Day 50

Really, it's day 50 already? Despite the dieting, time has gone by so fast. You would barely even realize it's Been 50 days.
The scale did move, but I did weigh in a little earlier then I normally do that day. So today, weighing in at my usual time, the scale read 135.2. I am assuming that the changes in water retention may be responsible. I've been attempting to be stricter on the diet with myself. Lately, I have been wandering a little. Feeling a bit, less dedicated, if you will. My biggest problem is eating out. My friend are all making fall/winter plans and are leaving or something to that effect. So, I've been getting in a few "pho Tuesday's" (so called because, during school we went out for a five dollar lunch on tuesdays, not always pho, but frequently it was) I only had the salty soup once, other then that, I've been dining more at our favorite sushi place, with some sashimi and a bowl of miso soup. The worst one is the chicken wings. A pound of wings at Boston pizza or a brew house, four times in the last two weeks! They're not breaded, of course, but they are deep fried and they come with celery! So even on a protien day I am tempted by my burning mouth to eat the cool refreshing slices of celery!

What else do I do that is naughty? (or what I think has slowed the weight loss)
Silhouette non fat, no sugar added yogurt one of these a day. For some variety in my diet.
Almonds. I'm not even supposed to have almonds. And I have. I have had a small handful even. Though, this is not a recurring craving.

Well, these are my most serious transgressions, aside from the fact that I don't eat that galette everyday.

I feel as though I've strayed away from the strictness of the diet and I can see it's affect from the slowness of the weight loss. I am curious as to whether or not I am even on schedule, will I make my October goal. 80 days total, so I have 30 to lose the last 15 pounds? Im anxious about that...
What if I need more time? I should be more strict with myself, but it's hard! Sometimes I just get a craving to nibble! Do you know how much gum I have gone through on this diet? A lot. What would i do without it? I would be snacking all the time. I need to get back to the three square meals a day, meals that are filling and keep me satisfied so I don't go looking for a snack!

Day 48

Update is now available!
Why? Because the scale moved!
I weighed in at 134.6
Yay! Movement! Finally! After days of nothing. Nothing I tell you!
But this is good! 15 pounds to go! And a little more then a month to do it.
I expect I'll be getting a visit soon...

Day 46

This is lame. 137.4
It's hardly budging, at all!
Maybe I shouldn't weigh myself again until after.
Ok. I won't.
But still. Lame sauce!

Day 45

The scale is stuck. 137.6
It's not budging.
Stupid scale.

Day 44

The scale is, unhappily, stuck. Well, perhaps it moves as fast as molasses in January.
Yesterday the scale was up 138.6. Yikes!
So I really strictly adhered to my diet yesterday, had my galette, drank lots of water and ate only strict diet approved foods. No chicken wings, no Frank's. Today I got on the scale and it read 137.6
Hopefully this minimal movement is part of PMS and after my cycle, the scale will reflect a lower number. This happened last month also, and was stuck at 146 for quite some time.
For breakfast this morning I had two eggs, over easy, one, 100g  fat and sugar free yogurt, and a delicious Sugar-free English toffee skinny latte.

If the scale is an unreliable way to judge the weight-loss, at least I always have my little skirt. My little skirt is the garment I chose to gauge the true effectiveness of the diet by how it fits. This fit before I gained weight (a little tight even) it did not fit for all of this past year, and now it fits! more comfortable then before even.
Today is a protein day, and I must eat again soon, I work at noon, not eating between breakfast (at 8:30) and four (when I will likely be done work) would be detrimental to my diet. You cannot skip meals!

One final note, I had a transgression. A real one, not an imagined one, I ate some almonds. I thought I could have a very little bit, and I ate them. Then, because I was concerned, I double checked my book. I can't have them... I cheated!! It's terrible! Hopefully my work will cancel out any effects it might have on my diet. Plus, I already went for a walk this morning... I must lose this weight! I already and feeling anxious, as though I am behind my schedule, I should technically be done by October 5th ( I think?), that's roughly 80 days from the start of the diet, so three months means approx: 10 pounds per month. August is almost over and I am in the high 130's...Am I a few pounds behind? I can't lose 17 pounds in September...
I should remember though, it's only 8 pounds per month, or two pounds per week. It's okay if I am not right on target, at least I am still going down. That's all that matters, even if it takes two weeks, or a month longer. I can do this, I will do this.

p.s.
It is most satisfying to see men giving you the double take.

Day 41

Yesterday I weighed myself and the scale said 137.6 I didn't get a chance to weigh myself this morning, since it is best to weigh yourself at the same time every day, and I had to work at my weigh in time. But yesterday I ate a chicken breast, chicken wings and legs, a beef patty, two hard boiled eggs. And today, I had 4 hard boiled eggs and some wings. So far, that is.

