[spaypets]

Paige-WW offers an option where you have a whole list of foods (lean meats, fruits, veggies, brown rice, whole wheat pasta) that you don't have to count (or measure). Foods that aren't on that list you count from your weekly 35 points -- it's very much like South Beach, but you are allowed the flexibility of a drink or dessert or bread if you want one. I'm not doing that option right now, but it's a good program--very easy.

I got really good at being really efficient in my points selections, which is why I keep having room for martinis, but it took practice. I have fun thinking about ways to cut points from meals but still being able to fill up. It also helps that I really like raw veggies.

Today's menu (still burning flex points)

Turkey bacon
toast, lf margarine
skim milk

chicken and mushrooms for dinner (not sure what I'm having for lunch).

[janiej]

Melissa
Yeah - it was My dh (have had him for 33 years now, guess I'll keep him - too much work to "break-in" a new one ) haha
WE had a great time, sometimes one just needs to get away even for only an overnite or so, just to "clear the brain" out a little. Works wonders for us.
These past few months have been so emotionally overwhelming, needed to just get away for a few days.

Did pretty good eating wise. Hard when it's all restaurant food, but ate ONLY at places that had a salad bar . Got past all the McDoanld's & Burger Kings etc without any "police chases", but thanks everyone for the offer of "bail" money. Please leave the offer open, may need it because I've "choked" somebody before this whole "food" thing is done ! Not that it ever will be, I think it's one of those "in it for the rest of my life" deals !!

Must "fess up though, did have a piece of pie for dessert on Sat at our anniversary dinner. (But it was raisin - so I figure that's some kind of "fruit points", right ?? No wine though. That SHOULD count for something

Anyway, didn't get to do my usual walking, so will have to really dig in tomorrow.
Glad to see everyone still here. I think it's great !!

efmf - You got on here o.k., and seems you posted o.k.
Where are you? I quit smoking 12 years ago, hardest "bad habit" I've ever had to do. I'm sure anyone else who smoked would agree.
Don't know if it's a good idea to quit smoking and start a diet at the same time. Both are really tough, maybe you should just try to get through the smoking thing first. Are you using the parch or gum or anything to help you ?
Just my thoughts since you asked.

Got to go get a piece of fruit. I'm starving !!!!!!!
janie

[All Boys]

I'm Back... And I think I did well this weekend.. I am not sure yet.. But as of last night I was in Moderate Ketosis.. But I had a little more today than yesterday to eat...
We went to a restraunt for supper... I had :

Breakfast:
4 pieces of Bacon
4 pieces of Sausage
1 sugar free jello cup

snack:
Pork Skins

Dinner:
piece of ham
piece of turkey
piece of steak
salad
pickle
and a few cube's of cheese
fat free cool whip/chocolate dessert

and I am very full..

But I made it through the weekend... It was very hard let me tell you.. My dad and step-mom are great cooks...
Ok I made it through this weekend, and if I can make it through next weekend I will be doing really great.. Friday will be my birthday. And the kids are mad, cause they can't get me a cake, like they always do...
Oh well I have all week to work toward that...

TTFN,
Gina

[Lissa]

Hey everybody...sounds like everybody's doing pretty well. I've been good about taking my glucose levels twice a day and they are way down. (Not sure if I mentioned my "lifestyle alteration" is due to diabeties--I was diagnosed during the physical to qualify to adopt) Anyway...I've been eating really well, so the levels are down. I did have one incident where I foolishly went walking before I ate and my blood sugar dropped too low and I got really dizzy and had to take a glucose pill. That was spooky...never exercising on an empty stomach again. My husband Russ pulled out the excercise bike for me though, so I rode that tonight for 1/2 an hour. I'm going to try to ride it every morning for 15 minutes. (After breakfast that is )
Keep up the good work all.

[spaypets]

Good morning! Today's plan:

morning star sausages
skim milk

Taco salad (w/ left over mexican chicken, salsa and maybe guacamole)
Tortilla

Stuffed peppers
Popcorn

Yesterday I had chocolate so I could use some of the leftover flex points I had before they expired. Still had a few left, but that's ok, it'll help with losing.

[All Boys]

Well I survived week 1 !!!!!! I started on my diet last Monday... And made it through the weekend.. I weighed today.. I still have only lost 4 pounds. But I am still in Ketosis, even after my weekend. So I am doing... See I am one that likes to see results. Or I will give up.. Most people say on Atkins, that they lost like 15 to 20 pounds the first 2 weeks. So I hope I lose more this week.. For as little as I was eating, I would thought I would have lost more...
Ok no planned meals for today. I have to go to the grocery store today..
Breakfast
4 sausage links 1g. carbs
1 string cheese 0g. carbs
1 sugar free jello cup 0g. carbs

Everyone else seems to be doing good too... I am really trying hard. I am really trying to keep up with and count all of my carbs. Including like lettuce and everything. Someone told me over the weekend that you didn't have to count your lettuce, and there were some other things that she called "free foods" But I don't remember what they are. The web site don't give you any of that. And the only book that I have is a carb counter book, and it counts lettuce. Does anyone that use to do Atkins know?
I worked out last night for 30 minutes, up from my 15 minutes.
Ok well I am doing laundry.... Have a great day and eat right everyone...

Gina

[spaypets]

Gina, losing 4 lbs in a week is great! I've never lost more than 3 lbs and usually closer to 1 lb--but it's real weight, not water.

People who lose that much weight so quickly haven't lost any fat. It's not possible to lose that much fat that fast.

One thing you might want to do is take your measurements -- arms, legs, waist, hips, bust--that way you can see the difference in the way you look--the scale only goes so far in telling your weight loss story.

