Common Woman

Some more Studying :)

2008-02-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

From the http://www.blogtalkradio.com/profile.aspx?userid=6113
Did notes best I could – please look up any or all of this on your own, I’m not a doctor just a student. Hope someone enjoys all my hard work…
· Food is information
· Clean lean protein, wild salmon, eggs, organic chicken, fats, proteins, carbs
· When we diet and get hunger we get (Irrational from getting hungry), this is so true
· Hormones release balance when you eat protein, clean lean protein, increasing fiber
· Eat more fiber, it detox us, slows down garland hormone (don’t know the spelling and wasn’t able to find anything on this one.) which is a appetite suppressant. Protein and fiber aid the way we handle the food we eat.
· Nature hates a vacuum, water in-between meals and not with meals.
· Better choices with the meals that you have, keeping blood sugar even
· Focus on adding things before taking things away – so add protein, fiber and water before you start to take things away otherwise you body goes into survival mode.
· You can’t exercise enough to get rid of a bad diet
· Research shows intensity in short amounts of time.
· Three days a week 4-12 min, shorts burst of maximum burst, like 30 seconds full speed on a bike and then normal for 1 min. and then 20-3- seconds full speed, only doing this for 4 min. all out try 20-60 seconds. 3 days a week.. Gets leaner, helps your body handle stress. You are raising stress hormone. 1st trick… other times go into the gym and do weight resistance for no more than 20-20 min.
· We want to turn our bodies from a glucose burning machine into a fat burning machine and we do that by eventually getting rid of fast acting carbs. White bread, pasta, sugars, processed foods, white rice, potatoes, that actually are turned to glucose twice as fast at a candy bar.
· Supplements – vitamin C helps you burn fat by 30% - taking more Omega 3 helps you burn fat as well, creatine which is an amino acid you cannot burn fat without it. Increase fiber supplement… helps with appetite suppression. Best supplements to take to kick sugar, her doctor put her on glutamine (3 grams a day) to help kick sugar and chromium-picolinate, lipoic acid, cinnamon. When are you craving sugar, after 5-HTP which coverts in the brain into serotonin, high cortisol levels cause fat around your waste, cortisol is produced from stress…
· Most important 1st step is to ask yourself in detail why are you in the place that you are in… this has to happen before you can change your body for good, figure out why you are where you are
This was as much as I could get down on paper. Her are some of the information I found on the internet about these supplements: So I hope it helps.
· Vitamin C – essential nutrient for higher primates. It is an antioxidant which protects the body against oxidative stress.
· Omega 3 – is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. Essential components are (ALA), (EPA) and (DHA). It comes from fish and is also called fish oil. It is good for blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, reduce blood triglyceride levels, and regular intake reduces the risk of secondary and primary heart attack. Helps arthritis and cardiac arrhythmias. Might be helpful with depression and anxiety. Possibly good in prevention of breast, colon and prostate cancers.
· Creatine – Helps to supply energy to muscle and nerve cells.
An amino acid, C4H9N3O2, that is a constituent of the muscles of vertebrates and is phosphorylated to store energy used for muscular contraction.
· Fiber – Keeps us clean, from the inside, you find it in legumes, fruits and vegetable. Fiber is not digestible to our bodies and helps us to keep our blood levels good and move toxins from our bodies. Most if not all processed foods have the fiber taken out.
· Glutamine – Food sources of glutamine include:
· Animal sources: beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, dairy products.
· Plant sources: cabbage, beets, beans, spinach, parsley. Small amounts of free L-glutamine are found in vegetable juices and fermented foods, such as miso
· Chromium-picolinate – it is a salt - Chromium picolinate is a nutritional supplement that works to increase the efficiency of insulin to optimal levels. This popular nutritional supplement is a combination of the element chromium and picolinic acid. Chromium is a naturally-occurring mineral, trace amounts of which are found in everyday foods like meat, poultry, fish, and whole-grain breads. When foods are processed, they are stripped of natural chromium, making American diets generally very low in chromium; studies estimate an average daily chromium consumption of 33 mcg.
· Lipoic acid - An organic acid produced by cells of certain microorganisms and essential to oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA during metabolism. Also called factor II.
· Cinnamon – spice, help stabilize blood sugar and starts the liver working… or so I’ve heard and read.
· 5-HTP – I’ve never heard of this but this is what I found out about it. It is classified as a appetite suppressant and the body converts it into serotonin.
· Serotonin – in the central nervous system, serotonin is believed to play and important role as a neurotransmitter, in the inhibition of anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, sleep, vomiting, sexuality, and appetite. It effect the human mood and state of mind.
· Cortisol – produced in the adrenal gland. It is a vital hormone that is often referred to the ‘stress hormone’ as it is involved in the response to stress. It increases blood pressure, blood sugar levels and has an immunosuppressive action.

Goji Berries

2008-01-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

http://livesuperfoods.com/LSF001.html?gclid=CJaHmeGlkpECFScXagodTir7OQ
This is the website that I get mine from because they are first off American approved organic and no added sugar. I use them to get off sugar and then just add them to my salads… they are amazing, have carbs but digest slow and are a miracle food, more in the category of medicine than food. Go to this website to learn about them if you haven’t heard of them, they are amazingly good for you and I think they taste great. Haven’t heard of a low carber talk about them so if you’d like to share with me I would love to hear from you.

