MzEllen Lives (my health journey)

Monday Weigh-In

2010-06-21T11:43:00.001-04:00

206 this morning. That's down a couple pounds from last week.

1 Polyp

2010-06-14T14:22:00.002-04:00

polyp is being biopsied. The first thing they gave me to eat was orange juice...didn't stay down.

TMI!!!

2010-06-13T18:23:00.000-04:00

Under the fold...
Colonoscopy tomorrow. I would have put it off, but if I'm serious about even considering weight loss surgery, this is part of the "clean bill of health" process.

Later this week I have to do Grand Health's blood work and get the test run for nicotine.

Annual Physical

2010-06-10T07:01:00.000-04:00

My cholesterol is high (I knew that from May) and I told my doctor that I will not take statins. I was able to articulate why and she suggested that I don't need dramatic results and that I should try a natural regimen of fish oil, red yeast rice, oatmeal, apples and fiber supplements.

I got my tetanus booster (recording it here) and my colonoscopy is scheduled for July 29 (with me being on the waiting list with all 6 doctors to try to get me in sooner.

Nicotine Test...

2010-06-07T21:16:00.000-04:00

the at-home variety.

I'm trying to get scheduled with a bariatric surgeon. I've done the seminar and I've seen the first doctor for the screening.

It turns out that my "once in a while" cigar is delaying things. They want me to wait until it's been a full month since my last cigar, then get tested, then wait a week for the results to come back...THEN schedule with the surgeon.

So, I ordered the tests (set of 5) from amazon.com and they came today. I tested right away and the line appeared (that's a good thing - it means "negative" for nicotine.)

Tomorrow I'll call the "provider" and see if I can talk them into testing me early (I'll take one of my tests to see if that will make a difference) and tentatively scheduling me for an appointment.

Sparkpeople.com

2010-06-06T10:48:00.000-04:00

I'm "mzellen" on sparkpeople...

Here are my goals:

NUTRIENTS:
Calories: 1,200 - 1400
Carbs: 50 - 75
Fat: 50 - 80
Protein: 75 - 100
Calcium: 100% of RDA

9,000 steps per day (average, so I'm not going to hit it every day)

Strength training 3X/week

Praise Moves 3X/week

Self-photo June 1, 2010

2010-05-31T18:54:00.000-04:00

My Eating Plan...

2010-05-16T13:09:00.001-04:00

Is not "Low Carb" according to the "Atkins Police."

My plan comes from my endocrinologist. It is his basic "moderate carb" plan and altered (with his approval) to fit my body's needs.

50% or more of my calories should come from fat - with half of that or less coming from saturated fat.
20% or fewer of my calories should come from (net) carbohydrate -
with a limit of 75 grams per day
with a limit of 35 grams per meal (this may not make sense until you do it - If I use the whole 35 grams at one sitting, I only get 20 per meal the other two meals. Or I can use 25 per meal, or 20 per meal and be able to use 15 on a snack. It also means that I can RARELY eat a Snicker's bar for lunch.)
Avoid allergens (mine are wheat and foods that grow "aflatoxins" - mostly corn and peanuts
Avoid simple carbohydrate (white foods)
If I'm into a "big" workout (50 mile bike ride, hard cross country hiking - any hard work for 3 or more hours) I can add more carbs DURING the workout

Because I work with percentages and not grams, tracking is a little bit trickier than most.

Yes, I have a higher carb limit than many "low carbers" - that has advantages and disadvantages.

Disadvantages:

Harder to track
Harder to limit
Weight loss comes more slowly'
I rarely go into ketosis

Advantages:

Weight loss comes more slowly (this means that I'm making new habits that I can live with for life AND I'll have fewer problems with loose skin)
I won't waste that (maybe mythical) "One Golden Shot"
I don't have to panic about going out and using too many carbs (they're built in)
I don't have to spend my life chasing the "holy grail of ketosis" (my endo's words)

Links to the eating plan conglomerate

2010-01-02T12:47:00.002-05:00

Forbidden foods on the Paleolithic Diet

Paleodiet - the basics

Eat Right For Your Type food database (individual foods)

PDF version of ER4YT list

Glycemic Index food list

Table of Glycemic Index food values.

