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

[lowcarbs4me]

Hi Everyone!

Eve, you're not alone on the holiday outfit project. I've located a couple of items at the Coldwater Creek catalog that have waists. I would love to wear a dress or shirt with a waist again. Hope these upload as expected:

black dress with three quarter sleeves.jpg

red shimmering wrap shirt.JPG

I'd love to pair the red shimmer blouse with the black velvet crinkle skirt I bought at the thrift store the other day.

Has anyone else started dreaming about new clothes for the new smaller bod?

I started changing up my diet a bit to get past my plateau of 167-168. I'm doing the first week of the Beverly Hills diet, which is a kind of deep cleanse/fruit fast. I'll keep you posted. So far, so good. I plan to go back to low carb this weekend. (Love sausage and bacon along with a cheese omelet on Saturday morning!)

Have a good one!

[eve_sonata]

OHHHH la la, I really like both of those garmets. Where are you going to wear it Liz?

See Carrie, it was just water weight. It's all good!

Sorry not much to post today. I am kinda blue, but it will pass. TTYL

[Sandbird]

Gonna have to make this quick because I am at work.

Have a question for you Liz about Atkins 72. I do not have the book and can't really find any specific details about it on the web. The only thing I have found is in a forum here, but I do not know how many carbs I am allowed.

I am assuming as little as possible. Is that true? Approximately how many carbs a day do you consume?

Gotta go!

[lowcarbs4me]

Hi All!

Carrie, I didn't have the 72 book when I first started so I relied on this website: http://www.geocities.com/cherilynn82000/Newbiepage.html It follows the 72 book pretty closely, and shows the induction calories the same, at 20 carbs per day. (The 72 book doesn't have the "net carbs" philosophy of the newer versions and is more strict. In my opinion, it's also more effective. Safety? That's another issue that is hotly debated.)

I got the link for that website from this website. I think the person who posted the site link is or was a senior member of lowcarbfriends.

I pretty much stuck with the 20 carbs per day and did so from the start, with a few indiscretions as detailed within this forum. Basically, you can eat any pure meat that doesn't have added ingredients like sugar or flour. (Watch out for prepared lunch meats and hot dogs!) You can also have 3 loosely packed cups of salad greens or 2 cups of loosely packed salad green and 1 cup of lower-carb veges. Fat is fine so enjoy a low-carb dressing. I always use olive oil and red wine vinegar. (Note: balsamic vinegar has more carbs. Go figure.) About 3 tablespoons of cream a day is fine if I remember correctly. Cheese is fine--I think 4 oz or so. Eggs are terrific. I love cheese omelets with herbs. Herbs are fine.

Drink lots of water and be careful to avoid constipation! I'm sure nurse Eve could share some tips. (I understand over consumption of hot wings works, too. )

If you have any other questions, I'd be happy to look them up or answer from my experience.

Right now I'm switching it up since I hit a plateau. I'm doing the first week of the original Beverly Hills Diet--sort of a fruit fast. Yesterday I was down to 165 after over a week bouncing between 167 and 168. I'll keep you posted. (I plan to go back to Atkins this weekend.)

Eve, I don't know where I will wear my fancy outfit. Who knows? I never really go anywhere that requires a babysitter. My DH and I went to his holiday party last year for the first time--a real date! I'd like to do it again. We'll likely also visit relatives. I think the black dress could fit a range of occasions, depending on accessories, don't you?

I'll likely also post some more casual photos as well. I'm looking forward to wearing jeans with a tucked-in shirt again.

Today is papaya and mangos for me! (I love papaya and mango slushies! A real waist-whittling, clean-out-the-old-meat-laden-system treat.)

Have a good one!

[jswalker1992]

What a beautiful day in Colorado! Just got home from work. Drove through the mountains. The weather was perfect, the trees are changing colors. It is my favorite time of year.

Scale was at 157 this morning. SWEET!!!! Lol! We had company last night. I made Indian tacos. Didn't have any. Boy, that fry bread sure did look good, though. Had a couple of Coke Zero's with vanilla vodka. Not too much. I knew that I had an early day at work today.

One of our friend's was getting upset with me because I wouldn't eat dinner with them. I told him a couple of times that 1) I wasn't hungry (I really wasn't) and 2) trying to get a jump on the diet again- cuz we have another weekend out coming up and we all know how that will go. He told me that I have turned to skin and bones. I have never had anyone say that.

