Week 3 Recap

Well, I have decided that from now on, my weekly updates will be RECAPS instead of weigh-ins. With the scale staying the same for a week and a half, I decided it is best if I don't weigh myself every week but instead shoot for every month...nvm I need to know if I am progressing so make that every OTHER week. So, since this isn't my weigh in week, I will just update you guys on how my week went :)

Considering that Thanksgiving was this week, I feel like I did pretty darn good if I do say so myself (and I DO say so myself lol). I worked out FOUR days this week INCLUDING thanksgiving morning! Yup, I dropped my friend off at work and then headed to the park. I did some laps around the track and then I did some step-ups and sit-ups on the bleachers (my obliques were on FIRE). It took a little less than an hour. I was proud of myself. As far as food is concerned I didn't do too bad even with people encouraging me on my "Thanks-slimming tips" status update on facebook to just "enjoy the holiday and go harder next week"...um, I think I'll PASS as that kind of thinking will just enable me to think it's ok to indulge in every feast if I simply "work harder" the next week. Besides, why set myself back an entire week just to try to catch up to where I could've been which isn't at all possible because I can NEVER get that week back? And what if something comes up? I get injured and can't work out or I go to the hospital and I'm forced to eat nothing but hospital food? WHAT THEN??? I'm set back even more cause the week that I needed to catch up a monkey wrench got thrown in my plans smh. Ok, I'm exaggerating but I hope ya'll get my point. Holidays and celebrations are in NO way an excuse to LET GO completely. I'm not saying I didn't indulge but I gave myself some guidelines to stick to and I followed them. I ate a healthy brunch (baked salmon and green beans). I wasn't trying to skip a meal but I ate TG dinner at my best friends grandmother's house and older people eat early lol so with dinner starting at 4, I didn't have time to eat anything else. Not EVERYTHING on my plate was healthy but the things that weren't I only indulged in small portions. Everything I had fit on ONE plate and it wasn't over flowing. I DIDN'T have any cake or pie. The only thing I may have over-indulged in was liquor (don't judge me) Mostly red wine and a few shots of vodka. THAT WAS IT! And I didn't take home any leftovers either! I was tempted but my bestie put me in check lol. Other than that I stayed within my limit of 1200-1500 cals and under 100g net carbs. I don't remember the last time or if ever that I've worked out 4x in one week but that is what I plan to shoot for this week so come next weeks weigh-in, the scale will reflect my hard work. Cross your fingers for me guys!

THINspiration...

IDK why I was saving this post but after coming across recent pics I decided that the news needed to be shared NOW. Anywho, have any of you guys seen Chelsea Settles (from MTV) before and after pics? Well if you didn't, don't fret 'cause thanx to mediatakeout.com I can post them HERE! I need an article or something to tell me her stats 'cause that girl started at about 325 and she looks smaller than me. I wonder how she lost it...I have half a mind to say MTV footed the bill for her to have surgery but I don't want to be attacked. I know what can be achieved with hard work and dedication but I'm slightly skeptical since she hasn't been talking about her weight loss at all or I at least haven't heard about it. W/e, she still looks GREAT so I aint complaining. Without further delay, here are the pics :)

SHE LOOKS A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!! I cant weight until my legs look like that in a mini skirt <3

I was prepared for this....

*Sigh* So I had the feeling my body would resist my healthy changes and I was right. The scale stayed absolutely the same this week. Normally I'd get frustrated, say "what's the point?" and get something loaded with carbs and calories but NOT THIS TIME!!! I'm going to do exactly as I have been doing which is staying below 100 grams of carbs a day and between 1200-1500 calories. There is NO WAY that combo won't work so 4get getting frustrated, I'm gonna stick it out for the success that is SURE to come. I will no longer give up on myself that easily cause I am worth all that I am working for. This is a simple test in which I will pass because my happiness depends on it!

Motivation...

When someone is on a journey to change and they get into a rut, they can't figure out for the life of them where their motivation had gone or why they just can't seem to get it together. "I've done this before" they tell themselves only to start again and fall off track AGAIN shortly after. I am a victim. I am sure I am not the only one as I've noticed several topics on the weight loss forums that I visit with people BEGGING for the slightest clue on how they could get their "mojo" back. I've come to the sad realization that no one knows that answer but Y-O-U! I could talk to you for hours telling you what motivates ME but until you find something that not only motivates YOU but frustrates you to the point where you're fed up and you have to either change it or lose your sanity, then and only then will you actually do something about it.