Harvard Health GI load

another GI and GL from Mendosa

Anti-inflammatory diet

Anti-aging (antioxidants)

More anti-aging

Top Ten anti-aging foods

Another version

Primal Trail Mix (new recipe to try)

2010-01-02T12:02:00.002-05:00

* Exported from MasterCook *

Primal Trail Mix

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup almonds
1 cup walnuts
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pepitas
1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
1/4 cup flax seed
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut meat -- shredded

S(Jaime Jeroszko (me!)):
""
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 231 Calories; 20g Fat (71.5% calories from fat); 8g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 6mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 2 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

(The cinnamon and coconut keeps this from being "blood type beneficial". I think I can live with that.

Primal Lunch Ideas

2009-12-31T22:15:00.000-05:00

Chicken tenders wrapped up in bacon and pan-fried, served with avocado-mayo.

basic salad with lots of protein

primal soups or stews

greek yogurt with fruit, raw honey and nuts

Blood Type Diet

2009-12-31T18:39:00.003-05:00

Maybe it makes no sense, but who knows? Overall, it seems to be a healthy diet...lots of fruits and vegetables, very little process food.

If this diet has me eating no potatoes or eggplants, but has me eating yams and pineapples...so what?

I know that when I attempted this before, it went well, because the food list has LOTS of good stuff.

So we'll give it a go...

Facebook App - weightview

2009-08-28T17:30:00.003-04:00

it's sort of a group/support system. But the "big" thing is that you can send a photo of yourself and they'll digitally render it to show you what you'll look like when you've lost weight.

this one is not great, but you get the idea.

weight loss graph from June 1 to august 28

2009-08-28T15:01:00.002-04:00

July 1 and August 1

2009-08-01T16:52:00.002-04:00

Weight goals

2009-07-16T09:18:00.003-04:00

Starting with a July 6 goal of 220.2

10% goal = 198.2

I'll post photos at (starting now)

210

198

200

190

180

178.4

and the first of each month.

Put One Foot In Front of the Other

2009-07-07T11:55:00.002-04:00

then walk. "Do life"

Day one without Phil.

Put vitamins together. Do laundry. Get a massage.

Dishes, clean fridge.

Eat right, drink water.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Walk.

Supplement Routine

2009-07-07T11:29:00.003-04:00

4 - glucosamine Chondroitin (or whatever the daily dose of what's on sale is)
4 - thyroid caps (Solaray brand with thyroid substance)
1 - 7-Keto (dhea)
2 - daily multiple vitamin (Walgreen's brand for heatlhy weight)
1 - 30 mg. zinc
1 - iron
30- - mg CoQ-10
2x - flax seed oil
2x - fish oil
2x - evening primrose oil

3x daily face moisturizer
5x daily hand cream
2x daily eye cream

Inside Out Weight Loss

2009-01-31T20:08:00.002-05:00

Here is the link to the website (you can get the podcasts and paper-stuff downloads here)

I've subscribed to the podcast through iTunes, but grab the paper-stuff from the website.

I'll do the questions one at a time...if I am faithful each day, the process seems easier.

Inside Out Weight Loss - Questionaire: How do you know you want to change?

2009-01-31T19:39:00.002-05:00

How Do You Know You Want to Change? (be specific)
Question #1

What unwanted behaviors do you have? For example, I eat uncontrollably. I hide food. I am uncomfortable or immobile. I exercise compulsively.

1 - Impulsive eating. Not being able to walk past the quarter machine (the kind with the twist knob that dispenses a handful of m&m's) without checking my pocket for quarters.

2 - Habit eating. "Missing" that sweet "whatever" at the end of lunch. Even when I am not hungry, I end up eating a sweet.

Perhaps these are carb addiction issues...but they are unwanted just the same.

It is easier to give in than to even think long enough to not give in!

It is not the amount of food that I eat that is the problem...it is the kind of food.

REBOOT - again

2009-01-01T12:39:00.001-05:00

This week's focus is supplements. Including green and white tea.

I'm starting fresh, so there's not much to say this week.

Chiropractic and stuff

2008-12-04T20:05:00.004-05:00

Okay...I discovered that my insurance will cover 30 chiropractic visits each year. What is REALLY nice is that (when in conjunction with the chiropractic) insurance will also cover 30 (thirty) one-hour visits with a massage therapist.

