Getting back on track.

I'm going to attribute it to the time of year but getting back on track seems to be the most common theme these days. My "cravings" are so out of control they pretty much rule my every waking thought. Karen and Holly shared with me a program called the "5 day pouch test". They've done it before and don't for one freaking second think it's easy. It's a very restrictive specific diet for 5 days. The big PLUS side of it is that it "should" break the carb cycle of cravings. I'm doing it starting Monday Feb 1st. A couple others are as well and I'll let them name names if they choose. At Thursday's meeting Susan shared her "Food Journal". EVERYTHING you eat goes in the journal. If you're going to cheat don't bother but Susan said that if you're consciencious about it, it really helps. OKAY, I'm adding a journal to my 5 day pouch test. Anybody else interested? I know Holly or Karen would happily share the info about it as will I.

Stay the course matees. . . (said with pirate accent)
Mike

Hey this sound interesting. I would like to do it as well but I will need the information. It will be a good discussion at our next meeting. Sharing our experience with it. Looking forward to trying it out.

Susan P

Okay guys, what is the pouch test and what do I need to know about it to try it. I have missed our meetings...Are you still doing them every thursday? I need to get back on track...Let me know Mike..OK?????

Okay. . . I haven't heard anything from Holly or Karen but I'm assuming they're ready to go. I am! I sent the "pouch test" site that Karen gave me to Dawn and Susan.

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/

I've got my journal ready to record every atom that passes these lips. Reduced carb addiction - Here I come! Hope I don't kill anybody!

Mike

Thanks Mike

I started. Doing good so far. How is everyone else doing?

Not a great start for me. I had a rough night so slept through breakfast. First meal was lunch. Had a protein drink and some creamy split pea soup. Num. . . But I'm determined. . . Can't wait for the carbless headache and shakes to start. . .

Mike

Make sure that you read about what to do for the carb withdrawals - Carb Monster.

http://www.5daypouchtest.com/plan/days1_2.html

Karen

Okay, thanks Karen. I've got some bean and lentil soup standing by. I'm not worried. . .much. . .

Mike

I keep waiting for Animal Control to bang on my door looking for the lions. . . Stomach sure is growling. . .

Mike

Had some cream of chicken soup, sugar free jello and a protein drink for dinner. Probably an 800 calorie day. I feel fairly crappy but still determined. One day down, 4 to go. . .

Mike

Day 2 started off pretty early for me. Just couldn't sleep. Had a protein drink to start the day. Trying to make it to noon before I have some cream soup. Feel like death on a soda cracker but still determined.

Anybody notice that EVERYTHING on tv revolves around food? Have it on Country Music Videos and every song and every commercial is about food. . . Wonder if I can eat my tv?

Anybody else trying this?
Mike

Late afternoon of day 2. Really feel like death. Had creamy split pea soup and jello with protein drink for lunch. Didn't set very well so I went for an allowed cheat and ate an orange. Felt better for a while. Man, am I looking forward to eggs tomorrow! Never thought those words would pass my lips again. . .

You can all divide up my stuff after the funeral. . .
Mike

Finished dinner of Cream of chicken soup and sugarless jello. It's just plain pain now. . . Was in bathroom most of afternoon and pretty good sweats now. Just counting the minutes until breakfast. Eggs never sounded so good in my life! IF this breaks the carb cravings it is well worth it. . . Honest!

Mike

Morning of day 3. Feel a little better this morning. Had some scrambled eggs for breakfast. Should have added a protein drink but just couldn't face it. It was wonderful to chew again. I lost 3 lbs in the last two days so that's a nice little bonus. The cravings are well under control but I'm thinking that feeling fairly sick all the time is part of that. We'll see how that goes. . .

Mike

Sure is quiet out there. If this were a John Wayne movie somebody would get an arrow in the chest about now. . . It's too quiet. . .

