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

[lulu201]

WAY TO GO, LISA! WAY TO GO!




Congratulations on the clothes and the pounds! You're making your dream come true, Lisa. Wow!

Revel in your success--
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

:thewave: :thewave: :thewave:

55 lbs! That is a huge accomplishment! Congratulations to you sweetie! I love you story about shopping at Lane Bryant and I am so proud of you for going shopping and purchasing some new clothes. Size 16's! Way to go! I am so PROUD of you! That is awesome!



~Amanda

 

[ZerasPride]

May 2, 2004 (Sunday) Day 154 on the Beach

I am really glad that I spent a few dollars and bought myself a couple of outfits. I wore one to worship this morning and got so many compliments on my weight loss. You can really see that I have lost these 55 pounds in my new clothes. Thanks so much for the encouragement to get some things guys. I really appreciate it!

Before I post Sunday's menu, I want to post about my lunch experience today (real time which is Monday, May 3). I was invited to lunch with my office manager, 2 supervisors and a new lady that started today to help orientate her. We went to Houlihans and this was the first time I have been there since I started SBD. Usually I would order the fried shrimp and baked potatoe with some chocolate ice cream concoction for dessert. I was fairly confident I would do alright but you know how Negative Nelly likes to rear her ugly head sometimes. Anyway, I ordered off the low carb menu and had the grilled shrimp skewers, mash cauliflower and green beans. It was delicious! For dessert the girls split a Toll House ice cream chocolate, caramel thingy but I didn't waiver. I told the waitress it would be so nice to have some fresh fruit (I saw someone with strawberries on their plate) and she said they didn't offer it for dessert. But she was kind enough to have several strawberries placed on the ice cream just for little ol' me! That was just totally awesome of her to do that!

I wanted to record this event while it is still fresh in my mind. One of my supervisors mentioned how impressed she was with my willpower and I told her that I made a promise to myself to only eat foods I truly love and that's what helps me not to cheat. I do admit their dessert looked good but my strawberries were awesome! The supervisor said she knew she'd be sleepy all afternoon from the pasta and cream sauce dish she had but here I am wide awake and full of energy after my satisfying lunch. I don't know if I will always be able to resist foods I'm not allowing myself to have but like I told her, the "sweetest" part of this diet, is the slacks that are 3 sizes smaller I had on! I am not always so confident on this weight loss journey but I want to remember how good and powerful I feel right now with the good choices I made at this lunch.

Okay,'s here Sunday's menu:
B: 1/2 bowl of ww cereal, 2 scrambled eggs with a slice of cheese and 3 slices of bacon
S: no snacks today
L: leftover fried fish and homemade cole slaw from Friday night and 1 Hershey sugar free miniature with almonds
D: roast beef Linda's "Just Like Stuffed Potatoes" with 1/4 cup of n/s/a ice cream for dessert

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I did FIRM ab sculpt for my work out early this morning. Water was a 4.0. Pretty good for a weekend.

That's a wrap for Sunday!

Beth - thanks for celebrating with me!!! I didn't even realize I had exercised for 5 months straight until I was counting how many months I had been on the South Beach program. I hope I'm able to find a way to work out on vacation in a few weeks.

Erin - I'm not quite sure if I have ever thought about the fact that I am making a dream come true but I am! I have dreamed for so long of being thin and buying pretty clothes from the store and then looking nice in them. It's almost unbelieveable to me! Thanks so much for cheering me on!

Amanda - thanks to you too for supporting and encouraging me! I am so excited about wearing a size 16 that I wonder if it's really real. When I went to put the pants on for work this morning, part of me wondered if they would still fit from Saturday, like maybe it was some cruel trick of a mirror that let me get into these pants. But nope, they fit just fine this morning so I guess it's official!

 

[wilderness01]

Congrats to you on your accomplishments!

 

[DoeWDW]

Lisa, I'm sad to say many of the smilies are not working for me right now so this will have to do!

55 POUNDS GONE!! WOO-HOO!!

Your new clippie is so beautiful!! Congratulations, Lisa!!

I enjoyed hearing about your shopping experience - so wonderful that you are fitting into clothes that you really like AND in a smaller size!! Your lunch experience is fabulous, too!! You know what you want and you're doing what you need to do to get there, moment by moment, day by day.

Thanks for the kind words about me. You'll have to ask Erin & Amanda if I'm "motherly" (they've both met me in person) but I do have 2 teenagers and tend to drift into "Mom-mode" around here on occasion. Just for the record, I'm 40 years old. You said that you picture me as "wise, caring, open and loving" and I'll agree with the last three. The funny thing is that I picture you the same way! I'm glad we've gotten to know each other and have been sharing our WISH journeys.

