Accountability for the Pleiades

[Pleiades]

I'm finally serious about losing all the weight I gained when I was pregnant with my son. It's been too long, and I've just been gaining since I had him. So anyway, here I am back on Atkins after having great success a few years ago. Everyone was so surprised (and proud) when I lost the weight before, and it's embarrassing to weigh more now than I did when I first started

So here I am, tired of wearing sweat pants and baggy shirts. I want to get back into those cute little jeans I was wearing four summers ago. I want to wear my bikini again. But mostly, I want to goof around with my kid for more than 5 minutes without getting winded.

I can do it. I can do it. I can do it.

I'm keeping a (paper) journal to track my food intake and exercise. I hate Fitday and never remember to enter my food there, especially after a week or two. So I'm not going to bother. I know what I should and shouldn't eat. I know about portion control. I don't always stick to what I know though.

Yesterday's menu

Brunch
2 cups of coffee (I take it with liquid saccharin and liquid non-dairy creamer)
2 eggs, fried in butter
5 oz breakfast sausage

Snack
2 oz pepper jack cheese
2 hb eggs

Dinner (approximate)
12 oz catfish with a topping from Linda Sue's site (this topping is incredible - would be great on chicken or pork)
6 oz roasted broccoli (I used Rachael Ray's chili-garlic recipe and did not like it - it was way too salty - so I dipped it in a little French onion dip)

Calories: 1587
Fat: 115 (67%)
Carbs: 20/5 fiber (4%)
Protein: 115 (30%)

I didn't get any water in yesterday. It's hard to drink water when it's cold. I had about 50 oz diet pop. Not great. I can't wait until it gets warmer so I can drink water better. I lose very well when I drink lots of water. But it's just too cold right now, so I'm not going to beat myself up.

My main form of exercise right now is the Gazelle. I have a goal to put 1000 miles on it this year. I did 3 yesterday, so decent start. I'd like to work up to 4 or 5 miles per day by the end of June. Then, I want to start training for the second annual Outer Banks Marathon. I think that takes place in November or December. We'll see.

In addition to the Gazelle, I have several DVDs - pilates, the Firm, Biggest Loser - to choose from when toys aren't scattered about. I'd like to do those 3 times a week. Gazelle daily.

We'll see how it goes

I thought of a couple more things I wanted to add to my introductory post. Pardon the edit.

Another big goals for this year is to resist the urge to make my own low carb goodies. I think, with the exception of flax muffins, I won't be making any low carb desserts. I end up overeating and that stalls my weight loss.

I also wanted to post my current playlist that I listen to while working out. I'm mainly doing this to see how my musical tastes change over the next year I hope to make changes every month.

Angel Opening Theme
Buffy Opening Theme
Charmed Opening Theme
Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
She's A Beauty - The Tubes
Since You've Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
No Easy Way Out - Robert Tepper
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Winner Takes It All - Sammy Hagar
You're The Best - Joe Esposito
Never - Heart
Crazy B*tch - Buckcherry
Long Way Down - Goo Goo Dolls
No Way Back - Foo Fighters
Yesterday - Staind
Girl Like You - Def Leppard
Twisted Transistor - Korn
The Final Countdown - Europe

[Pleiades]

Day 2 was going well until I decided to make some peanut butter flax cookies for my son. I ended up eating four of them. I bet if I cut the amount of Splenda in half, I wouldn't touch them. For the record, I used Paula Deen's Magical Peanut Butter Cookies recipe and just added 2 tablespoons of flax meal.

Yesterday's menu

Breakfast
3 cups of coffee with creamer
1 fried egg
2 oz sausage

Lunch
4 oz catfish
2 sausage links

Snack
1 hb egg

Dinner
10 oz (80/20) ground beef - I am positive I overestimated this
1.5 oz onions
3 oz green pepper

Snack
4 peanut butter cookies
1 oz polish sausage

On the positive side, I did get on the Gazelle yesterday and did my 3 miles. My time is about 45 minutes, give or take 20 seconds. It's only that slow because I've been watching Iron Chef America while I work out instead of listening to my music. If I work out to music, I can take my glasses off and just go, but when I watch TV, I don't like to sweat as much.

I'm attempting a chicken salad tonight, with avocado and a garlic-lime vinaigrette. I hope it turns out.

Oh, and I did manage to get some water in yesterday. Only four cups though, because I was too lazy to go out to my car and bring in the other case.

Here's to a better day.

