Challenge: Monday, September 17th

[maxlharris]

We passed the halfway point. How's everyone feeling? Is it good? Is your step beyond working for you? If not, half way is a good time to reevaluate. Adjust your commitment. Perhaps your step doesn't feel like it's far enough beyond? Maybe you want to adjust upwards (Ammy did with her weights)? At any rate, you have my permission, as one among equals in this challenge, to rejigger for the second half.

I am still bugged in the house. Less bugged than I was, but it comes and goes in waves, so I don't doubt that they'll be back in force in a couple of days. It makes it hard to cook. Not that cooking is hard. But I just don't want to go in with the bugs flying around. Nonetheless, I have done my commitment, and done novel cooking on every Sunday night. Last night was pork chops, pan sauteed, with apples. The apples were soaked in bourbon and balsamic vinegar, and the saute oil was seasoned with garlic. They were phenominal. This is a staple now. And, with a quick application of water to the pan while it was still hot, an easy clean (didn't look like it was going to be). It's something new and good to be added to the repertoire. Next week, I think I'm gonna get some miso and make some beef tenderloin with it. I have a recipe, would be novel.

At any rate, today is a day to take a step back, see how things are going, and decide if this is what you wanted. I'm on course. I'm mostly happy with things, so we're good.

How's it going for you?

[hawk]

Live like there is no tomorrow. You can take that a couple of ways.
Party hearty ..eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die..or Live one day at a time. Today is all I'm assured of. Today is all I need to worry about.
"If you are not where you are, you are nowhere." R W J

Yesterday is a fog that I can't even see. I can't hold it in my hands. It sifts through my fingers like sand. I can't change it, or recapture it. Tomorrow is a leap over the edge. There is no solid ground there. Today is firm ground. I'm walking it. I'm in it. It's mine.
If anything, I can LOVE like there is no tomorrow. But When I live, I try to live IN today.

For me with ADHD, I'm glad if I can even REMEMBER yesterday or think of what I have to do tomorrow.My life is like "50 First Dates"

Well..I just had a visit from my family doctor on his way to work. That put me back a little. Nothin like a house call to find out what kind of shot the foot doctor is planning. I am on the way to his office. He also returned our chainsaw.

I will do well today..because..well..It's just today.I can live on 20 carbs today. I can work out today. I will put all my effort into each thing I do. As the days go by , they add up like a stack of post it notes and become my life.

Have a great day

lynn

[Ottawa]

This has been a great "Restart With Dedication" month. Tracking my foods in Fitday has helped as well since I get to average and see how the modified IF 3-4 days/week is doing to my overall intake and how it is relating to weight loss.

I have added some morning protein (2 protein cookies on the way to work) on IF days since my workouts are a little harder as well and it should help to avoid any muscle loss included in the weight loss by having just the one main meal. Yesterday's walk home with 8# handweights (lift/stride 50 of lift per step/50 just walking, repeat) lasted 8 sets and and then dropped to alternate lifts every 2 steps most of the remainder as my arms wore out. I did abs work lastnight and have one day left to get my last pound prior to leaving for our trip.

[Ammy]

Things are going well for me! The scale is staying low and I'm feeling more "regulated" with my eating and activity levels!
I am not struggling to stay on plan. I'm not gaining weight and I'm losing...albeit SLOWLY, but I am losing.

Also, I have been doing my weights every night and I just increased it to 3 sets of 9 reps. My left shoulder/arm gets just a touch shaky but not enough to stop me or to think I'm doing too much!
I noticed the other day that although I had put my dirty clothes from the day in a pile I had forgot to throw them down the laundry shoot and I felt bad...so I have to remember to keep up that habit from last month!

Overall things are going very well. :) I'm looking forward to finishing this month with confidence!!

[Josiane]

Hello All,

For me Max, it's a half and half WE. One day No and one day Yes.
Today it's definitely a Yes and I have also been to the gym early this morning and I prefer, it's so quiet. I don't know how it is in the US but here nobody seems to like training early . The fitness center was empty... Super for me :)
I am not back to my normal self as far as my mood is concerned but I am working on it.
Have a nice LC day:)

[WakefieldWendy]

Hi everyone,

Max, I've been good all month so far. This may be the last day I post this month, however.

I am away the rest of the week on work related travel, and then I'm off on vacation for the rest of the month.

