Haha...I just got my mother, and ex-husband to start taking them! I should really get a job for the company!:lol:

It's just that they have really helped me substantially in my journey for better health and so I want to share this with as many people as I can!

To answer your question, I take 2 tablets (I buy the 180 tablets) with every main meal (B/L/D) for a total of 6 per day. I also take 2 cinnamon w/chromium (walmart brand) with breakfast and dinner (twice/day). The enzymes helps my body to digest and properly absorb the vitamins and minerals from my food more efficiently (without storing the cookies as rump shaker fat). The cinnamon helps to control sugar spikes in my blood and therefore controls hunger and cravings. It also gives me a nice little boost of energy and keeps me LEVEL all day long. What I mean by LEVEL is that I never feel FAMISHED or have that uncontrollable desire to eat...even if I've been out all day shopping and skipped a meal.

I get mine from Amazon.com (it's the cheapest there). Let me know how you like it. My mom LOVES it. She no longer has to take her daily colace!;) She has more energy and she's 77 yrs old! She is also a retired registered nurse of 40 yrs. Diet and nutrition are her specialty. Waiting to to hear how my ex-hubby likes it. My mom is type II diabetic. Her doctor recently reduced her insultin substantially since she's been on the Cinnamon. I just sent my ex's dad some cinnamon since he was just diagnosed with type II diabetes.:D

I ordered them a few minutes ago from Amazon (love the prime membership!) along with some green vitamins of the same brand. I drink a lot of tea with cinnamon, wonder if I get enough that way? How much is in the supplement i wonder? I'll let you know how they work. I also take a daily colace, it would be nice to be able to stop it...

Joy- Thanks, I picked that number cause then i still fit in my jeans. LOL
they are tight at 115lbs and it would break my heart if I had to buy new ones. I also love to run, but knee problems have stopped me for the past 6 months. Power walking doesn't bother me, so I do that instead. I'm 42, so it doesn't take much to mess my knees up!

Ok, i'm down to 116.2lbs. If I can stay away from crappy food this weekend, I'll be ok. Been cooking my own healthy meals for me & the family the past month, as long as I have time to cook this weekend, I won't be eating junk food, I'll have my healthy food to eat!

Hi Joyfull!

I have a question for you.....were you eating the same while losing as you are while maintaining? I'm going to definitely pick up some of those cinnamon supplements at WalMart. That sounds great! :)

WOW luckymommy you look smokin'!!!:D To answer your question, yes, I had a cheat meal (usually my favorite takout food or pizza) once per week. My "snacks" were all homemade stuff and nuts, fruit. I didn't eat cakes, pies and cookies during weight loss, but instead ate my healthy low fat pumpkin muffins, takeout food once per week and sometime I'd have atkins choc-peanut butter protein bars for snack. Now, that I'm in maintenance, I eat less takeout food and more cakes, cookies and pies....go figure?:?:

Update...been gone all weekend. Packed my food so no take out for me or my daughter all weekend long. That was a pretty amazing feet, but I did a good job packing. I made my daughter fried chicken, mac & cheese or rice and brocolli and packed my pre-cooked meals. I brought along fruit, and homemade chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies. I also packed plenty of water, juice and a few cans of diet pepsi. The hotel we stayed at included breakfast, so I ate the oatmeal packets while my daughter feasted on frosted flakes, fruit and bagels w/cream cheese!:D

All in all...I think I'm handling the REAL WORLD pretty good...and saving big bucks doing so!:carrot:

Time to get back with my running though. Only had a chance to run 1 day last week. Shooting for 3 this week. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend as much as I did.:D

Joy ~ When you started running, did you run every day? I'm self-training for a 5K in October, so I'm running about 1.5 miles right now and I'm going to build it up, but I don't want to injure myself. I remember that horrible knee problem you had a while back and was wondering if you attribute that to running too often or if that was something else altogether? I am asking a lot of runners that I know IRL and also online what their opinions are.

Emmmmmmmmmmmme!!!:wave: Yeah...when I first started run/walking, I did do it every single day (just about...6-7 days/week). That was when I was still trying to gain endurance enough to get a really good workout out of it. Once I could run a mile straight without walking, I cut it down to 5 days/week. Then, when I could run 3 miles straight, I cut it down to 4 days/week.

