Hi Everyone-

I hope you all had a good weekend. I had a nice weekend but overat. I haven't looked at a scale. I will peek tomorrow. I started atkins today and did great

I'll catch you all in the morning.
Nikki

Well girls I have a new keyboard very nice I must say. My futrue soninlaw hooked me up with one. I knocked my cup of coffee over mine on Easter morning not so smart. Me whom always tells the kids not to have any drinks next to the computer. OOOPPPS! Well at any rate yesterday I did read all your thoughts but couldn't respond back. I had a nice Easter and it sounds like everyone else did too. I ate a bit too much but today was much better. I am with you Penny on intakes. I did stay within my boundaries for today. I had the leftover lemon pie but only ate the filling no crust its gone now bye bye to that but it was great. I made it from scratch as mom couldn't this year. I started my day off with healthy foods and then made a pot of veggie soup in the pressure cooker for lunches this week. Smells good haven't opened it up yet. Love the fact that I can whip it up so quickly. Judy glad you had a chance to rest and oh taxes are never too much fun. I do mine quite early and got a refund so thats was nice. Good luck with them. Marie I bet your house is extremly quiet now huh? Nikki let us know how the Atkins diet goes. I think its changed from years ago more fish and veggies etc. Can you eat fruit in the beginning stages? Well work was off to a great start with the State Auditors in right off the bat this a.m.. I heard we did pretty good they interviewed me and one of my cases also my records and how long I worked for the company etc. Interesting first time they ever asked for that info. But I called in the office this afternoon and was told we did good. After awhile you get used to these things and know what to say and they go smoother. In the past I would get stressed not anymore or at least not today. Well talk to you all soon and careful with drinks next to your keyboards. But this one is so much nicer I was really in need of a new one. They are going to build me a computer for my office soon the guy says I deserve a new one mine is from the dinosaur ages!

Carol-No fruit , veggies and fish ok. I actually feel better already just from 1 day on Atkins. I always try to be careful with the drinks. I think I would freak if I dropped one LOL. I'm glad your interview went well.

Day 2 for me tomorrow is my weigh in . I expect to either maintain or be slightly above last weeks weight. No problem I can take it off

Hope everyone is having a nice day

Nikki

Morning everyone. Things are still going so-so. The house is so quiet and it's extraordinary. I love it to no end. However, son1 left angry and me very angry at him - long story if I didn't write it earlier I'll leave it be - but our relationship has definitely nose-dived. Scarily, I don't think it's temporary. I'm so sick of being used by him and his GF that I just closed up. DH is thinking the same thing. So there's the loss of Goldie and the loss of son and DGS is hard. BTW, he's using DGS to hurt me - withholding him from me. ovely kid I have...

Anyway, on the good side is the quiet. I love it. And the garage is a garage again. It took Sunday and Monday, but it's back. I didn have to scrape the ice off my car this morning. It was awesome. DS2 scrubbed their bathroom and made it his. It is spotless. To say the least, we're not missing them. And the house is no longer baby proof. I hated the cabinet locks.

I've been a good exerciser and an okay eater. I'm averaging 1540 on the challenge even with going out to eat on Saturday night. The scale was very nice today. I've lost 46 pounds now. I will change my ticker later today from the 44 pounds. I was pleased with that this morning.

Judy, we did our taxes in January and the refund is long gone. We used to wait till the last minute and it was too stressful. We have extra withheld so we never owe again - we had to take a loan once. Good luck getting yours done this week.

Penny, I hope kitty stays on the mend. Pets are the most wonderful creatures and the money is secondary, at least in my opinion. But there's a point where vet visits are overkill and that sounded like that was your case. I'm glad your DS is settled in nicely.

Nikki, good luck with Adkins. You'll find the right diet that fits you best. I know all the diets out there work - it's just finding the right match. Calorie counting is the only thing that works for me.

Carol, I'm pretty sure everyone has spilled drinks on the keyboard or somewhere else important at some point. Right now my drink is poised next to my very expensive work laptop. Probably not a good place. Okay, I moved it. Good job on the audit.

