i made an interesting casserole yesterday.. it's basically lasagna- but in place of the noodles I used eggplant slices- :chef: I cooked it yesterday cuz usually that kinda stuff tastes better the next day:hun:


This is really strange but .. i keep getting these cravings for things i usually don't eat.. like a few weeks ago all week i kept thinking i wanted a tuna steak- and this week i kept thinking i wanted eggplant really weird cuz i really am not that fond of either---


:goodscale: 249.5 this morning :cheer2:

have a great day everyone!

ok ladies... i am curious.. all my life, i have been overweight since @ kindergarten, and my parents dragged me to dr's ... ya know why is she fat? my mom is thin in her younger days barely moving the scale to 97 lbs, dad is small framed @ 160 lbs and 5'6"... no other overweight members in my family......... or so i thought

a few months ago my mom told me that her grandmother was very obese..
and then recently i heard that after having kids my cousin went from @ 150 lbs to way over 300 .. yes on my mom's side of the family...

makes me wonder if the "fat gene" skips a few generations? i really do believe there is a genetic link... Now i am just wondering how this genetic link and the carb issue is connected...

i am doing a bit of research on "leptin" which is the factor the researchers have determined to be the genetic factor....


:lol: so back to my 1st question for u ladies... do you know of any family members in your family possibly a few branches back.. that were obese.. (i hate that word!) but you know what i mean... not just chunky but quite heavy????


interesting article:

STORY BY

Nora K. Shire
Your body’s parts function like a big family: everyone is related, interdependent and vying for attention.

One member is finally finding its voice—and, in the weight-loss fight, is gaining respect. Leptin, researchers are discovering, is one of the most influential hormones—to the point of winning out over old-fashioned will power. Leptin regulates appetite, energy expenditure, body weight and fat, plus it tells the liver what to do with its glucose reserves.

“Your leptin level rises as you gain weight because this hormone is produced by fat cells,” says Karen Gibson, R.D., Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program director at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. The hormone decreases as you lose weight.

One of leptin’s jobs is to signal the brain when the stomach is full so you will stop eating and a “normal” weight can be maintained. But, should an imbalance occur, this natural process is diverted and unwanted pounds emerge.

Research shows that when you put on the pounds, the body adjusts to the new levels of weight as well as new levels of leptin in the blood. Unfortunately, when you lose weight, several systems are fierce about returning to that higher level. There are major changes in your nervous system and thyroid. Appetite increases a lot.

All these alterations in your complicated body will probably cause you to regain those pounds. Have pity on your poor will power: with all these molecular mechanisms at work, it never had a chance.

The loss-gain see-saw
Maintaining body weight after the pounds are lost was the focus of a recent investigation into the basic biology of human body-weight regulation. Ten subjects were put on a liquid diet to lose 10 percent of their body weight. After attaining that goal, they were given low injections of leptin to bring that hormone level back to where it was before the weight loss.

The hypothesis was that once the body had dieted and lost weight, the brain would perceive the new condition as the body being leptin-insufficient; then it would try to correct the situation. Previous studies showed that when a person loses 10 percent of their fat, the amount of leptin in the blood falls by 10 percent.

Michael Rosenbaum, M.D., director of the Columbia University Medical College study, determined leptin will not help people lose weight but could help in weight maintenance.

This answer could lead to a new class of weight-maintenance drugs designed to keep people from regaining lost weight. In reality, the pills will be tricking the brain into believing that leptin levels are higher than they really are.

The sponsor for this study and a current and longer clinical trial, enrolling 60 persons, is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

If the leptin levels are too low or too high, you will always be hungry and never feel full. This process is complicated by two other hormones: insulin, which also regulates weight gain and increases appetite, and serotonin, which must be released if a feeling of fullness is to be achieved.

“Eating whole grain bread, brown rice and unrefined sugars and more fiber, such as beans and whole grains, plus fruits and vegetables can help accomplish this goal.”

Look for protein foods low in saturated fats. Dairy products low in fat, such as one percent milk, skim and soy milk, non-fat or low-fat cheese, are good choices. Decreasing your stress levels also helps lower the amount of cortisol, a stress hormone that plays a role in weight gain.

“If a patient has real trouble losing weight, I strongly recommend a visit to an endocrinologist to have his or her growth hormone level checked,” Machenbach observes. “If it is too low, leptin will not work effectively. If thyroid levels drop and leptin levels are low, the thyroid’s production will be hindered.”

