Day Four

Ok, saying I had a bad headache was an understatement! I took 4 Excedrin Migraine Tablets, enough to upset my stomach, but no help for my headache. I finally took a pain pill, again didn't help my stomach or my head much, Finally, I was able to go to sleep and when I woke up it was gone. I am writing about this not so much to complain, but more just to keep up with what is going on with my body as I begin this diet adventure.
The other side effect I have noticed is extreme fatigue. It was really bad yesterday, bettter, but not gone today. Just a feeling of my body being too heavy, and yes my significant other has already mentioned (with a huge grin) that that is why I am going on this diet. All joking aside though, the tiredness can be rough. The way I picture it, think of this as the cute guy on numbers using gum balls or something else for an analogy, is to think of my body as a fuel burning machine. The fuel my body usually burns is carbs. Now that I am giving it almost no carbs it will eventually switch over and burn fat, thus the weight loss. The fatigue comes in after the first couple of days. There are no more carbs left to burn, but my body has not switched over to burning fat, sort of like when Exxon-Mobile switches from winter to summer blend gasoline. For them the result is (what a suprise) we pay more for our gas, but in the world of carb versus fat burning the result is fatigue. Once my body has adjusted to burning fat my energy level will return to normal, or maybe even better and all will be right in my world, but do you notice how after switching over from summer to winter blend the price never goes all the way back down on the gasoline? Guess our bodies are more fuel friendly than we knew. Here's hoping the the fatiuge is no worse for any of you and we all get fiesty soon.

Day Three

Wow, I have had a major headache today. Don't know if it is from the diet or not, but I sure don't like it. Other than that today has been fairly uneventful, but I did re-learn an important lesson yesterday. I ate a late breakfast so I didn't feel like eating lunch before leaving to drive to Oklahoma. While I was there (and on the way home as well) I considered stopping for something to eat, but I was really anxious to get home. Long story short, I was way too hungry by the time I got home. I just wanted to eat anything that I could put into my mouth when I got home. Luckily, I was able to restrain myself while I heated some turkey and cheese in the microwave and cut up some cucumber sticks. I made it through that, but it was a close call.
We went shopping today and bought some Atkins basics, but not a whole lot of stuff. At this point I am not too interested in trying to get fancy with the food. Mostly I just want it to be less than two carbs per serving and quick and easy to prepare.
I hope everyone out there is having success with their weight loss, or what ever challenge they find themselves up against. Keep your chin up, we can do this.

Day Two

Yesterday went off without a hitch. I ate turkey, eggs, half a cucumber, a bratwurst and some mayo. I drank coffee with heavy cream and unsweet tea. Sounds like I did ok, doesn't it? Well I guess I did, but I didn't loose even one pound. For those of you who have been on Atkins before you will understand my dispointment. I can usually expect to loose 2-3 pounds the first day, even if it is just from the amount of peeing I do. Not this time though. I strated to be upset, but then I remembered my resolve not to look forward OR backward. I am doing this today, not in the past so I guess I am ok with it.
I kept busy writing letters of interest for jobs I think I might be interested in and I went to the grocery store to buy just a few "Atkins" foods like cucumbers and tea. All in all yesterday was successful and today is shaping up as well.
I feel totally unstressed about dieting. It helps that family and friends are traveling the same road with me and my support goes out to them. I can do this, you can do this, we can do this.
So, "What's next?", you ask. I guess I should make some eggs for breakfast since it is almost lunch time. Have a protein rich day everyone.

Day One

Today marks the begining of my journey towards becoming less of a person, in pounds that is. I woke up late, but only because every time I woke up I had the thought, "Oh no, today I start my diet." However; since waking up it really has not been that much of an ordeal.
My current weight is 208 pounds. It would be easy to lament, "How did I get here?', but the truth is I know exactly how I got here. It was by following the sweet road of cookies, ice cream, cake, pies and the occasional salty french fries or chips. I enjoyed every minute of it, however lately it has begun to seem as if I spend as much time thinking about my excessive weight as I do thinking about the foods I love. This thought pattern made me realize that it was time to take control of my eating. I have done this before, but I will not focus on the past or even on the future. I will take each day as it comes and remember that I am strong and capable, and that since this is something that I truly want, it will become a reality.
This journal is new for me. I have decided to write it for no one but myself. I believe that it will be a tool that I can use to keep track of the foods I eat, what triggers my food cravings and of course the weight I loose.
I have no specific plans to write on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. I will simply write when I can, and when I feel that writing will be helpful.
Please join me in my journey.