Leairna's progress...

[leairna]

Hello Everyone,
It is now day 13, though I don't notice anything just yet, I have lost about 8 lbs. *yayayaya" it seems to be coming off rather slowly, but that is ok, it is coming off much faster than it went on, that is for sure.

I have had the wonderful Wendy, to help me understand much of this, and give me many tips and tricks, so starting out, was much easier under her wing (thank you Wendy)
We went to Target and got notebooks, a scale, tupperware, baggies, a water filter, water bottles to take with me, a cooler so I can pack my daily food in it and go, and if I am caught off guard, I have my food and no excuse to go off. (great idea) All of these things are so helpfull, and she also gave me some insight to the herbs/spices, that helped so much when I was at the spice shop. (by the way, my consultant told me, regarding curry, that if red pepper is the last ingredient in the list, it is acceptable, if used in moderation)

Everyone has been very supportive, and I am very lucky I live alone, because doing this with a family to cook for, would be so much harder. My hats off to y'all that have to deal with this, and kids and a husband to cook for as well.
My kids came over (they are all grown up) and I made them some veggies, the way I cook them, and they laughed and said, they were glad I was doing this, and not them. But they were very proud I was so focused and doing so well.

The boyfriend is also willing to do this with me, when we are together on weekends, so that alone is a huge help. He will just eat more of what I make for myself.

I can't tell you how excited I am to follow in so many of your footsteps. Y'all did it... So can it.
Heck I was pregnant for 9 months, gave birth naturally, and did that 3 times, if I can do that, I can do ANYTHING!!! (hahahaha):)

PS. boy do I wish this had a spell check.

[mamaduckling]

You are so right - YOU CAN DO THIS. I am so happy that you are so committed because this really does work. You'll have those 68 pounds knocked off in no time!

[leairna]

Thank you Mamaduckling... You made me smile.

[I MUNCH SNOW]

Hi Leairna!

Welcome to the boards! You are in for a great ride! I'm only 8 weeks ahead of you, with a total of 69 pounds to lose. I can say that this program works. Just stick to it, ask Wendy for as much help as you need and you will do awesome! Don't be afraid to ask your consultant questions either, that's what they're there for!

I was recently travelling cross country for 2 weeks, and let me tell you how great it feels to be back on plan 100% and cooking in my own kitchen. I never thought that would be the day! You're through the worst of it, and shortly it will be second nature!

My boyfriend does the same thing, I cook mine first, and then bigger portion for him. He loves the meals and feels better about losing weight as well. It's great to have a supportive man!

Hope you have a great weekend!!! You got this! Just think, you'll be finished when everyone is starting their new years resolutions!!!! That's what keeps me going!! LOL

Mindi

[leairna]

Thank you Mindi,
Your words reinforced a positive start this morning.
My boyfriend and I are going to a car show, and who knows what else will be on our plate today, so while he catches a few more zzzzz's I am up, checking the boards, then into the kitchen (where I spend so much more time lately) to make breakfast, and put together a lunch to toss into the cooler, just in case we are out and about for most of the day. It is planning like this, that makes staying on plan so much easier. I don't know how you did it, going across country for two weeks (but yayyyyyyyyyyyyy for getting to go across country, what a fantastic trip)

Heres to a good weekend.

Leairna

PS. This is a picture of me, at my friends wedding last month. While it is a nice picture of me, I look at it and think... WOW, this is a pretty picture of a Big girl.... Where did I go??? that is not me. (but it is)
So... Starting this diet, here I am, in all my Maid of Honor happiness glory. Let's see what my 47th birthday picture will look like (Christmas this year)... hopefully the girl in that photo will look more like me

[Wendy2618]

Hello my beautiful friend!

Hope you are feeling well and are feeling better about the program. It sounds like weight-wise that you're on track. I know at the beginning that the focus can be on the weight, but that will come. See how you feel and look at the inches. You'll notice a difference in your body and how your clothes with start to fit you differently. It's funny because I started noticing things that others wouldn't...like losing fat off the top of my hands, my knees, weird places that were exciting to me, but others would just give me funny looks when I'd mention it. I liked how I felt. I was satisfied, not bloated and better energy. And without all the junk, my hair, skin and nails seem better. Enjoy all the little changes and the fact that you'll be getting healthier along the way to your amazing weight loss that will come.

I'll need to get you some of my favorite recipes, which I still keep trying new things. Any help, questions or ventings...besides using the forums, which are great, you can always let me know, I'm ready & willing to help out. :)

Have a wonderful day!

[monkeyface]

Way to go Learina!
I am on similar schedule as you....because i cheated too much in the beginning and didn't really start start until June 16th...Oh well!
Lets stick to it! and share the exciting results.
your picture is beautiful!

[leairna]

This is mostly for me, for somewhere to put these pictures, so I have a comparison later on.
Sadly I did not take any "before" pictures because I hid from cameras mostly. I have a few picture of me at my grandson's birthday, and at my friends wedding, that is enough. But, I thought, hey... I should try on my goal dress, and see if I can even get it over my head. Then take a few pictures of myself in it, at different points of it fitting *my losing weight*

So....

