One Step at a Time: Planning

My shopping is done, the presents are wrapped.

Friday is the Kindergarten Holiday Parties and then my kids will be out of school for 18 days.

It's time to start thinking about 2013 and what I'm going to accomplish.

To get started....I'm searching for quotes that mean something to me.

I'll be sharing them along with my planning process.  I'm hardwired to plan and organize and achieve!

Today....I'll be sitting down with a Health Coach to make a plan for the next year.  I'll share my findings tomorrow.

How To Work Out In An Apartment

I've been slacking.  I had high hopes of keeping the momentum going after getting home from our walking vacation but all of our routines kicked back in and sadly...exercising is not a part of my routine.

I've got to make this happen!

I thought about joining my friend Heather in the torture that is Jillian Michaels but I can't do any of her videos without peeing my pants.

I was doing laundry yesterday when it occurred to me that I have a perfect place to work out in the basement of our apartment  building!  It is heated, dry and private.

See those stairs?  They are nice and wide, with good tread! I can run up and down the stairs until my knees give out or I can no longer catch my breath!

I did a few walking squats in this hallway but it started to remind me too much of The Walking Dead so I stopped.  Maybe I'll return if I remember to bring my machete with me.  I'd love to secretly install a pull up bar at the end.

The folding table in the laundry room is the perfect place to do leg lifts, squats and push ups against the table.  

I'm not sure what to do with these yet.  Anyone have an idea for me?

I finished in my apartment with a little light weights and sit-ups.  All in all, it took me 15 minutes!  I'm going to start off with three days a week and work my way up from there.

How To Lose Weight on Vacation

Last week we took a family vacation to Orlando.

Every single day...we were busy and walking.

Monday....Sea World, running from show to show and walking through the park visiting sea animals.

Tuesday...Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios, running to Harry Potter World and then walking from ride to ride through the park.

Wednesday...Universal Studios, a little slower paced day but still lots of walking.

Thursday....Epcot at Disney World.  Oh My Gosh we walked to all 10 countries and all over future world and spent 13 hours on our feet at the park.  We also enjoyed a meal in Mexico and a meal in France.  Add in a couple beers and a bottle of wine and we were on calorie overload!

Friday....Animal Kingdom.  Lots of walking plus, I ended up completely soaked on the Kali River Rapids ride.  I think I burned at least 500 calories trying to get warm and dry after that!

Saturday....Pool Day! I laid out by the pool at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort but our room was in the farthest island cluster from the main building.  We walked back and forth three times and it was easily a mile each direction!

All in all....I gained TWO POUNDS!

And....TOM came on the trip with us.

Maybe exercise IS the answer...... Shop Amazon - Hello Kitty Jewelry

Which Connie?

While I was doing the hCG diet again, I read a couple self help books.  I picked up Taking the Leap: Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears (Shambhala Library) by Pema Chodron.  I didn't really like the book because it was too new age-y for me and I kept feeling my eye glaze over as I read but there was one part that really spoke to me and I can't stop thinking about it.

"A Native American grandfather was speaking to his grandson about violence and cruelty in the world and how it comes about. He said it was as if two wolves were fighting in his heart. One wolf was vengeful and angry, and the other wolf was understanding and kind. The young man asked his grandfather which wolf would win the fight in his heart. And the grandfather answered, 'The one that wins will be the one I choose to feed.'"

I read this passage over and over because an Oprah A-HA moment was forming in my head.

There are two Connie's fighting in my body.  

One Connie is emotional and vulnerable.  This Connie eats her feelings and uses food and wine to numb the pain.  This Connie is introverted and hides behind her hair, watching the world go by.

The other Connie is strong and purposeful.  This Connie deals with her feelings and uses food for fuel.  This Connie is confident and outgoing....she loves life and takes risks.

The question is....which Connie am I going to feed?

