Week 14 and still losing

Week 14 and still losing!

I suddenly realized last week that I am no longer “on a diet” but have now conquered many life-style changes. We haven’t had a loaf of bread in our house for weeks; there are no high-calorie snacks sitting around begging to be eaten; no ice cream containers in our freezer threatening to get freezer burn if not consumed; no cake, cupcake or cookie recipes that need to be tried—we have crossed the threshold of unhealthy eating!
The “ah-ha” moment came this weekend when we traveled to Tennessee for a photo-shot on Dale Hollow Lake. I packed our snacks and most of our meals to be eaten in the cabin. My mom went with us to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. We planned on having hamburgers on the grill one evening with salad and corn on the cob. I always buy those new “slim” buns at 100 calories each and my mother commented on how much we had changed our food consumption. In the past, even if I was dieting, I would purchase the regular size buns, lots of snacks, desserts and goodies for a trip so that everyone would enjoy themselves.
In actuality, I could always use a trip, event, social gathering, girl-friend get-together or family party to eat whatever I wanted. Every event was my excuse for “cheating” on my diet. But not having buns, ice cream, candy and cookies, did not minimize the fun and enjoyment we had this past weekend. When my mom wanted an ice cream, she got one and I took a walk. We whizzed past the local Dairy Queen without a glace in it’s direction, although I had thought about it before we arrived.
When I wanted something sweet, I ate a fresh peach, and in the evening, we had some fresh strawberries with Cool-Whip Free for a yummy treat.
The fact is, food has been an important part of my life. Then the realization hit that I was out of control. Like a drug addict that has been in denial for so long, I used food for my approval rating. I will always remember a sit-com that was on TV when my youngest son was in elementary school. Her son came home from school depressed because of a bad grade he had received on a paper. His mother said, “Here sweetie, have a nice big piece of chocolate cake.” Then she went on to say, “A fat mom is much better because we offer you a piece of cake to relieve your stress. A skinny mom would have said, Hey, let’s go jog around the block to take away your frustrations.” I was definitely a fat mom!
When my children brought visitors, they could always find a snack of fresh baked goods in our house. And if they weren’t hungry, I would insist they try whatever new thing I had baked. I was fondly known as a “feeder.” Now, I really don’t care if we have anything special to eat or not. If guests come over, they get whatever we are having for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Food is not the reason they are visiting—it’s to spend time with us! Food is just a bonus.
I have not met my weight loss goal yet, but I am still working on it. There are small changes that I still need to make and mind-sets that I have not yet acquired. But the truth is, food no longer controls me. I can live without cake, cookies, candy and sugar. And in reality, I can probably live a lot longer with out it than with it!

Happy Anniversary!

My goal when starting this diet was to lose 60 pounds by our anniversary. That was today and I didn’t make it! But I have lost about 42 pounds, gone done in size and lost lots of inches! Our 40th anniversary party was a lot of fun with friends and family that I haven’t seen in months who immediately noticed the new “slimmer and trimmer” me! I love it!
But I am suddenly aware of the “diet danger” that happens when you begin to feel good about your weight and/or size. While I am still on Phase 3, 600 calories a day and my daily injections of HCG, I find myself saying to myself, “you look pretty good. Go ahead and eat that pie, cake, ice cream, snack, etc” This is where many of us have failed in the past in the diet zone. For whatever reason, the priority of losing weight relaxes. This is when I have dropped out of (all) diets in the past.
Every meal and every hour in-between is crucial to staying focused and directed. I know I will continue to lose weight so I decided I needed some constant motivation. While cleaning out some old clothes belonging to our daughter, I found a pair of size 12 jean shorts. Ooooh, laaaa, laaaa! July 4th I’ll be wearing those jeans! They are hanging on the closet door in our bedroom, in plain view. I am certain I will try them on weekly until I can easily zip them up. At this point, I can get them over my hips, but there are several inches between the right side and the left side of the zipper!
So what is the plan for keeping on track? I’m mixing up my foods this week. I’ve been very dedicated to eating the right things, but I generally eat the same things every day: Egg or cereal for breakfast, salad with chicken or turkey for lunch, chicken and vegetables for dinner, snack of strawberries for dessert. This week I am eating yogurt for breakfast, cottage cheese or tuna for lunch and salad or veggies for dinner. All mixed up from my regular “menu.” Julia, the nurse at UniqueU says our bodies get used to what we eat and holds on to the calories, so a mixed up menu will spur my body to use the food in a quicker way, instead of so efficiently.
Anyway, I’m still on track and know that regardless of not reaching my goal in the time frame I initially set, I am thinner, healthier, and I feel better than I have in years! And I don’t look so bad either! While certainly not back to my “wedding” weight, I’m closer now than I was 13 weeks ago! Next week I’ll be closer, the following week, even closer—nothing will stop me on this quest for thinness! What about you? You can’t lose the weight until you take the first step! Call UniqueU today for a consultation!

