New and would like a buddy

[MI CHICK]

The sun is just shining all over the place this morning!! So cheering! Makes up for the fact that it's only 15 degrees...

Well I was not real pleased with the Tavern Soup. For some reason I couldn't get the cheese base to be creamy, but the extra veggies in it at the end were nice. Don't know if I will add some Velveeta cheese cubes (it's 2%) to it or just write it off. Wasn't nasty, just mediocore, & I like my food to be good---that's why I'm fat

Have a roast in the crock pot today. It's an easy one & very tasty!!. Like the cockpot on my long days. Today I got almost to my clients & had car trouble & had to call for a tow to the repair shop. Wasn't too bad of a repair but it was too late to go on to work. It's nice to have a surprise day off! Course I won't like it in my paycheck....but ya can't have it all LOL!!! Wouldn't have wasted my roast meal on a day I was going to be home though.

Denise I didn't eat the bread cubes in the soup--left those for dh. I did pig most of the cheese though....ha! For those Mexican urges I have found that it really works to spread some fat free fried beans on a plate & then layer on the onions/green pepper/tomatoes(whatever veggie you like)& then sprinkle on Mexican shred.cheese blend. Heat in the micro. Take out & use some salsa & sour cream on top and it is so good & really covers all my Mexican urges. Found I don't really miss the flour shell.
Where ever you eat you'll do ok. Especially if dh is agreeable to your resturant decision. Our taxes are filled & should be deposited into our checking acct any day now.
I too am doing more of the SB approach. Think it would be working just fine if I would get control of myself.....

YH I have seen groups of Red Hats all over & they do seem to be having an absolute blast!!! Course they are usually in resturants.....think you have to be 55 to join & I'm not there yet. Let me know if you join!

Well I should get off here & enjoy my time at home. am going to turn the tv on & use the Gazelle for a half hour. Then I have some boxes to lug to the basement. That will be my physical exercise for the day. Then I'm going to sit down & do some crocheting on my sweater. Just finished up my first one & it came out so nice! Was very pleased. Started my next one last nite. Was nice when they started having patterns for plus size ladies. I had already made an afghan, several scarves, & a bunch of dishcloths for my beginning learning. Didn't want another afghan so started the search for plus size sweaters that didn't look like something grandma would wear. Found that the yarn hobbies have become very popular again over the last 10yrs & that was a ton of stuff.

Well enough ramble for now--have a great Tues
corrisann

[MI CHICK]

This only takes 10minutes to put together Teresa so it would be a good one for your feet!

Herbed Top Round Roast
(I use any beef roast)

1/2C red wine
1/2C water
Mix & pour in crock pot.

Combine in a small bowl:
1tbsp thyme
1tbsp rosemary
1tbsp black pepper
1tsp salt
2tbsp olive oil
Rub this all over your roast & place roast in crock pot.

Lay on top of roast:
5 garlic cloves, halved
onion sliced thinly
2 slices cooked bacon (not crispy)

Cook 10 hours on low. Serve juices along with roast slices.

Actually the spices in this would work good with a pork loin roast & I plan to try that some day

[Denise78]

Dh and I went out to lunch today at that family restaurant. It was very frustrating because they would not allow substitutions without charging an arm and a leg! I ordered broasted chicken, which came with a dinner roll, mashed potatoes and a salad. I asked if I could have a vegetable instead of the mashed potatoes. Sure, if I wanted to pay $3.50 extra. Ridiculous for a scoop of veggies. The waitress said, "You could substitute french fries for the mashed potatoes." Not any help for me but I took the french fries since I was paying for them anyway and dh ate some of them. I did not touch one! He ate my dinner roll too. I had a very small salad (which was disappointing since it was so small and obviously just the bag salad tossed in a bowl with nothing else added) and 3 pcs of broasted chicken (which was delicious). The bill came and they charged me $1.00 extra for substituting the fries for the mashed potatoes. When I complained to the waitress that she never told us extra for the fries, she took it off the bill. Only $1 but it was the principle of the matter at that point because I didn't want a potato at all so why pay extra for it? Anyway, I will have to rethink choosing that restaurant again. It's just too bad they were not more accomodating to those of us eating low-carb!!

Dh and I did a lot of shopping and my feet are killing me now, so no treadmill today, but I think I got a good amount of exercise walking the stores.

I wish I could crochet. That would keep my hands busy instead of reaching for food LOL. The sweater sounds like fun, Corrisann. What color are you making it? It would be nice if your dh could take of pic of you modeling it when you're done so you could show it to us!

We have gorgeous weather here too, for this time of year. It's sunny and 56 degrees today. I know the others aren't impressed, but judging from your weather Corrisann, you know what I'm talking about when you get one of those Spring days smack in the middle of winter weather.

---Denise

[yellowhair11]

I am glad D and C had nice weather - I understand a nice 15 and a clear 56 as I am from Wisconsin originally-I drive the beach to and from work and see all the tourists - its funny, I never go to the beach anymore and its like 2 minutes away and I like going in the ocean. I hate the summers here-5 months of stinkin hot humidity so you stay inside. AC runs year round.

I use to knit and do needlepoint many years ago-yes C-we want youto model your new digs. Im going to try your roast recipe-i think even i could do that and your fish ones too. I have a 30yr. old crockpot still in a box-maybe that would be easier for me and find simple baby recipes.

D-I would of made a big stink about the french fries-but then again you are in the small town so probably not. Good for you not eating the breads.

I miss cheese alot with this diet - too many pts for me to use on cheese. I basically eat fruit and veg. at work all day-this leaves me with enough pts. for a decent dinner and my snacks-last night i counted out 18 low fat mini pretzels from a humongous bag-put them in a pretty bowl and just ate the 18

I took the cd with recent pics of me to work-ill try and post one from there

[Denise78]

I love your picture, YH!! It looks so tropical

Well scratch the good weather. Woke up this morning to snow flurries Our weather is so back and forth! They say if you don't like the weather here, wait a minute. Because it can change that fast

I am planning to eat lighter today. I didn't do too bad yesterday but those 3 pcs of chicken at lunch put me up to over 1600 calories. And it made me want to eat more as the day went on. I should have just had one piece and took the other 2 home in a doggie bag. Thankfully, it didn't show up on the scales this morning so I'll be strict today to make sure it doesn't show up tomorrow!