Feel Like A Rock Star

Hey all! I thought I'd give you an update! I'm a month out from my last weight in on hCG and I'm happy to say that I'm maintaining at 205.4! My clothes are still fitting well and I'm being really careful with my diet. I'm feeling like a rockstar!

hCG Results with Pictures

Pre-Load                 215.6
Day 1 vlcd               217.4
Week One:              210.6 (-6.8)
Week Two:              205.4 (-5.2)
Week Three:            204.4 (-1)
Final:                        202.6 (-1.8)

Total Released: 14.8 pounds

Whew!  I'm really glad that this is over.  It's really nice to not have to be so careful with what I'm eating but I'm also being very mindful.  Just have to keep on top of this because I love how my clothes are fitting right now.

Look at the difference in my face!

The shorts that I wore for my before and after pictures are really baggy now!  I'm always amazed at how the hCG makes you shrink....all over!  Over all....I lost 9 inches and dropped two sizes!

My observation is that I lost more weight and inches with the injections in 2010 vs. the drops this time.

Scared

Today is the day!

I get to eat like a normal person again.  Well....a normal person that can't eat sugar or starch. I'll be having bacon later.  Gosh I love bacon.

Here's the thing.  I'm scared to eat normally again.  I didn't meet my goal, but I got close.  I'm terrified of the scale going above the magic number (I'll reveal that number and my before and after pictures on Monday).

Maybe this fear will help keep me from putting the weight back on?  Or maybe this means I have more work to do.  Either way....I'm going into Phase 3 completely aware.

See you Monday!

Cheating is ALWAYS a Bad Idea

R1P2D22

Pre-Load              215.6
Day 1 vlcd            217.4
Week One:           210.6 (-6.8)
Week Two:          205.4 (-5.2)
Today's weight:    204.4 (-1)
Total Released:     13 pounds

I felt like last week was a bust until I took my measurements.  I've lost another half inch everywhere!   I guess it's better than nothing.

So mad at myself for cheating last week.   It takes so many days to get back to where you were.

Cheating is ALWAYS a bad idea.

My in-laws are leaving today so the next 8 days I should be able to finish strong.  Unless.....TOM makes a mess of things.

My clothes are fitting better and I had to get rid of another pair of pants.  I'd love so much to get into my 12's.

I had many people tell me last week that I look amazing and my father in law grabbed my ass.

If that isn't a testimonial,  then I don't know what is!

My ultimate goal is to get under 200 pounds.  I wanted to be WELL UNDER but I'll take 199 for now.

I'm Not Much Fun Since I Stopped Eating

R1P2D15

Pre-Load                  215.6
Day 1 vlcd               217.4
Week One:              210.6
Today's weight:      205.4 (-5.2)
Total Released:      12 pounds

Week One:   6.8 pounds released
Week Two:  5.2 pounds released

I only lost .2 pounds this morning because I cheated.  It was a dumb thing to do but my husband hadn't been home for two nights (he was visiting his parents at his brother's house) so I'd been with my kids non-stop for two days and.....I ate mac and cheese.

Today I feel like POOP!  I don't think I can ever eat mac and cheese again.  It's evil.

The good news is....that on Tuesday when I worked at school all day.  I did NOT cheat.  They had meals for us....sub sandwiches and BBQ with cornbread but I did not eat any of it.  I drank my water and ate when I got home.

GO ME!

So.....I'm considering extending this round past 23 days because I have more hCG than I thought  I would.  I'm not really sure what quantity I purchased.  Must be a 30 day supply?

The problem is....I have a date on August 26th (with my husband and The Book of Mormon) and I really wanted to be in Phase 3 by then.

Also, my husband is really tired of this diet already, and says I'm not much fun since I stopped eating.  Although....he should be thanking me because he's lost almost 10 pounds.  Actually, this pisses me off.

This next week might be tricky....TOM is coming.  Lord help me.

Candy Wrappers in My Fat Pants

My diet is going really well! I've lost a few more pounds and have removed some too big clothes from my closet. I was sad to realize that a favorite pair of pants no longer fit me and even more surprised to find an empty Peanut M&M bag in the pocket.

