228.4 (9:00am)

I am focusing on getting below 225 now and imagine it will take a while now. 3.4 lbs doesn't sound like a lot, but I'm getting close to TOM, so progesterone should be increasing and along with it water weight and hunger levels.

228.8 (10:15am)

Looking good for today too! =)

229.2 (10:15am)

I got a sunburn yesterday, so REALLY was expecting to be up today instead of under 230. So yay!!!! Super exciting. I haven't been this "low" of a weight in a looooong time. I stuck in the 220's solidly while working at my job before last... so that would be from 2003-2005 I think. I'm hoping it will start showing by the time I get into the 2teens.

230.0 (10:15am)

Wow. Just wow. It has been sooooo long since I saw 230.0 on the scale. I can't wrap my head around it. I really expected to be up a bit this morning just because I couldn't imagine my body hitting 230.X this morning. It really is helping me stay motivated, to see the scale keep moving down. My stomach and legs and arm and chest all looks noticibly smaller (to me).

I really struggled last night. I didn't want to have to take a pill, so I didn't, but I struggled ALL night long. So proud of myself for not giving in. =)

231.0 (10am)

Wow. That was a wonderful surprise to see 231.0 on the scale this morning. I have been so good about staying on track, but it is always still surreal when dieting works.

232.8 (11:30am)

I am up a tiny bit despite only consuming 700ish calories yesterday. I drank almost an entire 2-liter of sprite zero, so I guess it's to be expected. I seem able to lose weight a lot better, just sticking to a lot of water. I have been carrying around a 1.5 liter bottle that I refill a couple times a day. My allergies have still been bothering me. Today is Tuesday and I still have only taken the one phendimetrazine since getting them last Friday. I am trying to take them only when I need to. I went in and had blood taken yesterday for my labwork. I will be curious to see what my numbers are.

232.6 (10am)

233.2 (noon)

Wow. I was super excited to finally break through the 235 barrier. Now to get under 230. I am just trying to remember to focus on the five pound increments this time and not get ahead of myself. I REALLY struggled last night. I took the first one of my phendimetrazine tablets around 8pm, (because I knew I was starting to struggle and picture going out to eat in my head). At 9pm DH and I went to the grocery store and I stocked up on veggies, some strawberries, almond milk and diet soda. After I got home, I made a carrot and daikon radish "pickle" with splenda and vinegar mixture that is often used on bahn mi sandwiches. Then we went to bed and I lay in bed for 2 hours without being about to go to sleep. At 2-3am I got back up and played on the internet for 2-3 hours. I went back to bed a little after 5am. I am really struggling lately to get back on a "normal" schedule. It is driving my husband nuts, I'm sure.

235.8 (noon)

236.2 (10am)

Finally back down to 236.2. Ready to get below 235. I am going to the doctor today to get on phendimetrazine. I was on it about 6 years ago and it really helped me lose weight at that time. (This is back when I went from 240 down to 193). It really increases energy. I briefly was on phentermine (the more common diet pill prescription) at that time, but suffered horrible headaches with it. I plan to only use it when feeling incredibly weak willed. I hope to not use it every day. (I used it that way last time). With each dose you take, you because more desensitized to the medication, so you only have a short window in which to use it and get it's benefits. I am hoping that with the 5+ years that have passed since last using it, I will get the original effect from it.

240.8 (11:20am)

(11:45am): Coffee with 51 grams heavy cream, Ez-Sweetz and almond extract

240.8 (2:15pm)

235.8 (10am) FINALLY under 236 again...

So... I haven't been writing anything lately other than my morning weigh in. Since late February I've been on then off then on then off... again and again. Today marks 8 days that I have been dieting again. I've lowered my calorie intake this time. I am shooting for 50-70 carbs, one meal that has at least 15 grams fat (to promote gall bladder emptying) and then low carb veggies to fill it out (make it more satisfying) and get more nutrition in. What's been odd is that I have averaged 661 calories per day (for the last 8 days). Each day has been right around there (no days significantly higher or lower). What's odd about it, is that I think I am experiencing a lot less hunger (mental/physical struggle) eating at this lower calorie level. I think my insulin levels are just that little bit smaller that it is making it a lot easier. (It's also possible that I am at a good point in my monthly hormonal cycle and it is just easier because of that... it's far too early to make any definitive statements). Anyway, I am going to keep on with what I've been doing for as long as I can and see if it holds true.

I've been starting each day with either coffee or avocado around noon, then a salad with low carb veggies, lean meat with what comes to about 20 grams of protein (nutritionally, not by weight), and then a salad dressing I make with Smart Beat mayonaisse, vinegar, liquid splenda, garlic powder, pepper (and then sometimes either basil, or mustard or even dill added to change it up). Then for dinner I've been having around another piece of lean meat that has around 20 grams protein (nutritionally, not by weight) with some veggies to again fill out the meal and make it interesting.

Of note: I am eating leaner meat for meal #2 & #3 and my physical intake (meaning the amount of space the food occupies in my stomach) seems to be less than in the past. I am working really hard to make sure that I don't eat my meal #2 until after 3pm and meal #3 until after 6pm. Evening is the hard time of day for me, so it is really important not to eat too early in the evening and then struggle all night as a consequence.

236.4 (9:45am)

237.4

237.8

Still 1.8 lbs up from where I was clear back on March 23rd. I have spent the last 2 1/2 months going up and down and up and down. I try to remind myself that I am 23 pounds down from my highest (1 1/2 years ago) and to just keep at it. It sucks that I can put so much effort into basically maintaining though. Any "time off" just makes me gain back everything I work so hard to lose.

238.4

238.4 (11:30am)

245.6

244.6 (11:15am - following 2 days of stuffing my gullet with carbs)