Yesterday's menu:

B-scrambled eggs w/spinach, coffee
L-3 pcs broasted chicken, salad
D-baked chicken leg, asparagus, lettuce w/1 tbs salsa, 1 tbs sour cream
S-baked chicken leg, 1 pickle, 4 grapes, 4 sl pepperoni, 1 pork rind

I think I had enough chicken yesterday so today I am cooking a pork roast, will try out Corrisann's recipe. I love a good roast on a cold winter's day

YH - I've cut back on the cheese too. I love cheese and was eating a lot of it but the only cheese I've had in the past 2 weeks was in that French onion soup. I cannot snack on it anymore like I used to. Too many calories because I cannot stop at just one piece! I haven't been eating much fruit. It raises my sugars too much so I've been trying to stick more with the veggies at every meal. The pretzels sound like a good snack and that was a good idea to put them in a bowl so you wouldn't dig into the bag by the handful and lose track of how much you were eating.

I've cut out the diet pop altogether. Or soda, is that what you call it? When I lived in New England we called it tonic. Out here it is pop. Anyway, I haven't had one in 2 weeks and I think that is helping curb my appetite. I've heard that too much caffeine gives you a bigger appetite. Plus all that sodium was making me retain fluids. So I drink lots and lots of water now and that is really helping me stay on plan.

---Denise

[Denise78]

YH - I don't know if you like grapes but did you ever try freezing them? They are such a refreshing snack, especially in hot weather, but I enjoy them like that year round. And where they are frozen, I tend to eat only a few at a time and they last longer in the freezer too.

[yellowhair11]

No, I never tried that but I love fruit. I eat fruit and veggies all day at work - im fine in the day Mon.-Fri - its the night time snacking that gets to me.
Prior to this diet I would consume a bag of cape cod potato chips, box of jujubees, 3 reg. cokes, this was after my dinner ! I did this all the time - I would think about it all day /obssesive..well I have eliminated all of these and sometimes I feel like getting dressed and running out to get this junk-but I have not. Its like torture....but today this dowdy jumper I wore to work fit me better i swear. Ill try the grapes but Im kind of burnt out of fruit by night time since I avg. 3 pc. during the day.

Does everyone here drink water ? I hate it-im suppose to drink 6 glasses per day-but i drink at least 12 cups of black coffee a day. I am a coffee addict.

[MI CHICK]

I hear you Denise! But Feb & March are always a hodge podge of every weather condition possible here in MI LOL!!! Yesterday & today were so sunny & beautiful, but bitter cold.

Was fun to look at the Palm Tree in your pic YH!! Just what I needed today! But I hate the heat & humidity & air conditioned air.....would much rather put on a sweater & curl up under the afghan on the sofa than be passed out in front of the fan. You sound like you struggle w/the same thing I do--that night time snacking. Will do fine all day & then from 9-11 mess everything up by picking & picking until I've consumed another meal & a halfs calories....I love the frozen grapes in the summer. Fun to suck on.

I think some water is good but don't really think we need to a zillion oz's a day. If it was such a big help folks wouldn't be so fat---you see everyone clutching their bottles of water everywhere they are & yet we just keep getting bigger & bigger. 9 glasses of water a day will not cancel out a bad eating plan. I have cut my diet pop consumption back to a couple glasses a day. In the summer I have more. I have 3 large mugs of coffee w/half an half each morning. I measure & count the half & half.

YH that is great that you have the older crockpot!!! I've went thru 2 over my many years of marriage cause they are so good to cook in. Everything comes out moist & tasty. Plus you walk in the door from work & it's all ready!! Then 2yrs ago I had to replace my cp--bought 2 & couldn't figure out why things I had cooked for years were now coming out dry & over done??? Finally found out the powers that be had decided that cp's heated too low & were dangerous & going to kill millions of us with germy food???? How many people have died, or gotten sick even from cp food that was prepared & cooked & stored properly????? Hate these stupid rules that they make up to govern us on!!! So I started hunting the salvation army/resale stores looking for an older unit. Found one last year so I am a happy camper again! Being the older style the crock is not removable which can be a pain but I either spray it really good w/non stick spray or recently I found crock pot cooking bags & they work great & don't cost very much. I have lots of cp recipes so let me know anytime you want me to post some for you.

Denise your menu's continue to look good. I thought if our calories were too low our bodies lost at a slower rate??? Is that one of the many "facts" that the powers that be have changed their minds on?? Are you feeling satisfied on that low of a count?

Tomorrow I am making a small pork loin roast. New recipe out of my Splenda cookbook. If it comes out I will post it.

Teresa & HB where are you?? You're not buried in do to the cold since you live in warmer regions. Hope you are not sick---or discouraged!!

Well I've just gotten in from work so I'm off to have some tea & relax before dh gets home.

[Teresa3]

Hi, Gals--

I'm still here--just been a little busy. Went to the acupunturist again today. Ouch! Sure hope it's going to be worth it! My back did feel somewhat better after the treatment. I sure hate having to boil the herbs and drink the bitter, bitter brew! Yecchh!

Corrisann, I want to chime in with the others and say I'd love to see you in the sweater you're crocheting, too! What color? and style? I used to love crocheting and made an afghan and doilies, but never got past that; then I quit doing it and have forgotten how now. Bummer about your car! What happened with that? Crockpot recipe sounds good, too. Can't imagine myself making a roast, though! Hope it warms up there pretty soon. We just saw a snow-covered freeway in northern IN with a whole bunch of semis and cars smushed together--better stay off those roads, Corrisann, and stay home and crochet--it's a lot safer!

Denise, you are doing awesome! Congratulations for staying on plan in the restaurant. They are really behind the times in terms of providing up to date service to their customers! It's customary nowadays to substitue veggies for potatoes--can't believe they wanted $3.50 to do that!! You are so good to have remained calm--I'd have had a cow!

YH, LOVE the picture--I would sooo love to be where it's hot! It really helps my arthritis. How long have you lived in Florida? I did the spring break thing in Ft. Lauderdale when I was in college in Indiana. Got the worst sunburn of my life, but loved it there.

