Colo Alex - Finding 'me' Journey

[Colo Alex]

I have decided to start a journal. I have been inspired by many people on this board and I really feel like I need to share my journey. I'm not sure why I feel this way, but I think it will help with the other side of weight loss. This is a life changing event and I feel the need to chronical my thoughts. So here is my journey to finding 'me'.

[Colo Alex]

April 20, 2006

I guess I will start my discovery of ‘me’ by filling in some history. I have been overweight, no… obese, my entire life. In elementary school I was the “fat kid.” Some of the strongest memories I have of elementary school are weight related. Eating “special” lunches that my mom would pack for me and feeling very self-conscious about eating it in front of my friends. Yes, my mom, who loves me very much, tried endlessly to “cure” me of this disease. She had me on all kinds of diets. Nothing ever worked. All they seemed to do was make my life more miserable. I could never understand why my friends could eat school lunches and I had to bring something weird. Even my friends who brought lunch had cool stuff. It was hard being a fat kid. One particular diet I recall involved eating just tomatoes and un-sweetened tea for lunch. Both of which I detested, and still do to this day. I remember cutting up the tomato into small enough pieces that I could swallow them whole with the tea. Great memories! Don’t get me wrong, I love and appreciate my mom who was only trying to help me. In the long run I know it did far more damage than good.

I loved sports so it was always a struggle playing sports and being heavy. I wanted to be on the track team in Jr. High and the coach was happy to have me on the “tug-of-war” team. (Yes, we actually had a team) I played baseball, basketball and football until I tore a bunch of ligaments in my ankle my freshman year playing football. That ended my competitive sports and was the push into obesity. This is when I really started to get fat.

High school was tough, but I was an honor student and a band member. Thank God for the band. Those kids were non-judgmental and became my circle of friends. I have many fond memories of High school. There are bad memories, and most of them deal directly with being overweight and the lack of self-esteem I had because of my size.

I went to college and started working. At 22 I decided the only way I would really get to meet girls and date would be to lose weight. Using my own money and some help from my parents I started the Nutri-system diet. I weighed around 240 pounds when I started and was very determined. What I remember from this was being hungry all of the time. The portions were tiny and expensive. I had incredible will power. I lost 63 pounds and weighed 177 pounds. Looking at pictures from then I was skinny & fat. I had lost fat and lean mass on this diet and did not look like I wanted. I worked out but I know now that I did not get enough food to nourish my body. I also experienced quite a bit of hair loss during this time. Well after I stopped eating the pre-bought food, I gained 30 pounds back.

By the time I hit 24 I had gained all of the weight back. I found the perfect girl and married her that same year. I think I weighed around 235 when I was married. (1989) I continued to try different diets and lost and gained for many years. Each time my weight would end up a little higher than the last time. (classic) In my thirties, we started eating “low-fat.” This dangerous way of eating included lots of pasta, and potatoes and all kinds of things I don’t eat know. I can remember being so happy to find low fat frozen yogurt. What a treat! It made me REALLY fat.
When I hit 39 I was pushing 300 pounds. I felt terrible and was sick a lot. I didn’t play with my kids much and was a poor husband and father. I was just “not there” even though I was there. September of 2003 I turned 39 and I decided to try Atkins. My wife who also was the heaviest of her life was going to do it with me. I read all the negative and positive things about low-carb and decided it can’t be any worse than anything else I’ve tried. I remember thinking that there was no way this kind of eating could result in weight loss. I was ready to gain more weight.
Well, I followed induction by the book and stayed on plan. The pounds started to drop. I made it through Thanksgiving and Christmas without too much trouble. By February of 2004 I was down to 233 pounds. I had lost 64 pounds. I looked so much better. I still felt fat (I was) but felt like a different person. I got down to 225 in April and then things started to fall apart. I really don’t know what happened. My wife’s younger brother got terminal cancer and she became depressed. His struggle affected all of us and I think we turned to food for comfort. It is no excuse, but it is part of the reason. I also went through some difficult times at work. Whatever the reason, I slid back up to 268 pounds.
I knew I did not want to become another dieter who gained back all the weight and then some, so I resolved to lose the weight again. I re-started Atkins on January 10, 2006. I have been very good so far and have upped my exercise this time. I have completely stayed away from all of the low-carb candy and junk. It is still junk food and I know I have to stay away from it completely. I don’t think I am losing the weight as fast this time, but I feel like, with the exercise, that I am healthier.
This time, I have discovered “Low Carb Friends” and this BB has helped me in many ways. Just reading the successes and struggles that everyone has and is going through helps so much. I have never felt like I am going through this alone. There are so many good people on this board!
I am taking the time this time around to listen to my body and discover how different foods affect my system. I am really learning this time. Right now I am 231 pounds and have lost 37 pounds since January. I want to get to 185 and then see how I feel and look. I know this is a lifetime plan, and I know I can eat this way for life. I turn 42 this September and I want to weigh less than 200 pounds by then.
The weight loss is a journey, but I feel like I am finding ‘me’ along the way. I hope… I must… I will keep going. I have never felt so good and I won’t be satisfied until I find ‘me’.

