From Centuries, to Decades and on to Goal--2009 part 2 - Page 12

vee716 · 08-08-2009, 09:47 AM

I had to drop by the office this morning to let the IT guys in for something. And, I hadn't had breakfast, so the almonds claled to me! Only 1 ounce though.

The scale has been so good to me lately, I can't stay off. 160.2 lbs this morning! That's VT (virgin territory) folks! I was so close, so close to seeing a 159 something, maybe tomorrow. It's certainly giving me reason to stay extra good today.

Teresa123 · 08-08-2009, 10:48 AM

Happy Saturday! Wish I wasn't at work....

Kim--I'm pretty sure I would not like liver cheese! And I'm guessing it's loaded with sodium? So the menu looks fine but the fact that you are trying not to eat peanuts but are, is kind of concerning---kwim? I just don't want it to snowball and you end up on a bender.

Val--holy cow you are rocking that scale.

That 159 will be here soon enough---just keep doing whatever you're doing and it will happen!!

The casino was fun. It's also a race track and they had camel and ostrich races--so cool and funny to watch!

Went shopping this morning and got tons of great deals on clothes but only found 1 pair of capris for the cruise.....but I'm going to go out and do some more shopping after I leave work so maybe I'll find more.

I went back to Big Lots for some detox tea and they still had tons of the other varieties but that one was all gone.

I did find Peter Pan no sugar added peanut butter. I've looked for that for almost 3 years now! I'm sure the natural is far more healthy but it's nice to have something at work that doesn't need to be refridgerated.

Well--back to work.....blah. At least it's a crappy day out--hot, humid, raining off and on---so I don't feel so bad about not being outside.

Have a good day and I'm sure I'll be back later.

realityjunkee · 08-08-2009, 08:20 PM

Sorry you had to work today Teresa!

Thanks for looking out for me, the salt continues to be an issue--I don't know if I just thought I'd just worry about cutting back for now but I do recognize I need to watch the salt too. Today didn't help!

B--scrambled eggs with sausage

L--PF Chang's Wok Seared Beef

D--2 hb patties, 2 slices tomato, 1 slice onion, pickles and mayo

Teresa123 · 08-09-2009, 07:20 AM

Morning--hope you are all having a great weekend! Mine has been packed and is flying by.

Kim--looks like day 6 went very well. I haven't been to PF Chang's in awhile, sounds good! I'm not sure if salt really is a big problem or not--I suppose it depends on if you are salt sensitive or not? I tend to think that processed meats are not such a great thing, but that's just me.

Val--what's the scale say today? Any sight of those 50's?

Kathy--how did days 5 and 6 go? If you're not here, I'm worried, so get your buns in here and tell us what's up!

I have lots of work to do today but I brought it home with me as I don't want to go into the office. I think I'm going to try to make dried cranberries today, as well as do some things with the giant zuch. I got rid of one of them, so now I just have one huge one to deal with!

realityjunkee · 08-09-2009, 08:58 AM

I am salt sensitive--I have tended to stall with too much sodium for a year or so. We'll see how this first week went and go from there. You sound like me--too much work spilling into the weekend!

Teresa123 · 08-09-2009, 10:13 AM

So Kim, have you started doing any shopping for the cruise? Now's the time as there are tons of bargains out there. I think we should all buy an outfit for the cruise--nothing fancy, can be shorts and a t-shirt but something that we want to fit into by that time. What do you think? I had a hard time shopping for cruise stuff yesterday--I just don't look too hot in summer stuff with all the skin--but I know if I wait and have to buy stuff on-line it will likely be expensive and a hassel. I'm trying to find something that resembles a swim suit. I found some swim shorts but they only had 2 left--one 2 sizes too small, and one that fit now but since I hope to be down some by then I didn't want to get them. I'm going to have to hurry and find stuff because the summer stuff is going quickly!

vee716 · 08-09-2009, 07:33 PM

Hi everyone.

No sign of the 150s, and I figure they are off in the distance for a bit now. I'm trying something new. I'm cycling my calories because I know I eat a lot on the weekend, weekends are harder for me to control food. So my weekday calorie and carb totals are really low and I expect to lose more on the scale, as I did last week. Weekends come and I relax my carb & calorie targets and I put on a little water weight. It's okay, I'm expecting it, so and it didn't upset me this morning. This morning I was up to 161.8, I think it was. Sundays are a really big day for eating, since I'm training for the half marathon, we do our long runs on Sundays. Today I ran for about 2 hours. I get *famished* after these long runs so I decided to allow a lot of extra calories (and allow extra again for part of the extra activity) and let myself have some non-sugary carbs to replenish glycogen which is pretty depleted after my run & week of low-carb. I fully expect to be up in the 162/3 range tomorrow. Hopefully, it will come off quickly again as I return to low-carb & low-calorie tomorrow. Low-calorie isn't too bad, it's in the 1600-1650 range, completely "do-able" for me without feeling deprived.

I hope it works. If it does, it's a good way for me to get through the next 7 weeks before the half marathon race with keeping my running going and my diet going strong.

vee716 · 08-09-2009, 07:39 PM

Oh, and DH (Jim) is dieting for the next 10-11 days. He does these crash diets every year or so. He says he'd rather suffer in agony for 10-11 days, drop 10-15 lbs (which he does) than take weeks & weeks of dieting to get there. He literally crash diets, about 6 oz of protein for the day, a couple small fruit, one tiny bread exchange, and vegetables, no fats. It adds up to about 800-1000 calories a day, if that. He got the diet from an expensive commercial diet program popular around here, he did it for a few months about 6 years ago and lost about 40 lbs. Now he maintains that weight loss by doing this crash diet when his weight gets about 10 lbs above goal.