Thanks, everyone for encouraging me through my little funk. I feel better now, and lost one of the two lbs. I put back, so at least I didn't start a binge.
Well, it's almost time for Amer. Idol--anyone else a fan? Gotta go! T.

[Denise78]

So glad to hear from you Teresa We missed you! Congrats on your weight loss How long have you been getting acupuncture? I thought of trying that for my MS at one point. Do you have to drink the herbs for it to work or is that for your particular ailment?

I overcame another little temptation. Tonight was my sorority meeting and the hostess served angel food cake with strawberries. Not too bad of a dessert for someone on a diet, but I figured it wasn't something I really needed, so I said no thanks. I was the only one out of 14 that didn't have it, but I was happy with my glass of water

Speaking of water, I did hear that you are supposed to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, but I also think if you are following a good eating plan and exercising, it's not the end of the world if you don't drink it. Wylers and Crystal Lite make sugar-free lemonade and teas that are individually portioned and I like that because I can make just one glass at a time, if I want a change from plain water. My dh, kids and I all make it a point to drink water with every meal so it's become a habit of ours. I drink 3 cups of black coffee every morning but if I drink it past lunch, it keeps me up at night. I have a huge plastic cup that I keep filled with ice water all day long and I keep sipping from it without really thinking about it. I did read somewhere that cold water is supposed to speed up your metabolism.

I don't think I am eating too little calories if I keep it to around 1000. Remember, I am sooooo much heavier than the rest of you. I have a TON more to lose so I need to be stricter. And with my MS, I cannot exercise like you all can. So I've got to cut corners somewhere. I'm sure there will be days/weeks that I can't keep my calories that low, but I'm going to try to for the majority of the time. The numbers on the scale are moving downward so it's working so far. FitDay.com figured out that if I lose 3.5 lbs per week, I will reach my goal of 150 in one year and that's what I am shooting for, knowing that even at my halfway point, I will look and feel so much better.

Today's menu:

B-scrambled eggs, 1/2 sl ham, coffee
L-2 turkey burgers, 3 sl raw onion, lettuce, cucumber, salsa, sour cream
D-pork roast w/mustard and lettuce in a low-carb pita
S-1 pickle, 4 mini meatballs

I had around 800 calories today but I think it's mainly because I was out for most of the night, leaving the house immediately after supper, and it was too late to snack by the time I got home. Plus I was trying to make up for going overboard yesterday. I'm sure tomorrow will be closer to 1000 calories.

---Denise

[HoneyBera]

[COLOR="Red"]THE PLATEAU IS OVER!!!!
I LOST ANOTHER 5 LBS!!!!![/COLOR]

And I couldn't be happier about it!!

Thanks for the support re: dd. She's ok. It's just that she comes in and treats me like I'm some kind of helpless ol' lady, and YOU all know that nothing could be further from the truth! It gets irksome after a while. And no, she isn't just trying to help. She tries to put me down so she'll feel better, and that don't fly with me. She and her dh moved to Minnesota a few years back, got divorced, and now she's back to her native California. I just can't take a lot of her at one time. That's all.

Mom's on a new rampage - since the table's been delivered. No wonder she doesn't want it. It looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland (think Mad Hatter's Tea Party): big tall wrought iron chairs (sort of like bar stools) and a big tall table to match, not 3 ft. across and round, with a glass top. Damned craziest thing I've ever seen! Who could sit on those super tall chairs, and what use is the "tiny-top" table??

But she's gearing up again, now that the Saga of the Table and Chairs is over and has been milked for all it's worth. NOW she is trying to be tricky re: my dd. DD is a bit of a spendthrift (UNDERSTATEMENT!!), had a car accident a month or so ago, lost her job, and is desperately in need of $$. I'm about to pay mom back the $500 I borrowed from her and that she (grudgingly) lent to me. Enter dd with her hand out. So my mom told her, "You have your mother (me) give YOU (dd) the $500 she was going to give to me, and then you pay her back and she can then pay ME back." Ooohhh, do I ever smell a rat!! I pay my debts, but my dd does NOT! I told my mom NO WAY! I will give my dd the $$, but dd owes it to her GM DIRECTLY, and my debt is then PAID. But honestly, something isn't right. My mom is up to something! Ooohh, she is such a schemer!!!

A big huge [COLOR="Blue"]THANK YOU[/COLOR] to Corrisann for the wonderful recipes!!!!!! I've copied them all!

HI TO EVERYONE ELSE!!!! I HAVE TO GO TO BED NOW. I will hate myself in the morning!!! 4:30am comes early! But I'm taking the weekend OFF, not even going home. Staying here in the RV. It's going to rain, I have TONS of stuff to do, and the peace and quiet will be nice. Besides, I just got all of the Pirates of the Carribean movies, and I'm [COLOR="Red"]HOT[/COLOR] for Johnny Depp!

HB

[yellowhair11]

I am glad that I am not the only one that is not a water nut. My latest is I have a glass of hot water with a half of real lemon first thing in the am when i get to work-I read this one several times as being good for weight loss, then its back to my coffees. I get that Woman's World magazine and I just love that little magazine-every week they have a miracle diet on the cover but its fun to read.

I have replaced my cokes with crystal lite-its getting better. At the zoo last Sunday I had a diet pepsi while everyone else got beer-I almost puked at the rhino world-something about the diet soda's makes me very nauseous.

C-some simple easy crockpot recipes for meat would be great ( no beans ), I would never think to spray the pot-if I could figure the crockpot out it would be nice not to have to come home from work and cook. Yeah, its like I had to replace the original avocodo toilet in my place-I could not get a toilet with the flushing power and water anymore-so now i got the famous energy saver bone toilet and my son needs a plunger next to the pot now ! I miss my avocado toilet dearly-I had to replace the seat once and it cost me 120 because all those colors came back in style! My other bathroom has a harvest gold beige pot ! My bldg. is like 55 yrs. old.
Not a palm tree - but just as good- its one of those tiki hut things that you sit under and wait for your pina coloda to be served !

