Reasons!
 

Oooh, good topic, Liannie... and not wanting to be a slave to food is one of my reasons, too, so I'm right with you on that one.

Of course I want to lose weight for probably a lot of the same reasons we all have: feel better, better health, cuter clothes, etc. However, one of the more odd reasons I want to lose weight is that I want to be able to have pictures taken again. For the past year and a half or so, I've really avoided having anyone photograph me - and at my wedding (it'll be a year ago on Sunday, that year went fast!), when I weighed 188 and DID have my pictures taken, I sat there and just stared at myself in my gown and wondered what happened to the sexy body I once had. I sat for hours and scrutinized and remembered when I was slimmer and pretty. It was a sad, awful feeling... knowing I looked like that on my wedding day.

I finally allowed myself to be photographed again a few weeks ago when my husband and I were in Bermuda, and it was nice to look at those pictures and see a difference from last year - and when I get to my goal weight, I want to have professional portraits taken with my husband.

In fact, when I get to my goal weight, I'm going to post pics in the "Goal" forum of me in my wedding dress - before, and after. My husband told me to put in on the other day, just for laughs, and I'm swimming in it! :D

Welcome coastalsue! This book is definite change-your-thinking book and I believe as long as you try you will succeed on some level. No more yoyo!

My reasons are similiar as well. Fell better about myself, wear nicer clothes, etc. One big thing is I just want to feel NORMAL. Normal size, normal clothes, normal eating, etc.

I have a question. You guys may hate me for this, but I'm just not hungry. I guess I always ate because I wanted food, not because I was hungry all the time. I make myself eat breakfast because I know I should. I'm not hungry at lunch time, usually end up eating at 1 or so because it's getting late. Husband gets home at 5:30 and we have dinner. Also not hungry from late lunch. What gives? I also try the "only eat until your comfortable" thing so I've been ending up not finishing my meals either. I've actually been coming up low on calories lately. In fact the last time we went to El Pollo Loco I got macaroni instead of potatoes so I wouldn't be under 1200 calories. I mean I'm not complaining, this is much better than being hungry all the time, I just don't get it!

Stacy - of course I don't hate you. :D

What day are you on?

Hi Everyone,

thanks for the welcome.

I am on day 8 and continue doing the daily tasks. I already was monitoring my food, so I continue to eat between 1500-1700 cal a day.

Stacy, enjoy not being hungry. Right now I am tired of it, but am learning that no problem in life is truly solved by eating some high carb foods. In the past I sure tried to deal with things that way.

Suz, understand the temptation of potlucks. Even my thin husband eats like crazy when there is an abundance of food. At our last family gathering I held the baby until everyone else was finished. Luckly only salad and chicken were left. Plus my daughter-in-law loved getting the break.

Lianne- one of biggest reasons for my losing weight is to reduce the pain of arthritis. I have carried to much weight for sooo long that my knees and hips are pissed. Walking thur any hugh box store is exhausting for me. Of course I have many more reasons like the potential for other health issues, wanting more fun clothing, fitting in those tiny airliner seats, self esteem, ect.

Right now the major source of exercise in fact any movement is swimming-doing about 30-45 minutes 5 times a week.

Best wishes to everyone and make sure you give your self credit for the hard work .
sue

Wow, Stacy. Not hungry--that's great. A lot of people say they lose their hunger/craving for food when they cut/eliminate carbs. Have you done any of that? The macaroni you ate leads me to think you're not low carbing. Also, there is that myth (?) about the stomach shrinking. Or are you on a medication that might be causing it? That happens sometimes too, especially with decongestants. I wish my hunger would go away too! :)

Today went pretty good. I worked a 12 hour shift and it was really busy so I ate both meals at my desk while working. We went out to pick up lunch at a deli and I did so well! I got a ham and swiss sandwich but skipped the sides that were available (cole slaw, pasta salad, potato salad). I ate slowly and savored as much as possible while still working. Then for dinner I didn't eat everything I brought so I actually showed some restraint. And on the way home...no drive-through food! This is a real weakness of mine when I'm tired. I'm so glad I didn't succumb. YAY ME!

:carrot:

Wow, this self-credit thing almost seems wrong. But it feels so good! :cool:

Nope, not limiting carbs. Just calorie counting and less junk. I still have cereal, whole wheat bread, pasta, small desserts, etc. I have been sick the last few days and taking nyquil/dayquil, but it's been since I started the beck program and really pay attention to whether or not my stomach is actually hungry. I've finished day 10 several days ago but I've taken a few days off of new material since getting sick. Just working on my other stuff and trying to get better.

Good job today lianne and great job on the consistent exercise coastalsue! Swimming is great for you, I wish I was better at it, I'm barely past a doggy paddle.

I'm just checking in to let you all know I am still around. Yesterday was Day 16 for me. I misunderstood and started my diet (Fat Smash) a day early, so today is Day 4 and I am very happy with this eating plan. Of course, I am sure it helps that there is so much wonderful, fresh produce in the stores right now. I also think the 2 weeks of "mind prep" really helped me. I am taking a break because of fatigue and will continue to eat following FS, but not do any Beck until tomorrow. This is about listening to my body and resting today. I think I over-exercised yesterday, and my running/walking group meets tomorrow at 6am, so I am being kind to myself (what a concept).

I think Gina asked what were the hardest day. So far Days 4 (giving yourself credit) and 5 (eating slowly and mindfully) have been the most difficult for me. The credit is getting easier, but I have to keep reminding myself about the slow ad mindful part. I do notice that I get more satisfaction when I do eat that way.

