SBO

[Healthybound]

Thank you Doghouse, by the way, I'm in Connecticut, a state in the New England area of the USA. Is ZW Zimbabwai (please forgive my spelling); it's early for me and this program has no spellcheck. And are you in P2 or P3? I'll edit this later during the day to update my eating. Nice talking to you and have a great day!

[Healthybound]

Today was a very busy day, drove hubby to his physical appt., washed clothes, made breakfast, lunch & dinner.
B - 2 egg omelet with zucchini, mushrooms, fennel & onion, banana
S - none
L - Large salad with 2 T SF FF dressing, bacon bits, and 2 TBSP peanut butter on 1/2 Flat Out Folding bread
S - 20 small spelt pretzels w/hummus
D - Lobster (our stew leonards had them on sale for 4.99 lb., zucchini, fennel, onion & canned petite tomatoes. The vegetables were so good that I don't know which I enjoyed more, the veggies or the lobster.
That was the first time I cooked the vegetables just right. Accidents do happen.
S - Plum, nsa fudgicle, sf popsicle

Today was an unusual day; I just can't seem to satisfy my hunger. I don't crave anything, I just feel hungry. Oh well, I think I'll just get ready for bed. Maybe sleep will make my hunger go away.

[doghouse]

Hi Healthybound.... you are so good at journalling everything you eat! Well done. yes i am in Zimbabwe. i was meant to do phase 1 but i guess i am more on phase 2 since i have been eating fruit and the odd carb...... cross with myself! Do you think you can not have cravings but just be greedy and not sensible????? i really think i fall into that category. when i was pregnant i craved oranges and felt it, but i do not feel CRAVINGS for the flour etc... i just want them. i could live without them but i do not try hard enough to resist. my brother is leaving for australia today and he came over for supper last night. my kids were desperate for pizza so i made a whole wheat base one and we all ate that (the electricity went off so by this time I was enough of trying to cook under a small gas plate!!) anyway i did not have any red wine which is what i really felt like so i suppose i should pat myself on the back for small achievements. when i am tried and stressed (which i was yesterday and last weekend) I tend to throw caution to the wind. I need to start meditating but I am too "Tigger" like for that!!
Anyway, tonight we have been invited for a braai at my sister in law as it is her birthday but I will try to be reserved. I will not buy any junk for the house/kids either this weekend!
I lost 0.8 kgs this week (Thursday is my weigh day). So that is nice.
Have a good week

[Healthybound]

Well, it is certainly my pleasure to meet someone from Zimbabwe. I'm very happy to meet you! Have you been on the forum long?

I have only been on SBD since March of this year, but I followed P1 for two weeks after borrowing a friend's SBD book. I bought the Supercharged version and was so entralled by all the extra foods allowed in P1, that I stayed on it another 2 weeks. I hadn't realized then, that all it takes is the 2 weeks of P1 to get rid of cravings for sweets, starch and the fatty foods. I was just that 'in love' with SBD. Anyhow, after the 2 plus 2 weeks, I no longer wanted, craved or hungered for the white starches, fatty foods and sweets. I remembered what those things tasted like but I really didn't want them. A bigger bonus was that I no longer suffered any sugar spikes. I am a diabetic who cannot tolerate the oral medications for it. The only time I had a big problem (and I brought this upon myselft) was on Easter. It was at my house; I made the Easter cake (and it was also my birthday), at the end of the day I just got caught up in the mood and succumbed to a piece of cake. After everyone left, that led to another piece of cake and another and still wanted more. I got so scared that I immediately went to the South Beach Forum and posted a help request. Response was immediate and the majority of responses was just to throw the cake out. So while I now had the courage to do it I went to my husband and said I'm throwing the rest of the cake in the garbage! He didn't say anything and I did it (he didn't need it either as he is a 3 pill aday diabetic.)

For the next few days I stayed mainly P1 and then again gradually added the starches and fruits back in; 1 only per day for a week, then 1 starch and 1 fruit per day for a week; and so on. It worked and I look back on the incident as a learning tool.

And then, this past week end we had a 50th high school class reunion and I did real great until I got a plate of dessert for my husband and had a bite of his chocolate mousse cake. It was unreal! I went up and got myself a piece and enjoyed it. It only took that one indescretion to set off the cravings again. Only after getting sick Sunday night (after eating ginger cookies and milk), did I get the confidence to stay on track at all costs. And now I'm OK. I have been on Track since Monday.

