Ketchup? No, catch-up.

Sorry again. With all of my "free time" over the summer (hah) I really should have checked in a couple more times at the very least, but alas, my time machine hasn't been working, so we'll just have to deal. =P

Weight-wise I'm hovering in the 155-160 range, which isn't ideal, but I'm still wearing size 8's and 10's so I'm not going to get too picky. I have been craving ice cream like a past-due pregnant lady, (no, not pregnant) so I'm sure if I cut the Sonic trips I'll drop 10 pounds in 2 weeks.

We tried the HCG diet for about 3 weeks... don't do it. It's miserable and totally not worth it! You take 10 drops of HCG (a hormone produced when you're pregnant...NOT a fertility thing though) 3 times a day for 20-40 days and you only consume 500 calories. Now, in the real world, if you don't eat enough, you gain weight, and enough is usually over 1000 calories per day. So, knock your diet down to 500, only eating fruit, veggies, meat, and a slice of melba toast, and you're literally starving yourself to lose weight. It is a very CLEAN diet, so if you're looking to detox, you can find your menu by googling hcg diet plan. However, I was a super grouch, and Bobby was just plain hungry. After the ease and success of MediFast, I deemed the HCG diet not in the least bit worth it and went back to eating healthy rather than minimally.

I will say, I have not been sick yet and we're in the third week of school! This is a new record for me! I spent my Labor Day weekend sitting around the house wondering why I was so bored and restless... it wasn't until Monday morning that I realized it was because for the first time since I can remember, I wasn't sick!!! Who knew you could actually go out and do things on Labor Day weekend??? I sure didn't, but I'm looking forward to all of the other days "off" that I won't have tonsillitis or a sinus infection!

I am a bit sad though. It's been a year and I have just three more months until all of my weight-loss, get healthy support goes away. It's been a long and expensive journey, but totally worth it. I set my background picture on my phone to show the first week of school picture from a year ago... gosh, I don't even look like the same person! I gave away my size 16 and 18 pants, but I still have a pair of 14's that I wear on my slummy days... they have elastic and still don't hardly stay on. It's hard to believe how all of that excess baggage snuck up on me, but I'm thankful I was strong-willed enough to get rid of it (and keep most of it off). December is going to be a difficult month as I'll be saying goodbye to my counselors and my diet center, but hopefully I won't need them any more. And I suppose I can always go back in just to visit... haha

I'm rambling about diet stuff and should probably head to bed. Those sweet (and some not so much) little darlin's use up all of my energy during the day, so I need my "beauty sleep." Until next time...

Rollercoaster Ride

This semester was insane! Sorry I didn't keep up more. The short story version is: I went back on plan to lose those extra 6 pounds in January, got down to 142, went back into maintenance, got back up to 155, and now am back down to 150. I decided to bulk up a little bit before my surgery, since they told me to expect a liquid diet for a week and I didn't want to wither away. Plus, you need calories to heal, and if I can't take any in, I might as well have had a few to spare. =)

Surgery went well though, and I was not forced to stay on my liquid diet for more than 2-3 days. I am about 10 pounds over what I would like, but I can still wear my size 8 pants (they're still a little baggy too!) and small t-shirts, so I really am not going to obsess over a number. I have not been able to work out at all for the past 2 weeks and I'm starting to get really antsy about that. Next week I should be good to go, though.

I'm loving my new healthy life and body though! I went swimsuit shopping and found my favorite swim shorts again (finally!). I already owned the XXL pair from last summer, so I grabbed the Large (that's two sizes smaller, and swim shorts are usually finnicky) and the medium just for grins. The medium was big on me, and I ended up buying both the medium and the small (you know, because we all have fat days). Words can't express how neat it is to like what you see in the mirror of a dressing room when you put on clothes that you never think will fit. I rather enjoy grabbing pants off the racks and thinking, "Nah, size 6? Size 8? Well... I'll try it and see." and then actually pulling them up over your butt, zipping, and buttoning them. Now, not all pants look good on all bodies, but gosh. When they were size 16 and 18 less than a year ago? It really makes you appreciate the progress.

I am totally off plan and back in maintenance now, and I've figured out how to accommodate my diet if I splurge a little here and there. Basically, I've learned that you absolutely have to eat your meat and veggies EVERYDAY to get all the good stuff you need to function. I've also learned that sugar is bad, and anything with sugar in it is even worse. So, stay away from sugar and dieting is a piece of cake...no pun intended. =)

Strict!

Sheesh! These new counselors are STRICT! I went in after new year's and they weighed me in at 146 (keep in mind it was like, 17 degrees, so I was wearing jeans and heavy socks, two shirts, and a coat just so I could maintain control of my fingers). The lady said, "Wait a minute... your goal is 138, right?"

"Yes."

"WHY are you in stabilization? I don't see anywhere in your file that says you've reached your goal..."

"Well, I'm on stabilization because I only had 2 pounds left when they closed the other center and they knew I was going crazy eating the same thing every day."

"But you haven't met your goal."

"Right?"

"Then I'm taking you off stabilization, you'll do the next 3 weeks on the diet and lose this last 8 pounds. THEN you can go into stabilization."

"Aw, man. This means no more fruit, doesn't it?"

"Yup. No fruit, no snacks, 5 MediFast meals and your lean and green. Meet your goal, then we'll talk normal food again."


