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

[PsychoLoser]

Kayan & Pam-- Interesting that you are/have been nurses. In my practice, I specialize in treating health care professionals. About 50% of my patinets are nurses. I work closely with Va. & NC professional monitoring programs and with the State Boards of Nursing.

Kayan-- Have a great time on your Atlantic City trip. I have been there several times and always try to catch a broadway show. Sad to hear about your BIL. Cancer is a scary thing because it feels so random and deadly. I am sure your family is comforted by you lending your expertise to a situation that often overwhelms people with medical complexities.

Pam-- BTW did I tell you my oldest daughter works in a very busy ER (she's a paramedic)? I'm sure the funeral was profoundly sad-- no one can make sense of the death of a young person. This reminds me of when my daughter was playing college ball and during one of the games, their 5 yo mascot (dressed like a cheerleader) ran out in front of a car and was killed. The entire team and everybody there witnessed the tragedy. It took a lot of support for them to cope. To help get closure to their grief, they rededicated the softball field at the college in her name (interesting enough, her name was Destiny-- the field was called Destiny Field). I love the new name.

Leslie-- I know exactly what you mean about greedy insurance companies. I am in health care and find they want the most treatment for the least money. They often make it impossible for the insured to access the quality of helath care they deserve or need. Ugh!

I had a smooth day at work, and am looking forward to a healthy dinner and evening cup of coffee... I am gonna make my limping husband SIT DOWN!!

See ya later!!

[sleepysue07]

Hi everybody:

I haven't posted lately because I've been sort of depressed. I have been lurking though. Pam I am so sorry about your friends child. I lost a brother in law who was 20. He was like a little brother to me and it was totally heartbreaking to all of us. 18 years have passed and it's still heartbreaking.

Sherry you are really doing great! Your husband is not the only stubborn one. My husband is the same way, but he becomes such a grouch when he is convalescing! I hope that he is beginning to feel better.

Kayan I had braces as a teenager, and I can empathize with you. I remember the pain after the adjustments as being brutal. My entire jaw ached for a couple of days and the inside of my mouth was always torn up from the brackets. I had them for three years, but it was so worth it. I think that my smile has been my best feature. You definately won't regret it.
I'm so sorry about your family members who have cancer. My mom and dad both had cancer and it is just such a terrible and cruel disease. Your dad and BIL will be in my prayers.

Leslie after reading your post from the 13th I have to admit that I'm really jealous of you. I would give anything to have your trees. I live in the middle of farmland-all wheatfields, maze, corn and cattle. The only trees around are cedars which I hate. I grew up in the piney woods of east-texas and I worked for the U.S. Forrest service as a teen. I really miss the trees so much. I miss raking the leaves too. The only thing is that now when I travel back to where I grew up I cannot breath. I have such terrible allergies to the pine pollen that I never had growing up.

My son is driving me insane! We thought we were all settled. He had applied and been accepted to the college of his choice and was looking so forward to going. Then he came home last week and said he isn't ready to go that far from home, and want's to stay here and go to the local junior college for a couple of years first. I wasn't crazy about that idea, but was just beginning to accept it when a coach from a school in Kansas called and said that they were interested in him if he wants to play football. So now he's thinking he might go to Kansas! He graduates from high school in May, and I wish he would make a plan and stick with it. His uncertainty is really unsettling to me, and I don't know why. I guess that I just need to stop worrying so much about him. He is a very smart kid and always succeeds at everything he tries. My husband says that I am worrying too much over a kid who will be fine. Before long I am going to have to get a life of my own that doesn't revolve around my kids. I don't know what I want to be when they've grown up.


Hi Sue, you are such a whirlwind of activity. I don't know how you do it all and still keep up with your Flylady routines. I don't think I could. You're a marvel. I have a piano and I really wish that I knew how to play. It belonged to my sister. She majored in music in college and was a concert pianist. I really miss the sound of her playing the piano, she played so beautifully. I have always sang in choirs, and been a soloist and she was an awsome accompanist. I have never found anyone else who could play for me as she did. When I sing now I use a recorded vocal track, but it's not the same.

Okay, I am going to bed now, I am really missing my family tonight. My mom, dad, and sister are gone and I am the only one left now. I wonder if this is why I'm having such a hard time with the thought of my boys leaving home?

Sorry to be such a downer tonight.

Carolyn

[Suji]

Carolyn--Big hug to you! It sounds like you're really going through mental/emotional transitions right now. I think we all do--have these ups and downs and "why am I here?" mental gymnastics. You'll get through it! My son was driving me crazy last year too at the last minute--everything he did was WAY too "last minute" for me and I felt like Iwas the only one who had a sense of getting things squared away. SO glad that's all water under the bridge now. My sympathies.

Just to set the record straight--I don't do everything the FLyLady suggests daily. My house is relatively picked up so it looks OK. Then I'll take a day during the week and do some of those daily suggestions. So, it's not like I'm on top of everything. :-) I'm not at all afraid of guests anymore though! (Except that my hall bathroom is having major paint and plaster problems right now--paint is suddenly cracking and curling off the ceiling! I guess they didn't choose a good compatible paint for repainting the bath last time!)

