THE NITTY-GRITTY ~My Journey Part 2

“Until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change…you won’t!”  ~Karen Hagan

“In consistency lies the power…” ~ Gloria Copeland 

THE NITTY-GRITTY 

March 4, 2009 – April 18, 2011 ~ 105.5 lbs released!

So okay, the past three year journey has been a combination is many varied ways of eating – trial and error – to release this weight.  Notice I didn’t say ‘lose’ the weight – nope, I released it to the Lord because I found I was hiding behind it for years and He wanted me to release it to Him so that I could truly be free…  At each step I would ask God for wisdom on how to keep going, what to do next and how to do it.  My husband Mike was my biggest cheerleader, always willing to help whenever I needed it.  He never made a peep or complained when I was ALWAYS eating differently than the family.  Many times he’d make dinner for he and the boys while I would eat whatever I was eating at the time.  Thanks babe!  This is probably way more information than you may want, but…

Here we go…

For the first four months I joined Nutrisystem.  I had been on it years ago and had good results then (didn’t last, but that’s another story).  They had a ‘flex’ plan (5 days on/2 days off) that was less $$.  This ONE thing was a huge jumpstart for me.  God knew I needed structure, and this had it – the way to plan, portion and structure me into a new pattern of eating.  Doing this I released the first 30 lbs.  (I’m not recommending NS, mind you).  The cost became an issue, so I took what I’d learned on portions and balance and substituted store bought items, like cereals, with comparable nutrition, etc., and some frozen goods (Safeway’s “Eating Right” brand is a good one).

During this time, I kept eating the same balanced way, measuring my portions…just kept plugging away at it.  I’m a very regulated personality type, so with the exception of dinner, I tend to eat the same things every day – changing up only from time to time.  From March 2009 to January 2010, I released 61 lbs.

At this point – I hit a wall.

In 2010, from January to September, I just kept bouncing up and down about 3 lbs, but never breaking that wall.  Again, I kept asking God to help me.  I realize that my body was probably going through a rest period, I hear that’s normal actually, but it’s very frustrating when you keep trying the same thing that did bring results prior, but now wasn’t working.  I would ask people, especially someone I worked with who was the person I would go to for nutritional advice, what she did.  I’d watch what she ate –, portions, etc.  She totally reinvented the way I ate. She would have about 10 shrimp w/cocktail sauce and a veg, or she would have an egg with sausage & string cheese in the micro, or just tuna on a salad.  She ate several times a day and kept mixing up her choices.  (She was also an exercise nut, which hasn’t yet caught on… *smirk*)

In the search for the next step, my sister recommended the book “Eat Right For Your Type” by Dr. Peter D’Adamo.  The book was very thought provoking.  I actually found out what blood type I was (B+), and through that book I realized that wheat was what had been causing me some intestinal issues (to put it nicely).  I revamped and took wheat out of my diet and *poof* issue gone!  I’m thankful for that…  I really don’t eat pasta or “whole wheat,” which is supposed to be so good for you.  I replaced my regular bread (which was hard, because I did love my Milton’s bread!) with Ezekiel Bread (sesame).  I only eat it as toast…it wouldn’t be so good as a sandwich, but it could work.  It’s made with “sprouted” wheat, which, come to find out, doesn’t cause the “fermentation” in my intestines that regular wheat did.  The journey did lead me to some favorable results health wise eating the way Dr. D’Adamo prescribed, and for that I’m thankful.  It helped me release another 6 lbs, BROKE my stall and got me finally under 200 lbs!  After a bit, however, I stalled again – it didn’t kick my metabolism into high gear like I needed.  I was still “stuck.”

Have to say this … even with these stalls, as frustrating as they were, I didn’t quit, couldn’t quit…just kept pushing ahead.   GOD!   Just say’n!

KICK-START

The “what do to next” wisdom seemingly came out of the blue, but it wasn’t by accident that I happened to attend my sister’s church one Sunday.  She knew that I was struggling and pointed out a mutual friend who had recently lost quite a bit of weight.  After church, I cornered her…asking here to fess up on what she had been doing? J (You know who you are, so if you’re reading this…love you!)  She cautiously told me and I walked out asking God, was this the next step!?  I really didn’t even need to ask…I knew it was.  This launched me, not like a runner jumping over a hurdle, but like a pole vaulter high in the air, up and over the mark!!

HCG Drops… BOOT CAMP!

Now some may have heard things about these drops, but all I can say is they worked for me.  BUT – this was the absolute hardest thing I’ve ever done.  I ordered the drops and made the decision to start RIGHT AFTER THANKSGIVING!  I know, what was I thinking – the Holiday’s and all – but I was pretty desperate to see more results, so I forged ahead.

