Holiday Preparation -- Activate Cycle Day 1

Well, looks like I'm starting this stage of my journey at 129 lbs -- not bad at all.  That's only 2 lbs up from where I ended and, truth be told, a mere 4 lbs from my initial goal weight.  All the more incentive to do this holiday season pre-diet -- get to that goal weight and maybe lose a little extra, "just in case" weight.

Dr. Mike offers some easy-to-follow holiday strategies for getting through the festive season.  He recommends pre-dieting by following Cycle 1 or 2 in order to shed some weight before the food craziness starts.  My plan is to spend the next 17 days on Cycle 2, which leaves time to do Cycle 3 before party season gets into full swing.  That season starts with our son's birthday in mid-December and doesn't let up until well after New Year's -- lots of birthdays mixed in amongst the standard office parties and general celebrating.

Why Cycle 2?  Simple.  I don't need to drop too much more weight, so there's no need to go for the dramatic results that you get with Cycle 1.  I've been slowly replacing my wardrobe with new bits that fit properly -- an enjoyable activity, yes, but I really don't want to start over again!  Based on my results from the first go-around, I should only lose about 4 or 5 lbs on Cycle 2 which will put me right where I want to be.

Some of the tips Dr. Mike offers for the pre-diet process:

• eat breakfast every day, eat dinner before you go to a party...
• keep healthy snacks with you at all times...
• bank your calories (I love this one) -- behave on non-party days and eat lightly on the day of a party, reserving those uneaten calories for the feast...
• make smart choices (ie. more vegetables & fruit than protein) at a buffet -- fill up on that fibre...
• watch your alcohol intake (dang, not so crazy about this one)...
• stick to your exercise routine -- it burns calories and holiday-related stress -- better yet, increase the fequency &/or duration of your workouts (good luck with that one, Traci)...
• set a regular bedtime and stick to it -- proper sleep is necessary for weight loss and stress management...

As always, he says to go ahead and indulge in the treats, just don't over-do it.  And don't beat yourself up if you do go overboard -- simply get back on the horse the next day.


Today's menu:
(Activate Menu -- sort of...)

Breakfast -- 2 scrambled eggs, strawberries, green tea
Morning Snack -- vanilla yougurt with red grapes, coffee
Lunch -- Dr. Mike's chicken vegetable soup, water
Dinner -- steak & mushrooms simmered in tomatoes, steamed mixed vegetables (yellow beans, green beans, baby carrots), water

Mistakes made today -- too much coffee, not enough water, no carb at lunch, no salad at dinner, only one probiotic.  Did I actually learn anything the first time?  Doesn't look like it...dummy...

Back on track tomorrow!  Weigh in on Thursday!