Laurie's "Grand HCG Experiment"

[LAinSEA]

Day 1: The Office Visit - 500 calories a day? Who are you kidding!?!

History: I'm 45 years old and despite eating a low glycemic index diet, I've gained 70 lbs since the last time I was journaling on WISH. The worst of it is that I've actually put on 25 lbs just in the last two months and believe me, I have not been eating cookies non-stop from a box hidden under my pillow.

My father is very overweight and since his early 40s, he has not been able to lose any weight for any substantial amount of time and keep it off. To be truthful, he likes his protein and salty, crunchy things. But he isn't a glutton and he does exercise a moderate amount--mom drags him on an hour walk each day at a pretty brisk clip.

In my 30s, I taught skiing fulltime in winters along with walking or hiking an hour each evening on and off season. My weight during the off-season would go up by 20 to 30 lbs despite being very careful about what I consumed and even trying to up my exercise level with weights and dance classes. I didn't worry too much because I knew as soon as December rolled around I'd lose what I gained plus some. When I could no longer justify teaching skiing fulltime and needed to find a fulltime job that paid more, I found that there was no amount of exercise, or cutting back on food that would take the weight off.

In 2000, my husband and I starting eating low-carb - Atkins program. Wow, it worked, lost almost 40 lbs, along with my walking routine, until we began adding in more carbs - whole grain starches and fruits. Soon the weight wouldn't budge even with going back to induction-level fats and proteins. We have tried South Beath and the Med and Sonoma diets since, I lose 2-5 lbs the first two weeks, then nothing, then I actually begin gaining weight despite cutting down portion sizes and refined carbs. I increased the amount of time exercising and it actually made the weight gain worse. (I'm now back to 40 minutes of walking 3 to 5 times a week, and 20 minutes on off-days.)

When my stress level goes up, so does the weight gain. May was a super stressful month (thought I would lose my job or at the very least be transferred) and I put on 15 lbs! Today at the my appointment, I found out that I put on another 10 beyond that! That's 25 lbs in just 6 weeks and no, I don't eat fast food, or doughnuts! (I did get to keep my same job-but the stress level is still high right now even if I'm not teaching this summer.)

What led me to HCG diet? My sister is a RN and she, like my mother (who is 5'2" 105 lbs), thought that I must be eating nothing but junk and sitting on my behind all day and night. Then my sis needed knee surgery and was sidelined from being able to take her daily run or ice skate for 6 weeks. Yes, she eats very carefully and continued to during her time off her feet. But, low and behold, she put on 20 lbs in the first month and gained another 10 the next two weeks during her rehab. Once she could exercise again the high level she was doing prior to surgery, she couldn't drop the weight either. "See," I said, "that's what I'm talking about and it will only get worse, you'll see!" She is three years younger than I am and had not seen the dad-like weight gain before.

She lives in Utah and a friend recommended two things to her; get your thyroid checked and go to the HCG clinic and get B12 shots. Her nurse practitioner put her on thryroid meds and she began the B12 shots weekly (she didn't do the HCG because she had less than 40 lbs to lose to her goal weight--120 lbs). Her diet plan is less restrictive also; still low carb, but with much more choice in fruit than what I am starting on this week. She was up here over the weekend and told me to find a clinic in my area and just try it. (I've since had my thyroid checked and I'm low in the same area-T3 uptake-that she is, but I've yet to find a dr. that will take new patients in my area.)

Truthfully, I'm very skeptical, but desperate enough to try anything for two to four weeks. If I don't have results in four weeks, I will try and find a surgeon.

Vital Statistics (to keep me honest):

5'3"
Weight: 218.4 lbs
Bust: 48.5
Waist: 45
Hips: 48
Size: 16 W or 1X

Goal Weight: 122 lbs
Goal Size: 12 on top, 10 on bottom

First Cycle Goal: 35 lbs (183 lbs) with 4 weeks

Tonight and Tomorrow Meal Plan:
2 days of "loading" - eating all the high fat, high carb, high sugar (fruit--since I don't like pastries) food I can stuff into myself without being sick (not as easy as it sounds as I don't eat this way ever!) and self-administered HCG shots.

First day of HCG shots, shakes, and VLCD beginning Friday

WISH me luck and willpower

Laurie

[LAinSEA]

Day 2:

I succeeded in giving myself the shot without too much squeamishness this morning. I'm not going to pretend that I don't like needles, but I was brave. The most difficult part was making sure I drew the HCG into the syringe without any air bubbles. (The nurse said it was not a problem if there was a slight bubble as I am not injecting the shot into a vein, but it would be better to not draw in much air and it wastes HCG to remove air after the draw.)

Since I had to eat within half hour of waking, I heated up my last remaining mini quiche from the freezer and it seems that I've been trying to eat something all day (high fat) ever since. Thought I was doing well until I went to return the shake mixes--because they contain coconut and I'm alergic--and the staff asked what I'd had to eat today by 2pm. Apparently my idea of eating a lot and theirs is a bit different. I came home and found a package of brie that was kicking around in the icebox and then snacked on some pistachios (didn't know I had these things in the pantry).

Tonight is Chinese take-out - DH said he'd miss this more than pizza, but...we usually order stuff with more veggies stirfried with a little meat. Tonight it's deep fried foods. He ordered Almond Chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork! I haven't had either in a decade.

The shake substitutes will be two egg whites scrambled over low heat in a non-stick pan, if I am overly famished. I was hoping for extra veggies instead to snack on. The shakes are very high in protein. I am surprised that I haven't developed the no Diet Coke headache yet today. I had non-sweetened iced green tea for breakfast and have been on loads of water since.

All I feel right now is too hot, guilty for eating things that are against my better nature, and bloated from all the water I've pounded. I guess if the load days are not really for the physical reaction for the HCG to start metabolizing fat, they are to make one so nauseated from over eating that one looks forward to the fast to come.

Laurie

[LAinSEA]

Day 3: Woke up this morning needing to bolt to the bathroom. All that water yesterday!!! After dinner last night, I had thought I'd even try to have a snack prior to falling asleep--just to make sure I'd loaded up on the load day, but couldn't even bring myself to going downstairs to do it. It had been so long since I'd had fried food, it was sitting there at the top of my stomach feeling like some kind of lead weight. I couldn't fathom putting anything else in on top of it except the water, water, and more water.

Surprisingly, I was not hungry this morning, not even psychologically. I managed the shot and fixed a glass of green tea over ice. By mid-morning, I was pounding down the ice water and didn't even feel a tinge of hunger, so I skipped making up a two-egg white scramble to replace what should have been the shake. I got to lunch later than I should have. I was doing laundry and then got a call from my mother (sure she was checking on me to see if I'd fainted dead away yet.) Lunch was 5 defrosted pre-cooked prawns (weighed prior to defrosting to make sure I wasn't over the 100 g./3.5 oz on the protein--they weighed 90 g after defrosting), my "handful" of mixed greens with 3 small yellow tomatoes from my garden quartered and tossed with a small drizzle of red wine vinegar, and a medium-sized granny smith apple sliced thinly (more to munch on--almost like have crisps). More water and off to an imaging appointment where I should have taken a bottle of water with me as I had to wait 20 minutes after my appointed time.

More water before dinner. We "marinated" chicken tenders in a splash of lemon juice with garlic, sea salt, ginger powder, and cracked pepper. DH grilled them on medium heat praying they wouldn't stick without any oil. I juliened a third of a cucumber and some mint and basil leaves and rinsed and dried off some butter lettuce outer leaves. We made fresh rolls with mint, basil, cucumber drizzled with a little vinegar and added a half of chicken tender. To reach 100 g/3.5 oz for the chicken, it appears that one larger size and one smaller size tender does it. Together, after cooking, they weigh 90 g. I also had my apple - a medium-sized gala this time - sliced into my "crisps."

Frankly, I was starved before the chicken was grilled, but after eating, I'm not wanting more right now. If I feel hungry prior to bed, I can whip up the egg white scramble as the shake subsitute. Again, more and more water before bed. Our water glasses are 16 oz size; so far I've had 6 and I need 3-4 more before bedtime. I do have a slight headache most likely from no Diet Coke since Thursday am.

I have to weigh in tomorrow on my home scale and check for ketosis first thing tomorrow am. I see this weigh in as a baseline--not to track any changes from my official weigh in at my appointment. I know that the scales will weigh differently.

Laurie

[LAinSEA]

Day 4: After getting up and sprinting to the bathroom again today (and forgetting that the ketosis strips were downstairs and I was supposed to check this morning), I got on the scale and received a shock. 7 lbs gone from last night. Now I know I wasn't supposed to weigh myself last night, but the scale needed a new battery and when that didn't make it OK, DH took it apart and found that it needed one of its leads re-soddered (sp?). After he was done, the whole family tested it out. First he weighed Sasha (youngest cat--10 lbs and it matched her last vet check), Niko (12 lbs) and Tilda (16 lbs) were then submitted to humiliation (especially Tilda who resembles her Meowmy), then DH got on and swore, which prompted me to get on and the scale read 218--the same as I weighed in the office on Wednesday afternoon on the "official" scale. After two days of eating non-stop fatty foods and one day eating VLCD, I was pleased that it read 218 and not higher. But wow, weighing 211 was clearly not in my wildest expectation by morning. It's got to be all water weight.

Felt hungrier this morning, so I tried to make an egg white scramble. It looked quite unappetizing and tasted very bland even with sea salt and pepper on it. I've got to find a palatable substitute for the shakes--my father suggested I just boil a whole egg and discard the yolk--it would be more appetizing to consume. I also tried licorice tea (as suggested) and I actually liked it, but checked twice to make sure there was no sweetening in the bags--it tasted very sweet to me. That was followed up with 4 tall glasses of water (I've found putting a very thin slice of fresh lemon in the water makes the water go down much quicker for me), a tall glass of ice tea (to try and get rid of the no Diet Coke headache), followed by more water and lunch. Repeat of day one; shrimp, mixed green salad with 3 small yellow "cherry" tomatoes, and a granny smith apple cut into crisps.

Before lunch, I tried to mow the lawn (our heatwave broke from 94 yesterday to 84 today). I had completed about 2/3s of it when I felt really light-headed (and not due to dehydration). DH finished it for me. I sat down and had more water, but still felt weak. Then I looked at the clock and it was nearly 1:30 pm--definitely time to have some lunch. Surprisingly, I almost didn't want to finish eating--I felt full before I was done with it. But I did force down the rest of my meal (is this a good thing?)

Dinner tonight was wild caught sockeye salmon (100 g), my handful of veggies was microwave-steamed asparagus cooked with a drizzle of lemon juice, sea salt, and pepper, and a gala apple cut into crisps. I really wanted more asparagus...but I feel full now, right after eating.

More water (and running to the bathroom) until bed. My parents called to check in on me--I'm not sure if it is true concern or morbid curiosity right now for them given the tone of the conversation. Can I really live on 500 calories a day? And could my father, who really, really, really needs to find a successful way to lose weight live on 500 calories a day? Still, I am reserving judgement on whether this plan will yield success in the short and long term.

Laurie

[LAinSEA]

Day 5: Remembered the ketosis strips and it registered at slightly pinker than "trace" levels. This is good, but I was hoping for a higher reading. Still I'm supposed to be between trace and small (5 to 15). If I am higher I can have a larger portion of veggies. Hopping on the scale I was down to 209. Wow, 9 lbs gone! Really!

Meals yesterday were: Breakfast - hot licorice tea followed by a tall black iced tea (to help with the no Diet Coke headache that is still raging), Lunch - Repeat of Friday's dinner with chicken, cumber, mint and basil butter lettuce roles with a dash of vinegar for flavor, one granny smith apple, and lots of water, water and more water, and Dinner grilled flank steak (DH "marinated" the meat for one hour prior to grilling in a bit of lemon juice, bit of red wine vinegar, dried parsly and oregano, minced garlic, sea salt and pepper), mixed green salad with a drizzle of lemon champagne vinegar (had same carb/calorie content of the apple cider or red wine vinegar), and a gala apple.

We did a great deal of gardening yesterday - major weeding and pruning. My back, which I injured last spring, was super tight last night so a I slept with one of those thermocare back belts last night. Two felines were pressed up against my lower back by morning--they definitely know how to find THE warmest spot in the room. We also did a mild stroll through a garden center looking for cocoa mulch (as we are both alergic to beauty bark); however, the cost is too large to get it there. I'm looking for another source. Walking away from a nursery without anything is a first for me. I love to garden!

Morning of Day 6: Can the weightloss be sustained? Again slightly pinker than "trace" on the ketosis strip and down to 207 on the scale. Wow 11 lbs gone since Saturday evening! Given the amount of fluids I'm taking in (100+ oz of water plus tea in a day), it can't just be "water weight" or can it? I'm losing my healthy skepticism. Called mother to gloat (poor father is going to be subjected to renewed calls that he go to the clinic.)

Plans for meals: Breakfast was licorice tea and a glass of black iced tea (still have residual no Diet Coke headache in morning hours), begun chugging the ice water. Lunch--I have the choice of either shrimp, chicken or left over flank steak with either a mixed green salad or the butter lettuce-cucumber rolls up. Plan for dinner is grilled halibut with a mixed green salad and, of course, my apples at both meals. I sure glad that the ketosis strips shot at least the trace amount or I would have to give up the fruit for 48 hours. If I get hungry and want a substitute for the shake, I can poach some egg whites or DH found some trim cottage cheese that almost exactly matched the nutritional content that the shake had for 1/4 cup. I'll see how I feel throughout the day as to whether I need either substitute to ward off hunger which really didn't happen at all yesterday except close to lunch or dinner. Exercise: I plan on getting in a moderate 20-30 minute walk and we are going to do some more work on the garden if DH is up to it this evening.

[LAinSEA]

Day 7: Ketosis strip show "small" (15), yet the scale still showed 207 this morning. I feel deflated and frustrated. What did I do wrong yesterday? Eating all on plan (no cheating), lunch-time apple was a golden delicious (instead of the granny smith or gala) and a little larger in size than the others. DH cooked the halibut in parchment with a couple of thin lemon slices and onions, but I didn't consume either. Maybe I was low on water? I was feeling very saturated by early evening, but kept drinking. The doctor said that as long as I'm in ketosis, I'm losing but the scale may not show it for a couple of days. I just didn't expect to hit that wall so soon. No shot this morning, this is my off day this week. I resume shots tomorrow.

Today I've had hot licorice tea for breakfast, followed by a large glass of iced green tea, followed by my ice water. I feel hungry, so as soon as a I get down another full glass of ice water, I'm going to have a 1/4 cup of trim cottage cheese. Strange how I haven't been hungry in the am until today and this is the day the scale didn't cooperate.

Lunch will be butter lettuce, cucumber roll ups with either shrimp or flank steak and dinner will be salmon with mixed green salad and, of course, my apples with both meals.

I finally found a family practice clinic that is taking new patients and have an appointment to follow up on the thyroid test results and symptoms my OB/GYN RNP found the end of May this Friday morning. I hope that this doctor is willing to listen, especially now that my younger sister is being treated. I've had symptoms for years and years, yet the TSH test showed low, but in the normal range, so my old doctor chose to do nothing. Funny, I guess he doesn't see the loss of eyebrows or eye lashes as a problem nor the weight gain (eat less and exercise more...did that, still gained weight.)

Need attitude adjustment - weather supposed to be way too hot for Western Washington today. Need to seek out A/C place to walk.

[LAinSEA]

Day 8: Slept in over my alarm this morning. I was actually achy yesterday with the sneezes (summer cold coming on?) The trim cottage cheese (1/2 cup) mid-morning actually diminshed the headache, but I paid for it with a running stomach after lunch--or was that the cold. The extra did not take me out of ketosis for today (I show a trace, not as pink as yesterday's level), but still in the right range according to the workbook. Scale cooperated; down to 205.

Today's meals; breakfast hot licorice tea, followed by tall iced tea (sticking with black today--the green made me nauseated, must be a later in the day thing for me), snack at mid-morning (if I need it) 1/2 cup trim cottage cheese, lunch left over planked salmon and mixed green salad with vinegar dressing, dinner DH's choice of either halibut or salmon in parchement with mixed green salad. Fruit apples one meal, strawberries the other. (I had strawberried last night for dinner and wow, what a refreshing change--nearly out of season here though.)

My exercise goal is to get out this morning and walk, while it's still cool enough, around my neighborhood for 20 to 30 minutes at a moderate pace. It was way too warm to do any gardening yesterday evening when DH got home, so projects await us out in the yard as well.

[LAinSEA]

Day 9: Ketosis in small (15) range, weight still 205. So that's the way it's going to be...every other day? Still I'd rather see the scale move even by a pound than do two every other day. Still, ketosis is supposed to be my measurement.

I did walk for 30 minutes yesterday, but took the hills in my neighborhood instead of staying on the flat. It is overcast again this morning, so I'll do a walk in a few minutes after getting down my tea. I found after my walk yesterday that I wasn't hungry, so I didn't have any cottage cheese. I'm not hungry right now, so I'll see again after my walk if it is necessary. I've got a bit of a head cold for certain. A cold is supposed to make you retain water in your system, so maybe that is why the scale isn't moving.

I did the iodine test last night. Supposidly, if you take tinture of iodine and put a dropper on the inside of your elbow and then on your inner thigh before bed and if it's gone by morning, then you have a thyroid issue. My sis and her daughters did this; sis's was gone, oldest daughter still there, youngest daughter gone (we know that Allysa has had thyroid issues in the past-infections). This was part of the evidence sis took to her doctor to be prescribed thyroid meds. Allysa hasn't been to the doctor yet as the test was done the night prior to leaving for her father's for the summer. My mother (the 105 lb wonder) and my very obese father did the same test this week. Dad's was gone, mom's still there. My test? I was tired, so I went to bed early last night and put the stuff in the right places. DH was still puttering around. At 11pm, he woke me from the beginnings of sleep to say that I needed to remember to put the iodine on my inner elbow. I groggily told him, "I did that already." "It's gone he said." I got up and went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Gone in both places. So then he gets out a sharpie and draws a circle in both places and literally paints on the iodine. He gets out the digital camera and takes photos. Before he left for work this morning, he's shaking me awake again. Iodine is gone, skin is normal color. The weird thing is, that I can actually taste that weird iodine taste in my mouth this morning--sometimes it's there with shellfish, but weak. This is stronger. My body absorbed it all and is metabolizing it. Very weird.

I'd read an article, several weeks ago, that American's are becoming iodine defficient. It isn't used in our flours or even our salt in the same way it was 20 years ago. Other preservatives are cheaper. The article encouraged readers to eat more iodine-rich veggies and proteins, like shellfish. Iodine is also a poison in not too high a quantity, so I don't think letting it absorb into your skin is the best supplement in the long run.

There must be something about the NutraSweet and Splenda the doctor at the clinic talked about. I'm pretty sure it's not the caffeine that I want right now, but I'm craving sweets. Not just any sweets, I'm perfectly happy with the sweet of an apple or strawberry, but I'm actually craving sugar-free gum! (known artificial sweetener). The doctor said the only safe alternative was Stevia (Truvia), but still I should avoid using much of it as it would make me hungrier. I suppose that is true. Honestly, I'm not a fan of cookies, cakes, pies, doughnuts, etc.--but since I've started this plan, visions of cupcakes with tall frosting are dancing through my head. What does that craving say about me? Before eating this way, I was a sucker for swedish fish candies and licorice red and black--not cupcakes (I turned them down when my students brought them to school.) I'm hoping the cravings go away very soon.

Meal Plan today: Breakfast-licorice tea and iced black tea, water, water, water, trim cottage cheese (if needed), Lunch-shrimp, salad with vinegar and apple, water, water and more water, Dinner-chicken tenders - either as part of a green salad or in lettuce wraps, strawberries (DH's request--he really liked the lettuce fresh rolls last week.)

[LAinSEA]

Day 10: Ketosis a bit pinker than in the small (15) range, but not to the next level, weight 204 (206 fully clothed on the doctor's office scale). (I was hoping for at least a two lb drop as my weight didn't change yesterday.)

I was so hungry 2 hours after dinner that I had 100 g of trim cottage cheese. My schedule was a bit off for meals--DH said he would be getting off early from work as he had put in several hours of OT throughout the last two weeks and I anticipated an earlier for us dinner (more the time we should be eating on a regular basis.) After my walk in the morning, I wasn't hungry--just kept pushing the water. I had lunch more like 12:30pm instead of 1:30/2pm. By 4:30 I was getting hungry, but though DH would be home anytime. He didn't get home until 6:30pm and then it took another half an hour to prepare dinner once he was home. Eating at 7 or even 8pm isn't out of line for us--during the school year, sometimes it's later than that, but I hadn't anticipated the hunger pangs brough on by an earlier than normal lunch. Even after eating dinner, I was still hungry. Kept pushing water, thinking once dinner was well under digestion the feeling would go away. It didn't. By 9:30, I knew I wouldn't sleep unless the grumbles stopped. The cottage cheese did the trick, but it took a full hour and more water before sleep to diminish the hunger pangs.

I'd like to say it psychological instead of physiological. I can handle migraine/sinus headache pain better than most people, even joint pain I can deal with, I'm not quick to take an advil or aleve or aspirin for anything. But hunger is so intense that I change personality. It was one of the reasons I was so skeptical about this diet plan--but I've not been hungry like that until last night. Funny, but in the morning hours, until I eat something, I'm almost never hungry. Needless to say, I know what hungry feels like--something that most doctors and nutritionists will look at a fat girl and say, "No, you are misreading hunger feelings."

It has taken all summer to find a primary care physcian on my insurance plan that will take new patients. I was referred to an endrocrinologist the first week of June by my OB/GYN RNP, but the clinic in my area wouldn't see me until I had been seen by a FP, GP, or IM. Now my lab results from the end of May are considered "out of date." New labs had to be taken and the call from the FP's office to the Endocrine office said they won't schedule unless the labs values are a certain level. My sis knew this would happen up here--"Tell them your symptoms, insist they try you on the meds while you wait for all the rigamarole!" But no, four vials of blood later and an urinalysis and another week before lab results, can we talk to the Endrocine clinic for a consult--and by the way they're scheduling out in late September or early October. I'm ready to drive up to Canada and do a drop in appointment in Vancouver. Health care reform can't come soon enough for me, and I hope when it does, all the physicians are dropped into the sea. In my area, which is a larger, growing, suburban area, there is a shortage of physicians--especially Family Practice doctors and certain specialists. There has been a shortage of FPs for over 25 years (my DH tried three times to get into med school-wait listed all three times, but being white and male, he was passed over for women and minorities with lower grades and MCAT scores--his goal to be a FP/ER doc and serve the West Yellowstone area (still without a fulltime physician presently.) I actually waited to see the doc in charge of admissions the third time, because I was hugely pissed off and my media credentials got me in the door at the time. When he finally saw me, he asked why I didn't apply, as I had a much higher chance of getting in than my white, male husband. I turned the info over to a reporter at the TV station I worked at and a law was finally passed in our state that was supposed to do away with the "quotas." Too late for DH--he was then considered too old for admission to med school. But, the institutions are still finding ways to deny entry to qualified candidates over the need for diversity. End of rant! I'm a teacher, and I love all my students regardless of their background, but I hold all to the same level of accountability--no one slides for any reason. I use standards-based learning/assessment which means students must demonstrate learning for their grades not just put up the points.)

FP doctors, IMHO, should feel up-to-date treating metabolic issues not just the flu or minor sprains - although, she admitted today that she would send me to an orthopedist for a sprain. She was as "selective" of me as I was being of her--as a new patient and even suggested at one point that maybe I keep looking for FP. Yeah right! So now doctors can decide if they like you as a patient--if you don't want to know my medical history and why I'm not seeing doctor I had in the past, don't ask. All I know is that I don't like being talked down to like I'm some uneducated idiot, I took biology, physiology and psychology as part of my undergrad (20 years ago) and actually remember all of it. I now have my Masters in education and have probably done more professional development (required and personal choice) in the last four years than any physician. I only have one more year to teach and I can apply to a doctoral program and once I have earned my PhD, the MDs can address me as Dr. also. (Sorry more ranting--can you tell I'm mad?)

Meals - breakfast - cold jasmine/green tea's tea on way to appointment, need to catch up on water intake, lunch - left over chicken and mixed green salad with apple, dinner - DH is going to look for more of that halibut, or we'll do leftover flank steak with lettuce/cucumber fresh rolls and strawberries.

Must find better attitude - walk planned for after lunch today instead of this morning, hope it doesn't heat up too fast out there.

[LAinSEA]

Day 11: Starting very late; I slept in. Because of my appointment yesterday morning, I got a very late start on my water consumption. I was trying to catch up all day and ended up drinking way too much prior to bed (still didn't meet my goal of 102 oz.) As a consequence, I was barely asleep and then up to run to the bathroom. Up again at 4:15am and same drill. I feel for those who have a restless bladder as this is new to me. I'm getting my combo black/green tea into me now and skipping the licorice tea today also.

Ketosis: pinker than "small" (15) but not quite as bright as the "moderate" (40). I'm glad because it means the trim cottage cheese I had again to stave off the night hungries didn't take me out of ketosis. (If I was using the shakes, I would be having one right before going to sleep and three others spaced throughout the day before and between meals.) Weight down one lb to 203 (now a 15 lb loss since beginning the VLCD a week ago Friday.)

Meal Plan: Chicken, cucumber, butter lettuce fresh rolls with an apple for lunch. Flank steak, with mixed green salad and strawberries for dinner. Now that I have a late start on fluids, I'd better get to drinking.

Plan for exercise: 30-40 minute walk quickly as it is getting very warm outside. We also need to finish two interior doors so we can get them installed along with finishing the main floor baseboard this weekend. Gardening, if I can find some shade to work in.

[LAinSEA]

Day 12: despite the warming weather, I had a real difficult time meeting my water consumption goal for the day and probably fell 32 oz short. However, not wanting to be up and down to the bathroom all night long, I didn't "pound down" the water the last hour prior to bed, but just sipped until it was cool enough to sleep around midnight. Which means I'm awake later than I should be to begin the day and getting in the fluids again today.

Weight: still 203
Ketosis: small to medium range (not quite bright enough to be considered medium (40), but well over small (15). DH noticed that those "batwings" above my bra line are basicially gone today, my upper arms are looking more toned and my face thinner--I have cheekbones again. Still, I'd give it all up to make my belly disappear first. I guess I'm destined to lose from the extremities in and not from the core out.

I did have some trim cottage cheese (100 g) mid-morning because I wasn't hungry for it last night at all despite going to sleep much later. It did help to get the digestive track moving; the lack of dietary fat really doesn't help with regularity (sorry if this is too much information.)

We walked last night at 8:30pm after waiting for it to cool down some. Thunderstorms only made it more muggy, I'm afraid. I wasn't up early enough to walk before it started getting hot today. I realize that "hot" is relative; but in Western Washington summers are supposed to be 75-80 degrees and lower humidity--that's why we stay here despite better job offers over the years to places east and south. We are now nearly 90 degrees at 1pm and it is the beginning of a 6 day stretch of 90+ weather for us. The little AC unit willed to us by dear friends moving to the SouthEast three years ago and installed in the dining room on the main floor is a godsend. Wish I had some extra cash for an upstairs unit. Someday we are just going to need to break down and get the whole house AC--someday.

Still working on putting the clear finish on the new interior doors--funny how a project takes much, much longer than anticipated. We began remodeling 18 months ago, starting with new hardwood floors through the main level (we have a tri-level home), complete re-do of the kitchen and powder room. Then, of course, the doors looked so out of place, so they are next along with completing the baseboard. Then on to downstairs to put down the hardwood floor down there and trim it out--we already did a stacked slate fireplace surround and new mantle to match the fir cabinets in the kitchen. Most of the work we've done ourselves, learning along the way. However, there are days I wish I could call in HGTV and have it all done in a 1/2 hour show.

Meals: Breakfast-iced tea (mix of black and green) and trim cottage cheese, Lunch-left over chicken tenders with cucumber-butter lettuce rolls up and apple, Dinner-halibut cooked in parchement, mixed green salad, and strawberries (unless DH has another idea.) Water, Water, and more Water.

Exercise (if it cools down by late evening): 30-minute walk.

[VernRDH]

Laurie-

I have been reading your journal and am impressed!! I don't think I could do what you are doing, so many kudos to you and DH!!!

Water can be tough, especially if you are not a big fan of water. But especially in the heat it is important.

Good luck and I am looking forward to hearing all about your progress!

[LAinSEA]

Veronica, thank you so much for your kind words! :goodvibes

Truthfully, willpower is not a trait I'd describe myself with. Since I was 5 years old (and a competitive swimmer beginning to get up at 4am to train at that time), I've been addicted to caffinated diet soda--Tab, then Diet Coke. Mom also bribed me to keep going with red/black/grape licorice and swedish fish and it is amazing that when I am stressed, that is exactly what I want. Poor DH, a ranging case of PMS would send him to the store at all hours of the night to pick up those things when we were first married. He then began to put away a store of them for emergencies. After all, look at you running 1/2 marathons! Wow!

DH has been very supportive; he is not following the plan except for dinner, but he's not a big eater either and sometimes he doesn't get to lunch at all while at work. (To look at him and you'd get his expanding belly is all about hitting the vending machine for chips and going through fast food drive throughs--he could stand to lose 40 lbs to be at the weight when we got married--a good, but not too thin weight for him--he'd like to be 180. But his place of business doesn't have the vending machines nor is he keen on fast food; he'd much rather play Emeril and create something fantastic and flavorful and (usually) healthy. Again, we have been eating low carb, lower fat, and low glycemic index-style for years and it didn't keep our weight in check.) HOWEVER, DH did expect that with my success on the scale, that he would have shed a few pounds also along the way. He's eating the same portions I am at dinner and doing whatever he has time for with leftovers out of the freezer for lunch when he has the time. He got on the scale yesterday morning and he'd lost 3 lbs in the same time I'd lost 15 lbs. Now, that's a change. Usually if we are "dieting," he is dropping weight left, right, and center and I'm the one waiting for something to happen and getting very frustrated that I don't have a male metabolism. To be a true experiment, he'd have to be eating just the 500 calories--the same foods as I am--each day. Somedays he is probably under when he doesn't get to lunch, others over. I can only surmise that my success is the HCG (whether that is physical or psychological at this point, I couldn't say for sure.) All I know, is that my hunger as diminished as the days go on, but knowing that there is something "safe" to go, like the trim cottage cheese or a couple of egg whites, if I feel hunger, is very comforting.

Ketosis: pinker than small (15) not quite as rosey as medium (40)--can't decide what color that is for medium.
Weight: 202 (down one more despite the heat for 16 total)
Really tired this morning as it was tough to sleep. Really wish we had AC in the bedroom. I've pulled all the curtains and shut the windows for daytime until the temp drops into the 70s tonight. I did keep things cooler to do this yesterday, but still, I'm the type of sleeper who wants at least a sheet on me (or I feel exposed--no snug as a bug in a rug feeling without something.) It was way too hot for that. So when it's warm, I just keep waking up (full bladder or no full bladder, so I can't blame the fluid intake.) We did get our walk in, but it was nearly 9pm before it feel cool enough to DH to go. By Wednesday this week, I need to be getting in 30 minutes twice a day per instructions. Prior to starting the HCG, I was used to 40 to 60 minutes at a stretch, but this program doesn't want you to bonk on low energy. Actually, despite the tiredness from lack of sleep, I don't feel anything like I did the first few days on the program. Energy levels are good (not great, but good).

Doctor's office just called to let me know that I need to schedule the appointment with the Endocrinologist as lab reports are being sent over there. My copy is on the way. I would have expected the doctor or a nurse to go over those values with me so that I know what was found. It feels like a blow off--like being turfed without the communication. That is quick turnaround on labs; taken Friday and results sent Monday. Kudos to the lab techs.

Today's plans: Make Endocrine appointment, move HCG clinic appointment to earlier in day on Wednesday (thought I would have to sit for federal jury duty this week and I'm not needed to report this week!), pick up house and do inside cleaning on level with AC, maybe get pedicure, do some lesson planning (now that there is a draft of national standards for English to go along with state/district standards.)

Meals: Breakfast--iced green/black tea mix, making fish "tacos" out of left over halibut for Lunch (make "salsa" with little bit of cucumber, tomato, onion and red wine vinegar with dash of chili powder and cumin and parsley (need cilantro for this really) and use with fish inside butter lettuce and apple, Dinner--DH's choice--either rockfish or grilled flank steak, with mixed green salad and strawberries. Water, Water, Water.

Exercise: Walk again late this evening when it cools off some with DH.

[LAinSEA]

Day 14: Missed going for the walk last night; DH was not in the mood (heat changes his personality into that of a grizzly bear that has been startled on a trail while he's busy eating huckleberries--and having done that once in my lifetime, I don't challenge the bear.) That and he found a really interesting feature in the Excell macros function he needs to strip out data from work; each time it runs it defaults to Chinese characters (Mandarin/Taiwan). Weird and a little scary. He actually, then built one on my personal machine and the same thing happened (not with proprietary data), but my machine is not showing any virus activity and neither is his work laptop. He tried to report it to Microsoft last night through the on-line help chat, but was told to call it in this morning. The whole thing is freaky because he deals with critical financial information for the district and despite the firewall here and the remote firewall of the district, the language change in the coding makes the data easy for someone to hack. Again, too much info, and not a real good excuse for not going for the walk all by myself (our neighbor is quite safe even after dark--which we'd waited for so the temp would fall into the 80s and not in the 90s where it had been up until 8pm. Again, we are heat wimps here in Western Washington. I've been real good about walking this past week, so I suppose I should feel intensely guilty about skipping a day, but I do anyway. If DH isn't willing tonight, I'm going anyway and he can feel guilty about being non-supportive.

This morning:
Ketosis: small (15) - I took the advice of the handbook and added another half a handful of lettuce to last night's salad because I'd been more in the medium (40) range.
Weight: still 202 (and I'm guessing that with this heat, despite meeting my water goal yesterday, my body is hanging onto fluids--my rings are tight and my feet feel swollen.)

Sleeping was again difficult last night, so I feel a bit "punch drunk." I shut the upstairs windows again this morning and pulled all the curtains to keep out the heat until it gets dark. Poor little AC unit on the main floor; it sounds like a small train engine pulling the kiddie ride at the fair. I was thinking about heading to a mall to wonder and walk today (or tomorrow), but I'm guessing everyone else will have the same idea. I'm also waiting for more lab results--my UA showed that I'm fighting some infection and I had to go in to do another so it can be cultured before treatment. I'm not willing just to take antibiotics unless I know what they are targeting; the weak ones just don't do anything for me except make my body resistent to them when I really need them. I've also been reading "Master Your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels (DH picked it up yesterday on a Costco run for TP yesterday.) It's really interesting and the eating plan I will definitely try once this weight is gone! It is all about the hormones responsible for maintaining/losing weight and how we, as Americans, have managed to screw up our metabolisms to the point that many of us can't lose weight even with careful dieting and lots of exercise. What she has to say is really hitting home with me right now; I'm just hoping that my labs show something that can be addressed.

Meal Plans: Breakfast--iced green/black tea, Lunch--leftover halibut and butter lettuce salad and apple, Dinner--most likely rockfish (DH choice of grilled or baked in parchement, or maybe I can talk him into making the packets heavyduty foil and then doing the steaming on the grill so that the oven isn't turned on), and strawberries.

Exercise: 30 minute walk (I have to go to twice a day starting on Wednesday when the temp is supposed to be over 100--so I guess I'll be setting the alarm for an early morning walk--Oh well, I guess I need to reactivate the alarm again sometime.)

[LAinSEA]

Day 15: Wow is it already way too hot outside. I woke up early (or did I just not sleep--again?) and got in my walk and even did the big, steep hill (40 minute walk instead of 30 minute walk, but much more strenuous.) We tried to walk last night after dark, but the temp was still 85 at 9:35 and it didn't drop below 71 (officially at SeaTac Airport). That's a new record for us here in the Seattle/Tacoma area. I say try, because we did attempt to go. Once around the greenbelt was all DH and I could manage--he just was drenched on the first slight hill and my calves kept cramping up despite being well hydrated. In hindsight this morning, I should have gone at 7am instead of just before 8am. The temp shot up almost 10 degrees in that 40 minutes!

Ketosis: Small (15) range
Weight: down one lb to 201

Official Clinic visit stats:
Weight: 203.4 (15 lbs lost)
Neck: 14" (down 1")
Chest: 47" (down 1.5")
Upper Arm: 13.5" (down .5")
Midriff: 42.5" (down 2.5")
Hips: 47" (down 1")
Thigh: 24.5" (down .5")

Fat %: down .8
Hydration: up 2%
Phase Angle (cellular health): up .7

I got an "A+" for my first two weeks. Better yet, I was cleared to eat a serving of low-carb organic cottage cheese (check label for highest protein, lowest fat, lowest sugar %), a stick of low-fat organic string cheese, one whole egg or three egg whites for breakfast (now mandatory instead of just tea) or snacks in place of the shakes that have the coconut dirivative in them. As long as I stay in ketosis, I'm (hopefully) burning fat. I also opted to have a B12 shot to increase my energy level (and that my recent lab results showed I was B deficient as well as very D deficient--but haven't solved that problem yet.)


What I've learned thus far:
Use smaller (salad-size) plates instead of dinner plate and the portions appear larger.
Start hydrating early--it's too difficult to catch up if you start late.
Even a medium apple can look like a feast if you slice it into thin crisps.
Don't skimp on flavor or variety of foods (even on a very low calorie diet with a very restricted group of "safe" foods.)
Butter lettuce is your friend! Wow, the amazing variety of wraps, "tacos/fajitas," fresh rolls that can be made with the outer leaves of this little veggie!
Salads really don't require olive oil to be flavorful; a splash of vinegar and or lemon juice or combo is all that is really needed (when you want to kick it up add some dry mustard or wasabi powder to the mix.)
A slice of lemon in your water makes it much more refreshing and easier to keep on drinking.
Don't beat yourself up when the losses aren't what they were to start--be content with that pound every other day, but hope for two :goodvibes

[LAinSEA]

Day 16: After getting back from the clinic yesterday and shopping for some new foods to safely add to my veggie allocation for variety, I received a call from my doctor. My UA had really turned up with a serious UTI/kidney infection (no other symptoms, yet explains the transient lower back pain I've been experiencing.) She prescribed Bactrin and cranberry juice. "Juice! I can't have juice!" is going through my mind. Call to the HCG clinic and one must do what the doctor orders--if ketosis falls below trace, I will have to give up my fruit serving with lunch and/or dinner and make sure I don't drink the cranberry juice alone. This morning, I'm getting it down with my "mandatory" breakfast before my walk--which I must start soon because the thermometer is already nearing 80.

It hit 106 at the little airport here, SeaTac 103! definitely a record for us. Puyallup forecast for 100 again today, so you can imagine how difficult it is to keep the house cool enough to sleep. I need to shut windows upstairs (again) and pull the drapes (again) before I walk.

Ketosis: just a trace (already decided to halve the fruit at lunch).
Weight: down 1 lb to 200!

Meals: Breakfast-100 gm trim cottage cheese, 8 oz cranberry juice (sweetened with apple & grape juice instead of sugar, splenda, or HFCS) and iced green/black tea, Lunch-flank steak, spinach salad, three strawberries, cranberry juice, pm snack low-fat string cheese (lightheaded--probably antibiotics), Dinner-halibut "tacos" using butter lettuce with "salsa" cucumber, tomato, onion, green tomato (tomatillo) mixed with salt, pepper, red vinegar & lime juice, 1/2 apple and cranberry juice.

Energy level is pretty low (lack of good sleep) despite the B12 shot yesterday (but sore hip where it went in), but I'm going for the walk anyway as soon as I get down this iced tea. I am, I really am!

[VernRDH]

Laurie-

Hope the infection clears up soon! Keep drinking all the water too, it definately helps.

200 How awesome!!:thumbsup2 You could be in ONE-derland tomorrow!!! I'll be looking forward to your post tomorrow to see what happens!!

[LAinSEA]

Veronica: again, thanks so much for your support and kind wishes...

Day 17: This UTI is now symptomatic after taking the Bactrin for 36 hours. I hurt, I shake, I'm lightheaded along with the other uncomfortable feelings a UTI will bring. Feel nauseated about 2 hours after dinner last night, still too warm to sleep well until well into the morning hours. To add insult to the injury, I'm out of ketosis this morning--must be the addition of the cranberry juice 3x a day with meals even though I cut the fruit serving at lunch and dinner in half. I have to lose all fruit now (except the juice today) until I'm back into fat-burning land. I won't have an afternoon snack either today. I'm trying to get through the trim cottage cheese for breakfast now before my walk, and it's not sitting well.

Ketosis: none
Weight: up 1 lb to 201 (no one-derland for me just yet.)

Plan for the day: Breakfast--100 g trim cottage cheese, 8 oz cranberry juice, iced black/green tea and meds, Lunch--shrimp "taco" using left-over "salsa" and butter lettuce, Dinner--chicken tenders and mixed green salad, cranberry juice and meds.

Exercise: walk 50 minutes.

Treat: Get manicure and pedicure and "date night" to see HP & Half Blood Prince in IMAX3D (must generate willpower to stay clear of popcorn.)

[VernRDH]

Would it help to cut the juice with water? Usually cranberry just helps symptoms, doesn't actually do anything, that is what antibiotics are for!

This is only a temporary setback-pretty soon you will be on your way again!!

[LAinSEA]

Good idea, Veronica about cutting the juice with water; but now that I've finish my 2-qt bottle, I'm hoping that I don't need it anymore. Still, I was not symptomatic of having a UTI until I started on the meds/cranberry juice--must have started mobilizing all of the those little nasties out of my system and that has made me uncomfortable. I wish I could find cranberry sweetened with Stevia, but we are just starting to get products in our stores that use it instead of other sweeteners...What was weirder about the juice was the way the first couple of sips made me feel. It was very much the "sugar rush" -- I felt actually light-headed and it took most of my meal eaten before that feeling went away.

Last night, we went to see the Harry Potter film in IMAX-3D. (I liked it, I'm a big HP fan of books and films, DH didn't like it as much as the early films when there was much more fantasy and magic and things closer to the novels.) I love popcorn. I've actually drempt about popcorn. Couldn't not eat popcorn (especially at a movie theatre) if I could smell it. And walking through the lobby was tough last night. Going to the ladies' just before the show started, I purposed left DH in charge of the handbag to make sure I wasn't tempted to get in line for it. However, by the time we were leaving after the show was over, someone had burned the popcorn and that smell is perhaps worse than any other burned food smell except for milk, and I didn't want it anymore. So one test passed.

The other test came today; going up to my parents for their "luau" dinner party to see off them, my sis, and her two girls to Kauii and Hawaii for the next two weeks. Mom was good enough to hold back some shrimp from the marinade and oil, and also a skewer of peppers and mushrooms, and didn't toss the salad dressing with the greens (which I usually do), so everyone could add their favorite. I brought some "safe" vinegar up for me to use. She also made sure to pick up some strawberries to go with the tropical fruit and made sure five were held back from the fruit tray for me. Again, test passed, I didn't feel leftout, nor did I feel hungry, but Dad did look at my plate vs his own, and comment on how little food their was and "How could your mother expect me to live on that?" (She's now pushing the diet as something to try when he gets back from vacation.) Nobody, not even my mother or sister, said anything about my weight; not "your face looks thinner," or "you look like you're doing well," nothing. That in itself is strange, because what I look like is usually the first thing off my mother's lips when she sees me, positive or negative. However, she did just see me three weekends ago right before I started the diet. I guess when you're as large as I am, almost 20 lbs gone isn't going to make much difference in appearance. I guess I should just be happy she wasn't pushing an Oreo at me while saying I need to do something about my weight, and wishing my father would. (She eats sugary junk non-stop and is about 90 lbs wringing wet on a 5'2" frame.) OK, done with "poor me."

Today:
Ketosis: barely a "trace" color change
Weight: back to 200 (found lb lost again)

Meals: breakfast--100 oz trim cottage cheese with meds, lunch--high protein 1 egg, 2 egg white omelette with shrimp (skipped fruit and veggies to try and get back to ketosis), dinner--grilled shrimp, green salad w/vinegar, mushrooms, tomato, green/red peppers, strawberries with meds.

Exercise: mowed lawn (45 minutes to get it done, not time for walk today)

[LAinSEA]

Day 19: DH has been crabby (hence the warlock title). I think he's not eating enough food and he thinks he doing just fine eating what I'm eating for dinner. But I know he didn't get much, if any lunch, last week due to supervising training at work. We've had bad habits about dinner; no breakfast, lunch for me was a spa-style lean cuisine--for DH peanut butter or cheese crackers from his desk drawer if he couldn't come home, or leftovers if he could come home for lunch, and a much bigger dinner portion-wise, but low glycemic in nature. If he's been home with me during lunch, I try to fix him something too, but yesterday and today he said he wasn't hungry and didn't want me doing anything for him. Had to be dead honest with him tonight; attitude is downright nasty--EAT SOMETHING, please. Without the HCG metabolizing fat, he needs to eat some.

