Musings

I've been pretty bummed about this plateau. For three or four weeks I have seen no change at all in my weight or measurements, to the point where I am now obsessing, which I fear will lead to dropping out of the program.

I do have to say, all things considered I am quite happy with the diet itself - I have more energy, sleep better, and for the first time since I remember I am consuming no sugar. I never thought that would be possible.

Right now, all the adjusting, stop eating this and that (i.e. beans, which are supposed to be ok) has me a little discouraged. I am giving myself 10 weeks - this is week 9 - so we'll see. If nothing major changes, I might go back to the tried and true (for me) method of counting calories.

Which brings me to another point. I used SparkPeople before, and liked it, mostly for the food tracking aspect of it. It's quite illuminating. Well, today, for the first time, I went and loaded the recipes I'm eating this week, and notice that I am going at an incredible caloric deficiency - 1,200 calories a day for a person like me is just not right. At the same time, I don't think I can eat any more than I'm currently eating. Well ... ok, I could eat more, just don't feel like it. Not sure where to add calories, or if it's even necessary.

Week 6. Keeping an Eye.

I am curious to see the weight fluctuations during the week - is the day after a workout the best day to weigh, etc.? SO this week I will keep an daily journal of everything consumed, and will weigh daily. Who knows what I'll discover. Sunday - day after cheat day Weight at waking up: 210 (no change) Breakfast: 2 1/2 eggs (1 1/2 yolks), tomato, onion, mushrooms, black beans, spinach, 3 strips bacon, 1 TBSP cheese (Sunday transition cheat) + coffee, 2 tsp cream, 3 sugars Lunch: coho salmon filet, wilted chard, asparagus *poor planning left me getting out of rehearsal at 9:00 pm, 5 hours after lunch and 45 minutes from home on a Sunday night* Snack: 2 chipotle chicken wraps at McDonalds. I know, I know. Hunger and practicality won out this time. Figured the caloric deficiency would balance it all out. Pre-bed: 1/2 chicken breast, 2 glasses Malbec Let's see how tomorrow goes.

One week.

It has been one week since I started the 4HB program in earnest. The only issue was feeling hungry, however that went away by Wednesday. I find that I am not craving sweets or late night snacks like I usually do, and today - cheat day - I don't have this incredible urge to go out there and eat all this stuff I haven't been eating. Cheat day will be most helpful by making it easy to be at auditions all day eating whatever we are provided and going to dinner with friends.

So, how did it go.

Weight: 220 pounds

Arms
Left: 14"
Right: 13 7/8"

Waist: 42 1/2"

Hip: 38 3/4"

Legs
Left: 22 1/2"
Right: 22 1/2"

Total inches: 154 1/8"

Biggest surprise was the weight. Very happy! Even though I had the sugar in my coffee in the morning and one of my meals included corn this week, I still lost five pounds. I am not sure I'm doing the measuring right, the number is smaller so there you go.

I am inspired to continue even more diligently on week 2.

FJ - Wednesday

As I begin to figure out what to do, I am understanding this blog will serve several purposes:

1. Food Journal. Keeping daily track of the foods I eat, occasional photos, and commentary. Title will start with FJ
2. Progress Tracker. Weekly I will post the results of measurements and weight. Title will start with PT
3. General Thoughts. Comments, opinions, questions, ramblings (and I can ramble.) These will not have a prefix in the title.

So, here goes Food Journal for Wednesday, a lot late. Added a couple of tablespoonfuls of cottage cheese to breakfast. HUGE difference. Cottage cheese is now a staple in my fridge. Lunch and second lunch were the usual pre-made chili and stir fry. I had the stir fry first, thinking it would hold me over better. It did not. I was still quite hungry a mere three hours after lunch. Dinner was not quite foiled, alas my partner made a delicious and thoughtful dinner of chicken, spinach salad, and lentils. The only issue was that the chicken was marinated in part orange juice. I wasn't about to pass on dinner, so a little foil I guess. It was a celebratory night as I was offered a great gig and also my partner's last night home before going away for a week, so Prosecco took the place of the red wine. Not on top of the list, I know, but it is ok.