Penpal match? Just turned 50, want to lose 75!

[PsychoLoser]

Good to hear from the ladies missing in action! I had a productive day in the home office, but still so much to do... Had a good food day. For the past 3 days I have kept my total carbs at 13, 7, and 11 grams. Drinking lots of water too. This is hard.

Will check on tomorrow...

[Pam in TX]

Morning all,

What a beautiful day it was here yesterday... The sun shining no wind.... We haven't had a day like that in a long time around here... Today is supposed to be a repeat... about 68 for a high...

Stayed on track for eating also... not enough water again though... Weekends are harder for me to get it in...

Tonight is our ladies night at church... Will eat a little bit before I go so that I won't be tempted to go off plan....

We enjoy skiing, but don't get to go much.... Usually go up to Copper Mtn in Colorado... When I was growing up in CA, we went to Mt Hood a couple of times, but usually went to Heavenly Valley in Tahoe....

Sherry: sounds like you were busy.... I am really bad about underestimating the amount of time a project will take to do... WTG on keeping the carbs low....

Sue: Your lace making sounds interesting.... What kind of thread is used on the bobbins? You really must show a picture when you get some done...

Fern: so glad to hear that you dodged those storms... and the lake sounds absolutely divine.... and so relaxing....

Time to go get started getting ready....

[Suji]

Good Morning Chickies!

It's beautiful but COLD here today. It was 4 degrees and breezy when I last checked my indoor weather station monitor (we have our own science weather station outdoors).

Today is "House Blessing Day" and it sure does need some! I'd better get cracking on clean up--especially with the vac!

DS1 never made it back from his SuperBowl party--I guess he crashed on the couch somewhere. No surprise! He doesn't have work today, but he does have school so I expect to see him home to clean up before that.

Official weight loss for last week--8 pounds! Hoo Haa! Of course, it may be the scales playing catch up with not losing on the dial for a solid month. But it has stayed the same for the last 3 days, so it's a solid loss to report. So, ONE MORE POUND and I get below 200! Bet I haven't seen that for a while!
Next goal is 10 pounds down.

Have a great day--I'll be running errands and cleaning house. Our friend who housesits the farm is coming by en route south to spend the day/night, so I've got to get substantially done by 1.

TTFN!

Sue

[Suji]

Fern-- It's like crochet thread that becomes finer and finer. Usually in the stores the only stuff you can find is labeled either 10 or 30 (thickness). We use those to practice, but most is done with ordered thread that goes 70,80,90,100.

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hello everyone:

Sue: Congratulations on your 8 lbs! I'm so excited for you! Unbelievable. I guess suffering through the FF really jumpstarted your system. Yea. I can't wait to get below the big 2. I haven't seen that since I was about 25 years old. My first baby put me over the top and I've never been back.

So I drank so much water yesterday I thought I would float away. I hope it whooshed out all those bad carbs. I can't trust my scale. It said no change this morning. I guess that's okay cause it didn't say I gained anything. I will wait to get the official weigh in results on Tuesday.

Okay, I have a new dilemma. DD1 is getting married on a Sunday. There was a lot of wedding talk this weekend. We are trying to work out the logistics. Hair do's. What the heck are we supposed to do about getting hair do's on a Sunday morning. Hmmm.

Here's another tip (although weird) I read in that book by Fran McCulloch. She said not to drink water right before bed time cause your body will just absorb it even though you go to the bathroom usually when you first get up. So, the water you drank right before bed time will be retained????? She said it takes approximately 90 minutes to go through your system. I have always drank water right before bed time so it could whoosh all the bad stuff out overnight. What do you guys think?

Another tip in the book: if you have to cheat, do it with protein? It has something to do with keeping insulin levels at bay even while the bad carbs are in your system. I guess that's why people eat dessert after a meal. I need to read that again.

Have a great day everyone.

[PsychoLoser]

Leslie-- Never heard that about water before bedtime-- hummm...absorbed by the body??? I too have heard that cheating with protein is the best way because it doesn't cause insulin levels to spike. By the way, congrads on your daughter's wedding. Around here everything is open on Sundays-- stores close around 6 pm.

