Week 2, Day 1,...

I love to see measures of progress!  Almost 5 pounds (4.8#) are gone within the first week, according to my home scale.  Usually without fail, week one of any dietary program brings about the best results on the scale. Some participants of the local HMR program proclaimed that they found week 1 to be the most challenging.  If that statement rings true for me, then it should be smooth sailing from here on out!  (Although I am realistic.  I anticipate my attitude may change in a few weeks once I have had the same entrees week after week.  We shall see!) 

I wanted to share a few more photos of some of the HMR foods options:

 Bean & Beef Enchiladas (above) were tasty!  I also tried my hand at making an eggnog shake in the blender.  The recipe was modified from an HMR recipe book.   

Ingredients: 

• One packet of HMR 800 Vanilla shake powder  
• 6-8 oz water
• Ice-cubes 
• About 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp of rum extract
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg. 

This one surprised me!  The eggnog flavor came through and there was no bitter after taste.  If you love eggnog, I highly recommend this recipe!  I will definitely make this one again. 

Today I had to navigate the diet around another work-related social lunch function (bridal shower complete with chocolate strawberry cake!) at a local Mexican restaurant.  The waitress was very understanding and served me a complimentary bowl of water for my oatmeal packet.  I was chided by my colleagues about being on a program so strict that it only allowed for me to have a hot bowl of water for lunch.  "That may be true", I replied, "but the waitress gave me an extra large portion,..."  Being the gracious diet diva that I am, I insisted that there was plenty to go around and offered to share.  (Surprisingly, nobody chose to partake.)  So then I was stuck with an extra large bowl of water (at least a cup's worth).  I did not want to trouble the waitress again, as she was flitting from table to table, trying to keep up.  I didn't want to completely drown my oatmeal, however, so I poured some into my cup to dilute my coffee.  Then I proceeded to mix up a soupy version of oatmeal.  Ah, well.  Yes, it was worse that the consistency pictured on the "Day 5: Spicing it Up" blog.  But it worked.  It got me through lunchtime without feeling too deprived.  And yes, I did not cheat, not even for an "itsy bitsy" piece of cake!  And I was able to enjoy the shower, which was fun.  The bride-to-be appeared happily surprised, by the way!    
 
That's about all this blogger has for tonight.  Time to turn in.  Just remember, whatever program you are working, you can do this!  In the words of Tim Gunn, "Make it work!" 

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Week 1 Reflection:

Today marks the end of my first week on the HMR diet program.  And so far, I am still optimistic and feeling good about it.  Yes, I miss my salads, pizza, spaghetti, beer & wine, but have been having no major cravings.  I am not sitting here thinking, "I absolutely have to have _____".  I am surprised at how relatively in control of my cravings I feel, at least for now.  I feel satisfied and satiated most of the time.  A big key for me was not to let too much time elapse in between my meals.  Even if I don't feel hungry, I need to eat something every few hours.     

I have been enjoying new recipes with the HMR shakes.  My one criticism about the diet is the reliance on the use of artificial sweeteners.  I avoided them before and now find I rely on them to liven things up a bit.  But on the other hand, this is a temporary diet.  I figure the benefits of losing weight outweigh the risks associated with using artificial sweeteners. 

One of the shakes I made yesterday included coconut syrup (Hi Babs!), banana extract, chocolate and chocolate macadamia nut syrups, and rum extract.  It turned out okay.  I think I liked it better when I added just the coconut alone, however.  Again, I can taste a bit of an aftertaste with the artificial sweeteners (but a little is okay).  In fact, now that I am using up the last of my coffee sweetener, I think I am going to switch back to 1% milk to lighten the coffee.    

 

The entrees remain satisfying.  This one was the turkey chili with beans.  As you can tell, a lot of the entrees are tomato-based, which is right up my alley.  There are some that are not, but I tend to gravitate toward those with tomato sauces.  This might get a little old for people who do not care for the red sauces.  There are a few other entrees, such as BBQ chicken, beef stew, etc., that are the exception. 

