AmyM's Quest for a Better Bikini Body!

[lovinaz]

I think I need to accept the fact that I will NOT get to the gym on the Fridays that my ex picks up the kids. If I don't go straight to the gym after work, chances are I don't go at all. It's too tempting to go to out (which we did). But we had fun and DH vented a little about his job situation (2 in his dept got notices, and it sounds like this will be an ongoing thing for the next couple months). I need to go shopping for some new jeans. Unfortunately not for smaller ones... I know what is going to happen - I am going to buy some and the ND will figure out what is wrong with me and the weight will come flying off and my new pants will no longer fit. But that is a financial sacrifice I am willing to make! Yesterday I drank 60oz water, 16oz green tea, a DC and 3 martinis:

6:15am: Egg Beaters w/Spinach & Red Peppers; Trader Joe's O's w/Skim Milk
8:45am: FF Yogurt; Blueberries
11:30am: Pork Chop; Cauliflower
2:30pm: Colby Jack Cheese (3/4oz); Grapes; 12 Peanuts
4:30pm: Cheez-Its (small handful)
5:30pm (@Outback): 4 small pieces bread w/butter; 3 Coconut Shrimp; 1/2 Chicken Breast, 2 Shrimps, 1 piece Corn Bread (split meal w/DH)
7:00pm: NY Cheesecake Ice Cream on Sugar Cone
WORKOUT: None
RESISTED: Trail Mix; Peppermint Patties
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Jane, that is an awesome idea! You could be rich by offering that kind of class. Of course you'd have to be able to put up with unruly kids. Is a muzzle optional, like at Petsmart? I am a carb junkie, of course I am going to eat their crusts! As I was eating it, I kept thinking I should just throw it out, but alas my mouth won that battle...

Amy, it is nice to have someone to share my beagle woes with. Some people just don't get it! I am anxious to see what the ND has to say on Tuesday. Hopefully the lab work will shed some light!

 

[traceycooper]

Hope DH's job is safe now.
I am the same with the gym, once i'm home i dont want to go!
Lets hope your plan with the jeans is right

 

[lovinaz]

I did OK with food. Not great, but I didn't totally blow it, so I guess that is considered a good thing! I did get to the gym and got some other things accomplished around the house. I drank 60oz water, 20oz diet green tea, 8oz FF Chai Latte and 1 glass Reisling:

7:00am: Egg Beaters w/Spinach & Red Peppers; High Fiber O's w/Skim Milk
11:00am: LF Cottage Cheese; SF Applesauce
1:00pm: Ham-Spinach-Cheddar on Wheat; Goldfish
5:00pm: Colby Jack Cheese (3/4oz); Banana; Pumpkin "Pie"
6:45pm: Honey Teriyaki Salmon (6oz); Peas; SF/FF Pudding; 2 Creme Savers
WORKOUT: Bosu Fitness (60min); Recumbent Bike (30min)
RESISTED: Trail Mix
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Tracey, we will not know about DH's job for a while, it will be touch and go for the next couple months... I bought some new jeans, suprisingly they were Size 6. I was disgusted because I tried on a pair of 8's (same brand, different style) and couldn't even button them up without sucking in my gut. Then I got a different style, in Size 8 and they were too big! I think it is a big mental game the clothes companies play with us...

 

[Amy&Dan]

Wow Amy, size 6 jeans ! Good for you. See how all your working out has made you one toned lady? I haven't been in a size six jeans since fourth grade I think ! Sounds like you have been holding your own this weekend, and given the stress that is really something. I am also glad we can share our beagle woes and joys. They are a special breed. Benjamin is looking puny lately, he hasn't eaten in a day and half. I need to call the vet tomorrow and get him in there. He's almost 13 and after last month's trauma with our other dog I am dreading even going in there. Hope the rest of today was good, I am really interested to see what the lab tests say.

