~KrystaLyn~"Not Just Weight Loss" Journal

[Low Carb Mommy]

OK, signing off......good bye! Love ya!

[KrystaLyn]

Sue, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one battling with the side effects of the Pill. It is VERY hard, but, like you, I have accepted the slow loss. Fortunately, I only have to take them until DH gets home (around Oct-Nov) and even losing only 2 lbs. per month (like I have been since starting the Pill,) I have a good chance of making goal by the time he gets home.

Today I did fine...stayed fairly close to 20 carbs and although I am slightly hungry right now, I'm not going to eat anything else today.

Here is today's menu:

B - Orange Julius Shake - 3

L - cucumber slices - 1.5
ranch dip - 1
Mock danish - 5
2 cheese sticks - 1.5

S - Atkins bar - 2
1 cheese stick - .5
1/2 c. CC milk - 1.5

D - McD Double Cheeseburger sans bun - 5
McD side salad w/ vinegrette - 3
Crystal Light

Total = 24 carbs

[Edwards20]

Sounds yummy Krysta. Hope you have a good day today.

[KrystaLyn]

So I took a sneak peek at the scale this morning. I know, it's not quite June 1st, so technically I still have a day to lose a little more before my official weigh in, but I was VERY HAPPY to see 137.2 on the scale! So despite my "week off" I still managed to lose at least 2 lbs this month, which is better than last month when I stayed the same 139 lbs. from April 1st to May 1st!

So, obviously, I am going to be extra watchful today and hopefully I can drop below 137 by tomorrow. That would be a great way to start off June!!

And just as a side note, I got my hair done and got it cut shorter and went darker blonde....It's taking me some time to get used to! I'll see if you gals notice a difference when I post pictures from my sisters wedding on Saturday.

[Edwards20]

Hi Krysta

I hope that you will get to 136 and start off with a bang in June. Can't wait to see you haircut. I am getting my cut today at 4:30.

[seb]

I need a haircut too

Looking forward to seeing pics from your sister's wedding.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Hi KrystaLyn,

Been lurking around for a while and wanted to stop in to give some encouragement and kind words. Wanted to let you know too that I said a quick prayer for you and your dh over Memorial day.

You are doing so well!
I know June weigh in will make you smile!

[KrystaLyn]

Hi Candy and Sue! Candy, I want to see your haircut, too!

Jaimie, thanks for stopping by! I have seen you on some of the others posts and it's nice to finally "meet" you! And thank you for your prayers...I pray for DH every day

Well, I officially started May at 136.4, which is the lowest I got in May before the evil Pill took over. So now I have until about Wednesday to lose anything more. I am hoping to at least get to 135 before then. However, since I am staying on Induction levels until then (whereas during the previous months I was on OWL levels), I may actually lose more. That would be AWESOME! I will go back to OWL levels once my 2 week, pill-induced PMS begins So, my goal for this month will be 2 lbs. even.

Fortunately, I did in fact, make my goal for this month! First time I have done that in 2 months. I didn't budge from April to May...started and ended at the same weight. So losing almost 3 full lbs this month is a miracle.

Anyhoo...heres yesterday's menu:

B - 2 scrambled eggs - 2
2 bacon - 0

L - Chicken bacon casserole - 5

S - Atkins Bar - 3
1 c. CC - 3

D - Protein Shake - 5
a small amount of cocoa whip - 2?

Total = 20 carbs

[Edwards20]

Your menu sounds great I hope to get Randy to take a pic and I will share the haircut. It's a little shorter than I would have liked, and doesn't do like I wanted it to.

I am glad you made your goal.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Yippee, you made goal!! Congrats and job well done!

Hugs!

[seb]

Krysta~congrats on your loss for May. Doing Induction level carbs will help you get where you want to be. I'm thinking of doing that myself for a few days. I know today is your sister's wedding and I'm sure you're very busy, but I hope you have a wonderful day. My congratulations to your sister.

[KrystaLyn]

Well ladies, I held steady today at 136.4. I am only going to weigh myself until about Wednesday and then I will take my usual (as of late) 2 weeks off for TOM. HOWEVER, I just realized that I may have a bit more success this month because I take my last pill on the 19th of this month, a full eleven days before the end of the Month. That means my post-TOM drop will take place BEFORE the end of June! I may have to readjust my monthly goal because of that.

