The Real Housewives April Challenge

[CindyCRNA]

Originally Posted by BrightAngel

I'm going to try this out.
My height is 5'0".
This morning's starting weight was 122.8

Welcome to our happy little group!

All right girls, and Gord, guess what I just bought?? Baconnaise!! Our local HyVee had it. I bought the light. I think I may first try making Ranch dressing from HVR with it for bacon ranch. I bought the lite as it was only 30 calories per tablespoon. I'll let you know how it tastes. Anyone else try it? Sounds good for summer BLT's. Come on, tomatoes!!

[CindyCRNA]

Hey, I just came up with a fun recipe. I found out that the powdered cheese packet in my fav mac and cheese (Annie's White Cheddar) has 140 calories and 6 carbs per pack. You could rice a bag or head of cauliflower or use a couple of packages of Shiratki tofu noodles and make a LC/low cal mac and cheese.

[CarolynF]

Great ideas, Cindy.. I've seen the Annie's White around here, too.. Even some Dreamfields would be okay for some of us. Let us know how you like the Baconnaise

[TuscanGirl]

Originally Posted by BrightAngel

I'm going to try this out.
My height is 5'0".
This morning's starting weight was 122.8

What's your goal?

Buffy - I loved that movie!!

Carolyn - I'll be a Butler fan tonight too!

Cindy - Baconaisse will either be wonderful or



Sandy - today is day 1 (again)

[CarolynF]

I love that cute little bulldog..I have a meeting tonight..Hopefully, I can catch some of the game afterwards..I just hope that Duke messes up..LOL..I don't think anyone very much likes Duke, do you?

[TuscanGirl]

Everyone likes the underdog!

[CindyCRNA]

OK, the Baconnaise is a little chemically but I did buy the lite. I still think it will work in Ranch dressing or on a fresh tomato BLT. Can you guess that I'm obsessing on tomatoes!

Tornado Week on TWC now. I love watching tornado shows.

[sjl330]

Oh no Cindy! I hate tornadoes and have ever since I was 5 years old and almost got blown away by one. Growing up I was physically sick if anybody even mentioned one. Even if it was a 100 miles away. Somehow when I had children of my own I was able to somewhat get it under control but I still hate them and am very afraid of them. Just watching the shows makes me feel uneasy, lol. And that's the only reason spring isn't my favorite time of year.

Too bad about the mayo but I bet it is good on tomatoes.

[CarolynF]

Noone likes tornadoes..And we have our share of scares down here, too. I'm glad I have a basement..

Oh...poor Butler..They played well..If only they had gotten more free throws...

[Buffy45]

Tornadoes, hmmm, that's why ex-Dh and I built a new house, and a new machine shed, and a new hog barn and replaced a travel trailer and a pickup truck and I can't even remember what else. Our place was the worst damaged in a tornado that hit Iowa in 1979, it was a very bad tornado. Luckily, no one was hurt.

Welcome Bright Angel.

BLT's sound very very good.

Hair today. Happy Hour with girlfriend.

[TuscanGirl]

Morning!

I don't mind tornadoes. We even chased one when I was in high school . . ..

Today, I have spin class and then back to teaching Junior Achievement to kindergärtners!

[BrightAngel]

Originally Posted by BrightAngel
I'm going to try this out.
My height is 5'0".
This morning's starting weight was 122.8

Originally Posted by TuscanGirl

What's your goal?

My goal is to maintain my weight inside a 115-105 lb range.
Right now I need to drop weight, and get it to stabilize,
near the bottom of the Blue area of my mainenance weight range.
as shown in the graphic below.

[CarolynF]

Good morning..

I wasn't living in Iowa when your house blew away, Buffy..But they had some good ones up there when we lived there, too..

Did my exercise, having lunch with a friend and then tonight going to Taste of Home Cooking Demo in Bartlesville..I will be good as I know all that stuff from the Home peeps is not LC friendly..

I was back to 148..

Bright: Wow..you are techno savvy..Now..did you weigh 271 at one time??? That is amazing..How did you lose it..? LC???

[BrightAngel]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Bright: Wow..you are techno savvy..
Now..did you weigh 271 at one time???
That is amazing..How did you lose it..? LC???

Thanks Carolyn,
Yes my High weight was 271 lbs 17 years ago.
At that time I had an open RNY gastric bypass with no shortening of the intestine,
which means no malaborption--i.e. every calorie still counts.
Within a year I dropped down to 160 lbs, stayed there a couple of years,
then my weight began creeping up, and I began fighting to maintain there.

About 5 1/2 years ago, in 9/2004, when weighing 190 lbs,
I began using a software food journal to record all my food every day,
It gave me the nutritional values of my food, including calories,
and I worked very hard to keep my daily calorie averages down.
I still do this, and my computer tells me I've now done it for 2025 consecutive days.

