Day 13 (Accelerate Cycle)

Busy, busy day today.  First, I was up an hour early to get preparations for the daughter's birthday finished -- balloons and streamers up before breakfast.  Then a full day of work where it was really, really busy and then home for the celebrations...

And chocolate cake...

Yes, I ate a small piece of birthday cake tonight and now I have a headache.  Is that from the sugar?  Or the fact that my system hasn't seen any carbs that aren't fruit for nearly 2 weeks and doesn't know what to do with them?  Or maybe I'm just overly tired.  Not sure -- all I know is, I need a Motrin and my pillow...

Today's menu:
Breakfast -- 2 poached eggs, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee, probiotic supplement
Morning Snack -- 6 oz peach yogurt with 1 peach diced up and mixed in (this is quickly becoming my snack of choice -- never thought I'd enjoy yogurt this much...)
Lunch -- skipped it (bad, very bad, but I was so busy I couldn't get to it...) -- drank LOTS of water instead
Dinner -- restaurant meal!!  Went to Tony Roma's -- ordered one of their new grilled chicken dishes (came with a very small serving of pineapple salsa and lots of broccoli) -- avoided the bruschetta appetizer that everyone else was sharing & ate the tomatoes from my son's burger as "dessert"

Eating out isn't forbidden, but Dr. Mike cautions you to be careful.  Since restaurants tend to serve overly big portions, don't feel obligated to finish everything in front of you -- follow the Hunger/Fullness Meter.  Also, keep in mind the cycle that you're on and order accordingly -- no starches for me yet, so instead of the rice that would normally come with the dish, I ordered double veggies (as recommended by Dr. Mike) and the meal was fantastic!  Restaurants are very aware of dietary restrictions and most will have side dishes that fit what you're allowed to have.

My parents joined us for the evening and my mom noticed right away that I've lost weight!  I didn't think it was that noticeable yet, but I guess it is to someone who doesn't see me every day.  That gives me even more incentive to keep going, because I want to be able to see the difference.  I still see chubby when I look in the mirror (or at the photos taken tonight).  I know the clothes are fitting differently, but I don't "see" the change yet.  But that will come!

Day 12 (Accelerate Cycle)

It was my Friday off, but no walk or workout for me today.  Instead, I spent half an hour working on the mess in my backyard -- lots of bending, stretching -- and then off to run errands for the afternoon with the kids.  Not the best exercise, but at least I was moving...

Today's menu:
Breakfast --2 poached eggs, 1 naval orange, green tea, probiotic supplement
Morning Snack -- skipped it -- too busy working in the yard -- drank LOTS of water while driving around to get the kids from school...
Lunch -- restaurant salad (mostly iceberg lettuce, with shredded carrot & cabbage, cucumber, tomato, grilled chicken, tangerine balsamic dressing), green tea
Dinner -- Dr. Mike's turkey chili, green salad with tomatoes, red pepper, onion, mushrooms, black olive, olive oil/balsamic vinegar dressing

Not a very interesting day on the diet front -- no revelations today.  Tomorrow will be more interesting.  It's the daughter's birthday and we'll be going out for a nice family supper -- my first willpower "test"...