Penpal match? Just turned 50, want to lose 75!

[Suji]

Hey,
I just found this forum--for some reason I never scanned further down the list!

Although I am in a couple of groups, I'd like to also find a buddy(ies) who may also be in my new age bracket (45-55) who is also going LC (Atkins in my case).

My kids are in college or almost there and I'm kind of going through a phase of searching for new meaning in my life in general.

I'm not working so I can be counted on to check e-mail and to be available to give my time and energy for support-- or even a kick in the butt if necessary! In other words, if you need an unvarnished opinion, I can do that too.

My goal weight is 140 since I'm tall (5'10") and have a med-large long-boned frame. I put this on over the past 16 years and I'm just fed up with my "ignoring the issue" strategy.

Suji is ready to walk a new road. Wanna come along?

[Karenfl]

Hi there, I'm Karen from Florida and new to the boards. I'm 48, will be 49 in May. I have three children ages 22,20,18. If you would like to chat that would be great!

Thanks,

Karen/fl

[Suji]

Hi Karen,
By new to the boards do you mean as of this week? I'm relatively new as of about one month ago and it has been really interesting so far finding sympatico people and looking at the progress pictures.

I'm not sure how the penpal system works--post here? Is there some sort of "Chat area"? See, I'm new enough to not know.

Tell me about what your goals are and why you sought out LC Friends.
(sits back with cup of evening coffee...)

[sleepysue07]

Hi Suji,
I'm Carolyn from Texas, and I'm 42, shorter than you are and need to lose about 85 pounds. I need a pen pal as well. I have two kids one will be going off to college next Fall and the other will graduate next year. They are already at the age where they are gone so much that I feel like an empty nester. I feel sort of obsolete these days, and I need to figure out who I will be when my job as Mom is downsized. I am a stay at home mom too, mostly to the dog now...how sad is that?

I have put on about 80 pounds in the past seven years. (due to depression, hysterectomy, quitting smoking.) I am new to low-carbing, just this week in fact, but I cannot wait until the new year because I am miserable!

[Suji]

Hi Carolyn,
What part of Texas? I lived in north Texas for 14 years before heading back East.

Welcome to the blood and glory world of choosing to eat LC over the holidays! Are we nuts or what?! Seriously, it *is* a challenge, but I am helped by the fact that I must have a micro crack in a molar which makes eating anything sugary a mega painful moment for a couple of minutes. So, I'm taking advantage of that to avoid the usual downfall of holiday sweets eating.

Where are your kids going to college? I actually have 2 in college, only one is a part-timer since he is working as an apprentice chef the rest of the time. The younger of the two is going to Virginia Tech, the older is taking business courses at the community college. Still have one halfway through high school.

What are you easing into as the kids are leaving home for extended periods?
Were you always a stay at home Mom or did you, like many of my well-educated friends, leave your paying job for full time motherhood?
I am finding that I really haven't built a network of friends outside my family, so I am lately in the mood to reach out.

If I'm a bit sporadic posting, chalk it up to the holiday x's my terrible procrastination with shopping. I spent yesterday shopping with my sister and I will probably go out today as well. So, don't despair if my posts lag a bit over the weekend, okay?

I look forward to getting to know you better. I wonder if Karen will be back?

Sue in Maryland

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Sugi, Karen and Carolyn. My name is Leslie. I started low carbing it in November. I'm 47 with kids 15, 19 and 22. So it sounds like I have a lot in common with you guys. I'm in a scientific study, so I have to stick with it. I can't wait to see what I look like a year from now. I am afraid however. We were required to stay on induction 8 weeks. Then, January 2, we start climbing the carb ladder. Has anyone ever done this? Do you have suggestions on which foods to re-introduce? I don't want to stop losing weight, but can't stay on induction forever. Also, any holiday eating tips. I'm starting to feel really deprived. It will be great to hear from you. I hope I can help support everyone too.

[Suji]

Hi Leslie,

I think we are posting sporadically due to the holidays, but, yes and welcome!
As for Induction--girl, I already went through the first 2 weeks and just stayed on Induction. In fact the last time I was on Atkins, I stayed on induction almost the entire time until I thought I was done. (BTW, considering yourself "Done" is always how we end up back on the diet plans again!)
My boys are 16, 18 and 23.

