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

[lulu201]

Just dropping by to say hi and wish you well as you spend another day on the Beach. You're looking so good, no wonder you've chosen to make it your permanent home! Have a great day, Lisa!

Erin

 

[Desiree]

Add me on the list to getting that recipe from you!! It sounds delicious!!

Have a great day!!!

 

[septbride2002]

Hi Lisa! You sound like you are doing wonderful! Congratulations to you!

Could you please please please tell me your alfredo recipe. It sounds delish! I'll have to try that whole wheat pasta - where did you buy it from? I try to limit my Low Carb Products but it is nice to shake things up a bit. I think I'm going to check out the South Beach Diet book and read up on it a bit. I've been doing my research on all low carb diets and like to compare. Right now I am not following really any plan. Just limiting carbs and eat whole foods.

~Amanda

 

[ZerasPride]

March 15, 2004 (Monday) Day 106 on the Beach

It's been hard to post on the boards the past couple of days or maybe it's just been me. Anyway, I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to post the shrimp alfredo recipe before now. Here it is for you guys that are interested:

ALFREDO SAUCE
Ingredients:
1 Pint Heavy cream
1 Stick I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
4 Tablespoons Cream cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Garlic powder

How To Prepare:
In a heavy saucepan, melt butter, add cream cheese and simmer over low heat until melted, then add cream, parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This is the best stuff! Way way better tasting than the sauces in a can plus you don't have to worry about added ingredients you can't have or don't want. Enjoy!

Today's menu:
B: 1/2 bowl of whole wheat flakes with 1% milk and 2 small sauage patties
S: 7 whole almonds
L: tuna salad on 7 whole wheat crackers with an orange
S: 1 Dannon light and fit 4 oz. yogurt (strawberry)
D: beef stroganoff over long grain converted rice and either broccoli or spinach with 1/2 cup of no sugar added ice cream for dessert

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I did FIRM cardio sculpt this morning - felt great! Water level was a 5.0. Pretty good.

That's a wrap for Monday!

 

[Desiree]

My mouth is watering just thinking about that alfredo! Thanks for posting the recipe!

Sounds like Monday was a great day! Hope today is equally as great!

 

[marsh0013]

lisa, i think you're right about the board...i've been having major issues with the dis the past few days, couple that with the fact that i've been so busy at work, and well, that's why i haven't been around in a couple days

but i'm here now! (until the dis decides to act up again anyway )

that shrimp alfredo that you made sounds absolutely wonderful! i myself am a really big fan of whole wheat pasta. mmm, has such a wonderful flavor all its own, i could eat it plain! then add on yummy sauces, just love it

oh, and i can't wait to hear that "shout heard round the world" when you get into size 12s . i look forward to it, but just warn us okay, so we dont' hurt our ears

hope you have another great day

 

[ZerasPride]

March 16, 2004 (Tuesday) Day 107 on the Beach

Someone accused me of cheating on my program at lunch today when she saw I was eating rice. I had to set her straight and inform her that I am allowed a certain type of white rice (long grain converted). What made me upset is that she said it in a tone like you would to a child you catch eating chocolate before dinner. I am an adult and what if I did want to cheat, wouldn't that have been my business? She said it loud enough for the whole lunchroom to hear. I'm sure she meant well but still it bothered me. It makes me feel pressure like I have other people to be responsible to and it makes me a bit nervous.

I have an observation. I hope I can word this correctly. There are people in my office and people I deal with on a fairly regular basis that always seemed either indifferent towards me or seemed as if they actually ignored me. I don't mean to make it sound like I don't have friends and family that love me, of course I do. But there have always been acquaintances that seemed sort of "cool" towards me. Now, many of them, seem to have discovered that I am human for the first time. They talk to me and make light banter like I'm an old lost friend. I think it's weight related but I'm not sure if they are more comfortable around me now that I am beginning to look more "normal" or if I am more comfortable and happy around people because I'm taking off the weight.

