Countdown to 250?

[alto]

This grew out of a discussion between Wa'il and me on the 190 club thread. Is there any interest among people here to huddle in smallish groups by weight? The idea isn't to be competitive, but supportive. I've seen this on other boards and always thought it a good idea. I can't see 200 from here, but I'm beginning to believe that 250 is possible. Someone who's at 300 might need to aim for a 275 thread, etc.

So if anyone has 250 as their next big goal, please join in. The first one to hit 250 gets to start the 225 thread! (Unless someone else starts it first, of course.)

Wa'il, I hope you don't mind that I've done this. If you'd rather it be handled differently, please delete the post :)

[Sh'ra]

250 is my short-term goal. I'm at 257 right now.

[alto]

Hi Sh'ra. 250 is a big goal. (I remember, on the way up, that was when my stomach really ballooned.)

Your stats are great! You've really been sticking with this. I'm just at the stage where I can imagine that this will be a way of life. How long did it take you to get there? Or does the old "diet mentality" still get in the way from time to time?

[Sh'ra]

Alto,
Actually, this is a "restart." I began eating low carb (not Atkins, just low carb) about two years ago, and lost down to 235. However, over the last year, I went back to eating carbs (and sugar) and gained back to 260...I'm just blessed I didn't gain more than that!!

So, I just began induction again last Monday, and have lost three pounds so far (I haven't been on a scale since Thursday). I put my original weight of 320 mainly to give ME a boost, and to remind myself that even though I gained some back, I've still come a long way.

I did use it as a way of life, but when I started my new job and had some other stressful stuff happen in my life, I stopped paying attention to what went into my mouth - so now, I'm "detoxing" from sugar once again *sigh* - there's a big birthday cake with three pieces left out in the main room of my office, and I've had to walk by it at least six times this afternoon! Arrrgh!

As far as when I was doing it before, it only took about 7 months to get from 320 to 235, and I wasn't doing it as heavy then as I am now. Not too shabby.

We just need to keep telling ourselves that no matter what we think we're missing, it will be WORTH it. What are you looking forward to? These are the things that keep my mood up and my food on track:

*Walking into a room and having people look and say, "Wow! You look great!"

*Being able to run again - a favorite pastime in the past (and play softball without pulling a thigh muscle when I run).

*Sleeping on my stomach comfortably, without having to lift a leg to the side so I don't feel squished! :daze:

*Being able to shop in NORMAL sized clothing, and not feel like all the clothing for my size is made by Omar the Tentmaker.

*Being able to clothing shop in a thrift shop (all us plus sized girls keep our nice clothes until they rot, so they never make it to a thrift shop). I like bargains :)

*Uh...er...sex made easier :D Not that it's not fun now, mind you...

Anyone else? What are you looking forward to?

Sh'ra

[alto]

You're in a special category of restarter :) Good for you to start again before things got completely out of hand!

What I'm looking forward to is perhaps only a dream -- that this is OVER. Weight has been an issue all my life. I want to wake up and not have my first thought being about weight, or eating, or not eating.

I'm also very out of shape, in the sense of not being able to walk up more than two flights of stairs without feeling as though I'm going to have a heart attack. I want that OVER.

When I walk in the room, I don't want people to be afraid I'll break their furniture.

Nice clothes, good sex, all that stuff -- that would be nice :) But I just want to be normal.

[Sh'ra]

True, and I can relate again - there is NOTHING more embarassing than actually breaking a piece of furniture - I shudder at plastic chairs and lawn furniture - just gives me the willies to think about it.

Normal - how does normal feel? *pondering*

Well, we WILL find out!

[Victoria]

OK girls, count me in! This is the room for me!! I won't be getting to 250 lbs. for a while. But I was just thinking the other day that I am looking forward to being 250. It's been a long while since I've seen those numbers. Probably longer than 10 years. So that will be a day for a PARTY when I reach that. I am already noticing some changes. The other day I went to the Urgent Care with my daughter and granddaughter( my granddaughter had an ear infection). I fit in the chairs that had arms on both sides. Infact, it was real roomy. Normally I feel very squished in those chairs. Or like at Denny's getting into the booth and realizing I fit. Of course I look forward to fitting better, but I am so thrilled that I am shrinking and noticing these changes. So again, I think I will join you and maybe we can keep track of each other and encourage each other. :wave: Victoria

[alto]

You'll be a perfect fit, Victoria :) You've already done so well; you can inspire the rest of us!

(I'm glad to "see" you again. I realized yesterday I hadn't noticed you on the board for a day or two -- maybe I just missed you -- but I'm very glad you're still here.)

[Victoria]

Alto,
Didn't mean to "leave" but have been busy elsewhere. I guess now that Christmas is not too far away alot of us will be out and about more. But I can't leave for long, I need the support and information I find here. Thanks for noticing tho....
:daze: Victoria

[Sh'ra]

Victoria,
Ditto! Being able to slide into a booth is really nice - we don't have to specifically request a table anymore for comfort. I used to HATE those chairs with arms on each side - and some small movie theater seats with the armrests - had to sit slumped down in my seat because my rump wouldn't fit between the armrests.

I'm looking very forward to being "normal."

Sh'ra

[Dizz]

:wave: Hi I'm Diz, I have a short (at the rate long term) term goal of 250 lbs. It's been a long time since I saw 250 but I'm looking forward to it.

[alto]

Hi, Diz. Great stats! You're almost at 250 -- a good short-term goal :)

Any tips for us? (I'm always looking for how people make this WORK from favorite meals and snacks, or things they've learned along the way.)

[Dizz]

I keep thinking I'm almost there.....but here lately the weight just isn't going away. It's a pound or two maybe in two weeks sometimes three.

Exercise has become nonexistent since winter started. I need to find an indoor pool for water aerobics but I dread doing it. Just don't like new things, new places...you know the unknown.

I really attribute the weight loss to the water aerobics. Bad knees so I am unable to do the walking. Atkins has not been difficult for me. This is the first time I have actually lost any weight on a diet so I have decided this has to be a WOL for me. I have a journal but haven't been writing same ol' same ol' stuff. Must get back to that seems to make me more accountable.

I have found the sweet tooth crazzzzz is satisfied by sf jello and whipped cream. I satisfy the "crunch" crazzzz with some nuts. But working on the "husbands out of town and I'm walking the floor trying to find something to keep my mind busy" crazzz! haha

I was hoping a little extra support might push me over the hump. Perhaps I might be able to help someone else over as well.

[kezza]

What a great idea. :thup:
Aiming for 250 pounds as a short-term goal sounds a whole lot more do-able than my target weight. :)
I'm joining this thread to encourage and be encouraged!!
We can do it!
See ya,
kezza :wave:

[alto]

Hi, Kezza -- yes. That's the idea. A good, solid, short-term goal with people who are all around the same weight -- not to have a competition, but to support.

Dizz, you sound down! You've done so well. I think keeping a journal does help -- even writing "same old same old" It may encourage you to try to jazz up your routine, or see some things to change.

Writing things down may give you a check list to see why the weight loss has slowed -- is there a food that could be added or eliminated, are you really drinking enough water??? (I'm not. This week I've been BAD about water and I know I haven't lost. I'm not getting on the scale. If I see no loss or a small gain, I'm not sure I can deal with it today. Instead, I'm going to guzzle water all weekend.)

I have bad knees too -- it's hard to go down stairs -- but I can walk. Just very slowly :) Our Y has water aerobics. I won't buy a bathing suit for months, but you're braver than me, obviously.

On boredom -- fat or less fat, I'm never bored, so I can't help there. I hope you can find something to do to get you through it that's not eating :)

[Victoria]

Welcome, welcome!!!
Hi Dizz--my Mom and sister live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Greetings! My Mom does water aerobics and swears by it. Me--it'll take a few more pounds before I will be courageous enough to get a bathing suit on. :rolleyes: But if I can remember that far back, I think I was willing to be in a bathing suit when I was 250 pounds. So maybe that is what I will hope for, so I can reach 250.

I have been struggling with the same 3 pounds for the last week or two. My scale said I had gained 3 pounds, but I couldn't tell you why. I haven't changed my ways. It could be my persnickety scale. But it scared me enough to really watch everything I put in my mouth. I have to report that I am back down to 285, thank God above. I even had a mock danish last night that really hit the spot. I know for me I have to make sure I eat enough and drink enough water. I know it is opposite of all the years of lowfatting but if I don't eat enough, I think my body starts storing fat because it thinks it's starvation time.

Thanks for being there ladies!!!! I appreciate your support. :rheart: Victoria

[Dizz]

Thanks guys. Bathing suit???? You mean they still make those! haha Nah, last summer I bought a size 26, 24, 22, 20, and an 18. They were on clearance sale under $10. Decided that was good incentive. We bought an above ground pool and put it in the backyard with a great big privacy fence. So I don't mind the suit in my backyard but anywhere else.....forget that shorts cover more or at least leave more to the imagination.

I will check on the Y today there is one near my house I wonder if they all have pools?

Boredom does not equal eating to me anymore. I have a good book and a pesky puppy both I love.

Thanks for the pep talk guess I just needed to "hear" someone talk.

[alto]

Dizz, it sounds as thought you're really on track -- you've done so well (60 pounds!!!!!) This is probably very obvious to all of us, but I think one of the most dispiriting things about being a longhauler is that we lose 30, 50, even 75 pounds -- and we still have such a long way to go. My last 25 pounds was a fairly recent gain (about 3 years) and so I thought that would fall off, painlessly, in about a month. Six weeks, top. THEN I was prepared to be patient :)

Patience is a hard lesson to learn :)

[Dizz]

:confused: Patience???? Oh yes, I recently added that word to my vocabulary. It means...hmmm never had a good memory. Yes, patience is a problem once I make my mind up I want it now. No, I wasn't the baby of the family! I know your right. My sister-in-law just started her diet (Mayo) a month before I started mine. She has lost 52 lbs but she is also at her goal weight. I just had to spend 3 days with 5 sisters, my mother, 2 neices, and my skinny sister-in-law. On the 4th day I had a migraine! haha oh well, it will be me soon enough I guess.

[kezza]

Dizz and everyone else here is a list of things I like to do do when bored.
AND they don't involve food or strenuous exercise!!YAY! :thup:
Maybe other people could add some more ideas!
-yoga (grab a beginner's video)
-gardening
-plant a vege garden
-pot up some herbs
-reading
-making cards using a computer (make a year's supply for all different occasions)
-cross-stitch (can't eat because you have to keep the aida cloth clean)
-knitting, crochet, other crafts
-drawing
-decorate the house
-renovate the house (even just a lick of paint in one room can really lift my spirits)
-brush the dog
-take dog for a walk
-go for a drive to look at all the Christmas lights decorating people's homes
-swimming for fun and relaxing (play with kids in water-that uses lots of energy)

These things do involve food but LC food fits in well
-go on a picnic
-organise a barbeque (even if it is just at home with the family)

Hope that gives you some boredom busting ideas.
kezza :wave:

[Karson]

Hi ladies. the 250 lb club is a great idea. It is a much more realistic goal for me right now than my bottom line goal. I hope you don't mind if I jump in here and tag along. It may take me a little long to get there than you ladies, but you are so inspiring to read. I was so happy to break 300 and now have been faithfully sticking to my WOE to keep going down.

