140 Anyone??

[Katerpilla]

Hiya

I am looking for a buddy to motivate me to my goal of 140.

Have been doing Atkins for two weeks almost, have been a bit naughty re eating sugar free chocolate and made my own almost-carb-free-muffins. Still staying strictly under 20 carbs and drinking 4 L of water a day. I only got the book in the last couple of days and realised I have not been fair to myself. So I will have to start induction all-over again!!

I have lost 8 pounds already (with such a long way to go ahead of me!) but hopefully this time I get there. I have been so close in the past, but got complacent and let all-hell-break-loose with my eating.

Anyway would appreciate a mate to talk to who has a similar goal.

Thanks so much for reading. I wish you all the very best for acheiving your goals.

Kat
XX

[jen&ben]

Hi Kat! I would love to be your buddy :D .

Congratulations on the 8 lbs. That is awesome and you weren't even doing full induction!

I am starting induction on Monday. In some ways I am dreading this because I keep reading about all the initial side effects but I need to get this weight off.

I am such a carb addict - in fact my entire family is a bunch of carb addicts.

I have put you on my buddy list. Wish me luck on Monday...and were off!

Judy

[Tama]

Good morning, Kat! I am also going for 140! My stats say my beginning weight is 154, but that's not true. That is the weight I was when I came to this forum. My actual start weight is 184, so I know where you are coming from! Congrats on your initial loss! That is so great! And now that you are re-starting induction, the pounds will keep coming off. You picked a great place in this forum, there are so many kind people who are great supporters, whether you are doing good or bad. Also, the people here know so much! Any questions about low-carbing, they can help you out! Anyway, congrats on making this decision, you won't be sorry and I know you can do it!
Hugs, Tama

[liss567]

Hey guys ,

Wait for me!! I would be happy to tag along on our trip to 140 pounds. Before I had my kids i weighed a little less than that, and I loved it!! Took it for granted though! Can't wait to get back, I am tired of being uncomfortable in my clothes and in life in general.

I have been on and off induction for about two weeks( I get weak on the weekends), But I still managed to lose 8 pounds. I hope to start fresh again on Monday, maybe you guys can help me stick with it and watch the pounds fall away!!

[Herald]

I'm going there too :)

10 pounds gone, good days and bad days, I' like to join in :wave:

[jen&ben]

Great then we have a team :wave:

My husband and I started yesterday. He was raring to go.

I have had a low grade headache :( for two days now. Can't tell if it is the low carb or just my monthly cycle.

Other than that not too bad so far. I am taking the supplements and drinking water like crazy.

What is driving me crazy :spin: is the sensation of not having finished a meal. I keep getting this feeling like I am not done eating yet, you know maybe just a few crackers or a cookie would finish things off.

Although I did wake up less groggy this morning :thup: Or maybe that is just the excitement of the Super Bowl win for the Pats :cheer:

Glad to have some kindred spirits to share this with! Talk to you
all soon. How are you all doing today.
Regards, Judy

PS: You have all been added to my buddy list - now can someone help me with what that means and how I use it? :confused:

[Herald]

I had the thing with "meal not finished".

A couple of solutions I came up with:
Go and wash up straight away (takes your mind off it), by the time the washing up is done, you feel full. If you still don't feel full, you probably didn't eat enough! Needless to say I'm so lazy this didn't last long!
Brush your teeth straight after a meal. You don't want to eat after that!

You _do_ get used to it after a while, especially if you're eating plenty of protein (after a 12 oz steak with peppercorn-cream sauce and a green salad, who needs crackers?? ;) )

Once induction is over, there's the ole staple, sugar-free jelly :)

Herald

[jen&ben]

Herald - I am doing this with my husband and he mentioned last night that as we were sitting there talking about this sensation of wanting crackers or cookies his desire went away.

I find that I have the sensation of being full. I think it is more just being so used to having carb type food. Before starting induction if I was full I could always find room for a sweet, even just one little bite. I would not finish a meal in order to have dessert so I think that is where the sensation is coming from.

I had also been a big one for having a snack with tea around 9PM. Had been trying to stop doing that and found I had just moved the timing to dessert and tea right after dinner.

I think the teeth brushing thing is a great idea. I had tried it for a bit a few weeks back after reading it in a workout book but did not stick with it.

I am with you on jumping right up and washing the dishes...generally I am still finishing them up after the kids go to bed at 8PM!

Thanks for the suggestions though I will be putting a spare toothbrush/paste in the downstairs bathroom later today.

Regards, Judy

[Tama]

Hey guys! How is everything in your LC world today?

Judy, that is so awesome that you and the hubby are doing this together! It sure is easier when you don't have to worry about 'his n' her' food. Less tempting too.

I have pretty much gotten past the 'wanting something sweet' feeling after dinner. But I still have my moments when I am overcome with a chocolate attack. I try to keep whipping cream in the fridge, that way I can whip up a chocolate mousse to indulge in! There are also some other good treat ideas in the kitchen forum. Karen's chocolate truffle recipe is especially yummy! Stuff like that gets me through a crisis. Not 'til after induction though!

Good luck all!
Tama

[Katerpilla]

Hello Everyone

Wow - what incredible support!! I started the induction again yesterday and after a really good eating day, I feel quite enthusiastic. A group of us have joined a gym together so we are all going to classes, swimming and working out on different nights - great feeling. Although only one of those is following in my footsteps of low-carbing ;)

I was a little disappointed over the weekend to discover I have gained back 2 pounds :( . I am not too sure why exactly. I suspect my scales are a bit out and that I didn't really lose that extra 2 pounds in the first place. But I also know that I have not been eating correctly (salted nuts being the main culprit!!). Problem is a I really do like salt but have figured that I undo all the good work I am doing by drinking 4-5 litres of water a day, by dehydrating myself with all that salt.

Also, my partner joined me on the diet as of yesterday, only to confess this morning that he had a work launch party yesterday and he ate all the wrong foods and dranks pints of larger!!!! He told me he was starting again today, but without having had breakfast and no packed lunch in his hand as he left for work and a trip to the rugby tonight - I don't think he will make it. Bless him though, his intentions were good in that he wanted to support me (and getting to eat my creamy chicken dinners!! ;) )

Anyway, I will look forward to conversing with you all, sometimes I don't feel that I am doing the right thing and am tempted to go back to low-fat diets which I know how to follow (after years of unsuccessful practice!). But then I come in and read what other people have written and feel supported knowing that I am not alone.

Thanks for listening again. Hugs to you all.
Kat

[jen&ben]

Kat - know how you are feeling about that one special food. I am crazy about nuts and find it hard to believe I am going to go a whole two weeks without them.

I already have a mental list of the things that I will be trying to add back in slowly. Somehow just writing that makes me realize I may be setting myself up for failure. My sense is there are going to be a couple of things that I am just not going to be able to put back into my diet - at any quantity - nuts won't be one of those items.

What great news that you have some friends to exercise with. That is the part I am going to find the hardest. My problem is getting time to myself to exercise. I have two little ones so when I do get out for a walk it is at their pace and not mine. But I have some videos and such that I had been doing in the evenings after they are in bed. Hope to get back to that soon enough.

As for your partner - even if he is only LCing around you at least you won't have his foods as temptation. You can keep the house free of all those bad carbs and he is supporting you, in your presence.

So far this induction phase has not been too bad. I am still dealing with this naggy type headache. Besides that I feel very good. My biggest worry at this point is that I am not getting enough to eat - even though I walk away from every meal feeling full. It just does not seem like enough food. But I am not hungry and really not craving anything...YET! Will keep my fingers crossed.

Well I am off to pick up the house now that the kids are down. Will call that my exercise for today ;)

Take care and talk to you all soon!
Judy

[jen&ben]

Tama - how are you doing? Can you send me the chocolate mousse recipe you referred to below?

I had already printed out that truffle recipe because it did look yummy. It is in my pile of to try once induction is completed.

Thanks for all the support!
Regards, Judy

[Tama]

Hey Judy and the rest of you ladies -
I am doing well. The scale surprised me this week by inching downward. Made my year! Haven't seen those numbers since before my last baby! I'm even going through my closet and wearing clothes that have been 'off-limits' for a while!

About the choco mousse recipe - I wish I could tell you who gave it to me, but I can't. I stumbled across it in someone's journal when I first came to the forum, and for the life of me can't remember who it was! My memory moved out when the kids moved in. Anyway, here it is. You can adjust the amounts of cocoa and sweetener to taste. (I like a little more ;) ).

1 sm. container whipping cream. (can't remember the oz.)
1-2 T. cocoa
1-2 t. artificial sweetener (I use Equal)
Just whip it all up til it is nice and fluffy. You can chill it or eat right away! I luv it.

Sounds like everyone else is doing well. Keep it up ladies, 140 is closer than you think, believe me!

Hugs all, Tama

[Herald]

Oooh, I mgiht just have to try that chocolate mousse recipe!
It's a bit of a pain in the UK, as we can't get Splenda and Stevia is extremely rare, so we're stuck with sweetners that you can't cook with. This recipe I don't need to cook :)

Have to be careful though, or it'll start chocolate cravings :rolleyes:


Herald

[jen&ben]

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

Yeah Tama!!!

How great to be back to a pre baby weight. It must feel wonderful to put some of those clothes back on and be comfortable in them.

Now go throw out the larger sizes TODAY...no going back now :thup: Those fat clothes need to be in the trash or at Good Will fast.

Thanks for the mousse recipe. It might be the first thing I try once induction is over. I have been thinking of doing induction for 21 days. All the reading I have ever done says 21 days makes a habit. I sort of already feel like I don't ever need to eat bread again. Don't find it tempting at all.

I am struggling with fruit. Man would I love a strawberry or an apple right now.

Again CONGRATULATIONS what a wonderful milestone!

Herald - I would be more than willing to ship you some Splenda. The boxes are fairly light so I can't imagine it would be all that expensive to ship. Just say the word - we can do a private email for your address and a package will be on the way.

Have a great LC day!
Judy

[Tama]

Thanks Judy, you are a bud. I did go through the closet and threw/gave so many things away! Felt really good too. Bye-bye fat clothes, you have no friends here!

The mousse recipe really is good, but it is a good idea to seperate it into servings, then chill it in the fridge. At least that helps me from eating too much at once and going over my carb limit for the day. Don't worry about the fruit, you will be able to have berries really soon. One thing I love about this wol, is that berries with whipped cream are legal! Who knew dieting could be this fun? Anyway, keep it up and keep smilin'

Hugs, Tama

[Tama]

Haven't heard from you ladies in a while. How is everybody doing? Check in, girls, inquiring minds want to know!

Hugs, Tama

[Cinnamom]

Hi all! This seems like the place for me! 140 is my goal. How is everyone doing?

How about a Q&A thread? A question I would like to ask and hear your answers is: What is working for you and what isn't? One answer I have is that I've been eating 3 meals a day instead of skipping (which had become a habit) and then eating heavy before bedtime. This is giving me more energy, better moods and I'm still losing, slowly but surely. How about you? :wave:

[Tama]

Welcome, Cinnamom, and congratulations on your loss so far! Looks like you are off to a great start. It really is motivating when you experience a whoosh! like that, isn't it?

