nikki, is your ankle still bothering you? Hope it's feeling better. Do you have any special plans for today?

ANNE, have you been able to find any coconut oil? I didn't find any when I went shopping the other day, nor did I find any at the health food type grocery store I went to Sat. I do have some other places I can try. There is a thread about coconut oil on Suzanne's site. One person posted that you had to use 3 Tablesp., but to gradually work up to that amount. She said that her stomach did not feel good after having the 3 Tablesp. the first time. Someone also posted that you could also use unsweetened coconut milk. I'm sorry about the new SARS cases. Hope they contain it soon.

Hi Cheryl, hope you're having a good holiday weekend.

Have a good day everyone.
Aleka

HI!
We went to a graduation party last night. I stood for 3 hours, it was the longest I've stood since breaking my ankle. I was so miserable by the time we left, I cried all the way home. It's somewhat better this morning. I have to water the gardens, so think I'll just set out sprinklers this time, the plants are all getting to be pretty big now. Well, big enough for sprinklers.
I'm trying to do some exercise, but no weight bearing exercise. I started back with body flex and floor pilates. If I'm feeling good and have no gardening to do, I will do some walking on the gazelle. If I can get DH to move the total gym to the basement (where it can be folded out all the time), I'll do that 3 times a week. I started back with BF and pilates yesterday and really noticed my joints were popping, my knee sounded like it was full of rice crispies. With exercise, that had gone away before.
We have no plans for today. DH had to work last night and again tonight.
Well, better get some exercise in before DH gets home, take care, Nikki

nikki, what happened that your ankle is bothering you again? Were you using it too much? I think the pilates will help it because of all the stretching. You know, I still have not tried the Body Flex. We did nothing yesterday, just sat and watched it rain. A lot of the tourists left early I think. Business wise it wasn't a very profitable holiday weekend.

ANNE, I was wondering how your Dad was doing. Has his back started to heal?

Hi Cheryl!

Have a good day everybody.
Aleka

Hi,
It's going to be another beautiful day here. I'm working in that shade garden and I'm now planting. I think I'll have it finished today. It is a beutiful spot and if you can't smell, it's a perfect place to sit. It's right next to the septic tank, so the odor at times is a bit over whelming. We're use to it, so we hardly pay attention to it. But DD came over and just couldn't stand sitting down there. I guess afternoon tea in the garden is out, with company. It really was suppose to be a place for me to rest, in the shade, when I was gardening and it is nice to look at.

I am really liking the Body Flex, Aleka. It's kind of weird at first, but I really love the way it makes me wake up and get more energy in the morning. I can tell it's helping my abs, if nothing else.

My ankle has never been right, it's always been painful. Lately, it's getting worse. I don't think anything in particular did it. I never thought it was healed right in the first place. The Dr. couldn't tell without opening me up, there is too much metal to see through an xray. Sometimes when I'd stand up, or step on a rock, I can feel the bones shift in there and it just about brings me to my knees. The Dr wasn't too hopeful last time, if it hadn't healed. They've done about all they can for it. Some bones never do mend. It's rare, but I saw a show about it on Discovery Health channel, so it must happen more often than you'd think.

Anne, I hope your just busy and nothing is wrong. I think about you often.

Cheryl, are you still out there? How is your walking and diet coming? I've been dieting now for the last 5 days and I'm starting to lose some weight again. I feel like I'm getting in the groove. It feels good, but I'm almost afraid to say anything, I've said this before. I'm eating lower fat and no white stuff-sugar, flour, rice, potatoes. Well, I'm trying to. I did have some white bread for supper last night.

Take it easy today, ladies, Nikki

Nikki--I'm so.....discouraged, disgusted, you name it!......with my diet. I think I'm gonna have to finally break down and go back to Weight Watchers. I had an asthma attack this week-end. Ugh. I had never had a problem w/breathing until I gained back all the weight I lost (plus some) doing WW a couple of years ago. I just can't diet on my own, for some reason.

Girl, I sympathize with you on the ankle. I twisted mine April a YEAR AGO and it STILL bothers me. I don't think that ever goes away. My BF finally convinced me to buy a pair of ankle-high boots, and I think that's the best thing I ever could've done for myself. Of course, now it's summer, and they're Way too hot!!

Anne--hope your dad's OK......Hope you're OK. It can be stressful beyond belief to have a sick parent. Sometimes we worry so much about them that we take ourselves for granted. We now have a possible SARS case in Arkansas.......Due to privacy "stuff," however, the state can't release any information on where it is.

Hey Alice!!

Cheryl,
Thanks for the kindness. I try not to talk about it too much anymore (I hope I don't), but it's really starting to affect my day to day life. I can't do what I want, it's really frustrating and the continual pain is starting to wear me down.

