2008 Read The Book Challenge

[Velcrocat]

8. Spend just a couple minutes writing out where you see yourself in 3 months [after the holidays].
Where do I see myself in three months... I would hope I have moved on to OWL. I am considering moving up but want to wait until hubby is on a dedicated induction. I will be looking forward to buying some clothes which fit better. As far as the holidays go I will be very careful wnat I eat.

Thanks for this challenge it has been interesting.

[jimmie 48]

Originally Posted by FLdoodette

However, on my death bed, I wish to be propped up and fed a generous portion of devil's food cake and champagne

what a way to end the assignments, norah!
i'll take my cake with ice cream please... the fully loaded kind.

[jimmie 48]

i love reading through y'alls answers. the last question is the best for me to read because your answers are very personalized and not from the book.

looks like i'll be ready to hand out goal awards in about 3 months and on into the new year!

[FLdoodette]

Originally Posted by jimmie 48

what a way to end the assignments, norah!
i'll take my cake with ice cream please... the fully loaded kind.

Thank you for this Challenge, JimmieJo ... it was not only educational, but fun; who knew book reports could be fun!? ...

[tmn]

Originally Posted by jimmie 48

good day, challengers!
i have one last assignment for you. today, i would like you to spend just a couple minutes writing out where you see yourself in 3 months [after the holidays].

this will be the last assignment but maybe the most important one of all.

First, I have to say thank you for this challenge. Timing is everything and I happen to notice this challenge in Sherri's journal about the time I was getting desperate about my health and weight. This has really helped me get more focused and determined again.

Second, I LOVE reading the others' responses on here. (The "devil's food cake and champagne" wish was a hoot!) You folks are giving me more to think about and shoot for. What a great group we have on this site!

Ok, we're talking about towards the end of January. One of the main things I'm trying to do is develop lifetime habits. Working out regularly nearly every day, including going for walks in sub-zero weather. (I did that for a couple weeks one winter years ago and the weight just dropped off!) Cutting coffee/caffeine out forever. Have a solid handle on my menus: what's allowed and how much, with slow changes as I work up the ladder. And know exactly what foods cause any allergic reactions in me.

Health-wise: Getting my blood pressure down. It's been on-and-off high since the surgeries last year. Not sure if it's related to the continual calcium problem but the extra weight sure isn't helping! Get rid of enough weight for the knees and back not to be paining anymore, and be able to stand and walk for hours at a time, instead of only minutes. Even daring to dream of being able to do a very light jog or even a sloppy kick-boxing. And being able to do some pretty solid weights and and start getting the arms back into shape again. Gaining a boatload of flexibility would be REALLY nice!

Size-wise: 230 pounds and into size 22 again. That would be a very nice start!... Scratch that. Going for the gold. 222 was the lowest I got on Atkins years ago. I want to get beyond that one! (And one more to edit in!) No more hanging stomach!! LOL!!! ... Oh! And something else! Slimmer legs and ankles!

Prayers up for no new health issues! For everyone here!

[boonie stomper]

Bump-itti-bump, bump!

In other words, even though this thread doen't need bumping, it is just that good! (I love it, because it adds such a big sence of group motivation, that the book alone does not have). Of course, picking the book up again, every time there's something that I missed before; these answers add even more dimensions to interpreting the pages.

[liv]

OK I am lagging behind. Been a busy week. I know excuses, no one wants to hear them

Well here we go - Continuing week 2 - I have read chapter 14

2. What are some of the things that will influence your metabolic resistance?
Age (I got that)
Gender (yup - check for that one)
Activity level (well I do some stuff)
Prescription meds (That one is not a factor for me now. I do struggle with a thyroid though)

3. Review the CARBOHYDRATE LADDER. If you have already started adding levels [or rungs as they are commonly referred to] which level has been shown to cause the most problems for you and why?
I have gone up and down it I am on level seven. I think both 6 and 7 have been problematic because portion control is difficult.. It takes like a grain of legumes to make 5 carbs (Slight exaggeration but sometimes it feels like that)

