Hello and welcome all! It was time to start a new thread! Hope you are all doing well. It's like summertime today! Yay!
Frosty

Hello:
Frosty - I am so jealous - it is still cold and not at all summertime except the sun is out today. Cant wait for summer to get back to my long walks. I did walk to Lake Michigan and up and down on Saturday because it hit 40 degrees. But can walk during the week because it is still dark when I get home - we have been having a wave a sexual assaults - so not a good idea. Cant wait to get back outside - feeling cabin fever.
Anyway - I am having a good week. Back on track with no thoughts of swerving so that is good. How is everyone else? Hope you are all well. Amy

Hello all!
Amy, yes it is absolutely gorgeous right now here in Northern California! Mini heatwave! It's in the 80's today and the air conditioning here at work in on the blink, so we are all in a sauna-like environment (plus I run hot naturally)...hey...maybe I'll lose weight! Though, it'd only be water weight...easily replacable! Hee hee. Anyhow, I forced myself to go to the gym today at lunch (just got back and am eating my lunch at my desk). Did 30 min walk and 30 min elliptical trainer, then quick shower and here I am! For lunch, I'm on day 3 of South Beach...I had to start all over with my 14 days of phase 1 (the toughest phase) because I ate TWO Jenny Craig lemon cakes Sunday night and I'm not supposed to have refined sugar, bread, pasta, etc. for 2 weeks. So, here I am. Once I make it thru the 14 days, then I can eat some of my JC stuff. Last night I had the mesquite chicken, but threw out the potatoes. Today for lunch I have some chicken breast, shrimp, broccoli and mushrooms....and a diet coke. Sugar free jello for dessert. I'll keep ya posted.
Yes, I agree, looking forward to summer so we can take those nice long walks and hikes...especially in the evening when it cools down.
Well, hope everyone is doing OK. Good luck at weigh ins this week! Mine is Thurs night...will let you know....not expecting any losses, since I had to start over. But, you never know!
Frosty

Tapita, you be careful. Sounds beautiful where you walk, but maybe dangerous sometimes. We want you around.
Frosty, I'm so sorry you are having to start your induction phase again. It must be tricky trying to do 2 diets at the same time. . . basically taking your JC and making it work for SBD. What a hoot! I have trouble enough staying on one diet. I have just been all over the board. Had to give up dairy this week to see if that will help my IBS. Looks like I'll have to do it for 2 weeks. Tried my first soy milk and it is actually good, but it has less volume when you make a banana smoothie. I'm not sure why, but the glass is usually overflowing, can quite fit it all in, and with the soy milk it reduces to about a half glass. But at least I'm not doing without anymore. Yesterday I did JC all day and then felt so hungry I went to a Chinese food bar and ate and ate and ate on the vegetables. Of course, they have sauce, sodium and MSG, so it isn't JUST veggies. The scale was up 3 pounds this morning. I could just kick myself, but I'm so distracted by the hunger when I'm trying to work these long hours. I just can't get my mind to fix on a tax return until I have a full tummy. I'm not like most people. I don't hate being too full. I love that full feeling. That's one thing that pulls me down. It's the whole portion control thing. I only have 4 more weeks of tax season and I'll be foot loose and fancy free again -- woo-hoo!
I have a new JC counselor and I really love her. I was so upset when I found out I was getting her. She is about a size 0 at the most and 22 years. I KNEW she had never dieted in her life by looking at her, and I was right. BUT I found out that she studied nutrition for two years in college before changing her major and feels strongly about nutrition in general. We had the best conversation because I'm having to make dietary changes right now to get my IBS under control, and she understands a lot about substitutions and even was very supportive of me having a couple of planned binges a week. Tues and Thurs lunches are my worst because all of my employees are here at the same time, kind of a shift change they do because everyone is part time. It's right when I want my lunch and everyone wants to know what projects to do and so on, so I found myself going out to eat in very bad places just to escape. She helped me plan this week to have lunch out on Tues and Thurs but instead of planning to do my JC and then bolting out the door for lunch when I can't take it any longer and eating the worst thing I can find in the biggest quantities I can find, I will actually plan an outing well in advance for both those days where I can enjoy myself and not torture myself with needing to stay in the office in the name of JC. I think she will be a positive influence on me.
Frosty, we are no where near needing air conditioning here. Send some of that warm air to the Midwest.
Good luck everybody!

