month two check-in

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2006
month two check-in
6
Fri, 10-06-2006 - 2:49am

I seem to have found a method that's working for me. I'm down 25 pounds since I started, so my clothes are fitting better (some pants are actually too big) and people are starting to notice.

I'm not a strict SBD'er. I'm treating it kind of like a job, and taking time off when I need to. Usually weekends. It's another philosophy of "dieting" that I read, and it makes sense for me. If I think that I can never have a baked potato again, I'm much more likely to go get one *right now* out of spite. But if I think I can have one any time I want one, I won't eat one because there's always tomorrow. "The Cheater's Diet" suggests taking time off, like weekends and holidays, to maintain stamina. I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone, but I'm still dropping the weight so I'll just keep on doing what I'm doing for now.

SBD is the best WOE I've found, though, and I'm glad that it's working. I've never stuck with something this long since I starved myself to fit into my prom dress 15 years ago. It really helps when people start to notice, and when my husband gives me *that* look.

PMS craving still kick my rear, though. This has been a week of chili cheese fries, hamburgers, and klondike bars. I'll be shocked if I even maintain. But it's a long journey, and I'm willing to make the sacrifice of a few pounds if it keeps me from ripping someone's head off. ;-)

So, what's with these restaurants that won't substitute fries for a healthy choice? I ordered from BJ's Pizza today - I actually made good choices despite the lure of super-yummy pizza - and asked them if I could get fruit instead of fries. They said I could have a potato, fries, or rice. I asked if there was a non-starch option, they said "No, that's all we have." Lonestar Steakhouse was like that too. I ended up getting the potato and tossing it. What a waste. I'd've been happy with a few slices of tomato, or an orange wedge, but they didn't even have those options.

~ Jessica


visit my family blog at: lifeinthefunzone.blogspot.co

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2005
Fri, 10-06-2006 - 6:45am

Great post - thanks for the update!! I love your philosophy about dieting and I'm happy that it's working so well for you.


A few questions:


When you have "time off", do you find that you have gained a few pounds or does your weight stay the same? If you gain, how do you get those pounds back off? Are you at your goal weight? Do you exercise regularly?


Your experience is inspiring and I am sure others will want more specifics.....thanks for sharing!!!


Hugs,


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Fri, 10-06-2006 - 8:09am

Hi,


Thanks for popping in with an update.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2006
Sun, 10-08-2006 - 8:22pm

I manage to maintain when I take a break, or to gain just a pound or two. I'm in this for a long long time, and I'm willing to lose ground instead of pounds if it makes things easier for me in the long run. I am no where near my goal weight. I'm looking at staying on Phase II for about a year to get there, so small breaks are definitely a must for me. If I think "I'm going to be dieting for the next year" I'll go insane. If I think "This is a new way of eating, and I can take a break from time to time" then I can keep going. I'm looking at the big picture, and my overall goals, instead of worrying too much about the daily grind.

PMS is the worst. We're trying to conceive, too, so it's an emotional time for me, as well as hormonal. When the cravings kick in, I can only fight them so long, or satisfy them with alternatives to a point. But in the long run, I find that I actually stay to the plan better if I let myself outright cheat.

I think it says something to that effect in the book. Dr. Agatson wrote that if you try to "be good" by having low-fat yogurt instead of ice cream, then it's easier to convince yourself that you're not cheating and you're more likely to make worse decisions about what you eat. But if you just come out and say "I'm having ice cream," then you know you're cheating and you're more likely to make better decisions. I'm definitely paraphrasing here, but I think that was the general idea. I find that works for me. One big bad decision vs. lots of little not-so-good decisions, or something like that.

I do not excercise, and I know I should. We're remodelling, and my excercise machine is in the garage for the time being. We need to move it back into the family room, right in front of the tv. My neighborhood isn't the greatest, so walking alone makes me nervous. And I quit the gym, which I loved, because they weren't open late enough. (Is that enough excuses? ;-) I'm losing without excercising right now, at about a pound or two a week. I'll feel better once I start excercising again, and I'm curious to see what it does to my rate of weight loss.

My boss said to me on Friday, "Wow, your pants look like they're really loose." I pulled the waistband away to the side, and showed her that there's about four extra inches in there. "These used to be my tight jeans," I told her. So it's noticeable, which feels nice. I'm not ready to try on my "skinny" jeans (not that I've ever been skinny) just yet, maybe next month. But I'm going to need a belt pretty soon, which is a new experience for me. I'm sleeping better, I'm feeling better, and my clothes are starting to get too big. So I must be doing something right!

~ Jessica


visit my family blog at: lifeinthefunzone.blogspot.co

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2006
Sun, 10-08-2006 - 8:27pm

I'm starting to stay away from restaurants that don't have better choices. Many restaurants have an alternate menu - IHOP even has one, with heart-healthy options that are usually SBD friendly. Mimi's Cafe has a low-fat and a low-carb menu, but it seems to be one or the other, so it's still tough sometimes. Most steak places only have potatoes or rice as sides, but Black Angus has good seasonal veggies from time to time. Most restaurants have the standard broccoli/cauliflower/carrot mix, and I dislike all three of those. Sometimes I can get them to at least give me some sliced tomatoes, but it always feels like a rip-off. And I'm learning to stay away from low-fat dressings, because they seem to be loaded with sugar.

Boston Market has some great selections, though. I think they smother their green beans with butter, though, which defeats the purpose. Their sirloin is good, though, and so is their caesar salad.

I think The Roadhouse has sweet potatoes as their standard side. But they serve it with brown sugar and tons of butter. Which is super yummy, but also defeats the purpose. ;-)

~ Jessica


visit my family blog at: lifeinthefunzone.blogspot.co

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2005
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 7:00am

Thanks for the update - you have a great diet philosophy! Congratulations on your success so far - it's wonderful when people start to notice!!


Continued good luck!!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-09-2006 - 6:36pm
Re: exercise, I hate to be tough about it but I will quote a joke up at curves by a doc, "would you rather find time for 1 hour a day for exercise or time to be dead 24 hours a day? " the other: if you don't have time to exercise you will have to find time later in your life to manage your diseases. exercise is about life not dieting. We are in the haul for total health, right? Leila