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Thursday, May 31, 2012

One down...three more to go!

Happy Day World!

I edited the format of the blog, but I am a blogging neophyte so I'm still learning how to put everything together.  Can't figure out how to change the format of the Recipe page so that every recipe is like a new post.  Oh well - I'm sure you can deal with things as they are.  I only have two recipes up - but will put up more as I can think of them.

There are two other bread sticks hiding under the eggs.
I'm down an additional 1.2 pounds from Saturday's weigh in.  I imagine this would have been a significant amount more if I had NOT cheated this last weekend.  But, I did cheat - so it was 1.2 pounds for a total of 8.2 pounds lost on this journey.

I'm pretty proud of myself.

B - Kefir smoothie with strawberries
L - Chicken salad over greens
Snack - Yogurt
D - Cauliflower bread sticks with 2 eggs and veggies (Brussels sprouts and carrots)
Snack2 - Sugar free caramel pudding

SKINNY JENN - HERE I COME!!!  Are you ready for me? 

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Last Day + 4

Glorious world!

I added an extra 4 days to my Phase I because I "cheated" on Sun and Mon.

Amazing how I was SO excited to back to plan last Monday night...and now, I'm really wanting to cheat, again.  Funny how it all works.

So, I did "cheat" tonight...but I'm ok with it.  It wasn't a giant piece of cake.  It wasn't the crispy cheese bagel toasted, with a fried egg, slice of cheese, and crispy bacon that I wanted all day today.  It wasn't the box of donuts I wanted to shove down my gullet.  It was a reasonable "cheat" and I am ok with it!  YAY ME for being ok with moderation!

B - kefir smoothie with 1 C strawberries and 1 C frozen mixed berries; Green tea; Iced coffee with acidophilus milk;
L - Crunchy tuna salad over salad greens (2 Tbsp fat free greek yogurt + 1 tsp ranch dip powder; 1 C coleslaw mix; 5 oz can of tuna; 2 tsp relish); Green tea
Snack - CarbMaster yogurt (cherry - NOT my favorite flavor!)
D - 6 oz chicken breast; 1+ C balsamic carrots and Brussels sprouts
Snack2 - 2 low fat honey graham cracker sheets and 1 Tbsp peanut butter; Green tea

I haven't consumed a full 1.5 L of water...I'm a bit behind...will work on trying to get that up there tonight.  My tummy is happy - I don't feel deprived, and my cravings are in check.  I feel GOOD!!!!

Tomorrow was supposed to be the start of Phase II...but I am continuing on with Phase I.  Breakfast is going to be scrambled eggs with fat free feta and sauteed spinach.  Lunch is going to be a chicken salad (chicken breast, fat free greek yogurt, 1 tsp ranch powder, 1 C grapes) over salad greens.  Dinner is going to be...hmmm....maybe another batch of what I had tonight.  Snacks will be hard boiled eggs and yogurt.

Happy Wednesday to All!

Monday, May 28, 2012

Off the wagon.

So, I chose to fall off the wagon this weekend. 

Sunday, I had sunflower seeds, chocolate goldfish (instead of cheese), peanut M&Ms, mini snickers, shots of grapefruit flavored vodka, a cheeseburger ON A BUN, macaroni salad, AND potato chips.

Today, I had waffles with strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast.  More sunflower seeds.  And an awesome evening meal of pizza, followed by chocolate cake.

And I have enjoyed every morsel and EVERY bite.  This is what happens when I deny myself - I gorge.  Stupid gorging.

I had planned to get back on track today, after last night's food debauchery.  That did not happen.  So, then I thought - after breakfast.  That did not happen.  So, then, I thought - TOMORROW!  It's the end of a 3 day weekend that I desperately needed.  I have to get back to the real world tomorrow - which includes responsibilities such as cooking, and meal planning.  So, tomorrow it's BACK to the board.

Since I had two days of debauchery - I'm adding two-three days to the Phase I portion.  Dr. Moreno says you don't have to start over at Day I if you fall off the wagon, and although I'm tempted - I'm just going to add a few more days to try to cleanse some of the junk out. 

I'm feeling a lot of things right now.  Human.  Disappointed.  Happy.  Sick.  Angry.

Human.

I am human - I cannot be perfect.  I live life and I falter.  I am faced with temptations, and sometimes I give in.  I wanted to give in on Saturday - at the wedding - with bread and pie and potatoes.  But I remained strong...but that urge to give in has been bubbling to the surface and I had a feeling it would rear it's ugly head at me.  And - it did.  And I'm human.  So, I deal with it.

So, my weight loss is going to be slowed down a bit - and I'm honestly terrified to find out how much it's going to be thrown off.  Because I have worked SO HARD.  SO INCREDIBLY HARD.  I've posted how difficult this journey has been - you are all aware.  And I would be heartbroken if I found out that I've thrown it all away in 2 days.  Really hoping it's not the case.

Disappointed.

Disappointed that I have worked so hard and I chose to give in to my weakness.  I could have stayed strong.  I could have stuck to it.  But, I was weak and I gave in.  And I'm disappointed in myself.  I had made it through 2 weeks of the plan!  YAY!  But, I faltered.  Goes back to the support of the fact that I am human. 

Disappointed that I have to start over with the 21 day habit cycle - I didn't break myself of the carb cravings.  I gave in to them - 2 weeks in.  I only had one more week to go to get there - and I gave in!!!!  DAMN ME!

Disappointed that I worked so hard to get rid of the fake stuff.  My body was getting healthy.  And I just put more of that shit into it.  Now, I feel like I do need to start over to continue the cleansing.  I am no longer clean.

Happy.

Happy that I tasted wonderful food - buttered buns, potato chips, saltiness, sweetness, candy, chocolate.  DELICIOUSNESS!

Sick.

Did I not mention everything I have eaten?  You would be sick too!!!!  ICK in my tummy.  But happiness too!!!! ICK and HAPPY!

Angry.

Angry that I broke my awesome streak.  Angry that I'm not stronger.  Angry that I'm weak.  Angry that I'm human.  Angry that food won the battle in this war of the will.  Will it always win?  Is this my way of resigning myself to the fact that I will always be fat?  Always be ruled by food?  Am I conceding?

No.  My resolve is stronger than ever.  Maybe I need to have a gluttonous weekend every two weeks on this journey to allow myself to refocus?  I feel gross right now.  I felt like a rock star on the plan.  This is a journey.  This is not a race (even though I'd like it to be).  This is my life.  Cake happens and I will give in.  And that's ok.

I have the rest of my life to get this right, I suppose.  It's hard because I want to be thin now.  I want to be skinny now.  I want to be desirable and attractive NOW.  But, this is a learning process.  I didn't gain all this weight overnight.  I'm not going to lose it all overnight. 

