New Crochet, New Diet, New Me

Well I've had some interesting things going on. I joined a place called swap-bot.com. This place is awesome. It's not just for crocheters, it's for all types of crafters. If you love any type of crafting & sharing your crafts, then this is the place for you. It's free to join, so that was a total plus for me. :) As a new member you are only allowed to join 5 swaps at a time. Well my first swap was a quickie one, and it was bookmarks. I had 2 partners that I had to make 3 bookmarks for each, and then mail them off by a certain deadline. So, I crocheted 6 bookmarks and they were cool. Then my bookmarks came in and my partners worked with paper, and omg, they were beautiful. I will get a pic of them as soon as possible and put it up on my flickr page. So now I look for bookmark swaps. This way, I can get any kinds and styles of bookmarks, and they are really nice. The only problem is, I don't know if I want to use them or just collect & protect them. :) My second swap was granny squares. Again 2 partners, but this time 4 squares each, and the colors were listed for this one, purple and white. Unfortunately, one of my partners only likes soft wool or 100% cotton, and I didn't have any of those colors in either type of yarn in my stash. So, I was gonna go shopping to get some, but we had a nasty storm. I was lucky my partner agreed to accept off white as I had some in my stash. I received 4 of my squares so far and am still waiting on the others. It's so exciting. You get to see what styles others like to make and you get presents in the mail.

I also joined a group for an ATC swap. I had no idea what an ATC was or how to make one :) but it was for Beltane and I really wanted to do it. So on to google I went in search of ATC. All I can say is WOW. For those that don't know, ATC stands for Artists Trading Cards. These cards are handmade by any type of artists, and the only rules on them is;
a) they must be 2.5 x 3.5,
b) they are created by you (thru the computer, hand painted, drawn, any way, etc)
c) they are never sold only traded with other artists.

So, I made my first ATC, and if I say so myself, which I am, it came out awesome. I will upload a pic of it on flickr page. I received mine and I love it, again uploading the pic later. I will make more ATC's, but I know I won't become addicted to them. HA suuure. LOL

So the next new thing for me to happen is I went to see a new arthritis doctor. I have been having so much trouble with my knees it's ridiculous. Well this guy tells me after looking at my x-rays that the only thing left for my right knee is to replace it. He's not the first to tell me this, and he even showed me the x-rays and explained them out to me really good, even this old broad understood. He must speak old broad, LOL, or is it dumb broad. Whatever. My left knee is just starting to erode away. To help with that he recommended sinvisk. I've had that before for my right knee and it does help. It will work anywhere from 6 mos. to a year. So, between that and the injections of cortisone, I will be fine. But the right knee needs replacement as soon as possible. Only problem is, I need to lose 20 lbs. because of health risk factors. I know I'm overweight and I have tried losing weight even tried those stupid pills and stuff. I can't really exercise because of my knees so it makes it tuff for me. He recommended weight watchers or the local hospitals nutritionist.

Well those are out. First weight watchers is $65 to join for 3 mos. Way out of my league. And going to a nutritionist weekly or whatever is out, as I hate to leave the house. It's not that I'm lazy, I just don't like to go out. So, on to google I went and searched diets. About.com has way tons of info. Between that and all that google pulled up, I have a page that tells me what amount of calories I am supposed to eat each day even without exercise. I guess when you exercise you get to eat more. LOL Good incentive.

I also learned a while back that eating 6 times a day small meals and snacks will help. So, I created a type of diet just for me. I eat about 6 or 7 small things a day. I had a problem with drinking cans of sprite everyday because I have a overactive bladder and water made me have to go more. But at 140 calories per soda, I have cut myself down to one can of sprite a day, and water, 0 calories, all the rest of the time to drink.

I also know that even though I have a long term goal, I had to break it down to small goals as well. If all I had was the long term goal, and that is 90 lbs total, for 11 mos to 1 year, I would get discouraged because of the length of time. So, if I break it up into smaller pounds and smaller time frames I will have a better chance at success. Like, 8 - 10 lbs per month. Even smaller would be 1 -2 lbs per week. Now I also know there will be weeks where I will lose more, and weeks where I will lose less. But because I know this ahead of time, I won't get as discouraged. Or at least I hope I won't. And I also know that the beginning of this diet I will lose more and quicker, and then I will stabalize and lose slower. But that's ok too, cause one of my goals is to get more energy to at least walk a few times a week. I know because of my knees I have to go short distances and not too fast, but I can do it. Google has a pedometer map that will actually help me map out a walking plan for myself. Way cool.

So all in all on the right side of this screen where I keep track of my crocheting, I will also keep track with my major goal, and all my broken down smaller goals. This way I can actually see my progress. Now even after I lose that 20 lbs for the doctor to do the surgery, I ain't gonna let him touch my knee until late fall. No way am I gonna be unable to go swimming, or what have you for the summer.

So if anyone reads this besides me, and you want some, if not all of the info on swap-bot or my dieting, or a buddy to diet with, drop me a line I'll be glad to share all info with you and I wouldn't mind having a buddy or two to help keep the hungries away. :)

Well by for now. OH and Happy St. Patricks day to all.