Deviate
It's Monday. I'm hungover. I'm at work. Yet, it doesn't feel so horrible today. I'm certainly waiting for things to blow up in my face but, we'll see.
I decided for New Years I would try giving up sugar to see if it'd help me with my weight and general health. With the Mardi Gras trip fast approaching and just the general sense of needing change physically I had nothing to lose (but weight) doing it. It is now the 20th, and they say 18 days forms a habit so I think I am in a good place right now.
I ditched the endless gallons of iced tea I'd drink a week, which often had two cups of sugar in them. No more sugar in my tea when I go out to eat. No cookies. No junk food for breakfast. I've attempted a few times to cook my own chicken at home with okay results. I plan on working on some crock pot meals soon. Eating a lot of my spinach salads that I love.
Granted all of this healthy eating comes at a cost financially, but once I get into the groove of it I think I can curb some of that. They may be opening a Whole Foods right at the end of my block which would be of a huge benefit.
Around Thanksgiving I was close to 210 pounds. Around Xmas when I weighed myself I was about 207/208ish. Started immediately on the 1st changing my diet. Since then the weight has literally been falling off me it seems. As of today I am 193/194. I do anticipate a plateau eventually as I am not yet increasing activity levels at all, but I wouldn't be shocked if I was down to 190 before that happened.
I haven't been under 200 in several years now. I certainly have not been at 190 since before 2009 at least. I am somewhat in shock about it really. I knew sugar was my downfall but it almost seems ridiculous how much weight I had from it.
In addition to the spinach salads and chicken dinners I've also started each day with a spinach shake. I found a recipe from a personal trainer online. Basically just spinach, almond milk, ice, protein powder, a banana and peanut butter. It tastes great and is such a more concise recipe than the shakes I'd make for years and years throwing in all kinds of fruit and powders that would be mediocre at best and half of which would stick to the blender.
I've also delved into the world of probiotics. There is a good chance the dramatic weight loss may also be tied to that as well. I've had a few things with goat cheese but mainly have been drinking a glass or two of kefir every day. The flavored ones have sugar but overall it is a better substitute than gallons of sweet tea.
I've also been exploring tea too. I must have bought ten different kinds in the past few weeks. Basic green tea, ginseng, ginkgo, some for stress, some for sleep. Using a bit of honey instead of sugar, it has been an excellent substitute for the constant sugar cravings.
I'm still drinking regularly, which has been an issue as I know there's sugar in the mixers I use. I tried switching to ginger ale instead of 7-up. Not really sure the difference in sugar content in it as I've not researched. But, even with drinking on the weekends my weight has not been much affected. I'd like to squeeze in a break next month maybe (as it seems right now I've got obligations which involve drinking for the next few weeks).
When I walked in the office this morning the Boss said he could see the weight loss in my face. It really spurred my ego. I honestly hadn't noticed much of a change at all but I went in the bathroom and looked in the mirror and my face did look thinner. I'm trying to grasp onto these little things and use them as continued motivation. There's no real plan here, I'm just seeing where I get.
I almost feel the urge to go running, which I haven't in ages. Nor do I really think my body could handle it. I've had pains in my feet, but I'm not sure if it's due to the almost absolute inactivity of the past six months.
They are also building a new gym around the corner from my place. I told myself I would join it and it is still in the back of my mind. But, that is a real commitment and I couldn't just get a membership and expect change. I wouldn't have the first clue what to do at a gym. I'd have to consider a personal trainer at least initially. And all of that comes at a cost. I'll think about it all but I'm not going to set myself for a disappointment. that's why this entire undertaking has been so casual.
If there is one thing I know for sure, my attitude is like a stormy ocean. The next wave could hit any second and all this positivity would be washed away.
I decided for New Years I would try giving up sugar to see if it'd help me with my weight and general health. With the Mardi Gras trip fast approaching and just the general sense of needing change physically I had nothing to lose (but weight) doing it. It is now the 20th, and they say 18 days forms a habit so I think I am in a good place right now.
I ditched the endless gallons of iced tea I'd drink a week, which often had two cups of sugar in them. No more sugar in my tea when I go out to eat. No cookies. No junk food for breakfast. I've attempted a few times to cook my own chicken at home with okay results. I plan on working on some crock pot meals soon. Eating a lot of my spinach salads that I love.
Granted all of this healthy eating comes at a cost financially, but once I get into the groove of it I think I can curb some of that. They may be opening a Whole Foods right at the end of my block which would be of a huge benefit.
Around Thanksgiving I was close to 210 pounds. Around Xmas when I weighed myself I was about 207/208ish. Started immediately on the 1st changing my diet. Since then the weight has literally been falling off me it seems. As of today I am 193/194. I do anticipate a plateau eventually as I am not yet increasing activity levels at all, but I wouldn't be shocked if I was down to 190 before that happened.
I haven't been under 200 in several years now. I certainly have not been at 190 since before 2009 at least. I am somewhat in shock about it really. I knew sugar was my downfall but it almost seems ridiculous how much weight I had from it.
In addition to the spinach salads and chicken dinners I've also started each day with a spinach shake. I found a recipe from a personal trainer online. Basically just spinach, almond milk, ice, protein powder, a banana and peanut butter. It tastes great and is such a more concise recipe than the shakes I'd make for years and years throwing in all kinds of fruit and powders that would be mediocre at best and half of which would stick to the blender.
I've also delved into the world of probiotics. There is a good chance the dramatic weight loss may also be tied to that as well. I've had a few things with goat cheese but mainly have been drinking a glass or two of kefir every day. The flavored ones have sugar but overall it is a better substitute than gallons of sweet tea.
I've also been exploring tea too. I must have bought ten different kinds in the past few weeks. Basic green tea, ginseng, ginkgo, some for stress, some for sleep. Using a bit of honey instead of sugar, it has been an excellent substitute for the constant sugar cravings.
I'm still drinking regularly, which has been an issue as I know there's sugar in the mixers I use. I tried switching to ginger ale instead of 7-up. Not really sure the difference in sugar content in it as I've not researched. But, even with drinking on the weekends my weight has not been much affected. I'd like to squeeze in a break next month maybe (as it seems right now I've got obligations which involve drinking for the next few weeks).
When I walked in the office this morning the Boss said he could see the weight loss in my face. It really spurred my ego. I honestly hadn't noticed much of a change at all but I went in the bathroom and looked in the mirror and my face did look thinner. I'm trying to grasp onto these little things and use them as continued motivation. There's no real plan here, I'm just seeing where I get.
I almost feel the urge to go running, which I haven't in ages. Nor do I really think my body could handle it. I've had pains in my feet, but I'm not sure if it's due to the almost absolute inactivity of the past six months.
They are also building a new gym around the corner from my place. I told myself I would join it and it is still in the back of my mind. But, that is a real commitment and I couldn't just get a membership and expect change. I wouldn't have the first clue what to do at a gym. I'd have to consider a personal trainer at least initially. And all of that comes at a cost. I'll think about it all but I'm not going to set myself for a disappointment. that's why this entire undertaking has been so casual.
If there is one thing I know for sure, my attitude is like a stormy ocean. The next wave could hit any second and all this positivity would be washed away.