Newbies

Hi, Tsands. First, the Menu Planner will not generate menus for you without enough protein (mathematical programming), so no worries there.
Second, it may very well be that the main meals are too large for you. I would suggest moving some portions around to other meals. The “Snack” between lunch and dinner is generally the smallest, so perhaps you can move items or portions of items there.

Whilst I do own a mobile app company, I am posting this as a genuine member – what is the name of the mobile app? I don’t sit at the computer so the web-based apps really don’t work – do you have an app like My Fitness Pro?
Thanks 🙂

Hi, Jackiee. Sorry to read you’re not feeling well. Hopefully you are being followed by a healthcare practitioner familiar with your case. This may be an issue related to medication – either a need for thyroid replacement therapy if you are not receiving it, or an adjustment in dose if you are.
Reducing carbs a bit (but not too much) and increasing lean protein is a good choice. I would also suggest to make sure there isn’t a lot of hidden or overt sodium in your foods. Try to focus on bright orange/yellow fruits and vegetables, deep green leafy vegetables (best if vegetables are cooked if you are going through an IBS flare), and good low-fat sources of calcium. Try to avoid cruciferous vegetables (cabbages, Brussels sprouts, broccoli) and unfermented soy products. If you are on thyroid replacement therapy, avoid multivitamins/minerals with iodine. Non-fish sources of omega-3s, such as omega-3 eggs and algae-based supplements may support easing of the inflammation inherent in both of the conditions you described.
Beyond that, perhaps you wish to consider consulting an insurance-approved alternative practitioner for balance – i.e. a Chinese type acupuncturist/herbalist.

Ok, I fell off the wagon. It’s only been three days and I got frustrated after driving from store to store looking for food (in 107 degree Fahrenheit temperatures)- it gets really hot here in the summer time, and to top it all off its humid! I wanted to try some new stuff (quorn, and fermented soy fuyu). I was starving by the time I got home, (and still frustrated), and ate some crappy snacks. Now I will have to try the more expensive health food stores. :-(. Okay, sorry for venting,, but I needed to. Anyone else experience this, and if so, what do you do to stay focused, and not give in to the old eating habits?

Thank you Ossie and Terrie. I have not tried ordering online, some links would be great. I live in Southern California. Rice cakes, and dried apricots do sound good! I will look for some organic ones, and other healthy snacks I can carry with me when I’m out. Dried sultanas? I’ve never heard of those! Ooooh, something else new to explore! :-). Today, I really didn’t think my shopping would take that long, but I was mistaken. I definitely have to plan better around my meal times. Thanks again for the ideas and encouragement. 🙂

Hi all Newbies! Been a while for me since I posted. The weather has been gorgeous, and I’ve been outside enjoying it. My weight is still dropping slow and steady…I hopped on the scale this morning and am 199! Finally made it below 200 lbs! Plus I had to put a new hole in my belt – I’ve lost an inch on my waist. I’ve been helping my brother dig out his garden every weekend for the last 6 weeks – swinging that pick axe really helps shed those pounds! 🙂 The final day I pulled a muscle in my back and after a week of chiropractor appointments, and another week of rest I’m good as new.

Jackie…sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. I know I was very frustrated the last 2 weeks with my back being out. Seems like you most want to do something when you are not able to do it. 🙂 Hope you feel better soon!

APENSA…Hope you are coming along as well! I haven’t been on the treadmill either…I usually don’t bother in the summer. I’ll hop back on it again probably as October rolls around. Then it’s back to early morning rises and a walk the first thing in the day.

Tstands… welcome to the program! I can say for myself, that this program works great! I’m not seeing fast results, but I’m seeing great results…the weight doesn’t rebound and I’m eating better than ever. Plus everyone tells me they can see the weight starting to come off me…clothes are starting to fit better. Something I do when looking for food online is just Google the item. For instance, I was looking for Macadamia Nut Oil and found several on-line stores that sold it. I live in the boonies and have to order a lot of things on-line.

Speaking of Macadamia Nut Oil… OSSIE, that is amazing! It doesn’t replace the taste of good old butter though. So, what I do is during the weekday, when I have my smaller portion snack of popcorn, I use the Macadamia Nut Oil. Delicious! Weekends I let myself have a good treat and use Becel Buttery Taste on the popcorn. Hopefully my cholesterol levels go down when I get my bloodwork done in September.

Oh, Tstands, about falling off the wagon. This is a lifestyle change, not a diet, so it takes a while to get into it. I found it easier to tackle a few things at a time, rather than do it all at once. For instance, I eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch and daytime snacks every day (which does make it easier for me), so I tweaked those things first. Then I tackled rice and pastas, and so on. Plus, I hate wasting food, so it gave me a chance to use up the items still left in my cupboard. Most I can find in the store and it’s second nature to me now. Just remember…this isn’t those other weight-loss gimmick programs that show skinny people who’s weight loss in the fine print on the commercials “is not typical results”. It took me a while to get going but it’s effortless and I don’t feel like I’m dieting because I’m not.

One final thing…a group of us at work got together to encourage ourselves to loose the weight. There’s 6 of us and every Wednesday we bring something healthy to put in a fruit basket…a piece of fruit, yogurt, granola bar, etc. Then we all weigh in and whomever lost the most that week wins the basket that day. Which is great because if you have a bad week, you can always start over next week. The person who one this week’s basket was so surprised and happy and she just got a boost of confidence and a bit of motivation. Anyway it’s a great bit of fun and a great way to encourage each other, and promote a bit of healthy eating.

Well, time to drink the last of my coffee and go stain my deck. Cheers all!

Paula (aka ppeddle)

Thanks very much for all your great advice and kind regards OSSIE, Paula, Terrie & Lynn. one thing I’ve been having lettuce\ salad everyday for over a month, just by cutting out the lettuce today I noticed a little change in my tummy bloating. 🙂 love the idea of eating more Orange \ yellow fruit too because it will be easy at this time of year, with all the apricot and peach trees in season, not to mention all the melons\ cantaloupes (yummy I love summer fruit).

TERRIE, lol yip know where your coming from being told its hormonal, at first I was told the same and also to drink more water and walk. The dr was shocked when I said I already drank 10 glasses a day and walked for 40 minutes 6 days a week. It got to the point the pain in my ankles was keeping me awake at night so I asked how much more water did he think I should drink oh and walk each day. He then referred me to specialist whom advised – I stop walking and all exercise for 3 months, – to have ultrasound and laser treatment, – take a herbal tablet called cari-joint – reinforced the ankle with elastic exercise physiotherapy 3 times a weeks – much different advice which is helping, with some swelling but with regards to the swelling even the sport therapist said to either go back to the drs or try a herbalist (same as OSSIE suggested). So I’ll look into a herbalist after trying everything OSSIE has suggested.

TSANDS, on your menu planner you could just choose the stuff you know and can find easily, then add the other things when you have sourced them. I kept a list of other food items, so when out and about I could keep an eye open for them. I also carry a peice of fruit and a wee pack of almond nuts in my bag to have for a snack if I’m out and about. I tend to eat my snack before doing food shopping as it helps keep to buying stuff on my food list and not giving into temptation.

PAULA, love the idea what you all do at work, what a great way to keep everyone encouraged and motivated. Hope your work is more stable now. Good to see you on community chat LYNN.

Right I’m off as another thing I was told was to cut down on computer time to help with my sore heads 🙁 always something 🙂 take care all x