A Size NINE????

Well, I've been MIA for the last couple of months. I must admit, my entire weight loss challenge was a bust! Dieting is hard. Really hard. I was losing a little bit, but not like I wanted to lose. Something was terribly wrong, and I couldn't figure out what it was.

HOWEVER, after I attended the Largo High School Alum Black Party, I had a revelation. MY FAT ASS NEEDED TO LOSE WEIGHT! It was just that simple. As much as I love to be in the center of photographs, when I saw those images posted on my Facebook page, I nearly passed out. I wanted to cry. I looked like a beached whale. At least, that's how I felt, although I was told otherwise, that I looked nice, blah, blah, blah. Of course, that's what people are going to say. I mean, really, I did not think anyone would say: "Girl, you've gotten huge, back your ass away from the table!" But, I didn't need anyone to say that to me. I already knew I was overweight.

There's only one person in my life who is not afraid to tell me exactly how it is; she doesn't sugar-coat anything with me, and that's how I prefer it. Her name is Leslie, and she's my sister. She told me as direct as she could: "You need to lose weight, and I do, too."

So, three weeks ago we started the RN's Choice Rapid HCG Fat Loss Program. It is, by far, the EASIEST program I've ever done. Six drops of HCG under the tongue, six times per day, every single day for 23 days. Prior to starting the program, we had to binge for two days. Then, on Day 3, start the program with the drops. And, we decided to use the African Mango dietary supplements as well. We were instructed to step on a scale every single day, right after we empty our bladders. By day 5, we were dropping 1 to 2 pounds a day. Was it the drops or was it the 500 to 800 daily caloric intake and 2 liters of water per day? I don't know, but every single morning Leslie and I are calling each other like giggly schoolgirls, excited about the weight loss. My daily routine was to play dress up in my closet, trying on clothes that I have not been able to wear since 2004. Honey, let me tell you...woooooooooooo!!  For the first time in years, I can wear a size NINE!!!

My mother was one helluva seamstress. Hell, my mother could pin a dress on you in a matter of minutes, and you could walk in that dress all day, and not feel nor see one single pin. My mother was always sewing, and she had a love for suede suits. So, when she died, I kept all of her suede suits--in every single color of the rainbow. LOL  I kept those suits knowing darn well I could not fit them. But, today...yes'sir, I can get into those suits without holding my breath and holding in the stomach!

So, today I am 17 pounds lighter. I don't dare tell anyone how much I weighed when I started, but let's just say I still about 20 to 30 more pounds to go to reach my healthy weight. The only drawback to dieting is you lose everything. I never had any backside to begin with, but now I have absolutely none. I have to buy jeans with pockets with flaps in order to appear that I have a little bootie. I'm the only black woman I know with no ass. BUT, thanks to my daddy, I have dynomite legs. Purchased a really short dress over the weekend. I don't dare bend over...what little tail I have will be exposed. But, I was so excited about my weight loss...oh, and I purchased platform heels. I think they're like 4 or 5 inches. No, I can't walk in them, but I sure can put them on and pose in front of the mirror, in my new dress, which is exactly what I did. See below. Ignore the hair and lack of makeup. I work from home, so I wasn't getting dolled up to take this photo... :-)

Check out the shoes...they are HOT!!

So, now I'm taking a break from the HCG program, and am doing the Six Week Body Makeover, where I'm eating very healthy, every 3 hours. I'm sick and tired of eating! I never thought I'd ever say that, but it's true. I have to make myself go into the kitchen to eat. But, I'll tell you this:

1. I have more energy.
2. I sleep like a baby at night, and through the night.
3. I no longer take naps during the day like a toddler.
4. I've learned how to eat healthy.
5. I miss McDonald's, but I make my own hamburgers using taco mix, and eat them with onions and tomatoes--no bread--and it's delicious.
6. I no longer get winded going from the front door to the mailbox.
7. I simply feel good.
8. I've stopped drinking alcohol. I've learned that when I'm out partying, as long as I have a glass in my hand, even if it's only water, I'm okay! Maybe I'll follow my girlfriend Shari and drink O'Douls.

On January 1, I'll start the HCG again for three weeks. Then, I'll take a break again, and start up again.

Does it work? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY!

