Last Thursday was the completion of my 8th week on the program. At my clinic, this is your 2nd measurement session. The first was, of course, before I started the program.
I'm learning to look at more than just the scale, and I'm pretty happy with my measurements!
Before After 8 weeks Difference
Upper Arm - Left 14.75 14.25 0.5
Upper Arm - Right 16 15 1
Forearm 11 10.5 0.5 (x2) 1
Waist 40 38 2
Abdomen 42.5 39 3.5
Hips 53 49 4
Thigh 29 26 3 (x2) 6
Calf 19.5 19 0.5 (x2) 1
So, for my total INCHES lost in the past 8 weeks - 19!
For my total POUNDS lost in the past 8 weeks on the clinic scale 29.6
Total number of POUNDS lost in the past 8 weeks on my home scale (as of this morning) - 34.4
Sometimes when I'm looking too closely at it, it can seem like a small loss, or that it's taking too long, but when you look at the overall picture - I'm pretty pleased!
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
Week 8 - lost 1.8 lbs - total of 29.6 -233.8
This week, even though I exercised and had all my shakes with no cheating, I lost 1.8 lbs. I was a bit disappointed - it's been my lowest lost so far. But, looking on the bright side, I did loose 4 lbs last week.
More importantly, I got some bad news, which normally would have immediately sent me to the fridge - but I had no urge to eat. None. Nada. Such a huge milestone! Now, I feel comfortable starting to think about transition.
I feel like I'm going to be on FF for another 4 weeks, then start modified.
Now, I know I've lost weight, but sometimes you just can't tell how much.
I found the "before" picture from a trip to a friend's wedding. I took the "after" picture today, after a friend in Ga. wanted to see my progress.
I have to say, I'm pretty shocked!
More importantly, I got some bad news, which normally would have immediately sent me to the fridge - but I had no urge to eat. None. Nada. Such a huge milestone! Now, I feel comfortable starting to think about transition.
I feel like I'm going to be on FF for another 4 weeks, then start modified.
Now, I know I've lost weight, but sometimes you just can't tell how much.
I found the "before" picture from a trip to a friend's wedding. I took the "after" picture today, after a friend in Ga. wanted to see my progress.
I have to say, I'm pretty shocked!
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
It's working! It's actually working!
I'm sure you're saying "duh, Michelle, look at your numbers!", but I really noticed a change in my body and clothes today.
I weigh myself every day. Many people don't, but I find if I weigh myself and I loose, I stay motivated. If I don't loose weight, I know to drink more water and up the exercise today. So, I weigh myself today, and it is 229.6. I'm in the 220's!!! Whoa!!! I am less than 2 lbs away from the weight I was when I moved back to RI - 8 years ago.
So, because I'm at the weight I was 8 years ago, does that mean I can fit into my clothes from 8 years ago? No such luck! Those clothes were from pre-twin era, which means pre-twin skin.
I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven't worn in 6 or so years. Remember when Lane Bryant decided to mess with their sizing, and the jeans were sizes 1,2,3,4,etc. instead of 14, 16, 18, 20? Well, it's a pair of jeans from that era. I slipped them on, I buttoned and zipped, and viola! They fit! I also put on a t-shirt which I lived in last summer, and now it's big and baggy. I'm still wearing it, but it will soon go in the "too big" pile. :-)
I'm even going down in my bra size!
I just have such a hard time believing it! I never thought it would happen, which is why I'm just in disbelief when I actually do loose weight and grow out of things.
I weigh myself every day. Many people don't, but I find if I weigh myself and I loose, I stay motivated. If I don't loose weight, I know to drink more water and up the exercise today. So, I weigh myself today, and it is 229.6. I'm in the 220's!!! Whoa!!! I am less than 2 lbs away from the weight I was when I moved back to RI - 8 years ago.
So, because I'm at the weight I was 8 years ago, does that mean I can fit into my clothes from 8 years ago? No such luck! Those clothes were from pre-twin era, which means pre-twin skin.
I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven't worn in 6 or so years. Remember when Lane Bryant decided to mess with their sizing, and the jeans were sizes 1,2,3,4,etc. instead of 14, 16, 18, 20? Well, it's a pair of jeans from that era. I slipped them on, I buttoned and zipped, and viola! They fit! I also put on a t-shirt which I lived in last summer, and now it's big and baggy. I'm still wearing it, but it will soon go in the "too big" pile. :-)
I'm even going down in my bra size!
I just have such a hard time believing it! I never thought it would happen, which is why I'm just in disbelief when I actually do loose weight and grow out of things.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
What a long, strange trip it's been....so far....
