Regina...............again

Back in Regina once again this week.  It seems that when I need to be so tight to the program and watch my steps, I get to try and make my meal choices at the hands of others.  I went back to my favourite restaurant tonight, the Mongoli Grill.  It was excellent once again.  really concentrated on filling my bowl with bean sprouts, green pepper and mushrooms.  I had chicken and shrimp for my protein.  I think I need to just keep going back there.  No temptations, no bad things to choose from.  Its a perfect place to watch the food.  Hell, if I do that, I might as well head to Sobeyès and just eat their premnade salads.  Its cheaper, and pretty much the same.  If I did that, how boring would my meals be.  Part of the program, is making sure we make the right choices, so I am exercising my ability to make the right choices. 

Next time I come, I am going to have to bring runners and do some tread mill work.  I miss the walking, and I know that it is becoming more and more important to help me get to the top.  Oh well for now, I will just sit in my hotel room, and think about what combination of food I will have tomorrow at the Mongoli Grill................

This weeks weight

I was able to get back to the a good loss week, and it turned out to be 3.6 lbs and 2 inches.  After the holidays, I am very pleased.  I had really did nothing different other then more walking with the the walking team.  I just tried to stay focused and make sure that my goal of being committed was met.  I think it has worked.

I started this next week with a bit of a falter, but again, it's not real big.  I have a big weekend coming up, and I need to be prepared for that.  I am away in Regina all week, so one again the food choices for lunch are not in my control.  But, if I just can commit to making better decisions, then all should be well. 

Found some new products on line, that are comparable to the IP stuff.  It's interesting to see more of this stuff available.  I wonder if it's because the system and program works?  or is it simply jumping on a new fad.  I think that it might be a bit of both, but Laurel and I and the people we know on program have done so well, that I am sure it is the new age for weight loss and healthier eating.  Sorry Tiffany, I know you are not to sure about it, but I promise you, when you see 245 on this blog, I will be using the food guide to continue!!

We are back

Well, we are back into the fold and doing all the things we were doing before Phoenix.  Work, shopping and staying on track in the program.  It was a long week, in that I have battled cravings all week.  The most severe was earlier this week, and I think it was because I was out about 10 days since my last over run of carbs.  After Tuesday, they subsided and now I am pretty much free of any bad cravings. 
Going back to the 1st of September, this was pretty much the same feeling I had struggled with then.  We ate so many high carb items, bit we also had good food to go along with it.  The body had been so deprived of that stuff, that when it was introduced I think it partied pretty hard.  Now I am in carb withdrawal, or maybe it's a hangover.  Either way, I have stopped all those extras and returned to the protein push.  Keeping the distance between protein grams and carb grams at a large number will help me moving forward.

It was really nice to have had the break, and realize that with a real conscious effort, I can actually live a normal life.  I simply have to watch and then react after a day or two of indulging.  I have lost all of my vacation weight according to my scale.  I just hope I can be under the 279 mark this week.  Then I will be moving in the right direction.  My countdown has begun.  I want to be 245 by August 28th, so that it will be 1 year on the program and 100 lbs lost.  So hurry up golfing.....................

I'm back................

Here we are at the Foothills Golf Club in Phoenix.  This was the 1st round of golf that we played on our holiday.  I will add some other pictures later, as well as add to my Facebook account.

We returned to reality a week ago today.  I weighed myself, and was not surprised to see an 8 lb gain while we were away.  That`s not bad considering that I pretty much left Ideal Protein behind, and just let the food happen.  I never made any real attempts to make sure I had something specific, but I also didn`t make sure I was only eating low carb.  We ate allot of protein bars for snacks, as well as meals.  We were so busy that it seemed that we only ate in the morning and then at night.  I made sure salad was added daily, and then after that my protein varied.  I did eat french fries once, but I gorged on the big pretzels!  They are my favourite.  Not only that, I would say that everyday we had Starbucks or Cold Stone ice cream.  So, can you see why, I gained 8 lbs........

As of Friday morning, my new weight is 281.7.  That is 2 lbs higher then I was when we left.  We returned to the program, and have been gradually making it the norm.  It`s interesting to feel your body returning to a low carb menu.  I have some of my cravings back, and have been fighting them all week.  I would suggest that the added treats on holidays has awaken the savage cravings that were locked away.  I just need to get through the next few days, and I should be good.  Officially, I have 36 lbs to lose, to make the 100 lb weight loss.  With golf starting soon, and the summer upon on us, I think I can get it done by my 1 year anniversary on the program.  It would be a great accomplishment!

