Cynthia's Progress

[Cynthia]

Well, tomorrow should be my first big (or should I say little?) weigh in, but since it's going to be a crazy morning for me I thought I'd better do it today. I'VE LOST 19 POUNDS AND 16 INCHES!!!!! 8 inches off my waist alone! That is just crazy! My waist has been my biggest problem area since I went on some meds back in January that made me totally balloon up in that one area. My husband lovingly referred to the giant roll under my breasts as my "french roll", hahaha! It's okay, I laughed right along with him. We joked that all we needed was some wine and cheese to go with it.... Yeah, that's all I need, right?!?! Well, I'm happy to report that my "french roll" is more like a small baguette now ;o) Next month, I'd better be looking at a hot dog bun or nothing at all!

My friend JenJ and I went shopping yesterday for the first time since starting Cohen's together, and let me tell you, it... was.. AWESOME! We were both fitting in to sizes that we thought were still out of our reach. It was one of the best days that I've had in a very long time. I came away from that experience not only feeling totally motivated, but HAPPY and confident and really proud of myself.

I can't wait for week 8 now!

[JenJ]

Yay Cynthia! 19 pounds! You are rocking this diet! :)
Yesterday was Awesome, and I'm looking forward to Doing it again, since we're going to Need smaller clothes soon!
I am so pumped about this Diet, totally happy and motivated! :)

[mamaduckling]

Way to go, Cynthia!! Whoo hoo, you can kiss those 19 pounds goodbye! Congrats!

[Cynthia]

Well, I had my first food dream last night.... I sat down with a group of friends and starting plowing through their plate of nachos, so smothered in cheese that it was dripping and running EVERYWHERE (it was magnificent!). All of a sudden I realized what I was doing, but continued to binge on the river of cheese and carby goodness in front of me... I woke up feeling awful, but very glad that it was just a dream. I guess deviating in your sleep isn't even worth it!

[monkeyface]

WOWZY WOW WOW Cynthia.
That is amazing progress! I weighed in also and am down 10! I was erally happy with that too! I lost 4 in my waist...my belly is my biggest issue and it is going down too. This is a great journey and YOU are in control. I am going to start a progress note later this week. WAY TO GO. How do you change the tickler thing?

[Cynthia]

This past weekend was the first time that I had to defend the diet to a friend. It really blindsided me, because up to now everyone has been so supportive. She just kept looking at me all concerned and worried like I was going to blow away at any moment from the lack of food.... I'm still 185 pounds!!! Anyway, it sucked not only having to defend myself, but not not being able to defend myself well! I need a script to put doubters to rest....

In other news, I love how my body s transforming. It's thrilling!

[monkeyface]

Hey Cynthia...
I know how you feel. I have "shared" with friends and family in the past about what my plan is and always get the "look" of doubt or is it fear that it might work for me and leave them their fat selves!
This time I have been SILENT except for the gal that turned me on to this and my husband and boys.
My suggestion is to just keep focusing on how you feel and the changes that are being made both by your body and your mind about food and feeding yourself.
The other thing you can do is ask your consultant questions. I asked why this wasn't considered a starvation diet....and got some good feedback.
Ficus on you!!!!!! YOU are doing great!
Cheers
Monkey face :)

[Cynthia]

Moneyface, I think you're exactly right! "leave them their fat selves", oh my gosh, that made me laugh!!! Hahahaha! My friend is a wonderful person and I love her dearly, but I think she's always taken comfort in the fact that she's smaller than me and therefore "better looking", know what I mean? Ha! She's in for a surprise! I still love her though ;o)

This weekend is my son's 4th birthday and I'm doing create your own cupcake and ice cream sundae stations.... What was I thinking?!?! I stocked up on everything yesterday and almost opened a can of frosting right there in the grocery isle! Ugh, torture!!! This weekend is going to be a test.....

[mamaduckling]

Hang tough, Cynthia. Busy yourself with other party preparations and know that there will be another time for you to indulge in his birthday treats. I know it is hard passing holidays and special occasions and breaking traditions with food habits. In September, it will be a whole year for me on this diet and I have been able to surpass everyone of them with flying colors. Remember the reason you're doing this and don't let those evil cupcakes and sundaes run across your mind. You have TOTAL control over them. Tell yourself that they are for GUESTS only.

