Beth's Real Life Journey to Success

[Low Carb Mommy]

Thanks Jaime...I will miss you too!

I'm on a roller coaster ride again! I weighed 132.8 this morning. Can't see anything that I did to cause it, so it is probably water or plumbing that is the blame. I don't have any time to write this morning. We are already running late to get to a birthday party. Just wanted to post the facts and maybe later have time to talk.

Menu from yesterday:

B~Whey protein powder(2) w/ CC milk(3)=5
L~2 cups of salad mix(2/3), Ranch(2), 1/2 cup tuna salad(1)=4/5
S~2 slices of cheese microwaved(.6), 3 grapes(2.4)=3
D~1 cup salad mix(1/1.5), 3 cherry tomatoes(1?), Parmesan chicken(3 chicken strips fried in parm. & italian s., w/ 3 T of pizza sauce, and moz. cheese)(5)=7.5

Total: 19N/20.5F

Ketone stick: NEGATIVE....WHAT????
Water: 32 oz.
Exercise: none

I don't know why my ketone stick was negative this morning. I am puzzled!

[Livywilltim-mom]

Happy Sunday Beth!

Hope you had a great day yesterday, and that this morning you are back to 132

Are you ready for your trip? Has your son stopped coughing??

Can't wait to hear from you.

Hugs

[Low Carb Mommy]

I was up most of the night with three kids sick. My #2 DS was hugging the toilet and had a fever. I am wondering if he got too hot yesterday. Can you run a fever with dehydration? My #3 DS hasn't stopped coughing. I have given him medicine, but it hasn't worked yet. Last, my little girl was running a fever of 102 and complaining of her ear hurting. I hardly got any sleep!

This morning, #2 is feeling a little better. So, that is good because he is the one going with us on the trip. I don't know what to do with DD. Should I take her to see a doctor at the hospital or just wait until tomorrow. BUT, tomorrow is going to be crazy enough!!! So far she has just been lying on the couch watching Dora. I guess I will make a decision by tonight and see how she is doing then. I certainly don't want DH's mom to have to take both of them into the doctor's office while I am gone! It's like I don't have enough stress with leaving them as it is!!! I am just mad right now at the whole thing. They have been perfectly fine for weeks and now this has got to happen right before I leave!!!

On a positive note, I lost two pounds this week. Sunday is my weigh in day. Last Sunday, I was 134.2 (which was a .4 gain for that week). Today I weighed 132.2! I am pleased! We also measured this morning. I was looking back at when we first started measuring which was two months ago (4/24/07). Since then here is what I have lost in inches:

Weight: 7 pds. lost
Neck: 1/2 inch
Arm: 1/4 inch
Chest: Nothing
Waist: 1 inch
Hips: 1 1/2 inches
Thigh: 1 3/4 inches
Abs: 1 1/2 inches

I thought that was pretty good!! I am still amazed that there hasn't been any loss in my chest! Crazy!

I can't be on here today. Too much to do! I just wanted to report. I also didn't keep up with my carb counts yesterday...just food. So here is the menu from yesterday:

B~2 eggs scrambled w/ mushrooms
L~Party: 2 hot dogs, raw broccoli, cauliflower, green, yellow, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, mustard, mayo, ranch.
D~Salad, Ranch, Steak, broccoli

Ketone stick this morning: trace (last night is was between sm. and moderate)
Water: 80 oz.
Exercise: none

After the party yesterday, DH sent me and my best friend (who is also going on the trip) to the nail salon to get a manicure and pedicure! It was such a nice ending to a busy week. I enjoyed every minute of it! I got a french manicure and painted my toes a dark mauve color. We did a little bit of shopping for her as well.

Have a great Sunday. Gotta get busy now. Talk to all of you later!

[seb]

Two pounds is great, Beth.

Sorry about the kiddos. I know how you feel. When DH and I were in CA for our trip several years ago my folks ended up in the emergency room with youngest DS with a temp of 105, which lasted two days. Very scary. I pray that they will all get better and will not be sick while you are gone. I also hope that things go smoothly for you these next couple days as you get ready for your trip.

