Hello from a new Maintainer!

[Lilygirl]

Hi everyone! I haven't posted on the Maintenance Club board before, and I do notice it isn't as active as some of the other boards, but maybe it's because there are a lot like me who poke their head in, and out again. I thought it's the least I could do to actually post and say HI!

I have been LCing since July, however I only wanted to lose approximately 10-15 lbs. I did a strict Atkins induction, but didn't lose a tremendous amount of weight, but felt a whole lot better and that's worth it in itself. I'm pretty much at goal (I adjusted my goal so that it matched where I was at, because I'm at a good weight and now just want to work on toning up and getting rid of some of the lingering bulges ;)

Would it have been just as good for me to have started on Maintenance, or do people always have to go through an induction phase?

I want to do BFL again because I like the routine of the workouts, but I'm worried about a LC BFL. I've printed off Nat's tips for doing a LC BFL but I don't know if I can do it...it seems so much harder than a strict by-the-book BFL. I am afraid of eating too many carbs now though (don't want those headaches to come back), so I'll give it a try and see how I do.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi to y'all!

Is there anyone else out there who doesn't usually post to the Mainenance Club board, just comes in and out? If so, say hi and let's see how active we can make this board!!!

Lily

[Kathy54]

Hi Lily, I too just found this club a week or so ago, it sure would be nice to see more action here :dazzle:

I tend to check it about every 2nd day, but find I still spend most of my time in the main threads.

Congrats on your weight loss, what sort of carb level are you at now?
I'm anywhere from 20 to 50 and able to maintain. I strongly feel working in a wider range of foods is wise, but the key is "controlling" the servings and daily choices.

Cheers Kathy

[SarahO]

Hi Lily! The book Atkin for Life says that you can start at a maintenance level and then start reducing carbs until you reach a pace of weight loss that you're comfortable with. But there's certainly nothing wrong with starting at induction. The nice thing about induction is it makes your first losses usually pretty big (even if they are mainly water) so you feel enthusiastic about your progress.

I also wish that this forum was more active, but I think people tend to post in other forums because a lot of times the question or comment relates to lots of people, not just those who are already at their goal. Kathy, you can subscribe to a forum and the website will send you email once a day telling you which threads have new posts. If there was nothing new it won't email you that day.

[Kristine]

Hi ladies! Welcome to the club! ;)

I'm in and out of the maintenance club - I just check the main page to see if there are new posts.

[Seto Kaiba]

Hi, Lily. Just hit goal myself, but never thought about posting over here. :rolleyes:
I am with you on the toning and tightening. That's my big focus now.

Congrats on being a maintainer!!!! :Party:

[Kristine]

Hey Seto! Welcome aboard!! :Party:

[Seto Kaiba]

Thanks, Kristine!!

I figure I got the navel ring and I don't want to mess it up. Next is the tattoo. :lol:

:wave:

[Lilygirl]

Thanks for the welcome! I find all the differnent topic groups interesting, I like to hop in and out and see what people are doing and what new "news" is out there. I like learning about the different LC WOL's.

Sarah, thanks for the info on the Atkins for Life book. I am very negligent because I *DO* have it at home, just haven't read it yet. I will read it and see how I can refine my habits and get even better!

Kathy, I'm not really sure what my carb levels are at daily, I would probably say they're around 30, but some days I think they're more, some days less. I think I need to keep them over 30 though because I'm working out more now. I don't want to deplete my muscles!

It was good hearing from you all! It's awesome knowing this is my way of life now, not a "diet"!

Lily

[Kathy54]

Hey look at the action on this site! LOL
I'm just really looking forward to conversing with others who have reached their and and truely excepted this as a way of life, and don't feel deprived of things.
Seto OMG you have done so well!!
Nice to see you here Kristine!
Right Sarah I should make use of those options, 8>)

Cheers all, Kathy

[Juliegilla]

Hi all,

I haven't reached my goal yet, have about 14lbs still to go.

But just thought I'd say that I do check the Maintenance section occasionally, in order to start 'gathering information' ready for the day when I finally do meet my goal!

[Lilygirl]

There is lots of action going on here! I love it! Seto, I just checked out your personal homepage! WOW, that's awesome! I'd love to do a real homepage, but (a) I don't ever seem to have extra time (b) I have NO idea how!! LOL!! I guess (b) really comes before (a) since if I don't even know how, it wouldn't matter if I had the time!! I have some pictures posted on webshots page, but it is only a couple of albums of my vacations and it doesn't really have a homepage.

