I went to the store when I left the beauty shop today because it was a little cooler and it is supposed to rain this afternoon. Daddy had told me that he wanted Bush's fried chicken tenders so I got him the 2 pc dinner because it is cheaper than buying just the tenders, gravy and bread and took it to him after the store. I wanted to get home before it rains. I told him that if I had to pay for a full meal that he might as well have the coke and fries with it. We sat in the little room with tables by the nurses station while he ate because they were cleaning up the roommate and the smell would have ruined the enjoyment of the meal. I think he and I need to go down there more often to visit.

DS finally heard from our baby sister last night. She said they would be in and out of town for a while until they get everything straightened out. She had told me that he owes a certain amount of money to pay off everything so he can be free to move back to TX so I assume that is what she is talking about. She has yet to call me, but that is fine. Like Daddy said when I told him about it is that all he wanted to know is that she is okay. We know that so that is fine. I"m not in the mood for the drama so it is all good to me.

Mad I am sorry you are still having pain with your arm and sleeping. I joined a FB Diabetic group yesterday and I noticed some of them talking about Metformin causing them to experience insomnia. I don't know if that would be a problem for you at this point or not, but then with your new way of eating, perhaps it could be. Just thought I would pass that on to you.

Carol Sue I bought another book last night on the kindle. I could have read it for free but had a problem getting it so just paid for it. I read most of what I wanted to know last night. I could have downloaded it from the Diabetic FB group, but I figured I would just get it on the kindle. It is called Diabetes by Noel Bradshaw. It recommended the GL and eating pretty much like I read from the Reader's Digest Magic Foods book. However, he says there are 5 Super foods that Diabetics should include in their diet and when I read it, I realized that it was pretty much like I used to eat in SC. They are Chia seeds, Wild Salmon, White Balsamic Vinegar, Cinnamon and Lentils. I used to eat these foods, but have gotten away from them. I was told by a lady years ago that chia seeds would lower blood sugar. So when I went to the store today, I did get these foods.

I noticed on this group I joined on FB that some do IF with their plan and some don't. Some do a moderate low carb and I see some of them eat fruit in place of candy. No one criticizes how you eat because they stress eating the way your dr recommends and/or the way that works for you and it is working for them.
One thing they stress is that even if you don't count calories, you have to measure the carbs you eat like potatoes, rice etc and they do recommending limiting them. This book I read last night seems to recommend having no more than 1 of those veggies each day while I read where someone said no more than 30 to 45 for each meal. They don't seem to count fruit or veggie carbs.

I have a pot of lentils cooking now. I will start counting what starchy carbs I eat each day and I continue to do this with IF but use the 8:16 ratio for now.

BBL

Trish, I really enjoy lentils, and a good lentil soup is right up my alley. Reading one of the blog posts recently on the IDM site, they talked about ways to control insulin, and high fibre, plant based diet is a fine way too. So its really not necessary to always do low carb, or LCHF, etc. Its really about the IF, and enjoying. Maybe do a day of plant based foods and a day of lower carb. Alternate sometimes. The eating window is key. And even if you don't lose a lot of weight, may help control the blood sugars.

Thanks all about the arm. It IS better, just not getting back to normal as quick as I would like. So I am glad I got the schedule switched and I won't go on call this time next week. I will work the clinic days next week, (no heavy lifting) but not the call week afterward. More time to heal, and no stress about the timing. It could be all will be well by that time, but if not, I have the time to heal. After next Thursday then, no work for 4 weeks. Travel etc but not work.

I have organized a happy hour at 5 pm today, last day of summer, last day of warm weather for a while in the forecast. Kids had a day off school today, so I am sure their parents will be happy for a break. Snacks and cocktails. I will break my fast with cheese and cucumbers. yum.
have a good TGIF

Mad thanks for the advice. I have had fiber today, but I spread it out over the day. I ended up eating this evening but I had a small cup of lentils and later had a small bowl of high fiber cereal with chia seeds added. I'm curious to see how my FBS will be tomorrow. I feel like I probably had a lot of food, but I will be tweaking things so I won't feel that way.

Carol Sue We had hamburgers today made with the Angus beef burgers from Sam's and I have to say that it made it so much easier to make them. I through them in the grill pan on stove top frozen and put a lid on them and they were done in no time without me having to form them. I told DH it wasn't going to take long for them to cook and to get his bread ready. He thought I was nuts because they went on the grill frozen. LOL He was surprised when I told him they were done. We make our burgers on the Sara Lee MG bread so they are healthier and less calories. I used to buy HB buns, but they ruin on us and I don't like them thawed after frozen as they are usually too hard. They make the thin WW bread but I find they become too soggy and become mushy. So we decided using the regular MG bread was a better choice.