What works for me on this wol is big-time eating. What caused me to fail on every other diet I've been on is the hunger part. I hate being hungry!! Who doesn't? So I eat and eat. I go shopping and buy a lot of everything that is legal and I go home and enjoy myself! I don't worry about "Hey, did I put too much butter on that?" or "Well, maybe I shouldn't have whipped cream on that" I just eat what I love and that is what keeps me going on this wol. When I feel like I am indulging myself constantly, then I am not tempted to cheat!

How about you other ladies??
Tama

[jen&ben]

Hi ladies! Welcome Cinnamom!

Things are going well :) . Slacked off a bit during the second week of induction but :eek: I don't feel too bad about it. I had to travel for work and did the best I could considering.

What I did find is that in some ways it is easier to do this induction thing when eating out. Just picking appropriate items off of a menu is much easier than fussy over what I am going to make. Somehow eggs at a breakfast buffet are easier to take then the ones I end up making every morning.

We had a long ski weekend with family this past weekend. My brother in law was very interested in LC but my sister in law nearly took my head off :mad: when we mentioned Atkins. Her reaction just gave me a bit more determination to prove her wrong. As for food over this long weekend we were not as well prepared as we could have been. So there were a few slip ups.

But my husband and I are right back into induction today. I have promised myself some new clothes once I hit 150...just 9 more pounds to go. I don't have any more travel plans so my goal is a clean induction through March 3rd.

As for what is working - I find the L-Glutamin (spelling??) helps hold off some of the cravings. I have no interested in flour products but continue to struggle with the sweet items. The L-Glutamin helps quite a bit.

I am also finding that I must plan out our dinner menu for the week. That way I have everything I need in the house and no excuse to do some high-carb alternative.

Well have to go...keep in touch. Keep up all the good LC work :thup:

[Cinnamom]

Hi all! Hi Jen&Ben and Tama!
I agree that meal planning and shopping are the most important things after LC knowledge to keep us from slipping. Like Tama, if I have a cupboard and fridge full of LC goodies, then all is right with the world. If I haven't shopped in a week, then my DH and I fall back on the same old thing, eggs, cheese, whatever. That is boring, and can lead to frustration and eating higher carbs.

Thanks to my DH, we are having chicken and green beans tonight. I got home late as usual.

Have a great LC day, everyone!

[Tama]

Well, how is everybody out there in lc land today? I am doing pretty well, considering I've been staring a plate of cookies down all day. I haven't cheated, but keeping up this resistance is exhausting!

I am curious. For my own benefit, could you ladies tell me what you absolutely must have in your fridge/cupboard, to fight the nasty gremlins of cheating? Learning other people's secrets helps me out. So, what do you keep on hand that really helps you out?

Hugs, Tama

[jen&ben]

Tama - I have tried some of the low carb bars. Some have been terrible but two were pretty good.

Ultimate Lo Carb Bar by Biochem - Chocolate Brownie Nut was fine. Probably even better with a cup of tea (decaf of course).

Carb Solutions - Chocolate Cappuccino Crisp was excellent. I think I actually moaned during the first bite :yum: .

Last week when I fell off induction I could satisfy cravings with nuts and olives.

Sweets is the hardest though but that Carb Solutions bar could do the trick. I also find that the flavored waters help me - ones with a raspberry or cherry flavoring seem to do the trick most of the time.

Hope these suggestions help.
Talk to you all soon!
Judy

[AmberinIN]

Hey you all! I hope I'm not too late to get in! I am posted as wanting to get to 135. I want to be 140 by the end of September, but I know better than to think I can just say it will happen!

My mom went on this diet 3 weeks ago and is doing great. I'm hoping that genetics plays a great part in this because I'm on day 4 and I feel great! Day one was a bummer, migraine from caffeine withdrawl and just getting over a cold.

I want my kids to see me at my pre-preg. weight. Two of them have never seen me under 200!

I have a question. I was sick the second day after eating. I think I am just not used to eating so much fat because I was on a severe low fat diet for 5 months. I exercise 5 times a week and only lost 10 pounds that whole time! Ugh! Anyway, can we break our meals up if we can't eat it all? I had one egg and two peices of sausage and a cup of decaf coffee for breakfast and I can't eat anymore, but I don't want to undereat. Will I be all right until lunch? I'm not hungry still and it's 10:18 here.

I hope we can reach our goals a little easier with each other!


Amber :wave:

[jen&ben]

Welcome to the 140 Club (or 135 if that suits you)!

Yes you can break up your meals. I found even after just a few days on Atkins that my meals were much smaller and they held me longer.

My husband and I kept worrying the first couple of days about not eating enough food. But re-reading Atkins I was assured that as long as I left the table feeling satisfied but not stuffed everything was ok.

I would also say though that if you are hungry again at 11 then eat some LC item at 11. I sometimes just have a few bites of a carb bar (I mentioned earlier in the thread) to hold me over.

Some days I can go from 8AM - 1PM on a couple of eggs and decaf tea. Other days I need a filler at 11AM.

Keep in touch and good luck!
Judy

[AmberinIN]

Thanks for the tips! I'm sorry if I get anyone's name wrong, there's such a great group here! I think I'm at the same point as Cinnamom, hope things are going well for you!

I was looking at the numbers at the side for weight and I wish other diet forums looked the same. Everyone has lost so well. My husband, bless him, is 6' and 150 pounds and eats carbs like they're going out of style. He wouldn't quite understand my diet, so I'm suprising him with the results and trying to be very casual in my dinnertime manner by slipping the carbs somewhere else. :p

I went out Wednesday for a stock up (my first) at the grocery store and you should have seen some of the looks I got! No one was suprised when I was filling my cart with low fat carb stuff, but now that I fill it with all these meats and sausage and cream and butter and full fat everything, I just know they were thinking, "No wonder you're so fat!" :D I wonder if their diets would change if they knew I was losing weight while eating this stuff!!

Does anyone do regular exercise right now? I noticed that the Dr. said that it was very good but he didn't say it was essential. I was exercising 5x a week for the last 5 months, so I just figured I'd keep it up.

Well gotta get off and clean the house. Mom's watching the kids tomorrow while dh and I go to Chicago. We're seeing The Blue Man Group. I can't wait!


Bye! :wave: Amber

[Tama]

Way to go, Amber!! You are doing so well. Just let all those people keep staring, with their low fat chips and constant hunger - they can keep it!!

About the exercise. Since you are already in the habit, why mess up a good thing? I have noticed that people here in the forum lose with or without exercise, but exercise really kicks the weight loss into high gear. So, it just depends on how fast you want it gone. Personally, I don't exercise daily, the kids keep my life pretty erratic still. Maybe when the baby is older, things will even out a bit. (I wish) But I try to keep it at about 3-4 times a week. Do what works for you.

You are just doing so great!! Keep it up and keep us posted! It is motivating for the rest of us!

Hugs, Tama

PS, have fun in Chicago! Wow, I am jealous!

[AmberinIN]

Good morning everyone!

I was thinking, maybe we should have an official name for our little group (or do we have one and I missed it?) so we can start new threads so we don't have a gazillion pages. This one might start to get long, just a thought.

I went to Chicago Saturday and had a blast! I slipped in my LC, ate a 6" meatball sub and a sirloin burger on swirled rye. :( But then the next day I was back on and tested with a keto strip and I am in moderate range still :) So hopefully it wasn't a total problem. I have a really low resistance, so I think I'll be all right. I don't plan on doing that often though, I want to lose this weight NOW! I'm actually just about to break the 200 lb. line. I haven't been under 200lbs. in years!

Hope you guys are having a good-as-it-can-get Monday!

Amber

[Katerpilla]

Hiya Everyone

I have to apologise, I was the one who started the thread but have not written since. Tch, tch.

Its hard because the only time I have access is at work and it can be really difficult to grab a second to get on. I have been through and read everyone's comments, its great that so many of us share a common goal from all corners of the globe!!

I am a bit disheartened with the whole lc WOE at the moment, hadn't lost anything since induction (so lost nothing in three weeks) and feeling a bit sorry for myself had hot chips Friday night (much to the horror of my boyfriend), a drunken night on Sat night drinking Coke and had a whopper and chips and shared some onion rings), then Sunday I had some crisps, an ice-cream and pizza for dinner. Talk about falling off the wagon, I flew off.
And I could have stopped myself at any time, I know that now, I didn't really enjoy any of it, so diappointed with myself but choose to be focussed and back on track today.

If I am being completely honest, I think I started to slip last week when I started not writing down everything I was eating, then I got slack with the water and was getting below the 3 - 4 Litre mark, then I was eating too many low-carb treats as well, sugar-free chocolate, SF toffees etc. All the signs were there, I could have stopped but - oh well, you live you learn.

Need a bit of encouragement that I am doing the right thing, I hate to admit it, but I was seriously thinking of going back to low-fat - the diet itself is not great - but at least the results are consistent (if not temporary).

I have been reviewing the success stories and am sure that I can succeed too, just when you have failed so many times before - you sorta expect to fail again.

I have decided I am not going to go back to induction and eat like I was (20carbs a day) but cut out nuts, too much cheese, all sweets (sugar-free or not) and all diet drinks - then closely monitor what happens.

Thanks guys, sorry for the rant- hope someone out there can give me some encourgement!!

Kat
XX

[AmberinIN]

Kat! You can do it, just like the rest of us! :D I tend to look at this diet in a similar way as other diets in that we are all going to have days where we don't get it right, but you know what? If you just start back where you left off, you won't be starting at you original weight, will you? Isn't that great? I was so frustrated about my 10 lb. loss in 5 months, but now that I think about it, at least when I started Atkins, I was 208, still better than my high 224 point.

Don't sweat the wagon falling, I can guarantee we all do it. The goal is getting our heinies back into Ketosis and sliding that fat off again! I know you can get yourself back there. Just think now of your last few days as a sort of lapse in time. In other words, forget about it! You have a great start and many more great weeks ahead of you. Let's just get ourselves through the next 4-5 days and see what happens.

The time I'm spending on this computer this morning, you'd think I didn't have a life! I go in spurts, and my homeschooling has been extremely smooth this morning!

[jen&ben]

Good Evening Ladies :wave:

Apologies for being out of the loop. I suddenly had trouble with my log in on Friday but did not have a chance to fix it. Finally got to it today.

I am feeling a bit like Kat this past week or so.

We went away the weekend of 2/16 and I had some cheesecake a couple of the nights and ate quite a few nuts and strawberries - and I still have not recovered. Other than those few slip ups I stuck to the induction foods. We started right back into induction on Monday 2/18 but my body does not seem to recognize it. It is so frustrating because my husband keeps losing.

I am just stuck at this 169 number :confused: . So much so that I have started to become a bit fixated on the scale. I had been doing so well on the weighing thing just every other day.

Now I have to restrain myself for jumping on everytime I am in the bathroom...which is very tough based on all the water we drink!

I am wondering if anyone has used the low carb bars as a meal substitute? I am thinking they might be messing me up even though they are suppose to be low carb.
I have been unable to get back into ketosis - pretty much coming up negative.

