Beth's Real Life Journey to Success

[seb]

Morning Beth. Just checking in.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Sorry so late with the post this morning. I have just been catching up on some rest. I was up late last night with DD and then DS#3 woke up this morning vomiting. Nevertheless, he didn't go to school so I just slept in after getting him settled. I had two kids in my bed and we were sleeping good!

The place we went last night after the meet was just horrible. You would have thought the girls that waited on us had never waitress-ed. It took us forever to get our food. Thank God we ordered some wings before our meal. I only ate two because I was certain it had been tossed in flour before cooking and it had a little sauce on it. I opted to order a grilled chicken salad for my meal to be safe. I asked them if they could bring me some of the creamy pesto sauce listed on the menu. I thought I could dip my chicken in it because it sounded so good. They said they could but it would be $2. Well, I should have just said never mind. When I got my salad finally, it looked like not much different than a fast food salad. The chicken I believe was processed frozen chicken because it was still cold in places like they had just microwaved a fully cooked frozen breast. They forgot to bring out the dressing so I sat there for 10 min. waiting on it. Then, they forgot to bring out my other sauce...probably waited another 15 on it. I felt sick all the way home. DS#2 did good in his meet though. He beat his time by a couple of minutes.

I did a little bit experimenting yesterday morning. My friend who went to convention with me played around with these egg cheese blintz (I think that is what they are called)trying to figure out how they made them. She told me her way so I thought I would try them. I took egg beaters and used a fourth cup to make the "pancake". Then I spooned on a mixture of whipped cream cheese, ricotta cheese, DS) and rolled it up like a burrito. It was OK. I think next time I will try it without the ricotta and just the CC and splenda. I never tasted the ones at the restaurant b/c it had sugar so I really didn't know what they tasted like. My friend just loves them! I was still hungry after I ate that little thing so I fixed myself a 1/4 cup of All bran cereal. My breakfast was a little higher than normal.

The kids wanted to go to McDonalds yesterday. I didn't get anything there...trying to drop the fast food a little more. I ordered a coffee....splenda and 1/2n1/2. Next time I will just get them to give it to me and let me put it in. I was so paranoid about whether they had put sugar in it or not. I REALLY couldn't tell. I say all this to say that later after I ate my lunch that I had a real sweet tooth going (that I gave into LC style). Also, my weight was up a pound from yesterday (133.4) and my ketone stick was lighter. Now I really think I might have had sugar in my coffee. It wasn't real sweet and I asked for 2 splendas which should have made it sweet. You know how when we used to use sugar sometimes it wouldn't dissolve very quickly so you would have to put more in it. Oh well, I guess I will never know...but lesson learned.

I have to take DS#3 to the eye doctor today. I don't know if I have shared any history with him on his eyes or not. Last year his eyes started to wander. We had to put patches on him 3 hours out of the day to strengthen his eyes. Well, it worked and he has just been wearing the glasses and everything has been fine. Recently though I have seen him doing the same. So, she will check him today to see what is going on.

Kids have half days tomorrow and Friday with school. I am REALLY glad that I don't have company coming this weekend. I am just so tired. Still haven't heard from our friend. Hope everything is OK.

Menu from yesterday:

B~Egg & Cheese Blintz(2.5), 1/4 cup All Bran Double Fiber cereal(3.5) w/ 1/4 cup CCD milk(.7)=6.7
S~coffee w/ splenda (or sugar??) & 1/2n1/2=1.2 or more
L~Bare wings(0), hot sauce(2), sm. salad(2), ranch(2)=6
S~2 squares of Lindt chocolate melted(2.5),w/ 1 tsp pb(.6), 1 T cream(.4), Fiberfit(0)=3.5
D~Awful grilled (yeah right)chicken(3), ranch(1), 2 wings(2)=6
L~LC blueberry yogurt w/ flax seed=3

T~26.4 or more

Ketone stick this morning: small
Water yesterday: 97 oz.
Exercise yesterday: 1 mile walk/run on treadmill

If you haven't tried the Fiberfit yet you must get a bottle. It is like liquid splenda but is complete fiber. You can put it in anything! I bought it at Netrition. I won't buy the Sweetfrez anymore since I don't know anything about it. This Fiberfit is just as good and safe.