Also, it's true that I have a lot of interests but I'm a dabbler at most since I'm just getting my toe wet. I wasted (well, it *Was* research I say!) almost the whole day yesterday on the 'Net trying to decide on what roses to order from Pickering in CAN. I ended up deciding on a series of shrub roses in tones of true pink from lightest to darkest tending into the rose-red (Saw a Valentine Martha Stewart show where there were vases of coordinated roses behind her and liked the effect). So, hopefully I'll have a rose walk on the way to the front door at the farm assuming they do OK there. I have viburnums behind them and I think I'll put one of those low growing Lilacs like Miss Kim in there too. I love lilacs and my Mom and told me of two tall French type cultivars that she wants in "her" garden (I am going to have a "Mom" theme garden over by the barn ramp--she likes that effect). I just wish they weren't such mildew magnets.

So, dear Carolyn, I am like a butterfly flitting from tasting one activity to another--not really a whirlwind of accomplishment on a daily basis. Wish I was one of those super women!

Hello to everyone else--do send me those leaves via truck, won't you Leslie dear? :-))))
Sherry--I'll join you in some coffee but MAKE MINE LIIIIIGGGGHHHHHTT!
(I'd back up a page but I'd lose my post so I'll just wave to the rest of you!)
Fern--where are ya?

Sue

[PsychoLoser]

Just a quickie check in before I head off to work (have a long commute today).

Today is day 14 of Kimkins and I have lost 14 pounds! WooHoo!
Carolyn, Its good to get your feelings out with us. Feel free to say whatever you feel. I can certaintly understand feeling depressed at a time when your kids are separating from home. Perhaps your son is as ambivalent as you are! The feelings you have are natural-- it is grief. In my experience, grief must happen so there is no need to block it. And grief can be thought of as an affirmation of the strength of your love.

Sue-- I read up on Flylady a while ago and was amazed to discover what it is all about. Its cool to be organized with cleaning like that. I also read where there was some application of the Flylady concepts to weight loss??
I also have many big, mature trees at my house-- the leaves blanket the ground by a foot deep. But, by this time of the year, they are all raked up and taken to the landfill. That's backbreaking labor! Whew!

Will check in later ladies!! Decide now to have a clean weekend!!

[kayan]

Morning Ladies:

Just a quick note before I head out the door to the Drs. appts.

Pam: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family> I know how emotional yesterday was for you. We just have to believe that they are in a better place and our guardian angels now waiting for us.

I have been a nurse since 72. I was a L.P.N. until I got my R.N. in 84. Boy to I feel old now.

Sherry: Hope your husband is doing better> I have found anyone remotely related to the medical field makes the worst type of patients. We don't listen to instructins We think they are for everyone else but us personally

Carolyn Hang in there Keep posting an we will help you .We will become your online family.

Sue : I am a dappler (I love that word) also, I have done everything. from stamping to basketweaving and everything in between But get bored easily and off to another project.

Wish I could offer support about children and schools but I can't its a long syory but HOPEFULLY dd2 will graduate in Jume with her masters in education she has been going to college since 2000 changed schools 3 times and majors 5 yes 5 times. hopefully she will be happy. And I have allready told you that DD1 is in school again for another major.

DS dropped out

well catch you later Will take any prayers that anyne has to offer today for my father and BIL

Kayan

[Suji]

Hey--
Just back from a really slick walk. MY boots were not making a dent in that icy cover, but with the sun out--it's gorgeous.

Kayan--yes, isn't dabbling wonderful???

Sherry--you're doing great with the losing! Did you ever find out anything about the long term ramifications of either super quick weight loss or possible low caloric set points? Cuz, man, if it works that well and does no harm, I may join you in March! I feel like I have to follow one plan at a time. My confession--what I'd really like to work for me is a high veg/fruit plan. I can do without the white food, but I am really missing the "cleansing" foods. Anyway--you go girl!

Kayan--absolutely, you have my hopes for your family.

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Ha, its 8:34 here on the west coast, but I'm going to say good afternoon to all of you.

I couldn't walk yesterday at lunch so I went to the gym. I did 45 on the elliptical and over 5 miles. Phew, I've never gone that far before. However, I'm paying for it today. I have no energy whatsoever.

Carolyn: It's good to hear from you. I'm found myself depressed when DD2 left. With my two DD's gone and only my son left, it's going to kill me when he goes out the door to college. He's aiming at attending University of Hawaii. My oldest switched her major a couple of times. At least she has the appropriate credits to graduate. She got slammed about her gradschool application by a professor recenlty and was really upset at the comment. She was told only to apply to the ed school grad program at no fee and if she didn't get in she wouldn't have to pay the $50 app fee for the general grad school app. She already applied to both. She took that as the professor thinking she wouldn't get in and now she's worried. Ugh. College. My DD2 called me extremely upset because she failed her chemestry midterm. She's a straight A student and they bumped her up a level in chemestry and now she's struggling. She's losing faith in herself because that's her major. She wants to work in forensics. Its hard because I want to be there to give her a hug, but all I can do is reassure her over the phone to hang in there and keep plugging away.