I love the fact that I am not concentrating on my end-goal, but 5 pound increments. It makes it much more palatable and seem doable.

My question for all of you: Are you taking these lessons to other parts of your life or just concentrating on the food and exercise? It has naturally progressed to an overall self-improvement exercise for me.

I have a great coach in addition to all you - we are also walking buddies. We are talking about starting a community meeting 1x a week.

Suz - thanks for taking over the LJ stuff. hope everyone is doing well. Even though I don't post too often, I am watching. Have a great weekend and stay true to yourselves.

Hello all,

Yesterday was a bad bad day. It started with me getting a speeding ticket through the mail. I was photographed going too fast in a work zone. I don't do this on purpose, just sometimes my foot gets heavy and I scale back when I notice. There are SO MANY work zones in the summer,and I have a 50 mile drive each way to work and back. Anyway, enough pleading my case. I'm guilty. It's a mandatory court appearance and something like a $500 fine. Then I got to work and 3 people had called off sick so the rest of us had to run around like our hair was on fire (I work in a very large clinic that takes public aid and has appointments plus a lot of walk-in sick kids, etc.). None of us got to take a lunch break so we ordered pizza which, of course, we had to eat quickly and standing up (actually bites taken while walking down the hall).

I was so frazzled and stressed about everything that I didn't even look at the book. I ate candy to console myself in the car on the way home and then had a barbecue sandwich and fries for dinner that I picked up at a fast food place. I knew I was eating for comfort and I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway. I knew I was not strengthening my resistance muscles but I was too weak to care. I didn't do ANYTHING the book said. I was just so upset. I was even too upset to come here and post.

Today is a new day, and I'm ready to start over again. I congratulate myself for having done 2 perfect days before the slip-up happened. I give myself credit for getting right back on track this morning. I am on Day 11 and ready to learn to distinguish hunger from craving. You know, with that long daily drive, I wonder if the book is on audio. I could really reinforce these lessons if I could listen to it in the car. Hmm....

I'm going to go over to Amazon to check that out. I'll be back later. You ladies keep on keepin on. We gain strength from each other. I'm really glad you're all out there.

Hi everyone,
Do you mind if I join your group? I am on day 5 of the diet and can tell I'm starting to need some support. However, I am more encouraged so far than I ever have been on a diet. I agree with Sue that reading my card is most helpful to me right now (especially when I remember I have that 10 year high school reunion coming up in Feb!)

A little about me--I have always been overweight, but mostly not more than about 20 lbs or so. After giving birth over a year ago, my weight has stalled at a higher number than it ever was pre-pregnancy (170), and it doesn't seem to want to budge. I think I was 150 when I got pregnant, and I'd like to weigh less than that, of course, although just getting into that size would be fantastic right now.

I was excited to find this thread, and I really hope this diet solution is it for me!

Best wishes to all of you!

Hello!

Where is everybody?

I did okay today. I was supposed to work on overcoming cravings but didn't get a chance to read this morning due to an emergency at work and a bunch of personal stuff that got in the way.

I decided to do the South Beach diet as my primary diet because I have realized how addictive and out of control I am around carbs. I once quit sugar and starches for 7 weeks and I never felt freer. I guess that's a way to overcome cravings. :)

I hope you're all still out there. What are some of your ways to stop cravings dead in their tracks?

TBDS sounds very interesting. I had not heard of it I am on JC but will have to get the book on the weekend to find out more. You all sound very passionate that's for sure!

Good morning, everyone!
I am happy to report I'm down 2 lbs since starting TBDS last week, and I haven't even started the actual "diet"! I am really trying hard, but I'm still eating too much at dinner, so I need to work on my portions. I was proud that I passed up some homemade cookies in the office yesterday! That was so hard, since they are my favorite dessert. I just had to leave the room.

Liannie, I don't have any real suggestions for handling cravings other than not having tempting food around. If you don't have it, you can't eat it. that's how I look at it, anyway. I also have found that I have to bring my lunch to work because I can't trust myself to get something healthy if I eat out. It's unfortunate, because I love eating, out! I also think that over time, if you don't give in to your cravings, they will go away (or change to craving something healthier?). For the 4 years before I gave birth, I did not eat at fast food restaurants at all. I honestly didn't even think of fast food as a possible food option when deciding where to eat. After the baby, my husband and I started going just occasionally when things were hectic, and you know, now I crave fast food! :o

Does anyone have a good strategy for focusing on small goals? I'm trying to focus on 5lb goals so I don't get overwhelmed, and I wonder if any of you do rewards or have motivations for reaching small goals?

Patty, you could definitely apply TBDS to your JC diet. I really can tell it's changing the way I think about food! Good luck!

Day 14 for me
 

Welcome Patty, and thanks Karina! I once gave up fast food too. In fact, after finishing school and needing to lose like 50 lbs. that was my first step in going from 230s to 160s over a 2 year period. Now I'm in this crazy job that requires a 3 hour daily commute and high stress busy environment (I work in a big public health clinic), and fast food has come back big time....and brought a big belly along with it. You did great to let the cookies pass you by yesterday!

I think the best way to focus on small goals is to plan to give yourself a present each time to reach one, like a CD or pair of earrings. Or to take a "before" picture and then one at each small goal so you can see how a bunch of little changes will add up to something beautiful at the end. My overall goal is to weigh 150 by my birthday, near Christmas, except I haven't gotten on the scale in a month so I'm not sure how far I am right now. I plan to weigh in the morning when I start my diet. I was 176 in April but I've been eating like a monster because of major life stress, so who knows where I am now!

