Discussion Board

Ah, on the tylenol I get it - I didn't get much relief from it myself - but others do. We just do what we got to do.

I love that you said you aren't going to "beat yourself up" over having to do lunch out. You tried to do as well as could be, it's obvious. I think your making a good start for sure - and you sure are helping me a lot too - THANKS!!!!

I have had a lot of energy today! I am feeling really good about this, and also about the fact that after lunch today, I was still really hungry, but I didn't eat any of the "junk" around the office, nor the candy in the cup on my desk (which, by the way, I haven't even opened). So proud of myself! Instead of snacking, I just had another bottle of water.

Food log for today:
B: Oatmeal with banana
L: Baked potato (plain), steamed asparagus
D: Mexican casserole (black beans, corn, salsa, corn tortilla)
Snack: Coffee w/non-dairy creamer and sugar (I know)

Overall, I am feeling really good about the day, even though I had the coffee. I am still working on that one.

As far as other stuff, I am feeling really strong, will-power wise, as far as the food goes. In the past, I would have given in to the candy, popcorn, chips, etc. laying around the office. But, today I didn't, and I feel great about that! The weekend is coming, and vacation next week. Hopefully I can keep it up through all of that.

HI Carolyn, we share the same name, only mine is spelled a bit differently!
I love that you could resist all the snackies laying around the house too, that is the hardest thing in the beginning, or anytime you are feeling vulnerable too. Eventually, it all will be so stale, and icky looking that you will throw it out anyway... And oh that candy is the worst thing for tempting me! I am now 10 days without any candies at all, and feeling so much better... again........ I will learn the hard way the best!
You are doing wonderful, and I know that you can do it, you know what to do, and that is the beginning of it all!
Good luck, sounds like you are doing it all great!
have a good weekend!

Just a quick note and then back to work. Got on the scale this morning - down 2.4 lbs just since Monday! Now THAT is motivation for me!

I had to send in my food log and blood sugar/weight tracker to the dietitian this morning - I can't wait to see what she has to say, especially after her recommendation of the typical low carb diet to combat my diabetes!

Food log for today:

B: Oatmeal w/strawberriess & blueberries; coffee w/creamer & sugar
L: Brown rice & steamed green beans
Snack: Fresh strawberries
D: Baked potato, leftover Mexican casserole
Snack: Sliced apple; coffee w/almond milk & stevia

I am really craving popcorn with salt & butter, but instead will have the sliced apple. I will be glad when the cravings go away, as I really want salty, cheesy stuff right now. But, I will stick to the plan, since I am doing so well. I purchased almond milk and stevia tonight to go in my coffee, so I won't have to be "bad" anymore!

Hi Carolyn - Wrote you a post earlier - but it vaporized, hmm! Anyway, I think it's great you are feeling the energy gain. I never had that on any other diet, you just have to know you are doing the right thing by yourself, when the energy keeps moving up!

The weight loss is great too, 2.4 pounds this week. Fantastic! I only lost 1.5 and I was on a Mary's Mini!!!! Then the will power thing: OMG avoiding office snacks, especially ones residing on your own desk!!! You certainly have every reason to be terribly proud of yourself. And I am sure it will just keep getting better for you.

Oh - I cant wait to hear what the dietician says too - you better not forget to tell us

Later: Almond milk and stevia - huge - change too. It's all good

Thanks for the encouragement Michelle! It really means alot to me, and is really helping me to stay motivated.

I had another really good day - stayed on plan, and am feeling good. We went to the health food store this afternoon, and I picked up some coconut milk creamer, and also some vanilla soy creamer as well, so that I could try them and figure out what I like. I really like th coconut milk, so I think that will be my substitute for coffee creamer. It may not be the best thing in the world, but at least it is vegan, and tastes great. So, I think I have solved my big coffee dilemma.

Tonight I made a veggie stir-fry and added fresh pineapple, and ate it with brown rice. YUM!! DH loved it as well, so we will definitely be doing that meal again. I got weighed today, even though I know I should just wait until Monday when I will be at a full week, and was down even more. As of right now, I am down about 5 lbs. I am extremely happy with that, but also hopeful that by Monday it will be an even bigger number (although I would be happy even if it is just the 5 lb)!

