End of Cycle 1 Results...or lack thereof.

So, we finally made it to the end of cycle 1. Here are our before and after results.

Charlene:
Before weight: 149
After weight: 145.5

Before arms: 14"
After arms: 13.5"

Before waist: 36"
After waist: 35.5"

Before hips: 41"
After hips: 41"

Before thigh: 22"
After thigh: 22"

Weight loss: 3.5lbs
Inches lost: 1"


Samantha:
Before weight: 202
After weight: 195.5

Before arms: 13.5"
After arms: 13.5"

Before waist: 37"
After waist: 35.5"

Before hips: 47"
After hips: 46"

Before thigh: 27.5"
After thigh: 26.5"

Weight loss: 6.5lbs
Inches lost: 3.5"


So we both saw losses, both in weight and inches but nothing compared to folks we see posting on the 17DD Facebook page. It's a bit disheartening to not have seen a bigger loss with our numbers, but a loss is a loss and for that we're grateful. We've both worked hard, haven't cheated other than that one day we had Bojangles chicken for lunch. That, in itself, is a huge accomplishment for us! This hasn't been easy; we've craved everything under God's green Earth but we haven't given in. Today is our last day on Cycle 1 and tomorrow we move on to Cycle 2. Honestly, that's a little scary because we didn't see a very big loss in the first cycle, so the thought of incorporating more carbs and food options is scary. With incorporating more things how are we possibly going to lose more weight? It's going to take alot more hard work and determination but I think it'll be possible. We just need to keep up the willpower and not give in when these awful cravings for junk food hit. People on the 17DD Facebook page post how they've lost the cravings and are actually enjoying the healthy food. Well that's definitely not the case with us. I don't know if those people are frontin' or what. But I have hardly lost the cravings. They're just as strong today as they were the very first day we started.

But at any rate, on to Cycle 2 and we'll see what that holds for us. We're finally able to eat shrimp and more seafood and we can have a baked potato. That's exciting! I can't wait!

We'll keep you posted!

Slight bump in the road...

Today wasn't a 100% great day for us.

For breakfast we had the usual scrambled eggs with veggies and green tea. But here comes lunch. One of the head honchos decided Charlene could buy lunch for employees today and wouldn't you know it would have to be Bojangles.

Sigh....

So, we didn't want to be the odd balls out, or maybe we just carved a nice piece of Bo's chicken and rice, but we gave in. NOT BADLY, though. We each had one small piece (Charlene a wing, Me a drumstick thing), a VERY small spoonful, maybe a couple of tablespoons, of rice and 3-4 french fries. So you can't say we went overboard, b/c we very easily could have scarfed down a couple wings, big plate of rice and fries, but we didn't. I don't think it's anything to feel guilty over and I for one don't. I feel great to have treated myself to a rather tasty lunch that I didn't stuff myself with. Even with that very small amount of food, I was quite full afterwards and satisfied. Oh, and I failed to mention we did NOT have a glass of Bo's amazing sweet tea. How great are we?! You damn right we didn't give in to that temptation although I would have loved a huge glass of it. But at any rate, we did stray off course this afternoon for lunch, but we're right back on the right path and we both actually have fish scheduled for supper tonight.

What's going to be hard is today is my dad's birthday and him and my husband will be eating Stephenson's BBQ and oh my gracious! How amazing would that be. But no...I'll have my baked fish and veggies and be perfectly happy with that!

So this afternoon calls for a kick ass workout with my husband and Jillian Michael's to burn off the unhealthfulness of lunch. I think I'll get in an extra bottle of water or 2 just to flush the pipes out and along with a hard workout I think I'll be fine. Regardless I wont be weighing myself just in case it goes up 1lb or so. Monday is our next official weigh in so I'll keep from weighing in until then.

It's hard to believe our first cycle is over is almost a week. WOW this has gone by fast. But hey, isn't all time going by fast these days? Damn. Where did February go?

Anyways, about to get off work and get home and burn off this rice and french fries, complements of Bojangles!

Week 1 Down!

So today was our official week 1 weigh in. Here's results:

Charlene: 146lbs (-3lbs)
Samantha: 196lbs (-6lbs, I'm down 14lbs altogether in 5 weeks, but 6 of those pounds are with this 17DD)

So we both saw a loss! We took our measurements as well and there were some slight differences but nothing drastic, so I'll wait until the end of Cycle 1 to post ALL of our stats to see a bigger difference in numbers.

The weekend for me was a true test. It's easy to stick to this diet while working throughout the week but on the weekend you dont really have a set schedule so it was, for me, harder to stick with but I definitely did. Somehow I managed to squeeze in all the water necessary and my fruits, probiotics, etc. It wasn't difficult, just a bit tedious. I was tempted on more than one occasion to cheat, but I'm VERY proud to say that I didn't. Now that takes willpower and I'm glad to say that I have more of that than I thought I did!

