Beth's Real Life Journey to Success

[Low Carb Mommy]

Ok, back.....

We are having a good time with our friends and their kids. We haven't seen them in almost 2 years. We have done most of our eating out so I haven't had to cook any (good for me!). The men kept the kids so my girlfriend and I could go out yesterday afternoon. We went and saw Pirates of the Carribean. Not as good as the first two and very long! We went to out to eat and shopping as well. It was really good for me and her!

Menu from yesterday:

Breakfast: 3 eggs scrambled(2.4), Bacon(.2), Coffee w/ HC(1)=3.6
Lunch: Ruby Tuesday-Small salad(4), Ranch(4), Hot wings(6)=14
Dinner: Red Lobster-Harborside Lobster & Shrimp: Salad(2), ranch(2), Shrimp Scampi(1.2), Skewer of grilled shrimp(1), lobster tail(0), butter (0), brocolli(1.5)=7.7
Coffee w/ 1/2 & 1/2=1

Total: 26.3

[Low Carb Mommy]

I'm proud of myself today! I just finished my 1 mile walk aerobics tape. I just thought I would give myself some praise.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Yeah Beth!!
Congrats on getting that exercise in.
Sounds like you are having a super time this weekend, and keeping on plan.
Hugs

[Low Carb Mommy]

I didn't do so great this week! I GAINED weight this week! I started out this week weighing 135 and ended this morning weighing 135.4! Boy, that is frustrating!! I really don't know why either. I didn't cheat or have my carbs up that high. It's not exercise, because I only did that once this week. My bathroom issues I think got solved last part of this week.

I have been trying to re-read OWL and Pre-Maintenance. Sometimes I don't feel like I have done anything right. It seems like I don't fit into the senarios that Dr. A gives. To me when I read OWL, you should be still losing at a steady rate. Then, when you get to Pre-M you should slow your loses down to a pound or less a week! WELL, MY WEIGHT IS ALREADY DOING THIS DR A!!! So, does that mean that I am already Pre-Maintaining??? Does this mean that I need to eat more or higher carbs? I tried to do that this week and see where it got me! Does the body need time to adjust? I don't know what I am doing I guess!

I look at what I am eating and for me I am eating enough. I am really full when I finish eating...not staying hungry. I am trying to eat when I do feel hungry. I eat a variety of foods. Do I need to try to eat higher veggie carbs? Am I just eating too much fat? I think about putting my stuff into fitday, but my choices are a lot of rest. stuff and odd stuff that I can't find on there. I mean, how do you put a Zaxby's salad in there??? All this talk about calories is driving me crazy! In the beginning it seems so easy....don't have to worry about anything but carbs. And now people are telling me that when you get to the end you have to worry about everything else! Does this overwhelm anyone else? I just wanted something simple that I could do to lose weight and stay thin. Don't get me wrong....I don't want to go back. Just sometimes I get scared that inspite of my efforts I will gain the weight back anyway.

I need some tough love if anyone wants to say anything about ANYTHING. I feel like I am making the way for my whole family. DH only knows such a tiny bit of what is out there to know about Atkins. I have tried not to burden him with all the particulars, but I know that he is going to have to make some changes in his diet too eventually, and I want to be able to tell him the right things. He is still doing just above induction. I haven't been keeping up with his carbs, but know that they are not that high because of what he eats. The only thing that he does a lot of is salad dressing. Anyway, not to get off the subject.....just feeling some pressure!

I don't want to get stuck at this weight! I just don't really know how to move forward and still have a normal life. I know that I probably eat out more than most people. I would probably get blasted by some for not eating all whole foods. The circumstances of life that I am in right now with four kids and the craziness of our lives right now with a start up business it is just not realistic for me to fix every meal.

Boy, I have just ranted and raved here today. I wish I had all the answers. Maybe one day I will look back at this entry and laugh.

Menu from yesterday:

Breakfast: 2 eggs(1.2), w/ cheese(1), bacon(.2), coffee w/ 1/2&1/2(1.5)=3.9
Snack: 1/4 cup mac. nuts(2/4)=2/4
Lunch: 1/2 Zaxby's salad(3.5), ranch(3), plain wings(0), tea w/ splenda(3)=9.5
Snack: LC Icecream on stick(3)=3
Dinner: 2 eggs(1.2) w/ 2 T. mayo(.6), LC yogurt(3), 1 tsp. peanut butter(.8/1.1), few pork rinds(0), Coffee w/ 2T. HC(.8)=6.4/6.7

Total: 24.8/27.1

[Edwards20]

Originally Posted by Livywilltim-mom

Beth, great posts on the main board yesterday! You are doing great! Hugs,

Gosh, it's been days since I have been in the ML, gonna have to go read up.

