Patty's Adventure

[PattyA]

I have officially finished my first 4 weeks and so I think it's time to actually say I have some "progress!" 13.6 pounds the first four weeks - not bad at all. I am really enjoying getting into creative cooking again with this and love, love, love new recipes. Feeling good and all my clothes feel like I'm wearing pajamas they're so loose!:jumping2:

[PattyA]

Into week 6 and things are going fantastically! I have not gone off the program even one tiny bit and instead I'm getting really accustomed and comfortable with eating the way Dr. C prescribed for me. It's lots of fun getting positive comments from people who can now see that I'm changing. Probably the hardest part is that I get home kind of late most nights from work and/or study and I get into the kitchen every night and prepare all my food for the next day. But that too is becoming a routine.

I've been touring the thrift stores every single week trying to keep up with my changing size . . . . . a challenge in itself as I'm not used to spending much time at ALL shopping. I like trying things on better now than before and trying things that I wouldn't have considered before such as the nice adjustable belt I just got and am wearing with my tops tucked in instead of the old usual of having them hang out to cover me up!

[PattyA]

I have a dress I got by mail order a few years ago. It never did fit me but I kept it because I like it and have used it as a standard to see if I was losing weight. Pulled it out today and it not only fits me, but it will definitely become too large for me in a few more weeks. Good thing it's a summer dress! I can enjoy it for a little while! :dance:

[Cruvalcaba]

Yay PattyA!!!

I have a skirt that fits my waist but not my hips, isn't it a great feeling!! Congratulations again you're doing awesomely!

[PattyA]

Thanks for posting! It is a great feeling! Hey Cruvalcaba - I see you are more than half way there!!! You are really rockin' and rollin' on this thing.

:applause:

[Cruvalcaba]

. . . and the feeling only gets better, it is amazing what 12 weeks can do. Start saving money for the newer wardrobe!!You'll be there before you know it :laundry:

[PattyA]

Ah yes . . . the wardrobe. I am taking clothes off the hangers and into the donation pile daily! Really I have only a couple things I can still get away with wearing. Best problem I've had in years!!!! {rofl}

[PattyA]

Things I've Learned So Far . . .

A little diced celery and diced onions on hand in the refrigerator is pretty handy.
Apples seem to be a really good source of fiber.
Mushroom and balsamic reduction sauce is rich-tasting.
It's amazing what you can do with crackers!
Drinking all that water really makes a difference in how fast I lose.
Skipping a meal is a disaster. My remedy is to prepare all three meals for the next day at night and have them with me so there's no disaster.
Coffee without cream is not so bad. In fact now I'm used to it.
A fun game to play is portioning out food and seeing if you hit the right mark on the scale.
A gram is not much, really.
I like being able to cross my legs comfortably.
I bought my first pair of shorts in about 20 years and I bought them at a store I always loved but never could find anything in it that fit me. That's a win!
Getting enough sleep seems to help things out a lot.
I am not tempted at ALL to go off this plan.
My feet don't complain so much about carrying around my lighter body.
My arms don't fall asleep any more when I lay on my side at night.
Belts are useful for holding loose waistbands in place.

That's it for now . . . .

[Cruvalcaba]

That's awesome! So glad you're doing so well. you're nearly halfway there!!! and so true about the feet among other things. It was what I had posted on FB. How much longer you can wear heels without the feet getting angry!! Congrats and good job

[PattyA]

Hello Connie! And thanks for the kind words and encouragement. Yeah, funny how there is so much more to being overweight than just appearance. I can see how it has really been a detriment to my health.

WOW Girl! Only 27 to go? You are cruisin' right along! Got any tips on keeping going for the long haul? {band}

[Cruvalcaba]

27 after a new goal. If I'd stuck to a 104 weight I'd still have 34 more lbs to go as of today. But I think I'll be good in a 4-6, i don't want to hit the 2s and 3s.

I think the hardest part is getting creative with the meals because we're so limited with the vegetables we can eat. There are two websites that I swear by and since I'm not sure we can post links here I'll give you them without the www and the .com

allrecipes
kalynskitchen

I also love, love, love and have about 4 different versions of the South Beach Diet recipe books among a few other that specialize in low carb recipes. I have actually gone through some and torn out the pages containing recipes I can use for this plan and tweaking just a bit the ones that need to be modified. Kalyn's kitchen is an SBD based website and she's got an archive that goes back years so it's a good place to cruise through as well as a good page to save for when you hit maintenance.