What's your scientific program?
Holiday eating tips? The only quick thought I've had is the SF jello-but then I haven't really looked into it closely.
Reintroduction--safest by 5 grams at a time and start with veggies only-non-starchy ones, imho!

Got to get some stuff done upstairs. WIll check in later,

Suji

[Dreamcometru]

Yes, I had a feeling I was still going to have to be very strict with what I eat while climbing the carb ladder. Today, being Christmas, I wanted a treat so I made some low carb cheese cake. It's 5 carbs per serving and I've already had two so I really have to watch it the rest of the day. Oh, why am I writing on Christmas day? I got a new laptop. It's so cool. Anyway, I got through Christmas Eve okay. Let's hope I can get through the rest of the day. Hope you have a great holiday week.

Leslie

[Suji]

Thanks, Leslie!
Again, I expect posting to be somewhat sporadic until after New Years since all of us focus on other things than this board throughout the week.
I will report, that I was on track through the Christmas dinner and did not partake in any "forbiddens". It helped that my in-laws are all familiar with Atkins and they are aware that it has worked for them (unfortunately all of them slid off the wagon afterwords!) so no issues about not eating EVERYTHING. And I got a nice compliment about looking like I had been losing--music to my ears. I did lose 12 pounds on this first month of Atkins.

I haven't dared awaken the slumbering sweettooth monster by making anything resembling that taste. It was hard enough not to "test" my favorite Christmas jello recipe (with the sweetened sour cream and cream cheese topping!) I know many people use Splenda and bake, but I'm sticking with my coffee w/ cream as my official "treat" until I lose much more. I know from experience how easy it is to slide.

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Sugi: Well, I believe I consumed more carbs than I should have yesterday. But I went to the gym this morning and got in a good workout. I plan to go every morning this week because I'm off work. Christmas dinner was full of stuff I couldn't eat. I did good though and only ate salad, vegies and turkey. I had to dish up pie to everyone, so I cracked and had a cookie after all was said and done. I guess I feel guilty because I'm telling you about it. I suppose the workout burned off the cookie and I feel much better. Congrats on how well you did. We made it through Christmas!!!!! I'm in this for the long haul. It's all down hill from here. Take care.

Leslie

[Suji]

Oh, I know it's hard! During the holidays it's the greatest challenge to be on a restrictive program. I have heard that people go on the "fat fast" / very restrictive Atkins to get themselves back on the straight and narrow after a slip up of eating the wrong kind of carbs. Of course this can be an excuse for some people who figure they can *repeatedly* slip up accidentally on purpose and then quickly go back on track... But to me, that defeats the purpose of building a good weightloss mindset. The subconscious mind figures out such a person isn't really serious and next thing you know--off the program and more weight gain. (Ask me how I know! ) Sigh. Self sabotage.

That's why I'm really guarding against my natural tendency to want to give in "just this once"---riiiiiight.

I need to build in the exercise like you are starting in January. I think I can be motivated then.

Good on ya!

Suji

[Dreamcometru]

Okay, I did great yesterday until last night. I can't wait until all the temptations are gone, including the low carb cheesecake. Even though it's low carb, its about 5 per serving which ups my carbs considerably when I have more than one. Today is another day. I did go to the gym again. And so far so good. I really want to lose at least 2 lbs before I have to report to the study group on January 2nd. Don't know if I will, but at least there isn't any gain. You are so dedicated. Yes, I agree. The "just this once" is enough to send you by the wayside. No more "just this once's." Have a great day.