So, here is the plan:

Tomorrow - breakfast is my kefir smoothie with green tea.  Iced coffee and eggs for snack.  Cabbage casserole for lunch.  Baby carrots for afternoon snack.  Fizza (faux pizza) for dinner. 

And instead of ending this cycle on Thursday and starting Phase II...I will be starting Phase II on Saturday.  Hmmm...I was thinking I would weigh myself on Saturday.  But, I don't think that's enough cushion time to get rid of the debauchery from this weekend.  So, I'm going to extend Phase I through Sunday.  I will start Phase II on Monday - June 4th. 

n one week - I will start Phase II.  So, I'm extending this cycle by 4 days (that should be enough time to get rid of two days of debauchery - I hope). 

So, phase II officially starts Monday, June 4th.  I will not weigh myself until Monday, June 4th.  It will be the start of a new week and a new phase in life.  :)  And I will work EXTREMELY hard this week to ensure I am on plan 100%!!!

No pork rinds.  No cheese (other than fat free feta).  No sausage.  No fruits after 2pm!  100% ON plan!  I can do this!  I am ready for this challenge! 

Back on the wagon again my friends!  Here's to another week of cleansing myself!  YAY!!!!  This is going to be wonderful!  I am very excited!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Failure.

So, I must preface the below blog with the following:  It is EXTREMELY negative.  I was in a shame spiral and in a very negative mood.  It is a definite downer and in no way shape or form positive.  You have been warned.  :)

The count down is on.  The last day of Phase I is in 4 days (Wednesday).

I'm feeling quite a few things right now.  I'm disappointed in myself, and angry with myself.  I "cheated" yesterday (Saturday) and I went off plan on Friday.

Friday, I was really craving chips.  So, I got the idea to eat pork rinds - they're carb free!  They're high in fat, and probably not the best for my health, but they're crunchy and carb free.  Phase I has low fat as the key - and I did not eat low fat.  Then, Friday night, instead of making the Fizza (faux pizza) I was planning on, I ordered coconut thai soup with chicken and panang curry with shrimp and asparagus.  All not on the plan of Phase I.  Still, low carb, but NOT appropriate for Phase I.  I failed.  I failed.  I screwed it up and didn't follow the plan appropriately - and now my path is marred.  Marred by error and failure.  I feel horrible.  I feel pathetic.  I can't even follow a plan for SEVENTEEN DAYS!  It wasn't even 17 days - it was about 10 or 11 days...I can't follow a plan for for TEN DAYS!  What the hell is WRONG with me?!

I feel like such a loser.

Yesterday, I tried to be good, stay on plan.  I went to a wedding yesterday.  And I wasn't planning on going off plan, but I did.  Josh got me a mango, ginger, lemon drop.  And he said I didn't have to drink it.  But, I did.  I really wanted it, and so I drank it.  I drank every ounce of that thing.

I passed up the bread, mashed potatoes, and left the wedding before they served dessert because I wanted to give in.  But, that drink was a fail.

Then, I got home after the wedding, entered my food, and realized I had only eaten about 850 calories.  And I was hungry (no wonder).  But I did not want to cook anything - and I didn't want to heat up the cabbage casserole thing I made.  And Josh made popcorn.  With butter.  So, I ate it.  I ate approximately 6 cups of buttery popcorn.  I am such a failure!!!!!!!  :(

I realize that I'm being extremely negative and extremely down.  And I realize that I should be positive and send goodness out into the world - but I am extremely depressed right now, so I'm focusing on all the negatives.  Logically, I know, by putting negatives out there I'm creating a negative cycle.

But, I am extremely down and right now it's really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  i feel like I'm in a dark hole...and I can see the top of it...and I can see the light outside...but i can't get to it.  I can't reach it.

This morning, Josh and I left town and are staying in a cabin in the woods with his family and friends.  I am surrounded by temptation - brownies, chips, peanut m&ms (my fav), popcorn, peanut butter, jelly, bread.  I want to give in SO badly.  I already feel like shit, and am feeling pretty hopeless about this weight loss journey at this time, but I feel like a loser and a failure already - and I know that giving in would make me feel even worse.

This morning, Josh made breakfast.  He made me an omelet with chicken sausage and cheddar.  Chicken sausage and cheddar = not allowed.

Did not even drink 1L of water yesterday.  And I'm behind on water today.

Oh, and tomorrow - we're having strawberry waffles for breakfast.  I.  LOVE.  WAFFLES.  My FAVORITE!  This whole time I have craved and desired waffles, breads, pastries.  I want a fricken pancake dammit!  But, I will remain strong.  I will have yogurt and strawberries for breakfast.  :)  And coffee with my acidophilus milk.  And i will be good.  Because I'm tired of being fat!!!!!

I'm tired of looking disgusting in pictures.  I'm tired of looking disgusting in clothes.  No one wants to marry a fat girl.  No one wants to start a family with a fat girl.  I have to lose weight to have a future. 

My weigh in is technically tomorrow, but I'll be at the cabin, so that's not going to happen.  I'll weigh in on Tuesday.

I weighed in on Saturday and am only down .2 pounds from my weigh in on Tuesday.  I don't know if it's because I cheated Friday night, or because my weight loss is going to naturally slow down, but it has contributed to my sadness.

Although, last night, at the wedding, I felt that I looked like a bombshell - if I do say so myself.  However, as the evening went on, the more I caught glimpses of myself, I realized that I have a really long way to go before I can consider myself a bombshell.  Like at least 60 more pounds.  It feels pretty hopeless.  It feels hopeless to have lost 7 pounds, in such a short time, and realize that it's just a drop in the bucket.  A very large bucket, and a very small drop.

This isn't where I imagined my life to be.  But, nothing has ever gone the way I thought it would go.  I should just realize that life will go it's own way and I should just go with it and enjoy the ride.  I need to learn to accept.  Accept everything - it is what it is.

I don't feel like I can give an accurate representation of the 17 day diet because I haven't been following it.  I feel like the experiment was a failure already.

I'm sorry.  I'll still keep up with the plan, and will post all my results, good or bad.  And please just know that my results are not an accurate representation of the 17 day diet, phase I because I screwed up.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!  Take care all!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Sexy Beast

It has been a few days since I posted - which is unlike me as I am normally posting every day.  Blogs are funny things.  The excitement of the experiment, and the hope that there is interest in your experience are enough to push you to post frequently.  Once the reality that no one actually reads these things (except me and Josh) hit me, the excitement of posting wore off.

So, I'm posting this for posterity sake - to keep track of my journey - for myself.  What was it like for me?  What was I thinking?  Feeling?

