Monday, May 5, 2008

Explanations

about my new ticker.... although, I am pretty sure it is pretty clear...

Kyle and I have been married for 10 months. In that 10 months I have gained 20 pounds. bleh.
Since I graduated from high school I have gained 40 pounds, give or take. I was a size 8 when I started college, and even when I went up to a 10, that was okay... 12, I can deal with it, not too hard to go back to a 10, 8 would be nice, but 10 is okay. But when I needed dress pants for work, and only the 14's fit... well. that was the final straw.

Now, I am not looking for pity, or comments.
I know that a size 14 really isn't that big and that many beautiful women are size 14.

I just don't want to be one of them.

I am 5'4", for my height I should weigh between 120 and 140-ish, according to all those experts out there.

My sister and I have both always carried our weight well. When we inform people how much we really weigh, or they try to guess, there is always surprise at the real number.


So, all that to say, I have started on the South Beach Diet. I have yet to actually read all the book, but I have been following the eating plan, and it seems to work... :0)

I know the Leonard's did South Beach for a while, and I am pretty sure I remember reading good results from them. It is one of the few "diets" that I haven't heard bad things about. I am not good at counting my calories, or points. I don't have the patience to read every label and convert nutrition facts to calories and calculate exactly how many calories I have eaten. I really don't want to write down everything I eat!! So I figured I would try it and see how it went. If I had too much trouble following the plan, didn't feel healthy, and/or I didn't see any results in the time frame they give (in two weeks you can lose 8-14 pounds, I lost 5) then I would go on to something else.

These last two weekends have been really hard, there has been so much going on at church and it all seems to revolve around food!!! My sister is coming to visit next weekend, that won't be too horrible, eating-wise, and the weekend after that is my cousin's wedding, but that is only one meal, so not too much of an issue.

South Beach is nice. I can eat all the approved proteins and veggies I want, and it is okay, if not required, to have snacks!! woo!! and that's just phase 1. In phase 2 I actually get to start adding carbs and starches back in!! :0) I feel full and satisfied, and it really isn't that much trouble to make the food. It takes a little longer, but it makes me slow down a bit. Breakfast is really the hardest meal of the day, because I can't just grab a bowl of cereal, but I jsut made these little mini quiche things that are in the recipe section and they freeze really well, so that will help on the days I am rushed. I am getting a bit tired of salads for lunch every day, but I keep trying to mix it up a bit so that it isn't the same old thing.

So, that is what is going on with that. Just thought I would let you all know, so you weren't wondering too much, and dying of suspense!!

7 comments:

Kristen Borland said...

taking on the challenge of a diet is so huge and scarey! good for you. i've also only heard great things about the south beach diet.

i also gained 20 pounds after getting married (but like in 4 or 5 months!), and i know it was the birth control pill. i got off of that for a multitude of reasons (none of which were the weight gain), starting controlling my portions at meal time, and started exercising three times a week, and was able to get the weight off. now, after having kids, is a whole other story!! of course, i'm pregnant so i can't really do anything right now, but i'll have to get serious about it again after the baby comes. the thing is i hate diets because i hate rules!!

i was so excited to see another post from you this morning!!

Jason and Anna said...

Great job! Carbs are so fabulous...ugggh, what a trooper. That would be so hard for me. I am obsessed with any and all sugar cereals.

Just from my basic nutrition classes :-) I'd recommend finding an activity that you enjoy (even just walking) and combining the diet with exercise. It's so healthy for you, makes you feel strong, and is a good long term habit that helps you maintain your weight and health when the diet may fail you...or when you cheat! :-). Like Kristin mentioned, it seems that successful, permanent weight loss, involves exercise. Until you start poppin' out babies...than that's a whole different story!

Good Luck!!!!

Jacquelyn said...

I got you beat! I gained 70lb in our first year of marriage!! Of course when Zak was born he was only 8 lbs so I guess that's a net of 62. Good luck on the diet. I never made it past day zero when you are supposed to throw out your junk food.

jenny said...

Way to go Carrie! I applaude you for your endeavors! Travis has been trying to lose weight too, ever since last summer, and it's hard! I feel like I'm a part of it with him, because I'm the one making the meals. Changing your eating habits is VERY difficult - at least for us. So, way to go!! And thank you for your sweet comment on my blog about our baby - never would have even known about your cleft lip/palette! Such a beautiful face...

Emily said...

Carrie I'm so proud of you! I know it will be difficult to do without your wedding coordinator there to exercise with you;o), but it sounds like it's going well already. I miss you and Kyle tons, and hope to somehow see you soon!

Anonymous said...

How is your diet going?? I just started south beach on May 1st and have lost 9 lbs so far. I've got about 25 left to go! Good luck to you! Let me know if you have any pointers or things you'd like to share :)

Kate

Anonymous said...

Kate, if she's not answering that probably means she hasnt lost any weight!!