Wanted: 220lb LC'er that needs buddy...

[lovinlowcarb]

I am starting a low carb diet on Monday I think I felt better and lost weight quicker when I was on a low carb diet in the past. Can you tell me what sort of food you took in your lunch, I have a problem trying to find new things to take in my lunch, we have a refrigerator and microwave at work so if you can suggest some things I would appreciate it greatly. Have a nice night. Teresa

Originally Posted by MarblesLongGone

I see WW in there, what plan are you trying to eat to NOW? I packed my lunch for YEARS.

[jswalker1992]

Slept in with DH this morning. Haven't done anything since getting up this morning. Made myself a protein shake for breakfast (ice, vanilla protein powder and water mixed with orange Crystal Light--very good). That's it. I need to clean house. Yet, I have no ambition to do so. Need to work on bills also. I don't wanna do that either.

I am down this morning. 159. Woo-hoo! I am happy about that. Been very good this week. It has been difficult. I am wondering if I may be PMSing already. It doesn't seem like it should be, but I never know.

How are you gals doing?

Eve, I just wanted to let you know that I am super excited about you being smoke free! Congrats, girl!

[Betty Lou]

Hi!

I'm back from Atlantic City, NJ. HAD A GREAT TIME! Will tell you guys about it alittle later when I have more time to write.

Just wanted to pop in and say hi and know that I'm still around!!!

See ya,
Betty Lou

[jswalker1992]

Hey gals! Hope that you are having a great evening. I have been busy busting my tail this week so that I can take tomorrow off. It is our youngest son's birthday and we are going to take him to Elitch Gardens. Looking forward to the rides. I should be able to fit into them without much issue. I hope so, anyway. Lol!

Well, here you go...today the scale showed me 157!! No kidding! That is the smallest number that I have seen yet. Been really good, sticking to the diet and it is paying off. I should be able to mess it all up tomorrow with birthday cake and being out and about all day.

Alrighty, y'all check in and say hi. This is my favorite thread on the net.

[eve_sonata]

Hi everyone!!! Hope all is well. Just a quick note. Just got back from South Dakota. I am one tired girl. My mom and dad both had surgery!!!!! Can you believe they both had surgery at the same time? I asked them what they were thinking. So anyways i went over to help them out along with my sis from California. Saw a ton of bikes come through for the Sturgis ralley. I don't even know if i have lost weight. I tried to be really good, cheated a few times but not too bad.

Wonderful job Stac!!!!! wtg. That must feel so fantastic to be down at your lowest yet. You have come along ways baby. Hugs.

Glad you are back safe and sound Betty Lou. I am happy that you had a great time. Did you get to shake Kevin's hand or get to touch him in some way? Hahahahaha. Did you win lots of money???

Teresa i haven't forgotten you. I just haven't had a chance to really type out some of what i pack for lunch. If you want some good recipes though, Stacy is your gal. She loves to read cookbooks for fun! I will make time this week though to let you know some of the stuff i do.

Marbles!!! what have you been up too? Anything new and exciting in your life? I have this really odd question though and i hope you don't take offense to it. Are you a guy or a girl? It doesn't matter one way or the other, i will yak at anyone. Just curious.

Okay gotta go unpack and get stuff ready for the next 7 days. I have 7 12's coming up. I am gonna be one b*&$%@ tired lady. Hope you'll understand if a few cuss words slip out here and there. Hahahahahah

Okay take care and be well.

[jswalker1992]

Hooray! Glad you are back safe and sound.

We spent the day at Elitch yesterday, then spent the evening at a buddy's house. Really blew the diet, but back on track today. So, all is not lost. Was back up to about 159 or so. If I am real good, it should be off in the next couple of days or so.

I was able to get out and get some work done this morning. Not a lot, nor enough. But, DH needed the car. It is raining, so he wasn't able to take the motorcycle. The biggest downfall is that I will have to work for half a day tomorrow too. Blech.

[Sandbird]

Hi Everyone! I started my own thread to find a weigt loss buddy. Well, needless to say nobody wanted to be my friend. Sigh. Anyway, I finally checked the thread I started and low and behold there was eve_sonata with an invite to this group.