I am glad you got your bathroom issues resolved. I too get overwhelmed thinking about what I will have to do when I get close to goal. But, I still have a ways to go. I am so far away from expertise in this WOE, that I would be scared to give advice to you being this close to goal. There are some different answers out there and they seem very confusing, I know.

Maybe more veggies ? Maybe lower fat ? Maybe less sodium ? I wish I knew the answers. I tend to think it is different for each person, but I could be wrong on that as well.

I eat out a bit as well, so I know your feelings there. As far as Fitday, the ONLY thing I worry about on there is carb count. I don't use it for calories, fats, fiber, etc. So when you want to add a Zaxby's salad, just create a custom entry and put whatever your carb count is. I just make up some numbers on calories, fat and protein if I don't know it. Sometimes, I get a read message saying the calories should be this amount, I just change it and move along. Sometimes I enter something directly off the label and it tells me that as well. Again, I just change it and move along. So when you look at my fitday, only look at carbs.

Are you getting most of your rest. food carb counts correct ? I know a lot of places don't have websites, so I worry about my stuff when I can't find it. I have found a lot of salads that I thought were low carb are truly not. There is sugar in the meats, etc. The dressing is more than I thought etc. It was not until I truly stopped eating salads out that I saw a difference in my losses. Not saying that's the main reason, but something I have noticed.

I usually opt for lettuce/veggie salads only and am so leary of the salad dressings. If a burger or piece of meat is on the menu, I go for that instead with a side of veggies. I know that seafood and pork rinds make me retain fluid.

I know I am rambling, but I don't know what else to share ........
I am praying for you and I know you will find your answers.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Thanks Candy! You are right about the salads. I eat a lot of places that do have the counts for things. But when they don't, DH and I just order a salad with no toppings and add cheese. The dressings are the tricky part. I do order them on the side and dip my fork in there and eat it like that. I usually just count it at 2 carbs but it may be more. I think I will start asking the waiter on that. Making that change on not eating salads out is a good suggestion!

I didn't know you could do that with fitday. Maybe I should try it this week and see how I do. I am sure with eating out that I am getting a lot of sodium. And I have not been faithful to drinking my water. Those were good suggestions. I will make the change and see if it helps (drinking more water to counteract the sodium).

I just did a ketone stick and it was next to the last level. Crazy huh? I thought it might be dehydration but I drink 64 oz of water last night before bed because I had eaten the pork rinds. We were playing cards last night and they got them out. I probably only ate 6. I guess when Dr. A was around and people were going to him as patients these were the kind of questions he was getting too. It would be nice if they had a doctor to ask questions on this board huh?

[Edwards20]

You are right, I would love to ask Dr. A some stuff .

My sticks stay pink even when I am not losing, so I figure I am burning fat, and that's good.

[seb]

Your questions are the questions that I have asked myself for years. I don't fit into the category of losing every week, so how do I know when to up my carbs. And, even though I don't want to lower my fat intake, is the high fat hindering my loss? But then, if I lower my fat, will I have to stay with the lower fat amounts for the rest of my life? Is my body burning my dietary fat and not my body fat because I eat too much of it????? Too many questions, and everyone on this board has a different answer for those questions. I guess those are questions that have to be answered by trial and error.

I've been reading this board for 5 years and have gotten so confused over the years because of the different trends that go on. When I first started reading it was high fat, then the trend went to eating lower fat to lose fastest, and now I think it's trending back to higher fat. I, for one, like the higher fat idea! And what about the yogurt exception, coconut oil, cinnamon and all the other fads that have gone through the boards?

So, Beth, I wish I could answer your questions, but I'm trying to figure it out myself. I think each of us has to figure out what works best for ourselves. You have lost with LC products all along, so I don't really think that would be causing you a problem. I could be wrong. Maybe there is some healing that needs to happen in your body before any more weight loss will occur. So many questions, and I have so few answers.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Sue~I love not having to worry about the fat as well. You sound a lot like me when you let me in your thought process. I can't believe you have been on here for 5 years. Wow! I can't even see 5 years down the road. I am glad to have you as my friend (as well as Candy & Krysta). I think between all of us when might be able to figure out 90% of it. It must be an individual thing. I just wish it wasn't so hard. Makes you want to eat LC things and let the chips fall where they may. Thanks for your thoughts. It just helps to know that there are others out there that think and feel the same way I do, and I'm not all out here by myself.

