Beth's Real Life Journey to Success

[seb]

Dontcha just hate that muffin top?

Sounds like your work outs are going great! You're a fat burning machine!

[godsbeloved79]

Originally Posted by Low Carb Mommy

Lyn~Thanks! I owe a lot of motivation to you.

Glad I was able to help . I really appreciate your support in my journal . You gave me a good idea to get moving start Monday . I wish there was a Y in my area. It's better when you see normal people vs body builders and those that eat sleep and drink exercise. KUTGW my friend, you RAWK !

[Low Carb Mommy]

Hello ladies! Thank God it's Friday. I am worn out!

Six am came so early this morning. I did get everyone to school on time. Then, I headed for the gym. They open their Child Watch at 8am so everything worked perfectly. Got in my workout and then headed home with a sick kid at 9:30. She had been complaining of a headache early, so I had given her some Motrin (thank goodness). By the time we got home from the Y, she was running a fever.

I really had no time for a fever today. We were suppose to be at the school for the Prayer Walk and Fall festival at 11:00 (leaving by 10:30). It just didn't happen. I was finally able to get her up and feeling a little better to leave by 11:30. DS #3 was very frustrated when I got there because all the other parents were already there. I had signed up to do the K5 booth at 2:40, so I asked one of the other moms that was in charge of the booth first to switch with me. I just knew that DD wouldn't last very long. It was suppose to be a cooler today, but I was burning up...sweating awful (you would have thought my body would have no had anymore sweat after my workout)! We stayed for a couple of hours and then had to head home. The older boys weren't happy but understood. This afternoon I have been taking care of them and trying to rest myself. DH won't be home from his out of town meeting until 11pm.

I rested yesterday...no exercise. I meant to get on my treadmill but it didn't happen. DH left for his trip and my parents came over to eat dinner with us. They ended up staying and watching the debate (Go Palin!). I knew that it wouldn't hurt me since I had worked out so hard the day before.

I am a bit stressed out this afternoon and I have been fighting emotional eating. I am surviving. I hope it doesn't get worse as the night goes on. I have eaten way too much cheese already this afternoon.

Menu from yesterday:

B~Atkins shake
L~Shrimp Caesar salad, water w/ lemon
D~BBQ Chicken, salad w/ ranch
S~Atkins Endulge bar

[lisagail76]

Just found your journal and love it! I want to start my own. Can you tell me how you track your carb counts?
Thank you!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Lisagail~I used to count every carb for a while. In fact if you look throughout my journal I have a lot of menus and counts. Now since I have been doing this WOE for so long, I just count them in my head. I know what I can eat and what I can't eat. Every now and then I will keep track. It just all depends on how my weight it doing. I really advise those starting out to keep a food journal with counts. It helps you learn. Right now I have started exercising consistently so I am not real worried as long as I am sticking to LC. Thanks for visiting my journal. You really must start your own. My journal has really helped me be successful.

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by lisagail76

Just found your journal and love it! I want to start my own. Can you tell me how you track your carb counts?
Thank you!

you can go to fitday.com it will help you ..

hiya Beth.... for DD..sure hope shes feeling better

[litegirl61]

I love this journal. I also want to start my own on my new journey to successful weight loss. It's so encouraging to see "real" people succeed. This gives me hope..

[lisagail76]

Thanks guys! I will. I am keeping a journal, but haven't made it public yet. I'm recovering from a long held eating disorder. I have two little kiddos to make changes for. I'm not looking to drop alot of weight, more like five pounds, but it's more of a mental battle for me. By the way, I'm really active into exercise, lifting weights especially. I can help with any exercise questions. I am one of those type A annoying nerdy people who read lots of books and obsess (if you can't tell by the eating disorder comment). If I weren't an attorney who had to pay back her school loans, I would love to be a personal trainer. The only reason I say that is because I love your journal, it inspires me and keeps me motivated, so if I can help in any way with any exercise questions, I would love to. Keep up the great work, you are awesome!
Oh by the way, I have trouble getting accurate carb counts on Fitday, did you just post your own? It doesn't seem to allow for net carbs?

