petite ladies

[02BSlim]

You'll get down to your optimum size and you will be able to maintain it. It just takes time, will power and lots of support from family and friends, and your on-line buddies.

I am an inch shorter than you and I have yo-yo'ed over the last few years. My ideal weight is about 110-115, but I will be happy to get to 120. I put some weight on over Christmas and have been working hard since. The closer I get to goal weight, the harder it is to shift it.

I know that drinking lots of water and exercise helps just as much as keeping to the low carb diet, however at this time of year when it is cold, I find it really hard to drink so much water, but I lose more weight when I do.

Yes, you will be down to a size 12 by 4th July if you are determined to do it. I am determined to be 115lbs by then.

Boring weekend here, but I haven't resorted to the carbs, so I am really pleased.

Have a great low carb week everyone.

Juliette

[sim1]

It was great to find this thread and so I've now subscribed to it.

For a long time using other methods of weight loss I found it very hard to find other people I could relate to because all the weight loss magazines I read had success stories from people that were usually from 5'5" and up.

It's even harder for my best friend who is 4'10". Although we are fairly similar in height, those few inches seem to make a lot of difference in our overall body shape.

Anyway, I'll have to spend a lot of time going back through the 67 pages that there are on this thread to pick up some tips and inspiration.

Thanks to you all :wave:

[Josiemk]

:wave:
It might be a little harder for us since we need to weigh less because we aren't as tall but it's not impossible. It seems most people our hight gain weight or look chubby earlier in life. But if you don't eat much carbs, drink lots of water & exersize you will be thin & maintain it too. I reached my goal early November & I'm still there BTW I started low carbing late August.

Josie

[Jaden313]

Want to get in this thread. I'm 5'1" 108lbs. Almost at goal. It was kinda tough to lose but, I've been maintaining for almost 2 years now.
Even got down to 104 last christmas (by accident) :confused: . I love this WOL.

[BarbCA]

Another Shorty here, 5'1". One of the toughest parts of having to,wear larger sizes is that most things over 12 or 14 don't come in petites. My sister who is almost the same size as me lost thirty pounds on this WOE and looks terrific.
I set my goal higher than recommended weight and will adjust if I think I need to once I reach that weight.
I lost forty pounds on low cal diet but gained thirty pounds back. Clothes in the closet that I can't get into.

[Jezebel]

Hello!,, Yep I'm another shorty... 5' 3" idon't know if I've lost weight so far.. I dom't own scales, but I knowI have lost inches... I like the look of my measurements better in inches rather than centimetres.. I can't really relate to the sizing discusions.... sizes in australia are very different it seems.. if there is anyone out there who can translate sizes to me that would be great :D

[butrf1yb1u]

Wow Im glad Ive found you all!! :yay:

Im yet another petite girl. 5'4" pretty curvy but an apple shape(if that makes sense lol) I have slender legs and hips and carry almost all my fat in my tummy area. I am currently a misses 10, or juniors 11-13..and grrrr havin to roll up all of my hip flare legs lol.

Its just kinda nice to have found a place where people understand me being 147 and wanting needing to lose weight. Before I found this site I was trying to shape up the low-fat low calorie and exercise like a maniac way and the site I was on for that was nice enough, but I truly felt lonely as very few were petite, many had 100-150 pounds to lose, and I felt that they just didnt take me serious. Because of my shorter legs, and small frame, I look really fat at this weight put another 10-15 pounds on me and I start to look obese. My goal weight is 120 but may have to get down to 110 to lose my tummy.

How refreshing to be in the company of those that understand.

Hugs,
BB.

Now off to read this rest of this thread, got excited and had to stop to say hi LOL. :wave:

http://freeavatars.net/vpimages/backgrounds/fhbacka990.gif

[donnaj]

I haven't been on for so long and I found allot of new friends. Wow, that is great. My name is Donna and I have been on WOE for 14 months. I am 5'3" and started at 215 and I am now down to 145 and have 20 more pounds to go before my 50 th birthday party on July 18th. I did great until Christmas. I found out that one day of eating allot of carb can make you miserable and it is hard to get back to the right way of eating. I think allot of my trouble started when my friend and I started selling on ebay. The stress and also eating my friend food. She is on weight watcher. Well, I better get off here and go to bed. Big day on estate sales, tomorrow. I well check on everyone soon. Ranger, if you are still out there I miss you my friend.
Donna :wave:

[SarahO]

Hi to all the new folks! Sorry this thread has been so quiet lately. I think with email notification turned off it's hard for everyone to remember to check in here.

Sim1, I know what you mean about the success stories being always for people over 5'5". Last night I was reading a thread for people who are close to goal, and they were sharing measurements, and all of them are so tall! It made me feel like my situation is totally different.

Jaden, I am so impressed that you've maintained your goal for two years! Wow!! You are an inspiration. Have you noticed any pitfalls of maintenance that you can share?

Barb, you're right about larger sizes not coming in petite. Some of the pants at Lane Bryant have petite lengths, but other than that, I did a lot of hemming and rolling up :)

I did the same thing as you regarding goal -- set mine relatively high, mainly so it would feel more attainable. Now that I'm getting close I'm wanting to reduce my goal by another 5-10 pounds. Haven't changed it in my profile because I like the looks of that percentage -- I guess that's vain of me :) Besides, my true goal is the way my face looks and fitting into my best clothes again, so the number on the scale isn't all-important.

Jezebel, good for you! As I just said above, I think measurements are more important than weight, a better indicator of actual fitness and good figure. I'm really impressed that you can do this without a scale! I wish I could, but I need the day-to-day feedback of the scale.

Hi BB, you're right about a few pounds mattering more to short people. I think it also matters more the slimmer you are. I have definitely noticed that losing 5 pounds makes much more difference in the way I look now, than it did when I first started.

I think there are a lot of other "apple" shaped people on this list. I'm a "pear" myself: smaller in the waist, but really thick in the hips and thighs. I'm OK with the pear shape -- the right clothes can make it look like an hourglass figure -- but I do envy people who can wear low waisted pants! That look is definitely not for me :)

Donna, wow, you've come so far! You must have such a feeling of accomplishment! Hope you make it to your goal by your birthday. Sorry to hear Ebay has been stressful for you. It's especially hard when you're spending a lot of time with someone who's on a totally different plan.

[Ranger]

Donna,

It was so great to hear from you! I miss you a lot! I have been so unfaithful to this WOE....I am finding it very hard to stick with it...don't know what is wrong with me....You are still doing terrific...I know you will make your goal by July!

I have been busy (as usual) with the goats and animals....two baby boys last week...they are so cute....I am making goat milk soap now and plan on selling it at the local farmers markets this summer....

I wish the emails would come back to remind me to log in.....it was almost like my conscience telling me to check in and it would make me stay on this WOE...oh well, I better get my priorities straight again...

The ebay thing is stressful? Tell me how I can find you on there? I started to look for goat things on ebay and now have bought a part of a milking machine and a book....DH is worried that I am addicted! LOL....he wishes I would sell stuff on it, instead of buying things...typical!

Have you heard from LouiseV at all? She sent me a Christmas card and it was so nice.....I haven't talked to her a lot lately, as I have not been on.....I haven't even checked back on the petite thread as I am short on time....I tried to send you a private message, but it wouldn't allow me to do it....
Take care,
Please keep in touch!
Carol

[butrf1yb1u]

..so there IS still life on this thread. :yay: Just checking in with an update. Started Atkins at 150, lost 6 on induction, gained back 3 and then became stuck. Ive been doing the FF for a motivational boost, damage control(those 3 pounds that were gained back), and also as a way to set myself up for a more successful induction this time around. I tell ya, although the FF has been pretty painless and easy for me, Induction and its menu is looking like a smorgasboard lol.

Anyways Im at 143 today...got two days left on the FF. Today my wedding and engagement ring fit for the first time in 4 years!! Im back down to a size 6/12 from a size 7 in shoe. Who knew you could lose fat in your feet? LOL. Although I havent done an official measurement comparison, I am down one inch on my waist, abdomen, and each thigh.

May post my measurements from the 17th of this month later on and an update on the 27th.

THANK YOU all for the warm welcome, :) Wishing you huge success and a cuteoutfits summer. hehe :D We can do it!

BB.

[Louise V]

Hello Girls!
Carol I'm here, my computer was down, and it took a while to get it back, but I'm here, you can get back on track, you had the dedication to do it before you can do it again. I'll help you if you need me.
Donna great to here from you Carol and I we're getting worried about you, it has been a long time, your doing great!!!!keep it up!!
Welcome!!! to all the new comers here, it seems to be a lot of new petite ladies, I wish you all the best!!!
Sarah your doing great, I agree with you sometimes you change your goal as your going, if you still look good keep going until your comfortable.
My weight is not changing a whole lot I sure would like to hit my goal someday too, but I'm getting very muscular and I am down another size in clothes, so that's great for me. I'll keep at it!!
Great to be back!!!!
Louise

[37-48Ford]

Ya.....my brother-in-law tells my sister and I we should sue the city for building side walks to close to our a$$!! :D ...

Well I am 5'2". Have been LCing since Nov 2, I think with great success!! But I have along way to go!

But We Can Do It!


Let's Go Girls!
Julie :wave:

[lattegrl]

wow- I am pretty much brand new around here but am thrilled to find this thread- havent mastered the whole site navigation thing yet but practice makes ..humm...better? Anyway I dont have any buddies yet so I added many of you to my inital list- would love to have more! I am also a small frame person and found no one taking me seriously because not that much to loose, but I could see where I was headed. I have always had a 'guy' figure- no butt, no boobs, lots of tummy, so I do need to get down another what 5 to 10 lbs befor my clothes fit in proportion- if one more person says you dont need to loose weight your pants are already baggy in the butt :bash: Maybe now that I have found you all I will also find the courage to lower my goal weight, realizing it's not just low weight I need but also to add back in some muscle weight :D . I had been so happy last week I went right down past my goal weight and been at 116 for 6 days :) but have steadily gained for the last 4 :mad: Needed to find you all for a reality check..so TIA talk to you all soon.

[cohenlin]

I have been reading this tread for a few weeks now and think that it is a great idea to have a place for us short people to post. Being only 5'0 a few pounds make a big difference. When I was at my best weight 115-120, I bought my jeans and overalls at the GAP Kids, the only place that the inseam fits and I do not have to heam the legs. I started this WOE because my overalls no longer fit. After 6 months, not only do they fit, but I can tuck a heavy shirt in as well. My size 6 business suit almost fits. I think that I would feel really funny posting this sucess in the general site when so many people would probably think a size 8 is a great size to be in. But for us really short people a size 8 can still be our "fat clothes" Ten more pounds to go!!! :wave:

[37-48Ford]

Welcome lattegrl and cohenlin

Well, I was kinda bummed all day...I don't know why? Just one of those days...I glad I don't have alot of these! But I am feeling better now! It may have been because I have not been eating enough, I used to eat 5-6 meals and lately I have been doing 2-3. So tomorrow I will be eating 5-6! Getting ready to exercise for the PM...

Hope all Is Well With Everyone!
Julie :wave:

[Josiemk]

:wave:
Welcome to the group newbies.
I didn't realize they weren't sending out reply notices anymore. I thought noone was repling. I hope they go back to sending out notices, it's so much easier to post.
Lattegrl, we have alot in common. I also started at 130 . I reached my goal last November. I'm also shaped like a boy, small breast thick waist, & no butt. I envy the curvy gals. I could probably wear a size 2 if it wasn't for my waist being as thick as it is. I have a 28 inch waist w/ no hips. :(

Well I need to go so I can catch up on email.
Josie

[Magicslr]

So happy to have found this group. I am a short woman, 5'1". To those of you who carry your weight in your mid area, the grass is always greener. I'd trade anytime.

I carry my fat in my butt and legs and have a small waist. Try that on, no clothes fit. If they fit in the butt and thighs, they are big in the waist. I keep trying to find slacks that fit my shape :bash:
I hate to shop for them cuz it's depressing.

Oh to be tall and slender. Do you think stretching exercises will add 5" to my height. :lol:

Off to clean the house - that's my exercise for the day.

Magic

[lattegrl]

o.k. todays quote:I'm not Fat I'm just short for my weight :p

[lattegrl]

I' m envious -I refuse to even post my body fat percent- lately i jump off the scale befor it has a chance to calculate it :p - you must exercise daily? My next goal is to actually use my yoga mat/props/video/book...Thanks for checking in.

[cohenlin]

Magicslr, if you come up with any good stretching exercises that will make me taller be sure to share them!!! I would love to be 5'4 and buy clothes that didn't need to be altered. Oh well everyone else in our family is of normal height except me. But then again I make my husband feel really tall at 5'7.

[smuffy24]

To not alter clothes. You actually mean to not cut a foot off the bottoms of my pants and hem them. I think I would be in heaven. LoL Well I am done fantacizing. Happy low carbing SMuffy ;)

[Josiemk]

I like that quote. :D
I exersize 5 days a week all my fat is in my lower belly,back, & inner thigh area. I'm not sure about my BFP but I think it's around 17% I did one of those test from the internet.

Josie

[Opal]

Hello all :)

Just found this forum yesterday, and can tell already its gonna help alot ! I tend to get off the diet sometimes and cheat, so maybe you all can help with that :)

I am a short 5'2", when I started atkins on the first of the yr I weighed 170 now im down to 153, Im a 33 yr old housewife and mother of 4, D 14, D12, and B/G twins 6. I am done having my babies now and just want to get back into my size 8 clothes hehe.

I did this diet a couple yrs ago and lost 40 lbs, it seems to be going a lil slower this time but thats ok. I was working the last time I was on Atkins and now lead a much more sedentary life.

I dont excersize much I know I should more.

Great to hear all your stories, would love to have a buddy to talk to compare with etc.

[lattegrl]

Hello- just have to share :D I'm there :D got on that scale this a.m and what do you know :D This last bit is so slow... but alas!!

[cohenlin]

Good For You!!!!

[SarahO]

Hi ladies! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I was starting to get a bit obsessive about dieting so I took some time off from thinking about it. Now I'm back on the forum but not using Fitday anymore, hope I can keep losing without worrying about it so much.

Lattegirl, that is fantastic!! YAY you!! :D I have been doing yoga for a couple of months & have gotten in the habit lately of doing it 4-5 times a week. I hope I can stick with it! I have already noticed my posture improving and if the soreness is any indication it's building some muscle.

Magic, I have always had the same figure problem, pants that fit in the hips & thighs are too big in the waist. My best solution is to make my own clothes so I can make the waist a size smaller than the hips. Flared skirts also help a lot.

I heard somewhere that Tanita body fat scales are too high for women? Because women tend to carry their body fat below the waist, which throws off the scales? Wish I could remember where I read that. I'd sure like for it to be true! According to my scale, my body fat % is still extremely high, I would think it would be lower since I'm not that fat anymore.

[reese]

My friends call me "lil' bit". I have a curvy figure (although boobs don't quite measure up). My waist is fairly small but of course it could be smaller. I, too, catch a lot of flack from people for wanting to lose weight. I am not UNhappy w/ my weight but I can't understand why I can't be a small person- why I always look "thick". Maybe ~ 110, my legs wouldn't look like tree trunks! I just want to for once in my life get down to 110lbs and see how I look. My lowest ever (since middle school) was 113, that was about a year ago and b4 I had liposuction (thats my big secret!). I just think ~ 110, I would look FANTASTIC. I'm 24, so I feel if I'm ever gonna make that happen, I better do it now bc it will only get harder (which I can't imagine it being).

PS ****MAGICSLR****I am from Longwood FL, too!!!!! How exciting!

[Magicslr]

Welcome Reese,

It's tough being short!!!! I look at tall people and they can wear so many types of clothing. I have to stick with only a limited few or I look as if I'm standing in a hole.

My legs and thighs are too heavy for me to wear knee lenth dresses so I have to wear long ones and I do like them. But they have to be aline or 'full' in some way or again, I'm in the hole.

Put on a long straight dress with long jacket and I'm a dump. I won't even go into slacks and jeans.

Let me get this straight, you had liposuction? Were you once very heavy? Why did you need liposuction at 23 years old? Not nosy, just can't imagine it.

You look "thick" I look "round". 2 years ago I was ill and lost a lot of weight. I went down to 112 from 120 (I had just reached my goal weight b/4 getting ill). Well, I had always thought, wow, 112 I'm thin!!! :D

Didn't like how I looked and I was still round. :)

Maybe we've seen each other at the grocery store. Who knows????

