Switching Gears a Little

I did well nutrition-wise this week- introducing one or two higher GI index good carbs into my diet this week. I think I am going to switch gears a bit and focus on a goal of eating between 1,200 and 1,600 calories per day focusing on eating unprocessed, organic, healthy foods. I will still be looking to lower GI foods mainly, but want to focus on calories as a goal. I think I am down about 2 pounds this week, but will officially weigh in tomorrow.

One of the things that has really surprised me is how much easier it has been for me to eating in the 1,200 calorie range. I really think that Phase 1 was good for me in that it helped control my sugar cravings and blood sugar, which just feels so much more in control.

Also I am revising a previous set goal of completing 25 hours of exercise, because it’s just too boring to keep track. Instead I am going to complete over the course of a month, the equivalent of an Iron Man Triathalon. I will still be doing other types of exercise such as the elipitical, but this just seemed like a fun way to keep track of things. Plus, it will encourage me to get in the pool, which I really need to do given my sore knee and bum ankle :(.

Speaking of, I apparent have patella femoral syndrome because my right medial knee muscles never strengthened after my bone graft surgery. Also, am having an MRI on my ankle this week. The doctor was confident that it’s problems caused be scar tissue in my joint. I still can’t get over being angry at myself for having this surgery. It’s pointless I know, but I remain fixated. I wish I knew how to forgive myself.

I tried Level 1 of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I thought it was good, but my knee was really aggravated by some of the cardio because it’s all jumping. I’m going to hold off on going back to that until I have had a chance to complete some PT.

The Biggest Loser

Okay, I am so bummed that Tara did not win.   Despite the weight percentages, I really did feel like she truly excelled.   I wish there were some other ways that “winning” could be measured.   Plus Helen just really grates on me.  

I actually neve used to watch The Biggest Loser.   I watched Season 2, then only the last third of this season.   But for some reason, I am now obsessed.  I am watching reruns of Season 6 on the Fine Living Network!   Must be the whole weight loss journey thing.

I am becoming a bit neurotic about weighing myself every day.  I think that will ultimately sabotage my efforts — i.e., I will see a gain after one “good” day and despite understanding the reasons for weight fluctuations I will start to think that it’s not working or it’s not worth it — so I am trying to skip every day weigh ins.   I managed to do that this morning only by scarfing down breakfast as soon as I got up!

Phase 1 is Over

I think I did have hypoglycemia on Saturday. I felt fine on Sunday. I could not believe I was almost done with Phase 1. I went for Mexican with my brothers and parents for Mother’s Day. I a little fixated on one of my favorite desserts — chocolate peanut butter cake — but not seriously tempted. I had chicken and peppers cooked in broth. When I got home I made a batch of lentil soup for lunches this week.

So Phase 1 is done — I lost 5 pounds, for a total of 11 pounds gone on the South Beach Diet and 12.2 pounds gone total. I also lost some body fat and inches.

I updated my stats and my goals .

Hypoglycemia?

I woke up starving today.   I ate an omelet with 3 eegs, cheese, and onions plus coffee with one cup of lowfat milk.   Then for lunch I had meat.   I have not been eating as many vegetables as I usually do on the South Beach Diet.

I have been feeling shaky all day as though my blood sugar is too low, although I feel completely full.   I ate some tomatoes and then two bowls of tomato soup, which made me a feel a bit better, although still a bit off.   I am craving bread and sugar stronger than I ever have during Days 1-12.   It’s so bad that I feel like I need to make myself go to bed to avoid eating cookies.  

I feel too full to eat beans, but I am going to have some lemon juice and hummus just to try to get some carbs and sugar in.

A Sense of Loss

Yesterday I was in the shower at the gym and out of nowhere a thought flashed into my head: It would be so nice tonight to relax when I get home by watching TV and eating some chocolate-covered pretzels.   When I realized I could not do that this night, I felt okay about it.  But when I thought that I really could not do that for a long time, I felt really sad. 

I often doubt that I will be able to bring any long lasting change to my eating habits because I have such strong mental ties with food.   I can do okay in public or for a couple of weeks, but I always want to go back to eating sweets.  Food has always been one of the ways I destress, relax, and comfort myself.  When I ask myself which I would prefer- a healthy body or my typical comforts the answer does not always seem clear to me.  

It seems to me that on some level it is not just a question of will power.  I know I have will power and I know I am not lazy.  I am a really hard worker in other areas of my life.   I quit smoking five years ago cold turkey. 

Will these feelings of loss pass for me?   Do you ever get over them entirely?

In other news, I have lost an additional 3 lbs since my last weigh in for a total of 10.2 lbs gone so far.   Pretty amazing!

Goals

I added a page reflecting my goals .

Stats

I added a page reflecting my stats over time including weight, body fat and measurements. I plan on taking new measurements this weekend.

Cravings

Yesterday I had the most intense craving for an ice cream sundae.  I’m having trouble even writing that now, because I am starting to crave it again.   I ended up in the kitchen, took a bite of a chocolate chip cookie, then spit it out.   Weird, but better than eating it I guess.  

I stuck to my exercise plan Monday and today.  Today I did 45 minutes on the Nordic Track interval treadmill – really good workout.   I am trying to mix up my cardio and not rely as much on the elliptical.

Weekly Stats

Weight: 246.8 (loss of 6 lbs for the week; 7.2 lbs total)

Body Fat: 49.5% (loss of 2% for the week; 2% total)

Cooking

The South Beach Diet has encouraged me to cook a little more.   So far my knew dishes include Asparagus Parmesan, recipe courtesy of Kalyn’s Kitchen , and a self-concocted stir fry with lean ground beef, peppers, cabbage, onions, snow peas, and soy sauce/curry sauce for flavor. Tasty and surprising – after years of takeout, I forgot that I am not a bad cook.