My special challenge this month was to figure out how I was going to manage on vacation, where my intention is to truly take a break from thinking in a low-carb mindset. Here is what I've come up with:

1. No guilt whatsoever. I won't be guilty about what I eat. That includes eating sweets because I want to, or even if I get a little crazy and eat them in a disordered way (i.e. eating more than I really want just because "I can"). I am doing an experiment to figure out what works. I will make mistakes. Getting guilty only makes it harder to fix and adjust.

2. I will not eat alone (or at least, if circumstances require that I eat alone, I will disclose what I've eaten). No hidden binging.

3. I have permission to leave food. I find this wasteful and hard, but if I want to taste 4 desserts at a buffet, I may be perfectly happy eating 2 bites of each. I don't need to finish them. I can if I want to, but I don't have to.

4. Other than the above, no rules on what I'm eating or when. I'm not converting one set of rules for another more lenient set. I want to experience "no rules" for a limited period and see how that works.

5. I will return to following PP the minute the vacation is over. I will observe the effects of this vacation. Does it take me 2 weeks or 2 months to take off gained weight? Can I jump right back into the swing of things, or am I tortured by constant cravings for weeks? I will use this experiment to continue to refine how to make things work for myself in the long term.

All the best. See you in October!

[Ammy]

Have a great vacation WWendy...good timing to do it RIGHT after a work trip!

[maxlharris]

Josi: I had a 50/50 WE too. Saturday, DW was fairly despondent, having a hard day. Our water was off (again), our bugs were resurgent, & DW decided to donate her car to charity rather than re-register it. So, we went out to the most expensive brunch I have ever bought. We ate the bread. It was good. Bread is a problem food for me. Seems more stupid than stupid, but it's what screws me up. DW got talked into a dessert. Chocolate and hormones and all. DH couldn't let DW eat dessert alone. Torta de Mele, and it was great. Should have called it quits there, but had carbs with dinner. Breaded stuff. And dessert. Then candy with a movie. At that point, I was beyond thinking. I was just in old habits. I wasn't caring.

Sunday, much better. Back in the high life again. Eggs. Bacon. No, I don't need toast with that. Homefries or grits? None, thanks. Cheeses. Nuts. square of chocolate. Pork chops with 1/2 of a small apple (description above). Today, better too. DW is feeling better.

This troubles me. It's not that I'm eating crap out of sympathy. It's that when DW is really unhappy, she gets really mad at the universe, and it feels like it's me, even though it isn't. I get mad. Lately, I get profoundly unhappy. And it's from there that I eat crap. It's dopey though, because I know the crap isn't gonna fix anything. It's only going to make me more unhappy, from here. But I get to where, for a few hours, I just stop caring. I feel like I have bigger things to worry about. And that's a problem. Partly because I do. But partly because if I don't pay close attention, I'll be back at before. And probably with a metabolism worse off. *sigh*

Any rate, back to caring, and it's easy on weekdays, so back in the saddle.

Rock on.

[gitfiddle]

Good morning, everyone! Started the day off a little weird (stayed in bed a little too long from the Nyquil, and somebody else needed our single bathroom much worse than I did...:paranoid:) but I managed to get to work on time, fully dressed, with protein in my body. Had an on-plan lunch. The day is moving along quite nicely.

Max, since I still haven't allocated the time or brain space to refine my exercise spreadsheet, I may take advantage of your offer to reconfigure my extra step. I'll think on it.

Hawk, I love your attitude! It is so 12-step! Whever I get all caught up in frustration, I default to the One Day At A Time way of thinking. That training has been pivotal to my life, and it's something that I'll never forget.

Amy, I hear the tone in your voice when you post and it sounds good!

Randy, I've been planning to make a batch of protein cookies for two weeks now. I want to practice a little before the big trip to Minnesota where I'll need them. This conference I attend ALWAYS has pure carbs for breakfast. Last time I either made them a little thick or didn't bake them enough. They tasted fine but the very last one went moldy after a couple of weeks.

Gosh, Wendy! That's a plan if I ever heard one! Good luck!

Josiane, I used to go to the exercise room first thing in the morning and there was usually a dozen people waiting for the door to be opened. I think you're lucky!

[Ottawa]

Randy, I've been planning to make a batch of protein cookies for two weeks now. I want to practice a little before the big trip to Minnesota where I'll need them. This conference I attend ALWAYS has pure carbs for breakfast. Last time I either made them a little thick or didn't bake them enough. They tasted fine but the very last one went moldy after a couple of weeks.

