Hi,

Pat - Exercising in the morning makes the whole day better. I wasn't able to wake up early enough this morning (that darn snooze button :mad: ) & I feel all out of sorts.

Paula1254 - Hope your back is feeling better. Your weight loss has been awesome! :) Please share the secrets of your success and also post menus. I'm glad you & DH are planning to stay OP while on your trip. You'll feel so much better. It's always the guilt that kills me. However, I will tell you from personal experience don't let yourself feel deprived. I did that on vacation & once I got home I went on a week long binge which resulted in a 8 lb gain. And don't forget your patch!! Oh, I love your quote.

Hi to Sue, Kirei, mum, Hensa, 25, jdoneil & anyone else I forgot.

Take care!

Jennifer

Ok. I almost didn't post tonight. My "back on track" attitude hasn't lasted the week. I've been eating all the wrong things, ignoring the water, and avoiding the exercise. And boy am I paying for it! No energy, hungry horrors, and insomnia (again). My daughter (almost 13) commented that I've been very grouchy this week, too. (Like I needed to hear that! :rolleyes: ) I know I'm PMSing (which was NEVER a problem prior to age 35 :mad: ) but this is ridiculous! Oh, well. At least I haven't gained any weight -- just staying even. I'm trying to get my fee back under me (anyone with extra willpower vibes that they'd care to send my way? :o ). Tomorrow is my younger son's 6th birthday party at a local pizza place. I'm ordering their Ceasar salad with roast chicken (delicious) but I know I'm going to have a tough time saying "NO!!!" to the Carvel ice cream cake. :eek: Mantra: "I DON't want it; I DON'T need it; It's not that special that I can't have it another time (just not right now)."

Sorry for the "me" post. Just feeling really blue (and tired). I HATE PMS. I'd (almost) rather have my cycle two weeks of the month than one week of PMS. :(

For those of you who are doing great OP (which, by the way, means "on program"), WAY TO GO! :cool: -Clap-Clap-Clap (I'm applauding your success & will/won't power).

Kudos to you soon-to-be nonsmokers! Excellent progress. Remember -- "Breathe in; breathe out" (and doesn't it feel wonderfull to do that with healthier lungs?! :D

Well, I think I'll finish my book before turning in. I'm finally getting a little sleepy (it almost 10:00 PM here). :dz:

:wave:

This is going to be really quick. Joanne, I have been OP for over 7 weeks...you CAN do it too. The more often you say no to the offensive food, the closer you get to your goal. You hand in there!!!

As for me, I finally found the (non-smoking) patches. It's 10:00 at night and I finally have put one on. Please pray for me.

More tomorrow, I promise.

Lee

Hello Everyone! I have been CRAZY at work and trying to keep up around the house so I have not been on-line much! My two sons BOTH head off to college in the next couple of days. (One leaves Sunday and the other leaves September 1) Needless to say it has been BUSY around here!

I HAVE managed to say on plan..but have not been exercising as I should. Blame the heat...blame how busy I am....and tired.....but that is NO EXCUSE! I need to make the time. We all do. I WILL exercise today and EVERYDAY..(There, I said it!)

Yesterday was WEIGH IN DAY and I managed to lose one pound! (That brings my total up to 27.) Yipee for me! It is also TOM...so any loss is to be celebrated!

paula.......Good job staying on plan. I am praying that you will be able to quit smoking. That is a habit I never acquired (Thank God)...and I feel very sorry for those who smoke. I just lost a good friend from lung cancer. She quit too late to save herself. Long story short...DO IT NOW!!!

jdoneil.....you have been officially DUCT TAPED to the wagon. Say good bye to the cravings and hello to being IN CONTROL!!!

jhp.....you continue to be my inspiration having had such great success on Atkins. How is it going??

fralick....way to stay on plan. I understand the cravings with TOM...I could have killed my dog for some chocolate ice-cream this week! LOL!

my buddy nasus...how about giving me a little of your exercise energy over here! We continue to roll! (I would like to roll this FAT of my belly about now!)

kieri.........Congrats for staying away from the cigs! Stay in control! You know how hard you are working to stay in control where the FOOD is...and food is a NATURAL thing.......So........you can muster up enough CONTROL to stay away from an UN-NATURAL thing like the cigs! DO it!

