On a LONG Break...

It's been a tough month diet wise. I keep having good intentions of getting back on, but then I come up with other things I want to celebrate or wait for. The next one right now is my b-day which is on Monday...and I start celebrating this Friday...so I don't want to be on the diet then. I fly to CA on Monday so I"m trying to decide when I really start. Realistically I think I'll be starting once I move to Princeton which will be January 3rd, but I do need to do something before then or I think I risk gaining back all my weight. That's the worst part...now that I haven't been on the diet I tend to go back to old bad habits. I think I'll have to come up with a new plan. Like the days that I'm not "celebrating" something will be phase 1 eating guidelines. I also need to start working out more. About a week ago I pulled something in my back...I think I might have actually pinched my Sciatica, so I'm a little scared to push it too hard on the workouts, but I keep going to cardiosculpt!

I must say that blogging really helps...you can tell when I"m not sticking to the diet because I seem to stay away from the blog....hmmm...hint to self that I better make myself blog 2-3 a week. Now that I wrote all that I did I realize that I need to stick to the diet again! I don't want to gain back my 12 lbs and that's a real risk with me. Therefore I will do my best while in CA, otherwise it will be Dec 27th where I try to get more strict. In the meantime I will keep adding in fruits and veggies and not make every meal a splurge.

Ok, that's it for now.

Day 5 of Cycle 1 AGAIN!

I'm back on cycle 1...my style. What does that mean? I have lunch meats here and there, and I always have my yogurt with nuts in it. I also have a latte with non-fat milk once in a while. Fortunately I've lot 2 of the lbs I gained over Thanksgiving, but now it's time to lose more. I want to be 170lbs or below by my B-day which is December 19th. That means I have to bump everything up...that's 4 lbs. I have started working out everyday since Monday. Today I did spinning. It was a great workout...but when I went to put my daughter in my car I had a major pain and had to just sit there to recover. It turns out that it was my sciatic nerve. I read that during spinning there's repetitive rubbing against the piriformis muscle and that this causes the muscle to become tight and put pressure against the sciatica nerve. I'm hoping the pain will be manageable tomorrow so that I can co my favorite Cardiosculpt workout!

I will continue to write. I also plan to start adding more fish into my diet.

Back on Again! YAY!

I did start the diet today. Good thing. My weight was up 3lbs to 176lbs. Let's see how long it'll take me to get that off. I've eaten pretty well today. Back to my tea and no carbs and sugar. The interesting thing is that I don't have headaches anymore, even though I'm detoxing. That's good. It makes me think I'm not as addicted as I was before. phew. I'll keep posting to see how this new 17 day cycle goes. I plan to stick to it since my b-day is in Dec. I want to feel good that day :)

Off Continued!

I'm still on the off day....I overdid it...that's for sure! I had my Baskin Robbins...and the truth is that it didn't taste great. I need to remember that! I feel so full and bloated that I'm ready to be back on the diet as of RIGHT NOW! I'm basically done eating for the day and starting tomorrow am back on cycle 1. I know it'll be tough because I'll be detoxing again, but I'm excited about it! I want to get back on my plan :) I just thought I'd write what I was feeling/thinking before I start tomorrow! :)

Totally off.....ouch!

Well, I went crazy this week. I ate WHATEVER I wanted which was lots of carbs and things that are not on the diet! But it's ok. I am back in Denver...arrived this morning, and I've decided that I will be re-starting tomorrow. I will start back on Cycle 1....I need to kick start my system and get rid of all these toxins (carbs and sugars) that are back on my body! so I will be enjoying today. As you can see...that shows that I haven't gotten rid of all my bad eating habits, but I'm not giving up. I still love the diet and will make myself focus again. I will weigh in tomorrow to see how bad I am...I'm guessing I'm up 5 lbs.

I'm also feeling pretty depressed this morning. I'm not sure what it is. Leaving TX? Not sleeping enough? Knowing that my move to NJ is now around the corner? Being "homeless"? Not sure. I do spend alot of time thinking about the next house I want...and the sad thing is that I don't think we'll be able to afford it in NJ. I'm not working right now so we'll be on 1 salary...not sure how long it'll take me to get a job, and really we only want to get a hosue for 1 salary...we want to live within our means and not put ourselves in a bad position. But it makes me sad. If we stayed in CO we could now afford a larger house...maybe 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. I would like that in case we have another baby and then if my in laws come they stay for about 3 months at a time...so it would be comfortable. My husband would also like an office area and I'd like a space for my sewing machines and crafts etc. We'll see. I think this is part of what has me down though. I spend a lot of time looking at houses and know that we won't be able to afford much, and maybe it doesn't even make sense to buy. Anyway, I need to let that go because I try to remember that "things" aren't what makes us happy really. So much is internal.

