Some of you have read in the news about Oscar, the cat in the nursing home who can sense when residents are about to pass. The doctor there has written a book, "Making Rounds with Oscar." Dr. David Dosa. The residents have/had dementia, one of them with LBD.

I loved it. Not a long book, an easy read.

Gail

There must be more than one cat like Oscar! One of the staff at a nursing home near me said they had a cat with that behavior. No doubt it is an interesting read.

Hey, has anyone tried the South Beach diet? I'm having great success so far. Of course, it is only my first week. I decided to spend the time doing something for myself. My pants were too tight.

Annie - I have tried the SB diet but it was years ago. I lost weight with that and exercising but alas, I am back to needing to lose some pounds again. I just got some of those Sketcher workout shoes. I was hoping to lose 3 in. off my butt the first day, but didn't reach my goal! LOL
I just got them yesterday and walked for an hour in them. You really can feel different muscles working even with just walking. I am also going to join a PT place that has a gym with a heated saltwater pool. Exercising in there really gives you a good, no impact workout and the saltwater has very healing properties which I need right now with tendonitis/ulner tunnel syndrome. (which I developed from mountain biking in the south) Anyway, we can be cyber exercise partners! I've got to get in better shape! Lynn

This is off-topic, I guess, but it seems that diets I've tried always work great the first time but never work again. Is S.B. a high-protein, low-carb? It just doesn't work for me any more.

It's about eating the right proteins, carbs, veggies, fruits, etc. I forget the specifics (and I loaned my book to my sister) but there are certain fruits that are really bad if you are trying to lose weight, for instance. I think grapes, pears and cantaloupe are on the ok list but there are others that are off-limits during the weight loss time. You might be able to find the book at a library. I do remember there were recipes in the book as well as explanations for everything they recommended.
I tried my new Shapes Up shoes again today. I'm sending all sorts of positive thoughts to my legs to work out intensively so I can burn more calories!

Annie,
Almost two years ago, I knew my weight was out of control [I'm still carrying too much but its better]. My son-in-law was having a few [minor] concerns and the doctor wanted him to get in better shape. He went on the SB Diet and also dusted off his mountain bike for long rides turning his body into one that made the doctor and himself quite happy. My dau. brought the books to me and cooked accordingly while she was here for her visits when she came to visit her dad. While I have not "followed" the program as I should, I have learned a few pointers, such as olive oil and balsimic vinegar for my salads, fewer sandwiches [which I would love to live on] and others have become a way of life for me now. My cholesterol has plummeted down to 160 [it has always before hovered around 200/230]. And I have lost somewhere around thirty pounds. It has been five months since the death of Mr B., so I think it is time for me to give up the "comfort" foods and find activities to take their place.
Thank you so much for reminding me what is out there... I'm not promising to follow the program precisely, but what I will do is fill the fridge with 'once a week' cooking some of their recipies [copying my dau.'s lead] and it will be ready for the microwave as needed to go with the fish or poultry and salad.

Dorthea

Maybe we can start a cyber fitness group and keep each other motivated. Sometimes I think I need a big roll of duct tape for my mouth! I was going to do a lot of walking today but the Meloxicam I took (past tense, not taking it anymore) for 3 days for my acute tendonitis has been like drinking Drano. It has done such a job on me I need to stick close to home and not do anything too strenuous. It is really bad stuff.....

Mockturtle, I don't think we have to worry about "off topic" in the respite room forum. It's designed to be a break from LBD and we all could use a break, can't we?

Dorthea, this is the third time I've done SB and each time I find that I incorporate some of the habits and recipes into our lifestyle. I think a lot of the recipes are great! It's time-consuming to do all the cooking but if I shop ahead and cook ahead it's possible for me, at least now. And it's Spring when fresh vegetables show up in the markets.

Lynn, I would love to support you with your motivation. If I'm having trouble I'll reach out. Feel free to ask. So far, so good though. Perhaps the chat line or email is the place to do this.

It was only my concern for the original poster. Didn't want to 'hijack the thread', as they say.

I'd like to know more about the cat. That's really eerie, isn't it??

I think the cat thing is fascinating. I've seen things about a dog that can sense when his owner (a kid) is about to have a seizure. It is truly fascinating.

I guess you wouldn't want to see it come into your room, huh?

to tell you the truth, I could use the dog to tell me when I'm about to have a migraine before I start seeing weird lights and things!

I googled him and there's a lot, including videos.

Gail

Oops, sorry if I hijacked the thread. Actually I think the story of Oscar the cat is fascinating. The wikipedia article is good. I didn't realize that he would usually come about two hours before death. I thought it was earlier.

One of the videos said within four hours so I guess there's some leeway. No, Annie, you didn't hijack the thread.