2009 Low Carb Community Cruise

IF you have not heard about it already, we are planning another cruise. With the help of some LC friends, we are making plans to make next years cruise a very special event. If you need more information you can look at the Question and Answer section at HERE ON THIS SITE. IF you KNOW that you would like to go then you can go directly HERE TO SIGN UP.

THE FIRST DEPOSIT IS ONLY $50 if you sign up before May 21st. After that date the deposit will be $250.

In addition to Dr. Jonny Bowden coming on the cruise, we've also secured two more BIG low-carb experts: low-carb researcher and clinician Dr. Eric Westman from Duke University and Jackie Eberstein who worked with Dr. Atkins for three decades. This is HUGE to have these giants in the low-carb world coming with us, so SIGN UP TODAY!!!

It is my hope that this turns in to a type of Low Carb Convention for all of us internet diet fanatics! ;) There should be a LOT of good, solid information and hopefully some literature, freebies, and just a lot of fun.

I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!!

Tools for Losing and Self-control

I'm still trying to "lose" weight... still. I know that we talk about doing this for the rest of our life, but sometimes you just wish for a little break in the battle. BUT a break in the battle, so far, has always meant a 5 pound gain. So I am back up 25 pounds -- out of 80 pounds total loss. Not good. If it was a 10 pound "playground" that would be different, but I have let it get way out of hand. that is enough weight to mean a new wardrobe. NO! I refuse.

So, I'm not making a big deal about it, but I had to find SOMETHING that will give me direction. I have eating issues. I cannot trust myself. I am NOT a "thin eater" and have an emotional eating disorder -- stress, pressure, emotions, ... any excuse to indulge. I am experimenting with a "lower carb" version of Weight Watchers. For me, just to add more carbs to my diet wasn't enough structure. I was eating mindlessly. I was eating compulsively. At least Weight Watchers will put some brakes on this out of control appetite. Yeah, it is slow ... but it is ONLY 25 pounds and it is NOT a race.

I have a lot of healing to do. Healing of my metabolism and my attitudes toward foods. I've been doing the old "starve" & "binge" thing. I need structure and routine. WW can provide that.

How long will I do this? As long as I can. I got so tired of eggs, tuna, and chicken. I craved an apple. I was craving foods that I would not allow myself to eat. Now I have a guide. Change is good. Good to know that I am not giving up.

THIS IS THE LONGEST I HAVE EVER KEPT FIGHTING. This is the longest time I have ever not given up. Now that is a great change!

What do you do when someone hurts a friend?

Anyone? What can you do?

There are some people "just posting questions" on their own personal blogs ... They say that they are just innocently being curious. In their questions they have deeply hurt a friend of mine. Questions have been worded that could be easily misconstrued as accusations and inuendos. The Questions have been rearranged and reworded and submitted over and over again. Anyone who attempts to answer is accused of "worship" of my friend. Anyone who attempts to offer ANY kind of reply that isn't in line to being "accusatory" is promptly bashed or questioned in a negative way also. And there are comments that make NO sense at all.

It's not right. It's just flat mean. It's hate-filled.

BECAUSE I've seen person after person try to reply to no avail. I've seen person after person post and it just gets more hurtful. Why would someone want to hurt others so much? I have heard that "hurting people" are the ones who hurt people. Well this hurting person has RIPPED another to pieces with "questions".

It was the idea and desire for the 2009 Low Carb Community Cruise to pull the Low Carb Community together for support for each other. The people on the last cruise just really felt a strong connection and we want to share that feeling. Several people have agreed to help me work hard towards that end. We have been trying to get the word out for those that might be able to do it. We've talked about being able to move it around to the different coasts; we've discussed what special surprises and guests. We get a discount on our ticket for making the arrangements - and that is NO secret. We get a discount for working on it in many different ways that include answering questions, hauling supplies & equipment, and keeping up with some of the reservations problems. It appears that there are those who want to rip it up. It appears that there are those who want to take the joy out of it. It appears that there are those who can't stand for someone to have hope and to be blessed. It was SUPPOSED to bring people together, but some people are using it to crush other people.

I just HATE that one of the nicest people I know was slammed for helping me out. I just HATE it that a young woman with big ideas was slashed for trying to push ahead through some pretty tough trials. I just HATE knowing that she is in tears because of people she considered friends.

BUT most of all, I HATE that the source of this is from people we considered to be "one of our own" in the battle against Heidi Diaz.

Who's the next target?

The Cruise Happened

We did it. We took that cruise. People said it wouldn't happen. There were many posts that hoped that people could get their deposits back because the cruise wouldn't happen. HAH! We went and we had an absolute blast. And you know what? We barely mentioned Kimkins, Heidi Diaz, or any of the scandal. I think I made one comment about all of us coming through quite a strange journey to finally get on the ship ... but there we were. Sitting on that ship at dinner looking all shiny and smiley, there was barely a whisper of KK. We had moved on.

Wow. Moved on.

.... and now we are talking about the "next" cruise in 2009.

