Patience with the scale after falling off the wagon

Day 12-16 & 4-8
Goal: DBI: 143lb in 2 weeks, DBII 139.75 in 3 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight : 146.5lb (66.45kg, 10.46st)
Gain:  Went down to 144.25lb, then up to 148lb Sunday morning, now down to 146.5lb
Steps: 11,425 (F), 3,094 (S), 6,133 (S), 13,520 (M), 9,212 (T)

Well, I blew it on Saturday evening. I went to a party, and after having one Belgian Ale, and then proceeded to enjoy (stuff myself) with 1.5 soft pretzels, a red velvet mini-cupcake, 1/2 a slice of cheesecake, some flan, a small portion baked ziti, and another 2-3 bottles of Leffe.  Er...  I was up 3.75lb the next morning!  I've now lost 1.5lb in the three days since then, but I know some more will come off in the next few days.

Patience is frequently required after overindulging in carbs when you're on a low-carb diet, because all those additional carbs also bring with them extra water weight and bloating!  Because of my dairy allergy, my digestive system slows to a crawl, and it takes me about a week before I can really see what the realistic damage is.  I've also been exercising a lot more because of my DietBets than I would have before, and immediately got back to eating properly the next day.  I've had long walks (2+ miles) almost every day since then, Monday my three walks totaled over 6 miles!  I also sneaked in a bunch of squats on Saturday night and Sunday, hoping to direct some of those extra carbs into my muscles instead of my liver where they're turned into fat. 

I have only two weeks to lose 3.5lb on DietBet I, which is doable, but for my second one, I now weight .75 more than when I started!  I have three weeks to lose 6.6lb, a real challenge.  I'm starting a third DietBet tomorrow.  I could have weighed in Monday or Tuesday, but I'd rather be forced to push myself by weighing in as light as possible, since it's still artifically high right now.  Luckily, they give you 2 days to weigh out of each DietBet, so you can try to make your goal weight on Day 29, if you're still short on Day 28.

DietBet I Wk 2 and DietBet II Wk 1 Thursday

Day 11 & 3
Goal: DBI: 143lb, DBII 139.75 in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight : 145.5 (65.88g, 10.38st)
Gain:  .25lb (.23kg, .04st)
Steps: 12,502

Daily goals:

Pushups: none
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: morning 2.5mi; lunch 1.7mi; .after work 2mi
Medical exercise: 8 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Today's food:

Eggs & pork link (only had one link today)
Goat yogurt
Apple
Goat yogurt
Steak w/bbq sauce
Carrots (4)
Spinach w/mayo
Goat yogurt

Well, I walked 6.2 miles today, maybe that burned off the extra chocolates & booze I had yesterday!  I also was good and had only one pork link, so I saved myself a few calories there too.  Being worried I'm going to lose my money really does make it easier to make healthy decisions.  I wouldn't have done that long walk this morning without that competitive nudge.

DietBet I Wk 2 & DietBet II Wk 1 Wednesday

Day 10 & 2
Goal: DBI: 143lb, DBII 139.75 in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight : 145.25 (65.88g, 10.38st)
No change
Steps: 8,191

Daily goals:

Pushups: 12
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: morning .6mi; lunch 1.7mi; .after work, nothing
Medical exercise: 10 reps
No sweets: No
No grains: not sure
No cow dairy: No

Today's food:

Eggs & pork patties -- they were prepared differently, so I'm not sure if they stretched the eggs w/milk, or what was in the pork patties
Goat yogurt
Apple

There was a function at the office today with their usual spectacular catering.  I had a lamb chop, some small slices of beef filet, a slice each of procciutto and beef bresaola.  Then I had about 5 chocolates, and another 5 teeny brownies that were the same size as the chocolates.  I also had 2 Hendrick's gin & tonics.  I'd never had Hendrick's, as the bottle is expensive, but I may get some, it was very good!


Because I had all that naughty food, that was dinner.  I only ate my carrots (4), and had some goat yogurt.  I also had a Leffe Belgian Ale. There's definitely not going to be a loss tomorrow!  I'm going to have an extra long walk tomorrow morning, and either eat a light breakfast, or nothing until lunch.

DietBet I Wk 2 & DietBet II Wk 1 Tuesday

Day 9 & 1
Goal: DBI: 143lb, DBII 139.75 in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight : 145.25 (65.88g, 10.38st)
Gain:  .5lb (.23kg, .04st)
Steps: 6,758

Daily goals:

Pushups: none
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: morning .6mi; lunch 2.2mi; .after work, nothing
Medical exercise: 6 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple
Steak w/bbq sauce
Carrots (4)
Spinach w/mayo
Goat yogurt

I started my second dietbet today, but since the start weight is from Sunday, I'm already .5lb down!

