I am reposting this as its own thread...was buried in a Diet Coke thread. I am on the edge - help.

What gives? I am about 5 days away from chucking this WOE out the window. Before this diet I had a complete physical for a life insurance policy and I am healthy, healthy, healthy. My cholesterol was 142 with an excellent HDL to LDL ration. My blood pressure is 100/65. Everything was functioning great. I did not start on LC for health reasons - my big reason for trying low carb was to lose pregnancy weight - and that is NOT HAPPENING! I feel like I am wasting valuable time. I know it is "not a race" as many of you say, but it sort of is for me. I have a goal of a certain weight by a certain point in time. And I am not making any progress toward it, so if that doesn't change, I NEED to go back to what works, and that is low calorie. I have a 22 month old who loves the beach and we live 1 mile from it. Until I lose weight, I will not go. That is cheating me, my husband and my son. So I AM in a race to get the weight off. I can't afford to waste time if this WOE is not working.

I am beyond depressed by this. I had such high hopes for results based on believing in the science behind it and seeing the results that everyone around me is getting. I feel like crying.
===

Here is yesterday's menu, in case anyone thinks they can solve the mystery. I already know what many of you will think are the culprits - coffee, aspartame. Also, it is that time of the month so I am hoping that has been having a negative impact on the weight loss.

Breakfast:
1 slice Quiche (made with Quiche Lorraine recipe I found here but without bacon and 1 cup cream instead of 2)
2 cups coffe, each with 1 tbsp cream and 1 tsp Splenda

Snack:
1 cup sf jello with 1 tbsp heavy cream

Lunch:
1 can tuna with 1 tbsp mayo
2 cup romaine lettuce
1 tbsp olive oil
3/4 tbsp red wine or
balsamic (I count the carbs in the latter)
2 oz jarlsberg cheese

Snack:
2-3 ox cheese with pepperoni slices

Dinner:
8 oz shrimp sauteed in 2 tbps butter with 3 cloves garlic
1/2 c cauliflower with butter

Snack:
1 cup sf jello w/ 1 tbsp heavy cream

I don't ususally have fish twice in 1 day, and I try to really vary the protein sources for lunch & dinner so I don't get bored. Sometimes its egg salad, cheeseburger, chicken, etc. Really varies. SF Jello is my most common snack and b/fast is quiche every single morning.

All I can see if the aspartame and coffe....I will not give up the coffee, period.
I really count EVERYTHING! What is wrong with me?!

Patty
Started Atkins 2/23/04
Trying to lose pregnancy weight
171/167 - still!/130
Mini-goal - 145 by 6/1/04

Patty - right away I can see that you may be eating too much cheese. Pepperoni is very salty. Also, you need more veggies - LOTS of veggies. Switch the balsamic vinegar (it has sugar) for some ranch or blue cheese dressing.

__________________
Jen



179/179/120

Hey Fellow San Diegan! Don't be depressed. It's gonna work. Take comfort in realizing that you don't have some special resistive body chemistry nobody else has. I posted some comments to your buried thread yesterday if you want to check that out. You sounded so desperate in this latest post I wanted to make sure somebody "talked you down". Being a native San Diegan I can understand more than some how crushing the pressure to be thin is here in particular. We're surrounded by beaches and more than the average number of fit, healthy people. It's very irritating when you are no longer one of them. Like you, I don't have an extraordinary amount of weight to lose. If I lost 15 lbs right now most people would say I was just right but, of course, being in S.D. I want to lose 30 lbs so I can be a size 3 again - even though I'm 40. (hey, wishin' ain't gettin', but I can try can't I?)

