#3 got up to two pages...time to start a new one!

Welcome, welcome everyone! I still have some duct tape left on my roll....bend over and allow me to attach your "butts" to the wagon so you do not fall off!

Staying on plan is KEY!!! Be prepared with good foods to eat in the house...(and when you have to be out.) I am getting myself to the market today. I need to get a few "supplies." I swear by the Starkist tuna in the blue pouch to carry around in case I get caught up at work, etc. and need FUEL! It is a little pricey.......but very yummy and good to have on hand!!! I also find that cut up green peppers are good to snack on with my celery. I have to limit myself with my "nuts: becasue I tend to "GO NUTS" once I start on them. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

I walked 3 miles last night LATE because it has been HOT here in Pittsburgh!!!!!!!!!! I will go late again tonight! It feels good to sweat..but not to BAKE!!! Please keep posting everyone!!! We need eachother! Oh......something to share. I was at a party the other night and was sitting on a lounge chair....and without thinking....I CROSSED MY LEGS!!!!!!!!!! I know that may not sound like much to some...but I have normally been only crossing my ankles when I sit. With 21 pounds gone...some inches...and some "toneage of the TONNAGE" my legs crossed without thinking...just like when I was a few sizes ago. I kinda smiled at myself when it happened cause it has been sooooo long since I did that. You are the only ones I am sharing this with because I know you will understand! DO GOOD ALL! NOBODY WANTS TO BE FAT!!!

Hey everyone!!!!!

today I took dh to hospital for eye surgery, had to be there at 6 am, they took him to surgery at 10:30, to recovery at 12:30 and finally home at 4:30...wheeewwww...what a long day...hes in much pain right now and just resting so we are all tippytoeing around the house.....

25.......BOY!!! DO I understand about the crossing of legs....GOOD GOING!!!! I ended up having a few more carbs than I should have today due to being at hospital and not eating all day also being so tired.....you are right , everyone must plan...I did NOT for today and ended up having just a little too much.....oh well, on to tomorrow...

Everyone else have a great day---lets FIGHT THIS BATTLE TOGETHER

Well it only took 3 days to get over my little foray into carb country. Lets hope I remeber that next time I try and give myself "permission" to eat bad food. .

I finally have that feeling of mental alertnes again. Been Op since Sunday. . The haet certainly hasn't been helping in that department. ( I was beginning to worry that it wouldn't be back)

DH has also been doing well. The loss on the scale helped motivate him and he and I have been helping with the cravings. He has started exerciseing as well . This has been a great help to me. We are planning a trip to Algonquin state park next year and plan on activities that healthy people do. He suggeted a day horse trip and when we aare thin no one can acuse us of horse abuse .

Meal planning is stil a challenge because it requires me to actually think about it instaed of relying on the routine that I have been doing for years. But it is coming. We are going out to dinner tonight and have already discussed our meal choices.

Hope everyone else is doing well
Stay as cool as possible
Pat

Hello All!!!

It is soooooo hot here in Pittsburgh that I have not walked for 2 days! I hate to admit that because walking has been like a part of me since I began this program! I have exercised...but not walked the 3 miles per day I have been doing.

Tomorrow is "weigh-in" day and I hope the scale does not PUNISH me for avoiding the walking track!!!

I have been staying on plan and drinking enough water to float a small boat!

Hope you all are doing well!

I will check back in tomorrow after I "hit the scale" and give you my progress!

SICK OF THE FAT!!!

Where the heck is everybody??? Nobody posted yet today!!!

I am just checking in with my "scale progress." I am very happy to report 3 more pounds gone forever! That makes 24 so far and I am thrilled!I have heard over and over again that being on a low carb plan, (I am on Atkins) the weight comes off in spurts! There were 3 weeks in a row that is was only 1 pound each week. I was not cheating, walking everyday, and drowning myself in water..but only 1 pound each week for 3 weeks. THEN I took off 3 last week and 3 this week. (I like THOSE numbers MUCH better!!!)

Anyway..I just wanted to share that because we all want to "lose the excess baggage" we are carting around!! (And don't forget that when the "pounds" don't drop at times....inches are lost!!! (We seem not to give "inches" enough credit!)

All my buddies................PLEASE CHECK IN!
(And all you "lurkers".........post here! We are a great group of low carb plan LOSERS!!)

Hello all!!!

