Hey Y'all,

Just thought I would stop in and give my two cents worth. Well, I did fast until 1:00 yesterday. Needless to say, I did not do that well. I asked God to forgive me and now am carrying on with a normal day via Option 1. I have felt the Lord help me several times when I go to the fridge and stand there. What are you looking for??? I saw the grandkids' goldfish crackers, and then I just felt I didn't really want them, nor did I need them. I KNOW it isn't by my willpower that things are changing a little at a time! God receives the glory!!
Tracyg40, I lol when I read "no honking hairy way!" That sounds exactly like something I would say, and that was just about what I was thinking when I saw it!! 17 lbs. is awesome! I do know what you are talking about though with the wt. loss not being as easy as it used to be. Now that I am in my 40s, things are a changin' fast! It does take a lot longer to lose wt.

Well, Girls, I must close for now. I did go to Curves today. I was a member when I lived in another state over a year ago, and I really am glad I rejoined.

Blessings to all,
Liz

Oh Tracy -- you said:

"I was still trying to keep my diet in this separate little compartment. I was afraid that I would be eating too little and my body would go into starvation mode and I wouldn't lose anything and mess up my metabolism, yada yada yada..."

It's funny how we all rationalize to the same excuses -- I said the same very things!!!! I did start on Opt 2 and then also switched to Opt 1 -- been doing it for months, was hard in the beginning, but now it's second nature! I always do the same thing on the same days. I worked it so that I could "eat" on the weekend without being questioned -- we are more likely to be with family or church friends or whatever on the weekends. (Most of my family now knows about these days and don't bother me -- but I hate having to explain. Heck, plus it's nice to eat normally when were at a restaurant!! Please note - "normally" - it's still very hard to be discplined when out and about) So, here's what I do:

Saturday- Normal
sunday - half
Monday - liquid
Tuesday - Normal
Wednesday - Half
thursday - liquid
Friday - Fast

I 've only switched days like once -- it works really well -- when I follow it totally -- but that's my thing right now --> totally committing this plan to the lord and following it 100%. When I do, I have a weekly loss. . . . .

Have a good day all!

I'm in my first week of TLT. So far, so good...except I've decided to do liquids today insted of a full water fast. I have LOTS of cleaning and work to do today, and my kids already started the day off wrong (the oldest one got grounded for the day...guess who else will be cleaning??? LOL ). I just didn't think I could handle a fast, and I knew it was not a good day for the amount of prayer and meditation it would take to make it through.

So I figured the next best thing, calorie-wise, would be to do liquids. I found my first liquids day to be surprisingly easy...and that my appetite was less at dinner, maybe because my stomach had shrunk a bit from no solids all day??? (just a theory!)

Anyway, Liz, WTG on ignoring the Goldfish crackers! And FlowerWarrior, I think I'm going to look at my schedule and do what you did. It would be much easier for me to just have set days for doing things.

Keep up the good work, everyone!

It mentions soup and milk as options on liquid days.

I know we're not supposed to be legalistic about this...but I'm just looking for feedback as to what others do.

Do you think it's acceptable to have anything in the soup, or do you stick to plain broth? Like today, I had a Liptons chicken noodle cup-of-soup, with extra water added because it's always too salty for me. It had tiny noodles, but the whole thing was so low in calories...I didn't see what would be the difference between having that and something like tomato soup, where there aren't any solids, but the calorie level is even higher.

Also, I added some instant coffee powder, crushed ice and stevia (a natural no-cal sweetener) to 1 cup of milk and blended it into an iced coffee drink for breakfast.

I figure I'm still "on program" if I'm only consuming the liquids when feeling true hunger...and if the point is to cut calories and practice self-denial. (Because I really wanted some of the kids' mac&cheese for lunch! LOL)

Just thought I'd ask what the rest of you do.

Hi Gals,

FlowerWarrior- for your prayers. My eye surgery went well.
I am restricted from reading and exercising for a couple weeks.
I hope to keep up with my lessons, little by little.

Gwen- I love reading the encouraging words that you post. So sorry to hear you & your husband were so sick. I've been praying for you and that your prodigal children will come home to the Lord. I still have one son that I am praying for. He has always been facinated with the occult. I can see changes in him for the better, though. A woman's group I was in, put a basket with all the names of our family who needed to be saved in the middle of a circle. We then did a Jericho March around them. We were silent as we went around 7 times. Then we gave a loud shout. We are seeing victory!! One of the lady's husband just went forward to accept Jesus last Sunday!!

Mamamuse: I think it needs to be between you and the Lord about juice days and if you put anything in the soup. The scales will tell in the end

Pugsmama: I see you found the smilies.

On my juice days, I have been drinking V-8, that way I still get my veggies and besides that, I like it. Sometimes I heat up the V-8 and eat it like soup. I also drink bouillion and tea and small servings of cranberry juice or orange juice, but I have been trying to stay away from high calorie juices.

Hello Ladies:

Just to add my two cents worth-when I did the liquid days I had decaf coffee and V8-no soup only because I didn't have any. I don't really think a few noodles would hurt because God knows where yourheart is.

