New Maintainers--All Plans--Week of 2/20

[LowCarbRachel]

Hi, hope it's okay that I started a new thread for us!

Janina asked an important question on a thread a couple of weeks ago, and I've been thinking about the answer. So, I did a "weight loss" timeline to see if I could see any patterns in my weight loss efforts/behaviors. I found this very helpful and noticed primarily that anytime I stopped exercising, I gained 13-20 pounds, just like that!! (thanks, Janina!) Anyway, here is my "sharing" of my timeline...

circa 1985...When I was in college at KU, I walked to school almost every day. I don't know if I ate well or if I ate badly, but I did live at home, so I didn't do the college-dorm weight gain thing. I weighed 122 pounds, wore small sizes, and didn't really worry about my weight at all. Then, I realized that I could take the bus to school. The bus stop was only four houses down from where I lived with my parents...and guess what? As soon as I stopped walking, I gained thirteen pounds.

circa 1989...I graduated and got married a month later. My wedding dress was a very tight size 9. We moved to a small town about six hours away from my friends and family. I didn't have a job, I missed being in school, I missed my friends and family. I ate oreos and coffee for breakfast every morning, I thought I would go crazy in our small apartment, my life was centered around food. I gained another ten pounds, which put me at about 145, and I found myself buying size 11s...

circa 1990...I got a job working at a bookstore, and my boss was very much into diet and exercise. I followed her lead and dropped about twenty pounds eating a very very low fat diet and doing an hour of cardio a day. I went back to school and got my elementary education degree and my student teaching experience was one of the happiest times of my life!! I was wearing size 5's and size 7's, and I was pleased with my life as well as my size...

circa 1992...I maintained this weight the whole time we lived in Nebraska--and then we moved to Utah. I continued to exercise and eat well, but I went on a birth control medication that made my weight sky rocket up to 165 pounds. I gained 40 pounds in about three months. I went off the medication, but losing the weight was hard, I lost 30 pounds...I had a hard time getting used to living in a new place in Utah and was unhappy with substitute teaching (I wanted my own classroom...) I started freelance writing and started my own business, and I never realized just how difficult it would be--afternoon cokes and pink frosted sugar cookies from 7-11 became my way of transitioning from the afternoons to teaching workshops and classes at night...

circa 1996...I got pregant, and I lost the pregnancy due to a rare disorder called molar pregnancy. I was very unhappy and working fifteen and sixteen hours a day running my own business.

circa 1997-1998...After the doctors cleared me to get pregnant again, I did, as soon as I could. I packed on weight during my pregnancy, ending the pregnancy at 188 pounds, my highest weight ever.

circa 1999...After my daughter was born, I stayed heavy for about eleven months. I was in a car wreck, which woke me up. I decided to try Atkin's and lost weight on it quickly, bringing my weight down to about 125 pounds again.

circa 2001...I stayed in a range of 125-132 for a few years, but I was unhappy because I was still "fat" and gaining weight (guess what? I wasn't exercising!) I decide to do the Body For Life program. I was very strict, starting at a size 8 and ending at a size 2 (went from 32% body fat to 18% body fat in 12 weeks.)

circa 2002...I continued to workout with weights and went to 14% body fat. I looked great, but I was having problems in my marriage and was torn up inside, emotionally. I got divorced, moved, got remarried, got into a horribly abusive relationship, left after six months, and stopped eating AND exercising...my weight dropped to the low 120's...

circa 2003...I started to rebuild my life, but I was exhausted......my weight started creeping up when I started to eat again and stopped exercising...the holidays at the office were treat-laden, and I ate lots of nuts and other goodies...

February 2004...I knew that I needed to step on the scale and find out where my weight was...I weighed 147 pounds and 32% body fat...and I knew that I was ready to start eating well and exercising again...I found myself wearing a very tight size 9...I was hoping that I could go back to Atkins and just drop twenty pounds quickly, but it was a struggle this time around, so I tried plan after plan...slowly dropped about five pounds...

September 2004...a friend at work started working out with a trainer, and she was so excited about it that I got motivated, too...I started working out seriously, was at 25% body fat and 142 pounds...

February 2005...I hit my goal weight of 129 pounds and nineteen percent body fat. I am eating well and exercising, and I'm determined to maintain for life this time around. I've learned quite a bit about myself and how I react to stress and how I use food...and it's a very clear pattern to me that I will always be about twenty pounds overweight if I choose to quit exercising at anytime in my life. I am lucky that I still have a decent metabolism after the things I've put my body through during the last twenty (yes, twenty!!) years!!

