Beth's Real Life Journey to Success

[DiSa]

Beth, I just read your journal for the first time, it's inspiring to say the least, you've done a wonderful job of losing and keeping your weight off.
Your before picture on your first page, hardly even looks like you.
Best wishes for continued success living the lowcarb way...

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by Low Carb Mommy

All the kids are at school today! It's just been me and DD here this morning. It's so quiet! I love it!

I got to go work out at the gym yesterday evening. It felt so good! I know I shouldn't go two days in a row but I might just do it anyway today. My thinking is that I might not get to go Friday since I will be getting ready for my trip. Then, I will be gone for 4 days. Last week on Biggest Loser (love that show!), they went on a trip to the Grand Canyon. The teams didn't have a gym to workout in and they were lost! After they got back the trainers blasted them for not finding things to do. It was a good lesson. One of the trainers Bob gave a great tip after the show. He said that you don't need a gym to get a good workout. He gave some exercise you can do. You can also get out and walk. I plan on doing these while I am gone on my trip.

Another tip they gave on the Biggest Loser (that I had forgotten) was how good gum can keep you from eating when you are not really hungry. Last night I was mind hungry for something sweet. I tried chewing some Extra Strawberry Banana gum and it really did the trick. Yes, SF gum does have carbs but it was better than grabbing something with far more carbs and calories.

I am really fed up with the scales!!! I keep telling myself that it's just bloating. Then, when that doesn't work I tell myself that it's gained muscle. None of this is helping today! I just don't get it! How long is it going to take for me to see it on the scales. Right now with the bloating it's even hard to feel like all my work is doing anything. I have been trying on pants from last winter and they are tight! Please help me...I am so frustrated. I'm not giving up, I just don't know what my body is doing. I guess I just dreamed that I would really see a difference since I have been working out. Maybe I am just being impatient. I am just tired of this stomach, butt, and thigh fat!!!! I want to be smaller. I want to stop having to wear suck in underwear to feel OK in my pants! You guys see what I am eating. What can I do differently?

Menu from yesterday:

B~Flax seed muffin w/ chocolate pb frosting (cc, tsp. cocoa, splenda, cream, tsp. peanut butter), coffee w/ HC & DS
L~Chicken & cheese, tea w/ splenda
D~Salad, ranch, Sm piece of steak, a bite of broccoli, tea w/ splenda
Later~Protein shake, SF gum

I agree with Jennifer.. and you know how they say the last 10 pounds are the hardest to loose.. so just keep doing what your doing lady bug,,, you'll get there..

Are you doing crunches? those should help with the tummy.. I would do them on a ball if I were you..will help the whole Core... seeing you have to be balances on those things..... I also read if you march in place a lot.. it helps with the booty..... that and the stair climber thingy..

You may already be doing this stuff.. I dunno.. but I hope I helped.. if only a little..

have a great day sweetie.. and have a great trip if I don't see you in here before you leave.,.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Thank you so much DiSa for coming to visit my journal!! Your encouraging words are just what I needed today! I never want to go back to that person in that first picture. That was not me! Thank you for reminding me again just how far I have come.


First things first, I must get the griping out of the way. Then, we will get to the good stuff. You ladies know what a time I was having yesterday with my emotions. After I got off LCF, I was searching LS's website for breakfast ideas. She had pancakes on there, and I remembered that I had a box of Carbquick that I had never opened. I thought OOOHHHH pancakes. It took me three tries before I got the right consistency ...the recipe on the box didn't work. I made some great looking pancakes the last batch (after adding more mix, cream, water), but I had nibbled on so many of the awful looking ones that I was already sick. They really didn't taste good at all!! In fact, I will never fix them again. So breakfast ruined, I was bummed. And now I was sick. I just felt like I had a brick at the top of my stomach...couldn't tell if it was anxiety or that flax seed muffin I ate the day before.

As if all that wasn't enough, on the way to get DS#3 from school, I got stopped by the state patrol. I have only been stopped once but never received a ticket. Funny story....off trail.....the first time I was stopped for speeding (several years ago) by a girl I went to school with. We were really good friends in school, but I had not seen her since we graduated. She let me go with a warning. Anyway, I got stopped yesterday and got a ticket! MY FIRST TICKET EVER....AND I'M 39! I knew DH was going to ride me about it. No longer could I be cocky about never haven gotten a ticket! UGH! By the time I got DS and got back home I was depressed and exhausted.

