WEEK 1 Finished!

Oh Boy!  What a week!  I think this is the hardest thing I have ever done. I have had blood sugar issues: lightheadedness, foggy brain, nausea, lethargy. Not fun.  I have almost developed an aversion to green smoothies. I am NOT kidding!  Luckily, I can eat the makings of the smoothies as a salad. ( Didn't find that out until today though) I HAVE lost 12 pounds and feel lighter and thinner. Thinner meaning I have lost inches and I can totally tell! That is fantastic.

Did I follow the program 100%. NOPE.  I ate a salad last night with a small amount of fresh salad shrimp. GASP!   I needed some protein. I felt better. The thing that troubles me is this. I was feeling GUILTY for eating a cucumber or a banana because it wasn't ALLOWED.  That is messed up.  I ate something totally healthy and felt remorse.  So, my strategy is this: as long as I am eating healthy foods---NO GUILT!  

I will continue to do this cleanse free to modify it according to my BODY"S needs....not someone else's opinion of what my body needs
.   I am not bashing the cleanse by any means, just doing what is best for me.

Day 2-FINISHED!

I was going though my purse today and in the bottom I found a
SKOR  candy bar.  They are my favorite. I ate some...like 4...
before I started the detox.  SCORE!!!!  Get it?  Anyway....I have the mother lode of yum in my purse....right now.   HOLY CRAP! 

 While perusing Pinterest today I saw this quote and it made think about what I am doing and why I am doing it.....but most especially how HARD this is!
Why? My friends run marathons and bike 100's of miles.  They get that feeling of accomplishment when they FINISH!  I want to be a FINISHER!  I have set the goal and have committed myself to finish.
I want to FEEL BETTER!  Less joint pain, less inflammation, less junk in my body, less of me!  

Today has been a good day!  I am sure that a bad one will happen, but I am prepared to keep going until the end.

THE FINISH LINE 

The candy bar is still in my purse!

Day One....or Green lemonade isn't really that bad!

Day one is almost ended.  It has been okay so far.  I don't have a headache....yet. Hoping for the best on that one! Here is what will be on the menu for days 1-4!

BREAKFAST: Green Lemonade...which is basically water, green, fresh lemon juice and stevia.  For me...it must be COLD. Like, really cold. 
1 cup of gluten-free oats with cinnamon and stevia.

Stevia is a natural plant sweetener that doesn't affect your blood sugar. It's really sweet BUT.....if you use to much it has a horrible bitter aftertaste! Which I did on my oatmeal....lesson learned. 

LUNCH: Baked potato drizzled with flax oil and chopped chives.
 Green lemonade.

DINNER: Hippo soup-which is potatoes, tomatoes, onion, leek,celery and garlic.  No salt.  As much as I want.
Cucumber Tomato Salad-cucumbers, tomatoes and red onion with a little Apple Cider Vinegar and fresh basil. 

A little tip I learned today was this: You can put a tablespoon of Chia seeds in some water and drink it down to lose that hungry feeling in your stomach!  I did it....I like Chia! I bet the gooey-ness would make some of you hurl!

Drinking a ton of water and keeping busy!  Day 2 will be a little easier!  Can't wait for days 5-7....Green Smoothies WITH FRUIT! WooHoo!

D-Day tomorrow~26 day detox!

Tomorrow is the big day!  Day one of my 26 day detox cleanse.  I am excited and nervous at the same time.  For the first 4 days I drink green smoothies with NO FRUIT!  Just greens, lemon juice and, stevia.  I also will be eating oatmeal, baked potatoes, steamed broccoli and cauliflower, and drinking ALOT of water.  

The purpose of the first week, really, is to get off sugar, caffeine,dairy, gluten, and....SALT!  Oh dear, my beloved salt is out the window for 26 days.   WHY......you ask are you doing this?  I want to feel better!  I feel sluggish, bloated, blech, and my knees hurt. SO....I am taking the challenge to detox from all the junky processed food and clean out my colon, liver, gall bladder, and hopefully get back on track eating real, whole foods!

