Since walking the runway in the BlogHer fashion show, I’ve been feeling pretty good about myself. I did gain a little bit of weight back while in NYC, but most of it was water weight and returning to the Slim-Fast plan helped it disappear just as fast.
Last week my family had the chance to take a mini-vacation, and so we spent two days at Lake Erie, with one day at Cedar Point and the other at Put-in-Bay. During that time I ate freely and enjoyed all of the fun of carnival food and fine island seafood. And yes, I even wore a bathing suit at one point! It felt great to walk around in a (non-skirted) bathing suit without feeling the need to keep a towel wrapped around me.
On Saturday we were home again (and exhausted!) and my eating habits dropped into lazy teenager: fast food and sweets. I knew it was going to be temporary, though, and by Sunday morning I was ready to jump right back into the Slim-Fast plan again. It’s really true: eating excessive amounts of junk after eating well for a long period of time does make you feel awful.
Sunday was also the day Aaron and I had signed up for the Color Me Rad 5K. If you’ve never done one of these 5K races, allow me to explain. This is a “fun run” and while everyone gets a race bib, it’s not timed and there are no prizes for coming in first. You start the run in a plain white t-shirt, and along the way you get color bombed. There are color stations set up along the route, where volunteers throw brightly dyed cornstarch at you. By the end of the run, you look like you were hit by a rainbow tornado!
It’s been months since I trained for a 5K, but I was still excited to do this run. I knew that I wasn’t going to run the entire distance, but I also knew I was going to try my hardest. This was also the lowest weight I’ve ever been at to run a race, so I expected the pride of my accomplishment to carry me through to the end.
I started the morning off with a Slim-Fast Chocolate Royale to fuel up before the race. It was just enough to give me plenty of energy without sitting heavy in my stomach. As we ran, I thought of how far I’ve come, and how much harder this would have been when I weighed 245 lbs.
Reaching each color station, I laughed and threw my arms in the air as volunteers tossed colored powder on me and I ran through the brightly dyed clouds, knowing there was a time when I may not have even reached those points in the race.
And at the end, I was a sweaty mess. A brightly colored, sweaty mess. It was totally worth it.
Did I run the whole thing? Nope. Did I run more than I walked? Yes. Am I proud that I did it? Absolutely. It was another reminder of how far I’ve come, and how even as I hover at my goal weight I can’t stop the fight. One or two days of unrestrained eating probably won’t do a lot of harm, but I have to always be careful that those one or two days don’t become four or five days or more.
I’m sticking with Slim-Fast for now because it’s a tasty way to remind me about portion control and keep my calories in check. The shakes and meal bars are filling, high in protein, and there are SO many different flavors to keep you happy!
Even maintaining a certain weight takes work, and Slim-Fast can help me with that, too. Once I decide I’m done with losing weight, I’ll likely continue to have a Slim-Fast shake in the morning (because it’s an easy breakfast when I’m frantically getting the kids ready and out the door) and then rely on the Slim-Fast snack bars for the occasional on-the-go snack. Having filling, lower-calorie options available to me in the fridge and in my purse will be the best defense against weight creeping back on.
Giveaway!
Ready for your own WOW moment? Enter to win one of THREE Slim-Fast “Summer of WOW!” Swag Bags. The bags have everything you’ll need to turn heads on the beach, including a $20 gift card to a top department store to add to your WOW! wardrobe, a bright beach tote, a premium infuser water bottle and a sampling of Slim-Fast products designed to help you look your best before you hit the beach.
To enter, just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. Two winners will be chosen after the giveaway closes on Wednesday, August 29.
Good luck!
Disclosure: This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in the Slim-Fast® Summer Slim-Down Challenge. Visit www.facebook.com/slimfast to join the conversation.
I’d like to try the Slim-Fast Chocolate Royale.
Name on rafflecopter: Mary Happymommy
I celebrate accomplishments by gathering with family.
I like their shakes
I would like to try the Chocolate Royale shake
I celebrate with my family
I have been wanting to try the strawberries n cream shakes!
ykatrina at hotmail dot com
I would like to try the chocolate mint snack bar
Judy S
pookiecat123 at yahoo dot com
I celebrate with a nice walk around my neighborhood
Judy S
pookiecat123 at yahoo dot com
Chocolate Royale Shake!
