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BS: Fighting Fat 2008
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: wysiwyg Date: 25 Feb 08 - 07:37 PM I've had to put my wedding ring on a chain. I suspected I was shrinking when it repeatedly fell off my left hand. Now I'm sure-- it's falling off the right. I'll know I really shrank when it will fit on my right bird finger. :~) ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 25 Feb 08 - 07:15 PM That's super, Judy! Congrats and thanks for posting your info. It's a good reminder for me to watch what I think and say. I've had a couple of cruddy weeks, wrong focus, etc. I am back on track, today, but it's good to be reminded of various things you listed. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: momnopp Date: 25 Feb 08 - 05:08 PM OK - can't take the time to read the whole of this thread right now (it's why I don't check in here more often; I always get sucked into the vortex, as lovely as it is...) Anyway, just want to share my keys to success in losing about 22 pounds since I started in Aug. 07 (about 6 months). 1) I started from a perspective of improved health (not weight loss). My cholesterol levels were out of control and my doc was threatening me with medication. I also had it clear in my mind that the whole point is that improved health is a gift I am giving myself. 2) I 'did' a cleansing program that helped me to break the habit of caffeine and refined sugar. It's one of these moderately high-priced programs which I don't care to promote by name on this thread, but if you're curious, PM me. 3) I frame the whole thing as 'releasing' the weight. I have not 'lost' it - I don't ever intend to see it again!!!!!! As noted by Katlaughing (I believe) our words mean everything to us. 4) I participated in a 'biggest losers contest' at the school where I work part-time. We weighed in once a week with the school nurse who then published the percent of weight each person had lost that week (gains were not noted). At the end of the contest, I was tickled to learn that I had come in third place, having lost about 8% of my starting weight. That serves as a continued motivator. (Also, with the $100 I won, I went out and bought NEW CLOTHES and yes, I am donating my 'fat clothes' as incentive to keep heading in the right direction. Keeping them sends my subconscious the message that I intend to need them again.) 5) Having someone to be accountable to. Although the 'contest' is over, I go and 'weigh in' with the nurse (who is very encouraging and non-judgmental) once every 2 weeks. For me, knowing that someone else is 'watching' (and encouraging) helps me immensely to stay on track. I gave up the notion that she is telling me what to do or an adversary of some sort. I realized that for it to be helpful, I need to understand that this person is helping me to do something I want for me. 6) I focused on eradicating two things: trans fat and high fructose corn syrup. I believe this has been critical, because frankly, I don't know that I've necessarily reduced my calorie intake by much. I have become a (some might say rabid, some maniacal) label-reader and if it says 'partially-hydrogenated' anything, I put it down immediately. I learned that high fructose corn syrup is some seriously nasty crap and of course it's in EVERYTHING. So that's out as well. 7) I was never too thrilled with soda, but I do like bubbles sometimes. Flavored seltzer water is our household solution to this. Even just seltzer with a couple drops of lemon or lime juice works. 8) Remembering that everything counts. Everything that goes into my mouth matters. Each and every bite is a choice. 9) I got a little trampoline that fits in my living room and I lean it up against the wall when it's not in use. I can take a break from the computer, spend 5 minutes on the trampoline and feel refreshed. It gets my circulation going again and oxygen to my brain. Helps immensely with the afternoon doldrums. I am much more likely to do this (possibly even more than once a day) than take the 2 hours it requires for me to go to the gym (although I sometimes do that as well) SHEEESH! I had no idea I had that much to say about this subject. I'm gonna get back to work now! Peace and LIGHTNESS, JudyO / momnopp |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: wriggles Date: 25 Feb 08 - 04:56 AM Terry - I completely understand. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Leadfingers Date: 18 Feb 08 - 03:54 PM The last time I went on a diet , i had to go on two at the same time , as one didnt feed me up properly |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: LilyFestre Date: 18 Feb 08 - 03:20 PM We almost always have dinner sometime after 8:30pm as that is what our schedule dictates....doesn't seem to hinder our weight loss efforts at all...or how we sleep. :) Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 18 Feb 08 - 10:23 AM So-- if you exercise a lot, your blood gets thinner on you? Wonder if you are chugging a lot of water at those times, that would dilute/thin the blood a bit. ? I don't think it's the water, because that is all I drink and I don't consume any more when exercising than normal, since I am always chugging it.:-) What my doc and I decided is my body is processing it more efficiently when I am more active. We saw dramatic evidence of this last Fall when I was basically in bed for about four weeks with a hurt foot, then pneumonia. We couldn't get enough coumadin in me then. The conventional wisdom on coumadin says if you get more active you will need more of it; so you can imagine how they scratch their heads over my needing less!