renewedhope

Bloo, I use coffeemate sugar free hazelnut creamer. It has 1 carb per 1 tbsp. It is liquid and is with the milk. I don't like the powder sf creamers, but I like this. I also like the sf french vanilla. I drink hot coffee, but Starbucks was my worst addiction until I discovered that I love this!!

I am back at my ticker weight. Those 5 pounds that jumped on overnight seem to have left almost as quickly. I am so glad. That was freakin me out a little. Now I can move on to losing some new weight!! I am going to court this morning about one of our foster kids, so I won't be on until later today. Looking forward to seeing how everyone's day goes!!

Denise, One of the things I love about ketone sticks is that I can add some healthy carbs as long as I am in ketosis. For example, I have found that I can eat a few strawberries at supper without going out of ketosis. This is the main reason I do them. I can vary my diet and be sure that I am still burning fat. BTW, I am in between moderdate and large amounts of ketones this morning!!

Glad you are doing so well Skinnie!!

Bonnie , you are too funny. I tend to get a little excited from time to time. MSnika, I have really found that the ketone sticks help me stay motivated. When I am in ketosis, I really think hard before I eat something I shouldn't. I am somewhat, ok a lot, obsessed with the little sticks. I love knowing that I am burning fat!!!

Moderate ketosis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:tt1::tt1::tt1: I am back!!!! I wasn't going to check until morning, but it amazing how the cravings just go away when ketosis starts. I kinda felt like I was there, because suddenly this isn't so hard anymore!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!:w00t::w00t::wink2::w00t::tt2::w00t::w00t::w00t: Ok, I'll calm down now.

I must say..... this is about the coolest thread I have ever been a part of. Everyone is sooo supportive and cool. I also love the couch to 5k thread. Anyway, Denise I like to use Miralax if I struggle with constipation. It works, but isn't harsh. It doesn't really tast either. I forgot to get the bars. The nearest Walmart is about 15 minutes away. Just went to that town, but forgot. I will go tommorow. I am fixing to go see if I am in ketosis yet............. I'll keep you posted.

I used to work lots of doubles. I feel your pain Mamato. I don't miss that part of nursing. I think you have earned a break!! If you can call a double a break??

Thank you sooo much Mamato and Bonnie. I will definately be getting some of these little darlings today. I definately agree that if I can eat one of these instead of eating something very high in carbs then they are worth it. I will try to limit them, but love that there is a way to "cheat" without really cheating!! You guys rock!!

welcome cutie. Love your name BTW!! Certainly you can join us until surgery!!

OK, that brings up this sugar alcohol deal. Is it ok. Do they really count. Will sugar carbs make you go out of ketosis. I know we should avoid them most of the time because the taste can make you crave sweets, but is the cravings the only harm in eatnig them. That sounds really yummy!!

I normally don't like bars. Do they really taste different that most others. How many carbs per bar. Yall are peaking my curiosity!!

Thanks for the encouragement Kat. I can't wait to get a TT. DH and I have allready begun to imagine all the things I/we will be able to do without this flap on my lap!!:thumbs_down: DH and I started dating in high school. We have been together for 13 years. He has also seen me from 135 to 255. The biggest difference for us i think is how much more I love myself. The more I love me the more it frees him to love me. I actually feel sexy again, therefore I act sexy. If that makes sense. I love both the scale and non scale victories as well. I never dreamed that this me would emerge again. Man, I have missed her.:biggrin2: Last night DH said, "I never thought I would have such a hottie for a wife again." Me, a hottie.... I love it!!!

wow VK, what an awesome NSV. I just love the way dh looks at me now. My best friend has asked me if it bothers me that he looks at me that way now but not before. She said that he should be that attracted to me whether I am obese or not. I do see her point, but come on, I am not attracted to me when I am heavy and not taking care of myself. He would never have said before that he wasn't attracted to me physically, but now that I have lost weight, I can just tell the difference. It's all in his eyes. He is so proud of me. I am sooo proud of myself. I love that he can't keep his hands off of me.

