**Decidedly Determined & Dedicated December for MWL**

[DiniRN]

Thanks for the welcome!

Fit, I'm actually on week one, just day 3 so the cheese and veggies are out However I completely forgot I had turkey pepperoni!! I am so going to pack those and snack on them. And I will leave for work early tonight and go pick up some beef jerky. I know I have to limit it because it tends to have a little sugar in it but it may just get me through the night.

I unfortunately am working 16 hours tonight, 12 on the unit and 4 in a neuro surgery class. That last 4 is going to be hard, I may have to go over the calorie level by a little because I'm going to be up much longer than normal.

Today is day 3, and I'm not feeling so hot. Just got up, but I'm feeling just kinda blah and have a bit of a headache, and feel like I've got chills. Maybe I'm getting sick and it's not the eating, but then again, I may be going into ketosis. I haven't tested yet, the girl at the clinic told me to wait till about day 4 so I don't waste the strips.

I'm trying to stay away from the scale so I get the full effect on Friday when I weigh in. It's so hard!!

So I have a question...what are you all doing for Christmas to keep from going off plan? I'll finally be on week 2 by then so at least I can snack on veggies and of course can have turkey.

[VannishingGrl]

That's a great question!! Personally I think the lack of fruits and veggie must be making me crazy! Because I have stepped forward and offered to make Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day also.

I have Christmas Eve in the bag because we have alot of seafood, so there will be lots for me to choose from, but I struggling with Christmas Dinner. I think we will have a roast, but I need some help with sides and desserts.

[Fit2010]

Take a look at the MWL recipes we have on this LCF MWL thread....just look at the dates from about a year ago so you can get some answers from last year's team! DiniRN, definitely sounds like you are right now getting into carb withdrawal and ketosis. Drink lots of water, something nurses have a hard time getting in on those long shifts, so you have to really concentrate to get it in! But it will help you feel better and flush the burnoff proucts out of your system.

Me personally, I'm just trying to get into my restart by reeducation and remotivation. I have a MWL appt scheduled for Jan 10th because my DD X2 coming for our late Christmas Jan 4th-8th. Also just this evening ordered an exercise program too for 10 minutes/day by same maker of P90X, etc. Gotta get these inches back off that make me feel like I am wearing a body suit of fat I zipped myself into...it all came back on so quickly adding in the carbs.

Talked with a patient yesterday who had lost 90 lbs in a year and has been happy to cut out bread/rice/sugars since that time....for "bread" eats mama lupes or pork rinds. She has kept the weight off for 2 years. It was really motivating to see someone in the flesh who has kept it off. I know I can too!!

[Twisted Suze]

I was dying for some serious crunchy food a couple of days ago, so I got some hot pork rinds.
I make sure I've gotten all my water in and that helps offset the extra salt in those.
If you mix a dry packet of ranch dressing into plain, non-fat Greek yogurt it makes a great dip.

My water intake this week has been more difficult with cooler weather...and weigh-in is tomorrow....the numbers will be mixed up with the water weight.

I'll be glad to get past Christmas with the timing of some meals thrown off and the commercialization is getting to be a real turn-off.
I do love having the Christmas Tree to admire, though !

[mzthang581]

Only down 1.4 this week

[Swirveegrl]

A loss of 1.4 lbs, is far better than a gain Keep positive, enjoy every step of your progress.

[mzthang581]

Originally Posted by Swirveegrl

A loss of 1.4 lbs, is far better than a gain Keep positive, enjoy every step of your progress.

Thanks

[hyonlyf]

I'm hanging in there, in maintenance, and actually got the green light to eat *gasp* carbs AND 1000 calories a day!! I cannot bring myself to do it...yet LOL

I am at 133lb and happy except for the hair loss and saggy skin, both of which will improve over time, so says the clinic.

Good luck to everyone out there, it is the HARDEST time of the year to change your WOE but the results are so worth the effort!!

Merry Christmas to you all

[DiniRN]

Today was my first weigh in and the start of week 2. I will say the last few days of week 1 was TOUGH! I got soo nauseated at the sight of lunch meat or chicken! I actually had dry heaves when I picked up a piece of roast beef. I broke down and drank a light muscle milk in replacement of one meal. They only have 100cal and 2g of carbs so the clinic said it was okay.

Anyway, I lost 8.8lbs for week 1!! I am quite happy with that!!

But I'm so scared about adding in the veggies and fruit and other foods and a few carbs. They said to keep total carbs less than 30gms, including what's in my veggies although she said I don't really need to count those unless I seem to be eating things with higher carbs like sf pudding.

However I am happy now because I think I can actually do this until my goal, because I can eat salad and my favorite fruit (blueberries) on occasion, and I can eat sf pudding, and cheese!! Never thought I'd say I looked forward to salad!!

[jbjb93]

Hi all! Sorry I haven't been on in weeks. Crazy busy with work, sons basketball, plus the usual!

Had a few slips due to stress, but still forging ahead. I'm down a total of 47.8 pounds!! It is hard to fathom sometimes! I actually looked around a clothes store for something fitted. That was so weird!