I know it's a challenge, but I have a feeling you're up for it!

Lisa

[monkeyface]

HEY Cynthia,
My thoughts are with you this weekend...take mama duckling advise and don't follow my lead into the temptation taste test! I wrote about it in my progress note. Find joy of motherhood as you watch your son enjoy his day! Chew gum and drink diet coke (if you like it).
Hang in there you're doing great!
Remember you're leaving " them fatselves behind" heeheehee :)

[Cynthia]

Well, the birthday party came and went and it was a huge success! My son had a blast, the weather was perfect, and I didn't cheat!!! I was too busy to cheat! Hahaha! Thanks for all of the encouragement and advice, girls :o)

I can't stay off the scale! How do you guys go a whole month without checking??? I get on it every morning.... it's getting pretty sad. Hahaha!

So, is anyone doing any toning exercises during this diet? I saw a few pictures of myself at the birthday party, and while I was pleased that I definitely looked smaller, I still looked so... so, SQUISHY! ICK! I think I need to start firming up.

[ls_dreamer]

YAY! I knew you would fly through the party! You Rock!!!

I think I stay off the scale for the same reason this diet works for me....I like rules! I am one of those very strange people who can live in just about any boundary that someone else sets for me....as for setting my own...well....I'm working on that!

I say if weighing everyday keeps you motivated keep at it. Just don't get discouraged and go off plan if you see a gain or plateau! You are doing great so keep it up!

I am currently eating a buffalo burger (lettuce for the "bun") and wearing a pair of jeans I have had in my closet for about a year and a half! This plan is amazing!!!!

[Cynthia]

Well, I have one week until my big 8 week weigh in, and I'm feeling discouraged. My first 20 pounds came off really fast and now I feel like my body is rebelling. I was stuck at 180 for over a week and it just about drove me crazy. I know that I didn't deviate, and that it was just my body being its usual stubborn self, but I wanted to smash my scale! Hahaha, I didn't though. BUT (this is the good part), my friend JenJ suggested that trying some new foods and recipes might help break the plateau, and it did!!! I didn't realize that I was eating almost the same thing for both lunch and supper for about a week. She gave me a recipe for "spaghetti" that is TO DIE FOR, and now I have a new favorite to add to the mix. Maybe we can encourage her to add it to the recipe section on here....

My family and I (and 30 of our friends and their kids) all went camping for the weekend and had an awesome time. JenJ's family joined us for supper at a fabulous steakhouse in a nearby town, and let me tell you, the filet was mouth watering! Best steak EVER! We both ordered it with mushrooms and onions and wished desperately that we could have a larger portion.... It's our little secret if we did or not ;o)

Wish me luck that this week the pounds will melt off and I can move my ticker more than a few pounds!

[leairna]

Yayyyyyyy Cynthia.
I can't wait to see how your ticker moves.

I am rooting for you, you are always so upbeat, and so positive. That has to be worth something, right???

Good luck darlin, and let us know how it goes.

(now you have me wanting steak)

Leairna :)

Oh and PS. I was hoping someone told you about toning exercizes...I could sure use some too. But, I have been riding my bike to work and back a couple of days a week (maybe 3) and it is almost 2 miles to work, so I notice I can go a bit farther without getting all out of breath, hopefully that will tone the woooobly in my legs and bottom.

Now about my tummy, where the inches are just not coming off of, that is another story.

Hugs, and again good luck!!!

[monkeyface]

Hey Cynthia,
I know those discouraging tmes...but you have been true to yourself and the results will show it! Get out a cute little outfit that you will fit into soon!
I'll be waiting to hear your great news!

[mamaduckling]

When you get to those times that the scale is not moving, have someone hide it for a week and take measurements instead. When the scale doesn't move, usually the measuring tape shows the difference. It will happen, everything shifts and it's weird.

[Kitty]

Your Steak sounds Yummy! And I am glad that you are having a good summer. I totally agree with Mamaduckling. Hide your scale, and take measurements instead. Also accept that the first 20 lbs is easy and the next 20 take twice as long but they do come off. I promise. I have replaced food with shopping and I highly reccomend it. Even if you just try on clothes in smaller sizes you feel so much thinner and then you think...I am not even done yet. We are the Hottest Moms in town! PLUS you have cute hair. Have a good long weekend.

