Monday, September 23, 2013

Struggles

Why Happy Monday!  Today was slightly productive but overall I think it went well food-wise!
I worked and had my first lunch of my freshly made Moroccan/Curry Chicken Salad (like chicken salad filling) that has chopped celery and granny smith apple. I left out the dried apricot for now. 

So my willpower for weddings. stagettes, pancake work days... is sadly very low.  I will have to do better, or exercise or something on the days I "mess up". 

I'm eating a high protein diet, and I definitely like it despite the variety.  I am absolutely meant to eat high protein at this stage of life, I'm fairly certain. Any touch on pasta makes me fall into a spiral of high carb, refined wheat goods, very quickly.  High vegetable diet... I just can't do it without protein!  Not anymore... I grew up Vegan too so one would think I'd function well back on that.  I swear, being vegan is SO much work! 
So far, no cravings today. That was nice and I wish it would follow me forever, I always succumb to my cravings - or at least usually do when not on high protein. 

Today, food was good...

Morning:
2 cups Earl Grey Tea with 1tbsp Half/Half creamo.

Lunch:
1/3 cup Moroccan Chicken Salad
1/4 cup PC 0% Greek Yogurt -Honey

Dinner:
2 Beef Burger patties
1 Chicken thigh, skinless bone in.

Some water. The end!

So a few more days of this, I really need to drink way more water. I REALLY should stop forgetting to do dishes before bedtime :P 
I'm a frugal water drinker, if you put it nicely.  I need lime or strawberries to drink water that is in a glass at home/work. Working on that! What works for you?

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

So it's been a year... My fault and a bit of a rant

Last year at this time I was on the Dukan Diet full swing.  But alas, life and stress hit and all my work and goals went down the drain.

The things I battled:
-Tons of party type events happened in a very short period of time
-Boyfriend who did not support my goals, and often his actions or lack of support ended up sabotaging me (no I don't believe maliciously or intentionally)
-Said Boyfriend moving away and the stress of learning to cope
-Beginning a grueling series of weeks of after-work barn chores for a 20 stall horse barn.

I could and should have been stronger.  Totally fully my responsibility and accountability for not pushing through and sticking with my goals. I think the biggest hurdle or battle I faced that was the ultimate weightloss killer was the barn work. Not just being the straw that broke the camel's back, but a significant battle if I wasn't prepared food wise to handle the long days in winter.
So lesson learned:
RESPECT YOURSELF
GIVE YOURSELF THE TIME
DO NOT sacrifice your health for any endeavor or favor or recreational activity.
Get to your goal FIRST then take on other responsibilities.  Yes, your health is a responsibility because it's no one else's, it's all on you.

Firstly, I now know how much more someone going through a weight loss battle needs support.  They need their family and friends with them on it, supporting them with words of encouragement - not just compliments, but actual encouragement and emotional support.
Compliments are great, but for me when they come fast and furious it gets to be almost shameful that people are noticing. The types of comments, while so flattering, can bring so much attention that it's distracting or unnecessary.

Secondly, learn to stand up for yourself against friends and family.  While many close to us may seem supportive and encouraging, at some point one (or two) will come along with veiled words that unravel into commentary that they feel they know exactly what battle you're going through.  I'm going to say it, and many won't agree, but if they haven't *actually* walked the path you're walking then they need to STFU about how much they "know" about the weightloss battle.  Friends! It is TOTALLY okay to say: "You're doing great buddy! I love that you're so dedicated, and I can absolutely see a change in you and it's great!"  No need to offer advice, no need to offer half learned medical knowledge about calories in and calories out and the various types of biological functions!  Just keep shut and SUPPORT!  If we ask you a question, for help - that's your cue to impart your valuable knowledge.

Thirdly, (if there is a third item...) ....IF YOU HAVE FALLEN OFF THE WAGON: it is never too late to start again. But what is key is to motivate you to "be ready" for when you begin. Don't start halfheartedly. The second, third, fifth time around, if it's to be your last, needs to be acknowledged as the rest of your life. What will you do "after the diet/exercise regime" differently to ensure your life in your rejuvenated body lasts in it's new form?

And finally, use TWO methods of evaluation. One visual based (clothes sizes, tape measurements, pounds, real life differences, ex: I fit into a booth at the restaurant today vs last week), and one emotionally based.  How do you FEEL?  Are you energized? Do you sleep better? Is your backache gone?  Your knees no longer sore? Confidence?  Better luck?! 
Always check in with both, don't focus on the one because the other needs to support you if you hit a plateau.  AKA - My energy level has been the same, but the pounds have dropped!  The inches have stalled but I am feeling so well rested and the sun shines so much brighter on my days!

