Don't ask. I was in Key West for 5 days, then this past weekend I had a friend visiting from out of town and we did a lot of socializing (read: eating and drinking). I feel like a slug. I have only gotten to the gym (or to walk outside) twice a week for the last few weeks. Time to get serious! I just wrote three "gym" dates on my calendar for this week. Thanks for the reminder.

Tell me more about this fitbit....?

thanks for starting the check in !!

My weight is down a few pounds, I feel good: I moved this last month, so that helped. Busy busy.

I'm travelling this week, then 19 days in Florida, I do good with my workouts there , plus golf !!

I've cut down carbs and sugar and it works. I'm also reading Wheat Belly and trying to figure out how I can make changes in my diet.

This has probably been my worst month in over a year. DH is now home all the time (not traveling) so he frequently has food temptations around - he has a real sweet tooth as do I if it's around. Then we've been out of town a bit where there were all kinds of temptations. And this medication I'm taking kind of puts you in see food-eat food mode so best just not to have enticing stuff around. Plus the crappy winter weather just does not end so I have been in a bit of a funk and not quite as enthused about exercise. I so want to get out do something other than ride the stationary bike. Leaving on Friday for another short vacation and more eating and less exercise. My weight has gone up a couple more pounds but so far I've still been able to get a grip and get it back within a couple pounds of my desired weight.

I think I just need spring!!

Recipe to share...

This is a Paleo recipe for banana pancakes I've been enjoying and hope you will too:

One mashed banana mixed with one egg, 1-2 T. flour (can be omitted), cinnamon to taste, blueberries if desired. Drop onto hot skillet, makes 2-3.

I like to serve w/fresh strawberries and honey:)

I have stalled this month. I got the flu, was sick my entire spring break week, left with bronchitis. I am still trying to get back to normal functioning. Then last week our 15-year-old cat had to be put down. My appetite is not that great, but my activity is nowhere near normal either.

OTOH, I did sign up for a stress reduction class, so I am hoping this helps my health and outlook a bit.

Hoping to regroup this month.

Sue,
Good for you for scheduling gym time. That's the way to counteract the last few weeks of vacation and entertaining living. A fitbit is a little electronic fitness monitor. There are many brands with similar products - Nike fuel band, Body badge (?) - that track your movements. It tracks steps, stairs climbed, my sleep pattern. I like that I don't need to sync it with the computer to see my step count. One of the wrist band styles (Nike?) doesn't have a display on the device, you have to check your status on your phone or computer. I highly recommend getting a fitness monitor, you just have to determine which is best for you. I happened to buy the fitbit and love it.

Mitch,
I'm curious about Wheat Belly and will read it soon (after my sister finishes with her copy). What are your impressions after reading it?

Gibbs,
I need spring too! Around here the sky is finally looking bluer and more spring like but the temperatures haven't quite caught up. Are you giving yourself enough credit for not gaining weight while on that medication? That is a huge accomplishment.

Funnygirl,
I don't eat bananas (migraine trigger for me) but that sounds like a nice, simple recipe. I'm sure someone here will benefit from you sharing it. Any others we might like?

Gscience,
You have had a tough month but scheduling that stress reduction class is a positive and healthy step.

I've been doing pretty well. I lost the few pounds I gained over the holidays and am holding steady on the low side of my regular weight. I'd like to drop a few more pounds, but I've been trying to drop them for 8 years to no avail! I am running a race on Sunday, so I've had to keep up with running all winter. I have another distance race lined up for early June, so as long as I keep races on my calendar, I'm able to maintain a regular running routine.

I started a TRX class in February and have been going 2x per week in between my running days. While I think it helped me shed the few pounds, I've really noticed a difference in how my clothes fit. It definitely has helped me in my mid-section from my waist to mid-thigh!

Gibby, have a nice little vacation. Perhaps you can do some nice walks to help you maintain rather than gain any weight with your vacation indulging! I know what you mean about the weather. It's been unseasonably cold here, lots of rainy days (in mid-Atlantic and we got rain instead of all the snow). While I was able to maintain my exercise schedule, it did leave me so unmotivated the rest of the day. I'm looking forward to sunny, warm weather!

gscience, sorry you've had such a terrible time of it. Very sorry to hear about the loss of your cat. I hope the class is helpful!

