Penpal match? Just turned 50, want to lose 75!

[Suji]

Awww, It's OK, Pam. Tomorrow is another day to do it right. Hey, I'm not losing according to the scale, but I'm experimenting to find out why. I'm not going to let it go until I find the answer and fix it. So, chin up kiddo. Tell you what was hard for me today--making oatmeal cookies and I COULDN'T EVEN TASTE THE DOUGH! Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh! (wink and a sigh)

Sue

[PsychoLoser]

Pam-- I understand how hard it gets sometimes. I have eaten cake before then hated that I did that. It does no good to give up. Whenever any of us slip, we have a decision to either make it a minor one or a major one. You can make this a minor slip. Start again. Don't ever quit. This is a way of life. No single event or meal will determine your overall success. Stay in it with us Pam. Start over with the next food choice.

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

Well, yesterday wasn't a good day.... Struggled with eating all day long and didn't do very well....

I think alot of it is that I am tired of staying on plan and not seeing any loss and then start to feel sorry for myself and figure why not.... I can't seem to get that same mind set I had in the beginning.... Last night I had a small pity party for myself.... Just really down....

Anyway, today is a new day and I am going to do this again and get it together....

Will check back later......

[Suji]

Good morning! Looks like a faint pink sheen to the sky, so sunrise is trying to overcome an otherwise gray day...

Had an interesting evening. I mentioned that Sis and I were going to meet for the first time with the Carroll County Fiber Guild. It's only about a year old, so is still in formative stages and at the moment provides more of a venue for people to get together, show what they are working on and chat. There are some workshops on different subjects.

WE met in the regular spot which an an old summer kitchen associated with the 1850 farm house. It has no heat other than a huge fireplace. Imagine if you will, exposed beams, whitewashed plank floors, rustic plaster walls, a cast iron cook stove, candles hanging to dry and strung string beans, crockery and a farm table, about 5 spinning wheels and loads of women on wooden chairs doing whatever they brought with them. Luckily, there was electricity or we'd have all been working by firelight.

Many of the ladies had sheep, goats or angora rabbits. One lady had brought in virgin wool from her FInn sheep which we were carding. Several ladies were spinning with different types of foot powered wheels. I tried my hand at hand spinning with the little top thingy (it takes practice-that's for sure). Other women were worked on hardanger or knitting (socks, shawls, hats, etc.), some young girls (maybe 11) were working on crochet and helping their Mom with carding and making roving to spin. Apparently the goal is to prepare for an event during "Blacksmithing Days" held at the museum, when the group will bring in a sheep, shear it, card, spin and weave a shawl all in the same day. Shawl will be auctioned off. One of the goals of this group is to train participants in these old ways of doing things so that they can become docents at the museum--to talk to tour groups and demonstrate a skill.

Well, looks like DH is about to leave, so I'll sign off. Talk to you later!

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Boy, I'm a late riser. No, it's that west coast time difference i think.

Pam, please hang in there. We are here for you. Dump on us all you want. Today is a new day! I was so discouraged after going two weeks without losing anything. It's like why am I doing this? My DD1 and DH's birthdays are coming up next week. They share the same birthday and I'm going to have cake. I already know I'm going to and gosh darn, I'm not going to feel bad about it.

Sherry, I don't really drink diet pop anymore except once in a great while I drink Diet Rite Cola because it's made with splenda. Even splenda use is restricted. We are allowed it "in moderation." We were told to avoid asparatame, sorbitol and pretty much all other artificial sweetners. They used to sell splenda diet coke out here, but lately it has disappeared from the shelves and no one has restocked it. What's up with that? I don't know if it slows weight loss, but I've heard it has. Based on rumors I drink green tea and eat daikon radish. Don't know if it works either, but I'll try anything. I almost made it through American Idol without falling asleep. I wish I had a higher speed connection at home so I could watch other shows I miss on line. Oh well, who has the time anyway.

