28 pounds lost with pic!

I HAVE A WAIST!!!!

Today I am at 191.8 and down 28.2 pounds!!!!
Here's a quick pic of me in the pants I was wearing when I first started my diet.  I have a waist!!!!  But you see what I meant yesterday about needing to "tone up"?  I don't have so much loose skin in my legs and midsection, but it's pretty bad in my arms.  This has ALWAYS been an issue for me- even when I was thinner- damn genes!
I am a VERY happy Dukaner this morning!!!!  I am so glad I started my fitness plan last night!  I did a 5K walk/jog and then the Brazil Butt Lift Cardio video.  I didn't want to wait till I had a solidified "plan" and join the gym 4/1-- so right now my "plan" is to MOVE, MOVE, MOVE as much as I can!!!!

Dukan update and future plans

All Going in the right direction!

Today I am at 27.6 lbs lost.  I feel great and totally motivated to reach my mid-way point (35lbs lost).  This is the way I chunk things down-- "I need to loose 2.4 more pounds then I'll be at 30 lbs lost, then just 5 lbs after that and I'll be at my half way point!!!"  

So my goal for April is to join a gym and get on a serious strength training routine.  I went shopping yet again, and dug out a bunch of clothes fromt the back of the closet from last year when I bought clothes too small thinking I'd fit into them and never did.  Those fit now, and the ones I bought the other day I bought one size down, so I can work towards getting into them comfortably.  So my closet is full of of fun new spring and summer dresses!  I did notice, while I tried them ALL on last night, that I really need to work on TONING my body- especially my midsection.  

I got the "Brazil butt lift" workout videos, I bought the new Nike fuel band (Earlier post) and I will have a gym membership April first- So my focus will shift from eating habits (which I am confident I have down) to fitness habits.  Remember- I am looking for a complete transformation, not just weight loss, so I need to make sure that these habits I'm training for become routine, and customary practice for me.  I worked really hard on the nutritional aspect of this, mostly through educating myself and listening to my body, and I feel like my healthy habits have sunk down into my subconscious where I don't have to constantly be thinking about what I'm eating- my brain just knows the things I WON'T eat.  

I am so happy that I made the change from the traditional Dukan Cruise Phase to my modified PV Cruise Phase.  I feel great, my skin is no longer dry, my digestion has improved back to normal, and I feel better about what I'm eating.  I eat a lot of veggies everyday, and I can't ever imagine not having that as a staple in my diet.  I want to look into juicing as well, but one thing at a time.  The other day at work, the healthy salad girls were complementing me on my lunches.  They said "you're lunches always look so good and so healthy."  That was so great to hear!!!!  I was that girl ...and it's true- I cook with a lot of veggies, so I always have very colorful meals.  

I think that when I get to my half way point, I will make further modifications to Dukan, such as adding in quinoa and lentils, also maybe up my oat bran to 3tbs/day.  I really enjoy having my oat bran with half a cup of the organic almond coconut milk, and I starting adding a bit of flaxseeds to it and 1 truvia packet (I microwave it like oatmeal).  I think the addition of these complex carbs will be balanced out by my new exercise routine, and my calorie counting (myfitnesspal.com).  As always, I track everything, so if it doesn't work out- it's back to PV days!  

All in all I am soooooooo happy!  Starting Dukan was the greatest way to gain control again!  Even if I've made my own tweaking-- I don't think that I would have made it to where I am today without the Dukan jumpstart!  Now, I'm hoping that the new fitness program will help me even further my goals and get to my ultimate goal - 70lbs lost- in an even healthier way!!!

MAKING AN ADDENDUM TO TODAY'S POST...
Just got back from my 5K and realized-- there's no reason to wait for April 1st-- I'm starting my fitness plan TODAY!!!  I will make a new page after my "weigh-in" page to track my workouts.  This will probably be updated daily!

How I got my groove back!

Ok, so I think I got my groove back!!!!  I went shopping last night and it felt really great!!!  I was choosing clothes because I "liked them" and not because they were "my size"!!!  This was one of the main motivations for reaching my goal.  I was so frustrated by not being able to find the clothes I liked in my size.  I think I went a little overboard, but I was having so much fun in the fitting room!
Even though I've dropped about 4-6 sizes, I made sure to go even an extra size down, so the clothes I bought fit a bit snug, which will also motivate me to fit into them better.  I can't wait to go through my closet and get rid of all the big clothes.  I have a new spring wardrobe and I feel so good.  Also, I called up the gym and I'm going to sign up on April 1st.  Time to kick this thing into high gear!!!  I want to reach my goal by the summer!  I just realized that I have 14 more pounds to go and I'm at my half way point.
I remember when I started 70 lbs seemed so MUCH! I took it one pound at a time, and I can't believe it not even 3 months later and I have 44 lbs to go, which seems more realistic than 70!  For now I'm just looking forward to loosing the 14 to get me to my half way point.
I guess loosing 25 lbs was a good reason to go shopping.  Pics to come soon!!!!

Also- I made this GREAT salad mix to keep in the fridge and add daily to my salads (baby spinach) and then top off with some sort of meat.

