Motiviation

I needed some motivation. I was on the Kimkins support site, and I have to say I'M ADDICTED. Everyone there has something positive to say. Questions are answered, tough love is given, when folks struggle there is support and it's helped me A LOT.

Quite honestly, I needed some support. One of the members gave us this link, and it inspired me. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyPkUXGq1S0

I remember that I have actually had that kind of support and training and tough love. You see, I am an Enlightened Warrior -- and that training I went through changed my life. The successes that I have had in life are first because of God, then my close group of love and support, and next because of Peak Potential Training.

This weight loss journey is simple but it's not easy. The only reason for that is because our minds like to keep us "safe" and play tricks on us to keep us where we are. We have to remember to say "thank you for sharing" to ourselves and keep doing what's best for us. We have to be our own parents.

On a grocery bill note, I found 12-pack cans of Coke Zero 5 for $10. That's about 60 cents a can -- in NY that's a good deal. I bought them and have them now to bring to work instead of spending upwards of $1.50 for a bottle!!! I also bought "Stop and Shop" brand "Clear Splash" -- Wiled Cherry. It's flavored sparkling water and hits the spot. It's also super cheap.

To your victory everyone!

Exercise & Low Carb

So I got on the scale today and didn't notice that much of a difference, and I was kicking myself -- which is what always happens, thus the Scale Fear. Ugh.

But I decided I wasn't going to let it defeat me, but motivate me. So, I noticed that yesterday I skipped my workout -- for really dumb reasons, actually. At the time, though, it sounded good. ;-)

N-E-Way, I went to the gym today for my 30min cardio. I am on level 5 -- but today it was really easy. Level 6 tomorrow!

I have to tell you -- I've been reading lots of blogs from other Kimkins folks -- and I couldn't help but get mad at my metabolism at times, whining to myself why can't I lose weight "like that!" Sound familiar, anyone?

Well, I decided to stop playing the victim. We can't all be perfect, and I do have genetic assets that I'm sure other people would like to have. So, what, I wasn't born with super-metabolism and I have a BELLY!!!! :-( It's just something I have to work at. Obviously, I can't skip my workouts. But guess what? I know what WORKS. And that's better than not knowing. So all I have to do is keep doing what I know works and I'll ok. THAT is something to celebrate!!!

By the way, I "cheated" today. I really wanted something sweet so I had cream cheese sweetened with Splenda. I know that's not lowfat, but the thing I found funny is that I cheated on Kimkins with Atkins! LOL Well, that's better than something super carby.

Back On Track

I'm back on track. Yesterday, I ate pretty good -- I even had shrimp for dinner. How did I do that cheaply? Two words: ON SALE. I wouldn't have normally purchased them, but I did because I believe you might as well treat yourself once in awhile. Plus, shrimp is really quick to cook, so it's the perfect meal when you are busy.

I also bought Jell-o to make Jigglers. I realize that falls under the "treat" category, and for some, the artificial sweetner halts weight loss, but for me it's ok. Jell-o has no fat, no carbs (or a minimal amt if you add the amt the artificial sweetner contains), and it's only 10 calories! I made lemon/lime jigglers and purchased more sugar-free jello which was on sale 2/$1.oo. For those using artificial sweetners, I think it's the perfect treat, it's almost "free". And it's got that chewy/gummy consistency. Personally, I think regular jello is boring -- but this I can do. :-)

The scale was nice to me this morning. At my highest body fat, I was 49.7% -- today I was 38.5%. I use the Tanita scale. I realize that BF percentage may be a bit HIGH - even for me, but I don't take those numbers to heart --what I count on is the "relative loss" of body fat. The great thing about this, is that, especially for women, the scale fluctuates on a daily basis -- it doesn't mean you aren't losing weight.

To keep my sanity, and my "scale fear" from going haywire, I count a victory as a weight loss OR a body fat loss, or both. Then I know at least SOMETHING's happening!

By the way, I lost .8 lbs yesterday. I'm losing the weight I gained during my cheat day -- boys and girls DON'T CHEAT! ;-) At least you know with a good low carb plan like Kimkins or Atkins, you can get back on track more easily. At least, that's my experience.

'Till the next time. May you release all the weight you want effortlessly! :-)

Cheater!!!

Ok, so I have a confession to make. I cheated on Sunday. In my defense, I was really stoopid hungry and the only thing available was cookies -- not great ones at that.