Magic

[Isa]

I am soooooooo haaaaaaapy I've finally found this thread! Hellooooo out there! I'm short! 5'3", and yeah I'm trying to lose 29 extra pounds of nonsense that I've packed on in the last 10 years or so. And it's hard hard hard to do. And as you know so well even 5 extra pounds is magnified on us shorties because we don't have that much area to spread it around on. But we get no respect, no credibility when we say we want to lose. As if our struggle is less of a struggle. But I know you know what I'm talking about. So I'm just soooo glad to have found you.

Ok, enough ranting. I've been doing Atkins since 1/18/03. I've lost 12 pounds, and I'm still on Induction because I'm afraid I won't be able to resist cheating if I'm allowed extra carbs right now. I'm getting stronger, though. And I know I have to move into a maintenance phase eventually, but not right now please.

In January I also started working out regularly with walking and pilates. I'm thrilled with the results. I never had a weight problem until I fell madly in love, married, and had a baby. Then after years of being effortlessly slender everything changed and my butt filled more mirror than was necessary. My husband, bless hiim, never varied in his worship, but I had a pile of clothes that no longer fit. And as I got older, it got worse. Now I'm determined to reach my 50th birthday in October with health, fitness, and self-esteem.

I'm really looking forward to meeting you all and reading about you and your own journeys.

Big hugs and best regards,

Isa (that short one over there with the big butt)

:wave:

[reese]

(Magicslr: yeah, you were that really rude lady I encountered in the grocery store the other day, right?) :lol:

Re lipo: No, I was never really heavy and thats a big misconception- that lipo is for fat people- when in fact it is really only for those close to their ideal weight. It is only recently that doctors have begun to perform lipo on those that are severly overweight and it is VERY DANGEROUS for those persons. I had lipo bc I have saddlebags which are hereditary (thanks mom!) and no matter what I did they would not go away. I ate healthy and weighed 113lbs, I worked out and lifted weights but once they develped (around puberty) they would not go away and they were a source of extreme embarrassment for me. They made me so self-concious it was torture just to go to the gym in shorts. So I saved and saved (money) and this is what I chose to do w/ my money. I felt like why should I be embarassed of my body ~ 24 and at a healthy weight?
Currently, In general, I am very happy with my body its just that my weight continues to creep up and I feel I need to get it back under control. I could go on and on about my lipo experience but I figure I answered your question. If you are interested, I'd be happy to share more.
Thanks so much for the warm welcome, I look forward to getting to know everyone!

[hippygal]

I too am petite. 5'1/2' to be exact. I am a mother of 3 girls and find that the weight keeps creeping up. I am very happy with Atkins. Before this I tried mty own version of low carb/ diet pills.
I don't suggest the diet pills they are addicting and dangerous.
I am having a hard time moving on from induction,it's about that time. I find that I have an addicting personality and I think I am addicted to Induction. People tell me that I am so small but when I look in the mirror I don't see it. Maybe it is a mind problem or maybe I just need to get to my goal weight.

[lattegrl]

havent been here that long myself but it doesnt take long to feel like one of the girls :) Isa you go girl! that looks like a reasonable goal to me- i'd dare say you are pretty much there- health, fitness and self esteem- if you want to drop a few lbs to boost the esteem up a notch we will help you do it :D
My week...
I know i shouldnt over weigh but it's like this: i REALLY REALLY hate mornings and since starting this back in janurary( also when i bought my first ever scale) the reason i rise and shine- other than to settle the crereal dispute of the moment between the kids ;) is to get on that scale- Having said all this i am bumming because my weight has steadily increased over the last 4 days- 116.4 today- and i can see it and feel it in my tummy :mad: Not sure where i am going with this just wanted to vent.- thanks

[reese]

I can TOTALLY relate to the scale being the reason you get up and heres how I cope w/ that: I don't own one but theres one at my gym. Sooooo, if I want to do a weigh-in, I have to get up (at 5:20 AM) and work out. ;0
Speaking of weighing, today it is official, I still weigh 122. I think I've said this before but WWWWAAAAAAHHHH! If I have trouble losing at induction levels, how will I EVER up my carbs?!
Hipygal: I have people tell me I'm small too and sometimes they really give me a hard time for being "on a diet". That irritates me and I don't see it either. Like you, I just want to know how I would look at my goal weight. I know I shouldn't be obsessed w/ the # on the scale, but ya know what? I am. I want to do this for myself, I will really feel I have accomplished something when I get there.

[hippygal]

Reese, that is all I am trying to do too.
I want to get back to the weight I was after my second child.
My third did me in !

[lattegrl]

i think if you both are small boned- not just short ;) that your goals are very reasonable, hippygal- i did the the same thing with having kids- after each one i just said my baseline weight is 5 (or7) lbs more than when i got pregnant- my goal is not as low as what it was when i first got pregnant( i weighed less than 110) but that was 12 years ago and i am 40 years old, i do believe it is realistic that as we age we will carry a FEW more lbs than we did in our 20's :) If i couldnt see/feel the weight in my tummy i would be thrilled w/ putting on a few lbs of muscle- i need to exercise/weight train as much or more than diet but i have choosen to do this a step at a time-i dont sit around all day -after all i have 3 boysand a DH- but also havent committed to a weight program yet- BUT i can SEE it in my future :D

[Magicslr]

Hey Reese,

I'm not the rude one you bumped into at the grocery store, I'm the one you careened off of at the grocery store. I'm so round, I'm like a cushion. Hope it didn't hurt too much when you hit the wall. :D

Thanks for the info on the liposuction. I had no idea of the real facts. I thought about doing it years ago and a friend of mine when to see the doctor, but since she was 40 he told her it wouldn't be successful. Since I was 45 at the time, I never investigated further.

It seems as if you really have your head on straight and know what you want. No scale in the house seems like a good idea.

Isa you made me laugh with your description of your butt filling the mirror. Thanks. You have a great way of writing.

Magic :wave:

[hippygal]

I would say I am medium-boned.
I know what I looked like at that weight before. I hope to be there soon.
Good Luck everyone !

[reese]

Um...I'll take the small boned answer :roll:

Magic, you are too funny! I don't think you are ever too old to do lipo. In fact, my Grandmothers friend, she's 70, is looking to get it done! Skin retraction can be a problem but you would look better in clothes and you could always get a lift done in combination w/ lipo. Having said that, losing weight is definitely the better route. Surgery is tough at any age and there are several potential (cosmetic) complications that can make for an undesirable result. If nothing else lipo is expensive and losing weight is personally gratifying!

[Yank_in_NC]

I enjoy reading this thread so much. I can relate to each and every one of you.

I too rapidly approaching 40 (next week - UGH) have the same problems all of you are experiencing.

SOOOO many people look at me and say "why are you on a diet?" I can't tell you how many times I'd like to just say "would you like to see me naked?" Only reason I don't say it is because I fear they'll say yes!!! lol Don't get me wrong, I don't want to pose for Cosmo, I just want to be able to wear a normal swim suit (minus the shorts) and not look like I have tree trunks holding me up!!! :mad:

Anyway, as far as the saddle bags go? I HATE THEM!!!!!!!! I've been working out since late Nov. 3, 4 or 5 times/week depending. I take step aerobics and cardio boxing classes. The saddle bags have diminished somewhat but needless to say, they're STILL THERE! What else can I possibly do??? It's discouraging to think that they'll never be totally gone. :( I see other women with lean legs and want to slap them. hehehehe My question about the lipo is? How expensive is it? I'm sure it'll depend on how much you wanted done but all I would want is to get rid of my remaining "bags." Would you be able to shed some light on that Reese??? :q:

Anyway, this is a great thread for us shorties and a great place to vent!!! lol

Thanks.

Kim :wave:

[SarahO]

Reese, you don't have a lot to lose so don't be surprised at it going slowly. The book makes it sound like the pounds will fly off you but I think that's generally not true except for people who have a very large amount to lose. I'm down to the last 12 pounds out of 50 so I don't mind going slowly at this point, but since you're on your last 12 out of 15 I'm sure it's frustrating :)

Hi Kim! I was wondering if you were still posting here. That Wal-mart near you just put in a big freezer case, but no Le Carb ice cream. Darn! I guess it's good that they don't have it, cause I don't want to get back in the habit of eating dessert every day. They do carry single serving containers of Ben & Jerry's, and boy am I glad they didn't sell that before I started Atkins! I would have gotten one every time I went there.

I went to the Consumer Reports website and they said Tanita body fat scales are consistently 8% too high for women. They tested people with water displacement and with Tanita scales and they found women could reliably deduct 8% from their result (3% for men). That means my body fat is 24-25%. Yes!!! I would like to get it down a few percent lower, but still this is so much better than what I thought.

ps: I have saddlebags too but I don't care, I'm used to them! I like to wear short, full skirts that show off the nice part of my legs and hide the saddlebaggy part. I'm really disappointed with my upper arms though. 35 pounds and they still look like sausages!

[reese]

Yank!!!
I DO say that!!!!! (You haven't seen me naked). I just didn't post bc I am new to this thread and I didn't want to offend. Ha! Great minds think alike.
Re the "tree trunk legs" I hate that, too. The thing is, since we are short, they will probably always be that way.
Re lipo: Since this is O/T should I email you w/ lipo info?
In answer to your question, in general, the first area (one area is saddlebags on both legs for instance) is $2,000-3,500 but you usually get a discount w/ each addl area. If you'd like addl info, see my profile (my email is there).
Sarah-thank you for the encouragement. I am not a patient person so its really hard for me to accept slow loss but I really don't have a choice and, hey, at least I'm not still gaining!

[JenJen224]

Hi Everyone,
I am new here. My name is Jennifer and I live in NYC. I presently weigh 160lbs and I am about 5'2". I have been attributing my non weight loss to my hypothyroidism. I have done some research and found for my condition low carb is the way to go.
I am setting up my game plan and I will start on Friday. I have a banquet to go to tonight.

I am really grateful to find this board and hope maybe I can find a buddy or buddies to talk to. :)

Take Care
Jennifer

[reese]

Its a good thing you are waiting until AFTER your banquet to start LCing (low carbing) since most plans don't allow you to drink and its sometimes difficult to attend gatherings where there is an abundance of food (as I am assuming there will be at your banquent). Good luck and we are here for you!

[JenJen224]

Hi Reese,
I had a question maybe you could help me with. Can you eat cottage cheese during induction?

Thanks for your help
Jennifer

[Isa]

I'll make this short but sweet...a description of everyone on this thread so far...(and welcome JenJen). I ran into that more-pant-leg-than-humanly-possible phemenon at The Gap yesterday, but came away with a big smile on my face. I've been wearing size 10 Gap jeans, which have been getting looser by the week since I started Atkins mid January (except for that long stall around weeks 3, 4, and 5). I thought I'd give size 8 a try so I pulled out an 8 regular (boot cut) and actually got them on with room to spare. But the length! I'd have to be standing on a chair to have the length make sense. So when the ever helpful sales person asked how things were going in there (what do they expect us to say anyway?) I asked for an 8 ankle length. Then I threw all caution to the wind and asked for a size 6 ankle length just in case. What...just in case I want to fall over on my face trying to hoist them up over my butt? After all...the style specified slim leg and that definitely hasn't applied to me in years.

Guess what? I tried on the size 8...room to spare around the hips. I tried on the 6. Buttoned and zipped with nary a sharp intake of breath. (You know what I'm talking about, sister!) Snug around the butt but perfect through the legs. DANG!

I've been walking and doing pilates with elastic body bands. $30.00 at Target. I highly recommed it. I knew my legs were shaping up...but I NEVER expected such happy results.

Ok, so this wasn't short...but for me it was a sweet moment. I didn't buy the jeans, though. I want to drop a few more pounds before I drop $50.00 on jeans. You know?

I'm a 49-year-old former couch potato. If I can succeed at this you can too.

Woooohoooooooo!!!!

Isa :daze:

[reese]

Unfortunately, no. The Atkins website has a list of allowable induction foods. Heres a link:

http://atkinscenter.com/Archive/2001/12/15-464579.html

Basically, the rule is, if its not on that list, you can't have it. I think cottage cheese is pretty high in carbs. The good news is, you can have it after induction! A piece of advice to you: look closely at the ingredients in the meat that you buy (not just the serving info). Often, packaged meats contain dextrose which is a form of sugar.

[reese]

Isa: you are too funny. By the way, congratulations on how far you've come!!!
The thing I always find funny w/ ridiculously long jeans, is when I hold them up in front of me and the waist is at my chest.

[AllysonneV]

hi jen - i am new to the forum too and not tall. 5'2" and 168 and reducing...and am hypothyroid :rolleyes: too (diagnose 3 yrs) and still trying to feel good and not gain 10 lbs a year.

glad to see you here - get through your banquet and come back to chat.

ally

[JenJen224]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for the Welcome. ;)
I made it through the banquet. The food was okay.
I plan tmw to go do my food shopping. I saw on a couple of sites that the Akins shakes where pretty good, so I will get a couple of those. I am not much of a cook so convience is key for me.

I have finally will start journal...

Ally what thyroid meds are you on? Do they help you.

Take Care,
Jennifer

[SarahO]

Hi Jennifer, congrats on starting low carb! I've never had a canned shake, but I love Keto brand powdered shake mix. It's good with water or, after induction, kefir. If you're looking for easy menu ideas maybe you could check the recipes section here, I have gotten some great ideas that way.

Isa, that's awesome that you fit into a size 6! Yay you!!

--Sarah

[Isa]

Greeting to my fellow hobbit-sized women.

SarahO and reese...thanks for your kind words. Fitting into that size 6 was an amazing high. It was just so thrilling to see some real results after these many long weeks of hard work. As I said, I didn't buy the jeans because I'm still working on getting to at least 115 if not 110. On my small-boned body that would be slim, not skinny. I know because I spent so much of my adult life there. I'd love to get there again.

jenjen...tell us how it felt to get through your banquet without a total carbo meltdown. I'm so proud of you! We all have to work it meal by meal, don't we. That's why I'm finding Atkins very easy to stick to. I know what I can eat and what I can't. And absolutely nothing from the can't list makes it into my mouth. I still cook for my family like I always did...but my dinner plate gets piled high with fresh mixed greens and whatever protein I've made, and they eat the rice/pasta/polenta. It's just no big deal anymore.

Exercise is something new for me, too. I used to do it off and on, then it was more off than on, then it was never. (I was on almost complete bed rest for nearly two years until this past summer.) Then I started walking and doing pilates. I made reasonable goals for myself, instead of setting these ridiculously high targets. So far so good.

I'd love to know what's working for the rest of you. It's inspirational.

Stay well in these dark times.

xo
Isa

[SarahO]

Hi Isa, I cook just the way you do -- we'll make chicken sauteed with vegetables and the BF will have it over pasta, I'll have it by itself. Or a Chinese stir-fry and I skip the rice. There are some dishes that we used to cook a lot that just don't work anymore (spicy Chinese peanut noodles, sigh I miss them) but a lot of our typical recipes translated well to low carb.

I have never been able to make myself get enthused about exercise but lately I seem to be more into it. The past few weeks I've been exercising 5-6 times a week. I'm hoping it lasts! cause my losses have slowed down a lot, and I feel like I need a push to get me through those last few pounds.

[Isa]

SarahO...I just checked your stats and I'm here to give you a big high five! What fantastic results. You must feel like a whole new person. I'm thrilled to see that you're exercising, too. What do you like to do? I'm sure you already know this, but now that you're building muscle mass along with losing fat, you might see the scale slow down. That's because (shall we all say it together?) 'muscle weighs more than fat.'

Don't be surprised if your body at 131 feels and looks more compact than your body at your ultimate goal weight.

Actually, I'm pretty surprised when people say they're dieting but not exercising. I can't imagine not doing both. Something has to tone up all that flabby muscle and skin. And the older you get (Isa raises her hand here) the more important it is to exercise exercise exercise. Don't go nuts (Isa tell herself) but do it because it feels great and it looks good on ya!

Keep up the good work. Let's keep checking in with each other!

Isa

[SarahO]

Hi Isa, thanks so much for your very kind message. I do feel very different. It's weird though, I have a hard time seeing the difference in the mirror. I can see it in my clothes, I'm 4-5 dress sizes smaller, but when I look in the mirror all I see is how far I have to go.

I do a fairly rigorous yoga practice 5-6 times a week (an hour each time), if I dont have time for yoga I do a half hour of pilates, and just recently I've also added light weight lifting, which I'm trying to do 3 times a week or so. So I'm trying to exercise every day now, unless I'm sick or have a really busy work day (I work at home). What do you do? Walking and pilates? I like pilates a lot, it's so focused. My yoga is Iyengar which is also very precise and focused.