THAT is nice. Usually there is either a co-pay or a "reasonable and customary" payment by the insurance company. For me, my insurance will pay the chiropractor whatever is "reasonable and customary" for each visit. For me, the chiropractor that about half the folks I work with go to accepts that "reasonable and customary" payment as payment in full.

translation: 30- massages and 30- adjustment each year at no out-of-pocket cost to me.

And a pair of "orthotic" shoe inserts each year (I don't know how much they help, but they're covered, so we'll give it a shot).

And...this thing called "ion body cleanse". Yes, it is most likely a hoax...but I'll try about anythign once...twice if it's fun.

This is what the water looked like when the "detox" was done.

And the massage therapist...(Thomas)...I'll keep on his schedule. Definitely.

Colon Cleanse, day five

2008-11-12T22:41:00.002-05:00

more "volume", but nothing weird. I'm not sure how long it takes before seeing tangible results.

Anyway...day four, four bottles of "stuff".

colon cleanse day 4

2008-11-11T06:56:00.003-05:00

6:45, first bottle. A little more "volume" this morning, but nothing "special". Maybe I normally eat enough fiber that this is not an issue for me. But I'm going to continue for the 2 weeks.

I've read that this can be "stressful", but I haven't seen it yet (although I haven't bumped up to 4 bottles yet either)

(note, my weight also bumped u a little, so I'm going back to my personal "paleolithic, not quite Core, lower carb, blood type O, allergy sort of diet

I've got a good snack and lunch planned.

Pretty good day (okay, it was a good day, although a little high in calories and I had a very small piece of cake)

8:00 pm, third bottle of "stuff"

Colon Cleanse, Day Three

2008-11-10T06:56:00.001-05:00

6:45, first bottle. A little increase, but nothing dramatic

I didn't get the times, but I did get all three bottles in today.

Colon Cleanse Day Two

2008-11-09T08:30:00.004-05:00

Okay...8:00 am, I drank my first bottle of potion.

The "directions" say to not drink coffee, but I'm having one cup now and I'll drink green tea (on the "good list" later on)

1:00...second bottle (nothing different yet)

8:30, third bottle...nothing different.

I'll do this another day, then bump up.

(I blew it at dinner - Chinese Buffet - up until then I was wheat free and mostly dairy free.)

Colon Cleanse...Day One

2008-11-08T13:10:00.004-05:00

Giving it a try. This is day one.

I got Metamucil "Berry Burst" psyllium husks and NOW Bentonite powder.

1 teaspoon of each in a bottle of water and drink it down (this is for day 1-3) - UPDATE - I skipped ahead, I think I eat so much fiber to start with that once a day didn't appear to make a difference...so I did two bottles yesterday and will continue through day five unless I fell like I need to jump ahead again.

On day 4-5, twice a day

Day 6, 3 times.

Day 7, 4 times

8-14, 4 or 5 times a day.

I may or may not give a "blow by blow" description, other than how I feel.

This needs to be the weekend to get back on track

2008-10-16T21:07:00.002-04:00

The diet's been bad (many temptations at work) and since I've been sick all I've wanted to do is come home from work and sleep. So I have.

Tomorrow...drive Tom to the Sec. of State and then grocery shopping.

I need easy snacks for at work - on low carb, that can be as easy as cream cheese with sugar-free jello.

Goal: 75 miles on my bike (my week starts of Friday)
Goal: all my vitamins and all my water.

That seems like a good start.

Another (functional) blog for me

2008-09-08T19:09:00.004-04:00

MzEllen Rides

The function of that little blog will be to keep track of equipment, bike maintenance and routes taken.

One of the functions of mapmyride.com is giving you the "stuff"you need to put a route on a blog...so some of my rides will be there (although most likely not accurate at the beginning or end, because of privacy about exactly where I live).

Most everything else will be here.

What I've Learned

2008-09-06T11:34:00.002-04:00

On a hike...take enough water and food (grapes are wonderful!). Wear good shoes and a hat...don't get a stone in your shoe. Life is good.