I'm a newbie too, just like you, so I'm no expert but I can tell you of my experience with induction so far. I'm on day 11 (started 3/1). When I did my one week weigh in on Monday I'd lost only 2.5 lbs. I did measure myself so I could see that I did lose inches but, then again, you're never sure you measured right the last time. I was expecting A LOT more weight to come off (you hear all the success stories) and when it didn't I felt just like you do now. I'm a VERY experienced dieter who, like you, has had great success losing weight the low calorie way. In fact my favorite expression USED to be "eat less, exercise more: you'll lose weight". I don't ring that bell anymore. I switched to this WOE because, for me, low calorie eating stopped working. I guess my body finally went into that famous starvation mode everybody talks about and no matter how little I ate (<900 cals per day for months on end) I didn't lose an ounce. Talk about frustration - and starvation! So anyway, I was pretty bummed out on Monday but then again I was hoping that maybe I wasn't seeing results because I was having my period. Sure enough, I started to weigh myself daily and just since Monday (this is Friday) I've lost 5.5 lbs!!! I can tell in the mirror too. YIPEE!!! Your diet looks better than mine so you're bound to see the same type of success very soon. Just stick with it. Are you weighing yourself at the same time every day? I know my weight can vary 5 lbs a day from morning to night. Are you tracking your measurements? Are you thirsty? Drinking half your body weight in ounces of water? Are you exercising daily - this is essential to maintaining lipolysis. Taking your suppliments? Try adding Co-enzyme Q10 and L-Carnitine (see pg 307 of "New Diet Revolution") to assist fat metabolism. Are you using test strips? What do they show? If you are in lipolysis (pink or purple) you have done your part and just have to sit back, relax and keep doing the same thing while your body does it's part.

I don't know what the deal is with aspartame - why it's supposedly bad on this diet but give yourself peace of mind and switch to Splenda. I did a long time ago anyway just because it tastes WAY, WAY better than Equal. I know they don't like you to have caffeine because it's a diuretic and WILL impede your progress. If you absolutely can't do decaf I imagine that two extra glasses of water per cup of coffee should overcome the diuretic effect, don't you?

If all else fails, check out Chapter 20 of the book. It shows how a 1000 calorie per day diet with a 75-90% fat load is a more effective fat loss solution than even complete fasting. I understand that this is actually dangerous even for a healthy person who is not truly metabolically resistive to lipolysis so don't try it unless all else fails. Don't let your desire to be in a bikini jeopardize your health! Goals are good only when they service your best interest. Besides last weeks great weather was a fluke. As a 40 year native I can say with authority that you have until mid-July before the weather turns beachy on a daily basis. Plenty of time! Don't quit!!!!!!!

__________________
Cindy
161.5/153.5/120

patty,
you really need to trust in the fact that this WOE works. i know you don't want to hear it, but you must be patient. you are trying to lose more than 20 lbs in a little over a month. that's a lot in a short amount of time. you don't have much to lose in the first place ... so just like me -- it's going to be a slower process.

as for your menu, are you making the SF jello yourself (barb keith's recipe)? or is it the kind from the store (box or little cups)? if it's the latter, get rid of it. it stalled me completely, even though i'm not too sensitive to aspertame.

tuna and pepperoni are salty - be sure you are drinking enough water. did you mention how much you are currently drinking?

how bout exercise??

and lastly, i think you could stand to eat more. eat a huge variety of veggies. try eating a giant salad w/ grilled chicken or steak for lunch or dinner.
the shrimp and cauliflower doesn't seem to be enough.

keep it up, you're doing well!

__________________
**************
Carrie
156/154/135

I can understand you totally, I stalled more than 4 weeks and wanted to drop this WOE but I didn't, now i'm losing again.
I did many things wrong and I couldn't see it.
What I see in your menu is maybe too much salt (from cheese), balsamic has sugar, SF jello with aspartame??? and maybe too much cream, cream stalls some people.
I would add more veggies, there are lots of them (healthy and LC).
Are you counting 1 Carb for each garlic clove??
Please be patient, drink your water, eat your veggies, and calm down.

Good luck

Gavkins

__________________
218/201/110
207/201/177 1st day of summer challenge

{{{hugs}}} Patty,
Please hear me out...
What I'm about to say may sound harsh, but I really don't mean for it to be, so PLEASE take it in the spirit with which I give it. I want you to think long and hard about a couple of things you said:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I NEED to go back to what works, and that is low calorie. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Who are you kidding???
If low-calorie *worked* so well for you, then WHY are you here???
Seriously, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is the slogan that comes to mind... If you were having such wonderful success and progress with low-calorie, then WHY did you switch to low-carb? You have already admitted that it wasn't for health reasons, so then, WHY?
NO-ONE ever said this was a "one-size-fits-all-diet." I don't think you will find one person on this board who will insist that this way of eating is for everyone. Each person has to find what works for them. If low-calorie/low-fat works for you, then by all means, stick with that. My *only* complaint with that woe is that it can eventually (permanently?) screw up your metabolism if you keep your body in "starvation mode" for too long. This is not a criticism of eating low-fat/low-calorie; it is a scientific FACT, medically proven.

