Thank you Vickie,Kathy and Froufie for the words of encouragement. I don't know what I am going to do, but I did find a 'track' here yesterday that I have decided to walk around on my way home from work. I pass it everyday and just 'really' noticed it yesterday while out running errands. Checked it out today and it's pretty neat. Rests and hints along the path, and it's a Palm Beach County Parks and Rec Park, so how bad can it be :-) it's pretty, green and colorful that's for sure!!
Thank goodness the weather is so nice.... so really there isn't the weather excuse. I hate walking around here in the delevopment. I just want to walk not chit chat and lose my momentum. I even went out and picked up a new 'headset' for my walkman, and I have my self made country music tapes ready to go. My plan is to stop on the way home from work tomorrow....wish me luck!!
Now if I can only decide what the heck program I can stick with
I am going to try and low carb for a while. I LOVE carbs and that can be my downfall too. Maybe if I detox a few days and clean my system out. Carbs are sooooo comforting. When doing Core I rely too much on Barley, Beans and many variations of them. I am tired of that. I am not a potato eater or rice eater - except Chinese food:-) Maybe I am just Cored and points out. Tired of fighting myself and both of them. I don't know. Maybe I do need a change, and shaking it up and changing things as some suggested is just what I need to do. Maybe the walking will help too.
I know this isn't the place but, has anyone tried low carbing SouthBeach Style or Atkins style....just curious
Or has anyone done Core without all the "good" carb selections?? I find breakfast and lunch very difficult. I am sick of egg beaters and cereal just doesn't hold me long enough, and I do not like oatmeal. The oatmeal, barley and beans now seem to me like bellybombers....I have had my fill of them. I
I hardly even get a lunch break, and that too can be sabatoging me.
Sometimes I think just not eating is the answer, sure would make things easier Well I am kind of losing it here so better end this post.
There has to be an answer out there somewhere....getting there is so easy,had to believe but true.....STAYING there is another TV show.....have a good one everyone....Linda

Linda, before Core came out I did an Atkins version of counting points. Or would that be a WW version of Atkins? Anyway ... I lost 25 pounds doing it (175 down to 150). Then I got lazy and/or hungry and had some WAAAAY big life issues crop up (broke my leg and was inactive for MONTHS, dog got cancer and went thru terrible chemo but died anyway, nearly got a divorce, changed jobs, was hospitalized for heart issues and on disability for a while) so I gained 10 of them back, which is surprising considering what all I was going thru. When I decided to get a hold of myself was about the time that Core came out so I tried it. I lost another 13 (160 to 147) and am now up a little with three of those pounds evidently here to stay. Why I'm stuck on 150 is beyond me, but I'm a very nice size 8 for my 5'7" frame compared to my highest when I was squeezing into a 12 and needing to be in a 14 but refusing to move up a size.

Anyway, I had stayed within the 22-27 points range I was allowed at the time, and here were my choices. Of course I didn't eat ALL that, just chose one or two.

B: scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and cheese
Sn: boiled or deviled eggs, carrot sticks, hot and spicy pork rinds, string cheese, and my favorite of ham or turkey lunch meat spread with cream cheese and rolled up
L and D: tuna salad, chicken breast, hamburger patty topped with guac, salad, steamed vegetables

Mainly I would eat dinner with the family but leave off the rice and potatoes. I made sure I made a meat I could have, and vegetables for sure. Lunches were either leftovers, or a visit to the cafeteria (old job -- I sure do miss that cafeteria!) for a chicken breast. I also made "sandwiches" using everything except substituting the bread with a big lettuce leaf.

Eating out was easy too because you didn't have to worry if they cooked the steak in butter, etc. Plus every restaurant around here has an Atkins section and they'll make things to suit you if you don't see it. Try getting a WW version of things and they look at you like you're trying to rob the place!

Atkins always says you can't do a lowfat version of their plan, but I'm here to say that you CAN. I had to do lowfat in order to be able to "afford" the points. For instance, when I made tuna salad, I still used FF Miracle Whip because if I used real mayo like I should have on "real Atkins", that would have been an extra 4 points and I just didn't have the room in my points range. I also watched the amount of cheese I had in a day (usually just one string cheese and 1 oz. of any other kind of cheese) because cheese will sure enough add up! The light string cheese is 1 point and I can't tell any difference between that and the regular, which is only 2 points anyway. My desserts were always SF jello with FF cool whip, or SF jello powder mixed with some cream cheese and then topped with FF cool whip.

And of course I drank the **** out of the water -- probably about 6 bottles (16.9 oz.) per day. Whatever I did, it worked because before you knew it, I was down a noticeable 25 pounds. When I first got to 150, I was still wearing a tight 10 but now that I've been here for a while (although I moved up and down between 150 and 160 for a year or so), and have done some exercise (added muscle but lost inches) I'm a very comfy 8 and medium top.

Good luck and please, I know what you're going thru. Let's try to help each other. Don't go away completely!!!

Good grief, I think that's the longest post I've ever made in my LIFE!

Hey Kathy - hope the "lipstick" is okay and you are done with work - do you get extra time off if you work on the weekend?