Oh yesterday was great - my name has legally been changed to Marie. No more M Marie - I got rid of the icky M first name and it's legal. It's about a 6 week process but the judge/court people were great. So Now I'm Marie Anne. Pretty cool, don't you think???
Marie

Marie- It sounds like you are much more peaceful now. i am happy for you. I hear you about trying different things.I am at this plateau about a year so I am hoping this Atkins works.

So far day 2 is going well and day 1 was great.

Nikki

Ouch, paper cuts! I'm copying materials and stuffing a box for my trainings later this week. They need to arrive no later than Friday morning....but I have a nasty cut on my palm now so I'm just going to stop for a bit.

Marie, I'm sorry to hear that your son didn't move out on good terms. Some folks just take longer than others to grow up, and our relationship with our parents seems to be the last one to benefit. It will get better! In the meantime, you can have fun reclaiming your place.

Nikki, great start on Atkins! Hope your weigh-in shows it.

Carol, If I was sure about getting a IRS refund, I would have sent in my return in February! But I had a little outside income last year, and not much to write off, so I might have to pay. I didn't do anything on it last night, my brain was too fried. But everything's out, the table is cleared off, and I found my TurboTax software, if I need it, so I'm ready to go.

Penny, you know what I'm talking about with the fruit bowls! I love 'em with cottage cheese or kefir (yogurt), but I've learned my lesson. I will take the applesauce ones with me for the hotel room, along with my protein powder and a shaker for b'fast. I'll be at one of the fancier hotels in New Orleans, so I will be able to visit the fitness center most days.

I didn't knuckle down yesterday, but I was a knuckehead I bought some pistachios on sale, and proceeded to munch, munch, munch....God knows how many extra calories that was! I am the only person I know who likes to pig out on healthy food!

judy

Nikki - I'm glad you're enjoying Atkins. I hope you have a good weigh-in tomorrow.

Carol - Smooth move dumping the drink on the keyboard - one way to get new equipment! Maybe you can try the same thing on your "dinosaur" at work.
I'm glad your audit went well. I'll have to make some soup too. It's always good to have handy for a quick meal and it freezes well.

Marie - I'm sorry your DS left on less than friendly terms. I'm sure your relationship will improve a lot with distance - I know mine did with my parents. Congratulations on losing 46 lbs.! You're leaving me in the dust, I'm gonna have to try harder to catch up with you! Also, congrats on the name change, although you've always been 'Marie' to us. Marie Ann sounds nice too. Enjoy your newfound space!

Judy - I tend to pig out on nuts too - they are just so more-ish! We keep them in the pantry and I find myself grabbing handfuls during the day, which is not good considering the high calories. Better to have one of the little fruit bowls for 60 cals.

I went to my yoga class this morning. It was hard but I felt great afterwards. I've started doing some much needed spring cleaning and that burns calories right? There's got to be some benefit to doing housework! Tommy is feeling much better, he is getting really frisky, like he's so glad to be alive and have no pain. He's talking to me a lot - I'm sure all about his ordeal!

Our DS had a good first day at work yesterday. They have a 'breakfast club' and the engineers are responsible for donuts. The secretaries make waffles. I told him he's going to have to start working out at the gym if he's going to be eating that stuff! He has a nice office with a big desk and they had already put his name on it so he was quite impressed. His first project is going to be designing a geothermal heating system for the State Capitol building. A lot of his work will be in making buildings more environmentally friendly. Sounds interesting and challenging.

Well girls I have decided to give South Beach diet a whirl. I thought soon that wedding will be here invites are out and I need some positive wt. loss to happen. So today was day one and I did well still gathering some info. I am going out of town on the 23rd and that will be my count for the 2 week mark one day early a little grace period. Kind of gives me an incentive to work towards. Nikki we can compare notes the diets are similar Atkins is a bit different but same concept. We are getting a lunch paid for by the company for having a good audit. I asked for it to be healthier foods not pizza and wings most of the dept agreed but not sure what to order boy we get so stuck to routine huh? Marie sorry to hear about the heat between you and the kids life is too short and hopefully it will be over soon. They should kiss the ground you walk on with the ride they have been on for months with you and the hubby taking them in. Why do people think its an obligation? Its not and they were very lucky to have such a nice place to spend their time. I am sure things will work out. Judy as far as the taxes in your case I guess it was no hurry usually we don't get much back either ours was from home improvements energy savers tax credits. Penny how true it is that I should do that at work hah hah! Today was crazy and I am glad it was over at work not til 6 this evening too many needs today. I was proud to stay on task with my diet due to stress level. I will be counting my days until phase 2. I am having dinner with friends chinese but will order something with out rice or noodles. Maybe broc. and chicken steamed ? I already made a healthy lunch with tuna and a yellow pepper, tomatoe and lettuce. I can do this!

