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

[Teresa123]

Cool--plastic surgery all around--I wonder if we can get a discount for 3 of us doing it at once?! Now, we just all have to remember to buy some darn lottery tickets!

Val--you should try out some of Lauren's stuff. I've only tried a few and they were pretty good--I really like her biscuits, best low carb ones I've tried.

Kathy--yeah, I don't think there is probably a lot of nutritional value in the rice cereal. If I were to make them I think I would use the Special K high protein---not that I like all the protein but the carbs aren't bad. Although if I remember right I think that one has aspartame so I probably wouldn't use that either. Maybe Kashi?

OK--so I just dropped off my bike to the hottest guy I have seen in a long, long time! Like not just gorgeous but he had this glint in his eye---kind of ornery, fun loving, outgoing type of look---that I totally can't resist! But he is married. Oh well, at least I get to look at him again tomorrow when I go pick up my bike!

[realityjunkee]

Hi girlies! Things are going pretty well in induction land...

Yesterday:

3 eggs
hot dog (was at Sam's)
Chicken and broccoli alfredo


Today:

3 eggs
salad with turkey and ranch
Linda Sue's White Castle Pie with marinated tomatoes and leftover broccoli

I did sneak a few pumpkin seeds today and had soda twice.

I am down a pound from Thursday.

[Teresa123]

Morning!

Kim--looks like you're doing pretty good--and 1 lb is great! So, what do you plan to do after your induction week? I remember you had said that after Vegas you were going to maybe take a different approach....have you decided yet what that will be?

OK people--you have been way too quiet lately....what is going on??? I am getting bored.

[Teresa123]

OK--I'll entertain myself for awhile.....

WARNING---LOW CARB FOOD PORN

Yellow Cupcakes with White Vanilla Frosting

Have you guys seen this one? I really need to get to the recipe room more often--maybe it would motivate me to be less lazy with cooking! My first thought on these was that I want to try the frosting because I have yet to find a really good tasting lc one and I love vanilla frosting. All these bean dessert recipes have never really looked that appealing to me but I'm actually thinking maybe I'll try this one or maybe the one that has been floating around for the brownies. I seem to do really well with small amounts of starches (small banana or potato, that kind of thing) so maybe the beans would work too--and the calories on some of them tend to be much lower than the desserts I usually make which would be a bonus.

Have any of you tried any of the desserts made with beans? If so, what did you think?

[vee716]

I did try the black bean brownies. They weren't too bad, actually. I was trying to cut fat, too, so I subbed out some of the fat for an apple/blueberry sauce, and that was a bad idea. The blueberry flavour came through a bit and made the brownies a little weird. I still ate them, but it was just not quite right.

Those cupcakes do look good! I'm afraid to find a really good LC frosting though, I love frosting way too much!

Lost about 4/10ths of a pound of water from yesterday. If previous experience bears out, tomorrow's weigh in should be down another pound or so if the water keeps going. We'll see. I'm still feeling fairly relaxed about the scale. I think part of me is resigned to a long battle in the bottom half of the 160s. I haven't seen the 150s since my early 20s, if then, it might have been my late teens. There is part of me that knows my body will fight it and I'm going to need patience and fortitude to break this barrier. So, I'm settling in for a long fight and so the small ups & downs aren't as frustrating to me today.

[Teresa123]

So what was the texture like with the brownies? For some reason I would think they would be dry?? Did it change the texture, and could you taste the beans?

I love frosting too--probably why I haven't liked any of the lc ones because that's one place it's hard to 'mimic' real sugar. This one doesn't look like it would be too addictive though--more the light fluffy kind. I love the thick heavy kind!

Glad the scale is going in the right direction for ya! I almost pulled my scale out today because I thought it was Weds. Actually, when I was waking up this morning I was sure it was Saturday for some reason--maybe I was having a weird dream! But after I got up I had it in my head it was Weds. I think I'm crazy!!

I'm so excited to get my bike tonight. I hope it doesn't storm as predicted cause I want to get on and see if I can still actually ride. It might be kind of a scary site at first!

[vee716]

The beans actually make the texture less dry. They are a little fudgier than cake brownies.

Knock on wood, not wanting to jinx it, but I seem to be having a better day today, not nearly as hungry! I even went to the gym at lunch for a short weights workout.

[Teresa123]

Hmmm, I'm all for fudgier, I don't like brownies that are at all cake-like---so I think I will be trying those soon! But without the apple/blueberry sauce you added.

Hope the hungries stayed away today. I know I'm mid-cycle right now but surprisingly I've only had some hungry moments, not days, which is a relief--hopefully it stays that way!

