Who's behind_the_mask!?

[behind_the_mask]

I'm watching my 11 yr old and 8 yr old neices today and the youngest, who is always very observant, said as soon as she saw me "Aunt Heather! Oh my gosh, your face is shrinking!". I told her that I've lost 15 lbs by eating low carb (their dad has done this off and on, so they know what I'm talking about) and they both starting cheering and clapping! What little angels! If only we always had our own little cheerleaders! But really, I hadn't thought anyone would be able to see a difference at all yet... glad I was wrong!

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by behind_the_mask

I'm watching my 11 yr old and 8 yr old neices today and the youngest, who is always very observant, said as soon as she saw me "Aunt Heather! Oh my gosh, your face is shrinking!". I told her that I've lost 15 lbs by eating low carb (their dad has done this off and on, so they know what I'm talking about) and they both starting cheering and clapping! What little angels! If only we always had our own little cheerleaders! But really, I hadn't thought anyone would be able to see a difference at all yet... glad I was wrong!

gotta love those kiddos.. they tell it like it is.. .. in this case.. yip yip yipppyyyy...

your dinner sounds great.. and hey.. this was a special dinner.. so all is well.. .. ..

KUTGW!!

[behind_the_mask]

Thanks again Monet!

For another thread I posted these current "before" pics... I thought it would be good to post them here to so that I can look back on them later (won't THAT be excting!?). These were taken yesterday afternoon.

[behind_the_mask]

Hi ladies! Just checking in. I'm off with my DH to take my neice out for a day of surprises! Then, tonight, my DH and I are going on a double (blind) date with my cousin and my DH's friend. We hope they hit it off. Should be fun!!!

Today's Menu:
B- omelet w/cheese and sausage
L- Cobb Salad at Red Robin
D- ?salad at a pizza place?

[fancyface]

Hi! Just wanted to drop in and say hello. Looks like you are doing great! I like the new photo of you and your DH. Keep up the great job!

[behind_the_mask]

Thanks so much Fancy! I'm glad you and monet are staying in touch on here! BTW, CONGRATS on your amazing weight loss so far... about 25 lbs in 5 weeks or so... AWESOME!!!

I was proud of myself yesterday because my DH and I were out all day with my neice for a "Fun Day" treat with her! We had a big omelet breakfast here beforehand, then went shopping, to the Science Center, and then to the food court in Seattle Center for lunch. There were VERY few lc options, but I found a chicken ceasar salad... woo-hoo! THEN, we went out with two friends for a double date dinner at a PIZZA PLACE (ugh!), and again... I stuck to a yummy salad. SO... yay again! ANYWAY, a totally OP day! Small victories, right!?

Tonight is our small group. We used to have everyone bring a rotating dish (entree, side dish, salad, drinks, etc.), but this is our first week where each couple is in charge of the entire meal... and it's our week! So, we're planning a great low carb meal... but in the future that means that we'll have NO idea what we'll be able to have. Oh well!

Today's Menu:
B- 2 fried eggs, bacon strips, coffee w/cream (4)
L- lc tortilla w/pepperoni and cheese (6)
D- turkey, mashed cauliflower, caesar salad, diet pop (7)
TOTAL = 17 carbs / 2 liter of water

[monet0329]

Hiya.. ..

So0o0o0o.. how did your friend and dh's friend hit it off? good I hope.. .. I went on ONE blind date and let me tell you.. that's why I only went on ONE....very LONG story.. but funny..

awesome choices you made yesterday.... Your such an inspiration to me hun.... thank you..

OK gotta get..have a good night at Small groups..

[behind_the_mask]

Monet~ LOL! Well... my DH's friend was VERY nervous, so a bit "off" his game. BUT, we did all have a great time anyway! I'm going to try call my cousin and get the real scoop on what she thought. We all came back to our place after dinner to have some coffee and just hang out. She left before he did and he kep saying how much he likes her. So, we'll see if it's mutual (I'm guessing not... but you never know!).

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by behind_the_mask

Monet~ LOL! Well... my DH's friend was VERY nervous, so a bit "off" his game. BUT, we did all have a great time anyway! I'm going to try call my cousin and get the real scoop on what she thought. We all came back to our place after dinner to have some coffee and just hang out. She left before he did and he kep saying how much he likes her. So, we'll see if it's mutual (I'm guessing not... but you never know!).

aww.. I am sure you know your cousin.. so you may be right huh.. I remember a date I went on.. it wasn't the blind one..lol.. I met this guy when I was baby sitting.. the guy next door had a friend who asked about me..lol.. so he came over to talk to me when his friend wasn't there.. tried to get my phone number.. this was when I was 16.. I said I wasn't giving my number out to someone I have never met.. so the next weekend.. he had his friend come to meet me..lol.. I wasn't interested..lol.. but he begged me for my number.. so I said.. ok we can talk.. but I am not going out with you..