MOST of us here are here because that way of eating did NOT work for us -- or because we realized that eating that way so long was causing us to become increasingly resistant to weight loss. This woe works for us. We don't feel like we are starving or having to count every calorie that goes into our mouths... we don't feel deprived and (even when the loss is slow) we feel so good eating this way, we would never consider going back.
NO ONE is forcing you to do this.

The other thing you said that bothers me is this: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I know it is "not a race" as many of you say, but it sort of is for me. I have a goal of a certain weight by a certain point in time. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Seriously, I mean no offense, but I have to ask, What makes you so special?
Do you think the rest of us don't have *personal goals*, too???
You say that like you are the only one who has ever been disappointed by a lull in your weight loss. Like somehow YOUR timeline is more important and your *race* more valid.
I have been eating this way for over 2 years. I certainly thought I would be at goal by now.
But you know what?
I have reversed my diabetes.
I have eradicated PCOS from my body and was able to become pregnant after being told by an endocrinologist that I would not be able to.
I have lowered my cholesterol and my blood pressure.
I feel AWESOME eating this way.
I have only gained 30 pounds with this pregnancy -- despite my type II diabetes -- by continuing to follow a *lower carb woe*.
But you know what? When I became pregnant, I had been stalled for a full 11 months. That's right, NO LOSS (or gain) for a FULL 11 MONTHS. I lost 50 pounds and then my body just kind of said, "ok, I'm done for now."
That was not fun. But I knew that all of the above was still true and that going back to low-fat was NOT an option for me. So, I will stay with it. It is my hope that this pregnancy will *get things moving again* but I say (and have always said), "even if it doesn't, I will never stop eating this way."
If you don't have *other* reasons to keep you on this low-carb path, then I agree that you need to find another path -- whatever works for you. Each person has to find their own way; this is not a perfect science.

Finally, as the mother of a ten-year-old, a seven-year-old and another on the way, I IMPLORE you to change your attitude about going to the beach with your son. To put it frankly, <span class="ev_code_RED">LIFE DOES NOT WAIT.</span>
You are wasting precious possible memories with your son and your husband just because your body is not perfect? I assure you, your son does NOT CARE that you are not model-thin. He only wants YOU and to spend time with you.
And I cannot stress strongly enough how quickly this time will pass.
My *baby* is quickly approaching the teenage years. It was just yesterday that SHE was 22 months. I would give anything to get that time back...

I really do mean all of this with sincere care and concern for you. We want you to succeed with this woe, but if it doesn't work for you, then by all means, find something that does! We will not begrudge you that. We want you to succeed in your weight-loss goals -- no matter how you do it.
But don't think that this is an easy journey for ANY of us. We ALL struggle. We all have frustrating stalls and uphill battles. There is no *easy road*. And we are all in this together -- even if some of us choose a different path.
I truly wish you the best of luck, whatever you choose.

__________________
Summer

Okay...I am actually in tears right now. Unbelievable as that may sound. But somehow I managed to get myself so worked up and upset over the lack of weight loss and then that was compounded by feeling like this WOE had failed me and THAT was compounded by the pressure of feeling like a failure on a "diet" (forgive the use of the word) that seems to work for everyone and their brother but me. And finally, add a healthy dose of hormonal wackiness (thankfully that is subsiding now) due to that wonderful time of the month and I am a complete and utter mess. So when I started reading the responses to my "cry for help" post, it hit a nerve, and here I sit, an overweight, low-carb eating, too much cheese eating, teary blob of emotions! For some reason, the fact that total strangers were able to look past my whining rant and reply made me cry.

Now, I need to respond to Summer, who I am knicknaming "Miss Tough Love".
First, low calorie WAS working for me in terms of results....it is just really hard to keep up because I was hungry alot. Takes LOTS of will power. My sole reason for trying Atkins was to lose weight - I didn't have any of the health reasons that you and some others here had/have that would cause me to be looking for another way of eating. I decided to try LC because SO many people I know were having a lot of success with it; I figured it might be a better alternative - less hunger, less mood swings, faster weight loss - I figured I couldn't go wrong. But my ultimate goal was weight loss and I am not getting the results so many other I know did, and I KNOW I am more consiencious about counting than many of these poeple I know who totally ball park it. So while low cal was working, I thought this would be better...but only if I got the same or better results. Does that make sense?

