Heading into Week 7! Quick update!

Last week was my first "gain," (1.6 lb. of mostly water weight). I am happy to have lost 3 lb. this week...so not counting the "gain" from last week, that means I lost an additional 1.4 lb. for a total weight loss of 14.90 lb. in 6 weeks. And that means that I have officially passed the halfway point (13.75 lb.). Finally!!

If I can keep this up, I hope to reach my goal weight by the beginning of October. That really doesn't seem very far away to me at all. I wonder if I can do it!

I definitely slacked on the exercise last week since it was my "time of month," but hope to get back into it this week...while juggling the start of the school semester. *Fingers crossed*

Week 6 is almost over already.

Unfortunately, the scale was not happy with me this week. For my Week 5 weigh in, I had gained 1.6 lb. Granted, this was primarily water weight, as I lost .3% (0.1 lb.) in fat mass, and my water weight increased 1.3 lb.

I suspected the bloating had to do with my lovely monthly visit from Mother Nature. Unfortunately, this has caused me to crave things like chocolate and to just be hungrier than usual, so I have had some off times this week. I also indulged in a glass of Chardonnay the other night at a show with some friends. I think I have gotten to that point where I am beginning to get a little cocky, which is dangerous grounds for me, because I guarantee I could just gain back everything I've lost and then some.

I refuse to go there.

I was out of ketosis for a few days which I suspect had to do with eating some low-carb tortillas. Though I was within my carb intake limit for the day, I think it had to do  with the  type of carbs I was consuming. I just checked again today and I am starting to see some Trace levels of ketones, so I hope to increase them and return to fat-burning mode! I had been working out rather diligently last week, though maybe not for long periods of time. The 30 Day Shred is only 20-25 minutes long, so it doesn't feel like a loooong, boring workout on the elliptical, but it definitely brings my heart rate up a lot more. I've only done a 5ish days of Level 1 so far, and I'm somewhat dreading Level 2, which I heard is extremely difficult. Once I'm done with my period, I really plan to step things up and not do the every other day thing anymore. I received my custom hula hoop this past week as well and have been learning some tricks from Hoopnotica. Practicing tricks definitely brings up my heart rate a lot more than just regular waist hooping. It also leaves nice marks on the wall when I mess up. :)

I am starting school this coming week. It officially started Thursday, but my first class is not until Tuesday, though I am the TA for two online courses. I am only taking two classes this semester, and both are with professors I like who are not the type to give you busy work. I hope this gives me the time and freedom to work out. At least I won't have an excuse not to. My hoop dance class starts in September; and after watching the Cirque du Soleil touring show Dralion this week, I am partly considering signing up for a Beginner Aerial Silks or Beginner Dance (Low-Flying) Trapeze class.

Anyway. As I said, I refuse to get cocky and undo what I've done. After these past two weeks of cheats and give-ins, I am going to get back into ketosis, get back on track, be strict and dedicated again, and I will see those numbers go down! Wish me luck!

Focaccia Cloud Bread

I leave you with a photo of some lovely focaccia cloud bread I just took out of the oven. You can find the recipe and some blogger comments/suggestions here. To make the focaccia flavor and style (instead of the normal recipe), omit the Splenda or sugar substitute, and add herbs (rosemary, oregano, thyme, garlic). I mixed these into the batter, but also topped it with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan and extra herbs before popping it in the oven. It bakes a little longer than the rounds do, since it's got a larger surface area. I can't wait to eat a sandwich at lunch today!

Guilty!

Okay, I finally did it...I strayed from the diet! It started with tortilla chips. I decided I really wanted tortilla chips (one of my favorite snacks), especially to go with the Low Carb Taco Bake from the Medi recipes page. I had purchased some Smart and Delicious Low Carb High Fiber Whole Wheat tortillas by La Tortilla Factory, which contain the lowest net carbs I've found of all the tortillas I've researched. I baked these into "chips." This paired with guacamole and salsa kind of caused me to eat a bit more (on the carb side) than I would have liked. I did okay the first night, but the 2nd and 3rd night I definitely overdid it on the carbs. Not to mention I had (for some reason) ventured down the candy aisle (while picking up my appetite suppressants at the drug store) and somehow convinced myself it would be okay to purchase the sugar-free versions of some of my favorite candies. BAD idea. The sugar count and net carb count may be low, but the calories are still there and the sugar alternative (mostly Splenda) seems to make them even more addictive than regular chocolate, which gets too "sweet" for me after a few pieces, and I definitely indulged in more than I should have. 

