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My previous posting was a copy of the text from my August 2008 forecasts.  You may want to drop down and read that as a guide to what this eclipse season may hold for you.  In November there may be more activity related to the August eclipses as the sun squares the eclipse degree on Nov. 1 and Nov. 16.  The days surrounding these dates may bring developments for those whose charts were influenced by an August eclipse. 

I thought I would take the opportunity to share with you my own experience due to these recent eclipses to my own chart.  I’ll keep it simple, then I’ll break it down a little further if I can manage to keep my thoughts in check.  Yes, I have some difficulty with scattered thinking right now. 

When looking for the expression of an eclipse in your own chart, the first thing you would do is look at the birth chart to see if the eclipse is conjunct or in opposition to planets in your chart.  The orb, or distance between the eclipse and your natal planet should be kept tight, within 2 - 3 degrees for the most obvious influence. 

Some astrologers take the analysis further and look for the eclipse forming other major aspects such as the square, or may look to progressed chart if the natal chart isn’t influenced.  I have done this myself.  While this may help to define what areas or issues will be impacted, it may or may not be an accurate measure of predictability. 

All eclipses have the potential for bringing some sort of crisis whether lunar or solar.  A solar eclipse is a high powered new moon that will bring something to light that can not be avoided or ignored. 

The August solar eclipse at 10 Leo was conjunct my natal Venus (13 Leo) on my 14 Leo Ascendant and my 10 Leo north node.  The eclipse conjunct my Ascendant/Venus/north node opposed my natal Saturn/south node conjunction in my 6th house of work methods and health.

A solar eclipse on the Ascendant can bring issues of the physical body, the ego, identity and spirit to light. An eclipsed Venus can bring issues up surrounding beauty, pleasure, the ability to attract finances or gifts and can also concern Venus ruled body parts or health matters related to the neck or throat. 

The north and south node in our charts have to do with our soul lessons in this lifetime.  The north node carries the energy of Jupiter and is regarded as being good and helpful, whereas the south node carries the energy of Saturn, which we all know as a more weighted or challenging planet.   An eclipse to the north node or south nodes may seem fated.

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The ruler of that eclipse was transiting Mercury.  If the solar eclipse had no planets within the allowable distance of the sun and moon, the eclipse would have been ruled by the sun, ruler of the sign the eclipse was in - Leo.  Since transiting Mercury was also conjunct the solar eclipse, Mercury became ruler and Mercury’s influences would be felt. 

When Mercury is prominent as it was having rulership of the eclipse, one can expect news, documents, agreements, thinking and communications to become part of the experience as these are Mercury related themes.  One should also look to the birth chart for the sectors ruled by Mercury. 

Mercury rules my 2nd house of income, values and self worth, as well as my 3rd house of communications, news, and thinking and my 11th house of friends, groups and aspirations.  Each of these houses govern more than I’ve mentioned here.  I have listed these issues specifically as they are more relevant to my experience.

The August 2008 eclipses carry similar energy threads as the last eclipses in the series.  Both eclipses in August of 1990 impacted my chart in a big way so it’s not unusual to note some similarities now. 

While discussing the eclipses with friends I had mentioned that I had some concerns about my current husband’s health because he works long hours, often under stressful conditions.  I lost my first husband in September 1990; he was a victim of a random act of violence on his way home from work.  We had relocated just six months before his death due to a career change for him so his new job was very important at the time.  

I had no fear of something tragic happening this year, although I felt that my current husband’s career and health may be influenced.  I was right about his health and the career influences are still unfolding. 

Allen had recently changed jobs and while he’s still doing what he has always done, he’s in a new field so he’s spent this year learning a lot about this new industry.  He put on some weight this year which was hard to comprehend given his activity level, especially at work, and he hasn’t really changed what he eats.  He wasn’t recuperating as quickly as before, also having some muscles soreness and his knees started bothering him.  He has his progressed moon in Capricorn so it’s not unusual to feel health issues related to the sign - Capricorn rules the knees.  He had his annual check up in late August and found out his testosterone was low and he was hypothyroid.  Hypothyroidism is a common under active thyroid condition which can influence weight gain, low energy and muscle soreness and a long list of other symptoms that many people experience.  The doctor called after his test results were in and he was given medication for both issues and tells me he feels better now than he has in a long time. 

In discussing the eclipse with a few people I also mentioned that it could influence my work and my health. That statement was based solely on the eclipse conjunction to Venus opposing Saturn in my 6th house of health and work methods. 