A bit over 4 years ago, in 1/2006, I reached my goal weight of 115 lbs.
I did this by eating an average of about 1250 calories for a 16 month period,
losing an average of a pound a week.
I didn't lose weight slowly on purpose, that was the very best I could do.

Since that time I've been working to keep my weight inside my maintenance goal range.
as shown in the graphic I posted above.
My maintenance requires me to treat dieting like an enjoyable Hobby.
I continue reading about it, learn different methods of eating,
and--when it seems advisable--I also try them out.

This past year my weight has crept up
...despite low-calorie eating (averaging 1050 calories) along with regular low-impact exercise,
and I very much need to lose some pounds.
Although I'm very healthy, I'm 5'0", over 60 years old, basically sedentary,
and already exercising at my highest tolerance level.
My calorie burn continues dropping as my body fights to re-gain weight.
I am determined not to allow this to happen,
especially as I know it wouldn't stop at 10 or 15 lbs,
but would continue until all my lost weight returned.

On occasion I've tried out low-carb diets,
but two weeks is about the longest time I've ever been able to sustain one.
Recently I ran across this EatFatGetThin Thread.
Eating a high-fat/low-carb/moderate-protein ratio while still eating low-calorie
appeals to me,
and I'm trying it out.
I've ordered the book, and I expect to receive it in about a week.

Yesterday was my first day of doing this, and I was quite successful at it.
I found that my computer software program, DietPower, is very helpful
in giving me ratios as I put in my food,
and it allowed me to re-set my Personal Daily Allowance Percentages
to reflect a ratio of Carbs 15%/Protein 20% /Fats 65%.
So far (....ONE DAY.. ) I've found it very interesting, and am enjoying the process.

I'm feeling very positive about it, and Hopeful.

[sjl330]

Welcome BrightAngel. Your story is very inspirational. I too feel like my diet has to be my hobby to stay on top of it. I never thought about it that way before but when I read what you wrote I thought, Yep that's me too. I guess it's a pretty good hobby overall.

Carolyn, I'd love to go to one of those T of Home demos. Have fun! I felt so sorry for those poor Butler players, but they did at least give Duke a real run for their $$.

I think we're going to have severe storms tonight. Ugh!!

[CindyCRNA]

Bright, I know everyone asks this so I'll get it out of the way: hows your hormone levels and your thyroid?

Does anyone here watch Lost? I have just decided I wanted to check it out so i started on season 1 with Netflix. I like it because I like Sci-Fi.

[TuscanGirl]

I do - I love it!

[BrightAngel]

Originally Posted by CindyCRNA

Bright,
I know everyone asks this so I'll get it out of the way:
hows your hormone levels and your thyroid?

Does anyone here watch Lost?

Cindy, I am a big fan of Lost.
I first started watching it by renting Season 1's DVD to watch while on the Treadmill,
and immediately I was hooked.
In fact, this morning I get to watch last night's DVR of the latest show.
Funny thing...Now Lost so engrosses me that I have to just sit still to watch it.
Can't focus on doing anything else at the same time.

Re my hormone levels and thyroid.
Thanks for your interest.
I am in good health, without any medical conditions like high-blood pressure etc.

Last month I had a complete Physical, with the following tests:
Gluose, fasting; Lipid Panel; Creatinine, serum with Glomerular filtration rate;
ALT, SERUM; TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone; Free T4.
My results were all well within the normal range, and some were even very, very good.
I take no prescription medicines,
just a daily fish oil pill along with a multiple vitamin, vitamin C, and Calcium,
all of which have my doctor's approval.

[CindyCRNA]

Originally Posted by TuscanGirl

I do - I love it!

Oh, me too! I am just finishing season 2 and I want to yell, just don't put in the numbers and see what happens!!

[CindyCRNA]

Originally Posted by BrightAngel

Cindy, I am a big fan of Lost.
I first started watching it by renting Season 1's DVD to watch while on the Treadmill,
and immediately I was hooked.
In fact, this morning I get to watch last night's DVR of the latest show.
Funny thing...Now Lost so engrosses me that I have to just sit still to watch it.
Can't focus on doing anything else at the same time.

Re my hormone levels and thyroid.
Thanks for your interest.
I am in good health, without any medical conditions like high-blood pressure etc.

Last month I had a complete Physical, with the following tests:
Gluose, fasting; Lipid Panel; Creatinine, serum with Glomerular filtration rate;
ALT, SERUM; TSH Thyroid Stimulating Hormone; Free T4.
My results were all well within the normal range, and some were even very, very good.
I take no prescription medicines,
just a daily fish oil pill along with a multiple vitamin, vitamin C, and Calcium,
all of which have my doctor's approval.

