Healthy & Fitness - September 2014

[Twins' Mom]

I finally have my digital scale up and running but can't remember to ck weight first thing in the morning!

[Lady Maverick]

After 24 hours of HORRIBLE terrible food choices (a whole bag of potato chips, 1/2 container of dip, a snack size bag of Doritos, 1/2 of a large pizza).....this morning I took a deep breathe, covered my eyes and stepped on the scales expecting the worst. I peeked at the scales and was shocked what they said. I got off and tried again. I lost 1.5 lbs. THAT makes no sense what-so-ever. The only thing I can think of is that I am dehydrated. I carried two bottles of water with me yesterday but only took them out of hiding to take sips when LO couldn't see me. Today I am back on track and fully expect the scales to take a huge leap tomorrow.

I am motivated to return to healthy habits. I don't like how I feel when I am not doing them.

[Nancy]

LadyM if this trend continues get checked for blood sugar levels.

[FelineFriend]

I was down about 1 Lb. this a.m.
I've been eating healthy today.
I didn't exercise though, but have been actively up and down today.
I'm not snacking this evening again. We had a late filling dinner.
I get weighed in at the Dr. office later this week, too. I'm hoping it's not a gain, hoping it's down, from last visit's weigh-in.
Am wondering why his computer appt. print-out ALWAYS states: Suggest patient exercise more or do more activity?
DH said it's because activity and exercise are better for me, rather than sitting too long, because of the arthritis.
Maybe I'll ask my Dr. if there is time or the ask the nurse before I go into the "little room."
She could explain why, therefore leaving the appt. time with Dr. for other things.
I'm all prepared: Shaved, trimmed fingernails and toe nails, will shampoo the night before, have plucked eyebrows, cannot find any chin or neck hairs, which is a shock.
I FINALLY am having an annual exam where I DON'T HAVE ATHLETE'S FOOT!
For the past 2 years, I've had it during the exam. He's commented on it, given suggestions, etc... and then 3 weeks later, it finally clears up. He's such a good Dr. and from the Dr. to receptionist to the two Medical Asst.'s, I'm in real good hands. Everyone's so nice, friendly, helpful, and it's a nice office to go to for check-ups. I have been a member of clinics in the past where I got so nervous before going and didn't get the great treatment I do here, there. I'm a Very Happy Camper with my Dr. and his staff.

LadyM, You're doing emotional eating a. k. a. stress eating, which is a calming sedative quality to binge eating. It soothes the nerves, so we reach for foods like this. I don't know if it stems from a skinned knee and Dmom giving us a cookie when we hurt, or what. But I do it, too. It's normal, in a LOT of peoples' lives. But you can get back on the horse quickly, too! You've had a lot to deal with lately, too.

EDIT: I got to thinking later tonight, how this weekend, I watched PBS, featuring Deepok Chopra. He was presenting a new way to eat, think, be healthy physically and spiritually, etc... He asked this question, several times, told viewers and people in the audience to ask this question of themselves, several times of the day and night: WHAT AM I HUNGRY FOR? He said you might not actually BE hungry, but you might have a hunger for companionship, so call a friend, visit a friend, or go out with a spouse, partner or friend. He said you might hunger for knowledge, so read a book or go to a museum. You might be hungry for calm, so meditate or pray, read something spiritual, listen to music, walk in nature. You might be hungry for food, actually, or thirsty, so eat something healthy or drink water or tea. He said when you ask yourself "What am I hungry for?", you find that it may not be for food, but for things to settle down. I made calendar reminders, to come to my inbox, which state that question. It's very helpful! I bet a 3 x 5" card, with that question, put in spots where you'll read it, will help you remember that question, too. You can put 1 card in your purse, on the bathroom mirror, in a cabinet door in the kitchen, in a drawer, use it as a bookmark,etc.. They are "prompts" to help us, when we do that. I thought that question was a super one, too.

Twins' Mom, Every morning, after I go to the bathroom, I go weigh myself on my digital Weight Watchers Conair scales. I keep it behind the walk-in closet door, in the corner, there is a miniature calendar booklet that got sent free to me from a charity I contribute to, so after I weigh, I write down my weight in the little calendar booklet. It's become a habit. The only days I don't weigh, is if I accidentally wake up in wee a.m. hours because I need to turn on the walk-in closet light to weigh, to see. I don't want to waken DH, so I skip a day, occasionally. Is your scales in a place you go to daily? Perhaps a note to yourself on a 3 x 5 card, with a pretty sticker or smiley face, taped to your bathroom mirror would help? It'd remind you.

Nancy, I'm so happy you're getting good numbers on your insulin. WTG! I'm glad this is working for you and that the strips cost less, too. That's excellent for you!

My Dr. hasn't sent me my weaning plan for that drug yet. I'll check back at 9 p.m. to see if he's sent it from home. I know he's busy, but his M. A. said he expressed a desire for taking care of it, via posts, rather than ON the day of my annual exam, so he has more time with me, to discuss "things" during the exam, especially if something comes up. Tomorrow's his day off, so I'm not sure if he'd send it then or not. If he doesn't send the plan prior to the appt., then I suppose we'll discuss it during the appt. after all. I hate waiting, is all. I was told last Friday, he'd give me a plan on Monday, but it's Tuesday and no plan has been posted yet. I'm crossing my fingers that tonight, a plan is posted to me.

