Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Tandoori Trilobite]

Welcome to the recidivists' club, Heidi!  No doubt we'll see a few now that quite a few people have "graduated" SLD.  The price of successful maintenance is eternal vigilance. :wink:

[Phoebe]

Phoebe, thanks for the nose clipped drink in my honor.  And thanks for the info about the monitor and strips.  Do you think insurance just pays for the strips without a doctor prescribing it?  I just felt stupid asking the pharmacist about it because I wasn’t sure what I was going to say about why I needed one.  At the Rite-aid that I went to you had to get the strips from the pharmacist.  They didn’t have them out with the monitors.
Edit: I just saw that Todd answered my questions here: http://boards.sethroberts.net/index.php?topic=7511.0

Hi Heidi,

I bought the Rite Aid brand Tru2Go "starter kit" meter that included 10 free strips.  It was on sale for $5.  If I had bought 3, I would've had 3 meters and 30 strips for about $15.  The non-sale price for a couple of the Rite Aid brand "starter kit" meters is $10, and that includes 10 strips.  If you think 30 strips is enough for your experiments, you could buy 3 meters, and the whole thing would cost you $30.  Seems kind of wasteful, but cheaper than a lot of other options.

I think they don't have the strips out with the meters because the strips are so expensive, and they don't want them stolen.  I think you could tell the pharmacist anything you want (I'm curious about my blood sugar, I plan to give them as party favors, etc.), and he would be happy to sell them to you.  They are paper, not narcotics, so they don't care, especially if you pay cash.  Lots of people buy medical products without insurance.  (Many people don't even have insurance.)  No, I don't think insurance pays for anything without a doctor's prescription, and sometimes not even then.  Did I answer your questions? 

That said, I like Todd's idea of buying the less painful monitor and getting cheap strips on Amazon.  Good luck!

[Heidi 555]

Thanks again Pheobe for more info re the blood glucose monitoring.  Luckily I found someone who can lend me a monitor and hopefully he's going to give me some strips with it too.

As I posted on the platinum calories thread, I'd tried platinum calories for 3 or 4 days.  I ended up feeling like I was forcing myself to eat things that weren't in the flow of what my body was needing.  I was thinking that I'd wait until I got the glucose monitor to do more platinum calorie experimentation.  Plus the nose clipping really works for me.  I get the calming effect that people talk about with platinum calories through nose clipping.

My weight is gradually returning to what it was before my vacation.  It's not quite there yet but almost.  I think it takes 3 to 4 times as long to diligently lose the weight as it does to effortlessly gain it.  And that's after my setpoint had been steady at and familiar with that weight for an entire year! 

I've also gained some muscle and I've noticed repeatedly that my body does not like to build muscle and lose weight at the same time.  Every time I build muscle I look stockier at first.  But I'm aware that these are very subtle refinements mostly just noticeable to myself.  I'm back to being very happy with my body and weight and so so grateful to SLD and hooping.  I keep running into people my age that I haven't seen in awhile and all of them have gained a lot of weight.  I feel so fortunate to have found SLD.  I know that I would be gaining if I wasn't nose clipping. 

I went for my first run today.  It felt great and was hard to take it easy.  I've been exercising (hooping) a lot and loving it.  I'm really looking forward to getting in really good shape and so happy for any little dose of spring weather.

[xtine]

Hey Heidi, how's it going? Lovely to hear from you again, and sorry that you've had to deal with a slight weight gain.  I'm sure you'll be back to where you were soon though--you have such great success and something that works.

I realize on reading all these posts (and my own) that my biggest obstacle with SLD is CONSISTENCY.  For example today, it's 11.30 pm and I need to go to bed, and need to clean my teeth first, and can't wait an hour after that to have oil... because I didn't plan my time well.... it's interesting to realize through being a long-term SLD-er (erratically) that what I struggle with in my SLD/ diet life is also reflected in my other struggles--to hang in there, be consistent, plod solidly towards my goals.  I tend to get enthused then deflated, and I need to be more of a tortoise, and more committed to my practice, whatever that is, in whatever field of life--- writing, SLD, exercise, you name it. 

So Heidi, you are one of my inspirations in that regard, as is Karky.  And you've found consistency in your own whimsical and self-trusting way, rather than through the punitive rigidity so many of us have suffered with over food in past times. Thanks for being there and sharing your experience.

[Jbird]

Heidi, you have no idea how influential you are...I signed up for a hula hooping class, which I never would have even known about were it not for you. It starts tonight through an adult education program here in the Philadelphia suburbs. I'm actually on a waiting list, but it's a waiting list of two, so I hope to be able to squeeze in. I've never been able to hula hoop, but I'm hoping I'll catch on with some personal instruction. Seems like it will be fun! Or humiliating... I'll let you know how it goes!

[Heidi 555]

Jbird -- congrats on trying out the hula hoop class.  If you ever come up to Southern Vermont, I'll give you a free lesson.  You need the size and thickness of hoop that's good for you.  I now have an enormous amount of hoops in all sizes.  I've had great success teaching people who have never been able to hula hoop.  I think because I wasn't able to do it myself, I've figured out a lot of subtleties that help.  Also it does take some practice.  So even if you can only do it a little bit, just stick with it and you'll get it. 

Thanks for all your experimentation with the blood glucose monitoring.  We all learn from each other. 

xtine -- thanks for such a nice message.  I was so glad when you returned.  I'd missed your comraderie.  Congratulations on your marriage.  It also sounds like you've really gotten in touch with the keys to your success.  I hope you get there easily this time.

