Guess who fell off the wagon. I had been doing so good then gradually I let myself slip here...then there and well, here I am. First I was like, that's okay..after a few years it's probably normal to gain a little weight back, I'll just be really good and lose it again. Then I would go out, eat something I shouldn't and the whole dialogue in my head would start again convincing myself it was okay.  So here I am...six months later and up TWO pant sizes. SO...I am back to where it all began. I refuse to gain all my weight back and I am going back to basics. I'm going to pop in here everyday and check in, add a weigh counter to the bottom of my posts and...STEP ON THE SCALE. I freaking hate that scale and haven't been on it for almost a year. But it's time for me to step up (literally) and be accountable for what I've done and that's just what I did this morning. I had no idea I had gained so much. So...I have FIFTY pounds to lose and I'm here to do it where all the support in the world is. I hope you guys welcome me back and go through this journey (again) with me.

I had a huge weekend and we were eating out with friends and associates Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Normally it's not a big deal. Close friends all know of my ways and it is never an issue. This weekend though I was around all kinds of people that don't know I'm low carbing and it was tough for the first time in a few years. Friday night was not a problem but Saturday night was a nightmare.
My son is part of a boys youth group and a few of the advisers setup a dinner for the parents with the boys making the dinner. I didn't really worry about about it because I knew they were making Chicken. When we got to the event my son pulled me aside and was so worried. He said all the chicken was breaded, they were serving rice and garlic bread and a veggie. This was a big event and I didn't want him to to have to be concerned about me. So I told him no biggie, I would eat the veggie and work my way through the chicken. Now I am maintaining so I could eat a little of the breaded chicken if I wanted, but I didn't want to. So I cut the bread off discreetly, found out how the veggies were cooked and ate them. I didn't have much to eat but I did it, made it through without drawing attention to myself or my son. Sunday was kind of the same thing but at a relative that thinks I am eating all wrong. She made sure not to have any lowcarb food for me. They served pizza and apple pie! My husband was so cute. I was given two huge slices of pizza my husband took the plate and disappeared in the kitchen. When he came back out, he had taken the toppings and cheese of the pizza and put in into one of my trusty pita shells that I carry in my purse. I had a great meal, skipped the pie and stayed true to myself. I hate when relatives make it hard but it happens.

 I guess what I trying to say is even THREE YEARS LATER you can hit a tough situation. Staying true to what you believe and who you are and what you want to accomplish will help you make it through. Sure I could have eaten the pizza or had the breading but the next day I would feel physically sick from the carbs and super guilty. I don't want to feel that way or let others push me into feeling that way. Today, I am healthy, happy and not sick from carbs. It's a good Monday...it's a good year...and staying low carb makes it that way.

Yesterday I sat up the screen saver on my computer to pull random pictures out of my picture folders. I have pictures in there from the last ten years or more. Some I haven't seen in ages but I have really been enjoying seeing all the old images. What I hadn't expected was to see pictures of me and actually notice such a difference. It'll be three years in March that I started my FTS journey and I have been maintaining now for over a year.

Anyway, I saw this picture come up yesterday of my cutiepie husband and I. It was very rare for me to let someone take a picture of me, let alone one that was almost full length. It is probably around five years old or so but what got me was how much heavier I was. When you are that size you never realize that you are that size. Then a picture came up of me that my husband took at Christmas last year and I couldn't believe the difference between the two.

So I thought...if you're on the fence about starting this lifestyle, if you're not sure and don't know if it will work...these pictures might just convince you. If I wouldn't have started FTS I would be in the exact same place as I was in the first picture.

We are about to start a new year...how about starting it with a new you!!

Yes I know we all love our whipped cream. I love that the Land-O-Lakes brand doesn't have any carbs. Since I have cut the SF candies out of my eating plan I have taken up whipped cream again. Nothing better than jello and whipped cream!! Yum!!

Hi All!

Somehow over the last year I have managed to gain twenty pounds! As a lot of you know I HATE the scale and stay away from it as much as I can. Since February I have started a new job and then when my sister got gravely ill it just did me in. I didn't put on a lot at once, a few pounds here or there. So this morning I decided to give in and step on the scale. OH MY GOSH I gained TWENTY pounds. I am so upset at myself for letting that happen but I also no how to get rid of it. So I'm back to the forums I love and the people that always encourage me to do better. I have decided to go for 35 five pounds and see if I can do it by Christmas. We shall see but I am glad to be back, wish it wasn't because I'm up 20 pounds though.

My husband Dan has been on FTS since February. Just this week he hit is new goal of 55 pounds GONE FOREVER!

He looks great and feels even better!

He reads the forums so I wanted to post and let him know how proud I am of him.

CONGRATS DAN!! Woo Hoo!!

OH MY GOSH, BANANA BUTTER?? Really??

I just saw the banner across the bottom and literally wanted to drool.

If you need a tester, I'm your girl.

When is it coming out??