[vee716]

I'm mid cycle too and I think I'm experiencing my monthly Great Ovulation Blimp Out Week. I did weights today too which is good for a little water retention, so I'm fairly sure I'll be up on the scale tomorrow morning. Oh well, that just means a bigger whoosh next week, right?

.

[Teresa123]

Morning and Happy Hump Day! Although I swear it should be at least Thursday by now.

WI---150.7 so down .7 which puts back to about where I was 2 weeks ago, I think. But, better than a gain.

Kathy--hope things go well with DH's procedure today.

Lisa--where are you?

Kim--hope your induction week is still going good. Today is your last day, right?

Val--I don't usually get a whoosh after mid cycle anymore, although if I gain from it it will usually come back off. Typically my only cycle related 'whoosh' anymore is the few days right after TOM starts--but that doesn't always happen either.

Are you getting pyched up for your race tomorrow, and your birthday and for your fun weekend?

[vee716]

Oh, the scale gods thought they were being funny this morning. 165.4 - *up* a pound from last week, even though my calories for the week have been spot on and I should have lost about 1.5 lbs in theory. I'm strangely unaffected by it. It's got to be water retention, all the evidence is water retention (bloated torso, tight rings), I've got sore muscles from getting back to weight training, and anytime you have sore muscles or an injury, there is water retention. So, I'm not worried about the bump up on the scale. I figure I will get a big whoosh this coming week.

Today is my Friday as I'm off tomorrow & Friday! Yay! I've got a short fun run tonight, only 20 minutes, then the race tomorrow, after lunch with my Mom for my birthday. We were supposed to go away Friday to go bicycling in Niagara on the Lake, stay over and go to a wedding in the area Saturday, but the wedding got postponed (the groom had a heart incident and is getting surgery this week - yikes!), so we are going to stay in town Friday, go for a run Friday night with friends, and then there is a street festival near our house Friday night we'll go to. Saturday we'll drive down to Niagara on the Lake & do our biking, but only for the day. Niagara on the Lake is also the wine region of our area, so that biking will likely be from winery to winery, tasting different wines for the afternoon! It should be fun. I'll have to save some calories for that!

I've got a busy day at work though, so I guess I should get to it.

I hope everyone is doing well. Where is Kathy? Has anyone heard from her?

Kim - I hope induction is treating you well. Way to go on dropping the pound! Every little bit helps.

Teresa - way to go on the .7 down! Definitely the right direction. You'll be out of the 150s this week, I'm sure!

Lisa - where are you? How are you?

[Teresa123]

Val--good for you on not being concerned about the scale--sometimes I can look at it that way, but unfortunately sometimes I can't (or don't?) anymore. I hope to get back to that attitude soon.

Your b-day plans/activities all sound great! You might want to take off Monday too so you have time to wind down from it all.

I haven't heard from Kathy or Lisa. Since we'll both be gone/busy this weekend Kim will have to post to keep the place warmed up for us!

The text 5 days--starting today--are going to be huge temptation days due to various things/events/etc. going on. I feel totally fine about it all and have no intentions to eat crap or do anything 'stupid'....however that said I have felt like that before and then totally blown it. I'm not a person that can do a bite or taste or anything moderate--with the exception of when it's part of my plan --so I just have to keep reminding myself that a bite will turn into a binge, if not immediately---then eventually. If I can keep that in the front of my mind and not try to fool myself--I will be OK.

[lcq]

I am Ok....just going through a "I hate Low Carb/ Dieting phase" lately.........I'll be back a posting regularly when I am in a better frame of mind

[Teresa123]

There you are!! I left you some 'messages' cause I was getting concerned.

So what do you think about this....maybe hang out and we can help you change that frame of mind, or at least try?? I know everyone is different, but it always scares me a bit when people pull away--because sometimes that's the exact opposite of what we really need to do....but I know you have to find your way and figure out what's best for you.

Anyway--glad to know you are OK and I'm here if you need me.

[vee716]

Yeah, Lisa, we can hold off on the questions or comments on your food/dieting if you just want to hang out. I'm a really big believer in the proverb of having to be in the right place at the right time. This might not be the right time, but being around supportive friends is the right place, just hang out until something changes in how you feel about the whole dieting thing.

But whatever you choose, I'm glad you are okay.

[lcq]

just want to hang out and chill........anyone have any good jokes

[realityjunkee]

morning! Sorry I've been MIA, work has been kicking my bootie this week!

Induction going well, TOM came yesterday so that may explain some of the difficulty I've had.

[Teresa123]

Morning!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAL!!!! Have a great day and good luck on your race!

