Don - you are doing GREAT!!!!! You'll be fine by your cruise.

Kathy - there is nothing wrong with slow and steady. It will be a lifelong change that way. 3 lbs is a great start!!

I've stayed at the same 5 lbs lost since 1/3. I did slip a little this weekend but am back on track this week. Have even done some exercising. The weekends are the worst when I'm out & about and it's time for lunch. Unless I take the time to preplan what I'm going to eat and even bring some of the good stuff, I just go for what is easy. Of course, that is the bad stuff.

Trish - Love the support!!!!

Hi Cyndi - glad to hear from you. This time of year is hard for us because simple and easy is best when you have your nose to the spreadsheet!

Thanks all! I don't know why, but it seems to come off easy for me, but unfortunately is comes back on easy too. Kathy and Cyndi, I think slow and steady is a good thing and is probably a lot better for you in the long run anyways.

The good news for me is that I live in the same neighborhood that I work in (at least for now) and I can stop in and fix myself something that is on my diet instead of eating out. Even eating out is a little easier doing the low carb diet. Let's see, order the hamburger, throw away the bun! Kind of hard to want to do that with In-N-Out, but they do serve it bunless wrapped in lettuce. Oh, why did I start that again? LOL

My wine is still my one indulgence, but I stick with one time per week and usually early in the week, so that I have the remainder of the entire week to be good.

Monday night (after weigh in of course) we went out to Maguire's, the place that Ngaire and Linda turned us on to when we had lunch with them prior to Christmas. With my low carb tenderloin, I ordered a bottle of Chateau Fongrenier Stuart Bergerac (red) 1998, which the chef highly recommended. Modestly priced (which I like) and very smooth (which I also like). It was kind of similar to a Shiraz or Syrah, but not peppery. Probably more along the lines of a Malbec, in between a Merlot and a Cabernet. Anyways, we found a new one to add to our favorites.

Well, I am off to go work out. This morning was weigh in and I am down another 3 lbs. this week. I have 35 more to go and 12 weeks to do it in. It is getting a little tougher adding some variety to the diet. That is the hardest part, is being a little creative.

How did everybody else do?

Guys, congrats to everybody who is doing so well.

Myself, I am desperate for inspiration and motivation. I am not doing well :( In fact I've been eating everything in sight. Need to get back on the straight and narrow, which for me is South Beach.

I have cut out alcohol Monday to Friday, and have started rotating my lunches between salads brought from home with tuna, a purchased salad with chicken, a healthy chicken shawarma on whole-wheat pita. But I come home at night and proceed to eat too much, and then snack before bed. Time for a refrigerator purge again I guess.

Well,, I followed Wendy's plan of eating this weekend - actually for the last week and I totally blew it. Breakfast is easy. Lunch is doable. Dinner? that's the other story. (sigh).

Back on the program NOW. Don, you are our inspiration.

Wendy, you can do it and I am sure that you will do really well on South Beach. I have finally figured out that I have a carb addiction. When I have more carbs than I should, I want even more, and then more, and more.

Kathy, you will do it. I know you. You will be right back on track today and need to forget about last week. Just concentrate on what you want to accomplish and you will get there.

Cyndi and Loon, where are you?

OK, everybody. Have a great week!!!

:ch: :ch: :ch: :ch: :ch:

Do I sound like a cheerleader yet??? LOL

I know I am not in your weight loss group, and I don't work for Nutri System nor do they pay me to advertise for them, but I have been on this plan since early October and have lost 17 pounds - only 6 more to get to my goal.

It isn't cheap by any means, but it does work and I feel like it is a good way to help remind me of what I should be eating and also to eat much smaller amounts of everything.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could consume what we enjoy eating/drinking and not have to worry about the consequences!

I wish all of you the best in your endeavors! Keep up the good work!! :banana:

Sue

Sue, anybody can be in this group, there are no membership fees!!

Don, yes I'm addicted to carbs too. Trouble is, I need some in my diet for other reasons (I need fibre). So I do a dance. But a half piece of toast turns into two pieces, and then I'm dead meat. Last night David made macaroni and cheese, and boy, did I eat! Tomorrow night back on the straight and narrow, going to buy a bunch of bonless chicken breasts and grill them up.

Luckily, I love vegetables. I could live on salads and steamed vegetables with lean protein, if I could just stay the course.

Sue - This is open to all of us. We're just on and off discussing our progress. We are all doing our own plan. Feel free to hop in any time.

I did Jenny Craig for a bit and did well - almost the same idea as NutriSystem (but I think the JC food is actually a bit tastier)and then I decided to try again on my own. So far, I am thinking of going back to Jenny - I may need the structure.

You are welcome to pop your own thoughts here anytime. We can all stand a little encouragement.