Sue: sounds like you and your sis had fun. The accomodations sound wonderful. It kind of takes you back in time. I envy you guys on the farm. I've always been a big city girl (ha ha , that could mean both, I'm big and live in a city or I live in a big city). Good job on the oatmeal cookies. I don't think I could have made it without eating some dough.

I need to get to work now. Have a great day ladies.

[Pam in TX]

Hey,

Today was a better day.... Eating has been good today and so far have drank 3 liters of water.... And made it to CURVES (which makes 3 times this week)

I really have a feeling it, at least partly, has to do with my hyst last year.... I know this WOE works, I have lost alot of weight doing it already.... Right now it is a matter of getting back into that mind set that I had.... It will happen....

DH just walked in..... need to go...

Will be back later.....

[Dreamcometru]

Not much new to report.

Pam, good for you. Just jump back in and give it another try. Way to go on making it to Curves.

I walked 45 min. yesterday at lunch. I'm walking again today. I guess I need to go to the gym and just work on toning rather than trying to cram in 45 on the elliptical if I'm walking at least 45 per day. I'm meeting my walking partner at the golf course tomorrow. We will do another 70 minute walk. Good thing it's sunny and beautiful here.

Sue, has the cold weather hit you on the east coast yet?

Last night my son had a jazz concert. I'm so proud because he's only a freshman in the top group. They sounded awesome. They lose a lot of seniors to graduation this spring. His teacher already told him to get ready, she had a ballad picked out that will suit him and he's going to be the lead trombone soloist next year. He was psyched.

I updated my virus software last night on my home desktop so I missed Greys Anatomy. I need to tackle the laptop. Just haven't wanted to spend the money to do it. I have so many blockers on the laptop right now, I try to go to certain websites and it won't let me. I have to figure out how to unblock those. I even tried to go to the site that is set up for my service policy and remote access by the service techs and it wouldn't let me. Ugh. I'm not a computer guru.

I made crustless quiche this morning to take in my lunch. Yes, it went in the oven at 6:00 a.m. It's so good with spinich, fresh mushrooms and onions. MMM. I'm so tired of bringing salad every day.

Got to get to work. Have a great day everyone. The weekend is almost here. Yay!

[Pam in TX]

Good Morning,

First let me apologize for the funky mood I was in for a couple of days this week... Not really sure what was going on... just seemed to be really down for a couple of days....

Second, thanks for the kind words and support offered by you during that time... It really is appreciated...

I have done much better with the eating these past couple of days... Last night we went to the Cheesecake Factory for my SIL's bday dinner.... I had a bunless burger and then tried their LC cheesecake... The cheesecake was pretty good... Drank about 3 liters of water also...

Today is supposed to be a fairly nice day before turning bad again later this week.... So I am going to try and do some errands and then some laundry... Will also be making a run to goodwill to drop off stuff..... Have been clearing out some closets...

Sure was quiet around here yesterday... Will come back later......... Hope everyone has a good Saturday....

[Suji]

Hi All,

I read the posts yesterday but was waiting for more of us to write in first. SHerry and Carolyn missing in action, still. Hi Pam! Hi Leslie!

I have my Red Hat tea today. SUre hope I have a pair of stockings that fit and have no runs in them. I hardly ever wear anything requiring stockings anymore.

I haven't been sleeping through the night the last few nights--tossing and turning after 2 am to return to sleep until 6 hits and I'm up. I can never sleep in weekends since I have animals reminding me *loudly* that I still have responsibilities even though I'm tired!

It was 9 degrees when I awakened yesterday and 23 at 7 this morning. I've been putting hot water in the bird bath and hung some suet out which I don't think they've figured out yet. I miss the bird feeding set up at the old house. WE had a huge white pine in our front yard and I hung the feeders from the lower branches. We'd sit and watch out the picture window from the comfort of the couch all types of birds tiered in the branches above or swooping back and forth Here, being inserted into a hill, the main floor is up a story and there's no easy way to access feeders closer to the house so I use binoculars to look to my feeding station on the side yard.

