Cuya

[cuya]

Time for me to start writing things down...I should have started on January 1st this year when I began the WOE. It would have helped alot! But hindsight is 20/20.

I have always been overweight. My grandmother was overweight, my mother is overweight, my sister is overweight. It is just our legacy I guess. I, unlike my mother and sister am very successful at losing weight once I "put my mind to it", of course, therein lies the rub...it is very rare that my mind goes to it!!

I lost about 80 lbs in 2003 doing Weight Watchers. It didn't really take me that long...about 7 months. Yeah me! Well, then the unthinkable happened - I got pregnant (I was 43 years old by the way)...i thought I was menopausal...nope pregnant...augh. I am not the mother of a three year old however , I lost the baby, due to MASSIVE uterine fiberous cysts (seriously they were the size of grapefruits -gross). I ended up having a hysterectomy, and I let myself go...and go...and go. I am sure it was due to so many emotions (sadness, anger, guilt). I ended up gaining about 70 lbs back. I didn't even care. I am sure if it hadn't been for a picture taken of me last year, I would have eaten myself into oblivion. I saw the picture, and cried for two days...it was a stark reality, that I had not let myself see until then! I came to the realization that I had to do something...for myself, my DH and my three grown children.


I decided to go back to WW...and did on Oct 1st, 2005. I stayed with it 3 weeks. I was very stringent, no cheats...just like in 2003...nothing lost in three weeks!! How could this be? I was ticked off beyond belief. I stayed with it one more week...still nothing. FORGET IT!! I will try something else, I decided!

So a friend at work told me about Atkins, and of course I said...NO WAY, it is soooooo unhealthy. I was not going to kill myself with all that fat!! Except I was killing myself with all MY fat. I watched my friend steadily lose through the rest of the year. She had lost 25 lbs., and looked great. She told me all about her new found energy...she just glowed!! She also told me about this site. I smiled, shook my head, and said thats great, but not for me. BUT, I filed it away in my memory banks just in case.

New Year's Eve was closing in fast, and I was determined to do something! I took out my Christmas Present from my DH (my laptop), and did a GOOGLE search for weight loss success stories (I needed inspiration). I read and read for 6 straight hours...Low Carb was a resounding theme!! What was that web site my friend had told me about??? oh yeah, low carb friends...GOOGLED again...and here I am. I read here for another few hours...and thought ok, cool, I'm gonna try it. I read everything on the subject on December 31st...watched a BIGGEST LOSER Marathon on the BRAVO channel on New Years Day...and I was psyched...on my way!!

I haven't looked back since then. I have lost 49 lbs, and 3 dress sizes.

I began at 220lbs, currently I weight 171.6, and I have my sights set for 135lbs.

My Commitment: Journal everyday, from this day forward.

[Madeleine]

HI Cuya! Hey, so we don't have to post on two separate boards, why don't we use the journal board. We can read each others journals and respond to the journals. I am posting my daily information in my journal write after this.

Since I've read your background, all I can say is wow! I'm staring at 20 extra lbs, and when I look at what you've done, I'm inspired. You go!!!

[cuya]

Thanks Madeleine

I have been so tired today...Last night as I was writing my first journal entry, I felt my mouth begin to swell up like a balloon I hadn't eaten anything unusual...nothing wierd at all?!?!? So I took a Bendryl...low and behold, the swelling went down fast...so did I. I was asleep by 8pm! I have been moving at half speed all day. I couldn't wait to get home from work and get horizontal!! So thankfully my laptop fits well into my "flat on my back" plan for the rest of the day! My DH is a doll, and is picking his dinner up on his way home from work..

My menu for the day:

B: 3 HB egg whites only, 4 pieces of bacon
L: 1/2 cup tuna with mayo, 2 pieces of provolone cheese and 1 cup of chicken broth
D: 1/2 Avocado, 1 small tomato and 3 oz. chicken breast

I weighed 171.2 this morning (down .4 lb from yesterday)

I am hoping that I am at least 170.9 in the morning...I'm ready to claim my
"50 lbs. Gone" Avatar!

[cuya]

I was so bummed this morning on the scale...I thought I was going to get my wish and be below 171, in order to claim my 50 lb. Club Avatar. The numbers flashed 170.8 - for a split second, then changed to 171.0. AUGH. I stepped off, then back on again...same result 171!!! Bummer

I just want to get to that milestone sooooo much. I know that I look much better than I did 49 lbs ago, but I want to claim it now!!

I need to reach my goal of 135 by December 20th of this year. As of today I am 36 lbs away. Exactly 2 lbs per week is what I need to lose! I must do this!

December 20th is when my DH and I fly to Hawaii to spend Christmas with my son who is stationed at Pearl Harbor. I established that goal on January 1st when I started this WOE. That is 85 lbs in one year...thats do-able right?? I am feeling discouraged right now...is it all because of that stupid scale this morning??

