h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Ruth, haven't heard from you for ages, hope your well! Did you move to the new flat?

Ian

Ian!

What excellent timing you have, it's my first day back at work and I'm busy catching up on all the emails, post and of course on the recent goings on on the N&F board.

What did I miss? Arguments? tantrums? EXCELLENT!!

So yes, I moved and was in my new place for all of about 3 days before buggering off to the Lakes for a week and a half on my hols. Had a really lovley time, lots of fresh air and exercise (oh and quite a lot of nice food too) although best of all I got to spend a week and a half with my Mum's dog, Poppy, a year old cocker spaniel who I absolutely adore.

So how's things with you? How is the weight loss going? Been amazed at how much there's been about Atkins in the press of late, and I also saw a dietician a couple of weeks ago who had some interesting things to say on the subject!

xxxx

Arguments? Tantrums? I don't remember any of that! ROTFLMAO.

Where did you go in the Lake District? I honeymooned in Bowness, but that was a long time (and a marriage) ago.

And what did the dietician have to say about you-know-what? Was it supported with full medical references?

Anyway, good to have you back. I went away to Paignton with the G/F for a week at the end of August and discovered the bestest, yummiest sourdough bread yet.

See ya.

Nige xXx

We stayed in Near Sawrey, a few miles east of Hawkshead. We spent most of our time in and around Grizedale Forest as it was so close and also there was a lot to do there. We had great weather too though, very lucky on that front.

Dietician said that whilst he accepted that there was decent evidence that Atkins/high-protein diets did have benefits for some, he was not entirely convinced on the sat fats element of it. He said that high-protein diets were as popular 10/20 years ago until everyone started dropping dead from heart related illnesses (clogged arteries etc) at which point 'low-fat' was thought to be healthier. He didn't give full supporting medical references though, mainly as it was a chat and not the main topic of our conversation, and also, I'm not you and don't need everything backed up with 100% scientific evidence!

Sourdough bread? YUCK!!! My Mum bought a bread maker recently and now I have fresh (normal!), warm bread waiting for me when I go home. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.........

laters
x

Hi Ruth, I'm a nosey bugger me!!! Glad you enjoyed the Lakes, Mal and myself went there a few weeks ago and stayed at Bowness, i was so suprised there is such a lovely place in England, and you don't even have to be near the coast either. Whist there we found some lovely cottages to stay for next time. They sleep about 6 so if there were 6 adults going it would work out to be less than £9 each per night. They are in Bowness.
I had my op on Friday and even though i am very sore and brusied the result up to yet looks fantastic so i am so glad i had it re done. I am now very very near my goal weight, and it is getting harder to shift the last 4lbs. I am going to have to go back to the gym, and start toning. Mal has said now i have had the op we can go away for a winter break, thinking of going to the canaries but dont know which one...must be a late deal...been to Lans a grot so dont fancy that one, any ideas? Nice you are back anyway Dianexxxx

Hi Ruth, welcome back! Who are these interlopers who've barged into my thread! Everyone seems to be going to the Lakes, that's it I'm booking now myself. Nige seems to have go mixed up it was me who had my honeymoon in the Lakes not him! It was Ullswater not Bowness, ah yes ......I remember it well! She wore blue...........

The H and N board isn't the lively place it once was! Susie almost joined the quitters! We did have Doc Atkins himslef resurrected and posting a week or two back! We've got a new slick salesman on today, so I thought I'd mention your name on the board!

Perhaps you could make a guest appearance?

I hope your comfortable in your new place and happy you moved.

Ian

Diane!

You be as nosy as you like! Good to hear from you, I'm very pleased to hear your op went well, especially after all the faffing that went on prior to it. All the best for a speedy recovery!!

I'm still in the midst of my PCOS hell, am still unable to get myself back on the pill as my gynie needs more blood tests from me as the last lot weren't any good. Hopefully I'll be able to get back on the pill in about two weeks time, I really can't wait!

My best mate is getting married next month too, I'm bridesmaid and I think I'm going to have trouble getting my dress at this rate, my food cravings have been at an all time high, I've put on about half a stone during the past few months and boy, can I feel it! I'm just going to try and hang in there til I get back on the pill.

