Archive through September 06, 2002
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: Diet Tips & Support Group: Archive through September 06, 2002

Reader234

Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 06:06 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Aria,

A few years ago I read a book on reducing fat, and the author talked about his addictions, cheese, and chinese food! He noticed that with Chinese food he would gain up to 3#'s, even if he chose the lower (non fried) fat alternatives. His conclusion was it was due to the high sodium levels, and to drink lots of water to help flush out the salt, but to expect a huge weight gain, but it wouldnt be 'permanant'

(I love CHinese food!!)

Costacat

Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 03:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
So, guess what? Y'all have been talking about exercising. And I know I mentioned that I recently joined Curves for Women (the 30-minute circuit training thing).

So, guess what? I've been going for a month now, and today was my weigh-in and measurement day. I've lost 2-1/2 lbs and a total of 7 inches (like a half inch here, an inch there). My body fat percentage reduced slightly (but it's low anyways, so it's hard to judge by that).

ANYWAYS... All of this just because I go to Curves three times a week for a half hour each time. I have NOT changed my eating habits (which are generally good anyways). I am VERY impressed with the results. My goal was to get back into shape (I've let myself get "soft" since I quit dancing), and I think I'm making serious progress.

If you hate the gym, but want to exercise, do check out Curves. It's all women, they are all over the place (you can transfer or travel to other locations once you sign up, too). I swear it's a HALF HOUR!! (Well, OK, 45 minutes total. I come home from work, change into workout clothes, walk 3-1/2 blocks to my Curves, work out for a half hour, stretch for five minutes, walk home -- and I'm back in 45 minutes.) They also have some sorta diet plan you can sign up for, but I have no idea about it since that wasn't a goal of mine.

They're doing some kinda recipe contest. I submitted a recipe for energy bars. If y'all are interested, let me know and I'll post. 145 calories, 20 gr carbs, 4 gr protein...

Nancy

Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 06:23 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
hi costacat i don't know where you are at but around me the hours at curves are not that great--they open later than i go to work--are closed from 12-2 and close of 5--yuck--i'd love to go if the hours were better--but my gym is great anyway

Costacat

Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 07:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey Nancy. Mine's got some weird hours, too. But I go to work early and so leave early, and so can get to Curves before it closes. Mine's open 7am - 1:30pm, then again from 3:30pm to 7pm on M-F. Sat is 7am to noon. She used to open at 4:00 during the week, but a bunch of us were always there earlier and so she decided to open earlier to accomodate us.

I used to go to PowerHouse Gym. But I'm liking this one better.

Earthmother

Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 02:40 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
woohoo...22 pounds gone as of this morning. By the way my doctor looks like Roddy and if he wants to kiss me I'm gonna let him and I don't care if he's just manipulating me to lose more weight..lol

Costacat

Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 03:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Congrats Earthmother!!! And whatever works (although, personally, I have never thought Roddy to be attractive).

Nancy? Forgot to tell you... San Diego. (Hillcrest, to be exact).

Nancy

Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 07:09 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
ahh i've never been in that area---but my brother used to live in coronado when he was stationed at the sandiego naval hospital---

i love living near the ocean and i'm sure i'd love living there if i ever moved from the east coast :)

earth that's awesome weight loss--i don't think i lost this week(tuesday will tell) but with my 5.4 over the last 2 weeks and 35.4 over all that's ok :)

Pottedplant

Monday, September 02, 2002 - 10:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
no loss this week for me either. but Congrats to those that LOST ;)
& reader, jsut take it one day at a time, and a few small steps :)

Reader234

Monday, September 02, 2002 - 03:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
*sigh! Thanks pottedplant! I'm still in the "thinking about it" stage. At least I'm not dilussional any more, I *know* I'm fat!!

There is a curves here. This is going to sound like an excuse, but I wasnt comfortable when I walked in, it looks too much like a "fad", a place that could pick up and move, or go out of business in a flash. I"m a very suspicious person I guess! But, I think I resent the high cost to "join", then to have to pay so much for just a 1/2 hour!! (and I should be desperate enough to pay anything to ger results, and I truly believe Curves would get results, but just too high a cost) I dont see where they need to have so much money upfront for paper work, and the 1/2 hr fee covers the employee, and 2 people every 3 hrs would cover the overhead... (I used to work in daycare, and figured out difference between not for profit place vs for profit..)

Anyway, I agree that its only for women is a huge plus, the time, another huge plus. I also have a choice of a park district nearby that offers the same equipment, but not the place to jog between stations (I have to admit, that feels uncomfortable due to my size, ie not waist!)

Like I stated before, its probably nothing more than an excuse. I was successful in WW, but due to loss of job/income, I dropped that and with that and medication, I've blown up out of proportion, so I know I have to DO something, actively, and many times, if you put your money where your mouth is... lol...

Thanks for the support, but more importantly, thanks for posting YOUR successes!!