You are right Frosty, I am here in No Cal too and it is wonderful. Feeling the need to play hooky bad! Would love to grab the family and dogs and go hiking in Santa Cruz today instead of stuck behind a desk. And tomorrow is worse!!! Because my partner and our son are off and haning out!! JEALOUS!!
EVERYONE HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Hey everyone! Alternativemom, welcome to Frosty & Friends. Tapita, I am so glad that you are feeling good about being on plan. See, it does get better. Frosty, I hate being cold...I can't wait for some warmth here in NYC. Anxious, it's good that you've come up with a plan to deal with stressful tax time. As I previously wrote, I take Saturday's off plan; it keeps me sane.
Frosty, when I was on Atkins, the first week I had to lock myself in my house b/c my sugar cravings were so bad. You can do it! terryhinton, what's going on with you? Everytime I don't feel like exercising, I think about your "butter burn" comment from the last thread and laugh. So, I am trying to make sure that I keep burning this butter off! Take care,
Kandy

Hello:
Cant believe its finally Friday - what a week. Went to the center today and had some good news on the weigh-in so I am feeling pretty accomplished this week. I wont go back until April 2nd as I am traveling again - this time mostly vacation - and cant wait. I am making a plan to not make excuses while I am away - it is so easy to start eating "like a normal person" and the progress halts and even worse you lose ground....even with exercise. So I am vowing to continue losing while I am away even if it is only 1 pound in two weeks.
Frosty: How is the transition back to South Beach/JC? I bet you were still pleasantly surprised last night at weigh-in. Hope you are enjoying the nice weather - you are so lucky!!
Anxious: Hows it going? Are you up to your eyeballs in taxes? I think you have a good handle on managing your eating and emotions during this busy time. Just remember how great you look in those new suits!!
Kandygirl - thanks for the nice comments - its really encouraging. How is it going with you?
Alternativemom - hope you get to enjoy the nice weather w/your family this week-end.
Okay -have a good week-end. Amy

Hi all, I've missed you lately. I am so busy at work I can't see straight. I'm still plugging along at this 'life-style' change. Egad! I almost typed the "D" word!!
Alternativemom and Kandygirl - welcome. I think you're both new since last time I logged on!
Frosty - I totally understand your struggles! I am fighting the same 5 punds for a month now. We're going to try and trick things up a bit, so I'm hoping for a good week next week.
Anxious - I can't believe how great you're doing since last time I checked in. You hang in there during this 'taxing' time!
Tapita - as a fellow Chicagoan, you be careful! Take a friend with you when you walk and never be out alone! I know how beautiful the lake is at this time of year, but make sure you're looking at the things and people around you too. Don't let down your guard! BTW - my sister and I are signing up for the Race for the Cure in May -are you going to walk?? Good luck if you do.
Everyone - have a great week until your next weigh-ins.

Bye, Amy! Have a great trip. I'll be glad to hear how it goes with your renewed determination.
Idolone, good to hear from you again! I'm glad I sound better. My problem is I have trouble caring at all right now. Keep at it. So you're going to be involved in the race? Have fun!

Hey everyone, Amy: I have had an ok week. I stayed on plan, but I had killer cramps so I didn't exercise as much as I would have liked (4x with 2x being shorter than usual). My counselor called me Tues. and stated that exercise is supposed to make you feel better, but I can't expend a lot of energy when I am in pain. It's much better today b/c it's almost over. I have weigh in tomorrow a.m. I really would prefer not to weigh in. I really have to do everything right with eating and exercise to lose. Too much of a slip with either one & there's not much movement. So, I want to be happy with whatever the scale says b/c I have come a long way and I still have a ways to go. I just noticed today that I haven't had pain in my knees and hips in over a month. Before JC, often my joints were screaming at me for relief. Anyway, I'm glad that TOM is almost over.
Amy - have a great trip! Enjoy yourself.
Idolone - I was here the last time you posted, but I try to post more regularly with the Frosty Crew now.
Anxious - keep up the great work! Aren't you proud of yourself for making better choices? I'm proud of you!
Frosty - Hang in there!!!
Time for dinner. Lasagna, one of my favorites!