Sue-- I am so glad for you girl!! Eight pounds is great !! Finally the stall is broken!! At least one of us is making progress. Keep focused and you'll be in onederland soon!!!!!! (Stay warm)

Pam-- Your weather sounds awesome!! If we had that warmth here, I would be at the beach in a heartbeat. It is very cold here-- unusually cold-- right now it is 25 degrees. We may get snow flurries in the near future. Good that you are staying on track.

I had a good food day today-- carbs less than 13. This is grueling. I better be losing weight!! I joined the Kimmers website for added support. People are reporting crazy weight losses there.

I'm watching Heros on TiVo and will get a nighttime cup of coffee when I sign off here. Everyone have a good week.

[Pam in TX]

Morning,

What a beautiful day it was yesterday....

Work was good and eating was ok as well.... Good thing I ate before going last night because the meal was a noodle dish with salad and dessert.... Only ate the salad with some ranch dressing on it...

And my reward, the scale was up two pounds this morning.... it had better be just a flucuation

Sue: WOW 8 lbs.... that is awesome....

Leslie: I have never heard that about the water before.... interesting thoughts... Congrats on the successful wedding.... Ahhhh contest time... My kids were choir kids so I can totally relate to that....

Sherry: sounds like you are on track.... Am anxious to see how this goes for you....

Time to get moving.... Have a wonderfully LC day everyone....

[Suji]

Hey-O!

THis will be quick as my collie is whining to go out. :-)
Thanks for the supportive pep talk, ya'll.
I don't have anything major planned for today. Our friend is here and I have to find some paperwork for him that I've stored *somewhere*. I've started reading my new bookclub choice--I think it's called Animal Stories. Still have a plant order to fill out and mail. I wonder why the places can have an online presence but can't take online orders??? RSVP for a club dinner in another county--and I think that's all I have to do for sure. I'm glad I don't have to run all over in this COLD weather!!!

I'll check in again later. Must walk dog!

Sue

[PsychoLoser]

Ladies--
Just a note to pop in and say Hi. I'm running late for work and got to get out the door pronto!! Have a good food and exercise day! Will work till late tonight-- so I may check in again tomorrow morn.
XXOX

[Dreamcometru]

It's group day for me. I like getting together with the other ladies. We've all gotten to know each other. And, I get to leave work 2 hours early. I will be sad when it's over. I think it ends in March, although the study goes on for 2.5 years. There may be once a month meetings or something. Most of the ladies have reached their goal weight. Like I said, this sure was a group of skinny ladies to begin with. When I read the brochure to sign up for this it said obese. HMMM.

Sue: I'm so glad we are out of the cold weather. I was complaining when it was 22. I can't imagine being in back east where it's sooo cold. I really enjoyed my lunch hour walk at 50 outside yesterday. Same for today.

Pam: Great planning and great job resisting. I'm really trying hard to do that. Don't worry about the 2 lbs. My scale did the same thing this weekend. Ugh. It said different this morning, but I will see at weigh in today.

Sherry: I looked at the Kimmers site and I really liked it. Did it cost to join? I thought so, but the stuff on there seemed really helpful. I'm anxious to see how it goes for you.

We have a busy week. Last night was my son's music lesson, tonight he has a BBall game, and I hope to go do the weekly grocery shopping. Wed we have an appt with a pianist and thurs we have an appt with another pianist who will accompany him at solo. Friday, he has another bball game, although that doesn't affect me. Saturday is league contest.

My DH, bless his heart, they started him on 10 hour days. He didn't get home til 8:00 pm last night cause he's working so far away from home. I hope he gets Saturday off.

Have a great day everyone.

[Suji]

Hiya SHerry and Leslie,
I'm taking a quick moment to check my e-mail. Hmm-my right hand is acting as though it objects to all my typing... Kinda stiff acting.

Today I am attempting to get a plant order in the mail (no online stuff for this company... :-/ ) I keep hemming and hawing about getting apples form them versus getting them locally first. Dunno-- a little more variety research may be called for.

It's so cold here that I have had to crack out ice on the bird bath 3 times so far and refill it with steaming hot water. Looks like a dusting of snow for us and more to the south of our area. Whatever happened to the more North you were, the more snow expected? Not around here this year!

