Marlo Evans

Feeling Good

2010-01-29T12:03:00.000-08:00

I got up and made lunch and dinner to take with me to work. I made chicken salad and took yogurt, cheese, strawberries, apples, and cucumbers. I work late on Wednesdays and didn't want to worry about what to eat.

I have several people telling me how good I look and it makes me a bit nervous. I'm not the type to want anyone to notice me. I like to blend into the background and have the attention on someone else.

Even though I brought all this food all I could think about was the cheese bread from Little Caesars. Better known as ICB. I also was thinking about a chocolate chip cookie. I may want these things but I am getting healthier for me and chose to eat the fruits and veggies I brought.

YUK

2010-01-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning with the worst heartburn I've ever had and if I hadn't known better I would have thought I was having a heart attack. I couldn't catch my breath, sweating, nausea had set in. It took until 11:30 am to get it under control. I had eaten tums like they were candy and went and bought pepcid and it still took 4-5 hours to be comfortable enough to go to work. I am sure it was eating all of those carbs I'm not used to eating, or the Mt. Dew. It tasted so good at the time, but was it worth the inability to function the next day? I'm still on the fence about this one--the joy vs the pain?? The immediate gratification or the aftermath of my decisions??

Lets just say I was very nervous about eating and ate sparingly all day.

Playing with Family

2010-01-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

We had plans to go tubing when church was out. We ended up being later than we thought because we were going to BBQ and I waited to eat and shouldn't have because I was overly hungry when we did eat.

I did hike up and tubed down the side of the mountain about 5 times. I was out of breath each time but had fun and just thought that 2 months ago I wouldn't have been able to have fun with my kids like that. I definitely wouldn't have been able to fit into my snow pants. They were a bit tight but not that bad. I just had a hard time breathing when I had to bend over to put on the snow boots.

Shannon provided all the food which was nice, but a carb lovers dream. Hot dogs roasted on an open fire, chips, cookies, doughnuts, and soda! So, I had a little but of everything then climbed the mountain again and again so I could burn off some of those carbs. I left feeling a bit sick. I am just not used to the high fat and high carbs I have been eating these past few days. You think I'd learn right. Nope, it takes me a bit longer.

Socializing

2010-01-29T11:46:00.000-08:00

We had a party with our friends. It was fun to be cooking and socializing again. We are always eating with socializing. These events scream high fat and high carbs at our house. No wonder I have so much weight to loose...

Traditional ABSolute

2010-01-29T11:44:00.000-08:00

I have been somewhat overwhelmed by the choices I have on the traditional diet. I really feel like I'm eating too much and like I have lost control. There are so many more variable...like I used to eat non fat cottage cheese and now I'm told I need to be eating a bit more fat so I was bumped up to 2% fat cottage cheese. So if I eat that can I still use olive oil or butter to cook or is everything a bit more lean!

I do feel I have more energy and confidence since the weight is coming off. And to see the inches and weight just falling off is such a motivator. I find myself able to run up the stairs where before I got winded just walking up the stairs.

Regrets

2010-01-29T11:40:00.000-08:00

I woke up at about 12:30 am with the worst stomach cramps. I couldn't decide if it was from eating the cheesecake of the flu. I was up about every 1 1/2 hours and then at 7 am all the symptoms were gone. So, I ate breakfast cautiously.

I made the yummiest chicken salad for lunch with celery and grapes!

I am kind of tired and find myself thinking about food more. It has been cold outside and I just feel like baking. Who could I bake fore?

I did measurements again today and I've lost a total of 18 1/2 inches. I had to check twice, WOW!

Party

2010-01-29T11:37:00.000-08:00

I had the kids get the fruit tray ready and a dessert (rice krispies) made while I was gone at work today. When I got home we went to my Parents' party. I ate sensibly again. I had roast, fresh fruit, veggies, and a bit of potatoes. Then, I saw the cheesecake. It called to me until I ate 1/2 a slice. It was so good and had the best texture of any of the things I ate the whole night. After the party we went to a show with the family. I also made cookies for the girls at work today. They LOVED it!!

Still Getting Healthier

2010-01-29T11:33:00.000-08:00

I stopped at Walmart on my way home from work to buy fresh fruit for a party my parents are having tomorrow. I still feel a bit ill.

Day 29

2010-01-29T11:30:00.000-08:00

I started adding in 3 meals a day and 2 snacks. I am struggling to eat that often and I'm starting to feel a little sick. I am not sure if it is from the volume of food or the variety of food...

I went shopping for things I could now eat. I found myself at the store almost unsure of what to buy and left with less than I thought I'd buy.

