FRESH BEGINNINGS

[eve_sonata]

Oh kay here it goes. I have never started a new thread. Sorry Liz. I don't know how to leave a bread crumb. Worked out tonight. Still sore but hoping that will get better. Staying lc and strong. Someone tried to give me a piece of chocolate B-day cake today. I just said no thanks. I feel a little thinner but not going to weight in till Friday morning. I did weigh in Monday morning at 219. So we shall see. I know you can do it Liz. You have done it before. Hugs everyone We can do this. We have a new fresh start.

[lowcarbs4me]

Thanks for starting the new thread, Eve. I will add a link to this new thread at our old thread location as a "breadcrumb trail." Hopefully, all the ladies will find their ways to our new home.

[Betty Lou]

Hello!

It's late, but just wanted to pop in to say I'm here! I like this new thread.

Got my hair done tonight, did decently ok on the diet today. I've got to get my motivation going to do some exercising. We'll see.

See ya,
Betty Lou

[lowcarbs4me]

Hi, ladies!

Ok. I admit it. I've been Baaaaad.

Don't know what it is. Maybe the weather. It's getting cold, and maybe my body is screaming for an extra layer of fat.

I am going to vow to do better tomorrow.

I checked the scale, and I'm back to 159. (I had been down to 154 over the summer.)

Hope you are doing well.

[eve_sonata]

Hey everyone!!!! I am doing fantastic. I have dropped 5 lbs already. Still going strong. Man! People sure do not like it when you are dieting huh? What is it about them that makes them want you to eat junk? I had a good workout last nite. I am exhausted today though. My hiney was really dragging at work today. I didn't go work out tonight but I will go tomorrow. I am over being sore. My clothes are fitting better. I have this one vest that i like to wear that was getting pretty snug but now it fits like it should. I am so stoked! I hope i can keep the momentum up. I really think that the increased exercising has really made the difference. Okay well i need to do some laundry and get my scrubs ready for tomorrow. You girls keep it up. I know it will be different this time.

[Betty Lou]

Hi!

WOW EVE! 5 pounds already! That's GREAT! You really sound determined and really into it.

I'm in diet mode, but not in "super" diet mode. LOL! Like Liz, I will vow to do alittle better too!

See ya tomorrow!

Betty Lou

[lowcarbs4me]

Eve, good job on losing 5 lbs. already! That's inspiring me. I remember how good it felt to be 5 lbs. lighter. I feel like going to exercise at the community gym today.

Betty Lou, it sounds like we have some catching up to do. Let's do it!

Have a great day.

[lowcarbs4me]

BTW - Has anyone heard from Carrie?

[Betty Lou]

Hello!!!!!!

It's late and I really should be getting to bed! Just wanted to stop by quick to check in. Liz......yes.............let's do it! I haven't lost anything yet I don't think. And I don't feel it either! I just feel FAT! LOL! I know I keep repeating my self with the exercising........which I'm not doing. I really can see how that makes all the difference. Maybe if I go to bed a little earlier I'd have more energy at night. I keep saying that too. LOL. I'm nuts!

I wonder how Carrie is doing also. She was alot of fun to have around. Last I knew she was having internet problems at home.....but that was soooo long ago.

See ya,
Betty Lou

[eve_sonata]

Hey girls! Gosh i have been bad these last 2 days. I don't know what is wrong with me! I have been soooooooo hungry. I think my metabolism is starting to kick up a notch. Still going strong with the gym. I average about 4-5 times a week. I know what you mean Betty Lou about not having the energy. Yesterday i was so tired and went for a 30 minute aerobic session and it perked me up. I was dragging and dreading doing it but i made myself do it. It gave me extra energy after to do a little bit of laundry and stuff.

Well we started the biggest loser contest at work. I got 27 people to sign up and some will sign up tomorrow. Everyone gives 5 bucks and whomever has the highest % of weight lost gets the pot at the end of the session. Everyone is so excited. It is good to be around all that enthusiasm. Kinda keeps me on track. We even got this machine from Physical therapy that scans you and tells you your % of body fat and your BMI.


Hmmm nothing else much going on here. Stay late at work tonight to get some stuff done so i didn't make the gym. Tomorrow i have to go to a B-day party and have a beer. I don't think i will get to the gym tomorrow either. Okay girls, get to hop'n i know you can get your mojo back. Lets see some weight drop'n.

Hugs. Be well.

[Betty Lou]

Eve, that is soooo great that you are exercising regularly! As for me......nope.......not there yet! I still have been going to alot of doctor appointments with my Mom and doing other things after work, that when I get home........it's dark........and I get lazy!!! Well, tomorrow's another day.........will give it my all!

