Brooklynn, I find that when I'm on an empty stomach I retain a little water. But the floors being uneven is just as plausible. Try moving your bathroom scale to where you normally keep your scale, and see if there's a difference. Scales/weight can be so fickle, I'm just glad that you see the big picture: You've lose weight. :)

Update: I binged very badly a while ago on low to no-carb foods, and didn't gain a pound. In fact, 2 days later my scale finally registered a loss. My body finally released that water weight it's been afraid to let go of. But I still felt that I needed to balance the excess calories I consumed, so I fasted for 22 hours and surprisingly felt great. It's given me a greater sense of how to control my mindless eating habits, and reminded me of what TRUE hunger feels like. I've decided to consume my BMR each day and fast on Sundays, to sort of cleanse my body for the new week. I'm still following the basic structure of Atkins, and decided daily intermittent fasting may be too much on my body. Hopefully this is something that will work for me, but I won't push my body any further than it wants to go.

I'm glad to read that everything is doing well. Everdeen, I agree with what the others have said, it's more than likely water weight. :)

Hi everyone! I'm still here. Still losing and regaining the same few pounds I gained while my mom was in the hospital. Soo frustrating! !!

I have discovered a new favorite extremely low Carb dinner main dish. I pan sear a chicken boob (my chicken HAS to be extremely done. The dryer the better! Just me, though haha) then top with some Swiss cheese, ham, and more Swiss cheese and put it under the broiler til the cheese is melted. Dip in about 1Tblsp of mayo mixed with 1/4 tsp of mustard. It is soooo good!

Way to go everyone!

So I wanted to share a recipe I made today that I found on pinterest. It's great for the pizza cravings! You may have heard this before.

So the crust is 8oz of cream cheese mixed with 2 eggs, seasoned with salt and pepper (and I added some fresh garlic and oregano), and 1/4 cup of parm cheese. Bake it at 350 on a buttered pan until golden brown (18-20 mins). Take it out for 10 mins, add some tomato sauce, mozz cheese, and toppings (I put black olives) and bake another 8 or so mins til the cheese is bubbling.

It smelled WONDERFUL and tasted like pizza! I couldn't pick it up and eat it like a regular pizza... i ate it with a fork... but it was soooo goood!!! :)

Hope everyone has a good week. I still have an insane amount of stress, and that my stall me up some... but I'm going to keep on trucking. Hope you're all well!

SDN, thanks for the pizza recipe. I will definitely try it!

Ramra, good for you for taking control. I hope your gallbladder issues are all taken care of.

Great to see you Gina! You didn't give up, that is the most important thing.

Brooklynn, I would choose one of the scales and stick with it. Same time, same place, same clothes. . .

ttfn xxoo

Hi all,

So I am making an appointment tomorrow with a nutritionist that specializes in metabolic issues. Hopefully that will give me some answers. Still plugging along on plan here though. Doing lots of thinking and I decided I am going to switch my exercise concentration to strength over cardio because its something I can control. (I'll still do cardio as well) I am going to focus more on body fat than actual weight so I can a least see my progress that way.

As far as this challenge goes as of today I am exactly one pound down, even though it isn't what I hoped for by this point or would have expected at this point it is however some progress so I am going to be positive about that

BTW, if anyone is interested or hasn't already heard of it I have been logging my food and exercise on a site call my fitness pal. It is a great site that has a ton of resources, you track your weight and everything you eat there and it puts it all in reports for you showing you how much of everything you are getting, fats, carbs, calories, sodium...etc. They also have message boards and you friend people....kind of like a facebook for dieters-lol. If anyone is interested my user name there is mawray2.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

I am just going to use the digital scale. It has gone down so I know I am losing just heavier than I thought. So I am going to stick with it weigh naked and leave it in my room lol. I got on it this morning and it said 200 so I know that the weight is changing and thats all I need :) I also took my measurements for the first time because I am going to the gym so much I figure if my weight isnt changing much maybe my width is LOL.

I weighed in at 148.7 this morning, a new low! I'm so happy this is finally working for me. I've been on Atkins for 50 days as of today, and have lost 6 lbs. It's not amazing, but it's progress.