Linda - I did Atkins a while ago and lost 40 lbs..it's a good plan if you don't mind giving up breads/pasta/rice/potatoes and sugar/white flour stuff. I lost 40 lbs but also got bored...and well the rest is history. While eating out was a breeze (and one of the reasons I chose that plan), I was starting to get a bit grossed out by all the fat!! (65%)....so I can understand Kathy when you say you did a low fat version. I just could not see all that fat being healthy! You might try what Kathy did - a points version of core/less starches a la atkins and see what happens?

I do think visiting the track on the way home is a great idea!

vickie - hope you are wrapped up in your blankie and feeling better. I took some advil and am going on with my day - no I don't sound energetic - this is a busy mom talking - no time for sickness or lying around - that's part of the problem! lol - wish I could just "opt" out for a while! Head feels better. Went to the mall with youngest - visited the pet shop, did some groceries now home COOKING UP A STORM!!! (and try to control my food intake!)

Right now there is a beef/tomato/barley/cabbage soup simmering on the stove! In the oven is an eye of round roast beef, and a turkey breast! One for dinner (and lunch leftovers?) and the other for tomorrow and tuesday night!

Now I know PMS has hit and I wish TOM would arrive cuz I am eating even tho I am FULL, FULL, FULL!...had to get out of the kitchen.

Breakfast (at 11:30) was shredded wheat, milk, sliced banana. Got home from shopping was not that hungry, but had one slice (heel) of bread w/peanut butter.....then the other heel of the bread w/roast turkey breast...and grabbed a handful of grape tomatoes to say I had eaten a veggie . Then a big slice of watermelon (on sale $2.99 for a baby one)...and some diet pepsi...now I''m full, but still looking to nibble! Just popped some lf popcorn and nibbling at the computer - still pretty full and hope this does the trick!!!

I am also tired but can't nap due to oven cooking which I must monitor and only me home w/6 yr old (who's watching a video right now)....guess I can't ask him to baste the turkey breast while I sleep? ha ha ha

Frouf

DH is back from the vet with poor Zuki and the problem was a stuck lipstick. It was stuck in the out position. Gotta be painful ... he got a shot of anti-inflammatory and some pills, and we have to do an ointment thing. Um ... yeah, just what I want to do, putting ointment on the dog's peepee. I'm just glad I don't have one of those things!!

Frouf, no I just get overtime (straight time, no time and a half but that's okay) for the extra hours. And it has to be over 8 in a week because anything less than that is considered casual overtime and a "gift" to the company. Yeah, right!!!

I'm sorry you're eating everything in sight ... and heck yeah I would go take a nap and get the 6 y/o to baste the turkey!! Start 'em out right!!

Is that like when you roll it out of the tube too much...and can't get it back in? ha ha ha ha ha ..and then it breaks off? Good luck treating the peepee...ewwwww

So can I just throw up now? Wouldn't that be the best thing for me now? Since we last "spoke" I have consumed: 1/2 slice of roast beef (had to sample it to make sure it's okay), some nibbles of turkey breast (had to sample it...yadayada), a small bowl of soup (had to sample....), 1/2 bagel w/butter - okay did NOT have to sample that but wanted it!...and about 1/2 litre of flavored sparkling water (sf)....can we say BLOATED???

Back upstairs now and hoping NOT TO EAT DINNER...as if there's room in my tummy for more food!

I think I'll go visit fitday now and plug in what I ate - maybe the shock will make me stop?

Frouf

P.S. Okay - looks like I've already consumed 1675 calories (37% fat, 43% carbs, and 20% protein)....sounds like enuf for today? (If only that were true! )

Hi girls,

I'm back and really enjoyed catching up on your news, as always. Thanks for all the kind words about my uncle. My aunt is doing as well as can be expected but the services were very beautiful and the military cemetery where he was buried is very picturesque and peaceful. I think that was some comfort to her.

Froufy and Vickie, I hope you both are feeling better. You should rest and take it easy ... Froufie, clearly that is not something you do well! Kathy, I'm sorry they are working you to a frazzle but hopefully, you had a lighter day today. And after the description of your dog's ailment, I now know why I only have cats ... and girl cats, at that! Poor puppy though! It sounds like an unpleasant ailment.

Angela, I'm so glad you enjoyed your getaway with DH. It sounds like you had a wonderful time and your choices were great. You really have made Core a part of your lifestyle. I need to borrow some of your resolution.

Froufie, Vermont Kathy, Jeannette, and Frannie, congrats on your respective WI's! Vickie, I'm sorry you had a stay the same but as you mentioned, your long overdue TOM probably was a major contributor to that. Frannie, I feel very sure you'll have an extra snowman in your signature line by next WI. And Froufie, you'll be over 15 pounds your next WI! Y'all are all doing great!

Lisa, I'm sorry you're struggling with your eating. I'm right there with you and Kathy except I've got so much weight to lose that I can't afford to not get serious. You'll find a happy medium that works for you.