1/25/08
Today’s Carb News Study from My readings:
From Sugar Shock
Explore the possibility that some of you baffling, unexplained maladies might be related to your eating patterns.
Are you buffeted about by wildly fluctuating mood swings, panic attacks, angry outburst, and sobbing spells that make your sweetheart throw his or her hands up in puzzlement and eventual disgust? (husband said to me last night, why are you so mean) ugh
Are you bewildered by overpowering exhaustion, fuzzy thinking, incapacitating blues, aching eyeballs, rapid heartbeat, unbearable migraines, and sever PMS? (definitely exhaustion, rapid heartbeat and getting headaches which I’ve never had ever, oh and once a month I want a divorce (smiles)
Are you engaged in a seemingly endless battle of the bulge – but nonetheless always make room for dessert foods or quickie-carb snacks? (battle of the bulge hello!)
Are you “hooked” on chocolate, chips, or pasta-even identifying with people who can’t go a single day without cigarettes, booze, or drugs? (yeah, that’s me)
So is ¼ to ½ of Americans who have difficulties processing sweets and refined carbs.
Mild hypoglycemia can cause nausea, a jittery or nervous feeling, cold and clammy skin, and a rapid heartbeat.
Moderate hypoglycemia often makes you feel irritable, anxious, or confused. You may have blurred vision, feel unsteady, and have difficulty walking.
Severe hypoglycemia can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma and may be fatal.
http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/diabetes/blood-sugar/hypoglycemia/symptoms
Sounds like fun doesn’t it? Since I have been doing low carb for over 100 days with slips in the sugar a lot of this has been better. 1st thing I really discovered was my mental clarity. Like I just wanted to ‘not be here anymore feeling’ went away within 3 days. My fatigue is much, much, much better but yet I am still not where I want to be with it.
The reason I am writing about this issue is that most of hypoglycemia’s are not obese so that I find really interesting. Mine has just turned the corner a year or two years ago. Which means 20-30 pounds over your ideal weight. Which a lot of people don’t know that is what is classified as obese, morbid obesity is 100 pounds over your ideal weight. So much to take in – and for the most part I don’t want to deal with it. But my life got so out of control for me that this is the way I am digging my way out.
This book Sugar Shock is so good, wow, I am really excited, would be better if I didn’t have my headache but hey 3 days won’t be too bad to get my last sugar binge out.
OK moving on
‘Good Calories, Bad Calories’ most, most, most amazing book, her is a Youtube link that I love… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoQGRJqGQTs
Give it a look, I’ve got a lot of stuff on him, amazing researcher.
Anyway, one of my favorite quotes in the book so far is:

‘It is easy to insist, as public-health authorities inevitably have, that calories count and obesity much be caused by overeating or sedentary behavior, but it tells us remarkably little about the underlying process of weight regulation and obesity. To attribute obesity to ‘overeating,’ as the Harvard nutritionist jean Mayer suggested back in 1968 is a meaningful as to account for alcoholism by ascribing it to over-drinking.’
Totally brilliant. Hope you are enjoying this information as much as I am…
One of my daughters and her boyfriend are coming over for a walk and dinner, she got me new rain boots so excited to try them out, cause it is stromin’ here. We are having Steak and salad, yummy!
Peace and Joy

Some info on Goji:
In addition to LBP, the fruit contains a full complement of other nutrients:
18 amino acids, including the 8 essential ones
More antioxidant carotenoids than are found in any other known food, including more beta carotene than carrots, and zeaxanthin (which protects the eyes)
Nearly as much protein as bee pollen
21 trace minerals, including germanium, an anti-cancer substance rarely found in foods
Vitamins B1, B2, and B6, and vitamin E
Research validates a broad range of beneficial effects from using goji berries:
Strengthens the immune system
Increases longevity and protects from premature aging
Helps prevent cancer and aids remission
Protects the liver
Builds strong blood and promotes cardiovascular health
Supports eye health and improves vision
Maintains healthy blood pressure and blood sugar
Stimulates secretion of human growth hormone
Strengthens muscles and bones
Supports normal kidney function
Improves fertility and treats sexual dysfunction
Helps reduce obesity
Goji berry is also widely used to reduce the craving for sugar. It is especially useful for hypoglycemic people and for hyperactive children. In addition, goji berry exhibits potent antioxidant activity and contains one of the highest concentrations of beta-carotene of any known food. In Asia, it has been traditionally regarded as a longevity, strength-building, and sexual potency food of the highest order, widely believed to increase sexual fluids and enhance fertility.
In ancient times, people in China used goji berries to make tea, soup, stew, and wine, and chewed the dried fruit like raisins. These delicious fruits are still a main diet staple of many of the longest-living people on earth, including the Hunza of the Himalayas, who have regularly lived beyond 100 years of age. They are also used in many herbal formulas to maintain overall health during a wide variety of chronic conditions.
According to the principles of Chinese medicine, goji berry is a tonic, to be used to nourish and support the body whenever it suffers from illness or weakness. It can, however, be taken on a daily basis for general health. And with over 15% protein, 21 essential minerals, and 18 amino acids, it is a nutrient-dense superfood in a class all its own.
Our goji berries are USDA certified to ensure that no preservatives or artificial colors are added, and that they aren't smoked with sulfur, like some in Chinese stores.

Still Going

2008-01-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

OK Connie Bennett has both a blog and blog Talk Radio show, which I’ve read and listened to most if not all of what she has said… it has taken me time to really look at what she is saying as a believer in low carb, my goal was to replace my ‘bad carbs’ with imitation carbs, which has actually lead me to believe that keeps me sick and triggered for sugar.
So I hope Connie doesn’t mind but I want to write her opening for you cause I have almost all of what she says can happen when you have a sugar addiction. So here is goes:
SUGAR SHOCK!
A mood-damaging, personality-bending, health-destroying, confusion-creating constellation of symptoms affecting millions of people worldwide, who often eat processed sweets and much-like-sugar carbs. “SUGAR SHOCK!” describes the often misdiagnosed and maligned condition of reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), as well as other blood sugar disorders, from insulin resistance to diabetes. Research reveals that repeatedly over-consuming sweeteners, dessert foods, and quickie carbs (white rice, chips, etc.) wreaks havoc on your blood sugar levels, over-stimulates insulin release, triggers inflammation, and could contribute to more than 150 health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, severe PMS, failing memory, mental confusion, Candida, sexual dysfunction, infertility, wrinkles, acne, and early aging, Victims of SUGAR SHOCK! Also may experience depression, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, cold sweats, anxiety, irritability, tremors, crying spells, heart palpitations, forgetfulness, nightmares, blurred vision, muscle pains, temper outbursts, suicidal thoughts, and more. Ultimately, this insidious rollercoaster effect hampers sufferers’ ability to function at full or even half throttle.
OK I will now go back and highlight the ones that I have suffered with before and some even now. My most promenade one is fatigue which lingers on and a lack of direction which I think is caused from the way I feel about myself. So I am going to work on my eating to see if I can by my food plan can eat my way out of these symptoms.
Trying to find my sugar truth…
I go to sugar for comfort and strength…
After I eat sugar I feel tired, isolated, unsocial, sleepy, guilty, I don’t want anyone around me and the next day I feel hung over like I partied. More isolated, more unsocial, and want to hide.
Sound like a drug addict doesn’t it? Makes me sad and I want to heal so I am going to be as honest as possible to get myself back to the place that I can live a life once again.
Peace