I am going to do the Fat Fast on Monday. Husband doesn't think he has lost any weight in the 3 weeks he's been on Atkins. I'm going to have to look for hidden carbs (bet he's drowning his salad in dressing at work) since I know what I'm feeding him at all meals. Wouldn't it be sad if the only veg carb eaten is bagged salad and a measly extra cup or so of lettuce is keeping us from losing? Somehow that doesn't make sense if your entire diet is so restricted from what you ate before. If you just ate salad with some lean meat or eggs on it you'd expect to lose on about any other diet...

Well, I'll try to take some pics. It's time to update the avatar anyway. Any of you drawn avatars planning to gift us with a pic of the real you anytime soon??? :-)

Hugs to all,
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Sue: I've heard the fat fast will do it. Although it sounds so ugly. Also I've heard if you've done LC before, LC'ing it the second time is harder the second time around.

Brr: Sue it's so cold where you are. I'm so glad we are out of the cold snap. Happy Red Hat day. I hope you have fun with the ladies. I can relate to the sleepless nights. I went throught that when I first started LC'ing it. Dr. changed my thyroid meds and it did the trick.

Oh, I do have a picture up. Check my prophile. It's me (in the Oregon hoodie) and DD2 at the beach. A little glimps at my fat face anyway.

We are supposed to be upping my carbs, but haven't been. I will be scolded at group. I'm afraid, because I don't want give up the weight loss. And I even tried to up them but the last couple of days they have been really low. So, do I switch veggies for protein? Who knows.

Pam: I'm glad you feel better. I love LC cheesecake. I made some over Christmas, but I think it did me in. I couldn't resist. at 5 carbs per serving, I had two, sometimes three.

It's beautiful here. I walked the 4.5+ miles this am at the golf course. It was chilly, but really sunny. I even got out the sun glasses.

Take care you guys.

Carolyn and Sherri: Hi. Hows it going. Hope to hear from you soon.

Leslie

[PsychoLoser]

Hello to everyone,

Sue, I am as frustrated as you are. I have been in ketosis everyday for almost 3 weeks and no weight loss. I went to fitday and started keeping my daily food intake there-- it shows that I am eating about 1800-2000 calories each day and am keeping my carbs below 20. What the crapola is going on here?? Do you think I need to get the total calorie count lower??? Have you used fitday before??

Leslie, Great that you are exercising so consistently. I wish I had your motivation to exercise like that. I hear you about the cheescake-- It is a weakness for me. I do much better when I stay away from it- because it triggers craving for me and I can overeat. By the way I had one Diet Coke all this week- whew! Did you indicate that you have Thyroid problems?? How did you discover this?? I'm beginning to wonder if I have them too.

Pam, It sounds like you are overcoming your slip. Good for you. Its so hard to have a setback and feel like you are starting over again. But, really everyday is a new day. Like we all say, its a way of life. I wonder if the low carb cheescake at Cheescake Factory has sugar alcohols in it??? It tends to throw me out of ketosis when I eat it.

Have a good weekend-- will check in later, Sher

[PsychoLoser]

Sue, Check this webpage out-- it has info about getting past a stall...
http://www.holdthetoast.com/archive/010509.html

[Suji]

Sherry! (Hugs)

I think we need to keep our carbs below 20, is what! That stinks, but what can we do? On the FF, it's basically 0 carbs. Guess I'll find out after three days and adding something back in just how low I need to keep it. Frankly, I was hoping I could add more veggies, but it isn't looking that way...

