Thread: Looking for OWL tips and tricks

Hi Peg! I really enjoyed your 'Japanese weight loss' story. It's always good to chat with someone who 'understands' the difficulties of living overseas. Although an awesome experience, nothing beats going home and having people laugh at your jokes and understanding you!
I want to ask about your 'falling off the wagon'. Do you mean overloading on LC foods, or going off LC all together? The reason I ask is that I never got through OWL last time because when I fall off, I tend to binge for quite a while, NEVER just a day or a week. I've decided that if I'm going to have an off day when I just can't seem to pull myself out of the kitchen, I will OD on LC foods. I am talking about homemade LC sweets. I really want to work on that 'food as comfort' problem, and I feel like I'm making some headway, but when I go off I seem to be that all or nothing person. I read 'When Can't Becomes Don't' by Marcie in the article section and that mentality is tailor made for me!
I used to smoke, but quit using Zyban 4 years ago. With nicotine, I know I can never, ever have another cigarette, or I will be up to 2 packs a day within a couple of weeks. I want to solidly form that mentally about sugar and empty carbs too. I hate to say it, but the older I get, the wiser I do get, about myself and what I need and can and can't do!
Thanks for your well wishes! I hope you have a great LC weekend!
Michele

You are so right TeelBee! I sure hope I have good news when I do my 'weigh-in' on Sunday! I am using the Atkins site journal (which I love!), so I do my weekly summary and measurements on Sundays. ..
Have a great LC weekend!
Michele

Hi Susie! Are you up yet? It's alread 10:30 here! I like that so many of you put up your pictures. I think I will try to upload a composite of my before and 'where I am right now' picture. . .
Have a great LC weekend! I plan on trying that coconut crunch recipe, but my favorite recipe, which I had already found elsewhere, is the almond crackers. So easy to make and the cinnamon variation is great. My husband smells them and comes running into the kitchen and eats a bunch when they come out of the oven. I found they stay crisp for sure until the next morning too. . .

Hi there Michele,
Oh yes, I've been up for a "long" time. :jump:
It would be great to see your before and after photo.
You have a great LC weekend too and thanks.
I think that Almond Cracker recipe comes from that same site I gave you. At least that is where I have seen it. I haven't tried them yet but by the reports they are great.
I made a cheese cake yesteray. I've always loved cheese cake but stayed away from it because it was so high fat. I love having FATTY foods.
Have fun with your cooking.
Susie

Dear Michele:

Re: "Falling off the wagon." One of the things I have come to learn is my "mouth" hunger and my "heart" hunger. I was an emotional eater for a number of years with bingeing being my horrible little secret. So, when I have a snack or a meal which isn't lc, I try not to beat myself up for it and start over again with the next thing I put in my mouth. I NEVER just give up for a day or a week. I have worked too hard to get where I am to gain it back. So, I try to pay attention to my emotional needs and get them met in a way other than food. This often means that I have to reach out to other people. At one time in my life it meant that I had to actually look for, and make new friends. That may seem silly sounding, but I am a giver and not a receiver. Therefore, I learned at one time that I had a lot of people in my life who needed things from me, but were not willing to listen to me or give to me. So, I needed to redefine my understanding of friendship and see it as a relationship that is mutually satisfactory. That's what I mean about "finding" new friends.

Today I have a few very good friends. I treasure them. Some of them are on this Board. I have never met them in person, but they have "been there" for me more times than I can count.

I do not plan my cheats. That, to me, is just defeating the purpose. I do cheat though. When I do, I analyze (I'm just so good at this!), forgive myself, and start again.

Peace, Peg
1/1/03
205/17?/165
5'8"

Thank you Peg! I am a big believer in 'other people's stories' to help me find my way. I used to plan, fantasize and thing a lot about my cheats, but this time I have promised myself none, and am already planning my low carb Christmas and my LC birthday cake (these LC Coconut Breakfast squares recipe I found and love).
It's so interesting what you say about being a giver, not a receiver and about finding friends, real friends. I am the same. Perhaps that's why we are here at this board and fighting the good fight for self-improvement?
A big change for me is enjoying my victories as they come, such as when I go do a Tae Bo DVD when I'm upset, instead of eating or mindlessly munching.
Thank you for taking the time to share your story, I find it inspiring and helpful in keeping me on my way!
p.s. I lost another inch off my hips this week! Bless that Billy Blanks!