Ok, back to the diet. Tomorrow I plan to get very strict again. My birthday is Dec 19th, that's why it's good timing...I will be in cycle 2 by the time it comes around. Like I said I just need to kick start again. I think I will also start documenting some plans for myself so I don't downward spiral.

That's it for now. Like I said, I'll update my weight starting tomorrow.

Just Landed

I've just landed in San Antonio. My daughter made it through although she didn't nap at all...she was great. Amazing to see her getting older now. She's now in Toddler stage...leaving baby stage :) I got this weird euphoric feeling in the airport. I felt "life is good". I was with my daughter and my husband flying to San Antonio to be with my dad and my step mom. it felt stress free and like a nice week to enjoy and relax. I felt like I really have to appreciate what I have....

So now we've landed, and we had lunch. That's where one of the challenges of the week did show up...food! I can't be so stress free that I will eat whatever! Today for lunch I had onion soup and some cold cuts...that was fine for the diet. But I know there will be challenging days. Like I've already decided that I will enjoy Thanksgiving. I will have mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy! And I will probably go to Baskin Robbins with my dad this week. That's our thing...and I want to continue our tradition...we will take my daughter. But other than that I will try to stay to plan. I haven't been very good lately. Yesterday I had some chocolate in the evening and popcorn at my TWILIGHT movie :) yes, I watch Twilight. I have to tell you that my friend and I did our own book club (just her and I) because we wanted to understand what all the excitement was about...well, we both LOVED the series. We couldn't believe it either and were embarassed to admit it! I have to say it's really one of the worst movies I've ever seen...but the books are SO GREAT :) Ok, that was quite a bit off subject...basically, I am still on the diet but will be cheating a bit. We'll see how it goes...I'll keep updating :)

Struggling with so much change...

Well, I'm finally moved and have time to write. I'm in the middle of a transition...I just sold my house in Colorado, that I lived in for 9 years, and will be moving to Princeton NJ in January. In th meantime my husband, daughter, and I are living in our friend's basement. it's a really nice space so that is good. But the transition definitely has me stressed. I've been eating ok, but I have gone up a pound. (174lbs). During the move I lost track of where I was...once we moved I looked at my calendar and realized that I should be on cycle 2 now (round 2), so here I am. Today was the first day I've really cheated on the diet...it was a no carb day and I had some crackers. I'm not worried, I know I will get back on tomorrow...but it is a sign of the stress I feel. I had flown out to NJ to interview for a job and the company never called be back...after they had said they would have a decision for me the following week. I can assume I didn't get the job, but it's really tough when you don't get closure. it really is like a bad break up. It's made me very stressed and down on myself. When I think back to the interview I realize that I really let my confidence, or more like lack of confidence, get in my way. This is what I plan to focus on right now. I need to start doing some positive affirmation work! I do have great experience and many strengths...so I need to start focusing on those.

That is the great thing about the 17 day diet, it really does help you feel better about yourself because you get some control back. It has done that for me. I hadn't felt in control with food in YEARS. That's why I have to keep the diet going. I also plan to start working out much more now. I'm no longer working so there's no excuse. I need it for my emotional state :) I need to get out of this depressed state :) Ok, bye for now.

Slowly but Surely!!!!

2 days ago I weighed in and I was down another lb...YAY! It's amazing how happy I get over a lb now. I've joined so many weightloss programs in the past and I never felt good with a lb...I guess I know that in this diet it's one lb close to the next lb I'll lose! I never felt that in programs like WW...instead I just felt that it was the down to the up that was coming next week!!! It was basically no confidence in myself.

Ok, so how'd I lose that 1lb? I've noticed that when I eat my 2 yogurt's it makes a big difference. I'm still on cycle 1 and I'm not the most strict 17 day dieter there is...I put nuts in my yogurt and sometimes I have a slice of ham...and 2 days ago I had a double whopper with cheese without the bun! So I cheat, but I do it in moderation! I don't have sweets or carbs, but I will stray from Chicken and Fish that start to BORE me. Actually I barely have any fish, I need to work on this. I also need to drink more water.

