Lisa's Journal (Life on the "Beach" - Part 2 all the way to goal!)

[Castillo Mom]

Hi Lisa! You're doing so well. Hang in there, ok? You're going through psychological changes as well as physical ones and this is normal. You're looking good and you know it and now feel like enhancing that look a little by wearing makeup, maybe buying some new clothes and that's a wonderful thing. Those are the changes that I've gone through, and I'm sure many others can attest to that also. Be proud of what you've accomplished and accept the compliments that you receive and know that you deserve them for all the hard work you're doing. I have to say that you have a really healthy outlook and you do an excellent job at analyzing your feelings and moods and how they're connected to eating habits. You've given me a lot of food for thought. As for negative comments, sometimes people have their own agenda or insecurities and that has nothing to do with you. I thing what you said would be a good response. Just smile and keep going. Keep your chin up Lisa and remember, you're doing this for you.

 

[ZerasPride]

December 17, 2003 (Wednesday) Day 17 on the Beach or The Enchilada Incident!

I had to help my son with a school project. Making beef enchiladas for his spanish class. I figured since we were having grilled burgers for dinner anyway, I could try to make this dish lc for us, experimenting with the first batch and then make the ones for his class second. When we went to the grocery store I was even able to find wheat tortillas (am I spelling that word right?). They were just as high in carbs as the corn tortillas so I didn't bother to get them, I mean 27g of carbs each, I don't think so! Back at home I knew I was in trouble because it was getting pretty late and I had not eaten since my snack about 4:00. It was 9:30 before we finished the first batch.

DH and I decided to just pick the meat out of the corn tortillas and that proved to be quite, um, unsatisfying so we both ended up being hungry after we ate. I had the worst stomach ache afterwards. I had my gall bladder removed a couple of years ago and I theorize that spicy foods eaten without carbs to cushion it, make my tummy upset! Lesson learned and well taken!

Anyway, DH and I consoled ourselves with 1/2 cup of Breyers no sugar added ice cream. I couldn't finish mine. No really, stop laughing, I couldn't so I gave the rest to DH and he gladly made quick work of it. I am discovering that I really don't need all that much food. A "taste" was all I really wanted. And this from a girl who could polish off a pint of ice cream in one sitting! On SB we are only supposed to have ice cream on Phase II sparingly if at all. I figure I used to eat a pint of ice cream a day so 1/2 cup in an emergency hunger situation is perfectly acceptable and legal .

Food:
B: 1/2 bowl of Bran Flakes cereal (not as sweet this morning without the splenda but still acceptable) and 2 slices of bacon
S: 7 whole almonds
L: Chef salad with lf ranch dressing
S: 1 deli slice of chicken with 1/2 slice of 2% american cheese
D: I guess you could say I ate the filling out of 3 enchiladas and ate some lettuce and diced tomato with ff fudgesicle for dessert

Exercise/Water:
20 minutes on my bike and lots of water. I know I drank 5 or 6 of the mugs of water at work that have 12 ounces and 1 of the bottles of water at home.

That's a wrap for Wednesday. I can't believe it's been almost 3 weeks since I started this new way of eating. I am loving it! Maybe that's what it took. I needed to find a plan that is a joy to implement in my life instead of an eating plan that you have to put so much effort into, it takes the joy out of eating and out of life.

Have a good afternoon and remember we can do this together!!!!

 

[littleducksmom]

lisa........good to see you are doing so well this week again. amazing you couldnt finish just a half cup of ice cream. you water intake is wonderful and is really aiding your wt loss, i am sure. water really helps flush that fat outta your system. i have found that the weeks i have drank the most water are the weeks were i lose the most wt or bust thru a plateau......so keep it up!

deb

 

[ZerasPride]

Thanks so much Deb for your comments, encouragement and support. I do try to drink a ton of water - who would have known something so simple as water could aid in weight loss so significantly. Hope you have a good day and a good weekend!

 

[ZerasPride]

December 18, 2003 (Thursday) Day 18 on the Beach or I can fit in my bathtub, yippee!

I am starting to have people notice my weight loss. I already posted yesterday how that scares me but I am trying to use positive self talk to keep myself from sabotaging my weight loss efforts. I am flattered that people have noticed but it makes me feel a lot of pressure not to fail. I do love this way of eating and don't plan on going back to my old ways but we all know how the best laid plans can go.

