Living Low Carb & Lovin' It!

It's Official!

2010-10-29T23:49:00.001-04:00

"To all Ducks

Today, October 29, 2010, Judge Rick Brown of the Riverside County Superior Court entered a verdict for the plaintiffs in a certified national class action lawsuit. The court entered a verdict against Heidi Diaz the owner of the diet website Kimkins.com for fraud and false advertising. The court awarded the class members restitution in the amount of $1,824,210.39. The court also awarded an additional $500,000 in punitive damages as well as attorney fees. The court then issued a temporary restraining order to freeze all of the assets of Ms. Diaz.

Most notably, the court also imposed an injunction requiring Heidi Diaz to post on all of her websites that: (1) she lied about her weight loss; (2) she lied about her after diet pictures; (3) she lied about testimonials on her website; and (4) she lied about the photographs used with the testimonials to promote the Kimkins website.

An injunction was also issued to prevent Heidi Diaz from contracting, harassing or cyberbulling the plaintiffs and the witnesses. A formal judgment will be entered before November 19, 2010.

The original complaint was filed over three years ago on October 15, 2007. I want to thank everyone who supported the class action lawsuit. The Ducks were wonderful. I met a lot of great people and made a lot of new friends fighting for a good cause. Heidi Diaz lied on her website and made the fatal mistake of lying in the courtroom. You cannot trust Heidi Diaz. I anticipate more legal (illegal) maneuvering by Heidi Diaz to evade the judgment. We will be prepared and I will be relentless. Again, I thank all you.

John E. Tiedt
TIEDT & HURD"

2010-10-29T18:17:00.002-04:00

And......the verdict is is. We won!

Yes, we really, really did it. More details as they become available, but for now, what happened this morning is the judge at Riverside County, CA court decided in favor of the Kimkins Class Action lawsuit plaintiffs to the tune of 1.8 MILLION dollars.

For more info about Kimkins and the lawsuit, scroll down, check out my blogroll to the right ----> (I used to post a lot on this topic) or go here: Kimkins Class Action Lawsuit

Kudos to ALL of the Ducks who never ever gave up, and to John Tiedd, Attorney for the class. Victory is sweet!

Kimkins Update

2010-10-23T19:07:00.003-04:00

What?

It's only been a year. I've been busy =x-P

Anyway, here I'm just going to link to Mariasol's blog. She's one of those close to the lawsuit and has never flagged in her energy or attention to the progress for those of us involved in the suit against Mz. Scammer...er Kimmer.

http://mariasol-mariasol.blogspot.com/2010/10/kimkins-trial.html

And there you have it! This month!! Woo hoo!!! Thanks, Sol.

Has it really been THAT long?

2010-10-22T21:48:00.012-04:00

Yikes. I'm the world's worst blogger apparently!

I guess if this blog weren't so topical, I might get in here more often. But yeah, I've let it slide badly.

The truth is, I need to get back into talking about and living what I know is right. I've learned a lot over the past year about nutritional health and science, and I really would like to share some of that with you.

A lot of what I've read in recent months has to do with alternative medicine vs Big Pharma and the American Medical establishment, and what part us hoomin-beans play in the big chess game of the medical world.

For now, I just wanted to get in and update my blog rolls and say hello. This has been a terribly sad week for our family having lost our oldest Golden Retriever, Ginger Mae to renal failure on Monday. I haven't had the heart to do much but grieve. I'll pick her ashes up tomorrow and we will let her have forever under our new 4 variety grafted Cherry Tree in the garden.

I Loved You Best
Copyright © Jim Willis 2002

So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.

2009-09-12T10:27:00.012-04:00

Can you imagine? Heidi Diaz, aka Kimmer, seems to be mistaken about something!

This quote was taken from her front page a couple weeks ago:

"If you're following the ridiculous Kimkins class action lawsuit a court hearing was held this morning. Opposing counsel, John Tiedt, had filed a Motion for Summary Judgment.

MOTION DENIED!

Our new judge stated the Summary Judgment motion was premature, that the class hadn't been defined nor damages proven. The nearly 3 year saga continues ... Meanwhile, stay tuned for updates on the revised Kimkins website to be unveiled Labor Day weekend! If you haven't joined yet -- hurry! Prices going up Sept 9, 2009! "

ORLY???? I think there might be a bit more to the story than that. Read for yourself:

http://2big4mysize.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/ntcrulingmsj2.pdf

As always, her main concern is getting those desperate dieters searching the web to hurry and get involved with her dangerous diet and pretty much worthless forum so she can continue to line her pockets. Some things never change.

Or do they?

October 15 might turn out to be a very interesting day indeed....

Please Spare Us The Ribs

2009-03-30T10:43:00.003-04:00

I can't do as good a job as the others did in showing the complete inanity and ignorance in the latest popular press headlines shouting "Red Meat'll Kill Ya" so I will take the liberty of linking to two bloggers whom I admire!

Junkfood Science: More Reindeer Games

Dr. Michael Eades: Meat and Mortality

Please take the time to read these blogs carefully. Your health could depend on it!

Can I Get a High Five?

2009-03-28T15:59:00.007-04:00

Seems that Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz' attempt to gum up the works in the class action lawsuit with her frivolous bankruptcy filing has gone for naught.

The US Bankruptcy Court has DISMISSED the Diaz Case!

Way to go, John!

Who Do You Believe?

2009-03-20T11:22:00.015-04:00

Most nutrition science tells us that to prevent or treat cancer, we should include plenty of dark green leafy & cruciferous vegetables, red and purple fruits and berries, citrus, whole grains, and minimize red meats.

What do most of those foods listed above have in common (except red meat)?

If you're a low carber, you know. It's CARBS. Dirty 4 letter word.

A Nobel Laureate from years ago, a Dr. Otto Warburg discovered the very important fact that cancer cells LOVE sugar. Glucose to be exact.

"Cancer, above all other diseases, has countless secondary causes. But, even for cancer, there is only one prime cause. Summarized in a few words, the prime cause of cancer is the replacement of the respiration of oxygen in normal body cells by a fermentation of sugar. All normal body cells meet their energy needs by respiration of oxygen, whereas cancer cells meet their energy needs in great part by fermentation. All normal body cells are thus obligate aerobes, whereas all cancer cells are partial anaerobes. From the standpoint of the physics and chemistry of life this difference between normal and cancer cells is so great that one can scarcely picture a greater difference. Oxygen gas, the donor of energy in plants and animals is dethroned in the cancer cells and replaced by an energy yielding reaction of the lowest living forms, namely, a fermentation of glucose." partial quote: The Prime Cause and Prevention of Cancer, (Revised Lindau Lecture) By OTTO WARBURG (Director, Max Planck Institute for Cell Physiology, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany) English Edition by DEAN BURK, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

Now, as I stated in my previous post, I have long believed that a low carb, very low carb or even zero carb WOE is beneficial. However, it seems perilous to ignore documented evidence that there are important phytochemicals and certain substances in spices and herbs that can indeed fight cancer or better yet, prevent it from taking hold in one's body.

So what do I believe? How do I handle what could be literally a life-or-death decision as to my food intake from here on out?

For now (and subject to change with further research) I'm eating as low carb as possible each day, and adding a plethora of antioxidants, angiogenesis inhibitors and other supplements to my diet.

A brief list of these includes:

Beta glucans extract (from shiitake mushrooms) Red Lightening drink mix (acai, noni, mangosteen, pomegranant and goji) KyoGreen Harvest Blend (zillions of good things in a green drink) folic acid, turmeric, fresh garlic every day, as much as I can stand, curry powder, organic flax oil, organic cottage cheese (per Budwig protocol), milk thistle, fish oil, resveratrol and pynogenol, drinking lots of water and green tea, etc.

Foods are organic, meats are grass-fed and organic if possible. I should buy stock at the local health foods store :-)

Treatment update: I saw an oncologist today, and I should now be on the fast track for staging of the tumor and treatment to begin soon. We are seriously considering Cleveland Clinic for treatment if it turns out that chemo and radiation are clearly going to be the way to go. More on that later.

(Photo credit: istockphoto.com)

ZC vs The Big C

2009-03-10T16:30:00.009-04:00

So, I got some news this week that nobody on earth wants to hear:

"Your cancer is back".

It's been a couple months since my last entry (I know....bad bad blogger) so I'll bring this up to date now.