Do you find that when you're in maintenance you don't think about using Fitday as often as before? I keep forgetting to enter my weekend foods in there. I was OBSESSED with fitday before. I have to be more consciencious about it otherwise maintenance is going to backfire on me and I might let myself get sloppy with my foods.

I bought a really rich, dark, fibrous bread at the market on the weekend. There aren't any carb counts, and I know it isn't technically "LC" bread, but I'm trying to introduce more real whole grains to my diet (it's hard with the LC mindset), so as long as their fiber laden I think that's good right? I used to love oatmeal and cereals as well and wish I could start eating corn flakes again, but those days are long gone (sniff). I know I could add steel-cut oats back because when I was doing BFL that was my breakfast staple (along with cottage cheese blended with strawberries and splenda), but I really want the CRUNCH so soft oatmeal won't cut it I don't think.

Do any of you make your own oatmeal? I have bought flax-o-meal's cherry nutrageous and absolutely love it, but SHEESH it's expensive!

Lily

[SarahO]

Hey everyone, glad to see activity here! Lily, I used to use Fitday religiously but I got really tired of having to measure and enter every bite into my mouth. I didn't like to be so preoccupied with food so I gave up Fitday and feel much better.

I am doing BFL now and have been eating a slice of whole grain bread most days. I look for the ones called "prairie" or "7 seed" or something like that. I haven't made oatmeal yet but I do make my own granola with oats, flax seeds and nuts. Have it with my yogurt for breakfast. That might work if you want something crunchy, I could post the recipe if you want.

[Kathy54]

My favorite breakfast right now is:

Flax meal/oat porridge

4 Tbsp of ground flax meal

2-3 Tbsp of regular oatmeal

1-2 Tbsp of cream cheese

1 Tbsp of N/S jam

In a deep ceral bowl add
Water to cover past about 1/4 inch.

Microwave on about 6 of a full powered Microwave, for 2 mins 30 seconds.

Stir.

You can add finely chopped nuts, such as hazel or almonds, prior to cooking. Or berries after cooking. If you must you can use no sugar syrup to sweeten.

Play with it to get it at the texture you like. I eat this and a protein shake about 2 mornings a week for a fast filling breakfast.

Cheers Kathy

[Seto Kaiba]

Thanks, Lily!!! One day I'll actually learn to make a web page instead of using the templates or making my husband do it. LOL
I've found that I'm not keeping as close tabs on everything as I was. :( Trying to get back to that now!! My biggest struggle is upping the carbs and lowering the fat a bit. I prefer leaner cuts of meat, but I LOVE chicken thighs w/ the crispy skin.

What I've used for Oatmeal is 2 TBS of Flax meal, enough water to get it to the consitancy you like, then sweetner (Syrup or granual), butter and cinnamon to taste. Nuke it for 2 minutes, add a few almonds and it's done!!! (It's good when I have to be up early and I'm too lazy to actually cook something. LOL)


Sarah,
That granola sounds wonderful!! (i've been missing that with yogurt and blackberries. :( ) I would love to get the recipe if you have time to post it!

I bought some Ezekal (sp) bread last week. I'm kind of hesitant to try it, but it's gotta be better than the dinky little Atkins bread slices. :wiggle:

Kathy, I'm definately going to try that recipe! It sounds delishious!!

Have a great day, Maintainers!!!!

[Lilygirl]

Hi again!

Sarah! I would love that granola recipe! Thanks very much! I can't wait to try it, I'm just DYING for some crunchy stuff! Thanks for the tip on types of bread to keep my eyes out for. I used to love one called "squirrely" it was so seedy, but I think it also has honey and/or molasses. DANG!

Mmm, Kathy, your oatmeal sounds really good too. I love that you put jam and cream cheese in it. I'll bet it's very cheesecake-like (crust and all - from the flax and oatmeal!) I've got to give that a try. Now that you're on BFL, do you count your carbs or just make choices based on your knowledge of what things are low-carb, sugar-free and what things are low (or is it high that's better) on the glycemic index?