let me tell you.. the more I talked to him.. the better I felt about it all.. still my mom told me it wouldn't hurt to just go for a coke.. so I did.. we went to my best friends place that she worked out.. I still wasn't sure.. then one day he kissed me.. and I feel in love.. we went out for a while.. he was my first love.. we broke up because I wasn't "ready"

years later we ran into each other .. on his birthday even Oct 25th..lol.. and he asked me why I wouldn't if I loved him.. I said.. " my mom told me that if a guy loves you.. he will wait till your ready.. if he doesn't wait.. he doesn't love you.. so I thought he didn't really love me.. he said he did.. and that he never thought about it like that..

anywho.. life goes on..lol..

sorry to go into that.. anywho what I mean but it all..is tell your cousin to give the guy a second chance.. you never really know.. heheh..

whats meant to be.. will happen.. if not.. now.. in Gods Time..

night sweetie..

[behind_the_mask]

Monet~ Yeah, I agree that God definitely has it all planned out... we just have to figure that out and wait for His timing! Anyway, thanks for sharing your story (it reminded me of the song by Garth Brooks called "Unanswered Prayer", which I LOVE!). I still haven't talked with my cousin, but I'll let you know what happens.

UPDATED!!! Today's Menu:
B- 2 fried eggs, bacon strips, coffee w/cream (4)
L- none
D- turkey, mashed cauliflower, caesar salad, diet pop (10)
TOTAL = 14 carbs / 2 liter of water

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by behind_the_mask

Monet~ Yeah, I agree that God definitely has it all planned out... we just have to figure that out and wait for His timing! Anyway, thanks for sharing your story (it reminded me of the song by Garth Brooks called "Unanswered Prayer", which I LOVE!). I still haven't talked with my cousin, but I'll let you know what happens.

UPDATED!!! Today's Menu:
B- 2 fried eggs, bacon strips, coffee w/cream (4)
L- none
D- turkey, mashed cauliflower, caesar salad, diet pop (10)
TOTAL = 14 carbs / 2 liter of water

Funny you said that.. every time I hear that song.. I think of ol'e Jeff..lol..

I'll be waiitng to hear about what your cousin thought.,...how exciting hhee

have a great day hun..

[behind_the_mask]

Monet~ That's funny! That song makes me think of an old flame of mine too. Sigh... But seriously, I know I THANK GOD that I'm with who I'm with. My hubby and I were definitely made for each other. I hope you have a great day too!

Today's Menu:
Brunch- scrambled eggs w/cheese, bacon (4)
S- coffee w/cream & splenda (10)
D- steak, broccoli w/cheese (4)
TOTAL = 18 carbs / 2 liters of water

WOW! I just broke down my menu on FitDay... I had no idea that coffee had so many carbs. Shoot! Oh well... at least now I know, right!? Argh!

[monet0329]

The carb count on coffee is terrible huh.. I hardly drink it at all.. but not all because of that.. I have to be in the mood for it..lol.. and it has to have splenda.. and some kind of sf creamer.. to cover up the coffee taste..

I need to fitday mine.. thanks for the reminder..

[behind_the_mask]

Today's Menu:
B- 2 pepperoni sticks, ham (8)
S- 1 mozzarella stick (1)
L- turkey w/some gravy, 1 pepperoni stick (5)
D- 2 beef franks, salad w/bc dressing (4)
TOTAL = 18 carbs / 2.5 liters of water

AND, I FINALLY made it to the gym today! I walked 3.5 miles... and it felt good to be there and to be moving. I think I'll be going back tomorrow to do more of the same. Wish me luck!

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by behind_the_mask

Today's Menu:
B- 2 pepperoni sticks, ham (8)
S- 1 mozzarella stick (1)
L- turkey w/some gravy, 1 pepperoni stick (5)
D- 2 beef franks, salad w/bc dressing (4)
TOTAL = 18 carbs / 2.5 liters of water

AND, I FINALLY made it to the gym today! I walked 3.5 miles... and it felt good to be there and to be moving. I think I'll be going back tomorrow to do more of the same. Wish me luck!

good for you girly..

[behind_the_mask]

Yesterday's Menu:
B- lc wrap w/turkey and cheddar (6)
S- 2 mozzarella sticks, flovored water (4)
L- pepperoni slices (0)
D- salad w/bc dressing, burger patty with cheese, grilled onions & mushrooms (5)
S- coffee w/cream and splenda (5)
TOTAL = 20 / 2 liters of water

Today's Menu:
B- lc wrap with turkey and cheddar (6)
L- ham, 1 hb egg, lipton diet iced tea (6)
S- 2 pepperoni sticks (2)
D- steak, spaghetti squash (6)
TOTAL = 20 carbs / 3 liters of water

Yesterday I walked about 2 miles around the neighborhood where I work and today I went to the gym and walked another 3! I'm really proud of myself!