Every day is a struggle - some harder than others.  I want to binge - on cookies, cakes, pie, loaves of bread, bagels, donuts.  I want carbs.  The craving has not escaped me.  Maybe it's because I'm eating carbs - fruits and veggies, agave syrup, fake sugars (yogurts, pudding, etc.).  Maybe I need to eliminate all carbs for 21 days to rid myself of the desire to consume them.  That, however, would be incredibly difficult.  I don't know if I can do that one.

So, here I am on Day 12.  I'm working on breakfast now, so I have 6 more days to go (including today).  Phase I weigh in is Thursday, May 31st in the AM.  I'll also be taking measurements then, as well.  As well as an "AFTER" photo (not the final AFTER photo, but to show what progress, if any, shows up visually).

I weighed myself Tuesday (22nd) morning (today is Friday the 25th).  As of Tuesday, my total weight loss on this journey is 6.8 pounds.  I have not weighed myself since then, but I feel like I have lost more weight.  My clothes are starting to fit better, and Josh says he can see a difference in my appearance.  I will weigh myself tomorrow morning and give you an update at that time.

As far as I can tell, in the less than 12 days I've been on this journey - the 17 day diet (phase I) is effective.  In the first week, I lost 5 pounds.  I was looking at my weight loss journey from last year and it took me almost two months to lose 5 pounds.  And I was able to to that is a week (granted, a very long, arduous week - but 7 days nonetheless). 

My goal for the first 17 days was to lose 8 pounds - since I was at 6.8 as of three days ago, and I still have 6 more days to go - I'm now shooting for 10 pounds.  From what I've read, Phase II weight loss slows down (especially if you're not exercising - which I am NOT doing - cannot seem to motivate myself to be physically active.  Would rather lay like lump).  So, my goal for Phase II is to lose 5 pounds.  Phase III weight loss slows significantly, and some even gain.  So, my goal for Phase III is to lose 2 pounds, for a total of 17 pounds for the first round of the 17 Day Diet. 

I feel like a sexy beast - I'm getting compliments from a co-worker who knows what I'm doing, and I'm feeling confident and sexy.  Like I can conquer the world.  :)

My energy level is low in the am - as it usually is (and always has been - I am NOT a morning person).  But the last two days I've woken up with a headache.  Don't know why b/c I thought I had the headache thing taken care of with this plan.  I think it might have to do with monthly hormones.  And I'm leaving it at that. 

Instead of trying to post everything I've eaten since the last post, I wanted to provide you with a link: http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=plynsn316  Click on the "Shared Food & Fitness Tracker" link to the right.  You should be able to see my foods logged (I enter them every day to keep track of calories, carbs, fats, and proteins - as well as fiber).  Please let me know if the link does not work.

Yesterday, I consumed slightly less than 1,000 calories (not really on purpose but because I can only eat so much meat, and I didn't feel like cooking vegetables).  I need to find other meals or snacks or something that I can eat that is either premade, or easy to whip together.  I don't like my calorie intake being so low - don't want my metabolism to slow down.  I guess it won't hurt if it's only for a few days - but don't want it to cause damage.

I am slacking today and haven't really had any water.  I did just slurp down about 16 oz of green tea - but my 1.5 L bottle of water has gone untouched.  Usually, I'm half way done with it by now.  I also cheated a bit and had an iced 16 oz non-fat latte.  And the milk was NOT acidophilus!  OMG!  I know. 

I had a container of my acidoophilus milk at work.  Yesterday, after waiting for 15 minutes in line at my office Starbucks, I got my Venti iced coffee and went up to my office.  I added about half a cup of my milk and then got a whiff of it.  As I watched the beautiful swirls of milk blend into my black coffee creating streams and whisps of creamy colored heaven, I realized that my milk was sour.  At this point, I really wanted to cry.  I desperately needed my coffee.  So, I took a tiny sip of the creamy deliciousness before me.  And I tasted.  And I waited for full body gagging.  And it tasted fine.  And no gagging occurred.  And I decided to drink it anyway - sour milk be damned.  What is sour milk if not buttermilk, or sour cream, right?  And I consume that, right? 

Of course, about 10 minutes later I started googling side effects of consumption of sour milk.  The responses varied from food poisoning to none.  And then it got into my head and I was convinced I was going to get sick, which resulted in psychosomatic symptoms (stomach gurgling, nausea, etc.).  So, after drinking about 1/3 of my venti drink, I threw the rest away.  So - no acidophilus milk for coffee today.

I also had a no-no beverage yesterday afternoon.  Still in desperate need of coffee - I gave in around 1pm and got my Starbucks Double Shot + Energy in Light Vanilla.  130 calories of deliciousness over ice.  Pure heaven.  Carb count - 20+.  Not pure heaven.  But oh well. I have to live, right? 

Tomorrow is my cousin's wedding.  I'm excited because the dress I purchased for the wedding was bought the day before I started this journey.  I am interested to see if it fits differently now. 

Ok - that is enough blogging for the day.  So far - so great!  17 day diet is working!  Hunger is not particularly an issue.  Carb craving is an issue - but totally manageable.  Looking forward to Phase II.

Happy Friday!!!!!



Monday, May 21, 2012

woo hoo.

I'm closing out Day 8.  I feel pretty good.

All this time, I was remembering my starting weight incorrectly.  I was remembering it as the weight I was when I went for my physical the week before.  And actually, it was a pound higher.  So, I've actually lost a total of 5 pounds in the first week!

For some reason knowing that I lost 5 pounds in one week, versus 4, I feel like so much more of a success!

Day 8 went well.  Just 9 more days to go!  I CAN DO THIS  I'm almost half way there!  This is TOTALLY doable!

I'm already planning my meals for Phase II.  The first day I'm going to have oatmeal mixed with no-sugar added jam; raspberries or sliced fresh peaches; and green tea for breakfast.  Mid morning snack is going to be a Kefir smoothie with berries.  Lunch is going to be grilled turkey or chicken breast with sweet potato; baked carrots; and steamed zucchini.  Late afternoon snack is going to be carbMaster yogurt.  Dinner is going to be a stir-fry with plenty of veggies.  SO EXCITED!  OMG I CANNOT WAIT!!!  :)

Ok...9 more days...I can totally do this.

FIVE POUNDS DOWN...52-62 to go!!!  :)  YAY!!!!!!!

BTW - I would like to point out that this weekend, although I napped on Saturday, I woke up before 7am without the alarm and was up until after 1pm.  Sunday I didn't take a nap at all - and I didn't want one!!!  Energy levels are INCREASING!  OMG SO MANY ALL CAPS - SO EXCITED!

I'm off to bed now...

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Day 7.