So, if I were you, I would think about going on P1 for at least a week. That's why P1 does, cleanse your body of the white starches, sugar and fats that only want you to eat more and more of. I had never thought I could get through the day without eating potatoes, bread or crackers, but wow, did I learn differently.

Other than the 2 indescretions I have had, to throw me for a little setback, my body has never felt so good. I actually feel thin on the inside if you can try to imagine that. I feel thinner than I look and I asked if anyone else has felt that way, but I really feel that I have less of me. And my clothes show it. I am wearing clothing that I haven't worn for about 10 years. I have found new foods to enjoy too such as avocados.

Today I had
B - 3 egg omelet with 2 cups of onions, zucchini and mushrooms, low fat swiss cheese
S - none, I went to the doctor and then food shopping (bad planning, I should have taken a cheese stick with me.
L - Natural Peanut butter on a fold out flat out bread with a banana
S - Glass of buttermilk (yum, yum)
D - will be Rotiesseri chicken (breast only) and lots of veggies (hubby likes only the dark meat). Rotiesseri chickens work out great in our house
S - If I have one will be a nsa fudgicle and possibly a plum and I have to work some more milk in here somewhere

Have a great SBD week! And again, I am very pleased to have met you!

[doghouse]

Healthybound, thank you so much for your last long post. It was just what I needed to read today. I have just lost it in the last ten days and I am peeved off with myself. You are absolutely 100% right, I do need to do strict phase 1 for at least two weeks actually. it started off with strawberries (surely that is not too bad....) then I had a banana (ditto????) , then it went to bread (the slippery slope) , then it went to wine (ow! my bottom hurts i have landed so hard) and then I even had some of the sweeties from children's sweetie jar (to add insult to injury). I am so pmt which does not help things.... the only good thing is i have still been exercising so i am proud of myself for that at least. I started SBD in August 2009 after a family holiday to Vic Falls /Hwange National Park in my lovely country yielded some very unflattering photos. A friend lent me the original book and then I joined the forum straight away which is where this thread started. I lost 10 kgs but was still 20 kgs off my goal but then 5 have crept back. I now need to lose 25 kgs and that is where I stand at the moment. i cannot remember the last time someone said WOW have you lost weight? You look great! I want and (alas) need that......
My DH has said he will do phase 1 with me for 1 week so that will at least get me started. My husband BTW is greekgod like - although not greek! so it is sweet he is doing this for me;-) it is our half term school break and he says we will start on tuesday after the long weekend. but until then i am going to exercise strict phase 2.
chat soon and have a fabulous weekend.

[Teacher Sue]

Hi Again!
Welcome Healthybound! Hello Doghouse and anyone else who is visiting!
As you know I have been gone, on a long trip, but it sure feels good to be home! However, I completely blew the SB way of eating, just couldn't seem to stick with it while traveling! So, here I am again, pulling my act back together and getting ready to start again!
I think I might have to go all the way back to Phase 1 for at least a week to kick start things again!
I see you are starting on Phase 1 again on Tuesday Doghouse, so I think I'll try to start again then too. That will give me a few days to get laundry done, things put away, and then get to the grocery store for some healthier choices to stock my refridgerator with!
Healthybound, it sounds like you have done a real good job so far! Good for you!
I have slipped off and on, but am determined to recommit this time and stick with it!
I am a retired teacher, who loves being reitred, but have found that many of the things I do socially now also include food! Unfortunately, most of the time there are not a lot of healthy choices offered either, so I find myself wandering way off the beach! But, I guess as long as I recognize what some of my problem is, perhaps I can find some ways to deal with it!
(Like take my own cheese sticks along when I go somewhere!)
Again, it's good to be back! Hang in there Ladies, we can do this!

[doghouse]

Teacher Sue, Yes I did start phase 1 on Tuesday and so far so good. I am really going to try and get back on track. Thursday is my weigh day and I lost about 2.5 kgs since Monday!! LOL! Well I think it was TOM and i was UP after my ten days of bingeing. So while I am pleased I am fully aware this huge loss is superficial..... however, on a positive note I have checked and it is the lowest I have been for about 6 months so happy about that. Try not to cheat on phase 1 - that is what did me in last time. i am even avoiding fruit and carrots etc which i was sneaking in to my last phase one thinking it would not matter...... it did!!!
have a great week and i will catch up again soon. just a reminder to anyone who passes through about the excellent SB friendly recipe blog by kalyn (sp) she has such great ideas!!!

