Morning all! Went out for a rainy run this morning and it felt really good. I woke up at 4 and couldn't go back to sleep. I may hit the wall later today but right now I'm feeling energetic from the run. For me, exercising in the morning sets me up well for the day.

I'm also experimenting with a variation of JUDDD in that, on days I don't vigorously exercise, I will stay with the classic 5&1 Medifast program (5 of their fuelings and one Lean & Green meal); on the days I run, I'll change it to 4&2. The caloric difference is 1000 - 1300 calories. We'll see if it works better for me.

My loss is consistent after two days of whoosh. I'm rooting for you all to join me soon in the 230s!!!

Onward and downward!

I'm making a smallish ham tonight. It's one from the local butcher when my ils took their hog in. It actually looks like the ham steaks just a big old thick slab instead. I'm trying a low carb low calorie recipe for a rub/crust. My only concern is the salt factor overnight. Do you think if I make sure I have plenty of water prior and a big glass thereafter it might help a that?

I don't make ham too often so I apologize in advance for my question. I plan to have either salad or some sort of steamed frozen with it. Maybe both.

What's everyone else thinking for dinner?

LemonThyme, my experience with salty stuff is that no matter how much I try to get ahead of it with the water, the gain is inevitable. Knowing that, do drink a little more water than usual and do so for a couple of days after. I'd avoid the scale if I was you (but who am I kidding, I don't avoid the scale even when I know there will be a gain). Obviously the ham is brined, but if you could avoid adding more salt in your rub, that may help.

For my dinner, I have some chicken breasts that I baked with homemade pesto that I prepared this past weekend. Probably pair it with steamed broccoli and these cauliflower veggie tots that I get as a low-carb replacement for potato tots.

Laura your run sounds like it was just the ticket for you. Please keep us up to date on how your new experiment is doing. I always am experimenting which is good and bad. I feel the good outweighs the bad. It makes for a slower loss but hopefully a permanent one.

lemonthyme I feel like I am hanging onto water something fierce. I'm not sure what is going on. This is new for me. I have been busier then usual and probably not drinking enough. Try not to stress about the scale with water weight it is not true weight gain, just discouraging numbers until it is gone. Green tea should help flush it somewhat though.

Kim how do you stay so loyal to keto? I love keto foods BUT I also love my sweets.

My scale is moving down ever so slowly. I have to thank all of you for keeping this thread so active. Lately you are the ones who keep my head in the game. This morning I was feeling burned out and all I had to do was think of us all getting into the 230's thread.

Well to combat the salt I'm pushing water before hand I'll be starting the second bottle so that will be 66 oz. I aim to have one w dinner and one after. Yes I may float to sleep tonight but will see what happens. I haven't had ham in a while and I am out of chicken breasts (their packaging makes me mad) and I will say I'm not a fan of fish unless it's a WI fish fry. We had grilled chops the other night so it's not that I'm not getting pork, I've just been pushing chicken when I can.

Thank you for some ideas of what y'all eat - it will make me investigate my grocery differently this Friday. Normally I go heavier on fresh produce and forget there may be other finds elsewhere when it comes to veg.

Today I'm doing ok w both eating on target and not having horrible cravings. So I guess a plus all around.

Tomorrow will find me biking my 8 mins (2.3 miles wasn't bad) and coming home and figuring some sort of breakfast I've been changing that up too adding tomatoes, kohlrabi or avocado with my egg. However though colorful, sometimes you need to mix it up. I still can't do cauliflower at 530 in the morning. I just can't.

I'll let you know how the ham goes. Here's to good ideas and maybe some good loss for all!

243! I succeeded I got back down to where I was -.8 prior to TOM. Darn thing and I lost weight between yesterday and today so I think I managed the ham pretty well. I had extra water with and after, and a green tea before bed and watermelon for dessert. All in all, I am pleased w/that bit of a loss. Onward and downward.

I went and rode for 8 minutes and today hit 3 miles. Not having any real issue during or after. I think the one guy that was there this morning thought I was nuts. Here he is stretching out and then hops on the treadmill for his run and I end up hopping off the bike and leaving right away. Oh well, at that time in the morning no one should really have clear thoughts to wonder about my dragonfly lighting (well that's how I choose to visualize these short bursts). And on top of it I burned a whooping 36 calories! WOOT. That's almost a breath of air.

Thank you all to your support and ideas yesterday. As I said earlier I will check out the veg frozen area a bit closer. I know last year one of the gals on here was making zucchini noodles all the time. I think if we add some different foods or way of prepping it will make this journey a bit more interesting. I told you a bit about my sister and her critiquing of my diet -she sent me her's I now know why she is remaining thin but long term I don't think it's sustainable for her, but she likes being her high school weight though she's almost 22 years away from that time in life. She relies mainly on fruit and very little protein. Then she follows it up by saying - "look at ME! It's proof it works well".

