How did ya do last month

[Desertthorn]

Sorry this is so late, I thought it would be cool if we could do a monthly check in and I was going to do it end of Feb, but as some of you know, I was swamped last week with 'life'
So, how did you do during Feb. ?
Any weight loss, clothes-size loss?
Did you learn anything about this plan or your plan?
Did you set a goal and make it?
Did you try a new recipe?
Any ah-ha moments!!!!!

And since this is my stupid idea, I'll start.
Getting going again has been really difficult, more than in the past. I do beautifully until night and then I just lose it. I wondered what I did last time that I'm not doing this time and I think it's journalling. So back my journal
I did try some of your yummy recipes and some not so yummy I found on Linda site. I went back to see if I could find it to warn you,but maybe she didn't like it either.
Goals for March are
Get my 8 glasses of water in. I hate water
Go back down to induction and stick to it for a month.
Continue with exercise.

[Janice]

Re: How did ya do last month

Thanks, Desertthorn for starting this thread. I needed to 'report' on my progress or lack of. I, too, have trouble with drinking my water. I'm hoping the warmer weather will make me more thirsty and it will get easier.
I was bringing home a set of really good 'balance' scales from my parents home and I broke them getting them here. UGH! I couldn't believe it. I do not know how much I've actually lost but one way I can tell I'm losing is in my clothes. I guess I'll have to buy another set of scales before I know my current weight.
The diet has not been too terribly hard this time. I don't think I even went through a slump in the beginning. This time around, I find myself dreaming of eating sweets. One time was M & M's and last night it was birthday cake. I don't know why except maybe somewhere in my brain I'm afraid I will 'slip'.
I have a question about diuretics. I stopped mine. I am taking Lisinopril for high blood pressure and the doctor added the diuretic instead of upping the BP meds when she thought my numbers needed to still be lower. Anyone else taking diuretics and doing Atkins? Am I jeopardizing my health by dropping it? I feel pretty good and that is what I'm going by.
So --- I'm doing good. I'll give a weight report soon.

[Desertthorn]

Re: How did ya do last month

I am taking a diuretic and have been for years, they are really pretty mild as drugs go, but when I forget them or stop them, I bloat up like a balloon. Dr switched me from two pills, diuretic plus Cozarr to one pill that has both together. I have been light-headed ever since but can't get an appointment until April

[Mickkey]

Re: How did ya do last month

I like your goals Desertthorn. I'm evidently not doing something right. I'm not trying hard enough. Like you, I do good until night fall and then want to snack. I'm exercising more than normal, going to the Y, and I can feel the difference it's making in the fit of my clothes. Just got over the flu, and making a renewed promise to once again read the book for inspiration, give up coffee, which will kill me, but it's probably stalling me, and track my food on fitday.com daily.

Janice..hummmm.. I don't know about the diuretics. Wish I did. Why are you stopping them? Sorry about your scales!

[Janice]

Re: How did ya do last month

Mickkey, when I first re-started this WOE, I found my book and tried to read enough to refresh my memory on the key points. Before getting into the actual steps of the diet, the beginning chapters give some good hints as well as explain just how the diet works. On page 109 under 'Review Your Medications', it talked about diuretics. The first part of the last paragraph says that while on a controlled carbohydrate eating plan, you should be careful because reducing carb intake alone can have a 'dramatic' diuretic effect in itself. Taking an additional diuretic can evidently have adverse effects on one's body. It goes on to say that this WOE even 'has a strong blood pressure lowering effect and can easily convert blood pressure medications into an overdose'. That could be concerning for people in our category since 50+ is usually the ones taking these meds. I would not dare stop taking ANY medication prescribed by my doctor until I checked with him/her first. Like Lynne said, a diuretic is a rather mild drug, as drugs go, so I wanted to try not taking it. I want to keep a check on my blood pressure regardless and yesterday I checked it 'free' in the Wal-Mart pharmacy. It was fairly good (for me personally) at 127/72 and I haven't taken my diuretic in over a week. I haven't noticed any bloating like Lynne says she has. Here again, I would NOT drop my Lisinopril med.
I'm going to find some more scales. Wish me luck. I want a good pair, but I want them 'cheap'. lol
Mickkey, I hope you are feeling better and are fully recovered from the flu. I need to exercise more too. The weather in Alabama is beautiful right now so I don't have any excuses.

[Mickkey]

Re: How did ya do last month

How is everyone doing?

I wish more 50's would report in here.

The weather is warming up and I just realized today I won't have a coat to hide behind soon. I need to step it up, and get back to the YMCA.

Have a great week-end everyone. Hope it's enjoyable.

[sallyseachange]

Re: How did ya do last month

Cool thread Lynne!

Hope you're feeling better now Mickkey.
Janice... good to hear you're not bloating when not taking your diuretic.

As for me, well.... I've been battling the slight "wander" outside my "buffer zone" since mid January. Haven't wanted to go back to induction, as I only want to drop a few lbs. Just thought I'd cut out my evening wine and sugar free chocolate (allowed but still was getting too much). To me, induction is for dire emergencies. Terrified of going there too often and abusing it, thus putting metabolism at risk.

Anyway... Feb was not very successful and I stayed more or less still. March is looking a trifle more positive though...(like half a pound more positive), so hope to report progress at the end of this month. Don't mind the loss being very slow. Am more concerned by the direction. That's gotta be right.

