Thanks Margo. That's kind of what I thought. I think I am going to try one.

Eating on vacations is kind of a funny thing for us. We have no concept of resting on vacation. We can sit on a beach doing nothing for about 30 minutes, 1 hour if we have a drink in hand. We tend to vacation very aggressively and are constantly active. On previous vacations, neither one of us gained a pound and we did not watch what we ate except to admire it's presentation. Even on sea days Christie found a need to make several trips up and down the stairs. We don't even use the elevators on the ship except when we're dressed up.

Dave

Margo I could never resist all the "good" food on the Mariner that is "bad" for us! ;)

My main problem is that I am unable to do any type of exercising due to having permanent muscle damage in my legs/arms from taking Lipitor. Exercise in my case only makes things worse as far as pain/weakness, yet exercise is what I need (along with a healthy way of eating) to bring down my triglycerides.

I go off the Nutri System plan when I get burned out and eat regular food and then get back on it when I feel like it. This may not be the best way to do it, but gee whiz we only live once and I sure want to enjoy the time I have while still trying to eat healthy part of the time. :)

Helen, glad you are back joining us.

Dave, I acutally got the Heathometer version of that scale. It does the same things and I find it to be quite accurate with regards to weight, but like Margo, I find that the body fat% can vary greatly. It has to do with your level of hydration as well, so if you weigh after having a bunch of water (say in the afternoon) your body fat% will show less than after not having water for awhile (like right after you first wake up).

Also on Caribbean cruises I tend to gain weight, because I am laying around in the sun like a slug most of the time with drink in hand. Eating the same food, I don't gain on Mediterranean cruises, because we are on the go, go, go, all the time.

Sue, congratulations. I understand Nutrisystems to have a very good program with a large degree of success. The low glycemic nature of the program should be excellent to bring those triglyceride levels down. Also, are you able to do any non stress exercises that don't put pressure on the muscles, but where you can get some aerobics, such as walking in a pool? Just a thought. I know that it helps Diana. Different problem though. Hers are arthritis issues and inflamed muscles around the joints.

Margo, I get there many times as well. Sometimes, I just get bored and wonder, is this really worth it? What I find is that I am in just in a rut. I keep doing the same things over and over. Same eggs for breakfast, same salad for lunch, etc. That is when I bring out the cookbook and do something different and experiment a little. For example, I was there a couple of weeks ago. I was doing the same thing every morning. So I cracked open the cookbook and found a recipe for an Italian Frittata. Everything that was in it was allowable and it made six servings. So I made it up one evening and then refrigerated it. I spread out having it over the next couple of weeks and it made a really nice break from my mundane breakfast routine and boy was it good.

I think variety is the key, otherwise you will go absolutely bonkers!

Oh, and sometimes you just have to cheat a little, but then just have the determination to get right back to it. For me the cheating usually involves wine!

Ok a woohoo for me. Turns out that I only gained 1 pound on my cruise, not the 5 I estimated. I gotta get a home scale that aligns more closely to the clinic one!

Margo, Don is right, find something new to eat. Instead of eggs for breakfast, have turkey on whole wheat tortilla or a protein shake. On your trip you should give yourself a break though. I think when we start feeling sorry for ourselves its a lot easier to just let it go. But if you say for instance I will be vigilant at breakfast and lunch but I will have whatever tempts me for dinner (including that predinner cocktail and a glass of wine wth your meal) you will still enjoy your vacation and not do too much damage to your new lifestyle! Of course, that was easy enuf for me to do since I was on Princess and didn't like the food (altho the cocktails were pretty good!). You will need a little more determination on the Mariner. I was on the Mariner last year to Asia and seems like the food was fantastic but the portions are fairly small so you should be OK. Have the chesse. Make up your mind that you may gain a bit but will take it right back off when you get home and you will do fine!

This thread is really an inspiration for me. Even tho you guys have all been sick or in pain you continue to soldier on with your programs. I am in awe!

