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.
