SlimFAST: Day 14, Cappy

Slimfast diet ratings!  I'm just going to go with what guidelines Cory posted to make things easier on myself and the reader. ;D
--EFFECTIVENESS: C
Did it work for weight loss? Um . . . I only lost about 3 pounds which, for two weeks and for someone who has as much to lose as I do . . . that's really not a whole heck of a lot for just starting out.  Granted, I didn't work out for half an hour every day, so I do realize I am at fault for this, too.  But still, I had hoped for more.
--EASE OF USE: A
Was the food easy to obtain and prepare and take to work and adapt to the everyday? Yes, very easy.  The only way it could have been easier was if I didn't have to prepare veggies for snacks and then prepare supper, but even having to do those things I was able to plan very easy and quick meals for supper that were still healthy.
--ENERGY LEVELS: C
Were energy levels high, or did it make us feel weak or tired? The only reason I give it a C is because it would have been nice if my energy levels had been higher.  I didn't necessarily feel more sluggish or tired, but eating less than I'm used to and eating healthier I would have expected to be feeling significantly better and/or with more energy.
--HUNGER FULFILLMENT AND CRAVINGS:  B
Were hunger levels and cravings reasonable, or terrible?  I didn't have much problem with this at all.  I think it helped for me that I was drinking a lot of water throughout the day, and the amount I ate for breakfast was about the same I always eat for breakfast, so it got each day started off right.
--OVERALL :  C
How was it overall?  It was very easy and pretty darn cheap, but I didn't lose as much as I wanted to lose, and I don't feel any better really than how I felt 2 weeks ago.  I know 2 weeks isn't really very long in being able to determine the effectiveness of a diet, but one would think that in the first week, at least, I could lose a decent amount of weight.
Would I do it again?  Probably not the whole diet plan, but I might do the shakes and the bars again, if I was feeling especially uncreative and was just wanting something quick and easy to eat for a while that I knew wasn't too unhealthy.


I'm curious to see how I do with the Subway diet.  I'm used to eating Subway once or twice a week for lunch anyways, so it's not going to be too much of a change from what I used to eat.  Like Cory, I do plan on making some modifications.  I'll eat probably a bowl of oatmeal with an egg's worth of scrambled egg beaters for breakfast, and for supper I'm planning on making my own sandwiches at home, to be eaten with a healthy salad.


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Final Rating, Day 14, Cory

FINAL RATINGS
OK then! 

Minus a final fruit snack I can have tonight if I want, I am done with our Slimfast diet!  So here are my ratings:

--EFFECTIVENESS: C
Did it work for weight loss? Pretty slow going, seems like.  I think that is because the Slimfast site makes a point of suggesting a calorie level that is "slow and steady," so they are not taking on liability by suggesting anything that could cause anyone health issues.  I'm sure if I had done the "shake for breakfast, shake for lunch, small sensible dinner" thing, without the snacks and small additional lunch items, I would have lost weight more quickly.
--EASE OF USE: A
Was the food easy to obtain and prepare and take to work and adapt to the everyday? It would be hard to be easier than this was. You buy shakes and meal bars, some fruit and veggies, some meat, some bread and potatoes .  I fixed the simple dinners quickly when I got home from work.
--ENERGY LEVELS: B
Were energy levels high, or did it make us feel weak or tired? No problem in this area.  I never felt weak or faint from the diet, or anything like that.  I wouldn't say I had "more energy" than usual, but I definitely didn't have less.
--HUNGER FULFILLMENT AND CRAVINGS:  B
Were hunger levels and cravings reasonable, or terrible?  Very little problem with this, other than that breakfast being so skimpy that I was really hungry when it was time for my mid-morning snack.  But there was a mid-morning snack, so not to bad.
--OVERALL :  B
How was it overall?  Well, this reminds me of what they say about ordering a product.  There are three possibilities:  Good, Cheap, and Quick.  You get to pick two out of three.  If you want it good and cheap, you can't have it quick.  Etc.  So I'm thinking with a diet, you can have Healthy, Easy, and Quick.  You get to  pick two out of three.  This one was "Healthy & Easy."  So it wasn't quick.

