Moving and Dieting

These things do not go together! 

Sorry for the absence this week!  I am in the process of a complete relocation, and it's taking more energy than I remembered!

The Hybrid Diet is still the plan, but is not very active right now.  I can say it could be going better.

I'm still determined to get this figured out.  I can honestly say it's really difficult, as so many of you know. 

I have begun to look up gym memberships in my new area.  I will post again as to how the weekend has gone.  Another issue I am having is intermittent Internet.  When it's stormy, I lose my signal! 

Stick with me.  These past couple of weeks have definitely proven it's a journey that does not take place on a flat surface, but rather one that has hills, valleys, flooded out roads, detours, and the occasional bridge to cover the rough path.  I guess I ventured on a detour, but I promise to fight my way back!

Hybrid Diet? Dukan and the 17 Day

So, this I know.  I'm having trouble...

I also know that I refuse to give up...

And I know that I am struggling with a summer of restriction (especially fruit).  One of the great people I have connected with through this blog and the experience has decided to follow the 17 Day Diet.  I've seen it in the stores, and I spent some time yesterday morning comparing Dukan with 17 at Barnes and Noble.  There are some similarities, and some key differences.  Namely, fruit and some other "carb" options (black beans, etc.) are allowed. 

So here's what I'm thinking, and let me know what you think.  I have at least 50 lbs. to lose, and I'd like to get quite a bit of that in over the summer.  I think I'm going to combine 17 with Dukan (the pure protein is very hard for me, but there's no denying that it can be a "booster".)  I guess the bottom line is, I'm not looking to be a "purist".  I am truly looking for the best (and a HEALTHY) way to get to a reasonable weight before the end of 2011.  I've given up so many times, and I refuse to give up now.  There are merits to both programs, and I think I could make a life out of taking the best out of both of them.

Tomorrow I will begin the 17 Day first phase.  I may throw a couple days of Dukan attack in there as well.  I will keep reporting on my progress.

As for yesterday's weigh in, well, not pretty.  I'm back to a net of 9 lbs. lost since the beginning.  This is discouraging.  It is.  But that's why I'm recalibrating. 

Where has my Resolve gone?

Okay, the last few days have been a BUST for me!  And this week hasn't been stellar at all beyond that.  I've had treats from students at every turn, and eventually I caved to a Scotcheroo... I've also had Subway for supper this week, and last night I had a Margarita.  (My lunches have all been on point...I'd like to say the same about breakfast, but, well, there wasn't any this week....)

What I know is that this is the point I would throw in the towel on past diets.  A little success, but a few weeks in, and the resolve vanishes.  But, I am going to get back on track.  It's early in the morning.  I've got my Dukan book, and I'm going to go reread, restock, and try to figure out some recipes that will help sustain me. 

....In the jobs we work, the expectation is 100% at all times, and when things pile up, the only thing we can actually let go of is ourselves, which I did this week.  Balance was not there, and I know that I have to fix that in order for anything close to a sustaining diet will work. 

I'm a work in progress.  The week definitely reminded me that I'm human....

Walking "Music"

I just wanted to post really quickly to let you all know about Jillian Michaels free podcasts available on Itunes.  Her show is the Jillian Michaels Show, and there's about 15 episodes available.  I am loving the topics and advice, and listening to the show helps me to put in an hour of walking without really realizing it!  I'm actually off on a walk here shortly.  I hope the week is going well for you all!

I've got the Blahs, and I know it...

The weather was crazy this weekend, and rereading Dukan didn't happen.  It's on this weekend's plan for sure.

This has been a crazy week with school winding down, and I'm sitting in front of a mountain of grading.  Storms are near again, and that means I won't get to go on my walk again tonight (last night was also not a walk night, but I spent quite a bit of time doing some 'manual' labor after work, so I think my activity level was surpassed....at least according to my Bodybugg...but I love my walks!) 

My food has been boring: Eggs, deli meat and veggies (on veggie days), and various chicken and fish combos for supper.  I know I need to fix this, and I'm going to try to come up with some things for the weekend.

On the up side: No pop since Saturday!

What are your favorite recipes?  What gets you over the "blahs"??

Moving forward!

"Pop" and Circumstance...

Graduation is a mine field, ladies and gentlemen!  I have several parties to attend, and have already attended several, over the next few weeks.  And people are OFFENDED if you don't eat something!  They don't care how many you have to go, and they don't care if you're on a diet.  They care about how much money they spent on the thing, and how much time they spent making those little mints in the molds, and they want you to enjoy it, darn it!  It's been challenging to say the least!

