Thursday is Here

I forgot to weigh myself this morning, but I will tomorrow for sure. It's probably not a good thing that I weigh myself every day, but maybe it is. I don't know. Not sure what the weight loss rulse are to be honest. I like it when I see the number decreasing....who doesn't?

What’s on the Menu for Thursday

Thursday’s menu includes the following: Breakfast – 4 hard boiled eggs (no yolk) Mid - Morning Snack – handful of almonds Lunch – salad greens with grilled chicken, sunflower seeds, and fat free honey mustard dressing Mid - Afternoon Snack – 3 slices of cheddar cheese Dinner – grilled marinated chicken breast with green beans Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – low fat / fat free yogurt *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Today is Wednesday

Weighed myself this morning and was at 164.3. Between yesterday and today I managed to lose but I'm not really sure how considering I induldged in a chocolate brownie and vanilla ice cream sundae in celebration of my baby's 1st birthday last night. Yeah I caved. Oh well. I admit, I have minor slip ups from time to time (more often than I should, I know) but I always seem to get right back on track the following day. I always think that tomorrow will be a better day, and so far today, it has been.

What’s on the Menu for Wednesday

Wednesday’s menu includes the following: Breakfast – 5 minute cook oatmeal w/ Splenda brown sugar and walnuts Mid - Morning Snack – 3 slices of cheddar cheese Lunch – salad greens with tuna fish, sunflower seeds, and fat free honey mustard dressing Mid - Afternoon Snack – fat free yougurt Dinner – grilled marinated pork chop with asparagus and wheat pasta Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – handful of almonds *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Today is Tuesday

Weight today - 165.00 (yuck, yuck)

What’s on the Menu for Tuesday

Tuesday’s menu includes the following:

Breakfast – 5 minute cook oatmeal w/ splenda brown sugar and walnuts Mid - Morning Snack – handful of almonds Lunch – South Beach frozen meal – Caprese Style Chicken with Broccoli & Cauliflower Mid - Afternoon Snack – fat free yougurt Dinner – grilled marinated chicken with black beans and brown rice Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – handful of peanuts *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Saturday, Sunday & Monday All Wrapped up Into One (Day One / Week Three (PHASE TWO)

Okay, horrible blogger - I know, I know. No updates AT ALL, the entire weekend - I need to do better. Here's my quick rundown of the weekend - Saturday - Attended that birthday party I mentioned, and, well - all I can say is "I Tried". I had a handful of pretzel sticks and a very small slice of a hogie type sandwhich that had ham, turkey, lettuce and tomato on it - NOT phase 1 acceptable. You find out really quick when you attend things such as parties, or get togethers, that the menu isn't catered to 'you'. That's okay obviously as it doesn't have to be and more importantly won't always be. You just have to do what's best for you and well, take it from there. So again, shame on me. But the rest of the day I ate well and stuck to my diet. Sunday - I am glad to announce that I was able to stick to my diet today - no mis-haps. And today is Monday. First day of Phase Two. Time to add in some new foods to my diet and spice things up!!! Weight this morning - 165.00 (yuck).

What’s on the Menu for Monday

Monday’s menu includes the following: Breakfast – 4 hard boiled eggs (no yolk) Mid - Morning Snack – handful of almonds Lunch – Salad greens with chicken, almonds, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, low fat honey mustard dressing Mid - Afternoon Snack –string cheese and 2 slices of fat free roasted turkey breast lunch meat Dinner – grilled marinated pork with green beans Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – handful of peanuts *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Friday - Day Five / Week Two

TGIF! But that means that the weekend is here, and as I've posted before - tough times are ahead. With no plans for the weekend outside of the birthday party, I shouldn't have any issues with sticking to the diet. I've made it almost completely through Phase One, and am looking forward to Phase Two - which is literally right around the corner!!! Time to introduce more foods into my diet. Weight this morning - 163.00 pounds