Two years ago I was found to have a rare and rather aggressive form of colorectal cancer. But after a couple of biopsies, they seemed to have gotten it all and one year ago this month, I was declared NED at the James Cancer Hospital at OSU.

Uh....errrr....well.....perhaps they missed something. Or not. Who really knows? I'm not wasting energy on that now.

So, anyhoo, here I am again. This time I had symptoms and wasted no time getting my hiney (literally, lol) to the doctor for testing. It's a tumor, a small but messy one. I'll be headed in for more testing (to determine staging and lymph node involvement etc) and then picking an oncologist.

I'm upset, sure, but surprisingly at peace. I had a "dry run" two years ago, and I've learned so much about this particular cancer. It's true: knowledge is empowerment.

Since this is a diet blog first and foremost, I'm going to mention that for about 5 weeks now I've been eating as few carbs as possible. This WOE is called VLC or ZC for Very Low Carb and Zero Carb.

You might ask why?

I was amazed to find a few months ago, the discovery by Dr. Otto Warburg that cancer feeds on sugar.

If you are a total brainiac, here's a link for you

If you prefer a shorter, easier to read and understand synopsis, try this one.

Considering my Metabolic Syndrome and concurrent hyperinsulinemia (insulin resistance) and knowing that my body already has a blood sugar malfunction, it only makes sense that continuing to consume as few carbs as possible makes the most sense for me now. ALL carbs convert to glucose and then triglycerides. The last thing I need is to give this cancer what it really wants: glucose!

What my daily diet looks like now:

B: usually 2 eggs and bacon. Sometimes leftover roast beef or steak.

L: More steak usually. Yes, I eat the fat.

D: Roast beef, steak or turkey. Chicken in any form has totally lost it's luster for me lately.

I have discovered pemmican, too. I like it a lot!

Before you say "Egad, woman!! Don't you know red meat causes cancer??" please do some research. Make it unbiased research, please. Read Gary Taubes "Good Calories Bad Calories", Dr. Barry Groves "Trick and Treat" and some of the information on these blogs before you declare I've lost my mind:

http://www.biblelife.org/stefansson1.htm

http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/2006/05/how-about-zero-carb-carniverous-diet.html

http://drbass.com/stefansson1.html

In addition, I started 2 weeks ago on a course of Essiac, and take two glasses daily of KyoGreen Harvest Blend drink. I also drink 2 ounces daily of a special Acai drink, and have added turmeric to the many other supplements I take daily. Just covering all bases if I can.

Will I do this exclusively forever? Not likely. In fact who knows what I'll feel like eating while on chemo!! But for now, this is the path I've chosen. I hope it helps.

Happy New Year, Ya'll!

2009-01-10T10:29:00.009-05:00

Ok, ok. So I've been watching too much Paula Deen on TV over the holidays.

Just thought I'd pop in with a New Year's update. Not a lot new on the homefront these days other than the shiny new calendars on the walls. Don't you love new calendars? My faves are the ones with babies on them, or puppies.

The weight loss/low carb thing is going slowly. Having read the Diet Cure by Julia Ross just before Christmas, I'm concentrating on healing my metabolism these days far more than trying to lose at any cost. I'm eating a few more carbs than I was. 30-50 a day average. Dr. Broda Barnes the great thyroid researcher and doctor recommended higher carbs for his hypothyroid/Hashimoto's patients, so that's what I'm doing. I'm actually eating more than I did the past year.

A couple months ago, I discovered that my beloved coffee was making my GERD worse! I gave up coffee and voila, hardly any reflux or heartburn issues since the second day. If you have GERD, you may want to consider giving up coffee. I've discovered the joys of a nice cup of Vanilla Chai tea in the morning, with a bit of heavy cream and stevia.

For many of us, New Year's means New Year's Resolutions. My only New Year's Resolution is not to have any resolutions :-) I decided to begin changing my life and health for the better 2 years ago after a brush with cancer. I'm still on that same path: seeking wellness in whatever ways I can and trying to reverse the damage all my years of uneducated eating have wreaked on my poor body.

For those following the Kimkins debacle, here is an excellent year-end wrap up that bears repeating:
2008: A Kimkins Year in Review
As always, great job, Cleo!

One very interesting diet-related topic I want to share. Did you hear about the lady doctor in Fla. who gave her Alzheimer's husband MCT oil which began immediately correcting his cognitive deficits?

My husband was beginning to show some alarming signs of forgetfulness this fall and winter. Putting his clothing away in the hallway coat closet, losing keys nearly every day, misplacing his wallet, etc. Having trouble remembering dates and plans we had just talked about a day or so ago. So I bought him some MCT oil and he has been using it daily since Mid December. It really has made a difference!

I've been using regular virgin coconut oil myself for going on 2 years now for many reasons. But this was the first time I'd heard of the medium chain triglycerides actually helping to diminish signs of dementia or Alzheimer's. I hope the medical community will pay close attention to this new evidence. Alzheimer's is a horrid disease. We know firsthand: my mother in law died from it 2 years ago.

Hopefully I'll be back soon crowing about my new low weight on the scale. But for now, I'm eating healthfully and trying hard to be patient.

Hooray for Doctors like William Davis!

2008-10-24T15:40:00.012-04:00

And a thanks is in order to Nancy LC on Active Low Carber forum for reminding me what an excellent blog he has.

So I'm starting this week by posting my last labs:
Total Cholesterol = 377
HDL = 53
LDL = 281
Trig = 214
Ratio: 7.11

This is really a wake-up call for me. My cholesterol labs have been horrid for years, so this isn't a huge shock or anything. I was on Lipitor for years. They switched me to Vytorin for a while when I complained that I hurt all over and besides my numbers still weren't good. Finally I did the research for myself and found out about the statin scam being perpetrated on our country by the pharmaceutical industry and it's largely cooperative handmaidens, our family doctors.

My regular physician is just horrified that I continue to flaunt death in the face by not taking at least Crestor, which in her opinion "may save my life".

Oh, and while I'm at it, let me mention that none of my doctors in 25 years or so has ever optimized my thyroid. But I digress.....

The reason these last numbers are a wake-up call is because:

1) I really did think that low carbing would cure my cholesterol issues
2) I now know that high triglycerides are more a risk marker for heart disease than high LDL.
3) I also know that hypothyroidism leads to poor blood lipids. A connection, that, I'm very sorry to say none of my doctors ever pointed out or seemed to acknowledge.

And with all this in mind, it's more proof that my Metabolic Syndrome is not under control yet.

So I'm pulling out all the stops.

Starting this week, I'm taking 5600 mg of Carlson fish oil daily. 500 mg Slo-Niacin (and upping that to 1000 mg daily starting today hoping the flushing doesn't drive me nuts). 8000 mg of Vitamin D3 and all this is in addition to the supplements I have already been taking.

I'm having my hormone doctor manage my thyroid from now on. SHE GETS IT!!! I had a very nice visit with her the other day and she acknowledged that there is certainly a correlation between my non-optimized thyroid labs and my poor blood lipids. She wrote me a prescription for 60mg of Armour to be taken twice a day. THANK YOU, Dr. Glaser.

I'm hoping that all of this will also lead to some victories in my weight loss battle, too.

What do you say....

2008-10-17T16:59:00.014-04:00

When you've got mucha nothin' to say?

Ah well, let's give it a try anyway. It's been a while.

First of all, it's been an interesting year for those following the Kimkins saga. We've just passed the first anniversary of the filing of the lawsuit against Heidi Diaz for fraud. She recently filed a countersuit that has been commented on in several of my friend's blogs in the Anti-KK blogosphere.

My personal dieting journey hasn't been real successful by some standards, but at least I got my labs back this week that show that I seem to be avoiding Type II Diabetes - can I hear an AMEN?! My metabolic resistance is resisting arrest, sad to say.

I haven't lost any more weight, but at least I haven't gained any back, either. This is going on record as the world's longest low carb stall in history. I can thank all the yo-yo starvation dieting I've done since I was about 14 for this, apparently. Kimkins was the icing on the cake, but I know time and good healthy habits and eating will heal my broken metabolism.

I'm now following Dr. William Davis' HeartScan blog and trying to incorporate some of his nutritional and supplement advice. I'm going to be adding a lot more fish oil, start back on niacin therapy, and upping my Vitamin D3 and get some more testing done next week.