So, I've been back on my psycho diet for the past two weeks. I'm back down to 140, but I can't seem to get any lower than that! I'm starting to get a *little* grumpy about this because I really am sick of eating the same thing every day, BUT they've kinda got me on the whole "contract" thing. I can't seem to convince this girl that 2 pounds isn't THAT big of a deal when I'm already 40 pounds lighter, but I suppose they have a paper trail and a guarantee to maintain. Whatever. :-P

I am starting to have crazy thoughts as to other ways to lose 2 pounds though... you know, getting a body wrap, fasting, taking diuretics, having liposuction, cutting off an arm or foot... haha, just kidding. I'm not going to do anything to hurt myself or risk my health. Don't call the cops on me.

But in all seriousness, these last two pounds are really starting to get on my nerves. Here's hoping that I only have one more week left...

It's been a while.

I started going to my new counseling center and have met the manager and two of the counselors. As much as I miss my old one, the change isn't as terrible as I thought it would be. The ladies are really supportive and helpful, and they seem to pick up on my progress pretty quickly.

Since Christmas, I gained a little bit but only because we had a housewarming party and there was a massive amount of junk food in the house. Grazing is what did me in. So, I'm using two of my maintenance weeks to go back on the diet and lose these last 8 pounds. I have NOT been able to go to the gym to work out, but I can't tell you why. I've been off work for two weeks and haven't made it in ONCE. I'll do my best to go today, but no promises.

I'm going to go up to the school to get my room ready for Monday. If I do it now, I won't have to go in tomorrow or be rushed on Monday. That'll be a workout in itself!

I also have to get my testimonial ready so they can put me on the wall... that's a little weird... What do I say that won't sound cliche? I mean, the pictures really tell it all, and I can't type those up. Sigh.

I'll give it another week. ;-)

Diet Christmas Story

'Twas hours before a concert, and all through the day, I knew a new outfit was coming my way. I had to find something to wear on the stage, so I ventured to Kohl's where my outfit I'd gage.

I found a few tops with their printed designs, but the pants I would need were a difficult find. I shuffled and shifted through all the racks, looking and searching for pants to take back. I found a size six, which is smaller than me, and thought to myself, "I'll just try these and see."

My arms full of choices, the fitting rooms full of clothes, I reluctantly wandered into a stall that would close. I prepared for the worst and pulled on the tops, then looked at the pants wondering where they would stop.

When what to my wondering thighs did appear?

They buttoned and zipped, AND looked good in the mirror!

I went to the concert in size six pants, and on the stage I wanted to dance! I've never been this size, you see, and can't express how happy I am to be me! I started the plan in a size eighteen, but now I'm more confident than I've ever been!

The diet was hard and self-disciplined too, but I believe it was worth it, I definitely do!!!

As I leave you today to go eat my lunch, I wish happy holidays and love by the bunch!

34.5 inches smaller!

The numbers are in! I've lost 17.25 inches since October 17th! Apparently I'm one of those people who loses size rather than pounds, but I'm not complaining! This makes for a total of 34.5 inches that I don't intend to find ever again.

I've lost a little bit of muscle, but that's not a big deal. I got permission to actually work out again, rather than just doing my cardio, so that will take care of the muscle issue. The In-Body machine says I only have 52lbs. of body fat now as opposed to the 73.8 I had when I started, and my BMI is down to 24.7 which is in the normal range FINALLY. (for the record, it was 29.4 in August.)

I only have to eat 3 medifast meals per day now, plus my lean and green, an extra serving of veggies, fruit, and now I can have dairy!

Yay for progress! I'm gonna go shop for our thanksgiving dinner stuff now. Happy holidays, friends! =)

Cheater Cheater Pumpkin (bread) eater!

I'm in stabilization now and can eat one extra serving of veggies AND fruit! I'm weighing in at 143, which has been pretty stable for the past week or so. On the other hand, I've been cheating quite a bit lately... The following is my confession:

Saturday I went to Greek Fest and bought baklava. There is no resisting such things when they are so easily accessible. On the justification end, I've sliced them in half, so I'm not a total calorie hog.

Monday was my birthday, and Bobby took me to Cheddar's before flute choir rehearsal. We had a cookie monster just because it was my birthday and I wanted dessert. My not-so-bad action was to leave part of my cookie, the most of the whipped cream, and one whole scoop of ice cream on my half of the skillet.

Tuesday Bobby took me to Texas de Brazil, which is RIDICULOUSLY expensive. I didn't gorge myself, and I did well eating meat and veggies... but I did eat half a slice of carrot cake. I took the rest home and finished it off for lunch on Wednesday. (and there's my wednesday confession)

Thursday I went to a fancy jewelry store to try on a half-million dollar diamond ring. It was great fun...but I went with my parents who hadn't eaten and ended up eating a chopped brisket sandwich (minus the bread...see, I was sort of good).

Today, well, today was rough. We had a half day at school yesterday for parent/teacher conferences and when the kids came back today they were just wild. So at lunch, I went to starbucks and had a slice of pumpkin bread (hence, my clever blog post title) and a peppermint mocha.

I have my next in-body test tomorrow to see how my muscles and fat and water and blah blah blah are doing. Here's hoping for a good report. My size 8's are somewhat lose on me (but I don't think I'll EVER be in a size 6) and I've been working out more lately, so I don't think I have anything to worry about.

Speaking of working out... my trainer from this summer emailed me the other day asking if I've still been going to the gym. He said he hasn't seen me around and they have some good deals going on for training sessions if I'm interested. I'm almost tempted to sign up for one and rub it in his face that his workout plan totally did not "work out" for me. But then again... he was helpful as far as toning and building muscle and whatnot, so I don't want to be a complete jerk.

I'm off work for the next 9 days for fall break. Praise the Lord! The kids need to reset, and the teachers need a break from trying to reset them! I anticipate a fattening thanksgiving holiday, but at least now I know how to manage it.

Here's hoping I don't cheat too bad this week.