Well, today has been a very busy day, but a really good Induction day. I had to sit in waiting rooms of doctor's offices while DH was seen so I took newer Atkins book with me to skim through. I know a lot of people don't like it, but I like the way they back what Dr. Atkins recommended by explaining why it works etc. It sold me on staying with Atkins diet. In fact in one place I read today about going on to OWL, they say don't move to that point if your blood sugar and blood pressure is still high and you can stay on Induction if you have more than 30 lbs to lose. I remember when reading this book originally that it said that it corrects the blood sugar and blood pressure and lower tryglicerides etc. I also read some success stories on 3FC and online and I was amazed at the point that some of them told how the damage they had experienced from diabetes was corrected by the low carb/Atkins woe.

So in light of the things I have read, I decided that it would be crazy not to do the Atkins way of eating. So I plan to stay on the Induction phase for a while. It may not be 100% clean at certain, but I think I can keep it 98 to 99% of the time. And then when I get ready to move to OWL, I will be sure to make the 2 weeks before that change 100% clean.

Using the 1 Minute Muffin is helping me tremendously. I got the idea from another site to use it like toast which I like having with eggs for breakfast. This morning I made it and cut it in half and buttered it and had a T of SF apricot preserves on it with my eggs and sausage. Felt like eating normal breakfast, but was only a little 4 g carbs. I love sandwiches and I can use it for sandwiches and I think it will make a nice hamburger bun. A great bread substitue. Went to the store and got some Atkins friendly foods and no processed stuff except the parmesan cheese. I got chicken pieces... tenders, wings, and thighs and pork chops and flounder. I saw some good recipes on Atkins thread and even some on SBD thread that can be used on this woe. Plan to try Ruth's pork chop with saurkraute (sure I butchered the spelling) one day this week. I think DH will even like that.

We are supposed to get a wintery mix Thursday last I heard. Haven't checked the weather channel since I got home. However, all last week they showed snow for us for yesterday and then decided we wouldn't get it about Thursday so we will see. But it is rrreeeaaalllyyy cold here for us.

Stay warm everyone.

I wrote so much about was going on with me and my decision that I forgot to do indies.

Mad I am so glad your having a carb before bed is helping you with the sleeping. I'm slowly learning that certain foods work for or against me in certain areas. My FBG was 125 this morning and I am sure it is because I was out of zucchini and didn't get to eat it. All this is amazing to me. Like we know not to have caffeine after a certain time of day or we won't be able to sleep. Isn't it strange that some of us have to have a certain food so they can sleep. For you and some others, it is carbs and then I've heard of some people have to eat protein. Who knew?

Ruth I'm so glad you had a day to sleep in. You are such a busy lady which is good for you. I love it when I get one those sleep in days and try to have at least one each week when I can. The bad thing is a lot of times when I have a day that I can sleep in, those are the days that turn out to a morning when I wake up and can't go back to sleep. That soup and chili sure does sound good for such a cold day. We may do the chili on one of these cold days we are supposed to get. I like the way your Dad said that about people "enjoying poor health". I've known some people who did enjoy their illnesses. I too have been blessed pretty good health myself. I think I get my good health from my Daddy's side of the family.

Have a good night, ladies.

Good morning from cold and sparkling Delta. It's nice to see the sun and know that the days will start getting longer in another week.

Once again I slept until daylight and woke with a decent FBGL. I guess the chili did it. It's also great to have several meals in the freezer stash. (This time they are well labeled. It's vexing to thaw what you think is chili and discover it's pasta sauce!)

I got a good hunk of exercise yesterday and it sure was cold. I locked my keys in the car when I went for the mail and had to leave it there and walk home for my other set of keys. Luckily I had dressed properly so it wasn't too bad. I don't know why I don't just walk there regularly instead of taking the car.

