Hey All,

I'M BACK!

Spent 4 days in Alabama and 3 in Mississippi! My butt is dragging! Averaged about 4 hours of sleep a night.

Having this much fun can kill a person!

Hope I was missed!

Blessings,
StarChaser

Hi Buds -

Glad to hear there are some good losses (any loss is a good loss, by the way!). I'm doing the happy dance for you. I stayed the same as last week, so that's ok since I'm being visted by everybody's best friend. Hopefully next week I'll have a loss.

Sorry I don't have time to respond to each, got to get back to the garage sale prep. I'll be checking back to read though, so I can at least keep up with that!

Karen

Started a post last night but didn't have time to finish it, such a crazy night. Gotta run (about to get my butt chewed) but I wanted to unveil the detective work I spent quite a bit of time doing yesterday in Safeway. I hope you are as shocked as I was:

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~ccotten/snacks.gif

Next, for those of you chicks who are losing over 5 pounds a month without any exercise: if you are eating too little, you are losing muscle. As time goes by your weight loss will slow because muscle burns calories at rest. Every pound of muscle burns approximately 100 calories a day. In addition, your body will adapt to your new "starvation-level" eating habits and your metabolism will slow to a crawl.

For long-term weight loss, you need to do substantial amounts of moderate cardio and eat approximately 1500 to 1800 calories a day or more. If you are eating substantially less, you will enjoy the short-term "success" but as time goes by you will be frustrated and irritable. This puts you in danger of overcompensating with food...not your fault, it's just your body trying to reach an equallibrium.

Okay, running away...I took a very bad spill on my bike this morning and am really out of it...I even got buzzkilled for "zoning out" during a meeting this morning. Do you ever have one of those days when you KNEW you should have stayed in bed?

Love,

Chris

Hey Gals:wave:

Thought I'd get in a quickie while I ponder what to throw together for dinner.

GLORY, glad you could connect about the girdle. Actually, that's all I wear are girdles, I don't own a pair of underwear. There's no way in the world, no matter how thin I should ever become that I would feel comfortable in anything else. My fat shall always jiggle and this is the only way I know to keep it from shifting as I walk. It's funny, as my bra, girdle and daily leggings start to wear out, they become my walking clothes-then as they start to fall apart and dissinigrate, I have to retire them, and it's hard! I really need to get rid of 2 girdles, my kids think I'm nuts-they stick their hands in the holes of them, and we're not talking about the leg holes either!:eek:

RODEO, CONGRATS - that's a wonderful loss in a month! So, how can we get you to exercise a bit-yes, just think about where you'd be with a little exercise-trust me, once you start and see how good you feel and how it helps you lose faster, you'll love doing it!

CATLOVER, WOW, 5lbs is unbelievable-great loss this week! You're doing great-keep it up!!

STAR, glad to see you back safe and sound-of course you were missed! When you are rested, let us know how things went!

KAREN, here's a little tip I learned when I was going to garage sales up north that I hadn't heard anyone doing before. If you have a big ticketed item, like furniture for instance, and you want say $100, yet no one wants to pay your price, get a BID JAR and have people who are interested write the highest they will pay for the item, along with their phone number and if you don't sell the item for what you want, go to the bid jar and get the highest bidders number and call them-I thought it was a good idea:) Lucky you to stay the same-tonight, I'm up 5lbs:mad: :eek:

I'm outta here, for now, at least-will try to check in later tonight:)

Debbie
194/you don't want to know/129
SB since 3/22/00

Hi Everyone:D

Congrats to all the losers today! For those that the scale was not too kind to, remember this WOE is not really about losing weight but it is about feeling better. Sometimes our bodies will look thinner during these times when the scale might not show it!

I weighed 136 this morning. So I am staying right around my goal of 140. 136 puts me at losing 86 pounds.

Deb: You'll get there! Remember your body is telling you something when we have times like this. Think about what you might change to trick your body. Even just having an all veggie day or an all protein day might do the trick.

Lisa: My son plays tomorrow night. Sorry Ross's team lost. There is nothing as stressful as being the mom of the pitcher.

Fillise: Congrats on the loss. I agree with you that come Fall we will be burning up this board with our football talk.

Glory: My family is really into baseball during this time. We go to pro teams, high school and of course my sons games almost every week. Our high school team has won the state championships for 5 years. The are in the play offs right now.