I'm here, Don. Actually, I'm doing ok. My weight is up only seven pounds, but I'm busy packing as we leave tomorrow for Nevis and NOTHING FITS! I can't figure it out. My body must just be shifting. I thought about going out and buying some of those big coverups ... with all the prints ... what are those wrap-arounds called ... I always forget ... Anyway I resisted the urge, packed what I have and just figured I won't breathe for eight days! :eek:

Trish

Hi,
So glad that you welcome newcomers into this group. Has anyone tried Weight Watchers? I'm proof that it really works and that you can keep it off for years. I don't work for them in any way, I just needed to loose a LOT of weight, and found that you can eat anything you want as long as it fits into your point count for the day. I still folow the program and my weight has stayed the same [within 3 lbs.] for the past three years. When we are on the Voyager I eat anything I want, just small portions and take it off with a lot of effort when we return. Joining Curves has helped alot, 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week has made a big difference for me. We are getting ready to join the ship in Hong Kong on Feb 24th so until then I'll be real strict so I can splurge in Hong Kong and aboard the ship. Wishing you all good luck, I know how hard it is and how much work it takes.

Doris

Hi all!!

Don - as always, you are my inspiration. Of course you have some bad times and slip a bit once in awhile. But you stick to it overall and always keep your goal in mind. That is why you are so consistent. Congratulations on your progress so far. And. . . .we need your cheerleading. Keep it up!!!!

Wendy & Kathy - sound like we're on the same track right now. We need to shift to the right one :D I've been keeping off the 5 lbs I lost since first of year. But I can't get serious about my diet and exercise program. We need to ban all "tomorrows". It is so easy to say "tomorrow I'll be good". Oh well.

Wendy - I'm back to the South Beach too. I really like it and the type of food on it. But it is just so hard to always find the time to fix the right food instead of grabbing what is fast and convenient. Then, like you, I'm having so much trouble with snacking at night. In my younger years I NEVER snacked late at night. Now it is so hard to resist. What happened????? I do believe that since I've been snacking late at night the past two years, my significant weight loss can be traced to that more than anything else. Got to stop. Maybe if I would just go to sleep at a decent hour, it would help!!!

Kathy - I'm still determined to try it on my own because I KNOW it can work. But perhaps I need to give in and go to JC for the structure like you said. I'm thinking about it. You have done so well in the past. I know you can do it again!! Hang in there. We will do it.

Trish - I know exactly what you mean about the body shifting. It happened to me as soon as I turned 50. Now, with the shift AND the additional weight, I have almost nothing to wear that I can button at the waist. I REFUSE to shop for yet another size. It is time to get serious. But good for you, Trish, in keeping the weight down. That helps a great deal. Keep up the good work and enjoy Nevis!!!!!!!!

Sue - welcome to the group. We appreciate everyone's ideas and support. Congratulations on your 17 lbs!!!! That is wonderful!!!!! Sounds like you'll meet your goal soon. And yes, I agree. It would be heavenly if we could eat & drink whatever we liked without gaining.

Doris - Welcome to you too!!!!! I've thought about Weight Watchers (or Jenny Craig - one of the two). Your success is really making me think hard. You are a true inspiration. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!! The 3 years part is the most impressive. That is TRUE success!!! Please stay with us and give us your good advice.

It's only Tuesday. We still have the rest of the week ahead of us. Let's all do our very best no matter which program we have chosen!!!!! It's up to us. If we really want to do it, we can.

Good luck!!!!

Thanks Cyndi. You are so kind. I know we do all slip sometimes don't we. I was just thinking about something. You know how in Europe they have those Hop On and Hop Off buses that go around to the various tourist sights. That's Us!!! Sometimes we get off the bus for just a bit, but we all get right back on it and head down Diet Ave. just a little bit longer, all the while getting a little closer each time to our ultimate destination.

Trish, we hope you have a wonderful time in Nevis. We look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

Sue, we are glad you are joining us. Congratulations on your sucess! Also, hope y'all will join us on the December cruise.

Doris, welcome to you as well. What an encouragement to all of us hearing your success story. Wow!!! I am sure you are really looking forward to your cruise. What ship are you on?

Like Cyndi said. Let's do our very best this week.

Hey, Gang - thanks for the motivation. I sure can use it about now. Work is so busy, I'm pretty much grabbing the wrong things. I can't afford to do that.

Don, We wil be on the Voyager, Hong Kong to Singapore. We leave in 23 days with 4 days in Hong Kong before we board. Not that I'm counting the days!!!!

Doris

Slow and steady checking in, I went back to the doctor today. Even with nine days at Disney World and ten days on Navigator, I've lost between 11 and 12 pounds since June. I'm still a long way from being svelte, but I was down four more pounds since the last time I weighed on her scales.

Most Excellent, Pam - Slow and Steady is GOOD!

:app: Way to go Pam! Keep it up!

That's the only way to do it, great job Pam :ch:

Doris

Pam - CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Like Kathy said, slow & steady is great!!

A couple of more days till weigh in and I am worried. I have not weighed yet, but just feel kinda heavy. Does that happen to anybody else? You just kind of know that you haven't lost. I hope I'm wrong. I really need those three pounds to stay on track.