So do does anyone remember this song? Sometimes it sounds like a good idea


Oh, I'm on the Drinking Man's Diet,
It came from a book I was loaned.
It's really terrific and quite scientific
And I'm half stoned.
For breakfast some cornflakes and vodka,
But cornflakes have carbohydrate;
So I don't eat those fattening cornflakes,
I eat the vodka straight.
Drink, drink, everyone drink;
It's not as bad as we used to think.
With every Manhattan your stomach will flatten,
So drink, drink, drink.
The Air Force invented this diet,
A fact which they hotly deny.
Of course they deny it, 'cause this is the diet
That got the Air Force high.
For lunch you can have three martinis,
What better lunch is there than that?
But caution: do not eat the olives,
'Cause olives make you fat.
Drink, drink, everyone drink;
It's not as bad as we used to think.
If pounds you would burn off, then turn on your Smirnoff,
And drink, drink, drink.
For dinner, a nice Scotch and soda
Now that oughtta help you to lose.
No whipped cream, no butter, just lay in the gutter
And booze, booze, booze.
Suppose you should meet a policeman,
Who says you've been quenching your thirst;
You just tell him it's physical fitness
And health comes first!
Drink (hic!), drink (hic!), booze everywhere (hic!);
Pass that decanter of bourbon there.
I'm fatter than ever, but here's what's so clever:
I don't care!

Lyrics from Allan Sherman’s Drinking Mans Diet

I remember Allan Sherman's Hello Mudda but not that one. That's hilarious!
---------------------
Helen

I loved Allen Sherman - when I was 7 or 8 I would play those records over and over.

Wow - I am glad to see how active this thread is again! Everyone is doing so well. All we have is today - if you follow it just for today you can do it!

I am back from my convention and while I went off somewhat, I think I was REALLY good. Food in Las Vegas, if you are not luxuriously dining is generally not of the healthy variety. Add a trade show to that and what was available in the convention hall - hot dogs and other junk. The coffee bar had the usual "Don't Eat This For Breakfast" choices. I got my coffee (Room Service was a 45 minute wait!) and then went to the sundry store where they stocked Kellogg's Cereal Bars. That was 150 calorie breakfast. How did I know this? When I checked in, I did a survey of all the venues to see what there was that were good options for me. Lunch was a steak sand with out the Bread and it came with Fries. So I ate 10 and that was it. They held a buffet reception one night and I walked the buffet to see the choices, left and went to the Mexican restaurant and got a Shrimop Tostada - hold the shell and the beans, cheese and avocado. I had one glass of wine and mostly drank Perrier. I've been doing Perrier during the week and Wine - one glass on weekends!

I have learned that to fight off the boredom and allow for some pleasures, that I can do a bit of that.

We went to our favorite weeknight dinner spot tonight, where we have the same waiter when we go and he knows just how to bring me my stuff. He made my day today when he leaned down and whipered in my ear "Kathy, you are looking really good - I really see it in your face"

So thanks for all the encouragement and support!

Kathy you were very strong being in Vegas and eating like you did. Wasn't it all worth it when the waiter gave you that wonderful compliment!!!!

Congrats everybody! Kathy, I bet you look fabulous!

I was reading today about one of our music stars here in Canada, Jann Arden. She's got this amazing personality, and positive body image. But one day she decided enough already with feeling tired, so she changed the way she ate, started exercising, and 50 pounds later she looks wonderful. A good inspiration for me to get back on track--I just got off from 15 minutes on my elliptical--when I have it up to 30 minutes then I'll be really burning!

It is so hard when you are away from home to eat right! Good for you, Kathy. I really doubt that I would or could stop after 10 fries! I love Las Vegas. I am speaking at a convention in September at the Bellagio. Hopefully by then I won't even want the fries?

There is nothing quite as encouraging as someone remarking on how much different/better/slimmer you look. Thumbs up!

Wendy I am having the same problem, before I left on my trip I did 45 minutes on the treadmill regularly and w/o problem. Last night after 15 minutes I was so done. Oh well, today will be better.
-------------------
Helen

Oh you exercisers are SO ahead of me! You should feel good even for 15 minutes. At least you are doing it! :ch: :ch:

Kathy, doesn't that make you feel great!!! You are doing so good! I am proud of you. Great choices also. It is hard to do when you are away. We had a luncheon on Monday and I was amazed at how I can tell now, if there is something in the food that I can't eat. It was from an Italian place called Maggiano's and it was Chicken Marsala. It had chicken breasts, onions, and mushrooms in a wine sauce. All of which I could eat. However, they thickened their sauce with corn starch! Which is a definate no-no for me! So I ate the salad, then came back to my office and had the rest of my lunch there!