I really like the way my clothes are starting to fit and there are some other things I've noticed that I want to journalize for posterity:

*sleeping better at night
*pantyhose not fitting tight like sausage casings
*being able to wear my "skinny" french cut underwear again
*my ankles aren't all fat and swollen (how could they be with all the water I drink?)
*I forgot I have a heart-shaped face - it's coming back!
*buttoning up my winter coat comfortably
*I have wrists and my Disney watch is starting to slide up and down my arm
*the bulges are starting to disappear slowly but surely
*having more energy

And I can fit in my bathtub! I think the bathtub in our townhouse is smaller than the one we had when we were in an apartment. I could fit in the apartment one just fine. We've been in our townhouse for about 2-1/2 years and it was always a real real tight fit. I was so uncomfortable. Not anymore. What a great feeling to actually soak in a tub. This way of eating is changing my life in so many unexpected ways and much more quickly than I ever dreamed possible. I have hopes of being in onederland by July 1. I don't know if I'll make it or not, but that's my current long range goal.

Food:
B: 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices of bacon, tea with splenda
S: 7 whole almonds
L: Chef salad with ff ranch dressing
S: 1 chicken and cheese roll up
D: Grilled cheeseburger deluxe (lettuce, tomato, mayo and bacon) and a diet Pepsi with a ff fudgesicle for dessert

Exercise/Water Gauge
I didn't exercise in the morning (too lazy) but was determined to keep my streak going so rode my bike for 30 minutes for 7 miles in the evening. Yea me!

I've decided that instead of counting how many glasses or ounces of water I drink per day, I'm going to assign my water drinking a daily number value. 1 would be "dry as a desert and about to blow away" and 10 would be "drank so much I had to stay in the bathroom all day". I say my water intake for the day was about a 4.5. Need to do better but I was really busy at work and knew I couldn't afford the luxury of being in the bathroom all day.

That's a wrap for Thursday. I hope everyone has a good weekend!

 

[Strings]

Lisa-
You are doing so well. I'm proud of you. I love your water scale. Hope you have a great weekend.
Beth

 

[ZerasPride]

December 19, 2003 (Friday) Day 18 on the Beach or That's Not Real Wheat Bread!

Once in a while my family gets together for game night. We meet at one of my sister's houses and have a ball! We did this on Friday night. I knew there would be goodies to tempt me and DH there. My family is pretty supportive and agreed to have grilled hot dogs and popcorn - yes we can have popcorn on Phase II! My sister assured me they had "real" wheat bread buns at her house but DH and I decided we really didn't want the carbs and we'd just eat the hot dogs without the buns. By the time we got to sister's house, we both were starving. A very dangerous feeling for a dieter. But we did very well I am happy report. I bought the hot dogs so I could be sure they were acceptable. Anybody every notice how much sodium is in a hot dog? I found some ball park frank beef hot dogs that were pretty acceptable nutrition-wise, as acceptable as a hot dog can be .

I ate 2 of them with some popcorn that was made in canola oil and sprayed it with my can't believe it's not butter spray. I went back for one more later because I was still feeling hungry. Felt a little guilty about that. I think if I would have eaten earlier, I would have been able to resist the third hot dog. I also drank at least 2 glasses of water before the meal and at least 2 glasses of water afterwards. My one sister did look at me a bit funny when I made my plate and asked for a fork. She insisted the bread was acceptable. I read the label of the bread to her and explained that "refined" wheat flour is unacceptable to me. I finally just told her that what she had was not real wheat bread. I told her the only "real" wheat bread actually says it's whole grain bread. I'm no nutritionist but I am learning a thing or two thanks to the SBD book and I have made a commitment not to eat refined flour or sugars.

When people asked me what type of diet I am following, I used to say it's like Atkins but now it's simplier to say I don't eat refined flour and sugar. They seem to understand it better and not get all defensive. I used to get looks of confusion, pity or even concern if I told someone I was on a low carb or good carb/good fat eating program. Now I just say that I am staying away from refined and processed flour and sugar and it seems to sound more mainstream or normal to people. Whatever. I just know I love eating this way of eating and don't miss the bread, pasta and stuff at all. On SBD if I want ice cream, I can have it. If I want a piece of chocolate or even cheesecake, I can have it. You just don't feel deprived on SBD and that's why it is not difficult to stick to and why I feel I can if I am determined and focused, eat like this for life.

