April 14 - Tuesday

[gitfiddle]

Fundamental progress has to do with the reinterpretation of basic ideas.
Alfred North Whitehead

The basics of this program are eating the optimum amount of protein and carbohydrate. It helps to periodically check to make sure we haven't strayed too far!

This month is half over. Are you making progress? :)

Breakfast today will be a protein shake. Lunch will be roast pork and V-8 juice. Dinner will be chicken and asparagus.

[Vikki]

Well, I think this site has alot to offer, I'm not sure if I'm strayed away yet just started yetersday, but I can say I'm feeling better already...Finally got my caffine headaches to go away.. yes I was drinking about 12 pepsi's in one day but I had stopped them about three days ago before going on this plan.... My menu for today is

Breakfast: Chocolate fudge protein shake/ w chunk of cheese
Lunch: mexican omelett (1 egg/1 slice bacon/1 tbsp salsa/with slice of cheese)
Dinner: Taco Salad
Snack: Carb control ice cream bar or Sugar free Raspberry Jello w/cool whip

[Belfrybat]

Good morning all. The weather today looks promising -- sunny, temps near 80F, and low wind. So I'll be outside working most of the day.

Food is planned: oat/flax cereal with blackberries for brekkie; venison stronganoff over tofu noodles for lunch with asparagus and salad; Bible study tonight, so I don't know what the food will be but will make good choices and stay away from the dessert. Probably a glass of wine before bed. Aiming for 60 ECC for a few days to shed the extra 3 lbs. I picked up over Easter.

Hope everyone has a great day! :)

[Mitra]

My visitors have just left. Over here, Good Friday and Easter Monday are both public holidays, so they took advantage of the extra days. I'm afraid that with two very energetic almost-seven-year-olds, my organised daily activities pretty much fell by the wayside, though I certainly wasn't short of physical activity!

I'm picking up the pieces again today :).

[sandcastle11]

Oh my goodness, I have finally found my way to the discussion forum I need!!! I have loved reading through the older notes to see what everyone is eating.

I have just started doing the PP. I am fairly new to LC in general, so what to eat is what I really need. I started three weeks ago and the first week lost 5 pounds, but the last two weeks I have been yo yo' ing with the same two pounds.

For breakfast today I had a protein shake with some frozen blueberries. Lunch will be a roast beef w/swiss cheese wrap on a "Flat Out bread wrap" (6 net carbs). And I am not certain about dinner yet. But last night I had a steak and some creamed spinach. I also frequently have an ounce or so of Almonds once or twice a day if I get the urge to snack.

Does this sound like I am on track? Also, I have another question. Is it more important to have your overall day fit into the overall Protein & Carb levels or is it more important to have each meal fit into the levels?

Thanks for any help!

[Mitra]

Welcome, Sandcastle :). On the whole it's best to keep your carbs and protein fairly well divided up between your meals, so that you get aoout 7-10g carb per meal. If you do that, then you'll automatically be on track for the day. You'll get better blood sugar control that way than by eating all your carbs at one meal.

[maxlharris]

At work today.
Start with small circles, and work the basics. Then move outwards. Great quote Carol. Thanks.

Much work to do (got my access to National Finance Center back... have 26 salary offsets to get started... going to have to work from some small circles to get that done) at work today.

Have a shake, Have some turkey breast. Might not eat the turkey and instead get Chicken Planet again. Cheaper than my usual restaurant thing, and easy easy easy.
Dinner will be solved at home.

I agree with Mitra. While you get a lot of the benefit of keeping carbs low just from your daily total, the best results come from tight control at all meals, rather than lumping.

[Ammy]

This month is half over. Are you making progress? :).


No

But I'm not giving up...I kind of "lost it" all last week. But I'm back...I have to be...my life depends on it...
Yes, that sounds dire, but truely, if I keep allowing myself carbs, I will be that 300+lb person again, and that will kill me.
So...got rid of the "junk" that was forced upon us for our trip home, and the only things left are PP friendly.
Whew...

Meals are planned...exercise is scheduled...mind is made up!

8:30am egg souffle
10:30am 1/2 apple
12:30pm lc lasagna
3pm iced latte, 2 deviled eggs
6:30pm 6oz pork chop, 1cup cauliflower, 1/2 can cream/celery soup

Pro: 149.1
Ecc: 39.2
Fat: 135.9
Cal: 2029

[friendly]

Whew--I had a stomach bug--hardly even remeber eating yesterday, as for today:

breakfast was Atkins bar (2g carbs

lunch will be hamburger-ricotta soup and salad

snack will be lc cheesecake w/ blueberries

dinner will be whatever I make--I'm gonna have to come up with something b/c I'm having company it will be meat and asparagus for me, and pasta or rice as well for everyone else, too.

