Day 30: Trans Fats

Good news for the health (and waistline) of America!  The FDA took the first step today towards eliminating trans fats.  Not just letting you know it's bad for you, no, they're trying to get rid of trans fats completely.

The FDA has made a "preliminary determination" that trans fats are no longer "generally recognized as safe. If this is finalized, then trans fats, or partially hydrogenated oils, can no longer be used in food without approval.  Which means ... they cannot legally be sold.

Already trans fats are banned in New York City and a few years ago McDonalds stopped cooking fries in trans fats.  Lots of other companies have pulled the plug on trans fats, but they are still in lots of other food you use every day.

Trans fats are in processed foods like margarine, microwave popcorn, peanut butter, creamer, and even Bisquick!   Trans fats are made when hydrogen is added to liquid oils to make solid fats - it increases the shelf life and flavor of foods.    It makes foods like peanut butter smoother and can be kept on store shelves.

What makes it so bad?  Trans fats can raise the "bad" cholesterol levels and actually lower your "good" cholesterol levels.

What's next?  A 60-day public comment period and hopefully trans fats will soon be off store shelves.

Day 29: Opening Up

I stood up today and announced to my co-workers (well, about 6 of them) that I lost 20 pounds.  I am so happy about the weight loss that I wanted to share it with the world.  However, I then started feeling a bit embarrassed.  Sure, I'm proud.  But does that mean I need to share it with my co-workers.  They probably don't really care - not to say that some do - but really?

This is not to say that I'm cowering in the corner really embarrassed by my statement.  But the question is, why do I feel the need to let everyone know about every single pound I lose.  That's really what this blog is for, to share both my trials and celebrations, so I don't have to stand on the street corner and shout it to anyone who will listen.

I suppose I need to ease up or I will become a total bore.  People will avoid me because all I can talk about is the diet or my craving for 'real' food.  I know I get bored when others drone on and on about the exact same topics - so why do I think I'm unique?

Okay.  Enough.  Time to move on, get off the negative and think about the positive.  Sometimes it's just nice to vent.

Week 4

I have just reached the 20 pound mark!  Yippee!

Today's weigh in:
-3.8 Pounds

Total: 20.3 Pounds

In four weeks I have dropped 20 pounds.  I've never lost weight this quickly.  Granted, it still doesn't feel like it's fast enough!  However, I am not complaining, I am thrilled to reach the 20 pound mark in 28 days.  I am hoping to continue losing around 20 pounds a month, although I'm not sure how realistic that goal really is.  If I continue with an average of 4 pounds a week, I will still lose 50 pounds by the end of the year.  So, that's my goal.  Hopefully I will exceed it, but at least I'm fairly confident it can be reached!

Day 27: Measurements

Starting Weight: 

October 9:  258

Today:  242

Lost:  16

Current Measurements:

Bust:    41.5"    (-2")

Arm:    12.5"    (-1.5")

Waist:  38"       (-1")

Hips:    49.5"    (-.5")

Thigh:   26.75" (-.25")

Neck: 16.25" (new measurement)

Size:  16/18 (still!)

From October 26:

So here is my starting weight:

October 9:  258 Pounds

Here are my current measurements:

Bust:   43 1/2"

Arm:   14"

Waist: 39"

Hips:   50"

Thigh:  27"

Size:  16/18

Day 26: Struggle

If you think a modified fast diet gets easier over time, you'd be very, very wrong.  I think it's getting more difficult as the weeks wear on.  Right now I am struggling lately with cravings for burgers, onion rings, chocolate, etc., etc.

Seriously.  This morning I woke up thinking about food.  The weird thing is ... I'm usually not hungry.  I am just thinking about food constantly.  When this happens I try to drink some water or Crystal Light or eat one of my meal replacements.   

Yesterday I had just finished a bowl of soup and I started thinking about an "In and Out" burger.  It didn't help that one of my co-workers had an "In and Out" bag on his desk.  He was funny, he put his arm around me and said "It just has batteries in it, there's no food".  Uh, Missing. The. Point!  I don't need the food to crave it, just the thought is enough.  I eventually put another bag over the "In and Out" bag so I wouldn't think about it every time I walked by.  Sigh.  Okay, now I want a burger.

This is now such a mental game.  My body is fine.  I have lots of energy (well, enough energy anyway).  I am not hungry, I am not thirsty.   It's all in my mind.  So far I am winning.  I just have to stay strong and remember it will be over in a few months.  So far, so good.  I just keep telling myself one day I will be able to have a burger again.  One day I will have lost all the weight and can eat real food.  In the meantime I will just have to continue dreaming about it.

Day 25: My New Obsession

I am obsessed with Master Chef Junior on Fox.  This show features kids from about 8-13 years old who are the most amazing chefs.  These kids think up dishes and cook the most fabulous foods - something most adults cannot do.

I adore little Alexander.  He's one of the best young chefs and something about him resonates with me.  He was in tears in one episode and it nearly broke my heart.

It's a horrible show to watch when you're on a diet.  Not only can I not eat the amazing dishes these kids are whipping up, I can't eat ANY food.  It sucks.  However, it's not enough to make me stop watching.  It even inspired me to sign up for a cooking class in January.  I hope I've lost enough weight by then to be able to eat some of the food while I'm in the cooking class, otherwise it's going to be tough.  Very tough.

OK, back to watching last night's episode of Master Chef Junior.  I should really be going to the gym right now.  Oh well.

Day 24: Mixing it Up

Tonight I'm enjoying my favorite diet treat, a chocolate diet coke.  I'm drinking it in my new favorite gadget, the Blender Bottle.  These start at about $6.50 and I absolutely love them.  The include a wire-whisk blender ball inside that helps quickly mix up your shakes.  I bought mind on Amazon.com but then found them also at the Vitamin Store on Van Ness in San Francisco.  They were on sale too!

A word of warning though ... don't be dumb like me the first time you use it with a soda.  I know it's obvious, but I apparently wasn't thinking straight.  I poured a Diet Root Beer and some of the Vanilla Meal Replacement into the bottle and started shaking - within a few seconds - POP!  Soda & drink mix everywhere.  Duh, you're not supposed to shake up soda.  From now on a pour about half a can in the bottle with the mix, STIR IT, then add the rest of the soda.