It seems like consistency is the biggest obstacle for most people.  Somehow the tortoise self-discipline has always come naturally to me with anything that I'm really interested in.  But I really struggle with regards to other people and putting myself out in the world.  So I totally understand the whole enthused and then deflated struggle in that regard.  For example, my hooping class was full in the fall and then barely had anybody show all winter.  It seems like it's the norm nowadays for people not to return phone calls, e-mails, or show up late or not at all.  So my goal now is to remain steady in situations where other people don't come through.  It's been really hard!  But I'm getting better at not caving in and giving up. 

So glad we survived the winter.  It was an exceptionally hard one!  Let's keep in touch and maybe meet up in person some day. 

[Jbird]

Heidi, you're so generous in offering a free lesson, plus it would be great to meet you! I have family in Western Mass., so maybe when I'm planning a visit, I can swing by your way. Likewise, if you are ever down in the Philly area, please let me know. I really loved the hooping class and was surprised I was able to catch on as quickly as I did, since I don't think of myself as well-coordinated. My instructor was very nice and knowledgeable. I hope you get more students when the weather warms up. Winter in Vermont probably just makes people want to hibernate. I do admire your consistency in how you approach your goals and hope I can sustain my spurts of enthusiasm to the point where they become habits.

[Heidi 555]

Jbird, glad to hear that you loved the hooping and were able to do it.  I'm not very coordinated and it takes lots and lots of practice for me to learn various hooping "tricks".  I think it's helping me to be more coordinated.  My husband doesn't practice or hoop much but he has way more natural talent for it.  He does all these creative interesting things without even trying.  I get a tad bit jealous because I work so hard at it. 

I so much appreciate the support on this forum because I've been struggling in other areas in my life.  Success with SLD has come easily for me.  But other things are not so easy.  I do tend to stay steady, reliable, and consistent with things even when it's hard.  But sometimes I think that's a flaw not a gift.   Lately I've been seeing the addictive nature of so many things.  And I think the key is too choose healthy addictions that are good for you.  I'm addicted to SLD, hooping, and this forum!!!

Let me know when you come up to Western, MA and we can plan a get together.  I've never been to Philly.  Someday I hope we can have a little New England gathering of SLD folks.   I almost got together with Seth in Boston once.  But I got sick and wasn't up for the trip.  SLD is such a vital part of my life and most people have no understanding or interest in it.  A get together would be fun.    What do you think xtine and goblyn and anyone else who could make it?  I'll fantasize about it.  We'll have a nose clipped barbecue with cream and coconut milk smoothies for a snack.  I'll bring hula hoops for entertainment.

Also Jbird I just have to say that you look so young in your picture.  I keep thinking you're around 30 years old!

[Jbird]

Heidi, thanks for the compliment! I feel young, but my son is the age you say I look! It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I'm 54, but I think staying active and generally having a positive outlook and an open mind help keep me internally, if not eternally, young. It would definitely be fun to have some kind of Shangri-la meetup!

[IndianGirl]

JBird, really!!
I thought u were in ur late 20s...early 30s!!

hey, I saw ur post on the gettingStronger forum, and will reply to it soon. Sorry 'bout the delay.

[nougat]

truely jbird you look way younger than your 54 year!!
i will be 50 next month with my eldest boy being 25 on his birthday....  and i can't believe i've reached the half century mark already!!!

[Jbird]

Thanks, Indian Girl! It's nice getting compliments at this stage of life. Usually I'm content to bask in my dog's compliments! I can't really take too much credit for looking younger than my years. I have to thank my parents for giving me good genes. They are 77 and both very attractive and youthful looking. I also have an insanely handsome brother. I swear he looks just like George Clooney! I think attitude has something to do with it, though. I don't get bent out of shape about birthdays like a lot of people. I never had a problem with turning 30, 40, 50...but considered them achievements. I also saw my Mom gain confidence as she grew older, and I think that's true for me too. I'm happier and more self-accepting as I get older. Life keeps getting better! I've been forced to let go of a lot of myths about what constitutes happiness, and I truly find it in the simplest pleasures and feelings of personal connection. I guess I should scoot over to Todd's site and write about that in the philosophy section. I want to support his site but don't want to monopolize. So, hopefully we can get more Shangri La devotees to check out Todd's "Getting Stronger" site: www.gettingstronger.org.

[Heidi 555]

So most of my clothes are fitting comfortably once again.  I feel almost back to where I was.  The scale still says I weigh more.  It's harder trying to get back to the standard that I set.  More gratifying to get there (and stay there) the first time around.  I'm going to continue with the hardcore nose clipping for awhile... 

Also, I'm going to be much more careful not to gain weight back.  I have to revise my quote that says that I'm no longer afraid to eat as much as I want of whatever I want.  I can only do that for a day or two.  Eating as much as I want of whatever I want for 2 weeks = weight gain. 

Also, when I gained back weight I gained back cellulite.  I swear that stuff looks like fat that's old and been sitting there for eons.  I had no idea that it could come back so quickly.  Oslo, had completely lost all of hers.  That would be incredibly nice...

[Tayster]

Okay, so I bought a pair of nose clips at my fitness center and I tried to eat my lunch with them yesterday and thought I was going to die.  My ears kept plugging up, and if my mom was there, she would've smacked me for eating with my mouth open, but it's the only way I could breathe as I ate.

Any tips?

[goblyn]

I never had any problems eating while noseclipped, my bf tried it and he had a really hard time, but he has had ear problems his whole life.  I think his solution was to take small bites and eat slowly, but even then his ears still plugged up.  He gave up trying to noseclip because it really hurt his ears. 

So no advice here really, but if you have ear problems you may want to eschew nose clipping.