We finally got the bi-fold fir doors finished for the coat closet and got them installed today (touch-up painting needs to happen now--they were a tight fit up into the sliding thingy)--hence the "wardrobe." Still need to lightly sand and finish the new bathroom door and DH can finish installing the baseboard on the main-level of our home.

Our littlest "lioness," Sasha loves to spend time outside on the patio--even when it's 90+ degrees. The other two felines would rather sleep the day away upstairs in our bedroom. However, our patio kitties need to be supervised in the great outdoors--we feed birds and have swarms of goldfinch and hummingbirds coming right now to close in feeders and Sasha is a "top predator." The rule is "birdies are for watching, not for catching and eating." But she is, afterall, a cat and needs constant reminding of such. She also was a bit miffed at us because we left so early in afternoon to head to my parents yesterday (picking up sis and Charly on the way up north.) Sasha's "out" time was cut short. She made it clear this morning when we returned from our walk that "out" was a priority today. Hot or not, I found things to do that kept me close enough to keep an eye on her outside despite the heat.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still 200 (no change)
Exercise: 45 minute walk this morning with DH
Weird places to lose weight: my upper arms are looking more defined and my skin is loose. (Not sure I like that part. Will it go back to "normal" weight skin?) Lost under my bustline too. Not that I'm complaining, but can't it come off my tummy first?

Meals: Breakfast-Iced green/black tea mix, trim cottage cheese and meds, Lunch-spinach salad with vinegar, left-over chicken tenders, granny smith apple, Dinner-DH made rockfish in his proven parchement pouches, mixed green salad, strawberries and water, water, and more water, but still not getting enough in me today. (I can I'm retaining it--my hands are swollen and rings tighter than usual.)

I'm hoping things will be cooler tomorrow. I really need to get some gardening done and also start lesson planning in earnest. I'd like to take my laptop outside and keep Sasha company on the patio in the afternoon to do it, but it's hard to think when it's so warm!

[LAinSEA]

Day 20: Parents, sis, and the neices leave for Hawaii this afternoon (for two weeks), and I could have gone as sis' DH backed out at the last minute if I could have afforded the plane ticket and the time away from my DH. I joined them on their Orlando trip this time of year two years ago, but had 8 months to plan and save for it. Doing that when cash is tight within a week is too much to ask. Not that I really need to go and experience hot weather, we've had way too much of that this summer. I will make do by pruning my own palms on the patio--they could use some tidying up.

Ketosis: trace again today, but a bit brighter towards the small side.
Weight: down 2 lbs to 198 (that's now officially 20 lbs gone)--finally in One-derland.

DH had the strangest question for me last night at dinner. He asked me what my goal weight was. Before I could give an answer, he pipped in that he didn't think I should go below 135. Anything lower would be too thin and unhealthy for me. Now I don't know where he's pulling this number from. Honestly, we didn't own a scale until our 4th or 5th year of marriage and I don't really know how much I weighed in April 1988 when we did get married--but my wedding dress was a size 12 with the waist taken in three times within that last week to 24 inches. I was in size 9 Levi 501s/29 waist men's 501s. Those jeans stayed in my closet until about 6 years ago when, in a fit of frustration, they went into the charity bag. I've regretted it ever since--loved those jeans. In high school, I was on the drill/dance team and we had strict weight limits we had to meet to perform. Mine was set at 122, the same as our former Dallas Cheerleader coach. I quickly fell comfortably and then almost dangerously below that after a strong case of the flu over Christmas. I came back in January at 107 and Ms. J through and ever-lovin fit and made me eat a cup of cottage cheese prior to practice each morning. Funny, that's exactly what I'm eating right now prior to my walk.

So what is my goal weight? I think I put down 122 at the start of this journal. But when you are 100 lbs away from that goal, it's tough to focus on. At 10% goal would be approx. 22 lbs, so I'm 2 lbs away from meeting that. Next goal would be 44 lbs total gone (174), and the one that follows that would be 65 lbs gone (153). If I were to get down to drill team weight of 122, that would be about a 45% loss of 96 lbs total. I hate math--too overwhelming, way too far to go, (that's why I teach social studies and English.)

Meals: Breakfast-green/black tea, trim cottage cheese and meds, Lunch-mixed green salad with chicken tenders and apple, Dinner-DH's choice of planked salmon or grilled flank steak, green beans (not technically an official veggie choice, but I'm craving them) and strawberries.

Exercise: 45 to 60 minute walk depending on energy level while out there...which I should be doing right now!

Plans: 2nd edit of sis' paper for her Nursing Admin. class sometime before they leave for airport. I completed the first about an hour ago. Lesson planning and gardening.

[VernRDH]

:banana::banana::cool1::thumbsup2:woohoo::yay::che er2:

YEAH Laurie!!!!! 198-you rock girlfriend!!!

The goal weight, yeah I know how hard it can be to determine, especially if you haven't seen those kind of numbers in a long time. My original goal weight was 115 (I am 4'11", small frame), but now I am aiming for 125 and see what it looks like. I haven't been that size in over 20 years, and with age and motherhood, I don't know what 125 will even look like. My MD says 125 is where he would like to see me, and again it depends on muscle mass/composition as well.

Cranky husbands must be an epidemic-I got one here on the east coast too. But his is work related, once school starts again he will calm right down (he is the IT guy at a middle school and summer is when he is his absolute busiest)

Keep up the good work!!:3dglasses

[LAinSEA]

Veronica--my DH works in IT for our school district too as a business analyst; he's had to use those "Jack-of-all-trades" tech skills lately because they cut two tech positions (one from my high school! ouch! and he was fabulous). Taking time to go away during the summer, or even schedule school breaks, is really hard for him. He has the vacation time, but they won't let him leave when the major projects are going on--exactly when I'm not teaching! Here, I thought becoming an educator would allow us all this available time to do things--I used to have a job where I worked non-stop and out of town almost every other weekend from August through December. However, with both of us working for the district--but in different capacities, those weeks away together just haven't materialized. Please tell your DH that teachers really do appreciate what our technology folks do for us; it is so appreciated!

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still 198

And I'm lethargic this afternoon. I thought now that it has cooled down from the heat of last week, that I would be sleeping much better. Maybe I have been--but with weird dreams! Not restful at all. As a result, I was up too early to run to the bathroom (did well on the water consumption yesterday and that's the price I pay), then tried to fall back asleep. DH's alarm then goes off and I'm stirring (as are the cats--Tilda wants a tummy rub), then finally up for good about 8:30am. No HCG shot today, so took without food meds with my iced tea, then waited to eat my cottage cheese half hour later with ice water before my walk. Now, to be honest, 100 g of cottage cheese is not a great deal of food. But today, it looked like a mountain! I barely got through it--no appetite. (Tilda was pleased, I actually left her more than the crumbs today.) Got out for my walk and really pushed myself to keep going doing another upper circuit bringing it to 55 minutes. Stretched and more water and a long cool shower. After wrapping up in a towel, I just bonked. I wasn't sleepy, just bone tired. Sat and watched mindless HGTV or was it DIY? I don't really recall, I was that out of it.

Shook myself out of it to finally dry hair (or at least make an attempt at taming the frizz) and looked at the clock: time to make lunch. Not hungry at all. Waited another half hour, still not hungry, but pushing the water. An hour later, I figured I'd better eat. Again, barely finished my small salad with chicken and half my apples and I just wanted to lie down. Forced the rest of the apples down, slowly with more water. Then washed everything up and did the watering of all my container plants outside and started water on the poor heat-damaged lawn. Now I'm here and I really hope most of this is coherent; it's an effort to actually keyboard let alone think through the words.

DH called right before lunch and he thinks the antibiotics are causing the issue. I have just 2 more doses to go, so done after breakfast tomorrow. Hopefully, that's the problem because my energy level had been coming up as my (psychological) hunger disappeared.

Dinner tonight will be either grilled flank steak or more yummy coho salmon. DH prepared it last night in a foil pouch on the grill in the way he's been doing white fish in parchment in the oven. He cuts up onion, and either lemon or orange slices, and minces some fresh herbs (used dill on the salmon, italian parsley/tarragon on the halibut or snapper). He puts onion slices on the bottom to the fish is elevated, layers herbs and more chopped onions on top followed by the lemon or orange slices. Last he puts an ice cube in the pouch right before putting it in the oven at 400 degrees or on the grill. Depending upon the thickness of the fish, it cooks in 12 to 18 minutes. No oil necessary, the fish doesn't stick to the parchment or foil and while I don't consume the onions, DH does, the flavor of the fish is phenonmenal. Learning to cook without any oil has been interesting, but it's getting much easier. I sure with I wasn't allergic to coconut; the MCT oil or even just plain coconut oil to use to keep food from sticking has been said to be very good for weight loss.

So much to do, so I guess I'd best make a start on something. Either that or I'm going to nap and get nothing accomplished.:laundy:

[LAinSEA]

Day 22: I'm so tired, despite waking up pretty early and staying up, OK it was 7:30, but that's at least an hour earlier than usual for summer. Got the pre-food meds out of the way and went back to bed to snuggle with cats.

Ketosis: back into brighter "small" range.
Weight: down 1 to 197.

Forced myself to eat my cottage cheese serving and get ready for my walk. Walked in a trance--just kept going, but really didn't notice anything. It's a very grey, cool day and I felt grey too while walking. I was surprised that when I returned to the house that I'd been out for 65 minutes. Got some water, read the paper with cat help. Luckily there was their favorite Big 5 Sports ad to tunnel under included today, otherwise I give up the sports section.

It nearing lunchtime now, and honestly, I just don't want a cold salad, cold chicken, cold apples. This is terrible! I've gone from fretting that I wouldn't have enough food to eat on this plan to not wanting to really eat at all. (I was hungry by dinner last night--but dinner was much too late--8pm. I was starting to get hungry by 6:30pm, but DH was still puttering around.) I'm thinking what I really need is to make a 1 egg, 2 egg white omellette instead of salad etc. That's OK on plan, sort of. It's not ideal to swap egg carbs for green veggie carbs even if it is mostly protein. I'm also feeling very worn out again today; like yesterday. I did take my last Bactrin this morning, so perhaps maybe this lethargy will lift soon.

So here's the plan: Meals--breakfast-mix green/black tea with meds, cottage cheese and water with food required meds, lunch-1 egg, 2 egg white omellette with mushroom & tomato inside, apple, snack-Stash chai green tea with 1 tsp half & half, dinner-planked salmon, green salad, & strawberries.

Exercise: 65 minute walk

Vacuum bedroom, stairs, and mainfloor (upsetting cats):ccat:, lesson planning.

[LAinSEA]

Day 23: I spiked a fever yesterday afternoon. I was fine after my walk, but sore in my lower back and hips despite slow, gentle stretching before and after. I took a slightly warmer shower than usual--it's turned downright cool outside especially compared to the heat of last week--we didn't even reach 70 yesterday! At lunch I just didn't want to eat--nothing sounded good and finally made my omelette but skipped the apples. It felt good to eat something warm, but I could barely finish it. I kept pushing the water as much as I could--it actually began to make me feel a little nauseated each time I took a drink of cold water--so I switched to no-ice and let it warm up a bit. (Weird--I don't like non-ice cold water.) By the time I was headed out to water my container plants, I had to sit down right there and then on the floor. I was so dizzy, and achy and freezing cold! When I got my head together I went upstairs and found a sweatshirt and tried to run the vacuum instead of going outdoors and the movement along the woodfloor made my head spin. OK, down on the couch for the count. My body temp is always lower than normal--more in the 97.2 range than 98.6. DH came home around five and grabbed the thermometer--I was 99.9. No wonder I feel terrible--low-grade temp, but enough to upset the balance. He got me some tylenol and a blanket. I wasn't hungry for anything. He finally talked me into warm food; salmon, broccolini, and some strawberries about 8pm. More tylenol (pm this time) before bed and I slept pretty good until my bladder alarm went off about 7am. He took my temp this morning and it was 98.4, I decided against more tylenol for the time being. Hopefully, it was must a minor cold/flu/or something related to the antibiotics (I'm done with them now.) Still DH would like me to call if the fever creeps back in and see if they want to do another UA test--make sure that UTI is gone because that will cause those symptoms too.

I felt well enough to walk this morning; I did another 65 minutes today, but did the big hill twice. My hips/lower back are still stiff, but I wasn't in enough discomfort to cut the walk short. I made sure the stretch before and after again. When I went out, it looked like the cloud layer was going to burn off, patches of light and blue sky, but it quickly thickened up instead. Another very cool weather day for us--but still no rain.

Meal Plan: breakfast-green/black iced tea with non-food meds, water & trim cottage cheese with vitamins, lunch-still haven't made up my mind--the omelette idea sounds good again today, but really should have a salad or some butter lettuce roll ups, with apple, dinner-DH choice of either more salmon (we have at least one more portion left from the side of coho) or left-over flank steak, salad and strawberries. Late afternoon snack-Stash chai green tea with 1 tsp half & half (really liked this addition yesterday! and it warmed me up in my fevered-state.)

Ketosis: small range
Weight: down 2 to 195

Plans: water containers (done!), vacuum, lesson planning

[VernRDH]

:hug: Sorry you are feverish and feeling poorly. Hope things clear up soon.

Good job on 195-you are really doing well!!

When does school start for you again? We don't start back until the 9th of September.

[LAinSEA]

Veronica: For the first time in years, our district is actually starting school before Labor Day weekend; our first day back is September 2nd! My first on-the-clock day is August 25th. Where did this summer go? In a way, I wish we began school on the same schedule as my nieces. They start August 19 and are finished May 28th. (It would work out better for our students taking AP classes too--since the tests are held across the nation in May and our kid's miss out on almost a month of preparation compared to others who begin school earlier.) Sometimes, with the addition of weather make-up days (snow and flooding), we haven't been out until the last week in June! However, with the pre-Labor Day weekend start this year, I'm wondering just how many students will show up the first week (it's when we have our four day counts for state funding). I'm the type of teacher who likes to hit the ground running and have students begin work on Day #1.

Last night, DH chose to grill up some Ahi tuna for dinner with aspargus and strawberries. That tuna was worth being on a low calorie diet for! I made some fresh wasabi paste (OK on plan) and it tasted so good. If I can only have 100 g of protein each meal, that's the kind of protein that makes every gram count.

Ketosis: pinker than small, but not quite medium in range
Weight: still 195, but I can tell that I'm retaining water--my fingers are swollen this morning. (Too much salt on the veggies?)

Meals today: breakfast--iced tea with non-food meds, cottage cheese with vitamins, lunch--1 egg/2 egg white omelette with tomato, mushrooms and small amount of flank steak, apple, dinner--salmon, salad, & strawberries. (I didn't get to my afternoon snack yesterday as DH actually got home earlier than normal and we ate dinner earlier too. However, I was hungry prior to bed this way, but didn't give in.)

Exercise: 60 minute walk (did big hill twice again today).

Plans: more lesson planning--spun wheels yesterday. Wish I could talk DH into seeing anothe movie--the Julia Child one looks really interesting for my "foodie DH."

[LAinSEA]

Day 25: I was really hoping for a drop this morning, but, alas, it did not happen despite my rings telling me that I'm not as bloated as I was the days prior.

Ketosis: small range
Weight: still 195--I was so hoping for 25 lb gone in 25 days, but that's not in the cards. I'm supposed to be averaging about a .5 lb loss each day now, but the scale is so sporadic.

I just didn't feel like eating anything this morning--so after my meds and iced tea, DH and I just went for the walk. We walked for an hour and did the big hill twice (but his knees are hurting him now.) Afterwards, I mowed the lawn and he edged out front and took the propane torch to the weeds growing on the paver patio (something I'd been after him to do for a few weeks now--funny how the 3 month Roundup only seems to last 2 months.) Now that it is much cooler weather, we are trying to green up the lawn (after the intense heat and dry). Still no rain...it's just not normal for the Pacific NW.

Lunch was leftover flank steak, small salad and granny smith apple. DH has gone down to see if there are some scallops at the store for dinner to go with salad and stawberries for dinner.

No grand plans for the weekend except more clean up, finishing the door (if DH moves it where I can work on it), and laundry.

[LAinSEA]

Ketosis: small range
Weight: 195 (still)

Didn't get up and walk this morning (maybe later this evening or this will be my day off from walking). Weather is unsettled and so are my sinuses--painfully unsettled.

DH and I went to shop at a new Asian food market; found organic light soy sauce, baby bok choy, and some "miracle" noodles--no net carbs--3 g soluable fiber--made from yam fiber. We also picked up some sashimi grade salmon, tuna, and yellow tail (had that for lunch with mixed green salad and strawberries) and some Kumamoto oysters and prawns for later tonight, and some coho salmon for tomorrow. The produce there was beautiful! I sure wish that I could have fresh peaches, blueberries, or cherries right now.

Been working through the laundry as I didn't get to it yesterday or the day prior. I'm not sure what it was that I got wrapped up with, but whatever it was, it was a time-waster yesterday.

I did not have cottage cheese again for breakfast today--trying to break this stall. Come to think about it, before my large weight gain in May/June, that is probably what I was weighing. My plan guide says that when you get to a weight that you maintained for awhile, you may plateau for several days. Still I would like to be 25 lbs down by this Wednesday's weigh-in at the clinic.

I'm more tired today also (lack of excercise today?) or just the weather. Sure wish it would rain (finally) and get this low pressure thing over with.

[LAinSEA]

Ketosis: solidly in medium (less veggies yesterday overall)
Weight: down 1 lb to 194

Finally, movement on the scale. Last night, DH did both oysters for appetizers, and grilled prawns (so slightly over the 100 g protein allotment), but the baby bok choy steamed up to a less than handful amount. We split a large apple for our fruit. This is probably why I'm higher than I ought to be for ketosis. Funny, we didn't get in a walk at all yesterday and I would have expected another stalled day on the scale without the exercise. But this plan is funny that way--at least that is what my on-line smurfing is tellingme.

Was already to walk this morning and found that Niko had tossed a big, crunchie-laden furbar into my walking shoes. They are now drying; had to scrub, pull out insoles and scrub somemore. He knows he's on my "list" right now and literally pussing footing around. Why if he has to toss his cookies does it always have to be on something I need or care about? Cats!?! So no walk as yet today.

The other setback this morning was not having enough HCG in the vial to do my shot today. I've measured very closely, so I shouldn't have run out. A call to the clinic had them do up a syringe for me to pick, but I still have to wait until Wednesday for official weigh-in and to pick up more supplies. It's far enough away that I would have like to consolidate the trips. So I'm back over again Wednesday. I need to see what it would take to get me to Saturday appointments once the school year starts.

DH decided to use some comp time this afternoon and is home early. I'm not sure what he's got on the agenda.

Meals: Breakfast-iced green/black tea, non-food meds, Lunch-1 egg/2 egg white omellette with tomato & mushrooms, small apple, snack-stash chai green tea with tsp half & half, dinner-salmon, green salad, strawberries.

Exercise: walk later with DH (hopefully)

Keeping fingers crossed for another lb down by Wednesday to make it 25 lb total loss.

[LAinSEA]

Day 28:

Ketosis: small
Weight: down 1 lb to 193 (25 lb total loss putting my BMI to 33.6 down from 38; 10% goal met, 20% goal 174/44 lbs)

This is a no shot day for me, so after getting up at 6 am to run to the bathroom, I went back to sleep. But I didn't expect to sleep until 10:30! I guess with the weather change, and my resulting headache, maybe I needed the rest. (The headache is still here...)

DH and I walked for just 30 minutes last night about 8pm. My insoles were still not dry, so I decided to use my cross-trainer/day hikers instead. However, I haven't worn them much for walking and decided that a slower pace and less mileage would be better for my feet until these are broken in. These are more water proof than my walking shoes and have better wet pavement traction too, so I really need to get them broken in well before fall/winter. It was strange to walk in the rain. The air is much much fresher. However, I'm hoping for not a downpour when I do go today. Drizzle is OK, pounding rain like early this morning is not for walking IMHO.

Planned meals for today: breakfast-iced tea with non-food meds, trim cottage cheese before walk, lunch-flank steak, green salad, apple, dinner-chicken butter lettuce rollups, strawberries (if that is what DH has in mind).

Other plans--must get to lesson planning, but feel so dull mentally! Need to talk to clinic tomorrow about that dull feeling.

Exercise: 45 to 60 minute walk.

[VernRDH]

Hurray for you, 25 lbs lost!!! Go Laurie!!:cool1:

The shoe issue is tough, once you are used to walking in one using a different one just doesn't feel right. And I hear ya on the rain, hate running in the pouring rain. Drizzle I can handle, but not downpours.

Wish I could report that I was doing as well with weight loss, but with my training, it just isnt happening, but I am okay with it. Running the half marathon has been a goal, one that I will achieve in a mere 5 weeks from this sunday. So if I have to wait before I can drop more pounds, then so be it.

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - it does feel so good to have 25 lbs gone! Still a lot more to go, but my fitness is coming up too and that's more important than weight (I think). I've never fit into "skinny jeans" even when I was 115 lbs and dancing 20 hours a week. My thighs just don't get that small.;) Thanks again for your support.

Day 29: just back from my 2nd follow-up appointment at the clinic. Here are the official stats:

Weight: 196.4 (down 22 from 218.4--weighing with clothes on)
Neck: 14" (down 1 from 15)
Chest: 46" (down 2.5 from 48.5)
Midriff: 40" (down 5 from 45)
Hips: 46" (down 2 from 48)
Thigh: 25.5" (down .5 from 25)
Upper Arm: 13" (down 1 from 14)
Fat %: 40.5 (down 1.5 from 42%)

Total of about 12 measured inches change in four weeks. (This doesn't include places they don't measure; my rings are looser, wrists and ankles much smaller, bra band looser, etc. In addition to cheek bones, I now have collar bones showing prominently too.)

I was cleared to add 1 oz to my protein portions (started with 100 g or 3.5 oz portions) and to have an extra protein snack, if needed in either afternoon or before bed depending upon hunger or activity level. My body composition showed muscle gain and better hydration levels. I still need to watch carb and fat intake carefully. I was cleared to continue for four more weeks and have enough (hopefully) for four weeks of shots before next clinic check. I also did another B12 shot today to up the energy levels--should really do these weekly, but they only give them at the clinic and won't send them home for personal use (size of needle is different.)

Morning stats (sans clothes):
Ketosis: small
Weight: 193 (no change from yesterday)

I haven't walked yet today; it was raining steadily this morning, so maybe DH will walk with me this evening and hopefully the weather will cooperate. (I'm not complaining, really, we need the rain as it's been so dry for so long--not normal for us at all!) I still haven't shaken this weather-related sinus headache; although I slept much better last night than I had been sleeping.

I need to get to lesson planning and chores. Yes, I really do. Here's hoping that B12 shot kicks me into gear.

Meal plans: breakfast-iced black tea, ice water, lunch-flank steak, green salad, apple, snack-stash chai green tea with tps half & half (if I can remember before 4pm), appetizers-sashi (salmon, ahi tuna, yellowtail), dinner-salmon, steamed baby bok choy, small green salad, strawberries.

[LAinSEA]

Day 30: After that horrid heat, you'd think that I wouldn't be complaining about the cool, wetter weather; after all we actually had to put off the walk last night and mow the lawn instead. We haven't had to mow the lawn mid-week since early May. Wow, what a difference rain, cool, and a little fertilizer will bring. The neighbors are envious--their mats of straw just aren't rebounding. (I'm sure the water bill from those high heat weeks will not be pleasant, but our "inch a week" philosophy keep it alive, even if it looked about as dead as the rest of the street.)

However, the continued low pressure systems coming in are making it difficult to concentrate, sleep, or otherwise just get moving for me. Here is it nearly noon, and I haven't gone out and walked yet--and I really need to before the sky opens up with the t-storms we are due to get today. No, not even the B12 shot I got yesterday seems to be helping with in the energy or motivation department. The to do list in my head isn't helping either; procrastination has set in. Maybe the reality of summer coming rapidly to a close is the culprit and I'm dragging my feet because DH said "No Way!" to getting away next week and heading back to the cabin (near Yellowstone) even for a longer weekend. (11 hours of driving on either end is a bigger deal than it should be...not quite worth only 2-3-4 days there, but to me, it's my "Tara"--touchstone.)

Ketosis: trace (tried a 0 cal, 0 fat, 0 carb salad dressing from Walden Farms last two days--however, it has the banned Sucralose/Splenda as an ingredient. The Caesar was OK, the Blue Cheese was awful!, but I did get a headache after eating lunch yesterday and since it was the only wild card, I'm blaming it for the lower ketosis level too. Experiment over; I'm obviously more sensitive than I thought to the Splenda.)

Weight: still 193 (Edit after walk: 192! down 1 lb)

The sashi appetizers and the salmon last night were really good. The extra protein really held off any hunger, but we put off dinner probably way too long last night--sashi about 6pm, the mowed the heavy lawn, dinner was then about 8:45pm. Totally off plan when you are supposed to be done eating by 7pm.

Meal plan: breakfast--iced black tea, lunch--chicken, green salad with vinegar dressing, apple, snack--stash chai green tea with tsp half & half (no Stevia today--tried it yesterday and even a tad is way too sweet!), dinner--lobster tails (really), steamed baby bok choy (we didn't have it last night), small green salad, strawberries.

Exercise: yes, I'm heading out now for a 45 to 60 minute walk; I really am. (Edit: 60 minute walk done and sun is breaking through, hurray!)

Lesson planning has to take a priority today!

Family should be back into town early tomorrow morning after their red-eye flight from Kauii. Hopefully we can visit with my sis and the neices before they fly home on Sunday or Monday.

[LAinSEA]

Day 31: We sure had ourselves a major thunderstorm yesterday afternoon--I'm glad I got off my duff and walked mid-day. We probably had over an inch of rain within an hour and the lightning hit quite close to home. Took hours to get the cats to come up from under the bed.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: down 1lb to 191 (love those consistent daily drops, but (knock on wood) it probably won't do that daily.

I got my walk in between 10:15 and 11:05 this morning and then my father called to set up a way to meet up with my sis and the neices before they are dropped off at the airport to fly home to Provo. Red Robin (yum, but what will I eat?). This will be a really big test for me. I'm thinking about the "low carb" burger wrapped in lettuce if they still have that on the menu or ordering one without the bun with knife and fork with a plain salad and vinegar on the side for dressing (if they have it). Since I'm meeting them at 3:30pm, I just did a flank steak protein portion for my lunch--I didn't have any cottage cheese prior to walking today (I know, against nutritionist's orders), but I just wasn't hungry. I'm more worried about having too much fat, because I know I can forego the fries (please, Lord, let me forego the fries.)

If all goes well, I'll just have some leftover chicken and a small salad for a later dinner with my apple or strawberries.

It is majorly encouraging to have daily movement on the scale. I really would love to be down to 185 or even 180 by the first day of school, Sept. 1st. But that would be over the .5 lb/day loss that is the average now that I'm past the first two weeks. I'm hoping that the muscle I'm building while walking will help speed up the weightloss; the muscle mass is why men tend to lose 1 lb/day (or more) over women on this plan.

Hoping for good vibes for my first try eating out on plan.
:goodvibes

[VernRDH]

:goodvibes Hoping your trip to Red Robin was good and you were able to resist the fries. I just can't eat them anymore. Good job on the continued loss, you can probably get to 185 by the time school starts. Either way, you are still healthier than when school ended right?

Keep up the good work girlfriend. You are doing great!!:thumbsup2

[LAinSEA]

I did well at Red Robin; my sis steered me towards here favorite-the baja chicken platter and I ordered it without cheese and tortilla strips on the salad with just bottle of vinegar. I only used the salsa dipping sauce (sparringly because I wasn't sure what was included in it) and shared the second chicken breast with my father to keep my protein portion under control. Still there was probably too much oil used in the grilling process, but I couldn't follow them into the kitchen and supervise. All in all, it was very good and I'd order it again--Red Robin is a typical place the staff will head to for meeting day lunches and now I have a dish I can order without too much worry. Yes, I avoided the fries!

Ketosis: trace
Weight: 191 (scared me; I weighed 192 when I got up, but down to 191 after the walk.

DH and I walked for 55 minutes - the same route that usually takes me 60-65 minutes. Now I'm going to add distance to stay within the 60 minute time.

Meal plan for today: breakfast-iced black tea, lunch-chicken, green salad, apple, dinner-salmon, green salad, strawberries.

[LAinSEA]

Day 33:

Ketosis: trace (but I wonder if the strips are getting old--they take forever for a color change)
Weight: down another lb after walk to 190

DH and I walked the loop again in 50 minutes today, the same that took me 60-65 minutes a week ago. I will add distance tomorrow to get back to an hour. My shins started to ach a little before we did the hill for the second time, slowing down made the pain go a way.

Meal plans/options for today--really haven't settled on lunch or dinner right now; I'm not hungry. Breakfast-DH went to get iced coffees this morning. I haven't had a latte or coffee drink since beginning this program. I had an 16 oz iced Americana with 2 shots of espresso and one shot of half & half with a packet of stevia sweetener. Wow, what a treat (and it got my rather backed up system moving again. A little coffee now and again if a good thing.) Lunch--probably a small salad with either chicken or left-over salmon & apple. Dinner-options include hambuger patty over portabello mushroom and small green salad & strawberries or grilled flank steak. I'm leaning towards the burger...but will need to figure out what lunches will be this week if we don't grill the flank steak. Perhaps I will get some shrimp out to thaw or run to the store to get more chicken tenders to grill.

This has been a good week for losing, which kind of scares me. I'm bound to plateau again soon and the scale won't move for a few days. Again, my hopes are to be 180-185 by September 1 and begin the school year down approximately 35 lbs from where I finished last June. My size 16 W pants are so loose right now, I have to wear them with a belt. My size 18 reg. shorts are all baggy, but still stay up without the belt. I comfortably sat through a movie last night in size 16 reg. capris and didn't need a belt to hold the lowrise waistband on my hips. I can get into my size 14 w capris, but they are still tighter than I like to wear. My size 1x tops, despite my bustline losing the least of all, are very roomy right now--but that is OK, I don't like things tight. I am hoping that I can get through the month of September (usually warm weather) without having to hit the store for clothes and not purchase anything until I'm down to size large tops and size 12-14 pants. DH tells me that he's noticing my body change shape; this didn't really happen the last time I had anything success with losing weight. This time my body is turning more hourglass shaped and where I lose, I seem to tone up much quicker. Must be the HCG--they told me that it would "recontour" as I lose. Again, I'm losing my skepticism. And 500 calories a day? No, honestly, I'm rarely hungry, especially in the morming through early afternoon. It's only when dinner is too late that I get cranky now.

[LAinSEA]

Day 34: I feel like a "snufalufagus"--my head is full and I'm sneezing, eyes watering and down right miserable with alergies. I vacuumed the bedroom prior to walking, but it just seemed to stir whatever it is that I'm alergic too up. Still, I got out and walked, but did not add distance today like I should have. Perhaps I can get DH to go for another round tonight.

Ketosis: trace to small (not quite as pink as small, but brighter than trace.)
Weight: down another lb after my walk to 189.

Meal Plans--
Breakfast: hot green/white tea
Lunch: shrimp, salad & apple
Dinner: grilled flank steak, salad & strawberries
Need to up the water intake--I've been lax this weekend.

Today plans--more housecleaning, lesson planning or going on scouting mission to school to see if I can get in and start arranging my classroom.

[LAinSEA]

Day 35: Still snuffing, but not wanting to take an antihistamine as I really don't want my nose to bleed non-stop. Moving to the desert sounds really good right now, but I'd probably just develop an alergy to something there within a year or two too.

Ketosis: small
Weight: still 189 (need one more lb for a 30-lb loss)

I have been setting my alarm clock this week - began at 7:30 am, but that doesn't mean I'm actually getting up. Need to change it to 7 am tomorrow and really get up. I'm such a nightowl and always have been. Between daylight savings time and my adversion to early mornings, getting ready to begin the school year is a very rude awakening indeed.

I was actually hungry prior to bed last night, but just kept drinking water instead of reaching for a protein snack. So this morning before I went for my walk I did have 100 g of trim cottage cheese. My calves were cramping up a bit last night too, so the calcium will do me some good (I hope.)

Last night we had the flank steak with greenbean instead of salad. We rubbed the flank steak with minced garlic, pepper, ginger, and a little light soy sauce and let it sit for about an hour prior to grilling. It was so good.

Meal Plan for today: breakfast--ice water (forgot to make iced tea), cottage cheese, lunch--left over green beans, flank steak and apple, dinner--halibut, green salad, strawberries.

Exercise: 55 minute walk (same distance, but went a little slower due to stiff right hip part way through).

Plans for the day: need to drop off ballots, do some lesson planning, picking up around the house, water plants.

[LAinSEA]

Day 36:

Ketosis: trace to small
Weight: still 189

Exercise: 65 minute walk - added distance today.

Meal Plans: breakfast-jasmine-spice tea w/stevia, lunch-leftover flank steak, green beans, apple, dinner--grilled Ahi tuna, salad, strawberries.

Just answer panicked email from colleague. She and I taught summer school together 3 years ago and we collaborated very well, but she was then teaching at junior high level during the year. She's now been involuntarily transferred to my high school and I am estatic about our good fortune. Although she won't be teaching the same courses as I do, she still is amazing to work with. I've been trying to forward her some of the things I used when I did my student teaching in the same courses she will be teaching and help connect her with respected teachers to help her get started. She's a lot like me; if you can't put in 110%, it just isn't worth doing. Whatever I can do to help make her feel welcome and confident at the high school level, I will gladly do. But that reminds me...I've been lazy lazy lazy and need to get my first units in order! Planning is the order of the day for the next three days!

[LAinSEA]

Day 37: I'm sure that my back is going to pay big time, but I spent 2 hours up in my classroom moving the desks, shelving, and files around from the state of confusion the custodial staff left them in after cleaning the carpets. It's not that I don't appreciate the cleaning, but can't they at least keep certain heavy items in place and keep my desk in-tact? Oh well, I'm sure it was a good workout for my whole body and I'll need to remember to take the Advil PM tonight to sleep.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: down 1 lb to 188 (30 lbs now gone, I hope, forever)

Exercise: I got up early and got my walk in, so that I could shower and get to my hair appointment. Trim, highlights and toner today and it took forever. I walked for 60 minutes, but did not tackle the big hill twice due to my hip still twinging about half way through my route.

Meal Plan: breakfast--water with meds, lunch--1 egg, 2 egg white omellette with shrimp & apple, dinner--DH choice (will have to shop on way home), green salad & strawberries.

I need to catch up on my water intake - didn't take anything with me to hair appointment or to school, but luckily I had some water stashed in my cupboard--it was warm, but who complains when one is thirsty?

I still have pleanty to do at school, and could spend some time there tomorrow morning or on Monday or take DH over on Sunday morning (while the church is meeting) to hang up artwork and do some re-arranging. I need to spend more time planning my first units and writing standards-based rubric despite the team meeting getting cancelled for Monday. Yes, summer truly is over.

[VernRDH]

WOW 30 lbs in 37 days, you rock girl!!:thumbsup2:cool1::banana:

Sorry about your room, I understand. DH can't get into his office for a few days each summer because they wax the floors (no carpeting). Then he gets to move computers all around (new ones in boxes and old ones they are replacing). He is currently complaining of a groin pull/hernia issue:rolleyes: and is in hyper drive to finish before his staff comes back starting next week.

Only 2 more weeks of summer vacation for DD-tomorrow teacher assignments get mailed out, so my phone will be ringing off the hook Saturday with all the girls calling each other to see who got what teacher. Last year of elementary for her-she is a big fish 5th grader this year.:eek: Next year we go to middle school, I am :scared1:.

[LAinSEA]

Day 38:

Thanks Veronica! It feels good to be 1/3rd towards my goal. The last time I was able to lose 30 lbs, with Atkins and lots of exercise, it took me 5 months! I started out heavier this time around (my lost weight returned with a party of friends), but I'm definitely not skeptical about the HCG now. It works, at least it works for me. My youngest niece is a 6th grader this year and still in elementary school. She will go to junior high next year. My oldest is a senior this year, but taking most of her classes at the community college instead of high school. If she can earn an AA by the time she's ready to graduate HS, Utah will pay for her Bachelor's degree at any state college. She is really motivated to get both by the end of May.

My knees are black and blue after all the furniture moving yesterday. I didn't even realize the damage I'd done to myself until after my shower this morning. I was beat this morning too. Turned off the alarm and went back to sleep for another 2 hours! I guess lots of physical activity and a very low calorie diet just don't mix. And now I know it and will have to make adjustments. I still don't know how large my classes will be; rumor has it they could be up to 40 students and I have seating right now for 38 and tables are already tight. We are supposed to be able to get into our gradebook system on Monday and preliminary classlists should be there to gage class sizes. So today, I've been lazy, lazy, lazy except for my 65 minute walk (and yes, I did the big hill twice today.)

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still at 188
Midriff measurement: 39" down 6" now from 45".
Hips: 43" down 5" from 48"

Meal Plan: breakfast--hot English breakfast tea with a 1 T of half & half, lunch--apple, green salad with grilled chicken tenders, dinner--scallops, spinach salad or asparagus, strawberries or apple (depending upon state of strawberries...they are going fast).

[LAinSEA]

Day 39:

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still 188

DH and I walked for 65 minutes, 3.3 miles - he actually wanted to add some at the end and I had a weird pain in my tush and opted to stop. We did take a different way around and back and up another big hill to get home through a new (stalled) development to the north of our neighborhood. It makes me so mad that they downed all those trees and bird habitat and now nothing is being done to build. With this economy, it may not be completed for years and years.

I also mowed the lawn with DH emptying the heavy bag for me. I sure wish my back would come back to life and not ache all the time. I definitely overdid it at school on Thursday afternoon. More bruising is showing up and my muscles are really achy.

Meal Plans--up in the air. Breakfast--hot Stash chai green tea with a little half and half and stevia, Lunch--DH went and got iced coffees-- with more half and half and stevia, at least it will get my system moving--I'll cut up and apple shortly and have some leftover flank steak. With all the half and half, I'd better skip on the salad or just have some tomatoes. Dinner--??? need to go to the store and pick up something or eat more leftovers.

DH is really, truly going to sand and start finishing the powder room door. I hear the garage door opening and so I'd best get on with lunch and help. Oh, for another two weeks of summer (or maybe four).

[LAinSEA]

Day 40: My worst fear is to be ill to start the school year, because I never catch up health-wise all year. I was up a pound this morning and feeling bloated and my lower back is tender to the touch. I think the kidney infection is back, and my trips to the restroom today are pretty much confirming it now. I will contact the doctor's office tomorrow am before heading to my classroom to get some work done. This is not what I want to have happen.

Ketosis: small
Weight: up 1 to 189

We got up and "Rambo'd" the house today - time went by way too fast and by the time my parents arrived (early, early, early), I realized that I had not had lunch--no food other than the iced coffee with a big of half and half and stevia all morning. Well, it was too late to eat something then as we planned an early dinner. I wasn't hungry even at 3:30 pm.

We fixed salmon cooked in parchement with citrus slices over a bed of sweet onions, mock caesar salad (dressing receipe to follow) and strawberries. DH also cooked up some cous cous for a side for my folks. The food was very good and the weather was decent so we ate on the patio (but the flies and the bees started to converge). I think my father was interested to see just what my portion of food looked like as my mom is pushing him to check into doing the HCG also. His comment was that he thought I was getting enough to eat.

After my folks left, DH and I finally got our walk in. We need to transition to walking in the evening anyway as I have meetings this week and school begins the next. We did just 40 minutes tonight (I begged off--my lower back was hurting and I needed the bathroom about the time we'd head back up the hill and around and down into our part of the neighborhood.) Still for the amount of water I've gotten in my today, my throughput isn't right. Also, I was wearing a pair of size 18 shorts, and by the time we'd hit the upper part of the neighborhood I had to roll the waistband 3 times to keep them on.

We got another 2 coats of finish on the door and let it dry to move inside overnight--expecting marine layer of clouds tonight and tomorrow am. We can't chance any moisture.

Tomorrow, I have a ton to get done planning-wise in my classroom, so the plan is to head to school early in the morning and hope the network and the printers are up and running. There is a fairly new administrator that is forcing teachers of like subjects to teach "lockstep" as he did to all elementary teachers when he was in charge at that level. The idea is to "play nice and go along," but I know that most of my colleagues will just post the requisite targets on the board and do whatever they want anyway. He wants us to turn in our first 5 days' lesson plans--I'm betting since we are starting prior to Labor Day, that many students won't show until after the holiday weekend and a day late at that (we traditionally start the Wednesday after Labor Day). That means many students will miss the first week of classes and their parents won't care that they did, just that they shouldn't be penalized for going on vacation. Our district really needs a true attendance policy, because it's chaos to teach when parents are pulling students out all year at their discreation. When I was in high school, if you missed 10 days in the first quarter of a semester class, they withdrew you unless you had a medical emergeny and applied for school-home support. Miss 20 days in a semester and you didn't earn credit for the class at all. Some districts had gone to 10 days missed in a semester, no credit. And given that the students who have failed my classes over the past 3 years were the ones that missed 30 days or more in a semester, attendance is key to success. (And I put all my lesson's online on my school website too for easy access for those who are absent or for those who can't keep their planner straight.)

Enough whining...I'm already having back-to-school nightmares. Enough already.

Mock Caesar dressing for salad serving four--approx 1 1/2 to 2 cups salad each.

1 Tb lemon juice
2 Tb white wine vinegar (good stuff, not the stuff you use to clean with)
1 tsp dry mustard (I like the hot Chinese stuff)
1 tsp minced or crushed garlic
1 tsp anchovie paste

Shake or wisk contents together until thoroughly blended. After tossing romaine lettuce, liberally add fresh cracked pepper. A bit of non-fat feta or smaller amount of fresh grated parmasan cheese helps to give that creamy taste that you miss with the oil with minimal calories, carbs or added fat.

[LAinSEA]

Day 42:

Ketosis: medium (and actually higher at the doctor's office this afternoon!)
Weight: down to 188 (again)

Back ache was way worse this morning; and still not able to put much out in urine for all the fluids I've been drinking, not even first thing in the am and it hurts when I do go. Got into the doctor this afternoon and the quick lab results showed nothing! Before I had no symptoms (until after being put on antibiotics), and this time I have symptoms and no lab values to back it up. Both sides of my lower back (kidney area) are sensitive to touch, but I guess the right is much worse than the left. Dr. said she called in another round of stronger antibiotics, but DH was just at the pharmacy and the Rx wasn't there! Dr. sent me for a CT scan--thank goodness they take walks ins--and then I had to get back to my classroom and get more things organized in my room (they are using it for new parent orientation tonight.) With the lower back pain, I didn't walk this morning, spent time playing phone tag with the clinic office staff and finally got the appointment. I hope DH is up for a short walk this evening.

Meals: cottage cheese and green/mint iced tea before heading to school, lunch--didn't think I'd be out that long, so I didn't take anything with me. BIG MISTAKE. Didn't get to anything before 4:30pm--left over flank steak, apple, 1 oz low fat havarti cheese. Dinner plans are up in the air, whatever DH returns from store with and strawberries. At least I did remember to take 2 liters of water with me, but it wasn't enough for the time I was out.

My father suffers from kidney stones; so I know that I don't want that diagnosis. My sis has even had them. Somehow I thought I'd skipped out on those genetics. The family type doesn't break up with ultra sonic or the drugs. They have to shred and pass with the pain. I'm not thrilled with starting the school year this way at all.

[VernRDH]

:hug: Hoping you are feeling better soon. I have only had a kidney stone once, but it is an experience I hope I do not repeat any time soon. I do suffer from UTI's more frequently than I like, even though I do all the things I am supposed to in terms of diet and hygiene. But alas, some of us are more prone to them than others. My DD seems to get them a bit too, hoping she outgrows them.

Keep doing the water-even though you aren't outputting, it, you still need it and this too shall pass :lmao::rolleyes:

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - thanks for your kind words...this is my first experience with kidney stones (if that is really what it is). I once had a doc tell me that UTIs were part of being female. I'm not sure I buy that--but I seem to go years inbetween getting any or getting them all the time. It is uncomfortable and inconvenient. Sorry DD gets them too.

Day 43:
Ketosis - small (not the bright magenta of medium, so I must have done better with that extra serving of veggies last night. We had a small salad and grilled asparagus since I missed veggies at lunch and the day prior at lunch. I guess I've learned a lesson about skipping meals.)

Weight - still 188 this morning, but I know I'm holding onto fluids. My hands and feet are puffy as is my face. DH thought my eyes looks a little yellow/jaundiced even. Not good.

Meals thus far - breakfast, started on water with non-food meds and after shower dove into some trim cottage cheese despite feeling nauseated eating that early in the morning. Lunch - took leftover salmon, green beans, and apple with iced green tea and 2 liters of water. Dinner will most likely be grilled flank steak, more aparagus, and apples/strawberries or cherry tomatoes since my bushes have gone crazy!

