Day 12 - down 7lbs

Body Clutter Investigator

Daily Chart

You can find this chart and other useful info at: http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp

Starting weight: 276.8lbs

Today’s Scale Reading: 269.8lbs

Gain/loss: -7lbs

Attitude:
1 Chronicles 16:11-12a - "Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done." This verse just jumped out at me today and I'm committing it to memory. I don't always seek Him first and that's when I'm more likely to trip up on my own self. Today was a better day. Of course Friday night potluck is very hard to contain oneself...there are a lot of good cooks in this group! I did well, though, and didn't overdo on anything. No seconds. I had dessert, but just 4 small cubes of cake and a tsp. of blueberry sauce. Enough to know it tasted really good! And amazing again at the carb counts in some foods! And you may have noticed I switched evening snack with dinner. We eat so late on Friday nights that I decided to have my snack at dinner time and dinner at snack time. Well the new sleeping schedule has kicked in I believe as it is only 11pm and I'm barely keeping my eyes open. This night owl is being retrained...say it isn't so! LOL

5 things I’m grateful for:

1. Friday night group

2. Good friends helping me along this journey

3. Meeting new friends going through similar experiences

4. An HHT who loves me

5. Starting to love myself over food

5 things I did right:

1. Shoes on all day

2. worked out

3. Got ready for Friday night early

4. Didn't pig out at potluck

5. Read the Bible

Food Intake:

Breakfast:

2 eggs - 2 carb

1 slice american cheese - 2 carb

Morning Snack:

1/2 cup raspberries - 6 carb

1/2 milk - 6.5 carb

Lunch:
4oz pork

2 slices of american cheese - 4 carb

Afternoon snack:

protein shake

Dinner:

2oz cheddar cheese

Evening snack:

1 helping Coney Island Hot Dog Casserole - 3.5 carb

innards of a chicken enchilada

1/2oz angel food cake - 5 carb (best math guess)

1 tsp. blueberry sauce - 5 carb (best math guess)

Total:

34 carb

Movement:

Did I move any today?

yes - Curves Circuit

Day 11 - down 8lbs

Body Clutter Investigator
Daily Chart
You can find this chart and other useful info at: http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp

Starting weight: 276.8lbs
Today’s Scale Reading: 268.8lbs
Gain/loss: -8lbs

Attitude:
Overall better than yesterday. Still a little down. HHT thinks it may be hormones due to PMS (I know a TMI - and also I'm seeing how many acronyms I can fit into one sentence). I really hope that is what it is. I began thinking that it's a little scary losing weight. I haven't been heavy all of my life, but for most of it and even when I wasn't heavy, I was using food as a crutch or drug as some would say (which is how I became heavy in the 1st place). Now that I can no longer drown my sorrows in a bag of chips, I find I feel inadequate to deal with my emotions. I'm not inadequate, just feel that way. And I'm leaking a lot more...like a real girl. It's annoying to the tom-boy that I am. If only it really were as easy as just exercising and eating right. There's a lot of soul searching that has to go on to lose weight and be healthier, too. I think there's some form of exorcising that needs to be done as well. Anyway, it's a little scary because I always think I look differently than I truly do. A form of denial if you will. My identity is a little bit tied up in what I've done for the past 20 years. So who am I really? Am I the friendly, heavy friend to all? Will I still be the same person underneath even when I don't look like this? Will I be the friendly, thinner friend to all? A journey like this will tend to change me in some ways other than physical. Just the stamina to continue it is a change in my personality. Well, just some rambling thoughts for today. I'm sure all this emotional baggage will also get worked out by the end. I'll see to that.