mum2five......how are you doing?

hensa....don't listen to what anyone tells you bad about Atkins or low carbing. I am 43 and have been on various DIETS for years with little or no success! I have taken off 27 pounds on Atkins and this low carb way of life has me feeling better than I have my entire life! The more you read about it...the more you will see that low carb makes sense. Just keep your mouth shut to the "nay-sayers" and when they SEE how gorgeous you look, how good you feel...and how HAPPY you are with this way of life....maybe they will GET IT! Some people just slam what they don't know.....so consider the source. I have taken off 27 and 2 family members have lost 13 and 20 and they love it also! You WILL reach your goal if you stay on plan...and stay on our little wagon....there is TONS of support here!

Did I miss anyone????? I sure hope not. Got a busy weekend planned here..so I am not sure when I will get back on line!

STAY ON THE WAGON ALL!

DESTINATION: SUCCESS!!!!!

You know, I think I like this "duct tape" thing you all have going. :) I'm thinking about sneaking a roll out of my husband's tool box and putting small patches in or around my "hot zones" (i.e., frig, freezer, snack cabinet, wallet (pays for the junk food), etc.) as a reminder that I've been "officially duct taped to the in control wagon" -- Thank you very much! :D I'm going to put a small piece on the wooden napkin holder that sits in the middle of my dinning room table, too. All as visual reminders of my determination to treat my body better and, finally, shed the excess weight that has plagued me since age ten. Now where else should I put it? Hmmm. Maybe in my office (to ward off the evil :devil: spirit that keeps tempting me to go to the vending machines). That should help (I hope).

Well, I tried to consider my new nutritional requirements while I went shopping today. I got eggs, cheese, sausages, tuna fish, celery sticks, cucumbers, lettuce, Bleu cheese dressing, shark, and hamburgers. Figured I could make up some decent meals with this stuff (focus being on quick, satisfying meals that are OP). Any other ideas? It's going to be another hectic week and I really need to plan my menus and then forget about being OP and focus on all the other projects on the horizon.

Gotta go. It's 9:30 here and I'm exhausted after the party today. ( :( No. I didn't manage to avoid the Carvel cake -- or having 1/2 a slice of pizza or the pita pocket the salad come in.) I guess I should have read your encouraging e:mails before I went. :o

:wave:

Hey girls. just a min befor i get to bed.

Joanne. I never thought of using it as a visual reminder. what a great idea. they now have florescent colors of duct tape. wow that should be an eyeopener. I think your shopping list sounded great. one thing i would add is a few low carb atkins bars. for those emergency situations that you are just starving. then eat one or half. (some taste ok some others taste terrible) just to give you the portein boost and then the cravings will not come so bad. I do things like sloppyjoes i eat the meat and cheese in a bowl. I also do tacos in a bowl. although they could be wraped up in a lettuce leaf. MMMMI know what i am going to be having next week!!!:D it will be better once you are OP for over 3-4 days. it is a breeze then!!Sending some vibes~~~~~~~~~~~~~ there do you feel that?

25 Hi buddy!!! I missed you yesterday. I love your enthusiasm. I know that you will be there before you know it. (OH by the way I gave ozzie a kis on the cheek so he would not be too hard on me!) I hope pat does not read that:lol:

Lee how is the quitting??? I give yousoo much credit for doing both. POWER TO YOU!!!

Jennifer make some time to do what you want!!! even for just 5 min that is your time!!!! much needed for personal sanity.

Hensa I am thinking of you. how are you doing??? staying OP??? if not i have some tape just for you. it is bright yellow!!! and very strong:D

Keiri where are you??? I am sending will power your way. you have a very tough job ahead of you. I know that you can do it. just keep putting off the cig and you will do just fine, it is hard to smoke when posting so post often (also hard to eat) I stoped smoking that way 13 years ago I put it off for an hour at a time and when the hour was up i put it off again and it has been a whole lot of yhours that i have wait4ed. I do not think i will start again but the temptation still haunts me everyonce in a while. so just put it off.

