Sunday, December 18, 2005
The Jenny Craig Experiment
A good friend of mine recently lost 100 pounds, and she's still losing, albeit slowly now that she's close to goal. I am so proud of her! She looks absolutely "flabu-less" and has been a tremendous source of inspiration for me on my weight loss journey. Before signing up with Jenny Craig a year ago, my friend had no success with Curves, and limited success with Atkins (20 pound loss). After hitting a particularly stubborn plateau, she decided to sign up with Jenny Craig in the hopes that the prepackaged Jenny cuisine would help her learn portion control and make better food choices.
So far, she is very pleased with her Jenny Craig experience. So pleased, in fact, that she recommended that I consider doing Jenny, too. My first reaction was...Yuck! Microwave cuisine! My second reaction was, when has a high-carb, low-fat, calorie controlled diet ever worked for me? My friend assured me that, in her experience, the Jenny Craig way of eating can be very satisfying, and I couldn't argue with her results. She urged me to try it for a week and helped me design a Jenny-like diet using pre-packaged foods in single-serving portions. I bought a selection on Lean Cuisines, some individually packaged oatmeal, skim milk, sugar-free/fat-free yogurt, canned green beans, and some canned fruit made with Splenda. The plan was to eat three small meals and three snacks each day for a total of 2000 calories.
During my one-week trial, even though I ate frequently, I was constantly starving! The Lean Cuisines only left me wanting more food, and all the carbs set me up for sugar cravings galore. I felt possessed and couldn't stop eating, no matter how hard I tried to stick to the program. After the second day, I found myself deviating from the plan and eating foods I hadn't been tempted to taste in weeks, like chocolate. After the third day, I gave up. Experiment over. There's no doubt in my mind that I won't be shelling out hundreds of dollars a month on Jenny Craig's diet program. For one thing, I can't stand the idea of eating devitalized processed Frankenfoods when there are so many delicious, fresh foods to choose from. Secondly, this diet is much too high in carbohydrates for me. There's no question I would end up feeling hungry all the time and gaining back all the weight I've worked so hard to lose.
So, was this experiment a waste of time? Not really. It just convinced me all the more that the low-carb way of eating is the right answer. Contrary to the opinion of the people who design diets like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, successful weight loss is not about portion control, it's about the biochemistry of how our bodies handle carbohydrates. Portion size is practically irrelevant, unless you're eating carbs.
So far, she is very pleased with her Jenny Craig experience. So pleased, in fact, that she recommended that I consider doing Jenny, too. My first reaction was...Yuck! Microwave cuisine! My second reaction was, when has a high-carb, low-fat, calorie controlled diet ever worked for me? My friend assured me that, in her experience, the Jenny Craig way of eating can be very satisfying, and I couldn't argue with her results. She urged me to try it for a week and helped me design a Jenny-like diet using pre-packaged foods in single-serving portions. I bought a selection on Lean Cuisines, some individually packaged oatmeal, skim milk, sugar-free/fat-free yogurt, canned green beans, and some canned fruit made with Splenda. The plan was to eat three small meals and three snacks each day for a total of 2000 calories.
During my one-week trial, even though I ate frequently, I was constantly starving! The Lean Cuisines only left me wanting more food, and all the carbs set me up for sugar cravings galore. I felt possessed and couldn't stop eating, no matter how hard I tried to stick to the program. After the second day, I found myself deviating from the plan and eating foods I hadn't been tempted to taste in weeks, like chocolate. After the third day, I gave up. Experiment over. There's no doubt in my mind that I won't be shelling out hundreds of dollars a month on Jenny Craig's diet program. For one thing, I can't stand the idea of eating devitalized processed Frankenfoods when there are so many delicious, fresh foods to choose from. Secondly, this diet is much too high in carbohydrates for me. There's no question I would end up feeling hungry all the time and gaining back all the weight I've worked so hard to lose.
So, was this experiment a waste of time? Not really. It just convinced me all the more that the low-carb way of eating is the right answer. Contrary to the opinion of the people who design diets like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, successful weight loss is not about portion control, it's about the biochemistry of how our bodies handle carbohydrates. Portion size is practically irrelevant, unless you're eating carbs.
My Body as a Science Experiment
My apologies for being away for awhile. Things got a bit crazy around here in the past couple of weeks!
While I was on my blogging hiatus, I decided to experiment with food a bit. I made some important discoveries which, I believe, are going to be the keys to my ultimate success with this low-carb way of eating. My goal was to figure out a workable plan for me. Note that your mileage may vary. Here's what I discovered:
1. I am hypoglycemic, so it's important for me to distribute my calories evenly throughout the day by eating frequent small meals. Eating low-carb tends to suppress my appetite and tricks my brain into thinking that my body doesn't need food as often. However, I've come to realize that I can easily develop cravings and overeat at the next meal if I don't keep my body steadily supplied with fuel.
2. It's not enough for me to give up sugar, I'm going to have to give up artificial sweeteners as well. (Horrors, I know!) Aspartame gives me headaches and the sugar alcohols lead to extreme intestinal distress. All types of artificial sweeteners seem to lead to binging and intense sugar cravings. I'm totally convinced that, for me, eliminating sweets in any form is the only way to go. Sigh...