So far, this has been such an easy process. I'm very pleased with it and really there's nothing to complain about. I'm excited to move on to Cycle 2 in just over a week from now. The end of Cycle 1 is March 17 so we're both excited about having a bit more variety in our diet. I can say that I'm lil'burnt out on veggies and tuna and chicken but hey, at least it's all tasty stuff.

So there's a recap for you. We'll see how this week goes!

Day 3 / Day 4

This has been, by far, the easiest thing to stick to.

Today is day 4 for us and this is going great. The food we're eating is so good, we're not hungry, and just overall we feel good. My only peeve to begin with was day 1 and only part of day 2 I had an excrutiating headache and I attribute that to the lack of sugar/carbs and my body was probably just in a slight shock mode from not having what I usally have. After that, it's been smooth sailing and no problems at all.

We're still having our scrambled egg whites for breakfast chock full of veggies and for lunch this week we've alternated salad with tuna and veggies with chicken soup (a recipe from the 17DD book). The soup, in my opinion has been the tastiest thing and I love it! Charlene says she's enjoyed the eggs. It's just amazing how you can feel so satisfied on a "diet". I was skeptical to begin with but it's really going great. Don't get me wrong - Charlene aches for a piece of bread or pasta and I seriously would love a chocolate bar right about now, but it's been easier than we thought not having those things. I think because the food has been so satisfying. We both made our own versions of turkey burgers for dinner at home and they were outstanding. Who ever thought turkey burgers would be tasty? But they most certainly are. As long as you don't cook them all to hell. Then I'm sure they'd be dry. But both of ours turned out nice and moist and full of flavor.

Tomorrow we're going to do an unofficial weigh in just to see what kind of progress we made from the first 4, 4 1/2 days. Monday will be our official 1 week weigh in to see what we lost in 1 week. I'm hoping for a good number, but even if just a pound or two, I'll be happy with that.

So...4 days down; 13 to go!

Day 2

I must say...Day 1 was pretty easy. I actually had a hard time squeezing in all the foods we were supposed to have. Specifically the 2 fruit servings and 2 probiotics. It seemed all we did was eat yesterday. Don't get me wrong, that's a great feeling. But I think it will take a few days to get a set rhythm down. Overall we're very happy with how the first day and today have gone. Very simple. And quite delicious. I think the most challenging aspect is having to drink 8 8oz water a day! It's harder than you think to actually drink that much water. Whew...float a boat anyone?

For exercise, Charlene is walking 20-30min a day. My husband and I work out to Jillian Michaels and play volleyball everyday. I really don't see how this "diet" could fail. It's easy and satisfying. The only thing I miss is sweets. I'd kill for a Mr. Goodbar right about now and Charlene is missing the breads. But...like I've seen others say online "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels". And I will remember that always.

So...Day 1 and almost Day 2 are down. 15 more to go and we're feeling great.

Aaaaaand...we're off! Cycle 1, Day 1

Today's the day! We've officially started The 17 Day Diet and we couldn't be more excited! This morning we weighed in, took measurements, and took our before photos. And yes. I will post all of our stats at the end of this blog. We're not embarrassed to show our numbers because at the end of this, it'll be a thing of the past and something we'll never see again. So we're proud to show our stats to the whole world!

We're so excited about how easy this seems. All of the foods on the Cycle 1 list are foods we both love. How easy a "diet" can this be? The first Cycle of 17 days incorporates a lot of proteins, veggies, and fruits. Easy enough for us.

Breakfast this morning consisted of: 2 eggs scrambled with mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, chili peppers, garlic and turkey breast with a side of fruit and green tea. It was SO filling. That may not sound like a lot of food but I'll be damned if we weren't stuff after that. That's a great feeling to be full on healthy food.

So...the part you've all been waiting for. Our stats. Here it goes:

CHARLENE

Weight: 149lbs
Height: 4'11"
Arms: 14"
Waist: 36"
Hips: 41"
Thigh: 22"

SAMANTHA

Weight: 202lbs
Height: 5'6"
Arms: 13.5"
Waist: 37"
Hips: 47"
Thigh: 27.5"3

So as you can see, we have some work ahead of us. But we're doing it together and that's the best part. If I was trying to conquer this alone, I think I'd be setting myself up to fail. But with a partner this seems easier. We'll see how it goes. We're both beyond excited about the change that's going to take place on the outside as well as the inside as we become happier with our self image.

Stay tuned!

Anxious!

We received our 17 Day Diet book on Wednesday. We read through Cycle 1 and the sections following that with recipes and such. We are SO excited! We're going to be starting on Monday. We didn't want to start on an off day in the week; and besides, we need to go grocery shopping and get our cabinets stocked with the things we need.

This morning we mapped out a menu for the week. Both of us are much better if we are prepared and organized. So we planned a menu; I'll be making breakfast for us and Charlene will be bringing stuff for lunch. This way we are prepared and not flying by the seat of our pants!

Monday is the day. We'll be weighing in, taking measurements, and finally a photo to use as a before photo!

Monday I'll post our stats and photos!