Pat how do you like the cooler weather??? I was thinking of you when i saw aome of our northern neighbors temps BRRRRR. Hey stay strong.

Mum2Five check in let us know where you are. stay strong. we are a team!!!

I just wanted to repeat a article that i read in womens day it was about the health prejudices agains overweight women. I would suggest all read it. I was in tears. especially if you know that our friend Jiff is having such a hard time. the article could not have come at a better time but it is so unfair. everything is put to blame on obesity. dr.s do not want take their time, and just missdiagnose because of that. one lady was told she had a stomach bug when she had an eptopic pregnancy, another was told she just needed to loos weight and was given diet pills, when a month later she was diagnosed(by a different dr) that she was i the LATE stages of SEVERE mononucleosis. I just have the article in my mind and it tears me up especially when there is so injustice in the worls. well enough I am tired and have to work in the morning. see you all tomorow.

if i missed anybody I am sorry i am distracted. so here is a great big HI and stay strong!!!

--Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't posted in a couple days. I have been having a REALLY rough time. Still no ciggarettes, and I even sat in the SMOKING section at BINGO with my friend a couple days ago, and still managed to resist. I told her not to give me one, no matter how desperate I begged. But I didn't even ask. I have been having SEVERE nicotene withdrawls. Last night I dreamt that I won a lifetime supply of Nicorette gum. I am having fantasies about the stupid gum! Weird! Also, once everyday I have this huge burst of frustration where I get mad at everyone and everything. And I burst into tears. I can't wait till this over.

--I have been OP, sort of. I haven't cheated, but I did make some LC PB pie, to get me through my daily withdrawls. It has been a struggle to just not make a huge batch of brownies or pasta, and just forget it all- that's how strong my nico' cravings are. And I haven't been drinking water. Lots of Diet soda. I will drink water from now on. Besides, now all the Diet DP is gone. Enough about me...

--Lee, I am sending all of my non-smoking vibes your way. We can do this. I now know that when people say "I could quit if I wanted to, I just don't want to" that it is the biggest lie or self-deception ever. You have no idea how strong a nicotine addiction is until you quit. I always thought that it was just a habit problem for me, not the actual nicotine. I was wrong. Best of everything to you.... be strong.

--Everyone else, sorry I can't talk some more, but I am so busy the last couple days. And I am going to play BINGO tonight. Another addiction! HAHAHA. Just kidding. I go to get out of the house. Congrats to everyone staying OP, and losing! Awesome!

Christy

I have to apologize in advance for such a long letter...am in a talkative mood.

I have been checking out another forum that is all about low carbing and I came across the following and wanted to share it with you:

There's not much mystery about why these bars cause stalls - they contain a lot more carbs than the labels indicate. The statements about why the carbs from glycerine, polydextrose, maltitol, litese, etc...are not included in the carb count are very questionable. If it counts as a calorie, and you digest it, and it is a carbohydrate, you should be counting it.

By doing the basic calorie calculations (total calories, minus fat calories, minus protein calories = carb calories at 4 calories per gram) I recently took a closer look at the real carb counts of Atkins Bars

Almond Brownie: 15grams of carbs - 2grams fibre = 13g carbs
Banana Colada : 8.75 g - 1g = 7.75 g carbs
Chocolate Coconut: 15.25g - 1g = 14.25g carbs
Chocolate Macadamia: 7g - 1g = 6 g carbs
Chocolate Peanut Butter: 6.25g - 1.2g = 5.05g carbs
Chocolate Raspberry: 6.5g - 1g = 5.25g
Chunky Peanut Butter: 4g - 1g = 3g
Chocolate Macadamia: 10.25g - 2g = 8.25g
Praline Crunch: 5g - .1g = 4.9g

As you can see, some of the bars are really not that bad, but some are carbohydrate whoppers. If you can eat them and still lose, go for it. But if you are stalled out and wondering why - don't forget the real carb count of these "snacks". (I'm not picking on Atkins, here, other brands are just as bad or worse!)

I am done eating the Atkins bars. I only had them for emergencies...like getting too hungry while out running errands...but now I buy iced tea (sugarless) if I start getting too hungry.

