Fitness and Good Health for '04 and Beyond

[NightOwl]

SUGAR, SUGAR, SUGAR--if it werent for that damned stuff I'd be a size six and never have to look in the mirror and say:  "Who IS that woman?  Do I know HER?  OMG--that's MEEEEE!" :eek:  

I've been sugar free for a month now--hooray!    :J    

There are several ways to leave the sugar craves behind successfully , Andi, and if you are comfortable with what you are doing and if it works , then  doing it gradually is probably  your best bet.  It all boils down to WHATEVER works for YOU!  And none of us can tell that but you.  Some of the things that work for me dont work for toni, for instance although there are general approaches to healthier living which work for almost everyone.

A year from now, we will all be a year older.  Maybe a year from now we can all brag about how great we feel and how much we enjoy knowing WE took charge of our own lives.  Like alcohol, drugs, or any addiction, NO ONE ELSE CAN DO IT FOR US! :W

Remember, Andi, I SAW you when we camped together at the '02 rally and I thought you were really a beautiful young woman then.  So I bet Lee will soon once again be "checking out that woman"  and realizeing--Hey, that's MY WIFE!!  
 

[NightOwl]

OK, gang, get ready for a change here.  I have written our beloved Webmaster asking him to chnage the title of this thread to one more reflective of its purpose.  So look for "Fitness and Good Health for '04 and Beyond." :W

[Acts 2:38 girl]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!  I've been tempted a little bit, like at the grocery store yesterday!   But as I cut back my sugar, I've been cutting back my caffine too!  Which is good because I need to be sugar/caffine free to start this diet.  No choclate bunnies for me this Easter!     I will definatly keep an eye out for that forum, or this thread.  I really need to stay on top of this, and this thread helps!

[birol]

I am in a way maybe lucky, never liked sugar, have been drinking coffee and tea without sugar since 1982, and did not waver at all. I eat the odd cholocate, if we have some, maybe once a week. The thing is I AM overweight, and what am I gonna cut get in shape I put on 4 Lbs in a month even though I am eating less than before (starting to take the BP medicine). I guess my metabolism is just slowing down.

I can't wait till weather gets little bit better so that I can bike and walk and burn some calories ...........

[NightOwl]

I am in a way maybe lucky, never liked sugar, have been drinking coffee and tea without sugar since 1982, and did not waver at all. I eat the odd cholocate, if we have some, maybe once a week. The thing is I AM overweight, and what am I gonna cut get in shape I put on 4 Lbs in a month even though I am eating less than before (starting to take the BP medicine). I guess my metabolism is just slowing down.

I can't wait till weather gets little bit better so that I can bike and walk and burn some calories ...........

Birol, you are right--as the weather improves, it is easier to become more active out doors and that makes it wasier to lose weight.

Also, if you are eating lots of starchy stuff like rice, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, bready things  of all kinds, PASTAS--and anything containing  WHITE FLOUR--then you can expect to just keep on gaining weight.  Remember, all these things are converted into sugar by the body which raises your need for insulin.  (Doctors have recently come to realize that it is insulin which causes the chemical reaction resulting in fat depostion.  Simple explanation, but this IS the way it works.)   If you can eat fish, a little chicken or some lean beef or lamb, and lots of salads, green or non-starchy vegetables and low-sugar fruits, it can gradually  help your weight problem.

All of this (exercise plus careful food choices) will help you to be in better shape, but it will also make you feel more upbeat and energetic.

Every evening, now that our weather here is more pleasant, Billy and I go to the little walking track in a nearby park  and walk two miles.  It takes us  about 45 minutes door to door and is very enjoyable  (he listens to NPR music as he walks and I listen to Bob Seger or old Abba tapes--great rhythym for moving along.)

[NightOwl]

Andi, you are strong to resist the lure of the chocolate bunnies.  "Easter Basket Season" was always a terrible temptation for me--it's easier now, of course, with the girls grown--still I have a TERRIBLE time resisting the Cadbury eggs everyone has on the counter.  Havent had a single one yet--LOVE the caramel ones and you can only get them this time of year.  Still resisting--SO FAR!  :W

[birol]

yeah, we eat Pizza, and pasta , not a lot, but regularly .... Time to switch diets for a lighter version I guess. Thanks for the kick in the you know where

[wiininkwe]