Well, my company has finally left. I am sitting here in my pj's and loving it! We had a good time together today but I am very tired. DH had to go into the office tonight for a little to get caught up so he could be off tomorrow. We are going to my parents house to grill steaks. It will be fun. I think I will go to bed early tonight (that is if I can get the youngest two to sleep...they are on their beds now). Goodnight....see you in the morning!

[Edwards20]

I have the Atkins for life book that I read before starting to read the DANDR ( I almost finished). I also have the 72 version, but haven't started it. I haven't delved deeply into the maintenance portion, but does Dr. A say cut the fats ?

You are right though, we will figure it out and it might be totally different for all 4 of us. He did say the last few pounds would be tough and I think that if you start cutting then you can't have it in maintenance. Maybe that's not right. It is confusing. Just know being closer to goal it's not gonna come off as fast.

I think you are doing great. We have lost about the same and started almost the same day. We eat different things and it works for us individually.

[seb]

Beth, this board and you all are a life saver for me with this WOE. I would get so discouraged if not for you, Candy and Hillary, plus the other challenges I'm in. It is so neat in the morning to come in and see messages from you all.

Maybe you should try the "eat LC things and let the chips fall where they may" plan for a week and see how you do? I don't want to upset the apple cart for your weight loss, so you must make those decisions on your own, but to be honest, that's about what I'm doing right now and it seems to be working. Now, I'm trying not to eat to much, but it has amazed me how much I have added in like flax, yogurt, strawberries, more veggies, etc...and I'm losing. Doesn't make sense to me, but I'm happy about it. I thought the hunger would return adding in all these foods, but it hasn't!

Have a great time at your Mom's grilling steaks. Sounds yummy!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Questions, questions, questions....too much to handle today. I want to respond to the last comments, but my brain is fried right now, so I will wait.

Good morning all my lovely friends! I am so grateful for you today! Sue was right when she said that you guys have been a lifesaver! I look forward every day to getting on here and talking with you all. You have become regulars in my life and I don't want that to change ever! We need to swap regular emails so that we NEVER lose touch!

My scales were acting crazy today. I got on this morning and the first weigh was 134....2nd weigh was 135.4....3rd weigh was 136....4th weigh was 134.4. I have no idea so I think I think I will just go with what I weighed yesterday which was 135.4. We also measured this morning....boy was that a mistake! I knew that I felt bloated and the measures showed it everywhere! The last time I measured was on 5/20.

Neck~stayed the same
Arm~up 1/4"
Chest~up 1/4"
Waist~up 1"
Hips~up 1 1/4
Thigh~stayed the same
Abs~up 1"
Weight~up .4

So interesting huh?

I am really nervous about our trip we are going on this week. We leave out Wed. to go up to Penn./Del. to a friend of ours house on the coast. I will have NO control over food and they are liable to cook anything. I am hoping that they will be sensitive to our WOE, but I don't know. We are more business friends than lifetime friends. I will just do the best I can!

I have got to do a lot today plus like I said we are visiting with my parents this afternoon.

Menu from yesterday:

Breakfast: Atkins shake(2/6)=2/6
Lunch: EL Campesino Mexican Rest.~Grilled chicken & shrimp(1), 2 cups lettuce(.8/2.2), 1/4 cup?grilled onions (2.5/3.5), 2 T. guacamole(1), 2 T. sour cream(1.5), Queso cheese?(1.3), 2 tsp. salsa(.5)=8.6/11
Snack: LC peach yogurt(3), w/1 slice NSA peach(1.5)=4.5
Dinner: 2 slices LC pizza(4), 2 no sauce wings(0), 1 cup CC milk(3), 1 LC candy(.2/1.2)=7.2/8.2

Total: 20.3N/29.7F

[Low Carb Mommy]

Seven Signs of a Desirable Friend - taken from The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian

1. A desirable friend tells you the truth in love. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6)
2. A desirable friend gives you sound advice. "ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel" (Proverbs 27:9)
3. A desirable friend refines you. "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17)
4. A desirable friend helps you grow in wisdom. "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the compoanion of fools will be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20).
5. A desirable friend stays close to you. "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is one friend who sticks closer than a brother: (Proverbs 18:24).
6. A desirable friend loves you and stands by you. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17)
7. A desirable friend is a help in time of trouble. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he fals, for he has no one to help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

[Edwards20]

That is a beautiful post about desirable friends. You are certainly in all 7 of those categories to me.

