VLCD Day 1 Reflections

Well, yesterday was officially the start of this journey again. I've had mixed feelings about the protocol over the last year. I got to a place where I didn't want to do it again, because it is not the easiest thing to think about doing. That's exactly my problem, however, is thinking too much about things. I would freak myself out about doing 500 calories again, never stopping to think that I may actually LOVE the weight loss portion. Regardless of the program, it takes discipline and determination to succeed. Without either one of those, you are bound to fail. I was in a place mentally where, for whatever reason, I wanted it to be easy and wasn't willing to sacrifice my taste buds for something that might actually benefit my health. Stupid, I know.

I mentioned I am doing the Made to Crave study, and I'm having to teach myself a lot of things that should be common sense. I have to realize that it isn't about what society dictates I should look like. The allure of magazines leaves so many of us thinking we'll find worth if we become a size, 8,6,4, or 2. When we feel unworthy, we obsess about what it takes to look like that. That's why this world is full of eating disorders, whether they be anorexia, bulemia, or overeating. Each one of us who struggles has a different battle. Some of us think we are unworthy because we have a muffin top, so we run to the fridge, sabotaging any potential at reducing the size of our waist. Some of us decide, "fine, I just won't eat at all," while others combine the sabotaging eating and follow it with a huge amount of guilt, and purge what they spent the last hour stuffing in their mouths. This is a real problem in our culture. Our culture has dictated what beauty is, all forgetting what God said beauty is. At the end of this life, it doesn't matter what you looked like, because you will be buried with the worms (or cremated etc but you get my drift). What matters is what your heart looked like. How did you treat people? How did you love those around you? What did you spend your life obsessing about? Were you constantly in bondage emotionally to food (me), worried about what you would eat next? All the while, missing precious moments with your family? Were you always worried about being the perfect size, looking beautiful all of the time so that the world would notice? Those are just a couple of examples, but essentially the problem can be anything and affect your heart in ways that you can't ever go back and do over.

So, my challenge this time is to dig deep into my brain and try to correct the behavior that put me in this predicament to begin with. I want to change the "why" in the reasons I eat and have peace with my pantry. I no longer want to wake up worried about what I will eat all day, where my next "treat" will come from. I honestly see so many similarities between myself and a drug addict. I would hide candy so that my husband wouldn't have any reason to tell me "you shouldn't eat that." I would have binge sessions with bags of cheetos, cupcakes, and M&M's. I would wake up ready to find a sugar fix, try desperately to hold onto good eating and fail half way through the day sparking a desire for McDonald's. I was made to crave GOD not food. If I can run to Him when the cravings hit, He will carry me through the desire for food and give me the desire for Him and for the life I have been made for. A life that is a good example for my kids, a life that is full of wonderful tastes without addiction, a life that is enriched by helping and loving others. As long as I stay stuck here, I will not have any of that to the fullest that I know God has available to me.

Yesterday (VLCD Day 1) was a good day. I was hungry, but that is normal on the protocol the first few days. My meal plan is as follows (yes it varies from the protocol list, yes there are more calories...this is how I've chosen the plan for now but may adapt depending how losses continue)


Breakfast: 1 scoop MRM Vanilla Whey Protein, 1 Cup Spinach, 10oz water with ice blended in a blender. Green tea. Calories=92

Snack: 1 Fuji apple microwaved for 40 seconds (changed the time for the next apple to 30 seconds due to the nutritional content of apples changing when they are cooked...adding more SUGAR) sprinkled with Truvia and cinnamon. 71 calories

Lunch: 4 oz Ground Pheasant with chili powder, curry powder, onion salt, pepper, and cilantro. 1 Tbs. Salsa, 2C. Cucumber with AC vinegar. 1 grissini breadstick. 208 calories

Snack: Same apple as the first snack

Dinner: 1 large egg, 1 egg white, with sauteed (non-stick pan) red onion, red pepper, and 1 jalapeno. Sprinkled with a little Monterey Seasoning. 1 Grissini stick. 202 calories

Snack: Sugar-free jello (2 servings), 2C. oil popped popcorn. 130 Calories

Total Calories: 703

Pre-Load Weight: 215.4
Post-Load Weight: 216.4
VLCD 1 Weight: 213.6
Loss: -2.8 lbs


I did wake up ready to eat my arm, but am feeling much better this morning now that my morning meal is in my gut. I changed today's menu up a bit, but will post the final results tomorrow. So far so good, a little headache (normal when detoxing) but other than that feeling pretty good. I will check in tomorrow! Have a wonderful day!

