Well Ladies,

I hit rock bottom about 2 months ago.  I had some sever abdominal pain that left me doubled over for almost a week.  I was constipated and probably dehydrated.  Couldn't eat very much and even drinking water hurt.  I vowed that if this would pass that I would not eat like that again. 

Then I had an epiphany!  I searched liquid diets on the web and found a marvelous site with people doing all different types of liquid diets and posting results and pictures and tracking their weight.  I was so impressed by all the encouragement they gave one another that I looked into the company that actually created the site.  New Lifestyle Diet.  All their prices were listed (no gimmicks, or hype) and they even offered a sample package to try before you buy.  I ordered the samples and to my surprise they actually tasted good!  Just as most people were saying.  Better tasting than Optifast or Medifast and not as expensive.  They even sent me a book that was worth twice what they charged for shipping...for free!

So, here it is a week after Thanksgiving and I've been on the diet for over 2 weeks and have lost about 8 lbs!  I went to my doctor yesterday and got the results from my blood work back.  He was so surprised at how well this diet has been for me.  My glucose levels were down and my A1C  (for those that don't know what this is....it's a 3 month average of how well you've controlled your sugars) was approaching a normal range!  I don't have the abdominal pains and I wake up feeling more clear-headed.  No more bloated feeling or retaining water like crazy.  This plan is changing my life...for the better!!!!!!  As soon as I drop a few more pounds and take the pressure off of my knees I will start exercising so that I don't become a big ball of flab.

So this is my confession.  I just had to share it somewhere where I knew it would count.  Now, everyone keep up the good work and I'll see you on the other side of fit and healthy!!!!

Miriam

Correct, never too late to make an improvement!

This week is pig out week...so I'm not even going to try to do anything too serious.  haha

Of course, Black Friday shopping is an all day affair that I am bound to burn some calories during!  haha

But alas, looks like next week I will have to start getting into the diet groove again.  I actually miss it.  The healthy food and routine does make me feel much better.  :)  I know Weasel is missing the tomatoes!!!

~Bunny

I'm glad to see I'm not the only thinking I need to up my fitness before this cruise.

Just starting to think about life at the end of February. So much to do with the holidays, but it's never too soon to get moving, right?

After two weeks of walking the stairs at the beginning and end of my work day, I finally went completely elevator free on Friday.  That meant up and down a total of 38 flights of stairs.  I've also been substituting my Coke Zero habit with water.  I can really feel the difference.

Great idea! 

As soon as my lungs will work again, I want to start taking the stairs home each night.  -to the 9th floor should be a good little workout each day!

~Bunny

This week I started taking the stairs at work to get ready for those Mayan ruins.  I'm on the 14th floor and was sucking wind.    Up is a lot harder than down.

sleddog -- thanks for the great link to the sparkpeople. 

I'm gonna start posting my daily meals.  -and anything else I do to cheat.  Maybe that will help to keep me from veering too far off the plan. 

Breakfast today:
1/2 grapefruit
english muffin w/ "I can't believe it's not butter!" spray
coffee with a little milk & sugar substitute

Lunch:
Leftover cooked lean hamburger from last night. (cooked up with just garlic, pepper, salt substitute)
2 plum tomatoes

2 bottles of water while at work

Dinner:
Baked fish (flounder-cooked with lemon, pepper, paprika)
1/2 grapefruit
tomatoes, cucumbers, celery
sugarfree soda or iced tea

Later Dessert/Snack:
hmmm...maybe a 100-calorie bag of popcorn or a plum later.

