Losing weight after menopause

[Madeleine]

I am feeling successful today!

From April through June, I exercised regularly without really altering my diet other than eat a little bit less. I lost 1.5 inches and then stalled for several weeks, and then found myself not only losing my motivation but also gaining a little back.

I went through the same thing last year, lost my motivation and then gained back. This year, I tried something different. I went back to Atkins, which I had used 7 years earlier to lose the 8 lbs I needed to lose.

I just completed my 8th day of induction, and I today I measured myself and have lost a quarter inch on my hips, a half inch around my stomach, and a half inch across my midriff.

8/14 Hips 40.25, stomach 41, midriff 31.5

[cuya]

I decided to begin a Journal, and low and behold you are here too! I really feel the need to write things down...so I am beginning mine today! See you tomorrow with our menus.

[Madeleine]

I am completing day 9 of induction, and I want to thank God the Eternal for my success and being with me always. I thank God also for my lowcarb buddy, Cuya.

I can't believe how much more energy I have already. I have been coming home and have been fighting the desire to just plop. It's been hard exercising feeling this way, but I am honoring that part of me that persevered.

My husband had a poor night's sleep last night, and he finally just got up at 4:30 and got ready for work and left. I felt so bad for him. I thought about him all day, and how fatigued he was going to be. Since we both work, we usually just come home and fend for ourselves each night. But I wanted to get home, straighten up from this morning, and fix him something good to eat. And just let him relax.

I ended up preparing something that we both could eat. Here is my daily intake today:

Breakfast 2 hard boiled eggs (not very exciting), coffee, tad of cream
Lunch Tuna salad (1 canned tuna, egg, and Tbs homemade mayonaise)
Snack Atkins bar
Dinner Sauteed chicken strips, with yellow squash, bit of onion, sprinkled with a little Sargento sun dried tomato and basil cheese

Lots of water! I tested with the ketostick this morning, and I was in moderate, which is very good for me.

My day is not yet complete. I am going to try to do some pilates and a little bit of weights this evening still.

[cuya]

not only for your kind words for me, but the kindness you evidence in the care and compassion for you husband. There are so many ways to tell someone how you feel about them..your husband must be feelin' the love!

[Madeleine]

I didn't get the best start to my Atkins today.

I took boiled eggs to work, and made egg salad there with some homemade mayo I took on Monday. I took one taste and wanted to puke. I through it out, but everyone in my area was running around complaining about the smell of rotten eggs! Hey, I was to embarassed to own up.

But, I was forced then to eat an Atkins bar for breakfast, which I don't like to do.

I was trying to get ready for a job fair tomorrow, and everything was falling apart at the last minute. No appropriate transportation to the fair. The copier was broken, and I needed copies. Sigh.

But, I was able to get out at lunch and get appropriate food. So, had a decent lunch. And of course, drank lots of water throughout the day.

The main thing I am happy about is that I didn't let the stress let me turn to some comfort food.

Here's my intake today:

Atkins Bar for breakfast
2 slices turkey and some radishes for lunch
Roast beef for dinner
Decaf mocha with a tad of cream for snack

Walked two miles!

The best part of the day is that it appears that they may have found Jon Benet's murderer. Thank you, God.

[cuya]

Hey Girl,

I know that you were stressed at work, but you did great with your eating and exercise! I'm impressed. I probably would have just sat down and vegg'd...but not you...a 2 mile walk...I don't do that on a GOOD day!

You are awesome!

[Madeleine]

I had that one awful night of sleep on Wednesday night that happens every once and a while. And as a result, Thursday wasn't the best day.

I had a long day because I was attending a job fair for my company. Lots of talking and lots of standing. I was good, though, I took roast beef to eat. And I drank water. I also had some radishes.

Somehow the lack of sleep, though, really caused huge cravings yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, I fed them with an Atkins bar (one and a half!)

I didn't exceed the carb allotment, because I had bacon and eggs for dinner.

I was pretty exhausted from lack of sleep, so I retired early.

The start of today was much, much better, and hopefully, the diet will go as smoothly today as it was going up until yesterday. Yesterday was the only day on induction I had the 'ickies'.

[cuya]

But it is the week-end!!! (hopefully it is your week-end)... Rest, Revive & Rejuvenate!

[Madeleine]

After that difficult Thursday, yesterday was much better.

First, good night sleep on Thursday which always helps.

For breakfast, I finished up the roast beef (maybe 2 oz)

I had a mid-morning moment where I started to feel the ickies again. So I got another 12 oz of water, and had a snack of radishes dipped in a little sour cream. Within about a half hour, I felt just fine, and the rest of the day was great.