I am still here and OP!!! Got thru another shopping expedition. Went to the local healthfood store and scoped them andtheir prices out. Not to impressed. Prices really high. The humidity has lifted and someone else got our rain!! . The weekend is supposed to be great but I would prefer some rain.

SUe should have had a great week on her vacation. Hope she was able to battle those marsh mallowsLOL.

DH has been doing well on teh new woe. He is impressed with how much better he feels. ANd has been quite the adult about trying new foods. He and I have been out craving support person which has been a big help.

25H- Great news on the loss!!!

How is everyone else doing?
Pat

Hello everyone. I am new to the low-carb forum. I am looking for something that will help me lose this weight, or give me a good start. I was previously anit-Atkins, but now I just would rather give it a try, and start without having to have an opinion about everything! Besides, I am in a real slump. I gained all of my weight after 2 pregnancies. I have always been small, with a small build, but now I am just too heavy. My youngest is 13 months old, so it is time to get this show on the road. Being a completely honest person, I will admit that I am desperate. My husband is VERY fit and healthy, and weight lifts 3-4 times a week, along with running, biking, swimming... anything you can imagine. So he is not a big fan of the Atkins plan, yet he knows how desperate I am to put this weight behind me (not literally!), so he has said he will totally support my journey with it. I am a carb-o-holic, so I have some positive hopes for this plan. I was doing very well with my weight loss doing the BFL challenge, but something traumatic happened to me in my life 3 months ago, and have gained some back due to not exercising and eating way too much (I love chocolate!).
Anyway, before I write a novel, I'd better be going. Can you all tell me what to expect from this program, in terms of weight loss rate, food cravings, etc. Is there a book I need to buy, or any other supplies. Thanks a bunch! (real name is Christy- Kirei means pretty in Japanese, and we all need to boost our self-esteems!)

kirei,

Your worries are over! You have some to the right place. Sit back and relax....... I am going to take you on a weight loss journey where you WLL be successful! It is up to you. (My signature reads SUCCESS IS UP TO ME!)

I am on Atkins and have lost 24 pounds in 8 weeks. (I have about 80 more to lose.) Like most people on these threads, I have tried it ALL with different degrees of success......but I will share that THIS PROGRAM has been the BEST EVER!!!

First of all--- forget what other people say. They do not understand the program if they put it down. (My doctor gave it the thumbs up!!!)

Know that you will never feel better...have more energy.....or feel more in control of FOOD CRAVINGS!!!

You will NOT be hungry!

You will be successful!

Yes, you should get the book or go on line under Atkins and get educated on it. IT IS VEEEERY EASY!!!


Here is what I do...(but you need to see what is right for you.)

I eat 2 scrambled eggs and 3 slices of bacon for breakfast with a smidge of ketchup. BREAKFAST IS VERY IMPORTANT.......FUEL FOR YOUR BODY!!! You also need to take a multi vitamin. (I take a cheap one and I also take a calcium supplement since I am 43.)

Lunch is usually a can of tuna with some salad veggies and balsamic vinegar dressing. (Dressing is LOADED with carbs...you gotta READ! You can also have REAL MAYONAISE!!!!!! (The tuna can be substituted with cheese, steak, beef, whatever, as long as it is a protein.

Dinner is about the same as lunch, only I have a little larger serving to keep me from nightime snacking.

Snacks are: cut up green peppers, a few peanuts, celery with peanut butter, hard boiled eggs, romaine lettuce wrapped around bacon, a little broccoli with cheese, etc.

You must ---MUST stay away from diet colas. I drink decaf tea, tons of WATER, defaf coffee, TONS OF WAAAAAATER, and Celestial Seasons tea called DIET PARTNER. It does not make you go to the bathroom as people suspect, it was chromium in it that helps with carb cravings! (It is in a green box and is strawberry/citrus flavored. You can buy it in any supermarket!) ALSO....DRINK TONS OF WATER!!!!! Did I say water yet??/ LOL!!!

I also love chocolate. I could circle the globe with the peanut M & Ms I have eaten in the last 20 years!!! But, I have NOT had any cravings! I also love bagels and pretzels........again, no cravings! Pizza comes to the house for my family...I could care less! I feel wonderful!

I have purchased Atkins Bars at the GNC but they are expensive. They are low carb bars much like a brownie/candy bar. They come in many good flavors and are pretty tasty, but again, expensive. You may want to get a few to have on hand in case you "need a chocolate fix." They are great in that case!

