Overall Mood Changes?

[meewolfie]

Hi Everyone - I'm brand new here.

I started PP about two weeks ago and I have to say that I'm just amazed by how I feel.

Has anyone else felt an anti-depressant effect from switching to low carb? There are times when I'm practically slap happy. (This is not a complaint!).

I have to say that this couldn't be a more perfect effect from eating this way. I've done low-fat dieting in the past and while I've lost weight, the entire time was usually a challenging, frustrating experience - and while the weight loss made me feel good, I never experienced any actual emotional changes. (I should note here that I openly acknowledge that I use food as a comfort - little did I know that all those carbs were having the opposite emotional effect from what I was hoping for)

The fact that low-carb is improving my emotional health is so significant - because this feeling is not one that I want to lose. What great motivation to stay on the plan forever!

This is me today: :D

Mary

[Mitra]

I'm glad to hear it :). I think some degree of mood improvement is fairly common, but it doesn't affect everybody to that extent! Enjoy it :D.

By the way, I think your photos are fantastic.

[Missy]

Meewolfie! Welcome! :D

I can say that this past winter I suffered ZERO from 'cabin fever' depression which is a "norm" for me....and I attribute it entirely to eating this way. So, I agree, there is something to it.

I'm glad your feeling the difference!

[Karole]

Hi, there and welcome. I know exactly the feeling you describe !! Great isn't it. I love the euphoric feeling I got when I started low carb eating in Jan. I don't know if it lasts forever but it is great while it is here.

[Ammy]

I don't notice the elation anymore...except when I "fall off the wagon"...I can notice the DROP in mood :eek: , so I think the elation for me STAYED!!:)
Really hope it does for you too!!

WELCOME!! :D

(Ohio? Wonder if you and Missy are neighbors!!)

[deirdra]

I noticed better moods when I started PP, but when I removed all grains, soy & excess casein, depression completely disappeared.

[gitfiddle]

Hi, Mary, I love your work. What are you using, if I may ask?

I had the elation and wonderful weight loss for the first year of PP. After that I developed a couple of health problems that had nothing to do with eating, but curtailed exercise and gave me a stall. I'm a stress-eater and I am trying to develop new pathways for my brain to take besides craving food.

I wish you the joy of your journey! :)

[meewolfie]

Thanks for the feedback! It's good to know that many people have significant changes for the better in their mood. It's a great motivation for maintaining this way of eating.

Getfiddle - do you mean my photos? Thanks for the kind words. I have a Canon DSLR - I've had it for about a year and can't seem to put it down!

:) Mary

[Mitra]

Mary, I bought a Canon DSLR a couple of weeks ago, after leaving my film one languishing in a dark cupboard for years (decades :rolleyes:), and Carol's been photographing all along, so we sometimes hijack threads and talk photography :o .

[gitfiddle]

Yes we do. :D I wouldn't have noticed the gallery in your signature if Mitra hadn't mentioned it. How long have you been doing that! Your animal photos are particularly enjoyable. I have had a Pentax dslr for a year or more.

[meewolfie]

How neat to find some other photographers over hear! What pretty photos you both have over in your galleries.

I've been taking photos off and on ever since college, but I've really gotten into it in the last two or three years. It's an addiction! (better than carbs!)

Mary

[Missy]

:D You guys and your photos are such a TREAT! :D

[gitfiddle]

It's an addiction! (better than carbs!)

:D :D I couldn't agree with you more, Mary! My computer is my "cave" and I spent half of yesterday tinkering around. Of course, no housework got done, but that's the breaks.

Thank you, Missy! I have to keep up with you, you know.

[Missy]

You guys take such beautiful pictures...that when I need a close up of flowers...I'll come find YOU GUYS! :D

I love it how you can get a close up of the featured flower and the background is all faded! LOVELY!

I suppose that is with a specialty lens? Yes?

Mary...just last night, I realised that I had to hit the "previous" button on your site to take me back through your pictures! SPECTACULAR!

