It was wonderful! We spent five lovely days in San Diego California, drove to Vegas on Friday and stayed overnight, then spent the better part of Saturday driving home. The girls had the time of their lives (the zoo, Sea World, the beach and Safari Park). What fun! The damage? Six pounds of water weight. Yuck! It definitely could have been worse (hubby put on 12 pounds, then went to the gym this morning). My goal is to weed out the carbs again and drink water like it's going out of style. It's so amazing what happens to the body and water retention when you go from 5,000 feet elevation to sea level.

My maintenance has been good overall and I'm happy with a low-carb life. I don't deny myself, even indulging in my favorite sweets every now and again. It's really done well for me, but I haven't lost anymore weight.

I've incorporated T25 into my regime and I'm really enjoying what it does for me. It's very little time to work out in the morning I sweat like a horse! My eating will need to change to really reap the benefits (less cocktails or wine and minimal sugar-free treats). They're not as damaging as the real thing, but they don't allow for progress which is what I'm after...at least to keep the bloat off. I've been happy at my size and it's not as scary looking at myself in pictures.

Hubby is all Gung-ho about moving his business forward. He has complete access to his website now and wants me to maintain it. Since when did I become a webmistress? We'll see how that pans out. I think it's important for him to have the tools himself. I wonder if I can teach an old dog new tricks?

Oh, yeah! I totally rocked round 6 and have only creeped up three pounds above my last, injection weight. Considering Thanksgiving, Christmas, my daughter's birthday and my birthday, I'd say that was a royal score on my part. My goal is to drop another 15 to 20 pounds with this final round and stay put. I'm thrilled to be a 10 or an 8 for the rest of my days. When I work out regularly, things are even better (I just have to make myself get back into the habit).

So, round seven will begin February 17th (round seven on the 17th... I'm kinda liking that. You know me and prime numbers. ;-) ). It's President's day! I'll start my two-day load and then begin my VLCDs again on February 19th. Hubby is on board (amazingly, since he totally despises when I do this), now I've just got to remind my children not to tempt me. Sometimes, they do that without thinking.

Ironically, I talked to my mother today and told her about my Easter dress (totally stunning):

My girls told me I looked beautiful in it. Beautiful. Not a word I hear too often. I took it as a major compliment. My mother says, "Will it fit if you keep losing weight?"How about that! She doesn't even know I'm doing another round and I'm surmising that I looked smaller to her when she last saw me (my youngest daughter's birthday). At any rate, if it is a little big on me, no worries. I'll have it sized if I need to. Beautiful won't be hanging up in the closet indefinitely.

So, I'll be more active on here as the new round begins. It will be short, just enough to get me down to my permanent weight. I'm eager, excited and ready to see what happens. Say a prayer for me!

My daughter has her Fright Night party tomorrow and she's so excited. Hubby went out and purchased the pizzas (Papa Murphy's) today, along with her oreos and Kit-Kats. She's ready for her sugar rush and, possibly, crash.

Tonight, she's at school participating in their spook alley. She told me it would be over around 7:00, but it's nearly 8:00 now. I'm a little worried because I haven't heard from her yet. I called and left a message but, if she's still in the thick of things, it's guaranteed she didn't hear the phone ring.

I'm currently getting in the last of the Halloween/scary movies I've been watching. Tonight, it's Van

Helsing. Not scary, but sure fun to watch Hugh Jackman in action any day.

I woke up on my own (without my alarm) and got my 30 minutes of aerobics in today. It always feels great to get it in and even better to know that things are happening whenever I do. I had a .4lb loss from yesterday (175.2lbs) so, I'm back in the green zone. I'd like to lose a little more before our trip on Friday. No pie for me if I'm Ms. Porky before we go. Granted, it is a mini-vacation and I shouldn't worry but I worry so...