Anyhoo, I have GOT to run...I haven't even showered and Ihave to be at the church in a little more than 2 hours for the wedding. I will be back with pictures!

[KrystaLyn]

Here's some pictures from the wedding:


Me & my siblings (minus the bride)


My handsome little brother


Me with my crazy sister & my best friend of 20 years


With 2 of my sisters & nephew


Just me!


And just for fun, a pic of the bride and groom (even though you can't see her face!!)

[Livywilltim-mom]

You look beautiful, and what a lovely family you have!!
Great outfit, incredibly pretty color on you.

Hugs

[KrystaLyn]

Thanks so much, Jaimie! I usually don't pick purple to wear, but I had to for the wedding. I am surprised by how many compliments I got on it! It is a really pretty color. I'm gonna have to find some white pants to wear with it

[KrystaLyn]

So I posted this in the ML too, in the B4 and After thread, but I thought I'd post them here too. I pulled out one of the ONLY body shots I could find of myself from before. It's from November 06 around Thanksgiving. I was probably 156 lbs. and I am now EXACTLY 20 lbs. less in the "after" picture. Of course, it's not the REAL "after" picture, more a "During" picture since I still have 11 lbs to go till Goal, but i am expecting to be there by this Thanksgiving!!

[seb]

Krysta, love all the pictures. You really do look beautiful, and I agree with Jaimie that purple is a great color on you. I can see a big difference in your before and "during" pics.

[KrystaLyn]

Thanks so much, Sue. Even though I am in smaller sized clothes, etc., sometimes when I look in the mirror I don't think I look that much different. Of course, I see myself every day so I'm used to myself. So putting the pictures together helps me to see that I actually HAVE come a little way

So I have to admit, I had 2 chocolate covered strawberries and a half a piece of wedding cake at my sisters wedding on Saturday, as well as a fair sized spinach salad (all legal toppings), a regular stawberry and 4 chicken skewers (just meat.) I think I ate an Atkins bar and some CC milk before the wedding.

Sunday, however, I stayed right on plan, although a little more loosely. I ate OWL level foods, which, except for the wedding Saturday I have been on Induction levels since last Monday:

B - 1/2 c. each strawberries and cottage cheese - 8

L - Atkins Bar - 3
tapioca pudding - 7

D - Steak - 0
grean beans - 4
jello w/ cream cheese topping - 4

S - SF ice cream bar for dessert - 1
handful of nuts - 2-3

Total = 30 carbs

Today, I am trying to be strict to make sure I am in Ketosis. I have been out of Ketosticks for about a week, so I can't test until tomorrow. I did go up a little to 137.2 on Sunday morning and stayed the same this morning. I think the last day I will weigh will be this Wednesday, since that will be the 2 week mark before TOM. I will then weigh myself once a week until TOM starts.

[Edwards20]

Krysta, you are so beautiful. What a handome/beautiful family you have as well. I can really see a big difference in your before & after pics. You look marvelous in purple - like royatly, you should wear it everyday. I think you have a done a great job. We never see in the mirror what those around us see. So, remember that ...

[KrystaLyn]

Thanks so much, Candy. I think my family is pretty cute, myself! And I'm so glad to see YOUR beautiful face in my journal again! You are definitely an inspiration to me!

PS~i just wanted to post that I tested for ketosis this evening when I got back from Costco with the sticks...moderate ketosis, baby!

[Edwards20]

Congrats on the ketosis. Mine never turn much, so I am glad they work for you. Hope you have a great Tuesday.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Hey girl! I'm back! Just got caught up on your journal! Wow, the pictures are really good! You look beautiful! And purple is definitely your color! I love your hair! You just looked radiant at the wedding. Thanks for sharing the pictures. The before and during shot is amazing! There is such a BIG difference! You should be very proud of yourself!

Looks like you have done great while I have been away. I think it was really smart that you went back to induction levels. And congrats on making your goal for this month! That is fantastic! KUTGW and you will be 135 before you know it!

I was glad to see that you didn't get hung up on not eating the wedding cake. It was your sister's wedding and you should have tasted her cake! I am glad that you enjoyed yourself!

Well, off to post a long one in my journal!

