Bearbelly to bare belly - a journey

[bearbelly]

------------ getting ready to hop off the boardwalk and dig my toes in the sand of The Beach – so January 30 will be the day. Funny how we always want to start things on a Monday. Figured this would be as good a place as any to track my progress – hope my time on the Beach will help me make myself over into a pretty ‘sandcastle’ and oh yeah – healthier too!

I’ve been a lurker here since December and have finally gotten enough knowledge about this WOE that I am ready to start. I really appreciate all the people here who are at Level 3 and still stick around to inspire others.

A bit about me in case anyone else reads this – great husband, no kids, quite a few pets, 51 years old, busy but sit-down job and love food, love to eat. Was a ‘big-boned’ girl –and yoyo’d my way to 145 lbs by my early 30’s and thought that was horrible! What I wouldn’t give to be there now! Flirted with weight training and exercise programs intermittently – but never stuck with it.

Marriage and a stable job gave me the confidence to love myself, regardless of my size and I embraced my expanding waistline – joined the club of ‘I love myself any way I look’ and I can eat what I want. Was almost fun to shop when I wore the smallest size in the ‘fat lady’ stores. You know the rest – with my philosophy that ‘grease is the perfect food – it goes with sugar and it goes with salt’ I continued to pack on the pounds. Love my husband because his love for me was unconditional through it all, and we enjoyed the ‘abundance’ together – as his weight went up along with mine.

Good luck and good genes seemed to protect me from the health concerns – my doctor would test for cholesterol, hypertension, hypothyroid, diabetes – all normal - I was annoyingly healthy. So I relaxed and ate my way to190 lbs. Stayed at that for 10 years, and then this fall broke the ‘200 lb’ barrier and realized my resting heart rate was about 90 bpm. Freaked me out – my heart rate had always been near 60, something I was sort of proud of – ‘I never exercise but my heart is healthy’. Now, it didn’t look so healthy anymore and it seems that simple fright has been the thing that woke me up.

Ok – so that is actually more than ‘a bit’ to start this journal! I talk a lot! but I want a record of where I started to look back on. We bought our treadmill at the end of November and I have been walking 5 days a week for 30 minutes. We have started trying to eat better on our own – more fish, smaller portions - but weren’t really keen on ‘dieting’ because diets had never worked before.

I encountered South Beach by stumbling across this forum actually. Had heard of the diet before and thought it was likely some ‘fanatical, extreme, movie-star, diet of the month’ – just goes to show you can’t judge a diet by its name. I am impressed with the theory so far. Have been reading the FAQ’s here, thought I could do it based on that, but decided to buy the book – great book – very clear, specific and definitely worth it. I am now feeling ready to start and have a much clearer understanding of why this should work.

So, the journal and the journey have begun – and I take the step away from coasting along the boardwalk to wiggling my toes in the sand on The Beach and buliding a whole new me. Just have to figure out how to get one of those ticker things to track progress! Will be back on Monday to start keeping track of meals and such -

[Smurlene]

Welcome to the Beach bearbelly! Your journey sounds all too familiar to my own....dh and I got chubby together, I have always loved myself so I didn't really care, always been in good health despite (in spite of?) my weight. I came to the Beach because I am trying to finally bring a baby home (have been very unlucky with that all my life).

Good luck to you as you begin. I have been on for three weeks and a day, and it is the best thing I have ever done in my life! There have been moments of fear and nervousness, but they have passed thanks to this board. We are all here for you if you need us!

[bearbelly]

Hi Smurlene - thanks for dropping by. Words of encouragement are always welcome - sure wish you all the best for a 'wee one' in your future.

So - I started - the official first day and it has to involve entertaining a client over lunch in a place with a lunch buffet!! Menu is chicken in mushroom gravy with mashed potatoes!! just what I need - not to mention a salad bar with all those potato, maccaroni and other loaded salads. Still managed to stick pretty close to plan - easier because it is the first day - and I snacked before lunch. Figured a small steak off the menu was better than trying to resist filling my plate at the buffet - know the salad dressing could have been better, but didn't have too much.

So for today

Monday Treadmill 30 minutes
Breakfast 2 egg omelet with green pepper, ham and 1% milk
Snack 5 almonds, celery sticks
Lunch 5 oz. sirloin, tossed salad – calorie wise Italian on the side – didn’t eat the garlic bread that came with it and skipped the fries – good one for me!!
Snack V-8 with tobasco, 5 almonds
Dinner Garden salad heavy on the mushrooms, ham slices, steamed broccoli

not much into desert so not planning on one, will go with skimmed milk and my last 5 almonds if the craving for cinnamon toast hits!

til tomorrow

BB

[Smurlene]

You're on your way! Looks like you had a good day. Good luck!

