Update

So, here I am!  Now you all know what I look like.  This is actually a current pic from January when I decided that the pic on my FB page had sat there long enough without being changed.  LOL  It's nothing fancy.  I literally grabbed my camera on a decent day and just snapped a few shots.  I think I have on just some eye make-up.  And yes, I wear those big ol' hoopty earrings pretty much daily.  I love big earrings!  I'm not sure why, but I do.  Always have.  LOL

Anyways, as you can see from the title, I'm updating.  I did my weight first and was disappointed to see that from last week, there was no change.  Still 191.5.  At first, I was really mad.  Mostly because if anything, I've been UNDER this week on cals.  Even with the one night of going out, I've been where I should be and like I said, had a day or two of lower cals than the 1600.  Closer to 1400.  So, I was very angry that I had been so good only to get on the scale and see that I hadn't lost anything.  But then I got to thinking about it and realized that I needed to get over it.  There are several reasons why my weight could have stayed the same and in the end, none of them are worth getting mad about because they are out of my control.  Such as deaths, illnesses, awful weather, etc.  The stress from all of that I'm sure made a difference.  Even though I didn't eat to compensate for it, I still think it did something chemically to my body.  Especially after spending the night stuffed into the overflow pantry in my basement with my kids, my SIL, my dogs, and our emergency gear.  It was a long stressful night.  We were REALLY lucky that we were spared.  Several towns under 100 miles from here are destroyed.  Middle TN got hit HARD and it's been a mess.  We had 3 touchdowns here, but luckily when it hits the valley, it seems to break up and miss us some.  That's why the storms last April were so freaky.  Back to my point, between all of that and the fact that I should start my period in the next day or two, I'm not overly shocked.  Disappointed, yes.  Shocked, no.  But I'm not giving up.

So, that means that over the last two months I've only lost 5lbs.  Which sorta blows.  Only because I had really hoped to be closer to my high number of 16lbs. at this point.  I'm off by 11lbs.  And from my low number, I'm only off 3.  But still.  I would've at least liked to be down 6lbs.  BLEH.  I'm trying not to be too down, really, but it's frustrating.  I know, I know.... it's probably because I'm not exercising.  You're probably right.  But on a good note from all of these storms, a big chunk of my garage got cleaned out so I may be able to at least get in some walking time soon!  LOL  Hubby is anxious to be working out now since he is FINALLY seeing some good results!  :D

Speaking of hubby... he was right.  I told him that in the last month or two, I hadn't felt like I was losing but was glad that it looked like I was because he said my stomach area seemed so much smaller.  When I did my measurements today, turns out he was right!  The only place I really lost was my tummy area!  Which after the disappointment of the lack of loss actually made me feel better.  Mostly because when I had started to gain, my stomach is what seemed to explode.  And I have a lot of fattiness there.  So, to be losing that makes me VERY happy!  I have a pretty curvy figure.  I'm very close to hourglass, but would probably be considered a pear as my butt, hips, and thighs are really full.  So, when I lose I don't lose as fast there.  I also tend to put on muscle there very easy.  I think if we get the garage set up, I may very well go back to some weight training.  I think that will help my hips and thighs more than anything.  I still want to walk and do Pilates, but I think the weight training will help my muscles fill out a bit and get rid of the saggy skin.  I honestly think the reason it's gotten mushy is lack of muscle from not working out.  Not even doing much walking.  So, I gotta do this.  I should post my 'skivvies' pic just to show where my problem area really is!  LOL

I added 4 pics to my Pix page.  I hate the photo uploader here!  UGH!  I couldn't get them on the page where I wanted and they are all crammed together.  Then again, I didn't really take the time to play with them much, so maybe I could figure it out if I did.  Anyways, I hope to add one or two more pics later if I can.  Hubby will be up and I should be able to play with the camera some.  I want to take a pic in that red dress again and then one in my new bathing suit for tracking.  I didn't want to post the skivvies pics cause it's basically bra and underwear, but I did want SOMETHING to go by.  I talked to a friend and she said I should do a bathing suit.  BRILLIANT!  So... I bought a bikini top (I already had a plain black skirt bottom thing).  I haven't worn a bikini in... I won't post how long cause it will make me feel old!  HA!  But it's just a plain black one and I want to use it for tracking.  Will I ever wear it in public?  We'll see...  I normally wear tankini's, so I don't know if I will ever be brave enough to wear the bikini top.  I am going to start using some Mederma, but my stretch marks are pretty big from having my second.  I barely had any with oldest, but man, I got SO BIG with my second.  I would post a pic, but you'd swear I altered it!  LMAO

So, I guess that is about it for today!  I've gotten braver and uploaded a pic of me, updated all my pages, and told you about buying a bikini.  The only other thing I wanted to post about is a blog that I read that other day that talked about taking time for yourself.  And that's when it hit me that I've been spending lots of time on the net just messing around, not getting much done, feeling tired and whatever and it hit me that I was displaying signs of depression.  SO much had been going on this week and I had felt drained and then I realized that not only this week, but slowly over the last couple of months I've been letting myself slowly slip away.  And it's the little things... wasting time on mindless stuff on the net rather than doing something I REALLY want to do.  Not taking as much time to 'primp' as I use to.  Just random things.  They've all added up.  And I wonder if exercise is the same?  Is it something I'm denying myself?  This blog is about the only tool I've been using and now I'm thinking I need to REALLY use it.  I need to get on here and blog but not do the other stuff so much.  I need to support others and read blogs and then get off of here and not continue to be in a slump.  Maybe it was Pepa who was talking about taking time for her?  Anyways, it hit me I need to do all these things for myself.  Blog, take the time to shave and pluck, do my nails, read a book, and even exercise.  I've just let it all go slowly over time and it's hitting me that due to lack of a social life, I've just been letting the things that I need and want go.  That shits gotta stop!  NOW!  I started last night.  I played a game because I wanted to then got off the pute.  I took a nice LONG hot shower (most of my showers are 15 and under) and even shaved up everything!  It was something small, but I RARELY shave all in one night anymore.  I know this may sound weird but even though I was going to bed alone since hubby was at work, I felt sexy and more confident.  I need that back!  So, going to attempt to take some more time for me.  I know realistically this won't happen all of the time, but I've gotta start somewhere.  And I want to enjoy these things more and not rush so much.  I'm rushing so much I'm forgetting how to just really relax.  I use to even enjoy dying my hair and anymore it's a chore I rush through.  Nope.  No more.  Gotta start feeling GOOD about these things and appreciate who I am right now in this life and stop 'forgetting to smell the roses'.  Or for me, gardenia's... love those.

Ok, now that I've written a novel, it's time to move onwards and upwards with my day.  Snacks are needed, hubby will be up soon, and I have tons I'd like to get done.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend!  And I hope all of my bloggy buddies made it through the storms ok.  :)

**Insert** BTW, do I look like you thought I would???  Just curious...

A bit better.

