Low carb menu

- Two sausage patties with three scrambled eggs and cheese
- Three scotcharoos
- 1.5 pork chops, breaded with parm and fried with one~carb ketchup
- Three chicken fingers, breaded with parm and fried w/ Ranch

Weighed in a 202.6! That is 2.4 lbs down in a few days, so that is great news. I've been working out along with eating very low carb, mostly meat.

Low carb menu

- Two sausage patties with three scrambled eggs
- Two sausage patties with three scrambled eggs
- Seven meatballs on a low carb sesame seed bun with mayo and honey mustard
- Five meatballs, plain
- Five scotcahroos

Weighed in at 205.0. A couple pounds up from last week... Not shocked at all because I had a huge deviation on Easter.... Candy, way too much at the Chinese buffet, donuts, movie theatre popcorn and just grossed myself out and felt terrible afterward. I have my physical tomorrow. I think I'm going to politely (yet assertively) tell them my weight instead of getting on their scale, which will only mess with my mind in a not-so-good way. I read that in a comment on another weight-loss blog and I think for me, it's a good idea. I'm not being in denial - I got on the scale and I know my weight and it needs to come back down. It's about eight pounds up from my lowest recorded weigh-in, which is unacceptable. Weight is just so easy to put on and so hard to take off, especially the smaller you get. I have found that since I allowed myself to go completely off-plan on Sunday, my cravings have been back and it sucks. However, I am grabbing the bull by the horns, which is the only way to tackle such an issue.

I started the Ripped in 30 again yesterday, only this time, I'm using five pound hand weights and doing the cardio in a way that is basically just walking in place because of my still~healing knee.

I am excited to see how my fasting blood work comes back tomorrow. Should be interesting.

Low carb menu

- Two sausage patties with two low carb pancakes
- Three low carb pancakes
- Pork rinds with Mexican dip
- Cheeseburger with two sesame seed bun, mayo, lettuce, mustard and low carb ketchup

This Mexican dip is good - really good....

Weigh~in: 202.6. Ugh, I have to get back in the 190's... Too many peanuts, cheese and just doing emotional eating when I'm not even hungry. I've had a very stressful week in terms of having health issues with my dog and that has just been the tip of the iceberg.

I can't let the outward stresses destroy my emotional stability.

Low carb menu

- Two tuna patties with mayo and low carb ketchup
- Egg salad on a low carb sesame bun with pork rinds
- Four chicken strips with low carb honey mustard
- Unpotato salad
- Two tuna patties with mayo and ketchup

Weigh~in: 198.4

Low carb menu, weigh-in and reactions to weight loss

- Two sausage patties with a cheese omelet
- Parmesan-breaded pork chop with low carb honey mustard
- Two tuna patties with mayo and low carb ketchup

I weighed in at 197.6. Yay! I'm on the right track. Last Wednesday, I was up to 203 point-something, so I'm definitely moving in the right direction. Eating mostly meat really does well for my body. Also, my daily walks with the dogs make me feel so good, especially this week with the weather being in the 60's.

This weekend, I'm going to see a lot of my relatives that I haven't seen in at least a year, so it will be interesting to say the least. I hope they don't make too big of a deal about my weight loss. If I'm good enough now, that I've lost over 100 lbs, then what about before? sort of a deal. It's my mom's side of the family and weight is always a hot button issue. Did you see so-and-so? kind of thing... Oh, well... Don't get me wrong, it's FUN when people notice and acknowledge my hard work, but there is kind of a fine line. But it really doesn't matter... I'm doing what I'm doing to be happier and healthier and the nicer body is just a side effect to that. I just hate how our society puts skinnier as better.

It's my body and I get to decide how I will respond to the situation. It will actually be fun, I'm thinking. I'm excited to show off my wonderful girlfriend to the family. She is just so lovable and everybody eats her up, so that is actually the least of my worries. I have SUCH a huge family... My mom is one of nine kids and my dad is one of eight kids, and most of them had kids, so I have a slew of aunts, uncles and cousins. I want to do some thrifting on Friday to get some cute clothes to wear, because most of my summer tops are size XL and I'm into a Large now, plus I need new shorts. Especially when I'm still losing weight, I can't see going to a high-end store for my clothes when the thrift store has so many great options.

