Medi Weightloss June Jumping for Joy Thread

[jbiggars63]

Well, upon first glance, I would agree, there seems to be a connection between the cream cheese balls and your ketosis issues. To really look at it I would need to see your food log for those days to see if there is something else hidden in your diet that could be causing it. Most ketosis oriented diets recommend staying at a maximum of 20 grams of carbohydrates per day to ensure ketosis although some individuals can consume up to 60 grams per day. it all depends on the person, their activity level and metabolic rate. Personally, I have been staying in the 15 to 25 range. As for the hunger, I can only tell you what I do. Since 1/23/09 I have only used, maybe, 2 bottles of the Phendimetrazine. I think the key has been spreading out the food and drinking lots of water. Here is a sample of my day (yesterday)

415a get up (take calcium, fat burner, vita, water pill, stay slim, omega)
5a YMCA
630a 3 egg whites, 1 egg made into an omelet w/pepperjack and salsa
7a work (take sublingual complex b)
830a 2 sugar free jello's
1030a 4 servings steamed green beans (Green Line)
11:15a take omega, fat burner, stay slim
1p 1 can very low sodium tuna with some 1 carb relish and a pickle
3p Kroger CARBmaster peach yogurt
5p Salad (lettuce, 1 chicken breast, 1/4 cup low fat cheese, bacon bits
3 small pepper slices, 1/4 cup crumbled eggs, few jalapenos, salsa
7p 2 snack size string cheese sticks
9p bed time

Usually only have to take med during high stress days.

Don't post your food log here, PM me if you would like me to look at it.

[145*goal]

Congrats everyone on your losses!!! I just came back from my weigh in and I lost another 2 pounds, making my total 4 week loss of 20.6. I am loving this plan. Heres to another great week!

Angel

[jbiggars63]

WTG Grettagirl & 145*goal! Keep up the good work!

My boys are 19 and 17.....I'm almost ready to be able to take naps again!

[SDC2]

Originally Posted by Justin1

well for the first month and a 1/2 i have been rock solid ketosis...nothing would knock me out of it, but now it seems so much more finicky than before

I posted before how i had some BBQ sauce and also made those cream cheese frozen cheesecake bites on sunday...then monday i was out of ketosis. I figured it was the exercise I was now doing as on Tuesday morning I was right back in it (my counselor told me that it was not my exercise unless I had done it for over 1.5 hours and really overdid it)...

so anyways, tuesday being my weigh-in day and I was back in ketosis I decided to get krafty and make those oopsie rolls which have cream cheese in them (they are amazing by the way) and i went over my calories with protein as I made hamburgers with 2% cheese on oopsie rolls, with fat free mayo, 1 carb vegetarian ketchup and some pickles...Best meal I've made to date, and I was proud of myself. For desert I had one of the frozen cheesecake bites that were left over (more cream cheese). This morning I am out of ketosis again.

I realize I went over my calories, but it is frustrating to me because I thought everything I had was at least in the guidelines to keep myself in ketosis. Can anyone offer some support? is it the cream cheese knocking me out? My wife loved the oopsie's and wants me to make them again on Friday to do the pizza type recipe ....


The more I think about it, I had several pieces of that dentyne cinammon gum yesterday, as well as the little bits of carbs in each of those other ingredients ...maybe I just pushed it too close with the carbs and they added up.

The past 3 days it seems like the medication is not as effective as it was before...I have been hungrier lately, perhaps because of my exercising, I don't know. I should have told them yesterday at my appointment but it slipped my mind. They ask me every week about my medication as if they know that it will soon lose its effect and maybe they increase the mg or the # of pills per day?

