5-11-07 Challenge thread

[Doctari]

Everyone has a success mechanism and a failure mechanism. The failure mechanism goes off by itself. The success mechanism only goes off with a goal. Every time we write down and talk about a goal we push the button to start the success mechanism.
Charles 'Tremendous' Jones

Day is started great. Made it into the gym and I got a day off.

Time to go see delta farce! :D

[Mitra]

Good morning, Doctari. Thank you for getting us started today :).

[Doctari]

You're very welcome. Much like Max I'm up in the early am every day but feel like I'm dominating it if I post first too often.

;)

[mepc06]

Good Morning Doctari, Mitra and all who join in today....

Dealing with a lot of stress at work that is causing me some difficulty with my eating control. I'm trying to at least make smart decisions though when I do eat though. I'm thankful it's Friday so that I can relax and focus this weekend.

The weather is beautiful and I'm spending my evening hours outside instead of in, which is a common thing for me this time of year, particularly now when I have to get the planting and stuff done so that I can reap the rewards in the summer and fall. Going to be very busy this weekend and then too, my parents are coming in on Sunday to grill for Mother's Day.

Hope everyone has a great day......It's OHIO tonight :D so I might be on for posting later this evening.

Michelle

[Missy]

Good Morning Mitra and Doctari!

Doctari, don't feel that way....I for one like it whenever ANYONE starts the day's thread! :D

[hawk]

Good morning.. have a great day. I am off to work out!

Last night I was out on the deck. The smell of lilacs and locust trees created the most heavenly scent. The mosquitos did not even bother me. What a stress free NIGHT

[maxlharris]

Running behind today. Second night in a row, up past eleven. Happier about it last night. But, makes getting out of bed at 5:40 a little nuts.

Been to the gym. I think I'm putting weightlifting down until after Italy. Five days of intervals next week. It's a time thing as much as anything. 20 Minute Interval session just seems a lot faster (work time wise) than lifting. Also, less likely to pull something painful (like that groin/back thing last month that really sapped my will for a while).

I'm thinking that taking the three weeks off from it will give me the kick in the ass when I get back. The guys who wrote the Testosterone Advantage Plan suggest taking a break between one workout plan and another. A week or two. Going back, I haven't really had a non-hurt break since Christmas. 3 weeks seems like my get back. Course, Intervals are still a workout, right?

No quote. I got stuff to do and am running late on the day. Sigh.

[Ammy]

I'm up, and ready to make it through today so I, too, can enjoy the weekend. I'm tired of working this week!!! :D

Procedure went well, see my journal if you want the details.

Breakfast is done, lunch is planned (and on plan), exercise has been cancelled for a week-but I'll walk when it doesn't hurt and I plan to mow tomorrow.

[OregonRose]

Planning another "hero" day. Had a GREAT breakfast: sauteed mushrooms and prosciutto w/a little cheddar, topped with 2 fried eggs. Yummo.

Lunch will be a giant salad with beef slices, and don't know yet about dinner.

Down another pound; we'll see tomorrow if it's legit.

[gitfiddle]

Hi, all! I slept NINE hours last night! It's because I didn't have to roll out at six. I've got a free day today. I had my shake, planned my day, chatted with my boys, started the roast in the crock pot and I'm on my way out to get the food for the weekend.

Michelle, I totally understand about the stress at work affecting what you eat. I've found out that stress does more damage to my blood sugar than carbs and it's a lot harder to control. I also try to make smarter food choices, and it does help.

Hawk, I did my walk in the dark the other night and it was like swimming through a lilac mist. Or something. Really nice. We have NO mosquitoes yet. It's the best time of the year!

Rose, that breakfast sounds so good I might have it for lunch! :nod:

[Mitra]

Carol, nine hours :cool:. I hope you're feeling better for it?

Rose, I'll keep my fingers crossed for that pound staying away :).

[Shadow]

Carol - That's 'cause you were getting some sleep for me too, right ;)?

Amy - So happy it all went well yesterday!!!

Max - Yes, they are :).

And a happy Friday "hello" to everyone here :D!

[Anniesnan]

Hi, Everyone!

so far, so good, today!
I've managed to stay de-stressed at work, am letting things go, mostly... and did another errand I've been postponing.

On the other hand, another upset stomach (please, not another 3 weeks).
I think I might have either had an "off" piece of bacon or maybe just not enough water.

Skipped lunch (if I had eaten it, it would have skipped me), but just had a nice sized slice of the lc meatloaf I cooked last night.

I'll eat more protein later.

[Doctari]

Today was a yes day :)

[joanneb608]

Today WAS a yes day and then turned into a NO day this afternoon. But tomorrow will definitely be a YES, I'm committed. Also plan to start the gym tomorrow too. Now off to sleep - the whole night! - like a normal person!:D

Have a great YES weekend to you all.

[gitfiddle]

Agnes, you poor girl! Hope it's a glitch!

