Oh Rennie, I wish I could say I am doing better but at the moment I'm not. My cat Ichabod took a turn for the worse this weekend. He can't walk again. I just got back from the vet with him and the vet thinks he may have a blood clot that is affecting his back legs. He gave me some more medicine for him but if he doesn't improve by the end of the week, we will have to put him down too. I'm pretty beside myself right now. I hate to keep dumping sad news on y'all, so I am sorry for that. December really will be here before you know it. Just hang in there! You may only be maintaining instead of losing right now but maintaining is still an accomplishment! Just look at what I did when I stopped losing. I gained ALL my weight back AND then some! Be proud of yourself for never giving up, especially with your hectic schedule and no access to the exercise you want to do! Once you're able to get back on the treadmill, I know you will get that scale going again!

Mars, Bewildered, your menus look awfully good!

Mars, so sorry about your indigestion. I guess it's better to find that out now than on your trip though.

Bewildered, next time you'll have to try Diet Sprite.

Chickadeee, Carol Sue, Mary, PrairieQueen, and KatieCatherine,

I didn't drink nearly enough water yesterday. I haven't had enough today either for that matter. I need to step it up. I usually drink when I eat and I don't feel like eating, so I need to do better.

Week 18: High 190.5, Low 186.5
8/30--190.5
8/31--189.5
9/1--188
9/2--187
9/3--188
9/4--187
9/5--186.5 Carb Day

Week 19: High 186; Low 183.5
9/6--186
9/7--186
9/8--185
9/9--184
9/10--184
9/11--184.5
9/12--183.5 Carb Day

Week 20:
9/13--184
9/14--184
9/15--
9/16--
9/17--
9/18--
9/19--

Today's Meals:
Breakfast:
2 fried eggs
2 slices of bacon
Fage Greek Yogurt with Mio
Mio water

Lunch:
Forgot to eat

Snack:

Dinner:
A piece of Kroger fried chicken (skin removed)
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Mio water

Today's Exercise:
None

Jacqui Prayers for Ichabod.

Mars, I don't particularly care for any of the protein bars. They all taste blah to me. I try to eat them but only end of eating a few pieces. I cut them up in pieces. Sometimes it will take me a few days to finish one. Atkins had one that I liked and I think slim fast did too but I don't remember which one. I'm glad they don't taste like a candy bar to me, that would really mess me up LOL I'm hoping for me what goes up will someday come down hahaha .... Thanks Two of my Dads best friends were from Cuba, they were all fun and crazy together (I use to love when they would come around) the good ole' days ... missing my Dad

Jacqui, I want to come give you the biggest hug , I'm so sorry to hear about Ichabod. I pray the medicine helps In the mean time you've gotta take care of yourself also

jacqui D Purr prayers from mine to yours.

Mars, Rennie, PrairieQueen, thank you so much.

Jaci, my heart just aches for you right now. Your pets are so lucky, because you are giving them every chance there is, some would throw in the towel, but you are trying to do what is right by them and any logical chance. Hang in there.

Me, I am in limbo. I remember watching one of those programs where the people are like 900 lbs, and the doctor telling them that if you lay in a bed and eat you are going to keep gaining, your body has no opportunity to burn any calories.
I think that is how I am picturing my self for some reason. Although I think I am taking that out of context. I feel defeated it, because I am comparing myself to someone I know that has lost probably 50 lbs since January - and I am jealous (there I said it), of course she is 30 yrs younger than me.
I am having a pity day.
Thank you guys for your posts, they are uplifting, because each and everyone of you keeps right on trucking along no matter what gets in your way. (me, I feel like a rock on the side of the road)
I need a new mindset, because I am not a keep up with the Jones kind of person. Ugh!
Off to work.

Chickadeee, I too get jealous of those who are losing quickly when I'm not. I know that recently my eating habits don't deserve a loss, but there have been times when I know I was eating perfectly and still not losing. It doesn't seem fair, but that's how it works. We are all different.

Jacqui, I hope Icabod is OK.

Chickadeee and Carol Sue, thank you.

It's very hard to be hit with so much at once with my pets. I'm still grieving over my dog and now with Ichabod and my other dog being on the verge of being lost too, I can't seem to stop crying. It's just all too much. Everyone's kind thoughts and prayers here have meant so much to me though, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you all.

