Don't Drink Your Calories

That used to be my motto --- and I need to revert back to that ;)

So after 10 days of not really following any eating plan overall- and drinking more than I typically do -- I'm up an embarassing 8 lbs. Go figure.  I'm hoping most will fall off real quickly.  (If I'm lucky) I'm doing VLCD today through Friday and was going to wait to weigh because I was terrified of what the scale would say, but I bit the bullet and did it.  I figure at least this way I'll be able to see how being back on plan will help.

Today I'm starting my day with a diet pepsi and my protein chips.  I packed a chocolate and a mocha pudding and nacho cheese pasta.  Gonna make sure I'm on the water train today too.  Crazy how easy it is to put on the weight.  Yesterday we had a BBQ though and beside the hamburger, pasta salad and smidge of potato salad - I had chips, a few regular pops, a few beers/wine coolers and amazing amazing coconut cake!!!!!  It was a really good day/night with friends and family though, so I don't regret it --- well, maybe all the beverages a little. 

I'm just going to be realistic right now --- I'm going to have food and a cupcake on Claire's bday.  I'll try to stick to diet pop at least -- and with me doing the VLCD up until the party, I can't have alcohol unless I want to be miserable -- so that's "good" LOL  

Annnnnyhow - other than a slightly upset stomach this morning (totally deserved) I'm just super tired.  2 a.m. bedtime on Sunday and last night was after midnight...  I'm kinda old for this. haha But it's all good.  This week we'll just be busy getting the final touches ready for Claire's party. Just have some shopping to do and a little more cleaning. Luckily, since we had people over yesterday the house is pretty much cleaned! :) Nice!  

Okay - time to do some work, but wanted to check in with you all!  

<3 Katie

Hey guys -

Just taking a break from daily updates and talking non stop about what I'm doing and how I'm doing that.  I think I can better focus on my real goal if I'm not constantly trying to make the right choice to please everyone else :) 

Don't worry - the goal is still the same -- lose lbs!! I'll still try to check in every once in a while.

<3 Katie <3

Weekends ≠ Good for me lol

So weekends are my downfall...I realize that.

On a plus, got a TON of steps in yesterday.  We went to Greenfield Village which is always a good time :)  Exceeded my 10K step goal :) Now if I would just do that every day ;) 

Lady Gaga on Saturday was so much fun.  Amazing how diverse her fan base is.  I mean, we saw people from teens (and younger -- which don't get me started, I don't think I would definitely wouldn't be taking my 7 year old...) all the way to like 70 year olds with their hair dyed, funky clothes, etc.  And then there was Steph and I - in our normal clothes and, nothing crazy at all --- guess we were the ones who stood out LOL

FFC (Flame free confession) for the sake of calling out crazy peeps.....
So sitting in our seats, after we just got back from concessions with our dinner.........ice cream and timbits....... this lady sitting in the row behind me leans over my shoulder and is like, "Do you have any more ice cream? Or donuts or crackers?" We're like no.... And then she freaking leans over and points to the tray that had the timbits "what about those??" Um no crazy lady - you have a beer in your hand, you know you can freaking buy stuff yourself.  Who does that?!! 

Anyhow - I'm glad that even though this week is a full week, it's a long weekend so that'll be nice!! I cannot believe that it's almost C's bday!! Crazy!! 

So much to do - so little time!!! But it'll all work out :) I'm sure!

<3 Katie

Ha!

I guess my body wants to ensure that I'm good today... 240.2 this morning. Go figure!! Well I'm pretty confident that tomorrow I'll at least see 239.9...fingers crossed!!

Had my appointment with the weight loss coach last night. She was really happy that I was down over 10 lbs since last time and down 32 total!! So that was great. I got a resistance band and a booklet of exercises I can start doing. This will hopefully help tone some while still losing weight so I don't wind up with too much extra skin. 

