The "All I Want For Christmas Crew" 245 days to go!!!

[Melly]

Morning Ladies!!!!
Here we go again. Another week. Anyone besides me notice that we are getting closer and closer to Christmas........I mean it is obvious but really.....I remember it was not long ago that we were 300 and sumthin days and now it won't be long and it will only be in the 100's!!! Man how time flies!!!!! It will be here before you know it!!!

I am up and drinking my coffee and "thinking" about getting in the shower. Finally slept pas 6 this morning!!! But I need to get ready for church so I will check in later in the day........get in here girlies and check in...Roll call...........

[Tippy Toes]

I am here!

Luv, beer (and I hope it was light or lc beer) is one thing but toast and hash browns are another! There, you had your whipping, you had your binge--now grab my hand and get back on the wagon!! According to Dr. A alcohol is a fuel and will burn off, however when you are burning alcohol you are not burning fat, so yes, dancing is exercise and did help you burn off the alcohol. Mr. TT LOVES beer and drinks it all the time and has still lost quite a bit of weight (although very slowly) so don't worry too much about that. The toast and hashbrowns is another matter but even if it takes you a week to undo the damage, just consider it a lesson learned. Getting yourself back in control is very important right now! When we go out for breakfast we order omlettes or meat and eggs and ask for tomato slices instead of potatoes and toast.

Ladies (you too Melly, hehehe) I have been reading Atkins For Life and ran across a chapter about finding your ACE (how many carbs a day you can eat while losing). Basically it DOES say to try to up your carbs but to carefully watch the scales. It also says there is hope for those of us who never could or would climb the carb ladder much-- once we hit goal. Then we should try to increase carbs again, one food at a time of course (slowly) and continue to weigh. As long as we stay under 5 lbs of goal he says we should be OK.

One of the reasons I could never determine my ACE was because I never lost weight on a weekly basis. I am a once a month (if I am lucky) chunk loser, generally after TOM. But when I have tried going up I have seen the scales climb a few lbs as well but I may not have given up enough protein. Glad all hope for eating more carbs is not lost but on the other hand, don't know if I want more, really. Of course, the book also makes it clear that more carbs does not mean more food. You must LOWER your protein/fat intake to accomodate the extra veggies... So really, I think if you are a meat lover or a veggie lover you must determine what is easiest for yourself to stick with. I prefer meats... So, I don't really know what will be best for me. In truth, I like the foods I am eating and am satisfied. A real pizza would be great but I can't find it on the carb ladder anywhere, lol!

[that1redhead]

Another busy weekend - cut down a tree, moved a bunch of rock, ripped out a sidewalk, and leveled a bunch of dirt yesterday. Ended up with a sunburn. Going to cut the tree up into small pieces and such today. Don't know what else. then, of course, there is laundry and grocery shopping to do.

my family is sick AGAIN. I have a sore throat but I am doing what I can to not catch their crap.

Getin - forgot to say thanks for the birthday party ideas. gonna run some of them past the fam this weekend.

mystic - sorry about your stuff stolen. such a pain. Good idea I heard once is to photocopy everything in your wallet and keep it in a file. Then, if anything is stolen you know exactly what is in there and the phone numbers to call.

Lisa - hope you are feeling better today

Melly - you have turned into a freak. beaches has really done a number on you. exercise junkie. LOL

As for the black clothes secret - that is great. Thanks. I have actually used this recipe on reds to prevent them from bleeding onto other clothes but never thought about it for blacks.

Well, I had a horrible day on Friday. I applied for another job in our school district and found out that I did not even get an interview. I really didn't care if I got the job or not but I was so depressed that I didn't get an interview. I flipped out and cried off and on all day and night. Wednesday is secretaries day so I get to go to lunch with all the people in the building where the job was including those who didn't interview me. Not fun. Anyway, like I said, I didn't even know if I wanted the job so I am not really upset I didn't get it but I am really upset I didn't get an interview. Makes you feel like you must not be doing a good job in your current job. Pity party over.

Tippy funny you ask about my menu. LOL Here is a sample
Breakfast - diet coke and flaxbread when I have some made
Lunch - leftovers - usually a serving a protein and that is about it
Dinner - protein and a veggie with cheese
Snack - nuts or a cheese string
Snack - low carb ice cream
Diet coke throughout the day.

[Loner]

Good Morning....

Still on my cardio push....I can weigh in until Wednesday for the contest...Not sure If I will do Tuesday or Wednesday.