Congrats Ramra! The last stretch is always slowest.

I'm sort of on vacation in South Carolina right now,
o we're eating out for every meal. I'm trying to eat on plan, but restaurant food has hidden carbs I don't think about. I'll see what the damage is come Friday.

Hey everyone! We were at the in laws for dinner on Saturday and Sunday, my weekend weight was 174.2 after both those days. My period is due this week, so it's either that or they lied about what was on the chicken (just said salt and pepper) or I ate too many veggies (I know onions have a lot of carbs and they made kebabs).

Today I'm at 173.8, so it did go down even though I ate left over chicken yesterday. I'm guessing I may just be bloated.

Looks like everyone is mostly in a similar situation though, bouncing around. Maybe we're all PMSing at the same time ;)

Finally hit a new low number after my stuck - hope it keeps up for a few weeks :D

Off to take cans to be recycled ... Ugh I hate doing this ...so I don't do it often which makes it worse ... Dumb dumb dumb....

Ha, they say that happens when women spend too much time around each other....didn't think it applied to the internet though-lol

I was actually down 1lb today, couldn't believe it! I have my doctors appt tomorrow so I will let ya'll know what I find out.

Nice losses everyone!

Maybe our cycles have alligned, haha!

Congrats on the pound, and congrats to Rho for the moving scale!

173.8 again, guess who gets to have dinner at the in laws every night this week and the weekend? Yup, my husband is redoing their deck so after he gets off work we go there so he can work on it and they make us dinner. I make my own stuff but then they want me to eat their food instead.

I hope he gets it done soon, we have been so busy and we just want a lazy weekend together! Next weekend in between the deck his daughter has four soccer games and a ballet recital. Last weekend was so hectic too since he was helping his sister move and unloading lumber for his parents, and the week before he was going to the hardware store every day after work with his mom to figure out what they needed.

His dad did give him a break on Fathers Day though :P

Stephanie - is it hot out there and maybe they will grill everything and you can have that and salad?

It's stinkin hot and humid here - how about we give ideas for foods in this heat - no air conditioning here and no grill right now ... Ack ack ack ... Tomorrow will be hamburgers. Getting things for the Crackslaw recipe, and some cheap chopmeat for taco salad (hubby needs expensive from meat market for hamburgers) going to do a steak on my stove grill one night then we can have leftovers on salad or hubs can have steak sandwich for lunch. Was thinking about getting a turkey or roaster chicken or maybe two to do in the smoker later in the week too. (extra one can be frozen) And maybe some shrimp I can roast in the oven with oil and garlic and use on a salad with homemade thousand island dressing.. Basically if I cook anything from now till cooler weather I end up doing extra for having it on salad the next night ...

I seriously hate summer and am hoping the weight loss will help with how much it bothers me at least. :dizzy::o

Mmm, smoked chicken makes such amazing chicken salad. Thank you for the idea, rho - when we get back from our trip I'm totally going to smoke a couple chickens in my in-laws' smoker. Now, it's time to cover my baby with sunscreen and take him to the beach.

I hit a new low, 147.7. But there's no way I lost a lb over night, so this may be the result of two things. 1: It's 86 degrees in my apartment, and I sweated out a lb. OR 2: I'm due for my period around this time, and I just lost the PMS bloat.

Steph, I hope your husband gets it all done before the weekend! It must suck to be working in this heat.

Hi all, had another slight loss so I am officially down 2.6 for the challenge. For whatever reason (and I don't want to jinx it) my body seems to have righted itself this week.

So I had my "doctors" appt. today, which turned out to be a bunch of quacks just trying to sell stuff. They get you in with a low cost consultation, that sounds like you are going to get answers and then basically they try to sell you on hgc. First off I have at most 25lbs to lose, but probably more like 20 total. The person I thought was a a doctor, um she introduced herself as Kim and had to go look up a simple medical question I had was obsessed with the idea that it must be hormones because I am 42 and she is close to my age and all the sudden she is having hormone issues. HELLO, I am not menepausal yet, no other symptoms. Pfft

Anyway, I did get the b12 shot which was part of the consultations and ran as quickly away from the place I could get! If my weight loss stops again I will go see my regular doctor, but for now, I am hoping the problem fixed itself!