I'm feeling a bit better this AM.  I was up way too late last night, but at least I had a good reason.  I felt horrid pretty much all of yesterday and then when we kept hearing about these bad storms, I knew that I needed to be sure and get the garage cleaned up so I could get my car in there.  The hubbs car will be unprotected, but it will be at his work so there isn't much we can do about it.  Another big storm and once again, hubby will have to be gone.  UGH.  Just like when he was in the Navy.  During Isabelle, he had to go and be on the ship and it was just me by myself.  Yes, I could've left but in the end I had too many friends who couldn't leave.  So I stayed to help them out, with the plan that if they evacuated I had somewhere to go.  And then last year during those BAD storms in April where we got all of that damage, he had to work.  Once again, he has to work tonight.  UGH.  I just checked the radar and 1) I don't think it's as bad as they said it was going to be and 2) Even if it is bad, it looks like it has split and the majority will miss us.  Here in a bit, I'm still going to charge my pute and phone and take a few things down to the pantry in case we need to use it for a storm shelter, but I'm hoping we won't.  It sucked having to sit down there in the dark for what felt like HOURS last year.  BLEH.  But at least we were safe and warm.  Anyways, I stayed up late last night after I got to feeling better to try to get the garage side of the downstairs cleared out so that I could get my car in there.  Before I realized it, it was well after midnight!  But at least I got a lot done.  The hubbs got in after 8 this morning and finished up the rest and parked the car in there.  I will more than likely have to take it back out for pickup from school, but at least we know it will fit in there.  I think this proves that we REALLY need to get the shed cleaned out and move a LOT of that stuff out there.  But right now, the shed is crammed full.  I have a feeling we will be majorly busy this Spring/Summer!!!

My weight yesterday was 191.5 and 191 today.  I felt really uncomfortable yesterday, so it didn't surprise me that my weight was up.  What I was surprised at was the 191 today!  After moving all that stuff around and really breaking a sweat, I figured my muscles would be swollen and my weight would be up even more.  I really hope to see 190 on Sunday.  I don't know if that will happen, but that is what I'm working for.  I had hoped to be under 190 this month, but I don't see that happening.  Sunday will be my last weigh-in for the month, so I hope it's good!  Then onwards to the next month.  Next month, well, actually NOW, I need to really start finding the time to workout.  I had thought to start this week, but with all the worries of storms and not feeling well, I didn't get started like I had hoped to.  I don't know if I will ever get started.  UGH.

OH!  And I forgot to say I didn't do my measurements the other day.  I decided to only do it monthly so I am going to try to remember to do it this Sunday.  So, I didn't do it previously like I had mentioned.  I'm not sure why I want to do them as I don't think there will be much change without the working out.  :/  And I've decided to put up some pics.  I want to find some today and get them loaded hopefully tonight.  I already have two photos in mind.  I don't think I have a recent full body photo, but maybe I can take one tonight.  :)  Especially if I can take that photo in the same dress.  I think I have that same dress still.  I remember wearing it in the first photo and how TIGHT it was.  And I kept thinking to myself how uncomfortable the dress was and that I shouldn't have worn it.  I wonder if any of you will be surprised at what I look like?  I always try to imagine what some of the posters on here look like from reading their blogs.  So far, no huge surprises but one.  And it wasn't huge... just unexpected.  LOL

It's later in the day now and the first band of storms rolled through rather quick without much damage.  One tornado was spotted downtown, but that was it and it blew over rather quick.  But this front behind it is HUGE.  Like, REALLY HUGE.  It spans pretty much the entire mid to eastern half of the state.  :O  I'm a bit worried.  I'm really as prepared as I can be right now, although I guess I could do a bit more, just not sure what?  maybe put up some stuff in the yard?  I may do that in a min.  There isn't much, so it would be a quick job.  Just with all of this wind, I'd like as much to be anchored down as possible.  I can just throw it all in the shed.  Not sure what to do with the pile of wood... It's just too much to move and I have no where better to put it.  But the light plastic stuff can be secured and hopefully make things a bit safer.  I want to wait until youngest is asleep though.  But right now, I still here fussing.  BLEH.

Ok, well, going to get off of here and attempt to pick up a bit and maybe do some dusting.  I already cleaned the kitchen pretty well and I don't want to do the bathroom right at the moment so the other stuff is at priority right now.  LOL  Maybe if I get things picked up, the house dusted, and a load of laundry done I can consider this day successful instead of a drag like it feels.  Wish me luck with this and the weather, ladies!

Oh my stomach!

I got up this AM with a stomach ache and I'm a bit swollen.  Not sure what all that is about, but I'm darn near miserable!  I don't know where it came from, but I thought maybe I was just really hungry so I ate a regular breakfast instead of half.  Which was just a bagel w/butter, mixed fruit, and coffee.  After I ate, it almost felt worse and I thought, maybe I need to poop!  So, went and did that.  STILL hurting.  And NOW I'm all bloated to beat it all!  AARGHHHH!!!!  Why would I swell and bloat up AFTER I went to the bathroom???  I don't understand.  It's like I ate something my body is mad about, but I don't know what it could be.  I've not eaten anything that I know upsets my tummy.  It's just weird.  Weird and miserable.  :/

So, this isn't going to be long.  I need to lay down or something and hope this passes.  I've been drinking water like crack and it's starting to feel better.  Maybe I didn't get enough yesterday?  I don't know.  But I feel like crud.  I will write again later if I don't feel horrid.

More like it

204.5 today.  Now THAT is more like it.  I knew it would be down some today -- I did nothing but PEE all day yesterday!  And I mean PEE!  I felt like I lived on the potty yesterday -- not sure why, either.  I drank the same amount of water, etc.  But darn if I didn't go through an entire roll of paper!  I was almost frustrated just because I was worried I was peeing like that and then the scale wouldn't be down.  But it's down.  YAY!  That puts me only 1.5 from my low of 203 last Monday.  My last 'official' weigh-in was on the 10th @ 207.5, but the Sunday before that on the 3rd was 204.5.  So, when I do my weigh-in on the 17th, I will be happy as long as I am under 204.5.  That is really what I am shooting for.  I would really like to see 202.  That way at least my average would be about 1lb. per week.

Looking over my food journal and my weight-loss calendar today and getting it more organized.  Between it, here, and my home private journal, they got all jumbled up.  So, I thought today would be a good day to go through them all and make sure I am not getting confused and to keep them clean and neat.  I also went through here and re-organized a few things and may do more later.  I love Spring!  It's a wonderful time for doing that kind of stuff.  :D  And really, it's make me feel much better about my loss.  I may not be losing huge amounts, but I am consistently losing at least 1lb. a week.  I am a bit saddened by that, but at the same time, I'm happy.  Sad because I wish it was double that.  Happy because I am no where near starving, I don't really feel deprived, and the scale is mostly going down!  And now I feel much more calm and put together because I've updated my pages, my calendar, and hopefully I can check my journal and food log later.  I've been pretty good about staying on top of the food log, so just going to double check it.