I am down another 2 lbs. this week (woohoo!), but I was hoping for more.  Graduation may be part of it, although I've been doing my best to navigate those waters.  I think I do need to look at my soda intake, though.

Yes, pop has reentered my life since the beginning of this diet.  Coke Zero to be precise.  I have consumed about 1 can/day since this thing started, and sometimes more (and, I suppose sometimes less...about 6/week).  Now, 1/day may not seem like a lot, depending upon your perspective, but I had largely stopped consuming pop except on rare occasions.  In the month of this diet, I have taken in more cola than I normally would in a year.  It's not that I don't like it, and it wasn't even the health benefit of it when I reduced my intake...it was the fact that I was drinking so much water I just didn't have time for it! 

I know I'm drinking zero calorie, and it became immediately necessary to curb my "sweet" craving, but now I need to really reevaluate...tea, maybe?

I'm going to take my book along with me this weekend and re-read.  Now that I'm into the diet, I think the pages will make more sense, and perhaps I can find some new plans. 

No one ever said dieting would be easy.  It's never been in the past, and I've "failed" many times.  But never to fail is never to succeed, and I haven't given up on myself yet.  13 lbs. in a month (with one week of zero change) is nothing for me to belittle! 

Have a fantastic weekend, friends!

The Scale

Sorry for the absence!  I can't believe it's Wednesday already!!

The last few weeks of school are always crazy, and I've had a busy few days.

Last night I had a fantastic salad.  Greens, chicken, veggies....it was great!  But, the scale isn't moving this week.  I've decided to go a mini-protein phase and not to look at the scale until Saturday's weigh-in. 

Catherine and TC, I hear you on the protein food phases.  I need to get back into the book and reread it this weekend, along with looking for some new recipes.  I am definitely needing to spice things up, or I will find myself burned out. 

On the upside, as I was driving home tonight, I realized that I am no longer feeling "so tired".  I'd been so lethargic, and it was weight-related.  Eating healthier has definitely been allowing me to wake up feeling rested with the normal amount of tired at the end of the day. 

I'm off on a walk soon.  It's a beautiful day here, and I definitely want to pay homage!

Missing Comments

Just a quick post on this Sunday morning before I'm off for the day.

I've noticed some comments are missing since the blogger outage.  If you left a question, please leave it again, as I know I didn't get to some of the comments from midweek!

I ate a Muffin

So, the other day when blogger was down, I was all set to come home and break the news...I ate a muffin.  A blueberry muffin, on Thursday morning.  Why? I forgot my breakfast at home, and I was ravenous...

It was off-plan, yes, but I was hungry, I had made them for the kids, and my eggs were unreachable.  It was also a regular-sized muffin (not the muffin that ate San Francisco or anything like that), and I've eaten "on plan" otherwise.

But then I have to make some other confessions for the week...I was probably ravenous Thursday (usually not in the morning...) for several reasons: my body is getting onto a healthier schedule, it's got expectations of meal times, and I've been so busy this week, I haven't been sticking to that schedule.  In fact, looking back on my mid-week, I was not eating enough calories.  This is not okay, and even though the foods were on-plan, the method was not...

Where was my focus?  Work is crazy now, and I've been working through lunch.  My job is one that does not allow "snack" time as I teach high school, so the five minutes I left at the end of lunch was not time to eat adequately. 

The scale has reflected this...I'm not even down half a pound.  BUT, I'm not up, and I do not blame the muffin.  I am the one who makes the decisions, and the muffin was an innocent bystander.  Yesterday also ended up being crazy, but I plan to use the weekend to ensure I'm on track, and next week should be much less hectic, and even if it is, I'm going to eat a proper lunch!

Here's what I'm not going to do: throw the towel in today and tomorrow to "start fresh" Monday.  Why? Because I don't deserve that.  I'm also not going to beat myself up over the muffin.  Beating myself up over "off plan" choices is why I've quit every diet I've ever been on.  As I don't consider myself to be crazy, I should not exhibit behavior that defines it.

As a teacher, we've been trained to reflect, constantly, and then to figure out what went wrong and what we can do to fix it.  Where my exercise has been consistent, my intake has not, and that's what I must work on this week.

Happy Weekend to you!

To Really Stop and Smell the Roses...