Low carb menu, weigh-in and engagement rings

- Two tuna patties with mayo and low carb ketchup
- Cheese omelet with two sausage patties
- Unpotato salad
- Chicken breast, breaded with parm, dipped in low carb honey mustard
- Two tuna patties with mayo and low carb ketchup

I weighed in this morning at 199.4! Wahooooo! Just a couple days ago, I was up to 203, so that was a welcome number on the scale.

I walked the dogs yesterday, once for about 30 mins and one tiny walk. They loved it and I did too. I also did the ab roller and worked out my abs in a major way. I feel great when I work out. The gf and I have been doing some engagement ring shopping... Now we just need to find a state that will legally marry us! I'm thinking white gold and just a simple type ring.... It's infuriating that most states do not allow it, but eventually that will be the case. My state is just behind the times, I guess. My ring size went from a 10.25 to a size 7.5, so that is huge! Does anybody know any good online resources for rings?

Headed to the chiro today and also headed to the vet for a suspicoius bump on Daisy's eye. It grew now it's looking kind of crusty, so she needs to be seen. Afterward, we are taking the dogs to see my mom and we are taking her dinner. Mashed cauliflower, zucchini flax muffins and parm-breaded chicken breasts are on the menu... Deviled eggs, too.

What is on your agenda for the weekend??

Hope you are all doing well out there in blogger-land... I'm having a pretty good day so far! Scheduled my yearly pap smear for next Friday along with my lab work. We try to make all appointments on Fridays because that is my girlfriend's day off work.

Low carb menu and weigh in

- Unpotato salad
- Two sausage patties
- Cheese omelet with half an oopsie roll with mayo
- Ham
- Ham/broccoli/ground beef/cauliflower/red pepper cheesy casserole

Weekly weigh~in: 203.6. Seriously, that is seven pounds in two weeks! I'm going to transition back into eating more meat and less of the casserole stuff. I'm just so frustrated. I did eat a ton of popcorn last week. I'm just so... over it. I can't keep gaining.

What I don't get is that yesterday, my jeans (size 12) felt bigger than they have been EVER, so maybe I *am* gaining muscle. I feel like that is an excuse, though.

We cleaned out my car last night and I'm going to put it up for sale. It's an older car that doesn't even run very well, so I'm not quite sure what to do with it.

I'm kind of down today, but I'm going to focus more on living my life and worry less about what is going on on the scale. I feel like the less I stress over it, the more I'm okay with whatever it is. I realize it makes no sense, but it's how I feel.

Took the dogs for a thirty minute walk yesterday. I feel like I have just let carb creep set in in a big way and the buck stops here, baby! I do better when I eat things like chicken breast, pork chops, etc, so that is what I'm moving back to.

Low carb menu and weigh-in

- 1.5 pork chops, breaded with Parmesan and dipped in low carb ketchup
- Shepherd's pie
- Ham, green pepper, broccoli, mushroom and cauliflower cheesy casserole
- Half of a bbq pork steak

I weighed in at 197.2. Lowest weight ever! That puts me at 23 lbs to lose before I get to a normal weight. I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm in a women's size 12 Tall jeans and a women's size Large top. I wonder what size I will be in when I reach goal.

Tomorrow marks the 6 month anniversary from when I quit smoking and had my reconstructive knee surgery. I'm finally in less pain now than pre-surgery, which is amazing.

Low carb menu

- Sugar free raspberry jello
- Turkey/ham/tomato/cheese panini on an oopsie roll with bacon on the side
- Two low carb pancakes, plain
- Zucchini lasagna with an oopsie roll with butter and parmesan cheese

I weighed in this morning at 200.8. A little bit down from last week, which was 201.0. Considering we even went to the Chinese buffet, I will take it!

