It's not a Plateau

(Said like, "it's not a tuuuu-mah!)

15 lbs in 29 days is not a plateau. Think of it that way instead of not having lost anything in 5 days. I mean really, if you lost 15 lbs in two months, that's still 2 lbs a week!! Hello? Perspective, much?

Ha! I'm feeling the same way.

Good to chat with you today. I'm so proud of us. I hope that you're work out at lunch was productive. I'm about to eat lunch and then head to the gym in a bit.

Bummer about your Mummy Tummy book. That stinks. A girdle? Ok, I know that's not the answer you're looking for either.

I know, Netflix has workout video? I should have one arriving today or tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. I've never really had much luck/interest in them. But, I've heard good things about the 30 day shred with Jilliam Michaels, even though she annoys me.

Tonight will be leftovers of some sort. Dal or split pea soup probably. My breakfast biscuits were ok, check them out on my blog. They'll be good when I need something quick and they froze beautifully. Oatmeal soon, yay!

What else are you cooking?

The 1st Plateau

So Ricotta not so much huh. I am a big fan of the watchin carb ice cream bars... very yummy for a sweat treat. Ok So I am still holding at 15lbs. I think I am going to go back to phase I for a week or two to see some results.  I can't believe how good Ryan is looking. Damn men and their speedy weight loss. So your Ricotta was a bust, my mummy tummy was a bust. STOOPID book. All it talks about is how you need to order her special equipment to see real results. I may check out that DVD you mentioned. So Netflix does workout videos, who knew. 

I have to say that I am so proud of you. You sound like you are in such a good mind frame, and to be honest the best mind frame I have seen/heard in awhile. You have created such a nice life for yourself and you have been through so much, Well done my friend. I am jazzed too about this lifestyle change. I am not starving, we are having fun cooking and we have become WAY more organized now that we pre-plan and cook all our meals. Talk about time saving. 

So we are both doing good, I want for us to be supportive of Miss S.  once she has the baby. I know she is going to take a dip on the low side once she has delivered (we all do as mom's, we think we will immediately have our post baby shape back). She really wanted to lose more weight before she got pregnant and whatever method she uses i.e. Jenny Craig, South Beach, we should see if she wants to join our little blog. 

OK. Today is the day I am committing to working out on my lunch hour. We have a gym here at work with ellipticals, etc.. and I am just going to have to be stinky for the rest of the day. 

I really can't wait to see you!!!! Only 25 more sleeps! 

Ricotta = FAIL!

Yeah, that was a waste of $5 on fat free ricotta. I think I'll freeze it to make lasagne. I'm thinking of doing a half zuchinni/half lasagne noodle dish to cut the carbs. At least then I won't have to toss the ricotta.

I did come up with a fun little breakfast/snack thingy though. I know it's not Adkins we're doing here, but it's tasty.

I LOVE fried ham. So I have ham, toss it in the fry pan, flip it once when it gets warm and add a little bit of grated cheddar to it and roll it up to make a kind of ham & cheese burrito/taco-y thing. Cheesey and salty, which is what I've been craving lately. I'm having that and a big ol' salad for lunch right now and then I'm going to hop in the car and head to the gym.

I hope I can get my car out of it's spot. I haven't started it in over 2 weeks. It might be iced in! Yikes!

I have to tell you, I'm completely jazzed! I'm just feeling good about my choices and the future. I'm having fun cooking. It's kind of like a little competition with myself to figure out how to eat the MOST food for the LEAST about of damage. I'm really trying to do whole foods, nothing prepared/prepackage. (Except those silly spring rolls last night). I've been making all of my salad dressings, too.

I have a can of mandarin oranges and I think I'm going to do the salad that we LOVE with the oranges, raisins, walnuts with the rice wine dressing for dinner tonight with grilled chix.

I wish that I liked yogurt. I just can't do it with the tangy weirdo flavor. I did buy some egg white beaters to try and do the quiche cups. I'm scared. I wonder if I do something with bisquick or whole wheat flour that would make it easier for me. I'll investigate!

Too Much Time on My Hands

I post way more than you do. Oh, what's that you say? I don't have two kids, a husband and a job outside of the house? Oh, right, I don't!