 

[lovinaz]

I am bummed today, it feels like I am getting a bladder infection... And I could smack my friend - I was feeling fine yesterday and I went to her house to pick up some clothes she was getting rid of and she said that her friend had been getting UTIs ever since she had her ablation. I told her I hadn't had one in over 10 years and now look... She jinxed me! I am going to drink tons of water and even choke down some cranberry juice and see if that fixes things. I did not go to the gym yesterday and believe me, I felt extremely guilty! We just had too much to do around the house and lots of running around to get taken care of. I will probably not make my exercise challenge this month, but I am OK with that. Sometimes you have to shift your priorities. Yesterday I drank 80oz of water, 8oz FF Chai Latte, 12oz Minute Maid Light, 6oz DC and 2 glasses white wine:

7:30am: Trader Joe’s High Fiber O’s (1.25c) w/Skim Milk (½c); ½ Protein Bar
11:00am: Trail Mix (1c)
1:00pm: Turkey-Spinach-Cheddar-Mustard on Wheat; Oreo 100 Calorie Pack
4:00pm: Whole Grain Goldfish (3/4c); Pumpkin "Pie" (1c); 4 Crème Savers
6:30pm: Crockpot Stroganoff; Wheat Egg Noodles (½c); Peas (½c); Dole Pineapple-n-Crème Cup
9:30pm: Peppermint Patty
WORKOUT: None
RESISTED: A couple more 100 Cal Packs...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amy, I can't believe Bejamin is not eating! You KNOW something is wrong when a beagle doesn't eat! Lots of for your vet visit. This morning Buckley ate the little screw cover from the bottom of the toilet (you know, on the base). I guess it's better than 1 of the 6 beautiful hibiscus we just planted. I told him if I ever see one of those flowers in his mouth he will be one sorry pooch. As for the jeans, I think they are probably really a Size 10 and they just called it a Size 6 to make all the ladies feel better...

 

[Jane E.]

Jane, that is an awesome idea! You could be rich by offering that kind of class. Of course you'd have to be able to put up with unruly kids. Is a muzzle optional, like at Petsmart?

Put me in a class with a bunch of kids and I'm the one who needs to be muzzled! Think I'll pass on getting rich...at least this time around.

Wow, Size 6!!!!!! Congrats, Amy!!!! Thats wonderful.

I know what you mean about the sizing of pants. I've run into the same thing except in sizes 12 and 14. You'd think the manufacturer's would get it right. An article I read claimed that KMart's sizes were the most accurate. In fact, the more expensive the store...the smaller the size read ON THE LABEL - not across the hips! For instance a size 10 at KMart could be a size 8 at one of the upscale stores. The article gave store names but I don't remember now which upscale store they used.

Sending prayers & pixie dust for your dh's job!

 

[traceycooper]

Congrats on the jeans, dont think about the sizes YOU GOT IN A 6!!!
I find Cranberry juice to work wonders for water infections, hoping it works for you too
Have a good week
Tracey xx

 

[lovinaz]

Well, my problem yesterday turned out to be a kidney stone! Talk about MISERABLE. If any of you have had one, you know what I am talking about. The only good thing is that I finally got some relief once it passed. But of course I didn’t make it to the gym, which is understandable in this case… The Dr told me that if this happens again I should go to Urgent Care since they can give me IV fluids to flush it out, plus pain meds. Thanks Doc, that information would have been nice before I suffered for 8 hours! I will definitely be talking to the ND about this when I go visit her this afternoon. Yesterday I drank 80+oz water, 16oz green tea, 10oz Cranberry Juice and 8oz FF Chai Latte:

6:15am: Fat Free Yogurt (1c); Kashi Go Lean Crunch (½c)
8:30am: Low Fat Cottage Cheese (3/4c); Cantaloupe (1c)
12:30pm: Protein Bar; Cheez-Its 100 Calorie Pack; 4 Crème Savers
3:30pm: Snap Peas & Hummus (2tbsp); Colby Jack Cheese (3/4oz); Trail Mix (1c)
6:30pm: Veggie Burger on Wheat Bun; 15 Baked French Fries; Pineapple-n-Crème Cup
WORKOUT: None
RESISTED: Nothing (obviously I was feeling better in the afternoon so I could overindulge in trail mix…)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jane, thanks for the PD. DH said 2 more people got notices yesterday (they didn't show up on Friday). So far it has all been the slackers in the department, which is a good thing. But the time will come when they have to start getting rid of the good ones, and that's when DH will start getting nervous!

Tracey, thanks! I choked down some cranberry juice for nothing, since I didn't have a urinary tract infection. But I tried...