So, I've gone off script slightly.  I'm feeling a little guilty, but trying not to get too consumed by it.  A lifestyle change involves living our LIVES.  And if that means that I have to flip the script, then so be it.  I cannot follow guidelines all the time - sometimes I have to wing it.  So, wing it I did.  And cheat a little, I did that too.  But, not 'slice of chocolate cake' type of cheating.

So, I was watching a few videos by Dr. Moreno (author of the book/creator of diet plan/lifestyle change) in which he answers questions regarding the plan.  Someone asked something about jello and pudding and he said the sugar free stuff was fine.  Now, they didn't specify which phase of the diet.  I'm assuming he meant in maintenance.  But, I am taking liberty since he didn't specify and am eating sugar free pudding now.  Because dammit I want a flippen dessert.  So, last night I had chocolate pudding - sugar/fat free.  And it was delicious.

Today, I had more pudding.  I also had 3 pieces of summer sausage and 2 square slices of cheese.  Josh and I went to a birthday party at a friend's house.  I ate before I went, but I wasn't planning on staying as long as we did and I got really hungry and cranky.  They had cherries and strawberries, which I ate as my fruit serving.  But 2 hours later, after I had given up cake and ice cream (yes I managed to say no), I was gnawing on my cheek.  And getting very irritable.  So, I got up and got some cheese and sausage.  It was not very tasty, but it was enough to let the stomach gnawing and twisting subside until I got home, and ate about 6 oz of turkey breast...almost practically standing at the kitchen counter, the entire time.

Tonight, for dinner, I debated - seriously - getting Popeye's fried chicken.  I am so tired of chicken and turkey.  And chicken.  And turkey.  And I'm tired of cooking!!!!!  I want to order a pizza, pop open a carton of ice cream, warm some brownies, and EAT!!!!!  So, I was depressed and frustrated with my food choices and feeling sorry for myself.  So, Josh offered to take me to the grocery store and get crab or shrimp (not on the plan for Phase I - but low in calories, low in fat, and good for you - so I don't care that it's not on the effing plan!).  We went and couldn't find any crab that looked appetizing, and definitely not any shrimp that was worth the money.

So, we found salmon burgers (170 cals), stuffed salmon cakes (249 cals), and stuffed swai (130 cals).  And I'm eating them.  The salmon cakes have 9 carbs; stuffed salmon burgers have 10 carbs and the stuffed swai have 4 carbs.  I'm totally eating them.  And they will totally be delicious. (update: I only managed to eat about half of each cake).

I have not had very many vegetables today - I had zucchini and tomatoes at breakfast, but nothing since.  I don't feel like cooking.  I don't care about vegetables right now.

I was talking to Josh about my cravings.  I don't know why they're so voracious now.  I've had them in check - so there's no reason they should be crazy.  I think I'm PMSing.  That's the only thing I can think of - it's usually when my cravings are at their highest and craziest, so I'm going with that.  This too shall pass.

So, I've been on the plan for a week.  It has felt like an eternity.  I cannot wait for Phase 1 to be over.  CANNOT WAIT!  Grrr.

Oh, I also had a diet soda.  Yeah, I'm a rebel.  So what?  Diet soda, little veggies, higher calorie intake, stuffed fish, and sugar free pudding.  BOO-YAH!

If I don't lose weight tomorrow - at my weigh in, I'm seriously considering throwing in the towel.

BTW - my energy level was absolutely fabulous today - no nap needed!  :)

Happy Sunday all! 



Saturday, May 19, 2012

Discouraged.

Starting Day 6 of Cycle 1.

I have been weighing myself every morning.  I haven't lost any weight since Wednesday morning.  I am now becoming discouraged.  I've tried reading about others experiences and it seems to be mixed.  Those who are losing a lot of weight, quickly, are accusing those who aren't of cheating.  And those who aren't losing weight are frustrated and concerned and finding no relief or support.

I'm still going to stick with it.  Who knows why the weight isn't falling off.  And technically, my weigh-in day is Monday. AND what the hell is my problem?  I've lost almost 4 pounds in less than 4 days!  That should be an awesome accomplishment and I should be proud of it - even if my weight doesn't drop again by Monday - 4 pounds in a week is wonderful!  So, maybe this plan isn't the "fast results guaranteed!"; "Lose up to 13 pounds in the first 17 days!" plan that it promises to be.  It's still a pretty effective weight loss tool (4 pounds in less than a week!) and it is encouraging me to get rid of the sugar!

I really never thought I'd be able to do something like this.  I love sugar and breads and cakes and pastries.  If someone had told me that I would be able to make it 5 days without these goods, I would have laughed at them and called them crazy.  It is a huge accomplishment for me to have made it this far!  And I can give it another 11 days!  What have I got to lose?  Other than some much needed weight?

I'll work on not getting discouraged.  It is a journey...and it's about the journey, not the final destination (although being a sexy little minx in a size 4 bikini on the beach would be a pretty awesome final destination!).

Yesterday was an unusual day because I was HUNGRY.  Not just for a cupcake, but really truly hungry.  After every meal I wanted more.  After dinner, I was still hungry (enough to the point that I was slightly irritable).  So, Josh encouraged me to eat more.  Normally, I try to stick to the low end of the 1200 calorie range.  But I was SO hungry last night - so Josh made me scrambled eggs with some fat free feta.  They were delicious and made my tummy very happy - I was all better after that.  But my food intake pushed up to over 1450 calories!  I felt like a failure that I had to eat that much.

I don't know why I can't seem to convince my body that I DO NOT NEED the food.  I am a short woman.  I have a small build (under all this fat).  My BMR is about 1600 calories.  I can LIVE on 1200 calories - why won't my stomach listen????!!!  That is the most frustrating part of all of this, I think.

Ok - deep breath.  It takes 21 days to develop a habit.  I'll be fine...just have to continue for 21 days and my body will get the message.

Score for Jenn - No diet soda since Sunday!  That's almost a WEEK!  Longest I have gone in my adult life.  Very proud of myself.

So, here's the breakdown for yesterday:
B - Kefir shake with berries and agave syrup; Green tea; Iced coffee;
L - Leftover turkey meatballs in tomato sauce; Green tea
S - Carrot sticks and CARBmaster yogurt; Green tea
D - Tuna stir fried with cabbage and carrots;
S2 - Cauliflower popcorn (it was...interesting...and delicious)
2nd Dinner - Scrambled eggs with fat free feta

One day at a time.  I can get through today because I am strong and capable!  GO JENN!

PS: A note about my energy level.  I have fibromyalgia so I am always tired and always without energy.  At any point I can usually lay down and fall asleep.  Unless it's bedtime.  Then I seem to have insomnia.  The energy fluctuations while on this plan are more related to my normal energy levels (except for Monday - which was HORRIBLE!).  The only reason I've mentioned it is because one of the pluses of the plan is that I'm supposed to gain energy.  My energy levels are pretty normal and I'm feeling 100% (for Jenn) - I even got up before 8am this morning, and am on my second cup of coffee.  It's a SATURDAY!!!  Before 8am?!  I can't even do that during the work week!  So - some improvements....

