Mara- you look amazing!

Yeah, it really is weird how different program locations have such different focus. My doctor keeps telling me to keep pushing myself with exercise and to build up the cardio. I'm happy to do it, hoping I can minimize the loose skin and flabby feeling. I'm up to briskly walking 3 1/2 miles and either swimming laps or running through the ladder at the football field- I did 11 of them today. The exercise, as much as the current weight loss (19 lbs) is the reason why I'm weaning off the blood pressure meds so soon. We're encouraged to do as much exercise as we can tolerate- more exercise, more muscle. More muscle- more calories/fat to burn!

You're both so inspirational! I can't wait until I can boast about those big numbers myself.

I fell off the wagon for my birthday last week. Purposely. I was terribly sick all week with a head cold, fever and sore throat. I wanted little to do with eating and forced myself to eat a shake and supper- but I skipped my 2nd shake on several days. I was feeling a bit better for my birthday, so we had company over. My husband grilled chicken breasts for me and then decided to make chicken, bacon, ranch pizzas for everybody else. I decided that for my birthday, I would have a piece of pizza. Hoping to balance things out, I skipped a shake and my protein bar. So I had one shake and then one piece of pizza and a small piece of chocolate cake with a wee "taste" of peanut butter frosting and wee taste of a peanut butter cup decoration. I really had no guilt whatsoever. Until my next appointment, lol. My doctor was NOT happy with me! She was quite upset that I was skipping shakes and she really scolded me about the pizza. She said if I was having a big craving, I should have eaten the toppings and skipped the crust. But the crust was half of the craving! She told me I should probably cross pizza off of my list permanently. I figured I'd probably pulled myself out of ketosis by skipping the shakes, but I really couldn't handle them with the sore throat. She told me that even though I lost almost 5 pounds that week, she feared I was messing with my lean body mass. Since I'm down almost 30, I'll have another body scan next week to check. She gave me some reading material about "cheating". She also scolded me for not exercising and told me to step it up and hit it hard this week- especially resistance. She also wants me eating fish at least once a week. (Blech)

The doc put me in my place. :-( She said we'll be doing a LOT of counseling before the holidays come up.

WOW! Welcome to all of the new people! I've not been checking in as much lately as it seemed like Julie and I were the only two people here. I'm still at -35 pounds, which is frustrating, but because of all the exercise I'm down a LOT of inches- and I feel so much better! I'm down to 1/4 a pill on my BP meds and my pressures are great-so I hope to be completely off before Christmas.

Nitab, if the sweetness of the shakes bother you, perhaps you should have mostly soups- which aren't so sweet. I personally love the sweetness, but found early on that I preferred to have the puddings (lemon and vanilla are my favorites) which I mix with a little bit more water than recommended (9-10oz) so I can drink them like a smoothie. I feel nice and full. I too struggled with a lack of appetite partway in, just power the supplements down, as you need the nutrition. I'm not sure about 4 supplements. I never took that many- though I think Julie did. I started off with 3 packets and a "snack" protein bar. Week four I started eliminating one supplement and including a meal. She wanted to start me on week 3, but I begged to go one more, as I was really enjoying the steady, dependable weight loss.

Kendra, the first week was the hardest. But if you're sticking to the diet, you can assume you're in ketosis. If you keep to around 50 carbs daily, you're there (whether it's through healthy food or packets). Depending on your doctor will determine when you start your first meals. My doc was big on introducing one meal right away, just a few weeks in. She wants her patients to start learning portions and healthy eating habits ASAP. She also pushes exercise- HARD. Every day, lots and lots of resistance work. So I try to mix it up, cardio and resistance. I love to swim, so I can get both regularly.

As to emergency meals- especially when eating out- my doc told me to order a plain salad, just greens and green veggies, and then request the restaurant to cook you a chicken breast, steak or fish, but without any seasoning. Make sure it's grilled, and not grilled with butter, just a dab or oil. Most restaurants will accommodate you. You could also make your own "soup" with chicken broth, cut up chicken breast (grilled) and some green veggies (that wouldn't be sweet, but would be yummy). Just watch your portions.

As to having a long way to go, I think we all felt that way going in. I still feel that way. But I can also see and enjoy how far I've come so far. With the medical issues I was starting to have, I knew even 20-30 pounds gone would go a long way towards improving my health. At 35 pounds gone, people are noticing- and complimenting. I've had to hit the clearance racks and thrift stores for new clothes. My t-shirts look like tents. I wear them as nightshirts and workout shirts. I can't wear any of my old pants or nice shirts and sweaters at all, they look funny or fall off. I even had to buy a new coat, as my sleeves hung about 6 inches past my hands! Even my shoes are looser! Of course I don't buy anything pricy or too many "new" things, as I don't plan to wear them very long. I bought a few things to "shrink into", down to size 8/Med. They're hanging up according to size in my closet. It's exciting to see them there, waiting for me. It's extra motivation. And as I start working my way into them, I feel great- and further inspired to keep on going. This will soon be you all too! So enjoy the process and keep your eyes on the prizes, because there are many prizes to be had; good health, good example and motivation to others, more stamina, better sleep, compliments, new clothes and more. YOU CAN DO IT!

I hope you all will post regularly and keep us updated! Trust me, if I can do this- anybody can!