11 lbs. down

So...I'm a little mad at the postal service. They said my box of fuelings would get here "Saturday by 8 pm." Well, Saturday came and went and no box! I'm hungry here! In talking with my health coach, she suggested doing healthy snacks while I wait, because I'm OUT of fuelings. UGH!!!! And then UPS didn't even contact me and tell me it was going to be late. At 9:30 pm I checked my tracking and it said, "There has been a delay on your package." Duh! I already know that. Finally, Monday morning I get a text letting me know that it will be here SOMETIME before 8 pm today. Yeah. I'm not holding my breath.
In other news - good news! I lost 11 lbs. Once I lose 1 more, I will match my lowest of the year - and it hasn't even been a month yet!

You may not be able to tell a difference, but I can. My face is slimmer and my jeans actually close! Super cool!

Rating products on TSFL

As I await my fourth order, I've started making a list of things I want to order/don't want to order again:

Like:

Dutch Chocolate Shake

OPTAVIA™ Essential Creamy Double Peanut Crisp Bar

Caramel Crunch Bar

OPTAVIA™ Essential Chocolate Mint Cookie Crisp Bar (Naturally Flavored)

OPTAVIA™ Essential Decadent Double Chocolate Brownie (Naturally Flavored)

Dislike:

OPTAVIA™ Select Chocolate Cherry Ganache Bar with Dried Cherries, Pomegranate, and Chia Seeds (Naturally Flavored)

OPTAVIA™ Essential Frosted Cookie Dough Bar (Naturally Flavored)

OPTAVIA™ Essential Wild Rice & Chicken Flavored Soup with Carrots, Celery, Onions, Peas, and Shiitake Mushrooms

Like fine:

Peanut Butter Crunch Bar

OPTAVIA™ Select Spinach Pesto Mac & Cheese with Basil and a Blend of Parmesan and Romano Cheeses

OPTAVIA™ Essential Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie

Down 7 lbs.

Last night my husband commented that this was the best I had ever stuck to a diet. I told him that I wanted to show people how doable and easy it is. It really isn't awful at all. And I get to live off of granola bars if I want - one of my favorite things! My mom said she cried when she heard how diligent I was over Thanksgiving break. She's so proud of me! The meal replacements taste good and are filling. And I love to see the changes in my body! My brother said he's already noticing a difference.
One thing different that I'm doing this week as opposed to last week, is I've decided to switch from the 4 & 2 plan (buying 4 meals, making 2), and go to the 5 & 1 plan (buying 5, making 1). I found that I wasn't losing weight as quickly as I wanted, and that it was too easy to go over my calorie intake if I was making both breakfast and dinner. And so far this week I've already lost 2 lbs. In one day!  Down to 253. Loving it!
I also noticed something else last night - it's easier to play with my toddler. I hate to admit it, but sometimes when he sits on my stomach it hurts. I don't know if he's pushing on the organs that are already smooshed by excess fat, or what. But last night we were playing and he sat on my stomach and the pain was significantly decreased. I was so encouraged by that!
Also, my husband just sent me the sweetest text telling me how proud he is of me. And that I look happier and healthier. He's wonderful!

A week and a half

I got back from Thanksgiving and weighed myself this morning. Down 4 lbs. Not as much as I wanted, but still great all things considered. It's harder when you're in someone else's house and on someone else's schedule. And travelling. And lack of sleep. And on and on. I'm interested to see how this week differs since I can be very strict.

This is the worst picture of me during the trip. I was asleep on my husband.

This is the best picture of me during the trip. I feel skinny even next to my twig-of-a-brother!

Day 2

I woke up with morning with a splitting headache. But I took some medicine, ate something, and it went away. I made some really good eggs this morning. I used some leftover pico de gallo from last night, added some mushrooms and a little low-fat sausage, and then whipped the eggs with the green salsa I made last night. So awesome! Now, 2 1/2 hours later I had the Medifast chocolate chip cookie bake. I cooked in the microwave and it turned out fine. The chewy chocolate chip bar I had yesterday I didn't particularly like. But the mint crunch bar was good! I think it may just be a texture thing. I ordered more crunch bars in different flavors and had them sent to my sister's house since the order won't arrive before we leave for Thanksgiving.

I was a little discouraged when I stepped on the scale this morning. 260.4 lbs. But my cousin said it will take a few days for my body to acclimate. She said Day 1 I shouldn't feel any different. Day 2-3 I'll feel hungry and maybe have headaches and be a little irritable as my body adjusts. Then Day 4-5 my body starts intense fat burn! Super excited about that part!

I also went to the gym yesterday for the first time in about a month. Since my workout buddy moved, it seems to be near impossible to get to the gym. But I did cardio for 20 minutes, then alternated focusing on my arms, abs and legs. I felt it a lot last night, and thought I would be super sore today. I'm actually doing fine. 

I have bars!

So I guess technically today is the day I start the "program" from TSFL. I got my "fuelings" in the mail yesterday and tried the chocolate mint bar - pretty good. This morning I weighed in at 260.4 lbs. I made eggs with 3 different types of peppers and mushrooms for breakfast. It was pretty tasty. Two and a half hours later, I'm here eating a frosted chocolate chip bar - not as good, but fine. I'm headed to the gym in a little bit. Hopefully my workout is better today!

Here are some more "before" photos. I love working out, and am excited to be able to get to the point where I can work out without so much pain.

I've lost 3 lbs!

So it's only been a day and I've lost 3 lbs!!! I'm so excited and encouraged! To be fair, I felt ill yesterday and didn't eat much, so that could certainly contribute to it. Also, I actually don't get my TSFL order until today, so I was just following my own regimen. But still I'm so happy about it!
I also told my family I've signed up to be a health coach as well. They were all excited for me. Two of my sisters had questions about the program too. So I will be doing my research!
My husband has been wonderfully supportive. Last night he said, "If nothing comes of this other than you losing the weight you want, it will have been worth it in my mind." He's so great. And he loves food as much as I do, so this change in the way we eat is certainly effecting him.
Facebook reminded me of this picture taken 2 years ago:

My husband and I went with my brother and sister-in-law to this awesome BBQ place outside Houston. My brother wanted to capture the moment and of course we all complied and took big bites. I, however, look like a whale who just can't ever be without something in its mouth. Probably one of the most unflattering pictures of me ever. I think I threw that shirt away after this.

But, onward and upward. I'm going to get the weight off and keep it off!