Seto, OMG, I totally hear you on not wanting to lower the fat now. I love cooking in butter and oil (not spray Pam like I'd always done before) and adding cream and cheese to recipes. OMG and i'm a HUGE fan of skin on meat. I know I should find it disgusting, even hubby hates the skin, but secretly I love it. I even enjoy the fattier parts of red meat. OMG, I'm really bad and can't believe I'm admitting it! DH will cut all his fat off, and so do I, but I "accidentally" leave some on and cut a bit of it with a bite of meat. LOL! It's truly amazing how wonderful full fat sour cream tastes. When I ate fat-free sour cream I thought there really was no difference, now, going back to the REAL DEAL - it's so much better. Same with mayo! I think I'm spoiled now and would have such a hard time lowering the fat in order to eat more carbs. Can we just keep the carbs low and keep eating the extra fats or does Dr. A. insist we move through to maintenance and lower fat and increase carbs?

Have a great day!
Lily

[Seto Kaiba]

Can we just keep the carbs low and keep eating the extra fats or does Dr. A. insist we move through to maintenance and lower fat and increase carbs?


Lily,
I'm going to try it!! LOL For the life of me I CAN NOT tolerate adding certain things in. :( It just sets me off. I need my fat. (My husband is like yours, he thinks that the fats are nasty :lol: )
I'm dropping back down to induction for a few days because I'm feeling totally out of control (And starving all the time!!!!) from what I've added in.

I think that I can live with more fat. :) Fat = Happy! :D

[Kathy54]

Hey we are here waiting for it Sarah :)

The porridge is creamy, but sorry nothing like a cheese cake, :cry:

I no longer count carbs have'nt for 3 months or more, I just know what I can have and how much.

The bread I eat has about 10-11 carbs, wit no flour in it. One slice with butter peanut butter stays with me for a long time, I sometimes almost forget lunch, unless I'm working of course! However, I never skip any meal, it's just a little off schedule thats all :p Like today I did'nt eat lunch til 3pm had a lovely chefs salad :thup:

I still working on building up a wordrobe, funny how I still seem to look at clothes far to big for me, LOL
Cheers,
Kathy

[SarahO]

Hey y'all, sorry I didn't get back to posting right away. OK here's my recipe. I adapted it from Alton Brown (the "Good Eats" guy on Food Network).

1.5 cups rolled oats (not instant)
.5 cup sliced almonds
.5 cup crushed pecans
.5 cup flax seeds
2 scoops whey protein powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Da Vinci syrup (I like maple flavor)
1/8 cup vegetable oil


Combine dry ingredients. Add liquid ingredients and stir to coat. Spread granola in even layer over cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hr 15 min, turning every 15 min.

Yield: 3 cups

Total Calories: 2036~
Fat: 141~ 1269~ 66%
~~Sat: 14~ 126~ 7%
~~Poly: 42~ 378~ 20%
~~Mono: 69~ 621~ 32%
Carbs: 129~ 328~ 17%
~~Fiber: 47~ 0~ 0%
Protein: 83~ 332~ 17%

Works out to 6.8 net carbs for a quarter cup, which is how much I have with my yogurt.

[Lilygirl]

Sarah! Thanks for the granola recipe! I think I have all that too, I can't wait to make it. I always found granola was a good substitute to munch on at the movies instead of popcorn. I love popcorn and miss nibbling during flicks!

Kathy - it is so awesome to actually pick up a bigger size in clothes and tehn have to say to the salesgirl "could you get me a SMALLER size" LOL! Awesome! I saw the pics you posted in your journal and you look fantastic! Way to go! I was going to cook your porridge for this morning, but as usual I was in an eggs mood (I love eggs!) and made them in the microwave with a dollop of cream cheese and a dollop of LC strawberry jam, so kinda similar - Ooohh, Aaahhh! Yum!! :p

Seto, good luck with your re-induction days. Oh no, it seems like there are some triggers coming back in your diet that have been setting you off - good for you for recognizing them! :thup: Have a great day!

Lily

[Kathy54]

Well I got to tell you it has been many years since I have worn white pants!!!

I bought a pair at the hospital 2nd hand store yesterday, they are like a pair of tights, but heavier material, seems brand new, and obviously a very expense brand. My god I could'nt beleive how I looked in them LOL, I came down stairs with them on walked into hubbys office, he took one look and said "wow do those ever look good on you", where did they come from?