[Pleiades]

Shoot - I forgot to add my totals to my previous post.

Calories: 2344
Fat: 173 (66%)
Carbs: 45/2 fiber (7%)
Protein: 155 (26%)

Not good.

[Pleiades]

Yesterday was better. No peanut butter cookies! I did, however, eat a bit too many turkey slices. Oh well.

Breakfast
3 cups of coffee w/ creamer
3 hb eggs, 1 yolk

Lunch
6 slices of Oscar Mayer turkey with mustard

Dinner
3 cups of salad veggies (green lettuce, cucumber, celery, and avocado)
3 tbs garlic lime vinaigrette (yuck)
fried chicken strips
1 oz pepper jack cheese

Calories: 1306
Fat: 71 (51%)
Carbs: 37/10 fiber (9%)
Protein: 125 (40%)

I did my 3 miles, drank half a gallon of water. Yay me!

I haven't been on the scale yet - I try to weigh only once a week - but DH has already lost at least 10 pounds, since Monday. I hate that he loses faster than I do. I know it's normal and I can't compare. But he thinks he's hot stuff now.

For dinner tonight, I'm making cubed steak with fresh veggies dipped in Dana Carpender's "Honey" Mustard dressing.

[SouthernBelleMama]

Hi Pleiades ! Just stopping by to wish you lots of success on your weightloss journey. Your menu looks really yummy...think we'll have to start sharing recipes with one another. I see your hubby is Lcing ith you...mine is too. Great job on working out on your Gazelle. I gotta get my treadmill in the house this weekend so I can get started myself with some form of exercise. From the looks of it your off to a wonderful start...don't sweat the cookies...it could've been worse. Nice to meet you and have a gr8 Thursday.

[Pleiades]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleMama

Hi Pleiades ! Just stopping by to wish you lots of success on your weightloss journey. Your menu looks really yummy...think we'll have to start sharing recipes with one another. I see your hubby is Lcing ith you...mine is too. Great job on working out on your Gazelle. I gotta get my treadmill in the house this weekend so I can get started myself with some form of exercise. From the looks of it your off to a wonderful start...don't sweat the cookies...it could've been worse. Nice to meet you and have a gr8 Thursday.

Thanks! I love swapping recipes! How's your DH's progress? Mine's still bragging But it's good because he motivates me to stay on plan!

[Pleiades]

Time to stop doing net carbs. I've only lost 4 pounds since Monday, which means I won't have more than a 5 pound loss for Induction. I never lose after the first week. Looking at my numbers, I can definitely see where I'm screwing up. The turkey and sausage are killing me. But I just get so hungry. I can only take so many hard boiled eggs. I'm so out of sorts about this today that I feel fatter. I'm seriously short of breath and unmotivated. I know it's all in my head, just a manifestation of my disappointment, so to combat it, I'm getting on the Gazelle early.

Yesterday:

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
2 hb eggs

Lunch
2 fried eggs
2 hamburger patties
1 slice cheese

Dinner
3 cups winter mix veggies
4 oz pork loin

Snacks
2 oz pork rinds
4 oz celery

Calories - 1780
Fat - 122
Carbs - 21
Protein - 109

I got my half gallon of water in and 3 miles on the Gazelle.

I'm dying for ketosis. I hate being hungry all the time.

[Pleiades]

Yesterday seriously sucked. I ate well and did my exercise, but I was incredibly unmotivated. I hope today is better.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
2 hard boiled eggs

Lunch
3 oz pork
3 cups salad (iceberg lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, green pepper)
1.5 tbs "honey" mustard dressing

Dinner
8 oz boiled shrimp in butter seasoning

Snacks
1 cup coffee
3 flax muffins w/ butter

I tried a new version of flax muffins that have vital wheat gluten in them. They are ok, but I think I like them better without it.

Got in my 8 cups of water. I was really slow on my Gazelle time - 3.21 miles in 55 minutes. I have this rule that if I don't get in 3 miles in 45 minutes, I keep going for 60 minutes. But yesterday I had this strange compulsion to have an "even" total miles, so I stopped 5 minutes early. I will be adding some strength training exercises tomorrow, three times a week. I need to find something to do the other three days.

Calories - 1378
Fat - 104
Carbs - 20
Protein - 90

[Pleiades]

What a difference music makes!

All week, I have been watching TV while I am on the Gazelle, and I would get 3 miles in 45 minutes if I was lucky. I used my mp3 player today and did 4.5 miles in just under an hour! I should do that every day, even the 4.5 miles. Right now my goal is just 3, preferably in 45 minutes.

