Someone help me...

So, someone brought cookies into the office today, all different kinds. I glanced, and one of them has M&M's in it. Wahhhhh! :( I honestly believe this carb addiction stuff. These things are SCREAMING at me to come eat them. It's absolutely a mental battle for me to sit here and not get up off my butt and go get one...half of one. Argh, see what I mean?! I'm not even hungry. Granted, I didn't have much lunch, but I had a protein bar when I got back to work. I've also had a couple handfuls of mixed nuts. At least they're not iced cookies. I would probably run screaming from the building. Like I said, though, this is a physical/mental struggle. My body wants those carby cookies REALLY badly...but I shall be strong! Hubby told me he heard they were made with tomato chunks, haha! That turned me off quickly. And, he reminded me of "Italy, Italy, ITALY" and 15.5 pounds. I can do this! It will not kill me...in fact, it may save me.

Fifteen and a half, holla! :)

So, I’ve lost 5 more pounds since last Wednesday, yay!!! I believe our scale is finally right – it seems to be, anyway. I have a bad habit of not blogging on weekends, but this weekend was crazy. Saturday morning, we slept late and then went to the Honda dealership. We had an “invitation” to a “special event”, ended up getting a new car, woohoo!  I cannot lie – I LOOOOVE this car, it’s awesome! Then, we went to eat dinner in NC with Mom and Dad yesterday at a place called Shatley Springs. It’s a family style, southern restaurant, and the only thing missing was mac and cheese (thank God). I had a little mashed potatoes, a little corn, and a little bit of cooked apples as carbs. I mainly had chicken and green beans…oh, and unsweetened tea. My dad had some chocolate milk and banana pudding. Thought I’d die, but I just kept thinking, “I’ll be able to walk around in Destin. I’ll be able to walk around in Italy.” Again, we’re hoping to have lost 50 pounds each by the end of September when we go to Florida. After you get used to it, it’s not that hard. I haven’t even really had a craving for sweet tea…I thought about it yesterday, but didn’t really crave it. This is just proof that carbs are what kept me hungry, and being hungry all the time led to serious weight gain. Yay for protein! :D

Crisis averted...

So, I really, really was thinking about Cheddar Rounds from Pal's this morning. I even drove by there on my way back from the post office, but I did not stop. Yay me! I came back to the office and ate the honey-roasted cashews I bought this morning at the convenience store. One of my friends from church has "Facebook-introduced" me to a friend of hers who she believes shares similar struggles and also blogs. Maybe I'll get some inspiration from her. Oh, and apparently, our scales -- if they're at a point where they'll work -- are 5 lbs heavy. They go to a certain weight, and I'm very close to it, so things are a little iffy as to its accuracy. Maybe I'll have more interesting things to say later. Have a great day! :)

Slow down, but don't stop...

So, the train has begun to slow, but that's OK -- it's still moving!!! :) Went to weigh today, and since last Wednesday, on this scale, I'd lost 3 more pounds -- total 10.5, Woohoo! :) First week was 6.5, second week was .5, today was 2.5 (again, all on this particular scale). It's kind of like this one stretch of highway on the way to middle TN to visit Steven's family. The speed limit keeps changing, 45 to 55, 55 to 45, etc. But, we continue to move. That's what's so important! I honestly think the biggest thing that's helped me the last 3 weeks has been actually HAVING a water intake and completely cutting out sweetened beverages. :) I haven't had a sweet tea in 3 weeks and 2 days, my friends! ME! How crazy is that?! And, you know what? I haven't died. Shocker. I may actually be down by 50 lbs when we leave for Destin in late September! :) Stay tuned, my friends...

*insert squeal here*

So OMG, we just got an AMAZING deal on a PENTHOUSE condo in Destin for the last week of September, I'm so stoked!!! This is yet another incentive to lose weight, as I hope to be down by 50 lbs then. That's about 5 months away, so I need to lose about 2 pounds a week. I CAN DO THIS!!! I'm curious as to how much hubby has lost. I know I'm the one obsessed with numbers and he's the one who judges his progress on how much better he feels, but I wanna know! It's a competitive thing, I guess. ;) Hopefully, we'll both be able to move alot easier and walk more by the time late September rolls around. If I wasn't at work, I'd be squealing! Eeeeeeee!!!!! :D God has blessed us so much.

