Bella's Life by the Sea Journal

[BellaHMB]

June 16th

Happy Birthday to my friend Tony who would have been 53 today. He died 2 years ago of alcoholism. He was my HS boyfriend....

Quote for the day: Appreciate the life you are creating.

Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of the wonder of each day. We become so focused on the future, or on WHAT ISNT WORKING that we forget to see
the positive things that are right in front of us!

Today I am grateful for:
*My son's sobriety
*My health
*My husband and his gentleness
*My ability to do the work I love in the way I want to do it
*Love
*The harmony of my garden
*My cavalier spaniels- I love em!
*The ocean which is 2 blocks from me right now
* The resilience of the Human Spirit. This always amazes me.

Everyone have a great day!

Bella Victoria

[BellaHMB]

June 17th
Month 6 begins

Today's quote: "Listen to what has heart and meaning, for your heart knows the way".

Here's to all the Father's! I never knew mine actually. My mother was 18 when she got pregnant and so I was raised by her mother and my dad was only 17 and never even officially knew about me. (I was relocated to CA when all this happened). A loooong family story! The man who raised me (who I thought to be my father until I learned he wasnt when I was 48) tried his best
but he wasnt the most loving and was quite stern. My own son who is now 25 is trying to make peace with his own dad, my first husband, and they are making progress. My second husband John to whom I am now married is an incredibly loving father and has devoted himself to his now grown children.
I am SO fortunate to have him in my life.

Today we are going to the San Francisco Symphony for Father's Day, my little gift to him. I think John deserves some special treatment.

Im starting month 6 now of low carbing! (yesterday actually)

Im feeling pretty good about myself today and looking forward to dressing up for the concert!

Here is a typical Maintenance Menu per Meekeness' request:

B: 1/2 flax seed muffin, 1/4 cup cottage cheese with 5 blueberries or 2
strawberries OR 2 ounces protein such as chicken or tuna

L: Salad with grilled chicken OR 3 ounce hamb patty w/salad

Snack: Dannon lowcarb yogurt (3 grams) or Greek Yogurt with sprinkle
of oatmeal or Go Lean Fiber Cereal. I also sometimes substitute this for
breakfast with 1/4 cup of the cereal, baby bell cheese, protein (probably
2 snacks a day, I rotate which ones)

D: 3-4 ounces protein such as grilled/baked chicken/hamb/salmon
(I try to eat red meat less often cause of higher calories), 1/2 cup veggies
such as broccoli, mushrooms, red bell peppers. Sometimes I eat summer squash now too.

1.5 cups coffee per day, Hansen's diet soda, Good Earth Tea
I exercise 6 times a week, which I love!

Bye for now,
BV

[kat mommy]

HI Bella
Have not been here for a few days. Great job, I like to see how others do on maintance..it gives me a good insight for later.
My plan hmm
try to stay with KImmers
protein 70-80 gr. ..40%
Fat <20 gr....50%
Carbs <20 gr.... circa 10%
only 1 T mayo per day
very little fat for cooking
salad dressing (make my own I can not find one here w/o sugar)
rarely have cheese if so only 1oz. (this is a trigger food for me)
drink min. 80oz. H2o
Just made some Rev, Rolls ,great sub. for bread ( I do not add any sweetener ,sweets just trigger me)
take vitm.,calcium and Magnesium
exercise 3-5 times a week

I would love any input on this plan
Once agin great job!!

[BellaHMB]

Hi Kat,

How many calories are you eating and what's your protein sizes like? And are you using fitday?

Bella

[BellaHMB]

Monday June 18th

Just a short note this morning!

Today's quote: "Cultivate Appreciation in All Things".

It's foggy today by the coast and Im getting ready for a pretty busy time
coming up with clients and groups. Today, Monday, I usually dont work but I have a client coming in from out of town so I agreed to see her. Im sure
it will be rewarding for both of us.

Im down to 145, so that's 5 under my original goal. Im thinking now that 145 will be my goal weight, so Im going to see if I my body would like to get to 140
and then stop there to evaluate. Im 5 ft 7, so Im thinking that would be a good range for me (140-145) and as I said, my body will let me know if it's a keeper or not!

Im not being as compulsively focused on losing anymore once reaching goal,
but still need to stay focused.

BV

[kat mommy]

WoW Bella so happy for you WTG Below goal fantastic job
Thanks for the help
Yep use fitday faithfully
I average 104 gr protein per day ( this time around I am having hunger issues so I have been snacking on lean meats for snacks or HB's but they add up in fat. I usee 3 eggs in A.M for breakfast but throw 2 yolks away.
I average 1082 cals a day. I would like to get that down but like I said I have been hungry. Carbs are under 10 per day (salad w/L & D or other veggie cooked).
Thanks for the help and keep up the great work
Best wishes for a great day
Pattie

[BellaHMB]

Pattie, That sounds fine. How long have you been on Kimkins/Atkins?
I kept my calories at about 800, but had a 1000 ceiling.

