LCD Chat...

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  • tribal351
    tribal351 Posts: 72 Member
    Hmmm.
    I'm 49, married for 11 years. After being very active in high school, then 8 years military, then working construction I never worried about my diet. Gym rat, spent 5-6 days per week working out. Great shape, then got married at 38. Wife wasn't in to hiking, working out, or social events, and I gradually stopped also. The marriage also brought a move to Texas, so oppressive heat and humidity helped to keep me indoors. Career changed too, progressed to upper management for a large multinational corporation; desk job. Diet changed from "I'll eat high protein, but only when I'm actually hungry" to eating breads, pasta, potatoes nearly every meal. Packed on 10 lbs per year.

    1.5 years ago I hit 285, knew it had to change. Began cutting calories, but diet was still high carb. I was hungry ALL THE TIME, so cheat days turned in to cheat weeks. After a year I had lost 20 lbs. More accurately, lost 20 lbs in a month, then yo-yo-ed for the next 11. Needed results. Studied up on keto, gave it a shot. Down nearly 20 more lbs, and never feel the urge to cheat. Still not exercising regularly, but that is phase 2.

    Favorite books? I love Heinlein, Dawkins, Sam Harris, Robert Ingersoll. yes, I'm an atheist. But the best book I've read recently is "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. Incredible book, too bad part two wasn't quite as engrossing.
  • Carnivorekat
    Carnivorekat Posts: 370 Member
    loving this thread - I suppose my favourite vegetable would be either chilli's or garlic (as I am ZC I don't eat veggies)

    the main response I get is are you sure thats healthy you really should be eating veggies!!!!

    Favourite season has to be spring - April (as my son was born in April)

    Sorry to hear about your experiences @Carrie_3 I hope this WOL keeps you cancer free.

    I just realised I never asked a question (LOL) - what is your favourite holiday destination?
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,802 Member
    I'm Ang...I'm 38, happily married with a grown daughter. I grew up outside of D.C. but I've lived in WV since I was in junior high. I like reading, watching comedies, trail running, and coffee. I'll try to answers all the questions so far....

    What is your go to exercise?
    Trail running and hiking. WV has a lot of nice parks and trails!

    How do you decide who to friend here and what would make you unfriend someone?
    I will basically accept anyone who requests me. I like to be friends with other low carbers for menu ideas. I don't think I've ever had to unfriend anyone but I guess if they were creepy or pervy I would.

    If you could choose any animal to represent you, which one would you choose?
    A penguin. I just really like penguins. Plus they are short like me! :)

    What is your stretch goal for 2016?
    Sadly I'm not very goal oriented. I have no idea.

    What is your favourite low carb recipe?
    It's hard to pick just one. I like fathead pizza. I like spicy cauliflower mac & cheese. I just like food! lol

    What is the first thing that pops into your head when you're trying to stay focused and motivated to do this?
    I think how far I've come and how much better I feel now. Also how nice it is not to be hungry like I was when calories were my focus!

    City or country life?
    In between. I grew up in a big city and now I live in a very small city I guess. I don't think I'd like to live in a big city again just due to traffic and everyone being rushed. I don't see myself as a country person either. I just need somewhere big enough to have a 24 hour grocery store and one or two restaurants open all night. I'm a night owl and I feel a strange sort of security knowing that there are places open. Also I feel uneasy if there isn't a hospital nearby!

    If you could go back and give yourself 1 piece of advice, what age would you be and what would you say?
    I'd go back to my 16 year old self and tell her not to be in such a rush to grow up!

    What is your favourite book? Do you have a favourite author?
    I love reading mostly murder mysterious or thrillers. My favorite book is the Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath or most any Agatha Christie book. My favorite author is Agatha Christie. I also like Jonathan Kellerman and Dean Koontz a lot.

    If money wasn't an object, where would you move?
    Hmmm New Orleans, Charleston, or Savannah. I really like old southern cities.

    What is your favourite LCHF vegetable?
    I'm not a huge veggie eater. I like cauliflower when it's loaded up with cheesy sauces. lol

    Camel/Straw moment and motivation?
    I was diagnosed with RA and I was looking for a diet to control pain and inflammation. My motivation is to stay healthy and reduce RA flares.

    Response I get from others who hear of my diet?
    I couldn't live without carbs!

    Favorite month/season?
    Fall...around October because it's cool but not cold. Perfect running weather plus provided it's not raining or snowing the woods are beautiful!

    Favorite holiday destination?
    New Orleans or the beach. I really want to go to Ireland but my husband is more fiscally conservative than myself and keeps vetoing my trip ideas. sigh

    Question: Is your family supportive of your LCHF lifestyle?