You are right, my loss has slowed a lot. Only 1/2 pound since adding the weights, nothing in the past week. I've heard that this is common when you add exercise, the muscles are stressed so they retain water. Once the muscles get used to this activity level I should start losing again. I can already see the difference in my arms so I'm not upset about the stall.

I added the weights because, as much as I've lost, I still have horrible flabby upper arms. I can't stand them! I haven't worn a sleeveless top in about 10 years but I am determined that this is the year.

yours, Sarah

[lattegrl]

Yank is it too early to say Happy Birthday!!!
Isa I just gotta say, even if the jeans are too long dont you just love the new cut on the waist? On my older high waisted styles i'd pull my shirt out and unbutton the top but WATCH OUT for the pinching zipper if you try this trick at home...nothing like leaning over for that 2nd slice of ..and YEOW- get that tender belly skin caught in there...but see, since i'm now LCing i dont need the pinching zipper thing to keep me from eating :D I can safely invest in comfortable low waist jeans with out fear of outgrowing them! Let us know when you go on your next shopping spree.

[m1whowaits]

Going to ask first... am I too tall to be here? 5'5" and my goal's 120. Not the thinest I've ever been. But I'm pushing 40 too and not gonna be too greedy. Was 105 in my 20's, but I was chasing babies, now I'm a desk potato grandma!! Health is my main issue, just check out my journal. But fitting in a 5/6 again is a great bennie!! Finally felt good enough to start yoga again (I love it I could do it for hours!) but think I pushed a little to hard and my shoulders were sore so I skipped today. Hope to do more tomorrow. I've been chatting with people here for health problems, but it would be nice to chat with the ladies that have more similar beginnings and goals. I was up to 150 2 years ago and have been slowly whittling away. Not being able to eat grains any more jump started the rest!! Hope to chat more and share the joy of slipping on size 6 express jeans (my favorite $45 jeans).

Liz

[lattegrl]

mom1whowaits- welcome- gotta tell ya- there are some shorties we all hang out w/ here but there isnt a height restriction! Myself am 5'4"- i even buy jeans in the regular depts-not petits- but that info is for your eyes only! dont want to make Isa too enviouse- she's my bud! I can totally relate to your weight goal- i was 103 lbs in highschool and have no desire to get there again. I do feel old sometimes when i get it how much more health conscious the girls in their 20's are than i only recently became- in my teens and 20's i was just thin and happy about it ;) ate nothing but junk food, never ever exercised.
ANYWAY- GUESS WHAT EVERYONE!!
Yesterday i did my first pilates video- :D Wahoo- my esentially first attempt at exercise :eek:
My 5 year old was pretty impressed as he watched me uncoordinatedly flopping around for 30" . I have this fantastic soreness in my tummy ?muscles? :p so as soon as i finish up here i am off to do it again :D See ya -

[hippygal]

I am back after being gone for about a week. I am so glad everyone is still as peppy as I remembered. Congrats to all who have been doing so well ! I too have good news. I went to Express and was actually able to buy a pair of low rise boot cut size 3/4 Jeans. I am soooooo excited ! I have not been on the scale lately but I am off to weigh myself today. Even if the scale hasn't moved I KNOW I have lost some inchesbecause I could not have fit my fat butt into those jeans before. They were actually comfortable. I must admit I wore them on Saturday and Sunday since they make me look so slim.

Everyone let's keep the WHHOOOSSSHHH Going !

[Magicslr]

Congratulations hippygal,

size 3/4 jeans???? I was born wearing a bigger size than that. I too have good news, I haven't lost any pounds, but the next size up jeans I bought which were tight, now fit. :D :D

I am definitely committed, going to get back into all the jeans and clothes in my closet. Right now, I only have 1 pair of jeans (have to wash them often :) ) but they FIT.

You must feel really proud of yourself.

Magic

[hippygal]

That's great Magic !
I just love coming to this site to get support from all of my fellow LCers. I really do Love Ya'll !
He he that's how we say it down here in Texas !

[m1whowaits]

Thanks for the welcome latte (something I can't drink any more :( ). Congrats on starting the exercise!! :Party: !! I too just started doing yoga again. Compaired to how I used to move I feel like a slug doing it now!! But it'll get better!! Don't give up!!

Hippy gal, I know how you feel (congrats, BTW) I'm now wearing Express 9/10's that are loose. I could go get 7/8's but I gonna use a belt and wait till I can get the 5/6's again!! I can't wait!! My goal is my 39th in Aug but I'm hoping it'll happen before then.

Magic, Keep up the good work. It'll come off. Doesn't it feel great when old pants fit? I have a pair hanging in the closet I can't wait to get back into!!

Later all!! :wave:

Liz

[hippygal]

M!Whowaits, at the rate you are going you will be in those 5/6's by your birthday! Won't you look good on your birthday strutting your stuff !

[m1whowaits]

Maybe I'll post a picture. Maybe even in shorts!! If only this cellulite on my thighs would go with the inches!! Bent down doing my yoga and scared myself!!!!

[reese]

To SarahO & m1whowaits (& everbody else who recently started a new exercise program): Make sure to take your measurements!! I'm sure this has been said 100 times but sometimes we gain weight or stabalize for a while after starting exercise bc we build muscle. There will probably be a reduction in inches in leu of pounds but you won't know unless you check!! And really its inches we care about most right???
Tip: When I measure myself I start with measurements from the ground up, recording the height of each body part that I want to measure. That way my measurements are always consistent. Here's that explanation in more detail: I step on the measuring tape at a certain point and measure upward marking my body at my knees, thighs, 2 places on my hips and my waist. I do an additional, separate height check on my inner thighs (stepping on tape on inside of my foot). I have all of these heights recorded in a log so now when I measure I simply make marks on my body in all the designated spots. THEN I measure circumference thus ensuring my measurements are consistent. Make sense? I know it sounds complicated but its only bc its difficult to explain.

[m1whowaits]

You're making sure you record the same circumference area each time. Instead of perhaps an inch higher or lower which would make for irregular measurements! Right?

Liz

[Isa]

Hey Little Ladies...first of all I'm handing out wooohooos and high fives to all of you who are strutting your stuff - either in the dressing room or around town - in smaller sizes. Congratulations on your ever-shrinking silhouettes. 'Cause I just know that your mirror isn't getting any bigger...it's you that's getting smaller!

:clap:

I'm glad to see that so many of us are doing yoga and pilates along with our aerobic activities. We of the smaller persuasion have to really think about long, toned muscles rather than big bulked up muscles (on us, anyway...but go right ahead and think about them on your favorite pool boy.) So the stretching helps us sculpt, tone, and elongate. Now if only it would make me taller, I'd be just right for my weight.

I'm finding that one of the more pleasurable aspects of cruising the new Spring clothes is knowing that because I've been working it since January I don't have to face Summer wishing I'd started taking care of myself earlier. I'm guessing I may reach my ultimate goal sometime in June...who knows...but more importantly if things keep going the way they have been I'll feel and look better than I have in years. If I'm at goal, so much the better. But the way I feel right here and now is good, too.

I just love this thread. You're all terrific. No matter how tall you are (m1whowaits) and what department you shop in (lattegrl) or how fabulously tiny your jeans are (hippygal).

Best regards to all

Isa

:wave:

[paty]

May I join your club? I'm only 5'0 (on a good day!) & have been struggling with my weight for life. Was hospitalized for anorexia in high school & destroyed my metabolism. Got married right out of college & had a baby 9 months later. Was just shy of 200 lbs the day before I delivered! Now; 16 months later I'm making some good progress. Want to get down to 115 but would be pleased with 120. (My DH has seen me at my worst (he prefers curves to skin & bones :) ) I was hoping there would be a place to post for us tiny girls!

Paty

[SarahO]

Hi Paty! You're absolutely welcome here. You're making terrific progress! You must be so proud of yourself. That's great that your husband is supportive.

I really admire you for overcoming anorexia and being able to set a reasonable goal weight now. I had problems with disordered eating too, a long time ago, and I still sometimes get upset with myself for setting my goal so high. But I keep reminding myself how not-fun it was to be underweight, and how much better it is to be healthy than thin. Most of the time I even believe it :)

Hi Isa, you said it about summer clothes! Here's to looking good in our clothes :)

Reese, I have been taking measurements all along. I even have them in an excel spreadsheet, I divide by the median so I can compare the rate of change of all my measurements and my weight. (Geeky huh?) That's a clever way to make sure you measure the same place every time! I'll have to try that. My waist nips in enough that it's easy to find the right place, likewise my hips (but there it's the biggest spot, not the smallest), but I'm never sure if I'm measuring the right place on the thigh.

[Yank_in_NC]

I posted to you earlier in my journal then I came here. I love this thread.

I wanted to mention that measuring problem. I read earlier in this thread about someone else having difficulty with that. I can't ever seem to measure in the same spot twice!!! So, because of that, I had a girl at the gym measure me again (she measured me when I first started) and my measurements hardly changed. Some even were higher!!! How could that be if I'm wearing size 7 clothes now and was in size 10's when she measured me the first time?

Any ideas? :confused:

Kim

[Yank_in_NC]

I almost fell off my chair when I read your post about the cellulite on the thighs! I've been exercising REGULARLY since November and I STILL have that. It makes me sooooooooooooooooo mad. How could I have gone from a size 12 to a size 7 and STILL have that cellulite? What else can we do to get rid of that????

Anyone have any ideas?

Kim

[Yank_in_NC]

Why didn't I think of that measuring technique? I have that same problem! Only wish I had started measuring that way 6 months ago!

Thanks for the great tip!

Kim

[reese]

A few things i'd like to share:
I got the idea on measuring that way from my endermologist. Endermologie is a treatment for cellulite and while its SUPER expensive it does work. Its about $900 for complete set of 14 or so sessions and then its around $40 per session after that (you have to go once or twice a month thereafter to keep results). I only went to help me heal from lipo which by the way made my cellulite MUCH worse!!!! It looked much better while I was doing the endermologie though. Another option I heard people talking about on the board is "body brushing". Heres a link http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58133&highlight=body+brush

Now, its my turn to complain: I gained 1/2 a pound today. Not only am I not moving downwards, now I'm going up! My cruise is in less than 3 weeks and it looks like I'm not going to be anywhere near my short-term goal of 115. Waaaaaa! This has got me really down. Any suggestions????

[Goat Lady]

Hey there! :wave: I was just browsing through and saw your thread.
I'm from the central Ohio area (actually one hour east of Columbus, Ohio) I'm on day 11 of Atkins WOE and so far I've lost 6 pounds.
I was wondering if I could join your thread here. It would be nice to have tons of buddies to work with!

Congrats to all that have lost and hope to make some LC friends! :D

[Magicslr]

Welcome Goat Lady,

Congratulations on your loss. 6 pounds in 11 days is an outstanding loss.

This is a great thread.

Magic

[m1whowaits]

Hi goat lady!! Congrats on the poundage loss. I'll come do my happy dance when the next 5 is gone!! Maybe 3 weeks if the exercise goes well.

Love your goats!! I had ducks. I moved. I miss them. :(

Liz

[Goat Lady]

Magic--Thanks for your welcome!

Liz-Thank you for your welcome also. The picture by my name is of my little one born 2/8/03. Her name is Diamond. This is my first at ducks. I just moved them to the pond yesterday. So cool to see them swimming around and dunking under water. Hopefully they will stay in the yard....Never had them, so don't know much about them...just playing it by ear!

Take care and hope to hear from more!

EVERYBODY HAVE A GREAT LC DAY! :wave:

[m1whowaits]

GL, I posted in your journal about the ducks. I would love to live in the country again. Well, actually I lived in the desert, but it wasn't the city. Even a bigger yard would be nice. We rent now and are planning on buying a house this summer. I can't wait!!

Reese, just 1/2 lb... maybe it's water weight. My gyno says women can flux as much as 5-10 lb in water retention over the course of a month. Try drinking more water so what your body needs is available and maybe it won't hold on to extra. Good luck!

Kim, I've heard Atkins will help decrease cellulite, cause you're burning up the body fat. All Cellulite is is fat deposits in the connective tissue between the skin and the muscle. There are little beam like structures between the skin and the muscle, fat gets deposited between them, that's why there's a dimpled effect. I'v heard of a cosmetic procedure where they use an ultra sonic sound wave that kinda liquifies the fat so the little bumps aren't as promenent. My solution...Capri Pants!! If it goes, great but I can think of better things to spend my money on. One thing I will change, flabby arms!!! I'm gonna borrow my son'd barbells, and look good in sleveless shirts this summer!!!

Later all, Liz

[Goat Lady]

Liz, I just posted in your journal too.....Good luck on finding a house....it's always exciting searching for houses!!!

[Isa]

Hello all. Hope you are staying sane in these crazy times. What else can we do but care for each other as best we can.

Hi Goat Lady! Welcome to you and your goats and your ducks and your cats and your dogs and whatever other life forms you feed these days. Congratulations on your diet success so far. That's fabulous!

Can I say a word about cellulite?

*&%^

Yeah. That word. But I have to agree with m1whowaits about how the cellulite can diminish as we lose fat and exercise and drink plenty of water. I'm seeing some real change in that area on my inner thighs, right above my knees. You know the one. It's noticeably less lumpy these days.

Regarding the body brushing...I use textured spa gloves with shower gel every day, and give myself a very thorough scrubbing using small circles. My skin feels smoother, but I don't know if I'm getting the same benefits as I would with the body brush. Any thoughts? Do those of you who brush use the brush wet or dry?

I think I've used up my two cents.

Isa

[TarHeel]

Hi: I like this thread, as I am five feet tall. Just seems so hard to lose weight on any system at our height. But low carb works best for me. Found a d'lites store today with an incredible selection of low carb foods. Some things I would never have eaten even without trying to lose weight.....which has me worried a bit! We shall see what happens...G'night

[m1whowaits]

I personally don't eat any of the low carb concoctions. I try to keep everything as whole and natural as possible. I have some autoimmune issues and any thing that doesn't need to be in there isn't going in my mouth!! I'm finally starting to feel better and I never want to crawl down that old road again!!!

Liz

[TarHeel]

HI Liz: I took the Candida quiz and came out with a score of 33 and even that was exagerating a bit, so don't think yeast enters into my problems. Thanks for your comments.

Kay

[m1whowaits]

Tar, That's great!! I'm curious to see what my score will be in August when I do it again. I'm paying for my waywardness now. It's DS birthday and he had pizza. I ate the toppings off one piece (meat & cheese). I knew better, feel like total garbage. Hope I sleep it off. I didn't eat any cake!!!! I'm thinking it might be the sausage. How much sugar do they use in that stuff?!?!?!

Liz

It'll remind me why I quit eating that stuff!!

[janetkind]

:wave: :wave:

I would also like to have some email buddies to help with wt. loss and goals. I think we all could be helped with having a little buddy to help push and give kicks to when needed.
So lets keep posting and lets chat.
I need to lose 50lbs. Goal wt. is to be 100lbs by Fall.
Iam doing Atkins. Startred Feb 1st.. I need to take my measurements . wish i had before.
I have lost 15lbs so far.
this has been a slow wt. lost for me. I should have lost 20lbs by now,
But i did not have a lost Since Feb23. was holding 155 for long time and last week Lost 5lbs in 2 days. I also having sec. tom this month. so maybe why i was tried. Like to get mysel going on exericing. that helps alot. any tips?? maybe we can get exerice posting going to. I also count my cals. and still on interduction. will just wanted to say hello and iam a little thing to.>>>4ft.11 and small frame. so please post .if any one wants me??ha.

[lattegrl]

Janet of course we want you- the more the merrier- I think you are doing great, 15 lost is progress- and believe it or not fast progress ;) I am a miserable exerciser so i have no tips for you there- BUT hey everybody, i AM still doing my pilates tape :D Talk to you soon-

[janetkind]

Thanks for wanting little old me. ha
I just have to rember about this site, I did real good today Will weigh in Tuesday. to start a new. and start 9 weeks on atkins. Still doing Interduction and will be doing that till fall.
I was thinking of trying to do that tape you mention u were doing. But find the kind for new dummie. ha.
I think the more we post the better it gets. some days just need that kick and push. this way of dieting is slow for me. but am so darn dedermine to do this this way. so giving atkins till fall. But some days. i dont know. but at least my weight moved. long stall. will hope to be able to aadd to posting and help to. take care. janet

[Goat Lady]

Hey there, just got back from inlaws for hubby's b-day. Had fun, but glad to be back home. Had a "cheat" Sat night :rolleyes: ...(chips and dip) but jumped right back in Sun morning. Haven't stepped on the scale since Friday and it's KILLING me! I'm trying to weigh in only once a week. HOW HARD IS THAT???

