August Challenge - 72 Atkins

[verbqueen]

I think it's time for a new thread! (Hope you don't mind if I went ahead and started it, Divine.)

My personal goals for August are as follows:

~Lose 8 pounds (I think this is realistic, as I seem to have slowed to 2 pounds a week. It will still be a challenge, though, because I have an 8 day vacation coming up at a Mexican resort with great food!)
~Hit the gym 4 times a week (except the week in Mexico)
~Do my at-home weight routine 3 times a week (except for the vacation week)
~Brainstorm, and then follow through, about what kinds of foods I can take with me to Mexico and/or buy at the supermarket once we get there to help me stay on plan.

OK, what do the rest of you plan to challenge yourself to?


Man, I can't believe it's already August!

[verbqueen]

Bumping to the top of the folder!

[Erica L. Butler]

Morning, Verbqueen, et all.

I'm raring to go this month. I've got a gig coming up this month, and others in September and a tour in October. So--this next couple of months, I'm being pretty hardcore.

I know I haven't gained any weight-- but I don't feel like I'm losing anything, either. In short-- I think I've stalled. I feel all bloaty.

So-- I'm looking at what I was doing when I lost the most weight and making sure I stick to that format. I may also add Green Tea as drink of choice-- and limit my coffee-- limit cheese again (not sure about that one). Also, I'm going to make an effort not to eat after 8PM.

This is an example of what I was eating when I was losing pretty quickly:

Breakfast: Roobios Tea, small piece of ham, water
Snack: 2 turkey roll-ups with cream cheese and celery, crystal light (orange)
Lunch: 1/2 skillet personal pizza with sausage, ham and mushrooms
Snack: pork rinds (salt and vinegar flavor) Crystal Light (orange)
Snack: 1/2 skillet personal pizza with sausage, ham and mushrooms
Snack: Diet Hansen's Root beer with heavy whipping cream, 1 small orange Jello, water


And here's what I had the last two days:

Yesterday:
Breakfast: Coffee, H & H , 4 Splenda
Snack: Americano with HWC, 4 Splenda
Snack #2 Iced Americano with HWC, 4 Splenda & SF Caramel Syrup
Lunch: 3 baked chicken thighs from QFC Deli, Pork Rinds
Dinner: Asian Turkey Burger with Swiss Cheese, Pork Rinds with Cheese, 1/2 can Hansen's Diet GingerAle

Day Before Yesterday:
Breakfast: Coffee, H & H , 4 Splenda
Snack: Coffee, H & H , 4 Splenda
Lunch: Shrimp (plain) on salad, Mediterranean Vinaigrette (1 tablespoon) Pork rinds
Snack: Pork Rinds
Dinner: Leftover Pork Roast with Sour Cream, Salsa & Mexi-Cheese
Snack: Hot dog (TJ's) with Swiss Cheese, Easy Strawberry Pie

I think I'm having way too much of the artificial sweeteners, I may not be able to tolerate as much as I've been having. I may also need to control my salt intake. I know I need to drink more water. The other thing is-- I really need to debauch! I haven't been cooking and experimenting as much-- and I think it's causing me to just grab crappy foods. So, I'll be doing a lot of cooking and experimenting this month with legal, Induction friendly recipes.

I'm also going to finally bite the bullet and buy a real, decent scale-- and some more ketostix. I'm planning on religiously posting my menus--and actually counting the carbs-- and possibly calories, because I seem to do better when I'm conscious of what I'm putting into my mouth.

As for exercise-- I will begin taking Belly dancing lessons this month-- and walking back and forth to work every day. (That's two miles a day.) I'm going to make myself do sit ups or crunches twice a week, as well. (I really, really hate those--but will give them a shot.)

If anyone has any suggestions-- please feel free !

Catch y'all later!

[dbglasgow]

Thanks Jessica for answering my CO question in the July thread. I googled CO and found that the benefits of it is endless so I will start including it in my plan as of today. We have coconut oil here in abundance because coconut palms are everywhere.

