Beyond Recovery: Christin's journal of progress (comments welcome)

[rcyannacci]

Heading into day 3 of SB and want to make sure I have a plan today. Breakfast is taken care of...bringing lunch to the library (I have leftover salad and the makings for a lettuce wrap) along with some nuts to snack on. Need to take london broil out of freezer for dinner. Curves this afternoon after my writing group.

 

[pearlieq]

Glad to hear your party went well!

Sounds like you've got a nice day planned today! Hope it's great!

 

[rcyannacci]

Monday- SB day 3
B- veggie quiches
S- rest of leftover mocha creme (this is really great in the am with iced coffee)
S- 2 lettuce wraps w/ shredded chicken and a triangle of laughing cow cheese
S- chickpea salad
S- cashews
(I was writing today, so I just broke up all my food into snacks instead of doing one big lunch. Worked pretty well.)
D- london broil, a salad w/ balsamic, and "surprise" mashed potatoes (really califlower...not too bad...I probably added more butter than I should have, but I haven't eaten califlower in a while and was scared it wouldn't taste good.)
S- 1/2 serving of mocha creme.

Exercise- Curves 40 min, 10 min. on abs and legs
(I weighed in at Curves and I've lost 1 pound in 3 days of SB)

Irritating day yesterday! My writing group was worthless; their comments on my work were silly at best, self-serving at worst and perfectly unhelpful. I spent the next hour brooding about it, thought about how easy it would be to order a pizza for dinner, but then decided to get my frustration out by going to Curves.

plan for today- quick grocery trip to restock on some item, and a look through the SB book to get a good idea for dinner. swim laps in afternoon.

 

[rcyannacci]

Tuesday- SB day 4
B- same
S- left-over serving of mocha creme and iced coffee
L- shredded chicken lettuce wraps w/ laughing cow cheese
S- cashews
S- celery w/ laughing cow cheese
D- salmon w/ cucumber-dill sauce, left-over califlower, some snap peas (I'm not sure if these had too much sugar...seems like a cross between snow peas and green peas?) and a salad.
S- little more mocha creme (starting to lose it's magic...)
S- Starving at 9:00, so I had a string cheese stick. I guess I didn't eat as much as dinner as I should have (DH loved the salmon, but I only thought it was so-so). Anyway, I had major sugar/chocolate cravings.

Exercise- swam laps 40 minutes

I finally really felt like I was on a diet today and I was majorly depressed at the thought of all the foods I was giving up. I got through, and I'm doing OK today, so maybe this will pass. I'm also irritated at a few of my friends right now and struggling with some of my writing, so I'm sure that's adding to the situation. And, workouts have been harder because I think my body is readjusting to this new diet. I'll weigh in today at Curves and see if I can find some motivation there.

 

[goldcupmom]

Curves instead of Pizza was SO AWESOME!!! You did GREAT avoiding the stress/food connection!

Hope the writing gets better. Just be patient with yourself. You CAN do this, ALL of this!

Glad SB is going well!

Hang in there!

 

[Desiree]

Sorry you had an off kilter day. This too shall pass, as they say. Try not to think of it as all the food your giving up but all the right choices you are making. Hope today is better for you!

Have a healthy and happy day!

 

[rcyannacci]

Thanks Julie and Desiree for stopping by- your comments are really helpful. Sometimes I forget to take account of all the little stuff.

I think my mood is coming around today. I still think finishing out Phase 1 of the South Beach will be difficult, but I really want to try and finish what I started with the program. I'm also worried about transitioning to phase 2 the same week I'm headed to a conference in D.C. It's always harder to eat healthy in airports, restaurants, hotel coffee shops, etc.

I guess my main concern is that I don't want to get too militant about what I'm eating. There have been many periods in my life when I've had an unhealthy relationship with food. I felt like with my first few months here eating primarily whole, non-processed foods, I was starting to really enjoy food again, in a healthy way. I had told myself that I wasn't going to go on a diet, but change my lifestyle.

But, suddenly SB is feeling like a diet. And yesterday when I went to a restaurant w/ friends, I almost flipped out because I couldn't find anything on the menu that stuck to phase one...the chicken salad had peas...the spinach salad had carrots and honey-mustard dressing...finally, I just had to say to myself "Christin, it's just food, not weapons of mass destruction!" So I had the spinach salad, pushed the carrots to the side, and just tried to be light on the dressing. But I was pretty unhappy eating it, and it didn't help that my friends were eating french fries. Anyway, bottom line, I just want to make sure I don't get too obsessive about food again, so I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.

 

[rcyannacci]

Wednesday- SB day 5
B- veggie quiches
S- cashews and celery and laughing cow cheese
L- Spinach salad w/ mushrooms, tomato, egg, and a warm bacon dressing (probably too much sugar in this, but it was the best SB thing on the menu. Maybe next time I'll ask for a different dressing.)
S- almonds
D- hamburger (no bun) w/ grilled onions, and a broiled tomato w/ pesto
S- 1/2 a serving mocha creme

Exercise: Curves 40 min, abs 5 min.
Weighed in again today, and was down 1 more pound. That's 2 lbs for 5 days on the SB. Hopefully continued results like this will keep me motivated to finish phase 1.