Friday is my last day working...and Monday they pack up everything in my house and move it to New Jersey. I'll keep writing through this move process. I feel blogging really does help me. I'm so thankful to my good friend that encouraged me (by example) to blog :)

Back to work...

Trying new things :)

From a new ticker to foods..I'm trying new things :) I'm still at 174.5, but still feeling good. It's amazing that I can really tell that I've lost. My husband and I were talking about the fact that I've only lost 9.5lbs but it's really made a huge difference. It's like I crossed an important threshold for my body that makes me feel much better.

On my previous ticker I had my initial goal set to 160lbs. Now that I've lost 10lbs I want to be more aggressive and have made my goal 150lbs. I'd just like to be under 160lbs if I have another baby. With my daughter I weighed 180lbs when I got prego, and went up to 220lbs or so, I'd like to stay under 200lbs if I get prego again. We'll see! The last pregnancy was very hard on my foot...I have a Morton's Neuroma which is basically a pinced nerve in my foot and it's very painful. I want to do what I can to prevent something else like that.

I've been packing this weekend. It's good because we're making progress. We move next Monday. It sucked though because I was supposed to go trick-r-treating with my friend that motivated me to get on my weightloss journey and to do a blog, but my daughter was having a hard day. It turns out that she has 101 degree fever. I know it's her molars. I've called my Dr., we'll see what she says.

Ok, bye for now :)

R2 Cycle 1 Day 5 - Another lb down...

Finally...another lb! It feels so good! I'm now down a total of 11 lbs...I can't wait to be back in the 160's. It's hard though...because it really requires patience. This diet is great though...I definitely have control. Yesterday I bought "Napoleon's" (the best dessert ever) for my husband and some friends...it was so hard not to have one...and felt so good to have the control not to. I really have to work on my food though. It's so repetitive and boring. I eat a lot of eggs which I love, but that gets old also! Today I'm going to try my friend Meredith's soup from her blog (the one on the recommended links here to the side)...she also made a broccoli dish that sounds good.

Other than that...things are good. It's amazing that I've been able to keep losing weight while I have a million things going on...had a job interview, selling house and need to pack, moving to New Jersey...actually, that might even be the reason it's working...I like having new things to look forward to, although I'm really going to miss Colorado and my friends...it will be hard to start over. I'll have to work hard not to gain when I'm arriving in a new place in the freezing cold!

Ok, time to get ready for Cardisculpt at the gym. If any of you live in Colorado...you should go. It's absolutely the best class with the best instructor. Her name is Kelly and it's at the Lakeshore Athletic Club in Broomfield!

Cycle 1 Round 2...here we go again!

I completed my first round of the 17 day diet...yay! The third cycle wasn't great for my weight loss...but at least I didn't really gain and I did enjoy some treats ;) Today I'm on day 2 of cycle 1 again. It's hard starting over again...but the great thing is that I was 176lbs this am. I was 177lbs when I completed round 3. So the great thing is that I think I'll see some good weight loss again. Today I had a spinach salad for dinner with a home made vinagraitte and some chicken tenders.

I also had my interview on Friday. I was so happy that I started the diet when I did because I had more confidence and I was also able to fit my size 14P suit which hadn't been fitting. It really helped me feel good. It's amazing how losing weight really boosts your confidence.

We're also in the move stage now...we sold our house and close on Nov 10th. Therefore we have 2 weeks to pack. That shoudl be fun...but at least it'll keep me busy through my 17 days...that always helps me!

And lastly...I have to say that I'm so excited because I just got a message from a friend saying that she's started the 17 day diet! I'm so excited for her!!! To my friend...if you read this, please leave comments or post comments or questions on how your journey is going if you want to :) I think it's SO SUPPORTIVE to have others cheering you on! That's why I love the Dr's website :)

Ok, until the next post :)

Cycle 3 Day 13 - UGH!

I'm almost to the end of cycle 3...I think that's a good thing! I lost a few lbs in this cycle, but came back up a few too! Today I weighed in at 177lbs. This is up 1.5lbs from my low, so it's still ok. I know I'll get it back down. I kind of had a free for all on Saturday...I had the first dessert I've had since I started the diet, had a sip of diet coke, and a piece of bread! I hadn't done any of those things since I started the diet.

