60 days out

Aug 11, 2013

I haven't been blogging as much since I returned to work. I am hoping my posts will help me remember what was going on. First, i have some photos to share:

Front:

Side:

This may be the last month you see me in my bathing suit for this photo. It's getting loose in all the wrong places. I can see a difference, particularly in my face.

M2 Highlights (not in any particular order):

• Real food!
• A really stubborn weight loss
• Clearance to resume all activities
• Starting back with my trainer
• Did I mention...Real food!
• Learning to drink water like a boss
• Hired a therapist
• Hired an image consultant
• Took the best badge photo ever at work
• my first 5k

During M2, I have lost 11 pounds, exceeding my goal of 10. I'm pleased, although it's been stressful! From 7/12 through 7/30, I lost a total of 2.9 pounds. That was it! I was starting to freak out. I measured, and realized that I had lost more than 2.5 inches from my hips, but OMG, the question "is this all there is?" was ringing in my head.

I had my public whiny freak out moment on OH and was given two clear directives: 

1. Drink more water

2. Amp up the exercise.

So I did. And you know what? It worked. These old timers are SMART. Check out my graph:

Beautiful, isn't it? I am having colleagues I haven't seen in a while ask if I've lost weight - two in the past week.

Foodwise, I have been so very stable with calories between 600-800 per day. Protein is consistently over 60 and as high as the low 100's. Carbs are generally 40 or below. There hasn't been anything I couldn't tolerate so far. It has been fun trying new (old) foods and discovering that the magic just isn't there like it used to be. I have discovered that I still have an extreme affection for tortilla chips, and so I must be careful with them, but the sleeve prevents me from eating very much, so I satisfy myself with nibbling on a few and find myself completely happy. I have myself in a really workable routine.

I am having to relearn how to trust myself around food. It was easy when I was on a restricted diet to say, oh, I can't have THAT, but now that all the restrictions are off, I need to use my brain and stick to my plan. Here is where I see the advantage of the sleeve tool. I know full well that I can eat whatever I want, but if I eat too much of it, I'm done. It'll be a couple of hours before I want anything else. If I get to feeling cocky and wanting to push it, my sleeve makes it really clear really fast who is boss. I haven't gotten sick (knock wood), but I have felt pretty crummy after eating on a couple of occasions. So, I know I am obligated to get my protein in. I have a limited amount of space and time in which to get it - which means I better be smart in how I do it. It really is just that simple. Wow.

The water trick I put into place is 4 (bottles) before 5 (pm). My goal each day is to get 4 bottles of water in before I leave work for the day. I refill my bottle before I leave, and can get another in on my commute home. Easy-peasy. A squirt of Mio and I'm good to go, just sucking that stuff down.

There is a lot of good going on. I am really digging my therapy sessions. And, I feel so much better on days I hit the gym. I am, for the time being, making decisions based on what *I* need for my body, not living like a cork in the ocean, just bobbing around at the currents. 

As for my M3 goals - 

• My therapist wants me to weigh every other day. I will try.
• Keep the water going
• Keep the gym love going
• Stay on plan, but experiment with foods so I don't get bored.
• 8 lb weight loss

Check out my uploaded photos to see the best badge picture ever.

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