On a bike ride...EVERYTHING matters.

shoes...fairly snug. Don't let your feet slide around in them.
helmet...make sure it fits and adjusted right
sunglasses...Yes. Even when you don't "need" them...you need them. They not only keep the sun out...they keep bugs and other stuff out also.
gloves...I didn't know what a difference they'd make.
pants...street pants are not good.
lip balm...sounds minor, but I'm much happier with it
snacks on the way...I'm experimenting...the "sugar water" electrolytes gives me heart burn. Clif "shot bloks" are tasty and they give me an extra kick. Jelly Belly sport beans likewise. "Gu" (vanilla flavor) is nasty.
tires...right tool for the right job
seat adjustments...make a huge difference. The latest tool for my pouch that goes with me is an allen wrench to adjust my seat.

Glycemic Index...Glycemic Load

2008-08-29T00:30:00.003-04:00

With an eye toward no dairy, no wheat, no potatoes, no peanuts. Here's a partial list of foods I typically eat (that I've found on GI index lists)

By G.I.

Cereal:

oatmeal (not instant or quick - I like steel-cut) (48)

Fruit:

apples (38)
cherries (22)
grapes (46)
plums (39)

Grains:

barley (25)

Vegetables

sweet potatoes (52)
plain yogurt (14)

By G.L.

Vegetables

Carrots (2)

Fruit

watermelon (8)
apples (6)
cherries (3)
grapes (7)
pear (4) gi 43

Snacks

popcorn ((7)

Grains

corn meal (9)
lentils (5) gi 26

Dairy and alternatives

soy milk (8) gi 44

Omron Pedometer - Product Review

2008-08-27T17:26:00.002-04:00

(buy it here)

This is my favorite pedometer ever! It is accurate and easy.

And durable - I put it through the washer; as soon as I realized it (saw it laying on top of the clothes) I took the battery out and let it dry. When I put the battery back in, even the memory was intact!

There is a less expensive model of the same pedometer - just as accurate; the only difference is that the one I have now will link to you computer and give you a graph of your steps.

This pedometer doesn't use the "clicking" (old style) method of counting steps; it uses the same technology as the airbag in your car. That means you can be a LOT less picky about where you put it. The last "normal" pedometer I had - it was very picky.

This one...in my pocket, my purse, anywhere on my belt...anywhere. I have even had it attached to the strap of a tank top.

Hands down...if you want a great pedometer, this is it.

Current list of supplements

2008-08-16T23:17:00.003-04:00

Just so that it's out there (and so I can get at this list if I'm not home... ;-)

With breakfast
1 Tablespoon liquid chlorophyll in liquid (generally water but right now I've got mixed into kefir)
1 - Multi-vitamin
1 - L-lysine (for skin integrity)
1 - Thyroid activator
1 - Evening Primrose Oil softgel
1 - Salmon Oil softgel
1 - Glucosomine tablet

At lunch
1 - Thyroid activator
1 - Salmon Oil
1 - Essential Fatty Acids softgel
1- L-lysine
1 - CoQ-10

At dinner
1 - L-lysine
1 - Evening Primrose softgel
1 - essential fatty acids
1 - glucosomine
1 - thyroid activator
1 - multi-vitamin

At bedtime
1 Tablespoon chlorophyll in liquid
3 bifidophilus flora force

(only I got the wrong thing and bought afidophilus. However, since I "cheat" with kefir and kefir has the bi"stuff" in it naturally, I'll just take the rest of the af"stuff" and keep drinking kefir)

Also...the chlorophyll and bi"stuff" I only take for a few weeks (as long as the bottles last). If I feel really good (after I'm really off of wheat and dairy) and I'm taking this I'll experiment more. But for now, this is what I'm taking.

Also: As I eat more healthy fat, I'll take less of the oil tabs. If I can keep my fat calories at over 50%, and most of it monounsaturated, I'll stop taking the salmon oil; maybe the evening primrose oil and just keep taking the essential fatty acids.

The rest of the supplements are just "good stuff".

