Hi,I'm new and have a condiments question!

[Desha]

Good morning all,

Jane/Lisa

It's been and it's going to be pretty hectic for the next month for me. I'm an occasionally coffee drinker but I noticed lately that I'm pretty tired and I'm going to re-introduce coffee more regularly back into my diet. I bought some of that sugar free, carbfree coffee mate. Does anyone use this if so has it stalled you?

Desha

[LoveJohn]

Hi Desha!

I used to use the coffee mate stuff, but I had to give it up because believe it or not, I kind of think I got addicted to the flavor/creamy consistency and had to keep using more and more. So I cut it out. I don't know if it effected my weight that much, I wasn't on the diet then.

Give it a try for a couple days, maybe a week and see if it effects your weight or not, then you'll know.

I would think that something that is sugar-free and no-carb would be okay, but just depends on your metabolism.

Let us know how it goes, it will be interesting to hear how it works or does not work for you.

Take Care, and don't forget to take time for yourself each day, no matter how busy you are!

Jane

[ls135]

Hi Guys!

Desha, I've switched to drinking my coffee black w/splenda... do u guys use splenda?
I'm afraid to start the flavor coffee mates...i too would probably get addicted to them.
I have a sweet tooth! But I agree with Jane, go ahead and try it...it doesn't seem like it should affect the diet...but everyone's different.

Jane,
What's crazy about TOM is I always forget when its coming...doing lc really helps..i have no cramps at all...and no I haven't had any cravings.. I know its weird..but if you ask my family I'm sure they can tell you I am a bigger WITCH at certain times of the month. I just seem to be witchier - thats what I notice! Lucky them!!! I think I'm going to pick a day to get on the scale... I don't like getting on it everyday...but your right...what a motivator!!! So I think it will be Friday mornings... good push to behave on the weekends!!!

How's everyones day going?? mines good... i'm going to go do some yardwork...keep me out of trouble & the kitchen.

Have a good one...
Lisa

[Desha]

Hey Lisa,

I like the Friday morning weight-in that's a good idea. I agree that would motivate me and get through the weekend as well.

Desha

[LoveJohn]

Hi Desha and Lisa,

I'm still hanging in there..

I passed by temptation yesterday, saw a box of Suzy-Q's in the store and felt the urge to buy them even though I wasn't hungry (old habits die hard and they are my verrryyy favorite cakey snacks).

So......I bought a Slim-Jim instead - I don't know if that will affect my diet and maybe I shouldn't have fell into the immediate gratification mode, but I had to buy something, seems funny now....

Take care, I'll check in later.
Jane

P.S. Since you both are going to do Friday weigh-days, I may move my day up to Friday's as well. That seems like a fun thing to do!!!!

[ls135]

Hi...

How's everyone's day going... good job Jane - the slim-jim should be just fine...definetly better than Suzy-q's...I love all the crap too..obviously - look at my weight!!! Anyways,
I am doing pretty good... I'm tempted to go on the scale...but I am waiting until Friday.
Worked in the yard late afternoon until about 7:00 - to late to eat...so I'm just going to have a diet pop & some H2O!! I'm not feeling hungry...again it's a mind over matter thing for me... I really liked the fast...I feel in control and I'm learning to say no & really seeing if I am hungry before I eat anything. It's tough especially with the family...all normal weight (thank goodness) I tell my girls all the time don't get fat...it's not fun. I think they realize the struggle I go through...so they are behind me!!!
Glad we're all weighing in on Fridays... I think it will pump us up for the weekend!!! We can do this ladies... we can do this - I am really shooting for my ideal weight - someday!

Take care...thanks for the support...

Lisa

[ls135]

Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is doing good... Tomorrow's scale day...I hope it shows a big 'loss'
I have survived vacation w/out cheating - pretty good...
Well, hope to hear from everyone soon...

Take Care
Lisa

[LoveJohn]

Hello,

Congrats on surviving vacation, Lisa!

Still doing good as far as I can tell, no cheating - busy day at work though and 1/2-way through my last big glass of required water, then I get to have a diet coke!