On December 4, after taking a week to study the material, shop for foods that I could eat, I began.  This was no joke – a very strict process – that’s why I said it’s like a boot camp.  You’re allowed 500 calories per day, so you weigh everything.  You get coffee (no cream) and berries for breakfast; for lunch, 100 grams of protein (chicken or turkey or steak…) and 100 grams of a select list of vegetables (measuring in grams was easier than oz for me – had my trusty weight watcher scale), and the same for dinner (100 protein/100 veg) plus a fruit.  You take the drops three times daily prior to eating.  I’ve never “felt” hunger, really.  But going through this, I now know what hunger feels like.  BUT, the results were amazing.  By January 1, 2011, I had released 22.5 lbs!!

The plan recommends staying on for 8 weeks and then off for 4, so I stayed on through the end of January releasing 31.5 lbs.  During the transition off (you don’t go cold turkey…it’s a three week process to go off) I continued to release up to 34.5 lbs!  I was now at 168.5 with a total of 96.5 lbs released.

I stayed at that weight through the March break and went back on the plan for one more month.  On April 9, 2011,  I broke the 100 lbs barrier and then on April 18, 2011, I made my goal, giving up 42 lbs on the drops, 105.5 lbs total and weighted 159.5!!!

One year later…

I’ve pretty much been this weight for the past year, up/downn3 or so lbs as this is what my body does.  Life has totally changed for me.  Some of these may seem insignificant, but to me they’re priceless.

I CAN…

• ride a bike
• cross my legs
• sit in a booth at a restaurant and not get stuck or spill everything on my chest
• jog!
• shop in the whole store
• wear sleeveless shirts
• wear a belt!
• wear high heels without severe repercussions
• jump and move with ease (well almost, I’m still a bit clumsy)
• look down and see my toes (I remember the first time…)
• be okay with skin that doesn’t bounce back *sigh* (just keep telling myself…I’ll eventually believe it)
• sit in the car with LOTS of room
• grab the seat belt bringing it around me – all in one motion
• hug my hubby standing straight up vs. having my belly get in the way…
• sit in an airplane seat with room to spare, and the seatbelt fits!
• actually wear a bathing suit in public

I can FLY!!!!

More info, in case you just need more.  My typical day’s meals:

Breakfast:

1 cup oat granola cereal, unsweetened coconut flakes (find it at Raley’s in the natural foods area), small handful of raisins and maybe some fresh fruit (blueberries, strawberries…whatever I have at the time), nonfat milk or rice milk, 1 slice of Ezekiel bread toasted with natural peanut butter, coffee w/creamer (my treat…coconut creamer).  Sometimes I have eggs, but this is pretty much every day’s meal.  Its carb heavy, which is why I may be changing up for a while…but it is better to ear carbs earlier in the day.

Lunch:

Turkey patty (love my George Forman grill…I buy ground turkey and make my own patties & grill them), either a salad or some fresh veggie like a few pieces of asparagus and some carrot shreds steamed (get one of those plastic containers w/ a steamer plug, add a little water and cook in the microwave), maybe a protein bar for dessert (hey, don’t knock them…they’re good!)

Dinner

Whatever the family is having, however I usually skip the carbs, so no potatoes, rice or pasta.  Example, if we have spaghetti, I actually use salad shreds (cabbage and carrots) and put the meat sauce on top.

Nuts & Bolts:

• Don’t drink your calories…Cutting out all the sugar drinks, soda, juice, mocha’s…..  You’ll lose just doing that!  I drink water, tea and life water’s – that’s pretty much it.
• Eat the majority of your carbs in the morning…  You’ll burn them off by the end of the day.
• On the weekend, make up like your protein (i.e. turkey patties) for the week.  Helps with lunches for us working people.
• Stop with the processed foods… really!  Haven’t you had enough fast food to last you a lifetime already?
• Find suitable substitutes for foods you like (i.e. for desserts…Dreyer’s Fruit Bars~ All Natural Creamy Coconut are only 120 calories/bar! That’s 20 less than Skinny Cows!! I’m in heaven!) If you’re a potato chip lover, try rice chips or veggie chips.
• Salsa has like no calories! My favorite is mango lime (Safeway)… Mmmmmm
• Don’t buy the kind of candy YOU like for Halloween…
• Do I still eat chocolate ABSOLUTELY YES!  Dark chocolate – usually 55 percent cacao or above.  I choose when to have it.  My protein bars have chocolate in them…. YUM.
• Choices involve what I would love to eat vs. what I just am okay with.  Example, if I had a hamburger with cheese and all the fixings, I would choose to eat the actual meat, cheese, sautéed mushrooms, avocado and lettuce, etc., vs. eating it with the bun.  The bread is not the most important thing to me…it’s “what do I really want.”  Also, NO fries…been there done that.  Choose a salad.
• Stay away from High Fructose Corn Syrup in any way, shape or form.  Really bad for you!
• Try to eat as much fresh foods as possible
• I’m sure there will be more…just as soon as I post this.

Timeline

And still more, if you’re so inclined to want to read them… The following are actual posts taken from my Facebook Timeline…this took so much time to gather, but they helped me SO much in tracking the progress…  Enjoy!!!

• May 2, 2009 

is thankful that God is actually changing my desires. It’s amazing!

