Today I went to the Walgreen's Pharmacy to buy some more ketostix.  Ketostix are test strips that measure the levels of ketones in the urine.  When you have large levels of ketones in the urine it means your body is burning fat.  When you dramatically decrease your carb intake, which is less than 50grams of carbs per day, your body will switch from burning carbs to burning fat.  I checked this morning and I’m still in ketosis, which means I’m a fat burning machine!!! :-) Thank goodness.  My goal is to get it to turn to a dark purple (large levels of ketones) and this morning it was more of a light pink (trace levels of ketones).  Right now I’m losing at a rate of 1-2lbs a week.  I’m adding in more cardio and hopefully that will keep the weight loss coming.  What tools do you use to measure your weight loss?

I’m now into my 6th week of eating lowcarb and I finally broke the week long weight stall this last Saturday.  It is so hard to wait for my weight to drop, but finally I dropped another pound.  I’m so close to losing 15lbs, just one more pound.  I’m really hoping that this week will be a successful week of weight loss.  Patience and persistence are my two words of the week.  

Summertime is such a fun time, but man is it busy!  It has been busy with work and busy at home.  My biggest downfall is fitting exercise into my daily routine.  I know I talk about this a lot, but the reason why is because I absolutely suck at doing it!  Now that I’m no longer sick I’m going to go to the gym tomorrow.  I can’t put it off anymore.  I will let you know what I do.  What is your favorite exercise to do?

I find that when I'm trying to lose weight I'm in a love hate relationship with my scale.  I weigh myself daily, so I know the scale fluctuates from a day to day basis, but I can't stand when it is at a stand still.  There's nothing more frustrating to me than eating right and not losing weight.  Don't worry though... I'm not giving up because I know this is just a normal part of losing weight.  When you lose weight your body has to adjust to the weight loss.  Some weeks are good and some weeks are bad.  I know I haven't officially hit a plateau because I haven't been stalled for more than 4 weeks.  I've only been lowcarbing for 4 weeks so I just need to chill out on the scale. 

I'm going to start taking measurements because even though the scale isn't budging it doesn't mean I'm not losing inches.  Another thing I'm going to reincorporate into my weight loss journey is ketostix.  I used them the first two weeks of lowcarbing until I ran out of them.  Ketostix are great because they show whether or not your body is burning fat.  You can buy them at you local pharmacy.  I bought mine at Walgreens.  I think having three ways of measuring my weight loss will help me have a more accurate measure of weight loss overall. So don't be discouraged when the scale doesn't move because it is only one way of measuring your success.  Just stay positive and continue eating healthy and soon the scale will be your friend again.



Dr Robert Atkins' defines a plateau in his book Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution.
A plateau must have the following criteria: "You have experienced no weight loss or loss of inches for at least 4 weeks. (Increased muscle mass will deceive the scale because muscle weighs more than fat, but inches will continue to disappear.  You have not started a new medication, such as hormone therapy, altered your exercise regimen or made any other significant lifestyle change.  You have examined your physical state carefully and are able to conclude that you have no symptoms indicative of a diet-related disorder (see Chapters 24-27) or a thyroid problem.  You can take a close look at your eating habits and honestly say that you've adhered to the same healthy, controlled carbohydrate eating plan that has brought you success up to now."

I'm 1 month into eating lowcarb and so far I have lost 13lbs.  Time has gone by so quickly.  I’ve dropped a dress size and am noticing more and more changes in my body everyday.  The weight really started to come off on the 3rd and 4th week.  I’m happy to lose 13lbs but I’m ready to lose even more.  Last week and this week have been somewhat of a challenge because I’ve had pink eye and strep throat and haven’t been able to workout. I’ve noticed the scale seems to be stuck on a number and my weight won’t budge.  I’m trying not to be discouraged, but I’m a little disappointed.  I’m really hoping to get well soon because I really don’t want to be setback on losing more weight.  I really don’t like plateaus, but I fear that I have run into one.  What do you do when you run into a weight plateau?

Today is a day we will always remember in history, the memorial of a legend, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.  Whatever your opinions are on Michael Jackson, whether positive or negative, I think one thing we can all agree on is he was a musical legend.  From his dance skills to his singing, when he performed he kept everyone in awe.  His music, dance moves, and videos will keep his legend alive forever.

As I was thinking today about the legend Michael Jackson is leaving behind it made me think, what kind of legend will I leave behind?   What will people say about me when I’m gone?  I think sometimes when you are overweight you don’t live your life to the fullest.  I tend to find myself thinking “when I’m skinnier I will be happy” or “when I’m skinnier than I can try that or do that” What I realize is that I’m only holding myself back from enjoying life.   Life is too short to let image consume your happiness.  Make your legend now.

