Wendy Chant Crack the Fat Loss Code for October 27th

[kelley17]

Welcome to the Code Cracker Challenge Board!!!

Please look over the next few posts for helpful links and suggestions!

This is a continuation of the Wendy Chant “Crack the Fat-Loss Code” WOE Challenge Board! Please refer to prior challenge threads and the Other Diets board for general diet information and pick up the book, "Crack the Fat-Loss Code" for full diet information, guidelines, cycling schedules, sample menus, menu logs and more!

Whether you are just starting with the Cycle 1, Week 1 Carb Deplete or you are somewhere along the way, jump on in!! There are people at all levels of the Wendy Chant Way in here. This is a great group of helpful people who will be a great resource and support group for you.

Remember to weigh and measure yourself or select a pair of slacks to judge your losses by – you can choose whether you want to report your stats to the group or not … up to you … but you definitely need a measure of your progress.

Since we have so many levels, it's helpful when you ask questions or claim braggin' rights, if you mention in your postings what cycle, week and day you are on! Especially since the first weeks do have some restrictions that the latter weeks don’t.

Be sure to post tips and such too – especially if you’ve already been doing CTFLC for awhile now! And don't forget to share your menus! That is helpful for others, but also a good measure for others to help you should you encounter any problems yourself!

This is the place to share your weight loss successes, your personal story, your mistakes, grab some support, give some support ... whatever it is. We're here for you and each other. It really is a great group
Sooooo, how 'bout we get Crackin'?! LET'S DO THIS!!!
__________________

[kelley17]

This challenge is based on the 8-week program from "Crack the Fat Loss Code" by Wendy Chant. This challenge is open to any and all “Code Crackers” who are at any Cycle, any Week of the CTFLC program, whether it’s Cycle 1, Week 1 or Cycle 4, Week 8 or somewhere in between, and to those who are curious to watch and learn.

In brief, the 8 week program is divided into four cycles.

Cycle 1: Carb-Deplete Cycle – WEEK 1
This is the toughest week! For 7 days you will be restricting certain foods – mostly carbs – in order to manipulate the glycogen stored in the muscle. During this cycle you’ll be shutting off the body’s dependence on sugar and also teach it where to find the fat stores for energy! This week you will be counting carbs very closely so your veggies are somewhat limited and fats are more focused on the good fats. But, if you carefully follow the cycle you will never have to count carbs again!

Cycle 2: Macro-Patterning Cycle – WEEKS 2-4

Now you’ll move into what is called the Macro-Patterning Cycle. This is where you begin to slowly re-introduce carbs into your life, teaching the body to burn fat while slowing down the adaptive response. During week 2, you will begin to bring most of the foods that you consume regularly back into your daily meals. You will see less rigidity in the meal plans—and more substitutions. For best results, it is recommended that you continue to abstain from alcohol on carb-up days during Week 2. During Week 3, you will have two carb-up days, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. After this week is the best time to add in sweets and alcohol on your carb-up days.

*There are 3 kinds of days in Cycle 2.

Baseline Days

This is where you are teaching your body to adapt. You will be taking in the basic nutrients your body needs through proteins, you’ll take in good fats, but you’ll be adding in one starchy food at two different meals in your day, so long as you eat them before 3:00 p.m.

Carb-Down Days

These are days where you will have a more minimal starch intake to force your body to use fat as an energy source. One these days you will still get your fats from good fat sources, and you will consume one starch before 3:00 p.m.

Carb-Up Days

This is where you will increase your starches to stoke the metabolic rate and give the body what it needs for repair and growth. Your last 2 meals on this day will be primarily carbs! Yes, you can splurge on those usual forbidden foods – bread, desserts, pizza and even alcohol. We call these days Food Passes and you have two of them a week, typically on Wednesdays and Sundays, but the beauty of this plan is that you can adjust these Carb Up Days as needed for special occasions, making it very convenient and totally interchangeable.

Cycle 3: Accelerated Fat-Loss Cycle – WEEKS 5 & 6

For the 3rd cycle, you will begin to pick up the pace! You will continue to follow the same types of days that you did with the Macro-Patterning Cycle, but you will change how they are cycled in order to increase the body’s use of fat stores.

