Weight loss update

As usual life gets in the way of blogging. I'm presently on spring break but its far from a break and being in Florida it's sort of like spring.

I just wanted to update the blog with my weight loss progress. A quick background. Since September 2012 I've been listening to Paul McKenna's I can make you thin CD and have lost 15 pounds by just following the 4 golden rules of his "plan." I can tell you that I've made no special effort what so ever.

I'm the mom of a girl scout so needless to say I've devoured more than my share of Tagalongs and Trefoils (Samoas and Thin Mints make me want to hurl). Anyway, I can tell you this year was a bit different. I only bought one of each box! Normally I would buy at least 5 of each and polish them off before Easter hit! LOL For the record I DON'T ever give up sweets during Lent it's counter productive in my book. Not to mention I need some sort of sanity during the PMS days! This year (like you really want to know) I gave up profanity. That is much more profound than giving up something digestible. Just saying.

Anyway, this year I admit I polished off the box of Tagalongs in less than 24 hours, alright let's be real, 12 hours. No one was looking so the calories don't count. Am I right? The box of Trefoils however are still there. Well not the entire box. The point is, after having them in my possession for over 2 weeks the fact that any Girl Scout cookie is still within my reach is nothing short of a miracle!

Not to sound like a scratched record but I've really noticed a difference in the way I eat and what I eat. I was telling the girl I commute to school with about how much I've changed. I feel like I've changed so much I ask myself ALOT "who am I?" Seriously, I no longer eat fast food, I primarily only drink water, and get ready for this...I have more than my share of my daily allowance of fruits and veggies! Gasp!!! Can you believe it? Well I guess you can...If you knew me in real life you would swear that I would die and be buried with a Quarter Pounder w/cheese in my hand. Now the thought of going into McDonalds let alone eating something there makes me want to you know...

Now I opt for more whole foods. If I can't pronounce the ingredient chances are I'm not eating it. The weight loss is slow going but I've noticed a change in my facial skin. It's cleared up quite a bit. I'm one of the fortunate that never really suffered from blemishes but my skin tends to discolor because of the PCOS. I'm assuming it's the better quality of foods I'm eating that is giving me somewhat of a glow.

Oh! I've also lost over 7 inches off my total body in the last month. Mom jeans are looking rather sad and saggy now. ;-) I'm not ready to invest in anything new until I'm in a comfortable 14. I've been in a tight 18 and now a loose 18 and semi-comfortable 16W. My ultimate size goal changes from a size 8 to a size 2. At the present moment I want to be a size 2! It may change next weigh in. I'm really not sure why I weigh myself because it's really the inches that count. Ya can't drag a scale into a dressing room hoping that size 6 will fit!

Well, that's all I have to report for now. I mean I can report a whole lot more but I will spare you the whining and fussing. Please tell me how your journey is going? Never give up...just say you're taking a little break! All the best!!!!

Weight loss Progress

Happy Friday!!

I've postponed my Fashionable Friday post so I can post my weight loss updates. I won't do it every week but maybe once a month. Since I'm doing the T-Tapp 60 day Challenge I wanted to be able to see where I've started and where I'll end up. I've been keeping track of my progress on my iPad in the Notes app. I like taking my iPad to gym so I can catch up on my soaps and shows while I'm on the treadmill. I figured since I have my iPad with me I can record my progress there as well.

Here goes:

Goal Measurements:
Bust: 36" 
Waist: 29"
Hips: 39"

December 15, 2012
Bust: 50.5"
Waist: 44.5"
Hips: 47

January 20, 2013
Bust: 49"
Waist: 43.5"
Hips: 46

So I've lost a total of 3.5" in 1 month and from December to January it was strictly following the principles of Paul McKenna's book and nothing else.

Inches left to lose:
Bust: 13"
Waist: 14.5"
Hips: 7"

I personally like tracking inch loss instead of weight loss. My philosophy is that the number on the scale will not determine if I'll be able to fit into those size 8 skinny jeans or not. Plus 34.5" is a more attainable number than 100 pounds! Don't cha think!?! How's your progress going?

