Well, I almost made it through the day totally OP. While I was cleaning up the disaster area formally known as my parlor (the mess 6 kids can make during one sleepover is amazing!), I had to bring the cookie tin in to the kitchen. I kept getting side-tracked (with the tin in my arms) so it was about 10 minutes before it actually got put away. My 11-1/2 year-old son asked me if I was aware that I'd just eaten FIVE Oreos! (Why the little twerp found it necessary to count I have no idea.) But I really hadn't been aware of it. In fact, if I didn't at that moment actually still taste the Oreos in my mouth, I would have suspected he was pulling my leg. Talk about unconcious eating! Well, at least I can say that was the only thing that wasn't OP today. And I did monitor my consumption of OP calories after that to try to make up for it (and lots of water, too).

How did everyone else do today? Got your menus planned for tomorow? I've got 2 hardboiled eggs for breakfast with coffee; Italian meatballs with mushroom Alfredo sauce and celery sticks for lunch; and bun-less cheeseburgers and a salad for dinner. Oh, and don't forget the WATER, WATER, WATER (followed by the bathroom, bathroom, bathroom ).

Thanks for the information on the protein bars. At $0.99 each for a 3" bar, I wasn't planning on keeping them on hand. Although I do plan on picking up one or two for trips to visit the grandparents in the next state. Last time we went I'd just started the Atkins plan. We took my mom out for lunch and I stayed OP (she was so proud ). But it was late when we headed back and the boys (had both sons with me) and I were hungry. I stopped at Burger King and got them kids' meals but couldn't figure out a non-messy way to eat just the hamburger or chicken and still drive us home. I ended up settling for a diet coke (although I really didn't want the caffeine ). It filled my stomach until I got home and had a salad and tuna fish. If I'd known those bars were available, it would have been a much more comfortable ride.

Gotta go. Congressman Sununu is visiting our new facility tomorrow and I want to look nice and rested. My daughter helped me pick out a very professional looking outfit from my closet (didn't hurt that it makes me look about 15 pounds slimmer ).

Friends, (and especially Sue, mu sisters name) please hang in ther tonight. You too can stay OP. You have no real reason to do otherwise. We are all dedicated to losing this weight, and I promise you that I will be here for you all. I am on my way to bed, craving a cigarette instead of food, but I can handle this evil monster too.

Takle care and I will look forward to hearing from you when I awaken in the morning.

Lee

way to go Pat. I had a hard time staying oP for the weekend but did manage. I am going to try some of lee's ideas. I have some dip and peppers and cuccumbers.. I just boiled up a doz eggs, I do have some meatballs but DH has eaten them all up Ummm I did kiss my trasiner on the cheek ... well only because i was told he was in a bad mood and he needed some cheering up (and i was next on his schedule) so i did not get too abused!!!

I bought a bely dancing tape. I can not wait till i try it!!! classes start up in a few weeks so i need to practice. I did work out at the gym, 30 on the oliptical and then did 60 crunches on the ball. (I do not know what it's real name is but it is a tough crunch)

lee hang in there we can beat the cravings toghether. I will give you my quitting vibes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ feel them? that should help for the morning!!! good luck

and to all the reat of you guys I have pretty colred tape waiting if you need it!!!!!!

Hello girls...

-- You all mean so much to me! I love this board, and couldn't do this without you.

--Lee, I am so glad we are doing this together. You are WONDERFUL, because I know it must 10x harder for you since you were smoking much longer than me. You are an inspiration to me. My gramma, who is in her 70's and smoked for over 50 years, quit last year. She was one of those who supposedly believed that there was nothing wrong with smoking (a doctor told her to start after her baby to help lose weight!!!). One day, she up and quit! And she was smoking at least 3 packs a day!!!!! You can do this. I am here with you. Whenever you need to vent... just let it all out here. I can say for me, that the cravings are MUCH less today and yesterday. MUCH MUCH less. It is wonderful.

-- Nasus- belly dancing? COOL! That sounds like a blast! My belly dancing every time I laugh or walk. hehehehe. Not for long. Tell us how it goes!

-- jdoneil- Good luck meeting your congressman. Bet you are excited. Oreo's sure are good, but I can't eat them w/o dipping them in milk. Just move forward, and know that we are not perfect. Our perfection lies in knowing our mistakes, and preventing them in the future.

-- Pat- My goal will be to lose 3 pounds this week too! I will weigh in next Monday, and make my hubby hide the scale until then. Lets do it together! We can! I am 187 today, so I WILL be 184 by Monday. You are a great motivator!

-- To everyone else, I haven't forgotten you! But this post will be TOO long after my recipes are posted... so HELLO!GOOD LUCK staying op this week. But we don't need luck, so Good will power staing op. hehe.

-- My husband and I decided that everyday he is off (he is a firefighter, so he works 24, off 24, works 24, off 24) that we will go walking. Tomorrow we are all going to go walking out Gate 2 street. G 2 street is a street out of our Military base that is a Japanese shopping area. Great stores, and outside Japanese malls with some AWESOME bali shops. It is a good long walk.