Pottedplant

Monday, September 02, 2002 - 04:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
walking is underrated & free. I go for walks most days now, whereas before I never hardly walked. I never knew there were so many hills around here. Just start off by going even half a block. Then you can build up to going a whole block or two :)
to me, the most important thing is just to get started. I do not go to any classes.

Goddessatlaw

Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 04:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I like walking too, Pottedplant, very early in the morning right about dawn. Nice and quiet, and the air is fresh and cool. Congrats on 22 lbs, Earthmother. You're my inspiration. I've been doing Atkins RELIGIOUSLY for 12 days now, and although my immediate results were good (4 lbs after 4 days), I've failed to advance significantly since then. However, my energy levels are steadily going upward and my concentration is improving which I'm SURE is a result of getting my sugar levels reduced and stabilized. Initially I didn't pay that much attention to making sure I ate every 6 hours - I've always been a very sporadic eater, anyway. And the fact is - I'm just not hungry on this diet. However, once I got frustrated with the crash portion results, I reread the book and have really focused on not going more than 6 hours without eating. It has really, seriously helped ward off those attacks of "OMG, I'm so tired I have to lay down."

I've also been successful in seriously reducing my caffeine intake without any negative side effects I can point to except occasionally a headache which doesn't last long. Also, I though just the IDEA that I couldn't have alcohol would give me problems on this diet. However, I haven't given alcohol a second thought after the first couple of days of the diet. Doesn't bother me at all not to have it. So, all in all, good results here. I finally broke down and took measurements, and I am showing improvement there. I guess the key for me is going to be patience. Maintaining the diet has not been hard, but I've never been good with the delayed gratification thing. I want to weigh 115 lbs TODAY.

PS Costa - did look for a branch of your gym here and there is not one near me. I was disappointed with that - I can do ANYTHING for 1/2 hour even if it's hugely intensive; it's those hour-long aerobics classes that make me crazy. Thanks for the tip, though - I'll keep looking around for something similar.

Earthmother

Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 06:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
That's the best part about this diet Goddess, I'm not hungry and I don't feel deprived. I found this bar thing called Carb Solutions and asked my Dr. He said they are great and when you get that candy craving (which I do) these are just the ticket. They have choclate almond fudge..had to get used to the taste, but once I got the choco fix I was a happy girl.

The problem I had this weekend was that I was so busy I actually forgot to eat and my blood sugar dropped to 43..my little meter is so funny it says "Do you think you need a snack"..hahahaha..duh yeah!!

My sugar levels were in the 190's (three month scan)in May and they are 102 now. This is a significant change. They took me off the oral agent and I am now only taking 1 glucophase a day.
This is down from 2 glucophase and 1 Tolinaise per day. I just wish I had found this program 20 years ago, when I weighed 110. I'm only 5 feet tall so any weight makes me look huge, but 50 pounds over makes me look like an oompa loompa.

Sia

Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 11:00 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I haven't had time to read this whole thread yet, so sorry if this question has already been answered: would you recommend a particular low-carbohydrate diet, or they all about the same? This Saturday I saw a nurse-practicioner who told me to drastically cut my carbs, but did not/would not recommend a particular diet. I have heard of "The Zone." Is that a good one, or are there easier/simpler low-carb plans? Thanks. Btw, giving up carbs for me will be extremely difficult; I live on carbohydrates. Her other recommendations: eat no more than two slices of bread/day (or the carb-equiv), drink 64 oz. water per day, walk 1/2-hour 4-5x/week, eat 3-4 oz. protein for 3 meals/day and at least 1 oz. protein for 2 snacks/day.

There are probably several web-sites that convert food into "carb-units." I will go looking for this info tomorrow--after my son gets on the bus for the very first time in his life. It's the first day of school! I plan to FOLLOW THE BUS TO TOWN and walk him to his classroom, LOL! Thanks in advance for your advice.

Aria

Tuesday, September 03, 2002 - 11:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Sia! Well you came to the right place for dieters. A few of us here are on low-carb diets, mostly a form of Atkins. I recommend having a look at the Atkins website.

The hardest part of the Atkins diet is what they call the "induction period" where basically you eat no carbs from anything except vegetables for 2 weeks. This is not for everyone. I hear that the Zone is a good diet and I'm sure there is a web site for that too. Good luck!

Well I am back after a break from the board and the feeds for a few days. I haven't been concentrating on my diet the past few days as I came down with some type of food borne illness and have basically been only drinking gingerale and eating whatever happens to be the easiest thing to make. I am so glad to see that everyone is making great progress. I am hoping to be feeling 100% tomorrow so that I can join you all on the exercise wagon too!

Nancy

Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 07:03 am EditMoveDeleteIP
here's another ww recipe--for now that the cooler weather is approching..

Veal Stew - Makes 4 Servings ~ 5 Points

Flavors tend to mellow in a slow cooker, so stir in the mustard paste just before serving to give the stew a piquant bite.