You will stay on track for sure Eve, now that you have the contest at work going. It'll be good positive energy to be around!

Hi Liz! How are ya???

See ya,
Betty Lou

[lowcarbs4me]

Hi, ladies!

Betty Lou, how is your mom doing?

Eve, I agree that the Biggest Loser challenge will be a big motivator. Sounds like fun, too.

I've been doing OK. My size 10 pants have been looser--a good sign. I still haven't weighed myself, though.

I've only got a few weeks left of student teaching before I get that masters! I am SO ready for that. I hope I get my own class soon because I so love working with the students.

Diet-wise I've been pretty good. However, I've modified my diet since I wasn't losing on straight lc anymore. Atkins seemed to quit working after a year. I was maintaining, but not losing.

Now, I'm focusing on good food, and I'm adding in things like organic, full-fat cream-top yogurt and Fiber 1 cereal every day.

Hope you all have a great Halloween.

[eve_sonata]

Hi sorry i haven't been keeping up with the posts. I have been so busy. Whew! I have been doing really well with working out. I kinda blew the diet last weekend with all the halloween candy. I made my hubby take it to work. Then we had a bake sale at work. I had only one of the cookies i made and one piece of fudge. We weighed in for the biggest loser yesterday and I was the biggest loser at 4.4 until one other lady beat me out by a 4.8. Most everyone lost something so it is starting off really great. I really think if i hadn't been exercising, that i would have gained. One of my workout pants won't stay up anymore and i know my legs are thinner and my bra is starting to get too lose.

Now i am home sick today. Just taking it easy. I have the body aches. I really don't feel like eating. Making sure i drink my water though.

Yes Betty Lou how is you mom?

[eve_sonata]

Still hanging in there. Still not up to speed. I am keeping up with the lcing and still managing to workout. I can feel myself starting to get obsessed with working out. I guess there could be worse things huh? What have you girls been doing? What are you plans for the weekend?

I have some sewing to do. I need to get things ready for when my kids move back home too. It should be real soon now.

I will be making a trip out East to go pickup my daughter. Okay well you all behave yourselves. I want to hear from you!

[eve_sonata]

Well i have big plans today! Hahahhaa not! Going to hit the gym then do some stuff around the house. Tomorrow i need to go into the office and catch up on some paperwork. I am feeling better today. I am hoping my dh and i can catch a movie tomorrow.

I have to tell you a bad thing i did. I don't feel guilty at all though. I baked up a bunch of chocolate chip cookies, some no bake choc oatmeal cookies, and some little banana bread muffins with glazed walnuts and had my hubby take some into work for his crew and then i took some into my work. I said eat up guys cuz, i am going to win the biggest loser contest. Te he he. Least i was up front about my plans of sabotage. The only problems is i had to have one tiny banana muffin. I am glad i made the mini ones. I was able to resist all the other stuff.

What are you ladies plans for the holiday? What are you doing for Thanksgiving?


How are the kids Liz. I hope you get that teaching job soon.

How is you mom Betty Lou? Are you still doing the Richard Simmons plan?

That reminds me, i saw someone dressed up like Richard Simmons for Halloween.

Okay well I need to get busy. and find something to eat!

[eve_sonata]

Hi everyone! I didn't cheat too bad this weekend. I think the only thing i had that was not lc was a small bag of chips and a whole wheat pita. Otherwise, i have been good. Nothing much to report. I worked out yesterday but, not today. Just couldn't get into it or i should say i could not find the time. I did buy a bender ball. It came with some DVD's to work your core so maybe i will do that later tonight. That is if i get all my chores done.

My ds came buy and dropped some of his stuff off. He should be fully moved in by this weekend. I am excited that he will be back home. I really missed my kids not being around. LOL i did have to give up my craft room. Oh well.

Okay well talk to you girls later. I am going to keep posting even if you ladies don't reply. It helps keep me accountable and maybe, lol just maybe i like to yack even if it is to myself. Hugs and be well

[eve_sonata]

Hey There!

Wow my willpower is getting stronger!!!! I was offered sweets several time today and i was able to turn them down with out any hesitation. Not sure if i have lost anymore but, i do feel like i have. We weigh in again on Wednesday. I will be very sad if i haven't lost any. I have to remember that that may happen at times and not to be discouraged and to just keep plugging away.

Going to try out my bender ball tonight. I will let you ladies know how it goes. Take care and hope to hear from you all soon.

[eve_sonata]

Well, we had our biggest loser weigh in today. We are weighing in every week until the last week of January. Everyone is doing real well. I lost 3.4 lbs this week.