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: wysiwyg Date: 18 Feb 08 - 10:08 AM I know that Oprah and others say NO EATING AFTER EARLY EVENING, but this is another "fight mentality" mistake aimed at food addiction, not at health. Thank goodness, long-known sports nutrition wisdom is in direct opposition to some of the current diet-fad "wisdom." One example is bedtime snacks. It's been proven that a small (SMALL) snack at bedtime, if one has an active life, promotes more efficient recovery from the athletic activity of choice as well as better sleep. A fruit, a carb, and a protein (preferably dairy) do the job. These are not extra calories, but calories already included in the day's target allotment. A delicious, nutritious, and satisfying bedtime snack is a quarter-cup of sugar-free instant pudding made with skim milk (with less milk than the package recommends), with a tablespoon or two of cereal stirred into it and with a very small amount of fruit or jam on top. Yogurt would certainly be an alternative, but this is cheaper and there are many flavors a "diet" would ordinarily not permit. Made with dried skim milk, it's quite portable for travel as well. Water and ice for a great shake, in a thinner mix, yum! I carry an empty peanut-butter jar for the purpose, in my travel kit. Or-- made with iced coffee, it's also an energy drink! I'm going to have cheesecake-flavored oatmeal and a little fresh mango for brekky, today. Butterscotch or chocolate tonight at bedtime, with fresh banana. Using a baby-cereal spoon, it will take so long to eat it that it will seem like quite a bit of snack. "Eat to live"-- that's my motto. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 15 Feb 08 - 09:04 PM Thanks jacqui and I hope it is going well where you are. Kat, my big guy is on Warfarin also, it drives me a little nuts trying to even out the cruciferous veggies to help keep that in line. These powerful drugs beat the hell out of heart attacks, however. So-- if you exercise a lot, your blood gets thinner on you? Wonder if you are chugging a lot of water at those times, that would dilute/thin the blood a bit. ? Come on Spring, come on Farmer's Market, come help us get through this battle, we're getting tired of carrots and California lettuce!!! That said, here's a winter twist on Chef's Salad that helps a mite with the salad boredom factor. Necessity forced me to "invent" it though probably I'm the last person in the world to figure it out. Italian Chef's Salad (my apologies to real Italians) Over a bed of Mixed lettuce (Romaine and some iceberg or leaf lettuce, whatever.) Slivered bell pepper Slivered red onion Grated carrot Julienned ham & provolone or other white cheese Chopped pepperoni slices (first saute til hot in a small pan, blot, cool) Chopped yellow peppers (pepperoncini?) bottled or fresh if you got 'em Sprinkling of sunflower seeds (or croutons if you're a Carb person) Sprinkling of red pepper flakes unless you're a sissy Dress with olive oil infused with garlic & vinegar, or a bottled Creamy Italian, or whatever. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: wriggles Date: 15 Feb 08 - 07:32 AM Worst thing you can do when trying to lose weight is deprive yourself of all the things you really love. Moderation really is the key. Move more - even if its not planned exercise. Make sure you dont skip breakfast and dont EVER diet. A diet is something you go on and then come off. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, eat healthily and look upon it as a change of lifestyle which is why its important not to completely cut out your favourite foods - because you can only do that for so long. Good luck everyone. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 05 Feb 08 - 12:55 PM That's great, Patty! I posted this in the accountability thread, where I will delete it, so will include it here: This past weekend, my Rog noticed a big bruise on my side. I didn't have any pain from it and didn't even know it was there until he pointed it out. I think it came about when I pushed through our wooden gate and it hung up on the swollen concrete. Anyway, it was a sure sign my coumadin levels might be too high, even though they were fine last week. I called the clinic and had my blood tested, yesterday. Sure enough it was at 3.8 when it should be under 3.0, so it was a bit alarming. Conventional wisdom says the more you exercise, the more coumadin you have to take. well, I am just the opposite. We've had this happen once before. I exercise on a regular basis, the coumadin has to be reduced or I could wind up bleeding out in certain situations. SO, thanks to your encouragement, etc. my semi-regular treadmill walks, etc. have resulted in my having to take less of the rat poison and I am delighted! Thanks! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: jacqui.c Date: 05 Feb 08 - 12:43 PM Good for you Patty! I've found this thread so encouraging and, to me, the title says it all. Easy to find and understand what it's about. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 05 Feb 08 - 11:45 AM Well, I reached the 10-pound milestone of weight lost since Christmas. 15 pounds off my top weight. Feels Good!!!! Thanks to all you Cats who posted encouraging words and ideas. (And a big raspberry to the jokers and patronizers.) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: wysiwyg Date: 05 Feb 08 - 09:34 AM Came across this today, LOL. It also could be titled, "How to Look 20 Pounds Lighter When You Look Like You Feel Good About Yourself." There is also actually a TV show about looking good naked, no matter what your body type or size. But keep the following article in mind whenever viewing Jenny Craig, Curves, or Alli ads. ~S~ ===== The Before and After Fitness Photo Scam by: randalls_ebooks( 1483) http://reviews.ebay.com/The-Before-and-After-Fitness-Photo-Scam_W0QQugidZ10000000002574563 I'm going to take a few minutes to write about one of my favourite marketing tactics ever used; The Before and After Fitness Photos. I'm going to explain to you how you can make your very own before and after photos, and also hopefully open your eyes to the fine print on the bottom of every fitness ads page. How to Make your Very Own Before and After Photos: "BEFORE" 8am Warm up Phase: Step 1: Wake up and eat, continue to eat all day Step 2: Drink as much water as you can possibly stomach Step 3: Avoid all forms of exercise Step 4: Do Not Shower or Shave 10pm Picture Time: Step 1: Look unhappy/borderline suicidal Step 2: Remove Shirt Step 3: Have Camera Ready from side view, step slightly forward with left foot and turn slightly Step 4: Slouch and Roll Shoulders Forward Step 5: Push Gut out as far as possible Step 6: Relax every muscle Step 7: Take Picture Wow… that might be the worst picture ever taken. Tomorrow is a big day, you're going to lose 20lbs, GUARANTEED. "AFTER" 8am Warm-up Phase: Step 1: Wake up, don't eat, or drink anything Step 2: Do 20-30 minutes of light/medium cardio Step 3: Shower and Shave Step 4: Dry off and evenly apply self-tanner Step 5: Do some pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and curls 9am Picture Time: Step 1: Put a smile on, this is your big day Step 2: Remove Shirt Step 3: Have Camera Ready at same position, but turn so that you're almost facing the camera completely Step 4: Stand up straight, shoulders back, chin up Step 5: Tighten those abs and tuck in that gut Step 6: Have the same basic pose as your before photo, but flex all the muscles in your upper body Step 7: Take Picture Develop your photographs and take a look at how different you look, keep in mind that these results happened over a 10-hour time period. This type of photograph is found on many of the fat-burners/muscle building supplements on the market today. Some of these before and after photos are real, but the people in them spent 6-8 weeks in the gym with personal trainers and dieticians doing nothing but working out. This article isn't meant to bash supplements, I've used fat-burners in the past and still use protein powder, it's just meant to open your eyes to the tactics used to get you to spend more money than you need to. A proper diet and a basic exercise routine will have you seeing results in no time, you don't need to spend $500 a month on supplements to see results. You just need some motivation and some good old-fashioned know-how. ===== |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: wysiwyg Date: 03 Feb 08 - 12:28 PM To no one in particular-- I stayed out of this thread for a long time because I don't find it useful to think of this process as "fighting" anything. That gives too much power to the negative. Even fighting "for" something is less powerful, IMO and in my experience, than focusing on the more positive aspects. "Working for," "moving toward," "letting in"-- all those are powerful phrases that can lead positively to the goals we want for our lives. Also, focusing on "fat" is not useful for me. More useful to me is focusing on health and strength, which can take so many forms and which are so very achievable within what is normal for each of us. It may not be simple, it may not be easy, but it IS achievable and for me, achieving it has meant letting go of all of the stereotypes, the fad hypes, the diets, the CNN latest "breaking news," etc. Here's what I mean: If the normal, healthy person eats a normal, heatlhy diet, and gets normal, healthy exercise, they will not struggle with cravings, they will not buy and eat things that are bad for them, and they will not sit on the couch. And if they do "those things" and still have those issues, then there is something they need to look at, learn about, do some problem-solving about, and take some action about. If they do that problem-solving, with any really well-informed advisor working for them, they will find the precise things they need to change in their life, they will want to change those things, and they WILL change them. It may be medical, or spiritual, or practical, or emotional, or whatever-- usually it's a combination-- but each of us is capable of identifying the most important change/goal to work on, revise that as needed, and move forward. And that's the whole thing. Chocolate, fried food, sugar, TV, the clock, the schedule (just a few examples) have very little power unless we give it to them. One way to take away their power in our lives is to look away from them and look toward something GOOD, instead. Me, I don't particularly have a "food" problem. My "issues" that have needed adjustment are almost all on the activity-level side, and almost all of those were sparked by poor medical care that left me virtually chairbound. Sure, I could put my energy into a malpractice battle. Or I could "blame" my situation on that, and stay stuck in it. Or-- if I stay focused on my own ability to take charge of my health and strength, that is very easy to solve. And it turns out that every time I do that-- in a small way or a big one-- the "expert information" on that topic confirms every small or big thing I learned by doing it a step at a time, listening to my mind and my body and my spirit. When I allow myself to be distracted from that by others' negativity, or even by their trying-to-be-positive, best-intended "advice" that I have learned are just wrong for me, I lose ground. It's really, really, really as simple as that. Best of results to you all, ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 27 Jan 08 - 03:23 PM Scratch that!