Diet Coke

It's a good thing I didn't give up Diet Coke for Lent!  I would have never made it!  I know that there is nothing but poison in soda, but I can't help it...I'm addicted. 

Today before I left for work, I had my protein drink.  The package instructions suggest mixing the powder with milk but I can't have milk...too many carbs.  So, I've been mixing it with water and it tastes fine.  It gives me 20 grams of protein without any fat and with only 3 grams of net carbs.  I usually have this drink pretty early.....like somewhere between 6:30 and 7:00am.  It helps to keep my blood sugar level and it curbs my appetite.

Later, when I got to work, I went to the Bistro that's down the block and had two scrambled eggs and 2 slices of bacon (with a diet coke).

For lunch, I had a chicken Caesar salad with no croutons!

Right before I left to pick up the kids, I had a Atkins granola bar. 

For dinner, I had a piece of left over chicken (with skin), a sliced tomato with wine vinegar and a sprinkle of Gorgonzola cheese and two hard boiled eggs.  I fixed hot dogs for the kids....so while I was cleaning off the table, I ate a hot dog...no bun.

I usually don't eat as much as I did today.  I guess some days I'm hungrier than others.  I have no idea how many net carbs I ate....but my guess is not very many.  On the induction phase of Atkins (which I am not on...technically), they recommend 20 to 25 net grams of carbs per day and they want 13-15 of those carbs to be from vegetables.  I probably stayed within that today.

Since dinner I've been drinking only water....which is not a good idea considering this will mean at least 3 trips to the bathroom between now and when the alarm goes off in the morning!

My immediate weight goal is to get below 280!  I'm focusing on 10 lbs at a time.  My long term goal is to make it to 200 sometime within the next year.

Slow and steady wins the race!

Carbs

I can't believe how I let myself go!  Things went from bad to worse.  I quit going to Weight Watchers....I just wasn't clicking with the leader.  In addition to that, Dan wasn't happy with shelling out $40 per month. 

Along with gaining all the weight back that I had lost....I gained several more.  I felt awful!  I couldn't breathe, I couldn't tie my shoes and I just generally felt like crap.  I got on the scale one day (with my clothes, shoes and breast prosthesis) and I couldn't believe my eyes!  The scale said 308 lbs! 

My father died at age 47.  I turned 47 this past January.  At that moment, I realized that I had better do something...and fast.  It was two days before Lent was to start and I knew at that moment what I was going to do.  I gave up carbs for Lent. 

I won't bore you with all the details, but I can honestly say that it is going well.  I needed the extra commitment that the season of Lent gave me.  I haven't had a piece of bread, a potato, rice, dairy products (except cheese and half & half), sugar or flour in 34 days!  I have lost almost 20 lbs...depending on what time of day I weigh and which scale (I have two)! 

What is even better than the weight loss is that I feel 100% better.  I have a ton more energy...I'm sleeping better and I can breathe!  I can even tie my shoes.  My clothing size hasn't really changed yet...but everything is fitting better!  I am NOT going back to my old ways once Easter arrives! 

My diet is much different now.  In the morning, I start out with a protein drink that gives me 20 grams of protein with only 3 grams of carbs.  Then, I might have a vege omelet late morning.  For lunch...it's usually a salad, sometimes with chicken...sometimes no meat.  For dinner, I'll usually have roasted vegetables with a meat.  If I'm hungry later on in the evening, I might have an Atkins shake or bar.

My new favorite thing is making mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes.  It's sooo good.  I steam the cauliflower until it's soft, then use the hand mixer and blend in real butter and a touch of half & half.  Sometimes, I'll add some Parmesan cheese too.  Obviously, it doesn't taste like potatoes, but it's very good and gives you the feeling of eating carbs.  It's really good with a broiled steak and roasted veges.  They are also good cold.

I want to live past 47.  I want to live past 87, actually!  I can't beat cancer and then end up dying of a heart attack because of being too fat!  I won't let that happen!

Please keep me in your prayers.  I need them.  I have an appointment with my oncologist in May....I will wait for an "official" weight until then.

I'm here.

I'm on this journey again.  I'm beginning to think that there is no end to this road.  More details to follow.