Hi Everyone!
Sounds like y'all are having good weeks. Mine, ack, not good. Just spent the last two days at a pain and palliative care conference in Chicago. Eight hours a day of speakers so what do you do while sitting and listening, EAT EAT EAT and SIT SIT SIT. Not a good combination. Aside from the munchies, things are going okay, not sure about weight, I guess I could dig out the scale and see what it says. I usually just go by how my clothing fits. I'm trying to watch my portion sizes and hopefully this sunday night when I work home health I can start reading the SBD book and get going on that. My last midnight shift with my home health patient she was a very sick little girl so she kept me busy all night. We are supposed to get close to 50 here in IL today so I plan to be out getting some fresh air. Unfortunetly, I live out in the corn and there is no where to walk except along the side the road and then you risk being runover by the country-driving idiots Anyway, Monday morning will be my first trip back to the fitness center, yahoo. I'm actually looking forward to it. Just remind me tuesday when I'm sore and can't move it's a good thing for me. The tension between the nurses at work is growing so I need an outlet. Haven't had time to look into yoga yet, I need a class to go to. I'm not disciplined enough to just read a book on it and do it, gotta have someone showing me and making me do it. But that is the plan, at least the sun and partial warmth is helpful, makes me focus on something other then being hungry and food...
Take care everyone!

kandygirl -- don't be hard on yourself. I'm sure your counselor meant well, but . . . you have to listen to your own body and what you know does and doesn't work. That creates long-term success. Almost everything JC recommends is great for me, but there are some things about it my body does not like. I've found it is best to keep that to myself because often the counselors try to talk you into something that just doesn't work for you. We're big girls (no pun intended) and we sometimes know better. Treat yourself well during the cramps. If exercising works more for some, good for them. If it doesn't for you, then go with what does. This is not a dieting race (can't believe I said that). You can exercise more when the pain is gone.
Karen, I DO know what 8-hour conferences are like. Yes, it is very tempting to anesthetize yourself with food at things like that. You actually look forward to a sugar coma by mid afternoon. So you're going to try SBD or just thinking on it still? Give us feedback when you do, please! Also I wanted to comment on the yoga. I'm glad you are still thinking on that. I want to get into that too, for my health as much as anything. I'm going to go check out some beginner level yoga tapes right now and order at least one. I'll give you feedback when I try it and you hold me to it! Also if you try something and like it, please let me know. It is my understanding that yoga may be the key to my IBS, and I am determined not to go on medication. It could be the mental piece of the puzzle in my weight maintenance as well. I'm not much of a "Buns of Steel" type. Just having two sort-of-identifiable buns would be okay by me.
Hope everyone is doing great. I'm starting to see light at the end of the tunnel here. Only 5 more Sundays to work and I'll be out of tax season -- woohoo!

Hey Guys, What's the word these days...seems like the word is DETERMINATION. Looks like Frosty and her friends including me are still at our gameplan. Yes, Kandygirl...even with treats. Well I have been doing the same...exercising to burn butter and eating my own foods. I have been eating what I want during the weekend and eating healthfully during the week. The scale loss is slow but the inch loss is greater. I'm still focusing on the nonscale wins which keeps my attitude positive. The Zoo Crew has decided to continue our challenge of journaling for the remainder of the month, exercising 3-4 days per week, and weighing weekly WITHOUT obsessing with the numbers. I like that. I will RAMP MY PLAN UP though within the next week since I will officially BOOK MY JAMAICA VACATION for May. Look out guys.........I might have to show you all a thing or two. Watch out. Oh, does anybody watch the discovery channel's fitness challenges like buff brides etc... They are great for motivation. Most challenges are 12-16 weeks and most participants lose approx. 1 pound per week. That makes me know that my 15 pound loss in 20 weeks is very good. Most of you all have done much better than that. The discovery challengers also HAVE A TRAINER AND STILL ONLY AVERAGE A POUND LOSS PER WEEK. So guys, another confirmation that we are on the right track and that weight loss is sometimes slow, fluctuating, but achieveable and rewarding. Keep hope alive guys and keep keeping it real. Terry