Cycle 4: Maintenance Cycle – WEEKS 7 & 8

The 4th cycle is all about teaching your body to reset back to a higher nutrient profile in favor of carbohydrates and fats. During this cycle you will get 2 new days – a cheat day where you can have any food you like – including any carbs you’ve missed, and you’ll also get a High-Carb Day where you have clean starches all throughout your day. If you have made your goal by this week, you will use this cycle to maintain. If you seek to continue your weight loss, you will restart your program at Cycle 2.

Let's get crackin'!!!

[kelley17]

[COLOR="Purple"]BASIC INFO[/COLOR]
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ot...loss-code.html

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/ot...l#post10896302

[COLOR="Purple"]PREVIOUS WEEK'S CHALLENGE[/COLOR]
Wendy Chant Code Crackers Week of 20 October 2008

[COLOR="purple"]MENUS, RECIPES AND EXERCISE [/COLOR]
Wendy Chant Menus

Crack The Fat Loss Code - Recipes

~CRACKERS LEARNING TO CRACK THE EXERCISE CODE~

[free to be me]

Excellent Kelley!!! Thanks!!!

[vicki lynn]

hi there everyone i will be starting my first week tomorrow(monday) my sister jody jane from iowa is my dieting buddy and we hope to lose together. it is so nice to be able to call someone when i need supportwish me luck:

[Mischief1]

Vicki Lynn! Glad to have you hang out with your sister and the rest of us!

Originally Posted by vicki lynn

hi there everyone i will be starting my first week tomorrow(monday) my sister jody jane from iowa is my dieting buddy and we hope to lose together. it is so nice to be able to call someone when i need supportwish me luck:

Just checking in so I am on this thread. I cannot believe how much yakking we did last week! That is (almost) as amazing as this WOE!!!

Connie

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by vicki lynn

hi there everyone i will be starting my first week tomorrow(monday) my sister jody jane from iowa is my dieting buddy and we hope to lose together. it is so nice to be able to call someone when i need supportwish me luck:

and good luck! You have us too!

[kelley17]

Originally Posted by Mischief1

Vicki Lynn! Glad to have you hang out with your sister and the rest of us!

Just checking in so I am on this thread. I cannot believe how much yakking we did last week! That is (almost) as amazing as this WOE!!!

Connie

Hi Connie - I had a blow out weekend and start my second round of maintenance tomorrow. Not sure what I want to do - go for maintenance or do a carb down day or two. i might just do maintenance and see what happens. I went crazy with brie and french bread and then candy corns. Must be something in the air, I saw Alissa had her dance with the little devils too!

[JodyJane]

Originally Posted by vicki lynn

hi there everyone i will be starting my first week tomorrow(monday) my sister jody jane from iowa is my dieting buddy and we hope to lose together. it is so nice to be able to call someone when i need supportwish me luck:

Hi Vic. Told you this was a great place. Dont forget to take things easy this week 1. Call if you need anything or just post here. Everyone is so friendly!

[onexone]

Originally Posted by kelley17

Hi Connie - I had a blow out weekend and start my second round of maintenance tomorrow. Not sure what I want to do - go for maintenance or do a carb down day or two. I might just do maintenance and see what happens. I went crazy with brie and french bread and then candy corns. Must be something in the air, I saw Alissa had her dance with the little devils too!

Wow. So did I. On Saturday I had my last day for the 2008 season at the farmers' market where I sell my work and it was cold and rainy and I was overtired and the customers were s-l-o-w showing up and I kept thinking how I wouldn't have a ____ (insert sweet thing here) until next May when the market starts up again, so I had one of these and one of those and and and... not a great day for control. Today I was running around and haven't eaten often enough or followed the pattern: had reg bread instead of ez ( and grrr! EZ bread went up to $6.99!!! It's a good thing one lasts me the whole week.)

This week I'm committing to 4 exercise workouts. I keep waiting to have enough $ to get to the gym and it hasn't happened yet. Better do something until I can afford it...

[jkvetter]

I posted this on the other thread, and thought I'd bring it over here to get y'all's opinion.

I was going over things one more time and all of a sudden a light bulb just went off in my head!