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Thanks for starting things up Rachel. There is not enough room on the boards to write all my ups and downs but I will have to agree with you that exercise does make a difference. I'm not one who wants to "bulk up" but I like staying active and toned as possible for a little ole lady. It does make me feel better, look better, and hopefully burn a few of them calories.

[Janina]

Rachel, I love your timeline! i love that you remebered my question! I think it is a good one! The question was..what was yuor body like 5 and ten years ago and what was your woe at that time.

Ok so 10 years ago...I was 29 and a single girl. I went out alot, worked hard and smoked alot. i had quit drinking 3 years before but still was smoking. I was 95 to 105 lbs. I didn't eat, and was way to thin. I thought being that thin would make me happy but it didn't. I look back at photos at my thinnest weight and see that I looked tired(at 95) and older then when I was 105.

5 years ago..it was after I was married for a bit. We got really comfortable and I gained. I got up to 120. I did Curves and the zone and dropped to 110, which is a great weight for me with muscles. Now I am tone with less mucle. I liked the zone but it was hard to follow.

In between all this I went thru a running phases where I was 113 but all mucsle..6 pack and all. my body looked great but my knees were giving out and my dr said it was too much.

When I got pregnant, I got up to 190. Crazy!! my dd was only 6 lbs but I felt I had to eat alot for her, and I don't regret it. i took it all off within 4 months. I walked up and down hills with her in a pack 2 hours a day(she slept) and I didn't eat carbs or fat. I learned in those 4 months i could accomplish anything as I took care of my dd all day and night and took care of my body. it was very empowering.

Now I want to stay between 105 and 110. Add in healthy carbs as I don't want to do atkins induction for life.....i want to mix eating with living and being happy. i want to keep my body moving and adjust working out to where i am in my life.

rachel, I never knew about you losing your pregnancy. That must have been so painful. You are so blessed with J. I almost lost A in childbirth(she was a code red delivery, her heartrate was 40 and if the dr got her out of me any later she could have died or had brain damage)) I also had difficulties during my pregnancy. When people ask when i am going to have another and why I am not..I just feel so blessed and happy with my one angel. I am happy things worked out for you!


Yes, i hope us new maintainers were ok starting this thread off... I would love to hear about your journey and differant plans...or just how you are doing today!

I am going to go full force today with good eating and start yoga right now..see yuo later!

[CorgiGirl]

Rachel, thanks for starting the thread for us this week! It is ok for any of us to start a new thread. I would normally put up the new thread late Sunday night but I didn't get on-line at all Sunday. Sunday's are busy for me with church and family. I am married with an adult son and daughter, both are married and I have one grandson.

I can relate to the many life changes and how they affect maintaining/losing weight. I was not overweight until pregnant with my 2nd child (daughter). I gained 35 lbs but did not lose it after she was born. I did lose the weight several years later and in my late 30s/early 40s, I was very fit (jogged/played racquetball/lifted weights). But I gradually gained the weight back mostly due to stress. This time I will keep the weight off!! That said, the lb I lost the other day was a fluke and I gained it right back. Sunday I ate more than I should have (although legal foods for Atkins) and this morning I am back up to 111.75. Tuesday I plan to go back to Atkins 72 but at the 2nd or 3rd week level so I can have cottage cheese plus salad. I think I will increase my aerobic exercise as well.

If you are ready for another QOTD, how about: "Do you plan your menu for the day ahead of time or do you just wing it?"

Vickie

[akmd65]

Hi everyone. Id really like to join your group.

To answer the QOTD (im assuming it the question of the day, lol)
I used to plan my menus for the week on Sunday after church. Id sit down and map it out and make my shopping list, then go shopping after lunch. cook for the week and be prepared for the week. whew! I got lazy and paid for it. Im back to planning my menu, and Im learning how to maintain my weight.

[Janina]

Welcome Jeannie!!! thanks for joining us!!!!!!

QOTH: no planning for me. Although it sounds great. During the week when I am weatching plan closely i have an idea of what i will be eating and I do shop ahead for my snacks and dinners. I have everything on hand to make it work, so there are no excuses!!

it is raining hard here...we are in for the day..hope you all are having a nice day!

[Jewels]

Originally posted by Janina
I think it is a good one! The question was..what was yuor body like 5 and ten years ago and what was your woe at that time

Well, my woe was low/no fat!! I weighed probably 130-133 most of those years. I also exercised my brains out...an absolutely no weight loss in those years but I kept trying. That sure didn't work. I started here in the fall of 2002, got off it during the holidays and guess what?
Today is the day, Feb. 21, 2003 that I finally saw the light and started Low Carb and haven't looked back since. I made goal May 2003. Will have to go back and see what date if I can find it.

