Didn't lose gobs this past month, but didn't gain either.  Would have taken bets on a large plus-pound outcome so, was glad for the small four ounce loss. 

 

Have learned that I HAVE TO keep a food journal...a must for keeping my little white lies at bay regarding how much I've really consumed.  Can easily buffalo myself into believing that I didn't eat that much.   Keeping a written record helps.

 

Learned that a plant-based diet suits my particular physical system.  It might not be good for others, but do feel I have more energy while sticking to this type of food plan.  

 

In case you want to know more about plant-based diets, the best information is contained in books by Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Rip Esselstyn, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Joel Furhman, Dr. John McDougall, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, John Robbins, etc.

 

As noted in the previous posting, I met with a fellow food coop member earlier this week and he suggested I drink one to two liters of an apple cider vinegar, honey and green tea mixture every day.  Have been doing that since Monday.  I'm using lemons rather than green tea, but once the lemons are gone, will try to find a tolerable green tea.  The tea has antioxidants in it so, I guess it's a necessary part of the brew. 

 

At the end of this weight challenge, really thought I would have at least a thirty pound loss.  My wants are a little simpler now.  Would just like to develop a more disciplined approach to eating...Period.  That kind of control would be a monumental success for me, all by itself.

 

Jo

 

Talked to a member of my food coop yesterday.  Mike is studying to become a personal trainer.  We discussed why I wasn't succeeding in these weight loss efforts. 

 

In simple terms it came down to a lack of discipline.  The first month I did well, but fell off the wagon by discontinuing a written food diary and by slacking off on what little exercise I had been doing.

 

He suggested a drink that he finds both invigorating and health-giving.  He said this drink helped him lose eighty pounds back in 2006 and also helped to clear up some health issues.  

 

The drink consists of apple cider vinegar, honey and green tea.  I calculated the measurement of the ACV and honey according to the container he used and it amounts to about 1/4 cup of each.  He puts the ACV and honey into a two liter soda pop bottle and adds green tea to fill the bottle.  I'm not really fond of green tea so, I'm using a fresh lemon squeezed into the water.  It's probably not as effective, but at least I'm getting some benefits.

 

So, that's where I am as of today.  This morning I began again to keep a food journal with a caloric limit of 2000 calories a day.  I have also added the ACV/honey brew because, no matter what, it will help get water into my system.

 

This "begin again and again....and again" approach to dieting won't bring the weight results I had hoped for at the beginning of this six month challenge.  However, at least it has helped to quicky bring back focus whenever I stray off-course. 

 

My numbers at the next weigh-in will probably not be good, but the only other alternative is to quit and that's NOT an option because I DO want to succeed!

 

Jo

This dieting issue is perplexing to no end.  I'm meeting this week with a fellow food coop member who lost eighty pounds back in 2006 and has successfully kept it off.  Hoping for some positive discussion and insight as to what is holding me back from attaining my own weight loss success story.

 

Jo 

 

"We are grossly overfed and sadly undernourished as a civilized society and still believe we have extended the life spans of humans, forgetting the plethora of drugs we are dependent on to make our hearts keep beating, our stomachs stop growling, our sinuses stop dripping and our intestines start moving."

Asad Shahsavari, N.M.D., Ph.D., M.D.M.A.

Ok..so this week I am beginning the Reboot Your Life Program.  Came across it while checking out a DVD, "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead."  http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/. 

 

The testimonials were impressive and since I have been trying so hard to eat plant-based, the whole idea was way too intriguing!  A diet that is already laid out and doesn't have any other food groups in it.  Simplicity...that's what I need!  Maybe this one will work.

 

The diet of the week!  Its grocery list for the first three days is kind of out-of-sight.  Hope the budget doesn't go bust!

 

Jo

I really do like to write...except when it comes to writing about my own ups and downs during this weight loss challenge.  Now, don't misunderstand, I am glad to have entered the contest.  It has certainly kept my mind focused on a goal...ummm>>>when I remember that this IS a goal-oriented weight loss challenge, not the usual day-to-day, head in the sand avoidance that has marked my weighted life, so far.  

 

I had visions that with public scrutiny of these weight loss issues, the results would be...well, rather spectacular!  Didn't think through what would happen if  the "ups" won more times than the "downs."   Forgot about the fact that having lived this long with this much obesity, there had to be a very cunningly refined mind when it comes to mega-denial!

 

The black and white proof of my wayward journey to this point is reflected in the food journal recordings:

 

1-30-2011 to 2-17-2011...A consistent record of everything eaten for two whole weeks!  You go, girl!

2-27-2011...Something happened because I really thought that I had kept foods well-accounted for during the month

February Weigh-in...5.2 lbs. loss--despite erratic record keeping

3-14-2011...A huge leap into nothingness from mid-February onward.  The proof is in the pudding, as the saying goes>>>March Weigh-in...six-tenths of a lb. gained.

4-3-2011...And, here we go again! 

 

Jo