OMG, Jackie, you're making this much harder than it is. I keep wanting to count everything, but I think this is it:

Carb Down Days: 1 carb meal before 3:00 pm
Baseline Days: 2 carb meals before 3:00 pm
Carb Up Days: Carb meals last 2 meals of the day

I was reading it as 1 carb before 3:00 pm I was thinking how am I supposed to have a sub and chips plus a tomato? That's more than 1 carb, then it hit me, it's meal not 1 carb!

It just continues to cycle, do each week of each cycle, then start all over again except with the deplete week, right? Until you get to where you want to be, and continuing will just ensure that you stay where you want to be, right?

This is amazing if I have it right now!

Love it, Love it, Love it. I love this new body I'm on my way to!

[alwaysdancing]

Whoops, I went to other thread too! Thought we switched on Monday same as new week. Jackie you have the idea.

[COLOR="MediumTurquoise"]Week 3 people let's get cracking on the exercise. Time to step it up this WOE is getting too easy![/COLOR]

Adding fruit this week will be nice, I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Or apples slices with peanut butter or cheddar cheese. Having one of these to celebrate my b-day tomorrow.

Jeanie my reply to you was on other thread but the jist of it was you are heading to week 3 with the rest of us.

I'm heading to bed but see you all tomorrow.

[free to be me]

Originally Posted by kelley17

Hi Connie - I had a blow out weekend and start my second round of maintenance tomorrow. Not sure what I want to do - go for maintenance or do a carb down day or two. i might just do maintenance and see what happens. I went crazy with brie and french bread and then candy corns. Must be something in the air, I saw Alissa had her dance with the little devils too!

Yeah....darn things I SWEAR I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY GOT IN MY MOUTH!!!

No more...I threw the can of peanuts away!

[Mischief1]

Kelley or Alissa - can someone with a bad back do Callenetics? I was about to order one for me when I thought maybe I could order one for my niece too. Thoughts?

[Mischief1]

Jackie, it means One Serving of Carbs at one meal before 3 pm for Carb Down Days, and One Serving of Carbs at 2 meals before 3 pm on a Baseline Day, but on Carb Up days you eat primarily carbs, with a smaller amount of protein.
Now, that means on a carb down day, you could still have carbs at both breakfast and lunch by eating 1/2 serving at each meal. For instance, a piece of EZ bread with your eggs (or whatever) for breakfast, and then another 1/2 serving of another carb at lunch.

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by jkvetter

I posted this on the other thread, and thought I'd bring it over here to get y'all's opinion.

I was going over things one more time and all of a sudden a light bulb just went off in my head!

OMG, Jackie, you're making this much harder than it is. I keep wanting to count everything, but I think this is it:

Carb Down Days: 1 carb meal before 3:00 pm
Baseline Days: 2 carb meals before 3:00 pm
Carb Up Days: Carb meals last 2 meals of the day

I was reading it as 1 carb before 3:00 pm I was thinking how am I supposed to have a sub and chips plus a tomato? That's more than 1 carb, then it hit me, it's meal not 1 carb!

It just continues to cycle, do each week of each cycle, then start all over again except with the deplete week, right? Until you get to where you want to be, and continuing will just ensure that you stay where you want to be, right?

This is amazing if I have it right now!

Love it, Love it, Love it. I love this new body I'm on my way to!

Connie

[wildcat1842]

Hi! Welcome Vicki! I just wanted to share Wendy's e-mail with you. I had asked her what to do after a 10 day cheat. I told her I tried to do 4 carb downs, but the sugar cravings were outrageous. Here's her response:

Yes you need a few deplete days try 4. Do you take anti-depressants if not you can buy 5-htp and take 150mg at night this will balance your serotonin which is the neurotransmitter that causes sweet cravings. Check with your doctor first of course you can get it at a health food store. But make sure your not taking the anti depressants. After the 4 deplete days email me back and I'll tell you what to do.

So back to deplete for me tomorrow . Nobody's fault but my own. I bought the 5-htp at a health food store and took my first dose tonight. It does cause interactions with migraine meds (I take Relpax) and anti-depressants, so be careful. I had planned on having a cheat day for Halloween, but I guess I'll have to see what Wendy says first. I've been looking forward to Halloween for weeks now (going to a party), but I am willing to sacrifice if I have to .

Hope you all have a great week!

[free to be me]

Connie!

GUESS WHAT I AM DOING????



Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Connie??

YOU GOT IT!!!