Depression turned into just being pissed! Not only did I have a bad day, get a ticket, feel sick, kids irritable (DS #3 was mad at me b/c I forgot his juice for the ride home), then DD started complaining of a headache and started running a fever! WHAT!!! I thought we were over this!! My parents are planning to come get the kids tonight (instead of tomorrow morning).....NO, NO, NO I can't have this!! It made me so ill I got into my cleaning mode. Anyone else clean when they are upset? It certainly was better than eating (my stomach had taken that desire away). Needless to say, my house is clean. Which actually made me feel better.

DD woke up this morning around 5:30 complaining again of a headache. I gave her some Motrin, juice, crackers, and prayed over her. So far this morning she is doing just fine. Happy little girl. Please pray that whatever it is that it's gone! (Sue, can you run a fever with a headache only?)

OK, I got all that out of my system. On a good note, my stomach feel much better. I got on the scales this morning and my weight was down. The better part of that is that I have Tanita scales which weigh the fat and water. My fat % was down and my water was up! I haven't seen that in a while! Sometimes my weight will go down, but I know it is just because I lost water weight. So patience does pay off.

I didn't get to the gym for obvious reasons yesterday! I am hoping to go today. I have a lot of errands to do today. I don't know what time my parents will be here today. I am sitting here with my head wet and need to get up and finish getting ready. I may not get to get on here tomorrow morning. If not, hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. Pray for me that I will be good....I'm reminding myself now what my body does when I am not (sends me into anxiety & depression ). I will look forward to sharing my trip with all of you when I get back!!

Menu from yesterday:

B~Carbquick pancakes w/ SF Pancake DS, coffee w/ HNH & DS
L~ Leftover Chicken stuff
S~SF gum
D~Atkins shake
Middle of the night~2 pieces of bacon & SF pickle[...what can I say...I was hungry!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Monet~We must have been posting at the same time. I haven't tried the ball yet. I need to get someone to show me how to do it. I have heard it is really good. Thanks for the suggestion and the encouraging words.

[seb]

I think Jennifer's right. Patience is the key here. It takes time to see a difference, weeks probably. But, just know you're doing the right thing and don't get discouraged.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Sue~Did you see my long post? I asked you a question in there....Can you get a fever when you just have a headache? I thought you might know since you have had so many.

[seb]

Originally Posted by Low Carb Mommy

Sue~Did you see my long post? I asked you a question in there....Can you get a fever when you just have a headache? I thought you might know since you have had so many.

Ooops, we must have been posting at the same time, and youngest DS has been hogging the computer. I have never had a fever with a headache unless I have the flu or something like that. I hope your DD is alright.

[seb]

I had to rescue you from page two. Hope all is well with you and your family. Miss you.

[Debralynn]

Hi there pretty girl! Missed your face!

[Low Carb Mommy]

I finally had time to get on here and post! Wow, what a week! It seems to always take a couple of days for me to get back to normal after a trip. My trip went well. I was very proud of myself for only having one treat during the whole time. I wish I had been completely perfect but considering my past trips I came REAL close.

Here's a run down on my trip to Pigeon Forge. We left Saturday morning around 11am with our friends. We only had a 3 hour trip, so it wasn't all that bad for travel time. We stopped for lunch half way up at Shoney's. After getting settled into our cabin (which was very nice), we decided to go out to TGI Friday's. I resisted getting the Jack Daniel's strips (which I used to always get and loved). Instead I got a salad, chicken and shrimp w/ cheese and broccoli. They do have some items on the menu that are labeled low carb which I thought was very interesting. After dinner we just hung out at the cabin.

Sunday, we got up and had breakfast at the cabin. Then, we took the kids to the Fun park. We played putt-putt and rode go carts. The girls later went shopping at the Christmas store. We had a blast. Sunday night we grilled hamburgers/hot dogs and soaked in the hot tub the rest of the night. It was wonderful!

Monday, we fixed breakfast at the cabin again. Then, we did something I have NEVER done before. We went 4-wheeling through the mountains!! Our friends had gone to this place before where a guide would take you through the mountains on 4-wheelers. I must admit that I was terrified at first. In fact, I was sick to my stomach. I have never ridden a 4-wheeler! I knew I couldn't stay back though, so I made myself conquer the fear! They made us sign all the papers that kinda scared me. Our guide gave us instructions on how to operate the 4-wheelers (which I didn't get everything he said). Luckily there wasn't too much that I had to remember that was crucial! After getting on the trails and practicing a bit before starting, I got the hang of it and just LOVED it! It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. The mountains were beautiful. The leaves have really started changing and the views were incredible! I told my husband after we were finished....well, we have ridden in a helicopter over a volcano....we have gone 4-wheeling through the mountains....what's next..white water rafting...sky diving? I am one cool mom! Monday night we left the boys at the cabin with pizza and the adults got all dressed up and went out to Tony Roma's. After dinner, we went to the movies. This is where my cheat took place...peanut M&M's.

