It's been another fine week on Atkins. I have eaten pizza and sesame chicken, ice cream and hot dogs and yet I continue to make good progress. Giving up Atkins shakes I think has been the difference. So the good news is I am down another 3 pounds this week and lost an inch around my belly. I am getting close to the 320's which is less than when I moved last year. I would love to somehow continue this 3 pounds a week pace but I know it is bound to slow down a bit soon. I just have to steel myself for when that happens because I have to admit, losing 3 pounds a week is fun. In my church we fast once a month and donate the proceeds to the poor and yesterday was fast Sunday which used to be such a labor to get through. Not any more, I made it through with nary a hunger pang. This time around I didn't drink water either, which in the desert, is tough. My rib is finally healing a bit so I am sleeping better at least, although I don't think I will be getting back on my bike any time soon. When I can move my right arm and not feel a pinch I will give it a go. As I get down to new numbers I can't help but think about my big goals. I set a goal to lose 100 pounds my first year which would be June 5th, 2017. So far I have lost 34 pounds on this, the 3 month mark. At this pace I would lose 132 ponds and would only have another 40 or so to go to get where I want. However, I know that my losses will slow down in time so this pace is probably not sustainable. Who knows though, I don't plan to change what I am doing at all so if I keep this up I am confident I will at least hit my goal which is all I ask for. Someone asked me yesterday how long I plan on eating like this and the answer is, for the rest of my life. My metabolism cannot handle eating "normal." In order for me to be healthy I have to eliminate the carbs and eat my veggies and protein. The thing is, I don't bemoan this. I have found so many carb friendly substitutes for everything I eat that I never feel deprived. In fact, in many ways, I eat better and more flavorful foods than I ever did before. There are so many deserts I can have, my sweet tooth is never neglected. One little funny thing that happened. I had a very vivid dream last night that I was with 2 of my good friends at a donut shop and gave in and bought 3 donuts. I ate 1 while I was in the shop and was munching on another on the way out. I could literally taste the donuts in the dream. Suddenly I realized that it was weigh in day and I hadn't stepped on the scale yet so I was really depressed. I was so glad when I woke up and discovered that it was just a dream. I don't think a cheat day here and there is necessarily a bad thing as long as it is few and far in between, but if I am losing regularly I don't want to derail my loss so no cheat days for me until I either hit a plateau, or Thanksgiving, whatever comes first.
Weight - 333 lbs, started 367lbs
Chest - 51 Inches, started 60 inches
Stomach - 54.5 inches, started 64 inches
Waist - 49 inches, started 54 inches
Mid Thigh - 24 inches, started 25 inches
Total pounds lost - 31 lbs, Total inches lost - 24.5 inches
Goal weight - 195, Pounds to go 141 pounds
I have decided that when I do take this blog public I will be doing so to try and help other people starting this journey like myself. I have learned quite a bit already and by the time I get closer to my goal I want to help other people to do what I am doing. I love talking about this with people and helping them find the motivation and energy and recipes to get through this process and, more important, maintain their loss. So if anyone has arrived here already and has questions or concerns about this lifestyle, I am ready and waiting. Just post a comment and I'll answer.