I need to get myself in check starting tomorrow. I've worked too hard these past 4 weeks to let these little slips destroy what I've accomplished so far! Especially since I am starting to look and feel decent again, and am looking forward to a possible beach or lake trip over Labor Day Weekend (which is in a little over 3 weeks). I tried to make up for things by counting actual carbs (using MyFitnessPal) instead of counting all veggie servings as 5, and all fruit servings as 15. I also tried to do small workouts to make up for those extra carbs or protein calories. This defeats the whole purpose of working out because the working out is supposed to give me that extra edge to help me excel the weight loss, not just make up for the junk I've eaten. I ramped things up tonight by hula hooping and starting the Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. However, I should be doing this in addition to following the diet. I guess tomorrow's a brand new day, and I just need to be stricter, and look forward to the end results.

Honestly, the "chips" I made weren't even that good anyway, and really? Do I need to be eating sugar-free candy? It was good, but it was addictive and made me realize quickly how bad I am at self-control and moderation. I'm better at quitting things cold turkey than trying to limit things. I am taking the candy and leaving it at work tomorrow and not bringing it home with me!

I also have not been diligent in taking my pills/supplements. I think this may also contribute to my cravings and loss of willpower. Not taking the multivitamin, I could definitely tell a difference in how I felt overall. I also need to drink more water!!!

Anyway, so I admit it. I fell off the wagon. Though I technically was in the safe zone due to the working out, I don't feel proud of what I've done. I am going to just put it behind me, not get mad at myself, and move on. I think that's the best attitude to have. We all slip up and make mistakes sometimes, and nobody is perfect. However, I'm not going to give up and just go and binge on McDonald's or Pizza Hut (though the commercial for the garlic bread pizza is killer). I'm going to move on, ramp up the exercise and water intake, and have a successful weigh-in next week!

Here's to hoping I can do it!

-D

Recipes: Coconut Shrimp and Cheesecake

This past week I searched high and low for some healthy yet delicious recipes. I came home after picking up Chili's for some of my co-workers and had a craving for coconut shrimp. I decided to make my own. I also tweaked a number of cheesecake recipes I found and made some cute little (sugar-free) cheesecakes! Here are the recipes:

Low-Carb Coconut Shrimp

These are so good that you want to make sure you don't eat too many! They're great with a side of marmalade or chutney. I made some with sugar-free strawberry preserves, some horseradish and lime juice. You may want to try sugar-free peach preserves.

Low-Carb New York Style Mini Cheesecake

I had originally made these with an almond meal crust, but decided that they added too many calories/carbs, and realized that eating just the cheesecake part was more than satisfying. I enjoyed them topped with some sugar-free strawberry preserves and a few sliced strawberries. You may want to try it with fat-free Cool Whip!

Photo time

Four weeks ago, when I joined the Medi Weightloss Clinic, I took some Before photos of myself to document my journey. Since I have just completed Week 4, I decided to take some new photos to compare and see my progress. What do you think?

Here's the dreaded bikini shot. Since I wasn't sucking in when I took the Before photos, I forced myself not to suck in here either.

And here's that cute maxi dress. It is definitely fitting looser than it was, but it's still a very drapey/clingy fabric; so I still have some weight to lose before I would feel comfortable wearing it out.

And here is the side-by-side comparison from when I started and today (4 weeks later). Can't wait to slim down that gross tummy even more.

Beginning Week 5

Last week was not my most successful week, up in water weight and only down a total of 0.4 lb...but this week sure was a surprise! I lost 4 lb. even. That makes my total weight loss 13.5 lb.

I searched high and low and came up with some yummy recipes that I will share later this week (if I stop being a bad blogger and get to it).

I have also (re)-taken up hulahooping! I have a 4 lb. Acu hoop, but am interested in learning hoopdance, so I have a lighter hoop ordered (customized) and on its way (hopefully soon). Funny story. After breaking out the hoop, I looked up places locally that taught hoopdance classes, but couldn't find any still around...but I did find a local hoop club that was putting on a fire and drum show this past Friday. I rushed over after work to watch, and it was great fun. I spoke to a couple of the girls regarding classes and found out they are actually starting a class soon in the new circus/acrobat studio that is opening right below my apartment! How convenient is that?

Cheers,
D

End of Week 3...Beginning Week 4

I am a horribly inconsistent blogger and I realize I was supposed to blog about Week 2 and never got to it. I honestly can't even remember the big things I was going to write about. I will try my best to remember and then blog about Week 3 so that I'm caught up.

Week 2 Recap
The second week was easier than the first. Being able to add 2 servings of vegetables (10 total carbs) or 1 serving of vegetables (5 carbs) and 1 serving of fruit (15 carbs) significantly improved my outlook. In fact, since I was getting used to eating so little, I found it hard (at first) to make sure I still got my 500-700 calories of protein in. The thing that stinks about fruit is that they count as so many carbs. Obviously, not every fruit or vegetable has an equal amount of carbs, but Medi has us count veggies as 5 per serving and fruit as 15. Since I am trying to keep my carbs down to 30-35g (net) per day, eating a small serving of fruit is already half my day's worth of carbs. I have to count carbs from protein, and healthy fats as well. Oh yeah! I got to add 1 serving of healthy fat too (about 10g o <100 calories).