T- What kind of potion do you drink ? Is it for your back ? Is the acupunture helping with your back? I have a bad back also-leery of any back sugery. Off and on with muscle relaxers-pain meds. My neighbor is going for acupuncture for RLS. This weather would be good for your joints - my boyfriend relocated from NY to be with me and he says his pains are better in Fl. Yes, the old Ft. Lauderdale was great-mom and pops all gone now-high rise expensive hotels-the Elbo room is still there and stays I hope.

HB-look at it this way-if someone stops by that you want to get rid of invite them to have a seat at the table-its like a torture device and what the heck do you want this table for anyway. Id rather sit on a beanbag if need be.

D- I think you are doing great-you do have more to lose and you dont want it to take forever. That was good you passed on the cake too. I know, the WW site is fanatical about getting all your points in-I am usually under and dont buy it-you also get these flex pts that i dont use-its hard for me to believe that your not going to lose as much if you dont use all these pts. You have to do what works for you.

BF was home last nite so we watched dvds ( a series that i believe is on Showtime called The Tudors-very good. I counted out my 18 mini pretzels again while he was eating apple pie.

[HoneyBera]

HB-look at it this way-if someone stops by that you want to get rid of invite them to have a seat at the table-its like a torture device and what the heck do you want this table for anyway. Id rather sit on a beanbag if need be.

Because it was there when I got home. Mommy Dearest had my dad and brother deliver it to my house. I am probably going to sell it. Maybe. I haven't given it much thought.

But I have an answer to my loan dilemma. I have determined to go to the bank a week from tomorrow (payday) and get $500 to pay back my mom. Then I am going to go to her house, stand on the front porch and give it to her and thank her, and ONCE SHE'S BEEN PAID BY ME, if she chooses, she can give it back to me to take to my dd here in town. It will then be my mother's money DELIVERED to my dd. It's between them, and I have nothing to do with it!! My debt is paid. I don't think she can twist that around in any way. (Remember: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that someone isn't out to get me!)

I had to forgo my long walk today due to rain and high winds. I am actually beginning to feel lighter, and that is one wonderful feeling! I really missed being able to walk today, especially with that new "lightness". With a 40 lb. weight loss in such a short time, I have to remind myself that I have a "mere" 124 lbs. to go. It doesn't seem possible that I am still so heavy, but I guess I am. (I still am walking out to my bus 3 times a day, and that is quite a walk in itself!)

Today I decided to try another flavor of 0 carb syrup ([COLOR="DarkRed"]SF Black Cherry[/COLOR]). I put about a teaspoon and a half in 2T. heavy cream, stirred it, and poured that over ½ c. Watchin' Carbs Ice Cream (3 net carbs) from Safeway. Then I mixed it up until it was like Black Cherry soft serve. THE BEST EVER!!!!! TRY IT!!!! It is PAST GOOD! And it's SO QUICK AND EASY, too!

When I was home in the Central Valley, I went to Smart N' Final (small warehouse store), and I got syrups, lots and lots of syrups, all SF. I got Chocolate, Almond Rocha, English Toffee, Peppermint, Black Cherry, Irish Cream, Caramel, Hazelnut, and Watermelon - I think that's it. I even got Vermont SF Pancake Syrup, and I tasted a little on a spoon, and it's GOOD! Now I can make pancakes with CarbQuik (as soon as I get back home).

In so many recipes that I read, they have flavored SF syrups, and now I have some to work with. After that sundae I just ate, how could I feel deprived? It was SO satisfying!! I can hardly wait to taste them all. But I guess this way, it gives me something to look forward to. Imagine the combos!

• Choc + Peppermint + 2T. heavy cream over LC Choc. IC.
  OR
• Caramel (or Hazelnut) + ¼ c. heavy cream + coffee + liq. Splenda (in my morning coffee!)
  OR
• Almond Rocha + walnuts (1-2 T.) + 2T. heavy cream over LC Van. IC
  OR
• Watermelon + liq. Splenda + shaved ice (or just crushed ice + water) (for 'Slushies' in the hot summertime)
  OR
• Peppermint herbal tea (I got Chamomile to ease me to sleep at night)

These all sound pretty yummy to me!

Got to get back to work. (As I write this, my RV is rocking in the high winds today! I hope my bus is more stable!)

TTYL

HB

[Denise78]

Woo Hoo HB!! 40 lbs is awesome and in only 3 months too. Good for you!! Sorry to hear of the drama with your dd and dm but I think your idea to pay your mom back and let her worry about whether she wants to lend to your daughter is the best route to go. Then you won't have the worries if your daughter doesn't pay back timely and your mom starts griping. Those syrups sound yummy. Enjoy! Hope you survive the winds and enjoy your sweetie, Johnny Depp

YH, glad to hear you got some time with your sweetie too I will try that hot water and lemon. Might be a nice change from all the coffee.

---Denise

[MI CHICK]

HB those tall pub style table & chairs have been very popular this way the last few years. I never thought they were comfortable but I did see some designs that were nice if you had a finished basement/family room area. I wouldn't even deliver the money to your daughter---if the deal is truly between grandmother & granddaughter they need to make their own arrangements to get together. Adult to adult ya know.

I have used a few of the SF syrups in years past. Torani's made w/Splenda. DH loves syrup in his hot tea--part of his German childhood. Tried to get him switched over to the ones made w/splenda but he insisted he could tell the difference......which I truly don't believe but it's his waist line not mine. I can't get a grip on mine so I best let him struggle w/his Congrat's on the weight loss HB!!!! All that walking is paying off!!

YH my house is a brick ranch that was built in 1977 so the bathrooms & kitchen are done in that Harvest Gold that was so popular then. Don't really care for it but it costs a fortune for new counter tops & tile so I've learned to live with it....the toilet in the bath off our bedroom had a beige seat when we moved in & I knew it was cause they couldn't find one in the hgold. Last year at our local Ace Hardware store they had some toilet seats in hg--was so excited! Bought it & went right home & put it on--perfect match!! Was only $19.99 so could be they were just old inventory that had come to the front of their warehouse. DH said I should get another one & put it in the basement just in case LOL!! We had heard all the horror stories on the low water toilets so when we had to replace one of ours last year we did a lot of investigating & bought one of the more expensive models & it works really good. Was worth the extra money to not have to use a plunger everytime you have a bm!!!
I made up a sweet & spicy pretzel out of my Lite & Tasty magz last month that was real good if you are interested. It was easy--you melted some honey in the micro & stirred in some spices, tossed in the pretzels,stirred 'em around & then baked for a few minutes. I also counted out my bowl & took my diet pepsi to the livingroom to sit in front of the tv. Let me know if you want the recipe. A person needs to learn to do some cooking or have a huge budget to buy all the already made healthier foods to make this woe work. Realize it's harder if you don't have an interest in cooking but there are so many very easy & quick ways now a days---& who knows you may even get to enjoy putzing around in the kitchen a couple hours a week.