Today was our first official back-to-school meeting day and it was as unproductive as I feared it would be. We were to meet in groups of similiar classes and hammer out our first units. Sounds like a good thing to do except for the fact that we all teach other classes that pulled people away from the primary class groups. So for my sophomore American Studies blocks, only 3 of us were able to meet with 5 absent to other groups and for senior English, one was missing, but no one was up for planning a common unit to begin the school year." Well, I was and so was my neighbor next door, but the rest didn't want to go that route--and I have to modify everything for the remedial kids, so double the work to keep them using the same materials as the other classes. The arguments over nit-picky things just get to me. We are mandated to collaborate, but when it all comes down to it, everyone just does their own thing anyway. However, I believe with the new director in charge, there will be heck to pay when he visits and we are not all on the same page. But I tried to be a team player.

The problem with being so frustrated is that I came home and wanted to EAT. I don't think I'm physically hungry, just wanting to crunch something or have something sweet, like candy. So I'm getting a fresh glass of ice water in me and if I'm still "hungry" I'll have some cheese before we go for our walk, that is if the "stabbing" in my back doesn't intensify again.

Last night was torture prior to heading upstairs to bed. The pain got worse--I had a moment of feeling dizzy and nauseated before dinner it hurt so bad. Then it came and went for about 2 hours. Then it went and I slept fairly well (for a night before an early wake up call--didn't clock watch as much as usual). I was OK this morning. Then it has started to get worse again this afternoon. It is definitely more on the right side now than the left. Achy over both, but stabbing on the right. It certainly does not feel like any back strain I've ever experienced. I won't have any answers until tomorrow afternoon.

DH went to pick up the Rx yesterday after work - it wasn't there. I called and left messages and never had a return call. I finally got a live body at both the doc's office and pharmacy to say it's ready. DH will pick it up on way home tonight. If this is an infection, I'm now another day into getting worse. If it is kidney stones, I'll have my system upset by antibiotics for no reason, but I'm so uncomfortable I don't want to wait another night for the meds. (No pain meds prescribed--I'm not a person to take them even if they are offered. I don't like the out-of-control feeling anything stronger than an over-the-counter pain med gives me.)

[LAinSEA]

Day 44:

Ketosis: small
Weight: down 1 lb to 187

Slept through the night and managed to get through the morning relatively pain free. But, this afternoon, the pain started intensifying. The CT scan didn't show anything, but sometimes kidney stones don't show up on the CT or X-ray. I've been scheduled for an ultrasound on Tuesday afternoon - the earliest I could get in. My UA showed a significant amount of blood in my urine, which wasn't there on Monday. The labs show that there is an infective agent, but it is not e-coli; so I must continue taking the Cipro (nasty awful stuff). She prescribed some pain meds for sleep (if needed). If I get terribly bad, I'm to stay home and take them. Yeah, right, one more day of meetings this week and one more next and I've got to get a great deal of work done at home and school to be ready for Wednesday's first day of students. She also surprised me by saying that she'd researched my HCG diet plan and said I could continue (didn't think it was causing the kidney problems), but asked that I add some macademia nuts to my diet--just about 5 total (10 halves) a day as a precaution against gall bladder attack/gall stones. Now, those are pretty high in fat, but apparently ketogenic, so I may give them a try and see if they stall my weight loss (which has been stalled the last few days due to fluid retention--I think.) It was nice to see the scale move this morning again.

Meals: breakfast--scrambled egg/1 egg white, lunch--leftover flank steak, green beans, apple, dinner--new flank steak, strawberries, salad.

Exercise: the last two days - non-existent. We didn't walk yesterday because my pain intensified. It's not too bad now, so after dinner, maybe DH will opt for a 30-40 minute walk with me if I'm still up for it. My father, who really knows about the kidney stones from experience, said not to let it impact my lift until the pain interrupts it. "You'll know when enough is enough. Call in sick when the pain doesn't go up and down and just goes up and up and up." Now I got that to look forward to.

[LAinSEA]

Day 45: When it rains, it pours--and even though I live in the (supposidly) rainiest part of the country, it was a beautiful, clear, 86 degree day. So, I'm not talking about the weather "pouring." DH was taken from work to the hospital this afternoon by a co-worker because he was sweating and dizzy. They thought he might be having a heart attack! Work is just minutes from the ER, so they made the choice to get in the car instead of call 9-1-1. His BP was sky high, and they ran all the tests to make sure he wasn't having/or had had a heart attack (or stroke). His BP has come down slightly--enough now to discharge him with an immediate referral to a cardiologist (well, as soon as one will schedule him in) and another med to add to his BP med regimine. Trying not to freak, trying not to freak--as that is how he texted me with info this afternoon while I was at the school retreat. His co-worker, Jim, called me and calmed me down because DH couldn't use cell in room. Now that he's been cleared to go, he has to head to the pharmacy and then home. He's not here yet. Yes, I'm freaked!

I had a good night's sleep due to the pain meds. A good morning despite having to get so early and meet the carpool at the mall. I stayed relatively pain free most of the day, but started having twinges again about 2pm. It was bearable until I got home at 4:15 and then saw the message from DH. He didn't want to worry me and knew I wouldn't answer my phone while at meetings. I did check messages about 2:30pm, but he hadn't texted me nor had Jim called me by then. At least I was home when I did hear and not in transit (even though I don't answer the cell while driving either.) Both DH and Jim told me to stay home until there was more news from the 2nd blood tests--OK, I'm hurting now and I agreed to stay put. About an hour later I had to use the restroom and nearly fainted while doing so, the pain was so intense. TMI here, but a fair amount of blood, but if there was a stone it was too small to see. I'm feeling a bit nauseated now, but the sharp pain is now dulled. No, I haven't taken the pain meds--I want to be coherent when DH gets home.

Ketosis: trace (must have upped the veggies/fruits to acceptable level--just hope I didn't go too far overboard)
Weight: still 187

I still have my goal to be at 180-185 by the start of school (Sept. 2); I hope all this nonsense and stress doesn't stall it. Stress is my worst culprit--I can be eating nothing, I mean fasting and drinking only water--and stress will put weight on me. I really need something to be going right in my life right now to keep me motivated to get everyone accomplished this next week.

[VernRDH]

:hug::hug::hug: Laurie, I am thinking of you and praying for both you and DH. It is hard enough to handle DH's problem, but when you have your own thing going on its worse. We have a friend who had a similar problem to your DH's-he works at a university with a med center thankfully. He spent the night and now is taking meds and doing much better.

When do you find out the rest of your test results? Hopefully they can help you get past this and you will be able to start school next week pain free.

Keep us (well at least me) posted. Thinking of you.:flower3:

[LAinSEA]

Day 46: DH's BP was down to a more "normal" level this morning after taking the secondary meds prescribed by the ER doc. (It took it again after I got on him about making his call to the cardiologist...Hey, I made my phone call and reported what believe was the kidney stone incident to my doc's office this morning.) He did take the am a little easier, and despite my admonitions to stay put for a day, he went off to work to a 10 am meeting and has to stop by HR to help roll more teacher contracts over this afternoon. Me, I'm laying low, so to speak. I will do my planning from home today and then get to my dental appointment this afternoon. I feel that if I go up to school, I won't continue to get enough fluids in me. I was so excited by a big, real, whoosh this morning after literally waking up and needing to run to the bathroom, that it has made my whole day. I'm still a bit tender in my lower back on the right side and through the rest, but no visible blood this morning.

Thank-you Veronica for your positive thoughts and prayers. (The principal wife of my colleague had to have two surgeries yesterday--she had what is called "broken heart" syndrome where a ventrical literally stops working. She was close to being gone...and she's only a year or two older than I am! She will be kept in the cardio ICU for at least a week--she could go into arrest again even after the double surgeries and then rest at home for three to four weeks. You can bet, as a principal, that she will not be thrilled about that. BTW, she ran 10 miles on Sunday in prep for another half marathon. She and her husband have been running for now just over a year and they are in visibly excellent shape.)

Ketosis: trace
Weight: down 1 lb to 186 (total loss 32 pounds)

Unofficial measurements (official ones will be taken on 9/9)
Neck: 13" (down 2 from 15)
Upper Arm: 12.5" (down 1.5 from 14)
Midriff (at belly button): 39" (down 6 from 45)
Hips: 44" (down 4 from 48)
Thigh: 23" (down 2 from 25)

total inches lost: 15.5"

Meal Plan: No breakfast, water, lunch--green beans, left over flank steak, apple, dinner--DH's choice, salad, strawberries.

Note: I felt like I'd cheated eating 10 macadamia nuts (about 1/4 cup) yesterday as I waited for DH to come home. My doctor asked that I add them to my diet to ward off gall bladder issues, but it still felt strange to eat something so fatty, salty, crunchie! Still the scale moved this morning for me--probably the loss of water weight made a huge difference. I'm not going to eat them every day--may two or three times a week, but thus far, it doesn't look like it kept me from losing. I've also had protein for breakfast the past three days prior to meetings. These are also added calories, but I'm still losing.

[momof2minnies]

Laurie,
I have been reading your posts, first I hope you feel better and CONGRATS on the weight loss.

Hope your DH does well too.That is scary.

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda: thanks so much for your support and kind words. DH has a follow-up with the cardio specialist on Tuesay afternoon (the same time I see the imaging folks for my ultrasound). We are both feeling much, much better! But isn't that the case when you have appointments scheduled?

Day 47:

Ketosis-small
Weight-down 1 lb to 185 (I've met the top end goal for back-to-school)

FIL wanted DH to go over the hang up his mum lights because it rained overnight and he's got many he's counting on for entering at the flower show at the fair (DH planned to go over next weekend to hang the lights up). However, up on ladders is not the place for DH to be at the moment and, whenever DH heads to his father's, it's a laundry list of tasks to do that keeps him all day. It can be everything from computer support to sweeping off the roof! So I went too to surprise and get up on the roof if someone must. Thankfully it was just the lights in the garage and some computer issues...BTW computers don't function as "toasters," there is a bit more to them and no one should expect them to "read your mind." We got out of there within a couple of hours, but I'm sure FIL was NOT happy I showed up to keep the list short. FIL's live-in girlfriend is one nosey piece of work. She wanted to know about everything!!! FIL has been trying to lose (significant) weight over the past four years on Jenny Craig (and I know this plan works for many many people), however she buys such crap and then it hangs around on the counter just begging to be eaten as a sweet before bed. She's also had intestional surgery in the past year for IBS (probably alchohol related the amount she drinks!). She is one to eat that crap too (although just a bite and then if someone doesn't eat the rest, it will go to waste!) She was all happy about showing me her new acacia soluable fibre for before bed, "It really works." But then she complains about not being able to keep weight on! So this time I let her have it; that surgery crap is just plain poison and just what is she trying to do, poison FIL! and if she needs soluable fibre why doesn't she just fix some real nutrition lentils or bean soup and have a little of that instead. It has nutritional value! She was quite taken abac to say the least and I'm sure over the next couple of days, DH will hear from his father about my rant.

Meals yesterday: breakfast--stash chai green tea, lunch--green beans, leftover flank steak, apple, snack--iced coffee with half & half and stevia (timed between Cipro pills), dinner--grilled alder planked salmon, grilled asparagus, small green salad, strawberries. (Dinner the night prior was lingcod in parchement--highly recommend this way of doing any fish.)

Still no exercise on the agenda, I'm not as tender down there as I have been, but DH's BP was super low after the new meds. Last night he chopped the new pill in quarters and only took 1/4. This morning he was more "normal" for himself, but not quite as low as he'd like. He'll take a half a pill before bed tonight. BTW, DH has two BS degrees (biology and zoology) and post-grad work in microbiology (he was preparing for medical school, but didn't get in after being on the wait list 3 times). He's excellent at research and found that the drug prescribed should be added in the quarter increments so as not to drop BP into dangerously low levels after the first night of taking it and seeing that happen. It's not that he's just experimenting without information.

Me, I've just never been so happy to go to the bathroom with a "whoosh!"

Day 48:
Ketosis--small
Weight--still 185

Meals: breakfast--English breakfast tea, lunch--leftover chicken or flank steak, small salad, apple, dinner--more lingcod, salad, strawberries (may be the last of--they are going soft so fast now!)

Exercise: planning on walk later this afternoon or evening.

I need to get some serious unit planning done and also get the required elements ready for turn in on Tuesday. I finished syllabus updates on Friday. At least laundry (my usualy Sunday task is pretty caught up and I can run a small load on Tuesday evening for any necessities for the first week of school.)

This morning, my lower back pain nearly gone and I'm not feeling any discomfort going to the bathroom. I'm not certain just what they'll find in an ultrasound at this point, but I guess I'll play along on Tuesday. Again, somethings, like being able to go, when you need to go, shouldn't be taken for granted.

[LAinSEA]

Day 49: I spent most of the day up at school getting my unit plans, learning targets, syllabi, parent letters, information forms completed and ready to go for tomorrow (due to admin.) and first day of school on Wednesday. Tomorrow we have morning meetings followed by a whole half a day (paid) to set up our classrooms. No, given that I have an ultrasound appointment at 2:30pm, I won't have everything "just so" and ready to begin the year. However, the first three days of classes will be mostly get-to-know-you activities and icebreakers along with there are the expectations and rules. I'll get caught up with other stuff over the weekend. Another American Studies teacher offerred to collaborate with me today and actually took some of the planning and preparing. Usually, when other teachers offer, it means that they just want my unit/lesson plans. It was nice to actually have some input and real partnering today.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: down 1 lb to 184

Meals today: breakfast--ice water with meds, lunch--small green salad, leftover flank steak, apple, dinner--grilled lean beef patty over grilled portabello mushroom cap (DH does one larger patty and portabello so that the beef is on the med-rare side and then cuts the patty and mushroom cap in half for our portions. Condiments were fresh sliced green pepper, red onion, and tomato slices), small green salad (to offset the veggie carbs with the burger), strawberries.

Still no exercise happening. DH was told to take it easy prior to tomorrow's cardio appointment and I really didn't want to walk by myself. I will go by myself tomorrow evening if DH still doesn't feel up to walking. I will have to take myself back down to 45 minutes instead of an hour at a slower pace to make sure I don't get shin splints after a week of inactivity. Funny, I'm still losing pounds and inches despite the lack of exercise...

I'm really hoping for one more pound gone by Wednesday morning. That would be right between my goal of 180-185 and 183 would be 35 lbs gone. Next short-term goal will be to get my BMI into the "overweight" range instead of "obese." That would be 170 for me.

[LAinSEA]

Day 50: feel like I've run a marathon today, and didn't even get out to walk. We had school-wide meetings beginning at 7:30am this morning, then advisory meetings from 9:30 to 10:30. They finally turned us loose to work on our classrooms then (clock stopped for pay at 11:45am--we used to get a full half day paid setup). I got myself as organized as I could be before leaving at 2pm for my ultrasound appointment. They could have kept us in meetings until 11:45, but decided we could complete all the health trainings on-line on our own (I have until Sept. 30th to go through all the tutorials--something we re-train on every year.)

Nothing major on the ultrasound - or at least the tech didn't give me the big frown. She stated that she couldn't comment one way or the other, but when I asked if I'd be hurting like I did on Thursday evening, she said it was doubtful anytime soon.

DH's cardio appointment went very well; his heart is healthy and he scored well above the average on the stress test. He will have another test on Thursday, but he will be on the meds prescribed at the hospital in the evenings, same drill he's been doing for the mornings. He needs to get his weight down to 190-195; he's lost 13 or 14 lbs since I started my program, so he has between 34 and 40 to go. (I wish I only had that much to go...)

Ketosis: trace
Weight: same at 184

Meals: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--chicken tenders, green beans, apple, dinner--alder planked salmon (in oven), green beans with a little turkey bacon for flavor, strawberries. (Snack when I got home from my appointment since DH was in an hour or more wait at the pharmacy for meds--1 oz low fat cheese, 10 macadamia nuts).

No exercise (except running up and down stairs at school, moving furniture, and boxes.) I'm feeling really out of shape now.

We should have walked, but DH was tired from the stress test and we have tomatillos piling up that we needed to make into salsa verde ASAP. We bought the peppers and cilantro Friday - but the cilantro went bad already--well mostly. It is nearly done now and it's time for bed.

Tomorrow begins with my sophomore advisory at 7:40 and then the juniors and seniors come to school at 10:00 and we do 20 minute classes through 2:10pm with an hour and one half for 30 minute lunches where the kids spend an hour in advisory in between 2nd and 3rd periods. Should be an interesting day.

[VernRDH]

Glad that DH is doing better and his appointment went well. Hopefully he continues to improve. Glad you are feeling better too.

Hope that this first week of school goes well for you. I was at DH's school today picking up DD and things are starting to get crazy there. He is almost finished, just odds and ends to be done, but every time the phone rings its someone with a problem (or so it seems). Once everyone is back next week things will settle down for him.

I wouldn't worry about the exercise-you are going to be going all day while working and until you get back in the groove its hard to get out there. Do what you can, once you are back on a regular schedule the exercise will fit in. I am technically on vacation this week, but I am filling in at other offices for extra vacation money. Since most places start at 8 am (compared to my usual 9am) I have done no running at all since Sunday. Tomorrow my first patient is at 7:30 am:scared1:. I have to leave the house with DD by 6:45 to be there on time. I will run on Friday when I am off and get back on track.

[LAinSEA]

Day 51:
Ketosis: trace
Weight still 184 (was so hoping for 183)

First day of classes--I am really blessed thus far with some really fantastic students. (However, the absent ones are bothersome...especially when the kids start to say, "We hope he stays M.I.A.) There was so much to do, but for the most part all went as planned and more importantly, I survived. The toughest part was getting enough water in me and I failed miserably! I really need a water bottle that 1. has a wide moulth for ice, 2. stays really cold all day, and 3. doesn't "sweat" all over my desk--oh and 4. doesn't make the water taste like old socks.

Once home, I was so hungry, so I had an ounce of low-fat cheese, got two 16 oz glasses of water in me and was still hungry! Had 10 macadamia nuts. DH got home and we walked for 45 minutes at a much slower pace than the usual, but at least we walked. My feet were so sore afterwards and this morning.

Meals: breakfast--100 gr. trim cottage cheese, iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--chicken tenders, leftover green beans with little bit of turkey bacon, apple, dinner--grilled flank steak (super good marinade), romaine salad with homegrown cherry tomatoes and "mock" caesar dressing, strawberries.

Day 52: getting up this morning was tougher than yesterday--and my feet were so sore to stand upon.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: up a lb to 185!!! Drat it all!

Regular-length classes today. The schedule change blitz is on despite counselors telling us that this wouldn't be a large deal this year. I'm nearly maxed out for my seating at 33 in my 1/2 block class, and lost one to 23 in my 3/4 block class. 28 to 30 is really idea for some of the learning activities I do throughout the year, especially the mock trial the end of October. Why can't they balance these classes! One senior needs to be moved as he's passed his exit exams; 4 others are M.I.A. and one who should be enrolled is also dodging the counseling office. To meet deadlines and stay on schedule with all that needs to be accomplished this semester, I really need to start the serious work of learning on Tuesday next week. The student shuffle needs to be completed ASAP for all of our sanity.

Meals: Breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, Lunch--romaine salad with cherry tomatoes and chopped chicken breast, apple, Dinner--it's up in the air right now...I'm actually NOT hungr this early evening despite a frustrating fight with the copy machine at school this afternoon. So I'm skipping all snacks (and breakfast) until that found pound is gone. Again, didn't not get my water consumption in while at school. I'm getting through 16 oz now and another before I ask DH about dinner plans.

Exercise--not yet; my feet still are so sore, but I really should do another 45 minutes on the same route tonight.

Note: I forgot to slip on a belt with the capris I wore today and they are linen. By lunch I felt like a clown with baggy pants. I want to hold off as long as I can before going "school" shopping for myself, so I'll have to make do with the baggie clothes for now.

[LAinSEA]

Day 53: I feel like I've been immersed in Surviver: High School and have made it through the first tribal council. (No, I'm really not a Surviver fan, but we are the Jaguars and our school is a bit of a suburban jungle with all the kids wearing camo on spirit days.)

The schedule changes continue to come in fast and furious; drops and adds and drops and adds. It's tough to get the classes working together as cohesive units when there is such a changeover from one day to the next. Thus far, I've lost a student who was on suicide watch to the alternative high school and another student who was on my list, but I had not laid eyes on him--with a violent reputation, was withdrawn today. A drop and two add to another class--one of the adds actually showed up while the other didn't. Other teachers are telling me they want revolving doors installed.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: back down to 184 (but still frustrated it's not down to 183)

Meals: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--romaine salad, leftover flank steak, apple, dinner--salmon in parchment (we used the alder plank in the over on it last night, but decided since it's raining not to grill portbello burgers tonight), asparagus, and strawberries.

I did not take cottage cheese for breakfast--nor was I hungry prior to lunch (or even at lunchtime), I started to get a little hungry right after school let out, but just kept drinking water (I'm still not getting enough fluids in my during work hours) and getting my lesson plans done. Still waiting for the oven to heat up for dinner and I'm hungry, but not ravenous.

Nothing yesterday or today (yet - it is pouring down rain, maybe after dinner, but we'll have to get to it in the rain sometime.)

No real weekend plans. Turn off the alarm and sleep in.

[LAinSEA]

Day 54: No, we didn't walk last night, and not again this morning. It is soggy outside. The lawn is overly long (last window of opportunity was Thursday evening and neither of us were home and able to get out there and do it). Perhaps it will clear up enough on Monday to mow...perhaps. We have to bite the bullet and get used to walking in the rain for fall. DH has been ordered to; me, whether I walk or not, it isn't seeming to matter weightloss-wise. I know, that seems strange.

My sis called this morning and then put her husband on the line. He has started HCG plan now also; today was his first VLCD day after loading (i.e. eating like a pig) for two days after beginning the shots. He had tons of questions. His handbook is slightly different from my own and even different from "Pounds and Inches." For example, his says he can only eat iceberg lettuce! OMG, if that were the case, I'd starve. It's my least favorite green--tasteless, brittle, OK only in tacos and even then, there are other greens that make tacos better. I will scan the list of approved veggies from my handbook for him. The other difference is that I've been able to mix my veggies from the beginning. His says one choice per meal and one choice only. I talked him through the parchement method for cooking fish without oil and how I make mock caesar dressing (apparently my parents told my sis that they couldn't taste the difference and thought there was oil in my version.) He did say he felt like he had had some "hot flashes" in the afternoon and wondered if these were from the HCG. I've not experienced these (well at least from the HCG), but perhaps men react differently from a hormone associated most with pregnancy. He has 50 lbs to lose to goal weight. He could do it in 50 days as men tend to average 1 lb/day losses. (I sure wish that were the case for women.) BTW, the heavier you are and more you have to lose, the faster the weight comes off at first...all the more reason I wish my father would give it a try. He's still losing, but very slowly and I know that slow is not very motivating.

It's funny, these past three days at school, I've had very little reaction from staff members, but my former students have been coming by in droves and telling me how great I look and asking what my secret is. I've only shared with a few thus far--one came by during lunch and wanted to make sure I was eating "real food" and not drinking some kind of shake. (Her mom has done Medifast/Optifast in the past and then put all the weight back on nearly as fast as she lost it with those plans.) She told me my lunch looked "normal" to her and said she'd keep checking on me. I love "my" kids, since I have two periods instead of one when they are sophomores due to the combined English/Social Studies block class, they get so attached and I to them. Very few of my former students don't come by year after year and fill me in on what's happening in their lives. Our school works on the "relationship model" believing students will learn more and stay better connected to school if they feel connected to staff. I keep things professional, but I really work hard throughout the year to find out something unique about each of my new students so that I can find something in common with them and then find the time to have some one-on-one conversation about their interests. Some kids are ready to share and include you right away into their world, others I have to really work to get them to relax. It's those kids who I really had to work to come around who are the ones that come into see me before or after school or during lunch to check in with me even if they now into their senior year the most.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: down 1 lb to 183 (35 lbs gone! finally!)
Midriff measured 38" this morning, down 1" from the last time I spent time with the tape. (We are going to Cabella's this afternoon so that I can buy a smaller belt. Yeah, I like the one's from their men's department much better than women's belts.)

I also tried on some of the regular size 14s in my closet this morning as my 18s are to baggy even with a belt, my womens size 16s are too, my regular 16s are very lose with a belt but not clown-like (my two pair of women's 14 linen capris are a joke right now--yet dressy enough for work. I'll have to find something similar next spring to replace them.) I only have one other pair of women's 14--a green-khaki pair of dressy capris and they fit well, but the waist gaps in the back. So I tried on some regular size 14s. OK, I can pull them on and lay down on the bed and get them buttoned and zipped, but they are still too tight in the waistband to wear comfortably. However, they are loose around my thighs and fit my hips. If this darn tummy would just go away next! Hopefully, with two or three weeks, I will be into those size 14s and I won't have to worry about shopping for something in the interim to wear. Why is that my belly fat can't go away first?

Meals today: breakfast--ice water, lunch--1 egg/2 egg white omellette with two slices of turkey bacon and apple, dinner plan--sirloin burgers on portabello mushrooms, green salad, and strawberries.

[LAinSEA]

Day 55: thunder, lightning, downpours and a cat who believes that on weekends someone should take her outside on the patio for fresh air and bird watching...poor Sasha. Not to mention the soggy grass; it seems to be growing an inch an hour. What a chore when it is finally dry enough to mow.

Two days of sleeping in has been wonderful after the stress of getting back into the classroom. One more day and then it will be the abrupt back to reality on Tuesday.

I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure today despite not really feeling like I'd done anything to really deserve it. (No exercise...nada, nyet.) Wow does it feel amazing to sit back and have someone else take care of you for an hour. However, I've already put "dents" into a couple of fingers and I stayed a good 30 minutes after the ladies were done. Oh well - I go mostly for my feet. Aw!

Ketosis: trace
Weight: down 1 lb to 182 (two days in a row with a loss! Here's hoping that it will keep it up for a week. I had the plateau weeks where the weight doesn't want to go down, but sometimes actually heads backwards.)

Meal Plans: Breakfast--ice water, Lunch--romain salad, flank steak and apple (oh and one half of one drying plum to test the dehydrator we bought yesterday at Cabellas--the Italian prune in our backyard are plentiful, too many to eat and there are several families with them on the block, so giving them away is difficult. I love dried fruit for a snack. So dehydrating is the answer for now to save them for when I can eat some.) Dinner--either salmon or lamb chops (will have to really trim the visible fat before grilling), aparagus or salad, and strawberries.

DH is making salsa to take to work on Tuesday. He offered to let me take some to my advisory at school, but I'm not ready to be tempted by corn chips yet. I don't think I could leave them alone. Not that I've ever hungry in the morning, but his salsa is really good!

I suppose I should lesson plan...maybe tomorrow. Just like, I know I should throw on some rain gear and walk. Tomorrow's another day...

[momof2minnies]

Laurie,
Your work sounds very rewarding.

Good luck to your BIL. At least he has you as a great resource.

Those jeans will fit in no time- yeah the rotten tummy!It is no fair that the men can lose the way they do.

Keep up the great work!

ps we raft once a year a group of us from work- the wives of 2 of the guys decided last minute they could not go!

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Day 56: woke up to sun streaming through the windows and it was appearing to be shaping up to be a much drier day! Not that I believe in astrology, but my star report said "to make time for some exercise." How true! And with sun up in the sky, how could I not? Still it was nice to sleep in again this morning (until 8:30am) and get moving slowly. The lawn so needed mowing--but it was so wet from yesterday's rain. A few miles to east of us, up on the Enumclaw plateau, there was actually a tornado that formed and did a bit of damage. What, a tornado in Western Washington?!!! Yes, really, a tornado. What is the world coming to. Still, so much calmer today.

About 11:30 am, after reviewing the President's speech to students, I went to the weather page a saw that the doppler was active to the southeast and moving this way pretty quickly. I told DH, it was now or never for the mower to come out and we hurried to get it done. As it was, he had to take over for me when the rain started coming down with his longer legs. Once we'd just finished, the floodgates opened up and it just poured buckets. It even chased the persistent goldfinch babies away from the feeders. Now that it's a constant drizzle, they're back stuffing themselves silly with thistle again.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still 182

Meal Plan: breakfast--ice water then 1 oz low fat cheese and two forbidden dried plums from the dehydrator (had to check for doness), lunch--mixed green salad, chicken tenders, apple (used a bit of unsweetened non-fat greek yogurt mixed with lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to make a "creamy" salad dressing), dinner--grilled lamb, salad, strawberries is the plan. The lamb will be something new for us on this plan and it will be tough to measure the amount of protein prior to cooking because the chops are bone-in. We'll trim as much fat as possible before they go on the grill.

Must remember to re-set the alarm for tomorrow morning. It's back to work. I just hope my students will be ready for pace to quicken for the real work to begin.

[LAinSEA]

Day 57:

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still 182 and seeming to budge, but at least it didn't go up. Goofed up, thought lamb was an approved protein. Nope, not on the list and discovered it after a wonderful meal of lamb chops on Monday night...so good!

Classes went well, except for the late buses. Kinks not worked out after first week and student arriving 10-20-even 30 minutes late for the start of the first period of the day. Most kids came with supplies in hand ready to learn. I do my first journal check on Friday. I am also my school's Daffodil festival princess coordinator, having inherited the job from my retiring mentor teacher. Our princess was crowned Queen last year and interest is high now among the senior ladies. I had to prepare packets for our interest meeting on Thursday and find all the information for the theme and other rule changes in addition to my usual lesson planning.

DH and I did manage to find the time to walk for 35 minutes tonight before dinner. The weather was great for a walk--not too cool, not too hot, not too humid.

Meals yesterday: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--flank steak, green salad, apple, dinner--chicken tenders, romaine salad with mock bleu cheese dressing (made with Greek yoghurt and a bit of blue cheese, lemon juice & apple cider vinegar), strawberries.

Day 58: Official clinic weigh-in day (and I wish I was weighing in during the morning hours).

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still 182 (on home scale)

Still it is a challenge to get enough fluids into me while at school due the fact I can't just up and leave my class to get to the ladies room. My hydration level was down today as was my protein levels.

Official Stats:
Weight: 185 (down 33 lbs from 218)
Neck: still 14" (down 1" from 15)
Chest: 45" (down 3.5 from 48.5)
Upper Arm: 12.5" (down 1.5 from 14)
Midriff: 39" (down 6 from 45)
Hips: 44" (down 4 from 48)
Thigh: 24" (down 1 from 25)

total inches lost: 17"

The other morning, my midriff measured 38" at home--not sure why clothes and the afternoon makes such a difference in measurement today, but still I'm please with the progress. I'm losing just over .5 lbs/day since starting this program 8 weeks ago.

Issues: I still appear to be needing more protein on a daily basis and was scolded for not eating breakfast. I shouldn't add more to lunch and dinner, but make sure to eat 1 egg/2 egg whites or trim cottage cheese within a half hour to hour after waking up. I also need to make sure I get a full 16 oz of water in me before leaving home in the morning and make sure to drink more water all day long. We discussed the kidney stone issue, and the nurse practitioner also didn't believe it was diet related, however, she recommended getting more trace minerals, potassium and magnessium, especially in my diet or through supplements. She also told me limit my intake of red meat, even though we do eat more meals of fish and chicken than beef, but uric acid stones are related to goat. If they were calcium, to watch those dark greens (broccoli, kale, brussel sprouts, etc.). The gall stone issue she didn't believe would be a problem--apparently with the fat metabolized by the HCG, there have been very few reports of gall stones. However, I have been cleared to follow my FP's advice to incorporate a few macadamia nuts into an afternoon snack with some protein two to three times a week depending upon weight loss. I've been cleared to continue--it does not appear that I've become immune as yet as my average weight loss over these 8 weeks has been just over .5 lbs. The nurse also believes that the reason my tummy isn't disappearing is stress--I need to find a way to manage it better and lower cortisol levels (good luck on that.)

Meals: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--half chicken/half flanksteak leftovers, green salad, apple, dinner--grilled sirloin burger over portabello mushroom with crumble of feta, romaine salad with vinegar dressing, strawberries. (10 macadamia nuts prior to 35 minute walk with DH.)

thanks Linda for stopping by...I must have been posting about the time you were...or have been totally out of it, probably the latter.

[LAinSEA]

Day 59: The class periods are flying by this week, yet I wish the week was already over. I am so tired! I held the princess info meeting today after school and had only four girls show, but gave out 3 information packets to those who stopped by but couldn't make the meeting. I am surprised, since our princess was selected queen last year and there had been so much interest last spring. I made sure to have the posters for the meeting up for an entire week and asked that staff with senior advisories make the announcement and put up meeting notices in their classrooms, but without the ability to make an announcement using the school TV systems (not up until next week) or use the PA system (discouraged), I'm sure there were girls who just spaced. However, my "playbook" says I need to have the candidates selected by a week from today and then there is only 8 weeks until the selection night and so much work to be done. The ladies that did come are amazing and truth be told, I'd rather not put it up to a student vote. I have room for 8 ladies to participate, and if I get 9, I will ask the principal for permission to add one more. (The playbook from the organization says I can go up to 10, but that makes for a very long evening for judges tea and speech/question night.)

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still 182 (that's a five day stall--I'm not happy)

I still didn't get any breakfast into me this morning; woke up feeling kind of nauseated and even water didn't feel good going down. Lunch--leftover burger over portobello mushroom, apple (no salad--forgot to fix night before or put together some green beans), 1 oz low-fat havarti prior to walk, dinner--crab and romaine salad, strawberries.

DH and I walked for 40 minutes tonight and with good weather in the forecast for tomorrow and Saturday, we should increase our time and distance. I didn't feel as sluggish tonight--perhaps that B12 shot I received yesterday is helping, but it isn't helping the overall fatigue.

Still way behind on water for the day, but I'm not wanting to run to the bathroom all night either. I must find a way to plan better.

[momof2minnies]

Hey Laurie,
I think we have your rain- could you take it back please??? HAHA!

Plateaus can be the pits.I do think you should try to eat breakfast- that jump starts the metabolism for the day- I am sure you heard that before.

I know what you mean about getting your water only to be up at night to go.I have stopped drinking after 7pm.It has worked.

Keep up the great work- by now all the teachers must be commenting and not just the students right? If not it is envy I am sure!!!

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda--I'm not sure about the staff noticing anything. We are all so busy just trying to get our students' names learned and keep our heads above water planning-wise, that I'm sure that when I drop a bit more, someone will say something. However, the students are amazingly observant and supportive.It's a good feeling.


Day 60:
Ketosis-trace
Weight-still 182---drat! I did feel bloated again this morning and that isn't helping with the scale. It must be the not enough water thing because I'm watching my sodium intake. Or this is where I must have maintained weight for a longer period of time. Still it's frustrating.

One of my students (for the first week--but was transferred because he doesn't need the special class to pass his exit exam), dropped by yesterday afternoon to ask me to where his football jersey today and at the game (the away jersey and it's a home game); it's a real honor for staff to be asked to where the senior's jerseys. I was flattered but weary that it would even fit. I knew the top would, no pads so it would fit my bust line :rotfl2: but then these jerseys taper to a very tight waist and he's a very slim athletic build player. When he brought it to me this morning, I just put it on and it wasn't even tight over my t-shirt. It felt good all the way around and my sophomore student players certainly treated me with some kind of awe throughout the day. Again, it's a real honor for a staff member to where a senior player's jersey. Sometimes it takes awhile for my sophomores to realize that I know upperclassmen, let alone get along with them or interact with them. Sophomores are very ego-centric ;)

Meal plans: didn't get moving early enough for breakfast and still feeling kind of nauseated first thing, so it was just cold tea when I got to school. Lunch was romaine salad, chicken tenders, and apples, snack--1 oz low fat havarti, 10 macadamia nuts, and (bad, bad, bad) 2 dried plums. DH just made oysters in a little panceta appetizers and I'm drinking a glass of red wine. (I guess he figures if I'm stalled, there might as well be a reason for it.) Dinner is a surprise he said (but I've peaked, and it's lobster tails), some kind of veggie or salad, and strawberries.

We'll get out and walk in a bit (or not, DH says...he spent another 2 hours fighting the pharmacy and coodinating between the cardiologist office and the pharmacy to get his new meds, no wonder I'm eating oysters and lobster tails tonight--he was held captive in a grocery store with a pharmacy and he's a frustrated gourmet eater, not just a frustration eater) I'm hoping I won't be up 10 lbs tomorrow. Our state fair is on in our community--started today, and the stadium where the kids play is next to the fairgrounds. We may be walking 4 miles there and 4 miles home tomorrow evening to get to and from the game.

A troubling thing is happening with my 3rd/4th period block classes and it's something I was anticipating being a problem. I taught two honors sections last year and one honors and one regular section the year prior. Administration and the counseling department know that I expect the same of my students with or without the H, but I do pair down the volume somewhat for my regular kids. Well, last year we had a pilot of AP U.S. history/honors sophomore English for one block section. By semester, both my classes and the other honors teacher classes were overrun by students getting out of the AP course (too much work for some--well several sophomores). This year there are three sections of this AP U.S. history for sophomores block and here come the drops and the honors sections are bulging at the seems. They are now transferring these kids who should go into an honors section to me and my regular classes. Not that I mind having these really bright kids, but I also have 6 to 7 mainstreamed special education students in each of these blocks and kids who don't have the best work ethic (yet--we'll work on it). Still these kids want the H on their transcripts and I don't blame them. We don't offer the "H" in a regular class despite my arguing for it for three years now. I believe any student should be able to earn honors in any course if they want to push themselves to a higher level. I'll see just how many more of these honors students I get and then go fight the good fight.

[LAinSEA]

Day 61: After the indulgence of last night (lobster tail, broccoli, raspberry reduction sauce for the lobster, and 2 1/2 glasses of red wine), I expected to be well out of ketosis this morning and I was. I also expected to be up in weight, but I was not. I actually, finally, lost that stubborn pound and I'm at 181 today. Still, indulging should be just that, an indulgence, and not something for everyday or once a week or once every other week - but I believe once a month might keep me sane from here on out as long as we avoid the refined carbs.

We got in an hour's walk - 3 miles and kept the pace at 3 mph. The weather is unseasonably warm, but the wind was cool and says there is just a bite of fall in it. It should be good for tonight's first home game.

Meal plans: breakfast--iced Americano with half and half and two packets of stevia, lunch--1 egg, 2 egg white omellete with cracked crab and mushrooms, dinner--coho salmon, aparagus, strawberries.

My feet and calves are a little cramped up after walking at mid-day, but I'm pushing the water and hope to get ahead on it prior to leaving for the game tonight. We will need to get started on dinner soon and eat prior to heading downtown and fighting for a parking space (as the fair is also going on.) DH threatened to make it another walk, but I think parking west of the stadium with a mile would be better than walking the 3-4 miles down the hill and then knowing we will need to do the same home at 10pm tonight.

We've finally been able to get the powder room door back outside to get more finish on it (after last week's rain) and are making some progress. Cats have been out on the patio while we work and I've read the Epic of Gilgamesh in the dreadful senior literature text in preparation for building the reading COE questions for it and the flood story in Genesis for my students. Life, today, is good.

[LAinSEA]

Day 61: After the indulgence of last night (lobster tail, broccoli, raspberry reduction sauce for the lobster, and 2 1/2 glasses of red wine), I expected to be well out of ketosis this morning and I was. I also expected to be up in weight, but I was not. I actually, finally, lost that stubborn pound and I'm at 181 today. Still, indulging should be just that, an indulgence, and not something for everyday or once a week or once every other week - but I believe once a month might keep me sane from here on out as long as we avoid the refined carbs.

We got in an hour's walk - 3 miles and kept the pace at 3 mph. The weather is unseasonably warm, but the wind was cool and says there is just a bite of fall in it. It should be good for tonight's first home game.

Meal plans: breakfast--iced Americano with half and half and two packets of stevia, lunch--1 egg, 2 egg white omellete with cracked crab and mushrooms, dinner--coho salmon, aparagus, strawberries.

My feet and calves are a little cramped up after walking at mid-day, but I'm pushing the water and hope to get ahead on it prior to leaving for the game tonight. We will need to get started on dinner soon and eat prior to heading downtown and fighting for a parking space (as the fair is also going on.) DH threatened to make it another walk, but I think parking west of the stadium with a mile would be better than walking the 3-4 miles down the hill and then knowing we will need to do the same home at 10pm tonight.

We've finally been able to get the powder room door back outside to get more finish on it (after last week's rain) and are making some progress. Cats have been out on the patio while we work and I've read the Epic of Gilgamesh in the dreadful senior literature text in preparation for building the reading COE questions for it and the flood story in Genesis for my students. Life, today, is good.

[VernRDH]

Laurie-Boy do you sound like a busy bee!! I was tired reading about all your goings on!!

Good for you on the indulgence-it will keep you sane and it did not seem to cause you any ill effects as of yet.

I know its hard but you really have to try to get the water in. It will help you so much. I know its hard to get to the bathroom, I have the same issue. Hard to stop in the middle of a patient, deglove and mask, go to the bathroom and come back, reglove and mask etc. And my schedule is a patient every half hour, so I am really pressed for time sometimes. But I do drink 80 oz of water each day at work (afternoon is worse, because I drink 40 oz at lunch).

Keep on goin girl, you are doing super!!:cool1::thumbsup2

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - if you can get your water in with patients to see, I really should be able to do it on with classes going on. I think once students are back into the grove of some independent work, then I can flag down another teacher to look in or a para to oversee. It's a trust factor with me--the majority of students would be fine--my honors students last year at this time were fine, but despite these groups good-naturedness, there are a few wingnuts with that wildcard behavior. I'm fussy too--I expect my students to act like mature young adults with awesome manners. Some come to me that way, for others the road to gentlemanhood or ladyhood is a difficult transition.

Day 62--

Ketosis: small
Weight: down 1 lb to 180 (and down to 179 after walking and mowing the lawn, but I'm not counting that pound yet...I was pretty dehydrated despite getting some water in me.)

DH and I walked for 55 minutes at a 2.8 mph pace instead of 3.0 and we skipped the 2nd trip up the big hill. He's getting used to new meds and was really feeling cramped up in his calves and stomach about 2/3rd the way through today. I was feeling a tightness around my right kidney again and hope it was muscle related, but I could have gone further, but not any faster today.

Meals today: breakfast--ice water and string cheese and 2 dried plums (I know, bad, bad, bad on the plums, but they're so good!), lunch--chicken tenders/left over mini sirloin burger to make a full portion of protein, leftover asparagus, apple, snack--1 oz low fat havarti and 2 more plums, dinner--flank steak, salad, strawberries. (It seems that if I eat breakfast, I'm much more hungry all day long. If I don't, I'm not hungry at lunch time and less prone to wanting a snack in the afternoon.) I've push the water all day today.

My father wanted us to meet he and my mom at Red Robin for dinner (each drive half the distance), but DH is still feeling cramped up and he's making progress on the last spray laquor coats on the door. I made the store run for apples, lemons, and chicken tenders to grill up for this week's lunches. But I'm sure dad will be disappointed--we were going to try to get together over last weekend, but the weather was horrid. This week's nice weather has us working outside instead.

[LAinSEA]

Day 63:

Ketosis: trace
Weight: back up to 182! Ouch! what did I do wrong? Can feel that I'm retaining water, but this is ridiculous!

Not moving all that fast this morning; Niko wanted a snuggle just before my alarm went off and that's an automatic snooze alarm. When a maine coon mix puts his full length and body weight against you, it's difficult to move. I'm glad that my lunch was nearly put together, or I wouldn't have gotten out of the house before 6:50 this morning.

Good news, I only had 8 senior ladies apply for the Daffodil court and that way I don't have to do a ballot and exclude anyone. I do have to do a ballot apparently for the escorts--all senior men with a GPA above a 3.2 are eligible. Poor guys, it's a thankless job all for the honor of being recognized for their academics and good citizenship and there is no scholarship in it for them. Most will get their girlfriend's nose out of joint because they are escorting the court to other school's selections and presenting them with flowers the day of the selection. Regardless, I had to put together the escort ballots and get them into staff mailboxes after school today and do the notifications for the girls so there is no stress for them tomorrow.

My students were a bit lethargic today too...if you have teens, please do us teachers a favor and find a place to plug the cell phones into a charger away from their bedrooms. Their friends text them all night long and no sustained sleep is happening. If you won't take my word for it, just get ahold of their text logs and see how many are coming in between 11pm and 4am. It will floor you!

DH and I went for our walk once I got home (after 6pm). We walked for 75 minutes and got in 3.67 miles. At one point we were doing a 3.3 mph pace. Not too shabby with the hills in the neighborhood. (My feet are a bit worse for wear now.) I did weigh myself before and after walking; 181 prior, 180 after and I didn't feel overly dehydrated after. I'm getting water in me tonight--48 oz thus far.

Meals: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--green salad, curried chicken tenders, apple, dinner--salmon in parchement, green beans with a bit of turkey bacon for flavor, and strawberries. (No snacks, no breakfast, and not enough water during the school day even though I tried, I really tried.)

Will try to get to sleep earlier tonight--headed that way now, but then it's Leno's first night...maybe by 11pm.

[jordansmomma]

Hi I went to a clinic in Spokane today to find out more info on this. I was just wondering if maybe your clinic was the same as the one I am going to? They have 4 offices around the area.

Friday will be my first day.