Think I'll have some tuna fish for lunch. Might throw in my second emergency orange. Feel like I got the arrow in the stomach and me with a stomach ache is like a giraffe with a sore throat. . .

I'm calling this my half way meal. . . Going to have some shrimp and salman sushimi tomorrow. . . Going to eat a box of brown sugar on Saturday. . . Kidding. . . Maybe. . .

Mike

Dinner day three??? Had eggs for breakfast and tuna for lunch. . . Maybe a tuna omelette for dinner. . . My insides feel like 40 miles of bad road. . .

I feel like Oliver. . . "Cood I av moor sur?"
Mike

Day 3 is coming to an end. Had some eggs for dinner. It's sitting like a minor volcano in my belly. . . The pains are coming 30 seconds apart and I think my water just broke. Quick, boil water! Tomorrow is salmon day. Not sure just how much salmon I can eat in one day but we're going to see. Maybe squeeze in some meatloaf for a little variety. It's going to be an interesting Thurday night support group tomorrow. Hope I don't try to eat somebodies purse. . .

Mike

Hi Mike,
I am glad to hear that you are surviving the pouch test. I am sure you will make it and be very proud of yourself. I will make sure I keep an eye on my purse tonight!!

LaDora

Mr and Mrs Wheeler have sent their regrets about tonight. I think Casey is just afraid he'll end up on the menu. . . Best news is I've lost 5lbs since starting this "pouch test" on Monday. It is so awesome knowing that the weight will still burn off me when I behave.

This is the afternoon of day 4. I have to admit that the worst is behind me. I really didn't feel that hungry this morning and had a big glass of water for breakfast. Going to have some salmon for lunch. Holly got me thinking about a shrimp cocktail so thats on the menu for dinner. Have some chicken breast set aside for tomorrow.

I'm very curious how I will feel on Saturday. Tuesday I planned to eat multiple boxes of brown sugar on Saturday. That doesn't sound nearly as good today.

Anyway, I'm down 7 lbs from the 14 I put back on through the holiday season. I'm back in the 280's which was such an accomplishment the first time and such a blow when I went back into the 290's. If I'd hit 300 I really would have had an emotional breakdown. All behind me - for now - but some great lessons to be learned. . .

Hope to see some of you tonight
Mike

Great Thursday Nite Lites meeting! Lot's of sharing and thats what works best for me. . . Had some Holly recommended shrimp for dinner. Tasted great. End of day 4 and I'm feeling pretty good.

good food, good friends. . . Kind of makes the whole process worth while. . .

Mike

I am really sorry I have been missing the meetings this past month..as you all know, life through a divorce is hell. I had my consult with Joanne for the diabetes like I said i was doing last month..she got onto me about not eating 3 meals a day..still having a hard time eating 1 or 2 meals a day, but trying to get better at it..I haven't even begone to think about doing the pouch test..Hope you all are doing good..i miss you guys..Keep me posted

Morning of day 5. Wish I could just do another salmon/shrimp day. . . Looking at chicken and trying not to be sick. Might do a little fasting today. Lost another pound yesterday so down 6 lbs for the week. Funny side effect - I haven't felt like doing anything but I have been cleaning and getting all the wash done just because I have been desperate to stay busy. . .

See you all in the funny papers ( I have no idea what that means)

Mike

Chicken breast and piece of Jack cheese for lunch. Pouch is still with me - for sure! I hate that full feeling from chicken but then that is exactly what it is suppose to do. I'm so thirsty but will wait out my time before drinking. . .I am not hungry. . . That is good. . . I would still eat a dozen big macs if they were sitting in front of me. Not so good. . . I'm not driven to go get the macs. . . That's good. . .

Battle continues
Mike

End of day 5 and I'm done. Seven pound loss. Only time will tell how effective this will be. First two days are tough and the more off track you are the rougher it will be. Day three is neutral and 4 and 5 are pretty easy.

Kind of get the feeling that I'm talking to myself but that's okay. . . I do it all time. . .

Mike