Day 5 of Dukan Diet

Ugh. Decided to attack my weight again and started the Dukan Diet 5 days ago. I was thrilled at first as I lost over 5 pounds in the first three days. Day 4 and 5 resulted in a gain of 1.2 pounds. I have followed the diet to the T which is quiet the challenge for me as I do not like meat, not the least. I have added flax seed to the diet (about 2/3 T) to help with the side effects of the meat consumption, so this variation from the diet may have affected my weight loss.

On the home front, I'm still going through boxes after a year and a half of living in Minnesota. Most of the house has been settled for months and months, but I am determined to empty every box and be rid of all clutter. My newest discovery is that Amazon has a trade in program for books. I'm loving this program as it is easier than dragging books I want to get rid of to the two places in town that buy used books. Amazon credits your account and pays for shipping. As I buy some bulk supplies from Amazon (and of course books) this system suits. Used bookstores in town don't consistently take what I sell. I try Amazon first, try to guess if used books stores will take, and if in doubt, donate. I still have the hardest time parting with children's books - so many memories of reading aloud to the boys. Good news though, we came with 300 boxes of books (large library in home in Virginia) and our books currently fit into the designated space allotted.

I know I will always have the problem of book control as the we are all huge readers. I'm trying hard to determine after I finish each book if anyone else in family would every read it, is it so fabulous that I would maybe read again, or is their someone I know who would enjoy. If not, the book has to go. Seems to be working so far.

Another method I've employed to limit the purchase of books is the nifty little Amazon app on the iphone that lets you scan a barcode. When I find a book I want, I scan the barcode and check the price on Amazon which is almost always much cheaper. If I still want the book, I put it in my basket (note: don't buy). Later on, I check out my basket and determine if I really want the book which may include reading reviews on the book or just figuring out if I have time to read or the money to buy. This method has drastically reduced both purchases and amount spent per purchase. Delayed gratification is a wonderful thing.