Living on a Dime in 2009

[Edwards20]

Old Journal

I am currently unemployed and actively seeking way to feed my family low-carb (adding some starch in for my daughter) on a budget. I didn't think I could do it, but after a tried test last week I think it can be done.

By last May I had lost 36lbs on Atkins. I always thought I was close to a 50lb loss, but after looking back, I realize it was almost 40lbs. From there I am not sure what initially "set me off" but it spiraled out of control and I have managed to gain 16lbs of tht back. Not good !!

I've beat myself up over this hundreds of times, but you know what ? I can't take it back, what is done is done and all I can do is move forward.

I am trying to forget the past (thus the new journal) and try to move forward. I'll never say I won't look back, because there were vaulable lessons I learned along the way and cherished friendships that came out of that journey.

I hope to be accountable with at least a weekly weigh-in. I was debating on what day to have my weigh-ins and I opted to go with Saturday. One reason for this is that I started a clean induction on Atkins this Saturday.

Saturday Weigh-In
Highest Weight: 264 (12/07)
Lowest Weight: 228 (5/08)

Start Weight: 249 (2/21/09)
Current Weight: --- (will post each Saturday)

Current Loss: --- (will post each Saturday)
Total Loss: -15

[ValR]

No more beating yourself up over your weight gain. Get back on track and you will do just fine and get back to where you were.

[mycattaz]

Candy gaining only 16 lbs that is not bad.... so don't beat yourself up anymore... heck I can gain 16 lbs in one week..... I am looking forward to reading your journal and checking out your progress....

[kristio]

Ditto to not beating yourself up over 16 lbs... I was 233 at the end of October when a kitchen full of Halloween candy insisted to be eaten... I gained 18 lbs. in what felt like an hour or two... I'm recently "back on the wagon" and am already planning how to survive Easter in a house full of skinny people who love candy. We can do this!

[Edwards20]

Thanks for all the encouragement. Crawling back in here is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I just pray I can come in here and post, and not slack off. I don't know why it seems to be so difficult.

Although it is "only" 16lbs, in the grand scheme of things it is almost 1/2 what I worked so hard to lose. AND it feels like I've gained it all back. The inch gain is much bigger than the scale gain and my pants no longer button.

With the loss of my job and lots of illness in our house, emotions seem to get the best of me.

I used to post here several times a day. My husband was working in the evenings and my daughter was normally in bed. I would stay here and post til he got home from work. Now he is back on first shift. Yah ! I have my family back, but we have become slackers in the evenings. I am usually in the bed by 9PM. So, I try to sleep now during my old posting time.

But, now I am home alone during the mornings. I have lots to do. Of course the most important thing is finding a job. I hope to post at least sporadically.

One of the things that was the hardest for me was the constant business lunches. For the most part I did OK eating LC at restaurants, but it wasn't easy at first. At least now I now that won't be an issue for a while.

[6-R-bust-2009]

Howdy!~ I agree gaining only 16 is great! I totally hear you on feeding the family on a dime. A layoff just ended in our home. You can do it and lose those 16 lbs!

[monet0329]

home

[monet0329]

Hard time don't last~

You may be facing more challenges then usual; many of us are.But they are only temporary ! And remember, you already have what you need to see you through, because nothing is more powerful then your hopes and dreams and the strength you draw from family and friends. So give your worries a rest and set your fears aside: you WILL triumph!

[Livywilltim-mom]

Oh Sweet Candy,

So, so happy to see you here!

You know I will be around to encourage and support, so I hope you will continue to post...I missed you !!

Good for you for taking charge, even when things seem most difficult.

I will pray for your employment, family and your LC resolve.

Love ya

[bekki1]

Candy,
your a fine girl, what a good wife you will be!! Oh I guess that was Mandy huh? Oh well!!!


We are here for support and . Check in often. We will pick you up when down and always have room for .

Glad you came back so we can become friends!

[Edwards20]

Originally Posted by monet0329

Hard time don't last~

You may be facing more challenges then usual; many of us are.But they are only temporary ! And remember, you already have what you need to see you through, because nothing is more powerful then your hopes and dreams and the strength you draw from family and friends. So give your worries a rest and set your fears aside: you WILL triumph!

Thank you Monet. You are so sweet to me. You realize your my oldest friend here ? (I DON'T mean eldest). You've been with me from the beginning.

