Who has to lose 100 or more pounds?

[amarise28]

:hyper: i have been gone TOO LONG!!!
This is by far the BEST support group EVER!! Please-can i join??

I just have to sayAMEN AND AMEN to wendye and lillwannabes lists. i wrote all about it in my journal last night, but i will share it with you here since you all seem so kind and understanding: last night at work i went to sit down at the kitchen table (i'm a live-out-"major domo/nanny")
and the kitchen chair CRUMBLED beneath me :eek: :eek: :eek:
I was Sooooooooo embarrassed and all i wanted to do was :cry: :cry: :cry: my eyes out . it was MORTIFYING!!
so...add that to the long awful list and count me in on this thread b/c there is NO WAY i can go on w/out LCing every day. back in 2000 i lost 100+ lbs on atkins and went to the doc to check my bloodwork and all..and my triglicerides were TWENTY SEVEN and my total cholesterol was sixty and i sooooo loved watching the nurses face and the doctor scratch their heads when they heard what i was eating every day :D it was PRICELESS!! but they refused to aknowledge they were wrong so i found a new doc and he is a total ATKINS believer and his nutritionist ONLY prescribes LC. anyway...unfortunatley before i found him i succumbed to all the doubters-"are you still on that STRANGE diet??" -and managed to gain all but the last 6 pounds i had originally lost , back on. Sorry to write an epic novel here... but i just love what Jim said about how all those nutritionist "experts" look like DEATH WARMED OVER....:lol: i havent heard that phrase since high school..my best friend froM TX used to say it all the time!

and wendye 14.So that when my car goes over a bump my whole body doesnt wobble.
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

you all are TOO much!!!


well..i suppose i've rambled on far to long..i just love everyone of you to pieces!!!! :bhug::bhug::bhug::bhug:


LOVE-:rheart:amarise

[Cheryl R]

I can't wait until my weigh in tomorrow night. My scale at home is pucky...it will weigh me one minute at one weight and I could come back 10 minutes later and gain 8 or 9 pounds.
I've really stuck with it this week...It's been great.... I forgot to eat lunch today...can you imagine this 285 pound ball of humpty dumpty fat forgot to eat lunch????? I had 2 soft boiled eggs at about 8:30 at work and that was all I ate until about 5:00 pm.

the only complaint I have is that I have been having some right upper quadrant abdomen pain. I know I have gall stones for at least a year, but my doctor doesn't seem to think having symptoms only once or twice a week warrents having the gall bladder out. Humph....time for a new doctor. My husband was pissed when I came home from doc today and told him I got brushed off again. He sees me throwing up all the time and running to the bathroom for the other end too.

I guess when the stones try and pass through the bile duct and I get jaundace or even die, then they will believe I have symptoms.

Any way... I'm happy to be losing...and I can't wait to see what the future brings.
Cheryl

[Jimsgems]

amarise28;

It happened to me too, not very funny huh? Sorry you had to deal with that, but it sounds like you are on the right path. Keep going.

Cheryl;

Get to a REAL doctor! They almost killed me with their incompetance, get to an internest who know what they are doing. Be a real BITCH about it!!! Sorry, but this is not something to let them play doctor with. If they do it now they can do it laproscopically with ultra sound, fairly quick recovery. I have a scar running from the bottom of my brest bone to my right hip! Choose one.


You all;

"I wait wait for no man or woman, I will however always be there for you, but I wait instead together for The Second Coming in HIS time and hour. I just get to wait a lot thinner and healthier than before. What's the point? Quality of life, thats the point. Simple really.

Love ya all.

[Victoria]

Hey people,
I had a cool thing happen to me yesterday. I've been frustrated because I've been going up and down with the same 5 pounds for quite a while. But I know I'm alot thinner than I had been. We went to the grocery store yesterday and we saw our landlord with his kids. He said I look "different". I said I had dyed my hair and lost some weight. And he said "yeah, you've lost weight!" It was so nice for him to say that...I guess I haven't seen him lately. He was so sincere too. Anyway. Just thought I'd share that with you guys. I knew you would appreciate it with me. :p Victoria

[Jimsgems]

Wonderful to be acknowledged huh?

[Lolabug]

Awesome pics Jim!!!

You look younger, and I bet you feel younger too!!

You're an inspiration. Thanks for sharing yourself with us.

Alena.

[Wendye]

Looks like good news all round - except you Cheryl - i agree with Jimsgems - get another opinion. I had my Gall bladder out when I was 20 and have the huge scar but I have had a freind recently who had the keyhole sugery and was up and about in a few days. A doc who has had the pain would be more sympathetic. I only had one bad attack and out it came. This WOE must agrivate the gallstones because of the release of bial when we eat fat. You go girl - be a bitch!!

Amarise - you sound like my kinds person I'm comin over toyour journal to have a chat!!! I won't come too fast incase I get a wobbling!! :lol:

Now for me it is Day 10 and it is over and I have decided to weigh- in tomorrow - will let you know how I go - fingers crossed.

Bye for now.

[Jimsgems]

Definition of a Bitch!

Beautiful,
Intelligent,
Talented,
Charming and
Horney!

OK, OK, I'll go to my room.

[chemlady]

Hi I'm Laurie and I have about 150pounds to lose.. I am almost one third of the way there and I am so psyched at how my journey is going. Some days are good and some are okay. I was an emotional eater and although all my problems are not gone at least I am not eating them away anymore. I feel so much more confident about myself both as a chemist and as a mother. It feel so good when people notice that I have been losing and making a conscious effort to improve my overall wellbeing. Unfortunately most of these people tend to be stranger or co worker where as the support from some family and friends seems to be minimal. Maybe its because they have seen me fail before and they view this as just another attempt. I am very glad I found this site because it has motivated me to stay on course and follow thru with my dream. This WOL is almost effortless to me of course the exercise part does require some motivation. Thanks for listening.
Laurie

[DWRolfe]

Congratulations to you on your success thus far, Laurie (chemlady) ...

...and thanks for posting such an honest and open thread.

This truly is a wonderful group!

Donald :wave:

[Wendye]

A forum newbie - Hi Laurie welcome to this fab forum and this fab thread glad you found us.

Jimsjems - what can I say - I'm a bitch :eek:

[Sherry B]

I had the same thing happen, lose and gain the same five or 10 or 20 pounds again and again. Frustrating isn't it? For me it lasted a couple of years, this losing and gaining thing. I couldn't seem to get below 232.

Funny thing I learned though is that even with that lack of scale progress there was fat loss progress, measurements went down by 23.75 inches during that time.

Hang in there scale weight isn't the only way to measure progress.

[Victoria]

Thank you Sherry for your response. I know I have been losing inches. The last time I checked I was down another 1/2 inch almost everywhere I checked. Which was encouraging. I continue to need smaller clothes. The clothes I bought in June are getting loose...I will break through this. I will get to 260...it's a small goal. But maybe if I just try for that, I can get break through this standstill. I don't even consider it a "stall". I am losing inches. So I'm not "stalled". It is hard to keep up the motivation when I'm not losing by leaps and bounds. Sooo....I did weigh at the doctor's today when I took my granddaughter in...and it was good news. :p Thank you all for your encouragement here. Sometimes it's what keeps me going. ;) Victoria

[chemlady]

keep it up victoria. You will get to 260. Look how far you have come. congrads on coming this far. I work with a guy and he and his girlfriend started lc about two weeks after me. she quit two weeks in and after not losing for 4 weeks straight he is slipping back to eating bread. You have to say I am going to stick with this no matter what. I think just for the fact that I feel so much better aside from the weight i have lost is a reason to stick with it. I have 5 meals a day and I think that has been part of my success so far but I know that the day will come when I plateau and though I dread that day I am determined to make my goal by next july when I turn 44. Are you doing some type of exercise? It really helps and believe me I used to be a real couch potato.
But it can become addictive and you sleep so good and you feel so much better both physically and mentally.
Laurie

[Sherry B]

I no longer think in terms of a pounds lost goal. It is meaningless now. When I started I wanted to weigh 130 pounds. I weighed that when young, and it looked good on me.

But eating so much protein and building so much muscle has made that weight an impossibility for me now. I calculated the other day that I have at least 141 pounds of lean body mass.

Lean body mass is what you would weigh if you had NO fat at all. Most women, even very lean women, carry at least 15% body fat on them. Most of us carry more like 20 to 23 % and still look good.

Therefore 130 is no longer even something I want. I don't want to lose muscle just to be at some hypothetically "ideal" weight. A couple of days ago I tried on my wedding skirt and sweater, I wore it first 11 years ago when I weighed 186 pounds or less. It looked good! But I don't weigh 186 anymore. I weigh 223 to 228. For me to be the same size now as I was then and to weigh this much more means that I have gained 35 to 50 pounds or more in muscle.

So take my former "goal" and add 35 pounds to it and I get 165. I should look as good at 165 as I did at 130, only more muscular.

Kind of changes the way you look at things doesn't it?

I recommend that you both figure out what your current fat percentages are, and then set a goal for a new body fat percentage and forget the scale, forget weight.

A girl on the BFL program the other day posted her pictures after 4 weeks of working out and doing the Body for Life program. She looked amazingly different. BUT she said she only lost 3 pounds. She also said "the scale can go take a flying leap". (Or something to that effect). Who needs a scale to measure progress by when you can see photos showing that much fat lost?

[Victoria]

That sounds like a good idea to check out the changes in lean body mass. I know the last time I checked it had changed. It's good to see more muscle being built and less fat. I always looked so swollen before when I was at my heaviest. I never recognized myself back then. The poofiness reminded me of when my Dad had cancer and had chemotherapy. It made him look swollen. Now I look so much leaner. I will consider changing my goal weight once I get closer to goal. I know 160 was the weight I was when I was a "thin" adult. But we'll see once I get closer. It's nice to even think "when I get closer to goal." Not if, but WHEN. Victoria

As far as exercise....I know, I know. It is so hard to be consistant with it. I just haven't gotten to that point yet. And yet I know that's what I need to do.

[Sherry B]

It is hard to do at first. A lot of times excercise makes us hot and sweaty, we are sore the next day, we associate it with pain in our minds.

But believe it or not there is a lot of pleasure to be had in excercise. It grows on you the more you do it the more you want. After awhile you start looking for that muscle soreness as something good as proof you worked out something that you haven't worked hard enough lately. And the more used to it you get the less you feel any soreness, what you feel instead is like you've 'woken up' a part of your body that has been asleep.

Feeling that blood rushing through different body parts that you are strengthening is a fantastic feeling. It sends endorphins (feel good hormones) to your brain.

You can literally become addicted to the way excercise makes you feel. The trick is to make the excercise HARD enough that you do build muscle. Weight lifting is a great way to become slimmer, stronger and to feel great while doing it. I've been lifting again since June, and I know how hard it was to get started, but once you do, it becomes something you look forward to, enjoy and actually want MORE of. Weird huh?

[Cheryl R]

I had my weekly weigh in.... I'm down another 3 and 1/2 pounds. that is so cool. Just think...7 down so far and only 100 and something to go...but who's counting.
My stick thing is turning a purplish color...I just had to use them to see if I was doing this right.
I haven't craved sweets for over 2 weeks.
I went to an all you can eat buffet with my husband tonight. I had a big plate of salad..and took my time eating it...then I went and got a big thick slice of a meat they call prime rib...more like roast and this other dish that had green peppers, onions and these really great sausages in it. I just took a few slices of the onions and peppers and lots of meat.
I didn't go back for any more... I knew I could have...but since my husband is practicing portion control.... I am also doing that too.
I am eating 4 or 5 times in a day... even though I know this WOE allows you to eat more, I'm not doing it... but I am eating plenty. I feel good so far... I really want to stick with this for ever!!!!!

[TxCharity]

thats wonderful !! keep up the great work !!!! You will succeed !!!

[Cheryl R]

Charity, you're doing great, you've already lost 50 pounds. Can you see a big difference...and do you know how many sizes you've gone down...
What I'm nost curious about though is how do you feel physically.
Cheryl

[TxCharity]

Cheryl...... Oh yes I have went down 3 sizes in jeans and in tops both... I feel wondeerful ... I have so much energy I am never hungrey .... My PMS is so much better now that I am on the LC food plan .... Being on Atkins is making me a new person and the weight loss is a bonus ....
I don not weigh but every 3 weeks my whole focus is the food plan and being true to it and the scales is a bonus !! :-) This way it is so much easier to retrain my mind to thinking of the new life style and not a diet ......

[Cheryl R]

Charity...thanks for the quick response. That is so awesome. I keep thinking that if I lose the first 50, I know I will be on the road to finishing my journey. My sole focus is on feeling better. I'm 45 with so many aches and pains... I am currently taking meds for pain, and I know it will go away with the loss of at least 50.
I do weight weekly, but it's because I belong to a support group and I woul never give that group up... I have friendships and support galore there.... all from people going through the same thing. And we all except each other no matter what plan a person is following.
My scale at home shows me up like 2 pounds...but I don't let that get to me... I know that it could be simple things like water... and heck...even the fact that a person doesn't have a bm for a day or two can make a difference.
Last time I came on this forum...I got too cought up in this one thread about what foods cause a stall. Then I thought I couldn't eat anything....so I'm not going back to that thread again.
The rest of this weekend I will be staying at my nieces house babysitting her 3 year old and 9 month old. I promised to take Cheyenne to Chuck-E-cheese...that will be a challenge for me....but I'll eat something before I go..and they do have a salad bar and iced tea..which I water down, so I don't get that much caffiene from it.
I will be following in you footsteps...I'll be right behind you, following your lead...

[TxCharity]

No reason you can't scrape of the top of one of the slices and eat it and leave the crust..... There are always ways around it if your determined enough ... We all have to find our place in the forum world and when we do then lock in and be committed and we will see results... I feel honored to have you going along on the journey to freedom with me !! We can do it ... Life has its ups and downs so please dont think its going to be smooth all the way but its how we deal with the downs ... Stay positive and know you are worth the life change ... My pains that I was having have gone and I am so so thankful and it took close t o 50 lbs for them to leave... You can do it remember your not alone I a m right here just a skip a head of you but always looking back waitting for you . :-)

[Victoria]

Hi Cheryl,
I read where you said your ketostix are turning a little purple...you may need to drink more water. If they get too dark it can mean dehydration. So drink your water...and that 2 pounds may just wash away for you. ;) I've read 64 oz. a day plus another 8 oz. for every 25 lbs. you need to lose.

You sound like you are doing great! Keep it up. Victoria

[Cheryl R]

Victoria...my styx are just a light purple. I drink tons of water, I thrive on it....I mean I absolutely love to drink my water, I feel lousy if I don't.
I like the measurement way you said it...so...that's saying I should drink about 98 oz. I do go over 100 oz everyday.... I stop counting after my first 24 ounce bottles which is usually in the afternoon. I never drink any after 8:00 pm... if I did, I would never get any sleep for all the wee-ing I would be doing.
Cheryl

[suze_c]

I'm just getting into doing this low-carb thing again,but I remember when I religiously followed it when I was younger... there were days that I'd actually drink 5 GALLONS of water in a day... yes you read that right... FIVE GALLONS!!! Yes, I was running to the bathroom LOTS... hhmmmm wonder if that was considered my aerobic activity :daze: Anyhow... I use to work at Culligan,& my job was to get the ppl to let the salesman into their houses where they would give their spiels...it was easy because the water in our town is HORRID :Puke: :skull: ANYHOW...to make a long story :read: short... it was in a fact sheet, that for every pound a person weighs, that they should drink 1/2 oz. of water... so 150# person should drink 75 oz., a 200#=100 oz, and etc., etc., I know when I was younger & done the LC thing, it seemed the more H2o I drank,the faster I lost... we will see what it does this time... age has a way of affecting things...(no really??? hehehhe :rolleyes: )

[Jimsgems]

Suze;

Age does have it way with us all. Trust me on that one.

I hate drinking water and I've lost a few pounds in the last year and now, I'm having to look seriously at the water "hate" and get beyond it if I'm going to go further towards my target!!! I finally broke through my stall and I think the water thing has helped.

[suze_c]

Jim, I would hardly call a loss from 401# to what you are now, a few lbs.! Firstly congrats on the loss... it is great to hear success stories. I have a few things to help me drink the extra water... I always have a jug of cold water in the fridge, and for me- the colder the better. I will put cups in the freezer at night filled half-way with water, and then have them ready to pour already cold water in... I know I am cheating the ice man this way... but what the heck?(We also run our water thru a filter,as I said before,the water is yuk here) When I first get up- right away I drink anywhere from 8 oz. to 16 oz. before doing anything else, then I keep a cold glass of water at hand all the time. I also have some bottle carriers, that hold a 1.5 bottle in, and when I know I am going to be out & about,(those rare occasions these days),I will put water into 1.5 liter plastic bottles,about half full, and freeze them when they are laying at an angle...that way the water that is put into them will stay cold the whole time ...hey I never said I wasn't eccentric!! :daze: I will let myself have *rewards* if I drink a certain amount of water... these are just a few of the ways that I drink all that extra H2o... Don't know if any of this helps anybody... it's just the things I do to help me. :wave:

[Jimsgems]

Thanks, I'll give it a chance, but I don't have to like it! I don't, I don't! LOL Thanks. J

[Wendye]

Hey Jimsgema - try this link - it has some good ideas for forcing it down - I hate water too!!! glub glub glub!

[Cheryl R]

Water...YUM YUM!!!
That's the only thing I don't have trouble with. I love my water.
:angel: I get my water wings!!!!!

[Jimsgems]

Erg... I still hate drinking water. I've pee'd in the upstream side of the crick!

[suze_c]

Wally-world (walmart) has this flavored water... it has all sorts of fruit flavors in and contains nutracrap...errrr I mean nutrasweet... and I use to drink lots of it when I use to not mind aspartame... now that I have read about where aspartame really came from, and some of the side effects... I don't really care to have it again! It is really nasty stuff... ANYHOW, for those who don't mind drinking the stuff, there are plenty of flavors to choose from, and that may help some of those who are stuck in a rut with the water issue. (p.s. Jim... I traced the water sources from Calif. to Kansas... and I don;t think the crick ya *emptied* into, connects with any water sources here :lol: ) The best water I drank was when I was a little girl... the water out at our farm came from underground springs, and it was delicious!)

[Jimsgems]

Darling;

I think you are safe. LOL I've tried the fruity water, it wasn't any special adventure, but I'm still trying to make friends with the water thang!

[Cheryl R]

OK Jim..
Here's how I did it. Every hour on the hour...in one breath I drank as much water as I could in just that breath. It was usually 8 ounces. If you do that from when you get up until evening time...you should get you 8 ounces. After I did that for a month or so, it became habit to drink the water. now I feel horrible if I don't drink my water.
Good luck...you can do it...
PS...have you read the book "Yellow River" by I.P. Freely..
I just had to add the humor.
I'll be cheering you on.
PS...I used to drink chrystal light in my water...just enough for flavor...but now that I've read up on nutrasweet and asparatime...NO more flavor in my water.
Cheryl

[Jimsgems]

OK, I just had 8 oz of water and I'm OK so far, but it's not fun for me, but with all this support, the journey has begun. :D

[suze_c]

W-A-T-E-R it is really good for you..And if you drink enough I tell you what it'll do... It really helps wash out the fat... and give you a faster loss... and it's something straight from the tap...there isn't any cost!... So if you find yourself in a water slump and don't think ya can drink a bit... just think back to this post & smile & chug down all of it :lol:
:cheer: :cheer: Go Jim Go!!! YaY Jim! :cheer: :cheer:

[Cheryl R]

I've got my 32 ouncer right here with me at the computer!!!!
YUM!!!! YUM!!!!
Go Jim.... :thup:

[mdxgirl37]

I have a mother and several friends who can't stand water. I have always loved it! it is refreshing and there is nothing better when it is ice cold!

I used to joke that when i was younger my beverage of choice were water, milk, beer :D don't drink anymore and seldom touch milk (even though i still love it) so it is now water, water, water, occasional diet coke or crystal light. :clap:

[Cheryl R]

I can never say enough how much water means to my body.

Last night my husband spend the night in the ER with his mom who had yet another very painful bladder infection. She has this happen a lot.. and things she is doing a wonderful thing because she drinks her small (about 4 oz) of water with every meal.
We keep telling her she needs to drink more.

so far since I've been on line... about an hour or so, I've almost finished my 32 oz bottle...yipee..it makes me feel so good.

Have a nice water day everyone....
I think that 100 oz of water a day will be the key to me losing 100 pounds...!!!!! Yep Yep Yep I do.

[Jimsgems]

Yeh, no soda today, only water 3, 24 ozers, ups! I gotta go, you know... Love you all. Thanks.

[Wendye]

Good one Cheryl - Did you read the 2 sequels -- "Drinking Late" ... and ... "Rusty Bedsprings" by I. P. Nightly :eek: :lol:

Well I am here to report - can't believe I didn't get here last night - I was so excited.

This week I have been low carb, low sodium, low fat :eek: and eating 6 small meals a day and drinking water Jimsgems -- all in an attempt to shift some weight and bloated flluids.

The flood gates have been opened and the drought has broken

I can report an 11 pound loss in the first 6 days :thup:
Yes you read right - it's not a typo - e-l-e-v-e-n .............. eleven .............1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11!!

You can't wipe the smile offa my face.

Of course this won't continue - I know that - but with all my rings fitting on my fingers - which are now more slender than sausage-like and my shoes all too big - may my fat cells will give up some real fat - they can't do that while they are holding the water.

I am on the road to slimness - maybe I have finally found what will worok for me..... and .... my DH has developed a foot fettish as my feet are looking quite ..........well .........sexy :lol: :lol: :lol:

[TxCharity]

Congradulations on your 11 lbs.... Stay true to your food program and go forward!! Hugs!!

[Jimsgems]

Wonderful, Congrats. Very cool.

[Wendye]

Thanks guys - I am really motivated - just gotta get past the 2 week barrier and i will feel a bit safer - week 1 is always a breeze then hmmm - week 2 I get a bit 'casual' but not this time ...

It's do or die!!! literally!!

Bye for now - I'll be back later - and a little smaller!! :wave:

[Victoria]

ALRIGHT WENDY!!!! Just had to say that! So glad that you have found success. :thup: Victoria

[Jimsgems]

WENDYE;

You are just too precious. Stay the course, the pay offs are worth the trials.

[Lolabug]

congratulations Wendye!!

You must feel awesome!!

Alena.

[lilwannabe]

HOLY FLYING LIZZARD LIPS BATMAN!!!... That is a whole lotta poundage in the right direction...Good for you Wendye... :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

[suze_c]

That is just FABULOUS to hear of your weight loss! You musta got something in motion there.,.. it is inspiring to the rest of us, to hear of losses like that. WHen I was younger, I lost 15% of my body's weight in the first week of this diet that I was on... but then again... I didn't weigh what I do now heheh... anyhow... CONGRATS :Party: on your loss, and keep on keeping on!

[Cheryl R]

I can't even begin to top the comments in the lasts few posts Wendye...that is so awesome.... I'm doing the happy dance for you!!!!! :wave: :wiggle: :yay: :clap: :agree: :clap: :wiggle: :yay: :agree:

[Cheryl R]

I forgot to ask...has anyone read the book

Under the bandstands... by Semore Butts???

:D :thdown: bad one.