I can relate to the fears about furniture. What about airline seats and seatbelts? That is so embarrassing and uncomfortable. I am flying again in January and can't wait to see the difference. I have already been able to button shirts I couldn't 6 weeks ago. Thanks for all your group encouragement and advice. K :wave:

[Dizz]

I know what you mean 300 was nice to wave bye bye to :wave: I'm really looking forward to waving bye bye to 250 even if it is only 249!

I know the furniture fear as well. Where I have never broken anything, I certainly make rapid decisions regarding whether or not to sit in the chair offered. Garden furniture with arms is sure and final death to the legs :rolleyes:

Show seats are comfortable again, I still gauge the booth before I make the attempt and besides my feet don't touch the floor in a booth, I want to regain everything I have given up! :cheer:

[alto]

Thanks for the Boredom Beaters, Kezza! You're really active. (My top Boredom Beaters are reading and writing :) )

Hi, Karson -- congratulations on putting the 300s behind you. I just barely fit into the seatbelts; another half-inch would have done it. Won't it be fun to shrink?

[Sh'ra]

Welcome, Karson, and congrats on dropping below 300! That was a big one for me.

Kezza - you just listed many of my favorite things to do - however, right now, I'd LOVE to have a little time to be bored :) Been crazy with work and holidays and rushing here and there and - well you get the picture.


Well, my fellow 250-ers, I guess I'm only 4 pounds away now. I am really looking forward to dropping below that. I think my favorite weight to make it to will be 235, since that's where I was before I went off low-carb and gained back again. But 250 will be pretty nice :)

I was kind of disappointed at first because after 2 weeks of induction, I only lost 6 pounds. BUT, thinking about it, I realized I probably didn't keep it under 20 g carbs all the time (ate more than the allotted amount of vegis), and also that 6 pounds in two weeks ain't too shabby!

I'm really thrilled that we've found this WOE and this board to support one another on!

Sh'ra

[alto]

Hi, Shrinking Sh'ra -- that's another 3 pounds, no? You will be the first little duckling out the door. I hope you'll start a Countdown to 235, or to 200, so the rest of us will have something to strive for.

235 -- that's a significant number for me, too, and RamonaK (aka Juicy Goddess) lists it as her short term goal. I call it "returning to human form" (with apologies to those who weigh 235+ who are, of course, already in human form) 235-240 was when my weight problems really took off and took on a life of their own, too. It's as though the body says, "Well, okay. She's gotta know what she's doing. Must be one heck of a famine coming up" and starts storing with a frightening efficiency.

At 235 -- half of my closet fits the 235-I-was six years ago. I have two dresses that actually came from a normal catalog (Lands End. They were XXL, but they came from a normal catalog). There are three pairs of shoes that fit then that don't now. 235 is a very good weight -- seen from this end :)

---------------

Well, it's the beginning of a new week. How is everyone doing? Any special challenges coming up this week? Anything to celebrate? Any goals to work on this week?

I've been saying for two weeks that it's time for Water, Vegetables and Exercise. I've got the food down pretty much now. I have a basic repertory of things, and a few things in the freezer if my Recipe of the Week goes south.

This week is fairly calm for me -- nothing planned in the evenings. I've just finished a big deadline and don't have another one for two weeks, so I have no excuse not to do Water (at least 8 glasses a day), Vegetables and Exercise. There has been some discussion of whether to Crystal Light or not to Crystal Light, and I'm going to make up a pitcher and have it diluted by half. I'll drink more that way.

What about everyone else?

[Sh'ra]

Alto. It is three more down, yes - 6 total since this eating plan. The scale dipped down to 252 for one day, but has remained steady at 254 for three days *sigh*. But I also think I know the problem - too many carbs, and too much of me trying to satiate the craving for sweets with "mock" stuff. I was eating the protein bars (have three left, and won't buy anymore) just for the sweet taste occasionally, and I made that mock chocolate (cream cheese, heavy cream, splenda, and unsweetened chocolate), but did not stop with two tablespoons - I would eat about 1/2 cup - naughty - so, I'm not going to make that anymore except as an extra special treat, or when I feel like I'm just going to really cheat and buy a bar of chocolate.

I'm staying on induction, and cutting down on some cheese as well, to see if that'll kickstart me back up to losing again. I want to be losing steadily before I start OWL.

Yesterday was a good day for me food-wise; today is a good one so far....I need to journal.

And yes, when I break the 250 barrier, if someone hasn't beaten me to it, I'm starting a 235 thread. That'll be my next goal.

Hope everyone is having a blessed day - happy Hanukkah :)

Sh'ra

[alto]

Happy Hanukkah to you, Sh'ra. :)

I think you're wise to avoid the fake stuff. I've made the chocolate cream cheese thing twice -- I use one tbl of cocoa and match the other ingredients to that. That way I'm not tempted.

I'm re-reading Protein Power again now. The Lifeplan book -- the sequel, if you will. I'd only skimmed it before -- I read the original book. I think the Eades must have really been treating medical conditions more than overweight. They don't take into account some of the behaviors that many of us have gotten into. So they were surprised that there were people who really did eat "all the fatty foods you want" or that sugar junkies would be so enterprising at finding sugar substitutes.

I think there is a difference between normal eaters and food junkies (I guess this is self-evident) but there are people who probably can eat half a slice of dry toast a day. I can't. I won't eat the whole loaf at once, but I' could go through it in two or three days, one slice (with butter and jam) at a time.

Today is going well for me. My schedule is not hectic this week -- it makes all the difference.

Karson, Dizz, Kezza, Victoria, how's it going for you?

[Victoria]

Hi Alto and Sh'ra, Karson, Dizz and Kezza,
:wave: I enjoyed reading all your posts. I have lost another 2 lb. I think...I sort of wait til my scale confirms it for a few days before I change it on my stats. So things are looking good. My Mom is coming in less than a week and I am looking forward to seeing the look on her face when she sees the "thinner" me. Although the stress of having a cluttered house to clean up is weighing on me. But I will probably wait til Saturday to SUPER CLEAN my house. I work that way sometimes.

So is everyone out shopping, shopping, shopping? I find that I get extremely thirsty when I am out and about. I have gotten so used to downing the water. There's bottled water everywhere I go, so I have to remember to take care of that need. Even when I find myself getting famished, I run home and make a big salad or dip into the peanuts til I get my lunch made. I'm so thankful for this WOL because it has created a resolve in me to eat right, that wasn't there before. I have always thought I was the only person on the face of this earth that could NOT stay on a diet. But now, I am determined...and I don't have those horrible cravings, AND I eat as much as I need. It's amazing that you can EAT and lose weight. :yum: It really is amazing!!!

Well friends, hope you are all doing well... :rheart: Victoria

[Dizz]

:roll: Hi, Victoria, Alto,Sh'ra, Karson,and Kezza, and anyone else I left out.

Had a good day so far. Discovered another lb gone this morning. I'm thrilled. I am 2 lbs away from breaking into the 50's. Somehow that means alot to me just to be in the 250's. 18 years ago I weighted 250. I would love it if the next 63 lbs would leave as easily as the last but alas....I know that is not possible. I glory in 1 lb now days.

I think you guys are so wise in avoiding the fake stuff. I, too, found that the idea of it being "legal" made it more appealing to me than it needed to be. I kept going back and going back and going back until it was all gone. So now I am saving for the special occassions when I want to be able to eat with family. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Anniversary, etc. A delibrate decision to eat fake and enjoy it.

Yes, shopping, shopping, shopping. I even picked out clothes for my husband to give me for Christmas. I had at first decided against it. Can't afford to buy each size going down but I really wanted a couple of pair of pants that fit for a change. I needed it (which surprised me), I needed to see that the 63 lbs were actually gone.

Thanks for being here guys I really enjoy each of you so much. :D

[Karson]

it was nice to log on and find so much encouragment tonight. I have just worked my usual 23 hours in the past 48. It is almost bed time for me. You ladies are doing so well. It is helpful to see that you struggle with things like 'legal' sweet stuff and not being able to limit portions. Of course, as we learn a new WOE, that is something that should become as common as our old pigging out on not so healthy sugary stuff.

Shopping over the weekend did present somewhat of a challenge. And taking water with me is a must. I get parched. It is nice to see S'hra get so close to goal. Don't forget me when you pass 250, I am working as hard as I can to catch up.

Happy Holidays to each of you and your families. I will check in again in a day or two. My Monday Tuesday schedule is the worst part of my week so I can email more later in the week. K :D

[Sh'ra]

Originally posted by alto

I think there is a difference between normal eaters and food junkies (I guess this is self-evident) but there are people who probably can eat half a slice of dry toast a day. I can't. I won't eat the whole loaf at once, but I' could go through it in two or three days, one slice (with butter and jam) at a time.



Alto,
There is a difference. Anytime someone has an addiction, they ought not be playing around with it. An addicted recovering alcoholic could not have 1/2 glass of wine and think that was okay. What makes us think that we can have 1/2 slice bread, or in my case, anything chocolate whether sugarless or not, without wanting to go on a binge of that very thing?

It is a lesson learned, because I have not moved on the scale in about 4 days now *sigh* Could be my TOM coming, but still really discouraging. Scale hasn't moved since I began trying to eat mock chocolate. Guess if I want sweet, I'll need to stick with the jello or a few small berries - NOT chocolate.

Sh'ra

[Sh'ra]

Hello, ladies (and any man who may be lurking ;) ),

You may very well catch me, Karson, the way things have been going for the last few days - however, I do know what's going on, and am rectifying it.

One thing that I know hasn't helped is that I have really not had the time to prepare foods ahead of time, so that they'll be onhand when I need them. I meant to hard boil some eggs last night, but didn't have time and ended up forgetting all about it, so this morning, in the mad rush to get out the door, I forgot. And, what did I have at work to keep me from digging into the Christmas goodies brought by everyone at the office? A low carb bar *sigh*

I'm not buying any more of those, and I'd encourage anyone else not to, either. I'm reading that they have a ton of hidden carbs and they're a classic stall to this plan. Back to meat, eggs, and vegis for me (oh, and cheese, of course, but I'm cutting back on that as well.

Sh'ra

[alto]

Sh'ra, the mock chocolate issue is an interesting one. I really don't think we know all the variables in low carbing. If you just stick to carb count, there's nothing wrong with it (cream cheese, splenda, cocoa). Quantity should control the number of carbs. BUI if you've found that eating jello or berries works better, I'm sure it does -- and why? Is it dairy intolerance from the cream cheese? Is it that mock chocolate is relatively high in fat? Is this something that will be different for different people (i.e., some people may have no problem with eaching cream cheese and/or cocoa)?

