Happy President's Day Weekend, and 4HB So Far...

So far, it's been a great weekend. It's a lovely day, cold but sunny. I have Monday off for President's Day. And I lost 2 lbs this week!

My total loss in 3 weeks on 4HB = 3 lbs (7 lbs to go!)

I didn't lose anything last week, so 2 lbs is probably making up for last week
(Hub has lost about 10 lbs in 3 weeks)

Since January 31, I've also lost inches. So far:

• 1 inch off my hips (meager, I know)
• 1.5 inches off my waist (not too bad)
• 2.5 inches off my chest (wow!)

(But why is it the place I least want to lose it…or should I says where HUB least wants me to lose it… is where I lose the most? LOL)

Anyway, I'm very pleased with the results so far. I've been feeling great, no cravings, other than the occasional desire for a cookie or banana bread when I'm picking up my coffee in the morning. I think that's just because they're there, staring at me. But I just ignore the desire…and it goes away.

Here are some of the specific things that I think are making the difference:

• During the week, I've been having a protein shake first thing in the morning (about 6:30), made with powdered egg protein and unsweetened almond milk. I originally tried to make it with water, but it made me gag. The almond milk has been a lifesaver...I had no idea almond milk was so low in calories and carbs. I also add two frozen strawberries for flavor (even though you are not supposed to have fruit, strawberries are very low in carbs…1 g per strawberry), a little vanilla, and some fiber powder. I think the protein gets my metabolism started, and works so well I don't even think about food until about noon or even later.

• I've totally given up artificial sweeteners (other than the small amount of stevia that's in the egg protein powder). I've decided I'm not even going to use them on cheat day, even though anything goes. My taste buds seem to already have changed to the point I don't need them. (I had planned on drinking some Diet Dr Pepper today, but I've changed my mind.)

• I have been drinking a lot of water, with a squeeze or two of fresh lemon (as recommended). Lemon supposedly lowers the glycemic index of whatever you eat.

• I absolutely cannot stand black coffee, so I've been using 2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream mixed with some of the almond milk to whiten my coffee. (Most dairy has lactose, so it's not allowed. But heavy cream has 0 carbs, thus no lactose. It's all fat)

• Two evenings this week, I had two glasses of red wine, which is allowed (2 glasses per day)

• 4HB says you don't even have to exercise, unless you want to. So I haven't exercised as much as usual, just 3 days this week. (Nor have I obsessed about the fact that I haven't exercised much.)

• I've been taking the specific supplements recommended

The funny thing is, today is cheat day, but I've really not been very hungry. I got up about 8 a.m. then I didn't feel like eating first thing, so all I had was 2 cups of coffee with heavy cream. I took B to the park about 10 a.m., then I had a big bowl of yogurt (the sweetened-with-sugar kind) with some sliced almonds. After that, I walked on the treadmill for about an hour.

It's about 2:30 now, and Hub and I just had brunch which was fried eggs, refried beans with a little Mexican cheese, and a whole wheat tortilla. I feel very satisfied.

So, I'm not really focused on the food, what I'm going to cheat with, etc. Now that's a very interesting experience! I guess when I can have whatever I want, I don't necessarily even want it.

Right now, we're watching Inherit the Wind on TCM (dvr'd). Tonight, we're going to church, then out to dinner. Tomorrow we're back on program. We're going to an all-you-can-eat crab feed, so we'll just have crab, salad, and skip the garlic bread. Oh, yes, don't forget the 2 glasses of red wine!

Take care, everyone. Enjoy the weekend!