Low carb menu

- Pork chop breaded with parm
- Dottie's green bean casserole with ground beef added
- Meatloaf
- Cheese omelet
- Lemon pound cake with low carb lemon frosting
- Meatloaf on an oopsie roll with tomato slices, mayo, mustard and low carb ketchup

Weigh-in: 201.0

That is a little over a one pound gain from January 1, which sucks. I could say that I've built up muscle due to working out and I could say that I feel like I'm retaining water, but instead, I'm just going to own it. I know I'm a little bit bloated for whatever reason because when I woke up and weighed in, my rings were tight when they are usally not tight at all. Angie got me three rose gold rings, a pair of rose gold earrings and three rose gold bangles for Christmas when she returned the earrings which were not staying in tact. I made out like a bandit! I am back to doing weekly Wednesday weigh-ins, which will be a good thing, I hope. I have also gone to the movies a few times this month and eaten popcorn each time. I've eaten probably what amounts to a small serving (definitely not a medium), but it all kind of adds up, I think. I also think I need to up my water intake because sometimes I think I'm just thirsty and I eat something. I will say, though, that I do think some of it must be muscle because my jeans feel looser than at the beginning of the month. Like, a lot looser. I will be in a size 10 soon I think! I think I should start doing body shots each month for a good comparison. Maybe I will have Angie get out her camera!

I went for a walk with my girlfriend today with the dogs and then I did a ton of cooking, but that means that the heel of my foot (of my leg that I got surgery on) has been numb. I made oopsie rolls, deviled eggs, low carb honey mustard, a ton of low carb pancakes and I still have to make chicken because it's thawed out and ready to go. I'm used to cooking up a ton of stuff in one day so that I don't have to cook every day, but I think that I need to work more on giving my leg more breaks. Rest is a tough thing for an impatient person! Angie wants to give me a foot rub later to help with my circulation and she gives the best massages ever, I'm telling you. She gave me some Burt's Bees lotions and they work so great for that purpose.

As Harry would say, Onward and downward!

Low carb menu, weigh in, Christmas shopping

- Two tuna patties
- Strawberry cake
- Tuna patty/cheese/mayo/lettuce/tomato on an oopsie with mayo and ketchup
- Mashed cauliflower with cream of mushroom soup as a gravy
- Unpotato salad
- Half pound cheese burger on an oopsie with all the fixings

The strawberry cake is a winner... best three and a half carbs I spent all day!

Having a planned deviation today while taking my mom out to eat... I need to think of it as not a complete binge where I feel sick (I know...), but I am going to allow myself to indulge a little bit. Maybe it will trick my body a little bit with the carb thing, who knows....

I weighed in this morning at 200.2, after I drank a cup of coffee (which has to weigh about eight ounces, right??) That is a loss of half a pound and I'm happy about that. I'm counting it as about a pound lost, which is awesome, I think.

I like the way my life is going. I'm in a size Large women's shirt, soon to be a Medium and my jeans actually fit. It's not like I'm pouring into a size 12 Tall; they really fit. The difference between long and tall is the talls have a 36'' inseam; long is usually 34'''. Sometimes, when I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I hardly even recognize myself, in a good way. I think the mirror plays tricks on us because when I was really morbidly obese, I would look at myself as thinner than I was, almost as a coping mechanism. I would try on a slew of clothes, trying to find something that made me look less fat than I was. If I looked good in something, it was "flattering" on me. I really have come to hate that word... flattering. It's like saying, you are not good enough how you are, but boy does that outfit do wonders for the imagination! I used to love it when my mom told me something was flattering on me, but now I just cringe. Now, I choose clothes that are more form-fitted because I'm proud of my body and my shape. Yeah, I said it and I don't care if it sounds conceited... I don't have the world's best body image, but I've worked hard for what I do have and I'm proud of the woman I'm becoming.

Went to Walmart last night with my girlfriend and we had fun choosing some Christmas gifts. I got myself an earring tree that is sooo cute. I make jewelry, so it's not completely frivolous, plus it's a seasonal item I think, so it was a good buy. It looks pewter, but I"m sure it's a cheaper, painted metal, but it's pretty adorable. If you wear earrings, you know that finding the mate is half the battle... Kind of like in life!

We got fresh and frozen cauliflower, which will be great for mashed cauliflower and rice risotto. I don't think she has ever had my risotto, so she is in for a real treat. I think it will pair nicely with the Tilapia Parmesan. I have found that for "ricing" cauliflower, grating it raw is much easier than grating frozen, overly wet stuff.