[TxCharity]

This is a great thread to get going. I have lost 53.4 pound but I still have a long way to go . Doing the Low carb food plan I know I can do it . It will be great to share as we all see the scales move . Have a great Low carb day .Hugs!

[PJ in Miam]

Hi Folks. I'm definitely a member of the triple digit club. I don't know how much I weigh, as the doctor's scale only goes to 350 (perhaps they assume anyone over that is likely dead? :-)) but a nurse and I about a year ago estimated at around 440.

(P.S. The stand on two scales thing? Doesn't work. Sounds perfectly logical on paper, though, and if the weight didn't constantly slightly fluctuate so either scale would stay STILL during the measure, it might actually work.)

I'm from a family of women all about 300-500lbs. All of us were healthy athletic sorts until sometime in our early 20's when seemingly out of the blue, we would gain 150++ lbs. Extensive (traditional) dieting, working out, etc. did nothing. Most of my family, esp.those in generations ahead, have simply spent every day of their remaining life for up to 50 years on some form of diet. A couple women in my family ended up in prison, when they discovered cocaine was the only diet drug that really worked for them. (I am not kidding. Is that pathetic or what.) Having seen all this prior to myself hitting that age-range and result, after an initial "doing everything right" effort, and seeing myself gain yet more weight instead of lose any while friends on the identical diet/exercise plan with 10lbs to lose lost weight (!), I decided I wasn't going to sacrifice my life to endless diet misery -- I said [bleep!] it, I ain't doing it, I'm just going to live my life.

While it wrecked my fashion zombie hobbies, my performer sub-career, and doomed my romantic life, I've spent most my life working and not worrying about my weight. Eventually I got married and had a kid - gained a lot more weight, possibly as for the first time in eons, I was 'trying to eat healthy' according to the docs (carbs, of course...), about as intelligent as when I was in labor, the nurses giving me tons of chocolate milk and orange juice as it was sweltering even in the hospital room, and then I wondered why the baby was so insanely colicky when I began nursing. (Sigh.)

A buddy of mine is a fire dept. captain, and the station cook, and he put his whole crew on the Atkins Diet. Told me about it; I was really impressed. I read Atkins' book, and "thought about it" -- not really believing it, like afraid to hope -- for over a year.

I then decided to try it, and made the big mistake of just jumping into it in enthusiasm -- no supplements, no nothing, zero carb extreme, plus really no money for proper food. As I wasn't healthy, either, the craving (nutritional, not just carb) combined with the sudden dump of toxins into the bloodstream when I hit ketosis, made me so flu-sick I had to quit.

I got busy working... tried again months later, this time, with at least a multi-vitamin. It went much better, except my husband (now ex) bizarrely sabotaged every effort. The eastern euro man who would normally eat nothing but sausages, kraut and such, suddenly was inspired to MAKE cheesecake, just as I got home from work (small town, no store open late), and darn it, having accidentally eaten the only food I could eat while I was at work. It was so impossible, and so confusing yet obvious, I figured I would just have to organize my life differently somehow, and try again another time. (I divorced him. That helped. This wasn't the reason, but it helped.)

Worked insanely, crazily, to start a new business in a new state as a single mom... and then physically 'crashed', nearly died. Apparently I developed - late in life - severe asthma; combined with severe sleep apnea; not to mention all the minor things like major acid reflux, major insomnia issues, yada yada yada. My body was always massively swollen, always, I had sort of chronic minor rashes on my shins and such, and my level of exhaustion was beyond measure. Well, I finally cleared out my lungs (which had literally locked up from chronic asthma infections I thought were 'recurring bronchitis'), got a CPAP sleep mask, and was much better -- and suddenly having a little energy, being single, realized, I COULD GO ON THAT LOW CARB DIET NOW!

I came to this forum -- I can't remember when. Maybe 9 months ago. I read, and read, and read, and physically cried over the before and after photos, and wondered why the people who ONLY had 150lbs to lose couldn't see how close their goal was!

I studied, and collected a zillion recipes, and made lists of nutrients I needed, and when I finally got money, went and got the various supplements and a variety of 'best tasting' according to reviews protein powders. (Reality check: ALL protein powder is revolting. However, most of us tolerate our own breath in the morning, which is far worse, so the PP is unlikely to kill anybody. And with some splenda, eggs, atkins syrup, maybe tofu if you like soy, and so on, it is actually drinkable. Not good. But I was able to tell myself it was good. And eventually I actually thought it was good. Proof that you have to be positive about your self image, because we are all dense enough to believe what we tell ourselves if we do it long enough. :-))

I had two profound problems with the eating plan.

(1) I had ZERO time (at the time) to cook, prepare -- even plan. The reality is, YOU HAVE TO PLAN, you have to have the money for protein foods, you have to be able to cook the perishibles and not let them rot or expire and then have nothing, etc. etc. You have to sit down and get real with yourself and buy a damn slow cooker, so you can cook the 8breast package of chicken with essentially no time on your own part, and be able to easily fork a chicken breast to shred in an omelette, simmer in a saute pan with some curry, bury under some cheese slices and nuke it, or the other 1.2 billion ways to eat a chicken breast. You cannot wait to prepare for eating until the moment you are supposed to be eating in a hurry. I did not appropriately plan for that part of the lifestyle.

(2) According to those around here who knew better, no, it is NOT acceptable to get 150 grams of protein a day by drinking 5 PP shakes. ;-) Nor is adding pepperoni and bacon the 'solution' to that diet. ;-) This goes back to planning, cooking, etc.

I decided to do a "trial". I would go on a generic low-carb eating plan for 3 weeks. Just to prove I could. Just to see if I could get past the intro and how I felt.

9 days later, my severe asthma had vanished.
My chronic allergies had vanished.
My acid reflux had vanished.
My massive overbloating had vanished.
The little rashes on my legs had vanished.
My complexion had cleared up.
My energy was over the top.
I felt STRONG.
I could bound up the 3 porch stairs I used to hang on the rail for.
I could put on my truck seatbelt without taking my jacket off first.
I could reach the truck radio dial without taking my seatbelt off.
I could do the dishes without getting too tired halfway through.
I could walk across the room without breathing a bit hard when I sat down again.
I was losing weight. I could tell by my clothes, and how I fit in the truck.
I used to wake up and could hardly get out of bed. I often walked like a 105-year old crone into the bathroom. Now, I could bound out of bed and had none of that.

I came to find that I could tell whether or not I'd had enough protein the day before (actually, running about 8-12 hours behind) -- it made such a profound difference in my strength.

As a side effect, I discovered -- later experimentation narrowed it down -- that I have considerable food allergies, which I have probably had for many years but never knew about. Particularly to wheat gluten and milk. It just so happened that the low-carb diet, banning such foods, wiped out the allergens, so some of the radical improvement was due to that as well.

After 3 weeks, of mostly living on protein shakes and the worst meats and often hardly eating at all (seriously missing all the daily goals for my nutrition), I decided, okay. I did it. I know it can be done. But I was out of many of my supplements and didn't have any money for more, and it was obvious I needed to PLAN ahead and put the necessary intelligent preparation into things or there was no point in trying to do it.

I also felt that my inability to 'find time' was a profound psychological issue; that I had a lot of psychological issues I'd never considered, related to my weight; I had more to lose than just body fat, is one way to put it.

I decided to go off the eating plan, "integrate" the joy that after giving away 20 years of my life to fat I had finally figured out what the hell genetic problem was up with my family (profound problem metabolizing carbohydrates) and how to deal with it, and work on getting many other aspects of my life together well enough that I could do it better, more consistently, so it wouldn't be so difficult, as it was really a pain due to lack of planning. In short, I'd put my foot in the water, I'd realized I could swim... I knew I had to get to the point where I was ready to dive in the deep end and stay there.

Well it's been a long time. Maybe 8 months I'm guessing. But I think I'm getting there now. I am intending to purchase new supplements tomorrow if possible, and a bunch of chicken (I will be writing Odes To Chicken before long) -- I got a slow cooker just as I went OFF the diet, but now I have it to help me.

So, I can hardly stop myself sneaking back into this forum to take a peek at the messages -- to encourage, and inspire, and cement my decision.

It's good to see everybody. I think you'll be seeing more of me if you hang around here.

(That was a lot more than anybody asked to know, I realize, but I also know how much personal sharing helps people with really long-term goals.)

Best regards,

PJ

[Jimsgems]

Yes, welcome indeed.

I started at 401 myself and I've lost a few pounds on the Atkins plan and I did it in five months, yes, I know men can loose weight faster than women. More important than looking very cute (My wife says that), the improvements in my health are unbelieveable... my doctor said that! I know that it is true. I had been on a plateau for 4 moths but I just stayed with my plan and I've finally broken through. My goal is 220 pounds. I'm a ex-Green Beret, Football player and Olympic Power Lifter so 220 is a fine weight and It would even called slim for my frame.

Good luck, you can absolutely do it and my Mantra and prayer is...
"You either have in your life what you want, or you have all the reasons why you don't."

Go to a medical supply house, they have scales that will weigh a side of beef, you won't be a problem, thats what I had to do.

I didn't weigh (becaues of not having a scale that would weigh 350+ pounds) for the first 85 days of TWOE (this way of eating) and when I finally weighed... I'd lost a pound a day average for the first 85 pounds!

Hugs and kisses, you go and just do it. The benifits are amazing. I have so much more energy when I'm on stage and my voice is so much improved my coach is supprised at the improvement (hey, now I can breathe!) and my friends and fan's are so supportive, it's wonderful.

[UtahKat]

Awesome story, PJ, and the best of luck to you! But we make our own luck sometimes...

I'm broke most of the time, so will share some of my "el cheapo" menus- and "no time" ideas:

Buy bulk amounts of GOOD ground beef and freeze up a bunch of patties. They fry up quick and I like to top them with Roquefort dressing- less carbs than cheese!

Bacon and eggs, or sausage and eggs are really quick in the AM, when you get organized. I buy a huge frozen pack of sausage patties at Walmart, and nuke 'em while my eggs are cooking. But who says you have to eat breakfast food for breakfast?

I also buy, pre-cook, and have ready bratwurst, both the regular and "white" kind, at 1 carb each, and Beef knockwurst nuke up quickly.

I get my veggie carbs from spinach (cook up large frozen bag, put in refrig. container, and just nuke up samall amounts) romaine lettuce and lots of celery.

I am sure you are busy, and I know I am, but everyone has SOME time. If you truly don't, then you need to look at your life a little closer. But I take my "slow day" which is usually Sunday, and cook and freeze stuff. There are lots of neat Atkins recipes, like Deep dish Pizza, No-Noodle Lasagna, Quiche etc that you can make really quickly, freeze in baggies, and nuke in a jiffy- many things of this nature are great for breakfast. Fry up some chicken thighs with a dash of worcestershire, hot sauce and celery salt- great lunches! Boil some eggs and peel them, then put 'em in the fridge for egg salad, deviled eggs or just plain hard boiled ones. Buy a cheap big loaf of cheese, and cut and bag little chunks for quick snacks. That canned deviled ham is not half bad in a celery stalk. Cook a big turkey when they go on sale, and freeze up individual packets of that. I never eat pre-processed foods or the nutition bars. I just set up my kitchen like a little factory, and go for it! It really only takes a few hours. Now is probably not the time to get real fussy about health concerns and refuse to eat beef or low carb hot dogs- after all, nothing is more hazadous to your health than being morbidly obese, as I am too.

After induction, when you calm down and realize you are not really on a "diet" and not really that hungry, either, things will be easier for you- and less expensive.Remember to drink your water- that really fills you up, and exercise squelches your appetite a bit too. I think I actually spend less on food now than before.

Please don't use the excuse of not having enough time, or not being able to "do it right" stop you- just do it! It doesn't have to be perfect.Tell ya what gal, if my old man pulled that cheesecake routine on me like what happened to you, my dinner would be his sauteed left foot! :D
:bhug:
Kat

[chris2000]

kins 6 weeks ago today. I have also lost 23 pounds according to my scales. Started around 310 and am seeing 287 on the dial today. Don't know where I'm headed yet, but every loss is welcome. It has been at least 4 years since I've been under the nasty 300 mark. Don't know anything about using this site, so just home my e-mail goes through. Chris MM

[Cheryl R]

wow :exclm: :exclm: :exclm: :exclm: :exclm: :exclm :

If a person read the last few posts on this thread and was not motivated to follow this woe... I would fall dead in my tracks...

Thanks PJ...it was so inspiring...
and Jimgems...you have inspired me for months!!!!

What a great way to start off a Saturday morning with....
and like UtahKat said...who says you have to have breakfast for breakfast.
I started off with a big juicy slice of prime rib this morning..YUM YUM...

[MarieA]

I have read several of the entries in this forum and want to join. It is so nice to read about people who really understand what I am going through.

I have been on a diet my entire life. I yo-yo'd until I was 23 and have stayed pretty much above 250 since then which is about 10 years now. About 50 lbs have creeped up on me over those past 10 years but I haven't had any significant weight loss in that time.

I have been trying to stick to Atkins for about 2 years now with little success. The reason I continue to try and stay with it is because I feel so healthy when I do. By sticking to Atkins for 4 or 5 days, my heartburn disappears, I no longer have stomach aches, I gain so much energy, I'm not bloated, and I don't have headaches. It is like a cloud in my brain disappears and I can think clearly. But I can only go for a week or two and then I sabotage myself. After that it takes me at least 2 weeks to start again. The longest I have made it is 5 weeks beginning this August. I don't even remember going off the plan.

I want to be healthy and I would love to be thin, but I must be scared of it subconsciously. When I start to feel really good, begin noticing a difference in my clothes, and feel really motivated, before I know it I have binged on whatever carbs I can find. Then I have a hard time getting back on it.

I have been in counseling for a few years now and that has helped me so much. It is where I could finally admit that I sabotage myself, not my mother, or father, or ex-husband, or anyone else. Just me. Now I need to figure out how to work through it and quit doing that to myself.

I love basketball and I dream of joining a league. Unfortunately right now I can't even walk up the stairs without losing my breathe, so running is out of the question. I do go to the gym but haven't been there in a week. I go in spurts of exercising daily to not exercising for a whole month. I really just want to be healthy and active. I would love to be thin, but the healthy, active, side of it is more important to me at this point in my life.

I am really excited to have found this forum and am looking forward to getting to know you all!

[TxCharity]

Reading these postings sure is an encouragement ..Thank you all for sharing. I have only been on Atkins 59 days . I am glad to say at the emd of this day it will be 59 days cheat free. I find the food plan very easy as long as I focus on the food plan and not the scales. I am looking forward to the up coming days of the success of the people on this thread. :-)

[Cheryl R]

Charity...did you lost that whole 50 pounds in the 59 days of low carbing?

Do you have a journal? Can I read it?

[Shark01]

Originally posted by MarieA
But I can only go for a week or two and then I sabotage myself. After that it takes me at least 2 weeks to start again. The longest I have made it is 5 weeks beginning this August. I don't even remember going off the plan.


Marie,
If I didn't know better, I would think these were words I would have written 6 months ago. I had started this type of eating at least a dozen times only to fail after 2 weeks or less EVERY time :mad:

I just couldn't stand to eat the same foods all the time with seemingly no end in sight. At over 400 lbs, I knew that ANY diet would take a loooooong time.

As of yesterday, I have been on this diet for 5 MONTHS with no end in sight :clap:

So why was this time different? After talking with a few people and reading about some of the modern LC plans I came up with the idea that I could do more than one :idea: So I do what I call diet cycling, using both a traditional LC diet for a couple of weeks then switching over to the CAD diet, which allows me greater flexibility and I don't get bored............finally the answer I've been waiting for :cheer:

If I can help you in any way, please visit my journal and ask away

[amarise28]

well, i see that i have been absent way too long!!
:wiggle::wiggle::wiggle:
you all are just the best inspiration and as i have been reading over the last few pages all i can say is "I HAVE FOUND MY PEOPLE!!" i feel like the mothership is calling me home....have you guys been reading my mail or what?!
well my long lost tribe...can i just tell you all how wonderful and amazing you are?
well- YOU ARE WODERFUL AND AMAZING!!!

P.J.- thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
i too experienced the SUDDEN massive weight gain in my early 20s and discovered it is indeed a genetically inherited disorder called INSULIN RESISTANCE..it manifests itself in women as Poly -Cystic- Ovary- Syndrome..PCOS..and in men often it includes male pattern baldness along with the standard weight gain due to inability to properly respond to your bodys own insulin.
Not only does it cause wight gain ..MASSIVE weight gain..ie--100 pounds in 6 weeks in my case back in 1992..but i also developed a strange rash, asthma, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrom, cushings, sudden unexplainable anaphylactic shock...i have been on more ambulance rides than i can count...along with other allergic reactions, hives, severe bloating, lowered immunity and general "malaise" as the textbooks call it. back in 99 i FINALLY was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and put on a bi-pap machine at night...i was like LAZARUS comin out of the grave those first few weeks....and i too remember hobbling...hunched over all achey and stiff like the tin man in need of oil every morning when i woke up! I knew all along that carbs were bad but i had no idea HOW bad!! i , for many years, did a muddled , lukewarm, half -assed , mixed up version of "healthy eating" including the insidious "low -fat" non-sense and lots of diet soda and rat poison...err...nutrasweet/aspartame...which eventually led to multiple tumors in my head and neck area and then i read the book..."EXCITOTOXINS-THE TASTE THAT KILLS" by a leading nurosurgeon (since that's who i had to see what with the tumors that had started growing in my head. :rolleyes: ..) and discovered the deadly truth about MSG, ASPARTAME AND SUGAR....they are like the three :skull: :skull: :skull: deadliest poisons out there. i found my awesome dr this year and he finally made the connection between the carbs and the anaphylaxic shock, the rashes, and the yeast problems. i have not touched a nanogram of aspartame in over 5 years and the tumors stopped growing. i have been seriously off carbs since 2000..i relapsed in 2001 and after a few more ambulance rides earlier this year i realized carbs..especially wheat flour..are literally trying to kill me and i best not keep on trying to make nice with them since they are the most merciless of enemies.

well...now that you all have my medical history on file...i just want to let you know that i UNDERSTAND :o
i sooooooo understand what you and others have described in this forum.

A few pages back you all were discussing the water issue...i too swear by COLD FILTERED water on hand...our fridge has the filter built in..and LEMON slices..nothing is more refreshing than ice water w/ a slice of lemon.
I try to wash all my produce as soon as i get in the door from the store and have one drawer in the fridge for washed veggies, lettuce and my lemons, and another drawer in the fridge..the coldest drawer..where i keep all of my "must cook " items...like cabbage, asparagus...as well as defrosting meats like steak...well wrapped of course...that way i have a CLEAN drawer i can just reach into and grab a slice of lemon for my water or a stick of celery for my penut butter and i dont have to worry about washing them first. It seems to make it easier to drink more water when i have my lemons :D

also...another great idea is to make a big pitcher of fresh brewed iced tea...i use green (since green tea counteracts the cushings high cortisol/bloating and rashes )-mint- and just keep it chilled in the fridge and it is wonderfully refreshing..there are also mango,peach and apple green teas that have no carbs,chemicles or caffine...PERFECT ice cold on a hot day :sunny: and comforting as a warm hug , heated up with some cream , on a cold day :o

sorry for the epic novel..thank you to anyone who cared to read this through!

:bhug::bhug::bhug: to MY PEOPLE!
i really really love you all!!
:rheart:-amarise

[suze_c]

Thanks for sharing that Amarise. I am sure that those times were hard for you... I too, am aware of the dangers of those poisons... I tried to get hubby to stop drinking diet soda,he consumes anywhere from a 2-liter bottle to 2 or 3 2-liter bottles in a day's time. I printed out a bunch of info on aspartame,and he switched to regular soda and starting putting on weight due to it. He won't drink water and it really is frustrating... if he has drank even a gallon of water since January 2001, I would be amazed...
I am happy that this forum helps you, as it does me and the numerous others who come here. It is so wonderful to find ppl who have the same type of struggles as I do with certain foods, and who I don't have to explain to why I cannot eat this or that.
So like you, I too want to thank the great ppl here~ keep up all the great work~ :thup:

[Cheryl R]

I've said it before...but WOW...

I thought about sharing my story...from the time I was 25 and put on my first unexplained 60 pounds in less than 6 months...

but..in the last few stories (PJ's and amarise's for example) it's been all covered.

I honestly believe the only reason I did not reach the 300 mark ever is because about 5 years ago...when I joined Weight Watchers, I gave up sweets...almost completely... I've had a few lapses. It was torture not eating candy...but at least the rate of my gaining slowed way down. I still have gained a few pounds each year.... in the last 5 years... I'm up about 30 something pounds since I joined Weight Watchers.....and I no longer belong.

I moved and joined a new group called TOPS....I get great support there....not so much instruction or lecturing...just support.

I too have been on and off of low carb...not able to stick with it for long... but today marks 3 weeks since I started. I'm doing well with it this time... and I notice I don't care what comments people make about it. The other day on of my lunch pals said, we're going to the burrito place today...I hope that's ok? I said, I'm learning to find something to eat where ever I go. So that day, I ordered 2... not one of these large steak burritos...and said all I want in mine is the meat and a few green peppers and onions and cheese. I cut then open in the middle, kind of like you would cut a baked potato, it sort of formed a bowl, and I ate the insides. I was happy and content.

I was bummed by a 2 pound gain last week when I went to my TOPS meeting, but I knew I had eaten way too much sugar free jello with whipped cream. I'm starting to see what the hype is about the aspartame.

I can't believe I'm so excited to be doing this again. Oh...and I boil eggs and take them to work along with celery... just in case I can't get what I need for lunch at the hospital cafeteria...or where ever we eat on our Friday outings. I know if I can't eat at lunch...I can come back and have an egg..or 2 or 3...and some celery and cheese.

I have noticed the home scale going down a bit this week at home....but it's not always accurate. I reserve my real weigh in's for Tuesday night...and then I have those tight pants I bouht to try on every now and then so I can measure that way to.

OK...I'll get off of my soap box.

[Jimsgems]

It's my theory and likely, I could get a Gov't grant to actually study this. I feel that a lot of the reason we all (men and women) gain weight beyond thirty for the most part is we are no longer able to metabolize simple and complex carbos like we did when we were active and younger. That (active and younger) is the major key, but the problems still exist. I was 240 pounds and very fit when I was ran over by the truck and then last year, 16 years later, I’m 401 Pounds. I did that to myself as much as circumstances provided.

We do not realize this as I didn't and we do not adjust out diets and behold the mystical over night weight gain of 30, 40, 50-pound weight gains. Is it our fault? Yes and No. We now are faced with dealing with the reality of our cituation without regard for any fault what so ever.

So again, I fall back on one of my most favorite mantras..."You either have what you want in your life, or you have all the reasons why you don't."
I am clearly living a miracle life and I’m well on my way to exactly what I want. God is good.

