Weight Loss #4 Week 3

Unfortunately, I have to put my weight loss on a break. I have been "swimming upstream" for the past week and I NOW know why.

I am on Domperidone. One of its side effects is WEIGHT GAIN. Yup.

During Christmas my family and I suffered a horrific cold. My milk took a dip and I tried everything to get it going again. I fortunately have a wonderful support group on FB called the 'Crunchy Families' and got several tips on how to increase my milk supply. 

I did as much as skin to skin as possible with baby, including drinking dark ale, mother's milk teas, eating oatmeal after oatmeal, drinking enough fluids, pumping... you name it and without success. I met up with a La Leche League trainer and fb friend who pointed out some "anatomy issues" regarding my struggle to feed baby well.

Now wiser and smarter I went to see my Dr. and she prescribed Domperidone 2 pills 4 x a day. Within like 4 days I filled out! I was carrying stones.... ouch! I went down to 2 pills 2-3 x a day and I feel better. Yesterday, I upped my placenta capsules too, to 2 capsules 2x a day. I'm hoping for a good balance.

So, because of the silly vanity I still seem to have within me I "Dr.Googled" weight loss with Domperidone, thinking that since it was producing milk on "overdrive", I must be losing weight faster, I hoped... BUT to my disappointment, it is the exact OPPOSITE!! 

Apparently hundreds of women suffer weight gain while nursing on Domperidone. Bummer.

Well, so until I stop taking Domperidone, I will stop weighing myself, I will accept that I probably won't lose any and might even pile some pounds on and will just focus on loving me the way I am right now. I will eat healthy, I will keep hydrated, I will do Pilates and Yoga... I will enjoy every day that's been given to me. 

I will keep posting recipes and my thoughts. Stay tuned!

As I type I have a 

Greek Yoghurt & Honey Mask on...

Ingredients

1T Greek Yoghurt

1t honey

Mix well, and spread avoiding your eyes, let it soothe for 15minutes + and wash.

Have you been on Domperidone? What was your experience like?

Weight Loss #4 Week 2

Was 221

Now 221

Weight loss =

0 lbs

Christmas Holiday week = Chocolate = No willpower...

Enough said!

Weight Loss #4 Week 1

was 225

now 221

-4lbs

So, I've had a pretty good week until now. Hubby JUST brought some Christmas chocolates home from work, and my self discipline is 0. Yup zero. Anyway, moving on....

I've meal prepped and eaten 5 x day. I've been satisfied, not left hungry at all. You can look at what I've been planning to eat HERE

 

 ((Freezer meals))

To the right, I have several freezer bags filled with taco mince (lean meat) ready to go. However even though the package read 'lean beef', I still strained the fried meat and this is how much fat dripped out. It's a LOT! The bowl was nearly half full...

I should maybe come up with some other foods, but I do love yams with taco mince! I can't get past it. Yeah, looks boring, and maybe unappetizing... but the taco spice makes the food go down, he he!!!

Darn those chocolates! Eating popcorn as I type,-ha ha!-  ready for a movie with hubby.

Grace and Peace

Weight Loss #4 Day 1

I know, I know, baby is only a month old and I've already embarked on weight loss #4. To some of you who do not know my history, I gain a lot of weight during each pregnancy and I have quite a challenge to lose my pregnancy weight afterwards, yet somehow I manage to do it,  even if it's a slow process. More on my previous weight losses, HERE.

So here I am once again. Over weight with a newborn. 

I am nursing, so I have to be extremely careful that I don't hinder milk production or stop it. My baby is my priority. I won't let myself go hungry. I won't limit my vegetable intake either. I'll make sure my calorie intake is sufficient.

During my final weeks of pregnancy, I refused to be weighed at my check ups so I don't actually know exactly how much I weighed before birth, but I'm guessing 250lb ,or even more. Currently I weigh 225lb and that is 2lb less than two days ago. So here I am at 225. What is my goal? Well it's of course my pre pregnancy weight, which is 145lb. Some say I am too hard on myself and should aim for a smaller goal..  Buuut I don't want to.  Call me stubborn. 

My weight day 1 = 225lb

My plan is to prep and precook my lunch and dinners for the next two weeks. If I have the $, I will consider doing it for the next four weeks. This will save me time and protect me from temptations.  

