Friday, June 25, 2010

Gone to the Beach

Bye folks ....... I've gone to the beach ......

OK, maybe not THAT beach (I wish!) .... but rather, this beach:


As I mentioned in yesterdays post, recently I've been struggling with sugar ... and coincidentally (or not)STILL struggling to get off this last bulge.  On the long drive home I made the decision to once and for all TRULY give this diet a shot.

I've thought about it before ... alot.  I've even attempted it years ago, though admittedly half-assed, and not while I was truly in a mental position to pull it off.

Last Friday (the day after we got back) I kicked the plan into action.

Essentially phase 1 (2 weeks) is lean protein & vegetables at each meal, a little healthy fat, low/no-fat dairy is allowed, and a serving of nuts per day.  Absolutely ZERO sugar, no starchy carbs (bread, pasta, rice, oatmeal, grains, cereals, potatoes, corn, etc.), and no fruits.  Though I don't completely agree with the no fruits and have had approx. 1 serving per day.  Sugar substitutes are allowed, but I try to avoid those at all costs so have been going completely cold turkey on that.  No sweet tasting treats for me!

Day 1 I was pretty much afraid to eat and to be honest, I avoided it as much as possible.  It was actually easier to just not eat, than to face the decision on what to eat.

Day 2 a slight headache began and I felt very discombobulated.  I was a bit dizzy, very fuzzy-headed and extremely lethargic (though I can't say for 100% certainty that this wasn't associated with the long travel and alte nights).  Day 3 was pretty much the same.  I questioned my safety behind the wheel and thus did not drive those days.

My kids got called a few names as I saw them eating granola bars, cereal ... and when my daughter asked if I'd make her my most recent favourite recipe of Oatmeal Pancakes I thought I would explode.  But I forged on and have stuck to it. 

I did do a few long walks and runs during the first few days and let me say that they were HARD!  I could definitely feel when I hit a wall part way through, and sometimes the entire run was difficult.  I would NEVER take something like this on if I were in the middle of some serious training.  It's even recommended that you don't.

The first few days I was also a bit (ahem) "backed-up", but a bit more fluids and more veggies and things got sorted out again.

Since Day 4 things have gotten much easier.  I don't feel like strangling people who I see eating carbs.  And I no longer have to switch channels as the 45 zillion candy/chocolate commercials come on.  My energy is definitely coming back and I feel pretty good.

I noticed almost immediately that the bloaty feeling in my stomach went away and it seemed flatter.

My husband joined in on this plan to support me ... and also because he realized that the thought of going off of sugar made him react like a crack addict entering detox.  He doesn't need to lose an ounce so I was a bit concerned about him.  He lasted 2 days following the diet as I have been, then he reintroduced a few carbs and fruit to his diet - which is what I thought he should do anyway.  He is still trying to keep with the no sugar aspect which is what he needs to focus on anyway.  I think his headaches were worse than mine.

After 1 full week following this program I'm feeling pretty good.  My cravings have definitely subsided and I have good energy.  My clothes look better, my stomach is definitely slimmer (main objective here), I'm down in my measurements and I've lost 3 lbs this week for my lowest weight in 2010 of 145.8.  My lowest in the last few years is 143.6 (very briefly) from last November.

I plan to follow this phase for another week, then in Phase 2 you slowly reintroduce fruit & healthy starchy carbs.  Can I say that I'll NEVER eat sugar again?  No, I definitely can not say that, I know I will.  But, I do want to eat ALOT less sugar than I was and eliminate it from things that I'm learning to enjoy without (plain yoghurt, tea, hopefully eventually cereal and oatmeal).  I don't believe that sugar & starchy carbs are evil, but I know that I easily overindulge in these items and my goal is to reduce from the amount I had been eating.


 June 1 - 5 mile/8K run
June 2 - 30 Day Shred Level 1
June 3 - 4 x 1 mile treadmill intervals and core
June 4 - 30 Day Shred Level 1
June 5 - 2.5 mile walk and 1.5 mile run
June 6 - 3 Hours heavy clean-up
June 7 - 5 x 10 minute treadmill intervals and some core
June 8 - Shred Level 1
June 9 - 45 min run/walk
June 10 - lifting & walking
June 11 - lifting & walking
June 12 - 30 min run & dancing
June 13 - 30 min hike
June 14 - run & walk
June 15 - 2+ hours walking
June 16 - swimming & stair climbing
June 17 - 7 mile treadmill run
June 18 - walking
June 19 - stairs & walking
June 20 - 8 mile run (pretty fast)
June 21 - 6.2 mile steady run
June 22 - 6 mile run
June 23 - 7 mile run

June 24 - 7 mile run
 Keep Active!