Not smoking is bad for your health!!! It makes you crabby, emotional, weak, fuzzy headed and more, but I'm not giving up!!!
If I can be so committed to losing this weight and staying on program for 8 weeks (tomorrow) I can be strong enough to quit smoking as well. I'm glad that I have a non-smoking buddy like Christy...You're a great motivator...WE CAN DO THIS, buddy!!!

My back is better now. I did make myself get out of the house on Friday. I had my hair and nails done, and had lunch with my hairdresser. After being here in Florida for almost 4 years, it's nice to finally have a female friend.

We've had more company for our little "happy hour" in the evenings lately. It's been nice seeing people who haven't been around in quite a while. Today, one of our friends is going to bring over chuck steak and make us dinner. I will make a salad and some garlic broccoli and cauliflower (my favorite). Someone asked for the recipe, and it's really very simple:

Cut up a few cloves of fresh garlic and put them in a lidded container that will be large enough to handle the amount of vegetables that you have cooked (we usually cook a 16 ounce bag of each). In that same container, add olive oil (we use about a third of a cup). Cook the broccoli and cauliflower in the same pot together the way you normally would. Pour them into a strainer and then right into the container and shake it well so that the veggies are coated with the oil and garlic. The longer they sit, the better they taste. They're even good cold. If you are a salt person like I am, you will find that the more salt you add, the hotter they get.

Last night we (meaning hubby did while I was napping) made chicken wings. They're easy and very tasty. As you all know, we rarely cook in the house...I love our grill!!! We cook the wings after seasoning them with salt. Then we put them in a container with butter, garlic (lots of garlic), Louisiana pepper sauce and some cayenne pepper. They're very tasty and go quickly. Also, wings are really inexpensive...especially when we buy them in the family packs.

Joanne: Good idea about the duct tape. Today's a new day and a fresh beginning. How about making "little" meatballs with just a bit of cheese inside them for snacking. You can bake them, drain them (if they need it) and put them in a covered container. When you get the urge to eat, just grab one and keep going. Boil a dozen eggs and have them on hand. You can also cook a pound of bacon and grab a slice every now and then to help you. One more...How about some mushrooms stuffed with cheese and bacon? We all need something that we can grab that will be almost carbless to help us keep on track (and away from the snack cabinet and the vending machines). If you have your food prepared, you won't be tempted as easily to go off program.

25: With the boys gone, you will be entering a new and exciting phase in your life. I've been an empty nester for quite a while now. Obviously, you will find that you have more time for yourself, and have the time to rediscover your hubby. You will find that your house stays neater and is less dusty. You'll be spending less time in the kitchen (I hate kitchens!!!!).

One of hubby's friends chastized me last night for being in ketosis too long. He thought that since I have lost so much weight that it was time for me to get out of ketosis and start adding fruit and more vegetables to my program. I just bit my lip and let him run off at the mouth.

Good job on losing 27 pounds!!! I'm willing to bet that you will show a larger loss on your next weigh in.

Sue: I know what you mean about the prejudices of overweight women. I went to several doctors with abdominal pains. Most told me that it was all in my mind...that nothing was wrong with me. I finally got one to do an MRI and he said that my ovary was slightly enlarged, but he wasn't concerned about it. I went to another doctor and first told him that I am not a hypochondriac and that I needed his help. I told him how long I had been in pain and that it was getting worse. I asked him to just schedule me for exploratory surgery (I was desperate!). I told him that if he wouldn't do it, that I would just find another doctor who would, so he agreed, but with one stipulation...If he did this and found that I had nothing wrong, that I would go into counseling!

Between the visit and the day of surgery, I had the most excruciating pain, and felt something pop in my right side. The morning of my surgery, he came in to talk with me. He told me that he expected me to be able to go home that afternoon. After surgery, I think that he had a hard time facing me. When he finally walked into my room, I told him that I was ready to go home (lying, of course...I thought I was dying from the pain). I had a growth inside my ovary that had grown until it actually burst the ovary. I had developed an infection and was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks. It was in my head, huh????

Christy: I'm with you, hang in there. Prepare meals ahead of time to stay on your program instead of making tempting snacks that might trigger your cravings even more. It's tough, but you can do it. I'm sending up a special prayer for you!