It is amazing how I was procrastinating writing on my blog because you don't want to face it when you're not doing well...but I know I'm going to beat this small slump! I still am eating well overall. Once this cycle is over I will go back to cycle 1 - basically no carbs again. I really want to keep losing and hope to get to 170lbs by the beginning of November. It would be great to be working on the 160's in the month of December. I would like to work on getting pregnant again around the beginning of the year, so it'd be nice to be under 165lbs when that happens. I got to 220lbs in my first pregnancy, and my goal is to stay clear of 200 if I'm able to get prego again...we'll see.

Other than that, I think my weight has been affected by stress. Our house is under contract so we're now dealing with packing up the house and getting ready to move. I also have an interview this coming Friday. When I feel stressed about the interview I feel like eating. Fortunately I've handled it pretty well compared to the way I usually deal with stress. I do keep working out. Today I did Cardiosculpt.

Ok, that's it for now. I hope to get back to that 175.5lbs real soon, and then beat it!

Down Again

I'm so happy...I'm now down to 175.5 lbs... .5lbs away from 10 pounds! That is great :) Now on to the next 10 pounds. I plan to continue on the plan which means I'll be going back to cycle 1 soon. I've been really good on cycle 3. Many of my friends say they can't believe my resolve. The crazy thing is that it isn't my resolve...it's the diet...you really do feel in control. Today I made my second batch of "Dr. Mike's Power Cookies", they really help me when I want something sweet. The two things I've really stated away from are sugar and bread. I think those two are dangerous for me. If I eat a little of either...I think I'll want a lot more.

Overall I've mostly been eating veggies, fruit, and proteins. I've had oatmeal here and there and brown rice. I've been experimenting with brown rice and I'm starting to get it down. My first one was awful! I've found it's best when I put it in the pressure cooker. My husband really like basmati rice so I'm going to look for basmati brown rice and see how that tastes. Oh, and I've also stayed away from pasta. I'll start writing out one of my days in case anyone wants to see what a day looks like.

I changed the comments settings on the blogs, so send me a comment if you're reading this...I'm always curious if anyone's really out there or not! Pretty soon I'll have to do measurements and pictures!

And if there's anything you want to know about my journey, put questions in your comments :)

Cycle 3 Day 6

Yesterday was one of the hardest days since I started the diet. I just felt very frustrated and that I was never going to lose anymore weight. I've been eating so well that it's difficult when you don't see the scale go down. I have been feeling really good in my clothes and people have even told me that they can tell...that feels good, but I was feeling like eating something sweet! Actually I was and I wasn't. I made some "Dr. Mike power cookies" the other day and I decided to put chocolate chips in half the batch...I ate one bite...and I didn't like it. I immediately got a headache from the sugar and I think it made me scared I'd want more sugar. I really do think I was to the point that sugar was an addiction. I wanted to eat all the time. Now I don't feel that way at all. I feel I eat when I'm hungry, and I make good choices. Yesterday I did have 2 corn tortilla's and a Dr. Mike's cookie. I wonder if that's what finally rev'd my metabolism? Oh, I guess I didn't mention that I was down a 1/2 lb this morning..finally :) So I"m at 176lbs. One pound away from 10 lbs overall. That is really great for me...I hadn't lost weight in years. I'm definitely going to contine on the diet. I get so much motivation from the blog I follow on the 17 day diet. There are people there that have lost 60, 40, and 30 lbs. It's nice to read about their succeses. My weightloss has been slower than those that post there. One woman did say that when she got to cycle 3 she didn't lose for a while. Then all of a sudden she was losing a 1/2 lb every day. We'll see where I go!

I had written earlier that you should leave a comment or write something if you're reading ths...not really sure if anyone is :) Just curious!!

Day 15

The scale said 176.5 this morning...slowly creeping down :) I look forward to being under 170lbs now. I have an interview in NJ on 10/21, so my goal is to be down 5 more lbs by then! I think it'll really help with confidence and feeling comfortable in a suit :)

Cycle 2 winding down

Thursday will be my last day on Cycle 2, then I'm off to Cycle 3. On cycle 3 I can have carbs everyday...2 servings. They recommend to have them before 2, and now bread is allowed. We came back from Telluride yesterday and I'm at 177lbs. It's so funny because I didn't remember I was at 177 before we left and I was SO HAPPY to see the number! It shows how good this is for me! I'm really happy with the diet. I feel that I'm just eating really well and make the right choices now. The goal of cycle 3 is to begin really thinking about portions and making sure you eat the right thing when "all things" are allowed. After cycle 3 I will go back to cycle 1 again since I have alot more weight to lose! People that get to their maintenance weight go on to cycle 4.