Sparkle: I agree with you on the excercise and the calories. I lost an average of 5 pounds per week eating between 1500 - 1800 cals a day with an average of 1650. I also excercised regularly. Something else that motivates me is that the people who keep the weight off excercise an average of 3-4 times a week. Walking was the #1 factor for maintaining weight loss.

Rhoo: Hi:) I appreciated your nice thoughts the other day when I was blue.

Quilter: Glad you are doing ok. Everyone on the board is doing so well!

Rosalie: I hope your weather gets warmer soon!

Well I have to run.

Anna
222/136/140

Good evening!!!

It’s Wednesday evening and that means one thing . . . yoga class!!! Today’s class was much more difficult than the one last week. We were doing serious thigh, ab, back work. We did downward facing dog. A person with no muscles in her upper arms should not try downward facing dog. My ratio of upper-arm strength and butt mass do not compute or make it possible. I kept picturing my face splatting against that yoga mat. But all in all it was wonderful, but I’m a bit sore already. Hmmmm. Tomorrow will be touch and go. LOL I do love the class. Here’s a funny . . . as soon as he started the class and we were in our relaxation pose (on our backs) trying to get rid of all the stress and tension, this thought springs into my mind, “Oh no, I left my cell phone on in my purse!!! What if it rings?? Right in the middle of the meditation???” So this is what I’m thinking about during most of the relaxation exercise. Doesn’t sound like I’m getting it . . . whatever it is. Actually at some point that thought disappeared and all was calm and well. But I was sweating more than a couple of Karma bullets fearing the embarrassment of it all.

ROSALIE---Thanks for the nice thoughts. I was down, but am back up today. Everything is a-okay. And I am doing my best to love each day, hour, minute and not be wishing my life away. I want to be at peace in the moment. How great for you that you need to buy some smaller sizes. Way to go, Girl!!!

BLOND---So sorry you have been having an ultra CRAPPY time of it lately. Wow, somebody must have said you were down, because you are certainly getting kicked. Just get yourself healthy and recovered and healed and THEN think about SB and your weight loss goals. You really need to get your strength back. Now though I’m worried that you have a hernia from carrying around THREE WEEKS worth of posts. That had to use a whole ream of paper, right???

RHROO---I am SOOOOO envious of your size 8’s. But it’s a HAPPY ENVY . . . because I am absolutely ECSTATIC for you. That is so great!!!!!! You’d better watch out . . . somebody might call you petite. The idea of fitting into a single digit size just astounds and befuddles me. Tell me what it’s like. I want to envision it.

DEB---I am eating the a “Peanut Butter Delight” right now. Mmmmmmm. It’s great. Thanks for reminding me. I did squeeze a little agave nectar into it to take away the bite of the yogurt. I LOVE IT. Sorry to hear that you are up today. That really is a bummer. Maybe you should have WITH (Weigh In Thursday) and fool that nasty beast of a scale you own.

GARDENGIRL---Two pounds is fabulous. Good going!!! Your hard work is really paying off!!!! Keep going!!!!

LISA---Congrats on the wonderful three pound loss!!!! YOu must be flying high!!!!! What is your secret???? How much green tea are you downing?? LOL

FILLISE---You win my award for INSPIRATION OF THE WEEK!!!! You are doing so great. I am humbled by your presence. When I read your post, I started to tear up thinking about all the work you have done. Thank you for sticking with it. You can see the effect of your 51 pounds GONE!!! But I can feel the effect all these miles away. You and your successes are keeping me going. WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL!!!! I am celebrating for you tonight. Keep going and those double digits will turn to single digits. I am so proud of you.

RODEO---Yeehaw on the 10 pound loss. WAY TO GO!!!!! Kick those unwanted pounds directly to the curb and stamp on them as you walk away!!!!

Yes, STARCHASER, you were definitely missed. Come on and get that butt off the floor and tell us what’s been happening.

Well, that’s it for me. I’m pretty tired and ready to hit the sack and feel all my muscles asking, “What’s up with this new stuff???”
Take care.
Kim
185/171/139
Since January 2, 2001

Deb - that was a great suggestion about the bid jar. I have never seen someone do that before. I've got just about everything priced. Tomorrow I get to "arrange" it in the garage. We are having our "administrative support" luncheon tomorrow at a Country Club. I think I'll treat myself to some shopping at the big JC Penney sale and then mosey over to the Country Club for lunch. We have a small office, so there will only be 7 of us there. It's supposed to be a beautiful day here tomorrow, so it will be fun to sit around and talk smart.

