dropping in before I hit the streets for my walk this morning.
It's already a hot 77 degrees so I'll STBO fer shure! hehe!

Be back later with paint chips and fabric swatches ...I think I've just about got all my photos edited...oye!

Thanks for saving my lounge chair by the pool...despite the pool boy's best efforts to get rid of me. I'm persistent if nothing else ...hah!

(((hugs)))
s

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Thanks, Shelley, for getting us off on the right foot for a new month. August. Whew! Feel the heat! I've just come back from my walkies, and I'm sitting here in cooldown mode. I shoulda gone earlier in the day.

Nothing new here: no redecorating, no pet stories, nothing remarkable at all.

So...somebody drop in and we'll talk about YOU!!

Take care.

P.S. I can do movie reviews. I saw "The Dark Knight." Plenty of menace and mayhem. Not a "cartoon" like previous Batman movies. Not recommended for the sensitive. (I didn't like it.) Saw "Young@Heart"--a documentary about a group of seniors (average age 85) who sing in a rock n' roll group in Northampton, Mass, with tours of Europe to boot. It's a heartwarmer--a reminder that you're never too old to keep on living.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Happy August! Wow, this summer sure is going fast. Before I know it, it will be time for holidays!

No lilac digging last night. The wind was howling and it wasn't even 70 degrees. I was cold and really not feeling up to par. So, after work I sat in my chair to watch Oprah and promptly fell asleep. Then after dinner I had another sleep then a hot bath. I must have needed it cause I'm feeling a little better this morning. The sun is back (temporarily I hear), but it sure feels good.

Day 4 of induction...weight remains the same.

Barb: I sure wish I could drop the pounds as fast as you can. Do you have some kind of magic potion or a secret I don't know about? lol

Shelley: Good to see you back!! Does this mean the renos are all done?

Well, girls I'd love to stay and chat but it's month end so that means a very busy day for me. That's okay cause I have a long weekend coming up. Monday is BC day so I don't have to work (well, I don't have to work here!) Have a great weekend.

__________________
Donna
238.5/173.4/150
I will see my goal weight again

Quick fly-by for me before I go get ready to go to the foot Doctor (again!). I just wanted to drop in and tell you what the Dietitian said yesterday.

First of all she never smiled once while I was there. Greeted me while sitting in a very cluttered office. We sat at a round table. Showed me (very quickly, like she was reciting it rote) the diabetic diet, which includes exchanges, and very little food. I looked at it and got very sad. I tried to explain some of my "issues" with food, and she told me to go somewhere else with them. I told her that low carb had worked very well for me in the past. Well! Then she started pulling out all the information to prove to me that I was damaging my body terribly by being on it. The more she pulled out, the angrier I got. I read some of it and it was so completely bogus! Then she told me about someone who had actually DIED on Atkins. I told her that that person obviously didn't know the program. She told me that Atkins was the worst diet one could use as a diabetic. I suspect that Maggie would disagree with that! Anywhoo, it got clear to me and to her (since she didn't suggest a followup appt.) that I couldn't work with her. So, gang! I CAN WORK WITH YOU!

I'm starting Monday on induction. The aforementioned woman said that even if I can lose 10 lbs I can be out of the danger zone with weight. I can do that on induction! Okay. I need to have a talk with myself about sweets. Skipping dessert at the "inevitable lunch" is going to be hard. But, I can do it.

Sweet Pea is getting more darling every day. She is still confined to the kitchen when we can't watch her. Pics to follow.

Peg

I hope the summer doesn't go too fast, unless the weight loss goes fast too. I want to be close to my target weight before my annual physical in October. Right now I project I won't get there until mid-November, but I got a quick start with my South Beach Diet, just like the first time, so there is hope I'll be skinny by then.

I think tracking on a spreadsheet is a good method; it gives me a good indicator that I'm doing okay. When I did the SBD the first time I was below my projected curve the whole way until I got close to my goal weight... then finally beat that by a couple pounds.

Here's my spreadsheet so far; in the first two weeks I record my weight every day.



Pegster: You CAN lose the 10 lb. during induction (or for us SBDers, Phase I). I'm almost there already!

I don't want to get into great and grand arguments about what is better, but if there are aspects of Atkins you're concerned about (such as fat intake), the SBD is a little less extreme version of Atkins. I lost 70 lb. in 6 months on SBD in 2005. (Gained a good chunk of that back which is why I'm here again, but that's another story!)

