Happy Reformation Day, and weight loss photos

Calories eaten yesterday: 1321
Fat: 34g (24%)
Carbs: 103g (33%)
Protein: 136g (43%)

Weight this morning: 132.2 (One week ago: 132.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 100

I was real happy with my weight this morning until I saw that it was exactly the same as a week ago. :-p The bloat is going down a little though, so I am feeling a bit better about myself. It's still there, but not as bad as it was.

I had no money for groceries so I slept in today. I did need salad and cottage cheese though so I stopped at Pac N Save on my walk to work from the train and used my last $3 on salad and raided the quarter jar (need quarters for laundry) for $5 for the cottage cheese.

Back to the gym tomorrow.

Speaking of weight loss I've been putting together some before and after photos of my weight. Today I spotted the Polaroid of me taken right after I started working out. Other than my eyes being closed it's a good shot and really shows how heavy I was. So I took a picture of it. Here are two sets of befores and afters I put together. The "photo of the photo" is the first picture in the second set. Click the photos for a larger size.


August 9, 2003 - around 200 pounds and still gaining
September 7, 2007 - 132.4 pounds


February 24, 2004 (about 206)
August 1, 2007 (about 140)
I went from size 16W (like an 18) to size 8.
Since this is a Christian blog, instead of celebrating Halloween today, I'm celebrating Reformation Day. Wikipedia has this to say about it:

On this day in 1517, Martin Luther posted a proposal at the doors of a church in Wittenberg, Germany to debate the doctrine and practice of indulgences. This proposal is popularly known as the 95 Theses, which he nailed to the Castle Church doors. This was not an act of defiance or provocation as is sometimes thought...Also, the theses were written in Latin, the language of the church, and not in the vernacular.

Read the whole entry.

English translation of the 95 Theses and photo of original.

All I am doing for Halloween is wearing bunny ears, and of course I'm working.

We had an earthquake yesterday! It happened at 8:04 pm. I felt it and it lasted a really long time - it just rolled and rolled, not too much shaking. Here's the details from the USGS site. It reminded me of the Loma Prieta quake in 1989 except a much smaller magnitude. 5.6 is considered "moderate." The epicenter is a bit south from me and happened on the Calaveras fault.

I want to see the new movie Into the Wild! It's based on the book of the same name by Jon Krakauer. I loved the book (I highly recommend reading it!) so I definitely want to see the movie. Don't know if I will be able to see it in the theaters or not, but if not I will definitely catch it on Pay Per View.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem, Christian, movies, earthquake, Atkins

Week 34, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1246
Fat: 39g (29%)
Carbs: 99g (33%)
Protein: 117g (38%)

Weight this morning: 133.8 (One week ago: 132.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 205

Well, it's official. I am a fat pig. I am really depressed about my weight gain which is all in my tummy. I don't know why because I am eating so little already. I used to gain at 1600 calories a day and now I am gaining at 1400! I weigh 140 and work out 6 days a week. How can I gain at just 1400?!? :( So I'm trying to cut back again.

I've also read that BCAAs cause an insulin spike. Last Saturday I ate a 100 Calorie Pack and charted my blood sugar. This Saturday I will start the day with my protein shake and see how that effects my blood sugar. My protein shake has whey protein (naturally high in BCAAs), plus I toss in some BCAA powder.

I want just enough of an insulin spike after my workout to shuttle the protein to the cells, but not so much that it causes fat storage.

I think I'll vary my breakfasts just in case the soy protein in the NS eggs is causing me problems. I could also have 1 cup of cottage cheese (180 calories), french toast - low carb bread dipped in three egg whites - Walden Farms syrup, and a 1/2 cup cottage cheese (220 calories), or cook my own eggs (1 whole egg and 3 whites) with a 1/2 cup cottage cheese (230 calories).

I asked on the Alli board yesterday if Alli can cause abdominal bloating but they said that was not a side effect, so the search goes on.

My usual week is something like this:
Sunday - 1 hour of weights, upper body; 30 minutes cardio
Monday - 1.5 mile walk (about 30 minutes)
Tuesday - 1 hour of weights, lower body; 30 minutes cardio
Wednesday - 1.5 mile walk (same as Monday)
Thursday - 1 hour weights, upper body; 30 minutes cardio
Friday - 4-6 mile walk with friend (1 1/2 to 2 hours)
Saturday - rest day

On a good week I can keep to the schedule, but sometimes things interfere, but I do usually make it to the gym three days a week and walk 3 days a week.

My weight training is pyramids - 1 set 10-12 reps, raise weight and do 8-10 reps, raise weight again and do 6-8 reps.