I also bought a box of Medi's Chocolate Celebration flavored protein bars (they were out of Peanut Butter Temptation), and those were a great treat. They do taste like protein, but are not as bad as some protein bars I've tried (like Cliff or Luna). They definitely help with that chocolatey/sweet craving I get every once in awhile, and it's convenient to have a packaged bar to take with me when I'm on the run. They are not cheap though, and only come 7 to a box. (Now that I think about it, this makes sense since you can only have 1 per day (due to carb count) and that allows them to sell you 1 box per week.)

Vitamins and supplements
I have generally been pretty good about swallowing pills, but I am not good about actually taking them (daily and/or on-time). Sometimes I feel like I'm on so many medications that I can't stand taking anymore pills than I have to. You have to be able to take pills regularly on this diet. You also have to be able to swallow pills that are pretty generous in size. I had a hard time with the hard Calcium 4 Blend, so I spoke to the P.A. about getting an over-the-counter one. I ended up buying Citracal Petites with Vitamin D3, which are definitely smaller (and smoother), but require more pills (2x the amount for the same 1-pill dosage). I've managed the other pills okay, though the Vita Super multi-vitamin and the Fat Burner pills can still be tricky.

Staying in ketosis
I was having trouble the previous week with keeping my ketone reading in the Moderate level. I was told that going too dark (on the test strips) can mean dehydration. I noticed when I started adding the carbs (veggies, fruits) back in, that my ketone levels were getting less (lighter). I was worried about this, but spoke to the P.A. and she said she was happy as long as I had any color (indicating ketosis at all). I have since then been able to get my level closer to Small or Moderate, which is better than Trace. I have to remember to drink lots of water everyday. It's harder than you think to drink at least 64 oz. a day.

Falling in love with Greek yogurt
I refused to try plain Greek yogurt at first, because I can't stand the taste, but my P.A. (and people online) suggested adding flavor enhancers like Stevia or fat-free sugar-free Jello mix, etc. I have found it nice to add Stevia and some fruit (berries) or Jello mix (chocolate, cheesecake, etc.) or even adding Walden Farms Chocolate Syrup which is calorie-free (but also an acquired taste). Once I even froze my chocolate concoction for a bit and had my own "frozen yogurt" while the boyfriend ate real ice cream. Not bad.

Weigh-in results and completing Week 3
After completing my second week, I went in for my weigh-in and lost an additional 2.8 lb. Not as significant as before, but not too shabby for a week's time either. My P.A. said that she would expect a 1-1.5 lb. weekly loss from here on out. To get that extra half-pound, I would be exercising. I set up a goal for myself to do 30 minutes of cardio followed by strength training a total of three times this week. I am happy to say that I completed my goal. This is a far cry from how long/hard/intense I used to work out when I was in college (and dating a personal trainer), but after not working out for the past 4-5 years, I'm happy that I reached my goal for the week. I'm definitely thankful for the things I learned when dating my ex, as I am not scared to lift weights or use machines with the big boys. I know what I'm doing. It's a big boring though using the apartment gym. I hate to sign up for a gym membership when I have one, but the machinery and equipment is somewhat limited. I will say that watching the Olympics while working out on the treadmill or elliptical has been great. It keeps my interest up and inspires me to keep going. 

Minor mishap
During my weigh-in I had a tiny mishap at the clinic. I had a surprise blood draw to recheck my potassium levels (since they were low last time). I did not eat before going in, and I don't know if I was in pain from the vitamin shots, or from the needle prick, or what, but I almost blacked out. I got really really nauseated and light-headed, and was so glad when the draw was over. It was a weird experience, and the P.A. came in immediately and the Medical Assistant gave me water. They cooled me down and then I ate a Cinnamon Pecan protein bar (which was super yummy). I recovered, and avoided vomiting, but it was definitely a weird experience. I kind of think it was a result of not eating, the pain from the shots, the pain from the blood draw prick, and the fact that I have been on a low-calorie diet. I have not always been great with blood draws, but have never passed out before. I will definitely request to lay down from now on.

Eating with friends at parties and get-togethers
I had 2 parties this weekend which involved food, and I found this to be more difficult than eating out at a restaurant. For one thing, you don't have as many options as you do as selecting from a restaurant menu. For another, you are at the mercy of whoever is hosting the party and/or providing the refreshments. I solved this by bringing food to the parties. This allowed me to seem like a gracious guest, while keeping the options open for me. For the first night (a small get-together to watch the Opening Ceremonies in London), I brought a large veggie/meat/cheese tray, and a container of hummus. I was able to eat some of the pepperoni and cheese in the tray, as well as the celery and broccoli. I passed on the ranch dip and carrots, but stuck with the hummus. I did try a few of the dips that others had made but kept those serving sizes very small. It was difficult not to have a beer with everyone else, but I brought my own water and Diet Coke. Nobody really noticed.