Low Carb Food Pyramid

2008-08-16T00:18:00.001-04:00

2008-08-15T12:53:00.001-04:00

A couple of days were an exercise no-go. Shoot one day was a “I-don’t-want-to-move” day - a migraine yesterday had me moving between office and bed all day, with a couple of excursions downstairs for food. (I have an electric water-heater-pot and a coffee press - the best way to make coffee - in my office and that’s where my 1/2 bath is…so unless I want food I don’t have to leave my bedroom/office area.)

~~~

I lost 3-1/4 pounds - the first loss in many weeks.

The secret? Lower carb, higher fat - but still following Weight Watchers points. Because of thyroid and PCOS, the needs my body needs are a little different, but I still will not lose while not restricting calories. I went to a naturopath who did NOT give me a formula, but gave me guidelines with which to make my own formula (for those who need formulas)

- 50% of my calories from fat (with the majority coming from “healthy” fat - monounsaturated) - and the fat in eggs (while saturated) is okay so even eggs are unlimited.
- 50% of the volume on my plate coming from fresh or lightly steamed fruits and vegetables

- Take my weight in pounds and eat half that many grams of protein

- The rest of my calories in complex carbs (but never wheat or dairy)

- no wheat or dairy (but I can “cheat” with kefir and yogurt)

- lots of water…half my weight in ounces

There is no limitation on calories…the lower carb, higher protein and healthy fat makes my body burn it differently - thermogenic. The drain yesterday may have been from the shift in my body, but I am eating enough carbs for fuel. The fat and protein guidelines make me put the emphasis on not wasting the complex carbs on “stuff”.
What I know is that this works and (knowing from the past how I do even as low as Atkins) my body feels better.

~~~

(sigh)…Here is the list of food restrictions (allergy and otherwise)

- dairy

- peanuts (due to a mold allergy giving me asthma attacks)

- potatoes, eggplants (off the table) and limited tomatoes and green peppers; these are nightshade plants and they cause - in me (YMMV) joint pain)

