New Maintainers - Week of June 28

[kbgardengirl]

This has been a busy carbfilled weekend. And I have to admit I'm up a couple of pounds. Not because I went off plan but because I ate too much legal foods. It started on Friday night when we took my 13 year old nephew who was staying with us a few days out to eat at Chilis. I chose the fajitas but they give you a huge portion and it was so filling even though I only ate half and no tortillias. It was our first time there so didn't realize how huge the portions were so I also had a small dinner salad. We then played miniature golf but not enough physical activity to work it off. Then Saturday we had my aunt's funeral to go to followed by a brunch for family members. Will it was a carb fest but once again I was able to eat heartily on low carb fare. Saturday night my inlaws wanted to go out to eat at a buffet. So many choices but I stuck with legal choices again and ate even though I wasn't very hungry. Sunday was the family reunion at the park with of course another carb fest but since my daughter and I both low carb we fixed carb friendly foods. But I ate too much of Beachgirl's low carb cheesecake. So what I discovered from this food filled weekend was that the eating I so enjoyed preAtkins wasn't a temptation at all and eating just because the food is there wasn't worth the bloated filling I had after consuming too much lowcarb food. It was a valuable lesson and after the fact I realized it just wasn't worth it. So today and maybe for the next few days I am going to eat induction levels to rid my body of those extra 2 pounds.

[JuliaL]

Hi Karen - sounds like it was a carb filled and FUN filled weekend too! Don't worry too much about those extra pounds, they're just water I'm sure. Sounds like overall you did very well in the face of a lot of temptation.

On Thursday we're headiing to Louisville (our home town) for the Fourth of July weekend. I'll be in a carb filled environment too. Last year we went to the 4th of July party at my in-laws country club and there was hardly anything I could eat. They had hamburgers and hot dogs, but they were dry and kind of tasteless without buns and lots of toppings. They had cole slaw (with sugar of course) potato salad and baked beans. I just ate a couple of burgers with lettuce and pickles. They did have some fresh berries, which was nice. We're going there again this year - it will be interesting to see if the menu has changed any. I bet there are more club members who eat low carb now than there were last year - maybe they'll have an influence on the food. I'm definitely going to eat something before I go this time.

I had a little woo hoo this past weekend. My 16 year-old son said he thought everyone would be really surprised to see how great I look when we go home this weekend That was really nice, especially coming from a teenager!

Have a great Monday everyone!

Julia

[velvetns]

Gina, too bad vacations are over so fast, I am sure you can't wait to go back.

I don't think any of us are tired of hearing about health issues with each other, we're lucky to have found this eating approach that helps stay heathy. Tomorrow I am going to the doctor and hope to hear my cholesterol is down, it's usually 220/230 which is one of the main reasons I started Atkins, because the research on lowering cholesterol and the fact I didn't have to give up cheese.

Karen, I have problems with portions control but I work out harder if I think I have eat too much and that usually seems to handle it. But I gain 3lbs every month for that time which is so annoying, I guess I am glad for the 3 day warning cause it's a guarantee.

I am trying to have a good supportive relationship with my son, he is nervous about being a Dad. I just let her alone and tell me son to give her hugs for me, what else can I do.

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Good Monday afternoon, everyone! kb - Sounds like you had a very busy weekend with lots of opportunities to cheat big time. Quite frankly, sound like you did great and I'm sure you will be back down in a couple of days. We never like to see the scale go up but us "Maintainers" know how to get it back down. Good Luck.

Julia - So you are going to visit the great state of Kentucky. I plan to make a short trip to KY myself (I hope). Not sure as I don't want to wear myself out by traveling just a week before vacation. I need to try to spend it doing some major walking. Doctor said I could walk and do the treadmill but be careful with other exercises and weights for a little while longer. That was very nice of your DS to comment on how well you are going to look when you go to KY. How long has it been since you have seen them? Maybe you will encourage some others. By the way, how did your Sister ever do with her lowcarb dieting?

velvetns - Hope everything is looking good at the doctor tomorrow. Has it been awhile since you have been? I'm sure the doctor will be very pleased with the result. You have the right attitude about your DIL. Just let her know you are there for her if she needs you. Believe me, there will come a time when she will be glad to have you around. As someone else said, it will be nice having a babysitter ever now and then. I know your son feels bad about the situation and would like nothing more than to see his Mother and Wife getting along well. Just continue to be supportive.