[behind_the_mask]

Question: I'm STILL stalled at 344 (at night I'm usually up from that 2 or 3 lbs, but my "official weight" I take first thing in the morning, and it's still 344). I've been using ketostix and I've been between moderate and large every time I've checked... so WHY ISN'T THE SCALE MOVING!? I feel like it's been the days that I'm around 15 carbs that I've also been at small ketosis... and the days I've been around 20 that I'm at higher ketosis. Maybe I haven't been having enough carbs??? That's why yesterday and today I'm really aiming for right at 20! Or maybe I'm eating something that makes me stall??? I just don't know! Argh! Oh well, I'm definitely sticking with this...

[behind_the_mask]

Hello ladies! I'm checking in for the morning!

Today's Menu:
B- Atkins shake, pepperoni slices w/mozzarella cheese (4)
S- 2 dill pickles, flavored water (2)
L- Atkins shake, 3 hb eggs, more pepperoni and cheese (4)
D- ??? some kind of meat and veggies ???
TOTAL = 10+dinner / 3 liters of water

I'm heading to the gym again today... my goal is to walk at least 1.5 miles, makinng my total for the week 10 miles!!! I don't knowif I'll be able to get that many in every week, but I'm thinking of setting a goal.

[monet0329]

hey there girly.. .. sounds like a great plan on the goal, ..


as far as you stalling.. yeah.. I would try at LEAST 20 carbs a day.. then if your still staling.. I would hold off on the wraps.. some people say they stall them.. .. just check one thing at a time.. cheese maybe as well..

just a thought ..

[fancyface]

You're doing great with your walking. I have got to get to doing that too.

I have gradually increased my carbs to the point that some days, I have as many as 30 or 35 carbs a day... others I am closer to 15. Have started losing 1 - 2 lbs a week again finally... Went for nearly 2 weeks without seeing a decrease. My increase in carbs has mainly been more veggies or berries. Have added peanuts in on rare occasions. I started this woe Jan 3 and the first couple of weeks lost alot --- then for nearly two weeks -- nothing. Hang in there. It will start falling off again. Even when I was not losing lbs, my clothes kept getting looser. The whoosh fairy is just around the corner!

[behind_the_mask]

Thanks again Fancy and Monet for your continued encouragement!!!

Confession time... I was off plan today and yesterday! My hubby and I went to a wedding yesterday afternoon. We'd planned to be good, knowing that they had a BUNCH of different foods there, but we were one of the last tables dismissed to go get food, and there was nothing left but fried rice, yams, and bbq pork! So... we ate that, then some cake. Argh! From there, it became a blowout... including a Thai dinner last night, and eating the carby dinner and dessert served at our weekly small group tonight. We finished off our crazy splurge with hot cocoa... and it's BACK OP TOMORROW, SERIOUSLY!!!

Oh well... here we go! Again, I'm going to try to not beat myself up, but I bet I was close to a whoosh... and now it's kind of back to square one (but at least 15 lbs lighter, so not a total loss).

I also bought some psyllium (sp?) husks to start taking every morning because I think part of my stall could be due to... eh hem... not needing to go #2 recently. SO... we'll see if that helps. Also, I'm really going to try to stick to the Atkins Induction list of acceptable foods... meaning a bit less cheese and no lc tortillas... at least for a bit.

That's the plan... keep wishing me luck!

[monet0329]

hey sweetie..

well.. did you have fun at the wedding? sounds like you did.. .. don't sweat the slip ups.. its a new day.... I have all the faith in the world that you and dh will get right back at it!!

I have been reading some inspiring stories of people who have lost weight.. they did it on WW.. but the stories are great.. someone left the links in my journal if you want to read them.... one of the things one lady said that stuck in my brain was.. " the first bit taste just like the one that follow".. or something like that.. meaning.. for example. on the wedding cake.. just take a bit so you will know what it taste like.. but leave the rest a lone.. I liked that.. so its not like your "missing" something".. ya know.. .. hope it helps you for the future weddings and birthdays..

I haven't tried it just yet..lol.. so I don;t know how well it will work.. it may back fire for me.... mmm that taste good I want more.... I will just have to be STRONG !!..

OK gonna get.. have a great Monday!

[behind_the_mask]

Thanks Monet for your tips and encouragement! I like the idea of allowing myself a bite when temptation strikes hard, especially at special events! And, maybe I need to allow a "cheat day" once a month of something like that??? I'm a work in progress...

Today's Menu:
B- lc wrap with turkey and cheese (6)
L- Atkins shake, 3 olives, 2 pepperoni sticks (5)
S- 3 Mozzarella sticks (3)
D- ??? maybe chicken and broccoli ???
TOTAL = 14 + dinner / 2 liters of water
(walked 3.5 miles at the gym)

Back on plan, but so much for not having the lc tortillas! They're just so dang easy to pack for a lunch. Maybe I'll start by cutting back to three a week and see if it makes the difference!? BUT, I did walk 3.5 miles, so I'm proud of myself for that!

I decided to keep track of my walking (it's in my signature now) and to set a goal to walk 365 miles in 2008! Wish me luck!!!