How sweet of DH to give you a trip for a mani/pedi. You're all set to go.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Awww Beth,

Hope the kids are better today !!
Congrats on your loss, you are doing such a wonderful job! I just know that you will find a way to maintain or LOSE on your trip.

Here's a quick prayer that the kids are better, and your last minute prep runs smoothly.

Peace

[Low Carb Mommy]

Yesterday, after three sick kids at home (one of which puked all in his room), a husband who had to go into work and was gone most of the day, a washing machine that broke (yes, broke!), and all the chaos of trying to get packed in spite, at least my weight didn't let me down this morning! Lord knows I needed a little lift. I weighed my lowest yet...131.6!!!! Yippee!

Now back to reality.....I have got to finish getting ready so I can take the kids to the doctor. We are still dealing with everything. I have TONS of things to do today. I do have my clothes packed but not all the misc. stuff. Today is going to be hectic and long! I am tired and feeling a little dizzy so pray for me too!

Menu from yesterday:

B~Atkins shake=1/5
L~Salad(3.5), ranch(2), 2 Parmesan chicken strips(1.5)=7
S~Vanilla LC yogurt(3) w/ PB DS=3
D~Porkchop(1), w/ grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms (3), 1 cup of cauliflower rice(1/5)=5/9

T~17N/25F

Ketone stick this morning: Trace
Water yesterday: 32oz.
Exercise: I won't even go there....lots of activity!


I don't know if I will have time to post tomorrow or not. We are planning to leave at 10am. Also, I may try to sneak a post in California if I can get into one of the computer areas. If not, please pray for me to have a safe travel and good self-control! I love all you guys! You make my life brighter. God is so good to have blessed me with friends like you. Hope to be able to talk to everyone of you today.

I thought this might be interesting. Here's the weather of where we are going versus where I live:

Palm Springs: Georgia:

Tues.109/75 88/67
Wed. 108/76 88/67
Thurs. 106/74 88/67
Fri. 106/76 87/63 (rain)
Sat. (LA) 79/63 86/63 (rain)

Yikes!!!!!!!! And no forecast of rain either where we are going!

[seb]

Good morning Beth. Sounds like you had quite a day yesterday, and will have another busy one today. Congrats on your new low.

Will be praying for you and your family during this trip.

It's going to be hot where you're going. Hope you have some cool clothes packed.

Looks like the lower carb is working for you. I'm thinking about doing the same thing. I didn't think it would be hard to lower my carbs again, but I'm finding that it has been, especially with traveling and not much food in the house. Today is grocery shopping day, so I'll stock up on good induction foods for a few really LC days.

[seb]

Can you believe you were on the second page? Just bumping you.

[Edwards20]

Beth, I hope I haven't missed you. I am so sorry to hear about the kids. You know I can feel for you. I just cannot comprehend the thought of 3 of them being sick. Stomach virus ? Food poisoning ? I hope they get better soon. I think you can go to the airport website for a list of what you can and cannot carry when you fly. You also might try wsbtv.com and you might find some info in their travel section. I am going to miss you my friend. I will keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers, and I sincerely hope you have a wonderful time. You so deserve. Congrats on your losses my friend. Perhaps a little carb cycling was all you needed.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Update on the kiddos. I took them to the doctor today. Both DS #3 and DD have ear infections. DS #2 has a bad sinus cold. The doctor gave all of the antibiotics. I feel relieved. I didn't want to get at the doctor's office and nothing show up for all the drama I had encountered yesterday. I hate that Nana will have to give them medicine, but at least she won't have to take them to the doctor.

I have finished packing. I have just got to iron some clothes and write some notes. I am extremely tired. I just hope I can sleep tonight. DH is still not home. He had to get everything settled at the business. He should be coming in soon.

I will miss all of you. Sorry I wasn't on here today. I had absolutely NO time! If I don't get to check in in the morning, I will talk to you on Monday. Have a great week! Good night!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Well, I did it!!! I made it to convention time and got really close to goal! I weighed 130.2 this morning! That is 45 pounds!!!! I am really proud of myself!! Also, today I am wearing a size 6 pants! Whoa! Forgive me for singing my own praises this morning! I am just really excited!