As it turns out, the wonderful people on that ship were regular every day normal people. They were kind and open and friendly... and just like ALL the rest of us, struggling with diet and health issues. Kind people. People who did NOT deserve to be misguided by a scam artist who was only in the diet businesss for personal gain. I am so thankful that there have been other wonderful people who have created places for the support and encouragement that we all need. AND with a healthier way of eating and safer advice.... and all for free.

If you have come out of kimkins and you still do not have your feet on the ground, don't lose heart. Don't give up. You CAN get the support that you need and the advice, and the diet, and all that stuff that you need to continue the journey ... without any unhealthy side affects. It might take a few posts here and there to find the right "fit" but it is out there. DON'T give up ... DON'T waste another ounce of energy lamenting what was ... MOVE UP and MOVE ON. IT IS POSSIBLE to get on a healthy low carb way of eating without hunger. It can be done. It just takes a little while. WE ARE A GOOD, CARING GROUP OF PEOPLE ... and you can learn to trust again.

P.S. I read AmyB's blog of yet ANOTHER "trash and burn" PM by kimmer. VERY VERY sad. I am thankful for the low carb community that has reached out to encourage AmyB and to let her know that there are more of us out here that understand and support her.

Cruise Photos - Cozumel

Something good came out of KK

Yeah... something good. I met some really truly wonderful friends. Forty six of us just got back from the cruise. What a fantastic time. If it weren't for Kimkins many of us would have never met and I am so glad that we did. I was amazed that this group came from all over the world to meet for the first time and we were all so thrilled and excited to find out that we had so much in common.

We had a blast on the cruise. It was fun trying to recognize people from their photos online. From the excursions ... the evening meal ... to the Kamikaze karaoke we all just acted like old friends. At our group meeting Christin shared with us about changing our relationship with food and learning to savor our bites and not just "hork" it down. Jimmy and Christine were so much fun and very entertaining. Everyone was sad to see it end. Grayma Deb had made us some very nice matching T-shirts -- thanks DEB!! Just so much went on and there are so many great stories that it will take a few weeks to share all of it. I have a PowerPoint presentation of our before/after pictures, but I've got to try and figure out how to convert it to a "movie" so that it can be posted for everyone to see. (suggestions??)

SO MAKE A NOTE... 2009 could bring another cruise. Start saving your money if you are interested.

KIMKINS IS "MALNUTRITION"

My hip joints have been aching. Both of them. Sometimes the pain is so intense that I cannot sit or lay down but must walk around for a while. I take ibuprophen to try and ease it a little. I've NEVER had this before.

So... I did a little research and the following excerpts are what I found. I have marked the symptoms that I have or have experienced.

http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/cnoteShowLfts.asp?fname=02055&title=MALNUTRITION+&cid=HTHLTH

(excerpts from above link)

What is malnutrition? Malnutrition (mal-noo-TRISH-un) occurs when you do not get enough calories or nutrients to keep you healthy. Nutrients are protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Malnutrition may make your body weak. It may cause health problems such as trouble fighting infections and healing.

What are the signs and symptoms of malnutrition? Malnutrition usually develops in stages over a long period of time. Signs and symptoms may not appear until the later stages of malnutrition.
Some early signs and symptoms of malnutrition may include:
Irritable (bad mood) and tired.
Slower growth than normal, or no growth (in children).
Weight loss.
Later signs and symptoms of malnutrition may include:
Bone or joint pain, and weak muscles.
Bloated abdomen and swelling in other parts of the body.
Changes in the skin and hair.
Brittle and spooned nails.
Dry, scaly skin.
Hair loss.
Skin and hair change color.
Loss of appetite (not hungry).
Slow wound healing and easily get infections.
Sunken temples (sides of the head).

AND THIS ONE: http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/malnutrition-2.html

Signs and Symptoms: General malnutrition often develops slowly, over months or years. As the body’s store of nutrients is depleted, changes begin to happen at the cellular level, affecting biochemical processes and decreasing the body’s ability to fight infections. Over time, a variety of symptoms may begin to emerge, including:
Anemia
Weight loss, decreased muscle mass, and weakness
Dry scaly skin
Edema (swelling, due to lack of protein)
Hair that has lost its pigment
Brittle and malformed (spooned) nails
Chronic diarrhea
Slow wound healing
Bone and joint pain
Growth retardation (in children)
Mental changes such as confusion and irritability
Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
Specific nutrient deficiencies may cause characteristic symptoms. For instance, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to tingling, numbness, and burning in the hands and feet (due to nerve damage), a lack of vitamin A may cause night blindness and increased sensitivity to light, and a lack of vitamin D can cause bone pain and malformation. The severity of symptoms depends on the intensity and duration of the deficiency. Some changes, such as to bone and nerves, may be irreversible.

IRREVERSIBLE??

THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS. THIS IS WHAT MANY OF US ALLOWED HEIDI DIAZ TO SHOW US HOW TO DO.... because after all "she lost 200 pounds and kept it off for 5 years with NO problems".

..... it's getting close, Heidi. You still think that you have done NOTHING wrong? hmmm...