3. A couple of weeks ago, I switched to the South Beach Diet. I am still losing weight, but I feel a lot better than I did on Atkins, and my system seems less sluggish. I'm still eating in much the same way, but have introduced fruits, nonfat milk (for my latte habit!), and limited grains. Fruits are always eaten with a protein, such as apple slices with a bit of peanut butter or an orange with string cheese. Grains, if eaten at all, are limited to one serving per day with a meal.
While I was on my blogging hiatus, I decided to experiment with food a bit. I made some important discoveries which, I believe, are going to be the keys to my ultimate success with this low-carb way of eating. My goal was to figure out a workable plan for me. Note that your mileage may vary. Here's what I discovered:
1. I am hypoglycemic, so it's important for me to distribute my calories evenly throughout the day by eating frequent small meals. Eating low-carb tends to suppress my appetite and tricks my brain into thinking that my body doesn't need food as often. However, I've come to realize that I can easily develop cravings and overeat at the next meal if I don't keep my body steadily supplied with fuel.
2. It's not enough for me to give up sugar, I'm going to have to give up artificial sweeteners as well. (Horrors, I know!) Aspartame gives me headaches and the sugar alcohols lead to extreme intestinal distress. All types of artificial sweeteners seem to lead to binging and intense sugar cravings. I'm totally convinced that, for me, eliminating sweets in any form is the only way to go. Sigh...
3. A couple of weeks ago, I switched to the South Beach Diet. I am still losing weight, but I feel a lot better than I did on Atkins, and my system seems less sluggish. I'm still eating in much the same way, but have introduced fruits, nonfat milk (for my latte habit!), and limited grains. Fruits are always eaten with a protein, such as apple slices with a bit of peanut butter or an orange with string cheese. Grains, if eaten at all, are limited to one serving per day with a meal.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Overcoming Mindless Eating - Part 2
What does low-carbing have to do with a nicer smile? For me, EVERYTHING!
Ever since I embarked on my new lifestyle, I've been searching for ways to stop that nagging feeling that I want to want to eat something even though I'm not hungry. Eating when you're not even hungry is the second type of mindless eating I listed in my previous post. I call it "mouth hunger."
Some of us have become so accustomed to dealing with stress, anxiety, and boredom by keeping our mouths busy chewing food. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it's true. Up until recently, I used to do it all the time -- mindlessly -- as a way of pacifying myself. It's a good thing I finally decided that it was time to grow up and wean myself from the binky that was killing me. In order to do this, I had to start dealing with the feelings behind my own mouth hunger. I'm not going to lie and tell you that waking up to your own emotions isn't painful, because it is. But facing your fears and feelings can also be very empowering, not to mention liberating.
Unfortunately, once I learned to face the emotions behind my mindless eating and process with them, my mouth hunger didn't go away. Why? Because it I've been doing it so long that it has become a very deeply ingrained bad habit. Experts say that the best way to break bad habits is to replace them with good ones, so I've been seeking ways to keep my mouth busy without eating. If you struggle with mouth hunger like I do, perhaps you'll find some of these suggestions useful:
Ever since I embarked on my new lifestyle, I've been searching for ways to stop that nagging feeling that I want to want to eat something even though I'm not hungry. Eating when you're not even hungry is the second type of mindless eating I listed in my previous post. I call it "mouth hunger."
Some of us have become so accustomed to dealing with stress, anxiety, and boredom by keeping our mouths busy chewing food. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but it's true. Up until recently, I used to do it all the time -- mindlessly -- as a way of pacifying myself. It's a good thing I finally decided that it was time to grow up and wean myself from the binky that was killing me. In order to do this, I had to start dealing with the feelings behind my own mouth hunger. I'm not going to lie and tell you that waking up to your own emotions isn't painful, because it is. But facing your fears and feelings can also be very empowering, not to mention liberating.
Unfortunately, once I learned to face the emotions behind my mindless eating and process with them, my mouth hunger didn't go away. Why? Because it I've been doing it so long that it has become a very deeply ingrained bad habit. Experts say that the best way to break bad habits is to replace them with good ones, so I've been seeking ways to keep my mouth busy without eating. If you struggle with mouth hunger like I do, perhaps you'll find some of these suggestions useful:
- Drink water. Drink a lot of water. All day. Every day.
- Chew gum, but make sure it's sugar free. The brands I prefer have no carbs and contain no aspartame. Read the labels.
- Brush and floss your teeth frequently. You'll be less tempted to eat when your mouth feels clean. Buy a variety of toothpastes in different flavors and alternate them. Nothing gets my teeth whiter than Arm & Hammer, though.
- Keep a bottle of mouthwash handy and use it in between meals, or whenever you don't have enough time to brush your teeth. You won't want to spoil your sweet breath by eating after enjoying a good swish.
- Keep some sugar-free mints in your pocket. Or those breath strip things. Or use a breath spray. Listerine recently came out with a pocket spray I really like. Buy several and keep one in your car and in your desk, too. Keep them in plain sight so you remember to use them.
- Use teeth whitening strips. You can't eat or drink anything while wearing these and they keep your mouth busy for 30 minutes a day for a week (or two weeks, depending on the brand). I like the 7-day advanced whitening ones by Crest, but they run about $35 a package. You might want to watch for coupons in the Sunday paper and wait for them to go on sale, like I do.