We are in the last few minutes before leaving. I wanted to say bye to everyone! I will think of all of you while I am away. I am feeling strong and well prepared for this trip. It is hard to believe that the day is here already. I was thinking about this day and what I would look like when I started this journey back in Sept. I dreamed about feeling this good and looking this good! Now it is here and I am living it out!

I don't have time to type out my menu from yesterday. I will tell you that my ketone stick this morning was small (up from a trace!). I am taking those with me and my notebook and Atkins book to stay on track.

I will see you on Monday if not before......Love ya all! Beth

[seb]

I'm doing the happy dance for you this morning Beth. So glad you were able to post before leaving.

Have a wonderful trip and I will miss you much!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Thanks Sue! So glad you were on here to share my joy! I will miss ya too!

[Tippy Toes]

Have fun Beth! I am so, so glad you are at your goal weight!! Yes, .2 is nothing, girlie so claim it, claim, it! Congrats!

[Livywilltim-mom]

Yeah Beth!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, 45 pounds, you are an inspiration! Have a wonderful time, and I am soooo happy that the kids will be medicated and fine.

Hugs Honey!

[seb]

I know you're gone, but missing you. Hope your flight was good yesterday.

[Edwards20]

Well, I am missing you already. Congrats on being that close before leaving. I am only 2lbs behind you. , so I don't think either of us are too far off track.

I hope you are having a great time and I hope Nana and the kids are doing well.

[seb]

Hope your trip is going well and that you're having lots of fun.

[Tippy Toes]

Hi Beth. I miss you too.

[Edwards20]

me too ........

[Livywilltim-mom]

Me three...

[seb]

Me four

[Low Carb Mommy]

Hey everyone! I'm back!!! I thought I was going to have to wait to be back on...my server went out because of some storms last night, but DH called and got it back to working for me!

Where do I start? We had a great trip. DH stole all my thunder. He looked so great that everyone forgot what a cow I was the last time they saw me. I guess that is a good thing. EVERYONE (and I am talking about a lot of people...of course he knows a lot more people than me and they saw him often) could not stop talking about how much weight DH had lost. I did have a few women tell me that I looked fantastic. That made me feel really good. I just was glad to feel and look good in my outfits and not be embarrassed to be seen (if you know what I mean).

Let's see....food.....I started out the trip still writing in my food journal everything I ate. Then by the second day, I didn't keep up with it anymore. It was a nice break. I did have a few cheats, but I let them be real food cheats (except for the oreo I had on the plane coming back).

I did really good going over on the plane (Tues.). They only gave us snacks on the plane. And they weren't LC friendly of course(oreos, crackers, soft cheese, raisins, Sun chips, oatmeal bars, cookies, and peanuts (only things acceptable)). I brought some of my own nuts and bars. They really saved me. Later while we were traveling to our hotel, we stopped at Chilis for dinner. I had my usual steak, broc., and salad...no cheats.

The next morning (Wed.) we went to one of the restaurants in the hotel. They had a wonderful buffet ($133 for 5 of us!). I had a omelet with everything in it and enjoyed some fruit. My first cheat was at lunch when we ate at an authentic Italian restaurant. We were trying to find a place for lunch and the owner came out and begged us to come in and eat. He treated us like we were royalty. He wanted everyone to try some dishes he had made (in addition to what we had ordered). I had a few bites of the spaghetti he set out for us and some lightly fried calamari. Then, my meal was fish in a caper sauce. It was sooo good!! For dinner, we went to a place called Tuscany's. It was a very up scale place. The picture on my avatar was taken on the balcony of our room before we left. For an appetizer we had a large scallop, and then they brought out the sorbet to clean your pallet. I tasted of it, but it was way to sweet. My friend said that it didn't taste that sweet to her. For my meal, I had the lamb chops. I have never eaten anything so tasty. They had them sitting on a small portion of mash potatoes. I didn't see that on the menu. I didn't eat them but some got on my meat.