I'll be working on 5 lb. goals too. What I'd like to do is buy a new article of clothing for each 5 lbs. I miss shopping! Its the first thing I give up when I start getting fat.

Have a great day, all! I'll report back tonight. I really need to stay close to a support group in order to get anywhere with this. thanks for being here! :)

Lianne, I love your idea about clothes for every 5 pound goal! I may borrow that if you don't mind :)

Karina, great job passing on the cookies. That's a huge step!

This morning I weighed myself and I'm down to 181! That means I've lost about 7 pounds in in a little over 2 weeks on TBDS! 3 pounds/week was what I was losing when I first started losing weight. When I stick to something the weight seems to come off pretty fast!

OMG, Stacy! You are such an inspiration! I'm so happy for you. I also lose weight pretty quickly for a week or two on a diet, and then it gets harder for me.

Liannie, those are good ideas for the rewards. I did weekly pics of my belly when I was pregnant, and I think I'll start doing that again now. It would be nice to shrink as quickly as I gained during pregnancy (65lbs gained during pg--yikes!). I don't know how you do a 3 hr commute everyday! That's one of the perks of living in a more rural area, I suppose. No good shopping, though.

I have a little over 4 months until my high school reunion, and I'd love to weigh in the 140s for it. I'm trying to focus on small 5 lb goals for now, but I do have that big one looming in the background!

So, I've been much hungrier today than any other day on my diet. I haven't really done anything differently, though. Any ideas of what's going on? Any suggestions for how to suffer through it? Also, we're meeting friends at an Austrian restaurant tonight, and I can't figure out what would be good to eat. Any suggestions there?
Thanks!

Day 15 tomorrow
 

Stacy: 7 pounds! CONGRATULATIONS. :carrot: I'd be dancing in the streets! I forgot what diet you're following. You must really be sticking with it. Good Going!

Karina: Austrian restaurant, huh? Sounds like a lot of dumplings and pork. I guess a salad and something with a bunch of sauerkraut would be good. I love the German red cabbage but I think it has sugar. You'll have to tell us what you chose. I like to go to a place called Chef Paul's Bavarian Lodge sometimes. They have a great black lager (something I won't be drinking for a while!) Extra hunger is a problem for me too on some days. I usually try to eat something with fiber + fat and then chase it with a big cup of herbal tea or something hot. HTH.

As for me, tomorrow is my South Beach start day. I bought a bunch of South Beach dinners, salad fixings, the food for the snacks they recommend and a pack of sugar free jello. Wish me luck on the carb cravings. I was trying to wean but one of the nurses brought Bakers Square pies today and I had a piece of pie. Those old weakness muscles again....

Oh well. Tomorrow is it. I get on the scale and face the truth. Then slay the fat-cell dragons. :)

Thanks both of you :D

I'm just calorie counting.

Good morning everyone!
I did okay at the restaurant last night...I had a salad (the dressing was nice and creamy--I'm sure not low fat!), potato salad, and a chicken thigh. The thigh was fried, but hey, at least it was just one. :) I'm more disappointed with last night; I worked late, until 11:30 or so (I'm turning my dissertation in today, so I've been pulling 12-15 hour days on the computer for 4 weeks now). I had a glass of wine AND a piece of this yummy cheesy bread.

But, the scale went down half a pound from 2 days ago (the lowest numbers I've seen since December when I quit nursing), so hopefully it's not that big of a deal. I plan to do really well today. When I turn in my dissertation, I'm going to pick out my recipes for the Volumetrics diet and start that tomorrow! I'm excited about it; the food looks great. I think I'm still going to do my smart ones meals for lunch--so easy and tasty!

Liannie, how did the scale turn out? Hope the numbers looked good!

Day 1 of South Beach Diet; Day 15 of TBDS
 

Hello All,

I got on the scale today and weighed 180.2. It was about what I expected given my monstrous consumption since my wedding in March. That's okay. I'm ready to lose about a pound a week for the rest of the year, if possible, and I'll get to my goal. I haven't weighed 150 in about 20 years. The lowest I got was 155ish back about 4 years ago when I met my husband. But I'm ready to do this!

I'm in the middle of a 12 hour shift at work right now and I haven't even looked at the Beck book. I did read my cards though, I ate sitting down, I savored as much as possible, and ate slowly. I think I"m doing pretty good.

Hey Karina, do you do mostly fruits and veggies on Volumetrics? I thought about it but decided to do South Beach because I love MEAT. Today was day 1 and so far, so good.

I hope the rest of you are all well and kicking fat cells to the curb!

More tomorrow,
L

Holy smoke... I have a lot of catching up to do!!

We've got some new folks here - welcome! Glad you found this forum, and it is our mission here to help each other.

Liannie - you really have the right idea with the whole "pound a week" thing - I started eating better and exercising last September and have averaged about a pound a week... so I am confident that I will get to my goal of 140 by this September. In this world of wanting big results fast, it's nice to know that the only way to lose weight and do it right is to do it slow and steady!

Karina - how awesome for you to have lost pounds before even dieting! Amazing how just that little readjustment in thinking and action makes such a huge difference, isn't it? Same thing happened to me, so I know how amazed and awesome you must be feeling! :carrot:

Stacy - WOO HOOOOO on your loss! I am a calorie-counter, too!

