G'day everyone,

It is a scorcher here today, forecast of 43 C (I think that is around 110F) it is becoming quite windy and it is just awful.
DH and I did a bit of grocery shopping this morning and he went for a paddle on his surf ski.
We will now probably just stay indoors for the rest of the day.
Most sporting competions have been cancelled due to the heat however our ds is playing cricket from 11am till 6pm.
The grounds he is playing at is not far from our home, dh said he would go and see how they are going.

I have been very down about my weight and just not shifting anything fast
I read an article in a popular Australian Womens magazine about the CSIRO (a government research institution) having done some research on women and weight. They have come up with the 'Well Being Diet' and it is available from their website.

http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=d...an%20Nutrition

I have printed it all out and also printed out the 8 week eating plans (with some recipes) . From what I read it is not dis-similar to WW with the one exception that they steer away from carbohydrates. I tend to eat very little protein but make up my points with lots of carbs.
I have decided to give this a serious go and see how it works. The CSIRO is a well respected government department and is not in it for profit in fact everything on the website is free
As I said the plan is not that different from what I do now but my meat take would more than double and my carb intake would be less than 1/2 of what I eat now.
I hope it lives up to its name, Well Being Diet. I just really want to feel WELL!

I would be interested to hear what you think of it. The Media Release on their findings makes very interesting readin and really persuaded me to give this a go.

DH came home last night from Sydney on a real high, he did NOT get the job and so we will NOT be relocating to Sydney.
The longer this dragged on the less inclined we were to pack up and move to Sydney for 2 years. I didn't realise it worried dh quite as much as it did. He will not be applying for anymore jobs and we will just mosey along for the next 2 years doing what we are doing wherever that will take us.

Thanks for all your input re our intended trip, it will be fantastic. It being so hot this weekend, we will probably spend some more time doing research on the net

Have a great weekend all,
Cheers
MAria

Hi: Maria- from what I could read it seems this diet is very similar to the South Beach diet. Low carb and low fat with the emphasis on protien and vegetables, and some fruits. In the SB plan you can have some high fiber carbs, like whole grain bread or cereal, brown rice, barley, etc. but sparingly. I thought I would print out the menus, but my computer would co-operate. Kept getting an error messaage. Will try again later. It sounds like you are happy that you are not going to spend 2 years in Sidney.

Is there much publicity about Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of Christ, in Australia? There has been so much controversy here, it is laughable. I think it is because of it being a film about Jesus, and for no other reason. There has been a story going around about Gibson being in Australia for many years, before he became an actor. Do you know the truth of that?

Hope you don't melt into a little puddle. And hope yout ds doesn't get overcome with heat, playing in the heat of the day. See you later. Ann

Peggy thanks for the suggestions for moisturizers. I've jotted them down and will try to get them during the week. I thought socks were hard, too. Maybe I'll try something a little less complicated.

Maria, I know how you feel! I keep losing the same 20 lbs over and over again. I'll check out the webside now. Hopefully this time will be different. Sorry it's so hot down there. The sun is shining here today, and it is suppose to warm up to 30 degrees. I'm glad you do not have to move to Sydney.

Slavika, are you better, now? My stomach hurt when you were explaining the episode from the chicken. That's really too bad. I guess poultry is the biggest culprit. Are you guys getting in a good visit? It's so beautiful there, I'm envying you a little. when you get a chance.

We're heading out to do errands now. Hope you all have a lovely St. Valentine's Day!

PS: My DH gave me a box of Godiva Truffles! I told him to hide them and dole them out one at a time.

Marnie

G'day all,

Well we survived the hottest day on record, it ended up being 44.6C which is a 112.28 F. (no it was not my sharp brain that worked this out but a website http://www.nomoreodor.com/celsius_to...conversion.htm)
One could almost say it is a cool change today and only a mere 35C (95F) today however it has become very humid and quite unpleasant.
I have been working on updating and improving my website. Boy websites are a lot of work and not attending to it every day, you forget how to do things.

