:wave: HI LADIES ~ great to see that most of you are doing so well; getting back on track in the new year. Our temps went down to -25+ C last night with fierce northern winds so we had to stuff our back door with rags to block them (DH tried that weather stripping to no avail; so back to an old standby). ;) We had lovely :sunny: all day today; so nice ... :D

We had a nice roast beef with lotsa veggies for dinner tonight -- am doing much better keeping on plan. Managed to get back on track this week and that is a big relief. I have been journalling what I eat so that I can see what foods/meals work best for me.

TRISH ~ the basic plan is one a doctor and I devised for me when in my teens (I lost 25 lbs on it at the time); and is very similar to many others like the Diabetic Association exchange plan. It is very flexible and simple to follow; and good for families too. We also used this in my work days (as a counsellor) when we wanted to help a client lose a bit of weight without feeling deprived -- the #1 goal being to help them feel better and become more mobile.

I really like it myself; and I have tweaked it over time adding some good ideas from other plans and cutting back on things that tempt me to binge. We eat a lot less now overall, but still feel quite full and satisfied. I think this plan is similar to one my mother's dietician had her on as well. It's a good place to start anyways ...

We heard that the south got a dumping of ****** over the weekend; as I have family who live down there too. We get updates every weekend ... ;) Hope you are all keeping warm though and have a great week coming up too ... Rosebud :flow2:

trish, when I am coming down with a cold or flu, I get shaky like when I have low sugars, although the numbers will be fine. Also, if you get high sugars coming down fast you can get the symptoms of low sugars. I had that one night when I had some cranberry cocktail, went up to 17 then was 5.5 an hour later. it was like I could feel it falling so fast, I was just jittery the whole time.
Before the pre-diabetes started, I used to get hypoglycemic in certain situations so I am not surprised that this can happen to me.
hope you feel better soon.

I am home now from my weekend away, and back to work first thing in the morning. Looking forward to seeing my clients.
ttfn

It's currently -33ºC here and I'm cold. I need to start dressing in layers more. I certainly am not cold from losing weight - must be an age thing.

Just had oatmeal and vanilla SF yogurt with a wonderful pear cut up in it. That should help this morning's 3.4 BGL. I have homemade pea soup thawing for lunch - I know the ham will affect me but I need a comfort lunch today. I'd love to just stay home and finish reading the Globe and the Times but I'm off to the gym this morning.

Have a good Monday and stay warm!

Well stayed up almost all night... just wasn't sleepy even after taking the Melatonin so FBS was way up and the fact that I ate some chips didn't help either. Surprise was that my BP was great although the chips were lightly salted so that worked in my favor. I checked my points and I used a lot but not all of my Weekly Pts.

Today is a new day and I'm back to doing more of a low carb type woe, but using my WW PPlus to keep portions and calories in check. There are just some things I cannot bring into the house even though what I've been doing is practicing some "self-disiciplined will power". I have a place where I put things that I make a "quality" decision not to eat any more. So far, it works. However, anyhing that still tempts me will either go into the trash or down the garbage disposal. So today I've made a quality decision... I'm back to making healthier carb choices of fruits and veggies etc.

I thought I might give up the WW on-line membership when my 3 months are up, but I've decided to keep it. I find that the etools really helps to keep track of all that I eat and my weight loss/gain etc. It also keeps me honest/accountable. I really like being able to print out a copy of what I ate each day. I really would love for this to be the year that I get control of my weight and get as close to goal as possible.

Ruthie I find that I get cold easier these days and find it harder to get warm sometime. I've seen the possibility of a snow/rain mix for here Friday, however, I don't think it will be cold enough for it to stick.

Always thought I would love to live where it snows, but I've changed my mind. After 2 rounds of the beautiful white stuff, I don't care to see any more here this year. I think my age has a lot to do with it. When you have experienced a lot of falls in your life, you don't want to take the chance of getting out in the stuff and falling... especially on the ice. My balance isn't what it used to be.

Everybody have a great Monday and y'all stay warm.

TRISH ~ You are learning what works for you and what doesn't; for not only losing weight but esp for BSL control. I think the WW plan is a good basic plan; with some tweaks that suit you, like choosing fruit or veggies over chips, you should see some improvement. On some days, I will cut back my grain or starchy complex carbs a bit too; what I do is cycle or alternate them. One day I may have a whole sandwich but on another, have only a half sandwich for lunch with some soup; or I may have a few wg soda crackers instead (tweak, tweak, tweak). ;)


I learned a lot about myself this year -- what foods are my worst triggers; which ones don't bother me; where I can cut back and still feel full; found new subs that were less calories, etc; found serving size snacks that are healthier for me; eating more nutrient-rich foods; found ways to lessen the damage by fixing things the next snack, meal, or day so my weekly plan is still 90+% successful (and maybe even better); and that my daily exercises are really helping me: the hand-weights and early morning toning exercises are helping me to lose inches, sizes, and weight.

Plus I have learned that the slower I lose the weight, the longer I am keeping it off. After years and years of yo-yo dieting this is a HUGE victory for me. This is the longest time that I have kept lost weight off (5+ years) -- and I mean -- ALL OF IT! Also I have learned that I can eat many of the foods I love -- as long as I just watch the portion sizes.