Hope your Monday continues to go well!

 

[ZerasPride]

May 3, 2004 (Monday) Day 155 on the Beach

Here's my menu for the day and I'll be back later if anything journal worthy happens.

Menu:
B: 1/2 bowl of whole wheat cereal with 2 small sausage patties
S: 4 oz. Bryers' light yogurt (strawberry) and five small whole almonds
L: (Houlihans) I had a dish off the lc menu: 2 grilled shrimp skewers, mashed califlower and green beans with diet soda
S: an orange and 4 oz. yogurt
D: beef enchilada bake with 1/2 cup of n/s/a ice cream for dessert

The beef enchilada bake was pretty good. DH loved it! I'd definitely make it again before I would eat a plain burger. I'm so sick of burgers!

Exercise/Water Gauge:
FIRM cardio sculpt blaster this morning for my work out. Water was a 4.75 for the day. Not too bad.

That's a wrap for Monday!

wilderness01 - thanks for stopping by and cheering me on!

Doe - You know how much I always appreciate your sunny and positive comments. Thanks for being you! I did get a chance to catch up with you and post to your journal. Since we are about the same age I'll revise my earlier statement and say that I always appreciate your "sisterly" advice. Thanks for celebrating my accomplishments with me! It's so nice to have WISH friends like you!

 

[wilderness01]

Your day sounded great. What kind of ice cream are you eating? I am in phase 2 or really phase 1.5. I am nervous to completely go to phase 2 and am comfortable in my 1.5 world! How long did it take you to go from phase to phase? Really, I could probably stay in 1.5 forever! I love my chicken with vegetables that I make. That is for lunch and dinner. Did you find that your appetite decreased ALOT after being on this for awhile? I know I am doing the wrong thing but I certainly don't eat 3 full meals a day. More like 2 full meals and 3 small snacks. How did you regulate yourself? 156 days on SB is really an inspiration! Thank you!!!

 

[Carol36]

Lisa...congrats on the new clippie!!! That's great!!! It sounds like your shopping trip was an emotional, but wonderful experience! I went to Red Lobster this past Saturday and staying op. I at the lobster, shrimp, and crawfish caesar salad. Our waitress served the dressing on the side, which I did not eat. I did not touch the cheese biscuits that I love! I was really shocked that I did not feel like I missed out. Keep up the good work and have a nice day!

Carol

 

[ZerasPride]

May 4, 2004 (Tuesday) Day 156 on the Beach

I have joined two 4th of July challenges that I am very excited about. One here on WISH started by our very own disneygoof and the other on the lowcarbfriends site started by Santana. We have 8 weeks starting this Sunday and I have made my goal to lose 16 pounds. I have a total of 20 to lose to reach my next 10% goal and I've already lost 2 of those so losing 16 more will put me almost at that goal. I am also excited about these simultaneous challenges because my Disney vacation is right in the middle of these challenges. That will give me even more inspiration to stay OP while away.

I wore one of my new outfits to work on Monday and got lots of compliments. Today I wore a form fitting black dress with a matching black jacket trimmed in cream and again received many compliments. I mention this because I wanted to journal how wearing clothes that fit make all the difference in how you looked. I never thought anyone paid attention to what I put on or how I wear my hair or do my make-up but boy does it matter. I've been wearing my hair swept up and to the back in a bun and it really shows off my face. I didn't realize before how I was trying to hide behind my hair (which has grown quite a few inches since I started low carbing). Wearing my hair swept up makes my face look softer and I think people take me more serious at work. It's just an observation but I will be wearing my hair like this for a while. I like it and so does DH!

Menu for today:
B: 1/2 bowl of whole wheat cereal and 3 slices of bacon
S: 4 oz. light yogurt (strawberry) and 5 whole small almonds
L: tuna salad with 8 whole wheat crackers and an orange
S: 4 oz. light yogurt (strawberry)
D: beef stroganoff over long grain converted rice and 1/2 cup of n/s/a ice cream for dessert

Exercise and Water Gauge:
FIRM body sculpt (lower body). Boy was that a killer on my legs using that 14 inch step, but I love it!!!!

That's a wrap for Monday!