I got a little bored with the food choices and that's what turned me to exercise, I felt that if I could help it along even just a bit it was worth the additional investment in myself. I'm on round II and hoping this will be it. I used to weigh myself everyday to kind of see what happens to my body on a daily basis and while i would be okay if I didn't lose it would help me re think the day if I gained. Now I only weigh once a week and log the change in weight and inches in a journal so I can see my progress.


Good luck to you, you're doing awesomely and you're nearly half way there!

~Connie

[PattyA]

Thanks for the websites! Good idea to look for inspiration to keep the food interesting. I'll check them out. I'm still coming up with some new twists but not many. The other day I made a salad with grilled steak slices and a lemon/garlic/mayo dressing. That was really good! I was able to add some leafy greens - kale, collard greens, and some others after checking with my consultant. You can always ask them if there's something you want to eat that's not on your list. I'm a big veggie eater and I miss some of them - like radishes.

I think it's great that you determined what weight you want to be. Wow - you'll be in single digit sizes! I myself find it very difficult to imagine what I will look like with 33 more pounds gone! I'm going to stick with it and find out. I'm sure at this point that I'll be going for round two as well.

Keep up the good work!

We seem to be evolving in a similar way! I stopped weighing every day too. I feel confident that the weight is indeed coming off and I don't have to know every day anymore. And I am also looking at light exercise as a way of taking off more inches and speeding up the process a little. Wish I'd measured inches when I started! I never got around to it, so I don't know how many are gone. A bunch - that's how many!

[Cruvalcaba]

Oooh good to know about the collard greens, I'm not much of a fruit eater but what I really want is an avocado. Are you at a clinic or online? I feel like online they're a little lenient on the weight goal but more strict on the intake, I haven't had many questions yet because I got the "you can ONLY eat what's on the food guide" But I do want to know if we can have purple and/or orange cauliflower in addition to the white. I also read (in one of the SBD books) that duck breast is leaner than chicken so I'm curious about that, But they say it's more fatty so it's a little conflicting there.

I am currently a size 8 (a muffin top away from a size 6) at 138lbs so I figure in the 110's range I'll be okay, if I drop more than yay me, I won't fight it but I think a size 4 is small enough for me. I weighed 108 in highschool but most of Jr high and some of highschool I was at 115 and I liked it. My husband also likes a little meat so I'm not worried about getting to a size 2. I started at a size 14 per my clothes purchased but I really think i was a 16 in denial, I REFUSED to buy a size larger than 14.

Yes, I now love to exercise, though I'm not as strict this week (my son's had a fever since Sunday -viral- so I haven't gone all week). I have a feeling the trainer is going to kick my butt on Friday morning, I had cancelled on him Monday also for the same reason. I do miss it though, I see that people are good and not flabby but I really want to be toned as well as thin. I figure it'll help keep me on track when we plan for the next baby.

I'm so glad to have met you. Are you on Facebook?

[PattyA]

Yes me too - I want to be toned and not just thinner. Clothes sizes are funny. Five days ago I couldn't wear the next smaller size. Yesterday I hit the jackpot at Thrift Town and got several things - all the next size smaller and some of those were a little loose! My husband jokes that I am on this diet so I can shop more! Could be some truth in that!!!!!

Very well done getting from size 14 to size 8!!!!! :applause:

Hope your son is feeling better and yes I am on fb.

[Cruvalcaba]

It's so weird right!!! I know the feeling, Now adays if it's cheap and it's a little snug I get it, I KNOW I'll fit into it soo and it won't be sitting in my closet forever and ever. Losing weight to shop is definitely a good additional reason to diet.
Thanks so much on the applause! It feels very good indeed and the trainer this morning was brutal but I was able to cope. I asked if you were on FB because there's a Dr. Cohen's page that I'm linked to. I think the forum isn't as used nowadays as it was 2 years ago, I've made a lot of friends on the FB Dr. Cohen page, wish I could make more here :D

[PattyA]

Well, I just made a discovery . . . I have been eating carrots and would have sworn they are on my list but guess what?!! NO CARROTS. I totally dubbed that in and have been eating them for 8 weeks. No more carrots. Doh!

{duh}

The fine print: this admitted error is by no means an indication that it is okay to deviate from Dr. C's food prescription even though I did lose quite a bit of weight. This program is a hormone-balancing program, and I'm sure now that I've corrected my mistake, I will be getting even better results! Carrots actually are very sweet and may have been preventing my insulin level to be optimum which, of course, it will now be since I am now PERFECTLY following my program! And - I am so confident that following this program exactly is the fastest, surest way to get to my goal, I am swearing off weighing myself at any time other than once every month. Therefore my ticker will not change until the end of May.
:flying:

[PattyA]

Substituting more cucumbers and parsley for the carrots!