[sleepysue07]

Hi Suji! I'm sorry that I have been AWOL these last few days. The holidays have been crazy! I have either been to or hosted a holiday celebration every day for the past two weeks, and boy have I ever fallen off the LC wagon. It isn't over yet because there is still a New Years Eve party at a friends, but she and her DH are doing Weight Watchers so there should be something I can partake of without too much guilt. Oh well, I will just have to start induction all over again

To answer your questions, I live in Central Texas, the Waco area. My boys are still in high-school but the oldest will graduate in May and be off to Stephen F. Austin in the Fall. My youngest will graduate next year and plans to attend the University of Texas in the Fall of 2008. I have been a stay-at-home mom for most of the last 18 years. I did work for a while when they were small and I was putting my husband through college. I tried again to work when they were pre-teens, but their grades began to fall and I caught them smoking. That was enough for me to come down from the corporate ladder. We actually live in the middle of nowhere, so it would have been very easy for two adventurous, unsupervised boys to get themselves into a lot of trouble after school. I think that I'm lucky now though because they have become really great young men, so it was all worth it.

I have not found myself getting into anything new yet....other than larger blue-jeans that is. I have many things that I am interested in but have not tried. I have been grieving the last few years. I lost both parents and my two sisters in the last few years. But I am tired of being sad and getting fat. I just want to move on with the next half of my life and live it as fully as I can. So that's my little bio in a nutshell. I will post a photo here as soon as I figure out how.

Hello to you too Leslie, and Karenfl. Leslie, you are doing an awsome job! I can't imagine how much courage you must have to enter a clinical trial!

What are you guys doing in the way of excercise? I am stuck at home now because my son is driving my car this week. So, I have some dvds, hand-weights, and my dusty old clothes rack...i.e. treadmill. The problem is that I haven't the foggiest idea what to do with the stuff I have. I am very out of shape, so I will have to start slow. Any suggestions?

Have a great day tomorrow ladies. It's late and I am heading off to bed. Oh! Leslie, I love your quote "No more just this once's." I plan to make that my new motto!

Back to induction, Yeah!!!

[Suji]

Welcome back, SleepySue! Hiya Leslie!
I too will be glad when the holiday food challenges are no longer staring me in the face. I keep putting cookies in my husband's lunch to get them out of the house.

My motivating factors are: 1. diabetes has been found in my family and I DON'T WANT IT!! 2. I can't face reading the number on the scale and being happy about it. 3. If I show success, my husband will get motivated too--it always works this way for us in dietary changes. When he saw that I lost my first 10 and he could see the body change, he was willing to join in and "compete". Heh heh. This, I'm happy about since he has the typical male danger signals--lots of weight above the belt (bad for heart).

Same here, SAHM for most of my life, frankly with some sojourns into the professional world when I wasn't in school (much time in college doing this or that). I think many kids have trouble being teens and need someone home to either be a foil or a shoulder to all that angst. It's when they get their first car and get independent that the problems can start!

I went to UTA and UTD back in the day. I mostly lived/commuted in the DFW area, but moved up to Collin Cty (McKinney) after I got married.

Exercise--got the weights, the tapes, the ball--usual small stuff... Oh, and a Nordic track gathering dust in a back closet. Why do I hate to exercise, but love to work hard physically in the garden or on my farm? In January that is my new habit to form--a least 10 freakin' minutes a day doing some sort of exercise. I'll build it from there.

As for new things: I joined a book discussion group and we're reading Joan Didion--supposed to be an "edifying reading club". It's teensy--just 3 of us but who cares?! Then, I'm going to join a women's club that is one county over (we too are considered in the middle of nowhere!) that does all kinds of things (movies, lunches, knitting, etc.) and I'm going to look to join a garden club or take the master gardening course for our county. Maybe all look into some sort of volunteer advocacy once I get used to getting out and doing things.

Got to post on my challenge group! Talk to you later and watch those food choices everybody!

Suji

[sleepysue07]

Good Morning. Well, DH isn't crazy about the LC program yet. But he will be since I prepare all of his meals. (He is diabetic). That is one of the reasons that I wanted to do this.

Suji, you are so right about kids with their first cars. My sons little black Mustang has been parked in the driveway for two weeks now because he slipped up and got a huge traffic ticket for speeding in a construction zone and then didn't come home until 2:00 a.m. I was so angry that I took the car away until further notice. I am making him drive my van to work and school. He hates the van of course because it is just so uncool, therefore I think that this is effective.

