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.

Boxing Day

Christmas is over, but the food remains. In all honesty I'm tired of eating so much. Do I wait until January 1 to begin my diet or do I start now? I've blogged before and then became so sick of my own failures and the scale behaving like a rollercoaster that I deleted my blog. I also didn't like that my very techy niece managed to find it and divulged my innermost thoughts about food porn to the rest of my family. I noticed that my posts became censored because I wasn't sure if a coworker or family member would be reading. How can I possibly be open and honest about my struggles with food and dieting if I need to edit what I post?Which leads me to this new blog. My name isn't Jeannie. It's the actress's name of one of my favorite movies. At the time the movie was released *I* was her character in almost every way except for her career and wicked violin skills.

I've spent a lot of money on diet books, classes, etc., and decided that in 2011 I'm not going to spend a dime. Santa was kind enough to give me some fitness DVDs and a new diet book. I do have a 24 Hour Fitness membership and will use that as well, but primarily I want to have a DVD Diet. I'll critique and share my experiences with the DVDs and the various diets along with Jillian's Unlimited, Joy Bauer's and Bob Harper's approach. This blog will contain a lot of different methods and tools. I'm going to share what I'm doing and hope anyone reading will do the same.Raise your milkshake, hot cocoa, pina colada, or other drink you don't imbibe while dieting and toast to 2011 and an easy relocation away from Fatburgh.

Yours truly,

"Jeannie"