Sunday, March 31, 2013

Reminder


So I have been doing a lot of reminiscing lately.  
Okay, wait, let’s call it what it is...

I have been beating myself up over my weight. 

Then, by chance (again, let’s be honest, this was probably God) I came across some photos.  Pre-surgery photos.  Wow.  

All I can say, is I may have a long way to go, but I need to give myself a pat on the back, because I have come an even LONGER way!!

Before = approximately 350lb
After = approximately 230lb


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

ouch ouch ouch


Oh, I didn’t just fall off the wagon.  I fell off and rolled, and rolled, and rolled.

I feel like dog poo-poo.

I can call the reason – on two things, actually –
1)       SUGAR – I have had an entire box of thin mints in the last 3 days.
2)     Eating out – we have eaten out 5 times since last Thursday.

It will be okay – I will pull my broken and tattered self back onto the back of that wagon and keep on going.  I have a grocery list wrote out for next week.  Plus it’s getting warmer so there will be more grilling out! 


Sunday, March 17, 2013

Day 16

Let’s just say it has been a bad weekend. My realization of depression = poor eating did not “light my way” to better habits as I may have hoped it will. To be honest, I am so discouraged I didn’t even take my drops today. 

The depression hit hard this weekend, but I did not drop to the level I normally do – not leaving the house or even changing out of my PJs, eating LOTS of Mac N Cheese (no mac n cheese was harmed this weekend), and high carb foods – and I am proud of myself for that.

I pulled back out my Made to Crave devotional tonight and read “Day 1” and there were a couple of quotable quotes I’d like to re-establish in my life and share with you.

The first a question I need to ask myself, “Is it possible we love and rely on food more than we love and rely on God?” 

My honest answer – I do. 

Just look above at my example of a typically depression day... food and soaking in my insecurities and jealousy and anger... and I “cured” that with more food.

Lysa TerKurst said, “I had to get honest enough to admit that I relied on food more than I relied on God.  I craved food more than I craved God.  Chocolate was my comfort and deliverer.  Cookies were my reward.  Salty chips were my joy.  Food was what I turned to in times of stress, sadness, and even in times of happiness.”

I am not alone!

I have noticed that I have learned to eat better portions.  I believe this has come from a combination of praying and turning this battle over to the Lord and retraining myself with the HCG drops.  For example (I have two actually), today we went to lunch as a group to spend some much needed QT with some amazing friends.  Off to Tastee Freez we went. 

Home of fried... well... EVERYTHING. 
I ordered a “lunch” plate of chicken strips, and found that I had to struggle to eat half of it.  Now if only I would learn to not struggle.  To remember, it is OKAY to eat less than half of your food.

Next, tonight at supper.  My sweet husband loves to feed me, and never quite understands portion sizes.  He knows I am dieting, he knows I want to eat better.  But he insists on taking care of me and making my plate (which I LOVE by the way), with 3x the amount of meat I need, and not just 1 but 2 pieces of cornbread haha.  I was VERY proud of myself tonight when I ate 1 of the 3 pieces of meat and only 1 of the pieces of cornbread. 

With God’s help – I will overcome, both my emotions and FOOD. 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Day 14 - rambler


Well, I cheated last night.  I let my hunger get too much (I didn’t eat lunch) because we were in Pensacola at the hospital with my Grandpa. And Ken’s sugar was dropping too.  I should have made a better decision (like a salad) but we were at Tuscan Oven, haha.  And apparently my will-power sucked.  It will be okay.  I will overcome this mind game.  I also stopped by Starbucks (pure craving, no excuses), and although ANYTHING from there is off of the strict protocol of the HCG diet, I made wise choices.  My all-time favorite drink from there is the Java Chip Frap.  This time though we went skinny (1% milk) AND sugar free.  The only thing with sugar was the chocolate chips – and I had them put ½ the amount in.  It tasted really good!  I was impressed.

I did something yesterday that I haven’t done in a long time.  I exercised.  Yesterday morning while I was folding clothes I did squats to get the clothes out of the dryer, and ran in place while I was folding it. Then, I went to visit a dear friend of mine and we went on a walk so her daughter could ride her bike, probably about ½ - 1 mile at a leisurely pace.  I believe that was my saving grace. 

My weight, is still the same.  235.6 

I had a breakthrough yesterday though while talking to my dear friend, because – see – I have done this before, lose a lot of weight (40lbs) on my own, no diet supplement, no HCG, no Hoodia, just Tosha and her food choices.  And little by little God has been revealing to me what was going on when I started gaining it back about a year and a half to two years ago.  I got depressed.  In some cases, on some days, severely depressed. 

I wanted a baby so bad it trumped everything else in my life.  I wanted it over building a relationship with my husband.  I wanted it over growing closer to God.  I wanted it now and on my terms. 