Did it again

2008-01-18T11:10:00.001-08:00

Well, opps did it again, had a slip. For me it is around emotions. I had a huge daughter issue arise and don’t want to go into detail but it was so painful and I went to the ½ uneaten carton of ice cream left over from a New Years Eve party. Ate it all, almost licked the sides as well. I am a sugar addict and a food addict. Been addicted to all kinds of things in my life but this is my first addiction and started when I was 5 years old. It is part of my story and I have probably already told it in a blog earlier. It all stems around my sister who was taken away and put in a home for other mentally retarded people when I was 5, and at kindergarten that day. Came home and had a babysitter, no one told me it would be the last time she would live with me, and I would have to visit her at the institution for the rest of her life. My mom left me a box of raisin nets on the Clorox cleaned counter and I describe it as a glowing box of comfort. That was the day it started for me and has grown for 42 years into a life of torment and self-hatred. I am pushing to restart button yet again today and am awaiting on 5 books I ordered about how to eat low carb just to help me to remember why I am doing this and also to connect to others who are doing this.
I am truly sad today, but am also not giving up. My issue with my daughter has given me another chance to find peace within me and to go forward with good intensions in my heart. I am looking for a purpose still and this is part of the journey.
I am loving listening to podcasts and reading blog of others who struggle like I do. And am hopeful that I will recover to a place that I am capable of being a whole person once again.
I truly am grateful to all the comments and love people have given me. Thank- you.

Anesticized

2008-01-13T19:41:00.001-08:00

Haven’t written in awhile, been in an emotional slump and had a binge on sugar… have made it through and feeling emotionally settled again. I realized I am alone when this happens and when I am feeling lonely, helpless and stressed or have things that feel out of control for me. I am learning what and why I go to sugar, just really nice to have the cravings gone again. I had to pray when they hit, that seemed to be the only thing that worked for me. I am again listening to podcasts and reading material to keep me remembering why I am doing this. I made it totally fine till after all the holidays and then lost it for a few hours and took three days to detoxify. It was ugly.
I stopped drinking enough water and that is so important to do. Not having artificial sugars is proving to help me. I have been using Stevia and the craving just stopped. I am going to do this and make it. It isn’t even about weight loss at this point it is about mental health and being really honest with my issues. I am an addict and that is because I don’t like what I am feeling. So sugar is a great drug to do when you don’t want to feel, I get totally anesticized. But I am of the age now that it is starting to show up in health problems. Ordered 4 or 5 books for even more motivation and information and I am excited and ready to go for it again. Relapse is part of recovery and we have to eat to live so this is a big one. I am so grateful to be out of cravings again and I am so sensitive to the artificial sweeteners that they kept me triggered in a small way that I would end up in a binge on crackers and finally sugar one night. So keeping an honest and open account of this process is so helpful. I don’t feel so alone in this journey and am truly grateful there are others out here with me doing this.

Broken

2008-01-02T16:41:00.000-08:00

I'm the cat! HELP ME

I blew it twice since my last post with wheat thins 10oz boxes… ugh, but it is like the way I deal with my emotional issues. I do really well for a time and then the compulsion hits me and today it was around fear of a situation my daughter is in and my grandbabies and I thought well, it will be OK. My husband got 3 boxes on sale and tons of candy and it is those that I have chosen twice this past week. Did really well over the holiday’s didn’t eat all the sugar and stuff but also didn’t take good enough care of my needs. I didn’t make myself special desserts so I could feel a part of. I wasn’t even tempted to eat all the sugar with everyone which was nice, but days later I get an emotional back lash. It is painful. Just wanted to write after my binge of almost the whole box so I can be raw and honest with how I am doing. I think the stall set me up for not trusting this food plan. I’m way too tired and I’m not sure if it is cause of all the emotions of this past year. So much illness and medication and then I’m extreme and just cut everything out all at once. I’m learning my way along this path. I love that I have a safe place to scream out to the world about this place. Last night on TLC was all these programs on morbid obesity, I’ve seen them before and I so relate with them. I’m not morbidly obsess but have the total ability to do so. I am really afraid and feel alone in this venture. It seems to be the biggest issue in my life since I was 5 years old and my sister was taken away from my family and put in an institution for the mentally retarded. I watched my mom turn to food, hide food, binge on sugar and I learned how to do this with her. Eat in secret. I would not have eaten this box of wheat thins today if anyone was around. I was not thinking I was setting myself up for this one. But I see how it happened and I can only be grateful that I can see it close enough afterward to write about it and express myself about it. I’m not doing good on my Atkins plan or low carb plan, but I know I have to keep trying, slips will happen it isn’t my plan it is just a disease I think, never really thought of it as a disease but I’m very dis-eased by this right now. I’m way over tired from the medication I’m on and need to taper off it also. I’m overwhelmed by my own life right now, but believe that I will get through it….

Jesus will you dance with me?