We were up all night last night. Talking, laughing, hanging out in the hot tub. It was great. I am exhausted today.

Alrighty, gonna get dinner going. Still need to get paperwork done and put into the computer. Hope y'all have had a great day!

[lowcarbs4me]

Hello again ladies!

Stacy, I'm envious of your 157. Hope to join you on that part of the scale soon. I think it's amazing that you've journeyed so far! Congratulations!

Thanks to you and Eve for posting the beautiful pics. It makes me think I need to get a bit more excitement back into my life. I used to do all kinds of crazy outdoor things when I was a young thing--like winter camping, hiking treacherous trails... I still feel spry and able, but the DH isn't into that sort of thing, and I can just imagine the complaining from the kids. I'm not an air-mattress-camping kind of gal, and I find it hard to understand why a little hardship isn't part of the challenge and fun.

I'm feeling thin today--and my DH noticed. He asked me to turn around while he took a gander.

I just noticed that I am now a senior LCF member. Not sure what that means exactly, but it's pretty impressive, isn't it?

Hope everyone is doing well. I'll be busy the next couple of days, but I'll try to pop in for inspiration. Maybe I'll even get to lower my weight stats. Thanks for being there!

Carrie, I'll try to research any questions you may have about 72 Atkins. I have the book ready at hand. Betty Lou, I pray things are going better.

[lowcarbs4me]

Good evening, Ladies.

Decided to change my stats. I'm now at 164.2. Yippee!

[jswalker1992]

Great job, Liz!! I am totally doing a happy dance for you (can you see me?)

Scale showed 157 again this morning. Had a breakfast shop. I don't think that I did too bad. Today is my son's 15th birthday. For dinner he wants fried catfish, fried potatoes, fried okra, cheesy grits, and a caramel apple/peach cobbler. Dunno how good I will be this evening.

Went to Big Lots and Wal Mart. Bought a bunch of goodies to put in packages to send overseas. Payless was generous enough to give us a few shoe boxes. So, I will get those sent out tomorrow.

I am looking forward to the weekend. I guess that is a for sure sign that I have a real job now, isn't it?

[Betty Lou]

Hi Everybody!

Will somebody come over here and KICK MY A$$??????????? I've been more on a "Maintenance diet" than a "lose weight" diet. Son of a Gun!!!! So, I weigh just the same as a few weeks ago (194). I'm going to Florida On October 14th. Going for like 11 days. Then the next day I come back, my Mom goes in for her surgery (October 27th). Oh my God, how stressful this is going to be! They will open her abdomen up, take out the cancerous lymph node, and while she is still wide open, do radiation to the abdomen area. This is serious. I hope and pray she does well during the surgery. She is very sensitive to anesthesia. Last surgery (and her only surgery in her lifetime at the time), she had a very very VERY hard time coming out of it. We had to watch her for like 6 hours and shake her if she looked like she stopped breathing. Luckily my brother is a Respiratory Therapist and knows how to read everything and what to check for.

Anyway........I've been wanting to lose 5 pounds for 3 weeks now! I've only got a few more weeks to do it. It's time the scale moved again, so will somebody PLEASE KICK MY A$$?????????????????????????????????

Stacy: great pictures!

Liz: Thank you so much for keeping us in your prayers. Thank you EVERYBODY!!!

Gotta run for right now...............talk to you later.......!

Betty Lou

[Rubyred025]

Hello Hello Hello

My gosh, for some reason my loggin stopped working and it finally has been fixed.

Unfortunately I have not lost any weight, haven't gained either but haven't lost. Things have been very stressful at home. We still have the other house and DH is miserable with his long commute to work. So the diet went to the way side but it's time to get back on, especially when you start thinking of having gastricbypass surgery.

Glad to see and hear everyone is doing well.

TTYS

[eve_sonata]

Liz and Stacy! That is wonderful news. I am so glad you two are down a few lbs. Way to go!!!! It is so nice when others start to notice it too! Then you know you have truly made a dent in the way you look. Stacy, about that guy saying you are skin and bones, I say you have to make yourself happy. If you feel good and like how YOU look and you're not starving yourself or doing anything that would cause your health to be in trouble, then why should they care? Liz i would really like to know how you make those papaya mango slushies. I think i need a clean out! Oh btw Stacy thanks for the pics I really enjoyed them. I think fall is my favorite season as well. Oh who am i kidding, I love them all!!! even winter.