[KrystaLyn]

Sorry you had such a bad experience at the restaurant And I don't think you did too bad yesterday, considering.

I make the blintzes myself, although I sweeten the eggs to make them taste more like a crepe and less like a plain egg. Sometimes I add cinnamon, too. And then I mix the cream cheese with cottage cheese, splenda and vanilla, and I usually dice up a strawberry and mix it in. I think they are yummy

Because I'm all alone, I haven't eaten out in ages! But I think it's good you are trying to cut out the fast food a bit. I always keep some Splenda packets in my purse just in case I need them. I think it's a good idea to ask for the coffee black and then add your own stuff!

Hopefully things go well with your son at the eye doctor

Talk to you later!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Your blintzes sound much better. I think the problem with mine was that the eggs didn't taste all that great. I will try it your way and see if they are much better. What are the carb counts for the way you fix them?

I always have splenda...in the car, in my purse, in the diaper bag! I have also found that many restaurants that don't have it on the table have it in the back. I just ordered some of those splenda tablets (then found them in the grocery store). I am curious to see how they do.

[KrystaLyn]

I think I have an exact recipe for the blintzes around here somewhere. I will dig it up and post it.

[seb]

I make something similar to the blintzes sometimes, very good.

Hope things go well with your son today.

We don't eat out a lot, but I do think you might be getting a lot of hidden carbs in your food with dressings that add sugar, not being sure what they add to sauces, or even adding carbs to the meat to plump it up? Reading the book I am right now, I'm reminded of really watching for hidden carbs. Have you ever noticed how high fast food salad dressings are in carbs?

Sounds like a nice rest you had with the kids this morning. I could never get back to sleep, even if I wanted to get more rest.

Well, it sounds like you need to rest this weekend. Hope you can get some. I know it's hard with kids. I still can't believe I only have two kids at home. It really is much quieter around here.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Ds#3 report from the doctor was partly good and partly bad. His vision is still good with his glasses it's just that his one eye (which is a different eye than the last time we had this problem) is wandering. So we are back to patching 4 hours a day. The other thing she wanted me to do was get him to practice crossing his eyes when he isn't patching. This will strengthen the inner muscles. I laughed because you know how we as mother's always tell our kids not to cross their eyes. I remember my mom telling me that my eyes would get stuck that way (not knowing I wasn't doing it on purpose) if I didn't stop. The doctor will check him in December to see how he is improving. If we can't get this eye to respond then he will have to have surgery. Pray that he will do as well as the first time.

Gotta go figure out dinner...I will keep my computer on if anyone wants to talk.

[KrystaLyn]

Well, I looked and I guess I have never written down the recipe for the blintzes! Sorry...

[seb]

Sorry that now DS's other eye is troubling him. Sounds like a lot of work patching his eyes and making him cross them. A mother's work is never done, is it?

I have a beef roast in the crock pot so just need to fix some extras. Easy night!

[Low Carb Mommy]

I went into DS#3's room this morning to wake him up for school and found him lying in a large amount of throw up. Poor DS . I asked him why he didn't call me and he said he was just too tired. I thought yesterday's episode was just isolated because he didn't throw up anymore or act sick at all the rest of the day. Now I don't know. After getting him all cleaned up...stuff in the laundry....he is now running around acting happy. I just couldn't send him to school with this happening. I wouldn't want him to give anything to another child. I hate when mom's send their kids to school sick...not fair. On another note, we started patching this morning. I have so far caught him with his glasses off only once.

I stayed the same weight this morning (133.4). I was curious and looked back because I knew there had not been many days that I have stayed the same in the last year. I counted only 13 days that I stayed just the same. There were no days that I was the same weight more than two days in a row. Amazing huh?

I still felt pretty bad last night. I think I might have a touch of something myself. I didn't even exercise last night. It was all I could do to fix dinner, clean up, bathe kids and get them in the bed (and that was with DH's help). After we got the kids in the bed we just sat in our big chair and watched a movie and cuddled. Speaking of movies...watched another really good one...."Peaceful Warrior"....highly recommend it.

