My South Beach Diet Journey - Phase 1 Day 5

Results Are In

Sound the trumpets! Ring the alarms! I have successfully completed 5 full days of South Beach, and I have some really exciting news.  **drumroll please** I have lost 5 lbs in 5 days! ::gasp::  ::faint::  I have never lost that much in less than a week.  And I don't feel like I'm starving myself. After the first day of my body being shocked from the new eating pattern, I got used to it.

What I've Learned

I think the most important thing with this diet (and any other diet to be honest) is planning.  The day before I started, I planned out meal plans for the full week - including snacks.  I then went to the grocery store and got everything all at once.  Once I planned ahead, I always had something to eat.  I eat every 2 hours! I just make sure to follow the guideliness of what foods are allowed, and I continue to count calories as well. 

I have to be honest, I haven't been perfect. One day during the week, at an office party, I indulged in a glass of ginger ale.  I also allow myself to sometimes eat lowfat popcorn, which I believe I shouldnt be having until phase 2.  But the most important thing is that 90% of my eating is exactly where it should be, so the other 10% does not have much of an effect on my results.

The 2nd most important thing with this diet is portion control.  When I first did South Beach many years ago, I didn't count calories.  I just thought, as long as I stay away from bad carbs I'll lose weight.   I would eat 2 steaks, or have 2 eggs and 3 sausage links and bacon... um.. NO.  While they do have a low amount of carbs, they're high in calories, fat, sodium, and cholesterol.  So this time around, not only did I avoid bad carbs, I also counted calories and measured everything.  I know this may seem daunting but if you want results, you have to sacrifice.  For example, I will only have 39 pieces of dry roasted peanuts because that is exactly the 1 ounce serving. 

Improvements Needed

1) Exercise: I have not exercised at all.  Even though I'm not as hungry, and cravings have reduced, I don't have as much energy as I normally have when I have more carbs in my system.  I think I will save the Exercise regime for phase 2. 

2) Water Intake: I only have approximately 4 glasses of water per day.  I know that I should be having 8-10 glasses, but I don't seem to remember drinking unless I'm eating.  I think I will add water by drinking one glass automatically upon waking, and one glass right before bed.

Here is today's meal plan!

Phase 1 Day 5

Breakfast

Boiled Egg

1 TBS mayo

1/2 cup stewed codfish

Midmorning Snack

1 serving SMARTFOOD popcorn

1 ounce pepperjack cheese

Lunch

sliced sweet italian sausage on a bed of lettuce w/ chopped onions and shredded cheddar cheese

Midafternoon snack

39 pieces dry roasted peanuts

Dinner

Shrimp and Broccoli in garlic Sauce

Dessert

Sugar Free Jello

My South Beach Diet Journey - Phase 1 Day 1

So I haven't posted in awhile. In fact, it's been almost exactly a year this month. What have I been up to? Hmm.. a divorce, a promotion, a loss of a total of 35 lbs... um ya, I said divorce. That in itself could be a whole other post filled with betrayal, disappointment, frustration, emotion, and new beginnings. And I promise to share as much as I can at some point, but for now, let's stick to the health stuff.

If you remember my last post, I had completed Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. That was a huge accomplishment for me! Prior to that, I never consistently exercised since my high school cheerleading days. So after my 30 Day Shred victory, I continued on to exercise and eat well. I also became a vegetarian, which was tough at first, but after watching documentaries on the treatment of animals, as well as the hormones injected into animals that are thought to lead to the development of human cancer, I knew I had to turn away from meat. Unfortunately, during the winter I got extremely busy (and lazy) and stopped my 6 day a week workout regimen. I also found out that I am gluten sensitive. So there I was, a vegetarian, thinking that I was treating my body well by avoiding meats, when all of a sudden my skin became horrible. I was breaking out terribly on my face, chest, and back. My eczema was out with a vengeance. And a skin disorder that I have, Hidradenitis Supportiva, was worse than ever.

Needless to say I was extremely confused. I started to do research and found out that many people who were Gluten Free saw improvement in their skin issues. That's when I had my Eureka moment. I realized that the moment I stopped eating meat, I naturally increased my Gluten intake through breads and pastas. So my body was now getting overloaded with the thing that was harming it. I then had to choose - Vegetarian or Gluten Free. Since Gluten appeared to be making me ill, I had to go back to my carnivore ways in order to have somewhat of a normal eating pattern (ideally hormone-free and grass-fed of course). I know, I know. Some of you out there in bloggyland are shouting at your computer screens, "You can be both a Vegetarian and Gluten Free!" And yes, while I know that I "can", it doesn't mean that I am willing to devote my whole entire life to eating primarly lettuce leaves.

