Low Carb Archive - LCFS week of 1/11/04

Good morning,
It is still frigid here. It's supposed to start getting warmer today, last a couple of days, then back into the deep freeze by Wed. :(

ANNE, it sounds like you are having a terrible time at work. I'm sure all your new aches and pains are all from stress. It sounds like you have a very full workload. Hopefully they will hire someone to help you very soon. I hate being interrupted while I'm concentrating on getting something done. Hope that you're getting some much needed pampering this weekend. Glad that BF is doing great things for you.

nikki, thanks for telling me how much the book costs at Walmart. I have always wondered what and if there was much of a price difference from Walmart & Sams Club. Our nearest Sams Club is about a 40-50 min. drive away and only go there occasionally. We do have a BJ's that is a lot closer, but doesn't seem to have the variety that Sams does. NH doesn't have a sales tax. Our school funding is paid for by our property tax. Our property taxes are rather high, but not as high as some other states. We also don't have a state income tax. How do you like Dr. Phil's eating guide? Naturally, I skipped the exercise part :s: so I'll have to read it to see what he says.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Aleka

Excuse me, while I pick myself up off the floor:faint: :dizzy:Aleka, you are sooooo lucky. We have some of the highes property tax you can imagine. Our state income tax is about double the federal, the sales tax, like I said, is 6 %. Our schools are constantly complaining about having no money, and from what I see, they don't supply the kids with what they need, like when I was a kid. Our roads are all full of potholes, they are turning off every other street light to save money on electricity, they are laying off cops, teachers and state workers. Gambling is a state run venture and makes billions for our state, but who knows really where that goes, it was suppose to go to the schools when that was first started. The weather is aweful most of the year (too cold, too hot, too humid, too dry, we got it all) and there is nothing to do here:yawn:. I looked up your town on the internet (just entered the town and state in my search engine, it's amazing what you can find on the internet) and the price of houses are comparable to what they sell for here too. Now I'm really wondering why we stay here. It has always been because of family. I know we will never leave because of them and they probably stay for the same reason. :shrug: Can I come live with you? I promise I wont eat much:D

Anne, I am so sorry to hear about the problems with your job and the new burden that has been put on your shoulders. It's very hard to try to do a million things all at once. I hope you get some help soon. It seems to me that when I was working, they were always adding more and more things in for us to do. Then if we complained, they would say that change is never easy. I think what it all comes down to is, they are trying to cut costs and make people do way more than they ever did before. They just keep pushing, to see what is possible. It doesn't make for a good working environment, that's for sure. Is there anyway you could transfer to a different department?
What Dr. Phil said in his new book about low carb diets is this- (quoting from page 2-3) The current preoccupation with ultra low-carbohydrate dieting in this country is of deep concern to me as a clinical and medical psychologist. What is so troubling from both a psychological and nutritional perspective is that most of these diets advocate eating less than 100 grams of carbohydrates a day, when in fact your body requires nearly double that amount for normal brain metabolism and muscle function.
When you deny your body and brain sufficient carbohydrates, it can damage your inner psychology. It can bring on fatigue, irritability, and mood changes, Why? Under normal circumstances, your brain uses roughly 500 calories worth of carbohydrates a day for optimal functioning, including the production of brain chemicals responsible for feelings of mental well being. So without carbohydrates, your mental and emotional edge is gravely affected. ---later--It is time for all this health-defeating, behavior-defeating pseudonutrition to stop. Nutritionally, the solution for successful weight loss is not ultra low-carbohydrate dieting--far from it. What can genuinely help you lose weight and keep it off is moderate nutrition across the board--moderate carbohydrates, moderate protein, and moderate fat, and this current, accurate information comes straight from nutritional scientists, not from wieght loss gurus and food faddists.---

This reminded me of the old saying, moderation in all things. I think that was going around before the nutritional scientists started to say it, but I'm no expert in diet and exercise like Dr. Phil is:lol:
Anyways, pretty scathing, if you ask me. Still, he does make some good, valid points.

Have either of you tried ediets? Last night, while I was just bored out of my mind, I clicked on Dr. P's picture and it went to ediets. I did the profile and then joined. It's $5 a week (you have to pay for a quarter at a time, or $65, but if you want to quit, the unused part is refunded). They have a lot of diet plans to chose from, Dr. Phils is one. They plan out a whole weeks worth of menu's for you, give you a shopping list and recipes. If you want to change the menu, they have alternatives to chose from. I like it and think it will make menu planning much easier. They also had Atkins, but they used so many Atkins products, it was turn off. With the Dr. Phil program, they did use his products, but only as an alternative. Anything to make this easier.

Well, I better get off here, I've written a small novel as it is, take care, Nikki

nikki, I am picking you up off the floor as I "speak". :lol: Well, you would be welcome to live here. Things aren't all that well with our tax system either. The town I live in is property rich, where a lot of land is waterfront. But, personal income is rather low. Most of our tax dollars are being sent to support schools in certain towns other than our own, mostly in the southern part of our state, where people have a higher income, but not as "property" rich. These towns have all the ammenities that we don't. We don't have garbage pickup, we have to take our's to the dump ourselves. We live on a private road which we have to plow ourselves. For a number of years they've been trying to find other ways to fund schooling, but everything keeps getting shot down. Until there are more "donor" towns, like where I live, than "receiver" towns, things probably will not change. The weather in the winter is horrid and the older I get the more I hate it. The summer can be very hot and humid, but I don't seem to mind that too much. Fall is absolutely gorgeous. It's funny, I've envied you your temps and weather over this past year when we were having cool, damp, rainy weather and you're days were sunny and mild. Our cold weather lasts for months, and we can have snowfall in Oct. and last into April. I guess every state has its problems. Sorry this is so long.
Aleka

