I feel like I have been in a time-warp. It says my last visit to this site was May of 2006~wow..! Or whoa actually.

I have been gone for this long?

Long story short: 6 Years ago I decided to try low carb. The funny thing is, at the time I had never even heard of it. I went from 245 to 199! I felt soooo good. Then I got lazy and adopted the attitude that I was pretty good looking for a biggie... I lost all sense of dedication to this way of eating. I bounced back and forth since then, half heartedly (saying) I was going to try it again. Seemed like every January would be my 'new' starting point. It never stuck for more than 2 days.

This January was no different except for the fact that I didnt even make it for the 2 days. You have no idea how much this weight has been on my mind everyday. Never doing anything about it, watching time go by. What a waste. Now I'm going to be 42 next month. It's time to get serious, I'm not hurting anyone but myself. No, that's not true. I'm hurting my family because I have slipped right back into everything I always hated about being fat. Running away from the camera, not joining in to fun activites or being outgoing and doing things with my kids. I HATE IT. I HATE IT.

Last week my sister and I were at her house and I mentioned that I REALLY wanted to do low carb again. Her face lit up and she said she would do it with me. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me. I have someone to do it with and it's a nice feeling. She had been wanting the same thing for months. We are in this together and I have to say, it feels right this time.
We sat down and planned our menu's, also the fact that I have got to dedicate myself to drinking the water this time. We started yesterday. I have to admit that at this point I have not gotten on the scale. I cant bear to do it.

I'm just so relieved to be trying this again. My confindence is way up and I feel so strong about it. I'm glad I have lceating to turn to for inspiration and information. I'm back and I plan on staying.

Welcome home, Kristen.

It's always easier when you have support. Although this site is wonderful for that, it's really easier when you have someone close to you, family or friend, doing it with you.

I wish both you and your sister much success on your low carb journey.

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Nita

This is such great news!! I'm happy to hear that you have your sister to do this with you. Both of my biggest successes with weight loss have been when I've done it with someone else. You have a great start and support all around to keep you on focus.

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Many thanks to both of you... Your encouragement and kind words made me smile this morning! Start of day 3 and it is going great.....! Yesterday I did 30 min on the treadmill at 3mph, that came out to 1.6 mile. One thing I will have to say is that I have had this treadmill for a year and even though I havent used it in months, I REFUSED to move it out of my dining room. I needed to be reminded by having to walk by it several times a day. Believe me, I could use the space but NO WAY, it's staying. Also I have been drinking the water. I do not like water. This is huge. It may be cheating, but out of the 3 bottles of water I drank yesterday, I put 0 calorie lemonade into it. It's called 4c lemonade. 0 calories, 0 carbs. Cut me a little slack here, any way I get that water in is a miracle for me! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do............and I know, I have to drink more than that too. I'll get there.....!
Today I am taking my 9 year old daughter to the dentist but I am going to get on that treadmill first~promise!

Kristen, some people insist you get your 8 glasses of plain water in addition to your other liquids. Others say get 8 glasses of liquid any way you can. Others insist you get half your body weight in ounces of plain water. My advice is for you to get liquid into you however you can, but try to stay away from a lot of artificial sweeteners. Some of find that the more water we drink, the more we enjoy it. Don't force it, but try to keep yourself hydrated, especially if you are going to be exercising.

We had some changes to our water system, and the water tasted awful, unless it was filtered, and when we ran out of bottled water here at work, I had to drink the tap water, which was terribly unpleasant, so I got some of those little individual drink mixes to put in it, so I was getting my water, but not having to gag it down. I didn't feel the least bit guilty about it, either. Now the water tastes better, so I'm not needing to flavor it, unless I want to.

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Nita

Yes, I know that being able to put in the flavor is going to help me sooooo much. I've even tried pretending that I like water in the past.........it doesnt work!! I'm sorry, unless it is 95* outside and I am gasping, I hate water. I did do the 30 min on the treadmill like I promised myself I would, it seemed to go by easy. The kids are home on April vacation this week and it is harder to walk on it when they are home. I know I will go longer when they are back at school, because then I can sing out loud like a ding dong and no one can hear me hahahahaahhahahaahahahha!!!!!!!!
I did not drink 3 waters today. I did maybe 30 ozs. Bad girl, I will TRY to do better tomorrow! Thank you Nita!

You can do it Kristin! I never drank water before and now I crave it if I don't get enough. I like sparkling water that is pretty cheap at the store. I love soda pop which this reminds me of. Here is some information I found at this site: http://www.dietinfo.us/Water1/water1.html Hope it encourages you to continue on your healthy journey because you are worth it.


The following are some of the things that water will help the body with:

• Supresses appetite.
• Assists the body in metabolizing stored fat, because your liver is overloaded when your kidneys don't get enough water. Your liver metabolizes fat and it can't do that at 100% if it is doing the kidney's job.
• Reduces fat deposits in the body.
• Relieves fluid retention problems. If you don't give your body water, it will hold it so as not to lose it.
• Reduces sodium buildup in the body.
• Helps to maintain proper muscle tone.
• Rids the body of waste and toxins.
• Relieves constipation.

