MM Warriors - Three Steps to Good Health (As of 11/18)

[kater]

Off to feed the "furballs" and then on to work, everyone have a GREAT MM Day!!

We need pictures of the furballs. Give them a peppermint for me! Any word on whether Ken is going to get home for Christmas? Are you going to your daughter's house?

 

[kater]

Well, I am caught up posts. I hope to have some time to check in today. I start my round of work-related holiday partys tonight (three more next week ). Uggggg. The one tonight is for a women lawyer organization. I have been president for two years (not really by choice) and tonight, I get to turn everything over to someone else. We always have the party at one of the women judge's house so that part of it is fun. Sunday, I have a meeting almost all day - I am on the board for our local Bar Association and we are having our annual "retreat" which is where we make a plan for next year. I am the new editor for their newsletter. So, really I am giving up one thing and taking on something else.....

I wanted you to know that my niece is still in the ICU - it will be three weeks tomorrow. She is having a hard time getting off of the ventilator. She has fluid in her lungs and she is still retaining a lot of fluid (her kidneys are still not functioning) which is putting pressure on her lungs. She is so weak that she can't cough up the gunk. And, it is hard for her to get stronger while on the ventilator because they keep her pretty sedated.... Please keep her in your thoughts.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Good Morning! Sun has returned YAY! But the chilly remains...DARN...I guess Old Man Winter is here and there isnt anything I can do to make him go away..

Kathy - so glad that your milk helps you get such great sleep these days...thanks for posting the recipe again...so you do this basic deal and then just added some raspberry syrup and cream cheese? I will be trying this out for sure on Sunday! Yummmmm with my new teas!! (love you Lisa!)

Hi Kate! - I will tell the furballs that this mornings mints are from you!! If the weather is nice this sunday I will get some photos to post too, they are too funny sometimes...from Showring Diva's to small town country furballs!! We are not optimistic about Ken's return for Christmas at this point...too long a trip and too expensive for the couple of days he would be able to stay...SIGH, but its all for the greater good, so whats a Pony to do? Mom and I are going to Ct to spend a lovely 7 days with Ali and Steve and his family, so it will be a wonderful visit anyway. Thank GOD for great friends/neighbors who are taking on the ponies for that whole time. Harley of course, comes everywhere we do...he was Ali's dog for the first two years of his life, then somehow became mine, but remembers her FONDLY and even knows her voice on the phone! We have to let him "talk" to her when she calls!

Jocelyn - Some days I think you have the right idea...eat low carb and every 5 hours and call it good...that way its ok if some days are more than others, but still under 20g...seems like maybe shaking it up a little might be good too, since doesnt the body get used to the same routine over and over? Will se what Diane has to say this time... Do you do a middle of the night feeding? I have given that up the past couple weeks, as it didnt change my blood sugar reading in the mornings, OR my overall losses, in fact I figured why take in the extra calories? I know we dont take calories into consideration when low-carbing, but it only makes common sense that too many calories isnt a good thing...especially when you consider Diane's recommendation to use low fat cheeses, and lower fat proteins...

Nell - thanks for that insight, I will talk with doc in January at our regular appointment and Im pretty sure my insurance will pay for the endo if she refers me...which Im sure she would do. I appreciate and love you and everyone for the continued support on this one...I know it gets boring listening to my same issues over and over!! I just wish I could find that needle in the haystack that is holding me back from great losses!!

Well, they have put Dennis in the hospital...managing his pain with morphine and trying to decide if they will start chemo today....not a good sign and Rick is a total wreck...Praying for God's hand in this...

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Kate - will continue to pray for your niece...so sorry that she is still not doing well...

 

[Wisteria1956]

Good morning!

Barb, thanks for crossing your fingers! I have just begun working with these folks, so they may want to look around for awhile, but they loved everything about one house yesterday.

Robin, the basic muffin recipe is good. I used almond flour. Kathy is wise to add flax. The basic recipe calls for golden flax as the ‘flour’. Just think of any muffin you like and add the flavorings to match. I used coconut oil instead of butter, thinking the flavor would be good with lemon poppy seed. I bet that pineapple syrup of Jocelyn’s would be great! I’m so sorry Ken’s work might keep him past Christmas. That will be some homecoming when he returns. Sounds like you will have a really great time in CT, though.