Tomorrow is my DD's 20th birthday, and I promised her I would take her to Sushi for lunch. She loves it so much, but can't afford it unless I pay! She begged me to eat Sushi with her (she said no just having Miso Soup and a salad Mom). She wants me totally carbed up I guess?!?!?!? So I decided I will eat Sushi..get my fill but NO dinner tomorrow night. I think I can ask the Sushi Chef to spread the rice SUPER thin. I'll report how it was tomorrow evening.

My menu for today was:

B: 2 scrambled eggs, 4 pieces of bacon
S: 1 stick of string cheese
L: 6 oz. New York Steak w/ 1 piece of Provolone Cheese over the top
S: Another stick of string cheese
D: 6 Jalapeno Poppers (from Linda Sue's Site - Induction Friendly)

80 oz of water

**Boy it sure seems like I had alot of cheese today!!

I wasn't able to take my walk today...work was insane...everyone was grumpy! Maybe it was my nasty scale Karma....

[Madeleine]

Tomorrow it will say 170!

[cuya]

Yep...I was 169.8 this morning - SWEET

I was so stoked...I was hoping for 170...but the scale gave me a little .2 lb gift! 169.8

I took my DD to Sushi today...she was so excited. I had 2 1/2 sushi rolls. The Sushi Chef really thinned out the rice for me...so it wasn't that bad. Still I am sure that I probably had like 40 carbs today...well over the 20 induction limit. But I am not eating dinner tonight, and tomorrow, back on strict induction!

My Menu for the day:

B: 2 scrambled eggs, 4 pieces of bacon
L: 2 1/2 Sushi Rolls (augh)

Water: 80 oz

I hope that I am not up tomorrow morning, but if I am , thats ok, back to induction...onward and upward (or downward).

[cuya]

So, now that my weight is under 170, I decided to check my BMI again...I am no longer OBESE...I am OVERWEIGHT! I was so excited. I can hardly wait until my Fitday reflects it too...I'm getting closer!!

[Madeleine]

Fantastic, Cuya, Fantastic!!!!!

[cuya]

from the Sushi I'm sure...Rice and soy sauce...not a good combo. But I swore that I would be back on plan hard and heavy today...which I was.

My Menu Was:

B: 2 scrambled eggs, .5 oz shredded jack cheese, 4 pieces bacon
S: 2 TBLS Cream Cheese, 1 packet Splenda, squeeze of lemon juice (yum)
L: 10 Broiled Shrimp, .5 cup zucchini & snow peas
S: 1 stick string cheese
D: 1 Rotiserrie Chicken Breast

80 oz of water

VIGILANCE!

[cuya]

SLOWLY coming back down from Sushi...I don't care if my DD begs me next year...either it's Miso soup and salad, or we go to a steakhouse! I went grocery shopping last evening...I had printed off Linda Sue's Low Carb Shopping list from her site...it is very helpful. All of the staples for Low Carb cooking. I spent a BUNCH of money...but I am set for a lowcarbapalooza!! Got my DH a few high carby things, 'coz he still loves bread and rice.

It is the week-end, so I must remember my mantra...water,water,water! (I always have such a hard time when I am not at work, following a certain routine).

I have 20 ozs. down so far, and it's just 6:40am

[Madeleine]

Hey Cuya!

Don't beat yourself up. Just get right back on your plan. Sometimes deviating and then seeing the results can be a big motivator.

You are doing great. Have a blessed day!

[cuya]

Had a great day...DH and I watched Golf all day (one of our favorite things to do, other than watching our beloved Dallas Cowboys kick butt - hopefully more this year than last). I put my laptop up on my kitchen counter...pulled Linda Sue's site up, and started chopping, shredding, wisking and baking. I have enough to eat well for lunch and dinner for at least the next week. (I don't have to share with my DH, 'coz he likes his carbs).

My Menu for the Day:

B: 3 Scrambled Eggs, 3 pieces of Bacon
S: 4 Tomatoe Slices
L: 1 slice of YUMMY Whitecastle Pie & 1/2 Avacado
S: SF Jello
D: Another slice of Whitecastle Pie

80 oz water

[indogia]

you are doing great!!


hugs


indy
xxxxxxxxxxx

[Madeleine]

My DH and I watched golf all afternoon yesterday, too, and will do the same today.

After the late Friday night, I didn't have much energy for doing anything other than relaxing in the afternoon. But preparing food duing Golf today is a great idea.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[cuya]

Sushi weight is gone!! 169.6 is my new low. WOOHOO!

Hi Indy...thanks for checking in & the kind words

Hey Madeleine...another Golf fan...yeah!!! I remember laughing at my parents when I was in High School as hey watched Golf, thinking WOW, if I ever do that -shoot me! Well I guess I should be shot - ha We love it! We ATTEMPT to play...we have made a pact that we wll practice, practice, practice before we head to Hawaii...our son is a great golfer, and plays three times a week. He flew over to Kauai last November and was in the gallery following Mickelson and Tiger...He plans on going over this November as well. He says it's pretty fun.