My son went on a school field trip this morning and won't be back until Friday mid-morning. This is the first time he's been away from us for that long. We don't know what to do with ourselves! I'm so glad the weather has turned around. The group of kids that went on this field trip on Monday had high winds and rain to contend with. They are at a camp and sleeping in cabins. During the day they do hiking and eco studies and group building exercises. This camp is just outside of the Wisconsin Dells. Has anyone been there before? It's a pretty interesting tourist area and very well known in the midwest.

Hang in there everyone! I think about all of you often!

Karen

hi everyone!

I haven't had time to read all the posts, so I am just going to say that I hope that everyone had a great WIW.

I weighed this morning and have lost another 1/2 pound of the 5 that I gained last week. I still have another 1 1/2 pounds to go before I get back to my lowest. I know that i'll come though. I have been retaining so much water lately. I think a lot of it has to do with sitting at my desk with my feet hanging down. Anyway, that 's the curse of hot weather and the job I have.

You all have a great day.

Cheri
287/276.5/145

Thought I'd get in a post before I hit the hay.:)

BEACH, I just can't imagine eating protein an entire day, or veggies an entire day-it's hard enough to get me eat 1 serving of veggies a day most times. I'm just going to continue to be patient and see what happens after my period ends. I'm just too afraid to change anything. I have been trying to eat a little more in calories, but I wonder if this strategy isn't working for me. WOW, I can't believe you are down to 136, that's awesome!!! Have you started to eat anything you hadn't before since you've been on maintenance?

QUILTER, as I was reading your post about the class I truly thought you were going to say you had to break wind, my sick mind!:p Thank goodness the cell phone didn't go off, doesn't make for good concentration I would think. Glad you like the yogurt, I put a little sweetener in mine as well. Have you tried making yogurt cheese?? Hopefully, I will be better on the scale tomorrow morning, but from the looks of tonight, I will be up-depressing, isn't it!?!

KAREN, if you need any leggings, check out the SJB capri pants at Penney's-they're great! I love mine!!! Black, of course.

CHERI, glad to hear you are headed back down-not far to go now and you'll be back to where you were and then on your way down from there. I feel for you, I too am retaining water-almost makes me not want to drink more.

Gonna hit the hay:dz: I'll be in touch tomorrow!!!

NITE!

Debbie
194/:mad:/129

It's slack-posting old Frog with another quickie!

I stayed the same for the 3rd, yes 3rd week in a row! Gotta wonder if it is the Special K and strawberries 4-5 mornings a week that are doing me in!

I know I gotta start doing more exercise. I am one of those women SPARKLE talked about in her posts regarding losing muscle! A bigger engine (muscle) burns more fuel (calories).

SPARKLE - Regarding your need to move around at work - do some internet searches for ERGONOMIC information. Physical therapists sites and "Advance" magazinr for PTs may also be a source. You are right on track with realizing that you need to change your body position throughout the day. We weren't meant to be sedentary. We should be out gathering berries and planting seeds! Let me know if you aren't able to find what you are looking for. Also, it is good to take a stretch break throughout the day, to include the arms, wrists, shoulders and back, those muscles that are impacted by consistent posture used when typing/surfing. We have therapy balls at work. I think I will try one tomorrow and see how I like it. Good Luck!

QUILTER - love the yoga class commentary. Woule really like to do yoga too. I live in a community that is a little behind the times - could drive 30-45 minutes to Chapel Hill, NC (home of UNC) and probably find some great ones but could only make those on Saturdays.

RHOO - It was me with the bathing suit and the sister with the dream. Hope it is a not a let-down for her. I think she will be happy for me though and pleased with the progress.

FILLESE - WAR EAGLE!! :D I am coming to Columbus for Memorial Day weekend to see my folks. Are you interested in trying to have lunch in Phenix City ("Sin City") or downtown Coumbus one day? Maybe Friday? My parents actually live about 30 minutes from downtown (they live out toward Callaway Gardens but not that far out). My visits are always so crammed but I would love to actually meet someone on the board and then we can post our pics! :) Please let me know next week what you think about those prospects.

DEB - Just a reminder - Positive self-talk!! You are beautiful, thoughtful and gracious woman worthy of kudos and love! RX: Say it to yourself 5 times daily in the mirror!!!!