Rho, FIL's *THREE* BBQ's had to be moved off the deck so my husband could take it apart and rebuild it bigger. (Okay, one is a smoker, not a BBQ). That man loves to grill!

Ramra, I'm pretty sure I've got some bloat going on right now. My weight is just doing it's own thing. You may have a bit of a whoosh after your period is over!

gapeach, you were smart to get away! HCG diets are dangerous, 500 calories a day and expensive hormones that are supposed to make you not feel any hunger. I had a friend that lost 50 lbs in just over a month on it, and a lot of people used to do it at my old job. It's expensive as ****, you may as well just starve yourself and save the money.

We have an electric smoker that you don't need to put a ton of wood in and you set the temperature so it makes it easy ... Love it - if I had an electrical outlet outside where it is it would be even better -now I have a cord that goes out my door but then bugs get in lol. And our new to us old grill is going to be hooked to street gas so no having to get tanks and our new to us generator will be hooked up the same way .. As we are aging I am going for ease of things ... and both things were super cheap ... The generator was on an estate but they decided they need bigger after the one storm they used it - hubs is in the FD with the estate manager and we bought it for a few hundred (and they delivered it) and the grill was a friend from FD moving to Florida permanently so it was $50. I love a deal :D but we need to work on the area where they are going and get a professional in to do the gas lines (actually another person in the FD lol)

What type of grills does your FIL have - I have lusted over a Big Green Egg for years - but they are expensive!

Crud just realized my attic fan isn't working - that makes a huge difference in the house in this weather .... Maybe I'll sweat out lots .. I know I'm drinking tons of water ..

500 calories ACCK I will lose slowly on a way I can do for life thank you very much - but I do know someone doing that and supposedly doing well but nope not for me .... And expensive to boot. Double ACCK. The B12 could help in how you feel over all ..

So stayed the same today (from yesterday lol) I think it might have to do with the tons of water I'm drinking because of the heat - may take a day or two for my body to adjust.

Crud it's hot! Can you tell I hate hot :devil: got the attic fan going again but it is still 85 in my house and it's only just before 10am ... It's only a few months and I've stood it for 59 years can stand it some more right lol ... I am so thrilled I got the new fridge with ice and water I'm making great use of it now for sure :p

Tonight I think will be hamburger and salad... My hamburger will have melted blue cheese butter on it.. Get groceries tomorrow so tomorrow night I will do a bunch of chicken wings up to have with Cheri's White Sauce and if I have any ambition I will make my Crackslaw with ground chicken too. I love it better the next day ... And since I don't go to sleep till 2 am I can do things late at night when it isn't quite as hot.

What else are you doing for hot weather meals .. Im also Getting hamburger to make taco meat for taco salad too... Would love more ideas to get a folder made up of ideas ...

Rho, I don't even know! I do know he likes the best of the best. They have quite a bit of money (when their kids aren't asking for handouts!). Since my one SIL who ends up asking for money the most has a job now I guess that's why he thought it was a good time to put the money down for the deck ;) Though my other SIL is out of school and not working right now :S

174.6 today, but I'm not surprised. I've been PMSing horribly, and yesterday as I was just about to make a salad a package came in the mail. I opened it and my mom sent us up a bunch of cupcakes and cookies! Before I knew it I was digging in. I keep junk food out of the house so this isn't an issue but I guess I got caught off guard. Today I'm cramping badly so I hope it's over with soon.

I'm starting to wonder if the best way to stop myself from cheating is to allow myself one cheat day a month around the time I will be PMSing, and make it so I don't have to do it if I feel well enough to go one without cheating. If I have that one day it will give me something to look forward too when times get tough as well. I don't know, just an idea. I'm always coming up with ideas :P haha.

Last time I lost the weight I was calorie counting for a large part of it and working out. I haven't been working out other than stroller walks and I'm worried I'm going to end up 'skinny fat'. I looked into a local gym and found two classes I like that are twice a week each at night. That way I could get a ride from my husband and he could watch Sloane. I could also do drop in other times and just plain work out on my own. I think this would be a good option for me to get out of the house more and get some exercise in.