 Imagine that....candy wrappers in my fat pants!

 I'm so proud of myself for how I handled the weekend. We went to the Denver Bronco Scrimmage and I brought my own food so that I wouldn't be tempted by the hot dogs and popcorn.

 Turns out my kids were also more interested in my apple slices and hard boiled egg whites. They stole my food!!

 I also think the people seated around me took me for a crazy person feeding my kids that kind of stuff at a football game.

 I have a busy day working the PTA table at packet pick up today but I'm bringing my food with me.

Panic Attack

R1P2D8  (round 1, Phase 2, day 6)


If you want to see my daily weigh ins...click the hCG Again Tab


Pre-Load                 215.6
Day 1 vlcd:              217.4
Todays weight:        210.6  (-1.4)
TOTAL Released:       6.8 pounds


Week One:       6.8 pounds released!


Alright, alright, alright!

I'm very happy with my loss this week.  I'm feeling a little groggy in the head and weak but I looked back on my posts from the last time I did this diet and it appears that it's normal.  Hopefully that will correct itself soon.

I had a full on panic attack yesterday and without caffeine, sugar or alcohol to numb it....I felt the full effect.  It was crazy!  I had a physical reaction to stress and it took hours to go away.  I wondered how it would effect my weight in today.  I know that stress messes me up!

Hunger

R1P2D6 (round 1, Phase 2, day 6)



Day 1 vlcd:              217.4
R1P2D4:                   215.2
Todays weight:        212  (-3.2)
TOTAL Released:       5.4 pounds

Whew! This is freakin hard!

I don't remember it being this hard last time.  It's probably like childbirth and you block it out.

Once again, it's difficult to train your brain to stop sending you 'IT'S TIME TO EAT' signals and listen to your body.  Am I really hungry?

No, I'm really not.  I just want to eat because my brain will not shut the hell up!

I do believe that the sugar detox is brutal and I'm trying really hard to ignore the cravings.  These too shall pass in a few days.

Do you know what else is brutal?  The smell of potato chips.  I dished some out to my kids yesterday with them lunch and I almost licked one of them.

But....I'm standing strong!

Next week is packet pick up at school and I'm running the PTA Membership table with my tall, thin, supermodel like friend and I get to pick out a PTA shirt.  My goal for the week is to fit into a LARGE and not an XL.

I can do it!

Party Pooper

Start weight:     215.6
Day 1 vlcd          217.4
Todays weight: 215.2
Released:                  2.2  pounds


 Day one of the vlcd wasn't hard hunger wise. The hCG works well and I really wasn't hungry. The problem was that I had to take my children to a birthday party and I couldn't eat or drink anything!

I wanted a glass of wine soooo badly!

Going to a social event has to be the hardest part of sticking to this plan.  I'll be avoiding them from here on out!

I also forgot that you have to pee a hundred times a day and this interrupts sleep.  It's like being pregnant again!

vlcd= very low calorie diet

The Numbers

Good Morning!

Boy was loading fun! I'd forgotten that by day two the hCG has started to kick in and suppress your appetite and you don't want to eat anymore. Forcing yourself to eat your favorite foods and grocery shop is a little bit hard.

This time around I tried to focus on fat and not just sugar and carbs. I did have sweets here and there but I also had a steak, guacamole, nuts and my favorite Indian Food.

The thing I that I had the hardest time with that I used to get all the time.

 A white chocolate mocha from Starbucks.

 When I first started drinking coffee, that was my drug. Now I drink unsweetened iced coffee with a slash of cream. That sweet drink was too much to handle. Gross!

 So lets go over the numbers.

Beginning weight: 215.6
After 2 load days: 217.4
Gain: 1.8 pounds

This is less than I've gained in the past with hCG. I hope it doesn't mean that I didn't load enough.

I took my measurements the other day and I was pleased to see that even thought I gained back all of the weight I lost with hCG last time. I'm less fat. HA!

My waist and hips are an inch smaller than when I started in 2009. I can't wait to see those numbers go down!

