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

[LAinSEA]

At least that is what most of the young male co-workers wear around here. (I feel like I'm in the middle of the "college crowd" - 20 years removed!) It is so great that you're noticing a big difference only after a month.

I have Dana Carpender's 500 low-carb recipes book. We haven't tried any of the deserts or bread recipes yet. We have used her "subs" for bread crumbs etc. in our own recipes.

Since SBD isn't as carb-restrictive as Atkins, you might be able to use many of your usual recipes and just substituting splenda for sugar and using whole-wheat flour instead of regular white flour. Carpender uses dark molasses with the spenda to get browning in her recipes. Bob's redmill brand of grain products is great for making up your own low-carb mixes and breadings.

DH promised he'd make me some mostly sugar-free creme brulee for a treat this weekend. (We only use 1/4 t of raw sugar for the top for melting anyway - honestly not many carbs after the torch is applied.) I also have a recipe for great regular cheese cake and will be trying it with splenda as well soon. It is not low-fat, however, no not at all.

Onward, inward and downward!

-Laurie

 

[Castillo Mom]

Yup, that's the one, Dana Carpenter. Wow, I didn't know here recipes were so complex. But it makes sense they would be. I mean, how could you possibly make all those yummy low carb goodies that seem so close to the real thing without going through some trouble. Might be worth it though, that is if the recipes are as good as they sound. As for social situations, we're staying in for New Year's Eve, spending it with the kids. It'll be much easier on me since we're usually invited to parties where temptations abound. Take care Lisa!

 

[Strings]

Lisa-
I'm glad you killed that nasty cheesecake. Ours went with my husband to gamefest. (Imagine 20 computer geeks in one room playing games for 16 hours) They apparently didn't notice a funky taste. I bet you can't wait to get some "skinny" jeans that will look great on you. Keep up the great work. Have a Happy New Year.
Beth

 

[ZerasPride]

December 30, 2003 (Tuesday) Day 30 on the Beach or I committed to doing what?

Thanks Laurie, Lisa and Beth for checking in with me!

I am feeling so lazy today for some reason. DH and I just came in from the grocery store. Why is eating healthy so expensive?????? Anyway, I hope the new year brings each of us much success with our weight loss goals.

I joined a FIRM fitness challenge on another board and I am wondering what I am getting myself into with this. I really do want to kick my work out routine up a notch if I hope to see onederland by July 1st so I guess this goes with the territory. Onward and downward, right?

Food:
Brunch: mock french toast, 3 sausage patties and 1/2 glass of 2% milk
Dinner: grilled chicken breast and a salad with lf ranch dressing and 1/2 cup of Breyers no sugar added ice cream

Exercise/Water Gauge:
Road my bike for 7 miles (30 minutes) and water was about a 4.5. Not that good but I am making a concerted effort to get a lot of water in late at night which leads to frequent trips to the bathroom (sigh). I'm going to try to get more water in during the day.

That's a wrap for Tuesday. I hope to be able to say one year from now that I have stuck with this woe and am happier and healthier as a result. I hope the same for all my WISH buddies out there! Take care everyone and have a good afternoon.

 

[lulu201]

Happy New Year, Lisa! You've done an awesome job at staying cheat free for an AMAZING 30 DAYS!!!



And now you have your WISH buddies in on the challenge with you! Doreen, Amanda, Deb, and I are going to join you as we strive to stay Cheat Free for January. There's even more strength in numbers, right?

I'll be checking in to see how you're doing--
Erin

 

[Strings]

Laurie, You've been cheat free for an entire month!!! That is so amazing. You are an inspiration. Keep up the good work! Happy (and Healthy) New Year.
Beth

 

[ZerasPride]

December 31, 2003 (Wednesday) Day 31 on the Beach or Where did the time go?

I cannot believe DH and I have been on the Beach for a whole month! Wow! It seems like yesterday I started my journal, very nervous as to whether this would be another failed half-hearted attempt at weight loss. I am so thrilled with our progress so far and happy to have such wonderful support from my WISH buddies. You guys keep me going in ways that are hard to put into words. I hope each of us finds 2004 to be a successful and happy year!

