Which Diet? This Diet or That Diet? No Diet?

Everywhere you look you see this diet or that diet. Whatever diet someone else is following, is the one you need or so they will tell you. Do you though? I have been following many different people who promote a zillion types of diets. Or food plans, as I call them. I am following one particular plan, keto or ketovore, and I might do everything they say or do. Next time I turn their next video on it is all different. At times I can tell they are going to change before they actually say they are or did. I learned over time that the reasons they may have changed has nothing to do with their followers. You see what you eat, like to eat or hate to eat, is all very personal. That is why some people will never give up sugar or grains. They have been eating them their whole life and not all of them are sick. Another thing that happens within the YouTube channels is after they have achieved their goals they want to move on to other topics. Not food so much. Maybe not even health. Actually they should just start a new channel but they don't want to have to monetize a new one when they already have one that is making money. I can see that.

For someone like me who has a difficult challenge to make any progress at all, be it my health or weight, it is easy to give up. I am always thinking nothing ever works for me. That is the story of my life not just my diet life. Some doctors don't know anything outside of what they were taught years ago in medical school. I ask them questions and they cannot answer. Especially about Lymphedema! I was fortunate to have a doctor write an order for me to go the Lymphedema clinic (about 35 miles away) and work with the therapist there. The therapist told me the doctors don't know much about it. I had changed doctors since then which was back in 2022, I think. Since that time the Lymphedema clinic had added a couple of therapists to the physical therapy clinic near my home. I have started going there and I will write a post about my experience soon. 

Compression Sleeves

My new doctor mentioned that I am not retaining fluid, but lymphatic fluid and I probably will not be able to lose weight. I am not letting that set me back because I find doctors to be wrong about me most of the time. I am trying my hardest to stay prescription free and sticking to my food plan which is based on a meaty 20 carbs or less meals. One of the things I had stopped doing was wearing my compression stockings. They cause my knees to hurt so bad which has nothing to do with the Lymphedema. After I came to the realization that my knees hurt whether I wear the stockings or not I decided to try them again. Wasn't able to wear them. I think I need the wraps. 

Half of my hall

The next thing that I have to start doing again is activate myself. I have been sitting at my computer for most of the day. I need to get back into walking. I used to walk laps on my hall but had stopped doing that. So I am starting to do it again. Right now I am limiting myself to do one thing at a time. I plan on walking outside in the parks and on the streets after I get up to that speed. I did walk a few blocks the other afternoon and did pretty good. Often I have to push myself to do something and then find it to be a good thing. 

Bacon, Eggs & Chaffles

Back to the diet or food plan. One reason I have so much trouble with this is everyone tells you to do something different. I finally found a YouTube channel that says to do what works for you. To try different things till you find your answers. My plan may not look like your plan. That is okay. My plan used to be only two meals a day and the first meal was after eleven. Now it is an earlier meal at whatever time I get to it or am hungry for it. Usually eggs with bacon. Sometimes a chaffle that I make without cheese or almond flour. I felt like changing it because I think I was not eating enough food. I like to be done with all eating by five. So I needed to start earlier to get that breakfast in. Often I still end up with only two meals for the day. Still having difficulties getting enough protein in unless I have the Keto Chow. 

Keto Chow Ice Cream

Normally my second meal is around one and I have a Keto Chow replacement shake as ice cream. Yes, even if it is below zero I am making ice cream! Keto Chow is one thing I will not give up. It has kept me on track. Since eating it as ice cream is like a treat it is always something to look forward to. Which I do. I worked it into my budget as I think of it as food since it has the nutrition of one third of your daily food requirements. Oh yeah, did I mention how good it is? Better than store bought regular ice cream! Then for supper I usually have some kind of meat. Cooked simply in the oven. I might have a can of Zevia soda (sweetened with stevia) after supper then I am all done for the night. 

Copyright © 2026 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2026 Kathleen G. Lupole

Doing The Best I Can Even In Hard Times

 

Fall in New York

Every morning when I get up I decide it will be a good day. I will be happy. No matter what the weather is. No matter any difficult tasks I have to do. No matter who I have to see. No matter any pain I am presently feeling. Otherwise my day would be miserable and I can't get it back. The first cup of coffee always comforts me no matter how I feel. That is one reason I will never be giving up my coffee. It is a start to a happy, positive day for me. Keeping myself positive is not always easy depending on what is going on in my life. 2025 has been a year of many changes and not especially good ones. So having to deal with life as I get older and still remaining hopeful about what lies is hard at times.