Kayan: I really am sorry about your relatives with cancer. My MIL has cancer. She's just now starting hard core chemo. She has such a strong will to live and seems much younger than her years, so perhaps the chemo will do some good. DH had a falling out with her a couple of years ago and strangly enough, this brought them back together. I'm so glad because it will give her some peace.

Pam and Kayan: My SIL is a nurse too. I so admire her and the two of you for being in the medical profession. It takes special people. I'm in the legal business. I help elderly people. These little old men come in to see me for whatever legal thing is going on with them, and the twinkle in their eyes and flirtatious manner is so cute. My office always says "one of your boyfriends is here to see you." Then the little old ladies usually need their hand held, some conversation due to lonliness and a little sympathy.

Pam: What a day for you. It's so hard when young loved ones are lost. You are wonderful to be there for the family.

Sue: Of course I will send you my leaves. Actually, I hope to get some curtains sewn this weekend too. DS has really been on my case to get them done for his room. Now most boys wouldn't care whether they had curtains or not, but DS has this grand scheme as to how he's going to "add cool stuff to them" when I'm done, whatever that means.

Sherry: I'm thinking I need to convert. Your weight loss is phenominal. I'm pretty comfortable on my plan right now. If I drop 2 a week, I'm okay with that. I made some cream of asparagus soup last night. LC of course. I used cream cheese and cheddar cheese, chicken broth, chicken breast, celery and daikon. Oh, it is so good. I have enough for several days.MMMM

I've chatted way to much. Have a wonderful Friday.
Leslie

[Pam in TX]

Morning all,

Sure wish I could sleep in sometimes on the weekends.... but no, my internal alarm clock wakes me up at the normal time.... Oh well, it also gives me some alone time before anyone else is up (including the dog) to get some coffee, check email and come visit my friends here....

Thanks to everyone for your kind words, hugs and prayers this past week after the loss of our friends son... We have had to deal with this several times and it sure makes me want to grab my kids and never let go....

Leslie: sorry that your children are worrying you.... I understand that feeling of frustration.... When they are far away and call upset, it is so hard not to just get in the car and get there to be with them... I hope it gets better for them and you soon...

Sue: I tend to dabble quite a bit also.... I have several unfinished projects.... I don't do all the flylady things but do follow some of the practices...

Kayan: Prayers for you family members... and you... so nice of you to go to the appts with them...

Sherry: you are doing a great job on this plan.... WTG girl.... may have to check it out to see if I can get things moving here...

Carolyn: sorry that you are also struggling with life.... My DS is a procrastinator also... drives me nuts sometimes... I am a planner and organizer... Sometimes I have to just close and eyes and pretend not to know.... When we were faced with the empty nest, it was hard at first... but then I realized that it really wasn't so bad, just different...

Supposed to be a beautiful day today.... In the 60s.... Don't really have any big plans today... A local scrapbook store is having a big sale today, so may try to slip over there and check it out...

Have a good day everyone....

[Suji]

Just a quick check in before heading out for the day. I'm taking my knitting and my lace pillow with me to work on. Sis made the last meeting whilst I was off at "pruning camp", so she can show me how to get going again (hopefully).

Carolyn, was it you who said she was missing trees where she lives (pardon me for not scrolling back to search). I have been looking at all kinds of trees for windswept or frigid areas, so there's some tough buggers out there. THere's some really nice standard size apple tree varieties/crabapples vars is the first thing I think of. I've been through the piney woods area--one of my brothers went to a religiously oriented school back there in TX and it was definitely a beautiful area. Way different than the Dallas-Ft Worth areas where tall trees were maybe pecans.

Yesterday I spent a bunch of time looking at nut tree seedlings from Grimo and Burnt Ridge as I want to start a nut orchard on part of the property. I was also thinking that I may repopulate the woods with mast trees (nut trees) since this part of Penn's Woods was the great oak-chestnut area. Sadly--the blight and logging by farmers and other professions took away the old growth. But, I can repopulate my little corner of the world. Did you know there's a project to repopulate the chestnut tree (they're working on blight resistance)? I'm also intruiged by growing some pecans--the northern type with smaller but tasty nuts. Apparently they are related to hickories which do grow in my woods and even interbreed to form a "Hican". Cool, huh!

Well, must go tend to e-mail. Have a great weekend indoings or recovering from the past week.

Hugs,
Sue

[PsychoLoser]

Lost another .5 pound today. This weight loss has been steady since day one. (If you don't own a digital scale-- they are great-- no guessing where that needle is really resting, and it shows half pound changes)

Sue-- I remember chesnut trees from my childhood in Maine-- we would actually roast chesnuts in the fire.

Pam-- Later in this week our weather is supposed to be a lot warmer-- upper 50s. Enjoy the outdoors while its nice.

