Healthy Hearts February Challenge

[CarolynF]

Buffy: I saw you on the VLC thread..How has this affected your blood tests?

VLC is alot like Atkins 72...which starts with no carbs except for lettuce. It's the "original" Atkins. In that book Dr. A. states that one guy couldn't eat carbs at all or else he would gain. So, his carbs were VL for a long time...

[TuscanGirl]

Originally Posted by Buffy45

Morning everyone!
MK, we are so proud of you, getting up in the middle of the night to get on a bike and go nowhere What a trooper!

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Buffy: I saw you on the VLC thread..How has this affected your blood tests?

VLC is alot like Atkins 72...which starts with no carbs except for lettuce. It's the "original" Atkins. In that book Dr. A. states that one guy couldn't eat carbs at all or else he would gain. So, his carbs were VL for a long time...

What does VLC stand for??

I haven't lost any weight this week, but my freshly washed jeans are loose!
Usually they start out tight!

Busy morning - now DS16 has a doc appt and then I'm home for the day!
Which is great because I'm behind on TV AND I have a bunch of good movies.
I may just hunker down all weekend!

[Buffy45]

Yes, I am trying to do VLC (Very Low Carb) for awhile, not sure if that is what I want to do for any length of time, so just taking it a day at a time. I seem to have a barrier of around 210 that I can't break, everytime I get at or just below it, I seem to binge or do something that brings me back into the teens. I keep reading about ZC, not sure if I want to go that extreme or commit to something like that forever, but I am trying the VLC to break past this 210 setpoint my body seems to want to create, and get below that.
I agree Carolyn, VLC is exactly Atkins 72, which is the Atkins I always was familiar with. I remember joining in on some discussions in the past few years, stating I ate meat, eggs, maybe 1 little salad and people jumping all OVER me, where are you vegetables, you HAVE to have 20 carbs of veggies a day, blah, blah, blah. And, I also remember that in the Atkins 72 book, Dr. Atkins stated that if your weight loss was going well, then add 5 grs. of carbs per day the 3rd week, etc., etc. If you were not losing, then it was ok to stay at little or no carbs. I KNOW I am insulin resistant, didn't know that when I started trying LC several years ago, but I do now. My body does not process carbs. So, just another experiment but so far so good.
As to blood work Carolyn, I just started this on Monday of this week. If I do keep this up, my next blood work will be in April so we will see how it is then. I haven't watched fat intake at all since I came back to LC and my blood work in Jan. had improved on all counts.

Yay MK on the looser jeans, as I always say, jeans don't lie!!!

[wifezilla]

Hard to see, but there is a baby duck in there

[Buffy45]

If you say so

Just kidding, that is so exciting that you are hatching baby ducks!!

[CarolynF]

Hi gang,

Making faux taters tonight.. I tried cooking the cauliflower with lemon slices and whole garlic to see if the "cauli" taste would be more blander.

Zilla: Hmmmm..We just can't wait to see the new baby.. We will have to think of names, right? You are sure a "proud grandma"..

Buffy: I think it's great that you are trying the VLC approach. Everyone has their own level..even on Barry's plan. Finding your "level" is always a great idea.

Well, the nurse called..My TSH was 1.4 with 100 Synthroid. So, I will continue to take the 112 and then take another test the beginning of April.

Big giant basketball game tomorrow..KState/KU..It should be a good game. Brett will be there amongst the throngs of Wildcats. They are buying special white shirts for the game..

Anyone have romantic plans for tomorrow??????????????

[Buffy45]

It is DH and my 27 anniversary! Romantic plans, well, err, I am going to DGS basketball game and bringing him home to spend the night. DH and I usually do go to a really nice steak place for Valentines but we are trying to cut back on spending after buying the new truck, and I hate to spend all that money and just eat the steak, not the wonderful carbs and desserts! I can fix a good steak at home for us!

[TuscanGirl]

Zilla - I seriously thought it was a tulip . . . .

Carolyn - What is a good TSH? My last bloodtest it was 2.824.

We're going out to a crepe restaurant on Sunday. I've been wanting to go there - since last summer.
DD22 and I went but DH made reservations!!

Buffy - you're right! You can make it in your cast iron skillet!

[CarolynF]

Hi ladies/Gord:

Mary Kay: It all depends...a good TSH range is .3 to 3.0. You are on the top end of the spectrum. The old range used to be .5 to 5.0 but peeps were sick with a high one.
It all depends on how you feel..If you are tired, feel cold all the time, bad nails, bad hair, etc..those are symptoms that you might need medication. You should have this done every year with your yearly checkup. Alot of post-meno women need thyroid meds...I love crepes..

Gary made 7:45 dinner reservations out of town. I told him that was late to eat, but I will order fish or shrimp and it will be easy to digest.

Steak sounds nommie.. No kidding, Buffy..You can save alot of money and buy some real nice steaks..

