Good fast yesterday. I will wait to eat until about 11 or so when my friend comes. Its been a quiet time on call, just did a couple of visits so far. Slept well again last night. Thats two in a row, full nights (woke once for bathroom each night, but got back to sleep easily) with dreams. Outstanding. I have been limiting fluids after supper, but I usually do that. Not sure what the magic is, but happy with it.

Carol: I do think checking for deficiencies is a good idea. Would not hurt to try a bit of zinc for a few weeks. Are you taking the B complex? While it is common for people's taste to change with time, and for older people to like bland foods, your situation is definitely a problem for you. If nothing appeals, maybe try an appetizer of veggies or something. As you say, you are eating to keep DH company, but that doesn't have to mean a big meal. Maybe just soup? If he complains, remind him you didn't need to eat this at all and you can go back out and read a book if he would prefer. (sorry, not my business)

Mad, part of the problem is I'm not cooking very much because of the food not appealing to me. Just a few things. DH is happy to eat in a restaurant. There are only a very few soups that I like, so ordering soup is iffy. Most things on the menu just don't appeal to me. I can eat a piece of bread with peanut butter, tuna salad, pasta or noodles. I still love vegetables but it's hard to order just vegetables in a restaurant other than a salad. They just give you a small portion with your entree. Maybe it's just old age finally setting in. I never thought I would be one to not love food, having a verocious appetite and love of a variety of foods all my life. It's like I'm 5 years old again. LOL So I try to just order something cheap so I'm not wasting as much money. I wish I was at least losing weight with this.

Here's another problem I have with this. If I eat something and it is not satisfying, I keep eating other things, trying to find something that satisfies. So I end up overeating. Being single would be perfect for me right now, at least in this respect. Not in others, though.

Carol Sue I'm so sorry you are still having problems with taste. Maybe the zinc will help with that. I have learned that since there is not food actually off the table for me as long as I stay within the carbs and calories that I have set for me that many foods do not taste as good as they used to or at least not as good as I thought they would. I have Velveeta macaroni and cheese left over in the fridge now that we always loved. I don't know what the problem is but it will probably go in the garbage disposal because we both were disappointed in the taste. I know I have heard that this happens as we get older, but I'm finding this is happening with a lot of things I used to love. I think another problem I have is that I want foods I can cook quickly and not spend all day in the kitchen. However, your problem sounds a little different from mine. I hope you can find the answer.

I learned that there are some restaurants that we have gone to that has veggies on the menu. Also I have a friend we met at Cracker Barrel one time when we came here to visit years ago. The waitress came to the table and she didn't even use the menu, she just ordered pinto beans, greens and cornbread. I was surprised because I didn't even know you could do that. Since then, I have read that you can do that at some restaurants so you maybe you could ask if you like.

Mad Glad you are getting some much needed sleep.

FBG was 122 and weight was 214.6 so I'm in the vicinity. That makes me happy. I decided that the bottle of pills just says that a serving of these pills are 6 and a bottle is good for 17 days of 6 pills a day. It really doesn't say when or how to take them. I just read the reviews on Amazon and some said start taking them slow and some take 2 pills 3x a day and warned not to take 6 all at one time. So in order to stay within my 8 to 9 hr eating window, I decided to take 3 pills 2 x a day with meals. For now I will probably keep a snack at the end of the 8 or 9 hr window hoping it will finally get to where I can do just a 5 hr eating window. I did end up getting 5 days worth of exercise... 4 on the bike and 1 walking beside the housework I am doing each day. I won't exercise tomorrow. So I am very happy with how things went this week. WI could be tomorrow since I started this WOE a week ago tomorrow although I didn't have any of the pills until Tuesday afternoon. I originally planned on Monday being WI day but that was when I had planned to go for the shots. So I might make tomorrow the WI day.

I hope everyone is having a good day.

Trish, I know I could probably order just vegetables in some restaurants al a carte but I really want to eat meat. I want to like it again. I want to have animal protein in my diet. I don't usually order steak when we go to TX Roadhouse but I think next time I will order a steak and order it medium. I think I could eat it if It's red in the middle. DH likes his well done and hates to even see it red but he will just have to deal with it. LOL

Someone on the LC forum said they went to Cracker Barrel and ordered the veggie plate, so that must be a menu item.