Well, just wanted to post a little something! Talk with ya'll tomorrow!! :wave:

[wylloe]

I'm 5' - used to be 5'1" but am shrinking...UGH! Anyway, I'm trying to get down to 115 lbs. I don't consider myself "petite" but short. I have a medium frame...God just forgot to give me a waistline! I think if I had a waistline...I would be about 5'10" and wouldn't have to lose weight!!!! :daze:

[Goat Lady]

wylloe,

I couldn't help but laugh about the "being taller and not having to lose weight!" I never thought of it that way! Sorry to laugh, but you just made my day! :p

Good luck on low-carbing, I see you are from Ohio....drop a line in my journal sometime! Hope to see you there! :wave:

Goat Lady

[reese]

Goat:
You need to get rid of the scale. Or you could have somebody hide it from you and then go get it on your weigh days. I know I wouldn't be able to resist if I had a scale at my house. I only use the one at the gym- it forces me to go work out if I want to weigh! I haven't been weighing lately, I'm like why bother? Since I'm not losing. I'm just trying to eat good and whatever happens, happens. Its still a little frustrating though. I stopped counting calories (although not going overboard either) since it makes me feel bad when I go over my limit.
Liz:
BTW there usually isn't sugar in italian sausage but I bet there is sugar in the tomato sauce. What an accomplishment- not having any cake! Congrats!!!! I know how hard that is!

[m1whowaits]

Oh Reese, and it was Caravel icecream cake the with little chocolate crumbles!!!! :cry:

I'm just glad I felt OK the next day. I seem to be recovering from my indiscresions faster these days. A good sign.

I'm also reading Neanderthin and considering trying it. Anybody here ever read it?


Liz

[Isa]

Hello girls...

m1whowaits: congratulations on resisting the cake. Is it better to feel bad because you had no cake or to feel bad because you did?

reese: My scale calls out my name if I get within 5 feet of it. I give it what it wants once every morning, then I resist it for the rest of the day. I look at my morning number, shrug, and do whatever I'm going to do anyway. I've been stalled out for the past couple of weeks, but I think that's due to lack of regular exercise. (Wild weather, sick child.) I'm back to my walking and pilates, though, so I'm hoping for a breakthrough soon.

latte: tell us about your pilates tape. I love the one I'm using, but I'm always interested in what else is out there.

Hi janet, wylloe, and goat lady.

Small women...big ambitions

Isa

[hippygal]

I haven't posted in awhile. I hope all of you are doing well.

Just wanted to drop some words of encouragement to everyone.


KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !

There, I've had my say.

Love ya

Hippy :wave:

[reese]

OMG!! Icecream cake...That is my FAVORITE :yum: I could not have resisted, you really get props!! :dazzle:
I have thought about buying a pilates tape but I have so many tapes that I never use. Is there anything special about these? I'd like to hear more, too. One at home exercise that I love is my yoga ball. The ab workout it gives is fabulous. I only have two problems with it: First, its huge so its really a pain to store (and takes forever to reinflate so deflating is not an option). Second, is my (very large) dog thinks everything is a toy for her so I have to shut her out of the room or she'll make me crazy. Of course then she whines which is upsetting. I'm so afraid she will get ahold of it- she could easily pop it.
Neanderthin: what is its premise? I'm doing Atkinsish....20-25 carbs x day, no sugar, almost all carbs from veggies (but sf treats on the weekends bc I love to bake). I was just getting too frustrated with not losing anything even though I was being so strict (w/ induction). I had to back off for a bit.

[m1whowaits]

I'm only a third the way through the book, but it's pretty much like this... Humans are omnivores designed to ingest and digest a natural diet. If it takes technology (science or cooking) we're not meant to eat it. He's not saying don't cook, but if it can't be eaten raw (which technically meat can), we're not meant to eat it. Look how long neanderthal man survived BEFORE mastering fire. Did you know many "natural" foods we eat are poisionous if eaten raw? His basic mantra for shopping is, (paraphrase)" If you're on the savannah (were man originated) with your sharp stick, can you hunt it or gather it?" That's what humans are meant to consume. Did you know grains of our times cannot propagate with out intervention? They've been so manipulated they are unrecognizable for the original grains. I'm practically eating that way now. No sugar, no grains (occassional oat bran, but when that's gone, I'm not buying any more), recently started eating dairy (was lactose intolerent before) but don't know if I'll continue. It's an interesting read. Most autoimmune disorders are because of our diets. I'll fill you in when I finish the book.

Liz

[Goat Lady]

Good Morning! How's everybody doing? Looks like it might turn out to be a nice day....hope to make it outside here pretty soon!

Just stopping in to say HI (and I have stayed off of the scales since Friday......IT'S KILLING ME!!) I just need to throw the stupid thing away, because it's soooo tempting when I'm wondering how good (or bad) I'm doing. I need to get the measureing tape out and see if that's changed any.....

Hope everybody has a good day! :wave:

[Munia68]

Hi, I am new here -- feeling very shy. Please welcome me.

I have started Atkin's from ( March, 2003). I am 34 years old. I have a question -- do you have loose skin if you lose much weight? And if yes, then what do you do about it? Have any of you ever done liposuction? Any advice?

Thanks...

[Munia68]

oops, I don't know why I put brackets there! :confused:

Anyway, I forgot to mention that I am 5' 2 1/2" tall, medium frame, so I do consider myself petite!

Bye :wave:

[janetkind]

This is my 9 week on Atkins and iam still doing Interduction. Had astall were i didnt lose any thing but 10 lbs but held on to that From Feb23 until close to end of March. Then Last week i lost 3lbs -then 2 the next. 5 lbs in 2 days. i was happy with that. but sure thought i would keep going. this is new month and new week so see what happend. i want to weigh 100lbs by fall. Right now 150 lbs so trying to getto first goal of 145 then 125 by june. this atkins diet is a slow diet that is for sure. i got to kick in exersicing to to help kick Mr. fats butt. i love being tiny when thin. iam small bone and 4 ft. 11. Lets keep in touch and chat to.
janet
I also count calaries to

[Magicslr]

Hi Janetkind,

Congratulations on breaking through the stall. 5 pounds in 2 days, what a whoosh.

I'm still stalling but keeping with it. Need to get my body into some exercise, but I hate that almost as much as I hate water. :D

Keep up the good work :thup: , you'll be meeting your mini goals in no time at all.

Magic

[Goat Lady]

Hi! and Welcome! I'm not sure about the loose skin...I did have lipo about 6 years ago, but it was on my second chin....and I still don't have one...so I guess it worked. Good luck on your WOL! Keep posting...there is ALOT of support here!

Janet~~CONGRATS ON YOUR LOSS!! I know you were getting kinda frustrated for a while there! See, it paid off!!!! Now send the whoosh fairy to my house!!!!! :D

[reese]

[QUOTE] Most autoimmune disorders are because of our diets

I really believe this and I think the Neanderthin plan sounds really healthy but I don't think I could do it. I love to bake too much and I like lots of variety. Seems like meat, veggies and fruit would be most (if not all) of your choices. However, I guess not having to cook would really simplify one's life. Do you get to marinate the meat or add spices? Probably no butter, right? Hmmm, maybe that wouldn't be so bad. Definitely healthy and maybe even I could lose weight on that WOE.

Fatlady: More than likely you will not have loose skin from losing weight. You are young enough and as long as you don't lose too quickly, you should be fine. If excess skin is your concern, liposuction is NOT what you want. Liposuction makes this condition worse (since skin has to retract to fit a new contour when fat has been removed). The surgical option you are probably thinking of is the lift. AKA thigh/butt/body/breast lift. This can be done in combination w/ lipo. Forgot to look at your weight but unless you are w/ 20 lbs of ideal weight and only looking to change one or two specific areas, lipo will probably not give you the results that you want. Tip: lose the weight you want first, then consider surgery.

Another topic- I apparently am just not going to lose any weight. I have been doing ATkins (~ induction level carbs) since mid Feb and have lost 2-3 lbs. How will I ever raise my carbs if I am only maintaing at 20 carbs x day? I'm thinking since I'm not losing, I might as well be happy eating whatever I want except for sugar and white bread (sugar busters?). I'm afraid I'll gain though. AARRGGHH! (my fav quote)

[m1whowaits]

reese, are you in ketosis? are you eating enough calories? If you're not eating enough calories to support your basic metabolic functions, you'll go into an anti-starvation mode and lose nothing. Take your goal weight and muliply by 12 (110 x 12 = 1320) that should be your minimum caloric intake. Hope that helps.

No, you couldn't have butter- No dairy. It's meats (game too), fish, seafood, all veggies, except ones that couldn't be eaten raw (potatoes, corn, legumes, eggplant, squash {which are all hi carb anyway!})in season fruit, nuts (no peanuts, they're a legume) and seeds if they can be eaten raw, oils from pressed nuts and seeds, and olive oil. He recommends coconut or palm oil as the best to cook with. NO GRAINS!! You don't have to eat everything raw, it's just they have to consumable in their raw state. Many foods we eat cooked are poisonous in their natural state. The author was in his early 30's, no real weight problem, maybe 20lb from where he wanted to be, with RA and on his way to a wheelchair and his doctors told him take drugs for the pain and use a cane, there's nothing we can do. Well, he did do something. His RA is gone!! I've gotten it to the only things I need to stop eating are dairy (cheese & yogurt) (and I will as soon as I learn other good sources of calcium, if you know'em shout 'em out! I already eat lots of greens and some almonds) and corn chips (they're my stressed out fall off the wagon junk food) I'm getting better about those, they're really the only carbo loaded thing I eat. I'll eat an apple once in a while and it's 18 ecc, but you only eat one of those, who can do that when you p*ssed off and have you're hand in a page of corn chips!!!

[Magicslr]

Hey Reese,

Don't give up, I'm right there with you. I haven't lost anything since induction and I'm at the point where I no longer care. I feel good, sleep well and have no cravings.

So if I have to be fat, I guess I have to be fat, but I am staying on this WOE. It is so OUTSTANDING not to crave sugar.

I just looked at myfitday and I didn't even eat enough calories today, so I need to go find something to eat - or not since I'm not hungry. I don't think one day of lower calories is going to throw this body into starvation mode.

The only thing I think I could change to see if it would take me out of this stall, is to give up dairy. If I did that, I don't know if I could handle that, I guess I eat a lot of cream cheese and white chedder cheese and cream salad dressings. What on earth would I eat?

Anyhow, I've rambled on about me and I was intending to give you support to not quit this WOL. I think you're smart to keep the carbs down.

Magic

[Munia68]

Hey Reese, have you checked whether you have hidden carbs in your diet? If not, then you might consider to go without any carb, I mean the 20 gm carb. that you are having now may be the culprit. I am going without any carb. whatsoever (i.e. 0 carb) and I have started to lose weight. I have come down to 207 from 224 within these first 3 weeks -- and I don't take the risk of eating any carb. because of the "hidden carb" factor. Just an opinion.

As to my becoming interested in lipo, I have acquired a pot-belly, a very big pot-belly, over the years of self indulgence. It has now hung a bit. And I think this will never go unless I do lipo. My body is getting leaner, but it seems that nothing can touch my belly. Thus, my question. Did anyone in this forum do lipo in the abdomen? What is the experience?

Thanks...

[reese]

I don't know if I'm in ketosis. I thought in the beginning that I'd rather not use "the stix" bc for one, I think I'd always be testing to see what I could get away w/ eating and two, I thought I'd prefer to listen to my body. But my body hasn't ever produced ketone symptoms that I know of, except for a feeling of warmth (I know that isn't tell-tale for everyone but I think it is for me). Lately, I HAVE been lax on carb counting, especially on the weekends when I tend to gorge on "legal" foods so I probably am NOT in ketosis anymore. Do you think I should check out the stix? One of the symptoms of ketosis that I'm really upset about missing is the lack of hunger. I had that some in the beginning but it was short-lived (like 2 days). That early on, I was pretty strict so I know it wasn't a change in eating that led to the increase in hunger. Quite frankly, I'm always starving, I could eat all day. And 1300 calories? Yeah right, that would be a good day. I usually get more like 1800. Remember though, I work out fairly hard- run about 3mi x day + weights (arms, back, shoulders). There are a lot of things I could do different, giving up cream would definitely be one of them but I'm looking at this less and less like a diet and more like a WOL so I'm not willing to be uncomfortable. One thing I MUST do though, is cut out the sf sweets. I'm am really getting bad about that and its becoming a difficult cycle to break. I will weigh today or tomorrow for the first time in at least a week and a half. During that last week and a half I've definitely been more lax. Who knows, maybe I needed that and I'll have a whoosh (I can wish, right?). I just hope I haven't gained. As far as eating very few carbs, I think thats a good thing to try (short term). Its my understanding that the first Atkins book allowed only meat and cheese and I know people who lost really well on that. OK, so cheese has carbs but you'd have to eat a whole lot to = 20g carbs. I may give that a try sometime in the future. For now, its just no sugar (does that mean no sugar alcohols? Please say no!), and no bread (although I did eat like 1/2 a loaf yesterday..Oops!). The scale will probably reflect some water retention as a result. I am getting my metabolism measured tomorrow at the gym (RMR) so that should be interesting, I'll let you guys know what it says.
Fatlady:
I did not have abdominal lipo but the people I know who did were not as happy as those who had a tuck and lipo or just a tuck. This will get rid of excess skin, too. My opinion on this? Go for it, I really think you'll be ecstatic that you did. But you should lose the weight you want to lose first since losing after could affect results.
m1whowaits:
that sounds a little like the macrobiotic plan. As far as the calcium, I think a good supplement in combination w/ veggies hi in calcium, would be sufficient. Aren't some fruits high in calcium? I think I'm too low in potassium, I've been getting horrible cramps in my calves at night.

[reese]

Hey latte:
Could you post a typical daily menu for me please? I see you had about 15 lbs to lose (same as me) and you did it sucessfully in 3mo (which is what I was hoping to do). I may havec asked you to do this before and if so I apologize for the redundancy. It just seems you are on the right track and I'm looking for clues :)
Any tips???

[reese]

Ok so I got my metabolism measured today. My gym uses the "Body Gem". You breathe into it for approx 10 min & it gives you your resting metabolic rate (AKA your basal number of calories). Bad news: mine is 1067 calories. To put that number in perspective, that's about 2 fast food hamburgers w/ a few french fries or its easily a three course restaurant meal. Keep in mind, I have a desk job, so my RMR is pretty close to what I actually burn (plus any cardio). To lose 1 lb a week (500 cal deficit a day) I'd have to consume no more than 600 calories!!!! Of course, I'm not going to do that but it gives you an idea how low that number is. This is why I have so much trouble losing weight. (And not to be rude but I don't care what anybody says about the "metabolic advantage") In the last week and 1/2 since I haven't been worrying too much about calories, I've gone back up to 124 1/2 lbs. (BTW my body fat is 23%). The personal trainer who tested me said 1067 cals was unusually low. And I'm only 24, so this will only get worse! He said I have GOT to lift weights so that my body will burn more calories (I already do lift for arms) and eat more smaller meals. I think I'm also going to get my thyroid checked out. My thyroid shouldn't be a prob at my age, I'd just like to rule it out. My mom, grandmother and great-grandmother all have thyroid problems. I think I will do the basal (?) temp test first (like ATkins describes in DANDR).
In conclusion, I am disappointed, but not all that surprised. Since I may gain a little:cry: when I initially start lifting, I should probably stay away from the scale. I am also going to start eating six little meals a day so that I don't end up famished, and just see what happens. I am really not unhappy with the way I look now, it just really sucks that it will always be a struggle even to maintain. Thats why I really want to lose now, so I have room to grow. Although, its possible I just can't lose and if so, will I ever be happy?

[hippygal]

Ok, my favorite cake of all time is carrot cake. I have never ever been able to resist it. Expecially with cream cheese icing. Well, someone came to work today with one and I almost gave in. My mouth was watering for it. It smells sooooooooo good.
I feel weak just thinking about it. BUT ! I gave my slice away ! Yeah !!!!! I did however wrap a tiny piece in saran to take home and freeze. I can't help it. It is going to be my reward someday. I will call it my farewell to carrotcake piece. I am not allowed to have it until I reach 119 though !