Leslie-- Sometimes I think the hardest part of having adult children is allowing them to make their own decisions, when I know they may not be the best decisions-- then to support them through the mistakes and failures. But that's how they develop confidence, autonomy, and competency. It's often a painful process for us and them. Keep up the good work with your exercise.

Kayan-- Prayers sent to your BIL & Father

Slept in today and ready to get out the door with Saturday errands (alterations, post office, Target....)

[Interesting Note: By the way we have one of those jars of peanut butter that has recently been recalled due to salmonella poisioning! We have eaten half the jar- but no one has been sick yet thank goodness.]

Have a great day ladies!

[Dreamcometru]

Good afternoonladies. Well its only morning here, but I've already had my golf course walk, showered, had breakfast and am now hanging on the computer for a while. I have errands to run, walmart, etc. so I will be off and running soon. Then I will rake those leaves (it needs to dry out a little and it's beautiful, sunny and warm) and hopefully start the curtains tonight. DH is working today so I feel I need to get something accomplished today.

Sue: Two houses down from us they have this giant walnut tree. The squirrels carry the nuts to our flower beds and flower beds all over the neighborhood. All summer long I'm pulling up volunteer walnut trees. Sure wish I could send some your way. They grow really sturdy and fast. We fight the maple trees too. Always seeds growing everywhere.

Sherry: You are amazing. Your losses are fabulous. Yeh, I like the digital scale at the group. It's intimidating, but always true. I would love to sleep in, but I've obligated myself to meet with my walking partner at 7:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday. I sure didn't want to get out of bed this mornng, but once I'm there, it's beautiful and it was warm today. I worked up quite a sweat.

Pam: I also enjoy the alone time in the mornings. I try to beat DH up for that very reason, even before I go walking.

Kayan: I hope everything is going okay.

I've got lots to do today, so I better get going. Bye.

[PsychoLoser]

Thank you Leslie :-) -- Your (and Carolyn) exercise routine is motivating me to think about exercise again. I used to do weight training at a local gym with my oldest daughter & husband, until my membership expired about 2 months ago. I find that form of exercise boring and really didn't see much effect on shaping my body anyway. I went today to Balley's and checked out what type of group classes they offer. (My husband has a membership so I could add on as a family member.) I think I may sign up for step classes, if I can change my work schedule to get there on a regular basis. Maybe I could even meet some women my age?? My husband said I could do a trial class with a guest pass. Thinking about these things.....

Just to check in and be accountable: Keeping food simple (low carb, low cal, low fat) and tracking everything on Fitday. No cheating !

Craving a smooth cup of coffee.......

[PsychoLoser]

Where is everybody today?? It's almost 4 pm here!!

Just checking in as I clean house.... Today the scale show down another 1/2 pound! Everyday I have lost. This is motivating. And I feel very energetic and lighter.

Hope to see ya soon!

[Dreamcometru]

Hi Sherry: I'm here. Finally. I had such a busy day I haven't had time to get to the computer. I did my golf course walk this morning. It was a lot colder than yesterday. Then cooked breakfast for everyone, took my son across town to a Pianist, had lunch, went to the driving range, then to the opposite end of town for my son's session with another pianist. I finally got to come home at around 4:30.

Yesterday was great. I did rake those leaves and cleaned out one of my flower beds. I only did one because I don't want the other growing weeds yet and the leaves keep the growth at bay. I need to trim my rose bushes down to the ground so they come in better. I didn't have time to do it yesterday or today and they are already showing some new growth so I've got to do it soon.

Sue: I did have tulips under the leaves. After I raked, I found seven. I was so excited to see they came back. I can't wait until they bloom. I'm sure there are more, they just haven't popped up yet.

Sherry, You are unbelieveable with your weight loss. You are doing so well. Congratulations. I have TOM's only once in a great while BUT I have the symptoms every month, the cravings, the bloating, etc. I have been unable to quench my hunger this weekend. Although I've gotten a lot of exercise, I'm afraid I have over done it with what I've eaten. All low carb, but not necessarily low fat. Ugh. I will find out how bad on Tuesday.

You would enjoy the classes at the gym. I'm fortunate I have my gym membership. My firm pays for it. I go when I can, but probably not as much as I should. I do like it when I go. Because I've been walking on lunch hours every day and on the weekends I have only been going when I cant walk.

Hi to everyone else. Talk to you tomorrow.

Leslie

[PsychoLoser]

Leslie-- What a busy day!! I feel like a slug today compared to you- hehe..
In the fall we rake leaves everyday for months! When I was a young girl, we would burn them in the street. Weird thinking about that where I now live in suburbia. That was such a different time and place. Great about your walking. I bet walking the golf course is beautiful with so much open space. I think I'm in premenopause with irregular cycles sometimes (I could set a clock by them in the past). My memory has gotten so bad that I need to take notes in my therapy sessions. Never had to do that before!

Have a good week and be careful what you eat... Take good care Leslie.

[Pam in TX]

Morning Ladies,

Very busy day yesterday..... Church in the morning and then the Marriage Course that we help sponsor at church started a new session, so we had to be back there about 4:00 and left at 9:00....

A little breezy but otherwise a beautiful day yesterday....