Hey Justine! it is great to hear from you again. I often wondered what happened to you and how you are doing. glad to see you back and we really don't care that you haven't lost any weight. We are here to support you and not tear you down. I haven't really lost much unless you count the gains and the losses, then i have lost a lot! I am down to 207 as of this morning and it just seems like a constant struggle huh?

Carrie you are so busy lately!! Miss hearing from you girl. I remember the days of raising kids and how busy a person gets. You seem to manage beautifully. How is the atkins 72 going?

LOL Betty Lou, i'll kick your arse if you kick mine! Hang in there girl. Least you aren't gaining. I hope all goes well with your mom's surgery. They have made so many gains in treating cancer and i hope they can get it all this time. I also hope the recovery process isn't so terrible this time. Good thing you have a RT for a brother. Keeping you and your mom in my prayers.

Sorry i haven't been on in awhile. I have had some killer shifts lately and there is some crappy stuff coming down from upper management. You know the saying, "crap rolls down hill" Seems they are in a little financial bind and now they say nooooo overtime unless it is approved. I am sorry there is just no way i can get all my patients cared for and do the paperwork sometimes with out having to stay a few minutes after my shift to get caught up. I haven't gotten any bad girl/boy letters from them but a few of my nurse co-workers have and even one was going to get fired if she didn't find a way to keep her overtime down. What is so frustrating is that this nurse is so sweet and kind and compassionate, organized and does not leave a big mess for the nurse that follows her to clean up. A DAMN good nurse. It is just all sad and depressing to me. My patients come first and the paperwork is last. I hate to see the day when a nurse stops doing good patient care cuz she has to get paperwork done. I feel their message in an unintended way implies just that though. I will not lower my standards of care for ANYONE but, i have a feeling some nurses may do so out of fear. Sooooo that is why i have been so blue lately. Ohhh and get this! Then they give us all a cost of living raise! Okay sorry for this outburst. It will all work out. I don't want you all to think i work for a terrible company, cuz it really is a wonderful wonderful organization that does good work. I have worked at a lot of different places and this one is the best. I love my job their too.

These past few days I have not been able to keep it as low carb as i would have liked. I did manage to just eat small portions and pick the foods that were the least in carbs. It seems to have worked some. My water bottle was my saving grace i think. I would drink a 1 liter bottle of water before each meal. That kept my snacking down and also kept my portions down. I have off today and then i have picked up an approved overtime shift (8 hours) on Saturday then i have Sunday off. I am going to go get my hair done today. Boy i need a trim and dye job! I may even get my nails done! Just tidy up my natural nails. We really aren't allowed to wear acrylics although i see some nurses do. Then i am going to go sign up a membership at a gym. I just don't feel i have enough equipment here at home. I am being sneaky about it though cuz if my dh finds out, he will make a comment i don't want to hear. He will say what is wrong with the bowflex we got a few years ago????? (and make me feel guilty) Sooooooo I am just not going to tell him. I have it all planned out. I can go work out on my days off and even on my way home from work. I think i may even see if they have a personal trainer. okay well enough for now. You ladies have a great day and TTYL. Be well

[Sandbird]

Hey, girls!

Congrats to Liz and Stacy on the weight loss! I'm so proud of you! Guess that new goal that Eve suggested worked for you Stacy!

Thanks for the upcoming help I will need Liz. I do have some questions for you. I am a little confused about the Atkins 72. I actually ended up gaining! I will ask them in a separate post as I think this will be a gabby one.

Betty Lou, I am so glad you are going to be able to get a way for a while. You need a break girl. I know you can get those 5 lbs. off before you go. I do wish your mother the best. Eve is so right when she says they have come a long way with cancer treatment. Sounds like she has a good agressive doctor who will lead her fight. Hang in there girl.

Justine it's nice to meet you. Welcome back! I look forward to getting to know you.

I got a treadmill last night! I am so excited. After we purchased the treadmill we went and ate Chinese. Kind of dumb huh? I walked on it today and did 2 miles! This is going to be great! I can walk anytime I feel like it now.