So to close, I am starting the Dukan Diet again. I just spent $78 in groceries, which will HOPEFULLY last me two weeks but I doubt it. I begin tomorrow morning, so wish me luck! I would love the support... if you read this.  And hopefully in 100 and something odd days, by February 5 2014, I will weigh somewhere around 125-130 lbs.

Cheers!
D.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Need more Water!

So, fun stuff... still losing - coworkers comment on my weight loss especially around my waist. Measurements say I should be a size 8 tops now at LuluLemon!  And my riding tights seem to be loosening just a bit and my saddle feels "bigger" strangely. Maybe it's just my imagination though hah.

I made some awesome Tandoori, Butter and Coconut Curry Chicken recipes - I disliked the butter chicken but gave it to my coworker and he looooooved it. Then a bunch of ladies who taste tested asked me to come make dinner for them. lol, nice!

But all that good cooking distracted me from the MOST IMPORTANT THING - to drink water!  I have a bright pink BIOS bottle that is 32oz/1L and was drinking that twice a day but then went down to almost nothing. DAMMIT GIRL I said to myself, get back on track! So I am...

I am fluxuating at 154-155.8 so just need to focus more. FOCUS IS EVERYTHING!  It's been 1.5months on this now and I just need to up my focus and not get distracted or caught without water or some protein snack.  I am realizing how important it is to really have your meals prepared DAYS in advance, at least knowledge wise as it's easy to forget and just have PV days in a row when it should be alternating everyday. 

I should post some pics, any ideas?  A big glass of water? Hhaha.  I like my water ICE COLD, how do you like yours? Everyone is different it seems!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Quarter of the way there! More than 10 gone!!!!!

Hello reader! 

Quick update, still doing great on my Cruise phase!  I wish there were a benchmark for time that I could go by but it's now in the 4th (or is it 5th? omg) week and today, July 18 I weighed in like I do every morning (hah and sometimes when I return from work, I'm so scale obsessed... in a good way!) and was an AMAZING 156.4lbs!!! That's 11.1 lbs down so far!  I am over the moon! I can't wait until 15lbs down because then I'm 5 away from halfway there!  It feels like it's coming so fast...

It inspires me even more to be firm and stick to not caving in to distraction foods like... baby shower cupcakes for my coworker haha or McDonalds that someone is eating and wants me to have a fry. NO WAY JOSE!  

Lots of people at work, who see me daily, tell me they notice the loss in size, though it's really NOT that much but it's getting there I guess. I haven't dropped a dress/pants size EXCEPT in my breeches but those were riding tights that probably run large and I'd never tried on before so I have no idea if I would have fit into them before starting on this awesome journey.  I can't wait until I DO need to get new pants, that will be a wondrous victory, a very special one. 
And I'm looking forward to a wedding that is in a couple weeks. I'm hoping I'll have dropped AT LEAST another 5lbs by Aug 4 because it'd be great to look stunning for the guy I'm going with but hey... I'll be happy with what I get, I just want to focus on making sure I keep willpower and the diet on track.

Which, by the way, I've messed up a few times. I will be honest because I feel that's what other people researching the Dukan Diet need to hear, what real people go through. I've messed up and had more PV (protein, veggies) days and wondered why the loss stalled - had a PP (pure protein) day and it starts going down again. So be sure to be diligent on it, but giving your body an extra PV day or whatever doesn't hurt. Just no carbs! I am on the 1:1 except for most weekends because I'm often with others/out of house and it's VERY hard to find tasty non-home-cooked protein meals.


Oh, please read my other blog!  http://missfoodalchemist.blogspot.com it has a WONDERFUL recipe for Dukan Burgers! MUST LIKE MUSHROOMS though haha.

Anyways, that's enough,
adieu!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Dukan update! Normal foods!

I'm actually really surprised how well I'm doing so far.  This diet has given me no urges, no cravings, no break of will power. I make decisions and ensure if the decision HAS to be a bad one (I will not give myself an excuse, but if I have NO options - so rare) then I am just that much more diligent with water and post-decision food/Attack phase choices. 

I used to be RULED by cravings, about as intense as a pregnant woman's I imagine... They once led me (pre Dukan) to eating 4 days worth of Chinese food, because I couldn't say "No".  WHAT WAS I THINKING?  Let me tell you, that third day of the same food... it was tough, the fourth day... I was begging for spaghetti or ANYTHING else. Haha.