Around 4pm I had a snack of a slice of roast turkey. My DH and I were going out to eat, so this is always a temptation.

The restaurant we dined at was a breeze at helping me stay on plan. My DH and wine, while I had club sodas. I had an appetizer of scallops wrapped in bacon, and just didn't dip them in the sauce. My entree was a mixed salad greens with blackened beef tips. I asked them to just bring me oil and vinegar for my dressing, and they did. Of course, I didn't eat all the greens. But I have to say, the meal was totally satisfying.

We stopped to browse (and buy) at Barnes and Noble, and I finished the night with a decaf coffee, splenda, and a little sprinkle of cocoa.

I have completed 2 week induction. I will weight myself Monday at work in our Safety office on a very accurate scale. I'll also take my measurements then, and see where I am.

This morning, my ketostix showed a little darker than Trace, but not quite Small.

I have debated staying in induction another 2 weeks or trying to up the carbs to 25. I decided this morning, that I'm going to try going up to 25 a day. If I stay in ketosis, I'll keep going at 25. If I don't, I'll go back to 20.

[cuya]

I was thinking the same thing about induction...I have decided I'm going to stick with it as long as I can. I am pretty successful (other than the nasty Sushi incident). I cooked up quite a few low carb yummies today for the rest of the week...all induction friendly. The only thing that has stopped me in the past from sticking to induction was consumption of an occasional glass of white wine...I am not even tempted right now...

[Madeleine]

I can have a glass of dry, red wine and stay in ketosis!

I did so well yesterday. Again, we had an evening planned way in advance to celebrate my sister's birthday, at a local Winery.

So, I had to make the decision: Do I want to try alcohol or no? I didn't want to risk ketosis, but I researched, and it explained alcohol and I found carb counts for wine. I decided that I won't know unless I tried, so I did.

I saved up my carb allotment for the dinner. So:

Breakfast hard boiled egg whites only
Lunch 3 strips bacon
Snack 2 oz sharp cheddar
Dinner 6 small cheese cubes
filet mignon
zucchini and yellow squash (I did not eat the green beans)
1 glass cabernet sauvignon

Here's the best part: The desert was blackberry cobbler, my favorite. I went ahead and accepted the dessert so that my DH could have it, since it is his favorite. Well, when they brought it out, I could barely contain myself. It was just huge with the gorgeous crust. It had to be the best looking cobbler I had seen in a long time.

But, I resisted. And it wasn't that hard. I had a cup of decaf, and I had brought my own heavy cream for my little treat.

This morning, ketosis was between Small and Moderate.

I also walked two miles yesterday and of course drank lots of water.

Tomorrow I will weigh and measure.

Thank you, Cuya, for your support. And as always, thank you Eternal One.

[cuya]

Where do you live (if you dont mind my asking)? You said a local winery...just wondering if you are close to my neck of the woods....I realize that there are wineries all over the country...but I am within a few hours of Napa & Sonoma County...and the other Northern California wineries. My closest girl friend and I head over at least once a year...she is a red wine drinker, and I only drink white (she has been trying to convert me).

Have fun watching the boys chase the ball around today...I know I will!

[cuya]

Oh yeah...congrats on the berry cobbler victory...that would have killed me...I love it too!!

[Madeleine]

I live in Southern Indiana.

There are at least 20-25 wineries in Indiana alone, let alone the surrounding states.

Many of the wineries order grape juice from other areas of the country. They also grow grapes that can grow here, as well.

My husband took up wine-making last year, and this past spring, he started his own little vineyard.

Cuya, I used to drink only white wine, myself. But my cholesterol got a little elevated (not to the point of needing medication), but I chose to try to manage with diet and exercise. I started trying red wines, and incorporating into my diet. Red wine actually can help lower cholesterol. What has happened is that red wines are now my favorites.

[Madeleine]

A good day.

2 scrambled eggs for breakfast, coffee wth cream
Salad greens with chicken for lunch (oil and vinegar)
A decaf mocha
Snack 2 ketoballs
Steak, small salad, and yellow squash with cheese for dinner.

I mixed a little cocoa in the ketoballs for a chocolate treat.

I am getting ready to do some weights while watching TV.

Tomorrow I measure and weigh, but my DH is telling me he can tell I have lost.

[cuya]

I will have to tell my friend...we may be making a road trip to Indiana of all places! My friend tells me the exact same thing...once I start drinking red, I will love it. I don't know...I have tried a few. I do like Merlot - kinda. My friend is into Sangeovese (sp?). She is TOTALLY into the whole experience...she has a wine cellar, a tasting room, the aroma kits...I just kinda go along for the ride

Congrats on the good eating day! I can hardly wait to hear about your progress tomorrow!! Good Luck

[Madeleine]

Just completed induction 2 days ago.

