Checked in...



This morning I had my 6 week follow up with Dr. Bauer, since March 24th, I have lost a total of 35 pounds fully clothed and 38 pounds in my birthday suit. I lost 12 lbs in the past 6 weeks and so I DON'T have to start back at week one (thank goodness!). I get to continue on my healthy lifestyle choice eating for another 6 weeks and then we'll see what happens.

3 years ago I was working with Medi Weightloss Clinics and lost 60 pounds in slightly over 4 months, Dr. Bauer brought this up and I told him that the pace I'm going at is fine with me. I don't want to gain it back this time, I want to do it the right way and not starve myself or depend on appetite suppressants forever. I think he was a little concerned that I was okay with only losing 2 pounds a week, but he didn't say so.

My plan now is to keep doing what I'm doing, work out 5/6 days a week for an hour, but to also eat more salads and less whole grain/whole wheat products. I'm also working on not taking the appetite suppresant every day. Dr. Bauer and I agreed that it should be an "emergency use only" after this next 6 weeks, but to start weening myself off of it now.

35 pounds down, 100 to go and I'm perfectly fine with that.

Take a hike

On Memorial Day, Daniel and I headed to a hidden hiking gem in Lancaster/Kershaw, South Carolina. It's called the Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve. The day was hot and humid, we were prepared with bug repellent and hydration packs. Daniel is an avid mountain biker and it used to climbing, outdoor heat and the like. I am used to Zumba inside on flat floor with a fan and air conditioning. The hike wasn't too challenging, but getting used to breathing outside was. The hot moist air had me panting harder than a dog in summer. We were drenched with sweat and it was wonderful! The hike provided a beautiful "waterfall", a creek to walk beside and the pièce de résistance, the GIANT rock at the top, no not a boulder, not a mountain, but a rock covering 14 acres. We had read reviews that the rock was covered in graffiti and trash, there was graffiti, but it was not horrible. It was still beautiful. The hike was 5 miles and took us around 2 hours, not too shabby.

We took a few photos at the top...

The graffiti and a beautiful view

Natural trees and moss islands on top

View from the top

Me at the top enjoying a little slice of shade

Daniel walking around



I did take a break on the way up and sat down in the shade for a bit and just enjoyed the surroundings. I'm amazed that we had never heard of this place, but I'm glad we found it and it's not too far from home. We'll definitely go back.

Just thought I'd share

Today I was reading comments about the new "food plate" instead of the "food pyramid" and one comment really stuck out to me. "It's not about skinny or fat, it's about healthy." Looking back, I think most of my life has been focused on being skinny or fat, not just healthy. Now, my focus has changed and this comment really solidified what my new outlook is on my body. I'm more concerned about what I put in my body and the amounts, I'm more concerned about making sure I get more fruits and veggies than anything else, I'd rather drink seltzer water than a soda any day. Healthy, not skinny, not fat, just healthy. I like that.

Do you know what's REALLY fun?



Getting RID of clothes that are too big!

 Of course, they have all been sorted and donated.

So, I'm now down three pants sizes and one shirt size (height has a lot to do with the shirts, don't need to wear a belly shirt to work). That's pretty exciting.

Don't forget, I'm doing all of this through a medically supervised weight loss. No celebrity endorsed diets or magic pills here. It's working out and eating right that make the difference. Less intake, more output!! And, I can't wait to start the "Couch to 5k" program this fall. I'd like to get another 30 pounds off before I start to make it easier on the joints, ligaments and bones. I'm excited about being healthy and the changes we've made in our house. Now, if healthy food was just cheaper that would be great!!

Goodbye big clothes, hello healthy me!!

I Graduated!

Well, I graduated to a larger menu for 6 weeks. I met with Dr. Bauer last Thursday and it went pretty well. My weight loss has slowed down (totally normal) and I've kicked up the exercising. Dr. Bauer has given me a guideline of 7 days a week for 45 minutes, that is a big change for me but I'm thinking I can handle it. Some positive changes are in store for the next 6 weeks as well, I don't have to have the Green's Today and I can add in whole wheat options such as pasta and bread in moderation. I can also now have light beer and wine. No processed foods like chips, cookies or any crap like that (which is ok by me!), nice big change!



To be honest, I asked him if I could still have my green stuff. I've gotten so used to having it for lunch and its really convenient. He said only if I really wanted to. So, a new 6 week routine and then I go back mid June. If the scale hasn't moved a lot, we go back to the start.

That's where I'm at right now, time to get up and get moving!

It happened...

Yep, I cheated. Sure did. And I don't feel guilty. I'm back on track and that is what matters.

One night last week I was exhausted and grumpy and found myself digging into a small bowl of lasagna. I let my discipline falter, felt like crap right after and then hit up an hour and a half of Zumba after I was done. I'm not kidding when I say this, it wasn't worth it. Not that it wasn't good, but it was just lasagna. Nothing major about that at all. And no, I didn't cheat and then go eat my normal meal. So, it happened and I've moved on.

Daniel and I also went down to the beach this past weekend, just an overnight trip courtesy of his Grandparents. We were staying in a condo with a full kitchen and I had brought stuff to cook our usual meals with. Together, Daniel and I decided to go out to eat instead. We were on vacation, probably one of the only times we will really be able to get away (other than a camping trip or two) this year. Together, we decided that having one cheat meal on vacation wasn't that bad. That indulging on vacation is not a horrible thing. We agreed that it would only be a vacation thing or an extremely special occasion thing (I will be eating a piece of our wedding cake on our 1 year anniversary), not a once a month thing or a holiday, birthday, random celebration thing. I'll of course have to talk to Dr. Bauer about this on Thursday, but that's that. I didn't even eat my entire meal as I was stuffed after eating a portion that a 10 year old could chow down. I got my real craving out of the way and I've moved on.

All you naysayers STOP RIGHT THERE!
If you're not a naysayer, skip this part and read the next bit...
I'll agree, "normal" meals shouldn't be allowed until you've reached your goal and have been there for a bit. I agree completely. 30 pounds lost in a month and I had lasagna and Mexican in one week- what was she thinking?? Well get over yourself! You're not me and I'm not doing this for you. I don't want your advice or your pity. I don't want to hear it. I don't care if you're not going to leave a comment and just think it all in your head. Please save your non-professional advice for some fool who thinks Hydroxicut is going to help them lose 100 pounds all by itself. Two cheats in a month is much better than someone eating a Snicker's bar a day while saying that they are "trying" to lose weight. I've said my peace, so take that and shove it in your pocket.

For those of you who are interested in what my cheat was...
1/2 of a chicken burrito, about a 1/8th cup of black beans, whole wheat chips with salsa, about 2 tablespoons of Spanish rice and 2 ice cold margaritas on the rocks. It was DELICIOUS!

Funny thing... I'm a lightweight now, a serious lightweight. I'm pretty sure Daniel hasn't laughed that hard at me in a loooong time. Singing, dancing, couldn't pour the pitcher of Margarita to save my life... there was more ice on that table than anything else. Wish you could have been there to see it! Went to bed that night with a headache and a stomach ache. Guess that my body doesn't handle cheating very well... probably a good thing.

So it happened, and I'll move on like any other day. 1.5 hours of Zumba tonight, anyone wanna join??

Short and Sweet!

On my 1 month life change anniversary, I'm 27 pounds down. Awesome.