Hello?

[madelyn64]

Anyone still out there?

I took a terrible fall off thee 'ole wagon (waaaaaay back in early March) but have 'finally' managed to pick myself up, dust myself off and get back with the program!

I know this whole 'communication thingy' with others in the same boat is a good thing... thus my attempt to 're-communicate' with those that I'd made a connection with my first time 'round.

Hope to hear from 'anyone' out there who's reading and still with the program!

Cheers!
Lyn

[ShawnC]

Hi Lyn!

My name is Shawn and I started Atkins in April, so I am pretty new to this whole LC thing. So far I have lost 13.5lbs but I still have another 94.5lbs to go to get to my goal weight.

How long have you been doing LC? Are you on Atkins? Have you had any success?

If you would like to be penpals, that would be great!

Have a great day!

[madelyn64]

Hi Shawn...

I've done Atkins with much success... I just lost my way early March! Definitely I feel much better eating low carb... I've followed Atkins religiously a few times now and each time it's showed me just that! I've dusted myself off and am prepared to give it my all 'again' with hopes of it sticking entirely this time 'round.

One thing I did notice when I 'lost my way' this last time was that I didn't consume potatoes/rice or pasta like I did in the past. I seldom had it for that matter! So I guess some of what I'm learning is registering!

What inspired you to try Atkins? Tell me a little about yourself if you will...

Off to the gym! Have a great low carb day!
Lyn

[ShawnC]

Hi Lyn!

Well, the reason that I started Atkins, much like many others, is that I have been yo-yo dieting for quite some time now and I was tired of it. I tried Weight Watchers for a while and lost 35lbs...then gained back all of it and then some. My husband and I were both on it and we both did well, but it was not something that we could stick with.

My biggest problem with it was that I have always been a meat eater, but on Weight watchers, you can hardly ever have it if you want to stay within your "point range".

We were both very skeptical about Atkins, so we bought the book and read it and decided that this would fit on our lives. I am enjoying a diet for once! That is the great part, that and the fact that I am not hungry all of the time. That was his biggest problem with WW. He would not go on another diet that him hungry.

My first two weeks I lost 8lbs, which I thought was pretty good. However, then I found out that I was not doing it exactly right. I was not drinking water like I should have been and I also did not know that Splenda had a carb count. I was using quite a bit of in my tea and decaf coffee. So, I cut that out and started drinking water. It has now been about 5 weeks and I am down 14.5lbs. I still have a lot to go, 93.5lbs, to reach my goal, but I feel like it is something that I can achieve.

I have also strated exercising, which I haven't done in over a year. That is great feeling! I am alternating days of riding my exercise bike and doing Pilates.

That is probably a lot of information, but I guess that I am just excited about my new way of life!

Let me know a little about you, if you do'nt mind. Talk to you soon!

Shawn

[madelyn64]

Hello again Shawn!

Thought I'd 'pop online' to see if anyone had responded to any of my postings and 'poof' there you were! So glad to hear from you again!

Congratulations on your 14.5 lb loss!!! Hasn't it felt amazingly easy? I just LOVE how I feel this WOE!!! I'm feeling sooooooo much better today than yesterday. (felt extremely tired late afternoon) and I know it's only going to continue to get better! I'm so HAPPY to be back on track!!! I too am very excited about everything that will come with following Atkins. Weight loss being the biggest bonus of course... but to enter each new day with good energy levels, to be rid of the brain fog (I've experienced that enough to know when it hits!) and to not constantly be thinking about my next meal or actually feeling hunger for that matter, is so exciting!

Good for you for starting to exercise again! It will surely speed things along for us in the weight loss department!!! Also...it will boost our energy levels. How can we deprive ourselves of that! I bought myself some Pilates tapes awhile back...started to view them one morning but then got sidetracked and haven't looked at them since *ugh* I am interested though...so perhaps I'll set a goal for myself to view them before weeks end?

I posted alot about me way back in January when I first joined the forum. Here is how to find 'my story'. Go to Penpals and go to page #5. My post is the one titled "39andholding245lbsandlosingmomlookingforsuppo rt" Let me know what you think and if you can relate even more so LOL


Gotta run... I have done nothing in the house by way of cleaning today (and it shows) and my girls start arriving home by 3:20pm!

This by the way is my second email to you... I lost the first one


Later then...
Lyn

[ShawnC]

Hi Lyn!