Today will be a good food day. Yogurt, strawberries and Fibre 1 with ground flax for breakfast will stat me off well. Broccoli soup with cheese and ww croutons for lunch. Dinner will probably be shrimp, peppers and shirataki noodles again but I'll be sure to have carbs before bed time. I've been avoiding buying crackers because they are a trigger food for me but will try a slice of toast at bedtime.

Stay warm, my friends.

Still about -13 here, which translates to about 10 degrees to you Trish!
Lots of snow still. I will go for a trail walk with the dog, maybe take the skiis and enjoy the run. Its very flat, so not challenging at all. last year that is what I did to get into shape for real skiing but I am in much better shape this year.
I will have a cheat tonight, will stick to plan for supper but may have dessert. Its our staff Holiday dinner at a very fancy restaurant, and the food is fabulous, so I do plan to enjoy. Am the Designated driver for all the staff that is off call, and said I would stay on call if needed. (I am soooo kind)

Trish: when we have been talking about atkins, I didn't realize you hadn't seen all the benefits. It does help to really understand how it works to stay on plan.
Just a word of caution about the new book. THe biggest complaint is that it really promotes atkins products, and the bars especially are not as low carb as the book would promote. If you follow the menu plan, substitute any meals and snacks with the bars for something else. THe shakes are fine, and I buy them to keep in the car for unplanned snacks etc.
HOpe your DH is feeling better and he and doc are getting to the bottom of things.

Ruth, your day sound yummy. I took some ground beef out of the freezer and am thinking of chili, you inspired me. Also plan to make some leek soup today, got them in my organic food box last week, no time to make anything yet, but that will be yummy. Warm soup on cold days is perfect.

Forgot my bedtime snack last night, but had a decent sleep none the less.
Have a happy hump day.

I ended up with a clean Atkins Induction day yesterday and felt so good about my accomplishment. Today will probably be an off day for me since our church is having our Christmas party tonight and everyone is bringing their favorite finger foods. I'm not cooking because I didn't want to be tempted while making cookies and stuff. I got a huge tray of Christmas cooking from a local store and also got a tray with two kinds of ham and chunks of cheese with two packages of Townhouse crackers. Then I bought some throw away container and plan to heat up 2 packages of little smokies and some pickles and olives. I figure I can eat the meat, cheese and olives and just might end up with a clean day. However, I am leaving open the option to enjoy some kind of goodie if I choose to so that I won't have to deal with a guilt trip if I choose to indulge. I will come home and eat my zucchini before I go to bed. It is amazing how that works for me. My FBS was back down to 113 mg/dl this morning. I also picked up 2 packages of zucchini at the store. I'll cook them up and put in small serving containers in the freezer so they won't spoil.

Ruth Thanks for the reminder about labels. I told DH that I want to get some labels so I can slap them on packaged stuff in the freezer. I'm trying to clean out the freezer of things that I can't or won't use and start over. You know those things you put in there and ends up freezer burned because you can't remember what it is. Such a waste. Sorry you locked your keys in the car, but glad you could go home and get them. I understand about the walking as I think it is one of the best exercise we can do.

Mad Yes thank you for the reminder. I noticed the book did say that during Induction not to eat more than 2 bars a day and that some people could only eat one and some can't eat any and never more than 2 or 3 g. However, one thing that they do that I am not going to do is they subratct 1/2 the sugar alcohols as well as the fiber. I read that somewhere else too, but I'm not comfortable with doing that. I have never heard of doing that with any low carb diets except theirs. I do have some of the lower carb counts and the shakes for those times when I might really want something sweet as I think that would be better than eating actual sweets. Besides, I don't like the side effects of running to the potty and the gasy feeling from eating those sugar alcohols. Funny thing, I went over to the new Atkins site and was reading from their support group and someone had eaten like 6 or 8 bars one day and had told the group. They told her that she needed to save them for emergencies and many were concerned about all she was going to experience that night from eating that many. A few of them told her they had done that at one time themselves and regretted it and learned never to do that again.