So sleepy...

No idea why, but I'm drained today. I went to bed early last night and still woke up exhausted. Think my B-12 shots may need to continue to be weekly instead of changing to monthly. Anyway, 2 eggs for breakfast and a protein bar for a snack, along with a bottle of sugar-free flavored water. :) Even though this Friday is Good Friday and I'm off work, the doctor's office is open, so I plan on taking a little trip by there to weigh. They're probably getting tired of me, but until that scale at home starts acting right, I don't trust it. I hope and pray I'm still on the decline after last weekend. I should be, just a little nervous. I'm hoping for a 2-lb loss. Haven't hit the gym yet, we are just so busy. Need to MAKE time for it, though. I'm still planning on doing the one-mile fun walk on May 15th. I need to "get ta steppin" as Steven would say. ;) Stay tuned...

There's that monster again, rearing its ugly head...

Sorry for the weekend hiatus, folks! Steven took me to Myrtle Beach for the weekend, since he started his new job and had to postpone our Florida trip. Weather was way better than expected, didn’t rain ‘til Saturday night. We were scheduled to begin Phase 2 of South Beach today; however, that was a *little* hard to stick to on the road and at the beach. We didn’t go crazy, but I can tell a difference. Choices for me were very limited as far as sides at restaurants. I had ½ cup of mashed potatoes on Friday night, and then Saturday, we shared some popcorn at the IMAX. Saturday afternoon, I had ½ a wheat bun with a turkey burger along with some sweet potato chips (both allowed on Phase 2). Yesterday, we stopped at Subway for breakfast on the way out of town, and we had an egg sandwich on flatbread (also allowed on Phase 2). However, within two hours, I was hungry. That much protein (eggs and cheese), and I was HUNGRY?! And, it was the old carb-related hunger. Then, yesterday afternoon, I was craving a candy bar. My conclusion? The carbs are working on my brain, LOL! In all seriousness, though, I do believe that my carb addiction was reignited. So, per hubby’s suggestion, back on Phase 1 for the next 5 days, and Saturday, we’ll move to Phase 2. However, the bad carbs you’re allowed to have rarely on Phase 2, I’m not going to have at all. Flatbread is actually a good carb because it’s unleavened, but I honestly think it just didn’t work for me. Potatoes, white flour, etc…no longer for me. I felt my old self slipping back in…the unmotivated, uncaring self. So, I’m stopping myself before I go any further. Today, it’s back to water (I still proudly have had no sweetened beverages since I started this two weeks ago), veggies and protein. Must…stay…strong!

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!!

So, I went to the doctor this morning, not thinking they'd weigh me at the hematologists's office, and according to their digital scale, I'd lost two more puonds. I'm not gonna argue with it -- 9 POUNDS GONE, YAY!!! I know it might be a different scale, but how off can it be? It's a very expensive digital scale in the doctor's office. I'm runnin' with it. Promised hubby I would update with the good news. :) Myrtle Beach tomorrow, wahoo! It will be tough to stay on plan this weekend, but WE CAN DO IT!!! Stay tuned...

Half a freakin' pound...8 oz...

Seriously? I lost half a pound, that's it?! I could sit here and be all, "Oh, poor me, I've busted my hump this week, and this is all I get?" And, believe me, I did think that all that...but, it just means it's time for overdrive. I believe I've been eating too much string cheese. I need something different, so I'm going to get some almonds or peanuts at lunch. I DID drink four bottles of water yesterday, so I reached that goal. I'm not beating myself up, just gotta hit it harder. Gotta start exercising. I went by the doctor's office to weigh, of course, and the nurse gave me some info on a diabetic diet. She said South Beach is good, but you can't do it forever. I thought, "Ummm...why not?" The company about which she gave me some information, though, WILL send me a free fat/calorie counter book chocked full of information. It's at least worth that to fill out the card. I've noticed little things are happening to encourage our not going to the gym. There's lack of time, and I CANNOT get my recently downloaded iTunes to load on my mp3 player, ugh. You can't stop me, though! :) Stay tuned... OH, and Myrtle Beach this weekend, yahoo!

Losing steam?