My menu for the next 4 weeks is

2 WEEKS FREEZER MEALS

100-150G MEAT, 100G CARBS, 200G++ VEGG MEAL PLAN

3L WATER, OMEGAS, VITAMINS, OILS

7.30 BREAKFAST OMELET, WW TORTILLA, SPINACH, CHEESE AND SALSA Or oats with cottage cheese and berries

11.00 LUNCH PREPARED MEAL

1.30/2  SNACK GREEK YOGHURT AND BERRIES

4/5 DINNER PREPARED MEAL

*post workout shake

8 ILTAPALA (evening snack) APPLE AND PEANUT BUTTER

4 X CHICKEN, BROCCOLI, QUINOA
4 X MINCE, BEANS, SWEET POTATO
4 X CHICKEN, ASPARAGUS, BROWN RICE
2 X MINCE, QUINOA, BEANS

SHOPPING LIST

·         8 CHICKEN BREASTS

·         1KG MINCE AND TACO SPICE

·         1KG BROCCOLI CROWNS/FROZEN

·         QUINOA (600G COOKED QUINOA)

·         4 SMALL SWEET POTATOES

·         1,2KG GREEN BEANS

·         1KG ASPARAGUS

·         BROWN RICE (400G COOKED BROWN RICE)

·         7 X 0%GREEK YOGHURT

·         PRECUT FROZEN BERRIES

·         2X TRAY EGGS

·         WW TORTILLAS

COTTAGE CHEESE 0% AND 14 X ZIPLOCK BAGS MEDIUM / CONTAINERS WITH LIDS, MICRO AND FREEZER SAFE

  

I will weigh myself weekly on Fridays starting December 19th. I will also post photos of  start and present. I won't be working out until I go to my 6 week check up,  and I will begin with only cardio, kegels and Stott pilates to strengthen my body before I hit the weights. 

So, any suggestions or advice you want to give me?

Until my next weigh in,  

Grace and Peace

Mid Update - Weight Loss etc.

First of all, take your time right now to wipe down your keyboard and screen. This makes a big difference on your "screen time". Trust me, just do it! 

My Weight Loss:

Secondly, I want to share with you about what impact evening snacking has on your body. In just 3 days, as I left the evening snacking out, (read here) I dropped 3 lbs. This is no diet. This is common sense. Our bodies do not need the energy we so forcefully (I mean gladly) give it late at night. Unless, we're hitting the gym or we've just come back from a 2h hike. I say supress the habit! Which is why,

TODAY, I told my husband that we need to limit our movie nights (at home) to once a week, or even twice a month! Why? Unless I'm on a strict short term "jump start diet", my brain is just coded in a way where watching a movie and putting popcorn in my mouth go hand in hand. Unfortunately. So, to kill that unhealthy -repetitive habit, I must limit the temptations until, my brain is recoded. Makes sense? I'll keep your posted on that!

What I'm learning about:

I am in love (don't take it too literally) with weights! I am so happy to see how my body is changing in such a short time. I'm seeing strength, muscle definition, less back pain, more energy and better nights sleep. I am amazed at the body that God has designed, and how our bodies were made to move, how they can adjust/change-given the opportunity, and how physical activity also affects us emotionally, chemically and last but NOT least, spiritually. 

The only way I know how to describe what I am going through is this image. Fully, as a family, giving to God what is God's. Ourselves.  I see myself, in some ways taken out of what I know to be "normal" or the way we should live, to another path that may be somewhat foreign but serene. I see my family fixed on His will, living to glorify Him, taking the time to hike, bike, run, roll around, jump, laugh... to eat the fruits and the vegg, and the sweets that He has given us. Share about the true love by being what He has called us to be, no more, no less. Thriving to grow in him, thriving to do our best and knowing GRACE in the midst of the good and the bad. 

What I am struggling with: 

Seeing unhealthiness in everything. I carry guilt, a lot. I know this is not from the Lord. I'm on a path. I know that wisdom and knowledge can sometimes feel like a burden. I see that in some ways "ignorance is a bliss". I'm just learning to balance it all, by His strength, according to His word. This is where Grace comes in!

When I open up a yoghurt pot for my little ones, I cannot help but read the labels and wonder what damage some of the ingredients may do to us. I don't believe I should ignore it, since once knowledge has been given to you, you should use it wisely. I'm in a little bit of limbo here. I allow my children to have sweets at times, I prepare their favorite meals at times (which aren't very "healthy"),... then I put hemp hearts and oats into their yoghurt pots to add a little more healthiness to them. I dread giving them cooked vegg, because I know that the vitamins have halved and the enzymes are no longer there. But I still do at times.... So, just if you keep me in your prayers, I know that being a mother isn't easy, and the added guilt, can be very destroying.

Letting go:

I'm still half way of de-itemizing (read all about it HERE), and I'm still motivated, determined and anxious -in a good way, what the outcome might look like. I have day dreams about the finale, the finished project. I want it to be finished already but, I know that there is a lot of personal growth that needs to ntake place before I can take the next major step. In His time.

Weight Loss #3 Part 11

-9lb!!! In a week and a half!!!! Woohooo!!!!

Here's what's been going on, hence the silence. I'll share my workout and then my diet. The results are incredible. My thighs are toning up so fast, my strength has increased by a lot and I've rediscovered my posture. I have incredible energy and I feel really good. I've been on a fat burning, muscle toning diet for a week and I've lost 7lb already. I'm on this particular diet for another week or two. Then I'll alter it according to my needs. The weight training is just great, in all ways. I have never seen or gotten faster results before. This is the way.

