Congrats on all the GREAT work everyone!!

As for me.....my PMS caught up to me......I was up 1 lb at weigh-in this morning!! I realize it should come off once my period actually starts, but it still bummed me out to see the gain.

Thanks luvs2read! You should not be bummed at all about the WI. Going to the Cheesecake Factory and NOT eating Cheesecake or even a bite.. HUGE Accomplishment! We don't have a Cheesecake Factory around here but I'm going up to Kansas City at the end of August and this will probably be the place I go to. If not there then it'll be PF Changs or something! But every day makes us stronger!

And I know how you feel about having SOOOO much weight to lose! 3 1/2 months ago with the consultant said I would lose 74lbs by September - I laughed at her and said "yeah right!". Well... 62.5 pounds later and still about 2 months to go before my first official end date.. I'm pretty darn excited! This program DOES work. I will have to re-enroll to finish losing all my weight but I'm good with that. I know it's been hard for me with the $$$ but I'm going to make it work! I HAVE to make it work!

Little Edie - thanks for your compliment! That's sweet of you I was in the lobby waiting for my WI and another memeber asked me how long I had been on program. Then the consultant said - this is her up here on the wall and pointed at my "rocket ship" picture. Then gave her my top 10 print out. The member read a little and said - wow! you are amazing! I think you should work here and if you did work here, I would request you every time!

That made me feel really absolutely wonderful And I would probably consider it - but I don't think they could pay me what I'm making now. Maybe later in life, I will. For now, I love reading everyone's stories and sharing mine.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I'm going to relax and do some cleaning.

Goneforgood - Great idea about the scale. I may have to do that myself.

Candi - Sometimes, there are things in life a little more important than the scale. Taking care of your mom ranks up there. It's a small price to pay to ensure she is well. You are being an awesome daughter!

Patzi - Congrats on maintaining the cushion! You make it look so easy.

Evinsmom - Congrats on the 50 pound board!!!!

Little Edie - Thanks for bringing a smile to my face. Some days are easy, others are hard. But the point is to keep chugging away.

RaRaF - Good luck, girl!!!!!

luvs2read79 - If taking the program a day at a time is too much, try just a meal at at time. It will eventually add up. You CAN do this!!!

lostcause - Welcome to ONE-derland!!!

ConnieInColorado - I was told to up my B6 during PMS time to help with water retention. Worth a shot. Hang in there!

It's Friday!!!! It's 5:00!!!! I'm going home!!!!

I usually have one of the following breakfasts:

1 egg & cheese
toast
dannon light & fit yogurt w/ fruit
1/2 serving strawberries
OR
cheese
saltines
dannon light & fit yogurt w/fruit
1/2 serving of strawberries
OR
cottage cheese
fruit (usually peaches)
milk
toast

WHen I'm in a hurry, I'll grab an Atkins bar. I like the dark chocolate chip granola one. If I can, I'll still include a glass of milk with the bar (depends on how big of a hurry I'm in, lol).

I went to weigh-in this evening and I'm down 2.5 lbs and I had my measurements done tonight (I thought it would be after a month, but I was excited to see if I'd lost any inches after 2 weeks) and I've lost 16 inches. A different girl measured me and I'll take the 16 inches with a grain of salt (she said I lost 6 inches around my shoulders and I highly doubt that). But other places, I'm inclined to maybe agree...

This board really helps me to stay motivated, to read your stories and receive your words of encouragement, get ideas, it is all priceless. No one else in my house is on the plan...my mom has made macaroni and cheese (my WEAKNESS but I DID NOT TOUCH IT ) and a peach pie (which I nibbled on day 2) so sometimes it feels overwhelming and grossly unfair. But I look forward to logging on and reading this board.

I am officially down 20 lbs exactly!!! Now, I must behave the next 2 weeks!! My goal was to lose 10 lbs a month, and tomorrow is 2 months, so I am very excited!!

That's so awesome-chasing skinny. I hope I can be successful too.

luvs2read79 & chasing skinny - Congrats!!! I'm thrilled for you both!!!!

I went for a weigh-in today and will admit that I was disappointed to see just one pound gone. I know, a pound lost is a pound less than I was, but I was hoping for more! I've not cheated or gone off program not once since July 4th, so I was really expecting more results.

To keep the discouragement at bay, I switched my focus to the fact that I've lost 6.5 pounds in two weeks.

Did anyone else have a slow start??

My friend, on the other hand, lost nine pounds this week! I am very happy for her!

Ginpea...
My whole weight loss was slow, but I got there. I think 6.5 pounds in two weeks is a good weight loss.. The 9 pounds is quite unusual, I would think. The most I heard of anyone losing is 7 pounds in a week, unless they were on that program we are not allowed to talk about.

Chasing skinny.. Congratulations on reaching what you set for a goal. That is such a great thing. Happy for you.

luvs2read79.... Good weight and inch loss..

I know I did not mention everyone that lost, but I am happy for all of you..

Candi.. My thoughts are with you and your Mom. My sister and I have both been thru this, and you are a wonderful and amazing daughter.. Hang in there.

Patzi

JenB72--thanks for always being so encouraging. I DID WI on Friday, and didn't lose anything--actually, I was up a lb., but I'd had lots of water, as it was late in the day. My scale at home said I hadn't gained anything. So--they switched me to the green menu. I was very frustrated and went home and ate cookies--sugar free cookies, but still cookies. Then I had a "real" bun with my Turkey burger and woke up this morning down 2lbs. I just don't get it, unless my body just needs a wake-up here and there. I'm going to stay pretty much OP tomorrow, and then start in on the green menu on Monday. I hope this green menu gives me a little kick, because this is going to be a LONG road if I only lose a lb or 2 every other week. I know, a loss is a loss, but FRUSTRATING! lol

Hello! Everyone has been doing so amazingly well while I've been on hiatus! I'm so happy and excited for all of the losses and achievements recorded here. It is truly inspiring!

My mom was here last week and I went waaaaaay off plan the entire week. I went to the center after dropping her off at the airport this morning and had only gained back 4 of my lost 8 pounds. I'm going to do preconditioning through Tuesday and FINALLY start the actual program on Wednesday. I'm ready to move forward!

RaRaF, when I WI last Friday (over a week ago, not the most recent Friday), I'd only lost a pound and was disappointed. I kept telling myself "a loss is a loss!" but that frustration was largely behind my conscious choice to go off plan all last week. I'm trying to say that I understand how you feel. And don't be like me!

For you that are allowed to have beans, I have made this recipe and tossed my allowance of beans in a salad .

I use Garbanzo beans, no salt added , brand name Eden.. Rinse very well.
Put in bowl, drizzle with olive oil, if allowed, if not use Pam , use some savory herb. I have one I buy from Frontier that is called Savory and it is wonderful.. Mix all together, bake in 350 for an houir. Time varies.. Also have used herbs as basil, oregano, garlic, and some soy parmesan cheese and baked.. Choice is yours. Oven temps vary.. Check.. They should be crunchy.

Watch these though, as they are good and you can eat too many. So use the allowed amount in your diet. In old days could eat the whole bunch as a snack, but that was then..
Patzi

I'm wondering if blue cheese is considered a hard cheese. Anyone know?

I'm almost positive it's not, but you should check with your center. They've always told me that hard cheese (except for the processed cheeses, too, of course) is anything easily sliced or shredded, so that cuts out stuff like brie, cream cheese, etc., and I would think blue cheese as well. Too bad, though, because that gives a lot of flavor for the weight.