On The Metabolism Miracle diet, we were told we could drink a 1 or 2 g shake before we went to bed to help keep FBS down, but I can't drink a protein shake of any kind before I go to bed. It makes me feel to full (bloating I'm sure) and I can't sleep and it didn't lower my FBS.

Mad I got up to 13 degrees this morning so I know it was really freezing at 10 degrees. They took the snow out of our forcast for tomorrow, but say we are supposed to have freezing rain after midnight on into tomorrow night. Thanks for the kind words about DH. His PSA test at the urologist showed that he is still free cancer free and the doctor said if it is still down in June he will start going in once a year. His PT test at the primary docs office has been right where the doc wants it to be so it looks like the coumadin is doing its job.

Better get going as I've been too long winded this time.

Y'all have a good evening.

Well, my evening was a bit too good. After supper Liz came over and I drank wine without eating anything. Not a smart move as my BGL was 2.8 this morning. Good thing Body woke me up at 4. I really must find something to get my levels back up as I really don't enjoy OJ or getting up way too early.

Lots to do today so I'm better get cracking.

Good Morning Chickies,

I'm glad I made yesterday a planned day off plan because I was off all evening, but the good thing is that my FBS was only up to 122 mg/dl which I sure was thanks to the zucchini I ate when I got home. Weight was the same as well. Planning the day off plan was a great idea on my behalf because it has made it so easy to get right back OP this morning. In fact, right now I'm fired up and making plans to stay OP all the way through the rest of the holidays if at all possible. I sure would like to start the new year with a clean slate. I've decided since everything will be eaten here at the house except for the one time we take the kids out to Ryan's that I can manage everything I eat. Except for extra salt, if I be really careful when we go out to Ryan's, I may can make that a clean OP meal out. I do plan to make my favorite cheesecake that I always make when the kids come, but I found a recipe for a one serving low carb cheesecake made with cream cheese and cool whip that I can make for me and not feel left out. I hope I copied it or I'll be searching for it online. So as for right now, I'm feeling so good about everything Atkins.

Ruth Do I remember correctly that you take a med with your Metformin that helps lower BS? Maybe you don't need that any more or maybe you need less of it if you BS is running to low. I'm not a nurse or doc so that is just my thought. Maybe you should discuss it with your doc. Hope you feel better as the day goes by.

Mad and anyone else reading

It's suppose to warm up a bit and just be rain so DH wants to go out pick a prescription from docs office and to Wally World we go. So will get some walking done any way.

Y'all have a great day and stay warm.

Good point, Patty. I take 2.5 mg of glyburide and may ask my doc about reducing that or eliminating it when I have my bloodwork done in January. A morning low like that makes me feel draggy all day, not good this time of year.

Although I felt like eating everything in the house when I got home last, today I wasn't hungry most of the day. I got up and had a cup of coffee with a low carb shake. Then a little later I had 1 string cheese and when DH got up and decided he was going to grab a bite of something while at Walmart, I fixed a couple of eggs with a little bit of cheese and a slice of Canadian Bacon. I didn't eat again until we got home partly because I wasn't hungry and also because I refused to eat out any where. All day long I felt dizzy and light headed. I never knew if it was because of my sinuses or because I had not eaten any carbs are very few... less than 4 g. I added some salt to my food today, but it didn't seem to help. I did feel a little better when I got home and ate some chicken, a small salad and nuked okra. Might also be a reaction from coming off the high carb night I had last night.

I got a newsletter from a diabetic site I'm own. Sorry I can't remember who it is because I get several. For those like me who had never heard this that may be reading, I though I would share this. They said that people whose BS goes up after breakfast can lower it by have a little snack before breakfast and then eat their breakfast later. I found this pretty interesting. Wish I had known that when I first started trying to lower mine, although I have to admit that eating low carb seems be bringing it down.

