So, I drank 2 Zevia sodas yesterday during the merriment of Super Bowl.  I only had a .3 loss this morning.  I’m not overly concerned with it.  I still think that if I wake up on Wednesday morning at 145.anything I’ll be jumping for joy.  That will be an almost 10 pound loss in 12 days!  I’m really aiming to get down to at least 142 before my husband gets home next Monday.  I have 22 days left.  I don’t think I’ll get down to 125 without some serious miracles.

I’m hoping to to get down to at least 130 this round.  I think I’ll quite possibly have to do another 23 day round in May.  Especially if I’m not down to 130.  I think if I get to 130, I’ll just get through maintenance and work on the last five with running and high protein.  Anything over that, I’ll just do a quick 23 day round.

I’m looking for the next ten pounds or so to come off pretty easily – the last 12 pounds might be a little more difficult since they are the last 12 pounds.  I am determined to not give up short of my goal.

When I got up this morning, I expected almost nothing.  I was pleasantly surprised by a 1.2 pound loss!!

147.6

I could hardly believe my eyes! I’m eating almost the same exact things every single day – and it’s working.  I eat grapefruit at both meals.  I eat chicken and asparagus at lunch.  I eat buffalo with tomatoes at dinner.  I drink a ton of water.  I lose a bunch of weight!

And the Saints won the Super Bowl!  Awesome!

EAT THAT, FLABBULA!

Stepping on the scales this morning was nothing short of awesome.

148.8

And I have that lovely monthly visit thing going on.

I feel like I’m kicking serious Flabbula ass lately!

I’m sitting at 149.8 today.

I’m delighted to be under 150!  However, I’m not delighted that I was a few days ago, went back up and have been creeping back down for four days!

Here’s hoping a few more days will look more like the mid 140’s!

150.3

I’m starting to think that my scales were whacked the day I weighed in at 149.8.  No matter, I’ll clearly be there tomorrow!

I’ve lost 30 pounds since October!

THIRTY FREAKIN’ POUNDS!!!

I am within 25 pounds of my final goal – that feels amazing.  I’m more than halfway there.  This second round has been so much easier.  I’m well aware of what to eat and what to avoid.  I’m able to enjoy my meals.  I’m able to say no to cravings.  Losing a pound a day more than rocks.

This is the greatest diet, ever.

I’ve done a little experiment.  I don’t know if this will work for you, but it does seem to do the trick for me.

I’ve eaten grapefruit for both of my fruits twice now.  And both times, I’ve seen at least a 1 pound loss on the scale.

I am now the queen of grapefruit.

I’m up to 151.6 today – it’s time for Aunt Flo to make her monthly visit with her nasty sister, Rose.  It’ll be off in a few days.

Until then, please pass the grapefruit.

It hasn’t been so bad this time.  I’m within one pound of where I left off last time.  I’m sitting at 154.5.  I hate that I gained as much as I did, but I learned a very valuable lesson.  You can undo this diet.

Quickly.

I started this round at 167.8.  That is pretty sad.  I swore I’d never see the 160’s again.  I did it to myself, there is no hiding from it.  Fortunately, it’s dropping off very quickly.

I have a new set of goals and a new set of ideas.  My hubby leaves for a five night/six day business trip in ten days.  I want to be under 150 when he leaves.  Preferrably 148 or less.  When he gets back, I want to have lost at least five more pounds.

I’m going to start eating half a grapefruit from one of my servings.  In the next few days, I might eat only grapefruit for both servings and see if that does anything to speed up the process. I love green apples, so this is actually going to be a shift in my diet habits.

Here’s to the bottom of the 140’s in two weeks!

I did it.  I cheated.  It sucked.  On Day 36, I was up to 155.5 – this was pre-macaroni and cheese incident. 

Let me say this.  I’m horribly ill.  I have a head cold that is turning into bronchitis.  I just wanted something different.  I won’t do it again.  Mostly because I started coughing so hard I puked.  Mac n’ Cheese in puke?  Nasty. 