That's a busy kid, Leslie! Does he ever have problems getting school work done on a daily basis? I post on CollegeConfidential regarding school issues (college prep) and so many of these kids do so much extra curricular activites and have these stellar school grades. How do they do it? My youngest complains about the work he has to do for one AP class! Not used (or happy) to apply himself!

SO, 10 hour days, does that mean he works 4 days a week (40 hours)?

Waving to Busybee Sherry! Check in as you can!

In some of the other groups I'm in< I think we're starting to see the post-January drop off in numbers as people find out you really have to work at this. Also, posting regularly is a discipline, I find. I've never written so regularly!

Well, I need to read my BC book.
Ta!
Sue

[PsychoLoser]

Howdy all! I have a short day at work today-- thank goodness because Thursday will be a killer!

By doing Fitday recently, I realized my Atkins daily diet contained excessive fat & calories which I believe was adequate to help me lose weight when I weighed more, but now was causing me to stall -- or maintain instead of losing. At this point I am sticking to Kimmers-- simple LC food, with focus on less fat, more protein, and less calories. For me this means-- no cheese (unless it is required to make a receipe work), no creamer for coffee, and hamburger only rarely (due to fat content). I also think I usually slack in the water department-- so I am trying to drink more water than usual too.

As an aside.... I remember watching "Low Carb & Loving It" with George Stella on TV and he used to say that low carbers should change over to low fat as they lose weight, in order to sustain weight loss. Maybe he's right for me.

The message board at Kimmers is very helpful-- and it did require a fee to join (about $40), but it is a lifetime membership. After 5 days on Kimmer I am finally seeing the scale move...I have lost 6 pounds I am feeling motivated and determined. I'll update my stats later when I have more time.

Leslie-- Sorry to see the group you like is ending soon. I love groups and many of the ones I have in my practice have been going on for years. People in the groups get very close to one another and find tremendous support and understanding. Perhaps you can stay in contact with some of your group members??

Sue-- You are the busy one lady!! You have constant projects going on...it sounds like you lead a very interesting life. I finally finished my desk project. I'm thrilled because it is so cozy in the new space. I am working on trying to stay current with all my patient insurance claims billing, since I have a new designated space (at home) to do it.

Well-- the clock is ticking and I have to get to work pronto. Take care ladies and have a great food and exercise day.

[Dreamcometru]

Wow, you guys back east are really getting hit hard with the cold weather. Brrrr.

My weigh in went okay. I was down 1.5 lbs. I'll take it. The sad part is, When I started this, I was 264.4. I weighed in at 224.8. Yes, I have .4 to lose to be able to say I've lost 40 lbs. My scale at home was nice to me this morning though and I think that .4 might already be gone.

Hey, guess what I found at the store yesterday. You guys probably already know about it, but it is Dannon Yogurt that only has 3 carbs. Yea. I can finally have yogurt.

Sue: When they increase DH's hours to 10 a day, it's usualy 5 to 6 days a week. During the summer he puts in mostly 60 hour work weeks. But, that's where he makes the big bucks. It's not fun for him though, but there are so many weeks in winter when he doesn't work at all, I feel like he's making up for lost time.

With you ordering plants, I took a good look at my meager flower beds. It's time to till them up a little bit and get rid of old stuff that grew back just before winter hit hard. I had such great flowers in front of the bay window last year, I hope to do a repeat. Also, I had tulips last year. Out here we don't need to remove the bulbs cause it doesn't get cold enough to freeze them, so I hope my tulip crop is doubled this year. I will know later this month when they start coming up.

Yes, kids are too busy. DD2 took all kinds of AP and college credit classes in high school and ended up with 30 credits to start her freshman year at the university. The university accepted all of them, so technically she's a sophomore right now. She gets priority status when it comes to registration. Unfortunately my son's busy schedule interferes with my exercise. I have a lunch appointment today so I can't walk and as soon as I get home, it's off to the pianist. Maybe I can do a video at home when I finally get home tonight.

Hi to everyone else.