LISA AA - Hope your son continues to do well

IDLBLOND - What a month you've had! Glad today was better for you!

BOB - I have missed your posts!

Pray for a nice weekend - I am going to the beach this weekend with the ladies group and the "spewer" is going. Rumor has it that she suspects I am mad or "something." Hope that everyone will be on their best behavior and no one will have hurt feelings. Hope the weather is as FAB as they predict it to be!

I know I won't be able to post tomorrow night and then am off to the beach on Fri a.m. I will see all you lovely ladies on the message board on Monday with a full report of the beach!

ONE MORE THING: I want to say that even though I have not been able to be a part of this board as consisitently as I would have liked the past few weeks and since returning to work in December, You ALL are important to me and so motivating. I learn from each of you daily and feel like I know you far better than people I see at work on a daily basis. I wanted you all to know that even when I'm not able to post a longer note or say hi to everyone, that I am thankful everyday for the members here and certainly have you in my thoughts!

Peace,
Frog

Peace

Hi all

Just a quickie before I get off to bed

No loss for me this week again. Still 203 which is the same as last week which is 2 pounds higher than my lowest of 201 two weeks ago. I don't know what I am doing wrong but this weight just doesn't want to leave me.

I got out to badminton this evening, played for about two hours. Not so many people there this evening so had more games than usual.

Rhroo - Way to go with the size 8. It looks like you have been out of those plus sizes for quite a while. Isn't it a nice feeling that you don't have to go to that section.

Deb - We know the gain is only fluid and it will be gone in a day or two. You couldn't possibly gain 2 1/2 pounds of fat overnight.

Ldblond - Hope everyone has gotten over the flu and are feeling better.

Gardengirl - Congrats on the lost 2 lbs. Sounds like your girls are really keeping you busy.

Congrats to all the losers this week.

Will finish reading and responding to posts in the morning.

Bye :wave:

Marie. :)

Here is a quick weigh in wendsday!!! (its thursday really :D 1:46 a.m )
Your all always talking about the "happy dance" well i have been doing one today to the beat of a mumba i guess! LOL (i crack myself up!) goes like this "guess who's lost 60 pound Yeah guess who's lost 60 pounds" Not out loud of course but to myself!!!! Actually its 61 lbs -as i told my best bud "not rounding up or down!" its a joke with us! I went to the mother in laws scale (i should call it mine i use it and only it!) I got my self all talked into maintaining or gaining because i started these The Frim tapes more a week and got more outside activity soooooo muscles weigh some more! got in and got on!!!! then off pants on pants off! LOL (no visions please!) that sucker said a steady 140.0 no moving at all woooooo hoooooo i was SHOCKED!!!! i was shooting for a half lb!!! i got 2 and a 1/2!!!!! I have been better than i have in weeks past!! I did start to journal again (this week not last) I really don't know whats up i will take it. I honestly think its the weights! and i love them!! i might kiss them in the morning! LOL
I have to go to bed i read all the posts when i am awake i will reply!-- I love you guys! LOL thanks for the support! Only 5 more of the suckers to gooooooooooo!!

Rhonda

201.2/140.0!!!!/135----visualize-realize-achieve! right all in the head!(can ya tell i am tired?!)

Toast to friendship!
 

I wanted to express again how much I enjoy reading/posting here. The moments I spend here are my favorite parts of the day (after rollerblading ;) ) You gals ROCK!

Congrats to EVERYBODY not just the “losers!” I must say right off that I didn’t weigh myself today. I had already decided not to because I promised myself that if it was going to stress me out more, I just wouldn’t freaking weigh at all. But if I had any temptation, I didn’t have a chance because I died (more at the bottom of this post.)

BOB, I have found OA to be very helpful because of the group support...face to face. I’ll tell you what one of the most powerful things that every happened was: sitting in a circle just LISTENING to someone speak without being allowed to interrupt or comment. Whenever I talk to anybody I’m always so busy thinking up a response that I only half hear what they have to say. Don’t we all do the same thing? And of course, having people listen to me. But I found the first to be much more effective. I have a few disillusions with OA now that I have gotten into a leadership role (politics you know). But overall the 12 steps have been essential to my recovery.

Been meaning to ask you if you live with a smoker. That was the hardest part for me, I thought I would never quit until my roommate did. But I dug in my heels and am also still smoke-free!

