February 19, 2008 - 164.5/165.0

I was weighing myself today and the scale stopped at 164.5. I was getting excited about losing 1/2 lb from yesterday. But the last second, the scale tipped to 165.0.

What a scam!

February 18, 2008 - 165.0 - ARGH!

I tried this weekend, I really did. For most of the hours this weekend, I tried hard. In fact, Saturday, I did really well - but didn’t lose any weight.

Friday and Sunday I did good - until around 11pm when I start to get hungry. Now, I know that in order to lose weight, I have to go to bed hungry. But this weekend, I didn’t find the willpower to say “no” to the Doritos. Or the chocolate that my mom brought us for Valentine’s Day.

So I gained 2.5 lbs back. Not good.

I know that ultimately success is going to be more likely on my dedication to exercise, which I’ve done all of about 1 time since this whole Fat Fight started. But I did get really sick. And I’m still experiencing fatigue from the sickness. In fact, I read that flu fatigue can last up to 2 weeks after the flu! Not good!

I’m not talking about being a little tired. I’m talking about serious, my legs feel like bowling balls, I feel like I was hit by a train fatigue. And I experience fatigue a lot - more than just being sick. For a variety of reasons that I’m not going to bore you with right now.

So I dragged myself out of bed and made myself be more active today. I don’t feel as fatigued, so that’s good.

Oh - and I watched my children eat Baskin Robbins ice cream today - and had nothing.

Let’s be clear - I no longer expect to win this competition. In fact, I really came close to just calling it quits. But then I realize - contest or no contest - I need to lose weight. I do not have big bones or a big frame. In fact, my frame is quite small and all this added weight is really too much for it. No wonder I’m so fatigued!

By the Way, A Word About My Charity

Yesterday, I celebrated 5 years of being a cancer survivor. Now, the word survivor can be confusing. I’m not cured yet. I do have traces of suspicious tissue remaining in my body. But they only show up in the blood work and aren’t found on MRIs or Nuclear Body scans, so it’s not life threatening or anything.

The Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association (ThyCa) is a truly amazing organization and I don’t know what I would have done without them. The funny thing about thyroid cancer is how misunderstood it is by the medical community in general. You see endocrinologists, not oncologists to be treated (as well as surgeons and nuclear medicine physicians).

And even then, so many endocrinologists do not know how to treat thyroid cancer. ThyCa helped me understand my disease, know what kind of tests and treatments I should be getting. As a result, I’ve been able to choose my doctors very carefully.

ThyCa has educational programs (including a yearly conference and workshops) and support groups all over the  country. They also give money to research efforts.

As I’m writing, the news just reported that obesity can lead to higher rates of thyroid cancer in men. So it’s all the more important that I’m in a weight loss contest with ThyCa as the beneficiary. I only wish I was doing better in the contest. But I did want to take the opportunity to raise awareness.

February 15, 2008 - 163.0

It was especially good news to lose another 1/2 lb. b/c I ate 4 pieces of Brooklyn style pizza from Domino’s last night!

Plus about 3 cookies and 2 pieces of chocolate. I did have a salad for lunch yesterday.

I know I haven’t lost in big numbers like the others have, but I am losing steadily and not giving up what I love to eat. I’m just eating in smaller quantities (minus the pizza last night, of course!).

And like I pointed out yesterday, if I continue to lose a 1/2 lb a day, I’ll meet my goal in just 2 months. Now, to be realistic, there will be days I fall out of the fewer calories plan, so it’s important that I begin adding exercise in the mix and have some days where I lose a full pound. I’m finally getting over being sick so hopefully that will come into play very soon.

February 14, 2008 - 163.5

Lost another 1/2 lb. If I lost 1/2 lb everyday for 60 days, I’d be a happy camper - and weigh 135 again!

February 13, 2008 - 164.0

I’m holding steady, but I thought I was going to have lost more weight. The reason is because I thought I was losing water weight. Yes, I’ve been peeing large quantities.

After reading Donna’s post about Lean Cuisine, I think I will pick up some of their frozen meals at the grocery store today. I used to eat them a lot for lunch. You know, a few years ago when I weighed 130-135!

February 12, 2008 - 164.0

I’m still getting over being sick, but I did eat fewer calories yesterday, resulting in a nice loss. I was 166.5 yesterday!

I’m resisting the urge to go out and buy a box of those mini Chocolate donuts. Yum.

I’ll Make a Comeback - Next Week

I’ve been sick for three days. Sitting around. Consuming calories. Welcoming them into my body. Letting them stick around. They seem to like it. They’ve decided to stick around and enjoy the scenery for a little while.

Sigh.

I haven’t had the greatest start to this fat fighting contest. But when the snot stops flowing out of my nostrils and my throat doesn’t feel like a hot skillet, I will be putting all the calories on notice: They’re being evicted.

Sleep: It’s What’s for Dinner

Over the past few years some studies have been published that suggest that sleep helps people lose weight.

I can attest to the fact that sleep is a necessity for the weight loss inclined.

When I get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night, I’m more likely to have success. BUT read carefully. Sleep is an aid to my efforts (fewer calories, exercise) already in place. I can’t just eat all day, sit around and then sleep off the pounds.

Conversely, when I don’t get enough sleep, I have to work much harder on my diet strategies in order for their to be any results.

I have had poor sleep the past two nights mixed with reducing calories only slightly and not exercising. I’m surprised I’ve been able to remain at a steady weight and not gain a pound or two.

February 5, 2008 - 165.5

Well, you wouldn’t know I’m in a weight loss contest would you?

Ok, I didn’t really try yesterday.

Onward.