Pixie, you lost a lot of weight and took off a lot of inches in January. Be proud!

Sue, you had a fantastic January too! Wow wow wow!

I'm happy to say that I had a perfect food day. 13 net carbs, 1240 calories, 1.5 hours of exercise. I could have used a bit more fat but oh well.

Pixicat - great job on the inches lost - in the end that's far more important to me than a number on a scale! My end goal is to fit into the not-top size in regular French stores, so that's about a US size 10 (equivalent of size 12 being the top). I could give a hoot what the number is if I can achieve that!

Calee - I carefully measure out all nuts and seeds if I eat them. I can absolutely not trust myself to eat a portion out of a big bag - the moment I open a bag of nuts I immediately portion them into 1 ounce servings, and when I eat them I just take one container. The sunflower seeds are in bulk but I do the same thing, weigh a portion into a bowl and then eat from the bowl.

Sue - glad to be in the success circle with you! I'm not setting another goal weight, I'm generally not a big fan of time-based weight goals. I join challenges like this to make sure I stay engaged with the process of losing weight for a longer period of time, but the actual number of pounds I lose during that time isn't important to me - staying in the game and generally moving in the right direction is what I really care about! My big challenge for the next weeks will actually be maintaining my losses over a 2 week vacation to Florida the second half of the month... For the past many years every time I've traveled to the States, I've gained. So this is my big challenge, to break that pattern, and stay strictly low carb. It's also a good practice, because my husband just generously organized for the kids and I to go home to the States for a month over the summer - and I need to maintain or even lose during that month, so now I'm seeing Florida as a practice run for the summer trip!

Brooklyn, it's always hard when you switch scales and have to re-calibrate where you are, but at least now you'll have faith in the numbers you see - and I know the 200s are almost in your past!

Today is day 1 of eating clean!! Just say "no" to nuts!! As I can't seem to control myself!!

Company all weekend and true confession: beer!!

I let my mom borrow my Atkins book so this weekend I ordered the 1972 version and I am waiting for it to arrive.....re-reading always helps me re-align!!

Holding but that is to be expected!! So happy for everyone's progress!! Best wishes for an on-plan day!!

Okay.. last holiday for 2 weeks (Valentines is next)... so ME TOO LULU.. Bag on the wagon.. tho I was good and only ate on plan yesterday.. but TOO MUCH salt. I too eat nuts.. Emerald has those single packets of Choc or Cinnamon roasted Almonds that are only 100 calories or 2 carbs.. Its kinda nice to have them portioned out already... BUT Cold Turkey is always a good thing too!

Happy Monday all!

Good Morning!

I too parcel out nuts. It's the going back for another serving that gets me sometimes. For now they are just off my radar. I have a Costo size bag of sliced almonds for cooking (green beans etc) that I refuse to open for now. This weekend I te some BBQ pork rinds tht were cut ally good but very salty so I was able to easily limit.

Sarah, we are a Fat country. These two weeks I'll be a good trial run for summer. I vacation in Europe most years and I maintain my weight by walking 10-15 miles a day. Never a taxi, always walking. Paris is one of my favorite walking cities. I get it about wanting a size, not a number on the scale. One of my last trips to Paris my best friend bought a 00 coat. Hate her!

Lulu, I have a lot of other Atkins books but 1972 is my go to. NO more beer! It's Monday and that fun is over. Back to it girl!

I have found my new craving buster. I happen to love Quest bars and use them as a meal replacement when in a pinch. Keep one in desk and car. Last time I was in GNC I saw the new Quest Cravings Peant Butter bar. I hadn't tried it because it's expensive and I figured no way could it compare to a Reece Cup. The owner gave me a free one to try. Not eating candy, it actually tastes pretty good to me. It comes in a to pack. I eat one after dinner when I crave a sweet and it does the trick. It's not a Reece but its better than ok. 120 cal 8 fat, 4 carbs, 1.5 fiber, 1.5 sugar, 10.5 protein.