Starting again

Wow, it's been a long time. I've spent the last year (ish) doing a variety of different approaches to weight loss. I did really well working out in the gym 2 hours a day 4-5 days a week for about 7 months. Then we moved and couldn't afford a membership anymore and that's when my eating began....packing on nearly almost all of my weight. So, my approach this time is to dig deep and try to make an earnest attempt to try to crave GOD not food. To change my thinking about the reasons I eat, why I don't stick to a plan, why I sabotage myself etc.

So, here we are, I've decided to start hcg again. This time I am using homeopathic hcg from www.myhcgsource.com. A friend of mine decided to give it a try and has been doing well. Not to mention it's very affordable, no needles, no mixing. A bottle arrives and you are ready to go.

Starting Stats:

Weight pre-load: 215.4
Weight post-load: 216.4

Bust: 47"
Waist: 45.7"
Hips: 45.7"
L Thigh: 27.5"
R Thigh: 28.5"
L Calf: 16.7"
R Calf: 17"
L arm: 14"
R arm: 14"

I am focusing my mental aspect this time in a study called "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst. No matter what diet a person does, success can't be found permanently unless you change your mind about food. I could lose 80 pounds and fit into skinny jeans and feel great, but if I don't solve the reasons I run to the pantry for a binge, then I haven't really changed much of anything because I will end up here again and again and again. This time, it's my goal to be free from the bondage I have to food. Free from emotional eating. I am ready for peace in my head when it comes to how I look, how I eat, why I binge etc.

So, LET'S GET GOING!!!

New Blog

I have set out on a new adventure. I have a new blog up now

me4fitness.blogspot.com

R3P2D11~Wow!

Yesterday's Weight: 202.2
Today's Weight: 199.2 ONEDERLAND!!!!! WAHOO!!!
Today's Loss: -2.9
Total Loss so far: -10.8lbs

Wahoo!!!!! I'm feeling good about this, especially because I've been "less than good." I have been taking these dietary supplements from the company I get my whey protein shake from, however. They are called Solufat. 3 different formulas for 3 times of the day. Lots of Aminos and they seem to be making up for where I fail, which is good because I'm needing assistance right now. I've been struggling emotionally with a lot of things on my plate and I still tend to eat when I feel that way. I am trying to work through it, but it is going to take some time. It's nice to know that I'm doing okay for now.

I am frustrated, I got a bodybugg for Christmas and have been using it for 3 weeks. Yesterday it crashes my internet browser and I can't fix it no matter how hard I try. I technically didn't have the right system requirements for my Mac, but it was working. Now I'm wondering if they did an update that just doesn't work with the Mac. So, now it looks like I'm upgrading operating systems, which stinks....but I LOVE my bodybugg.

It's breakfast time.......until tomorrow.....

R3P2D10~Yesterday's post

Weight Yesterday: 202.6
Weight Today: 202.1
Change: -0.5

Didn't get a chance to finish this post from yesterday. Here are the basics....

R3P2D9~Definition of Insanity

Weight yesterday: 202.2
Weight today: 202.6
Change: +.4

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Albert Einstein

For some reason, I'm inclined to give myself too much breathing (cheating) room when I taste success. That is why other people on this protocol (Hormonallychallengedgal) can lose 80 pounds since August, and I've lost as little as I have since June. Now, I realize that each person is different, but I have got to step up to the plate. I ate like a mad woman yesterday and thank goodness I'm only up .4. I am going to have to open up that cookbook and get creative with different meals if I am going to make it through the boredom of the palate choices.

There are no excuses for doing what I'm doing other than I must not believe I am worth the efforts. Am I afraid? I have no idea. I just know that I'll never move forward if I do not get off my bum and give it an earnest effort.

With that said, we have company coming this weekend and next and I know I won't stick to protocol.....or choose not to. However you look at it. So, between now and Saturday, I'm going to have to pull together what I can. Take a break, then back at it M-F (with earnest efforts) and take a break next weekend and back at it until I hit the 20 pound mark. Period. That's my goal. That is what I've pledged to do, that is what I NEED to do. My starting weight before loading was 210. If I can make it to 190, I will be satisfied in taking a 6 week break.

R3P2D8~Sleep

Good Morning! Today's Stats:

Yesterday's Weight: 207.2
Today's Weight 202.2
Loss: -5.0 lb


WHOA! 5 pounds! Mercy! That is great! One thing I have to make a point of doing is getting plenty of sleep. The better I am rested, the less I want to deviate from the plan. The better I am rested, the more efficiently I seem to burn fat. I made a point of going to bed at 10:30 last night instead of 11:30 or midnight. I also nap when my little ones nap, or at least try to rest during the day. Our resting environment has a lot to do with how well rested we become. If we have a cluttered, disorganized room, then we tend to be anxious. I made a point yesterday of making my room a more relaxing place. I added some candles for relaxation as well.

