Dr. Mike gives some handy tips for success in this cycle:
- Observe the 5-pound stop signal -- when you see the scale register a 3 to 5 pound gain, stop what you're doing and get back on Cycle 1 until they're gone.
- Be a breakfast lover -- eat something for breakfast even if you're not hungry in order to avoid getting the munchies mid-morning and eating something you'll regret.
- Get on good terms with salad -- this is still a hard one for me...
- Make healthier substitutes -- reduced-fat, reduced sugar foods like mustard instead of mayo, skim milk, no butter, fat-free ice cream/sour cream/salad dressings.
- Exercise portion control -- no second helpings...
- Move it, keep it off -- bump up the time spent exercising/do extra chores.
- Avoid overboard syndrome -- no pig-outs -- make a list of trouble foods (can you say "butter tarts", Traci?) and avoid them -- plan your week's menus in advance.
- No more guilt trips -- you have permission to indulge as long as it's planned and limited to the weekend only -- don't beat yourself up if you have a mis-step, just get back on that horse on Monday morning.
- Stay focused -- make a list of reasons to stay slim and remind yourself every day of how great you look!
To that last point: I'm keeping a ratty, old pair of track pants that I've practically lived in for the past 10 years -- they are practically falling off/apart, but that's what I'm wearing on the weekend while I clean house/do yardwork/watch TV -- to remind myself how far I've come, because they were so tight before...
Dr. Mike also recommends that you enjoy no more than three of your "favourite" meals between Friday and Sunday night (we'll see about that -- it's pizza night tonight, our wedding anniversary tomorrow and a long weekend to boot), as well as weighing only on the weekends (that's totally do-able)...
Here's what I know after two weeks of maintenance:
- French fries are evil and give you nightmares...
- Shake N Bake chicken, while tasty and seemed like a good idea at the time, resulted in hangover-like symptoms the next morning...
- I can't be trusted around potato chips, especially Spicy Ketchup Ruffles, even if they're on the other side of the room...
- Rogers makes a fabulous, low fat, 5-grain granola (try the Raspberry Almond one) that is great with milk as a cereal or mixed into your yogurt for breakfast...
- Renee's Gourmet Yogurt Dressing is a good alternative if you don't have time to make Dr. Mike's dip -- cucumber & dill is very tasty -- no sugar, but it is pretty high in sodium -- just stick to that 1 tbsp...
Another bag of clothes is nearly ready to go away -- the closet cleanout continues! And, yes Mom, I've kept a couple of bigger things, just in case. I'll hang onto them for a few months, but then they're outta here...
Wardrobe replacement has begun and the irony of this is not lost on me. When I started this journey, I had a closet full of clothes that I couldn't wear because they didn't fit properly and I refused to go and buy new things. Now, I have a closet full of clothes that I can't wear because they don't fit at all -- and I am excited to replace everything! I am looking at those smaller sizes and learning to love shopping again!
True story: my hubby and I were at the outlet mall a couple of weeks ago. I went into my favourite ladies' shop and tried on some pants that were just one size smaller than what I had at home. Guess what?? Too big!!! Oh, yes! WAY too big!! They were a clearance item, so a smaller size wasn't available -- I tried some skirts next and walked out of there with two tailored ones that are 2 -- 3 sizes smaller than anything I have owned in years! Like my boss said to me one day, nothing tastes as great as thin feels!
Two dear friends are embarking on their own journeys this week -- one has chosen to try The 17 Day Diet, the other something very similar. Good luck, girls! You're going to rock it!
