisystem!  Check them out online if you are interested in making a change in your life.  You'll be so glad you did!

Week 6 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 175

Weight Loss to Date: 11 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 5 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

Well I'm a little late posting this.  For some reason I forgot to do my Nutrisystem post last week.  Last week was a great week and I lost 2 more pounds!  That brings my total weight loss to 10 pounds!  I am so proud of my hard work and results!  10 pounds in only 5 weeks is great for me!  I have learned that slow and steady wins the race.  I can't expect for this weight to fall off overnight because I didn't put it on overnight.  I want to lose weight the healthy way and I want to enjoy my life in the process.

What I mean by enjoying my life is that I still allow myself indulgences.  For instance tomorrow my sister is adopting her 3 foster children!  This has been a long road and we are all so excited to call them ours in the official sense.  To celebrate we are all going to our favorite restaurant after the court proceedings.  Well I can't exactly take a Nutrisystem meal to warm up at the restaurant, so I am going to try to make a healthy decision on lunch so that I don't undo my hard work.  Nutrisystem recognizes that we all have a life and can't ALWAYS eat perfectly on our meal plan.  When I received my first shipment of Nutrisystem foods, I was given an "Eating Out Guide" and it has really helped me to make better choices when dining out.  These are tips that will stick with me throughout my life and especially down the road when I transition from Nutrisystem.

I want to share some of these awesome tips with my readers.  Along with this pocket "Eating Out Guide" the Nutrisystem website also has great resources for eating out and making the best choices.

• Ask for sauces and dressings on the side.  (I always ask for a light or fat-free version as well)
• Don't eat that huge portion!  Split it with your dining partner or ask for a to-go box and put half of your meal into it before you start eating.
• Ask your server NOT to bring the bread or chip basket.  Those calories really add up!
• Plan what you will order ahead of time.  I always like to check out the restaurant's menu online so that I have an idea of what the healthiest option is for me.
• Eat slowly and take sips of water in between bites.  It takes your body about 20 minutes to feel full, so slow down and really enjoy your food.

The pocket "Eating Out Guide" also has many "Eat This Instead of That" scenarios that I love.  For instance, get pico de gallo instead of queso.  I've been learning to love new foods and when I eat out I love to try something new.  This guide has helped me to try different and healthier options that I have tried to duplicate at home.  My family is also eating better because of it!

Nutrisystem is not just about eating prepackaged foods.  I have really been impressed by the flavors and variety of the foods that I am eating, but I am also learning more about healthier options with their awesome online resources to make that transition to cooking entirely on my own, an easy one!

Week 5 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 176

Weight Loss to Date: 10 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 4 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

Last week was my fourth week following the Nutrisystem program.  I lost another pound!  That brings me to a total of 8 pounds!  I just love the way I feel and love that I am not hungry!  I've gone on diets before and just felt like I was starving the entire time.  Sure I lost weight but it didn't continue because I eventually gave up and went back to my old ways because I was hungry!  Nutrisystem foods are made with "good carbs" that digest slowly to help keep your blood sugar stable and your cravings at bay.  What's more is that they send you a meal plan that matches your metabolism which allows you to skip out on that usual dieter's hunger and cravings.  This in turns helps you to shed those unwanted pounds!  This has honestly been the easiest way I have ever lost weight!

This week I want to brag about myself!  As I mentioned in previous posts I lost weight prior to starting Nutrisystem and it has been a LONG time since I have gone shopping for clothing.  Well this weekend I knew I had to go buy something new.  Unfortunately a family member passed away and well, I just had NOTHING to wear to the funeral.  All of my clothes were too big and I just looked ridiculous with them falling off of me.  So I headed off to a local clothing store and started picking items off the rack.  The jeans that I was currently wearing were a size 16.  So I picked up a few pants that were a size 14 and went into the dressing room.  When I first looked at the jeans I was wearing in the dressing room mirror, I knew right then that they needed to hit the trash can as soon as I made it home!  I knew they were loose, but there's something about that dressing room mirror that always shows me my true appearance, whether I like it or not!  My pants were so baggy and just looked awful on me!  I had been waiting to buy new clothes until I hast lost more weight.... clearly this weekend was that moment!

As I tried on the size 14 pants I noticed that they looked much better but I still had some room!  I thought I'd try on a size 12 just for fun to strive toward after I have lost more weight.  So I picked out the same pants in a smaller size and reentered the dressing room.  I was SHOCKED!  The size 12 pants fit me great!  I hardly recognized myself in that mirror!  I looked so much better and the pants hugged my butt so well!  I just wanted to scream I was so excited!  I of course bought the pants and a cute top and couldn't wait to get home and share the news with my husband!

