Esther’s Weight Loss Journey: Progress Report #8
Esther is entering the 8th week of her weight loss journey. She lost another 3 pounds last week! Her weight is now 136, down from her staring weight of 148. This is rather suprising considering her difficult holiday weekend. Esther, like most of us, experienced a lot of temptation at her family’s Greek BBQ on Sunday. See her food records below. The leftovers carried on to the next day!
As I mentioned in my last progress report, a change on the scale does not always correlate with how you did on your eating and exercise plan for that week. This is because on some weeks the body holds onto water and the scale doesn’t drop (even though you may have followed your eating/exercise plan 100%). On other weeks when you didn’t follow it so closely, the scale drops because for some reason your body released water. Esther’s week is an example of this. This week her caloric intake was 1600 and she lost 3 pounds, whereas last week she stuck to her calorie goal of 1300 and her weight did not change.
My interview with Esther:
Martha: I know last week you were a little bit nervous as to how you would handle your family’s BBQ. How do you think you did?
Esther: I did ok - much better than if I were not being “watched” on CGB, but it was still really difficult as there was so much food around (my favorites!). However, my brother & niece were on guard and watched me at the BBQ, my Mom made me healthy food to take home for the week ( chicken w/ okra, spinach w/ chick peas…) and my father made me a huge chopped salad for the week.
Martha: That’s great - sounds like your family is being really supportive
Martha: Aside from the BBQ, did you encounter any other problem situations last week?
Esther: Can’t have pistachio’s in the house, too addictive
Martha: You aren’t alone - many people can’t control their portion of nuts. It is too bad because they are so healthy. However you are best off not keeping problem foods in the house!
Martha: Are you getting any comments from other people with regards to how you look? Are your clothes fitting differently?
Esther: I have been getting comments from people that I look different. Pants that were skin tight now feel loose.
Martha: I know are trying to be very careful with what you eat and drink. What do you miss the most? 
Esther: I miss having a cocktail at night after a long day. Especially in the summer when it is so hot, Pelligrino has been my drink of choice but would like some vodka or a cool glass of wine as well… (Pic is of Esther’s good old days with indulging in a martini(s) )
Martha: Any potential problem situations for the upcoming week?
Esther: This week should be smooth, I will probably have dinner out at least one night However, last month I had really bad PMS cravings. It is that time again….
Did Esther meet her goals from last week?
| Esther's Goals for Last Week | Did Esther Meet Her Goals? |
|---|---|
| 1. Continue 1300-1400 calories | No - calories averaged 1500-1600 |
| 2. Continue with 2 alcoholic drinks a week | Yes - only had 1/2 a Corona beer this week! |
| 3. Be very careful at the BBQ | Hmmm... not so great - but better than she would have if not being "watched" |
| 4. Try to have 1-2 fruits a day | Yes |
| 5. Increase your intake of veggies at night | Yes |
| 6. Find a way to increase your walking now that Zoe (the dog she was dogsitting) went home | Yes. She went to several different locations of Equinox gyms which caused her to walk more |
| 7. Continue with the 3-4 cardio sessions, 2 personal training session and one pilates session a week | Only one training session but did more cardio (4 spinning classes -yeah!) and one pilates |
| 8. If you’re not taking a multivitamin and a calcium supplement, you should do so. | Yes, she is taking a multivitamin and calcium supplement |
Four days of Esther’s food records:
Monday, June 30, 2008
Breakfast
special K, w/1/2 banana low fat milk
Lunch
chicken w/panko crust in pam
zucchini in tomato sauce
1 cup brown rice
2 kirby cucumbers
1 sm piece feta cheese
Dinner
grilled salmon / w. mustard on the side
steamed broccoli w/ olive oil & lemon
30 pistachio nuts
watermelon
Thursday July 3, 2008
Breakfast
iced coffee
4 oz 2 % cottage cheese
Lunch
sm can tuna in olive oil
tomato, basil, fresh moz. oil & vinegar
Dinner:
1/4 lb boiled shrimp, 1 tbs lite taramasolata
1/2 rib eye steak
sm portion cole slaw (lite mayo, vinegar, salt&pepper)
1 plum 
1 nectarine
6 rice crackers
1 sm piece choc (trade show) (pic is of Esther, her cousin and his partner at The Fancy Food Show last week)
Saturday July 5, 2008
Breakfast:
2 hard boiled eggs
2 sliced ham
1 tomato
Snack
banana
Lunch/BBQ:
2 diet cokes
1 sm spinach pie
5 Israeli pickles
1 lamb skewer
1 chicken leg
hot dog w/o roll
sm serving cole slaw, potato salad
1 tablespoon orzo
1/2 corona
sm serving fruit salad
1 macaroon w/ chocolate
sm bite of greek pastry
sm bite of Birthday cake
Snack
sm serving fruit salad
Sunday July 6, 2008
Breakfast
iced coffee
1/2 bialy w/ 1 tsp cream cheese & nova lox
Lunch
1 tomato & 1 avocado w/ 1 tsp olive oil & lemon
2 pieces CRUSTLESS quiche, zuchini, cheese
Dinner
mixed salad w/ olive oil & vinegar
1 chicken leg
1 hot dog w/o roll
4 cubes of lamb kebab
spinach w/ chickpeas, lemon
1 sm bite of greek pastry
My comments on Esther’s food records:
1. She averaged 1600 calories, mainly due to the BBQ and some other high calorie foods.
2. Once again, she had a few low calorie days that helped to offset the higher calorie days.
3. Good job with adding in more fruits and veggies.
4. I am curious as to what your portion sizes are of the mozzarella cheese and olive oil. I would recommend that you weigh the cheese on occasion and measure the oil into a measuring spoon.
5. Excellent job with the minimal alcohol intake!
Esther’s goals for this week:
1. Continue with 1300-1400 calories
2. Continue with 2 personal training sessions, one pilates session and 3-4 intense cardio sessions. Find a way to increase your walking (since you are no longer dogwalking)
3. 2 alcoholic beverages this week
4. Be prepared for potential PMS cravings. If you have a strong urge for something sweet, stick to small portions, such as 100 calorie packs or a diet ice pop. Ideally, anything under 100 calories for snack. Download my Snack Survival Guide (on the right) for more ideas. Keep bulk trigger foods out of your apartment (i.e. a box of cookies). Make sure you have adequate protein at meals and don’t skip healthy snacks. Going too long without eating can lead to low blood sugar which can increase cravings.
Good luck and keep up the great work!
Share This Tags: BBQ, food record, Greek, Weight Loss, wine
she handled it better than she would have if she weren’t on CGB. Esther said that her “brother was like a hawk. He wouldn’t let me have another mini meatbaIl that I was eyeing - and then had me do 20 minuntes on his elipitical machine after the brunch since I wasn’t getting to the gym that day !!” Way to go Esther’s brother! (We’d like a pic of you!) (Pic is of Esther dogsitting Zoie in the Hamptons)
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