Day 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 - I'm flapping my arms but I don't seem to be getting any higher...

ABOUT ME
“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ”— Helen Keller

"I dare you to fly." — Me

I feel like I've been coasting. I got into the 140's and then, mystifyingly, I'm back up above 150 again. One good thing is that my BMI went down. I am exercising daily, but guess I need to step it up. It IS hard to find the time; I won't lie to you gentle reader. I'm a busy, busy gal - like MOST of us and putting away the time to exercise, eat correctly, drink enough water (always a battle for me) & keep up with this blog - is a struggle.

I just had a conversation today lamenting about the fact that it is so much EASIER to be BAD. (sigh) Ah, to live a life of slovenly indulgence. But wait - though EASIER, the cost is RIDICULOUSLY HIGHER. OK - what do I want more - an easier time of it with a horrible self image or a rougher time of it but feeling like a million bucks? No brainer... Million bucks please.

The lumps keep coming and I'll keep taking them. I did not do this to myself in 44 days, nor will I cure myself in 44 days. I'm in for the long haul baby. Commitment (gulp - did I just actually type that word?), honor (I dig that one), strength (OK), focus (cool), determination (balls to the wall) and MOXIE (my favorite) are gonna bring me home. I... AM... A... ROCK...

Check out the stats:

STATISTICS
Height - 5' 7-1/2"
Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009
DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs
DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs
DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs
DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs
DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009
DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs
DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs
DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs
Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 13 - 159.4 lbs
Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 15 - 157.0 lbs
Day 16 - 158.2 lbs
Day 17 - 157.0 lbs
Day 18 - 157.1 lbs
Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 20 - 155.0 lbs
Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 22 - 156.2 lbs
Day 23 - 154.9 lbs
Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!
Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 27 - 153.9 lbs
Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Day 29 - 153.2 lbs BMI 28.9
Day 30 - 150.9 lbs <- 22.5 lbs lost
Day 31 - 150.9 lbs
Day 32 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 33 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 34 - 150.0 lbs
Day 35 - 150.5 lbs

WEEK SIX - Wednesday, August 19 - Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 36 - 150.7 lbs
Day 37 - 152.1 lbs
Day 38 - 151.1 lbs
Day 39 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 40 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 41 - 148.6 lbs <- Now if I can only STAY in the 140s!
Day 42 - 148.3 lbs

WEEK SEVEN - Wednesday, August 26 - Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day 43 - 148.9 lbs
Day 44 - 150.3 lbs <-- GRRR BMI 28.2

FOOD
BREAKFAST
SATURDAY
* Banana
* Walnuts
SUNDAY
* Banana
* Walnuts
* Juice
MONDAY
* Juice
TUESDAY
* Banana & walnuts
WEDNESDAY
* Banana & walnuts
* green tea
THURSDAY
* Banana & Walnuts

SNACK
MONDAY
* Juice
TUESDAY
* 6 prunes
WEDNESDAY
* Cherry tomatoes
THURSDAY
* Cherry tomatoes

LUNCH
SATURDAY
* Salad: romaine, onion, hot peppers
SUNDAY
* Salad: red leaf lettuce, olives, avocado, scallions, tomatoes, walnuts
* Juice
MONDAY
* 2 ears of raw corn on the cob
TUESDAY
* Zucchini Linguini
* Cantaloupe
WEDNESDAY
* 2 ears of raw corn
* salad with avocado
* 1 kiwi
THURSDAY
* Salad: field greens, avocado, onion, carrot, cilantro - oil & vinegar (California Pizza Kitchen)

SNACK
SATURDAY
* Sun-dried tomatoes
* walnuts
* 1 banana
* blueberries
SUNDAY
* Juice
* [1] ear of raw corn
MONDAY
* Juice
TUESDAY
* Sun dried tomatoes
* Cantaloupe
WEDNESDAY
* pepper & cauliflower mash
THURSDAY
* 6 prunes