In any event, here I am - 35 lbs down, but still have another 25 to go. That's why I decided to do South Beach. I did it in the past many years ago with minimal success, but it was minimal only because I gave up after a week. This time around, I'm older and wiser, and realize that it's more for health than it is for weight loss. I actually gained a couple of pounds when I began eating meat again. Why? Because I was supplementing all of my Gluten-filled favorites with their Gluten-free counterparts which mostly is equally unhealthy. Studies show that most people gain weight while being Gluten Free because the Gluten Free substitutes have more sugar and other fillers to supplement the Gluten. Finding that out was a total bummer.

This is why I decided to try South Beach again. South Beach has 3 phases. Phase 1 is when you avoid all bad carbs and sugar for 14 days. This phase is supposed to reprogram my system, reduce cravings, and lower blood sugar. It also will help me to eat more along the lines of what a true Gluten Free person is supposed to eat like. Today was the first day and... I. AM. HUNGRY. I don't believe it's because of the diet itself because the diet has me on 1600 calories per day (and more if I exercise). I believe it's just my body going through porition size withdrawal. Today I actually ate the appropriate serving size at every meal, and was satisfied but not full. Supposedly that's the RIGHT way to feel after eating. Go figure. My body just has to get used to it because I would get hungry 2 hours after the meal as opposed to 4.  

 

What's my analysis? Overall Day 1 went okay.  One issue is that I snacked a bit too much in the evening while preparing dinner.  Though the snacks were things allowable on the diet, I ended up going over my calorie limit by 260 calories. The other issue is that I ended up eating dinner at 10:00pm, which isn't healthy in itself.  But I found a solution for that one: I will be cooking the next day's dinner the night before.  So tonight I have chili in the slowcooker for tomorrow. The apartment will smell AMAZING in the morning!  

 

Due to my hectic schedule, I won't be able to blog every day, but I'll blog every week to give updates. So without further ado, here is my Meal Plan for Day 1:

 Phase 1 Day 1

 Breakfast

1 hard boiled egg

1 tsp mayo

1 cup of coffee w/ 2 TBS evaporated milk, 1 truvia packet

 Midmorning Snack

 1 slice of bologna and 1 slice of cheese wrapped up

 Lunch

 Tuna on a bed of lettuce, 3 slices of ham, 1 slice of cheese

 Midafternoon Snack

 2 ozs peanuts

1 hard boiled egg

 

Evening Snack (this is a no-no!)

 

1 slice of bologna and 1 slice of cheese wrapped up

 

polly-o string cheese

 Dinner

4 oz boneless chicken breast

mixed vegetables

 

30 Day Shred Complete! Before and After..

I did it folks!  I successfully completed the 30 Day Shred!  I did 6 days a week, and took Saturdays off, since that's the day I do the most activities with my little guy.  It definitely wasn't easy.  There were times when I had to work out at 11:00pm after a full day of work (plus all my mama duties), and I'm tellin you I wanted to quit.  But I didn't, and I'm so proud of myself.  I haven't worked out this much since I was in high school! 

The one thing I learned is that the most important thing is to have a good support system.  I had a workout buddy who always reminded me to workout - like an accountability partner of sorts.  If I said that I was too tired to work out, he'd give me the firm, yet encouraging push that I needed to keep going.  When I began moaning and groaning about how unfair it was that I wasn't seeing results quickly enough, or how much I wanted a burger and fries, he brought me back to reality and reminded me why I was doing all of this in the first place.  I was definitely stubborn at times and needed some tough love.  Thank God for special friends!

It was also very helpful that I took before pics and measurements, because I would often get discouraged from what I saw on the scale, but once I retook pics and took out the measuring tape, I felt so much better!  So now, without further ado - here are my results:

Measurements Before
Each Arm: 13.5 in
Bust: 44 in
Waist: 42 in
Hips: 46
Each Thigh: 25.5

Measurements After
Each Arm: 13
Bust: 41
Waist: 39
Hips: 45
Each Thigh: 25

Total inches lost: 9 inches
Total pounds lost: 4 lbs

BEFORE PIC ON THE LEFT, AFTER PIC ON THE RIGHT

Uh, did I just really post those pics??  Eeeee!!!  *cringe* That took a lot of guts, friends.  I know, I know, I still have a lot of work to do, but I do see a difference in my biggest problem area (the baby bump that my little one left behind as a parting gift O_o)  The hardest thing for me ended up being the healthy eating.  I would do well for 5 days, but then tank on the weekends, which would undo the work I did.  It's still a struggle for me, but I'm improving day by day. 