I will pray for you on your trip. Don't stress. You can't change what you can't control. I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in this WOE that we lose sight of those around us. I think it's great to have someone be sensitive to our food choices, and at a rest. by all means order it how you want it - you're paying for it. But, sometimes there is just NO other choice. If there is meat and 2 starches, etc., perhaps we just choose a starch OR desert, instead of both. I was reading something similar to that in DANDR for maintenance. I think you will do fine, and make the best choice you can make.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Funny you should talk about the Atkins for Life. I bought that two days ago. I have just skimmed it so far. I knew I would need it soon. So glad we have resources. I will keep that in mind and try not to get upset or starve myself because there is nothing acceptable. You have led the way for me on that when you have had those times come up. You just make the best choice and move on. Your weight really hasn't suffered by doing that either. We do have to live in this world! Thanks for the PM.

[Edwards20]

You are welcome. And yes, I used to stress and starve at events, which only led to me overeating later. I try to eat ahead of time, but you can only do that to a certain extent. An entire trip ... hello, I don't see it feasible to pull out your own meals everyday. While I think at a one meal "event" sometimes we can say NO, and get over the fact that it might offend the host, I don't think a week is feasible. I think the secret is getting back on plan as soon as possible.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Beth,
You are a beautiful person. I am so glad I had the courage to post in your journal last month. I am constantly enlightened and bolstered here by you and your group.
I have printed out the wonderful post you shared about Desirable Friends. I hope you don't mind. I have someone I would like to share it with.

I will pray for you and your whole family while you are traveling. "You will make the best choices in every circumstance and will feel happy and satisfied. May God watch over you and keep you safe during your trip and always." That is my prayer for you.

Peace

[KrystaLyn]

You are doing just fine, Beth. You are losing steadily, you ARE, for the most part, eating whole foods. You have lost 40 pounds, my friend, I think you know what you are doing

Technically, you COULD start Pre-M now. You are supposed to start Pre-M when you have 5-10 lbs to lose. You are in that range. I think you could easily start adding back a variety of foods and do fine. You are such a great example and I am so glad you are my friend Love you!

[Low Carb Mommy]

We had a good visit at my parents house last night. I tried my best to relax and not think about all I had to do today to get ready for our trip! DH's mom lives in the same town so my mom invited her over too. We got to spend time with everyone. Besides, I didn't have to cook and the food was really good!!

I am going to miss all of you. I was thinking about asking DH to take his laptop. I don't know if we would be able to use it or not. I guess if you don't hear from me then I will see you back here on Tues. We are not leaving until 1:00 tomorrow, so I will be on here in the morning.

I tried to be good yesterday after no weight loss and how bloated I was! DH and I were laughing at each other's bellies. The were huge! We have both been taking the Metamucil for fiber, and I don't think our bodies have caught up yet. I did lose a lot of fluid yesterday. I drank more water and was running to the bathroom more.

Speaking of losing fluid....I weighed 133 this morning! Can you believe it? Maybe that 134 was right yesterday! Whatever, I am feeling better/thinner today. Now if the other will cooperate.

Menu from yesterday:

Breakfast: Atkins Shake(1/4)=1/4
Snack: 1.5 Microwave flax seed muffin w/splenda & cinnamon (3), 1 cup CC milk(3)=6
Lunch: Hamburger pattie(0)=0
Snack: Cheeseball(1.5), celery(1.4)=2.9
Dinner: Steak marinaded in Italian dressing(1), 1/4 cup brocolli(.6/1.9), 1/4 cup squash(.7/1.2), 1/4 cup greenbeans(1.4/2.4), salad(4), Olive G. dressing(2)=9.7/11.5

Total: 19.6/24.4

[KrystaLyn]

WOW! You are just melting away! Congrats and good luck on your trip. I can't believe that as soon as I come back, you leave! Oh well, I will try to have good news for you when you get back.

[seb]

Beth, congrats on your whoosh! How exciting is that?

I know what you mean about the day before a trip...so much work to do. I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Now, you must talk DH into taking your laptop. How are we going to get through our days here on LCF without you?

[Low Carb Mommy]

Thanks Krysta! I can't believe I am leaving too! You are going to look and feel so good when I check back in with you!

Sue~It is crazy around here. Of course, DH is at work so I have it all to myself! I hope I will be able to check in too.

Out the door...going to get haircuts, car detailed, mail, Walmart etc. I will check in this afternoon! Love you guys!