So, I don't know what it is about today, but I'm dealing with alot of head hunger. I'm craving something hot for lunch, and I brought a salad. I looked up Wendy's chili...22 carbs!!!! WHAT?! Ugh. Talk about a lack of motivation today, too. *sigh* I should've known with all this "WAHOO, THIS IS AWESOME" stuff couldn't last forever. Don't get me wrong, I am DEFINITELY still with this...even downloaded a bunch of songs for my mp3 player to work out with. Must...get...MOTIVATED. Stay tuned...

Do I have to eat...

Another awesome development yesterday! :) I had 2 eggs for breakfast around 7:30 and then some string cheese around 11:30. We didn't go for lunch until about 2:00, and I wasn't hungry at all. I know you're thinking, "Wow, two and a half hours? I wouldn't be hungry, either." But, this is coming from the girl that was hungry every two hours. I'm telling you, this no carb thing WORKS! I now realize it was the carbs making me hungry -- not my pouch emptying out too quickly (gastric bypass in 2003) or low sugar levels. It's simply the carbs. Lunch was half a piece of grilled chicken and a double dose of green beans. Didn't want anything else, even when we got home around 6:00. I finally had that "So, this is what hungry feels like" feeling around 7:30 when dinner was ready. We had salad and pork tenderloin from the rotisserie. I'm so excited, this is actually happening. Thank God for shedding light into our lives somehow that a low-carb plan was the one for us. Now, next goal -- to WANT to go to the gym. That might take a while, my friends. ;) Stay tuned...

You want me to do WHAT...

So, I texted my friend today who's been running for a while now, to tell her about the 5K our church is sponsoring. I said that if she decided to do it, we'd be there to cheer her on. She said she thought she'd already decided to do that one and that I shouldn't sit on the sidelines, I should participate. She'd almost talked me into it, but I don't think I could do a 5K anytime within the next month or so. I can't walk a long distance now without my back hurting. Soooo, I've decided instead to the one-mile fun walk/run. Unless, I can train myself up to 2 miles within a month. I'm gonna try and see how my back does. Downloading some iTunes now! :) Stay tuned...

Stronger than yesterday...

OK, so I just quoted a Britney Spears song, sue me. I actually like her...well, the old school stuff. ANYWAY, I've noticed some more good things today. Hubby and I had breakfast with Daddy at Cracker Barrel, and we both had scrambled eggs and turkey sausage. I put sweetener in my tea, and I said, "Wow, I only put three sweeteners in my tea, and it's really sweet. I'm scared he gave me sweet." Hubby reminded me that things are sweeter to me now. Also, I was getting my nails done, and my stomach started that "OMG, FEED ME NOW" stuff, and I actually had the thought: "Ah, well...it will pass." What, who said that?! Change is here. :) Stay tuned...

Here you come, creepin' around...

So, good news! I had my first weigh-in at the doctor this morning. I went to his office so I'd weigh on the same scale and know how off our home scale is. Found out, I'd lost between 6.6 and 6.8 pounds since last Friday, and we didn't start the plan 'til this past Monday! Woohoo! :) This elation lasted for about 10 minutes, though. Then, that old feeling of "So what, you've done this before" started creeping in. *sigh* I wanna believe this time's going to be different, and honestly, deep down, I think I do. I guess I've failed so many times, that failure keeps rearing its ugly head, mocking me. Please don't think I'm having thoughts of giving up, because I'm definitely not. I just...I wish I could take a ball bat and beat this monster back down in its hole. I've got hubby this time, and he won't let me fall. I think it will be much easier, though, when I can add back more types of foods a week from Monday. More variety, yay! Stay tuned...

A surprising development...

So, this morning, I put my single packet of Hawaiian Punch sugar-free mix in my bottle of water, and dang, it is SO sweet! :-x Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I was downing those things. Yesterday, I had a 20 oz bottle instead of a 16.9 oz, and maybe that helped, because it definitely was toned down yesterday. Could I possibly be on the way to thinking things are TOO SWEET? Wait, who said that?! *looks around* This is very encouraging. I hope to drop by the doctor's office today and weigh. Our scale at home hasn't moved, and I wonder if it's because I'm over the scale limit. *sigh* We shall see...Wish me luck and send up prayers, please! :) Stay tuned...

What I wouldn't give for a cracker...

