Carol Sue, You are doing FANTASTIC! on Onederland! Maybe this plan doesn't work quite the same as other diets. Your weight & blood sugar are moving in the right direction, and maybe things are just getting into gear. I know that night eating is really hard to give up. I've given it up in the past and after a while it felt normal. Sometimes I will have a little chicken broth or tea. Keep up the GREAT work!!!!! I'll throw my hat in the ring and commit to no night time eating too. One day, or evening at a time.

Thanks for the SPOT ON support Carol Sue & Jacqui, really really helpful!

Better health is absolutely my #1 priority this time around in trying to lose weight, and I think I'm taking better steps now than ever before, including moving from drinking Diet Dr. Pepper to plain water (never thought I'd see that day!) and actually wanting to exercise for the good of my body, inside and out. (Again, quite a shocker!) With that said, strictly from a numbers standpoint, when you've lost weight and then regained it and are having to repeat that same downward path, especially when using the same diet plan, the mini-goals and milestones that were so exciting the first time around don't feel quite as exciting the 2nd time around. It doesn't make them any less important of course, but the newness is gone. For example, I'm getting close to Onederland and I should be excited, but for me it's just another number now. And I have 170 set as my goal in my ticker, but deep down, I know I want to get past the 168 low from the last time I did this diet, which is uncharted territory for me (at least it has been for 20 years!). In fact, I know I really want to reach 164, which is the highest number in the "ideal" weight range for my height, aka no longer "overweight" (so I think I'll change my ticker to reflect that). Meanwhile, to entertain myself, I've compiled a list of the monthly progress totals from the last time I did this diet and I'm going to compare this time's progress totals along the way. I think that will help bring a sense of excitement back to the numbers for me. I'm already excited about the changes I'm making off the scale, but I want to have fun with the scale too. (Plus, if you haven't noticed, I'm a "list" person, lol!) So here are my totals to beat (and even if I don't beat them, it will still be fun to compare)!

(It's interesting to see how the closer I got to my goal last time, the fewer number of lbs I lost each month!)

Slow Carb Diet Progress Last Time vs This Time

LAST TIME:
Start Date: July 19 2013
End Date: February 2014
Start Weight: 211
End Weight: 168

1 month, /Aug 19: /199 lbs, //-12 lbs/ /= -12 lbs total
2 months, Sep 19: /191 lbs, //-8 lbs ///= -20 lbs total
3 months, Oct 19: /184.5 lbs, -6.5 lbs /= -26.5 lbs total
4 months, Nov 19: /178 lbs,// -6.5 lbs /= -33 lbs total
5 months, Dec 19: /173.5 lbs, -4.5 lbs /= -37.5 lbs total
6 months, Jan 19: /170.5 lbs,. -3 lbs ///= -40.5 lbs total
7 months, Feb 19: /168 lbs, //.-2.5 lbs /= -43 lbs total

THIS TIME:
Start Date: May 3 2015
Start Weight: 220

1 month, /Jun 3: //204.5 lbs, /-15.5 lbs /= -15.5 lbs total
2 months, Jul 3:
3 months, Aug 3:
4 months, Sep 3:
5 months, Oct 3:
6 months, Nov 3:
7 months, Dec 3:

8 months, /Jan 3:
9 months, /Feb 3:
10 months, Mar 3:
11 months, Apr 3:
12 months, May 3:

Jacqui That's an interesting comparison & a good way to stay motivated & entertained1 Looks like you lose very well on this plan. I wouldn't spend too much energy on whether or not the pace of loss is the same--the real goal is to find a way to eat for the long haul. You WILL reach your goal, so you are already putting into place your other motivational tools, on the way down. I think it takes a little time for the body to catch up to the scale, and sometimes vice versa. But even if you've reached the same landmarks before, the improved body feeling will feel every bit as fresh as before--ease of movement, less aches n pains, etc. I love feeling good in my body!

Btw thank-you for your thoughtful feedback--you re so right. I didn't feel strong in the morning, and from now on, I will pay closer attention to my own stated mind state : )

Jacqui you have done great, over 15 lbs lost! Makes my 3 seem so measly. See, this is what happens. I start out so good and lose a few lbs then I get stuck. It seems so much easier to every one else. I know, I am "poor me, poor me." Carol, shut up and do something about it!!!