[Healthybound]

Hi, I'm sorry to be away for so long. This is really hard to do. 2 days after my last post, my husband and I had a very lunch out; he was going to mow the lawn but instead came in and layed down, was not feeling well and started with a GI bleed. He went to the emergency room, was transferred to ICU and even emergency surgery could not stop the bleed and his heart stopped on the table. It helps to write this, but it hurts so much. From the time he arrived at the emergency room he lasted about 12 hrs. I'm glad it was quick for him; he didn't know what was happening to him, but it's so hard to say goodbye so quickly. So thus, my appetite has been non-existant. I forced myself to eat because I didn't want him to yell at me. He left me in charge of our dog and she has been such a source of comfort that I know I have to remain healthy for her. The food I force down is South Beach and believe me, that's the only type food I want to eat. He was very proud of the weight I lost and encourged me to continue with the program. He fills my life anyway and to continue with it makes me feel like we're finally going to do it together. I did meet my 1st goal. I'm at 198 lbs. And I'm not in danger of eating something I shouldn't; I have no desire for starches, sweets or fried foods. I finally fixed my 2 egg omelet with veggies; but I eat half and save the other half for the next day. Sorry I went on so long about this, but please, keep in touch.

[doghouse]

OH Healthybound. what can I say I am in absolute shock for you. I had to reread the post because I thought I must have misunderstood. I am so so very sorry to hear about the unexpected loss of your husband. I am sending you the biggest cyber hug and i urge you to keep posting here, I will be checking up more frequently now. How long were you married? I feel your pain , although i would never profess to know exaxtly what you feel right now. sending you lots of love and strength. Sh

[Healthybound]

We were married just 34 years. Oddly, we married at 34 years of age and just made our 34th anniversary last month. He died 3 days before his 68th birthday. I was carrying his birthday card in my purse when he died; never got a chance to give it to him; of course I never thought that was going to happen to him. I just wish I could feel his presence. But I have many good friends and relatives watching out for me. I am blessed in that fashion. With all their help, our little pooch and I will get through this. Thanks for your caring thoughts. The days are tough and the nights a little easier; when I sleep I can't think. And I am still eating SB style. Went out for lunch today with my girlfriend. Ordered 2 sides, ate half and had the other half for dinner tonight. That's 2 days in a row that I have had 3 meals! Talk to you soon.

[doghouse]

Popping in to send you some love HB, keep taking care of yourself. Wow 34 years is a long time, my mum and dad were married for 32 but sadly my dad died quite young of cancer so i saw my mum going through the pain of a similar loss to yours. It is not uncommon not to feel the presence of a lost loved one - in fact, I have heard it happens to many many people and this is not indicative of any lack of relationship connection. It is normal. But I do know why you want that feeling, you are missing that person and need to feel them close. I often think about my parents and wonder what they would say/think/do in situations in my life. I never 'feel them' as a spiritual presence but I do know what they might think or feel or say to me. Hollywood has a lot to answer for - i have never had the potter's wheel moment - which is just as well since they are my parents i am talking about!! ANyway this is what you can do in the meantime when you are missing him and need to talk to him - you can make up your own script of conversation you might have in your head!! AND that way YOU ARE always RIGHT LOL!!!!

So pleased you are still doing SB because that will be good for you. It is when you let yourself go that things can spiral out of control - that is what I did in my times of sadness (hence my 30 kgs weight gain in the last six years!).... but we can get through this together. I am so pleased you have supportive friends and family and of course your DOG. I did not call myself 'doghouse' for nothing - i LOVE animals especially dogs. We have two crazy boys (have girl humans and boy dogs!) a golden retriever and a german shepherd. love them to bits and they are the biggest thing between us emigrating to Australia to be close to my brother - we cannot imagine being without them for the 8 months quarantine

i am nearly finished my first week of phase one and have resisted all fruit so far which has been incredibly hard for me (I must have had cravings in spite of what i thought). I will weigh on Thursday to see my loss - I feel better and I have lost a bit since I first stepped on the scale last monday .....