Yes, Janet and Lita, the sleep was invigorating and I got a lot done. I also forgot it was Friday and missed a jam tonight. I was in Saturday mode. No matter, because I still have a lot to do. I need to peel apples and make sauce yet tonight, but here I am. ;)

I'm taking a YES for today, but I'm going to need a little more protein, since I got such a late start this morning and ate light.

[OregonRose]

It was a great yes day, until I ate some ricotta cheese and homemade peanut butter after work--that put my carbs up to 18. I've only got 3 left, and we're going out to dinner...:eek:

...fortunately, it's to a barbecue joint. Think I'll have the ribs! :D

[Moongirl]

Hi, I am new tonight to the thread but I am interested in this challenge. What are the rules and how do I do it? Also, how do I get my weight loss plotted?

4 years ago I ate low carb and lost 60 pounds but after a baby gained them all back, how do I get started again, you know past the carb cravings?
moongirl

[Mitra]

Welcome, Moongirl :). The details of the challenge are in a thread at the top of the Challenges section: May Challenge (http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2753).

This month, as well as the basics of limiting carbs, getting enough protein, and exercising, we're finding ways to reduce stress - and those who're participating report in the daily thread how they're doing. There's usually a daily menu thread for those who find it helpful to detail their food, and a weekly exercise thread (but if you're just getting started again, I wouldn't worry about exercise for a week or two).

For me, in getting through the first few days on plan, the important things are to remember that it gets easier; and to make sure to eat enough low-carb food that I'm not hungry. And the people here will give you lots of encouragement :).

Doctari will have to tell you about the graph!

[maxlharris]

I should report another yes day. I was unstressed yesterday, had a meeting that reduced my work stress, and read some stuff about Italy which got me on the cheery side of that again.

Rock on.

[Ammy]

I had a no yesterday.
Was right ON PLAN until supper.

I had a beer (NO idea how many carbs, they only had tap beer and no LC versions) then 5 water crackers with brie. Later on I had two "mini burgers" with their mini buns. I don't feel bad AT ALL about the carbs because I danced for FIVE hours STRAIGHT!!! I KNOW that I burned off all the extra carbs I ate :D !

AND....I was asked to dance by THREE people I didn't know (one asking for my phone number)!! If only these things would have happened when I was SINGLE!! :mad: :jawDrop: :rolleyes: :cool:

[Anniesnan]

Well,

I ended up being a NO yesterday - got no exercise in and had a moment of weakness after dinner...

but, at least the stomach thing is gone.

[OregonRose]

A "no" for me too. Dinner went fine, I had the ribs, but they didn't have any really "legal" side dishes, so I went with the cole slaw. Then I had two glasses of wine and a half ounce of almonds. When I added that to my day's totals I shot up to 33 carbs.

Today will be better.

[Gaelen]

A "no" for me too. Dinner went fine, I had the ribs, but they didn't have any really "legal" side dishes, so I went with the cole slaw. Then I had two glasses of wine and a half ounce of almonds. When I added that to my day's totals I shot up to 33 carbs.

Oregon Rose, you *do* know that 33g ECC is a perfectly legal 'yes' number for Phase I of Protein Power, right?

Dr. Atkins was the one who liked 20g carbs per day...and then only, technically, for his 14-day intervention, after which you are supposed to gradually raise your carb levels as long as you continue to lose weight.

I noticed your goal is <21g ECC...but you really don't need to go that low. The Drs. Eades didn't see any significant results improvement when patients went lower than 30g ECC. So you're perfectly on plan to call yesterday's 33g ECC a 'yes' day if you're following Protein Power.

[OregonRose]

Oregon Rose, you *do* know that 33g ECC is a perfectly legal 'yes' number for Phase I of Protein Power, right?...The Drs. Eades didn't see any significant results improvement when patients went lower than 30g ECC. So you're perfectly on plan to call yesterday's 33g ECC a 'yes' day if you're following Protein Power.

Well, thanks; that certainly makes me feel good! :) Yes, I'm aware the Eadeses don't do a 20g "Induction," but don't they recommend 7-10g per meal in Intervention? I guess I'm aiming for the low end of that. No slack, and all that jazz.

I'm interested to know that they didn't notice any significant improvement in patients below 30g. If that's the case, then I'll stop trying to hold to (an admittedly difficult) low level. I do know from my prior experience with Atkins years ago, though, that my personal maintenance carb level is quite low; somewhere between 35 and 45. :(

But hey, all the barbecue I want--and ain't nothin' wrong with that!

[Gaelen]

Oregon Rose, the Drs. Eades do recommend 7-10g ECC per meal, but they also point out that they've seen no benefits from artificially holding yourself to the low end of that range for every meal. Give yourself the freedom to include some variety in your diet--which is a lot easier to do at 30g ECC per day than it is at under 20.

[Moongirl]

Thanks for including me. I will get started on the recording of things tonight and begin posting tomorrow. Is it on this thread or is there a thread for each day?

[Mitra]

There's a new thread started each day, Moongirl - whoever is up and about first starts the thread.