How about estrogen? High estrogen levels will put on weight fast. I do BHRT (I'm 47) and my estrogen levels got a little too high and I immediately noticed it. In all honesty, if I ate and exercised like you do, I would weigh 80 pounds. That's why I think something is off. What was your fasting Glucose? Oh, and great to have another Lost fan!! No spoilers though as I am just finishing season 2.

[Buffy45]

Hello dear friends.
I started out watching Lost when it first came out and really liked it, then missed some shows and never got back to it. Seems I never find time to watch a series, some friends have DVD's of differnt shows I can borrow but I never find the time. Probably if I had the time I spend with my grandbabies, but right now, they come first.
Brightangel, wow, I am so impressed with your regimen and how you have stuck with it and your success, both in weight loss but especially in your health. Sure shows that taking good care of yourself pays off. I am wondering if maybe at the age you are now, your body just is comfortable carrying those few extra lbs? Are you sure you would continue to gain, or could you easily maintain where you are now? Sometimes, that is where we need to be but only you can determine that. Anyway, kudos to you and glad to read about your journey.
DH and I went to a local hangout last night to help one of the employees there celebrate 15 years with the restaurant and bar. We had a great time, there was a packed crowd and we met a nice couple of live fairly close to us and shared a table and an evening of visiting with them. 2 glasses of wine, a cheese plate and good people, = great night out with DH.
Today is just office work and DGS coming by after school. He will be coming more often between now and end of school year, his stepdad has a landscaping business that is growing by leaps and bounds and he can't be home for him as much as he can in the winter time. He will be popping in in about an hour, ready for his afterschool snack.

[CarolynF]

Hi,,

I want an afterschool snack too, Mema

I never got on the Lost kick..My broinlaw loves it..

Bright: Normal on the thyroid isn't necessarily "normal" and optimized. Your FreeT3 should be in the top third of the range and your FreeT4 should be in the midrange..
That's what works for me..Plus, your TSH should be no more than 2..around 1 is best or below.

Hi to everyone else.. Sandy and Mary Kay..

I went to a Taste of Home cooking demo last night. She did make one LC salad..Of course, there were 800 peeps there, so it was all for show..

[CarolynF]

Mary Kay's computer is sick.. I'm spreading the word.

[sjl330]

Hopefully it only has a 24 hour virus. Lol.

[CindyCRNA]

Note to self: don't eat 1/2 of a box of the high fiber pasta with resistant wheat starch or your colon will explode!!

[Buffy45]

Oh, poor Cindy

Poor MK

Up too early for me to be thinking much. BBL

[BrightAngel]

Originally Posted by CindyCRNA

How about estrogen? High estrogen levels will put on weight fast. I do BHRT (I'm 47) and my estrogen levels got a little too high and I immediately noticed it. In all honesty, if I ate and exercised like you do, I would weigh 80 pounds. That's why I think something is off. What was your fasting Glucose?

Cindy, I am post-menapausal over 60 years old.
I definitely don't have high estrogen levels; they are normally low for my age.
Long ago, during menapause, for several years I took estrogen pills then stopped, post-menapause.
My fasting Glucose is 87 inside the Standard Range of 60-99.
My Thyrod TSH is 2.5 inside the Standard Range of 0.10-5.50
My Thyroid Free T4 is 1.0 inside the Standard Range of 0.8-1.7

I am over 60, you are 47.
I am 5'0" and between small and medium boned. You are 5'7"
I am a "reduced obese" person with a 271 lb High Weight. 152 lbs was your High weight.
For these reasons (and probably others), the two of us have far different energy burns.

I also hope "something is off", if that "something" will eventually fix itself.
There are not very many people with my weight History who are small like I am,
Who have maintained an extremely large weight loss for over 4 years.
Certainly there are no research studies in existence about this issue.
I view my life is an "Experiment of One".

A note you might find interesting about maintenance:
During the past recent 4 years of maintaining my 75 lb weight loss between 190 and 115,
Based on averaging all the data of my daily food intake, exercise, and weights:
Maintenance Year One - 2006, my calorie Burn was 1508.
Maintenance Year Two - 2007, my calorie Burn was 1434.
Maintenance Year Three - 2008, my calorie Burn was 1205.
Maintenance Year Four - 2009, my calorie Burn was 1010.
During each of these four years,
I weighed and measured my food and put it into my software food journal the same way, and my average exercise was about the same.
There is no known medical reason for this MR drop.
The BMR/RMR formulas drop a person over 60's calorie Burn about 7 calories each year as they age.

My present Theory, based on my study of the research available,
is that my body desperately wants to regain my lost weight,
and is putting forth it's best metabolic efforts to do so.
I think this is why almost no one ever maintains a large weight loss for more than a few years.