Hey folks, nasty TOM is over. I cannot remember when my cramps were so bad. As I expected, the scale on Saturday was up 1/2 a pound. But...I finished my third month on JC & the numbers for this month have made me very happy. 2" off my hips, 1.5" inches off my abdomen, 1/2" off my waist, 1 inch off my bust. So, my next goal is to be able to sit comfortably in a couple of pairs of old pants. So, I will have to kick the exercise up a notch this week. I've pulled myself out of my doldrums. Have a great week everyone!

Hi everyone. Had my weigh in last night and I was up 2.6 pounds. I was not surprised. I was glad I went though. My new consultant is so helpful. She deserves an award for working hard to get me back on track. She came up with some great ideas last night. I am not tired of JC food at all, but I leave and eat out all of the time at noon because work is so stressful and I'm in such demand this time of year. No one lets me finish a bite. Today I'm nuking my Veggie Burger and smuggling it in to McDonald's with me. I'll buy a drink and a garden salad and eat my burger there. I'm really looking forward to it! Tomorrow I'm taking my chicken sandwich to Burger King. I am so clear on one important thing . . . I REALLY want to lose the weight.
How is everyone doing? The weather is dreary, cold and rainy here but last night I bought Leslie Sansone's Brisk Walk tape and tried it out when I got home. It was a lot of fun. I wish I had known earlier that you didn't need a treadmill to walk indoors. I am taking it to some girlfriends tonight to see if they will join with me in walking to it. I could use a support group right now.

Hi:
Welcome back - Pedsnurse and Idolone - I know you have been periodically checking with us and its good to see you are still in the "game". Hope you both are doing well and working through all the stress of work/family/life.
I wanted to thank you all for your concern about my walking. Just to ease your minds - I walk to Lake Michigan and am surrounded by people the entire way. Also - I am very street savvy - pity the fool who woould come after me. So - thanks for the concern but you got one tough cookie here.
Anxious:Sounds like you are coping with tax season and making good choices - sometimes we have to reward ourselves for a bit and then boom - we are back on track. I went through that last month as I was also heavily into my "season" and pulled in a million directions - working long hours, traveling, etc. So - come March 1 I got back on the wagon and have been rewarded with breaking through my plateau. Now, I have another challenge of a 12 day trip starting tomorrow. I have promised myself not to look at this as reward time - I am still in the losing mode - not maintanence.
Terry/Kandy and everyone else - hope you are well. Frosty - where the heck are you? We miss you.
So my friends - I probably wont check in til the end of the month - until then. Amy

Hey Guys, hope everyone is doing well today. I am getting prepared to travel to NY from NC this weekend. My sister passed after struggling with diabetes, kidney disease for many years. My family was expecting her death therefore we are at peace. We are glad she is resting. So..life goes on and on...As for the trip, I usually " cut up" really bad by eating every snack I can find when I'm driving and riding long distances. This shall be very interesting. Plus I get motion sickness therefore I take meds but my stomach usually feels unsettled. I'll take yummy fruit to eat between meals. Any other ideas? I'm eating on my own therefore I don't have any jc snacks. Either way, I plan to eat like " I have a plan" this time (smile). Anxious, Kandygirl, Amy (you are probably gone, hang in there. Anxious you are a wise woman to seek the support of a group near you...I'm telling you guys, we HAVE TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO BEAT THIS THING...BY ANY HEALTHY MEANS NECESSARY. I'll holla before I leave. Terry

Terri, my condolences on the loss of your sister. Sisters are the best. It will be a rough trip if you get motion sickness. That is the worst feeling. Hugs to you. Sorry, no wise advice on eating and travel. I love to eat in my car, and I know it is the worst habit! In fact on my JC Center night, I have 2.5 hours of travel and I plan to have a giant GLUG-SIZED soda on the way home and a JC snack. I make the snack last ever so long with little bitty bites. Also have to stop for the bathroom because of the giant soda. Guess my best advice would be to only put one serving of anything in your car at one time and take some good music. The radio is always the pits when you are traveling away from your regular stations.

