Happy Halloween!

I had way too much fun with my costume this yea, I dressed up as Abby from NCIS. I had skull necklace, earrings and ring with matching skulls and tiny black bows in my pigtails. I made a name badge and that plaid skirt too. The lab coat ended up being too big, but it worked anyway. :)

 Caf-Pow!!!!!

 I like my hippo, I never liked hippos really, but this one is kinda cute.

 I gave my hippo a kiss. LOL

 The skulls in my pigtails.

 I have not had any trick or treaters tonight, NONE at all. I got some of the Wendy's frosty coupons because while they still have carbs they do have some nutritional value to them and some sugar free candy as an option if anyone wanted it. I also had some individual wrapped handy snacks the crackers with spreadable cheese and pudding cups if anyone wanted those instead of candy. If people are taking their kids trick or treating they know they will end up with candy, so I wasn't going to force sugar free or low carb stuff on someone who didn't want it. But I wanted some additional options for those who would like something different. But I didn't end up with anyone coming by so I guess someone else will have to eat all of this candy! I made the mistake of eating one of the Baby Ruths to see if I still liked them, I do still like them and one little bar has 11 carbs in it, so I could only have one a day if I really wanted it, but that's not worth the carbs to me. Snickers were always my favorite, so I am glad that I didn't buy those, or Pay Days or Reeses! I will stick to my Sugar Free Russell Stover candies.

New Winter Coat

A week or so ago I realized that I no longer had a winter coat. My old one was a man's size 6x and way too big now so I gave it away to a lady who could use it in the last car load of clothes that I got rid of. I don't know the lady but someone I do know told me about this lady and her daughter who needed clothes and  both of them are pretty large. They loved everything I sent and the lady who delivered them said they didn't think they had ever owned clothes that nice. I felt bad cause they didn't even get the best stuff, just random leftovers that I didn't give to the other ladies and some older clothes I found in a couple boxes in the basement. But I did give them some nicer dresses, skirts and tops because they wanted to go to church but didn't have anything to wear. It is a good feeling to be able to help others who appreciate it. :)

Anyway, I decided I better get a new winter coat, because I only had my London Fog Trench Coat, which isn't all that thick and more for just wearing to work. (This was the London Fog I got for $30 at TJ Maxx last spring that was normally $150).

 And then my leather jacket which wouldn't really be good in the snow and when it is really cold. (This was also from TJ Maxx and it was either $20 or $30)

I like finding good sales! It makes it not hurt as much to have to keep buying new clothes, but the weight loss, improved health and feeling better is definitely worth it. :)

*Warning..... CJ Rant Mode On!

First of all I am disappointed in a few people who were doing very well, fighting the cravings, losing weight, feeling better, having more energy, being happy with themselves again for the first time in a long time and then they quit..... they ran away and ate stuff they shouldn't and drank stuff they shouldn't and then never came back. It's one thing to have an "off" meal, even an "off" day or an "off" week if you are traveling, special event, feel you just need a short break to reset your system and then go back to low carb the next day. But it is another thing to just give up and quit altogether.

These two ladies that I am thinking of, I am very disappointed in, I had gotten to know them, took extra time helping them and they were so excited and motivated and then they let life get in their way and wondered off. They know they need to do this for their health, being in the upper 300's and lower 400's is NOT healthy for them..... Both of them were in a weight loss support group for ladies who need to lose 100+ lbs and both of them are missed in the group. I don't know if someone said something that offended them and made them leave or if they just got ashamed of not being on low carb and not losing more weight or if they gained back the weight that they had already lost. But I do know that both of them read my blog and I want them to know that I'm still here to help them and I know how badly they both want to help themselves. I know what it's like being that big and how awful I felt. I'm here ladies..... both of you have my email address if you don't feel like posting on the group anymore.


I'm still stuck bouncing around between in the same 5 lbs range. I have gone down a pants size while being stuck the past couple months but still right at the same weight. Yeah sure my body needs time to adjust, blah blah blah, whatever, I wanna see the scale move down already! RIGHT NOW!!!!! LOL

You guys aren't the only ones who get frustrated with the scale hovering in one spot for awhile. Now just imagine if you were exercising a lot and being real strict on the carbs and the scale still wasn't moving. It happens to everyone, even me who has lost 247 lbs...... I still get frustrated, irritated and impatient too. But low carb is my way of life and I won't change from that because I feel awful when I eat very many carbs. So if I'm still here and I'm not giving up then none of you are allowed to either!!!!!