I only mention it because when he does this, it makes my dieting much easier to do. We eat well, nutritionally, usually, but we do go out to eat 2-3 times a week and those meals are always hard to control calories on. Restaurants don't make low-calorie food. I'll have almost 2 weeks of us not going out at all to eat, it should make things a little easier for me. I'm going to try to tighten up my food choices a bit, keep the calories really on target during this period to make the most of it.

kathy76 · 08-10-2009, 05:22 AM

I'm here....I just had a busy weekend. Day 5 was pretty good....yesterday could have been better, nothing drastic just too much food in general. I think the loaf of bakery fresh garlic bread that I made for dinner for the family set me off. I ended up having PB & yocheese....too much of it....after dinner. Today is a new day

Teresa123 · 08-10-2009, 07:14 AM

Morning! It's Monday and crazy around here. I logged in earlier and then got distracted with a zillion things....I think my whole week is going to be like this.

No time to chat but it looks like everyone is hanging in there! I'll check in tonight.

vee716 · 08-10-2009, 07:18 AM

I'm still here. Weight was 162.4 lbs this morning, lower than I thought it might spike with the food I ate yesterday, but I'll take it. I'm hoping for some big water whooshes in the next day or two, I think I should be able to see 160 something again. We'll see.

Glad to see we are all hanging in. Lisa is going to be back from vacation soon. I'm going to have to stay off the scale while she's on induction!

Teresa123 · 08-10-2009, 06:24 PM

Evening ladies!

Val--good deal on DH's diet making things easier. You know, I'm amazed that I never really gain any weight when I go out to eat. I always eat way more than normal but as long as I keep it lower carb/healthy I do fine which kind of shocks me, but I'm happy that it works out that way.

Doesn't sound like the scale was too horribly high today so good deal. Yes, Lisa is supposed to be back sometime this week so you're going to have to put that scale away....assuming she actually does induction upon her return.

Kathy--yocheese and pb--2 of my favorites. Did you eat them together? I stopped to pick up some more Dannon tonight and they were out of the full fat

so I'll have to try again soon as I'm out! Have you ever made an OMM? I swear the garlic/parm ones I make are as good as any other bread, my mom even loved them and made them for herself while she was here with me after surgery. I sent home all the ingredients with her to make them at home--never did check to see if she actually did or not. Anyway--maybe that's a solution so you can participate in the garlic bread eating. And an OMM is soo much healthier.

So how did today go?

Kim--how did your day go today? Did you weigh? If so, I hope you had good results!

Today is National S'mores day...and yes, we celebrated at work! I didn't participate in the eating but I did buy the stuff and helped to construct them and for a moment I really really wanted some of the chocolate things (hersheys, rolos, reeses and other things) we were putting on them--but it passed. By the way, if you are ever going to be making s'mores for the family or a group of people--talk with me--there are a ton of different varieties to make that are so much more fun than the old standard! And by the way, when did they start making caramel vanilla marshmallows???

Teresa123 · 08-10-2009, 06:52 PM

OK Kathy, I'm bummed.

I just read in the recipe threads that delicatas are already coming up and pretty much mature now.....so I'm guessing that means the ones you planted are not going to happen. Bum deal---but thanks for trying! Now--I need to start stalking the farmer's markets and health food stores to see when they will start selling them--I can't wait!

kathy76 · 08-10-2009, 07:55 PM

Teresa~ What recipe do you use when you make the OMM with garlic & parm? ....I'm sure you have told me before but I can't remember.
Today was much better food wise:
brunch: 5ish oz. grilled pork loin
1/2 c. green beans
cucumbers w/vinegar dressing

Dinner: chicken breast
mashed cauliflower
green beans

I was gonna ask the lady at the fruit/veggie stand about buying a case of the delicata for me at the auction....I don't think it is really time to harvest yet, she just started having mums...no pumpkins or winter squash yet.

I forgot to mention I have not had pop in a week....I'm trying to see if the Aspartame is the culprit for acne....I ruled out splenda a couple months ago. So far it doesn't look like this is helping, I am gonna give it another week to make sure. If it doesn't clear up I'm going to make an appt. at the dermatologist

realityjunkee · 08-10-2009, 08:24 PM

Hey all!

I had a good day, I did weigh and was down 2.4 from last week. Not stellar by any means but decent.

Today's menu:

B--HB patty

L--Pescado Mexicano (fish with peppers, onions, tomatoes, guac and sour cream)

S--Atkins shake

D--hot dog, 2 eggs with ham and 5 meatballs

Again, too much sodium but I'll tackle that one soon. Trying to have veggies one meal and 2 light meals. We'll see how it goes. Ran 2.5 miles tonight and start Zumba back up on Wednesday.

Teresa123 · 08-11-2009, 06:26 AM

Morning!

Kathy--for the OMM I use a combo of flours but for garlic ones it's typically equal parts of flax, almond and CQ--although half flax and half CQ is also good. Then I add a good tablespoon or so of grated parm and lots of garlic and onion powder--and then the other stuff it calls for except I never use the butter as the nut flours and flax are very oily so I don't see the point. As soon as it's cooled I split and toast. Very yummy. I really play around a lot with the flours. On my next Netrition order I'm going to get some oat fiber because I remember adding a bit of that before to some other 'bread like' things I made and it gave them a chewy texture....so I think I'll play with that and see if I can make something like a bagel.

Bread was never really a big deal to me, but I miss bagels and the low carb ones I can buy have way too much protein in them.

OMG--I want a case of delicata!

I'm going to have to look for a produce auction or whatever that is! I'm hoping that I can just find them cheap at farmer's markets and totally stock up!

Way to go on giving up the aspartame!!

I can't remember how long it was until I noticed the 'symptoms' of aspartame going away but I don't think it was immediate. There is a lot of good info out on the web about it so if you haven't, you might want to check. Even if it doesn't get rid of the acne--it may be helping in other ways. What are you doing to get your pop fix in? Or are you just drinking more coffee/tea? Also---I remember a long time ago one of my friends sisters was told that cola's of any type were a big cause of acne. Non cola type pop was OK, she was told just to not drink any type of cola. Now keep in mind that was over 20 years ago. But she quit drinking them and the acne went away. Might have been the sugar or caffiene though--I really don't know what the reasoning was for 'no colas' as opposed to other sodas although maybe she was drinking them by the case and that was the real problem!!

