The Good, the Bad, the Gain

Woke up to a 1.4 lb gain this morning, ugh!  I will be doing a steak day, 'cause I have got to get this under control. 

I will also be cutting eggs out for the time being.  Although they were A-OK last round, they might be a problem this round.

The good is me running.  Yes, fat ole me, running, not far, not fast, but running nevertheless.  The Pooker's and I went to the store, he was riding his bike, and when he got going faster than I was walking, I jogged, then, because I was going faster, he went faster, so the jog turned into a run.  We even had a race, and I went all out!  It felt so GOOD.  To run, and not smack myself in the face with bouncing fat. To stop, and have the rest of me stop too (rather than jiggle for 20 minutes AFTER I stop).

Moving is really becoming a joy, rather than a chore.  I find myself doing deep knee bends, just because.  I will just do a plank for no reason.  It feels good to move, to feel muscles work, to feel the strain of pushing myself.

Last night, just because, I went for an evening walk, which normally I abhor.  Walking for the sake of walking just seems pointless.  But, maybe, I was just looking at it wrong.  Walking just to enjoy the movement is different. 

Hey, I have a flashlight, I have a cellphone, I have legs that want to move, why not!?

Is it the endorphins?  Is it just enjoying my new (and improved) body?  Is it becoming an underlying obsession?  Couldn't say.  What I do know is that I am not going back to being fat.  I can't.  Life is just starting for me again, and I don't want to give it back. 

On Monday, I am quitting smoking.  I am putting my foot down on the cigarettes!  I will crush them, out forever!  No more grains, no more cigarettes.  Boy, even the word "cigarettes" is ugly!  Probably why I call them "smogies", "smokes", "poofers", anything but cigarettes. 

It won't be easy, but it's necessary.  Nothing is too hard if it's worth doing!

Not Stabilizing

The earmark of a great round of hCG is stabilization.  Stabilizing at or below your "last dose weight" (LDW), it always the goal.  We usually have 2 lbs (+/-) to play with. 

I am still below LDW, but my weight is creeping up.  I was at 202.4, and I thought I would stabilize a bit at 203, but this morning I woke up to a .8 increase. 

There may be a few factors, eating too late last night.  I need to have about 4 hours between eating and going to bed, but dinner didn't get finished until after 6 pm, and I go to bed between 8 and 9.  I also had squash, which is really high in carbohydrates.

So, squash is out (total bummer), for now. Once I get to 185, I might intro it back on a "once in a blue moon" basis.  I may make exception to zucchini, which isn't as sweet as some of it's cousins (butternut, acorn, etc) and spaghetti squash, which also isn't as high in sugars.

My dark chocolate is also going on the shelf (or in the freezer), until I get a grip on this.  I must stabilize.  I am not supposed to "try" to lose weight, but on the same turn, I have come too far to just turn tail and quit.  I will work on portion control. 

My lunch yesterday was very high in protein, and not enough veg, so that needs to be addressed too. 

My plan is to either skip lunch, or just have a BAS (big ass salad), and make sure my last meal is between 3 and 5, so I have time for my food to digest a bit before bed.

I will also be going over my food log, and looking for culprits.  I am hoping it isn't eggs, I find that I really enjoy having eggs for breakfast (and lunch).

I will not give up.  I will not give in. 

Being Naughty and It's Consequences

Yes, even I, The Terminator, The Machine, The Everyready Bunny, can fall.  I didn't fall far, but I found myself snacking, not on carrots, or celery, but on dark chocolate covered almonds (store bought at that!).  For some reason, I find myself doing the things I shouldn't, such as snacking. 

Is it the end of the world?  Not really.  I played, I paid in a 6 tenths of a pound gain.  I am still under my LDW (by 1.4 lbs), which gives me a bit of elbow room, but I would rather have either stabilization or a loss (OK, I would rather take the loss!).

I seriously have to refocus.  I am tauting the greatness of Paleo, and stuffing my face (maybe "stuffing" is a bit harsh) with sweet treats.  And, everyone knows, me and sugar don't mix!

This morning I had a breakfast scramble with leftovers from dinner last night, and 2 eggs.  Quite tasty, but it will take some getting used to.  I almost defaulted to bacon and eggs, but decided to hold off, 'cause to make my protein high enough, I would have to eat 4 to 5 eggs (@7 g. protein/egg) and 8 strips of bacon (I use ends and pieces from Trader Joe's, so a bit less, 'cause they are thicker usually).

So, the LRx is going well, at least me getting up and eating.  It's the afternoons that send me over the edge, afternoons have always been my "danger" time.  It's the time I am most bored and just want to eat.  I think that that's it.  In the past, when I was bored, or upset, I would acknowledge that I want to eat, but have no reason to, and chug down some water.

OK, game plan in place.  Now, this afternoon, I have to put it in action.  Crossing fingers and toes on this one.  I would like to see 199 by next week or so.  Between keeping the "Beast" under control and doing some exercises, I should get there!  It's only 3.1 pounds!!!!

