I heart you, Jamie Oliver

So my friends and I are doing a Biggest Loser Competition together.  We started back in January and our weigh-in date of May 1st is coming up quick.  I've done well so far, but lately I'm getting frustrated.  Working two jobs is really taking a toll on my progress.  I'm missing classes at the gym that I love, and I'm also having to grab meals quickly which usually means fast food.  I've gained a few pounds back which is very annoying.  I know that I don't "need" to lose weight, but I can feel the depression sinking back in over that number.  I feel like a failure when I see that happening, and I especially don't want to have to admit that to other people.  Bottom line, making a lifestyle change is just that, a PERMANENT change.  It's going to take ongoing effort to make these changes stick, so I have to figure out ways to be busy and healthy at the same time.  I'm going grocery shopping today, and I found some new healthy recipes that I want to try.  I'm also gonna grab some protein bars and better snacks for when I'm stuck at work. I've become so much better about my eating habits over the last few years, and I just want that to continue.

On a related note, Jamie Oliver is my new hero.  I watched his Food Revolution on Friday night (mostly because I was too exhausted to go out) and I love his passion for helping people make proper nutrition part of their lives.  His simple, common sense approach is so refreshing....especially compared to constant adds about diets like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig.  That is not the answer to the obesity epidemic in this country.  We need to get back to buying food that we actually recognize and can pronounce instead of all the over-processed junk we fill ourselves with.  I know I feel so much better when I eat fresh, whole foods.  I just need to keep up the motivation to buy and prepare it!  With summer coming I'm super excited for some really fresh produce from the Farmer's Market.  Yummy!