Laundry!!!



Any program that stabilizes and strengthens core would be good for a person with a bad back...as long as they pay attention to their bodies and don't push their own limits. A strong core necessarily assists a weaker prone back.

Hope this helps. Check out the Callanetics website...I just googled it when I learned about it from Kelley...loads of info on it!

Originally Posted by Mischief1

Kelley or Alissa - can someone with a bad back do Callenetics? I was about to order one for me when I thought maybe I could order one for my niece too. Thoughts?

Ah yes...I posted a similar resonse to the previous thread...Hmmm...connie are you sure about splitting your carb up? Interesting...would that be a tweak or something Jerri cleared up? I would think that the serving of carb would have to be once...not just a smaller serving...to get the body to respond accordingly. I could be totally wrong...I'd love more info on splitting my carb up.

Originally Posted by Mischief1

Jackie, it means One Serving of Carbs at one meal before 3 pm for Carb Down Days, and One Serving of Carbs at 2 meals before 3 pm on a Baseline Day, but on Carb Up days you eat primarily carbs, with a smaller amount of protein.
Now, that means on a carb down day, you could still have carbs at both breakfast and lunch by eating 1/2 serving at each meal. For instance, a piece of EZ bread with your eggs (or whatever) for breakfast, and then another 1/2 serving of another carb at lunch.

Hope this helps!



Connie

[free to be me]

Originally Posted by wildcat1842

Hi! Welcome Vicki! I just wanted to share Wendy's e-mail with you. I had asked her what to do after a 10 day cheat. I told her I tried to do 4 carb downs, but the sugar cravings were outrageous. Here's her response:

Yes you need a few deplete days try 4. Do you take anti-depressants if not you can buy 5-htp and take 150mg at night this will balance your serotonin which is the neurotransmitter that causes sweet cravings. Check with your doctor first of course you can get it at a health food store. But make sure your not taking the anti depressants. After the 4 deplete days email me back and I'll tell you what to do.

So back to deplete for me tomorrow . Nobody's fault but my own. I bought the 5-htp at a health food store and took my first dose tonight. It does cause interactions with migraine meds (I take Relpax) and anti-depressants, so be careful. I had planned on having a cheat day for Halloween, but I guess I'll have to see what Wendy says first. I've been looking forward to Halloween for weeks now (going to a party), but I am willing to sacrifice if I have to .

Hope you all have a great week!

Hi Wildcat! Would you please post your question and answer on the FAQ Cracker thread? It will help someone else on down the line

I am glad she got back to you! Sounds like you now have a plan! WTG!

[Mischief1]

Thanks for the answer about Callanetics!

Kelley, agreed with me on the splitting carbs previously. She says she does it all the time!

Originally Posted by free to be me

Connie!

GUESS WHAT I AM DOING????



Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Connie??

YOU GOT IT!!!

Laundry!!!



.........connie are you sure about splitting your carb up? Interesting...would that be a tweak or something Jerri cleared up? I would think that the serving of carb would have to be once...not just a smaller serving...to get the body to respond accordingly. I could be totally wrong...I'd love more info on splitting my carb up.

[free to be me]

Connie...Good to know...Hmmm...I have more flexibility that I previously thought!

[EugeneORgal]

Hello all,
Just wanted to check in on this board for the week. I introduced myself last week, on another board, but as I understand it, you all start a new one each week. FYI, I am just finishing my first week tonight, tomorrow I start week 2! I made it through the hard part, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought that it might be. I am a person who is on the road for work and it is tough to find places to eat, so I just packed up my cooler with things that I could have and it worked great. My only complaint is having to stop about once every 45 minutes to pee!! At times it is tough to find a good bathroom. I am anxious to have carbs here and there this next week, and a lot larger list of things to choose from. Yes, I do have the book, and have read it, and now will just need to get used to the different types of days and what they mean and when they are allowed. I guess that I will carry the book with me for a while. I also need to start excersizing this week, which is a lot harder than the diet part. I'll just have to do it! Anyway, wanted to say hi. I'm in Oregon and wondering if anyone else on this board lives in Oregon??
Here I go...week 2!!!
Oh, and I will weigh tomorrow and see my results after 7 days!!
Mitzy

[free to be me]

Mitzy!

