My Weight Loss Journey...

So, as I had mentioned in my previous post, I am doing a low-carb eating plan and counting calories (I like to call it an eating plan vs. diet...always "disliked" that word). I have been eating this way since the beginning of January and I am so happy to report that I have lost a total of 6 lbs as of today. I can't begin to say how great I feel right now. I am just so thrilled about losing weight and that I have found an eating plan that works for me. I have made a bunch of low-carb recipes for dinner the past couple of weeks and continue to print out more and more so that I have a book of them that I can turn to. I am marking down my "pros and cons" for each and when I made them first. So, far E has pretty much liked everyone I have made. E isn't on the low-carb, technically speaking, but if I can "sneak" these meals in at least a couple of times a week it makes me feel like I am helping him as well. I so wish he would join me fully on this but he just doesn't have the desire nor the willpower to do it. A friend of mine told me that once he sees me losing alot of the weight (where it is noticeable...right now it isn't) then he will probably join me, but I know E and in my heart I am not holding out much hope. E has put on a good amount of weight himself in the 11 years we have been together. I am just guessing at this, but I think it is around 40-50 lbs. I purchased a new scale for our bathroom recently because I want to know the numbers. I try not to weigh myself everyday and shoot for Friday's as weigh-in day, but twice this week I weighed myself and both times I lost half a pound...woo hoo!

I have just finished a book (on my Kindle) by Dianne Carpenter about low-carb eating and how she lost 40 lbs and has kept it off for over 12 years. I found it very inspiring to say the least. She talked about different low-carb eating plans and how one doesn't always fit for everyone. She has even gone on and off several different ones at times. She also says there are times where your weight loss will plateau and that you will have to teak your plan or change plans. I am thinking about getting her second book which has recipes, various lists of low-carb foods and restuarants menus with carb count. It is really an interesting to see how many carbs are in certain foods.

I am really feeling like I can do this...this time. It feels so different from the last time and in part I think it is that I am eating things I do like to eat and that I am seeing progress. Last year, I wasn't seeing much progress of weight loss.

I had my annual with my gyn doc last Friday and told her about the low-carb eating plan I am on. She wasn't personally fond of low-carb, but she said if it is working for you then great, but that I still should incorporate dairy - no matter what. I do eat yogurt and drink Almond or Soy milk from time to time, but I would say I definitely eat cheese mostly. I absolutely love cheese and all kinds too. So, in order to make sure I am getting the adequate amount, I purchased vitamin D to supplement. I also mentioned at my visit that I do still spot occasionally and she wants me to go get an ultrasound so they can check my lining. I am continuing the HRT as I feel good on it (though she asked if I want to change the dose and I said "no" - I really don't want to mess with that right now unless I am forced to). In no way do I miss those damn hot flashes and I really enjoy sleeping thru the night again. She also wants me to go in standard bloodwork (thyroid, cholestrol, etc,) as well. Luckily the lab is in the same building which is right down the street from my job, so I have to plan for this one day next week (you have to fast the night before). Otherwise, everything looked good and she said if this pap comes back "ok" then I won't need one for 2 years...that's cool!