Had to go to St. Louis today to have my incision checked. It started to get a little infected. When I called and talked to the nurse the other day, she called in a prescription for me. 500 mg of some kind of horse pill antibiotic which I will have to take 4x a day. Does that scream yeast infection or what! Ahh, the joys of womanhood. The doc said it didn't look too bad though. Thank goodness. While in St. Louis we went to Red Lobster. They are unfortunately having shrimp feast. My dh embarrassed me so bad. If you have never been, you basically get to have as much shrimp as you want. So, after I had my 2nd helping I was done. He ordered his third and talked me into ordering another for myself so he could eat it. He did this twice! So, he actually had a total of 6 helpings all together and of course made me look as if I had that many too. I am sure the cook was glad when we left. I told him the waitress probably snapped a photo of us and hung it in the kitchen to forewarn everybody else.

After we (my dh) pigged out at Red Lobster, we went to Lane Bryant. OMG! I had this absolutely wonderful saleswoman. I explained how I had lost weight and wanted to buy a pair of dress slacks for work and a new blouse to go with it, BUT I wanted them both to be too small. She completely understood while my dh stood there and rolled his eyes at me with a cockeyed grin. She found me the perfect outfit. Also measured me for a new bra that definitely holds the girls up well. My dh had a pretty good time while we were there. There was a manequin with no head, arms or legs wearing a matching bra and panty set. He proceeds to stand behind it and rest his head where the manequins head should be. I hear the salesgirls laughing at him and told him that the matching set looked perfect on him. He is so crazy! Then he proceeds to put his arms around the manequins waist with his head still resting atop of the thing. I asked him what he thought he was doing and his response was, "They should really have something for husbands to do in places like this." Hum............you think?

Anyway, as motivated as I was last week, I haven't had a very good week. I have stayed on plan and gained 1.6 pounds. I got discouraged, but tomorrow is another day. I plan on working my arse off. I really want to get this weight off, but I have to beat this guy at work. He is winning the Biggest Loser contest. He is only beating me by about 2%, but that is close. I talked to the doc today about stepping up the exercising and she said she thought that would be fine, just no arm exercises. She also said I had to be able to talk while exercising. If not, then I had to tone it down. I can handle that. Infact, she encouraged me to do more.

Well, ladies got some questions for Liz. I sure hope she can help.

[Sandbird]

Liz here are some questions for you. I understand the foods I can eat, but I am unsure on the total carb intake.

1. Do I do the least amount of carbs I can do?
2. Do I count fiber?
3. Do I still do 20 grams per day, but not count fiber?

I was losing by eating around 15 to 20 carbs per day and counting fiber, but as I posted above, I HAVE TO BEAT THIS GUY AT WORK! I don't want to lose too much at a time though because I don't want to risk my health, but I would like to get a jump start on him. I am so evil. He CAN NOT win!

Oh, btw, I did go to that website you suggested. I haven't had time to really go over it yet though. I did bookmark it. I think I will check it out now.

[Sandbird]

I have decided today is a new day ladies. Gonna start over with a new frame of mind. I woke up to 242 lbs. today and I am not going to let it bother me. Changed my stats so I can't see the earlier progress.

Starting today, if I cheat, chew my butt real good. I really need you girls to do this for me.

Well, off to work. I don't usually work on Saturdays, but because I missed yesterday to go see the surgeon I am behind.

[eve_sonata]

Yep Carrie, nothing like starting from the bottom rung again. Glad you got the treadmill. It will help a lot. I have worn out 2 already. Put your headphones on and just go to town! This time i went with the eliptical machine after trying it out at my sisters house. This way you can walk with out having to worry about inclement weather.

Well girls, i did join the gym. Anddddddd yes i did tell my dh. Suprisingly he was okay with it. Hmmmmm go figure. I can't wait to get started. Monday is the first day i will be able to go. I will go right after work. No excuses. I can still exercise at home too if i want.

okay well off to work i go. Gotta bring in that over time!

[Sandbird]

Here is my current photo. I am a graphic designer for a newspaper and the entire operation had to get their photo taken for the big progress edition we put out every year. It will be about 140 pages. I can't even imagine anyone wanting to look at a newspaper that large. But hey, that's what pays the bills. My department works on the advertising about 3 months ahead of time. We have to make those ads gorgeous. Most of them are very large and in full process color. These ads cost anywhere from $3500 to $5000. So, no pressure.