Wilderness - DH and I did SBD 1.5 for a few weeks before we were comfortable moving to a full phase 2. Now we love it and I could see myself staying in this phase forever! We eat Pierre's no sugar added ice cream (sweetened with splenda) and its called Crunch Peanut Butter Cup (n/s/a chocolate ice cream with sugar free peanut butter cups and whole peanuts). Let me give you a warning, this stuff should be illegal it's so good. I make sure I have a little less than 1/2 cup because it's over 100 calories for the 1/2 cup. If you love chocolate, then you will love this ice cream! I wish you all the best as you transition to Phase 2. It's a great place to be and I know you'll have great success. Thanks for all your support and encouragement.

Carol - Hey there! I hope things are going well with you. Thanks for celebrating my new clippies with me! You did so good at Red Lobster, I'm so proud of you! There is a recipe for the cheddar biscuits on the lowcarbfriends site if you want I can try to dig it up. I'm going to try it out but just about everyone over there raves about how good they taste. You are doing so well my friend, keep it up!

 

[wilderness01]

Lisa,

Thanks for the ice cream tips. They sound yummy! I will stay in 1.5 for a few more weeks and then transition. I am just so nervous. You sound like you really are doing wonderful. I am happy for you.

 

[ZerasPride]

May 5, 2004 (Wednesday) Day 157 on the Beach

I forgot to post yesterday. Oppsie! Not too much was going on. I did make my yummy beef stroganoff for dinner, stayed on program and did FIRM cardio sculpt blaster for my work out. I guess that's about it.

That's a wrap for Wednesday!

May 6, 2004 (Thursday) Day 158 on the Beach

I had something funny happen at bible study last night. An older woman I have known for a couple of years now introduced herself to me and asked me if I was "related" to Brother "So and So" sitting next to me. I told her yes. She asked me if I was his sister and I said no I was his wife. She said that was impossible because she knew Brother "So and So's" wife and I didn't look anything like her! I think that was her polite way of saying she knew Brother "So and So's" wife is fat. Anyway, I smiled and assured her I was me. She looked skeptical but finally took my word for it.

It was a sureal experience. But the more I look back on it, it was kidna funny and flattering too.

Menu:
B: 1/2 bowl of whole wheat cereal and 3 slices of bacon
S: Breyer's light 4 oz. strawberry yogurt and 5 small whole almonds
L: tuna salad, 8 whole wheat crackers and an orange (my favorite lunch)
S: Breyer's light 4 oz. strawberry yogurt
D: grilled sirloin bacon cheeseburger with a salad and 2 sugar free Hershey's peanut butter cups (mini-sized) for dessert

This is the first time I have had any of the peanut butter cups and they were pretty good. The calories are kinda high - a serving is considered 5 and there are 170 calories in a serving so I only had the two which is about 70 or so. Frankly I could have eaten the entire bag! I bought them for two reasons, one, I knew I was running out of dessert and two I wanted to see if these treats would stall my weight loss but it's Friday morning and I'm down 1/2 pound so I guess I'm safe. A third reason for trying these treats are that I want to take a bag or two with me (you only get 10 of these treats in a bag) on vacation with me so I don't feel deprived and I wanted to make sure I liked them. I do!

Exercise/Water Gauge:
I did FIRM BSS1 ab sculpt this morning. Water was a 5.0. Pretty good.

That's a wrap for Thursday!

wilderness - I think you are wise to stay on Phase 1.5 until you are comfortable moving to the next level. You'll love Phase 2! Thanks for stopping by and checking on me. Have a great weekend!

 

[septbride2002]

Hey Girl! You are doing so great! I am so proud of you I am just bursting!

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

That is a classic Lisa.

I'm glad you found a new treat. I haven't tried those, but I love the lc mint patties. I won't buy them. They are too tempting. Congrats on another .5 pound. You have only 30 days left on your counter. You must be so excited.

Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

Lisa, maybe you just carry yourself different now, with more confidence, and that's why the "Church Lady" (LOL, now I'm thinking of Dana Carvey on Saturday Night Live!) didn't recognize you. I bet it was a strange moment!

I think it's wonderful that you've got clothes that are flattering and a new hairstyle! These little things can really keep us going, can't they?? I can't wait to see pics of you!!

I hope your weekend is wonderful!!

 

[Strings]

Hi Lisa,

Just wanted to wish you a happy Mother's Day.
Beth

 

[wilderness01]

Happy Mother's Day to you.

That is a funny story about the Church lady!