Thursday, May 17, 2012

New things.

Today has been pretty good.  Although I'm missing carbs, I'm not really craving any.  That was, until tonight, when I was watching a movie that involved a few scenes of chocolate cake, a chocolate filled croissant, and a fried french pastry type thing that screamed "EAT ME!".  So, I looked up some low-carb, 17-day diet approved recipes and found one for egg custard.

It was....ehhh.  If you're craving something that has a carb like texture, and is SLIGHTLY sweet - it's good.  It has stevia in it...which has a not so great after taste.  But, It warmed my tummy and semi-satisfied my craving for dessert.  YAY for trying something new.

Along those lines - I decided to try to make eggplant chips.  Sliced egg plant drizzled in olive oil and salted.  They did NOT turn out, at all.  I have never cooked eggplant before, but I apparently should not cook eggplant ever again.  It was a mushy mess.  Definitely not chip like.  Disappointed.  :(  Was really looking forward to chips.

So, I am afraid I am too long winded and am boring all of you - especially since Josh doesn't seem to be writing.  This will be short:

B - Eggs scrambled with broccoli and onions, iced coffee with milk, carbmaster yogurt;
L - Chicken salad made with grapes, non-fat greek yogurt, broccoli, served on greens;
D - Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce (delicious)
Snack - Egg custard

Total weight loss, so far: 3.6 pounds.  GO ME!

One day at a time....

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Phase I Day 3

Today things are good.  I’m feeling clear headed and I’m feeling good.

I woke up shaky today – shaky like I was hungry and hadn’t eaten in a while.  I also felt weak and irritable.  But no headache!  A rough start to the morning: 1) my milk canister opened in my lunch bag on my walk to catch the bus and spilled on my pants and all over my breakfast/lunch – which required walking back home, cleaning up and then driving to work b/c I missed the bus; 2) I prepped turkey meatballs in tomato sauce for the crock pot this morning and left without taking it out of the fridge; and 3) I haven’t lost a single ounce since yesterday.

I had my breakfast this morning (Kefir smoothie) and I tried something different.  I used BOTH of my servings of fruit this morning in my smoothie instead of waiting until later in the day.  I want to see if this has an effect on my energy later in the day, or my hunger in the evening.  I also got my warm water and lemon in today…which I guzzled prior to guzzling my iced coffee.  And I am on green tea number two (1st with breakfast, this with lunch).  So far so good on the food servings front!

I have noticed that I am tired.  At night.  In the morning.  During the day.  My energy level has not improved thus far – granted this is only day 3.  I slept in this morning because I could not seem to motivate myself to get out of bed.  Could also be the combination of sadness over the loss of my relationship with food.  No more happiness from food = feelings of loss and the end of a relationship.  I was telling a co-worker that I feel like a drug addict detoxing.  Hello, my name is Jennifer and I’m a food addict.  It has been three days since my last emotionally satisfying meal.  Drug addicts enjoy their relationship with their drugs, for whatever reasons.  They find joy in their usage (I’m guessing).  I enjoy my relationship with food.  I find joy in eating.  But, like a drug addict, my joy can kill me (ok, not quite the same – but pants not fitting, heart not working properly, and dying of cardiac arrest or complications related to high blood pressure and diabetes are all really bad things). 

My lunch (Day 3) - apologies for the blurriness.
I noticed the shakiness before lunch, as well.  Hands trembled and hunger made my tummy gurgle and grumble.  A headache came on early afternoon – I think it’s b/c my hair is up in a bun (sometimes causes headaches) – so I took Tylenol.  All better now.  I ate my fabulous lunch, and was still pretty hungry after (not just the "I want carbs" hunger, but actual honest to goodness - FEED ME hunger).  I made some more green tea, and drank more water.  It helped with the hunger pangs. 

Read some more about first week of low-carbing it.  They mentioned shakiness comes in around days 3-5, maybe earlier.  Well, that would fall right in line with me – day 3.  The explanation: gluconeogenesis (yay for anatomy and physiology classes!).  Ok – WARNING: I am going to go into sciency stuff right now….ignore if you’re not interested.  Read on if you are.  For those of you who have not had A&P: the creation of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. 

How can you get glucose from non-carbohydrate sources?  And why is this important?  First of all, glucose is the basic form of a carbohydrate.  It is used by your body to function.  Without it, you will die.  When you eat carbs (breads, fruits, veggies, starches, etc.) your body breaks down the food into the building blocks (glucose being the most simplest form, along with other nutrients, ingredients, etc.).  Your body then uses the glucose to function.  The premise behind low carb diets is that we are consuming TOO much carbs, and as a result our bodies have an influx in glucose – which causes a spike in insulin.  Insulin takes glucose out of our blood streams.  Some glucose gets stored in the liver for future use (glycolysis) and the rest doesn’t have anywhere to go – so we store it as fat.

By eating a low carb diet, we’re providing our body with the glucose it needs to function, and forcing it to undergo gluconeogenesis for any additional glucose it does need.  Glucagon is released when blood glucose is too low, which shuts down the liver’s release of the glucose, and the stimulation of the gluconeogenesis process.  Gluconeogenesis involves breaking down proteins (alanine, glutamine) and fats (glycerol) into pyruvate which can then be converted into glucose by as series of complicated steps that require a lot of energy (11 steps to be exact).  And then we end up with glucose for our bodies that is not above and beyond what we need, and we’ve burned fat (and some muscle) in the process.

Because this process takes a lot more energy, the body is tired.  Because glucose is not readily available from my diet (in as much quantities as my body is used to), and it has to go through a very difficult process to produce glucose, I am going through withdrawals until my body gets used to the process and becomes more efficient at gluconeogenesis (shakiness, headache, irritability).  All symptoms explained.

OK – SCIENCY STUFF IS OVER NOW…

I cheated a bit in the afternoon.  I really really really wanted an iced coffee, but I abhor my coffee black.  And I was all out of my acidophilus milk because I spilled half of it on myself this morning.  So, I threw caution to the wind and went downstairs to my Starbucks and I got myself a grande, unsweetened, iced coffee, with NON-FAT milk.  Technically dairy is not allowed, except for the probiotic goodness, but it was ONLY 1/4 of a C of non-fat milk...I highly doubt it will kill me.  I am justifying its use with the fact that I spilled over 1/4 of a cup of my acidophilus milk on myself this morning, thereby eliminating the potential for me to have that second cup of iced coffee that I was craving.  However, we shall see how my adjustment affects my weight tomorrow.