I have felt pretty satisfied today. I want to add the fiber, but I also want to be careful not to feel stuffed. I think it was pretty much a good day.

Patty- Thanks for the input and the burgers sound tasty.
Mad- Thank you for the tips. Love hearing about your progress.
Carol- Glad to hear your pain is better for now.

Had a scale victory today and was down a pound. Pretty sure it won't stay but so glad to have a moment where it edged down. We are having a party at my house tomorrow for the kiddo's b-day. I was working on cleaning up and my shoulder started hurting quite a bit. It started to hurt again a couple of days ago when I tried to lift something heavy. Really hoping a good nights sleep will calm it down.

Also, almost stayed within my calorie count. I was over by 100 calories. I've been over by a lot more lately so I will take it as a victory. I think I'm having another non-scale victory. I play 'brain strengthening' games on an app. I had been getting new high scores pretty infrequently (maybe 1 every three months). Since I have been doing IF, I have been getting new high scores roughly every 3-4 times a month.

Saw the discussion on alkaline water. I don't have much to add except a friend of mine firmly believes it has helped her kiddo with an autoimmune issue.

Was thinking of Ruthie after the tornados in the Ottawa Gatineau area, near where she lived. I am sure that kind lady's spirit is in heaven rooting for us.
All my family there seems to be ok, but one cousin has yet to check in. Her husband is a fire fighter, so they may be very busy. I don't think she was in the area that was badly hit.
Went to my folk club and enjoyed the live music, and just sipped a nice herbal tea. Avoided the snacks and sweets just fine.Weight staying at or just under 160. I think I need to feast a bit before I try another fast.
Tonight may be harder, we are having a board gaming evening. I will plan a big supper and hope that will see me through. This seems like a day where breakfast and lunch isn't the way to go, so will do lunch and supper.
DH doesn't get home until late evening about 930 pm.
Pipsicle: so glad you are feeling mentally better. Be gentle with yourself about calorie counts. Sometimes you just need to eat good real food. If you can do IF, thats a biggie. Lots of research has shown that the same number of calories, people doing IF lose weight more easily and lose more weight with IF than eating the same calories throughout the day with many small meals or snacks. Giving your body the break from digesting sugar and releasing insulin really does work and really helps.

Going to the farmers market soon to buy food for the next few days. Have a lovely day friends

I googled ionized alkaline water and some sites did say it was good for diabetics and others said it depends and others said save your money. Seems to depend on who you talk to. I think most have found that diet and exercise controls it just fine. Also when some say diabetics they are talking about type 1. And getting your body too alkaline isn't good either.

Blood sugar was 132 at 3AM and 130 at 8AM. Not much different.

Trish does your DH still eat cauliflower every night? I have been craving cauliflower. LOL .I am glad you both liked the Angus burgers. Yesterday was the first time I saw preformed burgers in the fresh meat case at Wal-Mart. I just never noticed them. I only buy ground meat at a full service grocery in our neighborhood. Its what we like and the only thing he will eat. He will not eat the frozen Angus burgers but one time I didn't have any ground meat so I used the frozen . He didn't know and didn't get sick or die. He doesn't know what he's eating when he gets a burger in a restaurant. I figure someone who can eat a fast food burger can eat anything. He is afraid of ecoli.

Carol Sue Yes DH still eats his cauliflower every night. I was telling DS and BIL the other day that if he had to go back on Warfarin the dr said that he wouldn't be able to eat greens and that I told him there was no problem with that as he won't eat them any way. I told him the only green food he will eat is broccoli which the doctor said he could eat. BIL said "Good! If they ever say he can't have cauliflower then we will have a problem". LOL

Actually our PD insurance is going to be taken over by Aetna and they are going to cover Jardiance which was the blood sugar medicine that really worked for DH and they are going to cover Xerlto so he can go back on those 2 meds in January. They also have some sort of deal with the companies to automatically move him into a discount program if he goes into the GAP. So it looks like our problem is going to be solved for him in January. They are also going to cover Trulicity so I could go back on that one if I have to, but I hope I can get things corrected without it.

I'm not clear on the e-coli thing any way. I just know I don't want it ever again. I saw where a company in Colorado recently had a recall on their ground beef. I really don't like to use any of them except from Sam's or one local store here. It has always been my understanding that you need to be absolutely sure the meat is cooked clear through till done. I don't like mine any way but very done so but I definitely would throw it out if I had a recall brand just to be sure. I agree that when you buy fast food that you don't know what you are getting. Plus I've heard so many bad things about how they treat their food. They have a segment on the news every night where they have inspected and graded some of the restaurants around here and when they get a bad grade it is announced on the news. Sometimes it makes you wonder if you ever want to go out to eat at these places. I remember years ago taking my grandkids to a certain burg place here in a nice part of town. It was so filthy in there just in the eating area that I never at there ever again any where. Not fair to judge a chain by one, but the memory stays in your head.