My goal is to make it through the entire 14 weeks and on to the maintenance plan.  But even if I lose just 10 pounds on this program and keep it off, I will consider it a success.  I keep hearing and reading about the benefits of losing and keeping off an amount as seemingly insignificant as ten pounds, (if you are currently at least ten pounds overweight, that is).  Dr. Oz published an article on the Ten Reasons to Lose Just 10.  The top ten list reads as follows:

1. A Lower Cholesterol Level
2. Lower Blood Pressure
3. Reduced Risk for Heart Attacks
4. Reduced Risk for Dementia
5. Reduced Risk for Sleep Apnea
6. Reduced Joint Pain
7. Reduced Risk for Cancer
8. Reduced Risk for Diabetes
9. Improved Sex Life
10. Taking Less Medications

 (Retrieved October 14, 2012 from http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/10-reasons-lose-just-10.)

And let's face it, losing weight (when you are already overweight), just feels good.  I appreciate it when I can walk up a flight of stairs and not get winded.  I like it when I am able to fit better into my clothes!  It's aesthetically more pleasing to walk around in a body that is healthy and fit!  So I am looking forward to getting closer to my goals for many reasons!

The Dr. Oz website also commented on the bonus of feeling better by way of your kidneys & liver: 

"Your omentum is the pouch that contains your belly fat. The extra weight you are carrying on your omentum begins to squeeze your kidneys. Your blood pressure raises and your liver fattens; the accumulation of this fat characterizes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This added weight leaves your liver unable to process toxins. Over time, your liver hardens, and scar tissue begins to build up to replace liver cells. This scarring is called cirrhosis, which leaves you feeling tired and groggy.  Weight loss will allow your liver to recover. As it repairs itself, it decreases the toxins in your body. You’ll see changes in how you feel and behave." (Retrieved October 14, 2012 from http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/10-reasons-lose-just-10?page=3#copy).

There are so many benefits associated with getting to a healthier weight!  What are your top ten reasons?

Well it's time for me to get into my afternoon routine.  I hope to get to the gym today and get some work done on the computer.  Keep working toward your goals!  You are worth it! 

Have a healthy, happy Sunday!

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Day 5: Spicing it Up!

I am enjoying Day 5!  (But of course I am; it is my day off!)  

Breakfast consisted of oatmeal and coffee,... 

I made a stop to my office to get some paperwork done and headed out to shop for spices and flavorings! Following a lead from friends on the HMR plan, I first headed to Smart & Final (Grocery Store).  I was told they have a wide selection of sugar free Torani syrups (typically used to flavor coffee).  If you purchase 6 or more 750ml bottles, the price is $3.75 each.  That lead paid off!  They had quite the selection!

This will certainly spice up my vanilla shakes!  I think my brother, Dan, first introduced me to Torani years ago.  I didn't realize they had such a wide selection of sugar-free options!  

I stocked up on a variety of flavors: Chocolate, Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Classic Caramel, Coconut, Coffee, Peppermint, Raspberry, Strawberry, & White Chocolate!  I also purchased a variety of spices, tea, extracts, and sugar-free gum.  I am ready to start creating some new HMR-friendly concoctions!  This makes the whole dieting thing kind of fun!  In fact, when I came home, I made a pumpkin shake with water, HMR vanilla shake powder, pumpkin spice, and ice-cubes blended.  Then I added a touch of nutmeg.  ("Mmmm, nutmeg.")

I tried a new entree for lunch: Beef Stroganoff with Noodles. My friend wasn't fond of this one, but liked it.  The portion was not huge.  On the other hand, I ate lunch late (3pm) and so it didn't help that I was hungry.  

  This evening I practiced violin and then watched a movie with some friends,...

   ...brought my HMR-friendly foods & had a really nice time.  (I still want to believe that Thelma & Louise made it!)

Reflecting on yesterday's meeting, one lesson stressed was not to get too hungry.  If you are hungry, eat!  Eat the HMR foods, of course, but eat!  It is easy to believe that if we eat less than the minimum amounts required that we will lose weight faster.  That is not the case.  As counter-intuitive as it feels, we need to eat more at times, not restrict too much, and not allow ourselves to become too hungry, or the body's metabolism will slow down.  We also begin to lose the ability to act rationally in terms of making healthy eating choices when we allow ourselves to become too hungry.  The focus should be on eating more of the lower calorie, healthier choices.

Well, that is about all I have time for this evening.

Make the most of your day, spice it up from time to time, & savor the good!          

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HMR Day 4: Weigh-In

I started the day out by oversleeping!  We experienced rare thunderstorms last night.  It sure sounded nice!  Reminded me of home.  I enjoy listening to a good storm when I am home & tucked into bed.  So it felt like a lazy, rainy sluggish morning until I realized I must have turned the clocks off instead of hitting the snooze!  I made a quick rush to the shower, downed a vanilla, cinnamon & nutmeg shake & vitamin, grabbed my coffee to go and was on my way to work!