Would I do it again?  No, not really.  I mean, I think I can do this myself without the special shakes and what not.  I'd rather substitute a sensible meal with similar calorie count.

NEXT UP!

We've decided on the Subway diet, though I plan to modify a bit from what Jared did.  Jared did:  BREAKFAST: Coffee, LUNCH: 6" low cal chicken sub and bag of Baked Lays, DINNER: 12" Veggie Sub.  Both his subs had plenty of veggies, and he left off cheese and high-cal spreads like mayo.

I plan to do:
BREAKFAST:  Oatmeal with handful of berries, splash of milk, and tbs of brown sugar
LUNCH: 6" low cal sub (lunch meat and veggies) with piece of fruit
DINNER:  6" same type of sub, glass of milk
SNACK:  Yogurt

Also, I plan to make my own subs.  The Subway is across town and I'm not going there twice a day.  I can make them myself, no big deal.

Cappy may have her own modifications . . . or not. But I gotta have some breakfast, and I'd rather have a snack later than 12" sub at dinner.

SlimFAST: Day 13, Cappy

Whew!  I almost forgot to make a post.


Diet went well today, no cheating or splurging.  I slept like a sleeping monster most of the day--didn't wake up until almost noon (but to be fair, I stayed awake until almost 3:00am), then took a nap after being up for only a couple hours.  Apparently, I was really needing to catch up on my sleep.


I did the less difficult workout dvd today.  But at least I did something.  I wish I could watch tv stuff while working out, but I'm already watching the workout, so it'd be kind of difficult to do both. ;D


Happymaker of the day:  Sleep.


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Day 13, Cory

Diet: No problem today.  Stayed home alone and did chores and such, surrounded by this frozen tundra, so not much to tempt me.

Exercise: I've been going through the only DVDs I have while riding the exercise bike: My Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series) DVDs. Seven seasons, and I'm watching one episode a night. I recommend this if you're trying to exercise - I mean, find something you like to watch, with no commercials, and watch. It really helps the time go by.

And Buffy's inspirational - she's a girl, underestimated at every turn. She's got huge responsibilities and - even though she has friends and family who love her and whom she loves - she has to face a really harsh world, ultimately, alone. She's funny, vulnerable, and flawed. She lives and learns and sometimes she has to learn something over and over until it sticks. She experiences a lot of loss and heartache; she ends up more afraid of love, than death. But she takes a lickin', and she keeps on tickin'. Depite all the losses, she wins.

Also, it's well written, well-acted, and the best part: FUNNY!

ONE MORE DAY!  Then on to our versions of the Subway diet.

Hope you had a good day, Cappy!   I'm enjoying reading your posts.

--Cory

SlimFAST: Day 12, Cappy

Erm, I splurged for supper.  But I don't feel too guilty about it because I didn't eat as much as I wanted.  My nephew and his girlfriend came over to hang out and they wanted mexican food night, so we had tacos and nachos.  I only ate nachos and did not go back for seconds, so I feel that's some progress on the whole how to handle out-of-the-routine type situations.


But I also didn't do my workout because I overslept this morning and didn't have time to do it before they showed up tonight, and now that they've left I'm too tired.  I need to start being stricter with myself, but again, I'm okay with how I'm doing so far.


Back to the grindstone tomorrow!  I'm kind of excited to change up the diets and see if that makes any difference, especially since I've only lost a pound or two over the past 2 weeks.  *crosses fingers for bigger results*


Happymaker of the day:  It's Friday and I'm off tomorrow!  I shall be sleeping late and partaking of a good book and catching up on tv and working on my videos all weekend.  Along with exercising, of course. ;D


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Day 12, Cory

Yay!  Day 12 of 14!  Yes, I think we're gonna make it, Cappy.

Today was an odd day because I had a luncheon appointment, so I had to sorta switch lunch and dinner.  I had a grilled salmon salad and a piece of whole wheat bread at lunch . . . figuring that would be my "protien, veggies, and one starch" dinner.  Then I had my Slimfast drink and half-sandwich at dinner time. 