On a sad note, Jimmy Moore's brother Kevin passed on this week. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this sad time.

I'm going to be hooking up this evening with some buds from Low Carb Friends forum for dinner. That should be fun. If I don't forget my camera, I may even have some photos to post soon.

That's all for now. (told ya!)

Why We Fight

2008-05-21T11:13:00.000-04:00

Not much time to post today, but I want to link to a very important post by a friend.

Cleochatra has one of the quirkiest wits I have encountered in years. I enjoy her blog regularly and since she has gone back to Atkins and discovered the Oopsie Roll and all it's wonderful variations (in addition to developing some amazing low carb recipes like Cauliflower Birthday Cake with Cauliflower Frosting) she is developing quite a following among serious low carb folks.

But today she has had another one of her more thought-provoking articles published and I think it's important enough to link and share here, too.

Warning, graphic content.

(oh, and yeah, I was just kidding about the Cauliflower cake and icing. But seriously, other stuff just as good!)

"This is what I did wrong:" in Kimmer's words

2008-05-17T16:34:00.000-04:00

Found today on Deedlynn's blog:

"This is what I did wrong:

1) I used model photos to show Kimkins possibilities
2) I exaggerated my personal weight loss

That’s it. Hand to God, that’s it."

Well, you knew this had to happen didn't you?

And now, for the REST OF THE STORY:

"Ok, well except I guess I DID promote the daily use of watered down or partial doses of laxatives to keep "potty issues" at bay and to keep that scale number moving down. But that's it. Hand to God, that's it.

"Oh well yes, ok, one more thing. I have frequently counseled Kimkins members to cut out beef, cut out cream, cut out butter, cut out yogurt, cut out cheese, cut out coconut oil (what is that about?), when they complained to me about not losing weight as fast as I promised. Well sure, they have to cut calories to continue to lose weight, isn't that obvious? But, that’s it. Hand to God, that’s it.

"Dispersing assets? Well...yes, I did do that. Ok, yes I did buy a new car .... ok yes, two cars with cash and a house but that's it. Hand to God....

"Ban people from my site who were paid lifetime members? For no reason other than my whims? ooooook....yes, but that's it. Hand to God, that's it.

"Lied at my deposition? Um. Well. Sez the 'haters'? Oh you mean the attorney also sez that? Sure- he would. Oh you mean, I admitted it on video and you saw that? Um..ok. but you know...That’s it. Hand to God, that’s it."

Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
Anyone care to add a few I might have left out? Comments welcomed.

I Made a Difference for That One....

2008-05-16T15:12:00.000-04:00

I am reminded today of a poignant story that is a favorite of our pastor's:

The Starfish Story by Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”I made a difference for that one.”

This is what we are doing when we tell the truth about the Kimkins diet disaster. Just this week I'm witnessing over and over how much good it does to continue to tell the truth even when those hearing it may not want to hear it at first. AmyB calls it "picking flowers" when she helps pull another Kimkinite out of the bondage and lies of the starvation diet site run by scammer Heidi Diaz.

Today I read a post on LCF by Christin who got a heartwarming email just today from someone who read the truth on her blog and chose a healthier way to lose weight. Just when you think nobody's listening.....

It happens.

Keep up the good work, Ducks!

Bravo for a Very Well Written Article!!

2008-05-13T10:34:00.000-04:00

Kimkins: Big Fat Fraud?

One of the best synopses I have read to date. Excellent work!

Medusa: COLD CASE FILE: THE CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS KIMKINS WOMAN...CONTEST !!!

2008-05-13T10:33:00.000-04:00

Way to breathe life back into the investigation, Medusa!

One of the missing pieces of the Kimkins fraud puzzle has been the identity of the woman in the patio chair. Many of us have searched in some pretty far-flung places for this photograph.

Join the search today and win a prize!!

Medusa: COLD CASE FILE: THE CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS KIMKINS WOMAN...CONTEST !!!

Time for a Brief Update

2008-05-10T21:33:00.000-04:00

I don't even pretend to be able to keep up with all the Kimkins updating, education and information presented by my respected blogging pals. I simply don't have the time and anyway, by the time I've thought of it...they've got it covered. So I defer to them.

But a shout out is in order, and kudos to those who have been steadily at work bringing down the Kimpire.

My weight loss journey is and has been at a standstill for some 9 months. Oh, a bit here and a bit there, but no net losses that stay. The same 4-6 lbs on again and off again since I quit the Kimkins starvation diet.

On a positive note: I have learned more about what my body will tolerate and won't, and what I need to do to get the scale moving down again. Pure and simple: exercise. This is the time of year that makes that easier, at least. Mostly it's a lifestyle thing with me. I work on the computer or in my studio averaging about 10 hours a day. No excuses, that's just the way it is.

But with spring in the air and summer gardening beckoning, it's going to be easier to push away from the computer desk or the work table and get outside and move. The pool will warm up, so I can swim. The babies will be here 3 days a week so I can walk them and chase a toddler again. All good things for this old sedentary grandmother.

I'm feeling so good it's obscene :-) I thank my new hormone doctor, Rebecca Glaser, MD for working with me on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. She is a huge proponent of the way I'm eating these days, and that helps a lot.

I'm also taking 5-HTP and melatonin for sleep. Wonderful stuff that is! I take handfuls of supplements and a couple of prescription meds daily. Some fight cancer (see my previous blog posts for why), some are for weightloss, some are hormones, and some are to help regulate blood sugar and insulin.

I'm still lowcarbing of course. I know it's the way for me. When I go off plan on purpose, the reminders are loud and clear. Bloating, gas, sleepiness after meals, lethargy, headaches and sugar cravings that are very difficult to ignore. Nope...so not worth it.

I'm going to be starting yet another blog soon. I have recognized lately that I need to deal with my ACOA and codependency issues. I'm in a new support group at church that seems very promising. I still feel I need a place where I can journal about this and I know it's a biggie with lots of people. Addictions are addictions and I'm no different than anyone. I need to fully explore my eating habits and preferences alongside the issues that belong to the wife of a part-time functioning alcoholic. So when I have that one up and running I'll post a link.

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. God bless and have a wonderful weekend.

The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act

2008-03-26T14:32:00.000-04:00

From the "If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention files" comes the material I'm posting about today.

As the niece of two lovely women who died prematurely from breast cancer, and the cousin of another lady who - thank God - is a survivor of breast cancer, I have to weigh in on this issue and share a couple of links with you.

From a nurse:

"I'll never forget the look in my patients eyes when I had to tell them they hadto go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the Doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, onlyto hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patients, giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank You' they muttered. A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a Mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery."

It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. For the love of women everywhere, please take the 30 seconds to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.

There's a bill called the Breast CancerPatient Protection Act which will require Insurance Companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy.

It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctors, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached. Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.

PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the Web site below.

http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php

PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends and family, and on behalf of all women, THANKS.

I Can't Resist!!

2008-02-05T19:48:00.000-05:00

Oh gosh, this is rich.

Our favorite fraudulent internet diet guru, Kimmer, has posted the goofiest thing on her blog today.

People who are "interested" in losing weight:

1. Stick with it until something better comes along Yeah, like Atkins. Or Protein Power! In fact there are many *better* choices and the sooner people find them, the less damage they will do to themselves.

2. Take action only if they "feel like" doing it Right. I feel like not starving myself on eggwhites today, so I won't. Call me stubborn that way.

3. Need to see results in order to stay motivated uh....duh!! Isn't this why we wanted to lose a lb a day on KK?

4. Blame people or circumstances for their struggles Yeah, like a 300 lb internet diet guru who has defrauded thousands. Noooo...let's not blame Kimmer.

5. Easily give up when they face challenges Sheesh....those pesky heart palpitations and gallstones again. Hunger? Dizzy spells? Nausea? Geez...what wimps.

People who are "committed" to losing weight:

1. Stick with their plans not matter what Ignore that hair in the drain!! Those heart palpitations mean nothing I tell you! NOTHING!!

2. Take action whether they feel like doing it or not No matter what anyone says or how I may feel by GOD I will NOT eat more than 500 calories today and you cannot make me!!!!

3. Assume that if they stay motivated, result will follow Motivated. By a Lying Liar Who Lies? **snicker** You never did and CANNOT NOW follow your own diet. Who isn't motivated, Hidey?