I'm in Vancouver, WA...or Vantucky or The Couve...pick your poison

Great job on week 1...KUDOS...the frequent peeing should abate as your body gets used to the higher water intake.

to our little group...ok...not so little!!

~Alissa

Originally Posted by EugeneORgal

Hello all,
Just wanted to check in on this board for the week. I introduced myself last week, on another board, but as I understand it, you all start a new one each week. FYI, I am just finishing my first week tonight, tomorrow I start week 2! I made it through the hard part, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought that it might be. I am a person who is on the road for work and it is tough to find places to eat, so I just packed up my cooler with things that I could have and it worked great. My only complaint is having to stop about once every 45 minutes to pee!! At times it is tough to find a good bathroom. I am anxious to have carbs here and there this next week, and a lot larger list of things to choose from. Yes, I do have the book, and have read it, and now will just need to get used to the different types of days and what they mean and when they are allowed. I guess that I will carry the book with me for a while. I also need to start excersizing this week, which is a lot harder than the diet part. I'll just have to do it! Anyway, wanted to say hi. I'm in Oregon and wondering if anyone else on this board lives in Oregon??
Here I go...week 2!!!
Oh, and I will weigh tomorrow and see my results after 7 days!!
Mitzy

[Gracefully]

My guys are still home, and it's turning into a food fest! I am super down on myself! Last night we sat around the kitchen- me and my boys... they were eating pasta concoctions- and I tasted, and tasted, and then popcorn. This is killing me. It's just such great quality time, and I needed something to nibble on, and got carried away. My DS21 is such a ham, and he had me laughing so hard, and loved doing it! It was a balm for my soul after what's been going on with my other son...I don't talk to my other sons about what happened, and felt they were suffering as I have been down about it... and you guys know how my family is the center of my life!
I promised them pizza for lunch today (a 3-4 time a year occurrence here...) and spaghetti before they go back to school (I always make spaghetti with tomato, mushroom and olive sauce on the first of every Jewish calender month- a ritual that's been going on for years- so that's Wed.... which is my carb up day, but yesterday wasn't , and neither is today, and I am full of cravings, and feel terrible about wasting another week of the rest of my life. Things will be so much easier once everyone goes back to school...
I feel I am just making excuses- what to I dooooooo??

Originally Posted by free to be me

Connie...Good to know...Hmmm...I have more flexibility that I previously thought!

I also wonder about this.... how does it impact our blood sugar- it would really help me at times... I'm not so sure it's allowed... did anyone find out about this??

Originally Posted by Mischief1

Kelley or Alissa - can someone with a bad back do Callenetics? I was about to order one for me when I thought maybe I could order one for my niece too. Thoughts?

I am a big believer in Pilates, as it really strengthens the core- I have a great instructor, though my DB did it with Pilates for Dummies, and was very successful. I prefer the classes.

[Mischief1]

and [COLOR=red]Mitzy[/COLOR]! How great that you were able to plan it out and stick to it on week 1! As you can see, we had almost 900 posts last week with all the newbies! You will have many who are also in Week 2 to keep you company! We have to start a new thread each week as it is too much to work with otherwise!

If you go to pages 98 & 99 in the book, you will see the Weeks 2, 3, & 4 meal planners which show you starch amount and times of day. I found it very handy to copy these and paste each one on a 3x5" or recipe card. Then I could carry the week's plan in my purse. That might be easier than reaching for the book all the time.

I think the 90 day walk plan in the exercise thread might work well for someone on the road all the time. Especially, if you are in hotels. It is post 11 on the exercise thread.

We will look forward to hearing from you when you can!

[COLOR=blue]My Old Cracker Friends[/COLOR] - Tomorrow is back to Week 3 for me on this new go round. Did well with carb up yesterday. For some reason, that did not seem to be my downfall after being well into the program. I was starting week 6 when I started eating the junk food and drinking the cola I have no business drinking as a diabetic. That meant I quit drinking water as I should. I have 2 weeks til my Hawaii (I know, rub it in) vacation starts. Did anyone ever get the info from Jeri or Wendy how to handle vacations? [COLOR=red]Renee[/COLOR], did your Mom ever hear or is she just trying to watch what she does on her cruise? About time for her to get back, yes? Give her a big welcome home hug from us too!