The amazing thing about this journey is that I have now developed a healthy habit of exercise.  I actually feel uncomfortable if If I don't work out now.  Have you heard that age old pop culture factoid that it takes 30 days to make or break a habit?  Well actually, research shows that it takes an average of 66 days to form a habit, so I'm halfway there.  In any event, I've decided to do another round of Jillian's 30 Days, then either do one of her other Biggest Loser workout dvds or the dreaded "Insanity" workout by Shaun T that people have been raving about.  (Although I hear that it's the toughest workout known to man at this time...eeek!)  Anyway, I'll keep you posted!  How have you all been doing with your fitness goals?

Are you a Carb or Sugar Addict?

Many of you know how long I've been on this weight loss journey. I've been on a dieting rollercoaster ride for years - losing 3 lbs, only to gain 5 lbs back.  I've done Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, Fit for Life, Paleo Diet, The 15 Day Diet, the list goes on... I recently decided to get back on Weight Watchers, while doing the Walk Away the Pounds exercise program 5 days a week, 3 miles per day.  I've done this for 4 weeks.  And what has been my total weight loss?  Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

I initially lost 3 lbs the first week, and got very excited, but then the weight loss stalled, and back it came.  Probably was just water weight. Save the talks of muscle weighing more than fat, I totally understand the concept behind that (Though a pound is a pound, whether fat or muscle.  Muscle is just more dense than fat, but I digress).  The problem is, I worked my butt off this past month, which I can't say I really have in the past.  This led me to really get concerned about my health.  I started to research the idea of gaining or stalled weight despite vigorous work-outs, and Eureka!  I fell into the world of Insulin Resistance.

Insulin Resistance is a condition in which your body makes too much Insulin.  It's not quite at a Diabetic level yet, but headed in that direction.  The order goes - Insulin Resistant, Pre-Diabetic, Diabetic.  I'll try to condense the definition to avoid sounding like a Mayo Clinic nerd-bomber. So here goes:

Insulin is a hormone that your pancreas makes.  It basically controls how your body stores and uses carbs.  When we eat, our digestive system breaks down the food into nutrients and glucose.  Normally, once your glucose level increases (right after, say, you eat something like an amazing cheeseburger and a side of fries), insulin is produced to help your body take in the glucose that has just been ingested to help various body parts with regular daily activity. It then stores extra glucose away for future use.  Sometimes this process can get all screwed up (many times due to years of crash dieting, gasp!). What ends up happening is that your body becomes resistent to insulin.  This makes the pancrease all, "What up yo! I need to make more insulin since you ain't actin' right!" thus more insulin is created.  The body is not able to handle too much insulin, which leads to fatigue, weight gain, and metabolism issues. 

Overtime, if Insulin Resistance is not rectified, you can become Diabetic, which is when your pancreas either gets tired of the supersonic insulin production and just shuts down, or your body just stops responding to your natural insulin production completely.  Whoa. 

I started to read up on specific symptoms of this condition, and BING!  I had almost all of them.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  These are the common symptoms:

• Low energy
• Overweight (especially around the abdomen)
• Carb cravings
• Sugar cravings
• Dry skin
• Difficulty losing weight despite exercising
• Sleepiness right after a meal (I always thought this was just the -itis, hehe)
• High Tryglicerides
• Brain fogginess
• Family history of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease

I have 8 out of the 10 symptoms.  I plan on going to the doctor in a few weeks to see if I can get an official diagnosis, although often a diagnosis is made just by counting the amount of symptoms and risk factors you possess. Some doctor's do a blood sugar test, so hopefully I can get one done.

Now before you guys start sending Get Well Soon e-cards and virtual hugs, the good news is that Insulin Resistance is totally reversable!  The main treatment is a low-carb diet, and exercise.  Also, there is a supplement called GlucoBalance that has a combination of specific vitamins and minerals that help to stabilize blood sugar naturally, as well as curb carb/sugar cravings.  I'm currently reading a book called The Insulin Resistance Factor by Antony J. Haynes, and the diet that I'm starting isn't as strict as the other low-carb diets I've been on in the past.  The focus is more about health instead of just weighing less.  You're allowed to have whole wheat carbs (i.e. bread/pasta/rice), but just in limited quantity, such as 1/2 a cup at each meal.  So it's not as restrictive, but I believe it will be more effective.  It's five meals a day, 3 main meals plus 2 snacks.