[aedestree]

Hi fellow 100+ losers,
i started Somercizing in early May and have only lost 25# but i relapse on caffeine periodically due to headaches. i need as much motivation as i can get. anyone in similar shoes as me please suggest things that have worked. i have found someone on another list who started out at 265 like me and has lost 93 # since January 2002. sigh. Shell is much more focused and her husband is following her WOE. my husband thinks this low carb stuff is silly so i fix low carb meals and he can add his own carb stuff (like bread or instant rice). there are carby treats like Cheese Its but i no longer eat them (since May) and similar but i feel so much better without the carbs.
i say after i had some Vanilla Coke with whiskey in it tonight (okay a lot of it 2 cans with 1 & 1/2 shots to take the edge off.
Tips and suggestions for winning recipes for 100+ would be great!
please share... i want to lose as much as possible. a site i visited tonight stated i should weigh between 104-127 because i have a medium frame (true). sigh. that is ALOT.
Beth

[MarieA]

Beth - I would be leary about the goal weight set up on that site. In all of the diets I have tried they always say I should weigh 150 lbs for my height and frame. At 14 I was starving myself and running at least once a day to maintain that weight. When I look back at pictures, I was sooo skinny then, but WW said I need to be under 150 and so I figured I was fat. If I couldn't maintain that weight at 14 there is no way I expect to at 32!

I tried a program at a local hospital several years ago and they hooked me up to this machine to get water, organ, muscle, and fat mass in my body. Then they calculated what I would have to weigh to be at 22% bodyfat. It came up to 178 lbs! Before I had my son, I could maintain my weight around 170-180 but that is where I would get stuck. It was a horrible because I thought I had to get to 150 and was struggling to break 170. I really put myself through hell because of that. I never looked in the mirror and saw me as I really looked because I was chained to what the scale said. My goal now is 180, but somewhere between 180-200 and I will be ecstatic!

Anyway after that long story. I would say, get to the weight you are comfortable at and ignore those stupid charts. They were set up in the stone ages and they lump all humans into the same category - height/frame/weight - there are too many other factors to consider.

Well - I have rambled on haven't I? At least I know what I want to weigh. Now getting there is the big struggle, but it really helps to read these stories, so many people in this forum are such and inspiration!

I never knew about the dangers of aspartime. I always grab a diet dr. pepper when I am stressed. I am going to really re-think it now!

[bsayne]

We are very lucky to have many voices with great advice!

Great ideas Kat! So many ask about cost cutting ways to do LC! Keeping it simple really helps! We are creatures of habit and if I make the habits good ones it really helps!

Welcome PJ, Chris, Tx, Beth and Marie and if I missed anyone welcome! Whereas needing to lose 100 + pounds is a unique situation...for us it is a common denominator. It is different when it feels like a struggle to live... Support here, luckily abounds!

I'm heading back to water aerobics this monday...wooo wooo! It's just one step away from getting my bod ready to lift into BFL again and it sure feels good...the energy is really starting to surge..I too use that as my gauge as to whether I've got the protein and supplement ratio correct!

Gee Jim, I'm so glad to see you checking out the water front! All is well...

Take care all and here's to LC cheesecake!

Bsayne...Beth

[amarise28]

:wave:
where has our tribe gone :confused:

well..i hope you all are doing well!

tomorrow is my birthday (31-aak!) and i may or not have cake but if i do i will so CAD.

so far i am still under 25 grams a day ....will weigh in tomorrow.

this is A GREAT SUPPORT to so many..keep this thread alive!


to all MY PEOPLE..I LOVE YOU!!

:yay:

:rheart:-AMARISE

[UtahKat]

Hello Amarise, and Happy Birthday Early!

:bday: :Party: :bday: :Party: :bday: :Party: :bday: :Party: :bday:

Here's an idea for a "legal" BD Treat- a disgustingly rich and easy Cheesecake!

Killer No-Cook Cheesecake
1 sm box Lemon Sugar Free Jello
2 8oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature.
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
Add Jello to 1 C boiling water, dissolve, add cream cheese, mix well, then add sour cream and vanilla. Spray glass pie pan with Pam, or use butter, pour into pan. Sprinkle top with a little nutmeg. Chill in refrigerator till set...YUMMY!!!
Satisfies a sweet tooth big time.

I made this for myself for my own birthday, since it didn't look like anyone else was going to cough up, and I didn't want to have a "Pity Party" for myself! :cry: I have a tendency to head in that direction anytime others do not fully recognize the poetry of my existence! Ha ha ha! As it turned out, simpatico friends showed up bearing exotic cheeses for me, and we all shared the cheesecake. Well, this little killer cheesecake cured me of wanted any sweet desserts fo a while, that's for sure! One small slice was all I could handle. Isn't it amazing how your tastes change when you are on this woe?

Hugs,
Kat

[suze_c]

:bday: :cheer: :hyper: :bday: :spin: :Party: :yay: :clap: :yay: :Party: :spin: :bday: :hyper: :cheer: :bday:

Hope your birthday is going great!~ And psssttttt 31 ain't old! As I read somewhere long ago and never have forgot:
~*Age is a matter of mind, it doesn't matter if you don't mind*~
And besides, 31 is young to someone who is 41 :lol: But I don't think of myself as "being old", old is just a state of mind, and it is when one stops recognizing the "child within their heart"...that old age comes on... and trust me, there are some who are younger than you who have already let that happen~ ANYHOW... have a super duper fabtabulous day~!!!

[Cheryl R]

Happy Birthday to you, :bday:
Happy Hirthday to you, :bday:
Happy Birthday dear Amarise, :bday:
Happy Birthday to you.... :Party:
and many more....... :Party: :Party: :bday: :Party: :Party: :

[Victoria]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! AMARISE!!!!

Well, I'm a day late, but the sentiment is sincere. Thirty one is a nice year. I hope it is a good year for you. ;) ;)

Kat,
Thank you for posting your cheesecake recipe. It looks real simple. Have you thought of posting it in the recipe section, so everyone on the forum can benefit? We all love to share recipes with each other.

Good to see so many new faces here. I learn something from each one of you. Amarise...I had been off nutrasweet for years and then started low carbing, and now I have a diet Pepsi every so often. After reading your post, I will think twice. Maybe Diet Rite with Splenda, or Diet Hansen's (also with Splenda) is a better choice. Water is still my drink of choice. Nothing quenches my thirst like a glass of cold water. ;) Victoria

[amarise28]

:wiggle:

thank you all so much for the sweet birthday wishes! :bhug:
i really really appreciate it and you are just the BEST!:bhug:

although to be honest-.... it was a hard day emotionally...the tragic details are in my journal...but with the kind words of many on this forum and some help from God i got over it.....eventually....well sort of...i think??
see, i was great LC wise all week and then for some -no doubt self sabotaging- reason, i had oreos and nachos and lasagna today :eek: :confused: :nono: :rolleyes: and can i just say i feel soooooo gross....:Puke: YUCK. my head is killing me :bash: my body is all bloated :roll: and i am in THE WORST MOOD :mad: grumpy grumpy grumpy. i know my TOM has something to do with all of it and the PCOS doesnt help....all i know is i am in one major blue funk :o :( :confused: why why whhhhhhaaaaahaaaaaaahhhhyyyyyyy??
does anyone know why i do this to myself? how is it that i can be reduced to misery by a tiny bag of mini oreos and a plate of nachos? its so PATHETIC :( ......why is it when i am mad at others i punish myself? :help:
i sure hope you all are doing much better than i am...i need a boost to climb back up on that wagon!

>>>>>SIGH<<<<<<<<<

well..this too shall pass....i hope SOON!

:help::help::help:

:rheart:-amarise

[Victoria]

Amarise,
I'm sorry to hear of your plunge into carbland. Just remember, every DAY is a new day to start over. Try to imprint in your brain how awful you feel right now after succumbing to carbs. Then next time you feel the need to blow it, you'll remember how awful it makes you feel and find strength to do otherwise. Everyone has weak moments. So don't beat yourself up. Just drink tons of water to flush your system of those carby toxins. Eat real well today. And you'll move past it. Success isn't always being perfect, but picking yourself up and continuing on when you haven't been perfect.

I tend to want to eat sweets when I get emotionally upset. When you've done this forever, it's a hard one to break. But all I can say is low carb actually makes it possible to break that tendency. Once you recognize that's what you're doing...eat something good low carb. When you feel good and full, you won't reach for the Oreo's. Besides...get those things out of your house. I try to keep a mental note of the things I am "weak" around and I don't buy them anymore. My family has gotten used to not having as much "junk" around the house. I do buy them a few snacks here and there. But only ones I know I won't break down and consume. Ice cream is out. Period. I can't control myself if I know there's ice cream in the house.

Well, anyway. Know that you are not alone. But life is not over. Just pick yourself up and jump back on the LC wagon. You can do it. :thup: Victoria

[UtahKat]

Trending back to the original thread of having more than 100 lbs to lose-

I heard several comments the last few days that annoyed me, probably unreasonably so. But then I have never pretended to be a reasonable person! I have a feeling others will identify with this....

This comment, which I heard from two different people in the last few days, runs like, "O WOW! You've lost a lot of weight! (that part's good!) IT"S REALLY STARTING TO SHOW!" (What do you MEAN, "STARTING" to show????)

STARTING to show? I've fought and struggled and CLAWED off 62 pounds, and they say STARTING to show? I jump on the scale more times than I care to admit;work out on that %^&*$#~*ing Cardio Glide when I would vastly prefer to munch on pork rinds and watch TV; stare at all my fat rolls in the mirror obsessively daily to see if I can detect the slightest iota of difference, and they say STARTING!!

Oh well...sigh...... I know we expect too much of our friends. I always expect them to ignore it when I am gaining- heaven forbid anyone should open their mouth and say a WORD about THAT!!! :mad: And then I expect constant praise and ego massage about every ounce I lose! Like I said, I'm not reasonable!

Hugs to all,
Kat

[suze_c]

Kat, I know what you mean. Last night I was talking to hubby about finding out some diet that he might like... and he said, I am waiting to see how this one goes for you, and then I might try it if it works. Excuse me? If it works? What about the 14# loss (could be more by now,I ain't getting on that scale yet :p,) & the 15" loss in 10 days? Oh wait... that probably was all water weight and water inches and I will gain it all back :lol:
I congratulate you on your hard work Kat, and can understand your frustration. It is probably some of those skinny-eat-everything-they-want-and-never-gain-a-pound ppl who made the comments too... gggrrrrrrrrrr!
I can tell on my body that I have lost, and it is the denseness of ppl that they cannot tell before now that you have lost weight... but that just shows ya how much rectal-cranial-inversion affects the sight :lol: Know what I mean Kat? Like your carb-bashin' signature pic~ miss the kitty tho :p

[Cheryl R]

And what about those friends who take credit for your loss...
Like, someone will say, oh I saw you at the gym... good for you...and you friend buts in with .... Oh...I've been encouraging her. Like, I only did it because she told me to or something??? Help ME!!!!

[suze_c]

Cheryl, think any of those friends would help take responsibility for the weight gained in the past? :lol: I use to go out with this guy when I was 20-21, and he would make comments every now and then, about how I might lose a few pounds... I was weighing about 134-140 lbs. at the time, and actually was in great shape physically~ but then he would turn around and take me out to eat ALL the time!!! Talk about a contradiction of terms!

{edited due to Typonese :lol: }

[PJ in Miam]

Oh Kat -- "starting to show" ?! --

IOW, "I don't really pay much attention to you frankly, and maybe even avoid looking at you, but you have finally changed SO significantly that even my feeble sense of observation could not help but notice!"

Cheryl - "I've been encouraging her" - LOL! What is this, a need for a gold star on the forehead? "Here honey, you get a "Get 5lbs off your thighs Free card" as a commission!" :-)

Suze - I am thinking that I only have about 250lbs of water weight to lose. Who needs dieting or custom eating plans? If I cut my big toes deeply enough, all that water weight could just gush out of me like a broken fishtank. So really, all I need is about 10 minutes standing in the bathtub and this should be all better! :-)

PJ

[UtahKat]

Gee, you guys are great! I am glad that you not only understand but that we can both laugh and complain at the same time.

The gal who made the "starting to show" (uh oh, that sounds like pregnancy!) comment, needs to lose quite a few herself. Interestingly, she never had much concern about what diet I was on before it suddenly came to her attention that it was WORKING. So a little discussion was in order. I could tell from the glaze over her eyes that not much was getting through the fog of denial (boy, been there, done THAT) until I started talking about Before Atkins.When I semi-jokingly told her how I always showered with the light off so I didn't have to look at myself- I got through. She suddenly started laughing and when she was through, said, "You know, I guess we all think we are the only one that does something crazy" and we both had a good laugh together. So now she wants to get the book, and if I don't hook her this month, I'll get her next month, or the next after that.

I wish I had the moxie of the gal on the Internet that sells those funny T shirts, with the Venus of Willendorf (the extremely fat,voluptuous stone age goddess) dressed in a biker jacket, and the motto underneath......."FAT --SO???"

It's going to be a looooong journey, and I wonder what other adventures are in store for us?

Hugs,
Kat

[amarise28]

what about those "friends" who comment on your weight loss by saying~
"oh...you look sooooooooo much better than you used to!
trust me....you were HUGE...you were completely ROUND before...you looked like a big beach ball...now you at least are beginning to have SOME sort of shape...before you were just soooo HUGE!!!" :confused: ????????

that is a direct quote from a FORMER friend....commenting on my weight loss.

rrrgggggg.....some people.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.sigh<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


amarise

[suze_c]

Here's something that'll shut their traps up :lol:
Simply say... So, I'm fat, but you're ugly and I can lose weight !
Hope this gets a smile~ PJ... funny stuff hehehe... heck I would cut off more than my toes if I knew I could be about 140 lbs. smaller hehehe... but I've grown quite attached to those parts ya might say~

[Cheryl R]

Geez...it's bed time, and here I am getting all riled up reading this thread...how am I going to wind down after this. My honey came in to see what was so funny...he could here me laughing in the other room and thought I was watching Raymond in the bedroom.... Raymond always makes me laugh.

How may of you guys get the question asked... "how far along are you...or when is your baby due?" I get so tired of that... for that reason alone I wish I looked older... but hey.. that doesn't work either.. some one asked me in the store once why I was having another baby when my daughter is in her 20's. I just told her that It was so much fun the first time around, that I wanted to do it again...she was flabbergasted...

Good night everyone... I'm going to bed now...I'm sure I'll have good...silly dreams now.

[UtahKat]

Here we go again- back to the top!

Yesterday at work, someone brought in goodies for our administrator, who is leaving. Sausage and gravy, with lovely fluffy biscuits. They parked it down under my nose, and had me help serve- then came the "Oh, aren't you going to have some?" comments- the "Oh, are you STILL on that diet" (with 145 pounds to go, shouldn't that be OBVIOUS) and of course, my very favorite, "Can't you have just a little bit?" Oh yeah, I left out the guilt trip- "I got up at 3 AM to make this- At least you can just TASTE this". Took a great deal of restraint to handle that good stuff under my nose- even with a cold, I could SMELL it, and aren't smells the KILLERS??. So I practiced what I am always preaching......." I do not CHOOSE to get upset by this....I don't NEED this food....I will not permit myself to get angry....da dee da de da....."

So after this character building experience, and permitting all these insensitive folks to continue living, I have a class to teach. So all the kids come in, most of them crunching and munching on something. One is late- this teeny tiny little missy who always talks about "My BIG BELLY" as she pinches up a quarter inch of hard muscle from her flat abs, and then looks at my watermelon.
She is late because she just ran a mile. Am I jealous? YES! And she is hungry. She has thoughtfully brought in giant home-made peanut butter cookies, one of which she promptly shoves under my nose as says "Here! For you!" Dear hearts, automatic relex almost got me there- my hand was going toward it....NO! Stop...No! Then she goes......"Oh. c'mon, just a LITTLE bite- it won't hurt..."

You know, people don't have a clue, really. And in social settings, you can't say "A little bite could KILL me if it leads to a slip, and going off this diet...You are a killer, get that frigging thing away from me!!".....sigh

Geez, to think we got more of this coming for the holidays...
Kat

[suze_c]

It is funny how ppl do not think of food as being addictive, in our case carbs... how would the reformed junkie or alcoholic or pothead feel if you shoved their former vice under their face... oh come on, a little bit won't hurt ya...Plus WHAT would SOCIETY think... oh gosh look at that HORRIBLE PERSON TRYING TO CORRUPT THAT FORMER ADDICT LIKE THAT!!!! For those with a carb problem/addiction it is our drug... it IS our poison... our vice... and they are being RUDE... just simply RUDE... tell them that you have problems with insulin spikes when you eat stuff like that... or something to that effect.. maybe that will stop them... Lord above knows that some ppl have NO empathy for someone on a diet that is different from what they eat... and oh yeah... I know the holidays are coming and there are all those sweet treats and goodies.. BUT DON"T FORGET... the wonderful little sausages and cheese arrays that are also put out for the holidays! Some of those cheeses are to die for~ :) and the meats are yummy too~ Keep that in mind~ and hey,... you got my support~! :thup: and hugs~ Suzanne

[wandabthin]

:wave: Hello Everyone!!!

I don't know if it is ok for me to post yet as I am not starting this WOL until 11/03/02 (I have to get groceries :( ) but I am convinced as is my husband that this is the only course of action for us. My hubby needs to lose 100 lbs, I need to lose at least 150 probably more, but will not know for sure until I get the 150 out of the way (I know :rolleyes: , a long way, and go a little at a time).

My dr. put me on a diet that was so hard to follow, lc though. I had to measure every thing I ate, no fat, no sugar, no salad dressing, 175/165/125 g of protien per day (b/l/d) and about 40 - 60 g carbs, plus 3 p. fruit *1 MUST be an apple*, couldn't eat less than 5 hours apart, no food after 9, 2 l. water, and indefinately..... :mad: . Needless to say, i lasted without cheating for exactly 1 week. :(

The first week, I was insane :daze: and I don't know how my hubby and kids did not kill me :spin: but I got the week over and in 2 weeks, (cheating and everything) lost 16 lbs, even the dr was shocked, but then once i found out I could cheat........ well, I could not stick to it even for 24 hrs, it was sooooo hard. I was ready to kill everything around me :bash:.

I am reading (almost done) the Atkins book, and except for coffee (to begin with) we are going to stick with it. Has n-e one here stayed on the "induction" phase for more than say 3 months??? I do want to lose enough weight that I can go to the beach in the summer. Oh and when next I see my mother and father, I want to :dazzle: them!!!

One question though, my one and only promise from my hubby and from me is that when I lose 100 lbs, he will give me a piggy back ride (I have NEVER had anyone piggyback me and have not been lifted since I was 10) and I am wondering if any of you have sort of "silly" promises to themselves to work towards???

[Victoria]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum. Glad to see you here. You are among a great group of people here. It's hard to imagine being able to do Low Carb without being able to eat fat. Fat takes the hunger away and helps you burn fat. I always enjoy the ability to actually have real mayo, real dressing and none of that fat free junk I'd been eating for the last 20 years to "watch my weight".

I hope you and your husband do well with low carb. It's good to see you both try it together. I'm glad to hear you are reading the book. You know before you are able to stock up for eating this way....just try and cut the sugar and white flour out of your menu. I've eaten low carb for the last year and 3 months. Sometimes I get by with tuna, eggs and salads. It doesn't have to be a big grocery deal. And make sure to drink plenty of water. ;) Victoria

[Shark01]

Originally posted by wandabthin

here stayed on the "induction" phase for more than say 3 months???

I think this is the key statement in your post. Remember, you couldn't stay on your Doctor's diet (of course it looked pretty whack :daze: ) because it was too stringent. Saying you'll stay on induction will also have that effect because it's hard, and is not meant to be the primary diet.

Remember, you have a lot of weight to lose and it will take a loooonnnggg time. You would best be served customizing your own plan after a couple of weeks on induction (although I wasn't able to do induction for more than a few days). You have to have some degree of happiness for the 2-3 years you will be doing this.

[Sherry B]

Kat has done induction since May with no cheating and she has lost like 80 pounds. Another girl I know, Kim has done induction about as long and she has lost at least 70.

I can't do it, but then that doesn't mean others who are really determined can't.

[Jimsgems]

Just from my twisted since of what to do department... "This isn't a diet, it is a way of eating." When you take it to extreams it is just a diet! and there for difficult buy it's very nature. Fix your head (point of view) and the pounds will go fast or slow but they will go. I started at 401 on Dec. 3, 2001 and today I'm 266 Pounds.

It's been easy, because I said so and I'm adjusted my thinking and the rest is and has been automatic.

Tune up your mind and join in the fun. :D

Depression sucks, just keep moving and get something bigger than you to focus your attention on. The rest will be automatic.

[suze_c]

Wanda, I was on atkins induction for a month, then am on my own comb. plan of atkins and stillmans, which is actually MORE restrictive than Atkins induction :lol: Must be a glutton for punishment eh? The thing is... I don't mind it.... like Shark says... it has to work for YOU!! Good going on the weight lost :yay: :dazzle: :yay: I understand budgets... trust me...there are still things you can do now... cut out the main culprits... white flour, bread products,white sugars,stick to the lower carb veggies,and salads...I'll write more a bit later... KaeLyn, our 1 yr old wants momma~ :) wishing you success~ it CAN be done :thup:

[UtahKat]

Hey! I like that!!!

"It's been easy, because I said so and I'm adjusted my thinking and the rest is and has been automatic"

That's playing my tune!

It is easy, or I wouldn't be able to do it!! I'm no roughy-toughy heroine with iron-clad will-power- all this Xena Warrior Princess stuff is by way of a big-time self-pep-talk. And that works for me too, as part of the general "head readjustment"that Jim talks about. The only thing that really takes will power is to exercise when you don't feel like it, but that gets easier when you see what it can do for you.

Gee, I think the food is GREAT!! Even on induction, I AM NOT BORED! I eat good stuff, and I am rarely hungry. I happen to LIKE meat, cheese, eggs and green veggies. As I type this, I am eating a late breakfast of an omellete with bacon, cheese and spinach. It is GOOD, and I am not suffering. In ketosis, and with no cheating, I REALLY DON"T crave sweets or other no-no's. And for almost every high carb food you can think of, there is a low-carb alternative recipe, so where is my excuse for eating that crap??

Shark has a plan that works for him, and that is great, because he is doing so well, has lost a lot of weight, and is not suffering either. But when I was a newbie, it very appropriately frightened me, to think of "modifying the basic instructions", because that is how I got to 370 in the first palce- doing things "MY WAY". My way sucks, actually! If I had good sense, I wouldn't have let myself get to 370. So I follow the simple instructions, because I don't want to repeat the same mistakes and make this just another yo-yo-diet, when it is really a new woe and wol. And I follow the simple instructions because they work, and they are easy.
Hugs,
Kat

[Cheryl R]

Suze, I agree with you....food is addicting...and I firmly believe it is just as hard to kick the food habit as it is the alcohol and drug habit... the only difference... we have to eat to live... so we can't just say... Oh, I'm not going to eat any more. And with our addiction, there are too many different ideas on how to solve the problem that don't work.

Wanda... I have a silly dream about losing weight... not quite as silly as yours, but mine is when I'm a grandma, I want to go on some of the rides at Disney land... but as of now, I won't fit.

No Wanda.. I never did induction for more than 2 weeks. I need the extra carbs.. I feel too deprived without them. I love green veggies and I'm not a huge meat eater, although I've had my share of steaks lately. I'm getting burned out on chicken. There is only so many things to do with it. I am also a firm believer in losing slow and steady... Everytime I've tried to lose fast, I feel deprived and give in. This slow and steady thing has been working for me for 8 weeks now. I eat about 35-40 grams of carbs a day..and I feel great. It looks like our start weight is about the same, and believe it or not.... that 1st 10 pounds makes a difference in how you feel.

Hey everyone...have a good day and in the words of the wise and wonderful (Suze) I'm living la vita low carb... and loving it!!!

