Diet and Exercise Accountability Thread

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Namastequila

Ron says that in his family there are those who (who all incidentally have blood type O) who excel on the Atkins diet. But several (all with blood type A) who actually get sick on it. Whether it's blood type or other genetic predispositions, there is no one diet that is for everyone across the board. Diet and metabolism technology is a science in its infancy. When Ron is on (his own form of) the Atkins diet, he notices that besides the weight loss, he feels less pain in his joints, and his acid reflux completely goes away.

Really, I hadn't heard that! I tried the Atkins diet to help out a friend who was on it about 6 or 7 years ago. I made it for about a week, but felt so ill/sick that I had to stop. I'm blood type A.

What everyone has been saying about carb-phobia is correct. This is why I like South Beach so much; it's not really a fad diet, it's just a fad name. The eating/maintaining part is common sense, and healthy. I've learned a lot about the importance of diet from what I've read so far.

[roni]

Originally Posted by Mamacita

Too bad none of the really good "fun" foods are on the perimeter...like donughts and Cheetos.

Bizzokiki - looks like we'll be in Playa at the same time (or close). We'll be there Nov 1-8. Dang! That's a long time from now!!! Where are you staying?

Doughnuts and cheetos are poison to me I can eat them some, but...

One thing I have learned as I have restricted carb intake and increased exercise to achieve some better control over my blood glucose levels is that I have to become much smarter about selecting what carbs to eat - Most of the time I am going for nutrition dense carbs. I'd rather spend my carbs on a sweet potato with my salmon than a doughnut after it .

I occasionally pine for the days of personal lore when my system worked like a non-diabetic's - back when I was a non. I could still act that way if I chose to, but it would not be a health positive choice for me, so no more big bowls of tortellini - whole grain or not.

Missing those items, though does not compare with the joy of a two hour post-prandial blood glucose level that is in the non-diabetic range. That joy comes from greatly reducing the possibility that I will need kidney dialysis or toe amputations in the future. It greatly reduces and/or pushes way out in time the day when I might go blind from diabetic eye disease. It greatly reduces and/or pushes out to old age the increased risk of a cardio-vascular events that diabetics live with. A diabetic who has never had an heart attack has about the same risk of one as a non-diabetic who has already had one or two heart attacks.

So yes it does depend on where one puts one's focus. The "come to Jesus" talk my internist gave me a few years ago, a straight A in Diabetes Education 101, and I am still a believer. I have some responsibilities to fulfill and some joys to experience for as long as I can.

I would be delighted if doing so will help make me a hunka hunka middle-aged man, but that is optional

Oh yeah - I had a roasted chicken leg and thigh and a about 3/4 a cup of slaw for dinner. I'll have 1/2 a cup of Light and Fit vanilla yogurt for dessert in a while. If I get hungry later I'll have an ounce of reduced fat mozzarella.

Life is good.

[roni]

Originally Posted by Namastequila

Ron says that in his family there are those who (who all incidentally have blood type O) who excel on the Atkins diet. But several (all with blood type A) who actually get sick on it. Whether it's blood type or other genetic predispositions, there is no one diet that is for everyone across the board. Diet and metabolism technology is a science in its infancy. When Ron is on (his own form of) the Atkins diet, he notices that besides the weight loss, he feels less pain in his joints, and his acid reflux completely goes away.

Weight loss can really help with that. I have one of those hiatal hernias. At 235 it bothers me - even taking a proton pump inhibitor. At 212 I do not notice it, mostly.

[Namastequila]

Originally Posted by roni

Weight loss can really help with that. I have one of those hiatal hernias. At 235 it bothers me - even taking a proton pump inhibitor. At 212 I do not notice it, mostly.

