Update 7-29-13

It’s been a while since I’ve posted an update, so I thought why not post today? I can report that

I’ve been doing pretty well on my vegetarian journey—for the most part. I have to admit that I have not done much exercising, unless you include tons of house work, remodeling and yard work. I will be taking August 1^st – August 31^st off for some much needed “me-time.” During this time, I plan on starting a vigorous exercise regimen—something I can stick to.

I’m so proud of myself. A couple of weeks ago, I hosted a meeting/BBQ for one of my Toastmasters group. When we originally planned it, we were going to just throw something on the grill. But when I tell you these members came with food, they came with food. I mean there was chicken, burgers, bratwurst, potato salad, sweet potatoes, coleslaw, salad, dips, chips and all sorts of other goodies. I had my veggie burgers so none of it bothered me—except for those bratwursts. I absolutely love bratwursts. The person that made

them made sure she told me how she made them; sautéing them in beer and raspberries. The constant “mmms” and “oh this is so good” comments didn’t help. I really thought about jacking a few people for those bratwursts. However, I held strong and although they barely made it out the door, I made it without eating one. But I’d have to say, that was a close call.

I’ve pretty much done well for myself . . . that was until this weekend. Hubby and I ordered our normal Chinese food. I had the fried rice and he had his usual. However, this time, he ordered chicken wings. And if you’ve ever had fried chicken wings from China Garden, you know it’s the best chicken wing ever cooked (with the exception of the lemon-pepper wings from Wing Stop in Dallas, Texas). As soon as hubby took them out of the bag, the smell hit my nose and at that point, there was no way he was making it out of the

kitchen without giving me one. I took the first bite and I just wanted to melt. After I devoured the first one in thirty-seconds flat, he offered me a second. Oh, Em, Gee. Those wings were so good! I know, I know. I had a moment of weakness. I’ll just make sure it won’t happen again. *wink*

Besides the chicken wing fiasco, I’ve been doing pretty good. Although I’m not eating meat, I’ve been doing a little dairy. I absolutely have to have creamer in my coffee. I tried the soy creamer, but it just doesn’t taste the same, so I do have a tablespoon of flavored creamer. I also eat a cup of yogurt a day for digestive reasons. Right now, it seems to be the best way to receive probiotics (I think that’s the word) and maintain a decent digestive system. I love cheese a whole lot, but I have been doing good and have not had any since I started my journey.

One of the issues that I am running to is that I had to have everything I ate, that wasn’t sweet, spicy. But I’m finding now, I can’t take it as much and I get heartburn a lot.

I’m still new to this. It’s been a little over a month and it gets easier and easier. Did I mention how expensive it is? I now live in Earth Fare and Whole Foods, and I have found tons of uses for tofu. I also now buy vegetables from various gardeners. As soon as I get the time, I am going to start my own raised garden out back and start growing my own vegetables. Now wouldn’t be a good time anyway, not with all the rain we’ve been having.

I’ve started a vegetarian board on Pinterest if you’re interested. If you have any ideas, tips or tricks for this baby vegetarian, I’d love your input.  http://pinterest.com/ymjauthor/boards/ 

Until next time, Eat all your vegetables.

PS: Did I mention that my new best friends are hummus and sweet potato chips? Yum, Yum!

Day 2 of My 365 Day Transformaton

I just wanted to check in quickly and say that things are off to a rough start, but they’re off. I was out of town for a couple of days, completing a bit of training. And, of course, as with many of these catered events, there are not many vegetarians choices.

Yesterday, for lunch, they did serve salad and that’s what I ate. I was proud of myself until that evening—I ate at On the Border Mexican Restaurant. Although I didn’t do too bad, I ate fish tacos. What’s so bad about fish tacos? Well, not much if I was eating meat. So, the fish and the actual taco shell were a complete no-no.  I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the watermelon margarita I had with dinner. I know, I know, I’m hanging my head low.

I started off this morning with a strictly protein breakfast from the hotel. I ate scrambled and hardboiled eggs . . . then came lunch during training. On the menu were various types of deli sandwiches. I ate ½ of a ham sandwich with white bread and ½ of a chicken and feta wrap with white pita bread. On top of that, I think I drank like three diet Cokes.

For dinner, I reclaimed my position by eating a cabbage salad with mushrooms and almonds, however, I finished it off with a diet Coke.

Whew, I did say it wasn’t going to be easy and this is day two. Pray for me on day three.  

Check in for 6-5-12

Howdy folks! I wanted to check in and give you an update on my transformation process. I have been struggling and struggling hard. Although I’ve never done “crack” or any other kind of drug, I think I have an inkling of a feeling as to what they go through when they go through withdrawals or when they are being weaned off the drug. 