The second get-together was a cookout at a friend's house before going to see the new Batman movie. I knew it was going to be a cookout, so I brought my own turkey patty to grill. I also brought a small veggie tray and a small sugar-free jello mold. It was probably a little odd to the host, but his wife (who is a P.E. teacher and doesn't eat a lot of meat) totally understood, and nobody said anything about me going bun-free. I forgot to bring my carb-free ketchup, but I just kept it at a minimum, and only had a spoonful of baked beans (which is high in starches and sugars). Eating before going to the movies is also a great way to prevent yourself from the temptations of the overly-priced sodium-rich popcorn and sugary candies at the counter.

I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to the diet and not cheating. I'm surprised I've been able to do that, and that I've made it this far. I have definitely craved McDonald's or Arby's or something...but I bypassed McDonald's (I want their fries!) and have had a couple Arby's roast beef sandwiches (no sauce, no bun).

Week 4 Begins!
I went for my 3rd weigh-in today, and it was bittersweet. The scale said I only lost 0.4 lb., but Tanita says I've lost 1.6 lb. of fat, and am retaining an extra 1 lb. of water weight, so I can still say it was a success. I've lost a total of 9.5 lb. so far. (Really hoping to at least hit that 10 lb. mark next week!)

Here is a shot of my Tanita slips that I've laid out in my notebook to compare the results week by week.

Here is a shot of my Weight History and stats from the Signature Patient Website. It's neat to see the progress. I hope that that chart at the top will see a steady (if not significant) decline as the weeks progress.

Goals for the upcoming week

• Limit sodium intake! This will help me to reduce water retention.
• Keep up with my supplements (i.e, taking them on time, taking them daily, etc.)
• Ramp up the exercise! I just ordered some Jillian Michaels' workout DVDs, like the 30 Day Shred (which is supposed to be pretty intense). I hope to start doing some of these in addition to training in the gym, and I definitely hope to do a minimum of three 30-minute cardio sessions plus strength training, if not more
• I hope to stick with the diet plan more strictly and not have any little cheats (even if it's just an extra almond here and there). I also plan to drink MORE water. If I haven't been meeting my minimum of 64 fl. oz. then this week I will be meeting it and then some. My P.A. set a goal for me to try to drink 80 fl. oz. daily this week.

Long-term goals

• I found this incredibly cute bikini at Target--it's navy blue with pink birds. Unfortunately, they are only sold online, and are sold out in pretty much every single size...except size small. I bought the bikini. I hope to wear the bikini...at some point. Obviously, it won't be this summer, but maybe I can wear it in the spring. We'll see. (I've always been a bit bustier, regardless of size, so that's something I will have to see about.)
• Get in shape, look and feel good in time for engagement photos. Well, let's not jump the gun. I need to get engaged first! BUT...when I do, I want to look good! ;)

End-of-week conclusions

• The number on the scale isn't everything! Look at the overall picture: body fat percentage, BMI, energy levels, how your clothes fit, how you feel, water retention levels...be happy and proud of yourself, even for small successes!
• Losing even 5-10 lb. can make a big difference in how you look and feel! I already feel more comfortable wearing some of my clothes that fit a big more "snug" than I liked them to at the beginning of the summer. I am feeling more confident wearing sleeveless items, and more confident wearing shirts that are more form-fitting in the waist section. I also am happily wearing a pair of chambray shorts that were too tight in the waist when I first got them. Can't wait to re-discover my closet after I've lost some more weight and can fit into more things and feel more comfortable with myself!

Hope to touch-base some time during the middle of the week before my next weigh-in!

Cheers,

D

Closing in on Week 2!

My apologies for dropping the ball on blogging for the remainder of Week 1 and for all of Week 2. However, I have great news! I went in for my first weigh-in (before the start of Week 2) and I had lost 6.3 lb.! This may not seem like a significant number, but for me, I was ecstatic! I have often read the importance of losing a slow, steady amount of weight when dieting healthily. This is usually only 1-2 lb. per week. I can't remember where I read it exactly, but I remember Medi mentioning that the average person loses approximately 7 lb. the first week. 

Since I have missed a number of key things that have happened these first 2 weeks, I will break up this blog entry to keep things organized. 