I've decided that worrying is harder to give up than carbs. But I am thinking maybe worrying has a ketosis period too, and once you give it up you can go a long time without it. I didn't do so good on the carb thing, and I fail miserably at the worrying too. But God is good, and somewhere somehow there is a plan in all of this.

Originally Posted by Livywilltim-mom

Oh Sweet Candy,

So, so happy to see you here!

You know I will be around to encourage and support, so I hope you will continue to post...I missed you !!

Good for you for taking charge, even when things seem most difficult.

I will pray for your employment, family and your LC resolve.

Love ya

Jaimie, thank you so much for your encouragement and support. You guys always take me back no matter how long or why I've been gone. What a wonderful testimony of your friendship. Thank you for your prayers !

Originally Posted by bekki1

Candy,
your a fine girl, what a good wife you will be!! Oh I guess that was Mandy huh? Oh well!!!


We are here for support and . Check in often. We will pick you up when down and always have room for .

Glad you came back so we can become friends!

Hi Bekki ! I hope we can become friends too !! I saw you posting in Phil's journal. Any friend of Phil's is a friend of mine - "he's good people". Thanks for your encouragement.

Yesterday I wound up feeling sort of yucky. The sinus issues just won't go away, and the drainage was giving my stomach fits. Now I've started to wonder if I have a stomach bug ... yuck ! Then there is the thought of the induction flu all over again. Maybe it was all just combined.

Foods were good yesterday. Even in the midst of not feeling so hot I was craving pizza ! (I am not that big a fan of pizza, but nonetheless I wanted some). I made myself a pizza using parchment paper and my baking stone.

I really wanted the deep dish recipe from Linda Sue's site, but didn't have all the ingredients. I used what I had, and although the consistency wasn't exactly right, it hit the spot. It wasn't very big and I couldn't eat it all.

I basically just sprinkled some cheese on the parchment paper and sat that on the preheated baking stone. I cooked the cheese til the edges got brown. I added a tsp of pizza sauce, a few pepperoni slices, ham cubes, and bacon bits. Then I browned it some more. I think if I had browned the crust more than just on the edges I would have been able to pick it up and eat it like pizza. It was also just cheddar cheese, mozzarella would have been better.

I am still pleased with the scales this week. For now, I will only post stats on Saturdays, but I will always be chained to the scales.

I have been firmly reminded through the struggles of 4 friends of mine that someone else ALWAYS has it worse than you do. I have watched all these people give the glory to God no matter how bad the pain and circumstances. Their faith is amazing and has been quite the testmony. And I am then ashamed about feeling so down about my circumstances.

I recently blogged about the glass being 1/2 empty or 1/2 full ... I wondered how you were supposed to look at it if was totally empty. Then I realized I could get it 1/2 full just by counting my blessings.

It is not easy, and I dont' always succeed but focusing on the positive at least gets my mind of the negative for a little bit.

[LoraJR72]

Wow, what an excellent thread!

Good Luck!

Let me tell you that meatloaf goes a long way in my household.

[mycattaz]

Goodmorning candy, hope you are having a wonderful, productive day...

[Edwards20]

Originally Posted by LoraJR72

Wow, what an excellent thread!

Good Luck!

Let me tell you that meatloaf goes a long way in my household.

Hi Lora ! I hope you'll visit here often. I agree meatloaf goes further than most things in my home. Of course, that is only if I can catch ground beef on sale. I wish I had a list of cheap things, etc. that I could share - I started thinking that my journal title could be misleading.

Heck, I am not just trying to LC on a dime. I am trying to keep the bills pays, and not lose my house etc. This is the toughest and one of the most humiliating things ever ....

Originally Posted by mycattaz

Goodmorning candy, hope you are having a wonderful, productive day...

Good morning my friend !! Not sure about a productive day ... I've been reading the posts in the main lobby for hours. Ugh, that's the worst part about trying to commit to come here. I get so sucked in. But, you know what ... if I learn something new, if I can help someone else ... then I have been productive. I hope you are having a good day too.

[monet0329]

.. Any where you can save a dime is right up my alley....

so yes.. if you could post a list that would be so cool.. ..