Justin,

I am not an expert by any means, but here are my 2 cents. Not knowing how much you had of each thing makes it hard to tell. If I were you I would start journaling my food intake and exercise on My Daily Plate. My Daily Plate is a website that allows you to log everything you eat and track your progress. It will give you the nutritional information for each item you input as well as the totals for the day. Then you can see how many carbs you really had and on the days you go out of ketosis you can look back and see if there are any trends. For me cauliflower can throw me out of ketosis. You can also enter the ingredients in a recipe and it will provide the nutritional information. It is a great website. The link is MyPlate - Food Diary & Food Calorie Counter | LIVESTRONG.COM

Also check out the ketosis thread, Ketosis

I am usually just a trace in ketosis. I attribute this to the fact that I exercise 1 hour 4 days a week. It has not been a problem with my weight loss. I have lost weight every week since I started.

I hope this is of some help.

Susie

[SDC2]

I finished transfering all 103 recipes. All of the recipe threads start with Medi-Friendly so they should be easy to find. You can sort the threads alphabetically by clicking on "thread" just above all the thread names. Then if you want it to go back to being sorted according to post time you click on "last post".

Please feel free to post your recipes in the appropriate catagory, but know once you post it it takes a monitor to delete it. Please keep all discussions out of the recipe threads. It was a lot of work to transfer and organize them and I want them to be useful to everyone.

Susie

[McBoo]

Originally Posted by SDC2

I finished transfering all 103 recipes. All of the recipe threads start with Medi-Friendly so they should be easy to find. You can sort the threads alphabetically by clicking on "thread" just above all the thread names. Then if you want it to go back to being sorted according to post time you click on "last post".

Please feel free to post your recipes in the appropriate catagory, but know once you post it it takes a monitor to delete it. Please keep all discussions out of the recipe threads. It was a lot of work to transfer and organize them and I want them to be useful to everyone.

Susie

Thanks Susie.

McBoo

[crobyninc]

Thanks Susie, it looks wonderful! Now we need to start adding more recipes!

[SDC2]

Originally Posted by McBoo

Thanks Susie.

McBoo

McBoo,

What do you think about having the moderators put all the individual Medi-Friendly Recipe threads as subthreads to one Medi-Friendly Recipe thread under Medi Weightloss, sort of like chapters to a book? Did that make any sense? Or do you think it is better left as is?

It would look like:

Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Breakfast Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Lunch Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Dinner Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Snack Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Dessert Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Drink Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Misc Recipes

Susie

[jbiggars63]

Originally Posted by SDC2

McBoo,

What do you think about having the moderators put all the individual Medi-Friendly Recipe threads as subthreads to one Medi-Friendly Recipe thread under Medi Weightloss, sort of like chapters to a book? Did that make any sense? Or do you think it is better left as is?

It would look like:

Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Breakfast Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Lunch Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Dinner Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Snack Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Dessert Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Drink Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Misc Recipes

Susie

Oooo...I like that idea!

[McBoo]

Originally Posted by SDC2

McBoo,

What do you think about having the moderators put all the individual Medi-Friendly Recipe threads as subthreads to one Medi-Friendly Recipe thread under Medi Weightloss, sort of like chapters to a book? Did that make any sense? Or do you think it is better left as is?

It would look like:

Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Breakfast Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Lunch Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Dinner Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Snack Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Dessert Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Drink Recipes
Weight Loss Plans > Medi Weightloss > Medi-Friendly Recipes > Medi-Friendly Misc Recipes

Susie

Works for me please request it. I am of to the gym for a personal training session.


McBoo

[hudiman]

Do you think they would do it? From comments that some of you have made before it sounds like they aren't very resceptive to new ideas or changing things. That would be great if they could do it.

[Justin1]

or could they just sticky those threads for us?


btw thanks to those who responded with tips and insight...i will check out the daily plate site

[NOT2fat4fun]

Hi Justin! - I am certainly not a pro at this but it has been my experience that just because something is listed as an "ok" thing to eat - it may not be OK for me. I can't chew gum - I always want to chew too much of it and go through a pack in a day - that's more than 14 carbs for sugarfree gum! Since I don't go above 20 carbs - it certainly does not give me much room for the good food I need.

