My oldest just left for college, too....5 weeks ago. He misses us but he's got a girlfriend so.....we are second fiddle. How it's supposed to be but there is an adjustment period. Lots of sadness but excitement too. I know how you feel See My feet.

My weight loss has been combo of WW and cal counting. When I needed a mental break (read obsessive tendencies) I counted points. When I needed a more steady loss, I counted cals. I lift weights and have for 18 years (3 x's a week) and walk 3 days. This past year I've been fighting with the 180's...I got to 173 ish (ticker and picture) and then went to 186, 183, 187, 181, wildly fluctuating. I started in August of 2012 but I'm right around the same weight as last year which is silly.

Fat flush is a tough protocol but I can do 14 days. Hoping to rid myself of any water weight (which I know I have) and then go back to WW/cal.

I don't do well on strict. I hate being told when and what to eat so points/cals is just best for me. Once I take out the should's and should nots, I just enjoy eating healthy food and know my maintenance calories.

But....I can do 14 days (right??!!).

Welcome Kristen! I'm glad you're joining us! :cp: Your avatar/progress picture is stunning! What an amazing accomplishment! :bravo: And yes, you can do 14 days! :dust:

SeeMyFeet, I'm sorry you're experiencing depression. I am still not used to my children being out of the house and they are both married now (ages 26 and 28). I should have been born in the 19th century when it was not uncommon for families to live together in a big old house. I have the house, but it's just my DH and me (and our pets) now. :shrug: I sure hope you feel better soon! :hug: Good job on the eggs over Cheerios!

Thanks, Mars! :D And for your being hungry and nervous, your menu still looks pretty good! :dancer:

PrairieQueen, I suppose running out of fish oil tabs could have something to do with it, especially considering the timing. I hope buying more, along with using the Smooth Move tea in the meanwhile, will correct the situation for you. :yes:

Carol Sue, lol, but...but...they're both orange! Oh, okay, I suppose that's not enough of a similarity to allow me to eat pumpkin doughnuts on a regular basis. :lol: And yes, I agree. I don't think I have gained enough muscle to be burning off extra calories, although I really would love to run with that idea, lol! :running:

Chickadeee, miss you! Time to check in, lol! :hug:

Mary, are you still with us? I know you're busy with nursing school, but I hope we haven't lost you! :?:

Rennie, I hope you're having a good day and a healthy day of eating! :sunny:

Wild_Blue, has your hangry passed! :devil: I hope so. I know that's a miserable feeling!

FinallyFree, :wave: Hope you're doing well!

I leave for home tomorrow, so I'll know on Friday morning how close my Dad's scale with me fully dressed has been to mine with me naked as a jaybird, haha! I hope I don't weigh more at home, but I won't be surprised if I do. The 170's are a difficult decade for me and always have been. :goodscale:

Week 23: High 179.5, Low (175)
10/4--179.5
10/5--(177 w/pjs, which would have been 179 fully dressed)
10/6--(176.5 w/pjs, which would have been 178.5 fully dressed)
10/7--(175.5 w/pjs, which would have been 177.5 fully dressed))
10/8--(177 fully dressed)
10/9--(176 fully dressed)
10/10--(175 fully dressed) Carb Day

Week 24:
10/11--(177 fully dressed)
10/12--(176 fully dressed)
10/13--(175.5 fully dressed)
10/14--(175 fully dressed)
10/15--
10/16--
10/17--

Today's Meals
Breakfast
2 fried eggs
2 slices of bacon
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Hot green tea
Mio water

Lunch:
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Almonds
Mio water

Snack:

Dinner
Large field greens salad with chicken, almonds, and ranch dressing
Mio water

Today's Exercise:
20 minutes on Dad's stationary bike

My hangries were much better today, and I walked for 40 minutes at lunch break, so fairly good day in that respect. Hoping the extra weight is just hormonal water weight.

