Since last August, I have been trying to lose weight and improve my health. Though I still have a long way to go, I do feel so much better. I’m less easily exhausted, I have fewer ailments, and I feel more like a 30-something instead of a 60-something. ~smile~
Still, with all the health and wellness improvements I’ve made, I still feel like I’ve been in a bit of a weight-loss rut lately. For the month of March, Eric and I settled on our own personal diet bet. I bet him I could lose about 15 pounds this month. I gave him $25 of my personal spending money (he and I budget very little “blow” money, so giving it up hurts, let me tell you!), and if I win the bet, I get it back plus another $25. If he wins the bet, he gets to keep my $25 in his personal spending fund. Needless to say, the stakes are high. ~smile~ Can’t let the hubby get a free $25, right?!
Maybe I do have a competitive side after all!
As March flew past, I began to get quite nervous as the scale was simply not moving in my direction. Eric’s sure victory appeared eminent! I needed something to give me hope and a little nudge in the right direction. As with any weight loss plan, occasionally the routine needs to be shaken up a bit. So, I found a seven day eating plan that’s supposed to take off ten pounds in a week. Granted, most people who go on this diet are probably coming off of a horrible high starch, high sugar diet; so, I’m not sure I’ll have the same success, but I’m interested to see how much I lose!
Below is a brief summary of each day. I’m currently on day one, and excited (and a little nervous) to see what happens!
Day One – Fruit Fiesta! Day one began well. I was in the zone! My breakfast consisted of 3 small oranges, two apples, and several strawberries. As the day progressed, I started feeling the weird sensation of being full and hungry at the same time. I was full of liquids; but, with no protein, I was not feeling and staying full. By 8pm, I was feeling gross. My neck was tender. After I napped for a while, I felt better, and I’m excited to be 1/7 of the way there! ~smile~
Day Two – Veggie Day! Day two has begun! I weighed in and was not a happy camper. For all the suffering of yesterday evening, I hoped to be down at least a pound. Still, since yesterday was fruit, fruit, and more fruit, I’m pretty sure the sugar may have been the reason I didn’t lose much the first day. Today is veggie day. No sugar in sight, other than the little bit of honey in my lemon-honey water. I’m hoping for a happy scale morning tomorrow. So far, when it comes to hunger, mornings are easier than evenings.
It’s almost one o’clock in the afternoon and I’ve only eaten three cucumbers. I’m going to have to up my veggie intake to get the best health benefits.
Day Three – Fruit and Veggie Day! I slept late today. The more I sleep, the less time I am hungry or thinking about food. ~smile~ Yesterday, as a whole, I felt so much better than day one. I hope to feel even better today. I already have salads and fruits prepared, so there shouldn’t be much prep work! I weighed in this morning and am happy to announce that I am the lightest I’ve been since I got married! A very exciting milestone! I will say I am far more keenly aware of how many junk food commercials there are than I was a few days ago. Wow. If you want unhealthy food, it is everywhere! Today is fruits and veggies, so I can have a salad with strawberries on top. Super yum! I’m going to attempt exercise today and hope I don’t get too weak!
Eric and I once did a 30 day diet that cut out tons of foods. We did a 10 day juice fast another time. But, I have NEVER felt as awful on a diet as I felt tonight. After a long walk, I came home and experienced another strange headache. After it eased off, I ran some errands. In the middle of Fresh Market, I had another headache attack – this time with nausea. I tried eating some fruit, but it didn’t help. I made it home, but was very sick. I admit it. I cracked. I ate some crackers, which really helped. It felt like the flu, but with extreme hunger. It’s 11:06pm and after lying down for a few hours, I feel much better.
Day Four – Banana and Milk Day! I stayed home from church and slept off and on until 2:30pm or so. Finally felt good again! Ate bananas, drank coconut milk, and felt pretty great. Then, I went walking. The walk seemed short and I was sad when it was over. Came home, started cooking the diet soup recipe, enjoyed a bowl, and then it hit me again. The awful, throbbing, head in a vice, “what am I being punished for?” headache; and, at noon on Day Five, it’s still aching.