Not too much to report during the day.  The meals seem very satisfying.  I am not experiencing much hunger at all.  I forgot to mention yesterday that I noticed I had to reprogram the instinct to stop at the fruit stands on the way home from work.  I also had reprogram the automatic thoughts of "I am going to swing by the grocery store on the way home and pick something up".  I have to plan my meals now instead of shopping for what I want in the moment.  The plus side to this program is I don't have to think too much about the planning or cooking in the beginning.  I just grab the boxed entrees, oatmeal packs, shake packs, and go!  Without that convenience with my crazy schedule, I don't think I would have the time, energy, or patience to do what I need to do to be as successful at weight loss right now.

So tonight (Thursday nights) is medical check-in, weigh-in, and meeting night.  That went well!  I received the results of my lab work.  All in all, it looks really good!  Some highlights: 

Name:	Result:	Reference Range:
Lipid Panel: Cholesterol	154	150-200
Lipid Panel: Triglycerides	52	35-135
Lipid Panel: HDL (“Good” Cholesterol)	97 (High) High HDL is associated with lowered risk of heart attack and stroke.	35-55
Lipid Panel: LDL (“Bad” Cholesterol)	47 (Low)    We want this number to be low.	90-205
Iron	47 (Slightly on the low side.)	49-151
CBC: White blood count	6.1	4.1-10.9
CBC: Red Blood Count	4.7	4.0-5.2
CBC: Hemoglobin	14.3	12.5-15.0
CBC: Hematocrit	41.6	36-46
Sodium	140	138-145
Potassium	4.8	3.5-5.1
Chloride	106	98-107
CO2	29	23-29
Liver Panel: AST	37 (Slightly elevated)	10-30
Liver Panel: ALT	34	10-36
Liver Panel: Bilirubin	0.4	0.2-1.0
Liver Panel: ALP (Alk Phos)	84	32-104

Even though my iron levels are on the lower side, I am not anemic.  People with liver disease have a tendency to accumulate excessive iron in the liver and are often advised to avoid iron in supplements.  Studies suggest that high iron accumulation in the liver can be predictive of failure to respond to treatment in Hep C patients (Riley III, M.D., (2001) Preventative Strategies in Chronic Liver Disease: Part I. American Family Physician.).  I was concerned about the vitamin supplements in the HMR program that contain a small amount of iron.  However, with a lower iron count pre-diet, it doesn't appear that it should be a problem.  Although my AST is slightly elevated, my primary doctor still considers this in the "normal" range, all things considered.  My AST and ALT have improved!  That was great news!  At least now I know what my numbers are pre-diet.  It doesn't look like much needs to be changed, in regards to the blood work results.  I feel pretty optimistic about the numbers!

My blood pressure also has improved!  116/72 sitting and 106/80 standing.  (Much better than the 160/90 in September.)  Pre-diet weight at the clinic was 213.9.  Weight after 3.5 days on the diet: 211!  That's a loss of 2.9 lbs!  Yay!  (Thankfully I am still 34.2 lbs down from my highest weight of 245.2 in August 2010.)

The meeting went well.  It was held classroom style.  There were people there who are newer to the diet, some who have been on for a while, and several who are transitioning to the maintenance phase.  And I also noticed there were men and women of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.  One person told me that she thought week one was the most difficult, but after that, she became accustom to the lifestyle change.  The others who I spoke with briefly seemed to be really happy with the plan.  It is not that difficult to follow and maintain.  Everyone recorded their weekly summaries on the wipe board in the front of the room.  (How many meal replacements consumed; How much physical activity calories; Did you meet minimum daily food prescription intake?; Were you "In the Box", meaning, did you eat only the HMR allowable food items?, etc.)  We discussed various topics and the group gave input to a couple people who shared their weekly food plan.  It was a very supportive environment.  Then, of course, we picked up our food orders for the next week and were on our merry way.  One other benefit I have taken note of: I am spending a LOT less on grocery and restaurant bills than I did off of the diet!  I anticipate this trend will remain in effect throughout the course of the first 10-14 weeks.    

Tonight's entree selection was the Cheese & Basil Ravioli with Tomato Sauce:

Not bad!  I'm not finding much food that I don't like on this diet.  My favorites are still the lasagne and the mushroom risotto, so I ordered more of those this time.  The evening shake was a new recipe: Hot vanilla shake mixed with cocoa powder and HMR peanut powder.  That was a soothing nighttime beverage. 