SUPPER
SATURDAY
* Sashimi and green salad. My first animal product since mid-July.
SUNDAY
* Juice
MONDAY
* 2 ears of raw corn
TUESDAY
* Apple
* Salad
WEDNESDAY
* Zucchini Linguini, tomatoes, basil, scallions, olives, raw corn tossed w/ rice wine vinegar & basil olive oil
THURSDAY
* stuffed pepper (stuffed with what - I have no clue but it ROCKED)
* chopped salad
* decaf blueberry tea




EXERCISE
Day 39 - Saturday
* Abs with Tamilee Webb
Day 40 - Sunday
* NADA - day of rest
Day 41 - Monday
* 3.4 mile power walk
* Abs with Tamilee Webb
* random pull-ups
Day 42 - Tuesday
* Abs with Tamilee Webb
* 1.5 mile power walk
* Buns of Steel
* Random pull-ups
Day 43 - Wednesday
* Abs with Tamilee Webb
* 2 mile power walk at lunch
* 2 mile power walk to the library
* random pull-ups
Day 44 - Thursday
* random pull-ups
* 1.5 mile power walk to the grocery store
* Abs with Tamilee Webb (the HARD ONE - program TWO)

Day 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 - I got a little behind :-)

ABOUT ME

“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.”— Helen Keller

"I dare you to choose to be happy." — Me

 

Check out the stats:

 

STATISTICS

Height - 5' 7-1/2"

Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

 

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs

DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs

DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs

DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs

DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

 

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009

DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs

DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs

DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs 

Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 13 - 159.4 lbs

Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

 

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Day 15 - 157.0 lbs

Day 16 - 158.2 lbs

Day 17 - 157.0 lbs

Day 18 - 157.1 lbs

Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 20 - 155.0 lbs

Day 21 - 156.1 lbs 

 

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 22 - 156.2 lbs 

Day 23 - 154.9 lbs

Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <--  20 lbs in 24 days!

Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 27 - 153.9 lbs 

Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

 

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Day 29 - 153.2 lbs

Day 30 - 150.9 lbs <- 22.5 lbs lost

Day 31 - 150.9 lbs 

Day 32 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 33 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 34 - 150.0 lbs

Day 35 - 150.5 lbs

WEEK SIX - Wednesday, August 19 - Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Day 36 - 150.7 lbs <- we salted extra last night in anticipation of juicing today

Day 37 - 152.1 lbs <-- WATER??

Day 38 - 151.1 lbs <-- This fluctuation is making me crazy!

  

FOOD

Breakfast

FRIDAY

• 2 cups of coffee 
  
• handful of walnuts
  
• 1 banana

SATURDAY

• mini bananas
• walnuts
• blueberries
• Starbucks - Cafe Americana!

SUNDAY

• 3 cups of coffee
• walnuts
• mini bananas

MONDAY

• 1/2 container of blueberries
• handful of walnuts
• 2 cups of coffee

TUESDAY

• 2 cups of coffee
• handful of walnuts
• 1 banana

WEDNESDAY

• 2 cups of coffee
• handful of walnuts
• 1 banana

THURSDAY

• 2 cups of coffee
• walnuts
• 1 banana
• some blueberries

FRIDAY

• 2 cups of coffee (mmm - Starbucks Kenya)
  
• walnuts
  
• 1 banana
  
• some blueberries
  

 
Snack
FRIDAY

• 1/3 pint container of cherry tomatoes

MONDAY

• sun dried tomatoes

TUESDAY

• sun dried tomatoes
• canteloupe

WEDNESDAY

• dehydrated crackers with nut cheese, red pepper, onion, yellow pepper, green pepper
• 2 figs
• 1/4 pint of cherry tomatos

THURSDAY

• 1/2 pint blueberries
• sun dried tomatoes

FRIDAY

• blueberries

 
Lunch
FRIDAY

• Salad: baby spinach, scallion, avocado 11 black olives, sun-dried tomatoes
  

SATURDAY

• Salad
  

SUNDAY

• Salad
  

MONDAY

• 2 ears of corn on the cob
• zucchini linguini w/ spicy marinary and spinach leaves & cherry tomatos

