You can take it with the paper...

by Glen A.

I’ve been back on the Smart for Life weight management system since Monday, January 5.

The shock to the system in this reboot was not anything like the actual first week, so that’s good. Starting competely over would have been tough.

In fact, something quite interesting has happened, instead. Those blueberry cookies I’ve been loathe to eat are still not flavorful, but they have actually become consumable. In other words, I don’t dread opening up a package of them. I decided I get rid of them all, though, so I ate the remaining packs, four days straight.

I’ve not incorporated the treadmill again, but towards the middle of the week and heading towards the end, I experienced a jump in weight loss. Instead of partial pounds, I dropped 1 lbs. 6 ozs from Wednesday to Thursday, and then another pound from Thursday to Friday. Friday to Saturday amounted to just under 7 ozs. At any rate, that put me at 234 even at the end of the week.

I don’t think anyone, other than the immediately family, has noticed much of a difference. I do have a protruding belly, and while I think that has actually come down a little, I’ve noticed the difference mainly around my waist. Even in this short three week period of time, and weight loss of no more than 11 pounds, my pants fit better and I’ve actually made it out to the last hole of the belt I have, where normally it’s been two holes in from there.

So, progress, despite the holidays. I’m just not four or more weeks into it, like I would have been had I not stopped for 10 or so days.

I should mention I tried another soup, which was chicken again, (they’re all chicken), so no big deal there, but I also tried another bottled shake, this time chocolate. I thought the vanilla I consumed first was decent, but the chocolate was better. To mix these up you add water to the bottle that already has powder inside and then you add syrup from the attached pouch (they hang the pouch around the neck of the bottle).

The downside to drinking a shake is they count in calories the same as two cookies, so theoretically, you go longer without eating. I did add more than 8 ozs of water to it–since water is calorie-free–in hopes of making it fill me for longer, and it kind of worked. I did make it to the next scheduled meal.

I haven’t tried the other pouches of shakes yet. They require some blending of ice, so haven’t quite gotten that adventurous yet.

I did run on the treadmill this morning, since I don’t have to be up so early, and was able to do more or less the same as I was before I stopped off. Right around 1.2 miles in 20 minutes. I think the most is 1.34, so I probably should step it up a little. Since I’m not getting to it regularly, though, I am trying to be cautious. I did feel some cramping in both calves, which is strange, given all the water I’ve been drinking, but it only occurred during the first of the faster stages, and went away after that.

I’m feeling good, clear headed, and glad the blueberry cookies are behind me.

Not remembering which day we discovered it, but Costco has this same 42-day Smart For Life weight management kit on sale now for $199.99. That’s $80 off. The shorter kits are also on sale. Angela’s suggested I go ahead and buy at least two more before the offer runs out, which is January 25, or as long as supplies last. Apparently, the sale has been going on since the day after Christmas.