Victoria

[Livywilltim-mom]

Bella,
You and Pattie are doing sooooo well. Thanks for posting all the menus, it is a help.

Love your journal, very inspiring.

Peace

[Meekness29]

Bella, you are on a roll. Congrats on reaching 145

[BellaHMB]

June 19th

Today's quote: Love Unconditionally

This morning I tried with eventual success to put
together a framed photo collage for my dh; his
daughter had made it for him years ago but it
was falling apart and needed repairing. I thought it
would be easy! Not so! I kept telling myself
it was a gift to my dh who gives me so much
love every day.

I put up a new photo on my avatar yesterday.
Hard to stop the critical voice though from
saying this and that about it! But I decided
to go ahead with it anyway.

Well im off to the gym and then lunch
with a friend. I alread worked this
morning early at the computer and have
a phone session tonight.

This weekend Im hosting a bridal shower
for my son's former gf who is getting married.
She is my chosen daughter- she calls me mom2!
I am really looking forward to it....we are making
a marriage basket for her with thoughts from
older women and her peers also, and also filled
with some feathers and crystals. She can
use it when she needs it along the way for
inspiration.

Bye for now,
Victoria

[magnamater]

Bella, can I trouble you for some help?

My fitday says I'm averaging 600--750 cal a day, Fat 31, carbs 10 and protein 76.

I lost 15 lbs the first 2 weeks, then 3rd week NOTHING!

While I am happy about the losses putting me back where I stayed for 2+ years, I want to loose the remaining lbs.

I exercise--fast walk 30 minutes, 15 minutes elliptical, and 30 minutes water aerobics agains a fast current in a swim spa--jog, jumping jacks, faux cross country. . .you get the idea. . .

Did you have any stalls in your march to where you are today?

I could use some help!

Janie

[BellaHMB]

Hi Janie,

How much do you weigh now, how tall are you and what's your goal weight?

Also, why dont you post a menu so I can see the specifics? Off hand my guess is that your weight will drop soon, but if you show me your menu I can better say.

Victoria

[BellaHMB]

June 20th

Today's Quote: Cultivate Stillness

This quote is a good reminder for me that I dont have
to always be doing but can practice being.

Yesterday I was very busy as I ran out to the gym in the am
after working at my computer, then ran to lunch then ran
back home cause I said I would bring my dh lunch back
and I thought he was hungry (which he was!). Then I
got busy tending to our investment property details
(you cant imagine how much there is to do when you change
tenants even when there is a property manager in another
state!) and before I knew it the evening had come. I then
went grocery shopping and had dinner with dh when he got
home from martial arts practice. Busy!

So today Im going to slow it all down. Let's see if I can do that

Most of lunch yesterday was spent talking about my diet with my
friend; she doesnt have really to lose much weight but she
wanted to know WHY I did this. What a great question! I said
it was because I was tired of experiencing self loathing. We all know
about this, yes? When you look in the mirror and hate what you see?
I know this is so bad for me, for all of us, and that's why I made this
change. I still experience the critical eye focused on myself, but you know,
I dont feel hatred anymore. And for that I am very grateful.

Bella Victoria

[magnamater]

Victoria, I'm at 150 lbs (where I stayed for over 2 years, occasionally losing down to 146), am 5'2.5" and my goal weight is 130.

Menu yesterday--I eat 5 times a day--trying an experiment!
breakfast--RR french toast, made with low fat ricotta and eggs, 2 pieces with egg beater batter ( my rr have 49 cal, per fitday)

a.m. snack--RR french toast, 2 pices with egg beater batter


260 cals at this time. . .(I know because of today's fitday)

lunch--2.5 oz turkey with RR

p.m. snack--2 oz turkey with RR and 2 pices of french toast

dinner--soup made with 2 oz. turkey, broth and 2 T. salsa plus 1 string cheese.

cal--720
fat--22
carb--10, 1 gr fiber--don't subtract now!
protein--81

I was VERY hungry in the afternoon--thus the LARGE snack

Exercise walk--30 minutes
elliptical--15
water aerobics--30

HTH!

And why am I trying to loose weigh again after losing 80 lbs and (sort of) keeping it off?

I don't like to fail! It's part of my personality! I did fail at maintenence, and I'm determined to NOT fail, and also to get to goal. . .I believe it is possible, even though I was morbidly obese. I sincerely hope it is possible.

Originally I wanted to lose weight for my health. And it has helped, made me a totally different person, energy and health wise.

Way TMI!

Janie

[magnamater]

Ahhhh.

