Monday, April 29, 2013

GM Cleanse Day 2

Day 2 of the Diet has arrived. After doing a little more research, the cleanse we're trying is the GM Diet, developed by General Motors to help their middle aged employees begin to lose weight in a healthy way.

The first day wasn't too bad. I've currently got a pretty terrible cold; body aches, chills, etc...So, maybe I would feel worse on the diet if I wasn't already so sick I've also had a tremendous headache, but I'm not sure if that's the cleanse and caffeine withdraw or the illness since I had a headache most of the weekend before the cleanse. Kyle says he's been pretty hungry, but so far holding strong! This morning I had already lost 4 lbs and Kyle had lost 3! We also broke down and made the Wonder Soup we're allowed to eat every day. The recipe is something like 6 onions, a whole bunch of celery, tomatoes, green peppers, and we threw in some mushrooms, combined with water and Lipton soup packets. The broth is really tasty, but the rest of it is pretty overwhelming, but at least we're able to eat something a little bit substantial.

Today is all veggies plus more soup if we want. So far today I started off the day with a baked potato and a little butter (That's what it says to do) and I've eaten baby carrots and a freezer package of corn....Maybe I should go for something green and leafy this evening. Kyle on the other hand packed himself a delicious looking lunch of lettuce, avocado, sweet peppers, carrots, and pico de gallo! I should have had him pack some stuff for me too, but since I stayed home sick, I guess I can fend for myself!

So, in summation: So Far, So Good! Hopefully I'll get over this cold soon, at least all the vitamins in the veggies should be helping! We're also taking our gummy vitamins :) I consider them a little treat, and it's really hard to just eat the serving of two. I'll let you know how the rest of today and tomorrow goes! But I'm pretty pleased with 4 lbs down, oh and I also need to drink some more water, but we made a pretty delicious apple cinnamon flavored water, so it's helping with the 10 glasses a day!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Beginning Photo


Beginning Again....Weight Loss Journey attempt number...

My husband, Kyle, and I are trying, for the umpteenth time to lose weight. Just a quick background about our struggles...We were both at our adult skinniest (post college) in the Winter 2009/Spring 2010 when we started dating. My  weight loss that time was because of several months of being on the appetite suppressant Phentermine, and dating a terrible boyfriend who had me so upset that I rarely ate at all, so I dropped from 260 to 220. 

Kyle's weight loss was the result of being introduced to urging (using the rowing machine) at the gym with his co worker, and being unemployed, so subsisting on what he called "poverty stew" which consisted of large amounts of rice and beans, and very little beef. He got down to 240.  Together, we looked pretty good, because we're both fairly tall...I'm 5'11 and he's 6'. 

After dating, like apparently most couples do, we began to put on weight, and a lot of weight. We got married and I weighed 240 and he 260 in December of 2010. We consistently stayed about twenty pounds apart, but continued to gain weight. Over the 2 & 1/2 years we've been married, our weight has ballooned up. Today, I weighed in at 275 and Kyle weighs 335! Yikes! Our attempts to lose weight over the years have included a pretty much neglected gym membership, Kyle signing up but not training for several mini marathons (in which he manages to finish anyway!) and using spark people.com to track calories and plan healthy menus. It's not that these things don't work, and we start out successful, but unfortunately we lack any real stick-to-it-ness. So, I get down to about 263-265, and then just bounce back up the other way. 

So, you might ask why don't I just exercise? One, I'm discovering I'm pretty lazy with no one to push me...and Kyle pushing me doesn't always turn out so well ;) I really need a stranger or authority figure to get me into gear, and since I'm not afraid to lash out at Kyle (like I am to grumble to other people), I'm not properly motivated. And number 2, my health is appalling for a 27 year old. I can contribute my high cholesterol to family history (even my very healthy 29 yr. old sister has high cholesterol, along with my parents, and grand parents), and my high blood pressure to my obesity. However, for the past four years I've been dealing with un-diagnosed severe joint pain, which has stumped my doctor, the physical therapist, and the rheumatologist. Most days, I have a hard time walking when I finish my 8 hours on my feet as a pharmacy tech. I've also got a slipped disc, numb/tingly toes, and chronic nausea...all of which have stumped medical professionals...so needless to say, working out isn't on a high list of priorities. But, don't give up hope on me! I'm trying to be more active, and I'm also continuing to pursue the causes of all this medical nonsense.

So, that brings us up to speed to today! Which is the start of yet another effort! (Especially because I'm in my little sister's wedding on July 20th). Today we're starting a 7 day fruit and veggie cleanse (mostly because the thought of doing a liquid cleanse and not eating at )all is so sad! We love our food, clearly), which Pinterest has assured us will help us loose 10-17 lbs.

And after that, we're going to continue cooking at home and making healthy recipes. We had been doing fairly well at home eating until we went on vacation in early April, and we've been binge eating out since we came back, so time to get back to it. 

So, the point of this blog? Well, I feel that having an internet audience (maybe) might hold me a little bit more accountable! Also, just writing it down will help me reflect on my decisions, and hopefully make the right ones! We are determined to do it this time. My goal weight is 195, and Kyle's is 215, which will restore our 20 lbs apart once more! Wish us luck, and I'll keep you updated on our weight loss, attitude, energy level, etc...