Last night I was having a lot of cravings, but I haven't really felt that way today. I hope that the more I abstain, the easier it will be. I am so proud of myself for not cheating at all. You have no idea - I ALWAYS cheat on diets, but this time is different. I am determined that I am going to do this, and that it is going to be a permanent change in my life to help me overcome my health issues and lose weight permanently. So...I really need support so that I don't screw this up!

HI again, be proud of yourself. You know what to do, and you are doing it too! so cool!
keep at it too!

I am chuckling - I was going to put a recommendation for the coconut creamer in my previous post - but thought better of it. I am addicted to the French Vanilla version , so I didn't want to lead you astray.

I tried measuring it out in my Teccino herbal coffee, but then found myself, slipping in just a little more. It's the pain/crave sweets thing getting me! So, now I am ONLY BUYING the regular sort and add in stevia for sweetness. But I am going to have to watch myself at the store!!!!

Double post? Sorry

Yesterday was a really rough day for me as far as cravings. I ate too much food (although McD friendly), but did not cheat once. I was craving popcorn alot yesterday - not the air-popped, plain kind. Oh, no - I wanted movie theater popcorn with salt and lots of butter. Instead I had baby carrots. However, because I ate so much food, my weight went up by a half pound.

Overall, I have lost 4.5 lbs. since starting, so I am pretty happy with that. Plus, my blood sugar has come down a LOT, and has been under 120 for the past 6 days. I have had a ton of energy too - so that has been great. I would say that overall my pain has been less too, except for my left hip and leg, which are still bothering me quite a bit. I start physical therapy for that on May 9th though, so hopefully that will help. I see the doctor tomorrow, and get the results of my blood tests from last week. I plan on using those numbers as my baseline, so that I can keep track of how much progress I have made.

Regardless, I am thrilled with how easy (overall) that this has been, and the progress that I have made so far with my weight loss and blood sugar. I have a wedding to go to in June - I would be great to be down a size by then! (Or 2 )

Hoping for good test results you're doing so well - has to be good!

Also hope you get some good results with the left hip problem! That is the weirdest fibro symptom of all: I mean what plausible explanation is there for that one???

I have been doing for two years now - stretching exercises in the hot water pool recommended to me by my trainer there and several given to me by my HMO physical therapist with no results. The thing that has worked substantially and just recently is using the stationary bike at the gym for like 30 minutes. I got immediate relief from that and also relief to my lower back that is always tight. Hope it keeps up!

I had my appointment with the Doctor today. My A1C has dropped from 3 months ago - I told him about my new WOE, and he said to keep it up and that he was PROUD of me! Also, it didn't hurt that I had lost 6 lbs since my last appointment, and that my blood pressure was much lower as well (122/80). We discussed getting me off of the diabetes medication in a couple of months if I can get my fasting blood sugars consistently under 100. This is very exciting for me, and a great motivator to continue to stay on plan.

Michelle - my left hip issue is because of bursitis. I am hoping that the PT will help, but I am also going to try to get my hubby to air up my bike tires so that we can take a ride (if it ever quits raining here!). It would be great if that would help!

So the last 2 days have NOT been good! I have not stuck to my eating plan, and I feel bloated and really embarrassed.

I did get a 1 mile walk in with DH today though, and that felt good. My goal for tomorrow: lots of water, completely McD eating, and some form of exercise. I promise to post my food log tomorrow - that will help me to stay on plan!

I am still struggling, although I did much better on food today (only 1 major slip-up). Here is my food log for the day:

Breakfast: Hashbrowns, banana & apple, 1/2 cup coffee w/coconut milk and stevia
Lunch: Popcorn (we went to see a movie at lunchtime, so this was all I had for lunch)
Dinner: Mexican casserole
Snacks: cucumber slices, banana peppers, bowl of cherries/banana/slivered almonds (just a few)
approx 52 oz water

I have been having cravings like crazy!! I wanted chocolate very badly today, but didn't have any in the house (thank God!!).

Tomorrow night is our monthly dinner out with friends. They did not pick a very diet-friendly restaurant (let alone McDougall friendly), but I will do my best to stay on plan. I think we are going to move some furniture to our new storage unit tomorrow, so at least that will help to work off some calories. If it isn't raining, I also want to go for a walk or bike ride.

I hope that I am stronger tomorrow, and that it is a better day!!