The air conditioner is broken at work.  Needless to say, I LOVED my crisp, cool veggies today!  But, I have to admit, it is hard to be around all the sweet stuff.  I can give up salty foods no problem, but I do love some solid sweets. 

So, tonight I went on a long walk.  I downloaded a free podcast from Jillian Michaels, and I just walked and listened.  Then, I just walked.  Here's what I DIDN'T do: think about food.  I don't know if you can relate, but it seems I spend EVERY WAKING MINUTE thinking about food...when can I have it next?  what am I going to eat? how much should I hate myself afterword? and on, and on, and on.  Tonight, as I was walking, I realized that I don't do that as much anymore.  Sure, as stated above, I miss sugar, but I'm not thinking about it all the time.  Tonight, I also literally stopped to smell the roses, and the lilacs, and some other flower that I cannot begin to name...there was this small area in the middle of town that was almost like a glade: cool, slight breeze, and fragrant.  It was fantastic and very peaceful.

So here's the conclusion I've come to: This new lifestyle isn't just a part of my future, it's part of my present.  I need to find the peace in who I am today, at this weight, rather than just trying to barrel through to tomorrow's.  I don't think I can succeed if that's all I'm doing. 

Okay, I need to eat some supper...I think some light tuna mixed with diced peppers, pepper, and pickles is on the agenda!

It's inevitable...

If you work and live outside the bubble of your home, you are going to be confronted with unexpected food moments.  I have found this to be more true than ever lately.  This morning, there were cupcakes in honor of a new baby.  Tomorrow, we have meetings, which will mean snacks.  I actually have to bring a portion of these snacks, so I volunteered the veggie tray.  I purchased a ton of fresh veggies and some dip (which I won't have, but know that many others would want.)  I have it set in my mind that I can load up on the veggies, and that I will ignore the cookies and assorted treats.  I cannot leave this decision for tomorrow.  I need to be firm in it now.

I had a great walk last night, and I'm about to jump on the elliptical.  It's also very hot here today, so I've definitely got my water in!

How are you all doing?  What decision are you firm in for tomorrow? 

This is One of THOSE days...

Today is a prime example of why it may not be good to weigh daily...oh, so far up!  I know why, and it's to be expected, but the psychological effect of actually seeing it is jarring.  Still, I have confidence that I am following this thing correctly, and I will see it move in the proper direction again (and hopefully then some)...

On another note, the weather has been gorgeous these last few days, and I'm about to go enjoy a nice evening walk.  I find they are the best things for stress, of which I am feeling a fair amount of at the moment!

The Weekend was FANTASTIC

Oh, such beautiful weather!  Spring has sprung (and reminded me I need to be much more diligent in my sunscreen coverage!  I'm rather speckled at the moment!)

I did pretty well this weekend, I believe.  Lots of exercise, and outside time with friends, and I made choices that, although not purely Dukan, were good choices.  Basically, I was unable to control the fat content of the meats I ate, but I chose mostly protein and veggie meal options (no choice but to eat out).  I feel good about this first challenge. 

That being said, this will definitely be a difficult scale week in which I believe I will still be making progress, but the numbers may not reflect it by week's end...rather, it will be reflected the following. Ah, gotta love those weeks.  The major point is to realize, as a woman, they are going to happen so as not to get freaked out by them!

I plan to do a mini protein phase Monday and Tuesday to kick off the week after the weekend, and then return to the 1:1.

I'm also really happy to see I have a couple more followers.  I look forward to hearing your feedback and all about your individual journeys!

And the Weekend Comes

Well, it looks like I'm down another 2 this week, for a total of 11 so far!  This is great for 2 weeks!

I'm going to be out of town for the weekend, so I will update on the happenings in a few days.

Dun, dun, dun, DONUTS!!! (and cookies)

So a quick early post today....there were treats at work today!  TOTALLY blindsided by this.  Oh, I really wanted partake.  I began to rationalize it even, and then I stood up to myself, took a longing look at the mountainous display, and moved on down the hall.  This is a great victory for today, as I really do love donuts (and contrary to popular belief, only ate them on the rarest occasions...probably to feel less guilty about them...so passing them by today was a shift in perspective for sure!)

Hope your days are going well!

To Weigh or Not to Weigh

 I'm happy to have a few followers!  Hopefully you will find my journey worth following!