Carol,
If undercooked they taste great (soft and moist) right out of the oven but they don't last as you found out. My best have been just Vanilla Whey, Salted Butter and sweetener with just a touch of water. I made chocolate (http://www.lastoutpost.com/ProteinPower/Chocolate Protein Cookies.JPG) on the weekend but added almond meal and some almonds along with a SF wafer on top. Most of the butter tends to run off, leaving a dry firm cookie. I use the cheapest low carb whey powder for cooking and often buy it when it goes on sale or they are closing out a line. I used to get a 25 pound bag of plain Whey (25 protein/0carbs per scoop) but can't find it any more.

The Vanilla ones (http://www.lastoutpost.com/ProteinPower/Protein Cookie.JPG)(Vanilla Whey Protein, salted butter, and SF sweetener (SweetzFree)) made a better cookie. I press them with a greased glass bottom and push a wafer on as well. I don't take them out until the bottom starts to brown. In the picture they have been in a minute ot two. They don't rise and tend to just spread out. I've had two bags of them in the fridge that were lost at the back that I found after several months and they were the same as when I put them in.
I'll measure the ingredients next time and post the actual recipe with some pictures of the finished cookies. Most of the butter tends to run off but by using mainly butter and Whey they seem to last forever or they are eaten.:)

[gitfiddle]

Randy, I like the idea of the almond meal in that recipe. Have you tried nut butter?

I'll experiment and let you know what happens.

[Feelix]

It's a yes day for me. :-)

I had a spoonful of regular ice cream. It was SOOOOOOOOOOO sweet. I couldn't believe it. Amazing. Three weeks ago I would have sat down to a big bowl full!

I like the moment by moment decision making. I find that when i'm fighting or tempted - I just think I can say no for now- and if I still just have to have it - I will make the decision then. It's amazing how you can say no and never think about it again. :-)

Heres to a great day yall!

[suzyc14]

Every morning I wake up with the intention of doing great, and I seem to have some type of sweet every day. Today I had some eggs and bacon for breakfast. Then for a mid morning snack I grabbed about 10 hershey's kisses. Everyday is like this.

Yes I know they should not be in the house at all. But they are and then I eat them. And I cannot think of throwing away chocolate. That is terrible. So my challenge is for today to eat no more than 10 more carbs today. That will put me at under 40.

Once i am good for a day or two, I can say no much easier. The hard part for me is getting over the first few days.

[back2me2007]

What a motivating bunch you are! I'm so glad! thanks!

A 1 day for me. 2 exercise sessions and on plan eating.

[oceanblueLA]

Hi Everyone--

I was here with you all for four months and then I left in the spring. But I am back now and would love to join you mid-month for the duration.

I have been good about keeping to the food program, but because of my back, had not been able to exercise. I am happy to report that because of what I learned here and applied to my meals, my weight has fluctuated a mere 2 pounds. And I kept my initial 12 pound weight loss, for which I am very grateful. As a way of life, clearly PP works!

Now that I am back on an exercise program, I am looking forward to restarting my weight loss.

It's good to see you all and I'm happy to be back.

Blue

[oceanblueLA]

If it's possible to join the challenge half way in, great. If not, I will join you all at the next challenge. :-)

Blue

[Ottawa]

Blue,
There is always room for one more.

Max had a theme this month of "One Step Beyond"

The Plan:

Focus on the basics of Food, Exercise and Everything Else.
Set goals for Food, in terms of carb limit and protein minimum.
Set a plan for exercise, if you're there.
Figure out if there is something in the rest of the world of Protein Power you are looking to work on (water, supplements, or the other 20%... this is not required)
Find one thing in your goals you want to take to a tangible One Step Beyond. (this is)
Execute and report regularly.SO you might think up what you will do for that extra step.


I am a YES for today. Workout and exercise.
B: Protein Cookie and some brazil nuts
L: Yogurt, strawberries, and 2 scoops Chocolate Whey Protein
D: BBQ Steak, Bok CHoy, Prickly Pear

Snack: Protein Cookie, Prickly Pear

Total: 1674
Fat: 76
Carbs: 58 - 19 = 37 ECC
Fiber: 19
Protein: 191

[Karole]

Yes day today. I just forced myself to do my 20 min. on the treadmill and I am so glad it is done !! I'm tired as I spent a good part of my day with my little 4 year old gr. grand daughter in Head Start. She has had problems separating from Mom. I sub on Weds. so will get to spend that day with her too. Hope it helps. She actually did pretty well today.