I have not had a very good day today and my irritation level is at an all time high.  With the happenings of this morning, my frustration with work (that's for an entirely different blog), and my frustrations with the USPS, wasting time, energy, and having to drive to Timbuktu (not literally), plus my incessant hunger gnawing at my soul...I almost caved in today and had pretzels, donuts, and a pizza.  I managed to angrily walk away from all of these items at the grocery store, but I did so very begrudgingly.  

Tuna "patties" over cabbage and carrots.
We all know what happened with dinner - so instead I made tuna patties over grilled cabbage and carrots.  The patties turned out to be more of a scramble because they kept falling apart when I flipped them. 

Dinner was delicious.  I finished it about 15 minutes ago and would like something else to eat.  I have about 77 more calories to go, so I think I'm going to make a hard boiled egg  and snack on some baby carrots.  And drink drink drink my water.  Haven't hit the 3 L mark today.  Only a little of 2 Ls today....I'm slacking.  :)

Tomorrow I'm going to try something different with the fruit servings and breakfast.  Will definitely keep you posted on progress!

Summary:
Breakfast: Kefir smoothie; green tea; iced coffee with milk
Lunch: Turkey taco meat over 2 C salad greens and 1/4 C non-fat plain greek yogurt; green tea;
Dinner: tuna patties over sauteed cabbage and carrots
Snack: 2 hard boiled eggs and baby carrots

Now that I have food in my belly, I'm feeling slightly less irritated, and more calm.  I still want a cupcake. 

One day at a time…

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Phase I; Day 2

Hello blogging world!  Today was a bit better than yesterday:
1) Woke up with headache, but it was manageable;
2) Energy level EXISTENT today;
3) I'm down 1.6 pounds from yesterday!

Breakfast:  Kefir smoothie with strawberries and agave syrup; Iced coffee with 1/4 C acidophilus milk

AM Snack: Missed b/c I was swamped!

Lunch: Leftovers from last night - "Faux" tacos (ground turkey, sauteed veggies, onions, seasoning in butter lettuce wraps with non-fat plain greek yogurt)

PM Snack: hard boiled egg; orange; carrot, kale chips (yummy homemade recipe)

Dinner: Sauteed veggies (cabbage, onion, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli) with soy sauce and a side of grilled chicken

Sauteed veggies with grilled chicken


Water consumed: over 3 L!!!

Hunger scale: definitely more hungry today than yesterday (as in - I am HUNGRY right now - even after everything I ate).  Going to make a cup of tea and maybe call it good.

Calories: 1134 (don't know what else to eat though!)

Diet soda consumed: 0, as in ZERO...zip...zilch...none...nada  WOO HOO!

I don't feel as drained or wiped out as I did yesterday - which is a plus.  I don't know if it's because I had my 2nd serving of fruit (orange) at around 3:30 (I know, past 2pm, but I probably won't be in bed until after 11:30, so it's all good) and that sugar has given me the energy I need.  Or, if it's because I'm getting used to this.

Don't know if my hunger level is because I had sugar so late, or if it's because I didn't eat as large a lunch as I did yesterday?  No clue on the whys.

My brain is less foggy today, as well.  A plus!  As I mentioned, headache all day, but not as bad.  It's getting pretty bad now and has been increasing for the last hour or so...

Still craving sugar, bread and bread-like products - a giant cheesy bagel with bacon, egg, and melted cheese washed down with an iced grande non-fat caramel macchiato.  OH YEAH BABY.  Yeah...that's not a possibility until maintenance (Phase IV).  That doesn't happen until I reach goal weight...and since I have about 70 pounds to go...it's going to be a while.  :(

Hoping the sugar cravings will go away in the next 3-4 days though - that will help with the progression of this life changing adventure.

I am a self-proclaimed coffee nut.  I love my Starbucks.  I love my Starbucks Double Shot plus Energy in Vanilla Light (oh yeah baby).  But, I've found that even though I have my coffee in the morning...I'm feeling like I'm missing something.  It's not the sugar (although that would be nice), instead I've found I miss the ritual.  The ritual of taking a break to get my iced vanilla light coffee from the convenience store in the lobby of my building at work, and adding it to a giant glass of ice with a straw, and taking a moment to breathe....before I jump back into the work.  I miss that - it made me feel good and comforted.

Food and drink brings me comfort.  Unfortunately, I don't think that's the healthiest way to view food - because then I seek it to meet emotional needs, not meet biological signals (i.e. hunger).  And to eat because it makes my heart happy is not the best way to operate.  That thought, alone, depresses me.

I find that I'm slightly depressed in the morning because I don't have anything to look forward to - I would look forward to my breakfast, lunch, coffee, etc.  And now, I look forward to the day ending so I can go back to bed.  This has been an interesting two days.

I understand that it takes approximately 21 days to develop a habit.  I am hoping that in 21 days, I will have developed a habit of healthy eating and a more positive outlook.

I was telling Josh today, I know I can make it through the first 3 cycles (each 17 days).  I don't know if I have it in me to repeat the 3 cycles multiple times until I lose the 70+ pounds.

I guess I will have to just continue to take it one day at a time.

Two days down...Fifteen left to go...I CAN DO THIS!!!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Phase 1; Day 1 - JENN's Experience

I have to apologize - my brain is fuzzy and I'm having a heard time concentrating.  If this doesn't make sense...or rambles...apologies!

Well, it's almost official.  I have ALMOST completed my first day of Phase 1 (only 16 more days to go!).

The day started off...a little off.  Last night I packed up chicken and a large salad with a vinaigrette, my kefir, strawberries, and veggies in prep for today.  Then, this morning, I grabbed everything, headed out the door, and was off!  On the way to work, I realized I left my water bottles at home...and the dressing in the fridge.  So far, not so good.


Breakfast wasn't so bad.  Lunch took me about 2 hours to eat because my salad was GINORMOUS (see photo)!  At about 3pm, a headache came on...and hit me hard.  I started thinking it was because of lack of refined carbs...but I had a lot of veggies, fruit and kefir in the am.  Plenty of carbs!  I am also in an incredibly BAD mood.  And, in general, I feel like crap.

I'm hoping this phase will pass soon - head is killing me, mood is bad, tired, and have no motivation to do anything.

Which is why I didn't do the 20 minute work out.  So, I feel crappy about that.  And I feel crappy, in general.  I'm also having problems concentrating.  I can't seem to focus.  My head is killing me - have I mentioned that?

Dinner I made faux tacos (turkey taco meat in lettuce wraps).  And scarfed them down in less than 10 minutes.  But, NO diet soda!  I have not had a diet soda at all today.  And I have consumed over 3 liters of water. 