[Buffy45]

One of my BF's and I went out tonight. We have trouble having time to get together with her hectic work schedule, she still has kids at home, etc. But, tonight we set aside to do something fun and on the cheap. We went to TGI Fridays, both ordered the FlatIron steak which to my surprise, was very good. Had water to drink and had a buy one entree, get one free coupon. They gave it back and said they were giving us the special and to use the coupon another time, Wow! Then on to see "Slumdog Millionaire" with 2 free movie passes she had. Bought diet cokes at the movie, the whole night, with tip cost us $25.00!
BTW, that was a great movie!

[TuscanGirl]

Carolyn - Interesting! Well, I am cold a lot - but I always have been - I'm not tired and my hair and nails grow too fast! So I guess I'm fine for now!

Yay! You get to go out too!!

Buffy - I read that as you and your "boyfriend" . . . . Hmmmmm!

A friend and I are going to see Shop-a-holic today. I really want to see Coraline in 3D!

[Buffy45]

Originally Posted by TuscanGirl

Buffy - I read that as you and your "boyfriend" . . . . Hmmmmm!

A friend and I are going to see Shop-a-holic today. I really want to see Coraline in 3D!

LOL, best friend, boy friend, oh well. Haha.

Morning everyone.
Off to basketball game later this morning.
Big crowd for Shop-a-holic last night, it looks good to me. Pink Panther for DGS and I, either today or tomorrow.
Saw a new low this morning of 208.2!! Wheeeee. It did get down to 208.4 for about a second the first part of Dec., so if I can push it below this and get a few more off, it will be that concrete form of fat I am jackhammering off. I am having no trouble at all sticking to the meat only, just still not sure that is totally healthy or what I would want to do forever. But, I am kind of thinking, lose some on it, try to maintain with some meat/veggies, then lose some more, you know? I am so tired of weighing over 200 lbs, I never in my life thought that would happen to me. I weighed 175 when I went to the hospital to have my first baby for hominy sakes!

[TuscanGirl]

Buffy - that's great!!!!!
I'd like to see Pink Panther too - but it's probably not going to happen!
I'll just get all of these when they come out on video.

[TuscanGirl]

[CarolynF]

Hi kids..

Happy Valentine's Day everyone..

Brett called to tell me that he made a sign for KU/KSU game today..So, he wants me to
watch for him. It's a picture of two coaches..

Gary and I are going to dinner tonight in B'ville..I'm thinking of fish/shrimp..

Buffy: Is Slumdog scarey? How about those first 6 minutes that are supposed to be really bad? I need to cut back on the carbs, too...We are going to have a big VLC party when you hit 199!!! I'm sure Zilla will hit that in 09 too..

MKay: I thought she wrote BFriend, too... and it's her anniversary, too..

Have a great day everyone..........

[CarolynF]

[TuscanGirl]

Fun day! Watched some taped TV, went to see Confessions of a Shop-a-holic (very good!), watched more TV, went to church, now getting ready for dinner.

I need more Saturday's like this!!


Carolyn - great cat pic!!

[Buffy45]

Cute valentine MK and cute cat valentine Carolyn.

I did write BF, meaning best friend, LOL. And today is our anniversary, not last night.

Slumdog is what I would call unpleasant at the first, maybe you could call it scary, but I highly recommend it. Glad to hear Shop a holic was great, it is on my list too.

DGS's team won their game, the first one they have won in the whole season, they were sooooo excited. This is the first year DGS has played and only the 2nd year for this little team, some of the teams have been together 4-5 years, so not very evenly paired but we were glad they won this one to encourage them to keep playing next year.

After the game, DD #2, and DGS 8 months, DD#3 and DGS 9 came to my house for lunch and then the mommys did a little shopping nearby while the boys stayed with me. The baby's personality is starting to come out, it is really cute to watch him develop and DGS 9 loves him so much and is so cute with him. Tonight we are just hanging out at home with DGS 9, we will go see Pink Panther before I take him home tomorrow.

BB tomorrow.

If I can keep up this VLC, I "think" I might see that 199 before too long, but I don't want to get my hopes up. I know I am just getting rid of a lot of water weight this week, how hard will it be to get the rest of the 200's off? Time will tell and it could take me a long time but I am determined to keep working it downward!

[LECould]

Hi Buffy - You might have said already, but how many carbs and what type? I'm considering this and have read some on Charles' site. Not sure yet if it's "for me" or not. Looks like it's working well for you so far.

Happy Valentine's day to all of you! Having a good one here all my kids are in town and both the grandkids as well. Did some shopping today and bought a smaller size jueans - whoo hoo!!!

[CarolynF]

Back from our Valentine's dinner..Then we picked up the 2 toilets at Lowes..so we had to ride in the old red pickup.. No cupholders, either!!!! Dinner was shrimp/steak..I brought home 80 percent of the steak..Yeah me!!!

Sounds like you had lots of fun with all your kiddos, Buffy..We are so happy that your
water is "falling"..Although, I am sure it is more than water.....