[Cynthia]

What a relief! I weighed in this morning, and I've lost 13 more pounds and 7 inches. I was stuck at 8 pounds for so long that I was seriously afraid to look at the scale for this past week. And you know what? Not looking wasn't so bad! Go figure ;o) So, for this month the scale is saying goodbye. I'm discovering that it causes way more stress to be doing it everyday. So silly. I sure do appreciate all of the support and encouraging words everyone gave me when I was in the dumps. You guys rock! I love ya!

Okay, lets talk shopping..... I want to shop EVERYDAY!!! There is nothing, NOTHING, better than trying on a smaller pair of jeans. I can't tell you how many changing room happy dances I've done! Hahaha! It's sad but true ;o) Even my feet are smaller.

I do worry about my weight loss slowing down though. I'm sure that's a normal concern. I know I will be signing up for an additional 12 weeks, but after that I'd like to get on refeed. Financially I can't keep signing up. This means that I have to remain super consistent here. I'm still battling the idea of exercising in order to speed things up, but there are so many conflicting thoughts on this topic. Maybe we're just so used to the concept of exercise being the root of all other weight loss programs that we just can't seem to let that idea go. I don't know. We bought our son a new bike this weekend, and the boy just wants to ride and ride and ride ALL DAY LONG. So, I guess I'll be riding MY bike quite a bit now until the weather turns. It will be a good test of this whole exercising quandary.

[JenJ]

I just thought I'd let you know, You look great! You are shrinking visibly now, and you seem happier :)

I am looking forward to swimming on monday! And I've had knowledgable fitness people tell me that loosing weight and looking good is 85% what you eat and 15% an active lifestyle . . . plus exercising gives us such a great endorphin rush! I always feel better and more motivated to stay on plan after doing something active. Like we've talked about before, isn't it odd how we resist doing something that makes us feel good (like exercising) and dive into stuff that makes us feel gross (like eating a whole big bag of potato chips in one sitting, pre plan of course) :)

So, When are we going shopping again? :)

[Cynthia]

I need new pants but I have no money......

So, is anyone else totally sick of getting the frying pan out every morning? I miss the days of being able to grab a muffin or a bowl of cereal. Everything takes so long.... okay, not THAT long, but still. Especially in the morning. I'm usually awake by 7:00, but I'm never hungry till about 8:30 or 9, and I have to force myself to eat earlier or else I won't be having lunch until 3 in the afternoon...... Wow, I'm such a whiner! Forget I just said all of that, okay? I love this diet ;o)

[mamaduckling]

I have been having cheese, cucumbers and crackers for my breakfast. It's easy, no mess and I can eat it on the run if I need to. I will probably go back to eggs when the weather cools down - just for a "hot" breakfast!!! But, I just chop up my low-fat mozzarella cheese sticks and eat them with my crackers. Been loving it!

[Cynthia]

My son and I spent yesterday afternoon picking raspberries and saskatoons in our yard. It was certainly a challenge to pick them faster than he could eat them! In the end though, I had enough to make a huge cobler..... THAT I CAN'T EVEN TRY!!! ARG! Ha ha ha.... I laugh to cover the pain, people! ;o) BUT, as I was standing in the kitchen serving heaping portions of gooy goodness WITH ice cream, I got a sense of real satisfaction. I discovered the joy of making something for my family purely for their enjoyment. I was able to sit at the table and take in the sounds of and looks of contentment, and receive the praise of a dessert well made.

Then I went upstairs and punched a wall.

I JOKE! I JOKE! ;o)

[JenJ]

AWesome!! :) Hahaha

[jaqui]

Lol, Cynthia! You're a brave woman to make cobbler for you family and resist it yourself!

I take my nephew out some weekends, and he usually likes to go to the arcade where I'm forced to play crazy shooting games with him for hours and then the food court at the mall, where I keep him company while he has pizza or some other really tempting fast food.

But you're right, I would absolutely not give up the time spent & company of my lovely nephew just as you enjoy making something your family loves for them...