*~*~*~*~*

I'm happy to report that even though today's not my "official" weigh-in day (tomorrow is), the scale said 156! I haven't weighed that since my husband and I first started dating! This also means that I may have to readjust my short-term goal of 155 pounds by July 4. I wonder - can I make it to 150 by then? Have you girls gotten to the "short-term goal" part of TBDS yet? What are some of your short-term goals?

Back to the grind... work has been killer lately (hence my prolonged absence) and I've really only had time to post to my journal and not much else.

Hope you all have a fabulous day!

Hi everyone,
It sounds like we are all having a lot of success right now, which I think is wonderful! I started the Volumetrics diet yesterday, so we'll see how it works out. I actually was down another pound today, even though I did poorly on Wednesday and had McDonald's for dinner. :( *sigh* I decided that I just am not going to even walk in the door of a fast food restaurant for at least a month and make sure I always have sandwich stuff on hand. I did very well yesterday, though.

Suz, that is fantastic about your weight loss! You must be so thrilled and proud of yourself. I think you could get to 150 by July 4 if you've been averaging a pound a week. I haven't gotten to the part about small goals yet and am just trying to focus on every 5 lbs. My original plan was just to get below 170 this past Wednesday (which I did a week early), so now I'm working to get under 165, which I would love to happen by the end of next week, but we'll see. I'm moving back to my home state in 6 weeks, and I'd love to be 10lbs smaller then than I am now.

Liannie, It sounds like you're doing great with the plan! How often are you going to weigh in? Volumetrics actually reminds me a lot of South Beach (which I've had a lot of success on and is my back-up diet). The meals are very similar. A lot of veggies and lean protein. The approach in V is to eat a first course that is low in energy density (i.e. salad with lots of veggies or soup) followed by a main course that typically includes meat. There are definitely a lot more recipes with chicken than beef, though.

I'll check back in sometime this weekend. Weekends are harder for me, since we like to eat out. I'll try to come up with a plan in advance if we do, though.
Have a great weekend!

Day 3 of the Diet; Day 17 of TBDS
 

Hello All,

I'm glad to see we're all doing well right now. South Beach is going well. I can see where I'm probably going to be tired of the Phase I foods by the end of the second week, but I'm leary about adding in too much extra. I could probably eat just this stuff and still stay fat if I wasn't doing TBDS. Although it's hard to overeat chicken and broccoli, the old me would have found a way!

I'm officially weighing in every Wednesday (even though I sneaked a peek at the scale today and saw I'd lost a pound). My first mini-goal is 5 lbs lost, which I hope to see before June 30. I'm going to buy myself a present from a catalog I like called The Pyramid Collection. I can't wait to give myself a non-food reward for doing something good. The inspiration I'm getting from all of you is really helpful.

You all be careful over the weekend, and I'll see you here when you get back.

L

HI folks,

Congradualations for those who are sticking with their programs and being successful. That is great.

I still can really undermine myself. While I like Beck Diet and do the daily exercises, record and count my calories, after a couple of weeks, I feel like a kid having a tantrum . It is like I refuse to continue to be healthy. It is almost like i say- Good nutrition and healthy habits-you are not the boss and me and then I overeat. It is like I am being a bratty kid.

I can not believe that I can so responsible in so many ways, yet continue to undermine my own health. - almost in a defiant way-like I am 5 yrs old and cutting my nose to spite myself.

anyway thanks for letting me vent. I am back on target, but know another day this crazed kid will rise up be be oboxious and overeat some cruddy food and generally binge for a couple of days. While overall I am losing, this pattern really slows the amount down.

has any one else had this crazy response to changing their food habits? any suggestions?

best wishes to all
coastal sue

Hi everyone!
Sue, I know exactly what you are talking about. I think, for me, it's the "not fair" mentality. I think that no one else is denying themselves so why do I have to. The part of the book where she talks about how most thin women do restrict themselves helps me remind myself that I'm not alone.

Liannie, you are definitely on the way to meeting your goal well in advance of June 30! Good luck!

I went to a cookout party tonight, which is typically a situation that I way overeat in. I did okay...I decided not to have any meats (hamburger, ribs, etc), but I did have the side dishes (potato and cole slaw). Then for dinner I had a portobello mushroom sandwich. I am proud that I did a lot better than I normally would have, but not great for being on a diet. What do the rest of you do in situations like this with a lot of food around?

Also, this probably won't sound like a big deal, but I'm quite proud of myself for going to Sam's Club and resisting all the samples they had out! That's a huge improvement for me. I went in thinking I'd allow myself just one, but I was able to resist all of them. Yay!!

Talk to you soon!
K

coastalsue, I'm with you! I get that same feeling. I do so well and then I'm like forget that I want my chocolate covered peanuts and blizzard. For me it's definitely the not fair thing like karina said. I think we all get like that sometimes.

karina, my last trip to Costco was my first time resisting the samples and it's definitely a big deal! They always have the best stuff and the calories add up fast!

Things are going okay for me. I'm at 180 right now and the 170's are soooo close. I can't wait! The next couple weeks are going to be tough though because this week is our anniversary and next week is my birthday. For our anniversary we rented a cabin in the mountains which means cookout food. And birthday obviously means cake. Aah! Some careful planning is going to be much needed. Wish me luck!

HI folks,

I am very new to this whole posting to a forum-wrote two message last night and lost the both of them. How do you folks get the cute graphics to show the weight loss?

Congradualtion to everyone successes.It sound like we are making some changes to a skinner us. Realy admire the weight loss, journal keeping along with stressed and busy lives that you all have.

