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

[SharronLee]

Good Sunday Morning!

Was 36 at 8 am this morning, was suppose to go to 30 last night. The sun is trying to shine so that will help.

DH has a Toys for Tots bike ride today, they have several hundred bikers every year. Can't help but laugh (to myself) when he gets all his biker leathers on. They do help in cold weather though. I'm just glad he has something he enjoys doing, I'm still not use to having him underfoot 24/7!

Robin: Glad Diane replied so quickly, interesting info. One thing she mentioned that has effected you the past few months is stress. Even though you may not think so. With Ken overseas & not knowing when you will hear from him or when he will be home, the long hrs you work and the illness of your friends have increased your stress greatly. Mental stress is much worse than physical. Try her suggestions of relaxation exercises and lots of positive thinking. Going back to Step 1 will relieve some of your anxiety over not losing. Hope you find the key soon, you had such good loss your first 8 wks.

When you are craving pizza, try making one with the tortilla or just don't eat the crust. When you think about it, all the taste is in the toppings. What is it about pizza? That's my big comfort food, just like a teenager I can still eat it anytime - maybe it's just linked to so many happy memories.

Distance is no excuse for me not going to my reunion, I live in the same area I grew up in. At my 20th reunion, one of my best friends came running up and said "There is a GOD in heaven! Linda got FAT!" Linda was the snooty, thin beauty of our class that was really mean to everybody. It was funny at the time but now I can hear someone saying something about how FAT I got. I've never been thin but was at least normal looking.

Kathy: A little envious of your snow. We get the freezing cold but seldom any snow. Would be nice if we could just stay home & play in it, Floridians don't know how to drive on ice!

Beverly: Hope your plants are happy in the basement. Wish I had one, that's something you don't find in FL. Would love a greenhouse but the one I want just isn't in the budget.

Diane: Have fun on RR show! Let us know the air date. Usually watch if I'm at home, seems like a fun show to be on. Hope you get some great goodies.

Barb: Sounds like you hit the mother lode of syrups. ha We have a World Mkt, I'll have to check them out. I need to start trying some new recipes.

Nell: I am sure you will be a wonderful nurse. I have 3 sisters & several nieces that are nurses. My Mother was in assisted living for about 7 yrs., the nurses were so wonderful. I would never have survived it without them. Mother wanted me to be one but I don't do blood or shots. I also have "sympathy symptoms" if I spend too much time with someone that's ill.

Nurses are so badly needed. Have you checked out all the grants or scholarships that are available? Sometimes there are alot of small scholarships offered that may not seem like much but any amount helps and if you get several they do add up.

Hello to everyone else. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Robin, get some rest today!

Love you All!
SharronLee

 

[Wisteria1956]

Robin: I’m so glad Diane is willing to receive our emails because we are finding she expands on things a lot more than in the book, where she says it’s unhealthy to be on Step 1 a long time. I’m really happy for you that she’s coaching you personally! How cool is that?? Sounds like we might be right about that thyroid of yours. Arm yourself with the pages I sent you. Actually, I dropped them off at my docs office with a note and highlighted the things that were the most important to me and asked him to read it ahead of time. Really worked out great. I was nervous, but he was very receptive and actually said he thought those pages would help his wife!

What Step 1 yogurt have you found? I can’t find anything below 8 carbs per cup and that’s the Greek one.

Barb: Are the syrups still on sale at World Market? They had a lot at mine, too. I wasn’t in the mood to buy more that day, but I should go back.

Kathy: Thanks for posting the blog entry. She really stresses we shouldn’t count calories and weight. It’s also nice to see what the culprits are for us. I suspect we all have some of these issues, at least from time to time. We used to think 8 weeks sounded pretty short, lol! Now, that we’re deeply into it, it seems like forever, huh?

SharronLee: You hit on something really important! Interrupted sleep or too little of it probably affects the body just like stress does. Robin has had all of the above. Wonder if the love hormone counteracts it all, LOL???

I'm making my Christmas card today with an online subscription I have to use our photos. Hope it turns out well! We might actually get snow in our valley tonight! That has only happened about 3 times in my lifetime. Frantic about my plants! Yikes. It's cold today so it's a good day to work on cards.

Kate: You should bring your pj's over if you want to see snow!

How is your niece doing today? It would be such a nice Christmas if she could get off the respirator in time.

 

[Wisteria1956]

I've often thought Diane must be saving our questions and her answers for a revision of her book. It's probably grown to the size of an encyclopedia!

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Wow, Pony slept until 10am!! Got up around 6:30 to let the dog out and right back to sleep...this almost never happens!!