Jaqui

[Cynthia]

Hi Everybody :o) I'm at home with a miserable cold that my son had a few days ago. Thing is, he's better now and jumping off the walls while I just want to crawl into a hole! Humfph! Anyways, it's been giving me time to pour over all the threads on here and do some serious thinking. Nina wrote something on mamaducklings progress thread that REALLY resonated with me about reaching your actual goal weight... not 2 or 3 or 10 pounds off of it cause it "feels" close enough and you're sick of the diet. I have to admit that I "fudged" my goal weight from 119 to 130 because in my mind 130 felt so much easier to reach and good enough for my body. Well, DUH, of course it's easier to reach! I'm a real genius! Back in 1995 I got mono and went from 150 to 125 in a matter of 3 weeks. Best diet ever! Heehee! I stayed at 125 for about a week before I started packing it back on, and MAN did I LOVE being that skinny! My boyfriend (now husband) loved it too. So, what's stopping me now? Why won't I allow myself those extra 11 pounds to my prescribed goal weight? What am I afraid of, and why am I cutting myself short before I even get there???

Next week I have my 12 week weigh in, and when I change my ticker it'll say my goal weight is 119. And I vow not to stop even half a pound before I get there. I want to see that number and know that I did it. I want to say that I finally saw something through to the end and didn't give up cause it was too hard.

So, thanks Nina and Mamaduckling for writing the things that you did! :o)

[JenJ]

WHOOOHOO! You go Girl! :) I know you can do it, and you will be smokin'! (not that you're not already:) ) Hope you feel better soon!

[mamaduckling]

Oh yeah, girl, I am right there with you! It's just something about reaching that goal that makes it a final thing! Let's keep on goin!!

Lisa

[Cynthia]

Well, my 12 weeks is officially up! I'm 14 more pounds down for a total of 46. I'm super happy with that!!! I've set a goal to be at 150 when I go on holiday in October, so that's just 11 pounds. I can sooooo do this!

[mamaduckling]

Oh yeah, it will be gone before you know it! Keep up the great work!

[monkeyface]

Hey Cynthia!
Way to go! I have been away for the last month and unable to log on for several weeks...I am sooooooooooooo happy with your progress and wisdom!
I too signed up for another 12 and have vowed to reach my goal also....I haven't changed my ticker yet but am down close to 18 having been 'off" for the last several weeks. (there was no way where I was that i could completely stay on plan)...anyway...enough about me...way to go to you!
Looking forward to getting back at 100%
Looking forward to catching up on this blog, so many great results

[Cynthia]

Hey monkeyface! I was wondering where you went too, glad you're back :o) Thanks for you encouraging words. I too went off plan a little this weekend. We went camping and in a moment of weakness I caved and ate a quesadilla (sp?) and had cream and sugar in my coffee..... man, it was good! But not so good that I'll be doing it again any time soon. Oh well, we're only human, right?

[Cynthia]

Well, this last 4 weeks has definitely been my most challenging so far. I only lost 8 pounds and 2 inches, and I KNOW it's from that quessidilla and cream and sugar I had. SO NOT WORTH IT!!!!! I didn't lose a single pound for 2 weeks straight! Ugh, I was so mad at myself.....

[Cynthia]

Well, I'll be darned... I just got an email from 1PD that I weighed in a week too early! WOO-HOO! I feel like I've gained a whole week of life! Maybe I can shed anther couple of pounds and inches..... :o)

[Cynthia]

I got the nicest surprise today. I fit into a pair of size 8 jeans!!! Of course I bought them ;o) I just can't believe that I started this journey as a size 18 and in 4 short months I'm a size 8. That's crazy! I'm so happy!

[jaeden]

Congratulations!! That's so exciting. Keep it up :)

[c2lamoreux]

what kind of jeans did you buy?

[Cynthia]

They were just the "Joe" brand from Superstore. BUT, they were on sale for only $9.48! A new smaller size AND a sale..... there is nothing better :o)

[c2lamoreux]

Oh agreed agreed. I'm due for some new pants but as long as they can stay on my waist without a belt I can wait until it's absolutely vital to buy some. But i really feel ghetto walking around with my baggy jeans.

[monkeyface]

Way to go cynthia. That is so impressive>
Keep it up!
:).