Today was Tuesday so I did lower body followed by 30 minutes of cardio. I chose the rowing machine and lasted 23 minutes on it. I finished out the 1/2 hour with 7 minutes of fast walking on the treadmill (4.0 mph). I got dressed and had my protein shake and a high-GI carb serving when I got to the train station.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 34, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1319
Fat: 36g (25%)
Carbs: 111g (34%)
Protein: 136g (42%)

Weight this morning: 134.6 (One week ago: 134.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 87

Nothing major going on today. I went into the City, got my P.O. box mail, bought slippers for Mom and Bill for Christmas, then stopped at GNC and bought more whey protein (another 6 lb. jar since it was still on sale). This time I got Chocolate Caramel.

I also bought a new shaker cup for my protein shake. This one has a compartment in the bottom to keep my protein powder in! It's perfect! I've been bringing my powder to the gym in a separate container. It's also a smaller cup - only 12 oz. Hope it is big enough to hold my shake. My old cup was wearing out and showing signs of mold in some of the corners that are hard for the sponge to reach. Out with the old, and in with the new. I'll give the cup a trial run tomorrow at the gym and see if it works.

Sigh - Christmas presents. I hate the commercialism of Christmas and the whole present thing. It puts such a strain on my finances, and my finances are already strained from buying so much protein powder lately because it was on sale. So I'm stocked up on protein powder, but broke. :(

I'm so hungry today, but I must eat less if I want to lose weight. :(

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 33 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1)
Total loss: -16.2

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.
Calories eaten Thursday: 1485
Fat: 30g (19%)
Carbs: 129g (35%)
Protein: 137g (37%)
Weight Thursday morning: 131.8 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 243

Calories eaten Friday: 1447
Fat: 35g (22%)
Carbs: 86g (24%)
Protein: 141g (40%)
Weight Friday morning: 132.2 (One week ago: 132.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 286

Weight Saturday morning: 134.2 (One week ago: 133.2)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories burned in exercise today: 262

Crap. How did I gain a pound?!? Gotta get serious and eat less. I swear I have no metabolism. It was probably the Dreamfield's pasta at lunch and way too much wine (four glasses total all day). I also ate three 100 Calorie Packs yesterday - way too many high-GI carbs.

Brad and I were going to go hiking in Tilden Park on Friday, but his relief was an hour late showing up. By that time I had already decided to walk the lake on my own since that's easily accessible. I was on my way there when Brad called and said his relief had showed up so we could go walking. I met him at my health club by the lake and then we walked around the lake twice (6 miles). We spent the evening together and then he left for his prayer retreat.

I spent Saturday afternoon alone and decided to take myself out to dinner. I went out to Applebees, but I was good - I had a low-fat and low-carb dinner. Well, okay, I had way too much wine, no less than three glasses. I was having such a good time that I didn't want it to end.

My entree was the Weight Watchers steak and shrimp skewers, and I passed on the Teriaki sauce and subbed the rice for extra broccoli. Diet Pepsi and Merlot to drink. No dessert. I'll post the photo soon but I lightened it a bit too much and need to darken it a little before I post it. If I'm going to gain anyway I might as well have had the quesadilla burger! I skewers were really good and very healthy. I think I will have to have that again.

I took the Alli again on Saturday with the peanuts and Cheese-It's. No side effects and hardly any intestinal rumbling. I really wonder if it's blocking anything at all.

Here's some photos I took this weekend. Click any of them to enlarge and get the story behind them.

Thursday


Friday


Saturday



Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, fat, overweight, NutriSystem, weigh-in, Alli

Week 33, Day 5

Calories eaten yesterday: 1316
Fat: 35g (25%)
Carbs: 108g (34%)
Protein: 133g (42%)

Weight this morning: 131.8 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 243

My horror story for the day. I ordered a maintenance order of desserts from NutriSystem on October 10. It shipped out on the 11th, but I never received it. Called UPS; they said it was returned to NS because NS has shipped it to my P.O. box! MY P.O. is for billing, not shipping! NS should know better; they have my shipping address and every other order has been shipped to it. So I had to call and get them to reship it. I am not amused. I think they have monkeys working there instead of humans.

Ok, the good news for the day: I got a compliment at the gym. It was from a girl and it came out of the blue, the way a guy might approach me, so I think she may have been a lesbian admiring me. No biggie there. As long as she doesn't hit on me, I'll take the compliment. :)

Anyway, she passed by me and stopped briefly and said, "I just wanted to say, you look really good. I can tell you've been working out." I love compliments no matter who they come from!

I joined Facebook yesterday. Here's my profile there.

I ran out of ZMA a couple days ago and won't be getting more. I take magnesium supplement on the side anyway.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Soy, sodium, & bloating

Calories eaten yesterday: 1426
Fat: 37g (25%)
Carbs: 105g (31%)
Protein: 142g (42%)

Weight this morning: 132.2 (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise today: 100

As you can see, I've done some fiddling with my blog. I moved the sidebar back to the left side just for a change and added a blog sticker. My sister-in-law has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so it seemed appropriate. One of my aunts died of cancer that started in her breast and spread to her liver. So the sticker seemed like the right thing to do. Click on the sticker to get your own for your blog.