But I've been experimenting on trying to do the Cruise Phase with as NORMAL, carb-esque meals that others could possibly eat.  Yesterday was a Unique dinner night (Turkey Apple Butternuts - on my other blog), and Today I had cooked shrimp in a creamy cocktail sauce, but made in advance for tomorrow's meals a YUMMY (hopefully) Carb-free Shepherd's Pie. 

I used Fauxtatoes (puree'd cauliflower), sauteed cabbage, steamed carrots, canned chopped green beans and mushroom sauce for the gravy in the lean ground beef.  A bit of cheddar too under the fauxtatoes and hopefully this will be a YUMMY meal!  Enough for like 5 meals probably! If good, will freeze it! MMM
But I'll need to figure out how to make the puree a bit more thick, may look for some Ketatoes if they have those out here in BC.


But great news! Everyone at work has been commenting on seeing the weight come off... but it really hasn't been that much. I kind of regret telling people because then maybe there'd be more surprise, I love surprise! haha. It's like a mini Christmas on any day right?!  But even boy said he thought I felt smaller around my waist. My boobs seem to fit into my bra a bit better, which is always nice. And the too small work pants now EASILY fit.  I can't wait til I can fit into various "too-small" skirts that I have!

Friday, July 6, 2012

FOLLOW ME!

So I'm in the middle-start of the Cruise phase, I do this til October, and so far I've been REALLY GOOD.
At my boss's work retirement they were serving TONS of cake, nanaimo bars, cookies, sweets, chips, pop, etc and I passed on it ALL.  At our department retirement party for her I had a taco salad (YUM) and a SMALL piece of cake, because I felt bad that I wasn't going to have ANY in celebration of her.

No harm no foul that time! I continued on my regime :)  Then I went camping, and took a TON of food - veggies and meat. I had lots of booze though and didn't drink enough water so I'm guessing that stalled my weightloss.  I had ONE hot dog and 2 marshmallows. SO I call that a success for 3 days with 3 other very bad influences. GO ME, I feel like superwoman!

I have decided my "treat" should be a slice of DARK chocolate if anything.  I hate milk and white chocolates and this satisfies any sugar type need I may have. I don't have it every day either.

I have lost about 2lbs now the week back from camping. WOOT, which is a total of 7.7lbs lost since I started!!!!  I am now under the 160s!  I can't wait til I can say I'm under the 150s but that seems forever from now. 

If anyone has any tips on how to make a dough properly out of oat bran/flour that'd be great to give me!! I have NO IDEA how to use yeast... lol

Anyways, I'm starved, forgot to go grocery shopping for breakfast so better get off the net and get foooood. Foooooood!

Wish me weight loss wishes, I'd like to see 155 very soon :)
DD

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Dukan Cruise days

So no update in a while. Last week I was starting the Cruise phase, having salads for lunches, and made curry tofu stirfry for dinner... good good..
Then Sunday happened and the BF wanted to eat at White Spot. I wanted to go buy eggs and ham for breakfast but he wanted lunch foods. Well White Spot has terrible options for healthy and no carb meals, also their "healthy" meals are all chicken. Talk about lame, it'd be nice to have a meal out that's not CHICKEN as if CHICKEN is something all around healthy. Cmon corporations - think outside the box!  Shrimp, FISH, Crab, lean steaks! TOFU! Why aren't restaurants learning how to serve TOFU dishes?  I mean it's 2012!!! You should have learned well enough by now! 

Oh well, so I had an off day and splurged. BUT it was the only meal I had all day, split into two meals. Seemed reasonable for a failure day.  Back on the diet Monday. Had a veggie/protein day (taco salad for lunch with no rice/beans) and had spaghetti squash and some chicken for dinner, had AllBran buds with skim milk for breakfast.

Today I decided to have an all protein day, til dinner. I wanted to finish off the spaghetti squash I had already cooked.  Had that and some shrimp in low calorie Miracle whip with a small amount of HP sauce and Ketchup.

Then I made a pizza. For tomorrow!  I made the crust with oat bran chopped in a coffee grinder and some Surghum flour and activated yeast... first time making a dough.
Baked it for 15mins or so at 375.
Then added stuff. See my other blog.

I don't think I've lost any new weight, so any Dukan tips would really help here.  *sigh* Gonna keep trying to stick with it.  As long as it's 1-4lbs per week I'll be happy.
I also find I lose more weight from a veggie/protein day, but gain on a Pure Protein day... HELP?