 

[kmp1191]

OUCH on the kidney stone!! Glad it passed!! I've never had one, but heard they are pretty bad! I'm glad you're feeling a little better.

P & PD continuing for you and dh on the job issues. I know how stressful that can be....hang in there....it will all work out.

Don't worry about the gym....make sure all the rocks are gone first!!
Also, let us know what the ND says!

marie

 

[Jane E.]

Sorry to hear about the kidney stones. Thats painful! All of the men in my family have gotten them - starting with my grandfather, father, brothers & now nephews. Hopefully, my kids will miss out on this genetic gift. I've seen my brothers suffer with them and its not pleasant. My middle brother ended up in the hospital about two years ago with them. Glad you passed it so quickly. Now, you've got more to discuss with the ND. Get feeling better!

By the way Amy which is worse - childbirth or kidney stones??? My brother and I have a bet on this one.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Oh Amy, big bummer about that kidney stone. Just what you didn't need right now, I am thinking about you. My cousin's wife has had them before and says she prefers childbirth pains. I hope you feel better. Don't even worry about the gym, it'll be there when you get better and you need time to recover. Hopefully the ND will have some insight into this problem. In any case, feel better soon!

Yep, Benjamin not eating is something to worry with. Benjamin has eaten the plastic cover that is over that screw on the toilet many times. I finally went to a plumbing supply store and bought about 10 of them. Good news: by about age 2 he no longer did things like this unless I gave birth, then he had to rebel big time! He also used to eat the sprinkler heads until I coated those with some vaseline spiked with cayenne pepper! To this day he keeps a wide berth around any sprinkler heads!

Hope you are better today, I too am interested which pain is worse, kidney stone or labor!

 

[traceycooper]

sorry to hear about the kidney stone, but at least its gone now
Maybe the cranberry did help it pass more quickly!!!!
Hope your visit to the ND goes well today, let us know how you got on.

 

[lovinaz]

My, my, my, how 1 day can change your life! I went to the ND and all my hormones are at the low end of the normal range. She said that is all fine and dandy, but since she doesn't have anything to compare it to (like maybe I was on the high end of the range before the surgery) she can't really tell. She is going to keep her eye on things and is not ruling out a hormone issue. Next comes the big shocker. I eat all the wrong stuff!!!!!!! She is putting me on a very strict diet for the next 2 weeks, to flush out all the junk I've been eating. After I have "detoxed" she will start adding back some foods and seeing what I have reactions to, etc. So I was really bummed out when I left, since I thought I was so knowledgeable and was doing the right thing. But then I got thinking that this is an OPPORTUNITY to lose the weight I've gained, plus hopefully get back to my goal weight of 125. So I am looking at it in a positive light. Also, she said I was taking WAY TOO MUCH calcium. I was taking 1200mg per day, which is the recommended amount. However, there is no osteoperosis in my family and with my kidney stone history she said to cut way back on the calcium... So of course yesterday I ate a bunch of junk that I will no longer be able to eat (for the next couple weeks anyway!). I drank 80oz of water, 16oz green tea, a DC and 12oz FF Chai Latte:

6:15am: Chocolate Oatmeal
8:30am: FF Yogurt; Cantaloupe
11:30am: Spinach Salad w/Chicken, FF Feta, Bacon, Red Pepper & LF Dressing; Baby Carrots
3:00pm: 3 Egg Whites; Nectarine
5:30pm: Trail Mix (1c); Pretzel Sticks w/2 LF Laughing Cow
7:00pm: 2 pieces homemade Ham Pizza
WORKOUT: None
RESISTED: Nothing...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marie, I certainly hope all the stones are gone. I feel back to 100% today, so the plan is to hit the gym after work!

Jane, I think a kidney stone would be way worse for a man since it has to come out the same way... I don't know which is worse - labor or kidney stone. With DS I had back labor and that was excruciating (and WAY worse than the kidney stone), with DD the pain was way more bearable (but still stronger pain than the kidney stone). I think I will have to say that LABOR is worse. But at least you get something out of it!

Amy, yesterday the dog ate one of my brand new hibiscus and a lantana. He knew he was dead meat when DH went out there. He immediately tucked his tail between his legs and ran inside to his kennel. I saw him out there this morning (after DH sprayed some Keep Away stuff on the new plants). I went out there with the spray and sprayed them again, plus sprayed the dog in the face (from a distance). He didn't even flinch, he probably likes the stuff!

