About Me

I'm a 58 year old mother of 3. I was an elementary teacher for 25 years and I swear zipping up and down that hallway helped keep the pounds off! Now that I'm retired AND in menopause, I've noticed the body tone decreasing and the weight increasing. Isn't aging fun? But I'm excited to take control and treat myself with the same care I try to treat others with. I'm looking forward to trying this eating plan. And I'm REALLY looking forward to the support we can all give one another; even though we don't know one another, it helps to have others to talk to through the successes and challenges. So, welcome!

I love my family, going to the beach, traveling, art, reading, games, decorating my home, gardening, getting together with friends, and the Michigan State Spartans.

2/1/11

It really feels like this is becoming a lifestyle change. I'm having many less cravings. I am actually enjoying eating the healthy foods and eating is becoming somewhat automated. When you know what you're going to eat for the next meal, it helps. You're not faced with a myriad of high calorie choices to navigate through. These are many tasty, satisfying foods out there. So far, there hasn't been drastic weight loss, but I know I'm doing something nice for myself by banishing the junkfoods.

3/1/11

This feels like normal now. In the beginning I felt deprived; now I don't even want junk anymore. I look at it and this "Ewww, that's really bad for you!" Eating has become automated. I know what I can eat and how often and how much I should eat it. As a result, I don't need to worry about what the scales are doing. I may not be losing, but neither am I worrying about gaining. It's freeing. It's one less distraction in my life. I feel calm. One other thing. I don't know if I understand the implications yet, but the support from strangers on this site is remarkable. I'm not sure if this is a rare thing, or if we've all always been willing to reach out to help others, but this site just magnifies that truth. It's awe inspiring that through sets of unrelated experiences, we all found ourselve with one another. No one questioned how or why it happened. No one was reticent or nervous. We all just spontaneously looked around at one another, nodded and smiled, and rolled up our sleeves and set about to help and support one another. Hope. Inspiration. Positivity. In THIS world with all it's problems right now, this sure is a nice place to be. I think I'll stay for a while.

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Recent Blog Posts

Carbohydrates the New Cocaine?

Anyone see Dr. Oz yesterday? His show talked all about how unhealthy carbohydrates are just as addictive as cocaine. We exhibit the same physical reactions when we need a "fix" and the same withdrawal symptoms -- headaches, irratibility, etc. We know carbs are the reason for the increase in diabetes and obesity. This is yet ANOTHER reason to be on the 17 Day Diet. It purges our system of the need for these damaging foods....

Post 17 Day Diet: What I Know

I surpassed my goal weight about a month ago and even took off 2 additional pounds! Since then I've been on vacation and eaten our frequently due to work and "lunch with the girls". Here's what I KNOW about this diet:] * It WORKS and it offers an easy way to "undo" weekend/vacation/dining out mistakes; you just go back to Cycle 1 for a couple of days and the weight comes off *It changes how...

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Well, I'm in a holding pattern. Down 6.8 pounds and not budging. I did cheat this weekend alittle though. I realized that the restaurant we usually go to has NOTHING that is low carb. It's ridiculous. So I ordered salads, but even then you're not entirely sure how it was prepared. I think I need to move onto Cycle 2, but as I remember from last time, I didn't lose alot of weight. How are you doing? I'll tell you what? Just having someone to "talk" to helps!

Hi Bella,♥¸ . ♥¸ .♥ How is week 2 coming ? Good Luck ♥¸ . ♥¸ .♥

Good Luck to you Ms BellaBearGirl. Glad you are losing woohoo ♥

Hey Lady,

I'm good how are you????? I am still idling around those last 20 pounds. How about you enjoying the summer?

•.¸ ♥ ..♥.•*

Surprise Bella,

I have had the worst time signing in.... I am doing fine. I saw you left me a msg years ago. LOL. I hope you are still around. I am still down 40 lbs. Lost another 10 lbs while I was away.

I want to lose the rest of this weight. Ready set Go woo hoo :0

Hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Ms BellaBearGirl ,

Just a short note to tell your husband woo hoo. Great Job!!! With the weight and the low cholesterol number.. That is so awesome. :0 See you when the next 10 lbs is gone LOL.... Thanks for the encouragement.. ♥¸ . ♥¸ .♥

Oh Tifa, you have to be so proud of your family. It sounds like "smarts" run in the family. And what's really special is that you sent a message to that granddaughter of yours that education is important because YOU came all that distance to see her graduate. Your comment about all the shopping reminded me that although I LOVE to shop and we all work so hard to surround ourselves with "stuff", what you REALLY remember and treasure in life isn't that stuff, but the moments -- the time you spend with those you love. You will always remember this wonderful vacation.

Now to brag alittle myself. My husband went on the diet and has lost 23 pounds. He's "maintaining"now. He has a little more to lose, but is doing it slowly. But the really good news in that HE'S been on cholesterol medicine. He got him bloodwork back yesterday and his cholersterol was 143!! I told him I've never heard of a number that low and that I bet the doctor will take him off of the meds.

Talk to you soon! I want to hear that another 10 pounds is gone!

Bella what a lovely surprise. I thank you for the advice about the carbs. I still need help dealing with them. LOL. I will remember your advice and pass it on.

I had a blast in Callie, I want to retire in Carmel. I wish. The shops are to die for. I went to San Francisco and those hills alone I felt all over even on the scale. :0 Homebase was in Monterery with my daughter and her family. She, her husband and daughter all graduated with honors and that was special. My granddaugher continued to the 9th grade and was Valedictorian and won the President's Award for Excellence in Academics. That moment I lost it. I was so happy OMG....

You take care and check in now and than. Please pass on all you have experienced so we can grow up and be like Ms Bella LYM ~ ♥♥ ~ ~ ♥♥ ~ ~ ♥♥ ~

Tifa -- That is awesome and that 30 pounds is gone for good. It is SO easy to maintain. I may splurge and gain a couple of pounds, but then I watch the carbs for a day or two and the 2 pounds is gone. It is so freeing. I finally feel in control of my weight. It changes your view on everything! That 30 pounds will definitely affect your cholesterol. Keep going and shock that doctor! Did you have fun on your vacation? 3 weeks? That's awesome!

Hi Bella, I am back from my 3 week vacation and off the steriods and have lost 30 pounds total. I do not go back to the MD until August to see how my cholesterol levels are doing. God I hope they are still dropping. I did add the exercise piece into my plan and it is helping me alot.

Glad to see you are still doing great... Hope all is well and thanks so much for all your motivation this year. You are awesome.... tifa ♥¸ . ♥¸ .♥

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