Kim--2.4 is excellent--and it puts you further away from that 200 mark--so all is good! I have a feeling once you are ready to dump the salt/sodium/processed meats and cut the protein back you will drop more. But I also understand that right now that is what is helping you to get back on track, which is far more important!

Val----so what did the scale say today??

Another crazy day today but I got a good night's sleep last night so hopefully I'm ready to tackle it. I have an offsite meeting all day tomorrow so unless I check in from home I won't be on until tomorrow night...try not to miss me too much!

kathy76 · 08-11-2009, 07:18 AM

My drink of choice lately has been Lipton iced tea w/a hint of raspberry, I found it at Walmart...1.78 for a box of 18 family sized bags. I sweeten it with stevia & a couple packs of Truvia and the whole family drinks it. I read a thread a while back about buying some sort of raspberry ginger ale or soda water in a 2 liter bottle & sweetening it with stevia....I haven't been able to find any that doesn't have sweetener in it yet.

I was just doing some reading and never thought about my SF gum that I chew...almost daily lately....it has Aspartame in it

So I can't say I have been totally free of it for a week

I guess I will pick up a pack of gum sweetened with xylitol at the Co-op when I am there the next time. I think the Trident that says xylitol on the label still has Aspartame in it???? I may be wrong.

I managed to stay off the scale today.....not sure how tomorrow will turn out?? Brooke has soccer practice tonight, so I'm not sure about supper. Tonight we will find out if she is actually gonna get in the chair and participate or not. If she doesn't then I don't think we will be going again. She is still signed up for the teen night on the 21st and is pretty excited about that.

Kim~ Congrats on the loss

Sounds like you have got your groove back

vee716 · 08-11-2009, 07:19 AM

Teresa - there is an egg in that OMM, too, right? Maybe I should try one again, it's been a while since I've done one.

Kim - congrats on the 2.4 lbs & the good day on plan! I haven't tried Zumba, I've tried Nia, I think it's close.

Kathy - I'll be curious to see if the aspartame is the culprit. I've tried cutting it out,but never saw any difference in anything.

The scale was 161.6 lbs this morning - I'm happy with that.

Tomorrow is the official weigh in day, I'm hoping for a 160 something. We'll see.

kathy76 · 08-11-2009, 07:32 AM

I used to think it was probably the Splenda, I was using quite a bit of the liquid Splenda. But I cut it out for a couple weeks and it didn't change anything. I don't mind using stevia in my coffee, I just can't afford to buy stevia sweetened soda. I think what I am finding out is....I liked to replace food/snacking with a big fountain pop or a 24 oz bottle of pop & I miss that

AND I was kinda replacing that with the SF gum last week ..... So I was still having Aspartame but didn't realize it

vee716 · 08-11-2009, 08:38 AM

There is SF gum made without aspartame, with xylitol instead, but I can only find it in the health food stores and it's pretty expensive, too.

kathy76 · 08-11-2009, 11:45 AM

I think that the one my co-op carries is 1.99/pk

It would be well hidden in my purse so the kids could not find it at that price!!!!

kathy76 · 08-11-2009, 12:31 PM

Someone in the ML just asked for a lc bread machine recipe...so I went looking and found this Best Low Carb Bread (Bread Machine) - 102631 - Recipezaar. One of the reviews said they subbed almond flour for the soy flour. I think I might give it a try....it also said it needed some salt & less splenda. I could probably use some Oat Flour in place of the soy too.

Teresa123 · 08-11-2009, 04:41 PM

Val--on the OMM there are different versions but the basics are:
1/4 cup of flax or whatever flour/meal you want
1 egg
1/2 t. baking powder (I typically use less because CQ already has some in it)
and then I think the original calls for a teaspoon or tablespoon of butter, but I never add that.
Then you can add savory things--some even add shredded cheese, olives, whatever into it along with spices. Or you can add sweet things--sweetener, cinnamon, pumpkin, cocoa, whatever you like.

Nuke in the microwave for 1 minute. They really are very versatile and you can play around with them and come up with whatever you desire! One thing I have to tell you though is--they are gross (IMO) right out of the microwave--but they have a completely different (and yummy) taste after you toast them.

Kathy--now you have me looking at the ingredients in all of my gum! Yep--aspartame--yikes! I had no clue, just thought it was all xylitol. I'm glad I pretty much only chew it after a meal out--basically it's my dessert.

But still, I'm not happy about that so I will be looking for something else. I noticed Netrition now has some more things that are xylitol sweetened like pancake syrup and some other stuff, so maybe check and see if they have any gum without aspartame.

Let us know if you try the bread. I haven't looked at the recipe yet but you could also probably use CQ instead of the soy. I love the texture of Kevinpa's lc bread, but I can't get past the weird taste in one of those protein ingredients he adds....just wish I could figure out which one gives it that weird twang.

Today at work was downright crazy--kind of fun--but really stressful at the same time. I have an all day off site training tomorrow and I'm kind of relieved for the break, but also kind of worried about not being on site with all that's going on....oh well, it will all work out.

I think I have found my new plastic surgeon. I've been doing a lot of research--and I think this is the one that will be able to deal with my issues....I think. He does gastric bypass reconstruction stuff and apparently most WLS patients from around here are referred to him---so if he can deal with their issues, I think he can deal with mine! I spoke with his nurse tonight and it was a breath of fresh air---I could just tell that they are very used to the different types of complexities there are with surgery for people who have this much skin. She will be calling me back on Thursday to let me know if they can fit me in next Tues. If not I can't get an appt for a consult until the end of Sept. I'm excited and nervous all at once. If he's not 'the one' I'm not sure what to do next. If he is, I'm afraid his prices will be so outrageous that I won't be able to afford him. Uggg! But I'm telling myself it will all work out the way it's supposed to...some how. I just hope the way it's supposed to work out is that he is the one and I can afford him!