Leslie

[Suji]

Sherry,
That's great! 6 pounds is a thrill, huh? It's nice to know that when one diet plan starts to get stale, there are others to turn to. Especially if the scale does not ever climb during the interim.
What kind of meals are you eating on the K plan and how many times per day?
I get a bit concerned about too low calories since I don't want my body to accept that as a norm. :-)

Leslie, same with my DS--he has Jr status (just) with all the AP stuff he took. I wonder if this is also a subtle plan to push kids through the system more quickly so that enrollments can enlarge without as many on a 4 year plan. Maybe that's balanced by those kids that stay for 5 or 6 years (taking fewer courses). The only thing I've been able to interest DS3 in is fencing (and he was grudging). It seems like he lacks a spirit of adventure--would rather stay by his computer games and grouse!

I planted tulips for the first time this fall and I'm dying to see how they look. I got a pastel mix from Van Engelen (300 bulbs) and overplanted those slightly with Thalia (white daff) and white anemones. I may have to hurry up and finish a second bedroom at the farm so I can spend more time there and see the results of my handiwork!

Well, if your DH is making more money for you and he doesn't mind the hours, who can complain?? My DH has to spend so much time on the road commuting that he feels like he doesn't get much down time. 2 hours a day adds up quickly!

So last night I got a call on the phone from the president of the county garden club asking me if I wanted to join--they were having a lecture today given by a local professor regarding the symbolism of flowers in art in the medieval period. I remember analyzing a tryptich for those very things way back when in college. :-) We got snow (maybe a scant 3 inches) and the kids (not mine) are sliding down the hill. THe garden club event was rescheduled, but I have book club that same afternoon (also a resched)--not sure if I can do both. But--cool! I'm gonna join.

I still have quite a few things I want to add for goals in other areas (once I lose more--a sport)...

Hello to the missing: Fern and Carolyn. I suspect Pam will check in later.

Ta!
Sue

TTFN!

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Sherry: We must have been on at the same time. I just wanted to say Congratulations on your 6 lb loss. Like I said earlier, I think I will try Kimkins or Kimmers or whatever it is the next time I stall. I am trying to cut back on the fats anyway, but gosh I love my cheese!

[dfc123]

Hi everyone. Just checking in. Sherry and Leslie, congratulations on your weight loss. That's fantastic.

Sherry, George Stella seems to have a lot of good insight into LC weight loss. He has some good recipes too. I guess, ultimately, your body will tell you the way to go.

Sue, thanks for keeping those of us missing in action on the radar. It really helps. Your garden most be incredible! It sounds like working with the earth, the colors, really sustains you.

I'm starting to do some freelance writing and editing work, and I'm really happy about it. Having something to focus on other than myself really helps me emotionally and physically. I've been letting unstructured time get to me.

I hope everyone has been having a great day.

Fern

[PsychoLoser]

Up early this morning because I have the work day from hell....

The scales say 2 more pounds lost !! Yeah!! That makes a total of 8 pounds since 2/2.

Good to hear from you Fern. I think I have seen every show George Stella has made-- love his dishes. And I use his cook book often.

Leslie-- I am a big fan of cheese too. In college I worked at Hickory Farms and learned about more than 100 different kinds of cheeses, and found that i liked most of them. I don't think a day has gone by in the past 3 years that I haven't eaten at least 2-5 ounces of cheese. Sorry to say though, while very low carb, they are high in fat. I think my body is changing and I need to eat less fat to lose. So no cheese for me for a short while. I'm sure I will return to eating cheese when I am maintaining.

Sue-- Oh goodness, I just assumed that you were already a member of a garden club with your love of gardening. I'm sure you will have so much to contribute to the club and that they will be lucky to have you. I too want to join a sport when I lose some weight... I've been thinking of cycling classes or aerobics... not sure and not ready to commit. I can always exercise at home, but I want to be more social!

How are you Carolyn and Pam??

Toodles Ladies, Have a good day!

[Suji]

Sherry--
Are there any downsides to losing weight too quickly? I got a little scared on the FF, frankly, that a pound+ a day was perhaps harming me in some way. That's a reason why I only went three days. One night I'd swear it was like my bod was "thrumming"--I could hardly sleep. What do the more educated on the Kimmer site say (there are always people on every type of weight loss site who look at the pounds lost quickly as the most important thing and I don't pay much attention to them)? I know you are thrilled--but be very careful not to damage yourself in the process!