Aleka,
Your right, we do have warmer weather more often and we are dryer more often too. In fact, its going to be in the 40's today, so I shouldn't complain. Still, it's not Florida.
I think the question of who should pay for schools and where the money is going and coming from is a universal problem, or at least a big problem here in the US. I get so ticked off about it. Every few years, they raise the sales tax. Now, there is a local sales tax too of .01, again for the schools. I know, it's not much, but the thing is, when they start up a new tax, they always raise it eventually.
I try to not even think about politics, it just gets my b/p up.
:mad:

Hi Aleka: Here I am 3x's I have been typing away I hear a sound and I am bumped to the main forum board . Don't know what that is about. If is happens again I give up. I read what Nikki wrote about Dr. Phil's comments on low-card with interest. Yesterday I read a article in the Health section of the Toronto Star by the Art's critic no less who just lost 25 lbs. in 6 weeks and basically he said no starch no sugar, eat early and often and in moderation, no fruit later in the day. Anyway it was a very interesting article. If you want to read it go to torontostar.com, the Saturday edition in the Health section. The article was by Richard Guzounian. I have been thinking about it since I read it. Check it out. He calls himself a serial dieter, sounds fimiaiar doesn't it? Well talk to you soon.

Hi Lynn,
Actually, Dr. Phil does say no sugar too, but not low carb.
Here's the first days menu-
Breakfast
high fiber cereal, skim milk, 1 egg, strawberries, coffee or tea
Snack
pear
Lunch
tuna on lettuce with one slice of tomato, green peppers, radishes, other salad vegetables, 2 tbs. low cal italian dressing
snack
yogurt mixed with apricot preserves
Dinner
chicken breast, asparagus, summer squash.

Well, there are a million diets out there, you just have to find something you can live with. I'm having a hard time with this myself. I think with all of them, moderation is the key. I have never understood moderation and that is my biggest problem.

Welcome alynn! :balloons: I am glad that you have posted on our thread. I went into the Toronto Star and printed out the article. Thank you for recommending it. I have come to realize that to lose weight it all boils down to calories, no matter where they come from. I am having a tough time finding something that I can live with permanently. Yep, a serial dieter does sound familiar. :)

nikki, what do you think of Dr. Phil's food guide book? I tried 2 turkey sausages with my cereal this morning....:p I managed to get only 1 down. I prefer eating the turkey bacon, but don't know if I can do that everyday. The thought of eating an egg with my cereal :p :p I could eat an egg with low carb toast though. ;)

Hi ANNE, hope you had a good day today.

Have a good night everyone.
Aleka

Hi, We're back, looks like they have the new format up and running again. Good for the 3FC's, they do work hard and do a good job too.
I have been thinking about what Dr. P wrote and decided to email the Atkins site. I asked them to address what he said about the brain requiring 500 calories a day of carbs. It may take a week to get a reply, so I'll let you know what the reply is when I get it.
Never the less, I decided after reading quickly through the new book, that I will stay with lowcarb/high protein. Oh, and talking to DH about it. Last night, I told him since he wants to eat low fat, we could just buy the Healthy Choice frozen dinners if he wants to. :p He said, "You just keep on doing what your doing. I'm fine with this diet (he doen't really follow it, eats bread, cereal and milk). I'm exercising enough to offset the extra calories anyway." That made me feel much better, relieved and not so guilty. So, I'm back to an Atkins diet and feeling much better today about it (in my head).
Aleka, I agree about the breakfasts. In fact, I think the meals are too spares for me and the food choices are limited. I like eggs and bacon or sausage and don't need bread, but DH HAS to have bread to eat.
Better get going, DH is giving me that look, you know, the "You've been on the computer too long" look, Later, Nikki

Greetings All:

Nikki, I would be really interested in hearing what the Atkins site writes
you back :) I can only speak for my own experience and I feel like a
million bucks when I am low carbing. But like Aleka says in the end it
comes down to calories. So true. One things for sure, you need protein
to repair and build healthy cells.

Maybe Suzannes diet was the best afterall?? I know I really loved her
program,its just that I really went into a stall.

Well, our weather is lovely today but by Tuesday night we are back to the
big chill. :p

I won't even go into my day at work. :devil: strikes again!!!!

Talk to you later ladies.
Anne.

Anne,
Do you have liquid Splenda in Canada? I've read on other boards that you do, but it is not available in the US and they have no plans on releasing it to the general public right now. Anyway, I found a place to buy it on line and I was wondering, the next time you go to the store, if you think of it, would you let me know the price of it up there? Just curious. Since it's the bulking agent that they add to the dry Splenda that has the carbs, the liquid is suppose to be carb free and is advertised that way. I dont use that much, but I like to use it freely when I do. I hate to use up all my carbs for the day on Splenda powder.
Yes, I think Suzannes woe was the best in a lot of respects. I know it is the most satisfying and tasty. But, that was my biggest problem there. I over indulged because everday was like going to a fine restaurant and I couldn't limit my intake. Even though I was losing weight, it was just not as fast as I wanted. Gee, if I'd stayed on it, I might be at my goal by now, even if it was slow. Oh, kick me, I can't do it myself. :rollpin:

Good evening,

We did have a warm up..in the 30's. We did get a couple of inches of snow overnight so DH had to go out and plow this morning.

I agree with both of you that Suzanne's WOE is the best. There is nothing to count, you can eat until you're full, and the food is delicious. I wonder if I could still Somersize and still eat fruit with my cereal? It's a lot easier than having 2 breakfasts. Nikki, I wasn't losing weight on SS as fast as I would like, but I was losing, and like you I'm wondering where I'd be now if I had just stuck to it. Speaking of Suzanne, I dug out the Torso Trak this morning and started doing that again plus I did 1/2 hr. on the gazelle.

nikki, it would be interesting to see how Atkins site answers your question. I have a book by Prevention for low carb eating and they say start off with 185 gm of carbs, and if you don't lose weight, drop down to 125 gm. Then I saw a low carb diet in Womans World Magazine, which said to eat 100 gm. a day. I can't eat just bacon or sausage with eggs. After a while I start getting shaky, and when I eat a carb it stops. I do much better having cereal in the mornings.