[Low Carb Mommy]

Thank you litegirl! Sometimes I wonder if others read my journal. I really just wanted this journal to be real and honest! I wanted others to be able to see that it is a process but you can succeed at this WOE. Come and visit anytime! Let me know if you start a journal too. I would love to support you!

Lisagail~One of my friends on here (New York Giants-Jennifer) has struggled with bulimia for a long time. She has a journal on here that you might be interested in. You can look back in my journal to find her and the link.

Oh, I would love for you to share anything you want regarding exercise. I am just starting out. So, post away!

You know I found the same problem with Fitday. You have to be very specific to get the right counts. I did use it some when I was learning how many carbs were in food. Yes, I do count net carbs. If I didn't I would feel like I could hardly eat anything. It really depends on what stage you are in. In OWL, I really had to keep my carbs below 20 to lose (of course, in the very beginning I had so much to lose that some mistakes didn't show up that much and carbs were forgiving being that I inhaled so many more before starting the plan). But, I am not one of those people that can eat pretty high carbs and keep from gaining.

As far as figuring out carb counts....I used my Atkins book, fitday, websites of restaurants I ate, googled carb counts on certain foods. There are so many websites out there that will give you carb counts. I don't think I am allowed to post them on here. This is where keeping a food journal with counts really helps you. You can look back and see what foods your body loses to the best. You can also see trends like TOM and how it affects your weight. I love looking back over my food journals!

You really have to watch measurements too. One thing I have wondered about was what really constitutes a tsp/T? Do you see how much you can get on that T. or do you take a knife and level it out? My tablespoon tends to be on the heaping side. You do have to pay close attention to measuring in the beginning. Another thing you have to watch are hidden carbs. Just because your bottle of ranch says 2 carbs for 2 T. doesn't mean that a restaurant ranch has the same counts. Just an example. Sauces are things to really watch!

I know there is so much to learn about living LC and it can seem overwhelming at first. I do promise you though that you WILL catch on and it will become very easy! You will get to a point where you won't have to think about food all the time. The weight will be off and you will be a pro at this WOE. Just give yourself a break. Keep moving forward. And never ever give up!

[lisagail76]

Thanks so much Beth. I will definitely look into your friend's journal. I spent most of naptime reading yours. The kiddos will wake up soon and I'll be exhausted! Thank you for the kind words. I'm excited to start journaling and tracking my weight loss, but mostly my healthy way of life.
As for exercise, how's it going for you? I bought the personal training books, but truthfully, the most helpful book I have ever found is one called "Sculpting her body beautiful" by Brad Schoenfeld. It's so much cheaper than a trainer and gives you all the basic weight lifting exercises you could ever need as a woman. As far as cardio, it sounds like you are working on it. What areas do you want to change? I always tell people to start with weights because if you lose weight and you're pear shaped, you just become a thinner pear. But with weights, you can transform parts of your body. For example, I work on my gluts (tush) because I have a naturally flat one, so I squat alot to try and make a bump there.
Your weight loss and journey are inspiring and amazing. Especially to another mom, like me!

[2B Me]

Congrats!!! You look younger and more vibrant!

[NewYorkGiants32]

Hi Beth!

You are so inspiring w/ your exercise, makes me want to step it up a notch!!

How did your night go w/ your emotional eating struggle?

[Low Carb Mommy]

Lisagail~I am flattered that you are reading my whole journal. Thank you for your words of encouragement and the suggestion on the book. I will have to look it up. I am on an exercise program they do at the YMCA. It's a computer system called VIVO. It keeps track on all the exercise I do. They put me on a twelve week program that has 10 different weight training machines (24 reps each machine), treadmill, and elliptical, and then I added an ab machine. I will work out on my own 3 times a week on these machines, and then they will test me again (body fat, endurance, flexibility).
I love talking with other moms. How many children do you have?

MaryC~Thank you for visiting my journal and the compliment! Please come back any time!