4. Take responsibility for their own actions. Instead of blaming a 300 lb internet diet guru for defrauding them, perhaps?

5. Keep going in spite of challenges and setbacks ...or even a hospital visit or two. What the heck.

I have no idea what's been going on out there in California, but I have a sneaking suspicion that our dear Kimmer is feeling some heat. Her last few posts at the Kimkins forum have been sugary enough to send my blood sugar into orbit. Gack!!!! Call the dentist - my teeth hurt.

She's marshalling her forces by playing the "Poor Dumb Me I Can't Lose Weight" card. Pulling out all the stops in garnering sympathy from her members.

Something's up, I have a feeling.

Helping Out a Friend!

2008-01-17T14:25:00.000-05:00

"Got Video? Do you have photos that you would like to make into a picture slideshow for your Valentine? Did your family film an old birthday party that needs some continuity?
I need your help!

I’m holding a fire sale. I can edit your video, photo, or both into a DVD. We can add titles, and make your home movie something everyone will enjoy.
I can load your video onto youtube as well if you wish."

Please click here to get the rest of the story :-)

Are You A Kimkins Survivor? Ready to Tell the World?

2008-01-15T21:55:00.000-05:00

We finally have National Media Attention!

"Please, if you have or had any medical issues related to following the Kimkins diet, contact KimkinsonABC@gmail.com within the next 48 hours.

No travel will be required, an ABC crew will come to you to discuss your experience.

If you know of anyone who fits the above-mentioned medical criteria, please share this contact information with them for this important opportunity."

I know there are survivors out there. Read more here and please, if you can help - DO!

How Do You Say Goodbye?

2008-01-08T17:52:00.001-05:00

How do you say goodbye to a friend who never gave you one moment's
heartache or trouble for 14 years?

How do you say goodbye to that special one who always greeted you at the door with some "gift", no matter how small, whether it be a slip of paper that she found on the floor, a sock, a squeaky toy...always something in greeting.

Always a unique "Woo Woo Woo!!" and her little "welcome home"
rocking-back-and-forth funny dance.

How do you say goodbye to your first Golden, the puppy who came into your empty arms, feeling like a gift from heaven, when the doctor told you you'd never have another child?

How do you say goodbye to one of the few in your life that truly personified the meaning of unconditional LOVE?

This past Saturday night, while grooming my dogs, I made a horrifying discovery on my oldest Golden, Missy Sue.

Friday, Missy turned 14. She'd been slowing down recently and it seemed to us that it was accelerating. Still, we chalked it up to increasing stiffness in her hindquarters due to advancing arthritis.

Nothing in my imagination had prepared me for what I saw when I rolled my dog over.

A huge red, inflamed mammary tumor. And it was bleeding. How could this thing have appeared seemingly overnight? Her last bath was after Thanksgiving. There was nothing there then. In fact, she got a lot of belly rubbing attention on Christmas too, from other members of the family. Nothing was seen or felt then.

My poor Missy Sue. I broke down in tears. My 6 years as a veterinary clinic assistant/mgr. and Golden Retriever breeder told me this was the worst possible finding.

I cleaned her up as best I could and gave her an extra Rimadyl. And then I cried and cried....
How could this day be here so soon?

It seemed just a few short years ago, she was that rambunctious puppy who could uproot a miniature rosebush without breaking stride and run all the way across the yard with it, us chasing her and laughing the whole way.

Wasn't it just a few days ago that she adopted an orphaned 3 day old border collie mix puppy and nursed her, raising her like her own?

Was it really 5 years ago that she climbed into the whelping box with our other female Golden's litter and calmly began wet-nursing that brood of 9 puppies while their dam, Ginger Mae suffered with post-caesarian mastitis and then severe eclampsia?

Wasn't it just yesterday we showed her our new grandbaby and she took that first gentle warm lick and lost her big old heart to Aubrey Elizabeth Davis?

Oh, the memories that came flooding in....

All day Sunday we thought about it, talked about it. Missy could hardly get up! She went outside, and laid down in the wet grass, in the rain. She needed help getting back up. She refused dinner that night. Whatever it was, was ravaging her quickly. We decided that surgery and treatment were probably not an option, although we'd get the vet's best opinion on Monday.

Monday afternoon, my fears were confirmed. Not the best circumstances to meet a new veterinarian. It was a huge and obviously aggressive tumor. The prognosis, she told us, even with immediate surgery, was very dim. But if we wanted, she could run some tests and possibly suggest surgery.

It was tempting to take ahold of the tiny straw of hope she held out.

But I looked deeply into Missy's eyes. There I saw in the liquid brown
depths a plea:
"And, my friend, when I am very old, and no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Please see that my trusting life is
taken gently.

I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands."

It was so tempting to give in to my understandable (but ultimately selfish) desire to keep my "Old Girlfriend" with us another year or even months longer.

But I'd made a vow long ago to myself, while holding countless other pet owner's hands, handing out fresh tissues in those countless heart-rending moments at other clinics where I had worked:
"Dear Lord, when my time comes to make this decision, please give me the strength and the wisdom to know and to let go and do the right thing. The loving thing."

I used to tell Dr. Beall, "You know I'm going to be a basket case when my turn to do this comes." He used to nod knowingly. He'd walked this road with his treasured Golden friend, "Harvest".

Perhaps he'll read this blog and he'll understand, though. Dr. Beall, I now know how it feels.

Missy Sue breathed her last in my arms, with my husband stroking her soft ears in just the way she loved, hearing us whisper how very much we loved her and always would.

Go to God, Mrs. Woo.

They say memories are golden
Well, maybe that is true.
I never wanted memories,
I only wanted you.

In life I loved you dearly,
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
No one could ever fill.

Comprehensive Listing Of Kimkins Information Sites

2007-12-26T20:12:00.000-05:00

Thanks to HoneyBee who has been compiling this list of sites, blogs and forums for months now!
And thanks to the tireless bloggers and article writers who are doing all they can to chip away at the Evil Kimpire.

Kimkins Exposed
Anti-Kimkins
Becky: Winning Weight
Christin: The Journey
Deni: Open Bench
Free Kimkins Free
Jimmy Moore’s Apology
Kimkins @ Slamboard
Kimkins Controversy
Kimkins Dangers
Kimkins Sucks!
Kimkins Survivors
Kimorexia
Kkatastrophediet’s Weblog
TRUTH Starts Here
3 Fat Chicks: Anatomy of a Diet Scam
About.com Inside Kimkins
A Pinch Of…
How Jeanessa Got Scammed
How Much Body Fat Can You Really Lose In A Week?
Jersey Girl: Thoughts on Kimkins
Kimkins Circus
Kimkins Controversy Continues to Boil
Kimkins Debacle; Super Smart Diet Tips
Kimkins Experience Part 1
Kimkins Experience Part 2
Kimkins Saga Revisited
Kimkins Survivors
Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Anorexic
Tami’s Change in Game Plan
The Problem with Kimkins
Thin at Any Cost
A Running Jewel
Kimkins Circus
The Quack of Doom: Entering the circus for the first time?
Once Upon A Diet
Someone in Southern California may need an attorney soon
The Final Escape
melting mama: Kimkins Scam.
Have you ever screamed so loud that the room echoed? « Incredible Shrinking Ladies
Inside the Kimkins Controversy
A Dumbbell In A Home Gym: Kimkins: Caveat Freakin’ Emptor.
Heard of the Kimkins Diet? Steer Clear it’s a total scam!
Vickie’s Voice: …more of my story…
The Road to Clarity and Transformation: The Kimmer (Kimkins) Controversy and a Parallel Universe
Banished…oh Fo’ Shame. not.
a mother’s heart » the kimkins debacle
Vilma’s World » Kimkins on Dateline & other complaints
Because I Said So: KimKims Survivors
Hundred Day Head Start Kimkins a fraud
Healthy Low-Carb Living Blog: Kimkins - How I Feel About It Now
Back Across The Line: Kimkins Cult Mentality
Good Carbma: Words for Heidi Diaz
Living Low Carb & Lovin’ It!: What an Amazing Day This Has Been!
Borat Does Kimkins: Hello From Borat!
Medusa
Kimkins Nightmares
stepping up to the plate « 2big4mysize’s Weblog
mariasol
Kimkins Scam
Willa’s Notebook
Doggy Girl’s Weblog
All About Kimkins & More
Itscloudyinhere’s Weblog
Psychic Rations: The Slimmer Kimmer That Wasn’t
Beware: Kimkins Diet is Dangerous!!: Just Say NO
Kimkins Lies
Sparkly and (soon to be) Skinny!: A new safe haven
Stop Kimkins Now!: Stop Kimkins Now!
Kimkins Soap Opera Story - AnthaBeth’s blog
Kristine’s Low Carb Corner

Time for a Recap!