- wheat

~~~

Another new blog for me!

I set up a little blog just for recipes - most of them have a combination of low-cal, moderate carb.

MzEllen Cooks (sometimes). (I rarely cook in the summer…my son takes over with the grill.)

And here’s a recipe: Fast and Easy Chicken in Salsa with Zucchini.

My (yes another) New Blog

2008-08-14T21:16:00.002-04:00

Just for recipes...

MzEllen Cooks (Sometimes)

;-) I really don't cook much in the summer - Tom grills. I let him.

More tweaks...

2008-08-13T15:16:00.003-04:00

The no-wheat/no-dairy thing might help.

I feel "brighter" since I started taking thyroid support (health food store/OTC) supplements.

I've lost 3 pounds since last week Friday...

Stay tuned for more tweaks, product reviews and etc.

Minor Shift in Blog Focus...

2008-08-11T14:58:00.002-04:00

I've dropped 3 pounds in as many days.

The change? A couple of extra, short (10 minute) walks during the day and a shift in eating to limiting carbs.

Expect a few more Low Carb recipes to start showing up.

Going for Low Carb...again

2008-08-10T13:36:00.001-04:00

I'm on Weight Watchers. The beauty of FLEX to that I can use (the tracking tools, point system, etc.) and don't worry about the rest. I paid to go until I had the tools I needed and now I have the material.

I have PCOS, diagnosed over 20 years ago.

I also strongly suspect I have thyroid issues (low body temp, thinning hair) that is not showing up in blood tests (looking for a doctor who will treat the patient, not the number).

My fasting blood sugar is perfect, as is my blood pressure. My cholesterol is high (212). I'd like to lose 60-70 pounds.

Weight Watchers (as written) doesn't work.

Atkins (as written) doesn't work (I did Atkins at less than 25 grams of carb a day for 3 months and lost 4 pounds). I'm a little OCD when it comes to logging what I eat...I use a MasterCook recipe just to put my daily eating into. So I have a good handle on what I eat.

So...combining the two. I read in places that anything less than 100 grams of carb a day can be "considered" low carb. I can deal with that. I read that a cyclical low carb diet can be effective. I can deal with that also. On Weight Watchers, there is a unofficial "Wendie Plan" where you vary your caloric intake drastically day by day. I can deal with that also.

Ok...that's three things I can combine.

Here's what I come up with:
- Instead of grams of carb...25% or less of my calories each day coming from carbohydrate.
- Stay within the Weight Watchers plan in order to keep my calories reasonable
- Two days a week (not next to each other) eat "high carb" (for me, that will mean no more than 50% of calories from carb - still lower than the "pyramid".)
- Two days a week (not next to each other) eat 5-10 extra "points" (may or may not be the same days as high carb).

The idea is to keep my body guessing what it's going to get. That's why the Wendie Plan works...your system doesn't get used to having the same diet every day.

I'll be doing the same with exercise.
- 2 days a week take a long, slow walk
- 3 days a week take a shorter, faster walk
- 2 days a week do 3 short, fast sessions of "Walk Away the Pounds)
- every other day do strength training

Let the Whining Commence

2008-07-29T17:43:00.002-04:00

I apparently am still "on my own" as far as the medical situation goes. The endo will test my thyroid and treat symptoms of PCOS but will not do anything "edgy" to help with my body's stubbornness about releasing weight.

Perhaps (he says) my body just needs less fuel because of my metabolism.

Thanks for nothing doc.

So I will continue to play with fat:protein:carb ratios and see if I can find a solution that works for me, since the medical community leaves me on my own.

july 26, 2008 - recap and goals

2008-07-27T16:57:00.003-04:00

Last week was a very difficult week weight wise. I was perfect on the PLAN.

I earned all 28 AP's. I didn't eat all of those points

I had 9 FLEX points left over.

I "maintained" weight. No gain, no loss. This is two weeks of ON PLAN.

Goals for this week:

drink all my water (6 cups
add 4 cups of tea per day (white, green or red)
earn 30 AP's (use 28 if necessary)
use only 25 FLEX points
no more than 50% of calories from carbs
more than 30% of my calories from fat
lots of fruits and veggies

2008-07-25T00:09:00.002-04:00

Obviously I still need to figure out how to make the software output
into images that look good here.

I had a "perfect" week...there were a couple of days that I had little or no exercise (miserable hot, muggy d.

Points wise: I was well within points and had 9 FLEX points left for the week.

Starbucks

2008-07-22T20:30:00.001-04:00

FOOD	Calories	Fat	Fiber	Points	Sodium
Apple Bran Muffin	410	17	2	9	410
Banana Chip Yogurt Muffin	500	23	2	12	410
Blueberry Crumb Yogurt Muffin	490	33	2	12	460
Bran Yogurt Muffin	440	18	2	10	430
Coffee Cake Muffin	490	21	2	11	430
Low Fat Multiberry Yogurt Muffin	340	6	2	7	490
Reduced Fat Cranberry Oat bran Yogurt Muffin	330	8	3	7	470
Sin-A-Muffin Yogurt Muffin	500	21	1	12	480

First Day of My WWW (Weight Watchers Week)

2008-07-18T20:42:00.003-04:00

I'm officially on CORE.

I like CORE when I'm at home, but out and about is nearly impossible. So I'll do it for a couple of weeks, take a week off while we're in Chicago and then see what happens.

~~~

I got my new pedometer and I've played around with the software. Very cool.

This is what the graph looks like. It's sort of a pain because I have to do a screen capture and copy that into a photo editor, then crop it, save it as an image and then upload it to here. I've set my week to start on Friday (like my WWW). I'll do an official "product review" later one.

I am So SAD!

2008-07-13T09:55:00.004-04:00

I lost my pedometer. It was a most excellent pedometer (really)...but all is well.

I ordered an "upgrade". The same brand, same features WITH the added features of an extended (internal) memory (both models have a week that you can see, but the new one has a 42 day memory -the need for which will be explained...now)

The "New Pedometer" has a 42 day memory of steps, aerobic steps (and time took to walk them), calories burned, miles walked and all the rest. The 42 day memory is needed for when you hook the thing up to you computer and get:

Cool.

Weigh Day

2008-07-11T16:09:00.002-04:00

1.8 pounds released this week; 3.6 pounds total (an average of 1.2 pounds per week).

Not bad for being on vacation (hot dogs and smores - and Mackinac Island Fudge. And pasties - with gravy.

Product Review - Weight Watchers Flavor Straws

2008-06-28T21:53:00.003-04:00

You can either get these at meetings (I think I paid $3.50 for a box) or you can buy them on ebay for $5.99 + shipping.

