Good morning. Another night of decent sleep! I'm on a roll - low carb, of course! AND my ticker is finally telling the truth.

This week I am cooking evening dinners for Joanne and the kids as she puts her life back together. I'll take out my own serving before I deliver. Her fridge and freezer are loaded with sympathy foods but you can't feed a family on pie, cake and banana bread. I have chili on the go for tonight.

I am going to do some treadmill penance for a while this morning. I'm definitely going back to the gym in January and part of me (the jock part!) is saying "Why not now?" Hmmm.

Ruth Glad you got another good nights sleep and sounds like you have a plan. I have a friend who goes to the YMCA to exercise and she wants me to start going with her. It's not expensive and I just might do it. I might make a membership a Christmas gift to mysef. I just have to be sure I will go. I am back on low carb too, probably more like SB Phase 2 than Atkins because I want the fruit. Still counting calories with it though just to be safe on portion control and I want to be in better control of my eating when I have to make these parties that are coming up. You are so nice to take decent food to Joanne. You are a very sweet lady, Ruth.

I slept 8 and 1/2 hours myself. It was broken up hours, but I didn't have to be any where until late this afternoon so I could sleep in... I took advantage of it. I think the Melatonin helped me get a deeper sleep when I did sleep because I got into the dream stage which I don't do like I should. FBG was down a little still where I want it which is reason for the low carb and I think my weight is down some more, but not sure since the scale shows it needs a new battery. I'll have to see the new number for a few days to be sure it is real any way. However, it is a good sign.

Got to get busy since I slept in, I'm running late on some things and I'm a day or two behind on my lessons for Wednesdays BSF meeting. Got to catch up.

Have a good one everybody.

Lots of snow here, so have to get rest, since driving can be difficult in the weather. It can really hypnotize you when driving. Ate ok today, but difficult to do it. I realized leaving yoga that I was starving, but fortunately had some cheese with me for the drive home. what a relief.
Have to stay clean the rest of the week. Next week is the company holiday dinner at a gourmet restaurant, and I want to enjoy myself.
Sugars are good today, 5.2 after supper, with cheesecake for dessert!

Wow, Mad! You sure got a lot of snow down there. We're wintery but have missed a big dump. Yes, winter driving is stressful and we need our sleep. Now, if the darn plows would stop their beep-beeping at 4:30, I would still be abed.

I'm working on staying clean too. I canceled out a foodie event yesterday at noon and did some food prep for the week. I took chili and cole slaw to Joanne for their supper last night and saved out a serving for myself. I do get tired of things when I make large batches so this may be a good thing. Beef stew is next on my menu for Joanne and the kids.

I need to decide on my Christmas Eve party menu. Claire always brings me loads of baking so there is no need to leap into that. I do like to get a savory few things made up and frozen though. The trick will be to get them frozen fast!

Happy Tuesday, Chickies.

Went to digestive doc yesterday afternoon and all the tests came back okay except for the IBS and the ulcer. Doc will see him again in 2 mos. I went with DH to the primary doc today. He said that some times DH stomach problems can be nerves so he gave him a prescription for an anti-depressant. I sure hope it helps.

When he finished talking with Tony, I told him that I wasn't happy with my FBS numbers and asked him if I could up the Metformin. He said that I could take 2000 mg as long as it didn't cause me any problems. Will take one in the morning and one in the evening. I will start that tomorrow and hope it gets my FBS down better. I started to not as, because it was 111 mg this morning, but I'm seeing too many days of being above 120's. So I'll see how that helps me. But I really would like to get my numbers under 100 mg. I don't like it being over that.


Fatmad Take it easy traveling in the snow. I know with your job that you have to go when called out so stay safe.

Ruth It really is easier to cook for more than just one. DH does not eat like I do and many times I'm making two meals at one time. So I plan to enjoy cooking for the kids when they are here for Christmas.

Good Morning Ladies!!

Sorry I have been MIA for awhile, but life gets in the way sometimes.