HCG Load Days

I just returned from the grocery store.

I purposely went at 6:30 in the morning so that there would be less people watching me load my little basket with junk food.   You also have to scan and bag your purchases at that time of the morning.

No one to judge me.

I have to admit that even though I was avoiding all of the people that I thought would judge me.  I felt ashamed to be buying all of that food.

$25.  It also felt wasteful to spend that much on food that isn't good for you.

Except for the Avocados.  I believe they are the only saving grace in my basket.

Also to be included in these two load days:

• Breakfast (muffin and White Chocolate Latte) at Starbucks
• Taco Bell
• Indian Food
• A Red Robin Swiss and Mushroom Burger

Obstacles in the next 23 days:

• My in laws will be visiting for most of these 23 days.
• My sister and dad will be visiting.
• I'll be working an 8 hour shift at the PTA table on Packet Pick Up Day
• Family BBQ

Coming tomorrow: Starting Measurements!

HCG....Again

I'm drinking lots of water today....getting ready to do a round of HCG again.

I did a couple rounds in December 2009.  I lost 30 pounds in all but was NOT able to keep it off.

I blame several things for this.  Stress of moving and looking for a new job for my husband, TOM (time of the month) and having my wisdom teeth pulled.

Bad timing.

I'm hopeful that THIS TIME will be different.

I'm going to be loading on Thursday and Friday.

Wish me luck!

Morning Wood

All this week....I've been setting my alarm for 6 am so that I could get up and move my ass.

I'm starting slow....yoga and weights, running in place.  

I have one problem with my plan.  

My alarm keeps waking up my husband.

The good news is that I've lost 2 pounds this week and the bad news is that my husband is very frustrated.

Everything Is Bigger

My dear friend has an au pair and I became very good friends with the one that just went home to Denmark.

I talked to her about adjusting to life in the United States and she mentioned to me that she gained 10 pounds in the first month because of the food we eat here.

In her family, they don't eat out and fast food is 30 minutes away.  She told me the last time they had a meal in a restaurant was 5 years ago.  Can you imagine?

The newest au pair is from Brazil.  I observed her the first day I met her, at the going away party for my friend.  She ate a very small plate of rice and beans.  And she drank water.

I vowed to go on the rice, bean and water diet the next day. 

I've spent some time with her recently and in only three weeks, she's adapted to our eating habits.  And she's now addicted to soda.

I watched her eyes the first time she ordered a coke in a restaurant and she was amazed how BIG it was.  She said this container of soda was more than she drinks in a month back home.

She was also amazed at the size of our food.  Giant boxes of cereal, crackers and other snacks.

I know Americans are fat and we eat more fat and calories than other countries.

Talking with these gals has opened my eyes and I'm making changes in my home.

Less sugar and smaller servings!

Green Coffee Bean Extract...FAIL

I started taking this a week ago.

 I'd seen it on Dr Oz and a friend (who shall remain nameless) blogged about her muffin top disappearing after only 9 days.

It is NOT working for me.

 In fact....I've gained a pound and a half. AND I've been eating (and drinking) less. I'm really starting to worry about my metabolism. I'll give it another week but I don't think I'll be ordering anymore.

Have you ever tried the Green Coffee Bean Extract?  Did it work for you?

Stuck

It's been four weeks....and now my knee is feeling so much better!  I think I found the cause of my knee trying to pop out and find greener pastures.

My shoes.

My adorable little black 2.5 inch wedges from Target.   I love them because they go with everything, they are easy to slip on and they are cute as a button.

But....they provide NO support and they are slightly loose so I'm always fighting to keep them on my feet as I'm walking.

I'm cray cray for shoes.

I've been wearing my running shoes as often as fashion will allow and my knee healed up quickly.  Except for yesterday when I walked all over town in my cute little black shoes.

Anyway,  I've been working hard on my diet and managed to not gain weight during TOM but now I can't get below 213.2.

I'm stuck!

I guess it's time to start walking again.