I haven't tried the latte flavor...but I bought a box of chocolate and bought two more.

And I haven't tried them with plain milk.

I buy (or make) an iced skim milk latte (2 points for a tall at Starbucks) and sip it through the chocolate flavor straw.

The more intense flavor is at the beginning of the drink (if you drink it slowly).

My typical Weight Watcher meeting schedule goes like this:

drag myself out of bed to go to the earliest meeting I can handle
eat or drink nothing before the meeting
stop at the coffee shop before the meeting for a skim milk latte
weigh in
enjoy my beverage (with the chocolate straw) during the meeting

I'll give them a thumbs up...

On "Releasing" Weight

2008-06-28T11:37:00.003-04:00

It's a frame of mind. "Thin Within" doesn't refer to "losing weight". They call it "releasing weight". The thought being that if you "lose" something, you might find it again. (And I HAVE found my lost weight again).

When you lose your keys, it means a lack of attention, carelessness. The object of your search may be right under your nose, waiting for you to pick it up again.

When you "release" something, you let it go.

I'm thinking of those kids' movies where a baby wild thing is found by a family and raised to adulthood and released back into the wild, where it is supposed to be. You don't expect (or want) those released animals to return to you.

When you "release" a brake, it's so the car can go. Move forward. Controlled, yes. But no longer at a standstill because of what was holding it back.

Both of those thoughts about "release" can be applied to the health journey.

If I "release" my extra poundage into the wild blue yonder, it need to be with the expectation that they will not return to me. I am purposefully behaving in a way that will send them away. I am not searching for them.

I am also "releasing" my body from the extra weight. I move better, feel better, act better. I am no longer at a standstill because of the extra weight I carry around.

"Losing" weight is a diet, a burden. It's work.

"Releasing" weight is freedom. Will it require an effort? Oh, yes! But so does backpacking, hiking on a mountain, riding a bike...those are all "freedom" words to me.

From now on, I am not "losing weight"...I am "releasing" it.

1.2 pounds released.

2008-06-27T19:07:00.002-04:00

Not as much as I had hoped for, but as much as I deserved, given my midnight-1:00 AM snacking pattern.

I don't know when I'll be able to weigh-in, we're leaving on a camping vacation and there don't seem to be any WW meetings anywhere close to where I'll be! But I'm taking healthy choice food and we'll be walking quite a bit. Hopefully I'll be able to do well.

Thick Smoothie - 6 points

2008-06-25T22:00:00.002-04:00

Use any frozen fruit, any flavor yogurt, any flavor pudding. I like cherries, with cherry yogurt with white chocolate pudding.

* Exported from MasterCook *

thick smoothie - 6 points

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 cup cherries, frozen, unsweetened
6 ounces weight watchers yogurt, vanilla
1 tablespoon chocolate chips
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 Jello instant pudding mix, fat free, sugar free, chocolate

whirl it in a blender...

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 315 Calories; 6g Fat (15.2% calories from fat); 13g Protein; 57g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 7mg Cholesterol; 494mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Fruit; 1 1/2 Non-Fat Milk; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0

The "no-poo" experiment

2008-06-24T19:50:00.002-04:00

Is it really true that "no shampoo" is actually good for your hair? Could it be that treating your hair in a natural way - with no (or at least fewer) unpronounceable chemicals - is better for you - and your hair?

Let's find out!

Your hair is a very important part of your body that's often overlooked. On top of accentuating your style and appearance, your hair can give you clues to your health. Greasy, limp hair can be a sign of bad diet while brittle and dry hair can be a sign of malnutrition and undernourishment. If you're anemic, deficient in calcium or other vitamins, your hair and fingernails will give you some of the first clues. Taking proper care of your hair and returning it to it's natural state may be one of the best things you can do for your appearance, you may find you'll learn a lot more about your hair that you never realized you could know!

We shall see. Today I put 1 cup of warm water and 1 Tablespoon of baking soda in a water bottle. Into my hair it went.

Check back later.

Hardest time...

2008-06-24T00:03:00.002-04:00

This is the hardest time of logging my eating. I've posted my eating for (yesterday) and now I'm working on tomorrow. But it still seems like "today", so the temptation is to just not log it.

I am committed to "bite it and write it".