You know I try to see the best whenever I can, but I think GL is up to something. JMHO. We gave her several chances to be civil when it really mattered.

You haven’t been on Step 2 that long, though, right? How are the clothes fitting? I see it more in clothes before on the tape because it takes a while for an inch to show up. It’s incremental for me. Tom says he thinks that’s why the scale isn’t an accurate measure for him because he works out so much and has added muscle. His chest and arms are very different – more defined. It’s so nice to see him inspiring his son in the right direction – especially since he is a senior citizen now! He loves to get his discount at the health food store on Wednesdays, lol!

I’m so sorry Dennis is in so much pain. I know you have been such a comfort to them.

Kate: I’m glad you are well! Get some more Vitamin D. I should make sure J-P gets his, too. I actually got really tired after he left. I think I crashed. Felt better yesterday and this am – just in time to get ready for Christmas.

So awful about Tiger Woods. I have to think his Dad would be so disappointed. You must have to hear a lot of these kinds of stories. I feel so sorry for people that can’t trust their spouses.

Oh, I just read about your niece! I’m so sorry she is struggling still. Do they still think her kidney function will return? I will continue to hope and pray for her recovery soon.

 

[Barb F.]

Barb - you still on Step 1 again? How much longer are you staying there...I swear I HATE step 2 and want to go back....it just does not agree with me and my blood sugar at all...and I have only lost another 3 pounds since leaving step 1 the first time...GRRRRR of course I know the working out is probably turning some flab to muscle which weighs more but still....What the heck?!! I am e-mailing Diane again on Friday, and threatening to return to step 1 forever!! We'll see what she has to say...she hasnt been able to explain my lack of progress and sugar trouble at all...just says there is no way I have been THIS GOOd, and havent lost more...but my tape measure has not moved a bit on the hips or waist since starting step 2...making me CRAZY!!!

Good Morning. I stayed on step1 up to Thanksgiving day and the day after. No big binges but ate stuffing two days in a row. Went right back on step1 last Saturday. I know I have to go to step2 eventually but I have almost decided to save step2 for after my weightloss phase. Use step2 for a trial maintenance and see what happens. If I continue to lose I'll test step3 carb levels. As I said before, Diane advises step2 based on the opinion that too low carbs are not healthy. I just disagree that step1 carbs are too low. In fact, there is a rather moderate carb level when compared to all the other lc plans. What I'm taking from Diane is the new knowledge of the importance of the timing for carbs and the reduced fat. I'll continue to do that for any phase I'm doing. So, while I'm not technically following MM by the book, I'm still an MMer as far as I'm concerned

 

[Barb F.]

Kate - I'm so sorry to hear your niece is still in ICU

Kathy and Jocelyn Thanks for the muffin recipes. It really helps me to keep on track when I have stuff like that all made up and ready to grab

 

[Wisteria1956]

Kate - I'm so sorry to hear your niece is still in ICU

Kathy and Jocelyn Thanks for the muffin recipes. It really helps me to keep on track when I have stuff like that all made up and ready to grab

Barb: I made my muffin in a ramekin and it was perfect at 50 seconds.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Well, I have to agree with you and Jocelyn too Barb, I think the fact that I was doing so well on step 1 both with my sugar and my weight loss speaks for itself. And like you said, there are plenty of legal carbs available on step 1, so its not like Atkins or SUPER low carb...just low in what Diane calls "legal" carbs. Between all the veggies, the 5x5, etc seems like there are plenty of carbs to me. I may just take myself back there to step 1 and call it good. Captain on My Universe, Chief of my own Police, Director of my own modified MM plan!!

Lisa - I am in week 4 on step 2 now, and not at all happy with sugar or results...I agree that there have been some losses, just not what I think I should have lost for 4 months on plan!! I know the working out has toned my arms and legs, but SOMETHING has to be responsible for me not losing any in the waist and hips, and for my elevated fasting sugar every time I go on step 2. Dont you think? I agree that GL is up to something, thats why I gave her very little response, and I havent heard from her again, so hopefully she understands she will not get anything here! Crossing my fingers too for your deal...

