Friday, December 21, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Recollections
As most of you know, my weight loss has slowed down a bit. But after losing 113.4 lbs, mind you all in less than 9 months, it was bound to happen. Now I'm looking back and wondering how on earth that much time slipped past me so quickly when the first 3 weeks of the diet were miserable!
Now I'm here to address answers to the questions I receive the most of lately.
The first and foremost questions I am asked are:
1. How did you do this?!
2. Was it difficult?
3. How much exercise and dedication did this diet take?
4. What is the Dukan Diet?
5. What motivated you to lose over 100 lbs?
So, to answer #1: I lost the weight following the Dukan Diet. To answer what the Dukan Diet is, please refer to answer #4.
Answer #2: Yes, it was difficult at first. But every diet is!! Your body is expelling all the bad things out and you're replacing them all with good things. So you do go through what I call a food withdrawal. At week 1, you're motivated as all get out. You're doing great and nothing can stop you! Week 2 you're starting to think: "How can I live like this with eating all this meat?! Sure I love chicken, but for every meal?" Then comes week 3 and you're wanting to eat all the cookies, brownies, hash browns, and toast you can fill yourself up with. Then comes week 4....through the end of your diet. That's right folks. The cravings subside. You looked at your diet differently. You get creative and start using different spices. You discover you can have sugar free, fat free chocolate pudding and indulge on your sweet tooth every now and again. You realize the oat bran can be made into cookies, oat meal mush, and you finally have perfected the waffle recipe. Instead of wanting hash browns and sausage for breakfast, you find yourself wanting some Canadian bacon and boiled eggs. You find you're not hungry at all and at times have to remind yourself to take a lunch break at work. Trust me folks, it's a breeze once you've gotten past week 3.
Answer #3: Well, according to Dr. Peirre Dukan, he asks you to take a 30-40 minute walk every day. Well, some days this was a breeze! Especially in the summer when I'd take my kids for a 2-5 mile hike a couple times a week with my little one strapped to my back. Fall time it was easy as well since it is my favorite season and I love going for walks. Now winter is here and it is cold. But I love taking walks in the snow as it's falling (which hasn't happened yet where I live). So, on those days when I don't have time to walk or the weather is horrible, I stick on a Pilates, yoga, or aerobic workout and workout for as long as I have time for. Sometimes that is only 10 minutes and sometimes it is a good 45 minutes. I have 2 kids, so sometimes it's difficult to steal a moment away from the kids. I have found the best thing to do is involve them in your exercise. What better way to teach your kids than to get them involved at a young age? So you don't have to join a gym and spend crazy amount of time away from work, life, and family to get fit and healthy.
Answer #4: The Dukan Diet is a lean protein based diet. There are 4 phases to this diet. Phase #1 is called the Attack Phase (only pure protein). This phase lasts between 5-12 days depending on how much you need to lose. I was on this phase for 6 days. Phase 2 is Cruise. This phase lasts until you lose all the weight you desire to lose. So for me this phase lasted from mid February till early November. You toggle between pure protein days and protein + veggies. Phase 3 is Consolidation. This phase lasts 5 days per pound lost. So I'm on this phase for 565 days. Yes, I know that is over a year! On this phase you introduce fruit, grain, and a celebratory meal back into your diet. A celebratory meal is just saying you can have 1 cheat meal (not day!) per week. So you can have that cheesecake at your friend's birthday party, or the slice of pizza at your kids baseball party, or what not. But, you must be careful you don't let these meals take over you again. They are meant to a congratulations and not an indulge and binge.You also have a pure protein day every 3rd day. Phase 4 is Stabilization. This phase lasts for the rest of your life. That's right, this diet is a lifestyle change! In this phase you chose 1 day out of the week for the rest of your life that will be a protein day. On the other days you keep you main course to lean proteins and complement them with fruits, whole grains, and an occasional celebratory meal. For more information on this diet, go to: www.mydukandiet.com. Or you can order the book.
Answer #5: What motivated me were two pairs of bright blue eyes who watched their mommy day in and day out making some not very good health choices. Yes, it was my kids. When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I had gestational diabetes. Now, if you've ever had this or known anyone who has, you might know this is a 50% chance once you've had gestational diabetes you'll have Type 2 later in life. I did have to give myself insulin shots while pregnant, and even though this sounds terrible, it wasn't the end of my world. I was actually okay with that. Why, you ask? Well, because I knew it was a means to an end. I wasn't diagnosed with Type 2, just gestational. Once my little was born, no more shots and no more pricking my finger 6+ times a day. But, the thought of having to do that all the time...well, that is another story. I watched my grandmother struggle with diabetes for 26 years. It was difficult for her, since she loved bread and German chocolate cake. I have also watched my mother-in-law struggle with diabetes and also lose 1/2 her leg to it as well. So, the fear of dealing with Type 2 and having my children worry about me when they're older is unbearable to me. Especially considering Type 2 is avoidable!! Another factor was thinking about my childrens' future. I have struggled with weight my entire life. Even as a kid I was chunky. I am a confident, at times a little outspoken, woman. But I did have issues with being larger in high school. I didn't date nearly as much as my siblings did. I never went to Homecoming, or Jr. Prom. In theater I was never selected to be the Eugene. I was always the old mother or a stingy doctor/nurse. I never played true to my age and was always cast as an older character. This isn't terrible or world ending, but it was still hard to deal with. Had I been slimmer, I would've had a real shot at a part I longed for. So, knowing what I went through, would I wish this for my own kids? Nope. Never. I want them to feel great and comfortable with who they are and never question why they were cursed with a larger body (when all I had to do was cut out soda and eat better). Studies show that children who have obese parents are 50% more likely to be obese at the age of 14. How could I condemn my children to this? I simply can't and won't. With bad heart genes on hubby's side of the family, not to mention diabetes, I can't wish this on my kids. So, all in all, it was my children who kept me motivated. It helps that I have a 2 year old who loves to hike as well :o)
So, all in all, anyone can do this diet. Anyone who can put there mind to it and look at things in the longer scheme. So, if you want more information, let me know and I'll give you what I have.
