Lean for Life: Week 1

So a few of you have heard that I started a new program this week. Several months ago I bought a Groupon for a 6 week weight loss program through Lindora Medical Clinics. The program is medically supported and run by doctors and nurses.

I made my appointment last friday to have my first consultation. Where they explained about the programs ins and outs. This is not just a six week weight loss program. Similar to Atkins and South Beach and several other diets out there it is supposed to be a life change, not just a mini adventure. They weighed me and determined my BMI. Which on friday I was 194.9lbs and my BMI was at 38%. Bad and Bad, anything over 25% is considered Overweight. Anything over 30% is considered Obese.

Truthfully it's been so long since I was at a normal BMI I've forgotten what it looks like. When I look in the mirror sometimes I think that I look ok. I've always been one of those woman who imagines herself skinnier than she really is. Which you'd think would be a good thing, but it makes it very hard to motivate myself to lose weight. And in short, the extra weight is slowly killing me. It's abusing my joints, arteries, and organs. Not to mention you get tired of buying new clothes just because the old favorites don't FIT anymore.

So back to Lindora, they base their program on you personally. Friday, I had blood drawn so they could run tests to check my vitamin count and my cholesterol, hormones, etc. Monday I went in for my official consultation with the Doctor. Who talked to me about my eating habits, my exercise habits, and how I have been feeling. He made several recommendations as far as additional vitamins I should be taking. Which actually lined up nicely with what my General Practicioner had told me. I have to track everything that I eat daily, but instead of counting calories I am counting carbs. The first four days were Protein Days, then I started on the regular eating plan. The reason they have you start out with those first four days is that they want you to jump start your metabolism. Besides the counting of carbs I am also peeing on a indicator stick that shows whether my body is burning fat. Based on the color of the indicator stick the nurse in my weigh-ins adjusts the amount of carbs that I am allowed to have. Also it lets you know if something you ate had too many carbs for your body to handle.

Additionally, I get a shot of vitamin B whenever I go to weigh in, which can be anytime during the week as long as I go in twice. Or I can pay extra and get a Booster shot, which is a much higher dose of vitamin B. The Booster shots are not very pleasant to get but are great for boosting your mood and help with water retention.

I've lost a total of 3.5 inches and 10.9 lbs so far. Crazy as that sounds. Wooohoo yay for the weight finally coming off!