Dukan – Consolidation Day 451 of 550

Posted on August 6, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Monday was a PV day.

I commute 70 miles one way to work on Monday and Wednesday. I’m dedicated to the work that my fellow midwife Miriam does, and therefore have a part-time job as the administrator there. It’s fun, hectic, crazy, loud, beautiful, frustrating and awesome there.

Breakfast: Dukan pancake and cup of coffee
On drive: 500 mL water
Lunch: Spinach & arugula salad with chicken chunks, 500 mL water
On drive: 1000 mL water
Dinner: 2 lean pork chops with broccoli
Snack: FF Greek yogurt with splenda and flax seed meal

Exercise: 25 minute walk + 20 minutes of yoga

Today is a work at home day and lunch with a friend. I hope everyone is having a good week so far!

Ciao!

Dukan – Consolidation Day 449 of 550

Posted on August 4, 2013 by flamidwyfe

I can’t believe that I’ve been in Phase 3 aka Consolidation for 449 days! And that I’ve maintained my weight loss! And that I’m still wearing size 8 jeans and pants. And that it’s almost been 2 years since I started this journey. Time flies. With the exception of a 12 pound weight gain when I went to Australia, I’ve maintained a stable weight between 155 and 165.

Dukan’s True Weight: 165
Starting Weight: 255
Lowest Weight: 144 (I looked to thin at this weight, and decided 155 range was better for me).
Today’s Weight: 158

I’m happy with that. I’m happy with me. I’m happy in general 🙂

I’m walking everyday, sometimes twice! And I’ve started Couch to 5K again, because Tiffany wants to do it. I amped up my workouts….

Ignore that personal best pace… Sometimes RunKeeper screws up, lol.

Breakfast: 2 eggs
Snack: FF Greek yogurt
Lunch: 2 lean sirloin burgers with grilled onions (of course no bun)
Dinner: 4 pork spare ribs and asparagus spears steamed
Snack: FF Greek yogurt with Splenda and 2 Tbs flax seed meal

Water: 3+ liters
Exercise: Walk in morning (4.7 miles), 45 minutes of yoga, moved all boxes out if my 5×10 storage unit to get to the desk in the back and moved them back in.

Some pic from my walks this week:

KAPONE TUCKERED OUT AFTER 1 HOUR WALK!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Ciao!

Dukan – Consolidation Day 400 or so

Posted on July 15, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Wow, what a few very busy weeks! I am working 4 part time jobs, so time for breathing, much less blogging, is in short supply!

I’m working at the birth house 2 days a week, teaching midwives to be at the college 1 day a week, running my billing business with my daughter 1.5 days a week and teaching seminars and workshops on the weekends!

4th of July was fun! Fireworks riverside in my home town and a move from my small apartment to a big house to accommodate my daughter Tiffany and her husband and kids.

One of my rooms is being set up with a studio and I plan on offering childbirth education, nutrition and exercise education, yoga, massage and other complimentary therapies from there. I also have a good sized pool and plan on offering aqua natal classes, as well.

12th of July was my middle child Jenni’s 30th birthday. I’m still in my 40’s (49) and have two kids in their 30’s I love it!! We had a wonderful Outback Steakhouse dinner together.

I’m back to running and I’m happy about that. My daughter has a boxer mix named Kapone and he’s my running mate 😀 I’m doing interval running and building back up my distance. The area I live in is the only hilly area in south Florida! And they are little hills, but hills none the less. I’ve also been doing a lot of bicycle riding. So the really good news is I’m back under my True Weight 😀 WOO HOO!!! Even though I was eating well, staying gluten free and eating minimal replacement foods, I was struggling with getting my Australia weight off. The problem was I wasn’t getting enough fiber, water OR exercise!! I put all 3 back in and it’s come off. I’m very happy!

I’ve been honored to serve a few women the past month or so at their births and the wonder of it stills overwhelms me. I love that after nearly 20 years in this business I still tear up, get goosebumps and am elated when a baby comes earth side. How fortunate am I to be blessed with such a great task in life?