Food:
B: 1/2 blow of Bran Flakes cereal with 2% milk and 2 slices of bacon
S: 7 whole almonds
L: grilled cheeseburger with a side salad
S: chicken and cheese roll up
D: 3 hot dogs and 1 cup of popcorn, 1 diet Pepsi and 1 ff fudgesicle for dessert

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I rode my bike for 20 minutes this morning and on the water scale I drank 6.0 today. Not bad but could be better. I am really going to concentrate on my water intake this weekend in hopes that I see at least a 2 pound drop in my weight on Monday morning. Want to earn that beautiful 15 pound WISH clippie.

That's a wrap for Friday. If you've been reading my journals, thanks. I appreciate all the feedback and encouragement I get from other WISHers. Most important, it's nice to have a place I can put down my thoughts on this journey. Perhaps one day when I reach goal, I can print this journal and keep it for posterity to show where I have been, and the journey to get where I know I want to be. Have a good day everyone!

Beth - thanks so much for your support and encouragement. It means so much!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Good morning Lisa! So you survived Game Night, great! What's up with people being so skeptical about Atkins or low carb? I find many folks are just uninformed. Before I started Atkins, I checked with my doctor who fully supports me and explained the difference between good/bad fat and carbs. Have a great weekend.

 

[ZerasPride]

December 20, 2003 (Saturday) Day 19 on the Beach or I understand why they call it "The Firm"!

I have been really wanting to add some variety to my work out routine. I love riding the exercise bike but I miss my Firm videos. I have the cardio, body sculpt and ab videos. I put in the cardio tape and even though I can tell I've lost several pounds, it was still hard! I could only get through 30 minutes of it and I had to stop. I think I'll use the tapes every other day to get used to them.

I took today as a pretty laid back day to just relax which I don't get to do too often. Usually I would be afraid I would overeat on a lazy day like this but not since starting the SB way of life. I may not always have this level of confidence about food that I have right now, but while I have it, I'm going to enjoy it. I know if I lose my way, I can always come here and find my way back home.

Food:
B: Slept in today so no breakfast
L: 1/2 bowl of chili with a tsp of lf sour cream and a sprinkle of lf cheese
S: 1 cup of ff chocolate pudding
D: taco bowl (thanks again Lisa, they are a big hit with my family) with a diet Pepsi and a cup of tea with splenda before bed

Exercise/Water Gauge:
30 minutes with the cardio Firm tape
I would say on the water scale I had about 4.5. Could do so much better with the water.

That's a wrap for Saturday. I love this site and love www.lowcarbfriends. If you are living life low carb, check it out. There's a lot of encouragement on that board just like here. Hope everyone has a good Sunday.

 

[LAinSEA]

Those Firm tapes are difficult - I used to do them with my sister (however, she and tapes moved to Provo last summer - I need my own set...maybe I should drop some last minute Christmas hints...)

Enough water is a real challenge - while I'm at work I have it down so that I get between 6 and 8 12 oz glasses during my shift and another 16 oz when I get home. On days off, especially if I'm running around, I don't get enough either. We do have some really big 16 oz glasses and I try to get through at least 4 during the day and evening hours. I really like to add a small lemon slice to the water - makes it taste "fresher" even though the water it Brita filtered and very very cold without it.

I was told a trick Friday by my very good friend (pregnant with her second child and prone to gestational diabetes), she makes sure she drinks enough water by not allowing herself to eat one of her 6 small meals a day until she's had 8 oz of water and then she drinks 2 glasses of water during her meal. I was also amazed by her prescribed diet - low-carb, it's all about controlling her blood sugar levels.

Thanks again for the link and all your support! Have a really great week!

-Laurie

 

[ZerasPride]

Thanks Laurie for the encouragement. I really need it. I just can't seem to drink enough water. I like the suggestions you gave me. During the week it's not so hard but the weekend are so I'll keep what you said in mind.

The Firm cardio tape is difficult - I forgot how much so. I couldn't bring myself to put the tape in this morning but I'm going to go for it tomorrow morning.

Have a good day and a good week!

 

[ZerasPride]

December 21, 2003 (Sunday) Day 19 on the Beach or What is wrong with this stupid scale?

I decided to switch my weigh in day to Sunday because I can't stand the suspense waiting until Monday and I usually end up weighing myself on Sunday anwyay. I was so pleased to see a 3.5 pound loss. For some unexplicable reason, I weighed myself again later in the day on Sunday and gained 1 pound. Disaster!!! I should have just stayed off the scale.