On a personal note.........Please take the weight off NOW! I am 43. My "kids" are 21 and 18. I weigh more now than I did when I delivered either of them! I hate the fact that I have WASTED all this time being FAT!!! My weight never REALLY kept me from doing the THINGS I wanted to do...but this body is NOT me......it simply is NOT! I was never THIN....(size 12/14 when I married) ....but I hate, HATE , H-A-T-E this FAT SUIT I am waling around in! I am 5'9" and wear a tight size 20. I want to be a 14 again soooooo bad....and I know it will come with WORK.

When I first told my hubby about this plan...and he saw me eatting eggs and bacon, and a big piece of steak with a small salad.......I am sure he thought I was nuts too! (I am actually a very small eater...but the WRONG THINGS!!!) I explained to him a little about the plan...and as soon as he saw that I was losing pounds and INCHES.........had NO HEADACHES (I had a few headaches a week before..CARBS)..and felt sooo great....he KNEW I was on to something!!!

I also walk 3 miles per day. ( You gotta find the time. ) If you can not get out to do it....put the tv on and MOVE.....put the stereo on and DANCE...walki up and down the steps.....do something to more your BUTT!!! Exercise is important...but you already know that!!

I hope I am not throwing too much at you at once.....but you asked for help....and HELP IS HERE!

Don't give up. DON'T EEEEEEVER GIVE UP!

(Let me know how you are doing!!!) We have a great support system here.

And, if you find that Atkins..(or low carb) does not work for you...there are other plans on this thread that may do the trick.

BUT GIVE THIS A TRY!!! What have you got to lose????........Answer: WEIGHT AND INCHES!

Thanks a bunch 25_Hopeful... That was VERY much needed and appreciated! Unfortunately, I live in Okinawa Japan, and our store here did not have the book, so I ordered it online. But then I found out that our library carries it, so I will go check it out so I can start immediately. The good thing is, I always respond VERY well to any sort of weight loss/lifestyle... but since having my kids, everything is so different. It seems that my cravings just never stopped after pregnancy! And, I have the bulk of my weight in my belly and upper body (mostly ALL my belly). My legs are very slim compared to the rest of me. I read that this is a sign of insulin resistance, so I am quite hopeful of this program. The HUGE PROBLEM will be giving up coffee and diet Dr. Pepper! I plan on pleasing that habit by drinking a cup of decaf coffee in the morning, and some caffine free pop (sprite, ginger ale)- Unless all of you know something I don't, like a certain ingrediant in these I need to stay away from.??
Well, thanks for listening to me ramble! Arigato Gozaimasu! (Thank you).
Kirei

Ffirst I will love to welcome all you new gals. I am so glad that you have decided to join us. It truly is a sorce of inspiration and support here. join in all the forums too, we have an exercise, a daily for just getting to know some of us and this support kick in the butt thread. Aand you will be given a good but gentle kick when you need it. Kiere do not stop doing the BFL exercises, I do them my self but i can not so the diet I too am an carboholic and very bad one at that. one thing is if you can not get the keto sticks that the plan calls for then just rely ion how well you feel, I have been in carb he** for the last week and have a headache to go with it, you will notice tyhe feelings of your body that will help know if you are in ketosis or not first being bad breath (it will go away) but join in a carb counter such as fitday.com or down load lifeform.com (come with a 21 day free trial, then you have to purchase it) but it counts the carbs and the fiber so it really does help with keeping tract, also write down all what you eat during the day inclucing porportions and mood that 3will help you tract your intake much better.

Well as you have guessed i did give in to the marshmellows, I felt guilty eating everyone of them and my ankles are swollen to boot. so I will be spending the next 4 days pee ing to get rid of all the water retained by the carbs. I would have done much more exercises but i pulled my back just bending over (TOM) and was out of comission for several days and i still hurt but it is much better,

I did bike about 20 miles and hiked up several mountains, and paddeled the canoue several miles so i guess it was not to bad for the exercises.

25 you are doing just great, wow almost 1/4 the way there.

Kirei some time the diet drinks will stimulate an insulin reactikon it is best to drink just plain water or ad just a squeeze of lemon, or a drop of flavor. the coffee is ok but not to much and do not count it in your fluid intake, the cafeen is a diuretic and will dehydtarwe you so it is very important to drink plenty so your body can rid it self of the wastes properly. I will drink about 120 to 200 fluid oz daily of just water, they say to drink atleast 1/2 oz per pound some say 1 oz per pound but i would be sipping a bath tub daily!!! but the best think is the fluidd and lots of it, yes you will be visiting the bathroom frequently but that will pass as you bladder gets to hold lot more. feel free to ask any questions while you are reading we will be glad to answer anything.

