Posts by brianadecaro

This morning I was 160. YIKES!! I don't know what happened! I've been good. Maybe too much sodium? Or TOM is close, I think. But 4 lbs in a week?!?!? I know its all water, but still!

165 this morning. The cold is still lingering but not as bad I guess. I haven't really been working out because I feel so drained. Plus I'm knitting scarves for Christmas and really struggling to get those done. Sad thing is, I don't think knitting burns that many calories. :)

I was down to 162, but then once TOM started I lost my resolve when we had a work potluck and there were all sorts of delicious carbs and sweets. When I started this, I was all self-righteous thinking the holidays would be no problem and I could avoid the "bad stuff." Yeah, easier said than done, I'm afraid. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Saturday I am flying to Minneapolis where it's 0. So I know Saturday will be nothing but airports and convenience food, but I'll try to do the best I can.

I hope everyone has a great holiday!

I've used everything from really expensive (Bumble Bumble, like $30 per tiny bottle) to super cheap like Pantene. My favorite of both has to be the Dove Ultra Therapy or whatever it's called. It's in the dark blue bottle. I don't like the regular Dove stuff, but the dark blue stuff rocks. My best friend is a hairdresser and she said there's really nothing wrong with it. I like to use a LOT of conditioner because my hair is thick, so I go through it pretty fast.

When I really feel like splurging, I'll buy Bumble Bumble Ultra Gentle shampoo and Super Thick conditioner. Or I really love ABBA products (not the band) but they're also expensive. Pureology is awesome too, especially for colored hair.

I second the Victorias Secret swimwear. Mine are less than perky and they have a few tops that really LIFT! I'm pretty sure they'd ship to Canada. For swimwear, you have to order online. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time in case you need to return or exchange size wise...

Original Post by spirochete:

 I would hire someone for $100k a year and their sole job would be to follow me around 24/7 and bat cupcakes out of my hand.

For real. If I didn't have a "real" job and real "responsibilities" like housework and laundry and whatnot, I'd be SMOKIN hot! Are you kidding me? Someone does the dishes and cooks and works my 9-5? My ass is in the gym everyday and I eat what my special macrobiotic-zone-glycemic index-no carb personal chef makes me everyday.

Hell, I'll wrestle food away from Oprah for $100K. I could take her... 

Original Post by spirochete:

I'm mad about that because the whole band broke up and are suing each other (well the other two vs the lead singer) and now I can't go to my yearly Violent Femmes concert. I hated Wendy's to start with and they are ruining everything

Word.  I am also bitter that I can no longer enjoy the Femmes on a yearly basis like I was used to. Damn capitalism... 

Edited to add: I forgot about the topic of the post...The commercial for some cell phone that has peoples faces on their thumbs while they're texting really heebs me out. Someone must have been on the good acid to think that one up.

Everyone is different in terms of how their body reacts to carbs. EVERYONE though, should avoid simple carbs like white bread, potatoes, rice and pasta. If you feel you need carbs to function, then it's much healthier to eat whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice and sweet potatoes. I personally do better overall when I get my carbs from veggies and nuts and the odd bean. But I know somepeople that literally can not function without at least a slice of whole grain bread a day.

I'd encourage you to do some real research on the subject and experiment a little to find out what works best for you.

Everyone here should read the book "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes. He talks about the SCIENCE behind the evolutionary diet, carbs, both complex and simple, good fats, bad fats, protein and the like. It's a dense read and I'm sure some of you will disagree with it since we've been brainwashed to think low-fat/ high carb diets are good. His book states the contrary. But really, this man has done MASSIVE ammounts of research and you really can't argue with that.

This book changed my life, but it is NOT a diet book. Since changing my diet accordingly after eating his book, I've lost almost 20 lbs in 2 months and have never felt better. My digestion has improved, my skin glows, my allergies are almost non existent and I have the energy of a teenager. I should also say that while I do work out and keep active, it's been far less due to time constraints, but I see better results than when I was spending 2+ hours in the gym everyday.

* I just realized that it may sound like an ad. Its not. I double-dog dare you to read the book.

well, today I weighed at 164. So I lost a pound. Hey, I'll take it!! :)

Good luck to everyone.

Good morning, ladies!

So, I was MIA for a while. Was busy with work and my parents were in town the week of Thanksgiving. They did some nostalgic eating while in San Diego and dragged me down with them, LOL!! I figured I'd splurge a little bit, but I kind of went overboard. I was down to 158, but after all the carbs, sodium and wine, I was 165 this morning. I'm kind of mad at myself for letting it get that out of control, but oh well. I have been exercising rather faithfully, so I'm really hoping that extra 7 lbs will come off really easily. I am starting back on phase 1.