- Suck on a sugar free hard candy. I love the Smooth & Creamy mint chocolate chip ones by Baskin Robbins. These are made with Splenda, acesulfame potassium, and sugar alcohols. Avoid the brands with aspartame. Walgreens usually has a good selection. Be careful, though, eating too many sugar alcohols can have a laxative effective.
- (This one's mostly for the ladies -- but maybe for some of you guys, too!) Wear lipstick or gloss, or both. Oh, heck, go ahead and do the rest of your makeup while you're at it. You won't want to ruin your pretty face by stuffing it with food. Keep a mirror in your purse or pocket for frequent touch ups. Look in the mirror often and see the beautiful new you emerging.
- Fill up a cookie jar with little, folded slips of paper on which you've written things you enjoy. On each piece of paper, write something you like to do, and fold it up. Write something that seems decadent but doesn't involve food -- for example, "read a novel," "take a bubble bath," "give myself a pedicure," "ride the swings at the park." Never write something you think you should do but dislike doing. For instance, if you hate exercise, don't write "take a walk" or "ride my bike." When the urge strikes to eat, pull out one of the slips of paper and do what it says. You'll be surprised how fast you'll forget about food.
- Oh, did I mention drinking water? Isn't it about time to have another glass?
As you can see from the above list, low-carbing has definitely improved my smile. If you have more "flabu-less" ideas, please post them in a comment!
In a future post, I will discuss mindless eating pitfall #3.
Overcoming Mindless Eating - Part 1
Now that I've been low-carbing for two weeks without cheating, I'm in the groove! This means I no longer have to fight the urge to eat sugar, and low-carb meal planning is becoming routine. Because I'm no longer battling tempatation to cheat, I've been able to observe myself more objectively. As a result, I've uncovered some bad habits that have contributed to my current unhealthy weight. Now, it's time to fix them, one at a time.
In the past, I would flit like a butterfly from one diet plan to another, looking for my Holy Grail. There is no such thing as the Holy Grail of all diets, of course. The only diet works is the one you can stick to -- for life. But even when the food is delicious and plentiful, as it is on plans such as Atkins or Protein Power, things can go awry. For me, the biggest enemy (besides sugar) is mindless eating -- that is, eating without being fully present in the moment. You know you're eating mindlessly when:
Recently, it occurred to me that I treat my car better than I treat my own body. Yikes! But, think about it. When your car's tank is getting low, what do you do? You stop at a gas station to refuel. That's right, I said stop. It's impossible to fill your car's tank by simply driving by the gas station, or while waiting for the traffic light in front of the gas station to turn green. No, you have to pull up to the pump, come to a complete stop, and turn off the ignition. You can't sit there revving the engine while you fill up, nor are you allowed to talk on your cell phone, because it's too dangerous. Have you ever noticed how impatient people can be at the gas pumps? In our fast-paced society, we get annoyed when we have to stop everything to refuel our vehicles when there are things to do, places to go, and people to see.
Before you can pump your gas, you must select the appropriate type of fuel for your vehicle. If the manufacturer recommends using a premium grade and you fill up with regular, your vehicle's performance will suffer. This is no different than eating inferior food. Sure, you fill up your stomach, but your body won't function optimally. Similarly, if your vehicle demands regular fuel and you fill up with diesel, it won't run and it might even ruin your vehicle. The wrong type of fuel is like a toxin to your car. Isn't it interesting that, while we wouldn't even consider putting the wrong type of fuel in our vehicles, we often don't think twice about putting toxins in our bodies? Perhaps it's because the consequences aren't always immediate. If you put the wrong type of fuel in your car, you'll notice right away. However, if you put junk food in your body, it can take a while for symptoms to show up.
Well, why should refueling our bodies be any different than refueling our cars? Some would argue that refueling a vehicle while it's still running might cause an explosion. But refueling our bodies while we're doing other things is just as bad. It can make us explode -- in fat! Because, by eating mindlessly, we can easily overfill our tanks, sometimes even with the wrong kind of fuel. Like our vehicles, our bodies came equipped with an automatic shut off when the tank is full. Unfortunately, in a lot of cases, such as mine, that mechanism is broken.
The process of shifting to a low-carb mindset has taught me that feeding my body is an act of self-love. No matter whatever else is vying for my attention, I need to learn to put my body's needs first. Taking the time to prepare a nutritious meal and eating it mindfully sends a "flabu-less" message to my mind and body. It's like telling my body that I am worthy. It's like saying "I love you" to myself. Now, there's a powerful concept! And, it's true! I am worthy. We all are.
So the next time you are tempted to eat while doing other things, I hope you'll remember to give yourself a great big Valentine. You are a child of God, after all. Your body deserves to be treated better than your car.
In subsequent posts, I will address mindless eating blunders #2 and #3.
In the past, I would flit like a butterfly from one diet plan to another, looking for my Holy Grail. There is no such thing as the Holy Grail of all diets, of course. The only diet works is the one you can stick to -- for life. But even when the food is delicious and plentiful, as it is on plans such as Atkins or Protein Power, things can go awry. For me, the biggest enemy (besides sugar) is mindless eating -- that is, eating without being fully present in the moment. You know you're eating mindlessly when:
- You're doing something else, like surfing the internet, or working at your desk, or talking on the phone (how rude!) when you eat.