About Livin la vida lo-carb: I need to tell you this, it's too strange.  This morning I had to call my mentor and advisor, NightOwl.  I told her, "I'm having a problem with this diet."   She was shocked, "what's wrong??"  I said, "I'm enjoying it too much.  I'm having fun on it.  I feel good, not suffering, not hungry, I'm losing weight and I'm smiling all the time.  Somethings wrong."    She really didn't have an answer for me,  so I still don't know what to think.  Today i was busy all day, cleaning, laundry, vacuuming, did some shopping, took the dog for a walk and am cooking supper for DH and Dsis.  I am not at all tired, or cranky.   I have a roast in the oven, with potatoes, and carrots and onions but also have some cauliflower cooking for me so I'm not tempted by the potatoes.   Since I was so active today, I plan to have a lo carb brownie for dessert while DH and DS have Lousiana crunch cake with ice cream.  I sure wish I could figure out what the problem is!!
T

[NightOwl]

:J    Some problem, Toni!   :J

It's working, it's working, it's working... :W

I am actually so wound up and energetic on a low carbohydrate intake that I am cleaning in the attic, UNDER THE EAVES.  Either this is because of  the  diet or because I have completely lost my mind :eek:

[Ab Diver]

Andi, Toni, Elisa, way to go! Congrats on your successes, large and small. I know it takes motivation, determination, and a lot of salivation, but you can do it!

Birol, hang in there, Bud. Use any excuse you can think of to burn calories. You don't have to *exercise*, per se. Just park the car at the end of the parking lot when you go to the store, take the stairs instead of the elevator, deliver a few blocks on foot and work your way back to the car... little stuff like that. Trust me, it adds up.
 
Gang, I really can relate. Personally, I HATE dieting. I fact, I had to go on two diets once--- one diet alone didn't give me enough to eat.  
 
On a different note, my running has sucked for the last few weeks. Family obligations, a bout with the flu, a nasty eye infection, and a recurring right calf problem has really put a bite into the schedule I had set for myself. I'm behind in my self-determined calendar by at least three weeks. But, I did manage to run over 9 miles today for a new personal record, and without blowing out my calf muscle. (crowd goes wild) And while I STILL haven't lost any weight.... my legs are looking pretty good, the wife sez.    
 
So, things are moving in the right direction. Not moving very fast, but at least moving. July is still a long ways away, but it's getting closer all the time, and I don't have much time to spare. Here's hoping I can add as many miles as you all lose in pounds.
 
EAT healthy, but LIVE full.

[wiininkwe]

Dave, isn't it just terrible when something beyond our control gets in the way if your progress??!! But, it's so good to see that you aren't letting these things put you back so far as to want to quit. And, you know now, from these experiences, how gratifying the feeling when you look back and say, "Hey, I didn't quit, I overcame the problems." For you this has been a terrific setback, and you are progressing just fantastically even so. I am so impressed with your efforts, and it feels good to be able to say to myself, that we are part of the same group. Just like all the rest of you. Andi, keep up the good fight. The Creator has given you all the skills you need to do it, and the strength. All you have to do is take advantage of them. And Birol, beyond that exercise, remember my little slogan about eating nothing white? Well, that's the key, to eliminate or limit all those things that are pure carb, and that make the extra sugars in your body that are so bad. so, cut your serving of mashed potatoes down to half, and your pasta, and rice. Eat more of the meat that you would have with it. Have a sandwich on just one slice of bread, and watch out for cake, cookies, donuts and all those. If you limit things for a while, you can limit them more later. Or, you can just go on a low carb diet plan and limit them right from the start. It isn't as hard as it seems. (Did ya read my post above, about having too much fun?) One thing that really makes a difference is cutting out sugared pop (soda). We don't realize how much sugar we get in those.
Anyway, congrats to everyone, keep on doing what you're doing, it looks like you are doing something right!
T

[Acts 2:38 girl]

I'm almost ready to take the plunge, but still nervous about being on a "diet".  Once I actually say it, it's like my body revolts and says, "Oh yeah??!!I want anything sweet, white and fattening!"  I'm trying to get used to not eating breads now.  Funny how I don't mind Splenda anymore.  I prayed for God to change my tastebuds and he did!  Now I better ask him to help me to resist bread!!   I never wanted it more than when I couldn't have it!