I do believe that what messed up my left knee so bad was the fact that 1) I'm 44, 2) I am genetically predisposed to some sort of cartilage problem and 3) Upping my mileage to 5.4 miles (20 miles/week).

It's weird, cuz my knees don't bother me at all when I'm not running. It just hurts like heck after my run (usually starts hurting in the middle of the night whilst I'm sleeping and continues for the next day and then I'm fine after that). I'm going to try cutting my mileage down to 3 miles/twice a week, and 5 miles once a week and see how that goes.

Hope this helps.:hug:

Ok...soooo...needed a sounding board to express my LOVE of carrot cake!:D Before I left for vacation this weekend, I cut the cake in 2 halves, wrapped it up and froze it. I took out 1 of the plates and put it in the frig to defrost. Hmmmmmm...the cake is as good as the first day I baked it!:eek: I have given up the cookies, pies or biscotti's (I ate those all up on vacation anyways) for now as I would just like to focus on having all my snacks be just one thing......CARROT CAKE!:D

When I bite into a slice (after lunch and after dinner), it's like all is GOOD in the world...for just that moment. The creamy rich goodness of the CREAM CHEESE frosting is like...WHOA...I need a minute!:D Whoever said that food effects your mental well-being, is absolutely CORRECT! Aaaaaahhhhh....carrot cake...I LOVE YOU!:carrot:

joyfulloser: Can you elaborate a little more on the way you use cinnamon? My DH is pre-diabetic and diabetes in general runs in his family. The older I've gotten, I try to search out more holistic approaches to maintaining my health. Thanks in advance.

Ok joyful, you have caused my mouth to water. Please share your carrot cake recipe :)

fitmom - I actually got the idea from my Mom who is type II diabetic. I buy the cinnamon w/chromium (walmart brand) and take 2 (1,000mg) capsules with breakfast and 2 with dinner. That's how my mom takes it as well. She has recently had to go off of it for a little while as she gets ready for eye surgery. Cinnamon is a natural blood thinner (very potent actually), so at her age, no blood thinners before surgery. She has said that her sugar has went up since she stopped taking the cinnamon and she will probably have to increase her insulin again until she can start back on the cinnamon. Hope this helps.:)

SlimmmmmmmmmmmmB!:wave: Sure thing...it's actually a slightly doctored (for health) recipe from my cookbook "The Best Light Recipe - Cooks Illustrated" Ok...here goes it:

2 1/2 cups (12 1/2 ounces) unbleached all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp sea salt
3 large eggs
1 cup packed (7 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar (I used organic, but you can use regular)
1/2 cup organic coconut oil (I use Nutiva brand)
1 pound carrots (grated)

Cream Cheese frosting
12 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) confectioner's sugar

For Cake:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bundt pan lightly with cooking spray.
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt together in bowl.
Beat eggs and sugars together in separate bowl until creamy. Pour mixture into bowl with flour and mix with rubber spatula. Lastly, gently stir in carrots.
Bake for 35-40 mins. Cool cake in pan and flip onto cake pan.

For Frosting:
Mix the cream cheese and vanilla together with rubber spatula. Slowly add sugar and mix until smooth.

Makes 16 servings
Calories w/frosting per svg: 350 cals.
fat 12.5g
sat fat 4g
chol 55 mg
carb 54 g
protein 5g
fiber 1g
sodium 240 mg

Calories w/o frosting: 250 cals.

ENJOY!:carrot:

Joy, what size cake pan?

I use a standard size Bundt cake pan (I think it's 8").:)

:) Thanks so much. I will let you know how it turns out......

I see your thread is becoming quite a hit; just like the one you started when you were losing 26 lbs :D

Ok..soooo...yesterday I just had the craziest last minute craving for PIZZA! AND guess what? I ate 4 slices of delishous DiGiorno 3-meat pizza for dinner, and for dessert had another slice of my beloved CARROT CAKE...WOOT!:carrot:

Uggghhh...my one dissappointment is that I haven't ran or swam at all this week so far...I'll run today by hook/crook though..grrrrrhhhh!:mad: It's just that I'm starting a new home-based business at the same time trying to get the house and pool area ready for a pool party/bbq I'm hosting here this weekend.:dizzy:

Ok..ok...I HATE EXCUSES...and so I'm not going to start giving them...it's to the treadmill I go!:D

Hey Joy, I'm just at a week into my Super Enzymes before every meal. Do you find that you feel more full when you are taking them? I'm a lot less hungry than I was last week at this same time.

