I checked out my profile this morning in the mirror and I was able to suck in my tummy and see the beautiful, shapely person I once was is still in there somewhere. Then I let out my breath and saw I've got a ways to go before I get back there.

I know I'm making progress because I don't have to unbutton my jeans so I can breathe!

Deb

Hang in there Deb ~ soon you won't have to "suck it in" to see a difference.

Isn't it wonderful to be able to wear pants and breathe at the same time....

I am going to make my smoothies for the day.

Think positive and have a successful SS day everyone!

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Terri

Forum Moderator since June 2009

Life is not about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

I made it through yesterday on plan, but with two cups of coffee. This morning I had one cup with milk and one black. I'm going to continue cutting down with the goal of one cup of black organic coffee per day. I have been drinking the FF smoothie for breakfast and dinner and eating lunch. I'm also cooking dinner for my family and it is hard to resist automatic munching. Sipped on cranberry water really helps. Also, after drinking the shake I am definitely not hungry, and this is probably the best time to cook for others.

The body protein powder just arrived this morning, so I'll try it for my evening shake. I found that adding the chia to the whey protein really bulks it up and I can last a good three hours before feeling hungry. Not too bad?

I wish my fellow Shakers success today.

Anne

Hey there Anne ~

Your "coffee reduction plan" sounds like a really good one. Good luck in achieving your goal.

I agree with you...sipping on the CW really helps to keep the "grum-bellies" at bay.

I am excited for you to get your Body Protein. Be prepared for the different texture and there is also a slight difference in the flavor. But...my oh my...it really helps to keep you feeling fuller for almost twice the time. Sshhhhh! Don't tell anyone...but yesterday I was so busy, I forgot to have my lunch smoothie. I woke up later than usual, had a late breakfast smoothie, ran out the door,and I didn't think we would be gone very long so I didn't take anything with me, but I didn't start to feel hungry for almost eight hours. I was amazed....8 hours!

I know this is not a good thing, because I need to "keep the fire stoked". So today we are going out again, and I am taking my lunch smoothie with me.

All of those who are "Shake'n it Down" today....have a successful day!

__________________
Terri

Forum Moderator since June 2009

Life is not about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Hi Anne,

You must make much better coffee than me. I was going to treat myself to a cup this morning after going five days without. I took one sip and bleh! I poured it out and made some dandelion root tea. I sprinkled a little Stevia in my tea and found I actually like it better without.

I noticed we are the same weight, same height and have the same weight goal, 135. We can do it!

Happy Shakin'!

Deb

Good Afternoon All,

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend thus far. I know my day # 2 isn't officially over, but I wanted to post about what I am experiencing today and how I felt last night.

Yesterday went well. Took all my supplements, drank all my water ( and cran-water), and really wasn't hungry until a few hours AFTER dinner.. I ate around 7:45pm. I felt really good / satisifed, but a few hours later I was SO incredibly hungry! I didn't want to eat an additional portion of fruit, hard boiled egg ( Can eat an egg for additional protein if we have long days?), or another smoothie because it was late and didn't want to "violate" the avoid eating 2 hours before bed.

Today ( 1 / 16 / 10 ): I made my smoothie around 10:30am and found I was hungry around noon which puzzled me because yesterday I didn't experience these hunger pains ( until a couple of hours after dinner). I discovered that in my morning haze, I totally forgot to take my supplements with my smoothie! So, I'm curious if this contributed to my hunger? After my 20 minute walk, I made my second shake around 2:30pm and took all my supplements this time. It's 5pm now, and I'm not STARVING, but I am noticing that hunger is gnawing ( no pun intended) at me. I know that after months of eating masses amounts of junk without abandon, YEARS of yo-yo dieting, my metabolism is shot, and perhaps I wouldn't know real hunger if it hit me in the head? I AM drinking all my water and cran-water ( the 64 oz. of cran - water is gone already!) so I don't know??? I'm hanging in there ........... this evening I am making a grilled chicken breast, the same huge green salad and the rest of the asparagus ( I LOVE asparagus and it's a great diuretic too!).

I just really want to lose this weight, and feel better ( I did notice that I don't have that disgusting heartburn that seemed to be a recurring nightmare) about myself and stop hiding under these stupid sweatshirts and sweats. This is my motivation for sticking to this plan.

I was curious if there were any of you out there who are doing the SS or FFing abroad? I would love to hear from you. The reason I ask is because I will probably be leaving for Spain in late February or early March for at least six months.

Thank you all for your positive comments, suggestions and virtual pats on the back.

More later ...........