I will have to say that I have put myself on high binge alert. Between the crazy hectic stressful days at work, being behind on everything in every part of my life, and pursuing moving forward with plastic surgery....well, I need to be on high alert as the combo of it all is a perfect recipe for me to come undone. So far, so good--but I am just being constantly mindful of my every thought when it comes to food or when it comes to anything that I might let get me down or put me in a negative place in some way. I'm glad I am finally figuring out my triggers--now let's see how well I can manage them.

Teresa123 · 08-11-2009, 04:49 PM

One minute muffin - So delicious

Val, this is the original recipe except the original is all flax, this one is all almond flour.

Teresa123 · 08-11-2009, 06:56 PM

omg, talk about ending a stressful day with more stress. A little boy (7 years old) from a neighboring apt complex has been missing for over 4 hours. Police and people roaming all around looking for him. I helped by knocking on doors looking for him or anyone who has recently seen him. Right now they (cops and search crew) are heading towards a creek that runs through the area and a construction site on the other side of it. It is all so scary and just makes me sick to my stomach. The neighborhood kids are really freaking out, and the adults are not doing much better. I pray they find him soon.

realityjunkee · 08-11-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teresa123

omg, talk about ending a stressful day with more stress. A little boy (7 years old) from a neighboring apt complex has been missing for over 4 hours. Police and people roaming all around looking for him. I helped by knocking on doors looking for him or anyone who has recently seen him. Right now they (cops and search crew) are heading towards a creek that runs through the area and a construction site on the other side of it. It is all so scary and just makes me sick to my stomach. The neighborhood kids are really freaking out, and the adults are not doing much better. I pray they find him soon.

Oh Teresa, that's terrible! I'll be praying for that family and his safe return!

realityjunkee · 08-11-2009, 09:03 PM

Today was good! I finally feel better about myself. TOM also paid a visit, so maybe I'll have a loss this week too!

B--HB patty

L--lettuce with ham, cheese, tomato, bacon pieces and caesar dressing

D--steak and eggs

Teresa123 · 08-12-2009, 04:37 AM

Morning! Happy Hump Day!

Kim--the menu looks good and even better is that you are feeling better about yourself! Have you ever noticed that as a trend in general when TOM comes? For me--it seems like the day or 2 before and after TOM is when I am the most balanced and feel the best (minus any cramps!), which I know seems crazy, but it's like hormonally that is the best time for me. I wish I could figure out how to bottle that feeling or which supplements/vitamins or whatever would create that feeling all month!

Haven't heard anything about the little boy yet, watching the news right now to see if they report anything. Hopefully not which should mean that they found him and he was OK--I hope. While searching with neighbors last night they said that yesterday morning there were a ton of emergency vehicles at that complex and allegedly there was a murder/suicide! No one seemed to have the facts on this so I don't know if it's true or not but I'm also watching the news for that. Geesh, our nice quiet little neighborhood seems to have broke out in chaos in one days time.

WI--148.1 so down .6. I'm actually pretty surprised to be down as I'm mid cycle right now so I'll happily take it! I will have to say that something seems to have changed with my body composition on the way down this time as I can fit into most of my smallest clothes now quite comfortably--not all but most. It seems like I was about 5 lbs down when I was comfortably wearing a lot of this stuff. Not sure what the deal is as I'm not exercising any more than usual--but I'm not going to complain!

Today will be fun (NOT) 2 four hour training classes with an hour break in between....I don't do well with sitting that long, especially when it's boring HR type stuff. Oh well, necessary evil and it will be nice to get it done with!

Have a good one ladies!

RavenG · 08-12-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teresa123

I think I have found my new plastic surgeon. I've been doing a lot of research--and I think this is the one that will be able to deal with my issues....I think. He does gastric bypass reconstruction stuff and apparently most WLS patients from around here are referred to him---so if he can deal with their issues, I think he can deal with mine! I spoke with his nurse tonight and it was a breath of fresh air---I could just tell that they are very used to the different types of complexities there are with surgery for people who have this much skin. She will be calling me back on Thursday to let me know if they can fit me in next Tues. If not I can't get an appt for a consult until the end of Sept. I'm excited and nervous all at once. If he's not 'the one' I'm not sure what to do next. If he is, I'm afraid his prices will be so outrageous that I won't be able to afford him. Uggg! But I'm telling myself it will all work out the way it's supposed to...some how. I just hope the way it's supposed to work out is that he is the one and I can afford him!

Teresa : That's great! I'm sure everything will work out fine. My surgery is scheduled for November 4th....12 weeks from today!

Everyone Else : HI

Hope you're all doing well and surviving the summer heat. It's been muggy and hot on the east coast. I haven't been getting as much hiking in as I would like as my DH sprained his ankle/tore his achilles tendon several weeks ago so we're taking it slow. Other than that, life is good....busy...but good

Teresa123 · 08-12-2009, 05:53 AM

Hey Lisa---great to see you! It's funny because I have been thinking about you while investigating for surgeons and wondering when your big day is coming. 12 weeks....I bet you are soooo excited! I hope it all goes smoothly and you have great results! Even with my not so great results I am still so happy to have done it.

This summers weather has sure been varied across the country. We usually have hot steamy summers but not at all this year. I've only had the air on twice, and only for a few days at a time. Right now we are in the upper 80's which isn't bad for this time of year but best of all the humidity is not horrible--love it!

I keep thinking we will have an 'indian summer' this fall but I recently heard they are predicting our first frost for Sept 1

so maybe not.

So how are things going with you? How is maintenance? If it's going smooth--I want to hear your secrets on how to make that happen!

