End Week Seven

   Yes, I skipped week 6. I think part of it was that I was a little disappointed with myself. I got to that 20 pound weight loss, but when I weighed myself last Sunday, I had GAINED 2 pounds! I mean, of course. I bounced off of the wall.
   So, this past week, I worked extra hard. When there was a box of doughnuts sitting on the table, I said to myself "510 calories" every time I walked past them. Throughout the week, it was not easy, but I kept going. I got to see the result of the this morning.
   When I stepped on my scale this morning, my jaw dropped. I had to step again to prove it was correct. I was now at 269.8. I am in the 260's. Some how, I had lost more than 5 pounds this past week. Now, I need to keep going, and stay down. Next step is to get into the 250's.
   Oh yeah, and I took that sledgehammer, and demolished that wall.

New pics! This time the picture from today is the first one, me in turquoise. I can see a little difference. I feel the change more than anything though!

End Week Five, my Brick Wall

   A month has gone by, and I feel so good! No, it still isn't easy, but I think I am learning to accept that, this is my life now. I have lost another 3 pounds, so I am down to 273.4. I now need to get new pictures! I can feel the difference sooooo much. I can feel it in how I walk, and how my arms swing at my side. I can feel it in my self esteem too. I feel lighter, knowing that, I can do this!
   You know how people say "If I can do this, so can you!" I have scoffed at that. Bfft. You know nothing about me! How do you know I can do it, just because you could. Well, get ready. Here I go. If I can do this, so can you. Uhg. Can you believe I just said that? I can't. And, it's only been a month, so I don't have too much proof. Give me another month to see.
   See, I have this curse, that I have had for years. See, I am very strong willed. I jump in feet first. If I am going to do something, I will do it NOW. Dieting is like that. I quickly learn what I need to do. I'm strong at the beginning. Then, the ADHD kicks in, and  I get distracted. And some how, this always happens when I loose 20 pounds. I don't know why! But it does! Then, I gain it all back, plus some.
   Yesterday when I weighed myself, I hit that 20 pound mark. (gasp!) And yes, I got scared. Can I keep going? After all, I'm learning that I can have the occasional cookie, or cupcake. Yet, I am still having fun. I'm still enjoying cooking healthier foods, learning new recipes, entering things into my Myfittnesspal app. I had Swedish pancakes for dinner last night. But, I calculated them, and learned that I could have 6 of them. And, instead of putting syrup on them, I used low-fat whip cream and strawberries. I tell you what, it was one hundred times better! And way more healthy too! In the future, I want to learn how to make them more healthy too. (My Father-in-law made them for mother's day). Like, can I use almond flour? Almond milk? Egg beaters? I will let you know when I try.
   So, today I am  holding my sledgehammer, and I am breaking down that wall! Next week, I plan to be dancing all over, when I see that I can do it. And you know what? So can you. Just ask me how!

End Week Four

   I made it! One month! And in that month, I am down 17.4 pounds! That really amazes me, truly. When I weigh in, I find I can look back on my week, and appreciate my will power more. I passed up chocolate chip cookies candy bars, as well as more. It is so very hard, but, every time I weigh myself, that strengthens me.
   So, this week, I went down another 2.4 pounds. This puts me at 276.2. I look forward to thinking about how, when we go camping next month, I could be in the 260's.

Week Four

   I don't know why, but this is a hard week for me. I want junk food SO bad. Since I can go shopping tomorrow for ingredients, I have found recipes that give me healthy, chocolate flavored, foods. I am learning about alternatives for higher calorie or fat foods.
   It is hard, too, with how expensive this can run. I recently completed a couple of paintings, that helped.

 

 I'm willing to paint for funds for food...I color too...

So, wish me luck, as I experiment with new recipes. I'm starting to have more courage in the kitchen. I'm ready to try almond flour, and agave nectar.

The Purple Dress

 

   This is my inspiration dress. You can't really tell from my pic, but it is a dark purple, size 18. I saw it at the store last year, and said, I want to be able to wear that someday! So we got it. This was when I had been trying to loose weight last year. Now, I still hangs on the wall, beckoning to me. So, I am renewing my goal for it. I will wear this dress this year. Right now, I can barely squeeze into a size 24. But I have been loosing inches. That size 24 isn't too snug anymore. So, here it is, on the hanger. Hopefully soon, I will be posting a picture of it not on the hanger, but on me!

End Week Three

   This really felt like a rough week for me. I was craving junk food and chocolate like nobody's business! Luckily, I was able to distract myself, working on a painting for a friend. There were times I wanted to cry though, because I wanted junk food. I told myself to just hold out until Sunday, when I would weigh myself again. Then hopefully that would help recharge my resolve.
   Well, I lost another 2.6 pounds! So, in 3 weeks, I have lost 15 pounds. I'm now at 278.6. I gotta tell you, that feels good. I had so much energy today too, feeling so good, knowing that I can do this. Now, I know there will be other rough days. I'm hoping I can keep going though!
   So, here are my most recent pics. I can actually see a difference! Purple shirt is 3 weeks ago, before I started. Blue shirt is today.

 

   Now, I gotta say, when I look at myself in the mirror, I don't look like this. I feel prettier. I don't like how the camera flattens me out. On a good note, those pants? 3 weeks ago, I hated wearing them. They were uncomfortable, and I felt like I was being smothered. Today, they were still just a little snug, but felt so much better! It's getting to where they actually fit. Just in time for when it is 90 degrees plus out here. So now I need to get Capri's?

Favorite Meals Part 1 - Turkey Burgers

   It's starting to feel like my body is adjusting to being off of soy. I feel SO much better. I am so thankful that I was able to swap food with someone a few nights ago, so that I can still be on Medifast until my next order comes.
   Now, I normally do not cook, as I have said. But now I have had a new drive. And there are some foods out there that are a must! So, I am going to talk about the first one I tried. The "My Big Skinny Greek Turkey Burger. I was a little apprehensive to try it. I've had turkey burgers before, and they were kind of bland. This recipe made two, thick, burgers. And, I was in love with just one bite. It was full of flavor, and even juicy! I knew right away it was something I'd make over and over. It was 277 calories, 1 carb, 3 grams fat, 59 grams protein, and 408 mg sodium-as told by MyFittnessPal app. Yes, it really filled me up, and this was on my second day of the diet. So it was so wonderful to me!
Another turkey burger thing I went with was the All American A1 Stuffed Turkey Burger. My first try on this didn't go so well. I don't think I cooked it long enough. And I know that next time, I may go with less cheese in the middle. That kind of overwhelmed me. It was good though. I haven't made it again, but I'm thinking that I know now what I am going to have for dinner tonight! And, I have it as 414 calories, 3 carbs, 19 grams fat, 46 grams protein, and 24 mg sodium. So, much higher in calories and fat, but good on the sodium.
   See, I'm one of those people that I learn by doing. When I make a mistake, then I know what NOT to do next time. So, I kind of expect my first go to be not perfect.