I keep thinking my body is going to figure this out and get back in sync - my ketosis strips were showing up deep purple just before the trip. Is it just a matter of time before my metabolism figures this out again?

Well off to finish my water for the evening. Talk to you all soon I am sure! :)

Regards, Judy

[Tama]

Hey, Judy!! I had technical problems over the weekend too! We must be very in sync, you and I.

About those low-carb bars....there are many, many people here in this forum that swear they cause stalls. Nat won't go near them. Many believe that they have hidden carbs in them, and that is the problem - even the ones with Dr. Atkins' name on them. I can't tell you how many posts I have read about this, maybe you could do a search and read a few yourself. Or, go to Natrushka's journal and ask her, she is very well-informed on the subject. All the bad press on the bars kind of scared me away from them, so I can't really speak from personal experience.

Just a thought on what may be causing your stall....

Hugs, Tama

[jen&ben]

Thanks for the encouragement Tama! I just love all my supportive buddies :rheart:

It is one thing to tell yourself something (funny how we don't listen) but a completely different story when someone else is stating the same idea :bash: .

I had been doing some poking around on the site last night after my whiny little thread and went to the Turtle Club. Karen had put up some guidelines to determining if you really are a turtle and of course when I read through them so many made sense.

This morning I got up and have budged down one pound - and am back into moderate ketosis. Even though I had a carb bar for breakfast and lunch yesterday. I did not have any of them today and will try to stay away from them for a while. I had been thinking of doing the blood glucose testing experiment to see if certain foods were causing spikes but when I read about all the finger pricks required I am not sure it is worth the bother right now. Guess I am just not that desparate to figure out what caused the stall.

As for the carb bars I will just cut them out for a bit. Unfortunately I find that they really do hit the spot when I am looking for something sweet. Today I made up a batch of the whipping cream, cocoa, Splenda. It was good but I will save it to eat for another day.

By the way how are you doing? You have been doing a lot of encouraging lately...I am guessing you won the war with the plate of cookies from the other day.

Talk to you soon!
Regards, Judy

[Tama]

Hey, Jen. Congrats on losing a pound!! Celebrate each one, cause we all know how hard they are to get to pack up and leave!

As for me, I am doing okay. I did win the battle against the plate of cookies, but then my mother sabotaged me with Krispy Kreem. She just went and left a box on my kitchen sink without telling me, so I wasn't prepared or anything. I just come home from town and HELLO TEMPTATION! It was not pretty there for about 24 hours at my house - cheat, beat yourself up, crave - cheat, beat yourself up, crave. You know the drill. Anyway, I beat the gremlins down and I am back on track.

I noticed that, when I eat carbs, food is all I think about. I literally live in the kitchen, foraging around for something to eat every 20 min. or so. I was miserable! But when I stick to the plan, I am freed up to think about so many other things - the kids, the house, my homework, myself. It is wonderful not to be controlled by food anymore!! It is also a relief to find out that I am normal, too. For a while there I was beginning to think I needed a shrink to deal with my food obsession!!

Anyway, take care and keep us posted!!
Hugs, Tama

[jen&ben]

Mothers! Gotta love'm

The most important part is that you got back on track so quickly.

I completely agree with the being consumed by thoughts of food. I still have those days even now but I can pretty much control it if I take the L-Glutamine supplement. Although even those I am not taking as often.

By the way what are you going to school for?
Well back to work for me!
Stay strong...Judy

[Movey]

Hello!
I am also going for 140! Tama- I noticed we are just about the same, I am 5'9 and my starting weight is 180-185. Today is actually my first day of induction! But i was just wondering about how long it has taken you to get to your present weight, etc. Thanks!
- Molly

[Tama]

Hey, Judy! Where do you get your L-glutamine supplement? Just curious, I think I might like to try that. And I am currently taking classes over the internet from the university here, since there is no way I could go to regular classes with 3 kids in tow! I am getting my Masters in English lit.

Hello Movey, and welcome! You have chosen a great place to get support and motivation - this forum is the best. We are very similar in our stats, how interesting!! After my 3rd baby was born, I weighed 184, and he turns one this week. So, getting this far has taken me a year. However, I didn't lose the first 30lbs. on Atkins, which is why I do not post 184 as my starting weight, I feel it would be misleading. I lost the first 30 using my own starvation / deprivation thing that was miserable!! (We have all done it!) So, I knew I couldn't get the last bit off that way, and I didn't want it to come back, so I found Dr. Atkins and this forum, and I haven't looked back. I started Atkins in mid-October of last year, so these last few lbs. have been slow in leaving me. But the holidays really trashed me, you know? Anyway, now that this is turning into a life history, I guess I should give someone else a turn to speak! Thanks for your interest and I will be checking in on you soon!

Big hugs, Tama

[jen&ben]

Molly - welcome...yes you'll fit in nicely but all are welcome of course.

How has the first day gone? I was headachy for a few days and kept feeling like I had not finished a meal even though I had the sensation of being full.

The headaches are gone and I only get the not done sensation every once in a while now. This is day 25 with some falling off the wagon in the middle.

Again welcome and hope to hear from you again soon!

Tama - I picked up the L-Glutamine at a local GNC store. I took their brand which came in the 1K dose but Atkins suggests taking 1 to 2 500 tablets so I figured this size would be fine.

The first couple days of induction I was taking the L-Glutamine usually later afternoon (always a low point for me) and sometimes around 9PM. Which used to be when I had a cup of tea and something sweet. I now take one every couple of days or so and only when I am really feeling the sweet sensation creeping up on me. I do carry a couple in my purse just in case I get stuck somewhere.

Good Luck with school. Do you have many more credits to complete?

Talk to you all soon.
Regards, Judy

[Movey]

Judy-
Thanks for the nice welcome! It is so nice to be able to share experiences and stories. The first day went really well! the only thing is i was craving sweets all day! I made some sugar free jello and that helped a little. Can you fill me in on L-Glutamine? I have heard of it but i'm not too sure what it does. Thank you!
-Molly :roll:

[Tama]

Hey, Molly! Way to go on getting through day 1!! The first few are the worst, just keep telling yourself that whenever you hit a low spot.

Judy, thanks for the info. on the L-glutamine. I will go look for myself. That sounds like it could really be a boost for me. I have about 2 semesters left. The reason I say "about" is because I still have to write a big thesis at the end, and that will take a bit longer. Slowly but surely, I will get that degree. Just like I will see 140 on my scale again!!

Determination is indispensible.

Hugs, Tama

[AmberinIN]

Good Morning Everyone! And a special good morning to Movey! :wave: Another loser! It's good to have you here!

I have a challenge for anyone who wants to participate. I can get fixated on the scale or a certain food sometimes, so I wanted something to take my mind off of food when I'm bored or have down time and feel like I just can't wait for the scale to move, even if it has already. I am a bit impatient, so this is what I started to do. I go around and find little things that are different from when I started losing.

Some of the things I've found are the usual energy boost, sleep at night, no need for a nap in the afternoon, etc., but I'm talking about those little things you take for granted when you weigh less that you all of a sudden notice you have back.

Here are some of the ones I've come up with in the last couple of days:

-my skin is smoother, not as bumpy in some places, or as grainy in others, I think the fat in the diet is producing a glow. People have commented, not on my weight loss (no one has noticed yet) but they want to know what I've done for my face!

-my stretch marks were dark purple and huge, now they're getting smaller and fainter. I always hated seeing those dark marks!

-My hind end doesn't hang over the toilet seat as much. I also hated looking at my toilet seat and knowing my behind was bigger than it!

-I have a line going up my spine, like definition or something. I didn't have this 3 months ago. I've been watching for a sighting of my collarbone and hip bones, but I didn't think to look at any other places!

Anyway, if you guys can notice something that is exciting that you didn't notice before, we could all appreciate the changes and it is a push for me to see these things because I want to see more. Keeps me more on track.

Hope you guys have a great day! Yay Friday! :D Amber

[AmberinIN]

Heeeellllllloooooooooo? Amybody out there? :confused:


Well, I goofed on Thursday. My husband came home all excited because he knew I hadn't had a KFC Twister in a long time and got one for me. Ahhhh! Oh well, back in the saddle again. At least my ketostick is still pink. It's darker pink now, so I just need to keep it up. This is day 14 for me and I'm winding down on my TOM. I had no chocolate, which is a miracle for me! I still don't know how much I weigh lately, but I'll try to get an idea in the next couple of days.

So, whats everybody up to? Probably life. We got 10 inches of snow dumped on us yesterday, so we aren't going anywhere today. :rolleyes: Very boring. It's 10 degrees out with a wind chill of -10. Yipes!

Hope we have signs of life soon! See you later! Amber

[Tama]

Amber, to hear you talk about snow makes me so grateful I live in AZ!! I am a true desert rat.

Well, I fell out of the saddle this weekend. Ah well, we live and learn I guess. I don't really want to go into it because then I will just get mad at myself again. I don't want to focus on my mistakes, just keeping my eyes straight ahead. So, here we go again. It is really hard for me for about 2 days after a cheat, so I know what's in store for me today and tomorrow. Oh well. You think I would figure this out by now and quit torturing myself. But I just sabotage myself again. Go figure.

Take care ladies!
Tama

[jen&ben]

Hello ladies :wave: !

It is just me struggling to stay with this LC thing.

I continue to sit at this 169 number. It has been exactly 23 days at 169 lbs. I can't make this scale move and no my clothes are not fitting differently either.

My husband is experiencing the exact same stall. His seems to be an inability to get to ketosis. I on the other hand can be purple and not budge.

Unfortunately all this stalling just makes me second guess doing this for the rest of my life. I am not looking for the bread/pasta type foods but I find it hard to believe that I won't have a real cookie again.

I am certainly not ready to go out and buy Cheez-Its again but this stall pulls me in the direction of adding berries and nuts back in for some variety.

We have been on Atkins for 31 days. I have lost 7 pounds. ...well I guess when I state it that way it looks much better :)

So much for my little rant this evening.

Molly - on the L-Glutamine. Atkins mentions it in the latest book as a way to help ward off some of the cravings. I find it certainly helps me. I also found that as the weeks have gone on I don't use it as much. The first few weeks I would take the two a day suggested. Maybe 3PM and then again at 9PM. Always my snack times. Now I go several days without it (sounds like an addict to me :exclm: ). I carry a few in my bag just in case but hardly ever need it.

Amber - you are a very perceptive lady. You had me running to the mirror to check my skin. I obviously need to stop focusing on what is under my feet and start looking at what is around me. I will work on focusing on those items around me.

Tama - don't look back...day one is already over!

Talk to you all soon. You all are helping me stay on track!
Regards, Judy

[AmberinIN]

Good Morning All! :wave: Hope everyone's Monday was O.K.