I hope I entertain you! I kinda feel like these posts are our own secret diary between each other.

Back from the gym again. I'm trying to not drive when time allows. Something like this:

Walk 5 minutes to the bus stop
Wait for the bus (in the cold)
Ride the bus for 30 minutes or so
Walk for 10 minutes to the gym

And do the same in reserve back home, so I'm getting an extra 30 minutes of movement in. I won't always be able to walk since it takes over two hours!

Ok, I'm ending phase 1 a day early. I'm over it and I have my period, so I'm adding in fruit. I'm going to try that for a week and then grains.

I was seriously craving either nachos or grilled cheese today and I managed to overcome that. Oh, and I did find these little veggie spring rolls at Whole Foods in the frozen food section. Five of them are 250 calories with 25 grams of carbs. I had that and a big old salad tonight for dinner. I figured that was smarter than a plate of nachos. So, fruit after tonight.

I also decided I'm going to try Spenda sweetened ricotta with berries for a sweet treat. I used 1/4 cup of ricotta and a splash of vanilla with two packets of Splenda and whipped it. It's in the freezer to have with fresh berries. We'll see how that turns out.

Ok, night!

Hi, My Name is Geg...

and I've lost 14 pounds!!!

EEEEeeeeeeeeeeee!

14 pounds? WTF? I'm so excited and close on your heels! (Of course, that was weighing AFTER a poop this morning, but I don't care!) 14 lbs is 14 lbs. I feel like this hasn't been so hard. I actually don't even recall it being hard when I did it the first time. It's not that it's hard, it's just that it's easier not to do it.

I know that this is going to get tougher and I'll have to stick with it. I have to remind myself that the goal here isn't just to lose weight, but to get and STAY healthy. The goal isn't so much getting there, it's staying there. I got there once, but as for staying there? I failed miserably.

You know how you hear about people who have "body dysmorphia"? Usually girls who are super skinny who see themselves as cows? I think I'm kinda the opposite. Denial much? I mean, I don't see myself as thin, but I've never really seen myself as heavy as I am. Not good. Trying to get a reality check.

Will you please be the kind of friend to help me with a reality check? As in, if you see me and I'm looking a little chunky -- ask me about it? Remind me that I need to keep my ass in gear! I know that you'll love me know matter what, but I need an extra set of eyes and perspective.

Ahhh....Paris! We were both so thin. And young. And carefree. My how things change.

I'm so proud of you for losing 15 pounds. I think that's excited and I can't wait to see you. S mentioned to me a few days ago that she saw you whenever it was and that she could already tell a difference in you. That's impressive!

Now, for you, missy! Get out there and get moving! Now is the time of year in Phoenix that's perfect for doing outdoor stuff? Take the boys for a walk around the neighborhood in the fancy stroller you have. You and Ryan should totally do the walks that we used to do on Saturdays when we did Squaw Peak. Fun!! I know that the gym is hard for you, as far as getting away. I've heard that the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels is pretty good. I have it in my Netflix queue to see if I like it or not. And the Biggest Loser Cardio Max, too. I love that you can sample these on Netflix.

Tell me what you learn from your Mummy Tummy book. Sounds interesting.

I'm really proud of you and excited to see you. I have visitor passes for you for the Y while you're here. Yes, I can put up with you from Tuesday to Saturday as long as you'll spoon with me. Is your conference Wed-Fri?

So, let's see, you're here in four weeks from tomorrow? A little friendly competition? Say 8 lbs by then? If we both lost 8 lbs by then, we'd be at a total of 23 lbs each!!! That's almost 50 lbs lost between the two of us! Dang!!!

15lbs!!!

Wow, I am so excited. I have achieved my weight loss goal for the month of January. 15lbs. It's funny, I thought my clothes would be a whole lot baggier, however not so. Well let me re-phrase it. They are looser in specific areas, Shirts fit better, legs are baggier, but the lower stomach, while definitely has gone down is still my big problem area.

I ordered a book called "how to lose your mummy tummy" it is written by a RN/certified mid-wife who saw that over her years of experience and follow up with her clients that regular ab exercises does not help women who have had children either naturally or by c-section. It's dedicated to working the transverse ab muscle which "Regular" sit ups and balance ball work does not accomplish. I am excited so we shall see.

