Oh hey… guess I kind of forgot to update here, huh?
Living not blogging is far more fun 🙂
How about an update then?
207.3
I’m officially down 77.9 pounds which is more than my adorable golden retriever weighs!
More importantly, I received my bloodwork numbers back from my work health screening. A work health screening was what got me started on this whole thing to begin with, so I was very interested to see what the new numbers would be.
I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped and I let out a little cheer when I read those results!! I had a few other numbers that were higher (LDL) and some that were a little “off” thanks to my recent surgery. Otherwise though, EVERYTHING was in the “healthy” range for the first time since middle school!
Food-wise, I’ve entered the phase of things that I’ve been scared of since the beginning: all REAL FOOD, all the time. A meeting with the dietitian and a food-centered class and I felt confident enough to start with all food all day. Something my dietitian said really stuck with me: “make your choices as mindless as your Optifast choices were.” So I took a trip to the grocery store.
Breakfast: protein shake made with almond milk, coffee, and whey protein
Snack: two light string cheeses
Lunch: greek light yogurt and 1 serving of raw almonds (25 of them)
Snack: either cottage cheese with sugar-free jam OR a bar OR hummus and peppers (it depends on my schedule)
Dinner: This week, crock-pot chicken barbacoa on a giant salad with cucumber, avocado, tomato, cheese, and light sour cream
Snack: sugar-free fat-free pudding made with 1% milk
Next week will likely be the same or similar. So far, it’s gone well! I am noticing that I’m a bit hungrier, so I may need to make my lunch or snack a little bigger. It’s all a learning process!
As usual, I put together a few progress pictures to keep myself motivated:
OH! And I entered the official Optifast “New You” contest too! Maybe I’ll post my whole essay one day… but here’s my official before and after pictures that I submitted:
And with that, I’m signing off! I’ll check in again soon!
I can’t Congratulate you enough!! I think we are all so happy for your incredible success – you look wonderful and even better is your great health numbers!! You should be so proud & we’re proud of you!
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I’d be really interested in knowing your pudding recipe!
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It’s just a box of pudding mix and milk!!!
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Wow! I continue to be so amazed and impressed by you, Mara. Your pictures are phenomenal, but as Andrea said, those test results make me ridiculously happy! Good luck in the contest…you’re already a winner in my eyes though. 🙂
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Your before and after pics always make me smile, but those test results made me giddy! So proud of you for taking charge of your health!!!
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A big difference, well done!!! 🙂
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