Day 37 weight:  154.  I am officially the smallest I have been since before giving birth to my daughter two years ago.  In a few more pounds, I’ll be the smallest I’ve been in my adult (read:  child-bearing years) life.  I can’t really describe the changes in my body adequately.  I’m so tiny through my mid section.  My shoulders and arms are changing.  I’ve lost so many inches and so many pounds.  I really never thought that this was possible.  I know now that it is and I’ve done it.  I’m winning the war. 

I got a shirt at Old Navy last week.  It’s too big.  I haven’t needed a size small in forever.  My size medium pants are not skin-tight. I’m going to be in size smalls all over the place soon.  Holy crap.   I’m getting this done.  And I’m loving it!

Flabbula is losing ground every day.  I’m going to be a size 8 in the next ten pounds, easy. I got this. 

Rock, rock, rocking on!

November 20 :

 My toddler is teething and seemingly ill.  I have no real time to speak of.  My weight is holding at 159. 

November 21: 

 Another wretched day with a very sick baby.  Still hanging at 159.  We went to a football game with my sister and her husband.  I realized that she isn’t following protocol and she seems to have not changed her attitudes about food.  She is focusing on what she can’t eat and how restrictive the diet is.  She claims it makes her tired.  She is also chewing gum that is not on protocol.  I’m disappointed.

November 22:

After a decent night of sleep, I’m down to 158.  I’m so happy that I’m under 160, it ain’t funny.  I can wear my pants again.  I’m almost as thin as I’ve been since I started having children.

November 23: 

157.5.  Better than nothing.  I’m a little sad, thinking about a miscarriage I had a few months back.  However, instead of having a baby in April, I’ll be rocking a fierce body that my husband wants to do some baby-making with.  I wound up very hungry and ate a few too many Melbas.  I know I’m going to pay for that.  Damnit.

November 24:

As I expected, I gained.  I’m at 158.5.  I have to reset my mindset.  I also have a migraine that beats all today.  I’m thinking my period is about to show up.  I’m also craving food.  I’m also sad about my sister giving up on the diet.  Thanksgiving is coming up and I know she’s going to eat. 

November 25: 

Ahhhhhh…157.  I haven’t seen that number since my nearly two-year old was seven months old.  I have decided to only complete three weeks of maintenance before hitting Round 2.  Imprudent?  We’ll see.  I’m going to load like a starved dog.  I really have to get my second round.  We’re going to start trying for a baby in the summer and I want my weight to stabilize well. 

November 26:

156.5.  Thanksgiving.  I prepared four dishes almost single-handedly.  I ate none of it.  While everyone else around me (including my sisters) ate the Holiday Meal, I drank tea and felt skinny.  My older sister admitted that she had quit the drops and the diet.  What the hell?  She needed this most.  Screw it, I have thirty pounds to lose.  My other sister ate small portions and got back on protocol.  Oh, well. 

November 27:

Still hanging at 156.5.  I went Black Friday shopping like every other moron in America.  At least I got what I needed.

November 28:

154.5.  I about did a backflip this morning.  I have realized that unless there is a miracle, I won’t meet my original 35 pound goal.  But, I’m sure as hell going to keep trying.  I have ten days left.  I’m going to do my very best and lose what I can.  I’m hoping and praying to be under 150.  That would be like a dream come true.  I haven’t seen 140-anything in ten years.  It would also set me up better for Round 2.  I’m so excited and so thankful.  This really is a miracle of a diet.  If I can do this, anyone (well, except my sister) can!

Weight 159.  That is a gorgeous number.  But it’s only gorgeous until tomorrow.  Then I must have  new, lower and much more gorgeous number.  I was thinking about how much smaller I really am yesterday.  I wish I had been able to start this diet last spring.  I wish I would have had more self-control so that I didn’t have to lose so much more weight.  I wish a lot of things.  But this is my reality.  I have 34 more pounds to lose. 

My husband is starting to notice.  He really wasn’t able to tell until last week.  I would so be lying if I told anyone that he wasn’t my driving force in doing this diet.  He is.  I want him to be proud of me and I want our marriage to have that effect of a husband being really, wholly, totally in love with his wife.  I told him that I would do this years ago.  Now, I’m doing it.  And he loves it.  Really loves it. 