ANNE, we'll be right back into the deep freeze on Wed. Sorry you had such a stressful day with :devil: It's too bad they didn't get rid of her when they had the evaluation.

Hi alynn :wave: hope you had a good day.

Take care and enjoy your evening.
Aleka

Good evening,
We went to Subway and had the new Atkins approved wrap. I am going to go on full blown induction of Friday, after I get groceries. The wrap was very good, but not very big. I could have easily eaten 2. But it's great that you can now go to a fast food place and actually get something to eat. I use to get their salads with vinegar and oil, not bad, but still they are pretty small too. Maybe if you got a salad and a wrap, it would be filling and still lower carb.
Aleka, good for you, getting back on the TT. I did another set of ab work with Tony Littles tape today. Man, can I ever feel it. I'm going to try to do this at least every other day.
Anne, DH was just looking at your before and after pictures. He said, Wow, what a difference. She must have worked hard. I said, She has and she has 5 sons, can you believe it? He said you were amazing. And, you are.
Talk to you guys tomorrow, Nikki

Hi!

nikki, Tony Little's ab tape, is that with his nubby exercise ball? That's great you're doing ab work. Hopefully the TT will help me in that dept. along with my arms. I've already done the TT this morning, I'm taking it very slowly because I don't want to pull anything like I did the last time. Good for you, starting Atkins induction on Fri.

ANNE, hope that you have a stress free day at work today. Now that you're in your new office, do you see :devil: more or less than you used to? Try to stay warm today. How long is your cold temps supposed to last? They say our's will last into the weekend. :(

Hi alynn!

Have a great day.
Aleka

Hi
Anne, I hope your day is not too bad.
Aleka, the ab tape is one that came with my gazelle. It is probably from the 80 or early 90's, judging from his get up. It's intense, so I'm hoping for good results.
DH is also keeping up with his exercise routine. It is much easier when you have someone that is active rather than a couch potato.
Yesterday, we went out by the lake and took a small walk. It was too cold and windy to do more, but still nice to get outside. Saw several deer.
I have lots of rabbits in the yard this year. I've never seen so many. Do either of you know how to keep them out of your garden? Last year, there was a pair running around, now, we see a large group of 6. You know how rabbits multiply, I'm afraid by spring we will be over ran with them. :( We always had dogs in the yard until this year, maybe that was what kept them away.
Better get going, lots to do, Nikki

[B]Hi everyone: Have you ever heard about the Leslie Sansome walking Tapes? I used them last winter and have just got back into them. She also has a set of 3 tapes (1 mile, 2 mile, 3 mile) Walk Away the Pounds for Abs. Once you know the routines you can turn down the volume put in your favorite c.d. and away you go. Check out her web site. Everything is cheaper to buy in Wallmart rather than her site. Start with 1 tape and see if you like it. How are you Aleka? It is very cold here today. I went out for a walk and only lasted 20 minutes. Well thats it for now. I have to go do the drive as my DH is on bed rest after his surgery. Well talk to you later. Lynn

lynn, I have Leslie Sansones WATP with the weighted balls. I've done the 2 mile walk a lot using the weights. So I won't get bored, I switch between the Gazelle and WATP. She has a 4 mile walking tape, which I bought just recently. I hope to work up to it. Hope your DH is doing fine after his surgery. It's been snowing lightly most of the day and the temp. will be dropping anytime now.

nikki, Suzanne will be on HSN this weekend. She's selling suppliments now :rolleyes: I went into her website, which has been down for sometime, but her homepage has changed and there were the suppliments.

Take care
Aleka

Hi Aleka: I have that set also. What is WATP and Gazelle? I have never heard of them. I have to drive my husband back to Toronto tomorrow. I think I will pack a bag and have the dog with us in case the weather is bad. Mind you I would rather drive in the snow than drive in Toronto. Talk to you soon. Lynn

Good Evening Ladies:
Nikki, so sweet of your husband to to notice my weight loss :) You too
are amazing!! Ab exercises, gazelle and body flex, you will be in great
shape before you know it!!! :strong: :tread: :cp:

Aleka, Suzanne seems to have her thumb in many pies :lol: She is a real
business women. I have heard her several time on talk radio when she is
in Toronto. She is always with Alan.

Our weather is absolutely disgusting. I feel like I live at the north pole.
All you hear is crunch crunch crunch when you walk :rolleyes: My parents
are especially finding it tough because they are more or less house bound
in this weather. Dad's breathing just won't take the bitter cold air.

Our new cash office finally opens Wednesday. I don't know how this is going
to go without Tanya. She is off on sick leave, the Good Lord onlyknows for
how long. She just can't take :devil:.

Hope you all have a great evening.
Anne.

Good evening,
Aleka, I'm not surprised about the vitamins, I think she'd sell air if she could. I still like her diet plan, and some of her food. The merchandise is so expensive and the s&h so high, it is a big turn off to me.
Anne, Alan is always with her here too. I think he must have her on a leash, but she seems to like it.
Thanks back at you Anne, that was sweet of you to say about me. I hope your day goes well tomorrow, but to be honest, I bet your going to have a hard one. Do the best you can and don't let that old :devil: get to you, if possible. I'll be thinking about you.
Alynn, Aleka was abbreviating Walk Away the Pounds (WATP). The Gazelle is an airwalker that is sold by Tony Little. We all have one and use it, sometimes more than others. It is great for when you can't get outside or for me, I have problems with my ankle, so I can't stand the impact of walking as much as I'd like. There is no impact on joints with the gazelle. I do use the treadmill occasionally, but not as much as I"d really like to, just because it hurts too much.
Today, I did a work out with handweights. It is important, they say. I'm still doing the Body Flex plus too. It is a great way to start the day. I can wake up without a cup of coffee. In fact, I'm going to try to stop drinking coffee again. I think this time, I'll be able to. I really don't even want it anymore when I make it. Funny, huh? I use to drink a pot every morning.
Night, Nikki