I’m on a low carb diet and if you could be a fly on the wall, you’d swear that I was feigning for some type of drug. I had no idea how dependent my body was on sugar. I didn’t realize how I would be without it. My attitude has been altered, I find myself a little more moody and snapping at my husband. (Poor guy . . . so glad he’s understanding and loves me.)

I was a little disturbed and disappointed that I had not been dropping the pounds as I had hoped that it sent me into a mental funk. Thanks to one of my biggest supporters (B.C.) she triggered a thought during one of our daily talks. My “Aunt Flow” was in town and that very well could be the reason, compiled with the low carb diet, that I was so cranky, so tired and felt like hell. And, the fact that I hadn’t lost much weight didn’t help the situation. 

Well, “Aunt Flow” cleared out this morning and since she’s left, I’ve felt a tad bit better and I lost another pound. So right here, right now, I feel much better than I have in the last week, and I’ll take it!

Hubby and I would walk occasionally, but I had not done any strenuous exercise in the last week because my body was not happy about the low carb diet I had put it on, without its permission, so I didn’t want to do anything strenuous. However, this week, I will add light weight lifting and aerobics three times a week to my plan. I feel that a light workout can only add to the weight loss and get me back into the groove of working out on a regular basis. As for the weights, as I lose weight, that last thing I want to see is sagging skin, so I will add them three times a week as well until I can work up to six days a week. 

I am not past this phase by any means, because if I see anything that looks like chocolate, I’m ready to attack. So, pray for me. LOL. 

My sugars have come down, although, they are not where I want them. I stopped taking my insulin as it puts me into hypoglycemia on the low carb diet. My daily readings have been between 204-215. That’s still too high, however, it’s much lower than the 300-400 it is on a normal basis. And, I have not seen any 500 or 600 spikes. That’s always a good thing. 

One thing I have noticed is that my vision has become a bit blurry. I got new glasses and they are a bit worthless. So, at this point, I cannot tell if the blurriness is due to the new glasses, the high diabetes numbers or the low carb diet. 


Stay tuned. 

Progress Report May 30, 2012

It’s a beautiful day outside, but I won’t be able to get out and enjoy it. I hope everyone is having a great week so far. I’ve had a headache since late yesterday, and I had a big drop (82) in my blood sugar and now it is back to its normal high levels. Can you say yo-yo?

My first day of my progressive transformation went pretty good—until after 11:00pm. This is normally one of my issues with eating. I am a night owl and a work-a-holic, so I may work 12-24 hours a day, but I work most nights through the wee hours of the morning. I’m usually laying down for a nap, when most are getting up to get their day started.

If you lost the link, you can find it here (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ymjauthor). I will also post it on the side bar. Here you’ll be able to see what I eat on a daily basis. As you can see that for the past two days, with the exception of the lifesaver and peach I ate yesterday to get my blood sugar back up, I’m doing pretty well. You should also be able to tell that I am on a high protein, low carb diet.

Monday night, I did about fifteen (15) minutes of weight training. I was to start going to the gym last night, but realize that this diet so far has left me overly tired and with low blood sugars—running on a treadmill or lifting heavy weights at a gym is not the idea thing for me right now. Once my body gets used to this way of eating, I will get back into working out vigorously.

I will say, though, I’ve lost 3 pounds since Monday. That’s good news to my ears. I’ll keep you all updated on my progress. 

Welcome to My New Journey

Taken 5/27/12

Hello Folk I’m back and I’m on a mission. I’m on a journey to improve my life In various aspects to include physically. And here is where I will document my journey of weight loss. In a matter of two weeks, I will be forty-three (43) years old.  More than half my life is behind me and I intend on making however many years I have in front of me the best that I can. My health history has been no secret, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, breast tumors, ovarian tumors and a host of other health issues have certainly  posed challenges for me since 2000. I’ve gone from a size six (six) to a size eighteen (18) and yo-yo’d in between. At current, I am teetering between a size nine (9) and a size twelve (12).

I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Well folk, this Weight Chasing Diva is sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired! I’ve tried diet after diet, after diet.  I did try Weight Watchers and did lose weight on it, at first. After a while, either it stopped working, or I did. Well, as the song goes, It’s a new day! And I want to feel gooooooooooood!

To you, I say, welcome to my journey. Encouragement, enlightenment, affirmation and tips. This is a no negativity zone,

Taken 5/27/12

I will be keeping a good and exercise log at my favorite place, My Fitness Pal http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ymjauthor.  I will be posting progress photos here on the blog as time progresses.

In addition to obtaining the obvious health benefits that come with being healthy, I have set a goal to lose seventy (70) pound by my forty-fifth (45) birthday. That means I have two years to achieve and sustain this goal. This afternoon, I weighed in at a whopping one hundred eighty-eight (188).  So, as you can see, I have a ways to go.

So without further ado, welcome to my journey!