Beth's Real Life Journey to Success

[Low Carb Mommy]

Last night before I went to bed I felt good about the day. I had earlier worked out to my exercise tape. And later that evening I got to go walking with a close friend. We walked a hilly mile pushing strollers. I honestly didn't care what my carb count was for the day, because I knew that I had treated my body good. I was rewarded this morning on the scales with 140.4. That was a 1.2 lost from yesterday. My muscles are sore, but it makes me want to do it all again today! I still have 1.2 pounds to go just to be even for the week. I guess it is doable, but I am not getting my expectations up for tomorrow. If it doesn't show for tomorrow, then I know for sure it will be gone in the next couple of days. It will just be good to be back in the 130's and stay there!

So, I started counting regular/net carbs yesterday. I didn't keep up with it during the day. I added it up this morning. In my menu, I will list first the net and then the full carbs. I would imagine that on restaurant's nutritional guides they are counting the whole and not the net unless specified (like the Zaxby's salad I had). Some counts on veggies I may not know if I have just a little bit or it is in a recipe. I am just going to do the best I can with guessing or just put the whole total.

Menu for yesterday:

B~Atkins Shake (2/6), Coffee w/ CO & Splenda (.5)=2.5/6.5

L~Zaxby's salad w/o crunchy onions or tomatoes (6), ranch (2.5)=8.5

S~1 cup of CCD milk=4/5

D~BBQ chopped pork(0), 1 T LC BBQ sauce(1.5), salad(.4/1.3), ranch(1), green beans (1), homemade slaw(4)=7.9/8.8

Total=22.9 net, 28.8 whole, 5.9 fiber



Krysta~You always know the right thing to say....you need to be writing! Thank you for your kind words and always making me feel better. I was a little embarrassed about my vulnerability I displayed yesterday, but maybe it will help someone else who deals with the same issues. You are so right....we would have loved to have been in those 10's and 8's months ago....we should be really proud of ourselves! I am going to start counteracting every negative thought with a positive one aloud! I am so glad to get the splenda thing cleared up. I have been worrying a little on the davinci's because I use it every day. It is good to hear about that! I have been counting my packs as 1 carb...now I will count them as .5 like you.

I told Mark that I wanted some "me" time today. I think I will go see a movie or just go shopping by myself. I was thinking yesteday that he had been working a lot and that has left me with the kids a lot. Plus we have had a lot of company the last few weeks. I think I just need some down time. Every thing seems so dramatic when you are tired and haven't had any fun time for yourself! I am looking forward to it....now off to see what is playing!

[Edwards20]

I hope you get some "ME TIME" ... I love you girlie !!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Just real quick....I am not absent from my journal. My computer is being worked on right now. I will post when I get it back. I am typing on my husband's office computer right now so I can't say much. I will catch everyone up when I get back! Just wanted to let you all know.

[seb]

Hey Beth, glad you are in a better state of mind. It sometimes takes the down periods to understand ourselves and what may be an underlying issue. You really are doing well. The scale is going to go through periods of fluctuatng, but look how far you have come!

I pray that you have a blessed day today, and that your computer gets back to you soon.

[Edwards20]

Whew !! I am glad to know it's just computer promblems (not that they are minor), but I am just saying .....

[KrystaLyn]

Can't wait till you're back!

[Edwards20]

Me either .... I sure do miss you.

[seb]

Hope your computer gets fixed soon. I miss you!

[Edwards20]

How much longer ??? Please get your computer fixed soon .

[Edwards20]

Uhm Uhm ... where are you ?? I miss you

[Low Carb Mommy]

I'm back!!! This has been a horrible week for me...not being able to get on here and talk to everyone has been torture! I am so glad to be back. I actually got back my computer on Thursday, but when I got home my service provider was down...go figure that one!! Anyway, I hoping there will be no more problems.