Steph, good idea on the classes! I used to be skinny fat so I know what you mean...I was a size 2-4 and was still flabby! This time I am adding strength into my routine so I can firm up...I don't want to jiggle when I finally get back down!

So (knock on wood) the scale is still moving for me, I think my body just righted itself! I read somewhere when you switch from one diet to another it takes a few weeks to adjust. I've also been taking a digestive supplement suggested for people without gallbladders for 8 days now. Now, I had jumped 3lbs overnight last week (thinking maybe pms) but as of today I am back down the 3 plus a tiny bit more. Not going to make my goal for the challenge but if I can keep losing now, at least I will be able to have made a dent in it!

Rho, visiting my inlaws in Queens in 3 1/2 weeks, sure hoping the temperature comes down some! You know its bad when it is hotter there than it is down here in Hotlanta!

Stephanie - instead of a day off plan how about making it a meal and one that you only can do for 1 hour but it can be anything you want ... I remember ages ago there was a plan similar to that and the hour was important ...

Gapeach the weather should be getting better by this weekend I think and hopefully it won't go wacky again. Because it is worse up that way than it is out here - and my house got to 93 today... Plus hopefully your laws have AC ;) - and that reminds me I need to call my aunt who lives in Queens tomorrow and check on her :)

What supplement are you taking for people without gallbladder - I haven't had one for ages...

Rho, its a digestive enzyme. It's supposed to help with the digestive process the gallbladder normally would do. Usually the liver functions fine in taking over but I don't think mine was doing as well as it should. One of the sites I visited about gallbladders suggested it for people that had trouble losing weight, or worse gaining weight when they were eating right! Not sure if it's what has made the difference or if my body just fixed itself, but I have lost 3lbs in the last 5 days after only losing 4lbs in 4 weeks!

Rho, they live in one of those pre-war apartments, so it doesn't have central air, they have a window unit though, but I still sweat a lot there! Good thing it's only for 3 days! I love my in-laws but that is about all I can take-lol

Hmmm what's the name I'd be willing to give it a try if there is a chance of a loss like that - I've been playing with the same numbers since Memorial Day ... Only lost 2 ish pounds and up down up down ... I expected it because I had good losses the month before ut it's still frustrating ..

I've always like the idea that fish and company are both only good for 3 days after that they go bad idea - and I figure it goes for the host and for how the company feels too lol. Are you guys going home right away or will you be doing some travel and vacation things while you are up here?

Gapeach, I'd like to know the name of the digestive enzyme you're using too. Not just for me, I think my best friend would benefit from it too. She had gallstones last year but no doctor would even give her an ultrasound, and she went to the hospital at least 3 times. A gallstone eventually got lodged in her liver and she was extremely ill. I went to see how she was doing she had jaundice and could barely walk! Friends from her church drove her to the hospital and she passed out in the snow before even making it inside. She was finally treated, but ever since she's had trouble eating certain foods. It makes me wonder why she wasn't taken seriously. I know this is dark thinking, but I wonder if her weight had something to do with the doctors' lack of concern for her.

I'm really excited, because today we're getting some exercise equipment to put in our nice cool basement! We share the basement with the main floor tenant, but there should be enough room. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've exercised. I have NO muscle, and I'm finding it rather difficult to carry out normal tasks. Even taking out the garbage has become exhausting. I'm looking forward to toning up, but I'm waiting another week just to make sure I'm fully healed. I think this week I'm going to do light warm-up activities to get the ball rolling.