I'm actually relieved to be going in a certain direction when it comes to my health. It always seemed odd to me how difficult it has been for me to lose weight, despite my many attempts.  I'm hoping that this will be the key to finally feeling and looking healthy again.  How about you?  Have you battled with the bulge for a long time?  Do these symptoms sound familiar?  If so, you're not alone.  The best thing to do is see a doctor to be a certain, then find a great online forum that can give you the support you need. And hey, you got me too!

My 7 Day Detox Creation

I. Need. To. Detox.

Recently, I've noticed that I've been experiencing sore joints, acid reflux, lack of energy, headaches, and a boat load of other symptoms that lead me to believe that my body is flooded with toxins. I asked my friend Tricia about her detox adventures, and she suggested Whole Health Designs. As wonderful as that site is, I just can't afford the package/ebook right now. ::sigh:: So I decided to go online and just piece together my very own 7 Day Detox Creation! Most detoxes are at least 10 days, however, this is my first time so I want to start small! Here goes:

1) 8-10 glasses of water/day (must drink 8 oz water as soon as I wake up, and 8 oz water right before bed)

2) Herbal Tea

3) No sugar, no bad carbs

4) To counteract sugar withdrawal, I can have up to 4 teaspoons of honey per day. (Each time I feel crummy or get a craving, take a teaspoon)

5) Unlimited Fruits - fresh, frozen, dried or canned in natural fruit juice. This includes apples, bananas, pears, oranges, grapefruit, satsumas, sultanas, raisins, pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, nectarines, peaches, melons, star fruit etc

6) Unlimited Vegetables - fresh, frozen or canned in water (without salt added). This includes carrots, onions, turnip, swede, sprouts, cabbage, peppers, mushrooms, sweetcorn, peppers, leeks, courgettes, broccoli, cauliflower, salad, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions etc

7) Oats

8) Yogurt

9) Unsalted nuts/seeds

10) Multivitamin

Is there anything else that I should be adding to my list? What are some of your detox experiences?

Stream of Consciousness Sunday: Post Pregnancy Weight Loss is Tough!

I'd just like to say that, yes, I was told that my body would change after pregnancy, but I had no idea what I was in for. Before Baby (B.B.) I was round-ish, but comfortable with my body. I would wear tank tops that would show off my arms, and my stomach was fairly flat - just with a little padding. I think I was about a size 10-12, and at 5 foot 7, I felt good about it. Now, After Baby (A.B.) I'm pushing size 14 and dare I say size 16 in one God-awful pair of Kohl's jeans that I'd like to cut up and burn in effigy. What the heck! I know that I'm about 10 lbs heavier than what I was B.B. but the way it sits on my body, I might as well be 30 lbs heavier. My boobs are bigger, and a bit saggish. I feel like I should be singing, "Do your boobs hang low, do they wobble to and fro, can you tie 'em in a knot, can you tie 'em in a bow..." My little monster would love mama singing that tune. I can see him clapping now, with his little chiclet grin. And let's not talk about my belly. I swear I still look 4 months pregnant. I look like a half deflated basketball. Gee, I know what I can be this Halloween. Pass me some orange paint and a black marker. In any event, I can't give up on getting my old body back. Or at least a healthier and toned version of the body I have now. I am very proud of what my body has done to birth and nourish my son. I just don't want my body to look like it's been through war either. So I press on. I will continue my journey through A.B. weight loss. I can't imagine having a 2nd baby at this starting point. They may just have to roll me into parent teacher's conferences in a wheel barrel!

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…
■ Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
■ Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
■ Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
■ Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
■ Go visit http://allthingsfadra.com/ and link up and comment on other’s posts

Fit Mama Club - Week 3

Okay so last week was a Fit Mama Club fail *insert funny cartoon noise - womp womp womp* Halfway through the week, I let my emotional eating get the best of me, and struggled the rest of the way through. But this week is a new start. A new chance at making a difference in my health and weight. So let's go!

After my update, I'll share this week's Fit Mama Club challenge. If you wanna join up, leave a comment or tweet me @joonluv630.

Last Week's Weight Loss: 0
Total Weight Loss: 2.4
Last Week's High: LiL Monster had a wonderful week at daycare! He's finally starting to get used to it, and actually has fun! He still cries when we drop him off, but from what I hear, he stops as soon as we leave, and he starts playing with the other kids.
Last Week's Low: Still didn't work out last week. What is my malfunction!!
Plan For This Week: I will stick to 26 WW points each day, drink 4 glasses of water per day, work out twice per week, and complete the Fit Mama Challenge!