[Louloo]

Re: How did ya do last month

Good Morning ladies & Gents??.

I'm going to jump back in here. Been doing induction since monday and am down 3 lbs. This is my umpteenth time doing Atkins, but hopefully my last.

[Mickkey]

Re: How did ya do last month

Welcome Louloo! Three pounds already, that's awesome!

Sally, a half a pound down is going in the right direction for certain. My scales registered less a pound and a half this morning, and I'll take it too!

I finally realized I have to step up my exercise as I've gotten older, because my metabolism has slowed down to a crawl. It's good for me anyway, and I feel so much better afterwards it's amazing. Younger and more limber too, so it's definitely worth it.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: How did ya do last month

Getting going again has been really difficult, more than in the past. I do beautifully until night and then I just lose it. I wondered what I did last time that I'm not doing this time and I think it's journalling. So back my journal

I used to be horrible about eating in the evenings. Would be so hungry I couldn't sleep if I went to bed without eating.... would just lie there thinking about food until I finally had to get up and eat.

What helps me is eating a lot more earlier in the day. And instead of just eating a snack in the afternoon, making a real little mini meal with protein, fat and veggies like radishes that have a lot of crunch to them.

Plus I moved dinner back a little later so there are less hours in the evening to get hungry.

It seems to be working for me. If I do have to have something, decaffeinated tea or coffee with cream in it helps a lot.

[Mickkey]

Re: How did ya do last month

Sunny, have you tried eating some veggies in the morning? I've found that helps with hunger throughout the day. Now I crave them with my eggs. I usually make some brussel sprouts, or cauliflower with butter. Dr. A said spread them out, and it does help.

Moving dinner back is a great idea. Also, I agree with you on the coffee/tea with cream, or with a little splenda. It tastes like a treat to me, or almost like dessert.

[imagood1]

Re: How did ya do last month

How did I miss this thread???? Great idea Lynne!! Of course you have lots of great ideas!

I went back to induction after not losing for quite some time. My fellow stallbusters here know about that. I haven't weighed yet so I don't know how much (if any) I've lost and I signed up for the weigh/no weigh starting Sunday which was the day I was going to weigh, so I'm waiting another week.

My goals:

1. do some extra exercise each day - add something new each week. I'm going to change my challenges for April, I'm getting a little bored doing the same ones everyday. I mowed the lawn this week - I've never been excited about mowing but it was a good walk...I had my pedometer on and found out front and back yard gives me a 1 mile walk and it's something that has to be done! Good for me...LOL!

2. I want to try 1 new recipe each week also -- I love the stuffed green peppers on Linda's site. I have 1 more in the freezer for a lunch or dinner some night. Everytime I go to Linda's site I get hungry and have to leave before I find something yummie.

That doesn't sound like much for goals, but that's what I really want to do...when I accomplish them I'll think of others!!

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: How did ya do last month

Mikkey, I am so sorry I missed this thread... and sorry for not answering! I am going to make it a point of checking this forum every day instead of just reading the "new" post list.

Yes, adding a vegetable to breakfast does seem to help. It also balances my carbs out which is probably better. This morning I just had a mock danish as we were heading to town, and it wasn't enough.

Carole, my husband usually does the mowing. We have a huge yard, so I am thinking I may surprise him by volunteering to do half of it to start. Who knows, I might end up doing all of it.

I, too, am feeling the need for some different exercises. I have bad knees, so can't climb stairs or run. I am thinking more floor exercises might be nice.

[imagood1]

Re: How did ya do last month

Yes, adding a vegetable to breakfast does seem to help. It also balances my carbs out which is probably better. This morning I just had a mock danish as we were heading to town, and it wasn't enough.

Carole, my husband usually does the mowing. We have a huge yard, so I am thinking I may surprise him by volunteering to do half of it to start. Who knows, I might end up doing all of it.

I, too, am feeling the need for some different exercises. I have bad knees, so can't climb stairs or run. I am thinking more floor exercises might be nice.

I had asparagus this morning for breakfast and it was good, but it wasn't something for me. I usually have 1oz of a colored pepper in my eggs in the morning so I guess that's good enough for that meal.....

When we had the rental house in St Louis the side yard and most of the backyard was on a hill, I have bone spurs in the bottom of both feet and wear orthopedic shoes from mowing it....The last 2 years we were there we paid a company to come mow the yard because I just couldn't do it. One of the reasons I liked this house was the yard was flat so I could mow it. By the end of last summer I was finally in shape enough that I didn't huff and puff when I mowed.....this year I didn't have that problem, I mowed and barely breathed hard - it was great!

I weighed Saturday because of the weigh/no weigh challenge starting Sunday --- I lost 5 pounds on re-induction (12 days not 14) and I'm thrilled with that. I lost 12 pounds on my first induction so I lost about half of that this time...not bad - I'll take it.

I need to take time to figure out different challenges for next month and I need to find a new recipe to try....I'll get it done.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: How did ya do last month

Our lawn is hilly... it is a challenge to mow. The back yard is not as bad as the front. Maybe I'll volunteer to do the back and let hubby do the front.

I've said it before, but I am so proud of your 5 pound loss.

I have looked back over some of your posts and see that you really do a LOT more physical things than I do. It encourages me to up my activity level, too!