Again, my goals are re-evaluated.  I’m hoping to make it to 145 this round.  I will do another round in January after six weeks of maintenance.  It will be a full 45 day round to lose the last 20 pounds.

160!!! I have finally managed to lose 20 pounds! 

I had a really honest conversation with myself and I realize that I will definitely have to do another 45 day round.  I really want to be 125.  It’s a mandatory for me today.  I realized this after talking to my doctor and him reassuring me that I have a medium to small frame and really shouldn’t weigh more than 130.  The pressure for me now is my legs.  My top is getting pretty small.  I want my arms to slim down some more, but mostly, I need my legs to slim down.  I have a lot of fat and cellulite.  I just want it all gone. 

I am hoping and praying that I get down to 145 this round.  I have re-evaluated my goals and I’m ready to stay on this path.  This has been so amazing.  I’m so excited about my future and I’m so ready to live my life in the best body possible!

One more day of kicking Flabbula’s butt!!

161.

I haven’t seen that number in a while.  Last spring, I saw 160 on the scale and decided I needed to diet.  I did.  And I failed.  This diet is so controlled and so easy all at the same time, that I’m going to weigh what I did at the beginning of last year in the next few weeks. 

I still really hope that I go under 150 this round.  I’d really, really like to see under 140, but I’m prepared to do another round after the first of the year. 

I’ve been really, really cold.  Even my husband has noticed how cold my extremities are.  Other than that, no discomfort, no hunger, no fatigue.  I really, really love this diet.

Well, I didn’t hit my 20 pounds, but I’m not crying about it.  I actually didn’t lose at all.  No matter.  I know that it will come.  I am delighted with 18.5 pounds of weight off of my body.  I am delighted with 23 fewer inches on my frame. 

I did tweak my eating a bit today.  I cut out the fruit and I increased my liquid intake.  I also switched up my meats.  I’ve been eating chicken and eye of round far too regularly (ok, EVER FREAKIN’ DAY).  Today I had orange roughy for lunch with celery and for dinner I had buffalo with sautéed onions (YUM). 

In three weeks some things have really changed.  Here’s a list!

• My skin looks amazing.  I was totally broken out and a little haggard looking before.  My husband commented today that my complexion is back to beautiful.  I have a lovely glow and I just look prettier. 
• I have a really tiny midsection.  My ribs are a fairly slight 31″ around.  My bust is about 35″.  I wish my butt would follow suit. 
• My pants are really getting lose.  The skirt I wore to church three weeks ago is now too large to wear and look any kind of acceptable.  It’s working.
• My husband is all over me.  This. Diet. Is. SEXY. 
• I’ve learned that food is just something you have to do to stay alive.  I enjoy the simplicity of my meals and I look forward to eating a little more and a little more.  However, I don’t think I’ll ever look at food in a social aspect or want aspect again.  I’m choosing to be a careful eater. 
• I feel really amazing.  I have energy.  I have a good attitude.  I’m not longing for food or for the life I’ve never had.  I’m now preparing for the life I’ve always wanted. 

Yeah.  That’s just three weeks.  Get ready, world – I’m coming at you!

ONE-SIXTY-ONE-POINT-FIVE!!!

161.5!!!!

That’s a two-pound loss!  Apparently, I did need to increase those drops!  I had NO hunger yesterday and I had a two-pound loss!!!  I might just make that 20 pounds in 20 days of VLCD!  Cross your fingers for me!  I’m off to drink some tea! 

Oh, and speaking of tea – always check your ingredients.  Here are some of my favorites! 

• Yogi Teas Healthy Fasting
• Bigelow Organic Green
• Yerba Mate (it grew on me – but I though it was gr-nasty at first)
• Yogi Teas Get Regular (so much tastier than Laci Le Beau or Smooth Move!)

Some of my favorites that I cannot drink!:

• Bigelow Constant Comment
• Lipton Green Citrus Passionfruit
• Holiday teas from Celestial Seasonings (boo!)

Tea is crucial to me these days.  I drink it all day and I love it.  It has helped me feel satisfied and calm.  Anyone doing this diet should try it! Get a kettle and use purified water – so tasty that way! 

