Disclaimer: I dictated most of this post to Dragon NaturallySpeaking software. It did the typing. I'm still training it and it doesn't always pay attention to what I tell it. Sometimes it jumps around and puts weird words in where they don't belong. I try to catch the mistakes, but I don't always manage to find them all so you may find some things in this but don't make sense. I wanted to warn you just in case...
Hey everyone!
I'm still trying to figure out a good nutrition planned for the next several weeks. Cycle 4 is more of a maintenance plan and I really don't want to maintain at this point, some going to be doing some experimenting. I've been a bit easier on myself this past week and have worried so much about getting huge amounts of protein/fiber. Tomorrow I've got to get down to business again. I'm very interested in seeing what you guys are doing with your nutrition. The ratio I like best-when I'm doing ratios-is 50/30/20. I think that protein is the most important when you are looking to add to or maintain your muscle. Of course, that doesn't include all the good facts that I add. if I were to figure in the good fats it would change the ratio to something like 65 percent fat, if I remember correctly.
Ebe, congrats on the new record! WOOOHOOO! You go girl!
I like your goal to have no more negative thoughts. It is very important, and it's tough to change, but it makes the world of difference. Your description of yourself sounds like the way I used to be. I've made positive thinking a priority in my life for the past few years and it has changed my life in ways I never imagined. It really does make a huge difference.
Adriana, you're doing 4 weight workouts, spinning, swimming, treadmill, power walking around town, elliptical and stair stepper every week? Or are you picking in choosing a few of the cardio things each week? I'm hoping its just a few! It is all of this may be you are tired because you're overtraining. Are you getting at least eight hours of sleep?
Mindi, nothing wrong with your memory! I did sort of try carb cycling very briefly, but it was with cycle three nutrition and all I was doing was adding extra calories and what I was adding was processed food. I may do a little carb cycling in the next few weeks, but I will be changing other things about my nutrition, too, and hopefully that will make a difference.
Did you find any great books at Barnes & Noble? A sound like a fun afternoon! You to get a cup of decaf while you were there?
BTW, I'm dictating this on my Dragon NaturallySpeaking software, and it doesn't always do what I'd tell it to. I just found out that its best not to swear when it makes a mistake because it will catch it and type it! LOL!
What's SeaSilver?
Meg, I agree with Adriana; you're still keeping your calories awfully low, aren't you? Do you keep them the same every day or try to vary them?
I'm not seeing movement on the scale either, and it's frustrating, because I know I have more to lose. Your right, though, about giving ourselves credit for what we've accomplished. I know I've never been in better shape that I am now. That's definitely something I celebrate everyday.
I hope you're having fun in Chicago with DS! My Chicagoland SIL is very understanding of my nutrition, too, and make sure they have food I can't eat when I visit. That really makes it nice and easy to stick to plan.
Cran-Water: I had a double cranberry vodka on Friday... does that count?
This is to get red of excess water weight? Sounds good to me!
It’s got to be 8 oz. of
pure unsweetened 100% cranberry juice, right? I'll look for R. W. Knudsen at my health food store. Then just add water to get 64 oz. and sip on it all day? We don't have to change our regular nutrition at all other than this? How often do you do this? Just one day, a week? It sounds like it's working for you and I agree, it would be great to lose a pound a day that way, even if it is only water.
The Fat Flush is very popular with LCers. It does sound like a good plan to shake things up, as Karen says.
Carrie, it sounds like the Fat Flush with the bottom was not a good experience for you! How long did you do it?
Tiki, fat is not the enemy! In fact, you're doing yourself a disservice by not getting enough of it. More food for thought; when I asked Dr. Connelly (BRx author) what the best fat-burning supplements were, the ones he mentioned were good fats. Udo's, CLA, coocnut oil. Lots of peole use coconut oil on their bread. I don't eat bread, so I'm not one, however, Tidey's suggestion may make a convert of me! Coconut oil and garlic...hmmm!
Karen, I missed the TV shows you mentioned. I rarely watch any TV and don't even think to check the TV Guide anymore. If you know of any good shows in advance, please let me know so I can try to watch them.
'Administrative Professionals Week?' That was a new one to me! You can actually put Godiva candy in your freezer and it will stay there? Your stronger than I am! I don't keep anything in my house that I shouldn't eat. Not that I don't trust myself...