You know what else I am excited about.... OUR DINNER OUT!!! Seriously Bug, I miss you so much too and can't wait to see you. We have so much catching up to do. Also just want to confirm that I am staying with you the whole time so Tuesday-Sat. Hope you can handle me...

To your point about being motivated about the size 8 that you were, I was looking at our Paris pictures. Wow both of us looked so GREAT! We are well on our way to looking that fabu again.

I made your bean and chicken stew with Swiss chard last night. LOVED IT. So yummy and filling.

Tonight is Cod with Olive Tapenede and grilled asparagus. Yum.

Talk to you later.

Sunday

Today is the day. I'm getting off my arse and going to join the Y today. I did get to exercise when I was in CA last week and NC, too. So, it's not that I haven't "gotten off my arse", I'm just now getting around to it.

AND....I'm my way to the gym, I'm going to stop at the shoe store to buy my 10 lbs reward...Smartwool socks. My feet have been chilly, so these will be welcome for my tootsies. Remember? I'm doing rewards every five pounds so I don't get distracted.

I've lost 12 lbs so far. Only 3 more pounds until my raggedy ass feet get a pedi!!

My new fave veggie is Swiss chard. I washed it and cut it pretty finely and I'm keeping a big ol' bag in the freezer and I've been adding it to everything, mostly recently a very tasty chili with kidney beans, black peas & field peas. I also added a small can of chipotle sauce (not the can with the peppers, just the sauce) and it was good!! Is it wrong that I've eaten chili for every single meal for the last two days? Yes, I've eaten chili for six meals in a row. Beano, please?

I think I may have mentioned that I had a little "carb hiccup" in NC this week, but I'm back on track now. My two weeks would have been over tomorrow, but I'm extending to Friday and maybe even Monday if I can make it. Lentils are my new friend. I want to figure out a good recipe for dal. Have you ever made dal?

Funny, yesterday for some reason, I feel like I could tell a difference in my clothes. Dang if that didn't motivate me! Hello? Size 16? No thank you!!! I'm remembering just HOW EXCITED I was when I got into a size 8 back at least 100 years ago. It was a great feeling and I'm trying to channel that for motivation.

Ok, I'll check in later.

Have a great week, Buggy. I miss you and love you and can't wait to see you in less than a month!!! Bring your workout clothes!

Edited at 8 p.m.:
I did all the stuff on my list...the hardware store, the new socks and I joined the YMCA.

The hardware store was for a lock for my locker at the Y. Those combination locks remind me of gym class in Junion High and made me a little axious.

Then, off the Alamo Shoes for my new socks (remember, my 10 lb reward). Sounds funny to have socks as my reward, but dang, they're expensive!!! Give pairs of socks were EIGHTY BUCKS. But, I had $8 in coupons and the socks were buy 4 get 1 free, so I got them for $58. I LOVE THEM. Warm feets are important.

My trek to the Y was fun. I took the bus and got some extra walking in. The Y is a huge old building and I haven't figured out the floor plan at all. I'm sure there has to be another room with cardio equipment, because the room I was in today only had about 8 treadmills and 6-8 ellipticals. I did 35 minutes on the ellipticals.

The 14 Day Update

Ok so it's official. I completed phase I on SBD and lost a grand total of 12 lbs. I am really excited and can start to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I was going to stay on phase I for a few more weeks but decided to do a modified transition to phase II. I really love my bread and damn it if I am not going to have my one piece of whole grain bread a few times a week. So my goal for January was/is 15 lbs so I have one week and three days left to lose 3 more lbs so I hope I make it.

Exercise. Yup. Need to do it.

I know that will make all the difference in the world.

Ok on a side note, I am super crabby today. Wish I wasn't but I am having a bit of a personal melt down. I am feeling pretty alone right now, I wish I wasn't feeling that either. I don't want to be whiny or a martyr so I will leave it at that for now.

In the next few days once I catch my breath I will post some really yummy recipes from SBD cookbook 30 minute meals.

Ten Pounds?