Hi mainteners luv u all.
Just a question to you.Did anybody record daily weight? My daily weight keeps on flutuating. Did anyone experience the same?

I record my weight and food intake each day. I do see fluctuations. The amplitude of the fluctations has a correlation to the foods I chose to eat. It took me a long time to see these patterns. Priceless knowledge.

When I was in weight loss mode, I did it every week. I did not like to see the fluctuations. However once I hit goal, I started weighing every day. Reason: Its easier to deal with a pound or two than five. I am also now very aware as to how may body reacts to certain foods or exercise and can usually pinpoint if a weight gain is temporary (due to bloating or TOM) or is permanent (due to a pig out).

Uuuugggghhh!!! I'm BAAAAACK!!!:D

I've been eating my actual butt off this past week. I'm talkin totally unrestrained at a pool party I had this weekend...I was eating 2 hot dogs at 4a.m.??? MMMMmmmmm...they were so goood though!;) Oh and the burger...nomnomnomnomnom. I also made homemade pastries and lots of yummy food that including potato salad, fried chicken, etc., etc. which I will be finishing up this week.

The damage: woke up to 157lbs this morn! Crazy...I know...probably about 4-5 lbs of water, and the 2-3 lbs of fat gained. No prob. I had fun and wouldn't do it differently for all the tea in...well yunno!:D

Ok..but time to roll it back. My redline is 155, so water or whatever...when the scale moves past 155 it's time to real it back.

Hope you are all enjoying your fast moving summer...school's only 2 weeks away...beeeeeeeeeegads!:o

:wave: This is also true for me.

Hi joyfulloser! It's me, again, lol. I have another question which I'm hoping you can answer. I've lost some body fat and weight over the past few months which left me with a 2-inch section of loose skin underneath my navel. I used to think it was b/c I had given birth but the more I think about it, I really believe it's because the weight quickly fell off me with all the running I've been doing. I guess my skin hasn't 'caught up' yet. You can't see it except when I bend over or perform a plank. What did you do to tighten up the loose skin and how long did it take? We're roughly the same body fat % and age so I figured you might be able to help me. I've also been holding steady at my current weight for about two months now. I've tightened up my diet and my exercise is on point as well. Am I expecting too much at 39? Thanks in advance. :)

fitmom- i had/have the exact same problem, e even when i was 14% BF..... it IS loose skin, and it IS (prob) from giving birth--> ive had 2 kids, myself)
Likei said, it was there even at 14% BF, so i dont think anything but weither A) surgery, or B) buildig up your abs SO MUCH that the muscle fills in the xtra skin,,,,,, but that ptob woldnt be attractive lol

fitmom - I have the same thing, and I didn't have kids. I also run and did a lot of strength training, got to 19% body fat at one point but never as low as MK. It has gotten better, but hit a point and just stopped improving - I think I may be stuck with the rest of it. I see mine on downward dog. :)

It is just loose skin that has no fat in it to fill it out, I have it too. When I was at 18-19% body fat( 104-108lbs) it was really bad all over, not just the stomach. Now I'm maintaining at 10lbs heavier, that filled out some of it, but not all.
I'm so happy, after 2 yrs, I finally have figured out what amount of calories I need to eat daily to maintain or my body has just found it's happy weight! It was so hard to stay around 106-108lbs. even though I did it for over a year. It was a real struggle! Now it's easy peasy with lots of food variety & I'm 114-117lbs. I'll take it!

Well ladies, it's improved quite a bit, lol. It used to be all over my stomach -- ugh! -- but now it's just below my navel as I mentioned before. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this struggle. I mean I'm between 17-18% body fat, how much leaner could I get at this point? LOL. I did have the loose skin when I was heavier so I don't think it's my lower weight per se. Oh well. Thankfully, my DH hardly notices or so he says...I think he's being nice - bless his heart!

fruitlady: We're in the same weight range so if you have it then I definitely know I'm not the only one, lol.

fitmom- We are in the same weight range, but your 3in. taller than me. That means your much slimmer than I am and probably have less loose skin than I do. Your definitely not alone, your slim & fit, a little loose skin is worth it!!