Nothing exciting about my weekend. My appetite has come back with a vengeance. Its good to have food tasting good again but did it have to be so extra good.

[JuliaL]

Ann - I'm so glad to hear the doctor has given you the green light for the treadmill! You are recovering so quickly, that's wonderful!

I haven't seen the family since Christmas. Funny thing is I actually weighed less the last time I saw them but I think I look better now. That was before I started my Firm workouts and I've really noticed some changes in the ol' body since then. When I told my son that I weighed less at Christmas time he was surprised. Funny you should ask about my sister (surprised you remembered! ) I've been thinking about her a lot too. I think she's still on Atkins but we haven't really talked about it. It will be interesting to see her and find out. I'll also be seeing my brother and his family, my older boys and my dear aunt and uncle. I'm really looking forward to it.

Today I signed up to take an aerobics class. I'm really excited about it. I read about it in the paper and decided to give it a try. It will be something different to add to my exercise regimen, and its taught by a licensed personal trainer, so I'm hoping to get good instruction. Also it will be a way for me to get out and meet some people. Since we moved to NC I haven't met anyone except a couple of my son's friends' moms and the people I work with. It will be nice to do a little socializing with my exercise.

Velvet - sounds like you're doing everything you can with your son and his wife. Hang in there, I hope she gets over whatever her problem is and you're able to really enjoy that grandchild.

Julia

[velvetns]

Julie - I love my Firm video's I only have a few but I feel them. I want to try a Kathe Fredrich's video they look tough, or I'll get another Firm Vol1 - that is a tough video that instructor is about the size of Jonah's Granny and works with heavy weights barely breathing hard.

JG - since you were taking care of yourself before so much I am sure that that will help you bounce back. You sound very strong and determined, I hope that this did not scare you much. I know hospital visits alone are scary enough much less what you have been through - I avoid them as much as possible. I get checked out yearly and am lucky to be so healthy, knock on wood.

[JuliaL]

Velvet - you should come over to the exercise board and post on the Firm thread. We'd love to have you over there. Its a bunch of people who do Firm workouts just about every day - they are habit forming, aren't they? I don't know what it is about them that makes them so great, I just love the way I feel when I do them and I love the results I'm getting.

I have a couple of Cathe Friedrich's workouts on video. The one I like the best is Maximum Intensity Strength. Its just a weight lifting workout, no cardio. Cathe is a great instructor, but I can't get the hang of her step workouts - too complicated for me. She pretty much invented step aerobics from what I've read about her. I love her weight lifting workouts though!

[Pedmom]

Good morning everyone. I am feeling a little discouraged and would appreciate it if you all would read my post "shopping in maintenance" posted here in the maintain lane.

Thank you!!

[velvetns]

Julie - That's the Cathe video I wanted, I want some weight work. It's so much better to have a video at least for me it helps me stay in form and good pacing. I need to get a step for that one too don't I?

Pedmom, you have to try different brands, you might be able to wear a size 4 in another brand, also women's sizes are much larger in the bottom. Try Juniors, also I am 5'4" and can manage petites in flats and they are cut a little smaller too, you can try that. I am a 4 in womens, but I often find that the hips are too big, so I go for juniors and wear a 7. There's a difference.

[JuliaL]

I did my Cathe video with my Firm step the first few times and it worked pretty well. I had to do the chest flys lying on the floor, but that was o.k. Now I have a regular sized step that I use.

[velvetns]

I am fighting to keep exercising, I am in a little slump right now - just can't find the energy. I make myself do at least 30min I just don't seem to push as hard but I know the drive will come back and I'll be happy I didn't totally slump.

My cholesterol hasn't gone down since I started Atkins, I am disappointed. I was hoping it would help. Oh well. My doctor says it's my genes, at least my good cholesterol is up which is from doing Atkins.

[kbgardengirl]

Well, I did it. Yes, the forbidden. I ate real fudge. My granddaughter is staying with me and she made chocolate peanut butter fudge. It looked so good. It smelled so good. I was drooling. Just couldn't help myself. It had been oh so long. And so I did it. Hmmmm!!! It was just as good as I remembered. The sad thing - one piece led to a second and then a third. I guess I haven't got nearly the control I thought. I just wanted more and more. I could have eaten it all but I stopped at 3 pieces. I'm bad. I'm sad. And I wish there was a way I could eat those things and maintain control. But, now, even after a year and a half of changing everything about the way I ate before, the addiction is still there. Just like an acoholic I don't think I'll ever been able to control . I had lost those couple pounds from the weekend without doing strict induction but now I'm afraid I've set that craving monster free so I think it's strict induction all the way for the next week to get it under control.