Here's what I had today:

October 30th, 2013

Calorie Goal: 1,108 Calories Consumed: 1,293 Calories Burned: 237 Net Calories: 1,056

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Scrambled Eggs	2.00	182	13g	480mg	176mg	2g	2g	0g	12g
Bar-S smoked bacon	1.50	120	11g	23mg	420mg	0g	0g	0g	6g
Hood Half and Half	1.00	40	4g	15mg	20mg	1g	1g	0g	1g
Coffee, Black	1.00	2	0g	0mg	5mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Chicken Breast	1.00	130	1g	68mg	77mg	0g	0g	0g	27g
Fried Chicken Wing	1.00	102	7g	0mg	0mg	1g	0g	0g	8g
Concord Foods Guacamole Mix, Extra Spicy	1.00	40	4g	0mg	110mg	1g	0g	1g	1g
The Fresh Market Chicken Salad	1.00	417	32g	100mg	288mg	3g	1g	0g	29g
Pistachios	1.00	190	14g	0mg	220mg	2g	3g	9g	6g
Sargento Swiss Cheese Slices	1.00	70	5g	0mg	40mg	0g	0g	0g	5g
Fitness	Minutes	Cals Burned
Aerobics	30.0	-237.0
Totals		Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
		1,056	90g	686mg	1,356mg	10g	7g	10g	96g

I missed my workout this morning, but I made every effort to get it in this after noon after work. Hooray! I was so proud of myself. Although I didn't work out as long as I anticipated (due to getting off work later and having to run errands afterward), I still managed a bit and that's better than nothing at all.

My lunch was a gaggle of wings and I'm not sure I'll eat much dinner tonight. They were salty so, all I've been wanting to do is drink my water and tea. Fine by me. :)

Tomorrow, I have to pick up the Pizza, Oreos and Kit-Kats for my daughters inaugural Fright Night party. Hubby is so excited about our trip this weekend. I think he might burst! I'm trying to contain my enthusiasm so as not to jink us.

Here's what I had today:

October 29th, 2013

Calorie Goal: 1,111 Calories Consumed: 980 Calories Burned: 105 Net Calories: 875

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
2 Egg Whites	2.00	68	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	16g
Bar-S smoked bacon	1.50	120	11g	23mg	420mg	0g	0g	0g	6g
Primal Blueprint Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings	1.50	680	47g	255mg	630mg	2g	2g	0g	50g
Old Wisconsin Turkey Sausage Snack Sticks	2.00	70	4g	20mg	280mg	0g	0g	0g	6g
Hood Half and Half	1.00	40	4g	15mg	20mg	1g	1g	0g	1g
Coffee, Black	1.00	2	0g	0mg	5mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Lipton Green Tea	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Voss Sparkling water	1.00	0	0g	0mg	20mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Fitness	Minutes	Cals Burned
Weight lifting: light (free weights, nautilus, universal)	20.0	-105.0
Totals		Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
		875	65g	313mg	1,375mg	3g	3g	0g	79g

I'm doing a correction day today due to my lovely creation (and too much alcohol), yesterday.  French Onion Soup Gratinee...ah, so wonderful. It was soothing, warm and utterly divine. I did not have bread, but added the Swiss and Asiago liberally. Earlier for lunch, I had shrimp and gyoza. The salt there was probably murder, not to mention the soup in all it's salty glory.

So, it's payback time. I've had 32 ounces of water and 16 ounces of coffee (plus a little steamed milk). I added lemon to my water to help rid me of the retention. Hubby is bringing home chicken tonight, so I'll be sure to eat the fatty portions. I hope this will clear me because I plan to have a good time while I'm away this weekend.

I missed my workout this morning (weird sleep, again. I'll blame the alcohol; red wine and vodka. Never again!) and I don't want to miss any more this week. I'll also work out with hubby while we're away. I told him that would be the only way I'd let apple pie cross my lips (we absolutely fell in love with Coco's Bakery, last time we were in Vegas).

My hope is to post tonight but if I don't, it's all about chicken for dinner and the completion of my (successful?) correction day. Only two so far and this is the first for maintenance! (I had one in P3).

Yep! Everywhere I turn there are Christmas trees, lights, nutcrackers and ornaments. Um, Halloween is in seven days and the candy is already in the "marked-down" bins. Really?! Once upon a time, you'd start seeing Christmas items and commercials the day after Thanksgiving. Then, a few years ago, it was backed up to November 1st. This year, I started seeing the goods the second week of October. Gracious! What is happening? The economy is in the toilet, but everyone still wants you to spend, spend, spend. It's ridiculous.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas; however, can we enjoy the current holiday before we move onto the next? I haven't even seen the cute Turkey decorations I normally see. It's like they decided Thanksgiving just wasn't worth it this year. How sad.