Wendy, that is a great start. I would imagine that the eliptical machine is a lot better for your back as well.

Helen, I had the same problem just getting back to it this week after missing three days from being sick. It is tough to get back and up to speed. I have noticed that doing the same workout has my heart rate a little elevated, meaning I am having to work harder than before.

Oh and I found a great website a few weeks ago that is a free diet journal website. It charts your caloric intake, carbs, etc and also figures in your workouts! You might want to check it out. It also has a premium feature (for a charge) to allow you to customize your input for your favorite foods.

http://www.my-calorie-counter.com

Oh gee Don, I love Maggianos chicken marsala and I would have ordered that thinking it was a good choice. Why is corn starch a no no? Carbs, calories? I don't ever use it when I am cooking but I never gave it a thought when ordering out.
-----------
Helen

I have a program called Diet & Exercise Assistant. I think it was $25.00 but it also goes on my Treo and I can look up things while I am out and about. It tells me how many calories I need and the breakdown as well as how they are spent. It lets you add custom foods and then figures out carbs, calories etc.

It is the carbs and it can be a bunch! There is no reason to put in the corn starch except to thicken the sauce. It is also high on the glycemic index.

Eating out is always a challenge. Most menus now have healthy choices, but my problem is something else always sounds better. I lack the self control sometimes. That's probably why I'm in the shape I'm in. It helps that we don't dine out very often.

Weather here in Denver is typical Spring. Yesterday was 65 and sunny. I wake up this morning with 2 inches of snow on the ground. I bike when I can and hit the treadmill on days like today. I really need to start hitting the weight machine to get the most out of my training.

Wendy - Way to go on the eliptical! That is a wonderful piece of equipment.

Dave

I wish I could do the eliptical machine. For some reason, I can't keep my balance. Guess I am just a klutz!

It has been raining here, so all my workout activities have to be indoors. This morning I got in my upper body weight workout and then swam 1200 meters in the pool. Now I feel like a rung out dishrag! All that swimming and now I want fish for lunch! LOL I think we are going to head to Rockfish where our son works, and let him wait on us for a change! :D

I was purposely slowing down my weight loss starting this week, but didn't expect it to just stop! From my Monday weigh in until today, the scale is exactly the same. No budge whatsoever. Guess that is why we should only weigh once a week. Kind of depressing.

Don,

Just keep doing what you're doing as long as you stick to your plan. As my friend Carol says, the time will pass anyway and the scale will eventually change for the good. Everytime I think I am in a rut it works!

Kathy, I know that is true! I did my measurements yesterday and did find that I lost inches in my waist, chest, and thighs from a couple of weeks ago. I also gained in my calves and biceps, so I guess I am losing fat, but gaining muscle. I dropped 2% in body fat.

Tomorrow, I am going to check the results and see where I faired on the standings at our gym for March. It is nice to have other areas than the scale to measure how you are progressing. Or is it digressing? I guess my real goal is to be 1/2 the man I used to be! LOL

Hi...checking in from cruise central - the food choices are doing me in - I start healthy but seem to find temptation at every turn. I'm going to take it on the chin (or more likely somewhere else) but I can't pass up some of the wonderful food and wine - as Scarlet would say, tomorrow is another day.

I did 30 minutes on the elliptical this morning but that won't make a dent with the wine and cheese!

One other ah ha moment - since we moved 2 years ago we haven't had a full lenght mirror in our house - I think that's why I didn't notice .... yikes - the full length mirror in our suite is very unforgiving! I'm buying a mirrow to put next to my scales - seeing is believing.

But right now I guess I'll just be fat and happy.

Margo

Margo,

Last cruise I ate whatever I wanted and I only gained a couple pounds. I pretty much just tasted the temptation foods and still tried to eat healthy fare. It is the wine that'll do you in, but, then who cares!

