Healthy Weight Loss

[Hollylane]

I'm really super strange...I like to crack eggs into a frying pan with butter(I do not eat low fat), stir them (not scramble), let them cook through, then mix them with miracle whip, a tiny bit of brown mustard, bacon or sausage crumbles, and salt & pepper. Then I chill the fried egg salad to eat later. To me, this is yum.

I just know that when Gaige reads this she is going to cringe....

Jo, great job getting back to business...I am taking the rest of the weekend off...Then it is on!

[canmarielan]

Well, I gained 12 lbs on vacation.

12 lbs of vodka, reunion cake, guacamole, and sweet potatoes.

Lol.

12 lbs that will be gone in a week.

YAY for kick ass workouts!

[Andrea]

After allowing lesser important things to derail me, my focus has been returned to my health. (Mostly due to a kick in the *blank* from some blood test results.)

In the last month I have changed what fuels I place in my body and have started back to the gym. Results: I feel so much better and I have shaved off 8 pounds.

I believe my focus and commitment to be much stronger now.

Health: Here I come!!!

[canmarielan]

Weighed this morning...already 5 lbs gone since Friday.....this is what happens! I lose the first 10 lbs quickly and then come to an almost stand still for several Weeks. Luckily over the last 125 lbs I've learned that or else it would probably piss me off!
I love that we can share these things with each other

[JoSchmooze]

Well, I gained 12 lbs on vacation.

12 lbs of vodka, reunion cake, guacamole, and sweet potatoes.

Lol.

12 lbs that will be gone in a week.

YAY for kick ass workouts!

I gained 7 lbs over reunion - probably because
I didn't eat any of the cake!
But then getting sick when I got home helped to get rid of
about 5 lbs.....

I have to wait until I get back home again to Al the Russian
for my "kickass" workouts...

:cigar2:

[Andrea]

Is it true the scale may show a weight gain the day after a workout? I was told the muscles retain fluid after working out.

Not that it will change my working out. I just like to verify what I have been told.

Thanks!

[Gemme]

Is it true the scale may show a weight gain the day after a workout? I was told the muscles retain fluid after working out.

Not that it will change my working out. I just like to verify what I have been told.

Thanks!

It's entirely possible, depending on what you've drunk and eaten or whether your muscles have been torn down and are rebuilding.

I got a little "obsessed" with the scale a couple of years ago and would weight myself immediately before and after my workouts as well as later in the day (I did morning workouts). My lowest weight would be immediately after a workout and before eating because of the water I lost through sweat, so I'm not sure if the muscles retain more water than normal after working out. It seems logical though.

[Leigh]

With my new job being at a place where I stand alot, that & working out I hope will help me to lose weight :)

[ahk]

My wife and I have been doing WW for about 6 months now-- and have lost about 40 lbs together. She has about 15 more pounds til she hits her goal and I have about 50-70 more pounds for my goal. Its slow, but it feels good-- to be lighter.

My one thing I am not good at is -- drum roll: exercise. Any suggestions on what to motivate someone?

[Gemme]

This morning, I stepped on the scale to find myself at the lowest weight I've been at since maybe a year ago if not longer.

155.0

Sweet! Now, I'm thinking that it's definitely time to get back into exercising. My gym membership is getting dusty and, while my clothes are fitting a little better, I'm still quite jiggly. I hate the jiggle.

Ahk, I'd love to give you pointers, but even in my most exercise-driven days, I can't really say I was motivated by exercise itself. What motivated me was the results, the compliments from said results (because I'm vain like that) and challenging myself to go harder and farther than the previous session/week/month.

I also enjoyed the cuter clothes. What's up with that? You can only have super cute workout clothes if you are a size itty bitty? Bah. Anywho......my point is maybe focus on the results end of it instead of the exercise part of it? So many days, I didn't want to go to the gym....it was cold/rainy/early/annoying....but I did and I got results. When I didn't go, I got less results.

*shrug*

Maybe engaging in sports that you enjoy? That way, you'll have positive movement and enjoy what you are doing, so it feels less like working out and more like recess. I never liked sports, so this mentality really never helped me. :blink:

[Cowboi]

1st day back at the gym with my trainer. Crossfit day......OMFG! that is all.

[ahk]

This morning, I stepped on the scale to find myself at the lowest weight I've been at since maybe a year ago if not longer.

155.0

Sweet! Now, I'm thinking that it's definitely time to get back into exercising. My gym membership is getting dusty and, while my clothes are fitting a little better, I'm still quite jiggly. I hate the jiggle.

Ahk, I'd love to give you pointers, but even in my most exercise-driven days, I can't really say I was motivated by exercise itself. What motivated me was the results, the compliments from said results (because I'm vain like that) and challenging myself to go harder and farther than the previous session/week/month.

I also enjoyed the cuter clothes. What's up with that? You can only have super cute workout clothes if you are a size itty bitty? Bah. Anywho......my point is maybe focus on the results end of it instead of the exercise part of it? So many days, I didn't want to go to the gym....it was cold/rainy/early/annoying....but I did and I got results. When I didn't go, I got less results.

*shrug*

Maybe engaging in sports that you enjoy? That way, you'll have positive movement and enjoy what you are doing, so it feels less like working out and more like recess. I never liked sports, so this mentality really never helped me. :blink:

Thank you, Gemme.

a.

PS. Congrats on your new weight--

[JustJo]

Hi Healthies :)

So glad to see you all in here supporting each other!

I'm still chugging away at the world's slowest weight loss. The good news is that it's still going down. I can look back and remember my high weight of 230...the incredible struggle I had to break the 200 mark....and now know that on any given day I can hop on the scale and see something near 195. This morning it was 194.

Part of me thinks my loss is slow because of the diabetes meds I'm on....my cousin thinks I should get my thyroid checked since evidently the whole family has thyroid issues...and personally I think it's just because I'm making "baby step" changes rather than dieting, so that I can live like this for the rest of my life.

I'm still doing the Curves thing 3 times a week, although I've missed a few when traveling for work the last couple months. My body is reshaping and firming up in a way that makes me happy. I'm back in my size 14 skirt suit for client visits, and am buying off the rack size 16 shorts (although those are getting lose now....think I need to head for the 14s) and size large shirts.

Still have that annoying lower belly "thing" that I got after having my son and has never left...but everything else is looking and feeling pretty good. :)

[*Anya*]

I don't really like to focus on pounds or sizes but how I feel-however, I tried on my size 12 jeans today thinking that no way in hell they would fit but they did.

They had fit me about 14 months ago and then I porked myself out of them, much to my dismay.

Since my 1st surgery in March, I have lost 15 pounds but more important, I have gained most of my stamina and energy back.

In the end, health truly is all that matters.

[Andrea]

The last two days have had an eating out component and I am very happy with my food selection and portion control.

The downside is I was up so late last night that I will miss yoga this morning, because I will be returning to bed in a few. (Why I can't just sleep in like normal people......)

My motivation is purely health. I wish I had rewards to look forward to but there isn't anything I can think of that has a strong enough appeal.

What are some of your milestone rewards?

[Rockinonahigh]

A couple of months ago I changed my primary care Doctor,I told her how I had been watching my food plan along with working out three to five times a week but didnt think I was loseing enough weight.She orderd a thyroid/hormone check and found I was low on all counts by 10 to 15% so now in on pills to help it get back to normal numbers slowly but stedly they are getting better.I weighed yesterday at 254 so I am now loseing it again at the rate of a pound to a pound and a half a week more or less.For a long time I was just stuck at 265 gain cause I had started gaining but I had no idea why.I had all the probs that come with such low thyroids and hormones even some I didnt think could be part of it.Lack of sleep,restlesness,some bad irritablity,dry itchy skin even some hair loss and just general not feeling good day after day didnt help.

[PinkieLee]

Hey y'all :)

I know, I know... long time, no hear! Even in my absence, I was still a faithful reader of this thread, cheering each and every one of you on.

As most of y'all know, 2012 has been rough as hell for me (and for many others). I totally let my focus on being healthy to be pushed to the back burner. I can blame stress, depression, & mass chaos all I want, but ultimately it was me.

I have gained back the 30 pounds I lost and added another 4 pounds to it.

Yesterday, I went to the store and loaded up on fruits, veggies & lean meats. I'm not doing WW right now, but am focusing on portion control, water intake, less processed food and trying to cut out fast food (except for Subway) and sodas. D and I both have acknowledged that we need to focus on our health. We are gonna do it together... even if she kicks & screams along the way ;)

Luckily, the weather has cooled off here to a gorgeous 60 degrees... so we have plans to start walking at the park by our house in the evenings after work. We still have our gym memberships, that have been collecting dust since January, so we have no excuses.

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for showing up each & everyday... sharing & celebrating with us all every step of the way.

Game ON!

[Heavenleahangel]

A couple of months ago I changed my primary care Doctor,I told her how I had been watching my food plan along with working out three to five times a week but didnt think I was loseing enough weight.She orderd a thyroid/hormone check and found I was low on all counts by 10 to 15% so now in on pills to help it get back to normal numbers slowly but stedly they are getting better.I weighed yesterday at 254 so I am now loseing it again at the rate of a pound to a pound and a half a week more or less.For a long time I was just stuck at 265 gain cause I had started gaining but I had no idea why.I had all the probs that come with such low thyroids and hormones even some I didnt think could be part of it.Lack of sleep,restlesness,some bad irritablity,dry itchy skin even some hair loss and just general not feeling good day after day didnt help.

Your post made me wonder about my thyroid as well. I have all the symptoms as you and no matter what, I can't lose anything significatly. I am diabetic as well.
I havn't had a complete work up since I quit chemo, so maybe I should get mine checked. At my highest, I literally tipped the scales st the hospital and lost over 200 pounds NATURALLY. Steroids with chemo and the high calorie "smoothies" I was on caused me to gain back about 60 pounds. :| Now that I want to get it off, I can't lose over 2 pounds, then bam it's back! I think a check-up is in order. Wish me luck!!!

[JustJo]

Good morning healthies :)

I just did my periodic check on how I'm doing with my two favorite clothing items that don't yet fit. You know....we all have those, right?

I am SO FREAKIN CLOSE to getting into my favorite Apple Bottom jeans.....arrrrrgggghhhhhhh!!!!

Can't wait...cuz...frankly, my rear view is much improved with 9-1/2 months of exercise. :sunglass:

[JustJo]

Hey y'all :)

I know, I know... long time, no hear! Even in my absence, I was still a faithful reader of this thread, cheering each and every one of you on.

As most of y'all know, 2012 has been rough as hell for me (and for many others). I totally let my focus on being healthy to be pushed to the back burner. I can blame stress, depression, & mass chaos all I want, but ultimately it was me.

I have gained back the 30 pounds I lost and added another 4 pounds to it.

Yesterday, I went to the store and loaded up on fruits, veggies & lean meats. I'm not doing WW right now, but am focusing on portion control, water intake, less processed food and trying to cut out fast food (except for Subway) and sodas. D and I both have acknowledged that we need to focus on our health. We are gonna do it together... even if she kicks & screams along the way ;)

Luckily, the weather has cooled off here to a gorgeous 60 degrees... so we have plans to start walking at the park by our house in the evenings after work. We still have our gym memberships, that have been collecting dust since January, so we have no excuses.

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for showing up each & everyday... sharing & celebrating with us all every step of the way.

Game ON!

So glad to see you back PinkieLee! :)

Don't be too rough on yourself about gaining the weight back....it's incredibly hard to keep it off, let alone keep losing, when we're going through intense stress and emotional stuff.

The good news.....you did this before, and you can do it again. We have faith in you! :)

[Andrea]

Good morning! I have to share.....

Yesterday on both the treadmill and the elliptical (or torture machine, as I call it), I was able to go twice as long as I have since restarting my health program. While not a great length of time (20 minutes and 10 minutes), it is a big deal for me.

I had encouraged myself not to focus on the discomfort of what I was doing but to challenge myself into going as far as I could. That made all the difference.

Keep up the good work, everyone.

[JoSchmooze]

The last two days have had an eating out component and I am very happy with my food selection and portion control.

The downside is I was up so late last night that I will miss yoga this morning, because I will be returning to bed in a few. (Why I can't just sleep in like normal people......)

My motivation is purely health. I wish I had rewards to look forward to but there isn't anything I can think of that has a strong enough appeal.

What are some of your milestone rewards?

A reward for me is looking in the mirror....
and not recognizing the person I see....

A reward for me is pulling out that new pair of shorts
I bought 6 months ago and now they fit!

A reward for me is seeing people I had not seen in over
6 months and they see the difference!

A reward for me...looking at the "before" and
"after" pics and seeing the difference.....

Keep on truckin' y'all.....I see the doc on Friday
and we'll see how far I've gone and much further I need
to go.......

:cigar2:

[Cowboi]

Just finished a killer back, and chest workout!!! I love the bustin at the seams kinda feel!!!

[Rockinonahigh]

My reward is feeling better plus being able to get up and do the things I like,the bestthing is watching my chubby santa belly shrink.I know lots of my weight gain is because of steroids I have taken over the years for my back problem and sinus probs.I finaly got my Doc to realise im not standing at the fridge at 2:a.m. raiding the thing,it only took months of hunting ALL my medical records from over the years.

[*Anya*]

One thing I did that not everyone may be able to do, is to move my full-length mirror into the kitchen.

I have it right next to my refrigerator.

That's an appetite killer, I will tell you that.

Makes me think two and three times about whether or not I am really hungry and secondly, if I really am, if what I am planning on eating is the best choice for myself.

Still totally off sweets. This week alone at work, I said no to coconut macaroons and a chocolate baby shower sheet cake. Two favorites, too.

[JustJo]

Still totally off sweets. This week alone at work, I said no to coconut macaroons and a chocolate baby shower sheet cake. Two favorites, too.

Bravo my friend! It's hard to turn down the goodies, especially our favorites.

I know that it would be much harder for me if I worked in our headquarters offices instead of at home. Every time I go there, people are constantly bringing in treats, inviting people to come finish off the luncheon from whatever meeting went on, and going on Starbuck's runs.

I salute all of you who deal with those challenges at work.

I'm still plugging away....no gain or loss for this week. Did miss a workout at Curves...just too sore from overdoing physical work in the house and yard...so figuring it probably all works out. I am planning on taking the dogs for a nice, long beach walk tomorrow....and having a swim this afternoon.

Have a great weekend everyone! :)

[ruffryder]

Hello and happy weekend healthies !!

I found this article at Shape (http://www.shape.com/) and thought I'd share it here. It says 7 Foods A Nutritionist Would Never Eat .. so maybe you shouldn't either!

1. Rice Cakes - They are the ultimate diet food for low-fat/no-fat, but don’t be fooled. Rice cakes can have a glycemic index rating as high as 91 (pure glucose has a rating of 100), making it the kind of carbohydrate that will send your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride. This is bad for weight loss and for your health.

2. Fat Free Salad Dressing - It's a good food gone bad. Salad dressing is the perfect combination of vinegar (which helps control blood sugar) and plant oils (full of essential fatty acids and sometimes antioxidants). But the result of fat-free salad dressings is sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and other ingredients not so good.

3. Seitan - Originally from Asia, is a common meat substitute for vegetarian dishes. Unlike many meat substitutes, seitan is not soy derived but made entirely of wheat gluten. Wheat gluten is a highly allergenic protein that is naturally found only in small amounts in wheat-based products. While there is no research linking seitan intake to increased prevalence of gluten allergies or intolerances, but perhaps eating a lot of this allergenic protein may trigger development of a more severe gluten allergy or intolerance.

4. Shark - The risk/benefit ratio of eating fish (the benefits of omega-3 fats vs. the risk of mercury) typically falls in favor of the omega-3 fats and their incredible health effects. Shark is one of the exceptions. Despite having an omega-3 fat content similar to tuna, shark contains almost three times the amount of mercury. Tilefish is another high mercury/low omega-3 fish that should be avoided. Salmon is your best bet for maximizing omega-3 fats while minimizing mercury levels.

5. Refined and Refortified Grains - Unfortunately this rules out a majority of the carbohydrates found on supermarket shelves. Refined and re-fortified grains are grain-based foods like certain breakfast cereals, pastas, and rice products that have been refined such that the naturally occurring fiber, vitamins, and minerals have been removed. Companies then replace the fiber and synthetic versions of the vitamins and minerals that were initially removed.

6. Sugar Sweetened Beverages - If you stop eating only one thing on this list, it should be sugar-sweetened beverages. The empty calories help pad your waistline without offering any sense of satiety or fullness. Plus, simple sugars do an excellent job of lowering your good cholesterol and increasing your triglyceride levels (two risk factors for heart disease). Drinking sugary beverages also promotes disturbances in your body’s inflammatory balance, making it harder to recover from exercise and increasing your risk of numerous chronic diseases.

7. Grits - Another hyper-refined carbohydrate. Nutritionally speaking, grits lack significant amounts of vitamins or minerals. They contain a minute amount of fiber and no essential fats. Their flavor is lacking and thus butter or heavy cream is used to make them palatable, bringing together the blood-vessel-destroying, unholy marriage of simple carbohydrates and saturated fat.

I know for me I need to check the fat free dressings I have! I think some of you have offered recipes and alternatives here for dressings. I also need to get away from sodas, whether they are no calorie or otherwise. I had lost some lbs and gained them back and I know where they came from, sugar and carbs! I'm gonna focus on 10 lbs for now, losing 10 lbs and I'm gonna go for this by end of the year and see where I stand. That's a good goal for me. :)

I start my new position at work tonight and I don't plan on eating all night or early morning while I'm working. I need to plan accordingly and eat dinner before I go to work and take a snack or two that is good for me. I'll also be drinking black coffee and tea. On the plus side, I'll be getting off my arse and moving more for this job!

[Zimmeh]

I found a cool app for my iPhone..It is called Yoga Builder and I am going to start out with the semi easy poses until I work up to the harder ones...I have been emotionally stressed out at work and I have been munching and less than a month ago I could get into my size 11 Junior skinny jeans and now my work pants are a little snug..Time to get rid of the extra weight!

Zimmeh

[girl_dee]

Hello and happy weekend healthies !!

I found this article at Shape (http://www.shape.com/) and thought I'd share it here. It says 7 Foods A Nutritionist Would Never Eat .. so maybe you shouldn't either!

1. Rice Cakes - They are the ultimate diet food for low-fat/no-fat, but don’t be fooled. Rice cakes can have a glycemic index rating as high as 91 (pure glucose has a rating of 100), making it the kind of carbohydrate that will send your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride. This is bad for weight loss and for your health.

2. Fat Free Salad Dressing - It's a good food gone bad. Salad dressing is the perfect combination of vinegar (which helps control blood sugar) and plant oils (full of essential fatty acids and sometimes antioxidants). But the result of fat-free salad dressings is sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and other ingredients not so good.

3. Seitan - Originally from Asia, is a common meat substitute for vegetarian dishes. Unlike many meat substitutes, seitan is not soy derived but made entirely of wheat gluten. Wheat gluten is a highly allergenic protein that is naturally found only in small amounts in wheat-based products. While there is no research linking seitan intake to increased prevalence of gluten allergies or intolerances, but perhaps eating a lot of this allergenic protein may trigger development of a more severe gluten allergy or intolerance.

4. Shark - The risk/benefit ratio of eating fish (the benefits of omega-3 fats vs. the risk of mercury) typically falls in favor of the omega-3 fats and their incredible health effects. Shark is one of the exceptions. Despite having an omega-3 fat content similar to tuna, shark contains almost three times the amount of mercury. Tilefish is another high mercury/low omega-3 fish that should be avoided. Salmon is your best bet for maximizing omega-3 fats while minimizing mercury levels.

5. Refined and Refortified Grains - Unfortunately this rules out a majority of the carbohydrates found on supermarket shelves. Refined and re-fortified grains are grain-based foods like certain breakfast cereals, pastas, and rice products that have been refined such that the naturally occurring fiber, vitamins, and minerals have been removed. Companies then replace the fiber and synthetic versions of the vitamins and minerals that were initially removed.

6. Sugar Sweetened Beverages - If you stop eating only one thing on this list, it should be sugar-sweetened beverages. The empty calories help pad your waistline without offering any sense of satiety or fullness. Plus, simple sugars do an excellent job of lowering your good cholesterol and increasing your triglyceride levels (two risk factors for heart disease). Drinking sugary beverages also promotes disturbances in your body’s inflammatory balance, making it harder to recover from exercise and increasing your risk of numerous chronic diseases.

7. Grits - Another hyper-refined carbohydrate. Nutritionally speaking, grits lack significant amounts of vitamins or minerals. They contain a minute amount of fiber and no essential fats. Their flavor is lacking and thus butter or heavy cream is used to make them palatable, bringing together the blood-vessel-destroying, unholy marriage of simple carbohydrates and saturated fat.

I know for me I need to check the fat free dressings I have! I think some of you have offered recipes and alternatives here for dressings. I also need to get away from sodas, whether they are no calorie or otherwise. I had lost some lbs and gained them back and I know where they came from, sugar and carbs! I'm gonna focus on 10 lbs for now, losing 10 lbs and I'm gonna go for this by end of the year and see where I stand. That's a good goal for me. :)

I start my new position at work tonight and I don't plan on eating all night or early morning while I'm working. I need to plan accordingly and eat dinner before I go to work and take a snack or two that is good for me. I'll also be drinking black coffee and tea. On the plus side, I'll be getting off my arse and moving more for this job!



NO GRITS?????????


:hrmph:

[Gráinne]

Hi, all!

I too can blame a terrible year for getting way out of control with eating well and movement (as in: none). The kicker is, I can eat even when great things happen, too. Bottom line: No one opens my mouth and stuffs food in but me. And Tahiti cookies and cheesecake don't make problems go away or add anything to good experiences. They're just ingredients.