Chickadeee, I wish you knew how much we all admire you here! If there's anyone we all wish we could emulate when it comes to common sense and eating well, it would be you. For the life of me, I don't know why you have stalled on the scale. Maybe the missing element is a bit more exercise, I just don't know, but when it comes to eating healthily, you have us all beat! None of us can compare ourselves to someone 30 years younger than us. That's just not a fair comparison. We have older hormones and slower metabolisms and less efficient muscles to contend with, and that's nothing any of us should blame ourselves for. It's just the way it is. But there's not a time when you have posted that I haven't thought, "Wow, Chickadeee is doing it right! She really has it together!" You may be losing more slowly than you'd like, but there's no doubt in my mind that the weight you take off, you are going to be keeping off, and just so you know, I don't have that same faith in myself. The idea of coming up on the 6-month mark scares me to death, because my pattern has always been to lose, regain, and gain even more. I want to be healthy like you! You shouldn't be jealous over how anyone else is doing on their journey. We should all be jealous of you, because you are doing it the smartest way of all, steadily and healthily. I see you as a role model for dieting the right way!

Well, my DH just called and told me I should go to the Y. I probably should. I'll go get dressed for it after I post this and see how I feel about it then.

Week 18: High 190.5, Low 186.5
8/30--190.5
8/31--189.5
9/1--188
9/2--187
9/3--188
9/4--187
9/5--186.5 Carb Day

Week 19: High 186; Low 183.5
9/6--186
9/7--186
9/8--185
9/9--184
9/10--184
9/11--184.5
9/12--183.5 Carb Day

Week 20:
9/13--184
9/14--184
9/15--182.5
9/16--
9/17--
9/18--
9/19--

Today's Meals
Breakfast
Missed it

Lunch:
Large salad with turkey and ranch dressing
Mio water

Snack: before exercise
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio

Dinner:
Hamburger patty with cheese (no bun)
Asparagus
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Mio water

Today's Exercise:
2-mile walk around the track, 3 miles on the recumbent bike, 3 sets of 12 reps each on 5 leg and hip machines and 5 waist and back machines

Chicky I'm making my own LIKE <> button for Carol's post and for Jacqui's post <> You have done and are doing very well. You have remained focused and been consistent ... just be patient my friend. And I'm super super jealous of those that lose consistently JACQUI but I know just like Jacqui said if I were to get back on that treadmill which I love I would be doing my thing

Jacqui, I hope you get some good news and can smile soon Still praying your furbaby's get better

TOM is back. It was only gone 8 days . I'm thinking that is the reason for the bloating and eating (that's what I'm gonna say anyway). But today I am down 2.3lbs to 176.6

Thanks Rennie and Bewildered! Ichabod tried to walk a couple of times today, so I'm going to take that as a positive sign. The vet said cats with blood clots typically never use their legs again. He couldn't go for more that 2-3 steps before he fell again, but it's the first time in 3 days that he's been up on his feet and actually moving his legs. He needs to do more but at least that's something and gives me the tiniest glimmer of hope.

Rennie, that's just miserable that TOM gave you only an 8-day break. Yay on the drop though! And don't be jealous of me, silly goose! You know I can gain it back faster than I can lose it! I am trying really hard to beware the pitfalls this around time though. This time, I'm expecting my body to begin to work against me by increasing my appetite, slowing down my weight loss, and weakening my resolve, so I'm trying to be extra vigilant and not give in to that. We'll see.

Bewildered, the last time I was on the Slow Carb Diet, I got hung up on nuts, so I imagine peanut butter is the same way. I wouldn't think you'd have to give it up. Just cut back if you're able. As for the coffee, caffeine in moderation is supposed to be good for weight loss. GREAT job on the walking!

