That depends... do you live someplace cool? (It's been 100+ here in D.C.)

You are awesome. I want to start running again, but I haven't mentally gotten there yet. I am so inspired by your success... I know that I need to tap the same motivation that got me through the diet and get back out on the bike path (or treadmill, in this heat!)

The truth is that most people are more concerned with their own bodies than anyone else's... they just see you as you. Then, when you lose weight, they eventually notice that you look different... they may not even know why.

Here on the boards, we're all engaged in the same general activity, so we're more tuned into the process. We're still focused primarily on our own weight loss, but I am in awe of you and others who have taken on challenges even greater than my own, which was no picnic! This process takes tremendous strength, and not everyone has the fortitude to stick with it. You guys are my heroes... truly.

So true. My health is what motivated me to take this on... the way I started to look helped get me to the finish line. Now I look better AND feel better. Not a bad result!

Wise words, indeed.

showgirlaz I feel your pain! At this point I have made a list of the foods I plan to eat for the big cheat. Just keep putting it off but I know the day will come. And I know, like you, I will feel so much worse from eating it. Why aren't we smarter than that? It's so compulsive and self-defeating...yet we still do it even though our rational brains know it is all wrong! For today I am glad I have not succumbed because I have lost 50 POUNDS!! Finally --- So excited!!:wi zard::
I read this morning that studies show that women lose a lot more weight with support from other people. So thanks everyone for all of the kind words over the past 5 months.
Oh and YES I am celebrating going from a BMI that was "obese" to now "overweight"29.7

HERE'S A BIG CONGRATS TO TRICIA THIS MORNING!!!:b roc:

I had a dream last night that I signed on and was able to use my signature feature! HAHA! Come on Monday!!!

Well, I'm a failure. I cheated last night and now I'm out of ketosis.

I had a meeting with my music producer last night in the Domain at a swanky restaurant. I did very well just drinking my water and nothing else. Then he gave me some really good news and insisted that we get a celebratory glass of champagne. Yeah well....I didn't finish it, but the glass wasn't full at the end of the night either.

Good thing today is a new day and hopefully ketosis is right around the corner again. How long does it take to get back into it once you stupidly put yourself out of it?

It takes about 2-4 days.

I had a cheat a couple of weekends ago.....did the cake tasting...which led to further desserts and then some ribs, nachos, cake...etc....I started right back on IP the next day and really it took about 3 days before I saw any further losses. Only advice I can give....try to lose as much as you can now because as you get closer to the wedding you will have so many events that will foil your weight loss. I have my bridal shower this weekend...on Sunday and I have decided that I am going to cheat....I am going to keep the cheating to things that I really love....make it worth it and start over on Monday...in nearly 5 weeks I am down 22pds....I am already preping myself mentally for the fact that I won't probably lose next week.

Please don't think of yourself as a failure! You are a wonderful, strong, passionate person who has made a choice that is not very good for you. And you have re-committed to doing it differently. That is not failure. That is learning and life, and heading for success!

We all got here because we have an unbalanced relationship (of one kind or another) with food. It's very easy to get so wrapped up in the "rules" and the "need to lose" and then start defining your own value based on those things. But this can lead to a different imbalance.

You are worth so much more than what you eat!!

Dear Ketosis, please come back! I know I won't expect you till maybe Sunday (that will be 4 days) and I promise not to over exercise. *sigh* I'm bloaty and my weight is going in the wrong direction, I could use your help

WOOHOO!! That's so great ! On goal ! Whoah !
I think you did really great ! This is truly a good way of confronting them without being mean

Motivat8dMama

Erin You are beautiful, and you were beautiful before also. Being beautiful is not about the weight, but the way we see yourself. When I look to somebody, i find them beautiful if they are kind, smiling, glowing.. and when I look at you that's what I see.

We will be MORE than happy if you're here, that's more than OK !! We'll be also happy (for you) when you'll be to goal and movin on, but we'll be sad also, because you are a great contributor here, and a great friend, and a really good inspiration !! Hang on, it'll get better.. :hug In a way, it's good that this comfort food was not conforting, this means that your tastebuds, and, more important, the way you think, have changed.

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!! This is horrible. I would do nightmares everynight if that ever happen to me !!

AMAZING WOOOOHOOOO

You're not a failure. Nobody here is a failure. We will fall down 9 times, succeed at 10. Dieting is not easy, and that's allright, because if it was easy, we'll loose weight, gain weight, loose again and on and on... It's allright to slip sometimes, don't beat yourself up, move on, you'll feel better soon Don't give up, we're all here for you :hug

when looking at carb count in products is it the carb - fiber? Is that where we get our total carbs to track?

I am experimenting with alternative foods and just wanted to be sure.
Thanks

Weighed In Today And 2 Pounds Lost!! Feel Like I Am Struggling To Get Some Of My Weight Off, About 20 Pounds More Is All I Really Want To Lose, But I Feel Like I'm Stuck. I Started Last Week On No Restrictions And Uped(if That Even A Word Lol) My Water Intake, But Not Losing Like I Thought I Would Have. Oh Well It Is The Tom, So Maybe Next Week Will Be Better For Me. I Even Had A Few Cheats 2 Weeks Ago Because We Were On Vacation. I Can't Complain 45 Pounds In 15weeks Is Great!!! Thanks For Everyone Motivation

That's how most of us count them. That would be net carbs.

I count them all since when I did net I was bounced out of ketosis by counting just net, but every persons body is different, so I could have a lower than 40g net threshold.

I have a new lunch favorite. Lately I've been chopping up a cucumber, put in a bowl, then drizzle a little olive oil on it, some apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and pepper. I usually put a lid on the bowl and then mix it around before I eat it. It's even better the next day once it's sat in the refrigerator overnight. YUM!