Day 39 - steady as she goes

My co-worker is leaving our store and to celebrate the next phase of her working life, we all got together at the local pub for some good times. It really was a good time! But, man, the insistence of everyone that I drink was pretty strong! I know they are trying to encourage fun and be kind in the attention, but it did take a bit of stubbornness on my side to work through it. (great, now I'm a boring prude) it was my first outing with my co-workers (amazing, since I've worked there a year) and I had a lot of fun! Being sober! We objectified men, talked a little work gossip -mainly, why everyone is jumping ship, shared some good stories of past loves, and other forms of camaraderie that recommends one another.
I had lots of fun!

And yes, this franks hot sauce craze is still in gear. Mmm so delicious! Is there something in the sauce that I am craving? Could it -gasp- contain sugar? I hope not! I had wings again last night... I keep thinking this is bad because they are deep fried, not that I overly care for deep fried anything, it's just...hot sauce.
But this appreciation for wings does not seem to be affecting my diet. You'll remember my Boston pizza wing excursion of last week. I noticed no detrimental weigh gain after eating them. And today I stepped on the scale, it reads: 138.2
That's only .2 up from yesterday.

I drank lots of water yesterday while at the pub. So, it could even be water retention.
And someone at work (finally!!) noticed that I have lost weight. I had wondered how I could go away for a month, come back lighter, and continue to lose with no one the wiser. I would have thought that reclaiming my face definition from the pudge would have done it...

Oh well. 19 more pounds to go. (6 weeks left, is that enough time? I'm roughly halfway, maybe it will be. Or, maybe my transgressions have set me back another week.

Day 38

I have been so domestic today! Washing dishes, sweeping, mopping.
I've noticed, on this diet, the amount of pots one uses for food preparation is ridiculous! Why use three or four pans for one meal? For one person!
So, as a challenge I've been training myself to use only one pan, and wash it after every use. This is especially important because, since I am cooking only proteins, the resulting mess is grimy and hard to clean. (the stovetop can get pretty scary) I have made it so my galette takes one bowl, one pan, one fork and one spatula to prepare and cook.

Also, I must go grocery shopping. I
Am dangerously low on proteins.
On the plus side I bought eggs! On an even better plus side, I weighed in this am at 138.0

Bought a new pair of leggings, since my bum and tummy and thighs are
small enough to not be offensive in such a figure hugging garment.

I am growing more pleased with the results. You know you can start being happy, when an old traffic control guy on a film set says, that the perks of his job include talking to pretty girls. Even though her boyfriend is standing right there...

Day 37

I am remiss in the attentions of a blogger.
Life has gotten a little in the way, yesterday I worked early and today I went to the beach. It was a lovely time!
So today I stepped on the scale a little earlier then normal and it read 140.4 I waited 20 minutes for my usual time and stepped on again. It read 139.8
Progress! That's wonderful! Now I seriously need to buy eggs and eat my galette!
And I am so proud! I managed to stick to my diet while ordering in a food court. I went to the Thai express and had a stir fry with ginger and that's pretty much it. Veggies sautéd in a wok with ginger and water an that's it. No rice, no sauce.
So I did pretty damn well, all things considered.

Day 36...The shameful post.

Weight: 140.6

I am displeased by this reverse trend. My weight had better come down tomorrow. I want to be in the 130's, and this is essentially my body tormenting me.
Also, I have had a sudden craving for Frank's hot sauce. I don't like hot and spicy foods in general, but I find that I am enjoying having the occasion hot wing. I'm starting to drool just thinking about it.

Due to the thoughtfulness of my friend, D, who works at the coffee shop by my house, I am able to broaden my coffee syrup horizons. She ordered sugar free English Toffee syrup and it is delicious. I like it better then Vanilla!

Yum!

Note to self- buy eggs, I have not had my galette in a day or so... naughty me.
Really my diet has taken a little bit of a downturn; I had beef jerky (at the movies) and I haven't had my galette in two days, and finally I had chicken wings! (I consumed 7 hot wings please see above for the discussion on this hot sauce craving)  Just when my intentions were so pure! Are you really surprised now, that my weight has hardly moved? I need to get back on the bus. It's just, well, I am nearly at the halfway point and I find my dedication wavering. Only a little.
Perhaps I ought to revist the motivation of the Naughty Sweater. Perhaps my scale ought to reflect 139, so I feel less discouraged... I'm inclined to blame the scale.

Day 34 a day late!

Weight: 140.4

I seem to have gone up...but I think that's ok, I understand why. Yesterday was a veggie day, as well as being an experimental day. I tried three tactics to see if they could alleviate my headache.

