Ok, so last week I made a decision.  Well it was several decisions with one goal.  I decided I was going to lose weight, tone, and get into shape.  I was just tired of looking in the mirror and seeing something I wasn’t real pleased with.   I mean I’m not really big, and in explanation … I hover around 180-190, am 5’6″.  That seems large, and to many it is well above where they’d be considered too heavy.  Here’s the but – and it’s not an excuse, I’ve always been about 20# over the “averages”.  I believe part of it is genetics (I have a very dense genetic structure of german/irish/scotch), and part of it is the over testosteronization (yes, I made up a word) of my body through puberty due to PCOS (caused by insulin resistance, and long story short if your insulin isn’t being properly processed things just aren’t quite right).  Ok so it sounds like a lot of excuses but…

So I’m dense.  My surgery (now almost 4 weeks ago!) return check-up appointment I was 196#.  I’m not liking the number, and had for some time realized that my jeans were getting  a little too tight.  So since I refuse to get larger jeans, I really have only ONE course of action.

Lose it.  I want to be 160#, IF I could make less I’d be thrilled to death, but I’m aiming for 160#.

I’ve done the cabbage soup diet in the past, but with my thyroid deficiency and the cruciferous vegetables in that diet, repeating it too often isn’t so good (the vegetables in the cabbage family tend to interact poorly with thyroid absorption/production).  I felt good on the diet, but its a week of soup.  Cabbage soup.  I’m sorry but though I love cabbage, and it’s cousins, the diet gets boring and tedious very quickly.  AND it doesn’t teach you anything about nutrition, portion control, or correct diet.  Its great for that last push to lose those ‘couple extra pounds’.  Once in a while.

I’ve tried other diets as well.  I’ve tried exercising without specifically dieting with decent results, but plateau and stabilize usually higher than where I’d like to see myself on the scale.

First rule of weightloss: don’t weigh yourself, determine how your progressing by how you FEEL, how your clothes feel, and how you look in the mirror.  Scales are depressing.  Scales are insidious.  Scales lie.

So why am I ranting about all this?  While on Pinterest (follow me here!, I love it and highly recommend it) I saw a motivational pin that talked about a “3-day Military diet“.  I was intrigued.

Following the link to read the blog (here) post I was excited.  I can DO three days a week.  This diet was taught to others by someone in the military.  It is carefully designed to increase metabolism, burn fat, and not hurt!!  The diet claims that you can lose up to 10#s per week on this diet.

I had to try it.  The very specific diet is listed on Blessed Mommy’s site, with comments, details on best results, and recommendations.

Of course, best results are always achieved and preserved by adding exercise.  I started Slim in 6 by Beach Body in addition to my usual walking as I’m able (up to 4.5 mi at a time).

AND this diet you get ice cream with dinner.  EVERY night.  The food choices are really filling and I didn’t find myself hungry between meals.

Ok. SO.

Day 1 – diet, exercise, butt successfully whomped.
Day 2 – diet, lighter exercise to let body heal a bit from the butt whomping day 1.
Day 3 – diet, exercise, feeling good.
Day 4 to 6 – exercise, walk, eat normal food (exercising reduces my appetite which is an added bonus).

Drink LOTS of water throughout!!!

As of Saturday I’ve lost about 6 inches total already - arms, waist, thighs, hips.  Everything is obviously more defined, clothes are already noticeably fitting looser (pants don’t cut into my belly already)…

Hubby has even noticed and commented – the first time ever he has seen and commented on the changes so quickly.  It usually takes a couple weeks of hard work.

I’m so encouraged.  I’m so excited.  I’m SO gonna keep going.  At this pace I should hit my goal weight before Thanksgiving!!  Going into the holidays looking, and feeling good is always cool, but let me be a bit conceited for a second – I’m going to make whatever I put on look good, .

Of course always speak with a Dr. before you start any type of diet/exercise routine if you’re starting from scratch.  I am no Dr. I’m just letting you know what I’ve achieved.

I’ll post updates as the pounds melt off.  I’m going to celebrate the day I can put on my size 10′s again!!  I may even post a picture of the before/after…

I love getting results and SEEING the work pay off!!