Dearest,We are totally and completely here for you. We look forward to you joining us on Wednesday. Bring your journal, if you have been keeping one. No matter what we will all work together to shed the pounds and anxiety of this new world order.Be safe and be well.H

Does keeping a journal in a computer program (LifeForm) count?  Should I print it out first?  I just started today - again.  

I'll try to stay awake for the chat - that's my normal daily nap time!

Hi,

I just wanted to say that the Potatoes Not Prozac program has you journalling also.  When you do this you can see how you feel from "slips."  What I am finding is that when I don't eat sugar and that when I do eat something I feel the results very strongly.

I had depression last week from eating even  sugarfree pie because I actually had a up reaction to it then a down because I had too many carbs at once and with no protein with it.

The PNP explains what is going on in our brain chemistry to have this happen...combination of low serotonin, low endorphins, and low blood sugar.

This program is a gradual approach to getting off sugar.  You have seven steps and by the time you get to getting off sugar you feel better to do it.  You learn to journal and eat breakfast with protein and protein at other meals before you attempt to cut sugar.  

This program eliminates carb cravings where you don't want the sugary things.  If you don't crave them, it's not as hard.

You may lose weight but mostly they believe you should feel better first to enable you to make the better choices.  For me it takes the mystery out of why I have struggled with carb cravings...and that carb cravings and depression are linked for me.

Mary, Keeping a journal on the computer works. Whatever is easiest for you. Printing it out would be helpful since we can discuss your journal while in the Wed. chat. Sure hope you can make it. Be safe and be well. H

Nancy,I learned about keeping a journal from my internist and my nutritionist. It helps me to control my diabetes.What I am curious about, in terms of what you are learning from PNP, is: (how bad is this grammar) besided eliminating sugar are you also eliminating complex carbs? If so, how do you maintain a balanced diet? I do understand the biochemistry that you discussed and it makes sense. I know for myself that low blood sugar causes me to have bouts (small though they are) of depression and brain fog. Twenty minutes after having 4 ounces of apple juice this conditions clears. Now I know for me this is all a result of the diabetes and my need to maintain a certain blood sugar level. How does this work for you? Hope you don't mind my asking.Be safe and be well.H

Hspec,

You eat complex carbs because they are important.  You just work on eliminating the refined ones.

It's a healthy diet in that you eat protein with all meals...not an excessive amount....complex carbs and some fruit but not a lot.  You eat whole grains not refined ones.  It is very healthy but the founder of this says timing of the proteins and carbs is important to keep you level.

These are the steps of the program which are done gradually which you master one at a time:

7 Easy Steps to Heal Sugar Addiction:

l.  Eating breakfast with protein...creates blood sugar stability, wakes up your brain, and sets the stage for healing.

2.  Journaling...teaches you how to read your body and adjust the rhythm and pace of your program to your own body and lifestyle.

3.  Three meals a day with protein...maintains blood sugar stability andhelps increase serotonin levels.

4.  Having your vitamins and a nightly potato...increases your serotonin levels the next step to help you "just say no."

5.  Shfiting from white to brown...foods gives your body the positive effects of carbohydrates without activating cravings.   (complex carbs)

6.  Taking out the sugar...reduces cravings by eliminating beta-endorphin priming.  No cravings means no addictive behavior.

7.  Getting a life...teaches you behaviors to increase beta-endorphin in a healthy way, and to find radiance.

This is very general but the books Potatoes Not Prozac explains the chemistry of our struggles with carbs.

Nancy,Thanks for all the info. It's quite interesting and very similar to the advice I got from my doc and nutritionist. The two main differences are:     I can't  have the nightly potato because it does negatively impact on my blood sugar. I don't have carbs of any kind after my late afternoon snack-which is my revival shake. The other is that I have 5-6 small meals a day. This helps to better maintain a steadier blood sugar level throughout the day. This is important for managing the diabetes. The rest of the points I do follow. I think it basically comes down to finding a nutritional plan that works for you and your body. We are all individuals and what works for one might not work for another. With that being said, there are basic nutritional elements to all plans that are healthy and safe. Again, thanks for the info.Be safe and be well.H

Hspec,

Did you have problems with your blood sugar in which you felt tired or had reactions the years before you were diagnosed with diabetes?   My test always come out negative for diabetes.....it runs in my family pretty strongly.  

I do know one person who has diabetes but never felt bad beforehand....does this make sense?   I feel bad in response to certain carbs and my numbers show I don't have diabetes.

Your program sounds good for your situation.

I think from what I read that some people eat such bad meals that they feel so bad that any change even remotely like the PNP is a step in the right direction.  But once you have diabetes you HAVE to eat very healthfully.

Have appreciated your input on this...

Hello, All...My new beginning didn't last very long. I got discouraged when I saw the scale (yikes) go up a lb. This is with eating "healthy". Time to rethink again. I relaxed this weekend and tried to recharge my batteries.  

Of course I am starting again Monday. I will continue to follow the healthy eating plan and exercise at least 5 days a week. I realized my plan is very similar to NancyV's post.

See  you here tomorrow. I am still "rethinking" and working on my attitude towards myself.