Funnygirl, I have a bag of ripe bananas in my freezer that I use for smoothies. My blender is now broken so I'll have to defrost a couple and try those pancakes.

Hhireno, glad that the fitbit is helping to motivate you to move more!

I'm doing pretty good. I've been on the Primal Blueprint for a full month and have lost 12 pounds. That was the easiest weight I've ever lost. I've backed way off of (obsessive) calorie counting,measuring and logging. I still do all of those things, I'm just more loosey-goosey about it now.

I'm still going to the gym for half to a full hour. I'm also walking and riding my bike more. No more multiple hour gym visits for me. I've taken on an approach where exercising is for overall health and fitness NOT weight loss. It's way easier to eat the right foods than it is to burn calories!

My strength training needs some help. I don't have a trainer anymore and I like to lift slow and heavy. My problem is that I don't like to do it by myself and really, I shouldn't. I'm trying to find a partner to lift with me. DH says he'll do it but his schedule is so different from mine.

Here is another Paleo Pancake recipe:

Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes

⢠1/2 cup pumpkin puree
⢠2 eggs
⢠1/2 - 2 tablespoons coconut or almond flour
⢠1 teaspoon vanilla
⢠1 teaspoon cinnamon
⢠1/4 teaspoon baking soda (if using flour)
⢠1/2 teaspoon baking powder (if using flour)
⢠1 tablespoon Coconut oil melted

You can play around with the eggs and flour - adding eggs or omitting or increasing flour to make them thicker or thinner like a crepe.

Down approximately twelve pounds, with about fifteen to go. Still doing green smoothies (with superfoods) for lunch. The remainder of my diet is comprised of veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds and legumes, along with quinoa, brown rice and some tofu. After three months, I've noticed that my nails are peeling -- perhaps a lack of protein? I've been veg for 25 years, but having eliminated all processed Morningstar Farms-type soy products, I must be getting less protein.

Anyway, keep up the good work everyone!

hh, I'm almost half way through Wheat Belly, there is a lot of scientific explanation and he is a convincing author,
to the point that I'm slightly sceptical but it definitely is a motivation to cut down carbs and seek better grains/cereals with no wheat.

Thanks for starting the thread. Way to go everyone, it is nice to hear success stories. Good motivation.

A few weeks ago, as I was standing in the kitchen eating mini Twix bars, my friend called me and invited me to a small group with a "food coach" and nutritionist. Seemed like maybe a sign. :)

The nutritionist's advice, so far, is not really anything new, but having the group to attend has been good so far. We have focused on some of the emotional issues surrounding food and that is really where I need to go I think. This week we were supposed to practice mindful eating. Sitting at a table with silverware and napkins. Tasting each bite and chewing thoroughly. Very interesting how often I eat standing! She also shared with us this "Three Bite Practice" by Pema Chodron. http://lightworkers.org/blog/178507/three-bite-practice

I'm two weeks without sugar, eating mostly vegetables, fruit and protein. I know carbs are a problem for me so I am cutting the white stuff out. I definitely feel better.

This is probably the last weekend I have to travel to work in NH. This cold weather has kept the ski areas open. I'm over it! Kids are playing baseball for crying out loud.

Oh, I also began seeing a chiropractor yesterday. I used to be a patient and always found it helpful. My doctor sent me because my sinuses have been a disaster for a couple of months and he doesn't want to give me more antibiotics. One treatment yesterday and I can feel the drainage working.

Exercise is on the list of things to do. :)

Beth P.

Here is a link that might be useful: three bite practice

Bethpen,
Heeheeheee...getting the call while eating a Twix. I think the Universe was tapping you on the shoulder to get your attention. One of my sisters is doing a group nutrition thing through her chiropractor - combining both parts of your story! I, too, am over winter. As a matter of fact, I didn't stick with the ice skating beyond the first week in March because I just couldn't stand seeing the ice.

Mitch,
One odd thing I read in an interview was him saying we have problems with wheat since humans haven't been eating wheat for very long -------- only 10,000 years. Well, that seems long to me.