I have changed my mind on my closet.  I have decided to go ahead and go through it to take out all the maternity stuff.  Yes, some it is still wearable and cute, but I think I would be better off letting it go.  I have also decided to go through and get out some of the stuff that I love that I want altered.  I spoke with a friend today who had found a great alterations specialist and she isn't too pricey.  So, anything I love (aka, my denim jacket!) is going to get altered if possible.  And like I said, I'll remove the tags on altered items so that I will know they've been altered.  Especially if in the future I do decide to give them away or whatever.  The maternity stuff is going to be sold.  The hubbs finally got me a new SD card for my camera, so I will be formatting that later and taking pics to sell on eBay.  I will be selling it at a good price, so I hope it goes pretty fast!  Not sure what I will do with all of the baby things.  I may sell them on there or I may do a consignment shop here.  I will just have to wait and see.

All in all, I think I have Spring Fever!  I want to clean, organize, and get projects done.  I want my head and home straight!  And I am making progress, slowly but surely.  Tonight is the hubbs last night on this shift, so hopefully we can get a few things done over his time off.  We will just wait and see.

I think I will go for now and attempt to get some things done.  Not sure what, but something.  :)  Especially since I am feeling in a much better frame of mind!  Toodles!  :D :D :D

Hard... and hardly worth it

I am starting to get annoyed.  I am STILL at 205.5!  I just don't get it.  I've been bouncing around 206 to 205 now for 9 friggin' days!  I've gone over and over my food journal, and I cannot for the life of me figure out what I am doing wrong.  I've only gone over 40g. of carbs once and my cals 2 times (not for the diet, but according to the cals to maintain my weight calculator).  One of those was a busy day so I felt like I was ok on the cals.  Because they weren't crazy over, just a little.  And when we're doing that much, I sometimes get hungrier.  I don't feel as bad as I thought I would now that I am reviewing because I am down 5lbs. for the month.  And seeing as how I didn't crack down until the second week of March, I guess that is pretty good.  I lost 2 in January and 4 in February and then my 5 in March to total my 11lbs.  But dang, 3 months to lose 11lbs. is annoying!!!  I was hoping for closer to 8.  BUT, 5 is good.  5lbs. is no longer on my butt.  11lbs. is gone from my body and hopefully it will pick up.  I am just frustrated because I thought for SURE I would hit 8lbs. this month to make a total of 14.  I know it's only 3lbs. but geez.  I've just been working SO hard it almost feels like it's hardly worth it!!!

I worry that I may be somewhat depressed and I don't even know it.  I HAVE been feeling down more than normal, but I think a LARGE part of that is this darn rainy weather.  I don't do well with being cooped up in the house.  The best I have felt was getting out and shopping and the little bit of weed pulling I got to do over the weekend.  I was REALLY happy to do that and I can't wait until our grass starts to fill in better!  Our neighbors are already mowing, but I don't want to until the other grass starts to fill in better.  I am afraid cutting it now would only hurt it.  Anyways, I was talking over being down with a friend and she finally said to me, 'You know what you need to do?  You need to just suck it up and get over it.  Accept this is what your life is right now and deal.  Because it is what it is and at some point, if you accept that fact you will feel happier.'  BS.  I so friggin' call B friggin' S!!!!  I do NOT accept this is how my life is going to be.  I hate this lack of time for myself, lack of time together as a family, lack of time as a couple.  Because if I accept it, that's like saying it's ok and I give up changing.  I don't.

Just typing that makes me feel better!  I love my friend, and I know her intentions were good.  But I refuse to just roll over and keep taking the hits.  I love my kids, I love my husband, and I love myself.  Therefore, I have to make some changes.  These changes won't happen unless I do them.  I already took one step in getting my oldest signed up for a class.  He has always been terribly afraid of water, so I signed him up for private swim lessons.  Getting him involved in something like that will help his attitude because he will have something to look forward to each week.  I am also thinking of signing him up for one other thing like either an art class, karate, music, or a sport if he wants.  Either way, he needs to get involved in something that he will like and have a focus outside of home until he starts K.  We also need to get our homeschooling schedule back in line.

I have looked into getting a sitter for a set day once every two weeks for literally an entire day.  So, that way, if I have errands to run, want to have lunch with friends, or if the hubby is off and we want to work on projects, we can.  I am also thinking about joining another Mom's group.  I know I will meet other parents when the oldest starts K, but it would be nice to meet some other Mom's with younger kids.  Most of the Mom's I have been meeting are older and done with kids.  We still have a baby and may want another in the future, so I would like to meet more women my age who are in the same part of their life.  The sitter would be like $50 for an entire 8hr. day.  She's really $5/hr., but I always pay her more because I know she drives here.  And for a whole day, I would probably pay her $60.  That would be closer to $8/hr. and more fair.  Although, she says she doesn't mind cause my kids are pretty easy in comparison to what she normally deals with!  LOL

So, there ya go.  I am going to be pro-active in doing something.  I am NOT just going to sit here and drown in my own pity because I am frustrated with the way things are with my home-life and with my weight loss.  I am going to DO something.  Again, I know my friend's intentions were good, but I am NOT just going to sit here and let myself be steamrolled by a situation that I can get up off of my butt and solve.  I think when I start getting things rolling and even if they don't go exactly the way I want them to, it will still be making progress in the right direction.

I am already feeling much better, calmer, and prepared.  I don't know how long this will last, but I am going to attempt to ride it out for a bit!  LOL  Now, if only the scale will reflect a change!  OH!  I did have the hubbs look it over and he said that over the weekend he was off, it looked like we ate slightly higher cals and I just realized my fat was WAY high!  Hmmm.... think I may have figured it out!  WOOT!  Going to watch my fat and keep in more in proportion and make the hubbs, too.  He tends to be the one who cooks over the weekends and well, he goes a little crazy in that dept!  So, I hope I have found my issue.  I will watch it over the next few days and see how it goes.  Here is to losing 8... no 10lbs. in April!  :D

Frustrated

Yesterday was not a good day for me.  I was totally in a bad mood and just felt like ripping something/someone apart.  I tried not to fully take it out on anyone, but as a result, I internalized everything -- which is not good.  At some point, it will become too much for me and I'll explode.  I just have no other way to deal with things right now.  I get no time to myself, and I feel like I 'herd' all day.  The hubbs says he feels the same -- except he doesn't.  He at least goes to work.  It's a 30min+ drive to work, so he gets at LEAST one hour to himself a day.  Which isn't to say that dealing with traffic isn't crap, but I can't even get 5mins. of bathroom time alone.  URGH.  And yes, I was aware that this is how it would be when I had kids.  I am just in an oh so shitty mood that stems from days of dealing with cranky kids and then a whole day of a cranky husband.  As my one friend said, I used up all my positive mojo trying to counterbalance their hateful shit.  Nail on head.

