Tuesday, January 27, 2015
The "Blizzard"
Not much new to report. There is a Half Size Me meeting tonight at 8, and I need to listen! I've let my diet and exercise slide over the past week or two. Life is good right now, and I'm realizing that I often fixated on those things as a way to "fix" myself. Now that I'm starting to believe that I don't need fixing, I've gotten sloppy and lazy. The "blizzard" we got here in Central NJ (2.5" at my house, which closed my office yesterday and today) didn't help. I tend to stock up on chocolate while everyone else is buying eggs and milk! I am going to follow the Virgin Diet again Wednesday-Friday to get off some of the crap I've eaten over the past few days. I have a bunch of stuff going on this weekend that will include food. I want to go into it all feeling good, and back in control. I'm ready to get back on track.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Virgin Diet: The Aftermath
I stopped the diet after 12 days rather than doing 21. I decided that I wanted/needed to get back to eating in a sustainable way, and that I didn't want to take an additional 4 weeks after the initial 3 to reintroduce things one at a time. I ate out Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, and had dessert twice. On Monday morning I was up 2.3 lbs. Last night I had Thai food and this morning was up another 2-3. Thing is, I am so not freaking out! I know it's water, I feel in control, my clothes fit, and I'm happy with how I look. I have not had any adverse reactions to the foods I've eaten. I feel great!
My plan is to continue with a shake for breakfast, and probably for lunch, during the week, and a shake for breakfast on the weekends. During the week I will have a "sensible" dinner, and will limit white flour and sugar. I will keep peanuts, corn and soy to a minimum, and will save sweets for treats on the weekend, and not bring them into my home. I will continue to track on MFP, and I really need to up my activity again. I haven't run or done kettle bells in weeks, although I have been walking and riding my recumbent bike. At first I blamed my inactivity on being sick. Then on Saturday I fell on the ice while walking the dogs, and hurt my neck. Now I have no excuse, and March, when I need to start training for my 1/2 in June, is not that far off.
Last night I put on a pair of jeans, and loved what I saw. I looked curvy, and I liked it! My goal is not to be skinny. It's to be in control, to feel healthy and happy, and to not have to buy new clothes. Right now, most of those boxes are checked off, and once I start running again, I'd say I'll be at 100%.
The Virgin Diet did exactly what I'd hoped it would. It got me back up and running (well, walking!) It snapped me out of my Christmas sugar binge and gave me structure, control, and discipline. It removed a bunch of water weight, and allowed me to wear something other than leggings and yoga pants. I knew that my body would rebound once I started eating more normally again, but that's ok. I am no longer a slave to the scale.
Life is good right now, and I'm feeling very comfortable in my skin. I'm excited about my interview for the HSM show (I'll be interviewed on 2/9, will let you know when my episode airs.) I'm excited about my race in June (although not about the training!) I'm excited about my 20th reunion. I'm excited about the fact that I've worked really hard on myself over the past year, and have started to have opportunities to put into action some of the changes I wanted to make. As I said, life is good.
My plan is to continue with a shake for breakfast, and probably for lunch, during the week, and a shake for breakfast on the weekends. During the week I will have a "sensible" dinner, and will limit white flour and sugar. I will keep peanuts, corn and soy to a minimum, and will save sweets for treats on the weekend, and not bring them into my home. I will continue to track on MFP, and I really need to up my activity again. I haven't run or done kettle bells in weeks, although I have been walking and riding my recumbent bike. At first I blamed my inactivity on being sick. Then on Saturday I fell on the ice while walking the dogs, and hurt my neck. Now I have no excuse, and March, when I need to start training for my 1/2 in June, is not that far off.
Last night I put on a pair of jeans, and loved what I saw. I looked curvy, and I liked it! My goal is not to be skinny. It's to be in control, to feel healthy and happy, and to not have to buy new clothes. Right now, most of those boxes are checked off, and once I start running again, I'd say I'll be at 100%.