I know when I was on Weight Watchers, I could eat two chocolate bars a day and still lose weight (if I was within "points") BUT if I ate a slice of cake, or a few cookies, I wouldn't lose. Is that a wheat intolerance? Or refined flour intolerance?

I'm not arguing that one is right or wrong, but that there are so many variables, and I don't think we've refined them yet. Atkins will say "fat is your friend." Protein Power says, you've got to watch fat intake, and be sure it's good fats.

For years heart patients were told to eat margarine and not butter for their health. The variable wasn't the saturated fat.

[Sh'ra]

Alto,
You're right. I think we are all physiologically different, so we all need to find what works for us. I'm seriously considering going more to a low-carb of my own design, just experimenting with it until I get the right stuff going.

I did well on Atkins the first week, but seem to have stalled completely. In fact, the scale this morning said 255, which is back up a pound. *sigh* Not to mention that even with the allowed vegis, I'm having a little - er - bathroom trouble :o

But anyway, it is true - we are all different. I think in my case that too much cheese can be part of the problem,and perhaps maybe a little lactose intolerance - I've never been really intolerant, but it seems that when I eat cream cheeses or heavy cream, there is a stall or problem.

Time to start "experimenting" :)

Sh'ra

[alto]

Sh'ra, I've been reading a book that's a very strict variant of Atkins -- "Thin for Good" (I posted a detailed summary of it on the Low Carb Plans Comparison forum). It's written by a former associate of Atkins who saw too many patients stop losing. He designed several different variations for men and women of different ages and conditions. I think of it as Atkins without the loopholes. You pretty much stay on induction for a year -- no commercial desserts, 1 tbl cream a day, 1 tbl soft cheese a day. Nothing is unlimited -- there are even limits on salad vegetables.

I had first read the book when it came out a little over a year ago and pushed it aside as too restrictive, but I'm getting up my courag to start it. I just ordered some stuff that would not be "legal" on this plan from Netrition (pancake mix, low carb syrups) and will finish that first, but I'm going to start this stricter version in about a week to ten days -- at least, I'll try it for a month. I may not be able to stick to it.

[Victoria]

Hey Alto and Sh'ra and all the rest,
I love the chocolate Mock Danish thing. If it made more in the recipe, I think I would be tempted to eat it all though. But since it's just a one serving thing, I eat it til it is gone, and feel satisfied. I do enjoy chocolate, so that recipe allows me to have some and still stay on track.
But i understand what you are saying about addiction. I just seem to lose weight when I eat this recipe, so I don't consider it a problem. But if I made a whole bunch of it and couldn't control myself, I would have to stop.
Well, have to cut it short. Gotta get the kids going for school. Bye :wave: Victoria

[kezza]

Hi everyone,
I haven't been around for a couple of days... VERY BUSY at work and I have the Flu. Anyway just wanted to say that I have lost a few more pounds...4.6 to be exact...and I can totally give all the credit to all the encouraging people that helped me last week when I fell off the wagon big time.
The advice about supplements to help curb the cravings, being extra strict about my carb allowance and drinking up to 4 litres of water were crucial to my recent success. If anyone would like to read the details of my recent carb attack and all the advice I received, just pop to kezza's Journal and read page 3 and 4.

Lots of the people that replied in my hour ( actually days ) of need came from the Triple Digits Club or from this Countdown to 250. WOW! What a great system. :spin: :spin: :spin:
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I'm excited!!! :D
Love to you all,
kezza :wave:

[alto]

Victoria, whatever works :) All of us have different metabolisms. Someone may lose eating lots of cream cheese, and someone else may not.

[alto]

Kezza, we were posting at the same time, so I hadn't seen your message when I made the above post -- CONGRATULATIONS on that 4.6 pounds (and on getting over the flu).

It is a great support system, isn't it? I'll bet it was the 4 liters of water (she said guiltily). :)

[Sh'ra]

Alto,
You'll have to tell us how it's going on the "tougher" version.

Actually, I'm thinking of going more toward the "looser" end in some ways, and modifying somewhat. I do think the cream cheese (not the chocolate, but the cheese and cream) is stalling me. So, I'll eat small amounts of other cheese, but I'm going to try to avoid cream more often, except on very special occasions.

I think that I will add a teeny bit of fruit like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. I remember low-carbing before and those types of fruit not hurting my weight loss as long as they were in moderation. Besides, I feel a little better about them than chocolate and artificial sweeteners :)

I plan on adding more fiber, too - eating more leafy green fiber along with the meat and eggs. I'm kind of working on a menu to see what happens. As I look at it, it looks more like Protein Power-type stuff I'm thinking of as opposed to Atkins. I've read 'em all :)

Then again, I might just get VICTORIA's book reccomendation and work out from there. Ah, the possibilities are endless.

Shalom, all!

And congrats, Kezza!!!

Sh'ra

[Lessara]

I made a mistake. I made potatoes as in fresh and not instant.
I made it with bacon, onions, cheese and I wanted to see if the potatoes were cooked. I ate a slice and next thing I knew I was eating a small plate of it. Every time since I've then I want potatoes when I make them. I can't stop making them but I hate this temptation dangling over me! :(
The talk of induction for a year maybe what I need to cure my carb addiction once and for all. I'm tried of hovering around 290 for 4 months! :rolleyes:

[alto]

When I first tried low carbing a few years ago, I read the Atkins board on ivillage. People either dropped out after two days or did induction well -- with good results. Where they got into trouble was in going off induction. (That's why I posted the "Have you ever really tried to find your CCL level?" on the Daily Low Carber forum -- people seem to be either Off or On.)

Gosh, Lessara, those potatoes sound awfully good - - no wonder you were tempted :)

Maybe one SHOULD stay in induction until goal? OR, as an alternative, add back VERY carefully, one food at a time?

[Karson]

Well, hello ladies. It seems today was my day to sneak or actually rather brazenly put some CARBS in my mouth. Of course, I have enough snap to know why but that didn't matter when it was happening. I did dumb things like not having food cooked to take for lunch and getting up late so not having enough breakfast. This lead to 1/2 of a muffin and a chicken finger. I stopped this down hill slide on the way home from work. I stopped and got the things I needed to cook low carb dinner and have enough for lunch tomorrow. I have been so strict on myself these last weeks since starting that I am not sure what else brought on this lapse but I got back to the forum as fast as I could for my daily dose of encouragement.

It is really difficult at work right now with even my supposed low carb buddies jumping off the wagon to eat, eat, eat those high carb things that go with the holidays. THIS TO WILL PASS and I WILL START 2002 lighter that I am today. God willing... K :daze:

[alto]

Hi, Karson. Boy, does this ring a bell: "I did dumb things like not having food cooked to take for lunch and getting up late so not having enough breakfast. " I've done that so often.

I've tried to solve it by having at least tuna fish and mayo around so I can grab a quick lunch. But the getting up too late to have time for breakfast -- that gets me.

It's all a matter of planning and taking the time to do things. (That's easy for me to say, because I work at home. If I get up late, I've made myself take the time to eat breakfast, even if that makes me late for things. That's not easy to do if you have to be at a job at 8:30.)

I think this, like so many other things, will come with time. I admire your attitude :)

At times like this, I cling to Karen's motto: "Progress, not perfection."

[Victoria]

Dear Karson,
Everybody faces messing up, but it's getting back on track that spells success. (Lessara too--those potatoes do sound delicious!) But I think you spelled out the problem about not being prepared ahead of time. I feel for you folks working outside the home. I stay at home, and find it can take so much effort to make sure I have the right kinds of food around so I am not tempted. I still have to make meals for my kids, but as long as I have something planned for me---I'm usually OK. I did make sugar cookies with my granddaughter the other day. She enjoyed the whole process---making them, rolling them out....it was a delight to see her excitement (she is only 4 years old). I almost put the dough in my mouth--old habits! (Actually, I did put a piece in my mouth but quickly took it out when I realized what I did.) Everytime I succeed when normally I would have pigged out I feel more successful...so I try to dwell on that. But there are times I mess up. Then I just forgive myself, feel bad for a while---and then pick myself up and make good choices next time I put something in my mouth. It's almost like being an alcoholic, except we have to eat...an alcoholic can give up alcohol completely. So with this WOL it's one day at a time and sometimes one meal at a time.

I am an emotional eater. I can control myself when things are running smoothly. But find myself running to food when I get upset. Before, I would head for the sweets. But just the other day I found myself pigging out on peanuts, instead of sweets when I got upset. Ideally it would be better to not head for the food for emotional support. And I probably ate too many peanuts. But at least I am not breaking down and indulging in chocolate to make myself feel better. So I try to notice these changes, and find the victories where I can. :rolleyes: Victoria

[alto]

Great post, Victoria :) I've been LCing for six weeks now (seems like six years) and am finding that planning and consciously breaking habits and old connections with foods is the key for me.

[Sh'ra]

I needed to hear that post, Victoria. Stepped on the scale again today, and it was back UP to 257! I know I feel bloated and it's nearing TOM, but gimme a break! I feel I've been doing so well with doing the food and not getting far at all. My temptation is just to stop, eat "normal" for a few days, and start this all over again, but I don't want to lose the little ground I feel I've gained. It seems an awful kick in the pants to have lost nearly all the ground I felt I'd gained, though. *sigh*

Sh'ra

[Lessara]

I have gone two days without eating potatoes and I made more last night and none passed my lips! :D No cravings.
Its tough sometimes because you just don't want to feel left out.
That's how I feel at times.

[Sh'ra]

Lessara,
Congrats on that will of steel :)

It is hard not to feel left out. We had candlelight dinner for all the kids at this facility Wednesday, and they had the traditional Christmas feast of turkey, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry fluff, and cheesecake, so all I could have was a little turkey and green beans - HARD. But, at least I got the pleasure of letting two boys split my piece of cheesecake :D

I do think I'm modifying. I'm thinking of cutting way back on cheese and adding some berry types of fruit in minimal quantities. Least then I'd be "regular" in the restroom :D

Sh'ra

[alto]

Hip hip hooray to Lessara! So this wasn't a mistake. It was an experiment. Now you know you can't eat potatoes :)

Sh'ra, I feel for you. I had the same thing last week -- bloat, constipation, then indigestion. It's taken eight days. I had cut out my one apple a day -- it's going back in.

That's the one thing I do NOT like about "Thin for Good." It allows 3 oz of cheese a day, but no fruit and practically no vegetables. Again, this may work for some people.

Put this week down to a failure of your digestive system, not YOU. Next week will be better. I didn't weigh last week because I could feel I'd gained. I began to feel lighter two days ago and got on the scale today -- and I'm down 2 pounds. I hope the same thing will happen to you.

I sinned today. I passed the street corner hot dog stand and stopped to get a Coke, as I've done for 15 years. Took it home. Drank it. It wasn't until I logged on that I remembered that that was not something I could do anymore.

