5DPT DONE!
This wasn't too bad, except for the extreme need for Peanut Butter and Cheese early out. Barring the adulterous affair with the Fat Free Cool Whip on Days 2 and 3, I stuck to it.
I feel like I accomplished something, whether it was to re-christen my pouch or just break bad habits--it's over, and this is the result:
Monday Morning Weight: 256
Saturday Morning Weight: 252
I dropped 4 pounds! Absolutely awesome. I fluctuated during the week down as low as 250, but I've hovered at 252 for a couple of days now, even with all the protein I ate, and the virtual protein binge on Day 3.
I did not go to the gym on Wednesday or Friday. Wednesday I exercised at home some and mowed the yard. Friday we went to look at cars. I'll hit the gym tomorrow though.
I'm going to try to do at least one day a week, maybe two, of all liquids...perhaps Monday and Thursday. I did really well just doing fluids during the day and it wasn't hard. I got in just as much protein as I normally would when eating and I think it would be a good habit to get into.
While I don't eat a lot of carbs anyway since the surgery, I was extremely aware of "mindless" grazing that I've evidently gotten back into the habit of. Sure, it's a piece of cheese here or a protein bar there, but I noticed very quickly that when bored, I go looking for something to chew. Not being able to do that this week gave me a crystal clear view of that habit and I hopefully can be more cognizant of controlling it.
There were times when I felt the pouch over this week, but I'm not convinced that I "shrunk" it or that it's working any better than it was last week. I knew going into this that the pouch test isn't about weight loss, but better habits, and that's exactly what I was shown. My pouch didn't shrink, I didn't lose 25 pounds, and I didn't grow breasts on my back. The test, like the pouch, is just another tool--but it's one I feel like worked quite well in tandem with the pouch, and I'd certainly do it again. (Just as soon as I'm done with this jar of peanut butter sitting here beside me.)
All in all--a good week.
Thanks to everyone for the support and commiseration!
How awesome is it that we can meet online and do this kind of stuff?
-Mike