In no uncertain terms, I was throwing one heck of a temper tantrum in the form of depression. 

<This is really hard to write.  To admit to myself, much less anyone else! >

Nevermind that God had promised me, through a few different ways, that He would give us a baby.  I didn’t see it happening after a year to a year and a half, so I lost sight in the important things.  I would wallow in my self-pity for days after TOM. Sometimes not getting out of bed, eating house and home (because I am an emotional eater and food made me feel better).  I stopped trying to take care of myself and my home.  I was miserable.  And I knew it was depression, I remember even talking to my mom about going on medication.

But back to the food portion.

I tried diets, pills, all the “new” things.  But nothing worked, because I didn’t have the will-power to follow through.  I let the depression control me. 

NOT ANYMORE

I see it for what it is, and I WILL OVERCOME with God’s help – and ONLY with His help, because I know I cannot do it on my own. 

After I am finished with this round of HCG – I am going to go back to cooking and counting my calories.  Keeping out breads, rice, pastas, and sugars.  I will not deprive myself, but I will eat in portion.  I can do this with God’s help. 





Thursday, March 14, 2013

Day 13 - Planning


After doing so well yesterday, I gave in last night.  I not only ate a hotdog (bread & all)... I ate it LATE at night (9:30ish) – double whammy.

However, I did not gain.  I didn’t lose – but I didn’t gain.  Also, with it being the week of my TOM that is actually a big blessing (and surprise).

So far today I have done good.  I am going to visit my Grandpa in the hospital tonight, so I’m not sure how supper will go, I may need to grab something.  If that is what happens, I will get a salad.  I’ve got a plan.  Plans are amazing. Now if only I stuck to them!


“If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Day 12 - emotional eating


I’m headed in the right direction again!!

I had many battles to fight today with my eating plan.

First, it is PMS time, and it is that time that I want to eat lots of food – two things more specifically – sweets (cookies has been my “thing” this time), and fried foods (chicken gizzards, potato logs, etc).  Confession time – I pulled out my dark chocolate Hershey Kiss stash and had 5 of them.  Then I stashed it away, and I have to say that craving is gone now.  So, I should be good on that stage.  On the fried foods, I don’t have a “fix” for that without giving in, and that would be bad.  Therefore, I am just going to pray through it.

Secondly, I have had the WORST day I have had in an extremely long time today.  To start it off, somewhere in my sleepy blissfulness this morning, I shut off the alarm, and we didn't get up until 7:25!!  Only 10 minutes before we had to leave for school/work.  Last night, our doe rabbit Babs had her first litter of kittens (that’s what baby rabbits are called) this morning I go check on them, and all 8 are dead.  Then I get to school, and one of the girls is mad at me because I told her (through one of her friends) that she really needed to come to school so she could get all her tests made up and could pass.  Apparently she doesn't want me to care.  Well, if you know me, you know that I don’t handle people being upset with me very well.  It upsets me, my anxiety goes through the roof, it makes me sad, I want to fix it (even though I don’t know what is broken) and I focus on it so much it gives me a headache.  I am an emotional eater – so with my emotions so hard you can only imagine.  I wanted to throw everything out the window – go to the dollar store and get a coke and some chips, and maybe some cookies, then go to the Chinese place for lunch... and only God knows where it may have escalated to from there.  But instead, I prayed.  A LOT.  I was able to control my urges and voices in my mind (inside noise).  I went to my car.  And I ate my lunch and read my bible.

I refused to let my emotions dictate my food intake and I knew who to turn to for strength! 

He gave me VICTORY over my food battle as only He can! 



Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Day 11


I am back down to the 236.8.  That was a relief today. 

I ate correctly today, so that will hopefully put another pound off.  Even if I’m at 236.0, I’m at a point now, any loss I will take it.

This weekend should be interesting – it is a weekend chalk full of birthday parties!  We have 1 Friday night, at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, and 2 Saturday.  So I made a decision – I will eat what I want Friday night on 2 conditions, I am conscious of the AMOUNT I am putting into myself and that I stay away from breads & sweets.  Then Saturday I will just take my lunch and 2 pieces of fruit with me on our very long day!  I always do better with a plan!!  A plan means no grabbing bad foods because there is nothing else, or giving in to my cravings. 






Monday, March 11, 2013

Day 10


I am so discouraged.  I just want to give up.  I had another horrible eating day yesterday. :(  I pretty much ate 2 lunches & 2 suppers AGAIN!  And the scales told on me this morning.  Up 2lbs... back up to 238.

I gave it to God on the way to school this morning.  I prayed and confessed my sins of overeating (yes, it is a sin) and asked Him for His help in correcting this.  My knowledge of how Satan and his demons work really lets me know my discouragement and need/want to give up on this diet is really a spiritual battle. 