So I enter the food into MasterCook for tomorrow, but I've already moved (automatically) to the next day at midnight.

But I did log the 3 slices (dry) of 35 calorie bread.

Product Review - VitaMuffin VitaTop - Deep Chocolate

2008-06-22T22:48:00.004-04:00

These were a little on the dry side (but for 100 calories, I'm not going to complain about a little dry).

Very chocolaty. Best when dunked in milk. Skim milk.

2 points for the milk, 2 points for the muffin top = 4 points for a very yummy breakfast.

Reboot

2008-06-22T21:43:00.001-04:00

Starting over again.

Friday I rejoined Weight Watchers - today (Sunday) is when everything resets for the week. Reboot.

The plan is to log daily both eating and exercise.

Post a photo of myself each weighday.

Gold Star for me...

2008-05-10T09:27:00.001-04:00

Good calories, good water, good fat:carb:protein ratio

and
walk 3108 steps in 29 minutes - 107 steps per minutes (but I stopped to take a couple of photos...)

9267

2008-05-09T21:50:00.001-04:00

That's the number of steps today...but the diet thing wasn't that great.

Yesterday I forgot the pedometer

2 days ago I walked 8504, before that, 5266

Fitness 2008 best food awards...best pantry picks

2008-05-08T22:25:00.002-04:00

(but the first one is not best for me)

Smucker's Natural Chunky Peanut Butter
Justin's Honey Almond Butter Squeeze Pack
Polaner 100% All Natural Seedless Raspberry Fruit Spread
Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise
Gulden's Spicy Brown Mustard
Heinz Organic Tomato Ketchup
Jim Beam Kentucky Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Wish-Bone Light Italian Dressing

Fitness Magazine 2008 best food awards - great grains

2008-05-07T20:03:00.002-04:00

Arnold 100% Natural Whole Wheat Bread
Garden City All Natural Roll-Ups Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour
Thomas' Sahara Pita Pockets 100% Whole Wheat
Thomas' Hearty Grains 100% Whole Wheat English Muffins
Pepperidge Farm Classic 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
Barilla Whole Grain Rotini
Minute Ready to Serve! Brown Rice
Uncle Ben's Ready Whole Grain Medley Brown & Wild Rice

100 Best Grocery Store Picks...Dairy ( per Fitness Magazine)

2008-05-06T17:52:00.002-04:00

Cabot Monterey Jack Premium Cheese
Kraft Deli Deluxe Aged Swiss Cheese
Cracker Barrel Natural Extra Sharp Cheddar 2% Milk Reduced Fat
Horizon Organic Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
Horizon Organic Mozzarella String Cheese
Breakstone's Small Curd Lowfat 2% Milkfat Cottage Cheese
Philadelphia 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese
Dannon Light & Fit Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt
Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt
Dannon All-Natural Nonfat Plain Yogurt

2008 Best Foods...breakfast

2008-05-05T11:10:00.002-04:00

Van's All Natural Multi-Grain Gourmet Waffles
Thomas' 100% Whole Wheat Mini Bagels
Deep Chocolate VitaMuffin
Fiber One Honey Clusters Cereal
Bear Naked All Natural Granola Apple Cinnamon
McCann's Instant Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal
Egg Beaters with Yolk Southwestern

Walk around the neighborhood...

2008-05-04T16:02:00.001-04:00

3107 steps in 28 minutes. (110 steps per minute)

First Outdoor (Michigan) walk of the spring...

2008-04-23T16:47:00.002-04:00

The "big loop" at Huff Park - took 23 minutes and 2,718 steps.

When I break 20 minutes, I'll do the "figure 8". It's a nice walk; flat, blacktop and boardwalk. No wet feet this time and I saw a beautiful male mallard.

This week...

2008-04-21T21:44:00.000-04:00

I'm shooting for an AVERAGE of 1,800 calories per day (and I'm way over today).

I'm shooting for 6 cups of water/tea per day (I did that today)

I'm shooting for "bite it and write it" - I did that today

I'm shooting for an AVERAGE of 9,000 steps per day (I did about 6,000 today)

NLP - the Map is Not the Territory

2008-03-06T21:16:00.001-05:00

I covered this topic in another post...but I wanted to relate it to the diet topic...