I've got some bloating going on - just minor, but all in my belly as usual. It's either caused by soy or sodium. I've been eating a lot of soy hot dogs, but they are soy protein isolate, the purest kind of soy protein, so they shouldn't cause a problem.

The other possibility is that both the soy and turkey dogs are quite high in sodium. I wonder if my tummy might get flatter if I cut them both out and eat something else for lunch.

I've only had the soy burgers once, so they are not the cause, but they pack a hefty dose of soy protein concentrate, so I think they will have to be very occasional; I suspect I might end up with a problem if I eat too much of the concentrate.

So to recap: soy flour - huge problem for me; soy protein concentrate - possible problem in too high a dose for too long; soy protein isolate - shouldn't cause a problem, but who knows? Even the isolate does have some carbs and soy carbs are the entire problem.

Slept in today. Back to the gym tomorrow. I stayed late last night. Lisa's other job called her last minute so I was here an extra 45+ minutes.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 33, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1235
Fat: 36g (27%)
Carbs: 96g (32%)
Protein: 116g (39%)

Weight this morning: 132.8 (One week ago: 134.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 204

A new low for a Tuesday! I did pound the liquids pretty hard yesterday trying to fill me up so I could spread my food out due to the overtime - which didn't materialize. The days got mixed up. Lisa left me a message about 10 p.m. but I was out of the room and didn't see the flashing message light when I returned. Lisa staying late at her other job (and my overtime) will be next month. I ended up taking my salad home and eating it there.

Anyway, with all the liquids yesterday a new low doesn't surprise me. My overall low to beat is 131.6 which was of course on a Friday.

Last Friday Brad bought me Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes (it was on my wish list). It arrived today. Hopefully it's a good book. If it doesn't bore me I'll post a review. I found a recent Larry King interview with Mr. Taubes and others about the book. Read the transcript. If you want to learn a little more about the book and some of the theories Mr. Taubes proposes, the transcript is a good place to start.

Some good news - Brad says that even though he's going away this weekend that we can still go walking on Friday. Yippy skippy! We'll do Tilden Park assuming the good weather holds.

Did lower body at the gym today. Will do upper body on Thursday.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 33, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1426
Fat: 39g (25%)
Carbs: 109g (32%)
Protein: 144g (41%)

Weight this morning: 134.6 (One week ago: 137.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 87

I'm back to the exact weight I was two weeks ago on Monday - before the binge - so I hope this means the binge damage is undone and my body can get back to losing weight again. I chose to binge, so I'm happy to be back where I was two weeks ago. I had a good time that day; it was worth it. Now I need to lose more weight. Onward and downward (I hope!).

Slept in today. Back to the gym tomorrow. Brad might be going out of town this weekend to get away from the city life and pray, so I will be on my own walking on Friday. I'll either walk the lake or walk on the treadmill at my gym. No Starbucks Saturday morning, and Anita will be my ride to church. Maybe I will walk down to Quinn's for a late lunch/dinner, or go out someplace else since this is a pay week. Or just stay home. I don't know. It will be nice to have a weekend all to myself to do whatever I want, though. :)

Lisa is coming in late tonight because of her other job. She doesn't know how late, but it could be as late as 1:30 a.m. So I need to mete out my food to last through a possible 10+ hour shift instead of my usual 8.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 32 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Total loss: -17.2

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.
Calories eaten Thursday: 1505
Fat: 29g (17%)
Carbs: 122g (33%)
Protein: 141g (38%)
Weight Thursday morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 258

Calories eaten Friday: 1573
Fat: 37g (22%)
Carbs: 84g (22%)
Protein: 144g (38%)
Weight Friday morning: 132.4 (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 263

Weight Saturday morning: 133.2 (One week ago: N/A)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 153

Calories burned in exercise today: 262

Yay! Back to my goal weight again! I didn't think I'd make it! 5.4 pounds up last week, and 5.4 down this week.

Well, I repeated the Alli experiment this Saturday. I took two capsules of it (a prescription strength dose) right before Sabbath School and then ate two mini cups of peanuts and a mini cup of Cheese-It's, both foods high in fat.

The only side effects (and who knows if they were from the Alli?) were a feeling of my intestines rumbling inside me. It didn't hurt or anything; it was just an odd feeling. I also had soft stools, but that could be due to a couple of other factors - the South Beach meal bar I ate yesterday full of malitol, and/or the magnesium I take every day.

So even with double the dose and eating a bunch of fat I still didn't get any of those nasty side effects that get talked about so much. I'll repeat the test again next week, not have a South Beach bar, and not take my magnesium Friday or Saturday night. Is this stuff even blocking anything?