I am so proud of my accomplishment and can't wait to get the rest of this weight off.  I think of how far I've come and love all of the compliments I have been getting!  I will never go back to that chubby, frumpy looking mommy.  I want so much more out of my life and have been so much happier with myself since I started this journey to a healthier person!  

 

Nutrisystem was just the push I needed to help myself out of the rut I was in.  I just received another shipment of foods today and I was so excited to put them all away and  restock my shelves with this delicious and nutritious food!  With over 150 different foods, I never get bored with what I am eating!  Sometimes I wish I had more of a particular item, but with all of the different foods I am sent, I don't have to repeat foods.  If I'm in the mood for Italian or Mexican, there is going to be something from Nutrisystem to curb my craving!

Getting started with Nutrisystem is easy!  You just need to answer a few questions and Nutrisystem selects a meal plan to match your metabolism.  The also offer support on their website.  My favorite is reading the success stories!  Reading them gives me motivation when I'm needing it!

Week 4 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 178

Weight Loss to Date: 8 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 3 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

After another week of following the Nutrisystem meal plan I have lost another 2 pounds!  That puts me at 7 pounds total after only 3 weeks!  I am so pleased with my results!  I am noticing that my clothes are starting to get baggy on me!  I'm going to be able to reward myself with some new clothes soon!

I was thrilled to see 179 on the scale!  I haven't been that size since before my son was born and he's 5 years old!  My husband and family are noticing changes in my body and I've been getting lots of compliments!  Losing this extra weight has been so great!  I'm starting to feel more confident and just better all around!

The Nutrisystem meal plan has made so much difference!  I am almost never hungry!  The foods are so filling and satisfying!  I've noticed that I have more energy and have been using that extra energy to get in some more activity!  Nutrisystem recommends daily exercise.  We all know we need it!  The tough part is fitting it in to our busy schedules.  Well I've been doing little things here and there such as having a dance party with the kids!  I pop in some high energy tunes and we all have a great time shaking our booties!  With this cold weather and all of the snow days we've been having it's been great for letting a little of their energy loose and kids can also use some exercise!

In the evening I've been do some exercise such as crunches, leg lifts, and jumping jacks while I catch up on my favorite programs!  I like to do floor exercises while I am watching television because I'm still taking in the dialogue of the program and toning my body at the same time.  During commercial breaks I get up and do some high energy exercise like jumping jacks, etc.  That's a lot better than my old habits of snacking on some unhealthy junk food while watching TV!

As I mentioned earlier, Nutrisystem recommends regular exercise!  On their website I've been learning about their "My Daily 3" program and think it's a great way to get into shape!  It's based on the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans which suggests that adults should get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week for better health.  In order to meet those guidelines, Nutrisytem allows you to take an assessment that gives you 3, 10-minute manageable activity increments to do during your day.  You could also do 2, 15-minute increments or one 30 minute activity session.  You of course aren't limited to 30 minutes!  That does seem more manageable to break it up into 3 10-minute intervals throughout my day!

I'm so proud of my results on Nutrisystem!  I just feel so much better and am excited to get up in the morning to see what my day brings!  You can start your weight loss journey with Nutrisystem here.  Please feel free to ask me any questions you like!

Week 3 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 179

Weight Loss to Date: 7 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 2 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

Last week was the second week of my weight loss journey with Nutrisystem.  I had a great week enjoying some great foods and I lost 1 pound!  That puts me at 5 pounds total!  I'm very proud of my results!  Last week I was able to add in more fresh foods.  I didn't get any exercise in last week though, and this week I plan to be more active.  I want to tell you all about the great foods I tried this week!

First of all, I thought I'd let you know my eating schedule.  The important part of making a healthy lifestyle change is to eat healthy foods and to not let yourself get too hungry.  I know that when I let myself get too hungry, I will eat anything in site, and that's not good!  I have eaten a half a can of Pringles before without realizing it just because I was starving and those Pringles were the first thing I saw!  Now I try to eat more frequently and keep things like Pringles out of my line of sight.  I still buy yummy treats for my kids, but try to keep my Nutrisystem foods at the front of the cabinet so that I see those first!