 

[Carol-Fish]

Continue to feel somewhat better today. The sore throat is still there and I'm giving it until monday to be gone before I will get a strep culture done. With the cost of health insurance skyrocketting, we couldn't keep coverage on me...not at $500/mo. so I will shop around for the cheapest clinic. We seem to be on the mend today. The vomiting was only a 24hr bug and the headaches haven't progressed so far to anything else. I have to say though, my husband hasn't had any of these things yet and I'm not looking forward to him catching them. He is not a good patient and my patience gets stretched when he is sick.

Kate, I will keep your niece in my prayers. Sorry to hear that she is not improving very quickly. Go out and buy some more Vit D ! Not only does it help your mood, but it really helps your immunity. With all you have to do these next few weeks, sounds like you won't want to get sick. Take care of yourself!

Barb, I like your take on Step 1. I have had a much harder time on Step 2 also and found it was very stressful trying to remember all the carbs and timing. I'm looking forward to returning to Step 1 when I'm feeling well. I still haven't found a good place to swim but am going to venture farther afield next week to the bigger city and try the ozone pool.

Kathy, You're welcome out here anytime you can make it, as we are the land of PERPETUAL sunshine. You would need to bring some of your rain with you but just maybe a few days worth. We are not greedy. Also, Tyson would love it here. He could run the hills with my dogs and help chase away coyotes and maybe even find some of the shoes that Lobster has lost for us. It's kind of doggie heaven as they can then run through a really smelly, yucky pond on their way back home and act hurt that they aren't allowed back in the house when they return! LOL

Robin, Sounds like you will have a great Christmas even if Ken doesn't make it back. Will you and your mom drive to your daughter's house or fly? A whole week sounds wonderful! Let Dennis and Rick know of our concern for them and is there anything they need? Could I be of any service to them? It doesn't sound as if they have any kind of support system to help them through this....what do they need help with?

Lisa, Hope that the couple you're working with are as easy as they seem and things go smoothly with finding the right house for them.

Jocelyn, Just reading about your taco filling made me want to load up my crockpot, too. I'm glad you will get to swim (today?) as I can tell you miss it when your pool is too cold. It sure does help me stay more limber and less achy.

Well, off to a friend's house to try and fix the freezer I gave her. It worked fine for me for many years but as soon as we got it to her place, it wouldn't turn on. I'm hoping it's just a fuse of some kind.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season

Carol

Feast upon the Words of Christ

 

[Wisteria1956]

Robin: You’re still checking with Diane, though, right? I’m getting a bit scared to be on Step 2 alone, lol! I agree you have to listen to your body. How are you wearing smaller jeans sizes if your waist and hips are the same? Would you somtimes eat 11-20 or never? I like the choices on Step 2 a lot. We love the bread we found and adding peas and sometimes rice, plus I have become addicted to Greek yogurt. I don't think I could live on Step 1 forever, as I love fruit. It was easy because I knew it would be over, but to never eat a pear or apple would be too much. Let us know what Diane says; I know you will

Carol: Yippee that you are feeling so much better! That was an awful flu. You are so kind and sweet and helpful. It must be hard on you to be ‘down in the bed’ as my KY relatives would say.

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Carol - glad you seem to be a bit better, but I agree that throat needs to be cultured if it is still sore in a few days. Thanks so much for your concern for Dennis and Rick, there really isnt much any of us can do to help more than we have already...praying for them is the most we can do now!! Mom and I will be driving to Ct at Christmas...I used to fly all the time, but havent in a few years and dont intend to start in the near future except probably next spring to fly to Portland for work exchange and to meet up with Lisa and Kate!

Lisa - yep, I will be talking to Diane about my plans...I think what Jocelyn and Barb are doing is basically a step one/two hybrid mix...eat every 5 hours and stay under 20g carbs...Im thinking that the days would just depend on what I had available or felt like eating...dont suppose it would hurt to vary the days, since Im sure its not good to get into the rut of same old same old...I remember from my training days that the body gets used to a routine pretty quickly and you need to vary the routine from time to time.