Ramra, that is terrible about your friend! I really hope she is doing better, you have to be your own advocate sometimes with medical things. Looking back on my situation I had had issues for years and years but I have never been big on going to the doctor and always assume pain is normal...it's not! Ha Just make sure you take it slow getting back to working out and really don't push yourself. You have to heal first and sometimes it takes longer than you want but you gotta do it! Be patient: )

Rho, My father in-law has a used car place and we always get our cars from him, so that is the main reason for the trip up...can't wait for the new car-lol. We usually just mess around the city during the day,lots of walking! When we leave NY we are headed to Washington just for the day to see the Mets play the Nationals...Go Mets-lol. Then we are headed to the coast for a few days then back to Atlanta. Packing a lot in in a little over a week! I have exactly 3 weeks left before I leave and I really want to get as much off by then because I know I tend to gain on Vacation (usually about 5lbs).

the enzyme I am taking is called Digestive Gold and I am also taking one called Lypo gold. The second is is for fat digestion and the bottle says for cardiovascular support, fish & flax oil digestion, and gallbladder support. I bought them at a health food store. When I told the guy that I had my gallbladder out he took me immediately to these so he was aware of the issues (I'd also researched them on the internet first) It made me feel better that we both came to the same conclusion as to what I needed without discussing it.

So, after losing almost nothing for 3 weeks, in fact gaining....I am down 5lbs this week! I cannot believe it! Honestly, I am being healthy with my eating, drinking tons of water and working out about an hour a day (broken up into two sessions). I really hope it keeps up, I know not to expect this every week, but something lost each week helps!

I am currently 224 pounds. My goal is to be around 210-212 pounds. Seems like a start! :D :carrot: :smug::) :o :p :cool:

Rho, that sounds even better! Maybe I'll do that.

174.8 today, still waiting on TOM. Been good but have been going over because I've been eating a lot of veggies, which isn't so bad. I also bought avocado for my daughter to try and ended up eating it all to myself! Those things have a ton of carbs but almost all fibre! I wonder if they might be why my weight isn't going down... I know some people have to count the fibre carbs as well.

Welcome Emily!

So many of us on this thread with gallbladder issues. My theory is that our bodies never processed the fat properly in the first place and that's why we gained weight so quickly as opposed to other people eating the same amount of calories. Just a theory, and probably has no scientific merit whatsoever.:D

Gap, Yes BABY another Mets Fan on this board! :woohoo:

I have been totally not on plan, but not terrible either. I have not counted carbs and I know I went over, but not crazy. I work in Queens in a classroom with no a/c so the classroom felt around 100 degrees. Plus we had Kinder graduation in the auditorium w/o a/c. But no gain at all, so I am happy with that. Sometimes maintain is a win.

NSV, my friend brought over an oreo crust cheese cake and I was not even tempted to have a taste. I gave it away the next day. In the past, I would have had that thing polished off by now.

ttfn xxoo

Welcome Emily! This is a great place to get the support you need to stay on track! You can do this!!!

Serenity- Weird isn't it about the GB issues, just in this one group far more than the average with issues....I think there is something to it! And we bleed Mets in this house, which is a lot of fun being that we live in Atlanta. Mets fan first then anybody but the braves here-lol!

Steph, you will figure it out. Just keep track of what you are eating so you can look back and see what is working and what isn't. For me at least sometimes it can come down to one or two foods just don't sit well with me. Also, I have to watch the sodium content because that really affects my weight. It will work out for you I am sure!

Uhg, Ramra, my (also fat) best friend and I have both had experiences with doctors who were sure that fatness was the root of all our problems. My friend had some serious gastrointestinal problems after returning from AFRICA and her doctor's first advice was basically "well, don't eat so much junk food, fatty." Yes, I'm sure that was her problem in Africa.
My faith in doctors' ability to listen to me and treat me like a person was pretty much nonexistent, so when I was pregnant with my son I chose to give birth at home with a midwife.

Does anyone else count calories as well as carbs? My husband does, so I sort of do, and I shoot for 1800 because I'm still breastfeeding. I've been over most of this week though and wonder if I managed to lose any weight. What number of calories do you aim for?

Ultrapeaches, I track my calories but don't necessarily "count" them. If I go by calories, I don't eat nearly enough. Yesterday I had like 900ish calories. But I wasn't hungry at all.

For anyone who uses MFP, You can add me there, same username :-)

What is everyone doing for exercise? I do mostly just walking, I want to jog/run but either I get a knee cramp right away or my boobs ache or SOMEthing. I thought about picking up 30DS tomorrow ... everyone else's results look amazing. Anyone done it?

