Pinkbikini

If we hadn't prepaid a huge chunk of our flight, hotel and cruise for Feb I'd be rethinking our Mardi Gras cruise right now too...

But I figure with 1k already invested we should just scale back if necessary and enjoy the cruise because W. Carribean cruises don't break the bank. I just wish my work had the flexibility to book at the last minute because there are sooooo many good deals right now ;(

Alright, DH and I leave for the airport in an hour... I was just online to make sure the flight is still ontime!

Pink

Today we finish packing and tomorrow we leave for Fl bright and early in the a.m. Thank goodness, the snow is already falling here in New England (not every night but still cmon...) and we need an escape-- and a sunny, warm one at that!

I broke down and ate several bags of skittles and a bagel at work this weekend. A lot of hours cut lately due to budget stuff so it's been kind of emotionally trying and we all know what happens when things get emotionally stressful...

Good luck to everyone who is already coping with holiday stress. We'll get it when we get back. Enjoy your time while I'm gone. Look forward to sharing details of our first PRINCESS cruise when we return!

Pink :p

I tried spaghetti squash last year and was very disappointed. It's not pasta... the consistency of mine was too mushy. Did I cook wrong? Probably. But it was just so frustrating!

A little over a week to go...

This weeks menu at my house:

-hamburger, bbq rub spice, garlic and cheese (not recommended- burger too dry...good thing there's ONLY 3 lbs of it...blah :( )

-chicken curry with broccoli

-spinach blt salads

-cucumbers and dsg for snack

-pickles for snack

-eggs with cheese and sausage

Thanks for the support all. Panama Canal coming up soon!

Welcome to Pink's weekend Atkins edition...

I'm your host, commentator and only participant here on the Atkins board all weekend long. :(

I'm struggling to stay on plan. But I haven't faltered yet. I'm down another pound these past 2 days. If this keeps up I will be at or below my low weight before the cruise. I know I can hit a plateau and stall but if I keep up my workouts and eat appropriately it will be great to watch the number on the scale (and the one around my tummy) shrink.

It's amazing how motivating it can be to start doing every other day weights and measurements again... I was doing spot checks (occasional weights when I remembered at night) the past few months but seeing the number drop every few days is really motivating :)

One last post--

I changed my avatar pic. This is me cuddling a 2 month old tiger in Myrtle Beach in September. How fun is that??? We visited the Ntl Zoo in D.C. a month later and it was sooooooooooooo not as cool after cuddling animals face to face. I never liked aquariums much... would like to revisit San Diego Zoo again though as I have great memories of that place and can imagine that it may still be a good experience! :)

It's still going well. DH gave up months ago which makes it harder. It's much easier to have a buddy to compare to... I can do longer aerobic sessions and really enjoy yoga and balance games. I have to force myself to do strength exercises. I'm 4 lbs from my low weight. Lost a pound in the last 2 days-- course if this nausea keeps up I may lose several more pounds this weekend from not being able to eat ;)

I've been enjoying a BLT salad in my lunch lately-- 2 cups spinach, large red tomato, 1/2 cucumber, and bacon fried and then crumbled over the top... I get a side container (for ketchup, etc) and put 1/4 cup ranch with lots of chili powder in there. I pour that over the top just before I eat it. It's very filling and I really enjoy getting all my veggies in at work. Keeps me from eating badly there!!!

Hope you guys have a great week!

Pink:p

LV- DH and I went to the very fancy $50/pp for lunch (ahem, yes, for real) Brazilian Restaurant Fogo de Chao in Houston. They have on in ATL, DC... and a few other places as well. The food was ok. Nothing amazing. But as meat lovers it was a great place for us nonetheless ;) We have a local one for $13/pp for lunch all you can eat and we may hit that up sometime though we've heard mixed reviews. I think most people can't take advantage of it because most people can't stomach the thought of all that meat in one sitting... DH and I had no trouble polishing off 22 oz ribeyes at Longhorn's last weekend with ceasar salads although we did skip dessert :o

Jean-

I'm so glad you're going on vacation. What a great thing for you right now. Enjoy Mexico. Did you see they just did a special on the excursions??? Looks like some good ones. Hope you get a few. DH and I aren't beach people and I didn't enjoy Cozumel. I'd been told it was the most beautiful place on earth... ok, so here's the story...