4. What is the carb count you are to add per level?
5
5. At what point will you no longer show color on a ketostix?
When you hit CCLL (or a little bit below that) - when you hit around 50 carbs - whatever comes first. I never used the stix
6. What do you proceed if you are skipping level or rung? For example, if you don't drink any type of alcohol, how do you proceed when getting to the alcohol rung.
Not sure about this. You just jump over it I assume. I did not do this with any rung. Loved the alcohol rung. Really enjoy that bit of red wine with some blue cheese once in a while
7. What is one way to increase your CCLL?
Exercise (Is not doing much for my CCLL - but I am exercising no matter what)
8. Spend just a couple minutes writing out where you see yourself in 3 months [after the holidays].
Ah the holidays when the average American (and probably also Canadian) puts on 7 pounds. I see myself beating that trend. At least I hope so. I am close to goal about a kilo and a half away so if I am lucky I'll make goal. But what I want to do is to still keep exercising and be low carbing. Low carbing is going to be a key to keeping my weight down - I know that. So I will keep climbing the ladder and experimenting with foods in group 8 and 9.

But I won't turn that angelfood cake down - on my deathbed either. You guys crack me up - thanks a lot. Thanks Jo.

[jimmie 48]

good friday morning challengers! nice to see the update liv! and good to see the other comments. thank you all!

so today, y'all can take it easy if you've done all the assignments. if not, take the day to finish what you started.

i have my spreadsheet in order, x's are all in a row, awards will be taken care of sunday.

[blueberrylady]

8. Spend just a couple minutes writing out where you see yourself in 3 months [after the holidays].
I see myself as being thinner, stronger, healthier and happier in the next 3 months. And it's all due to the support and love on this bulletin board because without the motivation, I would never have been able to sustain my diet. This board has been a lifesaver for me.

Thank you for this challenge, Jo. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciate everything you have done and still do for us.

[gbidruglord]

2. What are some of the things that will influence your metabolic resistance?

age, gender, activity level, hormone issues, level of physical activity, persciption meds...

3. Review the CARBOHYDRATE LADDER. If you have already started adding levels [or rungs as they are commonly referred to] which level has been shown to cause the most problems for you and why?

I've looked it over and the only question I've got is should we consider peanuts nuts or legumes (in reference to the ladder). I should have searched this question before or at least read the rest of the posts here in this thread, but I thought that would be considered cheating. I'm still in extended induction

4. What is the carb count you are to add per level?

You add 5 grams of carbs to the level you were in before. So if you were only eating 15 carbs a day (on average) in induction, you would raise your carb count by 5 grams to 20 grams from more of those loverly other veggies


5. At what point will you no longer show color on a ketostix?

Roughly eating 50 carbs a day will make a person not register any ketones on a ketostix.

6. What do you proceed if you are skipping level or rung? For example, if you don't drink any type of alcohol, how do you proceed when getting to the alcohol rung.

According to the Rules of Owl (pg179) "add new foods in the order listed in the carbohydrate ladder" So to me that would mean just go around the alcohol and add 5 grams of legumes instead.

7. What is one way to increase your CCLL?
Excercising. Boosting the metabolism will allow your body to burn more carbs. Burning more = you can eat more. Just take a look at Michael Phelps!

8. Spend just a couple minutes writing out where you see yourself in 3 months [after the holidays].

Well, I would like to think that I can be down to another mini goal weight by then. I think at the rate that I'm loosing, I'll be down playing in Onederland soon Tink and I are planning our holiday menus already. We're bringing our own little ham to the in-laws house because I know they'll be having a sugar cured-sugar glazed ham. Instead of pumpkin pie or regular cheesecake, we'll make our own lowish carb pumpkin cheesecake.

I'm hoping that after the holidays Tink and I will have moved onto OWL. As of right now, I only need to loose another 45 pounds to get to my goal and I do believe I'll still continue to loose in OWL, just not as fast as induction (extended)