Hey all! Just winding down from a very stressful week! Whew! I'm really sooo happy with this diet...I absolutely have "supreme being" willpower. At work, my boyfriend came with a tray of 2 salsbury steaks, mac & cheese (homemade), and what looked like canned mixed veggies (yuk!). I had no problem telling him "I don't know what's in that steak...no thanks...not on my diet". He looked at me and said "Oh yeah..I forgot...that Atkins thing, right? don't wanna cheat??" (da!) I said, "hey...I'm serious about losing weight and "cheat", da!..the only person I'd be "cheating" is myself! If I wanna lose weight and get fit, I need to know what's going into my food and that I'm putting the right kind of food into my body!" He was impressed and through out the "buttered roll" on his plate. It was soooo friggin easy because, I so much preferred the delishous (Linda's low carb recipe) bourbon chicken salad I made at home, that it was worth the wait (lunch at 3pm)! yeah...me!

Aud - Same with me. My 21 yr old and 8 yr old daughters are night and day...but each manage to stress me out in their own unique way...hee hee...but ya gotta love 'em! My oldest will be 22 in May and youngest 9 this month. Damn...I'm getting old!

Lily - Wish you had recorded the karaoke after that Long Island! That would be funny! I love karaoke and long island ice tea too! I haven't drink in sooo long, that 2 sips and I'm Diana Ross! Don't ya just love getting drunk and singing karaoke...its like coffee and a cig! I'll reward myself with some drunken karaoke when I'm 10 lbs to goal...yeah!

BB - Sounds like your carbs are pretty high for Atkins, but anyway...I find if you up your cardio, it ofsets the extra carbs. Runners load up on carbs before a run...and they don't gain weight. Just a thought. Although my daily carb intake is probably about 20-30 grams, when I add fruit (which is not induction friendly), I always make sure to kick it up a notch with my cardio. It's my way of saying...okay...that orange is going to cost me an extra 5 or 10 min. on the bike/eliptical.

Stayincalm - Is that your total intake for the day??? Looks a little light on the calories, with no snacks. Remember, frequent snacking is good for weight loss. I don't think your getting enough fat nor calories...your body may be going into starvation mode.

Stay in there everyone...Joyce

Beach Bum - I found this quote on the Low-Carb Frequently Asked Questions. I hope this will help you and remind all who read it...

Common patterns of weight loss

From tracking a *lot* of people who become assimilated into the lowcarb lifestyle
(hehe...resistance is futile!) a pattern emerges....

the 2 week induction is pretty heady...weight lost just about every single day, enormous and unbelievable amounts of weight loss are reported.

This is often followed by complaints that weight loss "stalls" or that the rate drops to only 1 pound per week.

Many people just don't know that fat-loss ...the actual goal when on a weight-reduction" diet, is rate-limited. In other words, the human body has factors that prevent more than a certain amount of fatty-acid release from storage...and even more factors that prevent those released fatty acids from being used up instead of stored back into the fat cells.

A priority of the human body is survival. Anything that threatens its survival results in the cascade of events to maintain the previous status quo. Water fluctuations are one way the body does this.

OK...so you done good on Atkins' during induction...lost 10 pounds the first 2 weeks.

Maybe 7 the first week and 3 the second. But, whoa! Weeks 3 and 4 there is NO loss! And weeks 5 and 6 is only 1/2 pound each! So... what gives?

Initially, the body jettisons the water attached to the glycogen stores that we diligently deplete to get into ketosis...this accounts for about 3-5 pounds of water. In addition, muscle stores of glycogen are not being replaced when used...which will account for the rest. All in all...MAYBE 1/2 pound of fat was metabolized during the first week... and MAYBE 1/2 pound of fat was metabolized the 2nd week. Of that 10 initial pounds, only 1 pound was fat and 9 pounds water...