Tama - I wouldn't worry about the oops, sometimes ya just gotta break. Well, maybe I'm trying to excuse my spaghetti and garlic bread last night :rolleyes: I well, we'll get back on track. I just remember, it only takes a couple of days to get back on track. I'm a nut for pasta and Italian food. But last night's spaghetti tasted strange. I made it the way I always do, but I think it might have put me off of it for a while. Probably a good thing. Amyway, the good thing is I sort of CADed the dinner (dinner and dessert in one hour). I was on that diet a few years ago and actually lost some weight, but stopped doing it for some reason. I feel fine today, no craving the chips or anything, but I'm starting back to being careful. We'll get back and lose more!

Judy - Thanks, I appreciate the compliment. I feel like I have more time to look at other things since I'm not constantly thinking of food because I'm not hungry. I'm really shocked at how much time I spent thinking about my next snack or meal/s! :eek: I was possessed!

Back to my old standby food this morning. Eggs and sausage. I tried subtly talking to my husband about different bodies needing different food (he doesn't know I'm LCing) because he calls meat and cheese and stuff heart attack food. My kids hear this, and unfortunately, my daughter has my body type and will probably have to eat this heart attack food to keep her healthy! I tried to explain that heart disease was unheard of 100 years ago, but he did what he always does, laughed it off like I didn't know any better (hence my reson for keeping the LC secret). Sometimes he drives me up the wall! Oh well, I just hope I can show him it works soon. I've got my blood work from a couple of years ago, but sure it's worse now, but all of my levels are in the normal range. I'll get it done when I'm done so he can see that I'm not setting myself up for an early death!

Anyway, gotta go and sort some tests. It's getting pretty noisy in here! See you! :D Amber

[jen&ben]

Amber - I have been making the quick bread recipe on the side of the Atkins bake mix. It is sort of like corn bread if you toast it and add some butter. That has become my morning ritual. It feels so good to have a bread type product for breakfast.

I am unable to stomach another egg at this point.

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: This morning the scale read 167 :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

Maybe just maybe I am out of this stall. Just seeing that new number has given me the push I need to be really good and head back towards the induction menu (for the most part).

Also my little rant last night helped...even if I do feel guilty about it!

Talk to you all soon
Judy

[Tama]

Yay, Judy!! That is great news! Now, aren't you proud of yourself for sticking with it? That is awesome.

Hey, Amber!! After your posted insight, I have been thinking about things that are different about the bod since I started lo-carbing. I can see more definition in the bod, I have those lines on either side of my abdominals now, which is nice. I looked at the video my husband took at my son's birthday party last week, and I discovered that I don't look nearly as horrible from the back as I thought I did. I guess it is the little things that matter most, sometimes. Noticing those things made me feel just as good as the scales taking a downward turn. Thanks for helping me notice them! It is helping me feel better about this "dry spell" I seem to be having with the scales! (It couldn't have anything to do with my cheating a lot lately, could it? :rolleyes: )

Oh, and another thing, Amber. About your health and this new wol. Just a personal experience of mine. Just a little while ago, my husband and I took out a new life insurance policy. They had to do all the blood work, weight, everything - to see what "rate" they could give us, based on our health. Our agent warned us that very few people can get the "premium" rate because your cholesterol levels must be very low to get that rate. Well, long story short, we both got the premium rate. Low cholesterol, low blood pressure, weight is in the right range, etc.. So, you just ignore all the Atkins critics, you are doing what is healthy!!

Hugs, Tama

[mommy2boys]

Judy, you go girl!!! Good for you!!! 167 is awesome!! I weigh 173 right now, and I just can't seem to get down into the 160's... boohoo! :(

Hey Judy, do you remember me? We started coming here at the same time... and I can still be your weightloss buddy if you'd like... Your goal weight is 135, whereas, mine is 140. We have similar goals... which might help keep each other accountable. Now can you tell me about the Atkin's products? Did you buy them where you live or online? I just wondered what I can do to get this extra weight off... I need some encouragement... I'm really bummed out tonight!!

Christy

[AmberinIN]

All right, is there a possibility that we might experience a WHOOSH around here? I STILL haven't weighed myself but sure I will soon. Maybe I'll be below 200! I've been looking forward to that for a long time!

I'm so glad you guys had other ideas! I was looking at my abs (or where my abs will be when the fat is gone! :rolleyes: ) and noticed that if I turned sideways and sucked in my gut, I could see what I'll look like when I'm done! A physical end in sight! It'll take a while, but I plan on losing my waist!

Also, have you guys noticed that you are looking really good in some places, but others just don't seem to be keeping up? My hips and thighs, ugh! I have to admit, they look better than last year, but still, I feel like they are just huge! I thought that fat was taken off everywhere not just in certain places, now I am not so sure. Anyway, I'm sure it will eventually come off. I'll just have to look only in waist-high and above mirrors! :p

Have a good day you guys! Keep up the good work! Amber

[jen&ben]

Christy - it is so great to have you back and with 31% of your goal achieved. Awesome. I think that is a hugh achievement and you should be proud of what you have accomplished so far!

It is funny that you wrote today. I had been looking over my buddy list the other night and wondered where you and Sheri went. I was going to try sending a private message to see if we could hook up again but got distracted by something and the message never got sent.

Thanks for the encouragement. I was really struggling to stay with this LC thing. Sitting at 169 for 23 days or so makes you question why your doing this. It is hard to walk away from though because I want my thin clothes back so much.

As for the Atkins foods I am finding them in different places.

I can purchase the bake mix at my local supermarket. It runs about $12 a can so it is expensive. I need to see if it is cheaper on line. About the only thing I find it is any good in is the recipe on the side of the can and then only toasted with butter.

I have ordered some of the Atkins chocolates but they have not arrived yet. Some friends told me they were great.

I have also found low carb bars at some of the local organic or whole food stores around here.

Some of the drug stores Brooks, Walgreens carry CarboLite (good chocolate bars) and Carb Solutions (meal replacement bars).

I have tried a number of the Aktins meal replacement bars but have not found any I really like. Others say the bars can cause stalls. Who knows but they help when I am running errands.

Christi - have you kept in touch with Sheri? She also started with us.

Amber - I will keep my fingers crossed for a WHOOSH! I think I got mine early on but will be greedy!!! Have you weighed yourself at all since you started? I was weighing in every other day at first then stalled and became obsessed with the scale. Now that it is moving again I find I am back to every other day.

I am also noticing a difference in my pot belly. I don't seem to have to suck it in as much to make it disappear. I carry most of my weight in my hips/thighs - so I believe it is going to be quite a while before I see a major difference. I can feel it in my pants but don't see it yet.

Keep in touch and stay strong. I will be having a small slice of birthday cake this evening. My mom's 68th so I will indulge a bit.
Regards, Judy

[mommy2boys]

Hi there Judy!!!

I was checking out my buddy list last night. Remember when we had to have 25 posts or something to even send a private message... Well, then, I got distracted, and didn't keep up with you two, even though I check in here almost daily. So, I went to your profile from my buddy list and listed was your most recent post... and voila, here I am... haha!! I went to Sheri's profile and did the same thing, but she hasn't been here since she posted in the Newbie Section. We should send her a private message. I miss talking to you both and wonder how you are doing!!!

So, let's be buddies, OK? I don't even know how to be a buddy... so I'll just be faking it till I learn it... LOL!! I've been cheating lately, and I need that extra boost of encouragement for sure!! I want to look nice for my husband (oooo aaahhh) when we got to Florida next month...

Hope to hear from you soon!

Christy

[AmberinIN]

I'm 199.5! I got on my mom's scale, and instead of getting no response when I put it to 200, it went "Thunk!"!!!! :hyper:
Oooh yeah I'm doin' a happy dance!

I also am back into solid Ketosis after my little bout with the spaghetti (and garlic bread and ice cream!). I refuse to budge from my ketogenic throne!

Was it jen&ben who asked me if I weighed myself since I started? I need to write this stuff down, I have a horrid memory! I weighed myself the day before I went on, then 1 week later, and now I've weighed a third time. I weigh myself at my mom's house because 1. she has a scale (I haven't talked myself into getting one yet. Besides, I don't want my family to know that I'm actually changing my WOE yet, and the scale would prompt questions), and 2. I don't want to obsess. I would be on that scale 10 times a day at least! It would drive me :daze: !!

Hey, another person on the boards reminded me of something else that has changed that I haven't thought about. I haven't had a migraine since I started the first day. Not even the one I always get 4 days befor TOM. It just completely flew past me without my thinking about it! I used to pop extra strength Excedrin like 3-4 times a week at really bad times.

Anyway, my dinner is almost ready (meatloaf, low-carb, mmmm....)

Gotta go! :wave: Bye! Amber

[jen&ben]

WAY TO GO AMBER :cheer: ! That is just awesome news. I am so excited for you.

If you have the determination without a scale than don't buy one now. It does make you tend to obsess.

Keep it up you are doing fantastic.
Regards, Judy

[Tama]

Way to go Amber!! Cheers for you! Keep up the good work!
Hugs, Tama

[AmberinIN]

Thank you Judy and Tama! It's great to hear support. It helps me the next time I am tempted. :D I made it through Monday's spaghetti night and yesterday had baked orange roughy (with a little parmesan cheese) and Broccoli and cheese. Tonight is hot dogs and mac and cheese. No biggie for me as I was never the mac and cheese lover.

How are all of you doing? Any more weight off? I just started reading Protein Power Lifeplan and will read the CALP book after. I like reference, just in case I want to tweak my WOL later and heard PP has great info on medical reasons for low-carb. Boy, does it ever! :cool: I was so suprised at how much sense it makes and I'm shocked that a lot of doctors just don't get it or refuse to let their patients do it! Do they get a kickback or something?!? It makes me sick!

I'm also trying to find a good low carb diet for my friend. She weighs a little more than me and has problems losing. She is a big fruit eater and doesn't like to eat meat. Atkins made her so sick that she could barely move, but I wonder if she was doing it correctly. I told her that I had headache and was sick for the first few days, but then I felt great. She refuses to try any low carb right now. She's on diet pills and a low fat high carb diet now. I'm hoping that she'll see my results and try maybe a less restrictive low-carb diet. Her dh is encouraging her and in his own "helpful way" told her if she got to 160, she could spend $1000. I would have smacked him, but, oh well, men. She's over her anger and now determined to get that money to take us to a spa this summer, hopefully. He thinks she'll spend it on baby stuff (they're trying for one when she weighs less). I guess that's her revenge. :rolleyes: Oh well, if you could say a little prayer for her, I worry about the diet pill thing, she has so many other health problems.

Well, gotta go, catch you all later! Have a good day! :wave:

Amber

[Tama]

Hey Amber! Good to hear from you and keep staying strong. You motivate me to do better. Your orange roughy sounded interesting, what's your recipe? I am a fish-a-holic!!

As for me, the scales have been teasing me lately. Teetering between 145-144. So I am snubbing them. Maybe after a couple of weeks of the silent treatment, they will miss me and quit toying with me!! :p

Actually, I haven't had time to pay attention to weighing or eating in general lately. My grandma, who lives across the street from me, fell and hurt herself. No broken bones, which is a miracle, but she bruised her ribs, sprained her wrist, and cut her mouth pretty badly. So, I have been helping her with meals, runs to the grocery store, and doctor visits. I really can't remember what I have eaten lately, because I just throw something in my mouth when I pass it. But I haven't been too bad, and I do guzzle water when I think about it. So, I am trying to be good!!