Now I'm here to address answers to the questions I receive the most of lately.
The first and foremost questions I am asked are:
1. How did you do this?!
2. Was it difficult?
3. How much exercise and dedication did this diet take?
4. What is the Dukan Diet?
5. What motivated you to lose over 100 lbs?
So, to answer #1: I lost the weight following the Dukan Diet. To answer what the Dukan Diet is, please refer to answer #4.
Answer #2: Yes, it was difficult at first. But every diet is!! Your body is expelling all the bad things out and you're replacing them all with good things. So you do go through what I call a food withdrawal. At week 1, you're motivated as all get out. You're doing great and nothing can stop you! Week 2 you're starting to think: "How can I live like this with eating all this meat?! Sure I love chicken, but for every meal?" Then comes week 3 and you're wanting to eat all the cookies, brownies, hash browns, and toast you can fill yourself up with. Then comes week 4....through the end of your diet. That's right folks. The cravings subside. You looked at your diet differently. You get creative and start using different spices. You discover you can have sugar free, fat free chocolate pudding and indulge on your sweet tooth every now and again. You realize the oat bran can be made into cookies, oat meal mush, and you finally have perfected the waffle recipe. Instead of wanting hash browns and sausage for breakfast, you find yourself wanting some Canadian bacon and boiled eggs. You find you're not hungry at all and at times have to remind yourself to take a lunch break at work. Trust me folks, it's a breeze once you've gotten past week 3.
Answer #3: Well, according to Dr. Peirre Dukan, he asks you to take a 30-40 minute walk every day. Well, some days this was a breeze! Especially in the summer when I'd take my kids for a 2-5 mile hike a couple times a week with my little one strapped to my back. Fall time it was easy as well since it is my favorite season and I love going for walks. Now winter is here and it is cold. But I love taking walks in the snow as it's falling (which hasn't happened yet where I live). So, on those days when I don't have time to walk or the weather is horrible, I stick on a Pilates, yoga, or aerobic workout and workout for as long as I have time for. Sometimes that is only 10 minutes and sometimes it is a good 45 minutes. I have 2 kids, so sometimes it's difficult to steal a moment away from the kids. I have found the best thing to do is involve them in your exercise. What better way to teach your kids than to get them involved at a young age? So you don't have to join a gym and spend crazy amount of time away from work, life, and family to get fit and healthy.
Answer #4: The Dukan Diet is a lean protein based diet. There are 4 phases to this diet. Phase #1 is called the Attack Phase (only pure protein). This phase lasts between 5-12 days depending on how much you need to lose. I was on this phase for 6 days. Phase 2 is Cruise. This phase lasts until you lose all the weight you desire to lose. So for me this phase lasted from mid February till early November. You toggle between pure protein days and protein + veggies. Phase 3 is Consolidation. This phase lasts 5 days per pound lost. So I'm on this phase for 565 days. Yes, I know that is over a year! On this phase you introduce fruit, grain, and a celebratory meal back into your diet. A celebratory meal is just saying you can have 1 cheat meal (not day!) per week. So you can have that cheesecake at your friend's birthday party, or the slice of pizza at your kids baseball party, or what not. But, you must be careful you don't let these meals take over you again. They are meant to a congratulations and not an indulge and binge.You also have a pure protein day every 3rd day. Phase 4 is Stabilization. This phase lasts for the rest of your life. That's right, this diet is a lifestyle change! In this phase you chose 1 day out of the week for the rest of your life that will be a protein day. On the other days you keep you main course to lean proteins and complement them with fruits, whole grains, and an occasional celebratory meal. For more information on this diet, go to: www.mydukandiet.com. Or you can order the book.