Amanda S
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
Celebrating achievements usually involves eating a big dinner 🙂
pokergrl8 at gmail.com
i would like to try the shake
chocolate mint snack bar!
the Slim-Fast Chocolate Royale 🙂
marci h
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com
i celebrate with my hubby and kids 🙂
marci h
tristatecruisers at yahoo dot com
The slim fast french vanilla
pjames330 at aol dot com
A new nail polish.
pjames330 at aol dot com
Slim-Fast Chocolate Royale
[email protected]
i go out with friends
[email protected]
I would try the Chocolate Mint Snackbar
chrissylea1979 (at)gmail(dot) com
chocolate shakes
kport207 at gmail dot com
i would like to try their chocolate shake
[email protected]
The Strawberries ’N’ Cream shake is what I would like to try
Jennifer Marie
lilnursejen at yahoo dot com
we have a big party with the family to celebrate achievement
jennifer marie
lilnursejen at yahoo dot com
I want to try the shakes.
[email protected]
lower carb vanilla
Chocolate Mint Snack Bars.
Celebrate them with my family
I’d like to try Rich Chocolate Royale
I always celebrate with family and friends.
I’d like to try the new Slim Fast snack bars
Nathansmommy619(At)aol(dot)com
I celebrate my going out to eat with my family. I always enjoy lunch or dinner out with them
Nathansmommy619(At)aol(dot)com
I would like to try their Chocolate Peanut Caramel Meal bars. Yummy! Thanks for the chance! 🙂
whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com
One of the many ways that I help celebrate my achievements and victories in life is a quiet one: I journal religiously. It is so nice to go back and look at what I accomplished and even my defeats help me learn and grow.
whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com
The peanut caramel bars. YUM
Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
I’d love to try the rich chocolate royale shake!
I celebrate by getting a spa treatment!
The chocolate mint snack bar sounds great!
i want to try the strawberries and cream shake – sounds yummy
sarah hirsch
i celebrated weight loss victory by buying new clothes!
sarah hirsch
The peanut caramel bars
rierie11booger (@) yahoo.com
i do a little happy dance
rierie11booger (@) yahoo.com
I want Creamy Milk Chocolate shake
Congrats on that FUN run! You should be proud!
I’d like to try the Chocolate Royale shake.
Thanks!!!
I like to give myself some alone time when I reach a goal. It can be a trip to the beauty store for some new nail polish, a drive along the coast or a coffee date with myself!
I want to try the lower carb vanilla cream sshakes
Sukie (dot) meadows (at) aol (dot) com
I would like to try the chocolate mint snack bar. s2inamug at aim dot com
the chocolate mint snack bars
ighmeg at yahoo dot com
The peanut caramel bars sound good.
rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
like to try the Lower Carb Creamy Chocolate Shake
I would love to try the Chocolate Nougat Gone Nuts snack bar!
landfjacobson @ charter.net
Slimfast Chocolate Royale
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Whoo! The color run looks so fun (and you look fabulous!
I’m especially eager to try the strawberries and cream shake and the vanilla cream shake.
(Username Kari Dahlen)
I celebrate my victories/achievements usually with an alcoholic beverage. I realize this isn’t the best tactic, especially when trying to lose weight. Thankfully I no longer do the huge celebratory meal! On occasion I will buy clothing or jewelry as a treat.
I’ve always loved the Chocolate Royale.
I want to try the Chocolate Mint Snack Bars.
[email protected]
I think I would love the chocolate Mint Snack bars, they look extra decadent.
I love the Rich Chocolate Royale shake!
Susan Chester
Slim-Fast Chocolate Royale
[email protected]
The Chocolate Nougat Gone Nuts Bars look great!
katfam95 at aim dot com
I like to celebrate with my DH and our kids.
katfam95 at aim dot com
I always share mine with my family! The little ones love to get all silly and dance around waving their arms!
I celebrate by taking a fun day trip, usually to the zoo or aquarium.
I’d like to try the Chocolate Royale!
I celebrate by getting together with friends and family!
strawberries n cream shakes
[email protected]
I’d love to try the Peanut Butter Crunch Time snack bars.
Rich Chocolate Royale Shake.
I’d love to try the chocolate mint snack bar!