2007-12-23T08:50:00.001-08:00

I’m so insecure. I’ve been holding my own, dark pink ketosis stick and all… ugh. Today I went on to my daughters site and she had downloaded pictures of her bio mom and 1/ 2 sister and they are holding my grandbabies and my heart is so broken today. Plus, the bio mom has lost all her weight and looks great and so did my daughter. I’m so jealous and afraid that I will always be this heavy and out of shape. My back hurts and I’m really down today and needed a place to just talk about it, well, write about it. I’m so broken hearted to not be with my grandbabies whom I love so much and they live such a long ways away. I hate jealousy; it really is a green-eyed monster. I hate that I compare myself to others and feel like a failure. I’ve been low carbing for a while and have stalled despite all my efforts. I’m really frustrated and feel alone, which is silly. I have so many friends online in the low carb world. I belong to a support group but have one little fragile kid who writes me all the time and I am afraid to share how I am feeling. See this isn’t a good headspace for me to be in. What do you do when you stall weeks on end despite really doing low carb and I’ve gone off caffeine and stopped drinking crystal light. Eating totally great low carb foods. Drinking all my water, taking my vitamins, I’m baby steppin’ (What about Bob), but I’m not exercising and I have some aversion to it. Maybe it is like the last thing I can control? I sure can’t control how jealous I feel about the other woman (ex-wife) and her weight loss. I actually obsess on it. I’m mental right now with thoughts of comparison. Do I even put this on my blog or does this stay in my safe journal that no one reads? I’m going to put it out there and see if I get some relief. I’m impatient today and it is two days before Christmas and I have a sore on my tongue from walnuts. OK, TMI. Oh, God, great giver of peace and freedom I call on you to rescue me from me! I am in so much pain and I want to be free of the obsession on myself.

Thank you Jimmy Moore

2007-12-19T11:59:00.001-08:00

OMGOODNESS! I have made it big! My friend and major support person Jimmy Moore put me on his blog today: http://livinlavidalocarb.blogspot.com/ -this is the most impactful blog and his podcast: http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/ which has 100 podcasts you can listen to. I am enjoying them over and over again and he has given me so many other bloggers and podcast to help me on this journey.
Here is what it looked like along side other bloggers of low carbers.

4. COMMON WOMAN Froilee from Santa Cruz, California shares her thoughts as a 47-year old "common woman" trying to live the low-carb life. With opinions that are all her own, you'll have fun reading what she has to share on this encouraging and uplifting blog!

Thank you Jimmy, you are so awesome and I was so shocked to see my name on your blog this morning. I humbly and joyfully am moved. Again, thank you so much Jimmy.

Some studying I've been doing @ blogs

2007-12-18T09:10:00.000-08:00

"Sugar alcohol" is a name that confuses everyone. These substances are neither sugar nor alcohol. They're sweeteners found in many foods. Most sugar alcohols have names ending in "ol" like sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol and xylitol.
If the weight of sugar alcohol in a product is less than 10 grams, forget it. If it weighs more and you are counting calories, multiply its gram weight by 2 to arrive at the calories it provides.
What is a sugar alcohol? Above is answered by Dr. Donohue:

How is the metabolic syndrome diagnosed?
There are no well-accepted criteria for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome. The criteria proposed by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) are the most current and widely used.
According to the ATP III criteria, the metabolic syndrome is identified by the presence of three or more of these components:
Central obesity as measured by waist circumference:Men — Greater than or equal to 40 inches Women — Greater than or equal to 35 inches (OK, have this one :) )
Fasting blood triglycerides greater than or equal to 150 mg/dL (Don't know but will in January 08 have another panel done)
Blood HDL cholesterol:Men — Less than 40 mg/dLWomen — Less than 50 mg/dL (Am on Lipitor but have low good cholesterol and have all my life, again will be able to see in Jan. 08's blood panel)
Blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/85 mmHg (Blood pressure is excellent and on the low side, but both of my parents have HBP)
Fasting glucose greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL (I am usually low blood sugar)

Signs and symptoms
Having metabolic syndrome means you have several disorders related to your metabolism at the same time, including:

1. Obesity, particularly around your waist (having an "apple shape")
2. Elevated blood pressure (No)
3. An elevated level of the blood fat called triglycerides and a low level of high-intensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol (I believe I have this)
Resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in your body (Don't know)

Having one component of metabolic syndrome means you're more likely to have others. And the more components you have, the greater are the risks to your health. (Great looks like I got it)

Screening and diagnosis
Although your doctor is not typically looking for "metabolic syndrome," the label may apply if you have three or more of the traits associated with this condition.
Several organizations have criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. These guidelines were created by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) with modifications by the American Heart Association. According to these guidelines, you have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of these traits:
Elevated waist circumference, greater than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men. Certain genetic risk factors, such as having a family history of diabetes or being of Asian descent — which increases your risk of insulin resistance — lower the waist circumference limit. If you have one of these genetic risk factors, waist circumference limits are 31 to 35 inches for women and 37 to 39 inches for men.
Elevated level of triglycerides of 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher, or you're receiving treatment for high triglycerides.
Reduced HDL (less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women) or you're receiving treatment for low HDL.
Elevated blood pressure of 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) systolic (the top number) or higher or 85 mm Hg diastolic (the bottom number) or higher, or you're receiving treatment for high blood pressure.
Elevated fasting blood sugar (blood glucose) of 100 mg/dL or higher, or you're receiving treatment for high blood sugar.

Good calories, Bad calories:
Words ending in ose… fructose goes right to the liver and not the blood sugar level converts to fat lipoproteins. Make us the fattest… fructose doesn’t come from fruit, known for being from fruit… but it comes from corn.. very interesting hummmmmmmm
Fat does not make you fat, sugar makes you fat… Fat tissue is regulated by insolent… carbohydrate… not eating carbohydrate.
Whole grains can, even the carbohydrate in vegetables… let along fruit. How much is too much?
Atkins primary problem is you are overweight, get rid of all carbs and see what you can eat after you have lost the weight... what is your carb ratio… the fewer carbohydrates we eat the less we weigh….

So this is a good base line. And I'm working my program with a pink stick this morning and still weighing in everyday... this is not too fun as the scale doesn't move. But I am playing with my foods and seeing how much carb keeps me the same and what make me burn fat... so far I am metabolic resistant and could probably do much better on 14 days of no carbs whatsoever... we will see. I'm eating carbs in veggies and some cheeses... and eggs.... and a treat each day.... I might be in a stall due to caffeine as well from coffee in the morning. So I am playing with it all...