[kezza]

Sh'ra, don't get too discouraged about the weight gain.
Maybe it is pre- TOM bloating (I gain from 5 to 10 pounds!!!)
Maybe you have reached a plateau and the TOM month weight gain is making it look worse!? :q:

I WILL NOT weigh myself the week before TOM because I know I will get SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO discouraged and I can't afford to be mentally ' down' right now. Not after my recent brush with a chocolate cake! :rolleyes:

So keep going. You can do it. :)
We can all do it.
Go for it 250 clubbers!
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
See ya,
kezza :wave:

[alto]

Kezza, I think not weighing yourself the week before TOM is a great idea. Weigh yourself the second day of TOM -- or just wait a week.

Isn't it odd, how much we tell ourselves the scales don't matter -- and they don't -- but oh, how they do.

Hope you've recovered from Chcolate Cake Attacks.

[Karson]

What a great treat to come home from working a double and find such uplifting words from my fellow low carbers. I have had a decent day at work and with my eating. This is a one day at a time situation for me, for sure. But boy do I wish I could :p just snap my fingers and have about 50 lbs at a time fall off.

Now back to reality. Today went much better since I took time to cook for myself yesterday. Amazing that taking care of myself pays off. If I don't take care of me, who will? K

[Dizz]

Karson, if that works, please come and snap your fingers at me!

[Karson]

Dizz, I wouldn't be greedy and keep that talent all to myself. Just wanted to let you know I really like the verse you use at the end of your posts. K

[Dizz]

"Just wanted to let you know I really like the verse you use at the end of your posts. K."

Thanks K. I know at times its not "popular" to be Christian or people just don't want to hear it but I know I cannot do this alone. This forum to me is God sent, I pray for each of you daily and thank God that I have each of you. :angel: Diz

[kezza]

Just wanted to jump in and say that my recent experiment with being extra strict with the carbs is helping me. :)
At long last the scales are moving downwards. I recently did claim a few pounds loss but I'll soon be claiming some more :D
I just want to wait a few more days because my loss has always been a couple of pounds down then one up and then a couple down and then a couple up..etc. (Does anyone else lose weight like that?) :q:

So I will wait a few more days before I claim the downward trend.

What has REALLY made the difference this time is the following;
-Being strict with the carbs
- Lots of FAT and PROTEIN (very filling)
- extra supplements to curb cravings
- 2 litres water a day
- Taking own LC food and drinks to parties.
- Writing EVERYTHING in my Journal- both successes and failures!

All of this advice I got from replies from members of this low-carb site and many of the 250 clubbers !! What great support! :spin: :spin: :spin:

And Dizz, I like your verse too. Thanks for the prayers as well!
See ya,
Kezza :wave:

[wawtigress]

Hi , I just moved to the triple digits today even tho' I'm at 190 now and have 50 lbs to lose.There was never any response to the 190 club either thread and I want encouragement from reading other people's experiences and how they did it.So I don't know if a 250 will work or not. Wawtigress

[SAMTigress]

Hi there...thought I should drop in. Sh'ra, remember my post -- you said I'd probably beat you to 250? Well, I'm happy to say I've done it...YEAH!! For two days I've waited to confirm it, 'cause I was told you should watch for two days to see if there is a change. There wasn't...I hit 250 -- YEAH, again.

:clap:

However, Sh'ra, I think when you reach it, there'll be more room for celebration...you'll have come a long way...longer than where you are now. It was just a matter of ten pounds for me, and 'Induction' helped with a lot of that. So, I think your hit will be much more dramatic...good luck with hitting 250.

Hey, and don't worry about the weight slip, that's bound to happen now and then, just remember how far you've come.

WAW (mom) -- there's bound to be a group out there...we'll find you one that fits your needs...hang in there. In the meantime, keep doing what you're doing -- including e-mailing me :D Love ya...xoxo

[Victoria]

Kezza, That happens to me. I don't know if it's my scale, or water retention or what. But I go down 2 pounds and then up 1 pound, and then sit there for a while. It's up and down, but on a weekly view---the trend is down. So I try not to be too concerned from one day to the next. But try to notice weekly trends. I just lost another 2 lbs. But I probably won't change my stats for a couple of days, to make sure it is consistant.

Sh'ra, Are you eating salads? I eat tons of vegies, and don't have problems with constipation. Which is really weird, because before this WOL I would have that problem if I ate cheese. But now I can eat cheese and still be OK because I drink lots of water and eat at least two big salads a day. I use spinach or green leafy lettuce too...none of the regular head lettuce that isn't as nutritious. Just a suggestion. Oh, and I eat nuts more than before, which are good for fiber...so that might help also. I also have fruit once in a while...yesterday I had an orange with dinner. I know melons and berries are the best low carb fruits, but sometimes you gotta have an orange. :roll: Victoria

[alto]

Congratulations to our first graduate, SAMTigress!!!!

And congratulations to Kezza, too, for getting the scale moving again -- and for posting the changes you made. There is a lot to be said for KISS (Keep It Simple, Sweetie), just sticking to the basics.

Victoria, funny thing about oranges. Maybe what's left of our body's system of natural food selection recognizes that they've got Vitamin C. Years and years ago, I tried Stillman for a week. It was my first real diet, and I lost 15 pounds! And on the eighth day, I was at the store buying my stuff for the next week and could not face it -- I bought six oranges and ate them that afternoon. (It was good, though, to eat six oranges and not six candy bars. :) )

[Karson]

I have the same situation with down and the up for a day or two and then down to stay. Maybe it is our bodies adjusting things around or something. Surely with all the smart folks on this site someone can explain this phenomenon.

I have just completed my grocery shopping for the next week and am cooking for my lunches and dinner the next two days. I have to be prepared on Monday since I work an extra half shift. That means carrying all three meals with me to work. Thank God we have a refrigerator.

Are we all preparing for the final countdown to the big day 12/25?
I know that my family is asking about what I can eat but are not planning on giving up the usual carb laden sugar laden things that are traditional. Any body got a plan for taking care of themselves for this next couple of weeks? One thing I am doing is not bringing any gifts of food home. I am sharing these with those folks at work or in the neighborhood who can afford the calories, sugar and carbs. It is so hard for me right now because I adore shortbread and butter cookies and they are everywhere right now. It is a good thing to have you all there to support me. Thanks, K

[sunsight13]

Alto, I love this thread. Although I "only" reached 230 I love the idea of having threads for different weights. My goal is to get to the 190 club in the next couple of months. I was looking for an "Alto" journal and didn't see one. It seems your goals (as read in the beginning of this thread) to just be normal and not focused on food and weight are similar to mine. I hate scheduled exercise and just want to feel good and be able to get out do stuff I enjoy. If you have a journal I would love to read it.

Although I too have had weight problems all my life, I am wondering if losing weight for the over 50 group is harder. It seems that it is harder for me now. I don't know if that is because I don't run after kids anymore or if that is a function of the body. Just curious.

Susan

[alto]

Hi, Sunsight. I like the idea of "countdown" forums or threads -- I got the idea from alt.support.diet which, when I read them a few years ago, at least, had several: Countdown to 250, Countdown to 220, all the way down. I gathered sometimes someone would "graduate" from a group and start a new one, picking his or her new goal weight. It always reminds me of first grade, when we were divided into bluebirds and robins for reading :)

You're welcome here, of course -- and someone else had mentioned a few posts ago (please forgive me, but I forget who :( ) that she was looking for a support group, too, but was well under 250. And we just had someone "graduate" today who may be looking to start a new, lower countdown (and another one who's just a pound or two away).

So post here if you like, or start another thread and post something like "I'm counting down to 200. Who wants to join in?" On the Net, it generally does follow that if you post it, they will come :)

(I do have a journal, but it doesn't have my name in it. It did until yesterday, but I changed it. It's still in the A category, though, and you can find it because there's a column for "original poster" and my name is there. The name now is The Crawl Up Thin Mountain -- because that's how I feel now. I'm not going down -- that's easy -- I'm trying to climb up :) )

Karson, I sympathize with you having to lug three meals to work. That's tough. I had a problem with that several years ago, and it was an early factor in my last weight gain. I had to teach two days a week and it was a 2-hour subway ride to get there -- I had to leave at 6:30 in the morning. I didn't get home until 2:30, and often I had to work at night, until 11:00 or midnight. It was very hard to plan -- and often I didn't. I just gave up and grabbed something on the run. Good for you for planning!!!

Marlaine put up a thread on the Daily Low Carber about Christmas plans -- you might look there for tips. I don't do Christmas, so I don't have the temptations :)

[Karson]

Thanks Alto for the tip on Christmas. Sounds like you have figured out a way to take care of yourself during the holidays. I do enjoy the holidays but this one will be a challenge as my first one since beginning LCing. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to take of myself and I'll bet the other won't even know it is 'diet' food ;).

It seems that everytime I come to this forum I learn something else. It is such a help. The gals at my office who are LCing or trying to, always comment on how innovative I am with my recipes. Of course, I give this site the credit due for the recipes and great tips.

Guess I had better get to bed so I can work tomorrow. K

[kezza]

Thanks Karson for sharing that your weight loss is up and down like mine.
Yes...maybe some of the moderators might know why that is. :q:
I'm just glad the trend is downwards! :spin: :spin: :spin:
see ya
kezza :wave:

[Sh'ra]

Originally posted by alto
That's the one thing I do NOT like about "Thin for Good." It allows 3 oz of cheese a day, but no fruit and practically no vegetables. Again, this may work for some people.

I'm not big on it with Atkins, either...no fruit, and minimal vegis. Hence, my modifications :)

Put this week down to a failure of your digestive system, not YOU. Next week will be better. I didn't weigh last week because I could feel I'd gained. I began to feel lighter two days ago and got on the scale today -- and I'm down 2 pounds. I hope the same thing will happen to you.

Thank you - you are sooo encouraging, and I appreciate it. I haven't stepped on the scale - I totally went off low carb this weekend - ate some doritos Friday night (my daughter was having a slumber party and they beckoned me); good thing was, they didn't taste nearly as good as I thought, and they're not as tempting anymore. Saturday was our staff Christmas shindig, and I did great on food (roast and salad), but did have two glasses of dry red wine (not on the list of low-carb foods, exactly). Again, though, I'm chalking it up to a learning experience and back on today.

I sinned today. I passed the street corner hot dog stand and stopped to get a Coke, as I've done for 15 years. Took it home. Drank it. It wasn't until I logged on that I remembered that that was not something I could do anymore. [/B]

You don't know how many times I've done that *LOL* I'll just be getting ready to buy a big jug of orange juice and remember that I'm not drinking juice, only eating whole fruit - but not until I'm in the checkout line. Takes awhile to break old habits, I guess :)

Sh'ra

[Sh'ra]

SAMT,
Whooooo hoooooo! Congratulations!!! If you haven't started one already, maybe you should start a "countdown to 235" thread, so those of us running that direction can join you on it. Give us something to shoot for :)

Victoria,
I haven't been eating enough salad, no. Atkins limits the amount of salad for induction, but I've taken myself off induction until my body gets "regulated" again. I'm eating more salad now (not iceberg, but the good leaf lettuces and spinach), and added a tad of berries (no more than one cup fruit per day). I've also cut back somewhat on cheese. We'll see what happens!