The mix contains-- vine fresh tomatoes, sweet mini peppers, red onion, fresh basil.  The smell was AMAZING!!!!


PS--- this is a link to the documentary Hungry for Change-- you can sign up to watch the premier for free.  At least check out the trailer-- looks good!

http://www.hungryforchange.tv/p/free-worldwide-online-premiere

Help me find my drive!

I think it's time to come up with a new strategy.  I feel like I'm starting to loose my motivation.  I'm still committed, but I feel like my drive isn't at the level that it was when I started.  I think it's because breaking 200 was such a big deal for me that when I achieved that, it's like I had accomplished my goal.  Obviously, I need to keep going, but I need more things to move me than just my eating habits.  I think it's also because I feel I've gained control over this area of my life even on a bad day.
I need to start focusing on the fitness portion of my transformation.  I have to confess that for the past 2 weeks my exercise routine has been almost nonexistent.  I walk quite a bit to/from work, but no where near what I was doing before the job (~5k/day).  I feel like there just isn't time in the day, but I know that's  just an excuse - people do it!  I don't know, It might just be hormones, but I feel guilty because I feel like I should be on cloud nine-- I've lost 25 lbs, I have my dream job, I've de-cluttered my life-- things are finally as they should be, so why am I not ecstatic???????
Before, when I felt like it was all impossible, I had such drive, motivation, and tenacity, even with all the odds against me.  Now that I have a hold on the things keeping me back-  I don't feel that same drive.  Do we really need DRAMA in our lives to push us?
I guess I need to find something that drives me- I've been thinking of joining a gym, or taking up some kind of fitness class-- SOMETHING to get me out of this rut!  Any suggestions????

25 lbs lost !!!

25 lbs of Marijuana from a Police drug bust

Today I am at 25.4 lbs lost!!!

The picture above is 25 lbs from a police drug bust.  I am in no way condoning, promoting or in any way supporting drug use, I just like to include interesting pictures to demonstrate weight loss.  I guess the change up in my diet (going from the PP-PV rotation to 6 PV days and one PP day) has worked out well for me.  I had sort of plateaued, but this was a great jump start.  Also, I think my calories were too low on my PP days (~500 cals).  Now with the veggies they tend to be from 700-1000, which is probably MUCH better for my metabolism.
Next step for me is to really up my game in exercising.  I was doing at least 5K/day (mostly walking) but that got set aside when I started work last week.  I still walk a bit to/from bus stops for work, but I need to get my heart rate going.  I'm thinking to join a gym, but I need to get stabilized first.

I am VERY excited!  10 more pounds and I'm at my half-way point!!!!!!!

THANK YOU to all of you who follow and support my journey - it means a lot!!!!

Picture from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwH9UsdnGy425LPgBxDUcKFPFcZju0Nn6-9wHJ86tDeemViztD5h-Djmsje9HhJTk4LfLuurbPSm_D0g9W7oKgcER36CNBSfii_dkPPc2L7phspNM6gZhNHiVvOHYR_6JDuTFilPrWpcd/s1600/0916113.jpg

The Good the Bad and the Ugly

This has been a really interesting week.  I started my new job last week and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!
I mentioned to my boss that I was on a "special" diet, and she ordered a fridge for my office.  Now I can stock it up with healthy snacks, so I never get caught off guard.  I have been able to stick to the diet, but find it's getting a lot harder to do my PP days when I'm at work.  Also, I've been struggling with balancing social activities and Dukan.  Obviously, we are not allowed to drink on the cruise phase, but I have once in a while, but I always keep it under 2 drinks and opt for rum/diet cokes or red wine.

It seems last week I was invited to all sorts of things... Some GOOD, some BAD, and some very very UGLY.







The Good:

I went to brunch and was able to keep to Dukan by having the steak and eggs option.  The meat was pretty lean, and I hadn't had egg yolks in a while.  (I usually have 4 egg whites for breakfast w/ 97% fat free ham).  Also the side salad was simple but really great!  I did splurge and had a Blood Mary, but I really enjoyed it and skipped lunch cause I wasn't hungry.






The Bad:

I was invited over to a friend's house, and as is usually the case in NYC we ordered in.  It was pretty late, so our best option was Chinese -- YIKES!!!  I think I made it work though, considering all the other options.  I won't lie... I had a small craving for some Sesame Chicken, but cravings don't have the power over me as before.  So what did I order???  I had the Seafood Delight, BUT I asked them just to steam everything and NO SAUCE, so basically it was steamed seafood and veggies.  I enjoyed it and felt good about myself.




The Ugly:

So I think the hardest decision was Saturday night.  I was invited to go out, and I hadn't been out in so long, I thought it would be good for me.  So the invite was to a Beer Garden--- I KNOW!!! The place was super cool, and packed.  Everyone was drinking the 1 liter beer steins, and I REALLY wanted one too.  I had eaten dinner before hand and met everyone later, to avoid the whole dinner thing, but now I had to choose.  At first, I was rationalizing, "well, it's only 1 beer, and I've been so good...." you know how it goes.  But then, I was like "NO!  I worked too hard to get here, and I'm not going to screw it up over a beer.  I ordered a rum/diet coke and YES I felt really silly at first, but then I felt sort of proud of myself, and I honestly didn't care.  Get this-- the 1 liter beers were $12, and my tiny drink (w/ice) was $10+tax+20% tip.  I realized a long time ago that I would not let the money thing get to me.  It's always cheaper to eat bad, and I just feel like I'm paying for health, when I make expensive options.  