2007-12-26T14:18:00.001-05:00

Oh my...what a strange and eventful year it has been!

I've taken some time off from reporting on the Kimkins fiasco/scam/fraud. I've been concentrating on doing some undercover work and following things very closely, but I've not blogged or been particularly vocal anywhere in recent weeks.

Now, to make up for my silence (heh) I'm going to share a long list of links to some Anti-Kimkins blogs who have done a rather remarkable job this winter of keeping up with the almost constant developments from the Battle to Take Out Kimkins.com.

But first, with the New Year rapidly approaching, I think it's important to add my voice to the growing number of bloggers who are genuinely concerned about those Oh-So-Familiar New Year's Resolutions.

Yeah, you know the one I mean.

The one we all make, "I'm gonna lose a few (or a lot) of pounds finally this year if it kills me."

Let me share something. I just got back from a visit to a new doctor who specializes in hormone rebalancing. You know what she said to me when I told her about my little Kimkins diet experience? "Oh no!! Diets DO NOT work and neither does cutting fat!"

Folks, I could have cried. Or kissed her. It's a very rare doctor indeed who has moved on beyond the Great American Low Fat Mantra. What an answer to prayer!

Please. Remember her words (this is an MD!): Diets DO NOT work! Neither does cutting out fat!

If you've read any of the rest of my blog, or even the title, you know what's coming next.

It's not FAT that makes us fat. It's insulin. What drives up insulin? Carbs.
It's really very simple. Cut carbs, lose the insulin spikes....lose the fat.

Some good ones to consider:
Protein Power, South Beach, Atkins, Dr. Groves (Natural Health and Weight Loss)....just a few of the lower carb eating plans out there. Do the research, try a low carb eating plan (not a diet....it's not a temporary fix, you need to change your entire way of eating!) and see what a difference low carb eating can make in your waistline, your general mood, your overall health.

And here it comes...the one to AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE is Kimkins. Folks, there is simply no more dangerous, nutritionally-bankrupt diet out there than Kimkins. Seriously!

You can expect to see Heidi Diaz aka "Kimmer" spamming the internet over the next couple months because she needs the business. Most of her previous members have fled. It's a ghost-town in the Kimkins forum. But yanno, it's all about the money for Ms Diaz and you can bet she is ready to PREY on those desperate people who have decided that 2008 is their year to lose the weight and get in shape. JUST SAY NO TO KIMKINS!! I can't say it enough.

Please, I did the diet! I know how bad this one is! As if the fact that the founder herself still weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 morbidly-obese pounds and cannot lose the weight herself, following her own diet, then believe the words of her early admins who fled the site one by one (or were banned for questioning the Mighty Kimmer).

In closing, I want to remind you to check all the new links over on the side menu. And here's to a wonderful, prosperous and healthy New Year to you all in 2008!

ETA: JOIN THE LAWSUIT!

Back to ME :-)

2007-11-03T23:40:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been a really busy month for me, so it's been a while since I last posted.

I have to tell you about this fabulous, stupendous book I just finished reading!! Honestly, in my opinion Gary Taubes deserves the Pulitzer Prize for this amazing expose on diet, nutrition and the medical/scientific juggernaut that for about a hundred years has been promoting the WRONG nutrients - namely carbohydrates - as the mainstay of our diets.

This book angered me.

I admit it. I have a high level of personal justice. I guess I got that from my dad, the attorney and judge. But seriously, in every chapter I became outraged afresh at the way good science has repeatedly been subjugated to foregone conclusions/agendas by scientists and doctors who should have known better!

If you happen to be new to my blog, and if you happen to be unfamiliar with low carb eating, let me put it into a nutshell for you. Sugar, starch and refined carbohydrate, processed foods are literally killing us. I believe that with all my heart.

I sit here today as proof of what a healthy, standard American diet can do to wreak havoc on your waistline and your overall health. I've been quite a health nut for years. I know I've been eating better than most of the people I know. I have always loved whole grains and vegetables. I baked my own whole grain breads. I bought whole-grain cereals. We always ate vegetables and have had a veggie garden since 2000. I didn't eat a LOT of fruit but that's just because it filled me up and I would hate wasting it. I dearly love bananas and citrus fruit, though. My favorite Christmas gift each year is the big box of Albritton's Fresh Citrus fruit sent to us by the in-laws.

In addition to a well-rounded diet with as much organic and unprocessed foods as I have been able to manage in the past few years, I also take quite a few nutritional supplements such as Kyo-Green Harvest Blend and even eat ---- ack!!! ---- tofu! I love sushi. I love raw foods. I could live on salads.

Wouldn't you expect me to be normal or near-normal weight and in the peak of health? Sure you would expect that. But guess what. As Gary Taubes so eloquently said it in his NYTimes article (cited and linked down below a few blogs ago), It's All Been a Big Fat Lie!

I'm at least 40 lbs overweight. I had cancer last year. My fasting blood sugar last time tested was pre-diabetic range. My thyroid is shot. I'm anemic. I have GERD with Barrett's Esophagus, which is precancerous changes of the esophagus. I have Fatty Liver Disease. I've had high cholesterol for at least 10 years and high triglycerides to boot.

Granted, some of this metabolic damage is no doubt due to my fairly frequent attempts over the past 25 years to lose weight. I've almost never done a sensible, slow diet. I always jump on the fastest weightloss promise/fad out there. I acknowledge that I've undoubtedly done a lot of damage with fad dieting. However. What has led to my constant upward spiral of weight gain?

A "healthy diet" laden with carbs.

In June, I told my doctor "no more statins". I was miserable. Every part of my body ached constantly. My feet and ankles HURT in the morning when I got out of bed and put weight on them. Exercising became torturous. I felt fatigued and sick all the time.

Kicking statin drugs to the curb was the first thing I did in taking back control of my health. The second thing I did turned out to not be such a good thing in the short term but I have to say that starting on the Kimkins diet and becoming familiar with Low Carb eating has completely changed not only my outlook on food and nutrition, but my health as well.

In late Sept., having been off the statins for the first time in 2 years, my numbers were slightly improved! One of these days I'll get the previous years' figures and post them here. But I'm happy to report my LDL is up and my triglycerides are down! Just by eating low carb--YAY!

The aches and pains are gone. Now as for my weight, I've only lost 10 lbs and have been stalling for about 3 months. But I now know it's due to my thyroid. I've been taking Synthroid for 25 yrs. Always took the doctor's word for it when they said, "your thyroid's fine" or "we need to make a small adjustment". Well, another thing I've done recently is learn all about hypothyroidism. Two excellent online resources for thyroid disease are here and here.

I insisted on switching to Armour Thyroid. What a difference! I felt better and more energetic within 3 days. Now, 4 weeks later I can feel my body adjusting to the current dosage so I know I'll need to up it soon. But wow, I honestly know why I read testimonials about Armour with people saying "Armour thyroid gave me my life back".

I think each of us deserves the best health information and care we can get. I believe that in this day and age of managed medicine, it behooves each person to learn as much as we can about our health. After all, my doctor has perhaps hundreds of patients to be concerned with. I only have one patient, ME. If I can learn for myself what is best for my body and my health, I will be the best partner to my doctor in creating a healthy lifestyle for myself.

Right now that lifestyle looks like lots of organic meat, brown eggs, cheeses and butter, with loads of fresh green leafy veggies. I wouldn't go back for anything--not even tempted!

Til next time...take care of yourself! Have a great, cool, Fall weekend and don't forget to set your clocks back tonight :-)

Can you say "OH So Busted!"

2007-10-03T15:26:00.000-04:00

It's said the wheels of justice grind slowly but they grind exceeding fine. Well, it appears that Heidi's lies are slowly catching up with her.