[Cruvalcaba]

on the plus side, maybe you'll lose at a bit of a faster rate since you cut out the forbidden root :)

[PattyA]

That's so cute - the forbidden root! Yes, you are probably right. How are you doing this week?

[Cruvalcaba]

I'm okay. I have 59 days left on the round two and I'm not sure how many lbs to go. Haven't weighed myself for fear that if I lose I'll think it's okay to eat a little more or a little of this and a ltitle of that. haven't been the best student these past 4 weeks so I'm trying to retrain myself to stay on track.

And yourself, how are you doing this week?

[PattyA]

Hi Connie! Excellent that you're getting making sure to stay on track!

I guess I'm also more on track now that I got the carrot situation straightened out. I am really having withdrawl from weighing myself! But I definitely want to wait until the end of my 12th week. Clothes continue to get looser and looser!

I think as I'm nearing being half-way to my goal, I am simultaneously thrilled to have lost what I've lost and also a little unnerved at the fact that I have to lose at least that much more to hit goal. I'd say I am relying heavily on the routine of the program and that is my successful action. I think if I did anything else, it would be easy to get way way off the track. Good thing Dr. C's program is so well-balanced and satisfying! I'm not seriously tempted very often to deviate from it.

I'll definitely be doing round two also. I have looked at some of the other people's tickers and average time to lose 55-60 pounds is 5-6 months. So I'm hoping round two will be all that's needed.

[PattyA]

Down another size! :rolling2:

[Cruvalcaba]

Woohoo!!!

[PattyA]

So, I'm doing really well and finding that I can cook up my special meals faster and more efficiently now that I'm used to it. I have been advised to take and extra multi-vitamin and some Cal Mag because of early morning leg cramps. That makes a lot of sense, so I'm doing that.

I've been reading a lot of the re-feed and maintenance threads and learning a lot through other people's successes. I think the idea of changing the body's hormonal balance makes so much sense and I see that we need to remember that is what we are doing. I was successful in Weight Watchers online and lost 32 pounds but it took 3 years and a lot of ups and downs during that time. The added knowledge about controling insulin and HGH and seratonin is what was missing for me. It is easy to slip back into that calorie-counting or points-counting mode and forget that you are basically re-balancing body chemicals. That is why I have never cheated! It would create another imbalance!

(Ha ha! This is the REAL chemcal imbalance, not the totally fraudulent one that psychiatrists try to get people to believe they have. Those psychs have NO science or testing for so-called chemical brain imbalance, yet they don't blink at prescribing mind-altering drugs to "balance" the brain. - Okay enough of my favorite soapbox subject)

Have a successful week everyone!

[PattyA]

And I'm moving on to round two - just ordered my second 12 weeks!

[PattyA]

More lessons learned . . . .

Chives count as a vegetable.
Unripe melon is not enjoyable.

Mixing up the order of the meals has its benefits! Especially if you might be having a late-ish dinner. Then you can have a Meal 1 which is a lighter meal.

Too much exercise while on the 1PD can hold you back. This is not because you gained muscle mass. It is because you aren't eating enough to handle the extra activity. Your body goes into "storage mode."

A little less salt and a little more water are a good thing and make a difference.

It's a great feeling to be able to cross your legs and the crossed leg hangs straight down instead of sticking out because you're too fat to really cross them.

Weight loss has totally corrected my high blood pressure.



My closet is much more fun to look into without all those clothes that are too big for me. (Just get rid of those!!!)

The bum knee don't hurt no more.

Don't invest in any clothing that is pricey 'cause you won't be wearing it for long. Also don't bother with end-of-season sales 'cause you won't be the same size by next summer when you would wear those items.

Also don't spend time knitting a winter coat or jacket or something because you'll only have to unravel it and wait until you know what your final size will be.

Ginger drink: Sparkling water, some fresh grated ginger juice and stevia! Yummy and settles the tummy.

Feeling something odd on your body? Oh!! It's one of your bones!

It's easier to bend down and touch toes or stretch if there's less flab in the way.

By the time you're into the next round, the diet is like second nature. That is when it would be a good idea to re-read your program and find any little areas where you weren't 100%.

Organic Farms brand sells medium-size eggs.






.

[longtimecoming]

this is so true! thanks for posting!!!

M

[Sherri C]

Awesome progress!!!

[PattyA]

{bubblegum}

Thanks Sherri! This week I seem to be losing a bunch of inches off my waist and hips. Belt has to be closed two notches tighter!! Would love to hear how you're doing too!