[chemlady]

I have pretty much stuck to induction the whole time I have been lc except I started bfl 2 1/2 weeks ago and therefore needed to up the carbs to 30+ on lift days. I do this by adding a small apple or berries. I don't feel deprived at all. I was never much of an eater or should I say I would go without food all day and then sit in front of the tv at night and gorge until I felt full. Now I eat breakfast but two eggs and decaf coffee is not exactly alot of food but its enough for me to feel full. I usually have half a protein bar at 11 and then salad with chicken or ham on it for lunch. I have the other 1/2 of the protein bar around 3pm and then supper is usually steak,fish, or chicken and vegetables or salad or both and lots of water through out the day. I am never hungry because I feel like all I do is eat and carb wise somedays its a stretch to make it to twenty. I will admit that with bfl my appetite has increased but not that much. I feel like I am teaching myself to eat more healthy. I don't use butter even though I know that I can. I really don't go overboard on the fat or the protein like people seem to think atkins is all about. Of course the carbs are low so % wise it may look that way. I have noticed that if I eat too little my weight loss slows down so I try to shoot for 1600-1800 calories a day. I buy atkins endulge bars for a twice a week treat after supper. This is what is working for me but remember we are all different.

[suze_c]

Chemlady... I think you have hit the proverbial nail on the head... that we have to gear the way we eat, to our individual self... Yes, there are going to be things in common with others, but then there are those things that can be different. There are so many factors that are going to influence this. Heck, if I could eat like anyone else,... why can't I eat like my son Brendan, who can consume up to 5,000 calories a day, and whose weight does not go up? Altho I have been called a liar about this, and have been told that I "must" be miscalculating his caloric intake... I assure it is accurate... oh to have a body that works like his~!! But then there is the flip side of that coin... he has CP, a seizure disorder, gastrointestinal problems... so I will just work on my own body, and do whatever tweaking I need to, in order for my eating plan to work with me~

[Jimsgems]

suze_c

Is Brandon a yout' or his he nearing adultness?

I was an Olympic athlete, a high school college and semi-pro football player. While I was in the Army, I served as a Special Forces Ranger (before it was so cool), even surviving being wounded twice. My activity and fairly normal matabilisum allowed me to eat near 5,000 cals per day myself, well into my 30's a a police officer and investigator.

I was about 235 and in fine shape. THEN... at 38, I was run over by a fleeing felon and laid up for over a year in and out of the hospital and five major operations. My ability to excersize went down to below zero and lost the ability to matibilize carbs. I gained 166 pounds in the next five years.

Last year on Dec. 3, I weighed and when I saw 401 pounds, I got scared. I went to Weight-Watchers, and didn't want to live with the weekly hostility from all the women, because I was loosing weight quickly, 18 pounds in the first week, really experienced some nasty comments and real anger. So, "life is just too short to dance with ugly women , or to bad music", so I moved on to Atkins and I've now lost 136 pounds. I regained my health, I'm starting my oun replica company and I have the energy to do that too!

Remember... "I believe all things large and small are possible, with a unfailing belief in yourself and in a purpose larger than I am, and with… God’s Help.

[suze_c]

hi there, hadn't seen any posts from you for awhile~ glad to see you are back... Brendan is 22 y.o., and has cerebral palsy with a seizure disorder... Both he, and my older son who will be 26 soon, are both blessed with the ability to eat dang near anything and seemingly everything... and not put on a lot of weight as a result of it~!! As far as Brendan goes, I really don't want him weighing much more than 130 lbs. tops... he weighs about 115 lb. now... now if it would be muscle gained, where he would have more stregth, and able to help out more... GREAT! But just to gain fat... it makes things harder. Yeah, when I was younger... my metabolism was quite different than it is now as well~! And as much as yours has changed... Jim, trust me when I say it is worse for a female!~ :) Aaaaahhh I feel another debate in the air~ heheheh

[chemlady]

I work with a guy who lost 100lbs about a year ago and the real trick is keeping it off he says. Everytime he gains ten pounds its back to what worked for him and its off. I know its probably going to be hard once I get to my goal . Lets face it the temptation is going to be great to have all those foods I have sacraficed for so long. Like fetticine alfredo and twice baked potatoes. I think I will have to see how often I will be able to eat these forbidden foods and just have them in moderation like cheesecake for example. The only time I desire this delicacy is around the holidays or maybe a special dinner out. The rest of the year I don't go buying cheesecake because I'm the only one in my house that likes it and it would be a waste or I would eat the whole pie in a week. I know some people that can just do atkins and do no exercise. I am not one of these lucky people. I have been overweight since I was 12. I played basketball in high school and was very active but I was still chubby. I am not going to say I like exercising. I don't, but I do like the way I feel after I exercise. I feel good and strong and powerful and young. and I sure like feeling like that so I keep exercising. I also know that the more I exercise the more I can eat and although I don't have this huge appetite and the thought of eating 5000calories seems overwhelming well maybe not . I think if I went out and had about four margheritas I'd be close. I do try things for experimental sake. Like two weekends ago when I went to a party and had a few ultra low carb beers from michelob and some calamari. I guess you could call that my supper. Still lost three pounds that weekend so I guess as long as its not a nightly thing I'm okay. Most weekends I am so busy I forget to eat so if theres one day when I eat which to me seems to be alot, which is rare in itself then I adjust the next day or so. I know one thing. This is the easiest way to lose weight ever for me. Not only that,but I feel good and probably i am a whole lot healthier than I ever was.
laurie

[Jimsgems]

Dear Friend;

Thank you for the nice comment. I'm actually doing well. I've been very bust trying to get a small car manifacturing business of the ground and the comment of "How time flies", well it sure can...

The car is a replica of a 1955 Porsche Spyder, it's powered by a VW engine and is a lot of fun to drive and about 1/2 the price of a real Porsche Boxter.

http://www.jimsgems.com/JimnJoes134X240Avitar.jpg

Do you know a single investor who would be interested in Phase II, Please let me know, smiling broadly to myself. :D .

[Cheryl R]

Hey Suze, just checking in with ya. I't s Friday night and I don't have to go to work until Monday morning... and with daylight savings ending this week end, I even get an extra hour...LOL... Like I will even notice.

I know... I'll dedicate that extra hour to exercise.

See ya...

[suze_c]

Well Cheryl, I am curious,... are you using that extra hour for exercise? I have been busy about the house, and with the kids... I am trying to get the back bedroom, formerly known as "the box room" cleared up, and decluttered, so we can make it into KaeLyn's bedroom and toy room... Until August or Sept. of this year, it was full of boxes... mine! :lol: I am a self-professed packrat... and I am trying to declutter... oh the things I all have... I had hoped that someday I would have a bigger kitchen, and had saved all the stuff out of my grama's cupboards... but I simply do not have the room to keep it all~ Jim, your replica looks very sporty and sounds like a fun hobby... and most of the ppl that I do know with money~ they spend it like they don't have it, so can't help ya with prospective buyers~ :p Chemlady I hear what you are saying about eating the foods we "love eating" in moderation.,.. I think moderation is the key word there... if a person is able to eat them that way... then that is good, but let's not forget about the way that carbage affects us... and for me,...the detoxing that I went through at the beginning of induction is not something I care to do everytime that I want to eat something high carbs... I have to treat it as an addiction, and I know that everytime I eat something I shouldn't, that there is a possibility that I may not be able to stop. Not all ppl have the same degree of sensitivity to carbs... I am not even sure that mine is that high... the thing is... I don't want to keep having to "recover" from eating those foods, I would rather just leave them alone... Well, I got to run some errands~ so had best get going and do them while Miss KaeLyn is napping, because I never know how long that is going to last! Ciao for now~ :wave:

[chemlady]

I have to agree with you suze about the addiction. Those beers I had two weeks ago. The next day I craved carbs something awful. Everytime I wanted to eat a chip or a cookie or a cheese curl I would take a bite of my protein bar. I felt like I ate all day long but wouldn't allow myself carbs. Its difficult because I have all these things in my house because of the kids. I did stop buying big bags of chips and such and now I buy individual bags because ashley my ten year old has that tendency to put on the weight. I figure if I can teach her portion control we can keep her weight the same and as she gets taller she will thin out a bit. You wouldn't say she was fat but shes solid and let face it thats how it starts and its so easy to put it on. I never imagine in all my life that I could weigh over 300 pounds. I am only 5'4". But after two kids and many years of yoyo diets there I was 4 months ago and I had been at or around that weight for at least a year. Everytime I came up from the cellar with the laundry I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I guess I got off the track alittle. The day after that carb craving which was monday I felt much better and was back to not craving the carbs and since I have not had any carb loading. Yesterday was more like a typical saturday for me. I had a good breakfast a snack at lunch and a small supper. I am so busy on the weekend I have to remind myself to eat. I hope to be better today.
laurie

[suze_c]

laurie, I know what you mean... I am also 5'4", and I had always told myself that I would not get over 300 lbs., then when I was pg with KaeLyn, I was up to 310# right before I had her,...2 wks. later I was at 270#, then I don't know what happened~ I guess I thought since I lost weight so fast, and was doing some breastfeeding, that I could eat whatever I wanted... after all, I had ate lavishly in those 2 wks. after I had her, and there was 40 lbs. gone!~ On January 27th tho I weighed 285#, and went on SF, lost 35 inches in a month, but my weight pretty much stayed the same... and I knew every bite I put in my mouth,every shake I drank... then tragedy--as my grama was hurt in the nursing home due to negligience, and the next 3 months were hell... the worst and most painful 3 months of her 87 yrs. of life...she died in May.... I ate... and ate... stuffing down feelings... I knew I was over 300 lbs., I have a picture of me w/ my younger sister taken the day of the funeral... I look like jabba the hut, or whoever that fat creature is off of star wars....a definite change from the picture I had taken mid-March with my family & my son's family. I got weighed Sept. 6th at the doctors...315 lbs.... I am sure at one time I was over 325 lbs... I wonder too, how did I ever get so F'ing fat??? Just walking was exertion... yet alone doing something that was exerting!! I kept telling myself I had to do something... I use to be an alcoholic... I worked hard on that part of me... now I can drink something and have one or two, I don't have to stay at it 'til I am sloshed... I am a former addict, stopped the habit I had cold turkey some time ago,... but food is different... eating is legal... no one's gonna throw you in jail for eating,... you can buy food most anywhere.. if the stores are open :lol: you can drive up to a window & get your "fix"... the foods I was eating was leading to my demise even faster than the alcohol or other habits were... no one would come up to me and confront me about my weight, they sure didn't mind with the drinking tho!The rest I hid,even tho I am sure it was suspected... without proof no one mentioned it... but food? There I was steadily gaining over the years,,,180#, then it was 220#... back down to 180#... in 1995 I was shocked to find myself weighing 235#... and it's been an up and down yo-yo with mostly up the past few years,... and it was finally after an almost-accident hygienically while out shopping with KaeLyn,(I was barely able to clean myself after going to the bathroom with the way the store bathroom was set up),that I was disgusted enough with myself to actually start a new way of eating instead of just talking about it. I realize this post may be a little much for some... if that is the case I apologize... sometimes we need to talk about how we got to where we was... and what was the deciding factor to change...This wasn't the easiest post for me to write either.

[chemlady]

Suze I appreciate your candor. I know only too well what you mean. Billys four and the excuses to lose the weight ran out years ago. After having the baby I weighed about 260, but living with his father was no picnic. He constantly harassed me to lose and then he would cook late at night and want me to eat with him. I just wanted him to love me for who I was but he never did. Image was everything to him. I would drown myself in about 5 liters of wine a week. I was very unhappy and he became more and more disrespectful. With the wine I ate my sorrows away feeling like I had a serious drinking problem and not liking myself all the more. I literally threw him out about 15 months ago, restraining order and all. I knew it had to be that way because he was controlling and possesive. Yeah he stalked for about 6 months till he found himself someone else to control. He lost visitation of his son this past summer. I guess he really wasn't that important to him. Anyway, my weight was 309 in april when I went to the doctor but since my throid medication was tested to be not strong enough, they upped my dosage and I lost seven pounds with out trying. The moment I decided to take control was in june when I gave the bunny we had to a girl who rescues them and finds them good homes. Ashley hadn't been taking care of her and she was getting thin and I was afraid she would die. I also kept forgeting her because working two jobs, two kids and new puppy etc was about all I could handle. When the lady came to my house she was older and fitter and jumped into the back of her pickup truck with such ease. I doubt I could climb a ladder and yes I broke a chair or two standing on them to clean the top cupboards in my kitchen. That was the moment for me. I wanted that agility it was inportant to me. I
realized with lc that i didn't need the wine to fall asleep at night and that it became a carb that i did not crave anymore. I feel like a better mother not having those 3-4 glasses at night. Yesterday I had a lunch date with a guy I have known for years. I wish I weighed 30 or so lbs less but I know that will come in time. We hadn't seen each other in two years. He lives in new hampshire now. It was my first date in six years. I feel like I am taking my life back one step at a time.
Which brings me to the point that we can all become what we truly want(thin or close to it) as long as you want it bad enough.
This time I am doing it for me and no one else afterall my kids love me no matter what I weigh.
Laurie

[Jimsgems]

Laurie;

You are well on your way to getting even more control in your life and it's because you've discovered a big, deep dark secret in the world. That secret is... well, you already know. "If you don't do it, whatever it is, who will?"

If your life improves, it's because you say so. This is another Aphorism I follow in my life, the first and most basic one is... "Life is just too short to dance with ugly women (or, men in your case), or to bad music." This is my new one...
http://www.jimsgems.com/AphorismIBelieve320.jpg

I hope you get it and continue the trip to your committed self. Love you all, if others don't get your magnificence, get "others" who do in your life, it’s just better and easier that way. Nothing is more frustrating in life than trying to teach a pig to sing, it is a waste of your time and talents and it really make the pig mad. Boy, did I clean that one up (I’m getting better LOL).

[bsayne]

I'm glad to see we're heading back to the lotta wt to lose topic! Thanks for sharing Laurie, Victoria, Suze, Wanda, Jim and everyone else who cared enough to comment. Hey Jim, very sexy car..I'm calling you when I hit the lotto! Hope all goes well and yea, we missed ya! :bhug:

I know losing wt is an individual struggle that is different for each of us...It's so much more enlightening though to me, when I can see how our journey(s) are the same. When you have endured the humiliation and shame of inconsiderate people even doctors who act like there is something so wrong with you... It is truely a great thing to finally be given the key to what works...at least for me. I feel so much more in the driver seat now and as far as liking what I eat...yeah I really do! This WOE is wonderful and it is so much more than bacon and eggs. If you want cheesecake...make it, there are several LC recipes on this site...don't feel deprived...just watch how you feel afterward and if your sensitive to some ingredient..note it.

I am not eating the same as when I started a year ago... and still I am determined to get below 200... but it won't be my only focus, that seemed to backfire on me last time. Little goals...little LC celebrations...little tweaks in my program...do what you can in the way of exercise...I love my water class...I look forward to getting back to BFL and that will mean more carbs but it's NEVER gonna mean a loaf of french bread and butter and potato soup for supper! And I can live with that! I deserve (as you do too) to feel this good and better! I never want to look at corduroy pants as a way to start a fire again! I still wanna have a party when my thighs stop thinking they are joined for all time and eternity and yeah, I wanna ride those roller coasters too, without fear of not fitting under the bar...without holding my breath...without shame...

for life is good, even without cotton candy!

Hugs!
Beth

[suze_c]

Chemlady... I too have been in abusive relationships... 3 marriages that ended in divorce because the men all turned into control freaks after I said "I do" I don't know why the turnabout--guess they thought that they owned me after then.My last hubby stalked me too, and it is definitely not a good feeling... I am glad for you and your family that he is not doing that anymore.I know it is easy to do things that aren't beneficial to us in times of stress... the thing is, what is past is past, and we should learn from it, not live in it. I say this for my benefit also, because I have a hard time letting go of things. What's important is that you are doing something for you and making positive changes even if it's not as fast of results as we would like ;) And btw, when you did have that wine at night, that didn't make you a "bad mother", it was the means in which you dealt with your situation.And I applaud your courage:clap: to take the steps towards your dreams. :)
Jim, I didn't get a chance to tell you yet, but I like your card~ '"If you don't do it, whatever it is, who will?"If your life improves, it's because you say so'.That is so true...Dr. Phil had couples on where one spouse was overweight and the other wasn't. He confronted them about YOU HAVE TO BE THE ONE WHO DOES SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT, no one else is responsible, whether spouse helps or not, it is up to youYou are right that we need to be among those who love us, otherwise it is a negative thing, which is not good for anyone. Beth, I know what you mean about how even though we may have gained weight for different reasons, the journey we share now is the same... to a better life, a healthier life, able to love ourself more... seeing that we CAN do it! This LC w/o/e does make it easier to follow...You are so very correct in that this is an individual thing, and we have to do it in a way that works for us... little tweaks, different foods, exercise... water intake... so many things to experiment with... we don't HAVE TO HAVE all that carbage... and we are worth the love we are showing ourself by continuing with this healthier w/o/e and w/o/l~ Thanks for sharing~it's not always easy to bare your soul... I thought "shyte...what did I do? Sharing my sordid past like that?? What was I thinking?They are all gonna hate me now." It goes to show that is who I USE to be, and even though it's "bad"...it's not me anymore, and shows how far I have come...and even if no one sees it or recognizes it, I KNOW and isn't that what's important? *hugs back*

[Jimsgems]

suze_c;

You have just got to know how hard it is for a "real" man to speak up about being the abused in an abusive relationship; I've got not only the T-shirts, but also the scars to prove it!

At 23 I was an Airborne Ranger (Green Beret, before it was cool) veteran of two tours in Vietnam. When I left the Military I became a police officer and because of hard work, I became an investigator and had a pretty good life and career. I was young, hard, stubborn, stupid and immature in many ways, I always had to have the last word and I wanted it the way I wanted it, didn't matter what it was, I was an ASS! All that testosterone can get you into trouble.

I collected women as a hobby and was raising young women into adulthood for many years until I finally figured it out... DUH! I didn't have a good example to follow and I didn't know how to be married. I had several criteria one of which was they were all beautiful.

Wife #1 died of cancer, very awful and very quick, she was 25.

Wife #2 had a certificate to prove she was sane, she broke my nose with an iron skillet, and I left that night.

Wife #3 after three years decided she wanted to live with a bunch of burned out hippies. She hated that I was a cop. Most of all I missed the dog!

Wife #4 stabbed me in the back while I was sleeping; I was lucky she missed everything important! Now I was not bad, abusive or evil in anyway nor was I unfaithful... I just attracted combative immature women with tempers, boy was I dumb and had some bad situations.

Wife... Last and final wife is a sweet, strong woman of faith and is the most powerful woman I have ever know, we've been married for 18 years to her and I feel I'm the luckiest man in the world. I have also worked very hard to make something of myself and become a better, wiser and kinder person. I'm doing better; there is more for me to do. I have the Southern Gospel Music Ministry and my new company and my wife is my greatest supporter and fan. Life is not only thinner, LOL, but better with a purpose larger than I am.

[suze_c]

Jim, I know all too well about men being the abused, as I seen my brother go through it for the past 13 years, and he finally got out of the marriage. He is 6 foot, about 225 lb. and she was 5'4", and altho she was overweight, she was still small next to him... she would wake him up beating on him, she would throw things at him, go after him with knives,hit him in the face, try to kick him in the gonads,... and when he would hold her hands so she would stop... she would go show her wrists to the police, who would then file a restraining order against my brother, and say HE was the abusive one... my brother stayed for their daughter... but it finally got to a point where he had to leave for his own sanity and safety... now I am watching my brother struggle with a shattered ego, and wondering how he ever managed to stay in the marriage as long as he did...I wish I could help him find someone who would be a good mate for him... but that is something he has to do... he is too damn picky as far as I am concerned tho :lol: I told him I thanked God that my hubby was not a picky as he was, I would still be single, and we wouldn't have a precious lil KaeLyn... My brother isn't bad looking in my opinion, that doesn't count according to my brother,since I am his sister... but he wants a "cherry"... I think he should be happy if he finds some woman who loves him just the way he is~ and is willing to share her life with him~ but hey.... it's his choice~ Anyhow... I am glad Jim, that you had the epiphany that you had some part in the abuse...in that your choices were not good ones.
Sometimes it takes awhile before we open our eyes, that we are the ones that need to "grow up" so to speak... I have been married to hubby now for a little over a year and a half, and I met him October 30th, 2000, in a chat forum called mIRC... January 3rd, he drove 750 miles to come meet Brendan and me... and simply put.,.. *we clicked*... My friends made fun of me at first, but now they admit that he is the best relationship that I have ever been in, and hubby says the same about me~ :) We aren't perfect~ but gadz perfect is sooooooo boring~ :lol: Jim... I am glad you have a great wife and partner~ who supports you so wonderfully~ here's hoping you have many many more years to share~ :thup:

[Jimsgems]

Thank you, I too am glad I grew up. Between wife 4 and my last wife, I was alone for 8 years and I had a lot of time to date about. I was very well healed at the time and I had to get over being alone, once I was content to being alone and in complete acceptance, I met Linda and as you said... we clicked and the rest is history.

She stayed with me after I was ran over by a fleeing felon and crippled and told I'd never walk again. None of which was how it turned out. I am a very strong willed and capable person and once I focus on anything I choose... I own it.

That is of course as long as no one is damaged in anyway by my doings. It's just a rule I have, and I'm real careful to always deal straight up and direct... Like; I think this is a good idea, what do you think?

This way there are no surprises and Linda is a part of the decision and if she says "it's not a good idea, I listen carefully, reevaluate ask questions and then do what WE, we decide is a good idea. Besides she's a lot smarter than I am! I know that, it doesn't threaten me, mater of face and in truth… I like it.

[Cheryl R]

Hey everyone... thanks for sharing. I don't remember who said what... It's to late for me to think right now. I've had a long day.

But for the ones sharing there past... and bad marriages... thanks for sharing... I had one of those too... mine was a verbal abuse... and let me tell you... it affects the way you live, how you feel about your self and the whole kitten-caboodle. If this is where you need to get it out... then go for it... we're here to listen. More power to any one who has the courage to get out of those situations!!! GET ON WITH YOUR BAD SELF!!!!!! Don't know where that came from.... anyway...

Someone said about getting under 200 not being their main focus... that took the words right out of my mouth... yes I want to be under 200, that's my big goal...even the name of my journal applies to it... but I am taking baby steps... month by month... I have pledged to my self to stick with this WOE and I want to have any net loss each month... I weigh in weekly in my support group... but I do not pay attention to each weigh in... only the monthly. And, I have vowed to myself, if for some reason, I don't get any net loss in any certain month.. oh well... I'll look at the net loss I have for the year LOL... any thing has to be better than the gaining I've done in this last 15 years. I really will be my happiest though when I see that 1 as the first number in my weight!!!!!!

Keep it up everyone!!!!
Love ya all!