I was honest with her that I had my struggles but that I had no problem getting back on plan. She said that's what counts. I asked if she sees a lot of people fall on this plan and she said yes. She said I'm doing great and that she's only had one person who has never cheated....in 8 months!!! I think that woman is a saint. Lol next appointment in about a month. 

Just wanted to make sure I got a Friday update in!

--Katie

Getting there!!

Little by little...day by day... I'm getting there!! Was down another lb this morning. YES!! 

Now I'm less than 2 lbs away from the 230's!!

Tonight I'll go to Henry Ford and weigh in there.  Kinda seems like a waste of time, but it's okay.  And I really hate weighing in the evening fully clothed. LOL But I know where I really am. Looking back, last time I was there I was 254 (a month ago) --- so hopefully I'll at least be 244 on their scale tonight.  Not the best WL in a month (on this plan) but hopefully she's happy. :)

Three days in a row I've been on plan completely.  Today will be no different :)  They're having a luncheon here at work for a girl who's getting married, but the most I'll have is some raw veggies from the veggie tray.  I'm feeling in control, so that is good!!  

Oh!  I got Claire to eat noodles last night! You'd think, 3 yr old - noodles - what's the big deal??  But this kid is not into pasta.  She gags looking at it -- but last night I got her to eat some plain pasta (wouldn't do the sauce) and she liked it.  I may or may not have bribed her with a hershey kiss to try it, but whatever - she ate more even after the chocolate was gone. LOL So this could be a turning point...maybe!  Oh and Beth, those hot dogs you gave us smell freakin amazing.  They've been a hit and I wish I could try one LOL Just sayin!

Tomorrow I have a day off -- excited for that!!  Gonna have to see if it rains, but so far it looks like it might be dry during the day!! That would be nice.  I'd like to get some inside and some outside stuff done -- but we'll see :)  Maybe go see a movie tomorrow night. Godzilla opens!! 

--Katie

30 --- it's not just my age...

Did it!  Officially 30 lbs lighter!!  Woot woot!!

Yesterday was another totally on-plan day!!  Went to dinner at my stepmoms and they were super sweet and roasted veggies -- asparagus, brussel sprouts, mushrooms and squash.  I had a plate of veggies and a pudding.  Didn't even have another pasta or meal!  So that was great.  As good as the turkey smelled, I didn't have even a bite!! Goooo me.  

Less than 3 lbs until I see the 230s.  That'll be another great moment and it's only days away :) Getting closer peeps!

Yesterday I walked around the building a couple times on my lunch.  It was nice at that point -- by the time it was quitting time, it was dark and storming so I was glad the first half of the day held up!  