Thanks, ALL, for your supportive words. This board helps me so much to forgive myself for falling and get back on track again, rather than just giving up.

Sh'ra

[alto]

Glad you're picking yourself back up, Sh'ra. I know what you mean. I love the inspiration of seeing people who step on the low carb track and never deviate, and I stay away from message boards where all the posts are "Why did I eat that chocolate cake?" -- it seems that people are NEVER on the low carb track. But seeing people who are on 80% of the time, and slip, is not only encouraging but instructive. One can see the slip and perhaps avoid it oneself. (And also, writing down one's own slips helps, too.)

I've thought of a new image: we're like gymnasts on a balance beam. When we're just walking, we're fine. Try a back flip and, well.....even the Olympic ones fall off sometimes :)

Great photo, by the way. Glad you put one up.

[Dizz]

Hey guys, I have those roller coster days as well. It's really weird because I don't do anything different from one day to the next as far as WOE.
I always take the lowest and post it even if I go up because I KNOW this is the weight that counts!
And I will get back to get no matter what. :daze:

[SAMTigress]

Thank you ladies, for your support. I was really happy to see that extra pound slip away and stay away. I never thought I'd be ecstatic about weighing 250 pounds. I went ahead and started a new thread called, "Countdown to 235" per Sh'ra's suggestion. So, when you or anyone else are ready, join me over there. I'll check back here to, gotta see how everyone is doing here also. Hang in there! Have a super week!!

:wave:

Check the photo out...UGH!! -- double UGH!! UGH!! Can't weight till the camera decides to be nicer.

:D

[Lessara]

I'm hoping I'm on my way to 250, with no scale or one to use, its hard knowing.. I hope to have a scale in a week or two. At least I know with this LCing, I won't gain ;)
You are all beautiful, by the way :)

[Sh'ra]

Alto,
I am back up. I'm weighing back at 254 again; it had been swinging back up crazily to 257 for several days - hence the discouragement. But I took it easy yesterday, and added fruit back in while taking some cheese out, and I've stablized again. Hope to be back on the losing track again now :)

I like this board for the same reason. There are slips, but there is also encouragement to get back on track, and people aren't slipping daily or hem hawing around (My missouri way of saying they're not messing around). I'm really enjoying the encouragement.

Glad you like the pic. It looks really fuzzy on my computer, but I can't seem to get it to clear up any, so I'll live with it - until I lose and can take a new one :D
-------------

Dizz,
Good attitude! I tend to refuse to post a new weight until I have weighed at that for a few days - I get discouraged if I post it low and it goes back up. I would average the week like they do in CAD, but I'm too lazy to remember and write it down to average every week :)

-------------

SAMT,
Keep the faith, hon. And I LOVE the pic! I think it's great! I think we all see ourselves probably as worse or "more fat" than others see us. I know I hate having my picture taken, because I feel I look like Bessie the Heiffer in every one. But now that we're on a PERMANENT losing track, we can use these pics later as "before" pictures :roll:
------------------------

Lessara,
Ditto to you, sis. I always liked your pic.


Shalom to all,
Sh'ra

[Dizz]

SAMT we are not saying Bye to you. We'll see you real soon!! Diz

[Sh'ra]

I don't know what I expected, but I'm still at 254. *sigh* Guess I'm just impatient.

Sh'ra

[alto]

Sh'ra, you've had a weird week. You've been sick -- your body may well be hanging on to water. I totally sympathize with the impatience but you know it will happen :) Chin up, girl :)

[Lessara]

Hi Sis! Just letting you know I totally with you with this fustration at just going down and staying there! I've been bouncing between 289 and 292. It's like 289 is a wall. I'm losing faith in my LCing and I'm paying the price. I stopped drinking so much water and I ate sweet potatoes last night! Oh did I get a headache and every joint on my aches! I love how I feel on my LC so why do I let the number on the scale (heck the numbers on the tape measurer!) fustrate me so much. Even if I don't lose another pound I should be happy. Why are my results so darn unencouraging! :rolleyes:

Am I a hopeless case or what?! ;)

[alto]

Lessara, I'm sure you're not a hopeless case. Are you running your numbers through fitday? Are you eating ENOUGH? Are you drinking enough water?

I agree -- unfortunately it's the scale that matters. BUT think of it this way. It's not possible to go from a size 28 to a size 8 dress without the scale moving! So at some point, the two have to catch up :)

Hang in there.

[Sh'ra]

Alto,
I know you're right - just feeling the holidays, I suppose. Thanks.

Lessara,
Chin up, girlfriend. We'll console and encourage one another :) I'm going back on strict induction, too, but on December 26. I don't want to go back to really strict and feel that I'm being punished when I have to attend the holiday gatherings (I've got Hannukah and Christmas stuff to contend with, since some of us are Jewish, some Christian, and some Messianic Jews, so the holidays tend to last awhile ;) ). I want to be able to eat a little fruit for a few days.

But, on Dec. 26, I'm going back on induction. I have a sensitivity to eggs, too, I'm finding out. Especially if they're hard boiled, but in any shape really. I seem to get acid reflux when I eat them. Aside from taking some kind of zantac or something, I don't know what to do about it besides find something else for breakfast with protein. I haven't found a protein shake that didn't taste like rough-ground chalk, so that's not an option.

I'm going to really study Atkins book to see if I've been missing something as well - just to make sure I'm doing it right; that way, I'll have on hand what I need to eat.

Sh'ra

[gecolon]

Move over and make some room for me. I can't believe what I am about to say. I can't weight (LC humor) to get down to 250lbs. I'm at 280 (floating up and down aroung 278) now and seeing 250 would look pretty good. Once I get down to 250 that will be almost 75lbs gone. Unbelievable. I can't weight. :hyper: :hyper:

[Dizz]

Gecolon, I really want 250 as well but I really want 224 worst of all. The first 100 lbs WOW. That will be a day.

[alto]

Come on in, gecolon. You've really been doing well -- you can spur the rest of us on!

Dizz, when you hit 250, 224 will be just a sneeze away!!

I'm curious if anyone remembers what 250 was like on the way up. I was thinking about this today. I'd been going between 240 and 250 for about two years (two very stressful years) and when I broke 250, my weight went up very quickly. To me, it was the change from feeling very fat (I'm one of those who's told she "carries your weight well" to being truly obese. I remember looking a bit puffy and bloated for about a year after I cleared 250; then it was as if the weight decided to settle in to stay. There was a real change in the body.

So I'm looking very much forward to 250, to see if the same thing works in reverse. I'm also looking at losing weight as a way to age going backwards :) I'm just about at the lowest weight for several years (269); then 260, a year before that, and 250, a year before that. That puts me back to 1995. So I'm doing a trip back in time as well as down the scale.

What about the rest of you?

[Victoria]

I haven't been 250 for maybe 10 to 13 years...I had my last two kiddos at big weights. So my weight just kept on climbing. I started losing weight right before I had my last youngin. That was almost 10 years ago. Which was the last time I felt like I could lose weight.

Now I'm definitely done having kids, and I'm heading for pre-pregnancy weight. That is going to feel good, believe me. So maybe becoming thinner will turn the age clock back some. I know I have felt older, because of my weight. Now that I am losing and feeling more energetic, I think I feel younger too.

I am looking forward to being able to wear jeans again. Somewhere along the line, I gave up wearing jeans, because they were too uncomfortable. But I believe that I could make it into a pair by my 250 mark...yes that will be good! :daze: Victoria We are all on our way!!!

[Dizz]

I know exactly what you mean Alto. 18 years ago I moved to Fort Worth weighing 225. I'm 5 foot. I promised myself I wouldn't go over 250. Then it seemed a matter of months and it was 280 then 300 and 324. I never disliked myself at any of those weights but all of the sudden, I felt out of control with no where to turn. I've tried a million diets, nothing worked. I made a decision to quit my job and concentrate on me and finding me again. Yes, my husband did flip out. However, after a couple of weeks he knew I had to do something, I was dying, in body, mind, and spirit.

In the course of 1 week, I had 3 different people who had lost weight on Atkins cross my path. They didn't say I needed to try Atkins only what it had done for them. Three people in 5 days. So I figured it was a God thing and I had better listen. Well!!! WOW, now I tell everyone who remotely is interested what Atkins has done for me.

As I go back down, I saw briefly 300, then 280, still dropping quickly to 270. You cannot believe the amount of support I have received from people at church and from this forum. The weight slowed as winter set in but hopefully I will be able to get to an indoor pool after the New Year.

My blood pressure has gone from 225 over 125 to 124 over 82. My weight has gone from 324 to 261. I can walk all the way across Walmart without limping. I can kneel at the altar rail to take communion. I can climb stairs to get to the seat at the show without huffing and puffing once I get there. I smile and even laugh. I am a nicer person, at least that is what I have been told.

I will probably go back to work sooner or later, but right now I want to take back everything I lost to fat. I want it all back and I am determined to have it.

:thup: Diz

[Sh'ra]

Wow! What inspiring posts!

I remember when I was at about 200 (probably 12 years ago), telling my husband that if I ever weighed 300 pounds or more just to shoot me. I think, like Alto, that once I crossed that 250 line (not too long after that) it just started piling on and I went from overweight to obese. I'm tall, too, so I've always carried weight okay, and that has been part of the problem - I didn't see the problem coming until I was IN it.

I was a "chubby" kid, but grew out of it in junior high, and maintained anywhere from 135 to 145 through high school and for a couple years after. Got married and pregnant at 19, and still looked pretty good (at about 160) after I had the baby - that was nearly 16 years ago. But within a year after that I began to put weight on - I remember going from a very slim 14 (at 5'10", that's not bad) to a 16, then an 18, and up and up. It was when I began to realize that size 26 was becoming too tight to wear that I really came to grips with the fact that I had a problem. And seeing photos of me was absolutely horrible. I began to dread family gatherings because I knew some relatives would have cameras. I hated going to amusement parks, or the fair, or to movies, because the seats were too small and it was embarassing.

Coming back down, I was really glad to get back below 300 (that was nice :) ), and will be glad to see 250 again. I think 220 will be a milestone (again, same as above, because that'll be 100 pounds), but breaking that 200 mark is what I'm really looking forward to. I haven't weighed less than two hundred pounds most of my marriage. That thought keeps me motivated - being able to run without my ankles feeling like they're gonna break, or my boobs hurting. Being able to dance without feeling like people are looking at me (my own self-esteem issues still flare up occasionally ;) ). Being able to shop in regular clothes sections, and wear a swimsuit without mortification.