Yesterday I went to the exercise room at my complex and did a mile in 25 minutes and some seconds. I did get up to a 22 minute mile, but can't sustain that for any length. 25 minutes is about it. Therefore, my first goal is to get down to an 18 minute mile, 15 if I'm really ambitious. Then I'll go on to the couch-5K program.

I too have an inexpensive gym membership that also has access to another gym offering spinning, Zumba, and kickboxing. There's just no excuse. I also realized I've been paying along my WeightWatchers online membership and not using it. That needs to change, but moving consistently is the first step.

I'm grateful for both this thread and the fat positive thread. It's OK and a good thing to want to be healthy at whatever weight that is.

Good week, everyone :)

It feels good to test myself, to feel that hum and feel the sweat.

[girl_dee]

Well i knew it was coming but two weeks on the road and one of those weeks being in New Orleans my jeans are just screaming at me.



Time to DETOX !

[starryeyes]

Me too!! I am keep gaining and I am not moving at all. I need to change my mind frame and get it together. I was interpreting for a pride festival yesterday, and after seeing some of the pictures on Facebook I feel so defeated! I am 25lbs up from my lowest weight 2 years ago. I keep justifying that I am still less than when I started (at 250lbs) but that justification is keeping me stagnant. I know I can set 10lb goals and get that 25 off and more in no time with some motivation.

I am ready!!!!

[Leigh]

You can do it starry, we all can :)

[cinnamongrrl]

I KNEW rice cakes just couldn't be right..... :blink:

[Dance-with-me]

Hi, I'd like to join in with this thread.

I am an anti-dieter for many reasons, and want simply to focus on eating good, healthy foods in reasonable portions with occasional treats in moderation and a strong focus on local/seasonal eating, and moving my body as much as I need it to move for stress reduction, heart health, and to increase my strength, endurance and flexibility. I've found that when I focus on that instead of on the scale or any other outward measure, not only do I feel better, but that the pounds and inches also naturally fall off - and I certainly doing go looking for them.

I liked what cajun_dee just posted. I'm a strong believer that fake processed crap masquerading as "diet food" is the worst thing for me. I'd much rather have a reasonable portion of real butter over a blob of "reduced fat spread, some good-quality olive oil, flavored vinegar and some herbs and a bit of strong hard cheese than "fat free salad dressing," and I'd rather have a small portion of a really excellent cheesecake or brownie than an entire package of "reduced fat" or "sugar free" cookies. If I have quality, substance, and real foods, my cravings for the crap are greatly reduced.

My downfall is sugar and alcohol. I enjoy having a drink in the evening, but my waistline definitely thinks it's a bad idea. And sugar.... Definitely have to get a grip on my sugar consumption. My other problem is forgetting to eat meals, whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner: I feel like I'm fine at the time, but then later on I'm focused on getting whatever I can find quickly and easily into my system.

Is there a thread anywhere for sharing recipes? I'd love to share and get more ideas on things that are easy to fix, delicious, and relatively healthy.

[Gemme]

Hi, I'd like to join in with this thread.

I am an anti-dieter for many reasons, and want simply to focus on eating good, healthy foods in reasonable portions with occasional treats in moderation and a strong focus on local/seasonal eating, and moving my body as much as I need it to move for stress reduction, heart health, and to increase my strength, endurance and flexibility. I've found that when I focus on that instead of on the scale or any other outward measure, not only do I feel better, but that the pounds and inches also naturally fall off - and I certainly doing go looking for them.

I liked what cajun_dee just posted. I'm a strong believer that fake processed crap masquerading as "diet food" is the worst thing for me. I'd much rather have a reasonable portion of real butter over a blob of "reduced fat spread, some good-quality olive oil, flavored vinegar and some herbs and a bit of strong hard cheese than "fat free salad dressing," and I'd rather have a small portion of a really excellent cheesecake or brownie than an entire package of "reduced fat" or "sugar free" cookies. If I have quality, substance, and real foods, my cravings for the crap are greatly reduced.

My downfall is sugar and alcohol. I enjoy having a drink in the evening, but my waistline definitely thinks it's a bad idea. And sugar.... Definitely have to get a grip on my sugar consumption. My other problem is forgetting to eat meals, whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner: I feel like I'm fine at the time, but then later on I'm focused on getting whatever I can find quickly and easily into my system.

Is there a thread anywhere for sharing recipes? I'd love to share and get more ideas on things that are easy to fix, delicious, and relatively healthy.

There is. I can't find it right this moment, but there is one.

[Gemme]

Here are a couple that I found real quick that may or may not help, depending on what you are specifically looking for.

http://www.butchfemmeplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4500

http://www.butchfemmeplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2353

http://www.butchfemmeplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=416

[Kelt]

Hey healthies,

It's been a bit since I was in here much, but I want to keep a promise. Just over a year ago I put up my first annual report on my weight loss. Some of you will remember that I spent a year in here getting tremendous support and encouragement from you while working on my health. It paid off and I lost the weight.

I said then that I would let you all know how things were going and that I would come back to check in whether it be good news or bad. A good way to set up ongoing accountability with the folks who helped me so much. Well, it's good news, one year in maintenance and the weight is still off.

It hasn't been without its pitfalls, I still struggle at times. I have been able to learn more about my own triggers and what happens if I make a bad decision. Like others have stated in here, for me stress seems to be the thing that sets off bad food choices. I've had a pocketful this year although much less than other people in here.

I have turned to processed food, specifically grain and sugar, to numb things when I felt like I needed that. It was, of course, a bad idea. Just like any other "drug" I would get brain fog, apathy, fatigue, and not-give-a-damn results. I have stayed within a 20lb range from 10 too low to 10 too high, but overall I am satisfied with my first year of this.

Going forward into the next year I will focus on balance. I will work on narrowing the "wiggle room" to a range of 10lb instead of 20. I will reorder my exercise routine to be a bit less obsessive and focus on optimizing my nutrition further for even better overall health. Learning more and better stress management techniques will also be key.

I have faithfully kept up with this thread and will continue to read. If I have a resource to share or something positive to contribute, I will. I applaud everyone in here and cheer you on everyday. I'm also going to stay accountable to you. Maintenance is easier than loss, but still requires vigilance.

You guys are aces, and to Jo in particular, thank you for having this thread. It probably saved my life.

:theisland:

[Cowboi]

Crossfit=puke.

[Heavenleahangel]

Good Evening to all my gettin-healthy peeps! I decided to start going to the gym so I went twice this week. I have to start out really slow as I have not yet recovered fully from the chemo and my muscles are very weak (read as gone...lol). But I have actually thought about everytime I went to eat something and asked "Why am I eating this? Am I bored? In pain?" I officially lost 3 pounds!!! I am stoked!!!

[Andrea]

Yesterday was one of those days I could have allowed myself to eat for comfort. Or I could have chosen to give up my new healthy ways because what's the use anyway....

I am refusing to allow this bump in my road to dictate my health. I will push on. What I could use is an AMEN from my support team.

I have set the Presidential Debate up to record so I can go to the gym tonight without concern about missing it. And we have fish tacos planned for dinner so there is no chance we will succumb to the hungrys and grab processed foods to eat.

[Gráinne]

This morning was one of those times in which I'm so efficient, I scare myself. We were all out the door early, with the result that I could go to the early Zumba class at my gym :).

Zumba is a dance workout based on Latin, African and Caribbean beats. Believe me, it's a whole-body workout. I think I lost my booty bone and shimmy muscles long ago, and everything else hasn't moved like that in years. It's probably illegal for a bunch of middle-aged women to move like that, shhhh!

This time I'm focusing on movement that I enjoy, not something to push myself through to reshape this or that part, or to lose weight. If I'm exercising for any of those reasons, I won't keep it up. However, allow my mind to go to naughty and come up with ideas on applying Zumba to more intimate moments, and it's "What time is class tomorrow evening?" :lol:. Hey, whatever works!

The best thing about my movement movement (ha!) is that I don't feel like eating junk after I've done all that work. It's already helped my mood a lot.

[JustJo]

Hi healthies

I just got off the phone with my oldest and dearest friend, and I'm just sitting here, so sad and hurting for her. She has always struggled with her weight and, while I would be overweight and pretty much holding steady, she worked incredibly hard over and over for years to lose the weight, but would always gain it back. She's been on every diet I know of, and her weight has fluctuated by as much as 100 lbs up and down, over and over.

In recent years, she just keeps gaining, no matter how hard she tries. She's been working with a nutritionist, working out....and still gaining. Her doctor has told her that all of her yo-yo dieting has essentially damaged her metabolism ....and she no longer has that internal set point that most of us have.

On top of that, her life is full of stress and....like me and many others....she is a stress and emotional eater.

She's 5'2" and is currently at her heaviest ever weight of 283.
She's seriously considering bariatric surgery.
I'm worried about her. :rrose:

[*Anya*]

I am sitting in Nordie's Bistro and was just beating myself up because the "Not your daughter's jeans", dress slacks and blouse that I just bought, are not size 10 but are 12 petite ( I am a shorty: 5"3).

I had to give myself a stern talking to.

In 2009, I was in size 22's. Yep, not only short but short and fat.

I hope that does not offend anyone but for me, there are no euphuisms. It is exactly what I was.

I am not thin, maybe if I had larger breasts, I could be considered voluptuous. I don't know exactly what I am, other than hypercritical of myself.

I am back where I was after I lost 50 pounds. My cholesterol is staying at 170, from the high of 270, even after stopping the Lipitor.

Self-acceptance.

Even more difficult than losing weight.

[JustJo]

I am sitting in Nordie's Bistro and was just beating myself up because the "Not your daughter's jeans", dress slacks and blouse that I just bought, are not size 10 but are 12 petite ( I am a shorty: 5"3).

I had to give myself a stern talking to.

In 2009, I was in size 22's. Yep, not only short but short and fat.

I hope that does not offend anyone but for me, there are no euphuisms. It is exactly what I was.

I am not thin, maybe if I had larger breasts, I could be considered voluptuous. I don't know exactly what I am, other than hypercritical of myself.

I am back where I was after I lost 50 pounds. My cholesterol is staying at 170, from the high of 270, even after stopping the Lipitor.

Self-acceptance.

Even more difficult than losing weight.

((((( Anya ))))) :rrose:

I'm so glad that you posted this.

I think it's so easy to get caught up in berating ourselves because we aren't where we want to be instead of patting ourselves on the back for what we've accomplished.

Your cholesterol count alone equals a big improvement health-wise. :cheer:

I know that I sometimes go a bit sideways and grumble about the world's slowest weight loss. I see others losing 1, 2, 5 or more pounds each week....and I'm averaging 2 a month. I know it's partly genetic, partly diabetes medications, partly because I'm exercising and being more active but not doing serious "training" and, in largest part, because I'm not dieting. I've just been making small life changes that I can live with forever.

So....when I really want a cheeseburger, I go get one. But I don't drive thru McDonald's multiple times in a week anymore. If I really want some ice cream I have it, but I don't drown my sorrows in a pint of Ben & Jerry's every night.

At the end of the day, here's what I have to look at. I've been in Florida a little over 2 years. Since I've been here, my highest weight was 229, but I'm not sure exactly when that was. I struggled mightily to break the 200 barrier, and now I'm running a pretty consistent 193 - 195, with a gradual trending downward slope. This morning was 193.

That's the lowest weight I've been in so long that I can't remember the last time.

That's a loss of 36 pounds....and slightly more than 15% of my starting body weight. I KNOW that positively impacts my health, not to mention how I look and feel....and that's where I need to focus, not on how far I still have to go.

Hugs to you all :gimmehug:

[JoSchmooze]

Thanks to both of you for posting!
I went for my weigh in on Friday....
I have been on maintenance for 6 weeks and only
lost 2 pounds. ONLY!!
Forget the fact that I have a stress fracture in my left
foot that has prevented me from being in the gym...
Forget the fact that I have gone from 500 calories a day
to 1200 calories........I STILL was able to lose something!

As long as we are able to focus on achievement and HEALTH,
and not be hypercritical of ourselves and not focus on what
what others achieve......that's a win in my book.
It takes all of us to be able to look at our own
acheivements and celebrate the healthy!

Keep on trucking y'all.....I know I will be......

:cigar2:

[Cowboi]

OMG!!! Today was leg day. I had to crawl out of the gym. Im thinking tomorrow, im gonna be walkin like Fred Sanford.

75 pushups
75 wallballs(12lb ball) with box squats
75 squats
and that was just to warm up.
then on to Leg press 4x10
leg raises 4x10
seated hamstring curls 4x10
calfs(on leg press machine) 4x15

[*Anya*]

I had a very interesting discussion yesterday with

<<<<<<Occupied.

She is average weight, proportioned for her height, has no food issues or addictions.

She texted me from my house while I was at work asking me: "Where are your sweets? I can't find any cookies, candy, ice cream or cake. How can you live like this"?

She was only half-kidding.

When I got home from work, there was a Mounds bar in the frig. She actually went to the store to buy candy.

I tried to think from a non-food addiction person how strange it would be.

The only analogy I could give her was an acoholic and how one drink sends them down the path of hell.

Sweets seem so harmless but for me, they set up a craving so intense, such an obsession, it feels like an addiction to me.

I think she got it and was apologetic as she ate the candy bar and asked if I wanted her to go outside to eat it. Just like an alcoholic in recovery, I could watch her eat it because I had no craving.

I don't miss the insanity of eating a bag of cookies in one sitting or a box of Thin Mints or even the last time I fell off the wagon with Graham crackers.

I can never eat just one or have one bite. Period.

[Gráinne]

Last night at the gym, I noticed that my 25 minute mile was becoming easy. I wasn't sweating as hard, nor straining to finish. I told myself that it was because I was watching the debate on one screen, and football on the other, and thus wasn't working as hard as I do if it's just me.

Then this morning I noticed that my pants didn't work; they were way too loose. I told myself that these were old pants (true) and probably just worn out. My top was also too baggy, but I told myself the same, that it was just wearing out.

So it looks like I have to buy new pants and new bras, and kick up my pace to the next level that's difficult but doable. But what I've been thinking is, why do we ascribe outside things for success, like 'the clothes are worn out', but castigate ourselves for our "failures"? It's not only about weight.

[Andrea]

A medical procedure has kept me from working out for the last few days and I am missing it. :blink:

Wow!!! When did that happen? LOL

How is everyone else doing?

[*Anya*]

I finally lost 1/2 of a pound that had been hanging on for weeks.

I simply must get more walking in.

It was easy at my former job to just get up and go outside to walk twice a day, this job-not so much. Today, for example, 5 meetings scheduled and 2 of them are 1.5 hours each.

I just have to do it.

Make the time for me.

Have a great day fellow healthies!

[girl_dee]

i gotta get on track... just gotta.....

[Gráinne]

Good morning!

Last night at the gym-21.10 minute mile. I shaved off about 4 minutes in a couple of days, and 10 minutes since last week. 18 minutes, or even 15, doesn't seem so undoable now :).

I also got my pace up to 20 minutes for about half of the mile, before my calves hurt and I had to slow down. But it's coming!

Then, because I was feeling so badass to the core, I went over to the free weight section and did my arm routine with 10 pound weights. I'd not done that before. I couldn't do as much, but that's sort of the point-to push it a little. Otherwise, you're not building your muscle.

My goal isn't to be a musclebody-I know you have to have a certain body type for that, and put in serious weightlifting even then, but nicely toned would be great ;). My gym offers a "women's side", but I actually prefer to work out with the football players and serious bodybuilders, as if that motivates me. I got a thumbs-up yesterday from one.

Andrea's right, when I miss a day, I don't feel as good. I also know I can mix it up a little with swimming and Zumba, but I also want to focus on that pace thing, which is easier to measure on a treadmill.

When the rest of my life feels like it's falling down around me (literally), it's nice to have something to look forward to and to actually go right.

[Sachita]

I was working out and walking everyday. had some funky problem with the top of my feet. That healed. I'm back walking. I'm not so sure about the gym any more but I did join the YMCA to swim.

I finally broke down and seriously cut back on all grains. I still might have a bit of rice soba or very small amount of rice now and then. I'm mostly juicing, which I always do but now all greens. I am amazed how I feel after one week of not eating wheat or grains. I'm eating chicken, lamb, beef and even eggs. I've increased my veggie intake quite a bit. So instead of have rice or a potato with meals I just eat more veggies or mushrooms. In a week i lost 5 pound just by not eating grains and I totally stopped sugar. Of course there is sugar in carbs and I stopped table sugars/sweets. I actually went through a bit of withdrawal over the sugar thing.

I also notice that when I do eat grains or any sugars it sets the pace for the rest of the day. I'm amazed that in a week my blood pressure and blood sugar lowered.

[Dance-with-me]

I've been using the massive chaos in my life, the fact that I'm feeling limited to just my bedroom in my home until my ex and family are finally out of there, and the fact that I'm trying to stay away from home as much as possible, as my reason to not exercise. I need to be called on that b.s. and stop using my baby-elliptical as just a place to hang bras and dry panties!

[Kelt]

I came across this article in Lifehacker (http://lifehacker.com/5953248/this-study-shows-how-to-lose-a-lot-of-weight++and-keep-it-off) and wanted to share it. As Jo was saying earlier, developing habits that you can stick with beyond the loss phase is a good idea. This has some ideas that might be helpful. I am pasting the summary article here and will link to the full report at the bottom.
_________________________________________________

This Study Shows How to Lose a Lot of Weight—and Keep It Off
Melanie Pinola
If you want to know the secret of successful weight loss and management, take a look at the results from The National Weight Control Registry. The participants in the study lost an average of 66 pounds each and kept it off for 5.5 years. Here's how they did it.
The National Weight Control Registry is a database of about 4,000 people who maintained at least a 30 pound weight loss for at least one year.

Although there were variations in how quickly they lost weight and how much, there are four things NWCR members have in common:

90% of them say they exercise, on average, about 1 hour per day
78% eat breakfast every day
75% weigh themselves at least once a week
62% watch fewer than 10 hours of TV per week
These may seem like obvious common sense essentials for weight loss, but they're still important findings. The fact that 89% of the participants used a combination of both diet and exercise reinforces the importance of both.

The dedication to a significant and extensive amount of daily exercise is also notable. Twenty-eight percent of participants used only walking as their exercise. The researchers also put pedometers on a sample of the participants and found they walked about 5.5 to 6 miles a day—far beyond the minimal guidelines.

Frequent weighing is also interesting, since some people think weighing too often is counter-productive when trying to lose weight. Weighing yourself at least weekly could be an "early warning system" to keep you on track for the long term.

See the whole study via the link below:

The National Weight Control Registry | The Permanente Journal (http://xnet.kp.org/permanentejournal/sum03/registry.html)

[JustJo]

Hello healthies :)

Well....I've been struggling a bit. It's not reflecting in the scale, but it's operating in my head for sure.

I've been under intense stress....both work and personal...and the emotional eating triggers are all kicked over to "Chow Down!" Thankfully, my good eating of the last year-ish means that my capacity is wayyyyy down. So, when I grab the chips and dip I manage a couple spoonsfull of dip and a couple handfuls of chips....and then I feel stuffed and mildly ill. At least that's better than the full bag and full tub action of 2 years ago.

Still, I know it's not good.

I also had such a crazy schedule of unplanned "stuff"...car issues, kids that needed to be watched because moms had crises to deal with, school schedule changes...that I missed over a week of Curves.

I was back today, and it felt fine....so I know I'm not too far off.

I guess it's just frustrating to see (and feel) how quickly those negative patterns are ready to jump back to the forefront when things get rocky. So far, the worst thing is my diet soda addiction....which has returned with a vengenance...and which I really need to stop, because I know it leads to worse eating habits pretty quickly.

Hugs to you all.

[ruffryder]

SO i read somewhere that fat is targeted mostly in the morning so one shouldn't eat breakfast.. I know I've heard conflicting stories on this and you should eat breakfast cause it's the most important meal of the day. I've also heard to load up on protein and healthy fats at this time throughout the day and save the carbs for later in the day after a workout cause that's when the carbs will be targeted by the body and they leave you feeling fuller longer. Anyone hear this also or live by any such philosophy?

I also wanted to share a list of 20 fittest foods in no particular order..

Broccoli (eat a cup per week)
Tomatoes (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Oatmeal (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Blueberries (eat 1 cup per week)
Salmon (eat 3 serv. per week)
Beef (eat 3 serv. per week)
Whole Wheat Bread (eat 4-6 slices per week)
Almonds (eat 3 serv. per week)
Yogurt (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Spinach (eat 2-3 serv. per week)
Eggs (eat up to 7 eggs per week)
Milk (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Water (drink 8-8oz glasses per day)
Sweet Potato (eat 1 per week)
Soy (eat 2 serv. per week)
Turkey Breast (eat 3 serv. per week)
Olive Oil (eat 2 tbsp per day)
Quinoa (eat up to 3 serv. per week)
Black Beans (eat 2 serv. per week)
Green Tea (drink up to 3 serv. per day)

you really are what you eat..
I'm wondering about this Quinoa stuff. What is it? How do you eat it, make it? etc..

[Gemme]

SO i read somewhere that fat is targeted mostly in the morning so one shouldn't eat breakfast.. I know I've heard conflicting stories on this and you should eat breakfast cause it's the most important meal of the day. I've also heard to load up on protein and healthy fats at this time throughout the day and save the carbs for later in the day after a workout cause that's when the carbs will be targeted by the body and they leave you feeling fuller longer. Anyone hear this also or live by any such philosophy?

I also wanted to share a list of 20 fittest foods in no particular order..

