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Well, I've also started, and I realize how little willpower I do have.
I am being a good girl though.
Being a veggie myself, can't do the low-carb thing. ( No lectures Shelli ) but because I'm a veggie I eat really healthy, just too much coca cola and eating before bed. So far, I've been really good though. I'm hoping that the day will come that i don't lie in bed, dreaming of what I would like to eat.
I've watched this show ' You are what you eat " I think it's from the UK.
I really like this womans principals, I guess because she mostly gets people to eat like a vegetarian. I find most diets are soo meaty! Plus, I'm allowed nuts and avocados so I can't complain.
Trying anything that makes sense to me. I'm not trying to reach a goal weight, although I do have one. I'm just trying to change my life. I've quit smoking to be healthy, now it's only fair I start eating right too. My body will thank me I'm sure.
Back to my yucky water...............
I watch that show regularly (don't like the bit where she examines the poo though).She makes a lot of sense doesn't she?I am veggie too and eat very healthy stuff ,just too much of it!!!!
Diane xx
I just saw this zany bear on ebay.Does anyone know this Australian artist.I love this mad creature.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Leesha-Marisha-Orig … dZViewItem
I have to say ebay has been very kind to me and I have added loads of regular buyers to my web site via ebay.I start the bear at the least I would take for it but usually get more.I keep my favourite bears for my website and this balances out fine.If not for ebay I would not have made it financially this year.I have furry people as well as a child to stay at home for and anyway there are no decent fairs in Scotland to attend.
There are hundreds of bears on ebay and some at silly prices.People buy because they love the bear and if they find it is very well made they come back again.That has been my experience.
This is a hard one .I had to sit in front of a panel to get a small grant to make bears full time nine years ago.The grant was from Edinburgh council and was for £40 a week.They had to decide if my bears were an art form or a craft.They had to be an art form to qualify.It was a weird experience.They maintained the artistic properties were more important than my sewing skills.I think you need both to be a good bear maker.I make traditional vintage looking bears so they don't have tight joints and even stuffing .I agree with Jenny and Penny on this subject.My cat often steals a bear and road tests it for me!!!
I often see bears on ebay with squeegeee eyes which baffles me.I look at mine in the mirror then my daughter sits and stares at them for a while.Other than that they just get sat on the mantelshelf for a day and I look at them off and on.That night they are either passed or given a new face the next day.
I forgot to say I passed the test as a "bear artiste" and got the grant.That week I had to sign legal papers for a friend and put occupation.I think the lawyer thought I was a bt dodgy and perhaps posed nude(scary thought) when he saw what I wrote!!!
I have been making bears for almost ten years now.Nine of them as a full time bear maker.I have been very fortunate to be able to support my family this way.When I look back at some of the mutants I use to sell I can't believe it!!!!You are doing very well for such a short time!!!
good on all of you who are trying to slim down or just get healthy!
a coupl eof tips from me - i've lost 20 pounds since september and feel better and better all the time.
1. i couldn't do it without hubby's support. he's changed his way of life along with me. it's not a DIET, it's a new healthy way of life.
2. we're all (okay 99% of us!) addicted to bad foods. we can't help it - we were no doubt brought up on them. but we CAN "kick" that habit. you have to detox FIRST!cut out all the bad carbs - WHITE stuff (pasta, rice, potatoes, bread etc.) and fruits for 2 weeks and you will have NO cravings for these bad carbs.
i didn't think i could live/survive without my taters and bread (i was one with my bread!) but i stuck it out for 2 weeks and have absolutely no desire to eat them. it's amazing! it's the same as a drug addict - you may have the shakes even or feel crappy for a day or two - but it works!
then you introduce good carbs back into your diet slowly. brown/wild rice, whole grain breads, fresh fruit.
this is the basis of the south beach diet.... but it's not a diet - it's a way of life - a healthy llife.
*chewing on some unsalted nuts*
give it a try - 2 weeks is nothing for a new you!
:rose:
I agree Ellen,
I cut out white bread and pasta a couple of years ago.I now eat brown rice,wholewheat pasta and only brown bread very occassionaly.If I am served any white bread pasta or rice while eating at friends houses it is now very hard to eat.White pasta tastes like slime and white rice just has no taste.It only took about a week to change my taste buds altogether.These changes along with cutting out the sugar are so much easier than people expect them to be.
I keep dates and mangoes at hand for when I need something sweet.
Clare,I do like felt and you can age it by boiling it for a while.I also like old wool coats etc for pads.At the moment I am using a 1920's wool pram cover.