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________

Peg... what an idiot dietician.. Remember, I posted, I think. Two doctors one in Texas and one in VA told step son in Va and sil in Texas to do low carb for their diabetes. step son is pre-diabetic.. sil was full blown diabetic, with cholestrol, trig etc elevated. Low carb put sil in line within 30 days (he does have to take meds) step son just started and has lost 18 lbs in 2 weeks.. of course he has about 70 or 80 to lose. But, my 2 cents was there are those out there that have finally decided Atkins/low carb does work. and Maggie is another proof.

Nothing exciting here.. thank goodness. DH went to physical therapy and I worked out while he was doing his thing. I have dr. appointment this afternoon for EKG.. gotta have cataract removed next week.. yay, it will be great to see better. Another one those OLD LADY issues.

Painted a couple of boards for rental house.. gotta do some more work sometime on another one or two.. the trials of being a slum lord.

Tomorrow we go to Tulsa.. dgd's baby shower... she's having a baby boy in a couple of weeks. She had amazing 3=D ultra sound pictures of the baby.

take care..

Peg: I'd tell that dietician where to stuff her paperwork. We all know it works. Monday is the day we'll be yelling GO PEG!!

Paul: You're doing great!! Way to go.

Berta: My boss just found out he has a cataract and he's just turned 40! He told the eye doctor that he thought it was an old persons disease and he said he has some patients in their 20's with cataracts. See...you're younger than you thought! lol Have fun at the shower.

__________________
Donna
238.5/173.4/150
I will see my goal weight again

Peg, good job not letting that "dietician" scare you. Time to look for a better advisor. Clearly, we're not all dying of low-carb around here! Sorry I can't help you with the dessert problem. Maybe you can try fixing yourself some legal goodies at home, and reward yourself afterthe inevitable lunch.

Donna, I'm not all that successful with weight loss, just water loss. I'm a monumental sponge. When I eat carbs, my body sucks up water like you wouldn't believe, but it drops away quickly when I go back to normal LC eating. Nevertheless, the Weight Creep is definitely on my back right now, and I have to keep a tight rein on impulse eating.

Doohickie, the sad fact of life is: men lose gobs more weight way faster than women, no matter what program they're on. You're doing great, and I think your graphic visual is a terrific incentive.

Today was Liberation Day for me. I turned in the leased car, and unloaded a humongous monthly payment. As I may have mentioned, this was dh's dream car, but the lease was in my name, so I had to pay it out over the last 18 mos. I'm so happy to dump that gas guzzler, the payments, and the insurance expense all at once. Good riddance.

Well, my new neighbor is having a little wine and cheese get-acquainted thing downstairs. Off to schmooze.

See ya'll tomorrow.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Happy August (hopefully) for everyone here.

Peg. you can do it, the way we know is best. DH is starting to make some real snide comments - I do deserve them. Was talking about packing my 'hope' clothes for the move - and he said it takes more than hope. not nasty, but just trying to get me off my butt.
I know I need to do something. I am seeing an orthopedist Tuesday about my knee, but now worse than that is my upper thigh. I know it is most likely my weight doing that, or that my gait has changed so much because of my foot problems.
But I need them to make sure it isn't something more serious. it 'catches' even when I am just sitting there - that is when hubby tries to work on me.

congrats on getting rid of the big old car Barb. Your little one is way more fun.

on the new home front. They got the stone work up on the front and are putting the brick on the sides. We have windows, patio door, and the bathtubs and shower floor are in.
They are to do the wiring next week, and then the drywall. We think they are moving faster than expected because both sides are now committed to. A nice couple signed for the other side earlier this week.
I'm still so very excited. I have been doing some minor packing and a lot of pitching. DD and her BF are doing an amazing job next door - pitching stuff I wouldn't have the heart to, but that need to go.
I'm hitting the garage tomorrow early in the morning and working to get some industrial shelves up on the sides for staging boxes of stuff. so much to go through.....

__________________
Mary Kay
2009 WW - 228 / 199

I want a Christmas Onederland!!

Peg, screw that dietician. She needs to get up to speed on the new reserach. We know the plan, and know the results. I bought the book that Rachel mentined last week. It came today. I have done some research on the internet while waiting on the book. One of the things it suggests is getting a diet coach --- haven't read that far yet, I just saw it in the TOC. I'll be your diet coach and you can be mine. I'm publically stating here and now that I need to drop 25 pounds! Yes, I put it in bold letters. I'm being totally up front. WE CAN DO THIS! Looks like we can expect lots of company with us to help us on our way.