During this month,I hope to lose 10 lbs. I am losing slowly now after the first 8 lbs came off quickly. I will be in the States (lots of eating out and lots of college football gatherings) from Aug. 19th until Sept. 23rd... so my goal is to just stay on plan during that 5 weeks. The good thing is that when we eat out.. we usually go out for steak and when we eat with family it's usually grilled steak or ribs (I don't care for the barbque sauce anyway)... so I think I can stick to the plan. Even if I don't lose 10 lbs over the next 30 days.. I will be happy to just continue to lose at any rate.

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful advice and helpful support on this thread.. I look forward to checking in with you all everyday.

[dbglasgow]

I did a lot of research on the benefits of coconut oil today.. and I'm sold on it. I had noticed that so many people include it in their diet and I thought it was only to add the needed fat. I was aware that Olive oil was healthier than vegetable oils and I use that but I will now make coconut oil my main choice. I included 3T of CO in my plan today but I may have to get the refined oil for cooking because I don't like the coconut taste. I have also started using it topically on a rash on my hand. I've had this breaking out on and off for 5 years and can't get rid of it.. it goes away for awhile and then later returns.. it itches a lot at night. Coconut oil is supposed to help such skin problems so I'm going to try it. One person said they use it instead of moisture creams on their face and now people are telling them that they look much younger.

Well, it's 5:00pm here... just finished our dinner so now it's time to relax and spend some time with the hubby.

[verbqueen]

Originally Posted by Erica L. Butler

Morning, Verbqueen, et all.

I'm raring to go this month. I've got a gig coming up this month, and others in September and a tour in October. So--this next couple of months, I'm being pretty hardcore.

I know I haven't gained any weight-- but I don't feel like I'm losing anything, either. In short-- I think I've stalled. I feel all bloaty.

So-- I'm looking at what I was doing when I lost the most weight and making sure I stick to that format. I may also add Green Tea as drink of choice-- and limit my coffee-- limit cheese again (not sure about that one). Also, I'm going to make an effort not to eat after 8PM.

This is an example of what I was eating when I was losing pretty quickly:

Breakfast: Roobios Tea, small piece of ham, water
Snack: 2 turkey roll-ups with cream cheese and celery, crystal light (orange)
Lunch: 1/2 skillet personal pizza with sausage, ham and mushrooms
Snack: pork rinds (salt and vinegar flavor) Crystal Light (orange)
Snack: 1/2 skillet personal pizza with sausage, ham and mushrooms
Snack: Diet Hansen's Root beer with heavy whipping cream, 1 small orange Jello, water


And here's what I had the last two days:

Yesterday:
Breakfast: Coffee, H & H , 4 Splenda
Snack: Americano with HWC, 4 Splenda
Snack #2 Iced Americano with HWC, 4 Splenda & SF Caramel Syrup
Lunch: 3 baked chicken thighs from QFC Deli, Pork Rinds
Dinner: Asian Turkey Burger with Swiss Cheese, Pork Rinds with Cheese, 1/2 can Hansen's Diet GingerAle

Day Before Yesterday:
Breakfast: Coffee, H & H , 4 Splenda
Snack: Coffee, H & H , 4 Splenda
Lunch: Shrimp (plain) on salad, Mediterranean Vinaigrette (1 tablespoon) Pork rinds
Snack: Pork Rinds
Dinner: Leftover Pork Roast with Sour Cream, Salsa & Mexi-Cheese
Snack: Hot dog (TJ's) with Swiss Cheese, Easy Strawberry Pie

I think I'm having way too much of the artificial sweeteners, I may not be able to tolerate as much as I've been having. I may also need to control my salt intake. I know I need to drink more water. The other thing is-- I really need to debauch! I haven't been cooking and experimenting as much-- and I think it's causing me to just grab crappy foods. So, I'll be doing a lot of cooking and experimenting this month with legal, Induction friendly recipes.

I'm also going to finally bite the bullet and buy a real, decent scale-- and some more ketostix. I'm planning on religiously posting my menus--and actually counting the carbs-- and possibly calories, because I seem to do better when I'm conscious of what I'm putting into my mouth.