Kim--what problems have you been having, did I miss something? Regardless I'm glad you found the culprit!

Lisa--jokes--hmmm, I suck at jokes! But if I hear any I'll be sure to share them. Why don't you entertain us and tell us all about your upcoming vacation?! What are you most excited to do, who all will you get to see, what are the hot spots where you will be visiting? Since I won't be taking a real vacation anytime soon (well, not until the cruise that is!) I need to live vicariously through someone!!

Speaking of cruise--Kim--I keep meaning to ask you....anything I should know or anything I need to do? I do need to check my passport out soon but I'm pretty sure it's got a couple years left on it.

[Teresa123]

Oh, and thinking of passports, I wonder if I should get a new one--or a new picture anyway. I normally wouldn't think about that because although my face isn't as fat I don't think it looks that much different. But, a few months ago I had to get a new badge at work because mine wasn't scanning at the security doors very well. Anyway, they seriously did not believe it was me in the photo. They had my photo saved on the computer and pulled it up so they could look at it better and in the end MADE ME go get my drivers license before they would give me a new one. I don't work in a government building or anywhere there is top secret information---and several of them (yes by this time a whole group of them were gathered around comparing me to my picture on file ) said they knew I worked here as they had seen me many times in the building (can't get in without a badge) but they seriously didn't believe it was me!! They were incredibly apologetic and complimentary (and had a zillion and one questions about how much I have lost, how I did it, etc) once I proved to them who I was but geesh, that was kind of a pain in the butt! So, I would imagine the Customs folks might be even harder to persuade??

OK--long story but it makes me realize--maybe I need to look into how to get a new passport photo! And anyone else in the same boat as me---KIM??---might need to think about that too!

[lcq]

Teresa - honestly I have no plans for Florida..........I have left it all in SIL hands..................the trip is really about my DS..............that side of the family do not see him much so where ever they want to take him I'll just be tagging along

As for your USA passports...can't help you.......over here we must have a picture in ours.......I would say though it might be wise to renew yours just to be safe rather than sorry

ETA: VAL....hope you have a wonderful day

[vee716]

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

The scale didn't give me a gift this morning, at 165.0. You'd think a little 2 lb whoosh wouldn't be too much to ask on my birthday!

Teresa - will they let you change your passport picture? I never thought of that. I just got a new one so my new picture (while very, very terrible) is at my current weight.

Kim - I hope the work stuff gets better.

Lisa - I don't know any jokes, either. I'm a terrible joke teller. I'm glad you are sticking around, though.

So it's just Kathys still MIA?

I'm thinking of going to Lululemon (do you guys get Lululemon where you are?) to buy myself an overpriced yoga outfit for my birthday.

[Teresa123]

Val--I've never heard of Lululemon I don't think--but I say go for it! Sorry the scale forgot it was your b-day!

I don't know if I can just get a new pic or not. I hate to have to apply to get a new pp and pay for another one if I can just get a new pic--which you can do with drivers licenses I think. I'll have to do a little research I guess.

Kathy is MIA but, her hubby was to have his gall bladder removed yesterday so I'm guessing she is playing Nurse Kathy again. And we know what babies some men can be if they aren't feeling too good!

Lisa--well then, I hope that DS has a great time and that you enjoy tagging along!

[lcq]

I have really been enjoying my strawberry/ACV slushy....Had one last night and one a little while ago......it oddly cuts my appetite and refreshes at the same time...I like that

[Teresa123]

Hey--I just had one too! I really love them. Putting the ACV in was just kind of a fluke---but it does work nicely. I was making yogurt/strawberry smoothies and one night I just wanted a slush, but I thought the strawberries alone would be too sweet--and I love tart slushes--so I tried the ACV and it was perfect. I also love it with lemon juice or lime juice. Now--as a rule I think ACV actually makes me hungry (what doesn't?? ) but it does seem to help appetite for a lot of people so I'm glad it works that way for you. Since I'm having it for dessert after a meal the ACV hasn't been bothering me at all as far as hunger goes.

It supposedly has a ton of health benefits...I kind of think I've heard it even helps with joint pain???? I'll be interested to see if it helps you at all that way. I think Kathy has said that it is a good diuretic.

Gosh, this week at work has been a huge roller coaster ride---change after change, one thing after another. I actually kind of like that--I need to keep my brain stimulated --but being out of town this weekend I won't be able to go into the office and I am soooo behind on so many things from having to deal with all the craziness. But I'm also glad I am going out of town because I think I need a little break. I found myself being a bit more assertive than usual with people at a much higher level than myself in a meeting this afternoon. Not out of line or anything but enough to make me question myself afterwards. That's always a pretty good sign for me that I need a bit of a break!!

