JenJ's progress

[JenJ]

Hello Everyone :)

So, I've been doing pd1 for 17 days. I am totally impressed with how well it's working, I'm down 15 pounds already.
I know I'm not supposed to weigh everyday, but it keeps me focused . . . escpecially when I'm having a hungry day!

I have two things I've been sort of worrying/obsessing about . . .

First, In a few days my family and I are going on a 11 day trip which includes a lot of driving, a family reunion and camping. I know there will be a ton of really good food at the reunion, I come from a family of foodies. I know it's going to be hard, so to prepare I premade and froze all 33 meals for my trip . . . but I'm still worrying about my will power. In fact I've been having semi-nightmares about people forcing me to eat off plan food . . . in one a guy was standing over me with a baseball bat, forcing me to eat Tacos & doughnuts . . . weird, I don't even like doughnuts

Secondly, I am quickly reaching that "wall" weight, that I haven't been able to crack for about 12 years. I'm worried I'll get stuck there again . . .

I've also learned a couple weird things about myself on this food plan.
Apples make me hungry, horribly, ravenously hungry.
Dairy makes me intolerably grumpy . . . and I LOve cheese :( .
Diet Coke gives me the hiccups, I'd never tried it till I started this. WEird huh? :)

Anyway, Happy Slimming everyone :)

[I MUNCH SNOW]

Hey Jen! Congrats on your weight loss so far!! You're 1/3 of the way there!!! WAHOO!!! You're doing fantastic. The plan becomes easier as time goes by. I just started week 11 and I can honestly say that it's now second nature. I understand your nightmares. I too had a nightmare where I had to eat an entire tray of Oreos and a gallon of milk before I could go to sleep. LOL. Weird, huh? Either way, you'll do great. I love your preparation for the trip! Bring lots of gum with you! That was my savior! It kept my mouth busy. :) And during social events I ALWAYS have a drink in my hand. Maybe just seltzer water with lemon, but it's a drink. I put stuff on my plate at a bridal shower a few weeks back (to shut everyone up) and I only ate the plan foods off of it. Clever huh?! No one even noticed. :)

If you get a chance read my progress post, I just came back from a 15 day road trip and it's my story about it, and staying on plan.

[JenJ]

Yah, I read your post :) . . . Wow, week 11 , seems so far away right now. So you do your 12 week weigh in next week? I'm sure it'll go great!
I gotta admit I've read pretty much every post over the last few days. Some of the stories on here are amazing! It's very motivational.

I'm totally going to use your tip, about carrying around a plate of food and a drink, good shelding tactics. Especially in my family where if you don't seem to have enough on your plate, people will load it up with out even asking if you want more :) hmmmm, I wonder where I got my portion control problems from? :)

[JenJ]

Today WAs AWesome!! Went with a friend to the mall and tried on clothes. I use to hate doing that, cuz I never fit the stuff I liked, But today was different!
I tried on a size 8 pair of shorts (was previously a 12 or 10) and they fit with room to spare. I tried on a medium top, and it fit just right! So happy :) I have never enjoyed shopping so much :) My husband may have something to worry about . . .

I am almost done week 3, and the cravings are gone, I walked through the food court no problem. I can smell all that food and not feel like eating it . . . it's a miracle, Crazy!

I'm thinking of all the good things the next 9 weeks will bring :)

[Cynthia]

Yesterday WAS so much fun, Jen! I had a blast :o) I never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to go shopping again! Just imagine how fun it will be a few months from now.... I might have to get a part-time job to make some clothes money! My big weigh in is tomorrow... eeeek!

[Kitty]

Jen you are doing so great!! Isn't it a relief to go smell food and not even worry about losing your control? That was my favorite part!!! So How is cooking for your family? I always found that to be difficult in the first month. Then it has gotten better. Cynthia said that you have a great spaghetti recipe...please send it my way! Or maybe in august we should have a "Dinner Party" and try some new things together. It could be a teeny tiny potluck!

[JenJ]

All Right, confession time . . . blah!

