I couldn't open the link, it directed me to my yahoo email account? It sounds interesting though, if you still have it, could you send the link again?


I just started reading that thread since I'm moving to phase 2 next week. So I'm putting my kindle down and spending my time here for now. I did read the whole "exercise" thread when I first started the program I did phase 2 for one week last week, to see if my losses would change at all, but they didn't. I lost 1 lb. Anyway, good luck!


Congratulations on the 2 lbs! If you don't mind me asking, is there a reason why you switched to phase 2 since September?


First of all, congrats on a healthy report! and secondly, thanks for posting this. It's interesting... my LDL (that one that freaked me out) and yours aren't that different. I'll be doing more research on this tonight.

Gosh, I'm sorry. Try this: http://thyroid.about.com/od/symptoms...ptomsrisks.htm
or Google Mary Shomon at About.com. She's a very strong patient advocate.

Thanks Linden! I'll read that in a bit!

In the meantime, I've finally found the answer to my cholesterol "problem"
I know I'm the one who was worried about this, but some of you might find this interesting and/or helpful at some point, so I thought I'd post it:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...se-1-a-22.html

An increase in cholesterol count is a temporary effect and is not uncommon after going on a low carb, no grain diet. A Wisconsin cardiologist who treats people for hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) strongly recommends no grain diets to get cholesterol levels into healthy ranges. His website/blog is Heart Scan Blog

While total cholesterol is one indicator, what makes up the total count is important as well as the ratios of those components. Key ratios:
total /HDL (< 4.4 for women, <5 for men)
triglycerides / HDL (ideal is <2 for all, 4 is high, 6 or greater is VERY HIGH RISK)
LDL/HDL (ideal is 4.3 or lower. 4.4 to 7.1 is average. 7.1 to 11 is moderate. 11 or more means you're at high risk for developing heart disease)

The thing to really be concerned about is the composition of LDL particles: the proportion that are small-dense LDL particles (Pattern B) vs. large-buoyant LDL particles (Pattern A). These can only be assessed by doing a VAP test. A lot of times the LDL is calculated from the other components, and there are inaccuracies in some of the ways they're measured.

Some information on LDL particle size and health risk

I found a great simple laywoman's explanation about cholesterol on another forum for people following a specific lower carb plan (typically under 150 g/day): A Cholesterol Primer


I found the info on these websites really really helpful. I have more peace of mind, and I know what to ask my doctor next time to make sure I know exactly what my results mean.

Ok, tomorrow is thyroid reading time, and now it is bedtime for me. Good night everyone and enjoy the rest of the weekend

Gika - I moved to Ph 2 in early September because I was concerned over the amount of sucralose I was getting in all the IP food. I can't stomach the savory IP foods and need to avoid soy since I'm hypothryoid and on meds.

So, basically it was a personal choice that I made with consultation of my coaches.

I know what you mean about the bars and how they can call you. I had to quit buying them early on because I could eat the whole box with my sugar addiction. I have been on alternatives for a long time and I still look at different bars anticipating perhaps buying them. I don't though because I know I will eat them all on the same day.

Rosemary, you are doing great! You have come a long way from your beginning start weight last July! You are very inspirational.

Good morning! I haven't had much time for anything this weekend but I do have some free time right now so I am going to see what I've been missing! I don't want to jinx myself but I saw 154.8 on the scale this morning. Crossing my fingers I hold steady or, of course, lose more by Thursday so I can get that "I've lost 50lbs massage" scheduled. Lord knows I need it!

I haven't started the ab toners because I haven't sat to watch tv all weekend. It's been a crazy one. I am doing it this morning because we have family pics at 4 and then dinner at the mother in laws after that. (I will be bringing my own because she never cooks healthy.) Cross your fingers for some good ones. I'm always worried about stupid crap!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Hoping for good losses for all my fatchick buddies!

Good Morning all

I thought I would post my numbers from September, my doctor said they could not be any better. The only meds I take is Synthroid and Zyrtec. My BP 90/60 (always has been low).
glucose 92 Excellent
BUN 16 "
all blood counts and chemistry were excellent
Total Cholesterol: 168
Triglyceride: 65
HDL 47
LDL 108
Ratio LDL/HDL 2.3
Chol/HDL ratio 3.57
Vit D 47 ( it was 7 last year and had to take 50,000/6 mon)

My doctor (who is younger than me & skinny) said my numbers were better than hers and she is also a vegetarian. YEAH. My numbers have always been in Spec., but have moved to an EXcellent range vs Average. I am 53 yrs old and my doc says I am doing great, which it looks like you are too, Sandy! I am on day 2 of phase 3, I will go back to phase I after the holidays, I needed a break and since everything is looking good, I feel like I don't have to rush-off the last 20 lbs. My greek yogurt, blueberries, toast and peanut butter tasted wonderful this morning. I have far more energy with the bigger breakfast, I woke up 2 lbs less this morning and I swear it is because after my first big breakfast yesterday, I was super active. Just a thought for those with diet fatigue, if your numbers are good and you are comfortable take a little break. I also want to see what I gain in maintenance, I know some put on 3-5 lbs, while others don't. Have a great day. Card making this afternoon with a friend, while the men watch football!