Well I once again have my food for tomorrow & the weekend all set in my head. Will write it down tonight as I do better that way. Have my Euchre card club this Sat but it's my turn to be one of the gal's to bring something so I am going to make up a ham ball & some sort of dip that is lc friendly & get a platter of veggies. There are always nuts at the card tables & so I can eat some of them. Usually I can pick my way through the foods & do ok if I make myself do so. The worse temptation to me is if there is a bowl of m&m's on the card table....that one is so hard!! Esspecially now that I'm not smoking. But I also know I can go, behave, still have a very good time & succeed as I have done it in the past.

Had lunch w/ a friend today who always eats healthy--not on a diet, not trying to eat healthy, just eats healthy naturally--& that's where I want to end up! She made us a green salad on which she laid 4 shrimp & about 8 pecan halves. Put a touch of some kind of dressing on it and it was so good! She didn't have to think about it first/congratulate herself after eating it for behaving/run & log it or zip to the scale & weigh herself.....how amazing is that??? Is what I'm saying making sense to anyone???? I want to just eat yummy tastey food at meal time like second nature. Will I get there before I die.....

Have a great Fri everyone!!

[Denise78]

Well I definitely ate more calories today. I'm not sure exactly how much since supper was soup and I just ate without measuring (not good ) but I think I'll be okay since I ate so lean the rest of the day. Probably ended up with about 1250 calories when all was said and done. If it affects the scale tomorrow, I will have to buckle down and get stricter again.

Today's menu:

B-scrambled eggs, 2 sl ham, coffee
L-pork roast w/mustard and lettuce in low-carb pita, 1 pickle
D-low-carb southwestern taco soup

I know what you mean Corrisann, about wanting to eat healthy like it was second-nature to us. We will get there someday

---Denise

[HoneyBera]

It's been 3 months today!

I want to just eat yummy tastey food at meal time like second nature. Will I get there before I die.....

Corrisann, I don't see why not.

HB those tall pub style table & chairs have been very popular this way the last few years. I never thought they were comfortable but I did see some designs that were nice if you had a finished basement/family room area.

I do. I was considering taking two of the bar stools and using them in the kitchen by the island - it has a place for bar stools. The other two and the table could go in the (future) Home Theater room. Mom called it a 'game table'. I just glanced at it. I'll scrutinize it later.

I wouldn't even deliver the money to your daughter---if the deal is truly between grandmother & granddaughter they need to make their own arrangements to get together. Adult to adult ya know.

That is SUCH a good point!! You are so right. My dd could drive the 150 mi. round trip if she needs it, or mom could drop a check to her in the mail. Thank you for that logic! It's perfect!

I have used a few of the SF syrups in years past. Torani's made w/Splenda.

Yes, that's the kind! I forgot the Peach and Raspberry in my list of flavors. I am so proud I got them, and was thrilled that they taste so good!!

Probably ended up with about 1250 calories when all was said and done. If it affects the scale tomorrow, I will have to buckle down and get stricter again.

D, your WOE is not my business, but isn't that a rather small amount of calories to sustain you? Are you still hungry, and can you sustain such a low caloric count for such a long time? Is it simply another diet, or is it reflective of a real lifestyle change? I hear your enthusiasm, and we are all different, but it struck me as being a bit Draconian. I'm finding lc eating nicely filling and satisfying, without hunger, and yet the lbs. continue to fall off. Hope I have not offended you in any way, but I felt moved to say what was on my mind.

Off to bed now...take care, everybody!

HB

[yellowhair11]

Glad its Friday-bad week at work, one of my co workers had a pain burning in his stomach last weekend, went to hospital and they said your having a heart attack ( only 40 and a health nut ). He will be out until the end of March and they expect me to carry the workload with no ot. I have a monthly deadline job-the place would rather sit on millions of dollars than pay ot-its personal as I am the union steward also, the union is in bed with the County-the unions are crap in Florida-the right to work state.

HB-I did not know that set was delivered without your knowlege-your mom is a piece of work-mine was too-but I kept my mouth shut the past couple of years as her health was not good. I lost mom last April. Wow, 40 lbs in 3, thats very good-you have a ways to go-just try and make increments for yourself. It sounds like you get alot of exercise with the walking

C-Im laughing about the toilets-I probably should have researched more but I did not buy the 50.00 toilet either, the seat/lid is shot on my beige toilet too but im not going to pay that money to replace. Yes, I have been cooking all these years but very basic meat n potatoes, sausage n sauerkraut, etc. Last nite I had pork chops-the only way I know how to make pork chops is shake n bake and oven at 425 and then a bag of frozen veggies, so i do need to learn how to cook simple healthy meals without alot of ingredients.

D-your menu for Thurs. looked good to me, I never made soup in my life, I had a can of the new 0 pt. Progresso soup yesterday-not bad but loaded with sodium.

Hello T !

After work yesterday I actually went to gym 2002 to see how it would be during the week. The parking garage is smack downtown next to the courthouse but its on my way home from work, on level 6 I found a spot, the garage is a nightmare, huge bldg. full of lawyers,the gym validates the parking tho. I arrived at 230, it was nice, no one in there. I did the treadmill for 30 minutes and actually got on a leg press machine and did 20 reps. Now the best - steam-sauna-and whirlpool-shower. The bad-this puts me in nasty traffic on the way home. I can walk on a treadmill but hate just walking - I dont like walking in the Florida heat.

[Denise78]

Hi Ladies

I need to say a few things and I'm in a rambling mood, so bear with me...