- You're not hungry but you're eating anyway.
- You find yourself reaching for your next bite when you've barely had a chance to taste your first one.
Recently, it occurred to me that I treat my car better than I treat my own body. Yikes! But, think about it. When your car's tank is getting low, what do you do? You stop at a gas station to refuel. That's right, I said stop. It's impossible to fill your car's tank by simply driving by the gas station, or while waiting for the traffic light in front of the gas station to turn green. No, you have to pull up to the pump, come to a complete stop, and turn off the ignition. You can't sit there revving the engine while you fill up, nor are you allowed to talk on your cell phone, because it's too dangerous. Have you ever noticed how impatient people can be at the gas pumps? In our fast-paced society, we get annoyed when we have to stop everything to refuel our vehicles when there are things to do, places to go, and people to see.
Before you can pump your gas, you must select the appropriate type of fuel for your vehicle. If the manufacturer recommends using a premium grade and you fill up with regular, your vehicle's performance will suffer. This is no different than eating inferior food. Sure, you fill up your stomach, but your body won't function optimally. Similarly, if your vehicle demands regular fuel and you fill up with diesel, it won't run and it might even ruin your vehicle. The wrong type of fuel is like a toxin to your car. Isn't it interesting that, while we wouldn't even consider putting the wrong type of fuel in our vehicles, we often don't think twice about putting toxins in our bodies? Perhaps it's because the consequences aren't always immediate. If you put the wrong type of fuel in your car, you'll notice right away. However, if you put junk food in your body, it can take a while for symptoms to show up.
Well, why should refueling our bodies be any different than refueling our cars? Some would argue that refueling a vehicle while it's still running might cause an explosion. But refueling our bodies while we're doing other things is just as bad. It can make us explode -- in fat! Because, by eating mindlessly, we can easily overfill our tanks, sometimes even with the wrong kind of fuel. Like our vehicles, our bodies came equipped with an automatic shut off when the tank is full. Unfortunately, in a lot of cases, such as mine, that mechanism is broken.
The process of shifting to a low-carb mindset has taught me that feeding my body is an act of self-love. No matter whatever else is vying for my attention, I need to learn to put my body's needs first. Taking the time to prepare a nutritious meal and eating it mindfully sends a "flabu-less" message to my mind and body. It's like telling my body that I am worthy. It's like saying "I love you" to myself. Now, there's a powerful concept! And, it's true! I am worthy. We all are.
So the next time you are tempted to eat while doing other things, I hope you'll remember to give yourself a great big Valentine. You are a child of God, after all. Your body deserves to be treated better than your car.
In subsequent posts, I will address mindless eating blunders #2 and #3.
Allure "Total Makeover"
For the past year, "Allure" magazine has been running a "Total Makeover" feature about three women who set out on a quest to improve their bodies through diet and exercise. It has been interesting to watch their progress from one month to another. Even though the month-to-month pictures didn't always show much change, the difference between the "before" (one year ago) and "after" (now) pictures is astonishing!
Mikale Lichota, 28, started out at 5'7" weighing 215 pounds. Today she weighs 147. She commented that she "never thought there would be such a mental change as well." It makes sense, though. Our heads eventually have to catch up with our bodies, and we need to adjust our mental image of ourselves after we lose weight. (A friend of mine recently lost 90 pounds and looks gorgeous, but she still thinks she's fat!)
April Joy Varner, 33, started out at 5'8" weighing 214 pounds. Today she weighs 164. Poor April had "resigned herself to being overweight." Over the past year, she has learned the importance of staying on plan every day and being mindful of your eating and exercise. Like she said, "It's never really over." Now, that's a "flabu-less" way of thinking!
Kate Schmidt, 25, started out at 5'8" weighing 259 pounds and trimmed down to 173.8. Kate surprised herself because she never thought she could get below 200 pounds. One important thing Kate pointed out is that we cannot compare our results with those of others. Even though she believes that society still thinks of her as fat, Kate is proud of herself -- and she certainly should be!
I applaud these beautiful women for their courage and accomplishments. Adapting to the rigors of their new exercise routines and eating behaviors had to be a very difficult process, I'm sure. Nevertheless, they have reaped enormous rewards for sticking to their plans.
Now that this year's feature article is over, I hope Allure selects three more women for a similar makeover next year. Stories like these, and TV shows like "The Biggest Loser," which show ordinary people undergoing amazing transformations before our very eyes can be extremely inspiring. They exalt our imaginations and help us to realize that, by committing to some hard work and dedicating ourselves to a new lifestyle, we too can become "flabu-less."
Mikale Lichota, 28, started out at 5'7" weighing 215 pounds. Today she weighs 147. She commented that she "never thought there would be such a mental change as well." It makes sense, though. Our heads eventually have to catch up with our bodies, and we need to adjust our mental image of ourselves after we lose weight. (A friend of mine recently lost 90 pounds and looks gorgeous, but she still thinks she's fat!)
April Joy Varner, 33, started out at 5'8" weighing 214 pounds. Today she weighs 164. Poor April had "resigned herself to being overweight." Over the past year, she has learned the importance of staying on plan every day and being mindful of your eating and exercise. Like she said, "It's never really over." Now, that's a "flabu-less" way of thinking!