Roni, isn't it sad how millions are on drugs and devices for symptoms caused by weight or insulin problems, when all it would take for natural health is just a little weight loss and then maintenance? Ron was told that he may need a CPAP unit due to trouble sleeping, heavy snoring/apnea and mild heart palps while in the 230's, all of which have disappeared after losing the weight. We watched an interesting story on Mystery Diagnosis (Discovery Channel) one night of a man who was having horrible nightmares and heart/breathing problems, and because heart screenings all showed normal, he was told that there was nothing that could be done. He got his affairs in order and waited to die. Then, a member of his congregation asked him to visit the sleep clinic where he worked, and it was discovered that the man was essentially choking to death in his sleep. The struggle to get enough oxygen each night was causing nightmares, heart irregularities, and general ill health. This viewing helped us put two & two together. We'd heard all the stories of football athletes whose weight threatened their health (Remember Reggie White's untimely death?), but we had always considered this a problem for linebackers carrying an extra hundred pounds or so. Not so. Just a few pounds (especially as we age) can wreak real havoc.
Today Ron sleeps well and feels better than he has in years. We feel for all the people out there who take pills for pain (& then take pills for their side effects) use sleep units, or have to self-test their blood, or have any myriad of afflictions related to their body's use of insulin and storage of fat. And probably most of them aren't even very much overweight (so they don't consider weight to be the problem.) But just a few pounds can truly change a life. Maybe telling our story will help someone else out. It's a big part of why we love this forum.

[TnTWalter]

What fantastic testimonies from Roni and Ron. Amazing! Thanks for sharing.
I also find it amazing that I have more energy when I'm not eating all the processed crap and white starches. When I binge on junk I am tired and cranky.
So here's what I ate yesterday:
egg white omelet w/salsa + whole wheat toast w/<1 tsp smart balance + strawberry jam coffee; protein shake; boca burger [2 patties] on whole wheat bun w/ketchup; pear; protmeal [protein powder + quick oats]; another pear [should have had veggies]; diet hot cocoa [25 calories] ... I think it ended up being about 1650 calories + I powerwalked in am and did kickboxing pm; oh and 68 oz water. oops I also had a bag of soybeans in pods....yummo and low carb protein + low calorie.

Today:
egg white in whole fiber tortilla wrap w/little ketchup [i love ketchup w/eggs...sorry]
plan is protein shake mid morning; chick & veggies stir fry @ lunch; protmeal mid afternoon + a pear [my trouble time...starving between 2-5pm]; big salad w/chicken @ dinner and possibly fudgical later [40 calories] for a 'treat'.
I did weights this am...2 chest + back 1 pull up/dip; inner/outer thighs; leg curls and 30 minutes cardio...I was tired.
How's everyone doing??? Keep it up.

[roni]

Originally Posted by Namastequila

Roni, isn't it sad how millions are on drugs and devices for symptoms caused by weight or insulin problems, when all it would take for natural health is just a little weight loss and then maintenance? Ron was told that he may need a CPAP unit due to trouble sleeping, heavy snoring/apnea and mild heart palps while in the 230's, all of which have disappeared after losing the weight. We watched an interesting story on Mystery Diagnosis (Discovery Channel) one night of a man who was having horrible nightmares and heart/breathing problems, and because heart screenings all showed normal, he was told that there was nothing that could be done. He got his affairs in order and waited to die. Then, a member of his congregation asked him to visit the sleep clinic where he worked, and it was discovered that the man was essentially choking to death in his sleep. The struggle to get enough oxygen each night was causing nightmares, heart irregularities, and general ill health. This viewing helped us put two & two together. We'd heard all the stories of football athletes whose weight threatened their health (Remember Reggie White's untimely death?), but we had always considered this a problem for linebackers carrying an extra hundred pounds or so. Not so. Just a few pounds (especially as we age) can wreak real havoc.
Today Ron sleeps well and feels better than he has in years. We feel for all the people out there who take pills for pain (& then take pills for their side effects) use sleep units, or have to self-test their blood, or have any myriad of afflictions related to their body's use of insulin and storage of fat. And probably most of them aren't even very much overweight (so they don't consider weight to be the problem.) But just a few pounds can truly change a life. Maybe telling our story will help someone else out. It's a big part of why we love this forum.

I am in basic agreement with your major points. but not completely . Weight loss can have a dramatic effect on sleep apnea. It is true that weight loss can help control a variety of medical conditions, but I do not think it is not sad for diabetics to be taking medication. It is wonderful that they are on medications to control their blood glucose level. Diabetes is a progressive disease. High blood sugar wreaks havoc with pretty much all of one's major organ systems. I am delighted that there are medications for that. Those, combined with appropriate nutrition and exercise are improving people's quality of life and length of life.