 

[calena]

Christin - I feel we are so on this path together because I too did not want to go on a diet!!!!! And I encouraged you to go on South Beach. If you look back on my early days in the journal I did not want to do diet, I wanted to do a healthy eating plan, but when you read South Beach it makes sense if you are carb sensitive like I think I am. Don't think of it as a diet... think of it as an eating plan. It is not low carb, it is good carb. "I am concentrating on eating food that is right for me." If we were diabetics people would not look at us weird for our food choices, but we aren't... we are so fortunate with so many choices. The two week induction period is tough, but the choices will open up so much more in Phase 2. HANG IN THERE! I have been out a couple of times and just order a greek salad and enjoy every bite - all allowed on Phase 1. Then just have a decaff cappuccino for dessert... and don't worry about the bit of whole milk.
I am behind you. I know what you mean about not being militant about our food, but if there is food which is affecting us in a bad way and we have weight issues, then we need to cut it out of our lives. Thin people do this all the time... they don't eat every candy bar in sight or have fries all days.
Anyway - I'm rambling and this is your journal. I just want to encourage you. It is worth it. I am proof. Take it easy with exercise... don't push too hard. I found I could not keep up my walk/jog pace my first week and that was ok. One step at a time. Just do exercise but listen to your body.
TAKE CARE.

 

[rcyannacci]

Calena- thank you for taking the time to say all of that...very nice. I know, it's good to have someone to check in with whose on the same program.

I made it through yesterday w/o deviating from the plan. I was still feeling sorry for myself, mainly because I found out that the sinus infection I thought I'd gotten ride of last month is back and the cause of some pain in my teeth (but thank goodness it's not dental. After my radiation, my doctor told me that I might develop some cavities because the treatment would weaken my teeth, so I've had to be really careful and do regular check-ups. I guess going back to the dentist now makes me remember all that stuff I went through last year.

OK- I'm rambling, but my main point was that after a stinky day, I still managed to stay on the plan. I'm pretty confident at this point that I'll make it to day 14 (but I'm still a little worried about sticking to the plan while in DC at my conference...I'll cross that bridge next week.)

Thursday- SB day 6
B- veggie quiches (made new ones today with broccoli...but I think I like the spinach ones better)
L- 1 large lettuce wrap with chicken and guacamole (avacados were too rips...no good) and a string cheese stick
S- cashews
D- sauted shrimp in a lite butter, garlic, and cheddar sauce (very good...didn't have a recipe but just did it on instinct w/ fabulous results. It reminded DH of something they served at our wedding) green beans, and a spinach salad w/ ceasar dressing
S- 1 lowfat, no sugar added fudge pop and a T of peanut butter (OMG! Thank you Amanda for posting this in your journal. This was amazing!!! This literally might be the one thing that will take me to day 14!)

Exercise- swam laps 40 minutes
(I think I need to take a break today...I'm exhausted)

Writing- 4 hours at library editing my conference presentation. Hopefully I'll finish the first draft today.

 

[pearlieq]

"Christin, it's just food, not weapons of mass destruction!"

That says it all! Wouldn't life be so nice if we could just keep that in mind all the time!

I am so impressed with your determination--you're doing so well! Keep up the great work and have a great weekend!

 

[rcyannacci]

Friday- SB day 7
B- veggie quiche
L- black beans and chicken over lettuce
S- sugar-free fudge pop w/ peanut butter
S- string cheese stick, and a handful of cashews
D- Balsamic chicken w/ grilled onions, 1/2 broiled tomato w/ pesto (leftovers), and a small serving of greens.

Exercise- Curves 30 min, abs and legs 10 min
(I was going to skip today, but I was writing all day and needed to get out of the house)

Writing- finished all by my conclusion for my first draft conference paper.

I'll try to write the conclusion today, but I also want to spend some time with my DH since he has the day off. It was a good day; I think I'm past all those cravings I was having on days 4-5-6. Now, if this sinus infection (that came back from last month) would go away, I'd be styled.

We're going to see Batman tonight. Unfortunately, it's at this place called the Alamo Draft House. Really cool place- they serve real food and beer (instead of just popcorn) on little tables in front of your chairs. Problem is that it's mostly bar food, and I'm not sure yet how I'll stick to the South Beach there. I think I'll try to eat something substantial before we go, and then stick to a cappacino at the movie.

 

[Lesli54]

Hi there!

Just getting caught up on your journal. Congrats on the paper, that is a wonderful accomplishment.

I was beginning to think that you and I are both stuck at 209 (I think my scale is broke), but then I see you have lost a few more lbs recently with SB. Good for you. I am not sure that I could do a plan that felt like a diet with limited choices either, but I am glad to see that you are going to stick it out to the end. Maybe it will work for you and maybe it will be just what you need to get off the plateau. Loved the quote about food and weapons of mass destruction. A couple of times at WDW, I had to remind myself that it was just food and I controlled how much of it to eat.