    My husband jokes that all I eat is meat and cheese and that I've made my already restricted diet even more restricted (I was gluten free for celiac before). He's supportive though. He eats my keto recipes. Sometimes I add some single serving sides like microwave mashed potato or rice for him.


  • RowdysLady
    RowdysLady Posts: 1,370 Member
    @Carrie_3 Hi neighbor! I'm in Canton!
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    edited July 2016
    What was your camel straw moment that made you decide to finally lose weight?
    Taking a good, hard look in the mirror at 265 pounds, and the next day, stumbling across this blog post: NSFW warning http://chaosandpain.blogspot.com/2012/06/your-fat-is-unequivocally-your-fault.html There's also four more parts, if you're so inclined, but they were all written after my moment of clarity.
    http://chaosandpain.blogspot.com/2013/03/your-fat-is-unequivocally-your-fault-2.html
    http://chaosandpain.blogspot.com/2014/02/your-fat-is-unequivocally-your-fault-4.html
    http://chaosandpain.blogspot.com/2014/10/your-fat-is-unequivocally-your-fault-5.html

    I can't seem to find part 3 for some reason.

    ETA: found it, just had a different title, so it threw off my search. http://chaosandpain.blogspot.com/2013/10/your-fat-is-definitively-your-fault-3.html


    Who or what is your motivation?
    Never rejoining the heaving, waddling masses that seem to perpetually expand. My natural tendency toward rebellious behavior has worked to my advantage for once.
  • DianaElena76
    DianaElena76 Posts: 1,241 Member
    What a fun thread!

    I'm Diana. I am 39 years old, married, and I have 4 kids, ages 15, 4, 3, and almost 2 (the first 3 are girls; the baby is a boy). We also have a female Sheltie pup who is 12 weeks old. I was born in Canada, raised in upstate New York (mostly), and moved to Louisiana in 2005 for graduate school to get a Ph.D. As it turned out, I finished everything but my dissertation and final internship, so I took the Masters and ran. :) While I was living in Louisiana, I met my husband, and we started our family and subsequently moved to the Houston area in 2013 to be near my in-laws, who are very very involved in helping us raise our kids. Never in a million years did I ever imagine I'd live in Texas.

    With three back-to-back pregnancies in my mid-30s, each followed by a period of time breastfeeding, I literally let myself eat whatever I wanted for about 5 years. I was already significantly overweight to start with, and when all was said and done, I weighed 236 pounds. I was disgusted with myself, still wearing maternity jeans at 6 months postpartum, and started researching weight loss. All the articles and studies I looked at that made sense pointed to lower carb as being most effective with the least effort, so I ditched the starches and sugars cold turkey, literally halfway through a box of Valentine chocolates in February 2015. To date I have lost 60 pounds, although I've only been maintaining for about the past 6 months.


    What is your go to exercise?
    Because I'm limited on time, if I exercise at all it's usually just a 15-20 minute video of something very basic and beginner I can do in the office or at home.

    How do you decide who to friend here and what would make you unfriend someone?
    I only accept friend requests on MFP from other low-carb folks, because that's why I'm here and because we get a lot of flack from people who do not follow a low-carb way of eating. There are a couple exceptions, but they are friends from other areas of my life and honestly rarely log in here anyway.

    If you could choose any animal to represent you, which one would you choose?
    An elephant. Patience, family, awareness, strength.... :)

    What is your stretch goal for 2016?
    To build up my clientele enough that I can transition to private practice in lieu of my full-time job. Was this supposed to be health-related? I'm very career-focused right now, because the rat race is what's keeping me from establishing an exercise routine and spending more time with my family.

    What is your favourite low carb recipe?
    Low Carb Chile Relleno Chicken Soup (http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2015/10/low-carb-chile-relleno-chicken-soup.html)

    What is the first thing that pops into your head when you're trying to stay focused and motivated to do this?
    Sluggishness, bloating, GI symptoms, and joint aches the next day are all pretty good motivators to avoid something problematic. I also remind myself that "bad" foods are triggers to eat more of the same and that it quickly adds up.

    City or country life?
    I've done both. I don't like living IN a city, but I like living NEAR a city. I much prefer smaller towns--something where everything I could possibly need is within an hour's drive but where I can feel comfortable walking down the street unaccompanied.

    If you could go back and give yourself 1 piece of advice, what age would you be and what would you say?
    My first marriage was an impulse decision and resulted in a whole world of heartache that continues to this day (did I mention my 15-year-old does not live with me?), so I would probably go tell my 21-year-old self to take a chill pill and not rush into a major decision like that.

    What is your favourite book? Do you have a favourite author?
    I enjoy nonfiction and professional development books. I'm currently reading The Body Keeps the Score, by Bessel van der Kolk. It's about trauma.

    If money wasn't an object, where would you move?
    Italy. Perhaps I should learn Italian.....

