PSMF! Anyone?

[gibster]

Doing well the last couple of days. I'm making many more bathroom trips than I have in the last week, on average. So that's a good thing....

Vickie - Thanks for telling us about your diet journey. What do you suppose it is about menopause or pre-menopause that shoots us down? About 4 or 5 years ago, the same thing happened to me. I was OP with Atkins and exercising religiously for 3 months and could not lose more than a couple of pounds. I never had a problem losing weight before (if I put my mind to it), but that time was sooooo frustrating.

Day 1 236.8
Day 2 236.2
Day 3 235
Day 4 233.2
Day 5 232.2 FM
Day 6 233
Day 7 234.6 WTH?
Day 8 236.6
Day 9 237
Day 10 234.6
Day 11 234.2

[shamrock67]

Ok, back down to 222 lbs- so happy about that-

Ddailey- yeah, that was kind of crazy about the chicken- I ate half a split chicken, which with bones before cooking weighed 1.43 lbs, so, yes that would be insane to sit and eat 28 oz of chicken breast!

Vickie&LInda- Thank god- it is not only me- for the longest time I thought there must be something wrong with me- that same exact thing- I used to lose so well and easily on low carb, and now that has come to an end- thank you so much for explaining that to me- I don't know if it is because I am older, or if my body adjusted to it or what happened, but I can maintain on low carb- and I love that way of eating, so, after I get my weight down, I will probably try to stick with that for the most part-

I am feeling much better with my new eating plan- just fixed some veggies up for work to snack on, plenty of diet green tea, and I have to figure out what I'll have tonight- I just love having that one big meal- it gives me something to look forward to, and when I have it, it feels like I am cheating- and am loving cooking on my new grill!
Vicky- I don't know where you live, but we have the same problem here with the weather- it it is amazing how it can affect your mood- I remember one mothers day it snowed here....just keep in mind summer is right around the corner!

Ok everybody have a great day!

[Lioness0455]

I have heard/read "different" things about menopause.

First I heard it was that we don't metabolize sugar very well anymore, which made sense since my fasting glucose was a bit high. So I turned to a low glycemic way of eating, and then later to Atkins.

Then I heard that it was because we don't metabolize fats very well anymore. Which also made sense, so I turned to KK which was working so well for me, and I was feeling really good on it. Not sluggish and tired like I was feeling on Atkins.

Now I've been hearing/reading that since our body doesn't need to keep itself prepared for making babies anymore, that we tend to put fat on in the same way and in the same places that a man does. Well that makes sense to me as well, since my belly is definitely where the greater majority of my fat is now. I'm not sure what that means as far as losing that fat though. You would think that with less hormones to interfere, it would be easier, but I'm certainly not finding that to be the case.

I still feel like I'm shooting in the dark. But at least, Lyle's plan takes all of those things into consideration, so that's why I'm giving it a try.

It was supposed to be a nice day today. We live in central Utah, by the way. But it's not. It's dark, cloudy, and very humid. But at least, my ears aren't swelling, so that's good. My weight actually moved down this morning, even though my water percentage, according to my scale, is up. Normal water for me is somewhere around 50.2 and it's 50.7 this morning, which tells me that I'm retaining water...still.

Day 1: 180.4
Day 7: 174.4
Day 14: 174

Day 20: 175.2 Small Refeed
Day 21: 177.4 Maintenance Day
Day 22: 176.2
Day 23: 176.2
Day 24: 173.6

Still not quite back to where I was before (172.2). Maybe tomorrow...

[gibster]

Lioness - Yes, I have no doubt the problem is exacerbated by mucked-up hormone levels. I had read somewhere that once menopause craziness was over, that it would be easier to lose weight - you know - like a guy. Hmmmm..... I'll have to do some more research.

Had a bit of a whooooshh - 2 lbs. down today. I'm not planning a free meal (although I reserve the right to change my mind). I don't feel I need one, psychologically - and that's the main benefit for Cat3, right?