Keep tuned cuz I'll discuss what happens from the fat fast, so ya know. :-)

Guys--I went off the diet today. I felt it was the better part of valor to do so since this was my first time at this Red Hat Tea and the Queen Mum had made everything from scratch and gone to some trouble to do so. I thought about staying strictly on LC versus showing I was part of the little group of ladies and showing appreciation for the effort and well--the latter won out. So they were micro foods(appetizer size), but I had some. It was weird--my heart started to race and I felt like I was super caffeinated after having these little carby hors-d'oevres. Definitely noticeable. So, I'm gonna lose some time getting those out of my system, but I feel like I did the right thing...First "cheat" in 2 months.
Yes, I've used Fitday before-though I am inconsistent.

There were 12/20 at the tea and I am definitely among the younger ones. Several were in their 60's, but that is to be expected. THey were all so friendly and nice. I think it's good to mix up age groups, don't you?

I took some pics and will have DH help upload one for a new avatar if it's a decent pic!

TTFN!
Sue

PS Hey! You're cute! Quit hiding, silly! Is that a family member with you as I see some resemblance.

[PsychoLoser]

Sue, I completely understand going off the LC eating when at a function like that. I've done the same thing in similar circumstances. So, does this make you an official Red Hat lady?? What fun! (You should put a pic of you dressed in purple with your red hat on doe youe new avatar!!) I think you must have seen Leslie's picture (with the hood on). I have a pic too, under my profile. Its of me and my husband (I don't think I have any pics of just me where I can download onto this site). Good luck on Monday's fat fast. Hopefully you'll see the numbers on the scale change.
Sherry

[Suji]

Oops, sorry. I was actually addressing Leslie after my aside to everybody. But, hey! You're a really great looking lady too! Your' DH looks smitten with you in the pic (heart heart!)

Sue

[sleepysue07]

Hi everybody, you haven't heard from me because I have been eating every forbidden food in sight since the middle of last week! I had just about decided to give it up, and then today I was attending a book sale at the library and I found a copy of "Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution" on a table for a quarter. I mentioned awhile back that I had lost my copy a couple of years ago, and I couldn't remember the rules anyway. I guess I was meant to find that book today, because I have decided not to give up after all.

Okay, so here's what happened: I was so busy and unorganized last week that I failed to plan my meals. Every day since Thursday I have either eaten out,or brought home take-out and devoured it late in the evening. I have had pizza, fried chicken, potatoes, mexican food, a steak dinner with baked potato, two Margaritas, and birthday cake (we were celebrating my best friends 50th birthday...and it seemed like a good idea after the first Margarita ) I literally went hog wild. I am so disgusted because I have actually gained 12lbs. in 4 days! I didn't even know that was humanly possible! 12 pounds heavier on my scale at home, at the gym, and at my sister-in-law's. I didn't believe it, so I kept checking. I am almost right back to where I started! My husband is saying that we should try weightwatchers instead, but I'm not ready to give up on this yet. I don't want to quit! I just want to get up and start over.

There has been a lot going on around here this past week and and I would have to write a book to explain it so I'll sum it up: took sick kids to doctor, sick dog to vet, kitty with hurt leg to vet, hosted best friends surprise party, took in another teenager for awhile, re-negotiated contract on property sale,(so, stressful!)had a mammogram scare that turned out alright, ordered flowers for someone in the hospital in Dallas and they delivered them to a hospital with a similar name,in the same room number,IN MEMPHIS! I know, these are not good excuses and we all have crazy lives. I just allowed myself to become really distracted, and I'll try so much harder this week I promise.

Sue, I will post a new photo soon, but probably not this week. I am definately feeling like a pig now.

Even though I have royally screwed up I hope that you all will still allow me to hang around.

Carolyn

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

Did fairly well on the eating yesterday.... Wasn't really hungry and stayed pretty busy, so didn't eat much.... Had a couple cups of coffee, with tbsp cream and tsp of DaVinici's in each, an apple, and over the course of the day nibbled on half a chicken....only drank a little over a liter of water though....

Woke up with a horrible headache this morning...... I think the cold front brought something in with it...... Not sure if I am going to make it to church or not yet.... Will know better after I have some coffee, am working on the first cup right now....