To eat with all this reduced-fat cheese!!! I'm dying for something different than the turkey, lean beef, chicken, reduced-fat cheese, spinach and nuts I've been consuming...11 more days! Then, we can add back the whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread, fruit. Yahoo! I know this is good for me, but wow, I wonder if the endocrinologist really was right last week about carb addiction. I don't FEEL bad, but I swear, it's all I think about. I even DREAMED I was sneaking pizza crust the other night. Seriously?! Hubby told me Tuesday night that when the scale hit 250 for both of us (it's at 400 for me right now *sad*), we could go anywhere in the world I wanted. I immediately responded, "FLORIDA?!" He looked at me like, "Really? I just said 'the world', and you come back with 'Florida'?" So, I posted on Facebook for suggestions, and I'm seriously pondering Tahiti. The airfare is the most expensive part, and boy, is it expensive. We'd have to connect in Atlanta, then L.A., and then on to Tahiti! But, OMG, it's so beautiful! Little bungalows out over the water. *sigh* So, I guess every time I take a bite of spinch or turkey or whatever, I'll have to think of water so clear you can see to the bottom, white sand and those little bungalows while chanting "Tahiti, Tahiti, TAHITI"! Stay tuned...

Good morning...

Here's to 5 bottles of water and NO carbs today! Today is my third anniversary with hubby, so we'll celebrate tonight with lean sirloin and sauteed shrimp. Maybe on a bed of spinach for me. I want to celebrate many, many more with him, and hopefully, we're on the road to that! We're going to get a good scale to use at home, too, so we can track our progress. Go for my bloodwork Thursday and my follow-up with the hematologist next week. I've not been taking my three iron pills a day as directed...OK, I've been taking none. :-\ Nor have I been taking my vitamins...he's probably gonna tell me that if I don't get on the ball, I'll have to have IV infusions. Eep! We'll see what he says, though. With me eating all this protein, maybe it will raise to a normal level. That's all for this boring update, TTYL! :)

Rain, rain, GO AWAY!!!

Have I ever told you how much I HATE storms? Several reasons for this...tornado watches, dogs being stuck inside, tornado watches, satellite going out, tornado watches... So, tonight's dinner was seared/baked tuna, green beans, and sauteed shrimp. Not a big fan of fish, but South Beach advises it twice a week, and for Steven especially because of his heart. I did have 4 bottles of water today and 4 or 5 trips to the potty, haha! I guess that's, good, though. Water's good for almost every aspect of your health, I've heard. Also had a no-sugar-added fudge pop and a sugar-free popsicle. Yay me! Day 1, done. Day 2, you're going down!

Lord, give me strength...

Our office went to a local Cajun place for lunch, and I chose the best I could without the firm paying a crazy amount of money. I got a bowl of gumbo and picked out the sausage, chicken and shrimp. That wasn't much, and there was a big plop of rice in it, so I had a spoonful. However, I had no crackers, and I drank unsweetened tea. :) Talk about killing me with pasta dishes and bread, though, ugh! I was foaming at the mouth, I believe. I screwed up with the rice, I guess, but I will not stop going forward. Bottle of water #3, here I come! :)

Almost 2 years????

Since I updated this thing? Wow! :-\ Yet another example of how long I've been struggling with my weight. I've been noticing that I was getting dizzy occasionally and that I was REALLY sleepy after I ate. I saw my Nurse Practitioner, and she felt I should see an endocrinologist (sp?) for a possible metabolic disorder. They ran some bloodwork, and everything came back great. I'm not pre-diabetic, my blood pressure is fine, and my cholesterol is ok. My only physical problem is obstructive sleep apnea, which is treated with my CPAP machine. He indicated that if I did have some type of physical problem because of my weight (i.e., pre-diabetes), he could prescribe some medication, like Metformin, to assist me. He talked with me for about 30 minutes, and we discussed the possibility of carb addiction. I never really thought about it, but the more I pondered it, the more sense it made. He recommended a carb-free diet. I talked with hubby, and he said his heart doctor had advised him to follow the South Beach plan. So, we've decided to do that. $248 worth of groceries later, we've begun. Two eggs for breakfast, reduced fat string cheese and nuts for snacks, a salad for lunch. Just found out the office is going out to lunch, though, for an associate's birthday. Must...be...strong. If you see me in the corner, curled up a ball and chanting "sweet....tea", help me.