Good, Good Friday

Technically I don't have today off, but I am working from home, so it's basically just as good.

This has been a good week. I feel incredible. All the bloat and yuck that I'd had from before the 7 day diet has stayed gone and probably decreased even more. Some work pants that were getting a little tight are now fitting beautifully again.

I really thought I'd see a big loss, and even though I didn't, I'm not discouraged. I'm betting next week will be 3 or 4 lbs since this was a small week. I'm also hoping after getting lots of rest this weekend that I can coax myself back into a regular work out routine. It won't hurt that Sakief is starting a job next week so there will be several evenings that I'm not worried about having dinner made, etc. it definitely helps my motivation to work out, which seems silly, I know.

I think I briefly mentioned in a previous post that I signed up for a weight loss coach through work. I only talk to him once every few weeks, however, it's just one more person that I'm accountable to. I'm amazed at how much I don't want to let him (or myself) down.

We tried another Pinterest win! recipe this week, avocado chicken Parmesan. I recently bought a stoneware pan from pampered chef, and was pretty excited to try it, so this was a perfect recipe.

4 chicken breasts (pounded flat)
Two eggs (whisked)
Flour
Bread crumbs (I used matzah meal, go Jew!)
Tomato sauce
Avocado
Parmesan (I cheated and used provolone, no parm in the house)
Spices of choice

Coat chicken in flour, dip in egg, then coat in bread crumbs. Sprinkle with spices. Bake at 350 approximately 20-30 mins. Remove from oven. Spread tomato sauce over chicken. Place several slices of avocado on each breast, then place cheese on top. Put back into oven for 5-10 minutes until cheese is fully melted.

Stats for the week:
Lost this week: .5 lbs
Current weight: 221 lbs
To go: 36.5 lbs

On Marriage Equality

I try very hard not to get political in public forums, because the potential argument with someone over my beliefs and opinions isn't worth my time or frustration. And if you argue with me, instead of discuss, well that really isn't worth anyone's time is it?

I also believe that the subject of marriage equality shouldn't be a political issue, but alas, we are forced into a situation where lawmakers get to decide who we are allowed to marry.

Marriage equality is an issue near and dear to my heart, and not just because I have many incredible LGBT people in my life, but because of my own relationship.

It was less than 50 years ago that interracial marriage was legalized in the United States. That means that less than 50 years ago, my relationship would have essentially been illegal.

Thankfully I can honestly say that Sakief makes me happier than anyone else ever has. The color of his skin, his religion, or lack thereof, isn't a factor in our relationship, and vice versa. We just respect one another.

I had someone tell me that dating Sakief "isn't American". I'm pretty sure that the white Jewish chick dating an Indian guy who was raised Muslim is the epitome of American, because we are free to do so. And yet, many people I know and love aren't free to to marry the person they love. I've also had people ask me how our relationship works. Uh, how does YOUR relationship work? We are people who love each other, that's how it works. It's the same for anyone who loves anyone else, regardless of race, religion, creed or sexuality.

I don't miss the old ladies staring at us as we walk through the grocery store together. It makes me want to cry every time; I have nothing that I need to justify to anyone.

I'm hoping that most of you reading this will be even the tiniest bit horrified. Because if we don't allow all Americans the same rights, imagine how many years of hate we have ahead us.

Ask yourself, how, and why, does someone else's marriage affect your life? Why do the old ladies stare? It's not fear, it's not religion, it's hate.

Chicken Tomato Melt

I had originally planned to try this recipe last night, but it definitely worked out better for today's lunch. Especially because we had delicious kabobs with Adam and Erin last night.

I adapted this recipe from one I found on Pinterest, shocker. It originally called for tuna, but since I'm not a fan of tuna, I used canned chicken. Honestly this is one of the best things I've tried/made recently. I really loved it. Super simple with tons of flavor, and of course, low carb.

13 oz canned chicken
4 Tbsp non-fat plain Greek yogurt
Diced onion
Fresh basil (chopped)
Cheese of choice
Two large tomatoes

Hollow out the tomatoes so that there is a large pocket for stuffing. Drain tomatoes on a paper towel for 10-15 minutes. Combine chicken, yogurt, onion and basil. Press stuffing firmly into tomatoes, it will be over flowing. Top with cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes.

One stuffed tomato is plenty for a meal, very filing. Only about 250 calories depending on the type of cheese you pick.

Insanely good.