Tuesday, we went out for breakfast to Cracker Barrel before heading home. When we got home, the little ones were so happy to see us. They had had a great time with the grandparents. They took them to the fair. They loved the presents we brought them back (DS#3-an Indian hat & a rocket toy, DD-a princess purse & a Indian doll). It was good to be home but I was exhausted. There was a lot to do...laundry etc.

Wednesday, I had to take all the kids to the dentist after school. It was DS#3 and DD's first time. They did really well! I was so glad they took all of them at one time. It made it so much easier for me. After the dentist, I went and worked out at the Y. It had been since Friday that I had worked out in the gym. And to be honest, I really didn't do any of the exercising that I had planned to do. Oh well. It did show up on the scales...I was up a couple of pounds. It is amazing to me how one cheat can make me gain so easily!

Yesterday, I had a yearly check-up at the OBGYN. I was really upset when they weighed me. I remember last year that I weighed 133. This year I weighed 138. UGH!!!! I was bummed the entire day! I just wanted to say screw it with my food and eat everything I wanted to eat. I compromised though and ate everything low carb I wanted to eat. I was still disgusted with myself because of that! I am getting back on track today. I just want to get back down to 132 again . I need to sit down and come up with a plan. Later that afternoon we had a soccer game...boys lost.

So you can see, I have been very busy! I want to say this in order to be positive. I have realized that since I have lost this weight that I am more open to life in general. You know, I would have never gone riding on a 4-wheeler when I weighed 175. You couldn't hardly get me out of the house! I do have to stop sometimes and remember how I used to be. I have to be proud of myself too for keeping my weight off for the most part going on two years now. Yes, I may be up a few pounds but being up a few is MUCH better than being up 20!

Here are some pictures of the trip:

[monet0329]

Wow... you sure did have a good time huh.. you deserve it

your DD sure loves her new baby.. so sweet...

sky diving.. would you really go that? or bungee jump.. I don't think I ever would.. even if I lost all my weight..lol.. 4 Wheeling.. sure... but not the others..lol..

Glad you had a great time Beth..

[NewYorkGiants32]

Beth...you are so pretty...and SKINNY!!!!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Monet~I don't think I would ever go skydiving or bungee jumping. DH would love to do those things but I told him that he will have to wait until I am gone on this earth to do it! He's never leaving me with all of these kids!

Jennifer~You know how to make someones day don't you? Thank you!


I am highly motivated this morning to get back to the basics....Atkins 101! I have got to do something. I am up 6 pounds from where I really need to be...132. DH told me this morning (I didn't even know he was back on strict Atkins since we got back) that he has lost 6 pounds since Wed. Men.....UGH! I am really glad he is back on though. I think (but don't know for sure) that he has gained probably 20-30 pounds back of the 55 he lost. He said his pants were already fitting him better.

I am so jealous at this moment. So here is what I am going to do (God please help me!). I am going to start over and go on Induction (true induction) for two weeks. I am also going to drink only water to detox and flush the fat. I will continue my exercise as well. I didn't do that great this week. I am going to the Y when I get off here and get ready. That would make only 2 times I have worked out this week. My goal is at least 3. Maybe I can do the treadmill at home tomorrow. Anyway, please help keep me accountable. I will be posting menus and carb counts and weighing daily (today's weight 138.6 ). These are all the things I did in the beginning that got me here today. I HAVE TO DO THIS RIGHT. I am going to REALLY try to not even eat any Atkins bars or shakes. Only for emergencies. I know this is going to be hard, but I want to see results, get this weight off, and feel better!

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday!

[Vanessa120]

Hi Beth
You know you can do it! Don't allow any doubts to creep in!

[NewYorkGiants32]

We are here to support you....Induction levels it is!

[monet0329]

Go Beth Go0o00oo.. like they said.. you know you can do it.. .. and with help from the gym.. the pounds will be gone before ya now it.... but remember.. you may gain from weight lifting.. but then you'll loose..

have a great day sweetie

[seb]

It sounds like you had a great trip. Your next trip should be white water rafting here in the Northwest. DH and I have gone a couple times, the last time with the kids, and it's a blast, especially if it's a really hot day.

Oldest DS went 4-wheeling with friends a couple weeks ago and had the time of his life.

