Oh my gosh.......... It's December 3 already. I forgot to start us over.

Come one, come all............ Let's get throught the holidays with a little help from our friends.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Thanks, Judy, for starting us again. I didn't track yesterday because it was just too busy. I'm tracking today, though. Yesterday my weight went up a pound. Lack of water, I think. Today it's back down to 176.4. Hopefully I can get the water in, though it's hard to do that at home.

Today is decorating the home for Christmas time. DH is off getting his "traveling" shots for a trip to Ghana in January. He's hoping to get a flu shot too. He better come home feeling okay, because I've got a "honey-do" list a mile long.

Went to a Gaither concert here last night. It was four hours long and just wonderful. I seldom hear "good ole gospel" music. Our church is more classical. It was good to sing some oldies.

I'll check in later with my numbers.
Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

I haven't been tracking, other than weight. Weight is bouncing a lot - 137.5 to 141. My weight does tend to flucuate, but not so much. Maybe this has to do with my cold - I'm trying to eat low carb, but eating differently. I'm also taking a lot of herbal medications, some of which have small amounts of sugar. But, I'm past caring - I just want to feel better.

FWIW, the two best things I've found for ~really~ helping with cold symptoms are Airborne fizzy tablets and the Coldeze lozenges. For some reason, the SF Coldeze tablets don't do a thing for me. I've also been drinking a lot of herbal teas - especially at night when my cough comes back. The hot steamy drinks and a hot steamy shower are the only things that seem to quiet my cough after dark.

I know we'll all be doing our best during December, fraught as it is with dietary challenges. You know, for me, it's not eating the one or two sweets that throws me off - it's the follow-on cravings or lowering of my "bar" that lead me to eat just way too much of everything. I'm really hoping to hold the line - have a few endulgences, but then end it there. And, not go into week-long eating tizzies! Wish me luck!

And, good luck to each and everyone of us!

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Hey TB: So sorry to hear that you are not feeling well! I hope that calms down soon. You are SO close to your goal. And, yeah. I know what you mean about the cravings. I had my first glass of wine in a week last night and it set off the sweets cravings. I gave in to a little lunch box size of choc. sf pudding. We don't keep sweets in the house, as a rule, but these little guys are left over from my liquid diet last month. I remember a time when I threw away food that I shouldn't eat even after I had bought it myself.

Today is writing day. I'm preaching tomorrow.

I was going to get back with numbers. Here they are for yesterday.

Cals. 1254
Fat 57%
EC Carbs 63 21%
Protein 22%

I'm down another pound today! Yay! 175.2. That's 9 pounds since I got back from the Bahamas two weeks ago.

Now, I'm back to the weight that I have held for months. We'll see if tracking and trying to eat clean can get me into the 160's.

Hope to see more check in over this weekend. Judy, how about a long post from you? And, Brenda, let us know how you're doing. Elyssa, haven't heard from you for a while. Law1, hope things are going really well for you.

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

I suppose I can expect a fairly big bounce up for the next few days. Legal LC foods (ice cream, most likely), paved the way to an all out carbo-fest. After more painting prep all morning, I was very ready for my LC soup for lunch. DH asked me to wait until he got back from the hardware store. Well, he was gone much longer than I expected. I buttered two small pieces of whole grain crisp bread to eat while I waited. And waited. So, I buttered and ate two more. To cut to the chase, those were crisp bread were followed by many more; later augmented by 4 Pepperidge Farm cookies (I bought the cookies when I had company last week). That will teach me to let that stuff stay in the house. I should have given the leftovers away (actually, I thought DH would finish them, but for some reason, he didn't).

Judy, aren't your classes winding up soon for the break? How late into December do your schools go? Bet you are more ready for a break than the students!

Brenda, how did your show go? I hope your absence is because the bracelets were a sell out and you are busy with commissions!

Peg, you are just really catching on fire, the way you are dropping the pounds this week. YO! GIRL!

So, tomorrow is Monday - start of a new week, clean slate, tabla blanca (sp?).

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Hi guys........... sorry to be MIA for so much of the week. Yes, TB, my semester will end on the 17th. And, that's not a day too soon for me. I had to work all day yesterday with my brain team (Academic Decathlon) at a practice meet. They had a respectable finish, but still need lots of work and polish before the real regional contest in January.