Rosalie/Marie, no it wasn’t just the graphics, I have a high speed connection at work and home and it’s usually okay. Back to normal now though sort of.

Deb, thanks for the info on salt and flaxseed. You remember how you were telling me that maybe I’ve been obsessed with exercise? Well in the same spirit I gotta say you’ve been pretty obsessed with the scale lately. Which I can understand perfectly since you are so close to goal. But that number is just a number in your head . . . I’m confident that it will happen for you but right now it’s like “a watched pot never boils.” We have a saying in OA, “Let go and let God,” however you want to interpret it. Good luck (((HUGS)))).

Quilter/Kim, I’m sure that money is tight but clothes that look and feel wonderful are a BIG part of feeling good about yourself! I don’t know what size you are but at 171 you are definitely NOT shopping in the “Coleman” section. It may take some time and patience to find clothes on a budget, but write down a few pieces that you need to build a basic wardrobe (2 pairs of pants, 4 blouses, a blazer, etc.) and then spend some time going “treasure hunting” at Goodwill, garage sales, Wal*Mart and the outlet mall! If you have a “map” in your head of what you need ahead of time, it makes things easier. And remember to have fun!

Frog, whenever I hear from you, it brightens my day. The high traffic here is nice, but I would say that the reason I am addicted to this board is all about quality over quantity! So whenever you can post is appreciated.

WHOO HOOO size 10 bathing suit! Don’t you just love the feeling? Thanks for the info on ergonomics and good luck with “Spewer!!!” HAHA! Looking forward to all the juicy details.

Idblond/Lara, nice to hear from you! Wow, the stuff you have been going through lately is incredible. Makes my day from Hades (more below) seem like a walk in the park. Good luck to you and your family.

Rhonda, it’s hard to let go of that old fat vision of ourselves huh? Every time I wear a shirt that is loose, I think I look like the Incredible Hulk because I’m seeing what I used to look like (I’m bigger on top than on bottom). You look FAB in your picture girl. Size 8...that’s UNCHARTED TERRITORY for me!

Lisa, I was scared to try green tea straight because I didn’t like it long ago, kept drinking the flavored varieties and then with a packet of Splenda. Finally I tried it straight -- “YamaMotoYama” brand which I got at Wal*Mart; it was delicate and lovely. Much better than sweet.

Fillise/Susan, I don’t have “hard evidence” on this but I believe that there is a difference between “naturally occuring” caffeine in coffee and tea, and chemically added caffeine in soda and diet pills. If anybody has any information on this I would like to hear it.

To all the rest who posted, hello!

And here she goes.....

This is all from yesterday because that’s how long ago I started this post:

Set aside tonight to clean house but just sick of it. Got home from the Drs and have been cooking and cleaning for 4 hours straight. I REFUSE to do any more! ;) Just when the kitchen was nice and clean, I discovered a huge puddle of grease on every shelf of my flour/spice cabinet...roomie had turned his french fry grease on its side and it leaked EVERYWHERE. I didn’t mind washing up the nasty used grease pot, but spending a good half hour scrubbing everything down with ammonia was just...tiring. Sorry, just had to rant.

Dinner was a series of experiments. Had some veggies in the fridge that were getting limp so I made up a veggie dish as I went along. Sauteed asparagus, zucchini and bell pepper, diced, in olive oil over medium high. Turned to low and added chopped fresh basil, canned black olives and mushrooms, spices and a generous slug of olive oil, simmered until the flavors melded. I don’t have the energy to spell out the exact recipe. The point is, for those of you who let veggies rot in the fridge, I just discovered that the secret to eating lots of veggies is LOTS of olive oil! Olive oil is good for you in moderation, and it’s really hard to eat too much. I’ve found that “things that make me gag” plain are a delicious treat with a little flavoring and olive oil.

Second experiment was “fried chicken.” Took whole wheat flour, wheat bran, dried onion, garlic powder, s & p, and dipped some chicken breasts in egg (after cutting them lengthwise), coated in mixture. Threw it on the grilling pan while ignoring the invader in the kitchen making snide comments about my idea. Well, peeked in later and while it was cooked, there was still dry flour all over the chicken. Sending impending humiliation, I thought fast and dipped those babies in my friend the olive oil and all was well. Turned out a bit dry but it tastes WAY BETTER than Kentucky Fried Crap and the lot of them.