1. No sucralose
2. Eat more! Particularly at night when I come back from work
3. Drink more water

So I did all three of these things and ate 5 cabbage rolls throughout the day, my salmon Benny for breakfast and two chicken legs for dinner.

I drank tons of water and tea and had a plain skinny latte. Lattes, on their own, are not very good.

So water retention could be the factor behind the weight gain, but on a happy note, I did not have a headache!

I am really looking forward to that scale reading in the 130's... To me, my weight being in the 140's is my threshold for unhappiness.

Day 33, headaches

I am awake super early...for no reason.
I haven't weighed myself yet, but I should. This bed is just so comfy.

I did two protein days in a row, not really intentionally, it just ended up that way. But that's okay. It makes up for the baby shower and the beef jerky!
I wanted to talk a bit about something I've noticed on the diet. For the last week I've been getting headaches in the evening. Usually around 9 or 10. Not bad ones, it tends to be if I jostle my head, rather then a pounding migraine. Now, I've never been prone to headaches, if I get them it's probably because I am
Dehydrated. But for me to have them regularly and around the same time everyday; leads me to question a possible third party responsible. I am eying the biggest contender: sucralose. Prior to this diet I abstained from and avoided any artificial sweetener for the evil death toxin that it is. But, on the diet, there is a need for something sweet and sucralose was better then cheating.
I googled to see I anyone else mentions headaches in their dukan blog, but it seems to only affect people during the withdrawal of the attack phase.
I did up my water intake yesterday, to see if it helped, it didn't. But I'll try two things today, up the water intake and not have any sucralose. (which means a skinny latte)

Ok, I got up.
Weight: 140.0

Day 32

Weight: 141.0
Day 32/80

Uh oh... The scale went up... Too much sodium? That's not great news, but it's not the worst. Apparently men have a healthier attitude towards dieting then women, if we mess up, we panic and binge and totally fall off the horse. Men, shrug and make a resolution to make up for it by working out longer tomorrow.

I know what happened to me. Yesterday, around 7:30, I was itching for a snack. I had a hankering for some good ol' chewing action. Something crunchy was a must and maybe even a little bit cracker like...mmm...
I had been chewing on sugar free bubble gum like no body's business for the last hour. Finally, I recognized the symptoms of hunger and grabbed my keys to go get some chicken. (Safeway does ready to eat, hot oven roasted chicken). Veni vedi veci... So to speak... But like Caesar, I fell... I bought a pack of beef jerky.
I didn't finish it or anything, I had four small pieces ( 2 cubic inches). But it was teriyaki flavored as well as being a salted preserved meat.
Rome will survive to see another day of weight loss, but I am a naughty girl.

Day 31 adventures with sushi

My friend Lissa and I went for a nice long walk at the seawall this morning and afterward she suggested we grab lunch at our favorite sushi spot.
(this place we frequented. Frequently.) to the point where the waitress knows our orders. But not this time! This time I threw her for a loop!
I don't want to be frightened out of going to my favorite establishments from the temptation of my favorite sushi box. No! That's not right.

Instead I was crafty, creative and followed my diet. I ordered 3 smoked salmon nigiri, two ebi nigiri, and a miso soup.

I ate the nigiri without the rice and left the artificial crab and seaweed in the bottom of my bowl. I am sure that miso is actually pretty salty, but, my extra long walk and some water and the fact that my diet is already ridiculously low sodium (I use minimal amounts in cooking and only on my asparagus) makes me think I'll be ok.

Sushi is so nummy. In my tummy.

At least I can still feel like I eat it, get the taste of soya an wasabi without over indulging.

Must find all you can eat sashimi...

Day 31, the naughty sweater

As a motivation for this weight loss I have purchased a lovely lululemom sweater. Expensive, sexy, chic. I cannot wear it until I am closer to my goal, but I couldn't resist trying it on... And yes, I am in my pj's...
Not only does it look good with pajamas, it looks great with a pair of old jeans! Ones that I bought two years ago and couldn't pull on one month ago...

Day 31

As you may know, last night was the baby shower. A large gathering of women only a handful of which knew eachother previously, but all gathered together to give gifts to a baby who isnt even here yet!

And it was potluck.

The amount of food there was amazing! The amount of fruit, sweets, cakes and freshly baked goodies decorated in pretty pastel icing. Cheese, crackers, spinach dip, noodle salad, egg salad sandwhich, and veggie platters.
Thank God for veggie platters...and foresight; I ate a large lunch of two chicken legs and a mid afternoon chicken leg snack before I left. So I was already full when I got there.  I nibbled on fresh veggies and a couple pieces of deli meat and deviled eggs (without the yolk) for dinner. 
I did really good! I deserve a pat on the back! Because I could have won some chocolate bar prizes too.
I'm really glad I am 14 pounds lighter then before; some one was there taking candid photographs of the event. I hate pictures. I don't want to have a recorded reminder of a time when I was heavy and unhappy.