Read this article for more info on Why the Scale Lies:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspart...ight/scale.htm

[kllee4]

Wow! You guys rock! This is so motivating! Well, I finished out last week doing my Curves workout a minimum of 3 times! Yaaayyyyy!! So, I'm happy about that. I have been doing WW with my hubby's materials and that has greatly helped me to watch what I eat (having to count before I eat it and THEN also having to write it down has helped me realize that I didn't need certain foods near me to begin with).

Spaypets, I have a question about WW......how long can you bank your flex points? I can't seem to find that anywhere!

Keep up the great work everyone!!!!

[spaypets]

Your flex points are good for a week -- most people start their week on weigh in day, but you don't have to as long as you're consistent. I'm starting my week on Mondays even though I weigh in on Wednesdays (because I'm pretty good at not using my flex points, I can relax my eating on the weekends because they expire on Monday).

[coco46]

Ohhh...the weekend! I blew about every diet rule I could blow, LOL. Chinese takeout, breakfast croissants, a delicious dinner my dh cooked...and wine!

However, I'm still within my points allowance (barely) and I'm working out extra hard tonight.

Great job everyone!

[janiej]

Went on an anniversary week-end, did really good with watching it at the restaurants, today am having a "tough time" for some reason. Eating everything in sight!!
Don't do WW or Atkins or any "regimented" diet, just what I have always done, cut back, stay away from goodies etc.
Don't know why today is so bad !! Thinking of my reunion alot today, haven't heard from son in 4 days, know everything is o.k. because we are in a "slow down" phase, don't know if it has anything to do with it or not !!
Going to try to be careful at supper, and not eat the rest of the evening.
Thanks everyone for "just listening". It helped I think (just like "venting" on here does for everything else!)
You guys are all great.
Hopefully, tomorrow will be better - but got to get through the rest of today yet !!!!!
I CAN DO IT - I KNOW I CAN !!!!!!
janie

[spaypets]

Janiej--That happens to me--I make it through an "eating event" without falling off the plan and then as soon as it's over, I have an even harder time keeping on track. I think it's me using food as a reward for my good behavior. So I try really hard to think of something else good to do for myself (trouble is food is so much cheaper and faster than a manicure or new clothes!).

I'm having a bit of a tough afternoon -- should have brought pickles in--I'm not really hungry, just feel like munching. The crispy saltyness is satisfying to me (though I smell like garlic).

But now it's about 4 and I'll be leaving in an hour and eating soon after, so I can put off the munching. In the meantime, I'm chain chewing gum and guzzling water.

[kmedsker]

I'm having a heck of a day too. Struggling with a bit of the blahs....Today is my birthday and I share it with the baby girl I gave up for adoption 19 years ago. I want to crawl into bed and eat the rest of the day! I hate this feeling!!

[janiej]

spaypets -
Good to hear someone else is having a "hard day", (not that it makes it "good", you know what I mean I hope).
Wonder why the "saltiness" you mentioned helps - I find it helps me too. Sometimes even just a few pretzels, a pickle, ANYTHING salty helps - Oh well- good luck after supper !!!

Kayla - I want to wish YOU a Happy Birthday. Don't know what to say about your precious baby girl being born on this day though. I DO know how you feel because it is HER birthday, as every birthday for 39 years of my son's I felt that way.
Don't know if you've read any of my posts, but I'm newly into reunion (he found me) and so I have this year's birthday to actually look forward to.
Can talk about it to you on a different thread if you would like. Want to keep this one "light" - as I think we all need this one to come to after reading all the "more profound" ones.
Again, saying a birthday prayer for you AND your daughter. (I say go ahead & eat- there's ALWAYS tomorrow to "start over" )
Let me know if you want to talk.
janie

[ddhuab]

I mostly stayed on plan over the weekend. We painted the baby's room on Saturday, and some of our friends came over to loan us supplies and ended up helping quite a bit. They were excited, as the homestudy lady had just talked to them the day prior.

Anyway, we got a late start so we had a late finish, interuppted by me cooking dinner for us all... thank goodness I had frozen some "diet" turkey meatballs from early in the week, so we had spaghetti and meatballs. Then we had friends over the next evening for dinner, and I made my other dinner from the diet cookbook... they enjoyed it, so all was well even though I had gone out for lunch (ate grilled fish and a side of pasta) and made guacamole for an appetizer/snack for our guests (but I didn't eat much).

So, I didn't feel too badly, and I officially lost 5.5 pounds this week (I think I was bloated last Monday anyway, so much of this is water, but I think I lost at least 2 real pounds). Of course, I am afraid I may have lost some muscle, too, so starting workouts is a MUST! I was busy all day, but I am going to do an Upper body workout at home tonight (in about an hour).

The only thing I feel bad about is my poor husband! He, as I may have mentioned, became sort of a fitness fanatic when his cholesterol came back slightly elevated more than a year ago (he quickly brought it down and our doctor calls him a "poster boy" for turning your cholesterol around). Lately he has been working MANY hours and then on Christmas vacation in our hometown, he just ate whatever he wanted... he came back ten pounds more than his ideal weight. So he has lost six pounds this week! (He HAS been working out this week). I feel bad because he has been very hungry the past couple of nights! I guess I need to make some extra carby stuff for him to fill up on! But I did have to say, jokingly, "Hey, you said you wanted to lose weight. I just put you on a diet!" (I think after a week of starving I convinced him to be more conscious of his hunger and stop skipping lunch... he took three cans of lentil soup with him to work today to keep at his desk!).

Well, I need to go for now...
I am glad most everyone really made some good choices over the weekend.

Janie - sorry you are feeling down... I hope you feel better soon!

Now I have to run to think about what to cook for dinner and to get started on a workout!

D.