Diet Bet I -- Week 2 Monday

Day 8
Goal: 143lb in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight : 144.75lb (65.66g, 10.34st)
Loss: 1.0 (.45kg, .07st)
Steps: 4,729

Daily goals:

Pushups: none
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: morning .6mi; lunch 1.47mi; .after work, nothing
Medical exercise: 10 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple
Spicy jalapeno w/mango chicken sausage
Carrots (4)
Spinach w/mayo
Goat yogurt

And another loss!  I got the sausage, which is similar to my favorite Costco meatballs, but they are so salty! They are better as meatballs, somehow the salt is worth it.  Must be the texture of the food...

DietBet I -- Week 1 Saturday & Sunday

Day 6&7
Goal: 143lb in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight : 146.75-145.75lb (66.11g, 10.41st)
Loss: 1.0 (after a .25lb gain) (.45kg, .07st)
Steps: 5,269 & 4,489

Daily goals:

Pushups: none
Ab exercises: none
Walks: Saturday walked dog 2x, .9mi walk; Sunday 2.3mi hike in woods
Medical exercise: 10 reps total
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Saturday's food:

Goat yogurt
Braunschweiger (4 slices)
Goat yogurt
Hamburger w/ketchup
Spinach w/mayo
Red wine
Goat yogurt

Sunday's food:

Bacon

Goat yogurt
Apple
Bobo oat bar
Goat yogurt
Carrots (4)
Steak w/bbq sauce
Artichoke w/mayo
Goat yogurt

Saturday the scale went up a bit, but it dropped down Sunday.  Less than 2lb to go to reach my first Dietbet goal!  I also signed up for a second DietBet that begins on Tuesday, starting weight is 145.75lb.  My goal this second one is 139.9lb by May 20.  No slacking for me!  I inhaled the Bobo oat bar on Sunday, but then went on a hike to burn off the calories and get some exercise.  Sometimes on weekends I don't get as much exercise as I do on weekdays.

Dietbet Spring into Shape -- Week 1 Friday

Day 5
Goal: 143lb in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight: 146.5lb (66.56kg, 10.48st)
Loss: .25lbs (.11kg, .02st)
Steps: 11,348

Daily goals:

Pushups: none
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: Morning .5mi, lunch 1.5mi, after work 1.7mi, walked dog 3x
Medical exercise: 10 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple
Carrots (4)
Fruit & Nut bar
Hamburger patty w/ketchup
Sauteed mushrooms
Roasted red bell pepper
Goat yogurt

And another loss! I downloaded an app called "Map My Fitness", which is great, it shows how far I've walked, and it automatically uploads to DietBet.

Dietbet Spring into Shape -- Week 1 Thursday

Day 4
Goal: 143lb in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight: 146.75lb (66.56kg, 10.48st)
Loss: .25lbs (.11kg, .02st)
Steps: 12,033

Daily goals:

Pushups: none
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: Morning .5mi, lunch 1.5mi, after work 1.9mi, walked dog 3x
Medical exercise: 10 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: no, I had milk chocolate caramels

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple
Carrots (4)
Godiva chocolates (5)
Hamburger patty w/ketchup
Sauteed mushrooms
Goat yogurt

Still shrinking!  Hopefully I haven't messed myself up with the chocolates, but since I walked 36 blocks after work, I think I might have burned some of that extra away.

Dietbet Spring into Shape -- Week 1 Wednesday

Day 3
Goal: 143lb in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight: 147lb (66.68kg, 10.50st)
Loss: 1.0lbs (.45kg, .07st)
Steps: 7092

Daily goals:

Tricep Pushups: 8
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: Morning .5mi, lunch none, after work 1.2mi, walked dog 3x
Medical exercise: 5 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple

Carrots (4)
Hamburger patty w/ketchup
Red bell pepper
Belgian ale
Goat yogurt

Another pound lost!

Dietbet Spring into Shape -- Week 1 Tuesday

Day 2
Goal: 143lb in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight: 148lb (67.13kg, 10.57st)
Loss: 1.0lbs (.45kg, .07st)
Steps: 3549

Daily goals:

Pushups:12
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: Morning .5mi, lunch none, after work none, walked dog 2x
Medical exercise: 4 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple
Goat yogurt
Carrots (4)
Hamburger patty w/ketchup
Spinach w/mayo

Losing all that extra poundage I put on this weekend, yay!  It was raining, and I had to work through lunch, so I didn't get as much walking done today.  Being a part of the DietBet challenge is helping already, I was thinking of having another serving of goat yogurt after dinner, but I decided to have some water instead...

Dietbet Sprint Into Shape -- Day 1

Day 1
Goal: 143lb in 4 weeks (134lb ultimate goal)
Start weight: 149lb
Weight: 149lb (67.59kg, 10.64st)
Gain from yesterday: 1.75lbs (.8kg, .12st)
Steps: 6870

Daily goals:

Tricep dips or pushups: none
Ab exercises: a few
Walks: Morning & lunch none, after work 1.2mi
Medical exercise: 4 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple
Goat yogurt
Carrots (4)
Hamburger patty w/ketchup
Spinach w/mayo

So I weighed in at 149, or 150lb in "Airport Security Attire", so 4% of that 150lb is 144lb (143lb without extra clothes/cellphone), or a 6lb loss in 4 weeks.  It costs $25 to join in the "game", and if I am able to lose the 4%, I will get a share of the pot of money.  It's only 1.5lb a week.  I have to focus on keeping my portions low and not cheating, plus walking a lot. 