I’m going to make a big mug now and toast to the fact that Flabbula is getting her flab KICKED!

163.5

I’m not surprised.  I got up to empty my bladder (because it was at max capacity) three times last night.  I just wish it said something more like 160.  Oh, well.  Maybe tomorrow.  I know it’s coming.  I can hardly wait to see that 159.  I have 25 days left on hCG.  I’m just hoping I can knock out at least 20 more pounds. 

I did increase my drops today.  I hope this makes a difference.  I’ve not had much in terms of consistent weight loss.  Tomorrow will mark three weeks on hCG.  I hope I have a better number. 

But still, I’m kicking Flabbula’s hiney.

Weight – 164.5

I was really hoping to knock out twenty pounds in twenty days.  I would need to lose 4.5 pounds overnight for that to happen.  I may make it in 20 days of VLCD – so we’ll see. 

Any way you look at it, I still have at least 35 pounds to lose.  With only 26 days left, I’m aware that round 2 is imminent.  I’m ok with that.  I just want to get it done.  Hey, how else could I drop fifty pounds in three and a half months? 

I still maintain that I want to wind up between 125 and 130.  However, if I look amazing at 135, I’ll take it.

Even though it’s going to take longer, I’m feeling so much better.  I’m not hungry.  I’m not cranky.  I’m not anything that you normally are on a very deprived diet. 

So.  15.5 down.  35 to go. 

Farewell, Flabbula.

Day 12/VLCD 10

Dropped down to 168.  I started to think that eating the Melba Toast might be ok. 

Day 13/ VLCD 11

Hit 166.5.  I was feeling pretty good about things, so I added the Melba Toast back in.  My menstrual cycle also started to make a very, very light appearance.

Day 14/ VLCD 12

Back up to 168.5.  Oh, the anger.  Oh, the frustration.  NO MORE FREAKIN’ MELBA TOAST.  And my period really did start.  I’m calling this water retention from an evil Aunt Flo. 

Day 15/VLCD 13

Back down to 166! However, my cycle is UNHOLY heavy.  I’m very fatigued.

Day 16/VLCD 14

Level at 166.  It’s better than a gain.

Day 17/VLCD 15

Down to 165.  That’s more like it.  I have a beastly flow from my cycle.  I am tired, so I upped my protein just a tad.  I’m still well under 500 calories. 

Day 18/VLCD 16 – that’s today.

Up to 165.5.  Just wierd.  This is such a process and I can see my body changing, so I’m not stressing. 

This is so darn easy, it hardly merits blogging.  I’m in total control at this point.  It’s so easy to say “no” to food and/or cheating.  I have a schedule that I stick to and I enjoy it very much.  I’m trying to vary up my proteins as much as possible.  However, I have found that I tolerate Orange Roughy, Tilapia, Buffalo, Chicken, and Shrimp the best.  My veggies are as broad spectrum as this diet allows for.  I’m drinking a ton of tea and water. 

My weight this morning:  169.

Update:  And I’ve lost 11.25 inches. 

Tonight, it took all I had to not eat my daughter’s mac and cheese.  I love that stuff and all of it’s processed goodness.  Nothing like glow in the dark cheese and starchy noodles.  Again, I realized that there are somethings that are always going to be a “no” for me.  I’m going to have to learn about REAL moderation and REAL food.  My body will get the hang of this.

Weight: 176

It’s all good today.  I haven’t suffered from massive hunger.  I haven’t really wanted to eat much.  I spent some quality time with the hubbs, who thinks my diet is sexy.

I’m looking forward.  I’m looking so far forward because I know that this is working.  I know that I can do this.

I leave this by bending over to kiss my hinder goodbye!

Weight – 179.5

I’ve been hungry today.  Really hungry.  I know that I’m to expect this for up to a week on this protocol.  I just really hope it goes away.  Now. It’s still worth it to me to get this done.

My husband is still being a saint.  I’m so thankful for that.  I’ve discovered how much I love plain food.  I’ve also discovered that I’m stronger than I think.

It’s funny how diets can make this all happen.