I have an appointment to see a cognotive psyhcotherapist too, my GP thought that would sort me out head wise. What do you reckon? Know anyone who's been to one??

As for your holiday, I've never been to the Canaries to wouldn't be able to comment I'm afraid. You can ask me about the Lakes though!!!

Glad you're okay honey! xx

Ian,

I know, people just think they can barge into anyone's conversation!!

As for the Lakes, it's the first time I've been, which has been a bit embarrassing as every other bugger seems to have been plenty of times. I think next year we're going to try the New Forest - little less hilly!

I'm glad to see you gave the saleman a bit of a jip, it's so blatant isn't it, you'd think they'd at least try and be a bit more subtle about it. I shall be posting there as soon as I can see something that's worth starting a row over

And yes, all settled in the new pad and VERY happy. Have had many flat-mate traumas of late so I'm extremely chuffed to be on my own without any other bugger to spoil things for me!!

xxxx

Ah been to the New Forrest too! It's great, but I like the Lakes best! I went there first when I left school, but that's a long story! However even though it rains a lot there, I love it. Heather is also keen on the place, she lived in Blackpool, and her father would load up their Morris Minor Traveller and head over to the lakes at the week-end! Something we continues when we moved to Cheshire. Now live in Beds and it's as flat as a pancake, with the exception of where we have our office. Converted barn on the top of a hill. It doesn't have to be very high here to see for miles.

Haven't lost weight in the last three weeks, so perhaps a good hike around the lakes would get the old metabolics going. Off to the North West in a couple of weeks. So will be taking in a few hills!

Ian

Ruth, was the dietician thinking of the Cambridge Diet, which was high protein, low carb, low fat, low calorie? This did kill several people as their heart muscle wasted away. Very few people (relatively speaking) were on Atkins 10 - 20 years ago, so if people were dropping like flies with clogged arteries, are you sure it was because of that?

The Atkins diet isn't that low in carbs (ignoring induction), if you include low-GI carbs, soluble and insoluble fibre.

And whaddya mean, YUCK? Sourdough bread is very tasty, especially when toasted. The Lidl one with 30% sunflower seeds is superb. In fact, I shall have a couple of slices toasted right now. Up until a few hundred years ago, all breads were sourdough, so that was the norm. But if you prefer your phytic acid-laden normal bread, well..............................

Nige xXx

He didn't mention the Cambridge Diet, we were taking about Atkins 'type' high proteins diets, there weren't any specifics. He wasn't dismissive at all though, a very easy going guy, and in fact very helpful. He suprised me in that I expected him to be quite militant about things and kick my arse for not eating organic/low gi/no sugar etc. etc. but he was much more interested in how the food I was eating was serving me and said he wasn't going to patronise me by telling me to eat more fruit, veg, lean meats etc. as he knew that I knew what was healthy.

Funnily enough I was reading in the paper the other day about Atkins Victorian roots, and how some rather large London man who was dying of his obesity saw a doctor who prescribed him a high protein diet (had one piece of toast a day and that was about it) he promptly lost a load of weight, regained his health and lived til he was terribly old. He wrote a 'pamplet' about it, which was met with similar ridicule and distrust then as Atkins is now. I can't for the life of me remember the guy's name though! You must have heard about this? The dietician told me that diets are as much about fashion as anything, and high protein/low fat diets etc. have been popping up in various forms for ages, just under different names. All very interesting.

And don't be slagging off my bread, it's bloody marvellous!!! In all serious though I did cut all bread out of my diet a long time ago for a few months and never felt worse. Perhaps my biological make-up is particular in me requiring phytic acid-laden foods. Ever considered that Mr know-it-all-odd-bread-lover man?????? EH???!!!!

xx

Funnily enough, Atkins isn't actually a high protein diet. About 60% of calories come from fat, 30% from protein and 10% from carbs of various types. The body runs on fat for energy and the protein only provides glucose by GNG and protein for muscle sustenance/development.

William Banting's the man you're thinking of. You can read all about him and others on http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/banting.html

I must accept the fact that you seem to have evolved to thrive on modern bread! Weird!!

See ya! Nige xXx