[LAinSEA]

Day 66: OK, strange - was sure I'd posted yesterday...but it didn't take. I apologize if, in my sleepy state, I added to one of your journals instead. Must be "old-teachers-disease" or something.

Jordansmomma - I PM'd you - but in case you check here first; the franchise is called HCGslimagain.com or HCG SlimXpress on their business cards. The prices are more than if you mail order with places that have mix your own HCG for injection, but I feel that access to the doctors, nurses, and nutritionist is worth it and I'm not comfortable mixing up my own and ordering insulin syringes.

The past few days I've been at the trace range for ketosis, but my weight has see-sawed. Weird because my pants are nearly falling off and really baggy--tummy is measuring at 36.5 inches even at the end of the day. My weight was at 179 this morning, but I know that I'm still retaining water weight as I've not had enough to drink throughout the day. It's better, but not OK yet.

I'm also hungrier tonight than I have been. So I did just have an ounce of low-fat cheese. Still not eating a breakfast--just the thought makes me kind of nauseated right now. Again, stress is probably an issue. I had eaten prior to going out for our walks.

Meal plan today: breakfast-iced green/jasmine tea, lunch-flank steak, romaine salad, apple, dinner-halibut cooked in parchement, asparagus, strawberries and snack-low fat havarti.

No walk tonight (did last night, but only for 35 minutes as both DH and I got home later than we wanted for work and he's still having to work tonight--payroll goes tomorrow and we teachers want to be paid. Hopefully, HR and Accounting will now have a better process for doing the contract roll-ups next year since he's putting in so much effort making them more efficient and the process repeatable.) However, my feet are really hurting despite where very sensible shoes yesterday and today at school. I wonder if I've lost off my feet (again) too--I did the first two weeks I began this program.

I met with my senior ladies running for the Daffodil princess for our school; WOW! amazing young women and despite the extra work, this will be a highlight of my weeks. So much energy! I sent out the notifications for the senior men escort winners (staff votes) and I hope all will RSVP and I won't have to go to my alternates. Rarely the guys turn down the "honor," but it also is an imposition on their time. I sure wish they were eligible for scholarships from the festival too. (Our princess who took queen last spring made $25,000 in scholarships from her involvement in the festival thus far with opportunities for more through community scholarships.)

I also had another former student visit today (3 in a week). He will finish his AA in December, goes to basic training in the Air Force in January and they will pay for him to complete his bachelors degree and masters while he serves! He was one of my summer school students who felt like a failure after two attempts at his exit exams. He passed after I worked with him with a much higher score than he anticipated and I convinced him he was college-material. I was in tears today when he shared his plans and success. It was a good day today. But the icing on the cake was when my remedial seniors actually showed interest in the ancient Mesopotamian literature in addition to Genesis and actually asked if I would write an assessment for the excerpts from the Egyptian book of the dead. (Really, who replaced my troubled-ones with Stefford children?) My colleague next door looked at me like I'd lost it this afternoon when I shared with her their request (she just finished with Gilgamesh and she said it felt like giving a root canal with no anesthetic to her seniors.) I told her she just had to walk like an Egyptian (yeah, I really did it to get them laughing first thing in the class period; it brought back memories from when they were first exposed to the ancient Egyptians back in elementary school--most admitted they'd walked that way too.)

Time for bed, listen to Clapton on Leno and beddie-bye.

[LAinSEA]

Day 67:

ketosis--trace
weight--still 179

Tired and achy is how I woke up, but no fever. Students were fairly good today except that many advisories had had parties and students then carted half bags of chips and large soda bottles into class and were proceeding to munch. Let's just say that their privilege to eat something discreetly is now gone for 3rd/4th period.

My principal came by during 2nd today and told me he wants to open another honors section of American Studies (I taught two honors sections last year and one of each the year prior.) He knows I get attached to my students quickly, but he needs to get the honors class sizes down fast -- the exodus from the Sophomore AP U.S. history classes is adding to the problems as I figured it would since my last three transfers in have come from the those sections. I agreed to do what he needs done, but have asked that some of my "regular" students have the opportunity to become part of the new honors section. Truly, there is not much different in the ability of the "honors" and "regular" students--except belief in their abilities or work ethic. It's some of the students who have not learned to focus on learning or are more into pushing buttons that make most students head for the honors classes.

Meals today: no breakfast and out of iced tea, lunch--curry chicken tenders, asparagus, apple, after school snack--flank steak portion, dried plums, and macadamia nuts (the dried plums are off plan, but I felt I needed the surgar), dinner--DH choice halibut or salmon, green salad, strawberries.

We are supposed to go walk, but as I sit here, my throat is tightening up and feeling very raw, my aches are getting worse, and I'm actually feeling very cold in a home that was overly sun-warmed when I go home (temp inside right now is about 78 degrees--I shouldn't feel cold). I suppose we'd best get on it before I just crawl into bed and forget about everything.

I met with the stage crew and the senior who is the lighting and staging whiz kid for Daffodil selection night plans. She had some excellent ideas, the drama teacher came in and added his, then one of my former students (who I hoped would participate in the selection of princess, but opted out) said she'd like to help design the carousel horses for the set--she's an amazing artist. The will have built the catwalk stage out for le Miserables by our selection night and this will take care of my pet peeve of the ladies and their escorts climbing up these steep stairs (at least 2 of the girls always catch their dress with their shoes and the result is not glamourous). I had only one escort RSVP today and he put in a request for a candidate to escort--I believe I can arrange it as long as the heights are good across the board for all the others. He was genuinely excited to be chosen. Perhaps tradition is on our side afterall--the whole festival process for royalty is a bit out of the fifties honestly, white gloves and all.

[momof2minnies]

Laurie feel better- any chance of the swine flu?

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Day 68: After coming down with a low-grade fever, aches, sore throat, and congestion last night (and feeling light-headed), I was sure I was getting the flu and went up to bed instead of heading out for a walk. DH woke me up to get some dinner in me (he made sole-wrapped crab with brussel sprouts and strawberries and not much of each because he was worried I wouldn't keep it down.) After eating, I took two tylenol PM and fell back asleep. By this morning, it was pretty clear it wasn't the flu, but a really nasty cold. Still have much of the same symptoms, but my temperature is not up much. My nose is running like a seive.

Linda--thanks for the concern, but I think I've dodged the Swine (for now). I've had one student out for the better part of two week and she was hospitalized for 48 hours--no word if it was H1N1 or not yet. I had another three leave school on Thursday with flu-like symptoms and another in addition to those out on Friday (but he's a senior in a sophomore class because he failed the subject the first time around...his attendance isn't great as it is.) We are still waiting on vaccines for Swine in our area, but the regular flu shots are available. We tried to get one today at the pharmacy in the grocery store, but they won't give to those with a cold. I have to wait until the cold is gone. DH is starting to get the symptoms I had last night right now. He's blaming me. Hey, I work around kids!

Ketosis: trace
Weight: still 179 and I could feel the water weight this morning--my fingers were swollen.

Meals: breakfast--DH went to pick me up an Americana with a shot of half and half and two pack stevia, lunch--not hungry, but I ate portion of leftover flank steak and an apple (didn't want scratchy salad on my throat), snack as I was hungry at 4pm--1 oz non-fat cheese & 10 macadamia nuts, dinner plans--salmon, salad, strawberries. (Although I'd much rather have hot and sour soup!--I've got to figure out how to do medicinal foods on this plan.) Edit: Decided on the hot and sour soup after looking up a receipe on AllReceipes.com. We adated it by using the shiraki (miracle) noodles instead of tofu and didn't use corn starch as a thickener. All other ingredients were on plan and I added a bit of Thai chili sauce to get it up to medicinal levels. DH grilled some lean pork chops and we poured the soup over thin slices. It was really good--I was surprised; we did good. Neither one of us could finish our portion, so we can re-heat it for lunch tomorrow and continue trying to ward off the cold. Instead of strawberries, I had a three dried plums--can't resist them, they're like candy and not really on plan.

Despite the cold; we shopped for more apples, veggies, and iced teas. Picked up cat litter and crunchies, and found DH a hard-to-find battery before heading home to finish up the laundry. Still, I feel exhausted and I don't think a walk is in the cards. Just bending over makes my head fill and the room spins a little. I hate these colds that attack my sinuses! Hopefully, I will be up for walking tomorrow and we need to mow the lawn too.

[LAinSEA]

Day 69: I feel like I've been in the fight of my life to lose this last pound. It's been a slow two weeks for weightloss and I feel like I need to cut out any extras or indulgences to kick-start the losses again. And no more skipping my walks even if my head feels like it wants to explode (actually exploding right now may bring untold relief!)

Ketosis: trace
Weight: 178 (down 1 lb) - that 40 lbs total loss.

Waist measurement was 36.5" this morning (down 8.5 from 45)
Hip measurement was 42" (down 6 from 48)

I did get out and mow the lawn (that's about 35 minutes of walking slowly) and kept going despite the full, dizzy inducing head. My sinuses are majorly blocked, but I don't have a fever, so I know this is just a nasty cold for sure now. DH has it also and said he's also light-headed. We are both pushing the water as fast as we can. The Hot and Sour Soup last night really helped to make me feel like I could rest last night, but I slept propped up. My throat was very full and sore this morning from the drainage. I'm hoping I feel well enough to walk around the neighborhood this evening.

Meal plans: Breakfast--iced coffee with half and half, lunch--leftover crab-stuffed sole and apple, dinner--salmon, salad & strawberries. I'm trying hard to avoid any snacks, but I'm actually feeling more hungry than I have been in weeks. Probably the cold talking and not real hunger. Hopefully getting hydrated and staying that way will help with the hunger pangs.

The goal is to be able to get to sleep early tonight--I need to get to work and beat the line at the copy machine tomorrow morning to run off the essay prompts for my sophomores and see if I can sequester a laptop cart for my seniors.

[VernRDH]

Hooray for 40 lbs!! Sorry your cold is not getting any better, but the hydration will help it for sure. Yes the cold is making you more hungry, your body wants more food to help fight off the germies.

Can you eat citrus at all? Maybe a grapefruit or orange would help with the cold. Just a thought.

DH and I were discussing our need to get back on the wagon food wise and get some more weight off. We are going to try shopping a few times per week in order to get fresh foods, instead of me doing ALL the shopping on Friday and wondering why by Tuesday we don't have anything to eat!!

You are an inspiration-keep up the good work girlfriend!!:goodvibes

[LAinSEA]

Veronica: thank-you ever so much--yes, I can have oranges, 1/2 a grapefruit (but boy do those taste bitter to me), and lemon/limes. I'm going to make a hot lemon with stevia instead of honey later and see if I can loosen up my throat. I just prefer strawberries and apples to citrus, but the berries are about gone so oranges will become a dinner mainstay for awhile.

Day 70:
ketosis: trace
weight: 177 (down another one today! I seem to be losing inches, then pounds and I was so hydrated that I was up early with the bladder alarm an hour before my clock radio started playing rock anthems. Not that I slept that much anywho--losing my sweet class to another teacher and gaining new honors students definitely had me tossing and turning all night long.)

Losing my first/second period block was really to hard to take today--my colleague is gaining a fabulous class (and I'd finally learned all their names...sniff). I have lobbied to have some re-join the honors class, but it is their choice. I met about two-thirds my new group from the other two classes during that time period and they seem to be a very enthusiastic bunch, but worried about their grades transferring and all the effort they've put in thus far. The other two honors classes are so far apart on what there were doing, I said to turn in the novel one group was reading (we'll get to that book later in the year) and figure out the rest. Sometimes it is just better to start over without grades following and other times you can lose students that way. Trust is key. Hopefully the counselors have worked their magic with the other class held during 4th period that is honors and re-arranged the schedules so that I'm not having this group "tap dance" for too long prior to getting a move on. So much ground to cover and so little time!

My seniors, who up until now have been very cooperative and sweet, showed why they haven't passed their exit exams yet today--it was the first day they were to complete a COE assessment within a class period and all I received was bellyaching! "My computer won't work" "So write it out long-hand" "My head hurts--I can't do this today" "Sorry, my head hurts too, but you began your draft on Thursday--just get those ideas down on paper and then revise them" "Why does this have to be done so soon?" "Because the state sets a deadline so these may be graded and you'll know whether or not you'll graduate with your class--I don't make the rules, I just have to follow them." Not one got the job done; but the one who was most reluctant to work, did finish two of his three questions (and I reviewed them as he went--they'll meet standard). He lit the fire under the rest of the group when it was clear he was leading the way. Funny, within the remedial groups, when it's clear that the one with the least skills (and the one who the group has the lowest expectations of) is the one who begins to tackle the task and own it, the others get really competitive. They don't want to fall into that low-person on the totem pole place instead. Students won't admit this--but it's been true for the first task of the year 4 years running in my observations. It just wish we could skip the "I can'ts" - so non-productive and it's not flattering for a senior to act like a pre-schooler.

Meals today: breakfast--green mint tea (oh so much better than green alone, or even green-jasmine mixed), lunch--left over sirloin burger, grilled portabello mushroom slices and green beans, snack--handful of dried plums (bad, bad, bad and not on plan, but satisfies the frustration sweetooth), 10 macadamia nuts (again frustration crunch needed) with leftover small chicken tender protein portion (about 80 g instead of just over 100 g), dinner--DH isn't home yet, so it may be chicken tenders over green salad (or more crab we should use up) and the last of the strawberries and orange slices. Later, I'm going to make myself a hot lemon with stevia instead of honey for my sore throat.

The cold is still present, but I told kids today that I was so happy it wasn't the flu that I'm not going to complain too much about it (at least in their presence). Still I did warn them that I get very "testy" when I'm not feeling my best--don't make me raise my voice, please---with the "or you'll regret it big time" unstated. With a few key characters out of 3rd/4th block today and a strong interest in economics, the presentation went very well and the questions asked were so relevant. We actually had a civil conversation on health care reform. This group, thus far, has had to avoid talking politics because it started to look more like congress in D.C. than a productive, respectful discussion. It probably helped that I told them I was missing my first/second period class already, but when faced with the choice, I kept them....honesty wouldn't be the best policy here--I would have traded this group if I had the choice for real in a heartbeat. That tells me this group really needs me more and the change will be greater and worth the effort in the long run.

I meet with my planning partner after school tomorrow to hammer out the next unit we begin on Thursday. Tomorrow's on-demand write will take all period for my regular class, Wednesday is library orientation half the time--I'll take them through the on-line resources back in the room. So Thursday's the logical start of Industrialization through the Progressive Era.

Exercise - I should have walked while waiting for DH - it's nearly 7:30pm and he's still not home, but called to say he's on his way. I have to get 40-45 minutes in tonight or I'll be sore and tired tomorrow...I guess it will have to be after dinner at this point.

[LAinSEA]

Day 71:

ketosis--none
weight--up 1 lb to 178 OUCH!

These were the first of the day's frustrations...my new students didn't want to be there; after one girl broke down in tears and the counselor switched her back to her original class, it started a torrent of digging in heals and "I don't want to's." I felt like leading the charge and telling my department head to take on the new honors class and give me back my "honorable" regular students. Several of these kids were outright obnoxious and rude and two were throwing back, "but Ms. G does it this way" or "Mr. E lets me wear my hat in class..." Sorry, ma fils, my class my rules. Trying to learn the discussion technique was a disaster--no interest and rude behavior nearly all the way round. I actually asked my principal who made the decision on what kids to send to me; "at random" was his response. I told him, I'll give it a week, and then Swanson and I can trade if the response is no better. Well, I meet the parents tomorrow evening at back-to-school night. I'm already armed for bear. Such rudeness is an inherited trait in my experience. It could be a very long year if this keeps up much longer.

My other class today took on their first on-demand write and I was pleased to see most put in a very good effort. I'll begin scoring them tonight and then help them set some goals for improvement. For both blocks tomorrow, it's libary orientation followed by some nuts and bolts on how to use my class website and register for the online text tools.

Two of my seniors came in and completed their first COEs. This means that as a class we move on tomorrow with the literature and those who did not come in will need to schedule time to do it either Thursday during their "Jag" time or after school. I'd best get to work on some organizers tonight as well as grading.

Last night, DH got home really late and we both were so hungry that it was food first and walk second. We heated up the leftover hot and sour soup and I made a small green salad with the rest of the cracked crab. The soup was good, but it seemed to have much more sodium the second day--why my weight was up this morning? Maybe, but I also was not as hydrated. Can't seem to get the water in me during the day yet.

We did walk for 40 minutes (but the 30-35 distance); DH's has developed shin splints probably from the new BP meds that work to dehydrate him. We had to slow the pace down a lot. The plan is to walk as soon as DH gets home tonight--he called and said he's "nearly" on his way.

Meals plans: breakfast--oolong iced tea, lunch--burger, portabellos and green beans (again) and apple, snack--macadamia nuts, low fat cheese, handful of dried plums (again too many and off plan--it's total frustration eating), dinner plans--whatever DH picks up to grill and either salad, asparagus, and fruit (strawberries or oranges.)

Here's hoping for a more positive day tomorrow.

[LAinSEA]

Day 72:

Ketosis: none
Weight: Still 178
Sleep: little - so tired, yawn

Wednesdays are a blur anyway with all 6 classes and 35 or 40 minute class periods instead of 90, but now with our staff meetings and trainings in the morning (and most of our collaboration time taken up with whole staff training) the day feels compressed and rushed. Then on top of it, it was back to school night. Turn out was lower than expected, especially when I teach mainly sophomores. I will have to send home information with my advisees about conference night because so few of their folks were there and that is unusual for kids who are new to a school. The honors class was best attended, and I was right, these folks were mad as heck about the class changes. They know it's not my fault, but why now, why them? I told them I do teach differently than the other teachers, but I also try to keep it high interest, relevant and active than just looking at historical documents and lecturing. I want the kids to have skills to take with them out of high school and into college and beyond. It did help to have some of my former students (who can't stay away or are part of our JAG crew helping to direct parents around the building) come in and give hugs, blow kisses and literally tell parents they had the best time ever in my class and learned loads. Some came in blurting out how they aced the AP literary/rhetorical terms test today because "we actually learned that stuff last year." Although the interruptions are a bit, well, disruptions of my train of thought, I could see some parents starting to buy into the fact their sons/daughters were going to get there if they keep an open mind. (No, I don't pay students for their endorsements...but it was starting to look that way when it was more than 3 or 4 coming in every few minutes to wave and say how lucky their kids were to have me.) Only one senior parent of my COE students came--and I could have guessed which one she belonged to before she came in the door. It's not a surprise that he is the most conscientious about checking in about what he needs to accomplish. I was actually able to go through his work on his practice questions with her and show her he had the skills to pass his exit exams. But some of that worry about graduating needs to shift from mom's shoulders to his own. She can't do it for him.

Meals: Seriously not hungry all day--iced tea for breakfast (oolong, I think...it's a blurr), chicken tenders and green salad with apple for lunch, dinner was quickly warmed flank steak, broccoli and a handful of dried plums (bad, bad, bad me), snack when I got home was an ounce of low-fat harvati.

No exercise except running up and down stairs to the library and the copy machine. Need to sleep - really sleep.

[LAinSEA]

Day 73:

Ketosis: trace
Weight: back down to 177
Sleep status: no restful sleep--tossed and turned (this new class has me problem-solving all night long)

Hoping for a better day, I had a plan worked out for the new class this morning and I felt good that I had one student transferred back in from the regular to the honors section. I could see by the look on his face about 20 minutes in that he was wondering what he'd gotten himself in for. By the end of class he shared with the group that he felt the other class was more mature. I'm not sure he gained many friends, but I sure appreciated his insight. I'm hoping a few more join us tomorrow--a few more leaders would be nice. I did receive grades from one of the teachers--and some of the real troublesome ones were failing already the first three weeks. I will let them know that their grades will carry over and if at first grade report they are still failing, I will recommend they are moved to a regular class where they will be more successful.

On the other hand, my 3/4 block was amazing today - vibrant discussion, excellent attention during presentation, and almost all finished their assignment before the end of class. I was all smiles. My seniors began Gigamesh and had the time left to continuing working on their first assignment, but the computers are still problematic and some kids are refusing to work without the technology.

Meals: breakfast--green/jasmine iced tea, lunch--flank steak, broccoli, apple, snack--macadamia nuts and handful of dried plums (bad, bad, bad me), dinner will be planked salmon, green salad, strawberries.

No exercise today and too tired to do anything about it. Tomorrow with the staff tailgate party and the big rivalry football game will not allow for a long walk, but a shorter stroll to the stadium.

[LAinSEA]

Day 74:
Ketosis: trace
Weight: 177

I woke up so tired, like I had not slept at all. Felt rushed despite getting up when the alarm went off instead of snoozing for 10 minutes. first class of the day went much better, it's down to three young men who are really causing an issue and I spoke with each because their transfer grades from the other teacher were below passing. I let them know that if the grades didn't come up and quickly I would ask they be transferred to a regular block and out of honors. That seemed to shape up the whole class--not that I spoke loud enough for the group to overhear, but it seemed to get around.

Friday night football game and the staff tailgate at the principal's prior to it--the big rivalry game up on the hill for our community. The kids call it "king of the hill" and all of our other fall sports teams had beaten the rival this year. I was more worried about the tailgate than the game--breakfast was usually iced tea, lunch was green salad, chicken tenders, and apple, so dinner was the wild card. I came home from school hungry, so I ate some leftover flank steak (not a full meal portion) and my macadamia nuts and a handful of my evil dried plums, so that I could skip having to eat much, if anything at the party. DH finally got home and changed and we went. I did have two small grilled hot dogs and a spoonful of my assistant principal's spicy blackeyed peas (couldn't resist--OMG she makes the best ever!). What was weird was that while we walked over to the stadium, I felt higher than if I'd taken some kind of drug. I don't know if it was the additives in the hot dogs or the beans, but it lasted about 30 minutes and my head was spinning.

BTW, the boys lost 49 to 0. Very sad game.

Day 75: Expected to be up a pound after my mis-eating, but I actually lost one.

Ketosis: trace
Weight: down one to 176

We slept in till nearly 10am. Caught up on four days of newpapers. Then DH and I went for a 50 minute walk of the neighborhood. I ate an apple and some left-over flank steak before heading out to mow the lawn. Then we weeded for about 2 hours. I've now had a snack of 1 oz light havarti, macadamia nuts, and the rest of the dried plums (about a handful). OK, so now the temptation is gone for the year.

Dinner plans are my DH's version of schnetzel "safe" for my diet with pounded pork loin and mushroom sauce. We'll probably have asparagus with it and strawberries.

Getting enough water in me is still a problem, I'm getting it in me now.

[LAinSEA]

Day 76: slept in again this morning and it felt good except that I didn't feel rested. I'm not sleeping well at all. Too cold when I went to bed, too warm in the middle of the night and nightmares in the early morning hours. Me and stress just don't get along and I tend to problem-solve in my sleep.

ketosis: trace
weight: still 176 (but down to 175 after our walk--probably dehydrated)

The weirdest thing happened last night before bed; I was twisting my wedding ring because I'd just washed my face and it was wet underneath my ring. Then it actually came off--it's been five years since I've been able to take off my ring. I have enlarging knuckles due to arthritis setting in (hereditary), and I didn't think it would come off ever unless it was cut off. To have it actually come off is amazing. It was tight again this morning and now, but it did twist off mid-day again.

Today was laundry day and I vaccuumed upstairs and down. I also did a store run for more apples, veggies, and makings for hot and sour soup midweek (I still have the cold and it's making my throat sore.) I didn't get the woodfloor mopped though and hopefully, DH can get to it tomorrow afternoon. I will be stuck in my first Pro Cert meeting for teacher for the year until 7pm tomorrow night.

We did get a good walk in, 60 minutes at 3.47 mph pace. I put on an extra thick pair of socks and that seems to keep my inner legs from hurting this time out. The weather was beautiful, warm with a touch of a cold fall wind. Crisp! Just the way I love it.

Meals: breakfast--iced coffee with half & half and stevia, lunch--chicken tenders, asparagus, apple, snack--1 oz light havarti, dinner--later than we should have eaten--flank steak, green salad, strawberries. I've been pretty good about getting in the water today, but probably not good enough.

Did some measuring after the walk:
Midriff: 36 (down 11" from 45 - and 1" away from a "healthy" size)
Hips: 41.5 (down 6.5 from 48)
Thigh: 22 (down 3 from 25)
Bust: 43 (down 5.5 from 48.5--I've never lost anything here when I've been on a diet before and I'm not complaining except now I need to go bra shopping and soon)

Need to try to get to sleep early (or earlier than I normally do on a Sunday evening) and actually rest. Maybe I'll take a tylenol PM to help, not that I advocate that, but I'm so tired!

[LAinSEA]

Day 77: Oh so tired! And turned off the TV before 11pm--no news, no nothing--didn't even finish Ken Burns National Parks 1.

ketosis: none
weight: down 1 to 175

Not sure why I was out of ketosis - I didn't have a veggie portion at lunch, and didn't have any extra at dinner, but out of ketosis nonetheless.

I've narrowed down the disruptions in the new honors class to 3 prime troublemakers and I contacted parents via email this afternoon after trying to reach them by phone in the limited time I had before heading off to the evil Professional Certification meeting in Tacoma. I hope to schedule a time to take to the folks and have the boys make some changes, but behavior-wise it doesn't look like that is a probability (one even brought an unregistered kid in with him this morning and I caught them in the lie...my administrators and counselors are following up.) All three were failing before being transferred to the new class. Otherwise things went fairly well today. The other class did well and my seniors put in better effort than ususal.

Meals: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--green salad, flank steak, and apple, snack before meeting--1 oz light harvati, 10 macademia nuts, three dried prunes, dinner--DH is making another variation on his schnitzel for dinner with a pork cutlet, asparagus and strawberries.

No exercise tonight due to meeting and nasty weather blowing in. Wow, did fall land down today and hard. We actually have a forecast for snow at the 4,000' level in the mountains tonight! It was lovely yesterday--simply lovely.

Need to do some quick lesson planning for tomorrow and then get to bed early after dinner.

[VernRDH]

Good to see you are feeling a bit better and your weight loss continues!! Hopefully you can get all your kids/classes settled and everyone working as they should be. DH has been having a time recently-no support from his supervisor when there was a problem. Apparently, one or two people are now "running" the building, and they think that DH and his partner are 24/7 support. So when his partner was out last week to sit at the deathbed of his uncle, all he!! broke loose. Doesn't help that DH is having trouble with his upcoming 40th birthday and is feeling a bit melancholy.

Keep up the good work!!

[LAinSEA]

Thanks for the spirit-lifter Veronica - I'm ignoring the cold and I posted my rant regarding the down-trodden technology gurus...my DH is putting in some long hours (most uncompensated); but 24-7 support for a school district? Who has budget for that?

Day 77: Not sleeping soundly - too much stress and still solving problems in my sleep.

ketosis: none (Oh come on, I didn't cheat and this shouldn't be reading this way)
weight: still 175

It must have hit the fan last night at the boy's homes--my troublesome, overly talkitive, rude as all get out ones. All three were bending over backwards to be contributors today. All three volunteered to read twice or three times. One brought me a "letter of apology" that was not an apology at all and demanded I sign it for his father. I did, but not until I'd commented on some of the discrepancies - like he hasn't turned in any homework as yet. The root of the problem seems to be that this group is feeling singled out for being "uprooted" - why them? Why me? While others may be "dealing with it," these three are acting upon the tension. Hopefully the emails and messages home will keep the positive changes coming.

Half my daffodil candidates are out with the flu and the last escort checked in with me and doesn't want to participate. I've sent an invite off with the next runner up on the list and hopefully I can annouce the whole court on Friday.

Our school is being hit hard with the flu bug--but it doesn't seem to be H1N1 right now, but a really bad strain of the seasonal flu. We had over 40 students go home yesterday (out of a school of 1600 students) and a big day before was 6-10. Most of the staff has the same cold I picked up and we are fighting our way through it and just happy it's not flu for now.

Meals: breakfast--iced green-mint tea, lunch--flank steak, green beans, apple, snack--over at neighbor's 90th birthday party - 3 small thin slices of cheese, ham, turkey, roast beef thin slice, two broccoli and two cauliflower florets, dinner--king salmon, asparagus, strawberries.

Exercise: 30 minute walk avoiding the big hill in between rain showers and wow is it chilly out there!

Wacky Wednesday tomorrow, but no early morning meeting--I'm allowed to use the time for my own planning as long as I'm in the building by 7:10am.

[LAinSEA]

My, I am worn out - I'm blaming the cold and the fact I have IPRs due before I leave school tomorrow and a ton more grading to do tonight before I can post them.

Day 78: Wacky Wednesday--I'm used to 90 minute block classes so on Wednesdays the bell schedule is just wacky and the kids seem to think 40 minutes classes aren't worth their time (so my seniors tend to ditch and yes, several today did.)

ketosis: trace
weight: down 1 to 174 (yay)

Meals: breakfast--iced oolong tea, lunch--leftover chicken/ham/cheese & asparagus baked roll-up (like a chicken cordon bleu) and more asparagus, apple, snack--DH called and said he would be late and here's how I get into trouble--I'm super duper hungry and haven't been this hungry since beginning this plan and should of just gone on a walk so something--1 oz cheese, 3 dried plums, 10 macadamia nuts, another oz cheese. DH still isn't home by 7, 8 or even 9pm--still trying to report numbers to the state for funding--by 9:30 when I talk to him again, I'm shaky and really not feeling well (combo of cold and no real dinner?). He brings home Chinese take-out hot and sour soup--which is pretty close to on plan, but way too much sodium.

No exercise and I don't sleep well, again.

Day 79:
ketosis--none
weight--up 1 lb back to 175! I'm paying for the mistakes of yesterday

Get the wild hair to try on a pair of size 14 pants I haven't worn in 5 years and they fit. Well, at least I have a couple pairs to switch in that aren't baggy and they are a little snug only around the waist, but not uncomfortable. My thighs were always tight in them, but not now. Wear them to school today.

Meals: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--leftover "chicken cordon bleu", green beans, apple, snack--1 oz light havarti & 3 dried plums. Not enough water in me today. Dinner plan--fish of some sort, salad, and strawberries (if they haven't died in the fridge).

Exercise????

Tons of mini-essays to get through and my eyes already hurt, but I'd better get a move on them. I was extremely disappointed with the honors reading assessments, especially since some didn't even bother to do them. Not honors' quality students in the honors class, yet the work I received from my "regular" class wasn't much better, but more tried to complete it. A handful actually scored better than the best of the honors students.

If my voice isn't better tomorrow, I may punt and instead of a presentation, use the first episode of Peter Jennings "Century" video after the quiz.

[LAinSEA]

Day 80

ketosis: trace
weight: still 175 (rings tight - still retaining fluid)

So tired this morning....yawn...and this afternoon also. Throat feels like a boa constrictor around my vocal cords. I allowed the "late Peter Jennings" to teach my classes today instead of taking students through my planned presenation. It was actually good to see how students do with taking video notes (I have a template with guiding questions for the Century series video). But, I'm not one to rely on video for my classes--I use them sparingly and in very targeted ways. The quiz scores were dismal - one of my "regular" students scored 100% though and made me re-think how to put together an incentive for doing well on the quizzes - in standards based assessment practices, formative quizzes don't count toward final grade but give students a snapshot of how they are progressing. What if I allow students who score 100% on all unit quizzes to skip the unit test (since they demonstrated they know the material along the way) and still get the 100% for the unit test? Still this young lady will do well on the unit test too--I asked her why she isn't in honors and she said she didn't want the pressure, yet she's top of both classes right now. Still she thinks the "regular" kids are much more fun --and right now, yes, they are.

We had to post Interim Progress Reports before leaving the building today and the automated feature wasn't calulation correctly - I think we figured out the glich by the time I'd posted them all manually.

Meals: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--flank steak, romaine salad, apple, snack--bad, bad, bad again 1 oz light havarti (not bad), 5 dried plums, 10 macadamia nuts, dinner--grilled chicken, romaine salad, orange slices.

No exercise -- but we'll walk a ways from parking to the game tonight. I hadn't planned on going to the school's football game, however, the student who had me wear his jersey the first home game is finally eligible to play tonight and asked if I was going. (I don't even have him in class anymore, but somehow he's decided "I'm his teacher-person.") So, I told DH we'll be going. Every kid needs someone they can count on to cheer for them in the stands and his own mom won't be there. He's quite the athlete, maybe he'll get some points on the board tonight for a change and that would really help the attitude. It will probably help win some points with my sophomore players too from my honors class. I don't know how they can pick us out from down on the field, but the kids always know whether or not we're there.

I wore some jeans that had been hiding in the back of my closet today--what I'd call a large 14, but with skinnier legs. They are really big on me after wearing them all day. So even if the scale isn't cooperating, I'm still getting into smaller clothing. Weird way to lose weight...but I like the results and no baggy, saggy skin--it tightens up along the way.

[LAinSEA]

Day 81

ketosis: none (are the last of my strips old and not registering?)
weight: down 2 lbs to 173 this morning

We have to go out of town Thursday through Sunday over the inservice break and close up the family cabin near Yellowstone--a day to drive over, 2 days to get things organized, battenned down for winter the water drained, and a day to drive home. So, I had to go over to the weightloss clinic today and pick up some more HCG so I'm not rushing over there after school Monday-Tuesday-or Wednesday when we need to get things organized for the drive. They have a new HCG mix now with B12 (I've been getting a B12 shot when I go over there every two to four weeks and it seems to help with my energy level). It's extra for the B12 in the mix, but it may jump start my losses again and definitely help with energy, mood, and sleeping. I'll give it a go for this next four weeks. (I do take a B12 sublingual in the am, but this is a vitamin that gets diluted in our digestive tracts badly, so by the time it's being absorbed, there isn't much to do us good.) My sis swears by the B12 shots for upping her energy and metabolism. I didn't do the body comp tests or have them measure this time as DH was waiting in the car, but they did do a general Q&A about my general health and protein intake - I really need to add breakfast protein before I head to school or soon thereafterwards and not just have tea for breakfast. I've been scolded now more than once and the more I lose fat-wise the more my muscle-mass needs the protein apparently. They promise it will speed metabolism and not slow my weightloss down. My cold is also a reason why I've been slow to release pounds too--the nurse told me when we are sick, our body's defense mechanism is to retain fluids and we need more fluids when sick. Yes, I need to get more water in me and was encouraged to heat up some low-fat, low sodium chicken broth too.

The really great news is that they have expanded their food list; I can now have berries besides strawberries (now that prime blueberry season is over...darn it all!). I actually picked up a small quarter pint and had 1/2 cup with my lunch omellette today! So delicious! I can also choose to have 1/8 slice of cantelope too. Chicken sausage has been added to the list (best is organic and low sodium. We found some of that too at the speciality food store we went to afterwards. It's DH's birthday today (47) and he wants filet mignon and lobster tail for dinner. It will be a little high on the protein count, but I'm not going to get snippy. We need an indulgence now and again and the last time we did this, it didn't impact my weight.

Meal plan: breakfast (more like brunch)--hot Americana from Starbucks with shot of half and half and 2 packets stevia (he laughed when I brought it from home and asked that he mix it in for me), 1 egg, 2 egg white omellette with chicken-portabello sausage and half cup blueberries, dinner--petite filet mignon, 4 oz lobster tail, asparagus, and strawberries. (Not sure if I'll do a snack--I've been encouraged to keep the 1 oz low-fat cheese, but nix the dried plums and make the macadamia nuts a once-a-week thing. The nurse understands the want for sweet with the cheese especially in the afternoon and the frusration eating, but watch it. Nuts are not allowed by the protocol and despite my doctor telling me to eat them, once a week should keep the gall bladder issues away.) I let them know that I've been using Pam for grilling (as I can't use the MCT oil at all) without any adverse effects (although my weightloss has slowed--we've been doing this from the start). The nurse just cautioned me to use sparingly--and we do. The more fats I consume, the less need for my body to metabolize my own.

Exercise - probably a walk in a bit, lawn is a bit too wet to mow, so, hopefully, it will be drier tomorrow.

BTW - we did go to the game last night. The boys put 6 points on the board in the first 2:30 minutes, but then it was all the other team. "My" senior got to play a great deal and had some good runs, but some even better blocks. The boys kept their heads in the game and no quitting this time around. Still the other team was just so much bigger--at least a head taller by every player and wider too. The student body was AOL and fewer parents in the stands also. I'm glad we went. Someone has to be there for those kids.

[LAinSEA]

Day 82: despite eating a 7 oz filet and 4 oz lobster tail (yes broiled with butter), asparagus and 2 glasses of red wine, I was in the trace level of ketosis and down another pound to 172 this morning. I love this plan--maybe it was the B-12 shot yesterday; I was expecting to be up in weight and out of ketosis today.

Meals: breakfast--iced Americano with shot of half and half and 2 packets of stevia, snack--1 oz light havarti, 10 macadamia nuts, and 3 dried plums, dinner--Red Robin's Enchinanda chicken platter (hold the tortilla strips on the salad) with just red wine vinegar on the salad. I will probably have another oz of cheese later this evening prior to bed.

Have you ever looked at the nutritional content menu at Red Robin? (They have to publish it in King County Washington by health code law now.) The sodium levels are off the hook and the calorie content is wild even for a shroom burger! It was enlightening. What I chose was about the best for sodium and carb count, but wow! DH had a bacon burger, dad had the chili and a milkshake (more calories than my meal alone), and my mom had the chicken caesar wrap/soup combo with clam chowder. You know if every restaurant would publish the list and then try to get the fat, sodium, carb, and calorie counts down, we'd all be much much healthier.

My sis' DH called to let me know that he wants to continue on the HCG plan, but his clinic only does 23 and 40 day plans and then he has to take a break. I think he could safely continue on his own and even order through my clinic up here which doesn't advocate the "break" unless your body comp shows it necessary. (I've only met one woman who was asked to stop at 60 lbs with probably another 60 to 80 to go, and then go on maintenance for 4 to 6 weeks before beginning again.) Since my losses had slowed these past three weeks, I was concerned that I would have to stop and do a maintenance round also, but they're convinced it's my cold and the HCG plus B-12 should help to speed things up. Still I'm over the .5/lb loss per day right now with 82 days and 46 lbs lost.

Still finishing up the laundry...did mow the lawn for 35 minutes, but no walk (yet) today. I did get a manicure/pedicure this afternoon. Trying to guilt DH into walking tonight in the dark.

[momof2minnies]

Hi Laurie,
Vit B12 shots to increase metabolism- hmmm! I may have to check that out.

You are doing great- congrats on your perserverence! 46 lbs! woohoo!

A cabin in Yellowstone must be beautiful, you must hate to lock up for the season.

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Day 83: Somehow just reading about how much sodium there is in Red Robin food kept me retaining water big time...

ketosis: trace
weight: up 1 lb back to 173

Ring is tight again, and even though I did much better on water consumption today, I'm still bloated.

B-12 for weightloss - that's how I found about HCG from my sis. She heard about it from her co-workers and went to a clinic with 30 lbs to lose. They told her she didn't have enough to lose to do HCG, so she started doing their slim shots - a combo of weekly B-12 with some other things like choline that boost energy and metabolism and following what will be my stabilization diet (still low carb, no refined carbs, lean protein, but with small amounts of good fats added.) She lost her 30 lbs in about 6 weeks. B-12 is one of those vitamins that get damaged in the microwave and in our digestive systems bedor it can do us good. Injectable B-12 is the best way to get it and the older we are, the less we absorb from our diet and need it. I certainly notice an energy boost after getting a shot. I hope the HCG with B-12 will really help move things along.

Meals today: breakfast--ice water (totally out of teas), lunch--romaine salad, chicken breast, apple, snack--(got to stop this) 1 oz light havarti, 10 macadamia nuts, 3 dried plums, dinner--much later than it should be - flank steak, strawberries, asparagus.

Exercise - nothing last night. DH was already yawning when I suggested it. Tonight we went out for a brief, but brisk 35 minutes. Better than nothing. We also had to put all the patio furniture away for the winter under the house, so I got some lifting in.

I'm trying to get my lesson plans for the week I come back completed prior to heading to the cabin, so I don't have to take my laptop and worry about anything. It would be great to actually just veg for a couple of days and not worry about anything except getting the place battened down for the winter.

[LAinSEA]

Day 82: Exhausted and my mind is just gone right now...need that four day weekend. I've been planning and grading and planning some more like crazy to get caught up and planned out for next week. I just don't want to take anything with me except a good book to read for fun.

ketosis: trace
weight: back down to 172

The BMI calculator now reads overweight and not obese! That's a big plus. I will need to get down to 143 to be in the normal category, but 128 is still my goal weight for right now.

Meals: breakfast -- just ice water, lunch -- flank steak, green salad, apples, snack -- still a bad, bad girl - 1 oz light havarti, 10 macademia nuts and 4 dried plums (it's the crunch and the sweet I'm craving after a long day of grading and planning and trying to keep students focused on the stupid district writing assessment.) Dinner -- pork loin "schnietzel" with peppers, mushrooms, asparagus, strawberries (if they are any good still) or other berries.

Exercise: DH isn't home as yet, and I'm hoping he'll want to go for at least the short version of the walk like last night. I really need a much longer one, but I'll settle for 35 minutes.

I'm in another pair of 14s I had stashed away in the back of my closet. One of my former students thought I'd drop 10 lbs overnight. It must be the pants.

[stephielela]

I spent my overnight shift at work catching up on your journey! It is very impressive I must say!! Thanks for the encouragement on my own journal. This whole HCG thing sounds very interesting, I think I am going to have to research it some more! Your steady success is an inspiration! Congrats on how far you have come!:worship:

[momof2minnies]

Laurie,
Saw your town on the Locator last night!

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda and Steph - thanks for dropping by...I sure appreciate the support.

So, Linda were you looking up Island Park, ID or Puyallup, WA?

Steph, the success is motivating, but then I do get greedy and I want the weight to come off as fast as it did the first few weeks. I'm not very patient.


Wednesday - ketosis trace, weight up to 173 again (what is it with the yo-yoing?)
I felt kind of wiped out all day, but just kept pushing to get done and out of the classroom ASAP. Leftovers planned for dinner and I got to packing and organizing as soon as I got home. We planned to leave between 4 and 5 am and get a jump on traffic on the way out of town. Did talk DH into a 30 minute walk before dinner and we hustled and got back on the same route in 25 minutes at a 3.4 mph pace.

At 3:00 am I woke with a start and a run to the bathroom. (DH had stirred up some dust getting warm clothes from the back of the closet and in some drawers and I had to used my inhaler for asthma and those inhalers always make me shaky and nauseated.) I was so sick - everything from dinner was up and out and I don't stop throwing up after it's out. (Sorry TMI.) I just felt awful- but scared that it wasn't just the asthma or the inhaler--I felt cold, really, really cold. Got back to sleep about the time we needed to get up. I tried getting up and showering and felt dizzy, so I laid back down. DH said rest and we'll try to get out by 6 am - then 7 am, then 8 am. Finally at 10 am I wasn't dizzy anymore and could keep down water. Flu? Hmmm.... We finally got on the road at 11am and it's a 12 or more hour drive. By late afternoon Spokane stop, I opted for a Wendy's mandarin chicken salad with a drizzle of the oriental dressing and kept it down along with more water and an iced tea. Dinner at the truck stop outside of Butte didn't have any options--I went for the Arby's gyro with light sauce and expected to feel high from the flatbread (ate sparingly of it and tossed most of it.) It snowed on and off most of the way between Missoula and Butte and again coming into Island Park. We arrived just after mid-night (our time - 1 am mountain time.)

Ate on plan on Friday and Saturday, but no real exercise other than shivering and stacking chopped wood. It was super cold - down to 0 degrees overnight and only 25 or 27 degrees during the day. We had a terrible time keeping the garage warm enough to keep the pipes from freezing and actually we were so lucky we arrived when we did on Thursday night - it was down to 20 degrees in the garage and the pipes would have frozen that night without intervention.

By Saturday morning, DH was nauseated and throwing up. We took it easy and he was still able to get the big boards into the windows and then drain the water from the garage, but we were worried about traveling home on Sunday with his sick stomach. (I can drive, but if he tosses his cookies, so do I, bad gag reflex.)

Sunday, he felt well enough to drive, but we left in a snow storm with 5 inches on the ground - draining the water from the main cabin was a very cold affair. Food on the road Sunday was totally off plan for lunch - McDonalds swiss mushroom burger (at sparing of bun). Dinner another Wendy's mandarin chicken salad and a starbuck's americana.

Kitties did great on both way there and back - they are so good in the car and kept us warm overnight snuggling.

With the off plan eating, I expected to be up this morning...

Ketosis: trace
Weight: 170 (down 2 lbs) but I know I'm retaining water...tight rings

Meals today: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--green beans, apple, flank steak, snack--string cheese, macadamia nuts, 3 dried plums, more flank steak (not sure why I'm so hungry this afternoon), dinner--ahi tuna, shrimp, salad, berries.

Exercise - maybe...

[VernRDH]

Laurie, sorry to hear you and DH were not feeling well.:sick: but glad that you got your cabin taken care of. And you took your kitties with you, how good you are. We leave ours home and have our petsitter come to take care of them and the dog.

Hmm, eating off plan and you still managed a loss, WOW.