I know for sure now that this basic portion plan is the best one FOR ME. I was weighed at our local hospital in December and I am now the same weight I was 20+ years ago. I am ecstatic about that - why? Becuz I have lost all the weight I gained in that time period and kept it off with this plan. My new goal now is to get to the size I was when I got married (then we'll see after that). ;)

What else would I improve? I hope to increase my walking a bit more this year. All the other holidays are no problem for me; only Christmas still needed improvements -- and each year, we're getting better. I paid close attention this holiday to see where I can improve food choices for the next one too.


RUTH ~ I find that my porridge breakfast mix helps me to not only feel full, but it lasts longer for me too; and, if your BSL's are low, it can help bring it up as well. I have that up to 4 days a week now and alternate with eggs or other alternatives for the other days.

Now that the cold weather is here; I am making a lot of homemade soup, which is healthy and a great filler. I like salads too, but I LOVE homemade soup; so I prefer that even more. We are having leftover roast beef and veggies for dinner tonight and it smells ready now ... :D

The temps warmed up and we have had a bit of ***** this afternoon; supposed to be the same for tomorrow then the temps are supposed to go down even more like RUTH has had already. Now that we're older, we do feel the cold more too; yes, it's the age factor. :brr:

Have a terrific Tuesday ... Rosebud :flow2:

Rosebud I really appreciate the things you share. I guess I am also doing what you do. I am eating a lot of things that I like which keeps me from feeling like I'm on a diet. I am learning there are some foods that are triggers for me and I can't have them. I have also learned that a lot of the foods that I couldn't have on some diets that I thought I had missed and I can have now as long as I watch portions really do not taste as good as I thought they would. I realize that I either don't really care for the food or taste and I don't seem to want them now that I can have them. Strange how being free to eat whatever I really want has changed what I really want. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Diabetic Question
 

I have been experiencing some times of dizziness/lightheadedness since my FBS has come down below 110 mg/dl and my BP is steadily back to what I've always thought of as normal for me around 114/60s area. I'm just wondering if my body is having to adjust to being back down to the new lows or if I've got something else going on. I do know I'm also experiencing some sinus issues with all this crazy weather and it could be that. However, I just walked out to the mailbox and back this morning and felt this way. I didn't feel like I was going to faint or anything like that, just not normal feeling. I really thought when things (#s) started getting back to normal that I would feel better than this, however since the night when I couldn't sleep at all when I first experienced this, all I really want to do now is sleep and that's not like me. This also makes me not want to go any where because of feeling this way. Thanks for any help or ideas you may have. I just kind of wondered if anyone else has ever experienced this as you began to get your body back to normal.

THANKS, TRISH ~ yes, the same thing happened to me; as my eating and lifestyle improved, my BSL's went back down to normal. Then they started to go too low and I started feeling dizzy, nauseated, and light-headed too. At first, I had to lower my Metformin dose; but eventually I had to go off it altogether. Those symptoms stopped when I did. Only now and then do I get that weird "off" feeling that you mention -- when I get too busy and don't eat when I should. Like when it's getting close to a meal time or after one, and I start to feel very hungry and whoozy (as I call it). The only remedy is to eat something ...

No more can I go long periods without eating; I must eat and eat regularly now or my body reacts to that. Usually, when this happens, I realize that I missed eating or am close to when I should eat.

The temps have dropped down here again; but we had lovely :sunny: here today and it was so nice. I hope we get some more as the temps fall. I hope RUTH and others are keeping warm out there. The furnace will be working hard this week, for sure ... :brr:

Have a wonderful Wednesday ladies (and gents?) ... Rosebud :flow2:

Hi everyone:
Well went back to work on Monday, and typically, have not planned meals so well, but did my best and weight is almost back to ticker. Am baking a custard this am while I do some laundry so will have a breakfast ready to go if things get busy, which they are doing later today I think. I am having a good breakfast today too and we all know that getting off on the right foot helps a lot.
Had insomnia from 3-5 this am, but got to sleep in so I am not too bad, fbs 5.9 today. THe weather has been crazy, going from deep freeze of -20 C to hovering around the freezing mark yesterday and back down today -8 C. Some fluffly stuff coming down now, and I will go play with and walk the dog for a bit of movement today. can't go to town for yoga class everyday!
Hope everyone has a good day, I can't believe its Wednesday already.

Thanks Rosebud and Mad. I read what y'all wrote on the other one too. I have an appt in the morning with my doc. The nurse said for me to check BS and BP if I had another one of those spells. It is so strange to me that I haven't had another one. I hope the doc will be able to help me know what is going on. FBS was 108 mg/dl this morning. BP was 119/69. I've had a pretty good day and I have no problem staying OP with WW.

Cardiologist said DH isn't getting enough fluids and that everything looked with his heart. He thinks some of the problems he is having with his muscles will improve if he starts slowly building up his strength again. So boils down to drink more water, don't take lasix and exercise. Said being diabetic makes him need more fluids. Of course, I know that and DH DD and I have been telling him all these things, but is different when a doc tells you to. The feeling like he is going to black out is because he gets up to fast. Doc said the only thing you can do about that is get up and wait a few seconds before he starts walking or moving around. He said he just has to learn to be careful since there isn't anything they can do about it. He goes back in 6 months.