While I really don't belong to any organized clubs or groups I am active in our church and I have a really close group of girlfriends that I spend time with. There are four of us and we got out to dinner a lot, and take day trips together, and long weekends and retreats together. They are my lifeline because I too live on a farm and don't see many people out here. Let me clarify that by saying I live on a large piece of property that used to be a farm. We are out of the farming business and have sold the livestock and are in the process of trying to sell most of our acreage. I used to love gardening, but where I live the grasshoppers eat everything in the summertime. I have had them actually strip my rosebushes completely bare.

I am going to get in 20 minutes of excercise every day this week. I really think that is about all I can handle for now. I would like to do a video workout . Does anyone know of any good ones for a beginner that are fun but not too fast paced?

I'm looking for a low-carb appetizer to take to a party for New Years Eve. Any suggestions? The invitation said "bring a snack to share" which is great because I can take something I can actually have and the hostess won't be offended.

Have a great day everyone

Carolyn

[Suji]

That's nice that you have so many GF. I mainly rely on my sister. WE are both really bad about making outside friends. It's hard to get to know people well especially when you don't belong to any groups anyway.

AS for hors d'oevres--there's a forum on LC Friends where there are all kinds of recipes. The name "Linda Sue" pops to mind--something 2 named (haha). Try searching that to see what might work for you. There's always mini-meatballs in a crockpot with a side dipping sauce of some kind. :-)

Suji

[sleepysue07]

Thanks for the info. I will look there. You are fortunate to have your sister close by. I have lost two sisters, and the one I still have lives far away.

Carolyn

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Suji and Carolyn. Carolyn, I hope you don't mind my chiming in. I read your post about your son and the car. I do worry about my kids. My middle daughter has to work late on New Year's eve. I won't sleep until she gets home. My son is 15 and learning to drive. My oldest didn't get her license until she turned 18, and she got a ticket a month later. It's still on her record and her insurance rates are still high because of it. I did great low carbing it the last couple of days. No cheating. But alas, no weight loss either. I still have three days before I have to report to my group. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I have exercised more this week than ever because I've been off work. I even went golfing in the lovely cold weather. I wore the wrong shoes and they are a muddy mess now, but it was fun. I found out I still can't golf. Its morning here and I have't hit the gym yet, but plan to. Take care.
Leslie

[sleepysue07]

Leslie I know what you mean. I can never sleep until they are at home safe in bed. So as of late I have become a weekend night-owl. My son lost his job yesterday because they "Laid off all of their part time people." So he is out there this morning looking for another one. He was pretty upset. He is going to be in town (we live in the country) at a friend's house tomorrow night, so I told him just to stay there instead of trying to drive home on the interstate with all of the drunk drivers. I-35 is dangerous enough when most of the drivers are sober! My youngest is going to a function at his girlfriend's church and her parents are driving, so I feel pretty good about that.

I think I am actually having larger portions than I should. Portion control...I believe that has been the problem all along. I am going to go get another scale today so that I can measure my portions more accurately. I think that I am not drinking enough water either, so I am going to increase that too.

It has finally stopped raining here so I am planning to hit the track today with my friend Melissa. It's much more fun to walk with a friend than to be stuck inside on the treadmill.

Have a great day

Carolyn

[Suji]

Hiya Carolyn and Leslie,

New Years Eve! Gotta go to the store and get my ingredients but I am staying LC for the party I'm giving.

My problem has always been portion control. My former MIL accused me of "eating like a man". I never realized it-just figured I was *that* hungry and it was normal for my family. Can't eat like that in my 40's and now 50's I have found!

I think one of my challenge group memebers will be adding exercise to our weekly reperatoire, so I'll HAVE to do it now. Oh well--I know it's good for me although I HATE to exercise for its' own sake.

Anyone got New Years Resolutions that they will actually keep?

Talk to you later!

Suji

[Dreamcometru]

Ugh, my oldest, while she doesn't live at home any more, was staying here over the past week. She didn't get in until 7:30 this morning. I'm glad I fell asleep before I realized she hadn't come home. I hope it was due to not wanting to drive drunk or fear for her safety. Anyway, she snuck upstairs while I was putting a load in the wash. Hmmm. Oh well, she's 22 and I can't really control what she does anymore because I never would have known if she wasn't staying here. My middle daughter called to say she was going to be out later than she thought. I heard her come in about 1:00 a.m.