    What is your favourite LCHF vegetable?
    Mushrooms technically aren't vegetables, are they? Spinach, I guess. I don't eat much of it, though.

    Camel/Straw moment and motivation?
    I think I answered this already. I was disgusted with myself for my food choices and my weight gain. I stepped on the scale and realized I weighed more postpartum than I did during any of my previous pregnancies. I was literally stuffing my face with sweets. So I quit. I want to be fit for myself (to feel good and feel like I look good), my husband (to look good for him and with him), and for my kids (to be healthy and energetic so I can enjoy them and vice versa).

    Response I get from others who hear of my diet?
    First, people are impressed with my weight loss (if they knew me before), but then when they ask what I'm doing and I tell them I don't eat bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, or sweets, they say, "Oh, I can't live without bread."

    Favorite month/season?
    October. I miss New York/New England Falls. It's my birthday month. But my oldest daughter was also born in October (4 days before my birthday), so it's a little bit of a sad time too, because I always miss her. Christmas is my favorite holiday, so the entire Christmas season makes me a little giddy.

    Favorite holiday destination?
    I don't get to vacation much, so I can't really say. I'd love a trip to an all-inclusive beach resort, but that's yet to happen in my life. My favorite place to go is home--to Massachusetts to visit my parents.

    Is your family supportive of your LCHF lifestyle?
    My husband is proud of me but also sometimes tries to shove cookies in my face because he thinks it's funny. However, when he starts noticing he has put on weight, he comes to me for help. The kids are too little to notice.

    New Question: What kind of work do you do?
    I'm a counselor, but I haven't really worked in counseling for the past 5 years, just due to relocating, difficulty finding work in a new city with a provisional license, then relocating to another state and having to start the licensure process all over again (sort of). I've been working in vocational rehabilitation, treatment planning, case management--work that requires a degree in psychology or a related field but not really in my area of interest or expertise. I finally got my full license to practice independently about a year ago, and last week I was approved as a provider for a major insurance company, so I'm finally getting back to doing what I love. <3
  • Panda_Poptarts
    Panda_Poptarts Posts: 971 Member
    I'm Jessica, or Jess, or Panda. I'm 25 and live in Washington state with my husband, 2 kids, and 18 chickens. We have all the fresh eggs we want, and then some! I work as a call center manager remotely, which means I'm glued to a desk 8+ hours a day. Ouch. I'm also finishing up grad school.

    What is your go to exercise when you are lacking motivation? For me, motivation is a constant issue. By the time my day is ending, I'm exhausted and really don't want to do anything but chill with my hubby, which usually involves hours of Netflix or raiding the DVR for goodies. I find that if I drag myself, kicking and screaming with lots of complaining, to the gym, I fall into the rhythm of my usual workout and am almost always glad I went once I get into it. I have an image in my head of the body I want, and that's going to require me to keep working at it, even when I really, REALLY don't want to. I'm also really motivated to go to yoga at least once a week, for my mental health. It's a major de-stressor and helps me relax, so that when my week has been particularly heavy, it's my go-to coping mechanism. I have been in Virginia for school and then strained a muscle, so I haven't been in a few weeks, and I'm really feeling it.


    What is your go to exercise?

    I usually get good and sweaty with a 30 minute run on the elipticle, then dive into weights. I really like weights! I also can't leave the gym with at least 5 minutes hardcore on the fan rower.

    How do you decide who to friend here and what would make you unfriend someone?
    I just friend anyone who friends me. It's not like you're seeing a ton of my life like you would on Facebook. I'm not choosy.


    If you could choose any animal to represent you, which one would you choose?

    Hmm, that's actually a tough one. I guess at one point I would have related well to a panda (hence the name?)- roley poley, squishy, and smacked with a serious case of the munchies. I'm really not sure what I'd choose now.

    What is your stretch goal for 2016?

    I'd like to lose another 30 pounds this year. That would require me to lose 5 pounds a month for the remainder of the year, which is more than I've been losing lately.

    What is your favourite low carb recipe?
    Is bacon a recipe?


    What is the first thing that pops into your head when you're trying to stay focused and motivated to do this?

    "I want that it my mouth but I don't want that in my body". It's my mantra at this point.


    City or country life?

    I'd like to live in the country, but close enough to the city to commute and have shopping and good schools accessible. Somewhere on the outskirts of city limits would be ideal, with an acre or three and room for a big garden, more chickens, and potentially a few animals. I'd really like an accessible microfarm.

    If you could go back and give yourself 1 piece of advice, what age would you be and what would you say?

    I'd tell suicidal 15 year old me that I'm going to be alright, to stay strong and persevere. Life gets better for you, kid.