See ya,

Hippy

[Isa]

reese: hang in there! You got some really valuable information about your metabolism, now you have to tailor your weight loss/control program to suit your needs. Several small meals over the course of the day sounds like a great idea for you. Actually, it's a great idea for all of us. It keeps you from eating too much at one time, and it keeps your metabolic rate chugging right along. Give it some time. Don't get nutty if it takes some time to show results. What other exercise are you doing besides lifting? Any cardio?

hippygal: congratulations on resisting the call of the cheesecake. I'll bet it was hard, but you answered the question of who is in charge here...you or the cheesecake. And the answer is...YOU!

Way to go!!!!

Isa

:wave:

[reese]

[QUOTE] What other exercise are you doing besides lifting? Any cardio?
Yes, I run 30 min a day or do spinning 45 min a day, 5-6 days a week. Cardio I'm good about, lifting I'm not- I just have some little 2 1/2 lb weights and I do lots of different exercises w/ those. I've decided to invest in a weight bench, more weights, etc. My bf says he'll help me learn how to use them. I just need to learn b4 school starts bc after that I won't see him much.
It is valuable to know my RMR- now when I've already had 1300 cal that day and I think I'mstill hungry, I'll know I don't really need to eat more.

[Munia68]

I hope all of you are doing fine. I am very happy today as I have reduced 2 more pounds. I am nearing the 200 pounds milestone. 3 more pounds to go..

I hope the rest of the weight also comes off easily.

Good luck.

[Isa]

Congratulations fatlady! Way to go!!!

:hyper:

Keep up the great work!

Isa

[Swimm1975]

Hello out there!
I am new to this low carb way of eating. I consider myself petite, 5' 4 1/2 inches.......right now about 133 pounds. Would like to get back to 120.
Just started this about a week ago, what is the approximate amount of weight that comes off in the "induction" period???
I have been sitting here in this "onion snow" storm we are having in April (!), and reading all your posts! They are great! What an inspiration!!!!
Any advice would be appreciated it!

[Munia68]

Welcome! You'll find lots of friends here.

Happy weight losing!

Good luck!

[orzabelle]

Though I'm 5'8, when it comes to my bones (my hands are the same size as my 5'0 sister), I think of myself petite, too.

So, while it might seem like 133-135 is a great weight for me, I'm actually pretty soft and flabby at that weight. (Now :daze: ) Even when I lift weights religiously, I don't put muscle on easily, and it is really tough for me to even work one pound of flab off. About two years ago, I worked my way to 126, and was not too thin by any stretch of the imagination. Unfortunately, I slowly carbed my way back up.

It can be soooooo frustrating to be close to your goal weight for a whole year - working out five x a week without budging the scale. But on Atkins, I've lost a pound so far - a HUGE deal for me! (And in ten days, never did I think I was hungry). I'm trying to find the patience to stick with it long enough to reap the results of that patience....

[lattegrl]

swim and orzabelle welcome aboard!
Swim- the amt that you loose during induction varies GREATLY, i have friends that have lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks and some that havent lost any during the first two weeks, rumor has it that the more you have to loose the faster it starts comming off, not sure i completly agreee w/ that- many post say 10% of wt loss during induction? Myself i didnt start loosing untill my 2 weeks was almost up and then by day 21 i had lost- either 7 or 10 lbs cant remember exactly (no, memory loss isnt from the diet, i've always been like that ;) )
Orza-I can sympathize w/ you, over the last week wt has been easy but putting on muscle- OMG- thats tough and so far eludes me! It does make me a little crazy when my friends can loose 5 lbs, still be 10 or 15 over their ideal and look fantastic in a swim suit, even at 114 lbs i have a gut and flabby arms (chicken legs) I have been doing a pilates tape regularly -not missing more than 1 day in a row- for at least 2 weeks maybe even 3 (the memory thing again :p ) my long term goal is to do some wt training, as you know w/ our small bones osteoporosis is always lurking ...

[Isa]

Welcome to the petite department orzabella and swimm. We small but mighty ones are here to support you in your journey to a stronger, leaner, healthier you.

The pounds you lose won't really be as important as the changes you make in your body structure. If you follow the plan with diet and exercise you'll put on muscle (always weighs more than fat), burn off the fat, feel more energetic, and wonder why you didn't do this a long time ago.

This is a great forum. We share our success stories, our stalls, our cheats, our strategies, and our breakthroughs. Don't worry if your mileage varies, though. It always does. It's the journey that matters.

Best regards,

Isa

:wave:

[Munia68]

This board is unusually silent these days. Anyway, it seems I have stalled for apparently no reason. My diet has minimal carb. (less than 10 gm per day), I eat quite frequently and drink lots of water. But something has gone wrong. I have not only stalled but also have gained one pound. I am upset. :cry:

Is there any suggestion?

Best regards

[Isa]

Hi fatlady...don't worry too much about a stall. It's a completely normal, but frustrating, stage of this program. I hope you took your measurements when you started your weight loss, because often you will find that you are losing inches even if your scale isn't moving.

If you search around this site you'll find that just about everyone goes through this stalling period several times during the 'diet.' And more often than not, people just hang in there and all of a sudden things start moving again. Don't be too surprised if it takes a few weeks to work through a stall.

And don't worry about gaining one pound. That's really not important. In fact, some people toss out that scale altogether, or just weigh in once a week. I don't have the strength to do that, but it works for a lot of people.

So hang in there, take your measurements, keep drinking water, exercise, and read about how some other people here made it through - kicking and screaming - and came out of a stall with a nice happy whoosh of weight loss.

Best,

Isa

[do21little]

I'm 5'1'' and weigh 152.5 lbs. I really need support !!! I want to be around 118 lbs. I've already lost 2.5 lbs on other diets this week but thought I should come back to this. :wave:

[m1whowaits]

do21little , have you done research on the WOE? Because the meat the Inuits in native living eat is not the same meat you get at your local grocery store. So you're not really eating the same way they are. Be careful.

Liz

[Munia68]

:roll: I think I may have broken the stall!

The scale shows that I have lost 1 pound today!! :)

Hopefully it stays the same or goes down, I want to be sure I am not in the darned plateau anymore.

Wish me luck, I still need to lose 60 pounds!

[m1whowaits]

Way to go!!! It's always a motivator to see the needle go down!!
I myself hid my scale till the end of the month. I'm on the last 10 lbs and working out so the needle wasn't moving but the inches were. So away it went. Keep up the good work. You can do it. My mom lost 100lb in 18 months many years ago. It can be done!!

Liz

[SarahO]

Hi Angie, I'm the same height as you and my goal is about the same. Yay us! How's it going so far?

Did you say you've lost 2.5 lb on other diets this week? How fast are you trying to lose?

--Sarah

[Munia68]

Yes, and thanks for the encouragement. But now that you know someone who has genuinely lost 100 pounds, your mother I mean, -- could you tell me about this "lose skin syndrome" after losing so much weight? I have lost 24 pounds so far and already I am seeing fine lines appearing all over my body. I don't know what will happen if I succeed in losing all the rest of my 60 pounds! :confused:

My husband is a bit finicky in this matter and is already worried about my appearing more aged than I really am. I am 34 by the way. He is all encouragement though, because of my health but I KNOW HE IS VERY WORRIED about this lose skin issue. My question is, have you seen it disappearing altogether after a year or two or does it stay like that forever?

Oh I am so confused, I really don't know what I should do!

Thanks in advance,

[m1whowaits]

The key to the loose skin problem is to lose weight slowly. It takes time for the skin to shrink back. Being young will help. The older you are the longer it takes. My mom wore a girdle to help with her abs. She was in her early 50's when she lost so much. Exercise and drinking a lot of water to keep your skin hydrated. My chiro can tell when I'm not drinking as much water by touching my skin. I try to drink between 64 and 96 oz of water a day.

Just don't try to lose the weight too fast and the slower it comes off, the easier it is to keep it off. Don't be impatient.

Good luck.
Liz

[Isa]

Congratulations fatlady! Keep up the great work!

Loose skin. eeek. I'm dealing with that, too. But I agree that slow weight loss and lots of water helps. I can really tell when I haven't been drinking enough because I get fine lines around my cheek bones. Go figure.

Ah, to be young again with resiliant, forgiving skin.

Water, sunblock, and moisturizers. Can't get by without 'em.

Isa

[Munia68]

Thanks to all of you for your quick reply. So I have to lose weight very slowly. But that will take ages! (boo hoo hoo) But I will have to try that if that is the only cure!! (sigh)

But I do have another problem. I am still not that much acquainted with this diet. The induction stage seemed clear cut and managable -- as I am so afraid of gaining weight or may be reaching a plateau, that I am still on induction! And I had a plan to remain so for at least 6 months. In the meantime I have lost all appetite for food (visited fitday and found my total calorie intake not more than 900 cal/day for the last 20 days or so, it sometimes came down to <600 cal). So basically I am either losing weight too fast or not losing at all -- like a sea-saw. I don't know how to slow down. Adding carbs is pretty scary to me. You see, this is the first diet in all these years that is making me lose weight. The future seems a teensy-weensy bit rosy nowadays.

How soon did you enter OWL? And when should I enter it? I have too much weight to lose, so I do not WANT to start it so early. I have been in induction for the past 6 weeks.

Thanks again,

[SarahO]

Hi fatlady, the length of time you've spent in induction isn't a problem as long as you eat right. I was in induction for five months. What does concern me is the low amount of calories you're getting. It can't be good for your metabolism to eat so little day in, day out.

I know it's hard to make yourself eat more if you're not hungry. Maybe you could try adding small amounts of high-calorie foods to each meal like a spoonful of mayonnaise on chicken, butter or olive oil on your vegetables, etc. You might be able to get your calories up to a healthier level that way. I would at least try to eat 1200 calories a day, and if you are exercising it should be more than that. You might find that you lose more steadily if your body is getting adequate calories every day.

Anyway, to get back to your first point I definitely know how you feel, but there's nothing to be scared of. Maybe you could increase healthy carbs a little bit (say, a half a tomato in your salad, a little bit more onion in your saute, or a half cup of strawberries for a snack) for a week or two and see how it goes? Remember, if you get too many carbs and stop losing, all you have to do is drop back. So there's no reason for anxiety :)

yours, Sarah

[Munia68]

Thanks. After thinking it over I have decided to stay in induction for some more months but with higher caloric intake. The addition of mayonnaise and things should help.

Oh, if I only knew about this diet 3/4 years ago!! Then my weight couldn't have piled on like this.

Water, water, water -- mustn't forget that

[m1whowaits]

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

Liz

[Munia68]

Hey, where are you everybody?

Yesterday my day was wretched. For the first time in all these weeks I cheated a bit, I had some rice with my dinner at a party. And the tragic thing is, I wasn't even extra keen on having it -- I just ate it for the sake of eating. I guess I wanted to avoid so many questions as to why I wasn't eating in the accepted norm. I desperately hope no harm is done.

My weight loss has slowed down, though I am into induction. I guess this is normal, hmm? Someone said that all I have been losing in this first month was water loss... but boy, that is a tremendous amount of water, 24 pounds! I never knew I carried so much excess water. Or was that an exaggeration? He said (and he is a board qualified doctor too) that it is physiologically impossible to lose so much weight in a month, so it must be water!

The other day I heard someone in the internet say that he has lost 50 pounds in 3 months, -- I wonder if all of that was water loss too -- ;)

[Isa]

Hi fatlady,

Water loss, fat loss. Just take it and smile.

I had a dinner party for my husband last month, where I served Italian roast beef over polenta. Before dinner I wondered how I would get through the evening without eating the polenta...what would people say? How would I explain? But when the time came I piled my plate with salad, put the pot roast over it, and ate it. I didn't say a word about the lack of polenta on my plate, nor did anyone else.

I think we care too much about what everyone else thinks. I'll bet no one would notice if you ate rice or not. And if they do, and if they have the bad manners to mention it as though it were bizarre behaviour, just smile and say you're not having rice today, thank you.

Hang in there, be strong. You can succeed!

Isa

[Yank_in_NC]

Hey Sarah:

Where've you been girl? or maybe it's where've I been? How are things going with you?

Same ole stuff here. I did try a new place for lunch last week called the Mad Hatter. It's where the Broad St. Diner used to be on Broad St. near Duke University in Durham. They have awesome salads!! I STILL haven't gotten to Cary yet to try that ice cream place. Seems like I don't get in that direction too often! I am headed to Raleigh Wednesday evening though.

So are you as disgusted with this blasted weather as I am? I can't believe the warm weather just doesn't want to get here!!! If we get anymore rain I think I'm gonna scream too! lol We took a ride after church yesterday to the Jordan Lake boat ramps where we launch our boat in the summer. They were under water!!!! Last summer we couldn't go to Jordan because there was NO water and now there's too much!!! So instead of doing fun things I'm forced to work around the house! lol

Hope things are going well with you. Drop a note when you can.

Kim

[Munia68]

Hello! Another bad day for me. I had to deliberately cheat last night as I had a vaso-vagal (spelling?) attack while shopping. I had to lie down on the shop floor for 3/4 minutes to let the blood circulate in my brain -- very embarassing! There was nothing nearby except lots of cakes, so had about 4/5 pieces of that, and lots of water. This attack is nothing new to me, I've had it quite a lot of times in the past -- so know the symptoms well. Lying down immediately is the only solution to this problem.

Mercifully the scales do not yet show the carb. intake but I guess I must have broken out of ketosis. So another stall for at least a week to get well into lipolysis. So frustrating!

Hope all the rest of you had a wonderful day of low carbing.

Best,

[Isa]

fatlady...I'm so glad you're ok! Your episode sounds so frightening. I have no idea what that condition is, but it sounds like absolutely no fun at all. Cut it out, would you?

;)

Hey petite ladies...how are you all doing? Is it springlike where you are? It's still rainy, cold, and grey here...but the flowers are fabulous. Tee shirt weather is still a couple of months away. I'm walking and doing pilates like a mad woman trying to pull it all together by then.

Best regards,

Isa

[Yank_in_NC]

It's semi springlike here. The warm weather seems to tease us for a day or two then leave. I'm so ready for 85+ degree weather. I'm not a winter person. Temps are houvering in the mid to upper 60's to mid 70's range but there's lots of rain and cloud cover. Very unusual for this time of year. It's normally in the upper 70's to mid 80's by now.

In one respect I can't wait for summer and in another, I can. Although I've shed 21 lbs. thus far, I'm still not looking forward to swimsuit season. I hate my legs. They too have slimmed down quite a bit but aren't as I'd like them to be. Oh the joys of being short!!!!!

Kim

[Isa]

Hi Yank...I really sympathize with you about being short. We're the same height, and I know that even 5 extra pounds show up. You're really close to your goal, though. You must be really excited. I'm very happy for you! Great work!

Are you doing any exercise? Walking or swimming or running will help tone those legs. Even yoga yields amazing results. I walk and do pilates, and I'm getting to the point where I can look at my legs without turning away in disgust.

There is at least one great advantage to living in a part of the world where warm weather hits much later in the year...I have a few more weeks to work it before I am forced into short sleeves and shorts.

Having said that, I'll probably get a big surprise from Mother Nature and will have to bare that skin in the next few weeks. eeeeek!

Best regards,

Isa

[Yank_in_NC]

Isa:

I work out 3-4 times/week taking step areobic and cardio boxing classes. I'm beginning to wonder if that's enough? Should I be using a weight machine that just focuses on thighs as well as the classes?

I really hate being short! Just another 2-3 inches would be wonderful. Sometimes I just think that I'm meant to have fat legs no matter what I do.

That's a good point about being in this part of the country. As I said in an earlier post, as much as I look forward to the hot weather, I can definitely wait to have to put on a swimsuit!

Best regards,

Kim :wave:

[Munia68]

Now I am losing weight so very very slowly, it seems ridiculous that I was worried about the loose skin only a week before. :mad: In fact, I have gained 2 pounds today. I was expecting that I might not lose weight in the following days because of my cheating, but gaining weight with a vengeance -- seems too much!

Oh well! no use whining! -- How are you all doing? Last night we had a thunderstorm here, many trees were uprooted. Typical tropical weather. This simmering heat! Airconditioning doesn't seem to work anymore!! And the humidity! Oh God!
You people are lucky -- waiting for the spring, whereas we are in the midst of the awful summer. :)

See you all,

[Isa]

Hi Kim,

I wish I had the answer for the leg problem. Sometimes what we see in the mirror is so much worse than what the reality is because we have this idealized body type paraded before us in fashion magazines. Well, there's a reason we're not all supermodels...and it's because only a tiny fraction of the world's female population is abnormally tall and skinny. Unfortunately, they're the ones we most want to look like.

