Wendy Chant Code Crackers Week of Aug. 4, '08

[marymc]

pdxmom, well said! That's why I'm not worrying about the scale. There are some folks on this LCF board who have done low carb very successfully all the way to their goal, but I also have a lot to lose (at least 50 pounds) and I tell ya, my body adapted very quickly to extended low carb - seems it happens alot to others here too. Anyway, I knew that I couldn't throw caution to the wind and just eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, but I couldn't do long term low carb either because it stops working and then I had to start cutting carbs even more with things like vegetables for pete's sake! What?? I truly felt the solution was somewhere in between and that's why this Plan appealed to me. It makes total sense. So, I'm going full force and not gonna get obsessed with the scale for a change! I want to learn to crack the code for good darn it!

[Mischief1]

to the new names I see! This board discusses everything as you may notice! But it is a great chance to sound off while we are trying to change our bodies for the better!

Libster - Like Kelley, the only place I have seen the Jay Robb is at whole foods. It is tasty and it is pricey. 10 serving jar was @ $26 dollars. I also found the Low Carb SlimFast at Target @ $6 for 4 servings. I only found it in milk chocolate but it tastes one heck of a lot better than the other protein powder I bought and which ended up in the trash.

Wildcat - try not to Let the lack of a large weight loss get you down. I only lost 2# in 2 weeks of carb deplete. I lost 3# the first week, but I think the body got used to no carbs by the second week, so it put one pound back on to avoid the starvation mode. The more I read and think about it the more I have to agree that convincing the body that food is coming is the way to go.

Shelley - we have several people who had decided to quit. We are sorry to see anyone go, but realize each has to decide what is best for them. If all you want to do is one week, then do one week. But feel free to keep visiting with us!

Margaret - see my note to Wildcat. I think as much as you would like to be eating the same as your son, the body may not react the way you want/would think it should, and would not want you to get frustrated!

Violet Skye - well said! I'm with Margaret - I have print it out and will put it where I see it each day.

Becky - we will be thinking good thoughts for you at your seminar breakfasts and lunches. Hopefully there is enough "good" things for you to make it through successfully. You may have to "tweak" a little, but remember all the things you can have - eggs and other proteins at breakfast, maybe chicken and salad at lunch. Take some protein drinks or protein powder and have it with some mid-morning coffee.

In general - when I look back at all the other diets I have tried, this WOE seems to make the most sense for me, especially for the long haul. I spent thousands on JennyCraig, only after months of being at a standstill being told, "Oh didn't we tell you? Diabetics usually can only lose 15 pounds on this diet." Yeah, like you didn't require me to get a release for the diabetes from the doctor before I could sign up. Seems you forgot that part. I tried WW and even following it to the "T", I just gained weight. And the blame and shame was enough to convince me to quit.
So, this is only the cost of the book and the cost of trying.

Happy week whatever week you are in!

Connie

Here's my new thoughts for the bottom of my posts:

[COLOR=magenta]A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step[/COLOR]. (I think it's Confucious but don't remember).

[COLOR=blue]''You can like the life you're living, you can live the life you like[/COLOR][COLOR=blue]."[/COLOR] (From the play Chicago)

[wildcat1842]

Originally Posted by kelley17

Not that I know of - I just post it in my signature and there are a couple of people doing it on the Callanetics Challenge and every now and then we will talk about it - like today. Today was a killer!

I Googled it, and I found one that was 6 weeks. I tried week 1 day 1 today. I had no idea how out of shape I was, or how hard REAL push ups are! I feel wimpy

[DivaHerself]

Well kids, I'm stunned to say I've made it through an entire day. Usually my attention span fades somewhere around the second meal
Dinner was free-range organic chicken breast sauteed with fresh garlic, ginger and lemongrass, with a bit of salt (somehow there was no shoyu in the house) and white pepper. Next to it was steamed broccoli, with some thin-sliced celery and cabbage thrown in to make it look like Chinese food -- hey, it fooled all the Y-chromes, and the littles had sticky rice underneath it.