My thoughts were that I may have some kind of disappointment with a female (Venus) related to work (Saturn).  I had the disappointments as anticipated although it did come as a surprise.   I set up my auto responder for the first time in two years and told the people that write frequently that I needed a break from email.  It’s not just friends met through the website that write, but I get several questions everyday.  I do free mini readings, full length consultations; I answer astrology questions, send free reports to people that are having financial difficulties and send free charts to those that have trouble determining their rising sign.  There are hundreds of people from all over the world that I have assisted in some manner because they asked a question or had a pressing concern.  And when a report order comes in, almost every order also gets a free report and a free birth chart.  So when I set the auto responder several women took it personally as though I had singled them out even though I tried to assure them that the responder was for me and not about them.  The responder was set after I was diagnosed hyperthyroid and in the first stages of feeling the symptoms. In order to answer the call to take care of my health it meant eliminating how much time I spend on the computer.  My concerns didn’t seem to matter to these people, they took my email all wrong so I was left disappointed in some long time relationships that I had established through the website.  It actually hurt my feelings as this was important to me and my circumstances which relate to my own health.  And guess when I set the auto responder and upset so many people?  Sept. 24, the day Mercury went retrograde, bringing misunderstandings and difficult communications.  And what does Mercury rule in my chart?  Friends, communications and my values.

I also thought finances (Venus) may be cut back with the opposition to Saturn and with Mercury ruling my second house and conjunct the eclipse so that also seemed likely.  I think everyone is feeling the financial influences in some area, either because business has slowed or because costs of daily living expenses are rising.   I feel it too, although it hasn’t become a concern at this point because I have more important things on my mind that money can’t buy. 

I also had my annual check up with blood work in September.

While at the doctors office my blood pressure was elevated.  Since the blood pressure cup squeezed my arm so tight, released the pressure and squeezed it again until my face turned red I figured no wonder it was so elevated!  The doctor comes in and hands me blood pressure medicine to which I almost laughed telling her, “Uh, I don’t have high blood pressure.”  It was such a surprise that I was in disbelief, especially since one reading would prompt her to put me on BP medicine.  What the heck?  She said, “Fine” and put the medicine back in her pocket.  I walked out of the office that day and thought to myself that this is typical eclipse in Leo, ruling the heart.  Next visit surely my blood pressure would be lower because this was merely one reading. 

I’ve always had some concern about diabetes because my mother had it bad.  I started a Low Carb diet in June as mentioned in the post about my son’s weight loss and lost quite a bit of weight myself.  I have never had more willpower and determination in my life when it comes to eating healthy which I believe it is Saturn’s influence in my chart.  My progressed moon is passing through Capricorn.  I recently I started feeling better than I have in the last four years as I continue to eliminate sugars and starches from my diet and plan on eating this way the rest of my life.  I started my low carb plan when my progressed moon moved into my 6th house of health.  Did I plan that?  No, it was the right time for me.   June 1st was a magic number for me as every other time I tried to stay on a healthy eating plan I always failed early on, or I would cheat and have something I shouldn’t have.  This always resulted in some weight loss and gaining it back or no success at all.

In August I started noticing hair loss, more than what was normal for me.  At the time I related it to being normal shedding.  There was a day I clearing remember standing in the bathroom brushing my hair and I thought, “Gosh, my hair hasn’t fallen out like this since Keith died.”  Ta-Da!  In the fall of 1990, after the last eclipse in this series when I lost a tremendous amount of hair after the stress of my first husbands death.  I wasn’t under any particular stress recently, other than overwork which is typical with Saturn in the natal 6th house so I figure it would resolve itself.

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Over a week passed and I didn’t receive a letter on my blood work nor did anyone call.  Mercury was retrograde now so I made the call and asked about my tests.  My first question was about my cholesterol levels as my last check up showed borderline high cholesterol.  The nurse told me that my levels were low and the doctor was really pleased.  “Ahh, my diet, good deal.”   Then she tells me that the doctor wants me to come back in, that they need to draw more blood because my tests show hyperthyroid.  I thought that sounded crazy, if anything I had an under active thyroid although I knew very little about the difference between hyper and hypo at the time.  I remember reading the symptoms of hypothyroid when I was feeling poorly in 2006 and asked my doctor in Illinois to check mine which she did and she told me it was fine.  The entire time I wondered why I felt so bad, but as time went on I did seem to regain my energy.  

The light goes off again!  This wasn’t a blood sugar issue; it was another Venus ruled issue, the thyroid gland! 