It's -15 deg. this morning and from what the weather people say we won't see above 0 at all today. :p

ANNE, we're having the same weather as you. As a matter of fact, that's where we're getting out frigid weather from. Please keep it! :lol: :lol: Hope you have a better day at work. Do you have any idea how long Tanya will be on sick leave? If it's for very long, can they hire a temp until she comes back? As nikki said, Alan is always with Suzanne when she's on HSN. Sometimes he comes out on stage and he just creeps me out. :p I still like her food though.

alynn, hope your trip was a safe one. I don't like to drive in big cities either. Since an old (not age-wise) :) and dear friend of mine reconnected after not seeing one another for about 40 yrs., I occasionally have to drive a fairly good distance once a week to meet her so I'm getting more confident. I even drove through out state's capital, which is a small city compared to other state capitals, but to me it was an accomplishment. I live in the boonies, on a dirt road, in the woods, and 1 couple as year round neighbors. We're mostly inhabited by summer people. I really like Tony Little's Gazelle, but you really don't work up a sweat.

nikki, a few years ago when I was SSizing, and working out on the TT first thing in the morning, before my 1st cup of coffee, I really didn't need the coffee, and it wasn't all that difficult going from regular to decaf. We still did it slowly though. I found the same thing to be true when I started back on the TT Mon. I decided to give my stomach muscles a rest today because I can really feel them, and I don't want to pull anything. Since I've started using the Gazelle, I've noticed a difference in my thighs. They seem to be a lot tighter than they were. I am surprised because I always believed you had to do a lot of movements to get them tight and/or walking a lot. HMMMM.

Here is a recipe a cousin of mine shared with me. She says it's good.

Brown 1 lb. ground beef, drain fat. Add 1/3 jar low carb pizza sauce, pepperoni slices, and top with Mozarella Cheese. Let cheese melt then serve.

Hopefully I'll get grocery shopping, today or tomorrow. Hopefully I won't get frostbite going from my car to the store and vise versa. :s:

Take care and have a great day.
Aleka

HI,
Kind of a dull, cold, windy day here. It is not as cold as you guys are, it's in the upper 30's. It's very windy, 45 mph, so it feels colder.
I've been OP on Atkins now for 2 days. That is the first time I can say I've actually stayed on a diet plan without variation for a long time. Usually, I get off track without even realizing it.
I joined ediets a few days ago. It is a good support system, but their knowledge of Atkins is lacking. The nutritionists there still adhere to a low fat mentality, so if I didn't know what I was doing, I'd be confused. I don't know if I'll continue there or not. Some of it is great, some of it isn't. I guess I'll stay for at least the 1st week as I've already paid for it.
No coffee today. I did have a little fight with myself this morning, wanting some with breakfast. I have the decaf, but decided on water for now.
Aleka, since using the gazelle, my legs and bottom are firmer. My bottom is still HUGE, but it's in better shape. :) What silly little smiles, must be for St. Patty's Day?
I guess I better go, got something going on, Nikki

Good Evening Everyone:

I am dead on my feet. Believe it or not I will be getting up on Thursday
at 3:30 am to try to get in for 6:00 am. We are swamped with work!!!

:devil: will pay us overtime until we get straightend out.

Aleka, we don't know how long Tanya will be away. She is suppose to be
going to the doctor Thursday so maybe I will hear something by the end of
the week. Your recipe looks delicious by the way :)

Did I tell you guys we are having a blizzard today for good measure :lol:

Nikki, did you see Dr. Weil on Larry King last night? I find him so informative.

Well, I better get to bed. I will talk to you both Thursday night.

Anne.

Good evening,
Boy, that Special K ad is always popping up. Very aggrevating, even though I know it helps pay for this place. Doesn't make sense to have a Special K ad on a low carb board though.
Aleka, I forgot that you said the SS board had been down. I went there now and the discussion boards are down for maintenance. I suppose all the good recipes will be wiped out like last time. I really don't understand why they do that. If they can't support that much traffic, they should get a bigger server, but I doubt that is it. Anyway, I'm looking for a recipe for BBQ sauce, if anyone knows of one that they have tried and think is good. I have many recipes for it, but just wondered if there was a tried and true one out there.
Anne, I missed Dr. W on Larry King last night. I spend most of my spare time on the computer now, or exercising. Trying to avoid the shopping channels. I have pretty much gotten over that urge, but I know if I give in just once, see something I want, then bang, I'll order it. Anyway, I love Dr. W and wish I'd seen him.
Anne, your weather is wicked. I'm sorry your getting it too Aleka. We had an Alberta clipper come through today, but it wasn't able to push out our warm weather. They say it will stay in the upper 30's/lower 40's for the next week. I keep thinking spring is 2 months away, but I bet it won't be for you guys. You were right about our weather, Aleka, it's not as bad as yours.
Bye for now, Nikki

[B] Goodmorning Aleka & Nikki: We are back! All went well with DH's Dr. Appointment. We left at 8 o'clock and had snow and blowing snow all the way down. Finally got here at 11:15 (should of taken 1 1/2 hrs.). After appointment I turned down his offer of lunch out (Never happened before) and said lets just head home. Thank god we did, I guess the city was a mess hundreds of accidents. The TV news said a 15 min. trip was taking 2 hours. My daughter lives in Burlington and takes a train to downtown Toronto to work, her drive from the train parking lot is 5-7 mins., last night it took 35 mins. The swelling went down in my DH's eye so he could open the eye so he insisted on driving (thank God) I read a book. Today is going to be bitterly cold so will stay close to home. Have been up since 5 with back spasims from being in the car for so long. Well enough of that Nikki, I wish I could give up coffee, it is only 6 and I am on my 2nd. cup of at lest 4 everymorning. When I switched to decaff I had a headache for 5 days. I only drink coffee in the morning and switch to decaff tea and pop the rest of the day. I am getting better at drinking water but diet pop is my favorite. In the car yesterday when not reading I had lots of time to think and realized the food grouping wasn't bothering me, it is the lack of choice for breakfast. I have skipped the last 3 days because I couldn't face eggs and bacon, ham etc. Any suggestions. es, Allen Hamel is always with SS,and appears to have TOTAL control over her. Last time I saw her on a show in Toronto she was talking about when she doesn't want to do something he bribes her by offering to pay her! What is that? It is her money. She was joking about how she saves these little pays and hides the money. A little weird don't you think? Well different strocks for different folks. Well thats all for now will be back later. Lynn

[B]Nikki: Just read your email from yesterday. I allways read the lasted emails first instead of the first ones. I can't beleive I couldn't figure out WATP. I must have been having a blond moment! hehehe. I seem to have a problem with abbreviations. It took me forever to figure out DH than I saw DS & DD and that really confused me! Oh well I guess it is my something new for today Take care Lynn

Well, it's a bit warmer this morning than yesterday, 8 below.