Grace

Grace,

Don't be discouraged.  I think I have heard somewhere that sometimes your body gains two pounds of excess water to get rid of one pound of fat.   In other words, the weight gain is temporary as part of losing.   Has anyone else read that anywhere....?   Maybe we should only weigh once a month to get a more accurate reading of what the general trend is....otherwise, go by how your clothes are fitting.

Then I think we sometimes have to even cut down on the good and healthy complex carbs as well....and that is individual in how low that is.   I just don't want to have to cut out foods that contribute to my wellbeing and general heatlh which is like winning the battle but losing the war.    

I have had people tell me recently that I look like I have lost some and I have not lost weight, but over the last year I have been doing more resistance with weights so I must be firmer or built some muscle.    Still I would love to shed some serious pounds....  

I understand how frustrating it can be when you are trying to do it right....hang in there.  :)

Nancy,     Diabetes also runs in my family-specifically my Mom. She lived very successfully with it for over 50 years after she was diagnosed.  She is my role model.     As for me, I had no symptoms. I went for my annual physical and the diagnosis was made after the blood test results came back. March 13, 2000 is a date I won't forget.     The short version is that I got my act together and after two months, with the help of  my husband, my son, my internist, a nutritionist, a physical trainer and my therapist I had a program in place for me to follow. I am extremely proud of myself that I have the diabetes under control with no meds, just diet and exercise. Over the course of that first year I lost 40 pounds and have kept off 35 of those pounds. I see my doctor every other month so he can monitor how I am doing. As you can see I am not doing this alone. I have created a support system for myself to deal with this specific aspect of my life. My husband and son are the best. My doc is just wonderful. When I gained back the five pounds and felt really upset about that he pointed out to me that muscle does weigh more than fat and it is most likely a weight gain from my increase in muscle mass and not fat accumulation.     I feel better and stronger as a result of all of this. As I have said before, it is important for a person to find what works for them. Clearly the PNP program is working for you and that is the most important thing. We know ourselves the best and how we react to certain things. What might be a healthy course for one might not be for another.     Thanks for all that you have shared. It has helped me as well.Be safe and be well.H

Grace,     What Nancy said. Don't get discouraged. It's not a matter of starting over. It's a matter of maybe slightly modifying your plan. However, a one pound weight gain is no big deal at all. I would say stick with what you are doing. Remember, you are a very physically active person. You are eating healthy and exercising all the time. This is a healthy life style. Instead of looking at the scale, look at the way you feel. Do you have energy, do you feel comfortable in your clothes, do you feel comfortable in your skin? Are you, overall, happy with yourself?    We are all here for you.Be safe and be well.H

Hi...well, it is 2 days of not staying on program with the eating. Again I ate healthy, but ate too much. I am now reading DR Northrups chapter on nutrition and I am going to see what she has to say. So far I like what I am seeing. I like the theory of eating what you really want early in the day, within reason, to help stop cravings later. I wil try to read it all before tomorrow.

Thanks Nancy and HSpec...I am hanging in there.

Grace

Grace,See my reply at the weight chat thread.H

Grace,

I think Christiane Northrup endorses the PNP approach too.   Somehow from my experience with this, eating protein at breakfast helps to keep on track the rest of the day....never would have thought just this one thing would help so much but it does.    I just feel better from the beginning than having a bagel and jelly which quickly makes me tired and not as motivated.

What did Christiane say in the article you mention about having what you want first?   Just curious....

Boy you all better explain that fast about eating what you want to early in the day, cause I'm chompin' at the bit to go get a whole dozen donuts.:shocked:Hugs and hoping , jeanne :biggrin:

LOL Jeanne!!!!  :biggrin:

~~~~~~~about to fly out to see what goodies I can find...~~~~~~~  

Georgia Dove

HSpec, I saw your post. Thanks.

Dr Northrup meanst that if you really want a piece of chocolate, have it, but make sure it is the good kind, have a piece and savor it. She also thinks you should eat your "good" carbs between 10 am and 4 pm. That is as far as I got.

Also, no distractions while you are eating...no TV, reading, etc. Do not talk with food in your mouth...if you want to talk swallow and put your fork down. Eat until satisfied...not stuffed. Do not DIET!!

Protein is very important at every meal. No eating 3 hours before bedtime.

I will post more after I read it. It does make a lot of sense.

See you later.

Grace

OH, if I am late to chat is because I walked to my neighbor's whose husband (FDNY) has been missing since 9/11 at the WTC. I just found out yesterday and I want to go see her. The last time I saw them was at church before I left for Charlotte and somehow never heard or saw her recently.

Bye for now.

Grace

Hi! Hope you all had a productive week with eating healthy. I did eat healthy but did eat a little too much (as usual). Of course, there was no weight loss...still maintaining.

Have a good weekend and I will see you Monday. Just keep thinking healthy and use moderation and we should be able to start the week off right with no regrets.

See you then.

Grace

DINNERTIME WEIGHT CHATS!In our Web Chat Room Every Wednesday5 PM, EST - 2 PM, PST

Why do I gain weight at menopause?I diet, but I can't lose weight!What's wrong with my metabolism?Why do I crave sweets? Chocolate?Is this due to my hormones?What can I do?

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