Had a pretty good time this weekend. It wasn't raining when Brad and I began hiking, so we did Huckleberry Park. It began raining just as we finished. We had only hiked for 1 1/4 hours, so we headed over to the East Ridge Trail and just walked along it from the top. It kept starting and stopping light rain so I wore my big yellow raincoat to keep dry. Then we headed home and traded back rubs.

Saturday after church I was feeling guilty for eating so much for breakfast and snack time, so after we got back I suggested we walk to Quinn's Lighthouse and see if it really is the 1.5 miles Mapquest claims, and to see how long it would take to walk it. It was about 30 minutes each way, so we got an hour of walking in on my day off. :)

Today I made it to the gym. I felt kind of spacey, but my Diet Rock Star energy drink took care of that problem. :) I accidentally packed my skinny jeans in my gym bag. It was a bit of a struggle to get them on, but I am wearing them!

Here's the photos I took over the weekend. Click any of them to enlarge.

Friday


Saturday

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, fat, overweight, NutriSystem, weigh-in, Alli

Anniversary of finding Abby

Calories eaten yesterday: 1239
Fat: 33g (24%)
Carbs: 82g (28%)
Protein: 138g (46%)

Weight this morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 258

Today is Abby's anniversary. Five years ago I found her and six kittens living under the house I resided in. I couldn't leave her there with the weather turning and winter coming on. The kittens would surely die. So I trapped them all and brought them in. The kittens are long since gone, but Abby remains, still my little feral girl. The photo on the right is one I took just this morning. Xena and Abby got cat treats for breakfast and will get a can of tuna fish for dinner when I get home. :)

Made it to the gym for an upper body workout. I could see some good definition in my muscles while doing the Arnold Press! Very exciting. :) Thank goodness today is Friday because I am tired!

I have one correction to make about what I said about the Alli message board. It IS possible to access the boards without buying the pills. You have to have a product code to get full access to the site, and that access is only good for the amount of time it should take to finish a bottle, but the message board is accessible without buying the pills to get a code; you just have to register.

Here's the photos of the haircut I got on Monday. Click the thumbnails to enlarge.



Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Anniversary of 1989 earthquake

Calories eaten yesterday: 1435
Fat: 39g (25%)
Carbs: 115g (33%)
Protein: 143g (41%)

Weight this morning: 133 (One week ago: 132)
Calories burned in exercise today: 100

Today is the 18th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. I was in the Bay Area (living in San Mateo at the time) so I remember it well. The photo to the left is the Nimitz Freeway, which collapsed on itself. 42 people died in the free way collapse and total deaths were 62 or 63 depending on the Web site you are looking at. The photo to the left is the Cypress Freeway from the USGS site linked above. You can click the photo for the full size. The magnitude was 6.9 to 7.1 depending on which source you believe.

No gym for me today. It was grocery day. I'm pretty well broke now and still have to afford groceries next week! At least I'm stocked up on paper towels, yogurt, and wine. But I will need to buy salad, veggies, fruit, and cottage cheese next week. And I still need energy drinks and diet soda this week.

My weight is coming down again, but I am hanging out about a pound over where I should be at this time of the week so I guess I gained a pound from my binge.

It's going to continue being cold and rainy until the end of the week, so Brad and I are hoping to walk around the Lafayette Reservoir since it is paved. We can't hike on dirt trails as long as it keeps raining. The forecast is a 50% change of rain on Friday which usually means that it will rain 50% of the day. :-p

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem, earthquake, Loma Prieta

Week 32, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1242
Fat: 34g (26%)
Carbs: 78g (26%)
Protein: 133g (45%)

Weight this morning: 134.8 (One week ago: 133.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 260

Went to the gym and did lower body today. The rainy, overcast weather all week has made motivation hard. I just feel so "blah" all the time. I want my sunshine back, but it is supposed to rain the rest of the week!

Tomorrow is groceries, Thursday upper body at the gym, and Friday I hope to do at least a short walk with Brad, even if it has to be in the rain.

NutriSystem has taught me a lot. I have learned that a low-fat diet is easy to do and can still be tasty. I have learned that low-far does not automatically mean high-carb, so I can eat a controlled-carb diet. Every diet has something to teach us, whether low-carb or low-fat. I can tweak things in whatever way I need to best fit my body and how it works. So a big thank you to Dr. Atkins and NutriSystem for teaching me so much. :)

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

More on Alli

Calories eaten yesterday: 1321
Fat: 34g (22%)
Carbs: 56g (16%)
Protein: 209g (61%)

Weight this morning: 137.8 (One week ago: 134.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 87

Lost a bunch of water weight yesterday. Yay! :) Back to near goal again. Need to keep on pounding the water the rest of the week, though.