Step back cause here it comes

2007-12-17T08:31:00.000-08:00

Today is December 17, 2007
MY PROGRESS ON LIVING LOW CARB by NAE’ NAE’
I had a light pink stick this morning and a dark pink one yesterday, must be the two desserts I had, probably the Choco-Perfection Bar. I’ve been studying on the Sugar Shook blog. Some of the guest speakers I was listening too talked about going vegan, yuck, did that, got fatter! Cause I love carbs and sugar. But I am interested in her take on artificial sweeteners which is a big taboo in her gathering of evidience. I really love splenda and love sweets so I can’t imagine doing the low carb lifestyle without sweetener.
I’ve been blogging on a online support group for several months in a form of a journal and it has been one of the most healing ways I’ve found to deal with my depression that set in with abandon several years ago. I had some breaks but never really pulled out fully – always a low grade of depression coupled with some anxiety every now and again. I was so depressed and gained either 40-70 pounds in the last few years. I’m not going to put my weight out there right now because I am afraid to do so… (Opionionistas.com blogging by Melissa Lafsky advise about blogging is whatever you are most afraid of is what you need to be writing or blogging about. Always share your truth and put it out there. Good contents rises to the top) OK one big fear is to blog and show myself to others and telling my weight so as I work this blog I will do both when it is the right time for me.
I was down and up a few pounds this week as I am making myself weight everyday to find what kind of weight I fluctuate. Because I am so affected by the numbers on the scale and to help myself overcome this nuts type thinking I make myself have coffee before I weigh in but usually not food but growth for me would to weigh in at the end of the day with all the food I’ve consumed. I am just wanting to face the numbers because in my head it makes me think I am good or bad and I am challenging myself beyond the number thing, the size thing, the pretty thing, the ugly thing the fat thing the skinny thing, just to name a few…. I used to count everything like how many years had it been since I had a drink 15, 16 years, whilst I had “medication” i.e. drugs that got you high when I was in pain and somehow I was in pain a great deal J when I did finally pick up a drink I drank just like I was told I would do and soon put it back down, not because I think I’m an alcoholic because I am not… but because I don’t like alcohol on a daily or weekly basis and I don’t remember to drink and as more and more years pass me by without remembering to drink well… you get the idea. So in those years of counted ‘sobriety’ I learned how not to drink or think of drinking cause it just wasn’t part of my lifestyle. I even wrote of book on the 12 steps – (not published) I would print it out for small groups I did in my home on ‘additions’ but it ended up really helping people to understand how to feel… that feelings is one major thing in life we need to learn how to do. My book was based on how I dealt with what life was bring me at the time and how I didn’t pick up alcohol but how much I picked up food. How socially acceptable it was to pick up food, especially in the circle of people I was hanging with and at the same time there was a group of skin·ny’s that would hang together and a group of fatty’s that hung together. The skin·ny’s (skin·ni·ness, noun —Synonyms 1. lank, gaunt, scrawny.) was the group I avoided not because they were skinny but because they were starving, HELLO, and they looked judgmental and uptight, and hungry and the food of choice was usually me and what I was up to, can anyone say gos·sip (noun, verb, -siped or -sipped, -sip·ing idle talk or rumor, esp. about the personal or private affairs of others: love the dictionary it give it such credence… love the -sipped, -sip·ing I can feel myself being drank up :)
But the whole truth is I knew I could never play the game so I always like the ones with all the outside issues, the real meaty stuff you could see… the ones who wore the issue on the outside, you know like me J
Going back to topic… I am hoping to do some major relearning about sugar, un·for·tu·nate·ly , I’m getting a bit lost. If I listen to all the ‘so called experts’ a Jimmy Moore quote, I get more and more confused on issues like food plans, sugar addiction and exercise, even weighing on the scale have all been life long tortures for me, that is one of the reasons I named my blog “Common Woman” I wanted to really write my book here and part of my book is about this title. What is a common woman? Being a counselor and pastoring a few flocks in my day I know what I think the common woman looks like and it is hidden behind a whole plethora (overabundance; excess) of issues. Comedic’s say it the best I think, as crude and rude as they can be, I’m peeing my pants as I read it or watch them explore some of the issues I’ve mentioned.

I can pontificate To express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic way all over myself and others whist I get started on the subject of religion. And I’m a God loving woman, but I am common as a woman in the fact of what ‘Christianity’ had done to me along the way. So loosely said I am embarrassed at present of being a Christian, but let me explain, I am not ashamed of my believes I am wounded by the judgment I have received when I gave my full heart in service to my last church family. I gave and supported and love, WORK my behind off for FREE for 12 years and yes I did it unto my LORD. But there came a point in my experience that I cracked and needed help and guess what, they all fleed and left me to the wolves… Forgiveness I have, but I want to write about the experience as it comes up for me to let others know how common it is and how to not destroy yourself as I did when the ones I loved turned their backs on me. OK I’m going to stop myself right there. Just know this I have some stories and the said part is they are all too familiar for woman and even some men when they start to tell the truth, like OUCH THAT HURT WHEN YOU….
But onto my issues with men: always a fun subject. Firstly I want to say I love men and thank God we have them but….. can we not agree they are an acquired taste… Men are from Pluto (who just got voted out) and we are from the rest of the planets. Some live like “Desperate Housewives planet”, some live like “Vegan, hairy underarm, granola eating, sprout pushing yurt living freedom fighters”, and some are like me, have had a total implosion experience from living on all the planets and now stay at home and write it down. Time to reassess after the kids are gone and the house is quite and I’ve had several nervous breakdowns-thru’s and now am calm and starting to write about my life again in this new medium of blogging. All of me exists still and it will be fun to pull each piece out and write about it… with my focus on getting me back or putting humpty ‘dumpy’ back together again.
So these are my morning thoughts everyone and more will keep coming as I am making a commitment to blog out my thoughts as they come to me each morning before I do my life such as it is. Forgive the grammar, spelling and plain confusion you may find as my mind spews onto pretend paper in cyber world. Nae’ Nae’ (see that is my nickname I reveled something I was afraid of sharing)

I'm staying hopeful no matter what!