Another thing that irritates me is when I hear people saying that low carb is too expensive to do. Excuse me????? Since when????? You DO NOT have to buy a bunch of low carb products in order to do low carb. You DO NOT need low carb bread, low carb tortillas or even low carb candy. Since when were eggs, cheese, tuna, mayo, lettuce, hamburger meat, cheap crock pot roasts, green beans and chicken expensive??? Add in some bacon, sausage, bagged salad mix, ranch dressing, a little bell pepper and onion once in awhile, ketchup, mustard, occasional baby carrots or steamed carrots, broccoli, pork roast, lunch meat and a lower sugar bbq sauce (that was Kraft Light and not any more expensive then normal bbq sauce) and that was pretty much what I lived on for over a year doing induction level (under 20) carbs per day. So unless you are so broke that you are seriously living on ramen noodles for 3 meals a day, then you can afford to buy a can of tuna and mix it in with some mayo and lettuce. Also don't forget chorizo and eggs, it is cheap, good and tasty and I ate it a lot, but I could also eat it twice a day and not get tired of it. Low carb does NOT have to be expensive!

The other excuse I hear is that people have to cook two separate meals because family members eat differently then they do. So what??? I usually cook for someone else too and they certainly don't eat low carb. I just cook the same meat and then I have a veggie or side salad, usually give them a salad or veggie too and then I will make them mac n cheese, baked beans or sometimes some stove top or a bowl of canned peaches, pears or fruit cocktail. Sometimes I even fry them up chicken strips and french fries in the deep fryer while I eat tuna and lettuce, or a hamburger patty with ketchup. They have full sugar ice cream and plenty of carb loaded snacks that they can eat on their own. I just provide a basic dinner for them and if they want more carbs then they are on their own. But over time I started cutting out the carby sides and just giving them the meat and veggies and they don't ask for the carby sides very often, except the french fries. They have lost about 15 lbs since I started doing that too, but dinner is pretty much their only lower carb meal of the day. Their other meals are still carb loaded. They are also a very picky eater too and won't eat leftovers very often.

Anyway, my feet might not be a size 10 anymore but I still have 8.5 feet and I can kick higher and harder now, so don't make me come put a boot in your butt to keep you going!  *CJ rant mode off.

-CJ
Sent from my Droid2, please excuse any typos.

Low Carb Bread

First of all let me say that I had not had any low carb bread since about 2005 before trying this bread. Also I have always been a fan of white bread and never really liked wheat bread. I was still low carb but more like 30 to 40 carbs per day for a few years and I would have a piece of normal bread or a normal tortilla once in awhile. Then when I went back on induction I basically did a years worth of induction without using any low carb bread or low carb tortillas and no sugar free candy or atkins bars either. I just went straight for the foods that were naturally low in carbs and really I feel best when I eat that way and don't load up on low carb products. But having the atkins bars handy has been helpful, but I will post more about those later, this post is about bread!

The normal grocery store that I go to doesn't have any low carb bread, but I stopped by a Market Basket and they had this bread, so I decided to try it. I bought it about 3 weeks ago and keep it in the fridge and I still have half of the loaf left. I also want to try the sprouted wheat bread from Trader Joes but I need to finish off this loaf first before I buy another one.

This bread isn't bad, it does taste like wheat bread of course and it has a bit of a spongy texture but not really spongy to where it feels funny on your teeth when eating it. I find that I like it better toasted, it gives it a better texture. I toasted one piece and had half a serving of peanut butter and half a serving of sugar free jelly and it was sooooo good, I felt like I was eating something bad for me even though it was only 8 carbs. I had not had a PB & J in well over a year. But it did make me want a glass of milk with it and some doritos was the only down side. LOL

I also made french toast with it and that was a nice treat. Another day I toasted a piece and put tuna on it and that was good. I tried it just with butter and cinnamon...... but it made me want a second piece and some oatmeal, but instead I made scrambled eggs. Today I toasted a piece and put egg salad on it, that tasted very good to me. Maybe I was just super hungry, I'm not sure, but I really liked it. I just use one piece and have it open face and then ate the extra few bites of egg salad by it's self.