Home

It is a good day when I have a list of things to do. Living alone means I can get started on my tasks for the day without having to do anything for someone else. Well, except for my bunny rabbit. He has patience though so no need to hurry for him. It would seem to anyone else that living in a studio apartment I would not have much to do as far as cleaning goes. I find it is easier to do cleaning chores every day. Not all at once but one or two each day. That way it is never a big job at one time. Also a small apartment needs to be cleaned more often than a large one. At least that is my experience. Small apartments can become cluttered in a minute if you are not mindful of it. There is the tough problem for me being that I am not as strong as I used to be. Not being able to stand somewhere for longer than five minutes at time. It makes my chores harder but I am able to manage. I find it frustrating that I cannot stand on a stool or a chair to reach high areas. So I just do the best I can. 

Enjoying Pretty Flowers

One thing I will say is that I am never bored. I am busy all day long just doing my thing. Being an introvert helps I think. When I was a child I always lived in my bedroom. It was my favorite place to be. Shut my door and I was in my happy place. I still felt that way in my adult life. Especially when living with others. My last home (Peaceful Forest) I did not have any privacy or a bedroom to retreat to. I think that is what broke me at that time. Now when I come out of my apartment I am ready to face whatever awaits me outside that door. Sometimes it is not so good depending on the personalities of the various people I encounter. Doing my best to stay pleasant to everyone I meet along the way. Having a good life means making it a good life myself. Accept what comes along and figure out how to live with it. 

Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

Consider A Studio Apartment For Solo Senior Living

First Look at My Apartment 2018

The first thing I had to do once I downsized and moved from a house to a studio apartment was to figure out how to set it up. It is not as easy as it sounds. Especially if you bring boxes of things that you used in your previous homes. My studio apartment is 338 square feet which is pretty small compared to some others. I have been here now since 2018, so seven years. Over that time period I have gotten rid of more items that I didn't need or use. If I use it I will keep it. Sometimes I cry at the thought of getting rid of certain things but I have no room for things I can't use. After all that time, I am still doing it. Still getting rid of items. The hardest has been kitchen items. As long time readers of this blog know, I was a "modern homesteader" and did a lot of cooking and canning. It has been difficult for me to give up that part of my life. It has come over time though. Now my focus is making my life easier so not as much cooking. 

The kitchen

Most studio apartments are one big room with a kitchen area along one wall. The bathroom of course is the only separate room. I am very fortunate to have an ideal setup. My kitchen and bathroom are next to each other and are disabled friendly. I could use a wheelchair in them if I needed one. My kitchen is a small square with the bathroom door opening into it. One wall of the kitchen is completely open that goes into the rest of the apartment. The area outside my kitchen doorway is my "office". My table is where I keep my computer and all my computer related equipment. Since I do not have others here for meals I am on my computer when eating because that is what I like to do. 

My office is opposite the kitchen

When I am cooking or cleaning in the kitchen I can take a break to sit down at the table and still keep an eye on the kitchen. I am very careful about the electrical appliances I use. The last thing I want is a fire so I double check everything every time. I cannot stand for more than five minutes so I put something on to cook and then take a break. Checking on it every now and then. It is always within my view. Of course now I cook simple meals and clean up is fast. I wash the dishes after every meal so they do not pile up. If for some reason after supper I cannot do the dishes it is no big deal. I will do them in the morning. Living alone is really a plus for me in the kitchen. 

Living Room Area

The rest of the apartment is basically set up for sleeping, relaxing while watching television and for my pet bunny rabbit. Since I have not been sleeping in a bed for over a year now I do not have a bedroom in this space. Right now the area I had for my bedroom is where I keep the bunny cage and his area. A large dresser creates a wall for that space so it is not seen from the rest of the apartment. When my bunny is gone I will make it into my bedroom again. I have enough space in this area that I could have a love seat or small couch. For me though. a recliner, the curio cabinet, a stand with a lamp and a chair is enough in this tiny space. The television is on top of the big  dresser which puts it in the middle of the room. So the sound of it will never affect the next apartments. The same with my CD player as it is on the dresser next to it. 

My bedroom area

The reason I chose a studio apartment over a one bedroom is because I really love the open plan. Growing up with my own bedroom where I spent my happiest times made me miss having one as I got older and was married. I wanted my own space! More than anything. Most people want a one bedroom and when I moved here I did too. But as soon as I stepped into this apartment to look at it..........I was in love with it! High ceilings in the living and bedroom area makes it appear spacious. I took my name off the list for a one bedroom and have here in my studio happily ever since. Things are different when you live alone. A studio might be harder to live in with another person. It is all about privacy.  

kat's Kitchen

I can take a quick glance at my home and see what needs to be done. If you are planning a move and think a studio apartment is too small maybe you should go look at some first. For one thing they are much cheaper in rent and utilities. Easier to clean and take care of. Easier to live in if you end up with some kind of mobility issues. I can use a walker, a mobility chair or a wheelchair in mine if needed. Another plus is that it makes you get rid of all your excess stuff. It does not mean I live like a pauper. I just use different things here than I did at my old house. 

Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

Living With Lymphedema Basically On My Own

Moving in or out

Two different residents had been moving out recently so the elevator had been getting a work out. I always feel that is when it starts to have problems. Too many trips or heavy items that hit the doors, walls and buttons? No clue. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Just in case you are new to my blog, I live in a senior living apartment building. It is for disabled residents also. There is actually a mix of ages here but leans toward older people. Presently the elevator will work good then on a random trip I will have to hit the open door for it to open. As long as it opens then I am happy. I do not think I could tolerate it well if I had to wait for the police come to open it in this hot weather. Our building management no longer runs the air conditioning in the halls and public areas. Even in this extreme hot weather. It was nice in previous years when they used to do that for us.  

The back of my apartment building

We are living in a world full of chaos and scary headlines daily.........yet living here in this apartment building it feels like none of that is happening. Most of the people here have televisions. So they must know what is going on but never speak of it. The big stories around here have to do with who is moving out and why? Who left a washing machine or dryer with cigarette butts or pet hair in the rubber filter? Unfair management rules. Who spilled something on the stairs, hall or elevator floor and did not clean it up (most likely could not clean it up because they cannot bend down to do so)? 

Senior and Disabled Living

Reasons of importance change as your health starts to decline or you just feel old. I see it happening within my own self. Problems with my knees started way back around 2001 I think. I helped take care of my mother and when I would get down on the floor to take care of her feet it was agony for me. I didn't want her to suspect so I acted like it did not hurt. It did though. Very badly. Even as my knees became worse and my feet swelled all the time, I never knew it could be a lymphatic issue. I had never heard of that. Eventually I started using a cane and soaking my feet in cold water for relief. I did not have health insurance and never had any way to pay for it. I tried to get various jobs but I think due to not being able to walk very well would not get hired even though I was qualified. 

Long drives are not good for me now!

Even now that I can go to doctors they don't seem to know much about Lymphedema. Even the Lypmphedema therapist I went to agreed about that. I had to stop going to her though because I cannot tolerate the 40 mile ride to her clinic. There needs to be more Lymphedema therapists in physical therapy clinics. They are rare. Mostly I do my own research. Reading and watching videos about it and learning the newer research and studies about it. More people have it now so doctors are specializing in it and attending conferences on it. I figure most of them are researching it online anyway so I can do that myself. 

The first pair of compression stockings bought from Amazon

The only relief I could get from it was the compression stockings. As soon as I put them on I feel instant relief. I would wear them every day without fail. Soon my leg below the knee where the stocking ended became out of shape. I took a break of more than a month of not wearing the stockings. The area below the knee did not change or go back to its normal shape. I hate it. When I have shown it to any medical person they barely gave it a glance. So I went back to wearing the stockings and I have had relief and my swelling has gone way down. Even it this hot weather. I will stick to wearing them every day from now on.

Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

How Does Old Feel? When Are You Old?

As I hear more and more people talk about getting old I keep wondering when are you actually old? How does old feel? Does it really matter in real years how many years you have lived? If it is a matter of how you feel no matter what age you are I can understand that. I think I felt worse than I do today seven years ago. Now I live with pain in both of my knees but any age person can have that. Back then I had to get up and do chores whether I wanted to or not. Now I can take it easy if I am in pain. I will admit that now I do not do the same type of chores so it is easier anyway. For me my health started giving me trouble when I turned fifty. That was also the year my mother died so it was a tough year. Very stressful!

 

I love to spend time coloring!

Stress and worry seem to go hand in hand with health conditions. If you are experiencing a health condition but also worrying about something it could make it worse. I am a worrier so I know it is difficult to shut it off. What I have found works for me is to start coloring in one of my adult coloring books. Then I think about the problem that is causing me to worry so much. Sometimes I come up with solutions for that problem. Often I put music on while I color and don't think about anything but the song and the colors. Music and color therapy almost always helps me. Sometimes I write in my journal and make a list of what I can do to change it. That works pretty good too. 

Choose your weapon!

Yeah we look different as we get older. Even our animals do. Just a part of the living process. I think that is why you see people who use cosmetic surgery to look younger ruin their remaining years instead. The natural process of aging always looks better than what a doctor in the operating room can do. So many of the famous stars, men and women, have become grotesque after their surgeries. You can make yourself look better by using your tweezers, applying lotions or adding some color to your eyebrows and face. For myself, I only use beef tallow for my face lotion. It works great and is safer than what the lotions made for aging have in them.