As of today, I am 14% of the way to my goal. That is very exciting to me. It shows me that I can complete this journey and not just talk the talk but walk the walk. I go back to work tomorrow (boo/hiss) but I feel like I can face whatever work and life challenges that lie ahead because I don't have to hide behind food anymore. It's scary to step outside my fat self because this weight has been such a protection and a haven for me but I keep telling myself I can do it. I don't have to be afraid anymore! I am actually more afraid of staying this way than I am of the unknown waiting for the thin me. I hope none of this sounds stupid but I need to get it down in writing. Okay, enough of the melodrama!

Food:
Brunch: mock french toast, 3 sausage patties and 1/2 glass of 2% milk
Snack: 7 whole almonds
Dinner: Taco bowless taco salad (shredded lettuce with lean ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning in the middle, lf shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatos, a teaspoon of lf sour cream and sliced black olives) - yummy - and a small lc brownie square (that I made myself)

Exercise/Water:
I rode my bike very late (almost midnight) for 30 minutes and water was about 5.0 today.

That's a wrap for Wednesday and the month of December. Thanks again to all my WISH buddies for keeping me on the straight and narrow with your encouraging words.

Erin and Beth - thanks so much for your comments. It has not been easy some days staying cheat free but I keep telling myself if I cheat, the only person who would be hurt by it is me! Plus I keep thinking that I have lived my whole 36 years of life on this earth "cheating" myself. Look at what it's gotten me. So no cheats (if I can help it). Once I reach goal, and go to Phase III, I might be a little more indulgent but I've got a long way to go to reach that point. So let's be cheat free together!!!

 

[Strings]

Lisa, I'm joining the cheat free challenge. Do you realize how many people you have inspired? I love your take on remaining cheat free. I paraphrased it, and it is posted to the fridge. Just wanted to say thanks.
Beth

 

[littleducksmom]

congrats on your first month of your new life.........you are enjoying the journey i can tell........i love it that you were up exercising so late and getting all that water in.......i am telling ya those 2 things are key.........you have learned that already......a lot of people dont get how important those two things are for a life time .......a lot of us can "do" a diet........but there arent that many that are committed to a true lifestyle change....and exercise is probably the most important of all keys in improving our lives. be proud of yourself...........

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Lisa, and congratulations on not only another cheat free day, but your whole new lease on life! I agree with Beth; you're inspiring so many of us here on the WISH with your positive energy and your "I'm going to do this" attitude. Thanks!

About the Half Marathon. Try not to feel bad about this. By NOT going, you're being true to your own situation. Think about it. You could decide to go and then max out your charge cards--would THAT be the right thing to do?! Your day will come. Maybe you'll set other goals for yourself--like a local 10K or a half marathon closer to home or a whole marathon in 2006!!!! The sky's the limit, Lisa!

Have a great day, Lisa!
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Good morning, Lisa! Happy 2004!!

You're an old hand at this cheat-free stuff now, so keep up the great work, OK? 2004 is just going to get better and better for us! I know what you mean about using your weight to hide behind. Somehow people expect less and we don't have to do much to meet their expectations. I know when I lose the weight, then people expect more of me - will I be able to measure up?? Please believe that you're stronger than you know. The change will be gradual and as the weight goes down, I bet your confidence level will go up!!

Don't worry about the 2005 Disney half-marathon. Your day will come - your goals can be different. I know what you mean about juggling those DVC points - we're DVC members too. Our points are at the Beach Club Villas. We never seem to have enough!

Onward and downward, Lisa! Have a wonderful day!

 

[ZerasPride]

January 1, 2004 (Thursday) Day 32 on the Beach

A pretty uneventful day. I did weigh myself and found I was down another pound for a total of 20 since I started South Beach on December 1st. Went to my mom's for dinner where she prepared some shrimp scampi for me - they were yummy and I didn't even miss all the other "stuff" that I couldn't have. Some of my brothers and sisters showed up (there are 12 of us) so that was fun to have so many of us together in one place for an evening.

I'm not sure what 2004 will bring but I know I am already doing better than I did in 2003 because I am 20 pounds lighter than I was and hopefully the scale will continue it's downward momentum.

Food:
Brunch: 1/2 bowl of whole grain flakes, 2% milk and 3 slices of bacon and 2 scrambled eggs
Dinner: 4 shrimp scampi, 2 rib bones, 1/2 bbq pork chop, greens and 2 deviled eggs plus I had 1/2 cup of Breyers no sugar added ice cream for dessert at home later in the evening.

