Stabilization...Day 125

Hit -41.1 lbs. this morning...10.4 lbs. from my goal weight. Must have been yesterday's "raw" lunch. Still reeling from that waste of time and money.

Fear I am heading into perimenopause in earnest. Late night hot flashes are keeping me up...arrghh! And as everyone knows, this princess needs her beauty sleep.

Yet another beautiful day...off to walk the dog and enjoy the sun.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 124

It is a good day...at minus 40.4 lbs. for two days now...exxxx-cellent, Smithers.

Tried the new "raw" restaurant in town (Grezzo)...one wedge salad with eggplant "bacon" and almond paste croutons, as well as one Thai lettuce wrap appy later and I can say with total confidence, I will never darken THAT doorway again! Not only was it expensive ($24 for just the salad and app...at lunchtime, no less), but I was hungry again before I even left the joint! That said, the food isn't bad, it's just not what this protein loving carnivore craves.

I will say, however, the meal certainly did not weigh heavy in my tummy...how could it? If I consumed more than 200 calories between both plates, I'm lucky. My fave snack of a medium sized apple and 1 tbl. of natural peanut butter has more calories, for chrissakes.

Oh, and this slays me...the server says, "Do you like olives?"
Me: "But, of course."
Her: "Great. I have a treat, compliments of the chef, just for you."

She proudly brings me two green, teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy olives on one plate...and a second plate for the pitts, I'm guessing...

Me: "Doh!"

You gotta laugh. Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 121

Actually up 1.7 lbs. this morning...tho I'm not too concerned...I'm feeling very bloated, plus I'm still within my "allowed" two pound flux.

Yes, it's true, I try not to stress if I'm up a little...as long as it's less than two pounds and when I know I haven't strayed to far from my typical diet, it's usually just water weight and comes off the next morning. Even if I've eaten something that is normally taboo, I go right back to my "no whites, no sugars" mantra and again, it comes off within a day or two...for me, this is why weighing in everyday and tracking that number is so important. Not to mention, I'm a bit obsessive compulsive anyway!

I have also decided that I need to also get more aggressive with exercise. 10,000 steps a day is good, but it's time to begin a routine that encompasses toning and strengthening...ick. I abhor exercise. It's not the physical exertion so much as I don't care for sweating (or glistening, as I prefer to call it). No. Sir. I. Don't. Care. For. It. At. All.

Making "Hamburg Soup" today...it's rainy and raw here in New England...a perfect day for hot soup.

It is a very tasty concoction that makes good use of many veggies, but the 1 pound of extra lean hamburger (95% if you can find it) gives it more depth, thus this less than 250 calorie lunch really sticks to the ole ribs.

Anything goes, but I usually make mine with onions, garlic, zucchini, yellow squash, celery, carrots, peas, corn (just a handful of the peas and corn...more for color and texture), black beans, tomato paste (2-3 tbl.), 28 oz. can of tomato puree (no sugar or salt added), 1 quart low or sodium free beef broth (I like Kitchen Basics), 3+ tbl. of assorted italian dried spices (to taste) and 1# very lean hamburger.

In a large dutch oven, over medium high heat, saute onion/garlic until translucent in minimal extra virgin olive oil; add hamburg. Cook until no longer pink. Add dried spices (I like Morton & Bassett's Italian mix, plus I add additional oregano, basil, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.)...the amount is to your own taste, but figure at least a total of 3 tbl. of the the above suggested spices. Cook spices at least 1 minute to release flavor. Add canned puree, broth, remaining veggies and black beans. Bring to a boil, then let simmer 45 mins. Add water (to thin) as needed (again, to your preference), salt and pepper to taste. I serve with a tablespoon of shredded parmesan for extra flavor.

Calories per cup: 225 (add 21 calories for 1 tbl. parmesan)

Well, back to work for this dieting diva!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 118

It is Friday...still lingering at 39.9 lbs. lost...will I ever pass 40?