What’s on the Menu for Friday

Friday’s menu includes the following: Breakfast – 4 hard boiled eggs (no yolk) Mid - Morning Snack – 4 slices of low fat roasted turkey lunch meat Lunch – Salad greens with chicken, almonds, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, low fat raspberry vinaigrette dressing Mid - Afternoon Snack – handful of peanuts and a string cheese Dinner – grilled marinated chicken with cauliflower Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – handful of almonds *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Thursday - Day Four / Week Two

The weekend is almost here - I vow to myself to do better this weekend, although we have a birthday party to go to (and yes, there will be cake and ice cream I'm sure). Since it's a kid birthday party, maybe I'll just distract myself with chasing the boys around - which won't be hard to do! Someone that read my blog thought it would be a good idea to disclose how much weight I've lost from start to right now, so here goes. Since I gave birth to my second son, and then started this diet almost a year ago, I've lost - ........DRUM ROLL....... 87 p0unds!!!!! Wow. That's an accomplishment, if I must say so myself. Especially considering I never thought I'd lose 5 pounds when I started. I had totally given up on myself. And I must say, I am glad that I gave this diet a chance. And if you really think about it, well to put it into perspective a litte better, I've lost a total of 2 1/2 of my dogs (I have 3 Brittany Spaniels that each weigh a good 30 pounds) or I've lost two of my 3 year old (he weighs about 35 pounds) and about half of my soon to be one year old. Interesting isn't it?! Oh, and I remembered to weigh myself this morning - 163.2 pounds

What’s on the Menu for Thursday

Thursday’s menu includes the following: Breakfast – fat free cottage cheese Mid - Morning Snack – handful of peanuts Lunch – Salad greens with chicken, almonds, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, low fat honey mustard dressing Mid - Afternoon Snack – one string cheese Dinner – grilled marinated pork with broccoli Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – handful of almonds *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

What’s on the Menu for Wednesday

Wednesday’s menu includes the following: Breakfast – 4 hard boiled eggs (no yolk) Mid - Morning Snack – handful of almonds Lunch – Salad greens with tunafish, almonds, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, raspberry walnut vinaigrette dressing Mid - Afternoon Snack – 4 slices of low fat roasted turkey breast lunch meat Dinner – grilled marinated chicken with asparagus Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – handful of peanuts *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Wednesday - Day Three / Week Two

The week is moving along nicely. I had such a busy morning today that I forgot to weigh myself. I'll report tomorrow!

Tuesday - Day Two / Week Two

It's Tuesday! That's really all I have to say at the moment..... Weight this morning - 164.2 pounds

What’s on the Menu for Tuesday

Tuesday’s menu includes the following:

Breakfast – 4 hard boiled eggs (no yolk) Mid - Morning Snack – 4 slices of fat free roasted chicken breast lunch meat Lunch – South Beach frozen meal – Savory Beef with Cheesy Broccoli Mid - Afternoon Snack – handful of almonds Dinner – grilled marinated pork chops with cauliflower Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – handful of peanuts *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Monday - Day One / Week Two

So I'm not going to lie - the weekend was tough - especially with our trip to Cheyenne WY, and eating out for lunch AND dinner. I did my best to stick to the rules, however I faultered a little bit. I know, I know, I said I wasn't going to - no and's, if's or but's, but it just didn't work out that way. I'm human after all - right? Even though it may have seemed like bad timing to diet, I'm not going to let a few mistakes on my part lead me to every excuse under the sun as to why I'm going to give up and quit right now. I'm just going to move forward and continue - as if it never even happened. On Saturday at lunch I 'cheated' and had a very small bowl of ice cream for dessert. I also ate some Sesame Chicken that I could have gone without (we went to a buffet resturant, and well, it was chicken!). I felt it too - amazingly enough. On Sunday I did better. Although I did have a sandwich using a wheat wrap that I had left over (wanted to finish up the last bit so that I didn't watch it grow mold over the course of the next few weeks). I should not have had the wheat wrap - but I did. Too late now to cry about it. Other than those speedbumps, I did 'ok'. It's Monday now and I'm back on track. And I'm going to stay there!!!! Weight this am - 166.4 pounds (see what not following the rules does!!!! :( :(