Monday morning and I'm still hanging in there. It has been tough lately. I haven't lost weight since the end of January -- even up a couple this month, but I am getting my focus back.
One challenge I have is working in supplements that have calories in them. Does anyone else have this problem? For instance, for medical reasons I take fish oil tablets 2x daily at 25 calories per dose, and I drink Metamucil 3x daily for 8 calories each and I have 1/2 cup All-Bran each morning for 55 calories. That's 129 extra calories. I talked to my counselor about my All-Bran requirement and suggested I buy JC cereals and only eat 1/2 of the JC cereal portion along with my All-Bran, but she said I should just substitute the All-Bran for my limited free foods each day. I really hate giving up my limited free foods each day and I think my weight loss really slowed down last fall when I started having to add the supplements. I buy the sugar-free versions of the Metamucil, but they still have calories. I also found that I need to drink the Metamucil for the best effect rather than use the pills, which have fewer calories. Also I thought of getting the Omega-3 pills that don't actually have fat in them, but the doctor said those don't do the same job, that I actually need the fish oil. I have been taking only half of the fish oil, to help my calorie count, and sometimes I use only half of the my JC dressing to make up for the extra fat. I know some of you out there have superior nutritional knowledge to mine. Any thoughts?

Hello all! Just thought I'd check in. I quickly went thru the posts...there were a lot of them, and I have not been on the computer much lately....get home from work and too tired...plus I've been watching American Idol.....so that takes up my free time.
Terry: sorry about your sister. wishing you the very best.
anxious, pedsnursekare, idolone, and everyone else.....glad to hear everyone is plugging along...me too.
I finally finished phase 1 of south beach. I had to restart twice, as I would blow it at the end...and have some type of sweets (you know me and my desserts). I didn't lose a ton of weight...just 4 lbs, but my energy level has been great and best of all, my cravings have disappeared. So, starting yesterday, I'm on phase 2...still not having rice, potatoes, pasta...but I am starting to have fruit again....had an apple yesterday....yum. Still struggling with trying to make exercise a CONSISTENT part of my life...walk here and there...but still on the lazy side. I'm still at 157 (23 lbs lost since last May). I'm convinced that I won't get below 157 until I work out....so that's what I'm going to focus on next. I am still watching the starchy carbs...and limiting my sweets...having mostly sugar free jello or ricotta cheese with sweetener (kinda like a fake ice cream texture). Eating chicken, tuna, salads, eggs, nuts.
Well, I'll check in again on the weekend. Miss you all!
Frosty

Frosty, thanks for the update on Phase I. I'm so glad you made it through. I hope Phase II is much easier for you. It sounds like a very sound plan when you work through the phases.

Hmmm, went back to the fitness center, my muscles ache all over..lol... why do I want to do this to my body!!
Hope y'all have a great week...
Managed to put my weight back on with us doing nothing all day long at work, ack.. so I'm back to square one... it does feel good to get out and exercise though...

Congrats Ped on the exercise. I for one am huffing and puffing but it's not a good thing. Somehow, I managed to get bronchitis. I've never had that before. So, I hope to be able to exercise again on Thursday or Friday. Hope everyone else is plugging along.

Hello all! Just popping in for a quick hello! Still plugging along...still need to exercise. I ate a bunch of JUNK yesterday....and my weight is up FIVE lbs this a.m.! I had Thai chicken curry over rice (hadn't had rice for a couple of months)...then a Milky Way bar...then for dinner a Chinese chicken salad and some deli chicken tenders (super salty, breaded, marinated chicken strips from the deli), 3 jalapeno poppers (deep fried) and today my wedding ring won't budge! I guess I'd better work out and drink tons of water.
How's everyone else doing? Miss my Frosty friends!
Kelly