I had an aha! moment.

I will stop the RR's for a couple of days. . .see if that helps.

Will report the results after a 3 day trial!!

Janie

[BellaHMB]

Yep! That's exactly what I thought.

Here is an example of my losing menu:

B: 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 2 ounces protein such as tuna with mayo (1t)
and 1/2 dill pickle.
L: Grilled chicken salad: I cook the chicken with Mrs Dash spices, then add it warm to 1 cup lettuce or raw spinach, a sprinkle of mozz cheese or feta,
3 kalamat olives, small amount Ken's caesar dressing (low carb)
Snack: 1 ounce cheese, turkey rollups (no more than 100 calories here), SF jello and LOTS of water/good earth tea. I use that to cut my hunger.
D: 3 ounces protein, 1/2 cup veggies such as cooked spinach, mushrooms (only 1/4 cup)with red peppers. Maybe another bit of cottage cheese if Im really hungry.

I think you need more low carb veggies to fill you up- what about a salad at lunch time?

I also agree about the rolls- I would ditch them.

Bella

[magnamater]

I agree about the veggies. . .usually have one salad--but my lettuce was brown and I wasn't that hungry!

I need to hit the grocery store. One salad a day doesn't use up even a small bag quick enough. . .so I'll do 2, and push one on DH!

Well, I'll slap on sunblock and hit the store!

THANKS!

Janie

[BellaHMB]

June 21st

Happy Summer Solstice!

Today's Quote: Rest when you need to rest

I am quite tired today and really do need to rest. I have a very
busy weekend with my adopted daughter's (by choice!) wedding
shower and a new group on Sunday, so today is a get ready day....
But if I take it easy, then I will be ok. I think Ive been pushing it
at the gym too, so I need to back off some.

Listen to your bodies!

Bella V

[magnamater]

Victoria, I agree with you about listening to your body.

Yesterday I curtailed my exercise to a 30 minute fast walk. . .was headachy/nauseated. . .not induction flu exactly, more headachy. . .so I feel really great today.

Now when my body tells me to become Mrs. Couch Potato Head, I gotta argue back! (by body LOVES that line. . .but I know better!)


Best to you and yours for the shower.

You will be the Bella of the Ball!

(I got more where that came from)

Janie

[BellaHMB]

Janie,

But did you lose pounds this morning?? I feel awful the day before I lose and I have my theories about that. Wanna hear?

BV

[magnamater]

Yes, I lost 3 lbs. What's your theory, Victoria?

Janie

[BellaHMB]

Originally Posted by magnamater

Yes, I lost 3 lbs. What's your theory, Victoria?
Janie

My theory is that we hold toxins in our fat cells. Right before we lose, the fat
is used up, and the use of that fat puts these toxins into our systems. The cells also fill up with water at the same time, and it is the whooosh of the water release which then equals weight loss along with fat loss. I have experienced this over and over again and I can almost predict when Im going to lose as I feel sluggish and almost flulike the day or 2 before. Then once I lose my energy goes back up (like today) and I feel great!

Bella

[BellaHMB]

June 22

Today's Quote: Try to keep things in perspective

I really need to remember this today. My dh had a dream last night
that he was tempted by another woman, a mythical creature like
Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. You know, the pure and innocent types!
I know it's probably symbolic but it bummed me out big time. I actually
thought that I wished I was still fat because then I wouldnt have to
suffer rejection like I would when I am at my best. I guess in some
ways we can always rationalize that the other woman is more beautiful,
it makes more sense, etc etc but if we are in our prime well then,
how do you explain it away?

Anyway, you can see why my quote today is about perspective.
Hey, Im tempted by chocolate but it doesnt mean I have to eat it!

Bella

[Livywilltim-mom]

Bella, Hmmmmmmmmm
I would actually say that I think there is an interesting dynamic going on...

[BellaHMB]

Originally Posted by Livywilltim-mom

Bella, Hmmmmmmmmm
I would actually say that I think there is an interesting dynamic going on...

Any more thoughts on that? Wait...maybe Im the other woman? The "new" me....He said that this woman was determined to destroy me, and what we had. Now Im thinking more....

Bella

[Livywilltim-mom]

My thoughts were about how you are becoming more powerful with your weight loss, sort of transforming into a strong force and not so much a young thing "needing" a man to rescue...I don't know...just thoughts...it is the first thing that popped into my head when I read your post.

Hope you don't mind me sharing...

You are such an inspiration, hope you have a blessed Saturday!

Peace

[jtinker]

Hi Bella
just want to drop in and say hi. hope all is going good for you. I was reading some of your past posts. and I think YOU are that mythical creature your dh had a dream about. you are a new woman. I think sometimes we forget to give our self's the credit we deserve . have a great day Joan..