TUESDAY

• small "sandwich" - dehydrated something "bread" with carrot "not tuna" spread, tomato & onion <- Yummy!
• "soup" - tomato, cucumber, onion, herbs
• 1/2 avocado
• 1 orange

WEDNESDAY

• Salad: spinach, black olives, cherry tomato, 1/2 avocado
  
• 1/4 cantaloupe

THURSDAY

• 1 ear of raw corn
• 1 avocado
• 2 figs
  

FRIDAY

• 1 peach
• veggie mix: spinach, zucchini, scallions, tomatoes, cauliflower, mushrooms

 
Snack
 MONDAY

• [1] orange
  
• [1] peach

TUESDAY

• cherry tomatoes
• marinated green beans

WEDNESDAY

• "chowder" - tomatoes, asparagus, onions, herbs, zucchini, corn

THURSDAY

• 1/2 apple
• cherry tomatoes

FRIDAY

• 2 figs

 
Supper  

FRIDAY

• Live lasagne
• Zucchini Linguini

SATURDAY

• Live lasagne
• sun dried tomatoes
• walnuts
• mushrooms stuffed with carrot "not-tuna" salad

SUNDAY

• Salad

MONDAY

• dehydrated green beans, asparagus stems, broccoli
• corn "chowder" without the milk or heat :-)

TUESDAY

• 1 ear of corn on cob
• dark green salad with red pepper (olive oil, salt & lemon dressing)
• 1/4 cantaloupe

WEDNESDAY

• zucchini linguini
• green salad
• 1 apple

THURDAY

• zucchini linguini w/ mixed greens, basil, tomato, onion

FRIDAY

• JUICE!

 

EXERCISE

Day 31 - Friday

• Random pull-ups 

Day 32 - Saturday

• Power walk  for 2.4 miles
  

Day 33 - Sunday

• Abs with Tamilee Webb
  
• Power walk for 2.4 miles (early afternoon)
  
• Power walk for 50 minutes (late night)
  
• Random pull-ups
  

Day 34 - Monday

• 30 minutes of yoga
• Power walk - 40 minutes

Day 35 - Tuesday

• Abs with Tamilee Webb
• Power walk 2 miles at lunch
• 50 minutes of pain with the original "Buns of Steel" video with Greg Smithey

Day 36 - Wednesday

• Abs with Tamilee Webb
• random pull-ups
• 50 minutes of Sweating to the Oldies 2 w/ Richard Simmons

Day 37 - Thursday

• random pull-ups
• 6 mile power walk

Day 38 - Friday

• random pull-ups

Day 30 - Judgment Day has arrived and Goal #1 has been achieved (and then some...)

ABOUT ME
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”— Helen Keller

"I dare you to choose to be happy." — Me

Hey – there’s my gal Helen Keller again. I think I’m gonna quote her for the next few days. The more I read about her, the more amazingly simplistic my life seems. Today’s quote is right on the money for my experience of the last 30 days.

SO HOW DID I GET HERE?
Well, about 35 days ago it went down sort of like this: It was first put to me (in a very nonchalant way) by guru/chef/task master KC:

KC: “Hey, I’m thinking of trying to lose 20 lbs in 30 days.”
Me: “Oh, I think you could definitely do that.”
KC: “Wanna do it with me?”
Me: (internally – “GULP”) (externally) “Absolutely."

(Yes, I can definitely put on a good front and swallow my fear (for awhile).) Inside my head I was saying, “What on earth have I just gotten myself into? Yes, I’ve been “raw” before, but never this strict and never with a serious goal in mind. I can’t possibly do this! Now wait – I have KC to help me along. Maybe, I can do this. Actually – I’m GOING to do this.” That’s honestly how it went down. In a split second I went from “this is impossible” to “I’m going to do this”.