YTNF,
You're doing very well! Are you concerned about your nails? I've mentioned this a million times before but I add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to my yogurt parfait breakfast. I get 3 g of protein and 5 g of fiber for 60 calories. Maybe Bethpen's nutritionist could tell us if that's a reasonable calories to protein/fiber amount. I do feel they help keep me feeling satisfied.

Kelly,
It sounds like your new loosely-goosey attitude is serving you well. There are plenty of magazine articles that say when we stop obsessing we actually make some progress. I love pumpkin so I'm intrigued by that recipe.

Fourkids,
Good luck with your race on Sunday. I hope you get whatever the best weather is for that type of event.

Edited to add:
Sueb,
I have the fitbit one. I just remembered that there are multiple styles so if you research them you'll know which one I use.

This post was edited by hhireno on Wed, Apr 3, 13 at 9:13

Aside from yesterday where I ate the dark chocolate eggs my mom gave me in my Easter basket (nevermind that I'm 37 and my mom still gives me an Easter basket) I've been doing great. The weight is coming off S-L-O-W but people are starting to notice. I am down 15lbs since Jan 1st. And my size 12 jeans fell off past my hips yesterday when I was running in the yard with my son.

I have not read Wheat Belly, but I know what it is about. I read the Conscious Cleanse and attempted to do the cleanse, but just couldn't commit to the full 2 weeks with weekend obligations. I did however change my diet by adding green smoothies daily after reading the book. I have also drastically cut back on wheat/gluten and dairy and can't believe the difference. My normally bloated gut is now normal. I have unbelievable energy and my mood is better. The vague abdominal pains and GI issues I've had for the last few years have disappeared. I am not snapping at the kids or my DH over nonsense around the house, I'm a bit more patient.
I have not completely cut out gluten because I can't imagine life without raviolis (I'm Italian) but instead I adopted the books approach of 80:20 lifestyle. Where 80% of the time my food is greens, fruits, legumes and lean meats, and then 20% of the time I eat what I want. It allows me the freedom to make this lifestyle change acceptable for me. I could never cut out a food group for good, it just wouldn't work for me. I have also completely eliminated processed foods. I don't eat cereal, granola bars, packaged oatmeals etc. at all. I also limit my intake of sugar.
In additon to changing my diet I am doing shorter work outs on the treadmill and elliptical, but I'm doing interval workouts. I do a bodysculpt class 2 times a week and I am swimming for an hour once a week. I feel better than I've felt in a long time.

Ladies, don't get discouraged, just get back on track!! You were all doing so great last year and I was discouraged, but just by reading all your progress I jumped back in and have kept at it the past 3 months. Thanks everyone.

The 80:20 approach has really saved me from binge eating. Instead of eating a cupcake then feeling like the sky is falling so why not eat three more, I can eat a cupcake with no guilt and no binge. Remarkable!

My "food coach" lady is big on the 80:20. What Polly is doing sounds a lot like her recommendations. (YAY POLLY!!!) She loves the chia seeds too. I love how she talks about "experiments". So you want a cupcake? FIne, have a cupcake, but really tune into how your body feels after the cupcake. I haven't really put that much thought into how food makes me feel until now. Very helpful.

This week our assignment is to try a new grain. I've been staying pretty far from any grain, so I'm not sure what I'll try. I have had quinoa before, I may try one of the darker colored ones.

This has been probably the most stressful six months we've had in a long time and I am ready to put it, and the repercussions behind me.

Beth P.

Way to go Polly!! Sounds like you are doing so much better. Good for you.

Speaking of cupcakes, I'm back now with my April unhealthy check-in. I ate a Costco carrot cake cupcake tonight. If you've ever seen these things you know they are no ordinary cupcakes - they are mega cupcakes with a massive quantity of frosting. It comprised most of my dinner and was delicious. Gee, was there any nutritional value in that - are there really carrots in those things? This is coming from someone who once gave up sugar for several years - never again - I'm clearly an addict. I remind myself of my mother who refused to quit smoking because she enjoyed it so much. She lived quite an active life until age 84 when she passed.

I guess I'm on the 80:20 program because it's over and now I'll move on with normal eating again. Thankfully I had a decent breakfast and lunch......