SO....Ashley and her husband Scott were here for a week. --They arrived last Friday and left early this morning. we had such a great visit. it was so much more relaxed than the last time they were here--when they were headed back to finish their Iraq tour. this time they are headed to Wash DC area-not to a combat zone!!!. we had a wonderful time.
They arrived in 70 degree weather--went to the zoo in shorts...and left this morning in parkas and boots with a foot of snow on the ground. AHHHH Colorado.
We had family dinners, went out for great food., did Mani's and Pedi's with just " the girls" did a little shopping and a lot of just hangin' out. they look so good and I'm so glad they are back safe.
they will spend a week in Cincinnati with Scott's family then head back to Hawaii till July when they move to DC.
Love you guys.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Today is my last day on the hormone protocol for this round at least. 2 more days of Very low calorie eating to let the hormone get out of my system and then back to a low carb-no sugar no starches diet.
I'm please with the total though it isn't as earth shattering as I had hoped. I lost only 6 pounds on the scale--BUT I lost FOUR INCHES off my waist and FOUR INCHES off my hips. went from a size 12 to a six. even my 6 petites fit well. I was oping to get all the way down into my size fours but will keep plugging away. I'll take a 3 week break from the hormone at least, and then decide. If lifting and lowcarbing keep my weight coming off--even slowly, I'll probably just keep that up and try to avoid another round of HCG. it was hard work--and everyone got tired of me being on it and not eating ( and talking about it all the time!!LOL)
I'm please with the total though it isn't as earth shattering as I had hoped. I lost only 6 pounds on the scale--BUT I lost FOUR INCHES off my waist and FOUR INCHES off my hips. went from a size 12 to a six. even my 6 petites fit well. I was oping to get all the way down into my size fours but will keep plugging away. I'll take a 3 week break from the hormone at least, and then decide. If lifting and lowcarbing keep my weight coming off--even slowly, I'll probably just keep that up and try to avoid another round of HCG. it was hard work--and everyone got tired of me being on it and not eating ( and talking about it all the time!!LOL)
Monday, March 16, 2009
So, I'm finally ready to explain what I have been doing to lose some fat. If you look at the little weight loss list in the left column you will see that I have lost nearly 5 pounds over the past 2 weeks. previously I lost about 5 pounds over 2 MONTHS, so this is an improvement! I have also, over those same 2 weeks, lost over 2 inches off my waist and 3 inches off my hips.--which is nearly 2 sizes--I can wear some of my size 6 pants ( not the fours yet --but it's coming!)
**Big Caveat**
The following procedure is very controversial. I absolutely am not recommending this for everyone. period. I think it is a last resort for people who, for whatever reason, have found that a good controlled carb diet plus exercise has not been effective--like menopausal ladies or hormonally challenged folks, like me!
okay, that said:
I am using what is called the HCG protocol pioneered by a Dr. Simeon in the 60's and 70's, and recently brought to light and prominence by Kevin Trudeau ( whom I do not like BTW) in his book "Cures they don't want you to know about"
Basically the protocol is:
daily--take minute amounts of the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin--(which is the pregnancy hormone; the one they test for in a pregnancy test) while following an extremely limited 500 calorie a day diet--no fat or carb just lean protein and low carb veggies plus 2 fruits.
The hormone gets into your fat stores and releases them, flooding your blood with fuel, so that you can stay at 500 calories without hunger.
people SAFELY lose up to 2 pounds a day. I have been averaging about a half pound a day.
you stay on this protocol for only 23 days then transition to a very low carb diet for several weeks then repeat the protocol if you have more weight to lose.
The hormone is administered by injection ( unless you have a Doctor's precscription it must be bought from overseas--which is expensive and illegal-- though a bunch of people are doing it)or by homeopathic drops, which is what I'm doing. THERE ARE NO REPORTED NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS FROM DOING THIS PROTOCOL!!! not even for men. and there are many incredible benefits. the theory is that it resets your hypothalamus and actually makes your body work BETTER after a course of treatment.
I am very, very happy with the results--though both Seymour and I were very skeptical to begin with--but I will say that it most emphatically has not been easy. at all.
I experienced a LOT of hunger the first few days, which was almost overwhelming. Once I finally figured out the right dosage, things have gotten easier. But, for the protocol to work, you absolutely cannot cheat. NOTHING out of the plan can pass your lips or a gain is very likely instead of a loss. Something to do with how the hormone effects your fat stores. again I would only recommend this to someone who has tried everything else to lose weight and can't seem to get it to budge. ( OPRAH?)
I any of this intrigues you I would recommend reading "Pounds and Inches , a new approach to obesity" by Dr Simeon, here --which basically explains it all. ( this link takes you to a site that sells the "stuff" . The manuscript link is at the top right corner of the homepage.--it's a download)
Please don't flood me with comments implying criticism--I researched this VERY thoroughly before I chose to do it, and it was the right choice for me. I am sharing this in case someone who reads this blog might find it useful.
