Starting Phase II...

I did it! I have successfully completed Phase I of The Fat Smash Diet and 9 days of detox. This was the most difficult phase to complete according to the book, so I feel good that I was successful with it on the first try - it was determination that pulled me through!

After about six days I started feeling better overall and no longer missed caffeine. I haven't had any uncontrollable cravings and the only adverse side effect is that my blood glucose numbers have been running a little low (for those that are not aware I am an insulin dependant Type 1 diabetic). There have been a few occasions that the numbers were under 80 and things got a little scary. Healthy range is between 80 and 140 with my target being 120. I'm learning that as a healthy diabetic I cannot go ANYWHERE without being prepared; supplies, glucose tablets, and testing meter. I got a little lazy in the past about carrying my supplies because it's been so long since I've experienced low blood glucose levels.

The diabetes has played it's role in my weight over the years, both because a side effect of taking insulin is weight gain and also because I feared low blood glucose levels so much that I chose to eat more high carb/high sugar foods than my body needed to keep my levels a little higher and avoid having lows. I have come to realize the foolishness of that behavior. I have an arsenal of tools and technology to help me maintain healthy blood glucose levels and I just need to learn how to balance everything out. So it seems I'm not only changing my relationship with food but also how I manage my diabetes.

Despite living with a disease that seems to work against me at times in my battle to lose weight I know it can be done. It may take longer and be harder for me than it is for the average person, but my success will show that I am double- determined and twice as strong. Let me be a role model for overweight diabetics everywhere!

PHASE II: FOUNDATION

Now I am starting Phase II of The Fat Smash Diet plan. This Phase will last for three weeks and it focuses on building the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. As in the previous phase, there is no limit to the amount of fruits and vegetables I can consume (with the exception of avocados and white potatoes). However, the purpose of this phase is to reintroduce many of the foods that were not allowed during detox: lean meats, seafood, cheese, cereals, and coffee!

Funny thing about coffee, now that I am allowed one 10 ounce cup of caffeinated coffee per day I don't feel as though I need it anymore. Not to say I won't ever go back to regular coffee, but at least for right now I feel good without caffeine in my system and I've come to far to jump back into it now. I bought decaf coffee at the store and have been enjoying that instead. It's hard to believe I'm off caffeine dependency!!!

At this point in my diet it's important for me to remember as I reintroduce some of my favorite foods that this is about SMASHING the bad habits of the past and building good habits for the future. Now is not the time to undo all of the progress I've made in Phase I.

I must continue to be physically active, stay away from fried foods, and maintain a regular eating schedule of 4-5 meals per day and portion control. There's no need to overeat when you know you'll be re-energizing yourself in no more than a couple of hours!

CURRENT STATUS

Okay, I know you're wondering about the results from Phase I... so here it is!

Fitness test at the beginning of Phase I:

It took 27 minutes for me to walk one mile; I could do 5 push-ups before having to stop; 18 sit-ups in one minute; 20 squats before having to stop; and sitting on the floor with legs out straight I could stretch 19 inches towards my feet.

Weight and Body Mass Index (measurement of the percentage of fat on your body; referred to as BMI) at the beginning of Phase I:

248 lbs / 47 BMI

Weight and BMI at the beginning of Phase II:

242 lbs / 46 BMI

I've lost six pounds and reduced my Body Mass Index by one point!!! I'm off to a great start and my motivation level is high right now. My weight loss goal for next weigh-in is three pounds. I will be weighing myself once every two weeks from here on. I will repeat my fitness test in Phase III.