Wow, Bridgette. Congratulations!!!! 7 pounds in 3 weeks. That is so great. I'm feeling better today because I weighed myself and I'm down to 150.5 from 153. The gain must have been water weight or something. So now my new goal is 140 by 9/1. Man, I'm getting so sick of falling off track and then trying to recover and make new goals again. I guess the frustration is a good sign because hopefully I will get so very frustrated with myself and decide to stick to the plan and lose this darn weight for good. I know I will have to maintain the weight loss, I would just like to for once get there. Have a great Sunday everyone!

A lot of my carbs are coming from fruits and veggies, and the rest are coming from cereal (mostly Honey Bunches of Oats or Crispix) and sometimes wheat bread, when I eat Subway at work. So would that be okay?

Another bad day today, thanks to hubby calling and asking to get Arby's. I need to work on my "just say no" technique.

Total: 1972
Fat: 79g, 36%
Carbs: 275g, 48%
Protein: 83 g, 17%
Fiber: 37g

Totals for today are

Calories: 1667
Fat: 27%
Carbs: 44%
Protein: 27%
Fiber: 14 grams

Totals for today:

calories 1357
fat 45g 31%
carbs 212g 44%
protein 83g 25%
fiber 68g

I weigh in tomorrow so wish me luck!

Bridgette.

Sunday, August 5th:
somewhere around 1650 calories, with good carb/fat/protein proportions

I don't have the exact numbers to post, because I finally bought the PC version of fitday, but I installed it on my laptop, which I left at work so that I could walk home and back again without carrying it.

I also bought a new food scale. My old one is a spring-loaded scale that was my Mom's in the 70s. I'd been hankering after a digital scale, but resisting the urge. Then I was dividing up some carrot sticks, and it became apparent that the 30 year old scale didn't seem to be accurate. So I bought a $29.99 Salter at Bed, Bath and Beyond, but unfortunately when I got it home it didn't work. I thought it was the battery that came with it, so I bought a new one, and it still doesn't work. So now I'm thinking about buying a $49.99 Salter from Amazon. The cool aspect of that one is that it's rectangular, so that you can store it sideways rather than having it out on the counter all the time. But I'm ambivalent because the first one not working brought up all my reservations about the environmental consequences of buying yet another electronic gadget that is likely to break soon. And I'm not sure I should spend that much on a scale - a new spring loaded one would only be $9.99. I think I'll wait until after I've returned the non-working one to BB+B, and then see what I think.

Also, I've been thinking a lot about "before" pictures. I do have one, because I did want to be able to document progress. But I also see weight loss as indicator of healthy practices, rather than a goal in and of itself. And I find it much harder to be healthy when I'm feeling badly about myself. So I spent some time taking a picture that I liked, that I can look at and feel positively about - like, there's a happy person that I'd like to meet (if it wasn't me). Even though there is a lot of social pressure around weight, I try to resist the pressure to feel embarrassed or ashamed of my body, both because I don't think that anyone should feel that way and because for me it ends up being counter-productive for the larger project of taking care of myself by shifting to more healthy habits. And having a "before" photograph that I like helps with that.

Wow dream- way to go on that fiber count!

My totals

calories 1322
fat 55g 37.4%
carbs 56g 16.9%
protein 150g 45.8%
fiber 18g


Tomorrow I am going high protein low fat... I enjoyed my nuts today but it has to end!!

Also, tomorrow/today (monday) my cross country team starts practicing.... I am so nervous that its not even funny. Its my third year running but it never gets easier! And my one of my closest XC buddies isn't coming back this year. Oh well, I will hit the gym in the AM to elliptical and lift weights and then my team will run 4-6 miles in the PM. I am planning on 4 miles. I am also planning on dying

GOOOOOOD Monday Morning :D!

Weight Sunday July 29 - 199.7
Weight Monday August 6 - 191.8
Total lost: 7.9 lbs but remember a lot was bloat for vacation.
Amazing, just that 7.9 lbs and I can get my pants back on. They are snug because I was 186 when I bought them but I look forward to getting back to where I was and below. This was a good start.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, I did. I played with DGS and DH/DGS/myself and the dogs went for a long walk yesterday morning. We took DGS down to see the neighbors sheep, he didn't want to leave. He is as much of an animal lover as myself but then most kids are.

