Hi, I'm Karyn and Monday will be 7 weeks with this WOL. . So far so good, although of course the weight loss seems slow to me and the up and down of my weight is frustrating, so I am learning patience... I am 63 years old, so learning to be patient is a frustrating thing in itself lol. . Glad to have found this group.

Hey all. Worked this weekend but it wasn't bad at all. Did fall off the wagon a few times. Went to the movies today and yes I ate popcorn, oh well. Gonna do a water fast for a couple of days and start again. Hope your holiday weekend was great, it rained here in Alabama and we needed the water. See ya soon.

Hi! I'm Lyn, I'm 58 for a couple more months. I've only been on MFP for a few weeks, still finding my way around. I tried just the calorie counting initially, but then realized that low carb has always worked best for me. I've sort of been following a quasi-Atkins diet for the past 2 weeks and I've lost 14.5 pounds. Which sounds amazing, until you realize I need to loose half my body weight. And I know it will slow down soon, it is always easy to loose at first. I'm keeping my carbs between 20-22 grams, is that too low? Is there someway to set that (the carbs at 20%) here on MFP? I tried in the macros section, but could only find %. Water seems to be my salvation, huh, who would have thought that, I've discovered that a lot of time when I think I'm hungry, I'm really just thirsty. Anyway, I appreciate this board and hope to find some friends on here!

Oh wow Kathie, good thing you have your BPC ! You are doing great ! Hello lovely Ladies ! And sure is nice to see you here with us, Karyn !

I was too tired to tell all about my weekend when I got home last night. And I really wanted to post pictures to show you all, but my technical support team ( my kids) just went out for a walk. So maybe another time.

It's about a 3 hour drive to Kenora from my place, depending on the traffic. My first stop was my girlfriend Lorna's new pharmacy, lovely place. Then we were off to her house in the woods. It's such a beautiful private location at the end of a dead end road, with dense forest all around. There is a house across the street, but you can't even see it through the trees, and no neighbours on the other sides of her house. We didn't go down the trail to look for berries, but I hear the wild blueberries are already coming, as well as the strawberries and raspberries. Next time. We spent a few hours picking the last time, and this visit was too short to do any picking....after all, we had wine to drink !

I brought my bacon and egg muffins, some almond meal cookies made with xylitol of course. I figure that if that's the only treat I would have all weekend, then I'd better bring something with me to share. And some of the homemade wine and my homemade garlic dill pickles, and dilled carrots. Burgers for supper Friday and eggs for breakfast both days, sure makes it easy to travel while keto. The wine sure hits me quickly though...lol. It was very relaxing to catch up with my friend, her husband not so much as he's kind of a party pooper. We had a huge fire that evening ( no threat of forest fires where we were.) A lovely breakfast the next morning, then perfect timing for my departure, since my friend Lorna would be going on a day long hike with her good male friend who is like a brother to her, while I would head out to the cottage, while her husband planned to sit around inside on the computer. I tried to sell him on low carb, since he could stand to lose quite a few pounds. Lorna was headed out for a rugged hike into the wilderness, rock climbing and such. It was kind of funny, to watch her husband wimping out and depending on her to do all the heavy lifting around the yard. Even with a newly separated shoulder, she was more capable and stronger than him. She has always kept herself in good shape. She is a pharmacist who gives diabetes education and recommends 45 g carbs per 3 meals daily. She doesn't approve of my keto ways and told me she could smell ketones on me, but she is willing to give me the benefit of the doubt that I know what I'm doing. I must say that she goes a step beyond the usual medical advice, and really educates her patients on what those carbs look like in reality.