So July was CRazy busy! My Mom & Dad Came for the whole month, we all traveled out to Vancouver Island for a family reunion, and camping with my 2 and 4 yr old and my sister . . . 11 days away. I carefully prepared and froze all my meals . . . dumb, dumb, DUMB! frozen meals melt without a freezer, and we were tent camping . . . DUH! So after the first 4 days I was "Off Plan" I tried to make the best of it and ate mostly on plan food . . . but I admit I did "deviate" a few times.
I felt like I must have gained all the 17lbs I'd lost the first 4 weeks back . . . but NO! I was exactly the same weight I was when I left when I got back . . . weird! so that was encouraging. Yah, I lost 2 weeks of weight loss, but at least I didn't gain. I went back on plan as soon as I was back home. I still feel like July was kind of a write off diet wise, I only lost about 5lbs. better than nothing I guess . . .

So now I'm on plan hard core again, and feeling pretty good about life :) I've added biking and am going to start swimming on Monday :) I like exercise, and I have to make sure I don't literally diet my butt off . . . I kinda like my butt, haha :) I treated myself and went and bought a lululemon hoodie, I love it! and there are a pair of pants I have my eye one as a reward when I get to 150lbs.

Kitty: we should totally do a mini potluck! I really need some new recipies :)

[monkeyface]

Hey Jen J,
GLad you're back on plan! and I want you to know I know how you feel and I had a similar experience in July and am back on track now too. A friend of mine that did this diet a few years ago said she just erased herself from any family or social occasion during her time on the plan. That sounds good but would be so hard for me to do. So I like you need to feel good about our choices, not kill ourselves for deviating and focus now on plan again...and quite frankly when was the last time you were down 15 pounds????!!!! That is amazing and exciting and now you're on your way to shed the next 15....so keep going girl. :)

[Cynthia]

You looked amazing today! Doug even said something :o) He called you SKINNY! WOO-HOO!

[JenJ]

8 Week Weigh In! I'm down 24lbs! I feel great, I haven't been this weight since Volleyball season in grade 12, YES! :)

[JenJ]

I'm basking post-workout endorphins after a good long uphill walk on my treadmill. Love it :) and I love the way exercise kills the appetite.

I've been having a good week. The weight is coming off slowly but surely, and I'm going to stick with it till I feel it's time to stop. I'm really looking forward to seeing the end product, I'm not sure what to expect :) I'm looking forward to feeling like I look like who I think I am (that sounds confusing) . . . I've always felt I'm a happy strong athletic person, and my outsides really haven't been showing that for the last few years.

A few days ago I was looking for a "before" pic to post, and I had a really hard time finding any. I guess I deleted any I felt I looked fat in . . . I did find a couple possibilities after searching through the last 2 summers. I'll post pics as soon as I get some "durings" taken :)

Anyway, good night, and happy slimming everyone! I'm rooting for you all :)

[Cynthia]

I'll be over first thing in the morning to take those "during pics" for you. No, no, I insist! Hahaha ;o) I'm so happy to hear that you're having a good week and that the exercise is feeling great and helping you out :o)

[JenJ]

Well, I'm stuck, completely plateau ing, I've been up and down the same two pounds since I last wrote, 156-154 and back again . . . sigh.
However I know my inches are changing and my over all shape is changing . . . So what I want to know is, if my inches are changing why is the scale stuck?

[Cynthia]

It's not your fault. It's your scale. It's EVIL. Muwahahaha! ;o) My scale has turned to the dark side too. Sometimes I think that if I try standing on it differently it will show a smaller number. But no, it mocks me. Naughty, naughty scales.....

I can't find it on here now, or maybe it was on a different site, but I read that too much diet soda can actually slow down weight loss. I don't know why or how or if it's even true, but it's something to consider. I was having one can of diet coke per day as a treat, now I'm having one every other day. It's a bummer. PLUS, I decided to weigh my saltines yesterday, don't ask me why.... 4 saltines came to 12 grams. So, if we're allowed only 11.5 grams at a time (or something close to that, I can't remember), then 12 saltines over the day adds an excess of 1.5 grams of carbs. Certainly not a huge number, and probably not enough to trigger a deviation, but you never know.

[JenJ]

I'm still stuck . . . well I was a few days ago when I last weighed, I think I'm giving up on weighing myself . . . I'm not supposed to weigh every morning, so maybe I should do what I'm told for once :) Anyway, I'm changing things up, I searched through the recipes and found a bunch that sound good. I was eating almost the exact same meals everday, I think maybe my body adjusted to the foods and amounts . . . plus it was getting boring. I'm looking forward to eating something different for lunch:) wish me luck!

