Day 98: The Joy of Nutrition Bars

I have discovered something lovely.  The nutrition bar.   Just about every "modified fast" diet plan has their version.  This week I asked if I could get on the bar bandwagon and I bought a box of "chocolate". Compared to real chocolate bars, these are complete crap.  However, compared to what I've been eating the past few months - these are freakin' awesome!

Mmmm, chocolate.

The key to adding the bars to the fast is moderation.  They're a nice way to get added fiber and to give yourself something to actually chew.  Ah, how I miss the chewing!  They're also pretty high in calories.  It depends on what you're using, but most are around 150-170 calories.  Significantly more than one of the packets of shake or soup mix.

I've been rationing the bars throughout the day.  I usually break off 1/3 or 1/2 of the bar and eat it when I get hungry and want something yummy.  I then eat the rest at the end of the day.  It really just depends on my mood.  The bars are also excellent when you're traveling and want something quick and easy to fix.  It's a lot easier to eat a nutrition bar instead of mixing up some soup or the Nacho Cheese Pasta!

Oh and let's be clear these are nutrition bars.  I had to laugh during group this week.  One of the other dieters kept referring to them as "candy" bars.  Every time he did, the group leader would correct him and say "nutrition", but he just kept right on calling them "candy" bars.  She pointed out the importance of not thinking of them as candy bars and thinking of them as a separate food/meal.

Week Fourteen

Today's Weigh in:

-3.2 pounds

Total Lost:
48.8

Current Weight:
209.4

What a week!

I hit another milestone, of sorts, today.  I now weigh less than 210 pounds!!   AND I'm only 1.2 pounds away from the 50 pound mark.    All in just 14 weeks.   Awesome!

Day 95: One of Those Days

I'm having one of those days, you know, the days where you are hungry.  All. The. Time.  I have eaten more than I usually have by this time of day, and I am still hungry!

Here's what my day has looked like so far:

Breakfast:

• Hot Cocoa w/ Coffee: 75 Calories
• Egg Subsitute w/ Chicken Soup Mix: 155 Calories

Lunch:

• Homestyle Chicken Soup: 70 Calories
• OptiFast Bar: 170 Calories

Dinner:

• Nacho Cheese Pasta: 260 Calories

Oh ... and about a gallon or two of water!  For a grand total of 730 calories.  And, I am still HUNGRY! I have at least four more hours until bedtime and I am almost out of calories for the day.  I really wish I knew what caused the body to be hungrier than usual.  It would really solve a lot of problems.  Even now, I could still eat something.  I am going to fight the hunger though ... and wait until I get home to have my second cup of cocoa.   Grrrr.

Day 94: Contemplation

I am considering a change to my diet.  I haven't made up my mind yet, but I am thinking about what I will do once I drop below 200 pounds.  I'm pretty close, less than 13 pounds away.

I wonder what would happen to my diet if I allowed myself to eat regular food just once a week?  Could I still stick with the diet, or would it make me hungrier than usual and eventually be my downfall?

I would sure be nice to be able to go out to dinner with a friend.  It might also help fight this intense feeling of deprivation I have been battling for weeks now.  Hmmm.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but this might be a way to stick with the diet, but still allow myself to have a bit of a life.

Food for thought, anyway.  (Pun intended!)

Day 93: More to Lose

It's so nice to hear people tell me how great I look.   However, I always laugh when I tell people I still have about 35-40 pounds left to lose and they say "No, that's not possible, where is it going to come from?".  I'm sure it's just something they feel they have to say, but it's still amusing, 'cause I still have a lot to lose!

Right now I weigh around 212 pounds.  By all the medical charts I am out of the "Obese" category, but I am still very much in the "Overweight" range.  My BMI (Body Mass Index) is 29.6.  Anything over 30 is considered obese.

My ideal body weight ranges from 155-189 depending on which calculator you use or which doctor you talk to.  I am aiming for somewhere in the middle ... 170 pounds.  Frankly, I will be thrilled to get below 200 pounds.  I haven't been below 200 in a decade!

Bottom line, I look much better, but I am still overweight.  I wear a size 14.  Which is kind of depressing in a sense.  I've lost 45 pounds and only two dress sizes.  While I realize that is only a technicality ... there is a big difference between a Women's Size 18 ... where I began ... and a Missy 18.  It still seems odd to be (in numbers only) wearing a 14 now.  To clarify my point, Women's plus sizes are cut VERY generously.  I work a Women's 18 (sometimes even a 20) while I couldn't even zip up a Missy 20 when I began.  I am now a Missy 14.  I was planning on waiting until I got to my goal weight to buy new clothes, but I've had to cave in ... when I can easily pull my (buttoned!) jeans off over my booty, it's time for some new pants!

I have no end-game for sizes.  I am not desperate to be a size 8 or 6.  I just want to look and feel good.  If I'm wearing a 10 or 12, so be it.  Sizes aren't really worth much anymore.  Some brands make clothes bigger to make us women feel better while we're trying them on (check out Eileen Fisher, I am a medium in her clothes!) while others make clothes so small hardly anyone can fit into a large (yes, Abercrombie & Fitch, I am talking about you!).

Day 92: A Good Read

I always thought I’d be fat, interesting article on Salon.com about one man's weight loss journey.  Check it out.

Day 91: Three months already?!?

As I'm sitting down to write this blog post today I realized I have reached 91 days.  Amazing!  It's hard to believe I've been on this diet for 91 days.  A full 3-months.  I am very close reaching 100 days!  Some members of my group have decided they are going to stick with the plan until the 100 day mark.  I will continue past that point, but I'm not sure how much further I can go.

Below is a picture of me now, 45 1/2 pounds lighter.  (You'd think my selfie skills would have improved by now.)

January 8, 2014

It's interesting where I have lost the most weight.  A significant amount is in my upper body.  You can really see it in my face and neck.

January 8, 2014

Here are the latest stats:

Bust: 4"
Waist: 5"
Hips: 4"
Arm: 2"
Thigh: 1.5"

It all began on October 8th, 2013.  That's where I learned about this crazy 800 calorie a day diet that could help me get back to my fighting weight ... and I said "Count me in!".

October 8, 2013

I still have quite a way to go, but I am more than halfway to my goal weight of 170 pounds.  That's 42(ish) more pounds to go.  At this rate I should reach 170 sometime in March, if I make it that far.
This is a grueling diet.  It's certainly makes for quick weight loss, but it consumes your life.  I feel like everything revolves around my diet right now.  My friends and family have even been forced to adjust their eating around me and what I can and cannot eat.
I plan to stick with it through the end of February, at least.  Stick with me and see what happens!