Day 1 236.8
Day 2 236.2
Day 3 235
Day 4 233.2
Day 5 232.2 FM
Day 6 233
Day 7 234.6 WTH?
Day 8 236.6
Day 9 237
Day 10 234.6
Day 11 234.2
Day 12 232.2

[ddailey320]

Is it really Thursday already??? I was down 2 pounds this morning, but that still leaves me 1.5 above last Friday. Hoping to lose the rest of it before taking a free meal- whenever that might be. I can't see taking a free meal when I still have added weight on from last weekend's refeed.

Still working on our patio outside....My arms are just so fatigued by now from lifting and dropping patio blocks as well as "dead-lift" type movements while using the wheelbarrow. Can't wait for the blasted thing to be done!! I am going to do some cardio tonight~ brisk walk on the treadmill, but can't see doing much more than that. I can't afford to be too sore and not able to finish the patio or to throw my metabolism out of whack (as if it isn't already).

Linda~ congrats on the whoosh!!

Vicki~ looks like the scale is moving in the right direction for you!! So close to your low! Here's hoping you a whoosh for tomorrow!

Menu:
1) 2 oz left over chicken
2) EAS w/ scoop pp
3) 2.7 oz tuna with 1.5 T light MW on 1/2 mini pita
4) 2 EW and 1Turkey bacon
5) 4 oz Turkey burger w/ .5 T Heinz 1 and 1.5C salad
Totals: 588cals 12f/10c/105p

[Windycitygal38]

Hi all. I was gone on vacation. Disney World. Hard to make good food choices there. Gosh, am I sick of rubber chicken. I ate low carb/atkins for the most part. Back on the diet as of yesterday. I am feeling better already eating more fish,veggies, drinking more water again,ect.
Glad to see others have joined in.

To all that are sticking to plan and doing well

I am gonna go straight until June 15th w/o any refeeds , maybe a couple free meals but I want to drop 10 pounds by then. Well, thats what I would like to do anyhow. I think its possible?

Hang in there everyone!

[Lioness0455]

I had a "very" long day at work today, so I'm really, really tired. I did about 15 minutes this morning on the stationary bicycle, but I'm not so sure that was a very good idea. I usually do it in the afternoons, when I'm feeling kindda droopy, but I knew I'd be too tired when I got home today, since I had to do today's cooking plus tomorrow's as well.

The kids are going on a field trip tomorrow so the Program Director asked me yesterday to do everything I normally do on Friday, today. For awhile, I didn't think I was going to be able to get through the day. I don't think I'll do the stationary bicycle in the mornings again. It really zaaaped my energy.

But then, the clouds are finally leaving, and my ears always swell when that happens. I get it coming...and...going.

Day 1: 180.4
Day 7: 174.4
Day 13: 172.2

Day 20: 175.2 small refeed
Day 21: 177.4 maintenance day
Day 22: 176.2
Day 23: 176.2
Day 24: 173.6
Day 25: 173.6

My weight is holding steady today. I'm still up 1.4 pounds above my lowest. So yeah, I'm hoping for a whoosh too. Thanx. I have 2 more days before my weekly weigh-in. So I still gotta chance!

[shamrock67]

Hi ladies!

I am back down to 221- YEAH!!!! So very happy about that!! I think I will not do any free meal until maybe next weekend- for Memorial Day- I am feeling like I am making progress and am not ready for a free meal yet-
Windycitygal- I think that is possible-that would be about 2.5 lbs per week- that sounds doable-
Well, I guess I will not be down to 210 by Memorial Day like I was hoping for, but I am happy at least I am going in the right direction- I guess it is never as fast as we want, but, I'll get there- My new goal is to be down in the 2 teens by next weekend- I would need to lose 2 lbs in the next week to do that- mentally, it will be a big boost for me to get out of the 220's-
Lioness- hoping for a whoosh for you!

Take care ladies

[gibster]

Good Morning, Ladies!