The body senses this lack and sirens start shrieking: Warning! Warning! Losing water... new thing...got to get back to the status quo! Brain tells body to produce and release that vasopressin antidiuretic hormone....more water is retained, and no weight loss noticed. Fat loss is still occuring, MAYBE even 2 pounds per week, because ketosis is firmly established and appetite supression is in effect...but water retention is hiding that continuing fat loss. The body is preventing dehydration with this mechanism, and that's a *good* thing. From the perspective of the scale, it can be discouraging.

Which is why the mantra: Water retention masks fat loss (repeated frequently to oneself ) is helpful.

Water retention will mask ongoing fat-loss for as long as the body retains the water. We can combat this by drinking more water...but we aren't going to totally overcome this mechanism during the initial water-loss phase of the Atkins diet.

By weeks 5 and 6, things start to get back in balance, and the scale will begin to reflect the true fat-loss...which, as mentioned before is rate-limited. Individuals vary, but max weight loss runs about 2 pounds per week...under extremely optimal conditions... or 1% of body weight.(whichever is the lower number)

Take-home message: Even when the scale is in a stall, fat loss can be occuring. Don't use the scale as an excuse to undermine your progress!

I drank a Long Island Tea years ago with a full meal @ Red Lobster - my bf @ the time almost had to carry me out!!! (Don't think I was singing much -but who knows???) Glad you let loose lilyb!!!

I'd rather EAT than drink milk beachie . . . what gives? So far so good on my Lenten vow . . . sipping water here in the Wee Hours - gotta Great OP Day going that late nite eating would destroy . . . not sure if my renewed devotionals/increased prayer OR doubling up on Estroven has lifted me out of the depression/fog I've been mired in . . . just gonna keep doing both!

bambi tx so much for quoting the FAQ's . . . that's a Thread I haven't been to in so long . . . hope to make the time after housework this weekend - PLUS determined to eat clean & get my booty to the Y - Super Bowl kicked off the great exercise habit I'd gotten into on the weekends there.

I think I took lortab b4 I had my back surgery robin - isn't it very powerful? I may be thinking of Lorcet & Lorcet Plus (my ab fab FAVES for the sciatic nerve pain that was truly excruciating.) lily will know. Your dh is going into my prayers tonite along with Leo's CAT scan - hang in there girl!

What time is it in Thailand dammit faye?????????????????? Where are you?

And what happened to Marie & bouncie???


Edited 'cause obviously I can't even TYPE about Long Island Tea w/o sounding drunk!!!!

Good morning all! Today is weigh-in day for me. I cheated earlier this week and checked the scale. I am so stoked to report...I'm down another 1 lb for the week making my total weight loss 3lbs this week!!! YEAH..YEAH...YEAH!!!!

AND...my boyfriend's really diggin the new skinny'er me! I've got alot more energy these days (ifyaknow whatimean!)...Okay..don't wan't to gross anyone out this early in the morn. I'm just sooooo motivated. Nothing can stop me now!

Hope you ladies read that article I posted. I think I'm going to keep reading and re-reading it...especially when I hit stalls...which I know is probably coming soon! Look forward to hearing from you all! Only 22lbs to go! Yeah!!!! Joyce

Good Morning Ladies

Nothing new at my end.DH & I are going to watch golf this afternoon and I going to bake a black bean cake for Valentine Day. I wanted to have something[as I'm giving up candy] so I thought I give a try to a healthier various of cake. I know the beans are high carb but they have the fiber that I interesting in.

Joyce-Thanks for posting the Common Patterns of Weight Loss article for me and others.I really appreciate you taking time to find the article. The one thing I know is water retention that why I drinking 80 oz a day[1/2 my weight] and in the summer month much higher [96 oz]My problem is carbs,any kind. My doctor said I was carb sensitive and put me on the Atkins diet,but the carbs were too low for me,so on my own I started upping them gradually. I found that I lose on the weeks I have 100-125 grams.Hope I found my balance. Last week the carbs creped up to 145 and I gained.So this week I'm going back to my lower side of my range 100. I use fit day to track my carbs & calorie count.BIG CONGRATS on your 3 lb loss.You doing terrific on Atkins.I don't think the Atkins diet is working for me I still low carbing but leaning toward the other low carb diets that have higher carb counts. Have to have my fruits & High fiber cereal.



