Frustration is what happens next

I went to visit my mom this past weekend. I wasn't to worried about being on a low carb diet seeing as she has been on Atkins as well. We ate meat and veggies for lunches and dinners. She made eggs for breakfast with bacon and sausage. There wasn't much I couldn't have. 

We did have a family picnic and people brought low carb choices. It was awesome. I had eggplant that had an egg wash on it but not a ton of flour. I also introduced strawberries back into my diet. I even avoid the New York pastries that looked delicious! 

I thought I was doing well...wrong! I have gained two pounds. (Insert angry face here) I don't understand. 

Of course last night I couldn't deal with work being tough, dance being stressful, and not losing any weight. I had three glasses of wine! It wasn't my best move. I woke up hung over and bloated. 

I am just so frustrated. I keep reading that I was suppose to lose eight pounds in phase one. I lost six. On phase two I should be able to lose one to two pounds with certain fruit and carbs. Why is my weight lose going backwards? 

On top of that my today was long and annoying. Then my gym buddy cancelled on me. Our gym tends to be humid and today was hot. I don't blame her but I can't afford to not go to the gym. So I went by myself. 

Feeling discouraged and disappointed! I'm going back to phase one on Sunday. I think I need to start over. 

What happens next???

My two weeks will be over this evening! I have gone a full two weeks without eating "bad carbs."  Starting tomorrow I will have some freedom. However, I don't want to ruin my progress. 

I think I will start by adding some fruit into my diet. I have been dreaming of a nice fruit salad. I will see how my body reacts and go from there. 

Limited freedom here I come! 

No Sugar Added Ice Cream

No sugar added ice cream...that sounds...delicious!!! 

Last night we made a great dinner for my uncle who was up from Florida. After dinner we decide to adventure into town to the local ice cream shop.  Now I knew I wasn't suppose to eat ice cream but I thought my uncle might enjoy it! When I got there, Ray suggested I look for a sugar free ice cream on the menu. There was exactly one item on the menu...No Sugar Added Chocolate ice cream!!! 

It was a nice treat! If this was two weeks ago I wouldn't have even bother to look for such an item. South beach continues to change me for the better. I'm definitely seeing a noticeable change in my body!!! 

Cheesecake!!!

Yes I said cheesecake! I found a South Beach friendly cheesecake recipe. I was super excited.  It was my first dessert in a long time. 

Recipe 

2 packages fat free cream cheese 

2 eggs 

1 cup Splenda

1 tablespoon vanilla extract 

Sugar free raspberry jam 

Lemon zest (optional) 

Whip cream cheese, eggs, Splenda, and vanilla together. Add some lemon zest for added taste. 

Fill in muffin tins with no wrapper. Make sure to grease pan well. Add a teaspoon of jam on top of each. 

Bake at 350 for 28-35 minutes. 

I didn't add lemon zest and we thought it needed something.  It wasn't bad for a crust less cheesecake! 

Carbs, carbs, everywhere

So I have been noticing lately the amount if carbs I use to consume. I never realized how many different snack foods, lunches, and dinners had carbs in them.  It makes for a small selection of items that I eat at a restaurant or even a quick snack at the pharmacy difficult. 

I feel like carbs have been attacking me. They are everywhere, including in my dreams. I had a dream about eating cake and having a beer! I don't even like cake! Darn carbs! They are really trying to re-enter my life. 

I have been weighing myself daily. I know it's not good. However, it's been motivating. But the last two days I have gone up a pound and stayed there. Not sure why cause I'm eating the same and exercising. I think I'm retaining water. Today's plan remember to drink water! 

Cinnamon chip oatmeal cookies

Today has been so hard! All morning I have been fighting the urge to eat my favorite school breakfast: Cinnamon chip oatmeal cookies! They are so delicious! My student know how much I love them, so they brought me one up from the cafe specially for me. It was so thoughtful, but unknowingly mean! 

I want those cookies!!! Ahhh... 

Ok, I'm done complaining! On a happier note, I have lost 4lbs so far on South Beach! I'm really liking this new lifestyle. It can be a challenge, but I'm finally making progress! 

Photo check up

January 26, 2013 

May 14, 2013 

Measurements!

It was measurement day at the gym. I was dreading it. I was so nervous! I know I have been working out, but I haven't gotten great results in the past.  After six of working out with my new trainer (can't remember the number), the results were in...

I lost 2 inches off my hip and 1 inch off my waist!!!! Woohoo!!! Now that's the kind of results I'm talking about :) I just want to keep it up for next month! 

It's been a great day! I think I will celebrate with a sugar free Popsicle! 

Temptation

I knew this weekend would be tough. Ray and I had plans to go to a birthday party, Mother's Day dinner, and dinner at a friends house.  There were a lot of opportunities to fall off the bandwagon.  However, it wasn't the food that was tempting me! It was RAY! He tempted me with several different beers. Forgetting I wasn't suppose to be drinking, Ray offered me a sip of his beer. I reminded him I was on South Beach, but he must have forgotten cause he offered me another sip about an hour later! Now that was hard! I really wanted to have some, but I didn't! 

The day only got hard when we went to a Spanish restaurant that serves delicious Sangria! I really wanted to have a taste. However, I continued to stay strong! I was able to find a lot of food to eat that was South Beach friendly. Tapas were amazing! I got to try so many different foods. It was delicious! I stayed on track and was full.  There weren't any desserts I could have, so instead I had a delicious cappuccino. 

Temptations are going to around you during every life style change! I am glad I made it through my first weekend without cheating! One day at time! Little by little I will reach my goal! 

Finished studying

Well, I have been a terrible blogger for a while. I was studying for my BCBA exam. The test is extremely difficult and I spent my nights studying for several hours. I tried to maintain my gym habits and my diet. However, with the stress came the desire to eat junk food. Thank goodness Ray called me out on my habits. I couldn't help wanting to eat but I could help my food choices. I ate popcorn instead of chips and fruit instead of candy. 

During this time, I also pondered where to go with my lifestyle change. Counting calories didn't seem to work for me anymore. Although I love my fitness pal, it was hard to stay on it with little success. My motivation hit bottom, until having a discussion with Ray's Mom. She was very helpful with helping me understand Atkins and offered South Beach as another potential. After much consideration, I chose to start South Beach this week.

So far so good! I feel less bloated. You definitely need to eat consistently every few hours. I got lightheaded yesterday.  But I find there is a lot I can eat instead of "bad carbs." 

I will say the first day was tough. I watched my students ingest cookies, chips, and candies. It was like a horror movie. The carbs where everywhere!!!! Things I haven't wanted to have in months,  I was drooling over. I could sniff out a carb from a mile away.  I know only wanted them because I was I told I couldn't. That desire has started to fade. 

I'm going out to dinner tonight. Eating out I heard can be tough, so I decided to pre-plan! I have already looked over the menu to see what I can have. I know it could be hard, but I have to learn sometime!