Yes - Ubee - she is the food police! She also micromanages her family in much the same way food wise. Did I say I sneak cookies to her kids when I see them?

Anyone else have a nice Wednesday surprise? My happy scale puts me at 241 in 7 days. Well, I aim and HOPE I can do that before then. I have a weekend in there too and traveling next week with family. Both opportunities to stray. And today i also hit my 2nd milestone that it set for me. I broke mine down to smaller goals on that less to get discouraged. So in 7 lb weight shifts is what I aim to do. The journey has 15 milestones to complete. Well 7 is less than 10 and sometimes 10 and then 100 sounds daunting!

Sorry I am wordy this am. My LO has been talking my ear off since before I went to work out. My alarm went off at 505, LO came in at 500. Full of lots of stories and questions and the need to begin the day super early. Maybe part of his zip rubbed off on me. To have that amount of energy I'd love.

Happy day all - I am here to cheer you on!

Dimples: How goes the struggle? YES stay off the scale, I braved it the last day of TOM and I had hopped on the first day. You will be happier to avoid it in between. Just try your best with what you eat and if you can move extra you may be better off.

Laura: Have you run your entire adult life or is this something new to you on this journey?

Ubee: Girl - it was cool out this morning! Foggy too. I was watching local news and they said august is always foggier here. It just keeps reminding me summer is almost done. And no, I haven't found the undies yet - Friday I will go look! I think I will take my hip measure and see what works.

FatDoesnt: Where did you go? I hope life is treating you well and your DH is helping you with your squats! Who's in the lead now?

Hello all!

Happy Hump day all!!

LemonThyme I started running in my early 40s. I was always heavy, even as a kid, and hated running, but for some reason, I joined a learn to run group and discovered I loved it. I lost just over 100lbs back in 2009 and really stepped up my running (it was my motivator for losing the weight) to the point where I observed my 45th birthday by running a half marathon. It wasn't a great experience and I let the running taper off that winter (I lived in Canada). When I married and moved to Virginia, I tried to restart my running but wasn't 'feeling it' and stopped all together. That started my slow gain back to 300lbs.

Last June I ended up in the hospital with a cardiac incident that was caused by stress and did not permanently damage my heart, but it was the wake up call I needed. At Christmas time, when I flew home to visit family, it was the same time that Carrie Fisher died on a plane. Even though we were not similar in lifestyles, it was the push I needed to get my health in order. Being on a plane, needing a seatbelt extender, was enough for me to take stock and change my approach to eating and exercise.

It's not been easy but I take the challenges in small doses and don't make more of them than what they are. When I look back, I do see a ton of obstacles that could have derailed me (family crises including unexpected death, travelling for work every 3 months, family and friends who are not "dieting") but I faced them at the time, saw that they couldn't defeat me, and carried on. Sure I gave in to temptation once in a while, but I righted the ship immediately and moved on, not berating myself for the stumble. I am a big believer in not allowing negative self-talk. Even when I was at my heaviest, I NEVER hated myself. I see that so much where people are hardest on themselves, more than anyone else on the planet would even consider being to them. Makes me wonder if it's not an excuse to avoid the work of making ourselves healthier - example: "I can't help it" "I'm stuck this way, so why bother" "It's such a huge undertaking, I won't make it". Breaking down goals into easy chunks really is the way to approach things. I'm 3lbs away from my halfway mark and I cannot believe I've come this far. It's also inspiring to see where I've been and what I've accomplished so far. I'll stop the lecture now, I hope my words help as that is my intention.

Ubee I'm on day 3 of UDDD, and so far so good. On the 'down day' I lost 0.1lb. Yesterday (the up day), I did my run and ate more calories than I'm used to and this morning showed a 1lb loss, so hoping that this is a formula that sticks. I'll keep you posted!!

Onward and downward my lovelies!!

Good Morning All! I've been a bit busy lately and the website doesn't load too well on my phone.

Well, I think it's time to change the scale's batteries. I had been hovering around 245, and then yesterday it was 240 and this morning 249. Soooo hopefully that isn't real!

My DH and I have been slacking on the squats, all it takes is to miss one day. But I've printed out a chart so we can both have the visual accountability.

Lemon Thanks for checking in! I've been trying to add 2-3 cups of green tea a day as well. I'm trying to make some at night so I have iced tea in the morning.

Laura you are rocking it!! I am so happy for you and look forward to all of us joining you in the 230's!

