Freedom!!!

I officially have no diet restrictions anymore! I have to say, it's not nearly as exciting as I thought it would be. I thought the first thing I would do once I was free was guzzle a Coke. Didn't happen. I thought I might top it off with some sweet, sugary snack. Didn't do that either.

Part of me is VERY paranoid about gaining the weight back. That's not to say that I haven't had carbs or sugar, I definitely have. There were some Little Debbie Star Crunches in my cabinet from way back when. I've had a few of those. I've had some Coke. I haven't had more than maybe 20 ounces since Thursday, but I'm drinking it.

What's really shocked me is just how filling carbs are. I eat them, and I'm set for HOURS. It's kind of wild. I got really hungry the last couple days, so I've had breakfast sandwiches from this great bread company near where I work. They are AMAZING. They also make it so I don't eat anything after that until I have lunch. And my lunches come later in the day than they used to. I don't ever remember feeling so full from carbs before. Perhaps it's just that I'm now listening to my body and only eating when I'm hungry, rather than when I just feel like I'm eating.

I am still trying to make sure I'm not eating past 7pm. I ate after that last Monday and I definitely saw that my body prefers to have more time to digest my food. I'm still drinking a shitton of water. Trying to make sure my body doesn't start storing it. I don't have to get on the scale every day anymore, but it's become a habit. I don't freak out when I see that I've gained a little. As much as a two pound fluctuation can be normal. I just like to make sure I'm not slipping.

So far, I haven't. My weight spiked last week after I ate late one night, but it corrected the next day. I stayed steady at 205.5 from Day 47 until yesterday. This morning I got on the scale and was pleased to see a 1.6 pound drop, bringing my total loss to 28.2 pounds! HOLY CRAP Y'ALL!! ALMOST 30 pounds since September 24. That's less than 2 months!

I like how I view food now. It's not a crutch for me now. It's something I enjoy. I'm taking care with ingredients still. I'll spend more if it contains less crap that isn't necessary. I'm eating healthier. I know my body will revolt if I go for the fast and fried foods. It's not even worth it.

HOORAY!!!

Updated Measurements (Day 50):
Upper Arms: 15.25" (-1.25" overall)
Upper Thighs: 26" (-3" overall)
Hips: 41.25" (-3.25" overall)
Waist: 35.75" (-6.25" overall)

Day 48: 205.5
Day 49: 205.5
Day 50: 205.5
Day 51: 205.5
Day 52: 203.9

Days 44-47: This is it!

Today is my last day with dietary restrictions! Tomorrow I'm supposed to start introducing starches and sugars into my diet slowly. Obviously I've already had some carbs (Bagel Crisps are deceptively good, well, except for the cinnamon raisin ones) and a bit of sugar.

I'm trying to figure out what this is going to be like for me. I don't really have the urge to binge on sweets and breads and pasta. I would like a slice of pizza, and I'll be glad to have a sip of Coke without feeling any guilt. But all that Halloween candy that's still everywhere? Eh.

I was sure even a few weeks ago that I would be diving in with reckless abandon, but I'm just not interested. I suppose we'll see how I do when I'm actually put in the situation to choose!

I've spent some time recently trying to figure out what my body shape is. I have no idea why I have a minor obsession with this, but I do. I found an interesting article that outlines 12 shapes instead of the usual six. The article shows people in workout clothes so you can easily see their shape. I realized the best way for me to figure out my shape would be to take a picture of myself, from the front, and see which model it was closest to. So I did. Even after all this weight loss it's still not flattering, but I got a good look at my shape this way.

Though I clearly have some pounds to go, one thing struck me: I like my shape! I like the curves! That is a huge victory for me. 

My weight's still going down (with a quick spike from eating late at night - 8pm - okay late for me), and I'm okay with the progress. I'm still eating just when I'm hungry. A novel idea, I know.

Day 44: 207.0

Day 45: 205.9

Day 46: 207.7

Day 47: 205.5 - 26.6 pounds down from my initial weight!

Wish me luck as I venture into the lands of temptation. Cupcakes, though I love you, you will NOT defeat me!

Hooray for Unflattering Pictures!

Here's a comparison of Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7:

And just Weeks 1 & 7:

I'll take it.

Weight:
Day 44: 207.0 (down 1.1 pounds from yesterday, 25 pounds overall)

Days 40-43: Loving food vs. Eating

They say it can take up to three weeks for your body to stabilize after you go up to 1500 calories. Until it does, you're not supposed to eat starches or sugars. They can upset the balance that your body is trying to develop and stop it from finding its stride. I'm pretty sure my body is telling me it's stable. 

I haven't gained or lost since November 1 - I've been steady at 208.1 since then. What's odd is that I feel like I'm still getting smaller. My pants feel bigger than they did even a few days ago. My chiropractor told me that I need to be doing exercises to strengthen my core to help support my back, so I've been doing crunches and also using a weighted exercise ball for my arms. I've walkId downtown to go to the movies a few times as well (about 1.1 miles each way). 

According to the plan, I'm allowed to start re-introducing starches and sugars back into my diet on Thursday. Everyone I work with who's also been on the diet has already been doing it - pizza, chocolate, bread, pasta and beer. I've been jealous, especially since their weight hasn't really been affected. It seems like they're bouncing around a little bit in terms of weight, but nothing serious.