Tracey, I hope this ND knows what she is talking about. I can't have melon, grapes or bananas for the next couple weeks. And no more peas, carrots or corn either! I guess it's only temporary, I can survive for 2 weeks, right?

 

[Jane E.]

I had back labor with my older son too. It was dreadful. No matter how much they warn you - you just can't prepare for that. (I think I've won my bet.) Speaking of labor I feel like I'm pregnant with all of the darn junk I've been eating. All of my pants are way too tight. I don't want to eat right, workout or stay on any kind of program. I'm too afraid to weigh in but I know its not going to be good news.

I feel like crap right now. Dh and I were talking about detoxing after watching Celebrity Fit Club so I'd like to join you. I'm going to check out the Celebrity Fit Club website to see if they have any info on the doctor's detox program. I think its all fruit & vegetable for the first week. I'm hoping that if I can get thru this that my cravings for junk will go away.

We both want to hit 125 but you're alot closer to it than I am!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Amy, so what was all the wrong stuff you were eating? God help me if I have to cut out my favorite foods at any point in my life! At least she is giving you some concrete answers. And as you say, this is a road to get where you want to be so it will be worth it in the end. And good to know that at least the kidney stone isn't as bad as labor, that would be cruel indeed if you had to suffer through labor like pain with no cute consolation prize to show for it! Back labor, ugh, that brings back some not so nice memories .

As for Buckley, let me tell you, Benjamin ATE the keepaway type stuff when he ATE the stupid container it was in. Thats when I switched to cayenne pepper! Of course Benjamin also ate his stitches when we had him neutered. Its a beagle thing! He is recouping a bit and managed to fall into the toilet today during one of his beagle moments. I am bummed about your plants though. Didn't I tell you about a year ago how great beagles were? Don't hold it against me, I guess I am a sucker for their cuteness factor!

Hope you continue to feel better!

 

[lovinaz]

I survived Day #1! I went to the store to get some snacks. I even got natural peanut butter, which will definitely cut down on my peanut butter consumption... It's not bad, but it is definitely different! I got some Low Carb yogurt. Dannon appears to have the "healthiest" kind. I can't believe how much corn syrup and sugar are in regular yogurt! The ND told me there was a Sugar Free whipped cream made by Land O Lakes, but I have been to 2 stores and haven't been able to find it. Believe me, I will continue the search! Yesterday I drank 96.9oz of water and 16oz Green Tea w/Splenda:

6:15am: Egg Beaters (½c) w/Red Peppers & Spinach
8:30am: Colby Jack Cheese (3/4oz); Strawberries (1c)
11:30am: Turkey-Spinach-Provolone-Mustard on Whole Wheat; Green Beans (3/4c)
2:30pm: 3 Egg Whites; Nectarine; Almonds (1.2oz)
5:30pm: Soy Crisps (18); Natural Peanut Butter (1tbsp)
7:00pm: Lemon Chicken (6oz); Steamed Broccoli (1c) w/Butter Buds; Sugar Free Jello
WORKOUT: Weights (30min); Treadmill (35min)
RESISTED: Trail Mix; Another Jello; Cereal; Cheez-Its; Mashed Potatoes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jane, isn't back labor the worst? When I had DD I couldn't believe how much easier "regular" contractions were. OK, so you're willing to suffer (I mean kick butt) with me? You can't have anything with corn syrup or corn starch, no processed carbs, no carrots, peas or corn, no melon, grapes or bananas. Ya, I know, it STINKS! Check the labels, everything is loaded with that junk...

Amy, I think we are at the point where cayenne pepper will be used. It's funny you mentioned the cute factor - I just told Buckley this morning that the only reason I haven't kicked his butt into next week is because he is so darn cute! DH bought some replacement plants, I will suggest the pepper. Knowing the dog, he will probably like it... As for the food, I was eating way too many processed carbs. So I have to suffer for 2 weeks then I get to start adding stuff back. This is supposed to jump start my metabolism...