[Pedmom]

Karen (looking sternly at you)

You know what to do.

LOL. The beauty of this WOE is we all know what to do to combat any cravings and get back on track. You are one of the most inspiring success stories on this board; heck on the whole internet! I know you'll be fine.

Me on the other hand.... I'm gaining and can't figure out why! Back to induction levels for a couple of days for me.

This is why coming here every day is so wonderful. The support and help from our lc friends is invaluable.

Don't beat yourself up too much!

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

kb - I might be tempted myself when my sweet little grandaughter makes fudge (she's only 5 months old right now). When it comes to them babies; how can we disappoint them? Yes, you should have stopped at one small piece, and yes, you are the one that will pay. I just hope you can get it under control and it will not cause you any more problems. Actually I have faith in you; you know how to do it. You have already proved that. Probably a few days of clean Induction will get you through it. Good Luck.

I might mention that since I have gotten my appetite back I have been ravenous. I cannot seem to get full. I dug out my old bottle of Atkins Dieter's Advantage to see if it could help me a little. Actually I didn't mind gaining a couple of pounds; just don't want to continue. Also, I'm not quite so active right now and that concerns me.

velvetns - Like you said at least your good cholesterol is up. Does that mean the bad one is down? I was a little disappointed in my first reading after doing Atkins too but my ratio was very good. My total number was actually up a few points but the bad was way down and the good was way up. Don't get discouraged; stay with the program and do them EXERCISES!

Julia, hope you have a safe trip to KY. Wish I could leave this afternoon but I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow and get in the midst of all that traffic.

Hope everyone has a nice and safe 4th of July holiday weekend.

[velvetns]

Karen - I know just what you mean, I don't have anything with sugar or flour because I know I don't have self control. Just on Low Carb Ice Cream (which Carb Solutions is delicious) I have to get the ice cream bars because I'll go over board on the half gallon but can stop at the end of the bar.

I've gained a couple of lbs because I don't feel like exercising much now, although I should I after trying on a bathing suit. I keep telling myself I'll smooth out, I am so bumpy and lumpy, yuck! Need more cardio.

My cholesterol is 247! Up a couple of points. I have been reading the Atkins articles and am changing my eating a little. No more than 6-8oz of protein per meal (because it can turn into glucose), and watch the saturated fat, which the low carb chocolate I love is full of. I think I may eat too many nuts also.

Do you all eat low carb goodies? I'm cutting down alot.

[kbgardengirl]

Pedmon - I see that stern look and I am taking heed.

Today has gone well. Staying right on track. I don't want to let myself down and I most certainly don't want to let my low carb friends down either. I actually told myself at that time that I shouldn't eat it. Even turned her down to begin with. It didn't bother her that I wasn't going to eat it because she knows how faithful I have been to this wasy of eating. She is almost 13. A beautiful tiny little thing. Probably 90 lbs. and a size 0. Her momma is the same way (about a size 2) even after 2 kids. She They both love to eat and love sweets. Of course they are a couple of the lucky ones. Anyway I put it in the refrigerator so it was out of sight. But everytime I open that dang door, there it was. I thought, I should be able to eat just a little piece and quit at that. After all, I have had such good control over everything that goes in my mouth. Surely, I could handle just one bit. Wrong!!! I guess I needed to find this out. Now I know. Sugar will have to be a permanent no no.

Ann - Sounds like you are doing very very well. And I wouldn't worry about those couple of pounds. The iv's obviously didn't set that sugar monster loose in you.

velvetns -
Yes, I do occasionally eat the lc goodies. Mostly I make homemade but I do endulge in sugar free candy a couple of times a week. That has always satisfied my sweet tooth (until Yesterday).

My aunt gave me an alpine tracker. I'm going to see how using that will effect my neck. Hopefully the arm action won't aggravate the disc. It's kinda of like the nordic track I think. It would be nice if I could use and enjoy it. I hate riding the stationary bike. It's be difficult getting my exercise through gardening because due to all the rain we had the mesquito's try to carry be away.