To support this effort I will also be using some essential oils.

Frankincense-is a favorite because it helps support oxygen levels in the brain. It is an anti-inflammatory and also an analgesic, so it helps with pain and swelling. 

 Peppermint-love the cooling, stimulating, pain relieving power of peppermint. It also helps you feel full to avoid overeating.

Lemon-helps detoxify the body. Supports kidneys and liver, uplifts, and helps the body break down fats. I use it daily in my water.

Cilantro-supports blood sugar levels and is a heavy metal detoxifier. I also use it for my headaches.

Grapefruit-helps with liver and gall bladder function, cravings, antioxidant. I put it in my water too!

Wild Orange-I love wild orange. It smells so good. It lifts your mood, helps your cells function properly, and even helps with digestion.  Another great oil to put in your water.

I am feeling pretty good about what the next 26 days will bring; but I am also very aware of the fact that this is going to be a challenge!  I am ready to take it on!

Keep checking back to see my progress. I plan to journal each day and share the ups and downs!

Excuse me....Don't I know you?

3 yrs ago....I weighed 50 pounds LESS...than I do now.  So hello poundage....you are back and I need to have you go!  I was doing Medifast back in the day and was committed. Until I went to Utah on Vacation....that started my downfall. I remember eating blueberry pie.....a lot of it.  Then I had cancer surgery for a melanoma on my arm....major stress.  And now I am back up....with arthritis and bursitis in my knees.  I can't walk long distances and I am pissed off!  I did this to myself with food .  I am trying to get back on the way to a healthier weight.  I am trying to eat real food...no junk food...and it is kicking my butt!  I seem to have lost ANY ounce of power over food.  I have been doing WW and it's just TOO MUCH CHOICE for me.  My body feels clogged, sluggish, cluttered.  I have signed up to do a 26 day Detox Cleanse with the  Green Smoothie Girl.  Check it out...you may be interested.

My intention is to blog about each day as I go along and give you my progress.  The cleanse starts August 1, 2013 and I am nervous and excited. It is not going to be easy...but I need to prove to myself that I can accomplish my goals.  I am not doing this as a weight loss cleanse but as a detox for my body.....from sugar, and processed foods, white flour, and other crappy stuff I have been eating.

Yep...that's me in my favorite royal blue shirt......it HUNG on me!  I felt so good that day and I am on my way again!

Week? I don't remember!

Well...after a semi-frustrating week filled with cravings and tastes, bites and full on eating...I am down to 294.9 A total loss of 41.8 pounds since I started this journey.
I am thrilled with the loss and am looking forward to continuing on. My goal was to lose 50 pounds by August 23rd...my birthday! I am looking @ changing my goal to lets say...60 pounds by my birthday! It is totally do-able as long as I keep my focus!
I am feeling great and in 8.2 pounds i will buy some new clothes. I bought a really pretty blue blouse about a month ago ...in fact I am wearing it now....and it hangs on me! Looks pretty crappy! My old favorite shirt..the one that made me look polished and chic is MILES too big and looks rotten! I am saving it to remind me of just how FAT i was and never to be seen again!

Tomorrow is the last day of school....i hope my routine can be the same this summer! We are also going on vacation in July.....i am a little concerned about giving myself "permission" to eat! I don't want to go back this route again!

Weigh in #5

Wow! I have lost 30.7 pounds! I am rounding it up to 31. I now weigh 305. Only 6 more pounds and I am back in the 2's! Can't believe it!

I have had some ups and downs...like not planning and being ravenous! I haven't cheated....except for a few tiny pieces of gouda cheese and a bite of a hard-boiled egg! I actually find if I don't stay on schedule I end up running out of hours to eat ALL the food I a supposed to. Funny...I can't fit IN the food! I have been really focused on staying on program. I still can't believe that 35 days ago I was so much heavier! I feel so much better. I can tie my shoes without having to get on the bed and let my feet be closer to me! I can bend over and not be out of breath! I sleep better. My clothes look pretty crappy...but I am waiting to lose 50 lbs. before I go and buy more clothes. Only 19 more pounds before then.

