Keith from CA

Hi Keith. I have posted my Christmas greeting to everyone on my page, as I couldn't post the picture in the general comments section. Best wishes to you and yours!

Liz, even though it looks like an Ostrich foot, it still tastes like Rocky Road, and if you go to my Flickr site and look at the picture when it was still whole, that might help as you eat a piece. ~~ Burls are knobby growths around the base of the tree that can be cut into sections, and, at least with Redwoods, will sprout a new tree. The site address I gave is for a 'tourist trap' that sells the burls on line. I'm pretty sure I posted a picture on Flickr of me standing in front of a couple of huge statues of a logger and a blue ox, Paul Bunyon and Babe. If I haven't, I'll upload it right away. Those statues are right beside the road at the entrance to the 'Trees of Mystery.'

CG, I did go check out your Christmas greeting. Precious picture, for sure.

Keith, glad you liked our tree, we did have a riot decorating it! My daughter turns 18 on the 30th of this month and is determined that there will not be a tree anywhere around our house for her party! but our friends are already making planst for the best birthday tree yet!

Keith, happy holidays. I wish you and yours all the best for the season and the new year!

I love your ''Before'' picture, Keith. Let's just hope that the tree doesn't get skinnier, too!

Keith, I'm joining you in the weight loss program and wish you well. Hugs all around when we reach our goals. My before picture is on flickr, but I'll be happier showing off to the world my after picture. Our new year will healthier and happier for sticking to our guns in this public way.

Nice photo Keith, but what's with the weight loss? You look just fine to me my friend! That tree needs to trim down though!

Keith, Great picture, and now I see what my gift you brought me, will turn into in 100 years
I'll have to move it out of this condo before then
I'll be joining in the fitness craze soon...glad to have you on board!!!

Keith
love the photo ... great tree ...pleased you are joining our fitness craze.
will post my start up photo on the first of January 2007.
heres cheers
....water of course

Thanks for the well wishes all. I must admit, rosemary, when I read ...water of course, I was in the middle of taking a swig of beer. Sigh. I love the idea of thinkilg I'll start ... right after new year ... but then, I have all these ''retirement projects'' gathering dust, and I've been retired three years. Well, announcing in publicly is a big first step. Now, if I can only follow through.

Oops. Should have been ''announcing it publicly''

Hi Keith. Best wishes for the coming year my virtual friend. 2007 is around the corner. A whole new year coming up, and so much will happen during this coming year. I do hope that you and yours enjoy peace, happiness, good times, (chocolate for those of you who indulge), and should there be some sorrow that befalls you, I do hope you weather it well and stay strong and positive. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hey Keith :) Firstly, Congratulations on joining the Rosemary initiated - Sudoku fitness group. I am sure you can still have a beer every now and then, just have a couple of glasses of water in between r better still, drink it while you walk around that beautiful Tree. Good Luck! You have my total support. Remember! Portion sizes and lots of Water before and after eating.

Secondly, Thanks for the Well Done message re the birds. Actually, Jim (being an avid birdwatcher) had already seen most of the species before but I am pleased to report that 'I' spotted the American Bittern at Royal Palm, Everglades National Park. Jim had not seen one (in the wild) before so we were pretty excited about seeing one that day. We both got a photo. I saw 147 new bird species, for me, while in Florida both in the Wild and Captive. What an amazing trip. Jim put so much into the planning and I loved every minute of it.

Ooooops, I meant to add I Hope 2007! is kind to you.

Hey Keith is there any Big Ben left for the start of the New Year?? Someone has to ring the chimes in!!!
Wishing you all the best for the New Year, health, hope and happiness xx

andré, unless you snuck a piece over to your place, I'm afraid not. I hope you did. Health, happiness, and the best of cheer to you and Jaz and everybody. May the new year bring all you wish.

Keith, Happy New Year to you! Your presence on the site is so faithful and appreciated. I sincerely wish the very best for you in 2007.

Keith
just checking in for the new year and to see if you are off and moving on your fitness regime. I have cut down the size of the portion of food that I eat, stopped eating rubbish in between and have started walking. ooooo and drinking lots of water.
I know you can achieve the goals that you set yourself cos we are all going to.
cheers ... water of course.

Hi Keith. Has the tree lost any weight yet? Just kidding of course. Good luck in sticking to your 2007 resolution.

rosemary and CG, thanks for the support and right back at you, rose. I am (reluctantly) making the changes. The big one for me is replacing beer with water. So far so good. I'm working on smaller portions too and thinking about exercising more.

bert, Happy New Year to you too.

Hey there Keith! Way to go and keep it up. I only had one glass of wine with dinner last night. The hardest part for me is we have a party of some sort every weekend this month, so I am trying very hard to only consume at the parties, but then we have things going on some weeknights too. I did drink over 90 oz of water today, but then that is typical for me at work. just need to get off my ass and walk. My daughter and I are going to try walking in the mornings (we are not morning people though ) Does good intentions count? Good luck, lets stick together and we can do this!