[Jimsgems]

Yes, I have only 18% to go to my goal. Not too bad for a year, December 3rd. :D

[carbbuster]

i started in july i was totally beaten depressed i started atkins i have lost 68 lbs i feel good i was hurting from being fat people treated me fat but the worse thing of all i treated myself fat now i have a vision of weighing 162lbs i can it my sw was 273 to me losing weight and sharing my success helps me other people that are overweight like i was maybe they say in thier mind if she can do it i could that is very true it is one day at a time and setting that vision for yourself and creating an enviroment of thinness so i say think thin dress thin eat thin and be thin ;)

[suze_c]

Glad to hear your good news carbbuster altho I do have to admit that yours was not the easiest post to read! Ok...call me the grammar nazi! :lol: I am glad for your loss though, and you are right, that thinking positive about reaching your goal can sure help! We have a thread here on visualization, and getting the right mindset to achieve positive things in your life, in all areas, not just weight loss*VISUALIZE + INTERNALIZE= REALIZE!*

[carbbuster]

sorry you couldnt read my post when i read it over i had a hard time reading it butt anyway i am a loser of 68 lbs and who really cares if there is a missed smell word i am closer today to my goal and that is what is important not looking at grandma :spin:

[suze_c]

I am sorry I am such a stickler for things like periods, and commas. It is something people USUALLY do use though! I have never seen any one not use any sort of punctuation ever though... wow! If you reread my post, I DID congratulate you on your loss, and good luck with losing the rest of it!

[Jimsgems]

suze_c

The Punctuation Nazi
That is funny... The Punctuation Nazi, that's kinda like the "Soup Nazi"? :D

I have always punctuated pretty much like I speak, and while I read a lot; I've always had room for alternate punctuation and spelling. I feel the message is in the music and if I sing like it’s written, and I can, it is more important that the feeling is conveyed not just the perfection of presentation. I’m told it’s just more real somehow.

I just don’t let the rules, rule me and prevent me from expressing my point or belief. That would naturally why my doctoral thesis was kicked back for a rewrite twice, finally I had it written for me, my words, thoughts and ideas, someone else’s writing skills. Too bad, they are so anal; it limits them so much. Remember I still had to present the orals and defense my thesis.

I am educated well beyond my ability to use what I know. I guess that is not only truthful, but accurate; heading towards wisdom, well just a little bit.

One of my favorite quotations is from ARTHUR C. CLARKE… "It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value ." Boy, have I found that to me true and the other is “Just because you have an education doesn’t mean you know anything.” My Wife. LOL

Just a small point, how well we write in part or as a total has nothing to do with the accomplishments in our weight loss in this life or any other, for that matter. That is meant as a joke, so don't flame me, oh go ahead! LOL :D

[chemlady]

Congratulations cardbuster on your loss. Yes I agree with suze on the punctuation but the main thing is that you got your message across. I am not the best either with my grammar. I agree with jim with writing like you talk. Luckily in chemistry I don't write a lot of correspondence mostly a form type letter and alot of phone.
By the way suze do you live anywhere near witchita. My boss is flying in on friday for an industrial hygiene show. Most fireman and the like to be there. He offered the assignment to me but I prefer florida or california where its warm and sunny. Besides my mom could never handle a whole weekend with my monsters.
Jim I have to ask married five times!!! You are a brave man. I was married once years ago and have come close three times since(ring and all) but I just couldn't go thru with it, which was a good thing in the end. I don't think I will ever get married again. I have my children and I have my house so why bother, although it would be nice to have someone in my life, just don't marry them.
I guess I am getting off the subject here. I am still hungry. I need to shop for the things I can have and I have had to have salad for supper. I refuse to eat anything that is not allowed. I am that determined. My boss is taking me for a steak dinner when I lose 100 lbs. He is so proud of me. My sister still owes me a lobster dinner for hitting the 50lb mark. Can you tell the subject has turned to food. I have to go find something in this kitchen thats allowed.
see ya all
laurie

[Jimsgems]

Laurie;

You wrote...""Jim I have to ask married five times!!! You are a brave man. I was married once years ago and have come close three times since(ring and all) but I just couldn't go thru with it, which was a good thing in the end. I don't think I will ever get married again. I have my children and I have my house so why bother, although it would be nice to have someone in my life, just don't marry them."
There are about as many people in the world who in my never to be humble opinion should be married as there are people who should seriously live in monasteries and hold a celibate lives.

I’m not brave far from it, I assure you, unfortunately for me I am a romantic. I like having women in my life, not as maids or water carriers, but as equals and partners. It was not an easy place for me to find and I made lots of mistakes along the way. I’m just a little cute, sometimes talented, often challenging, and according to my wife… “just not too smart, about some things”. Of course, she is right.

Congratulations on your outlook and progrss, you are also a winner.

[Cheryl R]

wuz wrong wit da grammer man... i dunt c nuttin wrong?

Anyway... yes congratulations on the weigh loss... but I have to admit I had to re-read your post a few times too...

do you have a journal you can share with us? I for one would like to here of your loss, like how long have you been low carbing and do you have certain foods you eat more than others???

Hey... this is a nice mixed group... some of us in the beginning stages, some 1/2 way or more there and some almost there. I'm inspired by you all... Jim... some day I am going to make it down to hear you sing... my hubby and I are going to go visit his uncle in San Diego in a few months... we'll be passing right through Oarnge county. You are actually about 6 hours from me... will 5 the way Darrell drives down 5.

[suze_c]

Yes, I admit I can be anal-retentive at times... :lol: At least I can admit it though... My alternate major is literature with an emphasis in creative writing. My college English professor was a worse punctuation nazi than I was, and it made for some interesting debates heheheh. I have always prided myself in spelling, was school champ in 1975, and runner up in years 1972-1974. I got 2nd in state in Spelling in 1974, in those scholastic achievement tests they make you take, and honorable mentions in 1974 and 1975. They do get pretty picky on those thesis though ? I am in the process of writing the one for my Master's Degree: a 30 page paper, and the Doctoral Thesis is suppose to be 50 or more pages! :eek: I guess I just find periods and commas make for easier reading,as well as understanding in some cases.For example: the sentence, "Shoot, the rest of them, as well as the former,could care less about the outcome." Without punctuation turns into : "Shoot the rest of them as well as the former could care less about the outcome." It makes a difference in the entire meaning.Ok, ok, I will get off of my soapbox now. :daze:

Laurie, I am 200 miles from Wichita, out in the flatlands. I am proud of you as well, staying on your plan :thup: You will find it gets easier, well, it has for me anyhow. I am in my 4th and LAST marriage.I guess I should say this marriage won't end in divorce, like the previous 3 did. Just because I had made 3 mistakes, didn't turn me off to marriage. My hubby is wonderful! He's even becoming more carb aware! He is watching to see how I do..., maybe I ought to give him some incentive ;) I won't give any "gory details" :lol: Laurie, next time you have an opportunity to go to Wichita, let me know, perhaps we could arrange to meet! I have met 4 people in person that I originally met online! And I married one of them! :)

[Jimsgems]

True, I am edumacated well beyond my capacity to understand why!

We are starting to really book up, I’m singing every weekend night through the end of the year. Our group signed a booking agent and that has removed the responsibility from the group members, that’s a good thing.

Matter of fact we are singing two concerts the weekend in San Diego. We will go to Bakersfield one night next week and sing in Orange County the next. It is a fun ministry, “The message is in the music.” We don’t make lottsa bucks on this though, just CD sales and Free Will/Love Offering, it doesn’t add up to much, but we do this for the love of it and it’s a wonderful way to share… The Good News.

Send me an e:mail sometime and I’ll send you a schedule… when I get it, I haven’t updated our web site yet, “bad boy, bad boy.”

[Cheryl R]

Well heck!!!! If you sell CD's how can we get one....

[marilynuuu]

:wave:

Hi, Top wt 6 yrs ago 395. I gained the last 100 in the yr after losing my adult daughter. The last 4 yrs I have floated 330 to 350 like a true yo yo.
This plan is working and I am not starving. I eat well. I feel well. I go swim or at least walk in the water 2 to 3 times a wk.
:q: :q: I am having muscle cramps in my feet and lower legs. I think from low potassium. I would like advice of how to treat this thru our food plan.

[suze_c]

Some advice from Atkins website:
"Atkins has a strong diuretic effect during the first week of Induction. When you lose a large amount of water as you do at the start of any weight-loss program, you also lose electrolytes, which contain the minerals potassium, magnesium and calcium, resulting in leg cramps. To replace these vitanutrients, salt your food to taste and take a mineral supplement that includes calcium, magnesium and potassium"
Vegetables, fish, meat, nuts and seeds are all good food sources of potassium.A healthy individual,not on any medications that affect potassium balance, has an estimated minimum requirement of 2,000 milligrams (mg) per day.

A few food items potassium levels:
Broccoli: 1/2 cup cooked 230 mg
Baked flounder: 4 oz. 390 mg.
Chicken breast (170 gms): 440 mg
Note, it is possible to get pitassium overload from supplements, as sometimes the kidneys cannot flush all the potassium out, but its not like that w/ food, according to my sources.

[maggimae]

hi all, i guess i will step up to the plate,( no pun intended) and say i have at least 100 to lose also. was 265 and now 254.5 in 9 days time and finding it a little hard to do but i think i can do this. my only problem is i work the night shift at the hospital and starve at about 3am.
well enough about that good to join the club and will talk to you later. good luck to all and god bless.

[MarieB]

I don't have a hundred pounds to lose, but I was 250 at my heaviest, and I would like to get down to 150-180, depending on how I look and feel when I get down to a lower weight.
As for goal setting, I have found it very beneficial to me to set small goals along the way.
My first BIG goal was to fit into my jeans that I have been saving for 6 six years saying "one day".... well, I fit into them now, and I have lost another inch since then.
If I was you, I would set my goal to be something reasonable: personally, I still want to have a voluptuous body when I am done with all this. I enjoy being curvy and I think stick thin is just gross....so try to set small goals, and work your way down. When you reach your first goal you can re-evaluate how you look and feel and set another reasonable goal from there.
23 pounds, GOOD FOR YOU! You deserve a pat on the back. You can go all the way! Just stick with the program and use this forum for support! HUGS

[Cheryl R]

Wow, more new people..great!!! Lets keep this thread going.

For the one asking about potassium.. it too will pass... just get some green veggies in. Everyone who is not low carbing will tell you to eat banana's. I just eat lots of brocolli... I mix it with scrambled eggs and cheese in the morning... and I also take a supplement, but don't over do the supplements. I take 550 mg a day, but I am also taking high blood pressure meds, which also cause low potassium.

I'm afraid I'm stalling already... I've been doing this for 9 weeks now. I had had a gain of 2 pounds at my last weekly weigh in... and I don't know how much TOM had to do with that, but I'll see what happend this Tuesday at weigh in before I try to make any changes... then I will wait until after my gall bladder surgery on Thursday to make any real changes.

I think I will be happy if I can just roll into the new year weighing under 270. Is that asking too much?

[bsayne]

Marilynuu...Speaking of Postassium and there is alot of that around the forum! Thanks to Suze for that good info too and here's a little more pottasium for thought....

Potassium Info (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?<br />s=&postid=214973#post214973)

This is some additional guidance that I found to be highly informative. You can find these and many other useful threads in the Newbie's Questions under the "hot links" title...a very useful library of links all in one place!

maggimae, MarieB...Welcome, you are in the right place! And its OK to eat at 3am...really it is!

Cheryl...yes, wait till after surgery but keep checking in! Tom can be a temp thing or it it hangs on...look for high salt/processed foods to cut back on...but for now just get better after surgery!

Keep up the great work everyone!

Beth

[Madi]

This lo-carbing thing has been difficult for me. It's not so much the eating, it's the up and down of the scales. I've been stuck in the 370's <i>forever</i> and it's driving me bats. :confused:

THEN, my oldest friend told me she was pregnant. I have PCOS and am having trouble becoming pg, and mostly scared to try at my weight. She did without even MEANING to. I've fallen into a depression. The kind of depression where you don't want to go to work and you just eat what you want cause you don't care?

:cry:

So, anyway, I am trying to pull myself out of my depression pit. Weighing myself every day keeps me on track, but it's also hard because I keep fluxuating so much.

Any words of advice?

Madi

[MarieB]

YES- a word of advice: DON'T WEIGH YOURSELF EVERY DAY! Your weight will fluctuate on a daily, and even hourly basis. Don't stress yourself out more by weighing yourself every day. Does anyone have the link to the mediataion and visualization/affirmation thread? If so, please leave it here for her.
Also, have you been exercising? I know when you are depressed you barely want to get out of bed, but if your force yourself to do something active, even just going for a 15 minute walk, you will feel better, and it will also help with the weight loss.
When I don't exercise, I immediately sink into a depression, so once you get back on your feet, do your best to keep it up.
the endorphines really do help depression.
Also remeber, this too shall pass. If you are meant to have a child, it will happen when you are ready for it to happen. And if it does not happen, there are plenty of unwanted children in this world. Everything happens for a reason, the most interesting part about life is that is doesn't always go the way you want it to. But, if you hang in there, it always brings you somewhere important. The secret of life is to live every moment.
I hope things start feeling better for you. It is good that you came here becasue there are so many supportive people who will listen to what you're feeling.
HUGS and tomorrow will be a new day

[Jimsgems]

Madi

[Jimsgems]

Madi;

I'll second the weighing thing, get off the scale! I was unable to weigh on a standard scale because at 401, none of the scales I had or had access to were not able to weigh me. So...

On my 85th day of the new life experience… I stepped on the scale in my doctors office that had a 350 pound range, I literally had tears of great joy running down my face when I discovered I weighed... 316 pounds.

I had lost on average one (1) pound a day for the first 85 days! Today, I weigh 263 pounds, for a loss of 138 POUNDS, in eleven (11) months. Trust me my health has never been better and as a former insulin dependent diabetic, I take no medications any longer, all my numbers are totally normal. I walk a mile or so a day and I’m feeling great.

Dear One, just do the plan and stay with it, it is harder for women to loose than men, sorry but true. Now get over it and get off the scale for a while, you will be amazed at the difference it makes.

Depression is a very real factor in everyone’s life and if you think or know you are clinically depressed… get yourself to a doctor, it is more effectively treated today, you don’t have to live in depression, I know all about that. Also jumping on the scale every day is a leading cause of depression and dieting failures. In the words of Nike Shoes advertising slogan: “Just Do It”.

[chemlady]

Jim,
I think those are good words of wisdom. I got on the scale today and I gained a pound and I was really bummed out about it. I am vowing not to get on the scale until thanksgiving. thats if I can hold out that long. I talked to my friend in new hampshire last night and he said the scale means nothing. Its how you feel and how your toning your body. He's coming to rhode island on friday and we are going walking on saturday. Its our second date sort of. I guess I'll have to just wait and see what happens. As for the scale, I think taking measurements and tracking that progress is far better. Eventually the scale will move. We can't all be as lucky as jim. Eleven months and how many pounds? show off! As for me, I knew that day would come when I would be slowed to a crawl, I will just have to revamp my workouts and wait and see.
Laurie

[Shark01]

Originally posted by Madi
This lo-carbing thing has been difficult for me. It's not so much the eating, it's the up and down of the scales.
Madi

Here's an example of how the scale can fluxuate. For the last 3 days, I've been on a low fat/low calorie diet as an experiment. I have eaten less than 40 g of fat and 1800 calories and have been exercising like a wild man. The result?..........after 3 days I am 1.75 lbs HIGHER.

I am retaining a great deal of water, just something to think about.

Also, I switched over to a Doctor's scale because of how inconsistant standard scales are. The Doctor's scale is very stable. I recommend you get one.

[Jimsgems]

We can't all be as lucky as jim. Eleven months and how many pounds? show off!

DearOne;

Luck had nothing to do with it. I "tried" Atkins in the '70's and I wasn't totally convinced, I only had to loose 20 pounds in those days… Damn the weight charts. But I didn’t get it.

Getting run over when I was a officer change my life and the lives of those who loved me in an instant. Three major surgeries and about six “minor surgeries” over a three year period and all the drugs and my lack of discipline I went from 240 to 401. At the moment I saw 401 on the scales, “I GOT IT!”

I was told 16 years ago I’ll never walk again, I was walking within six months, but being in severe pain, I did not do any activity until recently… except work as a facilities manager. I now walk a mile or two per day and now I’m off insulin, matter of fact I’m off all medications. All my numbers are well within normal range. I got my life back and under control… Luck, no not really. I know you were being funny, but my definition of Luck… “is where tenacity and interior strength and preparation meets, opportunity.” OK, Maybe it is Luck, love and dedication to a totally new WOL. :D

[willeke]

Hi all,
I'd like to join you in your way of life. I started out wanting to lose 100 pounds, lost 15 pounds, so only 85 to go <g>.
I was 300 when I started and am now 285. I don't know what info to give here, since I've written it all down at the intro page.
Anyway, thanks for having me,
cheers
Willeke
Ireland

[Jimsgems]

Welcome Willeke;

I am glad you found us, it's a wonderful group of folks. Welcome, or is that Fàiltich, I can't remember. Anyway glad to have you here. :D

[IcicleWork]

Hi Willeke... I live in Scotland, so it's nice to see another member of the forum from our side of 'the pond'!

[willeke]

Thanks for the welcome, Jim and Icicle!
The word is Failte (welcome), but I should have said I am Dutch, and have lived in Ireland for almost four years now, with my American husband and four dogs.
I really hope Atkins will work for me again, I am sick and tired of being this weight.
How does it work in Scotland, can you get all the food you need, Icicle, and is beef etcetera very expensive there?
I have the biggest problems with eating when we are in the States, because everything there is low fat, but all sugars!
In a few weeks time we go to the Netherlands for ten days, and I am already trying to work out what to do with my food, we're staying with my sister, so that's easier than a hotel, but it will still be difficult now and then.
cheers
Willeke

[Luxsit]

Hi folks
Remember if beef is expensive where you live you still have other protein sources, pork, chicken, turkey, and fish.

Regards,
Lux :wave:

[willeke]

Hi Luxsit,
could you tell me what you mean with modified Atkins?

and Jims, I saw that you do Atkins for diabetics - where can I find info about that? My husband needs to lose a lot of weight also, but he has diabete. When he was first diagnosed he did Bernstein, and the results were fantastic, but it was too restrictive and he didn't continue.
I hope to find something that we can both do, so that we both get healthy and lose weight!
thanks in advance
Willeke

[chemlady]

shark,
That must be frustating. I did lowfat about 8 years ago. It took me a year and a half to lose 100 pounds. I worked out constantly, walking 25+miles a week, swimming and step aerobics and some nautilus. I too have been thinking of experimenting. Having been in induction for over four months I think I need a break but I am not willing to comprimise losing the weight. I found a site called abcbodybuilding.com and did alot of reading last night. The diet or so its called allows you to have complex carbs for breakfast and a simple carb after a workout. Other than that your meals are greens and protein. Of course theirs protein at every meal and they recommend six meals a day. I already do the six sometimes five meals a day. I usually up the carbs slightly on a lift day and yet I struggle to get those last sets of reps done. I am currently doing bfl and man its working. I'm not saying that its rapidly changing my body but I can see results and yesterday at work some women in the bathroom told me I looked sexy. Of course I would rather that compliment come from a man, but I never say no to a compliment. I was thinking of trying the complex one for part of my breakfast or use some granola the all natural kind at midmorn but I pass at the simple carb after a workout only because my workouts only last about 30 minutes or so and I am not doing the lifting described in this regime. Besides the fact that when I did lowfat I ate mostly healthy choice which is flavored cardboard. Good luck.
Laurie

[Jimsgems]

Willeke;

I saw that you do Atkins for diabetics - where can I find info about that? My husband needs to lose a lot of weight also, but he has diabete. When he was first diagnosed he did Bernstein, and the results were fantastic, but it was too restrictive and he didn't continue.
I hope to find something that we can both do, so that we both get healthy and lose weight!
thanks in advance

I'm using a blend between Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Atkins plans. It just must be be but, I don't find TWOE restrictive and I want to be healthy and fit at any cost. Without meaning to sound rude, "restrictive" is another word for "I don't want to do this". I want it my way, not the right way.

I have an aphorisum I like a lot... "You either have in life, what you want, or... you have all the reasons why." Be well, take care.

[willeke]

Hi Jims,
thanks a lot for your reply. I know what you mean about restrictive, but he is the one who must do it, all I do is presenting the possibilities and support him in his choice. I hope that one day he will conquer the brainwashed conviction that fat is bad for you.
I didn't do Atkins for three years because he worried about it so much, but I have decided that I have to live in this body and this body only works well with very low carbs, so I have started LCing again.
It is difficult to see my husband suffer, but as I said, he is the one to make his choice, and I keep hoping and praying that it he will be in time with the right choice.
Willeke

[Jimsgems]

Willeke, you are a Dear One.

I do know what you mean and I was clearly in denial until I saw the scale hit 401 and a warning bomb went off in my soul. At that very instant in time, the earth moved under where I was and “I GOT IT” then I sat out to do something about it.

My diabetes was out of control, my blood pressure was out the roof, my cholesterol HDL/LDL was 400+, triglycerides I don’t even want to talk about, and I was on 360 mgs of morphine sulfate a day for pain. Did I also mention I weighed 401 pounds?

Within two months I had reversed my total medical condition! I had lost 85 pounds in the first 85 days, my blood pressure is 110/68, pulse 62. My cholesterol HDL/LDL is 80 not 400+, triglycerides are normal and I was off all medications, including morphine (except for Vioxx to deal with chronic pain, arthritis is severe), I haven’t had to use anything for diabetes and my blood glucose levels are 100. So…

I have now lost 141 pounds in eleven months and I feel great. I have my life back and I have energy to burn. I know it can be done, but if your love doesn’t get it, he’ll die… “fat, dumb and happy.” Oh, I’ll die too someday but, I’ll just be just dumb and happy. There is a lot of living he's willing to miss out on, you deserve better.

[willeke]

thanks again Jims, I just have to say that you aren't right when you say I deserve better, for he is my 3rd husband and the very best for me!
It's mainly for emotional reasons that he can't cope with those restrictions and I am now trying to show him by example how much good LCing does.
And I keep hoping!
Willeke

[Cheryl R]

Yes Wilke... you set the example... he sees the loss you have and he'll jump right on... I'm speaking from experience... My honey jumped on when I hit the 1st 10 pounds... and he saw my sugar stabalize.... He's diabetic... I'm reactive hypoglcemic... If I ate carbs at night, I was waking up with low sugars in the am, like in the 50's and 60's. Now on low carb I'm always in the high 80's... morning noon and night.

I've found about 101 ways to cook chicken too, so it doesn't always seem like we're eating the same thing. He eats what I cook.

I should have a good loss this week... I had my gall bladder removed on Thursday... I don't feel like eating, and when I do, I'm eating like a bird... it doesn't want to go down... I think they really made my throat raw when they put the oxygen tube down my throat. I can hardly drink water either, but I keep sipping away. I drank more today than yesterday...

[Jimsgems]

willeke;

I'm glad, I'm wrong. You go Girl. :D

As a Special Forces Ranger during Vietnam (before it was cool to be one) and as a police officer and later as an investigator, I always lead by example. It is a position of strength and sometimes it even inspires others. Good for you, we need more of that leadership in the world community today. Jim

[willeke]

Hi Cheryl,
thanks for the encouragement! And poor you, feeling so awful after the operation! I hope your throat will soon feel better and you will be able to drink a little bit more!

cheers
Willeke

[Jimsgems]

Cheryl,

Me too, get your strength back soon. Did they do you with the Laproscope or...?