Paid $2.00 for them what a deal :thup:
Now if I could only find a few pairs of jeans I like, at a good price :thup:

Sunday I'm going to make some of that granola, as well, I think I'll do a regular batch for the guys, I normally make 2 ice cream buckets at a time.
Think I'll surprise my son and send him a bucket in the mail, he's at UCC in Kamloops for a year. Nice to know he has a good breakfast to start is day.

Cheers Kathy

[mem2]

Wow, I'm really glad to find this Maintainance Club.
I reached my goal in 1999 but still struggle with staying
there. Atkins helps. What can I say, I am addicted
to food, its my drug of choice! But I am more addicted
to being thin, so I won't give in to the food addiction.
I agree, I got so used to the delicious taste of fatty
foods that it would be hard to give them up now. I do a
vegetarian version of Atkins since I have been a
vegetarian for almost 20 yrs.

[mexicosun]

Hello everyone,
I started induction on June 1. I was at 130 pounds. I am now on maintenance at my goal weight of 110. I go up a pound or pound and one half every once in a while but it comes right off. I still watch my carbs. I don't go over 40-45 per day. I will probably keep it like that forever. I have added fresh fruits and vegetables. I feel better and can eat a little more and not gain at all. I am cleaning out the garage for room for weight equipment. When I get that, I will be working hard to build muscle and tone my body. I have always been able to build muscle easily. It makes me feel great. I don't know why I ever got away from it. Just too busy. I'm going to make time now.

[Kathy54]

Hello Mary and Mex ! Nice to see some other maintainers join in here :thup:
It looks like you have done very well.
It's especially nice to hear from someone who has been doing Atkins for that lenght of time Mary :) Good for you, "Addicted to skinny" like that :)

Lily:
called "squirrely" it was so seedy, but I think it also has honey and/or molasses. DANG!

Hey thats from Silver hills bakery, it only has about 18 carbs and almost 5 gr of fibre, I eat there other breads, alittle lower in carbs. They are fantastic!!! Actually my whole family has been eating them for many years, just cause we liked the bread. I buy mine at the McGavins overload store for 1.59 a loaf :thup:
I eat it one slice 3-4x a week with no problem :agree:

Cheers all Kathy

[Lilygirl]

OMG Kathy I love you! LOL!!!
:bhug:
I miss the "Squirrely" bread so much, and when you posted about the other silver hills breads, I looked them up on the internet and I'm now sooooo excited to get to the McGavin's store (we have one of those overload stores too!) and get a bunch of the "Harvest Seed" (sounds a lot like Squirrely - but even has flax and pumpkin seeds for only 15.8 - 4.5 fiber!!!) and "Flax" and "100% Whole Wheat" OMG, I'm so pumped! Even DH is excited - about groceries...this is a first! Well, we haven't had real bread in the house for months so he's ready to go shopping like NOW! LOL!! I'm so glad I mentioned the name of the bread I used to love in my last post so you could tell me this! I just love how I've found you all!!
:yay:
HEY!! Welcome Mary and Mex!! :wave: WHOO HOO!! I'm so glad you're here too! Wow Mary, how do you do Atkins being a vegetarian? I always wondered how the vegetarians do it. I have a girlfriend at work who is a vegetarian and she has to make a conscious effort to get ANY protein in! All she eats are carbs, it's astounding! She's really thin as well, don't know how she does it - good genes i guess!!

I think it's so wonderful that you have been following this WOL for 20 years, Kudos to you!
:clap:
Mex, way to go on the plan to workout! I congratulate you! I am a workout person as well. I never used to be, but I did a couple of Body for Life challenges that made me feel very confident about how to use the machines and weights and made me feel strong and self-assured and like I belonged with the other people in the weight training sections of the gym. I still struggle with cardio workouts. I get bored (no matter what other stimuli I have to keep me preoccupied- TV's, fun music that I love, books on tape, etc.) and I just don't enjoy huffing and puffing and having sweat pour down my back and worst of all...between my *ahem* bosoms (LOL!!) I just HATE that feeling! I thought I'd get used to it and be like one of my friends who LOVES to sweat because it makes her feel like she's working hard, but NO. I have yet to get to that point! Good for you for making the commitment to yourself to treat your body the way it deserves and give it the workout it craves and wants. You'll have awesome results and feel fantastic, just like you used to when you worked out before!