What I’ve eaten/drank today:

4 cups of tea this morning.  Green or Constant Comment.
1/2 grapefruit
1 Zevia Black Cherry Soda
100 g. Buffalo with garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper.
2 cups Cucumber with Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt, and Pepper
2 more cups of tea
2 liters of water
100 grams chicken breast with salt, pepper, thyme, oregano
1 cup of steamed Asparagus with salt and pepper
2 Melba Toasts

Here’s hoping for a bigger loss tomorrow!

So far so good.  I’ve made it through my munchy time of day.  I’m not hungry, but my mouth is bored. I’m also fairly sleepy today.  I don’t know if that has to do with a lack of sleep last night or the diet.

Mentally, I feel pretty tough. I really, really want to get this done.  Tonight, we ate at my mom’s house.  She made cabbage that is diet-approved.  She also made me a delicious piece of orange roughy.  However, she had also carmelized onions and made rice for everyone else!  The onions about tipped me over the edge, but my husband just told me to chant “skinny jeans.”

Yeah.  When your husband tells you that he’s willing to buy clothes in a few weeks for a skinny body, you chant “skinny jeans.”

All of my calories are consumed.  Day 3/VLCD 1 is DONE.

Jag hoppar av pulverdieten! Tyvärr, för jag hade förmodligen fått en ganska fin viktminskning. Resultatet efter 2,5 dag är -2 kg och då åt jag tre stora bitar Toblerone igår kväll

Första dagen gick jättebra och andra fram till eftermiddagen då jag blev jättetrött och matt. Efter en stor kopp kaffe och en halvtimmes frisk luft mådde jag mycket bättre och blev nästan “hypad”, drack min sista shake innan läggdags bara för att jag var tvungen. Igår (tredje dagen) tog jag en shake till frukost och en soppa till lunch, men sedan var jag så trött, matt, irriterad och hade en så fruktansvärd huvudvärk att jag inte orkade köra vidare. Hade jag varit själv hade jag nog tvingat mig att fortsätta, men med en förkyld och väldigt mammig åttamånaders S som konstant vill bli buren av mig, bonusbarn som måste få en “rolig” helg hos oss, matlagning etc. så kändes det inte värt att fortsätta. Jag orkade helt enkelt inte. Huvudvärken sitter fortfarande i och jag kommer att skippa tredje träningspasset idag. Kankse är sjuk iofs… Men jag tror främst att det är energibrist!

Nej, LCHF och träning får det bli för att kapa de sista kilona! Åt baconinrullad kycklingfilé, broccoli och sås på crème fraîche och soltorkade tomater igår… Så gott!

Funderar över det här med ketos också. Äter man vlcd så hamnar man i ketos pga av “för lågt” kaloriintag, äter man mindre än 20 g kolhydrater/dag hamnar man också i ketos. Med t ex Allévo får man i sig 70 g kolhydrater på en dagsranson vilket då låter som att det är helt värdelöst att kombinera pulverdiet med ett mål mat om dagen. Eller? Någon som kan upplysa mig bättre? Jag tror inte på kalori in – kalori ut för viktnedgång och skulle man äta pulver och sedan ett mål mat hamnar man ju över kolhydratsgränsen OCH över kaloriintaget för att fortfarande vara i ketos…

Nu ska jag passa på att städa när lillan är ute på långpromenad med pappan och storebrorsan!

Andra dagen nästan i hamn… I morse kände jag mig pigg, har inte sovit så bra på flera veckor. Dessutom första natten på länge jag inte behövde nässpray. Blir beroende så fort jag börjar, jag blir så arg på mig själv (men är man riktigt förkyld så är det lätt hänt). Under graviditeten använde jag säkert nässpray i tre månade i streck. Kom på att jag läste en artikel om detox för länge sedan där de som provat bland annat berättade att de kände att bihålorna rensades ut. Kanske är det så att en pulverkur räknas lite som en detox för kroppen, när den inte behöver ta hand om en massa mat kan den koncentrera sig på att reparera istället?