I think I'm making good progress--I need new clothes, so that's a good encouragement. I really don't crave carbs, I do crave being able to be careless and planless. But I keep asking myself if I would really like to live my life just drifting or if I want to plan a little to feel my best.

Since there are a few brand new people, I'll also share that my biggest challenge has been the habit of eating high carb food (bowl of cereal, etc) before bed. Protein just doesn't appeal to me when it's late. It's taken eight weeks, but I'm pretty much over it. I guess any habit just takes time to break. I also changed my behavior--instead of laying on the couch watching tv, my dh and I lay in bed reading. We've decided that when we get a new couch, we won't eat on it. Hope that might help somebody.

[Karole]

Hey good to see two newbies with us!! Welcome Vikkie and Sand.

Dreary ol day here but supposed to be nice tomorrow sigh... I'm tired of waiting for the sun. We have cancelled our trail ride for this week end due to the thunderstorms that are predicted. No fair. Oh well we'll have lots of it before the year is over with.
Just anxious to get started.

I have my exercise done and will also go to line dancing practice this evening so today will at least be good in that way.

Food is on target and I'm logging to fitday--just got to get the meditation to fit in there some how. Guess I'll go give that a whirl right now. Take care all.

[gitfiddle]

No

But I'm not giving up...I kind of "lost it" all last week. But I'm back...I have to be...my life depends on it...Amy, just keep showing up here! Progress isn't necessarily just physical, you know. Having to work through some tough times can be emotional or spiritual progress. It's that three-legged stool again. Balance. All that.

[sandcastle11]

Thanks everyone for the info and the welcome! WOW 118 pounds and 46 pounds and maintaining since 2004!!!!!!!!! Talk about encouraging!!!

And Friendly... hamburger - ricotta soup??? Sounds great!! I am going to the search button to search for that recipe. If it hasn't been posted please share!!!

Looking forward to sharing big steps forward!!!

[gitfiddle]

Well, I think this site has alot to offer, I'm not sure if I'm strayed away yet just started yetersday, but I can say I'm feeling better already...Finally got my caffine headaches to go away.. yes I was drinking about 12 pepsi's in one day but I had stopped them about three days ago before going on this plan.... Yikes! That would be a heck of a withdrawal headache! :eek: Welcome to the forum, Vikki. I'm glad you're finding something you want here.

[gitfiddle]

Oh my goodness, I have finally found my way to the discussion forum I need!!! I have loved reading through the older notes to see what everyone is eating. Sandcastle, we love to have you here. You will find lots of menu information on the Challenge threads. You seem to be on track from my point of view. Your menu is just about like mine. :) I try to keep it plain and simple and keep an eye out for hidden carbs.

[gitfiddle]

I think I'm making good progress--I need new clothes, so that's a good encouragement. I really don't crave carbs, I do crave being able to be careless and planless. But I keep asking myself if I would really like to live my life just drifting or if I want to plan a little to feel my best.Good job, Friendly. :cool: You get to go shopping! When I want to be careless or planless, I keep my food to only protein and vegetables. That way even if I overeat on portions, it won't do as much damage as a carb-fest. I periodically subject myself to a few days of weighing and measuring, just to keep my eye honest.

[gitfiddle]

I'm picking up the pieces again today :).And breathing a sigh of relief? ;)

At work today.
Start with small circles, and work the basics. Then move outwards. Good way to look at it, Max. Then, when the circles are too wide and we lose track of the basics, we get centered and start over.

I have my exercise done and will also go to line dancing practice this evening so today will at least be good in that way.

Food is on target and I'm logging to fitday--just got to get the meditation to fit in there some how. Guess I'll go give that a whirl right now. Take care all.You've got it all together, Karole!

I've been keeping track of my bp readings to proove to the doctor that I can do without the med. Since I have to sit quietly for ten minutes twice a day for that, I just clear my mind and meditate. I think it improves the bp numbers! :)

My bag is packed for the gym and I've just had lunch. I ate a mandarin orange instead of the v-8 juice, so I'd better check on the carb count. How could a cute little thing like that have carbs???