We're here to support you! Gotta love that!

xoxo! Have a great day all!
Lily

[Kathy54]

Hey Lily, glad I made your day, LOL. Hopefully you can get it at the overload, what a savings, eh? I buy it up about 10 loaves at a time and freeze it right away as it has no perservatives. I even keep a loaf at work now in the freezer for emergency's ( butter and peanut butter too of course!) MY guys love the bagels they make also, but I don't bother, they are too high on carbs for me. It always amazes me how filling that bread is, I only ever have one slice and I find myself going past lunch time, before I realize it! ( at home anyways, at work I eat on schedule like a horse, LOL)

Regarding exercise, for me I love Aquasizes, deep water ones :thup: Man what a great toner and cardio to boot. When work slows down I go 3 x week, but it's been a while, I just seem to squeak in once a week if I'm lucky :cry:
Plus I have two dogs two walk, I live a block off the Ocean so it's not a chore to walk there, I feel just as deprived as they do if I can't go! Plus my job is very labour intensive, It's like being at the gym all day!

Cheers, I hope everyone is having a great weekend, I'ts warm and sunny here, gotta love it.
:) :cool: :thup:

KATHY

[Lilygirl]

SarahO! I just finished making your granola and BOY OH BOY! I just love it! I didn't have any maple DaVinci, so I used "Dulce la Leche" which is kind of caramelly and some maple extract and I sprinkled a little cinamon over the top before putting it in the oven. It is so fantastic. I'm going to have to ONLY take 1/4 cup portions to work though because I can see myself nibbling on it until the 3 cups dissapear! Thanks again, it's fantastic!

Kathy! I went to McGavin's today and they told me they get daily shipments of the Silver Hills bread, but not on Sundays, sniff!! I bought another "light rye" bread that had 9g/slice with 1g Fiber, so 8g net/slice! Not bad! I'll make another trip to get my beloved Silver Hills bread though!

Hey, I meant to congratulate you on the white pants :dazzle: WHOA SEXY MAMA! So awesome that DH's eyes were like "mmm, looking good Kathy!" What a deal too!! I used to teach aquasize classes, not too many mind you, but while I was going to high school (13/14 years ago) and after H.S. when I took a year off before University, I worked at a pool full time. I taught swimming classes from parent & tots to preschoolers right to adult learn to swim classes, and I was a lifeguard. When I became a head lifeguard it was important that we were able to fulfill every duty of the pool in case of emergency, so I took my AFLCA (Fitness Leadership Certification) so I could teach aerobics, but more importantly to my job, water aerobics. I took many of the classes to see what they were like, and of course, had my share of instructors not show up for work so had to teach a number of them too. My favourite was the deep water running as well. What a great workout!

You are so lucky to live so close to the ocean!! DH and I visit Vancouver as often as we can (you're on the island though, right? - We're in Calgary) and I just looooove the coast! You are also lucky to have a job that keeps you physically active. You don't have to feel guilty if you don't hit the gym or get to your aquasize one day!

Off to spend some quality time with DH before bed.

G'night!
Lily

[vickiel]

Lilygirl...
be careful with that Dulce de Leche. It's gotta have a good bit of carbs because it is caramelized sweetended condensed milk (and yummy too!)

[Lilygirl]

OH! I was using the flavoured sugar-free DaVinci Syrup in the Dulce de Leche flavour! I'm going to have to double check the bottle though and make sure it has no carbs! OMG, you have me freaking out! I've already been much higher on carbs than I usually am because I had that 1/4 cup of granola this morning with 3/4 cup cottage cheese (I was aiming for 1/2 cup cottage cheese, but after eyeballing it in my bowl it looked more like 3/4 - I did it at work, so I really should bring a measuring cup here!) This alone puts me at 17 carbs with 4 fiber (so 13 carbs - OMG!!) Actually, the carb count on my cottage cheese is less than what fitday says it is, so I should input my cottage cheese in as a custom food and use that count, but I always like to estimate a little higher to keep myself in check!

I have to say it again though, that granola is OUTTASITE! You all must try it! Thanks again Sarah!
Ciao!
Lily

[vickiel]

Don't fret!
I thought that you used real Dulce de Leche. I'm sure that the flavored syrup is just fine.