I'm on my way DOWN - finally! I think I'm finally getting a handle on the WOE. The only problem I'm having this week is that I get hungry at work in the afternoon. I have a late afternoon snack (HB egg, or RF cheese, etc), but I'm still ravenous by the time I get home. That's why I don't stop on my way home to do any shopping, because I know better than to shop when I'm hungry. Perhaps this will decline as time goes by???

Day 1 236.8
Day 7 234.6

Day 8 236.6
Day 9 237
Day 10 234.6
Day 11 234.2
Day 12 232.2
Day 13 231.2

[ddailey320]

So glad its Friday!!! I don't know what happened last night...I did great all day, planned my meals as usual and then around 5pm became so incredibly hungry (which is really not like me) I tried snacking on some extra veggies, even added in some dip, then made my way to some watermelon figuring it would satisfy and sweet cravings. I was due for a free meal anyways, so I finally gave in and had some popcorn with the kiddos and 2 oatmeal cookies. Definitely not what I would like to have planned, but I felt about 20 times better afterwards and very energized this morning! ???? ! Only up .5 this morning, which after popcorn is pretty darn good(thinking I probably would have seen a whoosh had I not caved ) ! I am planning on eating super clean all weekend to drop this water weight.

Have 2 kids' birthday parties to go to (thinking up my excuses now to be able to escape early - LOL) and NEED to finish up my patio by Sunday morning in order to go out and buy my new glider swing and chairs and firepit on Sunday afternoon.

Hope everyone has a Great Weekend!!

[shamrock67]

Gibster- good for you!

Ddailey- oh well, we all have those weak moments- I also have to attend a birthday party tomorrow- so, that will be hard to get through- your deck sounds great! nothing better than being able to enjoy the outdoors-

I wanted to get everyones opinion- on another thread, it is being said that you should not consume more than half your ideal body weight in protein grams ie: if you wanted to weigh 150 lbs, you should not consume more then 75 grams of protein per day- otherwise, that extra protein turns to carbohydrate which then turns to fat and weight gain- does anyone have an opinion about that? Because, I never heard of a protein turning to carbohydrate- and if that is true, I am getting too much protein-
What do you ladies think?

[amiga74]

hi Shamrock,

based on what i read in Lyle's books, that statement isn't true. though i can't exactly explain why at the moment, perhaps someone wiser will chime in.

That being said, the diet sets protein grams based on an individualized basis: body fat %, and exercise level being the main parameters. For instance, i have about 106 lbs of lean body mass and i lift weights and do cardio so my protein needs are greater.

For a sedentary individual, its more like .75 g of protein per lb.

i was reading Health magazine and was interested to see that in their diet plan they are recommending higher protein levels, to the tune of .75-1g of protein per lb. so for me that would be like 112g of protein minimum.

it takes alot of protein to convert into fat. ALOT.

[shamrock67]

Thanks Amiga-

I think you're right, because, it has been working for me pretty good so far..... I've been getting around 95-105 grams of protein per day, which is what he recommended- but I have to admit I am a bit confused about carbs- I wonder how many is too many- I had a FF yogurt with only 60 calories, but 11 gr. of carbs....so, with the FF milk and veggies, I am at 41 gr. of carbs- I hope it is not too much....

[ddailey320]

Shamrock~ how many grams of fat did you have? 41 g carbs= 164 calories, 100g Protein= 400 calories. If your fat intake was really low, then you really haven't taken in what might be considered too many calories on this plan.

For what it's worth, Here's my 2 cents: I think the main thing to keep in mind is that weight loss- no matter how you do it: high/low carb, high/low fat, high/low protein is really all just a number's game involving calories. In the end a calorie is a calorie. Burn 3500 and you have just loss yourself a pound. So long as you are reaching your required protein (to help ensure that pound loss wasn't muscle) then I would tend to think that it dosen't really matter how you "spend" your other calories.