I am down another 3 lbs, so I lost 5 total during induction.

Lost an additional .25 inches in hips, .5 inches in stomach, .5 inches in midriff since last measuring.

Yea!

[cuya]

That is great...you are kicking butt!

[Madeleine]

I hardly thought about food yesterday.

Breakfast tuna fish salad, coffee/cream
Lunch salad greens and chicken, oil/vinegar
Snack Atkins shake
Dinner salad greens, chicken, sauteed squash & onion sprinkled with cheese

Dessert 4 ketosis balls and decaf mocha

Total carbs: appr. 25 g

Oh, it was all delicious. Ketosis staying in the moderate range.

Exercise--Pilates

[cuya]

Boy we are doing great...

Question:

What are Ketosis Balls? I saw that you metioned them a few days ago, and meant to ask you then???

What does your DH think of your weight loss? I bet he is loving it too!!

[Madeleine]

Breakfast-brat, coffee/cream
Lunch-Salad with egg and Ranch dressing
Snacks-Salad with salmon and Atkins shake
Dinner-burger with pickles and ketosis balls for dessert

Last night my DH and I had a dance lesson (we are taking private and group lessons). We got home in time to have our dinner and get settled to watch the performance night of Rockstar Supernova. We watched the INXS competiton last year, and we just thoroughly enjoy this program.

Anyway, since last year, it has been or tradition to drink champagne during the performance episode each week. Since going on Atkins, though, I have stopped. But last night, I thought, 'OK, try a glass and see what it does.'

I will still in ketosis this morning, so that worked out pretty well. As long as I limit it to one fluted glass, I think I can continue to enjoy this little tradition.

My total carbs yesterday were between 25-30, since I don't know for sure what the ketosis balls are.

[cuya]

Thanks for the info on the Ketosis balls!! I will try them after I decide to end induction, although I'm not sure when that will be...'coz I am still completely happy with Induction. You will be proud of me...I went to my friend's house last evening...I declined the white wine and tried the red. I sort of liked it. I cannot drink the red as quickly as the white, so I paced myself and only had one small glass. It was enjoyable.

Congrats on eating so well so consistantly! That s the key.

[Madeleine]

Work was stressful because it started out with some really bad news which will mean starting almost from scratch on a program. OK, got that off my chest. But it did make me crave.

Breakfast--salmon with sour cream, cofee/cream
Snack--Atkins shake
Lunch--salad greens and salmon, oil & vinegar
Snack--peanuts
Dinner--hamburger and salad greens with spicy ranch

DH and I had a private dance lesson (swing and salsa!)

Still in moderate ketosis this morning. Again, I'm really not sure just how many carbs I had, so I'm not sure if I achieved 25 or not. I need to be better about calculating the carbs. The salad green thing is very confusing, because I'm really not sure what constitutes a cup.

I'm just glad the day of work was finally over because it really had me tied up in knots. However, dancing was fun, and a great release!

Thanks, Cuya, for your support. And good on you for trying the red wine!

[cuya]

Sorry to hear about your situation at work...I have had many of those days! Congratulations for not caving into emotional eating...that is so easy to do. Salmon sounds yummy...you made me think...I may go to Costco and get a filet...they are great!!

What flavor Atkins shakes do you drink? I see those alot on your menu...how many net carbs per? I may have to get some of those too...I am having "menu envy"

[Madeleine]

The flavored shake I bought was Chocolate.

I also doctor it up just a little by adding a packet of Splenda and just a little bit of cream. Atkins label says 2 net carbs, but with the Splenda and cream, you will need to up it to maybe 3 or 4 carbs.

I use the shakes as a snack only if I am feeling the cravings, and I know that the usual protein or fat snack won't do it.

They are extremely satisfying!

[Madeleine]

Breakfast was a brat, coffee/cream
Lunch--salad greens with chicken and Oil/vinegar
Snack--macadamia nuts and some cashews
Dinner--burger and salad greens with oil/vinegar

I did some stand up stomach crunches at lunch in my office.

Every Thursday night, the dance studio has party night where they play different types of music so you can practice the different dances you are learning. DH and I went and danced for 45 minutes.

I had a wonderful night's sleep. I think DH and I are going to take our lessons public this weekend and go dancing with our instructors at a salsa club.

It'll be another week before I weigh and measure again, but it's nice even 3 weeks into Atkins that I can actually see a difference.

[cuya]

I am sure with all the dancing you and DH are doing your measurements are going to be shrinking like crazy! I am so impressed and envious...don't get me wrong as much as I am looking forward to another Golf watching week-end...I need to break a sweat! Well done you!! (see he's dancin'..ha)