Hello Everyone,
Just wanted to bring you all up to speed with the on going thoughts in this giant dome I call a head.
First off, I started a new diet that you may have heard of called Nutrisystem. I had never believed in diets before, but Chrystal really needed me to do this with her so I did. I am heavier than I have been in years, and have been a little bummed about it as of late. I have always wanted to get back into the swing of working out, but I work 2nd shift now and it's hard to get up to go.
I have been on Nutrisystem for a whole week now, and this is my first post so i'm slacking apparently. I can't express how terrible this last week has been. I have eaten whatever I have wanted, and as much as I wanted for as long as I can remember. I went from huge meals to a small package to eat and some veggies. I thought that I was going to starve to death at any given time.
That being said, today I weighed in and realized that it works, after losing nearly 6 pounds. This may be worth it after all. :)
Last Wednesday we started this diet, and I was really just being supportive for Chrystal. I went along with the portions and everything else, and starved. The food is wonderful, but just not enough of it. I love the pasta dishes especially, along with the blueberry muffins, scones, and hot dogs. I got to pick what I wanted which made it easier, so I enjoy the food that I'm eating. But like I said, it was hard not to eat 3 and 4 of them at one time!
The week went by like normal weeks and I ate the nutrisystem meal (usually a scone or muffin), along with a boiled egg and some coffee. The lunch time portion would include my meal, along with some salad, veggies, and a fruit. The dinner portion would usually take place late in the evening after band practice, or just regular work in general around 9. I would find myself eating the meal and looking for other things to eat to get me by for the night. I finally decided that I would just lay down and go to bed in order to get some sleep, which could add to my weight loss. This proved to help a little, and I felt like I was not getting as hungry as I was. I had been trying to shrink my stomach a little for the past few months, and not eat as much do to my high tryglycerides that I had found out about months earlier. Along with my naturally high blood pressure, that is not a good combination.
This all came to a head last Saturday, when we decided to go out to eat at Applebee's. I was scared to death to go there, knowing that I wanted boneless buffalo wings, steak, and fatty foods. I wanted all this, but I want Chrystal more. I promised her that I would try, and I would. Upon looking at the menu, I realized that Chrystal had been telling me about this 550 calorie menu that was supposed to be really good. I read the menu over and over again until deciding on the "Signature sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp". We ordered, and I proceeded to wait. My salad came, along with Chrystal's broth that she had ordered. I ate my salad like it was trying to escape from the prison that was my plate. I quickly realized that I wasn't supposed to be eating croutons, even though I had told the server for light light Caesar dressing. This wasn't a good start to my meal, and I was getting anxious that i'd be starving even after eating my entree. Finally after what seemed like hours, the entree came. The meal included a 7 ounce grilled sirloin, topped with succulent shrimp and served with herb potatoes, seasonal vegetables, fresh bruschetta, sliced almonds, and chopped parsley. That sounds great and all, but how would this end? I sliced the steak up into small pieces to match my pieces of potato and vegetable. This proved to be genius, for the flavors together would make a wonderful combo! I was enthralled and overjoyed. I know that enthralled sounds like a big word for a small steak, but damnit.....that was good. I had worked at Applebee's, and eaten there for 10+ years, but I was fully convinced that that was the best meal I had ever eaten there, and for only 550 calories? WOOT!! I was very pleased with myself, and proceeded to talk about it for the rest of the week.
This brings me to last Sunday. My family had decided to have Thanksgiving dinner early because of some family engagements later in the week. Thanksgiving is like being waterboarded to someone trying to lose weight, and eating smaller portions. I had the idea that I was just going to eat, and try to make up the calories later in the week. Apparently, this wasn't the case. Chrystal assured me that I could just eat slower, and smaller portions wouldn't be such an impact on me. I have my dad to thank for this, but he and I always talk immensely when we get together. This helped me to slow down and savor my food in order to help with digestion and make me feel more full. It worked. I realized after I had taken seconds that I was full, and I put back what I had taken. All in all, I only took around a cup of each item. Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, butter noodles, and finished it off with a 2"x2" slice of apple sheet pie. All in all, it was one of the best Thanksgiving dinners I've had of late. My mom had kind of taken over the duties now that my grandmother has made the transition to later stage Alzheimer's.
I have to say that I am very proud of myself for what I had accomplished this week. I was astonished when I stepped on the scale this morning in the buff to weigh myself. I looked down, and it was nearly a 6 pound difference. I was convinced I had gained weight this week with the eating out and such, but no, I hadn't.
In closing, I just wanted to say that I am looking forward to this diet now. I take it as a personal challenge for myself in eating less and making the best of it. If that is what it takes to get me down to 205 again, then so be it.
That'll be all.