Feeling good this morning --- seeing that I finally lost the 30 lbs officially was a good boost. I love that I'm {so close} to 239 and then it won't be long before I see 235.....  Those will be awesome days!! So below is a progress pic -- getting there, little by little.  Top pics were March 5th -- day 1 and bottom pics were yesterday.  Got a long ways to go still, but every day, every lb, is a step closer. 

~~~Don't count the days....Make them count~~~

Hope everyone has a great day!! 

-Katie

On plan!

Yesterday was totally on plan!  And of course, because I can't help myself, today I stepped on the scale.  245 --- soooo not tooo bad, but not good... I gotta stop these zig zags on my weight chart. It was awesome when it was just a steady downward line!  Gotta get back to that!!  2 weeks with no actual progress is not good {at all}.

Pinterest Link

I saw this on Pinterest yesterday and it's so true and so perfect for me.  I am going to say that other than the no "real food" the worst thing about this diet is what it does to my hormones.  I have such bad cramps today -- being a girl sucks sometimes.  lol  So today we'll be going out to my stepmom's for dinner and visiting with family.  I wasn't thinking this morning and I should've just brought all puddings today (instead of bringing a cheesesteak pasta for lunch) but it's okay - I know I'll have some veggies tonight and maybe another pasta or chik'n fajita instead of a pudding tonight.  

Friday I'm planning on having the day off and getting stuff done in the garden (weather permitting) and just stuff around the house.  Should be able to avoid eating and just burn some cals. :) Saturday is Lady Gaga with Steph! It'll be fun!! But I think I got this guys -- I think this week will be a piece of....carrot ;) 

I need to get off this little "self made plateau"and get into the 230's. 

I need to do this!!

So I am 1 for 1 on my "On Plan" goal :) Today will be another great day!

--Katie  

Day 1 of Operation Restart

Yes....so as pumped as I was Friday afternoon, I flaked out and decided that today will be my restart.  As scary as it is, I'm ready for weeks and weeks of perfection....  Fingers crossed that I can stay focused enough to do so.  

27 Days -- what's 27 days.... that's less than a month...  Of course, I'm striving to stay perfect a little longer, but this is all that I could fit on this sheet, plus this gets me through the BBQ/Grad/Retirement Party on June 7th.  It's gonna be a challenge for sure...

Some incentives
5 Days in a row: Sandy volunteered up a coupon for a free 30 min soak at this hot tub place nearby!
15 Days in a row: I think I'll get a gel manicure :) 
All 27 Days: Hair Color / Cut before our June date night

Oh Lordy... Let's not overthink this. One day at a time, right?!  

So this weekend I "unplugged" for a day and a half.  No facebook, emails, texting, or games.  The most I did was make a couple Mother's Day phone calls and then take pics.  It was so refreshing.  It was nice not feeling like I had to have my phone right by me....and it's funny because you realize how much everyone else is on their phone.  lol  I'm going to try to make a concious effort to spend less time on my phone when I'm hanging with friends and family.  It was really really nice.

Yesterday was Mother's Day and my little girl was very cuddly. That made it perfect :) I can't believe she's almost 3.  Time is flying - but I'm loving the imagination she has and the sweet person she is.  I couldn't be luckier!! 

Here's to Monday!  And here's to my restart!!  Let's get this done...and by done, I mean underway because by no means will I be "done" at the end of 27 days....I will just be getting started....  I def didn't weigh today -- but I'll weigh probably Wed or Thursday and hopefully I'll be at 244 or less.  Thursday I have to meet with my weight loss coach *dun dun dunnnnnn* TheSuperSkinnyGirlWhoThinksIDrinkTooMuchWaterAndNeverReallySoundsConfidentInTheThingsSheSays... Ugh.  She's nice, don't get me wrong, but I'm not looking forward to it.  There really isn't that much loss - now whether she notices or not, that's another story. Eh, we'll see I guess. Nothing I can do at this point except just stick to this 27 days of Perfection.  In those 27 days, I should be able to lose at least 12 lbs --- but I'd like to shoot for 20!!  With me weighing as much as I do, and the guidelines of this diet, that should truly be doable if I stick to this restart 100%.  225?  Yes Please!!  How awesome would 225 be?! Holy crap.  Thinking about it --- 225 by June 7th?! That would be sooo exciting.  

Okay --- so this is motivated Katie signing off....

Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...