Dee-you would never survive in MS. The heat here is oppressive and I normally tolerate heat pretty well.

Curly-that dish you made with the eggplant is very similar to a Greek dish called Moussaka. Sometimes they use lamb as the meat instead of beef. Have you ever had it?

As you may remember I wasn't raised by my biological family but almost all of the members of my biological family that I know are obese. My biological mother is over 300 lbs, my sister is also obese and has diabetes, hypertension, the whole metabolic syndrome. My maternal grandmother who died earlier this year was also obese, the one uncle I know on my mother's side is obese, and my biological father who is deceased was also obese (not morbidly so but definately obese). Yes, there is no question I have a genetic predisposition to obesity. My biological mother has already had a heart attack and stroke and she is in her early 60's. Even my niece who lived with me for a few months is obese.

My maternal grandmother has been overweight as long as I can remember, but I've seen pics of her in her 20's where she is slim. My mom was always small- 5'2", maybe 110 at her high. And my mom's twin sister (who is 5'7" or more, I'm not really sure) has had a problem most her adult life altho I would not call her obese. My sisters are both taller than me too by 3-4" and while not obese, both have had issues keeping their weight down.
You know, even in high school, I was swimming on 2 teams, and also had 2 swim classes for approx 5 hours per day in the pool and I still always had a weight problem. I wasn't fat necessarily, but still wearing a 14-16. I was a lot more muscle back then, but still a big girl. Dad's side of the family (that I know) are all WNL for weight.

I know there is some correlation with genetics.... but in my case, it still has a lot to do with choices :shrug: lol.

LOL my sisters and I all have absolutely no curves (other than we got grandmas "girls") No matter what we weigh, we seem to be built straight up and down. No waist, hips or butt to speak of).... Buying clothes for this body is a nightmare. They seem to feel someone with a waist my size should have huge hips too.... I have to buy my pants in the mens dept!

Congrats on the loss Curly!!!!!! Keep it up!

i've heard of Moussaka, but i have never eaten it.. lamb tastes a bit strong to me, i really am not a big meat eater.. i like a good steak, or roast oh and i like turkey... but pasta, bread and cakes & cereal yummmmmm! I am the carb poster child! :cheer2:

can't wait i see a few baby zuchinni and yellow squash in my garden oh and 2 baby tomatoes!

i haven't started back up with my exercise, i wanna hold off till my weight loss plateus then add it back in.. I gotta catch up with Dee .. she's left me in the dust.......... sounds like we are very similar in body type.. i also have no butt or hips..

i think my lowest in this journey.. was 232 i am not sure about the goal of 165, i have been down to 180 and didnt look good at all, but that may be because i did it with phen-phen but i was exercising a lot.. so for now my goal is under 200..


i dedicated my self to the 2 smoothies for 1 month.. i guess this is the half way point.. and yes Petra.. even I am begining to grow tired of them :lol: its always amazing how you don't notice the changes as you are gaining weight... but even losing a few lbs makes you feel better!

my experiment tonight was adding raspberry crystal light to my chocolate soy shake.. ummm it was yucky! :lol: i would not recommend that one!

anyways.. i am still interested in this leptin issue.. tho everything i have read basically says your leptin levels decrease with fat loss, darn i was really hoping there was some other magic way to decrease the leptin in your body... :lol:

i found a really neat site called the daily plate its for tracking weight and the food that you eat its thedailyplate dot com


hey i only have to lose 20 lbs 4 times !!!!!! to be at my tracker goal..

ack.. I've just had a horrible week nutrition-wise. anything and everything with sugar and empty carbs/calories has passed my lips. Cookies, chips, other cookies, potatoes, Cool Whip.......if it's within my arms reach, I've eaten it :(. and, I've forgotten my med 2 nights in a row........ Time to get my bum back on track!

hugsssss girls. Hope you're doing well!