Actually, it was a good experience, because I have to figure out a way to keep eating right, even when I'm invited out to meals or to events, etc.

I did my exercise - again, 45 minutes on the bike.  It is getting almost too easy, so I have again increased the resistance.

Cappy, we need to do something to spice this blog up!  Suggestions welcome from all!

Should we tell a deep dark secret, daily?  Provide the details of our most exciting close encounters of the first, second, third, and home-base kind?

--Cory

SlimFAST: Day 11, Cappy

Diet:  I didn't eat as much in the way of veggies as I'm supposed to or I usually do, but I didn't fall off the diet, either.  This has been a fairly easy diet, all things considered, but I'll be glad to move onto the next one.  Also, so far I haven't really lost much at all, but my clothes feel like they fit a little differently, so maybe I'm losing something.  I dunno, all I know is that I'm eating healthier and getting more exercise, so that's better than eating junk and not exercising at all.  I could see myself getting frustrated sooner rather than later though, if I don't start seeing some progress on the scale soon.


I did not do a workout today.  I figured I'd give myself a day off in the middle of the week to give my muscles time to recuperate.  Back to it tomorrow!


Happymaker of the day:  Watching my favorite tv show and making friends laugh.  Also, discovering a new band that I really like.


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Day 11, Cory

Well, I did OK with diet.  I am still not feeling well - stuffy nose, tiredness.  This morning, I still seemed on the downhill part, but now I feel like I'm starting to get better instead of worse.  I hope to go to work tomorrow.

Again, I did do a bit of exercising, but it made me feel tired and nauseated, so it probably wasn't that smart to do - but gosh, it's boring around here!  I even bundled up and went outside and cleared my front sidewalk and steps, and put some salt down.  I shouldn't have done that either, but geez, there is only so much sitting around and reading and such I can do.

Cappy and I are discussing our next diet and will be modifying the SUBWAY diet and trying it next.  More on that when we get to it.

CAPPY!  I wish you were here to bring me hot tea and just generally wait on me hand and foot.   But alas, my hands and feet must do their own waiting.

--Cory

SlimFAST: Day 10, Cappy

Diet went well again today, same as usual.  Although, I am still hungry tonight.  The past two nights I had eaten a bowl of "healthy" chili for supper, and that was a lot more filling than tonight's supper of baby spinach leaves w/dressing, steamed veggies, and a Lean Cuisine dinner.  But, I drank a cup of green tea, and that seems to have helped the hunger for a bit.


I did the tough workout dvd for a third day in a row! \o/  I need to do more than just this 30 minute workout a day, but I'll concentrate on increasing my exercising once I've got myself entrenched in a routine.


Happymaker of the day:  Working through a personal self-esteem "demon" that I've struggled with all my life.  It's not solved or all better, but I was able to see the light on the other side of it, work my way through it, acknowledge why I was feeling the way I was feeling, and let it go.  That's the first time I've ever been able to do that, and it was very empowering.  And before you ask, yes, I actually could vague that up a bit more for you, believe it or not. ;D


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Day 10, Cory

Cappy!  We're into the double digits!  Yay, us!

I really appreciate you letting me ride on your broom coattails. 

I was sick today, and stayed home from work.  Had a sore throat, and on-and-off slight fever, I think.  Also headache when I woke up, and stuffy nose.  Am hoping for "a cold" rather than "the flu."

I didn't want my Slimfast shake at all when I woke up, but I thought I'd better eat, and I slowly ate a meal-bar instead.  Later, I did get hungry for lunch and then dinner, and ate as usual. 

Actually tried to do my exercising, mostly from the boredom of being cooped up in this ice-palace, and I did a bit.  Really tired me out, though.

I think I'll read and go to bed early.

CAPPY -are you thinking on our next diet?  I usually go grocery shopping on Saturday or Sunday.

--Cory

SlimFAST: Day 9, Cappy

Did good on the diet, once again.  I've been lucky in that I haven't been in situations where I'm tempted by much.  I hope that by the time I face some sort of temptation my resilience will be strong enough to scoff at it.  Eh, who am I kidding--I know I can do it, it's just a matter of if I choose to do it.  I'm an extremely strong-willed and stubborn person (shut up, Cory) with a lot of spit-in-yer-eye gumption, so all I need to do is keep focused and keep my eye on the prize and I'll be good to go.