Okay, who's with me on this little story.  You're at the doctor's office, and you're filling out information before the the appointment.  When it comes to weight, you guestimate.  Why?  Because you can't remember the last time you looked at the scale.  It's buried somewhere in the storage room, or you threw it out of the car on a deserted highway.  You put down a number, one that you know is probably somewhere between the hope and the truth.  Once led into the office, you cringe as you step on the scale.  You might even avert your eyes.  It's hard to face the truth...

That was me for so many years...beginning all the way back in middle school.  I hated knowing my weight, because it was always too high.  Never mind the fact that I was several inches taller than most of my lighter friends.  Never mind that I was within a healthy range for my body structure. Never mind it all, because I couldn't see the truth of myself at the time.  And the more I hid from the scale, the more what I feared was true actually became true.

A couple of years ago, I bought a scale.  I must confess I do not know what my heaviest weight was, but I can guess it was quite a bit more than I am now. (I began to exercise regularly before I had the confidence to buy the scale...in hindsight, that was probably good.)  I know how much I weigh now, and I can give a pretty accurate range for the last two years.

Now it's a balancing act of weighing too little and too often.  Sometimes, when I think I've had a great day, I can't help but jump on the scale, because I want to see the results RIGHT NOW.  So it's awful when it's not reflected.  (I do understand why this would be, scientifically, but I still find myself looking for numerical confirmation of my efforts.) This relationship with the scale is one I must work on.  I cannot become dependent upon it to give my validation.  Sometimes it will be telling me things I do not completely understand.  I must also trust it to tell the truth, and I must not run from it either!

Activity for the day: Old-fashioned walking in the May sunshine.

Someday soon the Buns will Come...

So, I made myself a burger tonight on this Pure Protein Day, and I found myself wishing I could pair it with a great wheat bun.  BUT, it wasn't an overwhelming desire, and I moved past it quite quickly.  Additionally, last night on my walk, and tonight on the elliptical, I was thinking about how I am slowly peeling back the layers to where I should be, and that's exciting.  I might finally have a rear that's in such gear I don't want to cover it up! 

Veggie Overload?

My body was definitely craving the greens!  Saturday and today have been full of them, and I think it will reflect on the scale!  Still, I know I will still be moving in the right direction.

I'm extremely tired this evening, and I need to find motivation to hit the walk or the elliptical element of my day.  I ended up staying up for the address on Osama last night, and then I had a difficult time sleeping.  There are so many twists and turns in this world that are decided by independent individuals.  I just kept thinking about John Lennon's Imagine after last night's news.  I have a feeling I will be thinking about this for weeks to come.

A Day Out with Dukan

So, after my attack phase, I had my first eating out experience while on the Dukan Diet.  I had quite a bit of paper work to catch up on yesterday, and I wanted to get out to my favorite coffee shop.  My usual order there is something called the Mocha Pichu, which is coffee, milk, Mexican Chocolate and real caramel...umm...delicious!  (I don't get there often, not even once/month, so I wasn't having this daily, or anything...) I looked at it longingly on the menu, over the top of their homemade gelato (yes, they have that too...), and ordered a coffee with sugar free caramel and skim milk...and it was okay. 

Then, I met friends at a local restaurant.  I had already looked up the menu online, so I knew what I was going to have before I got there: the grilled chicken salad.  I ordered it loaded with veggies and dressing on the side. I did opt for fat-free ranch, but I have a trick.  Although they brought out two cups of it, I hardly used any at all.  The secret? Dip your fork into the dressing to get a small bit on the tines, and then load your fork.  You get a small hint of the dressing, but it doesn't mask the salad.  And my salad was AMAZING!  I actually wish I could go back and have another today!  And the kicker? The scale was still down a bit today!

Now I need to up my exercise and get more intense.  I am not someone who hadn't been exercising...I just had fell out of consistency with it, and now it's time to get back in that groove.

Onwards and upwards via the downward scale!

Looking beyond the attack

Well, after all the dust has settled, it looks like 9 lbs down in the attack phase.  It's somewhat unbelievable, actually.  Now it's onto some veggies today, which I am very excited about!

Looking back over the past week, it was tough.  I'm not going to lie.  If you're a sugar addict, it will definitely be difficult.  Here's what I used for those GIVE ME CHOCOLATE AND CARBS cravings: cherry coke zero, stevia in the raw substitute in my tea, and sugar free jello varieties (even the pudding).  I searched and found a website forum that indicated these were okay, but the pudding had to be counted in the dairy servings.  If you really need that sweet dessert flavor, the sugar free jello is a great option. (If you can go without, do, but if you feel like you're about to dive into something completely off the plan, it's the better choice!)

