Five Weeks Later -

This photo on the left was made July 27th and entered on my blog, along with a message that I was starting on a weight loss program (of my own) and that I would have my picture made at this same place once a month. I had sorta forgotten what I said and today someone who reads my blog reminded me. So... I am posting a photo on the right, made this morning in my "working in the yard" outfit. And I might add 11 lbs. less. I noticed that my pants were not so tight in the waist this morning. I am 4 lbs from my first goal of 15 lbs by October 3rd - our 54th anniversary.

A trip to the Dr. for my annual check-up and lab work was the main reason I set up my weight loss plan. I needed to lower my blood sugar (and I have it in a good range now), lower my cholesterol (HDL had actually increased but the bad one was too high), and get rid of my big stomach! The only medicine I take is Plavix and that's because I can't tolerate aspirin and having had 2 mini-strokes, I must take Plavix.

Here's my plan and I've been doing this faithfully since July 27: Walk at least 30 minutes a day. I go walking at 6:15 a.m. almost every day with my neighbors, at least 5 days a week. Eat healthy foods - no junk food.
A friend was wanting to lose weight and she and I are in this together. In the beginning for the first 2 weeks, I followed the WW program on my own. I was eating the right foods but the
portions were too big. My friend had been on the South Beach Diet and recommended I try that. The first 2 weeks on the diet were very restrictive. I missed fruits and my oatmeal and cereal.

I made it thru Phase 1 and now I am adding back foods that are allowed on Phase 2. I haven't missed bread, pasta and other high carb foods. I have plenty to eat and have not been hungry and this is the 5th week I've been on my healthy food plan. I have lost 11 pounds since July 27. It has come off slowly: 1/2 lb at the time mostly. And some days I gain 1/2.