All in all, it sounds like you are doing well with your weight loss journey AND your summer writing. Keep up the good work.

 

[jay-nee]

Just wanted to stop by to say "HI!" Sounds like things are going ok. From what I've read SB should get better and it's a pretty good plan. Your body (and mind) will adjust. You have come so far already...sometimes it helps to just re-read early parts of your journal. I try to do that when I'm off plan a bit.

Keep up the great work. So glad that Curves is going well too. Sounds like a good program.

Have fun and enjoy that TX sunshine! It's been drizzling here for 5 days straight now - enough already! I want to be out laying in the sun and watching the kids in the pool! Come on summer! BTW, last weekend it was 90 degrees here Fri, Sat, and Sun and very, very humid. It felt like living in the SE - somewhere in between would be nice!

Happy Saturday!

 

[rcyannacci]

Thanks Leslie and Jaynee for stopping by

I did really well yesterday! Even at the Alama draft house...it was really tempting to go off SB for an evening, and I was eyeing an artichoke pizza...but then I decided that I would be too upset with myself later and it wouldn't be worth it. So I ordered a salad...which was really good, but also really hard to eat in the dark

B- veggie quiche
S- celery and laughing cow cheese
L- rotisserie chicken and a salad
S- sugarfree fudgicle w/ peanut butter
D- salad with grilled chicken and buffalo seasoning, celery and blue cheese dressing.
S- cappacino

Exercise- took the day off (exhausted)
Writing- finished my conclusion then spent the day with DH, mainly rested. Goal for today- 1st edit and then start practicing presentation. I'd like to have this paper preped and out of the way so I can go back to my chapter next week and have something substantial started before I leave town for the conference.

 

[Lesli54]

Looks like you had a great day yesterday. Good job at realizing how you would feel about going off plan BEFORE you made that choice. That is real progress.

I never did ask, what is your career goals? Are you studying to be a professor or something else. I love to write and read. Maybe when some of the kids are gone it will be easier to find some time to do that. Sounds like journaling your writing plans is working out well for you.

BTW, my scale isn't broke no more.

Have a great day.

 

[calena]

Glad you are sticking with the program. I kept telling myself if I cheated in Phase 1 I would have to go back to day one and then the 14 days would be even longer! Have you weighed again?

 

[pearlieq]

You are doing so well! I'm so proud of you! Great job sticking with it.

The Draft House sounds really nice--we have something similar here and I can't wait to try it.

Hope you have a great day today!

 

[rcyannacci]

Yes, I'm studying to be a theatre professor. I'm getting my degree in performance and cultural history; I've finished all of my course work, and am now working on finishing up the dissertation (the book length monstrocity they make you write so you can "prove" you're worthy for the profession ). While I have learned to love writing, I really went into this to become a teacher...that's what I'm really good at. My dad's a prof. of Am. History, so at least I come by it honestly. I'm already doing some adjunct teaching at one of the local university's here (the pay is scandelous), so I should be in good shape for the job market this coming year. I just hope I can find a school on the East, closer to DH's and my family. And WDW!

Actually, some of my research overlaps WDW imagineering. My dissertation is on early twentieth c. stage designers, one of which designed attractions at the 1939 World's Fair, where Disney got many of his ideas for later theme park attractions.

Sunday- SB day 9
B- veggie quiche (OK- these are getting old, need something different soon)
S- sugar free fudgicle w/ peanut butter
oops, I was writing and forgot to eat lunch
S- some cashews (before I went swimming so I'd have enough energy)
S- string cheese stick (after swimming)
D- hamburger no bun w/ grilled onions, black-eye peas and green beans
S- sugar free fudgicle w/ peanut butter (I justified this second treat since I missed lunch)

Exercise- swam laps 40 minutes
Writing- edited my first draft of conference presentation

Goals for today:
- Curves and weigh in
- Finish conference presentation (practice out-loud, and print final copy)
- Re-assemble chapter information, re-assess weekly schedule, and write a 1 page start
- Vacuum!!! (the dogs are shedding like crazy! Another symptom of the TX heat...)

 

[rcyannacci]

Glad you are sticking with the program. I kept telling myself if I cheated in Phase 1 I would have to go back to day one and then the 14 days would be even longer! Have you weighed again?

I weigh in later today. My friend who lost a lot on SB last year said not to be discouraged if I don't lose the 8-12 listed by the book, so I'm trying to stay realistic about whatever the scale says. I KNOW I'm feeling better. Days 4-5-6 were rough, but I'm a lot better now and not so panicy about being hungry. My biggest challenge is keeping the right food in the house. DH has been packing all my good food for his lunches...which is awesome because I've been encouraging him to eat better too...but I think I'm going to have to go out for lunch today (can't skip it again!)

I really am feeling tons more confident, and I think it shows in the way I carry myself. I just tried on my conference clothes to see what fit/looked good (I don't really have the $$$ for new professional clothes right now)...the dresses are nice and loose, but not too baggy. Luckily, I'll be fine with what I have, and look a lot better in it than I did last summer.