February is here already, and thank goodness it's a short month!

We're looking at the end of winter, the promise of spring, a good time to get more active, and to be more determined to stick to plan.

The weight is not coming off, so for this month I do believe I'm going to keep carbs way, way down.

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Nita

I posted in my journal about my January successes. Not bad being that the first half of the month I was just lc'ing and then began Atkins 1/12. Lost a total of 8" (3.5" just off my waist alone!) and a little over 6 lbs. for the month.

Soooo, Nita, since I'm new here, is there a particular challenge for this month or are these just to stay focused, or is this where everyone just posts? Now that I post this I'll go slink around the older months and see.

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Lavender, I've been doing a monthly challenge so each person who wants to join can decide what they need for their challenge for that particular month. Perhaps it's avoiding sweet foods for a month, or being more conscious of portion size for a month, or just trying to stick to plan for a month. Whatever you need at the time is what your challenge will be. We all figure a month isn't that long a time for whatever challenge we face. You don't even have to declare your personal challenge, just post whatever you want, ask for help or tell us if you need encouragement, grouse and complain, pat someone on the back, whatever!

My usual challenge is just to stick to plan as best I can. Last month I had only one setback for one meal, so I was pleased with my overall performance for January.

This month I'm going to try to focus on lower carbs and calories, and perhaps try a bit of exercise. I'm the world's worst couch potato!

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Nita

Ah, okay, gotcha Nita.

I did well for January myself, only going over a few carbs some days here and there, but never on any .. what do they call it .. carbage.

I always feel good when I'm in the middle of exercising or afterwards, but it can sure be tough to want to get up to do, especially when it's winter.

I think my challenge will be simply to keep thinking positive about things. Like most of us, I want the weight gone yesterday and I'm waiting for the day when weight will fly off me . But seeing the inches come off and feeling better is such a plus as well as seeing I'm in ketosis. So I know changes are happening!

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Nita, Count me in again. Didn't get here to post yesterday. My BF had me so mad that I just chilled when I got home.

Lavender, glad to see a new face.

My challenge is to try harder to get some exercise in, just seems to be a constant struggle for me. Need to drink more water, and also keep those carbs low. Never have any good results unless I do.

I got on the scales, and was back to where I was when I lost those last 6 lbs. I get so tired of the bouncing up and down within a 3 to 5 lb range. Sigh.

Anyway, I'm trying to keep the carbs and calories low, drink more liquids. And as much as I know I should be adding more exercise for health, I am just not excited about exercise. When I'd like to take a walk, I'm stuck here in this office, and by the time I go home in the evening, the last thing I want to do is exercise!

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Nita

I was doing really well until I decided to meet my friends at the local club for spaghetti dinner. Usually I just eat the meat balls, but they surprised us and had lasagna. I went ahead and had a piece but I did manage to pass on the garlic bread. So it's off to go get some exercise in for me. Definately need to work out today.

Nicola, one piece of lasagna shouldn't do too much damage. If I know I'm going out with someone, or going to their house to eat, I just keep my carbs way, way down during the rest of the day, and be sure to avoid any bread or dessert at the meal. Works pretty good, although most of my friends know I don't eat carby stuff.

Yesterday I did a OMM for breakfast, had a leftover cube steak in half a lc wrap for lunch with a tomato, and then had dh fix supper (my back suddenly decided to act up, and I could hardly move), so he heated a can of black soybeans with 0 carb bbq sauce and some seasonings and then browned some ready to eat brisket in a skillet. Made a good supper. For a snack, I put a couple of tablespoons of fresh blueberries in a cup and mixed a bit of sour cream with vanilla DaVinci's for a topping. Quite yummy.

Did the OMM again for breakfast. It seems to last longer than the protein shakes, even though the shakes are higher in protein.

Nicola, speaking of garlic bread, I'm thinking of making the OMM w/o sweetener, adding a bit of parmesan cheese, then slicing it and toasting it, then slathering it with garlic butter. Certainly not as good as the real thing, but I'll bet it would be a pretty good substitute. Now I'm going to have to go try it.