I was watching an interview on Michael Jackson tonight and he said something that touched my heart.  A teenager asked him what would you say to someone that wants to become a star like you and he said:  "no matter what... the most powerful thing in the world is the human mind, prayer, confidence, perseverance, and to always believe in yourself.  Whoever is negative around you block them out because whatever you believe is who you become." 

Some things that this interview made me think about is how powerful the mind can be.  When you believe something about yourself than it will show from the inside out.  I know that when my friends called me fat when I was younger it really hurt me and I kept those comments inside of me.  All of that negativity built up and I eventually became what my friends called me...fat. 

When you are trying to lose weight it is very important to get a good support system around you.  Don't let negative people impact your results.  People will always have something negative to say about whatever diet you do, so don't let that make or break you.  When you are ready to change you can do it.  You are the driver and your destination is up to you.  When negative thoughts start to creep into you mind, as Michael Jackson would say just "Beat It".

I can't believe that I'm starting my 5th week of eating lowcarb tomorrow, July 6.  I remember how I could find any excuse to not start the diet and how I would say "I'll have just one more cheat day and than I'll start the diet tomorrow."  That went on for far too long and than finally Monday, June 8 I decided to say NO to "one more cheat day" and start it.  I think I just got to a point that I figured I was either going to keep gaining weight and lose complete control or just make the decision to change my life and go with it.  Changing my life sounded a whole lot more fun than getting fatter and more depressed! 

I've lost 13 lbs so far and am so excited to see what week 5 is going to bring.  Whenever you are trying to make a lifestyle change you must take it one day at a time.  I know I talk about that a lot, but I have to emphasize the point.  If you are about to start eating healthy to lose weight or you are in the process of eating healthy to lose weight make sure to set small goals to get to the big goal.  If I thought everyday to myself that I want to lose 40lbs than losing the weight would be overwhelming, but if I make multiple goals than it is more exciting along the way.  I was excited losing 5lbs, and than 10lbs, and next I can't wait to reach 15lbs.  Doing it this way makes it easier for me to stick with it.  If I don't make it fun along the way than it will be a long, miserable journey and who wants that?!?  I don't! 

Remember you can't get to the top of the mountain in one step.  You must take it one step at a time and than with hard work and dedication you will reach the top.  Once you are on top you can look down at all of the steps you have taken and know that no mountain in life can stop you from reaching your ultimate goal.  We can do it!  Happy climbing!  :-)

Happy 4th of July!  Whether you are at a BBQ, hanging out with friends and family, or getting ready for the fireworks tonight I hope you have a wonderful day!  It is amazing to think that 233 years ago our country declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.  I'm so thankful for all of the soldiers who have fought and are fighting for our great nation.

When I think of the 4th of July, the first thought that comes to me is...freedom.  Today is a holiday for us to remember freedom in our country and freedom within ourselves.  Whatever your personal battle is, you have the strength to overcome it.  My battle throughout my whole life has been the struggle with weight.  I started dieting when I was 7 years old.  It all seemed pretty normal to me.  I was an early developer which was awful because I didn't look like any of the other girls in my class.  My best friends were all the "skinny girls" and so I always felt fat.  Some of my best friends even called me "fat" or "thunder thighs", which was always very hurtful.

I was always at a healthy weight, but I had curves, and when you are 7-14 years old you don't want to be labeled as "curvy".  I started playing sports when I was 6 years old, so I was also fit.  I didn't start to feeling comfortable with my body until high school, when "curvy" becomes ok.  I still remained dieting because I was so scared of getting fat, or being called fat again by my friends.  I never weighed myself until I was in high school.  Throughout high school I weighed anywhere from 115-120lbs.  I didn't have a problem with weight until I hit college.

In college I wasn't as active and always felt stressed out.  I started gaining weight my junior year of college.  When I started gaining weight, I gained it fast.  It happened so fast that I was worried that there was something wrong with me.  I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which is why I gained so much weight.  WebMD describes what hypothyroidism is here: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hypothyroidism-topic-overview  Ever since 2004, when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I have struggled with my weight.  The best diet that has worked for me, when I follow it consistently, is the Atkins diet, which is eating lowcarb.  In the last 2 1/2 years I have gone through a lot more stress and through that stress I have gained more weight.  I have a heart and passion to lose the weight and motivate and encourage other people to lose the weight too. 

This website is here for accountability to lose the weight and keep it off forever.  If you have the same passion as me to lose the weight and keep it off, than please join me in my journey of freedom from being fat.  Happy 4th of July!

Whenever I'm overweight the last thing I want to do is take pictures.  Who really likes those "before pictures" anyway?  When you see that picture right after it is taken and realize "that's what I look like?!" than you feel awful, embarrassed, and depressed at how you really look and know it's time to change.  The camera might add a couple pounds, but it sure doesn't add 40 lbs!  So you take that picture and cry and than you tear it up, hide it, or throw it away.  If you are ready to change that dreadful "before picture" into a pretty picture than keep it.  One day that awful picture will become a success story and a reminder of how you will never look again.