1/2 hour on eliptical level 1 listening to my Footloose tape
1/2 hour on treadmill speed intervals 4.5 mi and 2.5 miles

i was home for 1/2 hour dh said, will you stop making those noises! it practically killed me.

down 3.6 this week... 7% body weight for contest...aiming for 8

Tippy....On adding the carbs....I have only added veggie and berrie carbs (occasional nut.) which brings down my meat intake considerably...especially when its 40-60 carbs a day.....calorie range is only like 1200....it certainly doesnt mean i cant have my 1 pound steak when i want it! that is the beauty of it. If i do have a higher protein day, i cut the carbs a bit on that day . or not... Me being the meat eater I am is the reason I started Atkins to begin with. However, I also dont think eating fatty protein is at all good for your digestive system long term. I had serious problems after being on induction for 8 months. If you are eating lean meats thats fine but I am not one of those lean meat eater. Im a , give me the fattiest steak eater and leave the skin on my chicken eater! so i cant stay on induction levels. p.s. education is the key...keep on readin! (I still dont have any salad without my cheese!)

I am staying in that range for now since i only am losing an average of 1/2 pound a week but i am quite happy with any loss....

whatever you decide, we are there for you 100% . it is truly a life journey for us all.

Luv, c'mon hasbrowns ?? what were you thinking!!!

Melly exercise freak hehehe

Christmas

Have a great day

[gettenthere]

Melly I for one have been watching the days go slipping by each week and keep the lbs would move just as fast still trying for 158 which will make me half way there. Think I've lost in nches but no lbs.
Tippy you go girl education sure is the key I keep reading all the time getting more information to tweek my journey. You are doing great hun

Lonner I'm so gald for you 1/2 lb a week is like a dream for me now, you are the biggest looser come wednesday.

Luv now go and do another 18 laps of the pool. you were doing so well and inspiring me. Now that was yesterday you are back wiser, and more motivated than ever keep on truckin you can do it

Newsox I'm so jealous, its been dark deary and raining sice yesterday and supposed to be that way all week

to every one just marking my spot still busy

[goalinsight]

Hey Red...you better figure out the difference between Getten and me! Hahahaha
She has lost lots more weight than I have, is a fountain of wisdom as well as experience and a real encourager/cheerleader. It is a real compliment to be mistaken for her!
Me = whiner/complainer/non poster/lady with eight children
That's about all - shouls be easy to tell the difference.... <GRIN>
Tomorrow morning I am going to make another offer on a different house...not where I wanna be but - I guess if God wants me there I should not argue - so I am gonna sign those papers tomorrow.
Up 1.5 pounds last week UGH! But maybe time for tom to visit? I dunno just gonna watch and see.
TTFN!

[gettenthere]

look what I found on one of the threads

Article on Water and Coke

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You'll need to read this and have a glass of water before taking the test!

WATER OR COKE?

This is really an eye opener...Water or Coke?
We all know that water is important but,
I've never seen it written down like this before.


WATER

1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so
weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's
metabolism as much as 3%.

4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger
pains for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a
University of Washington study.

5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses
of water a day could significantly ease back and
joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy
short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and
difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a
printed page.

8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the
risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the
risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less
likely to develop bladder cancer.

And now for the properties of COKE:

1. In many states (in the USA) the highway patrol
carries two gallons of coke in the truck to remove
blood from the highway after a car accident.

2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of coke and
it will be gone in two days.

3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into
the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one
hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke
removes stains from vitreous China.

4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub
the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap
aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals:
Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble
away the corrosion.

6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked
in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into
the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum foil, and
bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished,
remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix
with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.

8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of coke
into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run
through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help
loosen grease stains.

9. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

For Your Info:

1. The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid.
Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days.
Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones
and is a major contributor to the rising increase in
osteoporosis.

2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the
commercial truck must use the Hazardous material
place cards reserved for Highly corrosive materials.

3. The distributors of coke have been using it to
clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years!

Now the question is, would you like a coke or a glass
of water?

[Melly]

Sherry I am praying for you and your house.......whatever will be will be.......and I know you will make it a home.....that is the important part

Guys I think I got some bad hamburger today. Darrell and I are the only ones that ate it and neither of us are feeling that great.........tummy is rumbling like I ate a 10 lb box of sugar free candy with malitol

Where is Lisa? I hope she is feeling better

Get great information on the water consumption........I am a water drinker....my body craves it!!!!!