I am going to try to give up International Coffee. It's causing gerd, shakiness, and IBS. It's just GOT to "go". It'll eliminate extra fluids, since I need to restrict my fluids on account of low blood sodium. It'll prevent shaky nerves, and IBS. I'll start tomorrow a.m., going without it, and will just "deal" with the headache when it comes. I'd like to transition over to tea anyway. Especially herbal ones or green tea, because they relax me so much. One cup of herbal tea and I'm Very Sleepy and relaxed.

[Lady Maverick]

Herbal tea. That is a good idea! Hum... I think developing a herbal tea habit in the afternoon/evenings might be good for me. It could fill a void. In the mornings I drink coffee with milk (in addition to drinking bottles of water). But the afternoon & evening doesn't have an equivalent of those cups of coffee that I use to take a break and relax/regroup with. I can't do "real" tea because it makes my heart race & messes with my ability to sleep. But herbal tea shouldn't have that negative effects .....that sound good.
FYI - my coffee is 1/2 decaf and weak. The entire pot of coffee has about the same amount of caffeine as one "regular" cup of coffee. It took a period of time to wean myself where I'm happy with it this way. I get enjoy the experience of multiple cups of coffee without the heavy hit of caffeine. I've recently started experimenting with adding milk to coffee. It is an easy way to consistently get a serving of dairy, gives me a tiny but continual boost of calories throughout the morning and although I'm not having problems with GERD and coffee I think the milk might be helpful for that. Yesterday I ordered a covered cup to put my serving of milk in each day. That way I can easily pour a little in each cup of coffee and keep track of how much milk I'm drinking.

As expected the scales bounced up .4 this morning but the trend continues slowly downward. I am 1 pound lighter than last Wednesday.

I am struggling with maintaining top speed on treadmill so will stop the baby step increases until I can successfully do it. I am happy with my progress the last 30+ days and want to keep the feeling of almost eager anticipation of doing the treadmill each morning. I want to continue to LIKE doing it more than I want to push myself to do more.

[Ramblinrose]

LM...the changes you are making sound good to me. I drink herbal tea every day... Usually in the afternoon and evenings. My favorite is Constant Comet, and I started drinking it 45 years ago during my "hippie" days. It's one habit I kept

When I was very very young my great-grand mother introduced me to real tea. She also introduced me to her famous home made krullers, thus creating my love for Dunkin doughnuts and hot tea. Not so good my earliest memories with my gg- mother begins when I was just three. She made Tetley orange peeko tea with sugar and fresh lemon and that is my all-time favorite. Have to be careful of when I drink it because of the caffeine.

FF ... I've been wondering .. If certain foods give you such problems and pains, why do you eat or drink them?? Is my international coffees upset my system and caused me such pain, it would quickly find it's way into my garbage. Have you ever wondered what causes you to gamble on foods that you know will make you sick?

I get some of it, because for me I do stuff to myself that challenges my thinking. And the results are I usually lose. In my case the pain I cause myself is not worth it any more...that's what I'm having to do with the foods I eat... I am reminded of the words of dr. Phil.... If you always do what you've always done, then you'll get the same results. That's what I tell myself when faced with food like bread....

I have 5 lbs to loose in 14 days... Not sure if I can do it, but am staying positive and telling myself I can. I am going to spend these next 14 days thinking I'm a winner and work towards that goal.

[Nancy]

I am fighting a cold bs #'s are up .

[Ramblinrose]

Booooo Nancy....I hope you get to feeling better

[Ramblinrose]

LM... I am sipping my herbal tea as I write...

Harriet... I was just reading some information about carb cycling...isn't that what you were/are doing???

Heidi Powell who is the wife of Chris Powell of Extreme Weight Loss posted this on her site...

http://heidipowell.net/2713/carb-cycling-101/

Thought you might find it interesting. Carb cycling is the weight loss system they use with their clients. From what I read Turbo Cycling produces the faster weight loss. Instead of one day high and one day low carbs, they suggest two days low and one day high.

I follow the show for inspiration and motivation, but I'm too chicken to try the carb cycling because I am sooooo carb sensitive. Many on the diet bet game I'm in are using this system, but some of them seem to stall out after a few days. The game I am playing is being sponsored by a fellow that lost over 200 lbs in a year while on the show so it interesting to read what that players have to say......

[FelineFriend]

Ramblingrose, It's not written in stone, for certain, that it IS International Coffee, which is causing the problem. I'm "trying" out a new digestive-friendly cereal, my Dsis recommended, which she states cured her IBS. I've been trying 1 cup a day, with terrible results. I have food allergies, I try my best to keep away from such foods, on my list, but I still have IBS as a side effect and symptom, which flares because of my Fibromyalgia. The 2 go hand in hand. It's not something I have control over, I try my best, and sometimes IBS strikes without reason, even if I've eaten everything as healthy as I could for several days. It's not something I can help, I inherited it from family members, and I've had it since I was a child, too. There are hundreds of foods I do NOT eat, because I KNOW they cause problems. I'm not stupid. I don't purposefully eat IBS-causing foods, just for the "sick fun" of it. I try my best, daily, to do as good as I can. I'm just not blessed with the body I wish I had, with somebody else's perfect regularity and digestion. Fibromyalgia causes IBS, etc... I can't help it. I try my best to do what I can. I'm not blindly eating foods which belong in the garbage. I'm not a garbage mouth either.