    What is your favourite book? Do you have a favourite author?
    I'm the type that either devours books or takes months to read one, relishing in every page turn. I read almost entirely historical fiction, and love getting lost in a past era. Currently I'm halfway through Forever Amber, and I think the heroine is one of my favorites. It's not often you find a heroine you truly don't like, and that really appeals to me. She's spoiled and bratty, self-centered, vain, and cold-hearted, and has a serious case of entitlement.

    If money wasn't an object, where would you move?
    I'd stay in Washington, but move back to the west side of the state. I miss the ocean.

    What is your favourite LCHF vegetable?
    Rainbow chard for sure!

    Camel/Straw moment and motivation?
    I had put away my scale, complaining that it just made me sad to see weight gains that I felt I had no control over. My "fat jeans" wouldn't button. It was shortly before my 23rd birthday when I stepped on the scale and topped out at 334. Just 3 months prior I had been around 305. That was a major wakeup call for me. To make matters worse, a family member was visiting from out of town and took a picture of me and my family, and I felt like I was engulfing them. I was so much bigger than my husband, and my kids looked so tiny next to me. It's one of my most hated, and now most loved, pictures. I keep it handy as a reminder of how I got to that place.

    Response I get from others who hear of my diet?
    Generally the response is really positive, especially now that I'm eating low carb but not keto. I'd routinely get looked at like I had 3 heads when ordering a sandwich without the bread. At this point people are seeing the progress I've made and that really speaks for itself, so when they hear what I'm doing, they're supportive of it.

    Favorite month/season?
    Spring. Probably around March or April, when the flowers are coming back and it's mild but not cold. I also like the fall for all the beautiful colors and mild weather.

    Favorite holiday destination?
    We really don't travel for holidays. That being said, if I could take a trip anywhere, it'd be to Arkansas where my grandparents live. They're the only biological family I've kept in contact with, and I'd love them to meet their great grandkids before it's too late.

    Is your family supportive of your LCHF lifestyle?
    Very much so, although I'd say my husband is more supportive of low carb than he was of keto. He watched me going through major dizziness and having trouble with cravings and it's clear to him that low carb has been healthier for me.

    [Question: Of all the changes you've seen in yourself since starting this WOE or your weight loss journey, what has been your favorite?
  • Zenwenner
    Zenwenner Posts: 166 Member
    *waves* Hello everyone! I'm coming into this one a bit late, so it's taken me a while to catch up with all of the posts, but it's great to "meet" you all :)

    I'm Wendy, 44 years old, living in southern British Columbia. I'm a mother of three - two boys (18 and 12) and a girl (16) in the middle. I'm an insurance agent just going back to school to finally finish my bachelors degree in English lit so I can teach high school English hopefully before I hit retirement age! I was also in the Canadian army for awhile a few years ago.

    My husband and I have been married for 15 years, but we were separated for seven years in the middle of that - we tried to get divorced but the court kept rejecting it for one reason or another, and eventually we found ourselves back together so it seems things have worked out the way they were supposed to.

    I'm a writer - I've been working on a novel for many years, but I just don't have the time to devote to it that I would like to, so it's been shelved for a bit. I'm an artist as well. Weight lifting has become a passion of mine as well, and I'm finally getting back to it after a couple of months sidelined by a strained forearm.

    My weight loss journey started at 236 lbs in February 2010, when I found myself sitting on the couch watching the Olympic Winter Games and thinking to myself - look what these people can do! And here I am, sitting on my duff getting bigger and bigger all the time. I got up off my duff the next morning and went for a walk. Before long walking became running. Then I accidentally hit send on my application to the army before I had fully decided I wanted to do it, and suddenly I had a fitness test to pass - off to the gym I went. I was 204 lbs then, and I hired a trainer to put me on the right path so I didn't make a mess of things. By the time I reported for basic training I was 168 lbs - the smallest I have ever been.

    Several injuries later, I decided not to remain in the military and headed home to heal. And hit 200 lbs again!! Argh, I was so mad at myself. Last October I decided I'd had enough, and got back on the weight loss horse - doing the calorie counting thing - which got me down to 180 but I stalled there. The LCHF thing looked interesting, since my body does not really like carbs much even though my mouth does - I bloat and get IBS, and it's just not a good scene. I'm down to 170 again, and counting :)


    The questions I have copied - but I might have missed some, so I apologize in advance for that:

    What is your go to exercise?
    Weight lifting, with 30 sec spurts of activity in between each set, like box jumps, split lunge jumps, burpees, etc. Great workout! My fave.

    How do you decide who to friend here and what would make you unfriend someone?
    I've been here for a long time, but never friended anyone. I set this account up to track things just for me, and the whole community part of it didn't matter at all to me, but since my best friend joined and friended me here, I thought - maybe I should participate too. I try to send invites to people who seem to have a similar outlook - I'm very positive and energetic, and I believe the people you surround yourself with infect you with their enthusiasm.