5 things I’m grateful for:
1. This blog - sshh don't tell my HHT - OOPS he probably just saw this :o)

2. Kids having fun

3. Being loved

4. Having deep thoughts

5. turkey bacon

5 things I did right:
1. Stuck to the plan

2. got all my water in

3. worked out

4. wore my shoes

5. shined my sink (for all those flybabies)

Food intake:
Breakfast:

2 eggs - 2 carb

2 sausage links - 1 carb

Morning Snack:

1 medium carrot - 4 carb

1/2 cup milk - 6.5 carb

Lunch:
3oz chicken

1 slice american cheese - 2 carb

1/2 cucumber - FREE

Afternoon snack:
protein shake

Dinner:
3 slices turkey bacon - 1.5 carb

1oz cheddar cheese

1/2 cucumber - FREE

Evening snack:
2oz cheddar cheese

Total:
17 carb

Movement:
Did I move any today?

yes - 20 minute cardio, 10 minute stretch

Day 10 - down 5.6lbs

Body Clutter Investigator

Daily Chart

You can find this chart and other useful info at: http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp

Starting weight: 276.8lbs

Today’s Scale Reading: 271.2lbs

Gain/loss: -5.6lbs

Attitude:

Today was a 2hr late start and did I sleep in? NO! I got up at regular time and took advantage of the kids being home for a while to go workout at 6:45am. I got home right when everyone was waking up so I was able to get them off to school and no routine was interupted. The Curves I go to amazes me. I usually go in the afternoon with my mom (who's been out of town for work during the week which is why I was able to go in the morning) and the women are friendly, but typically quiet. Whenever I've gone in the early morning hours, the regular early morningers (I like to make up words) are practically bouncing off the walls, are loudly conversing with each other and the laughter is non-stop. It's great! But I'm not a morning person and I really, really like my afternoon trainer, so I don't see me making it a habit. It is, however, a wonderful start to any day. However positive the workout portion of the day went, the food part was a bummer. Not because I didn't stick to the "plan"... I did...I just felt intense cravings for something "carby". I didn't care what. I saw visions of tortilla chips, french fries, onion rings, a sandwich (LOL), etc. Even now while typing this, I want to go eat a couple of the potato rounds the kids had for dinner, but I know I'd eat them all and so it is best to stay away altogether.

5 things I’m grateful for:

1. A loving HHT

2. God's help

3. Curves

4. A warm roof over my head

5. My pillow

5 things I did right:

1. didn't give in to temptation

2. stuck to the plan

3. worked out

4. woke up on time

5. wore my shoes all day

Food intake:

Breakfast:

4oz plain yogurt - 9.5 carb

Morning Snack:

protein shake - FREE

Lunch:

3oz roasted chicken

1 slice american cheese - 2 carb

1 cup raw broccoli - FREE

1 TBSP ranch dressing - 1 carb

Afternoon snack:

1oz peanuts - 3 carb

Dinner:

1 hamburger patty

1 slice american cheese - 2 carb

FREE salad

2 TBSP dressing - 2 carb

1/4 cup parmesan cheese - 1 carb

Evening snack:

4 slices of bacon - 2 carb

1oz cheddar cheese

Total:
22.5 carb

Movement:

Did I move any today?

yes - Curves circuit at 6:45am!

Day 9 - down 5lbs

Body Clutter Investigator
Daily Chart
You can find this chart and other useful info at: http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp

Starting weight: 276.8lbs
Today’s Scale Reading: 271.8lbs
Gain/loss: -5lbs

Attitude:
Well, I now know why flylady says to get dressed to the shoes. Due to a cleaning accident, my shoes got wet and I was forced to take them off so they could dry. Without my shoes on, I didn't feel like doing anything. I didn't work out and it was even really hard to stick to the eating plan. I've discovered that even though I am ultimately a bare footist, having my shoes on gives me a sense of all business. So tomorrow it's back to wearing my shoes all day. I sorta broke down and had an english muffin, but I cut it into quarters and only had 1/4 of an english muffin, which let me tell you doesn't make a very large sandwich when the quarter is cut in half again. LOL It's amazing when you actually look at the carb counts on some of this food...like the 2 macaroni noodles I had to try out the healthier mac n cheese recipe I made for the kids...4 carbs for 2 noodles! Live and learn, I guess! I also realized the importance of planning out and preparing my meals in advance. I'm not ready to stop it yet...it's just still to easy for me to grab something easy. So off to prepare tomorrow's meals and snacks!