[lcq]

Originally Posted by Teresa123

............
It supposedly has a ton of health benefits...I kind of think I've heard it even helps with joint pain???? I'll be interested to see if it helps you at all that way. I think Kathy has said that it is a good diuretic.

I was wondering about joint pain...because since i gave up eating strawberries & cream I noticed the joint pain is minimal.....now since I have had the strawberries with the AVC I seem to be fine........so I am wondering if my problem is the dairy cream............i have already identified that dairy cream is the one thing I added back that caused my weight to start bouncing again

ETA: glad you will be getting a little break away from the office

[realityjunkee]

Originally Posted by Teresa123

Morning!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAL!!!! Have a great day and good luck on your race!

Kim--what problems have you been having, did I miss something? Regardless I'm glad you found the culprit!

Lisa--jokes--hmmm, I suck at jokes! But if I hear any I'll be sure to share them. Why don't you entertain us and tell us all about your upcoming vacation?! What are you most excited to do, who all will you get to see, what are the hot spots where you will be visiting? Since I won't be taking a real vacation anytime soon (well, not until the cruise that is!) I need to live vicariously through someone!!

Speaking of cruise--Kim--I keep meaning to ask you....anything I should know or anything I need to do? I do need to check my passport out soon but I'm pretty sure it's got a couple years left on it.

The only problems have been wanting to eat bigger portions and only losing one lb last week...ho hum....lol!

Cruise wise, nope just start thinking about how much fun it will be!

Originally Posted by Teresa123

Oh, and thinking of passports, I wonder if I should get a new one--or a new picture anyway. I normally wouldn't think about that because although my face isn't as fat I don't think it looks that much different. But, a few months ago I had to get a new badge at work because mine wasn't scanning at the security doors very well. Anyway, they seriously did not believe it was me in the photo. They had my photo saved on the computer and pulled it up so they could look at it better and in the end MADE ME go get my drivers license before they would give me a new one. I don't work in a government building or anywhere there is top secret information---and several of them (yes by this time a whole group of them were gathered around comparing me to my picture on file ) said they knew I worked here as they had seen me many times in the building (can't get in without a badge) but they seriously didn't believe it was me!! They were incredibly apologetic and complimentary (and had a zillion and one questions about how much I have lost, how I did it, etc) once I proved to them who I was but geesh, that was kind of a pain in the butt! So, I would imagine the Customs folks might be even harder to persuade??

OK--long story but it makes me realize--maybe I need to look into how to get a new passport photo! And anyone else in the same boat as me---KIM??---might need to think about that too!

I haven't ever had a passport--have to go next week and have my DL renewed...will probably get all the paperwork then to get mine.

You def need a new pic! Smile purty!~

[Teresa123]

Kim--OK--I'm thinking about all the fun!! I noticed Becky (I think that's her name--the one organizing it here) put a note on the cruise thread about remembering to buy those clearance after summer clothes to have things for the cruise and I laughed because I was totally already planning to do that! Just got to figure out what exactly I can come up with that will pass as a swimsuit--because I love the water too much to not swim, snorkle or whatever!!

Lisa--I'm not positive on the joint thing, but I feel like I read that somewhere. But I could be confusing it with coconut oil. Neither of those things ever really did anything for me--as in the immediate type results people would talk about--so I kind of lost interest in doing much reading about them.

I think the cream thing makes sense...I still wonder if you have some type of lactose intolerance or something along those lines. Would explain your love for chocolate milk--since we often crave things our bodies can't seem to deal with.

Val--hope you had a wonderful b-day today!

Kathy--hope DH is doing well, and you too!

[Teresa123]

Anyone know how long coconut milk will last in the fridge after it's opened? Also--can it be frozen?

[Teresa123]

Happy Friday!!

Gosh, I signed in here early this morning and since then it has been non-stop craziness so I haven't been able to post. But, since no one else has been here either, I guess that's OK.

So far I am making it past all the food 'tests' this week, but I did have about a 5 minute battle in my head today as I looked at at least a zillion different great things to eat (pot luck) but so far, so good. I can't wait to get back to where I used to be when those things didn't phase me in the least.

Leaving early tomorrow for family reunion weekend. I'll have access to a computer so if there's time I'll check in. Either way, have a great weekend everyone!!

[vee716]

Have a good time at the family reunion, Teresa!

I did have a good birthday yesterday. Ran a 5k race and had another PB (personal best) so that was nice.

Quiet day today, off work. We'd planned to biking today, but it's raining, so I'm just hanging out at home.

No big changes on the scale, water retention is still holding on. I'm hoping it goes away soon.