[KrystaLyn]

Beth! I'm SO happy to see your lovely face here again! Thanks for the compliments, too! I am trying to catch up with you and your 135, my friend, but I'm afraid it may take me two more weeks

Well, I held steady again at 137.2 for the third day in a row. And today is the official 2 week mark before TOM. Well, at least it's the official 2 week mark until I take my last pill this cycle. You all know what that means. UGH.

However, I did realize something that I may have mentioned before. TOM comes earlier this month, starting on the 20th, so I will probably be able to lose about 2 more lbs before the end of the month, which will put me into all new territory! And because the cycle on the pill I'm taking is actually shorter than most, TOM will come even earlier in the month next month, so I will actually have TWO oppourtunities (the end of this month and sometime in mid-July, about a week before my vacation) to lose before my Family Vacation on July 21st instead of only one! I am actually really happy about that because it could put me to within 2-3 lbs of my original goal of 130! So, considering that my Pre-TOM time is about to start (I'm counting it as starting tomorrow...two weeks to the day TOM time starts), I'm actually happy that I have stayed the exact same weight for the past three days instead of steadily climbing up, like I usually start doing by now. Maybe it was that week of Induction levels that I did that has kept things steady?

Anyway, I am more on my normal OWL levels now, now that I know I am still in ketosis, and will stay on those until TOM starts. Then I might go back to Induction levels again, just to get the most out of those 10 days I can actually lose.

Ok, so, yesterday's menu -

B - orange julius shake - 3

S - 2 cheese sticks - 1.5
broccoli slaw salad - 4

S - 5 blackberries - 3
handful of nuts - 4

D - chicken wings - 0
ranch dip - 1
1 c. stawberries & blackberries (1/2 c. each) - 8
cream - 1

Total - 27 carbs

I also went on our long walk last night. That's the only exercise I've been getting lately, unfortunately, but I figure it's better than nothing! Tonight I'm working, so I am going to make a big bowl of chicken salad that I can take tonight, and also have enough to snack on for the next day or two. I am ALSO going to be daring and try a protein shake with spinach in it this morning! I'm gonna go make it right now!

[Low Carb Mommy]

It's good to be back my friend! I have missed you so much! You are continuing to do well. You have stayed on plan and soon will see some more results. Good job on staying steady and in ketois. Good sticks make all the difference I have learned! It is good that you are learning your body too and not letting this pill get the best of you. You may just surprise yourself this month who knows! Anyhow, you are stronger and ready for the next craziness when it comes.

One thing that I might suggest to you is that you would up your protein/fat a little. I was reading some on my trip (and I can't find it right now) that you need to watch that you are getting enough of protein/fat so that you don't burn your muscle. Your body will turn to it if it doesn't have enough. It made me think about you because in your menus you don't eat alot of meat. Just something to think about. (And then, maybe again I might be missing it)

Make sure you take time to rest from all your going this past week. What do you have coming up? When will you be moving? Remind me again.

[KrystaLyn]

Actually, I start most days off with at least 35 grams of protein in my protein shakes! That's probably why you don't see it. The protein powder I use has 23 grams per scoop, and I usually mix it with CC milk, which has 12 grams per cup. Then whatever protein I get throughout the day is just on top of that. I usually eat meat and nuts at least once a day, and get some dairy protein and/or egg protein in there, too. But it is a great suggestion to keep my eye on my protein! The fat I don't count either way. I don't try to do low or high...just whatever I eat. I will have to put one of my recent days into fitday or the daily plate to see where I'm at, calorie, protein, fat and carb wise...I haven't done it since I was on Induction.

As for moving, my parents are moving to Denver in July. I am staying in Utah until the family vacation, then will go to Denver with them for a couple weeks before heading back to NC. I plan on being in NC around the 10th of August. I'm going to be so lonely, but my poor little house needs someone living in it, and it will be nice to get everything set up.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Wow! That is a lot of protein. I would say you are doing good then. My shake has 15g. in it. To be honest, I don't really know how much you are suppose to have in a day. I'm embarrassed about that but I don't. I don't watch the fat either. I just bought some protein powder last night. It was the Chocolate Designer Whey kind. I haven't tried it yet. Tell me what to do with it please! It has 2 carbs per scoop, no fiber, 2 sugars, 18 proteins, 2 fats. I had read about it and so I thought I would buy some.