[Wendy2618]

Hi Cynthia!

Congrats on the new size. You'll start to notice you'll start going through sizes faster. It seems so long between sizes starting at an 18, but seems like the smaller they are the closer they are...could just be that we're excited about getting closer to our goal, who knows! Great job!!!

oh, and if you want another quick option for breakfast, try yogurt with 1 sweetner. I think Mountain High plain is one of the best out there. If you like you can also add a touch of cinnamon and/or cut fruit to change it up. I usually buy the bigger container and dish up several servings at one time in plasticware and keep them ready to go. It's much easier and I really like it.

[jheiner]

I feel you on the pants situation C2, I a month ago I fit into a pair of jeans for the first time in over a year of having them in my closet, now they are hanging off of me and look Like i'm tryin to be a gangster lol, combination of fact that I'm a cheapo and see no point in buying clothes till I'm the final size that I'm gonna be have kept me from buying clothes, but I was becoming seriously limited, then got VERY lucky and my best friend handed me 5-6 really nice pairs of jeans, and like 10 shirts, finally have stuff to wear again. Still tryin to get used to wearing non baggy clothes and actually LIKING the way I look in them lol.

[Cynthia]

The last few weeks have been sooooooo challenging for me. I'm not going to lie.... I wanted to quit. I was as close as calling a friend to go out to a restaurant and pig out. But I didn't.... Instead I contacted a friend who completed the program not to long ago and she talked me off my ledge. I'm not sure why the last few weeks have been so hard (the hardest yet in almost 5 months), so I'm chalking it up to boredom. I've been eating a lot of the same foods, so I decided to try some new and old recipes to change it up a bit and amazingly I'm down 2 pounds in 2 days! I guess we all go through highs and lows, and this was a major low for me. But I'm back on track and feeling really good about it. I want to finish strong and I want to finish before Christmas so I can really enjoy it.

In other news, I'm singing a song in church this Sunday. I used to sing all the time when I was in high school, so it's been a very long time since I've gotten up on stage and belted one out :o) What's been really fun about this is picking out what I'm going to wear! Hahaha! Everything fits AND looks good! I might post pictures of two outfits and let you guys help me decide :o)

[jheiner]

Oddly enough I have experienced the same thing w/picking clothes for church. I sing @ my church as well and feel rather silly now as I look through my closet for what I wanted to wear, and actually feeling handsome. It's strange, but I kinda wonder what people must think when they see me up there shrinking over the last few months, I sing ever two weeks, and I photograph myself every 2 weeks, so I know there is a visible difference each time lol.

Probably just me being self conscious, so often I have to remind myself that this is about doing something big for me, and that I shouldn't care what others think. Though it'd be a lie if I said I didn't love all the compliments and questions about my weight loss @ work lol. Was funny, after 2 months of nobody really saying anything to me, had like 5-10 people in one day stop and ask me stuff, one of the managers passed by my office and I had my back to him, he knocked on the door to get in just so he could see who it was sitting @ my desk lol =D

It's strange cause I've had one friend say I looked more mature/masculine which I took to = Older, yet everyone else said I look younger. I'm 26 so I don't really care one way or the other, just thought it was funny is all.

[JenJ]

I'm BAaaaaack :) hehe.

[Cynthia]

*doing a happy dance* SOOOOO happy to have my buddy back!

[JenJ]

you know, I'd like to see this happy dance . . . if it's anything like your "play my note" dance it's gotta be good :) LOL

[Cynthia]

LOLOLOL! It's like my "play my note" dance, but with more leg action. It's something to behold, I tell ya ;o) Think Elaine from Seinfeld....

[Cynthia]

Well, another 4 weeks under my belt and I'm down another 11 pounds!!! This is shocking to me because this was by far the most challenging months of this whole diet. I'm so glad I pushed through though... If I feel this good now, how great will I feel at my goal? I'm almost there! Switching up my food really helped me to not to get bored and snap out of my funk. Plus I think it tricked my body into shedding a few extra pounds :o)

I have 4 weeks left on the program, so I'll be ordering my re-feed soon. The prospect is very exciting :o)

[monkeyface]

Cynthia,
So proud of you...way to go. Refeed :) Amazing

[Cynthia]

Back in the saddle again....