Did really well at the staff dinner party last night, and did indulge in a small bit of tirmisu for dessert. fbs was 6.8 today, the highest in ages.
Have stayed strictly on plan today. It was potluck day at the office, but I told everyone I was bringing my own, needing to be strict. So had coleslaw and some old cheddar. Tonight some roast turkey and roast veggies.
Will have a small bit on carbs at bedtime, but want to stay under 25 g today.
am off for the weekend and will go visit dad tomorrow, and have supper at my aunt's. Its would have been Mum's birthday on Saturday, its the first one without her, so we will visit the gravesite and take flowers to her. I am feeling sad in a good way if that makes sense.

Ruth, I thought you talked to the doc about lowering the glyburide before because on the lows you were getting. Be sure to discuss it and make sure you can avoid those lows.

Trish, so glad you are finding your way thru atkins. It does get easier, and you may find upping the carbs a bit helps, using healthy carbs, to 35 g or so. Lots of people have the atkins "flu" while they adjust to the lower carb levels, and its not harmful.

going to bed early so goodnight all.

I feel like I am getting back to normal, had fbs of 5.9 and weight is true to ticker again. Also didn't sleep very well, LOL, so must be normal. Tonight will be in a strange bed staying at Dad's so don't expect it to be so good.
May be coming down with a cold, am all stuffed up, but no fever, aches or sore throat so hope it will be mild.

BTW trish, there are some great recipes for cheesecake in the atkins site, you could make the whole cheesecake atkins and share with everyone. I like the nut crust from the pumpkin cheesecake, even when making a plain one. No one here complains about the lack of sugar and using splenda instead. They just ask when will I make it again!

Well, TGIF and have a nice weekend all. I will check in tomorrow night if possible.

Quickie since I slept until 7:30. I had pasta for dinner last night and BGL is just fine.

Yesterday was scary! I didn't really feel "myself" until nearly dinnertime. I am going to get some of those cracker packs to keep in the bedroom and will eat one before I clean my teeth at night to avoid another "lost" day. This is why I can't do low carb, I keep reminding myself, although I know it would really get weightloss moving.

A quick flyby today. Lot of things going on around here to get ready for the kids coming in Christmas eve. Had some things planned, but DH changed some of it. Can't complain as it is good for him to get out and be more active and probably good for me as well.

Mad Thanks for the advice about the cheesecake recipes. I've printed some out, but not sure which ones. One of my planned projects this week is to get all that organized and ready for me to full speed ahead on Jan 1st if not sooner. Enjoy being at your Dad's. I usually go every other year to see mine, but couldn't go this year cause I didn't think Tony could make the trip. Sure has caused me to have the blues this Christmas. Having to learn to focus on the good things right now.

Ruth I know those "lost" days are no fun. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

FBS was up this morning to 132 mg/dl. I'm thinking that the way I ate or maybe I should say didn't eat yesterday put my body into a stress mode. I was very active yesterday so had loads of exercise. This body is so sensitive and I'm really having to learn how to work with it. Hope I get it together soon. Today will be another one of those days, but I did eat a proper breakfast. I just don't think I am a person who can drink breakfast shakes of any kind. This is Day 2 of 100% Induction and yes Mad I think I am experiencing the Atkins' flu. My Wednesday night of my planned eating off, sure wasn't worth the way I feel right now. Will have to remember this next time I want to go off plan.

Y'all have a great weekend.

Woke at 4 this morning certain that I had another low but tested at 5.3. Go figure! Weight is stuck but I'm not going to fret it - it's a bad time of year for stress and food.

Had a good visit with my Dad and aunt, she is Mum's sister, the last of the "3 sisters". They were really best friends in their older years, so she is missing Mum terribly. Dad is doing really well, but having difficulty finding words. He will search for a word at least once every sentence. This is more than usual, so maybe he was stressed. He is coming for Christmas tho, so will see lots of him. Otherwise he is well, eats well, the house is in good shape etc. so not seeing any signs of problems. Just normal sadness around Mum's birthday. We had a nice trip to the gravesite and laid flowers (artificial at this time of year of course).
Had a party last night, and didn't stay on plan, so must get back to being strict today. A lot to do to get ready for company. Hope all is well with everyone.