Post 7Day

So I'm thinking that while I hated basically everything about last week, it at least appears that it wasn't for nothing. Not only did I not gain weight back since stopping, I have continued to take more off. I still would never put myself through that again, however, at least it did me some good.

Unfortunately I'm still a long way from my lowest weight film last year, and even a few pounds off from my 2013 low. But that's ok. I'm finally feeling really good about my eating habits, and am having a much easier time with my self control. This may also be attributable to las week, so yet another reason I can't hate it. I've been so happy eating normal food this week (HEALTHY normal food), that I have zero desire to eat anything unhealthy.

I also feel really good about myself for the first time in quite awhile. I'm liking what I see in the mirror again. Truly speaks to how important the psychological factor is in losing weight.

This week I made my triumphant return to cooking dinner, and mostly had wins, so says Sakief. Unfortunately last night's experiment of cabbage rolls wasn't the best. It wasn't awful though, so worth tweaking. Anyone who's made cabbage rolls knows hat they typically call for rice... I used quinoa as a substitute and it seemed to work just fine.

This week's stats:
Current weight: 221.5 lbs
Total weight lost: 63 lbs
In 2013: 3 lbs
To go: 37 lbs
Work outs: I'm getting there...

Day 7: Throwing in the towel

Day 7 was a bust, in fact the whole diet was a bust, for me at least. I haven't done a final check in with Corrie to see how it went for her.

Yesterday was "miracle soup" aka cabbage soup day. I thought it wouldn't be so bad. I was wrong. I got through breakfast no problem. But once I got to lunch, it all went down hill. I made it about 5 bites in and had to quit. I was done.

I skipped lunch after that as I had lost my appetite, but ate a delicious healthy dinner of chicken and veggies.

I ended up super sick today as well, and have been very uncomfortable. I'm blaming the cabbage.

In the end I only lost 3.5lbs. While that's a great amount of weight, it's way less than promised, and totally not worth the torture of the week. I'd rather lose 2lbs and enjoy my food than go through the last week again for some extra weight loss.

Thumbs down 7 day diet, thumbs down.

Days 5 and 6: The return of protein!

Days 5 and 6 were very similar, and also the easiest days by far, mostly because it was normalish foods.

Day 5 was beef and tomatoes. Other variations on the diet said chicken. I'm guessing that the idea is to add protein back. I was also supposed to eat 6 tomatoes. It was the first day all week that I was truly full and satisfied after every meal. I am lucky enough to have Sakief who cooked me delicious steak in a cast iron skillet, noms. He even prepared Friday's breakfast for me Thursday night so that I didn't have to be up super early Friday morning. It is suggested that you drink extra water because of the acidity of tomatoes.

Today was beef and veggies (or chicken/turkey). Pretty self explanatory. Other than the fact that I usually have breakfast foods for breakfast, it's essentially my normal diet.

I can't believe that tomorrow is finally the last day! Here's to hoping I see some nice results on Monday morning!

Day 4: Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

I realize that I should have posted last night, but I have a good excuse, promise.

Day 4 threatened to be difficult as the only food allowed was milk and bananas (and plain low fat yogurt). Up to 8 bananas to be exact. I prepared myself with bananas three ways... Bananas, yogurt and cinnamon for breakfast, banana smoothie and well, bananas.

Breakfast with the yogurt was delish, and I was really looking forward to my smoothie as an afternoon snack. I ate just bananas and drank a ton of milk for lunch, and it filled me up just fine.

What was most annoying about yesterday is that despite the fact that my bananas looked perfect, most were very mushy on the inside and had to be discarded, so I bought new ones on my lunch break.

That turned out to be a good thing, because just as I finished my lunch I received a phone call that Adam had been in a car accident outside of Abilene. He's fine other than a broken wrist and overall soreness, however, I immediately hopped in the car to go get him. I also left my smoothie at work, so I didn't get to enjoy it... Oh well. But the reason that buying the bananas at lunch was a good thing is that I had my two dinner bananas in the car, so I was able to stick to the day despite the adventure of traveling to west Texas.

I am so incredibly thankful that Adam is ok. Count your blessings friends!

Day 3: Now I'm Grumpy

I started off today so positive. I got to have an even greater variety off foods since I could have fruits and vegetables, I got to eat an avocado... Life was good. Until breakfast. Yeah, that lasted long.

Broccoli for breakfast, yeesh! I had to toss the last few bites before satisfying my other needs with an orange and an avocado. I know, weird breakfast. Well you know what? This whole diet is weird!