Also, I'd be happy to answer any well meant questions, if you are genuinely interested in learning about this.
**Big Caveat**
The following procedure is very controversial. I absolutely am not recommending this for everyone. period. I think it is a last resort for people who, for whatever reason, have found that a good controlled carb diet plus exercise has not been effective--like menopausal ladies or hormonally challenged folks, like me!
okay, that said:
I am using what is called the HCG protocol pioneered by a Dr. Simeon in the 60's and 70's, and recently brought to light and prominence by Kevin Trudeau ( whom I do not like BTW) in his book "Cures they don't want you to know about"
Basically the protocol is:
daily--take minute amounts of the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin--(which is the pregnancy hormone; the one they test for in a pregnancy test) while following an extremely limited 500 calorie a day diet--no fat or carb just lean protein and low carb veggies plus 2 fruits.
The hormone gets into your fat stores and releases them, flooding your blood with fuel, so that you can stay at 500 calories without hunger.
people SAFELY lose up to 2 pounds a day. I have been averaging about a half pound a day.
you stay on this protocol for only 23 days then transition to a very low carb diet for several weeks then repeat the protocol if you have more weight to lose.
The hormone is administered by injection ( unless you have a Doctor's precscription it must be bought from overseas--which is expensive and illegal-- though a bunch of people are doing it)or by homeopathic drops, which is what I'm doing. THERE ARE NO REPORTED NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS FROM DOING THIS PROTOCOL!!! not even for men. and there are many incredible benefits. the theory is that it resets your hypothalamus and actually makes your body work BETTER after a course of treatment.
I am very, very happy with the results--though both Seymour and I were very skeptical to begin with--but I will say that it most emphatically has not been easy. at all.
I experienced a LOT of hunger the first few days, which was almost overwhelming. Once I finally figured out the right dosage, things have gotten easier. But, for the protocol to work, you absolutely cannot cheat. NOTHING out of the plan can pass your lips or a gain is very likely instead of a loss. Something to do with how the hormone effects your fat stores. again I would only recommend this to someone who has tried everything else to lose weight and can't seem to get it to budge. ( OPRAH?)
I any of this intrigues you I would recommend reading "Pounds and Inches , a new approach to obesity" by Dr Simeon, here --which basically explains it all. ( this link takes you to a site that sells the "stuff" . The manuscript link is at the top right corner of the homepage.--it's a download)
Please don't flood me with comments implying criticism--I researched this VERY thoroughly before I chose to do it, and it was the right choice for me. I am sharing this in case someone who reads this blog might find it useful.
Also, I'd be happy to answer any well meant questions, if you are genuinely interested in learning about this.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Colorado prairie Santa
This one is called " Gettin' ready to ride"
I made this Santa in honor of my Colorado home. I actually saw a real live Cowboy Santa a number of years ago at a kids activity and it was the inspiration for this guy. I wanted a real cowboy being Santa, not Santa dressed up as a cowboy. Every thing was handmade by me! I made the saddle from raw leather. The hat is leather as are the boots. The shearling jacket is suede and real lambs fur. ( I shaved it down to make it the right depth for the scale. ) you can see in the picture that he has a hand tooled leather belt, studs on his jeans and pearled brass buttons on his shirt. He is about 14 1/2 inches tall.
One of the things I try to achieve in my figures is to capture a moment, and tell a little story. I want them to be beautiful but they have to be much more that a figure just standing there looking pretty. I think I really succeeded with this one!
I made this Santa in honor of my Colorado home. I actually saw a real live Cowboy Santa a number of years ago at a kids activity and it was the inspiration for this guy. I wanted a real cowboy being Santa, not Santa dressed up as a cowboy. Every thing was handmade by me! I made the saddle from raw leather. The hat is leather as are the boots. The shearling jacket is suede and real lambs fur. ( I shaved it down to make it the right depth for the scale. ) you can see in the picture that he has a hand tooled leather belt, studs on his jeans and pearled brass buttons on his shirt. He is about 14 1/2 inches tall.
One of the things I try to achieve in my figures is to capture a moment, and tell a little story. I want them to be beautiful but they have to be much more that a figure just standing there looking pretty. I think I really succeeded with this one!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Here is a little clip from a comedian on Conan that Seymour and I really liked.
the Title is " Everything is Amazing; Nobody's Happy " about how spoiled and ungrateful we all have become in the face of all our technology. very funny--but thought provoking as well. Hope you like it.
It wouldn't let me embed it so you just have to follow the link sorry!
the Title is " Everything is Amazing; Nobody's Happy " about how spoiled and ungrateful we all have become in the face of all our technology. very funny--but thought provoking as well. Hope you like it.
It wouldn't let me embed it so you just have to follow the link sorry!
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