Hey has anybody tried the atkins strawberry shakes??? they are really good!~!!!


Pat i think the trip will be exciting I love horses but i am not sure my but could take it.

I am not sure who tried the fake potatoes with the csuliflour but you really need to drain it very well, and when you have it in the strainer place a plate on top and push hard even put some thing heavy on it for a while that is the best way to drain it.

to who ever asked about breakfast well why limit your self to eggs you can have anything chicken ham if time is a rush then many people have shakes like the atkins that i mentioned. I too prefer to have my eggs but in a rush i do great with shakes.

I am exhausted so i will check in later tomorow but i just wanted to say hi I missed everybody, i sure was thinking of all of you and thanks for all the wonderful thoughts.

Welcome back nasus!!! I see you survived vacation without too much harm! We missed you sooo much! I am glad you are back because I leave early tomorrow morning for a week at Ocean City and will return on the 18th! (With the 24 pounds lost perhaps they will not mistake me for a whale when I lay on the beach!) LOLOLOL! Hard to believe the 24 are gone! This plan can be tricky...but oh sooo worth it! I know what you mean about the headaches etc., and how you feel when you are low carb! It is such a difference. If only more people knew and understood!

How are you and hubby doing pat???? Glad to here you all are on plan! I am so glad you post here on a regular basis! We all need eachother!!! I know what you mean about the high prices on certain foods. I try to look at it as an "investment" in myself! I do not spend much in special areas...but I do like to have those Atkins bars and the colby jack cheese and nuts that can be costly. You gotta do what you gotta do sometimes....YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!

Hey teri...how is it going??? Please post here. You always have a few words of wisdom. We need to hear from ya!

kirei.......sounds to me like you are on the right track, babe! Everyone here knows that we are all "ON THE WAGON" I have a roll of duct tape and I manage to duct tape people's butts to the wagon so they do NOT fall off. Consider yourself taped..........(that is an honor!) Please continue to post! You may also want to look at some of the Atkins sites on the web. There are a few good ones. Knowledge is power girl!!!

Please keep this thread going all. I will miss you all while I am away and know I can count on you all to give me support via the stars since I will not be near a computer. (We are also camping and I have tried my best to be FOOD READY for the trip!!!) I will be back on line the minute we get back!

All you "lurkers" need to start posting! All low carbers are welcome to join this great support group!

nasus..I am handing the "wagon handle" over to you until I get back. Drive safely!!!!!! (PS........The roll of duct tape is in the back in case you need it for anyone!)

jhp-----My Atkins buddy! I see on another thread where you have taken off over 150 pounds on Atkins! Geeez....WAY TO GO!!! Can you give me a little more information on how the pounds and inches came off.......how long it took......how far you have to go....etc. I think it would be a real inspiration to those of us on Atkins and ALL LOW CARBERS! (I never felt better than I have on this plan!) You should be soooooooo proud of yourself! I salute you and look forward to hearing more about your "weight loss story" if you are to share!!!

OK.........I am outta here. PLEASE REMAIN SEATED IN THE WAGON UNTIL THE RIDE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP!!!!! (In other words...you ain't goin' NOWHERE until we all reach our weightloss goals!) nasus.......DUCT TAPE AWAY. (And as Arnold said, "I'll be back!")

Hello all!!!

Sue Welcome back!! You were missed, Thank you for the advice on the fotatoes. Was it too hot where you were, because it was miserable here. I was hoping you were in the water keeping cool.
DH and I are really looking forward to that trip.

Kirei- Welcome. Isn't 25-H enthusiasm wonderful? please check out our other regular threads. There are people with lots of tried and true info about low carb. Very helpful and willing to help. If you have any questions just post and you'll get a reply. I have been low carbing x 1month. I do the low glycemic index woe. I have PCOS and believe that I am insulin resistant. ( hope to verify in SEPT at MD). I can't tell you how much better I feel. I would also take your measurements in addition to weighing in.
i CAN'T SAY enogh about water. I have been recently seeing increase in fluid retention and have noticed that I have been drinking diet soda( I had gotten off that) I have to put that stuff down . I find that diet jello is helpful too. I also found alot of good lowcarb site when doing a google search and going thru old posts here. The more info I got the better prepared I was. Here area few I use
http://www.dragonslayers-guild.com/lowcarb/counter/
http://www.camacdonald.com/lc/LowCar...ng-Recipes.htm
http://www.holdthetoast.com/archive/index.html
http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/lowcarb-recipes.html
http://www.atkinscenter.com/

