Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Weight 115.6, calories 943. What? Down by 1.4 after being up by .4? I should be used to the strangeness of maintenance by now but it is still weird. I did pee a lot yesterday so I guess that was why. First time in a month since I've been this low so I'll take it!

We went to Siesta Key beach for the first time yesterday. There was a fair amount of traffic getting to the key but we were able to park without any problem (for free) and it is a GORGEOUS beach! Then we had a drink at a great outdoor bar and listened to music and chatted with people. Fun time! DH was happy.

BIL comes in tonight for a one week visit. I may slip over to do a walk early this afternoon at the shelter and check on my favorites. DS thinks we should take one home...

Have a weightless Wednesday!

Weight: 133.8
Macros: Cals - 1,551, carbs - 185, fats - 49, protein - 95, fiber - 31
Veggies/Fruits (goal 8): 9
Sleep (goal 8 hours): 7
Exercise: Yoga class

My weight is up significantly (4 pounds) since before the memorial service weekend. Although the family gatherings and the celebration event went well, I got very little rest (only 2 hours on Sunday night). I compensated with a LOT of sugary and salty foods and know my liver is now full of water and at least a week's worth of glycogen reserves.

Yesterday, I had a phone call with a long-time friend whose husband died last May and learned that her physical, mental and emotional experiences since his death are very similar to mine - physical exhaustion, brain fog, severe loneliness, confusion, and a lack of focus. It was comforting to hear the similarities, but also discomfiting to see a woman who's been a model of strength over the years still reeling so hard nine months after her husband's death. She said her sleep has been severely disrupted, which could explain some of her lowered resilience. Once again, it sounds to me like sleep is critical to emotional recovery and healing.

This past Monday I saw my therapist and asked him, in only mild jest, how long this agony is supposed to last. He said that because people respond so differently there aren't any predictions I can hang my hat on. He did suggest that I experiment with different afternoon schedules and activities because that's when I'm less active than in the mornings and when I feel more tired and lonely. So I'm considering what that might look like.

Today's theme: Eat, love, sleep.

Another day close to 70 today, then 2.5" of snow tonight ! I strategically placed a few rocks in heavy dig areas, and cleaned two more bags of dog gifts which had been buried in snow. Devon... not sure how you kept your sanity with 15 poopers ! In a bit, I'm driving a van of Vets to a maple farm about an hour away for a tour of authentic maple syrup production and a buckwheat, farm egg & sausage lunch. I'm heading out for a walk after I post this, as an insurance policy. My plan is to do eggs, try the sausage, then a few bites of pancake. I LOVE pure maple syrup, and won't eat that sugar free or artificial crap. If I'm having it, I want to HAVE IT. Protein forward usually saves me.

Ann, so glad to have you home ! Dave.... LOVED your daughter's FB post !! Such trust and love all of the way around. BB... I had a dream... make sure your bag is packed... just sayin !

I just looked up Dave's daughters FB post. So much love

Good morning,

The stars have aligned, Liz's weight is back where she likes it, Ann is baaaaaack! and DianeO had a dream!

And, the NYT's has a lit review of a not-bad nutrition study (a rarity in the nutrition world) that found "that people who cut back on added sugar, refined grains and highly processed foods while concentrating on eating plenty of vegetables and whole foods -- without worrying about counting calories or limiting portion sizes -- lost significant amounts of weight over the course of a year". Yet another NYT link from Shel

I like the study because it looked at foods I personally like and call healthy. Also, I would like to know what the pictured entree is because it looks good. It also supports (I think) WW's latest offerings. Sadly, it wouldn't address peeps like me that will over eat even quality food but whatever....I already knew that.

And, a tidbit from the head trainer at my gym. Her background, by the way, is body building. This smacks of bro-science but I did find it interesting, thought you might, too.

I asked how to eat if one wants to drop a few but maintain hard-won muscles. She suggested eating 1550 cals a day with a 60/20/20 (protein/fat/carb) macro split. The 1550 is what is estimated to be my calories needed if I am just sitting and breathing. Because calories are highish, the 20% carbs would still be enough carbs that it wouldn't be ketogenic.

Hug your skinny!

Shel

Shel, thanks for that NYT article about the JAMA-published study. I like it very much, likely because it supports my way of maintenance eating. ;)

The study's encouraging findings also conform to my experience (starting last August) of losing an additional 3 pounds after moving from 5 veggies/fruits a day to 8/day, while eating, on average, an additional 100 cals/day.

I was thinking that too - that it supported your approach. I've been adding more veggies and some fruits and often don't log them because the calories are so low.

I liked the article. Of course, I did! Lo and behold! Sensible, sustainable eating might just be the way to go after all! Who knew?

Sarcasm aside, while it may be easier to focus on eating healthier, whole, real, unprocessed foods than restricting calories, or going KETO, or AMAW, or what ever strategy that may be a favorite, it is still a difficult way of eating to achieve if you have been eating dysfunctionally for many years (or a lifetime). Eating in a healthy manner still takes work. Given how prevalent our grab and go culture is and the abundant availability of highly processed, high sugar, high carb foods eating healthfully is not a snap for everyone.

Just sayin'...

Greetings Veggie Peeps

144.5 today and that is with the heavy socks on. Dinner last night was a cup of tomato soup. DH didn't want any dinner. He drank a protein shake at 5 pm and then wondered why he didn't want dinner. Good news to me because I did not feel like cooking.

Yep Shel, that NYT article makes sense. Lately I have been dreaming of brussel sprouts. DH hates them but that doesn't mean I can't eat them. A good winter item.

Liz, glad Pebbles was adopted. A good thing about working at the shelter is the cute sweet ones will go fast to good homes. Here, the local news station usually has a pet of the week featured from the shelter and they are quickly adopted.

Ann we are all hoping you can get some good rest. Being tired and over-wrought can sure make you want to eat junk - especially if thats whats readily available. Interesting to think about changing your afternoon routine. Thats what a friend used to call "the tired time" so it seems kind of natural to me. You will find what works. Glad you were able to share experiences with your friend.

Hey Diane O, eat that maple syrup if its the real deal. It comes from a plant so it must be good.

Love Devon's story on the F word. Years ago my friend's 3 year old daughter saw people she didn't know coming up the walk (cousins she had not met). So she stuck her head out the door and yelled "Get out of our yard, you ******s". DH and I refer to this as what our dogs are saying when they bark at other dogs.

Well stay warm all you winter people! Its been kind of cold here but nothing like the good ol' midwest. My only true winter coat is one from my fat days and its way too big but I have kept it for sentimental reasons. Might have to get it out. But first, more coffee.... Diane S

Weight 163

Nothing really to report on today. Fergus is begging for a walk so I'm off shortly to do that. Then Pilates this afternoon and painting class this evening. A lather, rinse, repeat Wednesday!

Oh, I did go with friends to see the Oscar nominated Live Action Shorts at the movies last night. Some really harrowing stuff - one about a school shooter, another about the murder of young Emmett Till in MS in the 50s for whistling at a white woman, another about an actual Muslim attack on a bus in Africa where the Muslim passengers protected the Christian ones from slaughter. Such heavy subjects! There was one about a family who ignores their deaf daughter and cancels her sign language education. Ugh. And the last one was mercifully funny about a psychiatrist who gets a new patient who thinks he's a psychiatrist. Glad to have seen them, but not sure I'll do it next year!

Wishing you all a good Wednesday...