I am happy my friend introduced me to this program.  It really helps to have support!  Yes, I know it's early on, but I am still very optimistic.  I found out there is a clinic back in the Fox Cities, (Wisconsin), which will be useful for when I travel back home to see family.  That was good news!  The HMR program requires a weekly medical check-in and attendance at the support meeting, so I wouldn't be able to maintain the diet and travel for extended periods of time otherwise.  (The program does have some strict guidelines, including no extended travel during the first phase of the plan.)  Hopefully the clinic I attend now will approve that option.   

Well, that is all for now.  It is time to relax before turning in for the evening.  Luckily my alarm clock does not have to be set as early tomorrow morning. 

Have healthy, happy dreams! 
  
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Day Three!

One thing I am trying to do during this first week is just to pay attention and be in the moment; notice how I think, react, and feel to this program.  Mentally, it feels good to be making a positive decision for myself in regards to my dietary habits.  There have been times where I have felt hungry.  Today, for example, around 3:30pm, I battled work stress and physical hunger.  It had been several hours since my Mushroom Risotto lunch and vanilla shake.  I tried one of the Benefit Honey Graham Bars.  That was enough to hold me over until my 7:15pm dinner.  

Tonight's entree was Steak Strips with Red Potatoes and Sauce.  It was not bad.  I'm still partial to the risotto and lasagne.  However, this was a nice change of pace.  It helps to plate the entrees.  They appear more appetizing.  The photo may not make it look so.  You'll have to trust me on this one.  Or decide for yourself.  Would you rather eat the meal below or the one above?

So the result of day three: Success!  I am glad I chose this program.  It is not an easy choice, but it is the right choice for me right now.  I have heard a few negative comments about this type of program from a few people who have never tried it or have not done their research.  It never fails that there will always be people who try to inject their pessimism and negativity.  That's too bad.  I will let their negative comments roll right off of me.  I don't mind the teasing from my close friends, though.  I appreciate their wit and lightheartedness about the situation.  Diets are tough, and it is good to keep a sense of humor!   

Cartoons retrieved from http://www.glennys.com/wp/category/daily-cartoon.

 
Have a restful night!
    

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Day Two HMR:

TODAY was a better day!  My headache was gone and I felt rested!  I had some minor cramping of the lower abdomen in the morning, but luckily that did not last long.  Overall, I felt really good!       

The HMR PLAN:
The HMR Meal Replacement Prescription is as follows: Consume a minimum of 4 items from the "shake" category.  This includes any of the flavored HMR shakes, the HMR chicken soup, or the multi-grain oatmeal.  In addition, a minimum of  2 entrees must be consumed, along with 2 HMR multivitamins and 8-10 glasses per day of water or other non-caloric fluids.

HOMEWORK ITEM #1:
My homework this week was twofold: First, I was asked to consume 2 shakes at one sitting on any given night.  This was an experiment, I was told, to get an idea of how full the shakes can make you feel, and to consider using the shakes as a defense against giving into temptation.  Before going to an outing where the food options could be overwhelming, for example, it is possible to ward off the hunger-triggered binge by getting used to feeling satiated prior to the event.  It does help.  I liken it to going to the grocery store on an empty stomach; be prepared to do a lot more damage to the pocket book than you would if you go when you are not hungry.

RESULTS:
I made a shake this evening with two powdered vanilla shake packs, ice-cubes, water, cocoa, mint extract, and some instant coffee.  It was really filling and lasted longer.  A couple hours later I was hungry again.  However, I am drinking some tea and the hunger is starting to pass.  It's 11:48pm and I don't want to eat another entree, even though that is encouraged if hungry.  Morning will come quick enough.    

HOMEWORK ITEM #2:
Get in at least 10 minutes extra of physical activity per day (above and beyond what I normally get in).  Tonight I got home from work and it was late.  I wanted to go for a walk but decided, instead of going out in the dark alone, I would pick up the violin.  It may not be the same as aerobic activity, but it is a workout, especially for the arms.  I am looking forward to playing at a friend's wedding in November so figured this was a more appropriate activity.

RESULTS: 
I practiced violin for over an hour.  According to my-calorie-counter.com a person who weighs 213 lbs will burn approximately 242 calories per hour playing the violin! (A person weighing 150 lbs would burn about 170 calories.)  That was more than I anticipated.  I guess it really is a workout!  

