I do drawing classes with kids for Young Rembrandts. This month we've done taffy apples, scarecrows and spiders. The picture is from a second or third grader can't remember which. I don't choose the lessons. We have a local butterfly pavilion where kids can get up close with butterflies and other bugs. Most of the elementary kids in this class had held Rosie, the tarantula. My son held her (with me, behind him, gritting my teeth). He is 21 now so this is very many Rosies later, for sure. It is all about kids learning to see the shapes and this lesson was about patterns with a spooky October theme. Is Halloween a thing in Canada?

Oct 26th, 2019: 192.9
I've been fighting other fights and neglecting this group. But I've found a new lease on life with the Keto diet. I'm doing the Dirty Lazy Keto which means I mostly just count carbs (Lazy) and do eat foods that would be cheat foods for strict Keto folks (like sugar substitute, sugar free jello and like that) that's the Dirty. Course MFP keeps tracks of the other macros. I tell you, after being a low fat adherent for most of my adult life it is amazing to have butter and other fats back and weird to be struggling to get enough fat each day. Have lost 8 pounds in 11 days. I look at the scale numbers but don't really trust them, if you know what I mean. I do miss: bread, potatoes, bananas, corn, but seems worth it. I will explore garlic whipped cauliflower and the weird Keto bread as some point. I think corn was not good for me anyway.

Oct 26th, 2019: 192.9
Nov 1, 2019: 193.7
Nov. 9th 2019: 193.1
A little discouraged but bought some new Keto cookbooks and will try some new things. Can't believe that I spent over 200.00 on groceries last night (should not go tired, hungry) to get some Keto and Fast Metabolism staples. I am looking a Kaley Pomroy's Fast Metabolism Diet. I tried it before and it was "too hard" but now that I have been doing Keto for a while it looks easy. I know I am going to stick with trying to get the bulge budged so that is what I'm going to focus on. Like the no wheat, very low dairy, no corn, no soy, including healthy fat. so whichever way I go will stick with that. Have great recipes that are gluten free.

Let me do this ABCS style. A Method I am encouraging my students to learn.
Aim High: I don't want to get totally wrinkled up (I'm a senior) so am aiming for 162. Just about 30 pounds to go
Believe in Yourself: I know I can do it because I lost 50 pounds with tracking food before. I am not only looking to lose weight but to reduce inflammation and have a relationship with food that is healthy.
Care and Commit: I really care about this goal--I want to reduce joint and foot pain and feel better about the way I look. I am committed to losing 30 more pounds, I believe this will make a big difference in my health.
Specify and Self-Reflect: I have set a specific goal: lose 30 pounds in order to weigh 162 pounds. It seems I am losing about 5 pounds a month so I should reach my goal in 6 months (or sooner). I should reach my goal by Spring 2020 or sooner. In terms of self reflection I am tracking my progress via MyfitnessPal (free online tracker) and weighing myself each Friday (I do weigh most days). I will continue to reflect on the effectiveness of the food plans I am exploring.

Oct 26th: 192.9
Nov 1st : 193.7
Nov. 9th : 193.1
Nov.15th:195.1
Nov.22nd:193.1
I'm feeling pretty good about no soy, corn, wheat, bananas, low sugar, low dairy.

Oct 26th: 192.9
Nov 1st : 193.7
Nov. 9th : 193.1
Nov.15th:195.1
Nov.22nd:193.1
Nov. 28th:190.8
No corn, no soy, no wheat, limited dairy, sugar. moderate protein. Carbs 100 gm or under. Tonight going out for Thanksgiving meal so eating light today. Making turkey dinner tomorrow but will make cauliflower mashed and no dinner roles. May make dressing with sprouted wheat bread. Pumpkin pie (without crust for me).