Maybe you are having a reaction to one of the foods - I would go back to the diet that works for you then slowly add something to see if you can identify it. This, of course, is just a suggestion - and certainly a tedious one! I do find that if I am feeling hungry it is because I have eaten something that is a trigger for my body. These days the I usually only feel hungry if I have gone too low on calories.

The other suggestions have been good - since it is all about you - you will probably have to figure it out for yourself> please let us know how it goes! Good luck and stay with it!

Susie thanks for all the time you have taken to make our lives easier.

[Mommy-2-girls]

Good morning everyone! I had my big dinner out for my Dad's 60th birthday last night and I made it! I had a very small (about 1/3c) serving of french onion soup w/o the toast, a small tossed salad, grilled scallops (which were a surprisingly reasonable portion) and then in the dessert room (there is a whole separate part of the restaurant with private rooms for dessert) they have a sugar-free strawberry sorbet. I asked what it was made with and they said strawberries, splenda, and some sort of "stabilizer". I took a chance and it was great! I think I probably went over my calories a bit but I had all the sauces on the side, said no to a bunch of things, and so far I'm still in ketosis! I had ordered a side of grilled asparagus bit it looked kind of oily and the flavor was very peppery, so I chose not to eat it so that I could have a fruit serving available at dessert. Woohoo!

Today is my weigh-in, so we'll see how that goes! It was hard last night. That is our "special occasion" restaurant and it's all about decadence. It was really the first time I've felt very deprived on this diet. If I had had that meal at home it would have felt indulgent, but surrounded by all the heavy, rich foods that everyone else had, it felt a like I really had to give things up. It's amazing how much the food choices other people make can change how you see your own food! Peer influence and all.

Just being honest here. I think for me that I will choose not to put myself in the position of having to say "no" quite so much to foods I am tempted by. But it's OK. Like I said, I am proud of myself for standing strong and not even sampling the things that are triggers for me.

[SDC2]

Originally Posted by McBoo

Works for me please request it. I am of to the gym for a personal training session.


McBoo

McBoo,

How do you make a request? I asked under report this post and contact us. Is there another way I should ask? BTW, the lunch recipe thread disappeared. I know you started it and I transferred a bunch of recipes to it. Any ideas?

Susie

[McBoo]

Originally Posted by SDC2

McBoo,

How do you make a request? I asked under report this post and contact us. Is there another way I should ask? BTW, the lunch recipe thread disappeared. I know you started it and I transferred a bunch of recipes to it. Any ideas?

Susie

That is exactly how it should be done Susie. Sometimes it take a little bit of time but the moserators have been very accomodating.

McBoo

[crobyninc]

Originally Posted by Mommy-2-girls

Good morning everyone! I had my big dinner out for my Dad's 60th birthday last night and I made it! I had a very small (about 1/3c) serving of french onion soup w/o the toast, a small tossed salad, grilled scallops (which were a surprisingly reasonable portion) and then in the dessert room (there is a whole separate part of the restaurant with private rooms for dessert) they have a sugar-free strawberry sorbet. I asked what it was made with and they said strawberries, splenda, and some sort of "stabilizer". I took a chance and it was great! I think I probably went over my calories a bit but I had all the sauces on the side, said no to a bunch of things, and so far I'm still in ketosis! I had ordered a side of grilled asparagus bit it looked kind of oily and the flavor was very peppery, so I chose not to eat it so that I could have a fruit serving available at dessert. Woohoo!

Today is my weigh-in, so we'll see how that goes! It was hard last night. That is our "special occasion" restaurant and it's all about decadence. It was really the first time I've felt very deprived on this diet. If I had had that meal at home it would have felt indulgent, but surrounded by all the heavy, rich foods that everyone else had, it felt a like I really had to give things up. It's amazing how much the food choices other people make can change how you see your own food! Peer influence and all.

Just being honest here. I think for me that I will choose not to put myself in the position of having to say "no" quite so much to foods I am tempted by. But it's OK. Like I said, I am proud of myself for standing strong and not even sampling the things that are triggers for me.