 This combo filled me up and I didn't want a 2nd piece of bread or anything else. I suppose I could have two pieces at once because they are 5 carbs each but then that just limits my carbs for the rest of the day, so it's really all about choices. I haven't noticed any change from eating this bread, but I am also using it sparingly and not as an everyday staple. I guess I could, but I would rather save those carbs for something else and just go without the bread since I'm so use to not having it. I think of it more as a treat then an everyday thing, or something nice to have on hand if you are in a hurry and have to take food with you on the go, then I might make an actual sandwich out of it because it would be a better choice then normal bread.

Fall in Massachusetts

 It's nice to walk outside before it gets too cold and see all the pretty leaves.

 

My Mommy and I

In looking at the pictures with my Mom I noticed that I am not that much bigger then she is anymore. I also noticed that my posture has gotten better and I stand up straighter. I am almost 3 inches taller then her but for a long time I was standing slouched over and we looked closer to the same height.

This is me with my Mom in December of 2000. She has lost about 50/60 lbs since then too.

This is me with my Mom in December of 2009. She has lost 30 lbs since then.

 This was my Mom and I last week.

 She is still smaller, but I am not that much bigger then her anymore. :)

 I posted this pic before, but I am going to post it again because I <3 it!

 Her puppy still likes my feet, but didn't bite them this time.

Shopping in Kansas City

My morning started off well...... ummm, Welcome to Kansas???

We stopped at the Russell Stover store.

All of this candy is sugar free.

 and this aisle......

 and this one too.

 I left with a bag of sugar free goodies and some full sugar stuff for someone else.

 My friend and I. :)

My friend's nephew with an ice cream cone. I'm glad I had wet wipes in my purse!

 

 My friend and I in front of one of the many fountains in KC. 

It was so good to spend time with her again and I am so glad I got to be at her wedding. :)

More Friends :)

One of my favorite couples and long time friends. :)

 

And their crazy puppies.

 One of their puppies loves to give me huggles and kisses. :)

 Another friend, she is a very wonderful lady and I will always be grateful for her.

Two more wonderful ladies! I miss our girls nights/days together.

 And since people like to see what I eat, here is my salad.

 My steak and broccoli.

My Sister's Wedding

This was the main event of my trip, my Sisters wedding. :)

We hadn't seen each other in so long, she started smiling and didn't stop. <3

 She didn't want to put me to work, but I helped her anyway, cause what are sisters for!

 The Happy Couple! LOL

 He is a very nice guy, he gets the "CJ seal of approval".

 After some last minute decorations, the rehearsal, dinner and more decorations and clean up we hit the hot tub.

 The next day was the wedding and pictures before the wedding.

 The photographer was great! I know several good photographers in KS if anyone needs a referral.

 A close up of the dress. She has lost about 80 lbs! A few months ago she told me that I was her inspiration to lose weight. She made me cry like a baby. <3

 I got to drive the Bride and her Mom in a pink Mary Kay Caddy. :)

 Here comes the Bride!

 It was perfect weather for a wedding. There is a pond just past the gazebo.

 The cake.

 We had to set these cupcakes out and it was impossible to get them out of the package without getting a little bit of frosting on your fingers. I didn't eat a cupcake or so much as lick any of the frosting off my fingers when I was done setting them out. They smelled good, looked good, but I knew they would taste way too sweet for me and make me sick so I didn't try one.

 Is any wedding complete without an emergency ice run??? LOL
Luckily there was a store down the road and the guy was nice and helped load it in the car.

 The food was good, they had beef, pork and turkey with baked beans, potato salad and rolls. I ended up with just a plate of beef, pork and turkey and left the wedding craving a salad. LOL
I'm so glad that I was able to be there for her wedding, we have been friends for a long time and she became my sister. We're not biological sisters, we chose each other to call sister. :)