[Pedmom]

Karen I'm glad you've had a good day. I feel a little better myself. I think I'm going to have to start drinking some green tea. Is there any diuretic benefit? My IBS symptoms have been virtually gone for months, but the last few days I've been constipated and I'm sure that's contributing to my weight gain. Can I put some Splenda in green tea? I'm NOT a tea or coffee drinker, so unless I can add a little Splenda (and count it in fitday of course!) i don't think I can drink it.

Thanks!

Oh and Karen, good for you for trying to find exercise that works for you without pain.

[kbgardengirl]

Pedmom - I think it would be fine to have splenda in your green tea. I don't know if green tea has any diuretic effects or not. I do know that regular tea does. If you are having trouble with constipation here's something I mix up to eat that helps when things slow down.

1 egg beaten
2 T. heavy whipping cream
2 T. Almond flour
2 T. flaxseed meal
2 pkt. of Splenda
1 tsp. vanilla
Sprinkle with cinnamon

Mix all together and microwave on high for 1 min. and 20 sec.

[Pedmom]

Thanks Karen, I may try that if something doesn't happen soon!

[Jamie]

Karen,

I'm glad you had a better day today. I had a very bad 'cheat' Tuesday but am back in control. I always describe myself as a "carboholic"...I know the evil demon lurks beneath my surface. The big difference is how you handle it. I am really ripped at myself for cheating...it was TOM related and totally out of control. Not only that I ate crappy junk, not anything gourmet or special.

BUT I got right back on track which for me (and for any of us who suffer from carb addiction) is HUGE.

Give yourself credit and carry on!
Take care,
Jamie

[jvryden]

I haven't checked in this week yet...but I'm doing fine. Sinus infection finally cleared up and I'm feeling back to normal mostly. Weight is holding steady (even though I went to a wedding reception on Saturday...and...well...Karen, you aren't the only one who had some fudge. Fudge for guest favors! Whodda thought? The cake held no appeal, so I happily skipped that)

Hope you all have a wonderful 4th weekend. We are having a family picnic at MIL's, but my side is coming too. I'm providing homeade LC ice cream (I'm adapting a recipe from the ice cream sticky to be Mexican Chocolate...our usual 4th treat. Hope it turns out!). There will be about 5 lc-ers there.

What are you all doing for the 4th?

Oh, and Happy Birthday, djchampa!!



Valerie

[sugarless4life]

Ann, I hope you're doing well! I just read your "lesson in life" thread. My goodness, what an ordeal you've been through. Are you eating your veggies? I hope so!!

I haven't checked in this week -- was on vacation Mon-Wed and have been very busy here at work.

Have a 3k Midnight run tomorrow night (Sun morning) so am looking forward to that. Hope to do well! Got myself some new running shoes, so that will be good!

Hope you all have a great 4th. No real plans here, just some much needed yardwork tomorrow morning and then rest up for the run.

CELEBRATE SAFE!

Betty

[ginabw]

I have not been able to check in lately as much as usual, or really at all, with my mom in town. I don't want to be rude and spend my days on the PC as I usually do with all my spare time! She is leaving this Wed., and then things will get back to normal. But I will definitely miss her, it has been great for me and the kids to have her here!

Ann, I am glad to hear that you are recovering quickly, you have been in my thoughts and I'm glad that you are on your way back to yourself! I did not realize your appendectomy was undetected for so long, you must have been scared to death and your family too. That would shake me up for a while too. I also have been fighting the hunger pains, and unfortunately the only things that keep them at bay are constant drinking of tea and water, occasional snacking throughout the day on pecans, and keeping busy. I don't measure my nuts any more because I found I ate more when I measured. If I don't measure I can make a bag last a week, if I measure I eat the portion all right away and then have none left and eventually eat more. Obviously my own little psychological problem!
Have a great 4th everyone! I am having a huge steak on the grill, drooling already!

[Jamie]

Thanks for the birthday wishes Valerie

Hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th! I am about to make a low carb cheesecake so I can have a treat at the cookout today...got to get my water bottles ready too.

Had double lobsters last night...OMG they were delish!

Granny: Glad to hear you are on the mend...

Take care,
Jamie

[jvryden]

Come on over to the new thread!


http://lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/showth...hreadid=250613