It has seemed like more than a week since I journaled. I ended last week (Sun.) at 140.8 which was a 1.6 gain for the week. Then came this week of yo yoing up and down.....let me give the run down.....

4/15-140.8
4/16-140.4
4/17-140.8
4/18-141
4/19-140.2
4/20-140.4
4/21-140.8

So, you can see just how frustrated I must have been all week....and then I had none of my wonderful friends there to lift me up and tell me it will be OK. I also had no way to really check on the food I was eating to do my carb counts. I just had my Atkins book. Last Sunday I was really bummed!! The scales were hostile toward me! I was just ready to accept that I had reached a plateau. I not only had a hard week with the weight, but also there was also some things going on with my brother that had me in knots! I can't really talk about it. If there was going to be any giving up or cheating, this week would have been the week! BUT I didn't cheat and stayed on plan. I may have eaten a little more than normal, but I never cheated! I am very proud of myself for that one.

My week ended today (Sun.) and the scales finally were my friend again. I ended today with 139.4. I am really praying that I will finally stay in the 130's. I really need to stay in the 130's!!

I want to tell you that Mark(DH) is doing very well! Since he started LC (3/19) he has lost 25 pounds! I am so proud of him. Men do make me sick though. They can lose so much faster! He has really caught onto this WOL. I am so happy! He has been so faithful to the plan and hasn't cheated not one time! Not even with any LC treats!

Yesterday was my daughter's 2nd birthday party. We had lots of wonderful LC food. We didn't eat any of her cake, but every one said it was really good. This is my second birthday party that I have attended where I had none of the cake. I am really amazed at myself. Mark was recalling our son's birthday party back in February. He remembered eating 3 pieces of his cake. He said he also felt terrible. He never wants to feel like that again!

I really got a glimpse of just how important this site is to me. I am so grateful for my friends here cheering me on and picking me up when I am feeling low. Thank you!

[seb]

Beth~it's so good to have you back. Sounds like you have beaten the battle of the scale. Glad you're back down. I'm ignoring mine right now, just measuring.

Sounds like you won a battle this week, overcoming the temptations to cheat during stessful times. Good job. Hope that things work out for your brother.

Congrats to DH for his 25 pound loss. Wonderful! He must feel so good about it, and feel so much better now. The cake thing.............we have overcome that battle this week with cupcakes, cake and goodies galore, but we didn't indulge! Homemade cake/frosting is a downfall of mine, and after making two cakes in the last few weeks without even tasting anything, I also know that I have overcome a big hurdle in my journey.

This site is so important to me also. There was a week or so a few months ago that I couldn't get on and I was chomping at the bit.

Here's to a great LC week for both of us

[Low Carb Mommy]

Sue, it is good to be back! I am so glad the cake thing is over!

Well, I guess I over did it yesterday with my salt intake. I was up a pound this morning (140.4). I wasn't real surprised. I had felt like I had eaten more than I should have last night. I made a new casserole and it was very yummy! I plan to do some exercise today and drink lots of water to see if I can get it to go down again. I bought a new Denise Austin tape and I am eager to work out to it.

Yesterday's Menu:

Breakfast: 2 eggs (1.8), 5 bacon(.2), coffee w/ SF creamer(2)=4

Lunch: Atkins shake (1net/5)=1/5

Snack: Moz. cheese(1), few macadamia nuts(.9net/2.3)=1.9/3.3

Dinner: Linda Sue's Italian Casserole-2 servings(8 net/10), salad(?/3), ranch(1)=12/14

Dessert: 1/2 flourless chocolate cake(2.3net/3.4)=2.3/3.4

Total: 21.2 net/29.7full


After typing in my menu, I can now see that it might not have been all water weight that hurt me with the scales. It was a bit over-eating, water, and not counting full carbs. I am definitely going to have to watch it! I have got to keep it in my mind that I want to reach my goal.....I want to get well into the 130's now. I have read where you really have to watch calories, fat, etc. when you get down to the end. I honestly hate this. It feels too hard for me right now. I would rather just keep eating the way I am eating! But I do want to reach my goal, so I will have to adapt when needed. I already feel like I am not going to be able to eat as many carbs as some people....now I have to watch fat and calories too?! Yuck! The price we pay to look good. Not to say that I want to go back by no means, I guess I didn't realize just how hard it was going to be. Maybe it will get easier after I learn more about what I can and cannot have. Right now I am feeling overwhelmed.