Then, I had a cheeseburger - with bun from McDonalds.

Then, I went to Uno's and had pizza and 2 drinks.

Ugh.

I paid for it on the scale!!! On Monday, I gained back 5lbs!!! But, I lost like 4% body fat, so that's weird.

So I'm back on Kimkins.

Eggs in the AM, tuna fish in the afternoon. I am going to go grocery shopping and get some fish and chicken breast to vary my diet, I just haven't had the time.

Today, I'm down .2lbs and lost some more body fat (like 2%), so I consider myself back on track. I'm going to the gym after work.

Hey, I'm not perfect. But at least I have Kimkins to bring me back!

I am declaring VICTORY!!!

...over myself.

In meeting with my fiance, I got really really really hungry. My appetite came back just as I was marching through Grand Central Station.

For those of you who don't know, it's a major transportation hub for commuter trains in Manhattan. It has a mall. With a food court. Little Pie Company, Juniors (famous Brooklyn Cheesecake), Gelato Ice Cream, Jamaican Beef Patties, Chinese, Indian, pretzel/soda/beer/wine stands....need I say more?

So, while waiting for a train, I take out a little sample Atkins bar -- they give them out frequently on the way to work. They are just 1/2 a serving. I always try to keep a couple of those and some Slim Jims in my purse for "emergency." Well, it was an emergency. I had a Slim Jim and sample bar.

When I got to my fiance's neighborhood, we had plans to get some burgers, but he was going to be delayed. So I stopped by the Chinese food place and purchased shrimp egg foo young -- basically, fried shimp omelettes -- with the gravy on the side. I had about 1 1/2 over a 3 hour period.

When he finally arrived, he wanted to meet his friends at the pool hall. I had a chicken finger -- I was still hungry. Ok, two. But very very very little sauce. And no drink -- just a diet soda.

Ok, did I cheat? I suppose so, a little bit. There was breading on the chicken finger and I shouldn't have touched the sauce with a ten foot pole. But hunger is hunger, man! And considering my limited choices, I think I did fairly well.

If you've read my previous posts, you'll note that my fiance is currently scale-less. But i bought my ketostiks with me, and I am still in ketosis!

Therefore, I am declaring victory.

Plus, I have extra egg foo young for breakfast this morning. :-)

May you all be your goal weight!!!! Love, me!

Just Geting Over Getting Sick

Hey,

Just wanted to drop a note to say hi. I have officially lost 10 lbs on Kimkins, and me very happy. But wasn't happy about being sick.

I tried to think of why. I think it was the toxins that build up in fat cells being released that made me sick. I am slowly but surely regaining my appetite now, and I'm back to work. I'm not sure if I'm hitting the gym today, or if I will just take a walk.

I won't have the scale for a few days, because I'll be at my fiance's, so I'm not so happy about that (the scale, not his place). But I'll let ya'll know how I'm doing as soon as I know. I did take my Ketosticks with me.....I've stayed in large ketosis all throughout, so that's a good thing. :-D

Sick....hmmm

So, yesterday I had two hard-boiled egg whites (I threw away the yoke) & a cup of coffee for "breakfast". I put "breakfast" in quotes because i ate the eggs slowly, and it took me about 2 hours to eat it. I'm trying to space out my meals a little.

Then, I went to the gym and tried the elliptical for the first time. I did 30 minutes straight. Somewhat challenging.

I had no appetite whatsoever! I ended up getting some cooked turkey a the deli and could only take a few bites -- and forced myself to do that.

Then I felt ill. Without giving you the gory details, let's just say I didn't make it to the ladies room and ended up, well - u know -- in the garbage can at my cubicle. tre fun. :-(

I went home, had some water and an aspirin and slept. I feel a bit better today, but still have NO appetite.

I have had many theories: I'm not eating enough carbs. I exercised too much. Not enough water. All of the above. None of the above.

Ideas, anyone?

P.S. Don't know my weight yet, bec. instead of going home, went to Fiance's place and his scale is missing. I can't imagine having gained anything, considering yesterday, though. Will keep you posted.

Sam's Club

Howdy all.



I went to Sam's Club over the weekend and picked up bbqing stuff for Daddy's Day. I got chicken, ribs, and tuna. Tuna? You say. Well, a ten pack of Chunk Light Bumblebee tuna costs $5.46 -- less than the $1 a can I mentioned before! That will be 10 lunches right there -- and timesaving, too. Making tuna salad takes less than 5 minutes, and I'm v. busy.