[Pleiades]

Yikes! I was way over on carbs yesterday but it was good veggies so I'm not going to worry much about it. I made the best spaghetti squash I'd ever made, so I had quite a bit for dinner. And as a snack later. Oh well.

I got on the scale and I'm down 5.5 pounds since last Monday. That's ok. I would be very surprised if I lose anything this week, unless I start severely restricting my calories. Maybe I should do a really, really strict induction. But I love my veggies!

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
2 flax muffins

Lunch
3 fried eggs

Dinner
1 oz onion
3 oz green pepper
2.5 cups spaghetti squash w/ 1 tbs butter
5 oz roasted venison

Snack
2 cups spaghetti squash
4 oz green pepper
1/4 cup SF pudding (leftovers from DS -weight loss hazard, he is)

Good workout yesterday, and I got in 12 cups of water.

[Pleiades]

Here is what I am starting with. 2 sets of 12 for each, 3 times a week.

wall pushups
crunches
hip flexor
dumbell shrugs
modified pushups
triceps dips
bridge ups
calf rocks
forward lunges

My goal for the month is to work up to 2 sets of 15. Next month I will start with 3 sets of 12. When I reach a month of 3 sets of 15, I will change the lineup.

[Pleiades]

I think ketosis is kicking in. I'm slowly losing my appetite. I didn't get hungry after dinner and the thought of eating this morning makes me heave. I'll probably have an egg later.

Brunch
2 cups coffee
2 flax muffins
4 small sausage patties

Dinner
4 oz celery
4 oz cucubmer
8 oz fried chicken (I am sure I overestimated this)
1 tbs "honey" mustard dip

Snack (pre-workout)
1.5 oz pepper jack cheese
2.5 oz venison

96 ounces of water, 45 minutes on the Gazelle in addition to the strength training I did. My chest and shoulders are a bit sore, but it's a good sore!

Leftovers today.

[Pleiades]

Yesterday was kind of blah. I worked out, drank my water, but my mind was elsewhere.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
2 flax muffins w/butter

Lunch
4 oz ground beef

Dinner
5 oz venison
2 slices turkey

Snack
3 flax muffins w/ butter

Calories - 1479
Fat - 126
Carbs - 11
Protein - 77

[Pleiades]

My funk extended into yesterday, too. I worked out first thing in the morning, and it's a good thing I did. I was so off my game that I wanted to quit in the middle of my workout. If I'd waited, I wouldn't have done it. So I am proud to say that I did 3.25 miles in 60 minutes and my 9 strength training exercises. I also got my water in.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
3 hb eggs

Lunch
6 oz ground beef
1.5 tbs sour cream

Dinner
2 oz chicken thigh
1 bacon ranch grilled chicken salad w/ ranch from McDonald's

Snack
2 oz pork rinds

Calories - 1528
Fat - 106
Carbs -26
Protein - 114

This happened the first time I did Atkins - I'm starting to feel guilty when I eat, especially if it's a snack. Ketosis hasn't kicked in like I thought. I need to refocus on leaner meats, but darn it, that chicken skin tastes good! I'm actually surprised I haven't been eating cream cheese. That's a huge deal for me because I love it. I miss jalapeno poppers and cheese sauces. I miss mashed cauliflower. I could certainly have them, but I am one of the unlucky who really does need to watch calories. I haven't been doing very well in that department.

I really want to get on the scale tomorrow morning. Thank goodness I keep it fairly inaccessible. The shirt I'm wearing today feels looser than usual, but that's probably just in my head. It's only been 10 days.

Strength training is really a PITA. Calisthenics are a lot harder than I thought. My triceps suck I have to rest halfway through each set of 12. But that's ok. I end up with 4 sets of 6 instead of 2 of 12. And it's fun because my little guy tries to do all the exercises too. If I can keep this up, maybe I can keep him on a healthy path that he can take into adulthood.

[Pleiades]

Today was a good day. I put in 70 minutes on the Gazelle and covered 5.1 miles. I only stopped because my water bottle was empty and I had to pee from the last three bottles of water. I hope to do this again, at least once a week. It was very invigorating!