 

[ZerasPride]

May 7, 2004 (Friday) Day 159 on the Beach

I haven't had a chance to post this weekend so far so here's Friday's menu and exercise:

B: 1/2 bowl of whole wheat cereal and 3 slices of bacon
S: a country rib and a few green beans
L: tuna salad with whole wheat crackers and an orange
S: a country rib and a few green beans
D: homemade crustless pizza and 1/2 cup of n/s/a ice cream for dessert

Exercise and Water Gauge:
I did FIRM BSS1 body sculpt (lower body) this morning for my work out and water was a 5.0.

That's a wrap for Friday


May 8, 2004 (Saturday) Day 160 on the Beach

I saw Mean Girls with my sisters and nieces today. Not quite what I expected and too much profanity if you ask me but it was one of those "all's well that ends well" type of flicks. In the evening DH and I went to Ruby Tuesday's for their low carb menu which just keeps expanding. We shared an order of hot wings which were fried. I was in a panic to find our waiter to ask about them but he assured me no flour is used, they just fry them "au natural" they were delicious and I was starving! I only ate 2 wings though as I wanted to save room for the Cajun seafood dish (canjun grilled talapia with 4 shrimp scampi on top with an order of mash cauliflower and steamed broccoli and of course no meal at RT's would be complete without a slice of the lc cheesecake. Yummy. I like to eat half one day and half the next so I will have the other half for dessert tonight.

I mentioned to my sister how the other day at service someone didn't recognize me and she said the lady was just crazy. But when I got out of my other sister's SUV for the movies today, my sister did comment that from a short distance, she didn't fully recognize me either (and we shared a room for almost 20 years!). She said I indeed did look like a different person and that I should keep up the great work. I was flattered. She doesn't dole out compliments easily.

Menu:
B: 1/2 bowl of whole wheat flakes, 3 small scrambled eggs with cheese and 2 small sausage patties
S: 8 whole small almonds
L: small popcorn (plain) at movies with a small diet cola
S: no afternoon snack
D: Ruby Tuesdays: 2 spicy buffalo wings, Canjun grilled talapia with 4 shrimp with alfredo sauce, mashed cauliflower and steamed broccoli (I took a slice of lc cheesecake home for dessert and ate 1/2)

Exercise/Water Gauge: I did FIRM cardio sculpt this morning and water was a 3.0. Not that great but I'm trying.

Weight loss: As it's Sunday and weigh in day, I am reporting being down 2 pounds. The scale actually at one point was down 2.5 pounds but when I got on to weigh again (have to make sure, ya' know) it was up and I had only lost 1.5 pounds. I got on the scale again and it showed 2 pounds and I thought I'd be safe there. I have now lost 57 pounds and met my Mother's Day challenge at 11.5/10. Woohoo!!! I'm 18 pounds away from my next 10% goal and hope to lose another 5-8 pounds before my Disney trip in a little less than a month.

Amanda - thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your support so much. I hope you had a great weekend.

Beth - you are so right about watching those treats. It would be too easy to inhale an entire bag. I just wanted to do an experiment to see if they stalled me since I know they stall a lot of people. I'm one of the fortunate ones I guess. I will be taking some on my Disney trip. I am so excited about it!

Doe - It was a strange moment to have someone you see several times a week not recognize you. I'm trying a new hairstyle as I type this. Something with a lot of curles but still pulled back off my forehead. I'm under my dryer now and will report tomorrow how it turns out. It's really fun re-inventing yourself! DH and I are considering buying a digital camera soon and I'll probably get a disposable one for vacation so hopefully I'll figure out how to post pics and show you guys the gruesome "before" and the beginning to look like a normal human being "during" pics. Have a great Sunday!

Beth - thanks for the well wishes. I hope your weekend was wonderful!

wilderness - I have to check out your journal and see how you are doing. Thanks so much for supporting me and I hope you had a wonderful and restful weekend.

 

[Carol36]

Hey Lisa!

I know that what your sister said to you meant so much to you. My Mom noticed my weight loss and is so excited. I keep telling myself that I am doing this for me and not anyone else. It's hard to focus on that fact when you receive compliments from everyone else. 57 pounds is alot of weight off!!! I am happy for you!!! Keep on going!!! You should be proud of such an accomplishment!

Have a wonderful day!

Carol

 

[toystoryduo]

Lisa,
Wow! 57 pounds lost! That is wonderful! You are such an inspiration to me. You have stuck with SBD and with the FIRM and it is definitely paying off for you. Keep up the good work Lisa!
Hope you have enjoyed this wonderful weather! Take care and have a great week!

Tracy

 

[septbride2002]

Lisa your dinner at RT's sounds AMAZING! I am so hungry now! YUMMY! You are doing so great I can't believe you are almost at 20% - what an accomplishment!

~Amanda