2007-12-14T18:20:00.000-08:00

This is truly an amazing journey, I have no readers so it is really like I’m talking to myself, but it is so fancy, much nicer than my homemade journals (smiles) but I am doing well. Reading and listening to all kinds of blogs and blog radio and filling my days with trying to live this lifestyle and just not having the scale move down is OK. I am truly doing it. NO SUGAR… I did decide to cut out my sugar free hazelnut coffeemate today as I read the second ingredient is corn syrup. What the hey is that all about. So I’m back to ½ and ½ and splenda. I also enjoyed to little nexgen muffins with sugar free no carb syrup for dessert tonight. My new ketone sticks I don’t like as well, I’m in trace amount light pink and the scale is the same but never fear I will do this thing…. I’m doing guest tomorrow so that will be interesting. I did do my bike and stacked wood today so I’m trying. I’m tired and that is from the medication I am still on… soon not sure when but I’m going to work on coming off from that… it causes drowsiness and I really don’t think I need it any longer. But I know myself and I have to pace myself or I blow it all at once….

Last day of Induction

2007-12-12T11:01:00.000-08:00

Day 14 of Induction
Well, I’ve some rather horrible news, I haven’t moved one ounce on the scale, but I finally measured so I am not sure if I have lost or maintained the same inches… But I am not discouraged because I have been feeling like I’m in a stale since I’ve been doing this for a few months and really didn’t change much to do induction. So maybe it has been a mistake to call me on another induction… I did it cause I went to carb crackers a couple of times and then went back to induction. So I am going to really keep on doing what I’m doing and cut out my choco bars and new muffins that I ate three with a ½ stick of butter yesterday yum… so I haven’t cheated but have hidden carbs in my foods and am still in ketosis. So my new commitment is to ketone stick every morning and then weigh or try to at in the morning. I need this accountability with myself… I am still enjoying all the podcasts and blogs I am reading and am still convinced that this stale will move on and that I need to continue and keep my carbs down to 20-30. I fear I will be one who will never be able to go over 50 a day, which is fine if I’ve honest with myself… I really am feeling so much better and am still on medication and trying to move my body by staking wood or biking everyday, walking and doing house cleaning. But I’ve lost a total of 19 pounds in two months, so hey that is a good thing…
I am hoping to stay off the bars and muffins and try and fill up on my protein and veggies… I’m a work in progress

Day 13 of Induction

2007-12-11T09:16:00.001-08:00

Ethiopia who would like to go here? ME

Almost my last day of induction: I should stay on it for a while longer… I don’t feel like I’ve lost any weight, but have to remind myself that it isn’t about weight right now it is about getting into ketosis…
Listened to the 5 part interview with Jimmy Moore and Kimmer from Kimkin’s low carb weight site yesterday, interesting. I got a bit discouraged by it… I wonder if I am one who needs to eat more lean… I sure hope not. I have noticed that my clothes feel differently. Like my tight shirt seems to have looseness around my waste. So on my 14 - day tomorrow I am weighting and doing measurements and that way I can see what is changing. I already feel in a stale. But I do eat a lot of food. Nights are the worst for me, so I need to figure out a more balanced consistent way of feeding myself.
I found a new site called lowcarbfreinds.com haven’t really spent any time there but will soon. I’m still listening to the podcasts from Jimmy and going to try and read ‘all’ his blogs as there full of tons of information…
OK, just wanted to blog a bit and check in… Really liked Episode 76 on Jimmy Moore’s podcast, this was an interview with Dr. Allen Rader… a Bariatric Physicians

Got my NexGen Foods Muffins in: OMGOODNESS, yummy, pat of butter.... really good, and the packaging was amazing... think that is why they are so pricey, will be trying to make my own soon, but really good...