[LulaZula]

Hi all,

My strategy yesterday paid off, it seems - down 1.6 lbs this morning. :D

Today I have already gone to the gym - 35 min. treadmill (mostly running) and ~40 min weights - chest and shoulders. Didn't burn as many calories as I would have liked, though - my monitor said 518. :confused:

Ate breakfast (!) - 3 eggs fried in butter, 2 coffees w/half-n-half
Lunch - maybe chicken ala brasa with brocolli? not sure, waiting for DH to return so we can decide where to eat
Dinner - probably chicken or beef with some kind of veggies.
Snack - 1/8 cup peanuts if needed.

Have a fruitful day!

[gitfiddle]

Today I have already gone to the gym - 35 min. treadmill (mostly running) and ~40 min weights - chest and shoulders. Didn't burn as many calories as I would have liked, though - my monitor said 518. :confused:Wow, what a productive day already! Lula, I don't know how accurate those meters are. Just know that you're making muscle, which burns fat, and you're re-shaping your body. :nod: You need to join us in the Movers & Shakers, if you haven't been there already.

[Mitra]

And breathing a sigh of relief? ;)

Definitely. But not for too long - my niece has just phoned to book a visit.

Today's meditation and exercise are done :).

[sandcastle11]

Thanks for making me feel welcome. Please let me know if I get anoying with questions... Snacks: Do I need to make them meet the protein level, or just try and keep the ratio of basically 5X the protein as carbs? Is a handfull of almonds or some beef jerky or a couple of meringue cookies (sugar free) good for snacks???

Thanks everyone!

[maxlharris]

Almonds: yes
Jerky: depends on the sugar content
Meringue: mileage varies

It's not about 5:1 protein to carb. It's about keeping the carb in the 7-10g range and getting some protein. Almonds are great. Low carb, decent protein (for a nut) very filling.

[friendly]

Good job, Friendly. :cool: You get to go shopping! When I want to be careless or planless, I keep my food to only protein and vegetables. That way even if I overeat on portions, it won't do as much damage as a carb-fest. I periodically subject myself to a few days of weighing and measuring, just to keep my eye honest.

Good advice. My "hungry" days are the days I don't get enough veggies. I'm gonna cut up some celery for the kids and I to snack on tonight. I measure my cottage cheese from time to time to make sure I'm not eating a huge portion. And I count out how many of something and put it on a plate instead of eating out of a bag or container.

I think I'm getting in the groove, it took so much longer this time around. Last time, I had one little baby and no life. Now I have a picky husband and daughter and a ravenous son to deal with as well as working from home and an active social life. But I'm so determined--this will be a summer that I can be confident and comfortable in a swimsuit.

[Karole]

I ate a mandarin orange instead of the v-8 juice, so I'd better check on the carb count. How could a cute little thing like that have carbs???

It's so not fair, huh , Carol.

I'm trying the meditation for lowering my bp also Carol. So far I haven't noticed much difference but after all it has only been 14 days so I need to be patient. I will be jumping for joy if I actually get it to come down enough to get off this last bp med.

Friendly-- I too would just love to do this mindlessly and without counting all the stuff I eat, but it doesn't work for me either. Sounds so good. I love the foods we have available to us and I love not having to be hungry but I just am tired of having to always be mindful of this or that food. Oh well, can't have everything and this woe works so we'll just hang in there.

[LulaZula]

Wow, what a productive day already! Lula, I don't know how accurate those meters are. Just know that you're making muscle, which burns fat, and you're re-shaping your body. :nod: You need to join us in the Movers & Shakers, if you haven't been there already.
Thanks, Carol :)
I have a heart-rate monitor that I strap to my chest and a watch that reports the results. I wear it throughout my workout. I tend to average 550-600 kcal per hour. I was at the gym about 1:15 today so it was a bit low, but I'm definitely burning fat and also raising my metabolism for the meals to come, I think, so it's all good!:thumbsup:

What's the difference b/w reporting it all here and reporting in two places (i.e., here and at the M&S thread)? I'm not familiar...

Okay - I can report on the finals for the day:
Bkfst - 3 eggs, coffee/crm
Lunch - ended up having a HUGE prime rib at Houston's (YUM!) with a side of green beans to which they add a white corn kernel/olive relish. I ate all the greens and nibbled on probably 1-2 tbsp of the corn. Fitday had that at about 4 g ECC for the grn bns and 3.5 g for the corn.
Snack - coffee w/half-n-half
Dinner - DH made a delish dinner of sauteed shrimp and scallops in homemade cream/tomato/garlic sauce, which I scraped off my seafood so as to reduce the carbs. (kids ate angelhair pasta with theirs). I'm a well-fed woman today, and when I look at the final numbers, I'm even more pleased!
Snack/dessert - 1 tbsp peanuts, 1 pretzel snap w/butter (my nemesis).

