Finally last week, the scale dropped 3 solid pounds. After being stuck for a couple weeks, I was pretty happ with this. I think I did have some carbs the night before-I don't remember what happened, I just did.

I am going to start carving a cheat day into my week. Not a go-crazy, see-it-and-eat it day, but just a day to have a candy bar, a couple slices of pizza, whatever. I still plan to stay within my alloted calories. I just want a day to enjoy a little of that less-than-optimal food without losing control.

I am swearing by low-carb though. I mean the over lack of extreme hunger has been fantastic. I imagine as I drop more weight and become more active, I will experience more hunger. I will see how to handle that when it happens.

What I really love is the feeling that I am in control of this. I control how to best care for my body. I give it nutritous food and I decided when to have a treat. I love making good choices for me. 

Finally, just being back into the 170s, after a year or so of creeping into the 180s, is great. Next stop 160s! I haven't seen that since 2013/4. I can't wait!

 I am Stuck!

Stuck. My weight has been stuck at 180 for a week and a half now. It is really frustrating as I am consuming between 1100 and 1500 calories most days (I did have one day at about 2000). I am also experiencing some bathroom problems due to cutting back so much on carbs and fruits. I am trying to add food in that will counteract this (like lower carb foods with fiber and flax seed), but so far, they aren't working. Nothing is really wrong, aside from the occasional lower backache. Overall, I actually feel great. It feels good to feel satisfied on 1200 calories of food and not be stuffing my face all the time. It gives a peaceful feeling of control. Maybe I will cut out the cheese with lunch and add in a little more vegetables. It gets hard to stuff down a quart of raw veggies in 20 minutes, though (I am a teacher).

Physical Activity

I haven't really upped my physical activity either. Since I am now a single mom and my ex is not in a healthy enough state to keep the kids, anything I do I have to take the four-year-old and that is just a lot of effort. The older kids can stay home for 30 minutes or so, but not the young'un. This weekend is pretty chilly, too. It's hard to handle 50 degrees after experiencing 70-something! Excuses, I know. I am trying to add some stomach "vacuum" exercises to my day as shown here:

Link to Smaller waist video

Really, with things like this, I either forget or I do. I need to find a way to incorporate it into my schedule. But just like I used to do squats while waiting on my Keurig coffee, sometimes I just stop without realizing it (I am very much an in-my-head type of person).

It's a Lifestyle, really

One thing I am trying to remind myself is, that this isn't a "diet." This is my new lifestyle. If I want to be slim and light, I have to commit to making that worth more than stuffing my face with an ooey-gooey cinnamon roll. That doesn't mean treats are always out, but I am trying to limit my treats to Friday night. My son's birthday party will be next weekend, so I am going to enjoy a piece of birthday cake, but what isn't eaten will be out the door with guests or in the trash. I think the key to handling these "extra" days will be having a plan for the leftover unhealthy food. And now, I've got it! 

So why are you hear? Are you working on losing weight? Feel free to drop a comment with any advice or just share where you are in  your life's journey!

See you soon!

Been Busy!

 I haven't blogged in a while. On the one hand, I have been "busy." On the other hand, I always have some leisure time. I just between My Fitness Pal (Blueberry Jill if you want to find me), and a few Instagram updates a week, I just felt like I was doing enough.

Skinny School and Low Carb

I started rereading, Skinny School, by Julie Gordon. This is basically a romance/diet manual advocating for a low carb diet. I have been following it for nearly a week. What I have found is it keeps me from getting too famished and I just eat less because I run out of things to eat. I mean how much meat, cheese, and eggs, can you have. I do have low carb veggie choices of course, but I am having an issue with my tooth (my wisdom teeth are beginning to get infected-the dentist said due to their angle (I have a small mouth)-there is little he can do, but send me to have them out. I don't want to spend the money. I have pain when I eat veggies, especially greens, on one particular side).

Either way, I will start back with the daily updates, so you can see my eating plan. When I had carbs it was very easy to get up to 1500 calories a day. Having less than 50 carbs and only 15 grams of sugar, I find it difficult to get up to 1200. 

I still haven't really been exercising. I did a slow hike with the kids, but they weren't up for hills, so it was more a walk, and my four year old is all about stopping along the way to complain his legs hurt. 

I just had my second covid shot, and that appears to have gone fine. My arm is a little sore, I feel a little bit of head cloudiness (but I really think it is the lack of carbs clouding my head). I hope it passes, because I am ditsy enough on my own; I don't need extra help in the airhead department (did I just date myself?).

Pictures?

It is time for more pictures in my tight clothes to scan for progress. I am a little worried. Although I am down 11 pounds from my highest (definitely water-retaining) day five weeks ago, I don't really see any body changes. But monthly pics seem like the thing to do. Since my marriage has finally crumbled-I have been holding the cracks together for awhile-I don't have anyone to take my picture. I mean, I have my grown daughter or my 10 year old son or my 8 year old son. My eight year old seems like the least weird choice, but still. Plus I want morning pictures, so I might have to wait until the weekend. 

Weight Loss Fears

I do have some fears-namely sagging. I mean I had six kids with all the stretch marks and natural body destruction someone with unlucky genes has. But now to lose weight at my age (47), I am concerns it will just be saggier and my face will be wrinklier, and I hope I am making the right choice. I guess I can regain it, if I don't like the way it looks. :o)

Initially, I had called this Sophia Jill's Weight Loss Journey. And that is very hopeful and inspiring.  But almost too saccharinely hopeful and inspiring. The Ick factor was too great for me. So for now, it is Losing It!, again unoriginal, but maybe the right name will just hit me at some point. Subconcious, get to work!

To be honest, I am doing really well. What I am dealing with in my personal life is so challenging, I could easily bury myself in brownie batter and cookie dough. I feel a quiet, lonely depression hanging over. But truthfully, it would be weird NOT to be a little depressed and lonely going through such a life change. And adding the highs and lows of sugar addiction to the mix would not help. I will admit to sneaking Stevia packets from time to time. It is probably just a matter of time before some scientist discovers Stevia is as bad as the rest of the sweeteners, might as well enjoy it while I can.

Take Care, Friends!

Sophia Jill

Saturday wasn't bad. I did go out to eat at the local health food store and had an AMAZING sandwich! I don't know that all the nutrients are here, but the calories are about right. 

Sunday, I didn't count calories. I went on a short road trip and didn't feel like counting the pringles, powdered donuts and bits of candy. However, I didn't overinduge in anything. I tried to keep it pretty moderate. 

After all the painting yesterday, I found my body to be sore all over, especially along my hips and waist. I guess that is from using my arms so much holding the roller? Or maybe climbing up and down on the stool? I have no idea. Either way, I feel deliciously sore today.

My diet still leaves a LOT to be desired. I know I need to step up with the fruits and veggies and cut back on the not so healthy stuff. But again, I am just getting started. If I manage to keep my calories down-I am proud of myself. Tomorrow is my weigh-in, officially. I have been peeking in the morning, and it looks as if I am down two pounds, but we shall see what the scale reads tomorrow. I bought a cheap dial scale and the numbers are SO tiny, it is sort of hard to see. But I suppose an estimate is okay.

I took the kiddos to the park today, which didn't require much exertion from me, however, it did get me off my butt and out into the cool sunshine. I skipped the snack when I got the kids a snack. It has been easier and easier to forgo the little treats, knowing that I can have whatever I want within my calorie limit. It gives me a feeling of abundance, rather than lack, and somehow makes it easier to say no.