I've lost ten pounds, if I go back to how much I weighed before the holidays when I lost a few pounds. I'm using that because it makes me feel encouraged to have lost ten pounds. Is that cheating? I mean, I did weigh 10 pounds more six weeks ago.

I'm heading out the door to catch my flight to NC. Blech. I just want to sleep.

I bought this when I was in CA. I found it at TJ Maxx for twenty bucks and though, why not? It's hard. I did one of the 55 minute DVDs yesterday and only got through about 40 minutes before I finally wimped out. I like that it has resistance bands. But, there is some tae bo and I'm so not coordinated and it threw me off a little. I'll just keep at it until I get it down.

I'm planning to hit the store today when I arrive and get all of the fixings to make my own lunch for the meetings this week. Hopefully that will help. We only have organized events tonight and Wednesday. Tomorrow night is off, so that's good. And I'm hitting the gym tonight too! Whoo hoo!

Today is Day 6 of SBD and damn if I don't really want something sweet. I haven't been doing anything with Splenda or anything, but I may have to rustle up a sugar free fudgsicle soon. I could annihilate a Snickers bar or something today. I will not give into temptation this week!

How are you? What's going on? Update please? Did you lose another 10 pounds you overachiever, you?

It's on like Donkey Kong...

Today is day two of SBD for me. I think you're already into week three, right?

I had some minor victories today. First, I got the heck out of Chicago. The windchill was -24 when I left this morning and it was 80 when I landed in Orange County. Is Ryan here for NAM?

Airports are always like a free for all for me. As if anything eaten in the confines of an airport doesn't actually count. WRONGO! I picked up a bag of almonds for a snack.

For dinner I had Pei Wei. I've missed it. You can eat an entire plate of Spicy Korean Shrimp for 560 calories (that's two servings(. It was hard to pass on the rice. That sauce was crying for rice, but as Sonja pointed out...that rice was crying to be on my ass!! I didn't eat the whole thing, but I did eat about 75% of it. It was tasty.

Then I carried myself to Whole Foods for stuff for the room. I picked up a chicken leg and salad for tomorrow's breakfast. I also got some orange bell peppers, tomatoes and baba ganoush for snacks. Yum! Thankfully I have a fridge in my room.

And then guess what I did? Go ahead guess. You never will.

I went to the GYM! The Gym! Hello? I walked for 40 minutes at a pretty good pace and a good incline. It kicked my ass. I am so out of shape. But, you know what? I'll never be as out of shape again as I was today. I'll never weigh what I weigh today, again!

Planning to hit the gym here in the hotel again tomorrow. It's actually a nice gym. I'm thinking the elliptical tomorrow.

Are you keeping a food diary? I'm using Spark People the best that I can.

So, I was thinking....wanna make this interesting? Maybe a little bet that we can settle up on in New Orleans? Maybe highest percentage of weight? Our own personal Biggest Loser Challenge? Wanna? (By the way, you're already winning!)

Can you give me an update please?

Hump Day

I really quite like this little bloggy program we've got going here.

First! Super de duper congratulations on 10 pounds. You rock my world and I feel a little inferior. I'm holding steady at 6 pounds. Girl, whatever you decide to do about your tummy is up to you and I'm behind you. Surgical intervention is not for me. One, I'm scared. Two, I'm too cheap...hello, vacay? And three, I'll just deal with it. I'm more worried about what I look like with clothes on than without. I can't even think about the prospect of someone else seeing me with my clothes off. Yikes!

Today is Day One on meat and on Phase 1 of SBD. Meat is good! I love it. I had groceries delivered this a.m. and there is lots of good stuff.

Even though I'm gone for the next week, I'll have stuff in the freezer and ready to go. Tonight, I'm making this. Looks yummy, huh? Of course, I have to make alterations. I'm using turkey smoke sausage and then I added swiss chard, cauliflower and some sun dried tomatoes (dried, not packed in oil). I'm only making a half batch or so, so I'll freeze it for when I'm home.

Aside from that, it's pretty much salad city for me for the next week when I'm traveling. Alot of the other girls at work are dieting, so it'll be easier. We have two organized nights out, but they're apps only and we have one night off. I already talked to one of the girls and we're going to go shopping for snacks and to make salads to bring to the office AND we're going to bring our gym clothes to work out, too!