I was hungry for dinner around 5, but couldn't convince myself to eat until 7 because I am so sick of veggies. And it's just the veggies that are bothering me, I could eat fruit all day everyday I think. But gosh do I miss protein. Meat. Cheese. Come back to me!

I am feeling much better now that I've eaten, and as weird as tomorrow is, I'm looking forward to it as well. At least I get some protein finally with yogurt and milk! I also made the cabbage soup (for day 7) and I'm allowed to supplement tomorrow with it, which may help since it's a very savory soup.

I really can't wait for Friday and Saturday though when I finally get some meat, yum! It makes my mouth water just thinking about it, haha.

I'm also finally seeing some movement on the scale, so I want to focus on the positive. Along with that I'm feeling really good about getting my willpower back. I'm saying to myself "you can't eat that" instead of "you shouldn't eat that" which makes all the difference.

I think I can, I think I can...4 more days!

Day 2: Veggies only

Day 2 was a lot harder for me than day 1. Not because of hunger, I actually found I was able to stay full longer, but I just don't find veggies as interesting flavor wise.

I did have a really lovely breakfast since I was allowed a potato today. I chose a sweet potato for a more flavor and something sweet. I mashed it and added some cinnamon, yum! Otherwise I stuck to all green veggies.

It's amazing how few calories you consume when you only eat veggies. No wonder this diet s successful. I may be full, but I only consumed about 500 calories for the day.

Not having any protein is weird. I'm not grumpy per se, but I just feel... Off. I can't wait for day 5 when I get to eat meat again!

I'm excited for tomorrow too... Combo fruit and veggies, so I'm treating myself with avocado! Yum!

The best part of today though is that Sakief came home from his bro trip to Pensacola. I missed him :) But I did have a great weekend with my parents in town and getting to see Adam and Erin's new house!

Day 1: An apple a day!

I mentioned in my very brief post from Friday that I am starting a "cleanse" this week with Corrie.  Today is the start day and I'm actually kind of excited now.  I found several variations on the same thing, so I will post substitutions as I know about them.

I haven't seen a consistent name for this cleanse/diet, so I think calling it the 7 day cleanse works just fine. According to the different posts I've seen about it, it's actual weight loss, but as with the 3 day diet I tried last year, I'm skeptical until I see it stay off (assuming I don't just start gorging after I'm through this week, ugh).

My starting weight is 226.5 and I have been promised anywhere from 10-17lbs of weight loss in the next 7 days.  A girl can dream right?  The different posts I've seen also say that you can repeat the process as often as you'd like, with no breaks in between.  Overall it seems healthy enough (no starving yourself, rather balanced later in the week, etc), so I don't have any concerns about repetition if I decide to go another week at some point (or next week if it works!).

Restrictions are mostly on a day by day basis, however, the first week it's done there is no alcohol allowed, and you pretty much drink only water.  I did have a cup of coffee this morning (and plan to continue my coffee habit) and will probably be drinking my cleansing tea in the evenings, but otherwise plan to stick to water only (no Crystal Light, juice, soda, etc). If you decide to go for more than one week, the plan says that you can have white wine or beer, limited to two of the same beverage per night.  As per any diet, it warns of drinking your calories.

The first few days are pretty simple in terms of what to eat, and don't seem too weird (just wait until later in the week...).

Today is fruits only (NO BANANAS).  One of the websites I found recommends lots of melon on the first day because of the water content, but it doesn't really make sense to me because of the high sugar content.  You decide I suppose.  Unlimited fruit intake, except bananas of course. 

Because fruit is unlimited, I didn't have much trouble staying full, however, there were some moments of hunger if I had underestimated how much would make a good meal. Basically I should have had better snacks.

Tomorrow is all veggies... I'm guessing it will be harder because I don't find veggies by themselves to be as tasty as fruit alone. I have all of my meals prepped though, and I'm ready for it!

Corrie seems to have done well today too. One day down!

Quick update

As you probably know by now, my elbow is no longer thought to be fractured, but it is sprained (read, I'm still dealing with pain, boo).

I can't complain too much though, at least I have my arm back, limited use, but I have my arm.

Next week I'm trying a cleanse that Corrie wants to do. We are going to be each other's long distance support system. I plan to blog about it throughout the week, so I'll go into details then. 7 days... Ahhhhhh!

My weight has continued to creep up, and I'm a little nervous to weigh in Monday morning before we start. I'm not sure what I need to do to get my head back in it, but something has got to change so I can get this weight off. I know that I won't give up though, and even signed up for a weight loss coach through work.