I won't be able to exercise for a few days, though, I feel like I'm getting sick. Though I just a flu shot this morning, so maybe that's it.

HUGE congrats to those that managed to maintain or lose weight over thanksgiving! That is a gigantic accomplishment, and you should be proud!!

Hi Jayne!

As both an ophthalmic technician and optician, I'd say to go to an Optometrist first. An Optometrist can and most likely will dilate your eyes to asses the health on the inside. The refration part of the exam (where they determine your vision correction needs) is just a very SMALL part of a routine yearly eye exam. Any good Optometrist will dilate your eyes at your first visit. This allows them to peak inside and view your retina and angles inside your eyes to look for things like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. If the Optometrist does find something suspect, they will refer you to an Ophthalmologist. Many Ophthalmologists do not do refraction. Meaning, they will not be able to give you an Rx for glasses, so you'll have to go to a separate Optometrist anyway.

Family histories and other medical problems can affect your eyes, so you really should be seen at least once a year even if your vision does not change. For examples, people with diabetes need to see a Dr. at least once every year for retinal evaluation.

I would think it would be a good idea to call a few offices that your insurance covers and ask if the dilated exam is extra (it shouldn't be, but some offices DO charge - and I think that's shady) and ask if the dilated exam includes glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataract screening. Their first time patient paperwork should ask you if you are diabetic and if so what your blood sugar most recently was, if you have had any eye trauma or family history of eye diseases.

If you want a second opinion on the health of your eyes, you can always visit an Ophthalmologist separately. I guess its possible that an Optometrist could miss signs of glaucoma and the like, but that means one of two things:

1. The patient declined to have the tonography (eye pressure test for glaucoma) done and refused to be dilated. (which is your right, but not recommended)

2. The Optometrist that was giving the exams is completely incompitent and wasn't paying any attention to the patient's occular health. 

So, that's my professional opinion. Take it as you will, but I hope it helps.

Edited to add: It sounds to me like you need a progessive lens, which is basically a bifocal with no line. It gives you several different strengths of vision to correct for distance, intermediate (like computer) and near. They can be high in cost, but if you have eyeglass coverage with your insurance, you may not have to pay much. When you get your Rx, you can consult with the optician in the office and get an opinion on which lens would best suit your lifestyle.

Hi! I feel like it's been a long time since I've posted here.

I think my scale is broken. After a month of NO change on the scale, I figured I'd get on it this morning. I've been cheating a little, and I wanted to see how bad it actually was. I dragged my half asleep self onto it this morning and it read 158. I got off and got back on. 158. I drank some water and got dressed, shoes and all and got back on. 160. That doesn't make any sense to me!! I've cheated and its TOM. How is that possible???  I mean, I'm not complaining...

I'm not counting it yet, though, I'll see if it sticks for a few days.

Also, more people are noticing my weightloss, so maybe I did lose 7 lbs in a week. For example, an older guy I work with today said, "you're losing weight. Just don't get to skeletor-y." Older guys usually don't notice that kind of thing. I was shocked.

Good luck to everyone!

Ooo! Ooo! Me!! Pick me!! *raises hand*

I am right there with you. I just can't take the Christmas music. It might stem from working retail for so long in my teens - thru college. Come to think of it, I'm sure that's what did it, as I didn't mind it before.

Hands down, the WORST...and I do mean ear-bleeding, urge to kill invoking, being driven to drink WORST Christmas music ever has to be the album "Alabama sings Christmas." Yes, folks, the country band, Alabama singing the most saccharine cliche Christmas songs ever. My old boss played that CD at least 3 times a day from November 1st to JANUARY. My old coworker and I actually removed it from the CD player one day and hid it.

UGH. That about burned me out on Christmas music, as if all the other years of retail and obligatory bad music weren't enough!

Seriously interesting stuff. I might have to give this a try. I've struggled with my skin since I was about 12. I am using Proactiv now and the results are good, but not as good as I'd like. And I like the idea of not using any chemicals. I think I'll give it a whirl. What the hell, right?

I agree wtih everything everyone has said. Don't waste your time. You'll find someone who actually WANTS a relationship with you - if that's what you want and it sounds like you do.

Believe me, I have been in your shoes, and am kicking my self now for wasting my time and energy on someone that didn't reciprocate. Believe me, he is being a player. What guy wouldn't be down for some free lovin' with no strings.

Be strong. Let him go. You'll feel better for it in the long run.

I promise.