[junebug61]

Lily,

Thanks for the hot tip of checking out the site here. I can't wait to try the granola recipe. YUM!!

You all have a wonderful evening.

[Lilygirl]

Phew!! You had me worried there! I like the taste of the SF dulce de leche syrup but always wondered exactly what it was...by the sounds of what you said, is it carmelized sweetened condensed milk flavour? Cool! I always thought it was kind of caramelly, but not quite butterscotch or toffee. My fave syrup is still English Toffee. I haven't bought it in a while though because I keep buying new ones to try and right now we have about 8 on the go! Cola, Caramel, Dulce de leche, Hazelnut, Butter Rum, Strawberry, French Vanilla, German Chocolate Cake and Cookie Dough. Hmmm, I guess that's NINE. Whoa Nelly! I'd better stop buying until we finish these ones! :nono: :lol:

I'm going to make Kathy's warm oatmeal tomorrow I think. I am in a warm oats mood now that it's fall. Even though the weather has been gorgeous and warm, but typical of fall, cool in the mornings. Perfect for warm oatmeal. How I miss the instant quaker oatmeal maple and brown sugar flavour. I used to eat a package of those every morning at work for my brekky in the winter.

have a great night!
Lily

[junebug61]

What do you do with all your flavors of syrups? I have vanilla and caramel. So far that is the only flavors I can find around here. I make a soy milk latte every morning, and add the syrup to that. I tell my husband, that is my drug of choice. I look forward to my morning lattes!! My parents are coming for dinner tonight. Menu- BBQ ribs, salad, squash, broccoli,homeade ice cream with hot fudge sauce. I know it isn't a low carb meal. They are leaving for Arizona for the winter soon. :(

[Seto Kaiba]

Cola, Caramel, Dulce de leche, Hazelnut, Butter Rum, Strawberry, French Vanilla, German Chocolate Cake and Cookie Dough.

WOW!!! Those sound so good!!! I would love to find some of those!! I've been using the Caramel, chocolate, English Toffee and (When I can find it) Kaluha Caffe', creme de mint. I miss the SF Toasted Marshmellow though :tears: It is so good in the Marshmellow cream recipe!!! :yay:

[Lilygirl]

Mmm, I sure do love my SF Syrups!! Oooohhhh, Seto Kaiba! I've never tried the toasted marshmallow one (I've seen it before). Does it have a strong flavour or is it hard to taste a real flavour? How do you make your marshmallow creme? I'd love that recipe!!

June, as you know they're great in coffees, I always have some in my decaff. I love making sweet eggs and "mock danish" and in my sweet eggs it depends what I'm in the mood for as to which I use (I add a bit to the eggs, quickly beat with a fork, pour it in a hot pan and cook it till firm and let it coo...then I add a bit of syrup to 2 Tbsp (or 3!) of cream cheese and spread the cream cheese over the top of the cooled egg "pancake" and roll it up. It's like a egg crepe!!

In the mock danish, I usually add French Vanilla or the cookie dough, but I saw they have a Danish flavour now and I'm wanting to try that with it.

I also add some to cream cheese to make the cheesecake or to whipping cream to sweeten it. I love using the syrups!!
:yum:
Lily

[mexicosun]

I'm reading a lot about hating the huffing, puffing, and sweating of workouts. Listen, people, remember what you're doing this for. If you really want it , you have to work at it. If tapes, videos, music, etc don't work for you, just imagine yourself 10 times larger if you don't. That ought to do it. Good luck! Hang in there. I'll keep you posted on my workouts-as soon as I get all this stuff out of the garage!

[Lilygirl]

Whoa Mex! LOL!! :)

There are many aspects to working out, there's the resistance training that adds muscle mass (which is dense and metabolic and burns calories consistently) and cardiovascular exercise, which is critical for pure calorie burning. The effects of cario workouts don't last as long as resistance training because muscle burns calories even while at rest, so it makes sense that the more lean muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn at rest (your BMR, basal metabolic rate will improve). Obviously, cardiovascular exercise is vital to burn calories on the spot and lots of them (as well as improve heart health) and I know we all do it, but the balance is to try and find a cardio exercise that you enjoy doing and that fits in with your lifestyle.