When I started on Optifast, I knew I would see physical changes, but I really wasn't prepared for the mental changes that come along with it. These past 7 weeks have been eye opening to say the least. Some of the major mental changes/challenges I've noticed are:
1) Stress eating - I really had no clue just HOW MUCH I would stress eat. It has been such a comfort to me over the years - It's something you truly don't realize the extent of it until you completely take food away.
2) Real hunger vs external triggers - Throughout these past 7 weeks, I'd smell/see/hear something that immediately triggered me to want to eat it. When I would stop and say "am I really hungry?" 9 out of 10 times, the answer was "no".
3) Mindless munching - I've discovered something that I'm hoping won't be my downfall. It started when I was trying to cook for my family. It was a new recipe, and I needed to make sure it was okay. I took a bite, chewed, and spit it out. No calories were ingested, but I found that one bite of tasting something different made me feel more satisfied that day, helped with the ketosis breath/white tongue, and I still lost weight. "Eureka!!" I thought. So, almost every day, I feel like it's okay to chew and spit. I noticed now I almost crave/expect it around 5 pm every night. (worrisome issue #1). I also found yesterday, I tasted 3 or 4 things. (worrisome issue #2). I know there is a reason that they don't want you to chew in the program, and all I can think is that it is so you don't have any association with food whatsoever, to help with the food relationship. I decided to stop do this, unless absolutely necessary (to make sure it's something the kids can handle).
4) Choices - when you take away the food option, you can really examine the food choices made in the past, and are making for our families. I've become much more aware of what we put in our bodies. Since starting this diet, I refuse to get the kids any type of fast food. If we go out to eat, which I do still do with the kids, we will go to Panera Bread, or Corner Street Bakery. If it has a drive up window, I stay away. I've been concentrating on organic for the kids, and making more and more at home. My new thing is pizza. We would get pizza once a week, because it was something all 4 of us would eat. Now, I make it at home. It's cheaper, and I know exactly what's in it. This week, I'm even going to make my own dough. I will have a maximum of 1 artificial sweetener a day, and some days I have none. When I give the kids ice cream, I'll get Bryers - I can pronounce all of their ingredients. Preparing food at home is a win/win/win situation - I know what's in it, it usually tastes better, and it's usually cheaper.
5) Rewards - I realized very early on in this just how much we would reward with food. "Do this and you'll get a candy." "Do that and you'll get a doughnut". This was something I put the stops to early on. It was easy for me, but harder for my mother and my in-laws. I still don't think they understand fully why I'm asking them not to, but they're trying to follow it.
I was debating when to go from full fast to modified, and I've decided to wait to at least 12-16 weeks. I don't think I'm mentally ready for it yet.
So yes, this journey is physical, but it's so much more mental then I thought. NOW these meetings make sense!
1) Stress eating - I really had no clue just HOW MUCH I would stress eat. It has been such a comfort to me over the years - It's something you truly don't realize the extent of it until you completely take food away.
2) Real hunger vs external triggers - Throughout these past 7 weeks, I'd smell/see/hear something that immediately triggered me to want to eat it. When I would stop and say "am I really hungry?" 9 out of 10 times, the answer was "no".
3) Mindless munching - I've discovered something that I'm hoping won't be my downfall. It started when I was trying to cook for my family. It was a new recipe, and I needed to make sure it was okay. I took a bite, chewed, and spit it out. No calories were ingested, but I found that one bite of tasting something different made me feel more satisfied that day, helped with the ketosis breath/white tongue, and I still lost weight. "Eureka!!" I thought. So, almost every day, I feel like it's okay to chew and spit. I noticed now I almost crave/expect it around 5 pm every night. (worrisome issue #1). I also found yesterday, I tasted 3 or 4 things. (worrisome issue #2). I know there is a reason that they don't want you to chew in the program, and all I can think is that it is so you don't have any association with food whatsoever, to help with the food relationship. I decided to stop do this, unless absolutely necessary (to make sure it's something the kids can handle).
4) Choices - when you take away the food option, you can really examine the food choices made in the past, and are making for our families. I've become much more aware of what we put in our bodies. Since starting this diet, I refuse to get the kids any type of fast food. If we go out to eat, which I do still do with the kids, we will go to Panera Bread, or Corner Street Bakery. If it has a drive up window, I stay away. I've been concentrating on organic for the kids, and making more and more at home. My new thing is pizza. We would get pizza once a week, because it was something all 4 of us would eat. Now, I make it at home. It's cheaper, and I know exactly what's in it. This week, I'm even going to make my own dough. I will have a maximum of 1 artificial sweetener a day, and some days I have none. When I give the kids ice cream, I'll get Bryers - I can pronounce all of their ingredients. Preparing food at home is a win/win/win situation - I know what's in it, it usually tastes better, and it's usually cheaper.