I would really suggest trying the pilates. It is kinda hard at first because you use your own body resistance to work out. If your anything like me, I have plenty of resistance to make it interesting. I like it because it helps to strech out your muscles and helps you to walk tall and hold your bold in a position that promotes strengthening. I think that would be a great challenge for you. Just try a 20 minute work out.

Have a great night!!

Shawn

[madelyn64]

Good Morning Shawn!

My goal will be to view the Pilates tapes before the end of this week. Who knows... maybe I'll even make an attempt to actually try it before weeks end too LOL

Last night was difficult for me in the food department. I think I handled it o.k. though... I was watching a program around 9:30'ish with my eldest daughter and was feeling hungry (yes...truly hungry) There were 2 containers of cookies sitting on the island in the kitchen that on a normal day I would have 'thought about it, but still grab a few to eat' Anyhow... I opted instead for 2 turkey pepperettes with 2 cheese strings. I was up until 11:30 and at that time was thinking of having more cheese, but just went to bed.

Have you ever noticed this? When I'm eating LC, I don't gather no where near as much plaque on my teeth during the day! It's soooooo wild! They have that 'just brushed feeling' pretty much all day! (yes...I'm still brushing regardless ) It's something I noticed the last time 'round on Atkins (Jan thru to early Mar) Pretty neat when you think about it. Or...perhaps I'm the only one experiencing this?

Anyhow... I'm just enjoying my first and only coffee of the day. Black. I dropped the milk/cream (whatever was handy) way back in February. I actually 'really' enjoy it black now. First two weeks was... well a struggle. LOL Last night I had a tea for the first time in eons... decaff with a tbsp cream and 1 pkg stevia. It tasted really sweet... was a pleasant treat to enjoy while sitting out on the front porch in my wicker chair with hubby, watching the world go by.

I'm doing well with exercise... will walk the dog for 30-45 minutes this a.m. It's my day off from Curves and the 12 week walk/run program I'm attempting to do!

Hope you're having a great day thus far!
Yak at you lighter!
Lyn

[madelyn64]

I just noticed the time is 'all wrong' on my post. It's actually only 9:15 a.m. here...I'll have to change that! What was I thinking when I signed up

[ShawnC]

Good morning Lyn!

Good for you for not eatting those cookies! That can be sooo tempting sometimes. The way I deal with it is to just think about all of the great clothes that I will be able to wear when I reach my goal weight. Because of the fact that I have bben overweight my WHOLE life, I have never been able to wear any of the cute things that they make for skinny people, but I will!!!

I weighed myself this morning and I am down another 3lbs!!! That makes a total of 17.5lbs gone so far!! I am soooo excited!

Well, I hope you have a great low carb day and don't forget to check out those pilates tapes!!!

Talk to ya soon!

Shawn

[madelyn64]

Hi Shawn!

Well...so far I've walked the dog for (I really should time myself) approx. 35-45 min and did my walk/run on the treadmill for 15 min. It's special lunch day at my girls school today but we can't recall if we 'ordered it' so...I'm waiting for that call to say "Mom...we didn't order the pizza!" I will then have to take two starving girls out to lunch If I don't get the call, I'm off for my 30minute session at Curves! If I do get the call, I'm still hitting Curves, just a little later than anticipated.

I've been saying this phrase over and over in my head whenever I'm tempted to 'eat something when I'm not truly hungry' "nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels" Forget where I first read that...but I like it! Not that I want to be skinny...just at my healthy body weight of 175lbs which is anything but skinny LOL.

Anyhow...today is Hubby and my 16th wedding anniversary. We are going out to dinner tonight at a quaint Italian Restaurant. I will be having red wine (already decided that was a sure thing LOL) and will stick to a protein and vegetables. We will skip dessert. I'm usually the only one who ever has it...he never does! He easily skips it and I hate him for it

How is everything going with you then? How are your energy levels? Gosh...I'm feeling 100% better than a week ago I'll tell you that much!

My official weigh in is on Monday morning... I hope my having the wine at dinner tonight doesn't do too much to upset my weight loss!

Well...no phone call and it's 12:25! So this girl is off! Have a good one!