FatDoesnt: Oh those darn batteries! Had the same issue a few weeks ago. Also check to make sure all 4 corners of your scale are level and don't wobble on one corner. I live in a 100 yr+ old house, and the tile isn't completely level so I have a certain area that the scale can go that does well. Good luck!

Laura: thank you for your journey. I use to run when I was younger but have found walking a bit easier on my knees. I used to swim, but having an indoor pool close by is my issue. I try to make the best of my summer months, but the pool closes next week as college guards go back to school. Oh how I miss an indoor pool 5 mins away. That was actually one of the better things I have done for myself. I'd swim laps 3 days a week sometimes 4 and in a 1/2 hours time I did pretty well and had nice arms and dropped weight. I hear you on how life throws curve balls. I am glad you are able to overcome those and keep working toward your goal. Halfway point must feel really good for you! KEEP GOING!

AM: So my DH left me to fix a broken toaster this morning. Why is that you use to get 20 years out of appliances, then it became 10 and now ours are 4 years old, and my toaster won't stay down and my dryer no longer chimes. I have a sneaking suspicion they weren't engineered to encounter an inquisitive LO. I attempted w/the toaster and cut myself. DH can deal with it. It works when the covers not on but that's because you have more play w/the handle area that you can move it into position. Seems like an easy fix and I can't do it.

I found out I don't have to fast friday for my bloodwork, however I reminded them in the past I always have an A1C so that's been added back in and will let them know the past month. Well, I will keep moving and in the past that's always been a help. I do not want to become diabetic, one day I will master turning off the sweet tooth!

Off to go conquer the world. QOD: What's your favorite body part right now?I'd have to say it's my weird slopes to my belly on each side. It ends in a puddle at my belly button, but it hasn't been thin on the top part for some time. I noticed this last year and called it my landslide belly as it began, but you know, I worked to get some of the weight off and this is where it's showing. Not totally nice looking but does show some progress. I just hope the arms will follow with more loss. Here's to good bodies!

Ugh. I'm not having a good day. I just did not want to get out of bed when my alarm went off. I'm trying to get up earlier this week so we can get back on our school schedule and so far I'm failing at it big time. I'm just tired. I'm trying to not be a total potato though. Last night I hit that I want to eat everything phase. I ended up making a chocolate keto milkshake to help with the sweet cravings and I ate too much cheese, but other than that I didn't really do any damage. I hate PMS so hard.

Ubee, staying Keto is only really hard for me this time of the month. I do crave the sweets but if I don't have any available I wont go off plan at least. I was making keto desserts and fat bombs the first few months I was doing it and I would over indulge so I cut those out. On a normal day it really isn't that hard. If I'm not consuming sugar, I don't crave more. I really believe sugar addiction is real. On a normal low calorie diet where I would still consume some sugar and carbs, I never had success because even a little bit made me want more and I would always fall off the wagon. Giving it up seems to be the only way to make it work for me.

Kim PMS was always the hardest part of the month for me.
I got to sleep in this morning! I gave my husband a shove this morning and told him it was his turn to get up early. I usually am the early bird but have not been sleeping well. Now I feel like a million bucks!
I can not do low calorie. I spend all my time obsessing about food and just keep going a little over until it is I will start again tomorrow. I am doing low carb but not keto.

lemonthyme my favorite body part would be my lower arms. My second favorite is between my bust and belly button. It is slimming and has no stretch marks.
Don't even get me started on how cheaply made appliances are made.
Make sure and get the undies a little smaller you are about to hit the 230's!

FatDoesn'tDefineMe so glad you had the time to check in. Yes, definitely time for new batteries! I also second the making sure the scale is level. Wouldn't it be great if you were in the 230's.
How has your eating been?

Laura you can lecture all you want. Either I learn something new or it just reinforces what I need to remember.
I am so excited to tell you that today I wanted to sample a treat I had made for my daughter. They are tiny so I was going to take two then I remembered you saying the first bite is the best and put the other back. I think if I can keep that mindset that it will really help me.
I am glad you are experimenting with up days and down days. As far as I can figure that is how thin people stay thin.

As for me the first part of my journey I had 10 pound goals then I switched to 5 pound goals as I knew it would become more difficult. I do not have an end goal and I'm not sure if that is a good thing. My next major goal is 215 which will be 100 down from my restart.
The scale is continuing down and I think I figured out why this time it is different. Normally I have very little wheat and this last weekend I realize I ate hidden wheat all over. Since I cook gluten free I forget others don't. (Except for obvious things.)
I need to be 240 by the 15th. to meet my 5 pound goal for the month. I will do this because I have not missed one yet and I don't plan to start now.