I was in 3 fat chicks last night and they had the cutest smilies, they looked like clowns. What happened to them? :?:

ANNE and lynn, you guys are are having some horrible weather. I can't imagine a blizzard on top of this frigid cold. Please stay safe, the roads sound horrible.

nikki, I have a low carb cookbook that has a lot of recipes in it. I know they have a recipe for ketchup and cocktail sauce, so I'll dig it out and see if they have a recipe for BBQ sauce and PM you. I don't know if this book is like all of Suzanne's books where you can't post recipes because of copyright laws.
Speaking of SS, it is strange that her discussion boards are down for maintenance because it wasn't that long ago they housecleaned, and when they do go down they post it so everyone can get the recipes, ect. before they're swept clean. I was on the gazelle yesterday and got up to 4 mph and tried to keep it there for 1 min., but didn't quite make it. Now I have something to strive for.

ANNE, I am so sorry that you are having such a terrible work schedule now. If Tanya is going to be out for a long period of time, can they hire a temp. to take some of the workload off of you? Hope you have a safe trip into work. I'll be thinking of you.

lynn, you had an awful trip home. Glad you made it home safely and that your DH was well enough to drive. I don't like driving in that kind of weather. You can have cereal, whole-wheat bagels, & whole-wheat toast in the mornings. If you have cereal you have to have it with skim milk, if you have whole-wheat bagels or whole-wheat toast you cannot put butter on them. I think you can put fat free cream cheese or fat free cottage cheese on them. I haven't got her book with me, but I'll look it up. Cereal has to be a whole grain cereal with no added sugar. I always have either Shredded Wheat or Shredded Wheat 'n' Bran. SS says she eats Grapenuts cereal. When SS is on HSN she says some off the wall stuff too. One time she said that Alan wouldn't let her have a credit card and another time she said that Alan wouldn't tell her their street address because he knew she'd be inviting people over all the time. HUH?? When you hear all that stuff you have to wonder if she's just trying to be funny or just to have something to say.

Have a wonderful day everyone.
Aleka

Nikki: Go to lowcarbcafe.com They have a couple of recpes for barbeque sauce. Lynn

HI,
Alynn, don't worry about the blonde moment, I'm a true L'Oreal Blonde #9 :lol: I have those moments all the time. Speaking of which, I looked here for a BBQ recipe and guess what? I posted 3 of them myself, I think they originally came for the SS board some time ago. (I say, shaking my blonde head :o ). Thanks for the recipe Aleka, I'll try it. Alynn, I go to that website too, plus lots of others. It's great to discover new things. I just need to remember :doh:
Alynn, what woe (way of eating) are you following, Somersizing? Do you have any of her recipe books? They are great. We all did Somersizing about a year ago. I have most of her books. Aleka, would you recommend her newest contest book? I'm still on the fence about getting it.
If you eat oatmeal, you can put skim milk on it. Use splenda, stevia or somersweet to sweeten and spice it up with cinnamon and vanilla. If you can get liquid splenda, use that instead of powdered, it has no carbs. You can make frittata's, crustless quiche, or eat something else that isn't a breakfast food, like hamburgers or leftovers from the previous day.
Wow, you guys are really getting hit hard with the winter weather. Alynn, that trip that you guys took sounds like a nightmare to me. I hate driving in the city and then compound it with winter weather, :yikes: Frightening.
Anne, hope your day goes better. I bet your going to be pooped by the end of it.
I got my exercise in, now need to get ready and go shopping with DD for groceries. Later, we're getting a load of wood, so I'll get some more exercise out in the fresh air. :dance:
Take care, Nikki

Hi again....

I would recommend Suzanne's new receipe contest cookbook. I made the cheeseburger soup and oatmeal cookies. The soup was yummy, but I wasn't too crazy about the cookies, but that could've been how I made them, they didn't look like the picture.

Lynn, I've looked in Suzanne's newest book, Fast & Easy. You can have nonfat cottage cheese, nonfat cottage cheese, or nonfat ricotta cheese on your whole wheat bagle or toast. You can also eat Rye or Pumpernickel breads or bagels. You don't necessarily have to eat whole-wheat. The fat-free cream cheese sometimes has a lot of chemicals and fillers in it, so she doesn't recommend that. Nikki has posted some good suggestions.

Aleka

Woohooo!!
I just got a reply from the Atkins people about my question related to Dr. Phils new book concerning his statement that the brain requires 500 grams of carbs a day to function. Here it is-

Dear Nikki Counts:

Thank you for your inquiry.

The brain does not require 500 grams of carbs to function. The Eskimos have traditionally consumed a diet that is predominantly fat, with minimal incidence of heart disease and diabetes. The brain has an adaptation ability to function perfectly burning ketones instead of glucose, which comes from carbs. The liver will provide the obligatory glucose needed, and then uses its fat supply for the rest of the brain's fuel source--along with the rest of the body. The human body has an exquisite ability to adapt to its environment.

