Dr. Bernstein Diet - Happenings and Updates

Wow - I actually had a day off today and spent some time on the computer, and I realized I haven't posted on the blog since - what - May!  Oh my - that won't do. Well, a moment to reflect and confess.  I did get down to 143 since my last posting, but I'm now up to 160.  I know - 20 lbs over the summer and fall.  I tell you, it's been quite a lesson in weight mis-management. I even tried to get back on strict at the clinic in September, but failed miserably in large part due to my hectic work/travel schedule.  It's brutal trying to stick to strict when you're traveling outside of a Bernstein-zone where you can't get to a clinic every other day for your shots, and trying to eat in restaurants or you can't take your own foods with you due to no fridge. It's also ridiculous to think that I can eat what I want, when I want, and not pack on the pounds.  I mean really - bread, starches, wine/booze - you just can't win with those in the house.  For...

and I'm again 10 lbs heavier. Geesh! It is truly amazing how old eating habits creep us to bite you in your ever-expanding ass if you don't constantly keep those foods that wreak havoc with your body in check.  Bread - bad (for me.)   Pasta, rice, potatoes...rum and coke (even Coke Zero!)...man. So, it will be back to the strict diet for me.  I'm not going to go running back to the Bernstein Clinic right away.  I'll pull out my diet sheets from some earlier posting and haul my butt to Loblaws to restock the fridge and get my evil environmentally degrading Ziploc Steamer Bags chock full of 8 oz veggie delights and 7 oz (lovingly split equally in 3 portions) protein portions ready. I am determined to get back to 140 lbs - if it kills me. Wish me luck!

Okay, so I reached 139 and decided rather than fork out another $150, I'd go on my own.  I'm maintaining 143 give or take, and I think that's where my body is most comfortable.  Once I get back into a regular eating routine again, I seem to stabilize there. So, I'm keeping up my 16 oz vegetable/amalgam routine, and watching the fats/carbs, and staying busy.  That makes a difference. Plus, I told the Easter bunny to take a hike, so without any chocolate tempting my lips, I'm doing alright. I was in the gardens this past weekend too with the amazing spring weather, and did a lot of work.  Last summer I would have to take a break every 10 minutes due to lightheadedness when I would do physically demanding activities.  Now I have the energy (and some extra calories) to sustain a  full afternoon of outdoor work. Maybe my garden with be a little better maintained this year! As an added bonus - and incentive to stay healthy - my hubby carved out an 8 x 1...

What a thrill to see on Friday that I'm back to a solid 142 - yahoo!  I was quite perturbed last week with the plateau of 146...I just wasn't budging. I've found for me, that I'm fine with protein in the morning and lunch, but I can't have it at night.  If I do, it seems to slow progress down. So, I have my Proti Vanilla shake with 5 oz strawberries in the morning; sometimes have a Bon Matin slice of NoFat/No Sugar whole wheat bread (very similar to my husband's Bon Matin 14 grain bread) which is half the calories of my husband's brand.  My full slice ties me over - or I'll save it for lunch with my 100gr PC honey maple turkey. For supper, I'll load up on the veggies - a nice 16oz heap of zuccini, bean sprouts, mushrooms (enoki are my current fav), celery, broccoli and cauliflower with soya sauce, fresh garlic and ginger.  Yum!!  A heaping flavourful plate of goodness. I must say, on Tune Up, and having been on the program before, I'm n...

Well, from 152.6 to 146.2, I'm well on my way to reaching next week's target of 144. I was traveling for work this week, so I had to remember how to survive while away from my routine. I really found the first week a challenge to get strict again, but with my trusty pee-sticks on hand at home, I was monitoring and it only took 48 hours for my body to kick in. Nothing like having your body tell you in only a matter of a few hours "Yeah, you're fat - I'm burning it off already." It's humbling.... I went from my first weigh in at 152.6 (gasp!) to a 4 lb drop in two days. Water bien sur, but it's so motivating to see that initial big loss. I did find the first few days hard. I swear once you start eating refined sugar again your body truly craves it. It took me a few days to really push away the bad foods, but once you get back into your clean food and routine, I don't crave it or get lured by it. And that's a hard thing to do with t...

Well, I'm into Day 3 of the Tune Up and all is well. I'm starting to feel the little hunger pangs again, but it took a full 2 days to get into ketosis - and that's only a high 1/low 2 burn. I'm down 4 pounds since Wednesday though (it's now Friday) but I know it is mainly the water that was retained from all the salt and chemicals lining up to exit. I must say though, the B Vitamin injections sure do work. I remember waking up in the morning thinking that was the best full night sleep I've had in a long time - and I'm back to the once hourly like clockwork pee breaks. I have such a nice healthy glow - and the weight is dropping off again. Horray! I am so thankful to the folks who have registered on the program and dropped my name - I have two free weeks to help me along on the Tune Up. Thank you ladies! I'm hoping to push myself into the 130's so I'm planning on being on the program a full month. My goal? 135 lbs this time - a good sol...

It was actually quite nice to go back into the clinic. They all know me (Hi Helen!) and we just slid back into the routine. I felt like I was in an episode of Cheers - just substitute the beer for a Proti vanilla shake. Not quite the same, but.... I felt a little chagrined, though, when I stepped back on the scale. They had my chart out, with my sheet from December, when I was last in for Maintenance. I left at 143...here I ws at 152. Yikes! now, to be fair, I had jeans on, so really it was 150. Still - I felt embarassed. I'm always so impressed with the nurses at my clinic. They don't shake their heads in disgust - condemn you for gaining a few pounds. Instead I found myself apologizing profusely that I gained the weight since December - a full 10 lbs! - so I wanted to nip it in the bud before I go down the slippery slope of obesity. The receptionist just smiled knowingly (I mean, 90% of them are on the program as well, so they know the pull of temptation) and remar...