Overdue Update

I've been negligent with updating my blog. I know this. It's been a really tough few weeks but luckily I will be resting for the next few days. My trip to Paris was amazing and London was also great. I've definitely veered off course of my diet for the last week and a half but I'm still teetering between 16-18 pounds lost. I think all of the walking I've done has made up for my indulging a bit in food and drink. I had one of the best meals in my life in London at the Palm. I'm still thinking about this "Wedge" salad I had which was so good it should be a crime!

I'm not going to beat myself up for it as they were 2 trips that I have really been looking forward to and I didn't want to be miserable and counting calories the whole time. I'm having surgery tomorrow so the next few days will probably be filled with tea and toast (hospital food). Once I'm back on my feet, I plan to get fully back on the plan. I've been SO busy that cooking is the last thing I've wanted to do. At least I know that the diet does work and it will be motivating to start back up again knowing I'll probably dump off a few pounds just in the first week.

Wish me luck!!

Bonjour

So I realize I haven't been updating as much. Perhaps because the novelty has worn off, but mainly because I've had an incredibly busy week. The kind where I can barely string a sentence together by the time I get home. My brain is mush right now. I've had some challenges this week in the "Valentines Day Candy" department. I've definitely indulged. Ever since we had our night out last Saturday, I think my body started back to square one with craving sugar. I haven't gone nuts or anything but I'm definitely realizing my areas of weakness. Stress is one and this week has been a mess. I haven't been able to get my full workouts in and I'm just feeling a bit defeated.

On the positive side, I'm still losing, just not as fast as the first couple of weeks, which makes perfect sense considering I've been slacking off. I keep telling myself that regardless I'm still eating 10x better than I was and that has always been a big focus.

As I am about to go to Paris for a couple of days, I'm a bit worried even though I know that this has been in the works for a long time. The honest truth is that I don't want to obsess over everything that I eat and drink this weekend but I'm already starting to get worried. I keep telling myself "what could I possibly do (or undo) in 48 hours?" I've already had a head start this evening with a couple of glasses of wine and some unauthorized "nibbles" at dinner. I know there will be a lot of walking so that should help.

Next weekend, the hubby and I are going to London for our 5 year anniversary. Once again, I'm excited to go but nervous because of some meals we already have planned. I wish I had the ability to not care about food. I know plenty of people who literally think of it as fuel, but I find pleasure in food, or should say that it's a big part of the experience of travelling for me. All of this leads up to my surgery on the 28th, so I will be down for a few days after that. I guess I need to accept that I've lost a fair bit, and I'm on this journey but I will be taking a slight detour for a couple of weeks. What happens is going to be inevitable.

Wish me luck!

Naughty Naughty

It's been a bit of a rocky week but I was happy to see that I did lose another pound. There were some temptations that I succumbed to - and there were a few meals out. As I've mentioned before, you can try hard to be good but you really don't what is in your food unless you prepare it yourself. I also didn't do Zumba due to a Doctors appt. that I had and it being cancelled on Friday. I was on the treadmill every day but still didn't feel like I put as much effort in as I had the week before (which was a good week!).

On Saturday, we had a meal out with some friends and although I didn't go completely crazy, I had some drinks and some dessert. :) My body was very quick to rebel as I had terrible heartburn when we got home and a rumbling tummy the entire next day. I also think my body got a taste of sugar again and I'm detoxing again... I just got into the Russell Stovers Valentines candy my parents sent. Grrr. Didn't eat the whole thing but had a couple of pieces and now I'm feeling like I'm back at square one. 15 pounds is fabulous so I will try to move on and get focused again and keep moving forward and hope not to fall backwards (my biggest fear). I know its not realistic to not allow myself some indulgences here & there, so I'm going to try to keep that in mind and not beat myself up (which I am doing).

I'll be soaking up Paris this weekend so I'm going to try to be on best behavior until then. I'm also going to up the exercise plan.

I got onto my Wii fit for the first time in 2 1/2 years and was a bit shocked to see my weight from the summer of 2009. I had just given birth and still weighed 8-10 pounds less than I am now! That means at one point, I had put on 25 pounds after childbirth. I must be a freak of nature. Don't worry, I won't be getting pregnant in order to lose weight. Not happening. ;)

Thanks for your support... I need it this week big time.