What Motivates Me?
Hmm...how can I sum this up in a blog post? IDK but I will try lol. I'm sure I will leave something out and some things are way too personal to mention but here is what I came up with:

1. Fashion- I haven't always been trendy. Being over weight all my life enabled me to believe I couldn't be fashionable with all the extra weight on my frame. I wore tights all the way to the 5th grade because I thought jeans couldn't fit me. Here's the kicker, at that time I was only a size 14!!!! Shopping wasn't fun for me, I'd give up before I even start and settle for something that FIT as opposed to what was fashionable. I remember having a hoody that I carried with me EVERYDAY that I would tie around my waist to hide my love handles...*sigh* It wasn't until my sophmore or junior year of high school that I began to take pride in my appearance. I had tried for so long to lose weight but to no avail. So I decided that since I was going to be stuck with this body, I might as well make it look good and my stylish revolution began.

With my recent success of weight loss, a plethora of styles and trends have been opened up to me. Items that weren't even an option before look great on me now and I find myself consumed with thoughts of how much greater my selections will be once I FINALLY reach my goal weight. So, whats on my list???

WHITE JEANS!!!! of course I can buy them now but I want to look this good (not this small) in them!

And I want to buy a pair of ripped jeans and not have to worry about my thigh fat poking through the holes like a piece of meat tied with string!

I LIVE for a dress like this! I love it so much I want to buy it and use it as a "goal" dress buuuut I already have a few of those so this time I'll refrain.

When your in shape, you could wear the simplest outfit and look AMAZING (if you have a sense of fashion that is). To be able to wear a simple top, some ripped jeans and a pair of pumps coupled with hot accessories may seam "simple" but it is one of my dream outfits and I can't weight to rock it next spring and summer! 

2. Haters/Nay-Sayers- It's simple, you're always going to want to do what people tell you that you can't do just to shut them the f*ck up and say HA! "They said I couldn't do it but I did it" *J. Lo voice* (yes, I took it there lol) Anywho, I'm sure those of you who have made changes for the better whether it be weight loss or whatever, the more successful you became, the more negative people became. You may have even lost a few "friends" and I use that term loosely as a real friend would be happy for you. I always said once you start moving up in the world, you find out who your REAL friends are.
It feels so damn good to prove people wrong.

3.I'M TIRED!!!!!- Of what you ask? Well lets see...I'm tired of having to go to the plus size section that is usually filled with misshaped clothes that are wack and unflattering. Tired of my weight being in the 200's. Tired of always being the bigger one in the group. Tired of not being able to wear what I want. Tired if saying "next summer is mines". Tired of suggesting clothes I'm dying to wear to my smaller friends who can actually get away with wearing them. Tired of my weight holding me back. Tired of being unhappy with my body. Tired of waiting, tired of wishing, tired of WANTING! There are A LOT of things I am tired of but mostly, I am tired of myself for not doing what I know works cause I could be done by now.

I have a laundry list (wait, why is it laundry list and not grocery list?) of reasons I am motivated to get this weight OFF for once and for all but I'll stop here cause I'm tired of typing lol. 

To be continued...

P.S some eye candy/pics of whats soon to become my signature look...

Drumroll Please...

So, as those of you following my journey would know, today is day SEVEN of my restart and I am happy to report that I am down.................................................................. SIX POUNDS!!! I'm super excited and more motivated now to continue what I am doing so I can finally reach ONEderland. What motivates me more is that it wasn't hard at all to stick to once I told myself what needed to be done and that I was gonna do it. One of the things I said to myself to keep from giving up was "You didn't lose 90 pounds to STILL be the biggest friend out the group" (me in the red & white dress) and that kicked my butt into gear! I also looked at all of my pretty shoes. The fact that I know EXACTLY what I would like to wear with them but I know the outfit would look better on a slimmer figure enabled me to keep going. Hey, an extreme love of fashion will do that to you.

What I have been doing is consuming 100 grams of carbs a day MAX and staying between 1200-1300 calories a day. I'm sure a few of those pounds are water weight but none the less I am happy with my loss and this next week will tell how effective it is now that the initial shock to my body is over.

What I've been eating...

During my latest grocery haul I bought 3 different low calorie, high fiber breads (Will upload pics later) In the pic is what I had for breakfast sunday morning: 1 whole egg fried with pam, 2 turkey sausage patties, 1/2 a slice of cheese on a light, high fiber english muffin (only 100 cals & 18 grams of net carbs!!!) with 1/2 a green apple. Needless to say I was satisfied lol. Other things I've had for breakfast during the week is strawberries and cream oatmeal (sorry, can't do the plain stuff) and Fiber One caramel delight cereal with almond milk.

In the photo (sorry its so sloppy lol) is what I would typically have for lunch....something low carb as I like to use most of my carbs on breakfast and dinner. That beanless chili was YUMMY. Just something I concocted by mixing dixed tomatoes with ground beef, cheddar, fat free sour cream and spices. I've also had 98% fat free turkey with cheese on a low carb flax wrap or a salad with grilled chicken or salmon.