 

[kater]

Captain on My Universe, Chief of my own Police, Director of my own modified MM plan!!

I LOL'd for real when I read that description of yourself! I am in Barb's camp for now (meaning that I am going to stick with Step 1 for quite awhile). Not doing it perfectly but definitely consider myself a MM'er! I can be so hard on myself and when I don't do something perfectly, I tend think that I have failed and just give up. So, for now, I am doing the best I can and patting myself on the back for that!

GL must be missing you! Hee hee. For all we know, she is keeping up with us!

 

[Barb F.]

I LOL'd for real when I read that description of yourself! I am in Barb's camp for now (meaning that I am going to stick with Step 1 for quite awhile). Not doing it perfectly but definitely consider myself a MM'er! I can be so hard on myself and when I don't do something perfectly, I tend think that I have failed and just give up. So, for now, I am doing the best I can and patting myself on the back for that!

GL must be missing you! Hee hee. For all we know, she is keeping up with us!

Kate, I know exactly what you mean! In the past whenever I started a new "diet" it had to be black or white, no grey areas. I decided this time to take the best of all the information I've gotten over the years and from Diane and make MM work for me without thinking I've failed. I've never been a big fruit eater so I don't miss it. My big problem was bread, pasta and icecream. I'd rather stick with my 5 gram wraps and pita pockets, lc yogurt and call it good for now. It's working and I feel good.

 

[Daniele]

Back from the gym and Im pooped too! I dont seem to have a whole lot of energy these days...for me anyway!! Must be the lousy weather....ugh...

Barb - believe me I did NOT send any wishes back to Georgia!! Or give her anything at all on us here...just sent back that I was sorry she was having trouble and hoped all was well...basically a one liner! I was as shocked as anyone to see the e-mail!!

Nell - NO snow machines on the Godiva Ride!! Thats where I draw the line...if Pony is going to be naked on a pony (heehee) it better be WARM WARM WARM!!! Unless of course, the snow is FAKE! Funny how Georgia e-mails me after you posted yesterday...hmmmm, no info for her!! LOL

Lisa - sounds like you had a very busy day!! Plenty of time to decorate, my friend!! Relax and put your feet up for awhile!!

Kathy - OK, now you have me interested in the muffin thing...that sounds SO good!! Post the recipe for me again please...didnt write it down before since you didnt sound too excited about the muffins yourself, but cream cheese and
raspberry syrup would definitely make it a keeper for me too! Too funny about Tyson dreaming...my Harley snores when he is awake!! When he sleeps, he wheezes, gasps, groans...like hes running a mile or something...keeps me awake sometimes hes so loud!

Hope all those who are "Missing in Action " come back soon...we miss you!!

Well, what if it's a small one on a stage, about 20 feet above just the hot tub?

 

[Daniele]

Eek! That is so funny! Let us know if you start a firestorm over there! Nell - your new pic is adorable! And, I saw the picture of you and Marti! Very cute.

Well, I haven't gone back to find out if there is a firestorm or not! I'm not sure I want to! We took a lot of photos when my parents were here. We're all sad now that they have left. Even the dogs don't want to play. I didn't expect them to be depressed, but the defiantly are. I think I've got to do more playtime with them!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Barb - Glad to hear you are starting to feel better. I had a tough night last night with a stuffed up nose and sore throat, so I stayed home from work today. Didn't really accomplish anything except Christmas Cards for my MM Warriors! (still need Laura's adress).

Lisa - good luck with your new clients.

Nell - sorry to hear the puppies are missing grandma and grandpa .

Od how GL crops back up now.

I now need to go get changed for DS's HS band concert. I had to go to W-M twice today to get him a shirt. The first one didn't fit, so back we went.

Dinner was a ceasar salad with some cottage cheese and tomatoes. Carb was some Ritter dark chocolate w/Hazelnuts for dessert. Yummy!

Well, it turned cold today, so DD brought in my plants and they went to the basement (kids had a 1/2 day of school - I call those Drive Mom Insane Day). Now we can finish the outside decorating.

Well, I'll check in later! Have a good evening.

