BLITZ XI-Oct 11 through Dec 31, 20012

[Abigale]

Jennifer, you are very welcome here! I feel your pain with the binging. It can be so overwhelming! I am sooo greatful that after a couple of horrible months back in Sept and Oct when I got up to the highest weight since 2008 I finally got back on the no cheat, very low carb bandwagon. It seems like a miracle to me and I am being very careful not to tempt myself. I am only one sweet carby thing from falling off the wagon again. One of my downfalls was nuts and I am not touching them now. I am eating pork skins with sour cream dip as my snack. I had gotten into making lc bready stuff with almond flour. I am staying away from anything that reminds me of high carb stuff. I always liked having wine but have not touched that since Nov. 1. It made me want to eat more. One bloody mary on thanksgiving and I will have one tomorrow at my brother's house at brunch.

I would stay off the scale until after the 1st and do like you are doing, trying to build one binge free day after another. I found a recipe that was low carb that hit the spot for easy prep and ate it until I was sick of it. It was a great crutch. It was Linda Sue's spinach lasagna.
SPINACH LASAGNA - Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes
The last time I made it I used Italian sausage and pizza sauce and that was good too. I'd make a pan and anytime I felt I had to have a snack I'd cut a square and nuke it. Very filling and we all know how much pizza and lasagna are comfort foods. So I have kept it simple. I have my snack food and my filling food. I have stayed in ketosis since Nov. Ist and checking that every day has also helped me stay on track. I am losing slow and for every day down I am two days up. But over time I have lost almost 8 pounds since Nov. 1st. So I am headed in the right direction. I feel good and you know how happy you are when you can abstain from the carbage. Keep posting no matter what. Post several times a day if that helps you keep from binging.

Tony, what else but bacon and eggs! Ha ha. All I can say is when I am done eating them I am full, but I do wistfully look at the homefries and english muffins on the other's plates. No, I really don't care about that stuff. If I can have a good cup of coffee with cream I am a happy camper. lol

So nice of you to give your sister your generator for Christmas. Will you buy another one for your house? What's going on with your building? Did you have it reshingled?

I am down 2oz today. Had a hamburger with lc catsup, pork skins with dip, some brocolli casserole, coffee with cream, one tbl of coconut oil, and a glass of diet soda.

Will check back later. Have a great Monday Blitzers!

[Jennifer]

Thank you for the welcome Abigale, and congrats on your loss!

The spinach lasagna sounds delicious (love Linda Sue's recipes). I think I would like it with sausage as opposed to ground beef too - more Italian IMO.

My plan for today, besides no binging of course, is to stay l/c all day, resist any goodies at work, and have a free meal for dinner. Unless DH wants to go out, dinner will probably be ham and salad with cake and ice cream for dessert. If DH wants to go out I am sure I can keep it pretty much low carb and have dessert. We're not really celebrating Christmas per se, but I do not want to feel restricted or deprived, because that will always lead to a binge for me. Add in work stress and feeling depressed about the holidays away from family, and we are talking prime binging conditions.

Hope everyone has a great day!!!

[Abigale]

Jennifer, it sounds like a good plan! Sorry about the work stress. Just think how nice it will be to be off work tomorrow!

[Gibby]

Welcome, Jennifer! I, too, am a binging, emotional eater....happy, sad, depressed, lonely...it doesn't matter

Tony, so happy about the progress you are making on your hip surgery. You will be running in marathons before you know it!

ff-I hope you have fun today and tomorrow.

Abi, you are so encouraging to al ofus. I'm s glad you are part of our Blitz group.

Sorry to be short and sweet. I'm at work, however it is going to be a very slow day!

My very best wishes to all of you for a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

Talk to you soon.

[Abigale]

Aw thanks, Marilee. Merry Christmas to you too and I hope they let you go home early!

[Gibby]

We just got word - we can leave at 2:00! It's 9:45 now and I am so BORED!!!!!

[Abigale]

Go by Eastern Time. It's almost noon here.

[Abigale]

Merry Christmas everyone! It started snowing around 3 am. Hoping for just a dusting as we are expecting a storm on Thurs. I will be going to brother and sil house for brunch after church this morning. Small group, probably only 3 or 4 of us. My brother from Georgia will arrive tomorrow and we plan on a bigger get together on Sunday.