Shopping trip

I’ll be the first to admit, I hate shopping. I hate shopping for myself, for others, for clothes, for household items, for groceries. I hate shopping. I think it stems from the fact that for several years I sold into the retail industry. Consequently, I was in stores daily. All day, every day. I drove from one store to another, checked in, counted stock, dealt with rude customers who thought I worked there, and stocked shelves if needed. Every day, five days a week. I hate shopping.
However, needing a dress for the upcoming wedding we are attending in two weeks required me to venture into my least favorite place, searching for a semi-dressy dress. Have I told you I hate shopping? I especially hate scouring the racks trying to find “my size”, my color and my style. Once I find something passable, I hate trying the item on. I hate how it looks in those horrible 3-way mirrors that never make you look good, only show you every angle that doesn’t look good. Bulges immediately appear, rolls which weren’t there only hours before materialize, and dresses in sizes that are actually made with one-third less material than the same size that I have at home in my closet bearing the same size tag. What’s up with that?
What’s even worse, my daughter and best friend decided to go along to help me find something….what fun. It began when we entered the store and my daughter began pointing and telling me how cute I would look in that dress, or that one, and even that one. Not my right color, size or style, but I humored her with a smile as I walked to the “women’s” sizes. I was pleasantly surprised to find several dresses that I actually liked. My daughter picked out a few and I gathered them and headed to the dressing room. First dress, size 18, wrong style, too big? Too big? Can that be right? I hung it on the left side, which I had dubbed the “no” side. Next dress, cap sleeves, tight bodice, a little hard to get on over my head, but none the less, it fit. Then I realized I should have unzipped it before pulling it on. Hmmmm… a size 16? Is that possible? I walked out of the torture booth and snuck a glace in the mirror as my daughter and friend smiled broadly. That one ones on the right side as a maybe.
Next dress, different style and color: too big. Immediately a size 14 was handed over the door; no way was it going to fit, but I would humor them. I pulled it on and walked out, hoping to get some help zipping it, knowing instinctively there was no way it could possible zip. But it did! A size 14? Hey, this trying on clothes wasn’t so bad after all.
My daughter and friend practically took over the store, grabbing this dress and that, from size 14-16, and every style, color and fabric. After about 30 dresses, (literally) the five of us (they drew in two sales clerks for the final vote), settled on two dresses for the wedding weekend and our 40th anniversary party. A sleeveless, belted, green polka-dot “Julia Roberts” dress and a thin-strapped belted dress with a tiny jacket that I would have insisted looked way too young for me three months ago. Unfortunately, the jacketed one was not available in my size, so I settled on a 16 knowing it will have to be “taken in” before I can wear it…what a problem!
Eleven weeks, four dress sizes, new shoes, jewelry to match and suddenly, shopping isn’t so bad! In fact, I might even go again -- soon!