THANK YOU GIRL! I was dying of loneliness on here. LOL

Anyway, I would love to participate if everyone else would like to have me. I haven't read any posts of anyone's yet, but I plan on doing so.

I am a mother of 2 rotten kids and 3 spoiled dogs. Oh, yeah, I have a husband too. I love to joke around, but also know when to be serious if I have to. I have been doing low carb since June 5. I have been doing this woe for 2.5 months now and have decided to make this a new lifestyle.

[Betty Lou]

Hi Everybody! (Welcome, Sandbird)!

How's everybody doing? Back to work and same old crap since we got back from Atlantic City. Kevin Costner was (again) gorgeous and put on a great concert. Got his autograph, he squeezed my hand once at the concert, and once the next night at this "Up Close and Personal" thing where he was sitting and we got to ask him any questions. Was really cool. I almost feel like I know the guy now after seeing him 4 times.

Diet is going pretty good still. I'm hanging in at the present time at about 194-195. Slow going, but at least going DOWN.

I've got to catch up on a few posts. For some reason I've been kind of busy doing things at night. Nothing too exciting, but yet seem to be doing something most nights after work.

Going to try to post of a few pics of Kevin. I've never posted pics on here before.......or if I have, I forgot how. So, I'm going to experiment. So, we'll see what happens.

So, what is everybody else doing? Stacy, I see where you're putting alot of hours in at work. Eve, oh my God, more 12 hour days at work! I don't know how you do it. LOL. But it's nice when you get the long weekend.

Sandbird, I always tell the newcomers that I'm not really on a low-carb diet, but I do watch the carbs. So, I'm alittle out of place, but we are all here for the same reason - to lose weight - and I like these girls and this thread quite a bit......so you're stuck with me!!!! Looking forward to know you better. I think we all love to joke around here.........so you're in the right place!

Here goes with the pics.......

You know what, I better post this first, in case I screw something up and lose it all.

Take care,
Betty Lou

[Betty Lou]

[Betty Lou]

Wow! Big pictures!!! Well, that's the only way I know how to do it!

As you can see, I got right up front again. What a great night!

Betty Lou

[Sandbird]

OMG! Keeeeeeeeeeeeeevvvvvvvviiiiiiinnnnnnnnnn! Who knew he could sing! Did I say OMG already?

Betty Lou, anytime you need someone to hang with, you just call me up girl! I like older men and well, let's just say he could sing to me anytime.

Okay, off to bed with the ole stand by.....aka my husband. Just kidding, he is an awesome man and I love him dearly.

[eve_sonata]

Hi all,
just a short note before heading off to work. Okay this is the 6th 12 one more to go. Handling it a bit better than i thought. Have to hit the hay extra early and well i don't have a life right now.

Sounds like you had a great time at Elitch's Stacy. I have always wanted to go there. I have been to Magic Mountain. It is a 6 flags park. Rode the batman rollercoaster that was pretty screamy and i loved every second. I am so proud of you for getting your momentum back. You are soooooooo close to goal!!!! Big hug. In fact i think you deserve a big group hug.

WHoaaaaaaaaaa. Kevin looks hot! Okay now i see why you go see him. Wow he looks fabulous in person. Seeeeeeeee! i knew you got to touch him! I could tell by the way you were typing. Hahahahhahah. You took some wonderful pics. You did good girl.

Teresa, how is it going girl? Are u surviving the summer? lol i whine about my 12 hour shifts and then i think of you! Getting up at 3 am and the long drive to and from! I don't know how you do it. It is so sad when a town starts to dry up huh. I went home to see my folks and that is what is happening to the community i grew up in.
Okay some of the things i take to work or pack in my cooler. Hmmmmm sf jello and sf coolwhip(i use land o lakes in the can) cheese stick tuna fish pork rinds. celery lc bread salad (love blue cheese drsg) lots of fresh spinich. you can eat a lot of that and it is only 3 carbs. cottage cheese. bacon burgers chicken you name it. I use a lot of leftovers and lots of stuff i can snack on. I take a huge cooler and if it is low carb it is fair game! I love takin the revol rolls and the lc pizza too! My plan is to keep my carbs below 30 grams per day. Rite now with the quitting smoking, I have not really been following my plan. I am at 215.3 now! Yep I am gaining! sighs. Okay I am not going to fret over it though cuz i am concentrating on getting off smokes for good! Plus it is my TOM!