First, my life:
I lost the chip on my shoe, the one from Bay To Breakers! Well, the chip is still there, tied through my shoelaces, but the faceplate is gone! I loved that thing; that's why I had it on my shoe all the time. I searched the building but I can't find it and don't know where I lost it. :( I look at my shoe a lot while walking so I probably lost it close by, probably somewhere between WalMart and here. :(

I have decided that I am too old for blue hair to "work" for me anymore. I am letting it fade and when I recolor it will be something from Clairol, lol! In order to get some of the current green color out I had my hair chopped today - a real short bob cut. In order to be able to use my credit card I had to get the shampoo and dry as well so the price would be high enough. The total for shampoo, cut, and blow dry came to $33. I'll have somebody take pics and post them.

Okay, my first report on Alli. I wanted to test out the "treatment effects" it might give me, so I took a mini cup of peanuts (about 3 oz.) home from church on Saturday. Shortly before 8 p.m. I took an Alli pill and ate the peanuts. I waited...and waited...and waited. Nothing happened. Nada. Zip. Zilch. No side effects, no oily discharge. Nothing. I know Alli is half of the prescription strength, so I want to repeat the test using two tablets. That will have to wait at least a week.

I bought some more Alli today - a 120 capsule refill. That should last me a while. The 60 capsule starter pack can be bought off the shelf, but the 90 capsule starter pack and the 120 capsule refill are at the pharmacy counter so I had to ask for it. The woman behind the counter (who was overweight) said it didn't look like I needed it and that I looked good (aw, thanks for the ego boost!). I said I was just trying to get the last five pounds off and she said this would help. The photo above is the starter pack I bought except that I got the 60 capsule and that's the 90 capsule version.

I stuck it in my bag and put the receipt away, intending to walk out without showing my receipt (you have to show your receipt because people will steal things). The alarm went off and I dug out my receipt to the show the lady. She said, "Oh, it's those diet pills." I was so embarrased! I don't mind asking at the pharmacy counter, but the receipt checker doesn't need to know and the alarm going off makes it seem to anybody nearby that I might be trying to steal. So buying it - no problem. Having the alarm go off and having the person checking the receipt know I was buying Alli. Not so good.

By the way, Alli does have an official forum on their Website, but (and that's a BIG "but") you have to register to post and the only way to register is to buy Alli and enter the registration code it comes with. The code is only good for so many days and then you have to buy more Alli and enter another code. I entered both codes from both products I have and have a total of 175 days left. Hopefully I can learn everything I need from the forum during that time.

I understand it's behind the pharmacy counter because you have to be 18 to buy it, but why are the 60 capsule start packs sitting out then? That's just weird.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem, Alli

Week 31 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) (carbed up for the race)
Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4) - Week 13: 142.4 (-0)
Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8) - Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2)
Week 16: 140 (+0.6) - Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8)
Week 18: 139 (-0.2) - Week 19: 138 (-1)
Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6) - Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8)
Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4) - Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6)
Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4) - Week 25: 137.6 (-6)
Week 26: 139.6 (+2) - Week 27: 142 (+2.4)
Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8) - Week 29: 137 (-0.2)
Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2) - Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4)
Total loss: -11.8

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.
Calories eaten Thursday: 1483
Fat: 34g (21%)
Carbs: 108g (30%)
Protein: 138g (38%)
Weight Thursday morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 131.8)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 258

Weight Friday morning: 133 (One week ago: 131.6)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 179

Calories burned in exercise today: 266

I had my binge day on Friday. I had a GREAT time. Oh my gosh it was so much fun! I ate every bad food imaginable in huge quantities. I ate my way all the way to the Red Cross, gave blood (my seventh donation), indulged in the snacks there, walked with Brad in Alameda, then went to Jack in the Box, Applebees, and New Zealander.

Brad and I's walk had to be on pavement because it had poured rain on Thursday night and a good part of Friday. When I gave blood I had a wet sock from stepping in water flowing across the sidewalk. It was a grey and miserable day to be out, but I had fun anyway. The rain stopped in the afternoon so at least we didn't have to walk in the rain.

Anyway, I am back on track today. Doing a fairly strict day of mostly meat. Had eggs for breakfast (1 whole and 3 whites). Went to the gym. After the gym I had the usual - a protein shake and a high-GI carb. For the rest of the day it will be tuna and chicken and that's it.

I'm also pounding the water and diet soda and tea today. Need to flush my system and get of the water weight gain. I am up 5 1/2 pounds!

Back to my regular diet tomorrow with veggies and salads.

This is quite long enough already, so I will give my Alli update tomorrow.

I took no less than 20 photos on Friday. Click any of them to enlarge.

Fast food photos


Giving blood



Walking


Applebees restaurant, where we just had drinks



New Zealander restaurant



Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, fat, overweight, NutriSystem, weigh-in, Red Cross

Week 31, Day 5

Calories eaten yesterday: 1042
Fat: 27g (23%)
Carbs: 72g (28%)
Protein: 122g (47%)

Weight this morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 131.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 258

Crap. I gained 0.6 since yesterday. How did that happen? My numbers are above. I was a good girl.