Protein 118 ecc 25

[gitfiddle]

I'm running a yes day so far. I still want to get in an exercise session yet.

What's up with the moved thread?

[hawk]

yes with the food and supps part... , no so far excersize. I plan to though. I am putting a surgical shoe on and doing what I can on the bike. I had three cortisone shots today. The cavacain wore off in two hours(only kind I can use with no preservatives) My foot feels swollen and even MORE painful. Is this normal ??? I'm headed for the bike now...

[Josiane]

Hello All,

Max what you wrote about your WE was exactly the way I was feeling. You put in words what I am not able to really express, because of the language barrier. It's sometimes so frustrating not to be able to comment because you don't know how to say it... especially when you are in the sort of negative mood where everything is too hard .... my next step should be to improve my english.....:rolleyes: .... to improve my PP understanding and to be really part of the group:D

However, even if I don't do any comment, I am reading all of you carefully and it helps a lot . Thanks again for accepting me in your little group.

Now for the 17th it's a yes day and today I have already done my exercices, had a protein shake for beakfast. Lunch is not far away but it's all planned with one veal scallop grilled with a "ratatouille" and one coffee.

Have a nice LC day :)

[Benay]

This is Tuesday morning early but I have no idea how to post with a new date. Anyway, I am back. I have had an intense time away with my bitch giving birth to 5 puppies. This is her first litter and we are learning together about this noisy bunch of life. She easily becomes frantic when she cannot see them or reach them when they crawl under the protective ledge the surrounds the whelping box. She tries to dig them out with disasrous results. So I have been distracted although I have remained on plan. I have just not been able to take the time to look up a new recipe and try it out. Someone posted on Cheese wafers by putting small chuncks of cheese in the microwave and I did try that as it didn't take much time. Wonderful! Unfortunately also addictive. Also Max, I got out my old 2 pound bar bells, at your suggestion, and have been doing range of motion, slow resistance exercises of 3 reps of 3 each and discovered that there are some muscles I never seem to use as they burn quickly. Continue with my walks but now concentrate on my woods path as it gives me a lot more up and down and stepping over roots exercise while walking which is critical to maintaining and strengthening knees and legs post bilateral knee replacement surgery. Thanks for being there.

[meli58]

YES for today. My back is painful, but I know that without the Pilates I've been doing, it would be a lot worse.

[Ammy]

Welcome back Blue!!

I'm a yes today

14/29

I did my weights tonight...I was angry :peeved: so I did them fast...but I did them!:D

[Anniesnan]

Hello All,

Max what you wrote about your WE was exactly the way I was feeling. You put in words what I am not able to really express, because of the language barrier. It's sometimes so frustrating not to be able to comment because you don't know how to say it... especially when you are in the sort of negative mood where everything is too hard .... my next step should be to improve my english.....:rolleyes: .... to improve my PP understanding and to be really part of the group:D


Josiane,

I couldn't even begin to think about writing on a message board in a language other than English, even when I was in the middle of college level Spanish and Italian. I understand the frustration, because I used to try to correspond with a family in Puerto Rico and I would have to simplify what I wanted to say, 'cos I didn't know how to phrase what I really wanted to say.

But, we all make mistakes from time to time, and while your English might not be perfect (just like the rest of us;)) I can always understand what you are saying!:)

[Anniesnan]

I was a YES for the 17th!:D

I am sticking with my One Step Beyond - planning lunches - as it is working out perfectly for me.

It worked out even more perfectly, as I killed my car and it has not yet been given a new life, so I can't make it home at lunchtime. If I don't plan, and prepare, and bring lunch with me, too much is left to chance.

I got a ton of good exercise in, speed walking - decided to walk and had to make an appointment and got stuck at an errand:rolleyes:

Then, on the way "back", stopped at Staples and bought some paper - so got in some walking with weights;).

So, I'm 15/30 on plan, 1 day off plan, 1 day lost.

Hawk - I'm never sure how to go on that "Live each day like it's the last".
I try to take it as my last day on Earth for the "good" things - like stopping to smell the roses, compliment people, don't sweat the small stuff, ANd
take it as One Day At A Time for the things that will send me over the edge.