And you are very welcome, Longtime! How's your week going this week?

[longtimecoming]

My week is going well thanks Patty! i lost another pound (i know you're not supposed to weigh every day but it really helps me...)

i have not cheated once since i started in aug so i don't wanna mess with what works... so i'm finally at the 10 pound mark and it feels goooood :) how is your week?

M

[PattyA]

WOW M! The ten pound mark as in only 10 more to go!!!!!!! That is really impressive. :party6: Since August? That's really good. You'll be on refeed soon!!!

Did your weight loss slow down as you got closer to your goal? I think mine has a little, though I seem to be averaging at least two pounds a week. I don't cheat either except when I work late and don't get dinner until after 9 p.m. This week I have been trying to make something different than my routine dishes so I can have variety (within my program, that is).

{bubblegum}

[longtimecoming]

yes that's the onlly cheat i do... i should rephrase sometimes i really just CAN'T eat before 9.... especially when i'm flying.... but most of the time i'm very regimented.

my weight loss has slowed... quite dramatically actually. last month i only lost 4 pounds... it's frustrating but i stick to it.

do you find that there are dishes you prefer and eat more often? i do... i really eat the same thing every day. makes my life simple and i really want to enjoy my meal to the fullest.

yes only 10 more to go :) need to update my ticker! congrats on your loss!! what's your favorite meal?

M

[PattyA]

You're an inspiration M! I'm going to stick with it too no matter what.

My favorite breakfast is zucchini pancakes and fruit. I make that most often. Probably the yogurt and fruit is my go-to-in-a-hurry breakfast. My favorite lunch or dinner is a crab cake with real crab, crackers, onion, celery, parsley and pan-fried with lemon on top. But it is expensive and I don't make it very often. Lately I like making little ground buffalo burgers and I love having kale with a meal because I get a lot of volume for the allowed weight. I had asked my consultant and he/she said kale and some other dark leafy greens were okay for me to have. I make tuna salad if I need a quick and easy lunch. I keep some veggies already cut up so I can just weigh them out and cook them. [/FONT]


{bubblegum}[

[PattyA]

Starting week 16 already! Doing great, feeling great, losing steadily!{bubblegum}

[PattyA]

Finished with 16 weeks and doing great! My hubby and I are planning an anniversary weekend away next week and found a hotel that will prepare me a meal "My Way." That will be really nice! I have been mixing up the order of my meals and that seems to help keep my progress moving along quite well. Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with just over 20 pounds more to lose.

:party1:

[longtimecoming]

zucchini pancakes!? yum how do you make those!?

[ls_dreamer]

Love reading about your progess! I am back after a medical break (had surgery) and I am anxiously waiting my new plan!

[PattyA]

Welcome Back Is_dreamer!{hi}

[PattyA]

My hubby and I went away for the weekend for our anniversary!

:love5:

We had a great time and stayed at a wonderful hotel, the La Fonda, in Santa Fe. They have a restaurant called La Plazuela and I was able to order my meals there. They made me two yummy dinners to my specifications and did such an artful and delicious job. Everything was just right - even weighed raw - and they didn't add anything that I didn't have on my list! I even took some pictures but I'm not sure how to post them just now.

What a great experience to have someone else do the cooking!

:hungry:

I had a filet mignon dinner one night, halibut another night, and a poached egg breakfast on a bed of spinach with thinly sliced oranges one morning. And they made me desserts! I brought my own food for the rest of the meals and it worked out great. I managed to go on a little vacation and lose weight instead of gaining it!!!

:innocent2:

[KMac]

Hi Patty,
Congratulations on your weigh loss success. I was reading a different post and you messaged that you spoke to a woman who has kept the weight off- can I ask, how was she doing it? I have been struggling and any advice would be so great.
Thanks-
KMac

[PattyA]

Well . . . at the time I didn't know much about the program, so it looked to me like she was eating a "regular" amount of food but without any junk (sugar, white flour, french fries, etc.) She said there were rules for maintaining the weight loss and that's what she did. She also said that she had gained a few pounds and went back onto the program for a week and lost them all. THAT was impressive!

What have your successful actions been (when you weren't struggling)?

{bubblegum}

[PattyA]

Time for a new list. This is a Things To Do List:

{bubblegum}

Write a thank you note to the wonderful Chef at La Plazuela restaurant in the La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe for making me exquisite 1PD meals!

Watch the salt! Too much salt = extra ounces.

Get those huge overstuffed five bags of clothes that are too big over to the thrift store.