I really didn’t feel any different at the time, but I did go back to give more blood.  While I was there my blood pressure was still elevated so she came back with the blood pressure medicine and I accepted it.  She also told me that I needed to have thyroid scans to find out the cause of why my hormone levels were elevated.  She set me up for thyroid scans the first week of October and said she would have the report back within a few days. 

With Mercury still retrograde it was no big surprise that no-one called so again I made the call the next week.  The doctor gets on the phone and tells me I have a nodule so she’s faxed my report to an endocrinologist.  She said if they didn’t call me then I should give them a call and schedule an appointment.  ”Surely they will call, I have a nodule on my thyroid.” 

My hair started thinning rapidly by this time too which I discovered through Google searches is related to an under active or over active thyroid.  Only now it was falling out in the shower, falling out twice as much when I brushed, there was hair on my clothes all the time, hanging from my sleeves when I washed the dishes, in my bra when I changed clothes and sometimes down in my underwear! 

No-one called me during Mercury retrograde so I made the call and told the receptionist that I needed an appointment and that they have my scans and reports.  She put me through to an answering service and they were supposed to call me back with an appointment.  She told me that they would look at my scans and call, which I thought was rather strange, that’s the doctor’s job to look at my scans.  This went on a few days and on Oct. 16, the day after Mercury stationed direct I got through to a different person.  And it just so happened to be my lunar return, the day the transiting moon conjuncts my own natal moon.  Emotions usually run high this day or you may feel under the weather or possibly run down.  I told receptionist that I needed an appointment and I had been waiting for them to look at my scans and call.  Guess what she said?  She didn’t know who I spoke with but they didn’t have to look at my scans, then she went on to schedule me for 2009!  I told her I wouldn’t have any bangs left in 2009 and couldn’t they please fit me in?  She found one opening for late December with a different doctor…I was devastated!  I told her I would call back.  I got on the phone and called my doctor, I told the nurse I was losing my hair fast and needed to see someone else and the receptionist said, “We don’t know anyone else.”  I hung up the phone and put my head in my hands and cried… 

By now the hair loss was my greatest concern and no matter how much I tried not to think about my hair as it was all so consuming.   I was having other symptoms of hyperthyroid.  My thinking was scattered and I found it difficult to concentrate (Mercury influence).  I had that in September too, but it was getting worse as the weeks went by.  Looking back over Septembers forecasts I can’t ever remember saying “this new moon” six times in a single paragraph and they were extremely difficult for me to get on paper. 

I began having hand tremors and mouth tremors where my mouth trembled as though I was terribly frightened, more Mercury.  I thought I might be having heart palpations because my heart would jump in my chest, Leo rules the heart.  I started feeling as though I had extreme anxiety and I would awake in the morning with my jaws clenched tight and had been grinding my teeth in the night.  Transiting Uranus square my natal Mercury can rattle ones nerves.  I could live with all of it as long as my hair would just stop falling out!  Don’t mess with a Leo risings hair!

Once I had my emotions in check I went online looking for another endocrinologist in my area.  Living in a city where the University Hospital is widely known, I would go there if I have too and who knows, I may end up there anyway.  I found a doctor and made the call.  They were able to schedule me for Nov. 3rd - the day I had marked on my calendar already for news related to any health issue I might experience!  The same day the transiting moon conjuncts Jupiter in my health house and trines Saturn conjunct my progressed ascendant.  There are some challenging aspects that day involving Venus and Saturn to name two, but I am hopeful that this doctor will help me.

My progressed moon is currently passing through my 6th house Capricorn.   The progressed moon is the fasted moving luminary, moving through each sign in the progressed chart an average of 12 degrees each year and spending approximately 2 ½ years on average in each sign.  This particular moon phase couldn’t go by fast enough for me!  This has been one of the most notable progressed moon phases I can remember in a long time. 

When your moon moves through Capricorn you can bet you’ll feel Saturn’s influence.  Since my progressed moon moved into Capricorn I’ve been much more cautious, a little more reserved than a typical Leo rising and I have been more concerned with my health and well being, the influence of it’s recent passage into my 6th house. 

While a Capricorn progressed moon brings with it determination to make career progress, added emphasizes on efficiency, productivity and structure, for me it has been more health oriented with Capricorn ruling my health house.  No matter where the moon is in your progressed chart right now, you will feel the expression of the sign and house it is in.

