RE: healthy living

[wiininkwe]

 fivegonefishing
First things first!   Congratulations on that will power to quit, and keep on quitting, smoking!!!  
  Second, no one needs to feel that they have to ask to join this bunch, we have no rules, regs or what have you, we re a bunch of people who know that we have to make changes, and would like to do it in the good company of our friends.  All you have to do to be part of this is to post your feelings, progress (or lack of) good ideas and recipes.   We all draw from the strength of the rest.  It s good to have you with us, and hope that we can give our strength to you.
   Some here follow weight watchers, some of us are lo-carbers, some are just counting calories.  No matter what your style, our goal is the same, becoming more fit and healthy.  The thread hasn t had much action lately, and I m hoping that it s not because we ve all given up.  Maybe with Spring and summer on the way, we can get up the inspiration to get back on whatever program we like and start supporting one another again.  
 T
 []

[Opie431]

 wiininkwe
I made three pounds of fudge last week.  It is almost gone.  I have not gained any weight eating it.  Perhaps I should make some every week to keep my weight under control.

[wiininkwe]

 fivegonefishing
I ve been told that fudge is not fattening, as it s made of chocolate, and chocolate is a vegetable.  (Comes from a bean, ya know)   Unfortunately, I must have some sort of allergy or sensitivity to this bean, because I gain weight just thinking about it.   Congrats on being one of the ones who can eat it with impunity.
 T
 []

[Ernhrts3n8]

 fivegonefishing
I just look at chocolate and there goes another pound added...lol.  It s still a struggle but am trying to stay on the straight and narrow.

[wiininkwe]

 fivegonefishing
We did try to resurrect the Travelin  lite thread, with this Healthy Living thread that just seemed to fizzle out.  Maybe you can get it going again with some fresh new ideas and support.
 T
 []

[fivegonefishing]

 fivegonefishing
It s kinda depressing this thread was resurected; I ve reached a whole new point, unfortunatly going the other way.  I swear I m going to explode!  Between stress, comfort food and no self-control things have really taken a turn for the worse for me.  I think it s time to get back on a wagon before I do explode.

[wiininkwe]

 fivegonefishing
Tammy, I ve been having some of the same problems.   A friend told me just saturday that she just doesn t see how I could go back to my self-destructive eating habits after doing so well last year.   I didn t know what to tell her.   If I say how I feel, and why I m having such trouble with this,  a fear of sounding like some hypochondriac old lady kicks in.   But, with the things that have been happening for me healthwise, I m on kind of a viscious cycle.   My arthritis keeps me from getting much exercise (crap, it keeps me from doing much of anything) and my fibromyalgia keeps me in pain most of the time, too.  Which, yes I know, exercise is suppose to improve drastically.   Also, the anti-depressants that have been prescribed to help me combat the frustration of being in pain all the time, and help me to sleep better at night to get past the chronic fatigue syndrome that goes with the FM, seem to make me crave sweets.   So my willpower has to do double duty.  Some days I do pretty well, other days, well.....don t leave any donuts or cookies laying around.   I m having knee replacement surgery next month, and everyone that I won t believe how wonderful it will be.  My doctor says  " lose weight before the surgery to make your recovery easier."    But, after I have the surgery, I should be able to do the exercise needed to lose the weight.   Just listen to me whine!!!   Anyway, please someone, help me get this thread resurrected so those of us who need support and empathy with these kinds of problems can get it together.
 T
 []

[CampNfan]

 fivegonefishing
OK, It was March 20th when I last posted to this thread. Like I said in it, It is a way of life. Not a choice.....Just has to be done, has to be that way! No ifs ands or buts. I am still doing well I go to a gym every morning before work and the mornings I don t go to work I walk/jog for 5 miles. Then throughout the day I try to Bike ride or go for another walk with the DW and DS. My eating habits have changed for the better as well. I have 3 reward meals a week. but the other meals during my week are nothing but good Ol  Veggies. My reward meals come at different times. Sometimes I have to plan them when we are invited to a cookout or something of that nature but that is ok. I really look forward to my Fri evening reward. WINGS AND BEER! Nothing better and I work hard for it, and by that time I deserve it too! SO I hope this might help you all to resurrect this thread and those feelings to do better. If you had to look in the mirror every morning at a " HUGE SCAR"  that went right down the center of your chest do you think you could not eat that PORK, PIE and CAKE?[]