Few more dabbles, but those were the main ones. Got lots of food prepared to last me almost to the end of the week, when I add in a few stuffs I’m missing. It’s very important to be prepared or I will made poor choices rather than be hungry. At this point in time wrong choices are NOT an option. Spoke to the quasi-boyfriend person Sunday and he said, “Chris, ever since I met you, you have ALWAYS accomplished everything you set out to do.” Wow, talk about one of those all time great compliments. I finally have the tools I need to reach my goal and nothing is going to stand in my way.

Okay, now this is from today:

I am having SUCH a bad day. No way to be positive about it grrrrr. I knew it was a bad day when I first woke up, then I was rushing to work and skidded (on the bike) on some gravel. Before I could even react, I was face down eating asphalt. I had been going really fast and my breath was completely knocked out. Good thing I was in the parking lot and not the road, could lie on the ground and cry for a little while. I had to sit for ten minutes before I could move. Well, the damage is some bad scrapes on my elbow, wrist, knee and hip but mainly, my shoulders have completely locked up. Going to have to seek out a chiropractor I guess.

Then, because I’m a cripple, I got totally buzzkilled for not paying attention during a meeting this morning, among other things.

Forgot my lunch and learned why I have been going through the trouble of making my own food. First Martin walked way down to this “healthy” little cafe down the street but they were on vacation. He comes back and we try to figure out what else I could eat.. Finally decided to try the taboulei from the greek restaurant. Well it turned out to be $4.50 for a TINY little bowl that was mostly green onions. I was so pissy. But Martin gave me his hummus, and I chanced some brown rice in the fridge with a string cheese stick and it wasn’t a bad lunch. The point is, there are always ways to cope. But I won’t be forgetting my lunch again anytime soon.

On the Safeway sleuthing I did yesterday (see chart posted earlier): I was amazed to discover how many “real” foods, like pizza and soup, contain so much sugar! And when you add even a small sugar drink to any meal, the total sugar grams are 70+ for the smallest meal! 280 calories of pure sugar. No wonder kids are hyperactive and irritable. They feel yucky from all that sugar (I’m pretty old but I do remember). Notice that I listed a store brand unfrosted “Pop Tart.” The actual Pop Tarts don’t come in unfrosted anymore! At least not on that particular shelf. Even frozen pizza contains tons of sugar. I was trying to tell my coworker (who has a big Tupperware container of cookies on her desk, like I used to) about my research and she yelled, “That’s why I never look at labels!!!” Well, I must admit that I kinda wish I never did. It was horrifying. Everything is corn syrup and hydrogenated oil. And lots of sodium. As a nation, we have sold out and the general public doesn’t care anymore. Thank goodness there are still some who do and a bunch of them are right here!

Anyway, it’s only 8 and I’m tuckered. Most exhausting day in history. I think I’ll have to sleep on the floor tonight because my back is really messed up. I’m even tempted to call in sick tomorrow, which I just don’t do unless I’m dying.

Hugs,

Chris
164/15?/130

http://www.shapeshakers.com/sparkley.gif

LATEST EVIL COKE COMMERCIAL: A beautiful bride is surrounded by friends and family. A shy, cute little girl holds up a bottle of Coke and the bride carefully sips through a straw. The little girl is proud and happy.

More info from Sugar Blues
 

The following except is a detailed explanation of what excess sugar does to the brain’s chemistry. You may find this useful when explaining to others the damaging effects of sugar...or when sitting face to face with that chocolate donut:

From Sugar Blues by William Duffy, page 46 to 47:

The brain is probably the most sensitive organ in the body. The difference between feeling up or down, sane or insane, calm or freaked out, inspired or depressed depends in large measure upon what we put in our mouth. For maximum efficiency of the whole body – of which the brain is merely a part – the amount of glucose in the blood must balance with the amount of blood oxygen. As Dr. E. M. Abrahamson and A. W. Pezet note in Body, Mind, and Sugar, “ . . . a condition in which the blood sugar level is relatively low . . . tends to starve the body’s cells, especially the brain cells. It is treated by diet . . . What happens to us when the cells of our bodies and especially our brains are chronically undernourished? The weakest, most vulnerable cells suffer first.” When all is working well, this balance is maintained with fine precision under the supervision of our adrenal glands. When we take refined sugar (sucrose), it is the next thing to being glucose so it largely escapes chemical processing in our bodies. The sucrose passes directly to the intestines, where it becomes “predigested” glucose. This in turn is absorbed into the blood where the glucose level has already been established in precise balance with oxygen. The glucose level in the blood is thus drastically increased. Balance is destroyed. The body is in crisis.

