Evening all ... no walk today, not much water either and while my eating wasn't overboard, it included ice cream and chips, so I can't say it was a Towanda day. It was productive in other ways, and I'm feeling pleasantly tired vs bummed -- And I did check in, which always feels good.

I used to be with ediets and in the challenges there, every day we reported whether we stayed with our food plan, drank 64 oz water, exercised and posted to the challenge, so please forgive me this repetive habit. It keeps me in touch with the four main parts of my fitness regimen.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the food pyramid? I've used it, but I'm beginning to get suspicious of the 6-11 or so grains they suggest.

Take care!
Shimmers

I am not a fan of the USDA food pyramid, either the original or the recently revamped edition. Dr. Walter Willett, researcher of a large dietary study and the chairman of the Dept of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, proposes an alternative pyramid, which I think is much closer to ideal. The basic idea includes avoiding refined carbohydrates and eating more good oils. (I go further and keep a tight limit on even my whole grain starches.) I think these changes in my diet have been the cause of my spectacular turn-around in my cholesterol numbers. He also proposes this diet for prevention of diabetes. Here's a couple of links...

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/liv...21pyramid.html

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH...054/29837.html

I used to eat a very low fat diet that was high in starches, particularly brown rice. When I got my original (high) blood lipid numbers (years ago), my doctor recommended I reduce the fat in my diet. I told him that was virtually impossible and described what I ate. He didn't believe me. I brought my husband to my next doctor's appointment to verify my eating habits. I still don't think he believed me. My problem wasn't fat; it was all the starch (I think). But I am NOT low-carb now. Most of my calories are carbs from veggies and fruit with some amount of whole grains. I also make an effort to include as much NF dairy as possible in my diet; I've seen several recent studies supporting dairy but I don't have time to grab links now.

Anyway, that's what makes sense to me and seems to work for me.

Good luck!
-Deborah

Hi again everyone,

A belated thanks for all the kudos... I know everyone hates to "brag" about their achievements, but I say, why the heck not when you've done so much hard work? I love to hear about other people's success, so I don't feel too badly when I announce mine.

Anyway, thanks, thanks, thanks! You really help to keep me focused.

~~Amy

Actually, the day after my fabulous announcement, I ended up having a naughty day and overnight, I put on those 2.5 pounds I lost! Oh well... you can be sure I was OP yesterday, and though my scale was pretty wonky this morning, I'm pretty certain that I am back down to where I was. Phew! Daily weighing can make you crazy, but it sure does keep me on the straight and narrow when I need to be.

We still have two more days til weigh-in, so I'm planning on doing all things OP and see what I can achieve!

You guys are the absolute best!

Shimmer I agree with Deb. I don't really follow it eaith. I record what I eat at fitday and I try to keep the carb, fat and protein at 40%, 30% and 30%. It seemed to work for me. I can say that everyone is different so you may have to play around with a few things.

I'm so proud of everyone in here. Just for being here . You dont realize what that means? Just showing up takes guts.
Di , I know it will take a long time before y ou are 100% sure that you are not "fat" anymore. You wont have a room of people stop what they are doing just to look at "the fat girl" as cruel as it seems its happened to me quite a few times with my hubby. You will just have people pass you by or simply think . That outfit looks really cute on her! Its so so strange sometimes. I cant say I relate to people with Bulemia or Anorexia. But one thing I can relate to is not seeing reality when I look at myself inthe mirror. It sort of healing itself. I look and many times I see a thin girl and then sometimes I see a person who could stand to lose another 5 lbs at least.The only truth I can see is in the mseasuring tape and clothes size.
I constantly catch myself looking at myself from a store window. As I pass by I see my reflection and sometimes stop in disbelief that its really me there! And thats a good thing.It sounds vain, sorry! But I think you all can relate fitting in that dream size and modeling around a bedroom with your doors locked dancing in front of a mirror? OR is that just me lol
well I better go!
ttyl,Gen

I think if I followed the food pyramid I'd be eating way too much. I'm just counting calories and that seems to keep the fat low because I don't want to eat any big calorie items. It's also keeping my bread consumption low. Bread adds up quick too. Veggies veggies veggies.
I am a little confused about BMR. I've calculated twice, once on line where I just typed in my weight and physical activity level and one from a magazine where I did the math myself. Well, the totals were way off. One was about 1800 and one was 2200. A difference of 400 calories is huge!!! Thats like a whole meal if I'm staying in the 1200-1400 range. Know of any other calculators? Maybe I'll try a few more and average them.
I did get on the scale this morning and theer'e no change. I'm really disappointed , but rather than console myself with food I'm going to stick to it today!!! Maybe tomorrow the scale will come around.
(my daughter is playing with the smilies)

I am taking tomorrow off since my children have Spring Break and tomorrow is my DH's birthday so we will go birthday shopping for him.

Anyway I will not be back around here til Monday and just wanted to send to everyone before their weigh in on Saturday! I hope that we will all see a loss!

I will check in on Monday morning and hope to loss after loss after loss!!!

