[Sum38]

Originally Posted by Larry H

Down another pound today to 218!! I hope this daily loss continues so that I can lose my Holiday Weight Gain

Larry,

Will you be my salsa partner?

[Larry H]

Originally Posted by Sum38

Will you be my salsa partner?

Certainly Sum I don't believe Salsa is classed as slow dancing though??

Experience has taught that after a few fast dances my body slows to a crawl

Larry

[Sum38]

lol!!! Did I ever tell you that I was a professional ballerina? Seriously! I danced for 15 years. -- In all honesty, I never thought I would struggle with my weight.

[K9Owner]

Kristiina: YOU ROCK!!

Larry: Look at you diurese! AWESOME!

AFM: I have quite a few things to share.
1. From last night @ work:
We have a diverse group of colleagues at work. Some are larger, smaller, taller, shorter.... I am average of the group. Our Head night RN is about 5'2.5"-5'3" & wears a 4/6 US sized. We were in a group last night talking about food/clothes/diet, when I admitted, "I just do not do well when I get into the single digit clothes. A nine is about as far as I can go & then I start looking malnourished. I want to look good and healthy, not necessarily 'skinny'" Our head RN did a double take, as she could not believe what I had said, and she commented, "OMG What? So you're telling me you wear a 10?"
ME: "yep"
Her: Looking in total shock and disbelief, "Wow! I would have NEVER thought that. I would have guessed much smaller"

All I could think was...."I WEAR IT WELL!!"

2. I woke up and decided to have a Spike Day today, not that I was hungry. I had eaten about 500 cals of junk between Midnight and 3pm. So at 4pm, when I got out of bed, I started thinking about it. I must be losing my mind! I had to try to consume approx 1800cals in 7 hrs. It would have been no prob if I were going out to eat or getting fast food, but I wanted something healthy. I am really striving to meet my fitness goals. I don't want to deter them with mounds of junk.
I googled "2800 calorie diets" "gain muscle weight the healthy way" etc
I finally came across a very interesting website, which I did not bookmark
But, it basically opened my eyes as to having a "Spike Day".
When I thought of incorporating a Spike Day in the beginning, I thought--"this is the day I will eat and all of the other foods that are on my "Rarely eat List"
I wasn't really that hungry anyway, but I really want to do things differently.

Albert Einstein Quotes: Insanity--doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

The site recommended a calorie dense selection of food. So, I put my clothes on and headed to the market, but not for high calorie processed carbs. Instead, for Maranatha Peanut Butter, bagged fresh Spinach, 2 bananas, and some sushi.
I took these few items home and combined a couple of things I had on hand and made a Double Dense NOW Green Monster. This shake had so many calories in it, it was scary!
I really wish I had started eating about 3pm instead of 7pm! Gosh, I am stuffed beyond measure.

[Sum38]

Krystal One time when I dropped 30 pounds; each Friday was my "free day", I called them my fat days. It really helped me and I think it aided my weigh loss, kinda shocked the system. I am sort of doing it now as well. P and I are trying different restaurants and having date nights. -- I think you are build like I am. People always wonder when I tell them that I wear 12's. -- Really nice compliment from your co-worker

I am up 1.5 pounds this morning. Not a great surprise, I drank and drank of water all day long; the Lebanese dinner on Saturday night was really salty. -- I drank nearly 40 oz right before bed time, as well.

I am taking a day off from walking. My legs are filled with lactic acid, and tired. Shadow, my puppy, seems to be tired as well. I clocked nearly 36 miles in 7 days; considering my goal is only 20 miles per week.

I am not hungry. It is strange. I don't know why. I am burning massive amount of calories on my walks (7 miles at 4.2-4.3 mph), and I have to force myself to eat. -- Maybe because I have started pushing more fiber (beans and peas) and eat mostly protein and veggies.... I feel tho, that 1100-1300 calories per day is not nearly enough to keep me going with my speedy walks. -- On the otherhand; I do have extra reserves

[K9Owner]

Kristiina: You're momentum right now is pressing me beyond belief! Just reading your post about being gluten/wheat free are really encouraging to me & totally making me want to jump on board. However, it's kinda hard when I'm training for this 1/2 Mary. I so want to be sugar-free (without added sugar, of course). So many foods contain natural forms of sugar. It would be next to impossible to eliminate it completely!

[Sum38]

I eat all natural sugars. I feel if nature put them in, we need them Only added sugar I get is from my Italian salad dressing (2-4g). -- I don't crave it any longer, how funny is that? I have had a few pieces of milk chocolate, but we just went and bought some dark chocolate (80%), and one square seems to curb my sugar cravings. Amazing.

[Larry H]

Originally Posted by K9Owner

Larry: Look at you diurese! AWESOME!

Krystal "Diurese" WOW!! who said you can't teach an old dog? I had to look this one up on line. Your sure are educatuming me Don't bother looking up that word, it doesn't exsist

My "Diurese" is probably due to taking High ceiling loop diuretics The on line research said that "High ceiling diuretics are diuretics that may cause a substantial diuresis – up to 20%[2] of the filtered load of NaCl and water." Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, inhibit the body's ability to reabsorb sodium at the ascending loop in the nephron which leads to a excretion of water in the urine whereas water normally follows sodium back into the extracellular fluid (ECF).

I only have a vague idea what this say's but I believe it is explaining why I have to set up semi permanent living quarters in the bathroom after taking my furosemide.