So we bbqed the chicken and ribs, so I have plenty of leftover for lunch/dinner next week. Gonna be boring eating leftovers every day, but but so is eating tuna. And when I think of the weight I'm losing, I'm not going to complain!!!



I was VERY VERY good at the bbq!! I had deviled eggs and chicken breast. By the time we got there, I was starving. Everyone in the car had big pretzels from Auntie Ann's -- I had a Slim Jim. Not exactly Kimkins, but in a fix it will do!

I gained .4 lbs on Saturday, but lost body fat. Hmm...I don't see that as a bad thing. My weight on the Tanita scale tends to fluxuate a little bit daily -- but if my body fat goes down and my weight goes up a little, hey -- at least SOMETHING went down! Btw, I am 44.7% body fat. Eww. I mean, really! almost 1/2 my body!!!

I haven't been on a scale this morning, bec. I was at my fiance's place, and his scale is missing. Bummer. No ketostix either, which I leave in my bathroom at home.

But I had a successful weekend outside of work. Somehow, dieting is easier at work -- less temptation at your desk, maybe?

A last note, my pants are looser. I have a pair of size 8 capris that I have never worn (tags still on 'em) and I'm trying them on every few days to see if they will fit. So far, they cannot get over my hips and are really tight in the legs. I'll keep u updated. :-)

Big A-Ha Moment

So, after I've weighed myself, I automatically start visualizing the next day, imagining the scale one pound less. So far, it's worked! I am down MORE than another pound -- a total of 7 lbs!!! So we're at 7 Pounds in 6 days!!! On Kimkins!!! Hip Hip Hooray, let's celebrate!

I'm wearing a pair of jeans which fit me before, but I've got some room in them. LOL, I've got thee next 4 sizes down, so plenty to try on while I do this WOE.

Big a-ha moment for me: Did you know that the towels they give you at the gym ARE SUPPOSED TO FIT AROUND YOUR BODY!!!!!! OMIGOD I thought -- really! I thought --- that they were just stingy with the towel sizes. I NEVER EVER had one of those little WASHCLOTHS wrap around me!!!

So "bath sheets" are for what, larger people?? OMIGOD I had no idea!

Anyway, yesterday I didn't feel like doing level 5 on the treadmill - plus my knees aren't so great, so I went to level 4. I didn't feel like it AT ALL, but I did it anyway and now I'm glad. The scale rewarded me.

I'm about to go do something not-so-cheap. I'm going to get an omelet at a restaurant. I deserve a treat, I think.

On the "cheap note", I'm going to the grocery store and pick up eggs, and chicken. My fiance is going to devil some of the eggs for father's day tomorrow. We're having a big to-do at his dad's house. Believe it or not, it's going to be naturally lowcarb -- grilled chicken, ribs, deviled eggs and salad. I'm hoping I don't have to worry about desert. I guess filling up on chicken is going to have to be my strategy.

Workout Routine

You are going to think I'm a bit anal -- possibly crazy, definitely "unwell". That's ok, I'm used to it.

I have a fitness goal to be able to run 5 miles in 40 minutes -- that's an 8 minute mile. I am NOWHERE near that goal! So I decided to plan towards it.

I have set up an Excel spreadsheet with "levels" -- starting with walk/run combinations for 30 minutes and moving up to 40 minutes and then increasing the speed and incline (from 0.0 to 5.0). All of this is for the treadmill. I am up to level 5 -- but dang!!!! That was hard!!! I'm going to go between levels 4 and 5 until I get comfortable.

-- I haven't even finished the spreadsheet, and guess what? I have 192 levels!!!

The point is to make me feel like I'm accomplishing something while working out. Add that my wonderful fiance replaced my broken iPod and I'm back in business!

Another workout trick? Military Cadences!!!! A friend bought them from me (she was a vet) and ever since I've been hooked. I have the Navy Seals, and the Army one. They keep you motivated.

Yes, I say them aloud. Even at the gym. Yes, I get strange looks, especially when I say "I shaved my head to make me pretty for the ladies...hey ha seal team navy" :-D

Anyone want the spreadsheet? Make your comments here and I get enough interest, I'll put them up on my other website and give you the link. It's an excel spreadsheet, and if you want, you can modify it yourself to suit your own levels, you may want to insert a few in there. In fact, as I move up levels, I may want to as well! I'll keep ya'll updated.