I started off very late this morning -- got sucked into catching up on emails/work from over the weekend -- so there's only been four meals today. Fitday says I'm at just over a thousand calories and 13 carbs, so I should probably throw in a bit more, but I'm wondering if I can stay up late enough to get in a protein shake. I'll try the vegan rice protein one, so if it sucks it's no big loss.

I even did a tiny bit of actual exercise -- four sets of isometrics, and a big eleven (!) pushups. Clearly, the pods have gotten to me.

One down, 55 to go!

[Savannah]

Hi All !!!!

Too funny girls I've wanted to look like that Barbie my whole life & now here's a reall funny! I thought that was Sandra sitting by the pool & couldn't figure out where she carried her weightYES that's with my glasses on too

I am TRUSTING in this process for me I starved myself eating meats & eggs for a year & then cheating & yo yo ing . . . . heck now I forget to have my snacks & I am totally lovin all the vegies I am eating. It's healthy eating now!
I'm on a broccoli, cucumber, & tomato kick Like Marymc I was afraid of a little lettuce how rediculous????????

As for the scales . . .well yes I weighed this AM after carb up Sat. of course it was up & thats OK. It has to for the cycling to work & it's not about the numbers it's a lifestyle change & repairing my metabolism.

I really appreciate reading all the supportive posts here & wanted to say Thanks for a great group here it makes this much more fun than doing this alone & there are lots of good ideas too!

BTW I am one of those Wendy Crepe lovers, only mine was a big mess of crumbly goodness. The burner wasn't working & I switched burners then
it was on high & stuck to the pan need I say more, but it tasted great with
my SF syrup Definitely a weekend project for me. I 'm too asleep in the AM's
just love my Poweroats!!!!! I don't use too much artifical sweetners any more
but try some SF Davinci's carmel with some Cinnamon with oatmeal & vanilla whey YUMMO!!!!my whole year of low carb I missed my oatmeal.
Flintchick I 'm anxious to see what you come up with for that cookie!!

Hope you all have a great day Tue, let's see I'm on Cycle 2 Week 3 Day 16
stayed up too late reading again!!!!

[Tyler'sGM]

Originally Posted by Sandra2305

Attachment 15174
OH that EZ bread was too much-- shoulda stuck with the pineapple CC!! ha

How FUNNY is THIS!!!!????!!!!! So glad you shared this with us!!!
Linda

[Carly080408]

Hi Everyone,
Today was Week 1 day 1 for me and here is what I ate:
Breakfast:
1 whole egg/3 eggbeaters egg whites
mushrooms
1 slice 2% cheese
2 cups coffee w/ 1 TBL SF International Delight cream
small pat of butter (to scramble eggs)

Snack:
Atkins Protein Shake

Lunch:
4 oz of turkey breast and lean beef
2 oz of sharp cheddar cheese

Dinner:
chicken Breast - 6 oz
very large salad w/radishes, lettuce, green olives, a couple of grape tomatoes
2 TBL full fat salad dressing
Asparagus

The total carbs I counted was 10.5

I don't care for cucumbers or cottage cheese or oil and vinegar dressing
Mary..do you think this was ok or were the olives and tomatoes a bad choice?

Lots of new names on the board I see. Welcome. I am so glad to have more ideas and comments. I plan to stick this out for the full 8 weeks no matter what. I agree with whoever said that it wouldn't be fair to not give it the whole time limit before I decide whether it works or not. Now with that said..this was only my first day!! I didn't really care for the eggbeaters egg whites in the carton. They were kinda yucky. Can I just eat 3 whole scrambled eggs with some mushrooms?

I got my Jay Robb sample packets at a grocery store called Cash Wise. I have never seen that store anywhere else but here in North Dakota.

I love beer too..I intend to try to make it thru the whole 8 weeks without one if that is what the plan calls for. But I really thought we could have alcohol after the 3rd week. Is that not true? I guess I could have a little glass of white wine if that is allowed but it's just not the same. I'll do it tho if it means re-programming my system. I don't want to look like this anymore.