Day 28

2010-01-29T11:26:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day of eating 500 calories and it is my son's 9th birthday. So, I ate sensibly and ran some errands and did some shopping. I did eat a bit of everything at his party. We did dinner at home and invited his grandparents.

I am kind of nervous to add other food in at this point. Yet, very excited at the same time.

Day 27

2010-01-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

I got the $140 from winning the biggest loser today. I'm not sure what to do with the money so I'll deposit it in our savings account and think about it for a while.

Day 26

2010-01-29T11:15:00.001-08:00

Last day of HCg shots.

Today was the weigh in at work for the biggest loser. I lost 16 lbs (9% of my body weight). That was so exciting to see. And YES I WON. I won $140. Everyone that was doing the biggest loser put in $20.

They did notice that I was mostly eating twigs and berries...

Day 25

2010-01-29T11:13:00.000-08:00

I was at work today so I had Wendy put the meat in to bake and had the kids get the fruit and veggies ready for the party. At the party I split a slice of meat with Wendy and ate mostly fruits and veggies and did taste some other things.

I had a health assessment at work and was down on weight from 2 years prior. I had better blood pressure and my cholesterol level was lower. I just felt better than I used to.

Day 24

2010-01-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

I picked up groceries and meat for a party. I am a bit nervous about portion control, but have planned to eat meat, fresh fruit and veggies and maybe taste a small amount of other things.

Day 21

2010-01-29T11:09:00.000-08:00

I went shopping with my husband today and went out again with the kids to get some good deals. I was again hungry because I didn't pre-plan and bring stuff to snack on.

Day 20

2010-01-29T11:08:00.000-08:00

We left early in the morning to get to NV to be with the in-laws for the holiday. We stopped in St. George to feed the kids breakfast at McDonald's. I ate my cottage cheese and apples while they ate egg McMuffins and pancakes. I did feel a bit left out...until they started reading the wrappers and found out how much fat they were consuming.

I helped get salads ready and even did some shopping for forgotten items. I ate a little of everything, mostly white meat turkey and about 1 tablespoon of everything else and took fresh fruits and veggie. I was more hungry because I ate at different times than usual. We drove home the same day

Day 19

2010-01-29T11:03:00.000-08:00

I worked all day. I am getting a bit more nervous to spend the holidays with my husband's family. I usually bake for this the holidays but I ordered rolls from a bakery so I wouldn't have to bake.

Day 17

2010-01-29T11:01:00.001-08:00

I started back on the HCG shots. I am on the tail end of my period. I worked today and was glad to be on the shots. THey tend to curb the hunger issues.

Day 16

2010-01-29T11:00:00.001-08:00

No shot.

I'm noticing I'm more hungry since I haven't been doing the HCG shots. I am also a bit more shaky. I feel like I need to eat more fruit and cook the veggies. I feel like I need more carbs.

Day 15

2010-01-29T10:59:00.001-08:00

No shot.

Day 14

2010-01-29T10:58:00.001-08:00

No HCG shot today, period started yesterday afternoon. This sucks so bad because without he shots I feel hungrier. But, that could be totally mental on my part. I found it weird that you would have a period when you are injecting pregnancy hormone into yourself. That's one of the upsides of pregnancy, NO PERIOD!!

Day 12

2010-01-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

I found out my friend passed away yesterday at the age of 83. I was sad and wanted to eat my feelings. But, I did not. I kept to the diet.

I find it weird, but interesting, that when life happens, good or bad, I want to reward myself with food. I also find that my incentives for my kids involve food as well. So, I need to change that way of thinking because it won't do me any good in the long run to loose all this weight and then reward myself with a pint of Hagen Daz for every 10 lbs. I loose. Right!

Day 10

2010-01-29T10:52:00.000-08:00

My sister left for home today. I found myself inviting my father-in-law, who had stopped to work in the shop, to eat cinnamon rolls. That way they would be gone faster and I wouldn't have to sit and stare at them.

Day 9

2010-01-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

The weather outside is kind of yucky!! So, that screamed to me got up and make cinnamon rolls. I love baking especially on cold winter days. I hardest part was not being able to taste the frosting melting off the rolls onto the cookie sheet. Usually I slide my finger across the pan and enjoy.

Day 8

2010-01-29T10:49:00.001-08:00

I went bumming with my sister after I fixed them breakfast. She gave me my shot which was easier than giving it to myself. We went shopping and just played. I felt hungrier. I am not sure if it was because I was fixing yummy meals for guests or what.

My dogs got on the counter and tipped over the sheets of cookies and ate them like dog biscuits. I was mad because it was so hard to make them and not eat them in the 1st place! Then, I was a bit happy because then they were gone and I didn't have to sit and look a them.

