The First Ten

I'm a little more than two weeks in to my new health and weightloss regime and I'm proud to say that I'm already down ten pounds!

If you look at me, chances are that you're not going to be able to tell yet -- at least not truly. I haven't lost it all from one place on my body; rather, I've lost a little bit from several places -- my face, my back, my stomach, and even some in my legs.

My current short-term goal is to stay on Phase 1 of this diet (meat, vegetables, and dairy) until the end of January. Typically, you don't stay on it for more than two weeks, but when you have this much weight to lose, you can stay on it for up to 30 days at a time. Since I've lost an average of five pounds a week, my goal is to lose a total of 20 by January 31.

The carb cravings have significantly lessened and it doesn't seem to be impacting my mood as much any more, which definitely is a good thing! I feel better -- have more energy, feel less lethargic throughout the day, and already can tell a difference in my overall health.

Oh -- and I also have decided that I'm going to reward myself for each ten pounds lost. My first reward? A pedicure tonight after work. Yes, I get pedis pretty frequently in the summer, but rarely, if ever, get them in the winter, so this was a definite treat for me. I'm not sure about my next reward. Someone suggested a massage, but I've never had one and am not a fan of people I don't know massaging me. Hmmm...maybe a new purse instead. Anyone have any other suggestions?

(#)*!&(#@!*)_(%$_#*@!_)*$!!!!!!

Wow. I remember carb withdrawal from two and a half years ago when I last started this diet, but OMG I don't remember it being this bad. I remember being really crabby the first day, extremely emotional (read: cried at everything) the second, and kind of depressed the third, but this time, it's much worse.

Yesterday was day one. It wasn't at all bad -- had the cravings and was continually hungry, as is expected with the withdrawal, but wasn't crabby. I was so excited because I thought the crabbiness had bypassed me this time. Um, yeah...not so much.

Today is day two. I woke up this morning pissed off at the entire world and things haven't gotten much better. I'm really fighting it, but it's like a demon has taken possession of my body and won't let go. And then I made the mistake of going grocery shopping. Big mistake. I'm hoping that the caffeine I just had and the nuts I'm getting ready to eat will help; I think they will. Then, I'm planning on taking a nap.

Tomorrow is day three. Since today has been pretty nasty for me, mood-wise, I'm hoping that tomorrow will be easier. Happily, I know that this is just withdrawal and the symptoms will go away soon.

I wonder the carb withdrawal symptoms I'm experiencing are similar to the nicotine withdrawal that Jason has experienced when he's quit smoking before. I can say that I now have a lot more sympathy for him than before, because this is just miserable.

So, the upshot of it all is that if you see me in the next few days and I'm bitchy or crying or otherwise not my normal Meggish self, it's due to carb withdrawal. Hopefully it'll let up very quickly and lead to a happier and thinner Meg!