[Healthybound]

Doghouse, thanks so much for your encouraging words. Congratulations on completing 1 week of PHASE 1. Yea!!!!!!!!
And when you do start to add fruit slowly in on P2, you won't get those cravings again, as long as you go slow.

For me, all it takes is just one sweet thing like a desert that will set up my cravings. This has happened twice, so I have learned from my mistake. I am so desparately trying to get my blood sugar under control and the SBD has done it for me. I am a little high now, 101 - 109, but the doctor told me it was because of what has happened. My body cannot take the oral medications (I have IBS) and the only other recouse would be to let it go and then go on insulin which I want to avoid at all costs.

Except for what has happened, my body has never felt so good. So keep up the good work; you're doing a great job and that's tough when you have those around you wanting their 'goodies'. Thanks.

[doghouse]

Morning healthybound. Yesterday a friend sent us a whole bag of strawberries but I hulled and froze them lest I was tempted.... my kids have had enough of them since we are coming to the end of the strawberry season! gosh i am so pleased you are being my voice of reason on the fruit - it is my downfall, i can see that now. i am so used to just eating fruit when i am hungry. up to four pieces a day was not uncommon.
Do you exercise? I have not asked you that before? At the moment I am going to curves and i also try to swim lengths a couple of times a week. i am in the middle of exams - and i am scribing for other exams - so my time is pretty tight. i missed exercise yesterday (and the day before I think) so i am off this morning once i have dropped my daughter at school. i love walking but have not been doing much of that lately (too lazy to get out of bed at 5h30 which is when i have to if i want to walk). It is sooooo hot here - we are in 'spring' in ZW - 35 deg Celicius and dry dusty heat. yesterday i had to write an exam and i was just pouring with sweat (indeed there is no 'glowing' for me!) in this hot hot hall.
Today was my weigh day - no major losses but each week I am going down a couple of hundred grams. I am still 7 kgs off my mini goal for Christmas. I will keep plodding on with you. YOu are a great inspiration;-)
Take care of yourself , thinking of you!

[Healthybound]

Great job! I am so proud of you for dealing with the strawberries. In just a little while you'll be able to start with 1 fruit/day and you are so going to enjoy it. I wish you could send some of that warmth over here. We may have some snow tonight. I now go to bed with a long nightgown, flannel pajamas, and a nice warm comforter and cuddle with our Crissy (poodle).

As for exercise, this past summer I started to ride the stationary bike and was building minutes on it, and then, poop, didn't have the energy or time for it. And then it was put in another room to make room for all the people at our house when my hubby died. (Oh how it hurts to say that). But the next time my niece and her husband are over, he will help me bring it out. It does really help my bad knee as well as give me some good exercise. My unrepaired knee is too bad for exercise walking and it's not going to be replaced now, because of all the complications from my first knee replacement. I refuse to go down that road again. I have a brace to wear on my unrepaired knee and it is helpful, but with the weight loss, it's becoming too big for my knee!

And actually, (going back to the strawberries), that's how I deal with them. I hull them, wash them, dry them and then freeze them. And I only take out what I need for my milkshakes, yum yum!

You are doing great doghouse, kep up the good work!

[doghouse]

Slowly slowly. thank goodness it is too hot to want to eat too much. 31 deg C today. whew.... last night DH and I were in the pool at 9 pm - trying to catch a glimpse of the Diwali fire works which were in full force! the one thing i really do not like about this weather is the FLIES!!! oh my - there are so many and they are so irritating!
One thing I am enjoying is iced coffees (I am afraid I am one of those people who cannot kick my caffeine habit and anyway research has shown that it might not be all that bad for you..... infact i think the Dr (Ag) says so himself! anyway i put skimmed milk in the freezer then i mix filter coffee with ice cubes skimmed milk and a t of vanilla whizz it up and yum, it is almost as good as a milkshake!
HB, oooh owie for your knee - the best thing i guess would be swimming - do you enjoy it? I love it but let me tell you i just go up and down very slowly doing breast stroke - nothing too fancy for me. Then for variety and fun I run up and down with my girls pretending I am a horse seems to be quite good exercise that;-) i am sure the cold weather does not inspire you to plunge into the water though...... different for us here of course.
back to the books for me, have a great weekend.
xxx