This week made me realize that I have learned good eating habits.  This realization led me to change up the diet.  I am now doing a Pseudo-Cruise Phase.  I am doing 6 PV days and 1 PP day.  I am not really ready to go into Stabilization, but I don't really want to deprive myself of healthy veggies.  I will blog about this decision when I have a little more data, and let you all know if it works out.  Obviously, if the weight doesn't come off - I'll go back to attack for some days and back to the "real" Cruise.  Wish me luck!!!

By the way, I updated my "weigh-in page" and here's my progress report from Myfitnesspal.com:

Good, bad, ugly pic from: http://postercabaret.com/media/catalog/product/a/l/alamogoodbadpatent_8.jpg

Planning for healthy snacks...

Tomorrow I start my first day at the new job.  I wanted to make sure I stocked up the fridge with lots of healthy snacks to take to work.  I will eat my usual breakfast (4 egg whites with ham & coffee) at home, and then pack 2 snacks (am/pm) and a lunch.  I made a HUGE batch of my Chicken Tikka Masala (see recipe), and I'm going to freeze it for the week.  I will also probably take salmon or tuna for my PP days.  I figure if I have good snacks on hand I can have a smaller lunch and then eat dinner when I get home.  These are some of the snacks I got.  They're mostly dairy, but I don't usually have dairy in meals other than snacks....

Imitation crab (0% fat)- 3 small pks

Fage Greek Yogurt (0%fat)- 14

Toasted Coconut Vanilla Yogurt (0%fat)- 1-4pk

Celery- 1 bag

Sliced Turkey Breast (97% fat free)- 0.5 lbs

Fat free Swiss Cheese - 1 pk

Fat free/Sugar free Cheesecake pudding - 3 bx
(for special days that I need a treat and I exercise a lot)

Fat free/Sugar free Boston Cream Pie Pudding- 1 pk (6)(for special days that I need a treat and I exercise a lot)

HELP!!!! Time to take off the training wheels.

I think one of the things that has really helped me in my body/mind transformation is consistently trying to be honest with myself.  I start my new job on Monday.  I am REALLY excited because I'm sort of changing career paths and this was the job I really really really wanted.  I am so proud of myself, but I have to confess that I am a little worried about juggling everything successfully.
I have my Masters that I'm currently doing, and I've dedicated a lot of time to my "health and fitness" - I am worried that my schedule will get too packed, and I don't want to go backwards or even become stagnant on my progress.  I know that worrying won't help anything, and will only add additional stress, so I need to be proactive about things and REALLY learn to BALANCE.  I don't want to put all my focus on one area of my life and have another area suffer.  This is how my weight got to be so high, but I can't just focus on my weight and not have all the other things in my life that I deserve.
It's time to take off the training wheels, and see how I do in the "real world".  I have to trust that I've set up good habits for myself for the last 8 weeks.  I have to trust that I want it bad enough.  I have to trust that I have the discipline.  I have to trust that I care enough about myself to take care of myself.  I have to trust that I deserve nothing less.
I am asking for any suggestions to all you busy bees out there- how can I set myself up to succeed?
Someone told me a really great quote....

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

I want to make sure I use this weekend to really plan for success- whatever it takes.  I have already gone out and purchased some food storage containers.  I will probably make Sunday a cooking day for the rest of the week- and store some frozen meals.  I need to make sure the fridge is stocked with healthy Dukan food, AND I have to figure out how I will incorporate a daily workout into my schedule?  I need to set up check points and milestones.  I also need to make sure that I do this in a way that comes naturally, and not becomes added stress.
I had put my career on hold and made progress in my personal life- now it's time to reign it all in.  I'm a little scared, but I WANT THIS, and that is a more powerful feeling than the fear.  I know that I can combat the fear with knowledge-- knowing HOW I will make it work.  I don't have it all figured out yet, but I don't need to figure it all out on my own.


By the way-- this was my afternoon snack...

Mini peppers stuffed with spinach and fat free feta cheese with a bit of chopped red onions and salt.  Broiled in the oven and that's what you get.  I LOVE my veggie days :D

This came in at 118 calories (as shown)

















Heading picture from:  http://www.instablogsimages.com/1/2011/08/04/work_life_balance_vsrej.jpg

Look but don't touch!

Tonight is my niece's 3 month birthday (party), so I decided to make my signature flan.  I was going to attempt to make something Dukanian, but in the end figured I would make the flan because my family loves when I make it.  I will bring it to the party, but I won't be having any.  It's funny how my brain has changed AND with it, my associations to food.  To me the flan is not "food" it's just a "thing" as if I was bringing flowers- just a gift- cause to me- the flan is not on my Dukan list and therefore not something I can eat.   So here it is- my "creation", although I think it looks great- I can't tell you what it tastes like.