Oh I also thought of one other thing. Maybe try what is know as a "Phase 1.5" in which only one fruit and grain are added for a while.

Actually, I am all but giving up grains, at least for a while. Especially the processed ones, like whole wheat. Sad but true. It has been a long thought process - and much reading on current nutritional research - AND trial and error, but I am thinking that the wheat may not be in my best interest any more. I would still eat oats, quinoa, amaranth, brown rice, maybe spelt pasta... and am willing to experiment with sprouted grains.

Fruits, however, I am less willing to give up. I don't eat a lot of them - 1-2/day - and stick to nutritional powerhouses like blueberries and kiwis and oranges, but also grapes, apples, sometimes pineapple or mango ... I think there are a LOT of good things about fruit and as long as the sugar doesn't mess you up, I see no reason not to include them. I would recommend with a protein of some sort - apple with lf cheese or peanut butter, an orange with cottage cheese, blueberries with Greek yogurt, etc.

Thank you everyone for all the tips!... I had a feeling I was missing something that I just couldn't see on my own. Feral, I have never smoked but I do have a feeling that the high BP could be from too much sodium, so it was interesting that Cyndi and a few of you pointed that out. I went back over my SBD log and definitely haven't been reaching 4.5C veggies a day, so I am going to alter my eating and do a phase "1.5" and see if that makes a difference. I am also upping the H20 and trying to watch my salt and BP.

EmmaD, I had given up alcohol for Phase1, but have been having one 4-5oz glass of wine the past few days as I hadn't seen any difference without it and really enjoy it, but you're right, I'll cut it out again :( . Also was your weight loss of 1-2 lbs/month including exercise? That is slightly discouraging but better than the nothing I have right now! Thank you all for the SBD help! I have read such great things about results so here is to another try. I will definitely update in the next few weeks.

Chelsea - about your LOST blog... that is awesome. Do you have episode recaps? I have put off watching this season until I rewatch the last (i always forget what happens it's so confusing!) haha.

lisa, I kind of recap, but it's more my thoughts and theories while watching. It's chelseagetslost.blogspot.com I wish I could wait until the season's over and watch it all at once, that way I wouldn't have to wait between episodes every week! This season has been amazing, I still have no clue how it's going to end, which is so fun.

Hi lisa,
Have you ever had your hormones checked? If you have any menstrual problems I would definitely get my hormones checked. Sometimes women (especially those on the heavier side with cardiovascular abnormalites (ie blood pressure) experience estrogen dominance that can really effect weight loss.

Hi noodles, I have not heard of that, but have been having recent problems with my birth control pills (headaches, nausea on placebo weeks) that I attributed to my pill being tri-phasic, even though it is a low-dosage pill. do you have experience with estrogen dominance? i have started reading about it but don't know much about hormones, i have not had mine checked but being 24 i didn't know i should?