Day 2 of the LRx

Down a pound!  Yea!  I increased my water intake.  I am learning to eat a smaller dinner (about 1/2 of the other adults).  Last night we had Creamy Chicken Casserole from PaleOMG, and it was quite good!  Tonight is Roast Beast from the Paleo Parents book Eat Like A Dinosaur.  I served it last week, and it was a hit!  Now I need to come up with something to go with it, I am thinking coleslaw and tomato-cucumber salad.

I didn't do very well yesterday as far as snacking goes.  Time to lock down the rules.  I jinx'd myself thinking I wasn't going to eat lunch. 

The afternoon's are always hard for me.  I need to find a task that keeps me busy.  Something to ponder.

The LRx is going well, I get up and start my breakfast and coffee.  I don't have any issue eating in the A.M., in fact, I would rather start my day that way.  This morning I introduced eggs (hope it isn't too fast, probably is, but we'll see).  I am really enjoying unseasoned food.  Just steak and eggs, easy peasy!

Exercising went well.  My arms are longer and my body doesn't dangle.  I can hold a plank for about 20 seconds, do 5 sit ups, 5 push ups, and 20 squats.  I am going to try some sprinting tonight, not too far, but see how many I can do, even for a short distance (I am still smoking, so I might get winded before I get tired!).  So I will sprint out for a short distance, rest for about 10 seconds, and sprint back.  I will try to do 4 sprints, but even once out and once back at full speed is a good start!  I am actually looking forward to running.  I used to hate the idea (especially in PE), but now it something my body actually craves!  Excellent!

Can't have everything

Good gravy, Marie!  Woke up to a 1.4 lb gain!  Yuck!  Too much fat?  Not enough water?  Too much cabbage?  Too much salt?  Who knows.

I did start my LRx today.  Had a steak and some of the leftover braised cabbage, so I am sure I got in all my protein. 

Not sure about lunch, I will see how I feel, right now (at quarter to 11), I am not hungry (but as always, I could eat, and eat and eat...not going to happen), so I don't think that I will be having lunch today.

The kids are driving me crazy, so we had better get to school work!

Overweight

You'all know I don't put much stock into the BMI scale.  But, today I am crowing from the rooftops, my BMI moved from "obese" to "overweight", with a 1.2 lb loss!  This really makes me feel good.   I am 2.1 lbs from "one"derland (199.9).

Today is also the day that I can go back to real food, limited only by Paleo.  I am going to make braised cabbage today (thanks to Michelle at Nom Nom Paleo, an awesome site for all food porn), which I made for the fam last week, and even the Littles of the Corn ate it with gusto!  I am also looking forward to a wilted spinach dish (also make with bacon).  I have been missing out on some great cooked veggies during my hCG run.  Although I still love cucumbers and tomatoes, now I get to mix them together!  I get to add olive oil! 

No worries, I will not be getting crazy with the food.  Just being able to sit and enjoy dinner with the family (such as they are) is a reward unto itself.  I must be mindful of portions.  I can eat all the lettuce in the world, as long as I don't go ape-goo goo with the oil and vinegar.

What a Happy Day!  I get food today, breakfast tomorrow, and finally get to start exercising!  I am so happy! 

Is that sick or what?

Transition time. Again.

There are plus' and minus' to transitioning.  The plus (at least for me) is another drop in weight (-1.2 lbs), the minus is the waiting to start eating FOOD again.

hCG is great.  It works well.  The food?  Well, the food is a bore.  But, there is an upside:  the wanting of all the things that I have been missing.  Not cakes or cookies, but veggies like cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli!  Missing butter, coconut oil, olive oil.  As far as meat goes, I don't really miss anything there except ribs (I love's me RIBS!!!).  Since most meat is up for grabs, I don't miss out on meat, except bacon and ham.  I have been missing eggs, but I won't be introducing them for a few days.

Tomorrow, I will be spending the day making condiments, mayo, ketchup, bbq sauce, Paleo ranch.  Having these on hand, I'll be able to phase out the store bought stuff.  The carb crunchers might not agree.  They are used to the sugar, HFCS, soy oil and MSG that comes in those things.  Do they taste good?  Yes.  Companies wouldn't spend million (billions?) on product research to give folks stuff that tastes crappy (of course there is still no explaination as to why they still make Miracle Whip, ewww), and has a side effect of bad health and an addiction to the fake ingredients.

Speaking of the carb crunchers, they probably won't be joining the Littles and I in the Whole 30.  Pity.  My autistic son would totally benefit.  My MIL could cure her diabetes.  My FIL might find the energy that he lost 30 years ago.  The Colonel would sleep better and have less stress.  Win Win Win Win, but instead, soda, candy, bread, and crap will win, and they will lose, lose, lose, lose.

I have promised to not hound them, and I won't.  I have to rearrange the whole kitchen, to put the carb crunchers crap/food on their own shelves, away from the Littles, and figure out a threat that I can carry out when the Littles beg for doughnuts and cookies, Slurpees and soda, from all the other adults, who will give in. 

Is murder an option?  No.  Bummer.
Give them a time out?  No.
Spank them (well, maybe the Colonel, LOL)?  No.
Throw them out?  No.
Beat them up?  Hmmmm, very primal....