Went to the gym, but my "get up and go got up and went." I had a hard time lifting and staying focused.

I'm SO hungry today but trying to fight through it until tomorrow when I can eat anything I want in any amount. I'm wearing my thin jeans today but will put them away after doing laundry tonight because I won't be able to fit into them for a week or two.

My appointment to give blood is 2:45 tomorrow, the latest appointment they have. I have to be showered and out of the house shortly after 1. Brad will pick me up about 3:45 and we will go for a short walk. If it's raining we'll walk somewhere paved; otherwise we will hit Huckleberry Park. After walking we will go to Applebees where I plan to have a Mudslide. Then we will go to New Zealander for more drinks and dinner.

Ok, that's it. I'll be back on Sunday with a full report and photos.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 31, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1425
Fat: 38g (24%)
Carbs: 124g (36%)
Protein: 140g (40%)

Weight this morning: 132 (One week ago: 132.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 86

A new low for a Wednesday. Yay!

I am not happy with NutriSystem customer service! I called them last night to place a "Maintenance" order of 28 snacks. I tried to apply some coupons to defray my cost. First they won't give me the $30 Buddy Bucks because I'm not on autoship, but they will give me $25. I say okay. Then they transfer me and it's suddenly $15!!! What gives?!? All I wanted to do was order some snacks! That's it!!! ARGH!

I ask to be transferred back to the first guy. They give me a supervisor and not one of the ones I asked for. She goes to talk with the first guy. She comes back and says it's $15, and the $15 is a "courtesy." Some courtesy! I am SO done with NS! This is the last (partial) order and I am going on my own because I am sick and tired of hearing different stories from different people - sometimes people in the same department! I spent an HOUR on the frigging phone just to order 28 snacks!!! What is wrong with that picture?

Good-bye NS and your "Customer (Dis)service"!

Bought the plane ticket for Seattle yesterday. I fly out Wednesday in the late morning and fly back early Sunday morning. I tried to get a later flight Sunday but the only choices were early morning or late at night. I went with morning because I have to be back at work the next day.

This blog is titled, "Confessions of a Carbohydrate Addict," and I have a non-carb related confession to make. When I am in control of my diet at home with planned menus and everything, I have very little trouble sticking to it. Knowing I have to log what I eat six days a week keeps me away from more than a few bites of the "bad" stuff.

At my sister's house there will be none of that. There will be carbs and there will be fat, especially on Thanksgiving. My sister is mostly a carb addict, but I know there will be plenty of temptations to eat fat and likely more than one meal out.

So I bought diet pills, but not the kind I usually get. This is a kind to keep me honest. Please don't rant or rave at me; I have done my research and reading, including looking through the material that comes with the pills, and watched the online videos on the Web site. I just need something to keep me away from the high-fat stuff when I start thinking, "Oh, a little bit won't hurt. After all, it is vacation." I don't want to go there. This is especially true when I'm at the airport and on my own for food.

So, yes, I bought Alli. I just got the small "starter pack" (60 tablets). When I can plan my own menus I can eat low-fat easily enough. Not so on vacation. I know I need 30g of fat a day (absorbed by my body) for good health. Don't worry about me. I just need something to keep me away from stuff that could trip me up if I give in. I hope the Alli will keep me from giving in so I don't have to deal with the side effects. I'll keep you updated on how I do.

Ok, enough said there.

Went grocery shopping today, then stopped at WalMart on my walk to work to get diet soda. That's when I bought the Alli. Thank God tomorrow is payday. Tomorrow - back to the gym for an upper body workout. My butt is so sore from yesterday's lower body workout!

I didn't mean to write a book so I'll stop now. Feel free to leave a comment if you've made it through this whole post, lol!

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 31, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1302
Fat: 37g (26%)
Carbs: 103g (32%)
Protein: 132g (41%)

Weight this morning: 133.8 (One week ago: 133.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 245

First, to catch up on yesterday I forgot something. An NSV - as I walked from the train station to work a truck passed by and honked at me. :) I guess I look good. It was one of those tractor trailer trucks only without the trailer.

Dad called me last night and it looks like family duties call once again. April wanted me to come see her and new baby and Dad said he will pay for my plane ticket if I fly up the week before Thanksgiving and he and Millie will be there too. We'll have an early Thanksgiving. I have to go. I don't really want to but it's my duty to do so. I just know that I will gain a ton of weight so now I have to stay very focused on loss between now and when I leave. I found some flights (Southwest is cheap). Now I just need to get Dad's credit card number to book it since I don't have a credit card.

My calorie are high today, but will be lower tomorrow. I'm trying a bit of calorie cycling - higher on days I go to the gym and lower on days I don't.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 31, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1377
Fat: 31g (20%)
Carbs: 122g (36%)
Protein: 145g (43%)

Weight this morning: 134.6 (One week ago: 136)
Calories burned in exercise today: 87

A new low for a Monday! Yay!