Keep your faith strong and believe that God will provide for his children and you will be fine..he will lead you to the job of your dreams and make everything A O.K... you as well as I know that things happen for a reason.. we may not know just yet.. but we will.. we also know that trying times just make us stronger.. and counting your blessing like you have.. is a great thing .. God is good and he is there for you!!

love ya Candy Girl ..

oh and I love being your oldest friend..

[iabowhunter]

CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:hu gs: Good to see you again!

Originally Posted by Edwards20

I've decided that worrying is harder to give up than carbs. But I am thinking maybe worrying has a ketosis period too, and once you give it up you can go a long time without it. I didn't do so good on the carb thing, and I fail miserably at the worrying too. But God is good, and somewhere somehow there is a plan in all of this.

What will worrying about something do for you? Not a thing! Worrying is not going to fix anything...it never has and it never will. Worry is the devil in disguise. He want's you to worry. Your Father wants you to give the worry to Him.

Originally Posted by Edwards20

Hi Bekki ! I hope we can become friends too !! I saw you posting in Phil's journal. Any friend of Phil's is a friend of mine - "he's good people". Thanks for your encouragement.

Thank you! Bekki is good people too.

Originally Posted by Edwards20

I recently blogged about the glass being 1/2 empty or 1/2 full ... I wondered how you were supposed to look at it if was totally empty. Then I realized I could get it 1/2 full just by counting my blessings.

When my glass is empty, I fill it with whatever I can! Positive thought can fill a glass quickly.

Originally Posted by Edwards20

It is not easy, and I dont' always succeed but focusing on the positive at least gets my mind of the negative for a little bit.

That's the stuff! Focus on the positive. Things happen for a reason and although we can't always see them right away sometime soon you will see it clearly. I listen to allot of music, mostly country. There is a song called life's a dance by John Michael Montgomery. It has some pretty powerful lyrics that have hit home with me. Here are the the lyrics that hit me.....

The longer I live the more I believe
You do have to give if you wanna recieve
There's a time to listen, a time to talk
And you might have to crawl even after you walk
Had sure things blow up in my face
Seen the longshot, win the race
Been knocked down by the slamming door
Picked myself up and came back for more

The last four lines explains where I was last fall.

Hey, thanks for posting the link to your new journal! It's good to see you again!!!! Going to subscribe to you now.

Take care.

[bekki1]

Since you are on a budget try Linda Sues Baked Meatballs (I think thats what they are called). I doubled the recipe and made 70 + meatballs. they are amazing. Do you have a cookie scoop? Use it for this recipe.

Also look for fresh cauliflower. grate it baby!!! make fried riced cauli.

Yes, phil is an ok person, NO I am kidding, (Phil relax, I love you man) he rocks!!!

[Low Carb Mommy]

Your journal is already hopping! Way to get back on the LC wagon girl! You've got lots of supporters here! Great to have you back!

[mycattaz]

Goodmorning Candy, look outside its a beautiful morning my friend... hope you have a wonderful, productive day.... put on your happy smiling face and do something for yourself today

[Livywilltim-mom]

For you my dear:

"Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10

Hugs

[bekki1]

Morning Candy, checking in love.

[Edwards20]

Monet, you are just precious ! I'd love to post a list but so far all I've done is get lots of eggs and pork rinds fairly cheap. We got some pork chops and chicken on sale. Ground beef was way too pricey this week and wow the price of tuna is suddenly outrageous ... what is up with that ?

Phil, I have to keep telling myself (on an hourly basis) that the devil is the one wanting me to worry. I've also reminded myself that if I wasn't somewhere in decent standing in God's plan, the devil wouldn't be bothering me he'd move along to some other poor soul. I love Life's A Dance ! I am so glad you came to visit and even happier that you've "subscribed to me".

Bekki, I'll have to go back to Linda's site (got in bookmarked) and look for the recipe. 70 meatballs would be great ! Of course, I have to watch for ground beef to go on sale (and check on the other ingredients too). I do have something similar to a cookie scoop. I have a large plastic ice cream scoop, yet it smaller than the normal ice cream scoop. I think it would be a good size. What a great idea ! I have tried ONE recipe with the cauliflower. I don't know if I just screwed it up or what, but it was horrible. Once DH tastes something bad like that he is not open to eating it EVER again in any form or fashion. I personally can't stand the taste of cauliflower. I certainly would like to find something that used it but didn't have the taste or the texture of cauliflower !

