Update: South Beach

It's been a bit over two weeks since I've posted so I am going to play a game called "catch up." It's a game I play quite frequently.

In a nutshell:

• I am still on South Beach
• I am still on Phase 2 (fruits and whole grains allowed)
• I am still using Saturday as my cheat day
• I have slipped a bit and cheated on non-Saturday days
• I have weighed myself once since starting this diet so I have nothing to compare it to
• I measured myself at the end of Phase 1, and have not measured myself since then

A bit more detail:

I am still on South Beach

I am determined to keep this up and see where it takes me. I need to add exercise to the equation, but for now, I have the eating thing down. I enjoy eating healthy because it makes me feel good. Not only that, but fast food has begun to taste horribly salty. I tried Taco Bell for the first time since starting South Beach on Saturday, and both Randy and I felt it was overpowered by sodium. We ate enough to satisfy our hunger, which wasn't very much. We threw the rest in the trash. I used to LOVE Taco Bell. Now, I say tacos and burritos made at home are much better.

I am still on Phase 2 (fruits and whole grains allowed)

Phase 2 is supposed to last until you lose the weight you desire. Once you reach your goal weight, Phase 3 (a maintenance phase), comes into play. I don't know how long it's going to take to reach my goal because I am beginning to see this as a lifestyle versus something I will only do for a temporary time. I like eating healthier. Also, my goal does not involve weight since weight can fluctuate with water and muscle, etc. So for now, I am just eating for health. And of course, to look better in my clothes.

I am still using Saturday as my cheat day

My cheat days are what keep me going. I can't be perfect all the time. And it's not like I stuff my face with candy and cake on Saturdays (okay, maybe I do sometimes!) But I enjoy being able to have a regular flour tortilla instead of a whole wheat one, or a bowl of icecream that I love so much. I don't want to give these things up altogether, but allowing myself just one day a week makes it easier to be good the rest of the time.

I have slipped a bit and cheated on non-Saturday days

Like I said, I'm definitely not perfect. For example, on Sunday the 18th, I blew my diet by eating tortilla chips. Lots of them. Then the following day for dinner, I ate a regular hamburger on a white bun with regular American cheese. Should've not eaten the tortilla chips, especially in the amount I consumed! The hamburger is okay as long as it's lean beef (like only 10% fat) which I'm not sure if it was. And I definitely shouldn't eat the white bun or the American cheese. Cheeses are okay as long as they're 2%. And lighter cheeses are better than yellows and oranges. For instance, swiss cheese beats cheddar. Plus, I ate a whole tray of mint lifesavers. And full sugar candy is a definite no-no.

So I slipped pretty good. I'm pleased though that I didn't allow these setbacks to discourage me from continuing. I just kick my slip-ups behind me, and move on.

I have weighed myself once since starting this diet so I have nothing to compare it to

I don't have a scale at home and I guess that's a good thing. Weight can fluctuate so much that a pound loss or a pound gain doesn't mean much. Especially when you start drinking more water and lifting weights. But I weighed myself at my sister Reesa's this past Saturday, and I was surprised. It was still high. And I know I've lost inches. So either, I was even heavier (egads!), or I just haven't lost any weight. Either way, I still have a long way to go. Weighing myself this once gave me more resolve to keep going and reminded me not to invest in a scale!

I measured myself at the end of Phase 1, and have not measured myself since then

Measurement is the way I am going to monitor my progress, since it's my size I'm more concerned with than how much I weigh. While I did measure myself at the end of Phase 1 (and there was proof that I lost some inches! hooray!) I haven't measured myself again. Yet.

While I have been walking and doing some ab exercises, it hasn't been consistent enough. I am convinced I need to implement an exercise plan around my diet to see more progress. I just haven't quite done that yet! :) So until then, I will hold off my measurements.

It has been one month since I began South Beach. Overall, I am pleased. I feel better and I am learning to enjoy healthier options. Now if I could just enjoy exercise... all would be well.

Until my next post,

Cheers!