[AlexTucker]

I am just starting Atkins...so maybe we can journal together and be successful together! Is you wife doing Atkins with you this time? I know it's harder when one does something and the other doesn't. I went through that...my husband was one of those people who can eat anything and never gain an ounce. I am on my own this time. Divorced 7 years and promised myself that would beat this.

Alex

[monet0329]

I just got through reading your journal.. I wanted to welcome you here.. there are alot of wonderful supporting people in here :O).. as you know from reading.. ... I will keep track of you and give you incouragement along the way hun.. I am kinda like you.. I want to loose this weight before I turn 40.. in two year..so.. wish me luck hehe..

be strong and dont forget to drink that water.. it sure helps..

I have made it almost 10 weeks now without a cheat.. I am determind this time.. so I will be here for ya ok.. :O)..

This is a big step.. expecially for a man to journal his thoughts and eating habits... I applaud you.. .. dont be shy .. get things off your chest.. it will help alot.. ..

ok I must go.. good night.. and again.. WELCOME.. my friend

[Colo Alex]

Monet -
Thank you for the encouragement. It is people just like you who are making this journey easier. You are right, it is tough for me to share this 'stuff' but I feel like it is helping. I have NEVER talked about my feelings like this and I find it to be quite liberating. Thanks again.

AlexTucker -
Glad to see you are on the low-carb wagon. I am convinced it is the right thing for me. I know how hard it is at first so stick with it and don't quit. My wife IS doing this with me, although she is having a harder time with cravings and fighting them off. She tends to give in pretty easy some times. I know that she gets a bunch of encouragement just by seeing me succeed so I know the stronger I am the stronger she will be. However, I have found that the ONLY way that I can be successful is to remember that I alone, am incharge of my body. So with the right mind set you can do this!! Good luck. Do you have a journal? I would be happy to read and journal with you!

April 21, 2006

Friday morning. I feel pretty good this morning. My knee has been a little bit sorer than usual but I walked a little more than normal yesterday. The urge to run is really getting strong. I am going to hold off until I am under 200. In the mean time I will keep walking, use the elliptical and lifting weights. At some point I would like to join one of the local gyms. I just can’t get myself to do it at my current size. I am way to self-conscious right now. I will get over that hurdle eventually. It’s funny…. I’m just sure people will judge me and my size. It’s probably not true and just in my head, but it is still something I can’t get past right now.

You know, it seems that every negative thought or event in my life can somehow be traced to my weight. I know that is an exaggeration but it really feels that way. However, it feels like that mental attitude is shifting. I’m looking much better and my self-esteem is rising. I have much more confidence in every aspect of my life. As I gain control over my eating (especially my binging) I feel like I gain much more control of all aspects of my life. I really feel like I am in the drivers seat right now and am on the right road, the right lane, and know exactly where I’m going. It is really getting exciting.