 
 I found a recipe on Youtube for low carb stuffed peppers from "Lowcarb 360". I made 3 peppers (which equal 6 servings) and 1 night as u can see I had it with broccoli as I didn't have many carbs left over for dinner. Last night I had it cut up over a half cup of brown rice with fat free sour cream (yummy). I'd normally have either a half or full cup of brown rice (depends on how many carbs I have left) with baked salmon or grilled chicken and a veggie for dinner.


I don't eat many snacks but the few things I have been eating is fiber one brownies, cheez-it 100 cal packs, special K bars, light babybel cheese, olives or a sliced apple.


Why I wasn't expecting much success...
1. I only worked out ONCE this week. I know, I know, I'll do better this week.
2. My menstrual just went away yesterday and I thought I'd still be holding onto water weight.
3. IDK if you can call this cheating (I call it being prepared) but saturday night I knew I was going to a bar. I also knew that they served HUGE drinks (think chinese iced tea sized cups LITERALLY) and DEE-licious hot wings (sorry, I'm an atkins girl I survived off of those things). With this knowledge, I decided to be proactive so I wouldn't feel bad about having my drink or my wings. That morning I simply had a cup of coffee for breakfast. For lunch I had a huge grilled chicken caesar salad and that was it until I hit the bar and had my Melon ball and my hot wings with fries.  

 My delicious melon ball <3

 

 

To count CARBS or CALORIES? THAT is the question...

During these past three years I must have read an encyclopedia's worth of information about carb counting. I know it like the back of my hand. When I first began to watch my carb intake, the information I had come across enabled me to believe that counting calories wasn't necessary. That information was VERY wrong. As I got closer to my goal, I began to discover that what I had done to lose the 1st 90lbs would NOT work on getting off the next 40. So I had to re-group and find another plan of attack. I knew I had to work harder AND smarter if I had any hopes of reaching my goals. I googled (I'm a google junkie) the question "Do I still need to count calories if I count carbs?" and I came across this:

Q: I've always had problems with my weight and have tried many diets. I'd like to know whether counting calories or carbs is better as far as losing weight and keeping it off.

— Trisha, Mississippi

A:  Well, the answer is that counting both is important — but counting calories is more important! (learned this the hard way) To lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than you expend in any given day. You can actually reduce the amount of carbs you eat, but if you're still taking in more calories than you're expending, you'll gain weight. (or maintain as I have done SO many times in the past)
Usually, women on a diet should eat about 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day; men, approximately 1,500 to 1,800 calories per day. This will allow for a weight loss of one to two pounds per week, which is considered a safe rate of loss. Staying within that calorie range, you might be able to decrease hunger pangs to by reducing carbs and eating more protein, which can help you feel fuller longer as well as reduce cravings. 

The above underlined let me know that what I have been doing the last 3 days is a GREAT plan and I may actually stick to it permanently (until I hit a plateau, then I'll began carb cycling). I've been keeping my carbs under 100 grams per day and I was staying between 1200-1250 calories a day. Unfortunately I was still hungry and I was reminded of WHY exactly I stayed away from calorie counting. I will increase that number to 1300-1350 as the above states I can eat up to 1500 and still lose weight. Should I still experience issues with hunger and feel like I can't stick to it I will resort back to solely counting carbs and consume less than 100 grams to balance things out.  

My low carb grocery staples...

For those of you that don't know, a "Staple" is your go to item...something you can't be without. Changing my eating habits prevented me from eating MOST of my previous staple foods such as bread, pasta, sweets and processed foods and those things had to be replaced. It took A LOT of trial & error but for the most part, I enjoy eating these things just as much (sometimes lol) and I ALWAYS feel better about eating them as opposed to feeling bloated, depressed and hopeless. 

 Eggs are BY FAR at the top of the list. I eat them for breakfast: Fried, scrambled, in an omelet or a breakfast quiche (I will post the recipe one day).

I snack on hard boiled or deviled eggs.

I eat egg salad for lunch.

I used sliced boiled eggs on top of my salad for dinner or a scrambled egg to enable breading (pork rinds and or Parmesan cheese) to stick meats I'd fry in coconut oil.

I don't recall my mother EVER making salmon unless it came out of a can. Even then it had onions, flour and an egg added to it and it was then FRIED. I don't really remember WHY I decided to try salmon in the 1st place but I am glad I did! All I do is slice it into decent sized portions, squeeze some lemon juice on it and season it with either Old Bay lemon pepper seasoning or Mrs Dash lemon and herb seasoning and BAKE; Dee-Lish! Salmon, along with 80% lean ground beef, ground turkey, boneless skinless chicken breast, chicken wings (every once in a while legs and thighs) and steak are my favorite cuts of meat.