As far as your diet goes, whatever works and is healthy is the thing to do. Too many people get all caught up in trying to follow a diet plan to the letter, then they feel like they really blew it when they can't. It's just not always possible, plus, I think some diets/plans are more suited for some people than others.
These new privacy laws are crazy. If an epidemic is going on, would the government not disclose it due to privacy? Makes me wonder. Take care, Nikki

Good Evening Ladies!!

I have been worn out these last days......David's school is
on strike and he has been burning the midnight oil
keeping us up.....I was falling asleep at my PC at work on
Monday!!! Seriously, I keep feeling my head drop.

Our hospital has been designated a SARS treatment centre.
I can only say "wonderful I don't know how the heck
this got started again.......

I too have been unable to come up with any coconut oil. Aleka
I have seen the milk though. I really wonder if that does the
same thing.....I figure if we wait a few weeks the fever will die
down and we will be able to get our hands on some

Nikkic, poor you standing 3 hours, that must have been very
stressful with your ankle bothering you so much.

Thank you all for asking about dad. He is doing pretty good
as far as the healing process of his back but he looks worn out
and frail. I am hoping now that the weather is improving he will
take in some sun shine and try to get a little extra rest.

Cheryl, WW is a great program. I lost 100 pounds a few year
years ago with WW. I gained half of it back and I am now
only 16 pounds heavier so I am still 84 pounds lighter than I
use to be.

Talk to you all later.
Anne.

Hi everyone!

ANNE, glad that your Dad's back is healing. Sorry about your son's school being on strike. Are they still on strike? Hope you'll get some much needed rest. I went into a Home Goods store yesterday. Among other household items, they also carry a small assortment of gourmet foods. They had a lot of other oils, but no coconut oil. Later today I'm going grocery shopping again...only to another grocery store chain where they have a health food section. I'll look in there. I also have two more places, out of state, to try and find it. One is Trader Joe's and the other is Bread & Circus. Let me know if you find any.

nikki, I am so sorry about your ankle not healing right. Probably doing non impact exercises would be the best thing for you to do, it's good that you have the Gazelle. Have you had physical therapy for your ankle? If not, maybe it is something you can look into. They may be able to show you some exercises to help with the pain. I'm glad that the Body-Flex is working so well for you. I just never think to do it.

Cheryl, you have made the right decision about going back to WW. It is a great program. I think the meetings motivate you to keep going not to mention being accountable. Have you signed up yet? I agree with nikki wholeheartedly with what she said to you about dieting. Keep us posted.

Have a good day everyone.

Hi,
Its been a busy last few days for me.
Anne, sometimes when I read what is going on with you, I feel ashamed of myself for ever complaining about anything. I really admire you and I can't imagine how difficult your life is sometimes. You are a very strong person. I know that sometimes it's not just being strong, it's just that there is nothing else you can do, but keep going on and plowing through whatever life throws at you, till you get to a better place. I hope things are starting to settle down some at home. Is David's behavior change because he likes school, or because he isn't that tired with time off from school?
What's happening with the SARS problem? How does this affect you and your job? I feel like sending you a refrigerator sized box of germicidal lotion.

Aleka, I have never had physical therapy, I have no idea why. I've wondered that myself. I do know that the physical therapist in my town is a complete idiot and I wouldn't ever go to him. DD went to him once for her neck and he started to tell her that she was holding bad energy in her chest. He held his hands over her chest (not touching her) to extract the bad energy. What a cheese ball.

Today, DH and I went to the lake and had a picnic. The weather was beautiful and I grilled hamburgers. I had a couple of salads already made up, so it was pretty efforless. It was so peaceful. Where we were, it was fairly private and you could see all around the lake. This lake is the largest in Iowa. Compared to some, it's not all that big, but still it's very beautiful. The birds were singing, the sun was shining and I was a happy girl.

I'm doing pretty good with my exercise and diet. I've lost a few pounds and it's been less than a week.

Hi Cheryl, I hope you will keep posting, no matter what you decide to do.

Got to get back to my garden and spray some vitamins on the plants, Nikki

Good Morning Ladies
Not too bad a day, is not at work today so the atmosphere
is much more laid back
Still no luck with that coconut oil!!!Frustrating business. How about you Aleka? Any luck yet?

Nikkic, I think the behaviour changes in David are a result of a change in routine. The schools are still out with no signs of
starting back.

The "experts" are telling us that the SARS 2 situation has peaked.
I certainly hope they are right!

I am feeling myself coming down with a cold. Its a head thing
though no a chest thing so I am not too concerned.

My diet has been good. Not too much time spend gazelling
though with the kids wearing us out

Nikkic, how is that ankle of yours doing!

I hope everyone has a great day. I know I will without
walking around like a cop

Hi Cheryl! How are you doing.

Anne.

HI! Think I'll start a new thread, for the new week, see you there, Nikki

Hey guys:
If you're having trouble finding coconut oil, try looking for an Indian store near you - they'll definitely have it. If you can't find a store, then just go to www.namaste.com and look under Grocery/Coconut Products - I think it's at the bottom of the page.
:-)