Phase 2,again

We are "officially" ending our two weeks "Phase 1" tomorrow.   The quotes are all to signify that we didn't do so well on phase 1 this third attempt.  Phase 1, for those who don't know the South Beach Diet forbids all carbs and fruit, and many vegetables.  The idea is a two week stretch on low-sugar, low carb diet to end cravings for sugar and carbs.

Part of our problem this time around was that the decision to return to phase 1 was made suddenly, in haste, and we already had bought groceries as if we were on phase 2.  My wife as done better on Phase 1 this time around than I have, with just one or two servings of carbs in the last two weeks (although she's been eating grapes! -- naughty, naughty).   I, on the other hand, have had only two or three days where I have NOT had a serving of carbs.  (One slice of whole wheat toast for breakfast, or a pita at lunch or even a tiny bit of pasta.)

Having confessed that, I'll point out that since we returned from our most recent vacation, we have each lost 8 pounds, so we seem to be doing pretty well.

If you're keeping score, today was day 75 of the diet, and I've lost exactly 30 pounds, and Karen has lost just a bit over 25 pounds.   Vacations pretty much killed the month of July, and I've just caught back up to what I weighed July 2.

Hoping that the month of August is better for the diet, but not displeased with our progress thus far.

Food Choices

This evening marks the end of the first weekend since June when all four of us are home.  No vacations, no planning for vacations.   So we got to actually plan our meals without worrying about what would spoil if we didn't use it before leaving on vacation.

Theoretically, we're back on phase one of the South Beach Diet (which forbids all carbs, all fruits and some vegetables -- corn and carrots, too much natural sugar in them).  In practice, I've had at least one serving of carbs every day this week, mostly leftovers from when we were on phase 2. 

I was thinking as I was cooking this evening about how easy some of our food changes have been.   Dinner tonight was a mix of items from previous meals (uncooked, not leftovers) and fresh vegetables either harvested from our garden yesterday (yay!) or purchased after church today.  This wasn't a meal with lots of advanced planning, so as I cruised through the pantry, freezer and fridge looking for things to cook  it struck me how different were their contents from just the first part of Spring.

Tonight's dinner actually was two courses for Karen and I -- because I wanted to experiment a little and I'd rather mess up an appetizer than an entree.  For an ap, we had a slice of fresh zucchini sauteed until it was just caramelized on both sides, with a single slice of mushroom, similarly sauteed -- both were seasoned with a little fresh pepper, some salt and a tiny bit of rosemary.   The zuke went down on a bed of fresh spinach, with the 'shroom on top.  On top of the stack I put two quick seared shrimp, with a little bit of McCormick's "Montreal Steak" seasoning.  The shrimp was sadly overcooked.  (Way, way overcooked)  Otherwise the dish worked very well.   Our entree was the rest of the shrimp, stir fried (happily NOT overcooked), with a fresh veggie hash made from diced zucchini, diced mushroom, julienned green pepper, minced shallot and minced garlic, seasoned with a splash of balsamic vinegar.  

Because I've become one of THOSE parents, the boys had mac and cheese with leftover beef.

But twice today, the kids have eaten what we ate, without even noticing the change.   

Specifically, breakfast was entirely substitute foods, and they didn't bat an eye.  Breakfast was pancakes, bacon and milk for them, with coffee for Karen and hot tea for me (I can't stand coffee).   What makes breakfast different, was that it was turkey bacon and whole wheat pancakes.  (The boys got 2% milk, mine was skim)

Snack later tonight will be grapes for Joshua and the adults.   Picky John will probably have whole wheat crackers (much healthier, and he hasn't noticed the difference) with a little Colby-jack cheese on them.

I'm really enjoying the change in the way that I cook, and the new ingredients and seasonings in the kitchen.

For those keeping score, Karen has now reached a total weight loss of 23 pounds -- her best so far, and I'm at 28 pounds, which is still 3 pounds more than when the vacations started.

Back to Phase 1.

It seems diets and vacations don't mix well.   On July 2, my sons went to my in-laws for a week, and at the end of that week my wife and I took our first vacation of the summer -- four days in Southern Illinois wine country.   Then it was back in the office for four days and then four days in St. Louis for a family reunion.

My peak of weight loss was the morning the boys left, July 2, when I was down 31 pounds.  I've discovered my weight loss is a fragile thing, and when we returned from St. Louis, I was back to the point where I'd lost 22 pounds.  So we're moving back to phase 1 of the diet.  (NO CARBS)   We're not actually on phase 1 yet, because I'm too cheap to throw out the various breads that we have, but we ARE being really strict about portion control.

And it has helped. . . I've lost a pound a day since returning from St. Louis, and I'm back to 25 pounds total weight lost.   Karen is also catching up to me . . . her peak weight lost was 22 pounds, and she's back down to 21 pounds lost.

Can't wait for the heat wave to break so we can get some outdoor exercise.

Visit with the Doctor

Today was my 2 month follow up with the doctor.  I've lost 26 pounds by his scale, since May 7.

The more important numbers are my cholesterol numbers . . . which were all lower.  Totally cholesterol was dramatically down (151 to 115 mg/DL) but . . . my "Good" cholesterol, the LDL was also down.   So I'm starting a prescription to try and bring it up.  My LDL went from 86, which is low, to 78, which is lower.

And we're going back to Phase 1 of the diet after a big weekend next weekend.

I'll blog more later.

Size Matters

One of the most fun things with a serious diet plan like mine is the need to buy . . . new clothes.  Because I'm not done losing weight, I'm not buying too much yet.  But, the boys are with their grandparents for the week, so the opportunity to shop without playing hide 'n' seek all over the store was too much to let pass.

I went first to the store where I purchased most of my professional clothing (Men's Wearhouse -- maybe if I give them a plug, they'll give me a discount), and had them retake my measurements.  Then to another store to pick up a couple of pairs of shorts and a pair of casual slacks for work.  And, because I'm going to need them in a week or so, new swim trunks.  (The very thought of jumping into the water in swim trunks that fit comfortably 30 pounds ago was enough to make what's left of my hair stand straight on end)

So for the the record:  15 months ago, my suit coat size was 52.  Today 48.   My waist before was a 48, and today a 45 (although the shorts I bought were a 42, with an adjustable waistband).  Surprisingly, even my collar size shrank an inch from 19.5 to 18.5 (which means my next dress shirts will fit better. . . no one sells a 19.5 inch collar with sleeves short enough for me -- 33 inches).

Men's clothes sized by letters were fun too . . . what had been XXL is now XL.  Another 10 pounds and I'll be able to sneak into "L" on some things.

Another shopping trip will be coming in 6-8 weeks.   The two pairs of jeans I have are so large now that they appear to be pleated when I tighten my belt enough to keep them from falling off.

I have two old garments that I've saved, that are mocking me.  My long range goal is to fit into both of them.  The first is a very nice (if somewhat dated) Hart Schaffner Marx suit that I wore to a job interview in 1996.  It's still a couple sizes too small.   The second is the tooled leather belt I purchased at Philmont Scout Ranch as an adult leader in 1995.  It's a size 40 -- so 5 more inches to go.