The weight loss I have had as shown on my ticker was not due to any effort on my part. When I had my heart surgery in 2008 I weight 217 and went down to the high 190s. They had also diagnosed type 2 diabetes while I was in the hospital and I think the Metformin helped me lose. I was not dieting. I held that weight, slightly under 200 for a couple years until I had my colostomy surgery in 2011. I didn't eat for 6 days in the hospital and came home 10 lbs lighter. After that, I felt nausea when I ate and went down to 181. Loved that! Six months later I went in to have my colostomy reversed and I thought "same surgery, same weight loss." But when I came home after that surgery I was swelled up, retaining fluid, and had lost no weight. I lost a few lbs of fluid, but not anything else, and gradually went back up to the 190s. So I have never lost weight by following a diet. It just doesn't come off unless I eat close to nothing. I know it sounds like I'm making excuses because that's what I think when other people say this, but I can feel as though I'm doing really well and just keep losing the same 5 lbs over and over. I'm not giving up, just voicing my frustrations. I just can't understand how some people lose 60, 80 or 100 lbs. I ate so much more than I do now when I weighed 140. I guess it caught up with me.

Chickadee, I hope you don't think my avatar is a picture of me! LOL I wish I looked like that. I scoured the internet until I found a picture that represented my favorite form of exercise. It just so happens that I have that same outfit, and that's what I would look like it I lost about 60 lbs. LOL

Mars, I agree with you completely! The comparison is just for fun. I could lose two lbs a month and I'd still be proud of myself for eating right and exercising! Actually, at 5'8" (that's what I think I am; others insist I'm 5'9"), I'm not uncomfortable at 200 lbs. Now 220 was too much and even 210 is still a little much, but 200 is not bad. I move just fine (for having RA), my skin isn't sagging (other than from age). It's not a terrible place to be. So from here on out, I could lose slowly and I'd be okay. It wouldn't be my first choice of course, lol, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. Bottom line, I'm in this for the long haul! I'm just trying to have fun along the way.

Carol Sue, your 3 lbs are not measly! My gosh, you are a warrior! Think about it! Your body has been through some traumatic events in recent years and your system has been thrown into total chaos each time. Some people give up after one health issue. Not you! Why, the diabetes alone is enough to make losing weight come to a standstill since losing weight has everything to do with insulin levels, but that doesn't deter you. Look at what you've done in just the last few days! You said it yourself, you've never lost weight while dieting, and yet as soon as you stopped snacking at night, whoosh! 3 lbs gone! That's fantastic! Anybody around you who loses weight more quickly than you hasn't been through what you have. And I know you're not giving up. You don't give up! No, you become frustrated because you can't do even more, lol! You are amazing and those 3 lbs are worth every bit of my 15 lbs! I am much more proud of you for what you have done than of anyone for whom weight loss comes more easily.

Today:

B: Veggies and eggs
S: tomato and cucumber
L: Chicken and avocado
S: Yogurt
D: Salad and turkey pattie

Chickadeee, it looks like you had another wonderful eating day! Good going!

Jac, thanks. I really need to read up on fat loss. I don't see the scale numbers move and I refuse to weigh everyday because it discourages me. But my clothes are fitting so much better and I feel better overall.

But if you are losing inches, why won't you lose weight. It sure isn't turning to muscle!!!. Need to look into this.

But I will take the effects I am feeling, and keep going slow and easy.

Have a wonderful day, ladies.

Chickadee, I feel the same way sometimes. I feel as though I have made such great changes in the quality of my food, and to not see an improvement on the scale is an insult! I should have just continued eating poorly! I will say that I saw some improvement in my blood work the last 2 times, and that is important too.

Jacqui, I don't ever expect to lose a large amount of weight, and I probably shouldn't. If I got down to what I would really like to weight, 135, I would have so much loose skin it would look terrible and be uncomfortable. It's just that after my 2 bowel surgeries they did so much damage to my abdominal muscles that I have a huge belly and look like I'm pregnant. That bothers me so much. I have so many nice pants that I can no longer wear because I can't button the waist. I had to buy a lot of elastic waist pants so I had something to wear. I have always had a small butt, hips and thighs and I still do, but I have this big protruding belly. I'm not even sure that it would improve if I lost weight, but I'd sure like to find out!

I was in such a miserable mood yesterday that it went sour after breakfast. I ended up eating a small baked potato at lunch, that DH made. He made 2 and only ate one. It called my name. Then in the evening I ate a donut. I don't like the taste of sugary stuff but DH had these cake donuts that weren't sweet. I wanted a piece, but he gave me a whole one. Instead of breaking off a piece I ate it. So it was a carb day. I am still going to have my spaghetti tonight. I know it's a bad idea, but I've waited all week for this, and I think if I just eat it and get it out of my system I will be able to start fresh on Friday. We usually eat out on weekends, so I will be able to choose my own meal. Most people have problems with eating out, but it works best for us. I know the menu at most of the restaurants we go to and I can always order an entree and 2 veggie selections instead of a starch. I am going to eat very light all day today to make up for the pasta I'm having for dinner. With lots of meatballs!!