Happy Happy Happy!

Weigh-In #4 1 Month gone!

Wow! I have lost 27.5 pounds in one month on Medifast! I am so happy and actually amazed that I have stayed on program the whole time. I really don't have much desire to eat the junk I used to eat! That is a victory in itself. Some days I could, but most of the time...not interested.

I am feeling great! I can move better....my clothes feel better....people are noticing the change...i can walk farther without foot pain! The positives are many.

Way to go Me!

Down 27.5 pounds!

Weigh-In #3

Woohoo! I have lost 22.9 pounds since starting Medifast!

Lost 1 1/4 inches from my waist . I feel great! Sleeping better...moving better! It is awesome!

Got some new bars-s'mores and caramel crunch-delicious. Parmesan puffs are yum as well.

Watching my portions more carefully...gonna break the 25 pound mark next week!

Onward and upward!

Mother's Day

I am Hungry today. I want to eat all sorts of carbs....sugar, bread. I smelled the bread bag again today. I realize how much food and holidays are tied together in my life. On an ordinary Mother's Day...our menu would have been something like this: Steaks, potato salad, homemade rolls, butter and jam and some dessert...chocolate peanut butter cake or strawberry pie. Today's menu: 5 oz. hamburger and 1 1/2 c. cooked asparagus for lunch/dinner. I will eat my medifast bar, pretzels and shake to round out my day. I already had a shake for breakfast and a bar for snack. I weighed today and am down to 314.2. I have lost 21.5 pounds in 18 days. Wow! That is so great! I am feeling sorry for myself I know....when I look at the pounds in writing...i am motivated to keep going. It has just been harder this last couple of days. I am out of my favorites....that is part of the problem. My new shipment of food should be coming soon!

They gave out See's candy bars for Mother's Day today at church...I bit of the very corner and gave it to Monte. It wasn't even that good! Yay!

Onward and Upward!

Weigh-in 2

Today was my weigh-in day! I have lost 20.2 pounds since starting Medifast!
Woohoo! I hopefully can continue to lose consistently. I have been on program 100%...not deviated at all! I am proud of that. I have got to drink more water...I suck at it! I will try again today. I have lost one of my chins! and the remaining one is a lot smaller~Shane noticed that for me! I am getting a new shipment of food soon..which is good as I am down to a few things that i don't care for. Chocolate is a good choice for shakes...strawberry, banana, orange....yuck! They all taste like those weird "circus peanut" candies smell! And you really can't doctor them either!

So...down 20.2

Day 11

Ugh! I woke up with a headache today...! I wondered why last week I had some cravings for chocolate, etc. Duh! I started my period.....again! But...I made it through the cravings and have not strayed from program at all! Not once! I did smell the bread bag again...but I didn't indulge. My mindset has changed so much...I really think this is going to work for me! I am really never hungry and if I am...I know I will get to eat soon. It is pretty awesome.
Just wish the headache would go away!

I'm gonna go have another drink of water~

Weigh-in Day Day 8

Finally! It is weigh-in day. I can't believe it!

Weight: 320.2 Total loss: 15.5 pounds Woohoo!

Wouldn't it be awesome to have another great week like this next Thursday? I am gonna try hard to keep it going!

Great motivation to keep going....a little scared that this coming week won't be as good!

Day 7

It's finally here. 7 I can't believe it's been a week already. So for it has been pretty great! No major problems....no headaches. I feel awesome~more energy~accomplishing much. I feel on top of things...which is a new concept for me! I haven't really felt like doing anything...laundry, cleaning, organizing. This is a much better way to live. I want to keep the momentum going! I have committed to staying on program...all the time. It has been easy.....seeing results helps!