Tomorrow, I head to the OC and I'm staying at a nice Marriott, so I'll be using the gym. I get in at 4 tomorrow afternoon and there's no reason I can't be at the gym before dinner!

You know I HATE the gym and hate working out. Remember back when we used to do Saturday morning hikes? And Colleen worked out with me at the gym in the office? Wow, what a gift that was. Oh well, I can do this by myself.

My goal for January is 10 lbs. I am a slow loser. But, I'm a loser!

10lbs!

OK so craziness I know, but it's official. I have lost 10lbs so far on phase I of SBD. I know most of it is water and some from the detox but I will take it. My stomach is noticeably less bloated as is my face. Geggie, Now the hard part is coming. How can I get motivated to start working out. I HATE WORKING OUT. There is just no getting around it I know. My biggest area of concern is my lower abs. After two babies and two C-section my ab muscles are just stretched to the max and in deep deep hibernation. I am scared I will never get some resemblance of my old tummy back. No mind you Geg, I don't need to have rock hard abs or a six pack. But there is the portion now of my lower stomach that is extra skin and I am fearful that the only way it will go away is by surgery.



Obviously that would be a last resort, I will work my ass off with diet and exercise first, but I have to admit for the 1st time in my life I am actually considering a "enhancement" type surgery. We'll see... It's lot's of money to spend that we don't have any business spending.



So lot's going on with me in the next two weeks. I have decided to extend phase I another two weeks before introducing whole grains back into my diet. My goal for January is 15lbs and I would really like to make that 1st big loss as I know things will slow down considerably once I re-introduce the right whole grain carbs. Then I have my new trainer starting on Thursday. I am super excited about her, she is great. Tuesday the 20th I start back to school at UoP, I have been working towards my degree in HR management and took a hiatus once Julian was born. It's all online, however I am really nervous about how I am going to manage it all. However I will do it. I have not done anything developmentally for myself since my divorce with A.M. so it's time. Once I have that completed I am going to go for the Masters and then call it a day. I have really found my niche in the Training/HR world so I figure might as well go all in right.



All those suggestions sound Fab for Chicago. On Thursday night what I will probably do is make that the night I take my employee and a few people from class out to dinner and then meet up with you after class somewhere downtown. We can figure it out. I would love to try Bon Soiree, maybe Friday night???? My only request is that Friday night is our night to hang out and have a rockin good time. My flight leaves later in afternoon on Saturday so we can sleep in! Mommy never gets to do that!

OK enough for now and back to work. Talk to you later.

Sunday!

Yesterday was crazy with school and then going to the Sketchfest. It didn't feel like I had the day off since I left the house at 8 in a blizzard and arrived home at 4:30, in a blizzard!

There's a foot of snow on the ground here. Life goes on, but I'm trying to figure out how to deal with it.

I'm doing pretty well with the eating. Not raw completely, but vegan yes. Today I made a great dish for lunch. When you're on to phase two, you should try it. I'm going to start phase one next Monday (when I'm in NC).

Roasted Veggie Quinoa
I roasted: sweet potato, carrots, green peppers and broccoli with;
1 shallot minced
Garlic
Thyme
S&P
Balsamic & Olive Oil

I roasted for 12 minutes, stir and 12 mins more.

In the meantime, I made quinoa. 1 cup of veg broth with 1/2 cup of quinoa.

Thrown everthing together with fresh basil and YUM!

By the time you get to Chicago, But, I'll have joined the Y so we can actually go workout if you'd like! Whoo hoo! Us on the treadmills.

And since we'll be working out, we can also eat! Here are places that I want to try:

(Do you leave on Saturday or Sunday? I know you arrive on Tuesday night.)

Urban Belly. It's gotten great reviews. Definitely need to get the Short Rib & Scallion Rice and the Pork Belly Ramen with Shitaake & Pho Broth. Yum!

Bon Soiree. It's getting all the buzz in town. $55 for five courses and BYOB. I'm in heaven. There are only 27 seats in the restaurant. The menu is ever changing, but wow if that oxtail dish doesn't sound spectacular.

Ok, ok, so we can eat the entire trip. (I mean, I know we can, but we probably shouldn't.)