Let you know what I find out about my situation tomorrow evening.

Oh Rosebud I heard on the weather channel that we may get snow again Tuesday. As much as I love the stuff, I'm not in the mood for any more. I too hope Ruthie is staying warm.

Y'all stay warm and have a great evening and day tomorrow.

Yup. Ruthie is staying warm and would be even warmer if she'd just get out the manual and learn to programme her new thermostat. I also have a new cellphone, an MP3 player, a camera and a GPS that I need to figure out. You'd never know I am a Computer Science grad!

I ate pretty purely yesterday although the yogurt and agave at bedtime was not on the plan. BGL is 4.3 this morning though and might have been lower if I hadn't gone off plan. Maybe I should have a bedtime snack but, when I have supper at seven, it doesn't seem needed. I did not have wine with dinner - I've been back in that habit lately - not good!

Happy Thursday!

Ruthie Glad to see you this morning.

Quick one as I have to leave to go to doc this morning. I'm excited this morning as my FBS was 96 mg/dl so I'm hoping for good news from the doc.
Have a good one.

BBL

I am pleased to be on target this am. I did have some wings for supper last night, went out after the births with the other midwives. Also had a big salad though, and was otherwise quite good yesterday, so no gain overnight anyhow.
I went to yoga on Monday evening, but not much exercise since then. So getting hubby in the mood for a trail walk before I go to the office. I was up at 530, and couldn't get back to sleep. I was too tired to get it together to go to the 630 yoga class tho. LOL I am just not a morning exercise person. I can get up and go and work etc in the am, but not exercise. Getting out for a trail walk will be a big deal for me.
Stay warm everyone.

Well, the doctor's appt went well. He didn't change my meds, but told me that if I had any more spells like that to be sure to check BS & BP readings. He checked my heart and listened to heart beat in the neck to see how things were and everything seemed okay. He thinks the spell I had at Walmart may have been a reaction to what I ate like when we get sleepy from some foods and the other time, I had not eaten and needed food. I don't eat a lot of fat so he said that when I ate the fried food that it could have caused it.

He wanted to know why I had fainting when a teenager and I told him that the doctors put me in the hospital and ran a bunch of tests and never could find out why. I told him how I ate growing up and that about that time, I had changed and started eating junk food that my body wasn't used to. I told him that when I got older and learned more about nutrition that I had always attributed it to that since I never had them any more.

While there I asked him if I had to eat all the pointts WW says you have to eat. I explained to him that sometimes I get to the place to where I have points left and I'm not hungry, but end up looking for food to eat. Also sometimes when I force the points then I want more. He said that he thought they just didn't want people to be hungry. I told him that I love fruit and veggies so I eat a lot of fruit and veggies and since I'm a night eater that I save my fruit to eat at night. )Come to find out he eats fruit at night as well and said now his children are starting to do the same.) He said if I've eat good during the day and get down to the place where I am just eating to get the pts in that I don't have to eat all of them. He seemed to agree with me that it isn't good to force yourself to eat when you are satisfied and not hungry. He said he does thinl it is more important to eat on a regular schedule each dayso you don't get hungry. He explained to me how things change in our body when we allow ourselves to get to the point that we are really hungry that the body starts doing things to try to get us to realize that it is hungry. Sorry that I can't explain it like he did.

DH had an appt with the blood specialist after we left my doc. He has to go for a CT Scan. Seems that he has a blood factor that causes him to make clots. I don't know why he is just now telling us about this as this is what the cardiologist was looking for. In fact, that is why he sent Tony to the blood specialist. He said that he wanted to know why Tony had these clots in his leg and lungs because he was too young to have this problem. The good news is that he can be treated to keep it from happening, but he needs this scan first. Also tested him for Vitamin D as well. Tony's children will have to have to tested for the same factor and be treated to prevent them from having the problems Tony has had. I'm just thankful that they are finally finding some answers and Thank God that it is treatable.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the way our appt went. I think that for me the next thing is to get regular with exercise. In fact Tony and I both have to.

Mad I understand exactly how you feel about how you can get up to go to work, but not to exercise. I have been thinking the same thing. I get up and go do things I have to do so why don't I get up and exercise. Guess this is one of the 2011 things we got to work on. lol

Y'all have a great afternoon.

trish, good news about Tony and the clots, not that he has this problem, but that now you know and its treatable. And of course exercise will help prevent clotting. so yes, he must get moving. I usually exercise later in the day. But this am did go for a trail walk with the dog and DH. Was very nice, but brisk and cold, and will be staying cold for the next week. will just get over -15 a few times in the next few days. Plan to go to yoga tomorrow.
We had some good news at work, will have another midwife joining the practice, which will be helpful to distribute workload around a bit. We have been very busy waiting for this so we are all happy. We are really sucky about overbooking because we have some people call who have no other options for maternity care. We just hate to say no to families with poverty issues etc. So we are thrilled to have another lovely person to work with.
Makes my day.