EATING OUT:
Today at lunch I had a business meeting to attend at a local restaurant.  I had some pre-meeting anxiety, wondering how I was going to navigate that situation knowing I couldn't order any food off of the menu.  However, I sent an email to my colleagues suggesting they pick the place to meet as I was on a medically-supervised diet; as long as there were tea or coffee options, I would be happy.  Luckily, I was not given too much grief.  They inquired, of course, about the diet, but were supportive.  In fact, my favorite waitress at my favorite Japanese restaurant even comped my hot tea!  That was nice!  I asked for an additional cup of hot water, brought a disposable bowl, and made my own oatmeal at the table.  It wasn't as awkward as I thought it might be.  I really appreciate that I can still go out to eat with friends and colleagues.       

DINING IN:

Tonight's dinner entree was Chicken Creole.  Again, I was pleased with the entree.  The portion size wasn't huge, but it was just enough.  It was flavorful and just enough spice for me; it wasn't overpowering.

REACTIONS FROM OTHERS: 
It was interesting that on the first day of my diet, I already came in contact with someone who was willing to encourage me to cheat.  "You can cheat just a little.  It doesn't hurt to have,..."  She meant well, perhaps, but on this plan, it was made very clear that NO CHEATING is allowed!  I like the emphasis on no cheating.  I need to make this work without giving in to other temptations.  I have everything I need in this program.  If I get hungry, I can eat more of the allowable food items.  I don't need to cheat.  I don't need to take on a saboteur's negative attitudes.  When I think about it, this program really is simple and cuts out a lot of the guess work.  I can do this!

As for reactions from most others, well,... most don't really get all worked up about it.  Kind of like my felines,... Unless it involves them directly, they could care less, lol.  (Wait until they find out they are going on a diet next!)  

That's all I have for now.  Time to catch some shuteye.

Ciao for Now! 

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Day One: HMR

Day One of the HMR diet seemed fairly uneventful, other than having a splitting headache.  I did not get much sleep the night before so blame it partially on that, (although I have heard others have had headaches the first few days of the diet).

All in all, it went well.  I started out by switching out the 2% milk that I use to lighten my coffee to a low fat Coffee-mate "Natural Bliss" creamer.  Yes, even 2% milk is off the allowable list right now.  The creamer was an acceptable substitution.  Breakfast consisted of a vanilla shake, coffee, & a vitamin tablet.  Lunch = mushroom risotto entree, which I quite enjoyed, followed by some oatmeal.  Around 4pm, I had another vanilla shake and took a short walk on my break at work.  My evening meal consisted of lasagna with meat sauce.

It wasn't the same as my step-mother's lasagna, (she makes a mean lasagna!), but it will have to do.  I would definitely reorder both the risotto and the lasagna.  I had to do without the wine tonight, although it wasn't really missed.  For an evening snack, I made a vanilla shake blended with ice, cocoa powder, and mint extract.  

That was quite filling and a nice change of pace from the standard vanilla.  I remembered to take my evening vitamin.  I feel full and am ready for bed!  All in all, it was a good day!    

One day down!  Only 69-97 days to go!  (Maybe I shouldn't count!)

Cheers! 

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Exceeding the Feed Limit!

"A diet is the penalty we pay for exceeding the feed limit" ~Author Unknown

So, the 3.5 pounds I lost in September has been gained back.  Sigh,...  Up again,... Down again,...  At least the scale fluctuations are not as extreme as they were during grad school and the time I was studying for licensure.  I am still (thankfully) about 30 lbs below my highest weight.  Life still feels a little hectic at times.  There are numerous changes going on in my personal life, family issues, and of course there are the typical existential issues to contend with (that we all deal with).  I find I am still resorting to food in times of stress, as a means of staying awake when I'm exhausted, as a source of comfort, and to reward myself.  I do enjoy good food! 

"Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out, but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake"  ~Author Unknown

My newest dietary plan is the HMR Diet.  (HMR stands for Health Management Resources.)  It is a medically supervised (low calorie/low sodium) food replacement plan.  A friend introduced me to this plan and I did a little research online before making an appointment at an endocrinology clinic.  (The clinic encourages their patients with various metabolic diseases and health problems, such as hepatitis, NAFLD, diabetes, etc. to consider the HMR diet if they are unable to sustain long-term weight management through other means and are wanting to avoid weight loss surgery.)  But more on this weight loss plan in a moment,...    