Then to top things off, while we were working on a project yesterday amidst my annoyance, I glanced over and saw a reflection of myself.  Keep in mind, we have NO full length mirrors in our house.  No particular reason other than the one I wanted was over $100 at the time and well, we didn't have the moola.  Then we were moving, then we moved, and since, we've been remodeling.  So, it just never came up other than me saying I'd like to have one to make sure my outfits match the other day during a conversation with a friend.  I have just gotten use to not seeing my entire body when dressing.  On to my point.... we were installing a new 3/4 lite glass door and well, I saw my reflection.  :O  I looked HORRIBLE!!!!!  :O  HORRIBLE!  :O  How is it that I am at about the same weight I was before and I never thought I looked all that bad (not great, but not horrid) but when I saw my reflection this time, it was like, WHAT???  I look SO much bigger than I did the last time I was at around 205.  :(  That, or I was delusional before.  I'm not sure which.

Needless to say, yesterday was crap.  I did stay on plan, though.  Even feeling crappy.  All I could think was, if I fall outta whack now, all it will do is make me look WORSE!  So, I ate on plan, drank my water and all that jazz.  Although I did forget my vitamins.  I just took them for today, so I won't forget again.  I've gotten bad at not taking them.  Not sure what I can do to help with that, but I need to do something!  I've been attempting to double up my multi-vitamin for a couple of weeks, because I've just not felt 'great'.  Mostly due to that annoying, never ending cold I just got over.  I felt like it was just draining me.  I may do that again for a couple of weeks just to get my body built back up.  But not long term.  I just don't know if that level of vitamins/minerals would be good long term.  I just want to get my stores built back up.  Although I know that some Dr.s' recommend two multi's a day.  Just don't know how my body could deal with that.  They sorta give me an upset stomach as-is!  I am changing mutli's when these are done (in just a few days) so hopefully that will fix the issue.

My weight is staying the same.  Now, before anyone goes, oh, see!  Low carb DOESN'T work!  Let me tell you this:  As I've mentioned before, I am a tracker.  I track not only carbs, but calories, fiber, protein, and fat.  And according to my records, my cals have been low enough to where even if I was watching them and not carbs, I should be losing.  I am assuming because with the high amounts of protein and fat, I am fuller and don't eat as much.  Even though I am trying to get in my 3 meals and 2 snacks a day.  I don't always get it, but I try!  My cals were kinda high two days (over 2000), but those were both high activity days, I believe.  So, I am afraid it is the dreaded '2nd week stall'.  I know I've been doing low carb for a while, but this is only about the second week of my carbs being under 40g.  And I've reviewed it from day one and I can see that I'm staying on the right path.  So, just going to ride it out and see what happens next week.

I think I am going to get off of here for now and maybe get dressed.  When the hubby gets done with his test, I am thinking I may sneak out of this house for a few hours to myself.  Not sure what I will do, but I sure do want out of this house for a bit and just have some time to breathe.  I did get out and weed some yesterday, and that made me feel MUCH better.  Something about fresh air and gardening just makes you feel better.  I need to get my seedlings going to I can put out my garden soon.  Trying to decide exactly where to put it this year so that the dogs aren't getting into it.  My little female will eat ANYTHING.  My friend is doing hers in containers this year and in her flower beds.  I am thinking of doing the same just because I feel like her idea is genius!  Mostly because you can move them wherever they seem to do best and hopefully keep as many pests off as possible!  My pests would be my DOGS!  LOL  And in the flower beds, there would be no access for the dogs.  We will just have to see.

Well, this is long enough so I am going to go read some other blogs.  Not to mention it has taken me ALL day off and on.  But I did get a good 3hr. break this afternoon to go do some shopping.  AND, I got some great stuff.  :D  Really happy to have a few new things to get me through until I fit my old 'new' things!  LOL

Grumpy

Let me warn you with just the title -- I am T totally fuckin' grumpy today.  No need to mince words -- I just am.  No, no gain or loss.  Scale said 205.5 but first said 205.  But that's not why I'm grumpy.  I'm fried and need a break.  Days of grumpy kids and then a grumpy hubby yesterday have just put me in a foul mood.  And I FEEL like I need a break.  I would love to run around the road and have a chat with a friend, but I don't see that happening.  And NOW, my stomach is starting to hurt.  URGH.  I just want out of this house for a bit.

Glooooooommmmmmyyyyyy

It's such a gloomy day out.  :(  Today was suppose to be a nice day, and we have SO much to do!  Our front door is leaking like a bomb and we can't put in the new tile until the darn thing is fixed.  We had hoped to make it to HD this AM to get the door and maybe the backer board to do the floor, but so far, it's still so dreary out that I don't know how we could.  Although, it's not pouring, just yuck out.  Maybe here in a bit we can still go and the kiddos will cooperate enough to where we can get the door fixed.  I am REALLY sick of the door leaking!  And the sooner we get it fixed, the sooner the foyer will be done.  I also hope to get some work done in the other rooms today, but we will just have to wait and see how it goes.

Got up to 206 again this AM and I am SO swollen!  Not sure what the deal is, but I am achy, swollen, and quite frankly, I LOOK like hell.  Not sure why?  I am still eating well and sticking with my plan and had LOTS of water yesterday and even my vitamins.  But still, my hands are so swollen they don't look normal.  Not sure what that is all about, but it's almost funny to watch my hands typing -- they look like little sausages!  I can't help it -- it makes me laugh!  But I feel fine... Maybe I had more sodium than what I thought.  That's probably it.  Eh, not too worried.  Well, unless the scale goes WAY up.  And we all know that the 2nd to 3rd week of 'dieting' is always the hardest because your body wants to hold on.  But guess what?  Don't care and not gonna stress!  So, HA!  This is long term for me, so I am just going to keep going on.  I would like to have a nice drop this week down to 203, but we will just have to see where the week goes.

My last low was 205, but I only saw that one day, so I know hoping to see 203 may be much.  But I am just not going to stress about it.  I know if I just keep going on, I'll see progress at some point.  And I'm really in no rush really.  I WOULD like to see the 180's by the end of my challenge, but in the long run, as long as I am moving towards healthy, that is all that matters.

Well, going to go and attempt to get a few things done today.  I also need to eat.  The hubbs is making oopsie shortcakes for breakfast.  Oh so yummy and oh so low in carbs!  Excited to have him home today!  Even though, NOT looking forward to his new schedule.  UGH.