Meal plan requires green tea with meals.  I had green tea after breakfast, and with lunch.  Did not have green tea with dinner - oops.  Meal plan also requires lemon with water first thing in the morning - didn't get to that until later in the morning.  So, all in all, not everything by the book today...but within parameters...

I took my "before" photo (with my phone instead of my camera b/c I cannot locate my camera batter charger)...so the photos aren't what I wanted, but whatever.  "Before" photo is disgusting.  And I also took my measurements.  Grossness.  So incredibly depressing.  Want to jump off a cliff - so gross.

Hunger wise - able to deal with it - not too overwhelming.  It's a different type of hunger...I want bread, crackers, pizza, all the naughty foods.  Have I mentioned that my head is killing me?!!!

Feel like crap...was going to make meatballs and sauce in the crock pot tonight...and kale chips....but I have ABSOLUTELY no energy.  And I feel like crap.

OH GEEZ I'm hoping this feeling like crap thing fades away after a few days...THIS SUCKS.  I am cleansing my body of evil refined sugars and evilness...cleansing...cleansing...and I've read a bunch of articles...these are the symptoms of changing to a low-carb diet: "Low carb diets can cause some noticeable side effects, especially in the first few days or week. Because you're cutting out simple sugars from your diet, your system will notice. You may have headaches, dizziness, nausea, feel tired, unenergetic or irritable. Think about it--how many times did you crave sugar? Well, now you're not eating much sugar, so your body goes through a withdrawal of sorts. You may experience big-time sugar cravings and constipation. To get through this period of time, drink plenty of water. It helps stabilize your body and alleviate the headaches and dizziness.  Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/11512-need-low-carb-diet-side/#ixzz1uuRB8rsK"

3 liters of water...you would think that would help with the headache...not yet.  Just peeing every few minutes, and tummy is diluted....

WANT PIZZA!!!!  AND SUGARY FOOD!!!!!!  SAVE ME...please?!

One down....16 more to go....if I don't lose any weight after the first 17 days, I am going to DIE!!!!!

Oh - and I'm under 1200 calories...can't really eat any more veggies.  Wish I could eat more (I'm wanting an orange.  or an apple - but i can't eat fruit after 2pm).

It will get easier...I just have to keep telling myself that....like I'm withdrawing from a drug...just got to get through the days...one at at time...I can do this!!!!  I CAN DO THIS!!!!!!  I CAN DO THIS!!!!





Sunday, May 13, 2012

And we're off!! Well...almost...

It's Sunday evening.  Tomorrow is the big day.  I have to admit, I'm both excited and terrified.  I'm excited about the challenge that lays ahead, about how healthy I'm going to be, about how good I'm going to feel, and how much more energy I am going to have.  I'm terrified about cravings, being hungry, failing, and not being able to maintain the momentum...and not losing weight.

This last week has been somewhat of a week of food debauchery for myself.  I've been trying to get in the last of all the things I normally crave - to try to get it out of my system (the craving/desire), and to essentially give myself as much of it as possible to hopefully break my desire and cravings for INSERT FOOD HERE from this point forward.  I think it's working.  I told Josh the other night that I really just wanted a salad.  Good sign - that I'm craving real and actual food.

I think to be successful on this lifestyle change, I have to have a perspective change.  My body does not need very much food to survive - definitely not as much as I would like to consume.  My body is a machine and it needs nutrients to thrive and work efficiently.  And those nutrients come compacted in whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and lean meats.  I am a tiny girl (height-wise, definitely NOT girth-wise).  I'm only 5'2" (and a quarter if you ask the nurse who measured me at my physical last week).  The thing about being short is that I don't have a lot of body to feed.  So, I really don't need that much food.  I think once I can accept that it might be easier for me to eat less.

My tongue, taste buds, and fat cells are screaming "NOOOOO!!!!" right now because of my above statement. They disagree and would like more food, please and thank you - and none of that healthy stuff, please and thank you.

I think they will have to have a perspective change as well.

So, here we are...on the eve of the big change.  Tomorrow morning Josh and I will both weigh in.  And tomorrow, after work, I will take my measurements (not doing it in the morning b/c I am at Josh's and he doesn't have tape measure so I'll have to wait to get home to do this).  I will also take a "BEFORE" photo when I get home (I forgot my camera at home and my cell phone sucks to take photos).  So the BEFORE photo will be the first day of the change.

So, what's on the menu for tomorrow?

For breakfast, I have a kefir strawberry smoothie planned.  Have beautiful yummy strawberries that smell so good and are a wonderful bright red.  Also having iced coffee (unsweetened) with acidophilus milk.  For lunch, I have a large salad made of greens (about 3-4 cups), yellow and red bell pepper (about half of each), 2 carrots, and slices of cucumber.  My dressing is olive oil and vinegar.  And I have grilled 2 chicken breasts (although I will only be eating one for lunch - the other is to keep at work for when I get hungry).  Two hard boiled eggs for a snack, along with veggies to crunch and munch on.  Dinner is going to be taco style lettuce wraps with ground low fat turkey, veggies, and butter lettuce.  Green tea is to be consumed with every meal and the mornings is to start with a glass of warm water and lemon.

The challenge is getting my exercise in!  I am going to work on getting back into running, I think.  It burns a lot of calories, and is a challenge for me.  I'm going to try to keep myself focused on little goals (instead of going all out and training for a large event like a half or full marathon, and then crapping out afterwards b/c I'm so sick of running at that point).  So, I'm going to work on little things like a) improving my 5K time; b) working towards improving my speed; c) maybe graduate from the Galloway walk/run program to a full run program (still deciding on this one).  Since I've been out of the running loop since November (over SIX months ago!), I'm going to start with a 30/30 combo for 20 minutes every day - that means alternating running and walking, every 30 seconds, for 20 minutes.  Then in two weeks, I may kick it up to 30 minutes, and so on...(right in time for Phase 2 of the plan).

The weather has been exceptionally warm lately (like upper 80s/lower 90s) - exceptionally warm for Portland, OR, that is.  So, getting my exercise in tomorrow is going to be quite challenging b/c it's going to be brutally hot.  Also, I have an acupuncture appointment after work, so I'll be running around like a crazy person - work, traffic, acupuncture, traffic, home, running, dinner...it'll probably be around 8 before I finally sit down to eat.  So, I'm going to be grumpy, and famished.  And hot.  But I will persevere because I will feel SO good after I complete day one!

I will post tomorrow, after I eat dinner and sit down, to let you know how the first day went.

So, dear friends, here's to the first day of the rest of my life!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Intro

17 day diet.... I am not sure how i feel about that name. To me it conjures feelings of a gimmick. Like the "Grapefruit Diet" or so many other fad diets that we all have heard of. I am not interested in a system (even if it works for weight loss) that is 1)not healthy and 2) unsustainable. I am 37 years old and I know what i can and can not do.  Or should I say will or wont do? When my lovely girlfriend Jennifer suggested the "17 day diet" I was less then excited. However the more i found out about it the more interested i became.