Broccoli (eat a cup per week)
Tomatoes (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Oatmeal (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Blueberries (eat 1 cup per week)
Salmon (eat 3 serv. per week)
Beef (eat 3 serv. per week)
Whole Wheat Bread (eat 4-6 slices per week)
Almonds (eat 3 serv. per week)
Yogurt (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Spinach (eat 2-3 serv. per week)
Eggs (eat up to 7 eggs per week)
Milk (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Water (drink 8-8oz glasses per day)
Sweet Potato (eat 1 per week)
Soy (eat 2 serv. per week)
Turkey Breast (eat 3 serv. per week)
Olive Oil (eat 2 tbsp per day)
Quinoa (eat up to 3 serv. per week)
Black Beans (eat 2 serv. per week)
Green Tea (drink up to 3 serv. per day)

you really are what you eat..
I'm wondering about this Quinoa stuff. What is it? How do you eat it, make it? etc..

ruff,

ALWAYS eat something in the morning (your morning, that is, since I know you have a weird schedule sometimes). By eating something....preferrably good for you....it sets your metabolism for the day.

If you wake and don't eat anything at all, within a couple of hours your body starts hording calories, just like in starvation mode.

I can't tell you about the carbs and what time is best to eat them, but they can be harder to burn off, so if I'm not working out, I will not eat a lot of them towards the end of the day.

I've heard that it's best to eat the largest meal first, then a smaller meal and your smallest meal in the evening in an effort to prevent consuming more calories than you will expend through the day/night.

I'm not a fan of green tea, but everything else on the list looks yummy.

[PurpleQuestions84]

I started my diet this morning and i plan on Turbo jamming later :hangloose:

[Miss Scarlett]

My weight loss doctor says to never skip meals, especially breakfast. His food plan is pretty simple and really does work.

It's a low glycemic plan and every meal should consist of a lean protein, fruit or vegetable and a healthy fat. No breads, rice, potatoes, pasta, cereal, oatmeal, corn or quinoa. Fruits and veggies should be low on the glycemic index. He also says no to ALL artificial sweeteners, sugar, honey, agave nectar, hfcs and stevia.

My favorite breakfast is fat free plain Greek yogurt, a bit of fruit and almonds. (The yogurt is the lean protein and the almonds are the healthy fat.) It comes in at around 290 - 300 calories and stays with me all morning. I love it so much that sometimes I have it for supper too.

[Rockinonahigh]

The other day i was at the store to pick up a fue things so I picked up some jiffy pnb when I got home I realised I got the one that was low sodium with 33% less sugar,it thought yikes what did I do,it is a lot better than I thought it would be cause it has a more peanutty tast plus it didnt have the oily feel to it.Now its gonna be what I buy insted of regular Jiffy,wonder be my son even likes it.

Breakfast is something I never miss,I make it as high protine as I can,usely have scrambles eggs with a slice of sugar free whole wheat bread then a slice or two of tomato.I never eat a late lunch past 1:30pm,if I havent eaten by then I have some fruit and cheese.Water is something I need more of insted of the sodas I would rather have,I find that ice water for some reason stops the grumbling when I grt the nibbles before dinner.

[ruffryder]

Yeah, not sure when my morning is anymore. :( I work overnights half the week and the rest of the week I'm on regular mornings eating. When I work overnights I eat dinner at 8 and I'm usually on my feet walking and taking stairs majority of the night, then I take a break anywhere between 2-4 in the morning and most times I usually have a banana or a slim fast bar and I'm always drinking tea or coffee. Sometimes I'll just eat a meal at that time and when I get home I'll go to sleep and wake late afternoon and eat again. If I dont' eat at 2 a.m. and I'm hungry, I'll go home and make an omelette and then go to sleep. Then on my days off I'll go ahead and eat breakfast. Like today I had apple.cinn oatmeal and a whole grain muffin. so it varies. I guess it's all good, just have to watch what I'm putting inside me for food. I'm sure my body is confused because when most people are sleeping I'm getting a workout at work and then half the week it's back to normal.

I had the goal a month ago of losing 10 lbs by the end of the year and I'm half way there. I have about 4-5 to go. Happy Friday everybody. Enjoy the weekend!

[Gemme]

I know it can be hard, ruff, but try not to come home, eat and then go right to bed. That's not good for the body.

If you eat around 8pm and then not again until 2 or so, as long as you have time for it, I'd eat a complete meal. That's at least 6 hours difference and your body will need it, especially with you being so active during those hours.

I used to work graveyards all the time and, as you and Zimmeh have learned, hospitality schedules can be crazy. I was afraid of being laid off, so I made myself indispensible to my hotel by being able to work all 3 shifts and more times than not, they took advantage of that with weird scheduling. I also found it difficult to figure out the best way to eat and give myself good fuel. But I did learn that eating right before going to bed, while it helped me to fall asleep faster, just added to my waistline cuz all that food doesn't have time to process and burn off.

[girl_dee]

just a reminder to those of us who love artificial sweeteners.

It's a trick, it's a gimmick. Tests prove that people gain weight using them.

Reason is, the tongue sends a message to the pancreas when we taste something sweet, to say *hey go ahead and release that insulin*. Only we don't take in sugar, we take in something else and the pancreas is doing it's thing and releasing the insulin.

SO then you have all this insulin and no sugar to balance it.

The body knows what to do with sugar, it does not know what to do with artificial sugar, it's foreign and sometimes a chemical.

Have the coke if you like, the diet coke is counterproductive!

i went into serious withdrawal after giving up my diet coke, i liked it! Now i couldn't drink one if i tried.

But now and then i do treat myself to a taste of real coke.

[ruffryder]

Artificial sweeteners just make you want to eat more! They have no useful energy in them whatsoever.

Global Healing Center says this on eliminating toxins from artificial sweeteners:

•Check your food labels at home and throw out everything that has on its label: Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium (K), Saccharin or Sucralose Equal®, NutraSweet® or Splenda®
•Use natural sweeteners like agave nectar, xylitol, stevia or raw honey.
•Avoid products that are labeled "low calorie," "diet," "sugar free," or "no sugar added" since they all likely contain sugar additives.
•Drink purified water instead of diet drinks. Do NOT drink tap water!




Also here are the most common sources of sugar found on food labels:

Brown sugar
Corn sweetener
Corn syrup
Dextrose
Fructose
Fruit-juice concentrate
Glucose
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
Honey
Invert sugar
Lactose
Maltose
Malt syrup
Molasses
Raw sugar
Sucrose
Syrup

[girl_dee]

We were horrified to read that some of the Kcups use Sucralose.

Blah!

[ruffryder]

We were horrified to read that some of the Kcups use Sucralose.

Blah!

what is Kcups?

[ruffryder]

I was about to grab one of my babes fiber one bars to snack on and I look at ingredients.. guess what? !

Fructose
Maltose
Malt
Syrup

to name a few.. sheeeesh. :eek:

I notice the ingredients on items a lot more these days. My snack bar right now is a slim fast bar, 100 calories. I have a pb one that tastes like a butterfinger and I have a choc one that tastes like a choc brownie. Some other ones I want to check into are the detour bar and a couple protein ones, nature valley and special k. anyone try these or do you eat them and which do you prefer?

and does anyone drink anything like EAS, muscle milk, ensure or any other protein type powder? Right now I'm doing some of the body by visalus shakes but I'll possibly be looking into something similar to try.

[Andrea]

I am finding it difficult to watch my food intake when traveling and spending time with all the grandkids. Haven't been near a scale to assess the damage. Still, I wouldn't change this time with them for anything. <insert grandma smiley here>

How are things with everyone?

[girl_dee]

what is Kcups?

http://blackberriesfood.com/berries/images/b70%20machine.jpg

[girl_dee]

Well i'm not doing so well.

i've hit a new place in my life.

i went from a full blown food disorder in which i associated food as the enemy to a place where i enjoy it. Cooking and eating it.

And now i'm enjoying it too much.

[girl_dee]

I was about to grab one of my babes fiber one bars to snack on and I look at ingredients.. guess what? !

Fructose
Maltose
Malt
Syrup

to name a few.. sheeeesh. :eek:

I notice the ingredients on items a lot more these days. My snack bar right now is a slim fast bar, 100 calories. I have a pb one that tastes like a butterfinger and I have a choc one that tastes like a choc brownie. Some other ones I want to check into are the detour bar and a couple protein ones, nature valley and special k. anyone try these or do you eat them and which do you prefer?

and does anyone drink anything like EAS, muscle milk, ensure or any other protein type powder? Right now I'm doing some of the body by visalus shakes but I'll possibly be looking into something similar to try.


Ruff,

i was under the impression, and i may be totally wrong here, but the only time you need protein shakes is if you aren't able to eat at all, or work out a LOT. Otherwise they bulk you up and not in a good way.

Like i say i may be wrong but that's always been my understanding.

Also, *supplements* are designed to replace something. The best way is to get our Vitamins and minerals from real food. They are also finding that vitamins and supplements are so full of bad stuff they don't outweigh the good in them.

[Gemme]

I was about to grab one of my babes fiber one bars to snack on and I look at ingredients.. guess what? !

Fructose
Maltose
Malt
Syrup

to name a few.. sheeeesh. :eek:

I notice the ingredients on items a lot more these days. My snack bar right now is a slim fast bar, 100 calories. I have a pb one that tastes like a butterfinger and I have a choc one that tastes like a choc brownie. Some other ones I want to check into are the detour bar and a couple protein ones, nature valley and special k. anyone try these or do you eat them and which do you prefer?

and does anyone drink anything like EAS, muscle milk, ensure or any other protein type powder? Right now I'm doing some of the body by visalus shakes but I'll possibly be looking into something similar to try.

I don't do protein powder. I'm not trying to bulk up or gain weight, so I can't help you there.

But I do eat snack bars in between meals because they are easy, not too messy and I can open one up and, if a customer comes, hide it until they are gone and continue eating it. I was eating Fiber One's 90 calorie chocolate caramel & pretzel bar which was yummy. Looking at it, it does have sugar in it. Most low calorie and/or diet options will use something to replace the fat and that is usually sugar.

I'm currently using Kellogg's Fiber Plus bars in dark chocolate almond and their peanut butter and chocolate bar. I'm not usually a dark chocolate fan, but I know that's better for me than milk chocolate, so I've gotten used to them. The pb and choc one is like a Reeses and a krispie treat had a baby. Interesting.

All of them are going to have sugar no matter what and this is why. Parents buy these for their kids. Kids like sugar. Their taste buds are shot from a very early age now. It's all about what will sell and even a lot of healthy eaters out there won't eat it if it's not sweet, because our taste buds have gotten used to the replacement of fat with sugar.

[sylvie]

Hi everyone!
Long time since i have visited this thread, which is a sure sign i was off track a very long time.. The good news is, i maintained and just had a hard time managing my time, but still ate healthy. Bad news is, i fell off track from my exercise program and really wasn't doing so great with my recovery and felt myself downspiralling more and more each day.

i am well on my way to balance again, thank goodness.
i completed a 21 day assignment for my nursing course where we had to pick something to do for 21 days and write a report on it, and have someone be our coach (Mr Mtn did that) and it couldn't have come more timely, honestly.

i had a hard time getting myself back on track, and can't say i am fully there yet but this assignment brought me some really great 'ah ha' moments that it all came together for me, and the balance feels amazing right now..