5 things I’m grateful for:
1. HHT's kisses
2. friends
3. good book
4. kids playing
5. early bedtime

5 things I did right:
1. didn't allow myself to eat the whole english muffin
2. woke up on time
3. made dinner
4. blogged for the day
5. maintained an upbeat attitude

Food intake:
Breakfast:
1 egg - 1 carb
4 slices turkey bacon - 2 carb

Morning Snack:
1/2 cup raspberries - 6 carb
1/2 cup milk - 6.5 carb

Lunch:
1/4 of a whole wheat English muffin - 6 carb
6 slices of turkey bacon - 3 carb
2oz cheddar cheese

Afternoon snack:
protein shake - FREE
2 elbow macaroni noodles w/homemade cheese sauce - 4 carb as far as I can tell...YIKES!

Dinner:
6 brussel sprouts - FREE
1 serving low carb Italian meat pie - 4 carb

Evening snack:
1oz cheddar cheese

Total:
32 carb

Movement:
Did I move any today?
no - I'll have to make it up on Saturday

Day 8 - down 4.2lbs

Body Clutter Investigator

Daily Chart

You can find this chart and other useful info at: http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp

Starting weight: 276.8lbs

Today’s Scale Reading: 272.6lbs

Gain/loss: -4.2lbs

Attitude:
Alright, we're going to semi-ignore the scale number as I'm a firm believer that it is only part of the story of weight loss and getting healthier. I think I still need to weigh, but I don't put all my hopes and dreams on that number. The number that is more important to me is the body fat % and I have mine measured every month at Curves. That is around the 16th give or take a couple of days. Also inches lost is a good indicator of success and that will be measured once a month as well. But still, while the number went up today (ever so slightly), looking at the big picture, a 4lb loss in one week ain't half bad! :o) It's not in my best interest to lose quickly anyway. So, one week down and still sticking to it which in itself is an accomplishment. I've started this eating plan numerous times and the longest I did it before this time was 3 days. I'm cruising now!

5 things I’m grateful for:

1. a body free of injury so I can MOVE!

2. An HHT who LOVES me

3. Supportive atmosphere like Curves

4. Being over carb withdrawals

5. Reaching a full week of sticking to it

5 things I did right:

1. worked out

2. woke up on time

3. got dressed to the shoes

4. sorted the mail in a timely fashion

5. haven't got discouraged

Food intake:

Breakfast:
1/2 cup mixed berries - 6 carb
1/2 cup 2% milk - 6.5 carb

Morning Snack:

protein shake - FREE

Lunch:

1 serving leftover coney island hot dog casserole - 3 carb

FREE salad

2 TBSP ranch - 2 carb

1/4 cup parmesan cheese - 1 carb

Afternoon snack:
missed again!

Dinner:
4oz pork

FREE salad

2 TBSP Italian herb and garlic dressing - 2 carb

1/4 cup parmesan cheese - 1carb

Evening snack:

2oz cheddar cheese

Total:
21.5 carb

Movement:

Did I move any today?

yes - did the Curves circuit

Day 7 - down 4.6lbs

Body Clutter Investigator
Daily Chart
(You can find this chart and other useful info at: http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp )

Starting weight: 276.8lbs
Today’s Scale Reading: 272.2lbs
Gain/loss: -4.6lbs

Attitude:

Wow, did you all see the super bowl today? What a game. Of course we were rooting for the Giants as HHT's dad always did and he is from NY, too, so it was an incredibly awesome game for us! WOOHOO GIANTS! Now before you think I'm a sports fanatic...I'm not. I didn't even know who was playing until my Sis-in-law told me last Monday. :o) But I do enjoy a good game about once a year. LOL We went grocery shopping this morning and I got the ingredients to try 2 new low carb recipes. I also got the ingredients to make homemade healthier mac n cheese for the kids. I made the low carb coney island chili dog casserole today and it was yummy! And only 3 carbs per serving that I have to count. Cool! I'm sleepy and I'm curious to see if I go to be "on time" and wake up consistently if that helps with the weight going down again. I tend to stay up late on weekends and sleep in and at least this weekend, I haven't lost any weight. So we'll see in the morning. But I am not that number anyway, it's more of a curiosity thing.