Heyyyyyyy there Sandbird!!!! very happy to see you found us. Oh yeah we are a happy bunch and like to kid around. Sounds like your woe is off to a great start. Hope you enjoy reading all the old posts. it is a great way to get to know us a bit.

Wow i need to get ready for work. Time flies when i am on here! Sheesh

Will post more later tonight Be well and hugs

[Sandbird]

Well, today I am craving baaaaaaaaad. Chinese food is my downfall.

I am trying to stay good until next Wednesday because that is when I go on vacation. Well, that is what I have been calling it. I will be off work for 2.5 weeks because I will be getting an ICD implanted. You can imagine my enthusiasm.

We will be headed to St. Louis on Wednesday to see the Anesthesiologist and then on Thursday I will have the procedure done. BUT I want to eat something good before going into the hospital. Especially since hospitals like to starve people before procedures. (I figured you would like that comment Eve ) I do understand why they do it though.

I can't decide what I want to eat that day. Do I want Olive Garden's appetizer of Calamari and then top it off with Chicken Marsala? There is even the ole stand by Hometown Buffet. There I can drink all the chocolate milk I want. You know, as I am sitting here, I am realizing that this is kind of sad. Why do I look forward to eating so much?

Anyway, not really having a good day today. As the BIG DAY gets closer I am getting bummed out. All the paperwork for FMLA and short-term disability is crazy! Plus, trying to make sure all my accounts are taken care of while I am off work (I'm a graphic designer). Then, I have to make sure my three Italian Greyhounds are housed at the vets and making sure one of my sisters will watch my children. Sigh. I have to find a hotel also because my husband won't be allowed to stay with me because after the procedure I will be in ICU. I am thankful though that I will be at Barnes Jewish Hospital and it is one of the top 10 hospitals in the nation. I also have an awesome cardiologist too (thank gawd). I realize this procedure is done everyday, but it still scares me. It reminds me that there is something wrong.

Oh gosh, I sound pitiful. I'm getting off here and hope everyone is having a wonderful evening.



Sorry to be so depressing, but it is starting to get stressful around here.

[Betty Lou]

Hi!

Well, I definitely agree with you girls that Kevin looks HOT and can sing to me anytime too!!!!!

So how is everybody doing? Great, I hope!

Yesterday and today I ate like I was doing "maintenance weight." Not bad, but I had 2 corn on the cobs instead of one! One should have been enough.....but noooooo........

Boy I love fresh corn. It's all over the place here. Sometimes that's all I eat for supper. Corn only. Hahahaha. It's the butter and salt that gets me! Oh well, pretty soon it will be gone.

I was going to stop at the fruit/veggie stand on the way home from work, but they are doing road work and I couldn't get into their driveway. And I didn't feel like turning around and going to the one back down the road. So, no fruits for me today. Darn! The peaches are out now and they are sooooo juicy! Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to stop and load up on some things. I've been buying ALOT of green beans and yellow beans and freezing them. Going to be GREAT to get them out in the middle of January. I always tell you guys I HATE veggies. But I actually LOVE the home-grown veggies around here. Now, in the grocery store they say "fresh" veggies, but it's still not the same. My husband thinks I'm nuts. But there's definitely a difference.

I planted a few flowers tonight in pots. I had to! Summer's almost over! I've been keeping them alive in those little things they come in, and I guess I could have just let them die off......but they are so pretty.......so I got a big pot and shoved them all in there along with a few ivys. I have other flowers around my house, etc.....that I planted on time (beginning of summer), but these last few stragglers, I just didn't get around to doing it. So, I took an hour tonight and decided to do it. So, we'll see if they grow.