<3 Katie

2 posts in one day...lucky you...

Well crap - okay, so I'm feeling better... I'm a girl, I'm allowed to do a 180..

So I have some VLCD supplements in my desk.  I think I'll just try to go with that today.  I know I already "screwed things up" by having a HL shake with fruit and water and some cashews a little bit ago..... but that doesn't mean I still need to eat the lara bar and banana and other HL shake I brought.  

So I'm going to try to just have the banana shake (ick) and the berry creme smoothie that I imagine is going to be gross (hence why it's just been sitting in my desk...) But I'm guessing I'll need to have the chik'n fajita meal too ---- that would bring my carbs up to 89 and my cals up to 908 for the day which I don't think will allow me to jump back into ketosis -- but at least I'll be on my way.  

Looking at a calendar --- there's 21 days before Claire's bday (all i want is a cupcake......I can freeze one...) .....and there are 42 days before our date/dinner reservations.... I need some cheap suggestions of incentives to keep me 100% perfect.  I honestly wish eating real food totally screwed up my stomach -- makes me want to slip myself some Alli (if it only worked that way hahahaha) But anyhow...  give me some suggestions.  Again, cheap/free -- and yes, I know that I'll feel better, blah blah blah... but I need to keep my head in this game.  

Annnnnnd GO!
--Katie

Feeling like a mess

So yesterday I went all day with a bad migraine at work.  I put my headphones in and turned the music super low just so people wouldn't bother me.  By midday, I was feeling sick to my stomach from the headache.  Meds weren't helping, diet pop didn't help... I was miserable.  I wound up having food for dinner last night and that actually did help.  I had a chicken shwarma wrap and a grape leaf - and it was amazing.  

I lost sleep over this last night.  Of course now we're coming up to a weekend.  We're going out to my mother in law's house on Sunday and BBQ'ing or something.  So I kept thinking - okay - so now what do I do. Do I just go back to VLCD and totally skip out (or hope I skip out) on anything mother's day or do I use up more of my HL since it's still doing something, using up supplements I have, and still allows me some real food since I'm not going into ketosis.... Ughhhhh this is so freaking hard.  I wish we never had plans, but we're always doing something....The next two months that have difficult points...

May
Mother's Day BBQ
Date night
Lady Gaga Concert
Memorial Day Weekend
Claire's Bday -- I really want a cupcake at least

June
My Bday
Grad/Retirement/Moving Party BBQ
Father's Day
Date night with dinner reservations
Vacation 

I'm already doing HL today so I feel like I should just keep that up through Sunday.  I feel like I can stick with Monday the 12th through Claire's bday.  Hopefully I'm feeling so f'n good by then that I say, cupcake? who needs a cupcake?!  It's gonna be freaking hard still. This is the hardest diet/eating plan I've ever ever done.  It's mentally taking a toll on me....but any diet/eating plan does.  I feel like I'm letting people down...and myself... I don't know.  

Blah.  

No sense to me typing any more though -- I don't really have anything useful to say.  But on a good note, it's Friday! Now if it could just be 4:00.....

--Katie

Less than a lb away....

...from 30 lbs. lost.  The scale gods just couldn't give it to me, could they?!  Guess not!!  I should remember that even though I've jumped back on the bandwagon after falling off, it's not likely that I'd see a 2 lb loss in a day.  1 lb is good.....1 lb is good.... 

Mayyyyybe tomorrow I'll see the 30 lb mark.  I just get so impatient sometimes.  And then that makes me want to eat.  Yesterday night I was a big complainer.  (Sorry Steve!)  I just get frustrated when I'm hungry and then I just want to say screw it, give me food.  

Today isn't starting off the best...between a headache (think I slept wrong) and forgetting my purse and being tired, it's gotta get better, right?!!! :) Right!!! I had my peanut bar already and am chugging the H2O.  I just hope that I don't feel as hungry as I did yesterday.  I think my Monster (Absolute Zero) helped curb my appetite honestely before.  Oh well!  

Oooh, check it out (okay, so to get a better pic, I just put them together - but I am wearing my rings again! All of them!!)  They're still a little snug when I'm warm, but whatevs....I'm wearing them :) 

I'm glad tomorrow is Friday.  Should be another good weekend.  Saturday is Monopoloy Day!! Hahaha, it'll be fun hanging out and passing GO and taking people's money!!  

I hope everyone has a great day --- it's Friday Eve :) 