Tinky ~ Are you on medication for the migraines? WOW, that was a long one. I get them once in a blue moon and they horrid and I wouldn't wish one on anyone.

Brightside ~ Have you considered purchasing a low cal treat for you in place of the stuff you buy for your kids? I keep 100 calorie packs in the house for such occassions and yes I limit myself to one. Its not always easy but I do.

Sarah ~ That is exactly what I have changed my line of thinking to, getting healthy. Used to be my goal was just to get the weight off but now its to get healthy and fit so I can be around for my grandchildren. I weigh the same now as when my girls were little, had a weight problem most of my life, but I have to say I am in much better health in my opinion. I actually have energy that I wished I would have had when they were little. I can actually almost keep up with DGS.

Bridgette ~ Welcome! This is a wonderful group and I look forward to getting to know you. Congrats on the wonderful start, wow that is fab.

Kayla ~ Everyone is right about the carbs. Remember, you have to have carbs for energy and fruits and veggies have other benefits like fiber and vitamins. If you are still losing that you must be doing right. I can eat Subway and lose.

Deedee ~ I hear you, I get frustrated also but its a good sign that you don't give up. Keep going, you can do it!

Rocknroll ~ WOW, that is a workout in a half. Maybe some day I will have enough energy to do all that. With that kind of a work out I wouldn't think you would gain while reintroducing carbs, your body needs them for fuel and the carbs on South Beach are all healthy carbs. You may gain a little but I would worry as it will be temporary.

Well the weekend and eating did go much smoother than normal. I usually gain on average 3 lbs over the weekend. This weekend I stayed the same which rare so maybe I am in a calorie range that will keep me stable on the weekends. I think I would have lost if I wouldn't have sit around so much but I think my body needed to recoop from the weeks activities because Sunday I was ready to job a little during our walk. DH just looked at me funny when I came back and walked with him and DGS. My dog is even losing weight because now his harness comes off.

Saturday morning I snuck some time in and was able to ride my horse and then Sunday I took time for me and drove my pony. I don't ask for much, just an hour me time.

WOW, DH hit me with a mind blowing joke, or at least I keep telling myself that is what it is. He wants to have another baby, and he is serious. I am serious that it isn't happening. I have a 20 year old, 16 (almost 17) year old and a 19 month old grandson with another on its way. Why would I want to do that all over again? No way. First, we have DGS Friday - Monday for now and it wouldn't be fair to him, in my opinion, because DH would probably push him aside and DGS needs us. I have had a brush with diabetes and I am going thru menapause and would have to have my tubes untied. Plus, he works out of town and I would be doing most of the raising just like the girls. I feel I have done all the dedicated parenting I can handle and its time for me, I know selfish but I have looked forward to this day. So, its all a big NO! well unless he decides to get a local job and do most of the raising. I just got burned our raising my girls because both have caused me a lot of grief that he didn't have to deal with.

Have to get going but will check back later.

I am back...the dreaded day after the baseball game and well lets just say I did NOT follow my diet yesterday and have NO idea what my calories were so I will tell you what I ate
half a large milkshake (at reids dairy the small which is about what I drank is 100 cals not bad for breakfast :P)
nachos and nacho cheese for lunch (eeek abotu the size of the movie theater nachos)
a 3/4 polish sausage with ketchup and mustard from a vendor
1/4 of a hot hamburger (but instead of gravy they use bbq sauce)
3 or 4 onion rings
and the worst thing was about 3 cokes :(

my husband was actually disappointed he was like if your gonna cheat CHEAT don't say your cheating then barely eat anything. it was kinda funny. I couldn't finish any of the things I started to eat and at dinner I felt full after about 4 bites of burger and 3-4 onion rings the owner came out to ask me if I didn't like it or if there was something wrong. anyways the baseball game was awesome the bluejays won I got a new bluejays shirt and my son got the cutest little bluejay hat. and I am gonna have a low cal day for today. oh also I did get exercise we parked 3 blocks form the stadium, we walked all the way to the other side of the stadium (about 10 sets of stairs as well as walking in between) to pick up the tickets then back around to our gate to go in. we had to walk up and down stairs to get from our seats to the bathrooms or food. we also stopped at a park my mother in law went to as a kid and hiked to a spot she reall liked. after dinner my mother in law and me walked the baby around outside to make sure he was settled enough for the car ride home. so i did get a bit of exercise at least :O

Bummer, our tickers don't do decimals. OH well, even to view 7 lbs makes me :D:D:D:D

Thanks Grammy and Tinky!