Have a great weekend Paula!!! I hope your DH has a great birthday!

I have my second pilates session tonight. I am still sore from the last one! I am trying to drink lots of fluids today as a glass of wine last night left me quite dehydated
Do many of you use fitday? Do you find it hard to update daily? It looks a little complex but it seems like it might give you an extra boost to see your goals every day and your progress...

Apple-

You were asking for some bmr calucaltors.... one is on www.jimkaras.com - go to the bottom right hand corner of the screen and click on it....

also there is one on .... www.fitday.com

they do vary some - I always use the lower number to be on the safe side.

Clarita I've used fitday though not religiously. I find it helpful to track my intake of not only calories but what the calories are comprised of (i.e. fats/carbs/protein etc). I especially like the feature which calculates how many calories were burned during exercises--it even has the totals for certain *ahem* indoor activities . The only drawback I've found is that the foods list is not as extensive as other sites, and being in HI we have a lot of ethnic foods, I have to keep looking up the nutritional info on other sites and then customizing the database to suit me. I tend to refer to calorieking.com more often as it has a more expansive database of foods, a lot of ethnic ones too. Just my 2 cents.

Paula birthday wishes to your hubby and have a great weekend!

Shimmers, Towanda day? Fried Green Tomatoes, no?

Everyone else, keep on truckin' to the weekend.

Angie girl, I gotta just tell you as also that your hardwork has paid off bigtime! You are already in your 150's! And well on your way to the 140's very soon. I know the feeling and its awesome!
Big congrat and ((hugs))) to you girl!

Everyone is doing good, just move that body. Find an excuse to burn a few extra calories tomorrow!If I dont go tothe gym I will wash my car or go outside and sweep the front.

Well it's getting sorta late and I'm yawning too much lol


nite folks,
Gen

What great posts today! It's so energizing to come here and see everyone ... and motivating too, when during the day I think about Not working out but then have to consider what I'll post at night.

Noelle, totally Fried Green Tomatoes! ... I try to keep in touch with my inner Towanda.

Kenji and I walked the beach over in Monterey today ... you know what? Some people have evil dogs and invariably those dogs are off-leash. Evaded a cujo down by the beach only to have one try lunging from a parked car (window wayyyyy rolled down) as we walked by on a roadside trail. Kenji's such a mellow old guy, he just eyes them cautiously, although he doesn't much like the directness of boxers or pit bulls and will bark and growl back at that. Still, mostly he wants to walk happily on his leash and smell all the stinky stuff.

I had a friend once who insisted on letting her dog off leash no matter what the rules or setting, insisting his dog just wanted to play. All I could think of was the number of people who paused on the trail until they could determine whether this dog was going to jump their kids -- gee what fun for them. Oh, and Thumper was having a great time too, running in terror from this 'friendly' dog. (Kempy -- I don't mean duck dogs! duck dogs chase with purpose.)

Sorry for the rant ... I just like walking my dog, but don't like being scared when I do it.

On topic, though, walking in the sand was a nice thigh burner and felt very good.

Night everyone,
Shimmers

I used to take my dog to an off leash dog park. It is a huge park with a river running through it. (Zack got his collar stuck on some reeds and in the current and nearly drowned. He's no duck dog...That was fun...)I NEVER saw a dog fight there (and it was frequently crowded) Dogs behave differently when they are on a leash as opposed to off. Of course, I'm no dummy, I'd never bring my rottie there, she'd try to kill any dog smaller than her and maybe the bigger ones too. She's a total alpha dog. I don't even like walking her on a leash just around the neighborhood because she's such a P.I.T.A. So when I do go for a dog walk, usually the other dog goes. Both of them have really suffered since I've had kids. Just another activity to add to my to-do-list once they are both in school 5 days a week.
I crept up to 1500 cals today. I'm really frustrated from my scale reading this morning but DH says just stay OP through the weekend and....

Oh Walking dogs!! I have 3 and Rebel has been banned from town for grabbing a kids rollerblade when he was 9 months old. I volunteered to keep him out of town to stay out of trouble. He is a JRT.

Cappie we just adopted and he is a big baby BUT...when we are walking him if he sees another dog he starts barking and trying to back out of his collar so he can go over. Of course he sounds viscious but he isn't. He is a Keeshond. He actually was tested the other night. I went into my bathroom and heard someone knocking on the utility room door so I hollared out to Jay that there was someone here. The guy heard me yell to Jay and must have thought I hollared to come in so he just came in(I don't know him at all) Cappie heard that and went flying out into the utility room over the gate and right up to the guy. All he did was sniff him. I was so happy to see that because when we are walking you would think he is mean.

Candi is my other Keeshond and she is PERFECT!! Me and my daughter took her through town the other night and she was such an angel. I just wished all three would act like her. None of them are mean.

Gen, Thanks for the support. I seem to have slowed down to a pound a week but hey it is better than gaining. I actually got right back on track this week and lost all the bloat I had put on from my binge and will have a loss to show tomorrow. I actually got into my 10's now so I am pretty psyched about that. Just in time for the warm weather. YEAH!!!