25 H- Have great time!! We will keep the wagon going, we have duct tape technology lol

How is everyone else doing?
Pat

Thanks a bunch for the welcomes, tips, advice, and pointers. After searching this entire Island, I finally found a library that had the Atkins book in. I have read all the way through past the "induction" chapter. Have to say thay I am very excited about starting tommorow! Thrilled! Stoked!! After reading the book, I discovered I am a Type B. I really have great expectations... I tend to respond very well to weight loss. I don't expect to get to my PRE-baby weight of 115, because when I had my body fat checked last month, my lean weight was already 125 pounds. So to get to 115 would mean I'd have to lose 10 pounds of lean body weight (muscle). Not something I want! So I figured out that a weight of about 140-145 pounds would put me at 16% bodyfat (assuming my lean weight stays the same). Just a idea! That means I have 44 pounds to lose, maybe more once I get to that weight and decide I am not done. I am hoping to get this done before our next PCS (military) move next April. That gives me 8 months to lose about 50 pounds (rounded off).... which comes to about 6 pounds I need to lose each month to make my goal. I think this is very doable! I am just going to be patient with it! This is it! It is going to happen! I do have this small fear that this is not going to work for me... the brainwashed notion that only fat-free foods will help me to my goal, has been imbedded in me by whoever puts out all of this information. We will just have to see.
Sorry to bore you all with my mathematics, and rambling!
Kirei

25 I will have to duck tape my butt first. today is my first back OP I will with a bit of planning be able to handle the reigns, with a bit of help from all my friends here. I sure hope that you have a great vacation, and do not feel guilt when you stray off plan, this is a way of life not a regemented thing and if it means to enjoy your self then have the indulgence (like my marshmellows) just know that this is a special time, and special cercumstances. enjoy your self and we will have the duct tape ready for you when you get back. we will miss you.

Pat the heat was unbearable at times we stayed in the shade most of the time, when we went to the water the flies were biting, they hurt!!! so we did do some hiking and biking and really had a great time. thankd for the welcome back. I hope the next try at the fotatoes works it should. what i do is make them but they get a bit cool trying to drain them so then i heat them up in the micro if need be. it sounds like you and hubby are doing great. it is wonderful to have your dh diong it with you. my dh may be starting his own version soon, he has been grumbling about his weight.

I will say that 50 lbs down was wonderful it was great not being out of breath climbing up the hills and biking, i was doing better than my 16 year old dd. I now need to get them in shape. and dh too.

Kirei i used to think that 130 was my weight goal i had my bf measured and my lean body mass is 132! so like you i have to readjust my weight goals, to like about 145 or 150 which will place me at about 12-15% bf. I have 4 kids and have a huge gut that i would be able to fit into some 14 if it was not so hangey. but as it is i an having a hard time sticking it in 16's. I started off at 235 with a bf of over 50% so i have made some great improvemeents. and feel so great. you will be doing just great here concentrate for the first week of trying to get the plan down and then start working on the rest, feel free to ask any questions.

Hello all,


Im still here, Hubby is still recovering from eye surgery so Ive been busy nursing himback to health, tho he still cant see so he wont be going back to work this week....

Christy....A BIG WELCOME Youve come to the right place for support.....its a wonderful group we have here......and if it helps you, I will be starting mon also as I fell off the wagon (oops, wheres that da@# duct tape, I see its been handed over haha)... with being at hospital and all these doctor appts and try
ing to get kids ready for school I definetly did NOT plan right..... so now I know that I have to PLAN,PLAN, and PLAN!!!

SUE.... Welcome back.... we missed you.... but I did think of you eating marshmellows and was dreaming of S'Mores (yum,yum)...glad you survived!!!!!

25....... Girl you are ... another 3 lbs....YIPPEE I have to start over but I know how great I feel doing this so Im ready!!!!! Hope you have a great vacation,, we will miss you!!!!

Pat and everyone else..... Hang in there, I will try to post later this week, we have a few more doctor appts and school stuff to get through this week then hopefully hubby will be back to work and kids in school and then the HOUSE AND COMPUTER ARE MINE!!!!!! HEHEHEHE