Connie

[Mischief1]

Tam! Of course it will be easier when the boys are back at school and you are not cooking for (quite) so many. As long as you do not use their absence as a reason to eat. It is so easy to eat what everyone else is eating and worry about it later, then feel guilty that you did not do as you know you should. My only advice is to remember this for the next time they come home and plan ahead. If they want pasta and popcorn, they can have it. You will pull an amazing array of veggies, meat and cheese out of the refrigerator that they will want to join you in eating. I remember someone saying (a long time back) that they used their cottage cheese to make a dip with by adding seasonings, and, I think, putting it in the blender. This could be your miracle dip that they all come home to eat! Whatcha think? Sounds like a plan to me!!

Try to do better when they are not there (are they constantly in the house when home?), and you will feel better when you throw caution to the wind and join them in their feast. Just MHO.

As far as dividing up your carbs over several meals, I think Jeri expressed an opinion that this was fine. I personally think it would have a reasonable impact on blood sugars, as you are keeping the amount more constant over several meals, rather than putting it all into one. I will have to see if I can remember to ask my diabetes counselor that question when I see him on Thursday.

Hope you feel better about your eating later today!

Connie

Originally Posted by tamjlm

My guys are still home, and it's turning into a food fest! I am super down on myself! Last night we sat around the kitchen- me and my boys... they were eating pasta concoctions- and I tasted, and tasted, and then popcorn. This is killing me. It's just such great quality time, and I needed something to nibble on, and got carried away. My DS21 is such a ham, and he had me laughing so hard, and loved doing it! It was a balm for my soul after what's been going on with my other son...I don't talk to my other sons about what happened, and felt they were suffering as I have been down about it... and you guys know how my family is the center of my life!
I promised them pizza for lunch today (a 3-4 time a year occurrence here...) and spaghetti before they go back to school (I always make spaghetti with tomato, mushroom and olive sauce on the first of every Jewish calender month- a ritual that's been going on for years- so that's Wed.... which is my carb up day, but yesterday wasn't , and neither is today, and I am full of cravings, and feel terrible about wasting another week of the rest of my life. Things will be so much easier once everyone goes back to school...
I feel I am just making excuses- what to I dooooooo??...........

I also wonder about this.... how does it impact our blood sugar- it would really help me at times... I'm not so sure it's allowed... did anyone find out about this??............

I am a big believer in Pilates, as it really strengthens the core- I have a great instructor, though my DB did it with Pilates for Dummies, and was very successful. I prefer the classes.

[Gracefully]

Originally Posted by Mischief1;11046446

[SIZE=3

[COLOR=blue]My Old Cracker Friends[/COLOR][/SIZE] - Tomorrow is back to Week 3 for me on this new go round. Did well with carb up yesterday. For some reason, that did not seem to be my downfall after being well into the program. I was starting week 6 when I started eating the junk food and drinking the cola I have no business drinking as a diabetic. That meant I quit drinking water as I should. I have 2 weeks til my Hawaii (I know, rub it in) vacation starts. Did anyone ever get the info from Jeri or Wendy how to handle vacations? [COLOR=red]Renee[/COLOR], did your Mom ever hear or is she just trying to watch what she does on her cruise? About time for her to get back, yes? Give her a big welcome home hug from us too!

Connie

I was fine with carb-up days- no cravings the next day, while on the program- it's just all those carb-up meals in such a short period of time that threw me off and caused the cravings to return...

Yup- it was posted, at some point, with someones' Vegas vacation- try to baseline before, and carbdown after, and- she stressed- enjoy your vacation!!!.....though I find it easier to baseline one day, and then carbdown- it's easier on the cravings....eases you back in....
As for Hawaii, you might just hit celebrations after the elections... the way it looks...

[Mischief1]

Thanks Tam! I was trying to remember!

And, personally, I hope to be celebrating along with many others!

[Gracefully]

Originally Posted by Mischief1

Tam! Of course it will be easier when the boys are back at school and you are not cooking for (quite) so many. As long as you do not use their absence as a reason to eat. It is so easy to eat what everyone else is eating and worry about it later, then feel guilty that you did not do as you know you should. My only advice is to remember this for the next time they come home and plan ahead. If they want pasta and popcorn, they can have it. You will pull an amazing array of veggies, meat and cheese out of the refrigerator that they will want to join you in eating. I remember someone saying (a long time back) that they used their cottage cheese to make a dip with by adding seasonings, and, I think, putting it in the blender. This could be your miracle dip that they all come home to eat! Whatcha think? Sounds like a plan to me!!