I guess I am taking in less calories than all of you. But then again, some of you are taking in a lot more carbs and/or fat than I am, so I think it really depends on the food plan you're on. I am not doing Atkins so I definitely am eating lower carbs and fats than that plan. Actually, I was going to ask you, HB, if you are truly following Atkins? From what I've been reading, after 2 weeks of induction, where you are not allowed certain foods, you should be at OWL, building up your intake of carbs, food by food, week by week, until you reach 60-70 carbs per day. Maybe I misunderstood what I was reading. Or maybe you are doing your own variation but calling it Atkins? It's so confusing, there's no many different WOE out there. I think we just need to pick and choose what works best for us, as individuals.

It's probably hard for most of you to understand MS. Corrissan I bet has the best knowledge from caring for MS patients. But compared to your active lifestyles, mine is truly a sedentary one for the most part. I imagine HB that if you are 3 months into your WOE, activity plays a good part in your weight loss. And you are a very active person! What you burn in calories in one day is probably what I burn in one week. So I have to factor that in when I am planning my meals. I can't eat the amount of food you do and expect to lose weight. Five minutes on the treadmill at 1.5 speed for me, means an afternoon of putting my feet up in pain. I am legally disabled so I don't work. I don't know if I mentioned that before but I spend a good amount of my time at home alone, while dh is at work and ds is at school. That's not to say I am bedridden. I can walk and I can drive and I can go places. I just cannot do a lot of walking all at once or do too much too many days in a row without a day of rest in between or I am in a lot of pain. I have a hard time just carrying groceries in the house. I know my limitations and I have been pushing them lately, trying to do what little exercise that I can. I am hopeful that once I do lose a good amount of weight, I can be more active or at least not lose the little amount of activity that I do possess. MS is a mysterious disease and you never know what lies around the corner. I may wake up tomorrow and not be able to walk at all, or this may be the worst I ever get. There's no way to know for sure. So where most of you can put in a healthy amount of exercise going about your daily routines, even just walking across the parking lot to your job, I cannot. I have to cut corners somewhere else in order to lose the amount of weight I need to lose. I don't think I'm being unrealistic or fanatical, giving myself a year to get to my goal. I'm not "crash dieting" if that is what you are thinking. I am eating well-balanced meals of protein, veggies, carbs and fats, just less of them than you might be eating. I am definitely not starving myself. Once I lose a good "chunk" of this weight, I may re-address my calorie intake, but I have to get there first.

Atkins is a great plan for a lot of people, but I personally have read too much about the heart problems it can cause eating that much fat on an ongoing basis, so I won't go that route myself. But if it works for others, that's great. Like I said, whatever works for us, as individuals, is what we should stick with. I would rather take a low-calorie, low-carb approach myself. WW is a great plan also and I have lost weight in years past with them so it definitely works, but being Diabetic now, I needed a plan that was lower in carbs so I couldn't follow their's and keep my sugar levels down. I do my own "variation" of South Beach, which was created by a cardiologist for his heart patients. I'm not following their plan exactly, which is why I just say my WOE is Low-Carb. I don't want to find a "trick" around my overeating because for me, overeating was a "disease" and I want to treat it as such. I want to stop the compulsive overeating altogether, not just find a different kind of food that I can overeat. For me, that means portion control, and a low carb, low calorie intake. That may not be the right approach for everyone, but for ME, it is.

As far as diet or lifestyle, I think it's all in what you make it. Even if I call it a diet, it's not something I plan to "go off" of next week or next year. But none of us 3 months or even 6 months into our WOE can know for sure this is our way of life now and not a diet to fall off of....until we actually accomplish our goals and prove with time that we're sticking to this lifestyle. We've all admitted this isn't our first shot at losing weight. And each time, we think this will be the last time we shed these unwanted lbs. I truly want to believe for me (and for the rest of you too) it will be. But like I said, only time will tell if that is what actually happens. So no, I'm not on a "diet" anymore than you are, HB. Or at least not in my I truly am focusing on eating healthier and getting healthier...for life.

As far as pounds dropping off, believe me, they're dropping off me too. I just haven't reported it yet because I'm waiting till Saturday to do my "official" weigh-in. HB, you and I probably will lose weight a lot faster mainly because we have a lot more to lose than the rest of the gals here. You have great enthusiasm about your food plan and I commend you for that. It's just a different plan than mine, that's all.

I wish everyone the best of success no matter what their WOE is and I hope that we can all support each other even if we follow a different path to our weight loss.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now and I hope I haven't offended anyone. I just needed to get this off my chest!!

---Denise

[Denise78]

Thought I would share the recipe for this soup. I actually got it from this board so I believe it is Atkins-friendly. It definitely is very yummy and very filling!!

Creamy Southwestern Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 10-oz cans Ro-tel tomatoes, undrained (tomatoes w/green chilies)
2 cans beef broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp salt, or to taste

In a large pot, brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic; drain. Add the spices and cook a couple of minutes. Drop the cream cheese in bits into the meat. With the back of a big spoon, smash it into the meat until no bits of white remain. Stir in remaining ingredients and heat through.

Makes 8 cups or 6-8 servings.

Per 1/6th recipe: 361 calories; 29g fat; 18g protein; 7g carbs; 1g dietary fiber = 6g net carbs.

Per 1/8th recipe: 271 calories; 22g fat; 13g protein; 5g carbs; 1g dietary fiber = 4g net carbs.

[yellowhair11]

D- You go girl ! I agree, everyone has to do what they feel is best for their individual situation. I like your daily posts because they are fairly simple and it gives me ideas. Even tho I am on weight watchers I truly believe its ok to stay under my pt. allowance and not use the flex pts. I could use my flex points one day a week to eat whatever i want but because i dont ( so far ) I dont think its impeding my weight loss. I am wondering if some type of water exercise is possible for you - I dont know if there is a place within a reasonable distance - you would be off your feet in the water. I think even I could make the taco soup but the cheese would be bad on my plan. I really miss my cheese - i use to eat it all the time. C is correct- i have to evelyn wood speed read over the food discussions often. I managed to drink 3 glasses of hot lemon water today at work. At lunch I have started this all week.

