pastorcraig's Journal, 20 May 2011

I've finally started seeing the scale move. I attribute it to staying under 1914 calories and drinking 64 fl oz of water minimum (my latest water bottle is a 2 liter Diet Ginger Ale bottle). I drink herbal tea/green tea (16fl oz) - no sweetner, diet soda (randomly), Dandy Blend (usually in the mornings), water (if I eat out), and an extra 32fl oz of water a day. The latter are simply just 'extra' and I do not count in my 64 fl oz requirement. Take a look at what I"m eating. I don't cheat myself. I ate wings yesterday - planned it before I went - and stuck to it once I got there. I try to keep to the Nutrisystem plan of what to eat and when. If you are interested, I can email you the information (without having you purchase the plan). I looked at your weight loss so far and 22lbs is AMAZING!!!!!! You are beating yourself up because you are at a plateau. You just may need to shock your system a little with the calorie intake or change up what you are eating. I found myself eating more salty and sweet things and so I've had to watch it. I eat breakfast, have a small snack when I get to the office (small pack of crackers/cookies and fruit), lunch (usually bring it from home), afternoon snack (80 calorie yogurt and either fruit/veggie), may have another snack (depending on when I ate lunch) - fiber one or fiber plus bar. Usually drink the 64 fl oz while at work. And the 32 fl oz too. Some days I have the latter with supper. Supper I usually have to plan as I've snacked more during the day and may not have the calories left. I love sugar free wafers and the variety of flavors that are available (lemon, vanilla, peanut butter, chocolate, strawberry) - a serving size is 4 cookies and I like to peel the layers apart, basically to make it last longer. LOL. So I will plan my suppers around those wafers. How many can I have and still have a decent supper? I had my favorite wings yesterday at lunch - 4 wings, 4 drummetts with no dressing. Plus salad with no dressing, 4 stalks of celery with no dressing. And 16 fl oz water. Why no dressing? Remember the wafers! Snack - grapefruit & fiber one bar. (not at the same time) Supper - red leaf lettuce - about 2 cups shredded. 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese (my pretend dressing), and 8 fl oz of 100% Carrot Juice. And 2 sugar free peanut butter wafers. And that was it. I don't feel bad that I ate that - got my water in before bedtime - and I still stayed below the calories. And lost .6 ozs too. I think it's now that I'm finally doing something serious about my weight. I'm focusing on the water and the calories. Everything else is just bonus. I'm not currently working out daily. However I am starting another challenge - 150 dips - which is 6 weeks but due to my screwing up the challenge, I have it at 4 weeks and then then last 2, you hold your own self accountable and report in to all participants after you complete the challenge. I injured my knee a while back - and it's still not exactly where I want it to be without a knee brace. But I still hike, walk, move more when I can. Bottom line (cause I got totally random on you)...stick with your plan 100% every day...and it will happen. The weight will continue to come off slowly. Peace be to you...and have a safe and happy holiday. Maurica