Often I thnk just being aware of those difficult situations is a hugh step. I have a great ability to become numb when stressed and even to overeat unknowingly. I also get this response when ever there is a great deal of food about-potlucks, resturantes, parties, buffets, free food. There is not a food I dislike. To me a picture of food leads a thousand bites.

My husband will get my food for me at a buffet or potluck. Can't be impluisve with dishes I don't see. Sometimes I'll chew gum to avoid mindless snacking.
I have taken to bringing my own low cal salad dressing-hoping to fill up the green stuff.

I am very tired of torturing mself with these demonic binge days-I make the weight loss soo slow. Work for weeks to lose 5 pounds then have a 2 day blowout and put 2 1/2 pounds back on. It is the first time I have viewed binges as being cruel to myself verus a character flaw or weakness. Maybe I am changing my mind set that eating appropriately as actually being good to myself and over eating as not being more fun.

be nice to yourself
coastal sue

Day 19 TBDS, Day 5 South Beach Phase I
 

Happy Sunday!

Sue, I really feel for ya! I'm a food addict and binger too. My biggest trigger is carbs, and that's why I chose the South Beach diet. With carbs pretty much off-limits, I'm able to stay in control. I've tried calorie counting but if I take in any white starches whatsoever, leads to the same thing you're talking about: lose 5, gain back 2, lose 3, gain back 4. That's how I've stayed between 175 and 185 this entire year. That's why I'm regretting the strapless dress I wore to my wedding reception. That's why I look like I'm 5 months pregnant, six years after my last and final period. Is there a specific food group you have a problem with?

And about the weight loss tickers...go to the top of the page and click on User CP. Then find Edit Signature to get to the tickers.

Karina, great job on the cookout and the Sam's club situation! And congrats for congratulating yourself! Keep up the good work. Unlike your experience, I've usually just caved when there's lots of food around. That will be my biggest challenge in the future. I know I need to "end overeating" a la Day 17, and I've been able to take extra then leave something on my plate, but I am worried about being faced with a buffet or a cookout or a party where my guard is down and the mood is festive.

Stacy, I'll be rooting for you during the birthday and the trip. Those situations are where I totally lost it and given myself leave to eat like a monster. This is where the NO CHOICE cards will come in handy, and your mantra, if you have one. When I went from 230s to 160s back in 1990, I used to repeat: "No bite of food, no drink of beer means more to me than this." (Weekend beer&barbecues with my neighbors were a staple at that time). Can you post/read this forum for support while on vacation?

As for me, I'm doing okay right now. Being on Phase I, safely away from carbs, has given me back a sense of control--even though I still fight cravings. I will need to work on portion control and lowering the fat soon but right now I'm still adjusting to life without bread and sweets. I'm a little worried about a lunch meeting I'm having tomorrow with some people at work. They picked a Cajun restaurant that has all kinds of tempting stuff on the menu (I previewed it online). I'm planning on having a bunless burger with sauteed veggies and cheese on it and maybe a side salad with my own dressing brought from home. The problem is that 2 of the ladies are binge-buddies of mine and I really really really want to stay strong, despite the fact that we always overeat together. I'll be making some cards and saying "nothing tastes as good as being thinner feels" over and over and over again!

L

Hi everyone,
Still a little hungry after my salad tonight, but I'm working on convincing myself I'm just having cravings...

Stacy--I think there are some ways you can enjoy your holidays and still do okay on your diet. I think it will be much easier to follow a diet at a cabin than just about anywhere. Are you calorie counting? You could do a ton of really yummy healthy foods like shish kabobs, grilled chicken, or even a lean steak. Just don't even take chips, hot dogs, etc! For your birthday, you (your husband?) could bake a cake using a cake mix with applesauce instead of oil, or make angelfood cake and top it with strawberries and fat free cool whip instead of icing. And if you aren't able to be as strict during these celebrations, just come right back afterwards! This is a lifetime program, and we will all slip up from time to time, you know?

Sue--fantastic idea to have your hubby get the food off the buffet/potluck. I will definitely start doing that! I know my husband would have refrained from getting me both potato side dishes that I opted for!

Liannie--Yum, I love cajun, and I do not envy your situation! At least since you are on south beach, you already know you can't have pasta or rice dishes, which is most cajun food. I bet they have some good fish or shrimp possibilities too. The one in my town has several large salads with boiled shrimp or grilled chicken, which might work.

Good luck to everyone this week! May we all lose a pound by Friday. :D
I'm afraid I couldn't resist and got on the scale this morning, only to see it back up a pound. I was fully dressed minus the shoes, though, so I hope that had something to do with it (and not the food at the potluck!). I'm starting my exercise regimen tomorrow *groan*, so wish me luck with that! What are all of you doing for exercise? I plan to alternate days on the treadmill with walking outside.

Unfortunately no internet access so I will be MIA for a few days. As far as food for the trip we agreed on burgers. Not the best I know but ground sirloin on a wheat bun is better than a hot dog! I'm definitely more worried about the birthday because I know we'll be active on our trip too between the lake and hiking. Oh, also it's a tradition for us on my bday to go to Sea World and we do the "breakfast with Shamu" which is a buffet style breakfast next to the whales. Luckily I'm not a huge breakfast person since I can't eat eggs and they never have sausage and biscuits (one of my weaknesses!). I tend to do some french toast and a mini muffin or two so I just have to watch the portion sizes. I have to remember the whole "change your definition of full" thing!