My DS2 called wanting a hand holding or some sort of virtual hug. He's having a rough week at school between extreme homework amounts due daily for 2 classes with the same prof, an major essay due today, a group presentation where he discovered that when you wait for all the members to be "ready" you fall behind--hadn't even found their subject until Tues. and presentation is today, tutoring promised to a couple of other students, and regular class loads. He's taking 19 credit hours, which he may be regretting this week...

Fern--I have been wanting to join a garden group but wasn't getting any responses to my queries until the other day. In the interim, I did put my name in the roster for Master Gardener. It's all a big experiment to me what with all the nice land I have to work with at the farm. Most places I've lived had limited sun, space and/or soil/heat problems so I never really got to experiment. I have no idea what will have survived from my perennial planting of last year! It will be interesting to watch. Meanwhile, I need to put in lots of fruiting things since it takes years for some of then to get established before they fruit. No time to waste!

What has happened to Carolyn?! I hope she didn't get discouraged and fall off the LCF! Everyone has down times--we just have to dust ourselves off, stand up and walk forward. Hup-two-three-four....!!

I hope you all have a rewarding day in some area!

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hello Ladies:

Sherry: OMGosh!!! I worked at Hickory Farms in college too. It paid for my books, gas, auto expenses and other school expenses. I liked it so much after I graduated, I would go back and work at Christmas time even though I had a full time job. They even sent me to cheese school! I remember farmer cheese and apple butter. I remember making the soup mixes in the crock pot and eating what was left when the store closed. I remember being starving when showing up for my shift and trying everything in sight. I remember closing one evening at Christmas time. A drop of $$ hadn't been made yet. Two of us were required to stay, count the cash and prepare a deposit. Then place it in the safe. We had over $20,000 sitting on the desk. Next thing, we hear this deep voice. Both of us jumped out of our seats It turned out to be a security guard saying our back door was still open. The fear that went through me that night is inexplicable. Memories. I loved it. I had gone through tough times in high school, having lost my dad at age 16. Working at HF helped me through while I was in college.

Congratulations on your loss. 8 lbs since 2/2? You go girl!

Sue: That's fabulous about the garden club. You should be a natural. Soooo what sport are you going to add to your many activities? We have dragon boating here. I'm too fat to do it now, but I hope to be able to do it summer of 2008. They are always looking for more rowers. There are women's clubs and co-ed clubs.

I feel for your son. My DD1 was applying to grad school to get her teaching certificates. She graduates this spring, but they have to do the student teaching thing for a year. She passed her boards with flying colors, got all the teacher recommendations she needed and prof recommendations, wrote the appropriate essays. But the courses she took at UO wern't compatible with PSU, so it means she's another year down south and applying to grad school at UO. She wanted to move home this summer before they get married. She was so upset. I really felt bad for her.

Oh well, in the meantime her fiance got a promo at work and really didn't want to leave his job down south anyway, so it's another year with the 2-hour commute if we want to see her or if she wants to come up here. That is if she gets accepted. Keep your fingers crossed!

Fern: Uh Oh. You are a writer and editor? Now I really feel self conscious about my horrible spelling. Congrats on your endeavor. It sounds really interesting.

Got to get to work. Happy Thursday!

[PsychoLoser]

Leslie-- So funny that we were both in that damn denim overalls with the red checked shirt!! I worked at Hickory Farms to put myself through college too- to pay for tuition and books... How about that beef stick?? I remember asking people to sample it: "You would like a taste of our beef stick??" Now it sounds hiliarious! (and embarrasing) I ate a lot of cheese in the store back then just like you. The soup in the crick pots were the bomb! I also remember the polish sasuage! I was a starving college student and that place fed me many meals!! Before working at HF, I only thought there was one kind of cheese-- American!! Ha!
Thanks for the kudo about losing. Rowing sounds like an interesting idea. I guess you need a lot of upper body stgrength?
I read an article on the internet about choosing the right exercise for your body type-- based on my body type they recommended walking (which I already do)!
I also feel for your daughter since my oldest daughter is in a similar spot where she feels stuck careerwise due to circumstances-- I keep reassuring her that everything will fall in to place and that she needs to be patient and let go of what she cannot control.

