jen, i have not been keeping a count of calories. i've been staying pretty basic. my twin Supersized is losing very slowly also. in twelve weeks, she has lost 18 lbs i think. my younger sister has lost 62 lbs in probably 8 weeks or so. her husband just started and has lost 10 lbs in 2 days. we are all different. i think one thing in my favor right now is that i am not on any medications. when i tried this for two weeks in the spring, i only lost 8.4 lbs during that two weeks. i was on allergy med, antidepressant to try to get my migraines under control, sleeping pill, a couple of prescription migraine meds to take at beginning of headache, occasional muscle relaxant for my back, plenty of motrin and tylenol. now i am taking none. atkins says that most meds do slow down progress. my twin is on allergy med right now. i'm not really consuming much artificial sweeteners either. i had bought some diet rite fruit flavored drinks, but read here that they slow down loss for some. so i nixed that. just water for me. usually i drink between half gallon and gallon a day. i'm a natural water drinker anyway, so not a problem for me. also, i've not been eating veggies other than salad, and have only had salad twice. i have no idea what my ratios are. i've had scrambled eggs twice, an omelet once, bacon once, chicken breast several times, deli smoked turkey--a few oz at a time, chicken salad (chicken breast, eggs, mayo)--five or six times (ok it's my favorite thing right now), colby jack cheese--1 oz at a time, mozzarella--1 oz at a time, cheddar cheese--1 oz at a time, 2 oz of cream cheese with 2 packets of splenda twice, T of peter pan peanut butter 4 times, pepperoni--about 15 at a time--4 times, deli roast beef--1 oz--once. i had the cream cheese w/splenda and peanut butter (on separate occasions of course) when i was hungry for something sweet. i usually keep my cheese at or below 4 oz a day. also, i just eat until i feel satisfied. supersized had asked me to start keeping track of my daily menu so that she can try to do what i'm doing after she does the fat fast. maybe i can start posting what i am eating on the food log thread. for the last four years i have fluctuated between 190 and 220. i was 190 when i got pregnant in fall 98 and delivered at 219. so, i am anticipating a screeching halt very soon. i weighed in at 194 today. i have never lost this fast. i've been on every diet under the sun. i read also that the carb bars and similar stuff can also slow down loss. i'm not sure because i've not used them, but supersized has. we all lose at vary different rates. i do not want anyone to feel badly because they may not be losing at a fast rate. that was never my intent in posting. i am just so proud of my success for me. i've stated previously that i want to get this weight off as quickly as possible so that i can get comfortable living on the maintenance level before getting pregnant. i'll be 34 jan 2. doctors have told me that the chances of complications greatly increase at 35. so i really need to step on it. i hope this helps. again, i don't want anyone to compare their situation with how i'm doing right now. it's unrealistic in my own eyes. i know that it will be ending very soon. any loss is a great victory. i can not let myself cheat, as it is the kiss of death for me. the previous three times that i have lost 30 lbs, i have foolishly taken a weekend off than turned into 9 months to a year. so i have to be very careful. this time next year, i want to have a belly--but full of a baby. i am just thankful for how things are going right now. also, i've found that when i'm not losing on the scales, i tend to be losing inches. make sure to take your measurements. just keep on keeping on. you are already a success!

karen, way to go!