What’s on the Menu for Monday

Monday’s menu includes the following: Breakfast – fat free cottage cheese Mid - Morning Snack – handful of cashews Lunch – Salad greens with grilled marinated chicken breast, raspberry & walnut vinaigrette dressing, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, kidney beans and almonds Mid - Afternoon Snack – 4 slices of fat free roasted chicken breast lunch meat Dinner – scrambled eggs with chives, mushrooms and green pepper Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – handful of almonds *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Sunday - Day Seven / Week One

Did a lot of running around today - didn't really stick to anything specific as far as a menu - it's kinda hard to on the weekend .......will bring everything up to speed in my Monday post.

Saturday - Day Six / Week One

Well, the weekend is officially here. Which I eluded to before, the weekends are the hardest. Typically one would throw caution to the wind and eat whatever their heart desired, but not me. Sticking to my plan - no and's if's or but's about it. I'm heading to WY today - just for the day - so my usual posts will come later. Stay tuned.

Friday - Day Five / Week One

Well, it's finally Friday! Weight this morning - 164.0 pounds

What’s on the Menu for Friday

Friday’s menu includes the following:

Breakfast – fat free cottage cheese Mid - Morning Snack – string cheese and a handful of almonds Lunch – Salad greens with grilled marinated chicken breast, raspberry & walnut vinaigrette dressing, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, kidney beans and almonds Mid - Afternoon Snack – handful of peanuts Dinner – grilled fish with lemon pepper seasoning and black beans Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack – 4 slices of over roasted low fat chicken breast lunch meat *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Thursday - Day Four / Week One

Well, week one of Phase 1 is almost over, and the weekend is almost here. Ugh. The weekend. Those usually are the hardest - hard to stay focused I mean. Anyway, I must say that as each day goes by, it gets easier and easier - no cravings, no hunger. When I eat, I eat and I eat until I'm satisfied. It's just what I eat - and in all seriousness, last night at dinner time, I had a hard time finishing. I just wasn't hungry. Weight this morning - 164.0 pounds.

What’s on the Menu for Thursday

Thursday’s menu includes the following: Breakfast – 4 hard boiled eggs (no yolk) Mid - Morning Snack – handful of peanuts Lunch – Salad greens with grilled marinated chicken breast, raspberry & walnut vinaigrette dressing, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, kidney beans and almonds Mid - Afternoon Snack – 4 slices of fat free roasted turkey lunch meat Dinner - grilled marinated chicken with asparagus Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack - handful of almonds

*Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

A Little 'History' About Me

So I'm 30 years old, will be 31 this year. In 2002 I had my first born child - gained like 65+ pounds during the nine months I was prego. Yup 65+ pounds, what was I thinking!? The key here is that I was already a good 30 pounds overweight. So yeah, off to a bad start for me. After I had the baby, I lost maybe 30 pounds out of that 65+ that I gained. Thinking about losing the weight was greuling. Super tough. I eventually gave up and told myself over and over again that there was no way I was EVER going to be skinny again. So, I moved on and carried the extra weight around felt horribly miserable day in and day out. Every day I made promises to myself and said I was going to diet, but then would cheat only 6 hours into it. I was stuck in a rut so deep that I had seriously lost all hope. And then what do you know, I got pregnant again. I had my second child in 2005 - only gained 35 with that one. I was overly concerned about my weight - the doctors didn't seem to be at all. And oddly enough, both of my pregnancies were fairly normal, no big complications at all. So, I have baby number two, and like a miracle, within 6 weeks I had lost 35 pounds. I have no idea how it happened so fast. Fast forward to early November 2005 - My brother came to live with us for a short period of time. He asked me before he moved in what my thoughts were about going on the South Beach diet with him - I agreed thinking to myself that I could stand to lose some weight. I was in denial big time, but deep down inside I knew I was fat. And so my weight loss journey started. He was my mentor - my motivation - my everything. I owe my success on this diet to him, I really do. And my husband too, he really supported me through it all (and still does to this day). Before I knew it, the pounds seemed to be melting off. I felt so good, like a brand new person. People were noticing and asking me questions. It was really working! I had finally stepped out of my fat suit that had been haunting me all that time. I'm happy to say that almost a year later, I'm 15-20 pounds from my goal weight - and I'm even more estatic to say that I'll never let myself go again - ever.