Still in ketosis this morning and weight staying the same as yesterday. I am now 2 pounds from what I was in Sept. before my melt down. Had brocolli casserole yesterday, pork skins and dip, several cups of coffee with cream, 1 tbl of coconut oil, and a diet soda.

DH will be cooking a ham this afternoon. He will have potatoes and peas with his. I will have just ham or maybe a green salad with it. Love ham! Of course, scale will be up tomorrow from the sodium water retention. lol It always happens but I know it is only temporary.

Hope that Santa was good to you all last night. We won't open gifts until after I get home from the brunch. Hope DH will happy with his squirrel catching have a heart. Talk to you all later!

[flatferenghi]

all are welcome. Many of the eating behaviors which caused me to create these Blitzes hang around still, like the Ghosts of Christmas past, present, and those still to come. I am pleased to say, I have improved by staying focussed and forgiving myself when I have strayed. So, let us all enjoy our holiday, and begin anew. Of course, I shall not wait for 1/1/13, but tomorrow a.m. to begin again. I did eat responsibly yesterday and today. I am grateful for such miracles. Love & Profits: FLATFERENGHI

[tony8]

jenn, awesome to have you join us...it's been awhile since we've had a new blitzer!...don't know how much you've read, but we are a pretty friendly, non-judgmental group...we are all trying really hard to get to a healthier, happier weight, and you will always find support and encouragement in here...

these blitzes were started on april 1, 2010 by flatferenghi, and i joined ten days later and have been here almost every day since...i think you will enjoy hanging out with us and i know we will have fun getting to know you!...tell us a little about yourself when you have time...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!...so happy to be done shopping...i way overdid it this year...i think i told you we decided to redo the basement family room...well, after painting and putting in a new carpet, we got a very nice leather sectional from bob's discount furniture and it has 4 recliners in it...so so comfortable...

then i decided to get the kids a pool table for christmas so that was installed on saturday...and then santa brought a new flat panel tv with a wall mount which the kids installed today...and of course there are a bunch of incidentals that went along with all this, so i way overdid it!...

dw's family comes up tomorrow and i'm making prime rib roasts - today i made my first duck ever for lunch and it was good, and i'm grilling baby back ribs for dinner...

my son is calling so i will check back later...hope y'all are having a great day!

[Jennifer]

Thanks for the welcomes everyone! I am so glad to be joining you all!

I have read the entire thread so already feel that I know you. About me, hmm, well, I don't want to put anyone to sleep, but here goes....I live with DH & 2 spoiled rotten kittehs, unfortunately I was never able to carry a pregnancy to term so no kids I am a supervisor for a mortgage company which is very stressful, and one of my goals for 2013 is to find a new job. WOE-wise I'm sort of at a crossroads. Atkins/low carb is definitely the woe for me, but since mid-October I have been on a pretty much non-stop binge. I haven't binged since Friday, but I haven't been cheat free. I'm considering hcg and have contacted a doctor about scheduling a consultation (I know hcg can be ordered over the internet, but since it is so extreme I would feel more comfortable being under a doctor's care) My birthday is 1/11, so I am just aiming to stay binge free and mostly cheat free until then, and go from there. Once I see the dr about hcg I'll have a better idea of my plan going forward. Stay tuned

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!

[Abigale]

Jennifer, good going on the binge free since Friday. Thanks for filling us in on your profile. We have some things in common. I have 2 spoiled kitties and one spoiled dog and our wedding anniversary is on 1/11. I don't know anything about hcg but I have read of the success people are having with it and Marilee has had success too. Wishing you luck with finding a less stressful job. With your experience you'll find something good. Keep posting as often as you need to stay strong!

Tony, your basement family room sounds terrific! One of those rooms you could live in and never come out! All you need is a fridge down there! The kids must have been thrilled with the pool table!

Marilee and FF, what have you two been up to? Did you have some fun and relaxation over the holiday weekend? FF, how was Christmas at your earth brother's house? Did the dogs like their presents. Daughter's dog Boo Boo sent Bama a big raw hide bone that she loves!