152 this morning after an eating day. Got my walk in yesterday too, and did stuff around the house.
No big plans today. Hope you all have a good Sunday

I am making this my WI day. I ended up with a 1 lb loss this week. I was kind of disappointed at first because I thought I hadn't lost anything, but when I went to MFP and checked what I weighed last week when I started this way of eating, I found out that I was down 1 lb from last Sunday. So I am really excited about that. It is really scary but I'm going to stop weighing everyday because I seem to have some days that I weigh less and then when WI day comes and I didn't keep the lowest it discourages me. Hopefully these pills I'm taking will help too.
I am tempted to go for the shots but I really think at my age it is better for me to lose slower at 1 lb a week because of wrinkling. So I will continue what I'm doing. So weight is 214.6 and FBG was 135 this morning. Not sure why except that I went to bed late last night. And maybe it is just the pills pulling the fat out of the liver. I finally my ratio of carbs, fat and protein ratios like I want it and lowered the carbs to 30% of calories so that should help too.
Got a roast on for lunch today. Thinking of doing more of an IE WOE since I want to eat only when hungry.
No exercise per se today as I like to take one day off from it.
Hope everybody has a nice Sunday.

Carol- I hope you get your taste issue sorted out. It is challenging to stay on-track when what you eat doesn't feel satisfying.
Patty- Congratulations on your loss! It sounds like you have a good plan.
Mad- Fingers crossed for a whoosh in your near future. Your plan is paying off even if the scale is being stubborn.
JocelynMarie- Glad to see you pop by. For me, my hormones seem to impact my FBS but I haven't quite figured out a true pattern.

Yesterday, I felt so cold I was pretty much incapacitated. I spent nearly an hour huddled under a bunch of blankets until I warmed up enough to do other things. Energy levels have been an issue this week and definitely drifting back to the energy seeking behavior. Although I am pleased with the progress I have made, I have a certain malaise towards my efforts. I've done the math and it will take me so long to complete this journey at this pace. However, I have been challenged to even do this much. I am not sure how I could boost my success. Last year, I ended up gaining in the holiday season. In previous years though, I have tended to lose during the last quarter of the year because I would work really hard to end the year on a better note.

Happy that FBS was almost normal today (101) and unhappy that BP was higher than usual this morning. Last week I exercised four days in addition to ice skating on two days. I went shopping for new ice skates last night and struck out. It seems like I will have to order them on-line. My current skates are over 30 years old. Honestly, I am having a hard time letting them go. They are like old friends and knew me when I was skinny. Plus, I have a lot good memories tied to those skates. My ice skating has gotten a lot better. I could do more with it if I remember to bring my knee pads and wrist guards to reduce my fear of injury from falling.

There are many changes at my work and I am having a hard time understanding how they will ultimately affect me. I am a contractor and the person who brought me in is leaving the company. In the last conversation I had (with a different person who has opted not hire me on three occasions), I was told I should plan on dropping the work I am doing for a second department and other groups to focus all of my efforts to support one specific person. The work for the second department is job security for me as it is a separate contract. The work for the other groups is really rewarding and they are appreciative of my work. The work for the specific person is not rewarding and my efforts are never enough. In addition, being part-time is an issue for that role. Ultimately, this has been a really good gig and I want to keep it going. It is not clear how much influence I will be able to have.

With regard to my plan, I feel like it is going pretty smoothly. I was going to write it down to see if it helps me be more consistent. One issue I have is I think I am too dependent on take out. The main concern there is the amount of salt which is not good for blood pressure. I am still working on getting back into Pilates. The time I am going skating was to be for Pilates. Ultimately, I am hoping to fit both in but may have to find different times for Pilates.

Hope everyone has a good week!

The rest is just gobbledygook. It is a summary of my results by month and the emoji's represent each week. I was looking for a pattern and want to be more consistent in my reporting. The monthly results do not have to be confirmed so it differs from my current weight listed.
Jan: -0.5
Feb: +1.5
Mar: +1
Apr: -1
May: +2
Jun: -1
Jul: X (-4.5)
Aug: (-3)
Sep: (-1.5)
Oct:

= confirmed loss, pending loss for the next week (ticker changing day)
= pending loss after gain or no change (pending loss- confirm next week?)
= no change (no change- whew!)
= gain (loss in danger)
X= not reported

Mad, you are doing so well getting your walking in. Good for you! Maybe that will help with your depression. Exercise is a mood enhancer.

