Day 12

Things are going well…despite the plague that I’ve come down with.  I felt it coming on on Monday and tried to get lots of sleep and prevent it with a little Nyquil and Zicam, but it didn’t work and I’ve been fairly miserable the last couple of days.  I wasn’t eating much and decided to start Phase II of the diet so I could have some fruit.  So far, I’ve lost 13.5lbs!  Very pleased with the progress, especially since I haven’t been able to get on the Treadclimber because my lungs are killing me.  Hopefully I’ll start feeling better soon – maybe I’ll take the dogs to the lake and go for a nice long walk.  There is something to be said about fresh air…

Days 4-7: Still going!

I meant to write a couple of times this weekend, but my dog had an agility trial and I was down-right exhausted by the end of each day.  I was extremely proud of myself for sticking with the diet throughout the entire weekend of trialing, where there is not much healthy food to be had; and you’re in an arena from about 7am-7pm.  I took along cheesesticks, sugar free Jell-O, Caffiene Free Diet Coke, and had salads from the concession stand.  They don’t really serve a salad, but I asked if they would just put a hamburger on a bed of lettuce, and they were happy to do so.  The first day, I ran to Subway and had an oven roasted chicken breast salad with olive oil and vinegar dressing.  It wasn’t half bad.  I’ve lost a total of 11lbs.  :) In 7 days.  Not bad!  I feel great, though I am starting to get sick.  Certainly not diet related – being in 30 degree temps all weekend is probably the culprit. 

Had a turkey burger for dinner; salad for lunch; and an Atkin’s Shake for breakfast.  Had a cheesestick somewhere in between there, some almonds, and lots of water. 

Phew.  Half way through Phase I!

Day 3: It’s Getting Easier

Today was a pretty good day – not too many cravings, and definitely stuck with the plan.  The only thing I regret is not taking snacks to work – I went all morning with just an Atkin’s shake in me.  At about 10 I was really starting to get hungry.  Note to self: cheese sticks and almonds must go to work. 

I ate a pretty decent sized salad from the cafeteria for lunch, which made the harsh reality that I need to start packing my lunch come to the forefront of my brain.  I don’t know what it is about the salad bar.  Bleh! Just didn’t taste all that great, and if I’m going to be watching what I eat, I at least want it to taste good! :)  I came home, though, and really wasn’t too hungry.  Had a shake, some egg salad (made with mostly egg whites), and a piece of cheese…oh, and Jell-O. :) lol  Bizarre combination, but hey, it worked!

So far my total lost is about 6 pounds or so.  I’m trying not to be too obsessed with the number on the scale, but if you’re as OCD as I am…that’s nearly impossible to do.  More importantly, I feel great.  This is almost embarrassing to type, but it feels like my blood chemistry is ‘cleaner’.

Here was yesterday’s dinner, for those that care :) Chicken stuffed with broccoli and reduced fat feta cheese, with a side of broccoli that was left over because I was too lazy to cook a different veggie:

Day 2: Ug!

Today I had a pretty nasty headache that started last night.  I drank tons of water, thinking maybe I was dehydrated, but I think it was just my body revolting against the lack of bad carbs in my diet. :) I got through another day…though I did have some pretty intense cravings when I was in Target after my dog’s obedience class.  Too many yummy looking treats for Valentine’s Day.  Not yummy looking enough to risk staying this weight forever…

Today’s calorie count was about 1395, almost double yesterdays, but definitely a much more balanced diet and something I feel much more comfortable with.  I had chicken breast stuffed with broccoli and reduced fat feta cheese for dinner…for breakfast I had an Atkins Advantage Strawberry Shake which was surprisingly good.  Had some nuts, cottage cheese, some tuna for lunch….all in all, lots of food. 

No exercise today…felt sort of guilty about that, but my head was just relentless with the pounding.  Hopefully tomorrow before work I can get in a quick workout.  Woohoo!  12 more days of Phase I!

Day 1: :) SBD Day 1 Complete!

Well, I successfully made it through the first day of the diet without fail.  Woohoo!!  Ended up not feeling hungry at all – and didn’t even emotionally eat when I found out I would not be getting my $8k First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit because I closed on my house 3 days before they raised the MAGI limits.  :(  I was so upset – but I guess that’s karma.  I raised all sorts of hell when I was supposed to close on 11/2/09 and didn’t – had I just let it go, and let it take its natural course, I probably wouldn’t have closed until the 7th and would be $8k all the richer.  Lesson learned: Everything happens for a reason.  Believe in the plan. 

Here are pictures of breakfast and dinner. 

What a horrible diet, eh? :)

Other things I ate today: Sugar free Jello, 4 slices of turkey breast, slice of sharp cheddar cheese, some egg whites

Also did the treadclimber for 22 minutes this morning.  Working out in the morning is one of the greatest feelings…

Day 0: South Beach Diet

I’m starting my journey on the South Beach Diet tomorrow…should be a hoot.  Phase I is basically a low net carb diet and lasts 14 days.  Wish me luck!