MuayThaiGoddess - Thank you for researching our moods/serotonin for us. That is useful information. I learned something new today!
I've been on SSRI and SNRIs before for pain management, but I didn't know that carbs effected the levels! The Dr (chiropractor) who fitted me for the SpineCor brace told me that endorphins are being released in our bodies as we lose weight, which is why you feel so good when losing (I felt pretty good weeks 3- 8). He was also on Ideal Protein at one point so he knew all about the diet/protocol. I'm not losing weight anymore, so maybe my natural high has gone away - and I hope your natural high starts soon! I got fitted on Feb 18 and I'm going again on April 22 to check the fit. He said that I might have to get smaller shorts and we can adjust the thing to fit as necessary. Haha. My hips were around 39 inches on Feb 18. They now measure in at 37 inches. I have to look at how much I have accomplished and feel happy about it! I wonder if I feel down now because I am eating carbs at breakfast - up to a max of 50g with all the food combined (fruit + complex carb) - and then none for the rest of the day? I've gone back to the phase 1 veggies for my other meals instead of using all veggies as the phase 3 sheet says. Maybe I should actually eat the non-allowed in phase 1 veggies because they have more carbs? What do you think?
I have to go out and walk more I think. That should get those endorphin levels back up! I also find that things work themselves out when I'm walking, and by the time I get where I'm going (often a loop around the lake), everything is resolved. Without even thinking about it actively! I like being in the moment of walking in nature too. I haven't taken my usual long walks lately due to pain, but I really have to make myself go out and do it. I keep telling myself I will do my 45 minute short walk loop in the morning at 6 or 7am before work (with my dog!). But I am not really a morning person so I can't seem to get myself going like that. I tend to do the short 20 minute loop with my doggie and that's it (habit= autopilot first thing in the morning). Other than that, I wander around the house trying to get ready and then 2 hours later I get to work. I like the morning but my brain isn't functional yet. I like watching the sunrise too but that's always due to my crazy dog getting up early! I love that little dog so I don't mind too much. He's my drill sargent in the morning!
He runs around "talking" to me (it's a throaty little bark noise that Huskies make) until he gets me out the door! Then he trots along, smiling, smelling everything, marking things, trying to chase squirrels, barking at other dogs... Ah to be a dog! They are such happy little beings. And then there's my sweet cat. He is my nap buddy and he's a purring machine! He lays on me (front paws on my abdomen) and makes himself comfortable. Then we fall asleep together. I'm so lucky to have 2 nice little animals who comfort me and make me go outside and get moving. I think the cat would enjoy being outside, but I can't imagine putting a harness on him to take him for a walk! <<Insert screeching cat noise here!>> Also he had a surgery/problem (PU surgery) in January, so I would never let him go outside. I joke that he is my $4,000 cat!
And I'm so happy he's still alive. During his 4 week recovery period, I was worried he would give up and die. But he made it, and now he's better than ever! He needs to lose some weight too, but I think he's lost about a pound and a half since January. He weighed 15 pounds before, so that is a lot for a little cat to lose! Everytime he meows at me for more mood, I tell him, "Hey buddy, I'm on a diet too. I know you want more food but you just can't have it!" Heehee. I have a picture of him so maybe now I will finally make it my profile picture on here.
Birman and other cat lovers - does anyone grow grass inside for their cat to eat? I bought some oat grass and wheat grass that's meant to be eaten by cats. My cat keeps chewing on plastic bags so I think he needs some plant matter in his diet. He also tried to eat some cut flowers.
I am about to make a large purchase on Lindora of bars, puddings, and some mix to make cheesecake things (I assume it's a stiff pudding). Thanks
BevS for announcing the 25% off sale of their regular prices and the free shipping! The vanilla drinks on there are exactly the ones that we get from our IP coaches, right? My bf hasn't tried them so I thought I'd get some of those too. The caramel nut bars seem mostly the same (I have the caramel nut bar IP box sitting in front of me). The ingredients are exactly the same but in a slightly different order. The ones on Lindora have 10 less calories (only 150 cals) than the IP bars. In phase 4, there's one indulgence day (aka cheat day where you eat whatever you want, but I prefer the more positive word indulgence to the negative word cheat) followed by one strict phase 1 day per week. I think I will use the Lindora packets and/or soy isolate powder from Trader Joe's on those phase 1 days. I'll have to do the comparison (looking at older posts/threads/attachments) between Lindora foods and IP foods but there's no way I can keep eating the IP foods because they are really expensive! I've followed the diet eating only IP packets so far, so I can't feel too bad about it. It was easy and quick and the weight came off! Now to keep it off. It should be easy in the beginning since my dear honey (LOL like DH=dear husband but can't exactly call him that since we're not married!) is still on phase 1. And I'm so proud of him. He used to always get McDonald's and drink regular sodas (2+ per day). I didn't know what to expect with him going on IP but he has done fabulously! He went through withdrawl at the beginning from the soda. It happened the 2nd and 3rd day but he powered through it! I'm taking him to buy more jeans today. He wears jeans every day to work and they obviously don't fit him anymore. Way too baggy! And he's just finishing up week 3! Who else had to get new trousers on week 3? I didn't lose it that fast, that's for sure!
I hope you all have a fantastic day! I'm going for a long walk in the rain if I have to!
Goddess, does this mean you can receive PMs tomorrow? How exciting!
Carlashera- thanks for the encouragement. We are all in this together and everyone here is so wonderful and supportive. It makes me happy to know you.
Have a wonderful "Ideal" day everyone! You all are doing great!
We are a big Italian family so that means many courses for all holiday dinners and of course it's my turn to cook! I'm making Italian wedding soup, (I'll have the chix soup with spinach in it) for the pasta course, I'll get things ready for the next course, or I may take the broccoli slaw and saute it in oil and garlic and hot pepper flakes, it's "twirlable" , then I'm cooking a ham and a turkey breast, by passing any scalloped or sweet spuds and have asparagus with it and salad, dressings on the side! My SIL is bringing desserts for me, I'll make up a lemon pudding for later! That's my game plan, I'm determined to stick to it!
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