Mars, I went to Aldi's yesterday and they had avacados for 69 cents. I bought 2 big ones. I think I will put one in a brown bag so it will ripen faster. I don't want to have to eat both of them at the same time. Can you eat them when they are hard?

EDIT I just noticed that we have 294 posts and 10,600 views!!! We must have lots of lurkers. Come on guys, join in with us! The more the merrier!

Chickadeee, please let us know what your research reveals! It is a puzzling question, but the fact that you feel so much better has to be good!

Carol Sue, today was your planned Carb Day, so definitely take it and don't feel guilty about taking it! Yesterday was a slip-up (or two, lol), and now that's over, so enjoy your spaghetti tonight and continue right on plan tomorrow! You got this!

Hiya Mars and Rennie!

Down a half lb today!

Week 5: High 206.5, Low 204.5
5/31--(202.5) 206 Carb Day
6/1--(203) 206.5
6/2--(202.5) 206
6/3--(202) 205.5
6/4--(201) 204.5
6/5--204.5
6/6--205.5 Carb Day
Week 6: High 206.5, Low 204.5
6/7--206
6/8--206.5
6/9--205.5
6/10--206.5
6/11--205.5
6/12--204.5
6/13--204.5 Carb Day
Week 7:
6/14--204.5
6/15--205
6/16--203.5
6/17--202
6/18--201.5
6/19--
6/20--

Today's Meals:
Breakfast: (Forgot to buy eggs for this morning! )
Yogurt
Water

Lunch:
skinless chicken breast
mixed steamed veggies
baked beans
Water

Snack: (Forgot to take my vitamins earlier, which I'm supposed to take with a meal, so eating a snack and taking vitamins!)
A few pecans
Yogurt

Dinner:
Leftover BBQ pulled pork
Leftover green beans
4 heaping tbsp of yogurt
Water

Today's Exercise:
2-mile walk around the track and 3 sets of 12 reps on 8 leg and waist machines

I got on the scale, which I didn't want to do. I am back up to 201.5. I'm still eating my pasta! LOL

Morning all!
Yay Jacqui you have a such a sane approach to this process! But isn't it great to see those down numbers?!

Caril Sue I agree with Jacqui, enjoy your Carb Day. The slips are just bumps in the road. It's great that you have improved your lab values! I feel your frustration with the scale not providing rewards for the sacrifice! Including myself in my own advice here....we need to remind ourselves to take a longer view. In 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, the small amounts WILL add up. You have temptations coming at you every day, up close & personal. Every day you stick to your plan is an accomplishment to be proud of.

Re body changes, that's a bummer, for sure. I have major turkey neck from weight loss, over and above normal aging. it really bugs me every time i look in the mirror. It's even worse when I'm at my happy weight. Just for the heck of it I went to a plastic surgeon for an eval. He recommended a face lift. Um, no thanks! I'm more at peace now, though it still bugs me. I'm working on being the best-looking me and accept my battle scars from the weight battle. It's gotta be more difficult when these issues are from things that happened outside of your control. You are one stroooong lady!

Re avocados, I can't eat them hard--they taste horrible. That reminds me me of your kids eating hard peaches If you put them in the ppaer bag and then place that bag in a plastic bag, they will ripen faster in the warmth. A produce guy told me that.

Chickadee You are doing great! The scale will figure this out soon and show it. Sometimes I think that darn thing is manipulating its numbers just to mess with my head!

I'm down .6 to 168.4. I may be back to pre Carb Day weight by tomorrow! I've been looking things on eslowcarb website--fun. Yesterday was on plan eating without much structure. I did not do my 30 min walk. I feel less fatigue today--have a sneaking suspicion my fatigue is related to Carb Day, so this coming one will be sweet-free--that's been my plan all along anyway. I'm still digging out from under a mountain of tedious tasks--once I finish, I think I will have more energy to get myself moving. Excuses, excuses!

Today's focus will be to eat well, watch the grazing.

B omelet with veggies, whey shake
L salad/beans chicken avocado
D lentil, chicken, veggies
S brocooli, soy nuts

I just finished my spaghetti and meatball feast! It was delicious! I don't feel the least bit guilty.

I can say with certainty that I am no longer in Onderland.......