** Book link again is here. FWIW, I ordered a used copy from Eaubooks. It was something like $12.50 including shipping and came every bit a quickly as an order from Amazon itself.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Hi guys!

I really intended to get back in here yesterday and *visit* and post some pics.
My journal entry will 'splain things.
I do feel better, but I think I'll still just lay low today...and with 103 degrees for the expected high with a heat index of 108, being a sofa slug REALLY sounds good!

A little catching up....

Alida....indeed! A lovely couple!!! What a surprise for you and Bob, I bet. Has your other DSS and his family *moved* in with you yet?

Barb...great fish pic...and the fisherlady looks mighty happy! Sounds like you had a terrific time...WTG!!! Glad you finally got to turn in the albatross.....

Bren...I to am wondering how Jer's interview went? I'm hoping you'll be able to tell us all about it soon. Sounds like you are just one busy lady lately

Judy...wowzers...your summer vacation DID fly by, didn't it? It does sound like you truly got alot accomplished! You DESERVE some *you* time, BIG TIME!!!
I think our schools will start Aug 14th. This weekend is the big TAX FREE shopping weekend and I don't even feel like going...boo hoo
I'll jump on the wagon with you and Peg.

Peg...first off...Sweet Pea is adorable. I'm glad you found a pet that you feel loves you back and is a pet soul-mate for you.
Second...I totally agree that the dietician you saw if full of...well...(I'll be nice)....HOOEY!!! She is definitely in the 19th century with her line of thinking.
Anyone with half a brain could figure out that FAT and PROTEIN doesn't compound DIABETES...it's the HIGH GI CARBS....duh!!!!!
I truly hope you will soon be able to embrace LC eating again, get good results and start feeling better. As far as the desserts go at *the lunch*, have yourself some 70% cocoa content (or higher) chocolate and a few almonds for your dessert. Very portable in a little zip baggie, and I guarantee you, others will be drooling over your decadent chocolate and almonds!

Heather and MK...sounds like you guys are super busy with house building happenings! That rates WAAAY up there on the excitement scale!
Hoping it's all smooth sailing!

Bert...good to see you here by the pool more often these days! Glad your little hubby is perking right along. He is no doubt a fighter.
Hope you have a swell time in Tulsa! We'll have to meet up there one of these days!

Donna...you definitely get the outdoor work award!!! I can NOT even imagine doing that much yard work.(I should try and imagine....then maybe I'd get the bug to do some outside *decorating* as well...sigh.)
No, the renos aren't really finished; just a stopping point...for now. LOL! I can truly say...one thing leads to another when it comes to re-decorating...LOL!

Rach...I also got your email, but have been super busy as well. (ducking my head in shame). To answer your question about my fitness walking...
Yes...I do walk 3-3.5 miles about 5-6 days a week. However, I took the month of July off. I spent the first 21 days of July (I think) on a ladder removing wallpaper and prepping walls for the drywall guy to texture. Then after that, it was priming, painting walls and ceilings, and general clean up(the drywall guy was unbelivably messy, but good...LOL!)

OK...some pics...
entry way before and after:
DR before and after:
fabrics and paint colors:
carpet

entry BEFORE:

Entry AFTER: Sooooo glad to get rid of the tea-rose and blue hued wallpaper!!!
I have my eye on a bombay chest for the entry...and I'll put the mirror I inherited from my mom over it.


Dining Room BEFORE: that tiny print wallpaper had to GO!!!


DR after: still have window treatments and lighting to do,
and the furniture from the LR is all crammed in here till the
carpet gets installed Tuesday...then everything will be moved
YET AGAIN!!! LOL!

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

the rest of the pics........

paint colors and fabrics:
the solid color is called Hazelnut and will be the sofa;
the print is called Saddle(weird!) and will be the chair and ottoman and the pillows of the sofa.
The style of the furniture is called McQueen by Flexsteel. (I'll see if I can find the pic again)




carpet style/color....
the pic of the room of carpet below is NOT my house...just how the carpet looks on a larger scale. It is a cut and loop patterned burber carpet. Supposedly shows little to none *traffic* wear and super stain resistent...yay!!!


and the color is *Doeskin*...matches the taupey-mushroom color in the chair fabric.





here is a pic of the sofa and chair/ottoman.
Colors of course are not the same, but you can get an idea....

over and out...
off to hold the sofa down for awhile...a little wave of nausea again(which is really pi$$ing me off!!!)...ack!!!