Like I've said many times, I really do feel good and determined to continue with the diet. It's weird how I feel I can do it this time and I haven't felt like that before. Some stressful like things will be coming soon, so those will be a challenge with the diet. We have our house on the market and an offer came through today...so it feels that real changes are going to begin now although I've known about them for a while.

Ok, that's it for now :) If anyone is reading this you should subscribe or leave a comment some time :) I don't really know who's reading it :)

Feeling Great! Day 11 Cycle 2

It's been a while since I've written. I have to report that I'm feeling great! Cycle 2 has been a slow decline, but the key is it's still been a decline! The first 5 days I didn't lose anything...those plateau's! The great news is that now I'm losing again. I've now lost 8lbs total and am at 177lbs. I am very happy with that. I know I will reach my initial goal of 160lbs on this diet. I feel that this is going to come a lifestyle change for me. I've been making very good decisions and feel totally in control. What's weird is that I've also found yogurt to be key. I seem to lose after the days I have my 2 yogurts. I don't love yogurt so I'll often skip one, but it pays off on the days that I don't! I still need to drink more water...that's such a challenge for me. I've really gotten used to the green tea though...I look forward to it now!

I'm starting to fit better into some of my clothes which feels really good. I haven't been under 180lbs in so long that it's really nice. I'm excited about getting under 170lbs now :) I do keep working out. I mostly do Cardiosculpt on Tuesday's and Thursdays, and then I hike and bike on the weekends. This week I did add an extra workout day on Monday and that seemed to help, so I will start mixing it up more with the workouts I do.

Today we're leaving for Telluride for the weekend. I'm not stressed because the last time we traveled, yellowstone, I lost 3 lbs...so I can do it again :) I have the hang of it now!

Ok, until next week :)

The Frustration of Weight Loss

It's day 4 on Cycle 2. Losing weight is so frustrating. I have pretty much stuck to the rules on this diet...and it's hard to feel I'm hitting a plateau early on. In 20 days I've lose 6 lbs. Really that's good for me, but it's hard to know that I'm eating aroudn 1200 calories a day and the weightloss isn't melting. That's the challenge with losing weight. It's not an overnight something...it's something you have to keep working at. I still feel very good about the diet and I feel it's going to get me to a weight where I can feel a lot better, so I'm not quitting, but I had to write during this time!

I also have to take the time to write about my biggest supporter. My husband, AH is amazing. I have been "on a diet" since I've known him. He fell in love with me overweight and has always supported me on any diet I've tried...which have been MANY. He never gives up on me...and I'm very thankful for that. He says he's really proud of how well I've done, he can see the change already in these 3 weeks. He's also amazing with the way he supports me with work outs. He takes care of my daughter so I can workout at the gym, and we always do hikes and bike rides together. So thank you honey :)

Ok, tomorrow I will continue and be strong...on to my next carb day. I have a dinner with some friends, therefore I will save my lunch carb and have it then. I hope the scale shows some weightloss.

Day 3 Cycle 2

Today is day 3 of cycle 2...and it's the 2nd day of eating the activate menu vs. accelerate. I feel good and I don't feel hungry. I still feel in control. What's frustrating is that I've had no weightloss. Hopefully that'll change soon.

I have this good friend named Nancy. She's lost 65 pounds in the last 9 months...it's amazing. She's been an inspiration for me. She's tracked her food everyday on myfitnesspal.com, she works out like 2 hours per day, and she's been great about making recipes. One of the recipe's she makes is "Dr. Mike's Protein cookie". The other day was amazing...she brought me a dozen cookies! Anyway, I had those today. They're very good. I recommend them to anyone on the diet. I will probably start making them in the future :) THANK YOU NANCY :)

Ok, we'll see if tomorrow show's any weightloss

Day 2 Cycle 2

I have joined "The Doctors" website because there is a group that just talks about their progress on the 17 day diet. Many of them lost like 12 lbs on the first cycle...that'd be nice! Anyway, many of them also said that when they got to cycle 2 they'd be up one, down 1, etc...and most generally lost 4 lbs in the cycle. Well it looks like I'm going to be doing that myself. Today I'm up 1lb to 179.5lbs. I plan to stick to the diet, but it may be frustrating. it would probably be ideal to only weigh in once a week, but I like watching the scale...I feel it also keeps me on top of things.

Ok, I'll let you know what I weigh tomorrow! Today is an "activate" day (cycle 1) so no carbs.