Evening all, we're a chatty bunch today. Things are going good. I made it through work and I hate going back after a day off. But I sure do like the days off.

Suzanne at 3FC graciously changed my username to Marie. Adios to the MMarie. I was so happy. I also got payroll and the insurance changed today.

Good luck on South Beach Carol. As I said earlier, it's good to try until something works for you.

Penny, we're not in a race. You are doing so great so just keep on that track.

Judy, now I know you'll agree with me - office work is a dangerous job. Papercuts stink. DH has a literally painful job (drills and metals and the such) but I'll come home from work and make him kiss my boo-boo. The worst papercuts are the ones from file folders!!!!

Well, dinner is almost done - another perk. I made homemade pizza crust and I like lots of my homemade sauce and just mozz cheese on mine. DH likes the pepperonis (yuck). So he makes my 3 pieces (2 tonight and 1 for lunch) and the rest his and DS2. What's so cool is that half the pizza doesn't have to be sauceless. The exited household members wouldn't eat pizza with sauce on it. They were the pickiest eaters on earth. Boy is in heaven that we don't have to cater to them.

TTYL.
Marie

Oh I know how it is to have picky eaters. Mine here are just to basic and I on the other hand like to explore. I get oh whats that! At any rate my SIL is thinking most likely oh now whats she going to cook being on this new diet. Well it isn't too bad actually just an adjustment for me. I can make spaghetti just for me it will be the meatballs and sauce no pasta. I have made it through day 1. Today is 2 lunch is packed and eggs for breakfast with veggies in them and some cheese. I almost ate a banana last night but after peeling it I gave it to the SIL. She said whats wrong with it I said no fruit for 2 weeks. That does sadden me a bit but its okay as long as results follow and I know eventually I can have them again. The funny thing is my dept is taking a huge fruit salad to a going away party on thurs and it was my idea. That way yah just bring in fruit throw it in a bowl add some walnuts, oj and away yah go. But for me no fruit thats tough! Your right Marie sometimes trying something new helps. My friend whom can never lose wt. is on a new diet from her work mon, tues, wed. they follow a certain menu the other days just eat normal portions without limitations of any certain foods. She dropped 7 lbs. the first week. I was so happy for her as wt. is a problem and is effecting her walk etc. overall health. This is week two for her and she is doing well. So I know that if she has the power I must also have it just need to whip it out! Nikki was SB the diet you were on first? Well off to research some info. on this new plan of mine.

Penny - I am glad your son is enjoying his new job.

Marie-That pizza sounds yummy.

Carol- I did do south beach a few months back. I had success on phase I but not II. That is why I decided to try atkins it is pretty much in line with Phase I. How are you liking it so far?

I am pleased this morning. My weigh in is today and i managed to get back down to my weight last week. On monday I was weighing between 163-164. So that is a 2-3 pound loss in two days. I am hoping to get down another 3 by next Wednesday.

Nikki

Morning everyone. I slept through the whole night!!! That's the first time since having Goldie put to sleep and son's mean departure. Yeah, I'm getting past it.

I did 3 miles WATP and 1 mile on the treadmill (.5 walking and .5 jogging) this morning. I was at 1523 cals yesterday and the average is still at 1538 after 20 days. This is the best challenge for me. It's definitely keeping me honest and the scale is showing that.

Nikki, good job eradicating the little gain. Sounds like your on track with Adkins. And the pizza was yummy - I have 1 slice for lunch today. Luckily I have a toaster oven at work so it'll reheat nicely.