Personally, I love resistance training, I love seeing the physical changes, I love seeing the increase in what I can lift/push/pull, but I have limited time for cardio, so I want to get as much done in as short a time as possible. Because of that, I choose to do High-Intensity-Interval-Training, which means I exhaust myself in a shorter time frame (usually 20-30 minutes), sometimes to the point of tears because I'm burning and so wiped! I want to find a cardio exercise that won't BREAK me every time I do it, but which I can do in an acceptable time frame (walking for 2 hrs, for instance will burn as many calories as running for a much shorter time and I'd enjoy walking more but I don't have 2 hours to spend.) I have bad knees from basketball when I was growing up, so running and even bike riding (the forward press phase of the pedal push) is hard on my knees. True, I don't like the huffing puffing dripping sweatiness of the type of cardio I do, but I do appreciate the value of it. That's why I do it, I know it's good for me and it must be done for the health benefits. I just wish I could find that cardio workout that I just cannot wait to start after work or beginning of the day. I work out at lunch too, so the limited time of my lunchour means I just can't get really sweaty and need a full shower again. I'm determined to find the right cardio exercise (or something to distract me from the sheer boredom of one that's effective but that I don't enjoy). I'll find it, it's out there, I just have to keep trying new ones and asking for help from people on this forum for advice! Thank goodness for this forum, if it wasn't for the helpful tips from all the members, I'd be lost!!

What do you do for cardio workouts? Do you find working out at home helps or running outside (for the change of scenery...that was suggested to me, so maybe I'll give that a go...but the knee situation, gotta wrap it and all, so I'm not sure). I like going to a gym, it keeps me focussed becuse there's not much else to do there than work out.

:)
Have a great night!
Lily

[junebug61]

As I said before I love step class, and have just started yoga. Yoga isn't my favorite thing, but I figured it will help me with my terrible balance. Plus the yoga teacher has awesome biceps!!
I need to get back into weights, I was doing so well then summer came. I can tell my arms aren't as defined as they once were. :(

[Lilygirl]

Hey Junebug!! I checked out my gym's class schedule and there IS a step class that I can make it to after work on Monday's and Tuesday's!! I'll just have to be diligent about leaving work on time and not let anything get in my way! Thanks so much for suggesting that earlier, I think that may be the challenge and change of routine that I need right now!

One of those step classes is called "BodyStep" and they do cardio/step and then focus on upper body muscles with free weights and bands. That sounds like a nice combo to get my arms more defined (I feel the same way you do!!) I want to have Jennifer Aniston's shoulders ( :lol: LOL, yeah RIGHT, it's good to dream though, right?!!)

I want to try yoga for the same reasons, to improve my balance - there's nothing medically wrong with it as in ear imbalance (but I always say that's what it is!!) - because I'm a HUGE clutz. I'd like it to improve my posture too and help with stretching and flexibility. I am not a very patient person though, so I have a feeling I'll be the one in class thinking "LET'S GET ON WITH IT" while everyone else is sitting peacefully holding their poses! :lol:

Lily

[satihap]

hi guys-
just wanted to say hi! glad to see things picking up in here =) lily- you are gorgeous!

[vickiel]

Hi Satihap-
I noticed that you are following your own plan.
Could you share with us your typical way of eating?
How long have you been maintaining?

Thanks!

[Seto Kaiba]

Lily,
Here's the Marshmellow Creme recipe (From Low Carb Luxury):
Ingredients:

* 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
* 5 Tablespoons Splenda®
* 3 egg whites
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup cold water
* 3/4 cup boiling water
* 1/2 teaspoon marshmallow flavored oil (I've used whatever SF syrup I've had around)

Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in a mixing bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes to soften. Add to boiling water in saucepan; cook and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat. Cool to consistency of thick syrup. Stir in Splenda® and vanilla (and marshmallow flavored oil if using.) Beat egg whites till soft peaks begin to form. Very slowly, trickle a small stream of gelatin mixture into egg white, beating until all gelatin is mixed in. Continue beating until light and fluffy (but not until they're dry.)

If you're making marshmallow crème, pour into a jar (jelly jar, peanut butter jar, etc.) and refrigerate. If making marshmallows, continue...

For Mini marshmallows -- Pour into greased and floured pan, cool to set, and cut into size desired.