Tomorrow is my official weigh-in! We'll see how it goes! Yay!

Day 6

So...I am doing well. Today was relatively easy! That makes me really happy...maybe I can really do this! If it continues this way....I will do it! Today I cooked the scrambled eggs in the pan instead of in the microwave! OMGsh! SO MUCH BETTER! Add a little hotsauce..breakfast. Bars are still yum! Chicken noodle soup is good! Dinner for the missionaries at our house. I had to make chicken enchilada casserole....which is a fave of mine. I did it and didn't even taste it. I am having chicken breast and spinach salad! The tortilla chips did smell wonderful, though. Shake or bar later...maybe I'll try a strawberry one!

Gonna talk to my Dad and sister tomorrow. Tell them what I'm doing. Gotta call my Aunt Bonnie as well...she started me with Isagenix shakes..but they just didn't work that well for me!

I am getting a lot accomplished at home, house is cleaned, laundry is folded , organized for my Master Food Preservers class! Yes! I feel super!

Made dinner and I had chicken, spinach, cucumber, tomatoe salad. It was yum! I am having it again tonight.

I couldn't wait!

Weighed in this morning! 322.9 Total loss 12.8 pounds! Today is day 6!

Day 5

Today was pretty good! I ate my first scrambled eggs and decided that the microwave is NOT the way to cook them. Again, the texture was weird...so I will try them again tomorrow after cooking on the stove. Tabasco is my friend. They weren't that bad really. Better than oatmeal...but that's not saying much.
I was hungrier than normal....i am sure it's because I haven't been as diligent with the water. I also was tempted more than any other day...I have noticed if I eat gum, or drink diet soda I am more likely to want something sweet...so no more! No extras except sugar free jello...if I need it!

Day 4

Day 4...Sunday...Fast Sunday... was a little harder than normal....my schedule was different. We go to church from 9-12...so eating on schedule was tricky. So I drank my cocoa @ 7:30...ate my bar @ 11 ish and came home to make taco meat. I had taco salad...it tasted pretty good. I then continued on with my day. It wasn't until bedtime that i noticed I hadn't eaten all 5 meals. I forgot the last one! Oh well...tomorrow is another day. I feel really good, motivated to accomplish things.

Day three

Not too bad. Energy good, the program is easy to follow as long as I know what i am going to eat for the day. I don't feel tired, really and the hunger pangs aren't unbearable. I will not be weighing myself until Thursday morning...to see how I have done this week! It can be a surprise.
The food is surprisingly good. I had the wild rice soup and it was really tasty. I am not so hot about the oatmeal and pudding....it has that aftertaste. So I know what to get when I order on my own. We'll see what the strawberry shake tastes like.. I like all the bars so far..they are delicious and the chocolate shake was good last night.

Sunday will be my challenge!

Day 2

In a nutshell....it was ok. I was a little hungry today, but not overly starving! I think I figured out what it FEELS like to be REALLY hungry. I stuck with it all day! I had to get Monte ready for Camporee...which meant making 2 sub sandwiches....fresh bread, ham, cheese....omgsh! I actually picked up the bread to smell it! Looney! I did it though! I did eat 1/2 c. SF Jello! It saved me! I still really DISLIKE....and I mean dislike the oatmeal....i can barely gag it down and it makes quite a bit! Today was apple cinnamon....much better than Maple Brown sugar. I doctored it with vanilla, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. I had a PB Crunch bar...it was yum! I also tried the Chix noodle soup...not bad. Orange cream shakes...passable. So, all in all, a good start. I didn't have a headache today and I do seem to have more energy! I cleaned out my underwear drawer today...i have procrastinated that forever! The weekend will be the test for me! I have support from the fam....but I still do most of the cooking. They eat what I eat for dinner...and they don't have a problem with it!

My scale said 329.4, i think....that like 6 pounds...of water~I'll take it though!

Tomorrow is Saturday.....we'll see how I do!