173.3 yesterday

i've finally busted through that 175 floor!! Yea!! And, am noticing a marked difference in how i feel since starting the Food Lovers Fat Loss System. We're eating constantly -- because we CAN, and because my body is so ready for food after 2-3 hours, i feel i might literally faint! -- and that in itself seems to have ramped up my metabolism. I love the kinds of snacks we're allowed to have, love that i can have starchy-carbs in moderation (even sweet treats), and think Tom and i could realistically do some version of this forever.

I feel very optimistic about this...but am worried that my expectations are too high. I've had remarkable results with many different 'plans" (Low-fat, Atkins, Sommersizing, Protein Power Plan, etc) -- but this plan makes the most sense to me. We're eating mostly organic foods (expensive, but oh well) -- and can have anything we want...in moderation. We just have to combine it with the right OTHER foods; to make a 'fat-loss' meal.

The thing he said (we have CD's to listen to, as well as several books, and workout DVDS) that i like the best is that when your body gets to the point where it's super-hunger within 2-3 hours after your last meal or snack; that means your system is in fat-burning mode. When it's NOT hungry after that amount of time; it's still in 'storing' mode.

So; every time i'm super-hungry after 2-3 hours, i like knowing that i'm burning fat and utilizing all the food i'd eaten a few short hours before, and not storing any of it. He also explained in really simple terms how the body processes glucose/sugars/simple and complex carbs. Imagining this (coz i'm very visual) really helps as well; and makes it even more clear as to why cardio helps so much with fat-loss.

He explained it like this; when we eat carbs and insulin is secreted, it (the insulin) acts like an Usher. It "ushers" the glucose/sugars into the cells where it's carried into the blood-stream, and taken to one of 3 places for 'use'.

1) the liver. If the liver has room, and isn't already full of glucose; it'll accept the new glucose. If not...it goes to

2) the muscles. If the muscles are emptied of glucose/glycogen (ie; glycogen depletion) --then they will accept this new supply of sugars. They become emptied thru exercise and use --which is why cardio is so great when partnered with this kind of diet. BUT; if the muscles are still too full, because they haven't been USED for exercise -- then it goes to...

3) fat cells. The fat cells are NEVER, never, never too full to accept more -- and will continue to accept any and all that are brought to them. Hence; an infinite number of fat-cells ready to be filled.

This visual picture really helps me to understand the importance of 'burning calories thru exercise'...and why i'm going to go for my walk and ride my bike today! :o) The more emptied my muscles are of excess glucose; the more that can be stored there -- for muscle building, and to simply keep any excess OUT of my fat-cells, which -- let's face it; are already full enough!!

When i think about it and remember back to the days when i lost the most weight, quickly and easily (i keep thinking about when i lost 35 lbs in about 6 weeks back in '92) -- i was eating every 2-3 hours (tons of grapefruit -- several times a day), drinking a ton of water, using my stair-climber every night (min 5x's a week) for 60 mins, and eating whole-foods. I didn't abstain from sugar, but i didn't take in a lot of it.

That was when i actually felt the healthiest in my life. I rarely got sick, my skin and hair looked great, and i was the size/shape i wanted to be.

That's what i have in my head now. I don't need to weigh 110 lbs like i did in high-school. I want to retain my curves and boobs...getting back down to 130 (43 lbs away -- 60 lbs total from the 'start' in Jan, 2010) will suit me just fine!

IF my body, just by virtue of being fed properly and healthfully, naturally goes to a lower weight...that'd be fine. But i won't force it.

Yep! I feel very optimistic. I feel like i can do this...and not feel like i'm giving anything up. Once the 21 Day Induction Phase is over (16 days to go) -- there will be very few restrictions. Looking forward to just feeling in control and watching that scale drop every week. We're not supposed to weigh until the end of our 21 days...i may get one last one in this morning. Am a little afraid i might've gained a lb in the night (always a fear of mine), but i wanna see...

k, will check in later.