I made a new low carb recipe last night. My family didn't like it. I'm going to freeze it so I can bring it to work for lunch the next couple of days. I guess I'll keep trying.

As to resolutions, no I haven't made any. I live near a golf course with a walking trail about 2.5 miles long. A couple of friends and I are going to walk it every Saturday and Sunday morming. So, hopefully I can stick with that. It beats hitting the gym daily. I do want to work out a couple of times a week. I also walk with a friend on my lunch hour. Exercise for me is almost worse than not eating. I have to force myself to go. I too have a portion control problem. I watch what the little size 2 girls eat at work. I would starve to death. But if they can do it, I can too.

Happy new year!
Leslie

[Suji]

Leslie,
My 23 year old wasn't here this morning. I know he had an after work party and he's desperately trying to spend time with a girl who will be leaving for med training in the army--he won't be able to see her again until summer.

Funny how so many people with walking trails built into their community fail to make use of them. My sister lives in an area honey-combed with walkable areas, but she mainly only does it if I come to visit. She says that she is bushed by the time she gets home from work and it's the last thing she wants to do.

Size 2 is the the equivalent of what size that we grew up with? 5-6? Got to go by realistic body measurements for our heights and bone structure. I think I am rail thin at a size 11 or what passed for a size 11. At a 9, I looked like a starving Biafran--all boney.

My New Years Resolution is to get out and meet new people. You all are part of it since the discipline to respond and interact on line is one way to make new friends. :-)

[sleepysue07]

Hello Suji and Leslie, like your children both of mine came in really late. Around two-thirty for my oldest and an hour earlier for my youngest. I guess the main thing is that they made it home.

Well I made Linda Sue's LC Jalapeno Poppers for the party we attended last night, and they were the first thing to disappear! I resisted all of the things I shouldn't have except for the Diet Coke. I have a hard time with the No Caffeine rule. DH has finally decided to get on board with the program and to encourage him I am still doing Induction. I am afraid that my scale is now broken because it shows that I have lost ten pounds in three days. That cannot possibly be right because my clothes feel just as tight as ever.

The only resolution that I have made is to stop being a people-pleasing doormat. I have been taking too much on the chin and not complaining or standing up for myself and I have to stop. I am old enough now that I should be able to assert myself. I am going to make some sort of commitment to myself to excercise. I just don't know yet what that will be. I just hate to get started! Once I have been doing it for a couple of weeks I really enjoy it though.

Well, It's late and I had better get to bed. That is the resolution I should be making--getting to bed at a decent hour!

Bye!

[Suji]

Hi Carolyn,

I hear you. I think due to my height, people assumed that I would be more forward. In fact, I guess I kind of went the opposite way with trying to recede into the background since I didn't want to be taller than other girls during my formative years. I think now that women need to have a certain amount of balancing aggression-so good for you to realize that positive assertion is a useful and necessary thing.

My mini challenge group has declared that I must begin to exercise. So, I'll be walking the dog longer for starters. SHe'll like that. :-) At least it isn't raining.

I did drop another 2 pounds last week so I'm happy that I'm still progressing. My DH is going LC starting today and I do believe he is subconsciously fighting the idea as he slept so poorly and I can't think of any good reasons why he would be stressing. He loves to eat and hates restrictions--that's why!

Talk to you later!

Suji

[Dreamcometru]

Hello Suji and Carolyn:

He didn't like all the fatty food. I told him to eat it in moderation, not gorge on it. He really needs to lose. The cool thing this week is I got several comments from people that they are noticing the difference in my body. Yahoo . My husband said he wants to start back again. Hopefully he will stick with what I put on his plate.

I have to officially weigh in today at my research group. The first time in two weeks. I'm a little intimidated. Not sure what to expect. My scale at home is so wishy washy. I will report back, hopefully with good results or bleh, no loss at all. I was a good girl and kept my food journals and exercise journals the last two weeks. We have to turn them in at the group meeting. I didn't disclose that I had a few cookies at Christmas though.