.Yesterday went well. Had bacon and eggs at brother's house. there were 6 of us for the most part. I made the bloody mary's and niece showed up with a piece of gluten free carrot cake for me. I have been staying away from lc stuff that is trying to replicate high carb stuff so I politely thanked her and when I got home I took one bite and e-mailed her how delicious it was ( of course it was). Made the decision then that I would have one bite a day before it dries out. One bite will not send me into a binge but eating the whole piece would I'm quite sure. Had ham for dinner and pork skins with dip, coffee with cream, one glass of diet soda and one tbl of coconut oil. Down a couple of oz! Very happy about that.

DH was happy with his have a heart squirrel catcher and will try it out today. Watch those little imps not even come around today. lol He bought me a couple of pairs of slacks about 2 sizes smaller than what I am wearing now. Said he saw that size on a pair of old jeans. Well the old jeans were stretch ( these are not) and they are all stretched out. I told him save the receipt just in case but that I am heading into getting back into that size. Now I really have to stay strong and motivated during the next Blitz. Not sure how long you can keep stuff before you can return it.

Back to work today. Storm coming tomorrow and inventory all day Friday. Wonder if they will call off work tomorrow? Time will tell. Money wise I hope they don't. I didn't get paid for Mon and tues. like the employees did.

Have a wonderful Wed Blitzers!

[Jennifer]

Starbucks java chip frappuccino ice cream and I fought it out last night and the ice cream won, so I am no longer binge free. Maybe this time I will actually get it through my thick skull that I cannot have sugar in the house.

Abigale - Your DH gets an A for effort for the jeans. Good idea using them as motivation for the next blitz! WTG knowing your limits and eating only 1 bite of carrot cake, and it was nice of your niece to think of you. How many years will you be married 1/11? In May DH & I will be married 20 - time files!! Coincidentally we got married on my mom's birthday. Be careful with the storm!

Have a great day all!

[flatferenghi]

not as I see it. If you bought a gallon, and continued eating it until it was finished.....THAT'S A BINGE!!! Been there, done that...not recently,
Thank the GODS! I just called my brother's house, expecting my sis-in-law to answer. She was gonna take a sick day, if necessary, to tend to my (earth)bro, who took very sick. The good news is that my bro answered the phone, and he is much improved. Now, I can have breakfast. Some nasty weather is on its way, and the forecast until New Years guarantees I will NOT be going to AC in my little window of opportunity that is left to 2012. There is a casino at Aquaduct Racetrack in the borough of Queens. However, there is no boardwalk! Like every other plan, AC will have to wait until AFTER I retire. I am in the burger mood. I will wait till after high noon, and baptize ATKINS '72 with a couple bacon cheese burgers, and a slice of tomato, no onion or pickle. I will be dusting off the pork rinds(metaphorically speaking). As I will be eschewing lc bread, pita. I will stay on it right to retirement lunch in 7 weeks. Let us see what happens! Tony,may I suggest that you hang a picture of Jackie Gleason on the wall above the pool table? Ralph Kramden (when Norton was not in the pool room), & Jackie were quite the pool players. F-51 days to go-F

[vli1127]

Sorry I have been MIA. I haven't kept up with the posts either, sorry. I am hoping now that Christmas is over I can get new resolve. I have been cleaning/tossing stuff for garbage and/or Goodwill because we may have a buyer. Anyways, I am hoping that reverse psychology will work again.

A couple of years ago when I got to my lowest weight of about 170, I eventually got rid of the "fat" clothes. Well, not too long after that, I started regaining. Now that I am back up at a new heavy weight, I decided to get rid of my "skinny" clothes, those that I wore when I was 170. Now, if history repeats itself, I will start to lose weight because I ditched the smaller clothes.

Welcome Jennifer.

I am ready for a new Blitz too.

[artemis19]

Just checking in and hoping that everyone is having a good holiday. And welcome Jennifer to our group! We had a snow storm here and were stranded today. With power thankfully but not everyone was so lucky. I have been a bit off on my eating as expected since being here but I have managed to workout every day except yesterday for Christmas day and I have also kept on track with my water drinking with totals above a gallon each day. I am just hoping that those two things will help a bit to off-set the extra calories and that I can stay on track from now until through the new year. I am working on my goals for the next Blitz and will post them soon.