LE: Smaller sized jeans are great..Jeans are the tell-tale pants, I do believe.

MKay: Yup...Saturdays should always be fun, shouldn't they?

[TuscanGirl]

DH and I watched the Get Smart movie tonight. I thought it was really funny!

See you all in the morning!

[Buffy45]

Originally Posted by LECould

Hi Buffy - You might have said already, but how many carbs and what type? I'm considering this and have read some on Charles' site. Not sure yet if it's "for me" or not. Looks like it's working well for you so far.

Happy Valentine's day to all of you! Having a good one here all my kids are in town and both the grandkids as well. Did some shopping today and bought a smaller size jueans - whoo hoo!!!

This week I have been basically 0 carbs, the only carbs I am having is what is in coffee and I had some eggs today. Otherwise, it has been fatty meats only for meals and mostly water to drink but on 2 nights I did have some rum/diet cokes, which say 0 carbs but alcohol works differently. Purists zero carbers wouldn't dream of drinking alcohol but I am not stating I am doing zero carb, I am just trying to do very LC for a period of time to try it and see if it breaks me past this weight barrier I seem to have at about 210. Seems to be working but I am making no statements on whether I will continue this for any length of time, taking it one day at a time. My menu is something like this.
Coffee, with 1 drop liquid splenda
Late morning, fatty meat such as brisket or fried hamburger
Dinner fatty steak, with maybe butter on top
Repeat the next day
Boring but it seems to be working but who knows what will happen when I reintroduce some carbs? One day at a time....

[LECould]

I may give it a try and see. A little boost in the weight loss would be great. Thanks for your help!

[Buffy45]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Back from our Valentine's dinner..Then we picked up the 2 toilets at Lowes..so we had to ride in the old red pickup.. No cupholders, either!!!! Dinner was shrimp/steak..I brought home 80 percent of the steak..Yeah me!!!

Nothing more romantic than dinner out in the old red truck, picking up toilets after dinner, now is there

Just kidding you Carolyn, you and Gary seem to have that comfortable love that comes from years of marriage to where you enjoy things like that just as much as anything else. Sounds like DH and I

[Buffy45]

Morning everyone. I have to get off the computer pretty soon, DGS wants it . Talked him into watching a little tv while I was on it.

I have a new low to report this morning, 207! . Can't remember the last time I saw that on the scale, it has been quite a few years and I am so pumped. One more day to go for my first week of VLC, so we will see if I get any lower, or pop up a little, which I fully expect could happen. This next week will be harder I know as I won't be seeing these daily losses, what a motivator they are. But, I am so excited to think I might actually see 199 in the near future.
Gotta get another 1/3 brisket in the oven, and thaw out some hamburger so that I have meat in the fridge, easy to fix or grab and heat. It does get boring, I will say, but OTOH, couldn't be simpler.

Hope you all have a good Sunday, DGS and I are going to a 12:05 movie, he picked that one so that he would get home while he still had time to play outside with his neighbor friend.

[TuscanGirl]

Morning!

Instructional day at church - one of those "why do we do what we do" sessions.
It sounded interesting so a friend and I are going.
DD22 is coming over to do laundry and hang out and DH and I are going to a town about an hour away for our Valentine's dinner.

So - I guess I should shower . . . .

Buffy - whenever I do a meat/egg fast for a few days the weight comes off. It's good for short term, but I wouldn't suggest it for too long! Be healthy too!

[CarolynF]

Hi everyone..

Yup, Gary and I are "good buddies"..and we can laugh at each other.. Alex (cat) was excited to have the red pickup in the garage (his playground)..

Buffy: I am so happy for you.................... Remember Barry says that we really don't even need carbs to be healthy. So much for the Jolly Green Giant, huh?

Gary and I loved The Get Smart Movie, too..My favorite part was when he danced with
the large woman in blue..LOLOL.

Went to church, ate brunch out..eggs/bacon/coffee/fruit, and am doing laundry.

Back to the toilets...I told Gary we could put them on our front porch until we are ready to use them..LOL..He said that we would have to take them out of the boxes first..LOL

[wifezilla]

I am sure the neighbors would love that :P

Went to PF Changs for lunch with the girls. Had the lettuce wraps but forgot to tell them not to put the chicken stuff on a bed of rice noodles. Oh well, I was able to work around it .

[CarolynF]

Zilla: I've always wanted to go to PF Changs...Glad you had fun..

Time for bed..Gary and I watch Mark and Ollie and their travels with those different tribes.
It's on the Travel Channel..Very interesting, but there is some tribal nudity involved...

[TuscanGirl]

Oooh tribal nudity . . . .

Morning!

We out for Valentine's Day last night to a crepe restaurant called Carmon's.
It was yummy!

I was spinning this morning - at zero dark thirty!
I'm hoping not to leave home again!
There's lots to do around here.

Zilla - I love PF Chang's too - we don't have one close by though