Stew

3 cups of shiitake mushrooms, sliced
10 ounces veal stew meat, trimmed and cubed
3 onions, sliced
1 cup baby carrots
1 cup of canned diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 slices bacon
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Mustard Paste

1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and finely chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced

1. Mix the stew ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on High until the veal is tender, 4-5 hours.

2. Mix the mustard paste ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days.

3. Just before serving, stir the paste into the stew. Discard the bay leaves before serving.


Per serving: 260 Cal, 6 g Fat, 2 g Sat Fat, 65 mg Chol, 320 mg Sod, 27 g Carb, 5 g Fib, 22 g Prot, 85 mg Calc. POINTS: 5

Nancy

Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 07:06 am EditMoveDeleteIP
mmmm---chocolate!

"snickers pie"

servings | 8
estimated POINTS per serving | 2


Ingredients

2 c. choc. f.f. frozen yogurt
1-8 oz lite cool whip
1/2 c. grape nuts
1/3 c. low fat peanut butter

Instructions


Mix all ingredients together.

spread in pie plate

freeze until set.

Goddessatlaw

Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 07:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Sia: I thought giving up the carbs would be impossible for me, too - potatoes and pasta were daily main courses for me. However, when I started on the Atkins within days I didn't give potatoes, pasta, bread or rice another thought. It kind of kills your appetite while your body readjusts your sugar levels. The only hard part I've found is no fruit or really anything else sweet (at least for the first couple of weeks). And that's only a problem when I'm at the store and those things are in my face. I've been walking, too - the key for me is doing it the minute I get up in the morning so the task is behind me; patience in building up endurance (shinsplints get in the way of that); and my biggest recommendation is a good set of shock-absorbing sports insoles. I got a pair that reduce the pounding by 50% and they made all the difference with the hip pain I was experiencing after awhile. Especially if you must walk on pavement, good shoes and inserts are lifesavers. Atkins isn't nearly as hard as I though it would be, and I'm feeling a bazillion percent better than I did before I started the diet. And that was only two weeks ago.

Goddessatlaw

Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 07:18 am EditMoveDeleteIP
PS Sia - one of the bests tips I got regarding potato addiction was from someone on this board - can't remember who (Earthmother?). They said their doctor told them to visualize a baked potato with all the potato scooped out of the shell and then filled to the top with sugar. That's basically what you're eating when you eat a potato. Grossed me out. Haven't looked at potatoes the same way since.

Costacat

Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 07:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
RE: Curves

Reader, there is a one-time annual fee (which was 66% off for me as I signed up within a coupla days of my Curves opening). Then the monthly fee is $29/mo. If you work out the minimum they suggest -- 3 times a week -- times four weeks, that works out to just under $2.50 per visit. To see such drastic results in such a short time, it's definitely worth it. I mean, that's just not having a Starbucks latte that day.

Goddess, there are LOTS of Curves around. I noticed that the nearest one to my home office in Rockville is a half hour away from the hotel in which I stay. But they are opening new ones constantly, so keep an eye out.

This Curves by me has been open barely a month now. So the monthly weighings and measurings have been taking place. EVERY SINGLE PERSON has lost weight and inches. And note that some of us did not change our diets!

For a half hour, three times a week, and $2.50 a vist... I've gotten better results than I did working out at PowerHouse.

Nancy, please keep up with those WW recipes! I'm not on a diet, but I'll eat WW recipes! <grin>

Jewels

Wednesday, September 04, 2002 - 08:01 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I love this thread! Keep it up you guys...I will need you after my baby is born!

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 12:15 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Just finished week 2 of Atkins - going to do another week of the hardcore, because I'm not thrilled with my initial results and I have a Navy SEAL party to go to next weekend that I must be svelte for. Starting to think I should go get my thyroid checked. But anyway, I like the diet and it's not hard to maintain so far. Went and got the Atkins bars and shake today, Earthmother - really, really, really like the chocolate meal bar. Just what I needed for that little sweet thing I was missing. Filling, too. Will keep you posted on progress.

Nutsy

Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 12:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Costa - do they have any Canadian locations? Sounds like a great place to work out.

Sia

Thursday, September 05, 2002 - 06:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. Aremid recommended "The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet" by Heller & Heller, and someone else I know recommended "The Zone." If I could finally catch up reading all the BB threads, I'd have time to actually read up on the diets!

Costacat

Friday, September 06, 2002 - 08:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey Nutsy! Yes, they do have some locations. I can't remember where you're at. But to find out if there's one near you, go to Curves for Women and click the Franchise Locations link. Scroll down a bit to get to the Canadian territories.

I found out last night that I lost 2.5 lbs total in that one month of Curves, but it actually was 2.8 lbs of FAT!

Sia, I checked out The Zone once. Outta curiosity. Good luck with it if you go that route. I could NOT eat all the food that I was supposed to eat if I followed that diet. I mean, it would be physically impossible.

Nutsy

Friday, September 06, 2002 - 09:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good for you Costa! Thanks for the link, there are 4 or 5 near me ... who knew?

It doesn't say on the site how much $$ it costs to join ... do you mind sharing that?

If you'd rather email me - it's in my profile