Good job Jessica. I know how hard it was, Bern's is so wonderful but not on a diet.... I am the same way, my whole family for that matter, we celebrate with food. I don't know if I will ever get over that either. I hate that deprived feeling you are talking about too. I am hoping that when I get to my goal, I will not ever want to be fat again and that will help with those feelings of being deprived. Right now, I have so far to go, that every event out of the house is a challenge. But lets hang in there. We can do this as thousands before us have done. In another few months we will look back at this post and laugh at it!

Good luck at your weigh in, hoping it is a big loss for you this week!

[Mommy-2-girls]

Thanks Robyn! I hope when I get to my goal weight I can OCCASIONALLY enjoy some of those indulgences but be balanced enough to exercise, plan my meals, and generally do the "moderation" that is needed to stay healthy! But that is a long way away. My family is very food oriented too, so this is a challenge! But I can do it and you can too

[susan1234]

Rachel, I had a few cookouts here at my home,so i made sure that i had food for me.Maybe before you go you could season some chickhen and a turkey burger and bring it with you ,gave them cook it so you can eat with everyone ealse. If you wrap a turkey burger in a leaf of lettuce its so good. Thats what i would do and thats what i have when i do my cook outs.Iknow its hard but just think how good your looking. good luck i know its really hard but so worth it.Sue1234

[susan1234]

FNALLY, iam backin ketosis!!!!!! Its been a while. It was kindda hard to get to this point so iwill not mess it up this time.No cheating.

[LadyPelinore]

Mom and Dad went to New Orleans yesterday and left all six kids with me and husband...

And things dramatically improved. >.< My evil sister was even smiling last night when the three "big girls" were watching a romantic comedy! The small ones ate spaghetti with great gusto last night, and I manned up and had a protein bar and a shake. (too tired to cook again after chasing them all day and then cooking for seven...) Tonight we're going to do kebabs...so the kids can skewer whatever they want and we'll grill it. Easy for me to make good choices there.

It's super hard for me to stand up for myself. I moved out when I was seventeen, intending to never come back. I moved from Ohio to Alabama, got married, and started actually becoming who I am as an adult. I don't think my parents are ever going to see me that way. The kids only see me once a year, typically at Christmas. It was a HUGE deal that my Mom agreed to come down to my house. I really did WANT them to come see where I live and what we like to do. Part of it too is that my parents have been married 20 years this year. (the astute among you will notice I'm 26...he's actually my step-dad, but the only father I've ever had.) I wanted to do something nice for them, so I offered to babysit the kids for a few days while they went to New Orleans. They haven't been away from the kids overnight in about ten years.

I did take what you guys said about abuse to heart. I sat down after putting the small fry to bed and talked to Hannah, the angry teen. I discovered that her psychologist guy keeps referring to me as her "half -sister", placing great importance on that. I explained to her that we're family, that the halves are only halves if we let them be there. We talked about how she's angry at me for leaving her and moving so far away. She feels hurt and angry about the fact that I'm the only one who nurtured her, and now I'm gone. Of course she didn't say it quite like that.

Thanks for all the support, guys...I think I'd have broken down this week without being able to just tell SOMEONE...

~Anda
ps-I tossed all the junk food Mom brought into a plastic bag and put it in the laundry room. The kids aren't eating it, and neither am I.

[SDC2]

Originally Posted by LadyPelinore

Mom and Dad went to New Orleans yesterday and left all six kids with me and husband...

And things dramatically improved. >.< My evil sister was even smiling last night when the three "big girls" were watching a romantic comedy! The small ones ate spaghetti with great gusto last night, and I manned up and had a protein bar and a shake. (too tired to cook again after chasing them all day and then cooking for seven...) Tonight we're going to do kebabs...so the kids can skewer whatever they want and we'll grill it. Easy for me to make good choices there.