Secondly, I don't think I am "special" because I have a goal, but I have read lots of posts on here and repeatedly see "it is not a race", and "it takes time", and " this is a way of life". While I "get" that, my point was just that I know I can lose on low calorie and I need to meet the goal I set for 6/1/04, which btw is less aggressive than the weight loss rate I had on low calorie....I thought it would be attainable for sure on this WOE. Now I am already behind. That's what I meant when I said that it is a "race" for me. Every week that passes without any progress puts me farther away from success and I wonder if I am wasting time. It might be different for me because I felt fine (well, with the exception of blood sugar swings that would make me so ravenously hungry that I'd knock over a little old lady with a walker to grab her food if need be...LOL) so the weight loss is the only motivating and rewarding factor for me. And it is not happening.

Thirdly, the comments about life not waiting were what really set me crying. I don' want to be trapped in this body anymore because I can't bring myself to NOT let what I look like interfere with what I will and will not do...like go to the beach. And it pains me that I could miss out on "precious time" with my husband and son. Obviously, I have serious issues with weight and body image...its mental and I just can't seem to rise above them. Even when I weighed 135 and was fit I was completely self conscious...my DH thinks I need professional help on this. So just trust me...just because I don't have as much weight to lose as maybe some other people, it is just as much, or in many case more, a life altering issue for me. I wish to God it weren't.

ANd lastly, obviously I WANT this WOE to work, desparately. I wouldn't be on here if I deep down WANTED to quit. I don't want to quit, but I feel like there is not much hope that it is going to work. I want somebody to tell me otherwise...that this happens to some, that there is a reason, whatever.

So that's it. I apologize for being whiny or sounding like I was "special". I am just feeling desparate.

Patty
Started Atkins 2/23/04
Trying to lose pregnancy weight
171/167 - still!/130
Mini-goal - 145 by 6/1/04

Oh, Patty,

I didn't mean to make you cry!!!

I'm SO HORMONAL myself right now (38 weeks today -- I KNOW you know what that feels like! ) -- I would NEVER want to do that!

But I *did* want to give you some "tough love" (hmmm, can I change my user name, Andrea?).

This woe does NOT work "for everyone and their brother." It works for a LOT of people, but I have known several people for whom this was *not* a good *fit.* And I think if you are that frustrated, you should look for other alternatives.
I could give you reasons WHY you (and so many of us) are not losing -- there are countless reasons that could be affecting your rate of loss. In fact, I'm feeling more and more compelled to write an article on this subject because it seems to be weighing heavily on my mind lately (no pun intended)...

But my point is this: it doesn't matter how many reasons I give you or how much sense they make.
Your body is going to lose this weight at the rate IT DECIDES and there is nothing you or I or anyone else can do about it...
so you should just pick a plan, set your course and keep your eyes on your goal -- NOT ON THE CALENDAR.
I know that is easier said than done -- BELIEVE ME, I do. But really, what alternative do you have?
I think the goal should be to get the focus off of your food, and off of the scale... to eat healthy and be satisfied, and know that you are setting an awesome example for your little boy.
And NOT to let your current weight and dissatisfaction with yourself interfere with your life. Because, sweetie, I PROMISE YOU -- when you are 80 years old, surrounded by your grandchildren, and you are looking back on these days when your precious baby is still so young -- it won't matter one bit that you were 20, 30 or even 60 pounds overweight. You will remember the memories you made together.
I'm sending you MAJOR {{{{{HUGS}}}}}} right now.

I hope you know, deep down, that I am only trying to help you through this.
Take care.
And go ahead and cry. We all need those "Holly Hunter moments" (Broadcast News) from time to time.
Heck, I've had more than MY fair share lately!

__________________
Summer

IBON4IT - Thanks for your encouragement. I did see your other reply to me -thanks there too. (I responded). It sounds like you DO know how I feel on many fronts..and about the insane pressure of "the beautiful San Diego people"... Everyone is just so darn perfect here! Ugh. I was a size 6 (sometimes 4) when we moved here from CT so it was tolerable, but obviously, that is SO no longer the case. Makes me want to not leave my house!

You are 40? I am 37, and 38 is right around the corner (May). It gets harder as we get older, and I was a professional yo-yo dieter for 2 decades, so.... I just got my period, so we'll see. I am soo hoping that has held me back, but I am so down right now it is hard to believe it. Measurements are not yielding any results, and my clothes feel only very very slightly different. Did you lose the 5.5 between Mon & today (Fri) or is that total?
I always weigh in the morning, totally naked, nefore I eat or drink anything, so it is consistent...and as low as humanly possible! I have just started to get back on my work out routine, which was why I said I am giving it 5 more days ...exercise always works but it is so hard to get into the routine, espcially working full time and having a toddler and a husband who travels for work a lot. And yes, I drink betweeen 96-120 oz of water a day. I didn't bother with the strips this time (I did this for &lt; 2 wks about 5 yrs ago) as how could I NOT be in ketosis?! I was the first time I did this and I am being more strict this time so..