Menu from yesterday:

Late breakfast~Large protein shake=2
Late Lunch~Roast beef slices(5), slice of Swiss cheese(1), tea & splenda(1)=7
Dinner~Homemade Parmesan chicken strips(4), 1 cup cooked collard greens(2)=6
Dessert~Krysta's cheesecake pudding-2/3 cup =5?

Total~20

Ketone stick this morning: moderate
Water yesterday: didn't keep track maybe 60oz.
Exercise yesterday: just too tired

[seb]

Good morning Beth. Poor DS. Hope he doesn't throw up anymore. Sometimes it's so hard to know what to do with them school wise, but I also don't like sick kids going to school. I err on the side of caution, because once I made my oldest DS go to school, even though he was complaining about stomach pains, and he ended up in the hospital. Boy, did I feel like an awful mom!

I wonder if you and DS have the same bug? Hope today is better for you also.

Did Krysta post a recipe for the cheesecake pudding? I'd love to see that.

[Low Carb Mommy]

I think it is in our recipe thread...if not, then it is in her journal! OMG it is the best recipe! It is even better after it sits in the refigerator a while. I ate strawberrys this morning dipped into it! It is going to be hard not to taste it throughout the day. You will LOVE it! I think I will fix it the next time I have over company too.

We parents do tend to get milder versions of the sicknesses our kids have. I am sure that is why I feel so drained.

[seb]

Heading over to the recipe thread.

[KrystaLyn]

I'm so sorry DS is still sick! And sorry you are feeling under the weather, youself. I have to say, i haven't been sick in a LONG time...maybe because I am eating so much healthier??

I'm glad you like the pudding. Its really good, huh? I was thinking stawberries would be really good with it, too! Unfortunately, I don't have any strawberries right now, since I was doing Induction levels for awhile.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Krysta~I saw the strawberries in the frig this morning (that I had really bought for the kids) and couldn't resist! I could have eaten WAY more but decided to stop and cook an egg.

I just want to say that I REALLY want everyone in my journal to always be honest with me about my WOE. Don't ever feel like you are going to hurt my feelings by calling my attention to anything regarding my diet and exercise. I also want to say that I put EVERYTHING I eat in my menu. I don't leave out things due to embarrassment. There are no hidden foods with me. I REALLY want to start dropping again. If there is anything you think (and I mean ANYTHING) I give you full permission to tell me (or reprimand me). I need some tough love in these last few pounds. I need you guys to push me and keep me accountable. I value your opinions and understand that you can see things that I won't necessarily see. Love you ladies so much! I am enjoying the journey with all of you!

[seb]

O.K. Beth, I'll be honest with you.

How about dropping the shakes and bars for a week and see how things go? I think eating a couple eggs in the morning, and some protein/veggies for lunch on a consistent basis might help you see a loss.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Beth,

I have missed you friend. Hope you and the kids are feeling good today.

You know I will be honest, and I think Krysta may be on to something with the processed stuff. Could be that since you are close to your goal, you really need to keep with the whole/unprocessed stuff. Wouldn't hurt to try

BBL

[Debralynn]

Hope DS #3 is feeling better (and you too!). I can never believe how fast they can bounce back. Meanwhile, even if we get a milder version, it can hang on for an eternity! LOL.

I really do have the same problem with eating out. It is a tough one. I committed to staying in and cooking all week this week. I find that I and the rest of the family are eating really well. DH and I talked, and we are going to try and limit restaurants to once a week (probably Sun. after church), even though I will still keep it legal, I know I am getting hit with hidden carbs.

The kids and I had fun earlier in the week going to Sprouts (our local farmers market) and picking out fruits and veggies together. They have been trying all sorts of new things. I have been having fun trying to make my own versions of restaurant dishes we all love, and DS #1 is having fun helping.

Last night they gobbled up my broccoli casserole (it was great!), and then they had a sampling of fresh fruits for dessert.

[monet0329]

Hello Beth......

sorry to hear DS isn't feeling well, I sure hope thats not what your getting.. my prayers are with you both !!