Chip, chip, whittle, whittle

Well, it seems like I’m just chipping the pounds away, little by little. I lost three more pounds last week, bringing my total in 10 weeks to nearly 40 pounds lost. I’m not unhappy with that, although I would love to loose it even faster. I suppose that is my “instant gratification” mentality and my type A personality. I want it now, quicker, faster and more!
The fact of the matter is that people are noticing my weight. I went into the bank last week and one of my favorite tellers remarked how well I look! I love when that happens! I am also noticing that where there used to be bulges, there are now just ripples (well, okay, maybe rolls, but certainly not bulges!). And one of the best things, (this is for the women who are reading) I got a smaller bra! I know there are a lot of women out there who would pay money for big boobies, but I am thrilled to have smaller ones! They make my upper body look smaller when they are smaller! Yeah!
The longer I am dieting, the more I am getting used to smaller portions and selecting the right foods, the less I care about what I am missing. I admit, there are times when I would LOVE to have a Culver’s Ice Cream or a large piece of chocolate cake, but the truth of the matter is that I would not defeat what I am doing for a moment of pleasure!
I know that in due time, I will be able to select those foods again, and hopefully with the changes I have made in my diet, the new habits and the dedication of sweating it out at the gym, I will always realize that food is just a passing pleasure. Looking in the mirror and the pleasure of zipping up my (soon to be) size 14 jeans, lasts a lot longer than the five minutes it takes to wolf down a Big Mac or an ice cream!
I get a weekly e-mail from a marketing guru that often has amazing stuff in it. In a recent note, he was talking about optimists versus pessimists and how our mind and attitude is only part of the overall equation of life. He said this:
I believe optimism is the gateway to happiness.
Outcomes are determined by actions.
Actions are determined by beliefs.
Your attitude is the glow of your beliefs.
He is so right. The outcome of our diet is dependent on the actions we take to make it happen. I can (and have) determined in my mind to loose weight, but until I take the step, enforce the action of choosing something different, nothing changes. The old saying goes: If you continue to do the same things, you will get the same results. Unless you change what you are doing, your diet, exercise, and path to good health, you will continue to be overweight, sluggish and depressed with how you look. Determining to go on a diet is the easy part. Actually doing it is when the work begins!
Make that determination today and see what results you get!
Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels!

Week 9 is complete!

It’s been nine weeks that I have been dieting with UniqueU Medical Weight Loss. My clothes are no longer just loose, but now baggy! My mom told me to trash the dress pants I wore to church last week because they looked horrible. They were size 16 slacks.
I had hoped by now to have lost a few more pounds, since my anniversary is just four weeks away. I truly wanted to wear a size 12 dress to our nephew’s wedding, but I suppose a size 14 will have to do. My trips to the gym are shaping my waist, legs and body, and I actually have a abs, ribs and even hip bones that are “feelable.” It’s a miracle!
As for the diet, I am learning a lot of new tricks that help me stick to the 600 calorie diet. New recipes help keep the food interesting and now it has become my mission to find the least amount of calories in my dressing, salads and snacks. Instead of “waisting” calories on salad dressing, I make my own with 2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbs. ketchup and 1 packet of Stevia and it makes a great “Catalina-type dressing. Pour it over some spinach leaves topped with chopped chicken breasts and a couple of strawberries and yum! A 120 calorie lunch!
For the next four weeks, the gym will be my priority each morning. If I “kick it up a notch” as Rick (hubby) says, hopefully I’ll be able to drop another 25 pounds before our anniversary. I had been losing rather slowly, with only 2-t0-3 pounds a week for the last 3 weeks. Dr. Buchanan said to eat a “cheat” meal with whatever I wanted to kick start my diet again. So yesterday I went with my girlfriends to the Cheesecake factory and had one half of a pizza, part of a salad and a delicious piece of chocolate cheesecake.; It was yummy .
I realize that I plan my days now by the types of meals I will be eating. I prepare my meals ahead of time, for the most part, at Dream Dinners in West Chester. I get to eat my favorite foods and I get a taste of this and that, just a bite will normally do the trick.
My newest photo is attached, and I hope you can see my progress. At church this week, one of my friends, who has been in Florida for the winter said it looked as if I lost a person! In actuality, it has been about 35 pounds. I can’t wait to wear my bathing suit this year (a two-piece tankini) and I can’t remember having said that in years.
If you are still thinking about UniqueU, don’t wait any longer. The spring will soon turn to summer, then to fall and before you know it, you will be packing on the winter weight once again. Call today and tell them I sent you for the friends and family discount! It’s not too late.

