Gym

I am happy to report we went to the gym every day last week.  It felt so good!  I have maintained eating few carbs and little sugar.  My favorite snack right now is carrots with peanut butter.  I was introduced to a delicious protein shake at my sister's house.  It is from Costco.  And SO yummy!  I like to have one either before or after the gym.  I love snacking on raw almonds as well.  And of course, you can never go wrong with a green smoothie.  That is a great meal for me and very satifying.  As far as my weight goes, I have not had a loss in awhile.  But I am ok with that because I am feeling so good right now and that is what's important to me.  I am progressing.  Until this point it has never been the number on the scale.  It has been eating right, excercising and feeling good.  So I am happy about that.  I love fitting into non maternity clothes.  That feels good.  I love the energy I ger from excercising.  That feels good.  This past Wednesday, instead of hitting the gym, Brandon and I snuck in a date. (Thanks Debi).  We went Mountain Biking at Joe Pool Lake.  We took the 3 mile loop, although it felt like 100 miles!  It has been a LONG time since I have been mountain biking and I fell--A LOT and I have the scrape on my chin to prove it.  But in the end, I enjoyed it.  And it was difficult!  Luckily we went before it wa 106 outside!  After that we got to go to the temple.  Perfect day!  Well, that's my update!

Quick Trip

This picture was taken on 8/8.  Not happy with my results yet, but I am feeling a lot better!

Took a quick trip to CA.  I didn't work out while I was there but I am happy to report I stuck to the diet.  I have been off maintenance now for 4 days and putting some carbs and sugars in.  Not a lot though.  Most of them don't sound good anyway.  I have neither lost nor gained any weight since the drops.  I hold steady at 160-161.  I have a good 25 pounds to lose.  I am really happy though that i am dropping pant sizes.  I am back in a 10 in most clothes.  If they are bigger than that I am constantly pulling them up.  That is very rewarding!  Tomorrow it's back to the gym.  High protein, no/low carbs and we will see where I am in a few weeks.  My kiddos start school tomorrow and I am happy to return into a routine.  Gym, couponing and so on.  So here we go!

Gym!

Brandon and I went to the gym. We did some cardio and some weights. That was yesterday. My abs are sore. Yay. Today I swam 15 laps in the pool and did some sit-ups and tomorrow morning Brandon and I are going to get our butts whooped at the spin class. I love how supportive brandon is when it comes to the gym. I know he is happy for me and the weight I have lost but he didn't like the diet. He didn't like to see me "suffer" by not eating my comfort foods.

I notice that I am not craving the carbs anymore. I didn't believe I would ever get to that point. What I do crave are nuts. Yum! And water. And apples. And green smoothies. That's a major improvement! I have not lost or gained any weight since my last day of drops. Well, maybe an ounce here and there but I guess I am unique in not counting every ounce. That's my update...

Whew!

I am so sorry to all of my loyal readers!  I obviously have not posted in awhile because we have not had a computer (since one was stolen and one was crashed.)  We got the crashed on fixed and the stolen one will be replaced tomorrow. ANYWAY-- Here is my update(s):

I completed my 33 days of drops.  My total weight loss was 18 pounds.  And I feel a whole lot lighter!  I have been on maintenance for 6 days now and I am a much happier eater!  I have stuck right with the plan.  I eat my proteins, fruits and veggies and keep out the carbs and sugars.  I have not gained any weight at all and I have not lost any on maintenance.  I have maintained a steady 162 give or take some ounces.  I am appreciating maintenance because I still have to maintain the self control that I have now learned and committed myself to.  As much as a cookie, smore, or brownie sounds yummy, I am able to pass it up and it feels good instead of feeling like torture.  I don't even think of Dr. Pepper anymore.  In fact the other day I was SO thirsty and I went to McDonald's and paid $1 for a huge water.  My kids were so confused.  It was funny.  I knew a little water cup wasn't going to cut the thirst. 
I have LOVED eating avacado, tomato, onion, cilantro and lime as a salad.  It tastes so yummy and smells so yummy.  Sometimes I have added the black beans to it and put the mixture on top of a green salad.  Yum!  I love being able to eat a mixture of veggies instead of one at a time.  And I love eating a few more fruits (ones lighter in sugar). I still mostly eat the strawberries and grapefruit and occasionally I have had some cherries and today I ate some blueberries.  After being on the 500 cal diet, I really have a new appreciation for food.
I feel like I have made a HUGE accomplishment in following through this diet in its entirety.  It has been very hard because of my busy and active lifestyle, but it is the jumpstart I was hoping for.  18 pounds is a huge jumpstart and I am proud of myself.  Brandon and I will begin the gym tomorrow and deinitely on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the spin class.  I have 30 more pounds to lose and plan on eating right and excercising to drop the rest.  Thank you to all of you who have listened to my struggles while doing this.  M, L, S, and D!!  You ladies mean the WORLD to me and I appreciate your support more than you will ever know!  Pictures will be coming soon!!  Oh and the BEST part!  I fit into non-maternity clothes and I am pulling up some of my pants constantly!!  The BEST reward!

Typo

My weight is 165. Not 166 like I posted below

Not sure what day I am on

But I do know I have 7 days left of 500 cal! Hip hip hooray!! I do not like posting with an iPhone. It is very inconvenient but it is allwe have around for now until we get our insurance check to replace our things. Anyway, dont worry, I have not given up on the diet. Bit the closer I am getting to the finish line the harder it has been for me to stay completely disciplined. The great news is that I am down to 166.4! A few more pounds and I am down my 20! Next Wednesday I begin maintenance. That also means I begin the gym! My first day back to the gym will most likely be Thursday 8:30 for spin. Eeeek. That sounds as scary as hcg and 500 calories. Bit it's going to be great. I am feeling better and better every day. And two days ago I started taking vitamin B12 and potassium and I think the B12 is really helping with my energy level and I highly recommend taking them. Well that's all I have to report for now.

Day 23

166.4
Nothing cool to report. Stuck with it today. Just another day done! Total weight loss is 16 lbs.