Day 40 TSFL

Had the day off today and it was really nice to have some relaxing time. I also had lunch at Uno's with my fiancé.  I had the salmon and it was absolutely delicious. I did a lot of running around so I'm hoping that my body still burned enough calories to make a difference despite not really doing formal exercise like I've done the past few days.  Tomorrow is cake testing and hanging out with friends! Will probably get put back in the three day restart again but will make good decisions other than just tasting a bit of the cake but like I said,  this is a lifestyle not a diet so I'm not going to just ignore things I want to do.

Day 39 TSFL

Today I ran for forty five minutes on the elliptical,  and I wanted to keep going! I feel like I'm finally getting to the point where I really enjoy working out and exercising. My body wants to burn calories and get healthy. It's a great feeling.  I'm hoping to see some progress but am not sure about this weekend since I'll be doing a cake testing on Saturday.... 

The last couple of weeks I've seen so much progress, I'm thinking this week might not be as significant, which will be a letdown but I need to keep my health the priority. 

Day 38 TSFL

Today was so much fun! Just got back from bowling with some friends and had a great job. Multiple people commented on how well Im looking and that it's noticeable I'm losing weight. Definitely puts you in a good mood!  I started off the day by swimming laps in the swimming pool which felt GREAT!  I'm still working on drinking more water while at work just because I tend to get tunnel vision but doing better at it which is great.  Looking forward to tomorrow. 

Day 37

Put on a pair of pants today that I haven't been able to wear comfortably for at least a couple of years. Needless to say I'm pretty excited. Spent this morning working out at the Rec Center (lifting weights). The plan is to swim tomorrow morning which I'm really looking forward to as well!  I get so excited to watch the weight fall off. I have to admit that I'm going to be ordering my food differently this time around though. I think I ordered too many shakes - I would much rather snack on cereal, or any of the to go bars and I just didnt' order a lot of those this time around.  

I did not weigh myself this morning and I have to admit it's been hard thinking about all day hoping that I am continuing to lose weight since my activity has decreased since last week.  This is why I'm trying to really hit hard on the formal exercise.  Plus, if I don't do something I have too much energy to actually fall asleep!

Day 36

Today I officially did my Monday weigh in at 149.6. It felt great! I also went through my closet and tried on my jeans and am fitting into size 10s and 12s again instead of barely fitting into my 12s and pushing 14s. My one size 14 jeans don't even stay on my hips - they just slide right off - feels GREAT! I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting down to a size 6 o 8 soon.  Honestly, I'm probably a size 10 but I don't really want to to go out and buy new jeans quite yet since I'm still transitioning so that might have to wait until I'm closer to my 130 mark.  

Today I had so much energy! I took the dogs for a walk as my exercise and I'm planning to wake up early and go into the rec center early to workout.  I really want to lift some weights and get back into the routine of formal exercise. There is NO way I could have done any sort of exercise this past week with all of the activities I was doing, (ropes course, rock climbing, canoeing, zip lining, etc.)  

I'm hoping that I will continue to see this trend of more than 2lbs a week weight loss but realize that I might still see this plateau or less of an impact because of going back to working less programs and more of a sit-down job.  Getting fit has really made me realize how much I really wish I had a standing desk though to keep me on my feet more.  That, or maybe bring an exercise ball into work to work on.... Who knows - I still get up and move around more than most people do at work so that's a plus.  I do love my job.

Hoping tomorrow I'll have a good workout!

Day 35

Today was my final day of work for a one day break.  It probably doesn't sound like much to everyone else but I've worked 14 days in a row so I'm very much looking forward to not going to Oxford tomorrow and staying around Fairfield. This morning I weighed myself and I was less than 150!!! I'm pretty excited about that.  I have five more pounds to go until I'm going to publicize my journey to everyone. I'm a bit nervous but also very excited to share my weight loss with friends and family on my weight loss journey.  