I'm ready to step on the scale in the a.m., however TOM ("Aunt Flo" to me), is coming within the next week so don't know if that will effect it or not, sometimes I bloat up a couple days before, other times the day of. Hope "Auntie" waits till next week, would like to have some inspiration for the weekend!!!

I'll be gone this eve but will check in late tonight, if not will see what Mr. Scale has for me in the a.m., ha ha!

Good luck to you (and you too Desha!!!)

Talk to ya later
Jane

[ls135]

Hi...

I hope I'm not disappointed tomorrow...I've been really, really good...so hopefully Mr.Scale will agree and 'Auntie' won't ruin it too much!!! I hope we all are pleasantly surprised!!! - Talk to you all tomorrow!!!!

Lisa

[LoveJohn]

Good Morning!

Well the official weight this a.m. is 218.5 - I usually don't count 1/2 pounds but that's what the scale showed so I'm gonna go with it, so I've lost 1.5. lbs. this week, and I have tried hard and not intentionally cheated so I feel I'm deserving of the 1/2 lb mark.

So that's 18.5 pounds in just over a month. I feel good about the weight loss even though it's not as much as I would of like, but hey, I'm still losing!!!!! And I am FINALLY below 220, and my next big goal is 215.

Hope you both had better luck today! Can't wait to hear how you're doing!

I'll check back later!
Jane

[ls135]

CONGRATS JANE!!!! 18.5lbs in a month is awesome!!!! It's just terrific...don't get down - it takes some people months to lose that!!! You'll reach your goal before u know it!!!

Well, I got on this morning...not as good as I hoped for...but I'm blaming it on 'Auntie' - it was down 5lbs... I'm going to stick with what I am doing because I feel next week should hopefully show a bigger loss - because my body should be back to normal!!!

Are you guys doing any exercising?? I really don't do it regularly - I'm just concerned about how my skin is going to sag...if (I mean 'when') I get down to my 'ideal' weight!!
My goal is to be under 2 by October...I think I can do it using stillmans way...I wish I would have found this years ago... it is so encouraging seeing more than a 1lb or 2 come off in a week!!! I still might try fasting...or just eating once a day; hopefully that will speed up the weight loss. Have either of you noticed if you eat less you lose more or less?? I'm just trying different ways to see what would make me lose more faster....

Thanks for your input... have a great day & I'll check back later!!
Lisa

Desha - hope to hear from you soon... I know you're going to rock on that scale!!!!!

[LoveJohn]

Lisa,
WOW, 5 lbs is great!!!!

Don't be worried that you're losing the weight too slow...if you stop eating or cut back too much, I think you could stop losing weight all together, because your metabolism might slow down so much or shut down, and what you'll lose is all muscle, not the fat that you want to get rid of.

And I don't know if a person can consistenly lose 5 lbs. a week, as much as we all would like. I think 2 lbs. is a reasonable result, it's taking the weight off consistently and giving the body time to adjust muscle, skin, tone, etc.

As far as exercise, I don't do anything other than stretching exercises at this point. I did buy new shoes and a new harness collar for our dog specifically so I would walk, but our temps here have been around 103 the last couple weeks or so, and it's too hot to walk. I'm looking forward to the fall weather in a couple weeks, and then will be walking hopefully at least 3X a week.

So hang in there, you'll get there!
Have a great day!!!
Jane

[ls135]

Hi Jane..

thanks for the support... I'm going to eat a little more... not too much though...I just know that my friend that had gastric didn't eat that much & lost quickly. But I don't want to lose muscle (the little i have..lol) but definetly the inches & fat.

I'm really going to try to pick up the pace w/ exercising...its gotta help!!

Talk to you later.
Lisa

[LoveJohn]

Lisa,
I don't think I answered your question about me trying to eat less, etc. in order to lose more weight.

I know that this morning I looked at the pkg of cheese that I had and it was regular cheese instead of the low-fat stuff, so that might have prevented it. So this next week I am going with the low-fat, and try to cut back just a little.

However, I already feel that I'm not eating much, I rarely eat breakfast, and lunch is ususally a boiled egg with a bit of some kind of meat, a piece of cheese and then maybe a little container of jello. Supper is ususally a regular serving of meat and then I don't eat the rest of the night unless it's jello later. I drink all my water everyday and have actually cut back on coffee and diet coke too.