Don,

Yes, I know what you mean. Usually it's because I've added an extra bite or two to my portions or an extra snack in the day. Sometimes, it's just been plateau time. It often motivates to follow the plan to the letter the next week or sometimes in my case just abandon the whole ship. :mecry:

Well, I was right. No loss this week at all. :mecry:

Oh well, I guess I will just have to make up for it this week.

Hey Pam, way to go! We all have to remember that this is a life-style change.

I was back on my elliptical today, not been on it since Christmas (knee problems). I have been good so far today, made a huge salad for lunch, with tuna. After munching my way through all of that, I felt like an unnamed grazing animal ;)

Went to hear a band on the weekend, and the bar had no wine, so I drank beer. <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" />

Just a mid week check-in. I did something that I rarely do. After not losing last week and being right on task in the first three days this week, I decided to go ahead and weigh. I found I had lost two more pounds. Now I am even more motivated.

Hope everybody else is doing well. Let's keep on losing! :ch:

Yep, those plateaus are a real mind game. Sometimes the scales don't show our hard work.

Way to go, Don. Our fearless loser! (lol)

Its funny. We met our son for lunch yesterday over in Dallas because Diana wanted some Cordon Bleu, the Thursday special at the restaurant. Walking out as we were walking in were Ken and Ngaire. They were working on ROAR. She just gets back and was already back to work!!!

I cratered and had the Cordon Bleu as well. I just tried to take off most of the breading, then had to give up. I figured that there wasn't that much on there anyways.

Well, I lost the two, but that is all! :(
Looks like I am really going to have to watch the portions and get more exercise to get back on track.

How did everybody else do this week?

Hi Don,

I am in holding mode. There is so much going on with work (duh!) that I decided to just maintain until March 1st. I did exercise yesterday, which felt really good.

I am also in holding mode. Right now I weigh 8 pounds more than when I left for Pip, struggling to lose those 8 again. Right now I'm concentrating on portion control to try to shrink my appetite a bit--the cold weather makes me hungry!

Kathy, hang in there. You'll make it!

Wendy, I know what you mean about cold weather. It is tougher during the winter. Guess it is just hibernation mode. I guess we don't have an excuse here in Dallas. It has been an unusual winter for us with temperatures in the 60's and 70's almost everyday.

OK, here is a question. Why is it that some days you just feel lighter than others? Yesterday I felt like a blimp (weigh in day of course) but today I feel much lighter.

Don, I think that everyone has those days, and it could have something to do with the amount of your salt intake for the day. I know when I have a salty meal I feel like a ton the next day. Keep up the good work...........

Doris

Hi guys!!!

I'm stuck right where I've been for weeks now. 5 lbs down, but still heavier than before PIP (Wendy, I know exactly how you feel!!!).

I just got word about my 36th high school reunion coming up the end of July to be held in Las Vegas. There is no way in the world I'd be able to lose enough to feel comfortable about going thru that much scrutiny. BUT, on the other hand. It sure would be great incentive. Hmmmm. . . .

I got my South Beach diet book out tonight and am really going to do my best to get back on it. And then I need to start up with my exercise again. Didn't you all hear me say this at least 2 - 3 times since the 1st of year???? Talk about a broken record.

All of you hang in there and good luck!!

Cyndi, I know you will be able to do it and succeed. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting going and the exercise part is the worst for me. It means getting up earlier, which I hate, and then it means work, which I hate even more, and it takes time, which I don't have enough of.

Just remember, have a plan, and take it slow. Once you have done it for 3 weeks, it just becomes a habit.

Good Luck!

Thanks, Don!! You are always there to give such great support and words of wisdom. I went shopping tonight and got all the good food to get back on the SB diet. That's a good start. I'll take your advice about the 3 weeks. You are right - that is what it takes to get a new habit in place.

Here's to another good start!!!!

I vote for that..,,,we're here to cheer if you need it!

Cyndi, you are welcome. We'll be here for you.

Well I bought something yesterday to help me on my diet. That's my excuse and I am sticking to it. LOL It is a 75,000 BTU stainless steel Jenn-Air Grill with a built-in rotisserie and smoker. Perfect for my low carb diet, otherwise I might have ended up with a Ronco pasta maker! LOL

Don,

We bought a new built in style BBQ grill this fall (on sale!) that is wonderful - Rotisserie, and 6 burners, island etc. Terrific for grilling meat and veggies. Those meals are usually my best for following the program.

OK, don't laugh, this is just how men justify things. The ignitor button on the Weber wouldn't work anymore and it was had to use a gas match to light the BBQ each time. Of course I could have bought a new ignitor switch for about $10!!!

I guess that goes just along with my justification for buying a new cell phone this week. I bought a new Infiniti G35 sport coupe and it has bluetooth built-in, so of course I had to go out and get a bluetooth phone so that I could drive hands free.