I agree about cutting the shakes and bars out.. just to see.. if there isn't a difference.. add them back in..

I'll be back more tonight to catch up.. I don't come on for a day and I feel so lost ..

hope your day is going well.. love yaa

[Low Carb Mommy]

THANK YOU!!!

Sue~OK, I will do it starting tomorrow I will cut out the shakes for two weeks and see what happens.

Jaime~I will not eat at any fast food restaurant starting tomorrow as well. As far as processed foods other than eating out...I am trying to think about what I do eat that is processed....of course the shakes & bars, cheese, bacon, ranch dressing (don't know if I can give this up but I will cut in half what I have been using), treats, other than that most everything else is eating out. Nuts, yogurt, flax seed, tea, coffee, jello, cream?.....would you consider these processed? The rest of my diet mainly consist of meats, salad, veggies (not canned...frozen and fresh). Do I need to cut out splenda?

Since we are talking about eating out and you all have seen what I eat when I eat out....If I have to eat out, then what should I be ordering? I need suggestions. I usually stick with a steak or chicken. I know I need to stay away more from the wings. The reason I eat out a lot of times is because we are just getting home too late. I can control the lunch eat outs (unless DH wants me to go to lunch with him) but it is the dinners and the weekends that I eat out the most. I'm not being lazy. I am just very pushed for time. I spend most of my time 30 minutes or more away from home EVERY day. I can do better...not saying that it is an excuse. I want to lose this weight and if this is what it takes then I will do it.

Thanks again for your feedback.

[Debralynn]

Originally Posted by Low Carb Mommy

THANK YOU!!!

Since we are talking about eating out and you all have seen what I eat when I eat out....If I have to eat out, then what should I be ordering? I need suggestions. I usually stick with a steak or chicken. I know I need to stay away more from the wings. The reason I eat out a lot of times is because we are just getting home too late. I can control the lunch eat outs (unless DH wants me to go to lunch with him) but it is the dinners and the weekends that I eat out the most. I'm not being lazy. I am just very pushed for time. I spend most of my time 30 minutes or more away from home EVERY day. I can do better...not saying that it is an excuse. I want to lose this weight and if this is what it takes then I will do it.

Thanks again for your feedback.

I am in a very similar situation, Beth. Please don't think that I am ripping into your decisions.

You are making GREAT decisions with your eating out, (I feel that I do, too) but I think we are just getting lots of extra stuff we can't even know about. It is a real struggle for me to cut back on restaurants, and I had to have a long discussion w/DH this weekend to get him on board with my "experiment".

DH works long hours, far from home, and sometimes the only times that the kids see him during the week is if we go downtown and meet him for dinner. Weekends, we love to take off for the whole day. Days that I have to go into my office (an hour away), even if I plan on cooking, I usually end up stopping at a drive thru or for some convenience food on the way home.

I have been really sensitive to additives in food lately. (Noticing "coating" on hot wings, or that the grilled chicken on the low carb menu at Cracker Barrel has a very sweet marinade, not to mention salad dressings, etc.) I think that I might be way off plan without even realizing it.

So, while I am trying to get over this "speedbump" in my weightloss, I think that I am going to try and limit dining out for a little while. I will go out once a week, and order something legal that I enjoy, and not worry about the hiddens. I will also try and up my water on those days, and NOT order soda! (I wouldn't be surprised if I get regular half the time I order diet! )

Don't cut out your splenda. Don't make this a miserable diet, or you won't be able to stick with it. Just do your best when at home (and you have total control over what you eat) to eat the most whole, nutrient packed foods you can. You haven't gained, and you aren't doing anything wrong!!!!

Hang in there! You are beautiful! You are loved! God Bless You!

[Low Carb Mommy]

You are right with everything you have said. I DON"T think that you are "ripping into my decisions" at all. I really never viewed the eating out as possibly getting more than I bargained for carb wise. I try to eat plain and check the nutritional counts on foods. There HAS to be something to it though since I have stopped losing. Before the summer hit I was eating more at home. I think it is certainly worth cutting back to see if it makes a difference. Thanks for the encouragement.