Fitday stats:
ECC - 16.4g :D
Protein - 148.2g
Fat - 119.0g
Cal - 1,769

I'm happy about today. Thanks all for your support!

[oceanblueLA]

Thanks for making me think, Carol. Halfway through the month, huh? I can't believe it. Am I on track? Yes... finally. The first week was a little iffy. Not out and out bad. But certainly skirting the outer envelope. But I've recovered and now the food and exercise, and my attitude, are under firm control. I feel like I'm almost in the easy place where I don't have to really worry about my choices. The trick, I think, to getting there is to limit the food options and shrink my hunger. Either way, I will not break my plan, even if I am STARVING. ;-)

No treadmill or weights today... too many errands and work obligations. But I'm back on that tomorrow. My food has been great today.

B -- egg whites w/ parmesan, 2 fiber crackers w/ little pb, coffee & half and half
L -- salad w/ spicy chicken (in Frank's hot sauce... really good)
S -- wasabi soy nuts
D -- steak and cauliflower w/little butter & lots of pepper, sf jello
S -- warm ricotta w/ vanilla, splenda

[Karole]

Last report of the day and its 11/3 so far this month. Just got back from line dancing so lots of exercise today. good PP day all around.

The sun finally came out just before sunset. Oh well at least I got to see it a little bit.

[gitfiddle]

I'm trying the meditation for lowering my bp also Carol. So far I haven't noticed much difference but after all it has only been 14 days so I need to be patient. I will be jumping for joy if I actually get it to come down enough to get off this last bp med. I've been at it for about three weeks, Karole. It
slid down very slowly, going up ten points or more (systolic) last week when I had that cold and now it's back down in the 120s. I hope I can get it lower.

[gitfiddle]

I have a heart-rate monitor that I strap to my chest and a watch that reports the results. I've only recently learned about that gadget, Lula. I'd believe it before I'd believe the readout on the machines.
What's the difference b/w reporting it all here and reporting in two places (i.e., here and at the M&S thread)? I'm not familiar...In ancient days, this thread was more low key and focused on the food aspects. Free-for-all chatting was kept to the off-topic threads. Movers & Shakers was for talking about exercise. We have evolved and relaxed (ask Amy about Wacky Wednesdays) over the years.

[Claudette]

Hi, ya'll,

Busy week , but on plan and doing allright.

Welcome, newbies! This is a great place to go for support. Lots of great advice.

Been lacking in exercise lately, (hope Shadow won't get the whip out), but hope to retify that starting tomarrow. Going to get back on the AM schedule, then no excuses for me.

Well, got to run.

Hugs,
Claudette

[gitfiddle]

Halfway through the month, huh? I can't believe it. Am I on track? Yes... finally. Vivienne, I'm glad to hear you say that. Took hard work, but here you are. I hope the hunger backs off soon. That would be hard for me to handle. :paranoid:

Hey, I found out the mandarin orange is only 5 carbs! That's less than the V-8 juice! It's my new favorite treat. I'm wondering how it would be in my morning shake instead of throwing in frozen berries.

[Ammy]

Made it through the day.
Added 1oz of nuts since I ended up walking over 3 miles today.

Pro: 155.8
Ecc: 43
Fat: 150
Cal: 2195

[LulaZula]

Okay - I can report on the finals for the day:
........
Fitday stats:
ECC - 16.4g :D
Protein - 148.2g
Fat - 119.0g
Cal - 1,769


11 pm: Feeling hungry so added another snack -- about 1/2 oz hard cheese, another tbsp peanuts, 1/8 cup cottage and ~1/2 tbsp pecan pieces. New total stats for my day are:
ECC - 18g
Protein - 157.2g
Fat - 129.0g
Cal - 1,910
Full disclosure!:o Still doing great.

[SandyHanson]

I logged in yesterday and read everyone's posts, but forgot to post about my day!

A bit depressed yesterday and today, and have done some comfort eating. Both days on plan, though yesterday's calories were a bit higher than usual.

Today I felt the need for some comfort food, so had a 1 Minute Chocolate Cake for lunch. It may not be the best choice, but it's far from the worst, and was sure good.

Today's totals:
Pro 97.4
ECC 27.1
Cal 1493

Can't do much better than that!

[Vikki]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes.......

[maxlharris]

For the day:
Protein: 180
Carbs: 35
Cals: 1500
Water: Good
Fitday: Check
Report: Now complete.