Progress: First 6 weeks check in

I've been trudging along doing the Atkins diet and I have fallen off the wagon many many times. Well this Saturday is my first "check in" with me. Back in July when I started my weight loss journey with the Atkins diet I developed a 6 week check in plan. The 6 week check in plan occurs every 6 weeks, duh.

Instead of looking at my weight loss goal in one big 100 pound chunk I thought I would break it down in 6 week increments. In 6 weeks my goal is to lose 12 pounds. I think a goal of losing an average of 2 pounds per week is a good goal without being too unrealistic. So this Saturday I should be 213 pounds. Ask me what my current weight is...wait for it...wait for it...224.4. I am 12 pounds away from my goal. I hope to be 220-222 by the end of the week. We will see.

My SWOT for the past 6 weeks was the following
Strengths:
Continuously being mindful of sticking to the plan.
Even when I fell off the wagon I got back on at my next meal instead of throwing my hands up and giving up all together.
Keeping the end in mind.
Knowing that I want to be a size 4/6 before I turn 41 next year and knowing I will feel better physically really keeps me motivated. Not to mention the diminishing love handles helps with motivation too!

Weakness:
Giving in to cravings.
Not drinking enough water (although I am much better than I was).
Not having a meal plan to help stay on eating plan.
Not having a food journal

Opportunities:
Create a 1 week meal plan and graduate to a 2 week meal plan.

Threats:
Carb loaded snacks at the office.
Carb loaded sides at dinner time.
Not having convenience foods available.

Next 6 week's goal date:
Plan:
To develop a week to week meal plan and post it on the fridge and my google calendar
To drink one 24 ounce bottle before lunch time drink a second 24 ounces of water after lunch but before the end of my work day.
Eat more veggies at every meal
Create a work out plan; AND STICK TO IT!
Re-read Atkin's book (take notes this time)

We will see how things go this next 6 weeks. I would like to fit into a J. Crew size 14 by October 15th. I've calculated and it would require me to lose approximately 21.5" from my bust, waist, and hips collectively. You know what that means...time to start doing weight/resistance training. Remember while muscle is heavier than fat it takes up less space. So I'm off to get my hand weights. I see tricep curls in my future. Here's to your next successful weigh in!

Meal Planning Challenge

Happy Sunday all!

I am sitting here on the sofa just lounging and enjoying my last day off before the start of the new week. I have had a challenging few weeks with my weight loss journey. I've fallen off many times because I had food items with many carbs or I've had items that are not allowed on my diet, bread especially.

This week I am going to tackle creating a meal plan. I love planning other aspects of my life but I despise coming up with a meal plan. I'm not sure why I don't enjoy planning my meals. I guess it requires too much thought. Or maybe it reminds me that I have to have a completely different set of meals than my family. I am not sure, all I know is that I don't enjoy it. I was reading Amy's blog and she published her meal plan. It inspired me to challenge myself to create my own meal plan. So I will begin with things that I know will be a constant for me.

Here I go:

Week of 8-29-11 to 9-4-11
Monday:
breakfast: HB egg with sausage patty
snack 1: Atkin's bar
Lunch: Slice of leftover meatloaf with garden salad
snack 2: 1/2 cup of pistachios
Dinner: Tuna salad alternative with garden salad

Tuesday:
breakfast: Egg and sausage omelet
Lunch: Chicken nugget 8pcs
snack 2: pork rinds
Dinner: open

Planning my dinners at times will be a challenge since my hubby makes dinner. I typically "Atkinize" it by adding a salad to the meat portion of his meals and forgo the carb-laden sides.

Okay I've lost interest in completing the rest of this week. I really don't like this challenge. I will complete Tuesday and Wednesday plans tomorrow. I'm spent. Do you have any ideas for creating a meal plan? If you enjoy creating one please share your thoughts below because I am really at a loss for creating one for myself. Thanks in advance! Here's to a great week ahead!!!