Ahhhhhh...until then, I keep reminding myself how far I've come, and how far you all have come. Between just those of us on this thread, we have lost a few PEOPLE already. THAT is a great feeling.

Shalom,
Sh'ra

[Victoria]

What a great thought Sh'ra!
You all are very inspiring. It is good to be included in this group. Because we all are heading toward a great goal. It is good to be in company with folks that have been there and are on their way back.

Boy, Dizz...your blood pressure has gone down to great numbers. Isn't it good to start feeling better and more normal. I know I was very grumpy when I was out of control and continuing to gain. I'm still a grump at times, but usually it's because of certain circumstances--not a general all the time grumpiness. I like what you said that you want to take back everything that you had lost to fat. God is a God of restoration. He wants us to live lives abundantly...and I think that He cares even about how we take care of our bodies. (Joel 2: 25-26) Just thought of that scripture when I read your post.

Well :wave: gotta go folks! Victoria

[alto]

Thanks for all your stories. We WILL have something to celebrate. But I think Sh'ra's point -- that we should think about how far we've come -- is a good one. I haven't lost very much so far, but I've changed habits and attitudes that had been spinning out of control for years.

Have a great weekend!!!! Last minute Christmas rush can be tough.

[Sh'ra]

I may not be on this weekend, and will be out of the office in the afternoon, so just wanted to wish you all a wonderful and PEACEFUL weekend.

Shalom,
Sh'ra

[Sh'ra]

HAD to do this today, just to inspire us all. There are so far 11 people who have come to this thread (Alto, Victoria, Dizz, Kezza, Karson, Lessara, WAWTigress, SAMTigress, Sunsight13, Gecolon, and me).

Between we 11, we have lost a TOTAL of 350 pounds! I counted! That is sooooo incredible!

Yes, I went through the thread and counted :D Had to appease my curiosity.

Sh'ra

[alto]

A wonderful and peaceful weekend to you to, Sh'ra -- thanks for your tally. 350 pounds!!! So it can be done :)

I'm starting a more restrictive program today, Thin 4 Good, a variant of Atkins, but where portions are limited (5 nuts a day, 2 tbl soft cheese, etc.) It's an experiment. I've committed to doing it for 30 days. We'll see :)

[Victoria]

Thank you Sh'ra for doing the math. Wow, now that is a good sized person we've lost. I like that...we didn't just lose a normal sized person, but a bigger sized one. That's even better. Just to let you know--I started writing down everything I am eating in my journal at home. I am going to try to start a journal here. So soon. My Mom is visiting, so I am more busy than usual. Having great fun, but also have to straighten up my house more than usual. So my moments at the forum are brief. I am still losing tho. I lost another pound. My Mom has been real supportive about my way of eating and has even tried the Mock Danish yesterday. She's on Weight Watchers but is willing to eat what I eat.

Alto--hope that works for you. You sound like you've tried it before. I'm not good with too many DON'Ts, but as long as you feel it will help. With me--if you tell me I can't, then I feel like I'm being deprived. Now I have set perimeters -- I am real strict about no sugar and obvious carbs, such as potatoes and rice and regular bread. But I like to have DO's too -- like now I can eat nuts and real mayo and real dressings. I eat fruit, but sparingly. Well, anyway...whatever works for you. :roll: Victoria

[Lessara]

You are so cool! Have a great weekend!

I feel alittle down on myself... only alittle though. I had cookies yesterday. They had a cookie contest so there were cookies for dessert yesterday I ate 4. They were delicious. My favorite was an almond macaroon. I want to learn how to make a LC one.

I'm so afraid to measure myself. I haven't weighed myself in over three weeks and I'm scared I gained. I feel bloated but I always do during my TOM.

I was thinking about my childhood and I actually was a normally built child who's parents thought was fat. (Got to scan a picture in for you to see). I was chunky during junior high and the first two years of high school. My first TOM and a major growth spirt happened between my Sophmore and Junior year and I thinned out but didn't lose any weight. I was 135-140. I gained to 200 when I was in college. I gained to 250 after I had my daughter (14 years ago). I gained to 290 after I had my son (11 years ago). I gained to 325 after I lost a baby two years ago.
I wonder if the reason I hover around 290 is because I was 290 for years.

[kezza]

Thanks Sh'ra for working out our combined weightloss!
Very inspiring!
Also that is the way to lose the weight, isn't it...TOGETHER!
I have been soooo inspired and encouraged by this whole forum but especially this new Countdown club and my journal.
It has been the difference between gaining and losing over the holiday season! So thanks guys.
My scales are hovering on and just below 264 pounds but that is good because the trend is downwards.

I can't remember when I was last 250 pounds but I was 202 pounds 7 years ago. So I must have passed 250 some time about 3 or 4 years ago. I certainly remember being my biggest weight.
I felt VERY uncomfortable that big but it is all relative -is'nt it?! Some people would be happy to be at my biggest weight- just as I look longingly at other people's biggest weights!!!

Happy Holidays Everyone.
Lots of blessings,
Love from kezza

[Sh'ra]

Alto,
I hope it works for you, but I pray that you don't overdo it and starve yourself, sista. Let me know how it works! I'm going on strict induction on the 26th again, just to jumpstart myself. I've been hovering around 252-254 for three weeks now. I'll do induction, but severely limit my cheese; and I'll have to eat other eggs besides hard-boiled - they seem to give me severe acid reflux.

Victoria,
Glad your mom is so supportive, but sorry you're having to clean :D All the stuff we're doing this year is at other people's homes, so we lucked out - I don't have to do a bunch of cooking, and I don't have to deep clean my house....yayyyy!

I'm having to curtail my forum time, too, right now. Too much other stuff getting in the way.

Lessara,
Try not to get too down on yourself, darlin; look how very far you've come, how much healthier you look! And get on the scale as soon as TOM is over!!!!! I did that, too, and the longer I kept in "denial" and stayed off the scale, the more damage I did by making excuses.

Don't let it all go and give up the whole day/week over a few cookies, sista. I'm starting strict induction the 26th again, but I'm still being very careful - yes, I've allowed myself a little sugar at the special dinners - but let's agree not to just let go and gorge - fill up on all that great lc stuff, then have a teeny treat.


Kezza,
This forum has been very inspiring for me, too. Were it not for the wonderful people and encouragement here, I'd have quit and gone back to eating unhealthily again by now. And isn't it true! I see myself envying sometimes those whose start weight is 195...I think, "wow, I'd love to be there." :D Guess it's all a matter of where you're coming from - perspective.


Shalom all!
Sh'ra

[K-Louise]

Hi all,

I'd love to join in this thread too. I decided to make 250 my first goal. I have just finished day 7 of induction for the first time at low carbing. I've taken to it like a fish to water. I feel so much better.

I survived Christmas lunch with no problem (is Christmas night already here in Australia). Ham, chicken, BBQ prawns and scallops with a ceasar salad :yum:

I made a desert last night to take along.. a cream cheese and AS jelly that you beat together to set. It was great. My dad is diabetic and he loved it too (so did the other's who didn't know why i made it.

I'm loving this forum too. Its a great help. I started a journal and all.

Ok well, hope you all have a great christmas too.

Kim.

[kezza]

:thdown: Another Aussie too. :spin:
I'm sure you'll enjoy this club until you graduate down (weight-wise) to the next Countdown Club!
It's the only club I know of where all the members are encouring each other to reach the goal and leave! ;)

I survived Christmas Day too! YAY!
About 90 % low carb so I'm happy with that and no major cravings or pig-outs.
I too had cold meats and seafood and a ceasar salad (no croutons of course).
The only carbs that I let past my lips were some stone fruit and grapes but I paid for it BIG TIME with tummy pains.I don't think that my tummy is used to fruit any more!!
I also had a very thin slice of Christmas pudding with cream.

Any carbs I ate today would have been sweated off..it was 40 degrees celius !!!! :thdown: :(
I drank HEAPS of water.
I also exercised by having two huge water fights with my family (outside), to cool down. The kids got super-soakers for Christmas and were not afraid to use them!!! :daze:

I also treated myself to a low carb choc bar (made with splenda) for morning tea...and...I found out that the lable is correct when it says that consumption may have a LAXATIVE EFFECT!! :rolleyes:

Oh well, at least all the carbs went somewhere!!!(and not on me!)
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
I hope everyone had a great Christmas day too. Now let's get through all those New Years parties!!
see ya
kezza

[alto]

Merry Christmas, everyone! I love the international flavor of this board -- in D.C., it's midmorning, yet I can read about a Christmas Past from Australia!!!!

Welcome, Kim -- and great photo.

Merry Christmas to all!

(Sh'ra, Thin For Good isn't starvation, really! :) So far it's going well. It's much easier than I thought, but I wouldn't have been able to do it when I started.)

[Victoria]

Hi all,
I enjoy hearing from all of you. Yes, an Aussie Christmas sounds so different, but very fun! My neices and nephews live in Michagin and they've already had some snow.

I did have my 1 piece of pumpkin pie--I make a great pumpkin pie if I do say so myself...I should try sometime to alter it and make it lower carb. I think with some Splenda and a nut crust like Karen's no bake cheesecake, it might be great. At least for me. The kids love the original. But I think they would give it a try.

Well, tomorrow is another day. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. :wave: Victoria

[K-Louise]

Hi Victoria, and all

Well.. Pumpkin Pie has never really taken off in Australia, although all my American Friends tell me it is delicious. I should try it sometime. I did remember seeing this recipe on one of my low carb recipe sites i'd saved. Here is a low carb (8 gram per slice) pumpkin pie, which looks like it should be ok.

Holiday Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients for Pie Shell:
1/2 Cup almond flour
1/4 Cup macadamia nut flour
1/4 Cup pecan meal
1/4 Cup Splenda® or Sweet-N-Low®
1 Pkt Sweet-N-Low® or Cyclamate (mixing sweeteners gives a sweeter, synergistic effect!)
4 Tbsp butter - melted


Ingredients for Pumpkin Filling:
1 can Pumpkin (not "Pie Filling" - it has sugar!)
1/2 Cup Splenda®
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar Twin®
2 Eggs - beaten slightly
3/4 Cup Heavy Cream
1 tsp Vanilla Extract (Use high quality unsweetened!)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Cloves
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/8 tsp Ginger
1/2 tsp Cardamom or Allspice (optional)

Prepare pie shell: Melt butter in a small bowl. Add ground nuts and sweetener. Mix well.Press firmly into bottom and up sides of 8 or 9 inch pie plate and refrigerate until firm.

Preheat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix all filling ingredients in the order given. Use your own judgement about spices - some like a more cinnamon-y mix and others like less. This is your call, but amounts listed result in a rich, aromatic "classic" mix. You can also adjust sweetness to your own taste (if you're using the Canadian cyclamate based Brown Sugar Twin you'll get better, sweeter results than from the American sacharine based version.) Pour mixture into prepared pie shell and place in preheated oven until center tests done (about 45-55 minutes - ovens vary.) Allow to cool completely before serving.