<3 Katie

2 Perfect Days!!

And while I've been doing great, the scale barely budged... BUT I do need to keep reminding myself that I had two not perfect days too.  So my body is getting back into ketosis.  (KETOSIS HERE I COME!!!)  I'm sure I just confuse the hell out of my body when I "cheat" or have bad days.  I also should try to stick to raw veggies today.  I'm hoping that I see a 2 lb loss tomorrow, but we'll see.  Just gonna keep keeping on....and have some fiber... And maybe say a prayer or two to the scale gods.  :) 

Today's Menu:
Strawberry Cheesecake Bar
Chocolate Pudding
Cheesesteak Pasta
Mocha Pudding
Chocolate Shake

MmmmMMmmmMmmm I know you're jealous :)  I'm happy that I actually like the food though! That helps tons.  Yesterday we went for a nice walk as a family after dinner.  I don't see that happening today as it's pouring down like crazy.  Hopefully it doesn't last all day.  

A friend shared this link this morning.  I thought it was a good read and reminder!  I want to be successful!!
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11763/13-ways-successful-people-improve-themselves.html

I'll just elaborate my take on a few of these:

2. They hold themselves accountable.  Writing down the reason you want to make a change in your life creates accountability. Next write down when, where, and how you will complete it.

The reason I want to (and need to) make this change is to be a healthier and more active mom.  I also want to feel and look better.  I want to be proud of accomplishing my goals!  My first step to reaching this goal is sticking with my VLCD.  This should get me to 199 - hopefully by August (??) and then after that I can guage when I plan to accomplish my long term goal of 150!  

3. They don't rely solely on willpower. A well-established body of research tells us that willpower is a finite resource. In the face of multiple stressful stimuli, our willpower wears out. Roy F. Baumeister, a social psychologist at Florida State University, says, "Making decisions uses the very same willpower that you use to say no to doughnuts, drugs, or illicit sex." So when it comes to changing your dietary habits, for example, rely less on willpower—instead change your path so you're not tempted by sugary treats multiple times a day.

This is why I avoid the printer cube as much as possible -- it's right across from where all my evil co-workers leave donuts, bagels, cookies, chips, etc...  P.S. there's donuts today :( Gross! I used to eat at least 2...

4. They take it slow.  Once the habit is ingrained, you can try to tackle new habits, but wait at least three weeks before you even consider that. New studies show for a habit to be automatic it may actually take much longer than 30 days. A study led by Phillippa Lally, PhD, a psychologist at University College London, found that it actually took people 66 days (9.5 weeks) for a behavior to become automatic.

Say what?!!!?? UGH - 66 days?!  FML lol

11. They know that failing is not final.  Expect to fail along the way. If you never fail, the habit was too easy. Just get back to it and don't self-loathe. For motivation, remember the words of Winston Churchill, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

I think it's pretty evident that I understand this one ;) I may fall down, but I always get back up again.  Kinda like Chumbawamba said years ago....

Okay -- there's a Wednesday post for ya... Thank goodness it's Wednesday!!! 

--Katie

Owwwwww!

Isn't it funny how conditioned we are to just respond to questions sometimes?  "Good morning, how are you?" "Good! You?" ..... wait a second...hang on...I'm NOT good. My head feels like it's being crushed in a vise! 

Um, yeah...could be better!  lol I don't know if it's just because we want to keep the conversation short and sweet, or what, but I think about that sometimes (normally when I have a killer headache) and think it's kinda funny.  But I guess in passing, people probably don't really care how you really are doing....it's just the thing to say (in most cases) But we should do more caring.  And now I'm rambling.  And it's not helping my head. LOL

Last night I stepped on the scale just to guage where I might be at and goshdarnit it synced up to mfp before I could step off!  Nothing like an 8 p.m. weigh.  I couldn't delete the weigh in on my phone, so I had to wait until this morning. I did weigh this morning and I'm where I was on the 1st.  I'll see that number go down again tomorrow.  By the end of the week I'm gonna see 239.9!! Am I weird?  Just last summer I mowed the lawn for the first time, and I love it. LOL  I think it's a great workout and I really enjoy it.  I don't use the self propelled feature, so I burn more calories. Yeah, I'm weird. :)