Sharon - thanks for your words...I know I have alot of emotional stress right now, I am just so used to it, I dont really think of it as unusual...but I DO need to manage it better I guess. I figure going to the gym almost every night helps me"walk it off" ...and I really do feel so good after I go.

I am quite relieved to be back to step 1, with Diane's blessing, and now I have to shop again...stock up on 5x5 stuff, and more protein and veggies! Think I will mash up some cauliflower, and a bunch of turkey burgers and fish for this weeks work lunches, and go back to a salad with tuna or chicken for lunch. Have a bunch of Atkins shakes ready to go, and will have to put the Shakelology aside again.

Hope you all ready the blog entry which Kathy has posted, I thought it was pretty informative for everyone, not just me!

Barb - thanks for the welcome back...I do think Im destined for your plan too...stay on step 1 til I lose what I need to, then try step 2 as a trial "maintenance"...I may just not be a carb friendly Pony! Cant wait to see the results of the blood tests Diane asked me to get in Jan either...would be amazing to find out I have been hypothyroid for 20 years! A co-worker's daughter has been overweight for that long, and just started thyroid meds two weeks ago after finally getting a doctor that would treat her. She did not change a thing in her eating and lost 6 pounds in one week so far. If its NOT my thyroid, then so be it, but i DO need to finally know for sure, once and for all.

Watched my church service, went to go outside as our weather today is about 45 degrees and sunny, and found a lonely, lost hunting beagle sitting on my front porch! The hunters down here in the south keep packs of beagles in deplorable conditions I might add, and they hunt deer by turning the pack loose somewhere and waiting for the dogs to run a deer towards them. I think it is a totally barbaric practice, and is illegal up north, but here it is just the accepted norm. the poor dogs get lost all the time and this will be the third one in two weeks that found its way to me. The other two ended up in my barn and I was able to return them to their owners by phone numbers on their collars. Both men seemed to be decent people, and the dogs were in pretty good shape. But this poor gal is skin and bones and her collar identifies her as being from over an hour away from here! Not sure if she is in this condition because she has been lost a long time, or if she is being kept by someone who hunts in my area and just doesnt feed her. I went out and gave her a bowl of water and food...she emptied both in about a minute flat, so I brought out an old quilt, and she has been curled up on it in a spot of sun sound asleep for two hours now....I am arguing with my conscience whether to call the owner or simply let her be. Hard to believe she made it right to my front step for no reason? I guess I will wrestle with my conscience for another day or two, and if she sticks around, I will just have acquired a new dog. She is sweet as can be and I hate to turn her back over to someone who does not even feed her. What to do?

Off to the grocery store..

Barb - so glad you found all those syrups!! Your poor hubby probably looked like I did at Sams a couple weeks ago, lugging around a dozen bottles of syrups!! I was like a kid in a candy store!!

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Hi Lisa - we must have been posting at the same time. I believe that cortisol is the stress hormone, and if it creates belly fat, then I guess that might also be part of my problem!! Guess I need to do some research on how to counteract that...I e-mailed Diane back to see if she had suggestions on how to combat the cortisol...Obviously the love hormone isnt helping me too much! LOL, although absence is definitely making this heart frow fonder...and apparently his as well!

I have plain yogurt at 11g per cup...so I guess I can still have 1/2 cup, or a smidge less...I just stir in whatever syrup I feel like that day....now that I have a selection, its a good way to keep from getting sick of it. And Im not a huge fan anyway, so 1/2 cup will be just enough to be a healthy snack.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Hi Lisa - we must have been posting at the same time. I believe that cortisol is the stress hormone, and if it creates belly fat, then I guess that might also be part of my problem!! Guess I need to do some research on how to counteract that...I e-mailed Diane back to see if she had suggestions on how to combat the cortisol...Obviously the love hormone isnt helping me too much! LOL, although absence is definitely making this heart frow fonder...and apparently his as well!

I have plain yogurt at 11g per cup...so I guess I can still have 1/2 cup, or a smidge less...I just stir in whatever syrup I feel like that day....now that I have a selection, its a good way to keep from getting sick of it. And Im not a huge fan anyway, so 1/2 cup will be just enough to be a healthy snack.

Robin: I tried that Cortisol supplement (I think from TV) for awhile with no real results and after I talked to a friend that has a lot of background in nutrition, I think I got off easy. It landed his Dad in the hospital with a life threatening intestinal blockage. Maybe we need to get Nell on to researching this and see if there is anything safe to take for cortisol reduction and of course, Diane might already know.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Hope nobody minds - my card is going to say Happy Holidays because I make one card for a mass mailing and I have clients that are Jewish, etc. Thanks for understanding!Merry Christmas!