Marshmallows - For larger marshmallows, or marshmallow "eggs" -- Fill large square pan with a mixture of 2 parts vanilla protein powder to 1 part dried milk powder (the new Keto milk powder works well here.) The pan should be about two inches filled. Take a dry raw egg and make indentations in the powdery bottom with the fuller base of the egg for making marshmallows, or with the oval side of the egg for making marshmallow "eggs" (see figure 1.) Then pour Marshmallows - the marshmallow creme filling into the little "moulds" , sprinkle a dusting of the powder mixture over tops of marshmallows, and allow to set. If you make the "eggs" and want to cover them with chocolate, melt the dark chocolate low-carb bars in the microwave till very soft and almost liquid. Dip each formed marshmallow egg into the chocolate quickly to coat and place flat side down onto waxed paper to set.

The Toasted marshmellow isn't too strong a flavor, but it's definately not weak. It tastes just like marshmellow.

As far as Cardio: I've always hated it. (I've done it, I just hated it LOL) I finally joined a gym (again) a couple of months ago and bought and iPod. That REALLY helps my working out. I really like the Elliptical machine for cardio. Other than that I do Belly dance and try to do yoga or pilates a couple of times a week.

[Lilygirl]

Sati :blush: Thanks - you're too kind though!

Seto! OMG, that recipe sounds outrageous! I bought the SF Davinci Toasted marshmallow today (as well as the Danish Pastry and my fave, English Toffee), so that makes HOW MANY in my pantry now? I think it's 12 now (but we're nearly done the Dulce de Leche, so nearly 11. Still, that's a lot!

I can't believe we can actually make marshmallows! I'm so pumped!! I'm going to do this soon and then have my hot water with Fry's cocoa powder, german chocolate SF DaVinci, with a little cream for a hot chocolate, then put some homemade marshmallows on it. Wheeee!!! Thanks so much!!

Oh, I also forgot to mention to Junebug that I also make italian sodas with my syrups. Just add some syrup to the bottom of your glass, a bit of cream (or half and half) some ice cubes and then pour club soda over the top. It's deeee-lish! I don't always add the cream though, depends what I'm in the mood for. Give it a try. I usually do this with my strawberry syrup and I've had SF Root Beer syrup before that is awesome done this way, it's just like a RB Float.

Thanks again for the recipe Seto!

Lily

[junebug61]

Lily,

I feel the exact same way with yoga. I guess maybe it will teach us to slow things down a little in our lives. The body step class sounds awesome. I hope you have a rockin teacher. That root beer floats sounds yummy. Where do you get your syrups? Walmart only carries sf vanilla. I have also found a few different flavors at TJ maxx.

[Lilygirl]

Hi Junebug! I get my syrups from this place called Diabetic Depot. They carry tons of low carb, sugar free and diabetic stuff (and VERY reasonably priced!) Try looking at the coffee shops, not the real mainstream ones, like Starbucks, they'll probably only have SF Vanilla, but try the smaller ones, quite often I've seen a variety of SF syrups sold there. Also, health food stores have them too, but sometimes they price them wayyy too high. Check out online stores, i.e. Netriton, etc. or right from the DaVinci website. At least check out the DaVinci site to see all the SF ones available. We bought a "Torani" brand SF syrup and they aren't as good as the DaVinci ones!

I'll let you know on Thursday how my class went. I'm really excited for it now! My friend also told me about an "Aerobathon" at the end of the month where you do aerobics for 3 hours. They do a little bit of each of their classes so you get to bring it down a bit so you don't die after an hour into the marathon!! I think I'm going to do it. You get sponsors for breast cancer! I love doing things for "causes" so I think that'll get me really motivated!

G'night!
Lily

[junebug61]

Aerobathon sounds awesome. I would die trying, but I definately would do it. Even though I'm 42!! Sounds like you have alot of neat things where you live.

[Anleigh]

I'm a new poster too. As a matter of fact I am new to the whole board. Today is my second day. I have been a faithful member of another board which does not have a very good board for Maintainers. I'm real excited about this one.

[satihap]

congrats and WELCOME! by the way= we have sorta similar stats. i'm 4'11 (so a fellow shortie!) and am nearly pre maint...wanna know if you work out, what your carb level is, what a daily menu for you looks like and if you eat any of the lc breads etc...THANKS!!!! i would grealy appreciate any info!!