As of this morning I weigh 147.4 I am a little upset because I am now up two pounds from my low. It could be sodium from dinner but I also had a good amount of nuts which happened to be salted as well. We went out for dinner and I thought I did well. It was an italian place so while everyone had pasta I split the roasted red peppers drizzled in olive oil with fresh mozzarella. And as my main dish I had a grilled chicken salad with roasted red peppers, artichokes, lettuce, carrots, baby tomatos, and cucumbers.

I am going to eat pretty low fat today and see how tomorrow's weigh in turns out. I also created a fitday account because I want to share what I eat with you guys! I currently use spark people but I don't mind inputting my stuff twice!

Do you mind if I join in? I am switching from WW points to calorie counting. Since I can't afford the meetings at WW, and I find myself "cheating at points" I thought I would just be honest with myself and switch to calorie counting.

August goals...
weight be under the 180 mark
continue the no caffine/no artificial sweetners beverages
excersice minimum 5 days a week
average calories 1500

It will take me a bit of time to get to know all of you to post individual replys, but looking forward to hearing all about you all.

Tinky ~ I second the saying no is the hardest part when you don't feel like cooking. I do realize that spending so much time with DGS is making him was another and I explained you just never know what you will get so enjoy our little man. Geez, we have him all the days that DH is home so what more could he ask for. It is fun but nothing I want full time. Funny, the man wanting a child and the woman saying no, its usually the other way around. Sure hope you can get a refill on your meds for future migraines. I feel so lucky I don't get them regularly.

Rocknroll ~ Sodium can be a real weight loss recker to say the least. Your dinner sounded YUMMY! To flush water weight gain I always drink lots of water. I know that sounds odd but it works for me. Most days I shoot for 100 oz but don't always make it.

Flower ~ Welcome! Calorie counting is a lot of fun and really opens up the world of food, at least it did for me. I want you to stay but I also want to point out that there is also a WW forum here if you miss WW. I thought about doing WW but decided to try calorie counting first and I am glad I did.

Thanks Lara, I have been around here (3fc) for quite some time {dec 99}, I have popped up here and there depending on my current "lifestyle". For some reason the ww forum never clicked with me. I do love their recipes and the new food threads though. :)

Hey all sounds like its been busy weekend, only have a minute to post but wanted to say hi. I am up just a bit but I ate 3300 calories on Saturday going kinda nutty! I needed it for many reasons including mental health. Back on track and I assume the weight will come off between eating wheat (that always makes me gain since I am sensitive to it), TOM and salt intake I am sure I will start losing again real quick :)

DH is on vacation this week and home all week so I may not be able to post as much or as often, have a great week!

Flower ~ I have to chuckle when you say "current lifestyle" because I have been on so many plans. I found calorie counting to be the most comfortable for me because nothing is off limits. I choose to make things off limits because I want to be healthy. I am not one that likes to be told what I can and can't do so this works out great. I love the tips with this group. I originally came to 3FC forum because I was going to start the SB diet and was looking for support but I have also done Atkins, 6WBMO, TOPS, and a few others. The 6WBMO was the one I tried to follow for three years before I said enough was enough and started looking else where. Wonderful plan, very healthy but requires so much cooking and dedication.

I am 39 and have two daughters, a grandson and another grandchild on the way.

Yumm I added splenda to my Whey protein shake today. It tasted like a milkshake! haha

So I did my 'easy' workout and was really careful on my legs:
35 minutes elliptical
free weights
abs
15 minutes walking

Very relaxing but I worked up a sweat anyways. I am still freaking out about todays practice! Oh and the whole reason I posted:

On Wed. Night I am going to a cook out where they are going to be cooking hot dogs and ham burgers. I don't eat hamburgers (i eat turkey burgers) and I don't touch hot dogs. It is going to be right after cross country practice so I can't bring food because it would get hot in my car. Any plans? It will be my dinner so I am sure I will be starving.

RocknRoll ~ Do you know the people that will be cooking? Maybe you could give them your turkey burgers in advance, because of storage problems and they would cook them for you. I have done that at parties and they were always happy to cook them for me. The only other thing I can come up with is tuna pouch or something like that.

