Exercise is, of course, the best way to maintain muscle mass, but as fatigue is always a possible side effect of traditional cancer therapies, consuming fish oils may be part of a muscle building routine.

Don’t I look great?  I had to purchase a whole new wardrobe and last weekend I started to purge all those size 10-14 clothes.  It felt great.  With a new wardrobe, people are really noticing the weight loss. That and I am actually purchasing clothes that cling to my body instead of hiding my body. What a new experience.

As for my menu, I have reintroduced very few carbs into my monthly diet because every time I have a carb I am disappointed at the lack of flavor and the 2 lb instant weight gain. (My husband thinks I am crazy, but when I step on a scale after eating a carb I am 2 lbs heavier.)  I have only had pasta a few times and I just don’t have the love for it as I did.  Crazy talk, right?

Now we are heading into the real test: Holiday Feasts.  I feel confident about going into the holidays because I just don’t look at food the same way.  I went to a Halloween party and it was an impressive spread of food, mostly consisting of carbs.  I picked the healthiest of the foods, which was not easy.  There were a lot of dips and what do you usually dip with?  Crackers, bread, chips.  But I enjoyed all of the dips (in small quantities) by using veggies as my dippers.  Cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes.

As for the cakes, pies, cookies, chocolates, fudge, and other holiday goodies, I feel good about this feat as well.  I have come up with the idea of only eating the things I can’t live without experiencing.  For example, Peninsula Grill has a coconut cake that is over $100.  You can purchase a slice for $10.  To me, since the opportunity came along for me to share a slice of this TO DIE FOR coconut cake, this was a worthy item for me to experience and enjoy.  A Little Debbie’s cake, in my humble opinion, is not really a worthy item.  (I am reminded of an episode of Seinfeld when Elaine judges her suitors on whether or not they are “spongeworthy.”)  So I guess I am looking at all foods I could put into my mouth and judge them to be “weight-gain worthy.”

I guess what I am trying to say is that really this whole diet was a mindset change on my relationship with food.  I was never hungry on this diet, nor did I feel like what I was eating was boring or tasteless.  I feel I know my body better and know what I can eat and what I cannot eat to stay within my goal weight.  And I know if I really need to, I can always incorporate EXERCISE.

I have succeeded in my goal.  I don’t think I would have had it not been for the help and knowledge of Tiffany Jackson, ND.  Thank you Tiffany.  My life is forever changed.

(Oh, and my husband has loss 20 lbs, too—and he seems to be keeping it off as well.)

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Diet

Since I have now done my time and completed my 28 day goal, I have decided to take a week off and then go another 28 days in hopes to lose another 10 lbs.  (I will be satisfied with 5 lbs.)

I feel this diet is no longer a diet.  I really feel this is a life change. I don’t crave pasta, pizza, peanut butter or even dark chocolate (although I will be making a trip to my favorite chocolate shop on my week off).   But I get it.  This is how I am suppose to eat and occasionally, in moderation, I can have special treats.

I truly enjoy all the beautiful colors I eat daily. I love that I am never hungry. I love that my skin is not as dry as before.  I love that I am walking faster and my husband doesn’t have to adjust his pace anymore.  I love going into a grocery store and shopping the perimeter.  I love that my husband has also accepted this diet–it has made it much easier.

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Exercise

I think I have mentioned that I hate exercise.  Well, this has been my downfall on this plan.  I haven’t really exercised in 2 weeks.  (Had I, I would probably have loss more inches…I know.) And the thing is, when I was exercising, my back and knees caused me no problems.  I felt energized and overall really good.  The muscle pain wasn’t even bothering me…well those squats and my thighs that first week…whew!  Now that I am not exercising, my back and knee pain has reoccurred.  I understand it is something that is good for me and I just need to make it a life change, too.

Why did I stop? I got busy with work and just have made one excuse after another.

I really can’t believe all the excuses I have made.  ”I got up too late. I have an early meeting. I am on a rush deadline. I haven’t eaten yet. I just ate and I don’t want a belly ache. It is too late to exercise, I may not sleep.” Everyday, I come up with a new “colorful” excuse.

What excuses do you make? I would love to hear them…