Hello Frosty Friends:
Here I am after a two week absence and can you guess that I managed to put on at least 4-5 pounds while I was gone. I had scheduled a weigh in for tomorrow - but I am calling right now to change to Sunday - to at least have a chance to see a better number.
It is funny how people react to someone who has lost weight. I was with friends I had not seen since October - after losing another 15 pounds, I have to say I am looking pretty good. Everyone was impressed and telling me how good I look - then in the next sentence - here have some cookies/ice cream - you name it!!! Then I was with my parents for the second week- and my mom did the same thing. She had all kinds of junk specifically because I was coming. WEIRD!!! And of course, I have not learned any discipline yet and I consumed everything in quantity. When I am away it is really hard for me to control it - I do better at home (well maybe not - I binged on crap last night while I was unpacking). Did not even realize what I was putting in my mouth.
I briefly looked at that binging link when I read Anxious' remarks on this post. I looked into OA a couple of weeks ago - and I intend to go to a meeting next week. I have to admit I have a huge weakness and am terribly afraid of transitioning to regular food. I need to start working on that now - and I believe its why I am still lingering at the high 150's - I am afraid to get to goal.
So - thanks for letting me ramble. I will read everyones' posts and get caught up. Hope you are all well. Amy

Amy, I completely understand what you are going through. I have been avoiding JC desserts b/c they can lead me to binges. Now my tastes have changed and the cheese curls are too salty for me. Anyway, I decided to try some non-JC snacks & purchased some Luna Bars. Last night I was upset about something and before I went to bed I had 2 Luna Bars. Last week, while I was sick I was off JC completely. I guess the fever allowed me to lose last week, but I am having a hard time getting back on plan. So, I am struggling but still hopeful. If I don't get to a healthy weight, there is little doubt that I will be shooting up insulin in a few years. I don't want that. I am trying to remind myself that God willing, the rest of the year will come and go for me. Why not get healthier?
Amy, I was just looking at your stats. You have really come a long way. Congratulations to you! In terms of family, some folks still see food as love. I know that it is part of the problem with my relationship with food. Your mom probably thought that she was showing that she cared by stocking up on your old, pre-JC favorites. This is part of what makes this "lifestyle change" so hard. The drug addict can remove drugs from their environment, but we are constantly inundated with trigger foods. Just remember how far you have come. You can get there; believe that you can do it!
How are the rest of our Frosty & Friends? I hope that everyone is hanging in there!
-- Kandy

Hi Everyone...
Plugging away at exercising but not watching what I eat. We have had several drug reps come to work and of course they bring us lunch each time, good stuff but ack not good.
So I'm wondering if y'all have any personal experience with someone who has gone through gastric bypass surgery?? If so, how did things go for the person and how are they doing?

Wow, Kare! What a topic! I don't know anyone personally -- used to know a couple of people years ago. The thing I remember about one of them is that she continued to have an oral fixation. Gum wasn't enough. She started smoking like a chimney and continued to smoke all of the time. I think she didn't need the food so much as her mouth needed to be doing something. Maybe she should have taken a job as a telephone operator. She could have kept her mouth busy talking. The other person I just didn't know all that well. She had already undergone the surgery and lost quite a bit of weight but not all of it. I think about gastric bypass a lot, but I'm not a candidate. I think I'm just as miserable about my weight as anyone else. I know because I have been big several times, but I've lost more each time and kept more off each time. I just cannot seem to break the binges. I'm binging and gaining the last 3 weeks. I've journaled, exercised, thought, wrote. I'm just acting out on the stress in my life with tax season. I am considering changing jobs. I've maintained weight loss in the past for long periods of time, but I gained it back 1) in grad school and then again 2) working for a big firm with a long commute and long hours. Now I have my own business, but I still have tax season and staff demands, etc. I don't really feel terribly stressed, but my eating says otherwise. I do wonder if overeaters anonymous would help. I read others on the website talking about it. The trouble is when I get this busy, I don't have time for being helped or helping others. I just have to get the work done (munch, munch, munch). Anyway, I have a job offer to teach at a university. I've done it in the past and know I love the work. I would have summers off and would have an even workload throughout the year. It would be a big life change, but I'm thinking it might be a good thing.

HEY! WHERE DID EVERYONE GO? I'M STARTING A NEW POST AT
FROTY & FRIENDS, APRIL 10, 2004.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! MISS YOU ALL!
FROSTY