Thursday’s nutrition:
Carbs 17
Calories 1408
Fat 61%
Protein 35%
Carbs 4%

Started Atkins September 2003: Weight: 297
Fell off sometime in 2004
Restarted January 10 2006: Weight: 266
Currently on OWL: Weight: 231
Current goal weight: 185

[AlexTucker]

Originally Posted by Colo Alex

Monet -
Thank you for the encouragement. It is people just like you who are making this journey easier. You are right, it is tough for me to share this 'stuff' but I feel like it is helping. I have NEVER talked about my feelings like this and I find it to be quite liberating. Thanks again.

AlexTucker -
Glad to see you are on the low-carb wagon. I am convinced it is the right thing for me. I know how hard it is at first so stick with it and don't quit. My wife IS doing this with me, although she is having a harder time with cravings and fighting them off. She tends to give in pretty easy some times. I know that she gets a bunch of encouragement just by seeing me succeed so I know the stronger I am the stronger she will be. However, I have found that the ONLY way that I can be successful is to remember that I alone, am incharge of my body. So with the right mind set you can do this!! Good luck. Do you have a journal? I would be happy to read and journal with you!

April 21, 2006

Friday morning. I feel pretty good this morning. My knee has been a little bit sorer than usual but I walked a little more than normal yesterday. The urge to run is really getting strong. I am going to hold off until I am under 200. In the mean time I will keep walking, use the elliptical and lifting weights. At some point I would like to join one of the local gyms. I just can’t get myself to do it at my current size. I am way to self-conscious right now. I will get over that hurdle eventually. It’s funny…. I’m just sure people will judge me and my size. It’s probably not true and just in my head, but it is still something I can’t get past right now.

You know, it seems that every negative thought or event in my life can somehow be traced to my weight. I know that is an exaggeration but it really feels that way. However, it feels like that mental attitude is shifting. I’m looking much better and my self-esteem is rising. I have much more confidence in every aspect of my life. As I gain control over my eating (especially my binging) I feel like I gain much more control of all aspects of my life. I really feel like I am in the drivers seat right now and am on the right road, the right lane, and know exactly where I’m going. It is really getting exciting.

Thursday’s nutrition:
Carbs 17
Calories 1408
Fat 61%
Protein 35%
Carbs 4%

Started Atkins September 2003: Weight: 297
Fell off sometime in 2004
Restarted January 10 2006: Weight: 266
Currently on OWL: Weight: 231
Current goal weight: 185

No I don't have a journal here yet...haven't figured out how yet. I blame everthing that goes wrong on my weight...if I hurt somewhere it's my weight if I get my feelings hurt it's because of my weight...I had a major melt down a few weeks ago...I was trying to buy shoes and I wear a size 12 women's...VERY HARD to find...the sales clerk suggested I try a website for DRAG QUEENS...I laughed with her and then cried in the car...and blamed my weight...I know that my feet are going to be the same length...maybe not as wide, but definately as long, but I blamed my weight...then drownd it in Chinese Food.

[monet0329]

Your welcome hun.. and good for you for this wonderful attitude !!.. so now that your in the drivers seat.. PUT YOUR PEDDLE TO THE METAL AND DRIIIIIIIIIVE ON TO WIN ..

are you going to share your menus everyday? That helps me.. so I can be accountable for everything I eat.. some days I go back and read my journal and see I have ate more one one day .. or less on the others..and see how the weight is coming off and go from there.. hehe..just a thought for ya...

does your wife have a journal in here? maybe that would help her? or maybe you want this place for yourself.. I understand that too.. sometimes It is easier for us to talk to total strangers then our loved ones.. it is for me.. my dh is skinny thing and doesnt understand what I go through being heavy.. he thinks I can just hop up and do everything him or the kids do.. .. I wish I could.. and I WILL.. but not at this weight.. .. so this place is my heaven right now..

ok I'll stop yappin.. glad your feeling good today and I hope that knee gets to feeling better hun..