I have a habit of weighing WAY too much as well. I don't drink shakes much. I am one of these people that just needs to chew on something. I will drink an occasional shake, but not so much, especially since Atkins changed the cafe mocha taste.

MSnicka, I used to be an all or nothing dieter. I was either great or I just said forget it and ate whatever I wanted. The biggest thing the band has done for me is helped me to stop that cycle... You will have off days! Don't let that discourage you so. One off day is not a huge deal in the big picture. It is when that off day turns into days, weeks or months that you should be concerned. Once you have good restriction it will get MCUH easier. You are doing GREAT!! You are right, today is a new day!! Just keep moving forward and be very proud of what you have accomplished so far!!

I'm staying on plan today because I don't want to be overweight anymore. I can do this!!!

What a great day Bonnie. What a great accomplishment. So much of this is about our thinking, not our eating. "As a man thinketh, so he is." I think my theory on my weight gain is right. I got up and peed a lot last night, and this morning I am down 3 pounds!!! That still puts me 2 pounds above my ticker weight, but man am I happy to see those scales going back down. I was beginning to freak out a little. When I gained a few pounds those fears of being obese forever crept back in. Suddenly I could see myself at 255 again, with little power to make good choices (the old me). Man the psychological realities of adjusting to not being obese.... I hope some day I don't fear "gaining it all back". Anyway, still working toward ketosis by morning!! Make it a great one everybody!!

Way to go with moderate ketosis!! I am not doing ketone sicks yet, as I know I am not in ketosis yet. I had a much better day today. Not perfect, but I finally feel like I am getting my head back in this thing!! I am still up 5 pounds from what my ticker says, but I am a little encouraged tonight. You know this all started when I was sick and greatly increased my fluids. Well, I noticed tonight that I have pitting edema (swelling where when you push on your skin it leaves an indention) in my lower legs and ankles. So... my weight gain is most definately fluids. I am drinking lots of Water. Here my nursing diagnosis. I think when I had the virus I became a little dehydrated and then my body held on to fluids like crazy. Now that I am well I am expecting my body to figure it out anytime now and release the fluids that it has been holding on to. Sorry if that was too technical, but I am encouraged to think I have figured out what the deal it. (if I am even right??) Anyway, I am back in it!! You guys are the best. I agree with Mamato, it is sooo great to have a support system to go through this with!! YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

Mamato, I love your enthuesiasm(sp) It is your excitement that I needed tonight. I just finished day 2 of week 2. It was easier than day 1 was. I am actually thinking I MIGHT be able to run 3 minutes straight by next week. I actually found myself quite enjoying my run tonight. I don't recommend waiting until 10p to run, but today was just jam packed and I didn't want to put it off!! Way to go everyone!! We are going to be some fit running machines!!!!!

I did start. Just a little late. As far as me and a baby. I don't know. We have a son who is 9 and adopted a baby in November. He is now 19 months. We have 3 forster children (8 months, 2 and 4 years). If we didn't have all of the children I would probably want another one for sure, but with 5 kids (4 really young) I just don't know. If I became pregnant I would think it a huge blessing and be thrilled, but I can't really say that I want to "try" to get pregnant either. DH feels the same way. Right now we are just not doing anything to cause or prevent pregnancy. When I get ready to have ps we will look at it more closely and have to make a decision. Hope that makes sense. I love kids and consider them a HUGE blessing, but I also feel that my family is a complete unit now. So I don't know!

works for me!! Congrats on the weight loss. That is wonderful. I do best on low carb!! It is hard to stick with long term, but I am convinced it is the best way to lose weight!!

I don't change my ticker either Bonnie. I refuse to go backwards. I just stay put until my weight catches up!! Way to go on managing those cravings!!!!

That is awesome Lanie!!! Way to go!!

Mamato, You look great!! That's over 10 pounds a month!! You should be sooo very proud of yourself!! Low carb works so well for me, but getting back on ship after falling off is soo hard. Let's do this!!