Remainder of Week 1
I had mentioned on Day 1 that I was hungry. Well, let's be completely honest: I was hungry...for the first 3-4 days. Many people report that the appetite suppressants help decrease their hunger a lot, but I think for me, my body was really adjusting to eating only 500-700 protein calories a day, and not eating, well, junk. The 2nd evening, I got an awful pounding headache and I ended up staying in bed all of day 3. It wasn't pretty. However, I am happy to report that after that day (toward the evening), I was beginning to feel a lot better and haven't felt like that again. I tested for ketosis a day early, and found that I was at the wanted Moderate (40) 4.0 level a day before I was expected to be! This was exciting to me, because I knew from my Week 1 packet that the way ketosis helps me lose weight is by inducing my body to use fatty tissue as a source of energy. They explain that "restricting calories and carbohydrates will induce the body to use fatty tissue as a source of energy. When the state of ketosis is combined with a protein-rich diet, fat is burned, and muscle tissue is protected." 

Here is a picture of the back of the Ketone Test Strips bottle. The underlined mauve colored box is where they want me to be. Getting any darker may indicate that I am dehydrated and need to drink more water.

I did find myself really thinking about food a lot--and I still am. At first, it was thinking about the food I couldn't have. Then I began thinking about the food I could have, and what I would eat the next morning. Then it changed to what I can make to spruce up my options. I found the Medi Signature Patient Website (which provides online tools and education for members) to be very helpful. It tracks your progress (weigh-ins), and also provides nutritional and fitness information. The nutritional section is great; it has recipes (divided into phases of the diet, such as Acute, which is the weight-loss phase I'm in now), as well as a food nutrition database.

Here's a glimpse at the Signature Patient Website.

The week did get easier as I went on. I found it really helpful to check online for advice and nutritional info. It was difficult on the weekend since my dad was visiting me from out of town, and one thing we always like to do (as a family) is to go out to eat. It's actually really interesting to see how much of my social activity with my friends, family, and boyfriend, seemed to scale down when I am not allowed to go out to eat or get drinks! This is where the internet has come in handy! I didn't want this to spoil my time with my dad, but I didn't want to ruin my diet plan either. I have been on a mission and have refused to cheat, even for one night. I realized that many restaurants had at one point bought into the Atkins craze, and started searching for "low-carb" menu options. What I've found is that many chain restaurants do provide nutritional information online now. I have yet to find one that actually carries a handout at the restaurant to look at, but this is where your iPhone comes in handy! There are also a number of message boards where people share info and advice on menu options: where to go, what to ask for, what to stick to, what to avoid, etc. We ended up going to a very fancy restaurant (much more fancy and expensive than I had expected or planned!) and I was able to eat filet mignon and grilled shrimp. Oddly, this expensive restaurant's entrees do not come with sides--you have to order them (family style) separately. This worked out for me, since I didn't have any delicious sides staring at me on my plate that I couldn't eat. However...that bread...it was a killer! I settled by staring at it, smelling it, and knowing that by not eating it, I was losing weight! I actually went out the next evening with a friend and very much enjoyed some sea scallops and shrimp as well.

One thing to keep in mind about restaurants is that they try to follow diet and nutritional crazes...meaning, since the Atkins craze is not as popular as it was earlier in the decade, many menus are focusing more on other crazes now. This can be frustrating when you're specifically looking for low-carb options. There are menus that provide "Points" that go along with Weight Watchers, and menus that are basically catered toward "lighter" or "healthier" fares. It's important for any diet to look at the nutritional menu to make sure the foods you are considering fit into the diet plan you have. For me, I was looking for lean protein sources (low in saturated fat, high in protein, low in carbs, low in sodium, low in sugars).

How about beverages?
I am a Diet Coke drinker...as in addicted...but the diet asks that you restrict your servings of carbonated beverages to 16 oz. a day. (This is about a can and a half.) This has been easier than I thought, as we are required to drink so much water (the more water, the better), and 32 oz. of sugar-free electrolyte-enhanced beverages as well. I found it easiest to get those large bottles of Smartwater, which takes care of those electrolytes (and is also water). I'm not much for flavored un-carbonated beverages or sports drinks, but do like the Vitamin Water Zero in the Squeezed (lemonade) flavor. I also enjoy those Crystal Light On the Go packets that you can add to your regular-sized water bottles. (I'm boring though, and stick to lemonade and tea flavors.) Actually, the first day or two, I was cutting out soda completely and found that I needed that little bit of caffeine (to offset incoming headaches) and had to force myself to have a Diet Coke one night while watching a movie with my boyfriend. (I am hoping to wean myself of the caffeine habit eventually.)

Blood test results...dundundun
I was surprised to get a call from my P.A. during the middle of the week, a few days after the blood test. She told me not to be alarmed, but there were a couple levels on my test results that were slightly above or below normal. The first one (and biggest one) for me was that my thyroid (TSH) levels were high. To me, this was somewhat of a relief. When you have high TSH levels, it can indicate hypothyroidism, which can explain why you may have a lower metabolism (i.e., difficulty losing weight; unexpected weight gain), and also why you are often tired. (There's a number of other symptoms, but these two are the ones that hit home for me.) My levels are not significantly out of the normal range, but enough for her to suggest that I follow up with my primary care physician, who felt that I should try taking a synthetic thyroid hormone. I am currently taking it and will follow up with blood work in about 6 weeks. (We'll see how this helps!) I have 2 friends who found out this past year that they had hypothyroidism as well. They've both had significant improvements to their well-being with the addition of thyroid hormones (and one has lost a significant amount of weight).