I never thought that my fight to lose weight would include a heavenly fight as well, but let me tell you – IT IS!!! 

I have eaten the right foods/portions so far today, EXCEPT the fact that I forgot my HCG this morning and didn’t take my “lunch” portion until 4pm.  Because of that I will probably take my “Supper” portion this evening around 8pm.  There isn’t designated times on it, only 3 times a day, but I think it would be best to be spaced out relatively the same.

I will continue to fight this fight. 

“I was made for more than being stuck in a vicious cycle of defeat. I am not made to be a victim of my poor choices. I was made to be a victorious child of God.” - Lysa TerKeurst, Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Day 9


I woke up to a sad thing this morning.  A gain on the scale!  ECK!  Okay, so my eating habits have turned to crap, even though I am staying on the approved foods (mostly) I have ate WAY to much.  It wasn’t a big gain... .4lb – but that is half of what I lost yesterday!  I don’t want to go backwards.

Today was another poor eating day.  I feel like I am ALWAYS hungry, but I think it is in my mind. I ate probably triple the meat I should have today.  So, don’t be surprised if you see another negative post from me and gain from the scale tomorrow. 

My goal tomorrow is to eat properly.  Oh, and to pass my tests at school – that’s pretty important too. Haha.

I CAN DO THIS.  I just need to rely more on my Strong Tower, my Savior, my God! 

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Day 8


I am totally amazed right now, after my horrible day of eating, I still lost .8 lbs!

I was fighting cravings like nobody’s business yesterday. I ate twice as much at lunch and dinner than I should have, so basically 2 days worth of food in 1 day. 

I was so discouraged, I knew I hadn’t gone to the bathroom in a couple of days, and that was to be my only saving grace, so I took a laxative.  By this morning when I woke up I still hadn’t gone (sometimes pills like that work on me, sometimes they don’t).  Luckily I had to go to the bathroom just a little right before I weighed in.  Not sure if it really helped at all.  But I told you I would be honest about what I did, so here I am (maybe a little too honest for some of you).

I discovered a new recipe yesterday that I LOVE.  It squechs my sweet tooth – Baked Cinnamon Apples! Yummy!!

I can push through the bad days and keep on going, I just proved that to myself.  At this rate, if I continue to lose .8/day I should be at a total weight loss of approximately 25lb.  Can’t say that is too bad for one months worth of work.  Now, I need to add in the exercise. 

I will... I will.  I just have to get myself motivated – sitting on the couch all day yesterday watching all 5 Twilight movies probably didn’t help any.  But they were good!!


Friday, March 8, 2013

Bad days.... can't stop here



I cannot believe what I just did.  I was struggling with hunger (more brain hunger than anything) at lunch time, I ate twice as much as I should have.  UGH!  I am so pissed at myself. 

I knew I was struggling today, I should have taken more precautions.  I should have stopped and prayed.  I didn’t, and now I know I will pay for it come weigh in tomorrow.  Maybe I’ll wait until Monday to weigh in again. 

Day 7 - slow progress... it's still progress


Only .8 lb again! I’m sad.

To be honest, the way I feel (very bloated) I was slightly surprised that there was ANY lose on the scale at ALL.  My pants are definitely just as tight today. I wonder if it was the cabbage that did it.  I may steer clear of that for a late meal. 



Thursday, March 7, 2013

Day 6


Well, it is official.  My weight loss has slowed, but it is still a loss! I’m down .8 lb today.

I could attribute that to a few things, though I’m not 100% sure which it was:

1)    The first 10ish lb is typically water weight, and weightloss typically slows after that.
2)  I had 2 extra pieces of shrimp last night
3)  I ate my fruit too late (10pm)
4)  TMI time, no BM yesterday.

I would really prefer to see at least 1lb per day.  But, it is still a loss.  I’m digressing to the “I’ve been dieting all morning, am I skinny yet” mentality.

My lunch today was AMAZING!  Though not exactly on protocol. I had a double dose of veggies.  I had a steak with homemade pico de gallo topping it and roasted asparagus. YUM-O!

I’m hoping supper tonight is good, trying out another new recipe.  Cabbage Stir-fry.  I’ll let ya know!

**Update** The cabbage stir fry will not be made again.  It wasn't bad.  I still have another serving of it cause my husband wouldn't eat it though.  haha. I think this is the first time he hasn't ate my cooking. 


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Day 5


Yesterday evening was hard.  I was very “hungry” all evening.  I kept thinking “One little extra orange” won’t hurt.  However, the push through was totally worth it on the scale this morning.  Down 3.8 lbs! 

Today’s food was pretty dull.  I had an apple for breakfast/mid-morning snack.  Lunch was green beans & chicken strips.  I thought supper would be fantastic, I had an excellent idea.  It sucked.  I made shrimp tacos with lettuce as the wraps.  I don’t know what I did wrong but I hated it. So I know what I won’t be having again haha.  Oh well.  You live & learn!