Edited it to say I reached goal on May 18th!!

[LowCarbRachel]

I love reading all the answers and seeing the new questions, too!

My answer to the new question is: I am not a planner, but I do eat basically the same menu throughout the week. It's usually:

b-whole grain cereal and milk
s-protein shake and fruit
l-grilled chicken and vegetables w/black beans or couscous
s-string cheese and fruit
d-grilled meat, baked potato or brown rice, salad or green veggie
s-yocheese w/berries or popcorn

I will sometimes switch things up, I like a basic menu because it makes buying groceries easy and saves me $$$, however, I also like to eat what I'm hungry for if I have a certain craving...

I did have another good weight workout today, so that's 2 out of/6, Janina! I think I'm going to hit my first goal with no problem!!

hugs to all, need to check on my dd, we just got home from a shopping trip, and I think she's fallen asleep on the couch!!

Rachel

[Janina]

Hi Guys!
Just finished my one hour power yoga tape. OMG! I really forgot how difficult that was as it has been awhile. It is 60 minutes!

So rachel, you are at 2/6 I am at 1/6..I need to catch up! i also replay my eating especially during the week all the way up to our Friday night sushi. A is eating rolls now along with miso soup. She says it is her favorite dinner, but I think one of the reasons is bc it is such a happy fesive meal and signal the weekend is beginning. I am writing your menu down, as i am going to try core with you next week. I hope you don't mind me bugging you. Did you guys buy anything fun..yuo know how I LOVE talking shopping

Jewel, so awesome this woe works so well with you. Most of the people doing low fat didn't take the weight off as you are never really satified with what you eat.

see you all later

[LowCarbRachel]

Janina, ask as many questions as you'd like! On CORE, the whole grain cereal can be stuff like Shredded Wheat or Fiber One but cereals like Grapenuts do not count. You can also have hot cereals like plain oatmeal or cream of wheat. PM me if you need more info!!

DD and I bought $65 worth of jewelry, including two purses, at Claire's for just $5.

The finds included:

a black and white plaid purse for her
a pink and white plaid purse for me
two silver bracelets with pink velvet ribbon threaded through them
a silver colored bracelet
a bottle of pale pink fingernail polish
a gold colored necklace with bright blue stones
a silver ring
sparkly hair clips with little faux diamonds on them!!

That's all I can remember, we didn't really find any other good deals, but it felt really wonderful to walk around in the clean mountain air and sunshine.

See you all later!!

Rachel

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Welcome, Welcome akmd65 - So glad to see you joining us. You are such an inspiration. Your stats continue to amaze me. You have really done a good job maintaining also.

I don't plan my meals and I know I should. I don't even like to think about it. Maybe I'll try it for awhile and see if I do any better with my WOE.

[CorgiGirl]

Jeannie! So glad you are joining us. You are an inspiration!

I did really well today with eating. I was not hungry after breakfast and did not eat until dinner. That wasn't a problem as I exercised from 3-5pm then fixed a grilled chicken burger and had romaine and tomato to go with it.

I do plan my menus. Mainly because I do most of my posting on the Golden Years' board and I put up the Menu Thread each day. I find it really helps to keep me accountable and on plan the majority of the time.
Vickie

[LowCarbRachel]

Good morning to everyone!!

Just a quick hello as I'm headed to the shower...worked out this AM, had breakfast with DD at the TABLE, and am drinking my coffee now. Have a busy day approaching at work, so I will be back tonight!


Rachel

[JONAH'S GRANNY]

Well I'm still trying to kick my cold and seem to be having a hard time doing it. It has kept me from working out the way I would like to. I didn't get any workout in at all yesterday; 45 minutes on Sunday. Hopefully, this evening I can even if it is just doing some ab crunches on my exercise ball. Hope everyone continues to have a good week.

[Jewels]

Had a horrible day yesterday. 2 DGD's were here and made chocolate chip cookies....now you know the rest of the story!! I ended up eating everything in site. That "All or Nothing" attitude is still lingering in the back of my head!
Why do we do this to ourselves???

Another day and this is the 1st day of the rest of my life!
Wish I could apply this to me!

Ann, hope you are feeling much better today.

Rachel, you seem to have your head on straight! WTG

Vickie, have never been able to plan menu's for the whole week. Even when all the kids lived at home. Good for you.

