Carol's Challenge on "South Beach". Can I do it? (Comments Welcome!)

[Carol36]

I started the South Beach Diet on Monday, April 5, 2004. It has only been five days and has been very easy. I feel so much better already. Just knowing that I am doing something to be healthier for myself and my family. I am about 85 lbs. overweight and "W.I.S.H." to lose every single pound!!! My history with weight is the usual yo-yo thing. The problem with me is that I always have high expectations and when I do not meet these on a daily basis, then I just give up! This time, my plan is to take it day by day and pound by pound. I will start posting my meals and progress soon. I guess I will weigh every week or two. I am still worried that I will let myself down, like always!!! Until later...Carol

 

[wilderness01]

Hi there. Good luck on SB. I have found it pretty easy so far. The pounds are coming off very slowly but still coming off. Maybe I am not following it to a T but I am following it pretty close and have been satisfied. Hang in there and find out what works best for you. Those first 2 weeks will be over before you know it.

 

[Carol36]

wilderness01...Thanks for the encouragement! I do feel better already. I haven't told anyone but DH and DC that I am on this diet. My mom came over today and said "You have lost weight." I was speechless because I wanted to keep it a secret until there is a noticeable difference. I did tell her that I was watching my weight and drinking more water, but left out the part of SB. She did not ask me what I was doing, I volunteered the info.

Today I did fine: Breakfast- 1 poached egg, 2 slices of
Canadian bacon, 6 oz. tomato juice, decaf

Lunch- shrimp salad, sugar-free jello,
water

Supper- mixed salad with mushrooms,
turkey, cheese, avocada, and fresh-herb
dressing. Moz. cheese stick. Water

snack- cocoa ricotta cheese dessert, decaf

So far, I find it an easy plan to follow, with delicious meals. I like about anything, so that helps!

signing off...Carol

 

[wilderness01]

Your diet sounds great. Maybe push more water and that will help your headaches. At first I would get so sick of water but now it has gotten easier. Someone else gave me the advice to do Crystal Lite with the H2O if it helps you drink it. Give it a try. Whenever I fall a little behind on the water I think of those headaches and it is a great motivator! Hang in there. It will get better. You are doing great!

 

[Strings]

Carol

Welcome to WISH Journals. You will find lots of support here. There are SBers around here. ZerasPride comes to mind. Stay on program, and the weight will definately come off. I look forward to reading your journal.

Beth

 

[Carol36]

wilderness01...I actually like drinking water, but sometimes I forget to drink enough.

Strings...Thanks! I will check out ZerasPride. Feeling that I am alone in this battle is no fun. There ARE others fighting the same battle.

I did really good today. We had a family gathering with lots of goodies and I wasn't temted at all. Why can't it always be like today? I drank plenty of water and ate the right foods. The only thing that I need to work into my schedule is exercise!

Thanks again! Carol

 

[wilderness01]

You will find the time to exercise when you are ready. One thing at a time. Glad you had a good day.

 

[Carol36]

Today was a good day. I drank plenty of water and ate all the right things. Should I write down everything that I eat every single day? Just wondering.
I didn't do any exercise.
Wilderness01...like you said, one thing at a time. I worry everyday that I will eventually slide back into my old ways.
Thanks for the continued support!

Carol Oh yeah....I did lose my first 5 lbs.!

 

[myhandd]

Good luck, try to mix in a little walking! I was able to lose almost 40 something lbs. in about 4 months, simply by doing Atkins, walking one hour per day, and guzzling water! And to top it off, i wasn't even hungry!

You can do it too! Just take it one day at time!

1 of 3 signing off: (Read my thread you'll understand!)

Dax

 

[Strings]

Hi Carol,

I find it very helpful to list m meals. It keeps me accountable. Do I really want to post that I ate a choc. chip cookie? I've also found some things that interest me in others journals. People are usually happy to share recipes. You can also look over your past week/month ands see trends. Doe just analyzed Sharon's journal and came up with a few suggestions to help her. Just a couple examples of how listing food can help. Do what works for you. If you do list, just keep it honest. No one judges here. It is a truly amazing thing.

If you are looking for exercise, check out the WATP tapes. They are incredibly easy, and if you only have 20 minutes, you can still do a 1 mile. Another posibility is a pilates tape. I know there are short ones. Every little thing helps. I could barely do the 1 mile WATP when I started. Now I can do the 4 mile, and I've only been at this since October.

Baby steps will get you there. Keep up the great job.


Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Carol, you've lost 5 pounds already!!!!

We need to throw you a clippie party but you don't have a lovely 5 pound clippie in your signature. Now, I understand if you don't WANT a clippie in your signature for all the DIS to see, but most of us have found them very motivating! If you're not sure how to get the clippie in your signature, PM me or post here and we'll help you out!

This journal is for YOU, Carol. If you find it helpful to write down your food and exercise then go for it! Do what works for and feels right to you. I will say that having a record of your food can be very helpful if your weight loss stops for a while.

Glad you joined us on this journey to healthy living!!

 

[wilderness01]

Way to go on your 5 lb loss!

 

[Carol36]

Thanks Dax! You make it seem so easy! I haven't been hungry until tonight. I started thinking about pancakes and Chinese Food. I have a walking trek about 1/4 mile down my street from me. You see, I have no excuse, now do I?

Beth...I would love something that is simple to start out my exercise. What is WATP? I find that sometimes the workouts on tapes are impossible to keep up with, at least for me to. So far, I have stuck to the program. I see that writing in my journal will be good for me and will help me stick to the program. Maybe I could help someone else start a healthy lifestyle.

DoeWDW...I am thrilled with the 5 lbs gone!!! I would love a clippie! How can I get one? I can see that if I stop losing, then maybe I could look back over what I had been eating and maybe make some changes. Thanks...that makes sense.

wilderness01...Thanks for celebrating with me!!!