So looking forward to getting my butt in here regularly again, getting my sites moving and really pushing myself more & more each day and getting myself more balanced overall.

~~~~~~
One problem i am having is boredom with food.. SO been working on some healthy, interesting & new meals..i want to really get back that healthy relationship with food i had, as well.. So, getting some new meal ideas, snack ideas, that sort of thing!

So i'll be here, to grab some inspiration from you Planet Healthies lots!

[JustJo]

Hey sylvie (and my fellow healthies)....I so hear you.

I've been struggling for the last 6 weeks or so to stick with my working out schedule and only hitting it about half the time. I've also been struggling with eating and am snacking on unhealthy stuff too much and drinking diet soda, which I know sets me up for all kinds of bad cravings.

I know it's emotional. I know I'll get past it.

But, right now, it's frustrating and discouraging as hell.

I haven't gained, but I haven't lost more either....and I'm in that "trying to make the changes to get back on track without beating myself up" place.

:rrose:

[Novelafemme]

Well i'm not doing so well.

i've hit a new place in my life.

i went from a full blown food disorder in which i associated food as the enemy to a place where i enjoy it. Cooking and eating it.

And now i'm enjoying it too much.

{{{Dee}}} I've been there, and from someone who has struggled with food/control issues her whole life, I can say that the pendulum eventually swings back toward center once your body figures out where it needs to be.

I made food the center of my life for almost two decades. Getting on track and healthy takes time and patience and lots of acceptance. I've learned that when I am hungrier I just need to give in and eat a bit more. It's often related to what season is approaching...for instance, I am always hungrier in the fall whereas in the spring/summer not so much.

It's not always easy, but I'd rather be a few pounds (um, 10 or so at the moment ;) ) heavier and not living in food hell, than where I was at for 20 some years! (f)

[sylvie]

Hey sylvie (and my fellow healthies)....I so hear you.

I've been struggling for the last 6 weeks or so to stick with my working out schedule and only hitting it about half the time. I've also been struggling with eating and am snacking on unhealthy stuff too much and drinking diet soda, which I know sets me up for all kinds of bad cravings.

I know it's emotional. I know I'll get past it.

But, right now, it's frustrating and discouraging as hell.

I haven't gained, but I haven't lost more either....and I'm in that "trying to make the changes to get back on track without beating myself up" place.

:rrose:

You hit the nail on the head for me, it's exactly how i'm feeling..
It's the portioning and the allowing foods i shouldn't have and it really changes your mindset completely, and felt myself sinking more everyday.
It's hard, it's frustrating & it's discouraging for sure - i get really stuck on the "beating myself up" and when i get in that mindframe it's so hard to snap myself out of it..

You will get passed it! And i think the very fact that we're here, posting is a step in the right direction! i've been making some much better choices these last few weeks, but the struggle is still there, i'm determined..

One day at a time - or in my case, i always say one step at a time.
When emotions run high -- my immediate thought is food.
So portioning, measuring, and keeping the bad foods out of my house, period.
And new recipes, to spice up my mealtimes..i am so bored of food these days.

Something else i discovered - i tend to think i am hungry when i am really thirsty.. Strange?

Anyway, i am really thankful for this thread, having here to turn to when it gets challenging...i'm really grateful for you all!

[girl_dee]

{{{Dee}}} I've been there, and from someone who has struggled with food/control issues her whole life, I can say that the pendulum eventually swings back toward center once your body figures out where it needs to be.

I made food the center of my life for almost two decades. Getting on track and healthy takes time and patience and lots of acceptance. I've learned that when I am hungrier I just need to give in and eat a bit more. It's often related to what season is approaching...for instance, I am always hungrier in the fall whereas in the spring/summer not so much.

It's not always easy, but I'd rather be a few pounds (um, 10 or so at the moment ;) ) heavier and not living in food hell, than where I was at for 20 some years! (f)


Food Hell. Yes. Since i was a child i've had food issues. i won't go into that but just say that i am struggling to find balance with going from one extreme to the other. Both ends are unhealthy that's for sure.

After my hysterectomy i gained lots of weight. i had never been on a diet in my life, other than to try to gain weight maybe. i tried WW, it was ok but it was WAY too much counting and measuring for *me*. i do believe WW has a good plan as far as plans go, but the focus on food all day long with journaling, measuring and weighing was too much for me.

i lost all of my weight on Atkins. It was easy, no bread or starches. i am thinking about doing this again... i tried not long ago and didn't stick with it.
But now i don't think i have a choice, i have to do something.

[Sun]

[B]Hi All!

What a great thread. Wish I had dropped in here in the Spring.

Been steadily losing weight and hit a block a few weeks back when some personal stress kicked up. Went from no appetite to feeling insatiable hunger. Emotional response to stress. Then back to no appetite. Which for me is very rare because I am almost always hungry.

Thought I would share a few things that work for me for anyone who may be struggling. These are just things that I have learned along the way that helped a lot. Trust me I am not an expert here, just the student, but some of these tips made all the difference in the world. I am down 45 lbs since April. Still every day is a challenge, but over time, habits change and it gets a little easier.

Affirmations: Put your intention out there. This could be in the form or prayer, mantra, whatever works for you. This helps me to connect my mind with my body.

Water: try drinking some room temp water or better yet hot tea before during and after your meal. This will help the food to digest and keep you hydrated. Do not drink cold beverages with a meal. The fat content of food will have a harder time breaking down. Green tea is a great beverage and it is available in decaf.

Boost your metabolism: Add hot sauce or hot peppers to kick up your metabolism.

Jumping jacks: No lie.. I have to thank my ex gf for this tip because it really works. If you are able to, try doing some jumping jacks before a meal and then again after (wait awhile to start digesting your food). This boosts up your metabolism as well.

Move around: Probably the biggest change for me. Get up and move around after a meal. Do not sit.

Digestive enzymes: Only you can know how well you are digesting food. Foods like papaya and pineapple will help you to digest as they contain natural digestive enzymes. Since these fruits are hard to come by in many places try getting chewable tablets instead. The acidophilus in yogurt is also helpful for replacing digestive flora. Acidophilus can be taken in capsule form. The brand "Natures Way" produces a few good products.

Visualize: Think success. See yourself accomplishing your goals. See the # on the scale that you want to get to. Send positive messages to your body and your body will respond.

I wish you all the best on this journey. /B]

[girl_dee]

Thanks Sun!

Thanks for the reminder about the water. i put my big mug of my daily water intake yesterday and didn't touch it. i have to remember!

Right now i am struggling with being active because of health issues. a lifetime of being hard on my body is taking it's toll. So for me i feel a high protein low card plan is best. i can really tell the difference since i have become less active.

Visualization is really a good tool as well. i'm a hypnotherapist and telling my clients to visualize the end result, no matter what that may be, is a good thing to focus on.

i think i will do that right now. :)

[PinkieLee]

Hello there healthy living peeps!

Today is day 2 of being back on track. I was able to focus on healthy meals & snacks and got in some exercise walking after dinner :) Most of all, I did not binge or eat to excess!

Well, on to other news, D went in for her yearly checkup. Something we didn't expect to hear... type 2 diabetic. So, not only healthy choices for me, but for her as well. NO MORE EXCUSES.

Question, what kind of meal plans should I be looking into? I know to cut out all the white stuff and processed food... but what else?

[Sun]

Hello there healthy living peeps!

Today is day 2 of being back on track. I was able to focus on healthy meals & snacks and got in some exercise walking after dinner :) Most of all, I did not binge or eat to excess!

Well, on to other news, D went in for her yearly checkup. Something we didn't expect to hear... type 2 diabetic. So, not only healthy choices for me, but for her as well. NO MORE EXCUSES.

Question, what kind of meal plans should I be looking into? I know to cut out all the white stuff and processed food... but what else?

One of the best resources ever for Diabetes and heart healthy living is Dr Barry Sears book "Entering the Zone". This book demystifies the carb/protein/fat chemistry of food and puts it all into plain language that we can all understand. He explains blood sugar and how to regulate it. There are also menu ideas and meal plans in there. I cant stress enough how this book has helped so many people that I know.

My advice on meal planning would be to try and eat grilled and roasted foods, lots of veggies and whole grains when you can.

And Hot sauce! lol

[girl_dee]

Today is a day of renewed hope! i feel like i am on such a high with our President safely in the White House for the next 4 years.

Today i am starting a new outlook with food. i'm going to enjoy a low carb diet and look forward to having more energy, feeling more toned and shedding a few pounds.

NO more processed (poison) food!

[JustJo]

Hello there healthy living peeps!

Today is day 2 of being back on track. I was able to focus on healthy meals & snacks and got in some exercise walking after dinner :) Most of all, I did not binge or eat to excess!

Well, on to other news, D went in for her yearly checkup. Something we didn't expect to hear... type 2 diabetic. So, not only healthy choices for me, but for her as well. NO MORE EXCUSES.

Question, what kind of meal plans should I be looking into? I know to cut out all the white stuff and processed food... but what else?

Hi Pinkie :)

I'm so sorry to hear about D's diagnosis....diabetes sucks, period.

The good news is that, now that you both know, you can start to address it. You should talk to a registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes....and know that all diabetics do not react the exact same way to anything...food, medicine, exercise. It's a very individual thing, so I shy away from hard and fast rules.

Here's what I know about my body after living with this disease for a very long time...and your mileage may vary :)


processed carbs are the enemy....white flour, white sugar, the baddies
unrefined, high fiber carbs are my friend....sweet potatoes and apples especially
fiber helps me tremendously. I can't drink juice, but can eat almost any fruit. I can eat white potatoes if I eat the skin too...otherwise I get a blood sugar spike.
Beware of unhealthy fats as much as carbs. I use and eat olive oil and avocado with abandon, but fats are just as likely to give me bad lab results as carbs are.
Junk food, convenience food, and fast food.....I may as well just shoot myself and save time. These are the worst things I can eat....ever.
Steady is the key...if I go too long without food, I have to drink juice or soda to get a spike to raise me up....and then tend to bottom out again just as fast. I do best if I eat small meals and snacks of healthy food frequently.
I have to move....even if it's just a 15 minute walk. Regular exercise is critical for me in managing my blood sugar.
Keep your appointments (and yes, this gets annoying and hard to stick to after a decade) but regular A1c checks, doctor visits - inlcuding a foot check and an opthamologist who specializes in diabetic patients - are critical
I can use natural sweeteners like agave and stevia....but artifical sweeteners mess me up. That's different than some diabetics...but that's how it plays out for me.
Low glycemic is a good idea. When I eat a low glycemic index diet, my lab results are better and I feel better.
Sleep, sleep, sleep....lack of sleep is as bad for me as eating the wrong foods. I try to always get at least 7 hours....and if I'm fatigued during the day, I try to at least lay down and rest my eyes for 20 minutes or so.
Portion control helps....I've gotten to a point where I can have a nibble of something sweet and I'm satisfied without spiking my blood sugar. Others can't....you have to experiment and see.
Finger jabs suck...but they're important, especially as you learn how your body reacts. I learned I can eat carrots. Some diabetics get a spike from those. I can also drink red wine and it actually moderates my sugar levels....but white wine and hard liquor make me spike. Other diabetics have a different response. You won't know without lots of finger jabbing in the beginning.


And PM me anytime....I know how hard this disease is to deal with, especially in the beginning.

Hugs to you both! :gimmehug:

[PinkieLee]

Hi Pinkie :)

I'm so sorry to hear about D's diagnosis....diabetes sucks, period.

The good news is that, now that you both know, you can start to address it. You should talk to a registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes....and know that all diabetics do not react the exact same way to anything...food, medicine, exercise. It's a very individual thing, so I shy away from hard and fast rules.

Here's what I know about my body after living with this disease for a very long time...and your mileage may vary :)


processed carbs are the enemy....white flour, white sugar, the baddies
unrefined, high fiber carbs are my friend....sweet potatoes and apples especially
fiber helps me tremendously. I can't drink juice, but can eat almost any fruit. I can eat white potatoes if I eat the skin too...otherwise I get a blood sugar spike.
Beware of unhealthy fats as much as carbs. I use and eat olive oil and avocado with abandon, but fats are just as likely to give me bad lab results as carbs are.
Junk food, convenience food, and fast food.....I may as well just shoot myself and save time. These are the worst things I can eat....ever.
Steady is the key...if I go too long without food, I have to drink juice or soda to get a spike to raise me up....and then tend to bottom out again just as fast. I do best if I eat small meals and snacks of healthy food frequently.
I have to move....even if it's just a 15 minute walk. Regular exercise is critical for me in managing my blood sugar.
Keep your appointments (and yes, this gets annoying and hard to stick to after a decade) but regular A1c checks, doctor visits - inlcuding a foot check and an opthamologist who specializes in diabetic patients - are critical
I can use natural sweeteners like agave and stevia....but artifical sweeteners mess me up. That's different than some diabetics...but that's how it plays out for me.
Low glycemic is a good idea. When I eat a low glycemic index diet, my lab results are better and I feel better.
Sleep, sleep, sleep....lack of sleep is as bad for me as eating the wrong foods. I try to always get at least 7 hours....and if I'm fatigued during the day, I try to at least lay down and rest my eyes for 20 minutes or so.
Portion control helps....I've gotten to a point where I can have a nibble of something sweet and I'm satisfied without spiking my blood sugar. Others can't....you have to experiment and see.
Finger jabs suck...but they're important, especially as you learn how your body reacts. I learned I can eat carrots. Some diabetics get a spike from those. I can also drink red wine and it actually moderates my sugar levels....but white wine and hard liquor make me spike. Other diabetics have a different response. You won't know without lots of finger jabbing in the beginning.


And PM me anytime....I know how hard this disease is to deal with, especially in the beginning.

Hugs to you both! :gimmehug:

THANK YOU so much Jo for all of this info. She received some info from her dr yesterday... and a perscription for Metforim. But honestly, that's about it. I will definitely suggest the consult with a dietician. She is scheduled for a follow up in 3 months to see how her numbers look.

I can already tell this is going to be a learning experience for both of us. But hopefully this will force her and I to making healthier choices... and not just when we feel like it (if that makes any sense). I found some information about the full plate method (where 1/2 the plate is nonstarchy vegetables, 1/4 meat/protein and 1/4 starch). Once again, portion control is gonna play a big factor.

We tossed all the processed foods out (including my Diet Coke) and loaded up with fresh veggies, fruits, nuts & yogurt and lean meat. More walking is planned for tonight.

The word diabetic scares the crap outta me... I'm not gonna lie.

[JustJo]

THANK YOU so much Jo for all of this info. She received some info from her dr yesterday... and a perscription for Metforim. But honestly, that's about it. I will definitely suggest the consult with a dietician. She is scheduled for a follow up in 3 months to see how her numbers look.

I can already tell this is going to be a learning experience for both of us. But hopefully this will force her and I to making healthier choices... and not just when we feel like it (if that makes any sense). I found some information about the full plate method (where 1/2 the plate is nonstarchy vegetables, 1/4 meat/protein and 1/4 starch). Once again, portion control is gonna play a big factor.

We tossed all the processed foods out (including my Diet Coke) and loaded up with fresh veggies, fruits, nuts & yogurt and lean meat. More walking is planned for tonight.

The word diabetic scares the crap outta me... I'm not gonna lie.

Sounds like you're off to a great start....and the full plate method works beautifully. It's also easy to manage because it's so visual. :)

This may be TMI....but Metformin is good stuff. It's been used a long time, has few side effects, has been shown to have a long-term protective effect on the pancreas, it's cheap and generic....and in the beginning it sometimes gives users diarrhea. Tell her to hang in through that stage....it passes as your body gets accustomed to the drug.

[macele]

hello pinkie. i was told in january that i am type 2 diabetic. not gonna lie, it is really hard for me. potatoes and noodles spike mine. and i love bread so much, crackers, ... hard doing with out. i'd rather have none if it ain't real lol. if i stay away from sodas/potatoes/noodles, my numbers do alright. i use splenda. unsweetened tea. crystal lite pouches. i eat a lot of baked and grilled fish. i love fish. green beans/vegs. it's hard. D can do it.

[ruffryder]

Ruff,

i was under the impression, and i may be totally wrong here, but the only time you need protein shakes is if you aren't able to eat at all, or work out a LOT. Otherwise they bulk you up and not in a good way.

Like i say i may be wrong but that's always been my understanding.

Also, *supplements* are designed to replace something. The best way is to get our Vitamins and minerals from real food. They are also finding that vitamins and supplements are so full of bad stuff they don't outweigh the good in them.



Protein shakes are good for a meal in some people's diets. I'm not talking about every meal. For those that work out a LOT, there is whey protein. Protein does help maintain muscle mass, but it also helps to cut out fat from the body. There are some shakes and snacks that have protein in them, minus the whey or muscle building ingredients. Protein in a snack and shake is also good for those that do not eat meats. High protein diets help a person lose weight and keep metabolism up by preserving muscle mass and resting energy used. Protein keeps one fuller longer. Other foods that are good for this are peanut butter, nuts, eggs, meats, beans, and dairy products. Protein a person needs depends on age, size, and activity level. The standard method used by nutritionists to estimate the minimum daily protein requirement is to multiply the body weight in pounds by .37. According to this method, a person weighing 150 lbs. should eat 55 grams of protein per day, a 200-pound person should get 74 grams, and a 250-pound person should eat 92 grams. Of course if you engage in endurance exercises or are a runner you should consume more and if you are into heavy strength training, even more. In a review of the research, the National Academy of Sciences reported that the only known danger from high-protein diets is for individuals with kidney disease. After careful study, they recommend that 10 percent to 35 percent of daily calories come from protein. They point out that increased protein could be helpful in treating obesity. There is also accumulating evidence that extra protein may help prevent osteoporosis.

[girl_dee]

Thanks Ruff!



Right now i am feeling a great need to just detox. The LR and New Orleans trip, eating on the road for 2 straight weeks really set me back. i feel lethargic and bloated.

Today is day one and i am struggling with breaking the habit of munching. i am not used to working all day and not being able to munch away whenever i feel like it. Several times today out of habit i went to grab something to munch.i am also in the process of moving myself out of the kitchen, which is where we all hang out to spending more time in the Rec room or one of our bedrooms, it's amazing when you try to break a habit how much you realize how bad it was!

So i popped a piece of gum in my mouth and came to see you all!

Pinkie please keep up posted on D!

[Sun]

Hey All,

Today is a carb craving day for real and I am wondering if my lack of sleep has anything to do with this. I did Yoga and worked out and still feel the urge to eat carbs and not the good ones. Bread, pasta..ugh. Maybe its a comfort food thing and not physical at all.

Anyway I am going to go for a long walk and swim later and burn some energy, but I really need to eat more protein to cut the carb craving. That always works for me but for the last few days I am not interested in protein very much. Just eggs and even eggs are just boring me to death right now. lol.

[girl_dee]

Sometimes that gets me Sun.

Quite a few times i could eat a bowl of Cheerios then a sandwhich, like a bread sandwich!

Then i felt a migraine coming on, i believe if you are craving something your body is saying * i need this*

i know when i want chocolate it's aways around that time of the month. Sugar cravings i feel is when i my sugar is dropping.

i've read that a craving only lasts 10 min. For 10 min do something else, today i tested that and it's true! instead of munching i vacuumed the floor... craving passed!

Tonite i'm pan searing fish with smashed cauliflower and a salad.

:)

[Kelt]

Protein shakes are good for a meal in some people's diets. I'm not talking about every meal. For those that work out a LOT, there is whey protein. Protein does help maintain muscle mass, but it also helps to cut out fat from the body. There are some shakes and snacks that have protein in them, minus the whey or muscle building ingredients. Protein in a snack and shake is also good for those that do not eat meats. High protein diets help a person lose weight and keep metabolism up by preserving muscle mass and resting energy used. Protein keeps one fuller longer. Other foods that are good for this are peanut butter, nuts, eggs, meats, beans, and dairy products. Protein a person needs depends on age, size, and activity level. The standard method used by nutritionists to estimate the minimum daily protein requirement is to multiply the body weight in pounds by .37. According to this method, a person weighing 150 lbs. should eat 55 grams of protein per day, a 200-pound person should get 74 grams, and a 250-pound person should eat 92 grams. Of course if you engage in endurance exercises or are a runner you should consume more and if you are into heavy strength training, even more. In a review of the research, the National Academy of Sciences reported that the only known danger from high-protein diets is for individuals with kidney disease. After careful study, they recommend that 10 percent to 35 percent of daily calories come from protein. They point out that increased protein could be helpful in treating obesity. There is also accumulating evidence that extra protein may help prevent osteoporosis.

Hey Ruff,

You've got me curious, could you link to that NAS paper? I couldn't find it right off. I'd also like to see the source material for the "standard method used by nutritionists to estimate the minimum daily protein requirement", wondering if it is tied to the RDA numbers I've seen recently that had some questions in it for me.

The reason is that when I was looking at overall energy intake (calories) I found some diet guidelines that were based on long standing well known equations. When I dug into those equations, they too were weight based. What I found digging around was that they were devised for 'healthy' weight individuals (surface area based) and because of this they were not linear in application. Unfortunately, I found that most, okay all, of the popular tracking software used these non-linear equations in a linear way. Easy enough to adjust once understood and very effective (after modified), but erroneous out of the box.

I know what has worked for me to get where I am, but I am looking to improve further. I am fiddling with my own protein intake levels right now, and revising sources for it with my usual experiment on self model. I am looking at the underlying logic for some of these recommendations I am seeing in different places and would like to look at this one too. Thanks.

[PearlsNLace]

Protein is great, really.

BUT.

No way would I recommend ANYONE, (non professional body builder type) not even a 500 pound person, to consume 90 grams of protein on a daily basis. That would put a lot of excess demand on your kidneys.

I am 250+, I keep my protien between 60-70 grams, and my carbs less than 15 per serving. It keeps me off the sugar highs and lows and I am not craving food all the time. Its a kind of freedom I have never known before.

[Kelt]

Well, I have answered one of my own questions which of course just generates more of them. :)

I found this article (http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/protein.html) by the CDC that talks about the protein requirement as outlined by the RDA.

This is part of it:

****************************

How much protein do I need?
Maybe you've wondered how much protein you need each day. In general, it's recommended that 10–35% of your daily calories come from protein. Below are the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for different age groups.2

Recommended Dietary Allowance for Protein
Grams of protein
needed each day
Children ages 1 – 3 13
Children ages 4 – 8 19
Children ages 9 – 13 34
Girls ages 14 – 18 46
Boys ages 14 – 18 52
Women ages 19 – 70+ 46
Men ages 19 – 70+ 56





Here are examples of amounts of protein in food:
1 cup of milk has 8 grams of protein
A 3-ounce piece of meat has about 21 grams of protein
1 cup of dry beans has about 16 grams of protein
An 8-ounce container of yogurt has about 11 grams of protein
Added together, just these four sources would meet the protein needs of an adult male (56 grams). This doesn't count all the other foods that add smaller amounts of protein to his diet.

Rather than just focusing on your protein needs, choose an overall healthy eating plan that provides the protein you need as well as other nutrients.