I don't even know what I want to eat that's a starch/sugar. I like pasta, but it's a filler. I was looking at the nutritional information on Halloween candy and I was stunned just how terrible it can be. I had some Coke on Thursday, and I have to say, it seemed like 2 ounces was enough for me. I don't think I'll be downing it the way I used to. I think I would like a slice of pizza, but I'd be shocked if I could eat more than a slice, maybe 2.  

After my reaction to the Coke the other day, I'm wondering if I'll love other things the way I used to: French fries, cupcakes, Cold Stone ice cream. I don't think my body is going to react well to french fries. I had some pan fried chicken the other day and the grease on that (using EVOO) was not pleasant. I can't imagine what eating something that's been DEEP FRIED is going to do to my stomach. The cupcakes and ice cream will probably be way too sweet.  

My mom's also on the diet and she asked me if the other day if I've noticed that nothing really tastes good anymore. I can't say that I agree with that, but I think I do taste a lot more now than I used to. I had some roasted garlic bagel chips the other day (yes, I was cheating - my stomach was upset), and I could REALLY taste the garlic on those. I know I've had them before and never really noticed it. I feel like I ate a lot before, but never really tasted anything. 

I used to say that I loved food, but that isn't the truth. I just liked eating. There's a BIG difference between eating and loving food. I had no appreciation for the taste of what I was eating. It was a way to pass time and feel comforted. No more!

Updated Measurements:

Upper arms: 15.5" (down 1" from start)

Upper thighs: 26.25" (down 2.75" from start)

Hips: 41.5" (down 3" from start)

Waist: 36" (down 6" from start)

Weight:

Day 40: 208.1

Day 41: 208.1

Day 42: 208.1

Day 43: 208.1

Need to NOM NOM NOM

When last we spoke I was finally back to losing some weight. The next day I didn't drop anymore pounds. I wasn't bummed, 2 pounds is a lot to drop in this part of the diet. However, I got on the scale Monday morning and I was down another 2 pounds (head scratch) Huh?

I get on the scale this morning and I'm down another 1.1 pounds. My net loss is now 23.9 pounds! HOLY CRAP.

I'm thinking I need to eat more during the day. Problem is, I'm not really hungry. I don't want to stuff myself when I'm not hungry enough since I don't want my stomach to expand a bunch again. I'm really not supposed to be losing weight like this though...

Also, be proud of me...I had NO candy yesterday. Where did I find this willpower? And where was it for the last year and a half when I was stuffing my face???

Anyway - I'm rocking this!

Day 37: 211.2

Day 38: 209.2

Day 39: 208.1 

Days 33-36: FINALLY (and updated measurements)

I saw no weight loss from Days 32-34. I have a sneaking suspicion it has to do with a certain unwanted monthly visitor. I have never paid any attention to what my body is going through when the bitch is in town, but I had no choice now. That sucks! Remind me again why women have to bear children. Oh wait, if men had to do it  the population would never survive. Whiny bitches, they are.

Anyway, yesterday, Day 35, I saw a .6 pound drop and felt a bit better. I was getting very concerned that I wasn't doing a very good job watching what I was eating and was somehow eating like 2000 calories. I knew that probably wasn't the case, but I couldn't be sure. Especially since I'd been gaining or staying steady from Day 29 on. ACK!

I got on the scale today (Day 36) and I was down TWO pounds. Holy jeebus! My total net loss is now over 20 again.  I'm not really supposed to go outside of two pounds - either way - of 212.5. Part of the problem I have with that is that I was at 210.8 the day I stopped the drops, then somehow jumped up to 212.5 the next day. 

Also, I'm not particularly hungry. Most days I have some Naked Juice for breakfast, three slices of deli turkey for lunch with 2 chunks of cheese, and for dinner something chicken related or maybe my sloppy joes. I'm not eating large quantities of everything. 

I absolutely refuse to force myself to eat if I'm not hungry. Eating when I wasn't really hungry is how I got myself into this mess in the first place and I am NOT going to get back there again. The idea of going  through the 1st 500 calorie day and being stuck with bland chicken for weeks on end is enough to make me cry. 

So yeah, if I keep losing beyond the 2 pounds that I'm supposed to, I'm going to be okay with that.

And oh yeah, I forgot. I cheated yesterday. I really wanted some Coke, so I had it. I didn't have much. I filled a cup with ice and poured maybe two ounces into the cup. It may not have been much, but HOLY HELL IT WAS DELICIOUS.

MEASUREMENTS

Upper Arms: 15.75" (no change)

Upper Thighs: 27" (no change)

Hips: 41.75" (.25" down)

Waist: 36.25" (.25" down)

Day 33: 213.8

Day 34: 213.8

Day 35: 213.2

Day 36: 211.2

Days 31 and 32: Less cheese???

Rather than bore you all with the day-by-day stuff, I figured I'd post a couple days at a time, or when something particularly interesting happened.

I've been either stalled out or gaining weight for the last few days and I may have discovered why. In doing some research (read: Googling like a mad woman), I discovered a few things:

1. I was supposed to slowly work my way up to 1500 calories.
2. Cheese is supposed to be eaten in limited quantities or not at all.
3. I can have things that contain starch/sugar, but only when it's a VERY small amount.

The important one here is obviously #2. I've been eating TONS of cheese! TONS!

I've been drinking water like it's my job. And I will tell you this, I'm back to peeing like it's my job. Adam Sandler has a skit called The Longest Pee. That's me.

Also, I'm not really supposed to be losing weight right now. I'm supposed to stay within two pounds either way. So, I guess as long as I'm not over that mark and forced into a steak day I'll be okay with this.

Monday's Weight: 213.6
Tuesday's Weight: 213.8