Hope you are feeling better and back on track soon. :wizard::lovestruc:hug:

[LAinSEA]

Thanks Veronica - once I catch up on some sleep, I'm sure the cold will go away. At least I hope so. Our kitties love the cabin - watching the squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and an occasional flying squirrel is great fun for them from the window. They don't mind the car and settle in for the drive fast in their snuggle rings. They sleep or get some lap time and seem to actually enjoy the audio books (if we don't get them finished on the drive we'll listen to them prior to bed at night and the cats come in and listen then too--weird.) If we have to fly somewhere, we get the pet sitter, but that hasn't happened for a while now; need to save for a disney trip again soon.

Day 89 - Tuesday "Oh so very tired!"
I have these webinar trainings I have to do all week long at 3pm and after not getting audio at the main district office, they suggested we just do the rest from our desks. No audio from there either, just the powerpoint. Doesn't help much to have no audio. Kids appeared to work on their presentations; it's good test of organizational skills and the ability to work together.

Ketosis: none (not sure why I'm out today - no real off-plan eating)
Weight: back up to 171 (but oh so bloated!)

Meals: breakfast - forgot both green tea and water; found water in my cupboard and had that to drink - warm water yuk!, lunch - flank steak, green salad, apple, snack - 1 oz light havarti, 1 grissini, 3 dried plums (yes, off plan!), dinner -steak, broccoli, half pear with some blackberries and a cherry balsamic reduction sauce (so good, and so off plan).

No exercise - should have gone, weather cold, but dry for a while in the evening. Instead, sinus headache and cold achy feeling kept me glued to the couch.

Day 90 - Wednesday
ketosis - none (know it's the fruit)
weight - back to 170 (still feel bloated)

Meals: breakfast - iced green/jasmine tea, lunch - flank steak, brussel sprouts, apple, snack - 1 oz light havarti, 2 dried plums, dinner - beef/peppers fajita style over salad greens, blackberries.

Exercise: none - stormy - rain and high winds

Today, I dashed home as soon as I could leave and fought the school traffic home so I could join the webinar at 3pm. Walked in, my computer was off (MS updates probably and it takes it forever to re-boot now it's so old!) Started up system and flipped on light switch; dark. Power is out! Why me! No way to join webinar and shouldn't have left school (need to complete writing Friday's quiz and now the afternoon is wasted!) Power didn't come back on until 5:30 (well after webinar is over). Read paper in near darkness and even got out Gone with the Wind and read a few chapters before the lights came back on. (OK, so GWTW is like comfort food.)

I'm feeling really run down; sinus headache is aweful and the weather looks to be stormy and unsettled for the next few days - so much for headache relief. I don't like this time of year when the storm systems just keep rolling through with the pain it causes to my head.

Some student groups did amazing jobs conveying their information about the Great Strikes and others were so poor that students will need to study info for the quiz on their own. (The idea for the presentation was my teaching partner's and I gave it a go, but all I learned was about my students' work ethic and who not to let work together again.) I like to have students review and present information informally, but the skills for this are lacking a great deal right now and it will take some specific instruction how to do this effectively before I try this again with these classes. My groups last year and the year prior had great skills in these areas.

My seniors had to attend the post high school presentation during class today; I'd have rather had them working on their COEs instead. No my choice, but I can't deny them the access to the counselor's presentation. She was much better than last year with including other options beside just college.

[LAinSEA]

Day 91:

ketosis: none
weight: up 1 lb to 171 (again) - stop the yo yo madness! It's got to be the "frustration" snacks after school hours. (and yes, I've had more again today than I should have.)

Better-day student motivation-wise today; my sophomores liked their immigration activity (they had to determine criteria for letting immigrants into the country and then make decisions based upon their criteria--most find they are stereotyping and that being arrested in China for human-rights protests isn't exactly the same as a criminal record. Scary though, some wanted to let in Dr. Mengele--they didn't recognize the name or the deeds and they studied him last year in World Studies--so much for transfer and recalling what was learned 6 months ago.) Seniors were very productive and many got assignments in today that hadn't turned in anything prior for their portfolios.

Meals: I didn't have any salad and was out of portioned veggies this morning so I didn't pack any for lunch and just ate chicken tenders and my apple. I was starving when I arrived home and snacked on 1 oz light havarti, 3 dried plums, and 3 chocolat covered macadamia nuts (DH's secret stash and he should hid them better), still 30 minutes later I was still hungry despite downing two 16-oz glasses of water. I heated up a chicken sausage. That seems to have quelled the cravings for now. Dinner will be stealhead, broccoli, asparagus, or green beans, and berries for desert.

Exercise: other than running up and down stairs and pushing around the big laptop cart--nada, nothing, are you kidding? it's raining sideways and cold out there. Got to get over exercising in colder, wetter weather. It's here to stay for the next 5-6 months now.

It's homecoming week and the kids have had dress-up days all week. Why is it that high school students have to have dress-up weeks? Our boys will lose and lose big tomorrow night, I just hope the student body comes out to support them this week. I had the offer of two jerseys to wear tomorrow; I told them the one who gets there first with the jersey in the morning I will wear to the assemby and then change after for the second part of the day. I'll switch between them at the game tomorrow night. Nice to be loved--DH could possibly fit into one of them (he's a size XL for Ts), but the smaller one may be tight on me; these boys don't get much support from home and most likely, neither will have a parent in the stands (parents typically wear the jerseys for homecoming and the team likes to recognize the seniors' parents by having them stand during the 2nd quarter). Both of these boys need to see their numbers represented in the stands and it's an honor to be there for them, I just wish their folks saw it the same way.

[momof2minnies]

No Laurie your hometown was on the show the Locator

Linda

[jordansmomma]

I am glad you guys are feeling better.

Why do you check your ketosis?

[LAinSEA]

Day 92:

ketosis: none
weight: down 2 lbs to 169 (feels good to get under 170)

Mel: just like on the Atkins or other low carb plan, checking for ketosis (or ketone levels in your morning urine) shows that you are burning away fat. You can trick it though to show that you're burning more fat--thus turning the stick a brighter shade of pink--by eating too much fat too. However, since I'm consuming very little fat (only that found in lean protein, low-fat cheese or the miniscule amount in the Pam for high heat grilling), then the keto stix show that I'm burning my own fat away. I am to adjust my veggie and fruit intake based upon the level of ketosis--you can over do it with the Simeons protocol for HCG and actually consume less than 500 calories a day which is very unhealthy. If I'm in the medium level, I supposed to add more to my veggie intake, if I'm not in ketosis, I'm suppose to lose my fruit for a meal or two. I'm pretty sure it's been my afternoon snacks that have knocked me out the past few days and today I just had a low-fat chicken sausage and I'm downing my water now.

Linda - I'm still confused, but it's Friday and my mind is numb (with oh so much grading to go as well as homework this weekend for pro cert on Monday night.) You mean the locator function on dis? Whatever, this is the neighborhood to be for Halloween - we typcially have between 500 and 1,000 trick-or-treators, so come on out to the great northwest and gather some sweets.

Got into another pair of formerly exiled jeans this morning and wore them to school today. These are a petite 14 (and somehow smaller than the size 12 regulars I wore on Monday). They fit, not too tight, but not baggy in the britches as some of the others are now. The waist band is snug, I wouldn't want to tuck something in yet, but not uncomfortable. What is it about womens sizes; even in the same brand (both of these are Charter Club), the sizes vary so much. It's the whole reason I'm fearful of every ordering anything online. Consumer fraud, identity theft fears? Na, its the fear of having to go through the rigamroll of sending it back if it doesn't fit.


It's raining; going from fine drizzle to major downpour and back again outside today. It's that cold rain. Nothing warm or tropical about it. Winter rain. It startled my 4th period sophomores today when it was coming down so hard, you'd think they hadn't seen rain before. So easily distractable, but at least this group is not down right rude! My 2nd period block sophomores - the so-called honors students, had a real burst of rude behavior today. It's not all; never not all, but there are four who just can't keep their thoughts to themselves and it's a constand buzz of side conversations that grow louder to compete with other side conversations. We expect that honors students behavior "honorably" in honors classes--facilitating the learning of others in the class. These kids just feel the rules don't apply to them and they don't react to being called out (repeatedly), the comments or dirty looks of their peers, or even being sent outside of class. I used the online tool to document the behavior today and published it for their parents to see. If I have to publish again, I'll call home and make a discipline referral. Their behavior today made me totally re-think the observation lesson I had planned for Monday when my asst. principal evaluator will be in for the first of the bi-yearly reviews.

DH isn't home yet; homecoming game is tonight at 7pm. Not sure what dinner plans will be. I wish I could bag out, but there is the problem of a jersey that needs to be visible in the stands. (The other senior had me wear it for the assembly and then had his new girl friend pick it up from me at lunch to wear tonight. That leaves the larger one, but it will be under my warm coat tonight until I have to stand up when supporters are recognized.) I really need to get quizzes scored and get the group presentation assessments tallied and into the gradebook; but not real motivated to either right now.

Meals: breakfast--green/jasmine tea, lunch--chicken tenders, brussel sprouts, apple, after school snack--chicken sausage, 3 dried plums (just crave something sweet after eating a protein--probably should just go and brush my teeth and be done with it instead), dinner--mystery protein, mystery veggie, and mixed berries.

Exercise: none (will walk from street parking to game and back, but hopefully no too far in this weather.)

[LAinSEA]

Day 93:

ketosis: none
weight: still 169

measurements:
upper arm: 11 3/4 (down 2.25 from 14)
thigh: 22 (down 3 from 25)
neck: 13 3/4 (down 1.25 from 15)
bust: 43 (down 5.5 from 48.5)
waist: 35 (down 10 from 45)
hips: 41 (down 7 from 48)
total inches lost: 27.75

Meals: breakfast--16 oz breve with 2 packets of stevia, lunch--2 egg, 1 egg white omellete with 2 slices of lean ham, and a handful of mozarella, dinner--seafood, salad, berries.

Exercise: none (thus far...maybe walk around Costco; the weather nasty--thunderstorm this morning with pea-size hail and driving rain, but warmer than usual--65 degrees out and really really humid)

Still haven't gotten to grading and I need to do this. So unmotivated, cold still present along with the weather-induced sinus pressure headache. We are working through the mountain of laundry and trying to get things organized from where stuff was just dumped from the trip into the kitchen area. No time when we got home to unpack and put away and the week has been just too busy for both of us.

The game was a disaster; the other team played mostly their JV and still beat us 40something to zip. There was unnecessary roughness on the other team's part including picking up one of our players by his shoulder pads, spinning him around and throwing him for 5 or more yards WWE-style. Just nasty! The worst was listening to the other team's parents who like to sit on the home-side of the stands because it's more weather-proof. We go to support the kids, but the rest is really difficult to stomach at times.

[jordansmomma]

Hi
I was just wondering at what stages were able to add different foods?
When & what kinds?

[stephielela]

I am still so amazed at how well this seems to be working for you, you rock! I have to admit you have way more resolve than I do, but it has to be an amazing feeling to realize how much you body has changed in a relatively short amount of time! It really does take dedication though, and you are giving it all you've got! I'm curious abotu what type of maintenance program you will have once you have reached your goal (which can't be far away now!) You really are an inspiration, just reading about wakign up in the morning and weighing yourself to find yet another pound lost definitely makes me want to succeed! Thanks! :thumbsup2

[LAinSEA]

Day 94: It's been relatively dry today, although it's still cloudy and unsettled outside. The temp is warm--65 degrees, but definitely fall-like.

Slept in again this morning; I feel so run down by week's end (nothing to do with the diet--I felt this way almost all last school year too), that I feel the need to just sleep as long as possible on Saturdays and Sundays. Last year, by Wednesday or Thursday, I would just come home and collaspe and nap. I'm not quite to that point yet, but I find myself looking towards Thanksgiving break with greediness that I will get to sleep in four days in a row instead of 2.

Steph: I have about 40 more to go--I'm only 5'3.5" and need to be under 140 for a healthy BMI, but my goal is 128 (that would be 90 lbs total loss). To tell the truth, it's not that difficult to eat this way and honestly, I'm never hungry until late afternoon (and that is probably more psychological--frustration-driven want of something crunchy (like popcorn) or sweet (like candy) and that's why I reach for the macadamia nuts and dried fruit. Both should be once in awhile, and not everyday. (Before I went on this plan, afternoon snack was a bag of microwave popcorn and a handful of Swedish fish.) If we put off dinner until after 7pm, I get hungry then too. I do find myself thinking about comfort foods, like chili or beef stew with potatoes this time of year; pasta sounds good too, but I can't give in to any of it right now. I do wish that the weight would continue to come off like it did in the first month on this plan (if that were the case, I'd be near to done by now.) Still, this is the most success I've ever had on any plan and getting this much off in a relatively short amount of time keeps me motivated to continue. More importantly than the actually pounds gone, is the way I'm getting back into clothes that I wore when I weighed 15-20 lbs less that I do now and they are more comfortable than when I was at 150. I'm not sure how all that works and why, but my body looks much leaner than it should at this weight.

Stabilization, from what I understand is 3 to 6 weeks (depending upon if the person can maintain the losses) and it looks very much like the weightloss plan with a little more veggies in the portion size and the addition of healthy fats like avacados and olive oil, but staying away from the starchy veggies and definitely no refined carbs. Maintenance looks a lot like South Beach-style eating introducing some beans, brown rice, and whole wheat breads and pastas in extreme moderation. I plan to put into place what I've learned from reading Jillian Michaels' book and not eat refined or starchy carbs after 4pm--I know that I'm senstive to those and despite what looks like low-calorie eating, it definitely causes me to eat more than I should.

Mel: Once you've been on plan for 3 weeks, your hypothalmus is supposidely re-set and you can safely use the new list of foods. Additional proteins: whole egg, turkey bacon/chicken sausage (watch the sodium levels), low fat cheese (organic if at all possible--1 oz), low-fat greek yogurt (I love to use with a little with vinegar and dried mustard to make creamy salad dressing), low-fat cottage cheese (I buy the trim and not the non-fat--there are more carbs in the non-fat). New veggies--anything that is not a starch (no carrots, beets, peas, artichokes, etc.) bell peppers and hot peppers are OK as are muchrooms and califlower. Fruit still needs to be eaten with a protein, but you can have blueberries, raspberries, black berries (about 1/2 cup is the same as 1 med. apple or 5 large-tp-medium strawberries) or 1/8 slice of cantaloupe. 6-8 oz of red wine is OK to sub for a fruit portion at dinner.

All these new foods should be added one at a time and see how you do. Some people report that broccoli and califlower will make them stall, I find anything with too much sodium impacts me. BTW, I eat the macadamia nuts on the advise of my personal doctor who is worried about gallbladder issues with so little fat being consumed, but I'm really only suppose to have 2 portions a week--and I do more. I also eat dried plums for my afternoon sweet and they are not supposed to be eaten either. I hope this helps.

Last night, DH made filets and lobster tail for dinner. He did use some artichoke hearts as a topping for the lobster tail under the broiler and didn't realize that I shouldn't have it. I ate it anyway; didn't lose anything today, but didn't gain either. I also had two glasses of wine and half an orange, so I was well over my fruit limit.

Meals today: breakfast--16 oz breve with 2 packets of stevia (half and half doesn't seem to be too terrible for me), snack after walking and prior to mowing lawn--10 macademia nuts, late lunch--2 egg, 1 egg white omellete with 2 slices of lean ham and low-fat mozarella (ham is not on the list either, but I don't seem to have an issue with it or a lean porkchop) and 10 raspberries, snack--1 oz low-fat havarti, dinner--scallops, spinach salad, berries.

Exercise: 50 minute walk (didn't do the big hill--I've got some asthma issues with the cold still hanging on), 40 minutes mowing the lawn. DH agrees we need to walk more during the week even if it is raining. We both felt low energy on the walk and it took much too long to warm up legs.

Need to get to my grading. DH is still working on some yard and gutter clean up. Sasha is enjoying some outside time on the patio and behaving (for now).

Tomorrow is my first bi-yearly observation during 1st period with the honors class and also a late night with pro-cert after school until 7pm. I still need to track down judges for Daffodil selection and order the tiarra. It will be a stressful day, let alone a long, stressful week this week.

[LAinSEA]

Day 95:

ketosis: trace
weight: up 1 to 170 (not the yo yo again!)

I didn't feel like I'd slept for more than 10 minutes all night long; must have been the anticipation of my observation and all the rest of the things that have piled on top for today.

Observation seemed to go well; many students in that honors class out on the college fair field trip. I won't know for sure until I meet with my assistant principal evaluator. She may not have liked anything she saw. Students were still too chatty (some, not all), but having to listen to directions was critical to success today--the final responses are due as they walk into class tomorrow and I made the assignment an assessment grade--it counts for their reading assessment this week. Wish that I had been evaluated during 3rd period instead, this group is just more creative and, despite having lower skills, are more eager to learn.

My seniors were very focused as a group today and there were 3 who actually were able to complete work "on-demand" and fulfill one of those requirements. Most worked well independently--I could easily get around to all and review work before it was printed out for their portfolios and they kept me hopping all 90 minutes.

Meals: breakfast--iced green/jasmine tea, lunch--flank steak, spinach salad, apple, snack--16 oz breve with 2 packets stevia on the way to Pro Cert, snack--10 macadamia nuts and 2 dried plums after Pro-Cert and prior to dinner, dinner--romaine salad, grilled chicken breast, strawberries.

Exercise: none

Sleep: I sure hope so.

[stephielela]

Well, I think your progress has been amazing! You really do inspire me to keep it up! :cheer2: even when its not fun!

[LAinSEA]

Thanks again, Steph! I'll keep trying...(even though I really, really, really want a big bowl of chili or pasta right now--comfort food cravings are killer when it is so icky weather-wise.)

Day 96 - Tuesday: tired, bone tired and frustrated about too many things.

weight - 170 (ouch)
ketosis - trace (at least that is cooperating)

Meals - breakfast--iced green tea, lunch--flank steak, spinach salad, apple, snack--10 macadamia nuts, 2 dried plums, 1 string cheese, dinner--flank steak (again), brussel sprouts, half an orange, grissini (bread stick).

Exercise - nada, nil, nothing.

Only three of my Daffodil candidates showed up for speech practice and only one of the three had their speeches ready (It's their hole that's being dug--and their problem to get out of the hole). Turned down by two more people to judge the event (having it the week of Thanksgiving is becoming more problematic than I'd seen in the past). At least my hair appointment went well and I'm back to being "blond" - well at least the gray is disguised for now.

Day 97
ketosis - trace
weight - back down to 169 (but could tell I was retaining water this morning--I'm just not getting enough fluids in me over the course of the week)

It was my own planning late-start morning to work on my single subject--COE and I was near to ontime in the door, and really did spend most of the 1.5 hours working on the stuff for that class along with writing a few more letters of recommendations for students (it's scholarship and college adminition letter time for seniors and I seem to be very popular for rec's right now--DH says I should start charging for them...naa). Then it's 35 and 40 minute classes instead of our usual 90. We call it wacky Wednesday and it certainly feels like a revolving door all day. Sophomores did a litter better job on presenting chapter information than I saw during the small group presentations last week. My seniors worked pretty steadily for all their bellyaching about how there just isn't enough time on Wednesdays to get anything done. I got the copies made for my seniors during planning today, but then got turned down by another judge candidate too. It's been a rough week for Daffodil stuff. I've brought grading home and best get to it soon.

Meals: breakfast--iced green tea, lunch--flank steak (again--serves us right for going to Costco and using up the fresh meat), spinach salad, apple, snack--leftover scallops, 3 dried plums, 10 macadamia nuts, dinner--??? DH isn't home yet, could be chicken or he may pick up something else on his way home.

Exercise: There was a break in the weather and I know I should go take advantage of it and walk right now. But DH needs to go to, it will probably be raining again soon as the wind just picked up out there. -- Scratch that break in the weather--now it's raining all manner of evil outside! So much for partly sunny in this neck of the woods.

Tomorrow's only Thursday--I'm so beat right now that I just want to take a nap. I was sure hoping that this HCG with B12 added in would help with the energy, but I've not noticed any real difference in the past two weeks with it.

[LAinSEA]

Day 98:

ketosis: none
weight: back up to 170

Overall, another frustrating day from the start and just overly tired. I actually had nightmares and woke up nearly screaming. Not sure why--but I'd fallen asleep on the couch under blanket with a lapful of assignments to grade and a cat who thought the piles of papers looked too good to resist (it's not the lap--we've never had a lap cat amoung the 5 we've had since we've been married.) Still, even though I was sleeping (nightmares can't happen while you're awake), I didn't rest and got up more tired than when I went to bed.

Still having the trouble finding judges for Daffodil, asked my office staff and principal for some assistance and I've started contacting more names.

Meals: breakfast--iced green tea, lunch--flank steak, green beans, apple, snack--totally off the rails macadamia nuts, grissini, string cheese, more flank steak, 3 dried plums (why I am so darn hungry after school?), dinner--snapper, broccoli/cauliflower mix, strawberries, grissini.

No exercise

Day 99:

ketosis: trace (with all that junk in the PM?)
weight: back to 169

Meals: breakfast--iced green tea, lunch--flank steak, green beans, apple, snack--macadamia nuts, more flank steak, grissini, 2 dried plums (and I'm trying not to have more), dinner--chicken breast with spinach, strawberries.

No exercise again--rain, wind, just nasty and besides my lower back is killing me - I hope it's not another kidney stone forming....

Finally found one Daffodil Judge and got a few more names from my colleague next door. One more candidate has her speech (nearly done). My observation seemed to go well and I met with my asst. principal evaluator during my planning (so no planning nor grading got done--I'll have to spend time this weekend doing it.) Students took twice as long as I'd planned for on their quiz today. It should have been about a 25 minute quiz and it took my honors class 50 minutes and the other class I stopped at 50 minutes to get onto the video on "The Jungle" today. It's a fill in the blank, short answer-type quiz and should have been easy, but obviously wasn't. More than that, the few I've graded show a distinct lack of exposure to the assigned reading. It looks like I'm going to have to go to the book room and send home textbooks instead of using the online text (which I believe is better and much more straight forward).

I'm frustrated with the stall, but my clothes are fitting better. How can I lose inches and no pounds? I'm in a pair of comfortable, but very loose 16s today, but after they've been worn all day, they look like the baggies the rapper-want-to-bes wear at school and feel like their ready to fall down like those do to.

[VernRDH]

Laurie-

Sorry you are stalled and bouncing between 169 and 170. Hopefully something gives soon and you keep making your downward progress.

Aren't you out of dried plums yet? Just how the heck many did your DH make anyway??? Or are you buying them?

Hoping things get better for you at school. DH's school is being hit hard by illness, 7 confirmed cases of H1N1, and tons of other kids have regular flu. DD's school has swine flu too, and kids out sick as well. Thankfully we are all healthy at the moment.

When is your Daffodil thing? Hopefully when that is done some of your stress will go away.

Keep plugging along-you are doing great!!

PS Thanks for the rainy weather too!!:rolleyes:

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - actually I bought some--and now they're nearly gone and I'm swearing not to buy any more (although I think they help keep me regular and not being regular is a constant issue on this plan for me and apparently others.) I also hid the macadamia nuts yesterday in the back of the cupboard. I need to get down to 2x a week only. Maybe just maybe, this will help me get back on track. I also could be getting immune to the HCG (the protocol as written is supposed to be for 23 or 40 days max and then a 3-8 week break, but my clinic doesn't seem to think that their research supports that. They occasionally will ask a client to take a break from the hormone and "stabilize, but it's in rare cases. I will make an appointment for next week and go in for all the tests and ask their advice. I may have just been at a weight were I maintained this weight for a long time and that definitely means a plateau before your body is OK to release that weight and move on.)

We had the first free clinic for H1N1 vaccines at my high school today in our county. I'm glad I didn't get pressed into service to maintain control. Last night as I was leaving the building, they were putting up signs that said, "No overnight camping. You will not be allowed to line up until 7am." We have over 22,000 students in our school district and the paper this morning said they only would have 2,500 vaccines available (mostly the mist--the live virus). I'm betting they ran out of vaccines by 10 am and the clinic was supposed to begin at 9 am. We're averaging 10 students going home with flu symptoms each day not counting the day two weeks ago when 40 students went home on the same day. We've had 6 people die from complications without Pierce County and about 70 across the state. They are not letting adults get the vaccines (even at private practice doctor's offices) unless they are pregnant until the people 24 and under have been vaccinated in our state. Maybe by late November there will be enough vaccine for us old folks. I'm worried though, I can't seem to shake this cold and I have asthma. The last woman to die close by was 50 years old and had asthma. I'm exposed to coughing, sneezing, blurry-eyed students all day long. You think toddlers are germ factories, try teenagers! I've already been through 3 big boxes of kleenex and a mega-size bottle of hand sanitizer this year in my classroom and having difficulty finding another mega-size bottle to buy to bring in. I sure hope your family is well and stays healthy.

Daffodil judging is Nov. 17 (judges' tea for their formal interviews) and Nov. 24 (speeches and impromtu questions in front of the school in evening wear). I got some more good leads yesterday, but will need to wait until Monday for contacting these new prospects (work phone numbers). Once everything is in place, I'm sure my stress level will diminish some. (But it usually takes me until Christmas break to feel caught up as far as school and really begin to find some me time to relax.)

Day 100: Yay and Hurray!

ketosis: none (really? no fruit with dinner--yes, dried plums for snack)
weight: down 2 lbs to 167 (finally 51 lbs gone)

Meals: breakfast--16 oz, 2 shot breve with 2 packets of stevia, lunch--1 egg, 2 egg white omellete with a small amount of cheese and peppers, dinner--not sure what the plan is as yet (we have left over stuffed chicken breast with small amount of mozarella and spinach that was dinner last night).

Exercise: 30 minute walk--all either one of us could do with the hacking and coughing and not breathing due to the cold that keeps on hanging on. I need to go out and rake leaves and mow the lawn in a few minutes and that should add to the exercise too.

My mother's birthday is Monday and my father wants us to meet them for dinner tomorrow evening. This means I need to go shopping this afternoon and find something unique for her gift (my mother sets a great amount on birthdays - I prefer to ignor my own and DH feels the same way--but, I don't need mom pouting into the holiday season; the guilt would be unbearable.)

[momof2minnies]

Laurie you are doing unbelievable.You are very inspiring.

This H1N1 is very scary.It is bad enough of course you don't want to get it period but we leave for a cruise in 30 days.They sent home a form for the kids to get it at school and I think I am going to pass, I am very afraid.Talked to the ped. but that did not really help.I am an RN and have never had the flu shot nor will I ever unless I do when I am elderly.

Keep up the great work! Sorry had to laugh reading about your mom and the guilt over the holidays.I hope we don't come across that way to our kids.

Linda

[VernRDH]

Laurie you are doing unbelievable.You are very inspiring.

This H1N1 is very scary.It is bad enough of course you don't want to get it period but we leave for a cruise in 30 days.They sent home a form for the kids to get it at school and I think I am going to pass, I am very afraid.Talked to the ped. but that did not really help.I am an RN and have never had the flu shot nor will I ever unless I do when I am elderly.
Keep up the great work! Sorry had to laugh reading about your mom and the guilt over the holidays.I hope we don't come across that way to our kids.

Linda

Wholeheartedly agree!! As a hygienist, I very rarely get sick. I got the flu shot once, and was sick for 2 months!! Never again.

[LAinSEA]

I've only ever had one flu shot -- the year that my TV station employer lined us all us and force-marched us downstairs and said, "If you are alergic to eggs, you may opt out. Otherwise, roll up your sleaves." It was the winter before I got married and three weeks later I had one of the worst flu bugs I'd ever had and the three weeks prior, after the shot ,I was a constant low-grade fever but not bad enough to stay away from work. However, this year, I'm going to get the H1N1 vaccine if I can swing it--I didn't have asthma back then (developed after suffering through a pnemonia that kept coming back for three years straight!) I'm now prone to colds and stuff going straight to my lungs even if I have had the pnemonia vaccine.

Day 101
ketosis--trace
weight--167

Exercise--45 minute walk (still had difficulty breathing in the damp cold)

Meals--breakfast--1 oz light havarti, 2 dried plums, 1 macadamia nut, lunch--??? we are going out for an early dinner with my folks for my mother's birthday at 4pm--I may grab a breve on the way over to Costco to pick up her gift, dinner--I'm hoping this restaurant will accommodate my eating plan, my mom seems to think it will. Either way, I'm going to ge careful with calories prior to going. Now that I've finally lost 2 more, I sure don't want to go up again.

[VernRDH]

Hope things are going okay for you. Haven't heard from you in a while;)

Had a question for you about cooking fish. I couldn't remember if your DH had grilled fish (I'm looking at tilapia). I don't have much experience with cooking it, and I baked it the other day, but my DH hates the smell in the house. Thought about doing it on the grill, then the smell would be outside. I was thinking about doing it in a foil packet with some lemon and seasoning. Any suggestions or ideas??

Thanks a bunch, keep on keepin on girl, you are doing great!!

[LAinSEA]

Day 102:

Should have known that going out to eat would play havoc with the scale even though I was very careful of what I had (scallups dredged in hazelnuts and grilled, roasted red pepper and asparagus, shared a small serving of blackberry lemon sorbet with DH--that probably put me over the top.)

ketosis: trace
weight: back up to 168

Meals: breakfast--iced green tea, lunch--chicken breast, broccoli, apple, so hungry when I came home I made myself a 1 egg/2 egg white omellette with chicken sausage and a small amount of low-fat cheese, then added macadamia nuts, 5 dried plums, a grissini, and was still starving when DH made dinner a couple of hours later. Dinner--flank steak (he tried teriaki marinade without the sugar, but the steak was too done), mixed frozen veggies most off plan--wax beans, snow pea pods, chestnuts but ate them anyway as I was so hungry, orange slices about half an orange.

No exercise; home later than I wanted to and the rain, rain, rain, came down, down, down along with the weather-induced sinus headache. The barometer was all over the place and my lower back felt like it wanted to split into two at the hips. I ended up using a heating pad to get loosened up enough to go to sleep.

Day 103:

ketosis: trace
weight: still 168--feet stiff like blocks of wood (retaining water?)

I was so tired this morning and DH beat me to the shower as he had to get to work early to drive up north to check out how another school district is using the same software program we are upgrading to. Funny, how most districts don't even try to communicate or cooperate with each other to make things easier and more efficient for all.

Today was a frustrating day in classes--I have students who just seem to think doing nothing is OK. They don't ask for clarification if they don't understand the task, they just sit and do nothing. I wrote up step-by-step instructions for the essay today and took them through the pre-writing for it together and still I had students sit by and do nothing. Some actually got out assignments for math, because it was due the next period (homework...), but hadn't done the homework for my class and I see them for 1/3 of their credits this year. Amazing! I subscribe to the behavioral psychology point of view; and by the time our district's students reach high school they don't understand that homework needs to be done at home prior to coming into class. They rarely see homework in elementary school, only honors classes seem to have it junior high, and in high school, they can't be bothered as it infringes upon their own time for gaming, face-booking, skateboarding, etc. In my parents district, all students from K-12 have mandatory homework. Once a week through the primary grades and three-times a week for the intermediate grades so that by the time students reach middle an high school, the habit is instilled. Athletics seems to be the only thing that is instilled in my district from early grades on.

Meals: breakfast--green tea, lunch--chicken breast, brussel sprouts, apple, snack--10 macadamia nuts, small amount of flank steak, 4 dried plums (so hungry again after school--much more hungry than I've been since beginning this diet), dinner--??? (glad I had the snack, because DH hasn't made up his mind about dinner yet, but the birdfeeders are now full outside.) I'm going to wash and slice the strawberries and maybe that will move him along in the right direction.

Should have walked tonight--clear and cold for now. Back is still sore as are my sinuses.

Good news--now I have one more judge for Daffodil and need a male perspective for a third. I will follow up with a couple more leads tomorrow morning. Still, only three of the candidates were there for speech practice--somehow mandatory hasn't soaked into their heads either. But some of the escorts showed up to give feedback -- at least they are involved.

[LAinSEA]

Day 104:

ketosis: trace (but none late afternoon at all; the color has been so light, that I though I'd check after all I had was tea, water, chicken, brussel sprouts, and an apple for lunch, but alas nothing. So frustrating, it's like my body has just stopped metabolizing fat and I'm literally famished when I get home from school causing me to snack.)
weight: still 168

It seems to be a conspiracy among the students not to want to do any work on Wednesdays (the classes are too short, we can't get anything done, let's not do anything!). I agree about first period, we're down to 35 minutes for it and just 40 minutes for all others. Timing is off and it's hard to adjust lesson plans for a shorter class period (but actually 45 minutes isn't all that long either and that is what we had last year). The schedule adjustment came so that we as secondary teachers would get more collaboration time, but frankly, I'd rather go back to the same schedule. My colleagues don't collaborate well except the one I'm currently planning units with.

No exercise again today (I didn't leave school until 5:15 and it was dark when I got home although still dry). My back is still tender and I'm wondering if it isn't the start of another kidney stone instead of a sore muscle. The diagnostics didn't see it last time, so going to a doctor isn't going to be helpful as I don't have the time for tests and more tests. I have some pain meds and if it gets bad, I'll go and take them.

Meals: breakfast--green tea, lunch--chicken breast, brussel sprouts, apple, snack--1 oz low-fat havarti, 10 macadamia nuts, the last four dried plums (not buying more as I can't leave them alone), and the crumbled remains of a grissini, dinner--grilled flat iron steak over portabello mushroom with grilled onions and peppers, asparagus, raspberries and blackberries. Trying to get caught up with my water intake and losing.

I made calls this morning and tried to round up at least one more judge (civil declines followed) and emailed the brother of our one of assistant principals who is the same at a cross-town junior high school--calling favors. I have to make up the judges notebooks before leaving school tomorrow. One more candidate has her speech written and edited for time with two more to go. I need to figure out where to order flowers--at least the tiara arrived in the mail.

[VernRDH]

Just checking in to see if you are surviving:goodvibes I look forward to hearing your updates!!

[LAinSEA]

Thanks, Veronica for keeping my journal up on the front page of the board... I surely appreciate it.

Let's just say it has been rather hectic around here and leave it at that...

Thursday night was football game night and senior night besides. The stands were nearly empty, but it was the best game the boys played all season long. One more to go against a non-conference opponent this Thursday night and we're done shivering in the cold and sitting on a hard bench for the year (however, the girls soccer team is in the playoffs and ranked first in state, so maybe we'll have to endure more bench time.) My husband goes with me--and it's hard to believe the kids know you're there in those nearly empty stands. But Friday, I had player after player come and talk football with me and say, "did you see..." and I can honestly answer, "I did."

My weight has continued to go up and down and up again and then finally drop a pound, but it's not the 2-3 pounds per week I'm used to even with the HCG with B12 added. In addition, I'm losing more hair in the shower in the morning than is normal for me and I'm a bit freaked out to say the least. The other issue is that I'm hungry, I mean really ravenously hungry, in the afternoons after school--but I'm nauseated if I try to eat something first thing in the morning. My eyes are also very dry and I've got this "brain fog" that is just not me. All these symptoms drove me to schedule a body composition test on Saturday and hopefully see the nurse/doctor at the clinic and get some answers. Unfortunately, the flu took both out of the clinic right after arrived for my appointment and I've been playing phone tag ever since.

So not to go over the ups and downs, I'll just post where I am today and we'll take it from there...

ketosis: trace (has been none or back and forth for days)
weight: up 1 lb this morning to 167 (was so excited to see 166 yesterday and that lost pound found me this morning).

I didn't sleep well (too much stress and probably caffeine--I had a breve yesterday on my way to Pro Cert meeting in Tacoma and it kept me awake and alert for the meeting--so boring!--but it also kept me awake most of the night too.) It is also interim progress report time again and I must post grades tomorrow (I'm mostly ready and figured out a way to use the other half of my gradebook to use for IPRs). My sophomores are preparing for a Mock Trial (begins Friday and goes through Monday): the progressives vs. the industrialists as their unit review. I need to write the unit test tomorrow afternoon. Thursday is Daffodil meeting and then out to dinner with moms and candidates before going to another school's selection. Friday is their formal pictures after school. I'm exhausted just thinking about all of it. Still without a male judge, but I lost a candidate on Friday, so I'm down to five and six escorts (but I really do need the six so our returning princess/queen can be escorted as well.) Next week is looking just as busy as this week with our visit to city council on Tuesday night and then we're just a week away from the Judges' Tea and two weeks from selection night. I will sleep when it is over. We have conferences scheduled for the evening of the 12th for our advisees. Just doesn't stop!

Exercise--other than pushing the laptop computer carts around the hallways and re-arranging the desks into a courtroom, I haven't had much exercise and my fitness level is dropping. I asked if the lack of exercise is what is stalling my weightloss and was told no, some folks never do exercise on this program and still lose. But I know that I would feel better if I could get out there and just do it.

Meals: except for the Reese peanut butter cup on Halloween (and it was just one!), I've been totally on plan. I even have avoided the dried plums (out of them and not buying more), the macadamia nuts (although I ate 10 this afternoon), and have been careful with portions and worked on getting more water in me too. I think DH used too much salt in the chicken curry yesterday though and I was retaining water this morning (is that where the pound came from?)

Today: breakfast--iced tea, lunch--flank steak, green beans, apple, snack--four melba snacks (equals one melba toast) with 1 oz light havarti and 10 macadamia nuts, dinner--??? DH has called or come home yet and I have no idea what he has in mind or I'd prep it. I found some more fresh--small-sized strawberries at the store and that will be desert.

Truth be told, I'm just so tired. I'm ready for a break from everything and Thanksgiving weekend just can't come fast enough. I was ready to just tell the clinic I wanted a break from the HCG and the diet too, but frankly I'm afraid that I will just put on weight even with following the stabilization plan/maintenance plan. They have a new Naturepath on staff and I'm hoping to schedule an appointment in the late afternoon or maybe Veterans' day if they are open to get a handle on what is going on. I still have about 40 lbs more to lose and don't want to ruin this as it is the only thing that has worked for me.

So, back to work for me...if you're thinking about becoming a teacher, don't choose to teach any English---too much grading.

[VernRDH]

:hug:Laurie:hug:

Hoping that you can find some answers at the clinic for your hungriness and fatigue. Don't give up-you have done so well and your journey is not yet over.

The Red Robin thing-I do love going there, but the sodium is killer. I use the customizer on their website to "build" my burger and see the calorie content. I discovered if I had chosen the chicken instead of the burger, I would have saved an additional 150 calories and a boatload of fat. So next time I think I will get the chicken with lettuce, tomato, onion and guacamole. Something like 210 cals and 7g of fat. Then I won't feel so bad about the fries:rolleyes1

Thanks for the encouragement on DD and her spelling-like I say I think it is genetic as DH cannot spell to save his life. I find that having her write words 3 times each every day helps immensely. Next is working on our cursive........

[LAinSEA]

Day 110 - another "wacky Wednesday" -- I really don't like the late arrival schedule and I hope they change it back to early release next year. Our staff meeting this morning was a complete waste of time and the info could have been diseminated via email for all the "training" on Cornell notes (which I teach my students during the first two weeks of class.) Could have used that time to collaborate with colleagues instead of the whole school biz...(the rant is just beginning, so if you're not prepared for negativity, head somewhere else until I get to another day.)

ketosis: none
weight: back down to 166

I didn't sleep well last night, awake at 2am, awake again at 4:30am then nearly slept through my alarm at 5:35am--unconscientious hit snooze and woke with a late start at 5:50am. Then I'm in a rush and I feel rushed all day. My sophomore classes had to go to training in the library for a new electronnic portfolio system. Then the other period (I have them twice in a row on Wednesdays for about 80 minutes total instead of the one class with 90 minutes) was supposed to be used to work on Mock Trial prep. Nearly half the class couldn't get logged on to the laptops and I couldn't reset passwords. The three old and slow computers apparently won't save to the network folders nor print--finally solved the problems by having student paste work in the bodies of email and send it to me for formatting. Still, the witness statements were supposed to have been completed and word processed before class today and have 2 in the honors class and about half in the regular class who didn't turn in anything. I can just not accept them for grading, but to not do the work hurts their teams. I've never had this many students who haven't completed this work for Mock Trial, honors or regular. This cohort seems to have problems with accountability to self, to peers, and to teachers. Worse, confronting them didn't get them off the stick and started on word processing. "I don't have enough time--the class period is too short." So just be aware, you parents out there, when your son or daughter is still living under your roof at age 40 (and probably has a few grandkids your supporting too), it's because he or she told the boss that there just wasn't enough time in the day to do the job and the boss said, "OK, why don't you take the rest of your life off, and I'll find someone who will get the work done ontime, under budget, and right the first time around." But please don't blame the teacher, she told you so.

Meals: breakfast--iced tea, lunch--chicken tenders, green beans, apple, snack--(my downfall at 4:45pm)--1 oz light havarti, 4 melba snacks, handful of black berries and raspberries, 10 macadamia nuts, and 50 g of bbq pork, 2 glasses of water--still hungry--two grissini--still hungry, but dinner is in the oven. Dinner--pork chop, salad, strawberries. I feel like I've just binged and binged big time; then why am I still raveous?

Still no exercise other than pushing the computer carts around the hallways. I wish grading burned more calories. My mind feels like it had a workout--do you know that sophomores forget to paragraph when writing biographical statements? Again, what do they teach these kids in junior high school? Even my poor grandmother with alzheimer's remembers to paragraph (can't remember what she ate for lunch, but the writing skills are solid.)

Oh, and the capper to the perfect day: when I went down to use the copy machine (built a "cornell notes" template for taking notes during Mock Trial for students--see the meeting this morning did brainwash me into cooperating, it just took 7 hours to sink in), it was kaput (again) with the magenta sticky note (don't attempt to fix--copy machine surgeon contacted and will show up whenever...)

Oh, well, as Scarlet O'Hara always said, "Tomorrow's another day" (Gone With the Wind, 1938).

[VernRDH]

:lmao: Laurie, should you decide to leave the teaching profession, you would do well with comedy!! I know it is not funny to you, but I got a good chuckle out of your post.

I don't understand why the kids don't do the work-we ride DD like crazy to get homework done, and even classwork that she did not finish. I would hope that by the time she gets to high school she will have learned that the work has to be done and on time, but I will still make sure it gets done.

Did you get an appointment with the clinic yet? Let me know how you make out.

[LAinSEA]

They call it a weekend, but really I believe the term is an oxymoron. It's not the end of a week, but simply a continuation of things left undone to be piled on to the list for the next week. The only thing good about weekends is not having to wake up at the crack of o'dark thirty (a reminder to turn on the alarm clock again before pretending to sleep tonight.) Yes, there should be a break mid-week for Veterans' Day, but for me it will be about catching up on grading (unit tests on Tuesday and honors' novel projects, preparing food for student-led conference night on Thursday...did I forget? I did, must supervise escorts and Daffodil candidates down at the city council meeting on Tuesday night and head to the florist's on Monday afternoon to order boutineers and bouquets for selection night.

It's time to order that organizer from Pottery Barn--perhaps I can just say it's my birthday present from DH when he asks about the charge on the credit card. We've been without a calendar in the kitchen since we began the remodel two years ago. (Yes, it's been that long and there are still unfinished projects piling onto of the daily grind.)

Veronica - comedy eh? hmmm? never thought of that, but I've been working out the plot to a psychological thriller novel for about 20 years now. I keep saying this is the summer I'll write it. Then summer comes, goes, and the storyline is still inside my head and not on my laptop. Just another thing on the list. But please, stay on DD--she will thank you later on. The fact I had to stay on top of school work from K through 12 helped me survive college and definitely kept me employed all but 18 months out of my teen years through present. But, I sure wish there were more hours in the day and that I wouldn't try to solve problems while I sleep. (My father does it too, must be genetic.)

The past three mornings I've been out of ketosis and in and then out (glass of red wine with dinner last night and didn't skip the berries.) Weight is down to 165 the past two mornings and hoping it won't yo-yo up through the week this week.

Meals have been (mostly) on plan; DH has come up with a stuffed pork chop receipe that is to die for! (No pork, even lean pork, isn't on plan, but calorie, fat, protein-wise it is better than flank steak, but not as good as chicken numbers-wise.) He buys thick-cut loin chops, slices a pocket into the center and stuffs it with a little gorgonzola (lowest fat of the blue cheeses) and adds a sun dried tomato or two and then pins it shut. He bakes it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and it comes out so moist and tender and tasty. We've also tried to have more salads the last three nights as I read that broccoli and brussel sprouts can cause stalls. So I'm trying to mix the veggies more and definitely have at least one meal with greens. I'm still having to find a snack in the late afternoon (or I begin to bonk physically and mentally). So my need must not be totally related to frustration eating after school. I was just doing laundry yesterday and some low-key unit planning and bonked badly at 4pm yesterday (after having a late lunch of an omellette). I was craving sugar and had to make do with melba snacks with low-fat havarti.

Exercise still none, unless dashing across the parking lot to avoid rain while searching for the elusive fulvic minerals (what I need to find for the hair loss). I also lost DH at the grocery store this afternoon and did several laps before I found him. He didn't hear me say I was heading down an aisle to grab something and then he decided to hit the head and just left the cart in some random spot. A little upped pulse has got to the be same thing as walking a mile or two, right?