I start my day with a Nutrisystem breakfast such as a peanut butter granola bar, a banana nut muffin, or apple cinnamon oatmeal.  I've also been adding in a cup of skim milk.  This helps to keep me full until my snack.  Nutrisystem wants you to have a Nutrisystem entree and PowerFuel for breakfast.

For my morning snack I've been having the Nutrisystem Protein Shakes.  This week I've been loving the Creamy Chocolate Protein Shake Mix!  It's so easy to mix with 6 ounces of water and some ice.  It's so yummy and really keeps me going until lunch time!  I also add a banana or an apple.  Nutrisystem wants you to have a SmartCarb and a PowerFuel for your morning snack.

 For lunch I eat a Nutrisystem lunch such as chicken noodle soup, cheese tortellini, or even a convenient meal bar.  I also add some fresh veggies or a salad.  I can't get over how convenient and easy these meals are!  There have been a few that I've been worried about trying, but I'm always pleasantly surprised with the flavors and how full I feel! 

For my afternoon snack I get another SmartCarb and PowerFuel.  My go to afternoon snack is some string cheese and grape tomatoes, or an apple and a tablespoon of yummy peanut butter.  I'm amazed that I am feeling full AND satisfied on Nutrisystem!

For dinner Nutrisystem wants you to have a Nutrisystem entree and a SmartCarb and a PowerFuel.  One of my favorite dishes has been the Thick Crust Pizza.  It's so delicious!  I pair it with a salad with fat free dressing, and a whole grain roll.  There are so many other great Nutrisystem meals to choose from!  I never get bored on this diet because I am eating so many different things! 

The best part of my day is DESSERT!  Nutrisystem has so many great desserts to help keep you satisfied!  My absolute favorite has been the Chocolate Cake!  It is so delicious!  I feel like I'm cheating on my diet, but I'm not!!!  I love that I can have such delicious foods with Nutrisystem and I am still losing weight!

Week 2 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 181

Weight Loss to Date: 5 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem: Week 1 Results! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

Last Monday I started the Nutrisystem Fast 5 program!  Although I forgot to take a picture of the scale this morning, I wanted to give you the results of my first week!  Although I didn't lose a full 5 pounds, I was really close and lost 4 pounds!  My current weight is: 182!  I am thrilled with my results!

Well, I'm sure you all want to know how my week went and what foods I liked and didn't like, so I'm here to spill!  The Fast 5 package came with 7 great breakfasts:

• Blueberry Muffin (yummy)
• Banana Nut Muffin (delicious)
• Cinnamon Streusel Muffin (loved it!)
• Double Chocolate Muffin (my favorite of the muffins - I'm a chocoholic!)
• Harvest Nut Bar (my favorite of the breakfast bars! - if you love nuts, you will love this one!)
• Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bar (tasted great!)
• Cinnamon Bun Bar (loved it!)

I really enjoyed all of the breakfasts!  After looking at the nutrition facts of each item, I saw that they each had an ample amount of protein and fiber which really helped me to stay full until my next snack.  I loved how easy all of them were for on-the-go portability!  If you are a busy mom (or dad) like me, you will love how easy it is to throw a perfectly portioned breakfast into you bag in the morning!  I really love that there is no calorie counting, or measuring!

About 2 and a half hours after breakfast I would have my EnergiZING Shake!  As I mentioned earlier I LOVE chocolate and these shakes were chocolate flavored.  I didn't have a shaker cup so these took a minute or so for me to mix up.  I liked adding a few ice cubes because I liked it colder.  The taste was great and it helped me to feel full until lunch time!

The Fast 5 Package also contained 7 great lunches:

• White Bean Chicken Chilli (I was worried about this one because I've never had a white bean chilli, but thought it tasted great!  It had that chilli flavor I like and kept me satisfied!)
• Cheese Tortellini (I loved the sauce!  I'm a pasta lover so this was a great treat for me!)
• Loaded Baked Potato (My FAVORITE of the 7 lunches!  The only problem was that I wished there was more!)
• Three Cheese Pasta w/ Chicken (yummy and cheesy!)
• Spicy Kung Pao Noodles (Not my favorite, but I don't normally eat Asian foods like this, so someone else may really like it)
• Fudge Graham Bar (Delicious - great for on-the-go!)
• Double Chocolate Caramel Bar (reminded me of an unhealthy candy bar - so delicious!)

The lunches were great!  I loved the portability of the bars!  I ate those on the weekend when I was busy running to the grocery store and at my sister-in-law's baby shower.  All of the lunches were satisfying and kept me full until my next snack time.  I always added some fresh veggies with lunch, such as baby carrots, cauliflower, or sweet peppers.  The crunch was always satisfying and veggies always help to keep me full!