Anyway, even though I have lost 32 pounds, you can see I have a very long way to go. The other picture I had up........well let's just say my dh and I were feeling pretty good. We had both had a few drinks in us.

Eve glad to hear your dh wasn't upset with you for joining a gym. Maybe you will meet someone there and you can become exercise buddies. I would think that would make it more pleasant. Good luck, girl and remember to take plenty of water with you.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Just kind of chillin' around here. Hubby is at work and the kid is playing with the dogs. Me.......I'm really tired from all the housework I have done today. I'm ready for bed and it's only 7:40.

[Sandbird]

Liz, please disregard all that Atkins 72 stuff. I have decided to just keep doing what I know. Hope you haven't looked anything up yet.

[eve_sonata]

Yeah Carrie, I am glad my dh didn't get upset. Sometimes he gets in a crabby mood and well everyone finds something to do so we can get away from him. LOL He is harmless but he is a type A personality and i tell him he is going to have a heart attack if he doesn't learn how to chill. Like me! Your hubby seems very laid back and easy going. I loved the story you told about him and the mannequin. Hilarious! So your are a big time graphic designer! I always wondered what those people were like? Te he he he. jk. My sis wanted to be a graphic designer but never pursued it. You must be a very talented one cuz i hear it is hard to find a job in that area unless your good. I don't know how true that is. I love your pics. Keep em coming. I am too shy for pics of me. Maybe one day i will get over it. I did post a few of em way back.


Yep it is 0135 in the am. I am just getting home from work. I had to stop at Wal-mart for some groceries and i didn't want to have to go grocery shopping on my day off tomorrow. Sheeshhhhh there are some scarey people in Wal-mart late at nite. I made sure i had my keys in my hand when i went out to the parking lot. Okay well time to get some shut eye. Gonna sleep in tomorrow. You all take care.

PS: Happy birthday to Stacy's son

[lowcarbs4me]

Hi Ladies!

Carrie, glad you've decided on a plan. Relax and don't focus so much on the guy in the biggest loser office contest. Your health is most important! (Consider, too, guys usually have it all over us when it comes to weight loss. They have a lot more muscle, and generally their systems seem much more capable of shedding fat.) No matter what happens in the office contest, remember that you've already won by losing over 30 lbs., and you have a long-term vision that will be successful if you stick with it.

Eve, so glad to hear you've joined a gym. I did that a while back, then decided to switch back to home workouts. Sometimes variety is the key.

I went to get dressed yesterday and decided I was tired of wearing my now baggy size 14 capris. For the heck of it, I waded through my closet to see if I had something decent in a smaller size. Packed way in the back was a pair of size 12 capris that had shrunk a few years ago. The last time I tried them on, I couldn't get them over my thighs comfortably, never mind zip them. Well, yesterday, they went on like butter and zipped and buttoned with no problem--no stretching the zipper etc. It was a good feeling.

I switched back to Atkins yesterday morning after a week of Beverly Hills. I think it was a good decision to change things up because I dropped from my plateau of 167-168. This morning I weighed in at 163.2. I'm thinking this could go up a little, but that's OK. I figure I've broken the barrier.

I'm hoping to break the 160 mark in the next couple of weeks. That will be a big victory.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

[lowcarbs4me]

Mango or Papaya smoothies:

Almost forgot about your recipe request, Eve. Here's the very complicated recipe for making either a mango or papaya smoothie:

Get one smoothie maker or heavy duty blender.

Add frozen chunks of mango or papaya.

Add sufficient water to get the desired consistency and concentration--and ensure blending.

Pour and enjoy! Properly blended, these smoothies remind me of tropical soft serve.

I like to find fruit at the store that is really ripe and immediately cut it into chunks, put it in quart-size freezer bags, and freeze. Often the reduced price "quick sale" fruit is a great bargain and ideal for this. Some stores also sell bags of frozen mangoes or papayas in the frozen fruit section.

Liz

[lowcarbs4me]

And hello, Justine!

[Sandbird]

Liz, Congrats on your size 12! That is awesome! I really needed that pep talk girl and it is greatly appreciated. All you ladies are awesome. I'm so thankful for all of you. The smoothie sounds wonderful. It is making my mouth water.

Well, I just got through making deviled eggs, bacon, chicken salad, cutting up celery and chopping cucumbers/tomatoes for the week. I like to keep all this handy. It makes lunch for work easier and if I need a snack it reduces the temptations.