Sorry, but you will feel better soon. Be Well. J

[Luxsit]

Hi Willeke,

What is mean by modified Atkins, is that my plan is basically LC. I started out with some information from Atkins on Video. But I choose to deviate from atkins in a couple areas. 1) I drink one cup of coffee a day. 2) I have about 1 Diet Soda per day 3) Some Friday's I have a couple beers. 4) I use some thermogenic supplements. Since I do Full Body Curcuit training I try to intake 200 grams of protein per day, I try to keep Carbs at 30 grams or less, the balance to get to 2500-2700 calories per day is fat grams. So I guess it's my own plan starting with the basic goal from Atkins to keep carb intake down. I guess I could call it MyLCPlan, that way no one would be confused or tell me that's not really Atkins.

Regards,
Lux :wave:

[willeke]

I see what you mean Lux, but don't we all adjust the diet till it fits our needs <g>?
I think you lost a lot of weight already, wow, wish I were there!!

I am really interested to see what will happen with my weight; I have been off sugar for 2 years already, off coffee for more than a year and use very little sweetener - and never aspartame - so I can't expect miraculous changes because of those measures!
Ah well, we'll see!
Coold you explain what the steaks mean in your info? I've noticed that eggs is when you first start, is it one egg per 10 messages? and one drumstick per 50 or 100? Something like that, but I'd like to really know!
thanks for all the info here, I'm glad I found this website! I didnt have support like this when I first did Atkins in the seventies!!
Willeke

[chemlady]

Hi all,
Willeke you show your husband what atkins can do and believe me if he gets it he will be doing it to. I preach it to every one I can. Last friday at work some guy came into the laboratory and asked me if I was sick because I was losing weight so rapidly. If Im sick than I hope I am contagious and can give this to everyone. Of course abdul the tent maker will go out of business along with lane bryant, big and tall etc....I feel fabulous. last night I went out with my girlfriends and danced the night away. I have taken my life back and I am glowing at least thats what people tell me.
Jim I am still jealous. I hope I can lose the 147 by my birthday in july. It will be 13months of lcing. I plan on wearing something tight and sexy. I don't want to look 25,but instead I want people to say, "Boy that 44 year old woman has I nice body, she must really take good care of herself."
Cheryl take care and keep drinking your water. I can never get enough. I believe it to be the real fountain of youth. Oh yeah make sure you eat it keeps your metabolism revved.
Laurie

[Jimsgems]

You wrote... "Jim I am still jealous. I hope I can lose the 147 by my birthday in july. It will be 13months of lcing. I plan on wearing something tight and sexy. I don't want to look 25,but instead I want people to say, "Boy that 44 year old woman has I nice body, she must really take good care of herself."

You already are taking good care of your self right now. I would like to see a photo of you when you get to where you want to go as well. My wife is a beautiful zoftig woman and is very fit and she looks nothing like her 63 years, she robbed the... , you know never mind, I'm only 55.

I am slowly getting to where I'm going anywhere between 220 and 230 will be just fine. I'll look sexy too for an old guy.

Hey look at Sean Connery, only he has more hair than I have, but then again God only made so many beautiful heads, the rest he covered with hair.

Please take care and be well.

[Lolabug]

Okay, speaking of bald men....

My friends and I have a phrase for them.....

Solar Powered Sex Machines!!!!!! :D

Alena.

[Jimsgems]

Now, Thats Funny. LOL

[BSunnyC]

:wave: Hi People!!!
I just started the low carb, mostly following the Atkins Induction. One thing is for sure... I am not as hungry as I have been. It's nice to start a new WOL and already see the pounds drop.
Knowing this won't be easy, it's already nice ... not to be hungry just after I eat a meal.
Help... :tears: I am not a breakfast eater, I can't stomach any kind of egg first thing in the morning. I don't want to get bored with breakfast Any suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.
Always,
BSunny

[willeke]

I always have the same for breakfast. Some people would find that boring, but I like it, it's easy and keeps me till lunch and I don't need to think and plan a lot beforehand. I used to eat porridge - cooked oats with protein powder. I have now taken out the oats and just cook the protein powder (soy isolates) in the microwave with water, some olive oil, a little bit of sweetener and some cinnamon.
The soy works fine for me, no more hot flushes, but if you don't need that you can take other protein powders of course and make a shake or something!

Hope this helps,
Willeke
(also just (re)started)

[willeke]

Hi Chemlady,
thanks for your encouragement! I haven't weighed myself yet, want to do that once a week, and I started last Wednesday. But I feel a lot more energetic already, that is truly amazing and I hope it stays like that - makes exercise so much easier <g>! My exercise is walking my dogs in our field, but at the moment we have a lot of rain so it's not always for very long, I must admit!

cheers
Willeke

[Lolabug]

Hi BSunny,

You can eat anything youwant for breakfast. Steak, chicken, fish, etc.
there are a few threads on the site that deal with breakfast.
click on the Search icon at the top of your screen. Enter breakfast and search titles only. You should find some good ideas.

I myself have a protein shake every morning. Weekends are reserved for omelettes.

also, check out the recipe forum. Maybe a quiche would be okay, still has eggs but in a non-eggy way.

Alena.

[Shark01]

For breakfast, I usually have:

Bacon
Sausage
Nuts
Pork Rinds
Cheese

Things that I can cook ahead of time and freeze, or just eat out of the package

[Cheryl R]

Hi everyone... I'm doing good for day 5 after surgery. It was done by laproscope.... Yeah.... (somebody asked)

Hey... some of you guys and gals are losing fast.. I'm so jealous... sort of. I did this WOE for a few months last year and lost 10 pounds in 7 weeks. It works differently for all of us.

My nephew is doing straight meat, cheese and a little vegtables... he drops about 50 pounds in a few months when he does it... then it takes him about a year to gain 25 back... so he does the roller coaster thing.

My niece... age 33 has been on CAD and lost 25 pounds in 2 months.... she only had about 40 to lose... she started with me on Aug 30th... and won't weigh herself now because she's in the last 10 pounds... She was supposed to weigh on her birthday which was last week.. but decided to wait until the day before Thanksgiving.

Me.. I'm a turtle... but that's ok. I think I stall myself with things like whipped cream on sugar free jello... but I gave up Christal light to get rid of some of the daily aspertaime. My scale at home shows about a 5 pound loss since my surgery.. but I will reserve my weight account for tomorrow at my official weigh in at my TOPS group.

I for one am an eat anything... any time of day... I got bored with eggs for awhile so I quit eating them... now they are sounding good again.... so I'll start eating them again.

OK... hubby is home from work.... I'm going to go visit him now.

Keep it up everyone... we'll get there.

[Luxsit]

Cheryl - I am glad you are feeling better. Don't get discouraged at a slower weight loss rate. Patience and discipline are the hardest two things to put into practice on any weight loss effort. Remember that 1-2 pounds per week is considered a safe rate of loss.

I had day surgery last Tuesday. Went in for attempt #2 at removing a Kidney stone. I was glad that the stone had moved down far enough to get to it this time and the Surgeon blasted it into a million piece using a laser. They gave me an epidural so I got to watch the whole thing. I know, it's not everyones cup of tea, and yes I am a bit weird, I like watching those Trama and Surgery programs on TV.

I am very proud of myself in that one of my biggest fears is that illness or something similar would get me off track with this LC WOL. It has not been easy, I probably could have done better by now if I had not had to go through this Kidney stone ordeal, but I am happy that in July I was pushing into 64 inch pants, and now I can wear 60 inch Savane pants. Sorry for the product endorsement but Savane deep dye casual twill pants are the best men casual slacks out there for wear resistance, fade resistance, and wrinkle resistance. My problem was I have not been able to wear them for about 3 years now :)

For Breakfast I usually have
Four Eggs - overeasy
Bacon or Saugage
Glass of Milk

Sometime I get an omelette or just make up some Whey Protein drink for a bit of variety.

Willke - you'll find that your energy level will increase and eventually level off so that you don't get big swings during the day. It's great you are getting in exercise. If possible try to increase your distance a little bit each week until you get up to 30-40 minute walks. Next, thing is to then pick up the pace to get your heartrate up. Once you have an idea of the distance you travel in 30 minutes, try to trim 30-60 seconds off your time each week. Once you get down to 20 minutes, add more distance to get back to 30 minutes.

I would also highly recommend resistance training, it will help you build muscle, joint, and bone strength. If you can't afford a gym, you might look for weights at yard sales (I don't know if people sell the stuff they don't use out in their driveway like they do in the US ?). Another alternative I use on the road is Thera Band. Basically they are strips of thick rubber bands that vary in the amount of force required to stretch them. They are fairly resonably prices, don't take up much room, and you can do a fairly wide range of exercises with them. Also rubber exercise balls (aka, fitness balls, Swiss balls) can give you another whole set of exercise options at a fairly reasonable price. The key is you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars or join a gym to get into a resistance training routine.

[Cheryl R]

Day 74 on low carb and all is well!!!!!!

If I can keep losing 15 pounds every 10 weeks.... I will be under 200 by the end of next summer... and just think... I haven't even started to exercise yet.

I will get started right after Thanksgiving on the exercise... I see my surgeon the day before thanksgiving... and I'm sure he will give me the go ahead... That will be 3 weeks post op.

Whoopie... I'm on my way.

[Jimsgems]

Glad to hear you are doing so well. If you didn't continue to do LC-ing, six months from now... well you know. I'm very proud of you and your resolve. I thank God every day that this isn't as hard to do as Rocket Science. Be Well...

[Laurie5156]

I have less then 100 pounds to goal, but I did start out needing to lose over 120 lbs...<BR>
I am having a real tough time visualizing that much weight to lose, it seems like it is so far away..<BR>
I have been reading the posts and see how some are visualizing the next "milestone" as a goal, but for some reason, it hasn't worked when I try to do that for myself..<BR>
Does anyone have any suggestions on retraining my mind to look not at the long range "Dr. perscribed" weight, but maybe to reach the 200 pound mark, or maybe the 225 one..<BR>
Getting fustrated and I know that is wrong to do...<BR>
Going back to eating carbs and sugar is not going to happen, especially since I am now off of my diabetic medication.<BR>
My partner is now only a few pounds from goal, which I think is making it so much harder for me.<BR>
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Cheryl R]

I wish I had a suggestion for you... but I don't ... I'm not sure how I changed my mind set. One day... several months ago, I changed my goal in the stats to 199... which was still 87 pounds which is a lot... It's just the one weight I know I will be thrilled to hit, since I haven't seen the 190's since I went through divorce in 1986... and I had been throwing up a lot back then... I really got emotionally worked up over finding out my ex was cheating on me. By like 1988 I went back into the 200's and have gained 80 + pounds since then... even though I've always been concious of what I eat. I was just not eating the right things... I would load up on pasta and potatoes and fruit and leave the meat alone... because that's what I was taught was the right thing to do. Well it wasn't for me.

Anyway... what I have done is quit looking at the big picture. I have a weight loss group I go to and we have weekly weigh ins. In August when I started this, I just said... ok.. there are 4 weigh in's in September... I want to have a 5 pound loss in that time...knowing in the past I would always strive for 10 pounds in a month. I lost 8.75 that month.
Then in October, I said the same thing... I want to lose 5 pounds in October... well, I started experementing with sugar free jello's and puddings and whipped cream... ( and a low carb recipie for cheese cake) I definately over did the use of those items) My loss for October was 2.5 pounds... I didn't give up... thought... because 11.25 pounds in 2 months was more than I've done any other way I've tried to lose weight. So now, I still look ahead and have a long term goal... to get to 199 by December 31st of 2003. I haven't decided what my final goal will be... I am going to make that decision by Dec 31 of this year... or at my last weigh in of the year Dec 17th... due to holidays falling on Tuesdays in Dec.

I'm doing well for the month of November so far...with the aid of getting my gall bladder removed on the 7th... but I am also sticking to the low carb during recovery.... I lost a lot at last nights weigh in... but I'm only counting my weigh ins for the month... so from there??????

I don't know if this helps you at all, but try and take a one month goal... don't make it too big... and go for that. And, you don't have to wait a year or longer to see if you made the goal either. I get to see each month how I did with my goal. And, I've already proved to myself, if I don't make a goal, I am capable of getting right on track and setting a new goal and working towards it.

I hope I helped.

[bsayne]

First of all if you feel comfortable...your in the right place!

Secondly, great question! I struggle with the visual also. I am still a weighs...he he... from my chosen number...but to me it is just that, a number, I don't seem to be able to own it yet. I'm not sure it will be in my comfort zone. I am working on those positive affirmations that will hopefully reset my mental image and I give myself non-food rewards for every 5 pounds of movement in the right direction. Sometimes even for 2 or 3 if I've been waiting a while!

Some people like to see it in graph form, coloring blocks for pounds. Some like to post photos and use older (lighter) or super-imposed pictures as a visual. I sometimes visualize the wt that's gone as a wagon full of butter...Thanks Oprah! Do give yourself a chance to get use to those gradual changes and recognize yourself for your acheivements. Such as; the seat belt is easier to buckle, my clothes are looser, my breathing is easier, my stamina is increasing and while your at it get use to accepting compliments. Your doing a great thing for yourself and no matter what it takes, you're gonna get there!

Keep up the great work and pat yourselves on the back for all you've accomplished so far!

:wave:

Beth

[Laurie5156]

Thank you both Cheryl and Beth for your kind words and thoughts on the subject.
I took yesterday to start reflecting and looking deeper into myself and started to try and think of the smaller goals. I know it is going to take a while, nothing happens over night, but I must say today I feel much better then I did when I wrote the initial post :yay: .<BR>
Thanks again!!!! :) :) :) :)

[Luxsit]

It's real important to break down a large weight loss into smaller pieces. Otherwise you will quickly get overwelmed. For me if I focused on the 200+ pounds I need to loose all the time, I'd probably just give up. Right now my short term goals are cloth size changes. I am wearing a pants size right now that I haven't been able to wear in three years. I can't wait to feel these fit loosely and get to the next smaller size.

Breaking through 400 pound is the next big goal. I never want to see that weight ever again. Next is probably breaking 350, so I can use a normal balance beam scale at the gym. I have some longer term goals as well. Like being able to ride in an Airplane without a seat belt extender, or being able to put the food tray down, being able to go on the all the rides at the Six Flags park, and never having to shop at a big and tall store, being able to sit at a booth in a restuarant instead of a table, etc...


Regards,
Lux :wave:

[chemlady]

Hi all.
I agree that breaking down what you have to lose makes it more possible. When I looked at myself in june and said " laurie you got to lose about 150 pounds" I thought no way its too hard and it will take too long and I love to eat. I then approached it this way I want to weigh under 250, did that. I want to wear a size I can buy in any womans department, did that. Its nice to see parts of my body I haven't seen in a while and to be able to tie my shoes from a standing position. My next is to wear a pair of suede pants size 11/12 before the winter is over. I have an excel spreadsheet at work and I originally set goals for each week up until christmas and then biweekly. I then revamped the goals to so many pounds a month in the beginning of october. I also have a chart that reflects my deadline of july 24th 2002 and if I lose one pound a week to two pounds a week what my progress will be. right now I have met my goal of 75 by christmas and If i continue to lose at the rate of 2 pounds a week i will make goal. I would be happy with the loss of one pound a week because I would be around 180 pounds. So look at it in terms you can meet. I just realized the other day that I have less than 100 pounds to goal in fact its more like 72 and thats doable.
Laurie

[Cheryl R]

I love this thread

LUX... you just remindedme of all the reason's I want lose the weigh... with the top of my list just being able to move and get around....

I never though of this before... but chem lady said something about what she has left to lose...
I used to have 137 to lose... now I have 119.... It will be so cool when I say I have less than 100 pounds to lose. I too, have charts and excel spread sheets and focusing on my goals.

If anyone went to my journal... you see that some of my low carb buddies are discouraging me from setting time lines... but heck, I've broke them before and just made new ones.

Also... it's a tool that works for me and not for others... I'm competative... with myself... not with others.... I have nothing to gain by competing with someone else... how much they lose doesn't affect how my body feels... other than getting happy for them when they lose.... but this one friend in my weight loss support group is very competitive with other members... It turns some people off... but it doesn't bother me... even though I don't need the competivness..... it's a tool that works for her.

That's one thing about these forums I've noticed... I don't seem to see anyone competing with each other... I like that....

You know what else... for the 1st time in years... I look forward to stepping on the scale each Tuesday night.

One more thing that makes me feel better is being able to say... hey... I used to weigh in the 280's... now I'm in the 260's.

seven pounds of my loss doesn't count for my weight loss support group because I gained it after I joined... I think that's silly, but Weight watchers does it too.

bye guys... it was great reading your posts.

[jjdives]

This triple digits forum is great.

I started out with a 100 lb. loss goal.(265 to 165) I have lost 20 so far, but have bounced up through cheating to 249.5 lbs so have 84 or so to lose now.

I like this forum because I get frustrated with people who had to lose only 20 or 30 lbs and don't know what its like to be severely overweight. They do have their insights to share and I have gained alot from posts by them, but I feel more in common and more supported by people who are in the long process of losing more than 100 lbs.

Maybe the difference for me is that even if we do not cheat at all it is still going to take a looong time and lots of effort to lose 100 lbs or more.

JJ

[DWRolfe]

Originally posted by jjdives
I like this forum because I get frustrated with people who had to lose only 20 or 30 lbs and don't know what its like to be severely overweight.

You're right, jj. A person who has never weighed as much as you or I doesn't know what it's like to experience the self loathing, discrimination, embarrassing fatigue or the fear of breaking chairs. But after following a similar line of writing a few weeks ago, I had my eyes opened to the fact that many people with only 20 or 30lbs to lose find the challenge equally as difficult as our attempting to lose 100 or more. And equally as meaningful when they achieve their goal.

I agree with you 100% though that the Triple Digits Club is a unique area of the forum and one that is much needed and appreciated. I have posted many, many times here. Lately it's been a little quiet around here, with a small core group of people and not very many new threads. That will change in a big way after the new year begins, as I think there will be a flood of new folks who make up their minds to try LCing. That's when I joined, Janaury 5th 2001!

Good luck and good health to you!

Donald :wave:

[chemlady]

Welcome JJ
I know what you mean about those people who only have 20-30lbs to lose and I agree with donald that it means just as much to them as it does to us. I know that a year of dieting sounds like a long time but this is not a diet. Its a way of life. I knew that the minute I decided to go for it. I have lost weight on diets before and it took me a year and a half and yet with a pregnancy a year later I was back to square one. This time its never going back on. I eat when I'm hungry and I can eat late at night and as long as its low carb I'm okay. Donald has lost almost a hundred pounds in less than a year and I think this coming monday I will be sure to check his journal for the new magic number. I have lost quite a bit in just under five months. It can be done. There are many others that have done it. I am so happy with myself that i have done this for myself and you will be too. I can't express how good I feel. Awesome, energetic doing laundry at 10:30 at night and still having energy to boot. I wish I could impart all that I have learned and are continuing to learn with this woe on everyone. My treadmill gathered dust for 5 years and then the day came about 3 months ago and its been busy 3 days a week for 20 minutes with me and sometimes more. I feel like I am running a race to good health. I went to the doctor on wednesday and my pressure was 120 over 70 before it was 138 over 92. Did you ever hear the saying this is the first day of the rest of your life well its begun with this lcing and a year or 6 months or 15 months or how ever long it takes you it is a small fraction of time compared to your whole life and it will probably add ten fold to your life span. After all most people who live to there eighties and nineties are not over a hundred pounds overweight are they? Well I think I rambled on enough. Take care and enjoy the new you.
Laurie

[jjdives]

I appreciate your replies to my post.

I am spending lots of time in the low carber forum for the time being.

I told my s/o that I am trying to brainwash myself, LOL.
Actually, it really does help me focus and stick with the plan if the thoughts I fill my head with are postive and encouraging.

So...here I am.

JJ :wave:

[Cheryl R]

20-30 pounds... hey... I give 'em all a break... because If I would have gotten it together when I only had 20-30 pounds to lose... I wouldn't have to worry about it now. I give anyone credit who gets it together even if they only have 5 pounds to lose... I was thin when I was a teen.... and so I've been on both ends....

My daughter knows women in our family have a tendency to gain weight in their early 20's and after pregnancy... so here she is... 5 foot 3 and weighing more than she ever has.. and she has decided to use the struggles she's seen her mom go through.. and start living the healthy life stile now. She went from 105 to 130 in less than a year and says she feels sluggish... that was back in April.... she realized if carbs could have been the cause for me to gain weigh it could be in her genes too... because I gained the most amount in my mid 20's. So she still eats fruits.. but has dramatically cut back on thinkgs like bread, pasta, sweets and junk food. I think she's sitting at about 120 right now... remember she's just under 5'3" and she's going to try and stay there.

Another friend of mine has never had to watch her weight... and now all of a sudden 2 years ago... she couldn't get into any of her clothes. I personally though she looked great with the few extra pounds on... and so did her family. She comprimised... (of course that meant she had to buy new clothes... she got herself down to 135 and is staying around that......

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE FOR US IN THIS THREAD IS

Only us with the over 100 pounds to lose truely knows how it feels to have to lose this much weight... and I love this thread.... It is so nice to talk to people in the same boat!!!

PS... I :rheart: you guys

[hobbyhut1]

Hello Everyone! :wave:

I am a new member of the Atkins way of life and also a candidate for the 100+ club.

I've tried for too long to achieve my weight goals alone and have continually had gains and then set backs. I realize my need for support. This seems to be the perfect place for just that!

You all seem like wonderful people. It is nice to hear from others that can relate to the pains that come with being 100+ pounds overweight.

I'm motivated just by looking at your positive results and stories and look forward to sharing mine with you all!

Warmest Regards,
Keith :)

[Cheryl R]

Welcome keith...

Hey everyone... I'm excited... for the first time since my surgery... I put 100 oz of water away today...!!!!

I'm excited... I was sewing all day, and before I knew it my first 32 oz bottle was gone... then as I drove home... I drank another 32 oz... that was about in a 1 hour period.... when I got home, I just bottomed it. Then while watching a movie with honey tonight I downed another one... (I also had at least 8 oz with my meds this morning)

I know.. it's seems like a little fete... but it was big for me.

[chemlady]

Welcome keith.
Good job on the water cheryl. I know somedays I just forget and don't drink nearly enough. Hows everybodies weekend going?
Its rainy and crappy here in rhode island. My yard is covered with a thick bed of leaves and it may take a while to dig it out but not today. Hoping next weekend is better weather for that extra exercise activity. Did 20 minutes on the treadmill this morning for my exercise and plan on going to the mall later to take the kids to see santa clause 2. Hell I want to see it. Have to go. making a three egg omelet with broccli and cheese. Yummy.
Laurie

[Luxsit]

Hi folks,
Last week went very well for me.

Cherly - way to go on getting in the water. I can relate to trying to keep up LC and recover from medical issues. I had minor surgery on Nov 5th, to remove Kidney Stone. I still have a plastic stint in my right Ureter which comes out tomorrow. It about doubled the number of bathroom trips I make, which are high anyway because of water intake.

Keith - welcome, good news is you have lots of people here who you can use to help you fine tune your plan and help you integrate this into your daily life. I'd highly recommend you start a Journal. Ask those who been sucessful and they will tell you that a journal is an invaluable tool to record progress, provide a place for others to make suggestions and encourage you in your weight loss effort. If you can, record daily what you are eating, water intake, and anything else you are going through. At the same time you should be thinking about exercise, if you have a routine setup already, you can record progress in a gym log, which is just like your journal. There are lots of people who can help you set up an exercise routine if you don't have one.

