[KellyDenise47]

Yesterday I began my journey back to optimal health and weight. I followed the Rice Diet Plan for three years from 2006-2009 and was healthier and happier than I had ever been. In my 40's I felt better than I did in my twenties. For three years I did not eat any refined sugar or processed foods and ate out very minimally. I don't really know what happened, as someone on here put life happened... I am an RN and decided to go back to school to further my education, work full-time and a full-time course load took its toll on my exercise and food preparation routine. My weight started creeping up, I am now about 25 pounds heavier than I was when I followed the Rice Plan and was commited to exercise. I orginally found the plan because my blood pressure was elevated and I wanted to treat it with diet and exercise if I could and it worked. Now I find myself overweight and my blood pressure inching up again. I looked at myself the other day and decided I had enough, I am ready to be as healthy as I can be again. I have set a goal to lose 20 pounds and exercise at least 5 times a week. I am in graduate school and work but I realize taking care of myself has to be a priority. I am excited to be back and am glad for the support of the forum. I am 47 now and pounds really seem to stick to me, but I know I can suceed with this life style change!

[KellyDenise47]

By the way, I did loose 2 pounds after detox... its a start.

[Leeney]

Awesome beginning, KellyDenise! Your past experience will stand you in good stead as you continue your journey. None of our life experience is wasted and I'm sure you can put yours to good use as you pick up the RD thread again. Twenty pounds is not that much to lose and exercise helps immensely. I like to tell people that sweat is the secret ingredient in my weight loss program.

Keep posting. It helps.

[KellyDenise47]

Thanks Leeney. I must say I am feeling good right now. Went to the grocery store yesterday evening and had fun in produce! I forgot to mention in my original post that I have been a vegetarian for years, just not always a healthy one... I got my three miles in yesterday, my daughters and I are doing our first 5K on Thanksgiving morning, we are also preparing to do a 3 mile Alzheimer's Walk in memory of my grandmother on November 12. My 28 year old daughter is may walking buddy right now and that really helps keep me motivated! My youngest two daughters 24 and 23 jog, my oldest daughter and I are not there yet but we hope to build up to some light jogging. I have to go to a lunch meeting today but I have looked at the menu and plan on eating a plain baked potato and steamed broccoli with no seasoning... wish me luck!

[Lauretta]

KellyDenise47, on 26 October 2011 - 01:51 PM, said:

Thanks Leeney. I must say I am feeling good right now. Went to the grocery store yesterday evening and had fun in produce! I forgot to mention in my original post that I have been a vegetarian for years, just not always a healthy one... I got my three miles in yesterday, my daughters and I are doing our first 5K on Thanksgiving morning, we are also preparing to do a 3 mile Alzheimer's Walk in memory of my grandmother on November 12. My 28 year old daughter is may walking buddy right now and that really helps keep me motivated! My youngest two daughters 24 and 23 jog, my oldest daughter and I are not there yet but we hope to build up to some light jogging. I have to go to a lunch meeting today but I have looked at the menu and plan on eating a plain baked potato and steamed broccoli with no seasoning... wish me luck!

Best of luck!!! Sounds like you're really on track to lose those last 18 pounds.

Lauretta

[knit1purl2lose3]

Welcome back!!!! GO YOU!!!!

[Leeney]

You're doing all the right stuff KD! Making good choices and getting in the exercises. And it's great that you have someone to exercise with. I've been a vegetarian for many, many years, and the RD is perfectly suited to our life style. I have to laugh at people who used to say to me, 'how can you be fat if you're a vegetarian?' Duh? Donuts, cookies, cake, French fries?

[KellyDenise47]

Thanks guys! I am glad to report that lunch meeting went well, I ate a big juicey ambrosia apple (my personal favorite) before going to lunch and was not even tempted by the hot bread that was repeatedly placed on the table. I stuck with my plan and had a plain baked potato, steamed unseasoned broccoli and I added the steamed apsaragus that was fabulous! When everyone was sharing deserts I must say they looked really good, but not worth the extra work-out or cravings that it would cause! I am thankful for the support provided by this forum!!!