Went to Sam's yesterday and they had some rib eye steaks marked down for quick sale.... 2.93/lb.... they are huge and beautiful..... each steak is about 2inches thick and probably weighs close to a pound..... and there are 5 in the package.... Picked up 2 packages.... One went in the freezer and we are going to grill the others today....

Carolyn: sounds like your week was a stressful one.... Good to see you back... had a margarita calling my name last week also.... Our office goes out to happy hour periodically and I sometimes feel like I "need" to go....

Sue: sounds like you had fun at the red hat meeting...... Can't wait to see a pic.....

Sherry: I did send an email to the Cheesecake Factory asking for a nutritional breakdown of the LC cheesecake... will let you know what I find out...

Leslie: Which sheesecake recipe did you make? I have made a couple of things.... I do like the cream cheese muffin recipe that is around the boards... It is pretty good since it is individual size, it works a little better for portion control....

I have been downloading recipes like crazy lately.... Am trying to use my Mastercook more and try different recipes... My goal is to try 2 new recipes a week...

I don't like having my picture taken.... but I did post one on the "faces" after I had lost 75 lbs.... Not a great picture.... Will try to find a better one.... http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/photop...0/ppuser/93674

Need to go refill the coffee cup....... Have a great day ladies.... catch you later....

[Suji]

Morning Ladies!

Pam, I awakened with a headache this morning. It could either be from my indulgences yesterday or not enough water. Who knows? Either way, I hope I snap out of it cause this is Meadowbrook work day. (I can hear my husband groaning in his sleep knowing this...) Pam thanks for directing me to your pic. I hate having my picture taken most of the time. I have a green-gray eyes which have always been light sensitive. Most of the pics my family ever took were outside, with us lined up and facing the sun making my eyes hurt. So, I'm always the "MEAN" looking one in the pictures with a frown (screwing my cheeks up around my eyes to protect them!) I think you are a pretty blondie!

Carolyn--oh hug! That sounds like a crappy week for sure. I think this diet reacts by making you hold pounds of water after carby indulgence. The deflated fat cells drink like camels. Just start over with a reasonably strict plan this week and squeeze them dry! And why would *anyone* kick you out? We're all paying the price for our American ready food lifestyle plus individual stress. If we could have looked ahead and seen how hard it was gonna be to lose this, would we have watched every forkful and learned to be more active from the get go? You betcha. Plus, if for reasons of DH sanity you do go weightwatchers--so what? People on this website are all over the map. If I can't get Atkins to work for me a second time, I'm gonna try something different until I get a thing that works *for me*. But I haven't touched all the permutations of Atkins yet--believe me! I'm pretty stubborn...

Hi Sherry! Hi Leslie! Hope you all have an interesting (in a good way) Sunday!

Sue in 35 degree (warmer!) Westminster MD

[dfc123]

Hi. I just discovered this group. Do you have room for one more? I'm 47 and have been dealing with carbohydrate addiction for over 30 years. I'm finally accepting that it isn't all about the food. I need to be connected to people. I am an isolator. I would love to be a part of the group and have some place to check in daily.

Fern

P.S. My main focus right now is lower carb and portion control. I can overeat anything! Low-carb, high-carb, middle-carb, no-carb it doesn't matter. Also, anything that comes in a plastic bag -other than lettuce and celery- is probably not a great choice for me.

[PsychoLoser]

Welcome Fern-- It sounds like a struggle to manage food! But you seem to have made a breakthrough by surrendering to the idea that you are addicted to food. Portion control is a problem for me too. I have been in ketosis for a while now without losing weight. My clothes are looser, but I want to see the numbers change. After eliminating "other sugars" and diet coke, I think I am eating too many calories each day even though I am staying under 20 carbs. So-- smaller portions for me and less fat!

Feel free to join us and check in. You can't get too much support in this endeavor.... We're all about changing our lives through improving our bodies and relationship with food.