The Importance of Rest

"Another study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates that lack of sleep can affect how your body regulates your appetite. Sleeping less can cause you not only to crave more food, but also to crave foods higher in fat and carbohydrates. In addition, bouts of insomnia can alter your metabolic rate, slowing it down and causing you to burn fewer calories. Lastly, people who sleep less tend to feel more fatigued and, therefore, exercise less.



But don't despair. There are ways that you can combat your sleepless nights. First of all, don't drink caffeine for approximately six hours before your bed time. Caffeine is a stimulant and will block your brain's ability to produce adenosine, one of the chemicals that help induce sleep. In addition to caffeine, most doctors will recommend that you keep your fluid intake to less than one cup in the four hours leading up to your bedtime. This will limit your body's need to relieve fluids in the middle of the night and allow you to sleep more soundly throughout the night.



Another important tip in falling asleep easily is to set aside thirty minutes to an hour before your bedtime. Use this time to allow your brain and body to relax. Rather than stimulating your brain with television, computer games, or Internet usage, calm your brain by reading a book, taking a bath, or meditating. Furthermore, if you perform these relaxing activities at the same time every night, your brain will train itself to recognize these signals, and you will have fewer and fewer difficulties falling asleep at your allotted bedtime." (courtesy of http://www.helium.com/items/1238913-how-sleep-can-affect-weight-loss)

The Importance of The Sleep Environment

Better Sleep Tip 1: Create a better sleep environment

if your sleep is continually being disrupted through the night, your body is not getting enough of the restorative deep sleep it needs. You will feel the effects of sleep deprivation, even if you are on the surface getting enough hours of sleep. The key to better sleep might be as simple as making minor changes to your sleep environment to minimize sleep disruption.
Your Bed

* Is your bed large enough? You should have enough room to stretch and turn comfortably, including with a bedmate present.
* Your mattress, pillows and bedding. Waking up with a cramp in your back or a sore neck? Experiment with different levels of mattress firmness, foam toppers or egg crate toppers, and pillows that provide more support.

Your Room

* Better Sleep Tip 1: Create a better sleep environment
Keep the noise level down. Too much noise- loud outside conversations, televisions blaring, traffic noise - can make it difficult to sleep well. To help mask outside noise if it can’t be blocked, try a fan, white noise, or recordings of soothing sounds. Earplugs may also help.
* Keep your room dark during sleep hours. When it’s time to sleep, make sure that your environment is dark- bright lights, especially those from TV, can confuse the body clock. Heavy shades can help block light from windows, or you can try an eye mask to cover your eyes.
* Room temperature and ventilation. If you can, experiment with the room temperature. Most people sleep best in a slightly cooler room with adequate ventilation. Check your windows and doors to make sure that drafts are not interfering with sleep.
* Reserve your bed for sleeping. If you associate your bed with events like work or errands, it will only make it harder to wind down at night. Use your bed only for sleep and sex.

Better Sleep Tip 2: Discover Techniques for Falling Asleep

With busy schedules and family lives, it’s hard to leave the worries of daily life behind when it is time to sleep. Worrying and anxiety trigger the “fight or flight” mechanism in the body, releasing chemicals that prepare us to be alert and ready for action. That not only makes it difficult to fall asleep, but can wake you up frequently in the night as well. Even with the stresses of daily life, if you make an effort to relax and wind down before bed, you will sleep easier and more deeply.
Cue your body for sleep by making a relaxing bedtime routine

A consistent, relaxing routine before bed sends a signal to your brain that it is time to wind down, making it easier to fall asleep. Make the time before sleep a time of peace and quiet, and find your unique routine that relaxes you.

Ideas to help prepare for sleep

* Reading a light, entertaining book or magazine
* Listening to soft music or radio broadcast
* Making simple preparations for the next day

* A light bedtime snack, a cup of hot tea or a glass of warm milk
* Hobbies such as knitting or jigsaw puzzles
* Listening to books on tape

Relaxation techniques

Relaxation is beneficial for everyone, but especially if you are struggling with sleep. Practicing relaxation techniques before bed is a great way to wind down, calm the mind, and prepare for sleep. Some simple relaxation techniques include:

* Deep breathing. Close your eyes, and try taking deep, slow breaths, making each breath even deeper than the last.
* Progressive muscle relaxation. Starting at your toes, tense all the muscles as tightly as you can, then completely relax. Work your way up from your feet to the top of your head.
* Visualizing a peaceful, restful place. Close your eyes and imagine a place or activity that is calming and peaceful for you. Concentrate on how relaxed this place or activity makes you feel.