**************************

The part I don't understand is why these recommendations are so incomplete. It does state 10-35% of dietary calories, it does not have any consideration for activity levels or any differentiation for quality of proteins.

While I understand that a unit of protein in a unit of protein as a macronutrient. I am surprised that there is no mention of micronutrient content. (vitamins, minerals, fiber, trace elements) low fat animal proteins seem to be the most efficient at bulk quantity delivery of just protein but I can't help but notice how different sources make me feel.

When it comes to weight based recommendations, I still hope to find that resource, I can only wonder about my own needs. I have been both >250+ and <150. According to this chart my needs are no different, which would support the thinking that it is lean tissue based. That would make sense to me, but nowhere is it stated.

But, if we go by just weight based recommendations it does not account for how much of my body is lean vs fat, or what my activity levels are. A person 6' tall at 250 has more lean body weight than I would at 5'4" and I would think need marginally more protein to maintain it.

There is also the question of activity; theoretically running (per hour) burns more calories than weight lifting, yet the weight lifting creates more of a need for protein for tissue repair. Of course exceptions can be found for everything.

For myself, I seem to have settled in at around 70g per day while being very active and it works for me for now. I am looking at increasing the proportion of proteins obtained from plant sources to improve my micronutrient profile, this may lead to revising my overall protein intake downward. Hmmm, as always, more questions than answers.

Like anything else, I guess we can use the guidelines as a starting point, and adjust it for the performance it gives us as individuals.

:theisland:

[MissItalianDiva]

The protein debate between physicians,nutritionist and others has always been a confusing thing. I know for me considering my activity level and my bodys personal preferences/eating choices I need the higher protein content. I personally drink 3 23 gram whey protein isolate shakes a day but keep my overall protein intake at about 100 grams along with 130 ounces of water to flush.

I can only chime in and say what I was told by a nutritionist which I have found some backing to but not much. I was told to consume 1 gram of protein per ideal body weight. I personally am not about to consume 120 is grams of protein because frankly I do not eat meat and have a hard enough time getting the protein I currently get so there is no room for the extra 20. I keep my sugars under 20 for the day my carbs around 30 and don't really count calories but I know I am not really getting enough which is why I take in so much protein.

For me I have to keep this balance if I alter I lose too much and end up tired. I am not trying to lose weight just maintain my current and keep lean muscle so perhaps my needs are a bit different and that may be why this works for me.

[Elijah]

Okay confession time, I recently lost about 45 pounds from Jan of this year until Aug and then My sugar addiction came back with a vengeance, I have since put back on about 10 pds of what I lost. I am in a panic about stopping this progression and reversing it, since I still need lose about another 100 pds to be at MY target weight. Any ideas on how to halt this sugar addiction?

[girl_dee]

Elijah i am on day two, it ain't easy!

Congrats on your weight loss!

Don't buy junk or get near it. i am at the office
Right now and i wanna dive into the candy and junk!

blah! For me gum helps :)

i can do this, you can too !!!!

[Sun]

Okay confession time, I recently lost about 45 pounds from Jan of this year until Aug and then My sugar addiction came back with a vengeance, I have since put back on about 10 pds of what I lost. I am in a panic about stopping this progression and reversing it, since I still need lose about another 100 pds to be at MY target weight. Any ideas on how to halt this sugar addiction?

Elijah,

I am in a similar situation where I lost 41 lbs since April and have just started having massive carb cravings again and for me I can point to two things.

1. Change: This is month 3 of a big life change and I have some time to slow down and not be racing around for 18 hours a day going nor am I working in a super hot environment that helped me to burn fat as long as I ate well. So my body needs to adjust to a slower pace. Next week I am back to the super hot work environment and I guarantee my appetite will shift again.

2. Storing for the winter: My belief is that our body has an ancient and innate wisdom to store calories for the winter. I just went from cold northeast to hot dry desert so I am sure that my body is confused. lol. So my work is to eat lighter, warmer foods that keep me hydrated all day long.

Dehydration is the enemy. Stay well hydrated and every body system will work better.

Much like MissItalianDiva, I need a lot of protein for my active life. When I drop off the protein intake my body craves more carbs. Similarly, when I crave carbs and consume protein, the carb craving vanishes. Not easy to wrap my mind around always. For example if I really want to eat bread and I have a piece of fish or a few slices of turkey, I have to bypass what my brain is telling me to eat and do what I know is best for my body.

[Sun]

Elijah i am on day two, it ain't easy!

Congrats on your weight loss!

Don't buy junk or get near it. i am at the office
Right now and i wanna dive into the candy and junk!

blah! For me gum helps :)

i can do this, you can too !!!!

Are you staying hydrated?

Signed,

The Hydration Police

[Elijah]

Thanks Sun, dee...even talking about it here takes the edge off the stress over it. I appreciate the support. I guess I have to quit bringing ice cream into the house...*sigh

I have had some big life changes...I changed jobs in this unsure economy only to find out the companies ethics are very shaky and also became recently single. My lack of money forced Me to buy cheaper, more processed foods and once that gate opened...it's been downhill from there. I am making more money now and feeling guilty about it. So the guilt combined with the loneliness are a bad combination for Me health wise.

I won't give up though, that's not My M.O.

Thanks again,

Elijah

[Sun]

Thanks Sun, dee...even talking about it here takes the edge off the stress over it. I appreciate the support. I guess I have to quit bringing ice cream into the house...*sigh

I have had some big life changes...I changed jobs in this unsure economy only to find out the companies ethics are very shaky and also became recently single. My lack of money forced Me to buy cheaper, more processed foods and once that gate opened...it's been downhill from there. I am making more money now and feeling guilty about it. So the guilt combined with the loneliness are a bad combination for Me health wise.

I won't give up though, that's not My M.O.

Thanks again,

Elijah

Elijah,

I am sure that many of us can relate to all or some of what you are saying. Habits are hard to break. Do not be so hard on yourself, please. You are human and as humans we have a strong emotional attachment to food. I share with you the feelings of seeking comfort in food, especially when I am lonely which is often these days. For me, a life changing event such as going from sharing meals with a partner or family, to eating alone can be an emotional shock to my system and further drive me into seeking comfort in food or skipping meals because eating alone is sometimes emotionally painful.
There are times when I am aware that I am just eating to survive and not really enjoying the food at all. This is what I call functional eating.

There are things that I miss about sharing meals with my ex partner who is someone who loved food too. We were always on a food adventure. That was a fun and vital part of our dynamic. Then there is the Daddy energy in me that naturally seeks out someone to feed or care for. So double whammy on that one! Coming home to no one to feed or care for and not having anyone to share a meal with just plain sucks. However, I shift this perspective in my mind and focus on something positive, remember to count my blessings and prepare myself for my future. This is all a cycle. This too shall pass.

The work now for me is to stay in a healthy place with food and support systems like this thread are helping me a lot.

Just a note on the ice cream. There are worse things that you could be eating. Ice cream is not so bad. My suggestion would be to limit your portion sizes as opposed to depriving yourself. The trick that works for me is to have protein before I have ice cream and then I am not spiking my blood sugar. Another tip is to make sure that you move your body after a meal or high caloric snack.

You can do this. One day at a time. You will get there.

[girl_dee]

i'm working on the craving part only lasting 10 minutes.

For me, i can't have that bowl of ice cream and get back on track, it's a deal breaker. if it's in arms reach i am gonna be weak.

i rather to do without and deal with it.

i also do visulazion. (The hypnotherapist in me)

i picture the junk food i want as a mass of ugly fat. i know that's what it is going to turn to in the body so i picture it as something so gross i don't want it.

Except for today, i wanted that chocolate eyeball. :blink:

[Sun]

i'm working on the craving part only lasting 10 minutes.

For me, i can't have that bowl of ice cream and get back on track, it's a deal breaker. if it's in arms reach i am gonna be weak.

i rather to do without and deal with it.

i also do visulazion. (The hypnotherapist in me)

i picture the junk food i want as a mass of ugly fat. i know that's what it is going to turn to in the body so i picture it as something so gross i don't want it.

Except for today, i wanted that chocolate eyeball. :blink:

dee can you have a cup of ice cream and not a bowl? I am not sure how much ice cream is in your bowl.

As for cravings lasting 10 minutes I hope to experience that. Mine last a lot longer but it only means that I need to eat something. Munching on a carrot when I want a slice of pizza is testing my will.

[girl_dee]

dee can you have a cup of ice cream and not a bowl? I am not sure how much ice cream is in your bowl.

As for cravings lasting 10 minutes I hope to experience that. Mine last a lot longer but it only means that I need to eat something. Munching on a carrot when I want a slice of pizza is testing my will.





i could but for me it's easier just to skip it, right now i'm trying to break my carbohydrate addiction.

Today i was tested BIG time, and i did good! Came home and had a salad with goats milk cheese, almonds and avocado!

[ruffryder]

Hey everybody! I've been off work for what seems like 3 days and it feels like the weekend to me even though the weekend is just coming up and gonna be the start of me working again. :| I will definitely enjoy my day off Sunday though!

When I'm at home and off for this amount of time I get sluggish and tired. I've been sleeping at least 8 hours all these days and today I was up right after 7 and by 1 I was already tired and took a nap. I think me feeling this way lies in what I've been eating and like Sun, I been for some reason craving carbs too and that could be from me not having as much protein lately. I do notice when I have a protein shake or eggs or another form of protein I stay fuller longer and I seem to feel better overall. I also do know that for me, it does help me lose weight and perhaps that has not only to do with the protein itself but what I pair it with throughout the day.

Thanks everybody for posting on protein. Best I can say is what works and what is good for one person may be different for the next. Like I and others have said it all depends on age, size, and activity level. I don't have the paper from NAS unfortunately Kelt. I found that information on a health website and not on the research per se. A lot of the information I found however is the same and also what you found on protein. The .37 per lb seems pretty standard with some people opting for more depending on their active lifestyle. I don't really keep track of how much I take in and it's not the same everyday for me. I really should try to keep up with some normality on a daily basis such as what I posted here and keep track of that better. I know for sure I need to drink more water! :



I also wanted to share a list of 20 fittest foods in no particular order..

Broccoli (eat a cup per week)
Tomatoes (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Oatmeal (eat 3-4 serv. per week)
Blueberries (eat 1 cup per week)
Salmon (eat 3 serv. per week)
Beef (eat 3 serv. per week)
Whole Wheat Bread (eat 4-6 slices per week)
Almonds (eat 3 serv. per week)
Yogurt (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Spinach (eat 2-3 serv. per week)
Eggs (eat up to 7 eggs per week)
Milk (get 3 serv. dairy per week)
Water (drink 8-8oz glasses per day)
Sweet Potato (eat 1 per week)
Soy (eat 2 serv. per week)
Turkey Breast (eat 3 serv. per week)
Olive Oil (eat 2 tbsp per day)
Quinoa (eat up to 3 serv. per week)
Black Beans (eat 2 serv. per week)
Green Tea (drink up to 3 serv. per day)

you really are what you eat...

[*Anya*]

dee can you have a cup of ice cream and not a bowl? I am not sure how much ice cream is in your bowl.

As for cravings lasting 10 minutes I hope to experience that. Mine last a lot longer but it only means that I need to eat something. Munching on a carrot when I want a slice of pizza is testing my will.




Some of us can't even have a thimbleful without it triggering cravings.

I don't buy sweets and do not bring them into the house. I am like an addict with one bite.

This is my 8th month with zero cookies/pies/cakes, etc. if I went out now and bought some fill in the blank here I would be on a bender and would have to wait a couple of weeks till the cravings passed again.

For me, it is better to not start. Keeps the self-loathing away for me.

We all have our own way of managing.

Protein keeps me full and then I don't slip and overeat period.

[ruffryder]

Welcome to all those joining us and thanks for sharing your stories!

One day at a time is right. We all fail, we've all been there where you are with the addictions. As for sugar addiction the best I can say is if you are drinking 3 sodas a day try to go for 1 until eventually you are at none. Maybe try something else like OJ or Apple Juice. Make sure it's pure and not packed with all sugar. As for chocolate and candy cravings maybe try switching to the 100 calorie snacks. There is slim fast bars, brownies, ice cream, cookies, variety bars with just 100 calories. The thing there is to check the calories, fat, carbs, sugar and pick the best ones. Also, Like dee said just don't buy it! Plain, flat out, and simple. If it's not in your house, you won't eat it. Of course we all fail and end up eating some and that's ok. Don't beat yourself up over it though. Just continue on making better choices. If I crave a soda, I go ahead and have one same with chocolate or ice cream. I don't limit my cravings. Instead I portion control them.

I wanted to pop this back up since it was a recent post by me about sugar and what to look for in ingredients in the products you buy. Try to stay away from these sugar products:


Artificial sweeteners just make you want to eat more! They have no useful energy in them whatsoever.

Global Healing Center says this on eliminating toxins from artificial sweeteners:

•Check your food labels at home and throw out everything that has on its label: Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium (K), Saccharin or Sucralose Equal®, NutraSweet® or Splenda®
•Use natural sweeteners like agave nectar, xylitol, stevia or raw honey.•Avoid products that are labeled "low calorie," "diet," "sugar free," or "no sugar added" since they all likely contain sugar additives.
•Drink purified water instead of diet drinks. Do NOT drink tap water!




Also here are the most common sources of sugar found on food labels:

Brown sugar
Corn sweetener
Corn syrup
Dextrose
Fructose
Fruit-juice concentrate
Glucose
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
Honey
Invert sugar
Lactose
Maltose
Malt syrup
Molasses
Raw sugar
Sucrose
Syrup

[girl_dee]

my mantra when i am shopping

if i don't buy it i can't eat it!

and i stay off the *carb* aisle. You know the one.

[ruffryder]

thought I'd share this recipe that easygoingfemme shared with me since I was asking about Quinoa and how to make it.


Cooking greens with Tahini Dressing and Quinoa
• 1 bunch cooking greens (kale, collards, chard, spinach, or beet greens)
Sauce ingredients
• ¾ c tahini (sesame paste)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 handful fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
• Juice and zest of lemon
• ¼ c water
Quinoa
• 2c dry quinoa
• 4c water

Steam your greens for just a couple of minutes, shock them by dousing them in cold water to stop the cooking process, and set them aside.
Quinoa:
Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh colander. Put 4c water and 2c quinoa in to a pot on the stovetop over medium high heat and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil and lower heat to simmer. Simmer about 12-15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa has a sprout shooting out of it. You can also make life easier by cooking your quinoa in a rice cooker. Measure, pour, and walk away. It will shut off when done.
Sauce: Put all sauce ingredients, just put ½ of the water for now into food processor or blender. Puree until creamy. Add more water slowly to obtain desired consistency. (Thickens in the fridge)
.
To serve: Put a scoop of quinoa on bottom of plate. Top that with greens and then pour on dressing.
(good additions are steamed carrots, raw or steamed beets, parsnips, and other sweet vegetables)




Also I noticed you mentioned mashed cauliflower dee. What texture is that like and what does it taste like? Do you add anthing to it for seasoning ? I heard it's good and an alternative to mash potatoes kind of. . Thanks in advance!

[Kelt]

I just ran across an interesting article:

Four Strategies that Build Lasting Motivation (and How to Use Them to Achieve Your Goals) (http://lifehacker.com/5958782/four-strategies-that-build-lasting-motivation-and-how-to-use-them-to-achieve-your-goals)

The title is pretty self-explanitory. Specifically, it talks about the differences between internal vs. external motivations and how they work.

Based on my own experiences, I found this to be true, and not just for weight loss.

Keep up the great work everyone!

:cheesy:

[Miss Scarlett]

my mantra when i am shopping

if i don't buy it i can't eat it!

and i stay off the *carb* aisle. You know the one.

Thanks dee, I just love your mantra and strategy. I do the same thing.

[Novelafemme]

Since I have started treatment for the H pylori I was diagnosed with a month ago, I am finally starting to feel like my old self, and the weight is flying off! YAY!!!!!!

[girl_dee]

Since I have started treatment for the H pylori I was diagnosed with a month ago, I am finally starting to feel like my old self, and the weight is flying off! YAY!!!!!!

Awesome. i google H pylori and wow, that must be horrible! ((((Hugs))))

At least you got a diagnosis, sometimes things go diagnosed for a LONG time (i hope yours was not a long time) and more damage takes place in the meanwhile.

[girl_dee]

Day 3 without sugar/carbohydrates.

this is not so tough, i can do this.

one of my clients told me that once she stopped eating junk food her arthritis symptoms decreased MAJORLY.

That's what i'm looking for and also to shed these nasty 20 pounds that have plagued me for so long!

[Novelafemme]

Awesome. i google H pylori and wow, that must be horrible! ((((Hugs))))

At least you got a diagnosis, sometimes things go diagnosed for a LONG time (i hope yours was not a long time) and more damage takes place in the meanwhile.



I recently switched doctors and after explaining my ongoing tummy troubles to her she suggested I be tested for H pylori. Most of the four areas tested came back negative, but the one that is most detrimental came back with a high positive. The drug cocktail was pretty hard on my body at first, but I am now seeing such drastic improvement that I can honestly say it was well worth it! Thanks, Dee :)

[Sun]

Day 3 without sugar/carbohydrates.

this is not so tough, i can do this.

one of my clients told me that once she stopped eating junk food her arthritis symptoms decreased MAJORLY.

That's what i'm looking for and also to shed these nasty 20 pounds that have plagued me for so long!


Go girl! You haz motivashunz. lol Awesome!

You got this!

[girl_dee]

Thank you!

Keepin my eyez on the prize :2femme:

i'm chewing lots of gum! Learning not to grab munchies and wait for dinner is a whole new plan.

i am looking SO forward to feeling better without all the processed junk in my body.

[girl_dee]

Weighed in today, week one.

A 4 pound loss ! :cheer:

i wish it were more but i'll take it.

One week of refined sugar and carbs eliminated under my belt.

[Sun]

Weighed in today, week one.

A 4 pound loss ! :cheer:

i wish it were more but i'll take it.

One week of refined sugar and carbs eliminated under my belt.


dee that is great progress! Good for you!

Please keep posting the things that are working for you because we can all benefit.

On another note, I must have been lacking in iron because I bought dried seasoned Nori strips to snack on and have been blasting through them. Feels like my brain has been power boosted. Clearly was not getting enough dark green veggie nutrients.

[cinnamongrrl]

dee that is great progress! Good for you!

Please keep posting the things that are working for you because we can all benefit.

On another note, I must have been lacking in iron because I bought dried seasoned Nori strips to snack on and have been blasting through them. Feels like my brain has been power boosted. Clearly was not getting enough dark green veggie nutrients.


I love me some nori.....nummmmmmmmmmmmmm try nori wraps with hummus, olives and sprouts...oh MY!

[Sun]

I love me some nori.....nummmmmmmmmmmmmm try nori wraps with hummus, olives and sprouts...oh MY!

Found spicy sea salted strips. I ate two packages yesterday. What I wanted was chips for some odd reason so these were a great substitute. They are not lasting long enough to wrap them but I am down for some maki rolls.

[Andrea]

Traveling, family emergencies, etc. have distracted me from my healthier living, to a point. I am happy to note some of my healthier eating habits have stuck. Yeah me!

Now to get back to the gym......

My honey and I don't do the family overeating Thanksgiving meal so I don't need to have a plan but I am wondering what your plan for controlling the day is.

Be healthy!

[Sun]

Traveling, family emergencies, etc. have distracted me from my healthier living, to a point. I am happy to note some of my healthier eating habits have stuck. Yeah me!

Now to get back to the gym......

My honey and I don't do the family overeating Thanksgiving meal so I don't need to have a plan but I am wondering what your plan for controlling the day is.

Be healthy!Hi Andrea,

With any meal that is loaded up with carbs that I want to limit I do just that. A small serving of lets say mashed potatoes, a healthy serving of turkey and a big serving of vegetables. Sometimes that requires that I make sure that a good green leafy vegetable is on the table. I am a firm believer in not denying ourselves a great meal, or the ritual that comes with a traditional meal. However, every day I am challenged to avoid the types of carbs that I crave as well as the butter that I crave along with them. So the habits that I have adopted may modify for a holiday but I get right back on track the next day.

One thing that I do almost every day is make a good soup that is loaded with vegetables that I like, and they can be: bok choy, cabbage, collards, swiss chard, spinach. These vegetables are filling and help me to curb my craving for things that are not so good for me. Last night I made a really simple soup of chicken broth, bok choy, spinach, garlic (lots), ginger and cayenne. If I add a protein and skip rice or noodles then I am in the zone and burning fat instead of storing it. This is also something that I do if I am heading into a big meal where I know that I am going to find tons of food that are not the best choices for me. I will have some soup before I go and then my hunger is already cut back.

Another trick is to drink hot green tea with a meal or a hot ginger brew. This curbs hunger and helps with healthy digestion.

[sylvie]

i love my Healthy Living class - i learn so much.
Just finished my 3rd assignment, and each one i do, i learn a little more about myself!

i love that i'm getting back on track.
i lost 114 lbs since April 2011 - i've done great with maintaining.
But, time to start working harder at it. These assignments relit that spark within.

Healthy food relationships, recovery, ongoing weight loss - here i come!
Went for an amazing walk today, the cool fall air felt wonderful. Stopped at a park to watch squirrels play, then found a place to meditate.

Pure joy, the small things are!

[girl_dee]

ok tomorrow is two weeks into my plan of very low carbs, no refined carbs.

i feel lighter, my clothes feel looser. Tomorrow i weigh in.

i hope the scale reflects what i feel, even though i know sometimes it doesn't.


fingers crossed!

[Sachita]

I've been so bad this past week. :( I'll need to get back on track.

[Sun]

I've been so bad this past week. :( I'll need to get back on track.

Some unsolicited advice, do not be so hard on yourself.

Just be good to yourself! Tomorrow is a new day.

I am so over carbed right now so trust me, I am taking my own advice ;)

[yotlyolqualli]

I want to encourage all of you to keep going! It's important to never give up, even when you screw up. Every morning is a new day, a clean slate and a chance to be good to yourself and to your body!

I find that if I deny myself something I absolutely love, when I finally give into the craving (and doing so is inevitable for me) I over indulge to the point of gaining a few pounds. So, I've learned not to deny myself food I love. In doing so, I can stop with one reece's pnut butter cup, instead of two or three for three or four days lol!

Also, I fell into a trap (for me) of high protein, low to no carbs. Sure, I lost weight for a bit, but then I also started noticing my energy levels waning, to the point of having to drag my sorry butt out of bed in the morning. Our bodies absolutely need carbs to function...for energy. My body needs extra protein and extra iron (things I lack drastically because of gastric bypass) so finding a happy middle ground of carbs and protein, has been a delicate dance, but one I'm becoming pretty good at! My energy levels are picking up again and my craving for raw meat (not kidding... though I don't indulge... but it is a prime sympton of extrememly low iron and protein, I am told) has been neutralized and while I still crave red meat, I crave it cooked lol!

Anyway, as for the holidays... I always factor in "holiday calories" when I approach them, so I am not disappointed in myself and start a dangerous self defeating cycle. I accept that Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to bring lots of sweets into my life, so I don't ever set myself up by expecting to lose weight for that 6 weeks and I don't cry if I gain a few pounds. Come January, I quickly lose anything I gain and I can easily get right back on track. Again, I find that if I deny myself those treats, when I do cave in, I cave in badly. Better a piece or two of pumpkin pie occassionally, or a cookie or two.. than the whole damned pie and a dozen or so cookies...lol.

You all keep up the good work and have a fantastic, healthy and delicious Holiday!!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Lissa

[lusciouskiwi]

I was wondering if anyone has a simple, low-calorie way of preparing shrimp? The small ones are quite cheap here and I can easily buy them.