This pie must be kept refrigerated (no sugar to act as a preservative), but this pie is amazingly delicious!! Top with artificially sweetened real whipped cream if you like (I do!) This pie is at its best the 2nd day!

Makes 8 servings. 8 carbs per serving (allowing for fiber.)

Hope this comes in handy.

Kim

[K-Louise]

by the way, here is the URL for the site. There are some great recipies here:

http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/lowcarb-recipes.html

In case you haven't seen it before

Kim

[Victoria]

Kim,
Your are a Sweetheart! I wrote down the recipe in my journal and will try it soon. It looks real similar to the original recipe I use, less eggs and less milk and of course not real sugar. The nut crust looks real good with the different types of nuts listed. I appreciate all your effort. I will look up the website, it should be helpful. I would like to know what Christmas pudding is? This sounds like a traditional dessert for you, true? Enjoy your holidays, :wave: Victoria

[Victoria]

Dear Alto,
Just a quick note to say I love your new picture!!! I think you look softer and very friendly...I like your hair long. Someday I will get a picture up. It's nice to see who we are talking with. :roll: Victoria

[K-Louise]

Christmas pudding is a rich dark pudding (cake like texture) made with lots of dried fruit and bandy and served hot with custard .... doubt i'll ever find a low carb version of that !!

*sigh*

[Sh'ra]

Alto,
Love the new pic, sista! I like your hair longer, too :)

I had a not-so-good two days. Actually, the 24th wasn't bad. Went to a family gathering at my aunt's, and took two bites of a piece of chocolate cake - I couldn't stand the sweetness, and stopped.

But yesterday was different. Again, while we are Messianic Jews, some family members are not, so we went to celebrate gift-giving and lunch with my father and stepmother. I did fine there. BUT, she gave me a large box of belgian chocolates (((gasp!!!!))), which I later ate about 8 pieces of, out of sheer rebellion.

You'll be glad to note, though, that I didn't enjoy the last 6 pieces, and later I felt purely awful! Not mentally so much as physically - it made it VERY easy to get back to induction today, let me tellya. And, I brought the rest of that box of candy in to work and let the less enlightened folks pick away at it, so it's not home to tempt me.

Love to all!
Sh'ra

[Victoria]

Hi Sh'ra,
I think taking the chocolates to work is a great idea. I had a few pieces of my kid's candy while I was stuffing their stockings...now I'll tell you, M & M's are usually my favorite. Not anymore! They tasted like this too sweet chocolate I had tasted once in Mexico. Ugh! I have to say tho, I haven't had any of their candy since. I'm not saying that any moment I may break down....but so far I've been strong. I think having a headache Christmas morning from the candy has curbed my desire for it as well. Thank Goodness!

I've done real well today. We had turkey dinner leftovers. But turkey and salad were a great combo for me. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and look forward to a better year next year. There is hope!!! Victoria :wave:

[alto]

Kim -- thanks for the recipes :)

Sh'ra -- I understand the "rebellion" thing. It's so childish, and I've done it so often. Sometimes it's when I haven't lost -- gettinga back at Whoever -- but sometimes it's when I have. There's no logical reason for it, but powerful emotional ones. What is it in us that says "I want to be thin but I want to eat anything I want any time I want it?" Where did that COME from? (I don't think it's inborn!)

Victoria -- glad you're staying strong. Congratulations!

I had an easy, pleasant holiday -- no temptations, and I needed that this year. I have to go out to dinner tomorrow night with an old friend, and I cannot tell him that I'm on another diet. I just can't. So I'll have to be subtly good. As long as I can stear us away from Chinese or Italian, I should be ok. I may not be able to stick to Thin4G, but I'll stick to low carb.

I have had another scale crisis, though -- I think my current one is under-weighing me. I posted the story in my journal. I won't be sure how much until tomorrow morning, but I may have to change my start and current stats again.

A better new year next year to everyone :)

[kezza]

Hi guys,
Hope everyone made it through Chrissy okay. :)

Recently I decided to read the Carbohydrate's Addict's Diet Book.
I was curious but extremely cynical. :rolleyes:
Well, I read it ...and....I'm going to try it for the rest of my school holidays (that is until the end of January 2002). If I have not lost any weight or have put on weight by then I will go back on Atkin's. :thup:
If I have lost weight and feel well, I'll continue with CAD.
So I'll keep you posted how I am going and obviously my Journal will reflect some BIG changes, especially those Reward meals.
Hmmm...I'm still sceptical but I will stick with the diet to trial it properly.
Has anyone in this club had any experience with CAD ??
I'm open to negative and positive experiences/ advice/ sugestions/ support/ warnings.

K-Louise, sorry about that 'thumbs-down' symbol at the beginning of my welcoming statement to you...it was meant to be near my comment about the HOT weather!!
I hope that you are not near any of those dangerous fires in NSW and that if you are you and your loved ones are safe.

See ya ,
kezza :wave:

[K-Louise]

I tried this for a little while before starting on Atkins, and it didn't work for me, but I know others it has. I think my problem was that i used the reward hour for a total binge, not the idea, and the no snacking between meals was hard for me too. I like to have somthing every 2-3 hours (even if its small). Let me know how you go with it, I'd be interested.

The bushfires are not near me (I'm on the coast), but the smell of smoke in the air is awful - it woke me up this morning. The air is thick and hazy. It really is devastating, 100 fires over 2/3 of New South Wales. It will take a lot to get the wildlife back when the vegetation regrows.

Take care
Kim

[Victoria]

What is it? Pride goeth before a fall? I spoke too soon. It seems that as soon as I wrote to you guys that I was staying strong, I messed up big time. I ate fudge!!! Ugh! So today is another day...lots of water and careful food planning. But you had better believe I sent the rest of the fudge to work with my husband! He is very thin and doesn't have a weight problem at all. Infact he has trouble keeping enough weight on.

The kids are almost done with the chocolate, thank God! So life is getting back to normal. My Mom is leaving and traveling back to Texas. I will miss her, but have had such a wonderful time visiting with her. Well, anyway....thank you all for your support. You are all great! :daze: Victoria

[Sh'ra]

Victoria,
I'm not used to the over-sweet stuff anymore, either. Guess I can say that's a good thing :) Today, I brought in honey coated macadamias and chocolate covered nuts that also came our way for the holidays *sigh* Why did they mess up perfectly good macadamias with that??? Oy! But, better on my office mates' hips than mine :D

Alto,
Yep, it is childish. I suppose it is as what the Apostle Sha'ul (Paul) said, when he stated (paraphrased) "Those things I want to do I don't do, and those things I don't want to do, I do!" Apparently he struggled with that rebellion as well. We WANT to lose weight. We don't WANT to eat the wrong things - but we do it anyway, out of emotional excuses or just plain rebellion. I know part of my "rebellion" was that I was very tense at my parents' home. I love them a lot, but they are the type of people that it is hard to be around for any length of time without feeling like you're reverting back to being a child and wanting to run away :)


Kezza,
I did CAD before I ever thought to try Atkins. At the time, I felt Atkins was too restrictive, and I wanted that reward meal. Like K-LOUISE, though, I used the reward meal as an excuse to binge. I knew that you were supposed to do a salad, then 1/3 of vegis, 1/3 of carbs, and 1/3 of protein; and then keep matching it if you got seconds - and finish everything in 60 minutes. Well, you'd be amazed at how much you can eat in 60 minutes, and how much salad you can shove in if it means a little more carbs. Because I am a "true" carb addict, it just seemed to make me crave more, so I was not very successful doing it.

However, I have known many people who have done very well on CAD, so take heart. As long as you don't use it as an excuse to binge, you'll be fine.

K-Louise and Kezza,
I'm sorry to hear about the fires. I hadn't even heard about them here in MO (so much news about the terrorists and Afghanistan, there isn't much covered on the rest of the world *sigh*). I hope that the fires are gotten under control soon. It's always devastating when so much is burned - looks like a wasteland for years; but then, it does come back after a few, and greener than before. I'm going to look online with the news services so I can read up.

Shalom, all,
Sh'ra

[Sh'ra]

Hey, Victoria, clean out your private mailbox, willya? I can't send anything to ya :D

[alto]

Hi everyone. Glad everyone made it through Christmas in more or less one piece.

My scale was off by eight pounds. I changed both start and now rates -- I did NOT gain eight pounds this week!!!!! :)

Kezza, I tried CAD for about two days. It didn't work for me, because I never had any trouble not eating carbs at dinner. It's breakfast and lunch where I needed the carb indulgence (cereal and sandwich and fruit) and doing the Reward meal for lunch didn't work.

But as others have said, I've known others who did lose on CAD, and I hope it works for you.

Kim and Kezza, I hadn't heard about the brush fires either. Our news is HORRIBLE on international coverage. We have similar spats of fires, especially on our West Coast, and when they're burning, it seems as though the world will burn -- 1000 acres, 2000 acres. How can there be any forest left? But the forests seem to come back within just a year or two. Nature is much more amazing than anything man has done!

Victoria, you did very well, I think, if you only got into the fudge once -- and got rid of it immediately.

Sh'ra, I think you made the connection -- maybe this is another habit or learned behavior problem, but sort of at one remove. You weren't rebelling at the WOE, but at your parents, and doing it through the WOE, because as children the one thing we can do to drive our parens crazy is A) make noise and B) mess with food!!

Have a great day everyone.

[Victoria]

Alto,
You are too kind! But I don't feel that way. I have to try not to be too hard on myself---but I have to be hard on myself to keep going. If that makes sense? I just don't want to take it lightly and shrug it off. I have to make sure that the temptation is gone, because there is always times in the day where I am weaker. Why is that? One moment you can turn down very tempting things, and the next moment the strength is gone. It all starts in the head I think. But this morning I ate some cottage cheese and mexican cheese. VERY filling and light on the carbs. I think today it is important to eat very low carb and very satisfying foods to keep the desire for something BAD down.

But I appreciate your encouraging words Alto. Sometimes when I read people's journals and they are so...strict with themselves....it makes me squirmy. Like going to someone's house that is SO CLEAN that you don't feel comfortable enough to sit down. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone else at all. But it is good to know that people do make mistakes, so that we know we are NOT alone in this. It is one day at a time!!! Love you guys! :rheart: Victoria
P.S. Alto--I know it must be hard to realize that your scale has been untruthful with you. But the truth will set you free! It's good to know where you are really at---for the long haul. Ten pounds down the line, you won't even remember this episode. At least now you know where you truly started from. And when you get to your goal, it will be even more of a victory!

[Sh'ra]

I'm sticking to my untruthful scale - as long as it's going down, I don't wanna know if it's lower than others :) I'll get an accurate one when I get closer to my goal weight. Don't think I could stand going back up - Alto, you have a will of steel, my dear.