Dee~

oh well.. maybe you have gotten it outta your system and will have a better week next week !

since i was too lazy to stop at the grocery store the other night... i had to venture out for lunch yesterday... ended up with mcdonalds asian grilled salad.... eh it was ok, but that sesame dressing they give to go on it is just gross! lol well just to salty for me.. i liked the chicken tho and the mandarin oranges... i just didnt care for the salad mix they use... really bitter!

anyways i think next time i will just save my 6 bucks and eat my emergency can of tuna in my desk :lol: i guess i have been working so hard to save the down payment for the house i want to buy that i have become a grinch with my $$$, they have finally dropped the price on the house .. now if i can just get the realtor to write up my offer and stop piddling around.. i am so afraid some one is gonna beat me to it and this house is the only thing in my price range ... and believe me most houses around me are waaaaaaaaaay outta range .. this house is a bank repo...

so crossing my fingers... i have saved up 2,400 in 2 months .. just need 600 more for my 3% down ,,, which truth be told i am sure my dad would loan me the remaining 600 but gonna try to do it myself...


anyways ... i am sooooooooooo glad its friday! can't wait for 5 pm!!!!!!!!

gotta go at lunch and get the stitches outta my eyelid... :cheer2:

have a great day!

Good luck with the house Curly. I hope you are handy or know someone who is. Repo's are usually sold AS IS.

I've been rebelling for a few days, refusing to write down my food or check in here. I am trying to get my act back in gear.

Curly-do you need some smoothie recipe suggestions? I have one for a chocolate raspberry one that I thought would be good too and it was gross. Go figure. I think maybe to taste good it has to be mostly raspberry with a little chocolate instead of the otherway around.

I really don't feel like going to work today but I guess I don't really have a choice. Well, I suppose I could call in sick even though I'm not but that isn't my style. Guess that means I better get moving. I'm also getting a hardwood floor in my living and dining room and the workers will probably be here in about 45 minutes and it would be a good idea to be dressed by then.

i think a few people at my work felt that way as i was the only one who showed up out of 6!.. oh well the day fly by since it was busy as heck!

went to the dr and had a bit of a complication... he said he didn't realize i was such a fast healer and he had a devil of a time getting those stitches out!!!!!!!!! they were grown in!!!

now i go 7/22 for the left lower lid!


i tried mixing key lime yogurt into my soy shake tonite.. its pretty good!

Hey, we fell off the first page! Where are all the PIC chicks? I had a busy weekend but trying to get my act back together. How is the 2 smoothie a day diet working Curly? I was thinking about that today.

well so far the smoothies are working... I am thinking I will hae to remove the banana soon to drop the carbs/calories once I start to plateau,or get with the exercise again... but I am gonna keep going until I get stuck and then start my walking back up...


other than that work is crazy... 5,000 cases -4 agents and govenor has frozen all hiring

the realtor and lenders are driving me crazy- i refuse to have a house payment larger than my 2 week paycheck- I have been in the position before where i was scraping pennies together to survive and i am not going to push myself to that point again...


and the thought of classes soon starting is driving me crazy... so basically i am crazy......

Curly-no one should let you take on a mortgage larger than half your net income.

I'm glad your smoothie diet is working. I will keep that in mind if all else fails. I know my problem is calories. It's just finding a way to consistently keep them under control.

JCAHO is visiting our hospital right now so everyone is on edge. That's the agency that accredits hospitals. They haven't visited my unit yet but I'm sure they will. I'm hoping they come on Thurs. when I'm at the nursing home.

Hi Ladies :),

I'm still here.... still sitting 215. Hurry up and catch me curley *na na na na nana* Last couple weeks actually up a couple and down a couple but that 215 is the number that stays fairly consistent.

Good luck with the house Curly. Sounds like things are moving along. I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you.

Petra~ JCAHO visiting sounds a lot like when the health inspector shows up at the store lol... I hope they find everything all in order.

We had unusual lightning/thunder storms last week. Set off tons of fires here in northern cali. The closest one to us is probably 15 miles and they're starting voluntary evac tonight. Apparently they can only fight it from the air at this time as they can't physically get into it. It's been smokey and hazy for a few days now. The wind has shifted tonight so it's pretty clear.

We're so lucky to live in a beautiful place like this. It really makes you stop and think about the remoteness. Lee takes really good care of our property, keeping good fire lines, brush cleared and easy accessibility for FD in case of emergency. For all of this, I am truley grateful.
Have a wonderful day or days! :grouphug:
Dee~

Dee congrats on the clothes fitting better! I know that feels good! You've been doing a great job!

I'm still trying to stay on my lifestyle plan. I've stopped fitday for the most part. I know what I should be eating and my diet is pretty much the same everyday. I have been cheating a bit with things like cookies (bad val)

I've been keeping up with the exercise everyday. I'm afraid to step on the scale.