Marie's Journal

[Marie324]

I have decided to start a journal to hold myself accountable for my food choices. I have always been a healthy eater, but lack self control. I am also an emotional eater. The only time I was able to lose weight, and feel in control of my diet is when I discovered South Beach about 5 years ago. I lost about 10 pounds, and was happy with my body. Since then, I have allowed terrible new habits to sabatoge my efforts, and I am now back to where I started. I used to control myself when it came to eating starches, but since I became a vegetarian, I have overcompensated by eating too many grains. Ive been eating a ton of pasta, and bread, which has slowly piled on the pounds. Throw in a weekly binge on chips and alcohol when im feeling lonely and down, and all of my previous progress has been destroyed. I guess you can say I have an obsession with weight and diet and body image. Instead of that obsession working in my favor, it has caused a weight gain, along with a tremendous amount of self loathing and guilt. Since I was always a thin girl who took pride in her appearance, the struggle of weight has depressed me, since i am not all that certain as to how I got here. the depression caused by the weight gain, has caused me to turn to food for comfort, only compounding the problem. Im an intelligent girl, why would I contribute to the very reason why Im depressed? Thats just silly! I am turning 30 this year, and i decided as a birthday gift to myself, I am going to give myself my best body ever. Healthy, fit, and toned. Exercise is just as important to me as diet, since my fitness goals are aggressive. I have some obstacles in my way, as does everyone with a goal. For starters, my boyfriend is a heavy drinker. In turn, I became an avid wine drinker. I have began replacing my evening glass of red wine with organic decaf green tea. I will not let alcohol prevent me from obtaining my goals. I am determined, motivated, and sick of being uncomfortable in my own skin. I want to wake up happy, excited about my day, and feel fabulous in (and out of) my clothes. My weight gain has brough on insecurities that are beginning to affect my life. Im no longer comfortable with intimacy bc of my body , which is in turn affecting my relationship. I try to think of excuses to not go to certain events because I dont want people to know I have gained weight. Im sick of it. It stops now. We all have one chance at this life, and I am not going to let mine be ruined by food.

[Marie324]

January 4th:

Breakfast: 2 cups of black coffee
1 eggwhite omelette with mushrooms and spinach cooked in a tsp of coconut oil
1 low sodium V8

Snack: nonfat plain yogurt

Lunch: steamed broccoli with vegetable broth and tofu

[Marie324]

January 4th (continued)

Snack: 2 hard boiled eggs

Dinner: Parmesan Crusted Tilapia w steamed string beans

Exercise: 3.25 mile run on the treadmill (30 minutes)

Snack: 15 almonds

I'm feeling pretty good. I've eaten quite a bit today, and I feel satisfied. I do miss mindless munching, but I'm trying to keep myself occupied. Maybe I'll buy some celery sticks for when I feel like having something to crunch on.

[Marie324]

Good afternoon all,

Im on day 3 of phase 1 and i already feel less bloated. I cant believe it took me this long to make a commitment again to the beach. i forgot how fabulous this WOE makes me feel. So far so good today:

Breakfast: 2 cups of black coffee (my morning vice)
eggwhite omelette with mushrooms and spinach w 2 tbsp of salsa, and vegan grated parm (cooked in Pam spray)
V8

Exercise: 3 mile run (30 min); Note: Felt a little woozy today during workout. Possibly add regular egg to omelette tomorrow

Snack: I was dying for my snack today! Really needed it! i had nonfat plain yogurt with raw cashews (hit the spot)

Lunch: Low Sodium broth with steamed broccoli and tofu (for some reason i really enjoy this, LOL)!

I will update the rest of my menu later. Im a little nervous about tomorrow. I have a meeting in which i will not be able to control lunch, and may not have time for snacks. I'll prepare by bringing a pack of almonds, but may have to make some difficult choices the rest of the day. i hope im not too hungry. Perhaps i will wait until the evening to exercise tomorrow.

I saw something interesting on Rachael Ray today. A nutrionist explained a 5-day fast of whole, healthy foods. I know this isnt part of the plan, but it sounds very healthy, all of the ingredients are Beach friendly, and I think it could be a great segue from Phase 1 to Phase 2. The plan is stick to 5 ingredients, and create 4 meals from them. Eggs, spinach, almonds/almond butter, berries, yogurt. You may incorporate the following: green tea, lemon juice, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, tumeric, paprika....and some other herbs i have to check on. An example menu would be:

B: eggs with steamed spinach, and a squeeze of lemon - spinach can be sauteed using green tea in place of oil
S: parfait with yogurt, berries, almonds, and cinnamon
L: spinach salad with hard boiled eggs, almonds, berries, and lemon juice
S: smoothie with yogurt, berries, almond butter and cinnamon
D: Repeat either breakfast or lunch

Green tea can be sipped throughout the day.

It will be challenging, but I think my confidence will be up if I can lose even more weight in between P1 and P2. It's only for 5 days, and then I can cruise along into Phase 2. Somehting to think about.

[amalfi_girl]

Good luck with your journey.

[Marie324]

Hey amalfi girl! Thanks for the encouragement, and for stopping by. Much appreciated

[BritMW <3]

Hello Marie,
I read your journal intro and could relate a bit and thought I pop in and wish you luck!!! So, good luck!!!
That Rachel Ray thing does sound interesting, by the way!

[Marie324]

Hey Brit! thanks for stopping by I'll check out your journal as well! It's great to have support through this long journey

I agree the cleanse sounds interesting. I'll let you know how it goes!

[lakegran72]

Don't we just love the way we feel when we follow this woe?
great healthy foods.... You will find lots of good advice and support here...Welcome to our beach.

[BritMW <3]

...
I love your optimistic attitude toward everything! I agree your menu sounds yummy (I have to try that salmon marinate). What kind of puppies do you have? I have a little yorkie who Im in love with! She's my daughter, LOL.

Great work on the exercise. Keep up the good work! Best of luck to you

Oh, btw....I also love the idea of getting to a happy weight where I can still enjoy wine and chocolate. Im definitely not giving either of them up forever! LOL but I would actually be happy with a nice glass of red and a square of dark chocolate. Moderation is key I suppose...something I need to learn, thats why I'm here

Aww, yorkies are adorable!!!
I have a dauchsand/ yorkie mix and a blonde/ white terrier mix - Love them!

Moderation is definitely something I need to learn as well...

[dotty53]

Hi Marie! Good luck on the beach! This WOE is great with all the delicious healthy choices. Have fun with it. Dotty

[sebander]

Is this the same Marie that encouraged me a few years back?

Anita