This probably makes no sense but I wanted to get these feelings down in writing. It might possibly be a combination of both. My office manager recently said to me in a review meeting that people have been telling her what a pleasure it has been recently to work with me and she commented that I seem to always be smiling. She even said as I was sitting across from her desk that I had a "glow" on my face and a happy disposition that was infectious. That's a high compliment coming from her. So, I wonder is it me or are people seeing me different because I am beginning to feel different.

Has anyone else that's losing weight noticed this or is it just me?

On with show and today's menu:
B: 1/2 bowl of ww flakes with 1% milk and 2 small sauage patties
S: 7 whole almonds
L: leftover beef stroganoff over long grain converted rice
S: no snack - they closed the office early and I was out of there!
D: grilled bacon cheeseburger with ww bread and lettuce, tomato and mayo with 1 sugar free chocolate mousse cup (homemade) with a squirt of reduced calories whipped topping for dessert

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I did FIRM body sculpt (upper body) this morning. I've decided to start my own mini challenge and see how many days in a row I can exercise. Today makes 7 days straight! Water was a 4.5. Not too bad considering I left the office 1-1/2 hours early.

That's a wrap for Tuesday!

Tracy - Hi! I hope things are going well with you. I must make it around to everyone's journal if the boards cooperate today. Let me know if you decide to do South Beach. I love it! It's the first program I've found that I've been this successful with and that I truly feel I can eat this way for life. I posted the yummy alfredo sauce recipe above. I hope you like it!

Erin - thanks for stopping by! I am feeling good these days. I know the weight is only dropping off 1 pound a week but I feel so much lighter each and everyday. The good feelings I have alone are worth doing South Beach for and I consider the weight loss icing on my low carb cake! Take care!

Desiree - I listed the recipe above. I hope you get a chance to make it. I'm making it again this week and can't wait! Take care.

Amanda - Hi FIRM sis! I know you're going strong with the FIRM workouts, keep it up! I bought a new one and gave it a try this morning. Cardio sculpt blast. It's awesome!!! DH and I have tried the angel hair whole wheat pasta and the whole wheat linguini. We both prefer the linguini. We feel it tastes just like egg noodle pasta. Delicious! With SBD, we eat primarily whole foods. The whole wheat pasta is a whole food so you can be confident it's okay when you buy it. I know they sell low carb pasta sauces and low carb shakes and candy. We don't eat any of it and it's not encouraged with SBD either. We buy the pasta in the same aisle at the grocery store where the regular pasta is sold. It's in a light golden brown box, I forget the name. DH and I love SBD! If you are looking for a program that is flexible, allows for delicious foods and consistent weight loss, this may be the program for you. After you read the book, let me know what you think. Have a good one!

Marcia - thanks too you to for stopping by! I'm glad to know it wasn't just me the past couple of days having problems with this site. It's so hard not to be able to log on and check with everyone when you want to. I guess we're all spoiled a little bit. I'll definitely give you a warning when I can wear a size 12. There might just be lightenings and thunders with a solar eclipse in honor of this never before seen event in my life! I know it's probably no big deal to other people but it will be a big big deal to me! Whole wheat pasta is yummy and I hope you like the alfredo sauce recipe I posted above.

 

[Strings]

Hi Lisa,

I hust want to give you a . You are not the only person to experience those things. I have a couple of people at work who are now trying to be my buddies. What really annoys me is the people who say that I can't keep any of the weight off when I start eating real food again. this is for life, and I don't like the way high carbs make me feel.

You are doing an incredible job with the Firm. Looks like you are experimenting with some new tapes. Good for you.


Beth

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Lisa!
for you today. I'm sorry that work was tough yesterday. I'm blessed to be a stay at home mom right now, but I remember those days in the lunch room. I hope that your day is much better today! You are doing a fabulous job!!!!

I am almost ready to commit to the South Beach diet. However, I'm not sure how I am going to work around the fact that my DH is allergic to chicken. He can eat eggs, but absolutely no poultry. I was thinking that maybe I would limit chicken and turkey meals to lunch when he is at work. Both of my DDs love chicken and turkey so that would be good for them. Thank God they didn't inherit that allergy from daddy! Do you know of any good websites for recipes ot other information? I have the book from the library right now, but I have to return it next week.