Day 7

2010-01-29T10:46:00.001-08:00

My sister came to visit with my nephew! They got in late from Colorado. When they got here we stayed up and visited. So, I explained about the diet so I wouldn't have all the questions the next couple of days while they were here.

I had spent a couple of hours baking cookies today because company was coming. And I LOVE to bake for company, it's what I do.

Day 6

2010-01-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

I felt more energy today! Still a little edgy though. I was asked to go to lunch with my co-workers. They were going to Wendy's (the fast food restaurant) to get chili and salads which did sound good, but I told them I brought my lunch. When they got back they asked what I ate and then they saw my cucumbers and apples and said, "You had twigs and berries for lunch eh?". I said, "Yup, I'm on a twigs and berries diet". I only told one girl I was actually doing HCG. So, I guess it won't be long till they all know.

Day 5

2010-01-29T10:40:00.001-08:00

I was glad to have the day off for Veterans Day so I didn't have to explain why I didn't want to go out. It seems like when people find out your on a diet, especially HCG, they start treating you differently and seem to watch everything you do. I am feeling a bit foggy and having trouble remembering things. I also feel tired and can fall asleep fast during the day.

Day 4

2010-01-29T10:38:00.000-08:00

I worked all day today and had a coworker call to see if I wanted her to pick me up a salad from Costa Vida. I said no thanks but was a bit sad. I told her I had brought a shrimp salad with me. That was kind of true but mostly a lie. I did bring 8 oz lettuce and 3.5 oz shrimp and oranges, but no dressing and no butter or cocktail sauce. I forgot my breadstick which was actually a blessing in disguise. It gave me something to munch on while I made dinner for the family and then weigh and cook my dinner. Cooking 2 dinners and having more dishes to wash. I feel buggy, or edgy is a better work. Things that I could ignore are actually bugging me more than they should.

I woke up with a slight headache and I was a bit dizzy at work for a second so I snacked on some oranges. It has been nice to text back and forth with my best friend who is going through the same stuff as I am. We decided to do this together and that has helped having someone I could talk to and ask questions.

Day 3

2010-01-29T10:24:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day on the 500 calorie diet. I thought I'd be so hungry, but then I measured out all my food for the day and seeing it all together I thought, "Wow, are you kidding I HAVE to eat all that!?" I chose to have Chicken, celery, and an apple for lunch and Hamburger, tomato, and strawberries for dinner. It seemed like a ton of food for being only 250 calories per meal. I actually had to eat some of the celery and apple later, like a mid-afternoon snack. I did get tired of my kids asking, "can you eat this?". I did miss my routine of going to the gas station, getting my Mountain Dew and socializing. What a crazy thing to miss. I had to laugh when my good friend called and said he was watching a man cut up mulch and wondered if he could bring me some twigs to eat! I asked if he saw any berries...no such luck. I kid around and call if my Twigs and Berry Diet but it is definitely more twigs than berries.

Out of the blue the Schwann man shows up! He wasn't trying to sell anything, just out showing people items they have on their truck and how they are packaged. Are you kidding me!? Why today of all days!?!

Day 2

2010-01-29T10:14:00.000-08:00

I took some body measurements today. I also started weighing out my meat into 3.5 oz portions and wrapped them individually to freeze. This way it will be fast to pull them out and defrost. Then, I sectioned off a small shelf in the fridge and showed my kids so they wouldn't eat out of the containers I had already pre-measured. I also showed them where I'd put extras for them.

Giving myself the 2nd HCG shot was harder than I thought it would be. I guess I knew when I would be poking myself.

Yeah for the fat load! I went to dinner at Carrabba's with Wendy again. I had the Rosa Pollo Maria and Garlic Mashed Potatoes and bread!!!

Day 1

2010-01-29T10:05:00.000-08:00

I found out that we get to fat load for 2 days. So, I figured I'd go out and get food that I'd really miss. Wendy, my friend, and I went shopping at Costco to stock up our fruits and veggies. While I was there I couldn't pass on the huge Costco Chocolate Cake! After all, they did say FAT load. We finished shopping for approved meats and veggies and then went to dinner at Outback and shared a delicious meal of Chicken, ribs, and garlic mashed potatoes-YUMMY!

2010-01-12T19:41:00.000-08:00

Age: 39
Weight to lose: 60 pounds
Height: 5'3"

Marlo is married with four children. Marlo's weight was never an issue until after she started having children. While working two jobs and playing taxi-mom for her kids, she has little time to dedicate to nutrition. Marlo came to ABSolute with the goal of regaining the energy to accomplish all that is put before her throughout the day.

Biggest obstacle: Breaking old habits and not baking her famous cinnamon rolls on cold days.