Long winded Mexico Story for anyone interested

It was our last port of the trip. We'd done awesome excursions. We decided to get off, do a little shopping, hit the most beautiful beaches on earth and then get back on the ship for hamburgers and hot dogs later that afternoon when we were done. Sure I'd considered the glass bottomed boats and resorts but no need, Cozumel is this amazing/beautiful place that I had to see. So, DH and I get off the boat, map in hand...walk down some streets...shop a bit. Can't have alcohol due to meds DH is taking so we pass the tequila shops. Pass by the restaurants. DH BEGS to go into McD's and I tell him, no way, there's free food on the boat, we're not stopping here (I promised him after that when we go back we will stop there... it turned out to be a huge sore spot as he really wanted to try regional specialties). So we're in sandals and it's not all that comfortable (they weren't good ones) but we knew the beach was like 2 miles up the road so we could make it... starts to get deserted...we keep walking...seems like it's been a half hour (must be 2 miles by now? of course, tropical places make the walk seem longer). Beaches are there but gosh they're ugly. Dirty. Trashy. Rocky. This IS Cozumel?

Finally, as we're approaching the bazillionth condo we see a nice looking middle aged blonde women with ostentatious jewelry power walking towards us. We stop her because, of course, she must be American. She is and she comes to Cozumel every year. We ask, um, are there any nice beaches around here? Oh no, she says, this is the north part of the island and the nicer ones are privatized but due to storms and what not most don't have much of a beach to speak of. We need to head SOUTH. Oh, I say...

So we begin the walk in the other direction. A cab stops and offers us a ride for $15. I say no way, $5. He says no way. No negotiations. He drives off. Another one stops. I offer $7. He offers $15. No negotiations. He drives off. I'm like, aren't we in Mexico? Ddin't we just walk 2 miles??? How many miles was this??? clearly our map was of no help. We had horrible blisters on our feet that took 3 weeks or more to heal even with our daily 1000mg vitamin c supplements...

We end up back on the ship- no souvenirs, no McD's experience, no breathtaking beach photos...

Let's just say, Mexico was not a great trip for us. However, I've booked the dolphim swim (which I did in Cancun and loved in 04) for DH and I for February and hope we can improve our memory the next time ;)

Pink

Oprah's an awful diet example. That woman is so successful in so many ways it's astounding. But it seems every month she's trying some new fad diet... very strange. Can't imagine how rough that is on her system either :(

My stomach is still weird. DH got a flu- a cough, cold, virus type thing... he's almost over it but I'm still feeling a bit tired. I'm about 4 lbs up over where I wanted to be (I wanted to cruise at my low weight). I know it doesn't sound like much but I'm a devil on the cruises and eat like nobody's business so I really wanted to get on at my low weight. I've not been feeling well but still I'm doing 30 min hard core aerobics daily and sticking to plan.

Wanted to let everyone know about my newest temptation-- not recommended for induction but an awesome treat anytime after those 2 weeks-- Lindt's 85% extra fine squares. Usually they're $8/box but you can find em at the outlets for $4/box. Consdering the bars are nearly $3 each they are an AWESOME DEAL. Super fine squares. 15 squares is 6 carbs. I'm nearing my TOM right now and in super choc mode and I can't get past 10... WOW. What a great carb deal!!!!

So, just an FYI for anyone interested... 10 days til our cruise... we're packing... just got rid of a ton of clothes with DH in our annual closet purge. Still have to sort through the ts and shorts and pack the bags for this cruise. Why is packing such a chore? Is it cause I'm not feeling 100%? Or is it cause it's too close to the cruise? Maybe we should've packed in early Sep when I was super excited for the cruise ;)

CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement!

I'm 2.5 weeks from our next cruise. 2 more weekends of work. I'm pretty tired and stressed about work- it's been kind of difficult due to a lack of work and a lot of unit changes lately. grrr...

If we decide to make something new this week I'll let you know!

Am I the only one who wants to see Jean's foot examined by a professional??????? :p

Foliage is in force up here and just now winding down. It was a beautiful season! Happy "fall" everyone. No pun intended Jean...do be careful :D

Pink

Just wanted to say hi and let everyone know I'm back on track after my illness and recuperating. Still feeling awfully tired though :(

Sorry- I haven't been feeling well so haven't been too strict and haven't been online much either.

Re: cruising on atkins

I have some alcohol. I drink no soda. I drink lots of water.

I only liked the ice cream and 1 chocolate dessert on my NCL cruise. If it looks really good I'll taste it. If I don't like it, I leave it.

I refuse the bread basket and don't even let them leave it on the table.

I walk a lot. I get up at 0500 and exercise every a.m. in the gym for 30-60 minutes!

I always order a salad or vegetable soup as my appetizer. I also order an atkins-friendly entree. Then I get something extra that's not on plan if 1)I'm still hungry and 2) It's something I really love (like beef wellington or pasta alfredo). If high carb foods don't taste good I violate my own rules and stop eating. I don't try to finish them (I usually have a rule about finishing all that I order otherwise- I can't stand food going to waste).

I also try to find a fruit combo that I love as my dessert. DH usually orders something good and often a taste is enough to help me decide I don't need it.

At the gym, I never weigh myself on the cruise :) Just wait til you get home.