Scale started the move down, finally!

Valentine challenge Goal 148
1/16. 152.8
1/17 153
1/18 152.2
1/19 151.8
1/20. 151.8*
1/21 150.4
1/22 *149.8.*
1/23*150
1/24 149.6
1/25 149
1/26 149.2
1/27 149.2
1/28 148.8
1/29 149.2
1/30 148.8
1/31 150.8 had 72 carbs 1100 calories yesterday's
2/1. * 150.4
2/2 *150.6
2/3 149.8 1240 cal, 25 carbs, 12 fiber. 63/29/8%
2/4 *

My Valentines day goal might have been a little lofty but I'm sticking to the plan :). I've stalled a bit over the last few weeks with lots of ups and downs within the same 2 lbs but overall I feel smaller and my clothes are fitting much better. I'm even into some of my clothes one size smaller which is exciting considering I was busting out of my biggest ones before going on this program.

SW 186.4
GW 166.4 by Valentine's Day
1/10 179.0
1/14 178.4
2/3 173.8

SW: 178
CW: 173

Ok looks like I'm getting back on track!! Ate clean - no more nuts!! At least not right now!! 1972 Atkins came yesterday - let the re-reading begin!! Tried on both of my new pants yesterday again - the Levi's and painter jeans - muffin top has to go!! On the road until Friday!! Goal is to eat clean - induction level!! Thanks as always for the support through the "less than perfect" times!!! Best wishes for an on plan day!'

Good morning!

Dexter, your goals may have been lofty but you are crushing them! Look at you go!

Lulu, I'm glad you're feeling back on track. That's excellent.

I'm actually feeling pretty proud of myself today. I had a NSV. Yesterday was lunch with a former boss/friend that I've known for almost 30 years. I got a cheeseburger, no bun and picked a bit at the salad that I got instead of potatoes.

Then came Weight Watchers. I went with a good friend. She asked if she could take me to dinner and I knew would be so disappointed if I said no. So off we went to a neighborhood restaurant/bar that makes the best organic burger in town. Again, cheeseburger no bun. This time I didn't even pick at the salad or housemade pickles or marinated onions. I did ask for some homemade garlic aioli.

So two eat outs. Another one coming Wednesday and Thursday. If I can eat out and maintain I would be thrilled. Eatin out generally costs me two pounds of sodium weight but all of these places are upscale farm to table places or I won't go.

Valentine challenge Goal 148
1/16. 152.8
1/17 153
1/18 152.2
1/19 151.8
1/20. 151.8*
1/21 150.4
1/22 *149.8.*
1/23*150
1/24 149.6
1/25 149
1/26 149.2
1/27 149.2
1/28 148.8
1/29 149.2
1/30 148.8
1/31 150.8 had 72 carbs 1100 calories yesterday's
2/1. * 150.4
2/2 *150.6
2/3 149.8
2/4 *149.8 ate out 2x each a bunless cheeseburger
2/5

So today I have to work the scale down!

Have a fun day everyone!

Good morning everyone!

Calee I am sure the scale won't be too mean to you for eating out... and even if it is just remember that you ate OP and made great choices and that the scale is lying lol

Sarah a size goal is great! When I get close to the end I plan to focus more on how my body looks and feels because I have no idea where I will end up. I do know I want to be in the healthy range though! I picked my gw because it is in the middle of healthy for my hight but I'm flexible.