I think part of my problem not losing may be that I am not eating enough... Hard to imagine eating more to lose....

Sherry: sounds like you had a busy day yesterday.... great job on the weight loss... Aren't you doing the kimkins? Where did you find the info for it?

Leslie: the walfing around the golf course sounds pretty? Do you play golf? My FIL plays quite a bit... he really enjoys it.... Sounds like you hade a very productive day....

Anyone off today? We aren't.....

Off to get ready for work......

[Suji]

Well,

I finally got my pictures uploaded and *had* been thinking of an avatar change but BLECH! All my life photos have had the ability to make me feel bad about myself. Here I've lost 22 pounds the last time I checked and I still look bad. (Of course, if you consider that I need to lose an additional 60, it *Does* tend to put things in perspective. Phooey.

Anyway--very busy weekend! Went to my sisters and played with yarn, visited a yarn shop and picked up a couple of easy patterns (mittens, hats) and some skeins to do them with. Also off to the garden center for flower seeds and seed starter. Yesterday--we went to the farm and I packed plaster around the other light switch then skim plastered the walls. DH pulled more "innards" out of the backroom with the wunderbar and measured the area we plan to enlarge the bathroom into. The ice, cold and wind out there were incredible! Extremely slick!

Well, I'm starting from day 1 ketosis--I don't think I got back into it all week, but that tell tale taste in my mouth is back, sooo. Hope to get back into lose mode now.

Sue

TTFN--

[PsychoLoser]

Pam-- I initially found out about Kimkins on this website under "Other Plans" and it is really "Atkins '72" which is the original diet proposed by the doctor ( before he began manufacturing & selling LC & sugar alcohol products...). Back then there was no subtracting fiber from total carb count. I saw so many people losing and liking it that I wanted to know more. A woman named Kimmer came up with the basics-- it was a version of Atkins so she named it: Kim-kins. Get it?? She lost 200 lbs. eating "clean." Most people lose their weight on Kimkins then maintain on Atkins or South Beach. I am resigned to LC as a permanent way of life, but for now I need to lose the body fat. I know I can maintain-- I have for almost 3 years. I can tell by my personal experience in the last 2+ weeks that I feel better and have more energy. Of course seeing the numbers on the scale get lower by the day is quite a charge!! I have already dropped a pant size too. I have an ability to control what I eat pretty well-- I have my own office so I can bring in what I want/need and can schedule my workday around my needs. Also at home, everyone is adult in my house so they can fend for themselves when I am limiting what I cook or how often I venture into the kitchen (sometimes it is better to just stay out!). In the past, I have catered to the needs of my family and that has been an obstacle to me being in control of what I eat and when I eat. Let me know what you think once you investigate.

Sue-- Ketosis is good. That's the losing phase!! Perhaps you'll see results soon for your efforts. I know what you mean about pics-- I am NOT photogenic and pics never look like what I think I really look like! Even my family says that. I avoid pics at all costs, no matter what I weigh. That's why my avatar is one with my husband-- I don't think I have a pic alone.

Today-- I'm down another .5 pound!

Take good care ladies, Sherry

[Dreamcometru]

Good morning everyone:

Pam: I do have to work today, so here I am. The courts are closed, so we have a high client day. Bleh. I don't get much done because we have to see so many people (who all have the day off).

Sherry: I'm so fascinated by Kimkins. If you don't feel too weird, I'm curious, can you post what a typical day of eating is for you. It may give me some ideas of where to cut back or do more or something. I'm in a challenge on this site and lots of the girls post daily. I'm pretty much the same as most of them are, except some eat very little. In the study, we don't count net carbs, we count ALL carbs. We are required to eat when we are hungry and not go more than 6 waking hours without eating. But, even with my eating everything in sight yesterday, my carbs were still fairly low.

Sue: It sound like you had a busy weekend. I, too, don't want to take new pics. I do have a couple of me before I started this though and OMGosh, they are horrible. My SIL gave them to me at Christmas time. They were taken at my birthday in October. I do definitely look different now, but I too still have at least 60 lbs to go. Oh, and just since Saturday when I raked out my bed with the tulips in it, I have hundreds of little maple trees coming up. I will have to spend time getting those out. We have a volunteer walnut tree in the back yard. My DH cut it way back, thinking he killed it. NOT, it's growin great guns, so now we have an even bigger tree to remove. It's too close to the house.

I best get workin. Have a great day everyone.

[Suji]

Leslie--you took the words right off my typing fingertips! SHerry--post us a days menu so we can visualize what's different. I think the low cal is how KimKins differs, yes?

In some places volunteer trees are pests whereas they are so hard to grow in others! We (in VA) used to get a lot of tulip poplar seedlings sprouting and oak trees too. I'm wanting to get a short row of sugar maples for the fall color at least. THe DPO's planted a silver maple which is kind of a weak wood tree (some would say "junk tree"). Here in our MD yard we don't have any shade trees (the view, you know...) but what crops up in my nice flowering hedge?--the hated thorny locusts that sprout back everytime! THose are absolute buggers to pick up and load in the truck to get rid of. OW! I cringe just thinking about Spring cleanup!