I also discovered that my Potassium levels were low (which will need to be re-tested again in 6 weeks) and can explain why I sometimes get muscle cramps or Charlie Horses. I also found out that my Triglycerides and LDL Cholesterol were a bit hight. We are hoping that I can solve these three issues by eating healthier foods. I am trying to incorporate more foods with Potassium (such as fish) into my diet, and also cutting out on those fatty foods (of course).

Who turned on the air?
One thing that my boyfriend and I both noticed within the first few days is that I was starting to feel cold! I have definitely been very hot natured these past few years, and always have my AC on (even in the winter). I also tend to sweat a lot (more than others). I've found myself to be turning the temperature up, wearing sweatshirts, turning off my ceiling fans (which seem to be on permanently), etc. My boyfriend is enjoying this because he was always freezing in my apartment. I looked this up online and saw that others have experienced this as well during ketosis. It was suggested that your body is burning energy more efficiently, which may result in the cool feeling. Not sure, but I'm okay with not sweating and being hot all the time! It's much easier to just put on a layer, rather than take one off and still be HOT!

I do remember being cold a lot as a child and as a younger, thinner me. I was always shivering and freezing in restaurants, always asking friends for blankets when having movie nights. Maybe all the weight I gained, and all that unhealthy food I ate, contributed to my "hot" period. I'll be glad to be rid of it forever! I much prefer feeling normal, and not sweating to death in the southern heat.

Week 1 conclusions and suggestions

• It sucks at first--but stick to it! It does get easier as the week goes on, and Week 2 (when you begin to add 2 servings of vegetables) really is so much better!
• Ask your family, friends, coworkers, etc. to support you! I asked my boyfriend to encourage me throughout this process--text messages, notes--and to discourage me from cheating or making unhealthy choices.
• Ask questions! The girls at my clinic have been wonderful and helpful. The P.A. I work with has always returned my calls in a timely manner and has been more than willing to answer my many questions.
• Don't weigh yourself! As tempting as it may be, it's much better to weigh yourself once a week (same time of day, same day of the week, same scale). I am leaving this to my clinic! They have that awesome scale that gives me my Tanita results...plus, the scale is a lot nicer than my scale at home (confirmed by family and friends who have had unpleasant surprises when weighing themselves here). 
• Get a sweater! I have been wearing my favorite hoodie A LOT!
• Go shopping! Make a grocery list of foods and ingredients you will need, and make sure your fridge is stocked so that you have options and are not tempted by unhealthy foods. (I cleaned out my fridge and cabinets of expired and unhealthy foods. I gave the stuff that was still good to my boyfriend who really enjoyed it since his fridge and cabinets are always empty. My clinic also has an option where you can bring in a bag of food for donations, and receive a discount on your visit that day.)
• Last but not least, be excited about your first week's weight-loss achievement! Your hard work really does pay off!!!

I will write more about my experiences during Week 1-2 in my next entry so as not to bore anyone. Right now it is 6:43 on a Monday morning (my next weigh-in is tomorrow at noon), so I will try to get my entry about Week 2 in this evening!

Cheers,

D

Day 1...ketosis bound!

I went in for my 8:45am blood draw and then headed to Bed Bath & Beyond to get a digital scale. They had a number of options, and unfortunately I didn't really do any research before getting there. I did a quick mobile search on my iPhone and settled on the Oxo Good Grips Food Scale. It was a bit pricey ($49.99) but I prefer quality items, and I liked that it had a slim design, and had a removable stainless steel platform that can be put through the dishwasher. I also had the famous 20% coupon, which made it $39.99--even better!

I then headed to Walgreens to return a hair item I bought last week, and to pick up a large pill organizer. I decided since I will be taking supplements 3-4x a day that I needed to organize them or I'd never be able to remember. I wish I had gotten a larger size, as the supplements are a bit bigger than I expected, but I also wanted something slim to be able to travel with or carry in my purse if need be. I found one that has 4 compartments per day (Morn, Noon, Eve, Bed), and where each day can be conveniently removed for travel. Bonus: I found one purple one hidden behind the blue ones. (Purple is my favorite color!)

Big pills!

So let's be honest -- I'm hungry! I did not get any jittery feelings or heart palpitations from the appetite suppressant the way I expected, so I went ahead with the 3 dosages (approximately 30-60 minutes before each meal). They seemed to be working at the beginning of the day, but not so much as the day wore on. Granted, I have somewhat been "obsessing" over food, and thinking about it, I am probably making myself hungrier. I'm going to keep it up and see how it goes.