Victoria,
Amen on your post. I have to be strict with myself and don't want to have a lassaiz faire attitude about this, but I also don't want to be so rigid that I fail and binge due to denying myself too much or too quickly. And each time I "cheat" is a learning experience for me - I learn what my triggers are, and that it's not as good as I expected it to be. Those are some good lessons :)

Sh'ra

[Victoria]

Yes Sh'ra, I like that. It is a learning lesson. I want to learn the lesson and not to ignore it or deny it. Yes, failure and shame will lead to binging with me. So when I fail, I have to take it very seriously and make good food decisions right away so it becomes a "past" thing and not a continuing failure. So I could use some prayer if any of you think of me today. Thank you. ;) I think this is the first time in my life where I feel I have the answers to this compulsion for food. So as long as I eat lots of the right types of food, I will stay away from the wrong ones. But I'm sure it could have to do with emotional stresses also. Well, anyway....every day is a new day...Thank God! :p Victoria

[Sh'ra]

Victoria,
Will be praying throughout the day, sis. I know how you feel - it is so tempting to eat when those trigger emotions crop up, because that is one place we have gone to for comfort before - and comfort foods tend to be high carb foods. There's chemical reason for that, too, ya know.

Carbs raise blood sugar levels (for a time), and some complex carbohydrates will even raise serotonin levels (that lovely chemical that gives us a sense of well-being) for a time; that is why when we are stressed and/or depressed, we automatically want to turn to carbs - they actually DO make you have a very temporary sense of "I really do feel better." However, the problem is that they are temporary, and the blood sugar, serotonin, and beta endorphin (another feel-good brain chemical) drop quickly, and you're back searching for more carbs to raise them back up again.

The good thing is that the longer we LC, the more all three of these chemicals will regulate themselves, so there won't be spikes (emotional highs) followed by extreme lows....mood swings, anyone? I'd been interested one day to do a survey of the people on this board and see just how many suffered from mood swings before turning to LC.

Shalom,
Sh'ra

[kezza]

Hi everyone,
I just heard on the news tonight that the fires in New South Wales, around Syney are raging on a 600km front! Imagine a fire stretching in a line that long. (obviously there are some gaps and it is not in a straight line). Anyway no property was burnt today so that is good. I'm pleased to hear you are safe, K-louise. :)

Thanks for all the comments about CAD. It is great to know I can come here are ask questions and seek advice without being 'told off' or made to feel silly. I suppose we have all had enough of that in our lives!! :rolleyes:

Well...after writing my last reply here about swapping over to CAD from Atkins, I thought I would see if there was some more info on this site about CAD and there was!!! YAY! :)

I read some great advice about CAD being abit outdated and I needed to read the CALP version (Carbohydrate Addict's Lifespan Program). So this morning I got hold of that and have made the necessary adjustments.

So...so far I have had one day on CAD and one day on CALP and am going fine. I have'nt put on weight, which is good. I'll weight myself everyday at the same time and average the weight over a week before I post any losses.
i'm not feeling hungry, probably because I am having bacon and eggs for breakfast. (I learnt that on Atkins...if I had a high protein breakfast I would make it through to lunch just fine).

The Reward meals have been interesting. Tonight I did it properly and there was no way I could fit any more food within the hour specified for eating. I only ate a normal serving sizes and I had to rush to fit my dessert in. At this early stage I don't feel like binging . When I go shopping and walk past carb- based food I usually would LOVE to eat, and now can, I don't really want to buy it and eat it during my reward meal...Strange. Maybe some of my cravings were more just desiring to have something forbidden.
Okay, enough of my ravings!!! The proof will be in the weightloss.
I'll keep you all posted.
I hope everyone else is going fine.
see ya
kezza :wave:

[Victoria]

Kezza,
I am interested in the differences between the CAD and CALP. I guess I could look for the book. But I'm interested in how it goes with you...keep us posted. Will be looking for your successes! ;)

I'm sorry to hear about the fires in your country. I live in California and we have forest fires in the summer and early fall quite frequently. Now that it has gotten colder and wetter, it's not a problem anymore. But my Aunt had a close call this fall--their home was spared (thank God), but they did have to be evacuated. It is frightening! Hope you all are OK. :) Victoria

[kezza]

Victoria, I have tried to outline below the main differences between CAD and CALP.
Both diets are by Dr Rachael and Dr Richard Heller.

They wrote the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet (CAD) first. (My copy of the book was published in 1993)
The main principles are;
1.Eat Complementary Meals Daily
-That is high fibre, low fat and low carbo meals

2. eat a Reward Meal Every Day
-any food you desire, any quantity, as long as the meal is nourishing and well balanced

3.Complete your Reward Meal within one hour
-By finishing the meal within the hour you are trying to avoid a second release of insulin .
The first release of insulin when you started the Reward Meal should be low because you only ate low carb meals all day.

4. All alcohol to be consumed during Reward Meal

5. Absolutely No Between-Meal Snacking is Allowed

After two weeks on the Entry Diet of 2 low carb meals and one Reward Meal a day then there are guidelines to follow about adding low carb snacks and extra salads with the Reward Meal.

The Carbohydrate Addict's lifespan program (CALP) is more current. (My copy of the book was published in 1998).

The main principles are;
1. eat a balanced Reward Meal every day
-a bowl of salad needs to be consumed first
-you can eat whatever you want BUT you must eat 1/3 LC protein,
1/3 LC vegetables and 1/3 carbos (this includes your dessert)
- you can eat more serves if you want but it must be in the 1/3,1/3, 1/3 portions.
-alcohol and extra coffee with milk, softdrinks etc must all be consumed only with Reward meal.

2. Complete Your Reward Meal within the One Hour - MUST NOT go past this hour guideline or more insulin is produced

3. Eat only Craving -Reducing (LC) foods at all other meals and Snacks.
After 2 weeks on the BASIC PLAN using the above guidelines, you can chose from lots of Options to encourage / maintain weightloss. The Options are to do with exercise, supplements and artificial sweetners, etc.

Soooooo......I think the main difference is that the CALP diet forces you to eat alot of salad and veges with any carbs you consume at the Reward Meal. This makes it difficult to binge because you have to eat vast quanties of protein/ veges to keep everything in proportion. :daze: :daze:
In my very short experience with the diet (3 days) I have found that even though I am eating carbs at my Reward Meal I don't want to go overboard. I can barely get all the food eaten within the hour- I have to rush to get dessert and a coffee in. :D

I won't go into all the lists of what you can eat for the Complementary meals, but basically the food is low carb and low fat. But there is no weighing and measuring and if you are hungry you can really fill up on salad and protein. :thup:

I won't even try to explain how it all works chemically but just as Atkins is after a particular chemical reaction in the body (ketosis), CAD and CALP are focusing on insulin production.

If anyone wants to follow CAD or CALP please don't follow what I have written here. Get the books from the library and read up on all the stuff I could'nt write. :idea:

Enough about CALP.
I hope that everyone is doing fine.
See ya
kezza :wave:

[alto]

I've finally read something about the Australian fires, Kezza -- and they believe it was arson! That is all the more horrible, of course.

I'd read both CAD and CALP when they first came out, and I think this was another plan that at first didn't take into account the capacity for some people to binge. There were articles about CAD, of people who did not lose, because they took the "eat anything you want for an hour" to mean cake, cookies, ice cream. I think your question about wanting something forbidden is a good one. I don't think there's good research on this -- or more properly, I don't know of any. Some people really truly are addicted to carbs. One taste and they're gone. They're like alcoholics who'll drink cooking sherry and rubbing alcohol. They NEED it. And there are people who have food-mood habits, or just plain habits. And there are people who eat huge quantities of food, or just normal quantities of the wrong foods, constantly :) It seems common sense to me that there should be a different approach for each type (and there may well be more types). Telling the carb addict s/he's "bad" for wanting cookies or "just stop eating so much" creates shame where none should be and doesn't help the problem.

Anyway :) (forgive diversion) I think CALP, and Protein Power both realized by their second books that portion guidance was necessary. Even Atkins, as I remember the 1970s version, was "eat all you want! Drown yourself in cream, munch on cheese all day, slather butter on your steak" and that language isn't in the newer books.

Have a good weekend, everyone :)

By the way, I was thinking of starting a new thread for January (and doing so every month, if the threads were fairly long). What do you all think of that? I don't think it matters to the forum -- there are some very long threads here, and they work fine. To me, it gets confusing when a thread is very long, and perhaps discouraging to new people to join in because they think they have to read 10 pages of posts. But some people like very long threads for the sense of continuity. What do you all think?

[Victoria]

Hello Kezza,
Thank you for the explanation. I have checked out CAD from the library, but didn't finish it completely....I gleaned what I could from it. I like the fact that it had recipes in it, but was surprized that they didn't list how many carbs were in them. The original book I read highlighted different approaches, one of them being CAD. I use it every so often if I know I am going out to eat. But you do have to limit snacking and limit carbs severely for breakfast and lunch. So I kind of worked out my own version, which works for me. But I am interested in reading their new book to see what changes they made. I have to credit the Heller's for peaking my interest in low carb eating. It was at least 5 years ago when I heard about their plan. I just never thought I could give up BREAD. But I did realize that was probably my problem. It wasn't until I tried it, after reading "How I Gave Up My Low Fat Diet and Lost 40 Pounds!" by Dana Carpender, that I realized I could do it. It's a big difference between knowing that something is what you SHOULD do and being ABLE to do it. I think that is the HOPE I feel. It is possible.

Alto, I don't know about the new thread thing. I kinda like it the way it is---so you have one place to follow everyone. But you do what you want. I will find you, I'm sure. :daze: Have a happy New Year, everyone! Today is my granddaughter's birthday!!!! We are doing Chuck E. Cheese for her party. :rolleyes: What fun!
:p Victoria PS Anyone finding the forum difficult to get around lately ?...it's been very slow and very difficult to navigate today.

[kezza]

Hi Alto,
I kinda like the thread the way it is . :)
Those of us that have been writing in it can pick it up at the'new' end and other people can skim through the pages if they want to.
Having lots of pages shows people that we are 'active' in out replies.
But if you change it, I'm like Victoria, I'll find it and join you again.
;)
Thanks again for starting this thread.
see ya,
kezza :wave:

[Sh'ra]

Well, FINALLY, I lost a bit and broke the stall - went from 254 to 251. Of course, I was dead dog sick all day yesterday, which could have helped. I don't recommend that particular way to lose weight :rolleyes:

Anyway, at least the stall is broken - only one more pound to 250.


Alto, I kind of like the thread all staying together. I know it's long, but when I first came to this board, the long thread on the triple digits club is what introduced me to this forum. I like the continuity. And, it might be confusing to a newcomer to see two threads on basically the same thing. But whichever you want, I'll fly along - I'm just grateful to have you all to encourage and be encouraged by.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Shalom,
Sh'ra

[alto]

Congratulations on hitting the 251, Sh'ra -- sorry you've been sick again. I hope all bugs leave you as the clock strikes 12 :)

[Victoria]

Hi there people,
I am still sick also and am on enough Ibruprophin to keep me feel