Gummy Bear, once again, has to be in the photo shoot! (She is so curious and loves the attention!)  

On the upside, I have made some positive changes in my life.  I finally got rid of the "bummer" of a car that kept breaking down on me.  I gave in and purchased a new Miata!  I am very happy with that decision.  I have finally have something reliable AND fun to drive!  (Thanks to my colleagues, friends, family & Consumer Reports for your help in the decision making process!)  Although I suffered from a slight case of BMW-PTSD, I no longer worry about when and where my next vehicle break down will be.  One of my brothers asked me if AAA sent me a thank you note for dumping my old car.  Yes, it's true, I have premium AAA service and I far exceeded my towing allowance during the past year. (I told my brother they sent me a fruit basket.)    

The day after getting the new car, I had an appointment with my primary medical doctor.  I wanted to discuss the HMR diet with him and get a second opinion.  My weight was down slightly from my last visit.  My pulse registered at 98 and blood pressure 160/90 (at 2 different readings).  I chuckled and explained to my doc: "I just purchased a hot new little speedy/sporty convertible!  What do you expect?  Of course my pulse & BP are elevated!"  (Friends have also harassed me, insisting my nervous system can only handle a van or station wagon.)  I also defended the increase in BP, explaining that it had to do with other temporary stress, and anticipated that it will go back down when the stress lets up.  Although my doctor acknowledged the temporary condition, he explained that the heart can become conditioned to the higher pressure/rate in reaction to any type of stress, and it is just not healthy.  Needless to say, I agreed to go back on a daily dose of a beta-blocker (atenolol).  

My doctor and I engaged in a discussion about heart and liver health.  We know that cirrhosis caused by Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantation.  Hep C increases the risk of liver cancer.  Fatty liver, however, is also a leading cause of liver cancer and transplantation.  Obesity increases the risks of numerous cancers.  (And of course the extra weight is taxing on most of our organs and joints.)  Bottom line: It is time to lose some serious weight!  We discussed the HMR diet.  He looked over the literature and approved!  He explained that he was prepared to disapprove of the diet if it was low-carb, as that type of diet can be harsh on the liver.  HMR incorporates healthy carbs.  Although the endocrinology clinic will be monitoring me weekly, my regular MD is also going to have me return in 6 weeks to see what progress I am making and to monitor blood work.   If I am going to throw myself into another dietary program, I want to do it right.  That is why I chose to involve my primary MD in the decision-making process, and I chose a program that has a reputation for being nutritionally and medically sound.  I do have some reservations about the food restrictions/limitations.  However, this program is limited term.  I can adhere to just about any type of program if I know it has an end date.   

After receiving a thumbs up from my doc, I still had to wait for about a week for the results of my blood work.  It is kind of tough to stay motivated when you are emotionally ready to start a diet but are forced to wait.  I didn't mind too much though.  I tried (somewhat unsuccessfully) to avoid or at least limit the "this is my final week before starting the diet so I have to indulge" mentality.  Finally my lab work was cleared, I passed the EKG, and I received the green light on Friday to start.  However, I already had plans to go on a road trip to the fashion district of L.A. with friends to shop for bridesmaids gowns the next day.  I didn't want to set myself up for failure, so decided to wait to start the diet until Monday.  And yes, I did indulge in some not so healthy, but oh so comforting food choices over the weekend!  (Artichoke & Canadian Bacon Pizza, Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles, Baskin Robbins, The Habit,...  Need I say more?)  I exceeded the feed limit!

Now I am ready to start!  I am excited, and dreading it at the same time!   The program is 10-14 weeks for the first part.  It is very strict.  There is NO cheating!  Not even on holidays.  That will be a challenge.  I am still wondering how I am going to navigate Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Alcohol is out.  Buying my own groceries for the first part of this diet is out (other than some not-fat items, such as jello or sugar-free pudding mix, flavor extracts, etc.).  I will especially miss my Saturday Farmer's Market run!  I am grateful to have a friend who is on the same program.  She & her spouse have been super motivators and I know we will be able to offer each other support. I will be sure to come back to this blog and post my feedback about the plan.   

Hope your weekend was restful!  Happy Monday!      
     
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Leaner Labor Day,...