I actually spoke to my friends Jen and Amy about the program today and they seemed somewhat interested.  Jen said she has noticed how my clothes are much baggier on me and that I look a lot better.  

All in all a good day. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Day 30 - 34

Wow! I missed a lot of days this week with blogging due to my crazy schedule. In good news - I totally believe in TSFL after this past week. I was participating in physically active activities daily and working 12-15 hours or so each day.  Every day I went home and was exhausted but then woke up feeling wide awake the next morning with tons of energy. It was amazing because I was doing so much on a reduced calorie diet.  I love it!  I know that I'm in fat burning so my body is getting calories elsewhere but it was still a wonderful feeling.

On a side note, I did lose my voice though - but not TSFL fault - vocal cords are not used to being used as much as they were. 

I did weigh myself this morning out of curiosity and I weighed in at 151.4 which is down from 153.2 last week. Excited to be approaching 150 for hopefully the last time!  

Day 28 &29

As promised I'm exhausted but have a great amount of energy every morning. I weighed in at 153.2 this morning!  It was great news and kept me motivated.  I had Chris pick me up some tuna on the go for my lean and green since I have had a hard time fitting that in. Tomorrow I work at 7am and go until 10pm or so - going to be a long day! Might back another medifast meal.

Day 27 TSFL

Woke up this morning and remember thinking how great I feel and how I tend to be in such a good mood when I wake up.  I'm sure a significant reason for this is TSFL. 

Now - saying this - I'm absolutely exhausted right now.  I lifted weights this morning and then worked a ropes course outside.  Needless to say - I'm tired.  Still in better spirits than I think I would have been a month ago this time but still pretty tired. 

Hoping I can keep up my energy the next 10 days!!!! It's going to get crazy. Expect short blogs. 

Day 26 TSFL

Weighed in this morning at 154.4!!! scheduled my spa pedicure!  Next goal is 150 = highlights & haircut! Woo-hoo!!!

Day 25 TSFL

Wow - felt great today! I did not get in the run I wanted to get in today simply due to work being non-stop - it's that time of year. But, I always chose the stairs, I walked around campus a bit for work and took the stairs and exercise paths and tried to get in as much as I could.  I keep weighing myself not because I want to necessarily watch every pound or anything but because I REALLY wanted to get a pedicure tomorrow if I could.  

I have set up the different goals for every 5 pounds I lose...

155: Pedicure

150: Haircut/Highlights

145: Climbing shoes - although I think I'm going to change this rain jacket

140: Rain pants (changing this too)

135: New Dress

130: Schedule engagement photo shoot to get pics taken *Particularly good because it's FREE with our photographer for the wedding. 

I have already earned 165: Bubble Bath and 160 Eyebrow wax... I'm so close at 155.4.. Just a little bit more to go but if I earn it in the next few days I won't be able to get the pedicure for about 2 weeks due to my schedule - oh well :)  

Had a great dinner tonight - shrimp with a salad with cucumber, tomatoes (from the garden), and spinach plus some very light salad dressing. 

Day 24 TSFL

I got on the scale this morning to see what progress I had made since weighing in at 158 on Monday after working out the pas couple of days and was very surprised and happy to see 155.6.  Very exciting news! But what's better is how great I feel. I do not feel like I'm pushing myself too much or that I'll eat more food because I'm working out too much - I generally feel good. Today I had to sit through a couple of long trainings and at one point I literally had to stand up because I didn't want to be sitting anymore.