The brain registers it first. Hormones pour from the adrenal casings and marshal every chemical resource for dealing with sugar: insulin from the endocrine “islets” of the pancreas works specifically to hold down the glucose level in the blood in complementary antagonism to the adrenal hormones concerned with keeping the glucose level up. All this proceeds at emergency pace, with predictable results. Going to fast, it goes too far. The bottom drops out of the blood glucose level and a second crisis comes out of the first. Pancreatic islets have to shut down; so do some departments of the adrenal casings. Other adrenal hormones must be produced to regulate the reversing of the chemical direction and bring the blood glucose level up again.

All of this is reflected in how we feel. While the glucose is being absorbed into the blood, we feel “up.” A quick pick-up. However, this surge of mortgaged energy is succeeded by the downs, when the bottom drops out of the blood glucose level. We are listless, tired; it requires effort to move or even think until the blood glucose level is brought up again. Our poor brain is vulnerable to suspicion, hallucinations. We can be irritable, all nerves, jumpy. The severity of the crisis on top of crisis depends on the glucose overload. If we continue taking sugar, a new double crisis is always beginning before the old one ends. The accumulative crisis at the end of the day can be a lulu [remarkable].

After years of such days, the end result is damaged adrenals. They are worn out not from overwork but from continual whiplash. Overall production of hormones is low, amounts don’t dovetail [fit together]. This disturbed function, out of balance, is reflected all around the endocrine circuit. The brain may soon have trouble telling the unreal from the rehal; we’re likely to go off half-cocked. When stress comes our way, we go to pieces because we no longer have a healthy endocrine system to cope with it. Day-to-day efficiency lags, we’re always tired, never seem to get anything done. We’ve really got the sugar blues.

END

GOOD THURSDAY MORNING EVERYONE!:wave:

Got up a little early and thought I'd get in a post before my day started.

The scale is not being kind to me at all. I'm back up to 134:mad:-a gain of 3.5 from just a few days ago-it's not a pretty sight.:( Nothing I can do to change it, unless I want to fidgit the dial-NOT! It's like playing ping-pong with my body-I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow.

TODAY IS RECIPE DAY. I'll get a few recipes posted later on. Got a few new books so I'll pull something out of them:)

FROG, I avoid the mirror at all costs-unless I'm painting my face-it's sorta on the same list as my scale most days. I hope you have a wonderful time at the beach-you'll definitely have to report back to us, esp. with Old Faithful being there! Take a picture to post on the board PALEEEESSEEE!!! You can be our Coppertown spokesperson!

ROSALIE, lets now say it's 3.5lbs!:eek: Geez, it is getting me a bit discouraged at moments, but I try to keep myself focused and know that it will go back down. It's hard to see the numbers staying up like this-I was 134 on 2/21, here I am 2 months later, back at that weight-this wasn't in my plans, that's for sure! Have you been writing down what you are eating? If not, why not try that again-post a menu on the board, maybe we can see what's going on. I've keeping track daily this past week or so.

RHROO, CONGRATS! 2 1/2lbs, 61lbs-WOO HOO! Happy Dance! 5lbs now, you can do it-stay focused!!!!!:)

SPARKLE, I wish I was with you and could not of weighed in yesterday-wasn't a pretty site and yes, it does put one in a lousey mood.:mad: Your fried chicken would of worked if you would of sprayed some olive oil cooking spray on it. I do "shake and bake" chicken or chops sometimes, and it needs the light coating of oil. OUCH! Please, be careful when you exercise-that sounds like you had a nasty fall-SLOW DOWN!!! I thought about you in the grocery store after reading the kids and sugar articles-I again went to areas I don't normally go, like baby foods and looked at the zweiback cookies, usually babies first cookie-that has sugar in it and hydrogenated oils-can you imagine! I surely wished I knew about these things back when my kids were little, I'd never of given them this stuff! Keep this in mind for the future!!!

Time to get ready to take Michael to school-will walk afterwards. Will check in with you all later and post some recipes.

Have a great day!

Debbie
194/134/129
SB since 3/22/00