Pipsicle Congratulations on your 1 lb. It will probably fluctuate, but it will go down. You are still learning how to make this work for you. Just remember that every success adds to an overall success. I need to remember that myself.

Mad I have a grandson that lives in Canada in the military. I don't hear from him ever since they told the soldiers not to put their info on FB. However, I noticed that he did check in on FB that he is okay. I too miss Ruthie. She was such a sweetheart. I think of her often. I hope your cousin checks in soon and is okay. Thanks again for things you share. I don't really want to go to small meals but I certainly could if I had to. It is good to know that there are variations I can do and still do IF.

Trish, my step son is on Warfarin for the rest of his life and he cannot eat any veggie that contains Vit K. Here is a list, and it includes broccoli and cauliflower.

Had a couple of phone calls so decided to write more after the calls. I took advantage of the morning talk with Daddy and got my 20 minutes on the bike done. I sure need to do that more as it actually makes me feel better. I hope to get a minimum of 5 days done but will just plan to do as many days as possible starting out. I also spent the morning getting ready for Teddy DS dog. I even went out and swept the front porch but didn't help much since it was windy, but at least I got the cob webs swept off the corners. I want to get DH to get the pressure washer out and at least let me clean the porch with it. It would be good exercise too. I want to do that before Halloween as I still haven't decided 100% if I will refuse to do it. The kids are just so darn cute. I can get enough to give out some and turn the porch light off by 9 am.

As for exercise, I know what doc says about walking, but I do better with the bike and will be using it. I know walking might be good, but I feel so much better after using the bike. There are a lot of museums etc here to see and believe it or not many I haven't seen although I grew up here. I told DS that now that Daddy is settled that I want to start going to see them during this time when you don't have to fight a lot of tourists. I can take the walker and walk it and get plenty of walking done. She and I both need to get out do things together again. We really enjoyed going out to lunch recently.

My weight as my FBS is going back up which could be from switching from lower carb back to a more moderate carb and fiber. It hasn't gone way up, but enough for me to make some important decisions. I have decided to continue to keep up with everything on MFP after all. I've decided that I want to be healthy and improve or reverse blood sugar readings more than I don't want to count calories. I've raised the carb count because I realize that fruit and veggies and legumes, beans and nuts are carbs although good carbs. From what I understand on the things I'm reading you mostly have to measure and count the starchy carbs like brown rice, bread, potatoes, or corn. I don't eat a lot of those, but will be keeping those low and will watch helpings of all carbs using mostly lower GL carbs.

I think when they say have at least 30 g carbs per meal each day that they are also counting the good carbs along with the higher carb or bad carbs. I also read that it is good to keep calories between 1500 to 1800 calories for women each day. I am wondering if it is good for me to keep my calories around 1200 or not as I read one doctor said 1400 minimum. Not sure about that one. I like to leave room for error which is why I like keeping my calories between 1200 to 1500. Maybe throwing in a higher calorie day isn't too bad after all. Maybe that is why that through the years when I was strictly OP that I would show a big loss when I had a day when I ate a lot. Perhaps that is why a lot of diets now say have a cheat meal or day. I'll have to research that more.

Any way, I have my basic plan and am back OP for today. I am going to be wiser this time and take this One Day at a Time and be thankful for those day, but remember not to get cocky when I get going good because I realize that no matter how good I do that there is always a chance that I will get off and mess everything up.

Have a great day everyone.

Trish in the hospital when they told me to pick 5 carb items per meal it included fruit and veggies and also milk I was drinking. They gave it to me for my cereal but I drank it. When I count carbs I include all carbs.

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Once again I had to stop because DH wanted me to go somewhere. We went out to eat already and we're back and he left for the car cruise.

My blood sugar and weight are both up a bit, and I know it's because I am once again eating when I am not hungry. I don't get a chance to get hungry and then DH wants to eat again. I think I need to start eating smaller portions. I told him before not to cook so many eggs in the morning and he didn't for a while but now he's back to cooking more, so I eat them all. I have to start eating half of them or I won't be hungry when he wants to eat again.

I ordered wings for my dinner and only ate 3 of them. I brought the rest home for leftovers, but I don't know when I will eat them. DH ordered pizza and only ate 3 pieces. He took the rest of it to the car cruise for the guys to eat. They are big guys who really eat a lot, so they will eat the pizza and also walk over to Subway and get sandwiches. They all need to lose weight!!

Right now I'm cooking some cauliflower because I was craving it.

I will probably watch some TV this evening because with him gone, I get to be in charge of the remote.