Saturn is currently transiting over my progressed Ascendant as I write this post and Saturn is the decanate (secondary ruler) of my progressed Ascendant.  So I’m feeling Saturn on my progressed Ascendant, in regards to my progressed moon and concerning my health and work methods because Saturn has rulership of this area of my birth chart.  I have had experiences in other areas due to my progressions, but that’s another post entirely, as is progressed moon phases and the nodes in the birth chart.   One thing I will say is that Saturn tends to bring fear, and it has done a fair job of bringing that to my experience as well.  That said, I remain hopeful that the endocrinologist came help me resolve this thyroid issue and in doing so will stop the hair loss.

I’ve recently found out something else that could have contributed to my rapid hair loss.  Those radioactive iodine thyroid scans that I had the first of October can also trigger or worse hyperthyroid symptoms!  I was told to have the scans, but no-one mentioned worsening of the symptoms.  I’ll have to attribute this lack of communication to Mercury retrograde because this whole ordeal has left me angry with my medical doctor and the health care system. 

I give thanks for early diagnosis.  At least I didn’t go to the doctor complaining of hair loss and the doctor chalked it up to stress.  This has happened to thousands of women.

What am I doing now as I wait for my appointment to see the Endocrinologist?  Well, I’ve done quite a bit of research on thyroid disease so that I’m better informed.  I’ve been in contact with Elaine Moore, author of seven books on thyroid and autoimmune disease.  She also thinks my suspicions about being hypothyroid in 2006 are probably correct.  If a person is hypothyroid long enough and goes undiagnosed they will become hyper. 

I’m taking additional supplements to help with the hair loss.  I take a whole foods multi-vitamin, Evening Primrose oil, Biotin, CoQ10, B-complex, and I’m drinking Camilla tea, high in anti-oxidants. The best diet for any thyroid condition is a low carb diet, eliminating refined sugar and processed foods.  This has been my diet since June. 

I’ve started weekly therapeutic massage.  My sessions include sound healing through tuning forks and singing bowls as well as Reiki.  This is by far the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.  Next week I have a 1 ½ hour session which I’m really looking forward to.  

This post was difficult to write, mostly due to symptoms that I have related to anxiety and brain fog or scattered thinking.  Once I start feeling myself again I hope to write a post on how to pinpoint autoimmune disease in a chart as well as a progressed moon article.  Until then I will update this blog after my appointment on Nov. 3, 2008. 

I’ve lost 50% of my hair at this point.  For someone who always had thick hair it’s been a devastating experience.  I’m thankful that I have long hair and bangs that I can pull forward to camouflage the balding scalp.  When I look directly at the front of my hair I can now see my scalp half way back on my head.

The pictures below were taken a few days ago.  I’ve lost more hair since, but as you can see I have obvious hair loss. 

I’d like to add something about Mercury retrograde during my wait for the results and my appointment.  A friend said she thinks I was meant to go to the doctor I found.  Yes,  I mentioned this exact comment to my family.  After the weeks of delays, once I found the doctor that could see me in November I believed that the reason I was delayed was because this was the only way to direct me to this person.  For everything that happens there is a reason. 

Yes, it’s possible for many individuals that November will hold some promise of this past Augusts eclipses.  I have pasted below the main text from my forecast for those eclipses with the dates when developments are likely.  While some people have already had some experience due to the impact of the eclipse on their chart, November may also highlight something related to the eclipse as the Sun will square the eclipse degree. 

Aug 1, 2008, Total Solar Eclipse 10° Leo for all signs.

This eclipse belongs to Saros Series #126.  It is not visible from the United States.  It starts in northern Canada, passes the North Pole, into Northern Russia and south east into China. In Britain it will be visible as a partial eclipse.  (Source: NASA eclipse page)

Each Saros cycle repeats itself approximately every 18 years 9 - 11 days, however the eclipse will have moved approximately 10 degrees through the zodiac.  Therefore, the last eclipse in this series which occurred July 22, 1990 at 29° Cancer has moved 10 degrees to 10° Leo this month. 

If the 1990 eclipse in this series changed your life, it is not likely that the same events will occur during this eclipse.  There could be a similar theme that arises due to the saros series having a similar nature.  An example: You got your first job in 1990; this eclipse could find you changing directions in your career.  Or, you had your first child; this eclipse may find your child starting college or getting married.  The theme of career or children will stand out among other things.  If you are old enough, think back to that time and what significant event happened in your life as a result of that eclipse.  Some of the same issues or energy may color your present circumstances due to this eclipse which will have a lasting effect on your direction. 