[Colo Alex]

A.T. - Not too long ago I had a store clerk suggest to me that I go to the "big & tall" store. At the time I thanked him but later I really felt bad. Now, I can buy clothes off the rack (size XL) and people don't bother me near as much as they used to. Here is a little story.... TaDa convinced me to buy running shoes to help my knee, I didn't want to do it because I felt self-conscious about going into a running store. I was sure the clerks would look down on me and I was sure they were thinking "why is this fat guy buying running shoes?" Well, Tada was so inspirational that I just sucked it up and did it. It went fine. The clerk was real helpful and I got shoes that help my knee a lot. The bottom line is, IT JUST DOSEN'T MATTER!!!!! It does not matter what any one thinks, or what you assume someone thinks. All that matters is what YOU think. And if you know you are changing yourself and are changing for life, then forget all the other stuff. Time will heal all of the other junk. When you are in control of your eating, you will be in control of all of your life, and those things won't bother you anymore. In fact you will be able to laugh at them. So, be strong in this, the early part of the plan. It will come, you will make it happen!!

Monet - You have such a great attitude!! Thanks for the encouragement. I do feel good. Why not! The sun is shining, I have a great life, and I am in control of it! Keep up the good work and you will be runnin' circles round your husband and kids in no time!

April 22, 2006

Great day today. Kind of tiring but it was a great day. Took my 13-year-old daughter to her soccer game. Her game was in Boulder, which is about 4 hours away from our house. So, lots of driving today. Her team won their game so the 4-hour drive home was easy. (Well, easier!) Had my normal omelet for breakfast and had a very light lunch. Just wasn’t hungry. Driving does that to me. Also, if I eat a big lunch I’ll get sleepy if I’m driving so I took it easy. My Wife had a really nice dinner ready when we got home. We had slow cooked beef, broccoli, & cauliflower in the croc pot. Really good, and I was getting pretty hungry.

My daughters Soccer Coach told me that I was “looking good” today. That made me feel pretty good. It is always nice to hear it from other people.

It’s funny, I feel like I will lose weight today. I am expecting to see a drop on the scale tomorrow morning. I don’t know what it is, but anymore I can usually tell if I’m going to drop. I haven’t been nearly as obsessive about the scale number lately. I know that it will come off, because I am eating to plan. I average about 2 pounds per week and I am OK with that kind of loss. I tried the low-carb/low-calories version and found that I was getting pretty weak from hunger and that I was probably not doing it right. I never lost any more weight in the average week than I do with my Atkins OWL. So, I decided to stick with OWL. I am much happier and not ever weak from hunger. I also noticed that I gained a couple of pounds after I went off the low-cal version and started eating back to plan. Just shows you that your body does not like to be restricted that much. After I upped my carbs and calories I started losing again and pretty consistently. I’m real happy with this lifestyle and know I can follow it for life.

Today:
58% Fat
40% protein
02% Carbs
1072 Calories
5 Carbs

Kind of light today, I know, but It has been hot and I just didn’t feel hungry.

Started Atkins September 2003: Weight: 297
Fell off sometime in 2004
Restarted January 10 2006: Weight: 266
Currently on OWL: Weight: 231
Current goal weight: 185

[monet0329]

Hey there.. first off.. thank you .. I am trying so0o0 hard. .. and feeling it happen !!

second.. for your daughters winning the game.. wo0o0oho0o0o0o0.. .. my oldest son used to play when he was younger.. so exciting.. .. but then a friend of mines husband told him.. "soccer is for sissys... ).. so he would never play again.. no matter what I told him.. I said.. soccer people have skills... randy would tell him.. people who play soccer just dont now how to throw a ball.. grrrr .. anyway.. he went on to play basketball and football.. so at least he was playing something right..

anyway.. I think I will try the beef.. cauli. and broc in the crock hehe.. sounds delish.. thanks for the tip....

well, I better get going.. keep on rockin.. your doing great!!