I'll post again later with my menu.

[cuya]

Todays Menu:

B: Last piece of my YUMMY Whitecastle Pie
S: SF Jello
L: Bowl of YUMMY Southwest Taco Soup (Linda Sue's Site)
D: Beef Strogonoff (Linda Sue's Site), 4 slices of tomato & 1/2 Avocado
S: Lemon Cheesecake Fluff (cream cheese, squeeze of lemon & Splenda) -YUM

Everything I ate was soooooooooo yummy today!! Happy,Happy,Joy,Joy


80 oz water

[Madeleine]

If you get to Indiana, let me know what area.

Check the internet for Indiana Wineries. They are very organized and you can see which wineries are in the area you are visiting.

[cuya]

Going down steadily...love eating at induction levels! Will be back later...

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by Madeleine

If you get to Indiana, let me know what area.

Check the internet for Indiana Wineries. They are very organized and you can see which wineries are in the area you are visiting.

Hello and .. wanted to wish you the very best hun..

and Madeleine.. good to see someone else from Indiana..
hugs ladies..

[Madeleine]

Thanks, Monet. By the way, your stats and progress are fantastic!

Much success to you from a fellow Hoosier.

[Madeleine]

Cuya, you are sailing along! 160 mark is not too far away! You could be there in a couple more weeks!

[cuya]

Hey Monet thanks for droppin' in...I have lurked on your journal for a while, and think that you are doing fantastic!! You inspire me sooooo much!

Hey Madeleine...I would absolutely let you know if we decide to try an Indiana tasting adventure! Since your husband has started his own vineyard...I may be visiting you, and sampling YOUR private reserve

I am going to be spending tomorrow evening with my wine loving buddy, and I have decided to drink a glass or two of my favorite Muscat Wine...she's been in Seattle, and called me today letting me know that she bought a couple bottles for me I will make sure I have plenty of carbs left in my daily bank!

I had great compliments at work today...the outfit I wore makes me look alot smaller...I must have gotten comments from 20 people today! It made me feel wonderful...a couple told me that I have lost TOO MUCH weight! I told them about my BMI experience, and that I am still considered Overweight. I always tell them thank you, but I know I still need to lose weight...I've seen myself naked!

My Menu for the Day:

B: 3 HB egg whites, 4 pieces bacon
S: 1 stick of String Cheese
L: Bowl Southwest Taco Soup
S: SF Jello
D: 6oz steak & 10 medium Garlic Shrimp

80 oz water

Good Day!!!!!!!!!

What am I saying...GREAT Day...my Cowboys are on Monday Night Football Tonight!!!!!!!

[monet0329]

Thanks sweetie... that soup sounds yummy.... have a great game night..

[cuya]

We won 30-7 !! Like I said...GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!

[cuya]

Still going down! Induction works~!~

[Madeleine]

Yes, it works.

What's even more surprising for me is that I have gone up to 25 g of carbs per day, and the ketosis has registered more consistently in moderate than it did when I was in induction. While in induction, my ketostix showed mainly Small or a little darker than Small. Once or twice, Moderate.

Since OWL, it's been Moderate. Cool.

165 in 2 more days Cuya!!!

[cuya]

But I ate ONLY Induction Friendly Foods...so I got my fill, but I ate alot!

Menu:

B: 2 Scrambled Eggs w/ a smidge of shredded cheese on top, 4 pieces of bacon
S: 1 stick of string cheese
L: Bowl Southwest Taco Soup (I LOVE this stuff)
S: SF Jello
D: 6 oz steak, 3 oz chicken breast & 1/2 Avocado

I guess that today's menu isn't much different than yesterday, except for the 1/2 avocado and chicken breast, so maybe I'm not doing too bad.

I actually exercized yesterday a little...I did 150 crunches, and leg lifts and resistance. I WILL do at least this much today as well. I made a pact with myself that I would exercize once I got into my 160's...so I will honor that.

Once I get to my 150's I am going to a really high end salon, and get my hair professionally colored (no more Ms. Clairol), and styled (no more Supercuts). I watch my friends at work, and they go to their salons every 6 weeks religiously...I have never spent money on myself that way...what am I saying..I have never purchased an article of MY clothing for more than $25.00 other than a coat...same for shoes. So I am going to be treating myself to that in the 140's. I guess thats true for most Moms...I would have rather bought my clothes at a thrift store, and made sure that my kids had what they needed (and I had three). I am however an "empty nester" now, and make a very good living, but I still have that mind-set...so I need to shake that up a little. And of course I am HOPING to be at goal (135 lbs) by the time I go to Hawaii...that is the biggest gift to myself!!

I wasn't only hungry today,but very chatty to boot.