Trish, I think you should continue with the pills until they are gone and then consider the shots if necessary. Give the pills a good chance. That is just my opinion. You can always stop the shots if they don't help and if they do it will be money well spent. Don't worry about the cost of something that is helping you. Your finances will work themselves out.

I started reading a book called The Longevity Solution by Dr J. Dinicolinatalino and Dr Jason Fung. I probably spelled that doctors name wrong. I was really called to buy that book! It expresses the importance of lowering calories by lowering protein intake. This makes me think that my body is directing me to lower protein and I should accept it. I get good protein and fat from the eggs I eat and can eat smaller portions of protein and the veggies that I love at dinner. It will take an adjustment. My body will tell me when it needs protein. So I am at peace with that and it is comforting. I just need to stop listening to the LC people who keep saying that veggies are carb and fiber is not needed. What I have done this far has not worked.

Trish, I also find too much weighing is depressing. If I am eating healthy and feel good I need to trust my decisions and be patient. I would be delighted with a 1 lb loss per week. That is 52 lbs in a year and I would be at goal! Think positive!

Carol: I forgot in all this that you are still enjoying eggs. They are excellent source of protein and you really do not have to worry about getting a lot more.
A little dairy like some cheese should be fine. Eggs are like meat in the iron department.

Pipsicle, glad to see you pop in. I hope you will have some influence on what parts of your job you will do. If the specific person is not happy with you, I think you should both state that that's not the optimal position, especially if being part time is not good there. Best wishes on that.
I am wondering if you speak with your doctor about your issues if that would help? Can your thyroid meds be increased a little? Being cold yesterday is likely a sign that you are not getting optimal levels. I agree take out is a problem, but you also need the energy to cook. I know DH and I always found deciding what to have was a kicker. Maybe look for weekly menu plans on line, and shop and plan for that. Get you family involved in deciding, and maybe even helping to cook, and you could get out of the rut. Sounds like your kids are old enough to be helpful that way. My sister and I were in charge of cooking 4 nights a week (Monday to Thursday) from the time I was 11 years old. No one every packed my lunch, and I only ever helped my kids pack lunches, never did it for them. They both started cooking family meals by the time they were in grade eight, although as big a responsibility as I had. They are both great cooks now too.
Trish: glad you got your loss in and hope it continues well .

have a good night everyone

Pipsicle, it seems that we were posting at the same time and I missed your post. I understand your feeling that you are progressing so slowly. I feel that way all the time but then remind myself that slow progress is better than no progress.

I guess I am going to have to see the doctor. For some reason my ears are so itchy and nothing I've tried is bringing relief. It keeps getting worse and worse. Probably an infection, but in both esrs?

Pipsicle I understand about the slow weight loss, but my sister reminds me that not gaining is progress. I hope things at work works out favorably for you. I have times when I get cold especially when I go to bed, however, last night I had sweat so much yesterday that I had to take a shower. I don't know what causes that but it obviously does. I hope you can figure out what is happening. I think the sweating was caused from me taking the full dose of these pills I started taking.

Carol Sue I have pretty much decided to give these pills a big chance before I decide to do anything else. I had a good talk with my Daddy this morning about trying to lose weight. He was so encouraging to me and suggested that I not weigh more than once a week so I decided to do that. It will be difficult at first, but I am going to really try doing it. He has hard a difficult all his life with weight loss himself and still does. He just encouraged me not to give up, but to keep trying and I assured him that I would not give up. It was very helpful to have him encourage me. Something he has never really done before for me.

I too am not eating high protein. I do try to stay within an amount that I have heard is healthy for women which is no more than 90 grams. I'm keeping my carbs lower and fat is also about average but not high. I cooked the roast today and planned to eat just a little less than 6 grams of the meat but got tired of it and didn't eat more than about 3 grams. I also eat one egg at brunch. I just don't think high protein or high fat fits me.

I hope you aren't having ear infections. Remember I thought I might have had one when I saw my doc last time because I would have periodic slight pain and itching but he only found a little bit of fluid on the ear that wasn't giving me any problem. To figure. I hope it gets better.

