Thursday, January 15, 2009

Day Eight

Today I had a glass of MILK! Can you believe it? The B12 MediZone diet doesn't allow milk. Can you believe it? Milk! I guess it's becoming more and more obvious that the B12 diet wasn't the right diet for me.

With that said, for lunch today, I had 2 soft tacos. Normally, I would have beef, cheese and tomatoes. Instead, I ordered chicken and skipped the cheese.

For dinner, my husband ordered a cheese pizza. I ate three slices, but I removed the cheese.

This morning I worked out on the elliptical for 30 minutes and did about 20 minutes of weights and climbed the stairs up 10 floors.

Needless to say, I am not proud of my diet today. I am going to have to learn to modify my bad diet so that it's healthier than what I would normally eat, but not deprive myself.

Today's Weight: 126.8
Mood: Guilty

Thank God for tomorrow,
-Barbara-

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Day Seven

January 14, 2009

I took the day off of work today, so I don't have access to my fancy scale. And I fell off the wagon today. I just couldn't take being hungry anymore!

But I promised myself that falling off the B12 wagon, wouldn't mean I would give up on myself. For lunch, I had a salad and a diet coke. For dinner, I had pasta, BUT I had a much smaller portion than I normally would eat.

So, I'll have to have a heart-to-heart with myself. After all of the research I've done, I have the information I need. I just need to process it into a diet and lifestyle that will work for me. I love exercising, so that part of the equation is not at risk.

I will continue to blog my progress. After all, I still have a goal to meet. I want to lose 24 pounds. I've lost 3...

Keep your fingers crossed for me.
-Barbara-

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Day Six

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Today, I called my husband and told him I was done and I wanted to fall off the wagon. He tends to go along with whatever I want. He reminded me that he never thought I needed a diet in the first place.

At lunch, I told my co-workers that I was going to fall off the wagon. I was so tired of being hungry. I've been hungry since Friday. I was on the verge of crying. The problem is not only that the diet disallows any carbs, but it also allows only such small portions of protein that it is impossible to ever feel satisfied. I needed my carbs. But my co-workers didn't let me quit. They suggested that instead of cheating by adding carbs to my diet, I should just eat as much protein as I need to feel full.

At lunch I ate taco meat with cheese, and I ate until I felt full. So now I feel better and I'm back on target.

Today's Weight: 126.2
Exercise: Few arm weights and climbed the stairs 10 floors

Still on the wagon...
-Barbara-

Day Five

Monday, January 12, 2008

Friday was my first day on this diet, and I have been miserable ever since. BUT, I have not fallen off the wagon! Friday, I took the 2 Phendimetrazine pills 3 times per day as suggested. Dr. Rose told me that if I found myself too jittery or couldn't sleep, that I could switch to 1 pill 3 times a day. So after 40 hours of no sleep, I lowered the dose.

After taking the Phendimetrazine, I was immediately wired for about 2 hours and then just came crashing down. I even became so grouchy my husband didn't want to be around me. Lowering the dosage has helped all of these side effects.

On Saturday, I tested my ketones, and the strip turned pink. I was excited because this meant I could add two vegetables and two fruits to my daily diet.

In preparation for the coming week, on Saturday, I took my weight loss booklet with me to Publix, and did my grocery shopping. I bought Egg Beaters, Ham Steak, Ham & Turkey Sandwich meat, chicken breast tenderloins, and beef kabob meat. I also bought cucumbers, grapes, and cherries. To drink, I bought Diet/Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper.

Today, I forgot to bring my lunch with me to work. So I ate pork roast from our office deli. That's it. Nothing else. I am soooo hungry. Maybe it's because of my reduced dosage. But I am so close to falling off the wagon.

Today's Weight: 126.8 (I've lost 3 pounds)
Exercise: 30 minutes on elliptical (level 10) and weights

Wish me luck!
-Barbara-

Friday, January 9, 2009

Day Two

So yesterday I pigged out knowing it was my last day before going on such a strict diet. For lunch yesterday I ate a turkey, ham, swiss, tomato sandwich. For dinner I went to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory and had Fish & Chips.

This morning I took my first dose of Phendermetrazine at about 9:30am on an empty stomach. I quickly became wired, and about 3 hours later I was drowsy.

I then ate 1 can of tuna (2 oz.) with salt & pepper. After this, I took the appetite suppressant and the Calcium Pyruvate.

For dinner, I ate 6 oz. of white chicken grilled. I then took my last dose of appetite suppressant and Calcium Pyruvate for the day.

I'm struggling with drinking the gallon of water (128 oz.). So far I've only had 84 oz. and it's 9:45pm.

Today's weight: 130.0 (thanks to Bubba Gump!)

I'll check back in Monday. My scale is at the office so I can't weigh myself this weekend.