Marymc--I took my measurements this morning. The first time I have ever done that on any eating plan..so I think that means I am finally ready to get this weight loss thing over and done with once and for all! August is a good month for me to do stuff successfully..I quit smoking 3 years ago on August 25th.

One more thing..I am guessing I have to count the carbs for any fiber-type product to "help me go", correct? Like metamucil? I want to make sure I start that right away as part of a maintenance plan since I know I will get backed up and that isn't much fun.

Sorry this post is so long. It took me hours to read the 8 pages of posts today! We have such a great group.

[mknight]

Hi ladies, Mandy, thanks for the encouragement, yes, I am doing the rennovation on my own so it is a lot of work. No DH to help - but that just means I don't have to ask anyones opinion on flooring, tile, or the kitchen cabinets I want =) but it is stressful, the best part is the walk in closet I am putting in so that when I do lose this weight, I can shop for skinny clothes.

And I will lose the weight! I am not discouraged, just need to refocus. I am starting again on Monday and this time I am determined. I didn't eat on plan today for the first time and I feel terrible - isn't that funny! I had no issues with feeling tired, or headaches on plan, but today, not that I ate terribly bad, I feel awful - that was all I needed to kick my butt back in gear.

Welcome to the newbys, thanks to all for the encouraging words, the tough love (no need to apologize, we all need it once and a while) and for Mary Mac

[Sandra2305]

So I just could barely sleep last night! I was just so excited about checking my weight this morning.
Oh yes- I got up at 6:00am - of course used the restroom first and well........sing barbie.jpg "I'm so excited-- I just can't hide it... I just lost a bunch of weight and I think I like it."
If I could pipe in the music here too- Iwould!

Ok- 7.3 pounds!! whoopie!!!animated_girl_dancer_2.gif

Here we go-- week 2!!

For anyone who is interested and ever really wanted to look like barbie-- The original Barbie - 5'9', 110 pounds, 39-18-33 -- the only part I'm even close to right now is my bust! lol!

[Sandra2305]

to LOVEWINS-----
swim.jpg ha ha - In the pool!!

Challenge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol!

*you started it! ha

[Violet Skye]

I'm sure that Barbie is "blasting" away the fat along with us!

Yeah, that's it..

[Sandra2305]

[Oh-- good one girl!!!
She's bad!!!

[d's girl]

I was just trying to read thru all the posts and Mary I am glad I saw yours about the possible stalling of weight, because dog gone it! I actually went up a pound this past week! I followed the plan exactly during week 2 just like I did for week 1. This may be a little tmi but I did start my cycle also, so I guess that may have done it too. But I didn't eat any sugar and actually wasn't craving it. And if I would have worked out a little more it may have worked out. But I am sticking with it!!!!

[d's girl]

I'm sorry if this is TMI but I have been a bit constipated since starting the program. Has anyone else experienced this? My boyfriend gave me some stuff to take and that didn't work that great either. Any suggestions?

[fitmama]

Originally Posted by pdxmom

Wow! It's taken me most of the day to catch up on all the posts. I'm sorry I won't be able to reply to everything but I wanted to just put some thoughts down.

Lovewins- thanks for saying what I was thinking. I don't mind anyone talking about beer or anything else, but I was thinking that a lot of people were not really following the plan and then wondering why they're not losing.

Marymc - I cracked up when you were talking about your salad. I do the same exact thing. Romaine, mixed greens, cucumbers, then a bunch of stuff until it's a huge tupperware I'm hauling to work.

I also wanted to put my 2 cents in about those of you that are discouraged. I have never stepped on a scale and have found that I have gained 10 lbs in a week, so why would I expect it to come off that fast?

I've always heard that 1 to 2 lbs a week is a healthy weight to lose that will STAY off. Anyone can starve for a week and lose 10-20, but it usually comes right back.