Keith
your doing fine fitness partner.
step at a time and just keep increasing the numbers.
cheers

Keith

Keep up the good work. It's been very hot here with balmy nights. Just the sort of nights to be sitting out on the deck with a glass or two of wine and some nibblies. OH NO - not for me - UH HUH - I've been good and I'm seeing results already (see my page). Keep going and we're all here for you.

Thanks for the encouragement and compliment. When some of the weight has gone I'll have to buy a new red dress!!!
Glad you have joined us. I find the water hard to drink in the winter but have placed bottles all around the house and swig as I pass.
Just had another large water.

Hey Keith, touching base to see how you're doing and to let you know that while its hard, you can do it. Since just water is hard for many, I find if I add fresh lemon or lime to it, its easier to take. I have the exercise thing down pretty well, but need to concentrate on the food portions. Perhaps you can slowly cut back on the beer, maybe start with having one every other day, then every two days, etc, until you aren't drinking any, but add the water too. Baby steps become giant steps after awhile. Hang in there!

Hi Keith
just checking back in and I am sure the weigh in tomorrow wil be all negative ..... minus pounds that is.
cheers

Howdy Keith, I don't have a scale to weigh, always avoided them when possible but think I will have to go and buy one. Do they make extra large scales . I did pretty good this weekend considering the party on Sat. night (FREE BEER) , but then I danced a lot so maybe that will even out! Keep it up bud.

Free beer ... ouch! Glad I didn't know about it. Well, I just weighed in and I have lost 5 pounds. I'm pleased. I had 2 beers and 4 glasses of wine the entire week, quite a reduction for me, and probably what made most of the difference. I did reduce portions some, but am not used to feeling hungry, so that was hard. I only did strenuous exercise once, and must improve in that area. I hope the rest of you are experiencing some success as well.

Here's the recipe I promised. My wife has made this soup twice recently. I usually shy away from nonfat this and lowfat that, but this soup is filling and surprisingly tasty.

Potato and Canadian Bacon Slow Cooker Chowder

Servings - 8

Ingredients
2 cup potato(es), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 large carrot(s), diced
1 cup leek(s), chopped, white part only
1 medium garlic clove(s), minced
4 cup fat-free chicken broth
1/2 cup uncooked barley, pearl
1 bay leaf or 1 tsp. crumbled bay leaf
1/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 oz cooked Canadian-style bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk (not necessary; use all half-and-half)
2 fl oz fat-free creamer, such as fat-free half-and-half

Instructions
In a slow cooker, combine potatoes, carrots, leek, garlic, chicken broth, barley, bay leaf, thyme, pepper and Canadian bacon. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until vegetables and barley are tender.

Stir in evaporated milk and half-and-half and heat through uncovered, about 10 minutes. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving

Okay, I did it, I just got back from my lunch hour, went and bought a scale and it came with a pedometer BONUS! I even used the scale, (weight will not be posted, just amount lost) I did see that I have lost about 18 lbs in the past 6 months (since the last time I was weighed) Slow and steady wins the race!

LK, 18 pounds in 6 months is commendable. Were you 'on your own' or in some program or other? Absolutely right about the slow and steady thing. Little steps, just keep making them. I'm with you about not saying the weight, just the progress.

Keith
fantastic
off to a flying start and I bet you are already feeling better for it. getting one part of the plan in place is great and build and add on to what you do each week and you will do fantastic. you dont have to go without beer entirely cutting down is the way to go.
cheers
water of course

Congratulations on the 5 pound weight loss! That's great! Now open the box and assemble the sucker! :)

Yea, yea. All in good time. Baby steps.

Keith

I can't wait to hear the results of your first weigh in.

Oops Keith - sorry - I should TOTALLY read before I post!

Congratulations - it's only the start - but we've al done such a wonderful job, not only with our individual results but with the support too.

Keith, I was on my own, trying but not putting a great deal of effort into it. Just think what we could accomplish with this great support system!!

Since I just got this scale on Monday, I will post my first results next monday. Or maybe I should go from Friday to Friday, give me a little time to compensate for the weekend

Keith, Congratulations! That's really good. Your approach worked better for you than mine did for me. My weigh in went as I expected, but I know next week will be better. My whole result comment is posted on my page. I'm doing well this week and I'm really proud of myself. Keep doing what works for you and soon we'll all be seeing less of each other!

Hi Keith ! that's it : I have posted a pic on 'my page' ! Thank for your redwood burl ( I don't know what burl means !:) A beautiful tree!
all the best for the New Year !

10,981 steps today meaning I have walked abour 51/2 miles. Dog is exhausted, so am I and I am playing golf tomorrow.
Another glass of water and I'm off to bed
Hope everyone else is doing well