**hiss-hiss-mrreow!** stupid idea, earlier. Mudcat IS a motivation so I had it in reverse. Check Mudcat, first, get motivated, do exercise, come back and post about it, duh!:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 26 Jan 08 - 11:14 PM Thanks for the info, Suegorgeous. Congrats, Celtaddict. Thanks for the link, Sandra. Hang in there everyone. I found one way to motivate myself to get on the treadmill. I won't allow myself to post on Mudcat until I've done my exercise and can post it to the accountability thread. At least that worked, today. Like Jennie, says, life sometimes get in the way and I will not deprive myself when that happens, but for each day I will take it anew. I have not lost anything, yet, partly because I have not been careful enough with what I eat and partly because I've missed some exercise and am not quite up to doing enough per day. I am still on oxygen and leftover crap from the pneumonia, but Rog and I have both noticed my breathing is much better when I do exercise, so it's just a matter of remembering how to breath properly. The docs have all said my lungs sound good! And, Spring is almost here in the Banana Belt of Colorado. Yippee! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Suegorgeous Date: 26 Jan 08 - 09:16 PM If your main problem on diets is feeling hungry, a fantastic one is Carol Vorderman's Detox For Life book. You can eat whenever you feel hungry....but you DO have to give up quite a lot of things (dairy, meat, fish, sugar, salt, wheat, alcohol, coffee). If you can grit your teeth and do this, the first week can be a challenge, but after that it's plain sailing. I couldn't believe how easy it was, once I got past the headaches and tiredness part, then I had so much energy, I felt well, my skin and eyes looked amazing, etc. You do it for a month, and then continue if you want, on a less stringent version of the diet. In that month I lost a stone, felt fantastic - and was never hungry! I'm about to go back on it, and this time, I'm going to stay on it with some modifications. Sue |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 26 Jan 08 - 09:08 PM Congratulations, celtaddict! We are sticking with the program but it is getting a bit old at this point. Himself's blood sugars are way down to normalish but the A1C hasn't had time to decline yet, so no great encouragement there yet. His weight won't budge, I think it's because of the drugs he's on, he is going to ask for a prescription for Byetta. Mine has plateau'd for a while but I expected that. I do get a bit tired of watching the numbers on everything, racking my brains for ideas on stuff to cook or pack in lunches. But there is nothing to do but stick with the plan! And a sunny day would help too!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: JennieG Date: 26 Jan 08 - 12:46 AM Well done! I haven't done much walking lately; life has gotten in the way, as it does from time to time. We'll see about this evening. One problem that women of my age is up against is the weight that appears with the passing of the years. (I'm a poet.....!) Unfortunately during/after menopause nature has designed some of us to become heavier and lumpier around the middle, and that is very hard to shift. One apparently has to go on a very very strict calorie-controlled diet (all I can think of here is deprivation) and huge amounts of very active exercise (yuk). When I look at photos of my mother at my age I can see where my build comes from. Then she became a much slimmer person when she was a little old lady, so perhaps there is hope for me yet. Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 25 Jan 08 - 01:10 AM congratulations on your better health, keep up the good work! sandra |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Celtaddict Date: 24 Jan 08 - 08:59 PM Okay, upgrades, anyone? I just saw my doc and got 'a gold star' she said for cholesterol down, blood sugar down, A1C that indicates blood sugar over several weeks' time WAY down. Nowhere near my goal weight yet, but it is important to remember, just making the changes you need to start losing weight makes you healthier! If I knew how to put that last in big red letters I would. . . |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 22 Jan 08 - 01:46 AM I saw my dietician today & am about half a kilo heavier than I was 6 weeks ago. He's pleased with my progress, especially as I went to a Festival on the weekend & altho I put on a kilo over the weekend, my weight has not fluctuated much week to week since I last saw him. I also stayed the same weight between Christmas & New Year, but as I don't eat most of the stuff folks eat over Christmas that is not unexpected. He's suggested I look at The National Weight Control Registry for info & inspiration. The National Weight Control Registry Brown Medical School/The Miriam Hospital Weight Control & Diabetes Research Center 196 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02903 Phone: 1-800-606-NWCR (6927) E-Mail: tmnwcr@lifespan.org sandra |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 14 Jan 08 - 02:10 PM This came in an email from another Mudcatter....