A Diamond in the Rough -- Candy's Journey

[iabowhunter]

So be it! Draw a beed on poofy's head and let him have it.

[Edwards20]

A post from my friend Becky -- a true mentor and a great inspiration

I've been thinking about this lately. As I near goal, and people (IRL and LCF) ask me about my losses.... What have I done that has helped me be successful? The answer isn't really that exciting.

For most people losing 80+ pounds is an amazing feat. I've been working at it, hard, every day since 5/18/06. That means in just under 4 weeks I will have been on this journey for 1 solid year. If you divide 80 pounds by 48 weeks, that only results in 1.67 pounds per week. That is a steady and reasonable loss average. It isn't some radical 10 pounds per week or loss or anything, but the cool thing? It really adds up!

Last May I thought to myself, "My baby is 1. We've wrapped up breastfeeding, and I'm free to focus on myself and my eating again. The next year is going to go by. It WILL happen. I can either arrive at next May at my goal weight, OR I can arrive at next May where I'm at now...feeling the same frustration and feeling unhappy with my weight. What I do with the next 12 months is my decision and within my control."

And it's true. Here I am, nearly 1 year later, just 10 pounds from goal, and I'm feeling a true sense of satisfaction! The time was going to go by and be "lived" no matter what. I'm happy I've lived those months working on my health and getting strong & confident.

So secrets?

1. Work hard at what you want to achieve EVERY DAY.

2. Keep it simple (eating off plan is complicated.)

3. Try new recipes A LOT and mix it up. Boredom leads to a plan abandoned.

4. Keep a daily food journal. Recording everything you're eating is a good way of staying on track. Putting down in black & white keeps me honest with myself.

5. Drink a lot of water and don't be afraid of caffeine. I think that's a bogus myth. I drink a ton of green tea and coffee and it's never slowed my progress.

6. Don't be afraid of indulging in LEGAL foods occasionally, but whenever you can, limit the alcohol, the calories and the fats. Yes, it's true. On Atkins I can drink red wine and eat cream cheese all day...technically. But the more alcohol and fats I consume, the less my body is burning the stored fat I already "own." So, if it's a special occasion, I eat a big piece of LC cheesecake and ENJOY IT. Or have that glass of wine or smother my salad in rich bleu cheese dressing. BUT, if it's just "another day" I look for ways to cut fat, calories & alcohol whenever I can. I use Pam to fry my eggs, Salad Spritzers or lemon juice for salad dressing, started drinking coffee black, etc. Every little bit you can cut back on, adds up to pounds lost.

7. Be kind to yourself. Recognize that you're experiencing a real paradigm shift. Learning to retrain your brain regarding food is a BIG deal. But rest assured it is quite do-able.

[seb]

That was a good post from your friend, Candy. Enjoyed reading it, and it is so true.

[Sadler_Girl]

awwww Cheer up.
Men lose easier and faster I read somewhere. You are doing great!

[Edwards20]

I am not sure why ... but I do feel somewhat "down" this morning. I don't think it's so much that he lost, although it did annoy me. .

I am starving. I have eaten sausage and eggs for breakfast. I have had a spoonful of p'nut butter. I am now eating a Carb Master yogurt. I feel like Dixie did .... I could eat anything I could get my hands on right now.

Hmmm .... I honestly wonder if the p'nut butter is causing this ??

[Sadler_Girl]

maybe the sugar

[Edwards20]

I am really wondering ??

[Sadler_Girl]

peanutbutter can be a trigger

[Edwards20]

So much for p'but butter

Now what do I do ???? I don't want anymore eggs. I need to make muffins, but frankly I don't feel like it. I am having hunger pains so bad I am

I really, really want some Hooter's wings w/blue cheese ... but that's out.

I am gonna post my way out of this crisis.

[twinkerbell]

Hey Candy,
Congrats on not indulging in the pancakes! I know how yummy they are...or used to be! Once in a while mu husband will sit down beside me with a bowl of oreos and a glass of milk and go to town; lucky for us both oreos are not my weakness! It doesn't bother me too bad!
Have a great weekend!

[twinkerbell]

Originally Posted by Edwards20

So much for p'but butter

Now what do I do ???? I don't want anymore eggs. I need to make muffins, but frankly I don't feel like it. I am having hunger pains so bad I am

I really, really want some Hooter's wings w/blue cheese ... but that's out.

I am gonna post my way out of this crisis.

Wings wouldn't be too bad, eh?

[Tippy Toes]

Wings are always good!

[Edwards20]

Ok, I have muffins in the oven. And I am making the 3 min. cake

It's better than ripping into the Doritos.

[Tippy Toes]

You betcha! Lol, now that I have shared my binge problem with you, you must be thinking if I can get to goal anyone can! And that is right too.

[Edwards20]

Nothing towards you at all . I am just glad to know I am not the only one who struggles, and that people who struggle DO make it.

[Sadler_Girl]

U can do it be strong!

[Sadler_Girl]

so whats going on?

[Edwards20]

You got it ....

Darn internet is making me crash and lose the $$ ...

[Sadler_Girl]

I saw that and went wow gotts show Candy!!

[Edwards20]

[monet0329]

hello candy.. I am hoping you made it past that hunger hun... you can finght it.. drink a lot of water when you feel that way.. some times works for me.. ..

[Sadler_Girl]

and fat that helps me.

[Edwards20]

Drank water, water, water. Ate a 3 min choc. cake and a LC muffin and 2 pks turkey. Stomach is growling again now, but now have a bad craving just yet. I can't believe it happened. I am gonna guess it was the p'nut butter. .

[Edwards20]

I kept thinking FAT ... but I could not find ANY to eat. I wasn't even thinking about the sugar in the p'nut butter. I got the "natural" kind, but it did have sugar .

[monet0329]

someone once told me.. that starving feeling is when your losing weight.. actually heard it on Oprah.. and I believe it was Dusk who told me as well.. so.. starve baby starve,,,

[Edwards20]

I had never heard that until Tonia mentioned it the other night in our chat. Then I get up the next morning and I am up a pound. I am so NOT normal.

How's your Mom ?

[iabowhunter]

Hi Candy!

You know, I never thought of the sugar in peanut butter either. Usally when I go overboard with eating what I shouldn't, I drink tons of water. I love water though and it's nothing for me to come in from outside and slam a 32 oz. glass of water, fill it up again and drink half of it. Tonight, it's tea!

Take one day at a time my friend.

Take care,
Phil

[dantesmom]

Hey Candy! Congrats on beatin the IHOP demon! Sorry to hear about ur ants. I ahve days where i feel always hungry too and for me the eatign the fat helps too. DOnt beat yourself up too bad over the peanut butter. We live and we learn and now u know.