Answer #5: What motivated me were two pairs of bright blue eyes who watched their mommy day in and day out making some not very good health choices. Yes, it was my kids. When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I had gestational diabetes. Now, if you've ever had this or known anyone who has, you might know this is a 50% chance once you've had gestational diabetes you'll have Type 2 later in life. I did have to give myself insulin shots while pregnant, and even though this sounds terrible, it wasn't the end of my world. I was actually okay with that. Why, you ask? Well, because I knew it was a means to an end. I wasn't diagnosed with Type 2, just gestational. Once my little was born, no more shots and no more pricking my finger 6+ times a day. But, the thought of having to do that all the time...well, that is another story. I watched my grandmother struggle with diabetes for 26 years. It was difficult for her, since she loved bread and German chocolate cake. I have also watched my mother-in-law struggle with diabetes and also lose 1/2 her leg to it as well. So, the fear of dealing with Type 2 and having my children worry about me when they're older is unbearable to me. Especially considering Type 2 is avoidable!! Another factor was thinking about my childrens' future. I have struggled with weight my entire life. Even as a kid I was chunky. I am a confident, at times a little outspoken, woman. But I did have issues with being larger in high school. I didn't date nearly as much as my siblings did. I never went to Homecoming, or Jr. Prom. In theater I was never selected to be the Eugene. I was always the old mother or a stingy doctor/nurse. I never played true to my age and was always cast as an older character. This isn't terrible or world ending, but it was still hard to deal with. Had I been slimmer, I would've had a real shot at a part I longed for. So, knowing what I went through, would I wish this for my own kids? Nope. Never. I want them to feel great and comfortable with who they are and never question why they were cursed with a larger body (when all I had to do was cut out soda and eat better). Studies show that children who have obese parents are 50% more likely to be obese at the age of 14. How could I condemn my children to this? I simply can't and won't. With bad heart genes on hubby's side of the family, not to mention diabetes, I can't wish this on my kids. So, all in all, it was my children who kept me motivated. It helps that I have a 2 year old who loves to hike as well :o)
So, all in all, anyone can do this diet. Anyone who can put there mind to it and look at things in the longer scheme. So, if you want more information, let me know and I'll give you what I have.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Reward!
Well, my last reward I listed for myself was family pictures! Well, here they are! Of course I met my goal a little while ago, but my amazing sister took the pictures and has a very busy life as a stay at home mother of 2. So, thanks a million Liz for taking these great pictures for me!!
Since these pics were taken, I've lost another 10 lbs! That's right people, I'm still a going. I've lost a total now of 112.4 lbs. I'm maintaining and losing a little here and there still. I love this diet and I'm so glad I've done it! My life has been changed as well as my family's. I couldn't be any happier!
Also note how good my hubby looks! He's lost 67 lbs on this diet as well. My kids, as you can see, are just as healthy as they can be! I feed them pretty much what I eat (just without restrictions on fruits and grains). Well balanced, that is the key.
Also note how good my hubby looks! He's lost 67 lbs on this diet as well. My kids, as you can see, are just as healthy as they can be! I feed them pretty much what I eat (just without restrictions on fruits and grains). Well balanced, that is the key.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Weekly Update
Last week I didn't update, but I lost .2 lbs. Not much, but every little bit adds up.
Well, I've done it!! In 36 weeks I've lost 107 lbs and have met my goal of 185 lbs!!!! Yay!!!! I feel great! And I feel so blessed to have been able to find this diet which has not only helped me, but Jordan as well. My family all looks so good now!!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Weekly Update
Well, I slacked off a little this week on updating the blog! Sorry!! I've been terribly busy and I've finally managed to catch a minute before midnight! Well, last week wasn't the ground breaker of my diet, but I maintained. After losing over 2lbs the week before, it stands to reason I'd stay the same a week to allow my body to "catch up". So, having said that, I still have 1.6 lbs to lose before I've met my goal. SO CLOSE!!!
Monday, October 1, 2012
Weekly Update
I'm so close now!! I've lost 2.4 lbs this week! For a running total of: 105.2!! I have less than 2lbs to lose to my first weight goal!! So excited!! I should be able to hit this within a week or two. And then I'll keep going until my body decides to even out. But, that won't stop me from posting pictures when I hit the goal of 185lbs! I can't believe I've made it this far and in less than a year. It's is truly amazing. Especially considering I've had two babies! I'm in pre-kid sizes right now.
The other day I went to the store to try some clothes on. I grabbed a size 14 and size 12 pant thinking one size would fit for certain. Low and behold, I picked out two sizes that were too big! I had to go find a pair of pants in a size 10!! I haven't been a size 10 since 2006!! Go me!
The other day I went to the store to try some clothes on. I grabbed a size 14 and size 12 pant thinking one size would fit for certain. Low and behold, I picked out two sizes that were too big! I had to go find a pair of pants in a size 10!! I haven't been a size 10 since 2006!! Go me!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Weekly Update
So, I'm still in the game! I lost another 1.6 lbs! For a running total of....drum roll please....103.4 lbs!!! Yay me!!
I'm still losing, still eating right, and still focusing on my health. Until I plateau, I'm going to keep going. I am only 3.6lbs away from my original goal. *Shrills running throughout my veins!*
FYI, when I hit my original goal, a new picture will be posted!
I'm still losing, still eating right, and still focusing on my health. Until I plateau, I'm going to keep going. I am only 3.6lbs away from my original goal. *Shrills running throughout my veins!*
FYI, when I hit my original goal, a new picture will be posted!
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