I forgot to share that I tried the Morningstar Black Bean and Corn burgers for breakfast this morning (having some ill effects because I had baked beans last night also). Those are FAB! I highly recommend them. I will definitely have them more often. Hopefully it was the baked beans or the combo causing the nasty side effects.

Nope I stay away from Seattle mostly in those times! I don't like how busy it gets and the traffic!!! Argh, we did go get some gyros in kirkland (Santorini's is the best!) and watched for a few minutes while the kids played in the water but the blue angles were too far away.

Yeah I am sure I will lose the weight, I can only go so long avoiding wheat though cause its new to me and its in everything!! After a bit it drives me nuts avoiding all the breads and stuff. I used to get migraines quite often but since learning some of my food sensitivities I have had WAY less of them.

Have fun all!

Hi everyone!

Another week, another weigh-in. I know it will be zero loss. I'm doing this pattern now of losing every other week. I'm not sure what the deal is, but maybe its time to dial down my calories. :(

This last weeks stats:
cals: 1678
sodium: 2583 (woohoo!)
fiber: 55

I hope I don't have to lower my cals, since I am nursing and feel pretty good on the 1600-1700 cals a day (definitely a range I could live on).

Calories- 1497 (even with the half a chocolate chip cookie I had today!)
Fat- 23%
Carbs- 49%
Protein- 28%

One of my better days! I really spaced my meals out today. For dinner, I had my green beans, then my meat about an hour later, and about two hours later I had light string cheese. I just couldn't seem to get full today, so spacing it out like that helped from binging. I'll be up for at least another hour, so hopefully I'll stay full for it!

Hi all,

Welcome, flower!

Congratulations on your blood pressure, Tinky! That's awesome.

RockNRoll, how about bringing some frozen veggie burgers with you? They'd be ok if they defrosted in your car, because they're not meat and already cooked. My favorite for cookouts is Boca burgers.

Stats for yesterday:
1601 calories
17% protein, 21% fat, 60% carb, 36g fiber, 2425 sodium

And for today, Monday, August 6th:
1721 calories
20% protein, 29% fat, 50% carb, 34g fiber, 2054 sodium

Monday:

Total: 1477
Fat: 35g, 23%
Carbs: 216g, 45%
Protein: 109g, 32%
Fiber: 60g

Today was my "official" once-per-week self-weigh-in day. Nothing lost, nothing gained. No biggie as I was expecting it. I ate a lot of not-good food this week and a lot of it. Plus, this was my first full week of weight lifting so there might be some initial water weight.

Hopefully, I'll start melting away again by next Monday!

RocknRoll, how about just some fresh fruit? A few hours in a hot car shouldn't make it nasty. A few days, yes, but not a few hours. LOL Or maybe a cooler with a salad?

Todays #'s

calories 1417
fat 36g 24%
carbs 218g 52%
protein 83g 24%
fiber 42g

Bridgette.

I'll figure out something to bring by wed. Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I might precook a turkey burger, slip it in my purse, and secretly put it on a plate without people noticing. I don't want to bring any attention to my diet!

I survived practice! 4.25 miles... not too bad either. It was humid and I was soaked after the first mile- hard mentally but not physically.

Calories- 1,065
Fat- 35 29.8% woohoo I was aiming for under 30!
Carbs- 55 20.8%
Protein- 130 49.4%
Calories burned- 1126 (double workout)


I am exhausted and the next practice is in 7 and half hours... whew

GOOD MORNING!

I am back to counting carbs because this morning weigh in was 149. The only thing I have changed is more veggies, nuts, and yogurt. Its depressing that I ran over 4 miles and burned over 1000 calories but still gained. So, I am back to carb counting and calorie counting

:/

Hey RockNRoll, the scale fluctuates for lots of reasons. You could be up because you got dehydrated or because the extra exercise is causing water retention. I have to say I'm worried about you, because you're a very active teenager (running cross-country!), you've mentioned that you have a history of eating disorders, and you're only eating 1000 calories a day. But my understanding is that teenagers shouldn't be eating less than 1600 calories a day unless they're under a doctor's supervision. Have you seen a nutritionist to work out a healthy plan for your age and activity level?