The Virgin Diet did exactly what I'd hoped it would. It got me back up and running (well, walking!) It snapped me out of my Christmas sugar binge and gave me structure, control, and discipline. It removed a bunch of water weight, and allowed me to wear something other than leggings and yoga pants. I knew that my body would rebound once I started eating more normally again, but that's ok. I am no longer a slave to the scale.
Life is good right now, and I'm feeling very comfortable in my skin. I'm excited about my interview for the HSM show (I'll be interviewed on 2/9, will let you know when my episode airs.) I'm excited about my race in June (although not about the training!) I'm excited about my 20th reunion. I'm excited about the fact that I've worked really hard on myself over the past year, and have started to have opportunities to put into action some of the changes I wanted to make. As I said, life is good.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Virgin Diet: Week 1 Recap
I started the 3 week Virgin Diet on Monday, January 5th. That day I weighed 159.3. Today, 1 week later, I weigh 149.1. I have lost 10.1 lbs in 7 days! The book says "Lose up to 7 lbs in 7 days", so I'm ahead of the game. I've been tracking on MFP and, based on my calorie deficit, I should've lost about 1-2 lbs this week. I followed the diet pretty much to a T...a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, and a dinner of protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and usually a sweet potato. I also have an orange for a snack (a snack is optional). I know that a large portion of the weight is water, but my feeling is that that is water weight/bloat that I put on over the holidays. It's part of the reason that none of my pants fit, and I felt sluggish and horrible. That weight came on, and needed to come off! I wore regular jeans (not stretchy) yesterday, for the first time in I can't remember how long. It felt great!
I don't think I would recommend this diet to someone just starting on their weight-loss journey, as it's very drastic. But for someone on maintenance who has gained a bit, or who's in the middle of their journey and needs to break a plateau, I think it's worth trying. Also, if you feel that you may have negative reactions to certain food groups, I think an elimination diet, with the reintroductions after, is a great way to learn about what your body can and can't tolerate. I have found this much easier than the Whole30, and I'm less neurotic. Last night I had brown rice sushi, and one of the rolls had something crunchy in it...maybe something fried...oh well. On Friday night I took Mady to Applebee's and had steak, veggies and sweet potato fries. Did I ask if they used corn oil to fry? Nope, didn't want to know! I'm doing the best I can, and it's more than good enough!
Week 2, which starts today, I can either continue with 2 shakes and a meal or cut back to just a shake for breakfast. That is the plan, although, as usual, I have to go grocery shopping, and was running late for work, so I just made 2 shakes to bring with me. Honestly, when I'm working, shakes work well for me. I don't get a lunch break, so I eat in between patients. If I microwave something, by the time I eat it, it's usually cold, and I'm shoveling it in. Sipping on a shake while I write up charts works really well for my lifestyle. I plan to continue with shakes for breakfast for the most part. I'm not much of a breakfast person, and these shakes get me a lot of nutrients, are easy to drink in the car on my way to work (I tend to eat breakfast very late), and keep me full for a few hours...unlike a bagel.
I've let my exercise slack a bit over the past week...I was sick, and felt like I needed to get well, and sleep as much as I could. I went back to yoga yesterday morning for the first time in a few weeks. It was hard, but felt great! The weather today is horrible, so I used my recumbent bike, and tomorrow I plan on running at the gym...first run since my 5k on New Year's Day 😳
Overall, I feel good, lighter, and in control. We'll see what the next 2 weeks bring, but for me, feeling like I'm in control of my eating is almost more important than what the scale says. As an aside, I'm listening to the audiobook "The Orphan Train", and LOVE it...highly recommend!
I don't think I would recommend this diet to someone just starting on their weight-loss journey, as it's very drastic. But for someone on maintenance who has gained a bit, or who's in the middle of their journey and needs to break a plateau, I think it's worth trying. Also, if you feel that you may have negative reactions to certain food groups, I think an elimination diet, with the reintroductions after, is a great way to learn about what your body can and can't tolerate. I have found this much easier than the Whole30, and I'm less neurotic. Last night I had brown rice sushi, and one of the rolls had something crunchy in it...maybe something fried...oh well. On Friday night I took Mady to Applebee's and had steak, veggies and sweet potato fries. Did I ask if they used corn oil to fry? Nope, didn't want to know! I'm doing the best I can, and it's more than good enough!