My son, Jeff with my Daddy

I may not look as good as I did when I was younger but I feel good and enjoy living. Keeping a positive attitude helps. Complaining and whining does not help anyone. It is one of my pet peeves. It breeds negativity and that is the most harmful substance there is. Every morning when I was a child at home I woke up to hear my Daddy whistling in the kitchen as he prepared breakfast before he had to leave for work. It was my favorite time! I would hurry out to be with him before he had to leave. He was always cheerful and I loved to be with him. Even as he got older. It was hard on him when my Mom got sick and eventually passed away. But he stayed busy doing the things he always did. He showed a cheerful face to everyone but I know he was hurting inside. 

First spring flowers in the park!

So when anyone asks me how I am I always say I am good. I don't tell them all the aches and pains I have. I don't tell them all the things I am worried about. Instead I focus on the good things I have going today. You know what happens? As I talk to them I feel good again. I forget all those things I was worried about. I put the pain out of my mind. I focus on how lucky I am compared to others who are worse off. Or others who are depressed or miserable with their life. I come away thinking about what I am going to do today. Instead of feeling old..........I feel alive!

Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

 

Using A Computer For Convenience As You Age

Keto Chow For The Win!

Struggling with most any health issue is stressful. The key to that is to do your own research. I always do that and try different methods to improve my issues. Whether it is food or activities I will try it and give it an adequate amount of time to get some type of result. If it does not work then I move on to something else. I have to at least try. One of the things I do now is live a "keto based lifestyle" which does help. It means no sugar or high carbs, fruits or most vegetables. My style of keto is heavy on the meat (especially beef), seasonings, some low carb vegetables and dairy. I had a struggle in the beginning which lasted many years. Living in my own place has made it pretty easy to stick to it. Also I give credit to Keto Chow, which is a keto meal replacement shake that supplies all the vitamins and minerals for one third of what I need for the whole day. I make it into ice cream with the Ninja Creami ice cream maker and it is a game changer for sure!  

Walking in the park across the street!

The real problem for me has been getting movement in. Both of my knees are very bad and hurt when I stand or walk. Suffering with Lymphedema is no fun either. Getting some kind of physical activity is most important with that condition. Every time I try though my knees seem to get worse. If I walk very far one day the next few days I can't even walk around my small apartment. It is not fair! I used to race walk many years ago and could even run up and down the bleachers at a local high school football field. I sure miss those days! When I moved here to my downtown location 7 years ago, I pictured walking everywhere. Unfortunately my mobility issue has become worse as time goes by. Even when I try to increase walking every day. I even purchased two different pieces of equipment that are for walking movement from a chair. I used them and the next day my knees were in extreme pain. Presently I am experimenting with the LifePro vibration plate. 

One part of my hall that I walk for exercise.

Luckily I can use a computer and enjoy being on it. Whether I am working online or off there is something that I can always get into. So I am never bored at home or having to sit with my feet up for a period of time. I still try to get the walking into my day somehow. If I cannot walk outside that day, I will walk laps around my hall outside my apartment door. Then if I have to stop suddenly, I am right here. It is easier for me. I used to have a neighbor who would always tell me to walk outside or that I needed to get out because that is what he does. I would wonder why he thought I could do what he did when he saw I had to use a walker or a mobility chair? Yeah, if I could walk as well as he did I would most likely not be living here. 

My  Trusty Laptop!

For many senior citizens (and disabled people) who live here and don't know or want to know how to use a computer or at least go online with their phones, life can be pretty hard. Being able to go online to do all my banking, paying my bills, ordering my supplies and buying groceries that are delivered to me makes life easy for me without a car. Do those things cost me extra money? Of course! I pay for convenience instead of the high price of owning a car. I put all those expenses into my monthly budget and never go over it. If I know something is going to be due I plan for it. If I know I am going to have to replace something soon I start saving money for it in my budget. 

Not that hard to learn how to use a computer!

If someone tells me something they heard which is causing fear among the residents here I just check it out online. Usually it is a rumor. Instead of stressing over something I have heard, finding the truth out keeps my life free of worrying and stressing. I do not watch or listen to mainstream news. They do not have any credibility and that is what the people who live here watch. They will say, "CNN said...........I roll my eyes and say,"lies and propaganda". Time for everyone to learn how to do things online and to free their own lives up. Especially as they get older. I feel sorry for them but it is like the time people had to give up their horses for the automobile. Or the radio for the television. Some stayed behind and had a harder time of it. For me my day starts every morning with a cup of coffee and my laptop..........

Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2025 Kathleen G. Lupole