 

[Carol36]

Today was another good day. I really do thank all of you for the support you have given me. I did not exercise at all. My meals were:

Breakfast- 2 boiled eggs and veggie juice,decaf
lunch-celery sticks and cucumbers slices with salmon spread
snack- moz. cheese stick
supper- baked lean pork chop, green beans, SB mashed potatoes(caulliflower) s-f jello, decaf
snack- cherry tomatoes, cottage cheese, and another boiled egg.

I drank water with my meals, except breakfast and drank it in between meals. Before I go to bed, I will probably reach between 70 and 80 oz., maybe more.

signing off...Carol

 

[Strings]

Hi Carol,

You are doing a phenomenal job of staying on program. WTG! Keep that water going. I hope I didn't sound pushy before. WATP is Walk Away The Pounds. They are a workout video/DVD. It is a walking program that doesn't require any coordination. There are 4 basic steps. Marching, sidestep, kick, and knee bends. I could do it right away without a problem. This from a person who was once asked to leave a step aerobics class because I just couldn't get it. You only need about 4 square feet of space. No treadmill needed. Depending on the video, you might need 2 pound weights. They have ones specifically for the program, but I use cheapy dumbells. One program uses a stretch band. They come in 1,2,3,4 mile distance. It is a good starting place for someone who doesn't exercise regularly. It is also handy in the winter when you can't walk outside. Now I usually do the 3 mile(45 min.), but if i only have a few minutes the 1 mile is only 18 minutes long. Oh,I got mine at Target. I think Walmart and Kmart might have them as well.

I should never post at night, I babble.

Hope that helped,
Beth

 

[gadizlover]

Hi Carol-
Welcome to the journals!
Way to go on the 5 pounds

I'm kind of new here, but I have to tell you, you will get lots of support here. Cheering you on, and cheering you up if you need that too! And thanks for asking about the WATP tapes- I keep meaning to ask and I forget- so you've already helped me today!

There are all kinds of diet plans here, but you're sure to find others on the same plan you are on.
Keep up the great work - it's all for a better you.

Have a great one-

 

[Carol36]

Strings... Thanks for the advice that you have given me. I appreciate it and will have to look for that tape. I know that exercise is sooo important!

gadizlover... Thanks for the support. I am really beginning to see how important this journal is to me and always look forward to comments and input from others experiencing the same things as me.

Today was another good day. I drank enough water and ate the right foods. My meals for today were:

Breakfast-2 boiled eggs, tomato juice, decaf, and my appetizer was about 24 oz. of water.

Lunch- spring salad mix with turkey, mushrooms, bell peppr, lowfat cheese, green onion, tomato, balsamic vinegar dressing, water.

Snack- moz. cheese stick

Supper- 1/2 sauteed chicken breast, steamed broccoli, SB mock mashed potatoes, decaf. water

snack- low-fat cottage cheese(1/2 c), tomato, 1 boiled egg, decaf, water

I really hope that I am not eating too much. What do you all think?

signing off...Carol

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Carole!

I'm sorry it's taken me a couple of days to get over here to your journal. I have been so busy that I haven't even had a chance to post to my own journal for two days!

I am so thrilled you are on South Beach! You will absolutely love it!!!! Keeping a journal and listing what you eat everyday keeps you honest and accountable, more to yourself than anything else, but I have found it extremely helpful as have other journal keepers.

I read on my journal that you asked about the FIRM. I love that too! I got my FIRM (body sculpting system I) from Dick's Sporting Good's Store. I know they have the set at Walmart and Target too. The set I have comes with the "fanny lifter" 2 part step which you really need to get the most from the work outs. They do have a website at www.firmdirect.com. Check it out.

I know you can be successfu on this program. As you said it is so easy to follow and the food is delicious! I read that you mentioned you missed pancakes. I have found a wonderful buckwheat pancake mix made from buckwheat and whole wheat flour that me DH tried the other day (Phase 2 though). Yummy!

I have lost 49.5 pounds in the last 4-1/2 months with a combo of South Beach and the FIRM. I know it's a cliche but if I can do this then I know you can! I will be here to support you as much as I can. The people on WISH are so supportive and I know I couldn't have been as successful as I have been so far without all their wonderful encouragement so it would be my pleasure to pay it forward.

You can find where to grab your 5 pound clippie on the main WISH board. They are all in one place. Now you've earned it so go get it!!! I'll be checking back on you soon. Take care and happy "Beach" walking!

 

[Carol36]

ZerasPride... Thanks for the help and support! I will go tomorrow to see if I can get the Firm. Almost 50 lbs. in that amount of time is just wonderful. I will also attempt to get my clippie in the next couple of days. I will be sure and have some of those pancakes soon. Thanks again!

Today was another good day.

Breakfast- 24 oz. water appetizer, 2 boiled eggs, 6 oz. veggie juice, decaf

Lunch- chicken saute'. steamed broccoli, and moz. cheese stick, water

Supper- ham, green beans, s.f. jello, water, decaf

snack- cocoa ricotta cheese dessert, decaf, water, water, and more water

I did not exercise.

signing off...Carol

 

[gadizlover]

Hi Carol-

Just checking in on ya- seems like you are staying on plan!

I just realized you are in Georgia also!

I think its supposed to be nice this weekend- you could take a walk around the neighborhood maybe, doesn't have to be too strenuous, that's what I started doing at first, and it seems I am losing weight faster now. I can tell I am getting more endurance, I am not as tired at the end of the walk as I was at first.

My next challenge is to start doing some of these workout tapes I bought, I want to do some "light" (read not major muscle ache ) weight training.

Keep up the good work