[ForestCreature]

 fivegonefishing
Toni,
 I can relate to what you are going thru to a small degree.  After a long hard winter of fighting a not so fun variety of health issues, which left me very inactive. Part of my problem was not discovered till June. I was diagnosed along with other things Costochondritis (Tzitzis Disease), which left me pretty much useless. It hurt to sit, lay down or just plain old move. I couldn t even wear clothes that touched my ribs or upper stomach without pain. I couldn t do much of anything for months. No meds really helped. To top all that inactivity off I had quit smoking.  So the weight kept coming on. (see,I can whine too [] )
 My 3 mile a day walks dwindled down to a block [&:]
 
 After giving up on the traditional doctors so called treatment for the Tzitzis I  opted for Chiropractic care in late July.  I am now a believer in Chiropractic care! I have not taken 1 pain killer or anti-inflamatory since then. Also weakend and started smoking again. Since then I have managed to loose 15 lbs, with atleast 15 more to go. I m at that ugly plateau where nothing is coming off. I am finally able to start my walking again, so  now that I can finally start excersing (I have to keep it limited for now) that will help.  Building up the stamina is going to take some time, but it ll happen.
 
 Toni,You hang in there, better times are coming your way.

[wiininkwe]

 fivegonefishing
Hey, it s good to see that friends are watching out for this thread.   Marcy, and Rick, thanks for putting my problems into perspective, sometimes it s hard to remember that you aren t the only person suffering from something, or that your problems aren t  worse than everybody else s.    Maybe having this thread back up to report to will help give me a little more will power on those " donut days" .  Anyone else ready to get back on the wagon?
 T
 []

[Garrett]

 fivegonefishing
Well.  Things are going a little better for me.  With the help of the meds my blood pressure is back under control, down from 190/110 to 118/90 this morning.  So far I have lost four pounds and am gradually tweaking my diet The biggest problem I am having is controlling salt.  It is recommended that I eat not more than 2400mg/day and most days I am still hitting over 4000mg and that is without touching my beloved salt shaker.  I am beginning to think the only way to control salt is to eat no packaged or canned foods.  When you start watch that stuff it is really loaded up with salt.

[wiininkwe]

 fivegonefishing
My DH has a problem with high blood pressure and we stopped buying any veggies in cans.   We only buy fresh or frozen, and that has made a big difference for him.  Also, even soft drinks have lots of sodium in them, so ya have to be careful there.   Look thru your spice cupboard too, many items that are suppose to be seasonings or flavor boosters list their first ingredient as salt.  You can  learn to use the ones that have no salt in them.  I often use nutmeg on things like cauliflower, and cabbage.  (My Dutch grandmother taught me that one, but my other Grandma always used bacon grease to flavor things, and I had to unlearn that one)   There are lots of things that can give you the idea of salt, without having the salt itself.  Dill always tastes slightly salty to me, also celery.  
 T
 []

[ForestCreature]

 fivegonefishing
Garrett,
 Staying salt free is hard, but possible. My Mothers husband is on a Zero salt diet.
 There are some products out there. Try the Organic and Natural food sections. Also Trader Joes (if there is one near you).
 Reading labels has just become your newest hobby!

[wiininkwe]

 fivegonefishing
Yesterday I went for a " pre-surgical clearance"  exam.   I was a bit nervous about it, as it s a pretty thorough one,with EKG, etc.   I m happy to report that my blood pressure is perfect, my EKG came out perfect, my chest x-rays were perfect.   I ll have to wait for the results to the  pee in the cup  stuff and the blood work, but for now I am cleared for surgery.   I was prepared for a lecture on my weight but my DR was very empathetic and said that he hope to see big changes after my new knee is in place.  
 T
 []

[ForestCreature]

 wiininkwe
Of course it all came out perfect ! As will your surgery too.