Jennifer~I have been amazed at just how quickly getting on board with exercise has changed my whole outlook on this journey. I find it so much easier to have a place to go and exercise. It really keeps me accountable. Also, I am thinking much more about the way I am eating. I go to eat something, and I think about my workout! My eating calmed down the other night before there was too much damage. I just drank a lot of water and got interested in other things. Thanks for checking on me.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Good morning everyone!

Well, as you read, my weekend didn't start off very well in our household. DD got sick and started running a fever (with accompanied throw-up). DH was on a trip Friday and got home very late (1:30am). Kids were in just one of their moods where it seemed like everyone was yelling and irritating everyone. And me...well, it all sent me into emotional eating. BUT, We made it through, and Saturday morning brought smiles and healing. Turns out it was only a 24 hr. virus (thank the Lord)!

Saturday was spent sleeping in as much as possible, haircuts for all the men, grocery store trip, and play. We were just too tired to go anywhere that evening, so we grilled steaks and watched movies. One of my favorite past times!

Sunday afternoon we all went to the YMCA. I really wanted to work out and the kids wanted to play/swim. I got in a good workout (all machines, elliptical, treadmill). The kids played in the kids club, and then I took them swimming.

Eating was much better the rest of the weekend (except for last night's episode). I did find that I seemed to be much hungrier than normal. Then, it hit me what time of the month it was (really my sign was the zit that popped up on my face ....I haven't had one in YEARS!). It explained the feeling down, irritable, cramping, food craving symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are evident with me and sometimes they are not (since I have no physical signs of the times). I'm even afraid to get on the scales this morning because of all the eating and TOM. I know I won't like what I see. On the brighter side of things, I did test for ketosis this morning and got a dark stick. So maybe it's not so bad.

This morning my oldest son woke up with the same virus, so he is at home. I really pray that it ends with him. I am going to have to get out the Lysol and clean! This week for us....soccer games.....that's about all until the weekend. We (us and the older two) are leaving Saturday morning with our friends (and their teenager) to go to Pigeon Forge. The kids are out of school on Monday & Tuesday. We haven't been to PF in 4 years. I am so looking forward to going! The little ones are staying with the grandparents so I actually will have a vacation. We are renting a house that is big enough for us all. It even has a hot tub! I can't wait!

Menu from yesterday:

B~Atkins shake, coffee w/ HC & DS
L~Sm. salad w/ tiny ranch, homemade chicken salad(chicken, mayo, celery, nuts, tiny bit of white grapes), SF pickle
S~After workout-Atkins bar
D~Grilled chicken, sm. lettuce, sour cream, guacamole
Eating binge~1 slice Linda Sue's PB & Chocolate treat (I made the night before), cup CCD milk, coffee w/ HC & DS, Atkins shake, as if that wasn't enough....I heated up a piece of LC pizza I had frozen in the freezer! I hate TOM!!!!


Hope everyone has a successful LC week!!!!!

[seb]

Sorry sickness has hit your family. Hope it stops with your oldest! I'll be back tomorrow.

[Livywilltim-mom]

ICKKKKKKK!! Sorry you are dealing with the yuckies at your house. I pray it stopped with DS!!

Thanks for continuing to share your life with us. I learn so much and am always inspired.

God's Peace

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by Livywilltim-mom

ICKKKKKKK!! Sorry you are dealing with the yuckies at your house. I pray it stopped with DS!!

Thanks for continuing to share your life with us. I learn so much and am always inspired.

God's Peace

Morning Beth.. I hope today is a better day for you sweetie.. I pray you don't come down with it.. ..

let us know how everyone is.. if you can.. sniff sniff..

[Low Carb Mommy]

Thank you Ladies for your prayers. I wish I could say that the sickness stopped with DD & DS#1, but it didn't. I got a call from the school yesterday asking me to come pick up DS#3. He threw up in the cafeteria. I spent the rest of the evening cleaning up accidents. I am so sick up vomit right now!!!!! Both DS#1 & DS#3 are at home today. I am praying hard that DS#2 makes it through (as well as me and DH).

