2013-The Year of the Skinny Honey Badgers!

[Key Tones]

Originally Posted by Phranquie

Hello all, just checking in to say hi. So far I'm doing okay with food here in London but it is a challenge eating out all the time, I really feel for pople who live here and are eating LC. I was in a little country pub and ordered a burger without the bun. The man looked at me quizzically and said "Now, how am I going to make a burger without a bun?" like I was asking him to reinvent the wheel. I said, just put it on the plate and I'll eat it with a fork. Then they really looked at me cross eyed later when I asked them to pack up my leftovers. They do not do that here in the UK. They found me an old plastic ice cream tub and put the food in that. It was the first time anyone had ever taken away food from that pub.

They have very carb laden food here too. Things like "pasties" filling wrapped in pastry dough, "pies" meat and veggies with dough and with mashed potatoes, lots of batter dipped and fried foods, "mushies" mushed up green peas, "chips" french fries with everything including breakfast. Plus there is no frig or microwave in the room which would make eating in a lot easier. Luckily I am keeping my diet cokes out on the window sill since it is so cold.

Amber- Good luck with the move!

Lenise- Great job getting back on plan.

Cindy- WTG with counting the steps, I have a pedometer I never use. I need to pull it out and get to it.

Sherrie- Awesome loss! It really does work when you stay on plan.

Welcome Tania!

Hi Frankie,

My sweetheart is from England and I told him about your post. He was so interested to hear about how things have not changed! He has been away since 1976. Anyway, He said taking left overs home seemed to be uniquely American in his travels. He suggested fish and chip places to take food away (of course, as you can see, dieting is a foreign concept to him...). He couldn't figure out why you would be taking food home when portions are so small. I explained that you barely eat anything! He did mention that as he recalled there are places you can get blocks of ice and something like coolers as this is some common form of refrigeration there...not sure if you want to mess with that for a short stay.



Funny I didn't mention you putting diet coke out on the window sill - he said that is something people do there too - put food out there to keep it cold. What about squirrels, cats, crows, etc? It seems like a good way to lose your tasty snacks!


He said he had friends from England visiting some years ago that didn't realize Americans tip 15-20% rather than the British 2.5% (they left a pile of receipts in his house...how embarassing but kind of funny!). Not sure if it is still like that there, you might want to check!

How long are you staying? Are you in a hotel or bed/breakfast?

[Key Tones]

OH, he just told me about cornish pasties "Past-ees." How cool! I would love to try one. I would eat the inside and just taste the pastry on the outside I suppose.

He said school children would take uncooked ones to school wiht their initial on top and the school would bake them. Nice moms would put potatoes and meat in one end and apple pie filling on teh other and mark which end to start with!

I love hearing these stories. Do tell us more, Frankie!

[amazinggrace911]

Hi all! Back to work tonight! At least I only work four nights this week.

Had a whoosh today. 176.0!! Unreal!! Hopefully I'll keep it off!

Have a good night!

[Bejewelme]

Frankie I was in England right after having been in Italy for 2 weeks, and the food in England was blahhhhhhh!!! So in that regard it is good that England isnt exactly known for its stellar cuisine! I could never get a cold drink, but I was hooked on the scones and clotted cream, we enjoyed eating at a lot of Indian places-- the food was excellent and you can skip the rice and get tandoori chicken and stuff if you like Indian? My BF that died his Dad was Italian so we went to Italy and his Mom was English so we went to see his Grandmother, blew 2 tires in the rental driving on the wrong side, sat for a flat to come and tow the car, had to get tires, this pub across the street was closed but he kept bringing me coffee and cookies it was pouring down rain! My BF had a conference and we had this one day to make the 4 hour trip to his Grams, so it got all messed up, the pub where she lived had killer food that is when I got hooked on hard cider!!!

[ceecee08]

Morning HB's!!

I hope everyone is off to a great week. Let's kick some bootay!

[Blonde with a Rose]

Frankie~ great stories. Sounds like a good place for a tater hack!

[amazinggrace911]

I hope I have a good week and keep off what I've lost the past few days. The 160's are getting closer!!