Carol, I couldn't do without fruits. I'd be a fruitatarian if I could. I love fruit better than any othr foods. I've always said peaches and strawberries (my 2 faves) are God's gift to dieters. I hope that SB works for you though - although I always got the idea you are like me in the fruit department. That might be pretty tough. But it's always good to try.

Marie

Carol - I hope you are successful on South Beach. Good choices for the chinese dinner. It's hard to eat out and stay on plan, but it can be done if you decide ahead of time what is the better choice.

Marie - I'm glad you're sleeping better. I could never give up fruit either. That's why I couldn't stay on the low carb diets. Some people aren't all than keen on fruit, so it's probably easier for them to stick with. I've never figured out why they have you cut out fruit for 'x' number of weeks. What happens when you start eating fruit again? If it's not banned for ever, I can't see why stopping eating it for two weeks makes any difference whatsoever. I'm not an expert in these things, so I'm sure there's a logical explanation!

Nikki - Congrats on the loss!

Judy - Hope your week hasn't been too hectic.

I had a luncheon meeting today and had my annual hamburger. I only eat hamburgers once or twice a year when I get a craving for them. I had the High Country Burger topped with Canadian bacon, crispy onion straws, lettuce, tomatoes and a touch of bbq sauce. It was delicious! I figured it was around 720 calories (with coleslaw instead of fries). It's a good thing I only had oatmeal for breakfast and I had a shake for dinner with kiwi fruit and a pear for snacks, so I had what I wanted and don't have to feel too guilty.

Nikki the SB is going well better than I thought of adjusting today is day 3. Yesterday we had a lunchoen and it wasn't a problem I had plenty to choose from even with staying on no carbs. Its weird how you just lose the craving for the chips, breads and cakes. I do have to go grocery shopping and that will help. Last night I had london broil, onions, red peppers and steamed broc. with reduced fat cheese melted on top. Not bad and satisfying. I did the scale this morning and am currently at 172.5. That was my wt. in March last year. Now I am looking forward to losing and being in the 160's hopefully soon. I feel good and have more energy. Also got the SB book from the library maybe my couting calories sometimes gives me too many choices? For now I will try this and see how it goes. I may end up joining you on Atkins later on.
Marie I am glad you got some sleep. Its a very hard thing you did but as her mom you did what needed to be done. It shows how much you did love her to let her go. Thinking of you! Oh Marie the fruit is the toughest to let go on but only temporary with that gradually I will add it back in. I did have a glass of wine which was off limits but do to stress with coworkers acting out again I just did it. Seems like the scale didn't mind thank goodness. Its weird that I am doing okay so far we even put together a huge fresh fruit salad for work in my dept my idea for the lunchoen weeks ago. That was a bit tough but I did okay.
Penny yeah the fruit thing is tough but right now I am going to try it this way. If this ends up a flop then I will look into some other diet which I can work off until I lose a bit more wt. Just can't seem to do it on my own counting cals alone its not getting me where I want to be by June. See I could have that juicy burger but without the roll which is okay for me. Breakfast for this first stage is a bit different. Eggs pretty much but I add red peppers hot sauce and veggies. So its okay. I am going on a conference 4/23 that is going to be my 2 week mark. Hurray I will of made it. Nice to have a goal date also and a plush spa resort and fun time to look forward to. I will let you know when I finish this chapter why the no fruit for 2 weeks maybe Nikki will know right off the bat? Well once again I am so glad its friday and this nutty week at work will be over. I just wish people would stop wasting their lifes on making others upset and miserable cause its not very grownup or nice to deal with and after awhile it takes a toll on us. Well with that being said I am off to end this work week. Take care girls and lets all keep up this our good ideas and wt. loss. Our weather is suppose to change over to snow yuk I feel a hot dish of something will be brewing.

Carol- I am glad to hear SB is going well for you. I ate steamed food if we went to chinese. You have to be careful of the sauces. They are packed with carbs.

Penny- That burger sounds yummy. I can eat a burger with bacon and cheese minus the bun. I put them on a bed of lettuce 0 carb meal.


I am feeling good on Atkins. I seem to be losing about a pound a day. I am hoping to lose 3 more by next wed weigh in. I am going to get my TOM betwen now and then. I have to try real hard not to get discouraged by that one. I am determined now to meet my goal for summer.

Nikki