Karina, exercise has always been easier for me than diet. I'm fairly consistent even when my eating was garbage. I started out more in the gym doing elliptical and treadmill walking with machine weights. The past couple months I started running which I really enjoy. I've done videos like the Firm a lot. Exercise really isn't bad as long as you like what you're doing. And make sure you do some sort of weight training!

howdy,
Liannie-Oh those addictive processed carbs-I agree avoiding them always is healthier. Good Luck in the South Beach diet. Right now I am counting calories and recording my food on fitday. They even make of graph and give % of your food groups. I seem to lose more weight those weeks that I have a lower % of carbs. I am going for about 1500-1700 cal a day. I have got a lot of weight to lose and will lower the cals as I lose.
let me know how the cajun food goes. On june 30th Maris Mauldar will sing Lousianna blue and a cajun dinner (and mint julep drinks) will be served. On father's day we are going to someplace which will serve Cafe Du Monde Benjet along with other treats. I thnk i'll eat some vegs before each of these events, read my reasons for losing weight and liked your"no" to foods mantra. Thanks for the tip on getting the graphics.

Stacy-happy birthday and anniversary-sounds like you have some great celebration for the events. you seen to have the plan for the cabin menu, about the cake-does angel food with strawberries(and splenda)work? freeze, give away or destory the leftovers. For me one piece isnt't so bad as picking on the remains for the next number of hours. If you have the one piece of your favorite-do it enjoy it and then back on progam. Glad that exercising is such an important part of you life. enjoy a great hike in the mountains.

Katrina-I am just starting to feel better due to some regular exercise. Due to my weight I am very arthritic so swimming is my choice. It isn't easy as it is a heated but out door pool-we have some very cold days, rain, fog. plus it is a 15 minute ride away.(gas is over $3.50 a gal in my area) I am thinking about getting a mini trampoline hoping that I can get my pluse up yet cushion my joints. I agree it is a hard pattern to get going and it must be something you do enjoy. Best wishes to find something you enjoy.

best to you all
coastalsue

Day 20 TBDS, Day 6 South Beach phase 1
 

'Morning Ladies!

Today is Day 20 for me, and I'm learning to get back on track immediately if I mess up. The old me would go on a tear for a couple of days, then start thinking about the diet, then get back on maybe in a week. No more! This is it. I'm too old to run that crazy race up and down the scale.

Sue, I love Fitday! I bought Fitday for PC and have it on my laptop. I use it along with the South Beach plan. Despite the fact that you aren't really supposed to count calories on SB , I absolutely must log my foods if I'm going to be a mindful eater. It's the only way I've ever done it before, and I've done it dozens of times, so I know it works. I lost 80 lbs. once on calorie counting but I've since discovered how strong my carb addiction is, so I am using SB guidelines along with the food diary. Avoiding the carbs is making it less of a struggle. And, Lord knows, I am SO TIRED of this stupid war with food and my fat butt! :rollpin: And I'm absolutely salivating over the great-sounding foods you have coming your way soon. Mint juleps, mmm...

Stacy, lean beef burgers on a wheat bun are definitely better than the usual barbecue fare. I'm also an exerciser at any size (albeit sporadic) and a devotee of the Firm. In fact, I'm doing the Hare today. I did the Tortoise yesterday. I love Tracie Long! Sculpting with Weights (Firm Basics) was the first weight training I ever did, and I'm returning to the program that always gave me the best results. We will all be sending you our best good vibes :goodvibes while you're gone and wishing you a happy birthday :celebrate:

Karina, hang in there with those ups and downs on the scale! I got on this morning (even though Wednesday is my weigh-in day) and found a 3 lb. loss. Now I KNOW it's just water and will probably even out in a day or two, so I'm not even changing my ticker. Keep sticking it out and the real fat will fall away too. I hope you were able to hang tough and not eat after the salad. I've been munching celery sticks if I need to chew or having a piece of cheese if the cravings are really really strong. I know I'm supposed to be strengthening my "resistance muscles" but if I get a craving close to bedtime, I still need to sleep so i just go ahead and have a little something. What tactics did you use to talk yourself out of eating?

Well, I'd better get my day started. I have another two hellish 12-hour shifts this week at work (Wednesday and thursday), so I need to get laundry done before I go in today.

Have a great day, all!

L

Liannie--Great news on your 3lb weight loss! Even if some of it is water, I bet some is real! You will have to change your mini-goal! So far, I have not done well at talking myself out of eating after dinner. I can do fantastic all day, but when I eat a low-fat dinner, I think I have both the desire to eat as well as real hunger (these volumetric dinners are around 400 cals). by the way, are you a nurse? My sister is a nurse's aide and loves it. She's going to go to lpn school in the fall. She has a B.A. in English, but that didn't really help her get a job. :dizzy:

Stacy, have a great trip! Like you say, you will burn a ton of cals with that outdoor activity. Have fun and we'll talk to you soon!

Sue, it's already not easy to exercise even when you aren't limited to your activity. That's wonderful that you are making the effort to do the one thing you can. I don't think a lot of people would! My sister, for example, has always been extremely thin and was on the university cross country/track team. They ran so much (75 miles/week, 2 practices a day) that she seriously messed up her back and now can't run at all. She really misses exercise but says she can't stand to do anything but run. Anyway, long story short, I really admire your committment!