Thanks :)

[firegal]

Holidays are tough, i,m gonna try extra hard to behave...or should i say not eat like its a holiday feast!

[Angeltoes]

sorry your sad,if you want need to talk i,m kinda around...not a pick up line your too young for me...i,m a great freind! Holidays are tough.

Whoops what was I thinking...I posted that in the wrong thread! Age is just a number IMO. Thanks so much, I know you're a great friend. :)

[sylvie]

Hi Healthies ♥

Today is day one of operation "off hiney"..
Ridiculous how much more energetic i feel once i have gotten myself out there exercising.. And my eating has been on target too.

my daughter & i just got home from a walk around the lake.
We gabbled, took pictures and i really loved getting that time with her.
And this is one foot in the right direction for getting back on track.

i CAN do this!

PS - lusciouskiwi i love shrimp in my salads, it's yummy!
But i would love some healthy shrimp recipes as well if anyone has any.

[Gemme]

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 4 1/2 ounces shrimp and about 3/4 cup corn mixture).

Calories: 342
Calories from fat: 25%
Fat: 9.6g
Saturated fat: 1.5g
Monounsaturated fat: 4.8g
Polyunsaturated fat: 2.2g
Protein: 37.9g
Carbohydrate: 28g
Fiber: 3.7g
Cholesterol: 259mg
Iron: 5.3mg
Sodium: 569mg
Calcium: 114mg

Ingredients

2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined large shrimp
5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
2 teaspoons bottled minced ginger
1 (10-ounce) package frozen whole-kernel corn
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup chopped green onions

Preparation

Combine 2 teaspoons sugar, chili powder, chile powders, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish. Add shrimp to spice mixture; toss well to coat.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup onion, bell pepper, garlic, and ginger to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar and corn to pan; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in vinegar; cook 30 seconds. Transfer corn mixture to a bowl; stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup green onions.

Wipe pan with a paper towel. Heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until done, turning once. Serve with corn mixture.

[Gemme]

I got the above recipe from Cooking Light. I've had a similar dish that was really good, so that's why I chose that one to post.

However, if you go HERE (http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy/20-minute-shrimp-recipes-00400000052322/page26.html) you will find about 20 more quick and healthy shrimp recipes. There's even a dish with grits! Click on the name of the dish to link to the recipe.

[girl_dee]

Thanks Gemme i love my shrimp! Shrimp n grits is delicous and very popular in Atlanta.

So i weighed in this morning...

down 3.5 pounds

7.5 pound total!!!

not bad for two weeks, i know it will slow down but very good during the two week detox induction!

Hope you are all doing well and feeling inspired!

[ruffryder]

mmm shrimp! what a great food. peeled and deviened. grilled with some seasoning is good with a side of brown rice or veggies.

I also like to take this shrimp cut it up with diced jalapenos and onions and add some V-8 plain or spicy and have a shrimp cocktail. The bad thing with this is I can eat it up with lots of chips... so maybe a low fat whole grain cracker instead? :)

I stepped on the scale this morning. well my morning/afternoon and I've reached my 10 lbs lost goal that I made for myself a couple months ago for the end of this year. I know it has to do with all the working I've been doing and walking, moving about. I've been pretty active and eating ok. I still am not limiting what I eat, just checking the ingredients, calories and making better choices and remembering portions. we'll see if it stays that way through the holidays. I'll try hard!

Tis the season to eat! All kinds of yummy delicious food is among us. There are recipes to cut out the calories and fat and sugar so check into that and also pace yourselves and remember portion control. Enjoy your Thanksgiving folks!

[foxyshaman]

Well I certainly have been away for a very long time. I have craved the support of this community that is for sure.

I have maintained my weight loss, and changed my body shape considerably. I have not lost any real weight for the last six months, but I have lost inches. I am back on track of counting my points for WW. I will head for a weigh in two weeks. I think I *need* to work up to it. :blink:

I am having great success with maintaining my gym routine. Sometimes, if I am really devoted, I work out seven times a week. I do have to admit that I consider yoga a workout. Especially gay yoga... I swear that guy is interested in only kicking my ass. The class has changed from a small class to one of young bucks. I blame the young bucks for him kicking our asses. But :raspberry: I usually can kick their asses!!!

Anyway, I intend to stick around more.

:missing: is not how I want to be anymore!!

[girl_dee]

mmm shrimp! what a great food. peeled and deviened. grilled with some seasoning is good with a side of brown rice or veggies.

I also like to take this shrimp cut it up with diced jalapenos and onions and add some V-8 plain or spicy and have a shrimp cocktail. The bad thing with this is I can eat it up with lots of chips... so maybe a low fat whole grain cracker instead? :)

I stepped on the scale this morning. well my morning/afternoon and I've reached my 10 lbs lost goal that I made for myself a couple months ago for the end of this year. I know it has to do with all the working I've been doing and walking, moving about. I've been pretty active and eating ok. I still am not limiting what I eat, just checking the ingredients, calories and making better choices and remembering portions. we'll see if it stays that way through the holidays. I'll try hard!

Tis the season to eat! All kinds of yummy delicious food is among us. There are recipes to cut out the calories and fat and sugar so check into that and also pace yourselves and remember portion control. Enjoy your Thanksgiving folks!



Congrats! i thought you looked great! i gained 10 pounds on our vacation to the states so i am trying to get rid of that, plus some! About 10-15 more to go!

[ruffryder]

Congrats! i thought you looked great! i gained 10 pounds on our vacation to the states so i am trying to get rid of that, plus some! About 10-15 more to go!

thanks dee. and you look great too! You were on vacation and back home and had lots of delicious food. You'll be fine. a few lbs at a time is how we do! one step at a time. :)

[Gemme]

Cutting Calories During Holiday Dining (http://voices.yahoo.com/how-cut-calories-holiday-dining-4294097.html)

There's also a good article about 20 ways to cut calories during the holidays on Livestrong.com somewhere but I can't find it now. :(

[sylvie]

YaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaY!
so proud of you & SO happy to see you back around..
Missed you & your updates!!

Well I certainly have been away for a very long time. I have craved the support of this community that is for sure.

I have maintained my weight loss, and changed my body shape considerably. I have not lost any real weight for the last six months, but I have lost inches. I am back on track of counting my points for WW. I will head for a weigh in two weeks. I think I *need* to work up to it. :blink:

I am having great success with maintaining my gym routine. Sometimes, if I am really devoted, I work out seven times a week. I do have to admit that I consider yoga a workout. Especially gay yoga... I swear that guy is interested in only kicking my ass. The class has changed from a small class to one of young bucks. I blame the young bucks for him kicking our asses. But :raspberry: I usually can kick their asses!!!

Anyway, I intend to stick around more.

:missing: is not how I want to be anymore!!

[sylvie]

Today is day two, and woke up feeling ready to take on my busy day.
Studying for Medical Terminology today, and i write the test later.
So i am fitting in a work out this morning here at home.


Elliptical - aiming for 20 mins.
Treadmill - aiming for 20 mins.
And then some sit-ups, squats & some lunges..

Yesterday i stayed completely ON track, balanced meals all portioned..
i had a few moments where i wanted to stress eat, but i didn't..
Having a day of complete abstinence, measured portions and a brisk workout feels great and set me up nicely to take on day two! i'm feeling good about it!

Happy Hump Day Healthies! ♥
Thank you all for the awesome shrimp ideas & recipes.
Love me some shrimp ..Yum.

[Sachita]

Some unsolicited advice, do not be so hard on yourself.

Just be good to yourself! Tomorrow is a new day.

I am so over carbed right now so trust me, I am taking my own advice ;)

Oh I'm not hard on myself any more. My main agenda is my health and being strong enough to do the things I really want to do. I'm totally fine with my big round ass and chunky thighs. I just like to keep my weight down for health reason and watch my sugar.

I spent most of my life beating myself and trying to be good enough. Those days are fucking over. I notice that the happier I am, the more baggage I let go of the weight comes off and I feel lighter.

[girl_dee]

It's very true, i know at the hardest time of my life is when i weighed the most.

it's always when i weighed the less.

Emotional status does affect our weight issues tremendously.

Letting go is always a good thing.

i'm limited on activity right now but i try to do what i can. Even if it's doing doggie yard clean up or walking around to the barn and back. i feel like i gotta keep moving.


this morning i had two VERY fresh eggs (like 15 min from the hen!) and one piece of breakfast sausage, topped with Goats Milk Cheese, i love it when it's melted

and an amazing cup of Mountain Blend from the Keurig.

Now for my vitamins!

[Sun]

Oh I'm not hard on myself any more. My main agenda is my health and being strong enough to do the things I really want to do. I'm totally fine with my big round ass and chunky thighs. I just like to keep my weight down for health reason and watch my sugar.

I spent most of my life beating myself and trying to be good enough. Those days are fucking over. I notice that the happier I am, the more baggage I let go of the weight comes off and I feel lighter.

I hear you. I was real hard on myself for years because I would yo-yo with weight. Now quite frankly, I don't give a fuck what I weigh I care about how I feel and I feel sexy. The end. If I eat crap or too many carbs, I pay for it because I dont feel well, so I get back on track. There are certain things that are total sabotage to my feeling good with food so I avoid them. Its very mental now.

Bottom line is my body is strong, when I work I often get slammed busy and have to keep up with guys who are linebacker types. We have to program our focus to work hard for 8-16 hours, lift things that most people would not touch, endure extreme temps high and low, and just get slammed. Everyone is expected to keep up just as an athlete is expected to keep up. So there it only makes sense to eat well and prepare for that type of a workout. Where I slack is when I am exhausted and crave carbs. Knowing this will be a lifelong challenge makes it easier on me mentally. Having fresh vegetables, nuts, dried fruit on hand to snack on takes the edge off if I see myself heading toward a bagel when I should really be eating a lean protein and some vegetables. Live and learn.

[ruffryder]

Hello healthies! Hope ya'll survived Thanksgiving and enjoyed your meals!

I ate more than usual. :| And I said, "hey, Thanksgiving only comes once a year!" hehe. Thanks to our friends and all the food they provided. I ate a lot of veggies too! :)

enjoy your weekend and leftovers everyone! I won't be stepping on the scale for awhile. heh.

[girl_dee]

Well being on low carb plan i have to learn to like things like turkey, it's never been something i like, at all. But i had some today (we did Thanksgiving today) and some cauliflower with salad. i had ONE bite of Syr's delicious stuffing.. and skipped the pie.

So i survived it!

i'm hoping to be down into the next 10 pound increment on Tuesday.

[girl_dee]

Hello healthy ones!

Well today is my weigh in and i am down 1.5 pounds. Total of 9 pounds since i started 3 weeks ago cutting out ALL processed foods and refined carbs.

No exercise.

i am a happy girl, about 10 more to go and i'll be about where i want to be.

Just munched on cucumber and cream cheese. Yummy!

[rockstar lover]

A few weeks ago I set a goal for myself...lose the last 25 lbs by the time I turn 35 years old. So far I'm down 8 lbs :thumbsup:

[Andrea]

I seem to have forgotten all my healthier ways. Time to figure out what is going on and get back on track. I suspect there will be journaling and maybe some meditation. Oh.... not doing those things may have something to do with not taking care of myself.

Thanks for helping me work through this. :)

[Sun]

Carbs, Carbs, Carbs...I have to weigh in today. I should be on track but do not expect any weight loss from the last week. Its been a carb week.

I am back to lean proteins and lots of vegetables mostly in the form of soups that I make every day.

One thing that is constant with me: Daily affirmations, getting enough water, lots of hot sauce to boost metabolism and because I love it, and never, ever, ever sitting down after a meal. That last piece alone makes all the difference in the world.

So even if I go off track, or off the rails for a day ;) if I keep up the behaviors that work I can find my way back.

[SelfMadeMan]

I *HAVE* to get back on track... we were doing so good making our morning superfood smoothies and eating right. I even managed to give up Diet Coke, but we've fallen right back into old habits. And we're planning on Ft Lauderdale over spring break so I don't have much time! :blink:

[starryeyes]

I'm back on track for the 2nd day! I can do this!

[girl_dee]

12 pounds gone never to return again! A tiny bit more to be at my goal !

[curlyredhead]

So as most of you know I am very physically active. I do triathlons, marathons, and lots of cycling.

Well at this time of the year its now the "Off Season" alot of us become lazy because of the holidays etc. I have a horrible sweet tooth. I am planning on keeping it at bay.

I am having some major surgery at the end of this year. So as my plan is, I will be taking probably most if not the entire season off of training in 2013.

So with that being said, my coach and no nutritionist is going to be setting up a meal plan for me.

I just started this new system yesterday and so far I am feeling more energized.

It's the Paleo Diet "Caveman Diet" I am on a modified version due to medical reasons. The goal is to keep me lean but lose as much body fat as I can.

I am going to start a transformation album so everyone can see my progress.

[girl_dee]

So as most of you know I am very physically active. I do triathlons, marathons, and lots of cycling.

Well at this time of the year its now the "Off Season" alot of us become lazy because of the holidays etc. I have a horrible sweet tooth. I am planning on keeping it at bay.

I am having some major surgery at the end of this year. So as my plan is, I will be taking probably most if not the entire season off of training in 2013.

So with that being said, my coach and no nutritionist is going to be setting up a meal plan for me.

I just started this new system yesterday and so far I am feeling more energized.

It's the Paleo Diet "Caveman Diet" I am on a modified version due to medical reasons. The goal is to keep me lean but lose as much body fat as I can.

I am going to start a transformation album so everyone can see my progress.

What basically is the Caveman Diet? is that like the GOD Diet? Anything made my *God* is ok?

[sylvie]

Good Morning Healthies!

Went to get my cast off yesterday, and they put another on ...
It isn't easy *but* i am still doing my workouts (well, what i can do anyway lol) , and staying on track with meals.
Juggling nursing school, work, life has also been a challenge and while i don't report as often as i did, i *am* on track...

Its final exams time, i'm doing really well despite that stress..
And my 16 yr old daughter is adding stress to that pile. (teenagers!!)
recognizing my strengths and coping mechanisms, and not stress eating.

Breathing, much meditation, writing, time with nature & exercise..
Keep at it everyone..Sharing your strengths & challenges helps inspire another to keep working at it.. (like me)
You all rock!

[*Anya*]

Good morning healthies!

It has been a while since my last confession...oh, wrong venue!

I really have nothing to confess-well actually I do. As I have posted, it had (note the past tense "had") been at least 9-months since I had any sweets, of any kind, at all.

I had the weirdest thing happen last night! Things are going great for me. I am finally getting the hang of my new job, I have a new potential love in my life-a truly wonderful butch lesbian who is crazy about me-things in general, are going smoothly right now.

I had bought a couple of tins of those Danish butter cookies, put Christmas cards on them and bows to give to a couple of my neighbors. These neighbors had brought my trash cans up from the street for at least 3-months, without bring asked, after my surgeries earlier this year.

The cookies had been sitting on my dining room table for two weeks. I had not even noticed them until last night.

All of a sudden, last night, I started to obsess about them. Tried all of my tricks to change my thought patterns to think of other things and I just had to have a cookie!

I ripped one tin open and like the sweets addict that I am, probably ate 6-8 of them before my brain kicked in again and said: "WTF, these don't even taste that good, stop it".

I put my robe on and put them in the trunk of my car.

I can never, ever, buy or bring sweets in my house!! Now, I am working on breaking that thought pattern of total fail for doing this and getting right back on track.

What usually derails me (by history) is not a one-time of going off the rails but the aftermath of feeling so badly about it! I am working on putting it in perspective (a one-time fail does not mean giving up or berating myself until I feel hopeless and do it again).

I still have 12-pounds to go. Sounds so easy but after losing 50, for me: they are the hardest.

My body holds onto fat with a death-grip.

Now I have to buy another damn tin, put the card and bow on it and give them to the neighbors today. The open tin will go to work for the employees or if I am tempted again, I will have to fill it with water and throw it in the trash.

Confession over. I feel better now.

Sylvie I am so proud of you. I think of you often for inspiration. {{{Hugs}}}

(f)

[rockstar lover]

A few weeks ago I set a goal for myself...lose the last 25 lbs by the time I turn 35 years old. So far I'm down 8 lbs :thumbsup:


So I'm down 10 lbs with 4.5 weeks left :cheesy:

It'll be tough around Christmas time with the family...but hopefully my willpower doesn't run out!

[ruffryder]

hello Healthies!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

I hope everyone is doing well.. :)
Good job to everyone!

[sylvie]

Anya,

So miss you! :awww:

Thank you for that and you also inspire ME!
i sooo hear you though, i cant have things hanging around either..
Cant tell you how many times i say to myself i can handle it, so the children can have something and then before you know it i'm filling my garbage can in tears and being hard on myself..

:girleating:

::: squishy hugs :::

[girl_dee]

Weekly weigh in ~

still at same weight, no loss no gain.

i'll take it!

Enjoying the Atkins way and adding some fruit and more carbs daily, but nothing processed.

i'm proud of myself!

Have a great day everyone!

[Miss Scarlett]

That's great Dee...half the battle is building rather than beating ourselves up.

I'm pleased at my own recent progress in that as of this morning having shed 14 of the 20 lbs I regained over the summer. Looking forward to getting back in to my "almost skinny" jeans...LOL See my weight loss doc on Friday...I just love that man.

[Andrea]

I am here to pat myself on the back. :) I am eating healthy and getting in some exercise, in spite of events attempting to dissuade me.

I did indulge in Sprouts vanilla sandwich creme cookies last night but stopped when the need for them eased. I think I ended up eating six. It felt good to 'hear' my need, find a solution, and then 'hear' when to stop. I call this progress.

Now if only I had this type of control of the events pulling me in other directions.......

[girl_dee]

Yay Miss Scarlett!! 14 pounds is over a dress size!

Andrea there is a theory that suggests that after a 3
bite rule. After 3 bites the craving is physically satisfied, so eating more than that isn't going to satisfy the craving 'more'.

Just a thought :)

[Andrea]

Andrea there is a theory that suggests that after a 3
bite rule. After 3 bites the craving is physically satisfied, so eating more than that isn't going to satisfy the craving 'more'.

Just a thought :)

Guess I shouldn't eat them two at a time. LOL

Progress comes in many forms. Today I put on some jeans I have not worn in a while due to how tight they felt. No grunting, no sucking in the belly.... Score one for me. :nixon:

[girl_dee]

Guess I shouldn't eat them two at a time. LOL

Progress comes in many forms. Today I put on some jeans I have not worn in a while due to how tight they felt. No grunting, no sucking in the belly.... Score one for me. :nixon:

That is the best feeling!

i am back in my jeans too and that feels damn good.

Tuesday weigh in, i weigh the exact same, again. Two weeks nothing loss.

Gonna have to kick into gear again!

[Sachita]

I love fitting into jeans I haven't worn in a while. I mostly wear sweat pants this time of year and my clothes loose. But I was going through old clothes trying to find stuff to wear and BAM! They went right on!

I'm having a hard time juicing when its chilly out. I'm still doing it but not as much. I'm looking for comfort recipes that use a lot of veggies, spices, no grains. I took cubed lamb, cooked it in ghee, added lots of curry type spices, coconut cream, keffir lime, mushrooms and then emptied a few packs of organic mixed veggies. It was really good and the sauce full of flavor. If anyone has any recipes for filling foods using small amounts of meat but huge amounts of veggies will you send them to me?

Someone told me yesterday that coffee increases cortiosol levels and if you stopped drinking coffee you'd drop weight. I majorly cut back and noticed all kinds of differences but damn do I miss coffee.

[macele]

since i don't smoke anymore, i don't drink as much coffee. morning and occasionally during the day. decaf. i'm going to try the veg soup and lettuce for a while. til christmas lol.

[Gemme]

Coffee's also a diuretic, so your body will appreciate not having that zap of fluid, especially with dry winter air.

I've gained 2 lbs over what my 'norm' has become. Damn Christmas candy and home cooking. I wish comfort food wasn't so calorie laden. Or that I didn't crave it so badly.

We've planned our Christmas dinner and Luvs is not. helping. at. all. :police:

So, I'm going to have to work to make sure we have salad with good fibrous greens and lots of nice steamed veggies to counterbalance all those carbs....potatoes, stuffing, rolls...!

[girl_dee]

I love fitting into jeans I haven't worn in a while. I mostly wear sweat pants this time of year and my clothes loose. But I was going through old clothes trying to find stuff to wear and BAM! They went right on!

I'm having a hard time juicing when its chilly out. I'm still doing it but not as much. I'm looking for comfort recipes that use a lot of veggies, spices, no grains. I took cubed lamb, cooked it in ghee, added lots of curry type spices, coconut cream, keffir lime, mushrooms and then emptied a few packs of organic mixed veggies. It was really good and the sauce full of flavor. If anyone has any recipes for filling foods using small amounts of meat but huge amounts of veggies will you send them to me?

Someone told me yesterday that coffee increases cortiosol levels and if you stopped drinking coffee you'd drop weight. I majorly cut back and noticed all kinds of differences but damn do I miss coffee.

what about decaf coffee?

[Sachita]

I just can't do salads so much in winter. I love them and eat them all the time when its warmer. I grew a bunch of sweet potatoes over the summer and I've been eating these. I'm pretty much sticking to protein and veggies but love sauces and such. I love roasting veggies too.

[Gemme]

I just can't do salads so much in winter. I love them and eat them all the time when its warmer. I grew a bunch of sweet potatoes over the summer and I've been eating these. I'm pretty much sticking to protein and veggies but love sauces and such. I love roasting veggies too.

What about winter salads?

Ooooooooh, pretty! (http://www.google.com/search?q=winter+salad&hl=en&tbo=u&rlz=1R2GWYA_enUS381&biw=1024&bih=547&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=L8rQUMneGerO2AXE74DYDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQsAQ)

Or nice hot salads?

[macele]

i love sweet potatoes! roasting veggies!

[Rockinonahigh]

I'm not really loseing much at the moment,I had gotten back down to 255 when I got the last back injection in november so I picked up a a couple of pounds.What i've noticed is my body is compacting in lots of places back,legs,butt and chest plus lots of arm muscels and upper back from diffrent exersises with weights.AS many crunchies,sit ups,power leg lifts i'm not loseing as much as I would like in the old gut...bugs the crap out of me for shure..I am doing cardio nearly every day of some kind.My pcp wanted mt to go on this diet of 750 calories or less wich I told her I would have more problems if I did that is why I dont cut my intake down so low.I tryed it once and had lots of blood sugar problems along with near total wipe outs that left me sicker than a dog.I'm on high protine,veggies as much as I want of the right kind,some fruit spareingly,water till i'm sick of water so I put some lemon juice in it to give it some taste or use cristal light.I do have a couple of diet sodas a day and often dont drink all of them.What I do have is way mopre energy and stamana to do what I need to do so I know something is working.

[JustJo]

I've decided to be realistic, and make my goal to stay under that 200 lb. threshhold over the holidays.

Also, to make sure that I eat healthy, and limit sweets. I am not completely restricting myself though....because I need to live like this for the rest of my life, and don't care to make my holidays miserable.

So far, so good.....196 and holding.

:rrose:

[JustJo]

Just for giggles....this was the first post in this thread....back in January 2011....almost 2 years ago.

My goal for the year....lose 35 lbs.

I didn't accomplish it, although I made baby step changes, ate healthier, felt better, exercised more, felt even better....

Fast forward almost 2 years.....and GUESS how much I've lost overall....yep, you got it....about 35 lbs. :)

Just goes to show that there's value in making changes, even small ones, and hanging in there. It took me twice as long as I wanted.....but I'm here.

Woot woot for me! :cheer:



Hi everyone,

I looked for a thread on this topic and didn't see one...so (since this is part of my goal for this year), I thought I'd start one. :)

As a diabetic, I have to be careful of fad diets... and losing weight makes it much easier to manage my condition (not to mention finding cute clothes when out shopping!)

When I was first diagnosed, I followed the diabetic diet religiously, walked an hour a day, and lost 50 lbs. Woo hoo! Unfortunately, the diabetic diet makes life no fun...and I gradually went off of it. As a result, I've regained about 25 of those pounds over the last 5 years. Not a quick gain, but frustrating and unhealthy.