Then off to the cottage, armed with a hand drawn map and instructions, a little tricky to get there, off the beaten path. There were 17 of us in total there, all of them immigrants or children of folks from the Phillipines, except me! But after working at the nursing homes with them since 1982, they are my people too. So the sight that greeted me when I arrived was a full buffet of Filipino dishes cooked with love. Luckily there were no spring rolls or lumpia ( tiny meat filled egg rolls), because I am a sucker for them. There were empanadas, my other favorite, but I didn't touch them, or the sticky rice, or stews with sweet sauces. Pansit noodles are always offered, but I just told them that I don't want to eat starchy stuff ( had just one bite though ), and I stuck with roast chicken, fish and I did have some pork filled dumplings, and what they called meatloaf.

These folks are gracious and friendly, and the cottage was lovely and homey, but huge according to my standards. Lots of space for entertaining, a gorgeous kitchen, sitting rooms and dens and screened porches, 6 bedrooms and 3 full baths, and a full wrap around deck off the main floor, then a whole full basement to boot !

Some of the guests headed out on a trip to a casino, so the rest of us went swimming off the dock, in lovely deep water. I love swimming in deep water. No canoe, I wasn't brave enough, but the swim did me good. We took a drive into town in the evening, then watched a movie. It turned out that only me and 2 others stayed overnight, but we each had our own wing and bathroom to ourselves, amazing. It was a very relaxing, enjoyable weekend, even though we had a thunder storm before bed and it started raining again the afternoon I left.

Our hostess' husband arrived before I went home yesterday, so I visited with him for a while. He is a lawyer, and quite overweight. His wife, my co-worker had told me that he has already bought the "Wheat Belly" book, so I knew he knows something about low carb. I couldn't resist, I had to share a bit of info re: my own weight loss. I gave him some tips especially on what to eat when out for a meal, as he usually has lunch out with clients. What could be better than a weekend at the lake, discussing low carb ! What I love the most though, is to be out in nature, among the trees, and by the lake.

I returned to work today to learn that the city had a storm which caused flooding in the basement again at work, and the basement where my office is located, is off limits. We waited for instructions on where we would work, but no one had answers. Payroll day, so it was pretty stressful getting going in a makeshift office without my usual resources. I stayed over an hour extra today, just to get everyone's hours in, but now I am way behind. And there's no telling what will happen tomorrow. It looks like we might be out of our office for quite a while. My BPC supplies are down there stranded ! I'll have to make extra in the am at home and bring it in a thermos I suppose.

Sorry for the long post. Yikes. I couldn't figure out how to post on my home page daily like Jane did while away. How do you start a post on the news feed on an iphone ? Anyone know ?

Geeez... it seems LC'ers like to start a new thread with every thought that comes into our heads. Perhaps a suggestion from the mods to look for a similar thread before starting a new one... Stuff I'm trying to follow is always back a few pages, including our thread, and we comment a lot, lol.
Anyhow, there's my rant for the day. A shout out to all us Western Canadian Gals, Hoping everyone stays safe with all the massive fires in our provinces (esp @Sk8Kate).

Well, I completed my morning walk keep my calories low and my carbs lower. I was at 67 carbs today and I am doing the happy dance.

Happy Wednesday to you too, and all the wonderful Ladies here !

I'm pretty frustrated about the flood at work, since I was asked to relocate 3 times yesterday, so lugged my supplies all over the place. It looks like restoration may take 4 months, so not sure where I will be working until then. I'm trying to psyche myself up and make the best of it. I'm sore from bad ergonomics as well. Seeing Dr Randy today, so that should help.

@Jane --I'd love to have a functional doctor, but there are none to be found around here. I keep looking to see if someone new opens up an office. My primary doctor is a DO and they sometimes use natural means, but not so much my doctor. I'll keep working on her.