I made my steel cut oats cooked in milk this morning, with a tiny bit of maple syrup to flavour and sweeten. I eat so little sugar/sweetener now that I need very little to make things taste sweet. I think I put a teaspoon in the whole pot, and got two large servings. I am doing carbs today, because my planned meal at the restaurant later will have rice. Then back to LCHF tomorrow and for a while to come. Or I may start a fast tomorrow, Sometimes easier while working, I'm too busy to think much about food.
Decided not to check weight until later in the week. Trying to get off that obsession. Sometimes it works.
Off to lunch and a play today with several friends. DH back from the cottage, his chronic fatigue is flaring up and he overall doesn't feel great, sleeping 12 hours a day. He will take it easy for a while.
DD was here, enjoyed time with her, and plan is for her to take or get rid of stuff left behind.
Left hope that happens, she doesn't always follow through, LOL.
Just a flyby, and hope everyone enjoys their Sunday.

My blood sugar has been too high lately. It's as if my body is becoming more sensitive to them. Not liking meat much isn't helping. So I need to start eating to my meter until it comes back under control.

Right now I have the urge to eat something. Not a craving for anything in particular. Just grazing like I used to do so that bad habit is coming back. Need to nip that in the bud. I'm making meat loaf for dinner and will enjoy it better if I'm hungry.

.

Early this morning there was a church fire and the church was destroyed. Inside, however, the cross was still standing, untouched. They showed it on the news. Amazing!

Carol Sue That is amazing that the cross was still standing. I love the message I see there that seems to come directly from the Lord.

I see I too have fallen back into some old habits as well. I have got to get things under control too. The problem I'm having with eating more carbs is that my weight is going back up. I cannot allow that to happen. I've got to get back to NO NIGHT TIME EATING!!! I just wonder when I'm going to get that in my head. Every time I try this higher fiber eating, I find that I absolutely hate the way it makes me feel. I do so hate that full feeling. I know it is good to have more fiber, but it is not good for me to have a lot of it. I see I need to learn the balance of this for me.

My weight is going up, but my FBS was back down to 149 this morning. This may be due to the 20 minutes on the bike yesterday. I guess I know what I need to do and now I need to tweak it to make it fit into an 8 hr window and do it.

This morning I wanted my eggs and bacon and decided to try adding the diabetic super food chia seeds to the eggs. I only used about 1/2 TBS along with my SLMG bread and I feel stuffed so I will cut it back some more tomorrow if I eat them with breakfast. I am not sure what I will make for lunch today. I think I'm going to make a BLT for DH and not sure what I will have. Maybe if I'm not hungry I will try a fast today since at the moment I don't feel like I could eat another bite today. I hope it stays that way.

I spoke too soon about the Angus beef because DH didn't like them. He said he likes it better when I make them. I think he complained about it being too big so I may try thawing one out next time break it in half. I tell you sometimes these men are so difficult to deal with. LOL He is just so picky.

We have DS fur baby with us for a few days as they left today to go to MD Anderson for nieces surgery. He is so sweet but at night we have to put him in his kennel to sleep because he gets very active. DH said he had to take him off the dining room table and put him to bed. He said he was walking all over everything trying to get into stuff. It is really strange that he does that because he doesn't do it at home that we know off. But then DS doesn't have chairs around her table unless she is having company and he is too little to get up there. It is really funning. He mostly wants to sit in our laps much of the time. We remembered this time to keep all the doors to other rooms closed. He is almost completely blind but he still like to explore. LOL

Mad I was just telling DS yesterday that I think that my attitude each day seems to be determined by the scale. I let it define me too much. I'm not sure it is good for me to weigh everyday, but haven't been able to break the habit yet.

Y'all have a blessed Sunday.

Exercised while talking to Daddy today. I don't usually exercise on Sunday but I feel like I am starting over especially when it comes to exercise. I've made Saturday my weigh in day so this makes me 2 days of exercise so far this week. I am doing 20 minutes a day at this time.

I decided that if I have to count calories and I like to use MFP since they have more food lists than any other group of seen that I am going to use it to my advantage. I've done my food plan for today. I want to use some of the super foods I read about on the kindle book in my food plan especially the balsamic vinegar and the lentils. I also want to use several from the Magic Foods Reader's Digest book such as oatmeal from time to time. If first thing in the morning I plan in advance, I can adjust the foods so that I won't get more fiber than my body can handle. Maybe I can learn how to do it more with veggies, but for now this is a good place to start. I still like the eat 2MAD with a snack within 8 hr window, so I will keep the 8:16 ratio along with this new way to create my own guideline for now.

The thing I find interesting when I do this is that my calories do not even get to 1200 calories. In fact, sometime I have to add something to even get to 1000. My calories today are a little over 1000 calories today. I'm wondering if that is why they say eat more protein and fat since they add calories but don't have any carbs. Makes sense to me.