5 things I’m grateful for:
1. good game to get into

2. yummy recipes to try

3. the internet to find said recipes

4. A great afternoon with HHT :o)

5. a cozy bed to curl up in

5 things I did right:
1. came up with some healthier alternatives for the kids to eat this week

2. stuck to the eating plan

3. tried a new recipe

4. prepared food in advance for the week

5. had fun!

Food intake:
Breakfast:

2 eggs - 2 carb

2 sausage links - 1.5 carb

Morning Snack:
1 carrot - 4 carb

1/2 cup milk - 6.5 carb

Lunch:
FREE salad

3oz chicken

2 TBSP garlic herb italian dressing - 2 carb

1/4 cup parmesan cheese - 1 carb

Afternoon snack:
protein shake - FREE

Dinner:
2 servings coney island hot dog casserole - 6 carb

FREE salad

2 TBSP ranch - 2 carb

1/4 cup parmesan cheese - 1 carb

Evening snack:
nothing

Total:

26 carb

Movement:
Did I move any today?

No - today is one of my days off

Day 6 - down 4.6lbs

Body Clutter Investigator

Daily Chart

(You can find this chart and other useful info at: http://www.flylady.net/pages/body_clutter_main.asp )

Starting weight: 276.8lbs

Today’s Scale Reading: 272.2lbs

Gain/loss: -4.6lbs

Attitude:

Ok, saw Atonement after we had a discussion on the "rules" of the movie going. :o) The rules are now as follows: if I reach a 5lb mark any time in the week, I will have earned a movie. The discussion happened because as you can tell, I went up 1lb since yesterday so technically today I wasn't down 5lbs. But I explained that it wasn't my fault we couldn't go yesterday when I was past the 5lb mark and that the weight would go up and down...it wasn't like I had been "cheating". So that's how the rule came to be. Whew, now that that's out of the way...the movie was good. Very interesting. Now we're having a discussion of what is a "chick flick" and what isn't. Atonement is not in my definition of a chick flick. It was more of an epic love story and a chick flick to me is a light hearted, romantic piece of entertainment with a HAPPY ending. My HHT is not buying it. LOL My biggest hurdle came today after the kids finished lunch. A chocolate cake was left here after our potluck dinner and the kids wanted a piece after lunch. So I dished up my 6yo's piece and my finger dipped into the frosting. Now, I've never noticed how good frosting feels. I kid you not, at that moment all I wanted to do was smother myself in frosting, roll around in it, inhale it, etc. No, I'm not a food addict! I bet you're waiting to see what I did...I know you are. Alright, enough stalling, I ever so slowly...walked over to...the...sink and...WASHED THE FROSTING OFF! Go me! But I can still see it in my mind and I know it's in the house and it gets me because I'm not even a real big cake lover. I think I'll tell HHT that I need us to just throw it away. Have to get out of the mindset of "wasting" good food. It's not good for me and therefore is not wasting it to throw it away.

5 things I’m grateful for:

1. An understanding HHT who knew how important the reaching of the movie goal was to me

2. Saturdays

3. snow that doesn't stick - still pretty to look at, but doesn't cover up the green stuff

4. water bottles - makes it easier to get all my water for the day

5. brit coms - I love the British comedies on PBS...they're funny! :o)

5 things I did right:

1. I didn't even lick my fingers of the frosting

2. I worked out this morning even though I didn't want to

3. followed my eating plan

4. made a grocery list for tomorrow

5. checked labels for nutritional content at the grocery store

Food intake:

Breakfast:

4oz plain yogurt - 9.5 carb

Morning Snack:

protein shake - FREE

Lunch:

leftover cayenne chicken w/avocado salsa - 4 carb

Afternoon snack:

1oz peanuts - 3 carb

Dinner:

Rotisserie chicken - FREE

FREE salad

2 TBSP garlic caesar dressing - 1 carb

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese - 1 carb

Evening snack:

4 strips bacon - 2 carb

1oz cheddar

Total:

20.5 carb

Movement:

Did I move any today?
yes - Curves circuit