Lyn

[ScarlettnGinger]

Hi Shawn and Lyn!
Lyn, as you can see I moved to this osting per your request
Things here are good. I am looking forward to seeing my mom this weekend and catching up on some much needed R&R
My BF is coming with me. He and I are in desperate need of some quality time. We have both been so busy at work that it has been a struggle to see each other.

Lyn, congrats on your anniversary! I think you deserve a glass of red wine, it is my favorite too. I have all the faith in the world that you will make it through without dessert!

It has been kind of a tough week for me. I had company on Wednesday, meetings last night, etc. However, I have done very well. Only 1 slip up of 1 potatoe chip (yes I actually stopped at 1)

I will check in over the weekend! Have a great day!

Holly

[ShawnC]

Hi Lyn!

Congrats on your anniversary!! That is awesome! I hope you enjoy your night out!

Well, I have had a great week! I'm now down a total of 17.5lbs and I have lost two inches off of my chest and hips and two and a half off of my waist! The inches is much more exciting than the pounds!!

I am leaving for a week long business trip to San Diego on Sunday so you probably won't hear from me too much between Sunday and Friday. I am determined to stay on track while I am gone. The hotel I am staying in has a gym and I am taking Atkins bars with me so that I can have a resource for those times when I am not able to eat right.

Hope you have a great weekend and a wonderful LC week!!

Talk to you soon!!

Shawn

[madelyn64]

Hi Shawn & Holly...

Thanks for joining us in conversation Holly.

Well...I had a wonderful evening out with hubby on Friday. Drank 'far too much wine' but had fu-un doing it Proceeded to carrying on for the remainder of the evening with a few sets of friends into the wee hours of the morn. Needless to say, I was feeling a tad bit upon waking up Saturday. I handled dinner just fine (veal with a red wine/mushroom sauce and a side order of vegetables) BUT...I couldn't resist the cheese cake in the end. I MADE hubby have one bite... he did, but not because he really wanted it . Anyhow... one less bite for me!

I got out for a long walk yesterday... another one today... and am proposing to do my 15 min walk/run when I sign off here today. Oh...and yes...I'm watching my pilates tapes today 'cause it's the end of the week and I promised myself I'd do this *whew* almost forgot!!!

My 3 darling daughters brought me breakfast in bed this a.m. Bacon and Boobie Eggs and coffee. Homemade cards and kisses too!!! I just LOVE Mothers day! Do either of you have children?

Shawn... away for a week long business trip! ...what pray tell do you do? What with my being a 'stay at home Mom 'n all' I seldom get away 'alone'. So to me, it sounds glorious! Oh I know...one day I'll be kicking myself in the 'you know what' for that comment! You sound like you're armed with the right ammunition, so you'll do just fine! I picked myself up some of those Endulge 'caramel nut chews' from Costco last week to have on hand... but will refrain from having any until 'absolutely necessary'. They're pretty darn good if I do say so myself!

Congrats on your additional weight loss!!! I need to measure myself as well...I think it will be exciting to see myself 'shrink on tape' and not as frustrating as the scale (up one day...down the next, etc.,)

It sounds like you had a hectic week Holly... anything having to do with 'entertaining others' can put a strain on your best efforts! It looks like you handled it 'very well' though, I can't believe you stopped at 'one chip' I'm that all or nothing girl... I wouldn't have been able to stop at one. No way!!! So KUDOS for you!!!

I hope you and your BF are having a 'great weekend getaway'. It's nice to have that change of scenery on occassion. Makes a world of difference in a relationship at the best of times! Enjoy the moments!

O.k. I'm off to do what I've got to do!
walk/run/pilate tape viewing 'go lyn go'
Cheers!

[ScarlettnGinger]

Hi Lyn and Shawn,
Hope the both of you had wonderful weekends

Lyn - Sounds like you and your DH had a great anniversary. Sometimes you just have to have chessecake It is my downfall too. However, it was a special occasion and you gave up a bite so good for you

Shawn - Way to go on your fabulous loss to date Sounds like you are really on track. I love Pilates! It is really a great workout.

Well I suppose I should get back to work. Talk to you both soon. Have a great day

Holly

P.S. No kids here, but my BF got me a present from the cats

[madelyn64]

Ya know... cheesecake ain't such a bad thing providing we have it 'Atkins' style

Had a pretty good day yesterday... got all that I wanted to get done, done. Did well in the food consumption part of it all too!