There are many other things happening behind the scenes to bring this woman to justice, but for those of us who have been waiting to see the news services pick up this incredible story, today is a Pop The Champagne Day for us all.

Last night, KTLA TV aired Part 1 of a 2 part expose on Heidi Diaz, aka Kimmer.

They do such a good job, I have nothing more to add except, grab that bag of low carb snacks and a glass of tea and get ready to have your socks knocked off!! (wait...I want to say "Well done, HBgal ;-) You did a great job, honey!)

http://ktla.trb.com/news/local/

(you may need to scroll down using the small box titled News Videos to the right of the TV screen to find "KTLA Exclusive!! Internet Diet Scam Scam Exposed" dated October 2.

Part Two is set to air tonight, Oct. 3 at 10 pm, Pacific Time.

If that one doesn't work, try this direct link:

KTLA Exclusive on Kimmer

Want to help stop Kimmer from continuing to perpetrate her fraud and get FILTHY rich selling a life-endangering starvation diet to KIDS? Send the KTLA link to your local news affiliates TODAY. It's time to stop Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz before someone dies.

Edited to add this new link from Slamboard's new YouTUBE video!!

Way to Go Jimmy!!!

2007-09-25T19:58:00.000-04:00

A must read article from Jimmy Moore:

The Kimkins Calamity: From Merely A Raw Business Deal To A Really Big Danger

"As much as I have tried to distance myself from the still growing controversy over the low-carb imposter diet known as Kimkins since my public apology for once supporting it nearly two months ago, new revelations that cannot be ignored keep bringing it back to the forefront and warrant further exposure here. THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO JUST IGNORE!"

Please click on the link above to read the rest of this excellent blog.

Help.....I've been assimilated.....

2007-09-25T13:01:00.000-04:00

Rarely in my adult life have I been so consumed with interest over anything like I have the ongoing saga of the Kimkins diet internet-scandal!

Each day I say I'm not going to spend time on the various blogs and forums catching up on the latest updates. Each day I get sucked back in...this thing is truly a trainwreck and an on-going one at that. Just can't....look away........

I guess the last time I spent this much time online and posting about a topic was Hurricane Katrina. That event grabbed me by the heartstrings and just would NOT let go. I ended up going to Baton Rouge in Sept. of 05 with a group of people helping out with the rescue effort.

Anyway, because I told so many folks about this awful starvation-based dangerous diet plan when I was first on it and losing a pound a day, I guess I feel a moral obligation to continue to shout it from the housetops that YOU DO NOT WANT TO TRY KIMKINS. Do NOT pay that woman $60 of your hard-earned money!!

I just read that Christin was taken to the hospital yesterday with chest pains and stomach pains. Christin, you will be in my prayers. Remember, God is able!

I want to encourage anyone who would like to get involved in doing something concrete to shut down Kimkins forever. You can always send emails to places that come up in Google or other search engines that are affiliated or have links to Kimkins (in other words, all pro-KK sites).

Here is an example of a letter I have been sending out to celebrity publicists and diet websites who continue to promote Kimkins:

Hello,
I'm writing to alert you to a fraudulent and dangerous starvation diet plan (not just low carb, but very low carb, low calorie and low fat) which you are encouraging by (put in appropriate verbiage here such as links to pages, etc).

Three of the original Kimkins "headliner" administration/success stories has since left Kimkins, and in fact they each have ongoing blogs explaining what a terrible mistake their involvement was with Kimkins and Heidi Diaz, the 300lb+ scammer behind the diet.

If you wish to research further, please go to these sites:

http://kimkinsexposed.wordpress.com/

http://winningweight.blogspot.com/

http://kimkinsdangers.blogspot.com/

http://the-journey-on.blogspot.com/

http://openbench.blogspot.com/

http://kimkinssurvivors.wordpress.com/

http://www.3fatchicks.com/Diets/Diet_Articles/Kimkins%3A_Anatomy_of_a_Diet_Scam/

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/b/a/257651.htm

....and as you can see, there are so many more!

Thank you for your time,

A very concerned ex-Kimkins member and concerned citizen

Feel free to copy and personalize this letter--but most importantly, SEND IT!

Another excellent thing to do is start your own blog. Particularly if you have a story to tell about how Kimkins affected your life.

Here is a current list of blogs and sites devoted to legal action and exposing Kimkins, Heidi Diaz and Kimmer:

BLOGROLL:
Anti-Kimkins
Becky: Winning Weight
Christin: The Journey
Deni: Open Bench
Free Kimkins Free
Jimmy Moore's Apology
Kimkins @ Slamboard
Kimkins Controversy
Kimkins Dangers
Kimkins Sucks!
Kimkins Survivors
Kimorexia
Kkatastrophediet’s Weblog
TRUTH Starts Here

FORUMS:

Active Low-Carber Part 1
Active Low-Carber Part 2
Active Low-Carber Part 3
Active Low-Carber Part 4
Discouraging the Kimkins Diet
Why the Fascination with Kimmer Part 1
Why the Fascination with Kimmer Part 2
Why the Fascination with Kimmer Part 3
Wonder or Diet Fraud

KIMKINS EXPOSE:

3 Fat Chicks: Anatomy of a Diet Scam
A Pinch Of...
About.com Inside Kimkins
How Jeanessa Got Scammed
How Much Body Fat Can You Really Lose In A Week?
Jersey Girl: Thoughts on Kimkins
Kimkins Circus
Kimkins Controversy Continues to Boil
Kimkins Debacle; Super Smart Diet Tips
Kimkins Experience Part 1
Kimkins Experience Part 2
Kimkins Saga Revisited
Kimkins Survivors
Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Anorexic
Tami's Change in Game Plan
The Problem with Kimkins
Thin at Any Cost

KIMKINS LAWSUIT:

Kimkins Lawsuit Weblog

Kudos To 3 Ladies!

2007-09-06T13:26:00.000-04:00

I think it only fitting today, in the aftermath of yesterday's devastating news about the founder of the Kimkins diet, to simply share a link to Christin's blog today with her latest comments.

Also, Deni's blog
and Becky's blog

Publicly, I want to say I support Deni, Becky and Christin for doing what's right. They have my deepest respect and support at this most difficult and soul-searching time.

I wish them well in their future endeavors. With the valuable knowledge these ladies have gained about dieting and nutrition, they may be in a good position to continue to bring the truth about any detrimental type of diet such as Kimkins.

What an Amazing Day This Has Been!

2007-09-05T18:54:00.000-04:00

Along with much of the rest of the low carb world, I was stunned, shocked and yes - even saddened today to read the latest revelations about "Kimkins" diet founder, Heidi Diaz.

Well, I paid my $60 and that's money I'll never see again. I wish I'd been patient and wise enough to research the diet and it's founder before shelling out my money. Lesson learned. I hope visitors to my blog who are considering Kimkins will realize that it's based on a sham, and that's in addition to being a rather risky way of eating.

They say "the proof of the pudding is in the eating".

Ironically, Heidi Diaz may just be the victim of her own poor dieting choices over the years. We know that ultra low calorie, low fat, low carb diets lead to metabolic shutdown, muscle wasting, inability to lose on ever-lowered caloric intake, hypothyroidism....just to name a few of the ills.

I've been following various blogs and forums off and on for a couple of hours, and wanted to especially make a note of this excellent and timely article by Jacqueline Eberstein, RN:

Kimkins is not Atkins

I think it's very wise of the Atkins folks to clarify that Kimkins, despite the similar-sounding name and despite Kimmer's claims that her diet incorporates many of the Atkins principles--is in fact, NOT a respectable, sound way of eating as Atkins diet has proven to be.

I wonder what surprises the next few days will hold. Wow.

Silent No More

2007-08-31T16:03:00.000-04:00

In good conscience, I can't keep silent about the Kimkins diet any longer.

Yes, I tried Kimkins back in June and July.

Yes, I lost weight, about 14 lbs in about 3 weeks.

Yes, I paid $60 to belong to a forum for support and encouragement along with the dietary guidelines published by "Kimmer", the screenname of Heidi Diaz, whose reputation in the low carb world has....ermmm....fallen into some disrepute lately.

I thought it was the best solution to overweight I'd ever heard.

I got sucked in by promises (and results) of quick weightloss with no exercise.

I'm not a patient person, so this appealed to me enormously. When I do anything important, I tend to go "whole hog" and overboard sometimes. Plus, I travel a lot, and when I'm home it's hard to find time to work out. Oh, this diet just sounds like a dream come true, doesn't it?