08-09-2009, 07:33 PM	#337
vee716 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oakville, ON CAN Posts: 2,320 Gallery: vee716 Stats: 340high 297/158.6/150 WOE: WLS(1999) - low-carb Start Date: September 5, 2003	Hi everyone. No sign of the 150s, and I figure they are off in the distance for a bit now. I'm trying something new. I'm cycling my calories because I know I eat a lot on the weekend, weekends are harder for me to control food. So my weekday calorie and carb totals are really low and I expect to lose more on the scale, as I did last week. Weekends come and I relax my carb & calorie targets and I put on a little water weight. It's okay, I'm expecting it, so and it didn't upset me this morning. This morning I was up to 161.8, I think it was. Sundays are a really big day for eating, since I'm training for the half marathon, we do our long runs on Sundays. Today I ran for about 2 hours. I get famished after these long runs so I decided to allow a lot of extra calories (and allow extra again for part of the extra activity) and let myself have some non-sugary carbs to replenish glycogen which is pretty depleted after my run & week of low-carb. I fully expect to be up in the 162/3 range tomorrow. Hopefully, it will come off quickly again as I return to low-carb & low-calorie tomorrow. Low-calorie isn't too bad, it's in the 1600-1650 range, completely "do-able" for me without feeling deprived. I hope it works. If it does, it's a good way for me to get through the next 7 weeks before the half marathon race with keeping my running going and my diet going strong. __________________ Valerie My blog - Find Your Own Weigh

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08-08-2009, 09:47 AM	#331
vee716 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oakville, ON CAN Posts: 2,320 Gallery: vee716 Stats: 340high 297/158.6/150 WOE: WLS(1999) - low-carb Start Date: September 5, 2003	I had to drop by the office this morning to let the IT guys in for something. And, I hadn't had breakfast, so the almonds claled to me! Only 1 ounce though. The scale has been so good to me lately, I can't stay off. 160.2 lbs this morning! That's VT (virgin territory) folks! I was so close, so close to seeing a 159 something, maybe tomorrow. It's certainly giving me reason to stay extra good today.

08-08-2009, 10:48 AM	#332
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	Happy Saturday! Wish I wasn't at work.... Kim--I'm pretty sure I would not like liver cheese! And I'm guessing it's loaded with sodium? So the menu looks fine but the fact that you are trying not to eat peanuts but are, is kind of concerning---kwim? I just don't want it to snowball and you end up on a bender. Val--holy cow you are rocking that scale. That 159 will be here soon enough---just keep doing whatever you're doing and it will happen!! The casino was fun. It's also a race track and they had camel and ostrich races--so cool and funny to watch! Went shopping this morning and got tons of great deals on clothes but only found 1 pair of capris for the cruise.....but I'm going to go out and do some more shopping after I leave work so maybe I'll find more. I went back to Big Lots for some detox tea and they still had tons of the other varieties but that one was all gone. I did find Peter Pan no sugar added peanut butter. I've looked for that for almost 3 years now! I'm sure the natural is far more healthy but it's nice to have something at work that doesn't need to be refridgerated. Well--back to work.....blah. At least it's a crappy day out--hot, humid, raining off and on---so I don't feel so bad about not being outside. Have a good day and I'm sure I'll be back later.

08-08-2009, 08:20 PM	#333
realityjunkee MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 2,725 Gallery: realityjunkee Stats: 326/183.8/150 WOE: Atkins--you betcha! Start Date: March 2007	Sorry you had to work today Teresa! Thanks for looking out for me, the salt continues to be an issue--I don't know if I just thought I'd just worry about cutting back for now but I do recognize I need to watch the salt too. Today didn't help! B--scrambled eggs with sausage L--PF Chang's Wok Seared Beef D--2 hb patties, 2 slices tomato, 1 slice onion, pickles and mayo

08-09-2009, 07:20 AM	#334
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	Morning--hope you are all having a great weekend! Mine has been packed and is flying by. Kim--looks like day 6 went very well. I haven't been to PF Chang's in awhile, sounds good! I'm not sure if salt really is a big problem or not--I suppose it depends on if you are salt sensitive or not? I tend to think that processed meats are not such a great thing, but that's just me. Val--what's the scale say today? Any sight of those 50's? Kathy--how did days 5 and 6 go? If you're not here, I'm worried, so get your buns in here and tell us what's up! I have lots of work to do today but I brought it home with me as I don't want to go into the office. I think I'm going to try to make dried cranberries today, as well as do some things with the giant zuch. I got rid of one of them, so now I just have one huge one to deal with!

08-09-2009, 08:58 AM	#335
realityjunkee MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 2,725 Gallery: realityjunkee Stats: 326/183.8/150 WOE: Atkins--you betcha! Start Date: March 2007	I am salt sensitive--I have tended to stall with too much sodium for a year or so. We'll see how this first week went and go from there. You sound like me--too much work spilling into the weekend!

08-09-2009, 10:13 AM	#336
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	So Kim, have you started doing any shopping for the cruise? Now's the time as there are tons of bargains out there. I think we should all buy an outfit for the cruise--nothing fancy, can be shorts and a t-shirt but something that we want to fit into by that time. What do you think? I had a hard time shopping for cruise stuff yesterday--I just don't look too hot in summer stuff with all the skin--but I know if I wait and have to buy stuff on-line it will likely be expensive and a hassel. I'm trying to find something that resembles a swim suit. I found some swim shorts but they only had 2 left--one 2 sizes too small, and one that fit now but since I hope to be down some by then I didn't want to get them. I'm going to have to hurry and find stuff because the summer stuff is going quickly!