Well, that clears that up. One reason I questioned Dr Phils statement was he didn't quote anyone and there weren't any references to validate what he was saying. Atkins has had lots of research done specifically on their diet and they have it all on their site to reference.
Nikki

nikki, that's great you heard back from them so soon. It's nice that they cleared things up. There is so much information out there as to what is good for you and what is bad. Sometimes you just don't know who or what to believe anymore. I was wondering about Dr. Phil's comment myself because it didn't make a lot of sense to me.

Aleka

Greetings from the Artic :lol:

Nikki, I like that answer you got from Atkins staff. Makes perfect sense to
me. Like I said according to the way I feel this woe is healthy. Pooped? you bet. I am getting really :censored: off. Tonight I left at 4:00. I started work at 6:20 am!!! I know that doesn't sound like that long of a day but my comute in takes 1:15 minutes each way. Not fun. You should have seen me slipping along the streets at 6:am downtown :faint: scary man. I hate that slush on the streetcar tracks and sewer lids you can really go skiddoing :dizzy:

Aleka, I don't know about Tanya. I had someone from H/R come down to the office today to quizz me about her behavior. Another funny thing happened that disturbed me :devil: phoned me this afternoon and told me to take Tanya's message off her telephone. What do you think that means???? Something sounds fishy to me.

Can you guys believe :devil: wants to take me out to lunch? A reward for getting the new cash office going. I can't picture having lunch with her somehow. She was telling me the other day how her and I are so much alike?? Say what :yikes: Why me Lord?

Talk to you later :wave:

Anne.

Anne, I had to laugh when you wrote that she thinks your alike. Oh brother, and lunch to top it off. Well, that will be one way to eat less. It's hard to eat when your stomach is turning over.
Sounds like Tanya is on the way out? Perhaps she is having some other problems that you aren't aware of. Work may have just compounded it.
Have you ever seen those rubber things you slip over your shoes that have something like metal cleats ( just a little piece of metal the size of the lead of a pencil) on the bottom of them? They help to keep you from falling on ice. I bought a pair from one of the shopping channels a few years ago. They're none too pretty, but in this kind of weather, who cares about fashion? I havent' used them and they are still in the original box. If you'd like them, I'll mail them to you. They are for a large sized shoe 9 and up.
Take care, Nikki

Another greeting from the Artic, :lol:

ANNE, it sounds like Tanya may be on her way out. I can't believe that :devil: thinks you and her are alike. :eek: As for having lunch with her, she might be a very different person away from work, you never know.
Nikki had a good suggestion about those things you put over your shoes to walk on the ice. I bought a pair for DH for Christmas because our street gets awfully icy in the winter, we have to maintain it so it doesn't get sanded, and he has to walk down to our mailbox which is at the end of our street. They work very well and he loves his. They would help you on the slippery sidewalks.

Hi nikki & lynn, hope you guys have a good day.

Have to run and take a shower, DH & I are off to Massachusetts to deliver some parts in a little bit. Hate to leave in the frigid weather. Gong to check my IL's house to make sure everything is ok, no frozen pipes, etc.

Take care,
Aleka

Goodmorning From the aartic also. It is so cold if I have converted celsius to fahrenheight (is there spell check somewere?) it is -39F with the wind chill factor. The poor dog made it to the end of the driveway and sat down and wouldn't go any further. This is the first time this winter that we have the air tight stove on during the day. I found the answer from the Atkins people interesting. It also makes sense.We can't get no fat cream cheese up here. We can get 'light' but you have to read the label because sometimes light isn't very light. You both gave me an idea though. I could put no fat sour cream on toast and sprinkle cinnoman and a little brown sugar twin. Doesn't sound to bad I will give it a try. The last 2 days havn't been to bad. Yesterday morning I made a frittata with lots of veggies, had a slice ( a BIG slice) and cut the rest up and put in fridge. this morning when I got hungry I just nuked a slice. The decision of having to decide what to have was solved. I always plan to have left over veggies for lunch I will now plan again for beakfasts once in a while also. Nikki, I am following Suzanne. I love the food I just sometimes have a problem with the food combos. I love recipe sites!!! My bookmarks are 90 per cent recipe sites If either of you have sites that you visit you like please share. Aleka when was the recipe contest cookbook released? I have never seen it here. Well thats it for now. Aleka have a safe trip. I will probably be back later to cold to go anywere. Lynn

Lynn,
I went to Suzaane's website, but they are sold out of the new books. They are available at HSN.com, search for Somersize contest book and you'll find it. That is one of our shopping channels down here. I would imagine she will have them available up there on the shopping channel that carries her products when she has more.
I love her food, it is great. Have you been to her discussion boards? I think they are still down right now, but they should be back up soon. The members submit so many wonderful recipes. I have printed off 4 notebooks full of recipes from there.
I love to cook too, love recipes and cookbooks. Here are some sites I visit-
www.lowcarbluxury.com
www.lowcarber.org
www.recipezaar.com
I'll have to write more later, I got a run, Nikki

Good afternoon ladies,
Aleka, I sure hope your trip goes well. I saw on the tv this morning that your having wind chills of -100. That is damn cold weather and just plain horrible to travel in. We get your weather now too, since the candidates will be going to your state after they get done here. I am sick of campaign commercials already.
I am losing weight, but I'm still heavier than I was before the holidays. We decided to weigh on Wed, DH's choice. Last Wed. I was 224.9. I feel like my pants are loser already, so hopefully, next Wed will be better.
I decided to kick start my diet by going on the meat fast. It's on the Low Carb Lurxury site. Atkins has a fat fast, but this is easier and more palitable. I've been reading about how your body becomes resistant to losing weight on lowcarb diets when you go on and off of them so many times, like I have :s:
So, to get your body back on track, you do this for 3-5 days and slowly, add back more carbs. I have no problem with it, I love meat. It's basically all meat (or poultry or fish), all the time. You can have 2 eggs a day, no cheese, no dairy. You can have mustard and mayo, butter (clarified), olive oil. Thought I'd do it for 3 days and see if I can make it to 5. I'm making deviled eggs for supper to go with a baked chicken.
While I was at Walmart, I saw they are now carrying low carb frozen dinners. I don't remember the brands, but on the front of the packages, they labeled them low carb. Around 10 carbs per meal, up to 25. Not that I'm going to buy them too often, but thought they might come in handy in an emergency or when we're in a rush. Especially this summer when I'm gardening and don't have time to stop and cook.
Later, Nikki