In a few weeks (I have to check the date), our town will have their annual "Farm Festival." All kinds of crafters, a parade, a few small bands, junk food, and all the good stuff. It is held from Thursday through Sunday. I always love going to that. The only bad thing is, is that it means the end of summer! I tell you I'm REALLY not looking forward to winter. Ugh......it gets so bad up here.

Well, that's about all for now. Talk to you later!

Betty Lou

[Betty Lou]

Sandbird:

Internal Cardiac Defibrillator? MY HUSBAND HAS ONE! He is doing absoltuely fine. His was implanted December, 2003. There's such a long story behind his ICD, but the quick version is that he was passing out. Then this last time, he actually had like a cardiac arrest, but DID come out of it. Thank God. I know he was VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY lucky to have come out of it as most do not. He was 47 years old when he got it. He's 51 now and will be 52 in September.

I know this is all frightening to you.......but based on my husband's experience, it wasn't that bad at all. He did have to stay out of work for 6 weeks. He could not lift his arms above his head for 6 weeks as the leads had to heal inside his heart and muscles so they would not pull out. When he was sleeping, he would (not knowingly) put his arm(s) above his head....I FREAKED! So, for 6 weeks I watched him sleep. HAHAHAHA.

He was sore for about that time too........6-8 weeks. Nothing he couldn't handle. Was given some mild pain pills. I think Lortab 5. So that's not strong at all. And he really didn't even need THAT after a week or so.

He went through all kinds of tests to find out why he was passing out. Then they gave him the electrophysiologist test thing where they zap your heart in certain places to see if he would go into fibrillation. HE DID! The doctor was quite surpised. We were all shocked. He went into the worst there is.......ventricular fibrillation. So, right then and there the doc came out, and said he's getting and ICD..........TODAY. Within an hour he had his ICD implanted. He had to stay overnight only. He was not in ICU. He is now taking Atenolol to keep his heart at a slower rythym.

I know quite a bit about ICD, what you need to stay away from (electrical lines, electric saws, magnets, running motor, etc.). If there's any questions you have, "fire away." Ok, alittle sorry-ass pun there.

What is the reason you have having your ICD implanted, if you don't mind me asking? If it's too personal, I do understand. Just trying to lend a helping hand if I can.

Where is Barnes Jewish Hospital? Where do you live.......maybe you posted that before and I missed it (???). I'm from Buffalo, NY.

Oh, on the cravings.......have whatever it is you want......but just have alittle bit. Just a little!!! Otherwise it'll be on your mind all night.

Take care and I know you'll do fine.
Talk to you soon,
Betty Lou

[eve_sonata]

LMAO at hospital food! I blame it on the docs that order what foods you can and can not have. They have a penchant for only ice chips and clear liquids after surgery. Tell em you want steak and baked potatoes with all the works as soon as you wake up! At any rate, you should not trust the hospital to make that right and just have your honey bring it in from the Outback.
Nahhhhhhhhh you know your gonna get ice chips at first. Look at it this way. You may just wake up with thinner thighs Okay being serious now. I will have u in my thoughts and prayers Sandbird. It will all be okay and you will feel like a new woman! You'll have more energy and be able to do more activities that you probably couldn't do before. See Betty Lou has nothing but positive things to say about it. I know it is still scarey. Heck just getting an appendectomy is scarey. Sounds like you are stress to the max though. You should take the day before surgery and go do something fun and just for you. Go get a pedicure and manicure, or a massage. Yep!!! i wanna know where your from and how many kids do u have? Boys? Girls? Gosh I am nosey huh? Okay sending you some hugs too

Okay was 210.8 this morning. I knew i was retaining tons of water. Funny thing though, is that i haven't been watching it since the 7 12's. I was just trying to make it through the day! I have the next 3 days off counting today. We are heading to the boat and going to spend the night at a boat in only campground called Medicine creek. I am way excited. I had to hurry and do my toenails this morning so they would look all purty and sexy. LOL only my dh is going to see em and i don't think he even looks at toes. I mean i have never heard him say "oh those are some fine sexy toes you have, lets make out!" I probably would think he was a weirdo with a foot fetish if he said that.