Work was a bear, though. Boss was out of the office, and my coworker picked fights with everyone all day, and refused to do any work. Another coworker bailed on us because she knew the boss wouldn't be there. :mad:

My shoulder still hurts, but it's not as bad as that first day. There's a big knot, so I think it just seized up. I've been using the massager and stretching for a little each night on it, but I don't want to push it too hard. I did have a back injury last year from a car accident (with a deer), and I kinda wonder if this is just some residual tension that never worked itself out. I still have some painkillers from that. Real tempting to bring them out.

10/11: 231.5
10/12: 232.2
10/13: 233.0
10/14: 233.3
10/15:
10/16:
10/17:

Highlight meals:

Pecan Marmalade Catfish - I've had this at Cracker Barrel a few times and decided to try it. Just broiled the catfish a few minutes, then spread a little marmalade on top and sprinkled pecan pieces on top that I put in a baggie and rolled over with a rolling pin until they were tiny. Broiled for a few more minutes. Took maybe 10 mins including prep. I'm sure there's better recipes online, but I did the super easy version.

All Bran Yogurt Sundae - At night I usually have a bowl of All Bran, and sometimes I put it on plain yogurt with stevia and strawberries. I use dairy free yogurt because I'm allergic to milk.

Kristen, I did WW for a while and it worked for me as long as I went to the meetings. I needed them for some reason and couldn't stick with it on my own for some reason. Also, I hated having to figure out the points for things so I tended to eat the same things over and over once I knew their points value. I did like the zero points veggies and filled up on them. Eventually, I couldn't afford/justify the money I was spending on WW so I quit going. Calorie counting works for me, but I have to keep carbs on the low side because of diabetes. If you don't have any dietary restrictions, WW is a great program, because you can eat anything as long as you stay within your points allowance. No deprevation. I would love to see a loss like yours. You look great!

Wild Blue, the 40 minute walk probably did a lot to curb your hungries. Exercise is a good appetite suppressant.

Pain killers are ok to get you through a rough patch.

I have only had catfish once. Bob Evans used to have it on their menu years ago but I don't think it was a big seller here in PA. We have a Cracker Barrel about 10 miles away but we never go there as DH doesn't like their menu. He is a very picky eater. I love to eat different foods. He has about 5 menus that he eats over and over.

Jacqui, I think you're fine eating the pumpkin donuts. After all, you're the one whose dropping the weight, not me! So you're doing something right!
Looking forward to hearing the results of your at-home weigh in. You did a very thorough job of recording your weight while at your dad's. LOL

Finally getting back to my "normal."

Yesterday's menu:
Breakfast: McD's sausage burrito w/hot sauce and Stevia ice tea
Lunch: organic chicken/cheese burrito
Dinner: (we cleared out the week's leftovers) 2 grilled baby wings, creamed red potatoes, beef fajita filling (no wrap). Hubs got to add the last of the apple crisp and pub fries :)

Morning All,
SeeMyFeet Good to hear from you!:hug: That's a big big transition.

Kirsten Wow on your before after pictures! You look fantastic! I did WW in my 20s. I learned everything about nutrition from WW! Had a great leader too.

Jacqui Have a safe trip, or by now maybe I should just say Welcome home! Wishing you :goodscale tomorrow!

Carol :rofl: Never thought I'd be grateful for a lard butt but you gave me a new perspective :D My scale is Ozeri, from Amazon. A co-worker who is a shopper extraordinaire rec'd it, and it's been great--at least very consistent. It was about 50.00, and it's the one with 4 big circles where you place your feet. I can look it up & link it if you like.

I've noticed in myself, and now reading about some of Carol's & Jacqui's faves, that there seems to be an orange theme. The last 2 yrs, my 'power foods' have been butternut squash, fresh oranges, grated carrot in a salad. On my low carb plan, these were off limits, so it's natural to think of them as treats I guess. But I wonder why we love these orange foods. Last yr I googled it and there is a lot of info out there, but nothing grounded in science. It's all a big mystery!