I have battled with being overweight most of my life with a few stints of being at a desirable weight. For much of my late teens and twenties i worked in construction out in the field. This was a very physical job. I was burning a couple thousand calories a day. Couple that with a young man's metabolism and i could get away with eating anything i wanted in quantities that would make a glutton raise an eyebrow. And i did. Even with the daily  "work" outs I was able to be 10-40 lbs overweight most of that time.

During that period in my life i would balloon up till the guys started making fat jokes Then i would essentially starve myself until the guys started making skinny jokes. This went on for years. I would always say that "I could loss weight just as fast as i could gain it". At that time it was a true statement, I can no longer say that! I gain at an amazing rate these days and lose at an equally amazing slow pace. I  now work in the office and am out of the field. I am staring at 40 and still eat like i am twenty-three and getting lots of exercise. Bad combination!

So here we are. My sweet heart and myself  are ready to make a change. I think we should post photos of our bodies during our journey. I am not talking about posting photos that already exist of us. I want "biggest loser type" photos. Jenny is totally opposed to this idea.  I like the idea of being completely open and charting our progress. I also believe it makes things a bit more personal. If the idea of this blog is to help others and keep us engaged in our lifestyle change, the photos would be a good idea for those reasons... in my opinion. If you all agree or dont.. let us know.  Thanks, Josh

PS i told jenny we could blur out our faces to start :)

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Intros

Hello blogging world!  I'm Jenn.  I'm 31 and I'm over 60 pounds overweight.  I'm a sometime runner, although I'm not a fan of running (hence the sometime), downhill skier in the winter, animal lover (always), fan of books and learning, and a most-of-the-time couch potato.  I have been on Weight Watchers, eDiets, calorie counting, anti-inflammatory diets, South Beach, juice fasts, etc.  I've been successful on some diets, but every time I tell myself I'm going to make it a lifetime change...I fall back into old habits...and get my flabby butt exactly back to where it was before.

I struggle, like most women, with body hatred.  Don't get me wrong - I have glimmers of "DAMN, I look good!" moments, but I am quick to remind myself that I'm probably delusional as a result of too much sugar, or not enough coffee.  You see - every time I have a "DAMN..." moment, I inevitably locate a picture of myself on that day...in that outfit...and realize that I was horribly mistaken.  I did not look good at all!

I'm tired of fearing the camera because I have to take photos at certain angles, or behind items, in order to be photographed.  I'm tired of avoiding events because I feel too gross to be in public.  I'm tired of avoiding clothes because they accentuate my (INSERT BODY PART HERE).  I'm tired of being tired!

In December, 2010, I wrote a letter to myself.  I told myself I was DONE being fat.  I was DONE missing out on life because of my size.  I was going to pull my life together and I was going to make changes.  2011 was going to be the year I lost 60 pounds.  I SWORE that 2011 was going to be the year I stuck to it!  I even signed up for a half marathon in January, 2011 (the marathon was in October, I signed up in January) to motivate myself.  I was going to start exercising every day, eat healthy, etc.

My resolve lasted until February, 2011.  And then it faltered.  And then I tried again in May, 2011.  And I managed to lose almost 20 pounds by the half marathon (October, 2011).  This was my 3rd major running event (2nd half marathon) and after every single other event I stopped running...until I started training for the next event (about 6-12 months later).  So, I also resolved to NOT stop running - I had worked SO hard (SO INCREDIBLY HARD - I cannot even tell you) to get to the fitness point I had reached.  I really did not want to let it go.  I took 2 weeks off after my running event (which is what I allowed myself to do), and then I went for a 45 minute run on a Saturday...and then a 30 minute run on Tuesday...and so on.  That lasted about 2 weeks.

By December, 2012 - I had gained almost 10 pounds.  So, once again, in December, 2011 (a year later), I made another commitment to myself.  2012 was going to be the year!  In January, I got back into plan (the same one I had done in 2011).  By March, 2012 I had lost the 10 pounds!  And then I gained it all back in the last 2 months.

So, my dear friends, here I am again.

I'm so tired of all my failures!  AAAAACK!!!!  I just want it to stick!  I want to stop feeling like I'm constantly trying, constantly failing, and playing the cycle over and over and over again.

This is especially important to me at this point in my life because I am thinking of starting a family soon.  And I want to have healthy babies.  In order to have healthy babies, I need to be healthy.  And I also don't want to be a fat pregnant woman.  I want to be a beautiful, sexy, radiating mom-to-be.  I want to be the type of pregnant woman who you can't tell is pregnant until you see them from the front, or side.  I want to gain the appropriate weight while I'm pregnant, and then lose it breastfeeding and being an active mama.

So, in my quest to change my lifestyle, and become a healthier, happier, sexier HOT DAMN woman (and future mama)...I'm delving into the experiment of the 17 Day Diet.

And, I have asked my dear boyfriend, Josh, to join in the fun!  That way readers can get a male and female perspective and experience.  I do have to say that Josh will be doing an altered version of the diet - but he will keep track of what he's eating/not, etc. so you can see how his meal planning differs from the plan by Dr. Mike Moreno. 

Why the 17 Day Diet, you ask?  Josh is a proponent for low carb diets.  I lost the most weight when I ate low-carb on my weight loss journeys.  I am also very interested in clean eating - little to no food processing, eating as closely to nature as possible, etc.  So, I came across the book in my online perusing.  And I got it, and told Josh about it, and here we are!

We will be blogging our experience, our progress, or lack thereof, and everything along the way! 

For those of you who don't know what the 17 Day Diet is, check this out: http://www.everydiet.org/diet/17-day-diet.  I am including this link, instead of the link for the 17 Day Diet, because I think that link is obnoxious.  The actual website seriously makes me NOT want to do the plan.  So, I wanted to provide a link that shows pros and cons.  I cannot speak to the diet pros and cons, yet, as I am not on it yet - but will keep you posted.

Contrary to the name of the plan, you don't lose all your weight in 17 days.  The plan has you go through three 17 day cycles (ACCELERATE; ACTIVATE; ACHIEVE).  You repeat these three cycles until you reach your goal weight.  Then you move on to the 4th, and FINAL cycle, which you will be on for the rest of your life.  The first cycle has you on a very low carb eating plan - lean meats, lots of veggies, two low-sugar fruits, probiotics.  As the cycles go on, you can add more foods.  The plan has you exercising 17 minutes a day during the first and second phases.  The third phase exercise increases to 45 minutes, daily.

The goal is to start the plan on Monday, May 14th.  Today is the 9th.

Thank you for joining us on this journey!