Thursday night--the candidates, their moms and I went to the rival high school's princess selection. It was enlightening, and my girls feel better about their speeches (they're more original!) I survived Red Robin with the Baja chicken platter, but they didn't have good vinegar for the salad, just the type for fish and chips. Friday's photo shoot went well and the tiara that seemed small, looked amazing on all candidates. I did get some planning done, some pro cert homework done (not all but a good start and hoping they post exemplars this week.) Laundry is done and kitchen is clean except for floor. (Vacuum after work tomorrow). Cats nails are cut (they won't use the pedipaws thing), not too much blood was spilled. All in all, I should feel OK and not buried, but there is still so much to do. The neice of our neighbors has agreed to judge for me (she would be number 3), but is also looking for a gentleman judge also. I'm just thrilled for the warm body at this point, but I know she will be fantastic!

Now off to re-set the alarm and continue on to the next "weekend."

[LAinSEA]

Frustration has definitely set in (as DH cooks up the layered nacho dips for my advisory's conference night and I can't have any of it). I had an appointment with the Naturepath at the HCG clinic today and he ran some tests--some I've never had before. I've not been in ketosis for a week now and have only lost one pound and only 5 over the past five weeks. This is not right for this plan. He did feel my thyroid and said it was irregular and larger on the left than the right side, but is going to wait for labs to try me on any other supplements or meds. For now, I'm staying on the HCG with B12, adding fulvic minerals (supposed to stop and reverse the hair loss and fatigue), a different kind of fiber with meals (glucomannan), and going back to the original 100 g of protein at each meal with an extra portion of protein when I'm hungry in the afternoon. I'm to drop all fruit and have no more grissini or melba toast until I'm back into ketosis (and not macadamia nuts!) He wants to avoid any wheat (even if I do get back into ketosis) and all dairy. He found that my joints were swollen and wants to see if it is an alergy to dairy (I know that I am sensistive to wheat and corn).

Weight today was 165 this morning and 167 fully dressed at the clinic. I'm down 51 lbs officially there. The body comp test said my metabolism had slowed from burning just over 1500 calories/day to just under 1400. This is not good. He agrees something is going on, but we can't add too many things (or take away too many things) too quickly. If there is no improvement in 2 weeks, we'll add a thyroid supplment (thyroid plus) to the regiment.

He got on me about the exercise (lack therof) too. I've got to walk at least 3x a week or more. It is nice out today, so I'll get out in a bit.

Hopefully, this will reduce the fatigue and aches/pains and re-start the weight loss. I need to reduce stress too --no real advice to follow there.

My daffodil candidates and 4 or 6 escorts were recognized by the city council last night. All had to tell the assembled group about their future plans and all did great (even the guys who haven't practiced). I've got book projects to grade, but have a video scheduled for tomorrow and Friday that will allow me to get some of it done during classes. Candidates have practice after chool again and then the advisory conferences are scheduled for 7pm (I'll need to be there at 6:00-6:30).

[momof2minnies]

Laurie,
Just catching up here.Sorry to hear about all the things going on with you.Maybe you have a sluggish thyroid.I swear that is my issue since I had 1/2 removed in 2003.My labs are always good though so I have nothing to base it on except my metabolism decrease.It could also explain the hair loss.

Your weight loss is awesome.Getting out for a walk sounds like a great idea,it can only help.

Keep up the great work and good luck with your labs.

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda: thanks for the encouragement. My sis found a nurse practitioner that treated her hostically instead of just looking at the thyroid labs and she's been taking Armour and feeling better than she has in years. I can't seem to find the same kind of doctor here though. What is normal? and who defined it? My eyebrows have all but disappeared over the past 20 years and with the weight loss you can see my thyroid--not just feel, but see it. I'm hoping that I get news that helps me get started on feeling better soon.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday...since giving up the fruit, and the dairy, and the nuts, I'm actually down 4 lbs - 161! Who'd have thunk it! I'm back in the pinker side of trace for ketosis and allowed myself some apples with my protein snack this afternoon, but probably won't indulge at dinner. I'm into a pair of 14 petite jeans (button fly from Eddie Bauer long ago) and I didn't have to lay down on the bed to button them.

We ignored the housework and other stuff staring us in the face today and went shopping (It's my birthday on Monday.) The goal was to check out some things at Pottery Barn (I like to look before ordering online). But, they didn't have the daily calendar system in the store as a sample. We did buy too much at William Sonoma--and ordered a new non-stick french fry pan--as our older pan is sticking and the coating appears to be coming off. Those non-stick pans don't last forever even if you always follow the rules (low heat and hand-wash). Can't ignor the chores again tomorrow or the planning for the Judges' tea or writing the script for Selection night.

Meals today: brunch--leftover corned beef and cabbage, snack--flank steak and apple, dinner--grilled lean hamburger over portabello mushroom cap, salad.

Exercise: walked the mall, but didn't get out and walk the neighborhood. I was stuck at work both Thursday and Friday well after it got dark. Hopefully the rain will hold off and we can walk tomorrow am. We had our first frost this morning (later than normal). It stayed chilly all day long.

[VernRDH]

I *knew* there was a reason I liked you so much!!! Your birthday is monday, mine is Wednesday!!!:hug: Us Scorpio girls stick together, eh??

Good for you on the weight loss, how teriffic to get going again!! Hope things continue to go in the right direction and that you get some answers with your thyroid.

Wish I could report my weight loss was going as well, unfortunately it is not currently, but I am sure it will get going again soon.

Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration!!!

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!:wizard::flower3:

[momof2minnies]

Congrats on the 4 lbs and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda & Veronica - you are going to laugh at this one...my mother sent me a card wishing me a happy 44th (I'm going to be 46!); she's a scorpio too and in charge of math olympiad for 4th graders at her school. I gave her all kinds of grief this afternoon. (Parents are a bit sniffy about not getting together to go out for my birthday this weekend, but with getting ready for this week's commitments and my eating plan, they will just have to wait...) DH say's he'll make me a lobster tail for birthday dinner and they're on sale for 7.99 for 5 oz tails at the grocery store this week. I'll pick up two when I get the flowers tomorrow for the tea on Tuesday night.

Ketosis: trace to small this morning (despite having an apple yesterday)
Weight: still at 161

Because of the ketosis level and a headache that wouldn't go away last evening and throughout the night, I asked DH to get me a breve this morning. Headache dulled slightly for awhile, but is back in force tonight. Sinus pressure and a string of low pressure storms rolling in is going to make this week pretty painful. It has my joints - especially my hips and low back all stiff and painful too.

We have a plan for catering the tea on Tuesday night and have picked up most of the food needed (DH will pick up shrimp and sliced baggettes tomorrow evening while I get the flowers.) It's funny - there are deals on deli trays at the local groceries, but it is still cheaper at Costco to get things and do a bit more prep work and I think it will work out better portion-wise. It's not so much a "tea" but a light supper with big Caesar salad, meats/cheeses with the sliced french baggettes, fruit, and tinned cookies. We'll serve sparkling cider, bottled water, and have a thing of decaf Starbucks' coffee on hand. The candidates bring their families - so it could be 15 to 25 people including judges. We picked up some large white platters at Costco too that will work with my home dishes for other events. I'm glad DH is willing to help. I'm so behind on all the other things necessary to get accomplished that I'm in that paralysis way of thinking right now and the headache isn't helping. I'd best just get the school laptop out and get moving...

[momof2minnies]

WOW thank you Mom! My Dad seems not to remember exactly how old I am either- you would think the moms would never forget the day-HA!HA!

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Day 122 - Monday after a very stormy night. The wind blew so terribly bad that it sent more of my larger pots flying--right now I've got a palm and a 10 foot bay tree laying over on their sides and they're too heavy for me to tilt up by myself. Sleep went by the wayside, but oh, the weird dreams a windstorm produces! No rest, just REM. I hope, and prayed, that the power would be out at school and we'd be two hours late, but alas, it was not to be. We didn't even lose power last night--rare for us in an area with so many trees in 30-55 mph winds! It could get bad again tonight after the warm, driving rain all day. I'm looking forward to some sleep, but it might not materialized tonight either.

ketosis: trace
weight: still 161 (that breve may have stalled me out, again)

The size 12 charter club jeans I'm in today felt baggy by about 11 am today. I sure wish my tummy would lose some more inches and I'd be in other size 12s stashed in my closet and have the excuse to spend some of the cash I received through the mail for my birthday on clothes. I'm so reluctant to buy anything new--the last stuff I bought was "big girl" tops and shorts to get through the summer and new bras, which I'm swimming in now, but haven't wanted to cough up the cash to buy more. I'm in some ratty old ones that are almost as stretched out to the big sizes I bought. I won't be able to fake wearing them soon, hiding about in big sweaters helps for work. I'm not much of a clothes horse--never really cared about shopping (except in high school, when I did much more window shopping with friends than buying.) I'm glad that styles have moved from low rise and high tops to more "normal" styles. Still, even if I got down to what I weighed in high school, I wouldn't fit into those skinny jeans. I've always had too much thigh!

Meals today: breakfast--iced green/mint tea, lunch--flank steak, green salad, half an apple, snack--90 g grilled chicken tenders, dinner--lobster tail, aparagus, maybe some strawberries, or if DH if able to find a small tenderloin steak to split, we'll add steak too. The scary thing is that I'm still hungry after eating the chicken snack--I'm pounding down water and hoping that will help. I still don't get enough water in me on week days.

I was so disappointed with my sophomores today; few did the homework over the weekend and it was in my lesson plan to review it, peer score it, and reflect upon it to set new goals for this unit. Only 7 honors students did the work and brought it in. About half of the regular students did--12 or 13 total. So what did the kids who didn't do the work do while the others went through the exercise? They sat and didn't even try to complete what they should have over the weekend. No shame in them at all. My seniors seemed to feel the necessity of behaving like they were in pre-school today too--wiggly and wanting to mess with each other's hair or clothing. Weird! We got through less than what was planned in the Iliad also. (BTW, they only have to read excerpts, not the whole thing! I had to read both the Iliad and the Odyssey as a 7th grader for social studies and English block. So much for raising the bar for education over the last 20-30 years!)

[LAinSEA]

Oh so tired! I'm ready to try to nap. It's been nothing but one storm after another this week and I've had little real rest. We live on a greenbelt and the high winds through the trees in the back sound like a freight train all night long punctuated by the cracks of limbs breaking and garbage cans pounding against garage doors. I just could not work in a war zone and understand completely why those who do have to live with explosions going off all around them become just a little sensitive to all noises and dive for cover with exceptionally loud ones.

With all the low pressure, the students have been just squirrely all week long. My mom has this theory that behavior is worse during low pressure (worse than with the full or new moon); she sees it and her 1st/2nd graders have had a tough week too. But high school students should be able to overcome their impulses. It's like they day before a holiday weekend everyday right now; and yes, we still have a full day of school on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It doesn't help that our advisory system seems to be one constant party and kids are being allowed out and about and into other advisories gorging on the food and drink they've brought in. Fridays are supposed to be academic days in advisory--a quiet study hall and it's become party central instead. If you, as the teacher, try to enforce the rules, then you're the evil witch. Most teachers appear to be letting the inmates run the asylum.

The judges tea for the daffodil candidates went well (no fathers attended and we had plenty of food left over--too much food left over. We've been eating shrimp all week long.) The judges were expecting at least one stand out candidate; they got five and the competition is completely up in the air. That is what I hoped for. The selection night in next Tuesday and I'm still waiting for information from an escort and the stage crew.

This week, I've been still avoiding fruit until I just can't stand it; I've had about 2 apples total for the week. I've stayed in "Trace" ketosis despite other temptations (Danish butter cookies are not a good thing to have in the house for me and DH wouldn't just let me take them into my advisory yet--also leftovers from the tea.) I know four only have about 140 calories, still I'm not allowed the fat and the sugar, and, yes, I've been sneaking a few hear and there. I've also resorted to macadamia nuts after school the past two days. I was still so hungry after eating a protein snack, I felt like I wanted to bonk--lightheaded even. A little sugar and the nuts stops that symptom, but there has to be another solution.

My weight has bounced up and down between 161 and 162 and then this morning I was down to 159. My joints are very swollen in the morning when I wake up also - painful, I thought avoiding dairy is supposed to have help with this symptom, but no change. I'm still losing hair--maybe not quite as much as last week, but still much more than I'm comfortable with. There are no thin spots (I can see), but it's very noticable to me and my barrettes are slipping when I try to wear them. The pain in my lower back is worse this week; kidney stones again coming on?

The plan is to sleep in this weekend. I have about an hour of grading to do and the Pro Cert assignments that I should have completed last weekend. (Still no examples posted of what the work should look like.)

I have a coupon for a free Birthday Burger at Red Robin and thought I'd try and talk DH into going out at some point this weekend. I can't enjoy it on a bun or with fries, but just a mushroom swiss burger on lettuce sounds good right now.

[LAinSEA]

Day 127

Ketosis: none (revenge of the Danish butter cookies--no, no, no more!)
Weight: still 159 lbs

It's been awhile since I've taken the time to measure, and since I could use the affirmation, I decided to do it today.

Beginning Stats: 11/21/09
Weight: 218.4 lbs 159 lbs
Bust: 48.5 41.25"
Waist: 45 33.5"
Hips: 48 39"
Thigh: 25 22"
Neck: 15 13"
Size: 16 W or 1X 12/14 regular depending upon the brand

Total inches lost: 32.75
Total weight lost: 59.4
I've averaged .46 lbs per day on this plan. BMI is now 27.7.

I still need to lose another 1.5" from my waist to be in that healthy area for women of 32". And I need to lose another 16 lbs to be just within a normal BMI.

[VernRDH]

OMG Laurie-you are shrinking so well!!! How amazing the results of your measurements!! Good for you, keep up the good work.

I too got the birthday burger coupon for Red Robin, but don't know that I am going to used it. We went to the chinese buffet tonight with my brother, sis in law and niece. I didn't eat very much, just wasn't that hungry. Not feeling very well at the moment, hoping some water and rest will set me right.

I look forward to reading about your progress each day, it inspires me to keep going too. You should post some pictures at some point too.

[LAinSEA]

Way too busy from Saturday evening through Friday afternoon...

The Daffodil Princess went off quite well on Tuesday evening--the judges had the toughest of decisions to make and it took them longer than any other selection evening. In the end, we have a fabulous princess--but any one of the ladies would have been equally up to the task. I just hope that the winner can keep a balance between the festival responsibilities and her own life.

My weight bounced up and down all week: DH made me chopino on Monday evening and thought the carb count and sodium count would not be a problem based upon the base (comes in a jar and is yummy to be certain.) On Tuesday am, I was not only out of ketosis, but up 5 lbs to 164! With the stress of Tuesday and getting through Wednesday complete nuttiness on the part of students before a holiday weekend, I was a wreck. I managed to eat on plan at my parents yesterday for Thanksgiving (just turkey, some green beans with mushrooms, and salad--only treat was two Tbs of cranberry sauce.) With eggs for breakfast, I was back to 159 lbs this morning and back into ketosis finally. We go over to DH's dad's house today for Thanksgiving part deux and I'm already trying to find polite comments about food that gets me out of eating it.

I had another appointment with the naturepath at the clinic on Wednesday, he added the Thyroid plus supplement (just one capsule each morning) and a new type of multivitamin that I take 3 with lunch and 3 with dinner. I can taste the B vitamins in it almost as soon as I swallow them. We also upped the HCG from 150 to 200 for the shots. I'd only lost 4.5 lbs in 4 weeks and that is way below target (even with some cheating...I've been diligent about no cheese and no fruit the past two weeks even with an occasional cookie.) The doctor told me they expect to see some cheating, but they've not seen so little loss even when folks are reporting a trip to Olive Garden once a week. I've not been much over my allowed intake of calories. They comped me a "buckshot" which helps to detox the liver and rev up metabolism and didn't charge for the doctor's visit. I will follow this for the next two weeks and see if it re-starts the weightloss and diminishes the hair loss with another follow up again.

Running around in high heels Tuesday night made my mid-back seize up big time. I've been hitting the heating pad night and morning and it's tender to stand, sit, lay, breathe. I've not done any pain meds except Advil and it didn't touch it. Today, I'm still tender, but must put a smile on and head out.

Veronica--thanks so much for your support. These last 30 may be my undoing...thanks for helping me see the big picture (I'm not sure if I've got any good before or after photos as I tend to avoid being in any photograph if I can help it.)

[VernRDH]

I was wondering when you would get back here!! Missed ya!!:)

Glad the Daffodil thing went well, at least that stress is gone, now it is just the regular school stress.:rolleyes:

Glad you got thru the Turkey Day meal, wish I could say I did as well. But the leftovers are almost gone so then I am soooo done.

Sounds like they are tweaking you a bit at the clinic-hopefully this gets things going for you again. I wish I could get my loss back on track, hoping that in the 4 weeks between now and Christmas I can be good and lose a few, at least enough so that my clothes for the trip in January fit okay.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!:santa:

[Genie313]

Hi, Laurie:

I've been reading your thread with interest as I'm about to start on hcg. Congratulations on achieving such a great loss in only a few months! I was wondering about your protocol. Are you taking daily injections subcutaneously? How many IUs do you take in each dose and have you varied it during the diet. I'm worried about hair loss so I think I'll try the fulvic minerals at the outset.

Congrats again :)

Genie

[LAinSEA]

Thankfully, we got away from FIL's without leftovers (although DH would like to roast a turkey at some point in the next few weeks...) I managed not to eat the potatoes or stuffing again, but was out of ketosis due to a little cranberry sauce and fat in the greenbeans (cooked with bacon) and a spot of gravy.

I was down 1 to 158 this morning despite being out of ketosis.

Veronica - I wish you the best to get into your warm weather clothing for Disney. My folks, my sis and the nieces are going in February and I'm just plain envious right now. I couldn't take the personal days to go anyway--too many restrictions.

Genie - thanks for stopping by...

I was doing 150 (15 on the syringe) and now I'm doing 200 (20 on the syringe) subcutaneously. I inject into the "pinch an inch" flab at my waistline and not into muscle like some say to do on other sites. The clinic said that it would be more comfortable to inject into the flab and injecting into muscle wouldn't aid in getting the HCG into the bloodstream. I've noticed that my hunger has diminished since upping the dosage, but then I'm off work for the weekend and the stress is lower. I'll be surprised if I'm not hungry tomorrow afternoon. I'm not sure if it is the fulvic minerals or the thyroid plus, but I had less hair loss this am than usual. I'm hoping something is finally stopping it.

I've been trying to get some grading done and get the scores entered into my gradebook--but the remote access isn't letting me in to work. It's frustrating. DH made some calls to his bosses to find out why the network is shutting us out--it worked last weekend just fine, but didn't work for the month prior. I'm threatening to go into school tomorrow and then bill them for the overtime if I can't get in. I don't mind working from home, but I do mind having to go in to get things done that I should be able to do from home. I've finished my Pro Cert assignments too and just need to print them out on Monday before going to the class tomorrow afternoon. The state still hasn't posted the examples of portfolios yet and I feel like I'm flying blind. I know I'm not the only one.

Breakfast again today was an omelette and half an apple; macadamia nuts and grissini for a snack, and it will be halibut in parchement and brussel sprouts for dinner. I've managed to stay away from the cookies. That's a plus, but still over what I'm suppose to be eating for the day.

[LAinSEA]

I had every intention of posting daily now that Daffodil selection is over...best laid plans gone awry.

Ketosis has been a struggle and I've been out of it for three days straight now. I added back in the fruit; half an apple at lunch and one/two clemontine oranges at dinner. I guess I'd best lose the oranges again, but it helps with the sugar cravings.

Weight: I was down to 156 yesterday, but back up to 157 this morning and could tell I was retaining water. Hopefully, I'm now back to bouncing again.

Sugar cravings are way high! (yes, I gave into four small cookies today! bad, bad, bad, very bad Laurie). I've been avoiding them at home, successfully, until this afternoon. I just felt light-headed like I had low blood sugar which is not supposed to happen eating this way. I'm pounding down the water now, trying to aleviate the continued cravings.

I'm also a bit spacey (yes, even for me...forgot assignments at school yesterday for grading, but had time to get them done before classes today.) It has been harder to focus and I thought the thyroid supplement might help that, but thus far it hasn't.

I had to add a behavioral chart for my sophomore classes; too much wasted time on behavioral corrections, too much wasted time between activities, and too much overall wasted time during those rare moments I allow them to work on assignments in class. They now are having to be responsible for themselves or else lose out on points for the week. Wish it didn't have to come to that. I figured out that I'm a month behind the past two years in curriculum, my notes are showing that it is due to having to deal with behavior modification.

Now, to get motivated to grade the (so far) dismal quizzes on American Imperialism...

[VernRDH]

Don't you just :love: clementines? They are my favorite, I look forward to them each year. DD likes em too, and they are a good size for her.

It's going to be hard to resist all the temptations this season brings, but you are doing a great job!! Keep up the good work. I am proud of you!!

[LAinSEA]

Oh the clementines are fabulous this year (but I just found one going white with mold and tossed it, hoping it didn't poison the bunch). I can't stay in ketosis having even just one a day though. Apples are OK, don't seem to knock me out, but the oranges! With this head cold coming on, I'm going to keep eating them. Taking vitamin C and eating an orange just aren't the same thing for me...the clementines have helped me to keep the symptoms at bay over the week (or at least I'm giving them the credit).

Still can't stay in ketosis--been out all week long! (or the strips are bad...)
Weight, I'm bouncing again. 158 yesterday morning (yikes!), then by afternoon I was down to 156. Thought I might see a loss this morning to find that I stayed the same. Won't get on the scale this evening though, came home hungry and I've already had my flank steak snack, 2 melba toast snacks, a clementine (none at dinner tonight now), and a slice of cheese! I'm craving sugar something fierce. I just don't know what the cause of it is.

I found two more pairs of khaki pants in the back of my closet to get into; forgot I had them. 14 petites and fitting well. Still can't get into my 12 regulars--too tight in the waist. Will my tummy just go away already?!? I really need to shop for tops, I'm swimming in my sweaters and sweatshirts. I like things big, but this is ridiculous.

Students have two more weeks before winter break and I'm convinced they've just stopped paying attention. I've never worked with such interesting and yes, even kind students as this group of sophomores, but their work ethics, overall, are terrible! They don't seem concerned about their grades at all (even the honors group). While I had a senior stay yesterday and get 5 assignments finished- she was furthest behind and how is caught up. She and the other one who shares her name were supposed to stay after today too, but didn't show. I was actually happy to get to leave at decent hour - I didn't leave until nearly 6pm yesterday.

I need to make a concentrated effort on my pro cert stuff over the weekend. I didn't bring grading home and I'll have a little planning, but should just be able to do my own stuff instead of worrying about students. This house needs cleaning too. The cats be warned, the vaccuum is coming out tomorrow morning.

[VernRDH]

Hey chica, how is it going? Just checking in on you!!

Weather here is terrible, how has it been on your coast?

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - it's too, chatter, chatter, chatter, darn cold! We've been 12-17 degrees overnight and up to 28-30 during the day. Thankfully, no moisture around so we aren't buried in snow like we were this week last year. It numbingly cold for another reason too...

I've meant to post sooner this week, but life just kept getting in the way. Some seniors staying to get some work done after school (a good thing, but not real convenient), appointments to pick up more HCG and check in with the Naturepath, and a hair appointment yesterday, another after school work session with a senior today (he's still 4 assessments away from being caught up). But last night I got a phone call that absolutely changed everything and nothing at the same time.

About Annie: she was a counselor at our H.S. who started the AVID program for students who have the drive to get into college, but no parental assistance in that area. She moved to a junior high at the beginning of last school year to make a difference earlier. She was a mentor to me when I first began teaching and I was her primary sub for AVID the first year of the program. Annie was also morbidly obese. Then, with the help of a liquid diet, she dropped about 150 lbs. Still obese, but determined, she began running and the last I saw her she was about my size when I began my program last summer. That was about a year ago. She since had reduced to a healthy BMI (I'm guessing around 130-150) as told by a colleague. She was out running when she collasped and, fortunately, was picked up by the wife of one of our admin team who took her to the ER. She suffered an aneurism (sp?). They had operated, then waited, then operated again. Staff members who visited her reported her to be in good spirits and chaffing about being in the hospital over the weekend. Wednesday she passed away. (Complications from surgery or another aneurism? we don't know.)

I wouldn't say I was close to her, but knew that I could count her being there for me if I needed her. She wasn't married, no children except those who became her children at school where she worked. But I feel this hole has opened up and I don't know how to plug it after the news of her death. I wasn't the only staff member today that hadn't slept much. My voice would just catch all day long (and while some students are very sensitive to our loss-and their loss-many are pretty insensitive.) We already were dealing with the shooting of the four Lakewood police officers - one of our student's father was shot and we were keeping things "normal" for her last week while the services were being planned. But this is just too much.

Somehow, weight issues just don't matter at the moment...but they should. Annie would scold me if she knew that I just wanted to stop trying right now. It is amazing the cravings of comfort foods at a time like this.

I've done OK; I'm down to 155 but still battling to stay in ketosis and can't keep the clementines down to just one (need two or three)--medicinal is what my DH calls them to combat that cold we are just trying not to let get us before break. The naturepath upped my Thyroid to 2 a day and I've not noticed any signs that I'm taking too much yet (no heart racing or warm moments.) I add the seriphos someone suggested to combat cortisol also. Whatever the reason, fulvic minerals, thyroid supplement or the seriphos, my hair loss has slowed to a "normal" level. My hair stylist commented that if was thinner, but still good. "Don't complain, your hair was too thick!" she said while doing my highlights yesterday.

I didn't snack yesterday at all, but needed some protein, an orange, and some macadamia nuts when I got home today. I was light-headed and ravenous. Somehow I held out yesterday afternoon due to my hair appointment and DH had dinner ready to microwave when I got home. (Love leftovers sometimes). He concocted this new dish; seared chicken breasts smothered in spinach and mushrooms (sauteed in a little butter). It was so good. Tonight it is off-plan lean pork chops (I don't tend to stall out on pork, despite it not being on the list) and green beans.

I have another class-worth of news articles to grade, but don't have the motivation to get started. I could put them off until planning time tomorrow or over the weekend instead. I had planned to present how to write reading questions to state standards at our dept. collaboration day, but our principal wasn't up to it (he lost a dear friend). He is rescheduling taking our classes next Tuesday. Friday evening we are planning on heading up north to see some friends who are in town from Pittsburgh. He was bestman at our wedding and he and his wife are really fabulous, fun people. I just hope that I don't break down in their presence.

[VernRDH]

:hug: I am sorry to hear about your friend. It is so sad when someone who turns themselves around and is living healthy is struck down so young. I know that during this time you want to just turn to food for comfort, but I don't think you or your friend would want that. I wish I could offer some other comfort for you.

On the weather front, it is extremely cold here. Wind chills in the single digits. More snow coming, hoping that Sundays run misses the wind and snow alike.

Keep up the good work, I know those clementines are tough to resist. But you are doing great, and soon you get a break from the kids for Christmas break. Take some time for yourself and relax.:hug:

[momof2minnies]

Hi Laurie,
Sorry to have been MIA so long.I am so sorry to hear about Annie and the police officers.You are doing a great job- listen to Annie- she is saying be strong and don't use food for comfort.

Take one day at a time that's all we can do.

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Just inside after raking more leaves...we have these street trees called Velkovia (sp?) - some type of elm that doesn't lose its leaves until the first weeks of December. Finally they're out of the trees and have blow all in our yard (we're the high point of our block and it seems the prevailing winds whether from the southwest or northwest almost blow it all towards us.) My feet are numb, but last year about time those darn trees dumped, it snowed and our lawn was ruined because once those leaves are wet, they don't rake up and seem to poison anything they fall on. DH is still out blowing, but sent me in.

We did some holiday shopping this morning and still have more to do to be finished. We don't buy much for each other, just my parents, sis' family, and his brother and wife and the pets. Still with the medical bills of last month and all the charity stuff this month, there isn't much left over. I don't know how people with their own children do it. We're just getting by, not much for Christmas in the budget.

This morning, ketosis strip didn't register (old strip?), weight down 1 lb to 154.
Eating off plan with lamb last night (pork the night before), so it didn't seem to make a difference. It is nice to have the variety. I've been pretty good today with a ham and green pepper omellette for brunch and an once of low fat cheese and half an apple this afternoon. Dinner will be claypot chicken (wish I could have a potato with it, oh well...)

The memorial service for Annie will be a week from today; I'm glad they are planning it for a non-school day. One more week to go until break and the students have been "on-break" since Halloween it seems. I don't know what it is about cohorts of students, but this group of sophomores are nice and good natured, but not real serious about their studies. Once back from break it will be a month of tears when many find out they don't have enough time left to raise their grades to passing. Too much other stuff competing, like the text-messaging all night long and that facebook page that has to be up-to-date. Just say no!

Thanks Veronica and Linda - I'm doing my best not to let the emotions control the food content. It is difficult to resist this time of year anyway, but with the rollercoaster going on in my brain I just want something sweet and warm like a gooey cinamin roll and I just can't go there. Got to be strong.

[LAinSEA]

Almost all of the holiday shopping is now finished! Yay! and a good thing too, we've got snow flurries now and the cold air that has been sitting here over a week has not taken it's leave. Maybe a late start day tomorrow or a snow day? (Late start would be fabulous, but a snow day would not be welcome at all--my seniors are running out of time for their portfolios as it is.)

Ketosis didn't register again today--down to my last 20 or less strips and maybe they've gone bad despite the fact the bottle says good through 2011. I was down 1 lb again this morning to 153. That means I've lost 65 lbs according to my home scale with now another 25-30 lbs to go depending upon what size I end up.

I found some more pants (slacks and jeans) in the back of my closet that actually fit. Most of my 12s are still too snug around my waist, but all the 14's and 14p's all fit now. I even found a pair of 13 dress shorts from a vacation in CA long ago that fit also. My favorite size 12 denim skirt fits too now as well as a favorite Gap denim short sleeve shirt that I refused to throw out during my last fit of frustration (when my well-worn 501s also went--oh do I regret tossing those now!) If there is any shopping to be done, it will be for some non-frayed tops. Somehow the well-worn hems of pants don't show as much as frayed collars and cuffs. However, my birthday cash went to my hair appointment and my niece's Visa gift card--so much for a real splurge for my birthday.

We're getting through the Sunday laundry and really should upset the felines and take out the vaccuum along with getting some of my procert stuff done. Somehow, that is the last thing I want to do. My eyes are still so fatigued right now that this will be the only screen time I'll do for another couple of hours.

I don't know if it is the addition of another dose of the Thyroid supplement or the addition of the Seriphos, but I'm actually feeling like I have a bit more energy, falling asleep a little quicker, and my digestive system is much more regular. (I've always been a slow mover with my digestive system and the VLCD made it even more so, but this week that has changed a great deal for the better.) And since it seems to have taken about 1/2-1" off my waistline this week, I'm all for giving the supplements their due. If you are high stress, try the Seriphos between meals.

[LAinSEA]

Why is the last week of school before winter break the absolute longest of the year? I feel like this week has moved in slow motion and I look up at the clock and half expect it to be moving backwards.

Monday night was choir/orchestra concert; Wednesday was the band concerts; skipping tonight's comedy troop appearance, but really should attend it tomorrow night. I'm just beat and it's been tough to keep students from doing nothing but eating holiday mini-candy bars. (Of course they offer them to me and I've been politely declining...) School work? Learning? Really, a test on Friday? You Grinch!

The other source of frustration is to see my weight bounce up two pounds from last weekend's low. And I've been good! I've been getting my water down me. Not too much sodium - why up two pounds overnight?

I was in the trace level of ketosis this morning, but the weight was still 155. I'm going to try one of those packaged internal cleansing products starting on Friday (it's a week-long pack of all kinds of stuff.) I figured I'd wait until I was home and not in a classroom where I can't just run to the ladies' if need be.

We are back into the mild weather - warmer than average temps and rain, rain, and more rain. Hopefully it will not begin flooding in the low lands (we live up on a hill).

The state still hasn't published the pro cert website with the exemplars on it. I'd hoped that I could see an example before getting seriously to work on the draft of part one (due on January 4). The only good news is that our book study text came in for our standards based grading PLC. I can use it for the basis of my research and decision-making process pages now and not have to do too many web searches with the college library.

DH is on his way back from his hair cut (and fighting traffic). I'm so tired of just protein and veggies and fruit (little of it) - I want a pasila chili releano! and that is definitely off plan.

[LAinSEA]

Have you ever heard that things, especially bad things, happen in threes? Today I'll add to the evidence that it indeed works that way...

Our neighborhood was vandalized last night. Spray painted obscenities on houses and cars (the culprits could even spell the F word, however), torn down basketball hoops and Christmas decorations (our neighbors darling blow up polar bear with santa hat slashed!), knocked over garbage cans (garbage day was today and if it was out early, it was all over the street), and a stolen items (bicycles and smaller Christmas decorations). Our neighborhood is typcially quiet--we have two sections--the estates with really pricey homes with views of Mt. Rainier and such, and the much much smaller suburban cookie cutter houses (we live in that section.) Occasional vandalism happens - We've been egged and T.P.d (comes with the territory of being an educator), but nothing like this before. My neighbor down the street, who also has the neighboring classroom to mine, was hit hard - basetball hoop knocked over damaging the garage door, spray paint all over the front of the house and even her windows. Small table on her porch tossed and damaged. My first thought was that it might be one of her students--she teaches all seniors and many are failing right now (can't blame her--she gets the worst of the bunch, honestly). Police this morning saw it differently and then told her that it was all through the neighborhood mirroring problems a few nights prior in another neighborhood to our south. Police are guessing the culprits were on foot, and judging by the amount of damage, probably out all night.

Second rotten thing...my honors students couldn't even spend 10 quiet minutes reviewing for their test today...the noise level was atrocious and we began the test immediately (funny how all the motivated kids had already put away their notes--they knew the rest would blow the time for them--but the loud one's just protested louder.) I've never had to take away a test for talking or innappropriate behavior in an honors class (or regular for that matter), but I did have to do it today. Afterwards, the majority just couldn't settled down to watch a rather interesting video on the time period and lost their leadership points for the week. The scores were the worst I've seen in five years! I'm so frustrated!

Third and hopefully final very bad thing; I caught a kid stealing from a classroom across the project area from my room. Just didn't get why he was over there taking things out, so I went to investigate. And he was one of my former honors students! I let the custodians handle calling district security and I just sat with him and cried - why? The principal was on his way back to school to handle it when district security got there and told me I could go.

This morning - out of ketosis (again), weight down 1 lb to 154.

Got so frustrated I accepted a holiday cookie today...and ate it. I got the worst headache from the sugar. Guess I won't do that again real soon.

Really need to clean house. Annie's funeral is tomorrow afternoon. We still don't have a Christmas tree. And the state still hasn't posted the pro cert web site (the response said Dec. 22).

[LAinSEA]

Just because I'm off from school doesn't seem to be any better for me to get things I need to do done...Not sure what to blame, but blaming myself is just as good as anything right now.

Annie's service was lovely; the turnout was so great that they had to activate every room in the church. There were probably over 1,000 people there all crying away. She touched so many lives and it was clear that from her last words to her brother that she wasn't concerned about herself, but about family, students, co-workers. She knew that she was just moving on to the next great adventure and would find a way to excell there too. The rest of us will have to pull together to make up for her absence here on Earth.

Sunday, we finally had the time to go pick out a tree. We cleaned house, well mostly cleaned house--I still have some chores to do--papers to go through and toss out. We finally got the tree up in the crowded living room on Monday night. We have such a small living/dining room combo and we bought the smallest sectional and chair possible to go with a pedestal table that seats 6 in the dining room. Somehow we didn't figure on Christmas trees in the configuration. We moved things around and go it all in. If we could afford a new flat screen TV and stand, things would not be so cramped. But alas, that is too much to think about right now with those medical bills and the IRS mistakes from two years ago to pay up last month.

While putting up the tree and lighting it - we ran out of lights. I trip to four stores yielded what we thought were larger, but a match. Get them home and they are "warm" white LEDs not "cool" white LEDs. DH took all the lights down and restrung the top to spread out the lights. We actually like the warm look better, but couldn't purchase enough of those at this late hour to fill out a whole tree. We'll look for new lights next year about Halloween (that is what all the store clerks said - what? wait until the week before Christmas - are you nuts?)

I finished putting on the ornaments yesterday - the cats are satisfied. I was ready to forego a tree this year as it was so close to the holiday. But our youngest guilted DH out. She came home at Christmas time four years ago and her idea of Christmas is a tree and a full stocking of toys and treats. (Yes, I know, we sound crazy, but our cats are our kids--and yes, they have better memories and communication skills than about half of my students. They've been parked under the tree since it was put up, all getting along--for the moment. Afterall, "Sandy Claws" is coming to town and he's watching to see if they are naughty or nice.)

I went to pick up more supplements at the clinic yesterday and since I was still in good supply of the HCG, I didn't pick it up--told them I was taking a two week break. In reality, all I needed was syringes and I was able to procure those for the next two weeks. The supplements - Thyroid Plus, fulvic minerals, and multivitamins and a Calm Me shot put me back way too much cash anyway. I've got to find another source for the supplements. I am seriously thinking about taking a 6 week break from the HCG, but I'm nervous about putting on any weight I've lost. The past two weeks has been the down and then right back up and then all week to lose again. I've been good about my eating and getting in my fluids since I've been off from school. We also started a cleanse - DH has taken off 8 lbs since last Friday night, me--nothing! I've just found a way to make my tummy upset! I'm sticking with it, but glad I don't have to get too far from home.

Weight, down 1 lb today to 153 lbs (but I was there over a week ago and then back up to 155 lb without any reason to be up). Ketosis - I'm out of strips and frustrated enough to go without checking for a few days since as soon as I add in some fruit, I'm out. Without the fruit, I have the most intense sugar cravings. With it, I'm able to stay on plan. However today, I went to get a 20 oz breve with a shot of eggnog - coffee took care of the intestinal blockage and at least I feel like I can think now. For me, fat is brain food. I've also decided that I am not going to totally deprive myself of real food tomorrow at FIL's or at my folks on Christmas day; just be careful of portion sizes. We are going to make real bleu cheese dressing for the salads we are bringing to both. I'll decide on the potatoes when I get there. The clinic said don't go overboard, but know that you're going to most likely indulge some. I was good over Thanksgiving with no starches; but I just feel tired of the whole game now. I don't have that kind of willpower and maybe allowing myself some leeway without totally giving up will help in the long run. (Getting over the guilt of it though is another story.)

The state finally posted the pro cert site, but no exemplars to go by. I'll pound it out on Saturday through Monday - at least that is my goal. Whatever I do will probably have to be redone at this point, so I'm not going to stress about it. A group of us is going to try to get together next week to share our drafts.

So, off to sort papers. DH should be home soon and maybe a last minute shopping trip...we have a credit at Macy's and I'm hoping to get a new comforter cover for our bed. That will be our gift to each other. His brother should be in tonight (but Sis-in-law decided not to come up - I hope everything is OK between them - I know that coming up here is the last way she wants to spend a holiday with FIL and the GF (who is usually a three-sheets to the wind shrew to her). FIL, ofcourse, takes her absence personally. We don't blame her and in essence, FIL should just fly down and spend some time with them in So Cal alone without the GF. My tactic lately is when she begins complaining about FIL is to let her and then ask why she stays if it is so unbearable. Perhaps I should find her a new BF (with more money - the reason she's with FIL) and that will take care of all our worries. Yes, holiday spirit is alive and well here. It will probably be as dysfunctional at my folks with both my mom's brother and sister and respective spouses in attendance and Grandma shut up at the assisted living home (we can't successfully take her out anymore without risking a fall or a problem in the ladies room.) Too many people will make her paranoid and uncomfortable. We'll all visit throughout the day in twos and hope for the best. (But the reality won't sit well with the Aunt and Uncle that aren't around enough to see how she's deteriorated this past 6 months--they'll want to bring her up to mom's.) DH has promised to keeps his temper (the IRS problems stem from some investments that my uncle made when he was managing the trust that I inherited two years ago and then when it began to tank, I pulled my money out and put it into the kitchen remodel. However, the government didn't agree that the offshore investments had lost money over time...I was the one stuck with those stocks--not any other family members. He, my aunt, my cousins and sis all got away without any IRS problems. My parents had to pay penalites too, but not in the neighborhood that we got stuck with.)

Should be a happy Christmas all the way round...I hope your's is merry and bright.

[momof2minnies]

Laurie,
Merry Christmas to you and your family.I have given up on the temptations until after we get back from the marathon.To hard to do right now.Starting January 11th time to focus.I give you alot of credit for making it through Thanksgiving even.

Keep up the great work- you are inspirational!

Linda

[LAinSEA]

All my fears about maintaining a healthy weight once I get the weight off have come to the surface today. First off, I have not overindulged by anyone's standards - even the strict standards I was given by the clinic. I followed their advice, but I'm up two pounds in two days. My logical mind says, there is no way you can physically gain two pounds of flab in two days! But my emotional sense if freaked out.

Christmas eve at my FIL's was interesting to say the least and unsettling to say the most. FIL's GF was inebriated by 4:30pm (we arrived about 3:15) and by dinner (romaine salad with bleu cheese dressing eggs and almonds, roast filet mignon, augratin potatoes, asparagus and bushe de Noel) she we four sheets to the wind (three sheets might have put her in to her usual holiday sentimental weepy mode.) I skipped all the appetizers and stuck to ice water. For dinner I had the right size portion of beef and asparagus but did have a Tablespoon of potatoes - just a taste and they were good. I also had a salad plate full of salad - we made and brought it and it was not on plan with real sour creame, mayo, and buttermilk in the dressing with the bleu cheese. DH and I shared a serving of desert, but I had 6 bites and I had only said I would have three. I also had one glass of red wine. Earlier in the day, I was completed on plan for lunch to make sure I wouldn't be too hungry at dinner and overeat. The sugar in the desert had me hungry by bed, so I did have a cup of left over salad and that kept me from wanting anything else until the next day.

DH's brother was up from So Cal - but his wife didn't come up. She was involved with a disasterous holiday a couple of years ago and was "preserving herself." I wish I had joined her down there instead of being witness to the GF throwing several punches at FIL when he tried to get her to go to bed instead of stumbling into walls etc and making it difficult for us to have a conversation. I've never quite seen her this way, but being around the drunkeness has always made us uncomfortable. However, FIL said it's been escalating as of late. I told DH before he went over to have the yearly "talk" with FIL and his brother that my idea was to ship her off to rehab or pack her duds and call her son to come get her. No inbetween. FIL is nearly 80, unsteady on his feet and although a large man, if he fell while dodging a punch, he'd really hurt himself. No one should have to live with that kind of abuse.

Christmas at my folks was pretty uneventful (even with my mom's brother and sisters who believe Fox News is the word of God - and having worked 6 years for Newscorp, I can tell everyone willing to listen that it's not news, but information disguised to keep you riled up and watching. It's about ratings, not real accurate information - not that you get accurate information from any other source either; all are owned by big corporations that are in it not to be the 4th estate of democracy, but to keep you glued to the screen.) BTW, my folks for all all their churchgoing and upbringing in Utah are surprisingly liberal in politics as they are socially conservative. I tend to mirror that and my DH is very pragmatic; but mom's side of the family believe's Reagan walked on water and GW Bush had the right idea with his tax cuts for the weathly (even though all them are decidedly middle income and see a break during the Republican years.) I just try to keep my mouth shut during any extended family gatherings, while my DH often talks about moving to Canada when pushed. Foodwise, mom held back some ham without the glaze for me, we repeated the same salad for the group, and I also had a deviled egg and no desert. I did indulge in some almonds and macademia nuts and two small cubes of my mother's fudge. (It isn't Christmas without it) But I didn't give in to her amazing rolls - I knew if I had one, I'd eat another one or 10.

Still, I was back up to 155 today from 153 on Wednesday. If I can't even have anything off plan now and not put on weight, what will life be like when I am done with the losing phase and into the maintaining phase? So the fear, as you can see, is real - not imagined. No, I shouldn't be so reliant on the scale and what is says, but this plan is particular about what it says. I'm out of keto strips, but know that they will be negative anyway.

Cats have been playing with all their new toys - after we got home late from FIL on Christmas Eve, we gave them their stockings. Tilda has already detailed 6 "real fur mice" and Sasha has scooted all the plastic twisty toys under the sectional. Niko has thoughtfully carried his catnip toys up and I found them tucked into bed with me this morning. However, DH's brother gave us a cat clock (like the bird clocks that chirp with a different species every hour). This one mews with a different cat breed on the hour (but won't mew when it is dark- has a light sensor). We hung it in the kitchen. Tilda and Sasha come running to find the "cat," when it goes off, but Niko runs and hides under the bed. So much for the giant Maine Coon mix - he's a cowardly lion. I hope he'll get used to it in time. I hate to see him all upset.