Beth, it is good to see (outside of FB). Hope you are feeling better. I've been fighting this stomach bug all week. Ugh !

Lisa, it a a beautiful day ! Still not doing anything productive. I've updated some stuff on my blog, but that's about it. Maybe once this stomach bug goes bye bye .... thanks for ALL your encouragement !

Jamie ! I love that verse ! Thanks so much for reminding me !

Nothing to post about this morning, just still fighting this bug. I hope I still have some good stats to post on Saturday. So far, I am confident.

Anyone know any good odor eliminators ? DH cooked fried pork chops last night (they were NOT battered) and the whole house still smells like grease. It is making more have more nausea ... yuck ! I used almost an entire can of Lysol ... no luck, but I hope I am killing off all my germs.

Oh, and Miss Hannah (my DD) was invited to be tested for the Gifted program. She is in the first grade ! I didn't really doubt her ability, but was still humbled by the letter. Of course she has to take a test, and who knows if she will test well. She actually wants to be in the program. I don't want her to get disappointed if she doesn't pass the test. I've told her it doesn't make her any less smarter and all she can do is her best. Evidently they don't tell you WHEN they test. So I have NO idea ?? But, it should be before the end of the school year.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Oh Candy, that's great about DD

I am sure she is one smart (LC) cookie like her Mama!!

Hugs

[mycattaz]

candy so sorry you are still not feeling well... alot of that going around... I am trying to avoid everyone that has it, I do not want a stomach bug, that is no fun.... feel better soon, my friend

[monet0329]

hey sweets.. when the hamburger is outrageous.. check out the ground turkey.. sometimes you can get a deal.. or sausage.. would make great meant balls..

woot woot for Hannah..

get better my friend

oh hey.. do you all have a save a lot or Aldes (sp?)? they are good places to go and stock up on stuff..

about the tuna.. who knows why.. except its considered a "diet" food.. and isn't all foods good for you expensive...

have a great evening.. love yaaa

[Livywilltim-mom]

Tuna is expensive right now because it is Lent. Lots of folks have tuna on Fridays in Lent.

Happy Evening

[bekki1]

Originally Posted by Livywilltim-mom

Tuna is expensive right now because it is Lent. Lots of folks have tuna on Fridays in Lent.

Happy Evening

Seriously? They raise the price of tuna because of Lent? thats outragous!!

[Livywilltim-mom]

Sure! It's like when gas prices go up right before Memorial Day, or 4th of July when they assume more people will be driving...

It feels like such a rip off with everything lately...I do not feel financially secure at all!

Hope you feel rested and well today

[monet0329]

Originally Posted by Livywilltim-mom

Tuna is expensive right now because it is Lent. Lots of folks have tuna on Fridays in Lent.

Happy Evening

Oh wow... so fish isn't considered a meat?.. shows you what I know.. not much..

Thanks Jaimie..

[Edwards20]

Originally Posted by Livywilltim-mom

Oh Candy, that's great about DD

I am sure she is one smart (LC) cookie like her Mama!!

Hugs

Hah, I don't know about all that !

Originally Posted by mycattaz

candy so sorry you are still not feeling well... alot of that going around... I am trying to avoid everyone that has it, I do not want a stomach bug, that is no fun.... feel better soon, my friend

Thanks ! I am feeling a bit better, just more run down than anything.

Monet, Randy can't stand ground turkey (or cauliflower, he's so picky). But I had not thought of the sausage. Never heard of Aldi's, but there is a Save-A-Lot across town. I've never had good luck with their meats. Randy thinks they are packed with water. BUT, it has been a while and might be worth checking out again.

As far as the Tuna ... it's been outrageous here for over a month, so I am not positive it is only because of lent. Jaimie, I do agree ... I have never felt so financially unsecure !

You all would have gotten a big laugh yesterday. The "bill collector" called about our car payment (long story, but it was paid this morning, I am trying to at least keep things less than 30 days late. Sunday would be 30 days).
The lady asked Randy "WHY" we were late ... "WHAT" was the problem. Now, mind you he told them a month ago about me losing my job, etc. This lady was so rude. He finally said something along the lines ... do you read the news ? are you aware there is an economic crisis going on ?? It was hilarious.

Well, I need to run. Hope to have a update and post stats in the morning. Haven't had time to visit anyone's journal or read any other threads today. Hope you all have a good afternoon !