    If you could choose any animal to represent you, which one would you choose?
    Hmm perhaps a wolf? I'm always off on some adventure but I'm fiercely loyal to my pack.

    What is your stretch goal for 2016?
    I'd like to see what 150 lbs feels like!

    What is your favourite low carb recipe?
    There's so many good ones, but one that my whole family loves is Caveman Keto's Cheesy Chicken Casserole :)

    What is the first thing that pops into your head when you're trying to stay focused and motivated to do this?
    Cheesecake. But then I tell it to go away!

    City or country life?
    I like to be close to the city so I can go there and enjoy it, but I prefer to live in the country.

    If you could go back and give yourself 1 piece of advice, what age would you be and what would you say?
    I'd go back to 36 year old me and convince her not to give up on her husband.

    What is your favourite book? Do you have a favourite author?
    I love fantasy. Except for his last three books, I have been a huge Terry Goodkind fan for many years and I've read Wizards First Rule so many times!!

    If money wasn't an object, where would you move?
    Somewhere Mediterranean, like Greece.

    What is your favourite LCHF vegetable?
    Cauliflower, easy! It is so versatile.

    What is the one thing you look forward to the most about reaching your goal weight?
    Maybe my belly will actually be abs by then!

    What was your camel straw moment that made you decide to finally lose weight?
    I promised myself when I lost it the first time that I would never see 200 lbs again, so when I got on the scale last October and it said 199...that's all she wrote.

    Who or what is your motivation?
    Me. This journey is all about me. What makes me feel good, healthy, strong and confident. A happier me means a better life for my kids and husband too, so its a win all around!

    Now for my question - what interesting side effects of weight loss have you noticed that you didn't expect? For me...I thought I had bad knees and a bad back, but as the weight disappeared so did my knee and back pain! Who knew?
  • carlsoda
    carlsoda Posts: 3,429 Member
    Jumping in...so let's see I'm 51 and live in Minnesota (original from Canada). I work in the food industry as a buyer and I'm married with grown kids and 2 grand kids! Most of you know, I'm in the midst of cancer treatments but...I'm almost done! I was so thankful I didn't need chemo, just surgery and radiation oh and stupid drugs for the next 10 years!

    What is your go to exercise?
    Yoga, biking and walking. I used to love weight lifting but I hurt my back (boo!)

    How do you decide who to friend here and what would make you unfriend someone?
    I typically accept friends from most people, I just need to know where you found me (ie: LCHF group).

    If you could choose any animal to represent you, which one would you choose?
    A cat :) tabby to be exact!

    What is your stretch goal for 2016?
    To hit 135 lbs by the end of the year. I'm currently at 144 lbs.

    What is your favorite low carb recipe?
    My afternoon snack of pecans and coconut chunks. Yummy and full of healthy fat!

    What is the first thing that pops into your head when you're trying to stay focused and motivated to do this?
    I think of all the amazing clothes I could be wearing :)

    City or country life?
    Country all the way!

    If you could go back and give yourself 1 piece of advice, what age would you be and what would you say?
    I'd go back to my early 20's when I started eating far too much chocolate and started to gain some weight! Like...stop it and get some control!

    What is your favorite book? Do you have a favorite author?
    Jacqueline Winspear, Maise Dobbs series. Highly recommend it!

    If money wasn't an object, where would you move?
    Caribbean :)

    What is your favourite LCHF vegetable?
    Lettuce...it's great with some sunflower seeds and mayo on it. (my LCHF salad)

    What is the one thing you look forward to the most about reaching your goal weight?
    Actually, learning how to be in maintenance successfully!

    What was your camel straw moment that made you decide to finally lose weight?
    Never been happy with looking frumpy, especially as I've been aging.

    Who or what is your motivation?
    Me and my health!

    What interesting side effects of weight loss have you noticed that you didn't expect?
    How great eating LCHF actually makes you feel. More energy, less tummy issues.

    My question (silly one): What is your favorite color? Mine is more a color family: Black, grey, purple :)
  • ProCoffeenator
    ProCoffeenator Posts: 523 Member
    Good morning everyone!!
    It's a Terrific Tuesday!
    I'm so happy everyone in jumping in on this thread! We are all in the same boat here. We may follow LC slightly differently and have all kinds of reasons for being here but I am overjoyed on how we all are supportive to each other and willing to offer that hand up when we are down!
    It's my 39th birthday today! How did it creep up on me like this?!? Just a blink ago I was 21! So I'm mentally preparing myself to not cave in to donuts which is the birthday treat at my work... No cake for me but I might experiment with a Keto MIM tonight as a treat.

    So conversation starter for today:

    What is your plan for today to make it a terrific day?