Scoop of whey protein
Scoop of greens powder
2 oz. of grapefruit juice
Scoop of psyllium husk powder
6 oz. of water

Then i have a salad with vin. and oil

Ive been poopin daily ever since. You can add berries if you like and put in a blender. I just shake it up and have not added the berries yet.

[HoneyBera]

At lunch I have started this all week.

Scoop of whey protein
Scoop of greens powder
2 oz. of grapefruit juice
Scoop of psyllium husk powder
6 oz. of water

Then i have a salad with vin. and oil

Ive been poopin daily ever since. You can add berries if you like and put in a blender. I just shake it up and have not added the berries yet.

I wish I had more time right now to write, but if I do the commuters on my afternoon run wouldn't get home and would kill me! BUT....this is the one thing the Atkins diet isn't "DOING" for me! I used to be almost a vegetarian, lots of beans and whole wheat bread and oatmeal every day, TONS of fiber in everything I ate. Even my bread had 5-6 gms of fiber per slice! Now I get lots of fiber too, but nothing is happening. I wonder where it's all going! It goes in, but hardly anything comes out.

YH, how does your drink taste? It sounds like it's doing the trick for you.

Gotta run (no pun intended!)

HB

[Teresa3]

Well, I don't know if they will work for you, HB, but I use the Citrucel fiber pills twice a day and it works for me. You have to make sure you drink enough water, though. I'm wondering if you get a little dehydrated when you're driving? Maybe it's too hard to stop to go very often; but I notice when we're traveling I get dehydrated really easily because I don't drink enough on the road. And hey, CONGRATULATIONS on another 5 lbs. off! And, I am so glad you figured out how to handle your mom--she really keeps you on your toes, huh! Glad you had a nice visit with your dd, too, and yeah, let her ask gm for the dough; you shouldn't have to get involved!

YH, I watched the Tudors when it was on TV this season and loved it--what a hunky guy! And oh, the scheming! Love all the costumes, too, and the scenery. How long have you been with your bf? Too bad about your job--that is sooo unfair to have to do his job as well as yours with no compensation!

Denise, so sorry to hear how difficult it is to live with MS--I have a similar situation with inflammatory arthritis, but it is not quite as bad, and it does get better at times. I have found that not eating starches and so much sugar is helpful for the pain and inflammation, so perhaps the diet itself will help relieve some of your pain--hope so! It is understandable that you would want to keep your calories on the low side. You have quite a challenge--kudos to you for your determination!

Corrisann, I don't get how some people can not be into food, either! I'm only thinking from one meal to the next, just trying to take up the time until I get to eat again! Maybe our stomachs are just different! I'm sure I missed my calling as a restaurant critic!

I'm still off plan, having a hard time getting remotivated and the scale is edging up again! I will try again tomorrow to discipline myself!
Take care, lovely ladies! T.

[Teresa3]

BTW, re the acupuncture--

I go once a week and get a slightly different needle treatment depending on my symptoms and if there's been any change or progress. I have a lot of pain all over my body, including back pain. It has been helpful for the back, eliminating some but not all of it, but my condition is chronic so I don't expect a cure, just some relief. She gives me 2 bags of herbs I have to boil with water for 30-40 mins. and it makes a wretched bitter tea I have to drink twice a day. But I do think it is helping. The needles stick at first, but then calm down, and I find the treatment relaxing and usually feel energized and less pain afterwards. Good luck if you try it! T.

[Denise78]

YH, T, thanks for your words of support. I appreciate them.

That drink looks interesting YH. What is greens powder? I never heard of that but I did read recently that whey protein helps regulate blood sugar levels so I will have to check that out. How is work going? I couldn't believe that your co-worker had a heart attack so young. Too bad that you get stuck with all the extra work though I bet you are happy to see the wkd!! I liked your idea about swimming and will check into it this summer. We don't have any indoor pools in the area, but in the next town (where my ds goes to school) is a town pool, that the kids usually go to but everyday from 5pm to 6pm it is adults only, a group of women in their 50's and 60's go then, so I will have to make it a point to join them this summer. I am close enough in age (47) to join right in and the nice part is that not any of them are shapely. Well they are shapely but just a round shape like me

T, I am glad the acupuncture gives you some relief. My dad has arthritis very bad too. He is on an IV drug for it now and that seems to be helping.
I know you can get back on plan. You need to come here more often, let us give you support and encouragement, and you can do the same for us in return. I look to you all more and more for support with each passing day.

Well ds1 is home from college this wkd. We celebrated ds2's 16th b'day tonight. It is really tomorrow but we needed to fit the cake in somewhere over this busy wkd. We had a nice dinner of shrimp scampi and broiled scallops which my guys tossed in pasta but I was good and had mine in broccoli. They had garlic bread that dh made with a loaf of sourdough French bread. Is a weakness of mine but I was determined not to take even a bite because who knows if I could stop at just one bite! I made my own garlic bread using a low carb pita and it was satisfying! My son requested Better Than Sex Cake. Choc cake, covered with choc pudding, crushed Heath bars and topped with cool whip. (I did use sugar-free pudding so it wasn't over-the-top high carbs for them!) Good thing I am not a sweet eater and was perfectly content with my sugar-free lime jello and cool whip! Tomorrow we take ds2 out to Mongolian Grille for his b'day dinner. Will be quite the challenge for me, Mongolian & Chinese food, yum, but they do have raw food they cook to order so I will have to rely on the chicken and beef to get me through it. I hope I can resist temptation but if not, just help me get back on track on Sunday! Ds2 is having a party tomorrow night (Saturday). About 15-20 teenagers. I will stay up till the last girl leaves and then I can relax Several boys will sleep over and they want donuts for breakfast Oh yes, this will be a very challenging wkd for me!!

Today's menu:

B-scrambled eggs, 2 tbs salsa, coffee
L-veggie burger w/mustard in low-carb pita
D-shrimp scampi, broiled scallops, 2 cups broccoli, low-carb pita w/margarine and garlic powder, sugar-free jello, cool whip
S-1 pickle, 2 pork rinds, skinless chicken drumstick, meatball (totally forgot that today is Friday -- LENT -- why did I think I was eating no meat all day?? I just reached for it and never gave it a 2nd thought. God will forgive me, hopefully!)

