[Sabrina]

I am starting a new program (on Monday )

This is not a diet and it is certainly not a lifestyle change or way of life. It is a fat reduction program. Having studied it, I think it is very much like the Atkins Diet.

I am excited as it seems I will be able to do this but there are certain things that I will have to give up that I am going to find very hard to do. But I need to weigh up the consequences of staying so overweight.

I paid a fortune for this program and will have weekly weigh in's and measurement taking for 8 weeks. I have received a multi-vitamin and a natural appetite suppressant as part of the program and I will also receive 5 (free) lipo slim (some sort of infra red thingymajiggy) treatments.

I am excited as I am planning to start some exercise as well. I will get back to the gym but until then I will be walking. I am still suffering a pinched nerve in my back so will find even gentle weight training a bit challenging for now. But treadmills and general walking should be just fine.

I am excited about this new process in my life. My weight has been out of control for some time and I need to get out of the slump and denial that I am in.

I declined to find out my weight and measurements at my first weigh in today. I just didn't have the courage. But I will face it soon enough.

So wish me luck. There are a lot of foods on this program (even cheese) that I love and I just need to get over the fear of giving up carbs for 8 weeks. It's only 8 weeks. I can do this.

I will keep you posted of my progress here.

Good luck with this Sabrina, My daughter joined slimming world online and lost half a stone in a month which I think is really good.

[lynn P.]

That's awesome ((Sabrina)) and I wish you the best of luck. Sounds like a multifaceted approach. Are you getting any treatment for the pinched nerve? Maybe losing some weight will help with this. You can do this and I'm cheering for you.

[Fresia]

Wishing you much success with this new program! Getting the weight off is helping with the issue in my back considerably; I hope it will help with your nerve issue in your back as well. Best wishes!

[Sabrina]

It is going well. Yesterday was my first day and my first day without carbs, well.... ever! I coped fine though I was very nibblish towards the end of the day. I felt as though I ate too much but it was all my allowed foods. Today has started well and I am drinking a lot of water. It is sooo hot and windy so I won't be going for a walk but I will definitely kick in some exercise soon.

My first weigh in is Friday and I don't expect to lose too much as I only started on Monday and was naughty the whole weekend.

Will I be allowed to post how much I have lost here? I know it is restricted in the Eating Forum but perhaps here it will be okay.

You're doing great so far, If this is a weigh loss forum I can't see why you you can't post how much weight you have lost Brilliant! well done.

[Sabrina]

this evening is hard. I'm craving a drink and would just love a fresh slice of bread (or four). I am realizing just how much I ate out of boredom. I ate for many reasons other than hunger and learning these is painful.

[Fresia]

It typically takes 5-10 minutes for any craving to pass. See if you can find some activity to distract with to move past the craving. Not to say it won't come back but this might help in the interim. Hang in there.

[Sabrina]

The craving did eventually pass (and I resisted it!!) though it kept coming and going in waves. But I coped with it.

I had my first weigh in today and lost 700g (1.54 lbs) and a total of 26 cm (10.23 in).

Since I have only actively been on the program since Monday, I consider this to be a successful loss and I am feeling very good about myself. I have a long way to go but this is the start of my journey (yet again) and there's no looking back. Very soon my wedding ring will fit comfortably again!!

You're doing really good Sabrina and I am proud of you

[Sabrina]

I am still sticking to plan. I cheated a bit on the weekend and had some drinks but food wise, I still haven't had any carbs. This is such an amazing feat for me! I am starting to identify hunger better now and because I can't snack on carbs, find I am snacking much less. Second weigh in tomorrow. Good luck to me!

[Sabrina]

I lost 900g (1.9 lbs) and 17 cm (6.69 in)

That's a total of 3.5 lbs and a total of 43 in.

I am happy with that though my consultant seemed to feel I should (or could) have lost a bit more. My body is almost in ketosis which is the state where your body burns fat for energy.

I was also told that I am getting 8 free treatments on this extreme lean machine or whatever it is called. It is similar to Powerplate. One of those vibrating machines. It is quite soothing. And hey, every little bit counts.