Not ready

I decided last night to try pasta.  Not just any pasta, but Dreamfield's.  I love the stuff and have had it plenty of times before, but now that carbs have been out of my system for a while, I wanted to give them a go to see how they would affect my body.  So, after seeing 205 on the scale yesterday, I saw 206 this AM.  I'm not really upset because the pasta was a nice change (we had yummy caesar salads and meatballs, too) but I think I am just not ready to add that back in weekly.  Maybe monthly, but not weekly.  And believe it or not, I did only have the small 1/2c (cooked) serving.  And could not eat it all!  :D  Although, I counted the full serving because we made mac-n-cheese with it for our oldest and I tasted that.  lol

Anyways, I don't feel like I've 'gained', but I do feel like it's going to be one of those things that sits there.  I know my loss hasn't stopped because as of yesterday, I'd been down 2lbs. for the week.  But I do feel like it would slow me down if it was a regular part of my diet.  But for now, until my 3mo. challenge is up, I will only be having that maybe once a month as something 'different'.  But I am glad I tried it or I would've been wondering.  I still don't want to try any breads -- even the low carb ones.  I will save all of that for once I have lost some more weight.  Really, that's probably what I will do with the pasta, too.  I know I said I may have it, but knowing that it may slow me down, I just don't think I want it right now.  And the truth is, I liked the meatballs more than the pasta!  LOL  And the salad!  I just love a good caesar!  I still don't know if I spell it right, though!  HA!  Maybe next time the hubbs wants pasta, we can make the meatballs or meat sauce and I will have mine over some veggies instead of pasta.  I've tried spaghetti squash before, but it's not my thing.  But I may try it again.  Or I may try 'ricing' cauliflower and eating it over that.  However, think we are going to have to change pasta sauces -- the one we use to love now tastes too sweet.  Not sure if they changed or we did!  But a girl recommended pizza sauce saying that they usually try to make that more savory so they use less sugar.  We may do that, or we may go back to making our own.  It's not hard, so I could do it.

I have 67 days left in my challenge!  Just looked at the calendar and realized that.  It's amazing how many days I have done already clean and under control.  Maybe I SHOULD just say no to pasta until the 67 days pass.  I mean, 67 days is nothing really.  Just a little over two months.  I don't think I will lose the 22lbs. I still need to lose by then, but I might.  Who knows?  I am just going to stick it out until then and see how it goes.  Then I will start from there and see where I am.  But I do hope I am close!  12lbs. down as of yesterday, so I'm doing pretty well!

I guess I should go -- I need to help the hubbs out with a few things and do some housework.  Especially since the house is fairly quiet today.  I really need to knock out some dreaded laundry.  Laundry is my nemesis!  Sorta like Perry and Dr. Doofensmirtz.  LOL  You know you have kids when you make references to cartoons that relate to your life!  HA! HA! HA!

Good morning!

Good morning 3FC'ers!  Woke up to 205 this AM.  WOOT!  Happy with that!  Will will give me a loss of 2lbs. this week.  Although, my official weigh-in day is tomorrow, so I guess it could go up or down.  I'd love for it to go down again!  Teehee!  But if it stays the same, I will be happy with that.  Like I've said, my goal is 1 to 3, and I WOULD prefer 3, but I will take a solid 2 ANYDAY!

I had a great day yesterday, but man am I feeling it today!  I really wish the rest of this cold would take a hike so that I wouldn't feel like breathing was a marathon effort!  LOL  But we are having storms in the area, so I sort-of expected it.  The tail end of this cold was here, and then BAM -- change in weather.  Drives my sinus' bonkers!  But it will be ok.  Think I will use the humidifier tonight to help keep it all loose.

Well, not much else to report.  Just going to try to get a few things done today and be as productive as I can.  I had hoped to do some painting, but we will see.  May end up running into town to do a few things, but we will see.

Shopping

Ok, I know this is a weight-loss forum, but I had mentioned before about hoping to get into my 14's and what to do in the meantime.  Well, I went SHOPPING!  No, didn't buy any clothes!  I have tons of those gorgeous suckers sitting in my closet just waiting for me to get back to my pre-baby lowest weight!  But what I DID do was buy some adorable new sandals and cute bags to help me stretch what I have no until then.  Not to mention, because my shoe size doesn't change much (although it may change maybe half a size way later) and bags don't need a size, I will be able to keep my little wardrobe perk-ups!  :D  So, I am feeling REALLY happy tonight!  I do want to try to find some more jewelry pieces and maybe a summer dress or two that I could add in, but other than that, I am good to go!  Although, I'd love a pair of those Roman sandals in GOLD.  Just can't seem to find the right pair, though.  I'll keep looking.

Anyways, while out doing the shopping (and lots of walking!) we ended up buying the much needed tile for the foyer!  WOOT!  AND!!!  Are you ready for this????  50% off!  YES!!!  I am SO happy!  I love it and can't wait to get further on the project and just be DONE.  We are still debating on replacing the front door.  Part of me just wants to leave it alone!  The other part of me wants a partial glass door to let in more light.  But we will see.  I am just so happy to have the darn tile!  Can't wait to get it down.  :D

And on another good note, I also stayed on-plan.  No idea what my calorie or carb count really was, but I know I ate safe foods.  I am going to attempt to find the info on line, but I may just have to use the 'average'.  But I just feel better having an idea of what I had instead of just putting nothing.  I think that might as well be one of my goals, because if there was ever something I ate that I didn't measure, I try to eyeball it and get as close as I can so that every bit is accounted for.  Not only that, but it's just good portion control!  Hope I'm pretty good at it!  But I had a veggie salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, and small fruit salad.  I split the hubbs diet coke and had water, too.  I just hope no one added any funny stuff to the tuna or chicken salads!  They didn't TASTE sweet, but you know how that goes.  But this was from one of my fave healthy places, so I'm pretty sure I did ok.

OH.  And I made something evil.  I made.... Butterscotch pie!  It only has about 5g of carbs per slice, and is OH SO YUMMY.  LOVE IT!  I had one piece last night and one piece today for snack.  The fat is really high, but its pretty good on everything else.  And OH SO SIMPLE!  I am thinking I am going to try making it in other flavors, too.  The hubbs said it was one of the best things he'd ever eaten even if it was diet!  LOL

Well, guess I should go and spend some time with the hubby.  And try to figure up my food counts, too!

Up

I am up and well, not quite ready to go, but I will be soon!  LOL  I weighed in at 206 again this AM, but that's ok.  I know my food was on track so I know it's just a matter of time.  And even if I don't go down again (even if I would like to) I know I'm down 1lb. because I started off the week at 207.  I'd love to lose closer to 3/wk, but I'll take a nice and steady 1 to 2 over nothing or gaining any day.

Well, going to keep this brief -- today is date day with the hubbs and we aren't sure what we're doing.  We thought about going to the spa for the day and then lunch and shopping, but now we're just thinking lunch and shopping!  So, we will just have to see.  Well, better get going!  The sitter will be here in under an hour and I am no where NEAR being ready!  Thankfully I don't need a lot to get ready this AM since I showered and all that last night.  :D

Tired

I am feeling really tired today.  Another restless night for me!  We fought and fought with the youngest trying to get him to sleep, but he just wouldn't.  I think it was almost 10 by the time we got him down!  Then by the time we had our usual snack, showers, and quiet time, it was super late and we went on to bed.  That was around 11:30.  That wouldn't be so bad except I haven't gotten much sleep the last couple of nights and before that, we'd been trying to go to bed before 11.  10:30 if possible.  Which sounds SO early to me!  Mostly because I am a night owl and use to go to bed on an early night at midnight.  But now with a baby who still gets up at night, I go to bed earlier or suffer for it.  But when my head hit the pillow last night, I just couldn't seem to get to sleep!  I laid there and tossed and turned with no luck.  Not sure why.  The next thing I know, it's almost 3AM and the baby is up.  Took him FOREVER to take his bottle!  Once he was laid back down, it felt like it was only another hour or two later when he woke up again.  I didn't get up then, I let him put himself back to sleep.  But then at 7, he was back up again.  7 is good, so we got on up.  I really like getting up between 7 and 8 now.  ESPECIALLY now that weather is warming up -- I want to enjoy as much of the day as possible!