 

[SharronLee]

Wisteria1956;Robin:
SharronLee: You hit on something really important! Interrupted sleep or too little of it probably affects the body just like stress does. Robin has had all of the above. Wonder if the love hormone counteracts it all, LOL???

I'm making my Christmas card today with an online subscription I have to use our photos. Hope it turns out well! We might actually get snow in our valley tonight! That has only happened about 3 times in my lifetime. Frantic about my plants! Yikes. It's cold today so it's a good day to work on cards.

In this case, I'm afraid the Love hormone adds to Robins stress since Ken is so far away.

If you are just expecting snow and not a hard freeze, just cover your plants with a tarp, old sheets or spreads, anything that will protect them from the cold & frost. They should be OK. I cover my mine with burlap and they do fine. My tropicals I wrap in several layers of burlap and uncover in the Spring.
Our cold is sporatic this time of year, we could possibly be wearing shorts again at Christmas! Our coldest months are Jan & Feb.

 

[Wisteria1956]

SharronLee: I think burlap is a great choice. It's more organic looking. We have some shade screen material we're hoping to use tonight. Brrrrr!

 

[Daniele]

Hi Everyone. I've become addicted to Farmville and I have to clean up! I'll catch up with you guys later!

 

[Barb F.]

I hope everyone is having a good day. I couldn't wait to start using my new Torani syrups so I've got Jocelyn's gingerbread muffins in the oven. My kitchen smells wonderful

Lisa, I don't think the syrups were on sale at World Market at $6.99 each, but it's the only place I can find them around here and it's cheaper than ordering online and paying shipping.

 

[Daniele]

Well, not to stir up another hornets nest, but Diane has spoken...and she says that she has also added a new entry to the MM website blog after reading my e-mail!! Havent gone there to read it yet though...

She says there are only 3 things that cause belly fat...imbalance of insulin, cortisol or thyroid. Those without any of these imbalances are the ones who will see the belly roll deflate very quickly on MM.

So...if my morning sugar is still high, and my belly roll is not deflating, then my liver is releasing during the night, and stopping my middle of the night feedings definitely wont help that! She said my pancreas is probably fired up and that for some people with these type issues, step 1 is definitely the place to be for a longer period of time. She said it is NOT unhealthy to remain on step 1 for a long time, but that most people get bored with the limitations and dont stick to the plan, so the 8 weeks of step 1 she recommends for the MAJORITY of people is enough to fully rest the liver and pancreas. Obviously in my case it was NOT long enough, so back to step 1 I go, for an indefinite period of time.

She suggested specific thyroid and insulin bloodwork, which I will get done in January at my doc appt. and it seems that she also agrees that thyroid may indeed be an issue for me. She assures me I am doing everything RIGHT, especially my gym time, and that the hitch isnt coming from me, but from inside my body. She feels that after these tests, we will have a much better idea how to deal with it, and hopefully get my losses kicked in again!

Whew!! so back to step 1 I go, and believe me I am thrilled and relieved to be back there!!

heading off to go read the blog entry, she told me she was posting it after she sent her e-mail to me...

Pony I am so happy you got an answer from her! You are doing terrific and are an inspiration! I know you'll enjoy step one again. You can even make those muffins made from flax seed now. The flax seed meal is like a flour, not seeds themselves.

 

[Daniele]

Hmmm, per Diane's blog, Insulin, thyroid, stress, pain can cause weight loss stall and/or belly fat. I just had thyroid and insulin levels checked and Dr. said they were normal. Stress isn't bad, pain is manageable. So, I'm wondering if when I went on step2 my insulin went back out of whack and that's why my waist kept growing
Pony, I guess you'll have to wait until January to see if thyroid is a problem. By that time, your return to step1 should have taken care of you BS problems. Welcome back to step1

I went to World Market today and found every sugar free Torani syrup a girl could want. Gingerbread, Caramel, Raspberry, Black Cherry and English Toffee. Hubby asked what I was going to do with all of it while he lugged it around. I told him the possibilities are endless

I'll check in later

Barb, my doctor said my insulin was normal too, but the normal has to do with whether medical attention is needed. At 11 my insulin was in the "normal" category, but not good enough to move onto step two so Diane held me back. See if you can get a copy and check what the number was.

 

[Daniele]

The problem with things like cortisol is that blood tests need to be done prior to taking it. A natropath knows how to work with it. With people who have adrenal problems there is a period of time with too much cortisone and then the adrenals get to the point where there is too little. The problem is that the symptoms are exactly the same for both stages. It's very dangerous to take those supplements without lab tests first.