4 Weeks & 1 Stone Later....

Here I am, still going strong and staying positive. For those of you in the US, 1 stone is 14 pounds. I find it funny that we are forced to do math to figure out our weight here in the UK, but it sounds pretty funny because I visualize a big boulder when I think of a "stone."

I've had my ups & downs in the last week or so, but have stayed on track and tried not to get too bored with my meals. I've had a few instances of putting a few morsels of off limits food in my mouth but have paid my dues on the treadmill. Tonight I was breaking a Reeses Chocolate heart for Mia. I had about 1/3rd of it left in my hand and without even thinking twice, I ate it. It was SO good. If anything, I now appreciate the taste of things and made a deal with myself. If its a very small piece of something and as long as I am still losing weight, I will allow myself an occasional bite of something I really want in order to keep my sanity. I still haven't had a single drink - glass of wine, shot of alcohol, etc. Tonight I clearly caved on the candy, but got it out of my system.

I'm still struggling to eat my veggies, even on the days I am allowed to have them (I alternate Pure Protein & Protein/Veg days). Last night I got creative and made a yummy dip with fresh salsa, low-fat cream cheese & lowfat cheese. I dipped some carrots & celery in it and it almost felt as if I had some kind of yummy taco dip, minus the tortilla chips. It was filling and I felt satisfied afterward...I'm sure it doesn't look as good as it tastes.

Tomorrow will be a huge "social eating" challenge once again, as I'm going to an Italian restaurant in town with some friends. When you diet, it's almost as if you have a food allergy or are a vegetarian...you tend to study menu's online before you go, and try to rationalize what you can have. It's going to be a tough evening - not choosing the usual chicken pasta that I love on the menu (or washing it down with a bottle of white wine!). I'm the ultimate designated driver now.

One question I would like to ask for anyone reading this. I'm randomly having incredible pain in my toes when I am working out. What could this signify? New shoes needed (mine are not that old, and have plenty of room in the toe area)? Its baffling. I've often joked that my botched "non-epidural" has caused nerve damage as I've had weird sensations in my feet ever since I had my youngest. I'm wondering if I need to see a specialist.

Ok - packing it up for the night. Thanks again for reading!

TGIF!

It's been a long week for some reason - just busy at work and generally feeling run down. I've managed to get to bed at a decent hour for the most part so it must be the dieting that is taking it out of me. Monday will mark 4 weeks on the diet. I'm curious to the weight loss but will hold on and hope to be surprised. I hit the 12 pound mark on Tuesday or Wednesday which made me feel better since I shoveled a bunch of nuts into my mouth earlier in the week. I also popped 3 grapes into my mouth that Mia had on the kitchen table. Just didn't even realize I was eating them until they were down. It's funny that I feel guilt over a small piece of fruit!

I found out that I shouldn't be eating wheat germ but wheat bran instead. I don't even know where to find this. I thought I had the right thing. Hopefully it hasn't thrown a wrench into things. I also ate out for lunch and had coronation chicken salad. It's always hard when you eat out because you may have thought you made a wise decision on the menu, but unless you prepare it yourself, you don't know what kinds of oils or other naughty things have been used. I crossed my fingers and tried to tell myself that I made a good decision, especially when I could smell the amazing fries sitting on the plate next to and across from me. They looked and smelled amazing but you know what - I didn't have to have them. I was also faced with a birthday celebration for a coworker and turned down the ice-cream cake and snacked on...yogurt and jello. How exciting!

I'm getting creative in some ways, with dishes and trying to just keep it exciting but the yogurts, Sugar Free Jello and "dukan cupcakes" are getting old! I made a mock pancake the other night with sugar free syrup and was in heaven! I guess if anything, dieting has taught me not to take food for granted. When I get to the point where I can start adding carbs in, I'm going to be really excited about the little things - like strawberries!

I'm still focused though - and pleased that I've managed to do some form of exercise each day like I'm supposed to. Whether its Zumba or the treadmill, I've kept my tail moving. I know this will all be worth it in a few months when I will be able to put on a bathing suit with confidence when we go on holiday (wherever that may be - we're still deciding). I graduated to the "bathing suit with a skirt" this past summer - a very sobering moment! Not that I need to wear a G-String but purchasing that bathing suit was a scary step. I knew that I needed it, and I wasn't going to be that Mom wearing the inappropriate bathing suit for my size. There really isn't anything more awakening than bathing suit shopping. I don't know any woman, large or small who enjoys it!

Thanks for listening and keeping me focused and motivated!