I was happy to get back into the weight room today and do some lifting. It feels great to start building that muscle back up (slowly but surely). I'm hoping to keep to some sort of a pattern but realizing that the next couple weeks of work are going to be really crazy.  We interviewed a new Assistant Director today which required me going out to eat lunch and then again dinner.... For lunch I had a garden salad essentially with salad dressing on the side. It came with some bread who I gave to my director to eat.  Then for dinner I had the salmon which tasted delicious so i'm sure it was prepared with some additives and it was on top of some greens with some dressing again (which I asked for on the side but they did not do that(. Needless to say I probably went over a little today but I don't think enough to reset me back to day 1 of fat burn because if anything I went overboard on the salad stuff and really tried to make conscious choices about what I was eating.. Overall I'd give myself an A :) 

Next few days are going to be good but busy.  Tomorrow is my last real day in the office. Friday I'm off but there's a meeting I have to go to at the Rec Center and then a BBQ, Saturday I have a ropes course for 6 - 7 hours. Sunday begins Miami Bound (40 incoming freshmen students coming to Miami a week early to experience what we have to offer)

Tomorrow = office day

Friday = Off but meeting in evening and BBQ for work (off day but still going in for a little bit)

Saturday = All day ropes course

Sunday = Training for Miami Bound Staff and pre-meeting for students

Monday = all day on the ropes course

Tuesday = hiking and rock climbing

Wednesday = Canoeing 9 miles

Thursday = River Zip Line tour ; Thursday evening = Welcome Week block party.  (Not sure how I'm going to work a 7a-2p and 5p-11p day and eat meals and still be functioning following 5 to 1 simply due to the fact I'll be up so much) Eating every three hours will still leave me missing out on food by the time I get home at midnight. 

Friday = All day staff training

Saturday = PM staff training

Sunday = All day staff training

Monday = OFF :) (First official day of school for students)

* Let's just say the no-prep meals are going to be my friends :) 

Day 23 TSFL

Today I missed my 3 hour time slot by an hour due to just being incredibly busy.  I did not eat something until after 3.5 to 4 hours.  In good news I did go swimming. My first official day of physical activity while on TSFL.  While I have a pretty active lifestyle and such I think it's time to step up my game.  I plan to go in early tomorrow to do weights tomorrow.  

Hoping to see progress! Keeping my fingers crossed since I know I'm technically in Day 2 of Fat Burn again due to this past weekend.  Still feeling great though which is good but have become somewhat skeptical about losing until I'm at 130.

Day 22 TSFL

So I know I cheated this weekend but other than seeing my weight jump to 158 (not too bad in all honesty) I had SO much energy today it was crazy. I think a lot of my energy is just from being so excited about my own wedding planning but also attributed to TSFL. I went to bed probably around midnight and was up by 530am and still had a great day of energy considering all of the things I had to accomplish!  I realize i'm supposed to get a lot more sleep then that and I typically do but I just couldn't shut by brain off last night. 

Today I did look at the clock and realize I was an hour late for a meal but I will try to do better and caught up after that.  I have to admit that I can see this happening especially in my job if I'm not really on top of it because I get really engrossed in what I'm doing that hours can go by and I don't even realize it. * It's great having a job you love.

Totally blown away from the support and love I'm getting from my coach Mrs. T and her husband Mr. T.  It truly means so much to have that feedback and ongoing conversation. It truly help me keep motivated and keep going. 

My second order of food came in today. Yesterday I got my replacement meals for four different boxes I returned. I'm trying to find space in my kitchen for everything!  Excited for all of my meals and this continued journey. 

Day 20 & 21 TSFL

I had so much fun at the wedding this weekend!  It was great to enjoy one of my best friends special days and not be completely overboard trying to think about what I am eating and what I'm not. Although I still was pretty cognoscente of how much I was putting in my body and what I was putting in my body I was very proud of how this weekend went.  Instead of focusing on the decisions I made which probably weren't the best I want to focus on what I did well

The Bride to be / one of my best friends / Katy Workman *Now Katy Klug!