08-09-2009, 07:39 PM	#338
vee716 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oakville, ON CAN Posts: 2,320 Gallery: vee716 Stats: 340high 297/158.6/150 WOE: WLS(1999) - low-carb Start Date: September 5, 2003	Oh, and DH (Jim) is dieting for the next 10-11 days. He does these crash diets every year or so. He says he'd rather suffer in agony for 10-11 days, drop 10-15 lbs (which he does) than take weeks & weeks of dieting to get there. He literally crash diets, about 6 oz of protein for the day, a couple small fruit, one tiny bread exchange, and vegetables, no fats. It adds up to about 800-1000 calories a day, if that. He got the diet from an expensive commercial diet program popular around here, he did it for a few months about 6 years ago and lost about 40 lbs. Now he maintains that weight loss by doing this crash diet when his weight gets about 10 lbs above goal. I only mention it because when he does this, it makes my dieting much easier to do. We eat well, nutritionally, usually, but we do go out to eat 2-3 times a week and those meals are always hard to control calories on. Restaurants don't make low-calorie food. I'll have almost 2 weeks of us not going out at all to eat, it should make things a little easier for me. I'm going to try to tighten up my food choices a bit, keep the calories really on target during this period to make the most of it.

08-10-2009, 05:22 AM	#339
kathy76 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 2,372 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: kathy76 Stats: (313)282/162.4/155-150 WOE: atkins 5'8 Start Date: 9/19/05	I'm here....I just had a busy weekend. Day 5 was pretty good....yesterday could have been better, nothing drastic just too much food in general. I think the loaf of bakery fresh garlic bread that I made for dinner for the family set me off. I ended up having PB & yocheese....too much of it....after dinner. Today is a new day

08-10-2009, 07:14 AM	#340
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	Morning! It's Monday and crazy around here. I logged in earlier and then got distracted with a zillion things....I think my whole week is going to be like this. No time to chat but it looks like everyone is hanging in there! I'll check in tonight.

08-10-2009, 07:18 AM	#341
vee716 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oakville, ON CAN Posts: 2,320 Gallery: vee716 Stats: 340high 297/158.6/150 WOE: WLS(1999) - low-carb Start Date: September 5, 2003	I'm still here. Weight was 162.4 lbs this morning, lower than I thought it might spike with the food I ate yesterday, but I'll take it. I'm hoping for some big water whooshes in the next day or two, I think I should be able to see 160 something again. We'll see. Glad to see we are all hanging in. Lisa is going to be back from vacation soon. I'm going to have to stay off the scale while she's on induction!

08-10-2009, 06:24 PM	#342
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	Evening ladies! Val--good deal on DH's diet making things easier. You know, I'm amazed that I never really gain any weight when I go out to eat. I always eat way more than normal but as long as I keep it lower carb/healthy I do fine which kind of shocks me, but I'm happy that it works out that way. Doesn't sound like the scale was too horribly high today so good deal. Yes, Lisa is supposed to be back sometime this week so you're going to have to put that scale away....assuming she actually does induction upon her return. Kathy--yocheese and pb--2 of my favorites. Did you eat them together? I stopped to pick up some more Dannon tonight and they were out of the full fat so I'll have to try again soon as I'm out! Have you ever made an OMM? I swear the garlic/parm ones I make are as good as any other bread, my mom even loved them and made them for herself while she was here with me after surgery. I sent home all the ingredients with her to make them at home--never did check to see if she actually did or not. Anyway--maybe that's a solution so you can participate in the garlic bread eating. And an OMM is soo much healthier. So how did today go? Kim--how did your day go today? Did you weigh? If so, I hope you had good results! Today is National S'mores day...and yes, we celebrated at work! I didn't participate in the eating but I did buy the stuff and helped to construct them and for a moment I really really wanted some of the chocolate things (hersheys, rolos, reeses and other things) we were putting on them--but it passed. By the way, if you are ever going to be making s'mores for the family or a group of people--talk with me--there are a ton of different varieties to make that are so much more fun than the old standard! And by the way, when did they start making caramel vanilla marshmallows???

08-10-2009, 06:52 PM	#343
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	OK Kathy, I'm bummed. I just read in the recipe threads that delicatas are already coming up and pretty much mature now.....so I'm guessing that means the ones you planted are not going to happen. Bum deal---but thanks for trying! Now--I need to start stalking the farmer's markets and health food stores to see when they will start selling them--I can't wait!

08-10-2009, 07:55 PM	#344
kathy76 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 2,372 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: kathy76 Stats: (313)282/162.4/155-150 WOE: atkins 5'8 Start Date: 9/19/05	Teresa~ What recipe do you use when you make the OMM with garlic & parm? ....I'm sure you have told me before but I can't remember. Today was much better food wise: brunch: 5ish oz. grilled pork loin 1/2 c. green beans cucumbers w/vinegar dressing Dinner: chicken breast mashed cauliflower green beans I was gonna ask the lady at the fruit/veggie stand about buying a case of the delicata for me at the auction....I don't think it is really time to harvest yet, she just started having mums...no pumpkins or winter squash yet. I forgot to mention I have not had pop in a week....I'm trying to see if the Aspartame is the culprit for acne....I ruled out splenda a couple months ago. So far it doesn't look like this is helping, I am gonna give it another week to make sure. If it doesn't clear up I'm going to make an appt. at the dermatologist

08-10-2009, 08:24 PM	#345
realityjunkee MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 2,725 Gallery: realityjunkee Stats: 326/183.8/150 WOE: Atkins--you betcha! Start Date: March 2007	Hey all! I had a good day, I did weigh and was down 2.4 from last week. Not stellar by any means but decent. Today's menu: B--HB patty L--Pescado Mexicano (fish with peppers, onions, tomatoes, guac and sour cream) S--Atkins shake D--hot dog, 2 eggs with ham and 5 meatballs Again, too much sodium but I'll tackle that one soon. Trying to have veggies one meal and 2 light meals. We'll see how it goes. Ran 2.5 miles tonight and start Zumba back up on Wednesday.

