Take it off Tuesdays!

In my family, personal addictions are the rule more than the exception.  However, addictions vary from person to person.  My addiction: food.  And I'm not just talking about eating too much.  I love to bake, cook, experiment, and eat food.  My favorite childhood game: Kids in the Kitchen.  My mom supervised while my friends and I would pretend we had our own cooking show and bake wacky creations.  With the high metabolism and nonstop attitude of childhood, I remained a healthy weight even with my unhealthy eating habits. 

However, when I entered college, things changed.  My activity level dropped as I spent hours doing what a pre-med does best: studying.  My roommates introduced me to the most dangerous two men on the planet: Ben and Jerry.  By the end of college I was up 20 pounds.  Then I entered medical school and I gained 10 pounds in the span of 6 months.   After seeing a picture of myself one day, I realized I needed a change and I joined Weight Watchers.  Within 1 year, I dropped 45 pounds with barely a thought and was the thinnest I ever was in my life.  I loved it.  I loved every minute of it.  I maintained it for over 1 year.

Then, I got pregnant.  However, I watched what I ate, tried to maintain activity, and at 32 weeks pregnant, I had only gained 30 pounds.  I was exactly where my OB wanted me.  Then came the most dreaded phrase any pregnant woman can hear: bed rest.  Because of some complications with my health, I was placed bed rest for the next 7 weeks.  I gained 3-4 pounds every week.  Without physical activity, I ballooned.  By time I had delivered Ethan, I was up over 50 pounds from my starting weight.  Ugh...

After delivering him, my weight didn't change an ounce.  Every time I tried to reduce my calories or increase my exercise, my milk supply dropped.  Since breastfeeding was more important than weight loss in my eyes, I continued to maintain a very unhealthy weight.  After I weaned him, I tried Weight Watchers again, but this time it just wasn't working.  Even with following every letter of the Weight Watchers law, I still barely lost half a pound each week.  I was not a happy camper.

Then my OB started a weight loss group in her office with the help of 2 nutritionists and another doctor.  A medically managed weight loss program with a diet tailored to each participant and weekly meetings with one of the nutritionists to help re-tailor the diet each week.  They promised a 3-5 pound weight loss each week without medication and 5-7 pound loss with medication.  I didn't need to be asked twice.  As my Christmas present from the hubby, I joined myself right up.

I've now been on the diet for about 14 weeks (today starts week 15).  Even with many "bad" weeks (aka: weeks where I didn't follow the plan or didn't bother exercising), I'm now down a total of 29 pounds!  My diet is basically a low-fat, low-carb, high-protein diet with a minimum of 30 minutes exercise daily.  There are no calories to count, no points to track.  I just eat food from my "allowed" list in reasonable portions.  I get 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, plus dessert.  I love it!  It is super easy, I rarely feel like I'm bored with my foods, and I'm losing weight.  Added side effects: I found some gym activities I actually enjoy and I have more energy.  Yay me!