Week 8 - Finally

Finally, after 2 weeks of a complete stop, I followed the advice from the 4-hour People Forum and saw some changes this week. I took out beans from breakfast and second lunch (now calling it snack) and that seems to have kicked things into motion. I was a big hungrier, realized I was going on 1,200-1,400 calories a day, so added 2 TBSP of organic peanut butter before bed.

Good things that came out of this plateau: I stuck to it, even though I didn't want to, and I also gave up sugar in my coffee. I still put cream, after searching found Smith Brother's Farms to be the only one that does not add anything to it.

Work-out wise, I've hurt my back somehow so took it easy this week. The pain is still there, hoping to see my acupuncturist this week.

On to the numbers:
Weight: 206
Waist: 41!!!
Hips: 38 1/2
Chest: 44 1/4"
Arms:

• Left 14 1/4
• Right: 14

Legs:

• Left: 22 1/2"
• Right: 22 3/8"

Now to enjoy cheat day.

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.

Day 1. Sort of.

I am determined to follow this through. Mostly. There are things that are easier to give up than others. Whilst I am ready to adhere to the regimen, there is one issue at play: I like coffee. I have been drinking coffee all my life, since childhood. As a child, I wanted to drink coffee like the grown-ups, and I never had a taste for milk alone. So mom would let me drink coffee with *lots* of milk. And sugar. So yeah, coffee with milk and sugar has been part of my daily routine since I was about three years old. I have tried drinking black coffee, replacing coffee with tea, giving up coffee ... alas, I keep on coming back to it. A few weeks ago I switched to Vanilla Soy milk, and it's been fine. It's just that for now, coffee with vanilla soy milk and sugar will remain as part of my morning ritual. Today was the *soft* start of the diet. It is a holiday weekend, and plans had already been made about tonight's dinner. Skipped the usual bread at breakfast, but we are having risotto with dinner. I also made myself a banana/orange/strawberry smoothie. It'll be a week until I can have one again. Already made the food plan for the week, shopping after dinner.