I just finished day 18 and it was a good lesson. Eventhough it's my second time through-it feels like I'm hearing some of it for the first time so maybe I wasn't listening the first time around.

Have a great day! Love hugs and prayers for you all!

Tracy

Hey all -- while on the subject of liquid days -- TODAY is my liquid day. My mentor tipped me off to smoothies -- they're great and satisifying. I found a smoothie maker on clearance at Wal-Mart and have been using it since. With fresh fruit around, I usually do strawberries with a little sugar, fat-free milk and vanilla yogurt. I like the yogurt in it 'cause it makes it a little creamier and gives a little protein.

I think the plan said to stay away from shakes -- but I do the carnation instant breakfast in the morning. It's supposed to have the protein of 2 eggs. . . . .frankly, I need the energy boost. By the time I take care of my house, my baby, exercise while she's napping -- I need the extra umph of a smoothie -- I could never do just broth or V8!

I just finished the lesson on perserverance -- it was a great to hear the lesson talk about plateaus and gaining weight on scale days! I know we've all been there!!!

Janet -- love the Jericho March -- might have to do that when our woman's group starts back up this fall -- I think they would love it too.

Also -- my name is Heather -- my maiden name is Heather Kelley - which just about literally means "flower warrior." Married a man whose last name means "bull" -- so now I'm flower warrior bull -- go figure!

Praying for us all -- in perserverance and hope -- may He give the strength we need today! And no matter what liquids we do -- Lord, may we do it in a way that honors you!

Hey Y'all,

I appreciate you all posting how you are actually doing Option 1. I am continuing to pray about Option 1, but I switched back to Option 2 for right now until I'm not so much of a scaredy-pants! I am doing o.k. (with God's help, of course!) with the eating, and much more aware of what is going into my mouth. I do feel very strongly the need to fast one day a week though.

I liked that marching around seven times (the basket idea). I will mention this at our Ladies' Bible Study. Gwen, hope you are feeling much better now.

I love to come in here and see what everyone has written! It is such an encouragement to me!

Y'all have a blessed day!
Liz

Thanks so much for sharing what you all do on liquid days. I keep forgetting about V8...duh...because that's one of the things specifically mentioned! LOL

I was elated when I weighed in this morning and saw a 1.5 lb. loss from yesterday! Woo hoo! I know it's a small victory, but it's been so long since the scale moved in THAT direction! Thank you, Lord!

Weigh to go, Kari!! You go girl!!

Just a little tip about V-8. I stopped a Wal-Mart's on the way home from working at the church a couple weeks ago. I went to get some V-8 but all they had was one can of their store brand. So I thought I would try it. It tastes just a great as the regular V-8 and costs less.

I always use it as a base for vegetable soup. Works well for cabbage soup, too.

My son works at WalMart and said a lot of the store brands come in on the same truck as the Brand name products.

Another tip that I do- When I feel hungry, I drink a big glass of water first. Sometimes our body is just thirsty. Most people don't drink enough water, (including me). That is what flushes out the toxins in the body.

Another pound gone this morning!

I am surprised, and pleased. I don't think I've ever lost four pounds in my first week of any diet before.

Could it be that I'm actually getting to the root of the problem? It's very exciting to think so!

I know that fast weight loss isn't likely to last for the long haul, but for now, I'll take it! LOL

Pray Please! Just a quick note. I live in SE Kansas and we are in a flood warning. We already had the river out and flooding and for the past hour we have gotten 3-4 inches. We live in the country and can't get to town with a regular vehicle. My Dad has gone to help my brother evacuate his house and help save some of his things. They have to get there by boat, he lives by the river. My husband has been called out to take his fire truck into town (rural fireman) and help rescue floating vehicles with people inside. I'm a little worried and the rain is not letting up. Please pray for safety for my family and the other people in town. Thanks! -Amy

Praying for safety, Amy. Please let us know how you're doing!

Hey Girls,
Way to go, Kari!!! I am so proud for you on your wt. loss! Amy, hope all is well...praying for you and your family (as well as your community). It seems to be getting a little easier to not eat as much. Thank the Lord!!!
I ran into somebody at Curves that does a lot of smoothies and it has helped her in her wt. loss...I had read FlowerWarrior's post (thanks!) and was mulling it over in my mind. Now, I am going to try some smoothies.
Have a blessed day!
Liz

Amy- I am praying for you, your family and all the people affected by the flood in your area "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown” (Isaiah 43:2) God will put his angels in charge of you to protect you wherever you go (Psa 91:11) .

Keep us posted so we know how to pray for you.

When I woke up this morning, my former taskmaster (my stomach) was demanding food. I decided to fast today instead, and feast on the Lamb. I have been going strong so far and don't want to back to Egypt. This is the first time I have struggled since starting the program. I guess I am getting tested. I also can't get out to walk much for a couple weeks. I have to wear a shield over my eye to protect it.

Pugsmama- Let me know how the smoothies work and what you put in them.