[AlexTucker]

I know that soon I will be able to go into a store and order LARGE shoes and be healthy and thin and just have BIG feet.

My dad used to tell me when I was younger that God gave me big feet so I didn't tip over I have been very (@@) top heavy since the 6th grade.

Thanks for the encouragement!!

Alex

[Colo Alex]

April 23, 2006

Well, I was right! This morning I shot into the 220’s!!! As of this morning I am at 229.6 pounds. I was very happy. Took a longer walk today. About 3 miles. Not a big deal but it was nice. The morning was cool, and quiet. My knee is a little sore this evening but not too bad. I can’t wait until I’m under 200 and I can start running. This is my goal for now. I’ll have to wait and see how I feel but for now I plan on starting the couch to 5K program over. I was into week 3 when my knee went. I’m just too heavy right now. I’m ok with that because I know I am on my way.
I had a very rewarding event today. I decided that I didn’t feel like I have changed much over the last three years that I have been on (and off) of Atkins. So, I started digging for a “before” picture. After locating one, I amazed myself. Wow, I do look better. I just don’t look good. I still have a long way to go. Sometimes it is frustrating to look at the time it will take, but then when I look back at the last three months and realize how easy this has been I get encouraged. After all, this is not a race, it is a life change. I’m fighting 40 years of bad habits, poor choices, and inactivity. What is nice is that I feel my “baby steps” changing to larger strides. I’m changing. I’m not sure exactly what I’m changing into, but I feel the change. It is good.
I feel pretty rested up today for another workweek. This week will have a bunch of after hour’s meetings so it is the tougher week for me. However, they are much easier to deal with lately. Another great benefit of being fitter. Wow! Healthy people really have an advantage over obese or overweight people!! My gosh, it is really substantial when you look at all of the health, mental, and public opinion advantages thin people have over heavy people. What a wonderful world is opening up for me! The obstacles are dropping with the pounds. The feelings of inadequacies. The depression. I feel so fortunate to know what I do now and to be able to correct the behavior that has caused me all of these problems. One day I will be one of the “normal” people, but I will have a great advantage over the rest. I will know what it is like to be obese and I will have gone through the great journey of change and will have discovered who I am at the same time. I am a really lucky guy!!

Today’s nutrition:

Fat 58%
Carbs 5%
Protein 37%
Calories 1599
Carbs 25

Started Atkins September 2003: Weight: 297
Fell off sometime in 2004
Restarted January 10 2006: Weight: 266
Currently on OWL: Weight: 229.6
Current goal weight: 185

[AlexTucker]

WTG! Getting into a new number is always a good day!!

What happened to you knee? I missed that I guess.

I fell at the end of Januray roller skating with my kids. I was on crutches for 2 weeks and physical therapy for 8 weeks. It still throbs at night when I over do. I know my weight made the fall worse...that's alot of weight to land on one knee. My roller skate came untied and the string wrapped around the wheel...skate stopped I didn't. The physical therapist said that it will take months for me to be able to bend it without pain or straighten it completely out. I can tell a big difference now that the therapy is over. It get stiff and sore because I am not stretching it like he did.

Alex

[monet0329]

.. ALRIGHT !! in the 220's.. thats just awesome hun..

Your right.. this is a long journey.. and it is a fun one..I am having a blast this time around.. and I believe it makes the difference.. I wont get tired or bored now.. I have to many recipes to try and continue to have for it to get boring.. ..I truely suggest the "crustless" deep dish pizza .. just wonderful..

You will be running in no time , I can tell.. just keep up this great attitude.. .. have sweet dreams my friend..

[Colo Alex]

Monet: Thanks again for the words. Crustless pizza huh? I'll check it out.