I feel like I'm getting a headache from caffeine withdrawl. We ran out of decaf and I substituted some powerful stuff for three days. I'll be sorry.

I'll try to post a couple of pictures (I won't be in them yet!)

Sue

I think what I am looking forward to is having my face slim down. My cheek fat is quite prominent and I have a bit of an extra chin showing up in photos. Every shadow made pronounced the puffiness and lines and all I could think was my husband likes what he sees??? Ack!

[Suji]

I just changed my avatar pic. It shows the view from my kitchen door after our second snowfall of 2007.

Sue

[PsychoLoser]

Kimkins is low cal, low carb, and low fat. It's quite a juggle to pay attention to all those factors, but it is getting easier. The main changes I've made to my daily diet is to:
*keep total carbs to less than 20 (10 is better) & do not subtract fiber
*eat cheese as sparsely as possible
*limit butter and oil to only what is necessary for cooking
*no sour cream, heavy cream, gravies
*low fat & low carb mayo and salad dressing
*less of everything-- smaller portions
*more LEAN meats (chicken, fish, beef, pork) without fancy cooking (just spices)(no hamburger or fatty cuts of beef)
*protein grams should be at least 60 daily
*very little meat with nitrates (like pepperoni, spam, bacon...)
*coffee & diet coke is allowed (so I've added this)
*a lot of people only eat egg whites (I haven't done this)
*no "diet" foods & no sugar alcohols

A Typical Menu:
B: 2 fried eggs (made with Pam)
2 slices bacon
2 cups coffee w/ one serving H & H

L: Rotesseri chicken w/o skin (about 1 cup sliced)
Steamed broccoli (1/2 cup)
1 pat butter

D: Chicken fajatis (1 cup) w/ i slice onion & 1 ring red pepper
1 tbls salsa
on a bed of lettuce
2 slices avacado

S: coffee
sugar-free jello cup


Today's Menu:
B: 2 eggs scrambled
2 coffee w/one serving H & H

L: Small salad with cucumber
1 teaspoon blue cheese crumbles
1 tbls Lite Ranch dressing
2 slices turkey
diet coke

D: Crabcakes (Modified George Stella recipe)
Side Salad w/ Wishbone spritzer

S: sugar-free jello
coffee

This way of eating promotes ketosis and you get the same appetite-supressing effects as you do on Atkins. I never knew that I wouldn't feel hungry on so little. It is such a habit for me to eat large portions. And since I've been doing Atkins for several years, I've come to think of certain foods as free-bees: sour cream, butter, oils, cheese, salad dressing.... (a typical day before would include about 6-7 ounces of cheese in snacks and recipes!!-- that's almost half of my total calorie intake today) They all add up in the calorie and fat columns!! It's no wonder I wasn't losing.

I am glad to have found something that works for me and is doable. This will be my plan until I get closer to my goal, then I'll switch.

I think we all must all find what works for us individually. If you consider Kimkins, please don't take my word on the guidelines... check them out in the "other plan" thread here.

Sue-- Goody...let's see some pics!

Leslie-- Don't work too hard!

Later gators.....

[Pam in TX]

Good Morning,

This is going to be a very hectic week at work, so I really don't know how much I will be able to post.... The state wide assessments start today and it all flows through our office...

Eating was just ok yesterday.... I know I ate too much.... I need to do something to get back into ketosis...

Sherry: thanks for the information about the kimkins... I have been considering it or the fat fast to get things started again... You are really doing a good job right now.... KUTGW...

Sue: your new avi is so pretty.... just looks so calming.... We have 4 oaks in our front yard... not a single tree in the back yard though...

Leslie: I also don't like having my pic taken.... I still have trouble seeing myself as thinner... I can see it more in pics though....

Weather is supposed to be warm today... possibly even close to 80...

Off to start getting ready.... Hope everone has a good day....

[Suji]

Hi Sherry and Pam and waves to those of you who haven't posted!

I'm driving out to Frederick Cty to go to a stitchery get together hosted by one of the Frederick Friends (of the luncheon I attended last week). I guess I'll take my cross stitch with me. I'm on a really boring section of it that is monotonous and all one color. It ought to be mindless enough to chat with other ladies at the same time. (roll eyes). On another note, a lady interested in crochet wants to meet next week at the coffeehouse for sure. So, here we go. I had better refamiliarize myself with crochet hooks. :-)

I started seeds last night for cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts and globe artichokes (first try at those) and plan to start cabbage once I get some more containers from the garden shop today. This weather is so weird it's hard to figure out what the frost dates are going to be. I hear that March is going to be warmer than we usually expect. But, again, weathermen have been known to be wrong.

I couldn't make it through an entire cream cheese day and broke down to have ground beef patties and some green salad. Oh well--I was just STARVING by dinner. Today--eggs, green salad, broccoli, pork roast.

Glad you like my pic, Pam. That kind of snowfall is always so beautiful when it coats the evergreens. All that stone in the retaining wall (Butler stone)--my whole house is made of it--is a great heat sink for growing veggies in the spring and summer.