08-11-2009, 06:26 AM	#346
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	Morning! Kathy--for the OMM I use a combo of flours but for garlic ones it's typically equal parts of flax, almond and CQ--although half flax and half CQ is also good. Then I add a good tablespoon or so of grated parm and lots of garlic and onion powder--and then the other stuff it calls for except I never use the butter as the nut flours and flax are very oily so I don't see the point. As soon as it's cooled I split and toast. Very yummy. I really play around a lot with the flours. On my next Netrition order I'm going to get some oat fiber because I remember adding a bit of that before to some other 'bread like' things I made and it gave them a chewy texture....so I think I'll play with that and see if I can make something like a bagel. Bread was never really a big deal to me, but I miss bagels and the low carb ones I can buy have way too much protein in them. OMG--I want a case of delicata! I'm going to have to look for a produce auction or whatever that is! I'm hoping that I can just find them cheap at farmer's markets and totally stock up! Way to go on giving up the aspartame!! I can't remember how long it was until I noticed the 'symptoms' of aspartame going away but I don't think it was immediate. There is a lot of good info out on the web about it so if you haven't, you might want to check. Even if it doesn't get rid of the acne--it may be helping in other ways. What are you doing to get your pop fix in? Or are you just drinking more coffee/tea? Also---I remember a long time ago one of my friends sisters was told that cola's of any type were a big cause of acne. Non cola type pop was OK, she was told just to not drink any type of cola. Now keep in mind that was over 20 years ago. But she quit drinking them and the acne went away. Might have been the sugar or caffiene though--I really don't know what the reasoning was for 'no colas' as opposed to other sodas although maybe she was drinking them by the case and that was the real problem!! Kim--2.4 is excellent--and it puts you further away from that 200 mark--so all is good! I have a feeling once you are ready to dump the salt/sodium/processed meats and cut the protein back you will drop more. But I also understand that right now that is what is helping you to get back on track, which is far more important! Val----so what did the scale say today?? Another crazy day today but I got a good night's sleep last night so hopefully I'm ready to tackle it. I have an offsite meeting all day tomorrow so unless I check in from home I won't be on until tomorrow night...try not to miss me too much!

08-11-2009, 07:18 AM	#347
kathy76 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 2,372 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: kathy76 Stats: (313)282/162.4/155-150 WOE: atkins 5'8 Start Date: 9/19/05	My drink of choice lately has been Lipton iced tea w/a hint of raspberry, I found it at Walmart...1.78 for a box of 18 family sized bags. I sweeten it with stevia & a couple packs of Truvia and the whole family drinks it. I read a thread a while back about buying some sort of raspberry ginger ale or soda water in a 2 liter bottle & sweetening it with stevia....I haven't been able to find any that doesn't have sweetener in it yet. I was just doing some reading and never thought about my SF gum that I chew...almost daily lately....it has Aspartame in it So I can't say I have been totally free of it for a week I guess I will pick up a pack of gum sweetened with xylitol at the Co-op when I am there the next time. I think the Trident that says xylitol on the label still has Aspartame in it???? I may be wrong. I managed to stay off the scale today.....not sure how tomorrow will turn out?? Brooke has soccer practice tonight, so I'm not sure about supper. Tonight we will find out if she is actually gonna get in the chair and participate or not. If she doesn't then I don't think we will be going again. She is still signed up for the teen night on the 21st and is pretty excited about that. Kim~ Congrats on the loss Sounds like you have got your groove back

08-11-2009, 07:19 AM	#348
vee716 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oakville, ON CAN Posts: 2,320 Gallery: vee716 Stats: 340high 297/158.6/150 WOE: WLS(1999) - low-carb Start Date: September 5, 2003	Teresa - there is an egg in that OMM, too, right? Maybe I should try one again, it's been a while since I've done one. Kim - congrats on the 2.4 lbs & the good day on plan! I haven't tried Zumba, I've tried Nia, I think it's close. Kathy - I'll be curious to see if the aspartame is the culprit. I've tried cutting it out,but never saw any difference in anything. The scale was 161.6 lbs this morning - I'm happy with that. Tomorrow is the official weigh in day, I'm hoping for a 160 something. We'll see.

08-11-2009, 07:32 AM	#349
kathy76 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 2,372 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: kathy76 Stats: (313)282/162.4/155-150 WOE: atkins 5'8 Start Date: 9/19/05	I used to think it was probably the Splenda, I was using quite a bit of the liquid Splenda. But I cut it out for a couple weeks and it didn't change anything. I don't mind using stevia in my coffee, I just can't afford to buy stevia sweetened soda. I think what I am finding out is....I liked to replace food/snacking with a big fountain pop or a 24 oz bottle of pop & I miss that AND I was kinda replacing that with the SF gum last week ..... So I was still having Aspartame but didn't realize it

08-11-2009, 08:38 AM	#350
vee716 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oakville, ON CAN Posts: 2,320 Gallery: vee716 Stats: 340high 297/158.6/150 WOE: WLS(1999) - low-carb Start Date: September 5, 2003	There is SF gum made without aspartame, with xylitol instead, but I can only find it in the health food stores and it's pretty expensive, too.

08-11-2009, 11:45 AM	#351
kathy76 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 2,372 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: kathy76 Stats: (313)282/162.4/155-150 WOE: atkins 5'8 Start Date: 9/19/05	I think that the one my co-op carries is 1.99/pk It would be well hidden in my purse so the kids could not find it at that price!!!!

08-11-2009, 12:31 PM	#352
kathy76 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 2,372 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: kathy76 Stats: (313)282/162.4/155-150 WOE: atkins 5'8 Start Date: 9/19/05	Someone in the ML just asked for a lc bread machine recipe...so I went looking and found this Best Low Carb Bread (Bread Machine) - 102631 - Recipezaar. One of the reviews said they subbed almond flour for the soy flour. I think I might give it a try....it also said it needed some salt & less splenda. I could probably use some Oat Flour in place of the soy too.