The first thing that I worked on was OPTIMISM and a positive outlook. I swear life can just FALL into place when you have an attitude adjustment. This goes in line with another earlier blog of mine discussing CHOICES. We CHOOSE to view life negatively or positively. We have that power in our hands to turn a negative into a positive or just be miserable. We hold the power to impact our lives and those around us with our outlook. So come on and sing this along with me (just imagine I’m David Cassidy):

"Hello world, here's a song that we're singin' Come on, get happy."

GOAL #1 - DAY 30 HAS ARRIVED
I did it! I did it! (picture me leaping for joy like the Bionic Woman). It's the power of juice (and no sodium)! Wow - I haven't had that big of a weight loss jump in some time. I'll take it! I'm still a little freaked that I not only made this goal, but made it early AND blew past my best expectations! Positive affirmations abound!

So what's next? Well, the next goal is to be at least 138 lbs or a size 6 by October 10th. What is October 10th you might ask and why that date? Ha! It's my high school reunion. I will be damn close to the same weight I was when I graduated high school! Now THAT'S a GOAL!

Judgment Day has arrived (for all my fellow Terminator addicts out there)! I want to take a moment and thank all of you who have been reading this blog and offering me lots of encouragement along the way. It is much appreciated and I am a big believer that you get back what you give out. Thank you. OK, let's check out the stats:

STATISTICS
Height - 5' 7-1/2"
Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009
DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs
DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs
DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs
DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs
DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009
DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs
DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs
DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs
Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 13 - 159.4 lbs
Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 15 - 157.0 lbs
Day 16 - 158.2 lbs
Day 17 - 157.0 lbs
Day 18 - 157.1 lbs
Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 20 - 155.0 lbs
Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 22 - 156.2 lbs
Day 23 - 154.9 lbs
Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!
Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in
Day 27 - 153.9 lbs
Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Day 29 - 153.2 lbs
Day 30 - 150.9 lbs <- MAJOR JUMP (22.5 lbs lost) - thanks to juicing

FOOD
Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee
• handful of walnuts
• 2 small bananas
• 4 black olives (while I was getting my lunch together :-)

Snack

• 10 cherry tomatoes

Lunch

• Gaspacho: tomato, zucchini, onion (same as 2 nights ago - YUM!!!)
• Salad: baby spinach, scallion, avocado 11 black olives, cherry tomatoes

Snack

• Nada - I was full

Supper

• 1/2 piece of living "lasagna" (zucchini, nut "cheese" and sun-dried tomato gravy)
• 1/2 dehydrate red pepper stuffed with kale and other goodies
• Zucchini linguini
• 1 apple
  
• 2 mugs of decaf coffee

EXERCISE

• Random pull-ups
• Abs with Tamilee Webb "I Want That Body" video (Program 1)
• Getting my recycling together to take to Recycling Services. Trust me - it qualifies as a workout.
• 45+ minute power walk to the bank and back! Though the journey is what its all about - there's something to be said to having a destination.
  

Day 29 - The empowerment of change and living life as a free spirit

ABOUT ME

"To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." — Helen Keller

"I dare you to be a little bohemian. Free your spirit and free yourself." — Me

I love Helen Keller. I read a lot of biography's and for whatever reason, as much as I admire and am in awe of Keller's life's achievements - I have not read her biography (I know she was involved with one herself - rather than someone writing it posthumously). This must be rectified after I finish my current arsenal of biography's of Grace Slick, Jonestown, Billie Holiday, Nick Drake and Anais Nin. Thank goodness for the library!

Why Helen Keller? Well, blind and deaf she managed to accomplish amazing things during a time where being a woman wasn't exactly easy. She was born in 1880 and died in 1968. She lived her entire life during a time where few women even completed high school. She not only completed high school, she was the first deaf blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree (she graduated from Radcliffe). She also went on to become an American author, political activist and lecturer. She was amazing - take a gander at her wikipedia page HERE.