In the afternoons when I started to get hungry I would mix up a Craving Crusher Shake!  The chocolatey creaminess of this shake was just what I needed to get me through my afternoon snack cravings!  I'm sure you know all about that!  I remember back when I was working outside of the home, that every day at about 3:00, I'd be craving a candy bar and would make a trip to the vending machine.  Those added calories and fat were detrimental to my waistline.  Now that I work from home, I usually try and opt for a healthier snack like some low fat crackers or an apple, but sometimes that doesn't always work and I raid the kid's snacks, like potato chips!  Well, after drinking a Craving Crusher Shake I felt full and happy!  I would totally recommend them!

Dinnertime options were great too!  Here's what I ate this week:

• Lasagna with Meat Sauce (loved the sauce and cheesiness!)
• Rotini with Meatballs and Tomato Sauce (The meatballs were great and I really like the marinara sauce!)
• Italian Herb Flatbread Pizza (I am a big pizza lover so I found this meal very satisfying)
• Thick Crust Pizza (Again, all pizza is great to me!  I liked the thick crust of this!)
• Chicken Pot Pie (I liked how you put the crust on the last few seconds of cooking time.  The crust was crunchy and tasted great with the chicken and veggies!)
• Chili with Beans (The chili tasted so good on these cold winter nights!  It was just what I was craving)
• Penne Pasta and Chicken in Alfredo Sauce (I haven't tried this one yet.  I'll explain why below)

Each evening when it was dinner time, I paired my meal with a salad with fat free dressing.  It filled me up, however, before bed I always felt like I needed a snack!  This week I get to add a dessert to my diet so I think that will really help with the after dinner cravings!  I was very surprised at how great the food tasted!  I mean it does come from a cardboard box that you throw in the microwave.  I've tried many low fat microwaveable meals in the past.  Some were great and some ended up in the trash because I couldn't stomach one more bite.  Well that wasn't the case with the Nutrisystem foods that I ate this week!  They tasted fresh and satisfying even from the microwave!

Why didn't I lose the full 5 pounds that was promised by Nutrisystem?  Well, this is where the being honest part comes in.  I didn't follow the diet perfectly.  My daughter Bella got straight A's on her report card and wanted to get free cheeseburgers with her A's.  How could I say no to that?  She's being frugal and she worked hard to get good grades!  Well I had every intention of passing up on the McDonald's and eating a Nutrisystem dinner, but I gave in to temptation and had a cheeseburger and a small bag of fries.  Also, when I was at my sister's house last weekend, they ordered pizza and I LOVE pizza, so I did eat a slice of that too.

I am still proud of my accomplishment of losing 4 pounds!  That gets me closer to my goal weight!  This week I get to eat more food following the Nutrisystem plan.  My goal is to lose 1-2 pounds.  I have failed at weight loss so many times in the past and now my mindset has changed.  I'm not always going to be perfect, but if I try my best and lose a pound or two a week, that's great!  It really adds up in the end!  Think about it!  If you lose 1 pound a week, that's 52 pounds in a year!  It may not be super fast, but that is the healthy way to lose weight and you will be less likely to put it all back on.

I am excited about this week to come!  I get to add more fresh food with my Nutrisytem foods.  Next week, I will let you know how it went!

Week 1 Nutrisystem Results:

Starting Weight: 186

Current Weight: 182

Weight Loss to Date: 4 pounds

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Starting My Weight Loss Journey with Nutrisystem! #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be following the Nutrisystem weight loss program free of charge.  All opinions are 100% my own!

So today is the day!  I am starting the next leg of my weight loss journey with Nutrisystem!  I say the next leg since I lost close to 30 pounds last year just by eating less and moving more!  This year I'm ready for some help.  Although I am proud of my success, I still have 46 more pounds to lose to get to my ultimate weight loss goal.  Nutrisystem is the program that I think can really give me the push to lose this extra weight.  I'm excited to share my journey with my readers and I am going to be as honest as I possibly can.  That starts with the scale.  So here it is...  My current weight is: 186 pounds.  A healthy weight for my body frame and height is 120-150 pounds.  My goal weight is 140 pounds.

Each week I am going to weigh in and post about my progress.  So stay tuned for my transformation!  I also wanted to add some embarrassing "before" photos!  The following picture was taken on my birthday shortly after Ava's birth - 12/9/12.  Even with my daughter sitting on my lap, you can see how I had packed on the pounds.  Shortly after this photo was taken I was committed to making a change. It took me 4 months after having Ava to get a pair of jeans on, that weren't maternity.  I had gained 50 pounds with her pregnancy.

