Questions and Answers

I had started a new post but now it is gone, I don't know where it went... I have been the recipient of a lot of questions over the past week. I will address some of them. Its past Monday, and some blog stalkers issued comments that they missed my blog this week... It's 50 hours late, but here you people go anyway....

Question and Answer Time

Q: What are you going to do with your blog now that your done? 

A: Keep it! I need the weekly accountability of where I am at in my journey, and it's truly phenomenal to be able to look back at my journey to see where I started. And to see how far I have come. I'm so glad that I decided to document my journey utilizing this blog. Yes, I know many of you make fun of the URL, and I really don't care. Its cute!
 

Q: Why did you decide to do mediFast? 

A: I thought I had addressed this many time before, but I guess not. I wanted to lose weight using something  that was a scientifically proven, safe, effective and that my doctor endorsed. I wanted to lose the weight for me, and my health. Not for anyone else. 

Q: How is it that were able to succeed? 

A: Determination determined success. Just like the mini title of this blog states. I wanted to. I knew that I would have to forgo those fattening  foods, but it was worth it in the end, or rather the beginning. I had to decide day one to walk away from the ill advised foods, once and for all. 

Q: What has been the best part.... Buying new clothes I bet? 

A:  I can't pin point the best part.... I can't decide! I have gotten tons of comments praising me. People have stated that they don't recognize me anymore, which is always fun.  I have gotten healthier. I have had to purchase new clothes... Albeit, minimal clothes. I am holding out hope that Mitchell will get my contact card that I sent him last week, and call me, and that he and I will go shopping in L.A. He has no idea I lost the weight... But he is a friend that recommended that I lose weight about a year and a half ago. I am dying for the day that I reunite with him and see the look on his face.... I hope that day comes soon.  

As for the buying the clothes thing: I HATE buying clothes... And it's impossible to find Mormon approved clothes in Vegas.... But I did manage to go to Utah and get a few modest shirts this past weekend.

But really, the best part has been being the recipient of hugs, from people who were actually able to fully embrace me. Their arms have been able to go all the way around me, much different then in the past.

Q:  When you lose that much weight where does your skin go? 

A: I have no idea.  I do believe that I do have extra skin that's hanging around... And the only thing that will fix this is plastic surgery. Since plastic surgery is an elective procedure my insurance company's won't pay for it. I also had a friend recently go through this procedure.... It looks VERY painful and I don't know that I want to endure that.... A little extra skin never killed anyone, right? Extra Fat has though... I will take my flab-oulous skin over extra weight from fat, any day!

Q: Are you going to be able to get pregnant now that you have lost the weight?
A: Probably not.  Head over to my fertility blog to find out why. I don't have the time or the energy to talk about such a depressing matter on this blog, which is dedicated to awesomeness! I really can't take any more of this specific question, so if you all could, can you please resume to living your own lives, and leave us alone regarding our diseases? That would be incredibly nice.

Q: I bet your husband absolutely loves your new body now?
A: No. He couldn't care less. And encourages bad eating habits.

Q: Did you cheat on the diet?
A: Only when the finances did not allow for a food order, but other than that no.

Q: Does the diet program really work?
A: Shouldn't this answer be common sense, after watching me? YES!

Q: Should I try the diet?
A: If you want that is totally up to you. If you have the determination to succeed, then by all means jump on board.

Q: Did your health coach check in with you every week?
A: No. Once I became a health coach she vanished, and only contacts me to push me to grow my business.

Q: Can I use your final reveal to promote my business?
A: I don't know. I want people to be able to hear about the program, but I could really use the extra income of people signing up under me. I am also thinking about following my dads advice and submitting my photo for a contest (whenever that comes out)... and I don't want to do anything that will prohibit my chances of winning, if I do decide to submit my story. (any input about this, blog stalkers?)

Q: Are you glad that you did it?
A: Absolutely. Although it is pricey, it's a lot cheaper than dying at 30.

Q: I bet you feel better now!
A: Probably. I am half the size that I was... but in order to survive my current situation, I have shut off all emotions, and don't really know that I feel anything.

Q: Are you a spokesperson for MediFast now, or what?
A: No.

Last week was my first week of Transition... That was rough!! I could eat an extra serving of vegetables, so I tried to have Brussels sprouts for breakfast on Monday Morning, which threw off my whole eating time routine, and made me feel quite sick by the day's end. Then, we ended up going to BURGR Friday night. I tried to eat healthy. I didn't eat the bun of my sandwich. My taste buds have definitely changed, I didn't even like BURGR....

 Then we went to Utah, and more shenanigans took place with going out to eat... I ended up gaining quite a few pounds back, four to be exact....But when I weighed myself this morning, all those pounds melted away again. This experience just goes to prove how much of a teeter-totter game is in transition and maintenance, I really have to be careful, and still eat healthy or I will blow up again.