Keeping my fingers crossed for a new dishwasher! I would love a new one in my apartment, but if this very old, very noisy one breaks, it won't be replaced. From what I've heard, it's too small and they don't make ones that will fit in the space.
"Ultimate Fitness: The Quest for Truth About Exercise and Health" by Gina Kolata talks about spinning? I'll definitely have to check that out when I go to the library this week! I've got to return a book..
Welcome Dagny!!! 
How horrible that must have been for your brother! I'm so sorry! For the longest time I would go almost a year without having a seizure. I'd get all excited about the prospect of being able to drive again, that I have one. It always devastated me. I hope things get better for your DB soon.
Robin, eating this way shouldn't cause headaches. It's more likely to be what you're eating that is because if it is food related. Headaches can be caused by other things, too, like stress.
I'm sending you good vibes and strength to resist future KKs. I've never tried them myself. I figure that's one addiction I don't want to get. Count it as your RED food for the week. You are allowed 2.
JC, good luck with your exams!
Sel, congrats on completing Challenge 3! WTG!
Hugs CB!!! Life gets tough sometimes. It's so hard to lose someone we love. Hang in there. I'm glad you're on your way back.
Shelby, you weren't kidding! Not a good week! I hope next week is a breeze for you & yours! Changing your workouts every 4 weeks on BFL is great. It always helped me. Make sure you've eating enough, too. I sound like someone's mother, don't I? lol...
Cars: Thanks for all your suggestions! I won't be able to buy a car until I get a new job, but hopefully that isn't too far away. I should have my license by the end of May, if all goes well. Hopefully, I'll have a new job by then, too. I'm definitely going to be looking for an economical used car. That is, unless I can convince my older brother that he needs a new Porsche and should give his old one to me! He and DSIL will be visiting Mother's Day weekend, so I may have to work on him then!
Seriously though, I'd like a little four-door sedan. It's going to be fun shopping around for one!
I took part in the 90 minute March of Dimes Spin-a-thon on Friday. It was a blast! I got some good softness to wear with my cycling shoes and it made a big difference. One foot really started to bother me the last 10 or so minutes and I thought I was going to die, but my feet didn't fall asleep & my legs didn't cramp up afterwords when I started to stretch. Afterwards it was decided that we should go to Bennigan's to celelbrate. One rule: we had to go as we were-no changing clothes! Zack, the owner of Gold's, commented that he didn't think he remembered Bennigan's ever smelling quite like that before!
We had a great time and talked for hours. I had a
double cranberry vodka! I think the last time I had any alcohol was Thanksgiving. I also had Spinach and Chicken Quesadillas. This was the first
RED food I've had in at least 2 months and it was wonderful to enjoy it guilt-free!
I expected a gain on the scale Saturday morning after all that but it was down a pound!
It was fun getting to know some new friends and getting to know others better. It was late and rainy when we headed for home so my bike had a sleep-over in the gym and I got a ride from someone.We raised $3300 for March of Dimes. I'm not sure how much the gym raised altogether over the weekend.
I did a little pampering yesterday morning. I used two different facial masks, lavender scented shampoo and conditioner, a wonderful salt scrub, a special sea salt scrub for my hands, feet and elbows, and finally, I used a moisturizing gel I hadn't used in ages all over. I smelled great and felt as soft as a new baby!
I went out to the mall to take advantage of what appeared to be a good sale on workout clothes. I've seen them on sale on Friday, and tried some on, but I was in a hurry decided to come back. All I got Friday was a moisture-wicking top for the spin. All of the stuff I liked was gone on Saturday. Not just the sizes; the styles were gone, too. Maybe they got sent to a different store. I still need new sport bras, dry-max tanks and pants. Oh, I need new shoes, too! Mine are falling apart. Can't figure out why...guess they're old. I might get some New Balance ones, but I'm not sure what style to get. I did get a great deal on a pair of Liz Claiborne jeans to shrink into! They're lightweight so they'll be great for summer. They're a sizer smaller than the ones I wear now and they ended up costing
$6.35!
I'd better get going and get some work done! I work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights this week. I hope I don't have to work that many nights very often! I hope to get an appointment for an interview with Epilepsy Services tomorrow. Hopefully it will be for the end of this week. THey haven't started interviewing yet, so it may be longer.
I hope you're all having a good weekend!
Deb