Larry,

[princessgina00]

Larry: I'm right along with you in eliminating the "holiday bloat." I gained about 11 pounds over my 2-week holiday vacay with the fam. As of today, I have eliminated all but 1 pound in the past 5 days. And, I think I've found a "natural" diuretic. Fiber One bars! I have been consuming them like mad (can't eat just one from a box, but have to consume all five. They're so tasty!) since yesterday and dropped 4 pounds from my morning "dump." TMI!

Sum: It's about time you stopped walking. Give those little legs a rest and then tell them to shut up as you continue on your walking journey.

K9: Good luck with your Spike Days. Spike Days tend to come naturally (but, thankfully, not often) for me. Usually whenever I feel the need to eat a large quantity of food because I know I can get away with it (caloric-wise).

[Sum38]

No weight change for me. 152.5. I enjoyed my swoosh

I feel like my eating has been off, I have been kinda busy and not really eaten my salads etc, just eaten what ever has been there. -- I made a meal plan for today and sticking to it -- I don't want to end up this week higher that last week.

It felt great taking a day off from walking. Today my walk will be about 5 miles but lesser speed since DD wants to go with me, which makes me happy.

Everyone have a fab day!

[alaskanlaughter]

checking in....still fighting off that ear infection...third round of antibiotics since mid-december...thought it was getting better yesterday and then last night woke up with such awful pressure in my ear that it was hard to fall back asleep...that happened twice...im not sure what else i can do besides continue to take the round of antibiotics...this morning my whole side of my face hurt, even my back teeth from the pressure...i took the antibiotics and a sudafed despite something causing an allergic reaction last friday...the sudafed was okay today, no reaction...i didnt work out...i spent the morning resting on the couch...took my second dose of antibiotics at noon and some tylenol for the pain and went to work...it feels manageable at this point and i can move my jaw okay without pain now...DH wants me to go see a specialist but i dont think anyone will be able to do anything until i finish this round of antibiotics...

weighed in at 197.2 this morning....but no workout today...

[Larry H]

alaskanlaughter I am getting worried about your ear infection. Maybe it is time for you to get a second opinion from a doctor specializing in infection control. If the antibiotics you are taking are not working you may develop an antibiotic resistant infection and you sure do not want that to happen.

I did a 6 mile bicycle ride through the Florida countryside today. That is up a mile more today.

I did not weigh today, I will tommorrow.

My sodium was finally on plan yesterday. 1079 calories and 1120 mg sodium. I tried Miracle Noodles for the first time last night. I followed all directions for rinsing them prior to heating and I used a small amount of olive oil with garlic powder, pepper and salt free canned mushrooms. They were really great!! I can't believe that these noodles have zero calories. I will definitely be having them again in the future.

Today's food was even better 780 calories and only 1027 mg of sodium. Lunch was 3 oz lean roast beef. Homemade low fat mashed potatoes, and boiled green beans. Dinner was a huge vegetable salad with zero cal Walden Farms ranch dressing.

Larry,

[alaskanlaughter]

they did take a culture swab from my ear last weekend to test specifically for resistance and will call me in a few days if it turns out that it is....im thinking that if it's not clearing after this round, which has 6 days left, that i will make an appt with the ENT specialist in town to be looked at...i cant imagine why it would hurt worse NOW after 4 days on antibiotics but it may have to do with the ruptured eardrum...

[K9Owner]

Ok, seriously! I had the BEST food weekend probably since I started last April!!
For those that don't know, I work on a Heart Failure unit in a very busy hospital, usually on the weekends.
When I go to work, I eat off plan food religiously!
Usually, I have a 1600-2000 cal day when I go.

I have been trying aggressively for over a month to change this behavior. This past Saturday and Monday night, I had the BEST 2 nights I have had--I think--since I restarted this journey!
It may have had ALOT to do with the Spike Day on Sunday that landed me such a winning night Monday. But, whatever it was, it WORKED!

Monday's Menu
Turkey Waldorf Salad w/ 1/2 pkt FF Raspberry Vinaigrette: 291
Fresh Pineapple: 200
Pre-run Fuel: Ezekiel Raisin Bread, 1 tsp Sunbutter, 1/2 Apple: 164
Sweet & Sour Chicken w/Miracle Noodles, PB2 Greek Yogurt: 608
Total: 1263
**I'll have a 140 cal snack before bed to make this a 1400 cal day.

1/2 Mary Training + Walking at work: 665
Water: 80 oz

ALASKAN: I'm worried about you!! Please please no running with a ruptured eardrum. Walking maybe, but don't allow extra pressure to build in your head. I'd see what the results of the culture shows. It probably is added pain from the rupture. Even if you start to feel better, I would advise you to give that drum adequate time to heal before pursuing high cardiac activity.

LARRY: for getting that sodium back down. I had Miracle Noodles for dinner! I LOVE them. Here is a link to the recipe I created after returning from my cruise last October: Shiratake Bowl using Miracle Noodles

KRISTIINA: You're doing so well, please don't sabotage you're success this time! Besides, I'm currently feeding off of your positive energy and I need all the extra I can get!!

GINA: I love the FiberOne bars as well. The choco ones are my fave! Imagine that & I don't even like choco really. There is just something about processed apples and fruit in the other ones that I just can't stomach.

[K9Owner]

I don't know if this will last, but I am LITERALLY gasping for air as I read 146.8 on my digital scale this morning. TOM is supposed to be here this weekend to ruin all of this--no doubt--but today, I am celebrating!

I haven't read 146.8 since September 22, 2011!!! (yes, I know the date!)