Robin, I think distance at the beginning of a relationship helps so much with getting a solid foundation in communicating well. There is nothing that will help you and Ken get through all the things life brings like being able to really talk to one another. As hard as it is, this is going to turn out to be a good thing.

 

[Daniele]

SharronLee: I think burlap is a great choice. It's more organic looking. We have some shade screen material we're hoping to use tonight. Brrrrr!

I agree with Sharron Lee. I've had wonderful results with burlap, and it was mighty cold in Northern Maine. If you have an area that doesn't show old sheets will do in a pinch too. The plants still need to breathe. You can build up the mulch around the base of the plants too, but only for a short freeze.

 

[Daniele]

Well, after a great deal of sweating my boss accepted that the job I told him no on was not realistic. He called me and offered to pay me for the two days that I attempted it and is bringing a different type of office work for me. I was getting scared. Now everything is going to be all right.

Also, thanks Lisa for listening to me about being frightened with finances. This is a scary time for us. You have all helped so much! I get weepy every time I think about my surprise box.

I'm making cards. They aren't going to be as fancy as bought cards or printed ones, but I hope you all like them. I'm going to try to make them look a little more sophisticated than a 3rd grader!

I was having the worst time trying to get these old stained terrazzo floors cleaned. Someone said to try simple green. I thought yea right, but I bought the clorox green works (the store didn't have the simple green) OMG, they are shining. I can't believe it!

I also have to repeat how incredibly grateful I am to be able to wash the floors, standing up and do it immediately after vacuuming. I can't believe how much I can do now. This truly is a miracle. Here I go again

 

[Carol-Fish]

I am alive and feeling much better now. The sore throat is almost gone and my energy seems to be coming back too.

Beverly, I got your Christmas card..it's so nice to actually see who "Disney" really is. Now when you talk about your kids, I will have a picture of them in my mind. Looks like you have redheads too. Is your DH one also? Mine is and our four kids have all had red hair with one of them turning to brown as he got older. Great color!

Robin, How sweet that you get to go back to step 1! I'll be joining you there at the beginning of this week if I'm all the way unsick. Life will become simple again...whew! Still praying for peace and comfort for Dennis and Rick. You're an angel to take care of them so well. It also appears that you might have gotten a new dog..she sounds like a sweetheart and in need of some food and love. Do Dennis and Rick have an animal...would they be receptive to a cat or dog? It could help with the stress. Just a thought.

I will get caught up with reading tomorrow. It's our 29 wedding anniversary tonight and I had actually forgotten...no excuse, just not real happy in this marriage. I remembered yesterday and then just kind of spaced it today. He got me a present,,something he rarely ever does so I know he must be feeling he's on shakey ground. I want things to work out but am not able to do it on my own and he hasn't ever been very involved and willing to take an active part in the family. Complain, complain. Thanks for letting me rant a little. This is my one main struggle in my life and I can't seem to get a hold on it very well.

Have a wonderful Sunday,
Love,
Carol

Feast upon the Words of Christ

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Well, amazingly enough the lost doggie's owner came looking for her...seems she has been lost for 8 days, which explained her poor condition, plus he said she recently had a litter of puppies too so her condition wasnt the best before she got lost! He was a wonderful, sweet guy, with a small son who said that "Brandi" is his dog. Apparently he only hunts once a year, and he said he was taking her home to rest and relax and get fed!! So I feel better now.

Reading up on the cortisol thing, seems like rest and relaxation are the most helpful...but how to actually do that? Guess I will leave that up to Diane and the doc...

Carol - glad you are better, but so sorry you are struggling with your marriage...been there done that and it is just so hard...my prayers and heart are with you! Maybe the anniversary presnet means he is aware that things are not good and is willing to try to change ... Dennis and Rick LOVE dogs and actually have two dachsunds, so they will be comfort to him if we can get him back home soon. They are going to try some chemo this week, but with 5 tumors now, plus some cancer cells in the bones, all does not look well. They have told him to expect maybe 6 months...myself and another friend have been trying to minister to him as well as we know how, and he does seem to be more at peace with it...

Happy as a clam to be back on step 1...got all my legal "stuff" and just had a nice piece of chicken with some broccoli and already have my bedtime snack of celery and cream cheese and my 3:30am mozzy stick ready to go.

Going to have a nice cup of Lisa's tea and lay down with a good book! See? Pony DOES know how to relax a little!!

 

[momtozac]

Well, not to stir up another hornets nest, but Diane has spoken...and she says that she has also added a new entry to the MM website blog after reading my e-mail!! Havent gone there to read it yet though...