[lowcarbs4me]

Hi, ladies! Glad to see you back. I thought the thread had just fizzled.

I've been thinking about how helpful it is to stay in touch. It really makes a difference.

What do you think makes a great thread? I've been pondering this over the months as I've visited different threads.

I think one hallmark of a great thread is accountability. Many threads become purely social. I've also seen where members simply drift away.

Some threads get too big and some are too small. What is the right size and mix? Hmmm.

Any thoughts?

I'm doing OK, but not with the weight. My pants are getting tight, and I need to get back on plan.

[Betty Lou]

Hello!

I am soooo sorry that I have been missing in action. I have just been missing, and that's it! I have been totally lazy after work. Been doing beading and then......geesh....I don't know.......picking up around the house then being lazy. Bad, bad girl! It's so dark when I get home at 5:30 p.m. that I just want to sleep. About the diet, everything that I should not be doing and eating, I AM doing and eating. Eating it all. Then laying around. How's that for motivation?????

Well, guess what? Just this morning I am finally freakin' sick of it. I feel so freakin' fat that I'm like Java the Hut. It was some kind of big blob in a movie about 10 years ago. Yep, that's me. When we were supposed to start the diet back on Oct 12th, well, I know I wasn't ready. Not in the right frame of mind and tried alittle, but not full force.

Well, I am now full force. I have a mini-goal and up for it. Hubby bought a few fruits to hold me over until I go grocery shopping. The fruits are way better than Milky-way bars and all the candy that was on sale after Halloween. The last 3 weeks or so I've made choc. chip cookies, breads, popcorn, brownies and you name it. Ate it all then got so tired from the sugar that I went and then laid back down on the couch.

So how do you like that for a confession? My mini-goal is to be totally faithful and stick to finally START eating right to lose weight until Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving I will give myself some leeway, and go from there.

I want to start doing some exercising too. I am soooo out of shape that I will have to start totally slow. And I don't and I know I won't go to the gym.....so it will have to be exercises that I can do at home. I think I will only be able to do 15 minutes a day of something. I will put something together. Then I'll see how it goes from there.

I'll be here regularly now. I need the support and somebody to kick my butt (don't be afraid to tell me)! LOL!

Will write about my mom and other things tomorrow, ok? It's 3:00 a.m. and I'm just screwing around on the computer all night. hahahahaha. But for now, she's doing ok. She's had a few tests and things, and things have eased off and not too stressful with her right now. So that's the good news.

See ya tomorrow! I'M READY FOR MY 2 WEEK MINI-GOAL THING or whatever you want to call it! hahahahahahaaaaaaa......

See ya,
Betty Lou

[Betty Lou]

Hi!

Wow, what a beautiful day here this morning.........well, afternoon. I bet it's 60 degrees out!!!!!!!!!! That is really unusual for November 14th!!! I'll check out my e-mail and a few other things, then get ready to go outside or something! I'm going to take advantage of today, that's for sure! Not going to be many more nice ones before it snows!!!!!!!!

Liz........yes, a great dieting thread is one for accountability, then socialize is 2nd. That's why we're here, right? It's nice to become friends along the way and learn of each other's lives, but the common bond is weight loss. I think we could use a few more people here. It's invitation time. Either that or the 3 of us could crash another party! LOL! Let's see what happens.

Have a great weekend and hope your weather is nice too!

Betty Lou

[lowcarbs4me]

Betty Lou, glad you're mom is doing better.

I got into the Halloween candy, too!

I'm back on track today, eating low carb. However, I have been allowing myself some Stonyfield Farms cream top yogurt mixed with high fiber cereal in the AM. The one drawback of LC is...well, you know. I'm wondering if adding the yogurt and high fiber cereal is OK. What do you think?

I'd like to get back to walking. Walking is such great, convenient exercise.

Yes, I think we could do with some more members or joining another group. I was with a couple of groups, but have drifted a bit. One group got a little too big, and I had a hard time keeping up with everything going on. (Dieting was very secondary.) I still drop by from time-to-time, but I feel like I've lost touch. The other group had members that simply didn't show for long periods of time. I have a hard time in a group that is inconsistent.

I think we had a great group last fall and winter until the tragedy.

[lowcarbs4me]

Eve, congrats on your weight loss!

Wish I was in a local situation where we could do biggest loser. Sounds like a fun way to get motivated.

[eve_sonata]

That darn halloween candy!!!! I think everyone must have gotten into it. I know I did. But, I was able to stop before i had too much of it. I have had a really lazy day today. I had every intention of going to the gym and getting a kick off start to my day. Instead, I went back to bed and then just tinkered around the house. I did not accomplish one thing.