As for exercise-- I will begin taking Belly dancing lessons this month-- and walking back and forth to work every day. (That's two miles a day.) I'm going to make myself do sit ups or crunches twice a week, as well. (I really, really hate those--but will give them a shot.)

If anyone has any suggestions-- please feel free !

Catch y'all later!

I think your plans sound excellent. I know this much is true for me--when I eat out a lot, I just don't lose fast. I don't know if it's hidden carbs, too-big portions, salt, or all or none of the above, but if I can make myself stay home for meals for three or four days straight, that's when I lose.

Also, it's possibly that the artificially sweet stuff is making you have an insulin response. It's not that uncommon, and that's why I'm not using them this time around. (With that said, though, most people seem to be able to use them with no problems, so that's probably not tripping you up.)

I do think the challenge of trying to figure out what's messing you up and tweak it is kind of fun--ya know, in a really sad way.

[verbqueen]

Originally Posted by dbglasgow

lots of eating out and lots of college football gatherings

Girl, you said the magic words to me! I LOVE LOVE college football, and have some pretty high hopes for my alma mater (Go Oklahoma State Cowboys!) this year. The nice thing about watching football is that the snacks are so manly (read: meaty!) --wings or meatballs or salami and cheese, or steaks on the grill. Nobody expect cupcakes or fruit salad while watching football!

I can't wait!

[dbglasgow]

Originally Posted by verbqueen

Girl, you said the magic words to me! I LOVE LOVE college football, and have some pretty high hopes for my alma mater (Go Oklahoma State Cowboys!) this year. The nice thing about watching football is that the snacks are so manly (read: meaty!) --wings or meatballs or salami and cheese, or steaks on the grill. Nobody expect cupcakes or fruit salad while watching football!

I can't wait!

We are pretty excited about the beginning of College football season... we are HUGE Alabama football fans.. Roll Tide Roll. You're right... football food works well on this plan... I just skip all the chip dips and fill up on meats.

I'm really hoping to see some change in my scales tomorrow morning. Have a nice evening Jessica, Divine, Erica...others.

[DivineHealth]

Originally Posted by Erica L. Butler

Lunch: 1/2 skillet personal pizza with sausage, ham and mushrooms

Erica

How do you make this?? Sounds good!

[DivineHealth]

Hey verbqueen -- thanks for starting this - I totally spaced... I've done the last 5 or 6 of them.

I guess I need to look into coconut oil -- personally, it sounds really gross

Darlene, my doctor told me to take folic acid for my skin and it has been great! You can get it over the counter. Your trip to the US sounds like fun!

I woke up today and told God, "Please help me stick to it better this month!"

28 days til my daughter's wedding.

I've got some ribs going in the smoker; they smell so good! Yum.

[verbqueen]

Originally Posted by DivineHealth

Hey verbqueen -- thanks for starting this - I totally spaced... I've done the last 5 or 6 of them.

I promise--I'm not trying to move in on your job! I just was posting away on the July thread when I suddenly realized, "Hey! It's August now!"

Ribs in the smoker sound great! Bon appetit.

[verbqueen]

Today's menu:

B: stewed chicken with 1 oz. of cheese, regular coffee (DH made it, what can I say) with CO
L: pork chunks fished out of green chile stew, 1/4 c. guacamole, cheese
D: leftover LC chili, a tablespoon of sour cream

Didn't get any salad in, but avocado is very high fiber, so I think it makes a decent substitute.

Tried to drink a lot of water.

[Erica L. Butler]

Originally Posted by verbqueen

I think your plans sound excellent. I know this much is true for me--when I eat out a lot, I just don't lose fast. I don't know if it's hidden carbs, too-big portions, salt, or all or none of the above, but if I can make myself stay home for meals for three or four days straight, that's when I lose.

Also, it's possibly that the artificially sweet stuff is making you have an insulin response. It's not that uncommon, and that's why I'm not using them this time around. (With that said, though, most people seem to be able to use them with no problems, so that's probably not tripping you up.)