Jennifer: I hope all is well with you and that you are taking time for yourself.

Hello to the rest of you. I hope you're staying strong and on program. You're all in my prayers.

I told you this would be long, but I have one more thing to add. I wrote something in my journey (as opposed to journal) that I would like to share with you. It has been what has kept me on track for so long:

I have really thought about this program that I am on and about reaching my goals. I cheated in the first week of the program, and was really disgusted with myself. I started out my program by sabotaging it!!! Since the second week, I have been faithful to myself, and haven’t repeated my mistake. My thinking today is that overeating and using food for rewards while on my program just doesn’t make sense. Doing without the things that I enjoy while I am on this program is not a matter of depriving myself. It makes perfect sense. Those things that I am doing without are always going to be there, but right now, they don’t fit in with my program. They will cause me to either gain weight, or not to lose. They might make me feel good momentarily, but really make me feel unwell in the long run. I will be disappointed with myself for not keeping to my strong commitment of losing this heavy burden that is extra weight. How can I justify eating something that isn’t on the program? Why reward yourself with something that will sabotage your weight loss when the actual reward is the loss itself. How ridiculous can one be?

Lee

Originally Posted by :
Remember...you are the daughter of the Heavenly King...that makes you a Princess!!! Feel like one...look like one...carry yourself like one!!!

Lee you are really a princess. Wow what words of wisdom. thankyou. You are doing great fighting the urge to smoke. I still have cravings even after 13 years. I love the snack ideas. I am comming across that problem at home (the weeknds are the hardest) and i have a bag of carrots there(not good) but i allow myself a few. I love the meatball idea!!! and you can bet your sweet bippie that i will be making that coliflour and broccoli. it sounds absolutly delicious. I love garlic and both veges!!! did you post that in the recipe section??? which other forum do you follow??? I follow PP forum too. there are also some great sites that have fantastic recipes. I tend to go for the simple recipes.
http://www.carb-lite.au.com/
http://member.aol.com/alexhaas/index.htm
http://www.lowcarbeating.com/
http://www.lowcarbnexus.com/
http://www.kathyland.com/lowcarb.shtml
http://photopics.com/lowcarb.html

hope this helps some of our gals here that need soeme creativity in their cooking.

Keiri you are going so strong girlfriend. what power you have, wow. keep it up!!!

to the others i have to get moving today is my busy day!!! hope your day is strong!!!

Ok. I got the message, Folks. :) New Day -- New Start. I had 2 eggs with shredded cheddar cheese and 1 sausage link with coffee for breakfast. I lost that "fuzzy" feeling in my head half way through the meal! Guess my body really needed those proteins. (I will admit though, I really missed my OJ. :( ) I'm thinking that, much later OP, I might add it back in small doses mixed with flavored seltzer water (kinda like a virgin Mimosa). Planning on tuna salad for lunch and burgers (minus rolls) for dinner.

I want to make the following pledge to myself (putting it in writing will make it official), I will not end my day without checking this forum! I NEED the support for you all. I want to be able to support others in their endeavors. Unless we are in the mists of an electrial storm, John (hubby) has promised to ask me if I "logged in" before we go to bed each night. (Isn't he sweet? :) )

But enough about me . . .

Sue -- Thanks for the vibes. I got them loud and clear! Felt them work as soon as I read your message! Thank you! :D

Christy/Lee -- Excellent progress on the non-smoking attempts. You are doing great! :cool: Keep up the good work.

Lee -- One quick, question? Did you go back and kick each of those so-called doctors in the a** when you recovered?!? :mad: If you didn't, it's never too late! They all should have their licenses revoked!! (OK, I vented. :o ) Thanks for the quick food tips. I am planning on boiling a dozen eggs today for quick breakfasts and egg salad during the week. I bought some cucumbers to peel and cut up for quick snacks along with some celery. I'll bring some (no-carb) Bleu cheese dressing to dip them in. I also got some Vermont cheddar cheese to cup up into cubes and some sugar-free pink lemonade mix (Love it!) to alternate with my water.