So glad to hear from you gals. I was starting to get really lonely I know i shower daily. I even succumbed to trying to find another group to hook up with. ROFLMAO they never replied to me!

I agree Liz, our thread was poppin till the tragedy of last year. I think we need to just keep moving on though and we will find our magic again. I do think the weight loss should be first and foremost. I think the socialization is inevitable and is a natural part of establishing weight loss relationships. I am not against the socialization aspect. I love hearing about what is going on in your lives.

Betty Lou I agree with you as well. It would be nice to have a few new members to our group. I love our diversity. I find other people very interesting and it just adds a little more flavor to our lives when we can't have much flavor in our diet Might as well get it where we can.

So glad you had a nice day. I hope you took advantage of the nice weather and got a good walk in. Glad to hear your mom is doing okay.

So now girls no more excuses. We need to post more often and we need to post about what we did to contribute to our weight loss. We need to fess up on the bad too!

I don't think the extra fiber is bad or the yogurt is bad either Liz. I guess it depends on what type of lc you are doing. Fiber is very important. I think you just need to pay attention to how your body responds to it and if it is going to make you gain.


I confess i was bad for the past 2 days. Not real bad but i did have an egg salad sandwich on a "croissant" I had some zingers today! Groanssssss Why do i do this? I get two steps forward and one step back. Thankfully the scale has not budged and i did not gain! So tomorrow back at it. In the gym and back to very low carb.

I missed you both terribly

Secret goal???? I would like to drop 4 or 5 lbs by my birthday. That is next Saturday.

For the new year? I plan on taking a fully loaded awful fat pic of myself and post it. It will be my before picture. Good lord you have to promise not to make fun at me download it and use it for the backing of you dart boards! I do think it will be good incentive.

Don't forget to drink you water!

[Betty Lou]

Hello!!!

Eve, you're going to post the fat picture on the internet??? Like here on this forum? We've been waiting for a nice face shot.......you haven't done that, but you will post the fat picture?????? Oh my God you've got more guts than me!!!!! LOL! I have a few "before" pics and I don't even want to look at them ALONE hiding in a CORNER!!! Hahahahahahahaaaaa!!!!!!!!!

I've taken my pics off this forum for now. No real reason, just did. Anything I want to post (Pics), I will probably do that through private messaging. Again, no real reason, just my vibes.

Eve......happy early birthday! I know you can lose a few pounds before next weekend! You'll HAVE to so you can indulge in your birthday cake, gain them back, and still be EVEN! LOL!!!!!!

Liz: about the yogurt and high fiber. That is fine. It just has to be incorporated into your day. On days where you will be eating that, then just don't have alot more carbs later in the day. That's what I do, and that's part of the Richard Simmons diet. I am kind of following Richard's diet again as it works, but I don't do the food mover, and I don't even have one, as I know it by heart and just do it in my head. Like this morning, I did have a piece of toast and an egg. I will not allow myself any more carbs until tonight where I will probably have 10 baked french fries with my chicken and salad. He does allow 2 fruits though, and does not count that as a carb. I guess it is all in moderation, ya know? And ALOT of this is PORTION CONTROL. So, yes.....enjoy it Liz, incorporate it into your day and you will be ok with that.

Eve, glad you got the water reminder in there.......that's an important part that I usually forget about!

Ok, well, into the shower I go and then do a few things around here. Hubby is working this entire weekend, so we haven't done anything really fun, but that's ok, we've got some busy stuff going on next week........starting Nov. 22nd we're going to see Bruce Springsteen concert, then Wed. Kim Mitchell concert (one of his hits are Patio Lanterns), that is at a small venue and should be fun. Then Thurs. is Thanksgiving, and on Saturday going to see a hockey game (Buffalo Sabres vs. I forgot)!.

See ya!

Betty Lou

[lowcarbs4me]

Hi, Ladies!

Glad I can eat yogurt and high fiber cereal. It makes a big difference!

I was really good yesterday. I admit, though, that I did take a few licks of icing while helping my little one decorate his birthday cake today. (We made a spectacular multi-layer pound cake with little pound cake cupcakes in the center as tier supports.) But it stops here and now.

I am so excited at the prospect of being comfortable in my size 10's again. It was only a couple of weeks ago when those size 10 pants were perfect. I am so glad I didn't gain a LOT of weight. I'm still in the recovery zone, if you know what I mean.

I wonder if taking a break from LC will help it "work" again. The magic seemed to stop about 6 months into plan. I then dropped some more going onto a fruit diet of sorts. We'll see.

I missed you too, Eve. I stayed away a few days because I was stressed and a little discouraged. Perhaps I count on everyone being here a little too much. I admit it, I get attached to people and get disappointed when they aren't here. Call me sentimental.