Get all the "good" too-big clothes cleaned and ready for consignment.:laundry:

Replace battery in food scale so I can make sure it stays accurate.

When someone says, "You're getting skinny," don't blather on about diet. Just say "Thank you" and enjoy the compliment!

Uh Oh! Some of those new small-sized clothes are looking awfully baggy!

Start saving for the big shopping trip at the end. Big time.

Take more pictures of the new body!

Better get to the shoe store. Feet seem to have gotten smaller too!

Remember not to get too excited about the post-fourth-of-July clothing sales. Those things will be too big next summer.

Thank my hubby for all the support he's giving me.:love5:

Refill my 2-liter water bottle when it's empty. I'm up to at least 3 liters a day now!

Re-think knitting that big bulky hide-me jacket and find a more flattering style that will show off the slim figure.

In fact, get over the idea of anything that is designed for hiding curves. (Been watching this show, "What Not to Wear," and taking notes. LOL):couchpotato:

Re-check how I am doing following the plan exactly so I can break through the last little bit and get into refeed!

[Cruvalcaba]

I love your posts Patty!!! and congrats on almost being done!!!

[PattyA]

:party3:

Thanks Connie! I'm doing everything I can to keep going and keep the weight coming off without deviating at all from the program. Mostly changing the order of the meals, drinking more water (I'm up to about 3 liters) and watching the salt. I have two months to go on round two and would LOVE to get to refeed before the end of that. But we'll see!

And look at you . . . . ! Size FOUR? Wow!!! Looks like you're close to ordering refeed! I so agree with you that you have to think for yourself as far as what you want to look like, what size, etc. and especially what feels good. Just think . . . in a couple months you and I will be in the "Successful Losers" Club!

{rofl}

[Cruvalcaba]

Yes we will, and I can't wait to see you there!!! I'm truly amazed at the size I am now. it's a snug 4 but a few more and that will be a comfortable size for me. I hate that I feel like there's no change in pictures though, It's a frame of mind and I have to remind myself that I look different than the before pictures which there aren't many of to begin with. Ordering re-feed on Saturday as I can't imagine joining for another 12 weeks for the last few lbs.

I'm so happy for you Patty we're almost there, almost there!!!!

[PattyA]

Hi Connie! Woo Hoo! Ordering REFEED!!! Can't wait to hear all about that! Congratulations!

{congrats}

What do you mean, no change in pictures? You lost 48 pounds girl!!! Let's see some before and after ones - I bet there is a big change!

But I do know what you mean about your frame of mind. I bought a really cute dress to wear somewhere this weekend and it is so much smaller than my old clothes and it really looks cute on. But in a photo, you can't see as much change. So I just look in the mirror not the photo!!!! LOL! Hubby likes the dress too!

{bubblegum}

[LIVIERLC]

Hi Patty!!
Congratulations you are almost there!!! I am just finishing my first 12 weeks. I have to start with the second round 'cause I'm still missing 30 pounds!!! I managed to lose 20 so far, but I have been struggling to get off the 150s for a while!!! Any advice??? Also I wanted to know if you could share your recipe for the zuccini pancakes. I love it and I would like to ttry something new!!!
Thanks and I hope you reach your goal really soon and thanks for sharing with us you great adventure!!!

Livier

[LIVIERLC]

WOW!!! Connie, You are my inspiration and my model, just like you I started at 174 however I am done with my first 12 weeks and I'm at 150, which means I'll have to continue for another 12 weeks. How long has it taken you to come this far??? I can't imagine wearing a size 4!!!! It's amazing I was size 14 for so long that now that I finally fit in the 10 I am super excited!!! Well ,let me tell you I found a pair of jeans 8 that actually fit me I don't remember wearing a digit size since I was in middle school!!!! Any advice? THANKS for sharing your experience sometimes I get demotivated and reading your successful stories helps me go back on track and keep the faith!!!

[PattyA]

{hi}

Hi Livier! I got the zucchini pancakes from the recipe section. I do mine with 4 crushed saltines, 1 medium egg, cinnomon, a pinch of nutmeg, a little liquid stevia, and 80 grams of grated zucchini. Mix, cook and enjoy!

{pot}

[PattyA]

I'm starting week #21 tomorrow! Wow! getting towards half a year on this! Can't believe how easy it has been to stick with this (except in my dreams. See below) for as long as I have. I have certainly "invested" in this and I don't mean just the cost for the program. There's nothing that would make me cheat or stop before I reach the goal!