I looked at myself in the mirror this morning and realized that I actually like what I see. After all the hard work, here I am, with a body that looks pretty darn good. There's always more work to do - there must always be a goal to reach for - but I have made my weight goal and I am happy with how I look. :)

I decided to go ahead with the planned binge on Friday after giving blood. It will not only be a "regular" binge, but a time to celebrate reaching goal. Yeah it will put me above goal come next Sunday's weigh-in, but I'll buckle down and get serious and the weight should come off again. Hopefully I'll be back at goal the Sunday after that.

Friday's plan - Give blood, indulge in the snacks afterwords. Go on a short walk with Brad at Huckleberry Park. It has to be short because after giving blood my energy is low. Go to Applebees for a Mudslide, then over to New Zealander for more drinks and one of their meat pies. I've never had one before because of the carb content. Also have fries and dessert of course. :)

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Goooooooooooal!

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) (carbed up for the race)
Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4) - Week 13: 142.4 (-0)
Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8) - Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2)
Week 16: 140 (+0.6) - Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8)
Week 18: 139 (-0.2) - Week 19: 138 (-1)
Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6) - Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8)
Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4) - Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6)
Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4) - Week 25: 137.6 (-6)
Week 26: 139.6 (+2) - Week 27: 142 (+2.4)
Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8) - Week 29: 137 (-0.2)
Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Total loss: -17.2

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.
Calories eaten Thursday: 1411
Fat: 24g (15%)
Carbs: 107g (31%)
Protein: 143g (41%)
Weight Thursday morning: 131.8 (One week ago: 133.4)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 253

A new low!

Calories eaten Friday: 1487
Fat: 30g (18%)
Carbs: 83g (22%)
Protein: 153g (41%)
Weight Friday morning: 131.6 (One week ago: 132.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 286

Another new low!

Weight Saturday morning: 133.4 (One week ago: 135.8)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories burned in exercise today: 262

Woot! I guess I can call it official since I have come in at or under 137 for two weigh-ins in a row!!! Woohoo!!!

I have been trying to get here for so long; I can't believe I am really here, really at 137. Wow! Thank you Dr. Atkins for getting me off the carbs, and thank you NutriSystem for helping me to eat less!

As for the weekend, Brad said he couldn't afford gas to Huckleberry Park, even though it's not that far. So we drove out to Southshore Center (now called Alameda Towne Center) and then walked almost to the Alameda ferry. It was about 1 hour each way.

Saturday we did communion at my church. Brad didn't come; he had other things to take care of. He came over in the afternoon though and we had dinner - steak and veggies. We still have two steaks left, so that will be one more dinner.

Today I went to the gym and did an upper body workout. I tried to push myself hard because I want to gain muscle.

I was hoping to go into San Francisco tomorrow and check my mail, but it's Columbus Day so the post office will be closed. Guess I will just put it off until next week. We don't get Columbus Day off where I work, so no comp time for me.

And now for some photos I took over the weekend. Click any of them to enlarge.

Friday morning I saw a new low. I lose water weight during the week so I know it's just water loss, but it's still great to see new low weights on the scale.


photos from our Friday walk in Alameda


Me with Cabernet Sauvignon on Saturday night

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, fat, overweight, NutriSystem, weigh-in

The Kimkins controversy

Since this is a low-carb blog I would be remiss without mentioning the current Kimkins controversy. In brief, her unhealthy low-carb, low-fat, extreme low-calorie diet has made people sick, and Kimmer has misrepresented herself - she is in fact a morbidly obese woman.

I never did her diet. At the time she came on the scene I was on Atkins and happy with it. She has no training in the area of nutrition and diet - she is not a doctor, nurse, nutritionist, or dietitian. Thanks, but I'd trust a doctor first and foremost, or at least someone with a modicum of training in some area relating to diet.

There's a ton of links out there. Here's a few to get you started. You should be able to surf around from there and find even more information. Kimkins is the big story in the low-carb community at the moment.

A summary of the controversy from Kimmer's first appearance to now
The private investigator speaks
Jimmy's post - with links to other blog posts by him and his podcast interviews with her

The TV news investigation:
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, low carb, fat, overweight, Kimkins, obese, obesity

Pumpkins

Sent to me via e-mail. Author Unknown.

From one pumpkin to another. A woman was asked by a coworker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"

The coworker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin." God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

This was passed on to me by another pumpkin. Now it's your turn to pass it to other pumpkins.

I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch.

Technorati tagged: Bible, Baptist, God, Jesus, Christ, Christian, Christianity

New low and before & after photos

Calories eaten yesterday: 1236
Fat: 30g (22%)
Carbs: 101g (33%)
Protein: 138g (45%)

Weight this morning: 131.8 (One week ago: 133.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 253

I hit a new low today! Yay! My previous low was 132.2.