I do think the challenge of trying to figure out what's messing you up and tweak it is kind of fun--ya know, in a really sad way.

Hmmn. When we went on tour, I did nothing but eat out. That's when I began to notice the stall. It's been hard to get back to clean eating. But I went out and got a bunch of ground beef, I'm making legal chicken salad, and prepping myself for a busy week. I think I may even make egg "biscuits", so I'll actually have breakfast for a change.

I may go get some ground sausage and make some Scotch Eggs, and maybe also some chicken drumsticks. Stop snacking on sweets, even artificial ones. See if that makes the scale budge.

[Erica L. Butler]

Originally Posted by DivineHealth

Hey verbqueen -- thanks for starting this - I totally spaced... I've done the last 5 or 6 of them.

I guess I need to look into coconut oil -- personally, it sounds really gross

Darlene, my doctor told me to take folic acid for my skin and it has been great! You can get it over the counter. Your trip to the US sounds like fun!

I woke up today and told God, "Please help me stick to it better this month!"

28 days til my daughter's wedding.

I've got some ribs going in the smoker; they smell so good! Yum.

Yegads. I REALLY need a smoker.

[DivineHealth]

My menu today was:

B - 3.5 oz leftover ribeye steak
L - insides of an Alberto's carne asada taco eaten with a fork
D - 3 ribs (made with dry rub in the smoker), salad
S - small spoon of peanut butter

Wasn't very hungry today....

I went to the commissary to do our main, big monthly grocery run. That takes about 3 1/2 hours from start to having it all unpacked at home....lots of time but worth it because we save about 40% over regular stores (and no sales tax at all!)

Sleep well everyone and sweet dreams!

[DivineHealth]

Originally Posted by Erica L. Butler

Yegads. I REALLY need a smoker.

My girlfriend bought a smoker a few months ago and liked it so much she actually bought one for ME, can you believe it?! She is a good friend and said she just knew I would love it! We got it last month and have used it a lot since -- tri tip, ribs, turkey, pork roast, london broil, salmon..... I have hickory, mesquite and Jack Daniels wood chips so I keep trying different ones to experiment with the flavors! I've also been making my own rubs, trying many combos of spices. (They actually make wood chips out of old used barrels that they make the whiskey in - gives off a great aroma and flavors the meats so well.)

The smoker is only about $130..... this is the one I have: Char Broil Smoker

[Erica L. Butler]

Originally Posted by DivineHealth

My girlfriend bought a smoker a few months ago and liked it so much she actually bought one for ME, can you believe it?! She is a good friend and said she just knew I would love it! We got it last month and have used it a lot since -- tri tip, ribs, turkey, pork roast, london broil, salmon..... I have hickory, mesquite and Jack Daniels wood chips so I keep trying different ones to experiment with the flavors! I've also been making my own rubs, trying many combos of spices. (They actually make wood chips out of old used barrels that they make the whiskey in - gives off a great aroma and flavors the meats so well.)

The smoker is only about $130..... this is the one I have: Char Broil Smoker

Ulp! That's actually affordable! I may have to make a small investment!

Why don't they have an icon for "drooling"?

[dbglasgow]

Good morning..just a quick hello before head out to church and then travel the 3 hours to the airport to pick up the mission team... it will be around 7pm when we get back here so not sure I will have time to post later.

I am down 1.8 lbs this morning... WhooHoo!!... I lost that .8lbs and an extra lb to boot. I had a large b'fast because we will not have a chance to eat again until late..we don't have fast food here and the food stands in the Villages that we drive through do not serve low carb foods... they serve a lot of corn products or meats with heavy sauces.

Menu so far:
Bacon, eggs cooked in butter and CO
Coffee with CO

Oh, by the way... I do track things on fitday..and get this... my calories for yesterday were 2100 because of the high fat... and I lost 1.8 lbs... that really helps me get over my fear of not really counting calories... the day before my calories were around 1900.