I thought I did pretty good this weekend, including Sunday. Here's what I ate:

Food:
B: 1/2 bowl of oatmeal and 3 slices of bacon
S: 7 whole almonds
L: 1/2 bowl of chili with 1 tsp of lf sour cream and a bit of lf shreded cheese
S: ff chocolate jellow pudding (1 cup)
D: roast beef au jus with mushrooms and a salad with lf ranch dressing and a diet pepsi and hot tea with splenda for dessert

Exercise/Water:
Rode my bike for 20-30 minutes (I can't remember now which) and on the water scale, I'd say I rated a 3.5. Could do much better in this area especially on the weekends.

That's a wrap for Sunday. It has been three weeks since DH and I started SBD. This was our first week adding back the carbs and that may have something to do with my meager loss for the week of 2 pounds. I have earned a beautiful 15 pound clippie so I'm happy about that. I also have gone three straight weeks exercising everyday so that's another accomplishment under my belt. I hope to be able to lose 2.5 pounds per week on average so I can see onederland by July 1. I may be adjusting that goal to 1.5 to 2.0 pounds per week which may be a bit more realistic.

I hope everyone has a successful week!

 

[blanq]

Lisa,

Congratulations on getting that wonderful 15 pound clippie! It looks great on you! You seem to be doing great on the SBD as you have moved into phase 2. Keep up that super job! I just loved to read the list of things you have noticed about your losing weight (how you are fitting into your bath tub, noticing your heart-shaped face again, etc.)!

I posted to your journal on 12/16, telling you it was day 2 on SB for me. I was hungry at that time, but I have to tell you that on day 4 my cravings/hunger subsided and I have been feeling great ever since. I think it just took awhile for me to rid my body of the carb cravings, and to settle into a new eating routine. It has been one week for me, and I have lost 5 pounds!

You asked me if I am going to start a journal. I don't know at this point. I think it might help keep me honest, but I am afraid of failure, so am a lieelt tentative to hold myself out in such a public way at this point. I started WISH earlier this year and dropped 15 pounds quickly. I then started gaining weight in July and put most of the 15 back on. So, I am starting over. It has been a long time since I posted on the WISH board, but I have at least started lurking there again! In the meantime, I am enjoying reading your journal, and getting lots of tips and motivation to keep with the SBD! Thanks!

Linda

 

[ZerasPride]

Linda! It's so good of you to stop by and comment on my journal. I have been watching the journals to see if you would start one. I can understand being hesitant to put yourself out there. I was too for a while but then I thought, like you said, it will help me be accountable. It's also nice to be able to go back and read how I was feeling at a particular time and to know that whatever I eat will be posted on the world wide web for all my fellow WISHers to see!

You are doing so well. Five pounds in the first week is just great. We can do this and be successful together. I read on another low carb board something that I think is very applicable for our situation. It went something like this: if you look at South Beach as "just another diet" then you will fail. You must look at it like a lifestyle change to succeed. I highly agree with that statement. I intend to eat this way for the rest of my life! I love the way I feel and the new sense of self-confidence and self-control I feel about and around food (and other areas of my life). I would not trade this feeling for anything.

Please let me know if you decide to keep a journal, I would be honored to read about your journey. Keep up the fantastic work and I'm happy to hear that you are starting to feel some of the benefits of this way of eating. Please feel free to pm me if you ever want to "talk" in private. Take care and remember we can do this together!!!!

 

[DoeWDW]

Lisa, you've been at this less than a month and your enthusiasm and success are amazing! Congratulations on that beautiful 15 pound clippie!!

I don't get over to your journal as often as I'd like but I'm thinking about you and hope you're doing well. From what I've been reading, things seem to be moving right along for you!!

Keep up the great work, Lisa!!

 

[littleducksmom]

yeah for you on the new clippie!!!!!!!!!i am so proud proud of you!!!!!!

i was reading what you posted about jumping on the scale.......pleeeeeeeez......do not judge your success by the scale.....it will usually back fire on you........speaking from experience..........just what is the real point of weighing so often?.....have you really thought about it? i only weigh once per week, if that.........i really go by how many inches i am losing and how much looser my clothes feel............who really cares about the that silly number that you are getting from the scale.......does it change your day in some way?........if so you are making a mistake by jumping on it so often. trust yourself that you are doing this for you and your health ,and not just to weigh less.

give yourself some credit, not the scale.

if you do jump on more than once per week.......only count sundays weigh in as your week's loss.

ok here is another point i am gonna make that shows the scale means nothing...........i weigh 192 pounds and wear a size 12......the scale means nothing!!!!!!!!! i have also worn my size 12 jeans tightly at 200 pounds...not too many can say that they weigh that amt and wear a size 12...trust me the weight amt alone isnt the key to your happiness.

dont mean to sound hardcore bout the scale........but really it is a true waste of time for me........and i dont want you to have any setbacks related to the scale...........cuz they will come at some point..........try to enjoy the change from within you....and dont let that stupid scale try to change you or your great attitude.

deb

 

[LAinSEA]

It's so cool that SBD is working so well for you and your DH.