Fit Mama Challenge: No eating out for one full week. Not only will that help as far as our health goes, but it'll also help our pockets! So c'mon ladies! Time to go grocery shopping! ;)

Fit Mama Club - Week 2

How are you all doing! Here's my Fit Mama Club update for Week 1! After my update, I'll share this week's Fit Mama Club challenge. If you wanna join up, leave a comment or tweet me @joonluv630.

Last Week's Weight Loss: 2.4
Total Weight Loss: 2.4
Last Week's High: I took three days off - very much needed!
Last Week's Low: One of the families that I counsel is not doing well and I won't be able to close the case next week as planned... and I didn't work out last week. AT. ALL.
Plan For This Week: I will stick to 26 WW points each day, drink 4 glasses of water per day, work out twice per week, and fulfill the Fit Mama Club Challenge!

THIS WEEK'S FIT MAMA CLUB CHALLENGE

How many of you eat the correct amount of vegetables per day? According to the USDA Food Pyramid, we're supposed to be having 3-5 servings per day. To be honest, I'm lucky if I get 5 servings a week, let alone per day. That's why I felt it was important for this week's challenge to be a Veggie Challenge!



One serving of Vegetables is equal to:

* 1 cup of raw leafy green vegetables
* 1/2 cup other vegetables (cooked or raw) or
* 3/4 cup vegetable juice

And what are the benefits of following these guidelines?

1) Substituting fruits and vegetables for higher-calorie foods can be a great part of a weight loss strategy. They are low in calories, high in volume and high in critically important nutrients. They fill you up, without loading you up with fat and calories. And when your stomach is filled up with high volume, low calorie food, there is less room for other bad stuff.

2) Plant-based foods help to control food cravings and overeating.

3) Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

4) Fruits and vegetables are a natural source of energy and give the body many nutrients you need to keep going. They are a great "on-the-go" snack.

5) When your body is getting what it needs, you are going to feel better physically and emotionally. The absolute best vegetables to help speed up weight loss are green vegetables- Collard Greens, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Cabbage.

CHALLENGE: Eat at least 3 servings of vegetables per day for 7 days.

Who's with me?? All you have to do is share your progress each day on twitter with the hashtag #fitmamaclub, and post every Sunday morning with last week's successes and this week's goals. Comment or tweet for more info!

Fit Mama Club - Here we go!

It is time to get fit! It is time to get fab! It is time to join the Fit Mama Club! Hi all, many of you know me as joonluv630 and I am a mother to an amazing 16 month old little monster. As much as he brings joy to my life, he's also brought a little extra poundage around my mid-section... okay as well as many other places. And yes I do realize that the extra weight I now carry on my frame isn't just from having a baby, because I always was on the curvy side. It's just gotten wayyy harder to come off. I gained 40 lbs during my pregnancy and only lost 20, so now I'm 20 lbs heavier than the pre-pregnancy me (which wasn't so thin to begin with y'all) So I decided that the only way I can get motivated to lose the weight is to start a movement!

So here's what I'm gonna do. Every week I'm going to blog about my weight loss journey, and report back w/ my successes and my notsomuch's. I'm going to do my weigh-ins Sunday morning, and blog about it. On a side note, there's something about starting a healthy eating plan on Sunday that I'm drawn to. Still haven't figured it out yet but it's probably because I have a long history of over-eating on Saturday and feeling the urge to start fresh the next day! (Ya the over-eating has got to stop.)

My healthy eating plan will be a cross between watching my Weight Watchers points, and reducing my carbs. I'll start every post with:

Last Week's Weight Loss
Total Weight Loss
Last Week's High
Last Week's Low
Plan For This Week

SO HERE WE GO!

Last Week's Weight Loss: ZERO
Total Weight Loss: ZERO
Last Week's High: It was my birthday on Tuesday and Anniversary on Thursday!
Last Week's Low: I ate like a maniac due to said special occassions..
Plan For This Week: I will stick to 26 WW points each day with 35 flex points to use throughout the week (or on a designated cheat day). I will drink 4 glasses of water per day, and reduce my carb intake. I will also work out twice this week.

So that's the plan ladies! I'd love some company, so who's in??? Post me on here, or tweet me on twitter (@joonluv630) and I'll send you my amateur banner (be kind!) to put up on each of your posts as well. :) We can tweet our progress using the hashtags: #fitmamaclub or #fmc I'm pumped you guys!! I can feel the pounds melting off already!