You know that song by James Brown?
Well, I feel better–much better, and that is making a very big difference in my world.
It is not about the weight so much.
It is about saying no to the endless gnoshing–about not being full when I sit down to supper and about strengthening that resistance muscle. (The idea for a “resistance muscle” came to me from this book
(Fish sticks are a particular weakness.)
And that is all I’m going to say for now. We are getting ready today for tomorrow’s great feast and I need to go track down a Phase I treat to prepare. (Don’t worry–the rest of the family gets the good stuff!) I have never made it all the way through Phase I, which is a two-week period meant to jump-start the weight loss and–more importantly–nip those rabid cravings in the bud.
Today is Day 10; only four more to go.
And then…and then…I start phasing in the wheat & sugar, fingers crossed that I can still be strong.
“It is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is He whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. For this I labor and struggle, in accord with the exercise of His power within me.” (Colossians 1:27-29)
Thank you for walking this walk with me! Feel free to share your struggles in the com-box, or email me privately if you prefer.
Awesome work! Keep it up! 🙂
Yay!! Keep up the great work!!
Love the purty Christmas Red toesies!
Congratulations! I just had to peek in tell you that, by pure coincidence, the day you did your first weigh-in Wednesday, I had just started a little Atkins phase I myself the day before! And I feel exactly the same way you do–it's more of a detox and taking control issue than anything else. Though taking off a little weight sure doesn't hurt! I have similar numbers to yours, and since I am also a shorty, I can attest to the fact that 5 pounds does have an impact on your health and self-confidence. So, thanks, Margaret, it's nice to have someone else in the trenches with me, even if it's all the way in Minnesota! 🙂 And I have to say that this little regimen (I'm trying to avoid using the word diet with my girls…) is very effective in curbing those sugar cravings, taking weight off quickly and making one feel less sluggish.
Yeah!!! So glad you are feeling better and making progress! That's what it's all about – progress and feeling great.
I have never made it all the way through Phase I, which is a two-week period meant to jump-start the weight loss and–more importantly–nip those rabid cravings in the bud.
Yeah, that's a big flaw in the whole concept of "phase" diets, if you ask me. Not that you shouldn't try to stick it out for four more days this particular time. But I think the designers of "phase" diets have a disordered view of human nature.
(Either that, or they are cynically exploiting their all-too-keen view of human nature to sell more diet books).
See, the "phase models" usually have at least one phase buried somewhere — generally at the beginning, when we're most ripe to get discouraged and quit, because we aren't yet practiced in the art of recovering from inevitable discouragement — where they hint that going off plan even slightly will UTTERLY DESTROY all the work you've done up till now. Look at Atkins. You can be on day 13 of the 14-day phase one, and if you eat so much as ONE Hershey's kiss or peanut-butter-filled pretzel, you'll GO OUT OF KETOSIS and BAM you have to start all the way back at the beginning and count your fourteen days all over again.
I am sure the biochemistry behind it is sound. If a person religiously follows the Phase Diets they will most likely lose weight and reduce their cravings. And it is indeed possible to religiously follow them. I will never deny that if a person is sufficiently motivated they can exercise the necessary self-control.
But those "ifs" are pretty big ifs, because The Phase Diets have some giant de-motivators built into their design. Perverse incentives, you could call them. Incentives to give up early, throw away the books, and then have to buy new ones, either of another Phase Diet or the newest edition of the one that got thrown out last time.
So don't blame yourself for having trouble getting to the end of a Phase I. Really, they set up every normal person to fail. A few brave souls make it, but that doesn't reflect poorly on the rest of us.
Like I said, the biochemistry is probably sound. But the human psychology behind the idea that Phase Diets should work is not, because you have to take into account whether people will be motivated to follow it. And the "do it perfectly or it's no good" philosophy that is inherent in most of these Phase I things (even if they say "if you mess up, just try again", you can bet that it is all set up to make you think things like "I've failed" when you've eaten exactly one forbidden item in thirteen days) — well, it just doesn't line up with most people's natures. And by that I mean even GOOD human nature, like the way we're supposed to learn from our environment and grow, the way we're supposed to meet our bodies' physical needs — not just the parts stained by original sin.
Wow that's pretty impressive. I'm down to 141 from 144 after 1 week.
I'm not adhearing to any particular plan. I'm just trying to pay more attention to what I am eating.
I haven't found a way to squeeze exercise in yet…
Wow, those numbers look so so so small to me. But I am 5 foot 6 and a half. That half is very important you know 😉
I can exercise but can't get my eating under control. Not sure if I even want to 🙂
It's funny, because I have the opposite impression of the phase concept of diets. I always thought of it more along the lines of…. Take heart: these first 14 grueling days won't go on forever; if you stick it out now, it will get easier very soon. That being said, I have cheated once so far with my very first vodka & water (I didn't really want to; I sort of had to…) And ironically, by the next day, I had lost more weight than ever…maybe because we walked to the pub? Of course, now it's sort of plateauing and I'm really wondering if that drink is responsible. 🙂 But don't waste your money on books with so much information on the internet. If you must, get them from the library.
Yea!!! You're awesome!
Only 4 more days! You can do it!!
and I'm with Jamie, I love your red toes. Your feet are so pretty, btw. You could be a foot model! There is no way in he** I'd post a pic of my feet. I'm afraid I'd lose all of my readers, lol. 🙂
No numbers from me. No diet. Unless you call it "the candy/happy hour diet." (not really, but one chocolate a day…one wine a day…)
Great toes, chick.
Wow, 8 pounds by Day 10 – Fabulous!
My scale really is wonky so I don't dare stand on it (needs a new battery). The thing is, I get obsessive and that is dangerous territory for me. I've learned to forgive myself for my weaker bits. I can't do diets – I can do life changes, so I'm walking again (you inspired me to do more) and I'm watching what I eat (and how much; eating slower, too). I don't really want to trick myself into losing weight; I have to be totally conscious of what I'm doing, if that makes sense. A varied diet is important, and, eating enough so that if you do work out, you don't injure yourself. There's so much information out there it almost immobilized me. so, I just got moving . . . eat more fruits and veg, roasted w/out oils etc. nuts, less of the wheat/breads/cookies etc. and I'm starting to feel better and less foggy-brained.
CONGRATS on your successes so far!!!!! I know you can do this!!!
You're going GREAT!!!!! Keep it up!! 🙂
I just updated my blog with my results (not doing as well as you are). Lost 3 lbs but having a hard time giving up sugar!! I'm starting the south beach today.
I'm glad you could join the discussion, Erin! I think it's a question of different strokes for different folks because I don't take the same view of the "phase model" as you. For me, this 2-week period is an exciting challenge–a chance to prove to myself that I can be the boss of me.
Because all too often I am not.
And gosh, I hope no one would feel utterly destroyed if they went off the plan with a single food item or two. I know I don't consider it a failure that I had a glass of wine at a party on Saturday, nor am I going to fret about the julienned carrots in the broccoli slaw.
Everything in moderation.
Except when it's not. 🙂
Try my Oven Baked Asian Risotto (no stirring and no fat).
You are doing so well,
Joolz
Oh, I know everybody's different when it comes to these things. I just happen to passionately hate the Phase Diets and I have a pet theory about them, so I like to take it for a walk when I get a chance. LOL. Who doesn't love a theory to pet?
But the "Phase" paradigm seems to resonate with people. Here is a "phase" description of one of the most anti-phase-diets you will ever see, the "No-S Diet". People on that thread really loved the description of the phases, even though they are largely imaginary — or rather, they are mental and emotional phases, not behavioral prescriptions.
Anyway, good luck! I will miss your blogging while you take a break.