Kate Schmidt, 25, started out at 5'8" weighing 259 pounds and trimmed down to 173.8. Kate surprised herself because she never thought she could get below 200 pounds. One important thing Kate pointed out is that we cannot compare our results with those of others. Even though she believes that society still thinks of her as fat, Kate is proud of herself -- and she certainly should be!
I applaud these beautiful women for their courage and accomplishments. Adapting to the rigors of their new exercise routines and eating behaviors had to be a very difficult process, I'm sure. Nevertheless, they have reaped enormous rewards for sticking to their plans.
Now that this year's feature article is over, I hope Allure selects three more women for a similar makeover next year. Stories like these, and TV shows like "The Biggest Loser," which show ordinary people undergoing amazing transformations before our very eyes can be extremely inspiring. They exalt our imaginations and help us to realize that, by committing to some hard work and dedicating ourselves to a new lifestyle, we too can become "flabu-less."
Thursday, November 24, 2005
A "Flabu-less" Thanksgiving
Getting through Thanksgiving was a breeze this year because I was the cook and had complete control over the menu. This enabled me to ensure there were plenty of tasty, low-carb offerings that would please everyone. It was a bit of a challenge to come up with new recipes instead of the traditional, carb-laden favorites. But, that's also part of the fun!
Since we were dining later in the day, I warded off the temptation to snack on sweets by helping myself to a few handfuls of Blue Diamond almonds, which now come in a variety of bold flavors, such as Wasabi & Soy (my personal favorite), Maui Onion & Garlic, and Lime 'n Chili. Since the nuts are pretty salty, a cold drink was in order. For something a bit more special (and filling), I mixed a Tangerine Diet Rite soda with a few ounces of half and half. It tastes like a creamsicle! Try it sometime!
To maximize the flavor and moistness of the turkey, I chose to sacrifice aesthetics and roasted it breast side down, on a rack. This always ensures tender and flavorful meat because the fatty deposits under the skin along the backbone melt slowly and self-baste the bird while it's cooking. Of course, I added a bit of butter to make sure there were plenty of drippings for hand basting, too.
I love cranberry sauce, but it's loaded with sugar! So, instead of serving regular cranberry sauce, I made my own sugar-free version by cooking a bag of rinsed, fresh cranberries in a little water and adding enough Splenda to sweeten. Cranberries themselves are very low in carbs, so by removing the sugar, I was able to enjoy my turkey with cranberry sauce and didn't miss a thing.
Among the vegetable side dishes was a "flabu-less" mashed cauliflower with cheddar and sour cream, which tastes surprisingly similar to real mashed potatoes. And for dessert? None other than a slice of homemade, low-carb New York Style Cheesecake. Yum!
Not once did I feel like I was deprived or on a diet. Although I probably consumed a few more carbs than I would have on a normal day, my carb intake was definitely well within an acceptable range. All in all, a "flabu-less" Thanksgiving!
Since we were dining later in the day, I warded off the temptation to snack on sweets by helping myself to a few handfuls of Blue Diamond almonds, which now come in a variety of bold flavors, such as Wasabi & Soy (my personal favorite), Maui Onion & Garlic, and Lime 'n Chili. Since the nuts are pretty salty, a cold drink was in order. For something a bit more special (and filling), I mixed a Tangerine Diet Rite soda with a few ounces of half and half. It tastes like a creamsicle! Try it sometime!
To maximize the flavor and moistness of the turkey, I chose to sacrifice aesthetics and roasted it breast side down, on a rack. This always ensures tender and flavorful meat because the fatty deposits under the skin along the backbone melt slowly and self-baste the bird while it's cooking. Of course, I added a bit of butter to make sure there were plenty of drippings for hand basting, too.
I love cranberry sauce, but it's loaded with sugar! So, instead of serving regular cranberry sauce, I made my own sugar-free version by cooking a bag of rinsed, fresh cranberries in a little water and adding enough Splenda to sweeten. Cranberries themselves are very low in carbs, so by removing the sugar, I was able to enjoy my turkey with cranberry sauce and didn't miss a thing.
Among the vegetable side dishes was a "flabu-less" mashed cauliflower with cheddar and sour cream, which tastes surprisingly similar to real mashed potatoes. And for dessert? None other than a slice of homemade, low-carb New York Style Cheesecake. Yum!
Not once did I feel like I was deprived or on a diet. Although I probably consumed a few more carbs than I would have on a normal day, my carb intake was definitely well within an acceptable range. All in all, a "flabu-less" Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Carbs Linked to Cataracts
According to a study by Tufts University, the excess glucose produced by eating too many carbs can damage lens proteins and lead to cataracts. The researchers studied a group of 417 women and found that those who ate 200 g or more carbs per day for 14+ years had more than twice the rate of cataracts than the group whose intake was closer to the USDA-recommended amount of 130 g per day. (I'm willing to bet that those who ate fewer carbs were a lot more "flabu-less" too; unfortunately, the study didn't not report on the subjects' weight.)
Monday, November 21, 2005
The Biggest Losers Tell All
I picked up a copy of the December issue of "Prevention" magazine over the weekend, only because the cover story piqued my curiosity. The most recent issue sports a photo of three members of NBC's reality show, "The Biggest Loser," and promises to "tell all" about their collective 132 pound weight loss.