    My steps have been way off for the last three days so I'm hitting it today!
    I'm going to bite the bullet and call for a doctors appointment for myself. I can't ignore my body telling me something is wrong. (I do that way too often)!

    Make it terrific out there everybody!!
  • Tara4boys
    Tara4boys Posts: 515 Member
    Hi! I am 39 too - wow there are a lot of us! I have 4 stair step boys (ages 13, 12, 10, almost 9). I love the outdoors. I am a SAHM. I was always a little "thicker/fluffier" than my friends growing up but not bad a all. I gained more weight after I got married and began working. I was also diagnosed with PCOS. Once I started having babies and SAHM, I found running and counted calories and ran and got in the best shape of my life after all of my pregnancies. BTW, I was diagnosed hypothyroid after son #2. My numbers were so high (which means low thyroid) my dr. repeated test bc he assumed they were lab error. Everything was good though - despite thyroid and PCOS I was good weight. Then in 2008 I had an injury. It took a while to get properly diagnosed - unsuccessful surgery. I can't run anymore. I was really depressed. It was my THING. It was my outlet. It was my identity. So between 2008 and now - I've gained about 10# per year so yes 70-80#. Once I got out of my can't run funk, I tried to lose weight but nothing worked anymore. I talked to my endo, did some tests, insulin resistant. I dabbled with LC and had success but couldn't stick to it - so much cooking when I had 4 small kids at home. I feel its perfect time in my life. All kids are in school (my youngest was homeschooled for past year and a half). I have time to plan and cook. I'm kind of a foodie and like good food. I really enjoy cooking so it's not a desire thing - it's a time thing. I have a friend that has been doing keto for over a year. He's lost a ton of weight, feels great, has talked other people into doing it and they all look great and have reversed their health problems. He has been a tremendous encourager.

    What is your go to exercise?
    walking, hiking, horseback riding

    How do you decide who to friend here and what would make you unfriend someone?
    I typically accept friends from most people. I unfriend people that haven't logged in a forever and who eat way below calories.

    What is your stretch goal for 2016?
    I don't set timed weight loss goals. I think that is setting yourself up for failure. Plateaus happen.

    What is your favorite low carb recipe?
    Fathead pizza, loaded mashed faux tatou (cauliflower)

    What is the first thing that pops into your head when you're trying to stay focused and motivated to do this?
    That scale going down. Weighing every day keeps me motivated. I stopped weighing in while I was gaining. Big mistake!

    City or country life?
    Country - I HATE big cities!

    If you could go back and give yourself 1 piece of advice, what age would you be and what would you say?
    I missed an opportunity to work out west one summer - its the only thing I truly regret! Other mistakes made me who i am

    What is your favorite book? Do you have a favorite author?
    Glass Castle

    If money wasn't an object, where would you move?
    I'd have a house in Jackson Hole Wy or Bozeman, MT and another place in Hawaii

    What is your favourite LCHF vegetable?
    Roasted broccoli until its crispy. OMG!!!

    What is the one thing you look forward to the most about reaching your goal weight?
    looking pretty

    What was your camel straw moment that made you decide to finally lose weight?
    too many to list - it was just the perfect storm of events. I will say I'm always shocked when I see myself in pictures. I don't see myself as that heavy when I look in the mirror. But pictures always blow my mind!

    Who or what is your motivation?
    Me and my health! I don't want diabetes and Alzheimer's runs rampant in my family. I don't want it.

    What interesting side effects of weight loss have you noticed that you didn't expect?
    More energy, less bloating, less hunger

    What is your favorite color? aqua


    What is your biggest challenge with this WOE? I am very fortunate that I get to go on a lot of vacations. I've had a week-long vacation every month for the past 6 months. Lots of temptations. I've only had one since adopting the WOE. It was easier than I imagined
  • CrispyStars3
    CrispyStars3 Posts: 199 Member
    RowdysLady wrote: »
    @Carrie_3 Hi neighbor! I'm in Canton!

    Yes, neighbors indeed! Not far at all.
    I am in Wylie... we've taken a beating this year...lol...

    @ProCoffeenator - HaPpY BiRtHdAy!! I totally agree with you on the slip of time. I stopped "aging" at 27...been 27 for a while ;)
    Glad you are listening to your body. I hope all goes well.

    Plan for today to make it a terrific day?
    I will up my intake of water, Himalayan salt, magnesium, and some how potassium. I also plan to (continue) exhibit a positive attitude and energy while at work today. The stresses and negative events over the last 6 months have piled quite high on me. I have noticed I have not been as happy as usual, so I am determined to break the cycle. It is working!! :#


  • JessiokaFroka
    JessiokaFroka Posts: 149 Member
    edited July 2016
    @ProCoffeenator - Happy Birthday to you!