Day Five – Rice and Tomato Day! Other than some crackers, I’ve pretty much stayed on course with this plan. This morning, much to my dismay, I’d GAINED WEIGHT!!! Words cannot convey the outrageous frustration I’m feeling right now. Had I merely said “no” to some foods I wanted, I’d be annoyed; but, to suffer horrible headaches that last over 12 hours and for NOTHING??? That’s crazy, and I’m feeling a little crazy right now!
I did it. I ate eggs, and I don’t even feel badly about it. ~smile~ I struggled through a grapefruit and a few pieces of cauliflower. Finally, after some advice from loved ones, I decided I needed some protein. I am going to try to eat the rest of what the diet calls for, but with a little protein. I added no butter to the eggs, so they were about as pure as possible. I’m already feeling better and more productive. Before, I was lying around the house feeling awful with not an ounce of motivation. It’s amazing what a little protein can do. I am a fan! I also drank a little coffee this morning (something allowed on the diet if caffeine withdrawals are happening) and took some Aleve.
I think I’m experiencing something valuable on this week-long diet… and weight-loss is not it.
Day Six – Veggie and Rice Day! Last night I lay in bed, my stomach burning with hunger. About 1:30, I got up and ate a few turkey pepperonis. I just didn’t care! I’m so tired of being hungry and for seemingly little reward. I had arugula, tomatoes, and a small orange before bed and still felt like my stomach was going to eat itself! Yesterday, I determined that I am going to finish out the week, but with some variations. I don’t expect to lose ten pounds by tomorrow, but I don’t want to just up and quit either. I will continue, but with some protein added and coffee.
On a positive note, by adding coffee and Aleve to my regimen yesterday, I did escape my not-so-friendly evening headache! It is currently 12:21 in the afternoon and I still have not eaten a morsel. That’s terrible! Breakfast is important, but the awaiting veggies just haven’t appealed to me enough to get me off my laptop and into the kitchen. On the plus side, I have gotten some work done! ~smile~ I guess I should probably go eat now. ~sigh~
On a serious note, feeling my self-inflicted hunger has made me far more aware of those who go hungry on a regular basis.
I’m down 3.3 pounds since yesterday! That weight gain must have been a fluke after all!!!
Night time was much better than last night. I felt some hunger, but it was manageable.
Day Seven – Rice, Veggies, and Fresh Fruit Juice! The day began with good news. I was down another 1.8 pounds! So, a week total of about five pounds. Not a ten pound loss like the diet suggested, but I’ll take five. Now that I’m modifying it with lean proteins and coffee, I think I’m going to try to stick to my high fruit and veggie diet through the end of the month! Interestingly, the weight started coming off after I made changes to the plan. Apparently, protein is important and it makes an enormous difference in how we feel!
I don’t think I’ll be eating rice today. I just did not enjoy it the last time I had it – probably because it wasn’t fried and smothered with yum yum sauce. The juicer is still on top of the refrigerator, and will probably stay there even though today technically calls for fresh fruit juice. I am enjoying a lot of fruit juice as I chew my actual fruit.
I’m currently finishing up the batch of cabbage soup I made earlier in the week and looking forward to an arugula, tomato, and cucumber salad with a side of cauliflower, pineapple, and grapefruit for dinner. ~smile~
Summary:
So, the week began well and ended well. The middle was extremely rough. In retrospect, I think it had more to do with caffeine withdrawal than the diet itself. Doing a strict diet and slacking on coffee simultaneously was a recipe for some misery.
Please note that I am not endorsing this diet, but if you are interested in seeing what inspired my eating plan this past week, you can view it here.
Here are a few takeaways from this experience:
- Stay away from crash diets. Make a plan, give yourself reasonable mini-goals along the way, and stay the course.
- When a nutty eating plan finds its way into your life, make it work for you. It is better to get slightly fewer results than to seriously harm your body or get discouraged and quit.
- When you are eating well and the scale does not reflect your work, take heart. It may catch up when you least expect it!
- When you take on a goal, find a friend or family member who is willing to listen to you prattle on endlessly about your successes and failures. I have a neighbor friend who has been so instrumental to me since I began my weight loss journey in August.
- Salt, garlic powder, and onion powder do wonders for cabbage soup. ~smile~
Another experience down! Hopefully, with summer coming I’ll be able to share some outdoor adventures with you. In the meantime, Happy Friday! Do something new and exciting this weekend!