It's my second day in a row of doing the tougher workout dvd, so I'm obviously feeling pretty proud of myself at the moment.  And sore.  Ow.  But good, all the same.


We can do this, Cory!  I have faith in us.  Well, moreso me, but still, I'm sure you can do it if I let you ride my coattails.


Happymaker of the day:  Duh, second day in a row of tough workout.  I'M KING OF THE WORLD! \O/


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Day 9, Cory

No problem staying on the diet.  It is teaching me how to stay feeling full without eating things I shouldn't.  So I am anxious to move away from pre-prepared drinks and bars and try something with just plain healthy foods.

I did another 45 minutes on the bike, at the increased resistance.  I can really feel it in my legs, so I think that means I should stay at this resistance until it feels easy also.

And - I'm not feeling that great.  I have a bit of a sore throat and I wonder if I'm coming down with something.  I hope not.

Am going to take a shower and go to bed.  Will try to get my perky back tomorrow.  Cappy, you're gonna have to balance this with some cherry today! 

--Cory

SlimFAST: Day 8, Cappy

Very easy day with the diet.  Work was busy enough that I didn't think about cravings too much.  One problem that I could see having with this diet long-term (but really, I'd probably have this problem with every diet long-term) is falling into a rut.  I don't do a different meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day like it calls for because I'm just fixing food for myself, which means I'd have a lot of leftovers that would ruin and also I just do not have the time or the money to do that.  Which means I end up eating the same things a few days in a row.  It kind of makes me wonder if that hinders weight loss because it's letting your system get used to meals and therefore it isn't as much of a shock to your system?  I don't know, just a few thoughts I was having about it today.


I did actually do the harder workout dvd after work tonight, and I did it for 30 minutes, which I feel is a good start to the week.  Here's hoping I can keep it up.


Happymaker for the day:  It snowed here this morning!  Snow is rare 'round these parts.  It was pretty.


Cappy

SlimFAST: Day 7, Cappy

Slept late today, had a lot of stuff to do on the computer, so before I knew it it was almost 2:00pm and I hadn't even eaten breakfast yet (no, I didn't sleep that late, but I had a couple cups of coffee and got distracted by work stuff and before I knew it, it was after 1:00pm).  So, I ate a very late brunch, then fixed a hearty chili recipe for supper that I got from the Slimfast website.  Very yummy!  Although, the recipe did not include any type of beans, and since I cannot imagine eating chili without beans, I added a can of kidney and a can of pinto beans.  Tasty stuff.


Alas, I did not work out today.  Bad Cappy.  But hey, I've gone a whole week without straying from the diet and without even being too hungry, so I'll give myself a pat on the back, and plan to do better with the workouts next week.


Happymaker of the day:  Being silly with friends.


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Day 7, Cory

Half way done!

With the Slimfast diet, that is.  Cappy and I haven't decided on our next diet.  We've gotten some suggestions and are open to more suggestions - so if you have any ideas, comment below and let us know.

We're open to anything that isn't extreme and provides a balanced diet.

TODAY:  Went fine.  Upped my time on the exercise bike from 30 minutes to 40 minutes.

Have been doing indoor chores today and am feeling slightly down - trying to keep my mind off sad things. I will say this about the mega-challenges in life:  They give you perspective.  No way I can't handle learning to take better care of myself.

Happymaker:  I work in an office with 3 other people - they all went skiing this weekend, and I decided not to go.  However, I just texted them, asking if they all got home OK.  That way, they will think I care and everything!  :)

--Cory

SLIMFAST: Day 6, Cappy

Did great with the diet.  No cheating or even temptation to cheat, and was able to vary things up a bit since I was off work today and didn't have much in the way of chores to do.


