I managed three good days, anyway. Already this week is looking much better. Today will be my third good day in a row, and I even exercised yesterday. I plan to exercise at least twice more this week. My anniversary is Saturday, and I do plan to indulge...but not until then. No baby news yet. I did take a test this afternoon, and there's definitely a pinkish line...BUT, it could be from an HCG booster shot I had 8 days ago or an evaporation line. Usually I can tell an evap line, but this time it's faintly pink, so I'm not so sure. I won't test again until Saturday. Hopefully I will have good news. If not, no big deal. I'll have more testing while taking the month off. Then we'll try a few more rounds with injectible drugs. If still no baby, then we're going to try naturally. And if it STILL doesn't happen, then it was meant to be. So mentally, I'm in a very good place right now, no matter what the outcome. I hope everyone has a great week!

No, I haven't tried the Special K or Luna bars. I do understand about the "gross" factor, though. I especially like the taste of the Kashi Go Lean Chocolate Turtle Roll. But I treat it like a healthy candy bar and try to limit them because I get carried away with the taste! I would say that as a staple, I tend to use the Pure Protein bars and Snicker's Marathon Protein Bars. Let me know how you like the Special K bars if you try them. Irene

I know you asked specifically about protein drinks, but I thought I'd mention that I use protein bars as a meal replacement. I find that having something to eat holds me and satisifies better than drinking a shake, although I have used shakes. I also find that the monotony of protein bars (and sometimes shakes, too!) can be good for turning off the food attraction that I can get trapped in. I have my own 'rule of thumb formula' that I use to choose bars since they come in all sizes, with different protein amounts. Since protein bars also contain fats, carbs and sugars along with the protein, I try to buy bars that come as *close* as possible to having 10 calories for every gram of protein. Helps to "level the playing field" when trying to compare bars. HTH! Irene

Nancy, Happy to see that you are still hanging in there as we all are...I always say that I am one bite away from reverting back to 415 lbs. The holidays went well for me as far as eating although I did indulge in homemade pastries (the carb monster was calling my name). One day at a time keeps me pressing forward even on the days that I get off track. This Saturday I purchased my first bike in 29 years and I went riding on both Saturday and Sunday (ate-it both days too...). Both my children and I are enjoying these new experiences. Take care and keep posting!! Mary 415/154

Just checking in. I'm trying to make it part of my routine to post here - I hate to see the activity on the board die!! I did well over the weekend. I took advantage of the 70 degree weather here in the northeast and went for a long walk on Saturday. Also took down the Christmas decorations, etc. I'm still hanging in there at 179 - but that's OK. I lost 9 lbs. in the last six days and I know my body has to get adjusted before it will drop much more. I'm glad I'm out of the carby eating cycle. I can actually sit and watch TV and not be feeding my face the whole time like I felt compeled to last week. It's actually freeing. I start back to tap classes tonight and I'm really looking forwad to it, although I KNOW I'm kind of out of shape. How's everyone doing??? Hugs, Nancy