I try to eat chicken when I can, I don't like turkey very much since ate so much of it years ago. I might get me a can of tuna and try that, I haven't yet. Mostly I eat the turkey bacon, meatballs, a hamburger, that sort of thing. Sometimes I throw in an egg here and there.

When I lost all that weight in 2004, (I think I went from 235 down to 165), it took me 6 months. I exercised every night and I also walked 3X a week. I think that was the key, to do a bit of exercise.

At 165, however (I'm 5'3"), my thigh skin was saggy a bit over my knees and the under-arm dangle was still there a bit even though I had done the 2 lb. weights every day.

Other than that, I felt healthy and toned, so exercise I guess, too. And I am not athletic at all, rather clumsy instead. Just simple little repetative easy exercises.

So, I guess, if I lost 70 lbs between Jan. 04' and end of June 04' thats about 11 lbs. a month or so. Not too bad and I followed the diet really strictly. The first month (Jan.), I lost the most, so about 2.5 each week.

I'm sorry, I know I'm rambling, just trying to give you and idea what worked for me last time. I really need to now start back doing my exercies. This is sorta what I did each evening. About 20 toe touches, 20 girlie push-ups, 20 leg lifts (both on my back and sides), 20 jumping jacks, 20 marching in place, 20 arm lifts with the 2 lb weights, and just stretching everywhere before and after. It only took me about 15 minutes each day.

Hope that helps. I'm just pleased that so far I keep losing a bit each week. I'm really hoping I can keep going as I am almost 50 yrs. old and I need to do this now to keep myself as healthy as I can for the years to come. (and I'm tired of being hefty still).

Thanks for listening, once again.
jane

[LoveJohn]

Hello Lisa, me again,

I thought a it about what you said with your friend having gastric surgery, I so wish that I could afford to do that.

However to my understanding the gastric is a whole different thing, they either band off or remove a big section of your stomach all together, and I don't know but have watched shows on TV, that the foods you can eat are limited (like no sweets, no alcohol) and you have to take supplements for the rest of your life. I may be wrong.

So I think that comparing your weight loss to your friends is unfair to you. It's a completely different metabolic process. I understand why you compare them, hers was a success (how wonderful for her!!!) and you want the same, so it's hard not to compare the two.

The hardest thing for me I think is to really realize the time frame. I know that I will lose the weight on this plan, but it all takes time and sometimes I get impatient, like I wish all the weight would come off in one week - now wouldn't that be a miracle.

I also think it's more difficult for a person who has been heavy for a long time, like all their life, to lose the weight, than say someone who just gained it all recently. Does that make sense? Think of how many years your body has been holding on to that fat and I don't think it will give it up without a fight....(a little attempt at humor).

Stay strong with what you're doing and what feels comfortable, hang in there - I know you'll get there!!!

Jane

[ls135]

Hi Jane,

I'm sorry to say I was not strong or good last nite... had a piece of pizza, sf jello & cool whip, and some funnel cake...which I am still paying for this am. Too much junk for my stomach. I should have just come in and read your comments last nite instead of being in/around food. It is so hard when everyone around you can eat what they want!!! I know I need to stop being a baby and deal with it...it's that self control issue... I know all that stuff got me to where I am now - so it's just something I have to deal with.
Anyways, I am 5'4" and 42 - I really would like to get down to where I look & feel good.
I agree with you, being heavy for soo long just makes my body want to hold on... I put most of this weight on after my second child - she's 10 now & I really let myself go. My oldest is going to be 16 in Dec. I want to be here for my girls...but I want to be healthy-not a burden as I get older and only I can do that. I've let my weight stop me from doing alot of things...and I want that to change!!!
So enough with all that...I cheated and now am ready to start again - fresh. If I go from when I started in April...I have lost 57lbs so far... I want to lose another 30 by October...I think/know I can do it if I put my mind to it and shut my mouth...lol.
I want to start doing some exercises too...thanks for your input. I definetly am going to start the morning routine - specially since school is starting back up - I can do them before work.
About my friend who had gastric... I was just saying that those people literaly starve themselves the first year...eating very little because their stomach's are so small. I believe its been 4 years for my friend and really she looks great - she is 5'4" and 160ish..
My husband's niece also had it done about 3yrs ago... she is 5'4" and 160/150ish I believe she was smaller 140- but because of some meds gained 20lbs & is trying to lose it. She is very young...was 24 when she had it; and is now going to be 27. But my point is they ate very little...protein is supposedly the key. As years pass for them, at least my friend, she says she can eat everything...your stomach does strech - and is able to hold more. I know she is carefull but I have seen her eat just about everything.
So, my comparison was pretty much the amount of food & kind... I know their stomachs were very,very small and what they ate made them full - pretty much instantly!