Here's some before and after photos. The jeans in the first one are size 20. I was actually a size 18 at the time so these were loose. I was about 200 pounds. The black is deceptively slimming.

The jeans in the second photo are size 8 and my weight was 132.4 (photo taken yesterday).


I want to stay this skinny person! I've lost over 12 inches - more than an entire foot - off my hips! Viva la low-carb!

Made it to the gym today. I did upper body, then 30 minutes of cardio - 10 minutes apiece on three different pieces of equipment. I felt pretty good, like I was really making progress.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Skinny jeans!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1396
Fat: 34g (23%)
Carbs: 110g (33%)
Protein: 145g (43%)

Weight this morning: 132.4 (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise today: 101

A new low for a Wednesday and only 0.2 from my all time low! Yay! :-)

My butt is so sore from yesterday's lower body workout, but I guess that's good, right? ;-)

Had an NSV (non-scale victory) today - I am wearing my skinny jeans! Those low-rise size 8 hip huggers from Old Navy actually fit! They will always be a little tight because my hips are so wide (that endomorph body type again), but I can get into them without tugging and sucking my tummy in. :)

Going to do a bit of calorie cycling today by keeping my calories down. I didn't to the gym today so I don't need the extra. I'll be back around 1400 tomorrow. Of course, Thursdays are always higher because I allow myself a glass of wine. :) I'm having a lower-calorie dinner to keep the calories in check.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem

Week 30, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1399
Fat: 32g (21%)
Carbs: 108g (32%)
Protein: 159g (46%)

Weight this morning: 133.6 (One week ago: 134.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 245

A new low for a Tuesday. Yay! Incidentally, last Tuesday (134.6) was also a new low for a Tuesday. The previous Tuesday low was 134.8 way back on July 24. And now I am finally seeing 134 or less on a Tuesday! Yay me!

Went to the gym and did a lower body workout. This torched my legs pretty bad and I had a difficult time getting through my cardio. I finally settled for 20 minutes on the elliptical and 10 minutes walking at 4.0 mph.

Tomorrow is no gym and perhaps some grocery shopping, then back to the gym for an upper body workout Thursday. Friday Brad and I hope to hit Huckleberry Park since we haven't done it yet. We have driven past it to get to Sibley and Tilden.

Well, I had a 100 Calorie Pack of the Oreos after my workout today. Gosh those things are good, and I know I am doing something good for my body. High GI-carbs after weight training are the one time when "bad carbs" are a good thing. I also get the "good for me" feeling when I snuggle down in bed after eating my nightly 1/2 cup of cottage cheese - cottage cheese is 80% casein protein so it's an amino acid drip for your muscles throughout the night. :)

Oh, I got another compliment at the gym today from one of the men I see there often. As I walked by he said, "Hi Slimmy." I just said hi back and kept on walking, but boy did that boost my ego!

After taking a break from my last round of diet pills I started in on the Lean System 7 (review) bottle this morning. I had some results from it last time. Don't know if it was a fluke or not but I thought I'd give it another try. Hopefully I'll see some good results.

More NutriSystem food reviews:
Sour Cream and Onion Soy Chips snack - These were okay, but I like the Nacho Crisps better. The first ingredient is soy flour, which bloats me, so I will eat just one per week and hope I can get away with that. These were given to me free and not something I would have bought. 100 calories, 10g net carbs, and 9g protein.

White Cheddar Soy Chips snack - Another okay food. A bit bland, and I like the Nacho Crisps better. The first ingredient is soy flour, which bloats me. 110 calories, 11g net carbs, and 9g protein.

Strawberry Toaster Pastry and Apple Toaster Pastry breakfast - The first two ingredients are wheat flour and high fructose corn syrup. Since when is high fructose corn syrup a low-GI ingredient? Since when was 18g of sugar healthy for anybody? These were given to me by someone and are not on the diabetic program that I signed up for. 180 calories, 3.5g fat, 32g carbs, 4g fiber (28g net carbs), 18g sugar, 8g protein.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, NutriSystem, diet pills

Week 30, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1097
Fat: 32g (27%)
Carbs: 86g (32%)
Protein: 107g (40%)
Weight this morning: 136 (One week ago: 136.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 261

My calories were low yesterday, but that's okay. After pigging out on Saturday I just wasn't very hungry. I ended up completely skipping breakfast and since I forgot my salad bowl I took my salad back home and ate it before bed with my Jello and cottage cheese. I was really hungry by then!

Today I am making an effort to eat 1400 calories. A bit scary, but maybe this will help, at least on the days I work out and then maybe fewer calories the days I don't? Calorie-cycling a bit? I had an extra scoop of Muscle Milk Light this afternoon (100 calories) and heated it to make a hot chocolate. It was delish!

Made it to the gym today and will go again tomorrow. I did upper body today and will do lower body tomorrow. I really did need to sleep in Sunday and glad I did.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, overweight, fat, NutriSystem