19 pounds in less than 3 weeks!

Woo-Hoo. Last night's weigh-in yielded a six pound weight loss. The facility will not have classes for the next three weeks. There are optional ones you can attend if you need the support. I've got my shakes for the next three weeks including two boxes of 800 tomato and one of the 800 chicken. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to my nightly cup of soup.

I started the fast on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov 25. This Friday will be three weeks exactly. I'm so thrilled to have lost 19 pounds in less than three weeks.

Weigh-in #3 tonight

I'm struggling every single day. It's not that I'm hungry; it's the food I want for comfort. The weather is cooler and I want to eat warm casseroles and add melted cheese to everything.

Yesterday I wore a pair of dress slacks that I purchased for work approximately two months ago. They fit but were painful in the waist area when I sat down. They were incredibly loose yesterday. This makes me feel good and strong and gives me momentum to forge ahead. Unfortunately, that feeling doesn't last long.

The 800 product tomato soup was a freakin' lifesaver this week. I added basil and Mrs. Dash seasoning (table blend and garlic) to it. Tonight I hope to purchase another box of that plus the 800 product chicken soup to have an alternative.

Last weekend I baked all day long without sampling one little morsel. It was tough. I made peanut butter blossom cookies and magic bars--a chocolately, pecan, coconut delight. While baking I tried a new shake. Vanilla with apple pie spice and pumpkin pie spice plus a shot of white chocolate sugar free Torani syrup. Mmmmm....that was really good.

My naked weight this morning compared to my naked weight last Tuesday is 4.5 less. I'm actually going more by my Tuesday morning naked weigh-in than what shows at the clinic. The clinic weight varies depending on what I wear that day. And trust me...when you're not eating one tiny crumb, every ounce counts on the scale.

Next week's goal: E X E R C I S E

I'll post my weight later.

P.S. Welcome Jennifer! Thanks for the comment. Congrats on a successful start to the program. Awesome weight loss!

2nd Weigh-In tonight

Today is week #2 weigh-in. Let me back track first to write about my first two weeks on the program.

On November 25, the day after Thanksgiving I started the Optifast product. The first day I decided to have the shakes by themselves with nothing adding to get the full taste. Thanksfully, it was ONLY one day. The shakes are no where near as good as the HMR product. They were terrible, in my honest opinion.

I struggled a lot during the first few days with headaches and hunger pangs. Four days on the fast yielded a 9.5 lb weight loss bringing my weight down to an even 246. I was proud of that loss considering my entire class started on Wednesday the day before Thanksgiving.

Almost every morning I mixed two shakes with coffee and added either chocolate Torani sugar free syrup or hazelnut, raspberry, or white chocolate to it. When at work I took my shaker cup with the round whisk-like stainless steel ball inside and made my shakes. It's quick and easy and back to work. I've mixed orange and chocolate and also chocolate and vanilla. At about the third day they started tasting like milk to me. It reminded me of a very mild chocolate flavored milk I made as a kid when I added too little chocolate to the milk.

Tonight I weigh-in and this past week was the hardest. Yesterday I went to Disneyland and forgot how much I ate my way through the park. First smell is the bakery on Main Street, then the popcorn, turkey legs, french fries, clam chowder, corn dogs, etc. OH MY GOD. I was dying. I had five shakes by 3:00 just to keep me full. I also dealt with an all day work conference where I made three shakes in advance and carried a cooler with me. I haven't told anyone at work so I had to sneak my bottle outside the conference hall to drink it. It worked and I survived without having to answer any questions about my diet.

Hot and Slim. That's the way I want to describe myself when I'm done. Hot and Slim Chicken Soup is available for purchase. It's broth-like and a nice alternative to sweet shakes all of the time. I add Mrs. Dash seasoning to the water before I microwave it. I use the garlic, table blend, original blend, hot and spicy and sometimes add curry powder to it. Can I just tell you that I look forward to that soup every single day. It cannot be used to replace one of the five required shakes a day. It's an additional option and I highly recommend it.

I did ask the nurse practitioner if I could purchase the 800 Optifast product of chicken soup or tomato soup. The 800 product does count as 1 of the 5 required shakes. It has more calories than my 70 product. She approved me to purchase an extra box of shakes so I'm looking forward to having tomato soup tonight. The only thing missing will be a grilled cheese sandwich on the side. :(

It's tough because my husband still has to eat. The other night he made macaroni-and-cheese and I almost tackled him to the ground to get some. Are there calories in a wet sloppy kiss that might include a pasta noodle and cheese? Just kidding....I actually thought of that though.

Now that I'm at the two-week mark I need to incorporate exercise. They encourage moderate exercise and strength training using light weights with high repetition. That's next on the agenda.