For example, let's say that you require 100g protein to maintain your lean muscle mass. 100g X 4 cals/g= 400 calories. If you are looking to stay under 700 calories a day -randomly picking a number- that obviously gives you 300 calories to "spend". Some people tend to do better with slightly higher fat (9cals/g) while maintaining lower carbs or vice versa. Some people may be more sensative to carbs(4cals/g) and therefore may do better at keeping them lower, while other seem to tolerate slightly "higher" levels (relatively speaking of course) and prefer a lower fat approach. So long as everything totals up to your personal calorie goals I don't think it should truly matter. At the end of the day, when all your calories are accounted for if your are in a deficit, you are on your way to losing weight!

[shamrock67]

OK- God you people are smart!!

well, I am going to try to stay under 800 calories and keep the fat/carbs down and make sure I get in my protein- I just don't have a set number for fat/carbs, but, I think you're right about the calorie deficit being the key-

Thanks!

[gibster]

Good Morning, ladies.

I survived Friday night. Friday's have historically been a bad day, diet-wise, for me. Habit? Boredom? Relief that the workweek is over? Don't know, but I always consider it a huge victory if I stay on plan. I decided to substitute a new obsession for my Friday food struggle. Last weekend I hooked up my Wii and yesterday I bought some games. Last night I practiced some gameplay with Wii Sports. What fun! My DS thinks I'm nuts (what else is new). But it does get me off the couch. Then I decided to start a blog for my bowling league (I'm the secretary). So, before I knew it, it was time for bed. And no snacking!!

Shamrock - The calorie deficit thing is a bit simplistic. Yes, you will lose weight with a deficit, but it's also important to eat the right type of calories. A good read is Gary Taube's Good Calories, Bad Calories. There are some discussion threads here devoted to it, if I'm not mistaken.

Okay, time for me to get some housework done. Have a good day, everyone!


Day 1 236.8
Day 7 234.6

Day 8 236.6
Day 9 237
Day 10 234.6
Day 11 234.2
Day 12 232.2
Day 13 231.2
Day 14 230.4

[nill4me]

Hello folks...so glad to be back! I've really missed reading the thread...it helps me keep my head and heart in this woe, which i've been woefully lax on this last week. Spent the week in NOLA with my husband (who I had not seen for 5 weeks). Had a wonderful visit with him...didnt realize just how much i missed the man until i saw him! He's still there, but will be back home here on the 31st...yay!

I have to say, i only stayed on plan two days while i was there. I then gave in to meals and fun times out and about (he wanted to take me out almost every night). First thing i did when i got home friday night was strip and weigh...my scale screamed 240. I actually cried....then i reminded myself that the choices i made were my own, and it was up to me to get back on plan. Hopped on the scale again this morning it yelped 237...so i know i have been holding a ton of water. I can feel it....blah.

Today i stuck to plan, and honestly felt better than i have all week. I'll get back in the swing. I'm not going to beat myself up too badly...it won't do me any good, and will only make me feel bad....and we all know what THAT kind of emotion can lead to!!

My glucose was high (139) 2.5 hours after my protein shake this morning, so i do think i need to find a sugar free type PP if I can. I do have a question about SPLENDA....do you use it? Can it affect your glucose?? I bought the splenda cafe sticks...for coffee, since i cut out my creamer i wanted to put something in it, but if the splenda is going to boink my blood sugars, i will cut it out in a heartbeat. I do have a slight headache this evening,but that is par for the course with the way i ate this week i think. its essentially like i am starting all over.

You are all doing so great! It has been great to spend this evening reading through all the posts i've missed. Very inspirational, to say the least. Thanks all for being here...you really keep me going.

On another note...anyone come up with any sweet tooth type recipes? I've been toying around with trying to whip up some FF plain yogurt with some chocolate PP in my magic bullet...see if i can get a mousse type thing out of it. I may try just some cocoa powder, FF yogurt, and a splenda stick...I'm still a little wary of my PP...now that i think of it.

today consisted of PP shake in the am, egg white and veggie scramble w/ cumin for lunch, with some turkey pepperoni on the side and a slice of FF cheese, and a salad tonight of shredded lettuce, some chix breast (the kind in the envelope or can), sprinkled with cumin, topped with home made magic bullet salsa, and 2 TBS of lowfat shredded cheddar. Pretty tasty, if i do say so myself.