[bearbelly]

So far I am liking this WOE - more food than I would have imagined and I think my clothes are looser around the waist - maybe just wishful thinking. The lack of orange juice is killing me, but I suspect it is actually a craving - just all in my mind - than that I really need it.

I didn't understand why I would need to completely avoid carbs for a week or so to get rid of cravings - didn't think I ever had cravings so didn't think I would have to get rid of them. I now think I was just giving in to them really fast all the time, so I never felt it as a craving. Now, I actually feel this weird desire for something like OJ or a cinnamon bun and because I know I can't have it, it seems more desirable - I am guessing that is a craving - weird!

So I am just doing substitution - want orange juice, drink water, then some V8. If I drink the glass of water first, I want less of the V8. Eating raw veggies helps too - love peppers and mushrooms, so snacked on those this afternoon.

For today
Tuesday Treadmill 30 minutes
Breakfast 2 egg omelet with spinach and ham, V8 juice
Snack 1% cottage cheese with pumpkin seeds
Lunch Turkey breast with veggies (zuchini, pepper, ssquash) and small tossed salad
Snack mushrooms, red pepper, green pepper
Dinner Spinach salad and mixed bean chili

So far, so good - two days down and food part is better than any other diet. Have to start keeping track of water - not as many glasses today so far, need to make sure I have a couple in the morning.

til tomorrow - off to browse some other posts,

BB

[DivaDee]

Hi Bear!
just thought i would pop in and say way to go!
i am a fellow saskatchewanian (is that how you say it?)
didnt think there were any other beachers out here!

awesome story - me and my bf have been on a blissful
eating binge for two years now too and i have always
struggled as well...did the weight watchers thing but
after sucess the first time - swearing never to go back to
"the way i was" here i am and 75lbs from "the way i was"
my how fast that goes eh?
got the good ol high blood pressure and cholesterol to
show for it too
good luck on this WOE - it is actually a lot of fun
i have never enjoyed cooking but now dont know what
any other room than the kitchen looks like - working
all on the "presentation" of the food (ya think i was a
chef or sumthing)
this week picked out all new recipies to try - then we
take a vote after whether it was a keeper or not
keep in touch!

DeAnne

[bearbelly]

Hi DeAnne - so cool to hear from another Saskatchwanian!! And someone else who started here not too long ago. Great to hear it works and it is getting to be fun for you. So far I am finding it to be pretty tolerable - guess the weekend will tell if I have lost anything, but I do actually feel better.

It is a bit of a challenge getting away from carbs, especially in the morning - was never much for eggs at breakfast and couldn't imagine the V8, but getting used to it. Helps me to put lots of spinach in my omlet - the old 'green eggs and ham' thing.

Today I'm checking in a bit early - have a doctor's appointment later today - will put me out of walking for a couple days, so had to make sure I got my time in this morning.

Not sure where avocados stand on this plan but maybe cheated a bit last night - had one that was going soft in the fridge and hubby isn't too keen on them, so smashed it with some lemon juice, red pepper and onion. Added a bit of salsa and had half - was really good but suspect I may have overdone my fat allotment yesterday!

So for today
Wednesday Treadmill 30 minutes
Breakfast 2 egg omelet with spinach and ham, V8 juice
Snack 5 almonds
Lunch Ham slices with spinach salad and 1% cottage cheese, tons of celery
Snack - plan to have my other V8
Dinner - salmon steak, steamed broccoli and red pepper with spinach salad again - love the stuff and have a huge bag to eat up.

til tomorrow,

BB

[Smurlene]

We are allowed to have a fourth of an avacado per day. I wouldn't sweat it, though. I often have a half a one every other day.

[ParadigmShift]

HI BB! Monday was my first day on P2. You might want to try the flaxseed pancakes for P1. I missed them until my last couple days on P1. Also some like the flaxseed muffins. That might help you with carb cravings! If you start getting hungry eat beans!! I made soups with beans!! Day 3 was so awful for me. It definitely leveled out tho!!!

Congrats on your new WOE!! Visit the recipe pages they are a great help!!

[DivaDee]

hey bb how is your day going
i hate going to the dr
lied to him last time that i was taking all my blood pressure
pills (i am a horrible pill taker) and it was of course high
so he upped my dose and is sending me for more tests
crap!! shoulda fessed up but...

your menu looks great! if you like peppers and have the
orange cookbook - the lemon garlic roasted veggies are
to die for - let me know if you dont and i will post it for you
avocado's are good - i went overboard the first week and
bought 2 bags of them - then realized they are good but
limited.....needless to say most of them went bad
i am the only one who eats them as well but love guacamole!!

have a great day on the beach!
D

[Smurlene]

BB--Just dropping by to say hello and to see how things are going for you today. I have found so many good recipes on these boards that even after almost a month on the Beach, I haven't come close to trying them all. I, too, have the cookbooks, so if you are ever interested in a recipe or something, let me know.