Every year, I take my dayplanner and I put in a goal weight of one to one and a half pound less on every monday until I get to my goal. Usually, it ends up that it will take me anywhere from nine months to a year to get to my goal. Now I cannot tell you how many years have gone by where I never met my goal and sometimes ended up weighing more than the year before. I would have been happy with a quarter pound loss per week over the last 3-4 years. So why shouldn't I be happy with that now? I know week 1 spoils us, but put that in perspective. I have lost this much on cabbage soup but put it right back on within 2 weeks of normal eating.

What I do know for sure, is that if I quit, I will more than likely be back to where I started this time next year. If I stick with it - it may not work, but at least I have a fighting chance and I doubt I will gain the amount of weight I gain every year snacking on desserts and overeating greasy bad food.

This probably doesn't help you if you are skinny and have just a few to lose. You probably can drop it in a short amount of time. But if you're like me and have a bunch to lose - just remember slow and steady wins the race. If you took one babystep every week you will eventually get to your goal. If you quit, where will you be? Looking for the next quick fix?

Sorry if this sounds like a lecture or rant. I'm just hoping that some of you that are considering quitting can maybe look at it a different way and not feel discouraged.

OK...now I am going to add to your "rant" or "lecture". For all of you that have a lot to lose...you definitely want to see it go slowly eventhough it is frustrating. I can tell you from experience. I lost 80 pounds and I have kept it off for years. If you have much to lose, you want it to come off slowly so that you don't sag everywhere. When I tell people that I lost 80 pounds, they don't believe it because I did it so slowly (it took me 18 months) and my skin had time to shrink a bit. I know I was younger but believe me, slow is good for many reasons. You just have to be patient and consistent!!! !

[Lovewins]

d's-

I am just like you. Following the plan to the letter. Haven't lost any more since week 2 (I'm week 4 day 2) I am smaller, however. The scale isn't a perfect measure of body fat loss. I'll forgo the cheerleading today and just repeat myself- stick it out the full 8 weeks and see what happens...

[fitmama]

Originally Posted by d's girl

I'm sorry if this is TMI but I have been a bit constipated since starting the program. Has anyone else experienced this? My boyfriend gave me some stuff to take and that didn't work that great either. Any suggestions?

Are you eating broccoli and flaxseed oil once a day? If so, then eat more broccoli and go to GNC and get Nature's Secret, Super Clense. You can take this as needed or daily to help.

[fitmama]

Good morning gals!

Day 2 Week 2 for me and feeling good. Scale is .5 down so I am thrilled. I had Southwestern eggbeaters with ground turkey today for breakfast. I can not have anything else until after 1pm because I have to do a sonogram of my liver. (enzymes a bit high on blood work so they want to make sure everything is okay).

Hope you all have a wonderful eating day!!!

Will check in later!!

[d's girl]

Originally Posted by Lovewins

d's-

I am just like you. Following the plan to the letter. Haven't lost any more since week 2 (I'm week 4 day 2) I am smaller, however. The scale isn't a perfect measure of body fat loss. I'll forgo the cheerleading today and just repeat myself- stick it out the full 8 weeks and see what happens...

Thanks Lovewins, I am noticing that I am getting smaller. I'm sticking with it!

[d's girl]

Originally Posted by fitmama

Are you eating broccoli and flaxseed oil once a day? If so, then eat more broccoli and go to GNC and get Nature's Secret, Super Clense. You can take this as needed or daily to help.

Fitmama I eat the broccoli every day. No flaxseed oil though. I'll give all of that a try. I will probably drop 5lbs after!!!

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by wildcat1842

I Googled it, and I found one that was 6 weeks. I tried week 1 day 1 today. I had no idea how out of shape I was, or how hard REAL push ups are! I feel wimpy

I'm sorry - I thought you wanted to know if there was a challenge thread on LCF. I could have easily given you the link - so sorry - Yes it is 6 weeks, I think I mistakenly said 4 weeks, but it is weeks. I'm doing the girly push ups for the challenge - did proper form for the test, but there is no way in heck I could do the challenge in proper form. I'm so glad today is a rest day, my arms are still shaky

[onceNforall]

Originally Posted by pdxmom

What I do know for sure, is that if I quit, I will more than likely be back to where I started this time next year. If I stick with it - it may not work, but at least I have a fighting chance and I doubt I will gain the amount of weight I gain every year snacking on desserts and overeating greasy bad food.