Got a roast in the slow cooker with bay leafs and onions. Oh its starting to smell divine. I will pull it when it's done. It's a fairly lean one - same butcher - different animal. I have been doing ok with my foods. However today I am noticing a bit of increase in my taste for sugar. I ate a banana. Sure it's a bit more calories then the rest of the fruits but it tends to hold me longer sugar wise.

How do you cook turnips? I planted some and sadly its one of the only things growing in my garden currently. I am thinking of making one mashed - but I can't recall what they taste like. I read for some it's a love hate taste. Hey on this journey we must try new things, new recipes and new approaches. Maybe something will stick as delicious. Speaking of I should be outside weeding and harvesting onions.

Sounds like we are all doing fairly well this week - Dimples - hang in there that old witch should be moving on out for a while. All will be good soon enough!

Off to read more on turnips and boosting my garden soil for next year. Every year I hope for the champion garden and the last 3-4 years have all been a bust. Well heres hoping!

lemonthyme did you try drinking green tea when you get a craving?
Did you ever roast your turnips? I love roasted veggies.
Today I made a triple batch of refrigerator pickles.
I bury all my fruit and veggies scraps right into my soil. Also the worms love coffee grounds. Every time I go past Starbucks I pull over to see if the have free used grounds for my garden in their bucket by the door. It is in a nice mylar bag. I always add all kinds of organic material to my soil. Berries love saw dust and pine needles. My tomatoes love wood ash... All of them love coffee and fruit and veggie scraps.
For indoor plants I run water through my coffee pot with that days leftover grounds let it cool and water my plants. Stand back and be amazed.

242.5! 3.5 to loose to get to 239! Weekends coming and that will be a fight for me I tend to be lackluster over those few days. Help me stay on track!

Ubee: what's wood ash? Just leftover from wood stove? I can hit up my FIL for that then. I did not pull out a turnip yet but noticed such a purple top yesterday. I so need to weed my garden. My tomatoes are horrible, and my onion tops not only fell but disappeared. I'm really sandy soil: do you have any helpers for keeping them growing well, I planted well but w/the deluge of rain this summer they vanished so I'll have to dig. However it's raining again here -sending it your way!

Laura: thanks for cheering us all on! Maybe at this rate we'll all end up at 215 handholding the entire way in strength and numbers! Looking better and feeling better.

Hello dimples and FDDM!: may your scales be correct and look good for you! And may have the old hag moved on and that nonsense settle back down and onward downward.

AM: yeah I'm seeing some progress, a little each day. It makes me smile! I have learned however that I can't have 14 oz of green tea before bed. Holy bathroom trips! So maybe I will still have help from it in late afternoon instead. Of course I did water as well with dinner. Maybe not so wise!

The beef was good and I served w fresh veg - kohlrabi, tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower =tasty! I've been loving my kohlrabi of late. If you haven't tried it try it! I'll have to think of what tonight's dinner will be. Maybe I'll take Ubees thought and roast veggies. I've got a ton of round steaks and soup bones from our 1/2 cow purchase. Maybe a beef broth? Still thinking! My onky issue w the round steaks is it can be chewy. I have tried pressure cooking but I'm not happy w/the texture either - sometimes I think it gets chewier. Any ideas?

QOD: what piece of clothing might you add to your collection when you hit 230? I've been thinking I might look for a bracelet as my current ones; though nice, I'm tired of. Plus I'm carrying a bit of weight right above my wrists so my normal 7" bracelets are a bit snug. I'm hoping maybe that slims some. Oh and once again wearing my wedding ring. It hasn't fit in years and I WON'T resize it. But I know it generally begins fitting as I get closer to 230 without cutting off circulation or being so tight I feel my finger will implode. That's always one of my mini goals - getting into the ring again.

May you all have a good start to your day!

Good Morning!

Thanks for the rain leonthyme it is here. Back to a quiet day and it feels so good.
I have accepted a 10 day challenge from kfunk in another thread where we will eat 100% on plan. I'd love for you and anyone else to join us. It will take me to the 20th where I will face my next meal/feast challenge.
Yes, ask your FIL for some ashes to sprinkle on your garden in the fall. Keep it away from berries and roses and anything it that family. Do you mulch? Have you checked out Ruth Stout gardening? If not please do. That is how I garden and I pull maybe 20 weeds a year. Unfortunately I did not plan ahead when I transplanted my raspberries so I have to get that up to par.
Love your QOD's! I am going to give that some thought and will get back to you.
Slow cooking beef in butter or wine will make it very tender.

I am down a little more today and want to always remember my 240's and how I had to fight my way back after every weekend. May we all learn from our mistakes.