[Bejewelme]

I went an entire day without shoving any carbs in my face, LOL!! Well except for a lifesaver but oh well, I am so darn stressed with moving, but I am trying to get myself under control, so sticking to it!!! Once I get to Mom's and join the new gym look out, I am going to be strict as can be, I must get some weight off for this race!!!!

[Key Tones]

Great work, Amber!!!

Hang in there; I know what hell moving is

[Phranquie]

I am doing ok with food. Ate some fish and chips but took one bite of the delicious battered fish and then peeled the batter off and ate the tasty filet. I have been eating a few french fries but am able to fit them into my carb limit each day. I think at this point the best I can hope for is to not gain as a loss is just not looking doable for this trip.

Keytones- Oh, the pasties in this one shop are beautiful that I know I would eat the entire thing if I got one. I am staying at a hotel right across from Windsor castle and drive out to Bernham Beeches then into London each day to shop. Luckily there is a driver or it would be dangerous as I still cannot get used to the other side of the road driving. About tipping, the restaurants either add in a tip or have a suggested tip amount on the bills. But I have learned in Europe that tipping really is an extra for good service.

Blonde- You could eat a different kind of 'tater for every meal here,,,,but they are all loaded with fat or fat AND cream.

Lenise- Keep up the good work!

Amber- Scones were (noticed I said were, as in past tense) a favorite of mine. I have avoided that part of the breakfast buffet with all the pastries and I have luckily been too busy to have "tea" in the afternoon. Hang in there with the stress of moving, it is surely one of the most exhausting things both mentally and physically.

[cindym]

Another good day. Eating on plan, 6,901 steps + my walking tape.

I just realized that today would have been my 12th Anniversary of joining Atkins .... had I stayed on the plan and tomorrow will be my 1 Year Anniversary of getting back on plan. Feeling grateful that I weigh less this year than last.

Frankie ~ I've always wanted to visit London. Love Europe, mostly Italy. Hoping to plan another trip somewhere soon.

Amber ~ Awesome about the bonus.

Lenice

[kittycitygirl]

We can't focus on what is over Cindy, we have to keep what we are doing now on mind. You are doing it now! You are doing great! KUTGW!

[Bejewelme]

Cindy- 2002 was when I first did Atkins, so think how long ago that was too!!!! 11 years, if only I had stuck with it back then, but it beats the weight I was then!!! That is a long time to be off carbs!!!!

Moving day can you say stress???????????If stress burns calories I should be 108 by the end of they day Don't I wish it was that easy!!!!!!!

[Key Tones]

Originally Posted by Phranquie

I am doing ok with food. Ate some fish and chips but took one bite of the delicious battered fish and then peeled the batter off and ate the tasty filet. I have been eating a few french fries but am able to fit them into my carb limit each day. I think at this point the best I can hope for is to not gain as a loss is just not looking doable for this trip.

Keytones- Oh, the pasties in this one shop are beautiful that I know I would eat the entire thing if I got one. I am staying at a hotel right across from Windsor castle and drive out to Bernham Beeches then into London each day to shop. Luckily there is a driver or it would be dangerous as I still cannot get used to the other side of the road driving. About tipping, the restaurants either add in a tip or have a suggested tip amount on the bills. But I have learned in Europe that tipping really is an extra for good service.

Blonde- You could eat a different kind of 'tater for every meal here,,,,but they are all loaded with fat or fat AND cream.

Lenise- Keep up the good work!

Amber- Scones were (noticed I said were, as in past tense) a favorite of mine. I have avoided that part of the breakfast buffet with all the pastries and I have luckily been too busy to have "tea" in the afternoon. Hang in there with the stress of moving, it is surely one of the most exhausting things both mentally and physically.

Oh, sounds so nice!!! Shopping!!! I thought you were there on a work trip? Or is it vacation?

Tea is snack time, right?

You are doing a great job! Scones, OMG...

[Portia]

Cindy I can relate. Lately I have been in the dumps about all the wasted time, the weight gained, kicking myself for dithering around.

I need to move past it, forgive myself and start kicking some serious butt.

[Blonde with a Rose]

It is penultimate weigh in day. (that means the one before). Hope everyone has had a good week. I'd like to do a shout out to all of you who have exercised/worked out/walked/jogged/danced/sprinted, etc... Congrats to you all!!!