On the brighter side, my BFF (the one I went to visit in Ohio a few weeks ago) called me this morning. She had her baby around 1am! Her DH sent me some pictures and the baby is so pretty. They named her Alexandria Mae and are calling her Lexi. I wish I could be there to hold her. I was in the delivery room when BFF had her first baby (almost 10 pds). Lexi only weighed 7lbs 11oz. She also has a girl between the two. I don't think she will try for a boy now. She says she is done.

I'm hanging in there with all the stress and TOM cravings. I haven't been as perfect as I wanted but it could be way worse. I didn't get to go exercise yesterday, but I think all the cleaning I did counted for something. I feel bloated. I got on the scales this morning and they were a little up. It's been hard seeing the scales not go down. I do have to remind myself that with all the exercising it might not. It's still really hard emotionally. I think this is where I have given up in the past. I just have to keep pressing forward. You know the drill.

Menu from yesterday:

B~Protein shake w/ big handful of spinach
L~Grilled chicken breast, salad, ranch, tea w/ Splenda
S~2 squares of Lindt 85% chocolate (favorite during TOM)
D~Plain chicken wings w/ ranch
D~2 Atkins bars

I know I need to get back to the discipline of counting the carbs. Sorry I have been so lazy. As you can tell, chocolate cravings are through the roof! UGH! At least I grabbed the bars and not M&M's.

[seb]

Sorry there's more sickness in the house. I just hate the stomach flu with little ones; such a mess! Hope they feel better soon and you have no more messes.

How exciting about your BFF. Babies are such a blessing from the Lord.

Hang in there with your weight and cravings. It is better to eat Atkins bars and Lindt choc instead of a bunch of carb laden stuff. And, maybe with all your exercise you should up your calories. Just a thought.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Interesting Sue.... I had been thinking about the calorie thing too. I guess I had been concentrating so much on keeping them lower. Maybe that's why my body is holding onto the weight. The thing I struggle with is how to up the calories without eating so much saturated fat. Any suggestions?

[seb]

How about using more EVOO or CO to up the good fats? Saturated fats is something I'm beginning to worry about, although the LC wisdom says not to. I just don't know at this point. But, adding good fats will help. I buy cold pressed flax oil (I'm out right now so don't have all the details on it) and make a salad dressing with it, just from the powered kind where you add water, oil and vinegar. Flax oil is supposed to be a great addition to the diet, and this dressing, although I'm not a fan of Italian dressing, is very delicious!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Great suggestions. I do use the CO and EVOO when I cook. And I love flax. I don't mind getting some sat. fat occasionally but I know I need to watch it with my high cholesterol. I have been taking supplements for the cholesterol but I won't know how they are working until my next appt. I have just paying more attention to Saturated fat lately.

[lisagail76]

Hi Beth!

Love checking in here during nap time! Except I hear someone peeping down the hall, so I'll make this quick.

I am a stay at home mom of two beautiful kiddos, my daughter is 2 1/2 and my son is 16 months. I am from Texas and was an attorney there until I met my husband who is active duty Army so we relocated. I had battled with bulemia on and off during law school and after, so I was relatively thin, about 138 lbs before children. Now I am all done and have a bit of a mommy pooch and weigh about 142. Oh, I am 5' 8". I work out religiously (as my gym has day care, thank goodness!) but find low carb helps me to stay on track and out of emotional eating. I am thinking of getting more courage and starting my online journal soon. You've so inspired me!
Your workouts sound great. Some tips I get are from websites such as oxygen.com (do you ever read Oxygen magazine? It's great!). I read them for inspiration. However, they advocate the low fat diets, so you have to overlook the nutrition aspect.
I'm glad you are getting into exercise, I love it and find it to be therapeutic for me. I like free weights better than exercise machines to tone up, but they can be intimidating. If you look at any of those books or magazines, they can show you how to lift without needing a trainer. I have found that the free weights have given me a booty and some arm muscles, etc. However, you sound like you are finding your own path, do what's comfortable for you, I love exercise, so find what you like and stick with it. You are such an inspiration.