What else do you want to do? TMLMTBGB is a great show. It's right down the street. I think I'm going to take Ash, but the show is always changing, so no big deal.

I hate to do it, but I do have class on the Thursday that you're in town and I can't miss it. But, it's in a great part of town, so I can set you on your way for a bit and then meet up with you for a late dinner when class is over. Or, there's a free set at 10 p.m. every Thursday that we can check out.

There are also some other shows at Second City that we can check out.

The Chicago Art Institute is free on Thursday nights, so actually, you could do that when I'm in class if you want.

What else do you want to do? Live music. Check. Theatre. Check. Museums. Check.

There's over a foot of snow on the ground and I have to go out to exchange a space heater that blew.

T.G.I.F.

WOW. Today is the day. I feel great. Seriously, less bloated, more energy. This is what it is all about. I am not having insane dreams of french fries or french bread anymore so that is a positive as well. O.K. So here is my reward list.

Lbs Lost:
10- Pedicure
20- Pedicure and Manicure
30- 90 minute body massage
40- New underthings and one pair seven jeans
50- Weekend trip to Rocky Point to show off my bikini! (Tankini actually, I am a realist and my baby belly still has stretch marks.)

I figure I lose 2lbs a week average it should take me 6 months to lose the fat.

A Light Bulb

Geggie I am so proud of you too! It takes much discipline to do the master cleanse. The detox that I am using you can buy from Trader Joe's- Trader Darwin's Full Body Detox is the name of the product. I am sure you can find em at any whole foods or health store as well. I just like the price of this one 12.99 for 14 days.

Yesterday I hit an emotional wall, or rather slammed into it. It was 5:45 James was being needy and wanting me to hold him, Julian was having a total overtired meltdown and I am trying to make dinner after fighting with James on eating his and Julian being fussy. It was the can opener. First off I will admit I am can opener challenged, I grew up with the under the counter black and Decker automatic opener. We have a manual one that I can't seem to get to work right and generally feel like the village idiot. So the stage is set, pan to one Bug in the kitchen with son number one clinging to her leg, son number screaming like we beat him and can opener NOT opening the Goddamn can of cannelloni beans. I now need to replace my kitchen window. O.K. not really, I did contemplate it though. What actually happened was me bursting into tears and yelling and the can opener right as Ryan walked through the door.

Ryan is good, no. He is great. I don't typically meltdown like this, I can't with the kids around. He immediately swooped in, took the offending can opener from my hands, took James and Julian in his big arms and told me to go chill out for a minute. That's why I married this man, the crazed look of me about to throw a can opener out our kitchen window all the while laughing maniacally does not phase him. However I digress, this does have a point and does relate to our diet. The minute I went to our room and closed the door I laid on the bed. Once I closed my eyes I started thinking about food. I wanted a Oreo cookie blizzard, chocolate chip cookies, crusty french bread. I have read countless time about stress and eating and I know about cortisol etc... I also know that I tend to be an emotional eater, however I have never had a chance to put a finger on it. I felt like a loser. Ashamed. Until I took a breath, a pretty deep one and told myself this is a demon I am going to fight for the rest of my life. Just because something doesn't go my way I can't shove a cookie in my face to make it better, in the end it makes me feel worse and so the vicious cycle begins. OK that is enough for today esoteric stuff huh.

Let's keep up the good work.

Rewards!

You know I love rewards. I put together a little reward system for myself:

I had to do small increments to stay interested:

10 pounds - new Smartwood socks
15 pounds - a pedicure
20 pounds - hair cut & color without remorse for the Chicago prices
25 pounds - the new Alice Waters' cookbook
30 pounds - new gym shoes
35 pounds - new silk long underwear
40 pounds - a facial at Aveda
45 pounds - a new iPhone
50 pounds - new underthings

That's a start, right?

Hump Day Hump Day

Today is Day 5 on the Master Cleanse for me. I'm still plugging away.

I feel much better than I did yesterday. By about 7 last night, I was feel just about normal (whatever that is). I had a couple cups of tea and lots of water and I'm all good.

Strangely, I seem to be getting big bursts of energy in the evenings. It seems like I start to get ready for bed about 10 and then I'm not sleepy so I do laundry or putz around the house. I'm getting stuff done, so that's good!