5) Rewards - I realized very early on in this just how much we would reward with food. "Do this and you'll get a candy." "Do that and you'll get a doughnut". This was something I put the stops to early on. It was easy for me, but harder for my mother and my in-laws. I still don't think they understand fully why I'm asking them not to, but they're trying to follow it.
I was debating when to go from full fast to modified, and I've decided to wait to at least 12-16 weeks. I don't think I'm mentally ready for it yet.
So yes, this journey is physical, but it's so much more mental then I thought. NOW these meetings make sense!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
239.6 - a total of 23.8 lost
I broke the 230's! Yay!
At this point, I have to say, I'm running out of steam on Full Fast. I told myself I'd stay on full fast for 12 weeks, but I'm not sure now. I think the last 2 weeks of loosing less than 3 lbs is really tough. The weather is finally warmer, and I think that has something to do with it, too. I'm not craving carbs, or ice cream, or anything like that - just chicken and other stuff on the grill.
But for now, I'm going to stay on Full Fast.
I'm 6 wks in, 6 more to go.
So, I think - "when was I last at this weight?"
I remember 244 - I was working as a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) - working about 85+ hrs a week, up at all hours of the night. That was about 7 years ago.
Last time I was 239, it was my first year back to RI from Atlanta, that summer. I remember renting a beach house and for 3 days straight, just laid on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to answer the phone. I was completely and utterly burnt out on life. Mom had finished her first bout of cancer (of course, we didn't know it was the 1st - we thought it was the only). in 8 months, I had gotten married, gotten a new job in my new career was a CNM, mom got diagnosed with cancer, I quit my new job as a CNM after 4 weeks, rented out our house in Ga, moved to RI, got a new job as a CNM, I was absolutely exhausted!
I remember when I finally got off the couch, I enjoyed riding bikes, grilling, swimming, and just loving summer.
I got back and weighed myself and I had gained 10 lbs.
10 lbs! Geez Louise!!
I feel like seeing my weight go down is like a time capsule.
I can do this!!
At this point, I have to say, I'm running out of steam on Full Fast. I told myself I'd stay on full fast for 12 weeks, but I'm not sure now. I think the last 2 weeks of loosing less than 3 lbs is really tough. The weather is finally warmer, and I think that has something to do with it, too. I'm not craving carbs, or ice cream, or anything like that - just chicken and other stuff on the grill.
But for now, I'm going to stay on Full Fast.
I'm 6 wks in, 6 more to go.
So, I think - "when was I last at this weight?"
I remember 244 - I was working as a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) - working about 85+ hrs a week, up at all hours of the night. That was about 7 years ago.
Last time I was 239, it was my first year back to RI from Atlanta, that summer. I remember renting a beach house and for 3 days straight, just laid on the couch. I didn't even have the energy to answer the phone. I was completely and utterly burnt out on life. Mom had finished her first bout of cancer (of course, we didn't know it was the 1st - we thought it was the only). in 8 months, I had gotten married, gotten a new job in my new career was a CNM, mom got diagnosed with cancer, I quit my new job as a CNM after 4 weeks, rented out our house in Ga, moved to RI, got a new job as a CNM, I was absolutely exhausted!
I remember when I finally got off the couch, I enjoyed riding bikes, grilling, swimming, and just loving summer.
I got back and weighed myself and I had gained 10 lbs.
10 lbs! Geez Louise!!
I feel like seeing my weight go down is like a time capsule.
I can do this!!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
242.2 - officially lost 21.2 lbs
This week was much easier than last. I'm not sure if it's because it is now my 2nd week in my new job, if it's hormones, or I've just snapped out of it. Whatever the reason, I'm feeling much better now.
So, I've officially hit the 20 lb mark! I wanted to do something special to celebrate - what should I do?
What I wanted to do: I first thought of getting a fitbit, seeing that I feel like I'm moving at my new job much more than I was at my old job, and it would be neat to see how far I actually walk.
What I actually did: Got new breaks and headlights.
Motivating, right? Well, I came home and found out the car's trip to the shop cost $780. Ouch!
I did decide, however, to join in on the kids' Easter pictures on Saturday. What better way to celebrate a 20+ lb weight loss than by a really awesome pic of me and my sons.
I think I'll enjoy that more than anything.
So, I've officially hit the 20 lb mark! I wanted to do something special to celebrate - what should I do?
What I wanted to do: I first thought of getting a fitbit, seeing that I feel like I'm moving at my new job much more than I was at my old job, and it would be neat to see how far I actually walk.
What I actually did: Got new breaks and headlights.
Motivating, right? Well, I came home and found out the car's trip to the shop cost $780. Ouch!
I did decide, however, to join in on the kids' Easter pictures on Saturday. What better way to celebrate a 20+ lb weight loss than by a really awesome pic of me and my sons.
I think I'll enjoy that more than anything.
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