Low carb menu and weigh in

- Cheesy turkey, mushroom, broccoli, cauliflower casserole topped with bacon
- Low carb brownies with low carb chocolate frosting
- Dottie's green bean casserole
- Three hot dogs with cheese and onions on an oopsie roll with mayo, mustard and low carb ketchup
- Cheesy turkey, mushroom, broccoli, cauliflower casserole with bacon on top

I weighed in at 200.8 this morning. Must have been all of the brownies I've been eating and I'm sure the Absolut vodka on Thanksgiving did not help, either. Plus, I've been eating extra food just because it was Thanksgiving week, which really makes no sense, but is somehow justified in my own mind. I'm ready to get back under 200 and to my goal weight of 175, darnit!

I go to the surgeon today and we will see what he says. I'm sure x-rays will be involved along with getting some good, low carb groceries.

Keep on keeping on, ya'll... That is my motto!

Low carb menu, doctor's appointment, weigh-in

- Sloppy joe meat with pork rinds
- Two slices of pumpkin bake
- Unpotato salad

Nancy's un~potato salad is seriously so amazing. I'm very picky about my deli salads and I usually do not like any kind of store-bought mac or potato salad. They just taste so unappealing. Nancy's recipe is a winner from the first bite! I especially love that it calls for green onions instead of regular ones because my girlfriend can't really get into raw onions and green ones are much more mild. I didn't realize what a big difference the green onions made in the recipe until I made it yesterday without them. We needed coffee anyway, so good thing that she was willing to go to the store last night after her behavior counseling session for her boss' new puppy. She went to work, donated plasma, helped me with my work, went to the dog training session (which she did pro-bono) then went to the store, came home and took short nap then took us all out for a pack walk (the two dogs and me)... all while being sick! I hope that she can rest up today because she does have the day off due to my appointment with the surgeon. I really can't wait until I can start contributing more with the care of the dogs and the housework. She doesn't complain about it, but I know it's a lot for her to have to do.

I'm going to see my surgeon today and get some x-rays. We are going to see if there is enough new bone growth for me to start bearing weight on it. I sure hope there is! I'm ten weeks post-op and while I still am in some pain, I feel much better than I felt before.

My appointment is at 11:45am today so I will be sure to let you know how I fare!

My weigh in was 200.6 today, which is okay, I guess. I still have about 25 more pounds to get to "normal weight," plus with my huge binge at the Chinese buffet, it's really no surprise. I did weigh in at 200 last week too, which kind of makes me mad because it was fun to be in onederland while it lasted, but it's like one freaking pound that I'm talking about and I need to focus on the fact that I lost 105 pounds so far, which is awesome.

I also need to focus more on working out. Being in a wheelchair is no excuse! I've always thought that if you are looking for an excuse, you will find one... Actually, you will find way more than one. Our brains love to be happy and we look for the most-pleasurable things most times. I need to start doing my ten pound weight arm exercises like I was doing for a while. I feel strong when I work out and I need to I'm going to get back in the groove of doing that.

Low carb menu, stress at work and weigh-in

- Two open-face oopsies with hamburger/sausage meat sauce with sharp white cheddar cheese on top
- Pork bbq with pork rinds
- Pork rinds with French onion dip
- Half a piece of pumpkin bake

Guess what... I'm down to 200.8! Down from 306.4! I actually started this year at 280 point-something on January first, so I consider this a great success. What have I been doing? Just stringing some good low carb days together and listening to my body as to when I need to eat and knowing when I'm satisfied.

I work from home and I have a couple accounts that are amazing and a couple that are not-so-amazing and have literally been taking advantage of me by not paying me on time. I've been standing up for myself more than I would have in the past because I realize that we make our own existence in this world. I'm choosing to get more work for the companies that do treat me right by respecting my time and energy by actually paying me. When you do work online, trust is all you have with these business owners because literally, you never meet them. Oh, the wild world of being an independent contractor that works from home! Never a dull moment, I tell you...

Measurement time!