This probably doesn't help you if you are skinny and have just a few to lose. You probably can drop it in a short amount of time. But if you're like me and have a bunch to lose - just remember slow and steady wins the race. If you took one babystep every week you will eventually get to your goal. If you quit, where will you be? Looking for the next quick fix?

OH, I so agree with you How many times have I started some new diet, lost a decent amount of weight in the first week or two and then sabotaged myself by quitting and putting it all (plus more) back on again?

I really feel that this is something that may finally work for me. I have soooo much weight to lose and this plan gives me "cheat" days to look forward to so there's never that feeling of "oh my God, I'll never be able to eat that ever again". That's where I go astray and then the guilt and feelings of failure set in and start the vicious cycle all over again.

I was so thrilled yesterday to be able to have my oatmeal (actually I eat oat bran) for breakfast and tomatoes on my salad for lunch and some summer squash at dinner....who would have thunk?

Those of us who are committed to finally getting this weight off "onceNforall" really need to give ourselves the gift of sticking with the program for the full 8 weeks. For me (61) it's the choice of my health and hopefully time to see my grandkids grow up. Now or Never.

[Lovewins]

[COLOR="DarkGreen"]Love your attituds, Sherrie!![/COLOR]

[marymc]

LOL Savannah, when I first saw her AVI I thought, well she looks just like a little Barbie doll! Oh, wait.... that IS a little Barbie doll!!

Originally Posted by Savannah

Too funny girls I've wanted to look like that Barbie my whole life & now here's a reall funny! I thought that was Sandra sitting by the pool & couldn't figure out where she carried her weightYES that's with my glasses on too

Well gals, I gave the Wendy's crepe another shot for breakfast this morning - I did everything in the blender again but this time used only 1/4 cup of the oats, which produced a much thinner batter. They were much better this time than the other times I've tried, but I gotta say ... I'm still not a big fan. They are just too dry for me and need some kind of moisture. Would rather "spend" my starch on a slice of Ezekiel or a serving of grits or even just a serving of plain old oatmeal. I tried!

[d's girl]

Hey Lovewins,
Just noticed you are from Michigan too, where about?

[marymc]

Hi Carly, while the focus is on eliminating sugars and keeping your net carbs under 20 grams in Week 1, you are also limited on your veggies to a very specific list, so no tomatoes - they are a higher carb veggies and contain a lot of natural sugars. I think that olives are considered to be more of a fat so if you use them count it toward your fat serving and reduce other fats with that meal - in this case the salad dressing. My preference in Week 1 would be to skip the olives and have more salad dressing!

Anyway, after Week 1 is done you can add those things back to your diet, but for Week 1, see pg. 77, and use Wendy's carb count as indicated (below) instead of standard carb counts from nutrition counters. You can also add veggies to any meal as long as you are also eating a protein, and you keep your total carbs for the day under 20. Oh and no eating veggies as a snack between meals!

Consume only these veggies on Week 1:

Asparagus (2 grams of carbs per cup)
Broccoli (4 grams per cup)
Cabbage (1 gram per cup)
Celery (0 grams per cup)
Cucumber (0 grams per cup)
Lettuce (0 grams per cup)
Mushrooms (1 gram per cup)
Radicchio (0 grams per cup)
Radishes (0 grams per cup)
Spinach (1 gram per cup)

Also, be careful with the cheese - it is considered a fat, so I would limit the use of it to a single serving or less per meal, which is one ounce. And don't forget to factor that in with any other fat you are using at that same meal.