In addition to her achievements, she did something even more amazing. Something that many of us, including myself, have great difficulty doing. She lived her words. She lived what she believed. She continued to change and grow and behave like a free spirit and consequently exhibited undefeatable strength despite ridiculously, incredibly, difficult obstacles by any time period's standards. I mean in reality ALL I'm doing is dropping some weight on a time frame and taking charge of my health. Keller woke up in total darkness and silence every day of her life after age 18 months over and over again. No noise. No light. Silence. Yet her spirit was not defeated, to the contrary - her spirit became a beacon for many others and soared to unimaginable heights for those whom had no physical handicaps. Yes, I definitely am going to read her biography.

Well folks - tomorrow is the big day. Day 30. I've already met the 20 lb challenge and am ready to continue with challenge #2 which is to get to my proper weight of 138 lbs (I'll be in the 130s for the first time in 20 years when I get there). I'm shaking up my life and hopefully bringing a few other people with me on this journey of hope, joy and good health. Let YOUR spirit soar. Be an agent for change and freedom. Let your inner light shine and be a beacon for others. Pay it forward.

Here's the news for Day 29. So far, I'm in great shape for the big day tomorrow, but just to be sure - I'm juicing today!:

STATISTICS

Height - 5' 7-1/2"

Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs

DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs
DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs
DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs

DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009

DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs

DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs

DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs

Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 13 - 159.4 lbs
Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Day 15 - 157.0 lbs
Day 16 - 158.2 lbs

Day 17 - 157.0 lbs

Day 18 - 157.1 lbs

Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 20 - 155.0 lbs

Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 22 - 156.2 lbs

Day 23 - 154.9 lbs
Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!

Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 27 - 153.9 lbs

Day 28 - 153.9 lbs

WEEK FIVE - Wednesday, August 12 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Day 29 - 153.2 lbs <- Woot! Back under the 20 lb mark again!

FOOD

Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee
• Juice: Carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon
  

Snack

• Juice: Carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon
  

Lunch

• Juice: Carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon

Snack

• Juice: Carrot, cucumber, apple, lemon
  

Supper

• Juice: carrot, lemon, tomato, celery, cayenne pepper (woot!) and black pepper. Now THAT'S what I'm talking about.
  

EXERCISE

• Random pull-ups
• Abs with Tamilee Webb (the tough one - didn't make it completely through it though - I was crunched for time.
• 2.8 mile power walk which ended up stopping at the grocery store for tonight tomatoes and celery (and tomorrow's avocado treat :-)
  

Day 28 - 2 days to go and the fear is setting in...

ABOUT ME

"Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom." — Bertrand Russell

"I dare you to face a fear head on. You will thank yourself." — Me

It will never cease to amaze me. I'm not at my goal, but within grasp of my goal and my mind is starting its stupid negotiations: "You can have a INSERT HERE (beer, wine, cheese, eggs, cooked foods, corn on the cob..). Just a bite - it won't hurt anything."

Oooooo - that mind of mine! HOWEVER - it WILL hurt me a lot. It will be me falling into my pattern of falling short of a goal. This little record that likes to play in my brain is not going to win this time. I am dragging the needle over it and it won't play NO MO'. I have effectively "gone to the mattresses" (Godfather reference) with mediocre health and am on a new, uncharted journey for myself. I don't have any rules - other than GOOD HEALTH and WELLNESS - both physically and mentally. Change is hard. Change is difficult. But change is NOT impossible. What stops change mostly? FEAR.