Yesterday I ate:
3 hardboiled eggs for breakfast, one galette, one skinny vanilla latte
Two chicken legs and thighs for lunch
Snack of a chicken leg and thigh
Dinner plate of fresh veggies, couple peices of salami and two deviled eggs.

This morning I weighed myself. 140.2. So the highly salted deli-meats from last night didn't really do much damage. Thank goodness.

For breakfast today I have had (so far) a chicken leg and thigh. I'm off for my coffee soon!

Day 30

Weight: 140.2
Day 30/80
Weight lost: 14 pounds

One month down! Two to go! Being a third of the way done isn't too exciting. When you stop looking at it as a restrictive diet, and focus on the weight loss instead, you feel pretty darn good about the minimal effort involved.
It is like turning around the self esteem train. It was on a crash course to obese-ville and unhappy-town, but by just doing something you altered the destinations. I am already feeling better, more in control, healthier, and dare I say it, beyond reproach from judgement of others...

To reflect on yesterday, I did not eat enough. I was hungry at 6, but because I was at work, I couldn't eat. Once I got home, it was 10:00 and too late to eat anything.

The scale is still going down, it has yet to bounce back up again. Perhaps, that's a premenstrual issue?

Oh, and one final note. Today I attend my best friend's baby shower, it's a pot luck and there will be goodies everywhere. Wish me luck!
Most of the girls are her work friends and her manager hires only really pretty, even hot, girls...

Motivation, motivation, motivation!

Day 29

Good morning!
It's 8:38am the sun is not shining, but I am hopeful for a nice summer day none the less.

I've already weighed in with pleasing results! One thing I have noticed, is that my weight will go down, then bounce up and down between three numbers, then go down two pounds more. Sometimes it bounces around for five days before I see a change. I really hate this, it makes me super anxious, what if the diet isn't working?
I haven't really been cheating..
I'll tell you about my little cheat yesterday. I had a hamburger patty topped with some low fat cheese, dijon, and a pickle (reduced sodium) then I added a dimes worth of ketchup and gobbled my whole dinner down! Mmm...


Ok so breakfast time! Today I will be having my delicious eggs Benedict for breakfast.

I am learning to use blogger by phone, I want to load a pic so you can see my scale reading...
I have to learn how and until then, this whole blogger thing might be some kind of ugly duckling.
Bear with me :)


Ok I've added my photo! Initially when I stepped on the scale it said 141.2. The camera added the .4

And it's great! You can rotate and resize your pictures on here! So genius!

First Post

On July 11th, 2011 I embarked on a journey of weight loss accompanied by my some of my family. It all happened by accident really, we found pictures of Kate Middleton during the "freshmen 15" days. Which led to discovering what she did to shed those extra pounds. The Dukan Diet, therefore, became a part of my life (peculiarly, during a vacation. Which rendered us all unable to enjoy the seasonal delights orchards have to offer)

Now it is August, we are all four weeks in, and I am just starting a blog to capture my day to day changes.

So, let's begin shall we?

Weight at start: 154 pd
Height: 5"3
Goal weight: 119 pd
Attack Phase length: 5 days

The Attack phase was spectacularly difficult! We had just had a big double birthday bash the day before and all over were the delicious leftovers; chocolate cake, cookies, peanut and marshmallow squares, nectarines, peaches, grapes. All of them staring me in the face, beckoning to me. "Eat me, Jessica. Eat me!"
Mmm...
I never realised how quickly one could become sick of chicken. By the end of the attack phase, I was desperate just to have a different texture on my tongue. The Cruise phase was a welcome relief.
But the effort was worth it! When the attack phase ended I weighed in at: 148. That was right on target for 5 pounds lost in five days. My father lost more, 8 pounds on the first day (fortunately, the injustice of mens metabolism is not the subject of this blog).

The Cruise phase has been really great, alternating is no big deal. We have been feasting on smoked salmon benedicts every morning! Of course this is altered to fit within the constraints of the diet. We use Dukan's galette recipe to substitute the muffins and instead of hollandaise we made a sauce of Fat free greek yogurt, dijon, and lemon juice. It's all topped with a couple of capers and voila! A gourmet diet friendly breakfast!

I try to incorporate as much asparagus as is possible in my diet. Apparently it's a diuretic, so the weight loss is happily consistent and weight myself in the same clothes, within the same hour, after the same morning activities everyday.

For excersize I do my job of serving. So I am walking four and a half maybe even 6 hours more then Dukan strictly reccomends.

And now that we are all caught up...

Weight 142.2
Cruise phase: Day 28/80