Carol Sue I think what the Stress book did for me was it showed me why I was having such a difficult time of getting things under control again. Stress can really mess with us. At this point, I can tell exactly what happened that stressed me out so that I got off plan and could not for the life of me get on any plan and stay on it. Then I fell into a vicious cycle of even stressing because I knew I needed to get things under control and just couldn't do it so even dieting was stressing me out. The stress book isn't as strict as the old CAD/CALP books. While they do give a plan that they recommend, however, they also insist that you should work with your doctor's recommendations and example... they recommend drinking your coffee with your breakfast, but say that if you are used to drinking your coffee before breakfast and want to keep it then keep it. So I am using their advice more as a guideline. While the prefer carby breakfast eating, I don't except for when we go out for breakfast after church. Otherwise, I prefer the Alternative meal which can be lunch or dinner... my choice. Now they allow this carby type meal to be changed around. I like that because it gives me more freedom.

This reminds me of the Intuitive Eating rules except for the exercise and limit carbs. Can't remember all the rules but this is the basics.

1. When you are hungry, eat.
2. Eat what you really want and enjoy every bite.
3 Eat until satisfied, not stuffed and then stop eating.

So I like your rules. In fact, the way I'm doing this woe eating could very easily fall into the Intuitive way of eating because I only eat if I'm hungry and if I'm not hungry, I do not eat. When I had my carby meal today, I had gone almost 20 1/2 hrs between when I ate yesterday and when I ate today. I didn't plan it, but it just fell that way. Heller's suggest making your plan out for the day the day before. I make mine each more. I have been planning 3 meals just in case I need them... starting with a low carb type breakfast, then my main meal is always carby and then another low carb meal if I need it later. Just because it is planned doesn't mean I have to eat them, but they are there IF I need them. Didn't need the low carb ones yesterday. Haven't had one today, but one is there if I need it. I love this new found freedom.

You have a good plan of your own. Don't get hung up on slips. Just get right back OP with the next meal or snack. That may be where you are hung up. I think those hang ups are what stresses us out and causes us to fail. Good luck.

I just went to update my ticker and realized that my ticker is finally correct as of today. Whoo hoo!!!

Thanks Tammy and nice to meet you 4:15a.m. walk. whew I applaud you . I'd be ready to pass out by 2p.m. and I don't get off until 5:30-6p.m. and my boss has scheduled me for a few classes until 8:30p.m.

Trish I like your breakfast sounds good. I'd have to get up at 5a.m. in order to make it fresh. I can't eat pre cooked eggs and if I make the bacon I know I'd eat it How did you prepare the brussel sprouts and could I substitute them with spinach or zucchini/squash? Why do you add the coconut oil to the coffee? Sorry for all of the questions.

Carol Sue I like your rules. I think they are sensible and they are all doable for me also. I'd love to start walking in the evening but I have the loose dog phobia. I don't know if it was you or someone else that told me about the shell-less taco. Well my son made tacos and I told him that I want mine on a plate no nachos or tortilla shell. He didn't think it was gonna be tasty but I'll tell you it was very good.

Rennie You can have any veggie that you want for breakfast. I just like brussel sprouts and thought it would be a nice change. I use spinach for omelets. I just nuked the brussel sprouts. You can add butter if you like or season however you like them.at

I read somewhere that someone else put coconut oil and coconut milk in their 1st cup of coffee each day because it would lower triglycerides so I decided to try it and see how it would effect my blood work. I tried the coconut milk, but I like half and half better so I just use the coconut oil. My triglycerides went from 152 just over normal down 3 mos ago to 144 at my recent doctor's appt. So now that I know it works, I always drink it in my
1st cup of coffee. I'm using it in some foods too especially replacing some of DH butter with it now to see if his triglycerides will come down. He doesn't drink coffee so I have nothing like that to put it in. I hope this will work for him.

Tammy I admire your getting up and walking early in the morning. I don't think I would ever do that. You are doing very well.

New month and new daily thread. See you in September Chat.