Frustrated

Yesterday was the end of my 28 day Fast Metabolism Diet. You must know that I maybe did 3 days of that perfectly. I cheated some. I started off feeling pretty good since I lost 4.7 lbs in the first couple weeks. Then I started gaining. I ended at 225. That is a 2.7 lb loss. It's still a loss, but all my measurements were bigger than when I started. WHAT?! I don't know what's up with that.

So anyway, I am giving the Fast Metabolism Diet another 28 days. I'm gonna trust it this time and not cheat. I am throwing a birthday party for a friend next weekend, and I'm gonna cheat that one day, but that's it.

Now, if after 28 days, I don't feel like this is working, I'm going back to Boot Camp. Gonna take the workout like a maniac approach. I'm not going to use that option until after the Iron Horse Half Marathon in October since I can't fit boot camp and half training in at the same time and have time for my family.

I'm not going to promise anything, but I'm going to TRY to post here every day. I feel like the accountability would help.

So today, here I sit at 225 lbs and I've got the following food to look forward to:
Breakfast:
Strawberry French Toast
2 slices Ezekiel bread
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla
a few shakes of cinnamon
1 cup quartered strawberries
squeeze lime juice
1 tsp stevia

Whisk together egg whites, vanilla, and cinnamon. Let bread soak up mixture on both sides. Cook on non stick skillet, turning once, until browned.

Meanwhile, heat strawberries, lime juice, and stevia over medium heat until warm.

Serve strawberries over toast.

Snack: Orange

Lunch: Open faced chicken sandwich on ezekiel bread, carrots, and grapefruit

Snack: Apple

Supper: Grilled chicken tenders, broccoli, and brown rice.

Snack: Strawberries

Really not a bad day...sounds pretty good. Of course I already want chocolate.

A Fresh Start: The Fast Metabolism Diet

It's shameful how long it's been since I posted on here. I hope to be better. Last time I posted here I talked about some problems I was having in my personal life that were really taking a toll on my weight loss journey. Well, I got those under control. But instead of going back to the plan I was doing at the time, I wanted to step back and rethink my approach.

I am so sick of dieting. I've been watching my weight since I was 12. I have worried about most of the things I have put in my mouth since then. I have counted sooooooooo many calories. I have eaten nothing but cereal (I took the special K diet to a whole new extreme in college), and starved myself. I have wrecked my metabolism with 19 years of crash dieting. I can not do it anymore.

BUT, I can not stand being fat any more either. I want to be healthy and fit and I don't want to have to carry all this extra weight around.

And let's be honest, I don't want to look at pictures of myself and be like, "Who is that person?"

A friend of mine mentioned The Fast Metabolism Diet on her blog a while back. It's basically a diet (not a good word...it's more of a lifestyle change) that repairs your metabolism and gets it back to burning energy like it should instead of storing fat. I ordered the book. Instantly I was drawn in because the author got her degree in animal science, and while I don't agree on all of her views (such as hormones in milk and organic meats), her science is sound. It just made sense.

It starts you off in a phase based food plan. Days 1-2 are good carbs, fruits, veggies, and lean protein. Days 3-4 are lean meat and veggies. I actually thought that would be the worst but I actually don't mind it that much. Days 5-7 are everything above plus good fats.

The main rules are no soy, no wheat, no corn, no dairy (WHAT!? the hardest part for me), no sugar, no caffeine, no artificial anything.

I will be perfectly honest....I have not had a complete day where I have not cheated.

That being said, I have lost 4.5 lbs in 2 weeks....with the cheats. It's good to have the scale moving, but more importantly, I feel better. I feel less flabby when I'm running as well. My running has taken a hit as I just don't have as much energy as I did before, but that is getting better. My body is getting used to using this new fuel instead of the junk I've been eating.

I've learned that I like sprouted grain bread. So does James. I love to make egg white french toast with it and top it with strawberries or blackberries. I love chicken sausages. Brown rice pasta (while expensive) tastes just as good as regular pasta.

This diet is expensive. The food costs lots more than what I usually ate and fed my family. There is also a lot of cooking involved. Yes, I love to cook...no I don't care to do it at every meal.

I'm still striving to have a perfect day. I will be finishing out the 4 week repair portion of this diet and then I am going on maintenance until after the Iron Horse 1/2 Marathon and then I'm going to do it again....hopefully better next time.

I will keep ya'll posted on my progress and issues! I hope for much positive change!

Taking some time

Hi yall! I'm sorry it's been so long. We went on vacation last week and I really didn't have much to say about my weight loss.