I had the Cherry Cordial flavored

I had intended to post my "eats" yesterday, but was so tired that I didn't do any typing before bed. I'll note that I did make an effort to get up and do some cardio this morning. Will see how motivated I am to do it tomorrow.  It's worth mentioning that I had no sugar added ice cream with sugar-free chocolate syrup for dessert. Hubby then gave me one of his sugar free chocolates from his box. Wow! All this after the salt-laden, Parmesan wings I'm becoming famous for. I had a slight gain (.4lbs putting me at 175.2 before the workout/175 afterwards) from that little splurge. The chocolates are okay, but the ice cream needs to be a once per week treat, I think.

Here's what I had today.

October 24th, 2013

Calorie Goal: 1,108 Calories Consumed: 1,524 Calories Burned: 199 Net Calories: 1,325

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
Ham & Cheese Omelette	1.00	394	21g	0mg	0mg	4g	3g	0g	36g
Penn State Sausage Links	1.00	288	24g	71mg	637mg	0g	0g	0g	17g
The Fresh Market Chicken Salad	1.00	417	32g	100mg	288mg	3g	1g	0g	29g
Sargento Swiss Cheese Slices	1.00	70	5g	0mg	40mg	0g	0g	0g	5g
Sargento Swiss Cheese Slices	1.00	70	5g	0mg	40mg	0g	0g	0g	5g
Enchantress's Low Carb Shepherd's Pie	1.00	285	20g	89mg	456mg	4g	2g	1g	22g
Good Earth Sweet And Spicy Herbal Tea	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Fitness	Minutes	Cals Burned
Aerobics - low impact	30.0	-199.0
Totals		Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
		1,325	107g	260mg	1,461mg	11g	6g	1g	114g

I know I haven't posted in a couple of days. We were off and away in town for hubby's show (in which he won three titles. Yeah!). Staying in town was like having a little mini-vacation and the girls had a blast. The pool at the place was like that of an indoor aquatic center. They played while hubby and I soaked in the hot tub (nice).

My weight wasn't chronicled the entire time we were away. When I weighed first thing on Monday morning, I was pleased to see that I hadn't inflicted any damage and that I was, indeed, smaller than when I left (even with the glasses of wine and sugar free chocolate). The salt was gone and, my guess, the bloat from my non-existent period.

Last night, we experimented and made a lovely pumpkin soup. My entire family went gaga over it. Everyone

Wonderful, low-carb Pumpkin Soup. Yum!

had three servings and, consequently, we do not have leftovers (I really wanted some for my lunch today). Hubby suggested trying it with link, polish sausage (it had Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage in it) next time or leftover rotisserie chicken.  There are lots of things we could try and it would still come out a winner. My eldest, who is not a pumpkin fan, loved it and said it didn't taste like pumpkin. Of course, not the traditional pumpkin, as it did not have ginger and other spices.

Today, I was up .4lbs than yesterday. Considering the amount of carbs I had (more wine; Pink Moscato last night), I'm quite pleased. I'm still toying around with the idea of doing a short round. Maybe right after the new year. If I can keep myself stabilized, it would totally be worth it to me.

I'll come back and post tonight with my food for today. Gotta get back in the habit.

Hubby has his show tomorrow and I appear to be eating for him in all regards (salt, fat, oil). It's been a bit of the retention game for the past couple of days. I'm up to 175.6, which is 1.6lbs higher than I was yesterday. Yikes! I will not be having any libations tonight. I  still went over in my salt, but I plan to drink a couple more cups of tea to try and flush it out. Hubby has been without any carbs for a week, along with no salt and no fat. He's looking great but I know he's tired of his "count down to the show" diet. Tomorrow, he'll be able to have a bit of sugar and I know he'll be so thrilled. I bought him a box of sugar-free chocolate from the chocolate factory as a gift. I think he'll have one or two of those as well.