Breakfast
1/2 small sausage patty
2 cups coffee

Lunch
Flax cracker

Dinner
Chicken soup with a cream broth and broccoli/cauliflower mix

Snack
3 oz cheddar cheese
1/2 serving flax pancakes

Calories - 1356
Fat - 95
Carbs - 27
Protein - 95

[Pleiades]

Yesterday was a good day, IMO. I ate well, did my cardio and strength training, and drank my water. I only did 3 miles in 45 minutes, which is my minimum, but I think I was a bit tired from Thursday's cardio. I'm not disappointed, really, but a tiny part of me wishes I'd thrown in another 15 minutes.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
1/2 serving of flax pancakes

Lunch
1 serving of a different recipe of flax pancakes

Dinner
3 scrambled eggs
2 oz onion
2 oz breakfast sausage
3 oz cheddar cheese

Calories - 1263
Fat - 98
Carbs - 18
Protein - 78

Big test today. My aunt is taking us to Outback Steakhouse. I think I'll get the Queensland Salad. I'll have to double check the chicken dishes.

[Pleiades]

Outback wasn't a great success, but it could have been worse. I'm not even going to try to calculate my calories for yesterday. But I am going to admit what I ate yesterday.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
1 slice American cheese

Snacks
2 hb eggs
2 oz polish sausage

Dinner
1/5 Bloomin' Onion
4 oz bread w/ butter
2/3 Queensland salad with ranch dressing

It could have been a lot, lot worse. I could have gotten potatoes or rice, on top of the onion and bread, so all in all, I don't think I messed myself up much. I did work out extra hard twice this week, with 4.5 miles yesterday. My goal for today is 5 miles, just so I have an even 50 for the first two weeks. I also got all my water in yesterday. Today I feel a little guilt and a little bloat, but nothing I'm going to really beat myself up over. I'm sure I'll feel great after my cardio.

[Pleiades]

I'm incredibly disappointed. I'm only down half a pound since last week. I should probably be more strict about my intake. I really didn't think I was doing that badly. I burned 3200 calories last week. Outback must have messed me up more than I though

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
2 hb eggs

Lunch
1 slice American cheese

Dinner
Garlic onion green beans
5 oz broiled venison

Snack
1 Dobie flax muffin w/1 tsp butter

Calories - 816
Fat - 46
Carbs - 25
Protein - 76

I got in my water, and a bit more, and did 5 miles on the Gazelle. I slightly pulled something halfway through, so my time sucked. But I was determined.

Obviously, I haven't been hungry. I need to try to eat more than a slice of cheese though.

[Pleiades]

I really need to change when I do my workout. If my son doesn't take a nap, I feel guilty for exercising during the day. So, I guess I'll have to start waking up when DH leaves for work and getting it in then. I've also discovered that I really need to do my cardio first. I was dragging today after strength training. I'd rather have higher intensity cardio every day and take the strength training/pilates slower afterward. Between my sore leg and just being tired, my cardio suffered today. But I still did 3.6 miles in 60 minutes, so that's not horrible. Just not as good as I'd like.

Breakfast
2 cups coffe
2 hb eggs

Lunch
1 slice American cheese
1 Dobie muffin

Dinner
2 slices flax crust pizza - this was fantastic! I put hamburger, onion, green pepper, and black olives on it, with cheese. YUM!

Calories - 1053
Fat - 83
Carbs - 22
Protein - 56

Got my water in, too

[doublepointgirl]

Hi Becky! I just had to say hello when I saw that you have Buffy and Angel on your play list! I am a huge Buffy fan!!! I, like you, also have a resistent metabolism and I have to watch those calories. I can't get away w/ eating as much bacon and such as some can. Cool journal! Best wishes to you!

[Pleiades]

Thank you, Sarah! I really miss Buffy. I still cry when I watch "The Gift"

[Pleiades]

Yesterday was good. I worked out first thing in the morning. I managed 4 miles in 60 minutes. Then I did 10 minutes of pilates. I found a short program that focuses on the back, and I'm doing that to try to fix my posture. Drank all my water early. I think I ate well, but probably not enough. I am just not hungry. I really had to force myself to eat breakfast.

Breakfast
1 Dobie muffing

Lunch
2 hb eggs

Dinner
1 servings of flax crust pizza
2 ox ground venison

Snack
1 slice American cheese
3 cups coffee

Calories - 887
Fat - 64
Carbs - 16
Protein - 57

I am unmotivated today, but I know I'll get my workout in. I still need to watch Monday's episodes of 24, so I will have a more leisurely Gazelle workout.