Other than mowing the lawn, I did squats periodically throughout the day. I figured something is better than nothing!!  Fitbit told me I had over 7000 steps yesterday.  I do think I had more, but when grocery shopping I don't think it counted because I was pushing the cart.  But I haven't played around enough with it to see how accurate it is and what it's limitations are. 

How's everyone else doing??  Anyone can feel free to share their stories here too.  Successes and stuggles - I'm here to support everyone along the way!! As you know, I can relate!!! :)

<3 Katie <3

Back at it!!

Okay...feeling pumped!  

So weekend wasn't the best at all. Blah! BUT....I received so many compliments and acknowledgements on how great I look and am doing, it's totally got me refocused today!!  Started my day with a Lemon Meringue bar. Super yummy. Definitely the best bar that I've tried from BetterMD. So I'm not weighing today --- probably not for a few days.  I know I would not be down today!!  

All I've packed today are puddings.  Yay!! The weekend was a lot of fun.  The Derby Luncheon put on by AARDA was a blast as usual.  Even though I wasn't planning on bidding on items in the silent auction, I did, but only won one -- but that was cool.  At one time I was the leading bid for three items and thought Steve might have a heart attack when he found out. haha  But I won this awesome canvas tote from Trader Joes filled with goodies!! Stuff I can't eat, but still fun to win and yumminess for Steve and Claire :) 

Claire and I dressed for the occassion :) 

I was trying to find a picture from last year, but I couldn't. I wanted to do a comparison.  But I feel like I look much better than last year, so that works for me. LOL  Must stay focused....must stay focused.  Still have a long way to go :)  Gosh --- i just need to keep going so that I can see 199.. OMGIcan'twait!!! Pizza will not get me there. Pop will not get me there.  Ice cream, chocolate, chips, etc will not get me there. I'm feeling refreshed and ready to do this.  Remind me of this at 3 p.m. okay?? :)  I think I'll be fine today actually. I just feel really, really good.  Saturday I'm having people over to play Monopoly and I feel good that I can stay focused then too.  I just need to do this for me.  

WATER WATER WATER

Cheers!

--Katie

TGIF --- YES!

It's Friday...it's Friday...finally we made it!!!

So I weighed again this morning and was down again! Whoohoo!  Almost to the 30 lb mark.  

Dinner was ammmmazing last night.  Steve cooked our steaks perfectly!!  I'm really looking forward to tonight - we're doing a Scotch Doubles Bowling night with some friends.  I wish I could sleep in tomorrow, but I gotta pick the little miss up early because we've got our AARDA fundraiser Derby Luncheon.  That's gonna be a lot of fun too, though. I'm excited.  I donated a locket again this year.  Last year, it was a neck and neck competition between my aunt and another lady.  People get serious with their bidding :)  I love that we have this tradition though and that money is raised for a great cause.

It's 8 a.m. and I totally wish I was napping right now.  I think C had nightmares last night and it was rough.  At least we didn't stay up too late though - because between the rocky sleep and alarm going off at 5 a.m., that's not too much fun.  Going from VLCD to HL makes me feel hunger again. Like holy cow I was starving this morning.  Going back to VLCD on Sunday will be good.  I'm wondering if I'll see a big drop again or not.  I know that each time you go off of it, it seems harder to get back on, but I'm determined.  In the 2 months since i've started, I really should be down more than 30 lbs - just because of how much I dropped initially. But it's okay.  I'm human - I'm not going to let it get me down :) 

8.6 lbs to go until I reach my first real goal!!!  I'm totally gonna get there...soon!!! :) 

Have a great one guys! 

<3 Katie

It's Thurrrrsday!

So after my two days that included some bad choices (pizzzzzzzzzzza) - day 1 of HL under my belt and was slightly down today.  So I'll take that!! 

It was nice cooking a meal that Steve and I could both eat for dinner last night. Tonight we're going to have some amazing steak -- we HAVE to eat it so it doesn't get freezer burnt, ya know!  So three more days of HL and then I'll be back on VLCD.  This is good.  I still feel like I'm going to see 239 soon!! (6 lbs to go) Probably by Sunday I'd guess.  But that's just based on my past history with HL.  I'm not sure how my body will react coming off of VLCD to HL.  But it's gotta be better than nothing :) 

Keeping this short today!

--Katie