It's super hard for me to stand up for myself. I moved out when I was seventeen, intending to never come back. I moved from Ohio to Alabama, got married, and started actually becoming who I am as an adult. I don't think my parents are ever going to see me that way. The kids only see me once a year, typically at Christmas. It was a HUGE deal that my Mom agreed to come down to my house. I really did WANT them to come see where I live and what we like to do. Part of it too is that my parents have been married 20 years this year. (the astute among you will notice I'm 26...he's actually my step-dad, but the only father I've ever had.) I wanted to do something nice for them, so I offered to babysit the kids for a few days while they went to New Orleans. They haven't been away from the kids overnight in about ten years.

I did take what you guys said about abuse to heart. I sat down after putting the small fry to bed and talked to Hannah, the angry teen. I discovered that her psychologist guy keeps referring to me as her "half -sister", placing great importance on that. I explained to her that we're family, that the halves are only halves if we let them be there. We talked about how she's angry at me for leaving her and moving so far away. She feels hurt and angry about the fact that I'm the only one who nurtured her, and now I'm gone. Of course she didn't say it quite like that.

Thanks for all the support, guys...I think I'd have broken down this week without being able to just tell SOMEONE...

~Anda
ps-I tossed all the junk food Mom brought into a plastic bag and put it in the laundry room. The kids aren't eating it, and neither am I.

Anda,

It sounds like you are an extremely strong woman. I'm glad you opened the channels of communication and talked with your sister. I hope you do that with your mother as well. It sounds like the two of you have a lot of unresolved issues. Way to stay strong with the food and stick up for yourself. Enjoy the visit, but don't let yourself get overly tired or overly hungry. That's when mistakes happen.

God Bless,
Susie

[crobyninc]

Way to go Anda, you are doing great! It is hard to face family with situations that are so close to the heart.

Keep true to yourself. You are a figther, look at what you did when you were just 17? now that you have talked to your sister, it is time to get your mom on board as well. I think you might be surprised that she will help you. She just needs time and the information to help you on your journey to a "thin" you.

You must have a wonderful husband to take on 6 kids while your parents are away. Give him a big hug and kiss. He probably needs some love too as I am sure he is stressing over your stress.

Take care of yourself and cook what you want to cook. Those kids will survive, like Susie said, there is always cerial and milk (this comes from veteran moms - lol).

PS I want to come to your house for Kebabs tonight, what time are you serving??!!!

[crobyninc]

Susie, I just read what you said to Anda, and I think we had some kind of connected wavelength going there!!!

[bksfinest]

Hello MWL Friends,

Is this Tanita Scale rigged ? I weighed in today and I lost 6lbs! I just could not believe it! Thats a total of 11lbs so far. I am so excited that this is really working. I was having my doubts but today just put my mind at ease. I honestly dont feel it. My co workers said that my face is getting smaller, but this is great!

I am truly proud of myself for staying on track and I am so thankful to have found a forum of such motivating and encouraging people. I could not have done it with out ya'll. Thank you so much

Keep up the great job MWL friends!

Tiff

[MrsP]

Originally Posted by bksfinest

Hello MWL Friends,

Is this Tanita Scale rigged ? I weighed in today and I lost 6lbs! I just could not believe it! Thats a total of 11lbs so far. I am so excited that this is really working. I was having my doubts but today just put my mind at ease. I honestly dont feel it. My co workers said that my face is getting smaller, but this is great!

I am truly proud of myself for staying on track and I am so thankful to have found a forum of such motivating and encouraging people. I could not have done it with out ya'll. Thank you so much

Keep up the great job MWL friends!

Tiff

CONGRATULATIONS! THATS GREAT!

[145*goal]

Tiff,

Congrats on your weight loss! You are doing great!

Angel

[MEDIMIMI]

Hi everyone!


Had my first WI today, it was actually day 10 on the program but since my center is only open 3 days per week today was the first day I could get there. I lose 6.5 lbs. I am happy, but i had been hoping for more. They said it was 5lbs of fat and 1.5 of water, so that made me feel better.