Peg, good work this week! You are setting a good example for the rest of us.

Did any of you watch "The Five People you Meet in Heaven"? I loved the book, and even though I missed some of the movie, I thought it was good. Yep, I shed a tear or two, too.

As Mama Cass used to sing......... ................ I have to spend my conference period tomorrow calling parents to let them know that their little darlings are either failing for the grading period or will fail for the semester. Not a pleasant thing to look forward to! And worst of all, if they fail for the semester, I will probably get them back again. One semester with some of this class is enough!

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Hi All:

Well, TB, I join you in the carb fest! It started last night after an Italian dinner (I'll spare you the details, but it included wine), and continued into lunch today with a "drive-by" McD's. Diet Power shows me with less than 500 calories to eat for the rest of the day! I'm drinking water like crazy. It's stunning to me how the slightest deviation from the WOL leads me to do it again! I'm up two pounds. 177 this am.

Judy, it sounds as if you have the class from h*** this semester. I wonder to myself how they can be so gifted and be so nasty? But, then I answer the question myself. I work in a town where the Principal of the Primary school is called a "headmaster." Most of the kids go to private school. ALL the parents describe their children as "exceptional." I see them around the church and will have 20 of them in Confirmation starting in January. Believe me, some of them are pretty difficult. I hope you will get a break from them during the holidays.

My DD (middle one in Dallas) is pregnant again. I'm just delighted. They are visiting the week after Christmas and I just bought a crib, and several toys on line! I'm SO excited. She has Joshua who is 17 mos old now. Great spacing, don't you think?

I'm tracking today. I'll let you know tonight or tomorrow.

Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Stopping in with my numbers for today:
Calories 2295
Fat 58%
Carbs 136g 25%
Protein 16%
Sheesh! Carbs really do a lot of damage don't they? (duh! Snort!)
Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Well, I didn't necessarily go on a carb fest, but it seems that all I did all day was snack and eat. I never got "full". I had some heavy with soy sauce chinese for dinner. I'm sure that tomorrow will definitely show an up swing. It's also looks like the constant snacks at work are beginning. I need to think up something to have around that I can bring for the snacks that will not totally sabotage me. Any ideas other than veggies and cheese ball / dip?

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

How about ..........no, that won't do. Well, how about........no, that won't do either. Well, how about...............no, that won't do.

My stupid (relative term. I really love her) office mate brought in flavored popcorn to staff meeting today. I made it through the first hour and then caved. Dang!

Other than that, it's been Low carb. But, we're about to go for Chinese for dinner. Man, those sweets are hard to resist.

peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Hi All -- Sorry to be a no-show lately. I have been unexplainably busy. I have had some events after work, school concerts, etc. It just seems crazy. I did marathon Christmas shopping tonight. I am happy to have a bunch of it out of the way. Now I just have to wrap and ship. Yikes. Since our weather has been so warm, I keep thinking that Christmas is really far away.

It sounds like we have all been struggling. We need to keep supporting each other. The holiday treats are hard. I agree that the wine is a definite downfall!

I have some exciting news -- I have decide to pay half-board on the big white horse I told you about a few weeks ago (his name is Pierrot). That means I can ride 3-4 times a week. He is absolutely beautiful. My dd took pictures, but can't manage to get them loaded on the computer. When she does, I will share. The horse is much better looking than I am. Even though he is huge, I still look so big on him. I think I will put one of the pictures as my wallpaper at work. That should help my motivation!

Speaking of motivation, I FINALLY got back to tracking and eating induction today. I had bounced up to 225 and I'm back to 222, but I am disappointed not to have gotten below 220. I was so looking forward to a 21X instead of a 22x number. I hope this means I can keep going again.

Stats for today:

Calories: 999
Fat: 81 (74%)
Carbs: 16 (3%)
Fiber: 9
Net carbs: 7
Protein: 58 (23%)

Hey Pegster -- You must live in Lake Woe-be-gone, where the women are strong, the men are good looking and all the children are above-average!