**BG**: THE FINAL WORD ON NUTRITION After an exhaustive review of the research literature, here's the final word on nutrition and health. 1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us. 2. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us. 3. Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us. 4. Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us. 5. Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us. CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: jacqui.c Date: 14 Jan 08 - 10:27 AM I would find it very difficult to cut out all meat although I have been moving over to smaller portions. The white stuff is just about gone - mostly because I have intolerances to them or that, as carbs, they play hell with my digestive system. Celtaddict - loved a lot of what you say and will try to use some of the suggestions. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 14 Jan 08 - 10:02 AM Celtaddict, great suggestions and some of them things I've been doing, esp. the substituting and the small ways to include chocolate, etc. Susan Weed says, in "Menopausal Years - the Wise Woman Way, to cut out meat and all white foods, i.e. white bread, white rice, etc. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Marilyn Date: 14 Jan 08 - 08:17 AM Thanks, Sandra. I just use the one set of scales in my bathroom so, although I can't guarantee that they're accurate, at least, if they show LESS this week than last, I know I've had some success. Hadn't thought of putting a magnifying glass over the scale - will try it next week (or put my specs on as, irritatingly, I hadn't thought of doing that!). Thanks, Patty - congratulations to you too! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 14 Jan 08 - 02:28 AM Marilyn - a magnifying glass or sheet put over the dial of your scales might help you can see the numbers clearly. Scales - just weigh on one set at the same time each week. Weight fluctuates over the day & different scales are different! My previous doctor who diagnosed me as pre-diabetic & sent me to the nutritionist told him my weight was 102 kg! Her (cheap bathroom) scales were way out as his (expensive professional Tanita) scales which also measured fat & water percentages, said 89kg. Subsequently, anytime I stepped on her scales I just ignored the reading & didn't freak out. I now have a set of the Tanita personal scales & the numbers are very easy to read. sandra |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Celtaddict Date: 13 Jan 08 - 10:53 PM A few more thoughts along the 'one day at a time' line. Rather than a sweeping diet change, which tends to be so 'strange' that as soon as we approach progress we stop it, a useful tool can be: 1. Choose a change you can make right now and continue indefinitely. (Example: could I switch to only skim milk and fat-free yogurt? Sure. Could I keep it up forever? Sure. Could I eat a (or one more) raw vegetable today? Sure. Could I eat a (or one more) raw vegetable every day long term? Sure. BUT Could I not eat roast beef au jus today? Sure. Could I never eat it again? No way.) Then choose another one. 2. Do anything, anything at all, that makes your heart speed up noticeably for half an hour a day. (Walk the dog. Vacuum all your carpets, hard. Rake leaves. Dance to the stereo. Swim. Anything. Before long, it takes more vigorous exercise to make the heart speed up noticeably, so you either work harder or keep it up longer. If you have a question of heart disease, check with your doctor, but most people can tolerate a speed-up to about 120 without getting winded; virtually anyone can handle breaking 100 beats a minute. If you are very weak or out of shape, you will hit that speed-up goal with very gentle effort at first.) My worst overeat time used to be right after work; get home hungry, thirsty, and tired, and have to be in the kitchen to get dinner on the table: danger time! I would sometimes gobble so much before supper I was not really hungry for supper, then eat anyway because I was embarrassed to admit how much I had already had! Really bad plan. What helps? Eating a high-protein snack (string cheese or fat free yogurt usually) and having a big glass of water before I leave the office (about half an hour away). Then by the time I get home, my appetite is no longer raging, and I can make smarter choices. Putting the kettle on and making a pot of tea, all sorts, herbal fruit concoctions mostly, and sipping those all day/evening is a help too. I also have tried a number of 'replacement' foods, and some are good and some are dismal. However, I am thinking that having a 'replacement' food for the foods that tempt me most is not particularly helpful, because I can also overeat on that. (This is a problem that arose for many with 'fat free' cookies and such; because they were 'good' choices people felt they could eat more. Four cookies (biscuits across the Pond) at seventy calories is not an improvement over two at 140 each, or one 280-calorie sugar/fat bomb.) For some foods one really loves, it makes sense to work them into the diet. Plan to have, say, one scoop of really good ice cream on Tuesday, with no guilt. Do NOT have ice cream in the home. Eat at home a light meal of grilled fish and a big salad, then go out for one delicious scoop. Then do not worry about craving it