You're really working it hard, though. Lots of cardio. I'll bet the muscles in your legs are toning up nicely, even if you think you're packing more wobbly than is strictly necessary. Personally, I shake my upper thighs, shake my head, and then try to remember that I've actually made progress. It's hard. But let's stick to our program. It sure beats the alternative.

Hey fatlady...I guess I can't complain about the rain here. At least it doesn't uproot the trees!

I keep telling myself that slow weight loss is best...my skin has a better chance of shrinking, um, let's see, my weight loss represents fat and not just water, and what else...hmmm...reasons slow is good...well...it's better than bouncing around the same 10 lbs over and over? I don't know. I keep hearing slow is better, so it just might be true.

Any of my fellow shorties have any insights to share about this?

Best,

Isa

[Munia68]

Another pound up! Grr grr! :mad:

Now what is wrong?

[m1whowaits]

Scientists asked a small group of women with normal menstural cycles to do a single rigorous cycling workout 5 to 7 days after the start of their periods and again 5 to 7 days after ovulation. (The day you get your period is considered the first day of your cycle. Ovulation usually occurs aroud day 14.) The women not only felt more sluggish early in their cycles, but they also burned less fat during their workouts than when they exercised later in the month. "When estrogen levels and progestrone levels are low early in your cycle, your body burns more carbs during exercise, which creates more metobolic waste and makes exercise feel harder," says lead researcher Leanne Redman PhD. "When your hormones are higher later in your cycle, you burn more fat, and exercise feels easier ." Instead of pushing yourself through a tough workout during your period, when you're not even getting your best fat burning, plan your workouts around your menstral cycle: yoga, Pilates or simple strength training when you have your period, and high-intensity exercise during the second half of your cycle, says Dr. Redman.

Prevention May 03 page 78

[Isa]

Dang!

That explains a lot, m1.

Thanks for the information.

Isa

[SarahO]

Hi Kim, I finally have the chance to write back! I used to go to Mad Hatter for brunch a lot (loved their waffle) but I haven't been there since starting LC. I will definitely go and try the salads. Thanks for the tip!

Even though I haven't lived around there for years, I still think of that part of town as my neighborhood. When I first moved to Durham I lived all over that neighborhood in different rented houses. And I didn't have a car so I used to walk to that grocery all the time, and meet my friends at Francesca's (then Mad Hatter after it opened).

Yeah, I wish the weather would make up its mind! I keep dressing for the day before -- I'm in a sweater and it's 80, or I'm in short sleeves and it's 60. In a couple of weeks I think it will be warm all the time though.

--Sarah

[Munia68]

Can you believe it? Lost 4 pounds overnight! I don't trust the scale anymore though it behaves perfectly normal with other people. Let's see, what happens tomorrow morning.

And, thank you M1, that was really interesting. It does explain the lethargy during TOM. Though I don't exercising at all (can't find the motivation to huff and puff for half an hour ;) ), but when I decide to do, that information will help.

There has been no rain for the past couple of days to cool the environment -- and the sweltering heat and humidity is making everyone cranky. I long for the winter. Oh well......

[Isa]

Hey fatlady! Sounds like you had a major league whoosh. Fantastic. Now just think of what you might accomplish if you devoted a mere 30 minutes to some moderate exercise. C'mon. You can do it. Just start out small. Modest goals. Do it for your overall health and well being.

And while you're at it, could you send the whoosh fairy to my house?

Congratulations! You're doing great!

Isa

[Munia68]

Isa, you made me laugh. :) Ok, I'll think over the exercise issue (the mere thought is making my head ache! ooh) I have a neighbor here who is always asking me to go out for a walk with her. I always find excuses. You see, she is so fit, I feel depressed! And it is so hot. May be, after I lose some more pounds and then go for this exercise thingy?... what do you say?

I have checked this morning. The 4 pounds of fat/water seem to have really melted off! Phew.. Now for the next 2 pounds, to go well and truly below the 200 pounds milestone.

Thanks,

[m1whowaits]

Walking is my most favorite exercise. We do it all the time right? Just do it for a little longer. Start slow and just go longer and longer each additional time. The out doors is very calming and healing. Have fun!!

Liz

[Munia68]

If there was outdoor airconditioning, then I might have considered walking! ;)

Anyhow, thanks M1 and Isa for your encouragement. And so I am moving the treadmill I have to my room. It was banished to my sons' room for the last 4 years. By the way, my children are sceptical about my walking on it. They know their mom too well, I'm afraid.

[lattegrl]

i finally put my exercise bike in front of the T.V. I lay there and watch the program as a reward for exercising during the commercials ;) Not really the aerobic workout alot our peers get but hey- one step at a time right?

[SarahO]

Hi fatlady, I completely understand your reluctance to exercise with someone who's a lot more fit, I feel the same way. (A good friend who's really into yoga wants to do a class with me and I'm nervous about it since I'm such a beginner.) But you have to start somewhere, and your weightloss will definitely go better if you're building strength and fitness at the same time.

Maybe if walking puts you off, you could get some light dumbbells -- like 2 to 5 pounds -- and do a little weight lifting while you watch TV. There are websites that show photos of how to do the exercises, I printed one out and keep it with my weights. With such light weights I'm not straining or sweating, but it really does make a difference, just 3-4 times a week. Anyway, just an idea -- hope you figure out some kind of exercise that you can enjoy. yours, Sarah

[Munia68]

Originally posted by SarahO
Maybe if walking puts you off, you could get some light dumbbells -- like 2 to 5 pounds -- and do a little weight lifting while you watch TV. There are websites that show photos of how to do the exercises, I printed one out and keep it with my weights.

SarahO, I need those websites. Could you post the URLs please? Using dumbbells seem a very good idea, since you say there won't be much straining and more importantly, sweating. I hate the sweating. (No harm in trying, I can always quit, can't I? :))

Thanks,

[Isa]

Hi fatlady and lattegirl...you're smart to start off with modest goals. It helps get you into the habit of exercising, and it helps avoid the guilt of not attaining some ridiculously high goal. That guilt usually is enough to sabotage our best intentions. I know...I've been there many, many times. This time around, though, when I started exercising again, I kept myself to 30 minutes three times a week. Then I gradually added days when I felt like I wanted to. Now I'm up to five or six days a week. (And I do pilates three times a week on top of the walking.) But it's taken me three months to get to this point. It's fine, though, because exercising in the morning has become a natural and enjoyable habit for me, instead of this burden I placed on myself.

Congratulations for starting an exercise program. Modest goals. Do what you can do. Give yourselves big high-fives.

Isa

:cheer:

[SarahO]

Hi fatlady, unfortunately I don't have the URLs anymore, but I'm pretty sure I got them from the sticky links at the top of the exercise forum here. The was one site in particular that had animated GIFs of the exercises that was really helpful. If you can't find the sticky link, ask Natrushka, I think she was the one who posted the link. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful! --Sarah

[lattegrl]

hey there fatlady, maybe you and i should exercise togeter- but only in thought LOL :D I REALLY REALLY hate to sweat too! Even when i was young and in school i didnt get into sports- that sweating thing again ;) see ya-

[Magicslr]

Hey, I want to join the no-sweat team.

When I DO exercise, I stand under a ceiling fan running on high. Even then, I sweat and I'm with y'all, I hate to sweat.

Magic :wave:

[Munia68]

Welcome to the no sweat-team! The more the better!! ;)

[Munia68]

I hope all of you are well and having lovely low carb days! :thup:

[Isa]

Sweat. Hate it. But here in the cool grey Pacific Northwest there isn't much opportunity to sweat.

I walk in the early morning just after sunrise. Then I do pilates at home with the heat off. No sweat.

Hope all is well with my fellow shorties.

Isa

[spongebutt]

I'm also 5'1" and weigh 120 something now.

I'm a size 4 (measurements 35-25-35) from a size 16 (measurements 44-34-46). I would like to get to a size 0-2.

My problem is, I have thunder thighs and saddlebags!

From the front I look great in a bikini, but from the back? Oh my gosh! :eek:

I walk and do the Thighmaster/Buttmaster. Anybody know how to reduce those areas? If I'm at 126, I have 12 pounds to go, if I'm at 124 I have 10, 122 I have 8 pounds.
I'm not really sure how much I weigh b/c my digital scale never says the same thing!

Does anybody know if my thighs will shrink with those last 8-12 pounds????

[Yank_in_NC]

Preparation H???


Just kidding.

Seriously, I feel your pain. I've gone from 150+ to 128 with another 8 or so to go. That should put me in a comfortable size 5/6 which I can definitely live with.

Now I'm far from a bikini and truthfully at 40 years old, thats ok. BUT, I truly understand what you mean about thunder thighs and saddle bags! I was wondering the same thing you were. Is another 8 pounds going to get rid of that? I've lost 22 so far and am thrilled with it BUT I still have cellulite thighs and don't understand it!!!

I work out 3-4 times/week. Aside from liposuction what's a girl to do???

:confused:


P.S. CONGRATULATIONS. You've come a long way baby!

[spongebutt]

Yank_in_NC:

If they had a discount on lipo I'd be the first in line.

I hate my thighs and butt. :skull:

I wish they'd go away. Not all the way away, but smaller. I hope this last 12 pounds takes care of them. I don't want to have to lose more weight.
:cry:

[Munia68]

spongebutt, your stats are an inspiration! :yay:

I am curious -- how long did it take for you to lose all that? I also need to go a very long way.

There is good news. My blood pressure has come down to 130-90 from 150-110 and my pulse rate from 100 to 84. I feel so energetic nowadays! I realize now, what a poison -- in the form of carbohydrate -- I was consuming all these years! God bless Dr Atkins!

[spongebutt]

It took me 3 1/2 months the first time, 4 months this time.

Long story that I have repeated elsewhere. :lol:

I was bad tonight. I had about 90 carbs. I usually am very, very good, but a few minutes ago I said forget it.

[Munia68]

Thanks for replying. Four months was pretty quick. Compared to you it is taking ages for me to lose! :tears:

Another tornado swept through the city last evening! 150 km per hour. Hundreds of trees were uprooted and the power supply went down for almost 3 hours! What weather!

[Isa]

hey fatlady...you are doing GREAT! Congratulations on all your progress, on every front.

Try not to get discouraged by comparing your progress with others. It's wonderful to see how far or how fast other come along (I'm talking to YOU Spongebutt!) but we're all so different. Our mileages truly do vary. Just stay on your path and you'll get there.

Spongebutt...you've come such a long way. Congratulations! I'm always curious, though, to see how we sometimes fall back into old ways of eating that got us into an unhealthy place. I've done it many, many times. I'm trying hard not to use food anymore as a reward or for comfort when I'm bored or stressed. But it's HARD! So, how do you feel after your 90 carb binge? Are you back on track today?

Always trying to work it hard,

Isa

[lattegrl]

my name should be sponge gut. i believe the grass is always greener.... the scale is always leaner....i met goal and still have the fat gut?? :mad: I really cant loose anymore my butt and thighs will disappear :p still i am really thinking after its been gained lipo may be the only way to get that 'ideal' look we may have the other choice (much more reasonable) is to lower our expectations! Myself, no matter what i am not going to be walking down any runways strutting my stuff! i am healthy, active, feel good, dont go hungry Life is good. OOPS its lunch time and DH is waiting on me so see ya later! :)

[spongebutt]

Isa--I felt physically ill. But yeah, I'm back on track today! My cheat was intentional. I just looked at it and said, "I'm gonna eat that". I'm completely back on track with no cravings today. But I don't recommend doing that!
It is remarkable how many of us fall back into our old way of eating. But I refuse to do that this time, as I know the consequences of doing so.

lattegirl--I want my butt and thighs to go away! I wish they'd shrink. But I don't want to go lower than 114, so exercise is the only way to get them to do that, I think.
My DH said that if I had as much willpower to exercise as I do to eat right and lose weight, I would have great thighs (but he likes them anyway). ;)

[Munia68]

I have 50 pounds more to go!
And I had 80+ pounds to lose on March 9!
40% journey over!!! :roll: :hyper:

[Munia68]

By the way, that is my before picture. I am so fat now that I don't take any pictures. I want to remind myself constantly of my very disgusting appearance -- hence the screenname 'fatlady'

[spongebutt]

Wow, fatlady, sounds like you need to work on your self-esteem, sweetie.

You've lost 40% of your weight. That's nothing to be ashamed or disgusted about.

There are a lot of people here who would :rheart: to be in your shoes.

Just keep up the good work, and I hope you'll feel better about yourself.

I think everyone here has self-esteem issues. Well, maybe not everyone. :lol: I personally don't know anyone who is overweight who is fine with themselves. I know for a fact that my sis-in-law isn't, and neither is my morbidly obese cousin.

I'm 122 pounds and I size 4 and I still have low self-esteem because I see myself as fat and ugly.
But I'll overcome that and so will you.

[lattegrl]

To Spongebutt- oh contrair my dear!! :p if your butt and thighs go away it seems its stored somewhere else, that perfect 'model figure' is an illusion. I got below wt and still dont like the looks of my tummy in a swimsuit. Sponge gut/flatbutt isnt much of a trade off for spongebutt :p Like your DH says if the willpower to work out were as strong as...yada yada yada....well then i'd be at the gym right now not sitting on my butt ~ this computer :lol:
Fatlady you already need to change your name to plumplady! I do believe you are not fatlady anymore! :D you have made all kinds of progress and are on your way to feeling and lookin gooood. I sincerely hope you are proud of the progress to date and just 'teasing yourself' about being fat to stay motivated.
Take care

[spongebutt]

lattegirl--According to a LOT of people, I do have the 'model figure' because I am an hourglass. Everyone else I know says I look great, but all I see are my flaws.
I don't want to look like a model. I don't want my hip bones showing, I want my butt to be round, and I like having boobs.
I also like having hips. :lol:

I exercised today. Ugh. But I have time while I'm at work (I'm a nurses' assitant for disabled people) so I did it.

My saddlebags and inside thighs are really my only problem. But maybe I see them as a problem where others do not.....
So I'm working on that to correct it.

I think I look horrible from behind.

[Munia68]

I couldn't resist having a slice of mango today -- they were so sweet and delicious! But otherwise I had a very good low-carb day! :thup:

This morning my scale showed 1 pound gain! But I refuse to be frustrated! I tell myself it was nothing, maybe the scale mistook me for another!! ;)

Be happy everyone!

[SarahO]

Hi FL,

that one pound gain could be water retention caused by all kinds of things -- stress, where you are in your monthly cycle, not enough sleep, not enough water drank, salty food -- anything! So please don't even think about it. I know that's easier said than done, but really, it will likely be gone tomorrow. I gain .5 - 1.5 pounds almost every time I eat out, because restaurants use so much more salt than I do in my cooking. It's always gone the next day.

--Sarah

ps: I am not typing your screen name because you are NOT fat and I am not going to call you fat! You've made so much progress, please remember that and don't call yourself "disgusting." You're not, you're terrific!

[Munia68]

This weight loss program has gotten so intense for me, I am wholly focused on this -- it sometimes seems my life and death depends on it! It's eery! I want to shake this off for some time. I guess being morbidly obese for more than a decade has taken its psychological toll! Now that I have found a way to lose, the WAY is taking control of me.

On a lighter note, how do I change my screen name? I thought it could not be changed! Any suggestions?

Keep well,

[Munia68]

Up 2.5 pounds. For the life of me I can't figure out why! I was strictly low-carbing!! :mad:

[spongebutt]

Are you drinking all your water? That could be the cause of it.

[Munia68]

No, I don't think I am. (grimace) I know because sometimes I do feel dehydrated. I shall try to drink my daily quota of water from now on. Thanks for reminding me.

[Munia68]

Isa, where are you? We miss your humour.

[Munia68]

Hey, guess what, the moderators have changed my screen name. I am no more a "fatlady"! :roll:

[02BSlim]

Okay I fell off the dieting wagon in mid February and only got back on track early May. I gained 12lbs and it really shows!

I went on Atkins induction three weeks ago and I haven't lose anything. I know I haven't been drinking enough water, but drink loads of weak black or green tea instead. I am definitely sticking to 20 carbs or less per day, but most of that is cheese or nuts.

Has anyone else had this problem? I've just started exercise, because perhaps I had been too inactive, but the scales are not moving and I feel as fat as ever.

