Weigh In One

In an effort to flesh out my system, I drank a gallon of water this morning before weigh in.

It became abundantly clear to me around 4 pm that this was a bad idea.  1.  I kept having to go to the bathroom.  2.  It really had me heavy on the scales at home before heading to fat class.

Overall, I think I did really great this week.  I stayed focused on my meals, kept alcohol out.  I was so good at the St. Paddy's Day Parade (that was a bit painful).

However, I believe that gallon of water intake on weigh in day may have been a bad choice.  When I got on the scale, I was only down a pound.  Down is good.  But, this is the decision free diet.  People drop 5 pounds week one on this.  Last time I did it I dropped 5.9 lbs.  Course, I wasn't expecting a 5 pound drop... 3 maybe.  But, one.  Ugh. 

Here's hoping it was just the extra water.....

St. Paddy's Day Parade

 

Yesterday was the St. Patrick's Day Parade!

 

Ah, St. Paddy's Day Parade.  My favorite Saturday of the year in Baton Rouge.  A fun, family friendly event.  Usually beautiful weather.  Drinking begins at 9 am.

And, of course, lots of snacks to enjoy!  Some even green!!

 

 

Despite the Irish Coffee and abundance of tastee treats (like mine above), I did very well!  I drank green shakes and green diet 7 up.  It made me look festive and like I was "partaking" without actually partaking.

 

My friend Jessica posted some photos on facebook later that day that showed us 6 years ago.  I can see a difference in my weight.  Can you?

10 hour Car Day

Today was a long day..  Terrible weather and a long drive.  I had to be in Shreveport for work for a quick meeting.  Quick is the keyword.  The meeting itself was right about an hour.  But, the drive up was over 4.  And, the weather was some of the worst I have driven through in years. 

Though I wasn't able to get any physical activity in, I was able to stay on the diet.  I did shakes all morning and then a bar on the way home.  Of course, I was starving by the time I got home.  But, I stayed focused.

Perhaps the stress from the drive helped burn additional calories? 

So far, so good...

Even though my weight loss last week wasn't great (.6 lb), I can feel differences.  First, I just feel so much better.  I feel more energy, younger, healthier, happier.  That alone is worth doing it.

But, my body feels toner.  I don't see any difference really on the scale yet or in my clothes but I feel less bloated.  I'm sure that probably is the case.  I am eager, though, to get into some smaller clothes!  I have a pair of jeans I would really like to fit in. 

Just trying to stay focused and upbeat about it all!

Slow Pulse

I had my check up with the doctor.  It's the same doctor I saw when I first started the diet.  He was looking at my vitals and asked about my pulse. 

"Your pulse was slow.  Is that normal?" he asked.

"Well, when I came years ago you said that too."

"I did?"

"Yeah, said I have an athletes heart."

He smiled and asked me about my exercise routine. I explained my regular workout schedule, etc.  He continued smiled and said, "Yep.. sounds about right.  Heart of an athlete!  Keep it up!"

He asked me why I came back.  And, specifically why did I want to do the decision free diet.  That's the diet that causes the most weight loss at first and also the most restrictive.  Usually people who have serious pounds to shred start with that.  He didn't put me in that category.

"Frankly," I said.  "It's not so much about the pounds, its about the diet.  I haven't craved fruits and vegetables in a long time.  After I started the diet I got to a point where 85% of my diet was fruits and vegetables and I sustained that for a couple of years.  Now I just don't seem to want them.  I just want anything that is bad for me.  So, I feel the need to reboot."

"Interesting!  That's great... and a new one for me.  But, I get it.  It's like take it away so you will want it.  Interesting concept.  Smart.  Good.  I'm glad you are back!"

Now, let's see if it will work. 

One week update

Had an apt this morning with the nurse to review my EKG and blood work and get me officially started on the diet.  Last week was my soft start.  I couldn't get officially signed on until today.  This might explain my poor decisions.  I knew, mentally, that I wasn't yet on the diet.  I know I'm bad at not really staying focused if I am not really being held accountable.

I did a weigh in.  Sadly, I was only down .6 :(

That depressed me because I knew that, overall, I worked really hard last week NOT eating bad stuff or drinking!  Yes, I know I failed but that doesn't mean I didn't want big results.  I recognize how ridiculous this all sounds.  This is precisely why I decided to start blogging again.  Nothing like typing out how you feel that makes you realize what an idiot you are!

Okay... so, I'm refocusing.  Let's hope for a great week and a big loss next Monday! 

Perhaps this was also a great reinforcement for what happens when one makes POOR decisions!

I'm trying to focus on the lessons of last week.  :)

Sick

Ugh.  Was hoping to get another five miles in today!  But, I'm sick in bed. All day in bed!! Sore throat.  Head ache.  No energy!!

:(

I can't get ahead.  I don't want to be sick.

Marathon Motivation

Trying to make up for my bad decisions on Friday, I knew I needed to get a decent workout in.  Honestly, I'd need to probably do 5 or 6 to make up for the decisions I made Friday.  But, I knew that wasn't going to happen.