So...for 2011...I've resolved to get back to my walking...starting with 2 miles a day since I'm out of shape and working (as quickly as possible) back to the 4 mile walk that helped me lose weight initially, and which I know helps me maintain a healthy level of fitness.

I've also resolved to improve my diet...not the diabetic diet (cuz I'll want to hurt someone), but an easier to manage version using Weight Watchers points.

My weight loss goal (for now) is 35 lbs.

Here's a link (http://www.augustgames.com/weightwatchers.htm) to a very handy list of food point values (but I still cannot figure out the crazy formula on top to save my life...all I know is that about 25 points works for me).

Anyone want to share hints, tips, advice, and support on losing weight in a healthy way?

[Sachita]

what about decaf coffee?

I'm not sure. I'll look. I was mixing half decaf but still had trouble with coffee. I think the process of removing caffeine is really unhealthy. I have been drinking Numi age earl grey and its really yummy. In fact I;m getting use to tea. It has caffeine but doesn't bother me like coffee does.

[Sachita]

I really mess up the moment I start on anything sweet. The holidays are hard for me. I'm not eating any diet food. I'm just not eating a lot of bread, rice, pasta etc which is my weakness. But I am allowing pasta once a
week. Like I said I can't get into salads but the other night I wilted some baby greens and tossed some beans and even a boiled egg in it. It was yummy.

I eat at least two eggs a day right from my coop. I'll eat them for breakfast or dinner. Spinach omelets, anything I an add veggies to. I eat a lot of mushrooms when I'm watching my weight. The big one for me is totally staying away from anything processed. Thats why stews and chunky soups work so well for me. I am busy. I can throw stuff in the crock pot and munch on it throughout the day. I always have leftovers.

[girl_dee]

Just for giggles....this was the first post in this thread....back in January 2011....almost 2 years ago.

My goal for the year....lose 35 lbs.

I didn't accomplish it, although I made baby step changes, ate healthier, felt better, exercised more, felt even better....

Fast forward almost 2 years.....and GUESS how much I've lost overall....yep, you got it....about 35 lbs. :)

Just goes to show that there's value in making changes, even small ones, and hanging in there. It took me twice as long as I wanted.....but I'm here.

Woot woot for me! :cheer:


Congratuflippinlations! :cheer:

[Sachita]

What about winter salads?

Ooooooooh, pretty! (http://www.google.com/search?q=winter+salad&hl=en&tbo=u&rlz=1R2GWYA_enUS381&biw=1024&bih=547&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=L8rQUMneGerO2AXE74DYDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQsAQ)

Or nice hot salads?

oooooo thank you

[rockstar lover]

So I'm down 10 lbs with 4.5 weeks left :cheesy:

It'll be tough around Christmas time with the family...but hopefully my willpower doesn't run out!


As of today I'm down 15 lbs :clap: I've got 2.5 weeks until my birthday. I probably won't make my goal of losing 25 lbs. But....20 is now the new 25!! I'm shooting for 20 folks!

[Miss Scarlett]

As of today I'm down 15 lbs :clap: I've got 2.5 weeks until my birthday. I probably won't make my goal of losing 25 lbs. But....20 is now the new 25!! I'm shooting for 20 folks!

Awesome!! Congratulations and I hope you achieve your original goal!!

[Miss Scarlett]

(((((Andrea))))) I can relate to everything you've said here.

Please remember that YOU are so worth it!!! (Something I need to remind myself of daily...)

I seem to have forgotten all my healthier ways. Time to figure out what is going on and get back on track. I suspect there will be journaling and maybe some meditation. Oh.... not doing those things may have something to do with not taking care of myself.

Thanks for helping me work through this. :)

[Miss Scarlett]

One thing I discovered is that anything without a firm waistband is my "enemy". I need that slightly restrictive reminder and it always feels so good when I drop a size.

I still have a few of my old clothes, the ones that weren't fit to donate, and occasionally try them on as a reminder of my progress. But sometimes, depending on my mindset at the time, I still see the old me in the mirror...doesn't matter that the outfit is hanging off me, she's still there looking back at me.

It's just like back in the 80s when I was in full blown bulimarexia and starved myself down to a dangerous and unhealthy weight...the near skeleton looking in the mirror saw someone far bigger than I'd ever been.

The main difference now is when that happens I know not to believe what I see. I am much stronger and that demon has no power over me.

[nycfem]

As a no-caf person for 6 years now, I try to stay away from decaf too. It is supposed to be much more unhealthy than regular coffee (google/processing). Also, decaf has caffeine in it, sometimes a lot of it. I splurge on something decaf (meaning about 1/4 of a cup at most) when I'm dying for it but that's a rarity. The hardest part of no-caf for me is not having chocolate but the mind and body adjust with time.


what about decaf coffee?

[Dance-with-me]

My life is about to have some structure and consistency back, so I'm hoping to really start focusing on my health including healthy eating and adequate exercise. I'll be back in my own house in a few days, and I have a treadmill, elliptical and bike there, plus I just had a cortisone shot that is addressing some of my pain issues.

One of the things that I plan to do starting on the 2nd is a one-week holistic whole foods cleanse. It's NOT one of those purge (aka poop your brains out) cleanses - it's a careful balance of whole foods that work together to reset your system, and is one that several friends have followed and loved. I'm hoping that it will help me pull away from sugars and other craving foods, get me back into eating the smaller portions that my body's good with when I give it the chance to not be stuffed full every day, and more. There's a small fee for getting the information but it includes support from the holistic health counselor who developed the program.

[ruffryder]

there is a theory that suggests that after a 3
bite rule. After 3 bites the craving is physically satisfied, so eating more than that isn't going to satisfy the craving 'more'.

Just a thought :)

I like this theory and this is what I've learned among other healthy options over the year! We enjoy going to Golden Coral buffet and I've learned if I want something I'll get it and just enjoy one - three bites as you suggest to satisfy the craving. If it just doesn't taste as I thought It would then I go for one bite and say, "ehhhh, that wasn't as good as I thought it would be." . and I push it away. LOL



I had the goal a month ago of losing 10 lbs by the end of the year and I'm half way there. I have about 4-5 to go. Happy Friday everybody. Enjoy the weekend!

WOW! I posted this at the beginning of November and my goal was in OCT. to lose 10 lbs by the end of this year. I'm happy to say I've made it! I'm at my goal. Now for a plan for the new year!

Merry Christmas Healthy friends. Everybody enjoy the holidays with friends and family! :)

[PearlsNLace]

i have one goal today: moderation. less butter on popcorn while watching holiday movies, and less dip and more veg. when i attack the veg tray.

[girl_dee]

today is my weigh in day so i didn't want to stray from that while i have momentum.

down 1.5 after two weeks of plateau!!!


total is....13.5 !!!!!!!!

i only have a few more to go for goal!!!

i must pat myself on the back, i baked lots of goodies and didn't have any!

(i can't have just one is my problem)

enjoy your day everyone!!!

[*Anya*]

Fell off the wagon in a major way this week!

After 9-10 months with no sweets, my daughter had a party last Saturday and someone brought a whipped cream and chocolate cake confection. I said: "can I have one bite?" to my daughter. Like I can ever eat one bite of a sweet anything.

I then ate a whole one myself. Not a whole cake! I must clarify that.

It was in a cupcake kind of wrapper but I wouldn't put it past me to eat a whole cake, if given half a chance.

Have obsessed about it all week and gained three pounds on top of it all.

(I followed up the cake-thing with three pieces of Sees candy as a chaser).

Back on the wagon I go.

I figure I will stop thinking about it in two weeks if my past record holds true.

[Gemme]

I think holding ourselves accountable is much different than beating up on ourselves for a slip up. The holidays are rough enough, so be gentle with yourselves.

[alexri]

I am enjoying myself today, and then heading back to the gym tomorrow.

Tomorrow commences Operation LGN: Look Good Naked.

It's not a diet; it's a butt and gutt reduction plan.

[girl_dee]

Hello everyone!

how many are starting off the New Year with a plan?

i'm still working the old plan myself.

down a pound at weigh in this morning.

Total 14.5 so far.

Today's menu includes lots of carb (what i am avoiding) so wish me luck!

Happy New Year Healthies!

[Sun]

Happy New Year everyone.

Dee that is great progress. Congrats.

Well I still was able to maintain my weight loss for 2012 with only carbing out a little after Thanksgiving and then putting 10lbs back on, losing 5 now I am back to goal. Yikes this is hard stuff. So that goal was level one now I am on to level 2 which is to lose another 20 lbs and use my gym app to track my workout progress, VirtuaGym for anyone who is interested. This is a good app for tracking progress and following workout routines that you can do at home or at the gym. If you have some free weights there are some workout suggestions that are helpful and also many workouts that require no equipment.

Avoiding lousy carbs becomes easier once I put weight on as a result of them. Its not worth it. If I crave a low quality carb, like a bagel, my weakness, or baguette, I have it in the morning then I have all day to burn it off.

[sis]

Really, I need the support of this thread. I don't make resolutions about going on a diet, setting a weight loss goal, etc. If I'm not successful it really does a number on my psyche. My focus is on eating healthy and exercising more. I haven't had anything with refined sugar in it since Sunday. This is big for me. Last month I made a conscious choice to not bring any packaged sweets into the apt. I find that if its not there .... I do without. The holidays provided many opportunities to indulge, and, I did! Now, I'm climbing back on the wagon. Thank you all for being here!

[ruffryder]

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4713156231039736&pid=1.7&w=209&h=148&c=7&rs=1


My plan for the new year is health. . I will be doing doctor visits for health, dental, and vision. I actually did a vision one last year but I need contacts and I have benefits again at work so I'll take advantage of that. The other two, it's been some good years for checks so I'll get a full doctor check and dental cleaning and check. I'll continue to make wise eating choices without limiting myself and hell maybe another 10 lbs lost is not so bad a goal.

*cheers* to 2013 everybody!

I enjoyed a bowl of oatmeal this morning - apple and cinnamon and some toast with real butter and black coffee.

[Cowboi]

Good morning BFP and 2013!!! I made it to the gym, had a great chest and back workout.
Tomorrow I start the diet....

[Kelt]

Okay, so this is more like the anti-healthy weight loss article.

History's weirdest fad diets (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20695743)

While it is both humorous and not for the faint of heart, it is a good reminder that while consistent behaviors with a focus on healthy habits may be boring to some, the alternative is never a good idea.

Happy Healthy New Year to all the Healthy peeps!

[Thinker]

A few weeks ago I committed to cutting out sweets and breads, and for the new year I am committing to stretching EVERY day. It only takes 15 minutes, and I've found that full-body stretching very often is a gateway (for me) to start moving more.

Happy New Year to everyone!!!! I hope 2013 is a significant year for you!

[Kelt]

Hey Healthies

This is an article I ran across today and thought was pretty good common sense stuff to bear in mind.
The thing that I do differently is on the whole grains, I find the easiest way to determine if it is 'whole' is to only eat it that way, e.g. not ground up into a flour. I also just plain stay away from most grains for my own plan, but everybody is different.

Diet Smarter in 2013 – By Consensus
JANUARY 3, 2013 BY MARK BOSMA

If you are like one of nearly 45 million other Americans, you plan to go on a diet sometime this year. Some statistics show that up to 50% of American women and 25% of American men consider themselves to be “on a diet” at any given time. The struggle to loose weight is continual for many as they bounce from one diet plan to the next.

With so many diet strategies available, how do you know which one is right? Aren’t they all different? Don’t they conflict?

To avoid these questions and diet smarter in 2013, stop comparing differences in diet strategies and start comparing similarities.

Diet by consensus
For this approach, examine the diet plans that you are considering. Base your meals around the foods generally agreed upon as “Safe” and avoid the foods generally agreed upon as “Bad.” This alone will determine about 80% of your food choices. The remaining details then become much simpler to sort out.
As an example, I compared 14 popular diet plans & diet strategies (see below), resulting in the following lists.

Safe:

Fruits
Vegetables
Lean meats (except vegan/vegetarian)
“Healthy” plant oils: olive, coconut and others high in monounsaturated fats
Whole grains

Avoid:

White refined sugar (table sugar)
High fructose corn syrup
Processed grains (white flour, white rice, etc)
Processed grain products (white breads, pastas, etc)
Processed food (cheese spreads from a can, snack cakes, etc)
Processed meats (pre-packaged lunch meats, pepperoni and the like)
Saturated fats
Trans Fats
Additional sodium (table salt)

You may be asking “That’s it? Where is the earth-shaking insight?” There are not any – not in the sense of surprise items, that is.
Instead of surprise, the insight is that many commonly touted “health foods” are the basis for many popular diet strategies and diet plans. These “diets” may differ in calorie counts and food proportions, but their shopping lists are largely based on the above.

Where to go from here
Using this information, you can begin to answer much simpler questions. Instead of asking “Which diet plan is best?”, you can ask more specific questions like “Should I limit my dairy intake?” or “Should I include eggs?”
These simple questions will be easier to research and – more importantly – easier to “trial-and-erorr” on your own.

Advice by Consensus:
While putting together the list of foods for these 14 “diets”, a list of general tips also arose.

Track Your Nutrients: When starting out, track your basic nutrients and calorie intake. This will help ensure you are on track for both nutrition and weight loss. As your eating habits change, you will be a better judge of proper intake and can track your food less often.

Use organic when possible: When possible, look for organic foods. This can help avoid the risk of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals in your food.

The less processed, the better: When in doubt, go with the foods that seem to be less processed. Processed foods often contain less nutritional value than their “whole food” counterparts. Processed foods also tend to contain more of the undesirable ingredients listed above.

“Whole” grain varies: When in doubt, go with a visual – can you see grains or pieces of grain? If so, good. Some “whole wheat” breads, on the contrary, are essentially just white breads with a little brown flour thrown in.
Look up the Glycemic Index: Research the glycemic index to gain understanding about what it is and how common foods rate on its scale. This will help explain why high-sugar fruits, sugar, and processed flours should be limited or avoided in your new diet.

Conclusion
People diet for many reasons, including weight loss, medical concerns and a desire to have more energy. Some people require a support structure and others happily go it alone. Regardless of your particular needs, the strategy of “diet by consensus” should alleviate the uncertainty you feel about diet choices.
The food lists and advice given here are a start for many of us, but please consider your personal needs and adjust as necessary. Keep in mind that I am neither your doctor nor dietitian: this is advice, not a prescription!

Link to article with referenced diets (http://elusivelife.net/fitness/diet/diet-smarter-in-2013-use-consensus)

*The only bone I have to pick with this is the reference to coconut oil as 'high in monounsaturated fats'. Umm, not so much. The pluses and minuses of this particular oil are hotly debated, so, I'm not going there other than to say I do cook with it in small amounts myself. YMMV.

[Cowboi]

Hit the gym this morning. Had a killer shoulder and calve workout.
Got to go grocery shopping later. Gonna be eatin clean and mean!! LoL

[sylvie]

Okay, so this is more like the anti-healthy weight loss article.

History's weirdest fad diets (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20695743)

While it is both humorous and not for the faint of heart, it is a good reminder that while consistent behaviors with a focus on healthy habits may be boring to some, the alternative is never a good idea.

Happy Healthy New Year to all the Healthy peeps!

Loved reading this article Kelt.
It's amazing what people will do to their bodies in hopes to lose weight.
i know i have put my body through hell over the years myself with purging, binges and fad diets in desperation to lose weight.

i laugh when i tell people that i even tried something called the hot dog diet years & years ago. i kid you not. Aside from the fact hot dogs gross me out and aren't considered food for me - i heard that someone lost weight merely eating ONLY hot dogs for every meal & that's all i needed to hear, my brain was convincing me that hot dogs were exactly what was going to bring me weight loss.

i was desperate enough to try it for 2 weeks straight.. One hot dog for breakfast, lunch & dinner. There was never success with any of my many, many fad diets & desperate weight loss attempts over the years. But the very fact i even convinced myself that if i forced myself to eat a hot dog a day it would bring me amazing weight loss.

ick.
ps, damn thankful no one suggested tapeworm to me back then, or any of these.
::shivers::

[Chancie]

Because I want to post on this thread

I am pretending that it is the Just Listening thread.

I have been using an app on my iPhone and

I am keeping track of everything I eat.

I entered my weight and my height and my weight loss goals, and

The app produced a certain number of calories.

I've never been a fan of calorie counting and

I am sure that diets are unhealthy, but

Planning and counting appeals to me.

I will say this, poor Pete has never eaten more vegetables.

[Andrea]

In spite of the fact I have been dealing with an abundance of stress and travel, limiting access to the gym (at least that is my excuse and I am sticking to it), I have been able to maintain my previous weight loss. My fit bit indicates I am also maintaining my normal, if not enough, daily steps.

I have set a new goal of a five pound weight loss before my next scheduled out of state travel at the end of the month.

Gym bag packed..... check
Veggie snacks......check
Fit bit on.......check
Healthy thoughts.....check
Attitude of gratitude....check

I think I am ready for today.

[Kelt]

Interesting tip:

Look for a 10-to-1 Carb-to-Fiber Ratio to Find Actually Healthy Whole-Grain Foods
Melanie Pinola

http://hhpblog.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Carb-fiber-on-label.jpg



It seems like almost everything is labeled with the healthy eating buzzphrase "whole grain" these days. But those whole-grain claims can be misleading when we're looking for healthy food. Harvard researchers offer this rule of thumb for choosing good whole-grain foods: look for a 10:1 ratio of carbohydrates to fiber.
When you look at the nutrition panel on a product, make sure that for every 10 grams of total carbohydrates there's at least one gram of fiber. As the Harvard Health blog points out, this is about the ratio of carbohydrates and fiber that's in unprocessed wheat, a genuine whole grain.

The recommendation comes from a study done by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. They evaluated 545 grain products and tallied up their nutritional components. Foods that met the 10:1 ratio "tended to have less sugar, sodium, and trans fats than those that didn't."

This is an easier method than reading a long ingredient list looking for the word "whole" before every grain (a recommendation from the USDA). It might also be more reliable than looking at the order of ingredients or seeing a Whole Grain stamp on packaging, since foods labeled "whole grain" are often unhealthy (Fruit Loops, anyone?).

Link to original source article: Harvard Medical School (http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-trick-to-recognizing-a-good-whole-grain-use-carb-to-fiber-ratio-of-10-to-1-201301145794)

[girl_dee]

Weekly weigh in

up half a pound. :(

i had a bug hit me and got off track getting over it. i'm shocked i only gained half a pound! So i am getting back on track but facing 10 days away and in Atlanta and then New Orleans. i will do my best to stay on track but also enjoy meals with my family.. and all that cuisine!

HELP ME ! lol

my total weight loss is 14 pounds and i am only 5 pounds from my goal.

OOOOoooOOOOh so close!

[dixie]

After my lil week-long stay in the hospital at the beginning of the month, I've had to change a lot of things. I've tried doing this just for weight loss in the past, but I always get frustrated and annoyed. (Frustrated or annoyed for me meant, "oh well, let's just eat half this bag of hershey hugs")

I now have "actual" reasons to do this. I'm supposed to be eating a low fat/low sodium/low carb/diabetic/some gluten-free/lactose free diet. It's hard as hell for a girl who wants nothing more than cheeseburgers, chocolate, and Pepsi.

So far though, I have been successful. Three+ weeks of no junk food, no soda, healthy choices, tons of water, and organic foods. Oh, and my last cigarette was over three weeks ago! (I can breathe!!!! lol)

Exercise each day: Today's workout included 72 minutes of alternating walking and jogging on the treadmill, 25 minutes of weight training (focus on arms), and 60 minutes of bellydancing.


Three+ weeks and so far I am down 24lbs. Woot woot!


I still crave, I still want to go back to old habits.....it's hard....especially at only three weeks in. BUT I have motivation that I did not have before. Insulin injections, stress tests, oxygen, arms covered in IV marks, a few scars from being allergic to heart monitor sticky nodes, and then a heart catheterization were DEFINITELY enough motivation for me to NEVER want those things again...especially at age 33.

Soooo.....let's do this. :heavyweight::toondance: ;)

[Kelt]

After my lil week-long stay in the hospital at the beginning of the month, I've had to change a lot of things. I've tried doing this just for weight loss in the past, but I always get frustrated and annoyed. (Frustrated or annoyed for me meant, "oh well, let's just eat half this bag of hershey hugs")

I now have "actual" reasons to do this. I'm supposed to be eating a low fat/low sodium/low carb/diabetic/some gluten-free/lactose free diet. It's hard as hell for a girl who wants nothing more than cheeseburgers, chocolate, and Pepsi.

So far though, I have been successful. Three+ weeks of no junk food, no soda, healthy choices, tons of water, and organic foods. Oh, and my last cigarette was over three weeks ago! (I can breathe!!!! lol)

Exercise each day: Today's workout included 72 minutes of alternating walking and jogging on the treadmill, 25 minutes of weight training (focus on arms), and 60 minutes of bellydancing.


Three+ weeks and so far I am down 24lbs. Woot woot!


I still crave, I still want to go back to old habits.....it's hard....especially at only three weeks in. BUT I have motivation that I did not have before. Insulin injections, stress tests, oxygen, arms covered in IV marks, a few scars from being allergic to heart monitor sticky nodes, and then a heart catheterization were DEFINITELY enough motivation for me to NEVER want those things again...especially at age 33.

Soooo.....let's do this. :heavyweight::toondance: ;)



You are doing all the right stuff. Congratulations on the weight loss and especially the smokes. I always told myself that since I had quite smoking I could officially quit/do anything. Everything else is easier than that.

You have the ultimate motivation, that's for sure. It's good to see you take this head on. Kudos to you!

:cheesy:

[Chancie]

Because I want to post on this thread

I am pretending that it is the Just Listening thread.

I have been using an app on my iPhone and

<snip>

It's been almost three weeks, and

I am still tracking everything I eat.

I wish there were a place to make notes, but

I am pretty happy with how it's going.

[Zimmeh]

Congrats on the weight loss and keep up the good work!

Zimmeh

After my lil week-long stay in the hospital at the beginning of the month, I've had to change a lot of things. I've tried doing this just for weight loss in the past, but I always get frustrated and annoyed. (Frustrated or annoyed for me meant, "oh well, let's just eat half this bag of hershey hugs")

I now have "actual" reasons to do this. I'm supposed to be eating a low fat/low sodium/low carb/diabetic/some gluten-free/lactose free diet. It's hard as hell for a girl who wants nothing more than cheeseburgers, chocolate, and Pepsi.

So far though, I have been successful. Three+ weeks of no junk food, no soda, healthy choices, tons of water, and organic foods. Oh, and my last cigarette was over three weeks ago! (I can breathe!!!! lol)

Exercise each day: Today's workout included 72 minutes of alternating walking and jogging on the treadmill, 25 minutes of weight training (focus on arms), and 60 minutes of bellydancing.


Three+ weeks and so far I am down 24lbs. Woot woot!


I still crave, I still want to go back to old habits.....it's hard....especially at only three weeks in. BUT I have motivation that I did not have before. Insulin injections, stress tests, oxygen, arms covered in IV marks, a few scars from being allergic to heart monitor sticky nodes, and then a heart catheterization were DEFINITELY enough motivation for me to NEVER want those things again...especially at age 33.

Soooo.....let's do this. :heavyweight::toondance: ;)

[Kitten.With.A.Twist]

Dixie I wish you much better health in 2013! I want to recommend the book "The Blood Sugar Solution" to you.. as well as "Fat Chance" - published just last month.

I've changed my life in the last year - dramatically - and know you will do the same!

Da Kitten :)

[Cowboi]

Weekly weigh in

up half a pound. :(

i had a bug hit me and got off track getting over it. i'm shocked i only gained half a pound! So i am getting back on track but facing 10 days away and in Atlanta and then New Orleans. i will do my best to stay on track but also enjoy meals with my family.. and all that cuisine!

HELP ME ! lol

my total weight loss is 14 pounds and i am only 5 pounds from my goal.

OOOOoooOOOOh so close!



You can't lose weight in NOLA!!!!! Enjoy!!!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez

[Cowboi]

Gym done....Bi's and tri's. My arms feel like noodles.

Have a great day my friends!!!

[Chancie]

Because I want to post on this thread

I am pretending that it is the Just Listening thread.

I have been using an app on my iPhone and

I am keeping track of everything I eat.

I entered my weight and my height and my weight loss goals, and

The app produced a certain number of calories.

<snip>

Update: It's been about three weeks, and I've lost about 11 pounds.

Like I've posted other places, I don't believe in dieting.