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Nita

Hey y'all

Nita, I know what you mean about the office/exercise thing. I sit in an office all day and if I don't make myself exercise reasonably quickly after getting home, it just don't get done.

Are you almost at goal since you're bouncing around with the same few lbs.?

I have a big challenge looming. We are flying to my aunt's funeral (she passed this morning), so I'm already planning on making up some flax muffins or maybe a couple of OMM for the plane ride. Maybe get some trailmix or nuts for the ride back.

The real challenge will be attempting to stay low carb after an Italian funeral. I will do the best I can and focus, naturally, on the reason for us being there.

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Nita, you will have to let me know how that turns out. Your're probably right, the lasagna probably didn't hurty, I didn't eat lunch yesterday, just a LC shake. And I did good today, so it didn't set off any carb binges.

Lavender, sorry to hear about your aunt. There will probably be some sort of salad and meats there so you will hopefully find something to eat and still stick with your plan.

I going to go try to get some exercise in. Need to get this body off my bottom for a while. Have a good evening.

Lavender, no, I'm not anywhere near goal, I have 100+ lbs yet to go, but I just can't seem to get the weight off since I got through menopause. Old bodies just don't like to let go of their fat, it seems. But even w/o the losses, I'm just 100% healthier than I've been in years, even when I was younger.

And, I am sorry for the loss of your aunt.

Nicola, it's good to hear that you aren't having craving and binge problems. Low carb is great, isn't it?

Weekends are always challenging for me, because I tend to not do structured meals, just grab a bite & keep working, trying to get housework caught up. If I sit for a meal, then I don't want to get back up and start working again, so I just keep going while I have some momentum!

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Nita

Well, I ate pretty much no carbs all weekend, until last night. I was just plain feeling lousy, so dh got KFC for supper. That's what we had for supper and for lunch today. I didn't have breakfast today, either. After that chicken last night, I sure didn't feel hungry. Tonight is more chicken, but it's roasting in the oven, leg quarters with just salt, pepper and garlic powder. So much better!

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Nita

Nita, Menopause sucks! I went through it early and yes I think it makes it harder to lose weight also and a whole lot easier to put on. I do think lc makes you feel better, and it's great when you don't have those cravings. I've been trying not to think about it, and at work these days, I've been so busy I don't have time to think. And on those times when I have a second or two to just about think, someone interrupts me, and the thought is gone. Sounds like I just need to stay busy!

Hey y'all, I have returned. My aunt's memorial service was very small, informal and a mixture of tears and laughter. The day before the service, we did some shopping and got to see some gorgeous country covered in snow. Being from the southern part of Texas, we don't see that much.

Did pretty good food-wise. Although I ended up forgetting the goodies I'd spent making Friday night I took some other lc stuff I had, mainly nuts. Before we boarded, I had a breve made with heavy cream and a couple shots SF Hazelnut syrup. Kept me full for almost the whole trip! I was only off-plan for the day of the service and got right back on plan the next day.

I just need to catch up on my water now!

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Nicola, I'd rather be post-menopausal than have to deal with all that monthly yuck, even if it means slow losses.

Lavender, glad to see you home, and that you were able to stick to plan for the most part. I live in central TX, and we do occasionally get snow, but I'd be surprised if we get anything this year, we haven't had nearly enough moisture, and are constantly under fire watches.

The last few days I've done really well, except for nibbling on some sf hard candies. I know they are probably not a good idea, and I usually have only one every few days, but I bought some new flavors and had to try them.

And I think I have that UTI back. I really don't want to go back to the dr or take any more antibiotics. I'm going to try the Vitamin C and cranberry route for a few days and see if that helps. Get my immune system pumped up!

We are going to be eating a lot of chicken. Monday I cooked up a 10 lb bag of leg quarters, and we ate them up, for lunches and suppers, and snacks. Last night I found more chicken (last sale date is today) discounted, so I now have 20 lbs of chicken for about $9! One pkg is in the oven now, and when it's cooked I'm going to let it cool and then wrap it for the freezer, for some easy meals. Then I'll cook the other pkg and do the same. Good thing we like chicken!

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Nita