Many many posters to 3FC have noted that sometimes they have to eat more to lose weight, because the body responds to severe calorie restriction by holding on to food. Rather than cutting out types of food, could you try upping your calories and maybe weighing yourself once a week rather than every day?

I probably should start using fitday again, currently using a notebook pad. Yesterday was 1690. More than I wanted but still acceptable. Have a wonderful day everyone! Oh, I posted an intro on the sticky but I am 38, have 4 sons, 1, almost 7, 13 and 17. Currently in southern FL, just moved 6 months ago from N NV. Oh, I am 10 years older than hubby. :) Second marriage, obviously the 17 and 13 year old weren't of his making. lol

Wow! I can't believe how busy this forum has become!

I never have time to check in, these kiddies are keeping me so busy as well.

I did want to check in and say that while I've stagnated at 173-175, I am not gaining. I've been at this weight for about a month and a half, since we moved. It's hard to get in exercise, since my husband gets home later and Curves closes at 7:30pm. I get out and walk a little each day though. :)

Here's my newest thing - total elimination diet. One of my twins is showing some reactivity to something in my milk, so I'm only eat a few specific foods (low allergen) to try to pinpoint what she is having problems with. Once I get to "baseline" (she shows no more symptoms), I will start adding back in a food at a time.

Here's what I can eat right now. If there is anyone who has ideas on what I can do with these food, please let me know! :)

brown rice
millet
puffed millet
sunflower seeds (and can make sunflower "butter")
avocado
sweet potato
pears
olive oil
broccoli
turkey
rice milk

sweet potatoes
 

Does anyone know where these are on fitday? I found Puerto Rican sweet potatoes, but they're 910 calories for 1 medium one....that can't be right. I'm talking about a plain ol' sweet potato baked in the oven. Thanks! :)

For some reason sweet potato is in fitday as "sweetpotato" - without a space between the words. Good luck with the elimination diet!

Zoe ~ I do the same thing. I will have weeks where I lose really fast, like last week the 7 lbs, this week I will probably do nothing no matter what I do. I was told that my body is adjusting to the fast drop. I have learned to live with it. Another thing you might want to do is check to see if you lost inches. When I used to measure I would lose weight one week and inches the following but rarely both at the same time. I like the 1600 - 1700 range also, allows a little more freadom than the 1400 - 1500. I know it sounds silly but the only thing I am adding is a treat but I need that fix. I will even work out more if I can have that fix. Keeps me honest.

Edzard ~ I tried to give up bread and I found the same thing. Just one taste and that was all she wrote. So I now buy Light Whole Wheat and its 70 calories for two slices. I don't have it every day but its a comfort to know its there if I want it. I have also found tortillas that are made from ww flour and flaxseed that are 70 calories for a big one and the light Flatouts that are 90 calories.

Good Morning Everyone!!!

RockNRoll- I'm glad you survived your 4 miles, you could of gained also due to the fact that you worked out your muscles really well and they're trying to heal so you will retain fluids. When you exercise your muscles will get small micro tears, causing more water to retain. Don't fret, it will go out on its own. Just push more water to help flush it out.

Edzard- LOL I know what you mean about the traffic with Seafair, we avoided it all weekend as well. I don't really know the meaning of Seafair anyways. LOL!

GrammyL- Thanks for reminding me, I really need to measure myself! LOL!

Carrie- Maybe I'm just craving one, but you can make a salad and use the turkey and avocado. Good to see you again!

Sarah44- Thanks, I can see why I did have high BP I loved salt and the weight was an added bonus. But I do watch my salt intake. ;)

Have a great morning everyone!


Littlered-Are you still out there??????????

I'm rolling in after a rough start at work.... it needs to be Friday. BAD. And it's only Tuesday. How depressing! :p

Monday's stats:

1356 calories
33g fat
190g carbs
87g protein

I just couldn't get into it and only exercised for 30 minutes yesterday. I felt like I ate a lot, but only came in at 1350 (give or take). I like to round up to 1400 just in case I ate a bit more than I estimated.

What's for dinner tonight, everyone?

I'm attempting to cook a low-fat version of chicken parmesan. I'm really debating about the pasta. I can't eat wheat, so I usually just stick to regular pasta, but that's less-than-desireable because I feel like it's so many calories for so little pasta. My other option is brown rice, but I'm already planning on brown rice for two other meals this week. Or I could just forgo the pasta and have veggies.