My right lowerback/hip area is really tender (I don't know if it is a muscle pull or kidney stone issue again.) I've been using the heating pad at night on it, but it is sore to stand, sit, sleep and twinges something fierce when I move much. I wanted to take a walk this afternoon (since I've not had much exercise lately and the sun it out even if it is cold outside), but I don't feel like I will get far before feeling like I can't move. Uneven ground - stairs - are the worst right now.

My goals for the next few days are to no more overindulge (despite the cookies that came home from FIL's) and to get those pounds gone as quickly as possible and get back on track and losing again. I still have that Pro Cert paper to write (yes, I'm still procrastinating) and some papers to re-grade, but not as many as I'd hoped. Only a handful of students took advantage of the opportunity to turn substandard grades into better ones. (Again, not what I have seen from an honors class in the past - more regular students than honors students did the re-writes and again, not enough of those.)

[inkkognito]

Just running through other journals and I see you have tuxedo cats. I have one too, as well as three other kitties. My very first cat was a tuxedo, and since then I have had two others...they are my favorites. :goodvibes

[momof2minnies]

Hi Laurie,
Hope everything is settling down.How is the pain? Was it kidney stones and is that a side effect of this diet?

Sorry FILs was a disaster.Some people just have to ruin it for others.

Don't worry about the weight I bet it was a little water gain since you aren't used to some of the foods you had.

Keep your head up, one day at a time.

Linda

[VernRDH]

Happy New Year friend!! Hope all is going well with you and you are enjoying some much needed time off from school. Keep us posted on how you are doing.:hug:

[momof2minnies]

Laurie,
Happy New Year! Hope all is well.

Linda

[VernRDH]

Girlfriend, where are you??? Was hoping to catch up with you before I left for Disney and the cruise. I hope you are back on track and doing well. I may check in while we are away, we will have internet on the ship. So post up and tell me whats up!!

PS Wish me and Linda luck on the race!!!

[LAinSEA]

Sorry to be MIA - despite having another week off from school, it was much too over-scheduled and then getting back to work has been even busier. My eyes have been so tired, that I've avoided personal computer time; between school work and pro cert writing, I just couldn't face the screen for me.

Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope I'm not too late to with you (Linda and Veronica) so much good luck on your 1/2 marathon. Looks like the weather will be chilly down there for it. Warmer here I think. (We're back to the mid-40s/mid-50s.)

Inkkognito: The tuxedo cats are all we've ever had...I'm still grieving for my guardian who passed 5 years ago and our baby that lived only 10 months with HCM. But the three we share our lives with now are all healthy and active and into all kinds of mischief.

So where to begin...how about weight because that is my least favorite topic at the moment.

Weight went up the last week of break with the stress, throwing a dinner party for my folks, DH's dad and GF (she arrived sober and stayed that way). We cooked a pork rack roast, asparus, FIL brought scalloped potatoes, my mother brought her famous roles, and I actually baked cheesecake for desert. I indulged and kept indulging until the leftovers were gone three nights later. Up 5 lbs by the time school began again to 158.

Back on plan (as much as possible) this week and I'm back to 155 as of this morning, but starving even with the HCG. I won't check ketosis until I'm steadily losing again as it has become frustrating not to see anything register.

I need to exercise other than plies (sp?) and crunches. We need to walk despite the wet weather. My lower back is still out-of-control sore (not kidney stones this time, but aggrevated muscles in my low back where it connects to my hips). I'm OK most of the time and then get a stabbing pain and want to scream. Not good when this happens at school.

The Pro Cert process isn't getting any more clear than it was prior to break. No examples posted on the state site and the new templates didn't clarify anything either. The directions were just as poor as we received from the university program. I met with two teachers from my mom's district who are using a different university and was told to start with my professional development list and go from there. Others in my program got together on the 29th and we succeeded in making it even more murky - but I was able to help others streamline their pro D to their practices to their evidence; why I can't do this for myself I'll never understand. There are limits on how long it can be (14 pages, no more than 21,000 characters, 12 pages of evidence, but two are your Pro D log). After someone finally got back to the group of us from the university and they met the night of my dinner party, it was decided that we would still need to complete the draft by Monday night (1/4). I spent all weekend pounding it out - incomplete by Monday afternoon, but over the page limit. What to cut? The peer review at class Monday evening was not helpful. I feel like I'm at square one still, but the first Entry is due on February 1 as a final.

Getting my students back into the groove at school has been difficult too. We began the 1920s and The Great Gatsby and for the first time, the majority of my honors students were not prepared for their first discussion session this Wednesday! What is it with this group? More of my regular students had read the first chapter and had come prepared with their quotes/responses. Argh! What are they thinking? Who were their junior high teachers, because I want to hunt them down and tell them what kind of behavior they have been reinforcing prior to high school. I was so frustrated that I asked one of my former advisees (graduated last year) to come in at her convenience and give the "what it's like at college" talk. We email weekly, and yes, I'm still assisting with essays and the like. She's doing well, she was an excellent student, but she tells me that if I hadn't helped her learn to focus, organize, spend the time, take notes (and she wasn't even in my academic classes) and know what to expect, she would be doing poorly right now. She's seen former classmates already drop out of college who couldn't adjust. She going to come put the fear of acadamia in them for me as soon as she can.

Need to get back to grading. I promise I'll be better - for me.

[LAinSEA]

Despite fume blanc with dinner (salmon & salad), I'm down to where I was before putting 5 over the holidays: 153. I still haven't check for ketosis--figured it wouldn't register at all with the wine.

Slept in the morning - so, yawn, tired after just one week at school. Must be mental - I haven't done anything physical, so it is really surprising to take off 5 lbs in a week. My lower back is still tender this morning and sore outward to my hip sockets. We just made a run for light bulbs and bird food--DH has to fill all the feeders and the critters are begging outside. There are about 12 dozen doves in the backyard right now scratching the lawn bare looking for feed and the flickers have been pounding on the roof. Even the humingbird food needs refreshing.

Today's meals: scrambled eggs and clementine orange, now a 16 oz breve (an indulgence, but the extra fat in the half and half doesn't seem to stall me out), dinner plans are for chicken and salad.

[momof2minnies]

Hi Laurie
Thanks for the well wishes.It was COLD! Sleeting at the start turned to rain.I was fine once we started but the waiting around before was the killer.I never found Veronica it was a mob scene.

Glad to hear you are back on track,Holidays and vacation killed me.Starting new as of today.Will start a new journal here to hopefully to keep motivated????

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda - I was envious of your trip until the weather decided to act more like Western Montana than Central Florida! Somehow, sunny Florida should be...well sunny and warmer than the rest of the U.S. in the winter months. Here it is unseasonably warm and flooding!

I'm back to the ups and downs with the scale - up to 154, back to 153, up to 154 again this morning. So frustrating! and so are my students which has started me on the "frustration eating" thing that I have to kick. It doesn't help that I'm hungry in the afternoon (late afternoon) - not hungry in the am or at lunch (but I eat anyway)--then wham! 2:30pm and I'm ravenous whether I've eaten anything all day or not.

My students are not cooperating; I'm used to playing cheerleader towards the end of a school year - let's get through one more unit, you'll need these skills and information next year...blah, blah, rah, rah, rah! But to have students simply stop learning prior to the end of 1st semester is incredible. I'm getting more "I don't want to do that" and "I can't because my pencil lead broke" than "hey, I get it, I can do that" and it's so frustrating. The rudeness of many of the honors students is really getting to me too. I've never had a group of so many (all together) students who only want to be spoon-fed what they need to get the A, but don't want to put any of their own effort into it. The flippant attitudes are only intensifying. With the exception of a handful, these are not nice kids--but pampered children. And I'm mad that I feel that way about them. The regular kids ask for assistance, nicely, when they need it, but honors kids start getting rude when they don't want to work and then make if difficult for others to get the work done. Calling home didn't make a difference with the problems at the start of the semester; I'm guessing it won't make a difference now either. I'm going to have to teach to the five and ignore the rest or start sending them out for their rudeness. I meet with the parents of the student I encouraged to switch to honors tomorrow morning (he's one of the five) and I'm just going to have to apologize for the problems.

The weather has been so wet, that my hair (despite a hair dryer and being inside all day) is still dampish to the touch. It's just plain frizzy and I've always had poker-straight lockes. Since it's thinned out, I supposed it isn't as heavy pulling it straight. But the frizz is not helping my mood any. I'm glad we live up on a hill and not in a river valley at the moment - the rest of the country's in a deep freeze and here it was nearly 60 degrees yesterday and today. What snow there was in the mountains is rapidly melting and adding to the flooding--it'll be drought time over the summer with no snowpack unless things change soon.

I suppose I'd best get to grading papers - the last set felt like a waste of my time they were so poorly done. Hopefully these will show some skill development.

[LAinSEA]

We actually walked this morning! 5K in about an hour. The staff at my school have really gotten into running and have become almost evangelical in their approach to getting more of us out and exercising. So, our assistant principal organized a morning 5K run-walk-bike event this morning and then the hope is that we'll train on our own for 3 weeks and then get together to do a 10K with the goal of a 20K and then a 1/2 marathon event later on. DH and I opted to walk; route was flat along the river and, thankfully, no rain, just heavy fog this morning. We walked with his parents (retired and fit, but suffering with foot issues). There were only 3 others this morning (despite the avid runners on staff harrassing the rest of us all week) and they ran it. We then had coffee and got on with our day. Despite not walking, much, since mid-October, I felt I could have gone much faster on the flat. My back didn't bother me - a twinge here and there - and no shin issues that usually plague me when I walk after taking off too much time inbetween.

Weight: up to 156 (again), still not checking ketosis. We broke down last night and satisfied a sushi craving. Miso soup, a few edamame, marinated cucumber, rolls with rice, and some sashimi--really the only thing safely on plan. With the rice and sodium, I'm up a lb from yesterday and up three again for the week. I'm still battling the afternoon hunger and trying to make smart choices, but my weight is still bouncing and now heading downwards. I'm wondering if I've become immune to the HCG and I am seriously considering taking a break and trying to maintain the loss for 8 to 12 weeks and then starting again with it in earnest to get the last 20-25 lbs gone.

The plans for the weekend include completing my Entry 1 for Pro Cert, a little planning, and some serious organization, cleaning, and laundry. I'm hoping the weather will cooperate again tomorrow and I can get in another hour walk. I really need new walking shoes - I've lost so much volume in my feet that I have to lace tight to keep them from rubbing. Weird, I've always had wide feet and now their almost narrow and all my shoes are big.

[LAinSEA]

It's Tuesday, so why does it feel like a Monday of a very long week? Sometimes I'd like to cancel all holidays and three-day weekends and just go straight on through until the end of May and take all of June, July, and August off. The holidays only make getting back to work for students all the more difficult and the whining is incredible and we're not half way through yet.

I continued walking Sunday (hour), and Monday (40 minutes) and we are about to get ready to go this evening (before it gets too dark out and the rain returns.)

I was able to get back down to 154 over the weekend, but it bounced right back up to 155 this morning (and I've been good!) Why?

This afternoon, I am dealing with a pressure headache and the Tylenol upset in my stomach caused me to eat more snacks than I should. Again, the frustration need for crunching isn't helping either.

I'm still not done with my Pro Cert Entry 1 draft and I'm over by 2 pages and 9,000 words! What to cut, how to scan the evidence, what do I need to do? I'm so done right now and ready to go back to TV graphics or managing interns.

Well off to walk!

[LAinSEA]

Wacky Wednesday and almost a week away from the end of the semester (the last day, next Thursday, is a half day and hardly counts.) I'm seeing little interest on my students' part. Most are complaining about having to read anything on their own (Mr. So and So is reading every word of Gatsby to his classes and they're honors too.) Believe me, through the course of a discussion most of the chapter gets read out loud to them to. I remember disliking the novel in high school American Lit class--but it wasn't because it was difficult reading, it was because I just couldn't find anything to like about the characters. Their was no connection for me then, it got better the 2nd time around in college, but I actually have become fond of Fitzgerald's use of language and how lyrical it is after teaching it for 5 years. I've tried to find ways to help students relate to themes that are more modern (like comparing those tacky sweet 16 parties they show on MTV etc.), and that has worked the past four years. But this year, most kids aren't attempting to understand. And frankly, I don't care how terrible their essays are on the topic next Tuesday. I just don't care. Just let the days on the calendar go by and get through with this year.

Weight, up to 155 this morning. Was supposed to pick up more HCG this afternoon and then it dawned on me, other than (sort of) taking off the 5 lbs I put on over Christmas, I haven't lost anything in over a month. And I've been on the stuff and, for the most part, I've been good...yes, too much snacking as of late, but not overboard and if I add up the calories, I shouldn't be putting anything on either.

The clinic doesn't believe in immunity issue, but I do troll other boards with those using the stuff and immunity seems to set in. The hunger in the afternoon and the craving for sweets, in particular, all are hints that it's not working for me anymore and I need to get off of it for 8 to 12 weeks before it will work again. So, today, what should have been my first shot day this week, I didn't go get more HCG and I'll see how much more hungry I get in the next 6 days (it is supposed to stay in your system for at least 3 days). If my hunger really increases by Friday/Saturday, then I'll know that it was working. If everything is the same, then I'll know that it hasn't for awhile now.

Logically, this makes sense, emotionally, I'm a wreck. I don't want to put on anything I've lost. I have to stick to the VLCD for the three days and then to maintain, I can up the protein a little and add in some good fats, but stick to the same type of veggies (no starchy veggies and no refined carbs).

I came home from school and walked for 50 minutes before DH came home, then we went out again for another 30 minutes. I went much faster alone, but had stiffed up the 2nd time out. The weather cooperated one more day, but most likely it will be raining again tomorrow. Weird weather, even for Western Washington...it's cooled down a little, but it was near 60 degrees again today. It's looking to be a drought again this summer as there is no real snowpack in the mountains to speak of. I'm just glad that we haven't had any snow days to make up (knock on wood).

While out for the walk, we noticed that the dishwasher had some soap still left in it and decided to start a rinse only cycle while we were out. We came back to a puddle on the floor and now two hours later, have found that the drainline has split near the outlet. How weird is that? Fingers are crossed that the wood floor won't cup and DH has ordered the part, but it looks like proprietary nonsense to be able to take the old drainline off and put the new one on. (If you haven't figured it out, we are a bit of the do-it-yourself-types and don't like to pay for something that we can figure out ourselves.) The old dishwasher (pre-remodel) latest for 16 years and it was a cheap builder model. This is a top of the line LG and I'm more than a bit peeved.

Oh well, what is another teacher said to me this morning on our way in, "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger." Oh really, I'm just about as strong as I want to be right now with an unfinished Pro Cert Entry 1 and kids that aren't trying.

[VernRDH]

Laurie-

Hope that your students get their act together, and if not that you can manage anyhow.

Wish I could help with the ProCert issue, but on that I am in the dark. I hope that it goes well for you and I know you will do great on it.

On the HCG front, maybe a break will be good. Sometimes even with WW or any other diet plan, taking a small break gives your body a chance to "recover" and adjust so that it can continue to lose weight. Keep us posted on how you are doing. I am rooting for you and know that you can succeed.

I posted on my thread about your walking. DL 1/2 is in Sept, Labor Day weekend. It doesn't close for a while, would be great to see you there;) I am really looking forward to it.

Keep on keepin on friend, you are doing great and are an inspiration.

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - Labor Day weekend - Oh no! that is the weekend my folks want us to close up the cabin near Yellowstone this year instead of waiting (and keeping our fingers crossed that the winter weather holds) until mid-October. Oh well, maybe I can make adjustments. The one thing that really bites about becoming an educator is the inflexible school schedule. Oh how I'd just love to be able to take a week off right now!

Down to 153 (again) this morning, ironically, we went out for Mexican food last night because DH was as tired as I was after the supposidly short week and didn't want to cook. The fact that the dishwasher part had just come last in the afternoon, but he hadn't found the schematics to change out the drain hose didn't help matters. In that fit of frustration and exhaustion, he asked what I wanted for dinner and I said Chile Relenos--thinking "no way" he'll tell me I'm off my rocker and that is not on plan. He's been my strength and my will power somedays. But not last night!

At the restaurant (not the one we normally go to that had no parking slots left and a wait out the door--no one cooks in Puyallup and the economy must be picking up here; most restaurants have been crying for business--we had to drive to the other end of the city limits to get in for Mexican food!), I ordered ala cart; a side salad with some small slices of avocado and sour cream for dressing and the traditional chile releno. DH ordered us margaritas too--not on plan and I pretty much went, "that cancels out the careful ordering.) He went for about the same thing, but with a tostada w/chicken, rice and beans on the side. He had a few chips, but stayed under control too--I was proud because I didn't touch them. Now that I'm off the HCG, I can add more fats to my diet, but I'm still trying to be careful. But getting up this morning to a drop on the scale was a bonus, especially when we didn't walk yesterday evening.

I've had to stay late the past two nights at school to get my straggling seniors done with their state portfolios. All but one are finished and he should be able to wrap up his last essay and complete the paperwork on Monday. I was home at 6pm last night and really tired. Thankfully, DH had packed me a portion of frittata (left over from dinner the past two nights) and it kept me from getting too hungry. I've pretty much decided that I must have become immune to the HCG, because the past two days, my hunger has been exactly the same in the late afternoon as it was on the hormone. No change whatsoever; I'm not hungry in the am or when I do eat lunch, then about 2:30 to 4pm, I'm ravenous, then after dinner, craving something sweet, but it's not due to hunger. This calls for at least 8 weeks off, so I plan to get back on it the first of April and hopefully, get the last 20-30 lbs off. I'm still about 13 lbs away from a "healthy" BMI, but DH thinks that getting down to 130-135 would be good for me, any more and he thinks I'll be too thin in his mind. Actually, I don't care what I weigh, I just want to be able to buy and wear a size 30/30 pair of 501 Levis shrink to fits--the size I was when we got married. That would be heaven.

Tomorrow, laundry and revise the dreaded Entry 1 for Pro Cert. I meet with my friend on Thursday to go over them and figure out if we have met standard (without any examples). I trust her judgement, she's a wonder to work with and I wish she was teaching at my building instead of the alternative school.

Four more days of this semester; one more week of this unit and then it's on to the Great Depression (something I'm sure my students will get a lot out of since we are pretty much living something close right now--economics usually gets them re-interested in history, but then again, this group is not like the others I've taught.) My seniors have a short writing unit and then on to Hamlet. I'm so excited to take a class through Shakespear! This will be my first group that I've had the confidence with to do it with and they are already excited about it.

DH is just finishing up re-loading the bird feeders and then we are going to get a walk in. Not sure if it will be just the neighborhood or we'll head down to the path along the river. A change of scene might be nice.

[LAinSEA]

I'm procrastinating...Pro Cert revisions loom and I'm still at a loss at how to cut it down 2 1/2 pages and 9,000 charaters. So I'll journal instead.

We walked last night along the Tacoma/Ruston Way waterfront. It was a beautiful sunset and little to no breeze along the water. It wasn't too crowed, but there was a fair amount of runners, walkers, bike riders, and strollers. We did 2.6 miles in about 45-50 minutes and then did something totally counterproductive, we went to get a famous Mikie Burger for dinner (DH also had a diet coke and onion rings and I ordered a hot fudge custard milk shake). I'm up two pounds to 155 this morning due to my indiscreation.

Back on the wagon today, sort of: DH went and got me a breve this morning to try and rouse me from my slumber and head cold that is wiping me out. We just finished walking another 45 minutes through the neighborhood. Hopefully the weather will cooperate somewhat through the week, we need to build distance because the next staff run/walk/bike is a 10 K.

To get myself back on track, I thought I'd post measurement again - it's about the only motivation I have right now:

Neck from 15 to 12 1/2
Upper Arm from 14 to 11
Bust from 48 1/2 to 40
Midriff from 45 to 32
Hips from 48 to 38
Thigh from 25 to 21 1/4

Total inches lost: 40 3/4

DH is going to make me some mini crustless quiches for afternoon snacks or a breakfast item (if I'm hungry). I'm going to stick closely to the same VLCD with exceptions of a little larger protein portion (from 3 oz to 4-6 oz depending up the protein) and adding in some limited good fats (olive oil and avacado). I'm going to try to layoff any nuts or drief fruit and stick with apples. The idea is to monitor my hunger and satisfy it with protein.

So with that, I'm going to heat up some more leftover frittata and dry my hair and get to work on the dreaded Pro Cert.

[VernRDH]

That shake you had sounds like what we call a Boston shake here. Yumm-o indeed.

I really think that this break will be good for you. It will get you comfortable with eating more food and adjusting to "real life" when you finish the HCG. I think you will learn a lot about what really satisfies you and what makes you feel blech. I'm still here rooting for you!!:hug:

I also think when your pro-cert is done you will feel better. Stress can cause major interference with weight loss.

Good job on the walking. When is the 10k? I have no doubt you will finish strong.

Happy monday and have a good week!

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - yes, the Pro Cert thing is really stressing me out. I almost broke down this afternoon during my planning at school and told my neighbor next class over (and down the street) that I was ready to quit and go back to TV even if it meant summers in Cleveland suffering throug Major League Baseball (again). This afternoon she took a "machete" to my Entry and amputated limb after limb. I'm down to just over 14 pages now, but I'm not sure the content is there--I couldn't have done that hack job myself though and now it's done, well it's done.

My students wrote their essays on Gatsby today too, and I decided that tomorrow they'll revise it (they won't like it, but it needs doing). Very very few turned in analytical journals--the collection of quotes/responses that would have been their evidence for the essay--that I know most are not worth my time in scoring. I've just never had a class of students like this group--they all think they can get A's at the last minute without preparation. While they revise tomorrow, I'll get more of their projects graded (hopefully). I was caught up tonight, but only 1/4 had turned them in early and they can turn in more than one to bring up their grades for the semester. I have to have all graded by next Wednesday at 3pm and entered into the system in addition to planning and teaching and Pro Cert on Monday night.

Weight: up to 155 again this morning, but better than the 156 I was yesterday. DH packed me some mini-crustless quiches (think mini-cupcake size) and some low-fat cheese to get me through the afternoon, but I still wanted to "crunch" on something when I got home. (He's talking to his dad on the phone and my stomach alarm was off when I walked in the door!) He's grilling portobello burgers for dinner and he doesn't like it when I touch that BBQ out back. Even though my weight is up and down a few pounds, my clothes are fitting the same. I will need to go by the clinic and pick up vitamins this week too and let them no that I will be taking the time off, should have a body comp and diet consult too, but who has the time?

No walk tonight--home at almost 6pm and it's dark and almost raining. My lower back and hips are so stiff, that it hurt walking yesterday and we only did 40 minutes. The 10K is weekend after next and is just for staff and friends, not a formal event. But the 20K will be a formal event and I'm not sure they take walkers or cyclists. Our administrators are checking into it and will get back to us. Running is just not an option for me.

Back to mitigating cat spats - Sasha (4) is determined that Tilda (11) play with her because Niko (7) played too rough and she doesn't want to play with him anymore, but still wants to play. Somehow cat games with Meowmy isn't the same as playing cat games with other cats. I'm going to have to find something like a bird on a string if I'm going to entice her away from pestering her sister (squeaky mouse, busy ball, and twisty tie haven't worked).

[VernRDH]

Portobella burgers-hmmmm especially good with roasted red peppers, sauteed onions, melted mozzarella and some balsamic vinagrette. A side of sweet potato fries is nice too:laughing::rolleyes:

Sometimes an outside view of your work is what is needed-i'm sure your friend did what needed doing, sometimes we are too close to see objectively. Fingers crossed for you!!

The cats, we used to have three, now have two. One will be 16 in April, the other 11. Since the dog arrived, they don't "play" as much as they do hide from the dog. But one thing they still love is "milk rings". When we buy a gallon of milk and you pull the ring from the cap, boy they love those. Don't know why. But hey who can figure cats out anyway?:rotfl:

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - maybe that's what Sasha needs--a DOG! She'd probably just torture it--our first kitty (passed away 6 years ago now and my "guardian") used to see dogs as a threat and go after them and the UPS man with teeth and claws bared!

Last of the semester today, looks like three will not pass in my regular section (didn't turn in any projects) and one in my honors class (didn't turn in enough projects to bring grade up to passing.) Three students will be moving from honors to regular sections - two that need to, based on skills, and one because he feels too stressed in honors, but has the skills. One more should probably go too, she's the one that is failing. I graded the regular classes' essays and their grades are posted except for comments. That leaves the honors' essays and my goal is to complete those this weekend. Grades must be posted by Wednesday.

Weight-wise: down to 153 yesterday, back up to 155 this morning. Don't understand the wild fluctuations! I'm careful with the sodium. We only walked20 minutes last night, and I got home well after dark tonight and DH doesn't want to go and gave me grief about going along. We'll have to a longer one tomorrow and over the weekend.

I'm actually not hungry this evening - dinner still an hour away. DH packed me some extra protein and then while my Pro Cert buddy and I worked on our entries, I had a breve. Probably too many calories, but it kept me focused for the 2 1/2 hours we worked. I'm glad we got together, I had things formatted incorrected and she was over by 6 pages. I took the machete to her's like my neighbor did to mine. I'm now under with the new format by a half a page and have started to add context I wasn't comfortable with losing back in. We are both still concerned that we haven't done any of it correctly. Still it is due on Monday--and rumor has it they will be showing us an example (finally) of what it is supposed to look like. What's the point of showing it now since it's due.

[momof2minnies]

Hey Laurie,
Teenagers these days? If it does not come easy many don't want to work for it.Our next generation is in trouble out there- hold on for the ride!

Good luck on the Pro Cert.Is this a further teacher certification?

How is your weather? I need spring, how about you?

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda - if this is spring, I'd be delighted to send it east! After the cold weather right around the holidays, the weather moderated and we've been flirting with high 50s even (almost) low 60s. But we need winter to come back. We're entirely dependent upon snow fall for our water and the snow pack is nearly nil. Not good! It's been good to walk in, the steady drizzle today an exception, but I'd take a little colder down here in the lowlands and snow in the mountains.

Pro Cert is to extend my teaching certificate; we, newer teacher, have tougher standards and more hoops to jump through than just those who began two years before I did. And most of us now enter with Masters, so it is almost like re-doing the Masters program again. It wouldn't be all that bad if I'd been able to complete the process as outlined last year--instead of completing a presentation and showing up an smiling, I have to do the new portfolio process that the state doesn't even know what it should look like as yet (no examples!). Oh, and still complete the work I started last year, but I don't get to present it to anyone, just go through the motions. Frankly, I went through a program that required we internalize all the new fangled research-based instructional practices (nice educator speak, right?) But making the new teachers jump through more hoops make the legislators feel like they are strengthening education. If that is the case, then why don't all teacher have to do it instead of the newbies? I wish I'd had the confidence to National Boards instead--but even veteran teachers tend to fail portions of it the first time and I have re-up my certificate this year.

Weight, back up to 155 again this morning (OK, maybe too many flax crackers--so dry, so hard to stop eating as they crunch so nicely when I'm frustrated). DH hasn't come home yet, and the rain has picked up. Knew we should have walked in the dark last night. I also need to pick up vitamins at the clinic (only place I can seem to find the right brands--and so expensive). But I didn't want to fight Friday nightmare traffic (that's the other thing we excel in here in the Pacific NW, gridlock for hours on end.)

I did complete my grading...the revisions to the essays did make a difference for my eyes and students' scores. I may try it with the dbq essay next week for the 20s unit test. The honors class was back to their rudeness again today and the experiment with letting them choose their seats and seatmates will come to an abrupt end on Monday. However, it did work in the regular section and it was a great class today. Poetry is not my favorite to teach...but I love the Harlem Renaissance poems, art, and jazz music from the era and the music helps students get the understanding of rhythm, repetition and refrain.

[momof2minnies]

WOW Laurie more power to you as a teacher.I could never do it.I would be wringing necks.

I know there are good one out there, I have 2 but these kids kill me.

Good job on the weight loss, you have done great.

Sorry to hear about your water situation.We are in a deep freeze right now.Not alot of snow but COLD.

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda - there are days I don't know why I ever went back to college and changed careers and then there are sparks of brilliance and moments when you know you are making a difference that makes all the stress worth it...today was both.

Just to let you know just how much stress I'm under, I'm having nightmares again about clinging to an airmattress floating in the middle of some cold ocean and trying not to let either Niko or myself slip off the edge and into the water. (In my dreams, I don't know why it's always my boy kitty of the here and now--sure that a Freudian psychologist would have a field day with it.) Poor Niko is always assuring me that he's learning to take his test and will do me proud too...poor Niko. Does this mean my expecatations are too high? Weirder still, an actual student named Nick--one that rarely does any work and failed last semester classes, actually turned in homework today and made gains on his poetry tests, with the response, "Don't worry Mrs. B, I'm going to do fine on that test in March." Twightzone theme heard playing in my mind...

I forgot to weigh myself this morning - I was up again to 155 yesterday, but this is the first day since we were at the cabin in October to close it that I haven't weighed in. Yes, it was a total slip, not a deliberate avoidance.

Other signs of stress; last night at Pro Cert meeting (yes, the one where the final Entry 1 was due), they tried to say we'd take one more night to peer edit and I went ballistic and told the facilitator that my Scandahouvian ancestry was reacting like Beowulf and heads might just fly if we don't move on to Entry 2. What do they mean peer edit? If we understood what was really required, we'd have met the standard and we could grade ourselves. Blind leading the Blind here. The masses agreed, and we went on to Entry 2 requirements--about as clear as the mud of Entry 1. But, alas we are moving. I'm thinking that the facilitator just figured out she has a hundred or so 14-page papers with 12 pages of evidence to go through--kind of like we have lessons to plan and papers to grade for upwards of 200 students (some of us). By the way, I was complimented on my Beowulf expression--the group at my table thought I really could rip off an arm or two with my bare hands.

The past two days, my classes have been concentrating on Harlem Renaissance poetry and multiple choice strategies. I really hate teaching to a teach, especially in an honors class where there really shouldn't be any doubt that students will meet standard. But this group was not allowed to take the test last year (budget cuts) - it's our state's graduation exam that only requires 8th grade skills...hmmm. So the burden is on to get them over the hump this year so that we meet AYP and all that NCLB jazz. Two problems, I've never seen a co-hort that has lower reading skills or the motivation to do anything that has to do with print on paper. We've also spent the past 16 years prepping our students for a specific type of test with mostly short-response and long-response questions and this year it will be a 90% multiple-choice exam with only 10% short answer questions. I've not had a class yet that can do well on multiple choice tests. It's not their fault, they have been conditioned to do the other. Now because it's too much money to score the open ended questions, it's nearly all MC! Focusing on the poetry does two things: kids do worst of all on poetry sections of the test and I'm prepping with nothing but MC questions teaching the strategies to knock them down and out. (I'm a fabulous test taker and always have been--thanks Mr. Macabe!) Good news that I'm already seeing gains in scores in two days along with greater understanding or just stick-to-it-ness dealing with Poetry. Bad news, there is one more day to go and a one of the Honors boys is back to being a butt like he started off first semester. (Calling home didn't work the first time around--so I just have to deal...students today suggested that he be moved to a table by himself--still trying to be center of attention, tomorrow it may be a desk outside in the hallway...I'm not allowed to use Duct Tape, but don't think I haven't wanted to.) His assigned seatmate (actually he volunteered for hazardous duty) sent me the nicest thank-you note today telling me to hang in there and they'll come around...he's now a believer and his grades and skills are great now. I won over one of the "popular" girls today too...she saw the light with a 9/10 on the quiz and since she arrived late, she only had 15 minutes to read the poems and get down to business. When her seatmates saw her score, and said how did you do that, she said: "Just do what she says - don't guess, use the text, eliminate the obviously wrong and choose the best from the other two - 50-50 is better than 25%. It works." It was the best endorsement ever...so I do know what I'm doing and this exercise is not for naught.

Exercise: with the rain the past two days and the schedule yesterday, except for walking the mall between stores on Saturday, no exercise. Today the sun is out and hopefully DH will be home soon and we can get out to walk. We need to really do some miles the rest of the week--we should be doing the 10K on Saturday with the staff.

[LAinSEA]

We did our staff walk today, but opted only to do the 5K, there were two that ran 10K in the time we walked the 5. Same players again, those who deviled the rest all week stayed home this morning. Perhaps they won't show up until it is time for the 20K....Oh well, it was a beautiful morning--pink clouds over the mountain and no drizzle or fog. We did the walk in just under an hour.

Weight-wise, I've been up and down all week and finally back to 153 this morning. At least I'm staying in the ballpark and maintaining that 65 lb loss. That's the goal for now, I have another 5 weeks before I'll go back on the HCG and try to get those last 20-30 lbs off. Still, I'd like to see the belly shrink--I'd be in 10s instead of 14s (and a few 12s) if it wasn't for that darn belly!

We went into lockdown for the first 2 1/2 hours for school yesterday. I couldn't believe the bellyaching--"I can't work under conditions like this!" My mom's school being close to a major commercial district north of Seattle are in lockdown for some reason or another at least once/even twice a month and her first and second graders deal with it just fine. Just stay quiet, focused, and get escorted to the restrooms when needed. With my Honors sophomores, you'd have thought it was Columbine all over again. (The police activity that put into lockdown was a mile or two away, but the policy is when there is a runner from a crime scene, the schools are locked down.) "I have to text my mom, she'll be worried about me." Honestly, that would make it worse for the police, to have parents converging to the area to deal with their dramatic little darlings. Good Grief! I think it's just because my sophomores spent the week messing around, not doing their work, or preparing for their DBQ essay Unit test on the 1920s. (I also sent home progress reports for that first week of the semester and most were Fs--seems homework or even classwork hasn't been a priority for the majority this week.--I'm such a mean teacher.)

We're having dinner out with my parents tonight for my father's birthday this evening and I want to hit the Flower and Garden show downtown on our way up there this afternoon for a couple of hours. DH isn't thrilled, but he said we could. Then he promptly went off to call his own dad and, well, an hour later, we haven't moved yet. I'd better go pace and pout and let him I'm ready.

I'm taking a break from Pro Cert and other school work this weekend except for a little planning (some done last night and I'll do a bit more tomorrow). The long weekend next week will be for stressing out again on Entry 2.

[VernRDH]

Hey there!! Glad to see you!:goodvibes

Good job on the 5k! Don't worry about what others do, you went out and did more than a lot are doing, so don't fret.

Good job on the maintenance. That is a big part of the battle. I hear ya on the belly thing, it is the one thing that really gets me.

Oh the drama of high school. DH works in a middle school, I hear this kind of stuff all the time. Last week they had a 7th grade boy get pummeled by an 8th grade girl. Apparently he is Aspergers, she is an ignorant piece of city trash and she decided to beat the tar out of him AND VIDEO TAPE IT!! Craziness, I tell ya.

Good for you taking a break from the ProCert. A little time away may help it go easier when you start up again.

Keep up the good work friend. I am always looking for your posts, I like hearing from you. :hug:

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - thanks for the positive vibes! Truthfully, I'm a bit of a control freak (isn't that a female trait?) And before this year, I'd been blessed with amazing classes--yes, one or two students not on board, but not 2/3rd's a class not on board. Funny, when I ask my colleagues about what their seeing in their own classes, I get the feedback that this year's sophomores are engaging, yet not real good about following through (with the exception of the AP and two other honors sections for one teacher). Now that my mentor teacher is long-term subbing for one of the other honors/AP blocks she saying the same thing about that group. It helps to know it isn't just me; but, I'm concerned that that the other teachers don't want to admit the issue and find similiar--across the board remedies for it. If we don't, next year we'll see more failing grades in junior English classes and again as seniors. And the feedback needs to be sent downstream to the junior highs--whatever they are reinforcing there has to be changed so that the next group isn't as lax as this group.

Weight; holding steady at 153 (post breve--isn't coffee the wonder drug?) This is despite going out to eat last night (nice seafood restaurant) and yes, gasp, eating some rice! I did avoid the sourdough bread and OMG did it smell fantastic! Besides walking the 5K, we also did the laps on the concrete floor at the Flower and Garden show. There were some great ideas to be had, but we didn't buy anything. $40 for entrance fee just about made that an impossibility. I will be looking for this oak-leaf moss to mix in amoung the black mondo grass in my front beds though. The pop of contrast really was stunning. I was also impressed by the mixed use of veggies in borders and yes, the addition of chicken houses. If this isn't the next "great depression" (the economists are saying that it will take until 2016 for employment levels to return to 2007 levels), then I don't know what is (remember, I teach history). It only makes sense to produce some of the foods we eat at home or to buy locally produced foods. IMHO, our greatest insecurity comes from the fact that our building codes and tax codes have run the family farmers out of business. A spike (again) in fuel prices will drive up food prices to a point where this country could be in such terrible problems we might just see riots. Just look at your local supermarket--this time of year, most of our produce is coming from latin, central, and south America--not Florida, Texas, and California like it use to. (Perhaps, I'm showing my advancing age!)

Laundry is in the works, vacuuming needs to be done and I'm debating about heading to school to run off some video notes for tomorrow. The Super Bowl doesn't really hold much charm for me this year - too many years working in sports TV has done that to me.

Got out and walked 3 miles in about an hour between rain storms (avoiding what looks to be a pretty one-sided football game.)

[LAinSEA]

Weight - still holding at 153 this morning. That one hour walk during the game yesterday must have helped. One good thing about not sitting around and watching football is no snacking.

I got home in time to walk in the light for an hour tonight too...but DH had come home early because his stomach is upset, so he didn't go with me. I hope whatever it is, it isn't catching...too much to do this week before the 4 day weekend.

Despite the threats, the emails home, the progress reports and goal sheets requiring signatures, only 2/3rd of students turned in their final DBQ essays on the 1920s. I'm not accepting them late and the hole for some will be quite deep now. Only 2nd week of the semester--wham! I talked to another teacher I try to do some collaborating with; he's got one class were the average is a D. No A's or B's, a few Cs and Fs, but mostly Ds. Welcome to mediocrity!. He's never seen it before. Again, I just don't get it. Even the smaller state universities require GPAs above 3.0 to get in and it's over 3.65 at Univ. WA now. What are these kid's thinking? Their parents must be clueless too. Here, you can't get a gig at Starbucks without the MA, the job market is so tight. I remember growing up, teachers saying, "Hey the world needs ditch diggers too." How untrue that is. The world doesn't need anything like that anymore.

DH has got some crab stuffed sole baking in the oven and I'm going to try not to snack anymore before dinner. (Dried fruit and nuts are my hang up lately--surprised my weight is staying in range.)

[momof2minnies]

WOW that mentality about the grades is very different from here.Most kids here strive to be straight A students in honor society or just missing it.That includes all walks of life from the jocks to the so called "geeks" even the kids that you think are "losers" hold very high grades.Some of the kids names I see in the paper is very shocking.

In my day most kids were average but the competition is so fierce now they have to be this way.

Hope your DH feels better.

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda - I think it is the lack of competition that hurt the kids out here; they all get trophies for showing up, they don't compete for grades (no curve), almost all kids make the team or the jazz ensemble or the chamber choir. There is no process for selection into Honors or AP classes--they are open to all. (Which could be a good thing if all would work to that level.) What I see is a "if everyone skips" mentality, then no one will get into any trouble because everyone is in it together. At least in my district, kids don't have an understanding that the habits they develop today, will determine thier success later on. They don't understand that their competition for spots in college are working their tails off. They don't understand that kids in China and India have goals to earn PhDs in Engineering and take over that innovator role Americans are so certain is theirs. I knew that there were only going to be 3,000 slots open at UW in 1982 and that 186 of those were for scholarship athletes. I fought tooth and nail for my A's in high school so my GPA would be high enough to get into UW--our teachers graded on the curve and out of 40 students only 4 would earn the A even if our test/essay scores were nearly identical. I believe that competitiveness is what got me through college with decent grades despite working fulltime, and got me jobs from my internships, and raises, etc. You can bet if my job is on the line, I'm find a way to out compete my colleague down the hall and stay while he/she goes even if they have more senority. But that fire is not present in 99% of my students today--and the few that have it are made fun of by those who dont'...sorry for the rant.

Weight: up again to 155 this morning (whoa--what happened?); got in a 45 minute walk with DH this evening right before dark. I'm thinking it's water weight--too much sodium somewhere. How can I can two pounds overnight?

Oh well...did get my essays graded and one class returned. Need to make some exemplar copies from the other class and hopefully, can do so in the morning before classes start as it is the late start day for students.

[momof2minnies]

Hi Laurie that is too bad that is happening.There is nothing wrong with a little competition.



Great job on the weight- that lousy water retention gets to me too.I weigh myself after exercise because I don't think it is fair to myself to keep weighing all that water and get frustrated.

We are in for a huge storm here today- school was cancelled and we don't even have one flake yet.My DD is supposed to work at Chili's today right in the middle of it all.Hopefully they won't need her.I don't want her driving in it.I do suppose you have to learn sometime though.

Have a great day,
Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda - wow, another storm coming your way! I can't imagine anyone wanting to go out in it--hopefully they'll cancel your DD's shift!

Well it had to be water weight; this morning I actually lost a pound and I'm down to 152! I sure hope it doesn't make a large jump up again tomorrow. That is the reason I don't prefer to weigh every day, but on this plan you have to. While you are stabilizing and maintaining, you shouldn't gain any more than 3 lbs without taking drastic measures (5 apples and a steak for dinner) to get the weight back off. This is the time for my hypothalmus to re-set (not sure exactly how that works) and that is why it's important to stick with the low carb/no sugars, no starches.

Skipping the walk this evening, it is pouring down rain and the wind is supposed to pick up too. I actually was sore this morning in my hips and lower back, but I haven't really picked up the intensity or distance as much as I need to to be ready for a 10K in a couple of weeks.

Students were a little more focused today--and the regular class beat the honors class on the quiz over the first two chapters "Of Mice and Men." I now owe them treats, but there are still a few students who have to make up the test. Probably will drop it on them on Tuesday next week.

[momof2minnies]

Laurie
Good job on the weight- blasted bloat!

I loved Of Mice and Men.We had to read in our soph. year and then so did my DDs.We also had to read Grapes of Wrath and Lord of the Flies but my youngest DD's teacher does not believe in them- HUH?????????? Some of these teachers here leave alot to be desired.

Not much snow here as predicted- DD did have to work, came home after 10.

Have a great day,
Linda

[VernRDH]

Just dropping by to say hi!

Hope you enjoy your long weekend. Our schools are on vacation all this week, DD is going to Tae Kwon Do camp each day. DH gets tomorrow off, I am working all week and will be busy.

We read of Mice and Men, not Grapes of Wrath. Lord of the Flies was okay. The book I really disliked was All Quiet on the Western Front. Just couldn't get into it. Didn't like George Orwell particularly either.

Favorites were A Seperate Peace and Catcher in the Rye. Didn't mind Shakespeare, was fun when we read it out loud in class, with different people reading different parts each day.

[VernRDH]

HELLO, HELLO, anybody home?

Just checking in again to see how you are doing. Miss you buddy!:hug:

[LAinSEA]

Sorry, Veronica & Linda - been over my head the past week (or more)...

So I'm alive, up in weight, up in stress and frustration!

The weekend was actually wonderful. I was off on Friday for our Presidents' day holiday weekend. I actually woke up and was down to 152! woohoo! That didn't last long...I took the time to get my nails done and DH took me out to dinner at a very nice seafood restaurant. We splurged because we had giftcards to use from the past two holidays. We ordered oysters on the half shell, salads (mine maytag blue cheese, his caesar), I had filet and lobster tail, he had halibut cheeks, a nice bottle of Kings Estate Pinot Noir, and yes, desert--chocolat flourless cake with ice cream and pear sauce. I indulge in a piece of the forcaccia and a little of the garlic mashed potatoes on my plate too...not a good choice--because it definitely woke up my carb cravings.

The weather was raining all weekend long -- We didn't get out to walk and with the Olympics on, I snacked on too many nuts and dried fruit. Saturday's meals were mostly low carb, but Sunday I had the craving for fish and chips and so we went and indulged the craving. I went up to 156 by Monday. Then whoa! Got on the scale on Tuesday am and I'm up to 158! Ouch! I've bounced between 158 and 157 all week long despite getting back to eating properly and exercising.

I bought a pair of Sketchers and wow, do my legs feel sore, but my lower back feels better when I walk in them. My lower right back and hip have just been painful as of late. Not while walking though, usually worse when I've been sitting and then get up.

Now for the rant about my students--OK not all, but most came back from the four day weekend totally forgetting to complete their literature circle assignments. Quiz scores were abysmal! The test scores over Of Mice and Men and the excerpts from the Lit book on Steinbeck, Grapes of Wrath (short excerpt) and the Life Magazine photo essay on the subject were simply awful! All the work on multiple choice strategies was completely forgotten and the honor class rushed through the assessment so fast that almost all were done with 20 minutes when this test should have taken 45 minutes to an hour with some taking longer. Then those who were done thought they should just start to socialize! Since when do sophomores not know that it's is not OK to disrupt others who are still testing? Not that I haven't reinforced good test-taking ettiquette, but I had to repeatedly re-direct behavior. The regular class was much much better, but even they rushed more than they should. The regular class beat the mean of the honors group (again) and the high score came from that class, but it was still much lower than classes in the past.