Sorry I missed your comments...haven't been around here much these days....been going to the beach, cookouts, summer fun stuff and EATING..eating...eating.

The good news is that yesterday whilst at the beach I ran about 3 miles and sprinted a great part of the way. I raced a healthy fit 20 yr old girl and WON!:carrot: Woot!:wave: Mama still got it!;)

Another bit of good news...lost a bunch of water weight and now back under my redline. THIS after seriously eating everything to my hearts content and not exercising (not formerly exercising that is...I'm pretty active normally). I decided to CHUCK the skinny cow (expensive) ice cream and just buy my favorite kind (Blue Bunny Pistacchio Almond). It only has 150 cals/svg. so why not get what I really want and watch my portions...I say???:?:

Overall...after a summer filled with cookies, cakes, lack of running, and finding my "sweet spot" I'm ending the summer both "looking" and more importantly "feeling" FABULOUS!!!:D I must admit, winning that race IN THE SAND (about 100 yards) with a 20 yr old college student who ran track since she was 13 was quite an ego booster!:lol:

Lastly...I LOVE RUNNING on the beach. I ran barefoot on the soft sand along the coast line and I felt like I could have easily ran twice as far as I did run. The fresh air and sounds and smells of the ocean were too awesome for words. The BEST news is that my left knee didn't even hurt this morning. However, I did pull something in my right knee during that race (wasn't letting that kid beat me..haha!)

I'm thinking maybe my problem is my sneakers. I wouldn't imagine that I'd feel so comfortable running barefoot. Anyone try those vibram five fingers sneakers? I thought they looked stupid, but if they might just be what I need. Thanks.

Fitmom - Oh and about the loose skin...it can coming from either gaining really fast (as in the case with pregnancy) OR losing real fast. I have a small tiny bit (most woman do...unless their like 16). I have found that my stomach has slowly (and I mean S-L-O-W-L-Y) tightened up over the years. Try using coconut oil and/or vitamin D oil. They help tighten skin. I used it on my boobies and they look perkier!:D

<---- (wondering what else joyfulloser does with coconut oil...) :chin:

Jay

:lol: PM me and I'll tell ya!;):D :carrot: :dancer: :wave:

Oh, joyful, I wouldn't dare! :lol: But I do know that everything tastes better with some extra virgin olive oil on it.

Jay

I came dangerously close to spitting my yogurt on my monitor just now. Jay & Joy getting a little freaky. :)


But yes - vitamin D oil has helped me with some scarring and stretch marks, so I can see how it could help with loos skin, to.

joyfulloser: I did use Vitamin D oil when I was pregnant and don't have any stretch marks so I could see the wisdom in using it for loose skin. I gotta say if you have a tiny bit of loose skin looking the fabulous way that you do and you're so much more muscular than me, I don't feel so alone anymore, lol. I was starting to almost beat myself up for it. I may feel 18 inside but I have to remind myself that my teen years are long gone and the body takes a little longer to bounce back, I guess. I will definitely try it. And I did pass along the information you gave me on cinnamon to my DH and his family. Thanks again. :)

**UPDATE** - Half-naked Mirror check this morning...6 pack still nicely chiseled!:D :carrot: :dancer: :carrot:

Didn't get on the scale this morning...TOM on the way and didn't want to ruin my elation caused by the half-naked mirror check!:p

I think I finally figured out why the scale has been going soooo bonkers lately. It went all the way up to 157 for a hot minute!:eek: The last I checked, I was down to 153, but WHOA!!! The reason is with all the hot dog, hamburgers, bbq spare ribs and potato salad eatin I've been doing, my SODIUM has probably been through the roof! My body is soooo used to low sodium (under 2,000 mgs) for almost the past year, I just think it freaked out and bloated up.