Spring Challenge Week 1 Weekend

Day 4 & 5
Goal: 134lb
Start weight: 147.5lb
Weight: 147-147.25lb
Gain: 1.5-1.75lbs
Steps:  6990 (Saturday)  2107 (Sunday)


Weeks to reach goal: 12 weeks (that's a little more than 1lb a week)

Daily goals:

Exercises: none
Walks: Saturday afternoon 3.2mi

No sweets: Sunday I had some Starburst jelly beans
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Saturday's food:

Several servings of goat yogurt
Apple
Shish kebab w/bbq sauce
Carrots
Pork roast w/vindaloo sauce
More food, can't remember what though
Belgian ale (24oz)

Sunday's food:

Bacon (8oz)
Several servings of goat yogurt
Apple
Carrots
Hamburgers w/ketchup (I should only have had one)
Wine (one glass)

I'm sure there was additional food that I've forgotten about


Where did my weight loss go?  Maybe I misweighed myself, it can happen on a medical scale if the large weight is not exactly in the right place.  Sunday I overate, I think from boredom...

I was reading one of the weight-loss blogs, and saw a mention of Dietbet, so I decided to join!  Starting tomorrow, Monday, I have 4 weeks to lose 4% of my weight, based on the number is tomorrow morning.

Spring Challenge -- Week 1 Friday

Day 3
Goal: 134lb
Start weight: 147.5lb
Weight: 145.75lb (66.11kg, 10.41st)
Loss: 1.5lbs (.68kg, .11st)
Steps: 7372

Weeks to reach goal: 12 weeks (that's a little more than 1lb a week)

Daily goals:

Tricep dips: 1 set of 10 reps
Ab exercises: yes
Walks: Morning .4mi, lunch 1.4mi, after work 1.2mi
Medical exercise: [9] reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple
Oh no, I can't remember what else I had...


I lost 1.5lb!  Just under 12lb to goal.  My system is cleaning out the dairy I had over the weekend. 

Spring Challenge -- Week 1 Thursday

Day 2
Goal: 134lb
Start weight: 147.5lb
Weight: 147.25lb (66.79kg, 10.52st)
Loss: .25lbs (.11kg, .02st)
Steps: 6,756

Weeks to reach goal: 12 weeks (that's a little more than 1lb a week)

Daily goals:

Pushups: 1 set of 10 reps
Ab exercises: yes
Walks: Morning 9 blocks (.4mi), lunch (.8mi), after work to 72nd street (1.2mi)
Medical exercise:  6 reps
No sweets: yes
No grains: yes
No cow dairy: yes

I'm changing to no sweets instead of no sugar/sweets, as I'm not strict about avoiding sweetened ketchup, for instance.

Today's food:

Eggs & pork links
Goat yogurt
Apple
Walnuts
More goat yogurt
Carrots (4)
Mesquite chicken wings (Costco)
I keep thinking I had something else, could have been more yogurt

I need to go back to what worked, which was daily posting.  I can't ignore when I'm going in the wrong direction when I have to post all those numbers!

Getting back on track: Day 1

Day 1
Goal: 134lb
Start weight: 147.5lb
Weight: 147.5lb (66.90kg, 10.54st)
Loss: 0lbs (0kg, .0st) 
Average weight this past week: TBD
Average weight the week before: TBD
Milestones: none yet :(
Steps: 6,584

Weeks to reach goal: 12 weeks (that's a little more than 1lb a week)

I'm going to start a new checklist of things I want to achieve daily:

Pushups:  2 sets of 10 reps
Ab exercises:  yes
Walks:  Morning 9 blocks, lunch 14 blocks, after work (?  I can't remember!)
Medical exercise:  7 reps
No sugar/sweets:  yes
No grains:  yes
No cow dairy:  yes

I did another college tour to look at the colleges that my elder DD was accepted/waitlisted to.  There was a lot of driving, but we had a campus tour on both Saturday (10,788 steps) and Sunday (7,754 steps).  Saturday there was also a long walk to dinner and back to the car.  I did OK with food and stayed gluten-free, but ended up having ice cream and candy several times starting Saturday after dinner, then Sunday and into Monday.  I had delicious lamb chops w/asparagus & sweet potato fries on Saturday for dinner.  Yesterday (Tuesday) I had a granola bar and several caramel squares, but that's it for the bad behaviour!  I have to take advantage of the good weather and get down below 140lb before my summer vacation. 

I am posting this now, even though I don't have the information re: walks at lunch & after work, just because I feel I need to publicly post this to get back on track, so I will be updating it later today with my afternoon activities.