This is me today.  I'm looking better but I am still not pleased with my body.  I'd especially like to lose weight from my midsection.

So there you have it... my before photos.  I'm excited to embark on this journey to be healthier and start looking better in my clothes!  This week I will be using the Nutrisystem Fast 5 kit.  Everything that I will need for the first week is contained in this box.  I found 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners, 7 EnergiZING shakes and 7 Craving Crusher Shakes within this box.  To follow the plan and hopefully lose 5 pounds this week I will eat a breakfast, an EnergiZING shake, lunch, a Craving Crusher shake, and a dinner (in that order).  I can also eat lots of fresh veggies. 

So far today I have had a Cinnamon Streusel Muffin for breakfast and thought it was delicious!  I felt full after eating it and drinking some water.  About 2 and a half hours later I had my EnergiZING shake and thought it tasted great as well!  I think this is really going to work because the foods are keeping me full and I don't feel deprived.  I also love how simple this plan is to follow!  How convenient is it to grab a package that says "Breakfast" and not have to count calories, measure or track anything?!  The following photo is of the foods that I will be eating today.  I'm excited to try the Loaded Baked Potato and the Thick Crust Pizza!

As I mentioned earlier, you can snack on lots of fresh veggies!  I am planning on having baby carrots and sweet peppers with each of my meals.  Wish me luck!  Look for my post next Monday to see how much weight I lose!

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My New Year's Resolution: Losing Weight with Nutrisystem #NSNation

**This is a sponsored post.  I will be given the product(s) mentioned for this post.  All opinions are my own.

I just love the idea of starting the new year fresh with goals in mind!  I have a few major resolutions this year and like every other year, losing weight is on the top of my list!  I did pretty well in 2013 and lost a total of 27 pounds.  The sad part is that I still have about 45 more pounds to lose to reach my healthy weight range goal.  Like many moms out there I have gained weight with each pregnancy and lost some, but not all of it before having another child.  Those pounds have really added up throughout the years and after three beautiful babies, I am not where I'd like to be.

I was more than thrilled when I was selected to be a part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program!  I am super excited to get started and will hopefully inspire my readers along the way with my weight loss story.  I will be writing a weekly blog post documenting my journey to become healthier for myself and my family.  The following is a list of the reasons I want to get the rest of this weight off.

• To look better in my clothes.  I hate how my body looks in most of my clothes.  I feel uncomfortable when going out with friends and family and want to feel better about my appearance.
• To keep up with my kids!  My kids are so active with sports and other activities.  I want to be able to run with them and play with them without getting out of breath or tiring too quickly.
• To inspire my kids, my husband and the rest of my family!  I want to inspire my family to make better choices.  I want my kids to choose fruits and vegetables over junk food.  (just one example)  If they see me making better choices, they will be inclined to do so as well.
• To buy cuter clothes!  I'd love to go shopping for once and look good in almost anything I try on!  I hate shopping now because it's so hard to find anything that I think looks good on my body.
• To be a healthier person.  I'm not usually sick, I don't have any illnesses like diabetes, etc.  However, if I don't changes my unhealthy ways, that could change in the future.  My husband has diabetes.  (Not due to weight issues.  He's had it since he was a teen)  His diabetes is a huge financial burden on our family and I don't want to have to add any more medical bills in the mix due to my weight and unhealthy lifestyle.
• To have more energy!  I am a VERY busy person with all of my jobs, and 3 kids!  When I eat healthier and take better care of myself, I find that I have more energy to accomplish what needs to be done in a day!  I notice when I eat crappy, unhealthy foods, I feel tired and run down and can't get everything done that I need to do!

I've never tried Nutrisystem before but have heard such great things about the program!  My sister-in-law and mother-in-law have both tried Nutrisystem and have loved the results.  They both said that the food was great!  I love that it's really going to be a no brainer!   I will receive nutrient rich foods delivered right to my door!  No shopping or major cooking required!  I am always so busy and we are always on the go, so something with little preparation time will be great for me!

I can't wait to get started and share my journey with all of you!  Please read along and feel free to ask me questions along the way!  You can visit Nutrisystem and learn all about their amazing weight loss program too!  If losing weight is at the top of your New Year's resolution list, why not give Nutrisystem a try?

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.