Maybe the meat I have been eating is too fatty as I have had pork, and eat the skin on roast chicken, etc. I just don't know what is going wrong. I haven't had any of the banned food groups. Not so much as a crumb of bread or sniff of potato or grain of sugar.

It is really dispiriting so if anyone has any ideas I'd be really grateful.

[SarahO]

Hi 02BSlim,

Sorry to hear you fell off the wagon, but congratulations for getting back on track!

The fat content of meats shouldn't be a problem at all. In fact you need to keep your fat percentage up, so eating the fat on pork and the skin on chicken is a good thing!

My first thought is, if your carbs are all coming from cheese and nuts instead of vegetables, that might be your problem. Are you eating vegetables? Cheese and nuts can both cause problems for some folks (and nuts aren't allowed on induction anyway). You might try cutting back on dairy and nuts and trying instead to get as much of your 20 carbs as possible from fiber-rich green vegetables, and see if that makes a difference.

Hope that helps, let us know how it goes! --Sarah

[Munia68]

Sarah,

now that you have nearly reached your goal, do you think you'll need to go to a plastic surgeon? I mean, do you have any loose skin problem? By the way, how long did it take to reach the end of this long long journey?

Best,

[SarahO]

Hi Munia68!

I'm probably going to try for 115 so I'm not actually as close to my goal as it looks. I just left 120 there because I like seeing that high percentage :)

For myself, I don't believe in cosmetic surgery unless I had been in an accident or there was a serious health issue or something like that. Personally, I don't think an invasive medical procedure is worth it just to look better. I don't judge people who feel differently, but that's my feeling, it's not something I would ever do.

I haven't noticed any problems with loose skin except my upper arms. I've been lifting weights but they may look flabby forever & I can live with that. I started low carbing on Sept 23 so it's been just over 8 months. I lost about 1-1.5 lb a week, I guess that was slow enough that my skin kept up for the most part. Thanks for asking! --Sarah

[violette99]

Hi all! stoked on the petite ladies string, I'm 5'4 and very smalled framed and want to weigh 106 with shoes/wear a size 0-2. I'm 24, and also have to trim my (chunky) lower body.

O2B-- I know with me myself it's really easy to overdo the nuts without noticing unless you're literally using measuring cups or counting every one. Same with cheese. So maybe you're getting more carbs and calories than you realize. Maybe, maybe it's something else. Hidden sugar? A combination?

Anyways, day one today so far so good.

[Munia68]

Thanks for your prompt reply. I was also losing 1/1.5 pounds a week, but now I think I have reached a plateau (or worse, maybe stopped?) -- I even gained a couple of pounds! (sigh) -- I don't know where I have gone wrong. I have gone through fitday, it says I get 1400 cal most days, with 57% fat, 40% protein, and 3% carbs (12 gm carb). My atkins friends here in this forum are suggesting that I should up my fat intake -- upto 70%. I have started doing that. Hope that helps. Pray for me.

Welcome Violette, this way of eating is simply great and you will reach your goal in no time if you follow it strictly.

Best regards,

[02BSlim]

Hi

thanks for all your input. I do eat vegetables, either broccoli or salad everyday. I have cut out the nuts, and I will cut down on the cheese. Maybe I have been eating too much without realising.

I eat quite a few eggs, probably at least a dozen a week.

I know I haven't been doing enough exercise, so I am really going to concentrate on that and try and drink enough water.

I need to change my stats because I back to where I was when I first started low carbing originally and that is really depressing. I need to lose 35 pounds and I am absolutely determined to get it off.

Hope everyone has a great week.

[Yank_in_NC]

Hello Munia:

If it's any consolation, I too stalled not once, but twice so far. I began LC'ing in October 2002 and stalled for about 6 weeks in December 2002. I started losing again in late January to early February 2003 and guess what? I'm stalled again. I haven't lost anything in a month or so. It's EXTREMELY frustrating especially when you know you're doing everything right.

A friend of mine who lost 60 lbs. on Atkins told me that it's possible that I'm eating too much salad! Could that be true? I have salad at least once, sometimes twice/day.

Anyway Munia, I just wanted to share that with you to let you know that you're certainly not alone. But you already knew that didn't you? :D

Kim

[Munia68]

Yank in NC, I empathize with you completely. I know how it feels when this stalls. :( I am trying to find a way out of this. May God help us all. Amen.

[luv2dance]

Originally posted by Yank_in_NC

A friend of mine who lost 60 lbs. on Atkins told me that it's possible that I'm eating too much salad! Could that be true? I have salad at least once, sometimes twice/day.


Yes, I think you can eat to much salad. I found that when I was eating tons of salads, I wasn't losing much weight. So now I only eat salad once a day and I measure the amount of lettuce I use so I won't go over my carb. limit. Before I started Atkins, I use to order giant salads thinking that there were hardly any carbs. in lettuce. Boy, was I wrong! :)

[Deshukel]

I'm a shortie too. I 'm about 5 feet tall. my goal weight seems high compared to most of yours. I guess I've always considered myself "thick" Big boned and alot of muscle. Years of gymnastics and weight lifting. Maybe eventually I'll want to get down lower than that. When I was over 170, I could wear a 14 or 16. When I weighed about 135 I was in a 6 or 8. Now I'm right in the middle!
I'm looking forward to at least being in the 140's again. They keep eluding me.LOL. I was down to 147 but binged for about two weeks. So I am back on induction again. Maybe I'll drop 10 this time??? Wish me luck!

[Isa]

Welcome deshukel, and good luck with your program. Getting over a binge is hard work! Good for you for getting back into healthy eating habits.

Best,

Isa

[fluffers]

I am so glad to have found this thread. At 4'11and a half inches. I sometimes feel like I am the shortest person I know (except the grandkids, and the oldest is only 7. LOL). Even petite clothing doesn't come that short, so I have to hem everything. It is disgusting to buy a pair of capri's and find that they just look like high water britches. My goal is 125 lbs, which is high for my height, but will wait and see what I look like. Haven't weighed 125 lbs since junior high.(long time ago). When people tease me about my height, I tell them that my legs are as long as theirs.
They go from my a$$ to the ground, how much longer would I need them.LOL.

[jeantm]

HI, I am so glad there are other people with similiar frames doing this diet too. I'm 5'1" and weigh 146 my goal is around 120...haven't seen that in 5 yrs (i'm only 21). I would love to reach 130 by september? from you experience as people of a similiar size is this realistic? I was also shocked to read about the salad and plan to start measuring my lettuce too
thanx
jean

[SarahO]

Hi Jean! I'm 5'1" also. I lost about 1.5 # a week until the last few pounds, so it took me about 12 weeks to get from 146 to 130. What rate have you been losing at so far? It's always fastest the first couple of weeks because you lose some water weight at first. Then you hopefully settle into a steady rate.

I really wouldn't worry too much about lettuce. I mean, how much are we talking about? I guess if you were eating bags of lettuce a day it might be a problem, but there's less than 1 net carb per cup of lettuce so 3 cups vs. 4 isn't going to make much difference. It's a good idea to measure higher carb vegetables like onions and tomatoes, but I never measured lettuce, that's too much anxiety for me :) --Sarah

[aimie]

hey,
im 5' and would love to be about 5'6 or even 6' but God made me this way and nothing i can do about it anyway.

i did not know onions were high carb. i never looked it up but assumed it was low. go figure. i love onions.

[S.A.Salsa]

Hi, I'm 5'2 and would LOVE to get under 120. I put 130 because it seemed more reasonable. My sisters are all tall and I'm the only short one. I use to wear a size 3/4 about 5 years ago. I remember even then I thought I needed to lose weight. Well gotta get back to work.

[stephy]

i am between 5'2 and 5'3 with a tiny frame. i'm not sure what my goal weight is but as of right now it's anything between 95-105. i'm so glad i found this thread. :yay:

[Betsy1111]

Hello Petite Ladies-can any one answers these questions....please? 1) Do you drink coffee/coffee drinks on low carb plans? (I live for my morning latte!!) 2) Do any of you also take diet pills/supplements? I don't know how else to not crave carbs constantly? Plus, in my pea brain, I'm thinking they speed things up even more.
I'm 5'4", 130 (usually 126) and very fit.....my deal is more ending my compulsive consumption and secondary is the weight loss. Any advice is soooo appreciated.

[Lonely]

I am 5', even. My goal is 110. I have a small frame, and I used to be 100 pounds as a teenager. I don't want to look like a baby, though, so I'm aiming for 110. (The charts say my range is 97-114.)

[SarahO]

Hi Amiee, onions are low carb compared to, say, corn, but pretty high compared to broccoli or zucchini. If you look up 1/2 cup of onion vs. 1/2 cup of broccoli in fitday.com you'll see the difference. Onions have more natural sugar I think.

Hi Betsy, I don't drink coffee myself, but I think coffee drinks are fine as long as you count the all carbs in the coffee, milk, and everything else in it. If you like sweet coffee drinks, I hear some coffee shops have those sugar free syrups.

when you say supplements, do you mean vitamins or diet pills like ephedra? It's a good idea to take vitamins, and there are some that seem to help with cravings like l-glutamine. But I would be very careful with stimulant based diet pills. They're like speed, hard on the system, addictive and can be dangerous. Besides, it seems to me that if you take drugs to lose the weight, wouldn't that make it harder to keep it off in the long term?

Anyway if you do want to take diet pills, here's a long thread about whether/how they work and how to use them: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=32311

[S.A.Salsa]

I'm really glad I found this forum. I actually think I might have found a place to fit in. I've been on here for probably 3 weeks and haven't really found a place or people that seem to be on the same page as me. I hope this is the place.

[pre3teach]

:wave: Hi sa salsa, I know what you mean about finding a place to fit in. I was in a few great threads and then they just stopped. One of them is for exercise and it has become a place for those who do tons everyday. I just am not into it that much. I want to exercise but not constantly.

Betty1111 I drink coffe everyday. That is a big reason I didn't go back on CAD. They want you to drink it in 15 min. I like to drink it all day. (decaff of course) I do include the cream and syrup/sweentener. It takes some of my carb alotment but it is worth it do me bacause I enjoy it so much! I drink it hot, cold, on ice, or as a crushed ice drink! :yum:

I recently bought the Atkins supplements. They were on a great sale. I found that any of those lc suplements really help with cravings alone with watching the carbs and sweeteners. Of course I always have cravings at first if I have blown the plan and am going back on track. That is why I am getting better and better about not messing up. I don't want to fight those cravings again . It just isn't worth it.

My goal weight is a whopping 125 for now then hopefully 115. I would love it to be lower but it was hard enough to get to a low weight in h.s. I am 39 sooooo needless to say it isn't easy. But I figure I am following this for life I will see where it takes me. I just started my exercise plan again. I am really happy about that. :yay:

Welcome all petite ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope we can make this an active thread!

[Bart]

HI,
I am new to this WOL, I had just about given up on ever
being thin. A girl at work lost a lot last year on Atkins.
and my brother came to visit from Pa, he had lost a lot
on Atkins as well so here i am on my 2nd month , i've lost
some but to tell you the truth , I didn't weigh right away.
So i'm really not sure exactly what my starting weight was.
I did take my measurements though. (see my Jurnal)
well a storm is comeing up so i have to close.
Bart :wave:

[S.A.Salsa]

Nice to meet you Karen. It does seem like this thread is going a bit slow. I tried the CAD diet and it was just too difficult for me to stick to it. So I decided I needed to stick to Adkins. I just can't trust myself on CAD. I know if I were to get into a routine where I was allowed carbs that would be it for me. I'd be back where I started. Well I think I'm gonna go to lunch. Steak Buffet awaits me.

[Isa]

Welcome to all the new petites on this thread. It's been a bit quiet around here lately. Let's hope you can shake things up.

I've been LCing since about mid-January, and have (I think) completely transformed my body from short, plump, and spongy to short, lean, and trim thanks to Atkins, cardio three or four times a week and Pilates with body bands three times a week. No diet pills. *ahem* It's been slow but steady, but that's how I put on the weight in the first place...slowly and steadily. Now I can stand to look at myself in the mirror, and what's even better I feel strong and powerful because of the many small changes I've made in the way I approach food and exercise. Those small changes have added up to big results.

And this is all in the months leading up to my 50th birthday...a time of life when women usually put on weight and lose energy. So I like to think that if I can transform my body and my self image at this age, you can do it no matter what your age.

This is a great place to talk about the challenges of diet and exercise, and how danged unfair it is that we petites have less height to help carry those pounds. On the plus side, we don't have issues with leg room in cars and on airplanes, do we?

I still have some pounds to go, so I look forward to the support we can all give each other on this LC path.

Best regards,

Isa

[pre3teach]

Just the other day I had to ask someone in the store to reach something for me. I have lost count of how many time I have done that in my life. (I mean asking other customers) I told one man once that if he needed anything on the bottom I would be happy to get it for him.

My daughter (13yrs) noticed the other day that my 2 best friends are thin and eat alot more than me. (of course they are tall) She was commenting that it wasn't fair. I told her to get used to it. :lol: (She is about 4ft10-4ft11"

Isa that is wonderful that you are so in shape. It really can be done! I plan on setting records for myself too. ~40 I want to be as healthy as I was when I was 20! I have gotten a small start this week with the exercise. I have done it everyday for three days and think the exercise bug has finally bitten me. It has helped to have my daughter do it with me. We keep eachother accountable. I have only done the begginners routine but am very pleased to be doing that! :yay:

Eating is going well. I didn't have enough protein today. I need to watch that.

Hope everyone is doing well.

[Isa]

Hey teach...I wouldn't say I'm so in shape. I'm in better shape than I was, and in better shape than I've been in years. But I still have a ways to go. And I'm reconciled to the idea that I won't be able to stop when I reach a goal. I'll have to keep it up to keep it off. So to speak.

You're doing great! Just keep your weekly goals reachable and they'll turn into healthy habits. Then build upon them.

Talk to you soon,
Isa

[pre3teach]

I was alittle discouraged. Last night I stepeed on the scale (after several days of being off of it) and it said 132.5 That means I am back on the way down..Today it said 136!? It could possibly be broken, cause that is just silly. I am always less in the am.

I can't wait to get to the 110's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :agree:

[tigger64]

Hi!

I'm a petite girl--well, small-boned anyway--and am 4'10". I've been reading this thread for awhile and can really relate to what alot of you are saying. I have honed my skills at asking complete TALL strangers to get things for me off the top shelf and am now passing that skill along to my daughter of 10--altho, there is height in DH's family, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Pre3Teach, I see you are from Arkansas, so we have more than I thing in common. I live in the Little Rock area. It's nice to know that other Arkansans are doing the low-carb thing. There is a thread for AR low carbers. Not very active, tho. I wish it was, cause I could use all the support I can get.

Anyway, nice to meet all of you.

Tig :wave:

[hippygal]

I have not posted in the petite journal in months.
I hope everyone is doing well. Lc Life has been good to me!
If you all are just starting I say keep up the good work. It will pay off.
The best thing about this WOE is the inches that you lose. They make you look slimmer at any weight. :agree:
If you are an old faiyhful I'd just like to say "way to hang in there!"
Lots of Love,
Hippy

[pre3teach]

Hi tigger 64! I jhope to go to Little Rock and visit a montessori school there. I currently work in one in Batesville. Where is the AR board? Under what category?

I was getting really down about my stall. I have finally gone down 2lbs but still have 2 to go to get to where I was in May. :cry: I know it will eventually come off. Going to really try to watch the processed stuff and salt. I do retain water so I think this will really help!

How is everyone doing with the hot summer? Are you motivated to exercise or sit in the air conditioning with a good book? :lol:

I went to the pool today and it was glorious!

[Munia68]

Hello! It's been long since I posted here. I'm so glad this thread is moving again. And lots of new friends too!! :)

As for me, I was losing pretty quickly, but then I stupidly thought I was ready for OWL. And that messed up everything. The cravings came back full force and I was having everything legal/illegal every hour of the day.. Now I have forced myself to go back to induction again.. I couldn't start induction right away -- I started, failed, started again, messed up, started again and again and again...... LOL Now it seems I have finally mastered the cravings. Phew!

So haven't lost much yet, but hoping to... LOL But then again, I am in day 2 of induction!

How are you all doing?

Best,

[Isa]

Hi Munia...good to see you again. Those cravings are the worst! But the best news is that you did the right thing and got back to Induction instead of giving up on yourself. Way to go!

Keep up the good work...you'll achieve your goal.