I didn't know enough about dieting in general to know any better, so when the pounds began falling off I was raving, excited and told a lot of people about Kimkins. I had no idea what was coming....

At week 3*, my weight loss stopped. I began questioning Kimmer and the admins on the forum. Their advice was "drop your carbs, drop your fats..."that food" isn't allowed on Kimkins etc."

This meant, in a practical sense, drop your calories. So I did. For a little while I dropped my daily caloric intake to approximately 600-800 per day.

How did I feel?

Ravenously hungry. My stomach growled almost constantly. Deciding it was time to kick up my exercise routine a notch, I tried to work out one day on the elliptical machine at the Y (I'd been walking at least a mile a day or every other day at that time in my hilly neighborhood). After about 6-7 minutes I was getting woozy, my knees felt like jello, and I couldn't see straight. I decided to finish my workout on a treadmill. I took it easy, but only could finish another 4 minutes before the dizziness and weakness in my legs made me a little scared and I stopped.

My daughter, the RN, who was working out with me said "Mom, you look kind of funny, are you ok? Maybe you better sit down and just drink some water." Red Flag #1

Oddly enough...the weight loss never resumed. Even at lowered calories. Red Flag #2

Shortly after that day at the Y (I didn't make the connection between my caloric intake and the failed workout) I began experiencing what felt like gallbladder attacks. My GERD was out of control and I had to begin taking double my daily dose of Nexium. Red Flag #3

I began adding some fat back into my diet, knowing by that time that keeping your gallbladder "out of work" is not advisable. Of course this upped my caloric intake considerably.

I began to think...it must be the diet. I didn't want to quit. I wanted to keep going. I desperately wanted to lose weight--still do!

But then I began looking around on the internet. I found a couple of low-carb support forums and to my surprise (and horror) it turned out that on a couple of them, Kimkins as a WOE was somewhat frowned upon by experienced low carbers. Red Flag #4

What???? Why??

I needed to find out why.

The more I looked the worse it got.

Kimkins Controversy

Kimkins Dangers

Kimkins Survivors

...and there are more. Links on all those blogs will open your eyes.

When Jimmy Moore pulled his affiliation and posted his apology to the low carb world, I knew it was time for a serious personal reality check.

There are many bloggers who have explained just why Kimkins is such a dangerous dietary plan. I won't attempt to explain the medicine and science of it here.

Suffice it to give you some important links:
VP Health & Fitness

Burn The Fat blog

Most of what's wrong with Kimkins is stated over and over again in the books I've been reading. Kimmer (Heidi) claims to have cobbled together her WOE from Stillman's and Atkins and then tweaked it into something she calls her own. I haven't read Stillman's Diet but I have now read Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, and I assure you, although the similarities are there between Atkins Induction program and Kimkins - she removed some of the most important nutritional considerations that Dr Atkins insisted on.

Inside the Kimkins organization, there's an ongoing shakeup in the administrative section. Becky (aka Littlebit on the KK forum) has been banned for 'differences of opinion'. Amy (aka Curlygirl) long a forum regular and excellent cook with her own site--is now MIA from Kimkins forum. I don't know for sure but I think maybe some of the Kimkins insiders, even those who did take the weight off with her program and are now trying to maintain their weight, are beginning to see the light.

The bottom line is, Heidi Diaz continues to promote and make a lot of money from her dangerously low calorie-low fat-lowcarb-no exercise needed** crash diet, and people are calling her on the carpet about it.

Just because *some* of the Kimkins followers are enjoying some weight loss success (yes, there are some), I predict that sooner or later most of them will experience metabolic slowdown, thyroid problems, electrolyte derangements, hormonal imbalances, muscle-mass wasting, and many other long term health problems.

Just because it's not happening to them TODAY doesn't make this diet safe!

We're talking long term dangerous effects. Life changing disability or death may result from following any low carb-lowfat-low calorie diet!!

Just because people drink and drive and live to tell about it - does NOT make drinking and driving safe!

Just because people experiment with illegal drugs and live to tell about it - does NOT make illegal and recreational drug use SAFE.

Kimkins, as with any other RISKY behavior, may not kill you today...you may feel ok today and maybe tomorrow and maybe even, if you're really healthy and lucky next month....but sooner or later, as my mom always said....the chickens WILL come home to roost.

*I didn't know that most weight loss in the first week-10 days is WATER!

** Even Dr Atkins advocates exercise! In fact, almost every book I've read recently advocates exercise--not so much to burn calories but for toning, and feeling better and building muscle mass which BURNS calories even at rest. Among other health benefits....

Hey, Happy Labor Day Weekend to all. Be Safe!

Good News...Bad News

2007-08-30T18:11:00.000-04:00

Good News Today: BP back to normal for me: 118/76 - Yay!

And there's more good news. Seems that my low carb/high fat diet has pretty much eliminated my GERD. I haven't needed or taken my Nexium in nearly two weeks. I give most of the credit to virgin coconut oil which I began eating in various forms almost a month ago.

Now the bad news :-(

My fasting blood glucose level was 108 a couple weeks ago. Mind you, this is about 6 weeks into low carb dieting.

Not good. This all fits the picture I suspected. I probably do have Syndrome X, or insulin resistance. No huge surprise there, given my years of near-vegetarianism and pigging out on such dietary staples as brown and basmati rice, pasta, popcorn and homemade whole-grain breads.

Furthermore we now know my thyroid medication is also insufficient. I have been reading up voraciously on thyroid disease so I can really talk turkey with my internal medicine doc. Now it seems I'd best educate myself well on pre-diabetes as well.

Once again, I hope and pray I've dodged a bullet. The "cure" for pre-diabetes, insulin resistance is - yep, you guessed it - low carb eating.

Here's a link to a very interesting and important bit of information. Happy Reading and have a fun and safe Labor Day Weekend, all. God bless :-)

Learn Sumpin' New Every Day!

2007-08-22T18:07:00.000-04:00

I must say, this past couple of weeks I have learned more about nutrition, diet, fat, carbohydrates, coconut oil yada yada than I ever knew in my entire life!

My recent reading list (in red, not finished yet)
Living the Low Carb Life - Bowden
The Protein Power Lifeplan - Eades
Eat Fat, Lose Fat - Enig & Fallon
Life Without Bread - Allan
Coconut Cures - Fife
Natural Health and Weight Loss - Groves
The Fat Flush Foods - Gittleman
Heartburn Cured (The Low Carb Miracle) - Robillard
Apple Cider Vinegar Miracle Health System - Bragg

And this doesn't even begin to cover all the blogs, low carb discussion forums etc that I've frequented. Whew...time to get a life!!
Like anything else new to me, if it catches my interest then look out...I get obsessive about it for a while.

Notice I've been skirting all the way around Atkin's publications and haven't included them in my new LC library. Hmmmm......maybe I'm just working my way backwards.

Several things have become clear to me.

I have a fat addiction. Oh yeah, you can take away my sugar and my bread. Keep the cookies and birthday cake, donuts don't impress me none (Shania Twain tune), but DO NOT TOUCH MY BUTTER. I want some cream with that fruit, and virgin coconut oil could have cyanide in it...but I think maybe I would still eat it every day now that I've discovered it.

Dr. Barry Groves and I would get along just fine. I like his philosophy and my goodness I do hope he's right. I hope Bruce Fife is right too. Now the Coconut Cures book just floored me with all the claim for virgin coconut oil and coconut products. I will continue to pursue that track.

I've also discovered (about myself) that I have been skating real close to the edge, sometimes going right over the line.

I guess I need some super self-discipline from somewhere, but I haven't been able to find it at Vitacost, Netrition, or Google it anywhere :-(

On the health front: found out I'm undermedicated for my hypothyroid problem. Great. Just what you want to hear when you've been on a diet for almost 3 months and have lost a total of about 10 lbs and that was the first 2 weeks. At any rate, I've got my internist looking into it. Hopefully she and I can come up with a plan. Or an endocrinologist!

Today is the first day of Atkins Fat Fast for me. I'm not sure I'll be able to tough it out but I'm gonna try.

Well that's it for today. Have a good one and stay cool!

Compelling Reading!!