Thank you Betty Lou for posting those kevin pics. It makes scrolling through the post so much more sweeter. Mmmmm i love corn on the cob. Usually they sell it around here too, but everyone's gardens have been doing crappy. I haven't even got tomatoes on my plants yet!!! The evenings are really starting to cool off now and it won't be much longer till we will see some frost darn it! I am not quite ready for that yet. I do love winter but not 24/7.

Haven't seen Teresa or Stacy or Marbles lately. Wonder whats up? Hope all is well with them.

Okay i know i said i would post some pics but my camera is not working properly. I think i need a new "expensive" battery. It won't take a charge. So when i get that fixed, I will post some. today am going to take the other camera so i can take pics of the camping area etc.

Well you all have a marvelous day and i will be back ohhhhhh probably late Saturday evening. Will talk to you all on Sunday then.

Be well and hugs to you all

[Sandbird]

Thanks Betty Lou and Eve for the kind words and thoughts. I really appreciate it. I am sure I am making this into a bigger deal than it really is, but I am only 37!

Betty Lou to answer a few of your questions, I have left ventricular dilated cardiomyopathy. That's a mouthful huh. Basically it means that the left side of my heart is a lot larger than the right side of my heart. My ejection fraction is 28% (normal is around 60 to 65% I think) which means that only 28% of the blood is pumped out of my heart and the rest of it stays there basically making my heart a water (blood) balloon. That is the easiest way to explain it. My cardiologist explained to me that after a bunch of studies, patients with 35% or less ejection fractions are at a higher risk for Cardiac Arrest and therefore they are implanting ICDs into these patients whose ejection fractions stay below 35% for quite a while. Mine has fluxuated below 35% for two years now.

I have to be VERY careful of how much sodium I take in each day. I also have to limit how much liquid I consume everyday. I have a MAJOR PROBLEM with water retention. Two weeks ago I weighed myself and I gained 11 pounds! So, I really battle keeping the weight AND water off me.

I live in Southeast Missouri and will be having the procedure done at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

I have two wonderful children. My daughter, Miranda is 14 and lives with her father. That's a whole other story. I miss her dearly, but we talk every other day on the phone and she comes to stay with me on the weekends. My son, Brandon is 11 and has ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome (mild form of Autism). On his good days he is an awesome little kid. On his bad days I tell him if his head was a pimple I would pop it. He doesn't get it though. I have tried to explain to him that it is a joke, but he has no sense of humor at all. We are working on that though.

Betty Lou, when you mentioned that fresh corn on the cob, my mouth started to water. I haven't had fresh in a very long time. Think of me the next time you are picking kernals out of your teeth.

It is ver inspiring to hear how wonderful your husband is doing. I wish him the best of luck. I am glad to hear he didn't end up in ICU after the surgery. Maybe someone flubbed up when I was told that. Who knows, we are all human. The surgeon can't be human though. She needs to be very calm and robotic the day of my procedure.

Eve your weekend sounds fantastic! I am so jealous! As far as your sexy toes go.....make him notice them. Prop your feet up on his lap and wiggle them around. Have him give you a foot massage. You definitely deserve one as many hours you are on your feet. I can't wait to see photos.

As far as the diet goes.............um well, I ended up eating Chinese today. OMG was it sooooooooooo good. But, back on the wagon tomorrow though. When I weighed this morning I was down to 257.0 and I am so sure I ruined that. I will most definitely have to take another water pill. I will probably squish when I walk around the house tonight.

Well, I'm gonna get off here and play a game I am addicted to on MySpace (Mobsters and Heroes) and see if I can't whoop some butt.

Can't wait to "chat" with other members of the group.

P.S. OMG when I previewed this, it is really long. Guess I have the gift of gab.
BTW.......my name is Carrie

[Sandbird]

OMG did I ever blow it today.

We went to eat Mexican and we had FRIED ICE CREAM for dessert! Why, why, why, did I eat that FRIED ICE CREAM! I swear, that darned skinny girl that is in me somewhere must have been sleeping when we were eating out today. She needs to get her butt in gear and quit napping is all I have got to say.