I feel for your friend. Has she read any of the books you have? Maybe if she gets frustrated with her current diet she will be more open to your input and suggestions. It really is a hard thing to change one's mindset about what is "good" to eat and what is "bad" to eat. Trying to wrap your mind around the whole "fat is your friend" idea is quite a task! Be patient with her, but keep the information available to her. You are a good buddy to care so much about her!

Hugs, Tama

[AmberinIN]

Than you Tama, I think I will try to get her to read Protein Power or CAD because they're not as strict. She might do better on them.

As for my orange roughy, I just lay the fish in a baking dish and sprinkle salt and pepper, put pats of butter on each, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on, and a tiny bit of paprika and bake for 20 to 30 minutes at 350. Very easy! I served broccoli and cheese with it and made some mashed potatoes for dh (he's a mashed potato freak!).

I'm going to try making some low-carb ice cream and other goodies, I'll let you know if they boom or bust! ;)

I'm going to weigh myself this afternoon, so we'll see if everything is going well this week.

See you later! :wave: Amber

[TeriDoodle]

Hi guys and gals! :wave: Can I join in?? I need some 140-buddies too. I've been on Atkins since March 1 and have lost about 11 lbs. I have not cheated one single time, well, except for the corner I ate off of a snickers bar.....oh, but that tasted so good and had so much guilt attached to it that I didn't cheat again. I even made chocolate chip cookies for the kids tonight. We also went to a Mexican restaurant and I didn't touch one chip, one kernel of rice or one spoonful of beans. :) Major accomplishment!!

I am struggling with the exercise problem right now 'cause Ihave a bum knee which prevents me from walking very much. I'm hoping that I'll be able to swim in a month or so.

Judy, I was reading a couple of your references to the Adkins bake mix and wanted to mention that on the Atkins website I saw a "recipe of the week" that sounded pretty good....made with bake mix, butter and cheese....like bread sticks. I'm going to try to find the recipe again and try it out. I'll let you know if it's any good. There are just some times you want something that goes crrrrruuuuuuunnnnch!!!!

Thanks for lettin' me poke in here....but I'm just coming off induction and am trying to mentally prepare myself for the inevitable stall. :( Seems like everyone goes through them!! I'm gonna need some cheerleaders on my team!!!

Terry

[TeriDoodle]

From the Atkiins website:

This delightful recipe won the Atkins Recipe Contest. It was submitted by Frances Samek. For a sweet version, Ms. Samek suggests omitting the Parmesan, garlic powder and garlic salt, and mixing in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 5 packets of sugar substitute into the dough.

1 cup Atkins Bake Mix
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
garlic salt, for sprinkling

1.Place bake mix, butter, and garlic powder in a food processor. Process until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2.Add cheeses and eggs. Pulse until dough comes together. Transfer dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Lightly knead to form a smooth dough.
3.Place second piece of wrap over dough. Press or roll dough to a 6" x 12" rectangle, about 1/2" thick. Refrigerate dough until very firm, at least 2 hours (or up overnight). Dough may also be placed in freezer until very firm.
4.Heat oven to 375°F. Place dough horizontally on countertop. Remove top sheet of plastic from dough. Sprinkle with garlic salt; gently press into dough. With a sharp knife cut dough into forty 6" long strips.
5.Transfer strips to an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned. Slide "straws" onto a cooling rack. When cool, store in an airtight container.

[AmberinIN]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........Breeeeeeeeadstiiiiiicks! I'm gonna have to break down and buy some of that mix! I got some soy flour from the store, but it seems that you can't bake with it without mixing it with some sort of high carb flour!

You have done very well on your weight loss so far! I think that if you've done that well in the first two weeks, upping your vegetable intake would not cause you to have a bad problem with a stall. I hope it keeps comin' off!

I wish I had your willpower for mexican food. I weighed myself Thursday afternoon and was 197! :D Then what do I do? My dh says, "Let's go out to eat!" Not wanting to deny him the pleasure of taking me out (don't want to discourage him in that arena!) I say all right! We had mexican food. I sat there with open arms (and mouth) as the chips started marching their way across the table and into me! I know, I know, I allowed it. :o Ugh! Anyway, I'm not going to be weighing myself till next Thursday and I'm going to keep eating as if I didn't stray. I got right back into the LC and I will try harder to keep my mouth shut.

By the way, for anyone not taking Fish Oil and wants to, I think it has done well for me, but beware of the taste of oily fish a few hours after taking it! :eek: Oooh wee!

Tama and Judy, I hope things are going well for you! :D I always like hearing you good ideas and encouragement.

Have a great day!! :wave: Amber

[Tama]

Welcome, Teri! Always good to have more company. Especially company that brings such yummy recipes along with her! You are doing so well! Way to go and keep it up.

Hey, Amber. I'm doing okay. don't worry about the Mex food. I have to say I am impressed with your ability to not allow one cheat to turn into several days of binging, like me! I wish I could get back on track as quickly as you!

My week has been, well, less than ideal. In my last post I told y'all about my grandma and her troubles. So, she is better, but still needs extra attention. I am happy to give it to her, but my eating has just been in the crapper. So, since my life is hopefully going to get back to some degree of normalcy today, I am going to square my shoulders and get back on track. Wish me luck, because I am not feeling very strong right now!

Hugs all, Tama

[Princesspp]

Hi everyone...

I know my goal reads 145... but I know my body can handle to 132... I set up 145 as my goal, because it didn't sound as scary... I'll make my decision after I finally reach the 145 number... :lol:

Can I join in the activities here??? I have been doing so well since I joined this website... and have had all my questions answered quickly...

This is such a cool :cool: website...

Thanks to ya'll
Sally

[TeriDoodle]

Hiya Sally,

You sound like me....I'm 5'7" & I'd like to be "brave enough" to put 132 as my goal, but I don't wanna go crazy here! I haven't weight 132 since I was in college (and that was MANY moons ago). I came up with my goal this way: I know I'd be happy with 150....anything below that would make me ecstatic...so hitting the 140 mark and staying there would take me to heights I've never seen before!! :daze: I know I can do this because it was the hunger that got to me on any other "diet"....so now I have no excuse. I AM DETERMINED to hit 140 and enjoy it for many years before I die!!! I've been overweight my whole life and I AM SICK OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So there.

Ahem.

Thanks Amber and Tama for the warm welcome.... I am looking forward to meeting our goals together!!!

Terry

[Princesspp]

My doc said (on HIS chart --- not these artificial charts that put someone with our build at 105 pounds)... he'd be happy with my reaching 155... well... I put on a few more pounds for alittle extra cushion... :lol:

I, too, haven't been at 132 for 20 years... back when this picture was taken... but this is the way I want to look again, but would be really happy being able to wear more figure fitted clothes... :lol:

We Will Make It!!!!! Determination is the Key!!!!

Talk later!!

[TeriDoodle]

Sally,

I noticed that you're on "your doctor's plan".... and he put you on low carbs?? That would be really encouraging!!

You're a very pretty lady.... I'm sure you're just as pretty with or without the extra weight.... but you and I are both sick of wearing tents, huh?

I'll tell you what will cure you for sure....go to Vegas and stay in at the Venetian for 3 days..... I told my husband that I'm not going back to Vegas until I can stop feeling like some frumpy ol' hag with my fat butt sittin' on a stool in front of the slot machines! Hey, I may even get a boob job!! :lol: Wooo hoooo!!

[Princesspp]

Yea... my doctor put together this plan, and it worked so well for him that he suggested it to me, and for the first 4-6 months or so he walked me thru the ins and outs... and its based on low carb way of eating...

The only difference with this plan, is that I'm allowed things such as fruit, and yogurt to quench my sweet tooth, there is no real measuring per say, and there is no "counting". Counting is the one thing that I never could figure out. Because I cook alot of my meals, and trying to figure out... for example, tuna salad... what exactly is the carb/calorie count of tuna salad... I put tuna, salad dressing, celery, sometimes frozen peas and then secret seasoning :D... what would be the count for something like that... 2 serving spoons full??? :confused:

So this plan works out wonderful for me... because it's basically winging it... and I have found what works and what doesn't work... the only thing I have to be Really Strict with is my complex carbs.... ie... Pasta :nono: , Rice :nono: , Bread :nono: , etc... :nono: :lol: oops got carried away there and obviously stay away from the obvious... ice cream :nono:, candy :nono: cookies :nono:...etc... and the more I've "updated" it to my satisfaction ... and whenever I change it to any degree, I consult with him, and work with him as far as what works and what doesn't.... and if I do something that isn't up to medical standards (which I haven't yet...) he works with me on that too ... he set up the basic idea... and I've modified it to my lifestyle and habits.... and it ended up to be basically lo-carb...

I LOVE Vegas... but we usually stay at the Lady Luck downtown... and I can get really totally swollen ankles at the stupid slot machines!!! :lol: The Venetian is a beautiful place... you STAYED there??? WOW!!! and I'm not big enough for the boob job thingie :lol: :lol:

Talk later!!! and definately keep in touch!! ;) You sound like you could be alot of fun!!! :D

PS... and thank you so much on the compliment of my pic.... :o

[Princesspp]

I just noticed I turned into a Drumstick.... :D

[TeriDoodle]

Yeah, Richard and I stayed at the Venetian for our honeymoon last July. I love the man to death, but living the high life with him has cost me 15 lbs!! He's being WONDERFULLY supportive and doing this WOE with me...he's only got 5 more lbs. to go....but he's hypoglycemic like me so it does him good to stay on it.

But back to Vegas.....Oh no, you have to stay at the Venetian to get the full effect of what I'm saying to you. Everywhere we went it seemed there were these stunning women....our waitresses, black-jack buddies at the tables, people watching us play, restaurants, in the elevators, shopping....everywhere I turned there was some beautiful, 20-something, tan, fit, trim, exquisitely coiffed and manicured bombshell in front of me....It was humiliating!!! I mean I went there thinking I was a halfway attractive female and left feeling like an old fat hag. I am NOT kidding. So that will be my reward when I reach goal....another 4 days at the Venetian....but not until THEN.

Well I've got to get some good sleep tonight....my seratonin is running low :yawn: or whatever that good stuff is that gets released when you go into a deep sleep....whatever it is, it's supposed to help with losing weight, so I need it. :LOL:

Nice chatting with you!

[TeriDoodle]

PS. Congrats on turning into a chicken leg!!! :hyper:

[AmberinIN]

It's so nice to see more people here! It means more people that will prove this WOE works! You are both doing great!

You guys sound like you have great goals and really nice rewards for yourselves. I've been trying to figure out what would be good mini-rewards and a good big end reward. At this point, just going out and looking great is my biggest one! :D But I want to really do something to keep me on for life. When I lost my first 10 lbs. on my low-fat diet (took me FIVE MONTHS!! :rolleyes: ) I took myself to the spa for a pedicure. Then after my next 10 lbs (on this diet, 1 1/2 weeks, hey, it was induction but I'll take every pound I can get!) I got my hair trimmed and styled. I don't want to do anything major with it until the end, so before our vacation in September (we're going to Pittsburgh and D.C.) I'm going to do something completely new with myself! :p So, I think I'll probably splurge on a whole day spa package with my diet buddy. She gets $1,000 for getting down to 160lbs.