Day 10 of Induction

2007-12-08T11:26:00.001-08:00

Day 10 of Induction:
OK, the truth is I went over my 20 carbs yesterday… ugh… but I am still counting and stick is still pink. I had cottage cheese and a lot of it so I went over 20 carbs I’m sure. I’ve also been enjoying my 2carb chocolate everyday… I’m out of them now. Hubby bought a gorgeous pizza last night and I got a new cottage cheese container and ate it all…yummy… so I’m not making any condemnations towards myself like I have to do induction all over again… cause induction is about getting the ketosis in action and not losing weight, it is the start of the ketosis burning system and it stays there with watching your carb intake… and I’m in action… so I’m on day 10/58. (tenth day of induction/58 day of lowcarbing – this time around). I’m better prepared as I am reading and educating myself.
Went back to induction cause I never really understood the importance of getting into Ketosis page 137 in Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution. The sticks are great and are better for me than a scale and keep me on track… I’ve been a light to deep pink everyday which is what you want to be. I’d love to be a purple at some point but this isn’t a competition… I mean this is a lifestyle change…
I’m back listening to “Living the La Vida Low Carb” podcasts finishing up all 100 of them. They are really fun and educational. Plus his blog is amazing. Each month has so much it is like taking a college class with all kinds of guest speakers. We all need mentors and Jimmy is one of my top guys. I try and read and have ordered some of his sponsored products so here is what I have tried and think of them. As I try them I will let you know how I feel each make me feel and how each taste.
First is Chocoperfection – I ordered 12 bars paid… $42.95 (no shipping cost – yeah, love that part) from cs@lowcarbspecialties.com AWESOME, OMGOODNESS I cannot believe these things are only 2 net carbs a bar… yummy, just don’t eat over one a day for me… I had two one day and did a bit too many bathroom trips if you catch my drift…. I think it is because of the fiber and not the sugar substitute. I do have sugar substitute reactions at some of the products out there. Splenda is the best and Stevia is you can handle to taste…. Good source of fiber Stevia is and it is an herb and not classified as a artificial sweetener…
The bars came in 2 days and so beautifully wrapped, really first class in presentation and quality. I am looking forward to using them in some of the recipes I’ve found… by the way there is soooooooooo many recipes for free online… let me know if you need some… I’ve copied and pasted a lot and have them available. As I try each I will let you know what I truly think about it…
Next I ordered from: carbsmart.com came highly recommended from Jimmy’s site.
Walden Farms Dips – Caramel dip and marshmallow – yuck, presentation was in a nice bottle, I expected it to be thick and tasty. When I opened the first bottle is poured out like water and ran all over me opps.. the taste was horrid, I will have to find out how to use them before I give them a thumbs down. When I tasted it – yuck! But it probably is just me.
Walden Farms Calorie Free pancake syrup – yummy thumbs up, so good, and I didn’t get a blood rush from it, had it on the low carb pancakes I made and it is amazing…
Flax Z Snax pancake and Waffle mix blueberry – yummy I used heavy cream and butter, it was so delicious… so good - I am amazed. I will have to really watch this one cause it is so good tasting I could see me eating this a my base…. Instead of a part of my lifestyle change, big thumbs up on this one and will be ordering more…. Made into silver dollar size – yummy….
Carbquik Baking Mix – not as easy to make and made my tummy hurt, but I did like them, but liked the Flax one way better…. So I will give it a thumb up but with a tummy ache…. They taste more like a biscuit to me? But hey I ate them up….
Ordered the Dixie Carb Counters Holy – Cow Sugar Free Cocoa Mix – hasn’t come yet - back ordered
NexGen Foods Muffins – haven’t come yet, shipped from NY so really excited to eat one, will let you all know…
Walden Farms Calorie Free Ketchup, haven’t tried yet…
Nutiva Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil, haven’t tried yet… and pricey over $15.99 for 15oz, I think I can get a better price here, but not sure if the quality will be as good as this one. One side note as a massage therapist for over 20 years I’ve never found a better oil to use on the body - body’s love it and it is fragrance free and mends the body really well… you can add a scent if you like…
So this is my take so far on what I like that I’ve special ordered. I need to go to the health food store and get some of the other products used for cooking and baking…. Like Golden Flax flour – I can’t stand the Atkins’ bars yuck they taste as bad as the fat free junk I used to eat, cardboard and they trigger me…more, more, more…
I drink the best whey shakes and can give whomever the recipe for those and the best low carb powers I’ve found. But haven’t used them on my current induction plan…
4 more days and I’m finished with induction. I’m weighing in tomorrow and going to measure myself. Don’t know if I will be brave enough to put up my stats but I am sure eventually I will.
Here are some interesting things to know I learned today:
Obesity is an inflammatory disease…
Support in this process is non-negotiable
Sugar is the new fat
Warm hugs….

2007-12-07T18:09:00.000-08:00

Shar Bear and Mouse

I have a support group online and I notice when I write about my food process or talk about my low self-esteem issues that some/not all people seem to tell me to stop. Like don’t focus on your weight, just eat healthy or who cares what other people think about you, or I don’t eat low carb it has no flavor, WHAT? They must be thinking of low fat, cause eating low carb can almost have too much flavor at times :) So I am going to talk about my eating issues and low self esteem issues here. I’ve one reader and I love her so what do I have to worry about right? Today is day 9 of induction and day 50 something, with a couple of carb blowing days for me… but hey I’m doing it. Today is hard for me, I feel emotionally exhausted. But I did get out this week and shop, Christmas shopped twice… this is really amazing coming from the places I’ve been living at in my head and body. So I did housework and laid about watching some fun movies and shows today. It is also raining and cold out, so the weather fit my mood. My hubby is off for the weekend and that will be nice to get our tree up.
But today for me has been a struggle with food. I notice some days I don’t really eat much. I eat but I’m really full and don’t feel like the food I can eat until I am ‘really’ hungry and I’ve been wanting to snack… Snacking on carbs all day long was my way of eating. I rarely had a meal I just snacked, had some crackers, a bowl of cereal. Maybe a piece of cheese a yogurt… but eat a meal – only when I went out for one…
That is one of the biggest changes is cooking. After all my kids left home I stopped cooking. I’d done it several times a day for 20 years and told my husband I’m retired and hardly cooked again. Hence looking back the weight gain along with 8 family members dying one right after another and 3 major surgery’s in a four month period of time. Empty nest, which I never believed I would get, I was pushing them out by the time they were old enough. Oh, it all added up to a lot of weight for me…
Having a true place to write about my weight and struggles is a rescue for me. I am so amazed that putting it out there is helping me. Most of my life I have written and for the most part, not a soul read my thoughts… now I have at least one who does on this blog and I also have my online support group that reads my journals.
I do say it is a bit shocking at times some of the advise I get… like dah are you kiddin’ me… But I try and be as kind and loving as I can and occasionally write a tiny passive aggressive statement in my journal… I have a young man who now calls me mum, he is from England and one of the saddest young men I’ve met… I have a beautiful other man who writes me that I call the Englishman… he is fun and suffers with a lot of depression. So many of my friends have lots children, how they go on is a miracle. They are becoming like a family. I send them hugs and love and they do me… I am amazed how advanced we have all become, we can all author our own website… and learning how to be the authors of our lives.
Well, checking in cause it was a tougher than normal day for me and I don’t want to slide down that scale emotionally only pound wise :) so I thought I’d check in. Warm hugs…

7th Day of Induction

2007-12-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Do a little dance!