Talk to you again soon,
Sherry

[PsychoLoser]

Opps! Missed the posts by Sue, Pam, & Caroly. Good to hear from you all.

Carolyn-- what a plunge. It's so shocking to see that scale move up 12 pounds, huh?? Well, don't dwell on it. It is so hard to overcome a set back like this, but we all have it in us to do so. This could happen to anyone-- and does at some point. I agree with Sue about WW-- its less important what type of plan you follow, and more important that you don't give up. I have had a lot of success with LC but am not beyond trying something else if it doesn't work best for me in the long run. Stress is a culprit for all of us to watch for-- it can sabotage any of us. Sometimes it feels like we give so much to others, that it becomes unbearable to deprive ourselves further with food. So we react by indulging.... I am working to change my whole frame of mind about this. I do not want to see food as an indulgence or a reward, then I will be less likely to view eating less food as a deprivation. I want to see a food plan as my gift to myself-- the highest form of caring for me. I believe this change in mindset is imperative because this is a way of life. It has to become something we can live with.

Sue, I have had the carb overload headache and bloating -- its like a hangover, huh?? Its in that state that I think-- the carbs were not worth it! But I truly understand too how it is sometimes necessary to eat in social circumstances-- probably a controlled cheat is best (if we can plan for it). Are you gearing up for the FF?? I relate to the idea that our body may have a setpoint. I think I am at mine. I need to find a way to push past it. I am going to lower total calorie and fat intake. This is a bit confusing to me though because Atkins says fat intake is necessary for weight loss. I too want to explore all avenues with the LCWOL before I change to something else.

Pam, It seems that you are getting back on track. Its good that you are so motivated to make tasty dishes and you probably enjoy cooking. (I do sometimes, but often don't have the time). I'm on my way to Sams Club myself. They have the best selection of meats and block cheeses. I often buy the filet minon wrapped in bacon or'derves(sp??) and cook them up for fast dinners with a green veggie. One box can give me about 5-6 meals. Yum-O.

Leslie, Hope you are well today too and are having a clean weekend. It's going to be about 60 degrees here today and I am going to spend some time outside. Any info about how your thyroid problem was dx?? Curious about mine.

On the way to get my moring cup of coffee......

[sleepysue07]

Welcome to the group Fern! Most of us here are, or have been isolaters at one time or another, so we can certainly empathize with you there. Like you, I feel that I need the support of others in this battle because food was pretty much what I turned to for comfort, celebration, sedation....for years. I am having to remind myself daily that it isn't all about food too. Anyway, we are so glad that you have found our group and look forward to getting to know you better.

Sherry, sincere thanks for your post-I appreciate your sharing that you feel your food plan "is a gift to yourself-the highest form of caring." I think I will try to adopt this philosophy for myself.

Sue thanks for the hug. You are just the sweetest girl!

Pam and Sherry, so glad that you mentioned the Rib Eyes from Sam's Club. I regularly shop at Sam's, but never venture toward the market area. I will definately check it out now.

Sherry, I saw your pic and I can't believe how much you look like my friend Patsy! The resemblence is amazing, you could easily pass for twins. (except she is a bit larger than you are I think.)

Leslie, You go girl! You are becoming a mean, lean excercising machine! I'm impressed with all your walking and weight lifting, and the eliptical machine. I've been afraid to try the eliptical machine for fear I'll fall off and make a fool of myself because I'm a little clumsy. I keep looking at it though thinking "one of these days..." I think you are doing such an awsome job! You must feel great about yourself these days.

Well, I have to run. Enjoy the remainder of the weekend girls!

Love ya,

Carolyn

[dfc123]

Thanks everone for the welcome. I am so excited to be a part of something. I had a better day with food today than I have had in the past few days - better portion control. I need to go shopping to make sure I have appropriate food in the house. Not keeping a sufficient supply of food that is healthful for me and that I enjoy is another way I repeatedly sabotage myself. I'm off to make a list! I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Fern