I hope you have a great day today!!

Tracy

 

[ZerasPride]

Thanks Beth for the hug! I needed it. People can be so insentitive sometimes. I agree with you about our eating plans being for life. People just don't seem to get it. But we'll show them, won't we? We'll be successful with our without their support. I appreciate your stopping by - have a great afternoon.

Tracy - I'm glad to hear you may be starting South Beach! It reall is a great program. DH and I don't eat chicken that often (maybe once or twice a week) so I don't see a problem with you not making it for your DH. I like the lowcarbfriends.com site. It's mostly an Atkins site but I get 90% of my recipes from there. You might have to tweak things a little, like when a recipe calls for butter I use a butter substitute and things like that. We have a SBD thread on the challenge board over there with a group of really encouraging women. I post under the same username as on the DIS so you'll be able to find me if you come on over. The ladies list their menus everyday and that gives you some ideas of what you can have on Phase 1. Plus the www.prevention.com site has message boards and one board dedicated to South Beach living specifically. It's a great place to search if you have questions about a certain food being allowable or not. Plus they have a nice "newbie" thread that answers just about any question you may have. I'm glad you'll be pulling up a chair on the Beach! You'll love it!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Hi Lisa, I just read about your experience in the lunchroom. Yes, some people can be pretty annoying at times and don't think before they speak. I try to ignore comments like that but it can get to you. Remember, for every one person that behaves that way, you have many more that are rooting for you to succeed and are supporting you.

I understand what you mean about some folks treating you differenly, becoming more "friendly." Personally, I think it stinks because you're the same lovely person you were before you started losing weight. Just goes to show that some are superficial that way. On the other side of the coin, however, I think when we lose a significant amount of weight, we exude more confidence and as you mentioned, have that glow. When that confidence becomes apparent to others, maybe they're more drawn to us subconsciously. I don't know, just a thought.

I wanted to thank you again for being so supportive during my weight gain crisis. My head tells me this is normal but my heart just kind of sank when I saw the scale. That should teach me a lesson to stay away from the scale for awhile.

Don't mean to go on about myself on your journal. Good night Lisa.

 

[wovenwonder]

Lisa ``
I'm sorry you felt uncomfortable in the lunch room yesterday. Your co-worker was just misinformed about this way of eating. I can see how it would have looked like you were cheating.

As far as the reaction of other people to you recently I have to say that I really would bet that you are now carrying yourself in a more secure positive manner and coming across more 'approachable' to other people. I bet that is the reason that more people are talking to you now. When you look at someone with confidence and a smile they can't help but to want to return that gesture.

 

[ZerasPride]

March 17, 2004 (Wednesday) Day 108 on the Beach

Another brutal 2 hour ride home on the bus this evening. Yuck! Between the bad accident and the gas main break it was just bad going for anyone stuck in rush hour traffic. I had every intention of making chicken for dinner but couldn't even face the kitchen after my bus ordeal! DH took pity on me and ordered a pizza. Of course we just ate the toppings off it and had a salad. Someone asked me a few weeks ago if I felt guilty throwing the crust away. Heck no! I replied. That crust will go in the garbage or end up on my backside. Ever see the nutragrain commercial where the people in the office end up wearing the breakfast pastry? That's what I think of when I throw the crust away. It actually looks disgusting to me now!

Today's menu:
B: 1/2 bowl of ww flakes with 1% milk and 2 small sausage patties
S: 7 whole almonds
L: tuna salad and 7 Triscuit ww cheddar cheese crackers
S: Dannon light and fit 4 oz. yogurt (peach)
D: 3 slices of pizza without the crust - just the toppings and salad with lf ranch dressing plus 1/4 cup of no sugar added ice cream for dessert

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I did FIRM cardio sculpt blast - my new tape and it was great! The moves are challenging but not too hard. I think I only fell off my fanny lifter a couple of times . Today makes it 8 straight days of exercising for me. It will be interesting to see how long I can keep it up. I feel really good so that must be a good sign. Water level was a 5.0. Pretty good.