MyFavoritePinkMartini

Hello MFPM ~

The supplements are a very important protocol in all of Dr. Ann Louise's plans. Your body will not function properly with out them. 'They need the added support. The foods today just don't have the nutrients in them like they used to. The Weight Loss Formula is what helps to keep the cravings down to a minimum or non-existent. You are using the Body Protein Powder and not the Whey Protein...right?

Spacing your smoothies and your meals might also help....making sure to eat every 4 to 5 hours. On the days that you are really hungry (and not thirsty...some people mistake the thirst for hunger), you can add a third smoothie.

Ultimately...I would suggest that you wait for 4 to 5 days before adding anything in addition to what the protocol is. It can take that long for the body to get used to the new eating plan. Then you might find you don't need the hard boiled egg, or the extra smoothie.

You can always add any of the P1 veggies to help hold you over to the next smoothie or meal.

HTH

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Terri

Forum Moderator since June 2009

Life is not about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Yesterday was another great day of Shake'n. The only thing that I struggle with, is get in both smoothies. I think it might have something to do with being on vacation. You know...getting up late and going to bed early (my kind of life...I could get used to this..very easily).

Boy oh boy...do you know how difficult it is for me to not get on the scale everyday? But I promised myself that I would wait until after I complete one week. I do not want to get on the scale and not see it move...in the proper direction....then get depressed and sabotage myself.

debutl, MFPM, Anne, and anyone else out there who is Shake'n it down......have a successful SS day!

__________________
Terri

Forum Moderator since June 2009

Life is not about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Hi everyone!

Well, I am one day shy of 2 weeks and have lost 12 pounds. I did not measure, but will probably do that tomorrow because them it will be officially 2 weeks. I plan to continue the shakedown for another 2 weeks.

I do have a couple of questions......I am really nervous about starting phase 2 of this plan because the shakes are just so convenient and it really is keeping my appetite in check. Plus it does not bother me to eat the same things every day, so if I find something working I am good about keeping it the same. Here is a typical day for me: I get up at 5 a.m. and eat 1 egg around 7:00 and then around 10:00 I drink a shake, 2:00 or 3:00 another shake and then about 6:00 or 6:30 my meal. That is working for me.

Is it feasible to continue the shakes on phase 2 and just add the 2 friendly carbs?

I admit I haven't really read what exactly phase 2 entails, but skimmed over it trying to plan ahead on how I can do this without feeling hungry. Week 1 I lost 9 pounds and then coming to the end of week 2 only 3 more pounds, so I am afraid once I have to start eating "real" food that I will feel hungry and sabbotage myself.. But then on the other hand wonder if I continue the 2 shakes like I am doing and adding the other things will I still continue to lose weight? Oh, also I am doing 1 liter of cran water a day and the hot water and lemon in the morning.

Any advice would be appreciated. I want to continue in the right direction! The only thing I am really disappointed about is that my body protein said it had 30 servings in it and I only got 26 servings out of it. That is a real bummer considering the expense. With my second canister I shook it up real good and I am not filling it quite to the top of the scoop to see how that works.

OK, I wasn't 100% faithful last week; however, I have been 100% faithful on the supplements. I had a couple of adult beverages last night. At least I used cranberry juice and sparkling water as a mixer. I was faithful during the day, but come dinner time, not so much. My husband does most of the cooking since I get home so late from work and he does not know how to cook FF friendly nor does he have the desire to learn. Today I'm going grocery shopping and I'm going to cook up a few meals ahead of time for the week so I can be good.

Although I haven't been an angel, I am enjoying several benefits from being mostly good (listed in order of importance):

1. No more flatulence This has been huge problem for months and it was getting quite bad and embarrasing. My emissions were not so pleasant and sometimes I couldn't control where it happened. Sorry if that's TMI...
2. More energy I was so tired all of the time. I was too tired on the weekends to do much of anything and my house was beginning to show it. I have been cleaning and cleaning the last two days. I have more to go, but my house is looking better.
3. No snoring DH suggested I get tested for sleep apnea because I was always so tired and I snored and snorted all night. He told me this morning I have been sleeping quietly for the last few nights. I do feel more rested in the morning.
4. Better looking skin The redness in my neck and chest is diminishing. I also noticed the red spots of the back of my arms are gone. It seems like I remember reading about the cause of the red spots in one of Dr. Ann Louise's books. I wish I had a soft copy of her books so I could do a quick search.

I realized after reading many, many posts that I missed a lot the first time I read FF several years ago. I just bought FF4L, but I think I'm going to go back and study FFP.
Terri, thanks for the idea about the stationary bike. All I could think of was swimming and I'm not a very good swimmer. Guess I'll have to get that gym membership I've been thinking about.

Sorry for the long post! I'm just excited about the changes I'm seeing.

More shake'n and less jigglin'!

Deb