So today's quote talks about fear. My biggest fear right now regarding all this is that I will backslide into my bad food choices and behaviors (which ultimately lead to bad food choices); that I won't continue with my CHANGE. That is what I must conquer - this fear of change for the better. I know I don't THINK I want to remain a raw, vegan for my entire life. I'm so social and do not have many vegan friends, let alone RAW vegan friends. My posse remains rooted in the SAD (standard American diet) diet. Therefore, I feel that when I have reached goal #2 of 138 lbs, I must find a balance in my life that allows me to embrace my need for indulgence (a beer or glass of wine, sushi, cheese, eggs, potatoes once and awhile) with my overwhelming need to be a strong, healthy, fit individual. So I'm using a previous quote to attack this one - I'm eating my elephant 1 bite at a time. I'm trying to not focus on what I'm not eating (my beloved corn on the cob is a struggle to pass up this season) and instead rejoice in the simplicity of my foods, my weight loss, my increasing muscular strength (pull-ups anyone? I did 2 in a row today!) and endurance, my ability to WEAR A SIZE 8 for the first first time in nearly 15 years - all of my accomplishments in the last 28 days.

OK - So how do I really start scratching out the record in my head? Well - let's start with the need to reward myself for all my hard work. I've decided to face a fear and not put off something that "I'm going to get around to doing...". I'm going on a road trip in September. It corresponds with the finalization of 2 months of this program. I'm going to a yoga retreat at http://www.kripalu.org/ in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. I have always wanted to do a yoga retreat and was always a little TOO AFRAID. I am excited for it this time. No beer. No wine. No cheese. No sushi. No eggs. No potatoes. YET. Instead - yoga baby. Yoga. I'm doing it FOR ME.

Getting back to "going to the mattresses" - I'm juicing again tomorrow!

Here's the news for Day 28:

STATISTICS

Height - 5' 7-1/2"

Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs

DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs
DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs
DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs

DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009

DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs

DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs

DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs

Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 13 - 159.4 lbs
Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Day 15 - 157.0 lbs
Day 16 - 158.2 lbs

Day 17 - 157.0 lbs

Day 18 - 157.1 lbs

Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 20 - 155.0 lbs

Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 22 - 156.2 lbs

Day 23 - 154.9 lbs
Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!

Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 27 - 153.9 lbs

Day 28 - 153.9 lbs <- Uh-oh. This is no time for a plateau!

FOOD

Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee
• 1 banana
• handful of walnuts
  

Snack

• 6 prunes
  

Lunch

• 5 mushrooms stuffed with living seas carrot salad
• Leek mushroom dehydrated wrap stuffed with chopped broccoli, tomatoes and some kind of yummy orange paste (no clue).
• Salad: Romaine, yellow pepper, apple, scallions Dressing: sesame oil, rice wine vinegar

Snack

• 1 Orange
• 3 prunes

Supper

• 

• Chop salad: lettuce, red cabbage, red pepper, scallions
  
• Dressing: rice vinegar and oil
  
  
  • 

• In-friggin-credible gazpacho: tomato, scallion, red pepper, zucchini, basil and TLC

• Incredible dehydrated kale and zucchini slices (really fulfills the potato chip craving)
• Stuffed pepper (dehydrated too)
  

EXERCISE

• Random pull-ups
  
• Power walk for 40 minutes
• Abs with Tamilee Webb

Day 25, 26 & 27 - Courage, Confidence and Strength. They're all yours for the taking.

ABOUT ME

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." — Eleanor Roosevelt

"I dare you to try something you think you cannot do." — Me

Life is beautiful. I got up Saturday morning energized, strapped on my iPod and power walked and walked and walked. I was looking forward to having some food after being on juice for 2 straight days. While on the walk I saw that some of the wild raspberry bushes still had some berries so that became my motivation for completing my walk - get done with the walk and eat wild berries AND they were great. I haven't picked my own berries in years. I, like you I suspect, am used to getting my berries in a plastic container at the grocery store. These were straight off the vine and I have a few scratches on my hands and arms to prove it. It was simply amazing how magnificent they tasted as my first solid food in 2 days. Everything tasted more magnified. For the first time in days - I was REALLY looking forward to eating a salad! :-)

Re: Juicing

I liked the juicing for 2 days. It was a challenge and I succeeded and that alone - makes for a great experience. I didn't think I could do it. How could I possibly survive on just juice? I'll be so hungry. Guess what... I was hungry. Guess what else... I lived and am stronger for the experience. I liked it so much that I think we're going to start juicing every Wednesday so that will be cool to add to my regimen.