[B Goodafternoon ladies: God you Americans have great products down there! Nikki the site lowcarber.org is fabulous!!! Still in the deep freeze. Dinner time must go will be back later Lynn

It is still cold, but above zero. It's supposed to warm up into the 20's-30's by Sun. I never used to think the 20's were warm. :lol:

Made it back to Massachusetts and back without much trouble. Thank God for heated seats. :smug:

nikki, congratulations on losing weight. :cheer: I have heard that some people only get 1 shot at low carb diets, that when you go off of them you won't lose as fast the 2nd, 3rd, time around. Good luck to you. I'll have to look in Walmart when I go there next week. Do you remember the brand? Our primary is the 27th and I too am sick of political commercials. I haven't decided yet who I am going to vote for.

Lynn, I honestly can't remember when the recipe contest book was realeased, but I want to say October/November. The recipes are the kind of recipes you yourself would make. Has it warmed up any where you are?

ANNE, hope you had a good day at work today.

Good night,
Aleka

Today I am sneaking over here from another Forum:


Anne D: You mentioned the Gazelle in an earlier post. Can I ask how often you do it and for how long? I have one at home and no matter how often/long I do it --it does not seem to make a difference. It could be because my metabolism is shot to H-LL :devil:

How long do you do the Body Flex breathing each day?

I tried Atkins for awhile but I seemed to GAIN the first few weeks even though I was being so good at avoiding Carbs. Maybe my fat intake was too high because I was having things like Mayo and Sausages etc.

Sorry to put sooo much in one post. Thanks, Pookie :write:

Pookie,
Mind if I reply? Anne you can too, but I know you've got a lot going on. I have a gazelle too and I do Body Flex as well as Atkins.
The Gazelle-it is not as good as a work out as a treadmill, but it beats no exercise. I've been using one, off and on, for over a year. My thighs and bottom are firmer, but probably would have gotten there quicker with a treadmill or more intense exersize. I use mine every other day, for at least 30 min a day. On the opposite days, I use the treadmill for 15 min. I'd like to do more, but I have some arthritis and just can't. Besides that, I use light hand weights and work out with a tape that uses them and does aerobic exercises too. Oh, I also do ab exercises 5 times a week and pilates when I want something different.
Body Flex-We use the tape that came with the program. I think it takes around 20 min every morning. I love this, it helps to wake me up and I feel like I have really expanded my lungs. It is a wonderful way to warm my body up for further exercise. I know some people that use only Body Flex and have gotten some good results-lost inches and weight.
Atkins-You shouldn't limit your fat intake on Atkins. He isn't saying to eat only fat of course, but it isn't something to worry about. In fact in his book he says not to try to make his program into a low fat program. I think the problem with it is that a lot of people read labels and think that the carb count is accurate. Often it's not. Also, even though it seems popular now, I won't eat any low carb prepackaged food during the first 2 weeks of induction. Another controversy is the sugar alcohols. Atkins now says you can subtract them. Well, I don't think so. I think they count, at least for me. If I eat one of those low carb candy bars, my weight loss stalls instantly. The best way to be successful with Atkins is to join a group that is following Atkins and they can help you to see things clearer. For example, you could post a sample of your menu and get some feed back. Some people don't count things that should be counted and some people don't eat enough. After awhile of doing it, your appetite is suppose to decrease, so you are actually eating less. But, you are never suppose to be hungry.
Well, don't apologize for posting too much, I have a tendency to go overboard. Good thing I didn't do it this time :lol:
Oh, and you can come by anytime. Nikki

Thanks NiKKic, I see you live in Heaven (Iowa) -- I just saw Field of Dreams the other night.
I agree with you about the treadmill. I don't have room for one in my place and it is too cold :fr: to walk outside so I will have to keep plugging away on my Gazelle.

I will try the Body Flex again. I have a hard time with the last part when you are supposed to pull your stomach way in as you strongly push the last bit of air out. I have a hernia and can't pull it in. Hopefully it will work without doing that very last part. I hope just taking really deep breathes will do something.

I will maybe try the Atkins or South Beach again-- I just got burned the last time when I gained for 4 weeks in a row.

I am KICKING myself now because in 02 I THOUGHT about going over to the Atkins Center here in NYC to see Dr Atkins, but I changed my mind. Now of course I am regretting it big time. I could have worked with him for several months before his untimely death :(

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions NiKKic. Thanks, Pookie :)

Pookie
:lol: :lol: Heaven. I heard on Jon Stewarts Show the other night they described Iowa as a frozen hell scape. I think it's a little of both. Depends on how you look at it. It's a lot better here today than you poor people out east.
I forgot to mention, I used only the Gazelle for most of the last 1 1/2 years. I've only this past month started to use the treadmill.
I'm not sure about how well the body flex will work for you if you do the breathing differently. I do think that any deep breathing exercises are very helpful to your lungs, since most people do a lot of shallow breathing. If nothing else, it will do that.
If you do decide to Atkins or the SBD, read the books again, I'm rereading Akins for the 3rd time and relearning this stuff all over again. Also, join a support group. There are groups here on 3FC for both and they are great. Also, I posted some other sites above that are great for support.
Nikki

Jon Stewart is very funny isn't he?

Thanks for the advice -- I'll reread the books and look into those sites your mentioned above.

Thanks :thanks:

Good Morning All:
Pookie, to be honest with you I love the Gazelle :cloud9: but Nikki uses it
far more than me. I should be using it though :o Problem is I don't have
room to keep it set up sooooo, if I want to use it I must set it up each
time. I do it on the weekends thought while listening to my favorite music
dvds :) I do my body flex each day, love it.