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I did my FIRM cardio tape for 30 minutes as part of the exercise challenge on another board and water intake was approximately 4.0. I've got to do better with this water!

That's a wrap for Thursday.

Thanks so much for your support Beth, Erin, Doe and littleducksmom. It means so much to me to know I have encouragement here. I was feeling so bad that I couldn't do the marathon with so many of my WISH buddies in 2005 but I have to be realistic not just physically but financially as well. I'll be starting school in a few weeks and I'm pretty overwhelmed right now with all the class options, finacial aid and other details that go along with going back to school after years and years. I feel like if I can reach my weight loss goals, then I can reach my goal of being a teacher. It will be so much more rewarding and fulfilling than what I do now in corporate america. Thanks again to all my buddies for believing in me and contributing to the courage and strength I need to win this battle of the bulge!

Take care everyone!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Hi Lisa! Wow, I'm gone a couple of days and I find an extra page of posts. You're a busy bee and very consistent with your journal. So you've been cheat free all this time, that's amazing! How's your hubby doing on SB? I thought about my fellow Wishers who are doing low carb when I was at the grocery store the day before yesterday. I was cruising the frozen food section at Ralphs and noticed they had a couple of new ice cream products. One is by Skinny Cow which my low fat friends swear by, except this time they had low carb ice cream bars, vanilla and chocolate peanut butter! In addition, they had Breyers low carb vanilla ice cream, 4 net grams! Woohoo! Needless to say I had to try all 3. The Skinny Cow vanilla bar was not very good, had a weird after taste and not very creamy, however I'd rate the chocolate peanut butter a 7 or 8, pretty yummy. But the Breyers vanilla ice cream, unbelievable. It was excellent and I give it a 10. They're going to give Atkins a run for their money, because the Breyers was creamier and a better value because it's 1/2 gallon as opposed to the 4 1/2 cup servings that Atkins gives you and for pretty much the same price. Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads up in case you hadn't seen these products yet. Those low carb sweets keep us in line, don't they? Have a great weekend Lisa!

 

[littleducksmom]

ok........here i go again...congrats on another pound!!!!!!!......boy i sound like a broken record.......teehee!!!!!!!

sounds like you had a great meal at your mom's.....

i have to agree with lisa also on that ice cream.....but you already know that..it's seems to be a treat that can be made pretty good tasting on any type of diet........i love those skinny cow ice cream sandwiches...but can only have them on my free days, which are usually once per week, but i am not taking a free day until we get to disney.....

happy again for you!!!!!

 

[ZerasPride]

January 2, 2004 (Friday) Day 33 on the Beach

I can't believe I haven't had time to post all day. Went to see Paycheck this weekend and really enjoyed it. Had some popcorn at the movies and it ended up being dinner. Not the greatest choice but hey, that's what happens sometimes. Thanks so much Lisa for letting me know about the Breyer's lc ice cream and thanks to you littleducksmom for mentioning the Skinny Cow products. I don't think they carry Skinny Cow at my local grocery store but I will check it out next week.

I'll be brief because it's almost 1:00 a.m. and I've got an early day tomorrow.

Food:
I am honestly having a hard time remembering what I had to eat yesterday. I think I may have to start recording my food intake for the day instead of waiting until the next day. I know I didn't eat off plan but the specifics escape me now. Oh, yes, I remember I had fried fish (in canola oil) for dinner and possibly some ice cream for dessert. I think I will try to wean myself off all the treats for a bit. I want to reach my goal of 8 pounds lost this month in hopes of reaching my 10% goal and I don't think the ice creams helps. Plus we are only supposed to have 75 calories of sweets per day and I've been having 100 when I eat the ice cream so I'm going to have a cup of tea before bed instead of the sweets for a while and see if that helps at all.

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I was supposed to rest on Saturday and ride my bike on Friday. I never got around to exercising at all on Friday but did this morning so I switched rest days. Tomorrow (or since it's Sunday morning technically, I guess I should say today) I plan on doing the FIRM ab tape. Water was a lousy 3.0. I've got to get more water in!