I am determined to keep my body in this weight range,

and I hope that EVENTUALLY my body will readjust to again burn calories more normally.
There are people who are with me in the National Weight Registry
who have kept off lots of weight for more than 5 years,
that feel it became easier for them after 5 years.
I'm now near the beginning of my 5th year, and I'm hoping that will also happen for me.
If not, I will on doing what I'm doing.
If I have to eat less and less each year, then that is what I will do.

[BrightAngel]

Originally Posted by Buffy45

Brightangel, wow, I am so impressed with your regimen and how you have stuck with it and your success, both in weight loss but especially in your health. Sure shows that taking good care of yourself pays off. I am wondering if maybe at the age you are now, your body just is comfortable carrying those few extra lbs? Are you sure you would continue to gain, or could you easily maintain where you are now? Sometimes, that is where we need to be but only you can determine that. Anyway, kudos to you and glad to read about your journey.

Thanks Buffy
Yes, I am sure I would continue to gain.
While my goal weight is 115, my body will not stay within 2 or 3 pounds of any one number.
No matter what the number is.
I have frequent large weight bounces due to normal salt/water/waste issues.
Due to those bounces, my weight bounces inside a range of between 5 and 10 lbs each month.

For me, Maintenance is simply gaining and losing the same pounds over and over.
I struggle to keep my calories down, my exercise up,
and work to stay inside the numbers that I have set for my Weight Maintenance Range.
I've experienced several years of Maintenance at Higher Weights,
I know myself well. I know who I am, and what I can do.
I can tell you without hesitation that --although at the time I ate more and exercised less--
it was just as difficult for me to maintain my weight between 180 lbs and 190 lbs before
as it now is to maintain it between 110 and 120 lbs.

There is no easy way for me to Maintain.
Maintenance takes a great deal of hard work at any weight.
If I chose to raise my goal weight 5 to 10 lbs. I would simply have the same problem there.
Then another 5 to 10 lbs.. and up and up.
After gaining 20 - 30 lbs or so, the struggle would be even greater,
because I wouldn't look or feel nearly as good as I do now,
which would decrease my motivation to eat less and exercise.

However, although difficult, I find the struggle to stay where I am is worth it.

[CindyCRNA]

Bright, How's your muscle mass? I do all weight lifting and really my only aerobic is that generated by weight lifting (I hate aerobics). I don't know if that helps. Muscle mass IS metabolism which is why I weight lift. It just seems that 1050 calories for maintenance is so low that I'm with you, there has to be an underlying cause. Also, I'm sorry but you may have already said but what diet to you prescribe to? What kind of percentages? How much protein?

Do any of you eat Dreamfeilds? I am doing Fiber Gourmet which has about 3X the fiber which may account for the GI distress. I will cut the serving in half to see what happens.

[BrightAngel]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Bright: Normal on the thyroid isn't necessarily "normal" and optimized. Your FreeT3 should be in the top third of the range and your FreeT4 should be in the midrange..
That's what works for me..Plus, your TSH should be no more than 2..around 1 is best or below.

Thanks Carolyn,
Certainly you know your own body,
and are correct to have complete faith in what
your own doctor tells you is best for it.

I have absolutely no symptoms of a Thryoid problem except for problems in weight-maintenance.
However, I have spent a great deal of time in researching this subject.
and for myself, as well as others, I beg to differ with you.
I am aware that there are some endocrinologists who believe the Thyroid Normal Range is too broad,
however, even the large majority of those doctors
don't recommend the restrictive numbers that you have listed.

I've read several popular weight-loss books by "Thryoid Specialists",
and I have very little confidence in their conclusions.
I also know a lot of doctors fight between themselves
about which kind of Thryoid medication is effective, and which is ineffective.
Doctors disagree about a lot of things, but what they all seem to agree on
is that a great deal about the body is still unknown.

My information is that if a person without a Thyroid deficency takes Thyroid medication,
it won't increase the Thyroid's functioning,
the chemical will simply take over what the Thryoid has already been doing,
and cause the Thryoid to function less.

Despite what many drug companies would have the public believe,
Medication is frequently not the answer,
and a pill is not the solution for every problem.

I am a retired professional woman, and my life experience has shown me
that by shopping around, I can easily find a doctor
who will ultimately recommend whatever medical treatment I might want.
However, I have a very competent physician,
and I choose to accept his medical advice concerning the Thryoid issue.

Please, I feel I've shared enough about Thryoid
and other Hormonal Medical matters.
I don't believe any of us here on this Forum is an endocrinologist,
and, even if someone was, I would still reserve my right to my own opinion.
I am, however, willing to try new things,
and this is why this week,
I've begun trying the EatFatGetThin way of eating...
although, of course, I still count calories and log all my food daily.