We are hosting today. Told my kids I wasn't making my traditional peanut butter candy -can't risk it! But I got tons of shrimp!

Have a great, and focused, holiday all!!

[Swirveegrl]

Stick with it everyone it is so worth it! It's the best gift you can give yourself
url=http://www.************.com/weight-loss-ticker][img]http://tickers.************.com/ticker/show/480/7345/4807345.png[/img][/url]
Created by ************.com - Free Weight Loss Tools

Don't forget to check out my album for before pics!

[mzthang581]

Originally Posted by DiniRN

Today was my first weigh in and the start of week 2. I will say the last few days of week 1 was TOUGH! I got soo nauseated at the sight of lunch meat or chicken! I actually had dry heaves when I picked up a piece of roast beef. I broke down and drank a light muscle milk in replacement of one meal. They only have 100cal and 2g of carbs so the clinic said it was okay.

Anyway, I lost 8.8lbs for week 1!! I am quite happy with that!!

But I'm so scared about adding in the veggies and fruit and other foods and a few carbs. They said to keep total carbs less than 30gms, including what's in my veggies although she said I don't really need to count those unless I seem to be eating things with higher carbs like sf pudding.

However I am happy now because I think I can actually do this until my goal, because I can eat salad and my favorite fruit (blueberries) on occasion, and I can eat sf pudding, and cheese!! Never thought I'd say I looked forward to salad!!

Awesome job!! That's impressive!!

[mzthang581]

Originally Posted by Swirveegrl

Stick with it everyone it is so worth it! It's the best gift you can give yourself
url=http://www.************.com/weight-loss-ticker][img]http://tickers.************.com/ticker/show/480/7345/4807345.png[/img][/url]
Created by ************.com - Free Weight Loss Tools

Don't forget to check out my album for before pics!

Your pics are so inspiring!!

[barbwired]

Happy holidays everyone! Congrats on the losses and sticking with it during this challenging time. Let's all strive to enter the new year feeling fabulous!

Barb

[Fit2010]

Merry Christmas blessings to all my MWL friends!! Enjoy family and friends this wonderful season. Celebrating the greatest gift of all...

John 3:16

[ferrarimomof3]

Originally Posted by hyonlyf

I'm hanging in there, in maintenance, and actually got the green light to eat *gasp* carbs AND 1000 calories a day!! I cannot bring myself to do it...yet LOL

I am at 133lb and happy except for the hair loss and saggy skin, both of which will improve over time, so says the clinic.

Good luck to everyone out there, it is the HARDEST time of the year to change your WOE but the results are so worth the effort!!

Merry Christmas to you all

Congratulations on making it to maintenance. I haven't been on in a while. You will get used to being able to eat carbs. My advice is don't freak out when the scale varies. It will do that when you first add them back. Just stick with watching your calories and exercise and you will be fine. Merry CHRISTmas and happy new year.

[ferrarimomof3]

Merry CHRISTmas and happy new year everyone. I must say it has been a change this CHRISTmas season with being smaller. But, I love it. I seen pics the other day from last year and all I could do was cry. I am so much healthier and happier now. Let me tell you all it is and you are worth all the hard work it takes. I read somewhere the other day that in 6 months you will not remember what that candy or cookie tasted like. But, you will remember the 6 months it takes to work off the extra weight. I believe this and I am looking forward to the new year ahead. I for once have a new resolution this year. It is to get ready to run a 10K and start getting ready for a half marathon. Keep up the hard work everyone.

[Fit2010]

ferrarimomof3 - Good to hear from you again!!! So happy for you to have a wonderful Christmas of good size memories. That was me last year when I was just about 5 lbs over goal three months after reaching goal....then grad school assignments worsening etc and I'm up, up, up from lack of time to plan/focus/exercise. I'll be back at it in about 2 wks after we have "our" Christmas from Jan 4-8th here when DDX2 come with their guys. I am dreading the discusting feeling of being heavier compared to last year, but it is what it is and I will just have to work on it again. AND now I'm DONE with grad school, as of just about 5 days ago! Horray!! Love your CHRISTmas message! Hope you have a fantastic New Year and I know you can reach your 10K goal!!

[Swirveegrl]

Originally Posted by ferrarimomof3

Merry CHRISTmas and happy new year everyone. I must say it has been a change this CHRISTmas season with being smaller. But, I love it. I seen pics the other day from last year and all I could do was cry. I am so much healthier and happier now. Let me tell you all it is and you are worth all the hard work it takes. I read somewhere the other day that in 6 months you will not remember what that candy or cookie tasted like. But, you will remember the 6 months it takes to work off the extra weight. I believe this and I am looking forward to the new year ahead. I for once have a new resolution this year. It is to get ready to run a 10K and start getting ready for a half marathon. Keep up the hard work everyone.

[VannishingGrl]

Well last week was a struggle. I bake...ALOT! Its actually a side business I have. And there was more than once I caught myself licking the spoon as it made its way to the sink. My weigh in had me holding steady which I couldn't believe. And I relaxed a little on Christmas Dinner but kept the diet in the back of my head. But stuck fast to no booze. This week I'm back on track, and even worked out yesterday. Saturdays weigh in I am hoping to be down 2 lbs.