Dense woven cotton and linen is nice too.
Being a veggie I don't fancy the leather much but it does look good.
Diane
Hi Shari,
Just the fact that I have never done Yoga at all ,I wondered if at 67 I was a tad too old to start, I am reasonably fit and would like to do something challenging for 2006. Brave Hugs Rita xxx
Rita,
I do yoga every day and it has almost cured a neck problem I have had for years.I bought a dvd and follow that.I only do abou 15 mins a day but the difference is great.I don't think 67 counts as too old for anything!!!!
Diane xxxx
Today I got up and weighed my booty!!!
I discovered it had become large and fruity!!
I now weigh a staggering ten stone four
Soon my behind won't fit through the door!!
With TT's help I will lose 18 pounds
Hope it's as easy as it sounds!!!
I already walk 2 hours a day
If I walk anymore I will be too far awaaaaaaaaaaaaay
I plan to do the same but go much quicker
And not take a along a fattening snicker!!!
Lets hope we all become slim and healthy
I also would like to be very wealthy!!!
Happy new year to auld aquantance and new TEDDY TALK aquantances.
I miss the new years I spent in Edinburgh.We used to be out all night and first footed everyone we knew and didn't know.There was always a drunken uncle singing a granny sleeping and a huge pan of soup on the stove at every house.We would hug and sing with complete strangers and there was such a warm friendly atmosphere.I remember kissing at least a hundred strangers up at the Tron.
It is all too commercial now.You need a ticket to even go on Princes street.It is all geared to the tourists now and very few locals participate.Sad really.I have many happy memories though.
Tonight I have been at a friends for a meal and I am now being a sad old fart and staying in watching Bleak house.
My daughter is now the one out.She is in the local town of Dunbar at a street party hopefully having fun.I look forward to hearing all about it in the morning.
I wish you all the best for 2006.
Happy new year!!!!
Diane xxxx
I have just read all the comments,very interesting.
I think many points are valid.I am with Brenda on ebay.Ebay has enabled me to give up going to shows which makes me very happy.I get to be at home with my daughter and all my animals and yet still reach a wide audience.I get approached by shops a lot but find the pricing tricky.Bears are my only income and I think that makes a big difference.A hobby that you enjoy and brings in a small profit is finebut for feeding a family and paying all the bills it's no good.
I probabaly sell 50% of my bears on ebay,the rest special orders and my website.Ebay brings in new customers and can be exciting too.I am lucky to almost always sell this way.I make about five bears a week but that is hard going and I get very little time off.I am steadily selling higher.This is a reflection of all the years improving and has not much to do with material costs.A three to five inch bears costs very little but hand sewing each seam twice costs a fair bit time wise.
I feel certain customers get to recognise good workmanship and will still choose the bear they like over a cheaper one.
Good luck to us all selling in2006
Diane xxxx
Glycerine has always been used in my family Brenda.It tastes nice too.I am not sure about the ginger cookies although they are rough I suppose.
I hope you wake up better in 2006!!!!
Take care
Diane xxxxxx
Hi Brenda,
Hopefully you are a bit better.I am sure I told you to eat ginger before and you said you didn't like it.The ginger in syrup is the best but sugar coated works too.You must eat a lot of it.Rough food like crisps are good too.I had galandular fever years ago and then had my throat scraped(what fun) and a nurse told me rough food that makes your muscles move is best.Loads of ginger, rough food then a spoonful of glycerine before bed.Sounds like a fun evening????Good luck!!!
Diane xxxx
Hayley what a sensible wee scone you are !!!!
I have noticed that many of you are chocolate and cake lovers.I don't like cakes and biscuits etc but like chocolate.
A few weeks ago I read all about sugar and it being a poison etc etc.Anyhow I decided to cut it out completely for a month and see how it felt.
I had headaches for two days and then suddenly didn't miss it.Everything starts to taste different.A carrot is a cake and a date becomes a caramel!!!Honestly it is true.I have never felt better and can't believe how horrible I feel now after the christmas binge!!!On monday I am cutting it right out again and getting back to feeling healthier and with more energy.It sounds a difficult thing to do but after a couple of days it is easy.I use honey instead of sugar for my porridge and use it in sweet and sour dishes etc.I would urge all of you with sweet tooths that are trying to lose weight to try it.
Unfortunatley I am overweight thanks to cheese and nuts.I will lose a few pounds back on the no sugar but will have to walk and run most of it off.