You will be quite far away from your parents when you move to NC! It sounds like you have a good church group to be a part of though. I'm sorry you will be lonely. We will just have to talk more on here. Any news about DH and when you might be able to see him? I know that is really hard! I can't wait until he is home with you. I pray for you guys often.

[KrystaLyn]

As of right now, I won't see DH till November when he gets home But, now that May is over, we can say that it is only 5 more months. That doesn't sound as bad.

Ok, so first off, I just want to report on my Green Shake this morning. It was GOOD! And I got in a serving of fresh veggies already! Here's what I did:

- 1 container raspberry Activia light yogurt (technically 2 carbs if you use the yogurt exception, but I count 3 because of the small amount of fruit added)

- 1/2 c. water - 0

- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder - 1

1 c. fresh baby spinach - 0 carbs because of fiber, according to the package)

Whirl in a blender until the spinach is completely blended to a uniform bright green color, in other words, you shouldn't see any chunks of spinach leaves. Add 4 ice cubes and whirl until smooth and frothy. Total carbs = 4

Ok, so Beth, I mix my chocolate protein powder with Raspberry Activia for a chocolate raspberry shake. Its basically the same recipe as above, minus the spinach. Although I'm going to try it once with the spinach in it...it may look gross because of the brown and green mixed together, but I'm sure it will taste fine.

Also, sometimes I mix it with chocolate CC milk to give it a more chocolately flavor. I only do 1/4- 1/2 c. of the Chocolate CC, though, because a whole cup is TOO chocolately for me. The rest I use either the plain CC milk, or water. Sometimes I add orange extract or almond extract to the plain chocolate shakes, too. I haven't tried vanilla yogurt with it yet, but I'm going to.

I used to use the Designer Whey, but then I found Body Fortress at the Commisary and started using that. It's my favorite. They sell it at Walmart now, too. Anyway, I haven't had the Designer Whey in so long that I can't remember how their chocolate was, but I'm sure it will work just the same.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Good way to get some veggies in Krysta! And it was good...how about that! I haven't been brave enough to go to reg. yogurt yet. I guess it would taste a lot better than the LC stuff I have been eating! How many reg. carbs does the Activia have in it and how many do you deduct? Still learning.

I will have to let you know how the DW taste. I dipped my finger in it a while ago, but it didn't taste too sweet and the powder isn't that dark. Do you let yourself have shakes when you are on induction levels? I had one this morning....probably shouldn't have...but couldn't stomach eggs. I do love the CC milk. I picked up plain and choc. yesterday but I guess I won't have it until I am through with induction days again. Have you tried the whey powder with heavy cream for a mouse?

[KrystaLyn]

I have always had shakes while on Induction levels. Either Atkins RTD's or if I make my own, I don't add anything to it, just water and the shake mix. Granted, it doesn't last as long as the shakes with more "stuff," but it's less carbs and I just have a mid-morning protein snack like cheese sticks or something. And I have never tried the protein powder with cream for a mousse...I've only tried the cocoa mix, but it's a really good idea!

I just checked the Activia...13 carbs minus 3 fibers, so 10 net. However, I follow the yogurt exception which claims that yogurt is only 4 carbs per cup, so a 4 oz. Activia I count as 2 + 1 for any carbs that the bit of fruit might add. I haven't had a problem with it ever, always stay in moderate ketosis when I eat it, so I figure it's a fairly accurate count.

PS~I'm going to do a little research and see how much protein we should be getting per day. I'll let you know what I find out!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Thanks for the info on the shakes and yogurt. So far I have had an Atkins shake for breakfast, a salad and leftover steak w/ dressing for lunch, and a Whey shake for snack. The designer whey shake wasn't that great. I made it with water and one scoop. It tasted weak so I added a splash of CC and another half scoop...better but not great. Now I wish I had left it alone until later when I could add more stuff. This going back to induction stinks! It is hard when you have added back. Did you find it hard too?

I am really miserable this afternoon. The top of my stomach feels really stuffed and big. In fact my whole stomach area feels bloated. Yuck! I am trying to drink lots of water to flush myself out, but all I have succeeded in doing is make it feel like it is in my throat.

We were speaking about TOM earlier. I need to look back in my notebook and see when I had that crazy spell of weight gain so I can prepare myself in case my hormones are about to go crazy too. Hope not. I hate that time!

Let me know on the protein.