It is interesting keeping the food journal. I am counting serving sizes (ounces with my handy new scale!), calories, hunger ratings, etc. It's a bit of a commitment, and something I will need to push myself to keep up with, but I guess it will become more routine as I go. 

It is the size of a checkbook.

I really hope I will get used to the lower calories and the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables and BREAD! At least this protein diet is only for one week. I definitely got some Kroger CARBmaster Yogurt, as recommended by my nutritionist. I am not a huge greek yogurt fan (which is recommended for the week), and I am especially not a fan of plain greek yogurt--gross! The Kroger CARBmaster Yogurt is allowed, as it has a minimal amount of carbs (4g) per serving. I also bought plenty of freshly sliced deli meats (low-sodium if given the option), and a number of turkey products: pepperoni, sausage patties, sausage links, burgers, hot dogs. I found the Heinz Reduced Sugar Ketchup which is also low carb. I got some spices (Mrs. Dash, curry, etc.), some Wish-Bone Salad Spritzers, low-fat cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, low-fat string cheese, sugar-free Jell-o, SmartWater (for electrolytes, since I don't like flavored sports drinks), Parkay spray, eggs, All Whites, smoked salmon, and a jar of snack-sized dill pickles.

I thought the girl was weird when she told me to wrap deli meat around a pickle spear, but it was really good (and fun too). I like the little snack pickles and 3 of them is a 1 oz. serving with ZERO calories. I'm not sure, but I think I can eat as many pickles as I want. (Need to check on that.) 

Anyway, I should eat dinner now; my schedule is a bit off today due to the fasting and morning blood draw and shopping trip. I am pretty hungry, and possibly developing a headache (which occurs when I don't eat...enough), but I have seen so many people say they were not hungry on the plan, so I'm willing to give it some time. Stay tuned.

-D

Initial consultation and ketosis

As of 2 minutes ago I began my fast. I am fasting (nothing but water starting at 12:00 midnight) so that I can have my blood analysis done in the morning. This is scheduled for 8:45am, and then I am free to begin Day 1 of Week 1.


I was able to schedule my initial consultation for 3:00pm today. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to search for  discount coupon, but I was told that these are sometimes available online or in the local newspaper. 


When I arrived, I met with the lady whom I spoke with on the phone. I had already filled out my admission paperwork at home and brought it with me. I gave a urine sample, and signed some papers, and had my blood pressure taken. I then received my Tanita Slip, which is a print out of my body composition analysis. The numbers showed me my distribution of body weight (lean body mass vs. fat mass). Specific details included Fat%, Fat-Free Mass or FFM (which is composed of muscle, bone, tissue, water), Total Body Water or TBW, Body Mass Index or BMI (a height-to-weight ratio), Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR (total bony energy expended by the body to maintain normal functions at rest), and Fat Mass (total weight of fat mass in the body). 

Here is my first Tanita Slip!

After going over these levels, she gave me 2 injections: Medi-Bolic Booster (a proprietary formula containing a combination of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids specifically designed for the program) and Vitamins B6/B1 combo (which boosts metabolism, increases energy, and enhances the immune and nervous systems). The Medi-Bolic Booster was pretty painless, but the B6/B1 combo was serious! Let me explain that these were given in my left buttock area! (I have not had any injections given there since I was in elementary school!) The needle prick was not all that bad, but the feeling of the injection was pretty...unexpected. It burned a little, and is still a bit sore even now, 9 hours later.


Next she took my Before photo (which I didn't look at), and then I was led into another exam room and undressed for my EKG. After my EKG was done (2 were taken), she gave me a reusable bag with some goodies inside and I went into another exam room to await my physical. My physical was performed by a Physician's Assistant, or PA. She was very nice and asked me a lot of questions regarding my personal and family medical history, as well as medications and lifestyle habits. She gave me a basic physical exam and also talked to me in detail about the use of an Appetite Suppressant. These are not prescribed to everybody, but were something we both felt would be helpful for me. 


Next, I met with a nutritionist. She was also very nice and really funny. She explained all of the supplements to me, as well as what I will be doing for my first week. I am going to begin the Acute Phase tomorrow, and for Week 1, she explained, I will be eating only a recommended amount of protein, and no carbohydrates, to ideally enter a moderate level of ketosis. I did not know what ketosis was, and she explained it to me: it signifies that you are burning fatty tissue and that your stored carbohydrates have been depleted. I will check my ketones in the middle of the week to see if I'm there. I was also recommended to limit my exercise, or not exercise at all this week. I'm okay with that!


We went over some suggested foods, some banned foods, some sample menus, as well as a daily plan for meals and supplements. When she finished answering all of my questions, I was finished and ready to check out. 


We had decided that I would have my blood analysis done the next day so I'd have a chance to fast (as needed) but also before entering into the ketosis stage, as I want to get levels when my body is normal. I am curious to see how my iron levels are, as I've previously had low levels.


