By golly, it's working...

As of last Friday, I'd lost a total of 12 lbs since December. I can say I am pleased with that number. I am losing at a rate that shows improvement, so I stay motivated, yet I am not losing too quickly for it to be dangerous.

On my current plan (not the one you see above), I am allowed 1 meal per day (dinner) and during the day, I am consuming four "nutrients" (soy protein and vitamin enriched shakes and soups and nutrition bar). Combined with the additional vitamins and appetite suppressant, I haven't felt hungry, well until this week. Yep, you guessed it, it's PMS time. I am ALWAYS more ravenous when I am PMSing. I have been good and haven't cheated on my diet, but I did consume a little more lean protein than recommended at dinner, so hopefully that won't hurt me at all. I am still exercising and stretching daily, so maybe it will all balance out. I weigh in again today, so wish me luck with that. I think I will ask the dietician what I can do when I feel more hungry, I'm sure she'll have some good recommendations for me.

Something else I asked about at my last appointment was what to do when I go out of town for a few days? I am going up north 2/6-2/8 for a group event at Boyne Mountain. I really don't want to stand out as the non-alcohol drinking, shake and soup-slurping (well not exactly slurping, but you get the point) lady who also can't have regular dressing on her salad. The dietician, handy as she is, gave me the following modified, "vacation diet" which I am sharing with you. It might also be a great diet for those of you who don't necessarily want to do what I am doing to lose weight:

VACATION DIET

BREAKFAST:
1 serving fruit (see previous post for serving sizes)
1 slice of bread or 1/2 cup cereal (and not the sugary kind)
1 egg (egg beaters are recommended)
1 tsp fat/butter (optional)
8 oz. 2% (or non-fat) milk
coffee (decaf is best) or tea

LUNCH:
1 serving protein (3.5 oz pre-cooked)
2 servings vegetables (see previous post for serving sizes)
2 servings starch (see previous post for serving sizes)
1 tso fat/butter (optional)
1 serving fruit (see previous post for serving sizes)

DINNER:
1 serving protein (3.5 oz pre-cooked)
2 servings vegetables (see previous post for serving sizes)
2 servings starch (see previous post for serving sizes)
1 tsp fat/butter (optional)
1 serving fruit (see previous post for serving sizes)

ALSO RECOMMENDED: 64 oz. of water and a vitamin daily

Alright, off to go weigh in now, wish me luck!!!