And yesterday something happened that rocked me to the core. I'm having trouble focusing on anything and I know that my body goes crazy when I am stressed. I still plan to lose it. I still plan to blog about my weight loss journey but I've got to get something straightened out. I'm not going to talk about it here....but please pray for Michael, the boys, and me.

I will be back soon ready to talk about weight loss.

My Week

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I don't have a decent excuse.

Monday, I was grouchy grumpy. I blame lack of food. I was needing to go to the grocery and didn't have much that I could eat in the house. What I did have, Joseph stole....apples, smoothies, etc.

Tuesday, I felt back to myself. I ran 3 miles with the stroller that evening. Now, that is a workout. I am much slower when I run with it, but I feel like I work so much harder.

Wednesday was more of the same. I did a speedy 2 miles on the treadmill that night.

Yesterday, I was RAVENOUS! I could not eat enough. It's one of those times when it's good not to have much in the house that is unhealthy. I have found that when I'm actively trying to watch what I'm eating, I had better not have anything tempting at all in the house. And I can be pretty creative. I finally fixed myself a big bowl of oatmeal last night. While I try not to limit carbs in the evenings, it really hit the spot. I went for an easy 3 mile run with the dogs last night. I really enjoyed it.

This morning, I stepped on the scale and had lost 2.2 lbs. WOO HOO! It always feels good to see progress.

Well, I've got a book from the library that is overdue that I need to finish, so I'm gonna sign off for today. Hope everyone has had a great week!

Let's Not Count That One (Day 3)

Yesterday was a super fun day....but it was a fail as far as the diet plan was concerned. We always go out for lunch after church and it is almost always mexican. That's what Joseph always picks. He loves some rice and beans.

I tried to be good...I got the Pollo Pablano which is basically grilled chicken and peppers. I had planned to be very in tune with only eating until I was just full. Then Michael made a comment about me eating all that super processed food and it angered me. So I probably ate a bit much in my anger. I know...it's really a silly thing to get mad about but don't mess with a woman who's taking in massive amounts of fiber and little to no sugar...am I right?

Then we went to Indianapolis to meet up with some friends at the zoo. And while I did pack a few healthy snacks, I didn't pack my vitamins or anything. And when we went out for supper, I ended up having a steak sandwich and fries. Fail.

That's ok...today is a new day. A day 3 do over as well. It's also the first week of my half marathon training. Today is a stretching day. I have my first half marathon in 12 weeks!! So excited!

Day 1

Sorry for not posting last night like I said I would. One thing led to another: grocery shopping, cooking supper, putting kids to bed...next thing I knew it was well after 10 and I was exhausted. Plus, I had left my notes with my weight and measurements in James' room and he was sleeping. I would rather walk through fire than risk waking him.

Anyway, I felt pretty good on my first day of detox. I will admit I almost lost it when I was at the grocery, but I held it together. REALLY wanted a cupcake....

I typically feel ok the first day though...it's the 3rd or 4th day that gets you. The cravings really go crazy.

I will get into my plan more in the next post. I simply wanted to check in and post my initial stats and pics.

Weight: 227.7 lbs
Body Fat: 36.2%
BMI: 32.9

Measurements:
Bicep: 15"
Chest: 44"
Waist: 39.5"
Hip: 47"
Thigh: 27.5"
Calf: 17.25"

My goal weight is 175 lbs. I haven't weighed that in a long time. The lightest I have ever been (since I was 18) is 163 lbs my senior year of college. And saying that I got there in a less than healthy way would be an understatement.

Here are my before pictures:

My sweet boy

I'm Losing It!!

I'm creating this page as an off shoot of my main blog "The Non-Sceincy Animal Scientist." I wanted somewhere to blog about my weight loss journey that was separate in case some of my readers who keep up with my blog for family updates and such dont care to read about supplements, weigh ins, etc.

But if you care about such things, stay tuned. I'm starting a 24 day jump start challenge that is my own version of a popular weight loss company's detox and cleanse program. I'm not going to name names since I don't know if that could get me in trouble or not...should anyone read this blog.

I'm promise to keep it real here....I will be telling my ACTUAL weight and measurements as well as being honest about how I feel during this journey. It will be a long one. I've got at least 50 pounds to lose. I may even go further than that.

I will be posting a "before" picture tonight once my husband gets home and can take one. I will also post my beginning stats at that time. Tomorrow, I will post a synopsis of my plan.

So, if this sounds interesting to you, please stay tuned!!