[JenJ]

Well, after a 2 month "break" here I go again :)
I'm using my old program, it feels like it's working, but I'm still scared to weigh myself ( I haven't stepped on the scale in ages) . . . Maybe next week.
I still fit into my my size 6 jeans, but I admit, there is a little more muffin topping going on than when I initially bought them.
I'm going to stick to this thing till December or till I hit 145lbs, which ever comes first, and then take a break again till January. There is absolutly nothing going on for the next six weeks, so I have no excuses to deviate.
I was trying to figure out what time of year would be the easiest to stick to the diet for the longest amount of time ( no holidays etc.) I'm thinking January - June would be way easier than July - December . . . not that it matters, I'm going to be done long before July :)

[jheiner]

While I can understand not wanting to have to be on the diet through these times of the year, I actually believe it has helped me. I needs tests, it helps me see where I am, where my resolve is. I've gone through several parties, a handful of luncheons with VERY good food @ my work, trips to restaurants w/friends, 11 weeks gone and I have not budged an inch on my diet. Heck if anything being on the diet through these things was a huge blessing, God only knows how I would have eaten at them if I was doing w/e I want.

The discipline this diet has taught me, will give me the strength to say "do i really want this? Is it worth what I'll have to do to work it off later on?" Then say no, and walk away. The will power this diet gives is priceless in maintaining what we have all worked so hard for. It goes so far beyond the weight loss for me. It's not just about being healthier physically, it's teaching me mental health/strength as well, and I'm so blessed and thankful for it.

I really can't wait to see the new me @ the other side of the tunnel, another 25lbs from now, not just physically, but how I handle myself in general.

[Cynthia]

You know, no matter how you look at it, you are DOING this thing! Weather it's all at once or breaking it up like you are, you're progressing and not giving up. I'm really proud of you (cheesey, I know...... mmmm, cheese). I really missed you on here! Gook luck :o)

[monkeyface]

Hey Jen J,
Sounds like we're having the same type of experience....and you know...it IS OK! It is called mindful eating and it is a healthy way of being. Have you maintained the weight you have gotten down to?
Anyway, I think what is hard is starting and stopping that is what I have done also....but I have maintained the same weight and it feels good in a way to plateau.
However, time to start again on Monday...full bore until Thanksgiving..then a small break then finish by Christmas...in time for all the end of year sales!
You can do it Jen J...stick with it and feel good about YOUR progress. :)

[jheiner]

I see your responses and wanted to clarify myself as it is not my intention to be harsh or self righteous. However, I feel the need to give a bit of tough love when I read posts about people planning to "take breaks", which when it really comes down to it, equates to cheating. Obviously it's your life and your body and I can't tell you what to do, but haven't the "allowances" and "breaks" we've given ourselves up to this point been the cause of this diet being a necessity in the first place?

I have no desire to spend any more time on this program than is absolutely necessary to reach my goal weight, so I refuse to budge or bend. Sure, it means I have missed out on some darn good food. Sure it means I will not be able to eat the food @ thanks giving dinner, but I'm a whole lot more thankful for my size 34 waist than I am for Turkey and Cranberry Sauce.

I understand the desire to take breaks, and that men lose weight faster on this program so I imagine it must get frustrating at times. Focus on the end goal and allow this program to teach you what I feel is truly it's greatest gift and benefit of all. Self control over eating. Most of us needed this program because eating was out of hand. The only way the amazing results of this diet are maintained is if we adopt the philosophy of self control that this diet requires to complete it into our daily routine afterwards.

Again, I can't stress enough that it is not my intent to be wagging the finger or to dishearten, you should absolutely be proud of the progress that you've made so far. That said, previous progress should not be an excuse to deviate, because all you do is waste your time and money. Now obviously those are both your rights and I'm no authority to tell you how to spend either, this is simply my mentality, and twelve lbs away from refeed, I feel it has served me well.

You can finish this, just hang in there and be strong, the new you is waiting on the other side of the tunnel to say hi =D

[monkeyface]

u r right!