Anyone else care to share some quick, simple, CHEAP snack/meal ideas? With the kids going back to school, I'm starting to load my grocery cart with things like chips, yogurt, snack cakes, etc. The kids are not happy with my edict that they get limited snacks this year. (I don't want them turning into carb-addicts like their mother!) I'm looking at things like celery stuffed with seasoned cream cheese or PB; cheddar cheese cubes; deli meats rolled and then cut into bite-sized pieces; and other low-carb/high protein snacks. I won't cut out all of their "junk" food but I am limiting it to one a day (which is still a whole lot more than I was allowed at their age). :lol:

Gotta go. Time to drive the kids home who spent the night for my son's sleepover/birthday party.

:wave:

Sue: The carrots are wonderful snacks for the KIDS. Keep your grubby mitts off them...you know better!!! LOL

I have just found this forum recently: http://forum.lowcarber.org/
It's totally a low carb forum. I don't quite find it as user-friendly as this forum, though. I have posted a couple of times, but have not been receiving responses as I have here.

I haven't posted either of those recipes, but you are welcome to do so if you like. I am pretty careful what I eat. I don't make anything fancy, I just prefer veggies, meat , eggs, tuna (I'd make a caesar salad and add a can of tuna to it...you could make your salad, bring in the tuna and dressing and throw then all together at lunch), seafood, and salads. I am keeping my carbs to around 20 a day until I get closer to my goal.

Oh, I cooked this morning!!! I made bacon, sausage and eggs. I wasn't able to stand long enough to prepare an omelet, so I just threw some cheese on the eggs while they were cooking. Speaking of eggs, eons ago, I used to make crustless quiches. I'd put in things like celery, radishes, green peppers, mushrooms, and spinach. They were fine cold, and/or could be thrown into the microwave to warm them. They make a good low carb snack at any time.

Besides not being able to stand that long preparing anything fancy (and just Hating being in the kitchen), I am of the KISS (keep it simple stupid) theory. Get your cooking done and get out of the kitchen. Don't be tempted further by staying any longer than you have to.

Joanne: It sounds like you are putting it together. Hang in there...it only hurts for a little while (where did I get that...must have heard it somewhere???).

You could dice up your cucumbers, a "little" bit of tomato, and some bacon bits and mix them in some cottage cheese. Season to taste, and it's a good meal or snack.

It's been 15 years since I had that surgery. It was a good thing for them we didn't stay in town. I was going to go visit each of them with the reports from my surgery and give them a stern reprimand!!!

You all stay strong. WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Lee

Spit spit spit
Oh sorry that was the carrot :D

I just love your ideas!!!


I had never thought of having cucumbers. I just looked it up and it has 2 ecc (effective carb count which means after the fiber is subtracted) per cup. I can certainly handle that!!!

I just want to add a quote that i saw on a T-shirt.

Pain is temporary, Pride is forever.

I think of the difficulty of saying no as the pain.

A friendly invitation
 

All you enthusiastic Chicks posting on this thread don't seem to be aware that there are other threads in this forum that are for EVERYBODY. We have a daily thread which is usually headed up by the date and "Daily". This is where we talk about our daily lives more than our weight loss programs. We hope that some of you will take the time to stop by and introduce yourselves. Meanwhile, it's inspiring to read so many success stories in this thread. If anyone would like to start a menu thread, please don't hesitate. I'm sure there are many people who would be thrilled to know just how you're losing the weight in a healthy way.

I agree with linda. This forum does seem a bit split. please join us in the daily too. there is so much support. and it is a great way to get to know the others,a s well as get support for the daily stresses. I do post there too and it is really a verywarm community. comon and lets really use this forum to the most. lets post a menu forum, as well as the exercise forum, and most especially keep this kick butt forum, and join the daily for general chatter.

Hello all,
How is everyone?

Kirei- Way to go girl Hope all is well in the bingo hall.

Nothing really going on here

Sue who was that you kissed? HMMM....... :nono: .

Now what is your trainer/s name again?

Well I am still into those quiet serving cabana Boys. The ones who know what you want w/o you asking.

Anyway I digress, whew is is hot in here? :cool:

Still OP looking to lose 3#'s this week. Will have to be very careful.

Take care all :wave:

Pat