jen53's Journal, 21 November 2010

You hang in there and I am so glad that you are not giving up. Congrats on that healthy BP, joints that aren't cracking, mood, and depression have reduced. See, you are on your way even though the scale gremlin doesn't want to give in. It soon will though, because as long as you are doing it the way it should be done, you over power the gremlin and your weight will drop. You must be losing inches. Have you measured lately? You hang on to the positive thoughts and you will succeed. Hope you have a wonderful day.:) 

Thanks Laurie, yes a skirt I tried on that wouldn't fit me last winter now twists around my hips.... but is it my imagination? Hope you had a nice restful sleep after your busy day yesterday. You too have a great day! 

No rest here on the farm Jen. No it is not your imagination. It really fits. YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! So see, you are losing inches hon. That darned scale gremlin CAN'T hold on forever. You just keep doing what you are doing and he WILL fall off. We are all here for each other, so post, post, post.:):) 

Boy you've lifted my spirits no end! Thanks for being there Laurie. Hope you're keeping warm! 

I believe someone (oh-by the way, it was YOU) who posted a link about the scales today. You should re-read it.(LOL) The scale will catch up. You are seeing the health benefits and feeling better. I agree it's frustrating, it seems the scales react so quickly on gains and so slowly on losses. Stay positive and on course and you will lose the weight. 

I agree with Sassy and LauPug, loss is not always measured by a number on the scale, but more importantly how we feel (inside and out) and by how our clothes are fitting. Don't let it get you down. Stay away from the scale for a day or two (I know it is hard if you are a person who weighs everyday). Don't let a number on that scale ruin your attitude or your day!  

Just listen to how you feel physically and mentally and the scale will follow. Weight loss is a slow process in real life, it is not like in magazines & tv. But in the end it is worth it,you already feel better! 

Hi Jen: I see that you've added the Splenda to your journal. Are you also journaling the aspertame pills? And does the cocoa have any sweetener in it or "hidden carbs"? I note that the Atkins website, in discussing artificial sweeteners, notes that they "contain no carbs, [but] they are packaged with fillers that do contain a little carbohydrate to keep them from clumping." Might the same be true of the cocoa that you're having every day? 

Hi Helen, I have been experimenting with the Splenda (but I don't know why I'm bothering really). The cocoa I am using is 100% - I have been drinking the cocoa with water and a cream, I got used to that, but why did I try the Splenda? I saw it on the supermarket shelf last week after looking for a shop that sells it. I suppose I just had to try because I stupidly bought it. We are a funny lot really. Cocoa is a little treat I allow myself - I think it curbs the chocy side of my brain - but I think that maybe I'll start cutting down. When I went shopping last week I found myself standing in front shelves stacked with chocolate things - I wasn't even thinking about anything, so why was I staring stupidly at the shelving! I pulled myself up sharply and thought how bazaar. Well today, I've recorded a loss - it's only a little, but the weight is going the right way. Thanks everyone for helping me, Sassy, the posting you referred to was FF's, it is a great article and yesterday I found great comfort in it. 

Laurie is right. You just keep on trucking. You are doing awesome. Woot woot on the pound. 

Hi Jen: my point re the cocoa is that it may contain hidden carbs, just like the artificial sweeteners which technically have no carbs but apparently contain fillers to keep the stuff from clumping. Perhaps the cocoa has similar "anti-clump" fillers? So, for purposes of journaling, you may want to consider the cocoa on the same par as the Splenda and other artificial sweeteners - i.e. no more than 3 servings a day. A 1/2 Tbsp is actually a lot of powder --much more than the average serving of artificial sweetener. In fact, I just measured a packet of Splenda; it's 1/4 tsp of sweetened powder. There are 3 tsp in 1 Tbsp, so 1/2 Tbsp of cocoa powder is the same amount of powder as 6 packets of Splenda. So you may be getting more "anti-clumping filler" than you realize, which may be the cause of your slow weight loss. BTW, I know it would be much easier to tell you to just "hang in there" but if there's some identifiable reason for the frustratingly slow weight loss, I'd rather help you find the reason. Of course, if it turns out that chocolate is so important that you'd rather live with the slow weight loss, that's entirely your choice, but at least you'll be aware of what may be causing it and you can make a conscious choice of what's important to you, so you won't be frustrated going forward. best regards, helen  

I saw MIM's on your food diary a few days, and those might also be causing you to stall. I would recommend doing only unprocessed meat plus salad (with a little dressing) for a few days, drink only water. That has helped me and I feel much better! You're doing great! I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to try doing an American eating plan in a foreign country - the unit of measures and food differences make it complicated! keep up the good work!!!  

I agree with Helen about the cocoa. Since we are on the hidden carb subject, take a look at this forum that was started in another Atkins group. Gelatin, which is found in MANY supplements, liquid advil, nyquil, dayquil etc is a carb that can really add up without you noticing it. http://www.fatsecret.com/groups/atkins-support-and-motivation/Posts.aspx?t=45365 Good for you with sticking it out, through all the frustration. And enjoy the loss of inches, I know a lot of people who have lost inches even when the scale doesn't move. The fact that your health has improved and you are feeling better makes a world of difference.  

Shoot, the link didnt work, I will send it to you in a message