 

[CACruisin']

Finally catching up ....
so very sorry about the kidney stone. I hope I never have one. I am such a big baby. I had epidurals with all three kids, even DD#2 who showed up a mere 85 minutes after we arrived at the hospital. I was at 9, but kept crossing my legs and telling everyone that I was NOT having this baby without an epidural. (Stupid, I know.) Got one and out she came 10 minutes later.

Here's P & PD for DH's job situation. That is so very nerveracking. DH's old company was having RIF's every 3-6 months. It didn't matter if you were good or not, if your program got cut, so did you. He is very happy now at his new company. Working crazy hours, but happy.

Insurance is such a pain. I think they intentionally seeing a specialist difficult so you get frustrated and give up on getting your claim. I am glad you decided to go see the ND on your own though. It sounds like you will finally be able to get some good answers. Good Luck with your detox. Good for you on finding the positive about using this to get the scale to start moving back down again.

Your camping trips sound like a lot of fun for all of you. Will you be able to go again now that school has started? I'm glad that DS has started the year off so well. Here's hoping both kids have a great year this year.

 

[Jane E.]

Way to go with completing Day 1!!! You're off to a good start. Today is my first day. I bought Dr. Iam Smith's Fat Smash Diet. Its very similiar to what you're doing. The main difference is that you're allowed nuts (and I'm not) and I'm allowed carrots, melon AND corn! The detox portion of the program lasts for 9 (long) days. After my many months of horrible eating I'm ready to suffer thru this! It'll be much easier than we think!

 

[lovinaz]

Day #2 under my belt. I am still struggling with the wanting to snack the second I get home. I indulged in some peanut butter, but I want to get out of that habit all together. It is a habit, not a need. I am also going to try to have almonds only every other day or something. I could easily eat them every day but if I am eating peanut butter as well, something has to give! So my goal is to only have almonds OR peanut butter, not both in a single day. And some days I hope to have neither... Weigh-in this morning was 141. I really hope this will help me get back into the 130's for good. I have Mexico and the cruise coming up and I would like to feel comfortable in my bikini by then. Last time that happened I was around 130. I don't know if I will be able to get that low by mid-October, but I know I can get out of the 140's by then! Yesterday I drank 100oz of water and 16oz green tea:

6:15am: Chocolate Oatmeal
8:30am: Low Carb Yogurt (4oz); Strawberries (1c)
11:30am: Spinach (2c); Diced Chicken Breast (3oz); Shredded Cheddar (2tbsp); Garbanzo Beans (1/4c); Italian Dressing (2tbsp); Red Pepper (2tbsp); Almonds (1.2oz)
2:30pm: FF Cottage Cheese (3/4c); Nectarine; 2 Fiber Drops
4:30pm: Natural Peanut Butter (2tbsp)
6:30pm: Wheat Spaghetti (½c); Parmesan Cheese (1tbsp); Seedless Cucumber; Sugar Free Jello w/Soy Whipped Cream
WORKOUT: None
RESISTED: Garlic Bread, Spaghetti Sauce, more Peanut Butter, Cereal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anna, nice to see you back! I am a big baby too and that kidney stone was really awful. I'm just glad it's over! Next time I will go to Urgent Care like my Dr suggested. At least they can give me pain meds and flush the stone out faster. As for camping, we are able to go during school, we just drive up early Sat and come back Sun. It's nice with the trailer up there, we basically just pack our food and clothes.

Jane, your detox sounds a lot different than mine. I'd trade nuts for melon and carrots any day! Hopefully after my 2 weeks are over I will get to have stuff like that again. I also hope eating like this will kill my cravings too. WE CAN DO IT!!!!!

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Amy
You are very lucky to have an 'expert' helping you with nutrition, now if you can wangle a personnal trainer.......
The food sounds very similar to my low carb diet, you have to watch sugar as much as carbs & its suprising where sugar can be 'hidden' most of the 'low fat' products seem to replace the fat with sugar, so you end up better off with the full fat stuff which takes some getting used to!!!
It looks similar to the low carb induction, (which also last for 2 weeks)
but not as strict, anyway what i'm trying to get round to if i stop waffling on...is that you may be pleasantly suprised how much you loose, if you can stick to it
Just keep telling yourself, 2 weeks out of your life is not a lot to ask, & then you will know if it is worth it, if you give in you'll never know!!
Hope this helps