Chemlady - saw SC2 was very funny, maybe better than first one.

Take care all :) Start planning your Holiday LC eating strategies now. Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. Lots of opportunities to get de-railed if your not prepared mentally in advance.

Regards,
Lux :wave:

[hobbyhut1]

Good Morning everyone!

Thanks for the welcomes Laurie and Cheryl and advice Lux!

I am journaling my foods, liquids, and exercise times and routines as you suggested Lux.

I'm really psyched! :daze: I ate nothing but chicken, bacon, and steak yesterday, drank gallons of water (which doesn't seem to be a problem for me. I tend to dehydrate) and I lost 4.5 pounds from my weigh in yesterday!! Best parts were that I LOVED the foods and ate anytime I felt hungry! I also did 60 minutes of stationary bike and another 45 minutes of light weight lifting (you guys REALLY DID motivate me!).

I couldn't wait to get on the computer and update my weight! I know it will get more difficult as I go along but the first day change was a huge validation that I'm in the right place!

It's great to be able to share accomplishments and to receive a kick in the "bleep" when I'm not doing what I should!

Make it a great one!
Keith
:roll:

[willeke]

Also welcome from Ireland, Keith! I've been reading how well you're doing, it's great! I have only just re-started and the first week I did fine, but unfortunately I spoilt it in the weekend by eating too many nuts and too much cheese. Many people can do that without a problem, but I should have remembered from last time that I have to be careful.
So this week I've been doing much better, just vegetables and meat or chicken or fish, no more nuts and just a little bit of cheese- and that not every day. I am curious what the scales will say on Wednesday and I hope I'll be able to record as much of a loss as you did!!

Your post inspired me also to spend my break - I work from home - with walking my four dogs in the field. It was great! It's about 20 minutes and pretty steep, so good exercise for them and for myself! And I love being outside, it makes the brain clear up again!

This forum is a great support and a wealth of information - anyhting you want to know about low carbing is there!

well, talk to you all more later, back to work now,
cheers
Willeke

[hobbyhut1]

Cheers Willeke from the U.S. ! :wave:

You are right about the nuts and cheese. Some people can handle the extra fat just fine and others it slows down their progress. It slows mine down, just like you.

Your idea of walking your dogs is great! Exercise has to be fun so you want to do it EVERY DAY! I am in the process of re-conditioning how I think and feel when I'm at the fitness center to make it fun and to focus on enjoying the process and the positive benefits! It really is all a matter of how I control the focus of my mind.

I don't know if you have heard the stories of Dan and Karen but they are incredible. Dan is a miracle. He literally has changed his focus on excercise to the point that he is addicted to it. He associates pleasure with the process of working out and the benefits he gets from it. This from a man that admits he probably topped out at over 400 pounds and today he is 146 and you wouldn't believe the pictures.

Dan and Karen's stories were the first stories I came across when I joined this site and I have posted their before and after photos on my mirror to remind me every morning of the possibilities! I am including a link in case you or anyone else is not familiar with their stories. It is truely inspirational!

Stay committed. Dreams really DO come true!
Keith
:D


Dan and Karen's Story (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36276&perpage=15&pagenumber=1)

[jjdives]

Hi Keith, and you all too ;)

I'm glad you have joined us.

I was just thinking how great it is to have a support group you can go to anytime you want. I always struggle with going to groups in real time, not because I don't love them, but just because I love lots of other stuff too and schedules often conflict.

I am doing great the last couple of days. Have lost all but two of the eight pounds I gained when off the plan for a while.
Its gone at two or three pounds a day since I've been back on track so maybe by tomorrow I'll be back at 245 and can lose what I refer to as "new weight".

Was thinking today as I took a walk that if I had stayed on track every day since I started and not strayed off and gained eight pounds both times, I might be sixteen pounds lighter. 229 would be a nicer place to be than 247 today. Oh well...live and learn.

Everyone's comments about water and excercise are really helpful in motivating me to have more of each.

Thank you all for being here,
JJ

[Cheryl R]

Hey Laurie.... We might have been seeing SC2 at the same time today.... I was at the 1:55 showing here on the west coast. It was great. We took our youth group... we had 6 girls, my 3 year old niece and 3 adults... It was great.

I had my worst low carb day since I started 79 days ago.... I had at least 50 gms of carbs today.... my husband made excuses for me including the fact that maybe my body needed them to heal from the surgery... LOL... he just doesn't like to see me get down on myself.

I'm over it... I will start fresh tomorrow.

Kieth, I have a history of kidney stones... so far I have been lucky in that I have passed both of mine very quickly... without drugs or anything... one of them within an hour of really being in pain....
My daughter (age 23) has not been so fortunate... she has had at least 3 for sure and 1 probable... Her last Cat Scan doesn't show any signs of calcifications... but she has taken days to pass hers.... with the assistance of morphine... they keep an eye on her and as long as it's moving they keep her drugged until she passes it. She's way to young to be getting them... but there are underlying reasons why she's gotten them...too long of a story.

OK... everyone.... have a great low carb week.
Cheryl

[Laurie5156]

First of all, thanks to all that tried to help me to look at the smaller picture and the "mini goals" rather than the total 120 plus pounds I have to lose.
I mentally set 230 to be my target, and I I have to say I did it!
I weighed in at the Dr. yesterday at 227!
Next mini goal is to be under 220 when I return to see him Dec. 12th..
Even though my life seems to be in turmoil right now, I have faith I will be able to do it.
I do though wish it was next Weds already so I would know if my life has been altered..
Wishing all a wonderful LC day!
Laurie5156

[mandyjo412]

Thats great. I am 21 years old and I weigh about 315. I would like some one to email me at tell me a little of what they eat. mandyjo41240~yahoo.com :help:

[marilynuuu]

:) Get out the list of low carb foods and pick out the ones you like. Keep them in your house. Count your carbs each meal.
You will learn things each day after that. Just keep reading.
Mainly DO NOT be afraid to eat. This is not a suffer thru it diet. It is a way of living and eating.

[Luxsit]

Mandy,
I believe there is a menu section on the forum. In addition, I've posted a few of mine on my Journal. Also, Donald - DWRolfe is a good source of some menu ideas. My basic daily faire includes

Breakfast
4 eggs - fried, scrambled, omlette - try to mix things up
bacon or sausage

Snack
Cheese Stick or Pork Rinds

Lunch
3 oz Delimeat
small salad

Snack
Low carb Protien bar or Whey Protein drink

Dinner
10-12oz Meat - you name it here
Vegetable - anyting on the accepted list
Small Salad

Snack
1/2 Cup Pecans - (warning some people can't do nuts)

120-130 oz of water spread throughout the day.

Regards,
Lux :wave:

[marilynuuu]

;)
I noted in my note to mandyjo412 that my stats where not correct. I have been in my journal and re did them. I need credit for each pound.
Today is my day to get weighed but we have 4 inches of snow. It came down in 2 hrs. Everything including the rec center I go to is closed today.
I went into the low carb recipes and found some nice things to give me a change in foods. I also have 2 nice legal deserts for the holidays. This is a very good reference source for anyone getting bored with our eating plan. Just go to a page of Atkin's site. See the orange bar across the top. Click on Low Carb Recipes.

[Cheryl R]

Hey look at all the new people her... that's great we all need all the encouragment we can get.

I've been getting bummed over the slow loss for me.... I don't know why... because it's never bothered me before.... I won't give up...It's partly my fault, I'm eating way too much of whipped cream and sugar free jello made with MILK.

Anyway.... I need a pick me up... I went to WALMART today to get some of these certain low carb candy bars..... they were out!!!!

Bummer.

[hobbyhut1]

Hello Everyone! :wave:

I've been with the Atkins Plan for a week now and am down to 319 ( a loss of 6 pounds in one week!) It would have been MUCH lower I believe but I had two of my 7 days where I went off the diet in the evening (weak times for me!!) :mad:

I DID exercise every day but one though! :D

There are a few very important things I came away with this week that I hope will help others:

First, it is possible to gain back weight as fast as you can take it off on this diet by just one nights error. I reached as low as 316.5 before my backslide, jumped up to 320, got back down to 317 and then slid once more and finished the week at 319.

Second, EXERCISE IS CRITICAL and can become addictive if done properly. I road the lean back stationary bike a minimum of 45 minutes (much easier on the 'toosh'!) all but one day and lifted weights. The key for me was making certain that I did not suffer through getting it done. If I needed an easier setting to get my time and mileage in, I just set it to an easier setting. Set it all the way to level 1 or 0 (if they have that) or don't turn it on which is the easiest and just time yourself. You WILL build up endurance and be able to gradually take up the level and enjoy the process along the way! The weight loss results AND increase energy will keep you wanting to come back for more! :hyper:

Third, it is critical too that you right down EVERY little thing you eat and see what does and does NOT work. When eating out, which if often MUCH easier to do, make certain you know what is on your food. One meal with the wrong sauces can give you more carbs that you need in a day and sloooooooooooow down the process of getting thin and leave you wondering if the diet works or not. :confused:

Hope this is helpful to someone or everybody!

It was a busy week all around so I did not get to check in as often as I would have liked. After a week it is difficult to respond to everyone's replys, so I'm making it a goal to check in Mon-Wed this week. I will leave for NC to visit my relatives for Thanksgiving Wednesday evening. The later part of this week will be a challenge for us all, so let's come back with GOOD NEWS, agreed?

Enjoy your families everyone! :roll:

TTFN, (for those that don't have children or grandchildren who watch Tigger on Winnie the Pooh, that stands for 'Ta Ta For Now!'),
Keith

[amarise28]

:wave:

i have been gone too long and just wanted to say hello and welcome to all the newbies :D

well......confession is good for the soul... all i can say is i have been just pitiful since holloween..went back up to 334 from 318 where i was before the slip up...to put it mildly.

i am 330 today and glad to be back on track. it really is all as simple as CHOOSING life over carb death. mindset is everything.
just being prepared mentally and taking the time to stock up on the good stuff so it is there when you need it. i know i'm preaching to the choir here. mostly saying it for myself b/c i can just be the worst whe it comes to the 'oh..one little bite wont hurt" thing. ONE BIT WILL HURT!! A LOT!!

i totally identify with keith ..it comes back on faster than it comes off. this is my second (at least) at bat on atkins and the first time i melted down to 195 from 348 and a HALF in less than four months and kept it off for over a year and a half..then one slip led to another and a few months later i was right back up over 300 again. >>>>>sigh<<<<<<<

it's not easy feeling like a human BLOWFISH :eek: :confused: :o :roll: :spin: :daze:


oh well..what are the alternatives?? starve?? surgery?? or eating quite well and feeling great and living LOW CARB.

its a no brainer...really.

it's just these first few days of withdrawl are a KILLER!!! :bash:

:rolleyes: oh well... thanks for listening.

happy LC days to all of you!! :wave:

love-:rheart: amarise

[Cheryl R]

Hi all...
I'm trying to figure out what triggered my hunger today.
I went to a birthday party for my 1 year old nephew. I was surprised because my neice had spaghetti and nachos and cookies and everything. They are doing low carb.

I just really wanted a piece of that cake... I didn't!!!!!

But, I was really hungry all day today....

Ooops... I think I figured it out while I was typing. I had too much barbeque sause yesterday. I just went and read the label... oooops.... I usually water it down before I put it on chicken.. but I was actually dunking my chicken in it last night....

I'm just trying to be strong for 3 more days for thanksgiving... then Iwill up my carbs for 2 day... but I'm re-reading Atkins from cover to cover right now, and I will go on induction from December 1st through the 21st or 22nd.... Then I'm going to up the carbs again for Christmas... then go back to induction for at least 2 weeks. I've forgotten which foods are no-no's for induction, so that is why I'm re-reading the whole bood...

[jjdives]

The weight sure does add on faster than it melts off!!!

Its like one day of cheating leads to three days of low carbing.

I ate just three high carb things on my birthday, normal portions and all and gained 2 lbs back.

Now I did one day below 20 carbs and lost one of the two pounds.

Eventually I hope I will catch on that it is not worth it to have those cheat days.

Until then, I am just trying to stick to it until Thanksgiving, then go off that one day, and back on until Xmas. I refuse to give up Thanksgiving and Christmas goodies. Maybe eventually, but not this year.

JJ

[chemlady]

Well last week was the worst week of my life or at least close to it. On teusday I woke up and went to the cellar to do laundry and found about six inches of water covering the rug, tile and everything else down there. Since then I have been digging out the mess it all caused. Missed all my workouts because I have spent everynight after work rolling rugs and throwing stuff away. I had lots of clothes on the floor of the cedar closet that I plan to be wearing next summer if all goes well. Then the refridgerator died and my ex is planning on taking me to court for joint custody of our son. At least that was his latest threat. He is such a loser. I pretty much maintained the lc except for one day though but that scale didn't move at all. I was extremely stressed. I ate late at night and even though it was low carb thats not good. I cleaned the gutters yesterday and my arms and the rest of me are as sore as can be. I never got this sore from a workout. I plan on resuming bfl tommorow and go from there. I did lose an inch off my hip in the weeks progress so at least thats something. Its so hard when the holidays come. I went to a party and all I could have was turkey. Everything else was full of carbs. Everything was off limits. I did have a couple of light beers which have about 5 carbs a piece and thats not good. I didn't get enough rest and I didn't drink enough water. I felt so guilty about it. Mostly mad at my self for not staying focused. I guess we are all human and sometimes things happen and boom we get off the track. Hope to have a better week and plan on being good for thanksgiving.

[ldypgmr]

ChemLady...
Hey please go easy on my friend. Sometimes, ok there are times when stuff happens. Don't beat yourself up over it. Look at what you did right. Give yourself some slack.

Just get back on track...a week isn't anything in the long run. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you have a great holiday.

Simply

Dee

:wave:

[marilynuuu]

:thdown: I have seen it and felt it happen to me last time I was on low carb. I started eating everything and could not stop. I could not stop eating compulsively. I ate every hr. I hated it. This is much more peaceful.
:thup: I want to chose to stay here. We have to look at it as not just wt gain but also a reversal in our health. It truly is that.
:q: I have updated my journal profile x3. I hope this time it shows that my wt is now 310 not 330. If not is there another place I need to change my facts to get it to show?

[Cheryl R]

Marilyn... just click on the top of any screen where it says profile with a little index card next to it. I don't know what you mean by your journal profile????

At the very top of the screen there is a red circle with a line through it and it says carbs in the middle... like... NO CARBS...
to the right of that is the index card with profile next to it.

UGH... I did the shopping for thanksgiving tonight... the commisary was out of some of the stuff I needed, so I have to go to a regular store tomorrow...YUCK>

[hobbyhut1]

Hello EVERYONE! :wave:

I've lost an additional 4 pounds in 2 days! This way of eating REALLY DOES WORK!

As I've said in earlier postings, I've been careful about ALL sauces because of the hidden carbs, I've HAD FUN exercising every day, and I've recorded all my foods and liquids.

It is also VERY important to remind yourself EVERY DAY of the pains you look forward to getting rid of and the gains of joy and happiness :D you will experience as you get thinner! Make a list you can look at first thing in the morning and any time you think of cheating. Do it EVERY DAY!

I'm realizing more and more that our minds may be the key to the hole process.

Everyone Think Thin! :roll:
Keith
If you believe in your mind that something is possible or not, you're right!
So believe in what is possible, RIGHT NOW!

[DWRolfe]

It's so good to see new and familiar people posting here in the Triple Digits Club again...

...things had sort of slowed down in here for a while.

Of course, after the beginning of the new year, the forum will be full of new members hoping to lose weight, improve health and find peace and acceptance of themselves. By then, many of us will be LC old-timers!

Congratulations :thup: to everyone that is doing so well LCing. This holiday season will be the real test of our resolve to live as healthy as possible and to respect ourselves. It is impossible to do that while ingesting foods that are not good for us.

BTW, today I am down 97lbs!

Carry on!

Donald :wave:

[liz175]

Congratulations Donald on the spectacular weight loss! 97 pounds! Wow -- that's almost as much as my 13-year-old daughter weighs!

[ldypgmr]

Donald

Congrats on the 97 pounds...you are looking great.

For me I recognize you as some one who started low carbing around the time I did. It's great to know that you have also kept with the WOL.

Keep up the great work.

Dee

[hobbyhut1]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

:yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay: :yay:

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

Congratulations DON!!!!!

You are such an inspiration!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!
Keith

[amarise28]

:wave:

congradulations don !!

:clap: :cheer::yay: :clap: :cheer: :yay: :clap:

and AMEN to all the posts :o

attitude really is everything and i am working on mine now.

i am inspired and humbled by don and dees success..esp since i started about when they did as well but have had a rougher go of it...nobodys fault but my own :rolleyes:
However, today is a new day and there is no reason the holidays need to derail any of us.....i'm just gonna take them ONE DAY AT A TIME....minute.....hour...second...but that's o.k. ;)

love and blessings to all of you and keep on keeping on! :D

:rheart:-amarise

[mythreeson]

congradulations on the 97 pound weight lose.........you are doing wonderful..................hope to catch up to u soon lol.............hope everyone had a happy thanksgiving............................

[Jimsgems]

Slowly, but constantly is the word here. Today I saw 255 for the first time in about 20 years and that was inspite of a Atkins Thanksgiving feast. God is Good. I still have a way to go, but...
I will make it. W.D.W., Cheryl and all the others hello and WD you are doing great. Be well you all and most of all, have fun. :D

[bsayne]

Donald...97 lbs! Wow, I saw only recently your B&A 1st photos and what an amazing difference then and that was 20+ pounds ago! WTG! Keep up the great and inspirational work and thanks for sharing your delicious recipes!

Jim baby! You are now only 20 lbs away from the goal you set! What an incredible way to end the whirlwind of a year you have had...I've watched you melt and can't wait for your next set of "take your breath away" BD&A photos! What an accomplishment!

Wow, we have so many inspiring members to encourage us...no wonder those holiday foods just don't stand a chance with our super heroes around to remind us just how much more we're all worth!

Keep up the great work and keep reminding yourself...yes, you really are so worth it!

Many gracious thanks to all!
Beth

[leopardess]

Hello there I am new to the list I belong to another low carb list and I found it very difficult, because even though I accept they must have weight issues they are alllll thin and I have a huge amount of weight to lose. I have spent enough money to buy the Taj Mahal three times over in the attempt to lose weight. I have been low carbing for about 3 - 4 weeks now, I had just lost about 15 kilo's on a liver cleansing type diet, I think perhaps I have lost a little on the Atkins, I think my problem at this point in time is movement I try and do excercise but due to all the years of abusing my body and yo yoing myself to this horrendous weight, I have a few health issues like very sore hips and knees and boomdiay!!!!!. I would love it if it were at all possible for people here who are losing to perhaps share a couple of days what they have eaten and the activity they have done within that day. I hope I have done this correctly thank you for listening

[leopardess]

Hello there I am new to the list I belong to another low carb list and I found it very difficult, because even though I accept they must have weight issues they are alllll thin and I have a huge amount of weight to lose. I have spent enough money to buy the Taj Mahal three times over in the attempt to lose weight. I have been low carbing for about 3 - 4 weeks now, I had just lost about 15 kilo's on a liver cleansing type diet, I think perhaps I have lost a little on the Atkins, I think my problem at this point in time is movement I try and do excercise but due to all the years of abusing my body and yo yoing myself to this horrendous weight, I have a few health issues like very sore hips and knees and boomdiay!!!!!. I would love it if it were at all possible for people here who are losing to perhaps share a couple of days what they have eaten and the activity they have done within that day. I hope I have done this correctly thank you for listening

[Jimsgems]

leopardess;

You wrote that you had a HUGE AMOUNT to loose. I really know how that feels like, but if you just do it... a year from now you could almost be at your goal weight.

If you choose to do nothing where will you be in a year?

"I have spent enough money to buy the Taj Mahal three times over in the attempt to lose weight. " Haven't WE all done that.

Pick a diet plan that you can choose to be your way of eating, Atkins did it for me. You may choose another one, if you feel the Atkins plan isn't for you, it's not for everyone.

I have been here long enough to know that you have to choose to make a change in your life... You have to be the one to make it happen for you. Success is all attitude and attitude put into action. It is such a simple truth, I missed it for many years, I blamed it on pain, surgeries and everything I could to not have to deal with some issues in my life. Well I'm here to tell you I was a liar, a cheat and a fool. The good news is you can, by a simple choice change your life forever. If you don't, what you got?

Also remember, that no choice is a choice. Choose well.

[Cheryl R]

Hi all,
I'm on this machine in the middle of the night... I can't sleep due to coughing my head off from one of the worst colds I have had in years. It just won't let up.
It ruined my thanksgiving....I felt so lousy.
I still managed to eat, and I had planned to go ahead and eat whatever I wanted for 2 days...as it had been my 90th day on plan.
I did eat what ever I wanted...but I did not gorge myself. I just ate a lot too much over the course of the 2 days. I tried to get back on induction this morning... but I slipped and did not have the proper foods in my house, for the first time in 3 months.

I will be shopping in the morning for low carb....that is if I ever get any sleep and then wake up. I can't believe it's 3 am and I have been up since 6:30 Saturday morning... 3.5 more hours and I will hit the 24 hour mark. I'm so tired, but every time I lay down I start coughing. I've taken cold meds, been sucking on cough drops which I'm sure are loaded in sugar... but nothing is working.

I know... I should call 1-800 waaaahhhhh.

I know I'm whinning... but I'm tired!!!!!

[mkathy6]

100 Pounds to lose!!

Just wanted to say hi and thank all of you for inspiring everyone. I started out at 266 and wanted to get to 150, then changed to 160, so I had 106 pounds to go. I am happy to say that I am down 21 lbs as of yesterday in 5 weeks of Atkins.
Everyone has been so supoetive and encouraging I can't wait to join in.
Congrat's to all if have loss and looking forward to hearing everyone's success's.

Kathy

[ldypgmr]

Hi Kathy

Welcome to the fun spot. Yes there is a lot of support and information in these pages. It has helped me tremedously.


Dee

:wave:

[liz175]

Welcome Kathy and Leopardess. I have found lots of useful information on this site and hope you will as well. It's very supportive to be among people who have large amounts of weight to lose; our issues are very different from the people who want to lose 10 or 15 pounds.

[Cheryl R]

Boy, I must have been tired when I wrote that last post. When I said I slipped, I meant by not having the right foods to start induction. I did have a low carb day yesterday.....
but today is day one of induction for me.... Off to the store I go...cold and all.

Wow, Kathy... 21 pounds in 5 weeks... that's so great. Are you exercising too? That's such a great loss. I'm a turtle... It took me 90 days to lose 16 pounds. That's ok with me, I haven't been able to lose any on a "traditional diet" I am meeting with a personal trainer on Monday.... don't know if I can afford it... it's kind of expensive, but I need someone to help me get started.

I think different peoples body's react to weight differently, but me at 270, I can't move. I can like walk from the parking lot to the store, or work or whatever... I don't walk real slow, but I do notice people walking past me. Most of my weight is around my belly... so it pulls my spine forward. This trainer said that will be one of her main focus' because it's my chief complaint about my health. She says she can help me start slowly, without too much pain... I am to expect some slow muscles and such... but no pain... no gain.... or no loss...