[cindym]

Happy Thursday ~ Been a great week. I'm actually looking forward to weigh day. Hoping the scale rewards my hard work.

Thanks Kitty

How did the move go Amber?

Jes ~ Agreed, time to kick butt.

[Bejewelme]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...JY2lTNmc#gid=0

Not much time, but here is the spread sheet, I have not found the scale yet, LOL
Moving was terrible but its over so getting situated at Moms now!!!

[janetsbreeze]

I'll be weighing tomorrow

[chelseybelle27]

I have been away for a few weeks, but with good reason! I passed my nursing boards (RN), and secured my first nursing job! Now, its back to weight loss because I have a feeling it will only help me when I have to work for 12 hours on my feet!

Ready to get back to reading all your motivating posts I will also weigh in tomorrow (although, it might not be pretty!!!)

Have a great Friday!!

[freeman525]

Originally Posted by chelseybelle27

...I passed my nursing boards (RN), and secured my first nursing job!

Good for you!

Amber, glad this phase of your move is over. I'd like to throw away my scales (all three sets- What do you mean, you think I might be OCD? ) They have NOT been my friend.

Hoping I can stay on plan all weekend- and I hope you all do, too.

Janice

[cindym]

316

Amber ~ Thanks for posting the spread sheet. Sorry the move was terrible.

Chelsey

[Beebug123]

Still the same as last week. I was down more for most of the week but I was out digging our new garden yesterday and I'm pretty sore today, plus I drank a ton of water!

Oh, we got chicks last weekend Hopefully by the end of the summer we will have our own fresh eggs! Since I eat so many of them it will save us money.

[Key Tones]

I'm not home so will be weighing in tonight or tomorrow

[ceecee08]

Great Day HB's!!

289.8 today. March will be better. I am counting on it to be.

[Portia]

Good job everyone!

The butt is being kicked here, Cindy!

Merinda - I am dying for chickens. My neighbor has them. I want to be able to say that I live 30 minutes from Manhattan but get to have chickens. I do not, however, want to do any of the actual work.

[Bejewelme]

Chelsey- Congrats on becoming an RN, that will offer super job security!!!!! And you must be one smart cookie! You will be on your feet running around so the weight loss will help you, I cant imagine how just going to Costco used to be such a chore carrying around that weight, every 10 pounds makes a huge difference!!!!You are going to be great!!!! That was some serious stress!!!!

Girls this has been a tough week, but things are getting settled now, going to join the gym today and work out, I need that!!! Then consider the food for the week!

[janetsbreeze]

Scale bounced up on me - back up to 188.6.

[Key Tones]

So, 3 days off due to social events and 4 days on the potato hack, 2 of the on days imperfect, and I am still down another pound.

I am reading McDougall's starch solution book. I cannot believe this. It is easiest weight loss than I have ever had. Down 15 pounds since we started. My pants are falling off and people are stopping me at work to tell me they can really see it.

McDougall says I can eat all kinds of starches but if no weight loss, he has a newsletter that says cut the starches back to just potatoes and winter squash (someone on MDA credited him with the original idea for the potato hack because of this newsletter from 2006). I gather I can eat vegetables and maybe some fruit, but I am not far enough into the book to tell yet what exactly I can eat.

I'm going to go shopping. I'm going to make fat free hummus and see if I still lose weight.

OMG...I can't believe I have been working so hard all these years and suddenly it is easy.

[Phranquie]

Been relaxing a bit today with a day off. I went to a store and fit into a medium shirt, but others didn't fit because of my boobs, which are still big-ish although without a bra they are not 38dd but 38 "longs". Still had fun trying on goofy hats after watching the changing of the guards at Windsor castle.


Cindy- Congrats on your new low!

Amber- Sorry the move was so rough but it is good that you are back to the gym and getting into your routine again.

Chelsey- WTG on becoming an RN. Nurses are special people! You will definitely get tons of exercise on the job.

Merida- Fresh eggs are so awesome, I hope your chicks lay lots for you in the summer.

KT- I am here for work but that involves going shopping for home decor every day in London. Congrats on your success with the PH. If I could have fried potatoes every day I would. Most other carbs I don't crave but I do like fries once in a while.