Good health!
-Barbara-

Day One

January 8, 2009

Today I had my first visit with the Garcia Weight Loss center.

When I was called in, I was greeted by a medical assistant (not quite a nurse). She weighed me and checked my blood pressure. She then proceeded with a sales pitch. When the sales pitch was done, she asked me which arm I would like my injection in. I wasn't too happy that she was prepared to inject me without my speaking to a doctor first.

So she took me to speak with Dr. Eli Rose. He answered my questions and I felt a bit better. He sensed my apprehension, and prescribed the Phendimetrazine instead of the Phentermine for me. But I must say that I was a bit concerned. He mentioned he had been an OB/GYN for 30 years prior to joining the Garcia Weight Loss center. Why would he change professions after 30 years? My guess: Dollar $igns!

The forms they ask you to complete ask if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. But they don't ask if you are nursing. So when I mentioned I had a baby 2 months ago, I was surprised that Dr. Rose didn't ask if I was nursing.

Make no mistake about it, this office is nothing more than a legal drug dealer. There is nothing really medical about it. It is not a program that is customized to you. For example, the dosage, the exercise plan, and the diet plan are the same for everyone. I weigh 129 lbs. How can a plan for me be the same plan for someone who weighs 400 lbs? But I guess it is!

Regardless, I did plenty of research ahead of time, and really did just need a "drug dealer".

The initial visit includes: program overview, weight measurement, body fat percentage, blood pressure, initial blood panel, EKG, B12 injection, medical consultation, appetite suppressant. This visit costs $215, but there was a $40 discount, so I paid $175.

Weekly visits include: weight measurement, body fat, B12 injection, appetite suppressants. The weekly visits cost $75.

So here are my statistics today:

Weight: 129.8
Body Fat %: 35.1
Blood Pressure: 110/70

The program works like this:
After my blood work and EKG, I received my first injection. They tried to sell me extra supplements (Omega RX $50, Polyphenol Plus $20, Multivitamin w/Minerals $20, Cell Press $25, and Calcium Pyruvate $25). I only bought the Calcium Pyruvate because it was the only one that seemed consistent with my goal in that it's a fat burner.

I was then told to enjoy my last day of eating as I please (which I did!), as my strict diet would start the next day. The Stage 1 diet is very strict and only allows for lean proteins, absolutely no carbohydrates. And the proteins you can eat you can only have the equivalent of about 10 ounces in a day. This equates to 5 cans of tuna. And that's it...except for the required 1 gallon of water that you must drink! But have no fear, you will be taking the appetite suppressants that will make you not hungry. Also, this Stage only lasts for 2 to 5 days.

They provided me with 5 Ketone strips. On Day 2, I have to pass a strip under my urine stream. If it turns pink, I can move on to Stage 2. If it doesn't turn pink, I keep testing every day until it does turn pink or until Day 5.

Stage 2 is the same as Stage 1, but allows you to introduce 2 vegetables and 2 fruits from a very short list of vegetables and fruits.

There are some freebies as far as seasonings and spices. Your drinks can include just about anything that is caffeine-free and calorie-free.

Exercise recommendation is 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times per week.

I asked the doctor if the weight loss comes mostly from the diet or the medication. He admitted it's the diet that causes the weight loss, but the B12 gives you the energy you lose from not having the carbs in your system. The appetite suppressants simply make it easier to get through the diet.

There are side effects to the medication. Be sure to research these and compare them to your medical history.

Anyway - I hope this journal is useful to you, so I will continue to add to it.

I wish you all good health,
-Barbara-

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

B12: The Day Before

January 7, 2009

I had a baby in October, and I am hoping to lose the baby fat AND the weight I wanted to lose before my baby was born.

Tomorrow I have my first appointment at the Garcia Weight Loss center in Tampa, Florida. I have done so much research that I'm almost dizzy. I'm excited to start the program, as I have read so much positive feedback.

If you are curious, the first visit costs $260, but there is currently a promotion for $40 off, so I will pay $220. This includes the consultation and my first supply of vitamins, appetite suppressants, and B12 injection.

Weekly visits will cost $75 and will include the B12 injection.

I plan to maintain a daily journal outlining my experience, and I hope it will all be good.

Here are my stats:

Age: 35
Height: 5'0"
Today's Weight: 129
Pre-Pregnancy Weight: 127
Goal Weight: 105

Today's Exercise: Elliptical (30 minutes) and Weights (15 minutes)
Today's Diet:
Snack - Peanuts (handful) with Water
Lunch - Sandwich (Ham, Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Tomatoes) with Diet Coke
Dinner - Pizza (3 slices) with Diet/Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper
Mood: Good

Check back for tomorrow's results.

-Barbara-
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