Keep motivated! To Your Victory!

What i've Been Eating

Ok, as you know, not only am I doing lowcarb (lowfat & lowcal too), but I've been trying to do it as cheaply as possible.

So far, this is my diet (generally speaking):

Breakfast
2 large hard-boiled eggs (I buy a dozen and boil when I get up in the morning. By the time I'm done with my shower, they are done!) Sometimes I eat only one of the yolks to cut back on fat.
1 large mug of Earl Grey Tea (I bought a small box of Bigelow) w/ 2 packets of Equal or Splenda

Snacks (one of the list below)
deli ham (ok, I know, not exactly low fat, but I have to have a little something throughout the day and it hasn't harmed me so far) -- This I buy in a little container at the grocery store. I only eat 1 or 2 slices per hour 1/2 -- just to keep my metabolism up with little eating throughout the day
Hard Salami (Same type of container -- but I stopped doing this because the fat content was way too high)

--Both of those deli meats are like $3-4 a box, but you can get it on sale. I am not brand loyal, I get the cheapest. This box lasts more than a week, so it's an economical snack.

Lunch
1 can of chunk light tuna in water w/ a tiny bit of Mayo & sweet relish
(ok, I know there is fat in mayo and sugar in relish. but I put a tiny bit just to get a "hint" of tuna salad, and the relish -- my secret -- makes it taste 100 times better. A can of tuna is a little over $1 a can -- less if you get it in bulk or on sale)
Diet Soda (I get a 12oz can at work for 65 cents, but sometimes I'll splurge for the $1.29 at the deli -- it's my vice.)

Dinner
I have had the following on different days -- sometimes I bring the leftovers to work.
2 Hamburger patties-- lean meat with a little bit of seasoning. Only the barest of ketchup (one packet, and sparingly) -- incidently, you'd be amazed how a little goes a long way
2 Turkey Burgers -- ground turkey with seasonings (garlic, pepper, a little seasoning salt) and ketchup, sparingly
chicken wings -- cooked in the oven. (I realize these are fattier than breasts, but that's what I had in the fridge at the time.)

Scale Fear

So I was afraid of the scale. I'm always afraid of the scale. If I have a "bad scale day", my day is screwed, I'm upset and I tend to cheat, thinking "whatever, it's not working anyway."

I had been testing myself to see if I was in ketosis for this week. I initially decided NOT to go on the scale for a few weeks, just track my ketosis. Then, I thought -- but the scale will help modify what I eat that day (egg whites instead of whole hard-boiled eggs, etc).

So I got on.

I was HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to see that I lost over 4 pounds! (This was yesterday). Today I lost 0.8 lbs and my body fat is down to 44.7%. (I have a Tanita scale). So that brings my weight loss to 5.4 lbs in one week. :-) Happy happy joy joy.

I promise to you and to myself: no more scale fear. Just adjust. And keep going.

Are you afraid of the scale? Lemme know!

Welcome To The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life

Hello everyone,

Once upon a time, I lost 45lbs on Atkins. For the first time in my life, I felt GREAT -- I didn't get sick when I was hungry, I had more energy, and my self-esteem went up! I started to enjoy shopping and didn't go into tears at the end of a shopping trip!

But I gained it back -- not because "Atkins is bad" but because I was eating Haagan Daaz (sorry Haagan Daaz). And pizza, and Micky D's, and bagels, and.....

You get the picture.

I have HAD ENOUGH!!!

One of the things I found about being low carb is that meat is quite more expensive than pasta. haha. And I have had some financial challenges over the years, so my lowcarb eating went the wayside to save a few bucks.

But now, I have new problem. I need to lost 50 pounds for my WEDDING and I need to save a ton of money for my WEDDING. I need to be SKINN-AY and save MON-AY.

I'll tell you how I do it; I'll tell you about my successes and failures and you can follow along with me. I hope to make some new friends in the process -- let's all support each other!

I have decided to change what I did on Atkins, and go for Kimkins, which is Lowcarb, LowCal, and LowFat. I'm adding in 30 minutes of exercise to go along with it.

I started Monday (6/11) and as of today I have lost 5.4 pounds!!!!!! YAY!!!