I had my 7th appointment with the doctor that is guiding me on my healthy eating weight loss plan today. I've lost a total of 25 pounds over the last 14 weeks - and I've never felt better! Not only am I fitting into clothing that I haven't been able to wear in over a year, but my migraines are completely gone and I just feel so good.
I know it sounds weird, but seeing his smile and getting his approval meant something to me.
Weird, isn't it? He's just a stranger, a doctor I've only seen 7 times. Who cares what he thinks, right?
Wrong.
I care. After our initial consultation and discussing my long history of food issues, he knows how hard it has been for me to change the way I see food. He knows what a difficult process it has been for me to leave behind all of the sugary sweets that have brought me so much joy - and so many migraines - all of my life.
So for him to see that I am succeeding, and that his healthy eating weight loss plan is working for me?
It made me feel good.
He added more foods to my approved food list and wrote me a new prescription for diet pills - a different medication at a lower dose, as I am now beginning to wean off of the medication and will be controlling my appetite by will power alone.
Eek! I'm scared!!
Here is what I have been eating for the last 14 weeks (with small cheats thrown in every once in a while):
Approved Food Group 1: carrots, celery, lettuce, squash, fat-free yogurt, fat-free cottage cheese, rice cakes, popcorn cakes, chicken, turkey, tuna, fish, black beans, salsa, bok choy, collard greens, egg whites, tofu, lemon, cantaloupe, balsamic vinegar, mustard, coffee, tea, seltzer water, diet soda, crystal light, nutrasweet drinks. (I didn't actually drink diet soda, crystal light or nutrasweet drinks, as I don't usually drink that stuff anyway. I had an occasional Diet Coke when I really craved something sweet and for the caffeine when I was sick, but they were rare.
Approved Food Group 2: grapefruit, applesauce, cauliflower, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, mushrooms, onions, garlic, garlic powder, peppers, radishes, spinach, tomatoes, parsley, shrimp, scallops, crabmeat, clams, vinegar. I didn't eat any shrimp, clams or scallops because I am allergic to those types of shellfish, but I did eat crabmeat twice. Yum!
Here are the new foods that I am allowed to eat:
Approved Food Group 3: bananas, apples, grapes, raisins, prunes, pickles, olives, relish, eggplant, bagels, popcorn, bran cereal, oatmeal, strawberries, honeydew, cranberry juice, peaches, pears, pineapple, kiwi and finally spices and seasonings!
The last 14 weeks have been hard to a degree, but overall, it's been fairly easy. The medication helped curb my appetite so much in the beginning that I actually had to force myself to eat some evenings just because I didn't want to not eat. And while I was supposed to be drinking a glass of water with a tablespoon of Citrucel each time I got hungry to decrease my appetite before I ate, I stopped doing that ages ago.
It has gotten to the point where I drink 8 ounces of my International Delight Light Iced Coffee each morning (it's only 100 calories and is low fat) and then I make myself eat a small snack around noon. I am not actually hungry until around 2 but I don't want to go that long without eating and then find myself starving. So I eat a small fat-free yogurt or a sliced tomato (I freaking love tomatoes!!), or a bit of grapefruit. Since I am not really hungry at this time, I just want to get something small and low calorie in me so that I am not ravenous later.
Dinner has proven to be a real pain the ass. I have always done most of the cooking in our family, but since my diet is so limited in what I can eat, I have a hard time coming up with recipe ideas.
Cooking a family meal sucks when you can't eat most of it.
I've been trying to get creative with chicken dishes like chicken fajitas (I just don't eat the tortilla) and chicken cacciatore, but that's as far as I've gotten...I usually end up making something simple for Chris and Angeline and then just add a protein to a small salad or just picking at whatever I can eat from the meal.
This is my biggest struggle and I am still trying to work on it!
Well, there has been one other struggle in this new healthy eating weight loss plan - actually doing the 20 minutes of exercise each day that my doctor says is the minimum. I hate exercise and getting into a routine of doing real aerobic exercise every day has been the hardest part of this lifestyle change.
Chris knows how hard it is for me to get motivated to exercise and he set up my new elliptical for me the other night.
How sweet of him...or not. ha!
Laura
How inspiring! I am about to embark on this journey myself, I just haven't figured out the exact approach I am going to take. Are you going to a weight loss clinic?
Your food list looks a little intimidating, honestly, but 25lbs in 14 weeks makes it worth it, right? The only thing that stood out to me is all of the artificial sweetener that is approved. It just doesn't seem like artificial sweetener and "healthy food list" go together.
Jenn
I am seeing a regular doctor that specializes in gastrointestinal medicine. He developed this diet to help some of his patients lose weight, so it's not a "healthy" food list, per say. It's not like an organic, all natural diet or anything like that. I consider what I'm personally doing healthy eating because I don't normally eat much artificial sweeteners. Like with any diet, you just ignore the things that you don't want to eat. 🙂 The first few weeks were the hardest because I was going through major carb withdrawal, but after that it wasn't too hard. When I really want something that I'm not allowed to eat, I just eat a tiny portion so that I don't consume a lot of calories. For instance, when I want a steak, I just eat about 5 bites of it and then the rest of my meal is veggies. Or when I bake cookies, I will allow myself ONE and not eat anymore.
Laura
I am so nervous about that part! The carb withdrawal sounds miserable. I'm the same size you were when you started, and I need to lose about the same. I have so many bad habits I need to break (sugary cereal right before bed, for instance) and I'm dreading the first couple of weeks.
Do you find that your cravings have taper off considerably over the 14 weeks?
HilLesha
That is really great!
Mellisa
Way to go Jenn!!! Losing weight is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I lost about 50 pounds 6 years ago and managed to keep it off. Last year though i really got off track and gained about 15 pounds 🙁 I really need to get back on track.
Theresa
Way to go! You are doing awesome.
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie}
Awesome.
I've managed to get the holiday weight off... now on to lose some more 🙂
Kathleen
Congrats! You are doing amazing. I have been awful this week, but hope to get back on track next week.
Stefani
You have done an awesome job. Congrats on the weight loss so far and that you are feeling better.
Jennifer
You are doing so amazing!! And I think it's awesome he gave her a machine to work out on. I think it shows great support from him
Courtney
That's awesome!! 🙂 Love your new machine! I wish we had the space.
Lolo
You have an entire gym! So happy to hear about your success! WHat prescription are you taking?
Meghan
Congrats on the weight you've lost so far, thata awesome
Leilani
WTG! That is awesome.
TerriAnn
Congrats on our loss! You're doing fantastic!
Shell Fruscione
That's so great that it's going well! I agree on how hard it is to make others dinner & not eat it- that's why I totally bombed at Nutrisystem. lol!
A Time Out for Mommy- Elaina
you are such an inspiration and I think you will do great weening yourself from the meds that helped curb your appetite. You have been training your brain this whole time to eat less, and a lot of it is psychological. I love reading your weight loss journey! Keep up the good work!
Anne - Mommy Has to Work
That is inspiring!! I'm going to make a dr apt soon.
Colleen
Congrats girl what an accomplishment!
Marcie W.
Congratulations on your progress!! You're kicking some serious booty.
Kiersten
That is amazing, Jenn! I get migraines too, so the fact that your diet has helped with that is really awesome.
Jenny
Congratulations!! I've lost 30+ pounds and for the most part have kept it off for 6 months. Hoping to lose 20 more soon, but working out is so tedious lol. BUT, WE CAN DO IT!!
Crystal
You are doing an awesome job girl. Keep up the good work.
Donna
You're an inspiration, Jenn! Congrats on you weight loss!
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
You are doing amazing - keep up the good work!