HAVE FUN ON YOUR CRUISE!!!!

There are sugar free decongestants... they can be tough to track down but it may be worth it if you start gaining!!!

hey guys,

I'm not feeling all that well this week. Just wanted to check in quickly so you know I am alive...

MTaylor,

WAY TO GO ON THE PANTS SIZE! You may be gaining muscle (and then weight) but losing inches! Keep it up girl!!!!

Grammie,

The soda may be the culprit. Have you tried black coffee or even, giving it all up for a week. Also, TOM may be the culprit. I gain about a week before IT comes... then it drops off right after if I manage to behave myself!

Pink, who has not been behaving and can't share anymore

HOPE EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING WELL. Just a few months till my cruise... NEED to renew my resolve!!!

Grammie Donna,

Hang in there! No one can expect loss when their meds and bodies are all out of whack. Eat what you know is good for you and I'm sure it will all work out :) Feel better...

pink

Cruisin-

1) Water, water, water- how much water are you drinking? Drink lots...

2) What's on those wings?

3) Remember that just because it has 0 carbs... does not mean it's sugar free OR that it won't stall you!!!! Make sure the label reads NO SUGAR in the ingredients. Check em...they're sneaky. Also, sometimes low carb or 0 carb things can stall! (even if they shouldn't)

Cruisin- be careful with the shakes and bars. the shakes do stall me. i don't gain but i don't lose either :(

Mtaylor- way to go, induction is truly the hardest (and in some ways, the easiest) part. many of us return to induction later on to get thru the tough times. do it right!! the results are a great treat if you do it right!

Jean- Good for you, resisting breadsticks at a difficult time...wow, woman... I don't know if I could have done that. I love the salt and the butter... At Olive Garden, I also like the braised short ribs and chicken marsala (watch the potatoes in induction though!). I only went to one steakhouse (on my bday) during induction and didn't order dessert. Restaurants were way too tough :)

Wow, there's lots going on...where to start. I've been away. We had a little mini trip to Charleston this week. Enjoyed the sun. Lost our net connection at home...may be a little less posting happening if it's still flaking (esp with the storms a brewing off the coast).

Jean- So sorry to hear about your sister but from the sounds of it, it was time. Of course there's nothing to say at a time like this. You do your best and that has to be good enough. Do consider when emotionally eating what she would have wanted for you and make the best choices you can that way... keep exercising too (lifts the mood)! I've run a few komen races in my day and will be wearing that pink ribbon pin soon enough (everybody be ready with your pink ribbons for next month!!).

Cruisin'- Sweating with exercise is a good thing. You must be drinking enough water. Keep drinking!!!!

Rick- Welcome :)

Mama Hao--

Congratulations on your weight loss. Be careful with ice cream... I found it very difficult to resist the rest of the box once they were in our fridge :)

Pink

cruisin 4 fun,

you're off to a great start! I thought I'd share one of my favorite easy egg recipes for you since you've found scrambled aren't your thing. It's from an atkins board on the net though I can't cite the place because honestly, I copied the recipe but not the source. Hope this is to your liking! I find 2 muffins are usually enough for me. Once you get comfortable with the recipe you can substitute cheese, add meats, or change up the veggies!

Crustless Quiche

Dozen large or jumbo eggs

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups shredded cheese (Vermont cheddar recommended for best results)

large red and green bell peppers

Whip up the eggs and cream. Fold in other ingredients. Spray a 12 muffin pan with Pam. Pour mixture in there but don't overfill each muffin thing too much. Bake 20 min at 350 degrees or until cooked through. You can freeze them individually and nuke them for a minute or two if you need a quick breakfast on the go.

Enjoy :)

Welcome cruisin 4 fun.

Sounds like you are off to a great start. Reading the book is the number 1 thing people don't do. Rather than focusing on what you may be able to eat later, how about we talk about what you can and ARE eating right now. IT's easy to find lots of examples of sweets, breads and pastas that aren't allowed but can sometimes be frustrating to find what is allowed.

For me, I love protein. But I can't eat too many chicken breasts or burgers without feeling bored. What saved me on this diet was fat. In induction I ate some things every single day:

AVOCADOES

MACADAMIA NUTS

EGGS (scrambled or fried over steak)

SALADS w/ 0 carb dressing

CHEESE

What sorts of things do you love to eat that are allowed in induction? Are you drinking lots of water? Do you get at least 8 hrs of sleep? I only had about 20 lbs to lose and I lost 7 during induction in the first 2 weeks. I bet if you stick to the diet strictly, drinking lots of water (to flush out toxins), exercising daily, and sleeping well you will find you are very happy with the results. If not, we can reassess in 2 weeks.

How are you eating now??? Good luck, we're here to support!

Pink