[BellaHMB]

You are all doing so well! Congrats!!

I still am loitering Around 149, sometimes lower. I would like to get back to 140 but I gotta tell ya, its hard to go back to induction when you are used to eating more and only have a little to lose! Still, Im trying!

Bella

[verbqueen]

Morning, everyone. Hi Bella--hang in there.

No loss, but no gain for me today. I'm having a luxurious morning because there's no choir today and I get to leave for church an hour later than usual!

Darlene, thanks for sharing your observation about your high calorie/high fat day. It's worth a reminder than fat helps us lose!

[Erica L. Butler]

Hey there--

Bella, it'll get better... jst keep your eyes on the prize.

Jessica, enjoy your luxurious morning...

And yeah, Darlene-- I keep forgetting to quit watching the calories and fat-- I'm going to "fat out" today.

Today, I'm making chicken to use in chix salad...

My menu will really be more about burgerage, though... bacon/double cheese, homemade. Will post the rest when I know what I'm doing.

[DivineHealth]

Good morning all!...

Down 1.5# today - finally!

[verbqueen]

Originally Posted by Erica L. Butler

My menu will really be more about burgerage, though... bacon/double cheese, homemade. Will post the rest when I know what I'm doing.

Yum! And I have definitely noticed this time around that I lose well eating hamburger--the high fat content, the better.

Enjoy!

[dbglasgow]

[QUOTE=DivineHealth;12299878]Good morning all!...

Down 1.5# today - finally![/QUOTE

congrats on the loss!!

Been a long day... I stuck to my eating plan.. calories are low because of skipping meals today during travel.. but not too bad.. 1200 calories..and since my calories were high yesterday.. that's fine.. I really want to change it up every day or so. Good night everyone.

[DivineHealth]

Darlene.... did the mission team arrive safely?? How long are they staying?

[DivineHealth]

Today's menu:

B - piece of Smart Carb, 4 pieces bacon
L - 3 KFC chicken strips (didn't plan well - was out shopping and ended up starving .... I took off the bulk of the breading..)
D - 3 leftover ribs, salad
S - 1.5 carbs roasted pumpkin seeds

Tomorrow I have a breakfast meeting at 7:30am, then a lunch meeting at noon, and water aerobics from 2:00-3:00. I plan on staying on plan!

Buenas noches everyone!

[verbqueen]

Today's menu:

B: five slices bacon, slice of cheese, coffee with CO
L: last of the LC chili, spoon of sour cream
D: 2 grilled lamb chops, spinach "creamed" with cream cheese and cheddar

pretty dairy intensive day!

[dbglasgow]

Originally Posted by DivineHealth

Darlene.... did the mission team arrive safely?? How long are they staying?

Team arrived safely from Texas.. we picked them up and drove them down South. We will have an early b'fast and then get to work painting..then we have Bible study and sports camps out in one of Villages after lunch.. then we have movie nights in one of the Spanish Villages at night for the children. Busy week. I should have been in bed already but got caught on facebook by my middle daughter... just got engaged so we were talking about their wedding plans. We have 4 children.. only the oldest is married... the youngest is planning to get married next May..and now the middle one is making plans.. only one son...no plans for him as yet. Once more...good night.

[verbqueen]

Morning everybody. Same weight for me today, down to the fraction of an ounce, as the last two days. Crazy...

I have a peaceful week ahead, no meetings, no commitments of any kind. I plan to just plain relax and enjoy summer.

Darlene, hope you and the mission team have a productive day, and Divine, here's to successful meetings today.

Hang in there, Erica and Bella.

[dbglasgow]

Very busy today... just a quick post. Same weight for me also. I consider Mondays my official weigh in day... so my net loss for the week is only 1.6 lbs. Going very slow but I'm thankful for loss this week.

Not sure about today's menu.. kinda eating on the run.. so far I've had
a small amount of b'fast ham, boiled egg and 2 oz. of cheese. Will probably have a couple of hamburger patties for lunch.

Hellos to everyone .. Jessica, Divine, Erica... others