Tama, I don't really feel down when I go out and eat a carb meal. I just figure I am going to set this one meal aside and eat and enjoy. I read somewhere, in fact I think it was on this board, that if you plan on a carb meal, just do it, enjoy it, and go back on plan for the next meal. Oh wait, it was CALP. Anyway, I am not fazed by the junk food in my house, it used to be my comfort food. Now, my comfort is in seeing myself grow thinner. I am not in a hurry, so if I want to go out and have a nice meal, I will, and go back to low carb for the next meal. I think the difference is that the guilt is gone, so no reason to binge. I also keep in the back of my mind, the fact that in CALP, you have a reward meal. First a salad, then a plate with 1/3 protein, 1/3 other veggies, and 1/3 carbs. I think it might help me to keep any low carb meal in mind, even if it's not as rigid as this one. I don't do this all of the time, just once every two weeks or so. I haven't stopped or slowed my loss, so it works for me! After having mexican food Thurs., I weighed myself Saturday and was down another pound, so it must not have been that bad. :cool:

I've got to get my kids started with their school, see you guys later! :wave: Amber

[Tama]

Thanks, Amber! You give good advice, girl! Thank-you, it helped me out today.

As for me, my reward is going to be a new wardrobe (size 8) to wear to my 10 year high school reunion in August. I just have a few more lbs. to go, so I don't think it is unrealistic. I don't need to look like a supermodel, but I don't want to look like I "let myself go", you know?

Hey princess, no fair! You have to tell us what your secret ingredient in your tuna salad is! :q:

Later ladies,
Tama

[TeriDoodle]

Hey, you know what just occured to me this morning? :idea: (I'm a little slow)....When I reach goal, I'll be able to wear SEXY LINGERIE !! When I was at 150 a few years ago that was my favorite thing to treat myself with! I think I'll go buy myself a beautiful, white, lacey teddy (in a size medium!) and hang in it plain sight in my closet.....and when I look good in that, I'll go buy another one in a size small! HA!! Oh yes, I'm on to something here.

Have a great day all!!!!

Keep your eye on the prize!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry :heart:

[Princesspp]

Terry, that sounds like a great incentive.... and since you are a newlywed, it would give extra incentive to your husband (even though it sounds like he really thinks alot of you the way you are now!!! :D ) He sounds like a neat guy!!! :D

Tama, some day I'll tell everyone what my secret ingredients are in my tuna salad... :lol: -- I'm rooting for you for your August Goal :cheer:

Amber ... it's always an excellent idea to set yourself goals throughout... I've learned that setting myself one goal, and that is the final one that I'm going for, never works... because then I'm not celebrating the intermittent accomplishments... ;)

I'm writing quick... it's the end of the day at work, and I'm "whooped"... :daze: If I get on line later, I'll write more... (you can probably guarentee that :lol: )

It's great to hear from all of you ... and we'll talk again later!!!

[AmberinIN]

I came home yesterday to a husband who promised to have dinner ready and didn't then blamed it on me!! :mad: I was already not a very happy person, but I'm tired of getting blamed for other people's lack of a brain. I know I'm going to look back at this post and not believe what I'm saying, but man, I told him off and didn't regret it! Then it's, "I worked hard all day (as if I sat around on my lazy a--) in the cold and came home happy, and now the day is ruined (read- my fault)" Arrrggghhh! Sorry, just need to scream! Then he starts asking me about my vitamins, saying he thinks it makes people sick (where in the world does he get this?) and I had to come out with my diet. Anyway, in a nutshell, he doesn't believe in it and is against it, but I told him I'm doing it anyway and tried to explain the scientific reasons and he came up with his end-of-discussion "I guess I am just from the old school and you don't understand me." After that, I could be telling him anything, he wouldn't listen. All of this in front of the kids, who have seen me losing weight and feeling much happier and energetic. :mad: :mad: :mad: Oh!! I just makes me want to, well I wish I was still in martial arts class, I'd be able to get rid of some of this excess anger.

So now, I have to PROVE that this diet works instead of just going along and losing for myself. I get to look forward to the scrutiny and criticism the next several months. So, if you don't mind, instead of going off and eating a bag of chips (that's what I comforted myself with before) I'd like to come here and rant a little and stay on target. I stayed on my diet yesterday, and will continue because I know it is right, but the pressure is going to get intense here. I'm not kidding, I've gone through it before. At least this time I'll actually be losing weight and won't give up and prove myself wrong! By the way, he asked me if he was wrong to think that 80% of daily calories should be carbs, AAAAHHHH! I told him goodness no, and he just looked at me like "poor, deluded soul."

OK, that's enough pity party. I have my daughter's birthday party to host for kids and then the relatives party on Sunday. She turned 10 on this past Wednesday. :) She told me this morning that I'm a lot skinnier and could she go on this diet so she won't get sick when she's older. Bless her heart, I told her that she didn't need a diet, but if she wanted to make smart choices, she could. Cheese or nuts or berries instead of those snack brownies and other junk food I have lying around. She was quite happy! She doesn't think she's overweight, she just knows Diabetes and heart disease run in our family. And of course the other kids want to do it too! We'll just have to keep a low profile around dad.

I lost another pound so that's 2 lbs. total this week. I'm 195, halfway through my 10 lb. increment. YAY!


Tama-we graduated at the same time! My 10 year reunion is this November (don't ask me why the harebrained date, it Thanksgiving weekend!) :rolleyes: Anyway, I probably won't be going. But I'd like to be thin again if I decide at the last minute to go. I don't want to look like I let myself go either! I put myself on many strict diets to gain this weight!! :p It wasn't me letting myself go, and I'm sure that wasn't your problem either! It'll be nice to be back in my thin clothes.

Anyway, I'm signing off, I have a pinata to decorate and a house to clean. See you all later! :wave: Amber

P.S. Thanks for letting me rant and rave, I feel better. :)

[Princesspp]

:there:

Welcome to "Sally's Mad Weight Loss Program" ... :)
I got mad and I proved to them that I COULD do it, and I DID...

My husband didn't give me THAT hard of a time when I started this, but he did harass me on not being able to eat anything and everything...

However, my father doesn't understand this wol AT ALL ... He feels that if you want to lose weight all you have to do is cut your portions, and exercise more!!! and I can't get it through his lovable super thick scull that I've been there, and unless I wanted to spend all of my personal time exercising at the pace that he does, I can't just do that... Between my doctor and myself, we discovered that my body does NOT like complex carbs and everyone's body is different; not to mention this WOL works great for me and my lifestyle, and I've been on this for over a year, and I FEEL GREAT!!!

My husband gives me a really hard time when I bring in the vitamins (I take herbals)... and his usual reply is "What - another pill?" ... so I know how the negativity can drain you ...

According to your stats though, you are doing dynomite...!!!!
:cheer: KEEP IT UP !!! :cheer:
and if it means that you come to the site for extra support ... so be it!! That's where I get mine from ... and I've started to lose since I've been around here ... so Keep your determination, and as long as YOU feel good and have more energy, than YOU keep working at it!!! and don't let anyone tell you differently ...

[Tama]

Hey Amber! I'll just say "ditto" to everything Sally just told you! :agree: I know what it is like to be on your own on this deal. My hubby, while he doesn't give me a hard time, and he likes the results, still shakes his head when he sees me melt down a plate of cheese for a snack. I think, deep down, he thinks I'm setting myself up for a heart attack. I tell him to read up on it, to ease his mind, but he doesn't. So, I guess he's not THAT worried about it. Face it, this diet goes against everything that all of us have had drilled into us since birth. "the four basic food groups....8-10 servings of breads and cereals a day"

Anyone else out there with a good argument to give to the doubters in our lives??

Tama

[Princesspp]

I just dropped by since I was floating through the internet and tell you guys the good news...

As of this morning, I'm 2 pounds closer to my goal!!!!

This last week, I dropped an extra 3.75 inches...

I'm STOKED!!! :Party:

Talk later!!!

[Tama]

Go Sally, Go Sally! Woooo hooooo!!!!

Congrats, girl! Send that whoosh fairy our way now, okay? :cheer:

[AmberinIN]

Yeee Haw Sally! Way to go! :yay: Thank you and Tama for talking me back from the smoking gun situation. Geez, and I'm PMSing too, as if I need more stress!

I went down another .5 pound last Thursday, so 1.5 pounds for the week. Not too bad after hitting a kids pizza parlor and game place! I had salad first, but then the pizza came and I didn't want the looks of horror if I took the toppings off of my pizza and ate them! :D Anyway, I've been off of the computer for a few days. My ISP is going nutso and I'm getting fatal errors left and right. Hopefully, they'll stop soon.

Today is my daughter's bday party for the relatives. Yesterday was the kid's party. I ate the chicken without the breading and had celery with sour cream and chives cream cheese. Mmmmm. I've stayed on pretty well, no cake and sugary stuff. I'm going to experiment with my chocolate cake recipe and see if I can make a low-carb version of it. All I have to do is change the 2 c flour, 2 c sugar, 1 c milk, etc. :daze: Maybe this will take a while!

Does anyone know what you do to make up for the lack of dry ingredient when you substitute artificial sweetener for sugar?

I had whipped cream and AS with cocoa powder last night because I skipped the bday cake. It was pretty good, but next time I'll add the cocoa BEFORE I whip the cream, duh! Oh well, I was so nuts for chocolate I'd take it in ANY form as long as it was low carb and wouldn't blow my diet!

The thing with my husband has died down to a sort of tense truce. He won't bug me about what I'm eating (including the vitamins) and I won't go photocopy a ton of med journal papers talking about how good this is and shove it down his throat! :p He knows I'm a nut for scientific papers and he goes glassy eyed when I start talking excitedly about something medical. I told him that's how I feel when he starts talking about some dusty old history book he's reading! We are in so many ways so opposite! Oh well, his best friend is starting to change his lifestyle, eating at home, cutting so much pop, etc. He told me his friend was changing his lifestyle, like me. I guess that's as close to "I won't bother you anymore." as I am going to get. :rolleyes:

I'm hoping you all are getting some good tape measure readings and scale readings! I'm stopping because this and my last post are novels! :wave: Amber

[Princesspp]

How's everyone today :wave:

Wow Amber... sounds like you had alota temptation... WTG on not caving in....

I sent the Whoosh fairy in your direction with the understanding that she doesn't stay away too long... You think she may have a staff that works with her... or is she like Santa and handles the "delivery" or in her case the "take away" alone??? :lol:

Well ... until next time... talk later!!!

[jen&ben]

Well ladies you sure have been keeping this thread going :thup: ! Thank you and although I have not been writing I have certainly been reading. It helps to keep me on track. Thank You All Again!

Amber - you will prove that husband of yours wrong yet! I am amazed that you all can stick with this and not have your husbands eating the exact same way. I am very lucky in that respect. My problem now is that he is staying in induction and I have moved on and added nuts and berries back in. The repetition was driving me crazy.