[wiininkwe]

Andi, I have the same problem about using the term 'diet'. It automatically raises thoughts of deprivation and stress. So, I started out by saying, way of eating, or plan for eating. Then, I stumbled on the phrase "livin' la vida Lo-carb" and it seemed to fit for me, LOL. I'll be glad to share it with you, if it works for you, too, haha. Just don't be afraid, this is a very easy weigh to live. (get it?)
BTW, today is the beginning of my 3rd week into Livin' La Vida Lo-Carb, and I'm still having great success. My total weight loss so far is 8 pounds,(in 14 days) and this will be the last time I post my weekly poundage lost. I'm going to switch to monthly updates on that part, even tho I'll still be checking privately. I'm going to stay in the induction phase of this plan for 14 more days, meaning that I will still limit my carb levels to 30-40 grams a day. (40 on a special occasion) Atkins is much more strict, but I'm not following Atkins. Actually, it seems that I'm doing so well at finding things to eat that are very low or no carb, that I'm not even filling the 30 grams a day. I eat things however, that might not appeal to others. For instance, I love those little cans of herring in Louisianna hot sauce. I can have a can of those with some jello, and a piece of cheese for lunch, and be totally happy. No carbs. Lots of protein. Or tuna salad, with mayo, onion, celery and chopped egg. mmmmm. Don't like fish, Deli meat, like turkey breast, shredded into a salad. Watch out tho, for processed lunch meats, like bologna, etc. When chicken or turkey is on sale at the grocery store, buy a little extra and cook it, to use for salads or snacks. Canned soups have carbs, and tons of sodium, but, make yourself some chicken broth next time you cook chicken, and save it in the freezer in small containers. Heat just what you need, drizzle in some egg white, and add chopped onion, and you have egg drop soup. I've been buying some of the special low carb products, but that's because I can do that without cutting into the family grocery allowance. But, I'm finding that I'm really not eating as much of them as I thought I would. If you can find the way to buy one package of the muffins or brownies, and cut them into small servings and freeze them individually, they will last you for a while. I've been getting the lo-carb yogurt, and it's great, but kinda pricey. and it's only a 4 oz cup. This morning I decided to have that for breakfast, but was kinda hungry. I put some jello into a bowl, and flaked it up a little, then stirred the yogurt on top of it. It tasted so good, made me think I was getting a big bowlful of something. These are just a few of my tricks, I know y'all have plenty of ideas too, let's hear them.
Oh, someone told me that Diet Rite now has a whole new line of flavors of sugar free pop out, and that they are supposed to be delicious.  I haven't tried them yet, have any of you, and what do you think?
T

[NightOwl]

I am doing what I call "Careful Carbs"--kind of like Toni--making up my own sensible plan as I go--lots of "lean" green veggies and lean meats to match.  I LOVE salads and thanks to the  Driscolls people from California am now putting a few fresh strawbery slices in mine.  SO REFRESHING!   No sugar-crap like sweetened cold cereals, or starchey things like taters, pasta, pizza, or white bready stuff like biscuits.  (Sigh, I sure do MISS them biscuits!) Not only can I not afford the empty carbohydrates and the insulin attacks, but my moods are much better when I am not getting those sugar highs.

But the best part is that Billy and I are now walking 2 miles per day on the track at our little local park along the river.  We go every night now, just after dark when the track is less crowded.  We just "walk" (seriously, not strolling.)  Last night I wondered what my rate was so I timed myself to see how long  the 2 miles was taking.  34 minutes from the first step to the last.  Not tired and "whipped" feeling when we came home, just feeling relaxed--and good about myself.  With the weather improving (soon?) all over the country, this should be a nice time of year for lots of you to practice your "hiking" skills. :W

Join in the fun here everyone :S--we've got Dave representing the fern bars of Cal and Toni for the woods and fields of Native America, and Birol  for the Turkish-Canadian contingent  and Andi representing The Busy Young Moms--and then there's me--standing in for The Busy Old-LadyWelders.  Ann, is that
you I see  carrying The Checkered Flag in our parade?

Anyone else want to volunteer  to represent a demographic group?  Tracy, who would you like to lead to better health--I'll let you pick your own as long as it isnt the Beaten Dead Horses of PUT Land.  

[NightOwl]

Honesty require me to confess:  ah, those d*mned Cadbury's eggs.  I finally broke down and had a caramel one yesterday and if that wasnt bad enough, when DH got into the car with a Turtle ice cream bar, I had one of those, too!  At the same time that I feel I let myself down, I also enjoyed those two little sins sooooo much.

Now THAT'S  over and I am moving on.  Makes me think: someone once said  "Being thin for a lifetime feels  better than any chocolate  momentarily tastes"   (Optimist that I am, I am still looking for a way to do both simultaneously :J  :J   You'll be the first to know when I succeed!)