Taking action as soon as one's fasting blood glucose level creeps over 100 (about 5.5 is the measure in mmol's - most countries use it) can prevent the disease from taking hold. Taking actions such as increasing exercise and reducing weight if it is an issue can help a lot.

It is sad that many do not take the steps that can stave it off, but that is life. As for me, I love taking my pills every day. My pill taking song is "Staying Alive" . I wish I did not have to take them, but I do need to and I will continue taking them. There are some that I will likely take for the rest of my life. That is a lot better than the alternative.

[roni]

Wow TntWalter,

I think that you posting some more bikini photos may have a significant effect on keeping the rest of us motivated (shameless, aren't I )

I had two veggie sausages for breakfast (3 grams of carb each for this brand). Also had my 5 teaspoons of Light and Fit yogurt that I eat before taking my medications.

I'll have a salad for lunch (lettuce, bell pepper cuke, tomatoes, turkey breast meat, olive oil and balsamic dressing) and some kind of meat and veggie for supper. Reduced fat cheese for morning and afternoon snacks.

[bizzokiki]

Originally Posted by Mamacita

Bizzokiki - looks like we'll be in Playa at the same time (or close). We'll be there Nov 1-8. Dang! That's a long time from now!!! Where are you staying?

We'll be there part of your time there, still in the process of booking, but most likely will be there Nov 5-15, half at Playa Maya, half at Riviera Caribe Maya. We'll have to get a peep meet going then, I wish is was sooner!

[TnTWalter]

Roni....perhaps posting it will keep me motivated to actually look like it again for this trip...here's one of me in Ixtapa last year....still a few pounds away but getting closer....every year I vow NOT to gain any weight THIS TIME. LOL. But winter blues strike...sigh. Perhaps I'll finally stay trim at least through summer.

So for you and me! LOL.



OK...anyone else?

[Heather]

I'm sorry, Trish, but you look far too good in a bikini for us to ever really be friends. That goes for all of the rest of youse, too. You know who you are.

[Buggirl]

Originally Posted by Heather

I'm sorry, Trish, but you look far too good in a bikini for us to ever really be friends. That goes for all of the rest of youse, too. You know who you are.

You can be my BFF, then- I'll never look like that in a bikini

Tomorrow will be the end of my 3rd week of modifying my diet to contain LOTS of fruits and veggies, lean meat, dairy, and whole grains (i.e. none of my nemeses: bread, pasta, and sweets) I have also been reliably walking my 2.5 mile hilly hike every day (having a dog helps with the motivation- she gets peeved if we're even late....) and lifting weights almost every day (soon to be switched to upper body one day, lower body next, etc).

I feel a lot better already- I have more energy, I'm not hungry as often, and my pants fit better (ok that's not really a matter of health, but it does make me feel good). So I'm pretty motivated to keep it up I do steal bites of my husband's birthday cake (that I made for him and don't eat) He's learned to get a little bit more than wants, now

Oh- and I am allowing myself a few glasses of wine (or other alcoholic beverages)/week. I'm not willing to give up THAT nemesis yet

So everybody here- keep up the good work Having somewhere to talk about this is great motivation for me

[TnTWalter]

Whatever Heather! I've seen you and you're HOT! I mean that in a non-lesbian way.
...just trying to motivate myself...and Roni. LOL.

Buggirl!! Way to go!!!! Sounds like you're changing your lifestyle to a very healthy one! And I LOVE my red wine. Not giving that up...just have it less often then I want it...I also enjoy bites from hubby. They're so good at sharing. LOL.

[lolabella]

Originally Posted by Heather

I'm sorry, Trish, but you look far too good in a bikini for us to ever really be friends. That goes for all of the rest of youse, too. You know who you are.

I'm glad we can still be friends for now.

Come July though, we may have to re-evalute the friendship!

[Heather]

Originally Posted by lolabella

I'm glad we can still be friends for now.

Come July though, we may have to re-evalute the friendship!

Your ungodly beauty already has you walking a very thin line, and I've never seen you in a bathing suit, so I wouldn't push it if I were you.

[lolabella]

Originally Posted by Heather

Your ungodly beauty already has you walking a very thin line, and I've never seen you in a bathing suit, so I wouldn't push it if I were you.

ah...Beautiful Heather. Apparently there are no mirrors in Mexico.


BTW, I think we should both try to sport those bikinis in July, waddayasay?