Lately I have been slowing down on the weightloss but not on the inches lost. I am getting a little bit hungrier a little bit quicker these days and I think my metabolism has really changed (for the better). I'm sort of counting and refiguring how much longer this will take to get done and how many pounds and ounces a week I would need to lose to be finished with the next round.

I'm pretty sure I can do that!!!! Be finished in the next twelve-week round that is.

I certainly have a very different viewpoint about what I eat and my sensory perception of food is also quite different. The other day I was making myself a peach cobbler. It's just layered broken saltines with peach bites and Truvia and then baked for a few minutes. Imagine crumbling a saltine cracker up and thinking it feels, looks and smells like pastry! LOL! I really do experience the saltines as being like a pastry! Cheapest pastry I ever made!!! Actually the dessert is so delicious even my husband likes it and he's definitely not on any diet. Someone should write a book about cooking with crackers.

I really do not want to re-introduce sugar and several other things like cream in my coffee. Mostly I miss brown rice, radishes and Guinness Stout! Probably won't be drinking that too much. I'm not a wine person and hardly ever drink anything.

I am planning to continue eating lots of veggies at every meal and of course, drinking the water. It will be nice to be able to cook for both myself and my husband at one time. I figure when I can cook both our meals together, he will lose some weight eating my 1PD-friendly meals.

So . . . I just keep on truckin' with the program. This morning I dreamed I ate strawberry ice cream and then got upset (in my dream) that I cheated on my diet. I really had to think for a moment whether that really happened or not!! It's not the first time I've dreamed about eating some kind of dessert.

My older sister is very slender. I saw her at Christmas and thought, "That's what I would look like if I lost a lot of weight!" Then I thought, "Probably will never happen." WOW! I've gone down 6+ sizes and I do look a lot like her! Imagine that?!

[plentyofkissing]

Hmmm i replied to this and it didn't post....not sure why so this is a test.

[plentyofkissing]

Okay well that worked..so guess I have to try again. Hi Patty! I think your posts are awesome and very enjoyable :) you should have a blog. I am on my first week 2nd time through of 1pd. I did it back in 07 and lost about 35 lbs in 3 months I didn't cheat once the first mo...but 2nd mo started adding non fat cream to my coffee. I did get within 2 lbs of goal which was 140 and was sent refeeding but never did it :( At this point...the dr says 130 should be my goal. I may change that since the last time i was even close to 130 (i was 133) I was 18 and taught aerobics! Personally I think I am more comfortable with 140 and going to the gym 4 x a week (which of course I am not doing now LOL). In any case I think I will change the goal weight to 135 that seems perfect.

:) Anyway, I am considering starting my own thread since I really enjoyed yours..... for now I have only posted in the introduction thread.

Thank you so much.
I will be looking forward to reading more from you soon!

[PattyA]

Thank you so much for the compliments! I love writing and I love meeting new people. I saw your new thread and read it - very inspiring as well! I have learned a LOT from reading this board. It's great "talking" with people who really know what the deal is with the program! One thing I'm learning that I hope will help me later when I'm maintaining is that there are reasons why some regain the weight . . . . good that it's not just a mystery! I'm really getting that if you go back to what you were doing before that made you gain weight, then guess what?

Have you read the posts by "Maverick?" She's got some great advice on maintenance! I have gone back to re-read that several times.

You are smart to take back the reins and also to finish the whole program this time! I am determined to do this too!

[PattyA]

:party1: I had to travel this past four days but at least we drove so I could bring a big bag of food! I knew I wouldn't have any time to cook or go out because I was at a conference where they provided all the meals. So I came up with my own strategy!

I weighed and bagged all my veggie allowances for all the meals. I counted out crackers and brought apples and peaches to eat. I had hard-boiled eggs for the mornings and two lunch meals that included the sliced mozarella. One of the conference meals had some plain grilled chicken and I had to eyeball what is the right amount. And only twice did I have to go to a restaurant but one was a diner and the other was a big truck stop and both times I found more plain grilled chicken to add to my veggies! It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be and I still lost a pound this week!!

I made myself a really nice meal with COOKED veggies when I got home and all is good.

{bubblegum}

Oh . . . and I got to see some people who hadn't seen me since I started 1PD and lapped up the complements like it was ICE CREAM!!!!! :rolling2:

[plentyofkissing]

Go Patty!!! That is so awesome....traveling or away from home can be hard LOl and you just nailed it :)

I work down on an Air force base (selling) and I am only surrounded by Pizza, Burger King and a Sandwhich place so I bring my food!!! And I try to stay away from smelling the junk food...still affected by that! :P

Right now I keep it simple and mostly just eat either a cooked med egg with veggies or have plain yog with chopped up apple...lunch is either turkey and veg or tuna with sliced cucumber (my favorite) and dinner is the chicken or turkey with Veg. Matter of fact I just started reading the recipe book this am...for now I like simple starts....but I am interested in trying new stuff in the near future.