SO, when I weighed in this morning, I was half asleep and had already drunk some water AND a big gulp of my protein shake.  So, I saw 206.  DARN IT!  I had hoped to see 205.  :(  But it's all good.  I am not going to sweat half a pound.  Especially when I haven't been sleeping well and I know I could be eating better.  I was off a bit yesterday again.  Not that it was 'bad' but, I got busy making my LC cookies and missed snack.  Then dinner was higher in salt than normal.  But eh, it's ok.  It happens.  Just going to keep plugging right along.  But I have GOT to get more sleep.  I sure wish my little guy would start sleeping through the night.  I'd rather get up earlier than be woken up 2 or 3 times.  I think I was spoiled by my first who slept through the night at a VERY young age AND for a long period of time!  LOL

I do have a little rant.  I just need to get it out of my system because it hurt my feelings and well, I'm going to keep chewing it over and over again if I don't get it out.  My Mom and I are very close and talk on the phone quite often.  And last night as we were talking, I told her that I was down another pound and I was really pleased with my progress.  She was like, "That's great!  Have you considered getting the lap band?"  I said, "What?  No.  I'm losing already.  Why would I do that now?"  To which she said, "Well, if you got that, it would be a lot faster."  My response was, "I don't want to just lose it fast, Mom.  I want to lose it slow and permanently.  I mean, I'm losing about 2lbs. per week, so I think that's good!  In just a few months, I'll be really close to my ultimate goal."  Again, "But wouldn't the lap-band be faster?"  I get it.  She wants me to be skinny -- if for no other reason than that she is big and wishes she wasn't.  But I sure do wish she would stop putting her issues on me.  I understand she is my Mom and just wants me to be in a better place than her, but when she says things like that, it doesn't help me.  It shoots me down and makes me feel like what I am doing isn't good enough.  Why would you suggest surgery to someone, though, when they are doing so well?  Yes, it took me a while to get here!  I mean, I started in Dec. and up until the beginning of this month I only lost 3.5lbs.  But now in just the last couple of weeks, I have lost 7.5lbs. for a total of 11.  I had JUST told her how I was feeling good about my changes and BAM.  A slap to the face.

Needless to say, my hubby was not happy.  He heard this and said he felt like yelling to her that she should go do it for herself before she suggested it to anyone else.  Seeing as how my Mom thinks the hubbs is a Saint -- I sorta wish he had.  I just don't think she gets it the way she should.  She says she is happy for me to be losing, but then she says that.  I just don't get it.  Why not just celebrate what I am doing now and that I am feeling good instead of saying it should be 'faster'.  I would love to have some 'big' weeks, but I in no way want huge leaps.  It just won't be good for me.  Biggest Loser is a prime example of how people go on there, lose a ton of weight in just a couple of months, and then gain it back!  I love that show, but it just isn't very realistic.  You just don't get in the RIGHT habits on there.  You lose, you lose eating good, but the amount of exercise and the lifestyle there isn't real.  They aren't living their real lives, dealing with day to day things, and they are working out for hours a day which most people just cannot do.  So for me, I'd rather be losing due to healthy choices and normal life than to just do something drastic to 'get'er done'.  I want this to last.  I want this to be real.  And the only way that can happen is if I MAKE IT THAT WAY.  No surgeries, no crazy diets, no magic pills, no temporary fix.  Slow, steady and long lasting is my goal.

Now, don't anyone think I am bashing the surgeries -- I have a few close friends who have had it.  And trust me, it's not easy.  But they had much different issues than I did and much more weight to lose.  And for THEM, surgery WAS the best choice.  But it isn't for me.  For me, I just have to keep my food on track and I know that eventually I will reach the next station.  For me, I know that no low calorie diet or magic pil or herbal oil will magically just take the weight off.  For me, it's whole natural foods as much as I can, regular exercise, a regular routine, and just sticking with it.  I know I can do it.  I just wish my Mom knew it, too.

This is all for now -- long enough, eh?  Off to do some much needed work around here.

205.5

Still at 205.5 and I'm ok with that.  Had a VERY late night last night due to an issue at the grocery store.  See, where I live, there are LOTS of store options.  Kroger's, Ingle's, Walmart, Target, Earthfare, Fresh Market just to name a few.  However, not all of these options are open late.  SO, I almost always end up at Krogers.  Mostly because I prefer their produce to Walmart's, they're open later than Target, and their prices are much cheaper than say, Earthfare.  So, I go last night for my monthly large trip only to get to the front of the store with $400 and they have CLOSED ALL THE REGISTERS!  Now, this isn't normal.  This is a 24hr. store.  The only thing open was self checkout and I literally had a double cart piled up with stuff overflowing the bottom.  I - WAS - LIVID!!!!  I was like, you have GOT to be kidding me!  The BOY was like, Ma'm, we close the other registers at 11.  I was like, it's not 11!  Not to mention, WHAT are you suppose to do with this much?  Needless to say, it took the two of us nearly half an hour to get all that pulled out, rang up, weighed (the USCAN is based on weight), bagged, and put into another cart.  I was so angry I felt like CRYING!  I couldn't help it -- I just could not believe that a 24hr. store wouldn't have ONE register open!!!

Anyways, it was late when I got home, I was exhausted, and frustrated.  So, I had a hot dog and went to bed.  I just figured I'd get up to a gain this morning and my first weight said 206.0, but I weighed again and got 205.5.  So, to be fair, I weighed one more time and 205.5.  I just figured I would be up from being stressed, not much sleep, and missing my usual snack due to being hung up at the store.  Makes me happy just to see the 205.5!

Other than that, I am puttering right along.  I am trying really hard to be supportive on here and along the way, keep myself motivated!  And on the forums.  I just wish the low carb forums were a bit more active.  Not crazy, but just a bit more active!  I know, I know -- I'm old hat at this supposedly, but I love finding out new info.  I'm a 'lifetime learner' -- just not in a college sense.  But when they are moving so slow, it's hard to be excited.  And I guess that's what I am right now after feeling like it was such a struggle when I first started.  Who knew that the key was to just cut the carbs back more!  LOL

Well, I believe I am going to tie this up.  I need to go fold up a ton of laundry.  But before that, I want to update my goals page.  After another poster asked about goals, it got me to thinking about mine so I am going to go and update mine.  :D

Over All

Down another pound this AM!  205.5 baby!  Woot!  I may break 200 faster than I thought.  I won't get my hopes up too high, but it sure would be nice.  :D  I'm really proud of myself for sticking to things so well.  I mean, just a couple of weeks ago I was 216.5 and now I'm 11lbs. lighter.  It's a really nice feeling.  Especially when I first started out and was losing so slow it wasn't noticeable.  I know slow and steady wins the race, but that was CRAZY slow as in 2lbs. a MONTH.  But at least I know when I get lower and need to move on, I know where I will be going.

