Status Update...

I lost 3.6 lbs. this week....okay, here's the weird thing. I used all my 15 earned activity points, except 1.5, ALL my extra weekly points, daily I came in under my points a couple days, but basically used my daily points fully each day. I went out to eat twice, once was burgers, garlic cheese fries and a shake, and I did split one meal with my husband, and we split the shake, but it was big enough to call it a regular small for me anyway...and I did take a HUGE hour and 40 minute walk through downtown with my husband afterwards, but still....that's not clean eating for sure. And, the other night was chinese food and I had seconds...I did count the points though (that's where I used the most of my extra weekly points). I showed a 3 lb. gain the night after but for the week I lost 3.6 from last week.

I eat 5 to 6 small meals a day, my diet is very clean all week for my normal meals. I never take a cheat day or meal...even when I go out and don't eat clean, I still count the points and I don't consider that cheating, I see that as living realistically.

My diet consists of oatmeal or brown rice cereal, bee pollen, flaxseed, wheatgerm, fresh fruits (berries, bananas, nectarines, watermelon, honeydew melon, pears, pineapple, etc.) vegetables (squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, greens, green beans, corn, carrots, asparagus, etc.) sweet potatos, whole wheat pasta, olive and canola oil, onions, garlic, chicken tenders, ground lean turkey meat, hickory smoked tuna, eggs, lots of them for protein ~ usually 1 whole egg and 3 whites per serving, canadian bacon (nitrate and nitrite free), light provolone cheese, ezekiel bread or lo cal whole grain bread, organic soups, whole wheat tortillas, bran flakes, fat free or 1% milk, stevia (natural sugar substitute), coffee creamer. Most of my items or organic...some are not...depends on my finances. I try to eat a protein and a complex carb at every meal...all my meals usually include a fruit or vegetable (sometimes they serve as my carb but I also incorporate lots of whole grain products too).

I try to mix up my foods each week and choose different varieties of foods or try new items as long as they are whole and not processed. I don't do 100% unprocessed foods, only because I can't afford 100% yet, so I pick and choose which are most important to me to be organic and unprocessed.

I exercise about 4 days a week and walk alot. Right now I don't regiment it...I just look for opportunities to be active and do it. My exercise is usually my step (aerobics) and some squats and floorwork. I also do isometrics at my desk when I'm doing data entry. I will contract my abs and hold for one entire transaction, then let go for the next and repeat until all my entries are done...usually 50 to 60 entires. I will also do squats, lunges or calf raises while in the elevator if no one else is in there...I can get one 15 rep set in per elevator ride. I will also walk up and down the 4 flights of stairs in the stairwell at work 2 to 3 times on my break or lunch. And, I will often walk the neighborhood on one of my breaks as well. when I start going to the gym I will have a normal weight lifting regime and cardio 4 to 5 times a week. I also want to go roller skating at least twice a month with my sister (we do that for fun tho!) I also like to ride my bike in the evenings with my husband but haven't been able to lately because the tires deflate overnight, I need to have them replaced completely and finances are tight right now.

I wanted to write all this down so you can see that I'm not starving myself and I'm getting exercise and good foods in. I think my combination of clean eating, eating small meals all day and exercising has created a fire to burn fat that works well for my particular body. I have no idea if this would work for anyone else...I listen and pay very close attention to my body...if it's not happy I don't keep doing what it doesn't like. So far, I feel good, healthy, energetic and I'm sleeping better. My skin is clearing up and I notice that I don't have heartburn EVER anymore...I also don't have as many allergy issues as I use to. I still have them, but they are less aggressive.

At this point I've completely made some serious changes in my mind...my mindset is so different. First, and most important, I understand and have a very keen awarness of my addiction to food. I am always concerned about triggering binges and recognize when one is trying to manifest. When I start to feel that I immediately go into my mental work and get myself busy with some exercise or jump on YouTube and start watching videos...I think about my goals, I think about the Diaries' girls, I think about what my mom is going through with her health right now and I remember why it's important for me not to give in to that addiction...I'm worth MORE than that and finally I end that mental talk with me talking to myself like I'm my own child...and I kinda wrap myself with love and protection and say "this is gonna pass...just let it pass sweetie..." and for some reason that works. Hmmm....I wonder if I sound crazy...lol

My sister and I took my mom to Sacramento on Thursday for her Kidney Transplant initial consultations and screenings. We were so tired, having started at 4:30 a.m. for the long drive,all day appointments and alot of emotional realizations, we needed COFFEE for the drive home. My sister was going to drive, but I wanted to stay awake to help her stay awake. So, we stopped for some coffee and I decided to get a drink that had regular sugar in it (my thinking was I had enough points and I figured the sugar would help jolt me awake). I was okay with the conscience decision...but when I took a sip, it was so incredibly sweet it burned the back of my throat. My sister tasted it and said it was pretty sweet but she'd drink it if I didn't want it. I thought WOW! My body can't handle that anymore. I also felt a slimy film on the roof of my mouth. So, I gave it to her and decided to load up on some water, fruit and whole grain crackers and light cheese instead. (I packed a cooler to bring with me and ate from it all day long.)

I want my weight loss to slow down but I honestly feel like I'm eating and behaving in the most healthful ways and I don't want to change that. I want to put nutrition in my body...and I want to exercise for all the positive benefits it affords (mainly I want to prevent osteoporosis with weight training rather than drugs) and I'm working on my endurance so I'm not winded when I walk down the street anymore.

I weighed in at 239.0 this morning bringing my total lost to 21.8 lbs. :)