If things are where they should be tomorrow, I'll definitely correct. I'll be a coffee drinking sister all day if I need to be. I also think this would have been my cycle time because I'm craving sugar, too. No cycle, but the effects are still there.

Here's what I had today:

October 18th, 2013

Calorie Goal: 1,099 Calories Consumed: 1,389 Calories Burned: 0 Net Calories: 1,389

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
2 Egg Whites	1.00	34	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	8g
Miceli's String Cheese Mozzerella	3.00	270	21g	60mg	285mg	0g	0g	0g	21g
The Fresh Market Chicken Salad	1.00	417	32g	100mg	288mg	3g	1g	0g	29g
Sargento Swiss Cheese Slices	2.00	140	10g	0mg	80mg	0g	0g	0g	10g
Good Earth Sweet And Spicy Herbal Tea	1.00	0	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Foster Farms Hot 'n Spicy Wings	2.00	380	28g	130mg	720mg	2g	2g	0g	30g
Kraft Ranch Dressing	1.00	148	16g	5mg	287mg	1g	1g	0g	0g
Totals		Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
		1,389	106g	295mg	1,660mg	6g	4g	0g	99g

That's what my youngest is deep in the middle of right now. She's imersed in the world that is pixar. I

saw a bit of it and, of course, it's very cute. I hope they decide to offer it up on DVD/Redbox in the near future.

My hubby found a SUV! He'll be coordinating the loan and pick up in the morning. It's a 1996 four runner with 150K thousand miles. That's great for the year and now he'll have a training and winter vehicle.

I had a loss (down a pound to 173.6). I'm maintaining well and think I may do one more, short round after the Thanksgiving holiday. We'll see if I can get hubby to be on board. He really hates not being able to eat together, but he'll get over it. :) Here's what I had today:

October 16th, 2013

Calorie Goal: 1,099 Calories Consumed: 1,473 Calories Burned: 0 Net Calories: 1,473

Food Item	Servings	Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
David Pumpkin Seeds	1.00	280	22g	0mg	20mg	6g	0g	2g	15g
Miceli's String Cheese Mozzerella	3.00	270	21g	60mg	285mg	0g	0g	0g	21g
Coffee	1.00	2	0g	0mg	5mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Hood Half and Half	1.00	40	4g	15mg	20mg	1g	1g	0g	1g
Chicken Leg	1.00	196	9g	93mg	90mg	1g	0g	0g	27g
Chicken Thigh	1.00	259	17g	153mg	97mg	0g	0g	0g	26g
Medium Avocado	1.00	227	21g	0mg	11mg	12g	0g	9g	3g
Chicken Breast	1.00	130	1g	68mg	77mg	0g	0g	0g	27g
UV Vodka Blue Raspberry 60 Proof	1.00	69	0g	0mg	0mg	0g	0g	0g	0g
Totals		Cals	Fat	Cholest	Sodium	Carbs	Sugars	Fiber	Protein
		1,473	94g	389mg	605mg	19g	2g	11g	119g

P.S. We didn't work out because we had to go to the credit union and fill out our loan application again for the car.

My best friend is coming soon for a visit. It's her year and I'm incredibly excited. I've been eating mostly protein (very few carbs) to eliminate the "cruise weight" I put on. I got most of it off and then. Bam! TOM! Nice. The water weight left; however, hubby returned with goodies from Vegas that we can't get here in Utah. We had a splurge day and bam! The pounds came back.

The good news is that I'm doing the protein-style diet again and the weight is steadily creeping off. I know more would leave if I could just increase my water (and finish putting together the treadmill that we bought --hopefully, hubby and I can finish it up this weekend).

I didn't start round three after the cruise, as I had planned, because my girlfriend's flight was made for only one month after our return. It would have been such a drag to be in the midst of a round with a friend here from out-of-town (way out of town). No lunches or late night snacks. So, I will start it up the Monday after her departure. I'll do a short round to try and get into the low 130s this time, which should have me stabilize, eventually, into the high 130s. The round should end just before Thanksgiving, putting me in P3 two days before. No cornbread dressing this year, but plenty of turkey and veggies. I'll be able to eat the "happy" goodies at Christmas (in moderation, of course).