What do you all consider your "problem" areas are? If I could pick where I want the majority of my weight to come off, I'd say tummy and calves. They're both way too big. Ugh.

And finally *TMI ALERT*





Bowel movements, I can't have them! I've always been irregular but in the last month or so, I don't go at all unless I take a gentle laxative. I drink plenty of water and eat lots of green leafy things, it just won't happen naturally for me. I've never had to depend on any laxatives until now. The last BM I had was last Wednesday or Thursday. Yes 10+ days. I feel so full and nasty right now that I will have to take a lax. ANY suggestions at all?

Gina, next time I log onto mfp I'll add you, my username is mawray2. I love that site!

As far as exercise, I normally do step aerobics. I used to do it to a dvd but now that I am used to several different moves I just freestyle it-lol while I watch tv at night. If the show is good I tend to go longer! Sometimes I also walk but lately the heat and humidity and smog has been oppressive so I am staying indoors! I think I am going to look for a gym this week though because I'd like to do more weights for toning and I'd love to take some classes like zumba.

As far as your bathroom issues, one thing I can suggest is to watch your diary intake, especially cheese.

Good luck!

10 days until July 4th! I'm down to 160.5 - 1½ lbs away from my challenge goal. How close are you guys?

I'm not close at all! Still 9ish pounds away. I keep playing with the same few pounds. Ugh.

Hi to everyone..

I've been MIA I was moving from Italy to Seattle and weighed myself and I MADE MY GOAL :cb::woohoo::cheer3::broc::crazy: that is how I feel as well.. It has been a journey.. If I can do it I know you guys will make your goal as well.. Don't think I'm not going to stay in this forum to encourage you guys.. This forum as been the key to my weight loss. all the support and encouragement has been excellent..now for me to maintain this weight loss that is the next lifetime goal

It seems as if everyone is doing good.. maybe a few stalls here and there but believe me I understand it took me almost 2 months to lose the last 6 pounds..

hang in there

Yay Globe I am so happy for you!!! Congrats!!! Yes stick around and stay accountable so you aren't tempted to slip!

As far as this goal, I am not going to make it after my big stall, however I am making good progress now so I am happy! So far I am down 4.8 for the challenge, so no where near my 12lb goal but I am going to keep pushing to get as close as I can.

Sunday nights I do measuring I do left and right thigh, calve, upper arm, I also do bust, waist, tummy(biggest part) and hips. Since I started measuring on 5/26 I am down a total of 9.25 inches and in the last week alone I am down 4 inches. Also, my left leg has always measured bigger than my right at start it was 1 in different in the thigh area, it is down to only a fourth of an inch different so I am more balanced-lol. My biggest loss has been in the hips at 2.25 inches (the place I need to lose the most!lol

To anyone not measuring, I really suggest it because even in the weeks I wasn't losing lbs I still saw something in inches and it helps to stay motivated!

wow gapeach you are doing great!!!! Don't let the scale not moving discourage you.. I started taking measurements as well when the scale wasn't moving for me as well and remember we wear our clothes size based on inches not weight...

Hang in there I've had a few hiccups but I made it.. I'll be foolish after this hard work to gain the weight back.. but I started with the GI Diet because I knew I couldn't keep the atkins as a lifetime and I calorie count as well..

Way to go guys! I made it to my goal, but I definitely need this thread for me to stay accountable. I went waaay off plan a few days ago, and bounced from 148 to 153, back down to 149.

Crazy thing happened today, my boyfriend ordered a pizza for dinner and the delivery guy couldn't find our house. We were already waiting outside for him when he called, and left a message that said "Hey motherf***er, come get your pizza, son of a b****.". So my boyfriend called the delivery guy and he said that our address didn't exist. ???? When he finally did show up, he was nearly an hour late and was going the opposite way on a one way street. Then he had the nerve to make my boyfriend PAY for the cold pizza (but apologised for the nasty message we got on our machine). So my boyfriend called the pizza company, and all the manager had to say was "Well, you got the pizza, right?". Omg.