__________________
Law1
Lowcarb since July 2001
296/211/150

My weight today is 139.5. I've been feeding my cravings (from my carb fest Sunday) with lots of LC treats - happens to be mostly the high fat stuff (nuts, cheese, olives, etc.). I'm feeling better, so I think I can start to winddown to a more regular diet now. Besides, I'm out of nuts, cheese, and olives ( :o )

Judy, here's some ideas for LC office treats:

Seasoned nuts - they could be savory or sweetened with splenda and cinnamon.

Meatballs - If you have a crockpot, you can buy pre-made frozen meatballs and simmer them in a beef broth or swedish meatball sauce. Provide some party toothpicks or cocktail forks if you need snacks that work as fingerfood.

Spinach bread tea sandwiches - use the Susanne Sommers Spinach "Bread" recipe and cut the bread into little triangles for little ham and cheese sandwiches.

Cucumber appetizers - slice cucumbers into rounds and add a slice of cheese or salami, or pipe on some creamcheese and herbs, dot with LC ketchup, sliced olive.

Olives! - BevMo had some AWESOME almond-stuffed olives last time I was there.

Peg, I notice the exact same thing - especially lately - small deviations come with a big payload (water weight, puffy fingers and eyes, cravings).

Law1 - that's pretty cool about your horse. I bet you get a lot of enjoyment out of the rides in the fresh air. Do you have to provide half the care, too? Or, does board cover the mucking and tack cleaning, too?

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Oh Teel, thanks. I had already considered meatballs. Also under consideration are deviled eggs and stuffed celery. What is BevMo?? A supermarket? We live in the provinces. If it's a specialty store, it's a pretty good guess that we don't have it.

Weight today 140 :( I'm really having problems wanting crackers and buttery crispy things. The sweets that I see around aren't nearly as enticing as chex mix trash and other savory things. I'm really having to fight it some days. .......... and then there's the ice cream. I've been rewarding myself with it most nights. I need to get control. I need to reduce the end of semester stress and get some rest. I need to cook some real food and avoid fast stuff. I need to stay out of the kitchen between meals!

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

BevMo is short for Beverages and More, a large-scale liquor and party store. I thought they were a nation-wide chain; but maybe they are just a local chain.

Judy, would buttered Bran-A-Crisp work for your cracker lust? I hesitate to mention that as I went over the precipe eating a whole-grain crisp bread-type cracker last weekend. The cracker I was eating wasn't as low carb as Bran-A-Crisp, though.

My weight is down a tick today - 138. Been sticking to LC, but not really enough veggies and too many salty, calorically-dense foods. I meant to swear off LC ice cream for the rest of the year, but a bowl slipped into my hands Tuesday. But, no LC ice cream last yesterday - so, some small progress there.

The kitchen is still torn up due to painting - I didn't feel like working in paint fumes while I had the chest congestion. I can't believe it has taken me so long to do this one room (I say that for every room I paint, I guess). I (finally!) finished priming yesterday, so I hope to (finally!) finish the real painting today.

Anyway, I seriously need to get to the market and get a better selection of LC food stocked up.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Thanks so much to TB, Law1, Judy for posting!! It's comforting to come to this thread and find old friends! I'm working hard producing written things for Christmas. But, I'm taking the weekend off. The other pastor is going to be there and I need to begin to wean them off me. Sounds funny, I know, but it is one of the down sides of being an Interim. I love them. They love me. Sheesh. It's hard.

Eating has been "sort of" LC. Everything at home is lc. DH been packing my lunch. But, sweets are hard to resist. In a home last night for an Advent event and had goodies. My weight is staying at 177. I'm tracking today.

TB and Judy: Sounds as if we are in the same boat. However, Judy I applaud you for wanting to take lc snacks. I'm not even in that groove. I'm trying to push water today. I decided to stay home since I don't have any responsibilities for the weekend. I get my new computer system this afternoon. Pray that the IT guy can recover my hard drive. My life is on it.
Law1: Sounds as if the new horse is wonderful. I can't say that I can interpret any of the size stuff, but he sounds BIG. Scares me to think about it. But, I'm delighted for you that you have something like that that you can do and enjuoy so much! You are doing really well, kiddo. Hang in there!
Peace, Peg

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young