And finally, a prayer answered, so quickly and clearly I almost missed that it was answered. On Friday night I prayed for clarity on a friendship. I got the answer 8 short hours later when said friend violated one of the moral and ethical codes friends just don’t violate. And even though they wanted to maintain our friendship I couldn’t because of who I am. I’m mourning the loss of that friendship, but I’m grateful that my prayer was answered and I now know that I’ve freed myself up for better things to come and I’m so excited about that! Lesson learned: God does answer prayer, we just need to have our eyes and ears open to hear the answer 🙂

Here’s some pics from the past few weeks:

View during morning walks:

Bargain on gas using our Winn Dixie grocery store fuel perks card!!

Best coffee ever, the old fashioned way!

My new bedroom…

Kapone and I, out for a ride…

Sofia using one of our moving boxes for a sofa 🙂

Love my job!!!

And Sofia before church this morning… When everyone else was still sleeping, she snuck in the kitchen while I was quietly sipping my first cup of coffee and asked if I would do her hair…

Time flies by…

Posted on May 1, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Can’t believe how fast time goes between posts! Nick is home. He still has the PICC line in and is receiving home nursing care for his medication and dressing changes. He’s still in quite a bit of pain from his incision, but healing and much better!

I’ve done a lot of walking the past couple of weeks. Long walks on my days off 7-8 miles most of those mornings and then 3 mile walks at night on the days that I work. I also got in a bike ride this past weekend.

Weight is about the same. A bit frustrating to say the least 😦 I am eating per Dukan/Paleo so it’ll come off.

That’s my update… I hope everyone is having an amazing week!

Ciao!

What a Week and a Half

Posted on April 23, 2013 by flamidwyfe

It’s been 10 days of up and downs, but things are improving!

Last Sunday a bike ride after church and then a drive 70 miles north to Melborne to visit Nick in the hospital. Very sick, my boy 😦 He had surgery for this unknown infection in his left leg at 0700. Ask for prayers for healing… so many responses… THANK YOU!

Monday drive 70 miles south to job at the birth center. Call on my drive home, Nick being rushed back into surgery after spiking at 104.6 temp.

Tuesday drive 70 miles north to see Nick. Things not looking good. Surgeon says he may have to amputate to save Nick’s life. Lots and lots of prayer and healing energy, lots of emails and messages on facebook… my friends are AWESOME! Still no work on what this infection is.

Wednesday. Drive 70 miles south to birth center drive. In the late afternoon we’re told that it’s Group G strep… I’ve never heard of it. Conversation with my friend Julie so positive and full of light. Great suggestions! She also sends texts which I forward to Nick. I go to my Wednesday night bible study and everyone asks how Nick is… prayers said, uplifted by everyone’s spirit and positivity. Go to wifi cafe to read up on this G strep and it doesn’t look good. The first study I read 1 in 5 die. 2 of the 4 that survive have amputation. I decide to meditate on his leg and body being WHOLE. I went home, tucked Sydnie into bed and went for a 45 minute run… forgot to set the RunKeeper, but think it was about 3 miles total.

Thursday… NO IDEA WHAT I DID… LOL Oh wait! Tiffany and I ran the billing business all day… sheesh, I have NO BRAIN! Nick got his PICC line. That is an indwelling catheter in his subclavian artery so they don’t have to keep poking him for blood draws and resticking for IVs every 72 hours. Nick will be receiving long term antibiotics through this port for approximately a month.

Friday… Drive 80 miles to my college teaching job. Had a GREAT class. I really, really love teaching midwifery. LOVE IT. Then 10 miles north to the birth center to hook up with my girls and a 180 mile drive across the state to the west coast to see the mother of US midwifery Ina Mae Gaskin’s film premier and a meet and greet with her. Thank you boss lady, Miriam, for the trip… you’re the best… I still think the highlight of the trip was the stop at the TACO TRUCK in the middle of nowhere (South Bay) on the way over. FYI: I only ate the pork with the onions and cilantro… yum!!! Then 180 miles back to the birth center, where I spent the night, exhausted!

Saturday… Drive 70 miles north to home. Catch up on housework, saw the grandkids, did a nice bike ride. Nick improving. Doc cautiously optomistic. No temp over 100 for 3 days!!! Woo hoo!!!

Sunday… rode my bike to church 4.25 miles. Then rode it home, but took the long way…

Gorgeous day for a long bike ride!