1) I was prepared - I brought Medifast bars with me throughout the weekend to help keep my energy up and to snack on so I was not starved (the only time this really failed was when we were doing wedding and pics and reception but otherwise - success

2) I watched how much I was putting in my body. I still took part in the food that was provided but I was very conscious by how much I was putting in my body and would push the plate away and stop eating as soon as I realized I was getting close to hungry.  I went a little overboard at times and felt much more full than I have the past three weeks but prior to TSFL I KNOW I would have eaten much more throughout this weekend

3) I ate half(s).  There were many meals that were entirely too large and even the portion of wedding cake (which was delicious. I know in the past I would have forced myself to eat it all but instead I tried to cut the portion in half and eat just the half. Still very delicious food that was not the best for me BUT I also want to be the friend who supports those she loves on the once in a lifetime day.  

Chris & I before the wedding reception 

When I started this process towards a healthier life I made the decision to truly not let my weight loss effort (phase 1) control my life.  I do not want to be that friend or bride who is disrespectful and won't partake in food or drink and events because I'm nervous about my weight going off. Yes, I want to lose my weight and yes I want to be healthy but I honestly can't stand it when people put money and effort into buying food or things for someone and they don't eat any of it because they are dieting. Except of this weekend I have participated in a wedding reception, a cookout, and other social events where I felt it was appropriate for me to not eat the food necessarily other than veggies and still be social.  This weekend that would have been impossible for me to do without really insulting people that I love and I stand by that decision.

Walking down the isle in my bridesmaid dress

That being said when today started I am back on Day 1 kind of. So far, no real hunger pains although I'm probably still catching up from yesterday. When I got home and got on the scale around 3pm and weighed in about 158.0  which is much better than I hoped.  Remember I weighed in at 156.8 on Friday but given the fact this is the afternoon and I've already eaten a few meals and so forth who knows.  I knew I was going to gain some weight because I honestly took in more calories than I spent (especially because i had some drinks). But, I didn't ruin what I was going for. Yes, the food was very tasty but I still kept the lookout of trying to make good decisions and I'm excited to get back on the plan today and hopefully find time to workout this week before chaos and stress take over in the next couple of weeks.  

Chris & me at the wedding reception!

Overall had such an amazing weekend with Katy and Justin and am so happy for them.  Feeling a bit more optimistic and looking forward to my continued weight loss... 

Day 19 TSFL

Today is the first day I've lost a bit of faith in the program. I weighed myself this morning as soon as I got up (granted it was a little later than I normally do on Mondays because I'm not working this morning) and only weighed in at 156.8.  On Monday I weighed in at 157. Now, this could be because I haven't started working out or due to my thyroid issues but such a small decrease in weight makes me wonder about whether I'll ever really reach 130.  Whether this is possible with my body.  I've been very strict so far and from my post about Day 18 I am going off the plan tonight and tomorrow for my friend's wedding. I'm still going to make good decisions but not be as black and white with it. 

All that being said, my jeans fit better and I feel great and healthier than before when I wasn't sticking to the phase 1 guidelines.  I know that numbers are not the most important thing but it's very discouraging when this is only Day 19. You would expect this to happen during the 2nd or 3rd month not the 1st.  Very discouraging for me.  I will stick it through until my food is out (just ordered my second batch) but I do want to see results to keep spending money on medifast meal replacements.  Otherwise I will use the healthy tools I'm learning and try to apply them on my own.

Just a bit discouraged. 

Day 18 TSFL

Today I did god with sticking to the plan. I had grilled chicken and tomatoes for my lean and green which was very good.  Excited to see if I've made any progress tomorrow morning. Weighing myself prior to leaving for the wedding. This weekend I'm intentionally going to be as healthy as I can but am also intentionally going to have fun and go back to pre-fat burn stage.  I plan to drink, eat, and have fun with one of my best friends who is getting married.  I will still eat the medifast meals throughout the day and keep all of the other healthy habits but I want to celebrate with my friend.  After the wedding I will go back on the plan and hopefully begin a workout regiment. I hope it won't kick me back so far that I have to take it easy the first three weeks like before but if that's the case - so be it. 

