2 weeks into Tune-up

Boy tune-up is slower than the first round! Two weeks into it and I've managed to lose 5 pounds. I'm still a good 7-10 pounds away from my ultimate goal so I will be continuing Bernstein for another 3 weeks to hopefully get closer to that goal. 

I'm finding that my morning samples are only showing "trace" weakly in the clinic, but when I check at home in the evening, I'm burning, so I'm not sure what's going on there. 

I went through a crazed phase last weekend where I was just in serious need of a glass of wine. I was in such a depressed "I hate this diet" mood. So I ordered one with my steak and salad dinner. Guess what? Still lost weight and was still in ketosis. So, I am going to have ONE glass of red wine every Friday to stay sane. 

Injections are PAINFUL this time around! I think what's happened is that there is less fat in that area in general. When they pinch and poke straight in it hurts less than when they go sideways. I got one sideway injection and I moving cramps all day and even difficulty breathing! 

Headaches are a daily and they've increased my potassium. 

More to come!

2 Years Later - Back to Bernstein but just for a tune up

Today I weigh 160 pounds.

That's about 9 pounds higher than I was at my lowest last February.

It's still a great weight, i'm still a size 8 BUT, I do feel the difference. I never was 100% satisfied even at 151 so now i'm back to Bernstein to get down to 145 and stay there. It seems a lot less daunting to want to only lose 14 pounds instead of 40! I hope to achieve this in one month.

I have done a lot of travelling and ate very generously when I did. When I was at home I ate real clean, but the frequent travels made me gain the pounds over the course of one year. I also did work out so i'm sure some of it is muscle. It feels good to be back on track and going to Bernstein keeps me motivated (mostly because of the $599 I forked out!)

I just started yesterday so will keep you posted!! 

What I'm eating on maintenance

I try to actively count my net carb consumption. I allow myself 50g/day and can even wing it to 75g on some days. While proteins, fruits and veggies are a staple, I can't do with just those. I have found through experimentation that there are lots of items out there that make life much easier.

My lifesavers are (my American friends may find that not all these items are available in the States, but similar substitutes are):

• Baker's Deluxe breads (cinnamon raisin and seeded are my favourite)
• Skinny Crisps (cinnamon and Say Cheese are my favourite)
• New Hope Mills low carb pancake mix 
• Sugar free lattes with half soy milk at Starbucks 
• Kraft organic peanut butter
• Heinz no sugar added ketchup
• Ed Smith no sugar added jam
• Zazubean Nutbar chocolate bar (coconut + almond; available at Whole Foods) 
• Whipped cream!! (with berries =  amazing dessert).
• Kraft ranch dressing (not low fat, that has sugar)
• Silk unsweetened soy milk
• Low sugar fruit yogurts (4 grams net carbs) 
• Hickory flavoured almonds

Many of my favourite items are available at http://www.thelowcarbgrocery.com/

Please do avoid "diet" and "sugar free" items as much as you can (go for "no sugar added" instead). I have done a lot of research and realized that sugar alcohols are VERY bad for our systems. I used to have the occasional Atkins Bar or Russell Stover chocolates, but no more. Now if I do have anything sugar free, it will be restricted to a syrup put in my latte, or a diet carbonated beverage. 

Also, don't forget that socializing is still very easy. Restaurants are more than accommodating when it comes to swapping items. I always replace starches with veggies. I avoid Asian restaurants because it is very hard to eat low carb there, as all their sauces are generally rich with sugar. I recently found out that the "no noodle extra veg" Pho soups I was eating actually have sugar in them. 

I have also significantly cut back on alcohol. I find that even if i'm having a "clean" drink (e.g. vodka soda), it still makes me retain a lot of sodium and I feel very bloated the day after. I read online that alcohol disrupts blood sugar balance as it interferes with liver function. I will have a glass of non-sweet wine every now and then, but have learned to leave it more for vacations, or just a nice dinner outing.

Don't forget that you CAN every now and then, treat yourself. It is psychologically stressful to be 100% on course all the time. Yesterday, I was really craving a cookie, so I had one. But I added it in to my net carb count and was still in my range. I find that mentally reminding myself that "I can have a cookie when I want it" makes me crave things less, because they're not "forbidden". 

1.5 Years Later

Maintenance is going well. I have started working out rigorously so my weight has increased by 5 pounds but that's because i'm gaining muscle but i'm losing inches. I stopped weighing myself and I started measuring instead.

I'm still eating very clean and low carb. This is my lifestyle now, and always will be.

I did go on two vacations where I ate hearty, and did gain a couple of pounds. I found it took me at least a good month to reverse a week of damage, but for me, it was worth it. It's all about personal decision making and weighing pros and cons, and getting right back into it!

One year later

Feb 28th marked the one year anniversary from when I started Bernsteining.

I am happy to report that I am still at 153 pounds.

I have a really healthy lifestyle. I eat my high fibre bread for breakfast, have omelets  protein and veggies/salads for lunch and dinner, and high fibre snacks and low glycemic fruits in between. I enjoy a glass or two of wine, or a low carb drink (e.g. vodka + low cal cranberry juice). Weekends, I eat the yummy rich foods I used to love so much.

I truly cannot believe how much I have changed inside and out. I look at pictures of myself 40 pounds heavier and cannot believe that that used to be me. I went from a tight 12 to a perfect 8, a size 32 jean to a 29. 29!!! Someone actually called me "thin" the other day and I just about passed out from shock.

Going to the clinics was difficult, the diet was difficult, the nurses were difficult, peeing in a cup was difficult...but it was worth it.

Maintenance is possible, a lifestyle change is the key.

Staying Steady

So I'm happy at my 153 pounds, though I go up and down by 2 pounds depending on what i'm eating. Maintenance is possible.

I have been doing a clean eat from Mondays to Fridays. I discovered an amazing low carb bakery that makes flax power cookies that really get me through the afternoon hump!

When I go out on weekends, I eat what I want. Hell I've eaten bad! But I know it's okay because come Monday, I'll be eating clean again.

I'm not eating as clean as when I was doing Bernstein. I do have more protein that I'm allowed, I have low carb foods (e.g. atkins bars, but be careful they are high in fat!), and I definitely indulge in a dry wine (it has no carbs!).

This is the best thing I've ever done. No more yo-yoing, no more worrying about whether I will balloon up, no more guilt when I have a bad meal. Who knew sugar was such a bugger?

Cookies and Haters 

Current weight: 155.0
Total weight loss: 35.6 lbs

I've been travelling a lot, so going on and off the injections. I have two weeks left. It has been totally possible to travel, go to work, be busy, and still be healthy. You just need to focus on the goal. I am getting love from some, hate from others. This weight loss has made me realize there are people who cannot see others succeed. I think most of them want to criticize because they do not want to acknowledge the will power it takes to be healthy because that would require recognizing that they lack the determination they see in me. My work place serves freshly made pastries daily. I don't eat any and I hear comments from my colleagues. "Oh you and your healthy eating!". I feel like turning around and saying, "Oh you and your unhealthy eating!". Of course, my comment would be insulting, even though theirs is equally insulting. Another friend messaged me on Facebook and said, "stop losing weight, are you trying to become sexy?". I responded and said, "first of all, I already was sexy, second of all, if i'm getting sexy, why would I stop?". In a way, this diet has been a great learning lesson. It helps you identify which people are actually supportive and happy to see you happy, and which ones do not want to see you look like a million bucks. I think I need to go on a social circle diet and shave off the excess "friends".