I am doing pretty well on the diet. the scale went back down to 166.5 today, so I hope it stays down tomorrow--my day to change the ticker! I have really enjoyed the meals on Volumetrics so far, although all the fresh veggies and fruit are quite expensive, and the meals take a long time to cook. I made 4 portions worth last night of gazpacho and portabello mushroom sandwiches, so we're just going to have the same thing tonight that we had last night. Oh, I made a chicken cobb salad the other night with a nonfat tomato and herb dressing that was actually really good, and I thought the rest of you might like it. I think it was 1/2 cup of veggie juice, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, dash of hot sauce, tablespoon of red wine vinegar, pinch of parsley, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. I love spicy food, so I thought it was great.

I started my exercise routine yesterday. My planned exercise is 30 minutes on the treadmill 4 times/week. Right now I alternate jogging with walking, but I should be able to get up to all jogging soon (I can thank my family for good jogging genes. Am terribly unatheletic in every other way, but I can jog!)

How are the rest of you doing?

Hey ladies!

A decent day today. I stayed on plan but I overate at lunch and I had extra pistachios when I had my afternoon snack. I should have just taken out 35 nuts but I brought along the whole can and ate 42 instead of 35. I'm really having trouble with changing my behavior and I think I need to repeat some days. Can you imagine? A Beck dieter in remedial class?
:lol:

Karina, I work in a clinic but I'm not a nurse. We all do shiftwork, and it's killer sometimes! Good luck to your sister, I hope she does well. I have a friend with a BA in history who works in the mattress dept. at Sears, so I know what she's been through. Volumetrics sounds great for the bowels! My first few days on South Beach were a little constipating until I stepped up the veggie portions.

Where is everybody else? Looks like its just us two today.

Hope you're all doing well!

More in the morning!

L

Hi everyone,

I live very rural and have the screwest internet service-it can take over 10 minutes to get on line-sometimes I just give up whence few posting.

Lianne- You have lost 80 lbs and another another 3 yeah !!! hey, enjoy your butt - i bet is many many inches smaller than mine. some chairs I need a shoe horn to get out of.
About the nuts- I think it is great that you counted them out, and stopped at only 42. That is a behavioral change from mindless eating. Tomarrow you will stop even sooner. Perfection is not always possible-but continutous improvement is what I hope for.

Kartina- thanks for support exercising. Sorry about your sister have some permanent problems due to her running. Good luck on the tredmilll. can you watch tv or read a mag while doing it? Thanks for the dressing recipe-I also love spice. good deal on the 1/2 lb lost-I know at times it seems like a mystery on when my body lets the weight go and when it just keeps holding on to the pounds inspite of doing everything "right"

I have been actually doing many things right. It should be easy to plan my eating-there are no fast food place, no convenience stores, the grocery stores (both of them) close by 8. The few resturantes are for the tourists and are very expensive. My huband is so coperative and "hides" his candy treats in the garage. -Yet the late night munchies can hit me-nuts, bread and chips call to me. But I have resisted for the 5 nights or so. I think Beck's idea about hunger will pass has helped, but I know that I sure am used to sleeping with a full feeling. I often sleep less with restricting my cals. I am doing this now. 20 yrs ago I went on Optofast- about 400-500 liquid cals.-I was hyper. Later I re-gain the weight and much more. I plan on the Beck way to stop that from happening again. I will be so glad when I am no longer morbidly obese-both medically and socially, I am down 40lbs of 200 I plan to lose/

You guys are doing great-this is such a struggle and we can be so hard on ourselves. take good care of youselves.

sue

Got room for one more? I saw this book while I was shopping last week and wanted to buy it (without knowing what it was about). I'm practically addicted to buying diet books and had put myself on a book budget and decided not to get it until I came here and saw this thread.

From reading through the posts here, I knew I had to get this book. I'm currently on chapter 2 and very intrigued. I can't wait to get started! I have a livejournal but have yet to use it. For some reason it intimidates me. My blog there is http://waistingaweigh.livejournal.com/.

Well, I'm off to read more. :carrot: Everyone have a great day!

Hi everyone,
It sounds like we are all just doing great and should give ourselves credit! :D

This is my "official" weigh in day, and I'm down again to 166--a 6lb loss since I started this diet around 2.5 weeks ago. I was so hungry last night (Sue--I'm with you; I hate to go to bed hungry!), but I resisted! I'm proud of myself for some of the little changes I've made, but I have a few challenges coming up. I'm going to lunch with a friend in a day or two, and I normally overeat when I'm with her. I also am having friends over for dinner Saturday, and my husband suggested I make my crawfish pie specialty (sounds weird but is spicy rich goodness), but I hope I can up with something healthier that still tastes really good. I'm not comfortable with talking about dieting with the couple, since she is probably over 400lbs. (I don't like when thinner women talk about their diets with me.) I also don't want her to think I'm cooking light for her sake. Any suggestions for a really tasty but also moderately healthy meal?

Liannie, I missed your earlier post that you used to weigh 230; it is so wonderful that you haven't gone back up there! You've been successful at maintaining your current weight, so you know you can be successful at maintaining at your future lower weight! Also, even though I've technically been on Beck for over 2 weeks now, I'm only on about day 12 because some days I've felt that I need to go slower and make sure I get them down. The author said it might take you longer, so I wouldn't feel bad about doing a few days over if you feel you need to. My $.02 anyway.

Sue, it is fantastic that you are down 40lbs! That's almost a quarter of your goal! :carrot: I agree that Beck will help you from regaining unlike those really low-cal diets--you just can't sustain that for life. I've also done really low-cal, and it came right back on plus some for me, too. btw, I am able to watch tv while on the treadmill, and it definitely helps the time go faster!

