Hello All

[meena-beena]

I've been gone a loooong time from the forum. I've been busy with life, my family has moved and a new school term is about to begin. I'm a homeschooler so that makes my life even more complicated. lol.

I've been dying to get back to the forums for the longest time, but my hectic schedule has prevented me. Today I was determined to take 5 minutes to sit down and post here.

I've been doing great with my Akins'ing. I'm down 45 pounds and even though I wasn't able to post in my challenges, I completed and exceeded my goals. I'm proud of that. Not only that, but I've managed to keep it all up and I think it's making a big difference in my overall look.

Since dropping 45 pounds I am now in my old size 18's and they are fitting loosely. I can fit two hands in there with them buttoned and zipped!! I'm also wearing a size large shirt.

I can hardly believe I am so close to onederland! And the best part is, I am almost thinner than my husband!! He weighs 213. lol. I can't wait to be smaller than he is.

Anywho, I just wanted to check in with you all and say hello. How have all of you been doing lately? I hope all is well with everyone.

[Laker75]

Re: Hello All

Hi Meena! Welcome back!

Glad to hear you are exceeding your goals and still on track with your WOE! I love wearing those loose fitting garments ~ nothing makes me feel better than putting on a used-to-be-too-small pair of pants and being able to pull them off without undoing zippers or buttons (maybe it's just me...)

Anyway, glad to see you around again. Hope to see more of you soon! Well, you know what I mean...

Good luck with the new school year!

S.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Hello All

Meena!! I'm so glad you came in to give us your update. Sounds like you are doing FABULOUS! I'm so happy for you!!! Where are you at in OWL? What kind of yummy stuff have you been eating and continuing to lose???

[H2Ohhh]

Re: Hello All

Welcome back, Meena. Congrats on your success! Hope things settle down so we can see ya around here more!

[not2late]

Re: Hello All

Good for you! Glad to see you check in.

[beccanae]

Re: Hello All

That is so wonderful. I hope you have a wonderful school year. I also homeschool my 9 year old daughter. I will be moving on to OWL next week.

[meena-beena]

Re: Hello All

Thanks for the warm welcome back guys!

I've been having the best time with the owl rungs. I am not a huge nut person. I had my gallbladder removed at 17 so when I eat nuts I get a horrible tummyache.

I was thinking about completely skipping the 3rd rung, but then here at the board I read about tahini. I LOVE tahini. So, I've been enjoying that. I put it on burgers and steak. Drizzle it over my salads. Oh yum! Also PEANUT BUTTER. Oh oh oh. lol. I buy the all natural one with nothing weird added, just peanuts and salt and have a tablespoon in the afternoon and one before bed.

I also had a good time with the second rung. I was already enjoying cheese (a little too much if you ask me) on induction, but I just got to vary what types of cheeses I had.

I had the hardest time on the first rung. I'd gotten wrong info about what types of veggies are ok and I started out by eating carrots. BIG mistake. I ended up hungry--I mean like ravenous hungry, about an hour after I ate them. After that, I went back to my book and figured out that carrots are a no no. After that, everthing went smoothly with the veggies. That slip up taught me an important lesson about just what Atkins means. I can stay craving free for the rest of my life if I am just careful about what goes into my mouth and watch for any weirdness after I eat.

I'm having a good time with the third rung now and am still losing. I think I am averaging about 2 or 3 pounds a week. Some weeks are better than others. I'm happy with my progress so far. it's only been a little over 2 months and I've already lost 45 pounds. I never would have dreamed that would be possible when I started. ^.^

I'm considering moving on to the berry rung, but that makes me nervous. For some weird reason, the first three rungs didn't frighten me so much because none of the foods were really sweet. Berries are. I guess I just have some weird phobia I have to get over. It's all about trial and error here. Just like with babies. You eat the food and watch for a reaction.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Hello All

Meena, I am so excited over hearing all you had to say!!! Especially this statement

That slip up taught me an important lesson about just what Atkins means. I can stay craving free for the rest of my life if I am just careful about what goes into my mouth and watch for any weirdness after I eat.

Don't be afraid of the berries rung. For being 'sweet' tasting, berries have a relatively lower GI (glycemic index) which is a number assigned as to how it affects your blood glucose. Berries are a nice little treat. As long as you eat them with something high fat, you'll be fine. The high fat thing I like to eat them with is whipped cream with splenda. Or whipped cream cheese with splenda. Yum, yum!

If you are really worried about adding sweet tasting things into your diet...consider adding your berries to your salad along with some nuts too. That was actually how I initially introduced berries into my diet. It's also how I approached adding in some of the fruits like mango.