A.T.: My knee... Well I started a program called the Couch to 5K program that slowly starts you running. Unfortunately my knee was not up to the challenge. During week three it just kept getting sorer and sorer. Well I had to stop as it starting to hurt a lot. The bottom line was that I am just too heavy and out of shape right now to run. I am not quitting however. I have set a goal to start again when I am under 200 pounds. I'll do it! I am still walking (briskly) everyday and lifting weight 2 to 3 times a week. As soon as my knee is feeling even better I will get on the eliptical and get some more cardio. The important thing is to not to quit or get discouraged and turn to food when you are down, or injured or whatever. There are lots of things in life that we can't control. Food is one we can! So lets go!!! Thanks for the kind words and I'll see ya later.

April 25, 2006

Tuesday Morning. This is the start of the longest day of the month for me at work. I have meetings all day today, and then back to work to meet with the Board of Directors tonight at 8:00pm. I’m really in the right mood for this today, and I credit my way of eating for this.

Food has been on plan and I am now at 229 pounds. I am wearing size 38 pants and looking forward to more losses. Most of my XL shirts fit again and are getting loose. I hope to be into a Large in a month or so. This is all very exciting.

I spent some time on Sunday looking for a “before” picture of myself to post on the site and looking back over the years it was amazing how heavy I had gotten. I have not figured out how to post a picture yet and I’m not sure I am ready mentally to do that. I feel so much better about myself now and I feel much happier. Just imagine how I’ll feel at 185!!!

I have now lost 39 pounds since my re-start in January and I have 44 to go to meet goal. I’m almost half way to my goal. It is a double-edged sword to think I am almost halfway. On one hand it is great to be halfway there!! On the other hand it is frustrating to think that I still have such a long way and a lot of weight to lose. But, it’s ok because like I’ve said, this is a life long journey, not just 6 months or a yearlong. It took a lifetime to get to this point and I’ve got a lifetime of great living ahead!

Well, on to all of the meetings!!


Yesterday’s nutrition:

Fat 62%
Carbs 4%
Protein 34%
Carbs 16
Calories 1151

Started Atkins September 2003: Weight: 297
Fell off sometime in 2004
Restarted January 10 2006: Weight: 266
Currently on OWL: Weight: 229
Current goal weight: 185

[AlexTucker]

Just looking at the words crustless pizza made my mouth water!!

I used to order this from a rest near where I worked. When I started working from home I made it at home...but haven't in a long time! Guess what were having for dinner!!!!!

I line a 9X13 baking pan with tomato slices (sometimes I add mushrooms or use mushrooms instead) then add grilled chicken cut into small pieces then drip alfradeo sauce over and then top with cheese put in the oven until the cheese melts....I have also put in onion and bellpepper with the chicken what ever pizza toppings you like. Mushrooms works best for the bottom if you are using pepporoni and cheese. I use portabella mushrooms siced and on their sides for the base.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I can smell it cooking now!

Have a great day! Don't let you long day sabatoge your food plan!

[monet0329]

here ya go.. thisis the "crustless" Deep Dish Pizza.. I say crustlss in quotes because its not bread..but what you make taste like cheesy bread

DEEP DISH PIZZA
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1 ounce (I used the kind in a can)
1/4 teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 ounces Italian cheese blend or mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 cup pizza sauce
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
Assorted toppings: pepperoni, ham, sausage, 4 ounce can mushrooms, green peppers, bacon,
ground beef, etc.
Dash of garlic pepper or garlic powder and some Italian seasoning for top of pizza

In a medium bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Whisk in eggs until mixture
is well-blended and smooth. Add the parmesan and seasonings, then stir in the 8 ounces of
mozzarella until completely moistened. Spread cheese mixture evenly in a well-greased 9x13" glass baking dish or lightly greased and lined with parchment paper (see note below). Bake at 375º 20-25 minutes or until evenly browned, but not too dark. Let cool completely on a wire rack. When nearly cooled, take a metal spatula and carefully pry up the edges to loosen from pan. Ease the spatula under the whole crust to loosen. Keep crust in the pan. This makes it easier to remove the finished pizza later. Refrigerate, uncovered, until shortly before serving time.