I was really happy to see that I could enjoy a non-controlled food holiday, and not gain an insane amount of weight.  My inch`s were increased as well, but as I lose again those inch`s will come off.  The shopping experience was amazing, in that I am learning that I don`t have to buy everything right away.  My shirts range currently from an xl to a 3 xl.  My pants are 42 or 44.  My chest is now a 49, down from 63.  If I can get the belly fat heading down more, then I see xl large shirts in my future.  I did discover, as well, that my feet are smaller.  My golf shoes are to big now.  I had to buy runners as well, and they went from a 10.5 wide to a 10 wide.  That is just plain weird!

Below is our very best friends, traveling companions and program buddies.  They look phenomenal!

Tom, the pencil neck geek, has lost nearly 80 lbs.  As of today, he lost another 5 lbs since we have returned home.  I wish I had his metabolism!!

Lat Blog for a couple of weeks

We are getting ready for our trip to Phoenix.  We leave Friday morning from Regina, and will be in Phoenix at 3:30 PM our time. Looking forward to the warm weather and a break from the white cold environment we have been living in for 4 months.  I weigh in tomorrow morning at 9:30.  If I can blog the results I certainly will.  My goal for holidays to not gain any more then 3-5 lbs.  That will keep the process in place for my return.  I jut need to be a bit cautious and not over do it.  No crazy out of control eating, I promise. 

Everyone enjoy the next few weeks, and I will post my new weight after the 16th of March........

Update day

Once again I have been pretty tardy in posting these last few days.  No excuses, no reason's, I have just been ignoring my blog. 

I weighed in Thursday morning and am happy to report that I have entered the 270's.  Not by much, but I have.  I weighed 279.1 Thursday morning.  I am down 1 lb since my lat weigh in, and lost another 2 inch's.  Some asked me if I was happy about that.  My answer to them is absolutely!  Regardless of the amount, I am still going downwards.  Not gaining is an achievement in my opinion.  The whole idea of this program is to lose weight and inch's.  So, I have done that once again, and I will celebrate that small achievement.

My back is bothering me still.  Not as bad as it was, but my mobility is limited.  Not worried yet about the golf ability in Phoenix.  Stretching and moving now has helped allot.  I am starting to get it back into the condition it needs to be for swinging clubs.  I am going to have to be watchful, and not over do it.  Light swinging, and not to many over the top movement and I will be good.  As a precaution, I have found a chiropractor in Phoenix..................

We are now 5 sleeps away from our vacation.  Pretty excited about it. Especially this last week,because of all the snow and the cold winds.  I am really looking forward to wearing shorts and a golf shirt, which I will add will have to be bought since I don't own any that fit.  I did buy a pair of dress pants yesterday in size 42.  Size 42!!! Last time I wore a 42 I was in grade 6...................I think.

Went in to Saskatoon on Friday and went to see heart, my most favourite rock bands of all time.  Laurel is not a real big fan, but she bought me the tickets for Christmas.  It was an amazing show.  Ann Wilson has an incredible voice, and she never let me down at all.  I am adding new Heart songs to the iPod today.................................

One week later....

I made it back to work yesterday, after a long week.  My back was pretty sore.  I did make it back to the chiropractor for another treatment yesterday.  He was able to crack my hip to release the last of the pressure.  The spasms have stopped but the muscles are real sore.  I am still very stiff.  I am gently stretching to try and keep them loose.  I plan to get another massage later this week.  I just need to take it easy and loose.

I have been taking medication for the spasms and pain.  I have tried to keep the program front and center, but some of the pills reaction in my stomach resulted in the need to eat some not so planned items.  I had to put some dairy and grains into me.  I am not sure  how it will effect me weight wise, but I can tell you that it didn't take long to become sluggish after I ate.  I had about 1 cup of yogurt and 1/2 slice of whole grain bread.  With in the hour, I became drowsy and abit sluggish.  I think a combination of the meds and the carbs gave me the problem. 

So, once again I am preparing for the treadmill, and our holiday.  This time no running on treadmill till I know I am ready.  I will just walk quickly and at a higher incline.  As the weather is warming I can do more walking outside with Mozart and Sophie.  oh yeah, cool thing happened tonight.My cell phone rang.  A BC number was on the display.  I usually never answer it, but I thought it was our friends in Kamloops.  Well it turns out, I had a blast from the past.  A friend from Kindersley, who I have not seen in 12 years or more, and not had any contact with in over 4 years had logged onto FB and found me. She then followed my blog, and called the cell phone number from FB.  It was great to re-connect with her.  We talked for about 30 minutes and promised to stay in touch best we can via email.  We hope to get out to Fairmont to the timeshare this year, and if we do she is right there at Invermere.  I look forward to seeing her and her new husband!