 

[Daniele]

Well, I am caught up posts. I hope to have some time to check in today. I start my round of work-related holiday partys tonight (three more next week ). Uggggg. The one tonight is for a women lawyer organization. I have been president for two years (not really by choice) and tonight, I get to turn everything over to someone else. We always have the party at one of the women judge's house so that part of it is fun. Sunday, I have a meeting almost all day - I am on the board for our local Bar Association and we are having our annual "retreat" which is where we make a plan for next year. I am the new editor for their newsletter. So, really I am giving up one thing and taking on something else.....

I wanted you to know that my niece is still in the ICU - it will be three weeks tomorrow. She is having a hard time getting off of the ventilator. She has fluid in her lungs and she is still retaining a lot of fluid (her kidneys are still not functioning) which is putting pressure on her lungs. She is so weak that she can't cough up the gunk. And, it is hard for her to get stronger while on the ventilator because they keep her pretty sedated.... Please keep her in your thoughts.

I'm really sorry to hear that she's still so sick Kate. I will keep her in my prayers.

 

[Daniele]

Good morning!

Barb, thanks for crossing your fingers! I have just begun working with these folks, so they may want to look around for awhile, but they loved everything about one house yesterday.

Robin, the basic muffin recipe is good. I used almond flour. Kathy is wise to add flax. The basic recipe calls for golden flax as the ‘flour’. Just think of any muffin you like and add the flavorings to match. I used coconut oil instead of butter, thinking the flavor would be good with lemon poppy seed. I bet that pineapple syrup of Jocelyn’s would be great! I’m so sorry Ken’s work might keep him past Christmas. That will be some homecoming when he returns. Sounds like you will have a really great time in CT, though.

You know I try to see the best whenever I can, but I think GL is up to something. JMHO. We gave her several chances to be civil when it really mattered.

You haven’t been on Step 2 that long, though, right? How are the clothes fitting? I see it more in clothes before on the tape because it takes a while for an inch to show up. It’s incremental for me. Tom says he thinks that’s why the scale isn’t an accurate measure for him because he works out so much and has added muscle. His chest and arms are very different – more defined. It’s so nice to see him inspiring his son in the right direction – especially since he is a senior citizen now! He loves to get his discount at the health food store on Wednesdays, lol!

I’m so sorry Dennis is in so much pain. I know you have been such a comfort to them.

Kate: I’m glad you are well! Get some more Vitamin D. I should make sure J-P gets his, too. I actually got really tired after he left. I think I crashed. Felt better yesterday and this am – just in time to get ready for Christmas.

So awful about Tiger Woods. I have to think his Dad would be so disappointed. You must have to hear a lot of these kinds of stories. I feel so sorry for people that can’t trust their spouses.

Oh, I just read about your niece! I’m so sorry she is struggling still. Do they still think her kidney function will return? I will continue to hope and pray for her recovery soon.

I'm wondering if this "muffin" could be made with 4 tablespoons of oatmeal for the 11-20 carb dam? It would be a neat way to mix that up some.

 

[Daniele]

Robin: You’re still checking with Diane, though, right? I’m getting a bit scared to be on Step 2 alone, lol! I agree you have to listen to your body. How are you wearing smaller jeans sizes if your waist and hips are the same? Would you somtimes eat 11-20 or never? I like the choices on Step 2 a lot. We love the bread we found and adding peas and sometimes rice, plus I have become addicted to Greek yogurt. I don't think I could live on Step 1 forever, as I love fruit. It was easy because I knew it would be over, but to never eat a pear or apple would be too much. Let us know what Diane says; I know you will

Carol: Yippee that you are feeling so much better! That was an awful flu. You are so kind and sweet and helpful. It must be hard on you to be ‘down in the bed’ as my KY relatives would say.

Lisa, I found that I stalled on step one by the end and when I started step two my weight/fat reduction started again. I think we all have different systems even though we are all Met B. I'll be on step two for a while anyway. I agree with Barb that if step one works better and is keeping you healthy, then I consider that still on plan. Just make sure you take extra B vitamins because those are the ones I think are affected by missing grains. Correct me someone if I'm wrong.