[bearbelly]

Hi to everyone who stopped by and thanks for the tips - glad to hear my avocado transgression wasn't too bad!! I stayed on track for dinner last night - no cheating. Love salmon and since they come two per pack and my husband does tuna instead, I get a salmon steak again for supper tonight. Going with zucchini this time though.

Paradigm - glad for the suggestion of the flax muffins and pancakes - I will look for those - there are so many recipies. I actually like beans and had a bean soup for lunch today. Hope they help with the carb cravings as well as being filling.

Plan for today was a day off from walking - and I miss it. Doctor visit yesterday wasn't too bad - having a series of freezing treatements to the sole of my foot and often it is really painful that night and the next day, but getting near the end and I may be able to walk again tomorrow. I really am not a fan of doctors, but guess you need them once in a while. Hoping I can get myself healthy enough that I won't have major problems too soon.

D - kind of risky - guess you should have fessed up - aren't you worried that the higher dose will be a problem? Hope you are doing ok - at least you are getting more tests - know how much of a hassle it is to take drugs though - we have started taking fish oil capsules daily and I never remember to do it in the morning when I am supposed to. My husband has to remind me by the end of the day!
Would love the lemon roasted veggie recipie - I didn't buy the cookbooks, just the diet book - wasn't sure I wanted to invest that much in books til I knew it would work!

So - to track today
Thursday - no treadmill but hoping to be back tomorrow
Breakfast 2 egg omelet with spinach and ham, V8 juice
Snack 5 almonds and cottage cheese
Lunch Veggie bean soup and tons of celery again
Snack - going for almonds - have a tub in my desk drawer and ration 5 per snack.
Dinner - salmon steak again - yummy with rosemary crust, steamed zucchini, snow peas and red pepper with coleslaw tonight.

will try and drop by and visit you all at your journals soon,


BB

[bearbelly]

My big treat for today was to get a ticker - now I can count down (I hope) because my first weigh in since starting is Saturday morning. I have planned to weigh only once a week and am going to try and be strict - I feel like I have lost, hope it will show as that will only be after 5 days.

Am proud of myself for passing on donuts and muffins for the birthday party at work this morning - almost convinced myself that a donut would be ok, because they are better than muffins for calories, but then remembered someone's signature line that says - nothing tastes as good as thin feels, and figured I wanted to stick to it.

Maybe I was just making up for last night's little cheat. Had to pick up one of our dogs from his surgery at the vet and she always gives clients a treat bag to take home. There are goodies for the dog and some for the people - and it was late, long time since my snack, long drive til we got supper made - many excuses!! so I had a mint patty - cool mint and dark chocolate - and it was great, and I don't even like chocolate that much. Got back on track with a good dinner of salmon and veggies as planned, but felt a bit guilty.

Did my walking today though - foot is much better today.

So record for Friday - treadmill for 30 minutes
Breakfast - tried cottage cheese with lots of seasoning, V8 juice
Snack - 10 almonds - actually spilt into two snacks - 9:30 and 11 am - seemed to be fading a bit this morning - maybe cottage cheese alone wasn't enough - need some more veggies - or maybe it was just getting past the tempting donuts!
Lunch - Ham slices, coleslaw, celery and snow peas, V8
Snack - did the almonds again - don't know what I would do without them
Dinner - will be chicken stir fry with three peppers, onions and salsa. Hubby is going to wrap his in tortillas but I think I will just have mine straight.

til tomorrow,

BB

[ParadigmShift]

Great plan Bearbelly but I will tell you, that P1 is for cutting cravings. Just think that everytime you turn something down in two weeks it will NOT BOTHER YOU ANYMORE!!

I don't know if you have sugar cravings. I had candy under control but as bad as my withdrawls were I had to think that it was the white flour more then anything. I have nuts in my purse and bring along a lowfat mozzarella stick. It gets me by!!

I was able to pass the bakery in the grocery store for the first time today with out going nuts. I have been on the beach only 2.5 weeks. This really works. NOTHING worked for me. THIS DOES. Keep it up!! We are here to help anyway we can!!

figure out where your weak points are and look for substitutes to help you along that are beach friendly. That really really helped me not worry about what I COULD NOT HAVE versus what I could have. I looked for things that I liked. That helped LOADS!!

[Smurlene]

I am proud of you for only having a mint patty and getting right back on the plan. It can be hard when life interferes with our WOE, but you make the best choice possible and get right back on again. I had a piece of lemon cake at a dinner party last night, and I didn't feel bad at all because these things happen and we should live life--not constantly struggle against it.

I made the same mistake you did when I first went on the diet. I tried having cottage cheese and V-8 for breakfast. It wears off super fast. If I have a long day, I try to have a decent size breakfast of eggs and roasted veggies. It is the only thing that keeps me satisfied until my snack and sometimes until my next meal.

Way to go!