Additionally, we want to look at when the last eclipse occurred at 10° Leo for other clues as to how you respond to eclipse activity if you have a planet near this degree.  Even if you do not have your birth time, you can still find clues in the nature of the planet being influenced.  The last eclipses to occur in Leo were in 1999 and 2000.  Jan 31, 1999 (lunar) and July 31, 2000 (solar) we had an eclipse within orb of this eclipse degree in Leo.  Those Leo eclipses were of a different saros series and contain different energy threads than the eclipse season we are going through now. Nevertheless, previous eclipses to planets or angles in your chart may provide telling signs of what will manifest and how you handle the energy presented. 

Hosting an eclipse in the fire sign of Leo will touch all of the fire signs (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries) in some respect and these signs will feel the power of this eclipse to some extent. If you have planets in Aries, Leo or Sagittarius between 6-13 degrees, these planets should be considered sensitive points in your chart.  The same applies to the angles of your chart.  If your 1st, 4th, 7th, or 10th house cusp is 6-13 degrees of the fire signs it is likely that you will feel the influence of the eclipse.  While opinions may vary as to how tight the orb should be kept, I believe any planet within 4 degrees of the eclipse will awaken to the energy. There are several charts in my research (my own included) where planets were influenced by an eclipse up to 7 degrees. 

The general rules for the duration of a solar eclipse is that the energy effects your circumstances one year for ever hour of the eclipses duration, up to 3 ½ years.  Astrological research has shown that an eclipse can change a life permanently. Another rule is that eclipses last from one solar eclipse to the next solar eclipse or lunar eclipse to lunar eclipse. For forecasting purposes, the life span of this solar eclipse in Leo will last until the next solar eclipse Jan. 26, 2009, although it may be activated by future transits for several more years. 

While eclipse energy is often felt within a month on either side of the eclipse, there are hot spots they may trigger events related to the eclipse.  Those hot spot dates are when the sun squares the eclipse degree Nov 1, 2008, although you may hear something a within a few days on either side of this date.  Then when the sun opposes the eclipse Jan 28/29, 2009 (just 3 days after our next solar eclipse). 

Each eclipse has a ruler, the planet ruling the sign where the eclipse falls.  Should there be another planet within 3 degrees of the luminaries (sun or moon) that planet becomes the ruler of the eclipse.  Mercury will conjunct this solar eclipse and its influence will likely be expressed through paperwork, documents, agreements, contracts, or some form of news.  

All eclipses, whether solar or lunar have the potential to change your circumstances.  They are expressed through a crisis of some sort.  Often times a new beginning involves letting go of something from the past, whether it be a person, a relationship, an object, or behavior.  If this eclipse is conjunct or in opposition to a planet in your natal chart you should expect those planets to become sensitized to the energy.  The houses that the planet rules in your chart will be influenced as well and issues that involve those houses will come up for review. This eclipse will have a power rating of a triple new moon and the message that it carries will have a positive outcome in your life even if you don’t see this during the transitional phase.

This is a new moon which points to fresh starts, new opportunities, and exciting new possibilities. The universe pours its energy into the house of this Solar Eclipse and will show itself in your outward circumstances. In other words, the eclipse will change something in your life that will be apparent for all to see.

The Universe has a way of moving us forward in our lives to a point where we become a better version of ourselves.  The process can be easy or difficult; it really depends on how you handle what develops.  Trust that whatever comes up is important for you as you are evolving into the person you were destined to become.  

August 16, 2008 Partial Lunar Eclipse 25° Aquarius for all signs. 

This eclipse belongs to saros series 138. Visible over most of Asia, Australasia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Although only a partial eclipse, this eclipse should be quite spectacular. (Source: NASA eclipse page)

The last eclipse in this saros series occurred Aug. 6, 1990 at 14 Aquarius.  This eclipse has moved 10 degrees further along the zodiacal longitude, therefore if the last eclipse in this series was felt in your life, this eclipse would be much different unless you have natal planets conjunct or opposite the sun in Leo or the full moon in Aquarius.  Natal planets or angles within 4 degrees of 25 degrees of the fixed signs, Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius and Leo may also become sensitive to the lunar eclipse energy. 

Let’s look at when we had our last eclipse at or near 25 Aquarius in order to help judge how your chart responds to this series of eclipses.  Feb 16, 1999 a solar eclipse in Aquarius within orb of our current eclipse.  Something that began then may end now.  Looking back at previous eclipses to your chart is merely a tool to help judge corresponding eclipse activity to your chart.  The energy that each individual saros series contains is presented in past and future eclipses of the same series.  The saros cycle and the energy is contains carries more weight.