That's a wrap for Wednesday!

Lisa - thanks so much for stopping by and checking on me. I do appreciate the things you are saying. You're right. I do probably seem more approachable and I certainly more confident and happier than I have in years so maybe that is drawing people to me. It's so wonderful to be able to put my feelings down in writing and then have feedback from people that care. WISH is such a special place filled with special people - like you! Take care and thaks again for checking on me!

Jody - Hi!! It's so nice to "see" you in two places . Thanks for the encouragement. I'm sure that coworker of mine was just misinformed. But I also think she was being catty toward me. Her boss is the one that let me borrow his SBD book when I was trying to find a plan to start on. She was trying to start SBD too but never did. Now she's having a baby and I catch her from time to time giving me appraising looks up and down like she can't believe I'm losing weight. It's frustrating but I try to ignore her. She's about to have her hands full when her bundle of joy arrives so you'd think she'd have more interesting things to concentrate on! Anyway, thanks for stopping by my journal and checking on me. Have a good day!

 

[septbride2002]

Hi Lisa!

I don't know how you do it! The firm 8 days in a row! I think my muscles would be screaming for relief. I definately need my rest days. Hopefully soon we will start walking on my rest days which in turn will hopefully speed up my weight loss.

I can't believe how much I am enjoying the firm tapes. I've been doing them consistently for 2 weeks now. I haven't done that in a year! The last time I was consistent was when I went to Jazzercise classes. It feels great and I already see improvement everywhere.

I need to learn to throw the crust of pizza away. I may have to make myself do it next time. Good for you on sticking to your diet and not letting life get in the way.

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

lisa - haha, that nutrigrain commercial! i know exactly what you're talking about! that is too funny, but hey, whatever works! i should start thinking like that the next time i want to pick up a donut...of course that's exactly where it's going to go, and why do i want to look silly like that

i'm sorry that you're experiencing some uncomfortable situations at work. it really is hard when other people know what you're doing and you feel like you have to answer to them. i have similar experiences with my brother...like yesterday was a high point day for me, so i wanted a cadbury egg. and he says something like "ooh, marsh, are you sure you can have that?? aren't you going to get fat??" sarcastic comments like that. i know he's joking around because he doesn't think i should be watching what i eat to begin with, but still, i don't want to have to explain myself. i think that's why i tell as few people as possible that i'm actually following a specific eating plan, becaues i'm very self conscious about it.

and as for people approaching you and talking to you more, i'm sure it's a combo of the 2 things. the horrible part where they are just starting to realize that you are a person worth talking to, because they're superficial, but also that i'm sure you exude more confidence now, and you have an aura of approachableness because you are so confident in who you are.

anyway, that's the end of my novel for today . hope you ahve a great day

 

[wovenwonder]

Lisa -- your question about sugar free ice cream on another thread had me curious so I researched it in the book a little. This is was I found on pg. 48 -

As for the icecream itself, there's not much you can do. True, its's loaded with sugar, which is no diet friend. But it's also loaded with fat., meaning that once you eat it your hunger will be satiated. And you won't be under the delusion that you've been good, so you'll be less likely to think you deserve more tomorrow night. Whereas eating low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt has none of these advantages -- the fat has been replaced with sugar, so its's actually worse for your diet, plus it won't be as satisfying as the real thing, and you might actually convince yourself that you've been virtuous. If you're going to break the rules, you should at least know that you did it.

As far as fast food burgers go refer to pg 48 -

The average fast-food burger itself is something of a health hazard, due to its high saturated fat content and the grease in which it's cooked. Eating one a day is a very bad habit indeed, but as an occasional treat it can be accommodated into the South Beach regimen. However, if instead of this you have a burger in an upscale restaurant, or better yet at home, you begin to change it instantly. you can have a burger made from a good cut of meat like sirloin, which is much leaner than common ground beef.

So it sounds like you occasional burger is just fine Lisa! Enjoy!

 

[DoeWDW]

Lisa, thanks so much for sending me the chocolate mousse recipe - it is on my "gotta try it soon" list!