Yesterday:
B mushroom/sauerkraut omelet, whey shake/coffee
S B-Up bar
L salad, beans, chicken, sugar free balsami evoo
D too late to get home & eat chili, lol. Panda Express Kung Pao w steamed veggies, hit the spot.
S broccoli dipped in PB2, meh.
2 L herb tea 10 min mini stepper
WI 168.4 I think fluid is fluctuating back n forth this week from sodium and heat, but pants are a bit looser. Goodbye dear lard butt! :crossed:

Wannabehealthy I walk most days, and didn't really change my routine otherwise. It would have been TOM, but I skip it with drugs, and some effects still creep through. Plus, most of that water weight dropped back off today.

SeeMyFeet I have been looking around for a new job for awhile. I had a change of career in the past year, but my workplace is full of drama all the time. They are definitely childish. I'm trying to get enough experience that I can get hired somewhere calmer. I don't think I have frozen shoulder. I think I pulled a muscle. I am slowly working the knots out, and it's been feeling better each day.

30 min walk today. I might have undereaten today, though I had a really large breakfast of eggs and turkey bacon.

10/11: 231.5
10/12: 232.2
10/13: 233.0
10/14: 233.3
10/15: 232.0
10/16:
10/17:

Lucky Lard Butt Ladies, :rofl:! I gotta explain (lest any lurking IEers become offended) that I use this term with the utmost respect & gratitude! When I am in total denial about my eating, all of a sudden this part of my body shows up and says nope, you are not maintaining. :D

Yesterday I did okay until late evening errands. I was cruising the WF aisles, which is never a good idea to do at the end of the day when fatigue clouds my resolve & focus....I defaulted to Carb Day, and enjoyed a chicken entree from the hot bar, and some trail mix. It hit the spot, so I'm optimistic about sailing through the weekend without the usual Sat. treats. Other than that, food was as usual.

WI this morning is 168.9

Yesterday's menu:
Breakfast: McD's sausage burrito w/hot sauce and Stevia ice tea
Lunch: Ben's organic chicken/cheese burrito
Dinner: mushroom/swiss/onion burger on wheat and creamed baby red potatoes, Miller Lite 64
Snack: an apple from one of my trees when I was picking another two boxes :)

Wild_Blue, yay on being back down a lb! :carrot: I'm glad your hangries have subsided! :cp: Good job on the walking! :running: Your meals sound great by the way! Yum! :T Do you have a heating pad you could put on your shoulder? I know when my shoulders act up (I have rheumatoid arthritis), a heating pad helps. :yes: Sorry about the coworkers. That has to be irritating! :mad:

Carol Sue, lol! Yes, I wasn't so specific last time I stayed at Dad's and that's why I wasn't sure how far off his scale was from mine. :lol: Oh, I wouldn't be losing any weight if I had my way with pumpkin doughnuts! I could eat them all day long! :T And last I heard, you had lost weight with your sweet potatoes! I fully expect to see you back in Onederland any day now! :dancer: I love Bob Evans, but I don't think Bob Evans' catfish counts, lol! Southern catfish is a whole different thing than what Bob Evans does. If you get below the Mason-Dixon line, see if you can get DH into a local (not chain) place that does catfish. Ohhhh, it is SOOOO good! :hungry:

Yay PrairieQueen! I'm glad things are back to normal for you and your scale's on the way down! :flow2:

:wave: Goodbye Mars' lard butt! :rofl: Girl, you are too funny! :lol: Yay on the loose pants! :cp:

SeeMyFeet, being thinner is going to help with your RA, so don't you give up! You know I'm talking from experience. 1) Eating healthily makes a big difference. Every time I go "all out" on Carb Day, I can feel it in my joints the next day, and more and more research is saying diet affects inflammation, so keep eating well! 2) Being lighter is easier on your joints just because you aren't carrying as much weight and have more flexibility. BELIEVE me, you do NOT want to give up, so chase even the slightest thought of it out of your head! :hug:

Well, I didn't match up my scale with my Dad's completely, but it was much closer this time! :cp: I weighed 174.5 (fully dressed) on his scale yesterday morning and I weighed 176 (undressed) on mine this morning. I'd love to have weighed 174 this morning, but I am happy with 176! I got to move my ticker, I'm only 1 lb away from adding another cheerleader, AND I'm only 12 lbs away from my overall GOAL!!! :dance: I do have some sad news to report but I don't want to dwell on it because it drudges up too much sadness with all I've faced lately, and since I'm prone to depression, I have to keep thinking positive. When I got home last night, we had to take our other dog, Mac, to the vet and have him put down. His cancer had spread and he was in a lot of pain. My DH waited as long as he could so I could come home and say goodbye to him, and Mac was so happy to see me, which made it even harder and sadder, but it was time. We couldn't let him go on in that pain. It had gotten so much worse in the 10 days that I was gone. But I did enough crying last night and don't want to continue today, so on a happier note, Ichabod is still plugging along! He and my other cat (Baby) were extremely happy to see me. Ichabod just purred and purred and had ahold of me and didn't want to let go, and Baby just kept meowing at me and wanted to be in my lap the whole time. In fact, she's not real happy with having to lie next to me right now because the computer's on my lap, lol! :)

Week 23: High 179.5, Low (175)
10/4--179.5
10/5--(177 w/pjs, which would have been 179 fully dressed)
10/6--(176.5 w/pjs, which would have been 178.5 fully dressed)
10/7--(175.5 w/pjs, which would have been 177.5 fully dressed))
10/8--(177 fully dressed)
10/9--(176 fully dressed)
10/10--(175 fully dressed) Carb Day

Week 24:
10/11--(177 fully dressed)
10/12--(176 fully dressed)
10/13--(175.5 fully dressed)
10/14--(175 fully dressed)
10/15--(174.5 fully dressed)
10/16--176
10/17--

Yesterday's Meals
Breakfast @ IHOP
LARGE 3-egg Colorado omelet with green peppers, onions, cheese, ham, beef sausage, and salsa
Hot black tea
Water

Lunch:
None while traveling. That's why I had a really large breakfast.
Mio water

Snack:

Dinner @ local sports grill
Large salad with grilled chicken, craisins, and ranch dressing
Water with lemon

Yesterday's Exercise:
Got up early and did 20 minutes on Dad's stationary bike before leaving

Today's Meals
Breakfast
3 fried eggs (no bacon, ham, or sausage, or even yogurt, so I have to get to the store!)
MioWater

Lunch:
Ham, cheese, and pickle roll-ups
Mio water

Snack:

Dinner @ local sports grill (again, this time with friends)
Large salad with grilled chicken, craisins, and ranch dressing
Water with lemon

Today's Exercise:
20 minutes on Westlo CardioGlide at home

Jacqui, You might have matched and just have some travel related fluctuation. Either way, BRAVO!!!!

So very tired tonight from work. But now I'm home and can take it easy. :hat: I'm going to the county fair tomorrow, and I am planning to get wings or something that falls right into plan, but I saved my carb meal for tomorrow just in case. I'm allergic to milk anyway, which eliminates most of the sugary things that one might eat at a fair.

Hoping tomorrow I can break the 220s for the first time in years. I didn't walk today, but had to run a bunch of errands so I could enjoy the weekend.

Jacqui I'm so sorry about your dog. That's so hard. :(

mars I like to pretend that part of my body doesn't exist. Denial, denial, denial. :^:


10/11: 231.5
10/12: 232.2
10/13: 233.0
10/14: 233.3
10/15: 232.0
10/16: 230.8
10/17:

Jacquiim so sad to hear your news. Glad you got yo say your goodbyes and remember he's in a happy place now pain free.