 

In fact, I was lucky to get in one workout.  The last couple of weeks had been rough on my workout schedule.  I was in NYC for work for 6 days and completely bypassed my workout routine.  I didn't even try to get one in (very unlike me) and since my return I felt too tired or cold.  So, I wasn't doing so well this first week on the diet.  I was already cheating and was not working out.  In addition, I wasn't even getting my water intake in.  I was not starting out well. 

 

I decided I needed to get a least a 5 mile run in.  Despite my poor workout routine, I managed to get it in and my time wasn't half bad.

 

By the way, I use the word "run" very loosely.  I'm not fast but I am focused.  I can get the miles in!

 

Before the diet I couldn't run at all.  I would try but I was, frankly, too heavy to run.  A good while after the diet and while maintaining my weight, a friend of mine convinced me to run a marathon with her.  Hahahaa.  What a funny idea.  Me!  Me?  Me - running a marathon?  Ha!  Hmmmm.... Why not?  So I accepted her challenge. 

 

That request came in August of 2013.  By February 2014, I had completed a marathon. 

Typical me... extremist.  Going from non-runner to marathoner in a few months. Actually, my Feb 14, I had completed two 20 mile hikes, a half marathon and a marathon.  See photo of us after the full marathon.  I don't look terrible, do I?

 

As of today, I have completed three half marathons (one with my 68 year old mom), two 20 mile hikes, two 10ks, and a full marathon.  This list is a list of accomplishments I never thought I'd own.  I am hoping this diet reboot will help me lose a few pounds so I can actually run faster and do more of them.

Hmmm.  Funny what motivates me to be thin as I get older....

Decisions... decisions....

It was Friday and I was being so good.  I had done great all week... I was sticking with my low calorie options.  I was preparing ahead, drinking shakes, eating a bar to avoid issues, etc. 

So Friday I went to a function at a really good restaurant and ordered only water.  I skipped the delicious meal they were serving.  The waiter kept asking me to reconsider, their manager then kept asking.  I was gracious but declined... "I just ate something." 

I was feeling great and stayed focused.  I was mingling like I needed to and sipping my H20.  All was great.  I was proud of myself until.....

About 8 minutes later a glass of red wine was placed in front of me.  Special wine.  This was just for me.  It was sent special as a joke from a friend. Not a joke about my not eating but one about bribery - which I had been mouthing off about since I got there.  So, I basically asked for this.  Then all eyes were on me (and there were about 30 or so there staring) and I felt my stomach tighten up.  Fuuuuudge! 

What to do?  What to do?!? 

So, I did what any good girl focused on her diet would do.  I looked up and smiled and took a big sip. 

This, of course, led to another glass and maybe a third?  And, eventually it lead to me eating spinach dip and fried cheese. 

Not even a week in and I totally screwed up.  Not even a little one.  Uggh.

I've got to do better than this.  I know better.  What is wrong with me???

Beer, beignets and chex mix

These are a few of my favorite things.

I will miss you, my friends.

 

 

It's only a few days on the diet and I am already beginning to miss the crunch.  I love salt and I love crunch.  That's always the hardest part for me.  I like a good beer, too.  But, I'd pick party mix over any alcohol when I need that fix.  I just have to remember that crunch leads to extra pounds.  I'm staying focused on the end result... but I should could go for a peanut right now!  Hmmmm....

Skinny Me

I'm trying to find ways to stay focused on goal. I've been reading the old blog and looking at old photos from when I was at my thinnest.  I'm posting these as a reminder of how much weight I did lose and the amount I've gained back. 

I can remember how this weight felt.  Pretty damn good, frankly.  I'm eager to have that back.  Plus, I really liked the clothes!! ;-)

Back in the Box (take 2)

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Nearly five years ago I entered "the box" and lost a significant amount of weight.  Over the past couple of years, I've slowly put some of that weight back on.  Not a lot of it (considering what I lost overall), but enough.  Enough to see it in photos (see those here) and feel it in my clothes. 

I've watched my alcohol intake increase and my fruit and vegetable consumption decrease.  I can remember a time when my diet had become 85% fruits and vegetables.  Lately, I just don't crave any. 

It's time.  I need a reboot. 


With my increased weight, I've had a hard time fitting into my new wardrobe.  And, over the past few months I've tried to refocus my diet with some luck. 

But the reality is... I just need a reboot.  I need to completely reboot my taste buds so that I crave fruits and vegetables again.

So, I am back.  Back in the Box.  Back to eating JUST their food.  The plan is to do this for 10 weeks.

That will help me drop the pounds I gained and reboot my taste buds so I eat the right things again.

What's 10 weeks?  Right?  If I could do it for 13 weeks the first time, what is 10 weeks?  It's 70 days.  That's 1,680 hours.   That's nothing... I can do that.   Right?

#fingerscrossed #reboot #70longdays #nothingfits