Weekend Update...now Let Me Eat Cake

I started on several posts this week, but never got around to finishing any of them. At this point, none of them seem timely anymore or even very interesting, so I'm basically starting over this morning.

First things first...4HB results:

I lost a 1/2 lb from last week. I also lost another 1/2 inch from both my waist and my hips.

Considering all the stuff going on last week, I'll take it.

1. I was at a seminar all day Wednesday, so I wasn't able to stick to 4HB as much as I wanted to. I didn't really eat anything I wasn't supposed to, but still, I just wasn't on my normal food schedule.

2. My 58th birthday was also Wednesday, so for dinner Hub took me to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I only had Caesar salad and steak (which was incredible, by the way) but I did over-indulge a bit in the alcohol department. No "celebratory" dessert though! I just told myself I would have my cake on Saturday.

3. I didn't work out at all. Just couldn't fit it in. Even yesterday, I had to go with Hub to some medical appointments so I wasn't able to do my normal "Friday-off" K-bell workout.

So, in the larger scheme of things, I'm pleased. Next week should be a lot better.

Now, something that has been on my mind that I haven't shared yet. Something that is causing me some anxiety.

Hub is having his right knee replaced on March 8, which is the reason for the appointments. There are so many pre-op things to do, blood work, EKG's, x-rays, etc.

I am nervous for him, as this operation is supposed to be very painful. I know it will be worth it in the long run, but I hate to see anyone (especially someone I love) in pain, so I'm very stressed about that. But it is long past time he had this done (he probably should have had it done a few years ago), as he has literally no cartilage left in that knee. Walking causes him a lot of discomfort. In fact, for the last few months, he has had to use a cane to go anywhere.

I remember when we first met, in 1988, he and I would go for long hikes with our dog. I mean long, difficult hikes, up mountains. He was in very good shape for someone of his size. When I think back, I realize that this knee problem has gradually taken away a lot of our ability to do fun things together. I miss that and I know he does too, so I have to focus on the positive aspects of what this knee replacement will mean, and stop worrying so much about the short term stress this will cause.

So, today is cheat day. We haven't decided where we're going, but wherever we go, it's going to be a place that has good cake. Because I'm going to have some birthday cake.

It's really cold here (only 24 degrees right now) and snowing lightly (ugh). I hope it warms up a bit so I can take B to the park. I definitely will get in a good work out today too.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

One additional thing...

I forgot to mention that I've also totally given up soy milk. I used to drink a lot of soy, instead of milk. I stopped using it because the book said to, but it was not clear to me as to why. So I did some research...

1) Soy contains phytoestrogens, which the body recognizes as estrogens - not good if you're a man, and really not good if you're a woman. Many female cancers are estrogen sensitive.
2) Soy is goitrogenic, meaning that it slows down your thyroid, which is a good possibility for why weight loss can be hampered if you use a lot of soy.

(I'm obviously no expert on the pros and cons of soy. This is just what I've read.)

Since I'm not using soy, I'm so glad to have found the almond milk. It's a pretty good substitute for both dairy and soy. Almond Breeze is the brand I'm using...I've tried Almond Dream too, but I don't like it as well. Almond Breeze has 1 more gram of fat and 1 fewer gram of carbs than the Almond Dream, which I think is why it tastes better. And it fits in better to the low carb idea anyway.

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!