I lift heavy, my body responds well and I get results fast. My strength has sky rocketed. I love it! I workout 4-5 times a week. So,

My workout

Workout  1

20 minutes of stair master. Each week I rev it up by a level. I started at 3, and I'm nearly at 7.

1.      Squats with weights 10 x 4

2.      Leg Extension single legs 10 x 4 each leg

3.      Cross Step-ups on a Bench (with weights)
10 x 4
4.   Hammy curls 10x 4

stretching!

Workout  2

20 minutes of stair master

1.      Shoulder Press
10 reps per weight for 4 sets

2.      Lateral Raise
10 reps per weight for 4 sets

3.      Rear Deltoids Row: (no drop set on this one)
8-10 reps per weight for 4 sets

4.      Front Shoulder Press
10 reps per weight for 4 sets

5.      Assisted Pull-ups 4 grips: (wide, regular, close, underhand)
15-20 reps per weight each for 4 sets

6.      Bent-Over Row
10 reps per weight for 4 sets

Workout 3

20 minutes of stair master

1.      Lunge with Bicep Curls: (alternate leg-long distance) 15 pounds per hand with dumbbells
30 steps per leg for 4 sets

2.      Biceps Curl
10 reps per weight for 4 sets

3.      Overhead Triceps Extension
10 reps per weight for 4 sets

4.      Dumbbell Triceps Punch Outs: 15 pounds in each hand
20 reps for 4 sets

5.      Hammer Curls:
6 reps per weight 4 sets

workout 4

20 minutes of stairmaster

1.      Push -up Burn Outs: (as many as you can)
4 sets

2.      Circle Chest Flyes: (lying down back on bench)
10 reps for 4 sets

3.      Rest of the Day: Core

The Diet

During this 2 weeks, avoid people,  parties etc. I even have a hard time following the diet when I have people over for coffee or I go out. Too many temptations.

Prep everything. Weigh, bag and freeze. Easy way to pull the exact amount when needed. Especially when hungry!

Keep yourself busy. Stay away from cooking shows. Drink plenty of water.
Eat every 3h. This is key!

Breakfast : 2x omega capsules.

45g quick oats boiled in water,  100g of fat free cottage cheese/or 4 egg whites and 100g frozen berries or

Blend one egg white, water and 45g oats together. Pinch of salt and baking soda. Fry as a large single pancake (using no oil or butter!) and serve with 3 egg whites fried or boiled . Sprinkle with cinnamon, serve with 100g of berries.
You can sweeten with stevia or xylitol.

Lunch: 100g skinless lean chicken, beef or fish. Weigh before you fry.

200g vegetables, mushrooms etc. No peas,  corn, pumpkins or high starchy veggies

5 ml of quality oil either drizzled on top or fry with

25g fat free cottage cheese or 1 egg white

I usually slice my meat very thin when it's thawing. This way,  I get many pieces of meat and it feels like I have a lot... It lasts!

Any spices are fine,  use little salt. Garlic is yummy! And a pinch of taco spice seasoning... Mmmmmmm

Snack:
Either 6 egg whites with 100g frozen berries (I make a berry, stevia and water smoothie)  or

fat free Greek yoghurt 250g with 100g of frozen berries. You can use stevia or xylitol to sweeten. Don't use artificial sweetener because they prevent the fat loss hormone from working. 

Dinner:
same as lunch but add 40g dry/80g cooked of pasta/rice/Quinoa. Or one potato/sweet potato about 150g. Weigh the grains before you cook them. They usually double in weight but either way... 

Evening snack:
10g wheat bran with 250g Greek yoghurt and 100g frozen berries or

6 egg whites and drink the wheat bran with water and berries(make into a smoothie)

+2 omega capsules 

Drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day. You can drink herbal tea too

Don't be tempted to eat a few Fries or popcorn here or there,  because this is chemistry and it will stop the whole burning process  - and it will just be all in vain. Remove every temptation and find an escape in thoughts or activities

I think you will lose quite a bit of fat in these two-4 weeks...depends how long you want to do this,  4 weeks is max. Time passes anyway,  you might as well... 

I weighed and bagged two 100g bags X 14 days of meat (LEAN!) in to the freezer

And two 200g bags X 14 days of mushrooms, veggies into the freezer. I am a big fan of mushrooms, broccoli and runner beans. Or you can eat cucumber and tomato fresh... I like my beans though.. Fresh lettuce weighs little if you are looking for quantity...

What else? I use a lot of cayenne pepper as it also boosts the metabolism... And encourages water consumption hahaha! 

I don't fry with the oil,  I Drizzle it on my food because I need it more than the frying pan does :) 1ts is like 5g

Print out this blog post and stick it onto your fridge!

I did this diet when my second child was born and whatever I lost which was -a lot,  did not come back because I didn't sacrifice my fat burning muscles 

Example day:
8am breakfast
11am lunch
2pm snack
5pm dinner
8pm evening snack