Ann There has been a little in the papers about the new film directed by Mel Gibson. I find it amusing that Americans think Mel Gibson is 'theirs' and Australians claim him as being a 'true blue Aussie'.
What I have read is that he was born in America and went to Australia when he was 3. He attended NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in Australia, did a few 'dud' movies in Australia and then went to America. Because he was born in America he had no problems getting a 'green card' and as they say.....the rest is history.
His Australian schoolfriend is Ken Duncan and they have remained friends. Ken Duncan is a very famous Australian photographer, he has been on set of the Passion and has produced a book with some stunning photos taken on set.
You might like to have a look at his stuff including shots from the Passion, this is his website http://www.kenduncan.com/index2.htm

I have just gone to visit the Ken Duncan website myself and there are some stunning photos there but.....very expensive. Dh just told me that the first addition of his book of photographs of the Passion is already sold out and has gone into second print.

Marnie my valentines day was a non event When I read about your box of truffles, I am pleased I do not have that temptation sitting in my cupboard!

This morning I have done my official weigh-in (cannot possible share ) The first day of my new eating plan has passed with ease
I have come to realise that I just need a stricter regime. I gave up smoking some 18 years ago. I was a very heavy smoker and tried many times to give up. People would say just have a cigarette when you are out but I finally realised, it is all or nothing! The more 'easy' WW became, by that I mean that nothing was banned...just count the points, the harder it was for me to stick to. I sincerely hope that I will be successful following this eating plan.
I have to just remind myself that I gave up smoking after many tries and I CAN get to a more acceptable weight.
Especially Lily and Karen being the WW gurus, does the above make sense to you?

Cheers,
Maria

Wonderful pictures on the Ken duncan site. And expensive. The story I had heard about Gisbson, was that at age 16 or so, he was mugged, robbed and left for dead. And that when found that he was nursed back to health, but that his face was very disfigured. And that a Catholic priest helped him when he was contemplating suicide, and connected him with a noted plastic surgeon. And his face was reconstructed. And that he vowed to serve God.And that he then went on to become an actor. Any truth at all to this? One of the press releases I read quoted him as saying that he 'had to make this film', and that if he didn't find a distributor, he would do it himself. So I think there certainly is some dedication there.

Hope your new way of eating works for you. I guess the bottom line is, less calories in and the weight comes off. Just a bummer, I think to have to do it forever. Ann

all new to me Ann and I would think far from the truth.
I saw him on a programme here called 'This is your Life' and many photos etc. of his childhood etc. were shared.
He has always been a devout catholic.......
Amazing where the stories come from.

You are right, the bottom line is how much and what you put in your mouth

Cheers
Maria

Slavika: so sorry you got so sick. So happy you like the road to Hana. It is beautiful! Doesnt sound like any Divorice's Happen either

Glenda: So happy your results came out so good! Yeah! Hope to see you here more often. You are missed!

Peggy: Had to laugh at the "write your name in the dust" Come see my house. Suppose to clean tomorrow. But DH is talking about going to the Winery's. Oh well its a good nap for me on the drive

Maria: Your DH sounds to much like mine. I just look at the spread sheet and say Yes dear. What ever. What do I need to save? Bryce Canton is awesome, so is the grand canyon. All of Southern Utah is awesome. Lived there, spent my life at Lake Powell. Ahh the memories. But thats someplace you need to have a boat at. But if you visit the out lining areas like Bryce you will get the picture. Breath taking.

Marnie: Im a Noxema girl. Have been since I was in my teens. Im allergic to Soaps etc. Its the only thing that works for me. I also use Olay Lotion on my face.

Ann: Im not free yet. 2 more Sat. to do.
My favorite wine is Windwalker Viognier
http://www.windwalkervineyard.com/

Know the owners well and also the people who serve. They dont even ask what I want to taste next as I always say Viognier please. They get my case ready even before I ask.Always buy one when we go there.
Usually go when its on sale.

Maria Again : Im a firm beliver as to do what works for you. I havent looked over all the thing you are doing but I will.