While the achievements and "before and after" photos of this group are very impressive, I have to admit feeling a bit sorry for these poor folks. The three women featured on the cover have been following a low-calorie, low-fat diet (ugh!) and working out an average of 5 hours a day for the past 10 weeks. I can't even begin to imagine the agony of such a grueling routine!
There's no doubt this group has made incredible strides toward improving their health and well-being. Indeed, the "biggest loser" will be richly rewarded when the show comes to an end, but time will tell who the real winners actually are. How many of these folks will be motivated to continue their diet and exercise program indefinitely and become "flabu-less," I wonder? How many will decide it's too hard and give up, only to return to their previous bad habits (and weight)? Is 10 weeks is enough time to ingrain permanent lifestyle changes?
We may never find out what the future holds for this group of contestants. I certainly commend them for their accomplishments and wish them continued success, regardless of which program they choose to follow. All I know is that the low-fat/low-calorie diet never worked for me, because I could never maintain my weight loss, even with exercise. That's why I've re-committed myself to the low-carb lifestyle. It's the only way I can ever hope to become the biggest loser I know!
While the achievements and "before and after" photos of this group are very impressive, I have to admit feeling a bit sorry for these poor folks. The three women featured on the cover have been following a low-calorie, low-fat diet (ugh!) and working out an average of 5 hours a day for the past 10 weeks. I can't even begin to imagine the agony of such a grueling routine!
There's no doubt this group has made incredible strides toward improving their health and well-being. Indeed, the "biggest loser" will be richly rewarded when the show comes to an end, but time will tell who the real winners actually are. How many of these folks will be motivated to continue their diet and exercise program indefinitely and become "flabu-less," I wonder? How many will decide it's too hard and give up, only to return to their previous bad habits (and weight)? Is 10 weeks is enough time to ingrain permanent lifestyle changes?
We may never find out what the future holds for this group of contestants. I certainly commend them for their accomplishments and wish them continued success, regardless of which program they choose to follow. All I know is that the low-fat/low-calorie diet never worked for me, because I could never maintain my weight loss, even with exercise. That's why I've re-committed myself to the low-carb lifestyle. It's the only way I can ever hope to become the biggest loser I know!
Friday, November 18, 2005
I'm a Loser!
Well, I've been doing my low carb thing for six days now, and so far I have lost a total of...drumroll please...7.4 pounds. Yay! Just thought I'd share my happiness with everyone.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Watch George Gorge!
No offense to anyone named George, I simply enjoy alliteration! It seems like buffet-style restaurants are springing up everywhere lately. And it's no surprise, really, because they provide relatively cheap eats, along with the illusion that you're getting a lot for your money. But check out the entrees and you'll quickly realize that almost everything is fried (carbs), battered (more carbs), or floating in a pool of gravy (still more carbs). Although most of these establishments typically offer a small tray of steamed, unappealingly limp broccoli (just in case the occasional diehard fat-o-phobe makes an unexpected appearance), most of the vegetable side dishes are high in -- you guess it -- carbs. Is it any wonder that people are getting fatter? A while ago, I went to a buffet-style Chinese restaurant with a friend. What impressed me most was not the quality of the food, although their peel-and-eat boiled shrimp was very carb friendly. I must admit that I was totally taken aback by the sight of so many morbidly obese people all in one place. We looked around to see if we might have walked in on a NAAFA convention, but most of these folks appeared to be dining alone or with friends. Before anybody starts to criticize them too harshly, I should mention that they weren't the only ones stuffing themselves. Most of the other patrons were pigging out too. Judging from their frequent trips through the buffet line, they appeared to be on the fast track to becoming as super-sized as the mountains of food they had loaded onto their plates. How sad, America. Lest you think I'm sitting on my high horse sounding all self-righteous since I adopted a low carb lifestyle, let me make something crystal clear. This is a very emotionally charged issue for me. My heart breaks when I see people using food to abuse themselves. They are the mirrors of my tortured soul, as I have first-hand knowledge of the private hell they are living. I know what is going on in their minds when they abuse food because, at various times in my life, I engaged in that very same behavior. People abuse food all the time, and those who do it aren't necessarily compulsive overeaters, either. Some of them may manage to stay within an acceptable weight range because they are bulimic, like I was in my late teens and early twenties. Others abuse their bodies by denying themselves nourishment and becoming anorexic. (I've done that, too.) It's a common misconception to assume that all fat people overeat. In a lot of cases, that's not necessarily true. After I recovered from my eating disorders, I realized that I tend to gain weight very easily, even though I usually eat considerably smaller meals than most people of normal-weight. People frequently jump to the mistaken conclusion that obesity an overeating problem that stems from a lack of self-control. Fat people have plenty of self-control, I assure you. Otherwise, a lot more skinny people would be turning up dead! But, seriously, folks... Although it's true that people can get fat by eating enormous quantities of junk food, there are also plenty of people who can get equally fat by eating normal-sized portions of high-carbohydrate health foods. I'm sure all the Ornish and Pritikin devotees would be shocked to hear this. Some say that poking fun at fat people is the only form of socially acceptable discrimination left in today's politically correct society. They call us lazy and stupid, and hurl all kinds of insults at us in public that they would never even dare to direct at, for example, a person of another race or nationality. Sure, it's possible that some overweight people are lazy, but I'm betting that most of them have broken metabolisms. After trying one diet after another and failing to lose weight, it's no wonder they have given up. Undeniably, repeated failure can take its toll on a person; and, it can have devastating consequences, too, sometimes shattering the core of someone's very being. People who don't realize that they are carbohydrate intolerant allow themselves to be coaxed, cajoled and shamed into joining programs like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, but none of those diets will work in the long run because they fail to address the unique needs of people who suffer from metabolic syndrome. Has that ever happened to you? If you're carbohydrate intolerant like I am, you didn't fail the diet. The diet failed you. Several years ago, I lost 40 pounds in 4 months by following a low carbohydrate diet. A single sugar binge completely derailed me and set me on the path to gaining back all the weight I had lost, plus another 50 pounds or so. I still haven't forgiven the person who helped orchestrate that fiasco. But it's my own fault. Had I stuck to my guns, I would have saved myself a lot of hardship. Well, thank goodness it's not too late for another chance at becoming thin and "flabu-less." Now that I have re-discovered the joys of low carbing, my heartfelt wish is to share this secret with fat people everywhere. You never know, it might just might turn out to be their key to living "flabu-lessly." |
Sabotage (The Enemy of All Diets)
Wow, can you believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away! I wonder how many of us are going to have to deal with friends and relatives who will try, either consciously or subconsciously, to sabotage our diet during the holidays? Chances are most dieters will be faced with this situation at one time or another, especially at this time of year.