What’s on the Menu for Wednesday

What’s on the Menu for Wednesday Wednesday's menu includes the following:

Breakfast – fat free cottage cheese Mid - Morning Snack - low fat string cheese & 4 slices of low fat roasted turkey breast lunch meat Lunch – South Beach frozen meal – Savory Pork with Pecans and Green Beans Mid - Afternoon Snack – handful of almonds Dinner - grilled marinated pork chops with green beans Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack - handful of peanuts

*Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Wednesday - Day Three / Week One

It’s Wednesday already! And I’m proud to say that I made it through the temptation of Krispie Cream doughnuts last night! Any and all the cravings I would typically have for things I don’t need have virtually disappeared. This happened the first time I started this diet full force as well. So, I can tell that it’s working. And I feel good. Weight today – 165.2 pounds.

What WAS on the Menu for Tuesday

Tuesday's menu included the following: Breakfast - 4 hard boiled eggs (no yolk) Mid - Morning Snack - low fat string cheese & a handful of peanuts Lunch - Salad greens with tunafish, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, kidney beans, almonds and low fat honey mustard dressing Mid - Afternoon Snack - 4 slices of low fat roasted turkey breast lunch meat Dinner - grilled marinated chicken breast with wax beans Dessert - sugar free jell-o Evening Snack - handful of almonds *Beverages throughout the day included iced tea, water and coffee

Tuesday - Day Two / Week One

Okay, so Monday flew by - no issues. Not even a single craving. And that was even with my co-workers flinging chocolate around ALL day. With that said, it's day two and I feel good. I weighed myself this morning, and suprisingly enough, the scale read 167.0 pounds. I'm on my way!!! I like to see results, they keep me motivated.

What WAS on the Menu For Monday

Monday's Menu Included: Breakfast - 4 hard boiled eggs (minus the yolk) Mid -Morning Snack - 1 low fat string cheese Lunch - Salad greens with grilled chicken, kidney beans, low fat shredded cheddar cheese, handful of sunflower seeds, and low fat honey mustard dressing Dessert - fat free jell-o Mid - Afternoon Snack - handful of almonds Dinner - Grilled marinated pork chop with broccoli Evening Snack - handful of peanuts *Beverages included throughout the day - water, iced tea, & coffee

Monday - Day One / Week One

Ok, so today is the day. Today is the day that I HAVE to get back on track. I'm slipping, and I can feel it. I have definitely started to slip more than I should be for as far as I've come on this weight loss journey. So, I went to the grocery store yesterday and stocked up on everything that I’ll need to get me through the week – and I weighed myself this morning. 169.0 pounds. This here blog will keep my accountable, that’s what it’s here for.

Greetings, and Welcome!

Okay, so the purpose of this here blog is to share my weight loss success on the South Beach diet with friends, family and anyone else that cares to take a look. I've had great success over the last year and I want to share it!! Most importantly, I want other people who are struggling to be successful like me, because I now know that anything is possible if you are ready and willing and put your mind to it. That is the key though - YOU have to be ready to do this for you - it's a commitment. I have had several people ask me for advice, opinions, or the more curious "'what is it that you are doing!" over the last year, and well, now I'm going to track it all – and share it by means of this blog. Please feel free to leave comments and ask questions. I will do my best to respond to each and every one of them. So with that said, lets begin.