Week 2, which starts today, I can either continue with 2 shakes and a meal or cut back to just a shake for breakfast. That is the plan, although, as usual, I have to go grocery shopping, and was running late for work, so I just made 2 shakes to bring with me. Honestly, when I'm working, shakes work well for me. I don't get a lunch break, so I eat in between patients. If I microwave something, by the time I eat it, it's usually cold, and I'm shoveling it in. Sipping on a shake while I write up charts works really well for my lifestyle. I plan to continue with shakes for breakfast for the most part. I'm not much of a breakfast person, and these shakes get me a lot of nutrients, are easy to drink in the car on my way to work (I tend to eat breakfast very late), and keep me full for a few hours...unlike a bagel.
I've let my exercise slack a bit over the past week...I was sick, and felt like I needed to get well, and sleep as much as I could. I went back to yoga yesterday morning for the first time in a few weeks. It was hard, but felt great! The weather today is horrible, so I used my recumbent bike, and tomorrow I plan on running at the gym...first run since my 5k on New Year's Day 😳
Overall, I feel good, lighter, and in control. We'll see what the next 2 weeks bring, but for me, feeling like I'm in control of my eating is almost more important than what the scale says. As an aside, I'm listening to the audiobook "The Orphan Train", and LOVE it...highly recommend!
Monday, January 5, 2015
Down for the Count!
I rang in the New Year with family, friends...and no voice. I did a Resolution Run 5k the morning of the 1st, and then went home and took a nap. When I woke up, I couldn't talk AT ALL! For just the 2nd time in 7 years, I called my office manager and told her that I wouldn't make it in to work the next day. She thought that the phone was breaking up...nope, it's me! I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday doing very little, and on Sunday I finally went to the doctor...are you happy Mom??? ;) I'm on an antibiotic, oral prednisone, and cough medicine, and I'm still coughing my brains out! Thank God that today was a scheduled day off for me, and Tuesdays are my shortest work day.
Getting sick turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I am not a good rester, but I was forced to rest, because I HAD to rest. I NEEDED to rest. I was also forced to accept help, which is not easy for me to do. I had planned on going grocery shopping on Friday, which I HATE! I had no food in the house at all. Friday morning my friend Gail asked if I needed her to pick up anything for me. I said I wish, but my list was way too long. She told me it wasn't a problem, and to text it to her. She ended up meeting my sister-in-law Terri at Shop Rite, and they split my list. Over an hour later my fridge and pantry were stocked, and I was reminded of how loved, and blessed, I am! When Gail dropped off my groceries, she even took Marty the Beagle out for a walk to tire him out. Even the dogs seemed to understand that things were different. When I would lay down on the couch, rather than come up to me looking to be pet, or fed, or walked, they all curled up somewhere and slept. We had a nice few days of forced down time.
Last night I decided to do the Virgin Diet with my best friend Toni. She had done it over the summer, and had great success. I feel like I need a kick start, a detox, something to get rid of this excess bloat and water weight, and get me back on track. Since 12/22, I've gained 6.5 lbs. I didn't do that well while I was sick, and once I decided to do the Virgin Diet, I viewed last night as my Last Supper, and went to town! For 21 days I will eliminate eggs, peanuts, soy, corn, dairy, gluten and sugar/artificial sweeteners from my diet. It's sort of like the Whole30, but not as strict, and not as long. I'm not going to go into the specifics of what I'm eating, but if you are interested, you can go to www.thevirgindiet.com. One thing I do plan on doing correctly this time, which I didn't with the W30, is the food reintroductions. I have a close family member with celiac disease. I have been tested, and don't have it, but I'm curious to see if I'm gluten sensitive. The same relative is lactose intolerant, and I suspect that I may be as well. My main reason for doing the diet, other than to do it with Toni so that we can support each other, is to kick the sugar cravings. I kept saying that I wanted to "cut back" on processed foods and sugar, but that wasn't happening. If I'm going to have a goal, it needs to be clear cut. Of course being sick throws a wrench in things. I'm sure the cough medicine I need to take so that I have a chance at sleeping tonight has sugar in it. I've avoided cough drops today, but will need something at work tomorrow. I'll do the best I can. Even on the W30, medications, etc., took precedence over the "rules."