AUD-I"m the metal dragon, this year.All that metal is weighing me down. Doubling up on the Estroven,is that safe,be careful that you don't overdose.The Health web sites are saying 3 cups of milk per day & I saw that on the Biggest Loser also.Where it use to be 2 c per day.I learned from the BL is to chew S.F Extra gum when a craving for food pops up,and it works for me.

LILY-Glad that you could get out with your friend to let you hair down and enjoy your drink and Karaoke. So you went off for two days but you back OP and thats what counts.


ROBIN-So sorry to hear about your DH being in Pain. I know its hard to sit on the side and see whats going on and not to able to do anything to do for it.Sending good thought for him,that what ever it it goes away.


Have to go,have a nice weekend

Hugs BB

BB - Maybe Southbeach might be better for you...I hear there's no carb restriction on that. But whatever you do...remember, the scale does lie! Pay more attention to what you (and everyone around you) see in the mirror...and how your clothes fit, etc...that will tell you the truth about your progress! There IS more than one way to skin a cat (or be a "skinny cat")! Find your balance and remember to exercise...exercise...exercise...even if it's just a walk around the block...You will get there too girl!

Your sooo welcome. I was thinking of you and hoping that you would not give up cuz of the scale...When I look in the mirror I more than the 13 lbs lost...so I know the scale can be counted on for just so much... Joyce

Slowly getting into the 50's today . . . then gonna drop to the teens & stay there for a few days of rainy/sleet - YEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAA! So much weather FUN here in Missouri - never a dull freaking moment! Headed out for some yard work & to the trail but wanted to check in first -

I was up to 232 Monday - but thought it mostly bloat & was too depressed/lifeless to change my ticker. I DID do a lot of job related walking all week - and HAVE tried to "walk with a purpose" anywhere I go - instead of just shuffling along - LOL! Anyhoo, w/i yesterday on my unofficial w/i day @ 228 - all that depression and NO gain - soooo glad!

Setting some goals for myself - gonna try to be @ 225 on V-Day . . . and get back down to where I was @ Txgiving (212) by St. Pat's. Upping the exercise & water for starters . . . adopting bambif's attitude of "nothing can stop me" too. I read the article and found it to be soo true of my experiences - good reminders in there, as well.

Posting these weight goals are just to help me get a grip . . . seeing them here reminds me of how far I'd come & let old self destructive Holiday Habits way-lay me, ya know?

Hope you're enjoying you some golf, beachie! Anytime my dmil makes a cake and beans on the same day - my dfil always puts a scoop of beans on his cake - been doing it since he was a lil boy. May have to try your bean cake & take it to him - sounds like he'd LOVE!

Hi ladies. I'm typing with one hand. I had a nightmare last night that I was being attacked and flung my right arm out and hit the damn wall. I'm not so sure that I didnt break a bone on the top of my hand. It hurts like crazy and I can't make a fist and wasnt' able to pump gas today so had to have Lacy do it. I went to the walk-in medical clinic for an X-Ray and they had closed 5 min's before I got there. I decided to just wrap it, ice and elevate and see how it feels tomorrow instead of spending all day today in the ER. I have been having some sharp nerve-like pains going up my right arm and my wrist and hand are a funny shade of green. Just leave it to me, the only one that could get hurt while sleeping alone. I'm just friggin accident prone. Some of you may still remember last summer when I had the pack of frozen ribs fall on my ankle and cause nerve damage to where I had to wear a plastic brace on my leg for several months. Oh, I called DH today and told him about my hand, he seemed very concerned once he finally stopped laughin at how I did it. LOL.

!!! Holy cow, lily! Look after yourself, girl!

Must add a big thank you to Joyce for reposting the stuff from the FAQ - I found it v. useful too!

Go you, Aud, with the Purposeful Walking! Exercise really is The Way Forward!

Incidentally, colour me fascinated by this bean cake notion! Looking forward to hearing how it turns out!