After reaching my goal at the end of October, I lost all patience and scrapped refeed. I know, I know, I'm such a baaaad girl ;o) But honestly, I think I did okay without it. My decision to skip refeed happened when I started losing a massive amount of hair. Has anyone else experienced this? It was gross. So I immediately upped my carbs and the problem stopped within a few days. Now I have little hair sproutlets all over my head.... but, hey, I'm a skinny person with little sproutlets all over her head, so it's all good ;o)

Christmas was a bit challenging food wise, and yes, I did over eat. It was glorious! I don't regret a moment of it, hahaha! Just knowing that I have this diet in my back pocket is soooo reassuring. So OFF with the holiday weight!

Good luck to all the newbies on here! This diet REALLY works :o)

[Cynthia]

Well, according to my previous post, I had started the program again.... FAIL! And I've put on another 5 pounds since then. Here's the thing, I was doing it half-assed. Still putting milk in my coffee, a few extra crackers here and there, eating out and halving whatever I wanted (while telling myself I'll make up for it tomorrow). BAD IDEA! Before I knew it, I was totally off plan and squeezing into very tight jeans :o(

Yesterday I committed. Completely committed like I had last year. I have 25 pounds to lose to get to 130. I'm excited because I already know I can do it, and the first week of detox isn't the end of the world and will be behind me before I know it. Now I'm off to change my ticker.... :o)

[monkeyface]

Hey Cynthia...good to see you back. no worries I did the same thing...a few times and finally re upped and have been doing it for a few weeks....You know what to do, you know how good skinny feels and it is ok to be back at at....leave those fat folks behind :)
I'll be on the blog watching your fast progress.....I had to put my scale away again and can't wait to weigh in in a few weeks.
Cheers to you....(with water :))

[Cynthia]

MONKEYFACE!!!! Sooooo nice to see a familiar name :o) Thanks for your encouragement!

Today was day 5 for me and I feel like I'm as committed as much now as ever before. Last night it felt like my detox broke, kind of like a fever would. It was so weird! I had been like a caged bear all day, ready to tear someones head off. Headache all day. Brutal. Then POOF, it was gone. Today I had lots of energy and my family was safe from "THE BEAR". I hope this means I'm done with detoxing.... I hate detoxing.

I put on a pair of jeans that were ever so tight on me 5 days ago, and I didn't have to do lunges in them to stretch them out this time! Small victories!

I've really enjoyed reading all the posts of the newcomers on here, and to see that the forum hasn't died like it looked like it might a few months ago. Stay strong everybody, and take it from me.... your weight struggles ARE NOT stronger than you. Food is not stronger than you. Be in control and get happy :o)

[monkeyface]

Good to hear from you too...yes a familiar "face" is nice. I have to stay strong daily....do fine all day...just get done with such incredibly busy and stressful days of running my company and find I relax a bit too much at night....and stray from the 1st pd way just enough to slow down things.
I had a weird experience a few weeks ago when I started back up...NIGHT sweats like you could not believe and a bit like a caged bear like you described.....I broke through it but it was wild.
Stay strong...one day at a time.
I need to up date my ticker :)

[ls_dreamer]

I am back too! I had surgery in November then had complications and spent a few months in DC for work....ugh!

I am so happy to be back on 1pd...I am already feeling wonderful again!

Let's do this!!!

LS

[Cynthia]

Hey Dreamer! So good to see you back! Sorry to hear about the complications you had with surgery... Hope all is well now :o)

February turned into a crazy month. Between numerous birthday parties, a family get together and a small holiday at a friend's cabin in the mountains, I've managed to only maintain my weight. Not such a bad thing really, but I am very relived to see a few months of quiet ahead of me. I went shopping today and stocked up on all my favorite Cohen foods. Ready to put my nose to the grindstone.

Is anyone else experiencing "skinny flabby"? I mean, I've lost A LOT of weight, but I still have the exact same general shape I did when I was bigger. I hate that! I still have rolls and jiggle, just on a smaller scale. I know we're not supposed to exercise, but I'm committing to 20 minutes of strength training every other day to see if it helps at all. Hopefully it won't cause too much of a deviation. If anyone has had experience with this please let me know what worked for you :o)