Another thing that I'm excited about is audiobooks! When I used to commute by subway back and forth from Queens to Manhattan, I'd read about a book a week. Since I moved to NJ, I hardly read at all. When I used to walk on the treadmill, or use the elliptical at the gym, I could read then. Now that I run, or walk outside, I can't. I realized that I love listening to podcasts, so why not try audiobooks? I can listen while I run, walk, drive, and at night I prefer it to watching TV, because I can close my eyes!
I"m excited for 2015...I think it's going to be a good year! I'm taking some steps to expand my world a little bit, and we'll see what happens. I have a lot of things I'm looking forward to, and that's always a good thing!
Getting sick turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I am not a good rester, but I was forced to rest, because I HAD to rest. I NEEDED to rest. I was also forced to accept help, which is not easy for me to do. I had planned on going grocery shopping on Friday, which I HATE! I had no food in the house at all. Friday morning my friend Gail asked if I needed her to pick up anything for me. I said I wish, but my list was way too long. She told me it wasn't a problem, and to text it to her. She ended up meeting my sister-in-law Terri at Shop Rite, and they split my list. Over an hour later my fridge and pantry were stocked, and I was reminded of how loved, and blessed, I am! When Gail dropped off my groceries, she even took Marty the Beagle out for a walk to tire him out. Even the dogs seemed to understand that things were different. When I would lay down on the couch, rather than come up to me looking to be pet, or fed, or walked, they all curled up somewhere and slept. We had a nice few days of forced down time.
Last night I decided to do the Virgin Diet with my best friend Toni. She had done it over the summer, and had great success. I feel like I need a kick start, a detox, something to get rid of this excess bloat and water weight, and get me back on track. Since 12/22, I've gained 6.5 lbs. I didn't do that well while I was sick, and once I decided to do the Virgin Diet, I viewed last night as my Last Supper, and went to town! For 21 days I will eliminate eggs, peanuts, soy, corn, dairy, gluten and sugar/artificial sweeteners from my diet. It's sort of like the Whole30, but not as strict, and not as long. I'm not going to go into the specifics of what I'm eating, but if you are interested, you can go to www.thevirgindiet.com. One thing I do plan on doing correctly this time, which I didn't with the W30, is the food reintroductions. I have a close family member with celiac disease. I have been tested, and don't have it, but I'm curious to see if I'm gluten sensitive. The same relative is lactose intolerant, and I suspect that I may be as well. My main reason for doing the diet, other than to do it with Toni so that we can support each other, is to kick the sugar cravings. I kept saying that I wanted to "cut back" on processed foods and sugar, but that wasn't happening. If I'm going to have a goal, it needs to be clear cut. Of course being sick throws a wrench in things. I'm sure the cough medicine I need to take so that I have a chance at sleeping tonight has sugar in it. I've avoided cough drops today, but will need something at work tomorrow. I'll do the best I can. Even on the W30, medications, etc., took precedence over the "rules."
Another thing that I'm excited about is audiobooks! When I used to commute by subway back and forth from Queens to Manhattan, I'd read about a book a week. Since I moved to NJ, I hardly read at all. When I used to walk on the treadmill, or use the elliptical at the gym, I could read then. Now that I run, or walk outside, I can't. I realized that I love listening to podcasts, so why not try audiobooks? I can listen while I run, walk, drive, and at night I prefer it to watching TV, because I can close my eyes!
I"m excited for 2015...I think it's going to be a good year! I'm taking some steps to expand my world a little bit, and we'll see what happens. I have a lot of things I'm looking forward to, and that's always a good thing!
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