Im a firm beliver in to not giving up any thing. Diets that elimate a food group or cut back are a diet. I cant give up those things for life. I need to find a way to make it work for me. I need to have what I want and when I want.
I did the Fast Track at WW full force for a week. And it was a diet to me. I couldnt stick to it. I cant eat the same same thing day in and day out. And thats what it was to me. I can do anything for a week, but not for life.
I will look at your plan tomorrow and let you know. All i can say is do something that you can stick to for a lifetime. Its what works for you and what you are happy with and can do for the rest of your life. No diet should be looked as a Quick weight loss. It never works that way.

Off my soap box Now

Maria thanks for the card. I saved the diet site and am going to look later. I have been trying to cut out the white carbs, sugar, potatoes, bread etc. Well not cut them out completely but cut back. I seem to love anything bready and sweet. I am aiming for 20lbs by summer.

Lily-winery or dust? Winery would win. I am going to look at that site. My niece the wine buyer is going to South America for 2 weeks and visit wineries there. I told her I would be willing to help out.

Ann I have seen a lot of controversy about the movie. It is on my list to see. I saw in the paper that he has put something $23 million of his own money into it. Yikes I can't fathom having that much money.

Been a busy weekend and now I am going to crash and read the paper.

G'day all,

It has been a shocker of a weekend weatherwise and it is continueing for the rest of the week
Yesterday the temperature climbed to 42 degrees again despite the forecast it would 'only' be 35.

We have done lots more research and at the moment a rented Motorhome is slightly ahead of the other options!

Thanks for getting on your soapbox Lily I appreciate your opinion. I tend to agree to do what works other than if it is something like the cabbage soup diet
I am sure the wines around your area are great but.......you haven't tasted any of our excellent South Australian wines I personally like a nice merlot but I will drink anything

Peggy I am with you, I cannot comprehend how one puts 23 million of their money (and I presume he still has a little left over ) in any sort of project. I have to think a few times before I spend $175 on an additional flash card for my digital camera!
It will be interesting to see how I go cutting down on the carbs.
In the study that they did they had a 100 people on the High Carb Low Fat plan and another 100 on the Higth Protein Low Fat plan. Research showed that a greater number, like substantially, of people dropped out of the High Carb Low Fat eating plan, the theory being that high protein keeps hungerpains longer at bay and also the temptation of getting stuck in the biscuit barrell.
One lady (52) said in the magazine interview that she has been following the plan for 18 months now and it is now a way of life and she is feeling great!

They don't mention much about the necessity of drinking water but I drink a lot of water anyway and will continue to do so.

Back to re-vamping my website a bit......

Cheers
Maria

Peggy: winery won out Dust tomorrow Im off. Suppose to go to lunch with a fiend but she has been sick so we shall see! As far as the white stuff. I have been doing that for some time. Whole Wheat Pasta, Brown rice. The whole wheat pasta really adds flavor to Spagetti.

Maria: We have tasted many Australian wines. They are sold at TJ's And Cost Plus World Market. Dont know if they are considered the fine wines of Australia. DH loves a red one that I bought for him for Christmas. I must ask him the name. I never remember
I did look over your diet and it does look very good. Well balanced and the veggies are free. Salmon I couldnt do. Never devopled a taste for it. Long story. Hope it works for you! It does look like a good plan!

Maria just looked at the diet. Sounds sane and interesting. Funny they had something about SyndromeX there. Just heard about that last week from a friend who has it. I hope you get to cool off. It sure is hot there. I won't complain about being cold. Had a fire in the fireplace yesterday. My niece has served us some Austrailian wine and it was good. Can't remember what kind it was. We always like to go to her house cause she gets samples of pricey wines from her distributors. Got to taste. She had a really good one from South Africa last time we were there. There was an article in the paper yesterday about motor home travel I will try to find it for you.

Lily I have to check out your winery. I am glad that won out over dusting. Dust is forever.

Found the article about The Passion of the Christ that was in the paperl
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/200...passion15.html

G'day all,

Glad Lily and Peggy 'approve' of my new eating plan. Thanks for your comments. So far so good, I feel well, in fact I feel like I did when I first lost a lot of weight with WW some 9 years ago.
I spoke to someone who also lost quite some weight with WW (and kept if off!!!) she said to this day the '5 bread' rule is still in her mind and it is something she sticks to.