Oh, and update regarding my food and beverage class: this past week we actually cooked in the kitchen, and then ate. I did partake of the food.  I have been thinking about it over the last couple of days, and I am okay with eating the offerings. It's only once a week, and we get a small sampling of the foods. I have decided to eat the foods because I paid a lot for this class, and I might as well enjoy it! We get to make and eat dishes from all around the world. It's kind of exciting, and fun, and well... I like dinners that are free!  Ironically, I ended up assisting in making the salad... somehow I always end up making the healthy dish! Oh... the irony.

The scale ended up being 143 today, which is in the range it needs to be for transition... I came back from Utah at 147 Sunday.

No words

I have not lost 100 pounds.....

My Journey..... hasn't just began.... nor has it just ended. I am in the middle of an incredible transformational journey.  I lost the weight that I wanted to... although the popular thing right now for my age and height is to be another 20 pounds lighter then I currently am, I can not healthily achieve that status. Under the supervision and direction of my doctor, I am not allowed to go any lower than 140, which is okay, because I can see and feel my bones!  During Transition there is a standard deviation of about 5 pounds to expect. This means that the scale can either go up or down 5 pounds, and that's okay.

Here is a recap of my journey:
I was unhappy with myself and my weight. I was introduced to a weight loss program by a good friend here.

I decided to take the plunge, order my first order of food, and start this blog... Most of the first comments included Best of Luck Wishes, I got the vibe that people didn't think I could do this. I started the program, with the idea of "I'll try it for one month and see if it works" attitude. I tried it, shrank quickly and was hooked!

I stayed on it, only taking time off of it when our piggy bank turned anorexic... total months of time on MediFast: 8.5 months!

I started in a size 24 Wide Pant..... The picture above is a size 6!

I started out in the severely obese category on the BMI charge (I had a BMI of 41+).... I now have a BMI of 22.9.... perfectly healthy!

Today, I begin transition. I can now have all vegetables. My first stop is Brussels sprouts.  They are comfortably cooking as a type this.  Now I have the emotional roller coaster of knowing that things that have been banned from my diet so long, are now perfectly okay to eat! It's weird. Very weird. As much as I want to stay on the security  MediFast foods for the rest of my life, I need to spread my wings and learn how to fly on my own again.

I had been keeping a close eye on that pesky scale last week, and knew that I hit the 100 pound mark on Tuesday, but I blog on Mondays, so you people had to wait. During the weekend I wanted nothing more to go out to eat at Gordan Ramsay's Burgr here in Vegas in celebration. It took every ounce of energy I had not to succumb to this temptation. Instead we went to the thrift shop and I got a new skirt, and new professional shirt.   Transition is going to be hard, but well worth it.

On Thursday on the bus ride to work, I noticed a woman in a wheelchair. She recently had one of her legs amputated due to the effects of diabetes and gangrene. The gangrene had also begin spreading upwards on her leg. Just like what happened to Mom. Mom had both legs amputated due to gangrene.  It was a sobering reminder of what I have done this all for, in memorial of my Mom. I took the steps necessary to avoid getting diabetes, and to avoid ending up dying of a slow and painful death due to diabetes.  To my Mom, I hope I have never made you more proud. I did what a lot people think is impossible: lose tons of weight, without surgical interventions.

My final food order will arrive today... you might be wondering why on earth I ordered another food order now that I am done. There are two reasons, one is for transition. I am SLOWLY adding in all fruits, vegetables, and grains... and because they are a much cheaper, healthier option then candy bars from vending machine's at school.  I often need a quick snack to keep me full and focused throughout the school day, and medifast is formulated to perform this job for me.

People have asked  me what I am going to do with this blog now that I am done... I will probably keep blogging weekly, as a way to ensure that I am maintaining my weight and not blowing up again.. I need the accountability.

This journey would not have reached the "middle stage" without the love, support, and cheers from my biggest supporters, cheerleaders, and blog stalkers. Aunt Carolee, Dawna, and Dyanna, there are not enough words in any language in the world that can describe how appreciative I am of your constant love and support. When the going got tough, I looked back on your comments about the blog, and the love and devotion you have to rooting me until the finish line, has propelled me forward in ways you can't imagine. I truly appreciate all of you.

The scale revealed the numbers 142.... I have joined the centennial club, and then some!

When Weight Loss Becomes Funny

So, I'm back into the normal rituals of being at school from 7am-7pm, and seeing people I haven't scene in a while. I'm also taking two classes that I never would of dreamed of taking, but I don't make the rules of what I have to take or not, so here I am....

I have a food and beverage class, international cuisines. Basically, we read about, cook, and eat foods that are from around the world.  The first day during class the teacher had everyone go around the room and introduce themselves, in our introduction, we had to tell something interesting about ourselves... I said that I have almost lost almost 100 pounds... afterwards I told the teacher that I am on MediFast... He was familiar with it as his son utilized the program as well.... the teacher said that he respected me for getting healthy and that I don't have to eat anything I don't want to.