Sherry--thanks for that informative post. I have decided to try it in March. :-)

Have a fun day.

Sue (temps are rising-40 degrees this morning in MD!)

[Dreamcometru]

Good morning.

Sue: I love your avatar pic. It's so beautiful. You know, I don't think I took any pics of the snow this year. Probably because I had to get to work and didn't think about it. So you are going to grow all those wonderful veggies. Kudos to you. I would like to start a few. I have a small patch in the backyard that doesn't have any grass on it because we had previously stored junk there. Well we have since gotten rid of the junk so I think I'm going to fill it with veggies. It was covered with leaves and since I raked them off I'm going to have to stay on top of it to keep the weeds at bay.

Pam: I forgot to mention, yes, I do play golf. I'm terrible, but I go with my son once in a while. The course I walk around is beautiful. But we mostly go to the children's course. It's a 9 hole par 3 which is challenging enough for me. That's where the kids' tournaments are held in the summer.

I would give anything for your 80 degree weather. DS starts golf today in highschool. It's pouring down rain and freezing cold and they go rain or shine. It's blowing hard and down right miserable outside. He doesn't have a ride to the course, so he will have to walk. It's a couple of miles, so I'm hoping he can hook up with someone because DH and I are at work. This could pose a problem for him making the team because of the logistics. They have about 25 going out and only 12 spots and because he's only a freshman, he may not make it. Oh well, that opens up more drama for him. He said if he doesn't make the team, he's going to try out for the one act play series the high school puts on. He has solo contest this weekend, this is the big one. What a busy kid.

Hope you don't work too hard this week. We are so busy, its ridiculous.

Sherry: Thank you so much for posting the info on Kimkins. I understand completely how it would work. Basically I need to cut out the cheese and fats that are included in what I eat. I think for now, I better stick with what I'm doing, especially since it's part of the study, but more so because it hasn't been too difficult to stick with. In fact, this is the longest I have ever stuck with a plan. I realize I have to settle for that 1 to 2 lb loss a week, but hey, a year from now, no one will recognize me right?? You are doing such a great job. I love hearing how well its going. Believe me, if I stall, thanks to your insight, I know exactly what to do.

Okay ladies, the subject is protein powder. I bought some DaVinci's, but can't figure out what kind of protein powder to buy to make protein shakes. Any thoughts? A lot of the low carb recipies I have call for protein powder too. I looked at Walmart, Fred Meyer, and a bunch of other stores and can't figure out which to buy.

Guess I should get going. Bye for now.

[Pam in TX]

Quick post before getting ready....

Went to see the touring broadway production of the Lion King last night with DD.... OMG... it was fantastic and the comstuming was amazing.... I highly recommend seeing it if you get a chance....

Testing went fairly smooth yesterday... we did have a few incidents that will have to be dealt with though..... In one case, it could cost the teacher their teaching certificate... We will see what happens when the campus sends in the full report...

Am going to try the fat fast today.... Will take a box of cream cheese with me to work today..... sounds yummy.... NOT

Sue: I used to crochet some... Not a lot mind you..... My Nanny used to knit and crochet all the time... she always had projects going and we always got beautiful things that she made for gifts.... Love fresh veggie...

Leslie: DH used to play golf often.... he hasn't played in a long time though.... I have some of the plain vanilla protein powder... figured that way I can put it in just about anything... picked it up at Whole Foods.... Good luck to DS....

Sherry: the menus look delish... may just go with those for a while after trying this fat fast..... I do like a tbsp of cream in my coffee though...

Gotta run....

[kayan]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I have been MIA, but I worked Sat. (14), Sun. (14) and Mon. turned into a 12 hr day, then when I got home DS was here to have Dad help him with his taxes and Yesterday I had all intentions on getting on the boards but had so many errands out town, bank, grocery shopping, health food store, (got some groceries) for ds he has chrons and is allergic to wheat so his groceries are expensive. Then when I got home I had to cook for my mil. I do supper for them a couple of times a week and make a "breakfast pie" susage quiche for my fil. He has Alzheimer's, but we set up breakfast and most days he can still warm it up in the microwave. we leave little notes on everything giving him instructions, . Then when I got home from doing thier supper I had to fix dh and mine the dh was working in the computer tryng to get his email to work. He just recently added more hard drive and everything is runing properly. Toda, by 8:30 I hav made my cream cheese muffins, a carrot cake for DH (thats okay not in the least tempted) washed the dog, and done a load of wash, now it my time for the rest of the day, except for more wash.

I hope everyone is doing well

Sherry: You are doing such a great job, I tried kimkins but couldn't stick to it. I like my fats. I did the fat fast for a day but was hungry on that.

Sue: Your picture is sooooooooo beautiful. I would give my right leg to have my own nut trees. That sounds so cool.