[tony8]

hey guys, great to see everyone either on track or feeling ready to get on track!...

had a good day today - made prime rib for dw's family who were visiting...it was so tender and juicy - perfect!...

i've been picking at some of the junk around the house - it's everywhere! - not binging, but enough to make me feel yucky...if i didn't live with 5 other people, i'd throw it all out...i'm OVER it...haha!...

abs, hope they cancel work and pay you anyway - i know it doesn't work that way, but one can dream, can't they?...hey on friday, dw and i will be in brattleboro - it's my buddy's 50th b-day party...not sure when we will get there - sometime in the afternoon...you'll probably be at work counting wicks, but i'll pm you my cell number, and if you are around and have a few free minutes, call me and maybe we can meet you somewhere so i can give you a hug...if it doesn't work out this time, no worries, we'll try again next time :-)

jenn, we have a marilee and a jenny who both have had a lot of success with hcg - it's pretty restrictive, but if you can stick to it, it will jump-start your losses for sure...last night's binge is history - remember, each minute of each day is an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start over...

ff, welcome back...hope you don't come down with your earth-brother's virus...how were the burgers?

hi artemis, sounds like you are doing really well under the circumstances - i'm proud of you!...we are supposed to get a good snow storm tonight...is it pretty there?

hey vicki, welcome back - good to see you, girl...i think you're gonna rock the next blitz!...btw, where's your aunt?

auntie marilee, where are you?...

love you guys!...have a great wednesday night!

[Gibby]

Auntie Marilee is here! I'm on vacation this week so I've been taking it easy. Just now logged in to the computer. I am excited about getting back on plan. Tomorrow is the day

[Abigale]

I just got my exercise in for the day. I just finished shoveling 4 to 5 inches off our drive and it is a loooong drive way. It took me an hour and a half! Snow blower is on the blink and DH is suffering from spinal stenosis and can't shovel. I called the work hot line just to make sure we were working and we are not. The restaurant and retail store will be open but starting late. Tony, if you and Marilee were my bosses I would have it made in the shade! lol No, they won't be paying me for today unfortunately.

Tony, what time is your buddy's party? I am working and it is inventory day so that could turn into an over time day. But there is always a possibilty that my brother up from Georgia might be meeting with some of the family that evening and I would go over after work. Have not talked to him yet. It is possible he is stranded somewhere if his flight was cancelled yesterday? pm me your cell or e-mail it to me and maybe we can work something out.

Marilee, excited you are back on plan today! Also, enjoy this time off! I will be checking back in some today since I will be home for the day. Post if you feel temptation sneaking in!

Vicki! Ditching the smaller clothes is a sure sign that you will be losing weight! I think that is one of Murphy's Laws! Good luck on the possible buyer for your house!

Artemis, good going on the exercising and water drinking. I am pitiful on drinking my fluids. Need to get better about that for sure. I hope you are also getting rested up on the break.

Jennifer, ice cream was one of my downfalls so I totally understand not being able to resist it. I am so greatful that somehow hitting that high spot put the fear in me, enough that I am fighting tooth and nail not to tempt myself.

FF, I love that I am going to have a pork rind buddy at least until you retire in 7 weeks! I love adding a little ranch dip seasoning to sour cream. They have a new flavor called fiesta ranch. 1/2 teas has one carb. I just mix a little bit in a couple of dollops of sour cream as I don't like it to overpower it.

Have a wonderful Thursday Blitzers!

[Jennifer]

Sorry I don't have time for personals right now but will check back tonight.

Have a great day!

[Abigale]

Tony, my brother just e-mailed me from his in laws house in Dummerston. They made it safe and sound from Marietta but will be going to Burlington tomorrow and will be back for family brunch on sunday. So looks like I'll have to catch you next trip to Brattleboro.

[Gibby]

Abi, no temptations today - there is nothing "off plan" in the house. I would have to make a special trip or call Pizza Hut to go off and I am not going to do that.

I've almost gained all of the weight back that I lost on MF starting in July. Such a pity....so foolish. Oh, well, at least I lost some!