I do have a sister-in-law who has basically stopped speaking to me over this "Atkins thing" (her words) but I find that to be a motivator when I think about it. Also since I have lost 15 pounds since January 1 (5 prior to Atkins) I am starting to now get some comments on the weight loss so that helps keep me on track.

Amber - if you figure out that chocolate cake recipe please let us know. I am coming into birthday season at my house and would love to be able to bake a cake my husband would eat for his birthday.

Sally - I am watching for that whoosh fairy. Have not spotted her yet but I will take my one pound a week. That would get me to 149 by mid July which is when I leave for a cruise to Alaska. My mother is taking the entire family. When I get back to 149 I will weigh just about the same as when I met my husband.

Also don't worry about the ranting. It helps me feel like I am not alone when I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all high-carb people in my life.

Talk to you all soon and sorry for being away so long.
Regards, Judy

[TeriDoodle]

Wow we all have such great attitudes, don't we?? I'm proud to know you girls!!!

Judy - Back up. You say you have a sisterinlaw who isn't speaking to you because of the food you eat??!??! What the HE** is that all about!?!?

Sally, you are such an inspiration.... you keep it up girl and for heaven's sake, tell me your secret!

Amber...I'm glad you and your hubby kissed and made up....ok, well shook hands and sorta made up. That's better than the alternative. PMSing?? Ugh. Y'know I was just mentioning to my husband tonight about how much better my horrible mood swings have become....actually almost non-existent, really. I am not kidding when I say that before Atkins I was very depressed some days, almost suicidal sometimes. PMS was horrible, couldn't handle any kind of stress, worried about all kinds of stupid stuff, gloomy, cranky, the whole bit. I have been AMAZINGLY even-keeled and quite content with the world. Even when the *&#~$(!!#% scale doesn't move I just shrug my shoulders and say, "Oh well, it will eventually!"

I treated myself to 3 whole strawberries, SF jello and whipped cream tonight. It was DELISH! The things we take for granted, eh?

Speaking of desserts, I made the carbolite cheesecake the other night and Richard has been loving it!! I've been trying to cut way back on sweet stuff so I only had one sliver, but I would say he definitely recommends it!!!

Well, I'm terribly proud of all you girls ( and me too!). Let's stick together and we'll all get there eventually.

and by the way.... do ya'll promise to throw me a party if I ever drop another pound!?!??!?

[jen&ben]

TeriDoodle - I am with you on the mood swings. Just before starting Atkins I had one really bad day with my 3 year old son just not listening. I felt so out of control with him that I ended up in the bathroom crying my eyes out.

I am coming up on 2 months of low carb and have not even come close to that level of being upset.

My husband even mentioned that he is having a hard time telling when it is That Time...since before LCing I would stomp around the house with a gigantic black cloud over my head. There was just this very negative aura which I knew was there but could not influence.

As for my sister-in-law, who knows, except that she could stand to lose about 50 pounds herself. She has never read the book but does have medical friends - from what she ranted about when I mentioned starting the diet her friends only focused on the induction phase. Which when taken out of context from the entire WOE/WOL certainly sounds like a bad idea - but induction is generally taken out of context.

My Chiropractor on the other hand can't stop raving about how good this is for me. She does the Zone and looks great...just a ball of energy. Every time I go there she has more food ideas for me to try.

Well enough for now...Judy

[AmberinIN]

Good Afternoon all! And I really mean it! :D I am feeling much better. I would get completely emotional and out of control, but I'd never let anyone see me really lose it. They knew that I had a bad day or something, but that was about it. Then I thought, man, I'm really tired of having my feelings sloughed off as PMS all of the time. Like they don't count for temporary insanity of a woman! Grrrrr! Anyway, I won't let anyone blame it on that anymore, because it's an excuse to ignore me, but I know I was a lot worse before I started this WOE. (I know, you're thinking, OMG, how could you possibly get worse!) :daze: I would think about getting in the car and taking the kids and leaving the state! I was baaaaaad!

Anyway, thanks for all of the online encouragement, it has really kept me going and on track. I love so much to come back online proud of accomplishment, I'd hate to ruin it. I know I'll have stalls and stuff, but I don't want to aggrevate the situation!

So, how's everyone else? Oh, hey, my belly is getting squishier. Not bad squishy, but like, less solid with fat squishy. Like my skin needs to catch up it's shrinking because there's not as much FAT to contain squishy! :D :D :D It makes me happy!

I got my first compliment yesterday! My father in law came over for my daughter's bday and he told me I looked great and that I looked like I lost weight! Yay! I thought 30 lbs. would be more noticable, but this was the first notice. He hasn't seen me in 4 months. It really made my day.

I don't mind if the woosh fairy doesn't visit me as long as I keep going along happily the way I've been losing, so if she comes I will definitely send her quickly to you all! :) We need to share the sparkly dust!

It's good to see you back Judy! I'm glad you were still reading! We are saving a floating cyber chair for you! :wave:

princesspp- where did you get your name? Was it Protein Power or something? I'm just nosey. I see so many cool names here, I wish I'd been a little more creative!

Anyway, see you later! :wave: Amber

[Princesspp]

Amber - Way to go on your "squishy" belly!!! :D
As for where I get my name... My little dog - which is the light of my life since I was never blessed with children, and with the exception of happy hubby and my parents; is named --(her akc name) is Princess Powder Puff X -- her predicessors (same breed) was Princess Powder Puff IX (the 6th ... I can never remember the logic of roman numerals :lol: ) so that's where I get PrincessPP. She's a little tiny 3 pound (she's gained weight since she's gotten older - she used to be 2 pounds in her prime) Maltese... and just a wonderful little psycho-therapist... pets are the best for telling your problems too ... because as long as you're talking to them... they don't care... and she is so in tune with my feelings ... If I'm sad :( she'll come and cuddle with me, if I'm happy :) she'll get even sillier ... she was the "runt" of the litter, and had health problems when she was a puppy ... her insulin would not produce properly ... and she would go into siezures... and so, since she needed 24 hour care, I had an agreement with my boss to bring her to work ... and instead of taking lunch... I would take care of her when she woke up and "squeaked". I'd have to warm baby food and spoon feed her to suppliment her sugar... then she'd fall back asleep, and I'd put her in her rubbermaid bucket, until the next time (next 2 hour feeding :lol: ) just like a baby... she became the office mascot... I used to wear a shirt with big front pockets, and imagine the looks I got (I work in a male oriented business), when I would go to the counter and my "boob" was moving .. I used to be able to carry her in my pocket ... she weighed 1/4 pound then... it was hard not to laugh at the men at the counter, and then all of a sudden she'd pop her head out the top ... and this look of total relief came over their faces :lol: ... (okay ... blame this on Amber ... she got me talking about my "kid" ... it's her fault!!!) Anyway, that's where my name came from ... Princess"P"owder"P"uff... :)

Terry and Judy ... right on with the PMS stuff... I have had such wonderful "TOM" since I started eating this way ... and I now know that that was the reason ... because I was off of this during the holidays and ate (not much) more carbs than I was used to and Decembers TOM was BAMMMMM!!!!! :bash: and I got soo sick, and headaches and the works!!! and January I still was very very bad, (good as far as eating, but bad as far as PMS and TOM) but not as bad as December... and February was alittle bit better - back to hardly no PMS ... and March I didn't even recognize... and I'm back to almost nothing again!!! So I had deciphered (<like that word?) that it had to be the WOE/WOL ... so that's an additional plus to eating this way!!!!

Judy - welcome back ... I don't think we've met yet ...
:wave: HI I'm Sally!!!!

Anyway ... I've slaughed off long enough at work here... gotta go :( talk later!!!!

[AmberinIN]

:rheart: Sally that is just the most wonderful story!

We had some greyhounds for a while, so cute and cuddly is a little different from ours, but they are very good for you! We have a Siamese cat named Solo because her litter was abandoned in a house and a neighbor lady found them and she was the the only one left alive. :( So she's "Solo". The lady had bad allergies and gave her to a Construction company, who called the vet where my mom worked to see if they could find a happy home for her. My mom jumped on that! My family bred Siamese cats for years, so we're partial to them. :) She's a wonderful part of our family!

I love people's stories! :D

Well, in the diet arena, I've got to really watch myself.

Had eggs and sausage for Br. Beef sticks and cheese and pimento spread for snack/lunch, celery and cream cheese(garden vegetable) and a salad with tomatoes and red wine vinaigrette for dinner.

I had a piece of my daughter's bday cake yesterday. The good thing was that my whipped cream frosting only has 2g carb for 2 Tbsp.. The bad news is the chocolate cake is probably, no let's make that IS astronomical!! :rolleyes: I felt I deserved it and it was a special occasion. I didn't have any on Saturday. And I didn't accompany it with ice cream. So, damage control and get back to it today. I need to get to the grocery store soon or my willpower will dwindle. I have a third of the birthday cake in the fridge. It's not calling my name now, but wait until I want lunch and don't have my favorite dressing! "Aaaaammmmberrrrrrr, come and eeeeeeeaaaaat meeeeee." :daze: We don't want to see that!

Anyway, I'll check back in tomorrow if my computer will let me on. See you later! :wave: Amber

[Tama]

Hello ladies!

I am back and I just wanted to tell all of you how much I have missed you!! It sounds like everyone is doing quite well. keep it up.

Amber, I don't have any idea how you can resist that cake. That is so hard for me to walk away from - leftover b-day cake. That's awesome that you can be so strong!!

Keep us posted girls,
Tama

[Princesspp]

Just floating around and thought I'd at least say hi ... feel really yucky today ... Got a nasty cold that's going around the office.... :( so just wasting time before having to take my little dog out for the last time tonight...

Still holding at my 173 though ... so Sat wasn't a fluke ... it's for real!!! :D << sorry that's all the good news I'm good for tonight... but hopefully after drowning myself in Nyquil tonight, I'll feel better tomorrow ... :lol:

So Talk later ... and keep up the Great work Ladies...

Terry, I'm alittle slow on the uptake, but your jello desert sounds really really good ... I love jello... and I'll be MORE THAN HAPPY to throw you a big bash :bash: << o not that kind? :lol: when you drop the next pound!!!

Talk later!!! and keep up the great work y'all

[jen&ben]

Good evening ladies!

Thanks to all of you for keeping me amused. I love catching up on each of you at the end of my day. Only problem is I always feel like I have nothing to add. Which I know is not true but it is how I feel.

Curious - I am finding that if I don't do my full water plus some everyday I tend to bloat. Once I get back on the 64+ oz. of water I can eat a modified induction and continue to lose. I have been coming off the weekends bloated (because I if I drink the water I can't get my errands run without stopping at every public bathroom I see - and I hate public bathrooms).

So I am not getting enough water on Saturday and Sunday then I am up in weight on Monday. By Tuesday morning that is gone again because I drank enough water on Monday.

Does anyone else see a similar correlation with water?

For my family news - my daughter will be 4 on April 8th. We are throwing her and 7 friends a tea party on the 6th and I have been glueing rhinestones on everything that is not nailed down!

My daughter loves anything pink or sparkly. She is a girly girl.