Sue-- Thanks for your genuine concern. Its really a variation of low carbing... really not too much difference between what I had been eating, but mostly LESS cheese, cream, butter, vegs, and bacon. Mainly the protein level is high, which is good. I am not hungry and think I may even be in real ketosis. This is working for me now because it emphasizes portion control-- I was simply eating too much on Atkins.
About your son-- it seems to me that no matter how "grown" our college kids think they are, they still need the comfort of their mom at times. Life can surely seem hard at that age. (19 credit hours is a BIG load)

I am taking off Friday! Yea! My family is going skiing at Seven Springs so I am going to enjoy the SOLUTIDE all weekend!!

Will touch base with you all tomorrow morn!

[Pam in TX]

Morning Ladies,

Sorry to have been MIA for a couple of days.... Got caught up doing things around the house when I would get home and lose track of the time....

Have been staying on track and making it to go exercise.... Work is still slow, so I may try to take the afternoon off.... Managed to drink close to 4 liters of water yesterday...

Tomorrow I am going to meet up with my parents at my grandmother's for a little while.... I haven't seen them since Christmas...

Sue: you are the gardening mad woman.... I love flowers.. I do have beds at the front of the house, but the backyard is mostly containers.... There is only a few inches of soil and then it is rock, so it is hard to get things to grow back there...

Sherry: sounds like you are on track and doing well..... there are alot of people that like the Kimkins WOE... Congrats on the loss...

Fern: What type of writing do you do? When my kids were little I did some editing for a company... Allowed me to work from home...

I know I have missed some, and I apologize.... Will try to post this evening when I get home...

Have a wonderful Friday.....

[Suji]

Hey All--
15 degrees this morning! We've had colder over the past week for sure, but the trend is holding...
DS2 is due back for the weekend--not that I'll get to see much of him. It's a trip primarily for his girlfriend's sanity, I think. These two met as HS seniors and have been holding onto each other for dear life through this whole college thing! My boys seem to be very monogamous sorts so far... My eldest carried on a 3 year realtionship with a young lady, the third year she was back home in Philly after college ended. DOn't know about my youngest--he's so shy I doubt he looks any girls in the eye these days.

Sherry--sounds like you know what you want to do. I read some about the K group and think of it as a fall back if I need a break. :-) But, like I said, I do worry about body caloric set. I like to eat when I'm allowed and if my body starts to think that I can happily stay at 1200 cals, then I'm going to be an unhappy camper! :-)

Pam, I do love gardens, the smell of soil, the feel of it in my hands after amending with compost--the whole process of change. I am not at all a great gardener--I'm just enthusiastic. Heh.

Leslie--my secret desire is to be a decent rider--of horses. Problem--I get unnerved by them unless they are really predictable dead broke types. A friend has some huge Clydesdale sport crosses and other TB types that I helped her with. I got rather scared going into stalls with these guys charging around or into fields where I had to open a fence for a gang of these guys raring to get to sweet feed. I would like to ditch the scared bunny feeling and replace it with a better attitude that works for me to progress to all round handling.
My second choice would be hiking the region and not huffing and puffing on moderate slopes. Third would be tennis (we have a court at the bottom of our hill). I'm just to heavy on my feet and it bothers my shins to run like that. Sigh. Another 60 pounds to go.

Fern--where you at???
Beautiful pink sunrise this morning...

Hugs to all of you,
Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Hello Ladies:

It rained heavily last night, but is beautiful today. I got in a super walk yesterday and hope to today.

Sue: Horseback riding is another activity I have avoided because I'm too heavy. I don't want to put any horse through having me at my weight on its back. I used to ride horses a lot. I took two terms of horseback riding in college for my PE credits. I loved it. When my SIL lived in northern California I would go down there and ride and ride. It was free and they loved it when I did because their horse got exercised. That was a long time ago. So yes, I will join you on the horse back riding. I love to play tennis too but I'm like you, it's too hard on my heavy body. We live by the high school and they just put in 6 brand new tennis courts, having taken the old ones out for the new building. Perhaps I will give it a try this summer.

I hope it warms up for you soon.

Sherry: I think I had four or five of those stupid checkard shirts laying a