I am lucky to be one of those people who likes themselves.I have never been beautiful or pretty and have a big nose but somehow I like myself.Lucky me!!!I am blessed with good health and a love of fresh air and excersise.I just get cross that I never go that last mile and get the extra stone off.Maybe its because it is all behind me and I can't see it!!!!This year with all of your hepl I may just do it.
It would be nice to all be our ideal HEALTHY weight for 2006.Good luck to us all!!!!
I haven't had one of these for years.Funnily enouh the very first bear I sold was called "Clootie Dumpling".I named all my bears after things to eat for the first five years.Then it got too hard!!!
Do you eat black bun at new year Rita???I love it and made a fabby black bear with this name once.
Better get all this stuff dow the hatch before mondays weigh in!!!!
I agree with the sentiment Judi.I can sympathise with the loss of your sister.My brother died 14 years ago and I still miss him everyday.
I think losing weight to feel healthier and be happier with yourself is fine but expecting a whole life change after it is silly.I know so many people who put off going places and doing things till they lose weight.Meanwhile life can pass by.
I am not particularly overweight but I was many many years ago and know how depressing it can be.I look back and regret the year I spent beng miserable about it.Luckily I was able to work it off with sport and have never been that overweight again.I think finding an activity is preferable to dieting as the adrenelin helps your mood as well as the activity burning fat.Finding something you enjoy is the hard part.
Good luck to us all.I may take a before and after picture if I am brave enough!!!!!
I have also watched her work for years.I think she is very talented and has obviously worked very hard to perfect her creations.I have been making bears for nine years now and would like to improve enough to command higher prices.I think you have to take into account the years of perfecting her designs when you see what people pay for them.The dogs do look almost real.
I support my family with bears and it can be very hard sometimes but then I picture myself back in a office and it all seems worth it.It is the not knowing how well they will sell that month that is stessful.I envy and admire the people that get such high prices and they inspire me to keep at it and try and improve.Maybe one day?????
Good idea to start a new year full of good intentions.
I used to be a power lifter and also did long distance running.I still do 40 mins of stepping every night and I walk my dogs for two hours every morning.I eat sensibly most of the time but I am still 14lbs over my ideal weight.I have knee pain because of this.I lost it all last year by eating in tune with my body.I read up on it all and it worked.I put it all back on during a rather stressful period but I am going to take it off again.
You only have fruit up to lunch time and eat nothing after 8p.mThe rest of the time eat sensibly and enough to not be hungry.I took off the exta stone in six weeks and had to really binge to put it back on.The plan works as you don't interfere with your digestion by adding hard to digest food before the body has dealt with the day before.It is that simple.All fat is digested and not stored.It is easy sensible and healthy.I had loads of bananas and grapes for brekkie and this was enough even with my two hour morning march.A big lunch normal dinner then nothing after eight.Was easy peasy lemon squeezy!!!!It is a holistic eating plan from edinburgh university.
I am 140 pounds today I will report back a week after new year as I have loads of fabby stuff to eat in the house first.
I am 5'4 but still have way more muscle than most .I am approx 14lb over ad will hopefully shed it in 6-8 weeks.
Good luck to you all.Try not to dwell and eat lots of fruit and drink at least eight pints of water.I used to coach weight lifting and this was my standard advice.
Diane xxxxxxxx
What a lovely message.Thank you from Scotland.I have always wanted to visit Russia.Maybe one day.
Have a lovely time on your Christmas day!!!
Diane xxxx
You probably brightened up their day and gave them them the chance to buy very special bears and dolls for Christmas.I bet you have a sore face with all the smiling.Well done ,it's nice to hear happy news!!!!
I am sorry about your wee doggy.I think we are so lucky to be able to love our animals and have these relationships.I say goodnight to my late dog "Nettie" every night.I know how you are feeling.Bear in mind she lived a long happy life and that is all any of us can hope for.
Diane xxx
What lovely news for Christmas .Well done to your daughter and you for obviously being an inspirational mum!!!
Two hours to sew a gusset stuff sew up and assemble!!!I would be very wealthy indeed if I could do that.I take two hours to stuff a head and make the face.Thats if it is to my liking first go and that is not very often.I would need another two to do the rest.Best of British to you and you have my respect if you make it.If you do come to the Scottish borders and show me how.
Diane xxxxxx
I love the wee face.I think she was must a very very dear friend!!!The best presents are ones you have made yourself .This bear looks like he took hours and hours.A precious gift indeed!!!
You have done a very good job with the muzzle and snout.It is hard to get a nice traditional look with such long fluffy fur.I think he is wonderful.I like long slim noses.I even wear one myself!!!!