Heidi
♥♥♥♥♥

15 comments:

Curvy Jones said...

Hiya there, surfing the interwebs and I found you! I can never remember where I find people anymore.
Anyhoo, I saw drastic changes in myself when I cut sugar and white flour. I'm a total believer! It does get easier and after awhile it becomes 'normal'. And of course you'll have sugar again, but you'll realize that chocolate doesn't taste like it used to and that sugar has this... odd.. effect on your body that will make it so that eating it is more trouble than it is worth.

Good luck w/ South beach and GREAT job following the plan, going through the phases. Too many people stay on Phase 1 for 6 weeks, get bored, fall off, and then claim it doesn't work. That isn't the plan, Stan!

Syl said...

I'm so happy for you that you found something that works for you Heidi, it's nice to come here and read how successful you have been with it.
Good luck on your next phase, i know you will do just great!

Fran said...

I've looked into South Beach too sometime ago but didn't do it. I had this co-worker who followed the plan completely and lost all the weight she wanted to lose and more important: she kept it off. She did it two years ago and although she doesn't work at our company anymore I saw her a few weeks ago and she still looked great. So I think this definitely works.

As for the sugar thing, I know that I should cut back on that too. I don't have headaches or so but I definitely eat too much of it. The only thing I have to think about is when to start cutting back as it's my holiday and it's more difficult for me to follow my healthy plan. Bad excuse I know but hey that's the weak side of me :)

I'm happy this works for you and that you're already feeling so much better.

jamie@sweatyhugs said...

Love the 30days of activity you posted! Wow! Very inspiring. Glad you are finding the SBD to work for you. I noticed that anytime I cut out the sugar (+white flour) I drop a few lbs. Good luck!

99ToGo said...

You know when blueberries look and taste like candy to you, that you're eating well, right? :)

Unknown said...

My husband and I did Atkins a few years back (which is kind of similar) and i found the first phase to be the hardest. Kicking that sugar habit really gave me bad headaches and such. But, once we got past that, we felt great, more energy than ever and it was smooth sailing. Whether its for a diet or not, I think most of us could likely do with lowering our sugar and carb intakes!

Michelle said...

Good for you! I have eliminated most sugar out of my diet and find now that I can taste the sugar in everything. And, things that I used to love to eat are way too sweet to me now. Good luck the next few weeks!

Marcelle said...

I cant do anymore diets have done everyone there is and now no more diets...
I want to eat what I want to eat but watch portions sizes and make healthy choices.
I eat chocolate from time to time, but the dark kind. I also love all things sweet and have struggled since I stop all products with aspartame in them...now putting honey in my coffee, but still its sugar, in another form.
Let us know how this plan goes...

OldGoogleAccount said...

Hmmmm,lots of people are going the no sugar route right now. It's got me thinking for sure. Ann Gittleman published a book recently about no sugar and when I did a week of her fat flush, I remember the bloat feeling went away too. Funny because for me, I wasn't even really feeling bloated but I sure noticed when I wasn't (if that makes any sense at all...)

By the way, the kick didn't work but I thank you for trying! I'll get back out there eventually.

Julie said...

Good luck with the South Beach Diet! I attempted it a few years ago and lasted about four weeks before it drove me crazy! Hopefully you will be more dedicated than I was.

You are a workout machine! Way to go Heidi!

Anonymous said...

Wow....I'm going to have to look into this, or at least the added sugars part.

Lucy K said...

Way to go Heidi! I am a total newbie at this blogging stuff but I just started my journey of losing the weight for the last time and becoming a runner. I love your blog!
I have been craving potatos like crazy, I am thinking that I may need to try Southbeach to cut the craving!

Missy said...

Oh fun plan! The SBD helps me SO much with belly fat. It's like sugar just sits around my middle, so when I eliminate it it disappears. I'm excited for you to see a little movement on the scale. Hopefully it just keeps getting easier and easier!!

Laura said...

Can't wait to hear how things are going.

Anonymous said...

I have heard good things about South Beach. Way to go on taking on this challenge. Sounds like it's working for you.