Day 5: Pound per day loss!

I am enjoying my day off, getting errands done, and now sitting at my computer with my afternoon cup of coffee.  I started a new work schedule: Friday - Monday, which seems to work out well.  This allows time for me to get things done during the week when businesses are open, such as getting a 2nd estimate on my car.  Yes, my "new" Mazda suffered its first set of bumps, scrapes, and dents.  That first one really hurt, let me tell you.  It will be good to get that vehicle back in "like new" shape!  Of course, I resonate with the comparison of our health to how we treat our favorite vehicles.  It is time for me to get back on track with treating both with utmost care.  Our bodies require the best fuel to keep it running optimally, routine maintenance inspections, alignments and adjustments from time to time, and a good and frequent polish and buff! 

DAY 5:  Today marks my fifth day of being on the HMR Healthy Decisions (Phase I) plan.  What I luv most about this program over the Decision Free program that I was on previously, is that this plan allows for adding fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.  This just feels better!  Decision Free is a great program for someone who needs to lose a lot of weight in a fairly short (but not unreasonable) amount of time, without surgery, in a safe, medically monitored way.  It served its purpose well when I was on it, but I am ready to move on.  I love my vegetables, salads especially, and fresh fruits.  I enjoy adding mixed frozen berries to my protein shakes, which makes for a really tasty smoothie! 

ANOTHER BENEFIT:  I do not need to attend weekly medical appointments as was required on the HMR Decision Free program.  That is convenient.  Support meetings are held once per week by phone, and program materials are shipped to me directly.  I think this will fit in really well with my current lifestyle!   

RESULTS:  Weigh in day is Wednesday.  I lost 5.2 lbs in the first 4 days.  Granted, this is probably mostly water weight and the loss will slow down significanlty.  However, the benefit of a healthy weight loss like this early on is the motivation factor.  I am very happy!  When I first began my HMR program in October of 2012, I had already been maintaining a 30 lb weight loss.  At that time, my scale read 213.9.  On 5/23/13, my weight was down to 153.4 (60+ lb loss on HMR). Since I moved up to the northern part of the state and went off the program, I gained nearly 30 lbs back; Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed the behaviors that led to every added pound.  But I am not enjoying how it looks on me or how my clothes fit, and know that it would be way too easy to gain it all back if I don't grab the reigns now.  On Saturday, I weighed in at 183.8.  Today's scale reads 178.6.  On my way back down and it feels good!              

So that's the update!  Will continue to try and post at least a couple times per month, if not more.  Thanks everyone for the support!  Have a fantastic, healthy, happy day!!
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Click HERE for additional Weight/Nutrition/Health resources.
Click HERE for Hep C resources.

Making Waves,...

The coast of Monterey is so inspiring,...

I never tire of California's magnificent scenery.  Every opportunity I have to put my feet in the ocean makes me feel like a little child - playful, happy, and carefree!  There is something so very spiritual about being such a tiny droplet of life in this vast stage, where land and sea tango amongst the seagulls and whales.

Speaking of whales, I saw my first this past September.  Oh, I take that back.  I probably did see whales at Sea World in San Diego in the past.  But this was my first experience spotting whales in their natural habitat.  I was dining with a special friend at an ocean side restaurant when I noticed a cloud of seagulls circling in the distance.  Shortly thereafter, I spotted a large water spout followed by a huge tail fluke.  It was so amazing!  I think my friend thought I was a little nuts, as the more I watched these magnificent creatures, the more overwhelmed with emotion I became.  (I cannot imaging working as a crew member for Captain Paul Watson.  I'd be a wreck!)  It was such an incredible sight and a moment I won't forget,...  Life is grand!     

Back to blogging:  I'm looking at the date of my last post and find it hard to believe that was back in May!  So much has happened since then.  I spoke with my father on the phone a short while back, and God bless my biggest supporter; he asked why I haven't posted for so long.  So it is he that inspired me to write tonight.  I haven't posted because I took a break from my HMR diet in July, have gone through an increase in stress due to some life transitions, and just didn't have the energy or motivation to blog.  I moved to the northern part of the state in order to accept a job transfer to a large, new state facility.  It was an opportunity that I could not pass up. The job decision, hunt for a home, and move came rather sudden.  The area I moved to did not have an HMR clinic nearby.  As well, I decided to "relax" a bit with the diet.  A few close friends/colleagues also made the move, so it was time to celebrate our journeys.  My intent was to allow myself some freedom for the month of July, but that quickly turned into August, September, and now we're into October.  So while I have thoroughly enjoyed indulging in food and beverages, seemingly without much care or concern, another part of me has been keenly aware that I have not been taking care of my body as well as I should.  It's like putting low-grade fuel in a 2013 Mazda Special Edition - you just shouldn't do it!  Now my clothes are getting tighter and not at all in a flattering way.  I am more aware of my joints, my heart rate, and some bulges where bulges should not be.  I feel down more often when I don't get in an exercise routine.  It's time to make some waves in my life and get back on track. 

Speaking of health,... October, coincidentally, is National Liver Awareness month.  The American Liver Foundation posted a timely newsletter on the importance of this organ's role, and the threat imposed by obesity.  Click here to read NLF's short 4-question quiz on liver health & disease.

I had been planning to get back on a healthy diet routine for a while.  I only started putting action behind that plan a few weeks back when I made some calls to HMR.  I received my shipment of program materials and food last week.  I will be starting the at home "Healthy Solutions" plan, which is a little more lenient than the "Decision Free" medically monitored plan I was on previously.  The main difference in the diet itself is that it incorporates fruits and vegetables along with their foods.  I am hoping it will be more conducive to my current lifestyle.  I'm actually looking forward to it.  So in agreement with my dad that I "shouldn't wait so long" before getting back on track, I am starting my program on Saturday.  I have come here to blog in order to be accountable to that goal.  

 

That's all for now.  Every new day of life is like an ocean wave ~ ~ ~ Nothing stays the same, but it's worth the ride!  

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Click HERE for additional Weight/Nutrition/Health resources.
Click HERE for Hep C resources.