[seb]

Beth~I also don't want to have to watch fat/calories to get to goal. It would be interesting to hear from Fawn or AllieCat about what they say about this. Didn't they keep their calories up while getting to goal? My goal is to eat well, not be hungry, etc...all the while getting to goal. It may take me longer, but I hate to resort to eating lower fat. A couple weeks ago I though I should lower fat and ended up being too hungry. Just not worth it for me. Worth some research, huh?

[Low Carb Mommy]

It is good to see that I am not alone in this feeling. I put a thread in the main lobby about the last 15 pounds. We will see what others have to say. Fawn will accept private messages. I may email her.

[seb]

Beth~I just read your thread on the ML. So many say they have to lower calories. I dunno...that's just not the road that I want to travel. But, I will just have to wait and see. I'm not even close to goal.

[Edwards20]

Beth, I have missed you so much. It's no fun when you can't come here for support and encouragement and answers. I am nowhere near close to goal, and I know that I would feel very overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do in pre-maintenance. I hope that you can find your answers. I just don't think Atkins was intended to be this difficult, the book makes it sound so easy. I keep thinking I am missing something. I am proud of you and your husband. I am praying for your brother.

[KrystaLyn]

Beth, looks like we were in the same boat last week. I don't even know how much I weigh right now, although I still fit into my clothes just the same, so I figure even if I'm not losing right now, I'm maintaining. Blasted TOM! April has been a crummy month for me, weightloss-wise. I just can't wait till I close on my house and get all of that is taken care of so that I can (maybe) get back to a normal routine again! Anyway, just wanted to say I'm glad you're back and I'm gonna miss you again this week! But I will check in before I leave for NC on Wednesday.

[Low Carb Mommy]

You guys are so sweet. I really need your support during this time. I appreciate you so much! One thing I do know is we ARE going to reach our goals!

I was so proud of myself yesterday. I exercised for an hour! I did 20 min. of aerobics, 30 minutes of toning (upper body, lower body, abs), and 10 minutes of stretching. I am pleasantly surprised that the only place I feel really sore is my stomach. I felt a little stronger yesterday than in times past when I exercised. I am going to really start making it a priority. I know that exercise is what is going to get me through this final stretch. I also want it to become something I really want to do.

I almost expected the scales to either stay the same or go up because of the exercise. BUT they rewarded me...go figure that! I was 139.2! I finally got back to the lowest I have been on the scales. The last time it read that weight was on 4/8. I am crossing my fingers that we will continue this time staying in the 130's.

Menu from yesterday:

Breakfast: 2 eggs(1.8), coffee w/ HC(.4)=2.2
Snack: 2 cubes of cheese (.2)-pk said 7 cubes=1
Lunch: 1 cup salad w/ taco meat, SC, Salsa, cheese (5)=5
Snack: 2 pieces of turkey bacon(0)=0
Dinner: Creamy Ranch Chicken(3N/5F), 1/2 cup green beans(3N/5F), LC vanilla yogurt(2.5~shared w/ Kate)=8.5N/12.5F

Total: 15.9 Net; 19.9 Full


I was reading in my devotion this morning about "Laying Aside Anxiety: Running with Peace". A describtion of an anxious person is one who is distressed, disturbed, worried, troubled, concerned, uneasy, ill at ease, disquieted ,restless, nervous. I realized in a lot of areas of my life that I haven't given these worries over to the Lord. He tells us in his word to be anxious for nothing but with prayer make our request known and His peace He will give us. I am chosing today to give over my worries with the weight problems over to the Lord. I am trusting Him to day to help me and give me peace about the scales. I chose today to not be anxious with the timeline on when my scales should say a certain thing. I decide today to walk in peace! Hope everyone has a blessed day!