So right now, it's 12:37am, and my butt is still a bit sore. I'm only allowed to drink water now until my blood analysis at 8:45am, and then I will be heading to the grocery store to purchase the foods I will be eating this week, and I will be getting started!


I have decided to take some of my own Before photos, and am posting them (gasp) on here so that I have something to look back on. 

I actually looked decent in this bikini last summer, but I am probably a good 15 lb. heavier this year. I am most unsatisfied with my stomach/hips, upper thighs, and upper arms. I also wouldn't mind losing a cup size!

This is a cute dress I bought at the beginning of summer. My goal is to look good in it by the end of the summer/early fall. I want to feel comfortable with my stomach area and exposed arms.

And the journey begins...

Today I decided I want to lose weight. 

Okay, that's a lie. I have always wanted to lose weight. In fact, I can remember being just six years old, sitting at the pool with the other kids in gym class, and thinking my thighs were too big.

I had always been "slightly chubby" until I was 15 years old. After moving to a new high school in a new state, becoming depressed, and starting to take dance classes again, I actually lost weight. For the first time in my life, I stopped obsessing about losing weight or what I was eating, and somehow I went from 135 lb. (at 5'3") down to 110-115 lb. without even trying. How frustrating is that?!

I have to be honest: it was amazing to be told I was skinny all the time. I loved being told how  thin I was. I loved fitting into size smalls, size zeros, wearing a bikini (for the first time!) 

Unfortunately, this did not last. I started gaining weight sometime during my sophomore year of college. I had gone through a bad break up, gotten depressed, begun taking antidepressants, etc. While I got stronger mentally, my body changed. My metabolism was different. My lifestyle was different. My body was different.

Since this time, I have somehow gained weight and been at a steady 150 lb. (+/- 5 lb.) for the past 6 years. I tried NutriSystem at one point but could not even get past a day of the food. It tasted awful. I dated a personal trainer and worked out incessantly. I tried Jenny Craig 1 and 1/2 times. The 1/2 because the last 2 times I tried it, I was not motivated at all. The first time, I lost 10 lb. and kept it off for about 9 months. I'm not gonna lie: I was really hungry during that diet. I signed up for Weight Watchers online and didn't even get past all the counting to even start. (Apparently, I hate math.)

So now here I am, summer 2012, age 27, weighing in around 155 lb. (still 5'3") and wanting to whittle myself down to a healthier 125 lb. I think that's a healthy goal for me. I won't be as "skinny" as I was in high school, wearing a size zero or size 2, but I will be at a healthy weight, a healthy BMI, and hopefully start feeling better (about myself!) Also, I am pretty sure the boy is going to be "popping the question soon" and while many girls try to lose weight before the wedding, I want to lose weight before the engagement pictures! What can I say? I'm vain.

The Medi Weightloss Clinic program
I actually thought about going to Jenny Craig today and signing up again, but wasn't all that excited about it. I was up at 5 am thinking about this! Somehow I stumbled across Medi online, while searching for something else, and saw the high ranked reviews. I skipped past the link, but eventually found myself returning to it. When I went to the website I was somewhat skeptical, not sure about starting and stopping another weight loss program and failing miserably at it. However, those reviews, many of them for my local center, were very motivating. I was intrigued. If you want to read about the program, check out their website to see what it's all about. I won't waste your time posting it here.

I was a bit worried about the price, but looked it up in a Google search and found approximate prices for clinics in other areas. I decided it was worth it to me. The website specifically states that prices vary by location, so if you are interested in trying this, you will want to contact your local clinic to get exact numbers, however, I calculated that it would be approximately $250-$300 for the initial 1.5 hour consultation, and $70-$80 for subsequent weekly visits until reaching my goal weight and entering the maintenance phase of $35/visit twice a month.

I know this is a chunk of change, but one thing that appealed to me was the doctor-prescribed appetite suppressants available if needed. I think my biggest problems with dieting failure is being hungry! Another thing that really appealed to me was Tara's weight loss story. While I think it's great when people lose 50-100+ lb., that is not realistic for me. I am overweight, but not obese. I could afford to lose 20-30 lb., which is substantial, but not overwhelming. Also, Tara lost weight right in time for her wedding, and in her Before and After photos, I felt we had a similar build. Well, right now it's just the Before photo...but I will get there!

So here I am, about to embark on this weight loss journey. I want to document it for myself, but also for anybody else who might be in the same boat. To prevent this introductory entry from getting any longer than it needs to be, I am going to write about my initial consult in a separate entry...but I wanted to state that I am not being paid to write this blog, nor am I in any way affiliated with Medi Weightloss Clinics except as a client/patient. I am just a normal girl, wanting to lose weight, and wanting to document it. Join me on my journey!

Cheers,
D