Red and Loner? You two say freak like it is a bad thing

[luvdanrs]

Good morning one and all... Back on the wagon just really took one foot off, not like I just fell into the carb pool. Was it worth the cheat.... dont really know was sorta inebriated.... but I didnt let it throw me off. Yesterday I went to a Pampered Chef party and resisted all of the food except for the sausage and cheese, I had a few pieces of that to stave off hunger.
Will weigh later on today. Sorta afraid to but I guess I better face the music...
Hope everyone has a great LC day...
Bkfst - Atkins PB bar
Lunch- Salad (maybe)
Dinner-Roast Beef cauliflower
And lots and lots of water!!!!!

[beachfires]

GOOD MORNING LADIES!!!!

SUPER FREAK SUPER FREAK....SHE'S SUPER FREAKY~~~ MELLY IS AN EXERCISE FREAK

I spent almost the entire weekend watching the eagles...how awesome is that!! I hope everyone had a great weekend themselves...

Melly...sorry about your belly...bad meat is the WORST!!! Thankfully Aliyah didn't get any of it though.

Sherry...good luck on the house, as I put in my signature...we are not the architects of life's path...merely travelers, your path will take you where you NEED to be as long as you are open to seeing it.

Getten...scary article on the coke but really great information!!

Loner...hang in there baby...you are almost there!!! When is the end of the contest? I am looking into doing a 12 week Body For Life challenge this summer...should be very interesting!!

Red...that is quite the list of PHYSICAL activity...I for one am humbled...you worked your arse off!! GOOD FOR YOU

Tippy...More carbs does not mean more food however...for some of us the increased activity (working out/weight lifting) requires more food. Unfortunately I am one of the ones that really don't want more food. I eat 5 times a day including my post workout protein drink and a snack and even that much is too much. I feel full and slightly uncomfortable but I have found that if I don't eat the 1800-2000 calories and 5 meals on a lifting day that the fatigue is very debilitating. Everyone has to find their own way and tweak accordingly...how I wish there was a ONE SIZE FITS ALL approach to weight loss...



Upper body workout includes 3 sets of 9 of each: butterfly press (40 lbs total) chest press (40 lbs total) shoulder press (20 lbs total) back flyes (60 lbs total) bicep curls (30 lbs total) tricep curls (10 lbs total) and 25 reverse crunches (holding 25 lb plate) and 25 regular crunches (holding 25 lb plate) 2.5 mile walk, hopefully I can get another walk in on my lunch break if the rain holds off.

Ok...Menu for today:

Post workout = 2 scoops Designer Whey Protein in 10 oz sunrise drink and a small apple

Breakfast = 2 egg mushroom, sausage, onion and cheese omelette in a pita pocket

Lunch = 2 smoked cheddar sausage and salad

Snack = small apple

Dinner = Cornish hen, summer squash and zuchinni and salad

Be back later on...have a great morning!!!!

[beachfires]

Luv...we were posting at the same time...stay on the wagon!! The view is MUCH better from up here!! Dig deep down inside yourself and MAKE THIS COMMITMENT!! Outside stress such as being the ONLY nurse will be easier to deal with as will almost everything else in your daily life as a result of clean eating, EXERCISE and most importantly...HONORING THE COMMITMENT YOU HAVE MADE TO YOURSELF!!

[Lisa Rae]

Morning Ladies,

Yup..still here..still dealing with the health issues..still working it out.

Melly, I know your going to kill me But started Stillman's yesterday! I had to start antibiotics again a few days ago...and need some help with the gain I always have. I'm going to do it just for the week ( while taking the meds) to see if I can keep the gain to a minimum. I just don't know what else to do at this point.

I'm sure my stress level is also a big part of this ( I am a true believer that stress can make us sick!) as between the moving ( of which I am getting little to no help here) and now another school drama with Jake! ( will tell you about this tomorrow, after I once again go to school and get "redhead" on them) I am soooo stressed out! I worked 8 straight days last week..only one day off..and am back for a full week again!! ontop of that..the girl I was suposed to trane on Sat. didn't show! So I have no back-up to even take a day off work.

Anyway..Sunday my weight was back up to 150 again...if it holds this week I will be happy.

[Melly]

Lisa..........gotta do what ya gotta do. I know you know your body snd I also know you know ALL there is to know about Stlilmans......I am in your corner no matter what

[that1redhead]

Originally Posted by longways2go

Hey Red...you better figure out the difference between Getten and me! Hahahaha
She has lost lots more weight than I have, is a fountain of wisdom as well as experience and a real encourager/cheerleader. It is a real compliment to be mistaken for her!
Me = whiner/complainer/non poster/lady with eight children
That's about all - shouls be easy to tell the difference.... <GRIN>

Sorry, I had a bad day. I think I confused Sinny and Tippy too. Oops. I don't know my head from my (&#@. LOL

DH is doing well on his low fat diet. He has lost about 15 lbs. Still want to convert him to lc though.