Day 17 TSFL

Today I had another good day with following the plan.  I worked two different programs back to back today and finding times to actually eat was a bit difficult with my job responsibilities.  I think I went slightly longer between than three hours before eating dinner but mostly due to my commute and wanting to not eat my lean and green as my evening snack. My mouth sores are going away which is good. I'm excited for the wedding this coming weekend though!  I'm going to just make good decisions for the most part and just enjoy myself.

Day 16 TSFL

Today has been another good day of making good decisions.  I feel better and healthier. Excited for the wedding this weekend and excited to talk to my health coach tomorrow regarding the wedding and other information.  I'm hoping that I will continue to see weight loss and be successful. Overall I just feel healthier which is great.

I've been doing my lean and green meal at Shriver Center and brining a can of tuna and making a salad at the market.  They don't really have any lean green items or at least none that I'm comfortable with meeting what I want to meet. Needless to say the past couple of days I've been very full after this meal and feeling good!  

Hoping to see some progress next week and might weigh myself before leaving for the weekend. I'm a little nervous that my weight won't continue to decrease despite the reduced calories I'm eating.

Day 15 TSFL

Today I weighed in at 157lbs.  Not the 5-7 lbs difference that week two is supposed to predict but still I'll take it because I honestly feel great and I feel like I'm noticing a difference in my clothes.  I also feel a lot more energy. Although this week is a horrible week for the Rec. Center to be closed because I  certainly could have used a good work out today.  I decided to walk around campus a bit to try to get some of my energy out which I think was a healthy choice.  

I still need to drink more water - I know I know I'm a broken record. 

I have developed stress blisters on my bottom lip due to this change in my diet most likely. Apparently my body is stressed by the decrease in calories I'm now bringing in. The sores were particularly difficult this weekend and it hurt a lot. Today they felt much better.  I'm trying to avoid tomatoes though because the juice irritates the sores.  If they are still bad after this weekend I will schedule an appointment with my doctor. 

Hoping to continue to see results and looking forward to conversation with my health coach on Wednesday regarding my wedding. i really appreciate all of the encouragement I'm receiving from her and her husband. Both wonderful people of God.  I'm looking forward to sharing this blog with everyone when I reach 145lbs.  

Day 14 TSFL Part 2

As i mentioned earlier today I was feeling pretty unmotivated and tempted by a lot of the options I used to go to on a regular basis. I decided that it was a good idea to pick up and finally start "really" reading Dr. A's book.  I'm in chapter two and this quote really caught my attention because I think I'm on the cusp of this very fight.... 

                                                           Changing Our Focus

In our instant-gratification society, we tend to think of weight loss as a destination.  In fact, it's really just a first step.  Optimal health is a journey based on lifestyle change - a re-orientation from merely hoping to lose weight (all the while succumbing to daily stress and making poor choices) to creating health by allowing our minds and bodies to work together. That's very different than focusing on weight alone! (Anderson, W.S., Pg 16)

Read through chapter eight. Feeling more motivated and hoping to see good results tomorrow.  I realize I can make some other smarter choices in my journey.  

Day 14 TSFL

I find myself yearning for the food of yesterday it seems a lot more today.  Chris and I went out and did some errands and we were passing a lot of restaurants that I kept wishing I could eat at.  I have to keep reminding myself that TSFL is not about eating certain meals all the time it's about eating healthier and that I will reach a point where I can (on occasion) go out and still enjoy these meals and I'll be able to be at weddings or celebrations and in moderation eat food with everyone else.  I'm interested to see what I'm going to weigh in at tomorrow.  I keep on cheating and weighing myself during the week. I think yesterday I was 157 and sadly this morning I was 157.6.  Both weights are better than 158.8 which is what I was at before so I'll take it.  

As my weight continues to slowly decrease week by week I will have to continue to drink water and fit in exercise. Not a good time for the Rec Center is closed for the week but I can do some walks with the dogs and just overall try to be active while out and about.  