One good thing about buying lots of fresh veggies and fruit is the pressure I feel to eat it all before it goes bad.  I hate wasting food like that, so there's just not as much room in my tummy for less healthy stuff once I've eaten my servings of veggies. ;D


I only did twenty minutes of a workout, and it was the less strenuous dvd, so I'm not doing as awesome as I'd like with my exercising.  I have got to do better with that next week.  Exercise is just as, if not more, important than a healthy diet, I'm well aware of that.


Happymaker of the day:  Read a good story and played with my dogs.


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Day 6, Cory

My exercise for today:  Snow shoveling for about an hour, so I could get out of my driveway and buy my Slimfast supplies for next week. 

Getting ready for next week: I wasn't able to buy the multigrain bread I usually like to buy, because they were sold out.  I'm sure the snow predictions caused a rush to the grocery store last night, but believe it or not, the Slimfast supplies were not sold out!  So I have everything I need to outdo Cappy at every turn get through next week.

Today:  I was really hungry after snow shoveling, and ate my lunch early (around 11:15 or so), but my mid-afternoon carrot snack carried me through to dinnertime.  Had a sort of chicken stew I made from a small piece of chicken breast, a small red potato, and lots of veggies. 

Happymaker:  Shoveled extra room in my driveway, so my sis could come by and park comfortably.  Had some laughs with her.

--Cory

SLIMFAST: Day 5, Cappy

Did good with the diet again today, but not great.  My problem isn't really falling off of it so far, it's just making myself eat a snack during the afternoon when I'm at work.  And, I'm not mixing it up as well as I should--I've resorted to eating cereal for supper the past two nights instead of cooking a meal.  The cereal I eat is Fiber One and it's with skim milk, so it's not like it's unhealthy, but still, it's not balanced (even though I have eaten a salad with it each night, as well).  I need to work on putting in the extra effort to cook meals next week.


I was really feeling the temptation to fall off the diet today.  I was stressed from work and tired and was in that "reward myself for surviving the week" mode that usually always makes me give in and splurge, but I stuck to my guns and did not stray.


I am so sore from that workout dvd from yesterday that I didn't exercise today.  But I will work out more tomorrow and Sunday to make up for the lack of exercise today.


Very tiring but overall good first week of this new experience.


Happymaker of the day:  Getting new editing software for my iMac.


Stressmaker of the day:  Realizing how much I have to learn about how to use said editing software.


Cappy

SLIMFAST: Day 5, Cory

Alrighty!

I can't believe I've gone 5 days, and exercised every day!  I increased the resistance again and did 30 minutes on my stationary bike.

I did fine with my eating, finishing my last "yogurt for lunch."  I'm going to have a half sandwich instead all week, next week.

Big storm predicted to snow us in this weekend - and I only have enough Slimfast supplies to last through Sunday, since I figured, "one week at a time."  Oh, well . . . if I can't get to the grocey store, I can always walk over to the convenience store down the block.

How many Slim Jims equal one Slimfast meal bar? 

My Happymaker today:  Some good laughs with co-workers.

SLIMFAST: Day 4, Cory

WHAT I'VE LEARNED: 

• I need a bigger breakfast.  Whether it's the shake or the meal bar, I get really, really hungry by lunch time, even with an orange for a snack.  I'm gonna stick with the SLIMFAST diet as is, for the two week run, but I want to find something with a more substantial breakfast for whatever we do next.
• Blogging is a big help in resisting temptation.  When I think of cheating, I remember that if I do cheat, I have two choices:  Tell everyone of lapse on the blog OR Lie to Cappy and everyone else who follows the blog (OK, so 5 people, but I like our followers!  Plus, one day, multitudes! :) ).  And I don't wanna do either one.  What I mean is - with the blogging, cheating comes with an even bigger price than usual!  That helps.
• The exercising is helping a bit, with some insomnia issues I've had lately.
• Cappy is gonna do great, because she's too mean to give up!  Who woulda ever guessed this particular characteristic would come in handy for anything other than bar fights?  Go, Cappy!

MINI-REPORT:  This is gonna get repetitive, so basically, with very minor alterations, my diet and exercise today was the same as yesterday.  Happymaker . . . uhm . . . I sent a Happy Birthday IM to a friend!  I'm gonna have to do better on that part.  I WILL DO BETTER!

--Cory