• May 7, 2009  

is thankful. There is 25 lb. less of me now!

• June 3, 2009 

YES!! There’s now 28.5 lbs less of me! There is a God and He is so good!!

• July 9, 2009

My jeans are baggy!!!! Yahoo!

• July 14, 2009

is excited! There’s 31.5 lbs less of me!

• August 22, 2009 

Now 34-lbs less of me! YES!

• September 2009

I had my gallbladder removed…evidence of the damage I’d done to my body. 

• September 11, 2009 

Good/Bad results of surgery: good -6lbs more, 40lbs total!

• September 14, 2009 

My two favorite things right now, trying on shirts that I can now BUTTON & trying on clothes that are now to BIG! Priceless!

• October 26, 2009 

There is now 45lbs less of me!! :o) Haven’t been his “weight” since my boys were little…so mmmmmm 20 years?? Yikes!

• October 20, 2009 

Was relaxing now on to exercising with my ball & weights. My commitment is expanding…gotta keep the momentum going. »»»

• November 26, 2009  

Fixed a yummy eggs and bacon breakfast for Mike & I (yes I had some…I’m now down 47.5!).

• December 4, 2009 

EXCITED! I’M ONLY 1/2 LB AWAY FROM 50 LBS LESS OF THE OLD ME!! (49.5) */*

• December 26, 2009 

So I made the trek to my fav store to find jeans that fit…only to find out that I’m down 4 sizes!!! No wonder they would stay up! ;} YYYAAAAHHHOOOO~!

• January 22, 2010 

Well, just cleaned out about 6 grocery bags of clothes that no long fit. Anyone need size 22/24 clothes?

• January 17, 2010 

Update…61 LBS LOST!! YES ~ Thank You God! 5 more & I’ll be out of the 200’s…oops…guess that means you know what I weigh ~ uhhh ~ who cares now!

• February 17, 2010 

Heading out for my noon walk…a new discipline I’m trying to make a habit. I get glued to my chair and need to EXERCISE! Anyone want to join me…I’m walking around Capitol Park. :o)

• June 19, 2010 

Choices…last night I made (with boys help) a bbq steak & pasta with alfredo sauce dinner for Mike’s early father’s day celebration. I chose brown rice instead of alfredo/pasta. Today, I chose to get up & walk 2 miles with Mike at Wm Land Park 🙂 & a “tall” skinny vanilla latte vs. med. I like the way I feel when I make good choices. Need to ‘learn & remember’ that lesson more often!

• July 25, 2010 

I’m glad to report two major hurdles that I’ve overcome this week…
1. I broke my plateau, finally!!! Now 3 more to break the big 200 barrier!
2. I rode a bike today for the first time in like 20+ years!! Was afraid I’d forgotten how, but it was a cinch!

• September 16, 2010   

Been so busy today to post this ~so here goes… I AM OFFICIALLY UNDER 200 LBS – BY 1.5 lbs!!!! WOOHOO!

• October 31, 2010 

I picked out ALL the candy that I DON’T like for the kiddos. 🙂 A VERY good thing!

• December 7, 2010 

Started the next leg of the journey this week… Hopefully in the next month there will be even less of “me” – physically. Spiritually too would always be good…less of me and more of Him. 😉 Here we go!

• December 12, 2010 

The journey continues…another 8.5 lbs off of me! *JOYTOTHEWORLD*

• December 19, 2010 

-77.5 lbs ~ 27.5 lbs to goal… *HAPPYGIRL*

• January 1, 2011 

I OFFICIALLY MADE IT THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS! *WOOHOO* *HALLELUJAH*! Ended 2010 85 lbs lighter (22.5 since Dec 4). ~What a way to start a new year! Grateful.

• January 30, 2011 

Another milestone today…for kicks I tried on my “promise ring” from Mike (got it on my 17th birthday) & IT FIT! Amazing :~} 93lbs lost – 12 to goal…

• February 8, 2011 

“In consistency lies the power…” ~ Gloria Copeland This God given word of wisdom is true in so many areas – spiritual & physical. The power to change takes consistency! #MakingNewHabits

• March 5, 2011  

It might seem trivial, but today at Target I bought a simple t-shirt IN THE REGULAR SIZE DEPT!! #Happiness ~96.5 (8.5 to goal)

• April 1, 2011  

SIZE 14 PEOPLE!! YES!! #justalittleexcited

• April 9, 2011 

Its official~ **100 lbs** as of today!!! Yippee & Hallelujah! 😀 (5 to goal)

• April 18, 2011 

***I MADE MY GOAL!!!!*** 105.5 lbs lost – now weigh actually 159.5 lbs as of today – April 18, 2011!!! **WOOHOO!!!!!** I’d do flip flops if I could!! GOD IS SO GOOD – HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT! */*

Resources:

Nutrisystem  www.nutrisystem.com

“Eat Right for your Blood Type” Dr. Peter D’Adamo http://dadamo.com/

HCG Drops Info: www.hcghealthyweightloss.com