Janina, funny how you just said how well this woe is working for me. Now you see I'm human and a very weak one. I suffered all night with GERD and had to put pillows to prop me up. Now is that sick or not? Eating stuff I know will make me sick!

akmd65, welcome to this thread. I think I've seen your name somewhere, maybe the main bb. Just join right in and give any advice to us!!

Off to bowling and then shopping with 15 yo DGD!!

[Janina]

oHi everyone!

Jewel, sounds like we had similar evenings... my day went like this..great eating all day, I completed a 60 minute power yoga tape(I am so sore today) great dinner. Then I am overcome with the urge to eat chocolates(I am pmsing BAD) so I ask my dh is we can go to the mall to shop, to avoid eating chocs. He gave me a GC for Valentines day at my favorite store. We all fo to the mall come home at 8:30 and i attack the chocolates. I had 5, then felt like salty and just stopped there. Today is a new day. get back on plan and forgive yourself. Your GDs' need to remeber you making cookies with them...trust me on this...I just feel bad you are sick!

Ann, please just get well and don't push yourself!

Rachel, how are you? I am going to do another short yoga tape today. I went shopping yesteerday and bought these amazing full cotton skirts, knew lenght. One in black and one in white with gorgeoue embrodery(thinking of you and J ) on them. They are so pretty for spring, not my standard fitted look but very fresh. I have a cute outfit in mind for you..I will pm you..I saw it in Bazzar and it reminded me of yuo and your black pants you love.

Vickie on eating!!! and the excersise for two hours..way to go!

Hi betty, how are you today? are you still feeling better? i hope so!

Hi Jeannie, please come back today and say Hi and share how you maintain with us!

QOTD:what is your favorite dinner to eat while on plan?

[CorgiGirl]

Hello everyone! I am doing well with my eating the last two days but I am hungry today. I was back to 109.75 Tues morning and hope to be lower on Wed. When I make my whey protein/cream cheese pancakes, I can go all day without eating anything else (this morning I had eggs and turkey bacon) so I think I will just continue to eat the pancakes at least while I am trying to lose this 5lbs.

Ann, I hope you get over the cold soon. I know it is tough not getting in the exercise.
Julie, it is hard to resist sweets when you make them for others. Does it help if you make yourself a low carb treat?
Janina, it is good to try to do other activities to get the thought of an illegal treat out of your mind. Sometimes I go to bed earlier than normal, say 10:30 or 11pm if I feel I am going to cave in.
Hi Rachel and Jeannie!

edited to answer Janina's QOTD: I have several favorite dinners: beef or chicken stir fry with broccoli, onions, green peppers; my latest favorite is ground chicken mixed with chopped onions and green pepper, formed into patties and grilled on my george foreman grill, served with romaine, tomato, mayo. I also like salmon patties, cauliflower "potato" salad. I am not very good at trying new recipes. I need to do better with that.

Have a great Tuesday everyone! Think Spring!!!
Vickie

[Janina]

Hi,
Vickie..I would love the recipe of those pancakes. I have started eating cereal in the am for the same reason. I like having the good carbs in the am rather then the pm...

it is my dhs bday tomorrow. I need to make a cake....

I got on scale and it wasn't bad considering vacation eating and pms..I am 109. I usually lose 2 lbs of water, so I figure i have 2 lbs of fat to work on...

I am going to keep up with the yoga this week and water....
how are you guys doing staying on mini challenge?

Janina

[CorgiGirl]

Janina, I use a lot of variations for the pancakes but the one I like best is simply: soften 2-3oz of cream cheese (I mostly use the fat free even though it has more carbs in it); add 1tsp cinnamon, pinch of baking powder, 1 scoop of whey protein and mix well, add 3-4 egg whites (you can use 2 whole eggs if you prefer) and mix really well. Fry in a nonstick pan sprayed with Pam. I finally found a sf syrup that does not stall me or cause stomach upset. It is Maple Grove Farms' Cozy Cottage sf syrup. The above recipe makes about 7 small pancakes and yes, I eat them all!

Janina I commented earlier that I am doing well for the last two days and am back down to 109.75. I am hungry today because I did not eat my pancakes for breakfast but I am determined to stick to my menu for today. If I can get down to 107 by the end of our 2 week challenge, I will be very happy.
Vickie

[sugarless4life]

Hi all,

What is the mini challenge?