My naked weight this morning is 5.0 lbs. less than last Tuesday's naked weight. I'm going by that number mostly because each week at the clinic my clothes and shoes are different.

More soon...

TGIF

Thank God it's Friday that I chose to start my Optifast diet. At the end of class last night we were given our Optifast shakes. Some have chosen to start tomorrow and others on Friday. I ordered two chocolate, two vanilla, one orange, and one hot-and-slim soup.

I'm nervous.

What if I hate the taste of the product? I find it odd that not once has Kaiser offered a sample. I'm guessing it tastes horrible and if they offered a sample no one would join the program.

The differences are many between the other fasting program and Kaiser's. The former being incredibly rigid with check-in, attendance, tracking what you eat and when you exercise. We had to check in mid-week (via email or phone call) and provide totals for calories eaten and calories burned and how much water we drank. I don't even have Lance's email address or direct phone number to call him with a question. It's just soooo different and much more lax at Kaiser. I think I might like that better. God knows I have too many meetings and deadlines to deal with my job to add that into the mix as well.

I'm nervous. I've been successful before on a liquid fast and now I'm hoping I don't have that "been there done that and now I'm bored" attitude. To my surprise I didn't gain week from all of my Last Suppers. It could still catch up with me.

I am not sure how I'll handle the work/food events I have coming up. Our department holiday luncheon, my regional meeting, and a leadership team meeting are all scheduled December 15. I don't feel like sharing with ANYONE that I'm on this program. Only Ryan and my best friend Lisa know at this point.

Side note: A coworker of mine was commenting on recent funny episode of Mike & Molly and a different coworker started groaning. When asked why the groan, she replied, "It disgusts me." Hmm...I was standing five feet from her and heard the exchange and wondered if she was referring to the two very large main characters that disgusted her. I'm sure she was. Let me just add that this woman is probably 5'3 and weighs 100 pounds soaking wet dipped in bread crumbs. So, how does she feel about me? 5'5 and a 255.5?

Sooo, wish me luck. Friday is the day my trip outta Fatburgh begins....
till next time,
J.

OPTIFAST: T-L-S-S

Class numero uno occurred last night. It's a small group of seven counting myself ranging in age from 19-60. Our instructor, "Lance" informs us we are group #2941 at this Kaiser Permanente location that has served up the Optifast option since 1971. Wow.

I wasn't sure what to expect from class since I had already been comparing everything to the other hospital program I attended. Lance sat in a chair and casually went through the program. He kept us there for the entire two hours. It certainly could have ended after one.

I'm told Kaiser's Optifast program is more emotion-based whereas the other hospital was strictly exercise and nutrition focused in gestapo-like fashion. This should be interesting. I think I've pegged a 'talker' in the group already. During introductions she spent a good 15 minutes beyond the usual, "Hi. My name is Mary."

Next Tuesday we get our product after class. Lance gave us the option of starting immediately after class, the next day or even after the Thanksgiving holiday. Can you guess what day I'm starting? Yes, FRIDAY! I've been ready for this diet for about three weeks. Had I started on October 25 like I wanted to this holiday wouldn't be a consideration. But...starting two days before the holiday is the reason I will celebrate with my family. Christmas will be off limits and I'm trying to get used to that now. Not only Christmas dinner and New Year's celebration, but the entire month of December with chocolate and potlucks galore.

I am officially part of the TLSS Gang. The Last Supper Syndrome Gang. Yep. Is it wrong of me to already have a list of places I want to eat from now until next week? I gained 3 pounds from the initial assessment weigh-in back in mid October. Any die hard dieter reading this will think I'm doomed for failure with this pre-diet foodfest, but hopefully I prove you wrong.

Till next time...

T-6 days

I changed my profile picture to better reflect my outward appearance. The only difference is that I have hair. And I'm female. My physical appearance, however, is just like good ol' Mr. Humpty Dumpty. I have skinny legs with a thigh measurement of 24, but a big hip roll and belly and arms and boobs. If I wear leggings or straight leg jeans, I look just like Humpty. I thought it was appropriate to make him my profile pic. I don't need a real picture of myself because I desperately want to remain anonymous. I want this Optifast journey to help someone else considering a medically supervised fast. My goal is to offer my experience with it all and hopefully it will assist someone else in the future.

My first Optifast class is scheduled for next week. What I'm told is that you go to that class and then WAIT......ANOTHER WEEK....before you can start the shakes. What?! I feel like I've waited too long as it is. In fact, this waiting game has given me time to contemplate joining. I've asked myself, "Can I do this by myself?" "Can I just exercise and watch my food intake on my own." "How will I get through the holidays or work meetings with food?" It's turned into a negative spin instead of a positive one.