Good morning my beautiful friends ! I've been slacking on posting, super busy weekend with a 3 dog show weekend here and incredible heat !! It was over 100 on Sunday and there are so many forest fires burning that the sky is grey from smoke and the sun and moon are an orange colour ! Thankfully none are terrible close to my home. I live on a mountain and it's always a big worry when it's so dry here with all the trees around me.
@jane , yes, my husband was killed in a single vehicle accident about 2 kms from our home. Nothing in autopsy to indicate why health wise, just will never know the cause. I do all the things we enjoyed together while at the same time, rediscovering who "I" am and what "I" like to do after almost 30 years of being "we". Always trying to keep moving forward. About 4 months after he passed was the turning point of my weight loss journey. He loved me unconditionally and never told me to lose weight or made comments about it. I topped out at 380lbs and the light bulb went on one day and I told myself there's no one here to take care of me so I better figure it out and get healthy! I have 5 acres to take care of and most of the time that is my "gym" LOL!
The baby birds are growing well and I did peek at them on the weekend, I try to leave the area alone but will try and take a picture today !
The pool has been a blessing with this heat, I have even had the dogs in for a dip to cool down

This is one of my girls, G/C II Scylla, taking the Champion of Champions cup this past weekend

The little birds appear to have flown the nest !! They were there a few days ago but were 1/2 covered in feathers. Didn't realize they matured so fast !! The dogs are Armerican Pit Bull Terriers. I have owned and showed the breed since the early 80's.

To answer your questions:
@Jane The Heart Calm is made by Vital Biologics. You can read all about it on their website: http://www.vitalbiologics.com/ . I ordered mine from Amazon. Took my second dose this morning. No flutters so far. Could be just a fluke, but so far so good. And yes, I'll continue to research cortisol and work to heal it myself. Thanks for caring and encouraging me to be proactive.

@May I've been on higher calories for 2 days (this is my 3rd). The first day I lost 1.2 lbs, but since I had just gained 3, it was just coming down from that. I've stayed the same the other two mornings. Yay. No gain from the added calories so far. What I'm looking for is a Brand New Loss! You'll hear me holler when I do that! Hope you're having a wonderful holiday!!

Just a quickie from me too. Just wanted to let you ladies know reading your posts is helping me destress a little (I sit by myself sipping BPC and read). Wedding plans are made, then remade, then redone again honestly driving me crazy! 2 wks to go & she's so lackadaisical about it all, I'm having nightmares.
@May. The adjustment in your FIL's way of thinking will definitely make things easier all the way around. But it is so sad to see them realize that the end may be near. Hugs.
@Ellen. Hope to hear you holler real soon. I hope the heart calm is not a fluke and can finally be the supplement you've been looking for.
@Jane. Wish you hadn't had such a rough day. Hopefully tomorrow wil be better. Thanks for.cupcake suggestion. I'm giving her until Sunday to pin her mother down on the cake. If she hasn't even started yet, I'm going to email someone who advertises they can do emergency cakes. Cause I sure as heck won't have time. Dress is finally altered & now putting Swarovski crystals in strategic spots (so I don't have to do hundreds).
@Cindy. The smoke was still very thick here today again. We're still under respiratory advisory. But it sure does make the moon & sun look surreal.
Well guess done pouting in the tub, so back off to do programs for the third!!! damn time.
Have great weekend everyone

Good Morning! Happy Friday!

@GrannyMayOz , My name is Karyn and my birthday is December 21st. The Hummers are active this morning! Territorial little things! They are more interested in the Red Yuccas than the feeders today. Blue Jays are squacking up a storm and scolding Winslow, my Dachshund. Lots of birds this morning, but no Javalina for a few days.

I am hoping to break my weight loss stall soon, but who knows, huh lol.

I hope everyone has a good day!

Good morning! The sun is coming up and I need to cook some bacon. and feed the cats and dogs. The bacon is for me though.
@GrannyMayOz , thank you! Oh, the Javalina are cute, especially the babies, but they are dangerous. As for my garden, they dig up every single bulb I plant, except Irises. Apparently Irises don't taste good. My vegetable garden is fenced off and they stay out, but they do eat some fruit off of the trees. There is more than enough though, so they are welcome to have some. As for the Dachshunds, I am down to two now, Winslow is 18 months old and Tink is 8 years old. I adore the little monsters lol
I hope everyone has a really awesome Saturday!