I have this comment that I sometimes make... I know you have to exercise to lose weight... but I feel with my body the way it is, I need to lose weight to be able to exercise. I told the trainer right off the bat that I have my own eating plan, and that after years of trying the different diets I am sticking to the one I am on now. I am 100% possitive it is right for me... expecially after 2 days of carbing it up for Thanksgiving. I'm felling bloated and my tummy aches.

Jim... Sometimes I look back at the fact that I weigh exactly now, what I weighed on Jan 1 of this year... (I had a back slide from March through August, thanks to a nutritionist scarring me away from low carb, and I gained bacy the 10 I had lost and gaine 8 more) I look back now and think, if I hadn't done anything, I would have probably gained another 10 or 15 this year... so I'm living with staying the same for 2002... and will see 2003 as a year to lose...lose...lose.

Well, everyone, I'm so glad this thread is jumping again.... this is the hardest time of the year. I had been planning on upping my carbs for Christmas but, now that I've been through Thanksgiving... I don't think so. I think I can enjoy our traditional ham dinner for Christmas without the potatoes and dinner rolls. I'll still make it for the family.. but I'll make other stuff for me.. and after all, I will be able to eat the ham.

I asked my honey for a George Forman grill for Christmas... since I'm eating more red meat than ever before.... oh... and for the first time in years, I'm not anemic any more. I like eating my meat, but too much of the grease bothers my tummy, but I don't know how it's going to be now with the gall bladder gone. It's been 3 weeks now, and so far, nothing has made my stomach hurt.

I'm sorry if I talked too much.... but It's day one of induction for me... again... and I have to spill it all out to get started... and this is my favorite thread to vent in!!! Because..... you all are in it with me....

see ya all

[Jimsgems]

I forget where to put this... I'll look for the right place, but for now.
http://www.jimsgems.com/NewJimNewandOld.jpg

[Victoria]

Alright Jim! Nothing like a picture to really SEE your progress. I had seen some of your before pictures, so I know you've really made some major improvements...but the big "BEFORE" pants thing really shows it off. Good job! Victoria

[liz175]

Wow Jim, you look great! You are an inspiration to all of us!

[jraz]

:wave: Hi I've been lurking and I really enjoy this thread... I've been off and on LC every couple of weeks and today I've decided to get ahold of my thinking and started back on LCing again...hopefully this time for good, cuz everytime I go off (I've been good for only 2 weeks at a time at staying on) I gain oodles back and now am up quite a bit... So here I go again and I can actually say today I have not cheated even once... :thup:
Hope you don't mind me jumping in here and posting...

[Cheryl R]

JR... jump right in, that's what we're here for.... this tread has helped me a lot.

Jim is a real inspiration... along with others and their wize wonderful words of inspiration.

I to had a hard time getting past the first 2 weeks... I don't even want to tell you how many times I tried and failed.... gaining back more each time. this is the longest for me, and I can honestly say, after 3 months, most of this way of eating becomes totally habit... really it's true.

JIM WOW!!! that's all I can think of to say!!!!!!

I had a dissapointment... I was supposed to meat with a lady who was going to start training me on exercise starting slowly at my level. She got sick and canceled on me.... but I will see her Friday if all goes well. I'm really looking forward to starting.

I walked 13 minutes on my treadmill last night, 1/2 mile. Doesn't sound like much to most... but it was the most I've walked since I broke my foot back in March. I think I'll be back up to my 45 minutes in a month or so... I'm fighting a cold right now, and since my gall bladder just came out 3 weeks ago, I need to work into it slowly. I'm hoping to be back at 45 minutes 3 or 4 times a week by the end of December.

Talk to you all soon.

[bsayne]

I'm just minding my own business, scrolling down, reading the posts when your picture just jumps out and GRABS ME!

OH MY WOW!!
What an incredible difference!

It made me scream... Alright Jim! That picture is worth way or should I say weigh more than a thousand words...I expect the Dr. Atkins will be wanting it for the magazine!
WTG JIM!

Hi all! Welcome new posters! Especially those recently delurked! I hope we are all making progress! This is a great place to be a loser! No matter how slow...I love to watch the scale behold the numbers tumbling down! Ok, right now I'm watching em' hold steady! But soon, sooner if I get off my office chair!

I use to shoulda, woulda, coulda myself to death! Now I just remind myself that I too, am human, and if I am deathly hungry...yes, it sometimes hits me too...along with the run and hide from the impatient one blues...I make sure I have what I need to eat and if I don't...I'm not gonna cheat! I've come way to far to let anything set me off my course for finishing this journey come 2003! I will have what I need and want in my life and I will know the reasons why!

Hang tuff, hang in and don't look back, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it's NOT A TRAIN!

Beth

ps. Yea, I love trains!

[leopardess]

Oh Jim you speak my language albeit it bloody well hurts!!!! I have decided to stop my wagon going around in circles and allow my light to shine, but I will ask you for a bit of help in sharing your experience with me. Like what excercise did you do when you first started off, I am indeed in pain but am loath to take anything, but this stops me moving a great deal. what did you start with?? how long did it take before you were doing anything that actually counted?? etc. thanks Leopardess

[mkathy6]

Cheyl, Thank you for your kind words, it is amazing how a little goes a long way. i think you are doing wonderful, you have made the commitment and sticking to it - hey that is huge in itself. I agree exercise is the key too. I started Curves my 2nd week. Honestly no intention, one opened near work and the owner gave us a great deal so it was now or never, there are 14 of us going, so it is fun and you always have a gym buddy to go with, makes the time go by faster. Now I actually like to go and looking forward to it. I plan on my off days to get on the treadmill, but haven't been there yet. Hopefully soon

Jim -WOW - you are my hero, i'll be looking to you for a lot of insiration. Congrat's to all.

Kathy

[Jimsgems]

I’ll try to give you the short version... When I left the service I became a police officer, I worked my way up the ladder to a investigator, I worked major crimes. 16 years ago I was run over by a fleeing felon who was driving a tow truck at the time. I had my legs and knees and lower back badly broken. I was told I'd never walk again, and not wanting to hear anything about that, after long recovery and lots of physical therapy and more drugs that I can remember, I walk just fine. I used a cane most of the time. The pain was awful and I was finally on 365 MG's of morphine sulfate. I ate for consolation and a year ago today I had an epiphany when I stepped on a scale at my doctors office and it said 401 pounds.

When I was working at my last position we had very high security and to enter into the facility you had to step into an armored portal and have your hand scanned and then if you are authorized you would be let in through the other side of the portal. I should have known there was a problem when I entered the portal, the door closed behind me and when I scanned my palm, the recorded voice in the box said…” Please Exit the Portal and Enter One at a Time”. That is a sadly true story.

Nuff said, I went home from my doctors office after seeing 401 on the office scale, I told my wife that I had “gotten it” now how was I going to do it. I tried Weight Watchers, I liked their plan and lost a few pounds only to be ridiculed by the women, who weren’t loosing weight, I figured if I wanted to be embarrassed I’d just go into the portals at work and wait for the insults from the machine.

My wife and I agreed that WW wasn’t it and we settled on Atkins Plan slightly modified a-la Bernstein for insulin dependant diabetics. We both read the books and the rest is history. I have done enough exercise for a lifetime, I was a College and Olympic athlete, a Green Beret, before it was so darn cool and a police officer. So not only did the pain prevent me from working out, but I also hated it! So, I did the plan 100% and didn’t weigh for the first 85 days of this plan, WOE or what ever, I didn’t have a scale that I could weigh on, so I didn’t push it. I did notice that my clothes were getting loose and my skin started sagging in places, I’d forgot I had places.
Well on my 85th day, I was back at my doctors and I stepped on their scale and I had lost 85 pounds.

I had a complete blood panel done recently and I’d been off all my medications since the third day of the plan, mostly because I “crashed”, my blood glucose level dropped to 45, I called my Endo and he said to stop the injections and keep track of my levels.

I’ve never looked back since, I had a complete blood panel done a few weeks ago and all my levels and blood pressure, everything is totally normal for the first time since I was 20 years old. I’m also off all pain medications and I walk 2 miles a day and I haven’t used my cane in about 10 months. Well, I rambled on a bit, I hope you will forgive. I hope this gives some insight into my life and what I’ve been able to accomplish with His help.

Be Well. Hugs to you all.

[jraz]

Thanks for the welcome... and you all in here are so inspiring... so thanks from the bottom of my heart.... I know checking in here often is as important as staying on the program... I know when I stoppped lurking. I started cheating and the more I cheated the more I did not dare come to this forum... hmmmmm What a circle.... So I am making a commitment to come here often... It's like a life line.... and without help and support I drown... and Jim you ARE an inspiration.. thank you...

[Cheryl R]

Wow Jim, I had never read your story before... I'm not sure if you've shared it before...

I had an Epiphany too last year... when my niece Cheyenne was 2 years old (now 3) she wanted her aunt Cherie to sit on the floor with her and play... I got to thinking... I'll never get back up again... well, I got on the floor... and my legs went to sleep, by the time I wanted to get up... there were too many people in the room. I had to crawl over to the couch and use it to pull up....and that wasn't easy. I really got to thinking then, I'm 46... going to be a grandma some day... and I want to be able to take them to Disney Land... and other things... and I really want to get down on the floor and roll around with them and play....

so, here I am... almost 14 weeks later... and down 19.5 pounds... another 50 or so and I should be on that floor... but I won't quit then.... I can live eating like this for the rest of my life.

[heeels92]

Help - I am getting so frustrated - I seem to have no will power. I would like to lose 100 pounds. I stepped on the scale today and realized that I weigh over 260 - this is more than I weighed when I was pregnant. Any suggestions that you have would be appreciated. I tried the Atkins and it lasted for two weeks and I lost 14 pounds but one thing after another has prevented me from continuing consistently. Please drop hints on what has given you will power.
:mad:

[Jimsgems]

Please don't consider this a slam, it is not meant that way, I just tend to be blunt sometimes. But when I notice something, I just have to blurt it out, so here goes.

I have also observed from a long time failing, at a lot of things is... "that you will either have what you want in life, or you will have all the reasons why you don't." That is not only a catchy saying, it is the truth.

I'll just venture a guess that if you are doing an eating plan by whatever name you choose; "way of eating", "way of life", etc. and you are gaining weight one of two things is going on... 1.) the plan just isn't working for your chemistry, or... 2.) you are not doing it 100% It's just that simple.

I've just had my one year anniversary on eating well, the Atkins way and I've lost 150 pounds, so my thoughts and observations are from my own experience and the one thing I know is if I can do it so can you. You just have to want it more that a "small piece of..." whatever. To tell you the truth (that is the only way I do it, by the way), I'm eating better than I have in years and my health continues to improve and getting better everyday. If you have any questions, contact me or read my story, in short above.

You have to figure it out for yourself, and you deal with yourself when knowone is hanging around, that is where charicture counts most if you want success.

[gapgirl420]

Well put Jim!

Can I belly up to the bar? I've been seriously doing this WOE since Oct 1st and have lost 25lbs..I enjoy what I'm doing now and realize that I have to do this for me and no one else!
Your transformation is amazing and I offer a HEARTY CONGRATS TO YOU!!!.
Keep up the good work and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

GAP

[Jimsgems]

I just have to confess, when I'm seemingly tough on someone or in answer to a question... the communication is for me, as much or more than it was for the person I'm addressing or answering their question or questions.

An old guy I worked for when I was very young told me that, and I never forgot it. His name was Ansel Adams. For those who know who he was, will know who he was.

You all are very sweet and I enjoy you and your growth, or loosing of it. LOL Even all my men friends.

[jraz]

Great post Jim... I do know I am accountable for my behavior and the choices I've made... and because I've made some choices to let carbs over power me, I am in the shape I'm in... It is my own fault and I know the only one in control is me...

You are a great motivator and seeing your success is good for all of us because I know I can be this successful too and I plan on it...

Thanks :D

[Jimsgems]

"It is my own fault and I know the only one in control is me..." I wish I'd really gotten that a long while ago, but when I was ready HE was there with the answer. Yes, we are accountable, I wish it wasn't that easy or that hard. Be well. Jim

[liz175]

heeels92,

I wonder if you are asking the wrong question. Instead of asking what gives someone the willpower to follow a lowcarb woe, perhaps you should be asking if this is the right time for you to make this commitment. What other pressures and stresses do you have in your life right now? Distasteful as it may be to you, perhaps you need to focus on maintaining your weight right now and wait for a better time to try to lose. If you have to exert a lot of willpower, you probably won't be able to stick to an eating plan. At some point in the future you may suddenly be driven to lose weight and when that happens willpower will not be an issue.

Over the past five years, I went through major health crises with my husband and son. I stopped worrying about my weight during that time. Now that my life has evened out, I suddenly have the energy and motivation to lose my excess weight. I don't know what is going on in your life, but you too may need to wait until you can take the time and energy to really focus on yourself. Succeeding at serious weight loss requires some personal selfishness that we can't always allow ourselves.

I know that the purpose of this forum is for us to encourage each other in our weight loss efforts. I certainly don't mean to discourage your from following a healthier way of eating and trying to lose weight. However, I think we also need to be realistic and we all need to set priorities in our lives. Are you able to make focusing on your own eating and health your priority now or does it have to wait until other things settle down? I don't know anything about you, so I can't answer that question.

[chemlady]

Okay you gained more weight. Lets start today, go to the grocery store and get the foods that allow you to lose. I weighed 265 when I was nine months pregnant with my son. Then after living with eric the abuser for 3 more years I ballooned to 309. I hated myself and I started believing everything that he said I was. I finally reached my breaking point on july 16th , 2001. Thats the day I threw him out of my house. Then after 6 months of living with a stalker he found a new woman to victimize. He still taunts me over seeing his son. Right now he has no visitation and he sent me a threatening letter last week saying him and his new girlfriend are going for joint custody. The police are useless. He would have to come over and put a bullet in me for them to do anything. There are two no contact orders and a restraining order in place and yet he seems to get away with everything he does. My neighbor says he has a horseshoe up his well you know where. Okay I got off the subject. Is that enough stress or what but in all this craziness I started atkins on june 24, 2002. I have pretty much stuck to induction and have started exercising on a regular basis. I have lost 81 pounds in 162 days I know Im no jimgems but thats not bad. I feel so energetic that yesterday after I shoveled my driveway I did my elderly neighbors. I then baked choc. chip cookies for the kids in the neighborhood. I am doing this for me and although I have at least another 50 to go I look damn good. I wish I weighed the almost forty less that you weigh when I started this woe then I would almost be to goal. Do this for yourself. I am the most unselfish person I know I did everything for that man except wipe his butt and look where it got me. I know finally feel like I have a new life of my own and Im not just living for my children. I am living everyday for me.
Stop the excuses about the food. Dont wait one more day. Do this for you and no one else. Your worth it. Okay enough of the sermon. Get back on track and love yourself for it. Dont beat yourself up over the past. Whats done is done. Today is a new day and he is here by yourside.
Laurie

[mean rn]

Hello all i am new to the board. I have been lurking for 2 weeks now thought it might be time to come out. I am 49 ,male, have been on atkins for 2 weeks now for the 3rd time. I seem to self destruct not sure why this plan works for me but i get bored with foods. That is because i tend to stay on induction foods for a long period. This time i seem to have a better mental attitude i need/ want to do this. Thanks paul

[Jimsgems]

Good Morning and to the new and brave, blessings and welcome.

Laurie; I am so very proud of and, for you. You just have to know you are one of my hero's. Hugs.

Paul, Welcome. Men do really well on Atkins when they ACTUALLY do the plan. Three words of wisdom, (and it is worth what you paid for them) "READ THE BOOK".

You also wrote: "I get bored with the food." Food isn't boring, you are. See I told everyone earlier that I can be blunt. On the other hand, it doesn't mean I'm wrong.

Food is food. Food isn't boring, food is food! Learn to cook or teach the one in your life to cook, use spices (I use Garlic a lot and I love it, and as any good Itilian knows the more garlic you use, the less it offends (HA!), or just do what ever it takes. I can cook breakfast about 100 different ways and I'm within the plan, lunch and dinner too. My wife does really well and I also eat out on the road a lot... all within the plan. Buy (AND READ then APPLY) The Atkins Cookbook, it is a wonderful resourse.

I have no authority or other great will power or... I've lost 150 pounds in a year, I know this can work in big ways. You can do it too, if you'll just do it.

Good wishes. Nice also to have another man on the board too, and yes, I love and am inspired by the real women on this board, they are wonderful and will hold your feet to the fire, if you will let them.

Paul, I'm gonna tell you one of the secrets I've learned in life (at great cost, and increditable profit in the quality of my personal life...) Find a strong (real) woman (?), take care of her, nurture her, and allow her power to grow beyond yours... then hold on for the ride! It is amazing, and amazing things will happen. Well it's just a thought. Be well and READ THE BOOK.

[mean rn]

Thank you for those words of wisdom. I need to find some good fast recipes i work 12 hour shifts so i take all 3 meals with me. Also take snacks. So i am doing some searching on here for foods . Thanks again Paul

[Jimsgems]

Thank you for those words of wisdom. I need to find some good fast recipes i work 12 hour shifts so i take all 3 meals with me. Also take snacks. So i am doing some searching on here for foods . Thanks again

Paul,

I did that for five months, until I was laid off. I understand the problem. One of my "noon" meals was 3 or 4 all beef hot dogs, I threw them in the microwave (just warm them up.), cut them up small, throw them into a small bowl of lettuce. Then add tomato, then sprinkle liberally with cheese of your choice and then add dressing of your choice. It’s fun to try out combinations, have fun with this, you can use almost any combo.

Another great snack is melted cheese over fried pig skins, add some salsa and green olives for a little zing, you can add some Tobasco (HOT!) to it too. Hey, this can be fun, but you'll have to tailor it to your taste, heck, I've even learned to like Spam! It can be stored at your desk and/or workstation as a primary source of protein or as a snack, same with Chicharrones (Spanish for Fried Pig Skins, well, I live in Southern California!) Hope this gives you some ideas after your two or three week induction. It really can be fun and your weight loss will absolutely make folks just stare in wonder as you eat, and eat, and loose and loose.

Paul, good loosing, you've alread got a good start going. Another little question I've asked myself... "if I didn't do this plan, what would I weigh in another 12 months?" Think about it.
THIS...http://www.jimsgems.com/Fatface2.jpg
...OR THIS. http://www.jimsgems.com/NewJimNewandOld.jpg Blessings to you. BeWell. Jim

[jraz]

Am not quite sure.... and tonight we went to a casino for their seafood buffet... and I had shrimp, shrimp, shrimp, crab legs and chicken.... It is ok to have the seafood isn't it?

Also, as of this morning I am down 71/2 lbs after the 1st 4 days on low carb.... With the great encourgement in here I am so motivated.... and I know it won't be long and I will be under 200... Whoo Hooo.... and thanks to Jim and his bluntness... It is needed and I have been known to speak my mind also.... and I'd much rather someone be blunt and honest with me than sugar coat something to keep from hurting my feelings.... Remember, sugar is my poison..... Keep it Honest.......

[Cheryl R]

Paul... I too have gotten bored after a few weeks and quit. this time I am learning more ways to make my foods different. The first time I did it, I only ate boiled or scrambled eggs, meats and cheese. Who can live that way.

Now, it's eggs, and a million different ways... especially the omlets and the quiches.

I'm eating meats baked or fried or broiled or barbequed...

and, I've learned many ways to cook my veggies to feel like they are different each time... and the soups.... I love how you can mix and match vegies and meats to make soups.

Good luck!!!

Cheryl

[mean rn]

I believe i have a true addiction to carbs. So i try to stay near induction levels. I can really tell when i have to many carbs i can not stop. For some reason today i could not get ful ate what i normally do and it was not enough. Time to read the book once again. Thanks Paul

[Jimsgems]

jraz;

Induction is usually a two weeks where you put your system into ketosis, and this is a way to "jump start" to your system into giving up fat and water and.

7 1/2 pounds is a darn good start. I don't know much about the other diet plans or programs, I know about Atkins and his work is finally being vindicated after forty year of vilifying Dr. Atkins for their ignorance.

“They” are the medical establishment, what they don’t know about weight loss is legion, their pride is our being deprived from a “corporate” answer to our over weight society.

I just last week had a doctor tell me that a high protein, low carbohydrate diet would not work for me and if I didn’t loose weight, I would likely become a diabetic. I literally laughed out loud, then I told him that I had been a insulin diabetic for five years, before I lost 150 pounds, I’m no longer using any control drugs, insulin or high blood pressure, or anything to control my cholesterol or triglycerides . He looked at my blood work and shook his head and left the room.

I didn’t see him again. I’ll be glad when I get some insurance; Vets Admin. doctors are not the top feeders of the medical profession or so it might seem.

[jraz]

Oh good, then I am in induction...

I did Sugar Busters (my way) for 14 months a few years ago and did not cheat once... and lost 65 lbs... All I ate was bacon, eggs, or sausage every morning... at lunch and night all I ate was meat or fish.... sometimes salad with blue cheese... I ate lots and lots of cheese and apples, grapes, strawberries... but nothing else... It was kinda fun eating steak all the time and I did not get bored with it....

I work in a Casino in Laughlin Nevada and they give us our meals and if you saw what they fed us, you would know the reason I put on weight.. We eat like Kings... so now I choose to not devour all the goodies they put out for us... but they do cook our breakfast every morning and I usually have 2 eggs with cheese on top and 6 sausages....

Well, back when I was on LC I told my doctor what I was doing he panic'd... and said we'd better do some blood work... Well, when my blood tests came back and my cholesterol was perfect and my HDL was super good.. he just couldn't believe it and told me that whatever i was doing to keep doing it, that I'd never have a heart attack.... (If they would only listen!!!)... but needless to say.. the one time I decided to (CHEAT) sent me over the edge and it's taken me this long to get back on track... Carbs make me crave more carbs and always be hungry and the out of control feeling is just horrible... It is a helpless feeling... so I am so glad I read your post and took back control of my eating and I have not gotten past the hard part... I know I will never be able to go off the wagon again... It's like a alcoholic... So I plan on keeping up with the post... and no poison for me....

Sorry for such a long post... (no I'm not... I needed to say it)...

[Jimsgems]

J.R.

My Uncle was Bill Harrah, I know how well they set the feed.

Just watch the fruit and other direct source of carbs and you'll do fine.

I could likely find a job as a Pit Boss if I was closer to a house.

I’ve done the loss and not worked a lot too, I was laid off almost a year ago and even with all the pressure and stress, I was able to make it, I still have 40 to go.

[Victoria]

Stress can be a reason to lose control...but it doesn't have to be. Everyone has STUFF they go through. We all went thru Sept. 11th...I had just started that July and was able to stay on track even tho I was upset. Whenever I felt the need to overeat...I ate nuts. Too many nuts...but way better than sugar. So, we can use life's stresses to derail us, or use them to strengthen us. I really believe that eating low carb strengthens us to BE IN CONTROL. Maybe not always...we are all human. But when you set your resolve to do this...and detox from sugar, the sugar demon doesn't call so much. I still have to keep evil sugar things out of my house. If they are within reach, they call my name. But the discipline starts in the grocery store. Keeping certain items out of the house is KEY. My kids have adjusted to not having the snacks available. And they benefit from having better food available.

Again, this is just as much for me as for others. It's a daily thing. Very daily. But with HIS help, it is working. I just saw my brother in law this morning (I haven't seen him in months) and the first thing that came out of his mouth was "Wow! You are looking great!" Yes! That felt good. :D Victoria