Anyway, I hope everyone else is having a wonderful low carb weekend. Well, I'm off to find some new recipes before I go to the dreaded grocery store tomorrow. I feel as if I need a change in my diet. I'm starting to eat the same ole things. I get bored that way. Hum...........maybe that is why the skinny girl was sleeping.

[Betty Lou]

Hi!

Well, today I didn't do much of anything. Love it. Just some laundry and made supper. I love days like that. Tomorrow we might walk around the Erie County Fair and maybe stop in at the mall. I hope I can get up early and get ready and out the door at a reasonable time. On the weekends I like to sleep late (noon). I just hate getting up early. I do that all week. I'm definitely a night person.

Carrie, thanks for the information about the ICD. Interesting. It's such a b*tch to have problems at such a young age. Sorry you have to go through all of this, but like Eve said, you will be feeling so much better. It is a good thing really, in a weird way, that you will have an Emergency Room built right in your chest. Good luck with everything! You will do just fine!

Deep fried ice cream......it's been ages since I've had that. Good thing for me is that I'm more of a cake/brownie person rather than ice cream. Hubby has ice cream in the house all the time. And I'm ok with that. But put a nice gooey browine with crisp edges next to me and forget it......hahaha!

Luckily I've been still doing pretty good with the ol' diet. I haven't lost anything in the past week or so, but I haven't gained. Starting Monday I'm going to go for it again big time. Time to drop a few more pounds. Got to get my walking in again. I've slacked on that alittle bit. But it's not so far gone that it's out of reach, ya know what I mean? So, we'll see what happens. We're going to Florida in October, for Bike Week and to visit my husband's dad and his brother's and my friend Ellen who I haven't seen in a few years. I'd like to drop a few more pounds by then. At least 10. 10 is very doable I think. I hope!

Eve, glad to hear that you were able to get away for the weekend! Love that boat! Don't get too much seaweed on your pretty toenails! LOL! Just kidding! We always feel so good when we look good. I do my toes and fingernails all the time.

Eve, so glad to hear that a few pounds came off! YAY! That's like 5 pounds or so?????? Wow! That's great! It takes me FOREVER just to lose 2 pounds! Maybe we need a Labor Day challenge or something. That's like......2 1/2 weeks away or so? How about just a mini 5 pound loss? Ok, I'm in for a solid 5 pound loss by Labor Day. If any of us loses more, then that's great, but lets shoot for 5. Who's in it with me?????

Well, that's about all for now........have a great Sunday!

Where's Stacy and the others?????

See ya,
Betty Lou

[eve_sonata]

I'm burnt!!!!!!! dag blasted! I even wore spf 30. Ohhhhhhh it was awesome. Full moon out on the water and it was smooth as glass. Nice cool/warm evening. We had pulled into Medicine creek and nobody was there! we had the whole dock and camp ground to ourselves. we started a campfire and made baked beans, and grilled some chops and snacked on some chips and dip. Beer of course too. Ohhhh my current favorite is Land Shark! It is so smooth and goes down fast. I am not a fast beer drinker. I have a tendency to nurse mine. Got up the next morning and water was still calm as glass started another fire and fired up the grill too and had hashbrowns, pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon and coffee. Y does campfire coffee taste so good? By 1pm people started showing up and then it was grand central station. Met some really nice people and when it was time to put the baby back in her slip, some really nice people helped us wrestle her into place and we sat and talked with them for a bit. It was a really nice weekend. Okay gotta get a shower and will talk to you all later. BTW I saw some corn being sold on the side of the road. We were going to stop but we where in the wrong lane and couldn't get over.

[eve_sonata]

Count me in for the 5 lbs by labor day. I have to go to a pain conference Sept 5 & 6 so i want to lose a few more by then too! Okay so down to business starting Monday. I need to do the exercising thing too. I have totally bombed it on that end too. You know this gives me a boost. Something to strive for!

[Betty Lou]

Ok girls, are we ready for Monday? Fresh start! 5 pounds to say bye bye to!

Darn you Carrie......I had ice cream tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!