177.8- Where did that 7.2 pounds go?

So, yeah, I guess that wasn't too painful, over the past 4 months!

Slow progress, but natural changes are happening and becoming a new lifestyle.

Breakfast smoothies with coconut oil are the norm around here. I enjoy them, and so does the whole family. I feel good about putting such wholesome food into our bodies (AND regularly getting it all out- thanks fiber powder!)

Times to eat are breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner. With tea in the evening. So, I've been consistent about not snacking/munching between these predictable eating times. I still struggle with wanting to eat after supper, though. But a good cup of tea helps.

I'm seeing a new doctor who is taking my fatigue seriously. Stool sample results due back on November 4. Hoping to get some answers.

I'm experimenting with soaking and sprouting grains before grinding them... gluten-free, that is! I'm hoping I get the requested book for my birthday that can turn this into more than just an experiment.

Frustrated, though, that all sorts of nutritional advice seem to conflict one another. Perhaps nutritionists are like parenting philosophies...

Come, Lord Jesus, so I can finally have answers for my questions!

185- doing OK.

Summer is a hard time to lose weight. Not that any time is real easy=) But, I'm actually feeling good about myself. I'm trying to listen to my satiation impulses from my brain. Lots of fresh fruits and veggies in my house, and I've been good this week, so far, about not snacking between meals (except for my planned afternoon snack). Though I've been planning to not eat after supper, most nights I still have something- but it's always been fruit. I'm trying to plan more whole foods meals, rather than cassaroles, etc.

188

Stress is a huge factor in my consumption. I eat when I'm emotional (which has been a lot lately, for good reason) or trying to relax. I need to use my "tools" everyday, and keep them with me so I don't make excuses.

No more eating after 7pm, for the rest of the month. I can have milk with cocoa as a bedtime snack.

Eat a shake for breakfast with protein. If I'm still hungry before lunch- by all means, eat! But make it veggies!

Treat myself to diet pop during girls rest time, and chew on a toothpick, if my mouth feels like moving.

Eat snack with the children for accountability.

When eating at a social event, scope out the possibilities and choose what will be on my plate before I get in line.

Take my tools with me when traveling- protein shakes,cocoa, toothpicks, pop, so i don't make excuses.

Back up to 187

How frustrating! But it's not as if I don't know what caused it. I stopped listening to my "full" voice inside my head while vacationing for the week at my mom and dads. It seems that I have barely put two bites into my mouth when my head tells me I'm full. But I feel like I haven't even gotten to enjoy my food!

Well, I'm back at home, and trying to get back to good. It's hard at the end of the school year with all of the barbecues and picnics, etc. Food is such a social thing! But this bump back up has certainly taught me I can't just let my guard down for the week... I need to keep up with my emotions and satiation. Vigilantly.

I made my own alfalfa sprouts over the weekend! Crunchy and tasty!

183.2!

...and I weighed myself before I had even nursed this morning!

Wow... I've realized that I put way more on my plate than I can actually eat if I stop when I'm hungry!

183.4!

It's nice to be making some solid, measurable progress!

We decided to go organic- for one week, at least! I can't believe how expensive the milk is- but it sure makes tasty yogurt! The fruit has been very flavorful, too!

The nice weather has really helped me exercise...we go for walks almost everyday. Not only does the exercise itself help keep my weight down, but it also supresses my appetite. If there's still 1 hour before a meal, I go get out, and I'm able to stave off that hunger just long enough.

This past week, I've felt really good listening to my body. Several times, I've noticed that I have a satiation cue... my brain tells me to stop eating. And SOMETIMES, I actually listen to my brain, rather than my tongue!=) It's strange, though. I serve myself what seems to be a diet-appropriate serving size, and I'm getting full before my plate is clean! I totally have to retrain myself to stop eating when I feel that cue. One way to assist in that is to realize- no bite ever tastes as good as the first bite! Even if I want just one more taste, I already know what it tastes like!

? Don't want to know?

Easter... ah! Thank the Lord for the Resurrection, and for the abundance of wonderful foods He blesses us with!

Ugh... those wonderful foods... traps for those of us watching weight! Here's the deal, though: Yes, I took in more calories than I needed, BUT- none of them were really empty calories. There was no jello salad to be found on our table: Ham, pineapple, sweet potatoes, broccoli and bean salad, and low-fat cheesecake (made from tofu, and home-made cream cheese) with fresh berries on top. So we still had plenty of good food and I didn't feel deprived, but at least it was nutritious!

Problem: When I'm cooking, I eat. Solution: drink soda, chew a toothpick, or eat popcorn instead. Also, if I have it in the house, I will eat it. Bad. I must control myself to not buy it! Something else that has been helpful: If I don't have "snacky" foods on hand, but rather have to cook/bake something, then I don't really snack. The exception to this is fruit, which isn't such a bad thing=) But, if I don't have chips or granola bars in the house, I can't just grab it and sit down to eat. If I actually have to whip up a smoothie or make a piece of toast, eating must be planned, and usually then, I can overcome the craving!

We started some new vitamin supplements this past week. Selenium, Vitamin E, and extra vitamin D (which blood reports showed that I was too low!)

I need to start writing down all of my foods again! I will weigh myself tomorrow morning and report back!