08-11-2009, 04:41 PM	#353
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	Val--on the OMM there are different versions but the basics are: 1/4 cup of flax or whatever flour/meal you want 1 egg 1/2 t. baking powder (I typically use less because CQ already has some in it) and then I think the original calls for a teaspoon or tablespoon of butter, but I never add that. Then you can add savory things--some even add shredded cheese, olives, whatever into it along with spices. Or you can add sweet things--sweetener, cinnamon, pumpkin, cocoa, whatever you like. Nuke in the microwave for 1 minute. They really are very versatile and you can play around with them and come up with whatever you desire! One thing I have to tell you though is--they are gross (IMO) right out of the microwave--but they have a completely different (and yummy) taste after you toast them. Kathy--now you have me looking at the ingredients in all of my gum! Yep--aspartame--yikes! I had no clue, just thought it was all xylitol. I'm glad I pretty much only chew it after a meal out--basically it's my dessert. But still, I'm not happy about that so I will be looking for something else. I noticed Netrition now has some more things that are xylitol sweetened like pancake syrup and some other stuff, so maybe check and see if they have any gum without aspartame. Let us know if you try the bread. I haven't looked at the recipe yet but you could also probably use CQ instead of the soy. I love the texture of Kevinpa's lc bread, but I can't get past the weird taste in one of those protein ingredients he adds....just wish I could figure out which one gives it that weird twang. Today at work was downright crazy--kind of fun--but really stressful at the same time. I have an all day off site training tomorrow and I'm kind of relieved for the break, but also kind of worried about not being on site with all that's going on....oh well, it will all work out. I think I have found my new plastic surgeon. I've been doing a lot of research--and I think this is the one that will be able to deal with my issues....I think. He does gastric bypass reconstruction stuff and apparently most WLS patients from around here are referred to him---so if he can deal with their issues, I think he can deal with mine! I spoke with his nurse tonight and it was a breath of fresh air---I could just tell that they are very used to the different types of complexities there are with surgery for people who have this much skin. She will be calling me back on Thursday to let me know if they can fit me in next Tues. If not I can't get an appt for a consult until the end of Sept. I'm excited and nervous all at once. If he's not 'the one' I'm not sure what to do next. If he is, I'm afraid his prices will be so outrageous that I won't be able to afford him. Uggg! But I'm telling myself it will all work out the way it's supposed to...some how. I just hope the way it's supposed to work out is that he is the one and I can afford him! I will have to say that I have put myself on high binge alert. Between the crazy hectic stressful days at work, being behind on everything in every part of my life, and pursuing moving forward with plastic surgery....well, I need to be on high alert as the combo of it all is a perfect recipe for me to come undone. So far, so good--but I am just being constantly mindful of my every thought when it comes to food or when it comes to anything that I might let get me down or put me in a negative place in some way. I'm glad I am finally figuring out my triggers--now let's see how well I can manage them.

08-11-2009, 04:49 PM	#354
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	One minute muffin - So delicious Val, this is the original recipe except the original is all flax, this one is all almond flour.

08-11-2009, 06:56 PM	#355
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	omg, talk about ending a stressful day with more stress. A little boy (7 years old) from a neighboring apt complex has been missing for over 4 hours. Police and people roaming all around looking for him. I helped by knocking on doors looking for him or anyone who has recently seen him. Right now they (cops and search crew) are heading towards a creek that runs through the area and a construction site on the other side of it. It is all so scary and just makes me sick to my stomach. The neighborhood kids are really freaking out, and the adults are not doing much better. I pray they find him soon.

08-11-2009, 09:03 PM	#357
realityjunkee MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 2,725 Gallery: realityjunkee Stats: 326/183.8/150 WOE: Atkins--you betcha! Start Date: March 2007	Today was good! I finally feel better about myself. TOM also paid a visit, so maybe I'll have a loss this week too! B--HB patty L--lettuce with ham, cheese, tomato, bacon pieces and caesar dressing D--steak and eggs

08-12-2009, 04:37 AM	#358
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	Morning! Happy Hump Day! Kim--the menu looks good and even better is that you are feeling better about yourself! Have you ever noticed that as a trend in general when TOM comes? For me--it seems like the day or 2 before and after TOM is when I am the most balanced and feel the best (minus any cramps!), which I know seems crazy, but it's like hormonally that is the best time for me. I wish I could figure out how to bottle that feeling or which supplements/vitamins or whatever would create that feeling all month! Haven't heard anything about the little boy yet, watching the news right now to see if they report anything. Hopefully not which should mean that they found him and he was OK--I hope. While searching with neighbors last night they said that yesterday morning there were a ton of emergency vehicles at that complex and allegedly there was a murder/suicide! No one seemed to have the facts on this so I don't know if it's true or not but I'm also watching the news for that. Geesh, our nice quiet little neighborhood seems to have broke out in chaos in one days time. WI--148.1 so down .6. I'm actually pretty surprised to be down as I'm mid cycle right now so I'll happily take it! I will have to say that something seems to have changed with my body composition on the way down this time as I can fit into most of my smallest clothes now quite comfortably--not all but most. It seems like I was about 5 lbs down when I was comfortably wearing a lot of this stuff. Not sure what the deal is as I'm not exercising any more than usual--but I'm not going to complain! Today will be fun (NOT) 2 four hour training classes with an hour break in between....I don't do well with sitting that long, especially when it's boring HR type stuff. Oh well, necessary evil and it will be nice to get it done with! Have a good one ladies!

08-12-2009, 05:53 AM	#360
Teresa123 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6,041 Blog Entries: 12 Gallery: Teresa123 Stats: 350+/155.5/145 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Oct 2006	Hey Lisa---great to see you! It's funny because I have been thinking about you while investigating for surgeons and wondering when your big day is coming. 12 weeks....I bet you are soooo excited! I hope it all goes smoothly and you have great results! Even with my not so great results I am still so happy to have done it. This summers weather has sure been varied across the country. We usually have hot steamy summers but not at all this year. I've only had the air on twice, and only for a few days at a time. Right now we are in the upper 80's which isn't bad for this time of year but best of all the humidity is not horrible--love it! I keep thinking we will have an 'indian summer' this fall but I recently heard they are predicting our first frost for Sept 1 so maybe not. So how are things going with you? How is maintenance? If it's going smooth--I want to hear your secrets on how to make that happen!