during the week, because you are going to go out for another scoop next Tuesday. For other foods, go with a substitute that is not as good. No problem. Low fat cheese is not the greatest, nor egg white omelets. But if I have them with, say, salsa or spinach and herbs, they are not bad, and I am not tempted to eat too much of them, nor do I miss the egg dishes because I have an 'okay' (not great) egg dish once or twice a week. I am using an imitation cream cheese which sounds gruesome but is okay; not great, but okay, but this works out instead of butter on my multigrain toast because if I were using really good rich cream cheese, or butter, I would be more tempted to put too much on. I think choosing which things are worth the 'splurge' and planning around them, and which things one can 'fake' and not miss so much, could help. My current favorite for chocolate craving is a big glass of skim milk with a good slug of chocolate syrup (which a lot of people do not realize is fat-free, and a much better choice than those powder mixes that are way too much sugar and not as much chocolate taste); not a bad health choice, fat free and lots of calcium, very filling, and definitely a good slug of chocolateness. If my friend really n-e-e-d-s a chocolate candy fix, she uses Tootsie Roll Midgets; they have to be unwrapped one by one (lots of visual reminders of how much you have had!) and must be chewed quite a while, so there is lots of time of having that chocolate flavor in the mouth. I know I have spent a long time realizing that enough, is, in fact, enough. A patient told me something great one time. She said, "One bonbon is good. Two bonbons are not twice as good." It is so easy to think, this is so good I want more, and not notice, the later bites are not nearly as satisfying! Peg Bracken, who wrote "The I Hate To Cook Book," says the neatest diet she ever heard was given to a friend of hers by a doctor. It was, 'No meat, no wheat.' That's it. I also saw what looked like sound advice on a book cover. It said, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Celtaddict, 13 down and lots to go. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 13 Jan 08 - 09:30 PM Congratulations Marilyn! Lily, great story. That must have been a wonderful feeling. This morning I found another 1.5 lb checked out. That felt great. Gives me more strength to stick with the program. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: LilyFestre Date: 13 Jan 08 - 01:30 PM While losing weight, I think is it incredibly important to have support. The folks that offer me support sometimes will lend me a shoulder to lean on or a (much needed) boot to the rear depending on the situation. They also celebrate with me. Today I have something to celebrate and it has gone out in a mass email to those who are sharing my little adventure. I'd like to share it here too! Here's what went out: Hi Everybody! I am sending this email out to those of you who have been supportive of me in my weight loss adventure. I have a HUGE celebration today! Some time ago I cleaned out my closet. I packed up anything and everything that really didn't fit...I had 4 garbage bags full of clothes by the time I was finished. I closed each bag, wrote my name on an index card, the weight at which point I thought the clothes would fit and tied it all up with a pretty ribbon. It went into the storage building. As you ALL know, I have sagging clothes issues these days (oh, the woe of it all *GRIN*!). I decided I'd take those bags out of storage and see what I could fit into. Are you sitting down? Are you ready for this? In the "NEW" collection of clothes, I have 14 work shirts, 3 Play shirts, 4 jackets, 2 sweaters and a pair of pants!!! WOOO HOOOOO! Not only that, I found that many of the too small clothes I had packed away are now too big!!!! I packed them up and they will go to the yard sale this summer. That bag holds: 16 shirts, 2 sweaters and 2 pairs of pants!!!! I am PSYCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am hoping that you guys will share your celebrations too...after all, we're all working hard to meet personal goals and celebrating is part of the fun!!! Michelle |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Marilyn Date: 13 Jan 08 - 08:13 AM Just reporting in. One week into this and I think I've lost 2lbs (eyesight not too good so can't really see the scales properly - the joys of getting older!!) but it's at least 1lb so I'm happy. Haven't been dieting too rigorously either but I have cut out bread completely and upped the vegetable and fruit intake. Seems to be working and I feel better too so must be a step in the right direction. :) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 12 Jan 08 - 07:13 PM Thanks. I do realize it's "too few" normally, but we're going to see this plan through. Trying to give the fat cells a signal to 'let go' and let some lipolysis happen, and according to the studies the only way known to do that is to really restrict carbs. When the ready carb fuel is not there, then the body reaches into the fat cells for backup fuel. Dr. Bernstein is one of the references on this, he's been surviving diabetes in good shape for many years and this is what he recommends. I realize not everybody buys this theory but I've become convinced of the science, and we've tried the other ways, and this makes more sense for our situation. So, as far as how we're doing, well, it has really gotten his blood sugar down (like 120 points) and he is beginning to be able to trim some of the insulin doses back. I feel fine, and seem to have less cravings when I just avoid the carbs as much as possible (kind of like alcohol I guess, better to stay out of the bar!). But we're not crazy. Once we get the weight off, we'll switch over to something more balanced for maintenance. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Becca72 Date: 12 Jan 08 - 02:55 PM I think under 30g of carbs a day is too few. I think you're going to hurt your efforts in the long run because that will up your craving for "bad" carbs later in the day. You just need to eat the right carbs...fresh fruit, milk, whole grains, yogurt and starchy veg (potato, carrots, peas, corn) in the proper portions will do you good. I can send you more info via PM about my plan, as it is directed towards a "diabetic diet" but is actually what is recommended for everyone...though your partner may have to make some adjustments. What works for you won't necessarily work for him/her so the exact same plan is probably not a good idea. Are you each on the same plan listed above? How is it working for him/her? I can totally relate to the diet soda syndrome. That was a hard one for me, too. But I went from several a day down to 1 or 2 a week so it is possible. I gave up my multiple cups of coffee a day at the same time so I was a cranky camper for awhile. I did this to relieve symptoms of GERD and now that I'm not eating the same amount of processed "white flour" and sugar foods I find I can have more coffee and not get the reflux. Still have to be careful, though. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 12 Jan 08 - 02:40 PM Thanks Becca. I'm trying to keep carbs under 30 a day. We tried the balanced approach this past summer/fall with the 3-4 carb exchanges a meal, and it just wasn't working for my diabetic spouse and it seemed to feed my carb 'addiction'. I will work in some milk as you suggest (apparently the lactose isn't evil as carbs go) and cut back on the sodas. (But if I have to do without them with all this other deprivation, I WILL 'go postal'!) And I'll go a few nights skipping the evening snack and get those calories earlier in the day, maybe that'll help be be 'running on empty' overnight and draw down some fat cells. And, you are right about fruit--just got some strawberries on sale, apparently only the berry family passes muster for low-carb. Hang in there everybody, whatever your plan! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 11 Jan 08 - 05:04 PM For anyone who has high blood pressure or just a feeling of being bloated/swollen ankles as the day goes on, it is a good idea to really watch the sodium count. (There's a lot more in ordinary things, more than most folks realise.) My docs recommend I do no more than 1000 mg per day which isn't much, so I *spend* those mgs very carefully. Unfortunately that means I don't get to eat as much cheese as I would like. On the other hand, it's probably better for me because it forces me to eat less processed food, in fact I have hardly any because of it, which is good or so they tell me.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Becca72 Date: 11 Jan 08 - 05:00 PM This may sound silly, but it just occurred to me. Maybe you're not getting enough calories in that meal plan....that would make your body go into "storage" mode with whatever you do get. I actually eat more and also more frequently now than I did before I started this. I'm counting carbs and it was recommended that I have 3 meals a day with 45-60g of carbs plus 2 snacks that are around 15g of carbs. I work an odd schedule so I have to work around that but I was told to eat about every 3-4 hours to keep blood sugar levels steady, too. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Becca72 Date: 11 Jan 08 - 04:34 PM Looks pretty good, Patty, except that there is no fruit on your list. My nutritionist also recommends 16oz of milk a day (if you can) and no soda, diet or otherwise (it actually dehydrates you). Other than that it should work. Maybe bump up the exercise and see what happens? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 11 Jan 08 - 04:08 PM Thanks for the moral support, Maeve, Becca. I am just working at staying low-carb, and getting about 30 minutes of exercise most days. It may be that I just need to step up the exercise at this point. Food intake runs like this. Breakfast: 2-3 oz breakfast meat & 1 slice bread (7-grams of carb type) Lunch: a wrap made with ham or turkey, cheese, romaine, low-carb tortilla. Carrot & celery sticks. A dozen nuts of some kind Afternoon snack: 100 cal worth of string cheese, a few more nuts Dinner: green salad, low-carb veg like green beans, some kind of meat 3-4 oz. Evening snack: a low-sugar yogurt and lots of water, 2 cups coffee with milk, and a few diet sodas. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: jacqui.c Date: 11 Jan 08 - 11:48 AM I managed to lose about 12 pounds since Christmas due to the bug that just wont go away. Not the best way to start but it has given me the incentive to try for more. I need to lose about another 30 pounds - no real date as a target though. Last night I started doing the stretching exercises that I used to do and, once I have more energy, intend getting some use out of the exercise bike we just bought, mainly for Kendall, and to progress onto the Bowflex again. Getting back to walking the dog on a regular basis - something that I haven't been able to do since I got back - will help too. Now, if I could lose the bug but keep the reduced appetite that came with it............... |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Becca72 Date: 11 Jan 08 - 10:13 AM Patty, what is your routine? Something needs to be tweeked if you've plateaued this early. Maybe we can make some suggestions? |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: maeve Date: 11 Jan 08 - 10:04 AM pattyClink, you said,"Sixteen days in, feel lighter, feel better. Dropped 6 pounds..." It sounds like progress to me! Patience with yourself, eh? maeve, sending encouragement to all! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,pattyClink Date: 11 Jan 08 - 09:31 AM Sixteen days in, feel lighter, feel better. Dropped 6 pounds in the first few days. Then NOTHING! I know there are plateaus, I know they end, but oh it is tough to not see any progress. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: JeZeBeL Date: 10 Jan 08 - 12:53 PM Good luck to everyone who's trying to loose weight.... I'm on with it at the moment. I'm lucky though as I have the help of my doctor and a personal trainer who kills me several nights a week at the gym. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: GUEST,a slight flight from the fight! Date: 10 Jan 08 - 09:54 AM With humble apologies to the author:
'Twas the week after Christmas and all through the house, |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Pistachio Date: 10 Jan 08 - 08:22 AM I like teamwork! Hope this 'virtual team' can achieve great losses. Excellent thread. My twin and I hope to shed some poundage before our double half century at Easter. I'm good at saying what I intend to do (weightwise)but not as good at sticking to it. Still, with this 'support' I'm going to try harder. I like the ribbon measure idea and the positive thoughts. I'm currently reading an interesting book called Potatoes not Prozac "a natural seven-step dietary plan to control depression, food cravings and weight gain" by Kathleen DesMaisons PhD, which reasons why some individuals 'can't stop eating' due to receptors causing cravings, and "how certain food-dependent chemicals in the brain regulate our moods". Too much to explain here but if interested the ISBN is 0-684-85149-0 and barcode 9 780684 851495 I don't consider myself depressed but believe my sister is deeply unhappy about how she finds food irresistable! Keep up the good work. Hazel. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 09 Jan 08 - 11:06 PM 6 days a week I start the day (about 90 minute after I wake) with 1 quarter cup of home-made cereal - one of the plainest mueslis (not the ones with added sugar etc) + oats + rice flakes + barley flakes + oat bran + polenta + extruded 4-Brans + wheat or oat germ. I add a heaped breakfast spoon of linseed & sunflower seeds, half a banana & about 150 ml of buttermilk. Finally I add 2 dessertspoons of Omega3 oil. Yum. I also have a boiled egg (on a separate plate!) On Sunday I have brunch of a fried eggy/omelette thing & 2 slices of toasted tomato & cheese, with a banana smoothy (half banana, small yogurt & skim milk) Evening meals are usually soupy stew (lots of vegs & chicken/tuna whatever). Sometimes I add rice. All good stuff. Lunches & late afternoon snacks away from home are the problem. At home lunch is normally a big salad with chicken/sliced meat/tuna/vegetarian & 1 wrap/flat bread. Plus a piece of fruit. If I eat out at lunchtime my favourite (& most nutritious) takeaway is sushi, but I also love deep fried yummyness. (I'm sure it's a food group! - not!!) My bestest favourite is Asian food with noodles & sometimes a piece of something deep fried. Not the best lunch. If I'm out I sometimes get a fruit & nut bum from a bakery chain - it uses a bread batter, not a sweet batter, & adds fruit & nuts inside & on top. Yummy & tasty, but not necessary. Altho I like savoury & fried stuff I don't head for deep fried stuff, & I don't like sugar filled stuff (cakes/choccies etc.) I also nibble/snack on fruit. Most of what I eat is good food, but some servings are too big & I really don't need snacky stuff, especially as I don't do a lot of exercise. I went to the pool soon after I woke this morning as my legs & hamstrings were very painful (brekkie was a fruit & nut bun on the bus going home!) When it's school holidays I don't go near the pool during the day as it's hard to exercise surrounded by kids having fun, but there weren't too many at 8.30, so I was able to move about relatively un-hindered & felt a bit better by the time I got home. Fortunately my physio has a spare appointment this evening. sandra |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Susan of DT Date: 09 Jan 08 - 09:02 PM I started dieting last January - more or less the South Beach diet with low carbs and low fat. I lost 25 pounds in the first six months, mostly hips and belly, and then lost nothing more in the next six months. So I am trying to be serious about it again to see if I can lose the remaining 50 pounds in the next year or two. I go to the gym three times a week and have for about three years. I was annoyed that that alone did not lead to weight loss, but it probably kept me from gaining more weight when I retired. |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: Slag Date: 09 Jan 08 - 08:25 PM Fat: 1, Slag:0 sigh! |
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Subject: RE: BS: Fighting Fat 2008 From: katlaughing Date: 09 Jan 08 - 08:03 PM Exercise Haters check it out! Lazy Fitness Breathing Exercises plus there's much more including their 3 Day Diet Plan. |