Next day (Thurs.), I drank a Atkins shake because I was late for the meeting. And then after the meeting we went back down to the restaurant and I got a frittata but only ate half. After breakfast, my friend and I went to the spa! Yes, the spa!! Our husbands let us go and get a massage and body scrub! It was fabulous. Ah, the life of the rich and famous! I could get used to it! We didn't eat any lunch this day because we were going to the spa. I did have a Atkins bar and some nuts when we got back. I ate so many nuts on this trip! We had planned earlier that morning to go to the Japanese restaurant for dinner. I knew I was planning to cheat there, but I was really struggling with it. I did get the rice and I did eat some of it as well as the sauces. I have to tell you that my mind would not let me enjoy it. DH enjoyed his just fine. I guess it was good that I didn't throw my WOE to the wind, but I didn't like that I was so hung up on it. I will have to look at this more. After dinner, we went to a street festival in downtown Palm Springs. One thing for sure, we did ALOT of walking on this trip!

Friday, our last day at the resort, we didn't have time for breakfast again. I drank a shake. I had been testing my ketone sticks every morning. They had gone from small to negative this morning (which I expected from the rice). Now I was a little discouraged. Anyway, we had a late lunch at Red Robin. If you haven't eaten at one of these, you must. I had the LC burger w/ a salad. I also had wings before the meal. I couldn't tell if they were breaded or not but I ate them in a little sauce. I also had another cheat....two slurps of my DS shake...yummy!! During the afternoon I had nuts, a bar, and one raisinette. Later, much later, we went to Sizzler after checking into our hotel in LA. I had a steak, salad, and broc. that I put cheese and sour cream on. And that was it for that day.

Saturday, we had breakfast at the hotel. I had an omelet, bacon, fruit, and oatmeal. Yes, I couldn't resist the big container of cooked oats. I got some (not a whole lot) and added splenda. I think that was my most enjoyed cheat. I guess because it was healthy. I snacked on some more nuts/bar in the afternoon. We had lunch at McDonalds at the airport (double quater-pounder /salad). The plane ride home had two snacks. I was tired and a little weak at this point (also, thinking my life on the wild side was almost over). I had a diet coke, crackers w/ cheese, and an oreo. Then, at 3 am. on the way home we all were starved. We stopped at Waffle House. I ate fine there w/ steak and eggs.

Sunday, we didn't get up until about 1pm. My ketone stick was neg. again and I weighed for the first time since I left (I will tell you my weight in a minute). My mom and dad were still here taking care of the kiddos. My mom fixed a roast, green beans, cabbage and other non-LC items. I just ate what I could. The rest of the day was just snacking. I had some LC chocolate treats from the freezer, flax seed muffin with peanut butter cream cheese, tea and coffee. I was craving these things. I might be starting back into hormonal week again...I don't know. Anyway...

So here's the damage. I left weighing 130.2 and came back weighing 134.4. I was a little surprised. I thought I did really well considering. I did probably eat more than I should have proportion wise, but I didn't go crazy. I am trying not to get down about it but to be honest it is hard. DH said that traveling in general will make you gain (he gained 9 pounds and was happy it wasn't more...of course, he cheated more than me) I'm sure it is a combination of many things....cheats, water, plumbing, and rest. Nevertheless, my weight is up. Now I have to deal with it. Also, my total for the month is not as grand since it ended on Sat. I will have to count it as my weight for yesterday I guess. I started out this month weighing 134. So that means I gained .4 this month. And of course, this week was started out at 132.2. So, I gained 2.2 pounds this week. That's hard to except any way you put it...or any excuses you give for it. This week I will be working hard just to get back down. I don't know how long it will take me to get back down to my lowest.

This jet lag is kicking me in the tail. It wasn't bad at all going over. I am just really tired. We did have a good trip. I don't want to end on a depressing note. We stayed at a nice place. I got to go eat at some really good restaurants. I got to go to the spa. We got to see Hollywood and Beverly Hills. It was all so exciting. I will put up some pictures later. My friend has some good ones of me too. It is good to be back with all my friends. I will need some extra encouragement to get back on track and not give in to laziness. I know you guys won't let me down. I missed you all! Thanks for being here for me. I did want to make you proud.

OK, I have typed a book....I will stop now. Have a great and beautiful day!!!