I have to agree with Deb on the scale issue...stay off until weigh in day. Have a set time you approach it with whatever you wear or not wear when you weigh in. Don't get back on it the same day! Weight fluctuates throughout the day - depending on hydration, what you've eaten or, my favorite, mood.

My mother is a slave to her scale (and she's 5'2" and barely 100 lbs wringing wet). If the scale says more than 100 - she won't eat! (See, no wonder I've got weight and other issues...growing up with that.)

I like your list of benefits - none of which have anything to do with the scale. One of my goals is to be able to stretch out on the floor and grab the balls of my feet with straight legs (can't now - too much tummy in the way). Think how great it will be to get into a little summer dress next spring and now worry about how your arms or legs look!

You are my inspiration - keep up the great work!

-Laurie

 

[Castillo Mom]

Good morning lady! Glad to see you're still having in there. Don't worry so much about the scale situation. Laurie and Deb make excellent points that we both need to keep in mind. You asked about the low carb cheesecake. No, I haven't tried a recipe yet but I've been dying to. Let me know how it turns out for you. I saw a recipe on the Splenda website that I may adjust a little, like using whole milk instead of low fat. I think the recipe will be perfect for you since you're watching fat and carbs. Have a great day Lisa!

 

[Strings]

So, how does that new clippie feel? I'm so proud of you. I've been thinking of you. I won't be able to check in until Sunday, but I'll be rooting for you. I hope you have a fabulous holiday.
Beth

 

[ZerasPride]

December 22, 2003 (Monday) Day 22 on the Beach or I need some ice cream RIGHT NOW!!!

I don't know if it was pre-TOM or what but I could not get the thought of ice cream out my mind. It was sort of scary because I felt like the "old" junk food junkie was on her way back. I tried to ignore the feelings all day but by dinnertime it was worse than ever. I ended up asking DH to go to the store and buy me some ice cream. He came back with the no sugar added Breyers we like and I was determined not to eat more than 1/2 cup which is considered one serving. I am happy to report that I only needed that small amount. Once I had that little bit of ice cream, I was fine. Thank goodness. I had visions of polishing off the first half gallon and going for the second one (it was a buy one get one free deal). But fortunately that did not happen.

My younger brother has been staying with us and I warned him about our new low carb lifestyle before he came. He was surprised at the delicious meals we've been having. I don't know what he was expecting, he's only 13 but he has been enjoying the food and hopefully picking up a few healthy food lessons along the way.

Food:
B: 2 scrambled eggs, 3 slices of bacon and tea with splenda
S: 7 whole almonds
L: Chef salad with lf ranch dressing
S: chicken and cheese roll-up
D: grilled pork chop with broccoli and low fat cheese sauce, a diet Pepis and 1/2 cup neopalitan ice cream for dessert

Exercise/Water Gauge:
Rode my exercise bike for 20 minutes and drank 6.0 on the water scale. Not too bad for me!

That's a wrap for Monday.

Doreen - thanks so much for posting to my journal. It means a lot to me. It means even more that you keep me in your thoughts. Please know that you are in mine as well!

Deb - I appreciate your advice not to become overly concerned with what the scale says. I was do bummed out yesterday about the gain then I got on the scale this morning and the 1.5 pounds was gone. Now I'm back down to the original Sunday weight! It's crazy. I can see how I can drive myself insane with worrying about the scale says daily. I definitely plan to let Sunday morning be my regular weigh in day. Thanks so much!

Laurie - Your support means so much to me! I don't want to be a slave to my scale and let it dictate who and what I am as a person. There are so many benefits to this way of eating and I want to remember that weight loss is just one of them. I know I'll have stalls and I know I'll be able to come back to posts like yours to encourage me when I'm feeling a bit down. Thanks!!!

Lisa - how are you? So nice of you drop me a line! I hope everything is going well for you with your hectic schedule. I do appreciate the advice I've been given and I'll try to be good where the scale is concerned. I checked out that recipe on the Splenda site but I think I'll stick to the recipe that I have and let you know how it turns out.

Have a great afternoon all!!!