    I am lazing about in bed waiting to start my day, so it's already a great day!

    Making today a great day: lunch is packed and dinner is planned, so food is good. Today I will actually take all of my breaks at work for once. I like to go walk during my breaks, so I'll do that.
  • Zenwenner
    Zenwenner Posts: 166 Member
    Happy birthday, @ProCoffeenator ! Hope all goes well for you today.

    I just want to say how much fun this thread has been to read through. There seem to be a lot of us on similar paths but all over the world - this is great! Wishing you all a beautiful day :)
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,802 Member
    Happy Birthday @ProCoffeenator! :)
  • tlflag1620
    tlflag1620 Posts: 1,358 Member
    Jumping in late. I'm a 36 year old female. Sahm of four girls ages 9, 6, 4, and almost 1. I struggled with weight as long as I can remember, but simple calorie counting worked fairly well (I was still technically overweight, but only a bit) in my teens and twenties, but after my third child was born I felt pretty "stuck". She turned 1 and I turned 33 six weeks later, and I realized I hadn't lost but 5 lbs of the baby weight :(. That's when I decided I needed to do something different. I looked into a variety of low carb plans and came up with my own, picking and choosing from the main ones out there. Committed to it for six weeks, with the option to quit if I found I didn't like it or it wasn't working. That six weeks went by and I never looked back! Been eating this way for three years now (July is my three year low carb-iversay). Lost the 25 lbs I set out to lose, plus another 25 I never thought I could lose and have maintained it (outside my fourth pregnancy) ever since. I can't imagine eating any other way anymore :)

    What is your go to exercise?
    I don't get a lot of formal exercise. I did join a gym a while back, but find it hard to get there consistantly (husband travels a lot for work and is set to deploy in September). I do enjoy swimming, but don't have regular access to a pool.

    How do you decide who to friend here and what would make you unfriend someone?
    I accept friend requests from pretty much anyone, but I'm probably a "bad" friend, lol. I don't log, I don't spend much time on my wall...

    What is your stretch goal for 2016?
    I'm currently maintaining, so I guess I just want to keep on doing that. Wouldn't mind getting to the gym more often, but, well, see above.

    What is your favorite low carb recipe?
    Hard to pick just one, but I do love chicken thighs, dipped in butter and dredged in grated Parmesan, and baked til golden brown.

    What is the first thing that pops into your head when you're trying to stay focused and motivated to do this?
    My hands. After my first child was born the occasional eczema I had on my hands flared up permanently and became quite severe. Noting I tried (OTC and prescription creams and ointments, various home remedies, eliminating dairy) helped. I had resigned myself to it. I never expected when I started low carb that it would have any impact, but after two weeks my eczema was 50% clear; after 6 weeks it was 90% clear. It's been fully gone for years now!

    City or country life?
    Country for sure!

    If you could go back and give yourself 1 piece of advice, what age would you be and what would you say?
    I'd go back to age 26, when my first child was born, and tell myself to relax, lol. Like many first time moms I found myself worrying needlessly about crap that didn't matter.

    What is your favorite book? Do you have a favorite author?
    Hard to pick just one. I love horror, crime, mystery, classics... Pretty much anything except sci fi.

    If money wasn't an object, where would you move?
    Somewhere near the ocean.

    What is your favourite LCHF vegetable?
    Roasted asparagus. But since that tends to be pricey and has a short season, I'll also mention green beans.

    What is the one thing you look forward to the most about reaching your goal weight?
    I'm already here, but the thing I looked forward to most was not feeling frumpy and being able to find flattering clothes.

    What was your camel straw moment that made you decide to finally lose weight?
    Finding myself being a size 14 at 33 years old, and wondering if I should just resign myself to that. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew that I wouldn't be happy with that, no matter what I might tell myself.

    Who or what is your motivation?
    Myself and my family. I have a family history of type two diabetes, Alzheimer's, and CVD. I want to be there for my husband and our girls for a very long time!

    What interesting side effects of weight loss have you noticed that you didn't expect?
    The clearing of my eczema that I mentioned above, as well as the huge decrease in my appetite. I didn't think it was possible to lose weight without going hungry, and never thought I could get below 150 lbs without extreme measures!

    What is your favorite color?
    Green


    What is your biggest challenge with this WOE?
    Social occassions. My husband's family is Sicilian, so lots of pasta, lol. I don't want to offend my MIL (she's a wonderful woman whom I have a lot of respect for), but I've found she usually serves a great deal of antipasti and salads, so I try to fill up on that and take very little, if any, of the actual pasta. The good news is they live a couple hours away so I only have to deal with it occasionally.