HoneyMist, welcome to the group! I definitely feel more inspired by Beck than any other plan and believe I will not only lose the weight but keep it off long term. I understand your addiction to diet books--I am addicted to cookbooks.

Totally off-topic...for the 2nd night in a row (the only 2 nights ever), my darling 15 month-old daughter has slept through the night! Yes, it's been a long 15 months, in case you were wondering.:cloud9:

Karina,

I'm addicted to cookbooks too! Heck, I love all kinds of books, but dieting and cookbooks are my absolute favorites. I so envy you that your baby is beginning to sleep through the night. My youngest is 2 1/2 years old and I'm still struggling with him. Some nights, I can't count the times he wakes up .. it's just that much! So many people ask me how I cope, and I have to say, I really think I've just gotten use to being tired all the time. Good for you though. It must be like heaven! :)

Good Morning All,

Welcome Honey! I used to be addicted to cookbooks too! When my son was young (he's 29 now) and I had to cook every night, I bought dozens of cookbooks. I had a subscription to Cooking Light for about 5 years too. I still like to look at recipes even though I don't buy the books anymore. It's almost like window-shopping for me...kind of a sick way to think about food: admiring it, imagining what it will taste like, thinking about it alot. But that's why I'm in this group, huh? :)

Karina, CONGRATS ON THE WEIGHT LOSS! Your crawfish pie sounds EXCELLENT, by the way. I like meat pies. I've taken a couple trips to London and always enjoyed the meat pies in the pubs (oh yeah, and about a gallon of ale too). :dizzy:

Your upcoming food dilemmas are a constant for all of us, aren't they? I ate too much the other day when I went out with my binge-buddies. I stayed on the South Beach plan, but still ate too much food. I compensated with a smaller dinner but I continue to struggle with stopping when I'm full if there is still food on my plate. Your overweight lady friend will probably like anything you make and eat lots of it. If you provide one hearty dish and a bunch of veggie based, leaner foods, I'll bet they'll all like it.

As for my former weight, I got up past 230s during a bad emotional time in the late 80s, then got down to 150 in 1989 by calorie counting. By 2000, I had gained it all back and so I started down the scale again. I made it to 155 by 2004. And then I met my husband who is naturally thin, does no exercise and can eat anything. So of course, I crept back up again. I am down 5 lbs. today so I hope to stay the course this time for sure.

Well, I'd better go. I have two 12 hour shifts today and tomorrow so I need to get moving towards work. I'll try to catch up with you all tonight if I have the energy. Otherwise, see you tomorrow.

Keep up the good work everybody!

L

Hi! I use to post here when it first started and got away from it when we had computer problems. It appears that everyone is new??

Anyway, I have been on the first two weeks of getting ready for a while now. I have been working on some parts of the solution and need to review and start working on some other parts (especially PRAISE). I have just gotten consistent with exercise. I have finally found something that works for me. I have an IPOD that I download books into and listen to as I walk. It is fantastic! I love to read but I just can't justify sitting around reading a book when I should be active and there is always work to do. Right now I am “reading” True Evil. Anyway, I am walking 3-6 miles a day. My goal is to walk 3 miles each and every day and my hope is that I will walk more. I have a maltichon puppy who goes the first mile with me and then I drop her off at the house and go a couple more miles. I also got a pair of MBT shoes that are suppose to tone my legs and help prevent injury to my knees. My knees were starting to get a little achy and I was concerned that I was going to have to slow down. Since getting the MBT's my knees are no longer a problem. I am not sure if they work for toning but I will keep you posted.

Through the years I attempted to get into an exercise program but my concern with only walking has always been that I felt I had to do something more intense to tone my bottom half (pear shape). I use to consistently do step aerobics and I think I was concerned that even though I was putting in the time walking that I was not going to get the results so I would start and stop my walking plan only to start something more intense and become overwhelmed. Now that I think there is a chance that I am toning while I am walking I really feel good about doing it instead of guilty for not doing a step video. MBT’s are reviewed really really well so my hope is that my legs will look like I still do my step workouts!!

Now that I have that part done (exercise) I am going to get my book and go on to the next step. This isn't the way I intended on doing the Beck Solution but I am really glad that I took the time to get consistent with exercise before I dove into a diet plan. I am still not 100% of what diet I am going to use. I think it will be weight watchers.

Gina

Hi everyone,
Busy day on here!

Gina, I am very impressed with your walking! That's a lot of miles and must take some time, but what a good idea with the IPOD! I'll have to try that. What are MBTs by the way?

Liannie, awesome about your 5lb weight loss! :carrot: That is wonderful news! What is your next mini-goal? I hear what you are saying about meat pies in the UK; I've also had them and love them. We make them fairly often in the winter, although with only a top crust and a red wine roux (sp?). Still, not very healthy! I totally understand weight gain and having a husband...my DH is probably 20lbs overweight now but still thinks he can eat anything, and I've always kept right up with him! He's committed to weight loss right now, too, though, so I'm happy about that. Hope work goes by fast for you!

Honey, Hang in there! :hug: I wish I could tell you why my daughter started sleeping through the night, but I have no clue. We were totally surprised. She did get better about 2 months ago, though; before that, she woke multiple times a night too. I totally know what you mean about getting used to being tired all the time. What do you do when you get up with him? The worst is when Clara wakes up and decides she's not tired anymore. We basically take turns rocking her for a few hours. Happens about once a week.

good luck, everyone!