Sue you are doing amazing!!!! Looks like you might hit that stretch goal :)

Sw - 244.6
Gw - 239.6
01/01 - 249.8
01/02 - 247.8
01/03 - 246.7
01/04 - 245.7
01/05 - 244.5
01/06 - 246.6
01/07 - 245.3
01/08 - 244.4
01/09 - 243.7
01/10 - 244.5
01/11 - 243.4
01/12 - 243.2
01/13 - 243.2
01/14 - 242.7
01/15 - 241.6
01/16 - 242.1
01/17 - 242.5
01/18 - 242.6
01/19 - 242.9
01/20 - DNW
01/21 - 241.9
01/22 - 242.3
01/23 - 241.5
01/24 - 242.8
01/25 - 242.6
01/26 - 243.4
01/27 - 242.5
01/28 - 241.9
01/29 - 242.2
01/30 - 243.4
01/31 - 243.0
02/01 - 244.2
02/02 - 242.7
02/03 - 244.2
02/04 - 243.6

I did a full body workout and ate out on sunday (grilled shrimp and steak with broccoli yum!) So yea... I am thinking I may take a scale break for a bit. So I will weigh in on Valentines day for the end of my various challenges and for the 1st weigh in for the next one. and then maybe not again til March.

I may fail miserably at this plan because as crazy as it drives me it keeps me on track I think. And it is just habit so maybe I will have my hubby hide them. idk

Either way I plan to check in on you guys every day or two as I have been doing just to catch up and see how everyone is doing. :)

Day 2 of eating clean complete and I have a plan for today!!! Hooray!! Can't weigh but seriously want to see something on Friday ......maybe unrealistic but we will see!!!

Wow Sarah, Pixikat, Calee and Rdexter - nice progress!!

Oh Brooklynn - the scale switch - sue went through that pain....honestly it takes strength!! I give you a lot of credit!!

Sue - Glad we are back on the wagon together!! We are going to look so great this summer!!! Eyes on the prize girl!! I've been meaning to ask - how was astronomy club? I think your hobby is so cool!!

I need alittle mental and comfort break.... (but will get back on the wagon again as I was doing so well... just like YOU ALL! :D)... I will be back really soon!

Sue, I am sending you a million big hugs. Do not stay away too long. You struggled with the pounds that you have shed. It would really be a shame to have to reclaim them. If you stick around maybe you can go through this breaking heart and not have to kick yourself about the pounds later.

I'm having an UGH morning with the scale. Carbs were fine but sodium was off the charts. I ate a low carb chili from netrition store with 1080 sodium. Later in the day ate pork rinds while watching biggest loser. Oh the irony. Plus three nights in a row of only 5 hours sleep. Not surprised scale is up this morning. I can't make a fist and rings are tight. My office is freezing and difficult to motivate myself to guzzle water.

I wish the week would end. Dinner out with girlfriends at a upscale restauant with no entree under $19 and the only thing on the Mexican plate that I can eat is the meat. the woman moving got to pick. I will get a side salad and call it dinner.

Tomorrow a business luncheon. Ugh but will be easier. Tomorrow dinner at a restauant called Rouge. Named for its specialty of red meat. That will be perfect. Good burger no bun.

It takes such strategy to eat put and stay under 25-30 carbs. So I'm ignoring the scale today and even though it's even colder today, I will chug water and drink hot lemon water too.

Valentine challenge Goal 148
1/16. 152.8
1/17 153
1/18 152.2
1/19 151.8
1/20. 151.8*
1/21 150.4
1/22 *149.8.*
1/23*150
1/24 149.6
1/25 149
1/26 149.2
1/27 149.2
1/28 148.8
1/29 149.2
1/30 148.8
1/31 150.8 had 72 carbs 1100 calories yesterday's
2/1. * 150.4
2/2 *150.6
2/3 149.8
2/4 *149.8 ate out 2x each a bunless cheeseburger
2/5 150.8. Way too much sodium!

Brooklyn, get in here nd share your good news!

Hi - Ate on plan so I really hope the scale is good to me! I would like to match my ticker and then move on down!!!

Thinking of Sue.....

I am needing your hug(s) and I thank you all. My friend is in Hospice and I am going to go see him (Justin) today. I so am Thankful for you all! I can't talk about this to anyone as my friends don't listen well. You all make me feel whole and right inside... Thank you