You're doing great with your food and you're tackling the FIRM!!! You are an amazing woman!! No wonder other people are drawn to you! You're accomplishing such wonderful things in your life and I bet you even walk differently - with an air of confidence!

I'm sorry that some people seem to be putting you down so they can try to make themselves feel better but it's THEIR problem, not yours. They must be very unhappy on the inside and I generally feel pretty sad for them. The worst part of it is that nothing YOU do or say can make them any happier with themselves. That's a journey they have to make on their own.

Hope you have a wonderful day, Lisa!

 

[ZerasPride]

March 18, 2004 (Thursday) Day 109 on the Beach

I had a presentation to give in front of a large audience today and it went pretty well, if I do say so myself. There was a time after one of my presentations I would want to reward myself with my old favorite standby meal: McD's 20 piece chicken mcnugget, large fry, soft drink with a double cheeseburger thrown in for a good measure and a cheese danish with a glass of milk for dessert. I am embarassed to type that is what I would eat. Good grief, it's a wonder I didn't weigh 500 pounds! Anyway, the satisfaction of knowing I did a good job and the promise of a hot bubble bath proved far more satisfying to me than a 2,500 calorie meal. If that isn't progress, then I don't know what is.

I also played the "let's see how the clothes in the closet fit" game before bed which is one of my favorite new pasttimes. The size 20 (designer so really size 18) jeans I'm dying to wear now fit very very well - as a matter of fact, they are baggy in the seat area. The size 24 shorts I own and was excited to fit into again and wear this summer are officially too big! Yea!!!! I just love progress!

Okay, on with today's menu:
B: 1/2 bowl of ww flakes with 1% milk and 2 small sauage patties
S: no snack this morning I was a meeting but I did have a cup of coffee with half and half and 2 packets of Equal
L: tuna salad with 7 ww crackers and an orange
S: Didn't eat my snack - too nervous about my prensentation
D: chicken breast fried in canola oil, 1/2 cup of rice

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I did FIRM body sculpt (upper body) this morning which makes 9 days in a row that I have worked out! Water was a 4.5. Pretty good.

That's a wrap for Thursday!

Amanda - thanks for stopping by to check on me. I'm so glad you are enjoying your FIRM work outs. They are just the best! I don't know how many days in a row I'll make it with the exercise, it's just one of those little things I made up to help me along and make my journey more interesting.

Marcia - thanks for understanding exactly what I was babbling along about and not saying very clearly. It can be so frustrating when people make negative comments about your weight loss efforts. I really wanted this to be a private journey but for good or bad, it's very public. Sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes I just wonder. Anyway, thanks for checking on me! Have a good weekend!

Jody - thanks for doing the research for me. I think reading the book again is a good idea. I do lean sometimes toward more Atkins style eating, it's probably a result of spending a lot of time on an Atkins board . Thanks again for your help and support!

Doe - I appreciate the sunshine you always bring to me with your posts. It warms my heart to know I have support here in cyberspace when sometimes real life people can't be supportive. I hope you get a chance to make the mousse and that you find it helps with those chocolate cravings. Take care!

 

[Desiree]

Wow! Lisa! Isn't the clothes fitting game wonderful! It's so nice when you can actually SEE that you are making progress!!!

I admit I used to never think twice about ordering a 20 piece Chicken McNuggets pack too with Large Fries, coke and a McFlurry to boot. Now I settle for a salad and I feel much much better about it!!!

Keep up the good work on everything! It suits you well! Oh, and have a great weekend!!!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Lisa,
Hi there! Woohoo! Isn't it fun to try on clothes and realize, "Hey! These are a smaller size!" Congratulations Lisa! Your hard work is paying off!

I hope to be pulling up a chair next to you on South Beach soon. I have to get issue w/TOM resolved and I have jury duty this week so I don't think I'll start this week. My goal is to begin on March 28. I have moments where I think to myself, "Do I really want to do this?" Then I think... "well, the strict part is only two weeks long... gee, my TOM is lasting longer than that and I am surviving... so, I can do this! I hope.

Hope you have a great weekend despite this gloomy, rainy weather. Take care!

Tracy