fit4amyjo

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything. Nothing has been wrong. One of the reasons is in this picture, I’m raising two abandoned kittens. 

The good news is that I’m starting transition from my fast. As a recap, I’ve just completed a 12 week fast. I consumed 5 supplements a day for a total of 800 calories. This was all done under doctor supervision - bloodwork every other week, blood pressure every week, see the doctor every other week. I was really successful at the fast. I lost 51 pounds.

During transition, I’ll slowly incorporate food back into my routine. The first week is fairly simple. I’ll have one meal a day and four supplements. The meal is restricted to 4 oz chicken or fish and 1/2 cup green beans or carrots. The thought is that you have to get used to eating again without shocking your system. Also, I’m trying to break bad habits that I had before with eating.

My goal during transition is to keep a detailed food diary. I kept a food diary in the past, but I didn’t record calories. I think recording calories will help me get the numbers ingrained. Hopefully, as time goes on, I won’t have to be nearly as diligent with the diary, but the work I put in now will pay off as I’ll have numbers in my head and be able to make better choices.

I’m glad to be off the fast. A lot of people in the group are nervous about going back to food, but I know that I can’t use the supplements forever. It was a great jumpstart. Now I have to form better habits and make better choices with food. This is key.

I got two new buddies today! I love it. It made me smile to see the requests. This is a great community. I appreciate everyone’s openness and honesty. It’s really brave to share such deep feelings and insecurities, triumphs and setbacks. I hope you all know how amazing you are.

I haven’t blogged in a week. It’s been busy. I weighed in yesterday and totally forgot to record it. I lost another 5 1/2 pounds. I’m down 26 pounds at this point. My goal is to be down 40 by the end of the fast. Today was the start of week 6 of 12 of my fast. I feel pretty confident that I’m going to make my goal. I was worried that the fast would be harder the second time around, but this is something I really want. I’m driven.

The only thing I’m a little disappointed about is that I still haven’t totally kicked into the exercising yet. I feel great - I’m not as tired as I was. Unfortunately, my back has really been bothering me. I saw the doctor who oversees my fast last night. He suggested that I check with my back doctor for some medicine to help manage the pain. I’ve been reluctant to do that because I hate taking medication, but if it will help me get back into the swing of things with exercising, I should do it. We’ll see. I may be able to manage it just with aspirin. That’s what I would prefer to do.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Well, technically, I’m dog sitting, but it’s still away from my place. It’s always nice to get away. Another great thing about being at my friends’ house is the fact that they have a treadmill in their bedroom! I can roll out of bed and onto the treadmill. I’m only going to be here over the weekend, but maybe this is just the kick start I needed. I know that once I get going I’ll be fine. I’ve gotta get over that wall the first time.

 They also have a Wii. I’m going to be wearing out the bowling and boxing game! The boxing game is tough. Your arms get really tired, but it’s fun. While I know it isn’t a lot of exercise, it’s better than sitting on your butt and playing a video game.

This comes at a great time. I had a stressful week at work. I get frustrated by the attitudes of some people, and I can’t understand why people just can’t do their jobs! Sometimes I feel that if I don’t do it, it won’t get done. I have to be able to step back and breathe. I know exercising will help that too. A couple of years ago when I was really into exercising I felt good, and the stress didn’t get to me as much. Now, it’s harder for me to stop dwelling on things. I have been sleeping less and less. I’ve never been a good sleeper, but it seems a lot worse lately. I just lie in bed thinking about things I need to do. Blah!

I did try to turn things around at the end of the day though. I sent out recognition emails to a bunch of co-workers. I know how much I like to get a little acknowledgement, and I really did appreciate what they had done. I hope it made their day a little brighter, and it actually made me feel good too - as Joey Tribiani said - there is no selfless good deed.

I had my weigh in tonight. I lost 5 1/2 pounds. I’m feeling so much better. My only problem is that I haven’t started exercising yet. I know I need to get in the gym. I’m just having major procrastination issues. My back has really been hurting lately, and I’m using that as an excuse. All the while, I know that working out will help my back.

Our topic tonight was strength training, but the facilitator asked an interesting question - what animal best represents you as far as exercise goes? I thought about it, and I decided that I was most like my cat, Binford. Most of the day, he lazes around, but sometimes, for no apparent reason, he’ll zoom around the house. He climbs the wall, leaps 5 feet from one piece of furniture to the other, and just like that, it’s over. He’s snoozing again. That’s me. I get bursts of energy and start doing something, but all too soon I’m back on the couch watching TV. I need a new animal role model!

 What animal are you?

“Oh my god! I could never do what you’re doing!”

 ”I don’t know how you do that!”

When people know you’re fasting, those are the things you hear. I don’t mind it. Actually, I find fasting much easier than eating. You don’t have to make any choices. There’s nothing to think about.

Unfortunately, when you’re fasting, people don’t want to invite you to dinner because they’re scared to eat in front of you. Tonight I went to dinner with a friend. After we got through the initial discussion - “do you want to grab din-oh I’m sorry. You probably don’t want to because you can’t eat.” “No, it’s fine. It doesn’t bother me.” “Ok, let’s go.” I really enjoyed it. So much of our socialization occurs over food, but I don’t have to eat to enjoy the conversation.

I went to a dinner theater Saturday night (sans dinner) and had a great time! I just need to get out more. I’ve been too much of a hermit for the past couple of years. It feels good to get back into the swing of things.

Tomorrow is weigh in. I always look forward to it. It’s really gratifying to see the results. I jump on the scale every other day at home (yes I know that’s a bad thing), but this is the “official” record.

This is my first blog entry. Actually, this is my first blog entry ever.

 Losing weight is soo hard! I’m back on the same program I tried back in 2005. It’s a 12 week fast using Optifast. It worked really well for me before. Unfortunately, I let drama derail me. I had lost 80 pounds when I left the program, and here it is 3 years later and I’m back where I started. I felt so good. I was wearing a size (got down to a 20!) that I can’t ever remember wearing.

 I’m determined to stay on track this time. Luckily the program I’m with offers ongoing maintenance after you’re off the fast. I know that’s key. Accountability is key. My parents have been doing Weight Watchers for several years, and what they have done is amazing. I know part of what makes them successful is the knowledge they have to weigh in every week. I need that accountability too. I have an amazing capacity for rationalization and procrastination.

We’ll see what happens!