-- On secong thought, I will post this meesage, and post the recipes on a new message. See ya all later!

Christy

Chicken Papadoris
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 of a 14 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
1/8th cup pine nuts, lightly roasted - OPTIONAL

Directions
1-- Remove all skin and fat from chicken breasts and discard.
2-- In a frying pan melt butter or margarine and add chicken pieces. Cover and fry until chicken is cooked through and there is no pink showing (about 5 minutes).
3-- Add garlic and cook about 3 minutes. Add pine nuts(optional), soy sauce, paprika and coconut milk. Continue cooking on medium high heat for about 3 minutes. Stir in cumin and curry powder.
4-- In a cup, mix together cornstarch and water. Near the end of cooking the chicken and while the sauce is bubbling, add cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and has the consistency of gravy. Adjust seasonings to taste.

- Now, I omitted the pine nuts, and it was very good. You can also omit the cornstarch, it just won't be as thick, but still very yummy. Keep in mind, pine nuts have3.3 carbs for every 1 ounce. The original recipe calls for onion, but too many carbs for us, and I hate onions!

Total carbs in whole recipe is 10 grams not including the coconut milk. You will have to look on the can of the cocnut milk you use, but it isn't alot at all. This usually serves 2 people. Enjoy.

<<I just made this for lunch, but I didn't have coconut milk, so I used whipping cream, and it was even better! I added extra of all the spices too. Yum!>>
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Spinich Casserole
2 (10ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese (softened- I put in microwave for 30 seconds)
1/2 cup grated parmesan (I use block and grate my own)
1/4 cup of milk or cream

Directions
1-- Preheat oven to *350 F (175 C)
2-- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and milk with a mixer until smooth. Add spinach and mix together with a spoon. Spoon into a small/medium casserole dish and sprinkle with parmesan cheese all over the top. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Total carbs for entire recipe is 26g. Serves approx. 4 which is 6.5g per servings. This is a generous carb count since the cream cheese is counted as 1g per oz, but it is actually less than 1g per ounce. So enjoy. Perfect for the evening vegetable when you get tired of the same ole' same ole'.

christy

Quick Mustard Teriyaki Chicken
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
6 T Dijon mustard
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
5-6 bacon strips (microwaved, and cut into pieces)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (again, I use block parmesan and grate it myself- YUMMY)

Directions
1-- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2-- Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Slather mustard evenly over chicken, then pour teriyaki sauce evenly over all. Sprinkle with bacon, then cover with cheese.
3-- Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

I tried to count the carbs in this, but everything was either trace or less than 1g. So.... Enjoy.

Christy

Hi Everybody!

Where did the weekend go? I swear it was just Friday & it's back to Monday already!

Down 2 more lbs this morning (164 lost), & .5" (waist)

Saw DH's extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) this weekend, & they were amazed at much I've lost since they saw me at Christmas. It was nice, but unfortunately all I can think is how much more I have to go. I asked one of his aunts who is going to school for counselling to suggest a good counselor that I can talk to. I'm having a hard time psychologically these days. I have no perception of what I look like so DH takes a Polaroid of me every morning. I see the loss, but I still think I'm bigger than everyone. I was talking to my boss' assistant the other day & we got on the subject of size. She is 1" taller than I am & I weigh one lb less than she does, but I would have sworn I was at least 20 lb heavier than she. I also mentioned to someone that I would love to be the size of one of our co-workers, & she looked at me like I was nuts & told me I was already smaller! DH is always pointing out women who I look like, but to me I'm much, much bigger. I had no idea losing this weight was going to be so psychological. Why can't I just enjoy it instead of focusing (obsessing, really) on the 28 lbs I still have to go? Am I crazy???

Sorry to vent, I'm just having a really hard time with this lately. I'll shup up now.

Jennifer

I lost 30 pounds in 1 month. You can do it easily if you motivate yourself.
I didn't break my diet one time. Not once! I have stayed on the induction plan and excercised and I feel great.


You can easily lose that weight on the Atkins plan

DEDICATION! If you dont lose the weight noone is to blame except yourself.
Good luck and Peace, love and happiness

Jennifer, I can understand what you are saying and empathize, but in the opposite direction!

I am so much heavier than I have ever been, my brothers and parents were here this past week and I could just feel them looking at me thinking..."boy you are a cow!" They would never say it but I know what they were thinking....Problem is I still think like the skinny person that I used to be!!

Sometimes we all need to just focus on the positive! Look how far you hae come!! I hope be with you soon!

See replies to this thread on the #7 please

Dear, Jennifer.

I won't even attempt to offer advise on how to tackle your issues regarding your actual size. That is what professionals are for. I do hope your relative is able to recommend someone who can help you --- and that you seek out that help.

Regardless, we are all here for you! You've made tremendous progress in your attempt to get your life/body under control. You can master this problem, too.

Warmest regards & love,

Joanne