Trying to decide what to do with my ticker.  Right now, it reflects the weight I started at when I lowered my carbs, not the weight I was when I started trying to lose this time.  So, it's not showing I've lost 10... well, now 11... from my highest.  So, not sure if I should change that back to the highest or not?  I am thinking I should so it will be more accurate.  Not to mention easier!  Because now if I talk about it, I'm saying, 'Well, I have lost this from my highest and this from when I started lowering my carbs.'  I think it would just be easier to say, 'I've lost this over all.'  Yup, that's what I'm going to do.  Going to change it on here and on the forums.  I think it will just be easier that way.

Ok, well, time to go update things then!  AND, I need to get some housework done today if at all humanly possible.  I might even try to work on one project if I can.  My kiddos are BAD for getting on my nerves when I'm trying to do things like that, but I think I may put the youngest in the playpen and just try to do a quick 20min. project.  And even if he gets mad, well, so be it.  I have got to start getting some things done around here or the house will never get done.  So, I'm off for now!  :D

And away it goes...

Did my weigh-in this AM with little hope of that half a pound or more budging.  We, as a family, had a busy day yesterday.  I am happy to say that I finally got the Spring cleaning going!  I have now gone through all the boys things and know what they need for Spring and Summer.  AND, I have a pretty good idea of what they will need for Fall, too.  So, I am VERY happy!  Thankfully, my little's ones wardrobe was done except for some shoes (I had picked up some outfits for him while I was out running errands one day).  So, all we needed to do was go find a few odds and ends things for my oldest.  After doing that cleaning, that's what we did!  We went out to dinner and did some shopping.  What was so bad?  Well, nothing really other than dinner was SALTY!  I don't know if it's because when I'm at home I use WAY less or if it is the type ( I like coarse salt), but the food tasted like a lick!  LOL

BUT, I did stay on plan!  I had my rare diet coke, steak, shrimp scampi (which I had to send back once), and broccoli with cheese.  Oh, and a Caesar salad without croutons.  I ate about half of all except for the salad -- I ate all of that!  I LOVE salad.  I know, I'm weird.  Don't care.  Totally love salads!  Caesar is up there at the top, but my BLT salad is right there with it!  Teehee!  Anyways, sent the scampi back because when it first came out, it was covered in BREAD!  I was like, this isn't shrimp scampi!!!  Shrimp scampi is either pan fried, grilled, or baked and covered in butter, garlic, and other seasonings.  NO BREAD!  So, they re-made it.  But the butter/seasoning mix that was on it tasted weird.  So, I ate a couple and then my hubby did.  It just wasn't as good as what I've had at other places or even what I make at home (frozen, Gorton's).  But the steak was good!  I should've just ordered the steak.  We do eat steak at home, but I mostly save that for when we go out to eat.  And seafood.  I do mostly chicken, pork, turkey, and some hamburger.  But I am thinking it is time that we start eating more seafood at home.  Most seafood is very healthy, and FAST FAST FAST to make!  So, I am thinking of trying a distributor here in town that is suppose to have a great FRESH selection.  I am going to start with something simple.  But I'd really like to add more fish to our menu other than canned tuna and frozen shrimp.  LOL

SO, with working on cleaning, going out, missing my snacks, and all that salt in my food, I expected to not lose or even be up today.  BUT, I was back down that half a pound.  I'll take it!  I just want to do better now that we are back to our regular schedule.  This weekend threw me all off!  I did eat on plan, but not having my meals spread out and missing my snacks probably slowed my body down.  I know this initial weight-loss was probably mostly water, but I just don't want to slow down tooooooo much!  So, back at it this AM.  Already drinking my water and had my protein shake.  Not sure what I will do for lunch, but snack will either be Carbmaster yogurt or a protein shake.  I also need to remember to take my vitamins that I forgot ALL WEEKEND.  :O  NOT GOOD!

As for exercise, I still haven't gotten back at it from being sick last week.  I did do a lot of walking over the weekend, but I have no way to count up what I did other than a mental note!  Now today is Monday and I am hoping that I can get in at least 30mins. this afternoon.  I know I may not since the hubby's schedule is crazy right now, but I sure would like to try! The weather is nice out, so I'm wondering if I could take the boys and walk at the park?  I keep trying for that, but ODS (oldest dear son) hates the walking.  So I would need to either meet someone there to have a playdate with him or drop him at a friend's house for a while.  I think YDS (youngest dear son) would be fine riding in the stroller while I walked.  He'd probably enjoy it!  But somehow, I've got to find a way to get it in.  I need it... my hiney needs it... and so does my SANITY!  I don't think I like the jogging/running so much, but I do so enjoy the walking!  I will just have to see what I can do.

Other than that, other things around here have been good!  Getting along better with the hubbs now that PMS is gone!  LOL  AND, he even said he could tell I was losing weight faster this time.  My little 'love' handles on my sides went away faster this time and my face is slimming out much faster than what it had in the past.  I'm not sure why...  However, I need my backside to start slimming!  I have SO many cute clothes from before I was preggers that I want to get into!  I know that a lot of weight loss is seeing the number go down, but for me I really want to get back into those size 14's.  I really don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe, but I will buy a few things if need be.  I am hoping that I can make what I have stretch until I lose enough to get into those.  I have few size 16 things so I am going to have a period of time where the 18's look horrid, the 14's are still too snug, and I am repeatedly wearing the same size 16 things over and over.  And well, that's not me!  I love clothes and fashion.  I may not be 'cutting edge' but I like to look up to date, modern, in, whatever you want to call it.  So I hope I can be strong enough not to shop and just power through until the 14's will go on.  I have some cute summer dresses that I am hoping will be what gets me through.

During the shopping last night for the boys, that's the biggest thing that kept going through my head -- I need a few new items to spruce up the ol' wardrobe!  Particularly a couple of new bags, new fun jewelry, and sandals/flops.  I got a new purse on clearance perfect for summer, but I'd like to find one more.  I got it when I toll my niece out on Sat.  I got her one, too!  ;)  Then last night, I got one pair of cute sandals.  I have a pair of basic black and brown, but I need cute 'dressier' ones.  Not plain flops!  But from where I haven't really bought any summer shoes in a while and all the ones I have have gone through my highest weight, weightloss, and then pregnancy, well, they are worn out!  A few of them are so worn, they are bowed up on the ends!  I was happy to find a pair last night, but I would like a few more at decent prices to add in.  I just feel so much cuter when I have a pair of trendy sandals to go with a cute summery dress.  That is also why I need some new jewelry!  Those three things (bag, sandals, jewelry) can really stretch an outfit and change it!  I am working on it and thankfully still have some things and VERY glad I kept my old denim jacket!