She says there are only 3 things that cause belly fat...imbalance of insulin, cortisol or thyroid. Those without any of these imbalances are the ones who will see the belly roll deflate very quickly on MM.

So...if my morning sugar is still high, and my belly roll is not deflating, then my liver is releasing during the night, and stopping my middle of the night feedings definitely wont help that! She said my pancreas is probably fired up and that for some people with these type issues, step 1 is definitely the place to be for a longer period of time. She said it is NOT unhealthy to remain on step 1 for a long time, but that most people get bored with the limitations and dont stick to the plan, so the 8 weeks of step 1 she recommends for the MAJORITY of people is enough to fully rest the liver and pancreas. Obviously in my case it was NOT long enough, so back to step 1 I go, for an indefinite period of time.

She suggested specific thyroid and insulin bloodwork, which I will get done in January at my doc appt. and it seems that she also agrees that thyroid may indeed be an issue for me. She assures me I am doing everything RIGHT, especially my gym time, and that the hitch isnt coming from me, but from inside my body. She feels that after these tests, we will have a much better idea how to deal with it, and hopefully get my losses kicked in again!

Whew!! so back to step 1 I go, and believe me I am thrilled and relieved to be back there!!

heading off to go read the blog entry, she told me she was posting it after she sent her e-mail to me...

you know, I was just thinking about that today--we are hormonally imbalanced, and that can totally cause us to be off. I was thinking how we need to balance everything, not just insulin. Please remember that if your blood work comes back normal, it doesn't necessarily mean you don't have a problem. If your doctor wont work with you with that, find a doc that will! So glad to hear you can do step 1 indefinitely, go for it!!

 

[momtozac]

Wow, Pony slept until 10am!! Got up around 6:30 to let the dog out and right back to sleep...this almost never happens!!

Sharon - thanks for your words...I know I have alot of emotional stress right now, I am just so used to it, I dont really think of it as unusual...but I DO need to manage it better I guess. I figure going to the gym almost every night helps me"walk it off" ...and I really do feel so good after I go.

I am quite relieved to be back to step 1, with Diane's blessing, and now I have to shop again...stock up on 5x5 stuff, and more protein and veggies! Think I will mash up some cauliflower, and a bunch of turkey burgers and fish for this weeks work lunches, and go back to a salad with tuna or chicken for lunch. Have a bunch of Atkins shakes ready to go, and will have to put the Shakelology aside again.

Hope you all ready the blog entry which Kathy has posted, I thought it was pretty informative for everyone, not just me!

Barb - thanks for the welcome back...I do think Im destined for your plan too...stay on step 1 til I lose what I need to, then try step 2 as a trial "maintenance"...I may just not be a carb friendly Pony! Cant wait to see the results of the blood tests Diane asked me to get in Jan either...would be amazing to find out I have been hypothyroid for 20 years! A co-worker's daughter has been overweight for that long, and just started thyroid meds two weeks ago after finally getting a doctor that would treat her. She did not change a thing in her eating and lost 6 pounds in one week so far. If its NOT my thyroid, then so be it, but i DO need to finally know for sure, once and for all.

Watched my church service, went to go outside as our weather today is about 45 degrees and sunny, and found a lonely, lost hunting beagle sitting on my front porch! The hunters down here in the south keep packs of beagles in deplorable conditions I might add, and they hunt deer by turning the pack loose somewhere and waiting for the dogs to run a deer towards them. I think it is a totally barbaric practice, and is illegal up north, but here it is just the accepted norm. the poor dogs get lost all the time and this will be the third one in two weeks that found its way to me. The other two ended up in my barn and I was able to return them to their owners by phone numbers on their collars. Both men seemed to be decent people, and the dogs were in pretty good shape. But this poor gal is skin and bones and her collar identifies her as being from over an hour away from here! Not sure if she is in this condition because she has been lost a long time, or if she is being kept by someone who hunts in my area and just doesnt feed her. I went out and gave her a bowl of water and food...she emptied both in about a minute flat, so I brought out an old quilt, and she has been curled up on it in a spot of sun sound asleep for two hours now....I am arguing with my conscience whether to call the owner or simply let her be. Hard to believe she made it right to my front step for no reason? I guess I will wrestle with my conscience for another day or two, and if she sticks around, I will just have acquired a new dog. She is sweet as can be and I hate to turn her back over to someone who does not even feed her. What to do?

Off to the grocery store..

Barb - so glad you found all those syrups!! Your poor hubby probably looked like I did at Sams a couple weeks ago, lugging around a dozen bottles of syrups!! I was like a kid in a candy store!!

I'd keep her!!