My butt hurts, LOL. But it was a GORGEOUS ride! Lots of time to think and not think and just enjoy the wind in my hair. Nick update… surgeon says Nick is doing so well, he MIGHT go home this week! Last Tuesday he told him he’d be in hospital for at least 3 weeks! He will keep his PICC line in and continue on the long term antibiotics, but be at home. This is awesome news!

Monday… 70 mile drive to birth center job. It’s EARTH DAY and we’re celebrating. So much fun! Nick is still doing well and is waiting on news whether he gets to go home this week.

On the Dukan front… I’m eating very well, but my weight isn’t budging. I was starting to get VERY discouraged, but had a pep talk with myself. I know the Dukan Diet works… I mean everyone that follows this blog knows that. I also know that stress causes cortisol levels to rise, which makes it difficult to lose weight… I’m thinking my cortisol levels are through the roof this past week and a half 🙂 My weight is 164. I’ll take that, for now. I’m focusing on my boy and that’s what is important. I’ll just keep eating right and it’ll happen.

So that’s the update. Waiting on word on whether he is going home today. My mom and sis are on the way there now. I’ve been skyping him on days I can’t be there. And I am so grateful for the technology that we have!

Skyping with Nick

My bike… a gift for which I’m grateful 🙂

Ina Mae Gaskin at her movie premier.

So that’s my week… what have you been up to? How is your exercise and food choices going?

Ciao!

Dukan – Cosolidation Day 333

Posted on April 9, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Monday was a travel LOTS day 🙂

Drove the 70 miles to work after having a nice breakfast of 2 scrambled eggs with a half sauteed onion.
Angie took this pic of me… I need to get back out and run… thighs are looking a little thick!!

Work Monday 4/8/13

Lunch was 3 slices of rare roast beef… YUM! And a couple of cups of coffee.
Snack: 2 boiled eggs
I then raced north to get Sydnie from after school care and picked her up dinner then raced back south 35 miles to teach a class at a hospital. Had a great time meeting a few couples that are now more prepared to have a good birth experience!
Then the drive home at 9 p.m…. forgot to eat dinner!!! So I had a FF Greek yogurt with splenda and flax seed.
I then went out for a quick walk before bed.

Water intake: 2700 mL
Exercise: 25 minute walk 😦
Weight Friday: 168
Weight Monday: 167 Argh!

I did take a 6 mile bike ride along the ocean road on Sunday morning and it was glorious… perfect weather! Glad I’ve got the bike in working order.

Ciao!

Dukan – Consolidation Day 330

Posted on April 6, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Friday was a travel south day. I went to my friend Janice’s to help her out with some office stuff and to get filled up on friendship. I love hanging out with her. I got a lot of work done.

I also chatted via IM with Cathy and we’re going on a conference cruise next February. I’m DUPER excited about that. It will be our 3rd cruise together.

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, bacon and coffee
Lunch: shredded pork and a handful of jalapeño cheese cubes
Snack: Cottage cheese with flaxseed meal
Dinner: Arabic food: mixed grill (chicken, lamb, filet Mignon) Yummy dinner!

Then home at 11 pm and to bed.

Weight, same as yesterday 168. My friend Cathy is pulling ahead!

Ciao!

Dukan – Consolidation Days 328 & 329

Posted on April 5, 2013 by flamidwyfe

The week is going well!
Wednesday is a workday in Delray… Commute of 70 miles. I listened to a couple running podcasts while driving for some inspiration.

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs with ham. 700 mL water, coffee
Mid-morning: 500 mL water, coffee
Lunch: 1 boiled egg, chicken breast, 500 mL water
Afternoon: 20 Oz Coke Zero
Dinner: Eggs and bacon (Sydnie requested)
Evening Snack: FF Greek yogurt with Splenda and flaxseed meal
45 minute fast walk at 8 p,

Thursday a day off. Spent the morning at Panera’s and catching up with friends by phone. Spring cleaning of my apartment and finished a novel in the afternoon. Nice and relaxing.

Breakfast: Fried egg and bacon
Lunch: 3 slices roast beef and FF cottage cheese
Dinner: Pork shoulder steak and onion with curry powder… Yum
Snack: FF Greek yogurt with Splenda and flaxseed meal
Total water: 2 liters

Dinner…

I hope everyone is having a great day!!

Ciao!