Thanks Bewildered , PB does that to me! I have to eat it early in the day or it sits with me like lead. I measure it out because I can eat a ton of it (I use to buy my own jar) then the kids started eating that too so I figured why spend the extra but I have also stopped over indulging in it YAY YOU on exercise and your food I think my new favorite food is a good ole' cheese burger Sorry to hear your mood isn't 100%, I hope you feel better soon

LOL, Jacqui, that what little sisters do (I can say that since I'm an only child and have not a clue as to what sisters do) but anywho, I'm gonna be jealous of my big sister (mother-hen) until I catch her Gives me something to look forward to if I ever get my head fully in the game again ... so it's catch you, then catch Mars

Ok Jacqui, Jacqui ... guess what?! I've been good today look --->

Today's food

Green tea on the drive in to work
B ~ Atkins shake - late morning ... I wasn't hungry when I went to work
L ~ 1.5 cup hotdogs and bean mix (son made for their dinner last night)
S1 ~ probably a cup and a half of grapes
S2 ~ chocolate frozen yogurt (Sam's club)
D ~ 8 blue crabs

5 = 16.9oz bottles of water, oh and a Pepsi Max

People I did not eat any chips, cereal, cake or junk today, aren't you proud of me ... I sure am This isn't much but I'm full and it's bed time. Good Night

Rennie, yes!!! I am SO PROUD of you! Way to go, little sister!

Oh Rennie, you are rocking it, one day at a time and always a step in the right direction, even if it is a small step, all steps count.

Now, that I got all that stuff out of my head (and unfortunately on this thread), sorry gang, I was having a moment. And your support brought a tear to my eye and realized you guys are right I am wrong. How can I compare me to a person that much younger than me, crazy, maybe it is more like wishful thinking. I have always tooted my own horn so to speak, never fell in line with everyone else.

But I have to tell this story, I went to pick up my littlest dog Abby from the groomers to day after work. And we started talking, the groomer and I that is, she told me I looked good and I told her she looked good. I asked her what she does, does she walk, and she told me she walks 20 minutes a day on a treadmill. Drinks protein drinks for breakfast avoids gluten,etc. I told her the comment about the younger girl losing all that weight and I am stalled, she looked at me and said your what maybe my age or almost, we aren't gong to lose like a younger girl is, it will never happen. You are doing something right. Then I looked at her and asked how old she was, told me 54 I told her I will be 60 and she couldn't believe it. I felt pretty darn good at that moment. So, we exchanged lots of common thoughts on diet and natural treatments, it amazed me how much we had in common. And she has a Vita Mix too. It was just funny, how this conversation came about and on this particular day. I left there thinking, the 3FC's are right, I am doing pretty darn good at this low carb thing, and who cares what the scale shows, I feel good about me right now.
I came home and had meatloaf (made with crushed pork rinds instead of bread crumbs) and spinach.
Thanks guys for being here for me, letting me vent and telling me to shape up because I am doing ok. ((HUGS))

Chickadeee, what a fantastic NSV to have an acquaintance assume you're younger because you look SO GOOD! That's what HEALTHY does for you! You got it going on, Chicky! And I'm so glad you got your mojo back!

Bewildered, thank you! Ichabod actually started walking last night and continued today! He's wobbly and falls down here and there, but I am so happy! I need for him to continue to improve though, because he's not out of the woods yet, but I just can't tell you how hopeful I am! And yes, I know skipping meals, especially breakfast is not good, but when I am so upset and worried, the last thing I feel like doing is eating. Even so, with the snack yesterday, I did eat 3 times, and my blood sugar didn't drop, so it's all good, and I'm back on track today. I wish I could be a morning exerciser like you. I just can't seem to get motivated then. The way you were full after breakfast is the way I am full every day at lunchtime. That's why I often just have yogurt and if it's not yogurt, it's a salad. I love my big breakfast!

Hi Rest of the Gang!

Week 18: High 190.5, Low 186.5
8/30--190.5
8/31--189.5
9/1--188
9/2--187
9/3--188
9/4--187
9/5--186.5 Carb Day

Week 19: High 186; Low 183.5
9/6--186
9/7--186
9/8--185
9/9--184
9/10--184
9/11--184.5
9/12--183.5 Carb Day

Week 20:
9/13--184
9/14--184
9/15--182.5
9/16--181
9/17--
9/18--
9/19--

Today's Meals
Breakfast
2 fried eggs
A slice of ham
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Mio water

Lunch:
Fage Greek yogurt with Mio
Mio water

Snack:

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

Today's Exercise:
None