Not sure if I'll meet me goal of 155 by the wedding at this rate but keeping my fingers crossed.  

Day 13 TSFL

I guess on busy weekends I'm going to make a habit of posting the day after. Yesterday was a hard day simply because I didn't feel the greatest. I think I was slightly dehydrated from not having any water from the day before.  Eating wise I was just fine.  Although I did leave my lean and green meal for the wedding reception only to discover there was absolutely NOTHING I could eat. I thought there might be a burger or something like that which wouldn't be the best but everything was pretty much fried or had sauces on it. Looked good but I've come so far I didn't want to cheat. Fortunately I packed a couple of Medifast bars with me so I ended up eating 6 Medifast meals and one with veggies when I got back close to going to bed. Not ideal but I thought it was my better decision.  I also avoided having any wine or anything like that which wasn't too difficult but his grandpa kept trying to get me to have something to drink since I wasn't driving. 

I find telling people no because I'm dieting can sometimes be met with resistance so instead I just said I was trying to drink lots of water because I had been dehydrated after going to the Reds game the day before...  

Oh yeah - found an old picture of me from HS back where I was the weight I'm hoping to be again (or at least was close). Yesterday was also my ten year reunion... Hope I look this good or close again soon!

Day 12 TSFL

Well I'm posting day 12 on day 13 but that's mostly due to a chaotic schedule and a Reds Game.  Needless to say, I was too tired by the time I got home to blog so here I am.  Yesterday as far as food challenges was probably the most tempting due to the baseball food.  I love All American food like hotdogs and pizza, popcorn, etc.  I look forward to the day when I'm down to my weight and I can eat those foods in moderation (not all at once obviously).  

I did good though - I brought a snack bar with me and drank some water. Although after climbing to the top of the stadium and walking around the city I can guarantee that I did not drink enough water.  I also have some sores going on in my mouth (stress blisters) which do not feel great at all so it's making it hard to eat any food. Hopefully if these don't go away I'm going to go see a doctor next week. 

Day 11 TSFL

Well i did something I shouldn't have done.  I stepped on the scale first thing this morning and was pretty disappointed when I looked and saw I had gone from 158.8 to 158.4 since Monday. Considering I spent Tuesday mulching and yesterday doing weights I was really hoping to see more drastic results than that. But then again, that's why I'm not the most patient person... I have to remember to only weigh in once a week and any sort of decrease should be celebrated.  I do feel better and I do feel like I'm starting to look a little different as far as the weight loss goes.  Focusing on weight lifting will help me tone up more which would be nice overall. Chris says he can see a bit of a difference too which is very encouraging.  

They say doing TSFL you should lose 5-7 pounds for the first two weeks and then 1-2 afterwards.  I think I'm probably entering the 1-2 phase which means I should really try to step up my exercise.  I didn't feel too hungry and since I was already fairly active before I don't think I need to wait until week 3 to start really trying to get in a good workout. I'm still going to somewhat take it easy initially. Today is going to be hard to sneak in a workout because I'm on the radio while at the Rec Center. That means I have to find someone to cover it for me while I work out and there's s giant administrative meeting occurring today for all directors... Oh well.  My hopes was to be down to 155 by Katy's wedding which is August 10th.  I felt like losing 10lbs wasn't too incredibly drastic of a goal to try to reach.  So, I have 3.2 lbs to lose in 9 days or so... 

The only thing I can think of that I might not be doing or as strict on is drinking water while I'm at work. When I'm home it's a lot easier for me to remember to keep drinking water throughout the day but while at work I get very distracted.  I still drink a lot more than I used to but maybe that's impacting how my body is interacting and not helping me lose the weight as effectively?  Unsure.  

As mentioned I work a late night tonight 12p-9p so I'm bringing all of my meals with me.  I think I'm definitely going to be sticking to the grab an go snacks from now on since that's more my lifestyle then sit down and microwave something.