:: Free 2 Be :: the Odyssey ::

When I first started the blog and the Flat Belly Diet, I was posting my food log on their website. I received *three months free* on the Flat Belly Diet website for ordering the book.
That was a good experience for several reasons, primarily because they also have a planner that would recomment gluten and dairy [...]

Slowing down here. It was a really up and down week, food wise. I never did get shopping done for things I needed (like fish, veggies, etc.) and ended up really eating a lot of whatever, fast food, etc. Still, calories averaged out-ish, which means I didn’t eat enough some days, which kinda balanced the [...]

This phrase almost always conjures up an image of whiny little kids (even us, maybe!) bemoaning the length of the trip, sometimes having just started.
And yet, are we any better when we expect instant results on what we know needs to be a long-term effort ?
How many of us set out to lose 20, 50, [...]

A month ago, I was having trouble getting myself to walk a mile. Here is this month’s exercise ticker:

You can see what I’ve been doing by reading the “Track” posts, here…

I’ve been thinking all day about all the changes I’ve made and all the changes I’m just starting to make. And, even looking at a friend’s changes! lol
Suddenly it came to me that the way I used to live (and the way my friend used to live) was normal. At least, for us. It was [...]

My apologies to all of you whose comments I’ve not yet responded to. I appreciate them and your thoughts are so encouraging and your suggestions are so helpful! I really do want to get back to each of you. I will, I will, I will.
Meanwhile, I am still doing my food but there is a [...]

This week, my calories were up 400 per day and my exercise went down (missed two days, lighter other days). in spite of those, weigh-in results: 265.8, down 2.4 pounds! WooHoo! Of course it is always possible some of that is water weight.
In any case, this is the right direction. I’m very pleased. 15.4 pounds [...]

Combining caffeine and sugar causes other problems in blood glucose levels, besides the sudden rush factor. It sets up a vicious cycle of cravings.
You eat something sweet with a good cup of coffee. Your blood glucose levels swing wildly. These swings cause carbohydrate cravings. You crave another donut, another piece of cake or a second [...]

1) Physical Activity
2) Overweight and Obesity 
From Healthy People 2010, a U.S. government initiative that challenges “individuals, communities, and professionals indeed, all of us to take specific steps to ensure that good health, as well as long life, are enjoyed by all.”
Apparently this is an upper level thing that  may or may not be trickling down [...]

When I was younger, it was a matter of vanity. As I mature, it is a matter of respect.
(paraphrased from Staging Your Come back, by Christopher Hopkins) 
I’ve been thinking much about Aspiring and Inspiring, about the idea that we not only need a dream but desire, and that we are responsible for motivating ourselves.
The day I learned [...]

Boy/girl, is this true! Today I would like to shine the light on the humble egg. We’ve all met him (her?), probably dressed up in any number of outfits. But, *they* say, don’t eat too many eggs… Fat! Cholesterol! Oh no!
Well, I’m hear with a plea. Wouldn’t God make the very nest of life a [...]

ANALYSIS Sept. 18
ACTUAL
RECOMMENDED

CALORIES
2009
1700 - 2000

CARBS
243g
200 - 300 g

FAT
80g
40 - 75 g

PROTEIN
122g
45 - 160 g

FIBER
38g
> 25 g

ANALYSIS Sept. 19
ACTUAL
RECOMMENDED

CALORIES
1990
1700 - 2000

CARBS
236g
200 - 300 g

FAT
87g
40 - 75 g

PROTEIN
119g
45 - 160 g

FIBER
50g
> 25 g

Getting a little carried away on the fats. It’s because of eating eggs, I think. But I really believe in eggs! Most of my fats [...]