Glad I can still enjoy food, goodies and life and still maintain my weight. THIS JOURNEY IS FUNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!:D

Oh yeah...I got off the Skinny Cow train (too expensive) and just eat regular icecream...Pistacchio Almond Blue Bunny brand. It's been working out great. I thought..hmmm..skinny cow is 100-150 cals. Regular icecream is 150 cals. Why am I paying 3 times as much for skinny cow and loving it 3 times less than my favorite icecream again???

Here's to LOVIN LIFE! Hope you are all doing the same.:hug:

Who knew that less than an hour after my "enjoy life" post (noted above), the entire EAST COAST would be hit with an EARTHQUAKE!!!:eek:

Point being...ENJOY LIFE! I made spagetti & meatballs with steamed brocolli for dinner. It was delishous. Haven't had spagetti in tooooo long! Tried something totally different this time though. Instead of mindlessly cooking a huge pot full of everything...I found out what a serving was and cooked only that. 2 servings of everything and yunno what...IT WAS PLENTY!!! WOOT!:D

Baking 2 pumpkin pies now. I really want make some chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie dough and also to make another carrot cake w/cream cheese frosting...yummmmmm!!!

joy- I live in Pa., I didn't feel the earthquake. But alot of people felt it on the other side of the town where we live, just weird. Enjoy life and don't deprive!!

Joy ~ If you like good ice cream, try Talenti Gelato (they sell them at Dominick's and probably some other stores like Jewel). It. Is. Amazing. 1/2 cup contains around 200 calories depending on the flavor you get, but wow is it worth it. I've tried the Tahitian Vanilla Bean and the Double Dark Chocolate gelato pints and the taste and texture is just absolutely amazing. They are all natural, hormone free, gluten free, and just downright sinful. Eating two bites of the gelato is sometimes sheer heaven.

ETA: They have a Sicilian Pistachio flavor! http://www.talentigelato.com/Product...Pistachio.aspx

Oh my Emme...why, oh why do you tempt me so?!:p I betcha that pistacchio is goooooood.:) I've never tried Gelato, but heard of it before. That's one to put on my "bucket list" things to try.:D

Ok...sooooo....TOM today.:mad: Feel like poo.:( But at least the hungries should simmer down by tomorrow. Tonight I'm eating homemade oatmeal raisin cookies...reminding myself of how healthy and GOOD FOR ME they are because I used organic sugar, oats and coconut oil!:lol:

Seriously...not too bad...just had about 5 cookies for the entire day and 2 slices of pumpkin pie. Not too over-the-top for my daily sweets.;)

Anyhoot..went to the doctor today to take some bloodwork (vitamin d check). My new doc asked me if I was a runner...when I told her YES and that I had lost 60 lbs this past year, she starred with her jaw dropped and said, "well, I would have never guessed you were any bigger than you are now...the weight you are at looks very natural...you look strong and fit..." I must admit...to have my doctor tell me that made me feel...GREAT!:D

I thought about it...and responded, "truth be told...this IS my natural weight...the weight I can pretty much eat whatever I want, get minimum exercise and remain comfortably".

That made me think...

Perhaps I should just continue on my current path doing what FEELS natural. EATING what feels NATURAL. EXERCISING when it feels NATURAL. GORGING on my favorite foods when it feels necessary and NATURAL. NOT EATING very much at all when it feels NATURAL. Perhaps listening to my body IS best. I've heard of a "set point" or "basal metabolism" thingy...perhaps there is TRUTH to this. A SET POINT or WEIGHT that our bodies will try to attain and maintain...without any effort. The only way we screw that up is GROSSLY overeating/undereating. Otherwise...we will tend to simply HOVER over/around a certain weight. I think I will subscribe to this one.;)

I'm really diggin' this journey!:D Oh now if these darn cramps could cease...I wanna run on the beach again...stupid hurricane ruining my weekend plans...grrrrhhhh!!!!:mad: Stay safe everyone!:hug:

Aaaahhh....How I miss the beach!:(
 

Here's a pic of me and my 12 yr old at the beach this past weekend. Sisters...perhaps??? Ok...perhaps not!:lol: But I love to tease her with that and of course...like every daughter, she thinks her Mom is as old as DIRT!:dizzy:

Awwww! You are both looking adorable!!!