OH...and I saw mention here of egg muffins??? Can someone please elaborate on that one? (sorry if i already missed it). Sounds like something I would really enjoy, and could eat in the morning on the way to work, or once i got there. grab and go! I love egg beaters...i've always got both kinds (regular and whites) on hand. I also bought FF ricotta today....no idea what i'm going to do with it...any ideas?? I think i had dessert on the brain. Just finished my TOM...guessing that has something to do with it. LOL.

Ok... great to be back, and you all have a great night! I'm going on vacation on june 14....and have informed those i'm going on vacation with that I am dieting...so I plan to also take my laptop with me...to keep my sanity...and keep me in check!

~~ Jenn ~~

[nill4me]

Almost forgot...
Calories Eaten Today - supplements included
grams cals %total
Total: 506
Fat: 10 92 18%
Sat: 3 23 5%
Poly: 0 1 0%
Mono: 0 0 0%
Carbs: 13 42 8%
Fiber: 2 0 0%
Protein: 92 367 73%
Alcohol: 0 0 0%

[gibster]

Nill - I envy you - going to NOLA. I used to go there every year for Halloween with a bunch of friends - the best time ever!

As far as sweets - I whip up 1/2 c. of LF cottage cheese, a scoop of whey powder, and a couple of squirts of DaVinci syrup in my magic bullet. It's sort of like a mousse. I also buy the SF Jello Gelatin snack cups.

I was the one that mentioned egg muffins. Here's my recipe.

Spray a muffin pan with Pam (12 muffins), place a small amount of filling in each cup. Example: 3 small shrimp or chopped turkey bacon, or chopped deli ham, and/or 1/2 cherry tomato, etc. Mix 2 cups of egg beaters with your choice of seasonings and pour evenly into the muffin cups. Bake at 350 for 30 min. Now, one more thing that I do: I add 5 tbsp. of coconut flour to the egg beater mixture. It only adds 3 net carbs for the entire batch, and it gives the muffins a more "muffin" texture. But they are fine without this, so feel free to experiment.

Day 1 236.8
Day 7 234.6
Day 14 230.4

Day 15 229.6

[nill4me]

Originally Posted by gibster

Day 1 236.8
Day 7 234.6
Day 14 230.4

Day 15 229.6

You are doing so great gib...you must be very happy! thanks for the recipe! I may throw some of those together this afternoon, for during the week! love the shrimp idea...i just got some salad shrimp.

[gibster]

Nill - I decided to make some muffins today, too. I just diced up some red bell pepper, then I thinly sliced 3 pre-cooked turkey breakfast sausage links, and I added some Tone's Southwest Chipotle seasoning to the egg beaters. I may sprinkle some FF cheddar on top after they bake. The nice thing about making a dozen muffins is that you can make half of one kind, half another. Suh-weeeett!

[nill4me]

Originally Posted by gibster

Nill - I decided to make some muffins today, too. I just diced up some red bell pepper, then I thinly sliced 3 pre-cooked turkey breakfast sausage links, and I added some Tone's Southwest Chipotle seasoning to the egg beaters. I may sprinkle some FF cheddar on top after they bake. The nice thing about making a dozen muffins is that you can make half of one kind, half another. Suh-weeeett!

Excellent recipe gib...i made a doz. today...used some bell pepper, onion, 1/2 egg beater, 1/2 egg whites. diced ham, garlic powder, lite salt & pepper, and some parmesan on top...also added some diced tomatoes! yummy! my 15yr old loved them.

[Heatha79]

hey guys! im deciding to hop on the wagon since ive gained some weight recently and want to get back down to 125. im at a high of 143 today....make me accountable!!! So today would be Day 1---143lbs SIGH......

[gibster]

Heatha -

Oh, Nill - Re: desserts. Today, my breakfast was a scoop of EAS choc whey powder, davinci's peppermint paddy syrup, water & a couple of ice cubes -- whizzed in my magic bullet. Yum..