Keep up the great work! :) I will definitly do a search for Maverick. Haven't seen anything yet..still finding new people to read :)

T

[PattyA]

DECISIONS I HAVE MADE . . . . .

Hold out until I get to my goal weight.

Do the entire refeed thing too, even if I have to pay for another 12 weeks.

Don't go back to eating sugar when I'm done. I'm so pleased that I haven't eaten it for so many, many weeks!

Get rid of ALL clothes that are too big.

Continue eating veggies at breakfast. I really like that!

Figure out something I can dip lobster in besides butter and treat myself to some! (Hmmm. Thinking. Maybe a Mayo and lemon zest dip.)

Buy a full-length mirror.

Write a book about cooking that isn't necessarily just a cookbook of recipes.

[plentyofkissing]

Look at you! Only 14 to go...WOO HOO!!! I try not to think about that i have 60 to go :/ In any case...I know my 12 weeks are up Oct 10th...and i am 99% sure I will be somewhere between 160 and 150 based on my previous weight loss...how it's going now....and everyone else's LOL.

So I will have to do it again...and I figure I will have about 20 to 30 lbs will take me 8 weeks to get to or within 5 lbs of my goal weight...then refeeding..and if I am correct that should be around Dec 5th. Then 2 to 4 weeks on that! LOL So my TOTAL FINAL GOAL ALL DONE is Dec 31st :) And for someone who drank 4 to 6 nights a week wine with dinner...I am already proud of myself :P And yes I will have a nice time on New Years Eve and be SKINNY woo hoo!!! :)

BUt...yes one day at a time. I have a road ahead...but time always passes fast..so not going to think about it. :)

xoxo Talk soon!

[PattyA]

:party1: Hi Plenty! Sounds like you are doing really great! Love your plan to be done by Dec 31st. You'll have your New Year's Resolution accomplished the very first night!

I'm on my last 12 pounds and starting to get used to my new size and everything. But with 12 more to go, I'm certain I'll go down at least another size in clothing. So far I've gone down 8 sizes - 9 in some things. Trying to make it through the rest of summer without buying anything else yet unless it's at the thrift store. :laundry: (Yes, that's right. I literally have three things that I can wear each week to work!)

I'll be re-signing again (third time) in another week or so and that should take me to my goal and to refeed! Planning to finish around the end of October/beginning of November. I don't have before pictures, but I just put a new one of me on my profile page and added my website too! (Where it says "homepage.")

Did you know that 1st PD has a facebook page too? It has so many things that get added to it so fast, it's a little hard to keep up with so I generally only post here. But I found posts from a lady named Hanli Cordier who has some really new and different receipes that she invented. They sound awesome and seem to be within the guidelines. Look for that! I'm going to try some of them this week.

Patty's Advice . . . .

As I get nearer and nearer to my goal I am finding that I'm getting more hungry than before. I think that's a very good sign! So my advice is to eat everything that you are allowed to have including everything that's optional. That's what I'm doing and it is helping to keep me losing without stalling out. I eat all my fruits, all my crackers, etc.

[PattyA]

:confused: The scale started acting goofy! Different number every time I step on it; not showing any loss when I know there is some . . .

I replaced the batteries and now it is all good!

Patty
www.simplexityhealth.com/patty_allread

[Dayanira]

You are doing great Patty! I love your avatar picture! Less than 11 pounds to reach the finish line!

[KMac]

Congratulations Patty- 11.4 to go- that is awesome!!!
great job- you must feel great, enjoy it!

[PattyA]

Thank you Dayanira and KMac! Yes, I do feel really great! I haven't felt this energetic for a long time and there are so many little physical things that feel better since I don't weigh so much now. I'm looking forward to refeed BIG TIME! The slowing down on the weight loss is torturous, but there's no way I'm going to short cut it now.

Dayanira - this picture was taken at the Albuquerque Balloon Museum!

[Dayanira]

Albuquerque Balloon Museum??!!! I lived in Albuquerque for 18 months did my post graduate studies at UNM! I sooo love that place!

The countdown has begun! 10, 9, 8....0!!!
Dayanira

[PattyA]

Hi Dayanira! Well, it is a small world [after all]!! Yes I recently moved here to Albuquerque and it is one of the friendliest cities I've ever been in.

