Week Ten Update

Phentermine Week Ten

 

 

 

My intention was to update Saturday, but I ended up posting today.  I lost 6.5 lbs since my last photo update and so ecstatic with the progress.  It's relieving not having to deal with that constant bloated feeling and always feeling blah.  I have to admit that overall I feel great and still in disbelief!  Losing 36 pounds in a matter of 10 weeks is something I've never experienced, but I have to admit I have my concerns. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled tomorrow afternoon to check my blood pressure and to discuss whether or not I continue the final Phentermine 30 day dose.  I'm on the fence as to whether or not I should.  If it's affected my blood pressure, then I'll have no choice but to stop.  I first set my goal weight to 160 lbs.  I'm certain I'll meet it within 3 weeks if I remain on the medication, but I'm sorta curious to see if I could do it on my own.  BUT my biggest concern is if I will have any withdrawals once I'm off whether it's this week or after the yet-to-be determined final 30 day prescription.  The holidays are approaching...stress, indulgence, the whole nine yards!!   Praying for discipline...

 

Another thing is that I'm really strugging with the M-F 5X a week A.M. exercise regimen.  I was so busy last week with work and home that I only managed to work out twice.  Afternoons are completely out the question, and I avoid working out Saturdays because I have so much on my plate. Yesterday I was supposed to make an exception.  Despite my motiviation, I had so much to do yesterday and just couldn't find the time SMH!  I did work out today, but IDK...I rather not make it a habit and stick to the plan.  One thing for certain, the two times last week I did exercise were quality workouts.  A girlfriend suggested I tone up.  I told myself I would once I hit 165 lbs. and focus on the weight lifting to bring me down to 160 lbs. (maintaining from there.) That'll mean decreasing my cardio and upping the time for weight lifting.  I'm somewhat open to the idea.  I love the rush cardio gives because I find weightlifting dull, but maybe I'll have a change of heart if and when the time comes. 

 

 

Will the Old Habits Resurface??!! Praying this Won't be an Oprah Moment!!



"Skinny" Oprah 1988 and a couple of years later post weight loss

Last night, I was trying to figure out how to correct the time stamp for my online/phone app food journal/calorie counter/weight tracker I use (and love).  The start date reflected a 7/12/12, but I wanted it to reflect 7/12/13 (the designated date I decided to use as my so called "official" weightloss journey.)  Being that I'm somewhat anal, it bugged me to see it reflect the incorrect year.  Once I figured that all I had to do was delete the old and sporadic entries prior to 7/12/13, I was able to update. 

Looking at them, I was shocked because I had sort of forgotten the details of my high calorie diet.  I then sort of snickered because I didn't think my diet was all too bad when it really was excessive. I thought things were sorta okay especially since I had resumed an exercise regimen.  Convinced the medical procedure I had January 2013 was what I thought caused the weight gain despite the doctors saying it wasn't. 

The prescribed Phentermine proved me wrong...so I have to confess that I was in denial. Maybe in my defense I could say I simply forgot the exact amount of food I'd consume on a daily basis which was excessive!  Nonetheless I had to quickly check myself for snickering because that large amount  I consumed daily felt normal.  I oftentimes wonder if it's mind over matter, but the Phentermine gives me a sense that have I have things completely under control.  Will this be an Oprah moment circa 1988 once I'm off the meds?  Will that bold hunger return because my diet was seriously off the chain!!  I like to think I've learned my lesson so I can avoid all those pitfalls that happened last school year, but only time will tell.  One day at a time, right?

My Typical  Diet 4/19/13-4/22/13 (before Phentermine)

 

My Current Diet 9/8/13-9/11/13 (after Phentermine) 

 

Body Measurements July-September 2013

Yesterday I weighed in at 172 pounds and decided to set 160 lbs as my goal weight.  I first thought that would be a little too thin for my frame, but I've been overweight the past 15 years that I considered it somewhat normal and learned to live with it.  Actually, my BMI will be 23.6 once I reach my goal weight which is actually within normal limits.  I'm having to make a complete lifestyle change, and I'm praying that once off the Phentermine I will be able to maintain on my own.  Here's what I've had to cut out:

• Pork
• red meat (limited consumption)
• sweetened drinks
• no high calorie sweets (cakes)
• fried foods
• chips
• alcohol
• breads

My diet has been limited to 1200 calories because I'm pretty on top of counting and measure out nearly everything.  I do plan on increasing my caloric intake to maybe 1400-1500 calories once I'm off the medication.  One thing I'm convinced of is that I will forever count calories.  I now see I have to treat it like my checkbook...always having to record transactions, budget, and balance.

OAN-  Weigh-in is scheduled for next week

Week Eight Update / 20 Year Class Reunion

Phentermine Week 8

 

Only 3.5 lb. loss since the last update, but I'm not complaining!! I made a comparison shot digital collage reflecting my progress since documenting July 12th.  I'm pleased with the 6 week/overall 25 lb. weight loss!!  Thank you Jesus!
 

 

 

 

 

Hail to the Black and Gold!  Little Rock Central High!

 

I was really going back and forth trying to decide whether or not to attend my 20 year class reunion.  I can't pinpoint why I was feeling a certain way. I know the previous school year (referring to my job) had been a total bust so maybe I forecasted that I'd have the same mindset once reunion weekend would take place.  Being overwhelmed and overweight was NOT what I wanted to bring to the reunion!  The mixed feelings did change days before the reunion, and I ended up having a great time connecting and reconnecting with my class.  My classmates all looked great and being that a beloved classmate passed 2 weeks prior made everyone there genuinely connect.  Kudos to the reunion committee because they went over and above organizing things!  Knowing firsthand organizing a reunion is no walk in the park!  One thing for certain, I could NOT keep up with all 7 activities scheduled that weekend, but I had a very nice time attending the ones I did!!  I was exhausted and needed an extra day to recover!!  Here are a few pics--  *sidenote* Since I'm such a homebody and can be a procrastinator, my outfits were picked hours before the reunion activities.  Although kinda cute, I wore myself out with that last minute shopping SMH!

LRCH c/o 1993 20 Years Later

Yours Truly September 1, 2013

The Hubs and I attending the Reunion Banquet September 1, 2013

August 31, 2013

May 1993/September 2013

August 31, 2013

 

 

Week Six Update

Phentermine Week 6

I'm still hanging in there exercising, counting calories, monitoring my weight, and tracking progress.  It's been exactly one month since my last post, and I must admit it's quite challenging trying to keep the blog updated. Things have gotten fairly chaotic since the school year started and seems like we're constantly on the go!  I'm ever learning to keep a cool head, stay in prayer, and take things one day at a time.

Analog Girl In a Digital World...I still use a written planner to juggle life

 

 As you can see I'm still taking photo updates every two weeks, but I had to switch to taking them on Saturdays instead of Fridays.  The mad dash getting the children off to school and us to work is the reason for the switch. I can tell things have definitely slowed down in regards to weightloss, but not too slow because I still managed to lose 5 lbs. since the last update. One thing I've noticed now that school has resumed is the struggle to maintin my exercise schedule.  Things were elaborately planned to be in bed by 10 PM and up by 4:30 AM Monday thru Friday.  That way it would ensure a good night's rest and at least a full hour for exercise!  Wrong!  The first week of school I managed to work out 3 days, 5 days the second week, only 2 days the 3rd week, and 4 days the 4th week of school.  --Which isn't bad, but I'm nowhere near getting the full hour.  I'm not beating myself up too bad, but I'd still like to establish a consistent routine.

Back on the Grind...I'm usually not always this moody looking....