[seb]

Originally Posted by Low Carb Mommy

I was reading in my devotion this morning about "Laying Aside Anxiety: Running with Peace". A describtion of an anxious person is one who is distressed, disturbed, worried, troubled, concerned, uneasy, ill at ease, disquieted ,restless, nervous. I realized in a lot of areas of my life that I haven't given these worries over to the Lord. He tells us in his word to be anxious for nothing but with prayer make our request known and His peace He will give us. I am chosing today to give over my worries with the weight problems over to the Lord. I am trusting Him to day to help me and give me peace about the scales. I chose today to not be anxious with the timeline on when my scales should say a certain thing. I decide today to walk in peace! Hope everyone has a blessed day!

Good word for the day Beth! The Lord does give us a peace that passes all understanding. I have known that peace so many times in the past year with serious illness/death in the family. He will give you a peace with this weight loss also!

[seb]

I've been reading your post on the ML about the last 15 pounds. Interesting answers. It seems that a lot of the people have to lower fat/count calories to get to goal. I guess I'll see when I get close, but it doesn't sound fun. p.s. my dd says I sound like a teenage sometimes because I want everything to be fun. Do I have to grow up yet? I'm not 50 yet.

[Edwards20]

Thanks for sharing the devotion .... makes sense. I was just checking in on ya sister. You are right, we WILL do this.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Sue~I don't think we ever have to grow up when it comes to fun! I love that you have that kind of spunk and energy!
Candy~I look forward to you checking up on me every day!

Things were crazy yesterday. I had to take my two little ones for their check-ups. I was there for hour and half. My son had to get 5 shots to catch up for his immunizations! He also had to get his finger stuck. My daughter had to get one shot and go to the lab to draw blood. She is being tested for allergies and various other things. It was not fun for mom or kids!

I got to go and have dinner with Mark at Red Lobster. The older boys were at a friends house. After picking them up, we didn't get home until almost 9:00. I was hardly home yesterday. So, I didn't get in any exercise other than running around. I was more sore later in the day from the exercise the day before. I really going to make an effort to get some exercise in today.

I was up on the scales a little this morning. I was 139.8. It's alright. The salt from my dinner was well worth it!

Menu from yesterday:

B~Egg salad(2), 2 turkey bacon(0)=2
L~2 hamburger patties(0), slice of cheese(1), sm. salad(2), ranch(2)=5
S~2 T almonds(1.4N/3.6F), piece of homemade LC treat(2.2)=3.6/6.8
D~Red Lobster: Shrimp scampi(1.2), grilled shrimp(1), lobstertail(0), salad(5N/7F), ranch(2), a couple brocolli florets(1)=10.2N/12.2F
Late night snack~revolution roll(1), 1/2 shake(.5/2.5)= 1.5/3.5

Total: 21.3N/28.5F

I tell you...It feels so much better to count net carbs than it does to count full carbs! I don't know what to believe???

I was so hungry late last night. It might have been that I ate dinner so early...around 6:00. I don't think that I ate anything that would have stirred cravings on. I should have just pressed through. Why is it that we are so afraid of being hungry? I remember as a teenager that I used to get a kick out of my stomach growling while trying to lose weight. Now I can't stand to feel hungry for too long. It is a mystery!

[seb]

Bet, I don't really know about counting net/full carbs either. I hear a lot about not counting the fiber carbs, but just want to keep it easy for myself right now.

I also hate, almost fear, hunger. I think it comes from my low-fat eating days where the hunger was so severe at times. I feel hungry now, but it doesn't have the urgency of the former hunger.

Your Red Lobster dinner sounds good. I bought some more jumbo shrimp today. Yum.