Just nu känns det dock tungt. S är förkyld och vi har bara varit inne idag, med snor, grin och snörvel. Är förmodligen för att jag inte fått frisk luft som jag känner mig så matt och trött. Ska gå ut och sätta mig en sväng på altanen nu med en filt och en stor kopp kaffe. Sedan kommer jag att äta en chokladbar istället för shaken ikväll till Idol. Måste ha något att tugga på när makens barn sitter med sina Toblerone som vi köpte på Taxfreen.

Fast även om det är tungt är detta motivering nog (jag vet att det är vatten och glukogenreserver) men jag vägde 1.2 kg mindre imorse!

Första chokladshaken uppdrucken och nu är jag igång med (förhoppningsvis) två veckors pulverdiet, VLCD (very low calorie diet). Har aldrig testat pulverdieter tidigare och jag vet att det inte är någon långsiktig lösning men jag är bara så trött på att stå och stampa på samma vikt heeela tiden, upp två, ner två och ett halvt, upp ett och ett halvt – jag kommer aldrig någon vart.

Den 24 oktober har vi en stor kombinerad 30- och 40-årsfest och dit är det ca två veckor. Mitt mål är att till dess väga 65 kg, handla några nya snygga kläder och känna mig smal!

Tror absolut att det kommer att vara tufft, men två veckor är ju inte sååå lång tid och med de fina resultat andra, bland annat Annika, fått blir man ju väldigt motiverad att testa själv!

So, I got a chance to weigh myself tonight (this is not particularly easy, as public scales tend to stop at 300, and I have no desire, really, to own one). It put me at 343, which is 21 pounds less than May. Okay, whatever.

The cool part about that is I can now, figure out an approximate (kinda¹) BMR+AMR², for right now, without having to rely on a low accuracy body fat scale. For example, there’s no way I’ve gained strength, lost about 6% body weight, but increased my body fat percent by 15, yet that’s the difference between the last body fat scale I was on and this one.

My average “net calories” (calories after exercise) since May 16 have been 1230 a day. I try to keep at 1400, but I’m obviously failing. I don’t have a record for vacation week, so I’m leaving it out of the equation. It reduces the accuracy some, I’m sure, but it’s the best I can do. So 105 days, minus 8 vacation days, gives us 97 days.

21 pounds multiplied by 3,500 calories per pound is 73,500. Divided by 97 is an approximate 758 calorie deficit per day. 1230 added to 758 is 1,988. Okay, so I don’t really have anything useful to do with that number, personally, since I’m not weight loss dieting, but it’s an interesting contrast:

Putting my weight, height, and age into a standard BMR calculator spits out 2,232. If I tell it that I have a desk job, it tells me to eat 2,679 for maintenance. If I put in that I exercise every day (which I very nearly do), it tells me to eat 3,655.

Okay. Sure.

Not really.

But we tell people it’s just “calories in, and calories out.” It’s a pointless statement, as even though it’s true, it’s bullshit unless you’re going to employ calorimetry (especially for women with hormonal problems and/or either gender with Celiac disease). Metabolic rate is variable from person to person, and the less lean mass you have, the more off the equations are going to be, unless you use body fat percent to calculate. But without getting the hydrostatic testing (about $50 if you can find somewhere doing one), estimating body fat is fraught with problems as well. And even those are not 100% on the money – the only truly accurate body fat test is an autopsy (er – no thanks!). Scales, as above, are very inaccurate, and even body builders misuse calipers (much less figuring out the right equation to get an accurate body fat % out of them).

In other words, it’s all complicated, as all health topics are, no matter how we want to simplify them. Expensive diet plans “solve” this by employing VLCD, which lowers metabolism and eventually fails because who wants to starve all the time? But it isn’t going to give you a lifetime of health, and in most cases, it’ll increase weight, not decrease it, in the long run.

Eat to be healthy³. Live to be healthy. Listen to your body, love it, and honor it. IMO, this will get you farther than any expensive or outrageous diet plan, no matter your goals.

¹More of a starting point than a BMR, since it’s how much I’m burning by living plus daily activities, but not including exercise. So somewhere between BMR and AMR… kinda.
²This is assuming the weight loss wasn’t mostly during the week I was having a really bad week and couldn’t eat.
³As you can afford it, that is.