Getting back to Induction sounds like a good way to get re-started losing those few pounds. We'll help keep you accountable.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Vanessa, Jennifer, Monet, and Sue~You ladies are the best! I thought I would check in with you all. This is just what I needed to hear tonight. Man, has it been hard this evening sticking to the plan. I am really craving something sweet (not really sugary sweet...just like fruit, yogurt, peanut butter sweet). I keep reminding myself of how good I have done today and how I want to be able to say that I have finished my first day of induction. I am going to make it! I did break down and have a cup of decaf coffee tonight. Other than that I have been completely on water. It is much harder that I thought. I think I have really relied on Splenda tea to satisfy my sweet tooth. Boy, I can't wait to get rid of that sweet tooth. I will feel liberated again! Well, just wanted to share some thoughts. I will be back tomorrow to post menu etc. Good night.

[Low Carb Mommy]

I made it through yesterday....and today (since I am posting so late) . I got on the scales this morning and weighed 137.4. That was a 1.2 pound loss! How encouraging! Today was hard. We went to a festival after church. The funnel cakes smelled wonderful! I didn't cave in though! I know it is going to get easier. I just have to stick with it and wait.

Menu from yesterday:

B~2 eggs w/ cheese (1.7) & 2 bacon (0)=1.7
S~Cheese stick=1
L~Small salad(3), ranch(2), naked wings(0), water w/ lemon=5
S~Egg salad (2)=2
D~Steak(0), lobster tail(1.3), melted butter, spinach sauteed in butter & garlic(1)=2.3
S~Decaf coffee w/ HC(1) & DS(0)=1

T~13

I also went to the gym yesterday. I did 1.6 miles (30 min) on the treadmill, all of my weight lifting machines(12), and 1 mile (15 min) on the elliptical.

Another note: I am getting back in the swing of things counting my carbs correctly. If anyone sees anything that should be different, let me know.

[Low Carb Mommy]

Good morning ladies! Hope everyone had a great weekend! After church yesterday, my parents came up and we had lunch and went to Dahlonega. They have a festival called "Gold Rush" every year. It's lots of arts, crafts, food, parade, etc. This one was the biggest yet! Mom took some pictures. I will post some when she sends them to me. We had a blast...and there was lots of walking involved. Love that kinda exercise!

I weighed the same this morning. I thought I lost because I felt a little thinner but the scales don't agree. Anyway, here's to the start of another week! Looking ahead...if I continue doing well this week I WILL see a loss.

This week is going to be a busy one for me. Today...soccer game...workout at the gym. Tuesday...field trip to the pumpkin patch w/ K5. Wed....work out at the gym. Thurs.....parent conference with K5. Friday.....early dismissal (which totally changes my schedule) and workout at the gym. And Sat....soccer playoffs if the guys win today. On top of all that, basketball starts this week. The boys brought a paper home from school about athletic fees....$550 for the two of them! We paid $400 for soccer. These boys are killing me! DH said that he is going to ask them if we can make payments. Ah, the joys of private Christian school! We are being stretched just to have them there! Our sacrifices are worth it though!


Menu from yesterday:

B~None...got up late to go to church....would have grabbed an Atkins shake but trying to not drink them right now=0
L~Salad(3),cheese(.5), ranch(2), ribs w/o sauce(2), one bite of green beans(.5) water w/ lemon=8
S~Roma slices w/ mayo & bacon=2
D~Taco salad(salad, meat, sour cream, 1 tsp salsa) in homemade cheese bowl, 1 glass tea w/ splenda (I know I cheated )=10

T~20


I didn't really know the amount on the taco salad. I was lazy last night and just ended up using the package seasoning (I know....). I did cook more meat than the package called for. It wasn't a very strong taste and I didn't have that much (maybe 1/2 cup?). Anyway, I figured 10 was about right. It may be the reason I didn't drop though....

My friend showed me this tomato snack. You take Roma tomatoes and slice them in kinda thick slices. Then, you top them with mayo and bacon crumbles (you can add grated cheese). She says she fixes them for parties and everyone loves them. The key is to put the whole slice in your mouth at once. It is like having a BLT! Very yummy!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Oh my goodness! I was searching around Linda Sue's site looking for another breakfast idea besides eggs and came across this recipe for induction pancakes...Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes. I just fixed them and they are so good!!! I used my Davinci's pancake syrup on them. They are only .5 carbs per pancake. You can't get any better than that! And they are super easy and quick to make. Just thought I would share.

I guess you ladies have a lot of reading to do in my journal today....3 post in a row! Sorry.