Newbies

Hi, Roxxy38. Kasha and bulgur are both “groat” grains, but they are not the same. Kasha is also known as “buckwheat groats,” which despite the name, are actually wheat- and gluten-free, whereas bulgur is actually made of wheat groats, and therefore contain gluten. Both are high in fiber and very healthy.
As an aside, 1400 Calories sounds kind of low, and while weight loss is good, I’m concerned that it may be too challenging and not last. If about 550 is your natural instinct during the first part third of your day, then apparently, you need at least 1650 per day. If you want to post your age, height, weight, and activity level (and even the weight at which you remember being healthiest), I can do some calculations regarding the recommended food amounts to meet your nutritional needs for “right-sizing”.

OSSIE: HELP! I just read your post to Roxxy38 regarding the number of calories, and it scared me. I don’t think I am probably eating enough calories and maybe that’s why I’m not losing weight??? Will you please figure this out for me? I am 70 yrs old, weigh 180.5 today, am 5′ 2″, don’t exercise because of bad knees and back. I felt best when I was 40 to 55 and was 138 lbs. I felt great. That’s what I want to get back too if possible. Do I need to start making some of the recipes? I try mostly to eat fruit, veggies, canned tuna or chicken, cottage cheese, no sugar jello, steel cut oatmeal, a little dry cereals, skim milk, hard boiled eggs, low fat fruit flavored yogurts, SWG bread and english muffins, lettuce and veggie salads, green beans, beets, fresh peppers shopped in my salads, onions and celery in my salads, baguettes, Barley, and a few other small things. Once or twice I had a tiny piece of beef roast or pork roast. Several people on this diet seem to know how many calories they are eating. Does this mean I should be counting calories too, to get the correct amount?

Hello everyone. I have been out of the loop for a while. But today I have put in my flotys and am ready to get back on the cruse with you all. Had me a great healthy breakfast and printed out my menu for today.

Hi, Roxxy. The following is the recommended pattern for you, based on the information you provided:
Breakfast: 2 starches, 2 dairy/substitute proteins, 1 fat, 1 fruit
AM Snack: 1 starch, 2 dairy/substitute proteins, 1 fruit or vegetable
Lunch: 2 starches, 2 proteins, 1 fat, 1 vegetable
PM Snack: 1 starch or sweet, 1 protein, 1 fruit or vegetable
Dinner: 2 starches, 2 proteins, 1 fat, 1-2 vegetables
Night Snack: 1 starch or sweet, 1 protein
Please do beware of too few calories, as it could backfire and slow your metabolism down further.
There are quite a few Club members here with pain and mobility challenges, but have found physical activity options, and I would encourage you to do the same – mainly floor exercises such as pilates and Feldendkreis, yoga, etc. (see the Club article on yoga here http://www.trimdownclub.com/the-benefit-of-practicing-yoga/).
If you can get insurance coverage, perhaps try getting a professional consultation regarding options of therapeutic massage and/or acupuncture to help.

As I have mentioned before, I am not a great reader…not that I can’t, I just am too impatient to get to the end. I appreciate all the understanding comments made by so many of you. I realize how serious all of you are to achieve some level of success with the program and I do wish you all good furtune and take my hat off to your efforts. To answer a few questions. The reason I did not continue on the “Eating for Life” diet is simple…..I got tired of it. The biggest problem I had was that I quit going to the gym on a regular basis. I got on this due to the very convincing promo I ran across on the internet. When they said you could eat everything, they did not mention that you would have to resupply your kitchen with new products….that is my biggest problem with the program. The other one was the same. I found myself beating the bushes to find Grape Seed Oil. Anyway that is why I left it for the most part. That was three years ago and about 10 lbs ago.

About the Super Bowl party. It was just me and my wife and we did not even bother to order pizza. We enjoyed the game and the outcome, nibbled on a few chips and Ranch dip. I had two Vodka drinks….that gave me heart burn. Of course we started the day by going to one of the local casinos and having Sunday Brunch Buffet. That included Champagne, sausage patties, bacon, scrambled eggs with choriso, corned beef hash with country gravy…..oh, yes…I topped it all off with a piece of sugar free apple pie.

I truly admire you all for the efforts you put into this and I am sure that if followed like Ozzie and the rest suggest, you will all do wonders for yourself. It is absolutely fantastic having the feeling of being able to wear clothes that you haven’t been able to fit in for a long time. I personally have a lot more years on me and a lot less excess pounds than some of you. The important thing is that you start to look at what you purchase, how you fix it and how much and when you eat it. Oh, yes…..exercise…That is the part I really hate!!!! I just keep remembering that if I want to latch on to a good looking 50 something lady at the gym, I better wait for her outside, fully clothed and standing with my wallet and the door to my Ferrari open. Oh, I forgot…..what do I do with my wife. God, I hate being 71.

Hi, Roxxy. Yes Ezekial bread – like breads in general – is a starch. The units refer to exchanges, very similar to those dictated by the diabetic system (see American Diabetes Association) – see the links from the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/DA00077.
Dairy protein is what you see in the Menu Planner – examples include milk and yogurt. Substitute is a vegetarian/vegan version.
Keep in mind that the Trim Down Club program does not work with calories, but rather with meeting your nutritional needs based on your measurements and goals.

apensa: Isn’t being 71 better than the alternative? 🙂 I will be 71 in March and am satisfied with my life except for being over weight. After looking at the obits in the paper everyday, I feel very fortunate just being alive. Many are much younger than me and so many are in their 70s. Have a good day 🙂

OSSIE: OOOOOPS! Didn’t add the 2 menus 🙂

MONDAY

6 ounces of Low-Fat Yogurt, 2%
1- 1/2 cups of Oatmeal/Oat Porridge (Cooked with Milk)
1/2 Banana
Snack #1
1 cup of Tea, Herbal
1 ounce of Tuna, Canned in Water
1 cup of Blueberry
Lunch
2 servings of Green Vegetable Salad with Dressing
4 ounces of Tuna, Canned in Water
1 cup of Green Beans/French Bean/Haricot
1 cup of Brown Or Wild Rice (Cooked)
Snack #2
1 cup of Gelatin/Jelly, Flavored, Sugar-Free
Dinner
6 ounces of Low-Fat Yogurt, 2%
2 ounces of Chicken, Canned
1 cup of Barley (Cooked)
1/2 cup of Green Beans/French Bean/Haricot
Snack #3
1 cup of Tea, Green/White/Red
1 ounce of Almonds
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TUESDAY
Breakfast
6 ounces of Low-Fat Yogurt, 2%
1 1/2 cups of Oatmeal/Oat Porridge (Cooked with Milk)
1/2 Banana
Snack #1
1 cup of Tea, Herbal
6 ounces of Low-Fat Yogurt, 2%
1 slice of 100% Whole Grain/Wholemeal Bread
1 cup of Blueberry
Lunch
2 servings of Green Vegetable Salad with Dressing
4 ounces of Tuna, Canned in Water
1 cup of Green Beans/French Bean/Haricot
1 cup of Brown Or Wild Rice (Cooked)
Snack #2
1 cup of Gelatin/Jelly, Flavored, Sugar-Free
Dinner
1 Tbsp of Worcestershire Sauce
2 ounces of Chicken, Canned
1 cup of Onion, green/spring (Scallion)
1 cup of Barley (Cooked)
1/2 cup of Kidney Beans
Snack #3
1 ounce of Almonds
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