Since we are just four weeks away from the state skills tests (mandatory to pass to be able to graduate), I was hoping to just review writing and reading test-taking strategies not have to re-teach skills again this year. But the scores tell lme that the majority of students need test bootcamp.

Beyond that, I've never had students laugh while reading the last scene from Of Mice and Men...it upset one of the young ladies that has a brother with Down Syndrome so much she wrote me a letter (a polite, but to the point one about assigning such a horrid book!) I sat and had lunch with her and promised to teach more about the plight of the disabled during the Great Depression and the lack of safety nets. But never have I had students think it was funny. What does that say about this group of kids? The only bright spot was from the group that watches Lost - there was a reference to the novella in this week's episode (I'll have to watch it online--I missed it for the Olympics).

Speaking of Olympics...new rant...why can't they actually start coverage at 7pm instead of waiting until 8pm and then why so much talking head? Nothing is shown live here and it's happening in our timezone! I fell asleep before the big guns even took the ice last night and watching skating online just doesn't do it justice. So frustrating! Usually the games are shown on the one Canadian channel we get on cable, but not this year. I love Canadian coverage--pure sport.

Plans for the weekend include working on the dreaded pro-cert Entry 2. I remembered to bring home some of the student work for scanning, but I still don't have enough evidence yet. I'm fearful of collection anymore on diversity from these classes...I might get something really politically incorrect.

[momof2minnies]

I did not know the NW was mild- I thought you guys had tough winters.Mow the lawn ah what athought- love the smell of grass.

Why are the Sketchers hurting so much? That can't be good?

Linda

[VernRDH]

Mow the lawn???:confused: I still can't SEE my lawn. Can't wait until it is nice enough to be able to mow though. I do enjoy working outside in the yard and tending my garden and pool.

I am assuming that you got the Skechers Shape Ups? I didn't realize they made them in other styles besides the sneakers.

My cats don't do outside, they are strictly indoor kitties. The big bad outside scares them. And with the dog, they pretty much stay under the bed or couch unless it is night and the dog is in bed with us.

Enjoy the nice weather, please send some of it to Linda and I, we could really use it!

[LAinSEA]

Again, I've been thwarted in keeping my journal up-to-date...this time it was a rotten, very bad, nasty, time-suspending cold. I'm back to about 80%, but getting the last 20% back may take awhile.

I started feeling bad last weekend, but did my very best to ignore. I spent the that Sunday completing my draft of my 2nd Pro Cert Entry and feeling like I did as much as I could possible do on it. The second entry is about classroom and learning environment the impact of diversity. I teach in the least diverse, least divided socio-economic high school in our very homogenous suburban school district. My students are more divided politically than in any other way (and only because their parents voted for change and aren't seeing any change thus far...) What a difference a year makes with 90% in favor of Pres. Obama, to an "off with his head" mentality. I added what evidence I could, but I know this entry is lacking. I can only hope for adequate right now.

By Monday, my cold was at the cough up something technicolor stage. And I had a very full week of lesson plans to get through. We are just three weeks away from the proficiency tests--not a good time to be out for any reason even when I feel like death warmed over. Tuesday, the cold included my nose running like a faucet. Wednesday and Thursday were getting by with Theraflu--when I found out my mentor teacher (now subbing) was available for Friday, I put in the sub request and left the easiest lesson plan I could even if I'd rather of swapped tomorrow's plan for last Friday. I stayed in bed all of Friday and most of yesterday. Again, I feel back to 80% of normal now, but anticipate another week of coughing and running nose. At least my head doesn't feel like it will implode any more.

Weight-wise, it's followed the ups and downs of my cold. I went, up and up and up - to 160 by mid-week. DH says that cold medicine is full of sodium and my weight showed it. By yesterday morning, I was back down to 154, but a craving for a Mikey burger and fries put me up to 155 this morning. Today, to console DH after USA's loss to Canada in hockey, we grabbed Mexican food. A little rice and beans to go with the on-plan chile releano and chicken toastada and yes, a margharita on the rocks. I promise to be good all week long after the long day tomorrow with the evening pro-cert meeting. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and I can get back to walking by Tuesday afternoon.

I've had no exercise to speak of, unless you get points for blowing your nose. I've done my best to stay hydrated despite the cold medicine. We missed the staff walk/run planned for yesterday morning, DH was going to head down, but was feeling a bit under-the-weather too. He's been sneezing, but not coughing up goo yet.

I did get out yesterday afternoon to meet with my pro-cert partner and go over her entry and she mine. Mine was so less detailed than hers, but her's is over the character limit. She was last time too, and didn't get nicked for it. I'm going to submit as it and if I have to add, I will. We have one more entry to go.

Sketchers - my feet feel great when wearing them, but they do really work over my calves, my hamstrings/quads and hips/low back. It was weird to feel my arms and shoulders feel stiffness too. I guess now that I've had a week off from walking due to the cold, that I will have to take it easy and slowly in getting used to them again.

We didn't mow the lawn this weekend, but it will probably need it by mid-week or this weekend again. I wish I could send you our spring weather...it is supposed to be 60 degrees again tomorrow and I know that my students will be squirrelly due to it. Normal winters for us involved snow in the mountains (where it belongs) and rain in the lowlands with about 40-45 degree temps until mid-March or later. This is not a normal winter for us--it's been mid-to-upper 50s since the cold shap in December that put us down in the 20s for about a week and half with a few snow flurries that didn't stick around. It's weird to get snow that lasts more than a moment; although it did happen last year and the year prior and make us stay in school until nearly July. Crossing fingers and knocking on wood, hopefully no snow days this year and we'll have a four day weekend for Memorial Day (never happened while I've been teaching, but just maybe....)

More laundry to fold, but I'm done with my piled up grading (until tomorrow) and planning through Tuesday. Will get to sleep earlier tonight to take on the week.

[momof2minnies]

Hey Laurie,
How is it going? Hope everything and everyone are well.

Linda

[VernRDH]

Hey buddy, whats going on? Hope all is well with you. Let us know how you are doing!!:hug:

[LAinSEA]

Linda, Veronica: Aren't you two the absolute best...no hunting for my journal. It was right on top. Very sweet and so appreciated given my energy level.

I've been ill with the cold all week; working, yes, but just hanging in there during the school day and absolutely collasping once I get home. DH is a week behind me, and he can't take anything for it (BP meds don't mix with cold meds.) So, neither or us are sleeping well with the coughing and copious amount of tissues everywhere.

Some on staff have said that they are over the overt symptoms, but it hangs on for weeks more. At least most say they are so exhausted, it's like mono. One went into the Dr. for it and no, it wasn't positive, but it sure feels that way. All I can say that over two weeks in, the cough is still there, nose not so drippy, but the overwhelming desire to lay down and nap is ever present.

My Pro Cert Entry 2 must have hit the email mark first, because before I could even get to mid-day Monday it was back with the required revisions, "Just clean it up, add the extra evidence and have it ready for tonight, dear." I teach straight through on Mondays and don't have access to a scanner even if I did have time to spare (I didn't.) So I turned in the burned CD I did the night before with a note that I would have to wait to make changes until the weekend. I re-submitted tonight and given my state of tiredness, it probably won't pass this time either and I've failed the whole thing. Too bad I won't get that feedback until after my tuition check has cleared (DH just sent it in.) The syllabus and requirements were finally emailed to us yesterday afternoon--and it touched off a firestorm of emails...we have to complete the thing we started last year plus do all the new crapola and journal entries we were told to drop after October meeting. I don't get it. The latest blast all email from colleagues said to get our unions involved in it; but darn it all anyway, I don't want to do this again next year. I stuck it out because they said it would be a sure thing, the university grades it instead of the state this year and they have a vested interest in us passing since we started the (wrong) process last year--the state said they could of "grandfathered" us and had us just complete what we were trained to do through all of last year--but that didn't happen. Apparently other universities did just that with the hangers on. So frustrating. I did this instead of National Boards; one NB are tough and not a sure thing, teachers with twice the years in the classroom have failed it, and it costs nearly $4,000--not cash I have around--I still have student loans from the Masters program. We are teachers, not MBAs. Now I thing NB would have been easier--at least there are examples of what it is supposed to look like out there as guides. Not with this program; still no exemplars on the state website.

It has been lovely spring-like weather almost all week long, but I was too tired and coughing too hard to walk this week. That makes two week off and my fitness level will be awful. I'll have to get use to the Sketchers all over again slowly. And now it looks like we're going to have normal weather; 30s overnight and mid-40s during the day instead of near 60. My weight has bounced; down to 155 yesterday, but back up to 156 today--probably the Qdoba Mexican food last night. Too much sodium in every restaurant meal.

We did go out (took my parents) to see the student production of Les Misables. Oh, so excellent! Over 150 students involved in production and the end brough the house to tears and a 15 minute standing ovation. My dad didn't like it--I could tell. He doesn't think Sh!T should land in a school auditorium...only one, also the play definitely has mature content--even the school version. But the music was lovely--I played in the pit orchestra for both school and community theatre during high school/college and I don't think I could have made it through Les Mis--there is never a time when the orchestra isn't playing; it's an Opera not a traditional musical. Really outstanding. My special students in the cast were all looking for their hugs on the way out; DH and my folks had to stop and wait and be introduced several times. Again, my dad doesn't seem to get it--"They actually grab and hug you--not the side hug, but pounce and hang on." They're my kids--or as close as I'll get to real ones (besides the cats and the nieces)--I cry with them, write them letter of rec for college, go over their essays for college classes they are taking outside of HS, tell them they are amazing (and he/she is a fool for breaking his/her heart). Weird that I still don't have that kind of closeness with year's cohort of sophomores yet and all the more strange to new students when the old ones think nothing of interrupting class to jump around and wave their college acceptance letters and I jump with them. It's the one reason I like teaching at this HS and not at others...the good students (yes, even my remedial seniors are good) make the tears and sleepless nights worth it.

This week, one more week of stealth state test prep and The Great Depression and into To Kill a Mockingbird (my absolute favorite novel of all time since 4th grade!) I'm still debating on trying something new with it; my students never get to do any creative writing, and I'm thinking that maybe the way to engage them is to have them write their own (short, 3-4 chapter) "novel" using TKAM as a model. Usually I just assign discussion questions and use Socratic seminar, but we'll be into testing the first week of the novel and maybe it's time to do something more creative and write some fiction instead of essays. Either way, I'll have Tuesday planning to hammer it out and just hope the exhaustion doesn't get in the way.

This week is packed too, band concert, the Daffodil Queen competition and coronation (need to support our princess); Daylight savings next week (and I won't be OK until we get the hour back in the fall). Then testing the next week. Orchestra concert the week after and finaly, Spring Break! (wish it was going to be at Disney...)

Well, off to bed...take last of the laundry up and remember to re-set the alarm. I'm tired.

[LAinSEA]

I'm still coughing up all manner of goo today (nearly woke up drowning in it a couple of times last night). What I wouldn't give for a good night's rest right now. I'm just exhausted--must be phase three of this cold.

Students worked diligently on their practice essays today, but those who were absent are going to have a difficult time making it up; I have meetings tomorrow and I'm not willing to stay around on Friday, so Thursday is it after school or nothing.

Our weather has turn cold - we actually had snow flurries blow through yesterday afternoon (didn't stick, but got the kids all excited---you'd think the world was coming to an end) and it may do so again overnight tonight with no accumulation expected. After such a mild winter, this feels like an abrupt immersion in the ice age. (Not to mention all the complaint from the softball, track, baseball teams about how cold they are.)

After a deli-takeout meatloaf from the local Top Foods last night, my weight was up to 159 this morning, and still 159 this afternoon when I go home from work. I knew it was all water weight...but it's a shock to see it on the scale in the am. My rings are still tight this evening and usually they are nearly sliding off this time of day. It didn't taste overly salty, but obviously it was loaded. DH was just last after meetings yesterday (and tonight); he's grilling little lamb chops tonight without added salt, just olive oil and rosemary rub.

The emails continue to fly over the Pro Cert syllabus and whether or not to take it to the teacher's union and file a grievance with the state. (From my perspective and experience--I put myself through college the first time working as a paralegal for a labor relations consulting firm--pushing the issue might do more harm than good. Best case senario, the state puts pressure on the university and just gets us passed the hurdle without too much pain, worst case, the state extends our residency certificates another year and says we have to do through their website program next year. No one wants that. I tend to trust the university more than I trust some national testing company (ETS) to determine whether or not I get to keep my teaching credential. However, I now understand why more new teacher leave the profession within the first five years given the hoops we have to jump through and all the finger pointing about how we're the problem...the reason our young adults aren't becoming productive citizens. Funny, no one is putting any responsibilities on the students/families in this state--no attendance requirements except if you miss 20 days straight, then you are reported to the state and the parents could be arrested. However, it's OK to miss as many days as you want without consequence as long as you don't miss 20 in a row. And I'm up to 2 cell phones in my desk drawer for this week already; 6 total last week. When I heard a news report on the radio about a Georgetown Law professor complaining about the use of laptops and cellphones during his courses, I just laughed. Things are tough all over. Parents out there; your sons and daughters don't need cell phones at school. period. If you need to reach them, the office will do so for you. Most, even the Honors students, are not capable of leaving them alone during classes. And if, Heaven forbid, a Columbine event should occur, the ringing, buzzing, vibrating phone would most likely give their hiding place away and let the shooter know their location...I know that the last earthquake in this area (2000) rendered cell phones and landlines obsolete for about 24 hours, so that is no reason to have one at school either. Just say no, please. Have pity on us educators out here.

[momof2minnies]

Hi Laurie,
Too bad about your pro cert.What a bummer and so much time and work.

Boy do I wish the majority of teachers around here were like you.

My weight has been fluctuating too.I worked Mon and Tues and my Mom brought over stuffed peppers, mashed potatoes and vegs.How do I say no thanks we can't eat that right now? So for 2 days diet not so good for dinner.The plus side is at least at work I run for 10 hrs with only 30 mins for lunch so I must have burned something.Not even one chance to sit down.

It's too bad your Dad didn't just enjoy the show since you were all together.I love to watch the talent of young kids.

Hope your cold is better, DD had it too and she blew her nose and napped for days.

Have a good one,
Linda

[VernRDH]

:wave2:

Just checking in!!

[LAinSEA]

Veronica & Linda - again, thanks for bumping me up to a place where I could find my journal. It's been two killer weeks...

First off, my cold went from snotty and into my lungs big time; it's about cleared up now...however, now I'm just into the totally exhausted stage. Yep, it feels like mono except with stuffed up ears and puffy sinuses. Achy joints seem to be along for the ride too.

My weight's all over the place--it is the cold? or the lack of exercise? or water retention? I was hanging tough at 156-158 and then wham, overnight I was up to 161! then over last night up to 165! No, I'm sitting around eating bon bons. Today, it's been nothing but protein, salad and water. I plan to go back on the HCG Saturday, but I was really hoping to start where I left off and not 13 lbs heavier.

It has been a rough three weeks in the classroom; state testing prep--I believe my students were ready and most did well on their practice essay and reading test. Some just were AWOL the week prior and some didn't show up for testing. With passing reading & writing a state graduation requirement, you would think more parents would hold their end of the bargain and get the kids to school. But I had a few in each of my sophomore classes that simply didn't show up. No particular reason given when the students returned...All of my seniors followed through and put in their best efforts; the alternative assessment portfolios wouldn't be scored unless they tested. These were the ones I worried most about not showing up; I'm really proud of all of them.

Testing typically is much waiting and pleanty of time for students to get other work done, even though as teachers we are told to keep the work load light that week. My students had "To Kill a Mockingbird" in hand the Thursday prior to testing week with the Socratic Seminar directions and all the Discussion Questions in hand to get a jump on. Traditionally, in the five years I've been teaching this course, students really get into the seminars and are really competitive to take part. I've rarely had to follow through and deduct points for students who are not prepared to participate when their names are drawn (only 8 get to discuss in the inner circle--the rest listen, take notes, and evaluate in the outer circle). The first seminar for chapter 1 was last Friday--for the first time I had 3 Honors students who were not prepared and 5 regular students who were not ready to go. Today's seminar was to cover chapters 2-4--more than 2/3 the Honors class and 3/4 regular class were not prepared--only 6 students in Honors could participate and only 5 in the regular class. I gave quizzes over the chapters too at the urging of one of the other Honors teachers (she's seeing the same lack of work ethic in her sections and a real distaste for reading--any type of reading also). Despite the protests about "Oh I did the work, I just didn't bring it," the quiz scores showed that students hadn't read the chapters. I'm at a loss--if they won't prepare with the threat of 25 points deducted--not just earning 0 points, then I don't know what will work. If I have the same tomorrow. It will be four solid days of no talking, just reading while I call the parents of each student.

In addition, I had to send out a student from the Honors class on Friday--he was sitting and organizing papers during the Pledge and then swore at me when I asked him why he was planted in his seat. Down to the office I sent him. I've already had to deal with his father earlier this year--no change in the problem behaviors, if anything it escalated then ebbed for a while. Then first of this semester he was back to trying to be the center of the universe with additional 4-letter words. His father wants to meet with me and the Spanish teacher (funny she has issues with his too) 10 minutes prior to class on Wednesday. I'd welcome it, but I'm sure he's going to be as caustic in person as over the phone and there is no way the meeting will take 5 mintutes allowing me to get to class to greet students. Our administrators should know better.

Exercise--no walking at all, but we did spend 5 hours gardening on Saturday (it was 72 degrees!). Sunday was back to low 50s and rain and my back felt like it was being sawed in half. I got back out this evening for about 45 minutes and weeded above a low retaining wall so I wouldn't have to bend down so far. There is so much to do and I feel like the weeds would fit in well in Wonderland. If the weather cooperates, I will try to get out 45-60 minutes all this week and try and make a dent in it.

We had Evening Grosbeak fly in on Saturday sticking around just into Sunday and then flying off again. We usually only get a day or two with them spring and fall on their way to and from the mountains. They are so beautiful. Our Anna's hummingbirds must be nesting, because I've only heard males, and no females have been to the feeders. The Rufus haven't flown in yet. I've had to keep an eye on the cats when they are out on the patio that they don't go after the doves or the banded pigeons eating the corn that DH tosses out on the grass for them. We had four varities of woodpeckers this week and DH had a whole feeder full of pine siskens on him as he was trying to put it back up in it holder. They didn't wait until he hooked it up, but were eating off it while he was holding and walking with it. Each year we talk about registering for the backyard bird count and then forget about it...looks like we'd better put in a reminder.

[Tinkerbella001]

Hi Laurie! I just found your thread, and honestly did not read all 248 days! I did read the entire first page and then skipped around a lot! You have come so far! I started hCG the day after Christmas, and started at 219 pounds. I currently weigh 186 (yay!) and that is with taking a month "break". What helpful hints would you have to share? I am in a rut of cheating (blasted Girl Scout cookies, ugh!). I was down to 182, but can't seem to get there again. Any words of wisdom to help a girl out?? TIA!

[LAinSEA]

Welcome Tia! My biggest downfall in maintaining the loss is processed carbs, especially any wheat products--bread, crackers is all that I've tried to add back in and it puts my wheat up 2-5 lbs overnight. I seem to tolerate a little bit of rice - even white rice and yes, even a few french fries. But some homemade bread from the breadmaker last week was the end. Try to stay low carb--good fats are OK, like a little olive oil and avocados, but primarily I stay away from pre-mixed salad dressings and stick with the vinegars even on maintainance.

I'm down to 160 yesterday and today; it took sticking with salads for lunch most of the week and really watching what I had for an afternoon snack and dinner. Fluid retention seems to disapate by late afternoon, but I'm really bloated like a water balloon in the mornings. My stress load this week has also been heavy--drat that Honors class (not all students--there are six who have been doing their reading and discussion questions all along). I had to cancel Socratic Seminars for To Kill a Mockingbird this week in that class because only 6 out of 24 had done their outside reading and were prepared to participate. That meant that is was 4 solid work days after chapter quizzes and part I novel notes due prior to Spring Break (Friday). All but one turned them in and now the grading is part of my week off workload along with Entry 3 for Pro Cert. On the other hand, only 5 in my regular class have been unprepared to participate and the discussions have been great. Students are so excited to be part of the inner circle and share what they've discovered. Out of the five who haven't done the work, 2 are chronically absent and the other 3 are in perpetual study hall because they don't do their work in class or as homework. I wish I could reach all--you should hear the rest of the class putting on the pressure to get reading; and I can't get the others to put the book down--some are nearly through with it and I have to remind them to go back and review the chapters we're on prior to the quizzes. What a crazy mixed up world it is this year as far as class assignments.

I also found out this week that the honors class wasn't truly assigned at random like I had been told. Six students (yes the same six who are actually doing their work on schedule) had parents complain about the large class sizes in the two honors classes and instigated the new class being formed. They were immediately put on my class list. The others were selected by the other two teachers...then the three girls whose parents through fits were moved back. These students were turfed to me; my assistant administrated told me this after we met with the father of a boy I'd had to send down to the office for being disrespectful during the Pledge. Dad turned out to be ex-military and when I brought up the other incidents took my side. I had a great deal to say that was positive--this is one of the six who works hard academically, but works harder being the center of attention in a negative way. The behavior tended to be more focused toward the end of the week and I didn't have to re-focus him much Thursday or Friday. I did have to deal with several parents who were mad that their sons and daughters were having to stay up late to finish the part I discussion questions and novel notes; I let them know the novels and assignment packets went out on March 11--with explicit instructions to get ahead in the book prior to seminars beginning on March 19. "What you mean they didn't have to do this at the last minute--really?" Yep, the whole reason your daughter was up until 4am was because she was one of the reasons the seminars had to be cancelled on Tuesday...she wasn't ready...she and 23 others are skilled only at procrastination and no, honors classes do not accept late work across the board. Truly, I'm all for self-selection into Honors and AP classes, but once student decide they want to challenge themselves, then they need to get two teachers' signatures recommending them for the program. Same parents admitted to not reading the syllabus at the beginning of the year either, just signing the paperwork and sending it back.

I made my appointment with the HCG clinic for Monday afternoon and will be getting back on the hormone then. Two load days will be required because I've been off so long and I hope it was long enough to get rid of my immunity issue. Our Anniversary is next Friday--but DH can take me out Monday and Tuesday instead--we have an Olive Garden gift card and still cash on the Stanley and Seaforts card too. Hopefully I can take care of the pasta craving one day and the need for indulging in a decadent desert the next night.

We worked out in the yard for about 5 hours today--not getting enough done...my weeds make the flora in Jurasic Park look positively dinky. We did get the rest of the front bed cleared out--even grubbed out the Aspens that were taking over, half the raised veggie bed (again it was scary in weeds as I didn't grow anything in it last year), and edged the border and weeded the border along the boxwood hedge. There is still the other half of the raised bed and the border along the house next to veggie garden to tackle in the front side yard. However, the rain and wind is moving in again tonight and will last through Wednesday according to the forecast. I wanted to stay out longer tonight and do more, but my back just wouldn't let me. DH called it quits about 5:45 pm and made me come in. The edger we bought works great though--I love the crisp, clean edge it makes along the grass.

I'm not happy about the weather change this week as I hoped to get in a good walk every morning before sitting down to grading or writing. Maybe the forced indoor work will be for the best. Still my motivation is low; I turned off my alarm clock for the week and will sleep as long as the cats will let me--actually that might not be a good way to handle things--they were upset that I got up at 9am today! They'd stay in bed all day if I'd let them sometimes.

[momof2minnies]

Laurie.
I bet you can't wait for this school year to end.Sounds like you have been banging your head against the wall this year.

Ya the weather here has gone kaputs too- only 40 yesterday and windy.We have not done yard work yet it is too early in these parts and you might as well wait until everyone is doing it or you get your neighbors junk blowing in your yard.

Your doing well with your weight, good luck with the next set of injections.

Linda

[VernRDH]

Happy Easter friend!!

Are you starting shots again tomorrow or did you restart already? I haven't been on plan for 2 weeks, getting back to business tomorrow.

Stop in and say hi!!

[LAinSEA]

Veronica & Linda: Thanks for checking in on me...it has been a very long week.

I did begin the HCG again last Monday and "loaded"--aka ate as much as I wanted and whatever I wanted both Monday and Tuesday (along with dinner on Sunday night at Olive Garden). By the time I got to my appointment at the clinic on Monday afternoon, my weight was up to 168 on their scale--OUCH! and a one more day of loading to go.

It has been much harder to get into ketosis this week than the first time I did this in July--I didn't register a trace level until today! I've been hungry all week--and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday ravenously so. It probably didn't help that the writing of my Entry 3 for Pro Cert wasn't going all that well. It was much more tedious and longer than the other entries and almost three times the evidence to discuss. I submitted it on Thursday afternoon--after having to have DH convert it to a .pdf file and he had to send it through his email to the Instructor--my email has a limit on file sizes I can send--who knew? Thankfully, his does not. He will bring it up to the Network folks at work this week.

I didn't get to my grading until Friday and again, DH bailed me out. He did the adding and calculating of the points and grades earned for the Honors classes' part I Novel Notes for To Kill a Mockingbird while I did the actually grading. It took us about 4 1/2 hours altogether, but did keep my mind off being so hungry. So much for a relaxing Spring Break! NOT!

We took the time to look for a new TV stand--one that will work with the large, standard TV we have in the living room now and will look even better for a flat screen later on. We found one in a catelog at the furniture store we bought out sectional and chair in there from...I wish I could see it prior to putting in an order to purchase it. They sell the media stands so fast, that if it is not to our liking, they'll keep it. The price is not as bad as thought either for what it is and about the same as similar, but not as nice at Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn--better styling that both. DH says he'll call to order it on Monday.

No yard work this week--should go out and mow the damp lawn before it torrentially rains again. We've had terrible wind and rain the past three days. We didn't lose power, but it looked like it took a hit up at school as the clocks were messed up. (I went up there and did some quick planning while the church was in session and building alarm's off today for about 2 1/2 hours to get ready for the week--but not enough paper for the copier--working for a change--to really get ahead.) Exercise yesterday was walking around stores and dodging raindrops--not really exercise. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for both walking and yardwork some this week (if I'm not too wiped out from the VLCD and HCG still).

My weight is at 157--not where I'd hoped it would be after a week on the stuff; but the nurse told me that the less weight I have to lose, the slower it will probably come off this time. They told me no lowfat cheese or trim cottage cheese in place of the shakes this time around also--I can't add in mushrooms, berries other than strawberries, or the other alternative non-starchy veggies for another two weeks either. It feels limiting. Instead, I'm starting with a little larger protein portion at lunch and dinner, and if I need a snack, to have a half portion of protein. I should have dropped the fruit until I got into ketosis, but I was so hungry this week. Hunger has been better yesterday (Saturday) and today, but I did add some black coffee to my day to kill the hunger cravings also. Funny, shopping last night all I wanted was fresh french bread--could pass up the candy, but so wanted bread!

Hopefully the worst of the hunger pangs are gone now and I can concentrate on getting back into school; only 11 1/2 more weeks of school--Linda, I will be so happy when this year is over! I don't know how I'm going to fit the rest of the history/English curriculum in especially since the state requires us to spend a full week on the Classroom Based Assessment for history requirements; a research paper--research, drafting, and writing of final in just a week. Last year, my students did an impecable job (as those the year prior), but this year, I'm thinking my students will probably implode. We also have senior board portfolio evaluations this week, practice presentations the next two week, and then the final senior board evaluations in mid-May. I'm so glad my advisory students are sophomores (getting my last group through that process last year was killer for about half!)

Now...to fold another stack of laundry and about that grass...

[VernRDH]

Hey Miss Laurie, hows it going over on the left coast?

Hoping all is well.

:hug:

[LAinSEA]

Veronica - you are a life saver again...I'm just not up to searching for anything...no more difficult tasks for me.

The weekend is nearly over and the alarm clock needs to be turned on again for tomorrow morning. It has been one of the worst weeks ever--I'd happily go back to having the nasty cold than go through another week like this one.

I had to meet with the students' parents about the plagiarized assessments; funny how these boys are so much like their folks and one more meeting after school this week. Does it not make sense that society does not need (or want--I hope) people who cheat their ways through school operating on people, flying airplanes, designing earthquake proof buildings? Apparently there is a market for said cheaters in life - as the parents don't think that it is an issue--they just want the points reinstated; doesn't matter if any learning is taking place. After all, it is us teachers who are what's wrong with education.

I then spent the weekend revising, resubmitting Entry 3 for Pro Cert and then completing the laundry list of other requirements added at the last class. I'm crossing my fingers my revisons meet standard as I was over length by 4 pages the first time around (not sure how I mis-read the directions, but the diretions appear to be different on one template than the one being used for grading...) I'm ready to change careers, again.

I've been hungry all week too--can't seem to get back into ketosis which is the key to not feeling hungry and I've only managed to lose 2 lbs from last post...a hard-fought-for 2 lbs. I'm overly tired (related to starting again? I don't know). I need to get some exercise, but schedule this week has been in the way. Now the rain has backed off (and the wind) maybe this week will be more conducive to getting a walk in.

My parents were contacted at the last minute to get my youngest neice to the airport to fly back to Provo yesterday and they dropped by so we could have a hug (and I could finally give her a card and gift card for her birthday...I know bad auntie, very bad auntie--but I told my sis and the girls no more gifts until I heard whether or not they received their Christmas gifts and no, text messages don't count - either send me a card or give me a call. And no, I didn't hear...) Somehow DN couldn't stop texting long enough to remember to put the card in her pocket, she left it on the kitchen counter and we had to hurry and call Dad's cell # to turn around and come back for it. No, I'm not wasting a stamp. (Funny, her father took her phone the minute she arrived and didn't give it back until just prior to leaving...hmmm, he's a better parent than I gave him credit for.)

DH is out mowing the lawn - in the twilight...I should have done it earlier, but was buried behind the work laptop screen. I did get the laundry folded between tearing out my hair. DH also ordered the new TV cabinet--the one we found in the catelog at the store we bought our sectional from...and it was tax relief day - they pay the sales tax. A bonus for procrastinating.

Foodwise, I've been on plan, but probably need to drop both an ounce of protein and the fruit this week until the strip turns pink. That I don't know if I can do; I'm sure the stress will be as bad this week as last. It is crunch time for seniors and I have several who are so credit deficient that I'm sure more melt downs are coming. One didn't meet standard (he's the one writing students) and the class as decided to support him even if they all have to write with him--they all passed their reading portfolios (the only good news all week.) Still, I'm back to dreaming of chocolat bars and eclairs--neither were or are regular staples of my diet, so why do I want them now?

There is only 10 1/2 more weeks left of school--I'm thinking of skipping the 1970 and 1980s all together to get through the year...I'm dropping most of the unit for World War II to get into the Cold War and the CBA - a required research paper written on technology through the ages (research and paper written all within one week--I know all my students will implode, whereas last year, these papers could have earned credit for the college research paper at the community college. What a difference a year makes.)

So on to it...

[momof2minnies]

Laurie- WOW you have alot going on! Teens and their cell phones,I just don't get it.Well lets be honest some adults are just as bad.I see people in the neigborhood leaving their house and get on the phone- really you could not have made that call before you left- we managed to do that in the 1980s and before that.

My DH and I believe kids are the way they are today because of the parents- they take the whatever is easier route no matter what the issue is.

We are expecting 4 days of rain here and we have had such nice weather.Talking possible slushy mix too- Ugh!

Congrats on the 2lbs.,I know you would have like more but at least it was a loss.

Linda

[LAinSEA]

Linda:

I sure wish I knew the answer, but everyday, it gets worse with the cell phones. Contacting parents doesn't stop it; today, in fact, the repeated buzzing was because a parent was calling to get ahold of her son who picked up her bag by mistake. She finally called downstairs to the office and they put the call through to my room--then she was yelling so loudly at her son for taking the wrong bag and not picking up his phone that the class could overhear it. I finally, asked to speak to the boy's mother and let her know that we have a no cell phones out in class policy - they should be off and off person and that it would be easier at this point for me to send her son down to the office with her bag and she could come by and make the swap and then he could pick up his bag from there. She was flabbergasted that I'd heard the conversation--I said the whole class has now heard the conversation. Now, can we get back to learning? Geez. All I know is that our school board and district administrators need to get up some courage and put together stronger policies for the electronic devices, the bullying via social networking sites, and attendance if they are going to base my pay on students' performance.

Weight: down to 154 for the past two days, but back up one to 155 this morning. I'm still not able to get into ketosis, but skipping fruit makes me feel so energy deprived, that I don't care. It is so frustrating to be hungry this time around when I didn't experience that at all during the first few weeks of the first round.

I finally got the approval on my last Entry for Pro Cert--I can burn the documents to the CD now--I printed the hardcopies at school today. On May 3rd it will all be over--unless they come up with some other set of hoops to jump through.

We worked in the yard a little on Saturday (drizzle) and all day Sunday; we found two replacement pots for the two that broke during the wind storm last fall--but both were not as deep as they needed to be. Surgery on the bay and bamboo rootballs hopefully won't kill either. We took the flame thrower to the weeds on the paver patio--DH will pressure wash tomorrow evening and hopefully we'll get some dry days so I can treat it with the Round Up Extended control. (That might be Wednesday afternoon, but it still may be too cold. That stuff really doesn't work unless the temps are in the 60s to 70s.)

Students have taken up their typical post-testing "I'm done learning now" attitude unfortunately--it will be a long 9 1/2 weeks if it keeps up. My seniors are turning into their typical pre-schooler personnas - yes, this normal for this time of year too--graduation is 9 weeks off and that's pretty scary for most, especially my at risk students. For every step forward, they take five back. We will start Pride and Prejudice next Monday (and it is the spring play this year too!) and hopefully, it will put their minds on something other than the big, bad world out there. They all did great on their Hamlet tests.

DH and I are doing our best to learn how to say the Icelandic volcano's name and no amount of my early Norwegian or his Finnish is helping us figure out the Icelandic. He just found the phoemic guide--and no it didn't help. So from here on out it is that "Darn Smoking Whole under the Glacier in Iceland."

[VernRDH]

Hey buddy!!

On the cell phone issue, I feel your pain. Trying to work on someones teeth while they are looking at their phone or trying to text makes me nuts. We have a sign in the office that the phones have to be off, but no one cares. How would they feel if I took off my gloves and answered my phone while in the middle of treating them? And usually the adults are worse than the kids.

Great job on your ProCert. Hopefully it will all be final no more hoops and you will be all set.

On your weight loss, I don't know what to tell ya. Is the hunger getting worse or lessening as you go along? Maybe it is just taking more time for you to adapt to the LCD this time. Hope things get better for you. I am always looking out for your posts, and thinking positive thoughts for you!!

[VernRDH]

:flower3: Hi buddy!!

[LAinSEA]

Gosh! It's been an avalanche of issues, one right after the other that has kept me from time for me and journaling the past--ouch!--4 1/2 weeks. It started with a cold that I couldn't shake--just minor symptoms, but overall exhaustion. Frankly, I just came home and napped after work and didn't feel like I could catch up on my sleep at all. Then interrim progress reports for students and a heavy grading load and working with those who, at third quarter, were (and most still are) in danger of not passing for the semester. Why it becomes the teachers' problems at that point when it is because the students either don't attend or don't do anything when they are or are not there, is a mystery for the ages. But at our school---"The buck stops" at our desks and it becomes a load of emails and phone calls home for those student not putting in any effort.

Pro Cert - where to begin? More was added at our meeting the first week of April. I got word that my revisions for my last large entry were accepted and all that remained was the extras--things to complete that were started the year prior and all the documentation of professional development etc... My carpool buddy and I were already to take off for the last meeting for turning in the hardcopies and CDs of our work and get signed off and she received a last minute email that cancelled the meeting. Thankfully she called me before I left school to meet her. The directions were then to drop off the packets at the university or to mail them to the director of the program. I decided that I didn't trust the mail and wanted to delivery my packet in person, so I took hers along too. It seemed the frustration factor got the best of one of the candidates and a threat was made that made the university cancel all the in-person meetings and made up deliver the materials to campus security office--they wouldn't let us near the education department! They even cancelled our celebration the week after. We've not heard anything except that our packets were received at this point. Weird and a total letdown to 7 months of work.

I've still had lower back problems - siatic (sp) nerve issues is the diagnosis--I need to rest, get a new chair for work (yeah, right) and stretch. Walking is OK as long as it doesn't hurt. All that total tiredness due the cold for 2 weeks had to be enough rest. I stretch, but it doesn't seem to help. New chair? I suppose I'll have to go out and find one myself...not going to happen through the school district and I don't want to have it disappear over the summer months, so I'm waiting to see if they actually requistion one or get one at the start of next year. Supposidly, I will not be RIF'd or involutarily transferred for next year (knock on something wood), and should be teaching about the same classes. Our schedules won't be distributed (tentative schedules) until the end of the school year for next. I'm guessing all the stress has impacted my back also.

DH and I began walking (pain is still there) last week and we got in four, 40 minutes walks last week. Lots of yard work over the weekends, but no walks. We got in one last night, but it raining this afternoon and we'll just have to do it anyway.

Weight-wise - I'm holding at 157-158 and can't seem to lose anything. The hunger has subsided, but I should be dropping a half pound a day based upon my calorie count and exercise (with or without HCG) and my body just won't release the weight. If I can't get under what I was at my lowest (152-153) in three more weeks, I'm going to stop the HCG again and just keep to a low carb, high protein, low fat meal plan and hope that my body will adjust and let me lose. DH thinks that I need a higher dose of thyroid supplement or find someone to prescribe the Armour...with the weight I've lost, you can see my thyroid--it's clearly visible and appears to be larger now than 6 months ago. I have to see my GYN RNP next month and I'll have her run labs again and check results against last years. The Endrocrine specialist wouldn't see me based upon the labs last year at this same time despite low T3 uptake levels. So frustrating!

There are just 4 weeks of school left--this week was Senior Boards (they present their portfolios and go through an exit interview process) and it is also Classroom based assessment for social studies for my sophomores--they have to research and write cited essays in one week's time. Last year, my classes did fabulous work. This year, most students haven't completed the research as directed and the in-class write is Friday. With those on the cusp of failing, my stress level is all the more elevated, but it seems that most students are not impacted by the stress at all. I told one of the community board evaluators that if I ever went back to work in the private sector, I would never hire anyone from the class of 2012--worst work ethic I've faced since start of my teaching career. He told me that he thought 2008 was the worst group of seniors he'd evaluated in doing this 12 years. Cycles is his explanation--every 3 to 5 years, there are just classes without direction or maturity. Sad, isn't it?

I heard my niece received a full-ride scholarship to the community college turned 4-year college she has been attending while in high school--she earns her HS diploma on May 27 and will have her AA by the end of August. It will allow her to live at home, keep her part time job, and commute while earning her BS. It isn't the big, prestigeous state university she had in mind, but a scholarship is a scholarship and I told her that as long as her grades are high (and they have been) and she has the right credits in the right areas, and her MCAT scores are high, she will compete with the other medical school candidates when it is time to apply. Why go into debt for a brand-name university?

Veronica - as always, thanks for checking in on me...my goal is to take at least 3 hours a week for me from here on out until summer comes.

[momof2minnies]

Hi Laurie,
Glad your school year is almost to an end, it sounds so frustrating.

Hope your Procert is exactly what you hoped for- hopefully the celebration can come afterwards.

I would push about your thyroid- it is a huge issue among women.I had 1/2 of mine removed in 2007- had a lump, did an ultrasound guided biopsy and found unusual cells- he said they may have turned cancerous.If your levels are low that could be why you are holding on to the weight.

Have a good week
Linda

[VernRDH]

Laurie:hug: So glad to see you back!!

I will post up more later, but just wanted to pop in to say hello.

[VernRDH]

Hey there!!

I have been so busy that I totally spaced on coming back to your journal! But I'm here now, hoping that things are going well for you. School is almost over, hoping that you will have a relaxing and enjoyable summer.

On the weight loss/health issues, I hope you are feeling better. I am going to guess that things have not been going as well as you would like. With the thyroid, MAKE THEM LET YOU SEE AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST. This is non-negotiable. If you can see your thyroid, then something is very wrong. Do not give up until you see a specialist. The thyroid problems would contribute to your lack of weight loss. Hope that your back/hip pain is getting better. Sometimes resting is the hardest thing to do.

Keep going, I am finally catching up to you weight wise. I like the challenge of trying to catch you!

[LAinSEA]

What a couple of weeks! I'm still fighting the ups and downs of weight despite being really diligent with the diet and the HCG. I'm up one day, sometimes two or three pounds only to drop again the next. Today I'm at 157, but was at 161 yesterday. We're really careful with the sodium, but I retain water like crazy. I want to chalk it up to the stress of work right now and want of a crunch in my diet. The weather isn't helping either. It has been unseasonable cool, wet, windy and altogether NOT conducive to walking outside. I've only twice in the last week and not for that long between storms. We are expecting only one "nice" day this weekend--Sunday, but it is expected to stay very cool - maybe into the low 60s. So much for a long, holiday weekend.

My sophomores are now through with their classroom based assessment for social studies; a researched-based essay that has four days of research time scheduled and one day of writing. I just completed the grading process before I left school yesterday and only a handful in both classes didn't meet standard and it was those students who have been struggling all year that didn't. No surprise, but there are some that just will not follow directions no matter what I do and I even have a practicum student who was there to assist. He's been fabulous and a boost of energy for me and the students during class. His presence has confirmed my observations; my honors class is not what he considers honors (he graduated from the rival district high school and took honors and AP classes there) and my regular class, with few exceptions is really the honorable ones. He even led a learning activity last week and it was very successful. However, his confidence left him when asked to run through a Cold War lecture, and I stepped in to do it instead. He will try another time next week. He has to have 80 hours of classroom time; observation and practice prior to admittance into the school of education, so he will be with me at least through the end of next week, but maybe through the end of the school year. He has taken on some of the grading tasks and that has made my life easier in getting through the CBA essays--something I cannot delegate.

Despite the assistance during classes, I'm coming home with almost debilitating tiredness at the end of the day. I'm nearly passing out at 4pm each day and nap for about 2 hours prior to dinner. It is a whole body tiredness--I feel heavy and achy and almost disoriented. The weather isn't helping as one low pressure system after another makes my sinuses act up and I feel like my head needs a pressure release valve. Nothing in the form of over-the-counter meds touch it and today I resorted to a 4-shot 20 oz latte with a little real caramel and it actually helped! It is totally off plan, but I'll skip the calories otherwise today in lieu of the caffeine boost.

I had hoped to be driving over to open the cabin, but DH couldn't take today off--too much behind on the implementation of the finance systems upgrade at work. I've put my foot down on vacation time--he will have to get time off the first part of July or I've threatened to take the cats by myself and disappear. My folks will open it up on their way back from Utah; graduation from high school for my oldest niece and graduation from 6th grade for my youngest. They took off right after school on Wednesday - drove all night to Utah to make it ontime for the youngest's ceremony then the other in the late afternoon. I haven't heard from any of the group so I hope all is well and no drama occurred. My contract doesn't allow for use of personal days on either side of a weekend or holiday, unfortunately, or I would have gone with them. Their contracts do. (I had to put in for compensation for my unused days this year because I can only carryover three and I have six right now. What is the use of personal days if you can't take them when you need them?)

Right now, I don't know what the project schedule will be for the weekend; DH may have to be oncall or work OT to catch up on coding periodically. I did get an appointment with my nurse practitioner for June 8 after school and I will have her run the labs for endocrine levels; it may mean finding another FP in the area to get into the endocrine office, but I'm going to be firmer in my approach this summer if I have sit in the office until I'm seen. I've never complained of a "foggy brain" - I'm cursed by an excellent memory, but I will if it gets me seen. I have all other symptoms of low thyroid levels, but the short-term memory losses. Apparently that may be the key to getting attention--one of our paraeducators said that is finally the piece that got her taken seriously. She also is one that can't maintain a healthy weight, has joint aches, and low energy despite eating right, exercising daily (walking, swimming, and cycling) and yes, I can see her thyroid too! It is strange how common the symptoms are, yet the medical community wants to discount them for something else.

Linda, Veronica - thanks again for stopping in and keeping my journal from disappearing off screen. Now that the large projects are done with and there is only two and half more weeks of school, I can try to make more time for me...

[momof2minnies]

Hi Laurie,
2 1/2 weeks left! Is that you I hear cheering from here???? HA!HA!

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred is an exercise dvd that incorporates cardio, strength and abs all in about 25 mins.It is pretty intense- it has 3 levels, I have only done level 1 so far because that is the only one I have tried- I know it so I stick to it.

I run 3.5 miles come in and do that.By the time I am done I look like I came out of the shower.Yes the scale should move but it doesn't.I eat right most of the time too.Fruits, vegs, no processed foods.I don't get it.

Beyond exercise I am a nut around here and don't sit much, my job keeps me running for 10 hours 2x/week- I know that it is frustrating that's for sure.

Thanks again for keeping up with me- most of the time I feel like I am talking to myself around here.It is too bad ,a couple years ago this board was crazy with support.

Have a great long weekend
Linda

[VernRDH]

Hi!:hug::flower3:

[VernRDH]

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO (picture Winnie the Pooh) Where are you Miss Laurie? Miss you buddy!