What are you ladies looking most forward to with weight loss?  I'm not sure after getting back into my 14's what I will look forward to....  mostly because it's been so long since I've been there that I'm not sure what to expect.  I know that shopping will be fun, but not at first because my hope is to get down to an 8/10 so I won't be doing any shopping for that for a while... and I'll be hopefully wearing baggy 14's!  HA!  But other than that, not sure what else to look forward to!  So, again, what are you ladies and gentlemen looking forward to once you lose your weight or even WHILE you're losing your weight?

And so it happened.

The scale moved UP this AM instead of down.  But I expected it.  We had family here for a visit and even though I stuck on 'plan', I know I didn't eat enough.  I was so busy, I missed my snack and ended up eating a very light dinner.  So, I was way low on calories and I am sure my body did NOT like that.  AND, I was low on water.  So, already been up this morning guzzling water.  lol  That was after my wonderful hubby let me sleep in.  I needed that SO bad!  I feel much better with some extra sleep!  Oh, I forgot to mention I was only up 0.5!   Anyways, not going to fret.  Just going to eat better today and focus on drinking water.  Now, if I could just talk everyone into going shopping!  LOL

Wha????

206.5 this AM!  I swear, I remember losing well last time, but even this is crazy!  Crazy good!  Been a LONG time since I lost weight even when my cycle was here.  I am EXCEPTIONALLY happy!  Not sure how long it will keep up, but for now I am going to be happy and good with it!  Woot!  I already hit my 10lb. mini goal -- Mederma here I come!  Well, Up&UP brand.  LOL  That was something I told myself I would get when I got down 10lbs. from my highest of 216.5.  My friend used it for a month straight and had crazy good results!  So, now I want to give it a go.  I don't have a 'lot' of marks, but I do have some substantial ones on my sides.  I didn't get many of them until I got to 39 weeks of pregnancy.  It was past that point that they just TORE.  And with two babies over 8lbs (two separate pregnancies) that didn't get delivered until 42 weeks, well, it did some damage.  So, hoping that the cream will pull them in and lighten them.  I know they won't go away, and I don't care about that.  But for them to be lighter and smaller and look better is great.  :D

Well, not going to go on for long.  My family is coming for a visit, so I need to finish up some cleaning and other odds and ends.  Have a great day!  :D

Same

207.5 this AM!  So, holding out at the same weight.  WHICH, I am VERY happy about!  My stomach was upset pretty much all day yesterday and I'm not really sure why.  It just.... HURT.  I had a coffee flavored protein shake for breakfast (a BIG one!), then for lunch I managed to get down a BLT salad.  After the salad, I had a massive tummy ache!  It lasted pretty much all afternoon.  Then I got hungry, but it still felt tender so instead of really eating much, I just had a Carbmaster yogurt.  After the yogurt, it was still feeling really tender and sore.  I just don't know why?  Anyways, I didn't really feel like dinner because my stomach was just so unhappy that I just kept drinking water.  Then, around 9pm after we got the kiddos to bed, my stomach just suddenly stopped hurting!  And I was STARVING!  So, I had a chorizo burger, fresh berries with chocolate cream, and an LC PB cookie with decaf coffee.  I knew I had been really low on carbs and even cals so I probably had more carbs in that sitting than normal, but I did eat slowly and only until I felt satisfied.  But to be honest, I was still hungry after!  And my stomach was growling first thing this AM, but so far, I haven't eaten.  I'm sipping some water just to make sure my tummy is going to be ok this AM.  I was just afraid that after eating so late my weight might be up a bit.  I did stay up and play on the forums, though, to try to let it settle some.  Now, not sure what to have for breakfast, though.

Already, my day isn't going like I thought it was going to be.  My parents were suppose to come up today, but that isn't happening.  They say they may come tomorrow, but I am going wedding dress shopping with a friend.  Anyways, now I'm not sure what to do today.  I know the kiddos probably should get out and burn off some steam -- especially my oldest.  He's driving me bonkers!  We were invited to go to a friends house today if my parents didn't come up, so I'm thinking that may be the best option.  I just need to get out one way or another!  But I also need to do some housework before the weekend really gets rolling.  I just have so much to do.  And since the hubby isn't home today AGAIN, I'm just trying to figure out what is the most important to do and get done.

Well, I guess this is all for now.  Not much else to post!  Take care all!

He was right...

OK, so, I now have to say that my hubby was right.  Not that he reads this, but I will say it to him later.  What was he right about?  When I first started trying to lose weight back in December, he told me that he thought I should just suck it up and do the lower carb because that was the ONLY way I've ever lost weight in the past.  At the time, I had told him, well, I hate to do that because I felt like it would be too hard on the boys and him.  He didn't understand that.  And honestly, I think that was just me being stubborn and not wanting to do it.  Because now I don't feel that way at all.  It doesn't feel hard, it's not affected the boys at all, and even the hubbs feels better.  So, my stubbornness was unwarranted.  AND, he was right -- I am losing!  I started my cycle last night and I am STILL down another half pound today to 207.5!!!  I don't think I've ever tried any other diet or lifestyle where I have consistently lost weight even during my cycle!!!

Needless to say, even though I am still getting over my cold, I am feeling good about my diet.  I am tracking everything to the best of my ability and staying on plan.  And really, so far it's going well!  Other than having to track everything, the diet itself is easy.  I do worry about plateau's, but I do have a plan for that and I know I will hit one at some point.  I KNOW it isn't sustainable to continue to lose 0.5lbs. per day.  Because that would be about 3.5lbs. per week.  Although, that would be super nice!  LOL  I would sure hit my goal!  I am 77 days or 11 weeks (as of tomorrow) from my son's b-day which is the amount of time I gave myself to do this 100%.  I would surpass my goal if this kept up.  Even if I hit my initial 183 goal, I want to go on keeping up with my plan until then just to see where I get to.  Because if I could get even lower, that's even better!

Now, going back and reading that, I feel like that sounds like I am going to give up after I reach my initial goal.  That's not the case.  My game plan is to lose the 30lbs. now then set a new goal.  But at that point, I hope to start slowly upping my carbs until I find the point where I maintain, but not gain.  Which hopefully won't be too hard, since that is where I was before!  LOL  I was losing, but so slow, it was INSANE!  I was under 100g a day and felt like I ate everything -- just in moderation.  That's where I want to live at once I've gotten some of this weight off.  So, I am feeling good and positive.  Hope this sticks around for a while -- I need some positive!  Think I am going to go update my ticker.  Wonder how I post that on my page?  Maybe under a widget?  Going to go play with that for a bit before I do some housework.  :D