I will continue to log my progress here so that I have something to read back on.

One of these days my wedding ring won't be so tight. That is my most immediate short term goal. I posted my goals (many of them) on another forum (I think eating disorders) I will look for it and post it here.

Onwards and "down"wards!!

[Sabrina]

So these are my weight loss goals.

Some more long term than others but all boil down to reaching my goal weight! I'm mixing them all together.

1. Fitting into my wedding ring without it cutting into me
2. Reaching my toes without huffing and puffing to do a french pedicure
3. Having a bath! (Only showering at the moment as I can't stand bear to squeeze into my bath)
4. Being able to wear all my clothes and lingerie that are in storage.
5. And buy some new, of course!
6. Go for a jog without feeling that "the girls" are going to knock me unconscious!
7. To be thinner than my sister-in-law (family rivalry )
8. To fit into the ring hubby gave me for Christmas some years ago
9. Wear sleeveless shirts and vests.
10. Wear shorts
11. I'll never in my life again wear a costume, but I wouldn't mind going swimming.
12. Improving my self-esteem issues and valuing myself again.
13. Improving and re-igniting intimacy.
14. Looking good for my hubby!
15. Not running away when someone points a camera in my direction. (May as well be a gun!)
16. Donating all my "fat" clothes to a home for survivors of domestic violence (I can't wait to do this - already have one pair of pants on the pile!) Now this is an old term goal, and when I lost so much weight a year ago, I did donate all the clothes. Now I have had to buy new as I gained all the weight back.
17. Just realizing and knowing that this is MY OWN achievement and that I have strength to do it.
18. I don't know if I will be at goal, but I would like a substantial weight loss for my wedding anniversary in May.

I probably have even more but I think this is way more than enough for now!

The greatest rewards will be my own self-pride and without a doubt, that of my husband. Just to hear him call me beautiful, or sexy and be proud of me is a dream I am grasping with all I have!

Great to be able to record these goals and dreams.

[Fresia]

Congratulations on the weight loss and good job on making those incredible healthy changes towards your goals. It was recommended to me to post the goals somewhere where they can be referred to for inspiration. Perhaps this might help too. Again, good going!

[roads]

Go, Sabrina! *cha-cha-cha* I took you with me when I went on my walk around the lake this morning.:

[Sabrina]

I'm in the third week of my program and giving up carbs has been much easier than I thought. I am still snacking a lot but am starting to feel less hungry. I am still not exercising but know that I will accelerate my weight loss when I do.

My weigh in is Friday, hope for a third loss in a row.

[Sabrina]

I had a small gain even though I still lost inches. My own fault, too many drinks on the weekend. Doesn't help to stick to eating plan then drink empty calories!

[roads]

Just keep going ...
Everything's good ...
Roadie

[Sabrina]

Weighing in tomorrow. I truly don't know what to expect though I have been sticking to plan. I can't believe 3 weeks have passed without a single slice of bread.

Wish me luck.

[Sabrina]

I lost 900g (1.9 lbs) and 19 cm (7.4 in)

So my total weight loss to date is 2.2kg (4.8 lbs) and 72 cm (28 in)

My body is in full ketosis which means I am burning fat for energy.

I am very happy with this result.

I have been keeping a food diary and I have seen that I have been eating a little less as I have gotten more used to knowing that I am not hungry, just bored.

Progress!!

[PleaseHelp]

Way to go Sabrina. Keep up the good work. I know losing weight really helped with some of my knee pain.

[roads]

Full ketosis ... YES!! Progress, indeed! Progress indeed ...
Roadie

Well done Sabrina, Proud of you

[Sabrina]

I had a small weight loss this week. Nothing major but most appreciated as I had one or two cheats.

I HAVE to start exercising though, but oh, what a chore. And one I just don't enjoy.

5 weeks into my program now and i am feeling as determined as ever.

[roads]

Oh, yeah, Sabrina, we can all do without that evil little voice that says, "Go on, cheat--you got away with it once, remember?"

You just keep putting one determined foot in front of the other. And I know you'll figure out some way to deal with the exercise dilemma. Hog-tying?

Roadie