Well.....Nikki and Aleka I got weighed. I weigh in at 206 big ones :o sooooo
I put on a little bit of weight over the holidays. I keep reminding myself
I am still 103 pounds lighter than my all time high of 309 pounds. Below 200
for sure this year...Low carbing is my answer. I found it easy to get back
on program. Nikki, you and I have been controlling our weight a very long
time this way haven't we!!! Your pictures are certainly proof!!!!

I am so glad its the weekend. I was so stressed out when I arrived home I
was asleep by 7:00 :dizzy:

Aleka, its freezing here still!!!! How is your weather behaving?

Well, I'll check in later, time to get myself going to make the most of a day
without :devil: :lol:

Anne.

[B]Goodmorning Ladies: Still in a deep freeze here also. Another night of not sleeping, is it age I wonder? I have been playing around on the luxury low carb site for the last couple of hours. Read some good articles. Didn't like to hear that because this is my second time around it could be slower and harder to lose weight. Oh well that will teach me that low carbing should be a lifestyle not a diet.Live and learn. One forum over there were talking about the low carb dinners and the different prices. Also checked out body flex. I am not exercising like I should, I am bored with the tapes I have so will check out Wallmart on Monday. I will not shop on weekends, HATE crowded stores. Thanks Aleka, if the book came out Oct. or Nov. it has to be out here by now. I will start looking for it. Nikki thanks for the sites you mentioned. I have luxury low carb bookmarked for the recipes. I never looked anywere else on the site. Another blond moment I guess! I am also going to buy a Atkins book and read it. Maybe it will fit my likestyle better than SS. Well I should get busy, I did nothing yesterday. Played on the computer and read a book, a real "me" day. Talk to you later. Lynn

Good morning ladies,
DH and I are getting into the swing of things as far as our diet and exercise goes. For breakfast, I cooked eggs over easy and sirloin steak. We can't eat like that everyday, but that was a nice change. Besides, I had the steak out and had to use it up soon.
Lynn, I found some more websites, plus one for Canada that has a lot of low carb products,


http://www.low-carb-food.com/low-carb-crock-pot-recipes/

http://fitday.com/

http://www.nat.uiuc.edu/

I'll have to come back later, I can't find the Canada one right now. Anyway, these are related to low carb dieting and also, some have recipes.

Suzannes woe is great, but I found the food combining to be a major pain. On the otherhand, not having to count everything is a major plus. I like to make my own protein drinks and add strawberries to it. That is out with somersizing. Still, the food is marvelous on her plan.
You may be able to lose weight just as easily the second time on a low carb diet. I think it's an individual thing. My theory is, the body learns your dieting tricks and tries to out smart you, in an effort to hold onto all the fat it can, just in case you starve later. Also, hormones play a big part in it and anyone that is premenopausal or in menopause may find it slower going than someone younger.

Anne, I think you weight is great. Your practically back at where you were before the holidays. I have to fold and unfold my gazelle too, just not enough room in this little house. Hey, it's like lifting weights :lol: Say, did you see my note about the rubber shoe covers? (Jan 15, 822pm)They would help a lot with the ice and keep you from falling. If you want them, let me know.

Aleka, hope your getting some warmer weather. Ours is still fairly warm, but they say it will drop back down tonight.

Did I tell you guys that a man shot a cougar 20 miles from my house? It's the second one in Iowa in a year. I like to walk in the woods, so this will make me more aware when I'm out there next spring.
Nikki

Good morning,

Pookie, I also use the Gazelle. I just started doing it faithfully last week. I agree with Nikki, you don't get as good a workout as you would on a treadmill or walking outside. Even in the short time I've been doing it faithfully, I can see a difference in my legs, they seem to be more flexible and starting to tone.

ANNE, don't worry about the weight gain. You have done so well, your photos are proof of how far you've come. I know you will be below 200 in no time. It's still cold here, but it is above zero for a change. But, the wind is still blowing and it makes for chillier temps.

nikki, a frozen hell scape could describe NH at the moment. :lol:

Lynn, I usually won't shop on the weekends either, unless I get there when the stores open and leave before it gets crowded. I start getting ugly when I'm in a crowded store. I don't sleep as well as I used to either. Sometimes I wake up around 1:00am - 2:00 am and am awake the rest of the night, sometimes not getting back to sleep unitl around 4:00 am, then I'm up by 5:30 am - 6:00 am. I was wondering if it was age related. I haven't gotten to the point yet where I fall asleep sitting in my chair watching TV. Youmay do very well on low carbing the 2nd time around. I've seen posts on Suzanne's website where some people have no problem losing and others are not having such an easy time of it like their first time around. Everybody is different.

Take care an enjoy your weekend.
Aleka

Here's a few more websites,
This one is Dana Carpenders, the author of some great low carb cook books:
www.holdthetoast.com

and this one is a Canadian website that you can order food from
www.lowcarbfooddepot.ca

I haven't visited them yet, but I got all excited about the Canadian one, I know how hard it is to get low carb food up there. Having said that, I try to stick to basic, real food. The low carb food tends to make me stall. Still, I do like to buy some premade products, like ketchup, salad dressing and a few other things. I can't wait til I get that liquid Splenda that I ordered.

[B]Hi Ladies: A very lazy afternoon, spent my morning catching up on housework. I now know what a gazelle is. Sitting with convertor in hand went by our shopping channel and there is Tony with the gazelles. Very interesting but as my Dh said I have to get into the exercise mode to think about getting another piece of equipment. The diet is going well but the exercising is hit and miss. Still trying to decide if I want to do Atkins or stay were I am with Suzanne.Well off to Toronto or I should say Mississauga for my husbands dr. appointment on monday ( the third trip to to in 5 days!) We are going to stay at my daughter's over night and will visit my mom (in a nursing home), than dinner with my step-father than will be bring his dog back here so he can go on a holiday..Take care Aleks & Nikki will talk with you on Wednesday Lynn

I'll start a new thread, see you there!