Happy Labor Day!  I am certain I am not alone when I say how much I appreciate the extra day off.  It was a beautiful sunny day in the Central Valley area of CA.  Okay, so the temperature got up to about 97 degrees, but any day that is out of the triple digits is "a nice day".

Weigh-In:  I did follow through on my end-of-the-month weigh-in.  I was down a total of 3.6 pounds.  I am choosing to be happy with that!  Initially, however, my gut reaction was disappointment.  I anticipated that I should have lost 1.5 to 2 lbs per week.  But that was not the case.  But then I had to reflect and ask myself why I struggled with being happy considering I was making progress.  The weight did not go on in a month and it will take more than a month to get it off.  But 3.6 lbs down is progress in the right direction.  If I lost that much every month, I could be down another 14 lbs by the end of the year.  I could be 43 pounds thinner by this time next year.  And we all know that time is going to pass regardless.  Unfortunately we cannot slow that down father time.  So given the choice of weighing what I do now one year from now, or weighing 43 pounds less, I will happily take the 43 pounds less!  

Getting Out of the Slump:  The past two days were not great days diet-wise.  I could see a negative trend starting to emerge.  Once I eat too much of one thing in a day, I find it really easy to justify blowing my dietary habits for the rest of the day.  That becomes a vicious cycle.  But today I decided to pull it together.  I needed a pick-me-up so I decided to get the juicer out once again.

Juice Recipe:  I ended up with a bright lime green concoction this time!  But looks are deceiving!  This one was pretty sweet and very refreshing!  I decided to use up some of the items I had leftover from my trip to the farmer's market on Saturday.  Ingredients: Kale, broccoli, carrots, green apple, peach, & a small pear-apple put through the juicer.  Transferred the ingredients to the blender and added a banana, ice, and vanilla yogurt.  It really turned out well!  I did not need to add any ginger as there was no bitterness.  My friends should beware: I know what I am going to serve next St. Patty's Day!  lol!     
 
Workout:  Despite my ability to get lost in paperwork and on the computer, I managed to get to the gym and spent an hour on the treadmill.  I worked on a few weights and headed home for the evening.  I feel much better now than I did during the past two days.  

Dinner: consisted of a fresh green salad with baby tomatoes, broiled asparagus and broccoli, garlic butter salmon, and Green Goddess dressing.  (Yeah, I know that bright lime-green color isn't natural in a salad dressing but I luv that stuff!) 

Put the Fork Down!:  Rather than give in to my cravings for carbs right now, I am going to have a cup of herbal tea.  I do not need to stuff my face this evening.  I must continue to get away from the notion that food is here to serve as a drug.  It is not.  It is here to provide sustenance.  It can be pleasurable to look at and enjoyable to the palate.  We don't honor ourselves and the food we are given, however, by consuming too much of the wrong things; that defeats the purpose of being there to help sustain life!  Sometimes I just need to put the fork down.  Despite how much I desire to eat something, I need to postpone that momentary pleasure and put the fork down!  (For someone like me who loves to eat, that is often a difficult thing to do.)  But you know what?  It's a worthwhile habit to practice!  I have to remind myself that we only go around once in this world in the body we have been given.  Every day that we are alive to experience life is another opportunity to practice taking good care of the vehicle in which we make this journey!  Every day really is a gift, and we should treat it as such! (That's what I told myself today.  Tomorrow the battle begins all over again.)

Live your Truth and Love your Life!  Today I also decided to take a few moments for me, to be quiet and reflect, and to think about my purpose in life.  Why am I here?  I was asked to provide a training to psychology students on death and dying, so such existential thoughts are naturally at the forefront.  We all have to face the fact that life is terminal.  As one of my former supervisors used to repeat, "none of us gets out of this alive". Incidentally, that person has since passed on (and is missed).  The purpose of talking about our own limited existence on this earth is not to sit in a place of morbid sadness.  Just the opposite is true.  It is to stress how important it is that we don't go through life ignoring or running away from this fact, so that we do participate vibrantly, authentically, and to the fullest! 

Links: In looking up similar topics on the web, I ran across a few links that had to do with making the most out of each day.  I wanted to share them here.  Terri Cole, licensed psychotherapist, published a blog on 6 Keys to Live Your Truth and Love Your Life.  Also, here's another blog written by Death (and by GalTime.com Contributor Lisa Basquez,), titled Death Can Teach You How to Live. 

That is about all I have for one day!  Tomorrow it's back to work!  Enjoy your day and make the very most of it!  

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