If everyone really thinks the aspartame is doing me in, I will ditch it and se what happens. I bought stuff to make homemade SF jello with Spelnda, and I bought Diet Rite, so I can try. I just didn;t see how it could really be a problem.

I really don't want to give up my coffee. As I mentioned, I have a toddler and work full time....'nough said. I RELISH my coffee in the morning! I will give up my bread and fruit and sugar, etc, etc, but stay away from my coffee!!

I DID read about the fat fast for the really metabolically resistent, but not too comfy with that.

You are right about last week's weather being a fluke....I need to calm myself down. That did contribute, I think, to my mania. Summer all of a sudden felt closer that it really is.

Thanks for the encouragement. I really needed it!

Patty
Started Atkins 2/23/04
170/167/130
Mini 145 6/1/04

[This message was edited by triscuit on 03-12-04 at 04:48 PM.]

So...too much cheese? Really? I don't have the pepperoni much at all...usually my snack is SF jello. I am going to switch to Diet Rite when I do have a soda and I will start making the homemade jello (gelatin with unsweetened Kool aid and Splenda). Also, I eat tuna maybe 1-2x/wk for lunch. Sometime I eat a salad with grilled chicken on it, etc. I vary, so this menu is not what I eat everyday.

Can I really add more veggies? They have carbs!! I am moving up to 25g now, so I planned on adding the other 5g in veggies. But I have been limiting my veggie intake on induction to 2 cups salad plus 1/2-3/4 c of legal veggies. What about the "net carb" thing? A lot of veggies have tons of fiber (ie - lettuce) so they should almost be free foods, you know? But that's not what Atkins says. Ugh - so confusing! My DH is "ball parking" and lost 9 lbs in 8 days. MEN!

Here are my daily averages since I started on Atkins:
calories - 1849
Fat - 68% (140g)
Protein - 28% (127g)
Carbs - 4% (18.6g 3.43gof which is fiber)

Thanks!

Patty
Started ATkins 2/23/04
171/167/130
Mini 145 by 6/1/04

Oh Summer...thank you for the hugs! And I think making me cry was a good thing. I needed to purge the desparation and get my head straight. I cried because I was touched that within so short a period of time, total strangers took the time to write meaningfully to me to help. That's what made me cry. So actually, thank you.

It sort of comes down to this. I want this WOE to work. I am hoping and praying it does...and watching the scale. I don't want to throw in the towel prematurely, but I don't want to get too far off track to where a month from now I am kicking myself saying" if you'd only eaten 1200 dal/day, you'd be 10 lbs lighter by now!" It is a sucky (that's the technical term.. )place to be in, not wanting to make the wrong decision either way.

It is almost as maddening to be obsessing over whether a Diet Coke or my coffe or 1 Tbls of Balsalmic vinegar or 2 oz too much cheese are keeping me from losing...I want it to be easier than counting calories and instead I find myself obsessing over fat metabolism, the drawbacks of aspartame and whether a calorie is a calrie is a calorie! Hmmmm...maybe I am just a neurotic control freak!

In any case, thank you for your "tough love" and for the rest of it. The hugs do help.

And one more thing....38 wks! Geez - you are practically in labor over there! Since I am new here, I didn't know. A girl, huh? And I feel for your, hormonally speaking.

Thank you!
Patty
Atkins since 2/23/04
171/167/130

Patty,

One last thought -- have you checked to see if you might possibly have candida? That will cause very slow losses.

I've got a bunch of info on my site, along with links to tests.

Personally, if I were eating pepperoni every day and all that cheese, I wouldn't be able to lose -- along with the aspartame. Before even checking for candida, I would just do that for 5 more days and see how you do...

(((more hugs)))

Your fat, protein and carb percentages sound about right, for induction. Your carbs should be higher if you're beyond.

I think the amount of veggies Atkins calls for on induction in the book aren't anywhere near 20 grams of carbs. Of course, you've got to count the eggs, cream, and cheese carbs, too. But adding more low carb veggies will certainly help to lose more weight. And they're so good for you, too.