Chow!

Day 2 of Weight Challenge -- So Far So Good...

Well, not exactly... Okay, I broke down last night. Damn it! See, what had happened was... I went to Shoppers Food Warehouse because I wanted to buy chicken breast, more ground turkey and shrimp and someone put that doggone huge bin of sunflower seeds in my way. I simply could not force myself to walk around or even away from it, so I snatched up a bag of sunflower seeds. Last night, around 10 pm, I ate one handful of seeds. Oh they were so doggone good. But, one handful was good for me. Really good, in fact. I would normally eat the entire bag (and this is no small bag) in one sitting.

Nonetheless, I am back on my grind this morning. I had my breakfast: scrambled eggs and two pieces of sausage. Eventually, I'll get sick of eating that too, so I'll have to find more recipes for breakfast.

Here's the kicker though. I'm meeting my friend Gary for lunch today. I'm so excited because I haven't seen Gary since Shep was a pup, and we have so much to catch up on. Yet, I don't want to eff up again, like I did last night. So, I'll have a salad with grilled chicken and I'll take in my own salad dressing. The best thing about a salad is that I can eat the whole thing and be fine because according to Weight Watchers, veggies/salads (without the croutons) are a big fat ZERO. You can eat as much of that stuff as you want. I know, I'm doing the Six Week Body Makeover, but all of it works the same to me.

Anyway, technically I didn't eat any real food past 7 pm last night, and I felt great. I did not feel hungry at all. In fact, I was tired of eating, but I stuck to the schedule. Lots of water. I drank lots and lots of water. However, though, out of habit the craving to chew kicked in and that's where the sunflower seeds came in. I had a good night's sleep and woke up feeling like I could run a marathon. Um, okay, that's stretching it...

My sister Leslie emailed me a "smack talking" email yesterday. She waged a bet--$5 for every pound I lose, but I have to lose 20 lbs first. Oh boy did she talk some serious smack!

Looking forward to getting back into my clothes again, and also looking forward to no longer feeling my belly on my thighs when I'm sitting down. There, I said it!

Have a great day and remember to eat healthy!

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired of being overweight. Last Saturday, I boarded the Odyssey Cruise Ship with Peace in Pages Book Club. I had a blast on the boat ride. I drank 20 Mimosas (no, it's not a typo—I had 20). I joined in on the line dances—I love doing the Wobble, and I ate great food!

However, prior to the boat ride, I spent days trying to find something to wear. The theme for the event was Books and Hats. My sister, Leslie, loaned me her cute hot pink polka dotted sundress, with the BIGGEST hot pink straw hat I'd ever seen! Well, somehow, I'd gained weight and Leslie and I are no longer the same size. It must've been from the 4 dozen steamed crabs I would binge on every Friday night. Crabs and a good movie hits the spot!

I was forced to wear the same black dress I wore to my father's funeral on March 1, 2011. It was the ONLY outfit that would fit me. I wasn't too happen about wearing that dress, but Ronlyn, a member of Peace in Pages Book Club, was picking me up in less than 10 minutes. So, I was set...not happy, but I was set to enjoy the boat ride.

Actually, I was not happy at all. I felt HUGE. I only ate one plate of food (a small plate), because I was already feeling fat. Yet, I guzzled down 20 glasses of orange juice and champagne. *deep sigh*

That night, I watched Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?" The scene with Jill Scott and Lammond Rucker struck a cord with me. Jill's character, Sheila, was complaining about her weight and Lammond's character, Troy, said, "If you don't like how you look, then do something about it." I felt like he was talking to me. I hear you loud and clear, Lammond, with your fine self (had to slip that in there just in case someone forwards him this email).

Tomorrow is September 1, which marks the 20-day countdown to my turning 45. Beginning tomorrow, I will start the 20-Day-20-Pound Weight Loss Challenge using the SixWeekBody Makeover, and I would love for you to experience it with me. Better yet, join in with me! The more weight loss, the merrier!!

I will do something I HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. I will post an image, tomorrow, exposing all of my FAT! Each week I will post a new pic showing my progress. My goal is to lose 20 lbs by September 20, my birthday. I'm excited! I will also blog daily about my progress, and all the other good stuff.

So, will you join me?