Okay ladies! I feel you about the TO thing. However, this week is TOM so I was up almost 3 lbs Monday morning and am down from Monday's weight 5 lbs. Some of that is weight loss some water loss since TOM is almost over. Since the first day of the challenge, I have only lost about 6 lbs. I am starting to get really frustrated!!! I have been OP except for days I don't have enough calories and I have to add in something extra. I am doing the lo carb shakes now and not doing the bars anymore so I added 1/2 P and 1 veggie. I was on gold and am now doing purple plus 1/2 P. I am going to see how things go next week. Beginning to think I might do better with regular OP eating instead of the shakes, but I will try for another week and see what the scale does! Any advice on how to get over this hump would be appreciated!
Stephanie

Stephanie - I am sorry you're having a rough go of it right now. I am curious to weigh, but scared at the same time because I don't want to be disappointed. Oh well, I can hang in there until May 15.

Carmen-
You are gonna do great! It is just so frustrating when I am being so GOOD! I know my weight is kinda low already, but really guys, I need to loose some more! I changed my goal to 125 after talking to my MD who thought that was too low for me. She felt 130 might be a better goal but I am not ready to change it to 130 yet! So my mini goal is 10 lbs in 5 weeks. I am gonna stick with the challenge as long as I am loosing 2 lbs a week but I still wonder if OP eating wouldn't be better for me. I am really having trouble getting my calories in when I spend 180 on a P and S combined! I keep having to add in other portions (usually vegetables or very light starches).

Stephanie-

I gotta tell you-I'm really not sure what you're complaining about-you're losing 2lbs/week and you're almost at goal. That's honestly about the best you can hope for. I think you're hoping that the shakes are some sort of miracle drug-but really all it they do is make it easier to keep your calories in check (IMHO). There are many folks here close to goal who would kill for this kind of progress.

I being one of them...

I am just saying that I loose 2 lbs a week when OP and thought that the shakes and TO were supposed to speed the weight loss. I know they are not a miracle, I am not niave. Just thought I would see more of a loss with the challenge than regular OP when I am staying POP with the shakes.

Well-then you are doing fabulous OP . . . .seriously, I have a lot to lose and do the best I can-not POP all the time of course-but I can barely hold steady at 2lbs/week. Keep it up girl!

BTW-I didn't mean to imply that I though you were naive. Sorry if it sounded that way. And-if you lost more that 2lbs/week-it is more likely that you would gain it back then if you lost it slower. And none of us wants to see the weight come back. Slow and steady wins the race!

I know I need to go slow but it is so hard!!! Not that I am telling you anything you don't already know! I know I don't have much to loose, but I have struggled every single day of my life with my weight. Obesity runs in my family everywhere and it is very important to me that I learn to control my weight. You are right, slow and steady is best. Then I can learn to eat healthy and stay healthy. My biggest problem with the shakes (i really like them b/c they are convienent and taste great) is that they only have 180 calories. Like I said last week, I am having trouble getting in my calories with the portions I am allowed. Do you think I am doing OK by adding 1/2 P and a light S to make up any calories I still need? I do the lo carb shakes so they don't have much starch in them. I count the shake as a protein but only eat light starches (whole wheat bread, etc). You think this is an OK way to make up the extra calories? Right now I am on a mission....I have been POP for almost 2 solid weeks (even through TOM which is amazing for me) and I plan on meeting my goal before I go to Gulf Shores! IF anyone has noticed I changed my ticker to 125...talked to my Dr. and she felt 125-130 would be OK for me.

Stephanie-

I have no idea if your substitutes are a good idea or not-it's a tossup really . . . Everybody's body handles things differently. I personally wouldn't worry so much about the carbs. But that's just me . . . .

As for your goal weight-again everybody's different. I would kill to be 140. Actually 175 sounds good to me. I don't think my body would ever stabilize at 140-I'm pretty muscular.

Juliemarie- If I could pick and choose where my weight was I would be happy with the 140 I am now. My weight sits right in my stomach and upper thighs. Working out doesn't change it. The last time I did LAWL with my COD I got down to 133 and looked great but still had a little belly and thigh issue. Only way I ever got rid of the weight in those places was when i did Atkins. THat's why I am carb conscious. I'm not very muscular b/c I really hate to work out (unless it is lifting weights and don't care much for that). I am not sure about the substitutions but I know that without doing the bars I really needed to add at least 1/2 P and 1S. I am on gold (2 P, 2 S, 3 V, 3 Fruit, 1 F, 1 D) but now that I don't do the bars I add an extra veggie, 1/2 P and 1 S. It seems to equal out in calories since I stick to light starches and lean proteins. I just make sure I get 1200 calories and all my portions.

Well-it seems to be working for you. If it ain't broke . . . . .

So-do you think you'll always have to limit carbs so much-or will you be able to add them back in at stabilization?

I was able to add some back, but I still have to watch them. I have blood sugar issues so controling carbs helps with that as well so I have to get used to it unless I want to end up diabetic. My body is very suceptible to carbs.

Stacy - sorry, but you just gave me a laugh. I can just picture a 3rd grader attempting his karate moves. I had an image in my head. Not funny, I know, but I needed the laugh just the same. Enjoy your wine. Wish I had some cuz I would join you about now!

Steph - I don't know what to say except good luck. Like Julie says, everybody's body is different. Maybe instead of counting specifically 1200 calories per day, you try the high/low with your calories, and see if that will boost anything around. Although anything more than 2# is not really healthy, and if you lose too quickly, it may not stay off.

Thanks Sherry- I did enjoy my wine--and now I am back (or still) on plan.
I know you have siad that the scale is going the wrong way for you lately--sorry!!! the whole weight loss thng is so frustrating-
I was telling my friend today that I have no desire to try and maintain some weight I cannot keep and maintain. I feel good at the weight I am at, but feel that I could blow it at anytime--I need to lose just a little bit more so I can have some flexiblity-ya know?
I am so thankful for this group though, you all help me more than you know!!