Margo, I think on a cruise a better Scarlet quote would be, "I swear as God as my witness, I will never go hungry again" LOL

We hope you have a wonderful cruise!

This morning was absolutely beautiful when I went for my 1 hour walk in the woods. Everything is so green, and the air was so clean and crisp! Sure wish I was at home puttering in the garden instead of cooped up here in my office! Actually I wish I was with Margo!!! LOL

How was everybody else's week and what are y'all up to today?

Well, Don, I am preparing for Passover - which means two nights of potential uh-oh's. I am down another pound and I'd like to keep it that way!

I got assigned today to bring the dessert :ohmy:

So I am bringing a homemade lemon bundt pound cake, to be served with homemade limoncello cream sauce. I am also bringing strawberries, with equal and light coolwhip! Guess which I am eating!
Knowing that there will be everything wrong to eat, I ate very, very light for breakfast and lunch so I bet I end up right whre I belong. I intend to taste everything, but, not eat quantities of anything. Our family always celebrates on the Sunday of Passover week - even if it's not the day.

Yes, it's a beautiful day today here too. Come to think of it, I think I'd better go prep my camera for a few shots of the kids and garden.

Happy Passover Kathy!

Margo, my diet clinic has a "skinny mirror", like the fun house mirrors of old and I look not only thinner but taller! I love it, That's what I want in my house. You know that you can take back off whatever you put on, so don't punish yourself, enjoy your vacation.

It is beautiful day here but I am also locked up in the office today. Still playing catch up after my Australia trip and getting ready to leave again next Wednesday for 3 days Disney cruise with 6 sibs and their families (23 of us)and 11 cousins. No way to avoid the alchohol at that party! I will cross that temptation bridge when I get to it.

I was supposed to be heading up to San Luis Obispo on Tuesday for the rest of the week and was gonna see about a visit with Kathy on the way, but opposing attorney has changed it all till May now.

Wishing everyone a good day.
-------------------------
Helen

Congratulations Kathy and Happy Passover as well.

Helen, I like the skinny mirror idea. Wish I had one as well. For now, I have to settle for black clothes! They do make me look slimmer, though today with the black pants, black turtleneck, with black belt and black shoes, I looked more like "Father" Don heading to lead Mass for Palm Sunday! LOL

Happy Passover Kathy! Oooh lemon pound cake, Yum. I can almost taste it.

I had a fairly good week. Down 2 lbs, 10 lbs total. I already don't like my new scale. It's not only honest about my weight, but my body fat as well. It says I'm at 25.2%. Ugh! I moved my Mom Saturday, so that was good exercise. I wasn't even stiff Sunday so exercising is paying off.

I hope everyone has a good week. I know Margo is having a great week.

Dave

Yippeee - everyone is doing well! Thanks for the Passover wishes. I did well, considering last night. One short glass of wine, and a taste of everything traditional. Ate very light. Round two is tonight.

Don, I can see you in that all black look. As long as you are not listening to confession.

Helen, not happy with the OC on that case (lol) we coulda had some lettuce together (BTW, I have a microwave and fridge in the office if you are sticking to Lindora's food things) but we have a couple decent spots and I am right off the 101 with easy get back on. And of course if you are speding hte night in my neighborhood, dinner is an easy deal too.

Hi everyone, just lurking as I'm home for Spring Break this week.
Kathy, your lemon cake sounds amazing! Would you be willing to share that recipe? I love limoncello...there is a restaurant in Delrey that has limoncello sorbet that is delicious! Usually for Passover I make a Queen Mother's cake, which is good any time of the year...made w/ ground almonds instead of flour.
Melinda

Welcome Melinda! That cake sounds good. In the later stages of my "LIFESTYLE" (they frown on calling it a diet) I could probably even have something like that, depending on the carb count.

Dave, congratulations on another good week! That is fantastic! Keep it up! I wish mine said 25.2% Unfortunately, the scale I have says, Boy, you are really fat! LOL It did come down by 2% though over the past two weeks. Not confessing what it came down to.