Wait! Did you happen to notice that I used the word "diet" in the previous paragraph? One big problem with diets is that there's always somebody who's trying to get you to cheat! I hate to say this in a public forum but, a lot of times, it's because they're jealous. Your determination and success make these types feel ashamed that they haven't done anything about their own weight issues. Of course, not everybody who tries to sabotage you is green with envy over your new, "flabu-less" physique. Almost everybody has a well-meaning friend or relative who will say "I made it just for you" (guilt) and insist that "it won't hurt to eat a little bit" (a lie!). Although people like this have good intentions, what they don't realize is that they might as well be pushing you to use drugs. Can you imagine granny encouraging you to go ahead and snort some coke because "a little bit won't hurt?" Of course not! But she undoubtedly won't think twice about pushing a decadent, carb-laden dessert, which might be just as bad for you if you're sugar sensitive like me. Perhaps the analogy of comparing sugar to drugs sounds extreme, but for those of us whose bodies cannot handle the white stuff, it's reality.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but a low carb lifestyle really does solve a lot of the problems that plague traditional diets. For one thing, there's no need to announce that you're on a diet. It's not like there's any chance you'll be showing up at a party with weird foods that will draw attention to what you're eating. You're simply restricting your intake of carbohydrates, that's all. There's no need to feel deprived either, since holiday dinners typically include a wide variety of scrumptuous low-carb foods you can enjoy -- like turkey, ham, a variety of non-starchy vegetables, olives, sour pickles, and cheese. In a pinch, you can even munch on some of the fresh fruit and nuts that are spilling out of the cornucopia centerpiece. Nobody will even bat an eye, trust me.
If you're not quite ready to handle Aunt Mildred's aggressive pie pushing tactics yet, here's a little trick that worked for me. I've discovered that if I tell people that I'm abstaining from sugary and starchy foods due to a medical problem (technically true), they back off. You don't have to explain it; in fact, it's even better if you don't. If Aunt Mildred starts to ask embarrassing questions, just smile and change the subject. Believe me, 99% of the time, people like your Aunt Mildred will get the message that you don't want to discuss it. Every once in a while, you'll have to deal with the other 1% -- the ones who can't take a hint. Short of whopping them upside the head with a two-by-four (tempting, yes, but never a good idea), the only effective way I've found to deal with these boorish people is to crack a joke. My favorite response to people this is, "I can't eat that because I'm allergic." If they continue to press for details about the symptoms associated with your allergic reaction, just say, "It makes me break out -- in fat!" Works every time! Pretty soon everybody starts laughing, and the conversation moves on to more interesting things than what people are or aren't eating.
I don't know about you, but I sure don't plan to let the diet saboteurs sabotage my efforts to become thin and "flabu-less." And, honestly, there's little need to be concerned if you've made a permanent commitment to the low-carb lifestyle.
Wait! Did you happen to notice that I used the word "diet" in the previous paragraph? One big problem with diets is that there's always somebody who's trying to get you to cheat! I hate to say this in a public forum but, a lot of times, it's because they're jealous. Your determination and success make these types feel ashamed that they haven't done anything about their own weight issues. Of course, not everybody who tries to sabotage you is green with envy over your new, "flabu-less" physique. Almost everybody has a well-meaning friend or relative who will say "I made it just for you" (guilt) and insist that "it won't hurt to eat a little bit" (a lie!). Although people like this have good intentions, what they don't realize is that they might as well be pushing you to use drugs. Can you imagine granny encouraging you to go ahead and snort some coke because "a little bit won't hurt?" Of course not! But she undoubtedly won't think twice about pushing a decadent, carb-laden dessert, which might be just as bad for you if you're sugar sensitive like me. Perhaps the analogy of comparing sugar to drugs sounds extreme, but for those of us whose bodies cannot handle the white stuff, it's reality.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but a low carb lifestyle really does solve a lot of the problems that plague traditional diets. For one thing, there's no need to announce that you're on a diet. It's not like there's any chance you'll be showing up at a party with weird foods that will draw attention to what you're eating. You're simply restricting your intake of carbohydrates, that's all. There's no need to feel deprived either, since holiday dinners typically include a wide variety of scrumptuous low-carb foods you can enjoy -- like turkey, ham, a variety of non-starchy vegetables, olives, sour pickles, and cheese. In a pinch, you can even munch on some of the fresh fruit and nuts that are spilling out of the cornucopia centerpiece. Nobody will even bat an eye, trust me.