Questions- where do you buy your EAS shakes? In my area they are 4.99 for a 4pck at Target, this same 4pack is 7.99 at CVS and 6.99 at Shaws. Target sells a giant flat of them but only in Chocolate which is my least fav flavor. I foun d STRAWBERRY ones at Shaws I cannot wait to try them. I am stuck paying a little more this week Target has run out completely.

How many of you take the appetite suppresants?
Which of the other supplements do you buy from medi? I am wondering if I can find comparable fat burners for a more reasonable price.

What is the Slim stuff? I didnt get this in my kit? Should I have?

Anda- way to stay strong! Sounds like things are improving!

Mommy of 2 girls- great job! I think as long as you are in ketosis you are fine! Celebrations are part of life and you handled it well! We can't stop living just because we are dieting, we just have to tweak it until we get to where we need to be

Tiff- way to go!! keep up the good work!!

I also wanted to thank whomever suggested having them give the B shot slower, it did hurt a little less that way, and it didnt burn the whole way home this time!

[Desert-Rose7]

Congrats to everyone on their weight losses this week.

Sorry I have not been in here too much, just have a ton going on that needs attention.

~to Anda~ Good for you! You have taken the first steps by opening the lines of communication with your sister. Now for your Mom, she will be the next important one to talk to, as she really needs to understand what you are doing for yourself, and how healthy living and healthy weight is going to be so very good for you.

I probably would have tossed the junk food in the garbage, but at least you have it out of the way (out of sight out of mind). You are a brave and strong young woman! You had the strength to leave home at 17 and make your way in the world. Good lord, at 17 I was a sophomore in college and could no more have left home and made my own way then fly to the moon! That takes a ton of courage and belief in yourself. You have what it takes to deal with your family. Just let it come out! Once YOU establish the ground rules for the relationships, it will all fall into place for you...hopefully sooner rather than later...families can be difficult. You have every right to be the woman you want to be, and I am proud of you for standing up for yourself. Hang in there sweetie! We are most definitely here for you anytime you need us!


Jo

[Desert-Rose7]

Originally Posted by MEDIMIMI

Hi everyone!


Had my first WI today, it was actually day 10 on the program but since my center is only open 3 days per week today was the first day I could get there. I lose 6.5 lbs. I am happy, but i had been hoping for more. They said it was 5lbs of fat and 1.5 of water, so that made me feel better.

Questions- where do you buy your EAS shakes? In my area they are 4.99 for a 4pck at Target, this same 4pack is 7.99 at CVS and 6.99 at Shaws. Target sells a giant flat of them but only in Chocolate which is my least fav flavor. I foun d STRAWBERRY ones at Shaws I cannot wait to try them. I am stuck paying a little more this week Target has run out completely.

How many of you take the appetite suppresants?
Which of the other supplements do you buy from medi? I am wondering if I can find comparable fat burners for a more reasonable price.

What is the Slim stuff? I didnt get this in my kit? Should I have?

Anda- way to stay strong! Sounds like things are improving!

Mommy of 2 girls- great job! I think as long as you are in ketosis you are fine! Celebrations are part of life and you handled it well! We can't stop living just because we are dieting, we just have to tweak it until we get to where we need to be

Tiff- way to go!! keep up the good work!!

I also wanted to thank whomever suggested having them give the B shot slower, it did hurt a little less that way, and it didnt burn the whole way home this time!

~Mimi~Congrats on the loss! I will try to answer some of your questions. Make sure the EAS shakes are the correct ones, with 100-110 calories. There are several kinds and I am not sure if they may be priced differently. I do use the AS as needed, and not every day. It really does depend on YOU, and what is best for you. I buy the Fat Burners as I have compared the ingredients to others out there, and have not found anything that has all of the ingredients in one tablet. I use my own vitamins, and calcium and they were approved by my clinic to do so. Stay Slim is generally used in the maintenance phase, I believe, although some patients have been given it in the acute phase as well. That is a question you will need to ask your clinic. And a little suggestion for you...post your stats in your profile. That way we can see your progress along the way. Kind of makes it more real that way!

Jo