The following are some of the things that water will help the body with:

• Supresses appetite.
• Assists the body in metabolizing stored fat, because your liver is overloaded when your kidneys don't get enough water. Your liver metabolizes fat and it can't do that at 100% if it is doing the kidney's job.
• Reduces fat deposits in the body.
• Relieves fluid retention problems. If you don't give your body water, it will hold it so as not to lose it.
• Reduces sodium buildup in the body.
• Helps to maintain proper muscle tone.
• Rids the body of waste and toxins.
• Relieves constipation.

THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. WATER IS ONE OF THE BEST CURES AND PREVENTION FOR MANY OF OUR BODY'S AILMENTS!! There is nothing like good, clean water.

The unfortunate thing about this little known "miracle", is that people can't really make a lot of money "selling water". That's why you don't hear about it. More money is made with expensive doctor's visits and drugs. Many times patients are not cured, so the drugs and doctor's visits go on and on. We also believe many doctors may be unaware of the importance and lack of water in our diets.

Do you want to know how important water is? Let's talk about your brain. Your brain runs on electrical impulses. Guess how the electricity gets around--it travels through the water in your brain. Want another surprise? You must have salt to survive. Salt in the water in your brain helps conduct the electricity through your brain, as well as, providing many other functions in your body. The more water you drink, the more salt you should have in your diet.

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Well, isnt that interesting? I just so happens that I love salt!! I realize too much is a bad thing. If someone gave me the choice between salty or sweet, I would go for the salt every time. Thank you for sending that to me, believe me it does bring it all into perspective for me and I am listening!
I am heading out the door to drop my daughter off at her Great Grandmothers. I'm taking my son to get a haircut and I'm tanning at the same time~two birds with one stone. I have a hot dog in one hand and a BOTTLE OF WATER IN THE OTHER!!! I did not walk yesterday on the treadmill so that is on my list of do's for today, even if it's 30 minutes.

Just to clarify: I always visit/write in my journal first thing in the morning. So when i talk about the treadmill or walking, I'm yapping about the day before. I was just reading back a bit and it seemed like I was saying I did then didnt. Anyhoo, I know it's not a big deal, it just read confusing to me! I'm not very organized, I just hop all over the place, including in my journaling obviously hahahah!

Happy Saturday everyone! It is finally gorgeous here, 72* and lots of sunshine. You cant help but be in a good mood.......and to top it all off the Red Sox came back to defeat the Yankees last night!! Life is good..................

This morning when I came home from work I had a fist full of pepperoni and a bottle of water and sat out on my deck for an hour. That was my breakfast. Oh, I had a cup of coffee also. This afternoon we are having a little cook out. I'm grilling hamburgers and kielbasa. I got buns for the rest of the tribe but I will not touch one! Also no more beer for me. I was so loving the Mich Ultra too. I've switched to Light Vodka and diet pepsi. Just the calorie change for one thing should move me in the right direction (keeping my fingers crossed). The game comes on at 4:00 today and I'm really looking forward to it. Well, I'm off to slap the burgers together. I hope you all enjoy your weekend.

Yesterday turned out to be a really good time. I did a great job and did not cheat once! Tomorrow will make 1 week back on lc and I have to admit, it's easy for me so far! I feel better about myself already. Today I think we have to go shopping for some cushions for my outdoor chairs and I wouldnt mind squeezing a new table out of the deal too.

Going tanning this morning, then I managed to squeeze a Dr.'s appt. in for my daughter, I think she has an ear infection! I would think by now she would have grown out of them~she's 9! Then it's back here to clean. I didnt lift a finger over the weekend and then yesterday Kevin took off from work so it didnt get done then either. The house looks like heck.
I'm looking forward to having a nice salad with eggs, turkey and cheese for lunch. That's as far ahead as I can plan right now. Lots of water of course I will try.

I know!! If I don't clean 1 day it looks destroyed!! I have a 2 year old (I babysit), my 3 year old and 8 year old boy plus whatever kids stop by. I've only been vacuuming once a day but it really could use it twice a day. Before I had kids my friend (with 3) said she had vacuumed that day and her floor looked horrible. I thought she was just making it up - lol.

Anyway, I feel your pain of cleaning that has piled up. Good news? You'll be burning some extra calories today. lol

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It's just as hard cleaning up after an old geezer husband - one that gets tons of junk mail and leaves it lying around on the couch or coffee table. And has all kinds of cables and connectors for the computers and such tucked here and there. And leaves his shoes under the coffee table. (I can't really talk, here. I leave catalogs lying around, and my shoes are usually under the coffee table, too!)

Hope your daughter is feeling better. Not any fun having a sick kid. Not any fun BEING a sick kid, either.

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Nita

Yup, she does have an ear infection. She is a real trooper though, went right to school after we filled her prescription and had some Motrin! On the housework front, let's just say that it looks much better than it did...........still not great! I did throw all the windows open to let that fresh air in, vaccumed, dishes. Today it's tackling that laundry pile and getting RID of the stuff I dont need.
I drank 3 bottles of water yesterday~yeay! I'm getting better at it. Had my big fat chef salad for lunch also but I forgot to boil eggs to put on it. I missed them but it was still delicious! I've decided that I hate the pre packaged salad mix. I love a big fat fresh head of lettuce to start. It's more work but soooooo worth it in the end.
Today's goal: 3 waters and 1 1/2 mile on the treadmill (30 min). Oh, and I have GOT to shave my legs! I look like bigfoot!!!!!