Sandy! Stay away from the bars! Could you go a week without them? I have one everyday myself but if I eat it in the afternoon I won't eat the usual one at night. That being said, it's a protein bar. It's not a cupcake. As bad as it may feel, it's not the end of the world. If you think you need it, maybe you do. Ok, I sound super confused there don't I!? Honestly, I'd try to go a week or maybe even just a couple days without them in my house and see if that could keep me in check. Good luck.

Jenny, that would be awesome! I am always all over. I was 156 Thurs, 156.8 Fri, 155.2 Sat and 154.8 this morning. I hope for a big loss this week so I can reach that 50 pound mark.

I am usually VERY consistant on the scale- I am either the same or I go down. The only times I have "ups" are if I have eaten something with a lot of sodium (ie: restaurant food) or I have flown. So these ups and downs are new to me. I did see a drop this morning below my most current low (134.8 to 134.2) so I am not sure if that is a real drop or not, but all of the other ups and downs I have had in P2 have not been below my last WI #. I would really like to get to 130 in P2 so I can use 135 as my maintaining weight.

I saw 156.8 today on the scale. So I am staying the same. I only have a few bars left in my box and I feel the same way, they are not a cupcake and even if I only eat 2 they're only 400 calories more on this very low calorie diet. Yeah, I am rationalizing, but I am feeling the need to move on to phase 3 soon. I still think the bars will be in my future as a lower carb high protein snack if I can get them. The phase 3 breakfast sounds so yummy. I am looking forward to my Kashi cereal with berries, and my hot oatmeal. What kind of milk do you use in phase 3? I have always just used skim milk.

Bella, you are my kind of girl, I love card making and scrapbooking. I have been over at Splitcoast Stampers looking at the Favorites thread for ideas for cards! I really need to scrapbook some pictures though.

Do you feel like you need less sleep now that you are eating more? I am so tired at night still.

So I did some ab stuff and boy am I out of shape! Toning should not be hard! I couldn't do near what I used to so I'm going to ease into it so I don't hurt myself. I do know that laying on the hardwood on my yoga mat doing oblique crunches and bicycle crunches killed my tailbone. I had to put a blanket under my butt or I would've never made it through. I will be doing them in my bedroom on the carpet from now on. Also, a simple plank wasn't what it used to be even 50 pounds heavier. Weird! I already feel it in my abs when I breath so I hope that a good thing. I will keep at it and hope for the best! (And that I gain some endurance back.)

Oh, and I weighed on the wii this morning and it agreed with my scale 100%. My BMI is way down, not that it really matters. My wii tells me I need to weigh 129 to be a healthy BMI. I think that's funny.

Jenny, I think 135 would be a perfect weight to maintain for you. Good luck getting to 130. When are you going to 3? I think you'll get there. You are so close!

Sandy, it's not an extra 400. You are supposed to eat 1 of them so only 1 is extra. I hear ya on the bars. I eat the Atkins ones you know and last night I found cookies and cream. Yummy! I felt I had eaten too much yesterday so I only tried a few bites but what I ate was good! I will deff. be eating these in maintenance. I also don't think I can give up my vanilla shake with my coffee. What could I count that as if I want it as part of my phase 3 breakfast? Or do I have to give it up for 14 days?

Sandy,

I like the bars too! and.... Yes, I have more energy and slept great last night. I think everyone is different, like Jennydoodle has exercised quite hard the whole time, I just didn't have the energy, so I kept it moderate walking. I do want to start some intensity this week, I have a gym membership (that I pay for each month), that I did not use at all while on IP. I do think I need the yogurt and fruit to keep my whole system regular. I plan on going to the gym 3x this coming week to do some strenght training. When I get some strength and endurance built up, I will do STEP 2x/wk and water aerobics at least 1x/wk.

I am so proud of you, Sandy and Itsaboutime for getting into the 150's, it will be awhile before I see that! Keep up the good work, you both have been an inspiration to me. Bella

Lynsey- if I follow the program as written, I will spend 2 weeks at P2 which would put me at starting P3 on Nov. 16. However, depending on what happens with my weight in P2, I might push it off until 11/23 so I can get the cushion I am looking for. My family is coming into town for Thanksgiving (US) and I really want to be in P3 by then, so I can be maintaining by Christmas. Even if I push P2 until the 23rd, I would still be in P3 with enough time to get me to maintenance for Christmas.

Bella is right, I have worked out my entire journey on IP. I workout pretty aggressively too. I have found that is helps me sleep better. There are times when I can't make a workout (travel and such) and when that happens, I just don't sleep as well. I also feel like working out through my journey has really helped shape my body, helped with my inches and has helped keep my skin "tight". In the beginning I really had to scale back, but the last 2 months, my energy has been off the charts and my workouts have never been better (all while still in P1).