[Abigale]

Marilee, don't you feel like you are coming back from a bad dream. I can't believe that I pretty much maintained at about the same weight give or take 3 or 4 pounds for two years and then totally lost it and gained over 12 pounds in a couple of months! I am breathing a sigh of relief that at the moment I have a handle on it. I just cannot allow myself to eat anything that I know in my heart could possibly set me off.

[flatferenghi]

I prophecy great improvements for us. I changed my mind about the burgers, Tony. Or rather, I nodded off. When I awoke, it was too late to order out, so I scavenged what was lc around the house...some cheese. Today, I suspect, I did pick up some remnants of what (earth)bro had, but I DID have my flu shot about 2 months ago. Flu or not, I must be at work tomorrow OR ELSE!!! I was nodding on and off all day today, missing juicy segments of an all day ST:TNG marathon. I think I will have some House Special soup, and a large order of ribs w/o bbq sauce for dinner, if I do not nod off again. F-50 days to go-F

[tony8]

no worries, abs, i'll catch you on the flip-side on one of these trips...dw and i will probably roll into brattleboro around 5-ish...the party isn't til 6:30, but they hoped we would get there earlier to hang with them before everyone else gets there...hey, be careful shoveling - they call this type heart-attack snow!

wow, ff, i can't believe you are down to 50 days!!!...woo hoo!...

marilee, great to see you!...best of luck on your re-start today...i am so looking forward to the next blitz...thank god for abi, artemis and ff during this one!

taking some friends to a new, old restaurant tonight...gotta jump in the shower and get ready...my hip is really hurting today as they worked me pretty hard at pt yesterday - i did 3 miles on the bike and pedaled very fast, so i hope i didn't damage something in there...

i'll check back in later!

[tony8]

tonight, i had the veal oskar, which i'd never had before - topped with lobster - boy, it was good! :-)

[Abigale]

FF, trying to figure out what marathon you are watching? Star Trek? How are you feeling today? Sorry you have been feeling under the weather.

Tony, that veal oskar sounds sooo good! I have heard of it before but never eaten it. Great combination. Have fun at the party tonight. I will be sawing logs by the time it starts. lol

Marilee, how did everything go yesterday? Vicki, hope you had a good day too. Jennifer, hope today is not too stressful for you and you have a great binge free weekend.

Yesterday I had some ham, pork skins and dip, also tried making my own version of lowcarblayla's jalapeno popper chicken. It was ok but I was too nervous to put in her measurements of garlic, cumin and jalapenos so I can't say if I really would like hers or not. I have not put her sauce on chicken yet but have put it on scrambled eggs and liked fine .Low Carb Layla: Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Hope you all have a great day. I am happy to get back to "work". I had to work too hard at home yesterday. lol

[flatferenghi]

with a name like that. Back to work for the last day of 2012. And, I have discovered yet another good reason why I should retire soon...I went to log on, and i forgot my password. Tech support was able to assist me. I have a new password. So, as you see, I am getting foregetful. I have never forgotten m,y password. Glad the holidays are over. Very stressful. whatever it was that caused me some minor tiredness and weakness is gone. It must be my superior Ferenghi DNA which enabled me to minimize the ailment. The STAR TREK marathon was on BBC America, which is channet 101 in my area. The episodes that I did see (about a dozen) had no Ferenghi in them. I am insulted! I hope everyone did not stray too far from their plans. I am pleased to say, that despite how delicious the Christmas dinner was, i had no seconds of anything, nor did anyone suggest that i do. My fave gifts were not the generous ones I got from Santa, but the ones that did not fit under the tree. Namely, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Handel's Messiah, and 3 different versions of Dickens' Christmas, featuring Alistair Simm, George C. Scott, and Patrick Stewart. I still have to watch The Bells of St Mary's. I saw it on a web site, but I did not get a chance to play it. I hope i will be able to find it again. And to wrap it all up, I shall be ending the year with the Kramdens and the Nortons. F-49- days to go-F

[flatferenghi]

the last business day of 2012, for me. i am off 12/31/12. FF

[vli1127]

SALE PENDING!! Now, we are frantically searching. Woot, woot.