    Plan for today to make it great?
    Hmmm. Gotta take the four year old to her speech therapy appt, then start prepping the kids' rooms - currently my 6 and 4 year old are sharing a room, with my 9 year year old in another room and the baby in a crib in me and dh's room. It's time to move them around so the two older girls are sharing one room and the two little girls share the other. Not sure how I can make that "great".... Lol... If I can get through the day without losing my mind I'll be happy!
  • Carnivorekat
    Carnivorekat Posts: 370 Member
    Happy Birthday @ProCoffeenator - hope you have a fantastic day - am loving this thread
  • genmon00
    genmon00 Posts: 604 Member
    Happy birthday @ProCoffeenator !! Have a great day!
  • caroldavison332
    caroldavison332 Posts: 864 Member
    what animals eats chocolate and ice cream sundaes? That's mine. Otherwise I'd say a dolphin because they get to swim and play all day. No sushi for me though. Or maybe a pampered cat.
  • ProCoffeenator
    ProCoffeenator Posts: 523 Member
    Morning everyone!
    It's Work-Out Wednesday !!

    Thanks for the birthday wishes! I survived the day and no cake! Actually my day was busy I never had a chance for any treats!

    So my workouts are generally the same. Walking, yoga, sometimes I throw in something to spice up my week. Today I'm going to add in one that I haven't done in a while. Weights! My upper arms are so flabby I feel like I might lift off in a wind gust! Lol. So I'm planning on working towards toning them up.

    What's an exercise that you would like to start doing? Or one that you've just been ignoring for a while and want to get back to?

    Have a great day everyone! Make today count!!
  • CrispyStars3
    CrispyStars3 Posts: 199 Member
    Good morning!

    I am patiently waiting to get the house/furniture back in order so I can make a space for workout videos. I really want to get started on Jillian Michael's Body Revolution. At first use: the first disc kicked my tail-end, made me realize my weak/squishy-ness. I may not have been very good at keeping up, but by disc 3 I definitely noticed changes around my body.
    I, also, want to get back to some yoga.
  • Zenwenner
    Zenwenner Posts: 166 Member
    This is my first week back to weight lifting after a two month hiatus due to injury. I did do some cardio in the interim, but I find cardio super boring so I wasn't very enthusiastic or regular with it. Yesterday was leg day, for the first time in a while, and this morning my butt is reminding me how long it's been!! I am glad to be back at it though, and trying to take it light and slow for now so I don't aggravate anything and sideline myself again!
  • Carnivorekat
    Carnivorekat Posts: 370 Member
    I really want to try Yoga and also want to do resistance weights although have never enjoyed Gyms much I feel very different on this WOE that I want to try something different
  • ProCoffeenator
    ProCoffeenator Posts: 523 Member
    I'd love to join a gym but there aren't any close to where I live. I would also have to try to squeeze it into my daily schedule. So for me it's just easier walking around my neighborhood which is convenient since each road is a mile apart! I'm using apps and videos at home too. It's hard when you have your kids all the time. You have to work around their schedules.
  • ProCoffeenator
    ProCoffeenator Posts: 523 Member
    It's Thirsty Thursday!!

    What is your favorite go to drink while doing a LC diet?

    I have two favorites... My BPC well blended! The other is water flavored with a grape sf packet and half a scoop of unflavored Isopure. The latter is like a grape creamsicle! Yummy!!

    I'm challenging everyone to up their water today! Don't forget to hydrate! I need to remind myself constantly since I hate drinking plain water!
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    Most common drink would be water - I'm a gallon a day girl - but favorite would be the keto lemonade drink I make. 1/4 tsp each of NoSalt (potassium chloride) and Himalayan salt per 1 quart of water, flavored with Crystal Light Strawberry Lemonade water drops. The flavor hides the saltiness very well and I learned long ago that roasting and lightly salting strawberries to make strawberry lemonade (the high carb way) is AHHH-MAZING. Salting the Crystal Light is very very similar and carb free, and a great way to keep my electrolytes up. It's an amazing amount of win.
  • ProCoffeenator
    ProCoffeenator Posts: 523 Member
    Phrick wrote: »
    Most common drink would be water - I'm a gallon a day girl - but favorite would be the keto lemonade drink I make. 1/4 tsp each of NoSalt (potassium chloride) and Himalayan salt per 1 quart of water, flavored with Crystal Light Strawberry Lemonade water drops. The flavor hides the saltiness very well and I learned long ago that roasting and lightly salting strawberries to make strawberry lemonade (the high carb way) is AHHH-MAZING. Salting the Crystal Light is very very similar and carb free, and a great way to keep my electrolytes up. It's an amazing amount of win.
    Do you find better results with making your own drink or just buying the SF sports drinks? I keep meaning to buy the salts for my own but my brain goes blank when I stank in front of all the different salts in the grocery store. I've got to write this stuff down!!!
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