Pam: How wonderful for you to see the Lion King. My dd1 and sil saw it in Boston when they lived there and dd2 saw it when she was in NY visiting dd1.
They all loved it. Pam, I am like you, I can follow atkins' withrealtive ease (except for ice cream binges) but I do have a quanity problem. I know I overeat and I have been working on portion control with fair success. That;s one of the reason AI like Atkins, is not little servings like a low cal diet.

Les;ie: I use Whey protein and soy Protein I like them both. The whey is more bland tasting than the soy.

Sherry: My hat is off to you for sticj=king with Kimmkins. I couldn't stick with it. How do you eat your meat plain with no sauce or condiments. and for me the skin on a rotissery chicken is the best.

Well off to the vet, we have a lhasa apso that is 10 years old and we spend more $$ on meds for Mackenzie then we do on our selves.

Have a great day everyone

Kayan

[Suji]

Hey Kayan, Pam and Leslie--c/mon Carolyn! Check in!

I have some cleanup in the kitchen to do, the dog to walk and a few other items to take care of before I leave for garden club for the first time. Let you know how it goes.

Looks like my Mom may come the first week in March. Of course, didn't she get a recurrance of her face infection (I think it is erysipelas but I could be wrong) over the weekend. It's like one thing after another to give her body blows. SHe says that the Doc she saw is going to check her for lupus. Geez!

Had a great time yesterday. The host had a gorgeous home. SHe's originally from Colorado and grew up in a big old house and inherited lots of antiques (Prolly 1870's from the look) that are on display in her house. Her development is a cluster type for people who don't want to bother with yard work, but modelled a bit on the steeply roofed painted ladies. So a lovely new home with grand touches and useable antiques. There were about 6 of us who showed up with our hand work (I brought lace pricking to do and bobbins to roll for same plus cross stitch). Then we adjourned over coffee and strawberry shortcake (I sinned indeed) and yakked for an hour and a half. Very nice women.

Well, CaraBeana is making whining noises so I guess I need to slip and slide down the hill to let her do her thing.

TTFN!

Sue

[Dreamcometru]

Good morning everyone:

I weighed in at my group and am down 2.7 lbs. Yay . That's slightly over 5 lbs in two weeks. I'll take it.

Sue, I love going to people's houses and seeing how they decorate and what they have. I usually find I love those that use antiques, hand made rugs, etc. They always feel so homey and welcoming. It must have been fun. My house is what I would consider rather plastic. In other words, no personality. When DH and I were younger, it just didn't matter. It matters to me more now and my kids say it's because I'm getting old and the place will look like an old person's house before too long.

I'm glad you enjoyed the strawberry shortcake. I still believe you can't deprive yourself of the good things in life forever. If you indulge once in a while, it's easier to jump back in and stay on track. I keep telling myself, it's not as if I can't ever eat chocolate cake again. Once in a great while, its okay. Right?

I hope your mom gets to visit. I'm fortunate in that mine lives less than 10 minutes away. She can't live by herself though. My nephew lives with her to watch over her, do laundry, basic house cleaning, etc. I don't know what I would do without him because it would mean I would do all the errands, grocery shopping, etc. and probably have to stop by every night to check in, throw laundry in, cook a meal or whatever.

Kayan: You had such a busy day. But not unlike what it is at my place. You are so wonderful to bring dinner to your inlaws. I try, once in a while to take a meal to my mother, simply because she just doesn't cook anything anymore besides warming something up in the microwave. But, I don't do it often enough. Thanks for the suggestions on proten powder. I did see both soy and whey but didn't know which to pick.

Pam: We only have one Whole Foods in town. I love it, but it's rather inconvenient because it's downtown of all places. Next time I go, I will check out their protein powder to see what they offer. It's really confusing.

My DD2 saw the Lion King when she was in New York. She said she has never seen anything so awesome. That was four years ago and she still talks about it. She bought the soundtrack and wanted to go again when it came to Portland. You are very fortunate to have gone. I bet it was a blast.

Hi Sherry. They need a smiley that waves.

Have a great day everyone.

[Dreamcometru]

Hello everyone: Is anybody there?

Sue, I love your newest pic. It's so beautiful.

Nothing new going on today. I was invited to my SIL's birthday party this Saturday night at a karaoke bar. Hopefully they won't get upset if I only drink diet coke or water. She's my age. In fact we graduated from high school togeter, but we weren't friends. Then she married my brother. Imagine that! I do love her and she's wonderful with my mom. She's a nurse so she has flexible days and is always there to take mom to the doctor, etc. We've gone camping together a couple of times, but just can't seem to mesh. I don't know anyone else who's going to this thing. It should be interesting. I told her I would "pop in for a bit" not obligating myself to stay.

Okay, I bought pants at Ross cause they are really cheap. Size 16. They are getting too big already. HMMMM. That is a good problem, but I'm running out of clothes that I don't look ridiculous in. I was told by a co-worker not to wear what I did on Monday anymore (in a nice way, of course) because it was too big and when I examined myself more closely, she was right.

So I bought some 14's and wore them yesterday. One of my bosses - size 0 -2 ish - said good grief girl, you're really thin. I loved it. Can't wait to see what they say when I lose another 60 lbs.

Hope to hear from everyone soon.!