Eight weeks down, eight weeks to go

My mom just had an ‘ah-ha” moment standing in my driveway when she said, “Honey! You have really lost weight! Your face looks so different! You look great!” Yeah! I love it when someone notices that all my hard work and effort is paying off!
My weigh-in yesterday showed another 2.5 pounds lost and I am under one of my mile-markers that I set in my brain. My clothes are the biggest source of pleasure to me and I enjoy trying on things that were impossible to fit into just eight weeks ago. While I still have another 30 or so pounds to lose, I am excited about the end results.
One of the things that I have really noticed while being on the UniqueU Medical Weight Loss Diet is that my energy level has been steady. Normally when I am dieting, especially if I am eating less than normal amounts of calories, I would be sluggish and tired by evening, but not so! I’m still full of energy late at night and I also find that I can focus on the task at hand, regardless of the time of day or night. I love that feeling!
The HCG hormone shots were mentioned on the news this morning, stating that they are not recommended as a weight loss aid. I have read a lot about the hormone and found out that the weight loss was once considered a wonderful “side-effect” of its use. The use of this hormone has been controversial, with those opposed to it saying anyone on 600 calories a day (as I am on in this phase) would certainly loose weight. Duh! I agree! But who could stay on 600 calories without some help? The HCG allows my body to burn the stored fat, so therefore I require less to eat. It also shuts off the “huger center” in the brain so I don’t feel hungry.
After extensive research on the hormone, I have learned that there are so few side effects, virtually all of them are associated with the injections site (bruises, infection, etc) and not with the drug. Of the thousands of people who have used this as a weight loss aid, I am certain they (as I) would argue that although its first use might not be for weight loss, it works!
My anniversary is just 7 ½ weeks away and I am still hoping to have reached my goal. I might have to “kick it up a notch” at the gym, but I am striving to meet the magic number I originally set!
Anyone interested in loosing weight, trying something new or all of you “diet dropouts” this could be the best thing that happens to you this year! Don’t put off starting to change your life—do it now! You will be happy you did!

Week 7 and a new BMI

After seven weeks on the UniqueU Medical Weight Loss program I am getting closer to my goal each week. Last week I was able to test the true results when I went to the gym and had my BMI tested for the second time since starting this program.
BMI means Body Mass Index. The chiropractor at the gym has a sophisticated machine which checks out the amount of water in my cells, my muscle mass and my fat mass (oh joy!) According to doctors, this measurement is equally important to your weight because fat accumulates around your organs and around your middle. If a woman’s waist is as large or larger than her bust, she has a much greater chance of having a heart attack. One of the benefits of the HCG portion of the diet is that it helps your body burn the stored fat from bellies, thighs and butts. Working out at the gym three or four times each week should be building muscle while burning fat—a two-fold program helping me reach my goal.
When I started this program my BMI was 39. Ideal for my height and weight is 24 or 25. Gulp! That means I needed to lose 14 points on the BMI scale which would decrease the amount of my body fat by 14 percent. So, logically, if the HCG hormone works, my body fat should decrease as I lose weight. My new BMI was 34, so in the seven weeks I have lost 5 points! That is great. In addition, I also gained 2 percent more of muscle in my body, exchanging the fat for muscle.
The 600 calories I’ve been eating each day has become easier as I get into a routine of breakfast, lunch and dinner, and I’ve been able to save enough calories each night for a cup of strawberries and Cool Whip Free. I’m experimenting more on new recipes and ideas and I can actually see myself staying on this portion of the diet program until reach my goal. I don’t crave things any more, even though there are times I really want something not on my program. That is one reason why I love the calorie counting over carbs or fats, I can virtually eat anything I want—it just has to be under 600 calories total for the day.
Over the next week, I hope to reach another milestone of my weight. I will be happy if I can maintain my diet without any major “cheats” during the Easter weekend. I just keep telling myself the Peeps will soon be gone! Temptation will be reduced by 50% and then out the door. Fresh home-grown products will be around soon. My clothes continue to be baggier and now my size 16’s are beginning to be saggy-baggy. I’m very happy about that!
If you haven’t made a decision to drop those excess pounds before summer season get here, you still have time. Put your focus on your weight and get healthy! Life is good—make it last!