Still plugging along.but having a hard time getting back to low carb. I think it's going to get worse throughout the month.

Just found out that I will be cooking Christmas dinner for 9 so far, but that can go up to 15 if other DS and family decide to come. I'm going to have to bake some diabetes friendly goodies so I won't be tempted.

BG has been in the low sixes so not too bad.
Have a great day everyone.

you know you haven't been sleeping well when:
i had a great sleep last night: Went to sleep about 1130, woke up to a phone call at 5:15 for work. Didn't wake up at all, even to pee. The last time I slept this well was October 29th. See? i know the date of the last great sleep I had.
So I was thinking about what the difference was: both times I had a minor cheat that evening, and had a snack with my after supper tea, which involved a few carbs. So I may try for a few days, having a small evening snack with a few carbs. I think there is a "low carb" bread, (my administrator buys it) and have that with some peanut butter, and see if that helps me sleep, and maybe won't interfere with sugars or weight loss too much.
(another benefit, in spite of the fact that I take fibre capsules, I have problems with constipation, but the ww crackers I had last night got me moving just fine today. )
I think I may have to lower my fat a bit to accommodate the extra carbs and calories, so will watch that for a few days and see where it gets me. I hope the extra sleep and the improvements in the bowel habits will keep me from gaining with the diet changes. I didn't get a chance to check my sugar this am, was out of the door very fast. Will do it tomorrow.

Lindyloo, I know its a challenge to go low carb. Why not read over the atkins book again, and look at OWL and the rungs. Maybe you don't have to be in induction, and just lower carb will do. I couldn't stick to induction until I was lower carb for a while. I didn't lose weight there, but could get the sugars on track at least, and then was able to do induction. As you can see, I will be changing that, But my weight loss is very slow no matter what.

Plugging away! Started into a chocolate gingerbread bar last night but gave it up after a few squares. I bravely threw it into the garbage! BGL was fine this morning. I had a very low cal pizza for lunch today and have Brussels sprouts roasting while my pork chop grills. Most of my decorating is now done which means I'll probably have a good sleep tonight. I'm going to try to guarantee that with some herb tea before bed.

had a fairly good sleep last night, slept well til 6 am, instead of 4 or 5, and only woke once, so I rate that as a good sleep. My evening snack had 5 g carbs.
Went to the spa this afternoon to get ready for Christmas festivities, but frankly don't care about it much. have been a bit down in general and its been getting more so. The family counselling is rough for sure. I am amazed I am sticking to plan so well.
Will be going to spend some time on Saturday with a friend just diagnosed with breast cancer after a biopsy 2 weeks ago. I hope to do some cross country skiing while there. We sure have the snow for it. Maybe some fresh air and sunshine will help. yoga tomorrow, and start some painting in the rec room. Trying to be motivated, but not easy.

Just checking in really quick. Getting use to adding another Metformin daily. Had a headache once today because I had gone too long between meals. I didn't think I was supposed to have any hypoglycemic reactions. I didn't check my BS at that time, but had the shakes and felt run down until I ate.
Read some of the side affects and will be watching how my body reacts to it. May end up going back on Atkins whether I want to or not. Will see.

Too tired to write more. Will try to do that tomorrow.

HI LADIES ~ we did get that big dump of snow for 3 days this week; it has now stopped but now we have the lower cold temps instead but we did get some lovely along with that. We are expecting some warmer temps tomorrow, so maybe we'll venture out for some shopping in the AM.

I am alternating my posts and PC time; email one day and posting another -- that is working out better with this older machine. I did laundry and bedding today spreading things out over the week too. I got my new little electric stove; it is really nice and the flames look so realistic too (made by the best: Dimplex). I love it; such nice ambiance with the lights on the tree on the other end of the livingroom, so I have been falling asleep with that early. Who'd have thought that would be a great thing to help you fall asleep?