I'm doing okay today ... doing pretty well eating a late brekkie of 2 pcs of peanut butter toast on the Pepperidge Farm Carb Style whole wheat bread (love it!), then a regular dinner. Today was an exception though because DD was home and we were out running errands once she got home from college classes. So she was hungry about 2:00 and we stopped at Chilis so she could get a Buffalo Chicken Salad ... I encouraged her to eat that instead of fast food and she liked the idea! She is not overweight, but is trying to be more mindful of eating healthier. Good kid!

Anyway, I ordered myself a piece of cheesecake ... figured the calories wouldn't hurt me at this point. I can't seem to gain no matter what I eat, so why not? Sure enough, I got home and weighed and the scale hadn't moved from this morning.

So much for antidepressants causing weight gain ... this Effexor is JUST THE OPPOSITE! Plus its helped me alot. Can't complain about that!

Have a great day everyone!

Betty

[LowCarbRachel]

Hi, long day at work, heard lots of man, money, and work problems and am tired!! Also got letters from the ex boyfriend and a potential boyfriend (from 1.5 years ago...), I am not interested in either of them, especially not the ex boyfriend. The new boyfriend is gone for another 10 days, and after hearing from those men, I know even more how much I appreciate Steve in my life...

QOTD: My favorite CORE meal is what I had tonight: couscous, grilled shrimp, lemon pepper french cut green beans, a white wine spritzer, and a latte. Yum.

Betty, it's great that you are able to encourage your daughter in her efforts to eat healthy!!

Vickie, those pancakes sound so yummy!!

Janina, good job with the yoga!! I will look forward to seeing the outfit!!

Jewel, Jonah's Granny, hello! Hope you both had a good day.

I will be back later, am going to change my work clothes...

Hugs,
Rachel

[Janina]

Vickie, thank you for the recipe. it sounds super duper yummy. My dh has low carb(from the box) pancakes almost everyday with sf syrup. My dd eats the pankcakes with real syrup and we all prefer them to regular pancakes.

Betty, we have a short term goal of doing whatever(Rachel and I are working out 6 times, I am drinking more water, Vickie is watching how much she is eating etc) we started last saturday and we will be challenging until the saturday after next. We started it due to Rachels man coming back and me asking if she wan't to reach any goals by then.

Rachel, it's raining in SD and raining men for you in UTAH. Isn't it nice to feel the way you do over Steve and not tempted? I am so excited for you. i was reying to scan photo of the outfit from the magazine to send you but I just couln't figure it out. it goes like this black pants(low waist tighter thighs and full bottoms, a white tank top with a black beaded evening type cami or short sleeve shirt over it. Green colored long beeasd with a green accent ring. I love the idea of the dressy top with wifebeater tank and the colored beads. I "saw" you in it.

Today me and A made a cake for my dh, and made a little book for him. The book is drwings, a story and him and us, colored in photos of Price Eric(him) areil(me), and Aurora, Ava. She also drew and glitter glued. Super cute. I bought him a pair of really nice boots for his present and tomorrow he is taking the day off and we are celebrating. We will all eat at a place right on the ocean for lunch, then later him and I will have sushi.

The good new about my plan today was that I did two session of 45 minute yoga. They were differant videos and man i already feel it in my legs. I love how yoga tones and strtchs and doesn't bulk. The bad news is that I had a piece of cake. A and I made two cakes, and we had one tonight. So there it is...the good and the bad. I am sure after tom arrives I will be a better girl. For now I am just doing the best I can...other then that, I ate great today.

Rachel, I am 3/6..how about you?

[LowCarbRachel]

Janina, thanks for the description of that outfit, it sounds just like me!! I am 3/6 also, you are motivating me! I am going to workout tomorrow, too!! Funny thing, I'm not hungry tonight, so I am not snacking...I am wondering if I got "used" to snacking at night and was eating out of habit, this is two nights in a row that I haven't wanted a snack. Weird, I am eating more carbs but not getting hungry in the evenings. I am going to keep an eye on this and see if it is a pattern. I am very into eating when I *am* hungry so I'm not depriving myself or anything, weird, huh?

See you all tomorrow, I am going to fix dd a bedtime snack and then go upstairs and read!!

Rachel

[CorgiGirl]

Hi everyone! Hope you are all doing well today. I am still at 109.75. Well I must be crazy but after being retired for two years, I have accepted a temp job for the next few months at our local university. I will be providing support for the office of Exec VP & CEO. I understand the pace is fast and can be stressful but the wage was too high to pass up the job. I will be working from 10am-3pm each day so I am going to have to think of something nutritional to take that is quick to eat. Any suggestions are welcome. Vickie