That's a wrap for Friday. I hope everyone had a good Saturday and that you will have a good Sunday. I'll try to check in tomorow afternoon and hopefully have some time to catch up on all your journals. Nighty night!

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Lisa! You were up late last night, so I don't know if you're up and at 'em yet, but here's some
for another cheat free day! You said you had to be up early. . .that sounds like your Sunday might be busy. Don't forget to take good care of yourself and drink that water!

Erin

 

[blanq]

Hi Lisa! It has been awhile since I checked in to see how you are doing, and now I read you have lost a whopping 20 pounds your first month of SB!!! Way to go!!

I know you like pizza, because I remember reading the few times you picked the pizza toppings off and just ate them, without the crust. So, I thought you might like to try my new SB pizza creation.

1. 1 LaTortilla Factory Large Lo-Carb Tortilla (5 net carbs, 80 cals)
2. 2-3T Hunts No-Sugar Spaghetti Sauce
3. Shredded Mozzarella
4. Toppings (I love red/orange/yellow bell peppers stir fried w/a teeny bit of olive oil and italian seasoning, along with some sun-dried tomatoes...but you can use meats and any veggies on this too)

Bake it until the cheese is bubbly. This is a really good alternative to pizza made w/ a white flour crust!

Keep it up, Lisa! You are doing Soooooo well!

Linda

 

[Castillo Mom]

Hi Lisa! I know you're busy today but I hope you have time to rest before going back to work tomorrow. I couldn't remember if you weigh in on Mondays or not. If so, I wish you well for tomorrow. Talk to you then.

 

[ZerasPride]

January 3, 2004 (Saturday) Day 34 on the Beach (with a new attitude)

I weighed myself this morning and I was sort of disappointed that I have not lost anything further from Thursday when I cheated and weighed myself early. So I think I'm going to stop weighing myself except on Sunday my official weigh in day. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy I lost a pound this week, and I am very proud of the 20 pounds I have lost and did change my clippie to the 20 pound one. I didn't want to do that on Thursday in case the scale went the wrong way (up).

I do want to make some adjustments to my expectations. I want to lose 1-2 pounds per week. That hasn't changed, but I realize I cannot control the scale. I can, however, control me - what I put in my mouth (eating on plan), the water I drink, my work out routine and my attitude. I can't let the scale dictate whether I am a good or successful person. I have stuck with this way of eating for over one month. I feel good. My clothes are loose or even baggy on me depending on what I wear. I have not cheated, not even once, and none of that can be reflected on the scale. I will keep repeating to myself that the scale does not define me. I won't be defeated by a number - not this time!

I am doing what I consider South Beach 1.5. I will eat my oatmeal and whole wheat flakes but I'm switching to 1% milk instead of 2%. I'm also staying away from the "treats" in particular the ice cream I've been having a couple times a week. If I want something as a treat after dinner, I'll have my old faithful ff fudgesicle or a cup of hot tea. I have my regular exercise routine down pretty well and I'm faithful to it. Water is an area I can improve in and I'm working on being very water conscious. Well, those are my goals. Things I can control and I think the scale will take care of itself.

Food:
B: 1/2 bowl of oatmeal and 3 slices of bacon
L: taco salad
D: popcorn at the movies and a cup of hot tea for dessert later in the evening

Exercise/Water:
Rode my bike for 5 miles which was about 25 minutes. Water was not good today. Probably at 3.5.

That's a wrap for Saturday. As usual I appreciate all the support I get here. I know for a fact that I could not have made it this far without the support and accountability I feel here by keeping a journal. It was probably one of the smartest things I did when I decided to change the way I eat.

Lisa, how are you my friend? I need to sign off now so I don't have time to check your journal tonight but I will tomorrow. Take care!

Erin, thanks so much for your comments and encouragement. This cheat free challenge is great! I hope you had a cheat free day!

Linda, I'm glad to hear from you! That pizza recipe sounds yummy! I will definitely have to give it a try for me and DH. I like pizza a lot but DH would walk over glass to get a good pizza so he will especially enjoy having a pizza with a "crust". Thanks so much!!!!!

Take care everyone!

 

[A1A1]

Thank you for posting your days. You have been inspirational. Great job!!!!!! I bought the South Beach book yesterday based on your information. Can't wait to read it.

I am with you on the marathon. Would love to do it. Maybe in the near future.

Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!