[Michelynn]

I lost 3.1 pounds this week!!

I have been very careful but haven't deprived myself. I've had a few bites of sweets but have stayed mostly on plan.

I know this is a tempting time of year, but if you've been investing in Medi and in yourself, don't let those short-term tastes-good indulgences derail you!!

[Swirveegrl]

Originally Posted by Michelynn

I lost 3.1 pounds this week!!

I have been very careful but haven't deprived myself. I've had a few bites of sweets but have stayed mostly on plan.

I know this is a tempting time of year, but if you've been investing in Medi and in yourself, don't let those short-term tastes-good indulgences derail you!!

[DiniRN]

Congrats on the loss Michelynn! That's great!!

I'm nervous about my next weigh in, first one after week 1, and although I've stuck to it, except for eating a little more lettuce or broccoli than I "should" I feel like I've messed up. I think I may not be eating enough, today I'm struggling to even get in 500 cal of protein. I had 4oz of Tilapia for lunch, only 100cal, and I woke up late so "lunch" was really at like 6pm. I had some turkey pepperoni and yogurt for a snack while watching a movie. That only puts me at 280 protein calories, but I had a good size caesar salad at lunch that was over on my "good fat" and totalled 260 cal. None of which was protein... I feel like I cheated by having it.

Anyway, I'm going to do my best to stick to it, I get bored easy and really need to learn to cook and prepare, as I'm also not good at that. Anyone have any favorite quick and easy recipes or meals they like?

[hyonlyf]

Originally Posted by ferrarimomof3

Congratulations on making it to maintenance. I haven't been on in a while. You will get used to being able to eat carbs. My advice is don't freak out when the scale varies. It will do that when you first add them back. Just stick with watching your calories and exercise and you will be fine. Merry CHRISTmas and happy new year.

Thank you! And yes, the scale variances freak me out LOL I am still not comfortable eating carbs, but I know as time passes I will give in-to healthy carbs only from fruit, veggies and some whole wheat items.

I was just given the go ahead to eat 1000 calories. 1000 calories So scared weight will creep back. Due to the holidays I have not been exercising as usual so another bump in the road.

On a happy note, a few FB friends messaged me and asked how I lost weight I shared my "secret".

Keep coming by now and again, I always enjoy a good maintenance update.

[hyonlyf]

Originally Posted by VannishingGrl

Well last week was a struggle. I bake...ALOT! Its actually a side business I have. And there was more than once I caught myself licking the spoon as it made its way to the sink. My weigh in had me holding steady which I couldn't believe. And I relaxed a little on Christmas Dinner but kept the diet in the back of my head. But stuck fast to no booze. This week I'm back on track, and even worked out yesterday. Saturdays weigh in I am hoping to be down 2 lbs.

Yep, I was a spoon AND beater licker over the holidays. So naughty. I did try chewing spearmint gum while I worked and it helped a lot!

[Swirveegrl]

Great job to all of you staying the course, especially during the holidays! This will surely help you stay the course for the coming New Year. Remember that staying on plan will decrease your cravings for those foods that make you fat. Yes fat I said it! If you don't want to be that anymore, take control of what you put between your lips; and surely you will have a new lease on life. You will be free to be you, without being smothered by the extra pounds keep up the great work, you are all worth it!

[Fit2010]

DiniRN - Check out the various MWL recipe threads we have built up here in the LCF site. Some are quick and easy, some are a little more dressy. Good luck!

[fd1019]

Hello my dieting companions!

First post on LCF! I am on day 2 and feeling great! My husband is doing this with me... Both started on Dec 28th, after coming home from holiday festivities. We have been together for 6 years and this is the first time I've ever gotten him to watch what he's eating! He asked how the diet worked and I told him the first week was way too hard for him... Only protein. He said that was one diet he could stay on and stepped up to the challenge! haha.

We also made bets with each other... If he cheats, he cleans out the garage. If I cheat, he gets home cooked meals (different every night) for a month straight (after he's done with the program)... And I work full time and commute, so that would not be easy! Now that is motivation!

We are both hoping to lose 30 pounds. I'm curious to see how much I will lose per week because I am really not very overweight... 5'8" and 165 lbs. I am, however, 25 lbs heavier than when we got married, and have considerably less muscle mass, which is why I'm doing this in the first place! Youth is on our side though, ages 25 (me) and 27 (him), and it is only the two of us in our house, so we won't be tempted by other people's carbs! haha. Wish us luck!

[sweetdulcelife]

Hi there!

I am 28 years old and recently had the most precious Baby Boy (born Oct 2011). My goal: To loose 40 lbs.

I am on day 2 and I have to say it is not as bad as I thought. I am a bit hungry but I've been able to manage. I am taking the Natural Appetite Suppresants due to an abnormal EKG. Hopefully is nothing (made an appt. with the cardiologist).

I am very excited to start adding new foods every week. I cannot wait to see how much I loose this 1st week.

[fd1019]

Welcome sweetdulcelife! We have similar goals though I do not have a baby to take care of! DH and I are on day 3 and doing great! Hang in there and we'll reach our goals!