So I had a bit of a low day yesterday - don't know why. It was Saturday, and rather than go to the gym I spent THE WHOLE DAY loafing around reading/sprawling on the bed and internetting. The whole. Damn. Day.

Which was a bad thing. And I ate more than I intended - didn't go off plan, but ate rather more than I meant to, vegetable-wise, and also made a chocolate raspberry shake from ice, whipping cream, a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa, a dash of raspberry essence and a sachet of Sucralose. Which was a needless indulgence. (But very nice!)

I realised, later, that I'd forgotten to take my supplements that morning. Looks like the Chromium (etc etc) pills DO do a pretty good job of supressing my appetite - I certainly noticed the difference yesterday, without them!

...really hope I've lost tomorrow. I do weigh myself every day - never used to do this, but I'm finding it useful on Atkins (if I've stayed the same/gone up, I'm motivated to stay on plan; if I've gone down, I'm also motivated to stay on plan! So it's win-win!) and this morning the scale was at 226. God, I hope it's still there tomorrow morning. But I'm trying to remind myself that even if it isn't, all I need to do is aim for an AVERAGE loss of 1-2lb per week. And that I've already lost more than that, so I can afford some plateaux.

Today was a better day, though. I started it off right, going to the gym for half an hour, making breakfast and remembering to take my various supplements, then a little later I went for Brunch at the Marriot Hotel with friends - they have a Trader Vic's there (this is an American chain, right?) and they do this fantastic Brunch Buffet with live jazz and MASSES of lovely things to eat - sushi, curry, roasts, all manner of fabulous breads and cheeses and salads and seafood and salmon and Thai food and homemade pasta put together ready-to-order and tempura and oh my GOD the desserts - all these zillions of fantastic gateaux and mousses and cheesecakes and tortes and home-made icecream with every conceivable topping for DIY sundaes or cones, and a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit to dip in it and all these gourmet truffles...AND an unlimited number of MaiTais or glasses of wine included in the price.

But I stayed on plan. For which I deserve a freaking medal. Stupid to go, maybe, when I couldn't enjoy it to the full - but this is a lifestyle shift, and it shouldn't mean that I don't go out any more. It's good to see that you can have a delicious meal (...okay, I really WOULD have enjoyed it more if I could have had some pasta/potatoes/rice, and a selection of miniature desserts...but it was still a very nice meal) and stay on plan. Go Team Me!

After that I went to the pictures (saw a Thai film called Chocolate about an autistic girl who kicks a lot of *** - great fun, girl power, makes you want to learn martial arts AND it's set in Bangkok, so it was fun to spot familiar sites!), then popped into the supermarket to buy groceries. Hadn't counted on the profusion of Valentine's Day choccies that were all over the freaking place - bought myself a bag of pork rinds and some macadamias for In Case Of Emergency, and told myself that if I really really wanted chocolate, I could have a sugar-free truffle when I got home. Found that worked well.

Came home and had a Chef's Salad instead - am now pleasantly full & not tempted to eat said chocolate.

...crumbs, I really am crap at brevity, aren't I? Anyway, I hope you're all having yourselves happy and successful weekends!

Good morning all! I did my 20 min. on my recumbent bike yesterday and something new...weights!!! Did 10 min. on upper body and wow!...I'm friggin dying of pain today! All these weeks of cardio and stretching and never had one pain the next day. I guess weight training hurts cuz its probably the most effective. Going to do cardio only today and give muscles a rest.

Lily - Do you think your dream could have had something to do with the drunken karaoke??? just kiddin....ha! On the serious note...I did something like that years ago. It took like a week for me to close my hand. Another time I was sleeping with my older sister (nothing freaky...just large family), and she just punched the sh*t out of me in the middle of the night. When I woke up I tried crying but was too tired and went back to sleep (incredibly funny...had to be there). In the morn, I asked WTF? She said she had a dream that I was running off at the mouth and she hit me...only it was in real life! Take care of that hand though...