I only allow myself to have this during my carb up days but at just about 33 grams of net carbs per CUP it is still a good deal.

Having eggs for breakfast everyday gets old FAST! especially when you are eating them for lunch and as a snack too! That's why I am glad I discovered almond milk, it allows me to have cereal when I just can't fork down any more eggs! I usually buy unsweetened which is 1 gram net carb per cup (if I remember correctly). The original is just 7 grams net carbs which isn't too bad either :)

Because I am counting NET carbs as opposed to regular carbs, I benefit tremendously from foods high in fiber. For those of you who don't know, Net Carbs = Total Carbs-Fiber. With this cereal having 9 grams of carbs, I don't use half my days worth of carbs on one serving as that brings the net down to 32. Other cereals I may have Is special K protein plus which is only 9 grams net carbs per 3/4 cup or Honey Nut Cheerios (I 4get the count for those, around 20-22)

I like to use the splenda that has added fiber for two reasons: 

1. Anyone doing low carb KNOWS we need all the fiber we can get!

2. The 1 gram of fiber cancels out the the 1 gram of carb per packet so instead of using 5 of my precious carbs in my breakfast coffee, I use NONE :)

Will be back with food pics of some of my meals.

We fall down...

Ok....my re-start lasted all of ONE day smh. But it's ok for tomorrow is a new day. I realized that after being off track for a month, getting back into the swing of things will be no easy feat. I jumped in the shallow end head first and my failure helped me realize that I need to get back on track GRADUALLY. So, with that said, my re-restart date is tomorrow and THIS time I WILL make it work. The new year is too close. Then before I know it, warm weather will be here and I WILL get to wear what I want and not have to say "NEXT spring/summer I will be able to wear that"! Instead of going below 20 grams of carbs a day, I will stay below 100 grams for a week to get back in the habit of watching my carb intake. I KNOW I CAN DO THIS! Oh, I worked out twice this week tho so I'm happy about that. I'm not the best when it comes to exercise...

In other news...

J. Hud is my ultimate THINspiration. After going from a size 16 to a 6 she let me know it wasn't impossible for a big girl to achieve "skinny" girl status. Some of you may read that and say "ummmm DUH, anybody can lose weight and go from fat to skinny". What I mean is, I've encountered a ridiculous amount of people who told me I can never be that small and that my body wasn't made to be small. *confused* who's body is MADE to be fat??? It absolutely pissed me off to hear people say "you don't have small bones"....um WTF are BIG BONES!?!? Only BIG animals have big bones and I for one am H-U-M-A-N and therefore it IS humanly possible for me to be as small as I want as long as I work hard to get there!

Sorry, rant over lol. But I posted this pic of J. Hud because although her body is absolutely STUNNING in that dress, I am less than a fan of the look her face has taken on. She seems to have acquired this deep, double set of laugh lines that ages her face a decade or 2 and I fear that this is an eminent look for my face as I have started 4 sizes bigger at a size 20 to her size 16. Not only that, at 90lbs loss, people already assume I weigh less than my actual 203 lbs (at my smallest) due to my face and with my previous goal being to lose another 50lbs, I'm sure my face would have looked less than flattering. With that realization, I've decided to increase my goal from 145-150 to 170. I will see how I look once I reach that goal and if I feel like my face could stand to lose more, I will lose another 5 and repeat until I reach a happy medium.

And so it begins...

So....I stepped on the scale for the 1st time since around October 1st....It wasn't pretty. Scale says I GAINED 12lbs. I thank God that's all it was as I know I've been TERRIBLE this month! Hopefully, 5 of them are water weight that will be gone in a week. I'm not gonna dwell on it too much as I am taking the necessary steps to reverse the damage. Today also marks the start of my 2 week induction phase. 

This mornings breakfast was 2 fried beef sausages and 2 fried eggs with coffee sweetened with Splenda. 

 

Lunch will be a taco salad.I cooked a pound and a half of ground beef and mixed it with taco seasoning. I brought shredded cheddar cheese, 2 bags of romaine lettuce, sour cream and tomatoes. This should be enough for at least 4 days worth of lunch. My 1st snack will be 2 babybel cheese "wheels" and my 2nd will most likely be olives or pickle spears. Dinner is baked steak and steamed broccoli. Huge grocery haul coming soon!

Headed to my schools gym after work. I'm hoping with my carb levels being so low that I will be able to complete my workout. I may add in a can of tuna as my post workout meal if I begin feeling weak at all. Beverages will be nothing but PURE water.