And yes, it feels like the countdown HAS finally begun! I'm getting very excited as I inch toward my goal. When I started it was hard to even imagine getting this far and now here I am!

Thanks for the friendly note! How are you doing?

[Dayanira]

I think I'm doing OK. The numbers in my scale are moving down slowly but I hope it will keep doing THAT moving DOWN!!
Take care!

[PattyA]

Bodies are funny things! Mine has seems to be picking up the pace again!

{boing} Only NINE more to go and only four to order refeed!!!!!

[PattyA]

They say "Slow but sure wins the race!" Dayanira!



For me today I have three little words:

SINGLE DIGIT SIZES!!!!!!

(Yay me!)

[formydaughter]

Congratulations to you, PattyA! Pls share some before and after pics if it's not too much to ask. Took your suggestion on the resto and had a great celebration of hubby's bday!

[PattyA]

Hi Formydaughter!That's great that the birthday celebration worked out!! {bdaycake}

I saw your pictures on your thread and wow! You are doing so great! {cheerleader}

I don't have any before pictures and I'm not sure I want to post any at all. Sorry!

[PattyA]

:) These days I'm keeping an eye out on the weight because I have only 2.6 pounds to go before I can order refeed! Really focused on being 100% accurate on my program too, because my consultant told me this is where my body is getting rid of the oldest fat. So that seems important!

Meanwhile I"m very happy with how I'm looking and feeling and I'm even starting to get used to being thin. It's not as shocking as it first was. I'm also really looking forward to getting through and getting back onto the exercise routine I had before I started. I still walk, but haven't been to the gym since the start. :weights2:

I can see how used to the strict regimen I've become! But I have confidence that I've made real changes in how I eat and that I'll learn how to eat in maintenance as I do the re-feeding. No big plans to go out and eat the old way! Not thinking about food that much at all, in fact. Just enjoying feeling so great and not carrying around so much extra weight and all the benefits of that.

Taking a boatload of my nicer clothes to a consignment shop this week. Hoping to make some money to help me buy my new wardrobe! :party3:

[PattyA]

Almost ready to order R E F E E D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


{boing}

[PattyA]

Today I'm in the five-pound zone and ready to order my refeeding program! So exciting! Another five and I can start it. I've been thinking about all the things I've learned and have come up with my Top Ten Tips for successfully getting through this part of the program.


My Top Ten Tips

10. Eat everything you're allowed to eat. Don't try to eat less than that unless the reason is that you are too full (which can happen).

9. Keep your list of foods with you when you shop. Go for as much variety as possible so you get the best nutrition and don't get bored.

8. Have fun experimenting with recipes!!! You'll come up with some that you'll want to use even after the diet.

7. Don't discuss your diet with people who can't give positive support. Hang out with the ones who keep telling you how great you're looking!

6. Ask your consultant any question you have. They're very responsive and that's what you are paying them for!

5. Get yourself something new to wear through the program, even if it will be too big by the time you're done. It is very encouraging and uplifting to see yourself in a new smaller size. Also, clothes that are too big for you make you look bigger, not smaller. (Thrift shops are an economical way to do this!)

4. Do take your recommended vitamins. You really do need them while on this program.

3. NEVER skip a meal. Better to eat a little later than you're supposed to than skip a meal. If you skip, your body goes into starvation mode and will store fat rather than let it go.

2. Be persistent and go all the way to your goal! This includes not cheating at all. You have to get rid of the "old think" about calories and justifying a deviation from the program "just this once" or for a special occasion. Remember you are changing your body chemistry by balancing your hormones. This is an extremely specific program tailored for you and a deviation really throws off all the good work you did.

1. Drink all that water! (And make sure there's a loo wherever you are going to be! LOL)

[SDC]

Excellent advice!! Thanks for sharing!

[PattyA]

You're welcome!

:smirk:

And now a warning:

Those last couple o' pounds are taking their good ol' time coming off! S L O W L Y they surrender. Step by step, ounce by ounce. In the meantime I am getting hungrier sooner and way before the next meal! This is actually good because it tells me that my body is truly nearing the right weight. And I know that if I hang in there and don't deviate from my program I will make my goal and will have a successful re-feed!

It seems torturous but really my resolve is solid to go all the way! {motorcycle}

[PattyA]

{band}I have made it! I'm ready for refeed today!!!!!! Gotta get my shopping list made and get all the food I'll be needing. SO EXCITED!!!! I'll be posting over in refeed now, so see you there!

[SDC]

Congratulations! GREAT JOB!