2007-08-14T18:29:00.000-04:00

I mainly wanted to post a link to an excellent, thought-provoking article today. It came out in July 2002. I personally think it's one of the most interesting weightloss pieces I have ever read.

"What If It's All Been A Big Fat Lie?" by Gary Taubes

EEEWWWW! Fatty Liver??? (not what you think!)

2007-08-10T18:28:00.000-04:00

Yikes.

I just got off the phone with my gastroenterologist's office nurse. Seems I have a condition called "fatty liver". Here is what I was able to find online about this condition:
Merck.com

CNN.com (reprint from Mayo Clinic article)

Now I know I've had the risk elements in place for this for a long time, namely high serum cholesterol and high triglycerides. Thank heaven, I don't drink anymore (rarely).

I'm happy to note from several sites that a high fat diet isn't responsible for the formation of this problem. The treatment IS losing weight and getting blood lipids under control - EXACTLY what I am trying to do by following a low carb diet!

I also have what they say is a small lesion on my liver. Now that I hope turns out to be nothing serious. Time will tell.

I'm feeling those same goose-bumpy feelings about all this that I got when they discovered my cancer. I was already determined to lose weight, have been low-carb eating since June, and then I find out I'm already doing the very thing they recommend to reverse fatty liver.

God is so good to tell us things we need, even when we think we *thought of it* ourselves ;-D

What an interesting Journey this is turning into!

2007-07-21T16:27:00.000-04:00

Criminy. I had no idea how many iterations and versions there were of the low carb lifestyle until I checked in at Borders the other day. Wow.

I came home with a stack of books! Most of them on the recommended reading list by Jonny Bowden. Why didn't I just go to the library? Because I want cutting edge, recent edition stuff. I found one book particularly fascinating: The Leptin Boost Diet: Unleash Your Fat-Controlling Hormones for Maximum Weight Loss by Scott Isaacs.

Also on the must-read this weekend list is Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats by Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon; The Protein Power Lifeplan by Drs. Eades; and The Fat Flush Foods by Ann Louise Gittleman.

I'm sort of transitioning over to the principles of Eat Fat to Lose Fat by Enig, because I've seen her name come up so many times in my cholesterol research, and now about dietary fats. The work she has done is amazing. I'm also using a lot of the principles of Protein Power, keeping the next few weeks very low carb, and as natural as possible. No processed or frankenfoods. Organic as much as I can.

Here's why I feel it's so important to research all this dietary/nutrition information.

A bit of history: I was developing some gallbladder symptoms mid-week, and it scared me. You see, I had a lot of problems last winter. My family doctor told me last October, "It's time for your first colonoscopy, Steph". Oh ICK, I thought. I'm not the greatest patient in the world, and I really didn't think I needed it. But I went through with it once they assured me that I wouldn't remember a thing about it afterward.

Well.....thank goodness I did. They found cancer. Thank God, they caught it early. After a few biopsies and some minor surgery, along with some super nutritional dietary changes (I began taking every supplement I read about that had anti-cancer properties and went on an ESSIAC protocol as well), and a HUGE amount of prayer, and I was declared cancer-free the end of Feb, 2007.

Along the way they also figured out (by doing an endoscopy at the other end) that I not only have GERD, but have apparently had it long enough to develop something called Barrett's Esophagus.

More good news: They found I had a dilated biliary duct (pancreas), and when they checked it further with a test called an ERCP, the dye went astray and caused nearly instant severe pancreatitis. That landed me in the hospital sick as a dog for 4 days.

So...when my belly hurts, I pay close attention nowadays :-) I learned the hard and scary way that it's not a good idea to ignore your health (even when you think you feel fine). Preventive medicine has come a long way. I told everyone I certainly don't mind being the Preventive Medicine Posterchild!

Something I learned in my reading is that low fat diets can provoke the formation of gallstones. I don't need that. I also had basically stalled out on the weightloss. So that was getting to me. I was hungry all the time--not a happy place :-(

So, it's time to find an eating plan that works with my own particular metabolism and health issues. It's actually a fascinating journey.

Maybe best of all, I dropped another pound today, and the belly pains are gone along with the gnawing hunger!! Time will tell.

Have a great weekend :-D It's cool outside here in Ohio, amazingly so for mid-July. We're loving it!

Weight of the Evidence - Highly Recommended Reading

2007-07-18T18:34:00.000-04:00

This is one of the best and most informative of the Low Carb blogs I have run across yet:

Weight of The Evidence

Things that make you go "Hmmmmm....."

2007-07-18T17:54:00.000-04:00

Holy Toledo!!
Yesterday and today have been very eye-opening days for me, information wise, in the world of internet low carb lifestyles. I mean, I knew there were various plans out there and there is no such thing as a One Size Fits All type of low carb WOE. But - YIKES - the drama! The accusations, the vitriol!

Yesterday, I read with considerable dismay about the attacks on Jimmy Moore(http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/) with regard to his support of the Kimkins diet. I began to search for more information. The more I looked, the uglier it got.

Just a few examples:

Slamboard - Kimkins Diet {ok...this one freaks me out =8-O
The Storm over Kimmer/Kimkins Diet Episode 69
Cleochatra's Blog (July 16)

I refuse (at this moment) to take sides. I just don't know enough to have what I consider a truly informed opinion. Yes, I'm still enrolled at the Kimkins site. I also now belong to several other low-carb discussion forums. I'm reading about a book a day on the topic; just about anything I can get my hands on. After all, this is MY LIFE. My health, my weight is on the line here. I can't afford any mistakes...well, not many.

There are others far more experienced and more qualified to enter the fray than I am. For now, I'll just keep a watchful eye and open mind, and keep on low carbin' my way to healthier weight and waistline.

(In case you're wondering....I'm probably transitioning to Protein Power or maybe good old Atkins. And I'm down another pound!)

Have a great day :-) And don't let the drama get ya down!

Yes Indeedy - Pure Protein Works!

2007-07-17T14:39:00.000-04:00

I've been struggling a bit in the past couple weeks with the weight not coming off as quickly as I would like. I decided yesterday (July 16) to "kick it up a notch" and try straight protein for the next few days, get into ketosis again and see what happens.

Well.....I'm down a whole lb. on the scale this morning. Finally!

I tell you, you sure learn a lot about yourself when you take on a challenge like serious weightloss.

The last program I worked successfully was Body For Life. Now that's a program that flat out works, too. Unfortunately, in the middle of my second 12 week challenge (yes, I actually did 2 official BFL Challenges back in 2001!) I had minor surgery followed by a major surgery (hysterectomy) and that put a halt to the BFL workouts. No sooner was I ready to start back with doctor's permission, I tore my right rotator cuff and so...forgeddaboudit again :-(

After all that, I let myself get lazy with my eating and exercise programs. Shame on me.

But hey, no sense whining about it, right? Get back on the horse and make it work, that's what I'm doing.

Later..... :-) Have a great Tuesday!

Welcome to "Living Low Carb and Lovin' It!"

2007-07-16T16:41:00.001-04:00

Here's the first in a series of blogs that will be all about, as they say.....the journey of a thousand steps....

I discovered low carb eating oh, about 5 weeks ago. It's working so well for me that I want to share this journey with others who might be interested.

I've been keeping a daily journal on a free online program called FITDAY. Fitday is a wonderful tool to help you track everything you eat, breaking it down into calories, fat grams, carbohydrate grams, and protein grams. You can also enter your exercise or daily calorie expenditure, see reports on your progress, etc. All for free! You can also purchase a version of Fitday that will do even more for you. I highly recommend it!

I'm following a diet called Kimkins. I hit an all-time high of 200 lbs back in mid-June, and said that's enough - not acceptable! I had seen the Women's World magazine article that featured the Kimkins diet, and said, I think I will try it.

10 days and 10 lbs later, I knew I was onto something.

(For your information, that slightly silly-sounding name is what some folks on a low-carb eating forum dubbed a weightloss program loosely based on Stillman's and Atkins, developed by a lady who used the forum siggie "Kimmer").

There's a lot to learn about this new way of eating, commonly abbreviated to "WOE". I'm still learning all I can about low carb lifestyles (there are many: Atkins, South Beach, Protein Power, Kimkins, Stillman's and more). The more I learn about the low carb way of eating, and how my body reacts to the variations I throw at it, the more I will be able to share here. My hope is to help others along the way. Welcome!!