(((hugs to all!)))
s

__________________
Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

I hereby relinquish my standing as the summer decorating diva....... I'm totally out done.

Cabinet doors are being adjusted as I type.

__________________
Judy
Goal = <135, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Never give up. Never never never never give up -- Winston Churchill

Wow--Shelley! You rock, Ms. Decorator. Major props to Judy, but you've got some beautiful choices going on, too. Sophisticated colors and a great feeling of comfort. So the next Convergence is when....? Now...please relax and recover from whatever it is that's got your tummy in turmoil.

My friend and I are both suffering Wildnerness Withdrawal. So he suggested we find a nearby lake and go sit next to it. Lake Jacomo turned out to be just the ticket. It's HOT HOT HOT here, but a cool breeze under the trees, with sailboats and birds to watch, and a quiet afternoon picnic turned out perfectly.

My brother and his family decided on the spur of the moment to come to KC, and will arrive later this evening (from Atlanta). I'll be delighted to see them, but don't have to make any particular entertaining efforts. Spontaneity has its benefits.

Have a relaxing Sunday everyone.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Hi all!!

So good to get back to you after such a hiatus - and you know me, I may be off again before you know it - but I'm living for today - today!

Shelley, your decorating is fantastic - you have such exquisite taste in color matches and even though I have to say I thought the old looked pretty classy - the new is even classier... when we get to that point in our house - wanna come to MA for a month to help me??!? If I beg?? Sound like it is too HOT to anything except be inside on days like this!

Peg, had to comment, that dietitian sounds perfectly byzantine - good grief!! There seems to be just so much evidence to the contrary. I'm not pushing the Beck Diet Solution to anyone, but because I'm working with it now, you'll have to put up with listening to me chat about it as I go along because it is just so helpful. two things made it click with me.... first of all she says - choose any diet as long as it's healthy - this behavior change works with any of them, and second... you wouldn't drive a car without learning HOW to first, right, so why do something as significant as weight loss without learning HOW to do it effectively... I'm so sold, can ya tell!! LoL!

Donna, thanks for the email... made me so happy to hear how things are going...

ok, so if you are sick of hearing about Dr. Beck - don't read on. I'm on day 6 and I have to choose a diet coach or a support group (YOU!!) to keep me accountable and help support my efforts - I chose DH the last time, but I miss you all so much that I know you will understand.

Day ONE was to record all the advantages to losing weight and record them on a small index card or paper - it's called an Advantages Response Card (ARC) and here is what is on mine:

- I'll look better and feel 'lighter' (happier)
- I'll be able to buying nicer clothes more easily (not worrying all the time about what needs to be covered up or 'held in")
- I'll be able to exercise without embarrassment or dread
- I'll enjoy 'intimacy' with DH more
- no more jiggly arms!!
- lower cholesterol (little sister is at 180 - remember I thrive on competition, waddya gonna do?)
- can wear shorts again!
- I'll be less self critical
- my little nephews won't remember me as the fat aunt. (this is a big one)

My last ARC had some other things on it but I picked the top ones this time around.

Day TWO - Pick two reasonable diets: Low carb, back-up is low calorie
Day THREE - Always eat sitting down
Day FOUR - give yourself credit for all behavior that positively affects your diet (I didn't eat that, I only had one piece of bread, I could have chosen seconds but didn't etc...)
Day FIVE - Eat Slowly and Mindfully (appreciate and taste every bite; put utensils down between bites, order soups, sip water, etc.)

So there, you're all caught up... of course, the book is much more than just these - but if you're going to be my diet coaches you need to know what I'm up to, right? Tomorrow I have to "change my home and office environment"... I'll check in on that later...

Funny, here in the Armenian backwater since I don't have a scale and I'm not going back to the capital city for another week - (been here a week already) - I can't weigh every day...may not be a bad thing..

ok dear ones... will check in later with what's up... glad to see you again and will do my best to read up and get caught up on everyone's lives..

__________________
Hugs, Rachel



Quien canta, sus males espanta... ("She who sings frightens away her ills") Miguel de Cervantes