[Pleiades]

Yesterday sucked. I ate well and did my workout, but it was so half-hearted. I only did 3 miles on the Gazelle (50 minutes) and it took me about an hour to get through my strength training. It also took all day to drink my water. I had a large coffee at McDonald's and used quite a bit of Splenda, so my carb count is a bit high.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
1 Dobie muffing

Lunch
2 hb eggs

Dinner
3 oz roasted turkey
1.5 cups cheesy tangy trees

Snack
Large McD's coffee with Splenda

Calories - 1130
Fat - 89
Carbs - 23
Protein - 55

I did hop on the scale and I'm down to 182.5, but nothing is official until Monday's weigh in.

[Pleiades]

Yesterday sucked too. I was once again incredibly unmotivated. But I did my workout and stayed on plan.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
2 hb egg

Lunch
1 slice cheese
2 oz roasted turkey

Dinner
2 cups green beans
9 oz turkey with cream sauce and onions

Calories - 1205
Fat - 66
Carbs - 31
Protein - 118

[Pleiades]

I worked out yesterday, first thing in the morning, and it was great! I just finished my workout for today, and I still have the whole day ahead of me.

Brunch
2 cups coffee
3 fried eggs
1 slice Nature's Own Double Fiber Wheat toast w/butter (5 net carbs, a nice treat once in a while)

Dinner
7 oz turkey w/ sour cream, mayo, and ranch dip mix
2 cups cauliflower with cream cheese and ranch dip mix

The ranch dip was 8 carbs, but so worth it.

Calories - 1584
Fat - 116
Carbs - 41
Protein - 98

[Pleiades]

I ate as well as I could yesterday after an unexpected stop at Hardees with my new group of friends.

Brunch
4 oz turkey in 2 slices double fiber bread

Snacks
1/2 almonds
3 slices American cheese

Dinner
Southwest chicken salad - but I did not eat the shell, so that probably saves a lot of calories and fat and carbs

Calories - 2039
Fat - 150
Carbs - 98
Protein - 95

[Pleiades]

Weigh in day. 181.5, so I am down 9.5 pounds in three weeks. I can live with that, I guess. I would have liked a bigger induction loss though. I wonder if it has to do with the Golden Shot rule, or because I had already cut my carbs before I officially started.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
2 hb eggs

Lunch
1 low carb turkey wrap (homemade, with Mission Carb Balance tortillas - 7 net carbs and very tasty!)

Dinner
16 oz shrimp (yes, a lot but I love shrimp!!)
2 servings of broccoli slaw

Calories - 1394
Fat - 73
Carbs - 37
Protein - 139

I did not work out yesterday or drink my water. It's nice to have an off day. I feel guilty for not working out though. I feel lazy. All I did yesterday was walk around and spend money

[Pleiades]

Still on plan, no major changes. Got my water, cardio, and strength training in yesterday. I've done my cardio and pilates today, and I'm almost done with the water. I have a busy day. DS has a doctor's appointment this morning and I have a ghostie meeting tonight, so I am glad I got exercise out of the way.

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
oops! I didn't even realize I didn't eat breakfast

Lunch
2 turkey wraps (I better eat breakfast next time)

Dinner
8 oz catfish with sauteed onions and cheese

Snacks
3 servings pork rinds
2 cups coffee

Calories - 1561
Fat - 95
Carbs - 60 (Yikes! quite a bit of fiber though)
Protein - 123

[Pleiades]

That stupid southwest chicken salad from Hardees on Saturday really messed me up!! I've been starving. And eating badly. Nothing illegal, per se, but definitely large quantities that are putting me over my limit

Breakfast
2 hb eggs + 1 yolk

Lunch
1 turkey wrap

Dinner
Salad with 6 oz sirloin strips

Snacks
3 servings of pork rinds
1 can of tuna with mayo in a low carb tortilla
1/4 cup almonds
large coffee with lots of Splenda

Calories - 2294
Fat - 143
Carbs - 79
Protein - 178

I am so back on plan tomorrow. Meat/Egg fast for a couple days to get this crap out of my system.

At least I've been exercising and drinking water. No loss for me this week, I'm sure.

[Pleiades]

Cardio, strength, and water - check! Yesterday's menu:

Breakfast
2 cups coffee
2 hb eggs

Lunch
Salad w/ turkey, sour cream egg yolk

Dinner
12 oz venison
tomato sauce w/ green pepper, onion, chipotle

Snack
1 oz celery
Pork rind pancakes w/ sf syrup

Calories - 1342
Fat - 74
Carbs - 32
Protein - 131

I'm still hungry a lot.