I have been back lurking around the site for a few months now. Would try to get motivated and fall off the wagon before the weekend even hit! Something finally clicked for me and now I am motivated enough to do this again. I know it is not hard once you get past the inital week or so and that is where I am at. Monday June 23, was my first day back low carbing! My first few days I could not seem to get my carbs down to 20 but kept them under 30. I wrote down everything I was eating and figured out that I need to give up my morning coffee to do this. Just plain coffee is one carb itself then I have to put in at least 2 creamer, and then at least 3 spenda. So I gave it up for now. I have even worked out for at least 30minutes 3 days this week! When I did Atkins before I lost from 200lbs to 167! With carb creep I gained back to 180 last summer, then I just gave up and as of Monday my weight was a record high of 240! Yes, I gained 60 pounds in one year from eating carb laden foods. I went crazy and ate everything I could, and ate til it hurt! I have been trying to get motivated for a couple months now and this site and all the posts have really helped me. Thanks to everyone for posting their low carb journeys! I have only been on plan for 5 days and I feel a major difference. More energy, less hunger, and just plain feel better! I weighed in this morning and I have lost 5lbs in 5days! I was not suppose to weigh in until Monday but just could not help myself. My goal is just to loose 10lbs at a time, small goals so I don't get overwelmed. This site helped me before and it is helping me again!Thanks again to everyone for just posting, it really is inspiring!

Welcome back home, Amber! That carb creep is an evil beast, ain't he?

Sorry to hear about your struggles, but glad to hear you're moving in a direction that feels better. If you've just given up coffee, do be aware of the caffiene withdrawl symptoms, if you're not already. Can be no fun...

And you may be interested in reading our sweetners thread - favorite LC sweeteners? - A lot of us who drink coffee will use things like fiberfit or sweetzfree that don't add carbs. Every little bit helps, right?

Anywho, glad to have you back.

__________________

EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Amber. Getting motivated is a great step in the right direction. Glad you found your way back here. Good luck.

__________________
Henry

Thanks Goddess and Henry for the warm welcome back! I am not a big coffee drinker. I only have one cup in the morning so it was not too hard for me to give that up. I do miss it so I will have to check into the sweetners that don't add carbs!

Welcome back, Amber.

Nice to see you here again.

__________________

Thanks Maggie! Good to be back! I was so busy yesterday that I did not have time to log on. I am happy to report being down to 233.5 from 240 in my first week!

Hi Amber! I'm back from a long break too (and significant weight gain as well). Good luck and see you around the boards!

__________________
BOOM, BABY!
Start date: 07/01/08
Start weight: 290 (ugh)

Mini goal: 275

Motivation:
1. To have a baby in a couple of years
2. To not be embarrassed to see family
3. To not be embarrassed to see friends
4. To not worry about sitting on a plane
5. To not worry about fitting through turnstiles at Shea Stadium to see the NY Mets!
6. To not have to worry about taking pictures, and to not have to strategically place the camera
7. Most importantly: to be healthy

Welcome back, Amber.

Personally, I've never counted the carbs from coffee or tea. I know some do, though. But the cream carbs can really add up fast! And I have to have cream in my coffee!

Glad to see you "home".

__________________
Nita

Thanks Maestra and Queen Mama! It feels so good to be eating low carb again. I have been working out too so I am on the road to good health and skinny thighs. Well, I would not say skinny thighs but smaller, LOL! I am very very short. At 4ft 10in tall it is hard to have skinny thighs. I would have to weigh about 110 and to me that is just too thin! I had to get on the scale this morning for some reason and I am down to 231! Almost to my first mini goal! Been on induction for 10days now, counting today!

Down to 230 this morning! So close to the 220's I can almost taste it! Two weeks on induction and I have lost 10lbs. I am very happy. I have also been working out at least 4 days a week. When I first started walking two weeks ago it took me 23-24 minutes to walk a mile, and it killed me to walk a mile. Now I am walking a mile in 20minutes and I have moved up to 2miles! I did cheat a little on the 4th of July but I blame that on the fact that I was drinking shots of rum. Got right back on track the next day tho! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Well, i dont know how much i lost so far in 2 weeks (my scale needs batteries), however i lost 6 inches in my thighs, 1 inch up in calves (pilates makes you lose, then gain), had lost 3 inches in arms, but gained an inch of muscle, hips, i lost 2 inches, 3 inches in waist. Woo-hoo!
I cannot live without coffee, i had beer on the 4th/5th of july(eek, i know), but i do the accelerated pilates workout(60 min) every other day and in between those days, the 30 minute workout so i dont overdo it. i have also just added the bender ball on those in between days...
i keep up with lots of water, but still have up to 4 cups of coffee a day w/ heavy cream. i still feel like im not losing enough, though! i am def. below the 20 gram ct. for induction a day and am in week 3 of induction.....bah, humbug.
Also, i am having foot cramps.

Welcome back Amber. It's great to see you so motivated!

__________________
BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

DH and I are climbing back a long sliiiiiiiiiide into carb hell. Lost 10# in my first week. NO cheats. Have to make up my mind this is the rest of my life! Feel great, hope to be able to wear my wedding ring for the first time in a year. NO MORE NEW PANTS! And it's so great to not even WANT those nasties!
This site just helped me decide what to do with the thawed stew beef. Love it! Love it!

Welcome back Pia.

__________________
Henry

Welcome, guys!