~Bunny

that would actually be avocado.... yikes

ang

Hi Valerie, great idea!!! Try this one...you need 4 oz of natural sliced deli turkey, 1/4 cup avacado or a couple of slices, thinly sliced red onion, romaine lettuce (or any lettuce really) sliced tomato.  I lay all this out on a whole grain wrap or stuff it into a pita...no mayo needed as the avacado provides a smooth moisture, good fats from the avacado, and plenty of vegs, with good lean protein from the turkey... lots of options depending on your taste.  and quick and easy to put together....try it!!!

ang

Hi Valerie, Great idea!!!

  here is a great idea that fits pretty well into most food plans...and quick and easy..use 4 oz natural turkey breast, 1/4 cup, or a couple of slices of avacado, fine slices of red onion, lettuce and sliced tomatoes.  No mayo needed because the avacado adds smoothness to the wrap.  I lay all items on a whole grain wrap, or stuff it in a pita, roll it up and have a really nice tasting, easy lunch or dinner.  Lots of veggies, and good fats from the avacado, plus good lean protein from the turkey...  probably a dozen ways to change it up, depending on your taste buds. Enjoy!!

ang

While we are on the topic.   I am sure that many women can benefit from this.  I think it would be great if we would share a great recipe that we might enjoy when watching our calories, carbs or fats.  Some recipes watch all three and some dont.  Whatever your favorite is, share with us, we are all in need of a change of foods we eat and good recipes should be shared.  Thanks girls and I hope to find a few posted here.  hugs val 

Hi Bunny,

Great advice, I never drink enough water.  Your right about the bitsy steps.  I think many of us, or at least I do,  cut too much out in the beginning of any food plan and then we feel grouchy and deprived.

I find that cutting down on alot of the carbs, helps alot, its tough in the beginning..........but I have a tough time "RATIONING" foods like pasta, pizza or breads.  I find if I cut them out completely it helps to get rid of some of the cravings.  I love vegetables but I am lazy about cooking them.  I dont know why, they are so easy to cook.

It is amazing how I am not lazy about whipping up a batch of brownies!

I dont think no carb works for me, but definitely low carb with lots of veggies and few starches.  Thanks for keeping this going Bunny, I have been eating in moderation for 2 days.   Thats a record lately.   ha ha, Val

I find it easire to take little steps in lifestyle change that are pretty easy to keep, no mater whether we have company or not.  They are things to just fit into the daily routine.  Start adding 1 thing at a time and before you know it, you are actually losing weight without any real effort at all!

1.  Add water to your regular meals.  Drink a full glass before each meal or at the beginning before you have anything else to drink with it.

2.  Add water in between meals!  A bottle/glass in between meals helps keep the snackmonster at bay.  I also began to take a bottle with me on the way in to work and durin gthe commute home as well.  Constantly sipping on water makes your body not try to retain it, especially helpful during "that time of the month" so you avoid the bloats.

3.  Park farther away from the door when you go places.  That makes you have to walk a little furhter whenever you do have to walk and also saves your car from the dings caused by careless people who may have otherwise parked next to you!

4.  Try taking the stairs vs. an elevator.  Maybe even for a floor or two, then the rest with an elevator.  You can always work your way up to more flights of stairs.  Start by just going down stairs...that is still a good little excercise...and doesn't tend to wind you.

5.  Go window shopping!  Strolls around the mall are less boring than a treadmill.  Just avoid actually spending $$$.  Use the time as a way to plan for future gift giving.

6.  Notice the pattenr of avoiding REAL excercise here?  haha.  But eventually with the other changes, you will wnat to start doing a little more as you lose weight and feel more active anyway.  Then it is time to add stretches and/or yoga and increase to more physical excercise.  Find something fun and vary what you do so you don't get bored.  The Wii is a way folks are getting a workout while still having fun.

7.  Don't over do it, cuz if you get sore, you won't want to continue.  Bitsy steps each day will have you doing a lot in no time much mor eeffectively becasue it will become part of your daily lifestyle.  :)

~Bunny

Bunny,

I too have been off and on off and on a diet.  It doesnt take me much to throw me off track.  Due to some physical issues I have gained 25 pounds since January, and I was no light weight to begin with..  I have just been so darn sedentary and have felt a little sorry for myself and when I get like that I tend to eat more!

Bunny I will get back on the train to health with you, I know I have to lose weight but more than that, I have to stop eating junk.  I like junk and like you Bunny my partner does not have to lose weight, although she says she does.  She looks beautiful to me!!

Oh btw Jana, great you-tube "we are all beautiful" is right.

Take care lovely ladies of Olivia ................Val