I think I told you that I had to redo my Mary & Joseph and all the outside decos are up and look great. I have the tree up here with all the lights, but haven't got the ornaments on yet. Mailed my Christmas Cards today so that is done. Will be wrapping gifts for down south this weekend as we have to look for one more small thing tomorrow. We have had a few places close up and it harder to find everything you want in a small town.

Have also streamlined my menu too lately; having fruit and/or cheese for my snacks seems to be helping my tummy. Cut down my tea as that was bothering my stomach for awhile there. I have put off buying too much stuff for our Christmas dinner yet; just picked up 2 meat pies and some Scotch Shortbread so far -- gonna put it off as long as I can but will be leaning towards nuts and lighter stuff this year like last year.

I like to put out cheeses, nuts, bit & bites, some little crackers and that went over well last year; just put out one cookie -- the shortbread and they were quite happy with that. I suppose I could get fancier but it's alot of work and too much gets left over; I can eat the nuts and cheese but DH takes care of the rest ...

I like veggie trays myself; but the other stuff was more popular with guests. They like olives too, I noticed -- so maybe I'll put some of them out too. We have an invite out for Boxing DAy too, so I may keep that in mind with our menu as well, so we'll see what happens.

I agree that it does seem that so many social events center around food, but I seek out stuff that is on my plan -- lean meats, salads, veggies, fruit; well, I try my best anyways ...

Have a Fabulous Friday everyone ... Rosebud

Ok, so last nights bedtime snack had 7 g of carbs. Did wake up once to pee, got back to sleep fine. Thought I heard the dog another time, lay awake listening for her and woke up when DD got up for school. So this is definitely helping with sleep. FINALLY something that is helping the sleep.
A little bedtime snack with carbs. hmmm
So the choice is to save up carbs for that or add them in and up my carb total for the day. Will try a week with the latter, allowing up the 30 g carbs/day for a bit. Maybe no weight loss planned over the holidays, just better sleep and more activity.
Rosebud, its great to hear from you, hope the old pc holds up and you can keep checking in from time to time. We miss you.
Gonna start painting the rec room today, so how this orange looks!
I'm not usually so bold with colour, but this house is very plain and square and is screaming for something vibrant.

Nice to see you, Rosebud, and know you aren't completely snowed in up there.

It was so nice to wake at six this morning after eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. I've not been sipping wine in the evening which may be the problem. Even made into a spritzer, it's still alcohol and water.

I've been really bad with veggies and water lately and must remedy that. Our small local grocery really cuts back on things during the winter and I've not ventured into the city to a big store for a while. Maybe next week.

BGL is doing fine and I think my HA1C is holding at 6.4 despite the holiday temptations. It sure would be nice to lose over the holidays but ...

Happy Friday!

Lindyloo & Rosebud It is good to hear from you two. Been wondering about you two.

fatmad So glad the nighttime carb is working for you and you are able to sleep. I don't really expect to lose during the holidays either, but I would like to keep my 26 lb loss for the year.

Ruth I know I have to be very careful to get my veggies and water in. It really makes a difference.

I guess the second Metformin is working. My FBG was 107 mg/dl this morning and a little over 2 hrs after breakfast, it was 97. I'm not enjoying the side affects of getting on it although not having diaherria so far which is a blessing. Just a lot of groaning in the gut and I had a headache yesterday. I've settled with the fact that I have to count calories and carbs. However, if it works, that is all that counts.

Y'all have a great weekend.

trish: I was thinking about diets today too. I thought about calorie counting and don't want it these days because I really don't want to count calories. It is easier for me to count carbs. I expect that is because I have gotten used to it. I read the ww stuff about points etc. And I read labels carefully, but its harder to tell with homemade food, so I am stuck with recipes and I always change things up a bit, never really follow the recipe. Its not insurmountable, but I am a bit lazy. I may change it up in the new year, but won't start something new right now, for sure. I know I can manage atkins thru the holidays, and that will at least keep me stable. I can understand the difficulties with any change, but its reassuring to know that we can get used to the new thing, whatever it is!