I am also a very impatient person... so after I read Dr Stillman's book about losing as much as whatever in a week...that 5lbs a week would be so awesome!!! But I am still pretty pumped...I will not get on the scale until next Friday..so I have plenty of time to make up for my cheats...I'm going to be extra good & do some movin over the weekend!! I'm gonna burn those cheats off if it kills me!! lol. I think aunt flo & all that craving talk really got to me subconsiously.

We're going to do it... I am definelty done with my cheats...I always feel horrible after I do it. And I also feel really great when I try on clothes that haven't fit me in YEARS..and that really out weighs food!!!

I saw my daughters friends mom the other nite..and she was like you lost alot of weight..
I don't really like attention for it..i always just say "a drop in the bucket compared to what I have to lose" - I was surprised she noticed...usually people don't ...you know your fat and usually look the same to them. But it was nice... my husband even said i was getting 'smaller' yesterday...he's great he's been with me through thick & thin...lol
He's 6'3" and is now back to 180ish...tall & thin... but not too thin..he looks good.
He lost 40+lbs over the last 7 months since his gaulbladder surgery in Nov. He was very thin when I met him...comes natural for him...lucky dog!!! My older daughter takes after him; she's 5'5.5" and is about 115 - she is slender but not too skinny. My younger daughter isn't bad either she's about 4'6" and around 70lbs - she is shaped more like my side of the family... carries it in her thighs & booty; but she is not fat at all - both my childern are atheletic..and I am grateful for that. My oldest plays volleyball for high school and club; my younger one plays - soccer, volleyball, softball, and basketball...so they can eat pretty much whatever they want - because their so active & young!

I'm sorry I am so going on & on... but I can't help talking about my girls...my pride & joy I'll have to stick up a pic of them & maybe me one day! New day and I moving on...
I will check back later...and I really enjoy your comments/input...they really are helpful!

Desha....what's happening with you??? Hope to hear from you soon!!!

Take care...
Lisa

[LoveJohn]

Hi Lisa!
I enjoyed your email very much! Thanks for sharing. WOW, 57 lbs. lost already, how awesome!!! I am so happy for you.

Don't worry about the cheat, I bet it all tasted good at the time! And the neat thing is that you can start all over again. I used to take a "free" weekend once a month or so while on Stillman's last time, but haven't had the urge to do that yet. We are going to a 4-day music festival in September, so I will hopefully stick to the diet as much as I can until then, and not worry at that time about protein, etc. Just a little break.

Your family sounds neat! I understand what you said about gaining weight after the birth of your daughter. I used to use an excuse to myself that it was "baby fat" that I was carrying, but our son is now 14!! That's a long time to carry it around!!!!

My husband is also tall, about 6'3" and weighs around 190. He tends to gain about 10-15 pounds each winter but works it off once the spring & summer are here. Our son is now almost as tall as my husband, thank goodness, I was hoping he wouldn't be short and pudgy like me!!! Our son carries weight around his middle as well, I wouldn't say he's obese, but he could stand to lose a few. My husband, however says that our son looks just like he did when he was that age and then when he was about 15 or so, he hit a growth spurt and evened out of his long legs and became thinner. So hopefully that will happen to our son as well.

Well, gotta go, have some friends coming over tonight to play music so I gotta get the house cleaned up. (I play guitar & sing and know some other folks who play so we like to get together every once in awhile to "jam" and it's my turn to host it here).