[LisaS]

I love it how you can get a close up of the featured flower and the background is all faded! LOVELY!

I suppose that is with a specialty lens? Yes?

yes and no - it is something called "depth of field" simple explanation http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-Guide/950/depth-of-field.html
good explanation
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/depth-of-field.htm

more details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field

the ability to get a deep or shallow depth of field under specific conditions is a function of the lens and what f-stops you can select

most modern cameras can give you a "depth of field" preview so you can see if you are getting the effect that you want - other lens have the depth of field kind of marked as distance brackets on the lens at the variious f-stops.

You can remember it this way - when the credits are rolling on TV and you cannot quite read them from where you are sitting - if you make a telescope with your fist and look through the tiny opening - everything is in focus.

F-stops are inverted - so big number = small opening. A fast lens (lots of light) has a smaller minimum F-stop (lots of light) - so a 1.2 is "faster" than a 1.8 lens - and you could get a shallower depth of field under the same conditions.

[gitfiddle]

I suppose that is with a specialty lens? Yes?

Lisa's right, and with a single-lens-reflex camera you can choose a wide aperture (like f4.5) and only the object you're focusing on will be sharp. Everything before and behind it will be out of focus. It's not really a specialty lens, but not everybody has slr cameras. With a compact camera, you might try the setting marked by the little flower. Not so dramatic, but the same idea.

[Missy]

Thanks Carol! 'little flower" check! lol Now THOSE are MY kinda instructions....:o well...other then I don't HAVE a little flower...:o

I have an Olympus optical zoom 8X. but...well, I don't have a little flower. :o It's got the word Camedia on it too. :o Aren't I helpful. lol :o

LisaS??? I think she knows EVERYTHING!!!! :eek: :D

[LisaS]

I have an Olympus optical zoom 8X. but...well, I don't have a little flower. :o It's got the word Camedia on it too. :o Aren't I helpful. lol :oD
is it a C720 - one of these?
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/C720/C72A.HTM
if you like the scenic modes - Portrait is what you are looking for
if you are comfortable with a little more control, you want to select Aperture Priority - and then use the smallest choice to have the narrowest depth of field - and the camera will chose a corresponding shutter speed for the proper exposure.

[Missy]

Mine is a C-725 Ultra Zoom.

Thanks for the link Lisa. I think I need to go to class to learn what all that means....:o I wish Carol lived closer, cause she could just show me. :o

I don't really know what my camera can do...but we got it at a really good price. :o :D

[gitfiddle]

Actually, I have an Olympus 10X C750 that was my first digital and it takes dandy pics. The macro button (little flower) is on the back above the big window. Really, you need to read your manual, Missy. Or call me and we'll sit on the phone with our cameras in hand and discuss them. Seriously, I tuned somebody's dulcimer over the phone once and it worked! :D

Or we could meet in Lansing or something! Lots of possibilities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, I checked your camera manual and you have a macro/spot button right on the back above the LED screen (big window). There's a flower (macro) and a dot(spot meter) in a box above that window.

Press the flower/dot button repeatedly until the flower alone or the flower and the spot appear on your screen. Then take your picture. To get out of that mode, press the button until it says OFF.

For the best results, set your camera on something steady, like a window sill or a fence post to take the picture. Let me know how it turns out! ;)

[Missy]

I SEEEE!!!! I SEE!!! I SEE MY LITTLE FLOWER NOW CAROL! :D

Oh, I know....sigh...READ the manual...sigh. I know...but I just so SUCK at reading instructions....I'm much better with "do'er" instructions. lol

Okay, we could talk on the phone with ease. :o Well..I'm good at talking that is. :D :lol:

Email me you phone number girlie...I have unlimited long distance..and we'll figure SOMETHING out! lol :D

[gitfiddle]

Okay, now go back up and read the rest of the instructions I added.

Look on page 69 of your manual. Olympus has a rockin' website.

Email me your number because I've got an hour here at work before my class. :D

[Missy]

Okay Carol. I emailed you my number! :o :D