Kathy, not hearing confessions here! I have too many of my own! LOL

Well, this week the scale did finally budge. I am down 1.6 lbs from last week. Now I have lost 71 lbs since August and 43 lbs since January 1st.

Last month I came in 1st place for FitPoints and Calories expended for guys in my age bracket, and fifth for total Weight Lifted. Need to work on that one for April.

FitPoints:
1 gonnabskinny City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 12,863
2 kpjoyce City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 12,156
3 doughorchak City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 9,325
4 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 8,281
5 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 8,247
6 mbritton City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 7,024

Calories:
1 gonnabskinny City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 15,114
2 doughorchak City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 14,642
3 kpjoyce City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 9,903
4 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 6,802
5 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 6,402
6 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 4,761

Weight Lifted:
1 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 509,765
2 mbritton City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 495,285
3 SBanz City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 471,010
4 kpjoyce City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 452,170
5 gonnabskinny City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 405,815
6 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 384,995
7 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 381,870
8 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 308,780
9 doughorchak City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 300,490
10 Facility User City of Allen - Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium 295,330

Way to go Don! :banana:

Wow Father Don, again you put me to shame. My scale not really budging. Up and down the same 1/2 lb. Probably gonna have to do that plateau diet for a few days, fish and spinach and for a change, spinach and fish. Lindora claims that we have 'set points" and our bodies just like it at a certain weight and resists losing anymore. If my set point was 115lb I would be much happier with that theory!!
We'll get together for that lettuce one day, Kathy!
------------------
Helen

Melinda,

I use the Duncan Hines Cake Mix (Lemon) with Lemon Pudding and Sour Cream. You can get it from Duncan Hines website. It is NOT Kosher for Passover nor is it diet food. I have a sunflower bundt pan and it was very pretty. I drizzle limoncello cream over the top. You can buy limoncello cream at the store (Do you have Bevmo?) or take 3 months and make it. Use a limoncello recipe and after you cure the lemon zest in vodka, you add the sugar and use cream instead of water. Keep it in the freezer.

Wow that sounds yummy! Thanks for posting it, and Happy Passover.

Don - 71 lbs! That's outstanding :nw: That's what I call dedication and determination. I admire your sticktoitivness.

Dave

Helen, I hate those plateau's! Sometimes the scale just doesn't budge, but the other factors like looser fitting clothes and feeling better definately help keep you motivated!

Thanks Dave! Though I have to confess, I have my moments of weakness. Fortunately, those have been few and far between lately!

Actually it was sticktoitiveness that got me in trouble in the first place. It was all that food that I continually STUCK in my mouth and then the fat just STUCK to me! LOL

LOL on the sticktoitiveness. Things are progressing steadily for me. The ketostix don't seem to be showing much, which makes me a little nervous. I've lost a couple of pounds since I got my new scale, but my body fat % and water % have not changed. Maybe I'm just losing brain cells. I guess I won't complain until I hit one of the dreaded plateus. Based on my results, it's bound to happen soon.

Keep up the good work and stay away from the deviled eggs.

Dave

Oh those dreadful plateaus is right. They are named "Passover Seders", "Easter Dinner", "Dinner with Friends and a glass too many of wine" and then there is the excuse to not exercise.

That's been my week, but, to be expected. My scale isn't budging this week. Better that then up!

I have done OK this week, down 3 lbs, better than that proverbial sharp stick. This weekend will be a pretty good test since I am in charge of Easter dinner. I am getting all the food from a caterer which should at least cut down on the "tasting and testing" during preparation which is the downfall of cooks the world over.I thought this was a better idea then trying to go out to brunch which would have really tested my willpower. Well we can all only resolve to do the best we can. Happy Easter to all. Hey Father Don, how many carbs do you think there are in a peep?
-------------------
Helen

Helen, congratulations! BTW, since you asked! LOL :D

Amount per serving (5 Peeps)

Calories 160
Total Fat 0g
Saturated Fat 0g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 15mg
Carbohdrates 40g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Sugars 36g
Protein 1g
Vitamin A 0% - Vitamin C 0% - Calcium 0% - Iron 0%