Have a good evening, I'll check in with you tomorrow. Hope Desha is okay.

Take care,
Jane

[LoveJohn]

Lisa and Desha,

Hi, I had a bit of a slip up tonite is my own fault. I needed to go to the store and get groceries but put it off, and when I looked in the frig tonight I didn't have much left but a little bit of turkey bacon, fat-free cheese and jello, and I didn't feel like eating any of them.

So...... in desperation I had a couple big spoonfuls of peanut butter. I don't think it will throw things off much, the carbs and sugars weren't that bad and it actually had more protein than the other 2. I'm going to go to the store tomorrow and stock up on all the stuff that I need.

Have a great Sunday, talk at ya later!!
Jane

[ls135]

Hi Jane,

I don't think the peanut butter is that bad... I personally love it & use to eat a spoonful every nite when I was doing atkins... so I think you'll be ok. Hope you made it to the grocery store...I know sometimes I just get tired of eating the same old thing. Did you eat like a skippy or jif...or do you get fresh ground peanut butter?? I'm thinking the fresh ground..(I can get that from our market here) is probably best..all natural.

How did your jam go?? I bet it keeps your mind off food... did your friends notice your weight loss??? 20lbs is definetly noticable!!!

Well, it's cold & rainy here today - and my youngest has a soccer game in a couple of hours...that should be fun sittin outside!

I'll check back later...have a great day!!! Desha - hope you're doin great!

Lisa

[LoveJohn]

Hi!
Sorry, husband working on computer most of the day yesterday.

On the p.b., we just buy generic. I love peanuts and nuts, and how cool it would be to be able to get fresh ground natural peanut butter!!

Music was good the other night, got to the grocery store okay so now stocked up on meatballs and the like once again.

Boy, I wish it would rain here. This morning it's still 80 degrees out and muggy. At least we've had a small break from the heat, in the upper 90's instead of the 103's we've been having.

I think I did really well over the weekend, however still waiting for Auntie, would have thought the old bag would have been here by now (ha ha), I'll have to watch myself as I always want chocolate during this time.

Well, back to the grind this morning - I hope you have a great Monday, I'll check in later.

Jane

[Desha]

Hey Ladies,

How is everyone? I work on a computer all day long at work so, on the weekend I usually try to stay away from the computer.

I think we should all be appreciative and motivated by the weight we lost so far (this statement is more for me. I just need to hear it read it and type it). I keep forgetting sometimes that I have lost some weight my high was 260 and now I’m 225. That’s 35 pounds. Even though I’m not there yet, at least I’m on my way. I have to keep reminding myself that I have to take it 1 day at a time. But also keep my long-term goal within reach. I would like to reach my long-term goal by December 31 of this year.

With that being said this week wasn’t a good week for me. I have some family and friends going to Iraq in a couple of weeks so we got together and had a good time and ate good food etc. So I’ve been on and off track pretty much all week and most of the weekend. But it’s not all bad I have maintained my weight and I’m back on track today.

I was also looking at my calories. I didn’t realize how many calories I was consuming. Even though I lost weight my calories were higher than I wanted them to be. So today I decided to actually start using fitday. I hope this well help me kept things in order. Do you ladies use fitday? Also, I have started working out again. That’s probably why I’ve been able to maintain my weight through this fun, but stressful week. I’m going to a step class MWF morning at 6am. I’m trying to get back into running again. I was in my best shape when I ran. I try to do that Tu and Th. I’m starting out really slow mostly walking and a little jogging but I hope in the next 30 days to be mostly running and a little walking.

Well happy Monday and I hope everyone has a blessed and productive cheat-free week.

PS: I'm working on uploading another picture of my baby

[LoveJohn]

Hiiiiii Deeeeeesha!

Good to hear from you! Sorry has been a stressful week for you, sounds like you hung in there!!!!!!

I had 2 nephews in Iraq up until about 4 months ago, they came back. Only one of them may be going back though, we haven't heard when yet.

Calories - I know that some people do good, counting their calories and I also know with Stillman's a person totals up more calories than they would imagine. I'm glad that works for you. I admire that you are looking out for your whole health overall, weight loss plus building muscle and tone.

