Seven habits to a highly ineffective diet*

* This list is meant to serve as my personal reminder of what NOT to do, seeing as my public vow to tackle my muffin top has hit a severe road block.

1. Indulging in high-calorie drinks.

This has become my weakness. And trying to avoid extra calories by ordering a non-fat version without whip cream is just delusional. Ordering TWO drinks in one day is just plain asinine….(or a really BIG clue that you have slowly become an addict).

2. Avoiding the gym.

It's not rocket science...you’re never gonna trim down if you don’t make any effort to exercise. As the famous trainer Jillian Michaels often proclaims, it’s calories in..calories out. It’s really that simple. Move more. Eat less. So get off your lazy a$$ and exercise!

3. Taking the easy way out with "convenience foods."

While prepared/boxed meals or takeout make for easy, quick meals (especially on nights when you have after school activities or little energy to cook after a 9 hour work-day), they also conveniently end up nestling on your hips and thighs. Quit being a lazy working mother and PLAN AHEAD.

4. Getting your calcium from ice cream.

Yes, you’re a woman in your mid-30’s and you need your calcium. But consuming it in ice cream form is really not your best option (although it is certainly one of the more tasty ones, especially covered in hot fudge and whipped cream…can you see why my earlier challenge has not been so successful as of late?)

5. Snacking after the kids go to bed.

Just because you are alone DOES NOT entitle you to indulge in whatever looks good in your pantry or fridge/freezer. Yes, you have survived another day, but rewarding yourself with a salty, sweet (fill-in the blank) snack is NOT the way to go my friend. Haven’t we learned this already, geez!

6. Eating when your bored.

Experts say you need to re-direct your desire to eat out of boredom into something else…reading, exercise…anything that will distract you long enough for the tempting thoughts to devour everything in site passes. Why do I find this one so difficult?!?!?

7. Not getting enough sleep.

What? How does this one fit in? Well, it’s been proven by scientific studies (of which I am too lazy to look up) that it’s harder to lose weight if you’re not getting enough sleep. So your week-night indulgences in all things Twitter, Facebook, blog-related (which keep you up WELL past a decent hour) really needs to be cut back a bit. You’re not 20 any more my friend, so staying up past 11 on a “work-night” is just asking for those pounds to add up. Get some sleep.

OK, there you have it. Seven simple tips to get you jump started back towards your fitness goals....I'm not sure why I have to go over this AGAIN. Perhaps you can finally start making smart decisions for more than a month at a time.

(At least my threshold for doing something comes after 5 pounds…momma doesn’t want to buy a new wardrobe ;o)