Linda, I'm sorry you're struggling. I tried a few variations of South Beach and dabbled with Lean for Life (a gentler version of Atkins) between doing Flex a couple of years ago and signing up for Core now. I wasn't successful even a little bit on either of them because I would always feel as though I "cheated" if I ate something I wasn't supposed to so I would throw everything out the window and eat like a maniac. Of course, I'm still cheating now too so I've really got to make up my mind to do this.

I am all grumpy and out of sorts. I've had our icemaker repaired about 5 times in three years and the part that was completely replaced just a few short months ago is on the fritz AGAIN. When I was doing laundry last night and drying a nice heavy cotton bedspread, the dryer (which is also only 3 years old) also decided to quit working. When I did my daily WI this morning, I have gained 12 .... yes, TWELVE ... pounds since my last WI bringing me right back to where I was when I started Core ... only 2 pounds less than my heaviest weight ever. And then as much as I want to be menopausal, I got my TOM last week ... only 2 weeks after my last TOM! What else can go wrong? I'm going to bury my head in the sand for a while and hope that I wake up tomorrow with everything magically better!

Thanks for letting me vent. Somehow DH is very aggravating during these times of domestic crisis. Example, when I tell him about the dryer, this is his response, "Why did you put such a heavy thing in the dryer?" How does he think the bedspread gets dried every week? I just wanted to swat him up side the head!

Hi Deborah - welcome back! sorry to hear about your struggles, but hang in there and look at it one day at a time - or even one meal at a time if that helps!...as for dh and his dryer comment - I would personally use the wet bedspread as a swatter - that'll teach him!

So for those who want to know - I am back upstairs again - but yes I was in the KITCHEN!!!...and more food just flew into my mouth - I swear I don't know how it got there! There was about 2 strawberries, a handful of green grapes (I was making a fruit salad for work tomorrow), about 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes (left on ds's plate!), some rice chips (maybe 12?) dipped in fresh salsa...and now a diet pepsi to bloat me even more! So that was my dinner I guess?

I am contemplating getting on the treadmill, but head still a bit achey? Will see if there is anything good on tv to motivate me! Dh gone to his sister's with ds (who was begging all day to go visit) - they live about 1/2 hr away. I have opted out - due to laundry issues, and still not feeling well and don't want to feel pressured to socialize and chat when I'm feeling crummy.

I can't believe it's Monday tomorrow - how icky is that?

Frouf

Um .. hello??? You're wondering what's on TV on Sunday night? Do you NOT get ABC???

Sunday nights are my favorite with Extreme Makeover Home Edition (I cry every time), then Desperate Housewives, then Boston Legal. I am in HEAVEN on Sunday nights!!!

Can you tell I don't watch much tv??? lol I love that home makeover show - and yes I always end up bawling my eyes out too - will have to go see if it's on? or did I miss it?

Frouf

On NOW! You MUST watch on March ... um, either 13th or 14th, I can't remember. You will just lay down in the floor and bawl. And that's all I'm saying about it, except that one of my good friends on my shopping board was there and got to see the family come home, got to say "Bus driver, MOVE THAT BUS!" and got lots of pictures of the designers. It is my favorite show and I am so impressed with ABC and Sears for their support of such projects.

Well Kathy I hope you know you are wholly responsible for me walking on the treadmill this evening! (30 mins, 3.2 mph, 2% elevation). When I got off the net I checked and it had just started so I threw on my gym clothes, shoes and off I went. ....hard to walk and cry at the same time...ha ha ha

As for March 13th show - I hope to be on a plane heading somewhere away from the cold - so I'm sorry I will miss it! Please cry enuf for the 2 of us!

Wish TOM would show up - altho the feeding frenzy seems to be over - I hope that I'm okay at work tomorrow - have prepared all my core friendly food and snacks so should be okay!

Must get to bed early tonight!

Frouf

Off to bed with you -- shoooo! No more food!

The show was great, and so was Desperate Housewives. I am such a junkie when it comes to things like this!

Going to be now myself, because that's the only way I can get away from the kitchen and all the brand new groceries I just bought this afternoon.

Well here it is Monday morning bright and early, well not so bright still dark out.
I am 'ready' for my day! hhmmmmm. Got the sneakers packed, the walkman, breakfast and lunch are accounted for and GOD I hope I get through this day successful. I have to believe it was those of you who reached out to me in my hour of desparation that renewed me, well at least for today

Frofie the day you had yesterday sounds like many of mine....don't ya just hate that!! Why do we do it, why??? But glad to have read Kathy sent you off to bed I sure could have used her a few times myself this week. But I am a bit more focused today then I have been in a long while. I went out and actually bought South Beach, Atkins, Sugar Busters and read all day yesterday and came away with alot less $$ in my pocket, but that WW is the way to go.....Go figure....after spending all that $$$ Oh well. They all made for good reading though and really pretty informative but too much of don't have this and don't have that for the first two weeks etc etc. I'll consider them an investment!!
I need to check back here more often but unfortunately it is difficult from work because I am NEVER out of my accounting program...ughhhhh. My job is the neverending ongoing stress mobile. I am ready for it today food wise though, even have my three servings of fruit ready. So wish me luck and I will let you know how my walk went......I think I can, I think I can
Talk with you later....and have a great day out there.......and THANK you for being there............Linda