Can't complain...I've enjoyed champagne almost each day this week, plus I made a sinful pulled pork on Weds. Didn't eat a lot of it, but still...considerably higher fat/cals than my usual "chicken and water!"

Despite my sweetie's desire for Chinese every weekend, I'm putting my foot down. "No!" The sodium and temptation is just too much for this dieting diva. Perhaps Thai will suffice? I'm cool with a Tom Yum soup and some Fresh Rolls...figure friendly and oh-so-yummy!

Not much to share today. Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 116

Down 39.9lbs. today! Wow! Go me!

I continue to avoid sugars and whites, tho not too militant about it. For example, I enjoyed 12 cheese tortellinis over the weekend...with little regain recourse. Tasted good, but sat very heavy in my tummy, so really not worth it. So, loving a rich Italian gravy as I do, it's back to eating it like soup.

Of what do I speak, you ask? Instead of serving sauce and a few meatballs over a huge plate of pasta, I now eat sauce and meats in a bowl, soup style. I get all the flavor without those evil carbs.

Suppose I should start my day.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 109

Just .2 lbs away from hitting a new decade...the 50s, no less. Haven't seen that era in over seven years! Wow!

Feeling a little out of sorts...almost like I'm hungover, but I know that is not it as I haven't been drinking...must be the weather pattern...high and low pressures can wreak havoc with me.

Short update today...when I hit the 50s, my blog will be the first place I come to celebrate.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 107

Boy...HCG...talk about pushing buttons!

Was roaming the web and found an interesting dialogue on Oprah.com...http://www.oprah.com/community/thread/76866...couldn't resist posting to it...here are my two cents...

I did it...once...using the homeopathic drops...started October 1, 2009...finished a 42-day protocol on Nov. 15...down an amazing 25.3 lbs.; 32.75" lost overall (7" in my waist alone). Since finishing, I've slowly and carefully worked in new foods; hang out around 1400 calories a day (as suggested per my BMR) and engage in moderate exercise...10,000 steps a day, minimum. As of today, March 1, 2010, I'm 107 days post HCG and I'm down a total of 34.9 lbs.; 47" overall (9" at the waist to a figure flattering 34.5").

With the exception of a little hand cramping (nothing a multivitamin with potassium or magnesium didn't take care of), I had no obvious side effects. I. Followed. The. Diet Without.

Fail. No cheats, no nothing. Buck up, it's for 42 days, no different than Lent, really (if you're Catholic, you know what I'm talking about).

My biggest realization has been that I. Can. Not. Eat. What. I. Want. Nope. So, I've cut out all whites (sugar, bread, pasta, ice cream, etc.) and I've significantly cut back on drinking...maybe a glass or two of champagne with my sweetie or an occasional martini (the real kind, not one with all sorts of mixers...wicked sugar content in those). Good news is, though, I don't crave the things I used to like...for example, I once loved a good red or white wine...no more. Doesn't even taste pleasant to me. And as for champagne, it must be exceptionally dry.

Here's the real key for me...HCG helped me drop a fair amount of weight quickly...and I needed that for motivation and such. It also helped me drop weight in my fattiest areas...waist (as I mentioned, 9" as of today), thighs (-3" each one), belly (-7.5")...thankfully though, not in my cup size (but I did lose 5.7" in my chest...mostly back flab). But most importantly, HCG has helped me to change my relationship with food.

I count every calorie (the iPhone has great apps for that), track my weight each morning, continue to drink in excess of 1 gallon of H2O everyday (yes, I keep track of every ounce) and I now always choose fresh fruit/veggies, protein or a small amount (5-10) of raw almonds/walnuts as the snack of choice.

Long way of saying, I've realized eating healthy and maintaining a safe weight is a day-to-day effort. So, I'm not saying "never" to foods I once loved, I just say "not today" and move on.

I kept a blog about my efforts (with recipe ideas and such)...I still write in it, but not as frequently...feel free to take a look:

http://JaneDohAndMore.blogspot.com

Good luck, eat and be well!

Jane Doh!