Wow, I’m making it through and I am feeling great. I am enjoying some much needed mental stability… not that I was nuts, but to have my blood sugar normal and not up and down and all over the place seems to be giving me some peace inside. Who knew? Not me.
I guess I will weigh in tomorrow and give a report… not much to tell besides the fact I am not house bound and spent the whole day out with one of my daughters and my mom doing Costco and Christmas shopping. Nothing less than a Christmas Miracle for me… I’m stacking wood for movement and cleaning and continuing to prepare for Christmas around here. Got a tree and all the decorations are ready to be placed this weekend. Probably most don’t take a month to prepare for Christmas dinner and decorations, but my life has brought me to such a rhythm as this. I do few things and try and do them well. Try and enjoy what I do and really say away from the drama I used to be so into. Ugh! Glad tidings to all and hope your months of December is going really well… I’m off to a good start…. Warm hugs…

3rd day of induction

2007-12-01T04:48:00.001-08:00

My lovey's

Well Day 3 for me on induction: yeah, made it another day on induction. And another deep pink stick! I remember when I first started low carb I tried to do it with a vegetarian friend, I didn't know what I was doing and just followed her; I tried the stick and couldn't ever get them past a really, really light pink and mostly a tan, thought the batch was bad, same batch and turning pinker and awaiting my beloved Maroon soon! Went well, I’m so happy with my food selection and everything tastes so good I’m amazed… and grateful
On my chart it looks like I’m trying to get down to 103, I would be in the hospital on my death bed if that was true, and 34.2 BMI only .2 more to lose and I’m out of the Obesity cage, what a deal.
I have so many stories roaming around in my head today as I awoke at 2:30AM and started on my favorite website support system DailyStrength.com… so many loving and supportive friends. It is giving me another chance at life again.
So I had a great conversation with my best mate last night, she moved away a several years ago so when we get on the phone it is really like finding a piece of myself again. We are in different places within ourselves but when her view on how life really is comes out, it is so fab and fun… she is a crack up and can’t really say it like it is. One big difference in me over our long, long relationship is my lack of willingness to look at life through the eyes of sin or as a sinner. So much has changed in my heart about this and I’m a recovering pastor, teacher, counselor for over 20 years of my life was in total dedication to the counsel and help of those in need in my community. I am totally convinced that the ‘narrow road’ is so much a road of love, mercy and acceptance, I no longer think it is this ridged place of ‘living without sin’ gosh how did I ever actually believe that before? I am amazed at what 8 deaths of my loved ones over the period of a few years did to me. I not only totally got out of control around food to support my emotions but I lost my community in the process because I refused to let them tell me how to feel and that I was just letting the enemy control me. Gosh, I am so sorry for all the times I probably said that very same thing to others. Ugh, when the tables are turned it isn’t too fun or very pretty. But today I am filled with the hope of the love of God in and around me… this is a true miracle to realize that the narrow road is love and mercy, to actually love myself and have mercy on myself enables me to show that to others… truly an eye opener. Sounds so simple, cause there is so much more to the story and as I blog I will let is flow out of me… but for today I am free to love and be loved, to share myself and receive others… I’m up and reading to face day 3 of induction. Yeah, I’m present for my life. I stacked wood for ½ hour yesterday and two weeks ago I wasn’t hardly able emotionally to get outside… this is a good thing.

2007-11-30T10:14:00.001-08:00

Ketone stip moderate - pink yeah! it is working....

Makes my trip to the boys that much brigher....

2nd day of induction

2007-11-30T09:48:00.000-08:00

My eldest grandson, PICKLES, love him with all my heart and forever!

Yesterday went really well, really like day 3 on induction but think the first day I ate something outside the induction phase. I was really nauseated last night when I went to sleep. Might have been my evening medication or my withdrawal from my Crystal light addiction that I did tons of instead of water. did 12 8oz glass down yesterday with 8-8oz glasses plus 4 more for extra toxic shuttle...

Ordered from Carbsmart.com today and got a few induction friendly items, they look great and I am serious about livin' la vida low carb lifestyle... I also ordered last week from Chocoperfection, really excited about those and hope they live up to everything that they claim. I don't like the Atkins bars or shakes, yuck! But guess what I ate and ate and ate them. I personally added them to meals and they kept me triggered for carbs... Protein and fats in my diet seem to be the only thing that causes me to really stop feeling starving all the time.

I am an ex-low-fat-dieter. And truly believe that is why I gained all this extra weight. I bit into this lifestyle and carb loaded with all the confidence that I was going to lose weight and didn't. No big surprise when I look at the lose of fat equaled SUGAR, I realized this a long time but didn't really understand that low carbing lifestyle wasn't just eating eggs, cheese and bacon! I do enjoy them know but it is so much more than that, which I am happy to have found...

I listen to Livin' La Vida Low Carb everyday, the podcasts are awesome and keep me going in not only making it fun but keeping me up to date with all the research and education myself of what this life style is going to look like for me in the long run. I agree with Jimmy pick and plan and do it like it is written and do it for the rest of your life. I've been low carbing off and one for over a year and really feel especially mentally better when I'm low carbing. Staying aways from the whites like sugar and flours... my body seems to function really well on whey protein and unflavored soy drinks I make and I don't feel crazy out of control around food. But once I put that stuff in my mouth - it triggers something inside of me that can't seem to stop. I hate that it does that and probably is more mental for me but it is like I must keep going until I am sick. Well, if I can stay away from living that way one day at a time for the rest of my life. AMEN!

Just a few lines on what life is like for this low-carber.

2007-11-29T13:40:00.001-08:00

Atkins

2007-11-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

Yep! I'm a low carber... learning a lot on blogs and podcasts, youtube and alike. Looking forward to sharing my story here and my journey with losing weight and getting healthy... I'm in day 50 (this attempt)and have never done induction according to the book, so here I go day ONE on induction... I actually started doing Atkins or should I say low-carb with a vegetarian friend of mine. Silly really but did it for a few months, lost at least 30 pounds and then went back to carbs... OH no it wasn't pretty. So now I am back down 18 pounds and want to lose 84.5 more! Yeah, so wish me well as I journal this journey and learn how to do this new way of living - which I believe is the right way for me, hand down, I'm a carb addict and have no control when it comes to slammin' carbs in my mouth.... I've educated myself fully and am ready to join with all the others who are here to do this life style. Special thanks to Livin' La Vida Low Carb and so many others for such great educational programs and sites. So many I'm been 'saturating' myself in them all, no pun intended...
Welcome and please let me know how you are doing on your low carb lifestyle