We also had an article in our papers about the sceening of the Passion to church leaders in our city. The response was overwhelmingly that of a 'must' see movie despite the violence etc. All disagreed that it promoted anti-Semitism.

I would be interested to read about the Motorhome article. We scoure the web to find out more.

Peggy last night on cable their was a travel docu. by Michael Palin as he just arrived in Mumbai (Bombay). DH was already asleep but it was exactly how he described it He then tried to book a train seat to Madras. He was initially put on a waiting list and then when there was a seat and he went to claim it, his seat was sold 3x to a 'Michael Palin', one being a woman!!! The train trip to Madras was horrendous and Madras looked as busy as Mumbai did.
I had thought if we were to go, to visit Madras and perhaps meet up with your niece but after last night's docu. I don't think so
The Indian Project has not been finalised yet; lots of 'to-ing and fro-ing', I hope it is finalised in 2 years time when we have retired!

Back to my webpage......

Cheers
Maria

Hi all,

Maria I did go look at the diet. I am in agreement with Lily whatever works. Most any diet is a good when followed. The think I like about WW is that it is something I can do forever. And not feel restricted.

Would like to see the much talked about "movie" Our Pastor and some other from the church went to Chicago to screen the movie. And we were told to go see it. That is the plan. Not sure when. I know it opens Wednesday in Brainerd. But i'm sure I'll be waiting until the weekend to go see it.

The next 4 weeks i am working three days instead of 2. Leaders and receptionist going on vacation. I can work in both places so I get call a lot! The meeting I was going to give to the new leader when she is ready may close. Low attendence we have to have at least 20 paying members to keep it open. So cross your fingers that it begins to pick up. I think it has been just too cold for people to go out.

Ann thank you for the information we talked about. I would be fun to live in your park and to meet you face to face.

I'm a little down today an weepy not sure why. Guess it is old age!

Well have to go and get this weeks meeting together.
Karen

Hi all:
I agree that everyone has a different metabolism, and one eating plan just can't always be taylored to every individual. It has to be what works for each person. I have found I'm doing a sort of combination of South Beach and WW.

Maria: I think you will be happy with the freedom of the motorhome way of travel. There must be places for rental, where the prices aren't exhorbitant. And that way you can also go or stay as long as you want. We did the motorhome bit and travel trailer for nearly 20 years. My dh would still continue, but I had finally had it, as it gets to be work.

I think that many churches are sponosring tickets for 'The Passion' Everything I have read from people who have pre-screened it, say there is no anti-semitism. And also say those making the protests, have their own 'political agendas' to spout. Good way to get publicity for their individual organizations. I think it will be interesting for us all to share our views after seeing the film.

We have enjoyed South African Wines and Australian ones too. But right now we are not indulging, as there are a lot of sugars in wine.Even tho' they may be natural sugars. I too like Merlot.

We are having a gray and misty day today. Hopefully the weather will improve by the weekend.

Karen: I'm looking forward to seeing you here in Swiss village. It really is a great life.

I suppose the vacationers are enjoying Hawaii to the fullest. I'm jealous. I'd love to go to Hawaii, but it is a long long flight, and we did that once when we went non-stop to Capetown, So. Africa.

Hi Peggy, Glenda, Lily, Marnie Hope you all are having great days. Ann

All, I guess I will be able to visit once in awhile, but I won't be able to read everything. Just read the latest. Slavika, glad you finally made it to find Trudy, even with your bucket. Hope you are having fun.

Maria, how much weight have you lost? I have lost 7.5 pounds and already feel so much better. I quit taking my blood pressure medicine over the weekend because I was so sick. We even had to leave the show because I thought I was going to faint. I will never feel that way again because of medicine. I have been off of it for 3 dys and I am back to normal. Have a doctor's appointment on Friday. But I will not take medicine that makes me so sick when there are other medicines. (Sorry, rehearsing for the doctor, I guess.)

Karen, you are so busy with WW. I really haven't heard how it is going with your SIL. But I kind of intimated it is getting better? I know those weepys days. I hate them, but sometimes the end of winter will just get to you. Lily wouldn't know, out there in beautiful California, but these old dreary days will get to you after awhile.

Looking forward to "The Passion." I have only heard great stories about it.
Glenda