I agree the socialization at a thread is inevitable and actually very good, provided it doesn't become the only focus. In those kinds of threads, it is easy to "hide" and lose accountability.

Yes, I need to drink more water, too! Thanks for the reminder.

Betty Lou, those concerts sound like fun. Bruce!

We went to a Steve Miller Band concert at a small venue this summer. It was great. Love those "old" bands.

Have a great day!

[eve_sonata]

awww Liz there is nothing wrong with being sentimental I am sorry if i didn't post enough. I know sometimes i go days with out posting and i really need to post to keep me on track. I will try to post daily missing a day here and there. Does that sound okay with you? I think that is doable. In the future i will let you girls know when i wont be on for a time. It is all a matter of respect and not wanting you all to think that i got hurt or something. I hope i am not sounding like I am being condescending because that is really not the tone I am trying to get across.

LOL Betty Lou, you're rite. I will show my fat pics only to you ladies in pm. I think that is a better idea. Now the goal pic oh baby i plan on showing that one off. There are some really awful people out there and it would be best to not make myself a target.

I did not do well today at all. Tomorrow is another day and I will be back on track. Wednesday is our weigh in and i hope i have lost something.

You ladies have a great nite and get some rest for this upcoming week. I plan on reading some of my book "awaken the giant within" by Anthony Robbins. Suppose to be a self help kinda book. We shall see if i can set a higher standing for myself.

[lowcarbs4me]

Morning, ladies!

Sounds good, Eve. I look forward to seeing your pics. (Is it possible to totally erase pics? Let me know how that works, Betty Lou.)

Eve, it sounds like you have great conditions for weight loss. A Biggest Loser challenge sounds like so much fun. Speaking of Biggest Loser, has anyone heard from Carrie? I wonder how she is doing.

I plan to have an on-plan day, and wish the same to you. I had tea and my cereal/yogurt combo this morning. For lunch I plan to have a couple of burgers with mustard and relish (no buns). I'll probably have tuna fish on romaine leaves tonight for dinner and snack on pork rinds. Pork rinds aren't my favorite, but they do help keep me on plan.

One thing I'd like to try is the Cheetos puffs in the Recipe Room. Has anyone here tried them? They look delicious, nutritious, and very on plan. I might try those this week after my final observation. (I have one more hurdle toward my masters--that last in-class observation. I'm hoping it can get wrapped up tomorrow. I've done everything else. Hard to believe.)

It finally got into the 50's here so I get to wear my "new" 2nd hand coat. I got a great deal on a cute coat at the upscale thrift store the other day, along with an interview jacket. Maybe I'll post pics if I get a chance. I love the coat because it looks like suede and fur, but it is washable! It looks brand new--not one sign of wear. I bet it was pretty expensive new. I paid @$12 for it.

Have a great one.

[eve_sonata]

I love thrift store finds. My problem though, is that most of the cute stuff is in smaller sizes. Oh well, I guess I will just have to fix that.

Had a good day doing lc. I did not get a chance to eat breakfast so i had some jerky later in the morning. Then for lunch i had a chicken caesar salad and some veggie chips (Terra Brand). Those are so good! I know they are not that lc but they are better than eating potato chips. I only had a few. Then we got slammed with admits and I am just now getting home. Long day!
Had my gym bag all packed but it got to late to go and now I am too tired to really find something to eat. I did glug down 3 big bottles of water.

I would love to see you thrift store finds Liz.

Okay I am all tuckered out and am going to hit the hay. You ladies have a great nite.

[Betty Lou]

Hi!

Liz, your coat sounds cute! Let's see it! There are more and more people shopping at thrift stores. I just commented to one of our school administrators that I loved the dress she was wearing and her necklace matched perfectly. She said she just bought it at the Salvation Army Thrift! Wow! So, see, even when making quite a bit of money, people are always looking for savings. And she is a bit heavier too.......so it is hard to find clothes there all the time. One of these weekends I'll have to really check it out!

I hear ya on the exercising Eve. I really was going to finally START tonight, but by the time I made supper and cleaned up, etc., it was 9:45 p.m. and that's no time to start exercising! lol. I did do some stretching though. Like I said, I have to start from scratch! The stretching felt good. Wow, my leg muscles are really tight, and it felt good.

I did good on the diet today. Make home made chicken soup. First time I ever made it from scratch! Can you believe that? It turned out soooo excellent! It really is low calorie, so I had a nice big bowl.....noodles too......but not very many. We'll have that tomorrow too.

Ok, that's all for now, just checking in. See ya tomorrow!

Betty Lou