I just need to find someone to take the trash out, that's my least favorite chore and it's COLD out there. More snow overnight, and it's kinda sunny today and more snow expected later in the day.

The SWF is getting easier and the "eliminations" are getting more interesting. That's all I'll say. I definitely have to start on probiotics as soon as I'm finished to get some good bacteria back into my system.

Here's my plan for exercise. First, I think that maybe I overdid it on my walk yesterday and that's why I felt faint/dizzy? Between the fast walk, the cold and lack of food...ya think? I have to travel from the 15th to the 23rd, so the last week of the month I'm planning to join the Y. Hopefully, the "January Joiners" will have lost interest by then and it won't be so busy. The Y is running a promo -- no sign up fee if you sign up in January and the monthly fee is $47, which is good for around here. The gym closest to my house is $69 a month and $299 initiation fee. Dang!

I'm trying to figure out if I'm going to fast for the whole 10 days or just eight and do the OJ for the last two days, so it would still be a full 10 day fast. I just want to get the most benefit from the actual cleanse, knowwhatimean? What cleanse are you doing? Do you like it? I may try that in another six weeks or so.

Off to do more work and drink my fabulously delicious spicy lemonade! Yum!

BTW, I'm proud of you! I'm really looking forward to salad! Yum. And oddly, I'm craving chili, so I think that will be one of my first SBD goodies to make!

A Bit Better

So day four is underway and I am hoping that I may have turned a corner. I am still not sleeping well at night, but I woke this am with no backpain, or screaming headache that I have had for the last three days. I am also not as tired today as I have been. So we shall see what the next few days bring.

Geg, are you o.k? I am worried. Did you hurt anything in your fall? Take it easy today, it may be time to easy back into solids if this doesn't get better. Let me know how the rest of the day goes.

Spoke too soon...

I might have.

About that whole no severe reactions to the detox yet. Rewind and do over. As I write this, I'm laying on the couch feeling dizzy and nauseous and generally yucky.

I had a big burst of energy and had to go to Fedex to send a package and figured I'd walk...in the snow. I bundled up and don't you know, I slipped on a patch of ice under the snow right in front of my building. I'm fine, thanks for asking.

I walked briskly to Fedex about 3 blocks away and started home. I was just a block from the house when a wave of dizziness and nausea overcame me. I got in the house and sat down to work and was still feeling dizzy when I had to rush to the bathroom to "eliminate". Boy howdy.

Still dizzy, the nausea gave why to dry heaves and a little vomiting. Vomiting what, fercrissake? Bile and a little peppery lemonade. Gag me some more why don't you.

I don't know if my brisk walk was to much for me or what.

I've made a cup of tea and I'm almost done for the day. I'm just going to continue to take it easy.

Geg Update

You know I love the poop talk.

So, here's the deal with my detox.

Each evening I drink Smooth Move tea. It's a senna tea. Senna is a natural laxative.

Each morning upon waking I do a Salt Water Flush, going forward the SWF. I drink 1 quart of warm water with 3 teaspoons of sea salt. This goes right though you and flushes your colon. The deal is that the salt water is heavy than your blood so you don't absorb it, it just goes through you.

It takes about 2 hours for the SWF effects to be over. Let's just say, it's all butt pee! It's the weirdest sensation of all liquid coming out so forcefully. Weird. Then, there are no movements for the day.

And as for my meals,

I'm have an exciting menu of:
60 oz water
12 tsp fresh, organic lemon juice
9 tsp organic, grade b maple syrup
1/4 tsp organic cayanne pepper

Delish! I love it.

Oh, and don't forget my daily cup of organic peppermint herbal tea! My treat each evining!

It's so weird that I haven't chewed a single thing since Saturday. Oddly, it hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be. But, today is only day four.

As far as detoxing, I haven't had any severe reactions yet. Since, I don't drink much caffeine, I didn't have an issue there. I started eating clean last Thursday, so no sugar, white flour, etc since then. I did get woken up with a pretty nasty headache this morning, but it's duller now.