The times I've visited Southern California, I was really put off by the emphasis on superficial things like looks and cars and status. I don't think I could live in a place that puts so much importance on those things. I hope you can lose the weight because it's good for you, not just to look good. If you don't plan to stay eating LC, it may not be the best way to lose the weight.

Triscut you sound almost like me when i startited.. i thought it would be a quick fix... and in a way it was.. i lost 27 lbs.. wana hear a real eye opener... i gained 5 lbs back.. (not fat.... muscule) beacuse i increased my toneing exersizes.. my physical trainer said that soon my body is going to catch up and WHOOOSHH... The weight will go back down agin.

more on how i say we sound alike befor i started this WOL i was putting my self out of things for my children and that is WRONG... now i look at life.. even if i am 500 lbs and need a wheel chair to get around i will never sit on the side line from my kids life.. even if idont look sexy as a 16 yr old modle... i take my kids to swimminpool (dont live close enough to a beach.. and i have never been there) maby im not in a biciny (sp) but i have shorts and a bathing suit on... they have wonderfull wraps no you can buy for around your suite...

you need less cream in your diet and more veggies... if you are on induction you should not be realy "treating" your self... you havent gone anywhere yet... induction is stricket you need to flush your system... TONS of water
im 227and i drink 1 gallon a day (if not moRE)

Stop makeing excuses and realize what i did 1 month after starting this... #1 i bought the book and read it..
#2 i followed it to the T....
#3 i work out 4 times a week..

you cant think this diet is going to all the work its self while you sit back and not try....
comeon... nothing does that...
heck my dishes dont do them selfs... so how doyou think just but altering your food a little is going to VOOOOOM drop your weight...


i wish you luck in realizeing the same thing i did that i was fooling my self and that i needed to go at in the right direction

good luck.. and i hope you dont take offence to what i say either... Lawbooks has very wonderfull points and she knows what she is talking about... i basicly should have just said..... (What she said)

good luck

__________________
01/02/04-248{ 4/29/04- 218} 6/30/04- 204
7-05-04 198 8/30/04 - 190 (got lost after that-)
4/03/08- 261 -
Goal-140-145

Patti, I posted to you in another thread, asking if you've had a lot of yeast type infections or taken a lot of anti-biotics. Haven't heard back from you on that, so I am asking here too. Sharron is thinking the same thing I am. You COULD have Candida, which most assuredly will cause a slow weight loss. Now, on the other hand, I only lost an average of 2lbs per week while I was on induction and I did it for 3 weeks. As soon as I upped my veggie intake, I started losing again. I am only 8 lbs from my goal weight now and it is coming off VERY slowly. I stalled for 4 months recently. I understand the pressure of wanting to look good for the summer months. I have a ways to go before I will feel completely comfortable in skimpy summer clothes. But Since I've lost 31 lbs now, I feel so much better in the little size 10 shorts. It's been almost a year now for me, my 1 year anniversary will be tomorrow. It has come off VERY slowly for me and I don't have Candida. I just became very metabolically resistant. But I DID IT!!!! I got the weight to come off. Sometimes I didn't lose at all, and it felt really crumby. But I never gave up. But I didn't just do this for the weight loss, I did it for the health benefits. And in the long run, you have to reconcile this to being mainly for the health benefits. The weight loss is frosting on the LC cake. I have a feeling that the aspartame may be doing you in.........do you have the Jello recipe? Sounds like you do. Also, I switched to decaf coffee by buying a bag of regular Kona beans and a bag of Decaf Hazelnut beans. I grind my own. Then after a while of doing the half-caf coffee, I gradually added more decaf. I am now totally off caffeine except for an occasionaly Diet Coke or Pepsi when we eat out. I use decaf beverages and decaf coffee now. I don't miss the caffeine at all. I didn't go through the "my head is going to explode" stage of decaffing my body, because I did is so slowly. Caffeine has a definite affect on insulin levels. Just something to consider. Your menu looks good overall, except you need more veggies, and if you can dump the aspartame totally and decafinate your coffee, you might be good to go. But let me know if you've had frequent yeast infections, rashes, etc. We'll talk more about that when you respond.

As you are finding out, there are MANY people here on these boards that CARE!!!! WE REALLY DO CARE, and we want to help you. So give this some time, we'll muddle through together and puzzle this out for you. Our desire to lose weight really binds us together!!!!!

{{{{{HUGS}}}} to you!!!!

__________________