Progress: Day 8

I'm almost finished with the first phase of The Fat Smash Diet!  I am so excited.  I honestly and truly believe in this program wholeheartedly.  For me the purpose of the Detox phase is to force me to rely on healthy choices when I am hungry.  Being able to have an unlimited amount of fruits and vegetables made me grab for them FIRST whenever my stomach growled and now that I am nearing the end, I've found I don't need as many to feel full & satisfied.  My parents have both commented that I look as if I've lost weight already - however I have not stepped back on the scale since my first day.  Wednesday, January 27 is my weigh in day.  Can I just tell you that I am scared?!  Seriously, I am.  The average amount of weight loss for the first phase is 6-8 pounds and I really wanted to make that at least!  I'm scared because although I stuck to the meal plan 100% I only worked out 3 times last week...and the book specifies 5 times.  I'm not going to be too hard on myself because something is always better than nothing!   But I wonder how that will play out on the scale. 

Now - what have I been eating?!  Well, I made a Mexican-inspired casserole with:  mexicorn, black beans, diced tomatoes, sauteed onions & green peppers and 2% mexican cheese blend.  Added 1 c. brown rice and some fat free salsa - SO TASTY!!!  And it lasted forever, about 4-5 days!!!  I also made the veggie soup recipe from the book - didn't really suit my tastes at all.  That soup tasted like I was on a diet!  lol.  Today I made vegetarian chili with diced tomatoes & kidney beans, and again added that over brown rice and topped with low-fat cheese.  Also made some fresh spinach as well.  Salad with no-fat dressing has been an awesome "filler" everyday!  Fruits, amazing snacks and I also discovered I could have (7) saltine crackers as a snack also, which helps.  I've eaten alot of yogurt as well.  A couple of mornings I had plain oatmeal with Splenda and it was edible.  Overall, the "no meat" thing is not nearly as difficult as it may sound.  Its really all about mind over matter, being creative with your meals, and having things on hand that fit into the diet.  My mother made sweet potato pies (her specialty) for my brother's birthday and I promise I was NOT even tempted!  I'm extremely proud of myself. 

My goals for this week/next phase are to exercise at least 4 days per week, preferably hitting 5 days.  I think I will begin to weigh in every week after Wednesday...that way I can track my progress just as I did with Weight Watchers.

Day 2

I got on the scale this morning - naked so I couldn't blame the extra pounds on any clothes!  The scale read....173.4 lbs!  I was a little disheartened because when I began Weight Watchers 4 years ago, this is exactly where I was.  However I thought I weighed about 180 so I thought wow, I only have about 35 pounds to lose, not 40+ like I originally thought!!!  So, I quickly got over that and reminded myself that in 8 days time, my weight will have a new second digit!!!!  Positivity is key when doing anything in life!  Well, I have been sticking to my food plan (my mother says I should not call it a diet) as if I am being graded for how strict I am!  Those who are not familiar with The Fat Smash Diet can look here (The Fat Smash Diet) for info on what I can and cannot eat during Phase I.  Basically the focus right now is lots of fruits and veggies, huge amounts of water, a small amount of dairy - AND NO MEATS!  So you have to be creative with your meals to make sure you don't feel like you are punishing yourself in my opinion.  Here's what I ate today:

• Breakfast:  an omlette made with 1 c. liquid egg whites, sauteed peppers and onions and low-fat mexican cheese, a bananna and 1 c. of pure orange juice.
• I wasn't hungry for a full lunch because I had lots of  snacks throughout the day:  fresh (not canned) pineapple tidbits, 2 clementines, 1 6 oz. container of fat free yogurt, 1 tbsp of walnuts and 2 bottles of water.  
• Dinner:  grilled veggies (shredded carrots and cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, squash and zucchini - made on the George Forman grill) with 2/3 c. brown rice and 1 tbsp of teriyaki sauce.

I felt full and ate whenever I felt hungry.  I don't feel deprived at all - mostly what I feel is excitement to weigh in at the end of the detox phase.  I also walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill.  I was a little bit disappointed at how slowly I had to walk to do the full 30 minutes but PROUD that I did it nonetheless.  Its just upsetting to feel how out of shape you have allowed yourself to become.  But I will be patient, because I know results will come and I will see and feel progress soon.  Stay tuned!

Too Through

I purchased "The Fat Smash Diet" by Dr. Ian Smith last weekend. I am too tired of looking at all the cute size 6 & 8 clothes I have in my closet that I cannot fit. I'm too through with avoiding full length mirrors because I hate staring at the realization of how big I've become. I'm so over not shopping for new clothes because I cannot accept that I need to buy either a 12 (or more comfortably a 14) - well into the double digit sizes. I'm sick of saying "I will lose this weight" repeatedly without any action. I've been through with being overweight for a while now, and today I began to do something about it.

Now...this is not my first weight loss journey. 4 years ago I weighed 172.3 lbs and began Weight Watchers. I was so focused and the weight just flew off of my body and I got down to 130 lbs in about 8 months. I'm embarrased to say, I now am back to my starting weight and then some...how a person loses 40 lbs and gains 45 back, I will never know.

Anyway, I am ready to quit being through and starting being fit. I began the diet today. So far, so good. My final goal weight is 140 lbs (I had way too many people tell me I was too skinny at 135 lbs and less) and I hope to achieve that by the end of the year. Whelp, 1 day down....however many more it takes to reach my goal to go. Here we goooooooo!