B.A.B. - I'm proud of you!!! Go you! I think it is important to expose yourself to things like that. Just make sure you have yummy substitutes around so that you don't feel too deprived. BTW, that choco rasberry shake sounds devine!! I doubt the one day of rest/loafing will hurt you...at least you made good food choices and believe it or not...you burn more fat at rest than you do working out (so I've heard). You got back on the horse and that's what its all about...good job! Let us know your final WI...I'm routing for ya!
Joyce

Aud - To **** with the "brevity bug"!!! I love sitting here (sipping my hazelnut coffee) listening to everyone's day to day! I bought my daughter heelies last year...this year...they just sit in the closet! Sounds like you and your dd had a great day! I'm taking my dd out today to the pet shop to look at dogs. She want's an "underdog" kind of dog! I told her if she gets all "A's" on her report card, I'd buy her one...well, she's being doing great in school this semester and I'm getting concerned...love the good grades, but didn't expect all A's so fast....really not ready for a dog! damn!

Lily - hope all this Long Island Ice Tea/sleeping disorder/drunken karaoke stuff puts a smile on your face...then at least us nuts have done our job!!!

Aud - Your right...it's a good pain, I think I'll try doing lower body today as well. Thanks for the encouragement! Joyceeeee

Lol, thanks ladies, I do feel better today. Now that the swelling is done, I don't think it's broke. I can hold my coffee cup today, so I'm happy.

Hi All: Sounds like everyone is doing great (except for poor Lily and her six round bout with the wall!). I can't believe the weekend is almost over. Next week is such a stressful week at work I'm dreading it. I have several night meetings and have to can someone (the thing I hate most in the world). Sorry I've been out. Had two funerals to go to this week and it put me in the dumps a bit. Anywho...I got the cooking done for the week (pretty much) yesterday. I made Linda's taco salad, some spicy buffalo wings, a big batch of ham and pureed cauliflower soup and about 15 ham and cheese roll ups. DH has been craving some fruit so since it has been a month on induction I picked him up some honeydew and mango slices. I also made some mock fried rice (grated cauliflower in place of the rice). It was really tasty.

Feeling the funk of the funerals (one for the father of a friend and one for the mother of a friend). Fills me with anxiety for my parents and aunt. Parents turn 80 this year and you all know the story of my aunt. I have had a terrible time sleeping this week. I finally broke down and took an ambien the other night but they give me nightmares so I try to avoid them.

Still hanging in there on induction (now week five) with the daily 1/2 to hour on the recumbent bike. Cravings are still occurring (like last week) but since I've been so strict I don't know what is causing them. I don't give into them but I'm sure not used to them. I started taking L-Carnitine and CoQ10 along with my other supplements in the hopes that the cravings will abate a bit.

I did go back to real coffee in the morning with my soy milk and some sugar fee hazelnut syrup (Hey, I can't give up everything or I will lose all motivation). I started using the rare gem of liquid sucralose last week but it is taking some getting used too (it is very easy to use too much!)

Love to all
ox
SC

Lily - Glad you got a kick out of our humor...was afraid we were going too far! Hope your hand is feeling a bit better today.

Stayincalm - Sooo sorry to hear about your friend's parents. I lost my dad to cancer in 12/97 and it's very rough...When your friends start losing their parents...it makes you think of your own family's mortality. Enjoy every moment you can with them...cuz life is not promised to any of us...
As far as the cravings go, I've been taking these fat pills (b-6, kelp, cider vinegar & lecithin)...that completely deminish my appetite. I've also heard that Chromium helps to naturally aid in appetite/cravings suppression. Maybe it would help to try some vitamins/minerals and see what works for you. I believe that when we "crave" it's because our bodies are lacking in some vitamin. Perhaps, if you find what your body is lacking, this should subside. Great to hear you are resisting your urges/cravings in the meanwhile.
Finally, I totally agree with you about giving up everything. I try not to think of it as "giving up" things...but making healthy "substitutions".

BTW, where did you find the liquid sucralose? Joyce