So, here I am at the end of phase 1, 9 down, several more to go, but moving in the right direction.

The End is in Sight!

Well, as of this morning, 9.2 pounds down!  I have a day and 1/4 left of phase 1, and I am SO ready for some veggies!  I am also happy to have such results in one week.  I know things will slow down, but I am looking forward to a wider selection of menu choices!

Stagnation

 Just a quick one tonight...

Well, after 3 days of weight loss, the scales were the exact same this morning as yesterday.  I'm fine with that, because I am registering over 8 lbs.  We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Day 4, Veggies are in sight!

I have a follower!  This is very exciting in my world!  I hope you don't get bored and unfollow me :)

A bit slower on the scales this morning, but still going down!  I have also noticed that I am not as hungry as the first couple of days (definitely ate a lot Saturday and Sunday!).  I am also trying to get my liquid intake more regulated.  I have to be careful during the day, because I am a teacher (we don't get to take breaks when needed...very specific timing only!) 

Last night, I did a little exploration in the kitchen.  I threw some onions in a pan (so happy these are allowed in phase 1) with some balsamic vinegar and garlic (it didn't smell great, but I kept going).  I then browned some 96% lean ground beef in the pan and added some salt-free Mrs. Dash original seasoning.  For this ketchup and a cheeseburger girl, this was rather okay.  The vinegar gave some flavor along with keeping the meat juicy.  I am REALLY looking forward to added veggies this weekend (and it is so strange to realize how much I miss them!)

Well, into the evening I go.  It's been rainy for several days, but I did manage a walk last night and Saturday.  I did elliptical workouts Sunday, and that may be what's in store for tonight.

I hope to keep this positive attitude for the long-term.  I keep thinking to myself "you CAN du KAN" as a bit of a mantra.  :)

In the Middle of Day 3

Well, if the scale is to be believed this morning, another 3 pounds down!  It was definitely motivation to carry me through today.  I can say I didn't notice a "surge" of energy, but I also didn't sleep well last night (I usually don't on Sunday nights). 

I can still say that I am not the biggest "all protein all the time" fan, but there's no denying the fact that this is working.

Tired and Commercials

So, the book was right about energy levels, especially by the afternoon of the second day.  (I really hope it's right about the energy surge tomorrow, as I have a week of 16 hour days in front of me!)  So, I've been a watching a bit more tv than I would today, and it's full of commercials for EVERYTHING that is not currently on the list.  I could die for some chocolate right now, seriously!

I just have to remember that this is not forever. Chocolate will once again be on the list in the not so distant future.

Here's to rounding out Day 2...

The Start of Day 2

So, when did Easter become another "stuff with food" holiday?  Golly, that makes things tough!  BUT, I am still on track, and if the scale is to be believed from yesterday morning to today, almost 4 lbs. down?  In ONE day?  Well, I will take it and keep going!

For breakfast this morning I am sipping on some English breakfast tea and I prepared two of the pancake things: one with the oat bran and one without.  The one without wasn't the best, but not horrible.  It would probably work best as more of a scrambled egg white and yogurt concoction (I am using the vanilla flavored Kalona brand 0.  It does have about 10 g of carbs per serving versus the plain with about 7, but I can't stand the plain, and I'm not consuming full servings of the yogurt.)

Yesterday I cooked up some chicken breasts to keep in the fridge along with some hard-boiled eggs.  96% lean ground beef with onion and Mrs. Dash salt-free garlic and herbs is on the agenda for today to prep for the week.

I know it all sounds rather boring, and I definitely couldn't do this the rest of my life, but I can make it six more days and then I'm really looking forward to the veggies!

Let's see how the day goes...

And the Adventure Commences

It is the end of Day One.  I am planning to be in Phase One for six more days.
What I have discovered so far:
1. I miss vegetables.
2. Cherry Coke Zero may just have become my new best friend.
3. This is going to be tough, but if I can make it to the end, life-sustaining.

I need this to be the last diet I ever embark upon.  Too much of my life has been consumed by this endeavor, and it needs to be finished.  Hopefully this will be an outlet to vent my frustrations along with my successes.

And after doing a bit of searching, not many blogs exist on this side of the pond yet (or they aren't showing up), so I'll try to keep this up on my own!