I celebrate achievements with my family.
I’d like to try the chocolate royale shake.
chocolate royale shake
we celebrate with dinner or group parties
I would like to try the Double-Dutch Chocolate Snack Bar
Theresa J
I would like to try the chocolate royale
[email protected]
celebrate by spending time with my family!
[email protected]
The snack bars are new to me. I’d like to try those.
[email protected]
Chocolate mint snack bar
I want to try the strawberries n cream shake
I’d like the chocolate shake!
brittanif at gmail dot com
the strawberries n cream shake
I’d love to try the Chocolate Royale shakes! They sound delicious!
I’d like to try the strawberry shakes
The strawberries and cream shake
I celebrate with my family
I would like to try the strawberries and cream shake.
[email protected]
chocolate mint bars!
The chocolate caramel peanut bar!
Ginger b.
Timelyone at hotmail dot com
Chocolate Royal
If it is a personal goal than I pamper myself with mani/pedi , massage, or facial. If it is other type goals than a family movie or board game night.
Ginger b.
Timelyone at hotmail dot com
the chocolate flavor
[email protected]
The vanilla shake.
The Chocolate Mint Snack Bars sounds good. Thanks!
Chocolate Mint Snackbar
I would like to try the chocolate shakes
I’d love to try the chocolate royale.
I buy myself a new handbag! lol
I’d like to try their chocolate shakes.
ericacarnes(at)gmail(dot)com
their shakes
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
Chocolate Royale
We have parties for things both large and small- nothing is too tiny to celebrate. 🙂
Id like to try the chocolate shake
[email protected]
I celebrate by going out to dinner or shopping with a friend
[email protected]
I would like to try the Slim-Fast snack bars
Having a BBQ with friends and family
The snack bars, thanks
[email protected]
I would love to try the Chocolate ready to use bottled drink
I am trying to lose weight and get fit by my fiftieth birthday, for each week I go without a cig, or lose any lbs, I buy myself a new Kindle Book.
I would love to try the Chocolate Mint Snack Bar.
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
We celebrate with a dinner out
the Chocolate Royale shake
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
Chocolate mint shake
protein bars
The chocolate shake-yum!
spcale at yahoo dot com
Just get together, maybe dinner.
spcale at yahoo dot com
I want to try the shakes and see if they are actually filling
[email protected]
I’d like to try the Chocolate Nougat Gone Nuts snack bars
traymona[at]aol.com
I want to try the chocolate shake.
i’d like to try the shakes
I would like to try their Chocolate Shake!
The chocolate shake…actually, anything chocolate, lol!
strawberry shake!
The Chocolate Peanut Caramel Meal Bar looks good.
I usually call my mom to celebrate.
I want to try the Strawberries n cream shake
[email protected]
I want to try their bars, Never tried them
I really don’t, If it’s something big I may go shopping
Rich Chocolate Royale shake
the sweet and salty chocolate almond bar would be the first item i try
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
I really want to try their strawberry and cream shake wilcarvic
[at]gmail[dot[com]]
I celebrate with my niece and kids who are my cheering squad wilcarvic
[at]gmail[dot[com]]
The chocolate mint bar sounds good.
We celebrate by having a day to relax and not worry about life and other things
I’d like to try the chocolate shakes.
tridingermckee at gmail dot com
Chocolate Nougat Gone Nuts snack bar sounds great
we usually celebrate by going out to eat
I would like to try the Chocolate Royale Shake. Thanks for this contest.
I would love to try their Chocolate Royale Shake.
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com
I do something special for myself which I would not normally do like buy my favorite perfume or a book I have been wanting to read.
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com
The Chocolate Mint bars sound yummy.
I celebrate victories with beer.
I would like to try the Chocolate Shake.
(Virginia Rowell)
i want to try the choco bars!
I would like to try the Strawberries ’N’ Cream shake.
Lisa Garner
I celebrate the victories in my life by keeping a journal with my thoughts and feelings on special days.
Lisa Garner
mint chocolate bars
Chocolate mint snack bar sounds good!
I celebrate with family and friends
id love to try the Sweet & Salty Chocolate Almond bar
I would like to try the Slim-Fast Chocolate Royale.
Chocolate Peanut Caramel Meal bar.
Homemade favorites.