On the egg whites - I never thought I would like them either but I was pleasantly surprised and now I'm quite used to them. Just make sure that one, they are fresh - they only last about a week after opening them - but also be sure to shake them really well before pouring them. You are mixing them with a whole egg, right? If you truly can't stand them, then go with two whole eggs, but I think three eggs would be too much fat. Wendy's use of egg whites is to get the protein up, without increasing the fat. Remember you are trying to keep your fats to one serving overall from all sources per meal. Yes, you can add the mushrooms, or any other veggie from the list - just be sure to count the carbs using Wendys carb number above.

You can have alcohol after the 3rd week if you like. Well, truthfully you can have the sugary treats and alcohol on your Carb Up Day anytime after the first week (see pg. 111), but in the book Wendy Chant says over and over that her preference is we wait until after the 3rd week. There are a lot of good reasons to wait to consume alcohol.

On the Metamucil, remember it's net carbs we are counting so once you deduct the fiber - which Metamucil is all fiber if I recall correctly - that should be zero on the net carbs.

Originally Posted by Carly080408

I don't care for cucumbers or cottage cheese or oil and vinegar dressing Mary..do you think this was ok or were the olives and tomatoes a bad choice?

[marymc]

d's girl, for awhile now I have been taking at least one dose of SF Metamucil daily (sometimes I forget) which is really just a flavored psyllium seed product, plus I have been using a calcium and magnesium supplement before bedtime, which helps my bones, helps give me a good sound sleep (I'm pre-almost there-menopausal) but also the magnesium helps to keep me regular. That and my two cups of coffee in the morning and I haven't had a problem. I really dug into the salads since starting this WOE too - I mean one HUGE salad with lots of lettuce and radish, cucumber, celery etc. PLUS very often another somewhat smaller salad at night too, on top of the broccoli almost every day (I happen to love the stuff) and I think that has helped. If you are looking for immediate relief because you are uncomfortable, you can use Milk of Magnesia, epsom salts or some other mild laxative but DO NOT ever rely on laxatives - they can affect the body's normal elimination processes with overuse so use them only rarely, if at all!! Metamucil is more of a solution to keep things flowing before there's a problem, but if you do start taking Metamucil definitely make sure that you are getting in all your water through the day plus some, or you'll only worsen the problem!!! Gotta keep those intestines hydrated too so things keep a movin' along.

Originally Posted by d's girl

I'm sorry if this is TMI but I have been a bit constipated since starting the program. Has anyone else experienced this? My boyfriend gave me some stuff to take and that didn't work that great either. Any suggestions?

[Dimples]

Good Morning everyone,

Just a quick check in. I have a lot of running around to do this morning but wanted to see how everyone is doing.

Mari....thank you for the suggestion on the protein powder. I am going to look today to see what I can find. I live in Canada and it is harder for me to find some brands.

Sandra........wtg on your great loss.

Anyway....I have to run. I hope everyone has a great day.

Marie T.

[Shelly3899]

[QUOTE=Mischief1;10677671]:

As I said, I am not "quitting" as my plan before I even started was to only do the first week as a jump start/motivation for me. So, I am doing exactly what I set out to do!

Shelley - we have several people who had decided to quit. We are sorry to see anyone go, but realize each has to decide what is best for them. If all you want to do is one week, then do one week. But feel free to keep visiting with us!

[Shelly3899]

Marie - why do you look so familiar to me?! Where do you live?

Originally Posted by mknight

Hi ladies, Mandy, thanks for the encouragement, yes, I am doing the rennovation on my own so it is a lot of work. No DH to help - but that just means I don't have to ask anyones opinion on flooring, tile, or the kitchen cabinets I want =) but it is stressful, the best part is the walk in closet I am putting in so that when I do lose this weight, I can shop for skinny clothes.

And I will lose the weight! I am not discouraged, just need to refocus. I am starting again on Monday and this time I am determined. I didn't eat on plan today for the first time and I feel terrible - isn't that funny! I had no issues with feeling tired, or headaches on plan, but today, not that I ate terribly bad, I feel awful - that was all I needed to kick my butt back in gear.

Welcome to the newbys, thanks to all for the encouraging words, the tough love (no need to apologize, we all need it once and a while) and for Mary Mac