Do not be misled by anyone who suggests a partial eclipse to have less impact than a total eclipse.  They have obviously never experienced one to planets or angles in their chart.  The last partial eclipse in this series changed my life, my future, my family, my home, my status, my spiritual awareness and led me to my study of astrology. It was mentioned on my Your Astrologer page.  The last year has proven to me that I have come full circle in 18 years with many similar themes and underlying cosmic currents.  You may sense similarities in your life as well.

I’ve mentioned that solar eclipses influence your outward circumstances, areas that are obvious.  Lunar eclipses tend to influence relationship matters and when they touch and important planet or angle in your chart, they too may change your circumstances which would be obvious to others.  Single or attached; your relationship with something or someone could change soon.  Just as our monthly full moon touches us inwardly and emotionally and points to the culmination of a particular relationship or event, a lunar eclipse does the same although it is much more powerful. 

The rules for the duration of this lunar eclipse are that the life span is equal to one month for every hour of the eclipse, lasting up to 6 months.  This Lunar eclipse at 25 Aquarius will last 3 hrs 9 min which suggests that you will know how this eclipse will unfold by the time the sun squares the eclipse degree Nov 15/16, 2008 although the energy is active a few days before and after these dates.  Six months takes us to the next lunar eclipse Feb 9, 2009.

My own eclipse story is coming soon. 

 My sister said this recent picture of Evan made her cry because she hasn’t seen this boy smile since he was little.  I get that.

A dear reader wrote and asked how Evan was doing.  I wanted to update those of you that have seen the picture of my son and read the post about him going off to weight loss camp. 

It’s been over a year and a lot happened since last summer.  My husband changed jobs and we relocated during Evan’s first year in high school.  He did lose 16 lbs at camp but put the weight right back on plus 20 lbs.  He didn’t complain about bullying in the new school, but there were a few incidents that he mentioned where someone said something that hurt his feelings. 

By the time school was out for summer I was really concerned that he would never take the weight off and his weight would continue to climb.  He went out of town in late May to visit his Dad and spend time with an old friend from his pre-school years.  Evan and Charles are still friends after 10 years and a separation of 3 ½ years with 650 miles between them.  I find that amazing sometimes!

I had lost 10-15 lbs during our relocation, but by Spring I felt it creeping back on.  The weight loss was not from dieting, it was mostly stress related due to a number of issues I had at the time.  I started a low carb diet on June 1st and lost 15 pounds within the first two weeks and you could really see it in my face.  My daughter made the trip to pick up Evan and bring him home about the third week of June and she told him on the drive home about my success.  She and her boyfriend really played up how well I was doing because they knew when he saw me that perhaps that would help him make the decision to start a low carb lifestyle as well. 

He walked in the house, gave me a hug and I asked if he was ready to do this with me and he agreed.  I assured him he would not feel deprived or hungry as I would do the cooking and I was experimenting with low carb recipes.  We were going to limit our starch and sugar, but we would eat well.  First up, “try these low carb cream cheese muffins I made.”

Evan has lost more than 40 lbs as of today.  I’m not sure of the exact number as I write this.  He is a new and improved version of himself and I couldn’t be happier for him!  No mother wants to see her child feel bad about themselves and be bullied at school because of their weight; it was painful to go through for both of us. 

He use to walk with his shoulders slumped and his head down, often kind of dragging his feet.  No matter how many times I asked him to stand up straight and hold his head up, the bigger issue was self esteem.  He didn’t smile much, especially around other people, most likely from not wanting to draw attention to himself.  Now he laughs and smiles daily.  He has the best sense of humor and a mind like a sponge so you can bet if he watches the comedy channel he’ll share every joke with you.  He admitted a few days ago that he hasn’t been this happy since he was 7 or 8 years old, about the time he started gaining weight. 

He has a myspace and has been posting pictures daily of his new friends – a group of five or six kids he hangs around with at school.  I can’t ever remember him having more than one friend at school and it was usually the other kid that was also picked on.  He has over 200 anime videos on youtube and was #79 most viewed in Japan a couple of weeks ago.  People were leaving very nice comments and he told me it made him feel important.  We all need to feel important.  Evans life has changed because of his weight loss; he’s happy and more confident in his own skin.  The best thing I ever did for Evan was start living a low carb lifestyle for myself.