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Day 4


I   a m   d o w  n 5  . 2   p o u n d s  ! ! !

Can I get a woot woot!?  Haha, okay, I know that all of that is water weight, and most of it (3 lbs) is just losing what I gained on the fat loading days, but it is still nice!

I am home sick today, I was running a fever (the crud has been going around school). 

I had an apple for breakfast today and that made a BIG difference in my hunger levels the first part of the day.  I MUST remember to eat a piece of fruit for breakfast in the mornings.  For lunch I made a turkey burger and sauteed spinach & garlic.  It was really good, and FILLING!  I find that my hardest times is in the evening, and not necessarily because I am hungry, but bored, so saving my evening fruit for a late snack will definitely be beneficial.

I’m on recipe hunts today since I am home (around homework of course).  I have found a few that are promising.  :)  You would be surprised how much this really focuses on portion control.   I hope this all sticks with me after the 26 days are up!



Monday, March 4, 2013

Day 3 - first day of phase 2


So I am almost to the end of day 1.  It has been rough, but I am not sure if that is because I have been sick (running a temperature) or because of the VLCD (very low calorie diet).  I also forgot my B supplement today, that could have something to do with it too.

I have stayed on track. No breakfast (I forgot my fruit), 3.5oz of chicken, baked, 2 cups of spinach leaves, 8 grape tomatoes, and a vinegar “dressing”, for supper tonight my husband is making stuffed cabbage.  The only thing in those that makes me wonder if it will hurt is the tomato sauce may have too much sodium since it is canned. 

Oh, I almost forgot, I weighed in this morning, and I was up 3 lbs – 247.4 so I guess the fat loading stage worked, I loaded some fats, that’s for sure.

This is how I am feeling today - for sure - 

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Phase 1 almost complete


Tonight is my last night of the fat loading phase of the HCG diet.  I had 2 full days of fatty goodness haha.

I started off Saturday morning with my amazing husband cooking me a “Johnson breakfast” which consists of tomatoes & rice, sausage patties, and homemade biscuits.  Mom & Dad had the boys (my nephews Keaton, Tyler, & Hunter) so lunch consisted of chicken tenders & french fries.  My sister in law & brother in law had a fish fry/bon fire Saturday night, so that rounded out day 1 quite nicely.

Today (day 2) I had sweets (brownies & cookies) left over from last night for breakfast, chinese buffet for lunch, and now I am eating my arch nemesis – stuffed crust pizza & cheese sticks.

I have noticed throughout the day today I have not been wanting NEARLY as much food, though I’m not sure if that is from the HCG or the total food overload haha.

This evening I spent time preparing for my upcoming week.  During this time I discovered that 3.5 oz of meat is a lot more than what I was originally thinking (which is good).



So, 6 meals worth of chicken, 4 meals worth of steak, and 4 meals worth of turkey burger later... I am prepped for this upcoming week meat wise, all I have to do is through together my veggies and grab a fruit for each meal! 

I can do ALL things (even diet) through Christ who strengthens me!  

Friday, March 1, 2013

Almost Go Time *warning before pictures included*


Tomorrow is “go time” for the new lifestyle.  Yes, it will be a new lifestyle, the HCG (like the bypass) is just a tool to retrain my brain and stomach on what a correct normal portion of food should be.  America has screwed up everyone’s beliefs on portion sizes, that is for sure.

I am almost 100% prepared, because the first two days (sat & sun) are fat loading days, I will wait until Sunday to buy my fresh veggies & meats.  I purchased a big bag of apples & oranges yesterday and a food scale. 

I have a few mixed emotions right now.  I’m excited, obviously, I’m ready to lose the weight and it’s something new to do.  But I think most of all I’m scared, maybe terrified is a more accurate description.  I’m terrified of failure.  What if I don’t lose weight?  What if I don’t have the will power to stick to it?  I suppose this is time for me to hunt out the most calming thing in my life, scriptures (along with conversations with God).  I can do ALL things through Him.  I know I can, I will rely on Him, I may even break out my “Made to Crave” book and devotional and spend some time in it.  Do you have a favorite scripture that gets you through doubt and fear?  Share it with me please!! I may have to make a list and post it all over my house (ooohhh Ken won’t like that!).

Well, I decided to do my weight, measurements & before photos this morning.  Here’s how I add up. (actually, let’s not add anything up, the numbers are high enough anyways haha)

Measurements: 
Bust: 40.5”
Waist: 46.5”
Hips: 50.5”  - this is probably larger than normal because it is where my “pouch” from surgery hangs.

And the photo (it includes the weight):



(pardon my messy bathroom)

I can’t wait to have a comparison photo in 26 days! :)