I told my husband I think I am more excited than she is. We have been making tissue paper flowers and decorating plasticwear with rhinestones. I am going to attempt and decorate a cake shaped like a flower pot.

Next month will be my sons 3rd and it is a Thomas the Tank Engine theme.

So these two parties and my work consume my time at the moment.

Well off to make some more tissue paper flowers. Keep up all the great LC work. We are all doing great even with an occasional slip!

Regards, Judy

[Princesspp]

A Tea party sounds like sooo much fun ... your 4 year old sounds like "such a lady" .... :)

Hope you have as much fun at it as it sounds like she will ...

[TeriDoodle]

Hey Judy- Oh, how I wish I had the time to glue rhinestone's on plasticwear and make tissue-paper flowers for my daughter's 4th birthday tea party!! What a lucky little angel to have such fun mommy!! What a cute age.... I can't wait to hear all about it...post a picture!

Girls, I think it might be time for a party :Party: . I don't want to get ya'll too excited, now, but (I think) I lost a pound!! I was at 172-173 for the last 3 weeks!.... I weighed last night (that's right, at night!) at 170 and this morning 171. At last some scale movement!!!!!

I have been SO good and nothing's been happening! But I've been patient (thank GOD for this board) and just plugging along. I'm even waking at 5:30 to get my 30 min. of cycling in so that my metabolism will be revved all day. That's major for me! But I'm really getting addicted to it, now! I've cut way back on my SF sweets and only have a little jello & whipped cream for dessert at night. I drink all my water. I take about a zillion supplements. I gotta say that I do feel better than I ever have! Even if I never lost another pound, I don't think I could ever go back to the "old way" of eating....I felt like crap all the time!! Who would have guessed it was carbs?!?! Lordy!

Well, Judy, I guess they recommend all that water for a good reason, eh? I don't exactly love public restrooms, but they have come in REAL handy many times. I even went TWICE in Target the other day while I was there! :rolleyes:

Ya'll have a great day. Keep the faith!

[Tama]

Go Terri!!! I am so pumped for you! Throw a party, girl, every pound counts.

I must run, will talk more later. Good to see you girls!!

Tama

[jen&ben]

:cheer: :Party: :cheer: :Party: :cheer: :Party: :cheer:

Yeah Terri! How exciting! When your waiting it is amazing how good even one pound sounds.

I waited for 23 days for two pounds and it was agonizing.

Keep up the good work!
Regards, Judy

[TeriDoodle]

Thanks Judy and Tama!!! Now cross your fingers that it's for REAL!!

This support has been so meaningful to me.... I just got back from loading up on easter basket chocolates for the kiddos and MAN, was that tough! But I wouldn't dream of cheating....and that is amazing to me.

Thanks you guys!!! :wave:

[Princesspp]

:Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: :Party:

WTG Terry!!!!!! :D I'm ready to party hardy for your loss!!!!! :D

:Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: :Party: :Party:

I know how frustrating it can be to be STUCK and how high you can get when that stupid scale moves.... I told you I had an agreement with the Whoosh fairy .... and that she'd be down by you.... I found that my 173 was for real, cuz it's been a week now ... let's have the same luck for you!!!!!!

:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

[AmberinIN]

:yay: :yay: :yay:



Good Job you guys! It's good to see the fat rollin' down the road and our bodies left a bit thinner! :roll: I got some good news also, another 2 pounds! 194 lbs. I've officially lost a third of my extra weight!! I keep looking at the percents at the side and a couple of you guys are at 60%! I can't wait to get where you guys are! I figure I gained a third of my extra weight with each pregnancy. One down, two to go!

I am so glad for this board, it so keeps me going!

I got a visit from TOM yesterday. Ugh! Last month I barely felt anything, this month, I think it's making up for lost time!

Sally, hope you're feeling much better. That's exactly what I do, guzzle NyQuil! I feel like I'm floating after taking that stuff! :daze:

Tama, it's good to hear from you! Judy, hope things keep going well over there!

Hope the woosh fairy just keeps making the rounds with all of us!

See you later! :wave: Amber

[Princesspp]

:Party::Party::Party::Party::Party::Party::Party::Party::Party:

WTG AMBER !!! KEEP IT UP!!!!!

:Party::Party::Party::Party::Party::Party::Party::Party::Party:

ANOTHER 2 POUNDS :yay: :yay:

Hey ... you'll get to 60% soon enough ... I've been working at perfecting this for 1.5 years... and have been up and down ... you're on an actual proven plan ... my loss if from my entire shot (I'm kinda a guinea pig for my doctor ... :rolleyes: )... so keep going!!! it'll come !!!! :dazzle: We all know that you can do it!!!

:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

Just gotta keep the attitude!!!!

Talk later ... and I'm glad the whoosh fairy is starting to check up on my friends too ..... :lol:

[TeriDoodle]

Hiya Girlies,

Thanks for the rah-rah, Sally!! :D You're sweet!!

And Amber....hey, think about this....you lost two pounds right before TOM??? When its done you'll be down another two I'll bet!!!!!! WHOA!!!!!! Talk about whooshing!!!

Richard and I have been working in the yard all day! I planted 8 shrubs and helped him pull up two very large shrubs and plant two crepe myrtle trees. I'm filthy from head to toe and wiped out!! The yard is looking good though. We live in a new house (1 yr old) and we spent so much time and $$$ getting the back yard fixed up last summer and fall....then we had that dang cold weather that ya'll sent our way and half our stuff froze. We were SO not happy. And today it was unseasonably hot and humid...I think it got up to 85 degrees with about 90% humidity. Ugh. So I probably sweat off a pound or two. Probably better if I just don't weigh for a couple days. ;)

Anyone worried about getting through Easter with all the chocolate bunnies hopping about? I'm cool as a cucumber. How 'bout ya'll? Anyone need a shot of encouragement?

I think I'm settling into the idea that I'm gonna be a "turtle".... I seriously doubt there's gonna be any sudden 2-3 lb. losses for me. But I have to be OK with that and just keep on truckin', right?

Ya'll have a good weekend, OK!? HAPPY EASTER!!

[jen&ben]

Terri - thanks for bringing up the Easter thing. It has been on my mind lately. My struggle is chocolate. I have NO interest in the plain old sugar type candy but anything chocolate just calls my name.

I believe I will make it through Sunday but being TOM also and having all that chocolate around. WOW! I mean the stuff has been in the house for several days now and I have not opened it and eaten any (why should Sunday be any different :rolleyes: ).

The other thing I am struggling with is having a glass of wine with dinner. I will be hosting dinner for my family - 11 of us. I have been debating all day today whether to make a deal with myself.

If I have wine I can't have chocolate or vice versa. Right now I am on the let's see how I feel on Sunday side. The hard part is that this weekend is Easter, next weekend is my daughter's birthday party. I don't want to blow both weekends but would be ok with a small cheat one of the days.

I do have some low carb chocolates in the house so maybe if all else fails I can use those as a sub. and deal with a possible stall.

Well off to bed for me...long week and we are just starting to get some warm weather again so we are hoping to take the kids to an Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow.

Have a wonderful LC Easter!
Hugs, Judy

[AmberinIN]

Thanks for all of the Hurrahs! I wondered, when I started this WOL, how I would do around Easter, bdays, etc. I was a look ahead to the next meal type of person. Now, tomorrow is Easter and I'm thinking, "Oh man, I forgot about the candy!" I made three Easter baskets and prepared the plastic eggs for the hunt and didn't eat a piece. I think it just isn't cutting it for me. I love chocolate, but it doesn't have near the stranglehold it had on me before. Thank goodness for small favors. I think about the weight I've lost and I just don't have the desire to eat candy. I know that it will be different later. Last week, I had a piece of my dd bday cake and it was chocolate and it tasted FANTASTIC! I was craving chocolate because of TOM, so it'll happen again.

My philosophy in this is, you don't have to exercise restraint for the rest of your life, as long as you don't let the temptation affect the rest of your WOE. Tonight, I'm having Mexican food. It's my dh bday tomorrow and we're celebrating tonight. Today's bfast and lunch were low carb and tomorrow will be a continuation of low carb. It's a once in a while treat when I really have a taste for, not a carb, but a type of food. I also like Chinese. I haven't had it since I started this WOE. I haven't craved it like I did before. But I know when I have a taste for General Tsao's chicken, I'm going to make a date with my chinese food loving friend and go have some.

I know a lot of people would frown upon this, but I have found that my body seems to be all right with occasional higher carb choices, as long as I don't go all meals for weeks, which would just be falling off of the wagon.

Anyway, if you have chocolate, or cake or whatever tomorrow, just make sure you go right back to the low carb and continue on. We will not ruin months of work on one day unless that one day turns into more than one day!


:cheer: Whatever happens, come back and share with us! We support each other! Have a good Easter holiday!


Amber :wave:

[Princesspp]

Great attitude ... yeah there's going to be times when something of higher carb content will look and sound good, and if it is eaten and then you move on ... otherwise there's times that a craving gets to a point where you finally can't stop it ... and then you end up binging.... and I know I eat everything in site that doesn't run away from me first... :p

Today I goofed... but I seem to be having more problems with carbs now since I started this WOE 1.5 years ago ... (for the whole story see my journal otherwise I'll be taking up alot of room here) Hopefully my problem is again, normal ...but if it isn't maybe my system is more sensative to carbs than even I was aware of ... I'm making notes of little things like this and when I go to my doc for my physical ... we'll talk them over...

Anyway ... Hope you all have a great Easter ... and don't bite too many chocolate bunnies heads off.... :lol:

Talk later...

[Tama]

Hello all!! You ladies are so cool, with all the good advice and everything. Too bad I came here one day too late!! :rolleyes: Oh well, I am back on track and, let's face it, I enjoyed myself on Easter, so what?? I refuse to beat myself up. So today I am working on chugging enough water to float a submarine to get my water retention to go away.

How was all of your Easters?? Hope it was fun and happy!! The scale has not budged for me, but what do I expect? I am okay with it, I am not giving up when I am so close!!

Take care all,
Tama

[Princesspp]

Like I said to Amber ... sometimes the cravings are just there and they AIN'T gonna stop ... :D but it's senseless beating yourself up over... just pick yourself up and get back on the horse ...

Hope everyones Easter was nice ... mine was ....
I made Christmas stockings all day (okay -- I got my holidays alittle mixed up :lol: ) but had a ball ...

Sat my mom came over and showed me how, and Sunday (because we don't do the big family get togethers cuz I see my parents on a weekly basis anyway) I made my Christmas stockings (and they didn't turn out too bad either :p )

My eating habits on Easter were really good... only goofed once and that was after I finished my serving of baked beans... duuuhhh?! THEN I looked at the can to see ALOT of carbs ... OOPS! oh well ... I thought beans were considered vegies, and vegies were good ... OOPS AGAIN!? :D oh well -- I didn't lose sleep over it!

Well gotta go, Have a great day everyone, and we'll talk again really soon ... and again, I hope everyone had a super Easter ...

[LittleFeat]

I know I am a bit late but, can I join this neat club?

I have a goal weight of 140. This is my second trip on Atkins. So the we