Spread chilled crust with pizza sauce, then cheese and toppings of your choice. Lightly
sprinkle with seasonings of your choice. Bake at 375º about 15-20 minutes or until toppings
are bubbly. Let stand a few minutes before cutting.

Makes 8 servings
Can be frozen

Per Serving: 304 Calories; 25g Fat; 17g Protein; 3g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber;
2g Net Carbs

Enjoy you two..

[Colo Alex]

Monet & A.T. - Thanks for the recipes. I'll have to give em' a go. Both of you keep strong and keep up the positive attitudes!


April 27, 2006

Well I’m back. Tuesday was a long and tough day. My meeting with the board of directors went to 11:00pm. So by the time I got home and actually to bed it was midnight. This is late for me as I am usually asleep by 10:00 and up at 5am. Well it is over for this month and I won’t have to deal with it again until May 30.

Something that has been bothering me lately is the challenge to keep my spirits up. I am very happy and proud of the fact that I have lost the amount of weight that I have. At the same time it seems like there is so much more to go! I get down sometimes when I think about how far I have to go. So far I have been in control of the binges that would normally come with a bout of gloominess and have turned to exercise when I feel the urge to overeat or to go off plan. I will keep fighting because I can’t or won’t give up the progress that I have made so far. It’s got to get easier at some point, doesn’t it?? I sure hope so. I mean, I know I will need to fight my carb addiction and binge habit my entire life, I just hope that the more weight I lose the more in control I will become.

All right, that’s enough whining. I am in one of my up and down zones as far as my weight goes. It usually happens after a good loss the previous week. Two weeks ago I lost less than a pound. Last week I lost 3.2 pounds. It still averages out to 2 pounds a week, which I have averaged since induction. So it really doesn’t bother me too much. This week I am in the up/down zone where my weight has been going from 229 to 230 to 228 to 230 etc… I know that it is just my body adjusting again. It does this often. I don’t go off plan and I don’t panic. It is what it is. If I start to feel frustrated, I just remind myself that it is a long road I am on and I need to be patient.

Yesterday’s nutrition:

Fat 69%
Carbs 4%
protein 27%

Carbs 19
Calories 1711

Started Atkins September 2003: Weight: 297
Fell off sometime in August 2004
Restarted January 10 2006: Weight: 266
Currently on OWL: Weight: 229
Current goal weight: 185

[Colo Alex]

Ooops, I forgot to mention, the meeting went very well and they approved all of my projects. So, I was tired, but pumped!

Alex

[Colo Alex]

It is mid-morning and I am feeling a lot better. Energy is back as well as the good attitude.

[Colo Alex]

April 28, 2006

40 pounds!!! Yes! Today I am at 227.4 and have lost over 40 pounds since January 10, 2006. It is really great when I consider my heaviest was 297 so I am down 70 pounds from August 2003. I am in a really good mood today! It really feels like I am dialed in right now. I am understanding my body more and listening to it. I am learning more every day of what kinds of food to stay away from. I’ve added in some strawberries on occasion. What a treat. Oh sure, the desire for chocolate is still strong but it is not nearly as strong as it used to be. The desire for potatoes, bread, rice and pasta are very low. Breakfast cereal is still a tough one for me though.

I still have not slipped up or gone off-plan. It is getting easier and it is an “upward spiral” that I am in and not a downward spiral. I am moving to a new level in my overall health and well-being. I am planning a physical this September after I turn 42. I will be in the best shape of my adult life by then!! I can’t wait to see my Doctors reaction to the new me. That will be fun. (A physical fun?? I think I’ve lost my mind!)


Yesterday’s nutrition:

Fat 54%
Carbs 6%
Protein 40%
Total Carbs 23
Total Calories 1060

Started Atkins September 2003: Weight: 297
Fell off sometime in August 2004
Restarted January 10 2006: Weight: 266
Currently on OWL: Weight: 227.4
Current goal weight: 185