It would be soooo helpful if others posted their menus too. It's always nice to get ideas from others. And I know it helps me to put it out there for you all to see. There are times I reach for something that is a no-no, and I think, "Oh I don't want to have to write that I ate THAT", so I don't eat it!

So tomorrow I weigh-in and I will let you all know my results for this week. Well I just looked at the time and goodness -- it already is tomorrow!! I better get to bed. The restaurant ds2 picked is a 2 hour drive for us so we need to go early and get back early to finish getting ready for the party! Have a good wkd everyone!

---Denise

[yellowhair11]

I have been drinking the greens powder off and on for awhile-when i stopped I could tell I felt lousier and more run down / tired than usual. I also forgot to say that i add a capful of liquid vitamins to this. I worked 20 years of OT and to have that just stop was a giant pay loss for me-my yearly raise was 11 cents before taxes.... If poopin is just your concern all you need is the psyllium husk powder - i ate the fiber pills, metamucil, fiber bread, fruit, etc, , even went for a colonic ( that was a hoot) but this did it for me. Plus its always touted for weight loss.

Ideal drink ( if you can afford )

Scoop of whey isolate protein powder ( i use vanilla )
Scoop of green foods powder
Scoop of psyllium husks
2 oz. of pure juice (real stuff) i use grapefruit ( this is mainly to cut the nasty taste) not necessary (tried cranberry too)
6 oz. of water or more if you like
Capful of liquid vitamins
Capful of any of the following: Goji , Acai Berry, Mangostein, Noni, Pure Pomegranite
msm powder ( good for joint pain)

I felt best adding the Goji but you can research as all of them are geared towards specific ailments. How does it taste-well it depends what your putting in the concoction, it may be an acquired thing, I dont care as long as it fills me up, makes me feel better, helps with the weight loss.

Let me know if any of you gals try this-i want a full report.

D- definately check into the pool thing - I have this aqua belt that you put on and go in deep water and just walk or do whatever with your legs. Its a decent workout, you'll need your feet just to get in and out. If there is a hotel near you with an indoor pool you might want to try that, most times as long as you buy a drink or lunch they dont care if you use their pool. Or if you felt comfortable with it you could explain your situation and they may just let you use the pool free or for five bucks or so. Have fun with the kids this weekend. I have 3 sons ( 2 are currently problems ) 1 is an angel. Very stressful.

Glad the acupuncture is helping some, once i went for quitting smoking, as soon as i got in the car after the treatment i lit up. I want to get the weight off - maybe not to goal - before i tackle this demon. I am smoking more since i started this weight loss plan - not good.

I was bad last nite on the snacking.

Poop story : Last yr. I was on this 17 night cruise-I did not poop until day 14! It was horrible-tried everything, laxatives,etc. My stomach was 12 months pregnant,clothes did not fit, and the pain....where did all that food sit and i stuffed myself like a pig on the ship daily. This happens to me when i travel, I will always bring my husks with me from now on.

[Denise78]

Anyway, what are you doing up so early on a Saturday??!! Or are you an early morning person? I am not, however, my dh is, so that said...I am up every morning, early, early, early! He is one of those people that wake up at 5 am, weekday or wkd, singing But he's an early-to-bed guy too and I am a night owl so it makes for a very tired ME in the mornings!

Well I am waiting for this coffee to kick in before I wake kids up and start the day here. I still need to weigh-in too, but I needed to get these eyes opened first!

Have a great day

---Denise

[Denise78]

4 lbs! So that makes 9 altogether in the last couple of weeks. I'm happy!

Well gotta run -- Denise

[yellowhair11]

Congrats D ! You know what you have to do. 4 lbs. is terrific.

Ill see if my post shows up by Mon. - I cant even remember all of it now.

Yes, im up by 300 am all the time - EVERY DAY - I have nowhere to escape except my computer. BF sleeps till noon and Son #3 the same or later. Son has taken over my living area as im in a small condo. He was living with ex but he threw him out.

I have been with bf about ten yrs. bf and son#3 do not get along. More stress. Im surprised bf has not moved out yet. He is divorced-no kids.

BF is home all day today so ill watch the dvd's with him-more of the Tudors (great series) and he picked up American Gangster and Becoming Jane. Yes T ! The Tudor guy is hot and i like those movies with the costumes. It will be hard not to oversnack watching movies today because thats what I love to do.

I went in the pool at 400 am today - pitch black - me and the giant lizards - went back and forth 20 times with short fins on. The lizards are georgeous/about 2 ft. plus and we have babies too. I feed them all the time-they are crazy about banana peels.

[Teresa3]

Congratulations, Denise! Another 4 lbs.! You rule, Girl! And it's amazing you could make the ultra chocolate goodie cake and not even take a bite--Wow! Sounds like you had a very fun party--good luck at the restaurant!

YH, you live an interesting lifestyle--what on earth possesses you to get up at 3 a.m. every day? Do you go to bed really early, or are you one of that rare breed who don't require a lot of sleep? You don't have to go to work early do you? I'm just so fascinated with this because I am so fatigued all the time but I have trouble falling asleep and seem to need 8 or 9 hours. It sounds so cool to be up in the middle of the night when you would have time to yourself and could read or work or do something creative.

The drink looks really healthy. Psyllium gives me gas, though, that's why I went for the citrucel, but it seems to cost more. I was astonished by your story of what happened to you on the cruise! Unbelievable! I can see why you're into the fiber drink! Girl, you are lucky you did not bust a gut!

We're in for a big storm today, and the wind is already blowing like crazy. It's going to make it harder to go to the gym, but I'm committed! I'm only up a lb. or 2 after being off all week, so I'm really going to try to go cheat-free this week before I go to Tucson. But since I know I absolutely have to have some dessert, I'm going to allow a small bit of mousse at lunch. It's more fat than sugar, I think, and may help me not go off otherwise. I'll see how this goes. This weather always makes it harder for me to diet; when it's warm and sunny I feel more energized and into it.

HB, hope you don't have to be out driving in this big storm!

Corrisann, hope you're having another fun weekend! Catch y'all later, T.