Next Monday will be my last day of the fast, then Tuesday and Wednesday will be juice fasts with just 30 oz of organic, fresh squeezed orange juice diluted through the day. Thursday will be broth and raw veggies. I travel to Cali next Thursday, so it'll be tough, but I'll get in some broth before heading to the airport and plan for salad in the airport and I'll bring cut veggies with me and head straight to a grocery store when I arrive.

Then, on Monday I head to NC for work and that's when I'll begin with SBD phase one. I'm going to try to keep it vegetarian for a little while. We'll see.

Pretty much my entire January in meals is planned out.

My energy has been low-ish. I did have a burst of energy last night that included vacuuming and laundry. I need to move though, I know it. I'm going to get a 30 minute walk in today. After my travel, I'm going to join the Y at the end of the month.

Check in later!

Day Three and Feeling it.

Ok so things are happening. It's day three of The South Beach Diet, from this point forward to be referred to as the TSBD, and my detox. If you don't like to hear of bodily functions, move on. Last night I was up all night peeing or pooping and OH MY GOD, the smell of both. I have never done a detox before so I can imagine the years and years of toxins that are stored up in my body. Now I am not going as full blown as Geg, she is doing the Master Cleanse- You go girl... I can only imagine what is happening there for you.

I am also feeling/seeing the detox in other places. I woke this morning to a dull aching in my low back, (I carry a lot of stress there so no surprise) my face broke out in pimples, and I have an overall feeling of malaise and heaviness. I am upping my vitamin C intake as well as gargling with cayenne pepper to help ward off any sickies that might try and invade me right now while by body is going through this change.

So on to TSBD- Day three and so far so good. I really do love the food so that makes it so much easier for me. What I have noticed is that this diet is not for the person who can't prepare their meals ahead of time. But I guess that is any diet, except maybe weight watchers who gives you a broader spectrum to choose from. For my meals yesterday I had the following:

Breakfast- Veggie Quiche Cups- I used organic produce (keeping with the detox) and free range eggs instead of called for egg substitute. I don't have a cholesterol issue so I am more liberal with my eggs. The veggies are spinach, bell pepper, onion and a little hot sauce mixed with a little cheese to help bind and then the eggs. Bake in muffin tins and delish.

Snack- Handful of almonds

Lunch- Big romaine salad with 1 can of tuna, tomatoes, mozz cheese and olive oil and lemon juice dressing. Small cup of sugar free Jello.

Snack- String Cheese Stick

Dinner- Black Bean Chili- All Veggies and VERY SPICEY. Very Filling and Good. We made this on Sunday and this was the left over we finished off.

Today more of the same for breakfast, lunch will be a veggie burger and large salad, not sure about dinner tonight.

I am waiting for the energy, the clarity of mind, the sense of accomplishment to come. One other interesting note about the detox that I noticed this morning is that I am craving quiet around me. Noise is very bothersome, and quiet for me is impossible since I have two young boys. I think I may start meditating and doing light yoga and stretching before bed to clear the mind and bring some inner peace. Funny what happens when you start really listening to what your body and soul needs.

How are you doing today Geg?

Monday!

Whoo hoo! Day 1ish.

Since it's a Monday, it's the first day of the week.

Bug, thanks for setting up the blog!

I'm Sleepy.

Ok so it's official, the Geg and Bug ditch the fat-o-rama is on like donkey kong. I am energized? Excited? Not so much. I am tired! I think I must be detoxing a lifetime of white flour and sugar out of my body, not to mention alcohol and fruit. I started the South Beach Diet yesterday 1/4/09 and a total body clense which roughly has me ingesting 8 capsules of fiber, two digestive capsules and three liver detox capsules a day. FUN TIMES!!!

So the deal with this blog is that Geg and I will post whatever we want to about our Diet. I am putting it out there, as of Sunday 1/4/09 I weigh just shy of 200lbs. 199 to be exact. I could make excuses like oh I just had two kids 16 months apart, but the truth is, neither one of my precious babies forced the ice cream, pizza and cookies down my throat. I shamelessly used them as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted. I KNOW BETTER.... So this is not a resolution, It's just two girls who know what to do slapping themselves in their big fat faces and saying WAKE UP.

Let's see what tomorrow brings, right now I gotta eat a piece of string cheese.