I did an 8 hr eating window and I'm through. I'm drinking lots of water today. I remembered today that the doctor who was our family doctor and Daddy's good friend in my teen years told my Mama that if she wanted to get fluid off that she could do it without fluid pills by drinking a little bit of water every hour. I'm not drinking water every hour but decided that I could make water my drink most of the day instead of a lot of coffee or tea. I want to see if he was right. Sometimes the old docs were pretty smart. He was a good doctor. He told my Daddy once that if he had his way that he would work with poor people would couldn't afford medical help but that his wife wouldn't let him because she liked the money he made. So he had a good heart.

Mad Hope you have another good nights sleep to night.

Have a good night everyone.

Trish I heard that drinking water helps you get fluid off. The body holds on to fluid but once it realizes that you are drinking more water it knows it can release some. I hope that makes sense.

Hi all. 152 again today, ate OMAD last night. I got a yogurt maker and used my half and half (10%) cream to make my yogurt, and I wanted to try it. Yum!
Perfect yogurt. I am going to make another batch tonight to take on our trip. Will fast again today if all goes well.
Its a work day, but instead of seeing clients I am doing computer training for our new electronic charting program.
Paperless here we come.

Glad you like your yogurt maker, Mad. I made it once in a slow cooker but when I got a yogurt maker it didn't turn out right. I even bought a cheese strainer to make it thicker. Trish does well with hers, too. I like my Cabot.

FBG 126. Blame it on the delicious bagel. I am my own worst enemy. Still reading and loving this book. Not doing as well with the "doing." Metformin extends lifespan but I'm not sure why or how. Book explains how to make that long life healthier. Low calorie with IF. Low protein.

I haven't had potty issues for a while. Hmmmm. Can't make a connection there. Just hope it continues. Cut back on the gout meds, maybe that was contributing. Slept well last night with Tylenol Arthritis. Wonder why that helps.

BBL. Lots to do.

I wanted to relate more information from the book. I think I am getting the protein I need from eggs, too, Mad. And I will probably still eat small amounts of meat. The right combinations of vegetables provide protein too but alone the don't contain all the needed amino acids. Rice and beans combined are complete protein. That's probably why that is such a popular dish. Many animals eat only plant food and are not low in protein. So I will not worry about protein but still have to care about processed carbs, mostly bread and bread products. I surely cannot buy bagels again! Yummy taste but yukky health effects.

This morning Dr Oz had an "expert" on who said you will stop eating eggs after what he had to say about choline. I don't like Dr Oz but DH believes every word. He told me to watch so I would stop eating eggs. I asked him if he would stop eating sugar if someone came on telling how bad sugar is. He said he has eaten sugar all his life and it hasn't hurt him. So I said I have been eating eggs all my life, too. I didn't bring up the fact of what sugar did to his teeth. He eats TOO MUCH sugar! And he thinks I eat too many eggs. But we are still here in our 70s and both have health problems. Who knows who is right or wrong.I

Still have lots to do!

Mad Glad you like making your homemade yogurt. It is different. There are times when I would get lazy and buy it but DH eats eat everyday and I know what I make is much healthier. For one thing, I use Stevia so I've got more control of that plus the starter I use has both pre and pro biotics in it and that can only be good. In fact, I'm noticing that I'm having less tummy problems lately. I used to make a double batch, but just making a regular 7 jars a week is so much easier and it gets done faster.

Carol Sue I think I'm going to find that the water makes a huge difference. I drank water all day yesterday.. I drank less coffee, had my 1 glass of 2% milk and drank nothing but water the rest of the day and my weight was back down to 214.2 this morning. I may have had a glass of green tea too can't remember. I've been making regular tea and Crystal Light for DH and me to have extra but I didn't drink any of that yesterday.

FBG was 135 again today so I'm going to cut back on some more carbs today although that might be just clearing fat out of the liver or I could just be missing my low. Any way, I decided to have 2 eggs, bacon, with a little bit of mozzarella cheese and salsa for flavor no toast. If DH likes the whole wheat bread I bought I probably won't be tempted to eat bread since I don't like it as well as I like my Sara Lee MG. Not sure what we will eat for out main meal today. DH usually decides on that when we go see Daddy and then go to the store. He wants to go to Sam's since we will need tomatoes later this week.

Hope everybody has a nice day.