It's unhealthy; it doesn't work; and for anyone who has lived with an eating disorder, it's just plain dangerous.

I don't find it helpful to talk about being bad with food, or eating food that's bad.

I do want to eat more food that's good for me and less food that's bad for me.

[dixie]

Dixie I wish you much better health in 2013! I want to recommend the book "The Blood Sugar Solution" to you.. as well as "Fat Chance" - published just last month.

I've changed my life in the last year - dramatically - and know you will do the same!

Da Kitten :)

Thank you for the tips! I went ahead and ordered "The Blood Sugar Solution" for my Kindle, and will start with that one! Thanks again! :)

[Zimmeh]

At the beginning of the year, my coworkers and I at the school, decided to form a group of six people and loose weight together. So far, I have lost six pounds in two weeks and I now wear a size 13 junior jeans. I have another 25lbs to loose before the summer and I am enjoying the competition that we have!

Zimmeh

[starryeyes]

I was on track yesterday!!! Yay!!! I haven't been on track in a long time, and my weight is showing it. It's amazing what happens when you stop paying attention.

Yesterday, I went to the store and got what I needed to make healthy choices. I am planning my day right now (since it's Super Bowl and all, and I don't wanna grab for the chips).

I am ready to start this journey again, I am ready to start taking care of me, instead of everyone else. I deserve to live a healthy and happy life!!

I'm also going to do a paleo challenge with a friend for 21 days. Tonight I am making a crockpot garlic/lemon chicken with onion and carrots :)

Hugs to all!!!

[Rockinonahigh]

Following a weight loss plan is soooooo hard to do during the Mardi Gras season,but I am manageing 95% of the time.:praying::vigil:

[starryeyes]

Ok... I have been on track for the 3rd day in a row!!! This seems minuscule compared to my past, but it's a big step for me!!

For the first 3 days, I had a killer migraine because I cut out coffee/diet coke/fast food. I had one ALL day/night last night, was dizzy and feeling the caffeine jitters. I took two Vicodin and I *still* woke up with the damn headache. I took an imitrex this morning and *poof* (hallelu!) it was gone. I don't have the carb/caffine jitters anymore and so I think I'm going to be ok!!

It's amazing how awful that stuff is for your body, to the point that it makes you feel sick! I am glad I have started this journey again. It isn't my first, initially losing about 60lbs give or take and almost making it to goal. I have gained about 25 back, and I don't want to live like this anymore! I really want this struggle to end. I want this to be the last time!

Here we go! :)

[dixie]

Apparently I haven't worn my white jeans in quite some time. Went to put them on after my shower. They are almost 3 sizes too big!!! I was shocked! It also made me think....

Most of us (ok, a few of us) have "that" pair of jeans, tucked away in a closet or drawer, in hopes of one day getting back into them. I have those jeans. They are those skinny-ass teeny-bopper jeans that came from the juniors section. For years, every time I ran across those jeans I would growl at them and throw them further back into my closet, then be depressed for the rest of the day. Well, after my white jeans were too big today I dug out those other jeans.

OMG people...not only did they fit but hello! Apparently all this treadmill incline is making my ass look fineeeeeeeee!!! (I've been increasing incline between 7.0-12.0 and also adding another half mile every couple days. I'm up to 6 miles a day at those inclines now.) I'm so super excited just to be wearing those damn jeans. I think I'll go out and buy another smaller pair to put back in the closet. ;)

[starryeyes]

That is awesome!!!! I have a dress that I am looking forward to getting into again. Keep up the amazing work :)

Apparently I haven't worn my white jeans in quite some time. Went to put them on after my shower. They are almost 3 sizes too big!!! I was shocked! It also made me think....

Most of us (ok, a few of us) have "that" pair of jeans, tucked away in a closet or drawer, in hopes of one day getting back into them. I have those jeans. They are those skinny-ass teeny-bopper jeans that came from the juniors section. For years, every time I ran across those jeans I would growl at them and throw them further back into my closet, then be depressed for the rest of the day. Well, after my white jeans were too big today I dug out those other jeans.

OMG people...not only did they fit but hello! Apparently all this treadmill incline is making my ass look fineeeeeeeee!!! (I've been increasing incline between 7.0-12.0 and also adding another half mile every couple days. I'm up to 6 miles a day at those inclines now.) I'm so super excited just to be wearing those damn jeans. I think I'll go out and buy another smaller pair to put back in the closet. ;)

[starryeyes]

Still on track!! Feels good! Almost a week :) down 2.8 lbs.

[Chancie]

Because I want to post on this thread

I am pretending that it is the Just Listening thread.

I have been using an app on my iPhone and

I am keeping track of everything I eat.

I entered my weight and my height and my weight loss goals, and

The app produced a certain number of calories.

<snip>

Update: It's been about three weeks, and I've lost about 11 pounds.

<snip>

It's been a month and a few days, and I've lost about 17 pounds.

I feel really great about how good I am being to myself.

I was reading and posting to the community associated with the app, and

I have found it helpful, and I have been able to take what I like and leave the rest, but

It turns out that it's not my community.

[Cowboi]

Had a great chest and back workout...
Hit a new personal best...45 lb dumbbells, flat bench press
8 reps. Had a spot on the last 2, but..... I am staring those 50 lbs dumbbells down now!!! ...LoL

[ruffryder]

Lost just over 12 lbs in the past few months. Mostly due to my new job and being more active with that. Haven't really changed my diet but It seems I'm eating salad almost every day. LOL I still need to drink more water! :blink:

Ran across an article and thought I'd share that diet soda may pose an bigger threat linked to diabetes than regular supar-packed soda.

http://www.newser.com/story/162478/diet-soda-bigger-diabetes-threat-than-sugary-stuff.html

[ahk]

My lady and I started WW (Weight Watchers) last June. Then we got lost again around November, of course, around the holidays but continued to weigh ourselves weekly with a pound or two gone here and there. Starting the 1st of the year, we decided we needed to get back with entering our foods, going by our points, and exercising again. January went by -- February started. I jumped on the scale and gained 8.8 pounds, I was down 22 lbs, but ( I think mostly mine is due to weight shift and muscle change, since starting T(estosterone) ) so, here I go again with round 2 of WW. My points are way different than before and I just can't seem to eat all my points (61), I usually get to about 42-50 per day. I feel since I started WW again, my water intake has increased, my wanting to eat more veggies/fruits has increased, and decisions are changing too-- Saturday is my weigh in day - so I am excited to know what I loss this week. The gym is slow, but we do go at least 3x week (mainly just cardio) but I am going to start lifting with a few trans guys here in town soon.

Congratulations to all that have been posting here regularly and have been loosing weight and changing their old habits!! Such positive insight!! Yay.

[starryeyes]

I have always been successful on WW when I track and don't cheat. I started back again last week and lost 3lbs. Still on track! Yaya :)

Now, I need to increase the exercise! That's my new goal this week. I will walk 5k everyday.

Time to get steppin!!!

Hugs.

[Cowboi]

We started a new workout program today....
I just finished doing 570 reps, chest and triceps...
Tomorrow should be interesting...

[Chancie]

It's been a month and a few days, and I've lost about 17 pounds.

I feel really great about how good I am being to myself.

<snip>



I made a mistake when I posted that I lost 17 pounds.

I had actually lost 15 pounds, but on Tuesday, I lost 18 pounds.

I'm thinking about doing some very easy yoga.

[dixie]

I gave up on looking at the scale. The numbers weren't changing as much as I like, despite my pant size dropping. I thought about just using measurements. Changed my mind on that as well. I will just keep going til I am happy with what I see in the mirror. It's all for/about me anyway. :)

Oh, and the Zombies, Run! app is freakin hilarious if anyone is into that kind of thing. Gotta love story lines and zombies that change as you run, depending on your pace and distance. I've found a couple apps like that which I've been using lol :D

[JinxieB]

I am doing Atkins and have lost 120lbs since August 2012...I love love love atkins and really feel like it has saved my life :)

I quit smoking and then fractured my hip two years ago and ended up putting on the 150 lbs I had previously lost on Atkins 7 years before and then some, so there was no better time to take my life back...some days it kicks my butt and I end up eating something I shouldn't but for the most part, I am kickin arse and takin names later :D

[starryeyes]

I am doing Atkins and have lost 120lbs since August 2012...I love love love atkins and really feel like it has saved my life :)

I quit smoking and then fractured my hip two years ago and ended up putting on the 150 lbs I had previously lost on Atkins 7 years before and then some, so there was no better time to take my life back...some days it kicks my butt and I end up eating something I shouldn't but for the most part, I am kickin arse and takin names later :D

Awesome!!! That's amazing. You have to be so proud! :)

[starryeyes]

Lost 2.2 lbs this week :) that's a total of 6 since I have been back on track! Only 18 more to go! I can do this :)

[JinxieB]

Awesome!!! That's amazing. You have to be so proud! :)

Thanks Starry, I am pretty pleased and looking forward to getting more and more of my life back :)

For me it seems that every pound lost is another piece of myself that I have found...I have thought several times here lately, the more weight I lose the braver I get...and there isn't much that's better than feelin like you are Rockin somethin like a boss :) Thanks for the support!

[Kelt]

According to this, it looks like the best plan may be to just move to a different country. :blink:

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/kompass1/d663dea8-2137-464d-ba65-3dd28830afee.jpg

Unless you are already somewhere in Northern Europe or Asia. Then, kudos. :)

[starryeyes]

According to this, it looks like the best plan may be to just move to a different country. :blink:

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/kompass1/d663dea8-2137-464d-ba65-3dd28830afee.jpg

Unless you are already somewhere in Northern Europe or Asia. Then, kudos. :)

Ill move to Italy! No problem :)

[MarquisdeShey]

I love love food and I eat everything! Here's what I do not eat: I do not eat fast food (on a regular basis), I do not eat processed foods (on a regular basis), and I do not drink soda (on a regular basis).

I love to eat out and found that eating in restaurants that offers local fresh ingridients decreases the preservatives used to transport foods.

I eat when I am hungry. I don't snack unless I am going to the gym - i do a carb boost.

I have added 3 hrs of intense physical activity to my routine. I don't weigh myself, but I know my body looks and feels really good!

It's not a number issue for me it is a matter of treating myself as a whole body. If my body is not good, I am not good.

My mantra: One can not live well, sleep well and love well...if one is not eating well (a slight alteration from a Virginia Woolf quote!)

For those of you making changes to your diet and health habits, keep up the good work!! Congratulations on your efforts :)

[Daktari]

According to this, it looks like the best plan may be to just move to a different country. :blink:

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb338/kompass1/d663dea8-2137-464d-ba65-3dd28830afee.jpg

Unless you are already somewhere in Northern Europe or Asia. Then, kudos. :)

Netherlands for me then. Lots of cycling and girls who cycle. :cheesy: Although never thought too much of Dutch food in the past. :|

Might lose these few pounds I'd like to lose after the last year's enforced sedentary-ness.

[Kelt]

I don't know anything about the happiness project, but have heard reference to it. I ran across this article and thought it was a good one.

It is very similar to what I did for myself. After joining a gym, I found out I didn't like it much anymore and didn't fit in a lot of the machines anyway. I found out I really liked walking on the beach and the sand was much kinder to my joints.

I've been doing it for 2 1/2 years now, so there must be something to this idea.

Want an Exercise Routine You’ll Stick To? Ask Yourself These 11 Questions.
Gretchen Rubin

When I ask people what they’d like to do for their own happiness projects, they often say something like, “Exercise more regularly.” Exercise is very important for health and mood, and everyone knows this–and yet it’s often tough for people to stick to an exercise routine.

I think that one mistake is to choose a form of exercise based on a) what your friend recommends, b) what kind of change to your body you want to see, or c) what is the fashionable form of exercise. It’s helpful to consider these factors, but in the end, we’re far more likely to stick with an exercise routine that suits our nature and our schedule. If you’re struggling to exercise regularly, this is not the place to fight your nature! If you’ve been a night person all your life, vowing to get up at 5:00 a.m. to run isn’t very realistic.

Ask yourself these questions, and when you’re done, think about what kind of exercise routine would suit you best:

1. Are you a morning person or a night person?
2. Would you like to spend more time in nature?
3. Would you like more time in solitude; or more time with friends; or more time to meet new people?
4. Are you motivated by competition?
5. Do you enjoy loud music?
6. Do you do better with some form of external accountability, or does that just annoy you?
7. Would you like to challenge yourself with exercise (whether by learning a new skill or pushing yourself physically)–or not?
8. Do you like sports and games?
9. Would you like more meditative time, or more time to watch TV, read newspapers, etc?
10. Do you have a lot of control over your time?
11. Are you sensitive to weather?

Your answers should guide your thinking about exercise. Work out with a trainer? Take a class? Be inside or outside? etc.

For instance, if you’re a morning person who craves solitude and time alone with your thoughts, but has little control over your schedule and hates feeling accountable to anyone, you might enjoy walking in a park every morning before you leave for work.

If you’re a night person who loves music and meeting new people, and is also motivated by accountability, you might like to take a dance-based exercise class after work.

Often, people will say, “Go for a twenty minute walk at lunch? That’s nothing. I really need to get in shape.” Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good! The twenty minute walk you take is so much better for you than the three mile run you never do. You get the biggest health boost going from no exercise to some exercise.

Just a little tweak in a routine sometimes makes a big difference. For instance, to exercise on the weekends, I go for a long walk. Generally, I like to think while I walk, but I do a lot of walking every day, and I found myself getting bored on the long walks–and so finding excuses to skip them.

One of my Twelve Personal Commandments is to Identify the problem. What was the problem? “I’m bored during these walks, so I don’t want to go.” For the first time, I bought myself an audiobook, and for the past few weeks I’ve been listening to The Golden Compass when I walk. It makes me so happy! I haven’t missed a day’s walk since I started.


Link to original article (http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2013/01/want-an-exercise-routine-youll-stick-to-ask-yourself-these-11-questions/)

[Andrea]

After allowing life to intrude yet again, I am back and finding I missed taking care of myself.

I feel so much better when I am eating more fruits and veggies, and less starches. I feel so much better when I am getting at least 10 minutes of exercise a day. AND in addition to feeling better, I weighed myself this morning and have lost 2.5 pounds.

Woo Hoo!! Yeah for me!!!

I am going to imprint this feeling and remember it the next time I feel the need to put aside my health for whatever is going on in my life. Life happens. That is not going to change. Only I can change my focus.

How are things going in your world?

[Miss Scarlett]

Haven't posted here in a while...

After struggling on my own for the better part of 2012, I went back to my weight loss doc and am definitely back on track. I've lost all the weight I regained last year plus some and for the first time in a very long time am really feeling better about myself. I'm way smaller than I was at this time last year. And while I still have those days where I need to hide in the safety of my "fat clothes" I'm more often than not wearing clothes that fit. That feels really good and makes me feel good. In fact, I'm feeling so much better that I finally put a pic in the gallery. Not a great one but at least it's not too scary...LOL

My biggest challenge these days isn't eating too much or the wrong things. Rather it is remembering to eat...I just can't handle breakfast any more and since work has been so crazy I struggle to remember to eat lunch even if it is only a container of fat-free plain Greek yogurt. Weekends are really hard because my routine is different. Most of the time I won't eat until late in the day. Yesterday I forgot to eat period and have only had black coffee so far today. I'm hungry but just not able to handle anything right now. It doesn't make me sick or anything like that...I'm just not interested yet. Not even in one of those 80 calorie yogurts. I find myself struggling to finish one and that's always a good thing. I've noticed that it's gotten more difficult to put much on my tummy these days...I get full so fast...almost as if I'd had the surgery or a band, which I haven't.

On the plus side the weight is coming off quickly and it won't be long before I will be unable to wear any of my remaining security blanket clothes. I actually had a pair of shorts, my fav for hanging around the house, fall down the other day...LOL They've since been retired. My rings have gotten very loose to the point that one fell off my hand earlier this week. Looks like I'll be getting out the tape.

I am drinking a lot of water and have increased my activity...that may have something to do with this. I'll see my doc in 2 weeks and, if this is still going on, will discuss it with him. It's not like my old eating disorder behavior in that it's not a purge, punishment or control issue. I'm not having any depression and while work is crazy my stress levels are very low. I'm just not getting hungry enough to eat regularly. I'm supposed to have 800 - 1000 cal/day but the reality is I'm lucky to take in half of that. Physically and mentally I feel wonderful so I'm thinking it's just a phase and will pass. But in the meantime, I'm pleased that I'm losing and getting closer to the goal I set for myself for this year.

But I'm wondering if anyone else has ever had this problem?

[Chancie]

This is like the just listening thread for me, so I am not looking for feedback or suggestions.

I had lost about 20 pounds before I was in the hospital for a week, and I wasn't able to weigh myself on my usual scale for about three weeks.

For me, moderation is healthy. My goal is to eat food that isn't highly processed, in right size portions.

I am tracking what I eat, using an app on my phone, and I am weighing myself once a week.

I went back to work today, and I weighed myself on my usual scale, and I've lost 30 pounds.

[Sweetfeme]

Hello All,

I just came across this thread and wanted to share that as of 2 weeks ago I went Gluten free. The reason I did this was due to sinus allergies and I thought it would help. To date, I have not noticed a decrease in the sinus congestion however I have noticed a few other things.
Firstly, I have noticed terribly intense pains in my stomach after eating a gf breakfast bar or other snack. I have also noticed I am hungry all the time. Best of all though is I have noticed that I feel lighter!!
Not sure if GF is the way to go for me, but one thing I have learned for certain is that eliminating processed grains makes me feel lighter and less tired!!
I am going to continue down this path and report back as to how it is going!
I have 80 lbs to lose before my cruise in August and I am going to do my best to get there!! Any and all support/suggestions are welcome.

Congratulations to all of you on your journey as well. Thanks :)

[Miss Scarlett]

Saw my weight loss doctor this morning and we discussed me not being hungry, able to eat and/or forgetting to eat. He told me that there is nothing wrong; that I've developed a "healthy body" and in time my brain will catch up with my body much the same as it had to do when I had the disconnect between what was in the mirror and what I still perceived to be there...though there are still those times when I don't recognize me or when I suddenly do recognize me or can really see the difference.

But he also told me I needed to be more mindful about eating at least once a day and more than an 80 or 100 cal fat-free plain Green yogurt. And a couple of 2 calorie breath mints and a bottle of water do NOT count as lunch!

Still I struggle with my appearance and am unsure of myself, especially when paid a compliment. But I still try to always look my best, or as I am fond of saying to myself..."well, this will have to do for now"...lol

With this new appetite "problem" I managed to lose 22.6 lbs in the last 5 weeks. My doctor declared me extremely healthy this morning and said we'll be discussing and implementing a maintenance plan by the end of the summer.

With only a few quickly corrected setbacks I've managed to keep off my initial 130 lbs for nearly 5 years! Now the challenge is keeping that off plus the additional weight I've lost and will lose.

In all honesty, when I began this journey I had my doubts that I'd lose so much and keep it off with only diet and exercise. I figured I'd fail yet again and be forced into having a surgery I did not want or I'd die. Thankfully neither of those alternatives came to fruition.

[Sweetfeme]

Well, I have made an adjustment to my plan instead of having absolutely no gluten because I don't think that is the issue I have decided to cut out the wheat and sugar since Mar.20th.
I feel good, just I really notice my hunger now as opposed to before when I was stuffing myself with all these carbs..
I also notice I have more energy. The funny thing is and I think a very good thing is that I see my bidy now like a car, if I don't put any gas in it, it is not going to run, so now I notice myself eating ALL the time it seems.
It is like I am eating every three hours..
Crazy, but I suspect somehow I am on the right track!

Blessings on your journey!

[Sweetfeme]

Thanks so much for this, it is very helpful :)
I don't know anything about the happiness project, but have heard reference to it. I ran across this article and thought it was a good one.

It is very similar to what I did for myself. After joining a gym, I found out I didn't like it much anymore and didn't fit in a lot of the machines anyway. I found out I really liked walking on the beach and the sand was much kinder to my joints.

I've been doing it for 2 1/2 years now, so there must be something to this idea.

Want an Exercise Routine You’ll Stick To? Ask Yourself These 11 Questions.
Gretchen Rubin

When I ask people what they’d like to do for their own happiness projects, they often say something like, “Exercise more regularly.” Exercise is very important for health and mood, and everyone knows this–and yet it’s often tough for people to stick to an exercise routine.

I think that one mistake is to choose a form of exercise based on a) what your friend recommends, b) what kind of change to your body you want to see, or c) what is the fashionable form of exercise. It’s helpful to consider these factors, but in the end, we’re far more likely to stick with an exercise routine that suits our nature and our schedule. If you’re struggling to exercise regularly, this is not the place to fight your nature! If you’ve been a night person all your life, vowing to get up at 5:00 a.m. to run isn’t very realistic.

Ask yourself these questions, and when you’re done, think about what kind of exercise routine would suit you best:

1. Are you a morning person or a night person?
2. Would you like to spend more time in nature?
3. Would you like more time in solitude; or more time with friends; or more time to meet new people?
4. Are you motivated by competition?
5. Do you enjoy loud music?
6. Do you do better with some form of external accountability, or does that just annoy you?
7. Would you like to challenge yourself with exercise (whether by learning a new skill or pushing yourself physically)–or not?
8. Do you like sports and games?
9. Would you like more meditative time, or more time to watch TV, read newspapers, etc?
10. Do you have a lot of control over your time?
11. Are you sensitive to weather?

Your answers should guide your thinking about exercise. Work out with a trainer? Take a class? Be inside or outside? etc.

For instance, if you’re a morning person who craves solitude and time alone with your thoughts, but has little control over your schedule and hates feeling accountable to anyone, you might enjoy walking in a park every morning before you leave for work.

If you’re a night person who loves music and meeting new people, and is also motivated by accountability, you might like to take a dance-based exercise class after work.

Often, people will say, “Go for a twenty minute walk at lunch? That’s nothing. I really need to get in shape.” Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good! The twenty minute walk you take is so much better for you than the three mile run you never do. You get the biggest health boost going from no exercise to some exercise.

Just a little tweak in a routine sometimes makes a big difference. For instance, to exercise on the weekends, I go for a long walk. Generally, I like to think while I walk, but I do a lot of walking every day, and I found myself getting bored on the long walks–and so finding excuses to skip them.

One of my Twelve Personal Commandments is to Identify the problem. What was the problem? “I’m bored during these walks, so I don’t want to go.” For the first time, I bought myself an audiobook, and for the past few weeks I’ve been listening to The Golden Compass when I walk. It makes me so happy! I haven’t missed a day’s walk since I started.


Link to original article (http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2013/01/want-an-exercise-routine-youll-stick-to-ask-yourself-these-11-questions/)

[Andrea]

One of the things I am noticing is my lack of control when a sweet is near me, especially when I am reading or watching tv. Of course it doesn't help that the packaging almost always contains multiple servings.

I believe it is called mindless eating.

Today I will be sorting out the <insert candy name here> into single servings so that when that craving arises, I can pick up one and leave the rest behind. Because we all know that sometimes only a sweet will do.

Why haven't I done this before???

[pajama]

Not really doing it for the weight loss necessarily. But been a week wheat-free and on my prescribed herbal supplements. I have to say.... I do actually feel a little better. And while it ain't much, I am a wee bit more active and in less pain. (Part of that may be that I am no longer working two jobs.)