Try to do better when they are not there (are they constantly in the house when home?), and you will feel better when you throw caution to the wind and join them in their feast. Just MHO.

As far as dividing up your carbs over several meals, I think Jeri expressed an opinion that this was fine. I personally think it would have a reasonable impact on blood sugars, as you are keeping the amount more constant over several meals, rather than putting it all into one. I will have to see if I can remember to ask my diabetes counselor that question when I see him on Thursday.

Hope you feel better about your eating later today!

Connie

You don't know my boys... they may share veggies with me, but still need their pasta and popcorn- I cook alot of pasta (2.5 lbs worth) on Fri., and they heat it up in the microwave when they want it- when on plan it doesn't even speak to me... they made the popcorn- I don't have to .
They are home most of the day when home- 2 go out to study for afew hours in the morning.... but my other meals are pretty OK- regular M1,2 and M3, lunch I had some grapes....along with my chicken and rice...- the cravings are killing me, and figured that was a small tweak, for dinner I had a shake, one rice cake with some PB(I know- that's a tweak also- I was starved after shopping with one of my boys, and couldn't face tuna or something like that...)- and then slid downhill from that... It was the "ambience" and the fuzzy warmth of having a good time with my guys- I thought of leaving, using not enough chairs as an excuse... but my DS21 told me to stay put and brought another chair... OY!!
If I was craving free right now, I could have overcome their foodfest.. I feed my 2 youngest ones all the time, and DH eats more carbs than I do (though for some reason he's lost 15 lbs since I started this WOE- I could die from jealousy how easy it is for him- he's not even heavy- 5'11.5", big bones, and weighs only 10 lbs more than me now,...) but my cravings are on high right now... Just have to get through this, and then almost 2 months peace til Hannukah- hopefully will be craving free then...
Oy, I feel like such a wimp!!
Thanks for the support- I really need it right now.

[Mischief1]

Originally Posted by tamjlm

.............. but my cravings are on high right now... Just have to get through this, and then almost 2 months peace til Hannukah- hopefully will be craving free then...
Oy, I feel like such a wimp!!
Thanks for the support- I really need it right now.

Tam, we know you are no wimp!!!!! You are a very strong woman who has a lot of patience and love to give. But, sorry to break this to you, you are not perfect. Ooooooh - hope that did not hurt too much.

Did you have a wonderful visit with your sons? YES!!!! Did they love having their Mother with them to talk with and laugh with and enjoy some food with? YES!!!

So quite beating yourself up! I know you will put the cravings aside and dig back in as soon as they head back to school. You know it too! So, take a deep breath, relax a little and enjoy these last couple of days!
You did very well through most of the holidays. You will do it again!

Hugs and prayers ,

Connie

[Gracefully]

Against any sane reasoning, I got on the scale- you are not going to believe this!!! 166.5- that means there's only 0.8 lbs left to be down to that lowest weight so far... that's over 3 lbs down since the end of the holiday- Go figure- I guess last night was not such a catastrophe... in the overall I may be eating less than I thought..
This definitely will make today easier- though I still don't know what to do about that pizza- I never have more than 2 slices- and that stuffs me for the rest of the day. If I can be really really good the rest of the day... maybe.... I don't mind just maintaining the rest of the week , or even get down that .8 lbs.... and finish the holiday season with a grand success, as I went into them above the weight I am at now....

One more tip about your Hawaii vacation- that really helped me survive this 1 month "vacation"- try to "box in" the damages- try to have other meals on plan, and plan for 1 (or 2) higher carb meals every day-where you have whatever you want- it will help you control the intake the rest of the time- that's the surmise behind the Carb Addict's diet, and really helped me! That means taking shakes along, and popping into a grocery for your cheese, etc. Or having "good" restaurant meals at times... This will also keep your energy up- I have never had such a high energy holiday before- it helped me do all I had to do. Usually I am sluggish, tired, and a bit depressed (over my eating, and sugar lows).

Hope this helps!!