Re: Weight

I'm up 6/10 of a pound today from Friday morning but that IS WONDERFUL. Why? Because it means it must be REAL weight loss from last Thursday morning which was 154.9. I will happily take a 1lb loss. Now that we are on a more realistic agenda I am happy to see any downward trend. Also, remember, I had 2 days of solid food and now the weight that I am is truly reflective of the weight that I am and not just a no-sodium water weight illusion (because of the 2 days of juicing last Thursday & Friday with NO sodium intake for those 2 days). That means I only have a 1/2 lb to go before the 30 day mark. We are in good shape. AND I DID IT ALL IN 27 DAYS...

In light of my pal Eleanor Roosevelt, I have another adventure I am planning for myself as a way to face fears/hesitations and move forward on an individual growth scale - however, I'm saving to share that until tomorrow.

Here's the AMAZING news for Day 27:

STATISTICS

Height - 5' 7-1/2"

Weight - For the record, I'm weighing in next to nude on the same scale, around the same time every morning before eating or drinking anything.

WEEK ONE - Wednesday, July 15 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

DAY 01 - 173.4 lbs

DAY 02 - 167.3 lbs
DAY 03 - 165.0 lbs
DAY 04 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 05 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in
DAY 06 - 162.8 lbs

DAY 07 - 161.6 lbs

WEEK TWO - Wednesday, July 22 - Tuesday, July 28, 2009

DAY 08 - 160.2 lbs

DAY 09 - 160.4 lbs

DAY 10 - 159.2 lbs

Day 11 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 12 - ? - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 13 - 159.4 lbs
Day 14 - 157.6 lbs

WEEK THREE - Wednesday, July 29 - Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Day 15 - 157.0 lbs
Day 16 - 158.2 lbs

Day 17 - 157.0 lbs

Day 18 - 157.1 lbs

Day 19 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 20 - 155.0 lbs

Day 21 - 156.1 lbs

WEEK FOUR - Wednesday, August 5 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Day 22 - 156.2 lbs

Day 23 - 154.9 lbs
Day 24 - 153.3 lbs <-- 20 lbs in 24 days!

Day 25 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 26 - I was away and couldn't weigh in

Day 27 - 153.9 lbs <- I'm still REALLY happy with this because it is REAL weig ht now that I'm on solid foods again.

FOOD

SAT- 8/8

Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee
  
• Handfuls of black raspberries I scored on my power walk
• 1 banana
• handful of walnuts

Lunch

• 1/2 red pepper stuffed with chopped broccoli, onion & avocado

Supper

• big salad: romaine, avocado, broccoli, onion, walnuts, olives, tomato, mushroom
• dressing: olive oil, sesame oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon

SUN - 8/9

Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee
  
• 1 banana
• handful of walnuts
• blueberries

Snack

• apple

Lunch

• Chop salad: mixed greens, broccoli, red onion, olives, tomato, mushroom
  Dressing: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, guacamole mixed together
  (I couldn't eat it all)

Supper

• Leftover salad
• Cup of Peach Ginger tea - I had a long drive and I was sleepy
  

MON - 8/10

Breakfast

• 2 cups of coffee
• 1 banana
• handful of walnuts

Lunch

• Zucchini linguine
• Mushrooms stuffed with living beta sea spread (carrot pulp made to be like tuna salad so much that it was mind boggling)
• 1/4 pint of blueberries

Snack

• 1 banana
  
• 1 cup of jasmine green tea

Supper

• Dehydrated broccoli
• Mushrooms stuffed with living beta sea spread
• Zucchini linguine
  

EXERCISE

SAT - 8/8

• Power walked for about an hour & 15 minutes

SUN - 8/9

• Nothing. Nada. Day of rest.
  

MON - 8/10

• Random pull-ups
• Power walk for 40 minutes
• Abs, baby, Abs with my gal Tamilee Webb