The next class period he walked in the room, and saw me eating a meal replacement bar... and gave me this smirk that conveyed the message: "I know what that it,  I see what your up to, problem child."  Well, then it came time to pick what cuisine we wanted to present and cook.... I had my heart set on Greek food. So I went over there to gather with my new  group.... After the groups were formed, we discovered that apparently Greek food, was the healthiest of options.... This launched me into an uncontrollable fit of the giggles... I unconsciously chose the healthy option! Also looking around the room, we discovered that, we were the group that was made up of the slimmest people in the class... tell me that's not funny!

Then, after class, he stopped me and made it a point to reiterate that next week he is going to be making us homemade pasta, with even a bigger smirk on his face... I said  I know... and that we will see... he asked if I had hit my goal weight yet, I told him not quite, but I hit the 99 pound mark.... he let me know he is proud of me... and that instead of a whole dish of pasta, he will only serve me one little strand of pasta, and he promises me that it won't kill me, or make me gain 100 pounds. (He's a smart alec if you couldn't gather)

Today, more amusement ensued. One of the institute secretaries asked if I had lost weight, I said yes. she guessed 30 pounds are gone..... really?!?! Just Thirty?!?! No way. Not for this girl!

Then it came time for my lean and green meal. I had planned on eating it at home, but I am stuck at school for longer, so I got a salad. They offer you all of the fixings such as crotons, wontons, pasta, etc. I declined all dry options, as usual. The problem with the place that serves salads on campus is that they ALWAYS serve a roll with the salad... until today. The dude behind the counter said "I'm assuming you don't want a roll since you declined all the carby stuff." Yes, dude, you are right. I only want my chicken and vegetables.  It made me feel really good that it wasn't stuffed in my food, that the guy noticed what I had, or didn't have.

P.S. My final reveal photo has gone from being months away to weeks away, to just days, if not hours away..... I almost calculated the hours until I release it, but feel like a zombie and it doesn't matter much anyways.

And Now We Return to your normal programming...

This blog apparently was started several weeks ago.... and I never his the publish button.... oops.

I had planned to take off one week from  MediFast, because I was going to run out of food, and the food takes a week to reach my house.  It was shipped this morning, so I will return back my to the diet tomorrow. I will have just enough food until the new stuff arrives! I am very excited for to get back I the diet, although I only have putting sand shakes left.  The UPS man can't get her soon enough!

The weekend was filled with not-the-best-foods to eat, but I really couldn't care less. Dean and I were in a car crash Saturday morning, which left us too sore to cook, in all honesty. So we ate out.  Saturday we ate at Olive Garden, and I got something off their fit and fair menu. Sunday we ate at the buffet again (deans request).  Yes, I know it was Sunday,  but you pick and choose your battles in a marriage, and I, quite frankly did not have the energy to fight a war. 

I had decided not to weigh in today, but Dean convinced me other wise. Total 150. Yes, I did gain a few pounds, but there's no telling if it's from fat, or being swollen from the crash. I'm just glad that we are all alive, and well. Pounds can always go away again.  However, gaining a few pounds back speaks volume of now it is important to slowly do transistion and then maintainece, I think it  will be important to slowly add in all food groups, instead of all at once. 

 

I'm sure I'll lose some pounds this week, once I revisit my friend called MediFast.  And when my body resumes it's normal shape!  No more swelling that is! (I have no idea when I typed all of this up... sorry)

Update  (began 9/7/14) : I received my new food, and jumped back on the bandwagon, full throttle, almost... I tried to leave behind the lackadaisical mindset of I just don't care anymore.  It is just incredibly awesome to be able to throw my lunches together in seconds, and know that I could chow down on a meal replacement in my mad dashes to classes. It takes a lot of anxiety and worry out of "I am hungry, I wonder what I can get to eat."

Then the weekend hit... We went to an arts and crafts festival again... I was a very naughty girl, and ate samples and bought foods... But before I purchased the foods, I asked if they could be frozen. They could. I bought bread (I'll be able to have bread again soon), and toffee... both are comfortably waiting for me in the freezer. As well as the M&M's my teacher gave me last semester.... which I don't even really want....

I went to the vet to pick up two of our fur kids from the vet, and one of the techs asked why I was looking skinny, she asked if I was on some sort of diet or something... I was.  She asked if I was overweight, I said no... I was severely obese, she couldn't believe me... I showed her a photo... she was astonished! She immediately assumed that my doctors made me shrink, I told her no. That only I wanted to. She was impressed.  She also asked if I have become the poster girl/spokesperson for the weight loss program, which is a very common question these days. It's funny. My dad is trying to convince me to submit my photos and story, we shall see.

Well, the calendar on the wall tells me its Monday.... the scale displayed the numbers of 146..... there is nothing more to say today, other then stay-tuned.