Beaches - yeah, I may not exercise but I do alot of physical work on the weekends. We worked hard but got a lot done.

[Tippy Toes]

Lisa, best of luck with the antibiotics. They never made me gain but ALWAYS put a halt to weight loss. As far as Stillman's goes--you do what is right for you and don't worry what the rest think! I learned that a long time ago. Had I listened to the majority, I am quite certain I would still weigh in at 220. Best of luck at school today and try not to kill anyone...

Beachy, so true one shoe does not fit all but the trick is finding the shoe that fits, lol! I feel like Cinderella searching for my glass slipper...

Melly, hope you both are feeling better now.

Get, I have used coke before to clean my battery cables which did allow my car to start. Back in the day when I was young and drove junkers I ALWAYS kept a can of coke in the car. Great info!

Sherry, if you don't like the house don't make an offer. Trust me on that one--listen to your instincts. The perfect house and area will come along but will be closed to you if you get in a hurry. Take your time. I speak from experience being that I own several places which we rent out. When the right house comes along you will know it. I consider myself to be an expert in this field as I have NEVER made a real-estate mistake yet. I go on gut instinct first with damage/repair inspection second.

Red, sorry about the interview or lack of one. What a fun lunch you will have, knowing that. Awwww.
Luv, good to see you are back on the wagon. "To thine own self be true"

************************************************** *****

Fashion Bug is my favorite store to shop at. I have shopped there for years. They have always carried very nice, fashionable clothes for every size--especially plus sizes. I went yesterday. I have a concern about the size 14 shorts I bought not being sized correctly because they came from an outlet place. So, I go into the store and start searching for size 14's. A sales lady tells me they are on the other side of the store--where I have never been able to shop before! Now I am really worried. So, I go to the other side and pick out 4 pairs of size 14's. They look pretty little to me. But I take them into the dressing room and strip down to my undies and bra. Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes, I try a pair on. Slowly I pull them up, eyes still closed. They button and zip just fine! I open my eyes and see I am wearing HOT PANTS, lol! Yikes--I can't wear those! My butt cheeks hung out and my fat thighs showed a little too much. So, no, I didn't buy anything (they were all hotpants) but I walked out of the store with a grin on my face as big as Texas! It is true I CAN wear size 14!

[Melly]

WTG Tippy!!!!!!!!!! That is a wonderful feeling

[luvdanrs]

WTG Tippy size 14's cant wait to get there myself.
That1redhead- just don't mix up your DH and pick up and take home another one...that could lead to something UGLYYYYY
Lisa- GO REDHEAD on em and then step back...lol. If you dont stand up for your son no one will...wtg MOM
Melly- watch out for the bad beef.... Mad Cow Disease...but that would explain your strange fascination all of a sudden with all that E!!! HMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!! It does cause Drain Bamage you know! Oh or wait... did you already have that before...

[goalinsight]

Andrea That was the best laugh I had in weeks!
Thank you!!

[Lisa Rae]

Ewwwwww..Looks like Luv has a bit of Redhead in her too!

Anyone who can go head to head with Melly...well all I can say is

Off to work..hamburgers packed

Love you guys!!!!!!

[cdn_gal]

Good morning everyone...... First day off work, so am kinda in zombie mode today..... I did get my exercise routine done, came home showered, and put my jammies back on... I am not doing NOTHING today...Well except watch the eagles of course.... For those who are watching the eagles, and getting attached, here's a note from the guy who studies this pair, and who put the video camera in the nest for all of us to see this amazing adventure....

On Saturday, April 22, the chick pecked a small hole in the shell which will get larger in the next few days until hatched. Everyone should be aware that the survival rate is far below 100%.
Here are the statistics for this nest over the past 16 years:
On only 4 occasions did both chicks survive - 25%
On 7 occasions 1 chick survived - 45%
On 5 occasions no chicks survived - 30%
These statistics get worse with aging and these eagles are getting on in years - 6years of immaturity plus 17 years of egg-laying = 23 years of age - with a life expectancy in the wild of 30 years. Equal to 60 years of age in humans ... if such comparisons have any validity.
Looking at it in another way:
In the first 5 years these eagles fledged 7 eaglets.
In the last 5 years these eagles fledged only 3 eaglets.
So the odds of success now are even lower than the average numbers provided above. Let's just hope for some success.


So things aren't looking good for these two little guys before they even get out of their shells... Hope ya'll have a wonderful day!!!

[Tippy Toes]

Aww, cdn, that's terrible about the eagles but nature is very much the boss.

Luv, that WAS the best laugh I have had in a long time too! Hahahahahaha!