Week #4 Report

I love this picture!
I felt success this week in a few ways.

I lost 2.4 pounds!
I worked HARD for those 2.4 pounds.
I am now down to 227.0.
I also reached my goal to run over 3 miles.
I made it to 3.3 miles running 3/4 of the way.
I am feeling ready to run a few 5 K's which is my next goal.
I tried new foods/recipes.

To help "protect myself" from binge eating I have set two goals for my week this past week and will continue on in the coming weeks.
1.  Never allow myself to get too hungry....don't forget to eat a snack.  When I get to hungry it is easier for me to eat too much etc.   When I eat well all day I have zero problems with cravings and temptations.

2.  Include 1 day in the week where I can eat a meal or treat (or both)  and not worry about it.  I realized after working my "program" for over 17 days that the longer I said no to everything the harder it became to say no.  A friend of mine suggested I have a built in "cheat" ...or whatever you want to call it.   So when you see "cheat day" on my Daily Tracking page you will know what I mean. :)

I tried mashed cauliflower this week.
It was ok...not great.  I think I know how to make it taste better so I will try it again in coming weeks.
I am hoping to try out this new veggie this coming week.

It is called Jicama -pronounced (HEE-kah-ma).
I am told it is great on salads.
I'll let you know.
If you have a great recipe for Jicama let me know.

I am not losing 9 pounds each week (wouldn't that be nice lol).
But I am losing and I am changing my habits with food and my body is changing.
People are starting to notice now.
It has been 1 month and 3 days since I started this journey and lost a total of 14.2 pounds.
I think that is pretty Awesome!  :)
Happy Me!!

Carbs Love them/Hate them!

So this week (week #4) has been very hard!

I have failed many times.

What's Different?

More Carbs.

On my weight loss plan I am using after the first 17 days of limiting carbs to just veggies and fruit you are suppose to start adding other complex carbs back into your diet.   So I did that....but I am what has been called "Carbohydrate Intolerant" Or "Carbohydrate Sensitive".   So while I LOVE to eat carbs  of all types my body seems to turn on a switch when I eat things like bread, potatoes etc and I start to crave them like crazy and once that starts I struggle staying on my plan.  I don't know how to explain it but it is real.   So I am trying to find a way to break the cycle.   I am starting again today and my plan is to concentrate on my waters, veggies and exercise.   I am going to have to find a way to include complex carbs (other than veggies) without having the craving effect.   Time to research.   If you have this problem what do you do to overcome?
It is times like this I wish I could have a Biggest Loser Trainer help me figure things out. LOL

I have decided to move my weigh in's and reporting to Friday.   Monday is too crazy.  :)

I am praying that by this time next week I will have some great things to report.  
Thanks for sticking with me!!!   

Week #3 Report

Journal Entry #4

March 18, 2014

This week has been HARD!!!

Most days I did great!

Later in the week I was faced with temptations I thought I could handle but didn't handle as well as I hoped I would.   And then there was today...I woke up puking.

Not Fun!!!!

Only a .9 loss....but at least it is a loss.
My clothes are feeling different and I can wear 1 size smaller in shirts.   I like that!

Week #2 Report

Journal Entry #3

March 10, 2014

Weight loss:  2 pounds

Weight:  230.3

My 2nd week was totally nuts.   So many events and responsibilities all packed into the same 7 days. 

I did great throughout the week with my nutrition and exercise.  I did miss one day but my the time I was done with work, work meeting, UFA meeting and Mom stuff I was completely exhausted and decided I needed to sleep more than anything.   I am happy with decisions I made this week.  I said no to lots of chocolate, to cake and other things that taste great but aren't so great for me.  I had one day that was very difficult but I did the best I could and I was able to still stay away from the sweets.
Felt pretty good to be able to feel in control.  :)
I wish I could report a big number like last week but  I have been reminded by friends that our bodies like to kind of "even" things out.  "Biggest Loser" calls it the 2nd week curse.
Whatever it is called it was hard to work so hard and only see 2 pounds come off but I am happy to have at least 2!

Found another great recipe this week.  
Cauliflower pizza crust.   It is so yummy!!
You can view the recipe here.
I added turkey bacon, cheese and spinach leaves on top.  
It looks kinda of weird but tastes awesome!

I am excited to report I am now running almost 2 miles straight.   My body is adjusting well and I can tell all the work last summer isn't completely gone.
I am excited to see what this new week will bring.
I hope more pounds gone and hoping I will be able to run the full 2 miles without a break.

Week 1 Report.

Journal Entry #2
March 3, 1014
Well it has been 1 week since I started my project.I am so excited to share with you I now weigh 232.2 pounds.

That is a loss of 9 pounds!

I have been diligent all week and been praying for help.

I am so happy with the result.

Some of my favorite moments this week was when I was able to walk 3.18 miles and then later in the week walk/run those miles and walk/run on other days.    I am working up to running 3+ miles a day which is what I was doing over the summer last year.   I am heavier than I was in the summer so I have to remember to give my body time. 

I love to exercise outside rather than on my treadmill.  It is so nice to walk or run from point  A to point B rather than feeling like a hamster on a wheel. ;)   We have had alot of rain this  past week so there was one day I had to stay indoors to work out but the rest of the days I just bundled up and went out even when it was raining a bit.   This project really helps my motivation and determination.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to do it.

I have had people ask "What are you doing to lose weight" or they ask "Are you doing weight watchers?".   The answer is yes and no.   I take the things I have learned in WW in the past and I use ideas and tips.   I am also remembering things I learned from a Mary Lou Henner book on weight loss where she talks about keeping yourself busy with getting your house in order while you are getting your body in order.   And then there is my biggest piece.   I loosely follow "The 17 Day Diet".   I cut down the carbs, I eat lots of veggies and 2 fruits a day along with lean meats and things like yogurt.  I love it.   I don't follow the program exactly but have tailored it to fit my needs.   I am what has been called Carbohydrate Intolerant or Sensitive.  There isn't anything that puts on weight faster for me than eating breads, sweets and other foods with high carbohydrate content.   I am feeling really good about my progress and I am excited to see what this week will bring.   I know you usually lose the most the first week so I am keeping that in my mind.

On my first day of walking I was in some pretty good pain by the end.  The second day was worse.  I realized I needed new shoes.  Spencer and I took a trip to Scheels and I picked up an awesome pair of Brooks.   They  have arch support and forefront cushioning which is exactly what I needed.   No more sore toe!


My two favorite finds of the week are:

1. Bolthouse Farms Yogurt Salad Dressing!
 It is so yummy and very low in sugars, fat and calories!   Love this stuff!

2.  A friend of mine shared a recipe for Cabbage Steaks on Facebook.   I decided to give it a try.   They were so good.  Brenely and Brad liked them as well!  

If you Google Cabbage Steaks you can find lots of variations.   This is the version I tried.   I didn't really measure the oil much and I used minced garlic.  

Overall this was a great week!

I continue to remember those little ones who need help and this brings a drive inside of  me that I can't explain.   Thank you for coming along with me and supporting my project!  
I know I am getting help from above and I can feel the support from my family and friends.
 I am so thankful for all of it!