I DID watch the pilates tape on Sunday afternoon... twice so as to really get a 'feel' for it. I think...I'll have to take one of my 'off days' and attempt to actually follow the program. It looks like it will take a good chunk of my time up while I'm learning what to do. Have you either taken classes or just followed tapes?

Well...it's going to be a beauty of a day here in Southern Ontario, so I'm going to sign off and get out into it! Pushing for a 45-60 minute walk with the dog this time round! Then have big plans to do some yard clean up *woo hoo* I actually have the energy to do so!!!

I hope this finds you having a 'great day'!

Lyn

[ScarlettnGinger]

Lyn,
I don't know how long it has been since I have been able to say that I have gotten everything done in a day that i wanted to get done

Sounds like you are really on track! Things here are good. It is that TOM so I am a bit cranky, but so far no major food catastrophies

I have a really busy day at work so I can't chat, but I wanted to let you know that I am here and hope you have a wonderful day!

Holly

[madelyn64]

Hi...

I'm nearing that TOM and it shows on the scale 'cause I haven't dropped anything much this week BUT... on a happier note, my body fat is definitely down!!! I have the Tanita Scale that reads your body fat as well as an accurate digital weight. Love it!!! When I was to the doctor last month, she checked my blood pressure and... it was elevated a tad (nothing to be alarmed about she said) I decided it was alarm enough for me though! I began a daily form of activity and haven't looked back since. Well, the other day when I was picking up a prescription at the drugstore, I tried out one of those blood pressure do-hickeys they have set up and... the number was down compared to that at the doctors office. Now I don't know how accurate they are, but it was a welcome sight to me just the same. I'm pretty certain that when I go back for my check up next week, it will be down due to all the activity I've been getting

Having said that...I'm just home from the gym and am now off for a power walk with the dog!

I hope this finds you having a great day all the way around!
Lyn

[madelyn64]

Hey Holly! Haven't heard from you in a few days...hope everything is 'fine in your neck of the woods'. Are you doing well with the 'low carbing' end of it all?

Shawn... I hope you had a great week away! I know you said it was business, but hey...it's time away just the same

Well...I've sure been feeling great with this WOE and an increase in my physical activity! I wore a pedometer the other day to see how many steps I was averaging... approx. 15,000 !!! That was on a day that I do the gym, walk the dog and do my walk/run program. It does take 'time out of your day' to get the mileage in that's for certain!!! I figure it will get easier and more out of habit eventually... at the present I can't stop feeling guilty for taking this time for me when the house needs some desperate attention 'gotta work on eliminating that feeling'

So now with concentrated activity like that and my low carbing ways... I'm sure to continue dropping. My old way of thinking would be to get this weight off a.s.a.p. But...I think the slower it comes off... the likelier it will be a permanent loss for me. A permanent life change. I just want to be healthy!!!

O.k., it's nearing noon and I've yet to get the dog out and do my walk/run. Did Curves this a.m.

I hope this finds 'all of whom are reading' having a most wonderful day!!!

Lyn

[ScarlettnGinger]

Morning Lyn! Things here are good. This week has been a bit tough for me. No cheating, but the TOM really got me this month


Went out to dinner last night and did really well. I have a super supportive bf so that is good. I am hoping to relax this weekend as it has been a very long week! The weather here is very depressing You can teel pretty much everyone is getting fed up with it It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow, but still only in the 50's.

Anyway, I am so excited that things are going well for you. You are absolutley correct when you say that exercise and this WOL take time. it is all about balance. I'm still working on the balance piece of it. it is really hard for me to get the exercise in. I wil work on a plan this weekend

Have a great day
Holly

[madelyn64]

Hi Ladies...

I haven't been able to post 'cause our internet service was down for a few days and then... it was May long weekend!

Are you both still going strong? I've had a few ups and downs...am still on the down side, but working at pulling myself up and dusting myself off. I think I need to stay away from the wine... it makes me sloppy in more ways than one

Needless to say, with the sloppy eating habits as of late, it's no wonder I'm so tired and sluggish. Why do I do this to myself??? *ugh*

Last week my youngest was home sick Mon thru Thursday... I FINALLY got out for a walk with the dog on Friday! I hadn't done ANY exercise all week long. It just didn't happen. I DID however garden over the weekend... that counts for exercise

Anyhow...hope all is well!
Cheers!
Lyn