Edited… Forgot the weights, lol
Wednesday: 169
Thursday: 168
Down 5 pounds from Sunday 🙂

Australia Wrap Up & a Dukan Update

Posted on March 31, 2013 by flamidwyfe

So, we’ll start out with my wild adventure down under 🙂

I stayed 3 full days after the baby was born. On Saturday I went snorkeling with a group from MeetUp.com. And had an awesome time. Great way to wrap up 4 weeks in Adelaide.

I then rented a car and started out on the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne. It was a long, but lovely 700 mile drive.

Fun things to see…

Then I got to Melbourne and stayed a few nights with Kay. A Scottish midwife I met in Abu Dhabi. We went for a long walk and lunch down by the water…

The second night we met Melissa a Kiwi midwife I met in Abu Dhabi and Jax, a friend of a friend for a Thai fusion dinner…

Then it was off to Malua Bay to see Gen, Dean and Gracie. I met this lovely family in Abu Dhabi, as well…

We hiked, went to the zoo, BBQd breakfast at the sea, hiked some more, burned a bonfire, FUN!

Then off to Sydney to meet up with Gail. Gail was my trainer in Abu Dhabi and my neighbor. And she is one of the funniest people I know. She invited me up for “tea” one night and so I ate dinner and went up to her flat only to find that “tea” is dinner. She’s called me Dickie since then… I’m sure it’s derogatory, but she says it with sarcasm and love at the same time 😀

We drove from Sydney to The Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, in 16 hours… Long ass day, but wonderful company! She lives about 30 minutes from Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo!! We went with Gail’s daughter Olivia and her wee little man, Angus. What a fun day!

And after cuddles and see ya laters, it was time for my 6 week Australia Adventure to come to a close. I flew out of Brisbane with ZZ Top, no kidding. On my second favorite plane…

And, no, I didn’t get pics of ZZ Top, I try to think how I’d feel if people were interrupting me for pics.

And now I’m home a week. It’s Easter. I had a lovely day with my mom and Tiff, Joey and ALL the grandkids at church and then a wonderful dinner at Jenni and Chris’ house.

Now my update. I’ve gained 18 pounds since I’ve come back to the States in September. 9 of them in Australia. The first 9 creeped up. I’m freaked out. My clothes still fit, but are snug. I noticed my undies were snug last week and couldn’t imagine what was up. Then I got on the scale. I have stayed gluten free. In Australia I logged more miles on my RunKeeper app than any other 6 weeks in the past year. I hiked almost every single day! i swam and snorkeled. I climbed a freaking mountain!!!

I’ve done a few things that I need to rein in… 1. Too much full fat cheese. 2. Replacement foods (in Australia I splurged on GF pretzels, muffins, crackers… One night I ate GF crackers with organic honey!!!) 3. Wine. I’ve had a couple glasses a week, which is a lot for me. Moscato… Damn you, Cathy Cook! LOL

So, starting tomorrow, I’m doing 4 days of attack and then alternating PP (Pure Protein) and PV (Protein Veggie) days until it’s off. And I’m going to blog EVERY.SINGLE.DAY… To hold myself accountable and to get the support I need from all of you.

So, I’m back… Daily posts. Looking forward to getting back on track!

Ciao!

Dukan – Pure Protein Thursday

Posted on February 22, 2013 by flamidwyfe

Consolidation Day 286 😀
Weight: 151 lbs/68.5 kgs

Thought I’d throw a Dukan PP day out there! I’m still going strong. Sticking mostly to the Consolidation plan.

Breakfast: 2 eggs fried in coconut oil, 250 mL water
Mid-morning: 4 slices of the yummiest bacon and a cafe con leche
Lunch: 2 big slices of roast beef, 500 mL water
Dinner: 3 pieces of baked chicken. Baked the chicken in a TBS coconut oil and sliced 1.5 onions and 4 cloves of garlic… Delish! 500 mL water
Before bed: Fat free Greek yogurt with chia seeds for fiber
Will finish the night off with another 500 mL after my run.

Met an amazing person today at the coffee shop. No seats available so I offered to share my table. I love when you two people wind up in the same place for a reason… I had a wonderful 3 hour conversation… SO NICE TO MEET YOU, STAR 🙂

Went for a walk in Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary. Sadly, this park is closing due to budget constraints. Got to feed and pet and hold hands with a couple of kangaroos and wallabies. So much fun!