[Leeney]

It always feel so good to make it through a situation like that with flying colors. To me, it's like putting money in the bank...or making a deposit in our RD savings account. The more times we can do that, the bigger our account grows and the less likely it is that we will slip back. Congrats!

[karolinakat]

Welcome back to the dieta KellyDenise!

[KellyDenise47]

Good Morning! Yesterday was a good day. Stuck to my plan, got my three mile walk in, good night sleep. Getting enough sleep is a challenge for me, with school and work many times there just aren't enough hours in the day. I am hosting a Halloween party for my grandchildren tomorrow and the food will not RD friendly. I plan on eating before the party and if I get tempted during the party I will have a cup of hot decaf. tea. I have just discovered hot tea and I must say I really like it. I was down another pound this morning. I know that the results will slow probably after this week but thats o.k. because I know I am putting healthy things in my body and getting the exercise I need. Have great day everyone!

[Leeney]

Hey, KD, I just got done posting my What's Your Plan for Halloween and saw that you had posted along with your plan. Go you! You seem to have a great attitude about this and that's half the battle. I know I try to concentrate on the healthy aspects of what I'm doing and regard the weight loss and body reshaping as beneficial side effect.

[KellyDenise47]

Thanks Leeney,
I love to cook and holiday baking is one of my favorites, my family calls me a holiday elf lol. I decided yesterday that I was not going to do the same type of baking I usually do... I will find healthy recipes and we will start some new traditions. I have grandsons age 2 and 3 1/2 and they don't need all the sugar, none of us do. I plan on going thru the recipes on the forum and see what I can come up with. I also frequent Fat Free Vegan's recipe site, it should be interesting!!!

[KellyDenise47]

Yesterday was another good day. Walk check, healthy eating check, good night sleep, not so much! I didn't see a difference on the scale today but thats o.k. because I feel good and I was prepared for that. Today is the Halloween party for my grandkids, the weather has turned cool here but it should be a great night. Today will also be my day off from walking, still have many last minute party details to attend too after work. I am planning on having a healthy meal before the party so I won't be tempted by all of the treats, including my Moms fabulous cupcakes!

[KellyDenise47]

Thank you! I didn't really use the forum last time but I started my thread for my own accountability! The support of this forum is awesome. I spent a long time looking through old post and recipes.

[Leeney]

How did the party go? I'm sure your grandkids were over the moon. They are at such cute ages.

I like Fat Free Vegan as well and get a lot of recipes from other vegan sites and blogs too. Be careful with the recipes on the forum here though because in some cases people post what they like and it does not always meet RD guidelines.

[KellyDenise47]

The party was a huge success! I did find myself mindlessly snacking durning it and had to put a halt to that. The suprise birthday party for my parents Saturday night was also great, I am tired!!!I did manage to walk 6 days last week so I am proud of that, and other than a little snacking at the party I did well. I have not seen a difference ont he scale yet this week but I know I will soon. Stocked up on some great veggies and beans at the store, made a huge pot of 15 bean soup, and tonight I am going to make the oatmeal bars... I do so much better when have food prepared!

[Leeney]

KD, I'm so impressed with how you are doing this. I think that being organized, having a plan and sticking to it...barring little slips...and having lots of healthy food choices on hand is definitely the way to go. The scale is a fickle friend, so don't give it any power. We are in this to get healthy. Everything else will fall into place...eventually.

[KellyDenise47]

Leeney,
Thank you. I agree first and formost my goal is to be as healthy has I can be! I have so much more energy when I eat right and exercise. This week I am trying something a little different. At lunch before I eat I have been going to the park and walking a mile, the weather has been really nice. In the evenings I have been doing a 3 mile Leslie Sansone walk tape (mosquitos have been horrible in the afternoons here, gotta love Texas). I don't know if anyone on here has used the Leslie Sansone walk tapes but I love them I have them ranging from 1 to 4 miles, some incorporate a light jog and some dont. So its four miles for me this weeks that gives me almost an hour of exercise a day which is the goal I am shooting for. Next week we will think about some strength training... I wonder, does yoga count as strength training?