I hit the gym again yesterday, will walk with my research group today and start back walking with a buddy on lunch hours Wednesday. The exercise, albeit hard to motivate myself to move, seems to help.

Have a great day.

[sleepysue07]

Leslie, don't be nervous about your weigh-in. If other people are noticing the difference and your husband is inspired then you are doing great!

Let us know what happens, I think that you are doing an awsome job--good luck!

[Suji]

Yes, it's really nice when other people notice something, isn't it? I hate the scale since there are times in which I would swear I deserved to have lost 5 pounds--but there it is--a measly one pound or something smaller than expected.

I'm SO looking forward to my DH losing his "GUT"--he's so handsome and that overhang just is ***distracting*** from the picture! Of course, I'm trying to lose my stomach too--the one area I never used to have to worry about-but there it is.... Sigh. I just so LURVE being 50...

[Dreamcometru]

Finally. Hi Suji and Carolyn. Well the results are in. 5.7 lbs lost since Dec. 19th. I'm so psyched. Our group discussed the carb ladder which I am truly concerned about because I want to keep losing. No worries the first week, all we get to add is veggies. You guys are so great. Thanks for the encouraging comments.

Suji, I'm right there with you on the DH losing a few. I really hope my husband will continue to follow me and try. Although diabetes and high cholesteral do not run in his family (like they do in mine), I am concerned about his heart health.

I'm working on losing the stomach too. I listened to a blurb on the tv the other day discussing women with guts (meaning big bellys) and the only way to lose the gut is not only with diet, but intense exercise, so says the dr. on the show I was listening to. What is meant by intense, I don't know, but in reading the Atkins books, he keeps stressing the importance of exercise. On that note, I packed my gym bag this morning to keep in my car so I can stop on the way home from work rather than going home first and, dang, I left my membership card at home. Freudian slip? Let's hope not. I'm meeting a friend at lunch to do a quick 45 min walk. I work in a building connected to a giant shopping mall that has offices on the third floor. We hit the third floor of the mall on bad weather days and walk outside the mall on good days. Lately, the weather here has been disgustingly wet, dark, windy and cold.

Have a great day.

[Suji]

All right Leslie!
Good job!

I am supposed to be putting in some cardio. Have I? Nope. I did some crunches and will do those again. I am very resistant to exercising and for no good reason.

I have been trying to instigate a local group that likes the "Fiber Arts": sewing, crochet, knitting, macrame, etc. All the good lessons places are a good 50 minute drive away. I don't do any of the above well, but I'd like to at least become proficient enough to finish something!

Which reminds me, I meant to send in my application for a women's group that does some fun stuff--another 50 minutes away, but if that's what I've gotta do... And maybe take some music lessons...

TTFN!

Suji

[sleepysue07]

Leslie this is your standing ovation
Congratulations Leslie your are doing fantastic! I am inspired by your progress and I need a little inspiration now. I screwed up last night and ate an entire family sized bag of fiery hot pork rinds in the car on the way home from the market. (I live about twenty three miles from the nearest city). I am really paying for it today , and I feel completely disgusted with myself.

Suji how is the dog walking going? How far are you walking and where? Are you able to walk on the track or sidewalk? Dogs aren't allowed on our track and there is no sidewalk out here. My dog is too crazy and aggressive anyway. He would likely drag me through a barbed wire fence or something!

My best friend has lost 95 lbs. on Atkins. Wow! She is amazing and unbelievably disciplined with excercise and eating. I have finally told her that I am doing it, and after the pork rind incident she has promised to be my accountability partner. As you can see, I need one. I have not been walking the last few days because my other friend Melissa has been on vacation. Today it's raining and supposed to tomorrow as well. I have a treadmill though, so there is just no excuse.

How are your husbands doing with it now? Mine is not doing so well. I think that once I am showing results he will follow. At least I hope so.

These kids are driving me crazy! School won't start back for another week! I love them, but you throw in all of their friends, and girlfriends and it is just chaos around here all the time.

Have a good evening!