If you're not quite ready to handle Aunt Mildred's aggressive pie pushing tactics yet, here's a little trick that worked for me. I've discovered that if I tell people that I'm abstaining from sugary and starchy foods due to a medical problem (technically true), they back off. You don't have to explain it; in fact, it's even better if you don't. If Aunt Mildred starts to ask embarrassing questions, just smile and change the subject. Believe me, 99% of the time, people like your Aunt Mildred will get the message that you don't want to discuss it. Every once in a while, you'll have to deal with the other 1% -- the ones who can't take a hint. Short of whopping them upside the head with a two-by-four (tempting, yes, but never a good idea), the only effective way I've found to deal with these boorish people is to crack a joke. My favorite response to people this is, "I can't eat that because I'm allergic." If they continue to press for details about the symptoms associated with your allergic reaction, just say, "It makes me break out -- in fat!" Works every time! Pretty soon everybody starts laughing, and the conversation moves on to more interesting things than what people are or aren't eating.
I don't know about you, but I sure don't plan to let the diet saboteurs sabotage my efforts to become thin and "flabu-less." And, honestly, there's little need to be concerned if you've made a permanent commitment to the low-carb lifestyle.
Hypoglycemia Rapidly Improved
How many days have I been low-carbing now? I forgot already! It's been less than a week, and already I am reaping the benefits of my new lifestyle in so many ways. For one thing, the cravings are gone! Hooray! When I was eating carbs, barely a few hours would pass before the next craving hit, and then the battle of the wills would begin. Usually the craving would be so overwheming that I'd cave in just to make it go away, even though I knew it would be back with a vengeance before long. There's no doubt that I was an addict (and ice cream was my drug of choice).
The cravings would be so intense at times...I felt like I was going crazy! Carbs were my crack, and I could barely wait for my next fix, which was always followed by a high, and then, predictably, a crash. This is the hallmark of hypoglycemia. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with a special type of hypoglycemia called "reactive hypoglycemia," which essentially means that my body freaks out when I eat a lot of carbs. It becomes overzealous about bringing my insulin levels back down; eventually, my glucose levels get too low, and then my body responds by releasing a rush of adrenalin. This roller-coaster effect continues as long as I take in more carbs than my body needs (which, incidentally, is very few carbs indeed).
My reactive hypoglycemia symptoms have definitely subsided since I started low-carbing. Now that my blood sugar has stabilized, sometimes I even forget to eat. Hard to believe, I know! But it's true! My concentration has improved greatly since my body stopped screaming for another fix, and the "brain fog" and my other hypoglycemia symptoms are completely gone. Isn't that just "flabu-less?" I think so!
However, despite my short-term success so far, I'm not out of the woods yet. According to various experts in the field of nutrition, detoxing from sugar takes more than just a few days. And, even though low carbing eradicates cravings by addressing the physiological need for sugar, we still have to battle the psychological desire for it, not to mention the social aspects of eating. It's not always easy to do when we live in a society where food is associated with love. This is the holiday season, and rich, sugary treats will be lurking around every corner between now and the end of this year. Will I be tempted to indulge? Maybe. Will I give in? Probably not. I'll keep you posted.
The cravings would be so intense at times...I felt like I was going crazy! Carbs were my crack, and I could barely wait for my next fix, which was always followed by a high, and then, predictably, a crash. This is the hallmark of hypoglycemia. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with a special type of hypoglycemia called "reactive hypoglycemia," which essentially means that my body freaks out when I eat a lot of carbs. It becomes overzealous about bringing my insulin levels back down; eventually, my glucose levels get too low, and then my body responds by releasing a rush of adrenalin. This roller-coaster effect continues as long as I take in more carbs than my body needs (which, incidentally, is very few carbs indeed).
My reactive hypoglycemia symptoms have definitely subsided since I started low-carbing. Now that my blood sugar has stabilized, sometimes I even forget to eat. Hard to believe, I know! But it's true! My concentration has improved greatly since my body stopped screaming for another fix, and the "brain fog" and my other hypoglycemia symptoms are completely gone. Isn't that just "flabu-less?" I think so!
However, despite my short-term success so far, I'm not out of the woods yet. According to various experts in the field of nutrition, detoxing from sugar takes more than just a few days. And, even though low carbing eradicates cravings by addressing the physiological need for sugar, we still have to battle the psychological desire for it, not to mention the social aspects of eating. It's not always easy to do when we live in a society where food is associated with love. This is the holiday season, and rich, sugary treats will be lurking around every corner between now and the end of this year. Will I be tempted to indulge? Maybe. Will I give in? Probably not. I'll keep you posted.