My sister swears by Weight Watchers and enjoys counting up her points and things. I've tried counting grams of fat, calories, etc., and I guess I just get bored or something with all the adding, and then I start cheating little by little, it's all my food addiction needs, to think that I can start having just a little more, and then this little bite won't hurt, etc. The reason I chose Stillman's is that I know exactly what I can eat and I do try to cut back on the food within the diet, and balance it when I can.

I'm also happy that you are getting out and exercising, I think you mentioned in one of your earlier posts that you used to enjoy that. Have fun and run for us!!!

I work 2 jobs so don't have much time for exercising, like I really love walking but is too hot now. But last night I finally started my 15 minute routine I used to do before when I lost weight and I'm encouraged by that, and can do that indoors, anytime. Now once it's cooler, the dog and I are going to be out walking, I may just walk that little Sheltie's legs off!!!

Good to hear from you, I'm at work and so need to get back to it, just checking in!

Take care,
jane

[ls135]

Hi Guys!!

So good to hear from you Desha!! Just keep the faith for your family & friends going to Iraq...I will keep them in my prayers. Don't worry about the weekend... we all have are cheats! Besides, a new day=a new start. Congrats on losing 35lbs - thats great. I completely understand about the computer...sometimes you just get tired of it.
I don't use fitday... I did try writing down what I ate... and well, that didn't last long - a couple of days! I have to pretty much just have a few choices of foods...it's easier for me to stay in control. Great to hear about the excercising - I need to step it up. I think I might try a little workout in the a.m. With the girls going back to school...it's always hectic in the a.m.
I still go back & read Stillman's book...and try to pick up little tidbits along the way... He had an example of a man who ate just one (qwl) a day and lost like 112lbs in 16weeks..why do men get to lose faster than women? not fair! Anyway...I'm gonna try to go to one meal...not sure how that will work.

I couldn't resist stepping on the stupid scale this a.m. - I hate when I do that... because it was only down 1lb . I fasted Sat - and didn't do too bad Sunday or so I thought...and still 1lb.. not sure what is up with that. But I am not giving up!!! I have to go back to work tomorrow...and I am just going to stick with it!!!

Hope everyone's day was cheat free.. talk to you soon..
Lisa

[LoveJohn]

Good Morning Lisa and Desha!!!

I'm still cheat free other than the peanut butter the other day, but I don't feel like it has affected anything. Maybe if it works I can add it in! I'd like to find some natural stuff like Lisa was talking about, I'll look at Wal-Mart and see.

I have to confess, that I, too, stepped on the scale this morning and down by 1/2 lb., and I read the Stillman's book a bit last night too! I think it's the excitement that I know I can lose weight and I just get impatient every day to see those numbers going down!!! Still waiting on Auntie too, so once that's over it may drop a bit.

This diet actually helps me keep from thinking about food all the time, especially when I would be eating a lot of sugar and carbs, that would be my biggest problems. I knew I just ate a meal or a snack, but never.... felt full, and then I couldn't keep from thinking about when I would eat next, why does a person do that? I guess that's a true food addiction.

I just keep myself thinking now and telling myself, that finally, now, I'm doing SOMETHING about my weight, not just eating my head off and saying, "I'll start tomorrow" - or "I can eat that plate of nachos and it will be okay. I have to keep myself going, no matter what.... so I'll take the 1/2 pounds and the pounds as they come because even though it's a small amount it's still working. And maybe I'm not meant to lose a ton of weight each week.

Well, got a lot of work to do today, hope you have a greeaaattt day.

Jane

[Desha]

You ladies are the greatest, so encouraging and so understanding…..You 2 are doing great think positive and keep up the good work. You give me strength to get back on board and work on it another day, even after I have cheated. Thanks for keep me in your prayers and I’ll do the same for you. I pray every night for strength to resist temptation. I have my moments but it is getting better. I remember there was a time if I cheated I would go on a 5 day binge. Now I just pick myself up and dust myself off and start again right away and this to me is PROGGRESS!

Have a Cheat-Free Day!!