Best regards,

Isa

[pre3teach]

Hi. I have not bee doing perfectly but I am fine tuning. Last night I laid in bed and thought about what I used to eat when I very first started atkins before I had even purchased the book. I remember not even taking one bit of a french fry. later I was pleased to find out I could eat 3-6 and still lose weight and not get cravings. I think though that going back to the very very basics is a must for me right now. I need to get things moving along.

My dh and I have our aniversary coming up Aug 9th. (17yrs) and I want to be in better shape. I also will turn 40 at my next b-day in April and with the way I take weight off I better start working toward that goal now! :lol: My goal is to look better at 40 than I did at 30! or rather 29. ~30 I had had my last baby and was heavy and felt very old! I feel quite a bit better than that but the weight is pretty high right now. My butt is way to wide. Sorry for the gory details! :)

I am not going to blow it! I am ready to keep going. I really do love thiws way of life I just need to get back to basics. Like you Munia:) I have tried owl too soon and then took forever to really get back to induction.( and I am sure I added things too quickly :nono: )

Hope everyone has a great lc weekend! :dazzle:

[tigger64]

Hi Pre3teach!

The Arkansas thread is under Local Low-Carbers & Support Groups and then under US. If you do a search for Arkansas you will find that thread.

I once interviewed for a job in Batesville--it's a beautiful area.

Tig

[Munia68]

Yes, and you know, I blew it again. I had to have this delicious cake... I tried, tried and tried not to eat, but then finally surrendered to this demon. grrrr grrr! Oh will I ever, ever get back to induction? I feel like killing myself. And let me confess, (this is a bit gross, pardon me) I tried to throw up the cake deliberately after a while, but couldn't manage to get rid of it entirely. Will that be anorexic? This is the first time I tried to do something like this.

Booo hooo

[pre3teach]

That would be bulimia. I have heard that it can be because of getting rid of guilt feelings..or what ever feelings that are the underlying reasons for purging. I used to thinhk it was just for weight loss. A counselor friend of mine says the eating for comfort and then the purging is guilt. I don't know. I only know that I struggled with that for about 3 years when I was in College and h.s. In my case, I finally realized that it started after a date rap that I never reported. (I figured it was my fault) At any rate I don't have trouble with this very often...It has been 20yrs for me since H.S. but I don't have to watch that I dont over eat so I am not ever tempted again.

Hopefully whatever is causing the need to mess up will stop. It isn't worth the cravings and upset that comes for weight gain etc. etc.
I say prayers for you :)

[pre3teach]

oops I mean I do have to watch that I don't over eat. :roll:

[SarahO]

Munia, I hope you don't mind my saying this: please don't ever vomit deliberately again. You might only do it once in a while and think it isn't a problem, & before you know it, you might have developed a compulsive behavior that can do serious harm to your body. (speaking from experience here.)

There's nothing wrong with you. Everyone slips up now and then. The way to conquer these mistakes is just to get past it, start again with a new commitment to treat your body well as of today, right now. What you did yesterday doesn't matter, so forget it and move on. We're here for you!

[Munia68]

Thanks Karen. That was a quick reply. I do need the prayers!

[Munia68]

And thanks to you too Sarah. I hadn't seen your post till now. Anyway, this was my first time, I don't intend to do it again. The after feeling was not pleasant at all. That should keep me away from throwing up deliberately if nothing else does. :)

Well, tomorrow is another day. It's midnight now, and I guess I should go to bed instead of dwelling on my failures. So....good night,

:wave:

[Munia68]

By the way Sarah, is that real tattoo or just paint, if you don't mind my asking? :)

[pre3teach]

After any mess ups I try to remind myself the next meal I can do right...It helps me start over.

Have a great night
:yawn:

and new day tommorrow!

[lueezeee]

I am 5', even. My goal is 110. I have a small frame, and I used to be 100 pounds as a teenager. I don't want to look like a baby, though, so I'm aiming for 110. (The charts say my range is 97-114.)

I am a little under 5' and I can totally relate. I would say I have a medium frame and right now I weight around 108. I would like to be close to 100 although I haven't been that small since I was 10 :lol:. I got rid of my scale (well actually I "hid" it in the basement so I wouldn't get on it every single day!).

A few years ago I weighed almost 130. I was so puffy and uncomfortable and couldn't find clothes to fit me. I decided to quit drinking (booze can really put on a lot of bloat in your belly) and I started to exercise. Slowly the weight came off and I got muscles!

I recently moved in with my naturally lean boyfriend (whole family eats what they want and stays thin!) Next thing I know, I'm eating cookies, chips and buttered popcorn at night and didn't work out anymore. It didn't take more than a month before I couldn't fit into my clothes. I wore black stretch pants and skirts to work almost every day. Finally, I got fed up with being puffy.

My mom and aunt are on Atkins and have lost almost 100 lbs beween them. I read the first book and went to Atkins center.com. I decided pretty quickly that this was something I had to try. So far I am loving the low carb way of life.

By my calculations, I've only lost maybe 5-8 pounds, but it was enough to put me back into my clothes again. I have way more energy and I exercise a lot more too.

If you like to cook, which I do, they have great recipes on this website. Right now I'm eating the "french toast" made with pork rinds. I think I put too many rinds in but otherwise it tasted pretty darn good.

Good luck... and if you ever need someone to talk to, email me.
Louise

[lueezeee]

i am between 5'2 and 5'3 with a tiny frame. i'm not sure what my goal weight is but as of right now it's anything between 95-105. i'm so glad i found this thread. :yay:

When I decided I was going to start lifting weights, I bought "The Firm" tapes. The two I use all the time are "Time-Crunch" and "Tough Tape".
They're pretty old (from the early 90's) but I bet if you went to thefirm.com you could find something similiar. I think those tapes are in the "classic" series now.

I lift weights two or three times a week. Boy, it makes all the difference in how you look. Makes you feel good too!

P.S. Once you start lifting, you have to pay more attention to inches lost as opposed to weight lost. Muscles weighs more than fat!

Good Luck :yay:

[Lonely]

Hi, ladies. I opened up this thread, thinking, "hmm...sounds interesting..." and suddenly, I read a quote from ME!? Then I realized that, yes, I had seen this thread once before and dropped a comment. This time, though, I think I'd like to hang around. There seem to be a few Regulars here, and I could use the support.

I was actually JUST thinking yesterday, "I wonder if anyone else feels like a little round ball like me, especially when getting dressed in the morning!" Seriously, I am so stiff! The worst is tying my sneakers or pulling up stockings. I feel like an old lady, and I'm only 21.

I'm starting to get bored of the food on Atkins, and I'm slipping into my old night-eating habits. During the day I am so sane and satisfied, but at night I go nuts. I just started gaining some weight back, and I haven't upped my carbs at all from 20 grams a day.

I know for sure that I have to exercise. I would be way happier, more flexible, and thinner if I exercised. I just feel so swollen and stiff, that I feel like I can't. What exercise can a "round ball" do?

[tigger64]

Have you tried Walk Away the Pounds? I've found this to be relatively easy (the 1 mile tape anyway) and a way to ease into exercise. I say that but I too am an inconsistent exerciser. Too busy in the daytime and too tired at night. When I was being consistent with exercise, tho, this was my punishment of choice. What I had trouble doing, I just did my best on with the hopes it would get easier--and it did some. Good LucK!!

Tig

[Yank_in_NC]

Munia: I was so sorry to read your recent post. :cry: Please don't give up. I know you can do anything you set your mind to. We've all felt like failures from time to time and have fallen off the wagen. You're definitely not alone. Just get up and get back on! It's never too late. Also, always remember that this forum and these people are here for you. I know I could have never ever gotten this far if it hadn't been for all of you. Keep your chin up girl!!! :yay:

Kim

[pre3teach]

Round ball exercises...well here is what I do. I too feel like a round ball. Two weeks ago approx. I started a step tape. The beginners portion is only 20min long. My daughter uses the step and I use the ground. We have done that early in the morning. It has really helped to have the accountability. When she doesn't feel like it I do and visa versa. I have also done the kickboxing tape and that too has a short begginners section. It really helps me to start slow, get the rountine and then slowly increase the time. That way I am not so overwhelmed. :roll:

And ya know anything is better than nothing!

[SarahO]

I think exercise is critical for getting in shape. Even something simple like walking will make a difference. When I first started exercising I was very much a "round ball" and I liked the tape Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss. There are four women doing the practice so you can see how to do it if you're not that flexible or strong yet. Also one of them is large so you get an idea of what the pose should look like if you're not built like the typical yoga instructor (i.e. a stick or a rubber band). Hope that helps, let us know what exercise you decide to do!

[Yank_in_NC]

I have to admit, I haven't been going to the gym like I used to because of scheduling problems. With my son going to Sylvan Learning Center three days/week it really takes up a lot of my time once I get out of work.

Anyway, I've been continuing to do crunches nightly and I wakeboard every weekend. I'm not sure how much the wakeboarding is doing but I suppose it's doing something since I haven't gained anything back. It's pretty strenuous on your legs and upper body. I also continue to be dilligent about what I eat because I'm petrified of gaining the weight back that I've lost. It's been a long hard 10 months and I didn't work this hard to gain it back so I just keep plugging along.

I think once the kids go back to school, or possibly after the summer when boating season comes to a close AND with my Mom being here now, I should be able to get back to the gym even if it's only a couple days/week. I might be able to ask her to take my son to Sylvan one or two days/week.

Kim

[Isa]

Hey Yank...at 5'3" and 121 lbs you've got to be looking great! Congratulations!

I agree with Sarah...exercise is indispensible. I'm not talking about killing yourself with endless repetitions and iron-man regimens. I'm talking about a consistent schedule of reasonable cardio and muscle strengthening. But anything is better than nothing. If walking for 20 minutes three times a week is all you can schedule, then do it. Just be consistent, and let it become a healthy habit. The rest will fall into place. As you get into walking you may want to do some stretching before and afterwards. Feels great and lengthens your muscles. Then maybe some light hand weights three times a week for a few minutes. Just let it build gradually. Just because you can't get out and run 10 miles a day doesn't mean you can't walk around the block. Just do what you can do.

It does wonders for your head, too.

Best regards,

Isa
(former world-class couch potato)

[Munia68]

Hi! Today has been wonderful diet-wise. I've had my late night snacks, am full, replete and feeling very good, as my carb count today was below 20 and my calories were not high. So no guilty feelings whatsoever. :roll:

Kim and all others, I appreciate your concern and thanks for the encouragement. I couldn't have found the energy to fight back the demons inside me without you. :bhug: I am determined to get back on the wagon, truly and completely. And I shall not ever try OWL. ;) At least not until I reach my goal weight. Only then I will dare to experiment with my diet.

How are you all? Hope you all had a great low carb day. I want everyone to be happy, especially today.....

:wave:

[Munia68]

Isa, you a world class couch potato? I don't believe it!! Now if you were talking about me.....LOL Real coach potatoes reach 224 pounds in no time at all and stay there for some time, LOL they don't stop at 139 pounds.... May be you have mistaken yourself with someone else!! ;)

[Munia68]

Hey ladies! How can one lose 40 pounds in 4 months and still fit into the same clothes? Because that is the case with me. I have lost 1 or 1.5 inches in the waist, an inch in the hip, and a couple of inches in the arms, and that's that. My clothes haven't loosened that much. But the scales show I have lost around 40 pounds!! So much so that a cousin today said (after seeing me for the first time in 4 months) -- "Are you sure you've lost weight cause I don't see any difference!" Yes, she was brutally frank but then I'd asked for her honest opinion. I shouldn't have asked. I am feeling terrible.

What is wrong? Can anyone shed light?

[Lonely]

Well, I found a walking partner two days ago, and we started last night. Walking is really the only exercise I feel comfortable with right now. I just hope she can continue on a regular basis, because no other walking partner I've had lasted more than a few weeks before getting laxed.

I'm going to be moving soon, so I'll have to find another walking partner there - that shouldn't be hard, because I'll have roommates! (Right now I live with my parents in a countrylike place, so there aren't too many options for walking partners.)

By the way, one of my friends has that yoga video you mentioned, and she let me borrow it once. That was when I weighed 120 pounds, so I was quite flexible then. Even then, though, I was very padded. I have a small frame under a lot of bulge.

[Lonely]

Oh, and I was also thinking: When I move to the city, I might want to sign up at a Curves or something - if I earn enough money to do so.

[Deshukel]

Just curious if anyone wants to share what their goal pants sizes are or what they are in now.

I am 5 ft....maybe 5'1
I weigh around 150 depending on the day
my goal is a size 7/8 9brand varying)
I wear a 10-12 right now depending on brand. I have one Union Bay shorts that are 15's whatever???....

I haven't really been losing any weight but my clothes keep getting looser so that's good I guess. :cool:

[cohenlin]

I went to Ross to buy new Jeans last week. I really had no idea what size to try. The size 8 womens fit great. I went over to the sale rack and tried on a size 11 juniors. The both fit great. I bought both pair. The pant goal that I have is an old pair of size 6 pants that almost fit. I know that every brand of pants will fit differently depending on the cut. So a size goal has no real meaning, thus the reason for my old pants as my size goal. My old size 12 jeans were falling off of me, out to the goodwill they go!!!!

[Chickie85]

Hey. I am very petite as well. I am just barely over 5'.. I started gaining weight.. I had been at 115 then it was like before u knew it I was at like 136.. I was so depressed!! But, I started atkins on june 7th and now I weigh 121. so i feel a lot better. I would still like to get back down to 115 but i am very happy w/ my success so far. i hope i can get back done!! :thup:

[pre3teach]

Munia I don't know why 40lbs would not show much?! I know even a few lbs. show on me.

Chickie 85: I am happy for you! but man am I jealous. I am 136 and would love so much to get back to 115! I would be sooooo happy even with 121!!! I have been doing Atkins since summer but not really losing much at all. I did 20 carbs today. Weighed 137.5 on a dr. type scale this evening. It really came off fast for you! Did you do regular induction?

[Munia68]

I have a party tonight at my house. I have this dread that I will cave in! Otherwise yesterday went quite well! Carb below 20 and moderate caloric intake. Haven't lost any weight yet, instead gained 2 pounds!! It must be water weight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

-- And yes, I know I shouldn't worry about someone's comments. Good health is what matters. My high blood pressure has come down to normal, my pulse from an incredible 100 to 75, my angina has gone, I do not huff and puff anymore while climbing stairs, I can walk long distance and still feel good, I feel energetic, I feel I can sweep and mop the kitchen floor easily which was beyond me 4 months ago -- so I am happy with this diet. I only wish the downward slide will start again though.

Anyway, good luck to all of you. Have a happy low-carb day. :wave:

[Chickie85]

pre3teach: hey thanks. you can do it! i mean u have made progress so thats always a good thing! I did regular induction and after that now I am just keeping my carbs very low..like I allow myself 25-30 carbs instead of the 20 or less for induction.. i lost a lot during induction..and now i am slowly losing pounds..i want to do induction again so i can finish off but its hard because its summer and i am about to go away on vacation. But, we'll see.. good luck!!! :thup:

[Peterpan]

:) I just found this thread! It's so nice to read about other "shorter" people and what they are going through.

Info on me: I am starting to lose some of my height due to age (I guess) at my last physical I was 4' 11.50". I have a medium frame.
I was 105 lbs. in high school (boy, if I were only there now! And I thought I was FAT then!) When I married my DH (#2) my daughter was 2 and I was 119 lbs. (and I thought I was FAT then!)
Maybe I thought that way because I have always carried the bulk of my weight in my belly! Everyone says my legs are fine (though they could stand to lose some inches in my opinion) and I have no butt (try finding good fitting pants with a big belly and no butt!) It ain't easy let me tell you.

Ladies, I also am a little round ball!
I have been bouncing 2.5 lbs from my lowest of 154 for the last 6 weeks. I am not sure if I should try PP or stick with Atkins a while longer. I don't want to quit one plan too soon. I am thinking I need to watch the calories more closely. Monday I did start back on an expanded induction. I cut nuts, lots of bacon, whipping cream/pudding mousse, etc.. from my diet. I am allowing myself the jello/cream cheese in small quantities once a day. Hopefully it will work.

[pre3teach]

Hi Peterpan :wave: Hey you are discribing me. How much I weighed in H.S and also after my daughter. (mine was 116 by my scale) but probably 119 on the Dr.'s I also thought I was fat. Now here I am at 134.5 saying how on earth did I get hear. My shape is just like yours!

I am also cutting a few things from the induction ie. cheese, salty foods, TRYING to drink more water.

Welcome and good luck!

Thanks for the info Chickie1