Neck - 14.5 inches (2.5 inches gone)
Bicep - 14.5 inches (5.5 inches gone)
Forearm - 9.75 inches (1.75 inches gone)
Chest - 41 inches (12 inches gone)
Waist - 39 inches (13 inches gone)
Hips - 45 inches (11 inches gone)
Thigh - 24 (4.5 inches gone)
Calf - 15.25 (2.75 inches gone)

Low carb menu and weigh~in

- Broccoli/green onion/bacon cheesy casserole
- Hamburger gravy with mashed cauliflower
- Mock rice pudding
- Pistachios
- Hamburger gravy with mashed cauliflower

My scale kept giving me different numbers this morning. First, it said 202 point-something and then it said 205.2 and 205.8 and even 206.0. It said 205.2 many times, so I guess I will go with that one... which means I lost about half a pound this week.

Even though I've been eating low-carb, I need to wait until I'm hungry before I go for my next low carb meal. Also, I need to stop eating when I'm satisfied... not just keep going because it tastes good. Does anybody else struggle with that?

I'm officially done with beating myself up, though, because after surgery, I quit smoking and have lost 14 pounds in a wheelchair and over 100 pounds total. I started this year on January first at 280, so that is 75 pounds lost already this year.

I just need to keep on keeping on.

We are dropping off my little pug today to get neutered and I'm kind of worried about him... Kind of being the understatement of the century!

Also, I am going to my knee surgeon and getting my x-rays to see if I can start bearing weight on it yet. Scary!

Low carb menu

Low carb menu & weekly weigh-in

- A piece of low carb pizza with marinara sauce, cheese, pepperoni, ham, sausage and peppers
- Dehydrated green beans
- Two pieces low carb pizza with marinara sauce, cheese, pepperoni, ham, sausage and peppers with two tomato slices

226.6 is what I weighed in at.... yay! That is 79.8 pounds lost and a little over 50 to go....

74 pounds down

- Two cheesy hot dogs with mustard and low carb ketchup
- Parmesan-breaded pork chop
- Mockafoni and cheese
- Low carb brownie swirl cheesecake
- Carbsmart vanilla ice cream
- Pork rinds with queso and sour cream

Weigh-in: 232.4! Lowest adult weight ever. That is 74 pounds lost so far.

I can't wait to go to Dots and get some cute tops! Seriously, can't wait.

Low carb menu

- Two cheesy hot dogs with low carb ketchup
- Two low carb pancakes with sugar free Aunt Jemima syrup
- Meatballs with spaghetti sauce (The kind from Big Lots has no sugar added).
- Spaghetti squash
- Half an oopsie with butter
- Half a piece of brownie cheesecake (low carb recipe to follow if I can remember what all I added!)

Weigh-in: 232.8!

Lowest adult weight ever!

Low carb menu & lowest adult weight

- Two eggs over-medium, fried in butter
- Low carb pancakes with sugar free Aunt Jemima syrup
- Meatballs w/ turkey gravy on an oopsie roll with hot pepper cheese and onions
- Mashed cauliflower
- Green beans with butter
- Tuna patty with low carb ketchup

Weigh-in: 234.0

That is over seventy pounds down from my highest weight of 306.4!!! I really can't believe that I have been able to lose seventy pounds "on my own." When I was over three hundred pounds, I didn't know that I could even lose twenty pounds, let alone fifty more than that! I was barely able to get through daily tasks with little energy I'm really just astounded that I used to carry around seventy more pounds than I do now.

The gf has been a huge support for me and she makes really good low carb fare, too. When I first met her, she must have hustled me because she told me that she did not know how to cook, but trust me, the girl can cook! She is too humble because she gives most of the credit to Linda Sue! She has gone from the 286 to 225 herself!

Back on May 11, when I had my first consultation for knee surgery, I was in the 250's at the doctor's office, so I'm so happy that I will be in the 230's for my next appointment. I want my surgeon to be a little shocked when he sees what a weight loss warrior I am. :) My knee pain has been a good reminder of my goals and also a good reminder than I want to get the shit fixed!

I'm just glad that I purchased health insurance three years ago (since I'm self-employed, I went a while without any), and that I'm very happy with the level of experience and expertise this surgeon has. Plus, he is local! However, knee surgery is freaking me out. I meet with my surgeon next Wednesday.

Low carb menu

Low carb menu

- Ribeye with mushrooms and onions with two cheesy scrambled eggs
- Meatloaf with low carb ketchup
- Tuna patty with low carb ketchup
- Two snickerdoodles

Weigh-in: 238.0