Knee

So, remember me mentioning the Biggest Loser work out? So my knee was swollen and hurt the first few days after.

The walk we took? I didn't mention 1) it was harder than it use to be as I was in pain and 2) I was out of practice not having walked it all winter.  My knee still aches.

I'm not happy about that.  I do not need to be out of commission!

Grrrr

7 days in

And I'm getting sick of the smell of coconut extract.

This week has been challenging.  I've been hungry but have ultimately made it through.
I also visited my bmi doctor.  

Good Things:
Blood pressure was excellent.   I'm losing weight again.  I'm about 5 pounds away from the original 52 llost. My ketones  are going up.  I'm finding ways to enjoy my meals.

One failure,  I tried adding coconut extract to my cottage cheese.  1) I over did it and it was awful.  I need to figure out how much to add to a 1/4 cup and not feel like my mouth is melting.  2)I accidentally spoiled the bottle of extract all over the counter.  So the kitchen and me smell of coconut.   Too much of it.

I think the closer I am to going into ketosis, the less the hunger pains appear. 

I am quite thirsty most of the time, but I was told that could happen.

Things are slowly getting better.

I'll keep you updated as always.

Day 4

Hello. Let's Get right to it.
This AM. I haven't lost any more weight. Ketones are still present, but nothing more than yesterday.

Hunger is still present, but not as severe.

Today I worked out for the biggest loser. 0h Dead lord, it was awful. I'm definitely not in shape. Not at all.

My bronchitis seems to be finely going away. I'm hoping to Walk the dogs again,.

Days 2 to 3

Well, I woke up barely hungry. This mornings ketones test showed a small trace. Additionally, my scale indicated that I lost a few pounds. Progress.

However right now I am starving.

More later.....

The Protein Sparing Modified Fast: Day 1 & 2.

I. AM. Hungry!
Well now that I'm on the diet I can definitely see the differences between Atkins and PSMF.   

On PSMF you count your protein intake - Not carbs. Additionally, this diet is much stricter than Atkins ever was. 

To give you a clue, this is my intake yesterday. "Totals" is what I actually ate.  "Daily goal" is what I had been aiming for prior to going on this diet. See photo below.

You eat lean meats, two servings of veggies, and that's pretty much it. I'm allowed a ½ C of sugar free Jell-O a day (which is the highlight of my day).  I am also allowed unlimited quantities of lettuce and celery.   That sounds great right?  NO dip.  Unless I can fit it into the flavor enhancer, but that requires no fat and only 3 carbs or less.   Fun stuff (NOT)!

I made it through day one with 726 Calories.   I wasn't too bad yesterday.  It was Monday, so I went to bed early and that helped cut down the craving ;)

Today is getting a little tougher.   Part of me is wondering how much of the hunger I'm feeling is true hunger (as in I need to eat) versus the I normally know I eat more than this, give me something to munch on.  I'm drinking tons of water, as it's required AND I'm thirsty and to help curb the hunger.

I'm looking at the rest of the day. I only have room for 4.5 more ounces of meat.  I'm topped out on my veggies since I snacked on a big bowl of broccoli.   So I'm going to have to go with something I can put in a salad, since lettuce is an unlimited thing. 

I hope ketosis kicks in quickly.  I need to have this "curbed" appetite soon.  I'm SOOOO HUNGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Read about the PSMF
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/obesity/hic_psmf_diet_program.aspx

Tough times call for tough measures.

When all of this started, my goal was to lose weight so I could be healthy enough to do normal things.   Things like walk more than 5mins without excruciating pain, walking my dogs around the neighborhood.   I never truly wanted surgery.   I just wanted to be normal again.

When I originally lost the 50lbs, I was amazed that I could do it.  I put off surgery.   I wanted to do this by myself.  

However between the weather, health issues, and the holidays, all focus was lost.   I'm truly trying to get back on track.   I'm trying to keep with aqua zumba, walking, getting back on the diet , just to name a few things.  However, as those of you who have tried to lose weight know, it is NOT easy.  NO matter what, changing your lifestyle is very difficult.

I was offered an alternative awhile ago and tried to keep this option off the table as long as possible.

Now five months of NO additional weight loss with a slight weight gain, I've come to the reality that I need assistance.  

Last week, my doctor signed off on something Gretchen and I have spoke about.  As soon as I get the required RX (which should be tomorrow), I will begin my next journey. Protein-Sparing Modified Fast Diet.   PSMF for short.

What is the PSMF?   In simplified terms, it's an Atkins like doctor monitored diet.  It isn't a lifestyle change like I was going for, it is a TRUE diet.   It's only a temporary thing and it's to help kick my weight loss into gear.

Like Atkins, I will remove carbs, go into ketosis, and focus on protein.
Unlike Atkins though, I have limits to the amount of things I intake.  There is a focus on protein and how much I can have a day. I also am required to be on supplements AND be monitored by a physician and dietician.  I have required blood work I need to have every so often.  

I am forbidden from starting it (as I have outlined) until I receive my potassium RX.   I will write more when I begin and as I'm on it, but for the mean time, that's all I can tell you.   It's very difficult to describe until I begin following it.  Additionally, calorie-wise I may only be taking in up to 1200 maximum a day. 

I should hopefully not be on it for more than 6 months. Another thing about this diet is if I decide to give it up, I can't just "give it up". One of the phases is a reintroduction of carbs the correct way.

Doing this wasn't a spur of the moment decision. This has been an option to me since October AND I spoke to Gretchen about it last month.  It just took this long to get the ducks in a row.  You can't just go on it. It requires prep and tests and a doctor to sign off on it. 

I welcome questions, but I will not be swayed at this point.  I have a problem and I need help. All these roadblocks (getting injured or sick) do not help.  I need tough love and this is it.

Once we're well again (we both are suffering/recovering from bronchitis and trying to get over this), we will walk the dogs.   Duchess and Athena are a bunch of energy and will make walking more enjoyable.

I believe I'll officially start on Tuesday as I won't be able to get my RX until tomorrow after work.   I'll check in later this week as I'm beginning.

Have a great week.

A little behind

I had every intention of logging on and posting my update on Sunday.

However no matter my intentions, the reality is I am once again down with bronchitis.  The past four years I've been hit with severe cases of bronchitis that knock me on my behind.  I've been in and out of bed for the past 4 days.

No energy or desire to do anything.

I did weigh myself this morning.  I'm back on the right track.  While I'm still on the + side of weight gained, I'm heading back to where I was.  I did update MyFitnessPal, so the number in the top right is correct.

I missed this week's weigh in for the Biggest Loser due to being ill.  I do meet with Gretchen on Friday, so I should have more then.