My cool vintage black velvet goal dress, bought in December, when I really was just sick of me and how fat I was. Purchased as a goal.
(unable to even get it on, or over my bosom)

Tonight....
Wiggled into it, pulled it down over my bosom, squeaked my arms into the sleeves and then tugged the dress down over my ribs (yes, I do, I do have ribs)... Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it is still no where close to fitting me, but...I got "into" the dress, that is pure elation all on it's own.

I took a few pictures, to mark my progress. I posted them below.
(I am still a squishy mess, but, I got the darn thing on... this is going to be possible after all)

One day... One day, I will zip this pretty little black dress up and go dancing. I can't wait.

Y'all have a wonderful day.

Leairna

[leairna]

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
I am a happy girl today.
I threw a dress on today ,that i have not worn since the first week of the diet.
Guess what??
No really, guess?????
It is loose on me.
Yayyyyyyyyyyyy
My arms can turn in the sleaves, rather than the sleaves turning with my arms.
the dress ties in the back, and I had to tighten the tie.
My bra is loose too (oh well, such is life) along with my panties, they are not cutting in and being uncomfy.
Oh my goodness.
I am a happy happy girl.
Fine, fine, I will keep cooking and cleaning up the kitchen, then doing the dishes, then 4 hours later, cook and clean up again and again and again. (the one thing that is getting a bit under my skin, is always having dishes to do) But... Fine, my dress is loose. I will happily be Cinderella in the kitchen for a loose dress.

I will be honest, I have set a goal of 20 lbs before I could do something I really really really wanted to do. Told myself NO, you can't do that till you loose 20 lbs.
I hated it.
I wanted to do it every day, and every day,I had to say... No, you can't untill you get 20 lbs off.
Today, Finally today, I have it 20 lbs. (*yes, I know I am not supposed to look, but I reallyyyyyyyyy wanted to do this, so I had to, and won't look again, till next month, when I am supposed to)
But, Yayyyyyyyyyy
I have kicked off 20 lbs now, and I can finally finally do it.
Weeeeeeeee

So, me, myself and the slightly thinner I am going to celebrate tonight!!!

Oh, and on the down side...
I am getting worried about losing the weight and then.. ""Gasp"" gaining it back again. I don't ever want to do this again (isn't that we tell ourselves all those "other" times we loose weight?)
But seriously, I don't want to do this again, I want to get this off, and keep it off.
I hate every day, having to revolve around what I am or am not eating, and when I last ate, and have I drank all my water.
I want my head to be somewhere else, rather than focused so singularly upon my mouth and what has or has not gone into it this moment. Ya know???
But... I just am like Dora the fish in Nemo... Just keep swimming just keep swimming......
Oh...
and My Dress Is Loose!!!
Yayyyyyyy

Ya'all have a fantastic day.
:)

[leairna]

It has been a very long time since I have logged in here.
I have been sad lately, and I just can't seem to pull out of it.
Boyfriend troubles... yea.. yuck!
But, I have not gone off the diet, and I am very proud of myself for that. Heck, make that EXTREAMLY proud of myself for that.
I am an emotional eater, and when I left my husband, I gained nearly 50 lbs (those same pounds I am trying to lose right now)
but enough of that.
Bottom line, I have been increadably sad, and I think that the fist around my heart, and burning hole in my stomach have made it easier to stay on track, as I have been too upset to eat half the time.
So....
I have to be careful to eat anyway.

But I am very happy with the results of the diet.
I have lost nearly 40 lbs.
Yayyyy
I am 2 sizes smaller
Yayyyy
and I am a slow looser, so this is very good.

I just signed up for my second round, and am really hoping to get this off with this 12 weeks, because finances are getting tight, especially with the holidays coming up.
I have to get my blood work done tomorrow, then will see what they have to say.
(anyone who has done the 2nd round, what happens when they get the blood work, do things stay pretty much the same??)

Ya all have a wonderful day, and keep on keeping on, a thinner healthy body, is only a few months away....

(oh my goodness, and my skin is all lose and wiggly... any one do some tightning excersizes??? and how did it affect your weight loss and energy?)

Ok, now I am out of here.
Have a good one.
Leairna :>

[Wendy2618]

Hello my dear Amber!

I hope that things are worked out and get better for you. In regards to the diet, the program will stay pretty much the same. To make sure you do well and get the most out of your next session, make sure you are not deviating from the program at all. Stay true to the program as designed and you will see wonderful results.

I personally did do some exercise while on the program. Since it is a rapid weight loss, your skin may not keep up with the shrinking you, the older we get, the harder it is for our skin to bounce back. I haven't been over doing it. I believe that muscle weighs about three times as much as fat. I do have more energy, but with so much less weight on me, I'm not as weighed down either. I guess I would say it's a balance as with most things.

Have a great week!