It all comes back to this very important health issue: Uncontrolled diabetes with a 14% A1C result. I think I heard a resounding GASP from anyone who understands the world of diabetes. My doctor has told me for years that getting the weight off and exercising could potentially mean getting off diabetic meds. Has it worked? Nope. This is why I'm returning to a liquid fast. It's quick, medically supervised weight loss.

That's the scoop. I'll report back after class #1.

Optifast orientation

New freeway ahead...
Liquid fasts: I've done this song and dance a few times. The truth is they DO work. Does the weight loss last? Not always. In my case, never. It's time to change that part of my track record. I've done a liquid fast with another local hospital and now I'm looking into Kaiser Permanente's (KP) Optifast program. There will be naysayers and negative Nelly's out there, but listen...do what works for you. Once again, my goal is to get off my diabetic meds, cholesterol and blood pressure meds with the ultimate goal of being fit and healthy. I'm sure that I am not alone in this pursuit. If you found this blog, you're probably considering Optifast as well. Welcome. On 9/28/11, the start of my journey with the KP program began. Read on and stay tuned.

Yesterday I attended an orientation at Kaiser Permanente to learn more about their Optifast weight loss program. It was a mixed group, male, female, old, young, annoying and nice. The health educator giving the orientation was knowledgeable and helpful.

I'm interested.

Next week I have an appointment for a medical clearance which will include lab work and an EKG.

I'm looking forward to the weight loss. I have a closet full of clothes that I purchased last summer when I started a new professional position. Most of them have not been worn. Within two months of getting hired they no longer fit. From other Optifast blogs and message boards I've read the weight loss will be fast - which I need because if I'm not eating one tiny morsel then I need to see the result of that on the scale.

The three or four major challenges I predict are: 1) trip to Boston with my husband 2) Halloween 3) Thanksgiving dinner and 4) Christmas. My Boston trip may not actually be a challenge because the program may not start until I return from vacation. The other three challenges are real. I was so looking forward to cooking holiday dinners this year, but my health is more important.

That's it for now...

Still Waiting...

Waiting for what? Heck, I don't know. I've had two doctors tell me to lose the weight OR ELSE whilst swinging their stethoscope around for emphasis. They didn't really do that, but it sounds good. It's Sept 2. I had the discussion with myself the evening of Aug 31 that tomorrow is a new month, day one, time to start fresh and do something good for myself. Have I? Nope. I hate doing exercise, but afterwards feel like a superstar. Once I get in the groove there will be no stopping me. Sooo get outta my way folks. Just checking in, but also contemplating Chipotle for lunch.

Road delays

Wow. Five months ago I wrote my first post. No surprise that the diet hasn't yet started. In fact, since my last post I've gained 18 pounds. My excitement over the 17 day diet waned when the book took almost four weeks to arrive.Today I've consumed 1200 calories. I know I've had a good day when I can remember exactly what I've put in my mouth. 4 protein shakes, one entree, two protein bars, apple, carrots, two pieces of Dove dark chocolate for a grand total of 1200. It's been a good day.The reason I'm starting to amp it up again is for my career. I need to look professional. In late August 2010, I started a new professional position in the healthcare industry. Nordstrom has fantastic plus size clothes and that's where I went to purchase my new wardrobe. Not ONE item fits me. I'm back to rotating the same old clothes from years past. During grad school I weighed more than 300 pounds. Most recently in spring 2009 I weighed 292 and successfully lost 85 pounds in six months by participating in a liquid diet program through a local hospital. I felt sooooooooooo good. The body really can adjust on lower calories as long as it's nutritionally sound. Where is my weight today? One year and eight months later I have regained 45 pounds. My weigh in last week was 252. It feels like 292, however, because my belly is huge and it has again become uncomfortable to do just about anything.The liquid diet was very structued. I didn't cheat the entire six months. After ten weeks I added low calorie, non starchy veggies into my plan. My daily calorie count was still around 800 a day. The weight came off rapidly. I exercised a lot as well. My whole focus was on health and it felt amazing. I want that again. I need it. What I know about myself is that I cannot do another structured diet like that right now. I need to have the freedom to have a meal with friends once in a while if I plan appropriately. I'm using all of the tools I learned from Jenny Craig, Nutri-System, Weight Watchers, The Biggest Loser, Bob Harper, Bob Greene, Oprah, Joy Bauer, etc. etc. Trust me when I say I've dieted enough in my life to know what I should and shouldn't eat. It truly isn't rocket science, folks. Calories in versus calories out....AND the calories IN need to be GOOD-FOR-YOUR-BODY calories.So. There ya have it. One day at a time. One cardio step in front of the other. From one meal to the next meal to the next...I shall see where this road outta the fat farm leads me.